Liberty In Peril

                                                                                              formerly,

                                                                                       The Llano Ledger

'President' Trump 20                          5-10-19 And Continuing  ©2019 All Rights Reserved

6-28-19

Highly reminiscent of our outrageously bought and paid for judiciary, Llano County prosecutors, Sheriff Bill Blackburn and his criminal SS jackbooted bastards in black who continue to egregiously disgrace themselves and the badge, do as they please regardless of the law and Constitution, carefully consider the following.  It's appalling.  Runs against the grain of everything our formerly great country once stood for.  No longer.

Think you've heard it all?  You haven't.  CBS News reports:

"A former police officer convicted after a sting operation of trying to help the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) by purchasing $200 in gift cards for them is scheduled to be resentenced. Nicholas Young of Fairfax, Virginia, was sentenced to 15 years in prison last year for obstruction of justice and attempting to provide material support [to] a terrorist group. But the federal appeals court in Richmond tossed out the obstruction convictions and ordered a resentencing to be held Friday. Prosecutors say he should still get 15 years. Defense lawyers say he's now "66.6 percent less guilty" because two of the three counts against him have been thrown out. They're asking for 5 years. Young was the first law enforcement officer charged with a federal terrorism offense. He patrolled the D.C. region's Metrorail system. According to an FBI affidavit, Young bought the gift cards in July 2016 and intended for ISIS to use them to purchase mobile messaging apps. Young actually gave the codes for the gift cards to an undercover FBI officer, the affidavit said. Young had been on federal security officials' radar for several years, CBS News homeland security correspondent Jeff Pegues reported shortly after the arrest. Young had been under surveillance since 2010, and he said he traveled to Libya twice in 2011, where he joined rebel forces seeking to oust dictator Muammar Qaddafi, according to the affidavit."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-28-19

Highly reminiscent of our outrageously bought and paid for judiciary, Llano County prosecutors, Sheriff Bill Blackburn and his criminal SS jackbooted bastards in black who continue to egregiously disgrace themselves and the badge, do as they please regardless of the law and Constitution, carefully consider the following.  It's appalling.  Runs against the grain of everything our formerly great country once stood for.  No longer.

Sen. Warren challenges the jackbooted ICE bastards.  NBC News reports:

"Citing the findings of an NBC News investigation, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., sent a letter to Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Friday about the treatment of immigrants in ICE detention facilities and the use of solitary confinement, especially for disabled and LGBTQ detainees. "The volume and severity with which ICE appears to be violating its own rules is extremely disturbing," wrote Warren, a contender for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, "especially given how seriously it is compromising the health and safety of the detainees in its care."

Highly reminiscent of how the German Nazis ran their concentration camps at the very beginning of the Third Reich.

"Warren's letter details findings from an investigation by NBC News in partnership with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and the Intercept that documented the extensive use of solitary for immigrant detainees held in jails around the country. NBC News reviewed records from a Freedom of Information Act request that documented solitary cases from March 2012 to March 2017. The investigation found that only half of the nearly 8,500 solitary cases between 2012 and 2017 involved punishment for rule violations. The other half involved people — many of them gay, mentally ill or disabled — placed in isolation largely for what ICE described as safety reasons."

Raw nazism.

"The investigation also included the story of an employee of Department of Homeland Security, the department that oversees ICE, who made multiple attempts to alert higher-ups about the rampant use of segregation for the mentally ill and other vulnerable communities. "We have created and continue to support a system that involves widespread abuse of human beings," said the DHS employee, Ellen Gallagher, a policy adviser."

Nazi America.

"In her letter, Warren asks ICE for the number of times detainees were placed in segregation from 2016 to the present, how many deaths occurred during and after segregation, and how many had special vulnerabilities. She also questioned whether ICE implemented recommendations on the use of solitary confinement by DHS's inspector general. Warren included a deadline of July 5 for answers to her questions."

Good luck, Senator.  Our fuhrer, the Trump nazi, and his henchmen do as they please.  Forget?

NBC News reports:

"Almost 300 migrant children have been removed [from] a border patrol facility in Texas after media reports of lawyers describing “appalling” and potentially dangerous conditions, Department of Homeland Security officials told NBC News. Lawyers who recently visited two Texas facilities holding migrant children described seeing young children and teenagers not being able to shower for days or even weeks, inadequate food, flu outbreaks and prolonged periods of detention. The children who were removed were being held at a border station in Clint, Texas. Some were wearing dirty clothes covered in mucus or even urine, said Elora Mukherjee, the director of the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic at Columbia Law School. Teenage mothers wore clothing stained with breast milk. None of the children had access to soap or toothpaste, she said. “Almost every child I spoke with had not showered or bathed since they crossed the border — some of them more than three weeks ago,” she said. “There is a stench that emanates from some of the children because they haven’t had an opportunity to put on clean clothes and to take a shower.”

Nazi America.  When did we lose ourselves?

"The children have been taken to a tent detention camp also in El Paso, Texas, where they will remain under the custody of Border Patrol until they can be placed with the Department of Health and Human Services, the DHS officials said. The Associated Press first reported on the conditions at the facility. Mukherjee was part of the team of lawyers who visited the facility last week. She said that although the border station has the capacity for slightly more than 100 people, when they arrived Monday morning there were about 350 children there. The group spoke to more than 60. “I have never seen conditions as appalling as what we witnessed last week,” she said. “The children are hungry, dirty and sick and being detained for very long periods of time.”

A fascist police-state.

“Children who are young themselves are being told by guards they must take care of even younger children,” Mukherjee said, adding that children as young as 7 and 8 were forced to care for 2-year-olds. She said almost all the children had been separated from the adults they crossed the border with — siblings, aunts or grandparents, or even their parents. “They don’t know where their loved ones are who they crossed the border with,” she said. Many also had family members already in the United States waiting to take them in, she said."

Courtesy of the Trump nazi and his henchmen.

"Federal law requires unaccompanied or separated migrant children be transferred to HHS custody within 72 hours, but some children at the Clint facility had been in Border Patrol custody for weeks, she said. Migrant children are increasingly finding themselves stuck on concrete benches or even outside at Border Patrol stations, with HHS close to exceeding its capacity, according to three government officials and documents reviewed by NBC News. Meanwhile, a different team of attorneys said they had also encountered children in similar conditions when they visited the Central Processing Center in McAllen, Texas, this month."

Un-American.  Right Wing Nazi.

“It’s the same conditions,” immigration attorney Hope Frye said. Frye said she encountered a 17-year-old Guatemalan mother with a premature baby at the crowded facility. The mother was wheelchair-bound after an emergency C-section in Mexico. When Frye met her, she was “caked with dirt” and neither she nor her baby had showered since arriving, she said. Frye said she took a tissue to clean the baby and wiped off “black dirt from her neck.” Frye described the baby as looking weak and said the mother told her she had stopped thriving while at the facility. Frye said she felt she had no choice but to come forward to tell the young mother’s story. The teen and her baby have since been released from Border Patrol custody."

Jackbooted criminal motherf--kers.

“She told me she believed if they did not get out, her baby would die,” she said. “There is no question in my mind that it was the extreme love of this 17-year-old mother that kept that baby alive.” Frye described filthy conditions, adding, “There is no soap and no water, or the water is inadequate or inaccessible unless you’re let out of the cages.”

Jesus Christ.  When did we lose ourselves?

"Frye also said of the children they spoke to, “almost every kid had some sort of illness” or had been sick. She said the team sent a doctor back to the facility after the visit, and six children were ultimately sent to the hospital. A decades-old agreement known as the Flores Settlement sets the guidelines for treatment of migrant children as well as their detention and release, including that facilities be “safe and sanitary.” Last week, a Department of Justice attorney appeared in court to argue an appeal of a 2017 ruling that the conditions of the settlement were being violated. In a clip that went viral, attorney Sarah Fabian argued that specific amenities such as soap, toothbrushes and even a half a night’s sleep should not be required under the terms of the original settlement. The argument drew criticism from the panel of judges at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. “To me it’s more like it’s within everybody’s common understanding: If you don’t have a toothbrush, if you don’t have soap, if you don’t have a blanket, it’s not safe and sanitary,” Judge A. Wallace Tashima said. "Wouldn’t everybody agree to that? Would you agree to that?” Vice President Mike Pence said Sunday he does believe migrant children should have access to soap, toothbrushes and other basic amenities."

Trump's Fourth Reich.  ... A raucous, boot clicking, goose stepping, treasonous, treacherous, traitorous Seig Heil!, Mr. 'President?'

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-28-19

Nazi justice.  The Washington Times reports:

"The Supreme Court ruled Friday that an illegal immigrant who had a gun — a crime — can’t be prosecuted if he didn’t know he was in the country illegally. In a 7-2 decision the justices said in a crime where the status of a person is the “crucial element” to the offense, the government must prove the person was aware of that. Otherwise, it might just be an innocent mistake. That could affect “thousands” of previous convictions. “Without knowledge of that status, the defendant may well lack the intent needed to make his behavior wrongful. His behavior may instead be an innocent mistake to which criminal sanctions normally do not attach,” Justice Stephen Breyer wrote in the majority opinion. He said without the knowledge element, an illegal immigrant “Dreamer” brought to the U.S. as a child, whose parents never revealed his status to him, could face penalties. The case before the justices involved Hamid Rehaif, a citizen of the United Arab Emirates who came to the U.S. on a student visa, but lost the visa when the school informed him he’d been “academically dismissed.”

Since when is ignorance of the law and/or personal status any defense against prosecution for the bottom and middle class?

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-28-19

The Trump nazi continues to support the Saudis.  Despite their murder of a Washington Post reporter.  NPR reports:

"A special U.N. investigator says Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman should be investigated in the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi because there is "credible evidence" that he and other senior officials in the kingdom were responsible. Agnes Callamard, the special rapporteur for the U.N.'s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, conducted a five-month investigation into Khashoggi's death last fall at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Her resulting report, released Wednesday, found that "Khashoggi has been the victim of a deliberate, premeditated execution, an extrajudicial killing for which the state of Saudi Arabia is responsible under international human rights law." Callamard's report says the mission to "execute Khashoggi" required significant coordination, resources and finances. It adds that every expert consulted for the report found it "inconceivable that an operation of this scale could be implemented without the Crown Prince being aware, at a minimum, that some sort of mission of a criminal nature, directed at Mr. Khashoggi, was being launched." Western intelligence agencies, including in the U.S., have already assessed that the crown prince was involved in Khashoggi's death, but this report is from an independent investigator. The crown prince, who is also known as MBS, has repeatedly denied any involvement."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-28-19

Trump has his problems.  Excessively high intelligence isn't one of them.  CBS News reports:

"President Trump said the U.S. military was "cocked and loaded" to retaliate against Iran on three different sites Thursday night, but called off the operation after learning 150 people would likely die from the strike. Mr. Trump, explaining his decision on Twitter, said the response would have been "not proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone."

The casualties would have likely been far higher.  Usually are.

"As CBS News has reported, the president ordered the drone strike Thursday night, but backed down, avoiding — for now — a significant escalation of tensions between Iran and the U.S. "On Monday they shot down an unmanned drone flying in International Waters," Mr. Trump tweeted Friday morning, referencing Iran. "We were cocked & loaded to retaliate last night on 3 different sights [SIC] when I asked, how many will die. 150 people, sir, was the answer from a General. 10 minutes before the strike I stopped it, not....proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone. I am in no hurry, our Military is rebuilt, new, and ready to go, by far the best in the world. Sanctions are biting & more added last night. Iran can NEVER have Nuclear Weapons, not against the USA, and not against the WORLD!"

Show us the proof, Mr. 'President,' precisely where the drone was shot down.

"It's unclear what sanctions the president was referring to, as the Treasury Department announced no new sanctions on Thursday."

Trump talks out both sides the ass.  Zero credibility.

"Mr. Trump met with top congressional leaders at the White House Friday to decide how to respond to Iran shooting down the unmanned drone, an act the president said could be due to someone "loose and stupid" and an unintentional mistake. After that meeting, top Democrats agreed the situation with Iran is serious. But a source in the room told CBS News that no options for a response were posed at the time."

The Washington Post reports:

"President Trump ordered an attack on Iran on Thursday in retaliation for the downing of a surveillance drone in the Strait of Hormuz but called the operation off just before it was due to occur because it would have caused extensive casualties, he said Friday. In a series of morning tweets, Trump said he called off strikes on three Iranian sites minutes before they were to be launched because he was informed of the likely loss of life among Iranians. “We were cocked & loaded to retaliate last night on 3 different sights when I asked, how many will die,” Trump tweeted. “150 people, sir, was the answer from a General. 10 minutes before the strike I stopped it.” Such a death toll was “not proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone,” Trump wrote, adding: “I am in no hurry, our Military is rebuilt, new, and ready to go, by far the best in the world. Sanctions are biting & more added last night. Iran can NEVER have Nuclear Weapons, not against the USA, and not against the WORLD!”

Here's the issue:

"Trump’s Friday morning tweets appeared to gloss over the fact that he was the one, as commander in chief, who had ordered the retaliation against Iran in the first place. Iran said Friday the United States had “no justification” for a retaliatory strike and vowed to respond “firmly” to any U.S. military action."

Trump needs to provide evidence precisely where the drone was when it was shot down.

"The commander of the Revolutionary Guard’s aerospace division said Friday that Iran had sent “warnings” to the drone before shooting it down. In an interview with Iran’s state-controlled broadcaster, Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh said a final warning was sent at 3:55 a.m. local time Thursday. “When it did not redirect its route and continued flying toward and into our territory, we had to shoot it at 4:05 a.m.,” he said. “Our national security is a red line.” He also said that a U.S. P-8 patrol aircraft, with 35 people on board, had accompanied the drone into Iranian airspace. His claim could not immediately be verified. “We could have downed it, too,” Hajizadeh said of the plane, the Fars News Agency reported. “But we did not do it.”

"The official [an American official speaking on condition of anonymity] said he could not say whether Iran considered shooting down a Navy P-8 Poseidon surveillance plane with a few dozen U.S. service members aboard before ultimately striking an unmanned RQ-4 over the Gulf of Oman. However, the official said, a P-8 was flying in the region that night. Iranian state television Friday published images that it said showed pieces of the drone recovered from the debris field. The photographs, which showed large fragments of what appeared to be an aircraft, could not be independently authenticated."

NPR reports:

"It's rare for an executive decision about a U.S. airstrike to change, said retired U.S. Navy Adm. Jim Stavridis, who served as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander for four years. While he acknowledges that in the past, planned missile strikes have been canceled because of factors such as targets being moved or weapons needing maintenance, Stavridis told NPR's Morning Edition, "Bottom line, I can't think of an instance where a decision has gotten pulled back, if that's what actually happened." Stavridis spoke to NPR shortly before Trump confirmed that he had called off the strike. In the international community, the president's reversal will likely be perceived as "somewhat indecisive," Stavridis said. It also signals that members of Trump's national security team might be at odds with one another, he noted, adding that there is currently no confirmed secretary of defense.

"As Trump discussed potential U.S. responses to Iran around midday Thursday, he sent something of a mixed message. "You'll soon find out" if the U.S. is planning a strike on Iran, Trump told reporters at the White House, reiterating that Iran had made a "very big mistake" by shooting down the U.S. drone. But the president also seemed open to the idea that it not have been an intentional act by Iran's leaders or its military. "I have a feeling that it was a mistake made by somebody that shouldn't have been doing what they did," he said, speculating that "it could have been someone loose and stupid."

... Like you, Mr. 'President?'

"The U.S. and Iran disagree on where the drone was when it was shot down. Iran says the spy craft had intruded on its airspace around Kouhmobarak district in the country's south, near the Gulf of Oman. According to Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, the Global Hawk had taken off from the United Arab Emirates and "violated Iranian airspace." But the U.S. has flatly rejected that description. Air Force Lt. Gen. Joseph Guastella, commander of U.S. Central Command, said the drone "had not violated Iranian airspace at any time during its mission." Guastella said the U.S. drone was flying 34 kilometers away from Iran's coast when the Revolutionary Guard shot it down. He also said the missile attack on the drone was irresponsible, saying it took place "in the vicinity of established air corridors, possibly endangering innocent civilians."

Not clear yet exactly what the truth is.

NBC News reports:

"To supporters of the Iran nuclear deal, it's no surprise that President Donald Trump is now facing a potential war with Iran. Long before Trump was elected, advocates of the nuclear agreement — including then-President Barack Obama, French President Emmanuel Macron and others — had argued that abandoning the accord carried grave risks that could lead to an armed conflict."

Wise counsel the Trump nazi stupidly chose to ignore.

"So let's not mince words. The choice we face is ultimately between diplomacy or some form of war — maybe not tomorrow, maybe not three months from now, but soon," Obama said in a speech in 2015 defending the deal before a congressional vote. Trump as a candidate vowed to dump what he called "the worst deal ever" and he made good on his promise in 2018. A year later, Trump is openly discussing the pros and cons of bombing Iran."

Trump is hopelessly ignorant, aggressively stupid.  Unfit.  Dangerous.

"On Friday, the president said in a tweet that he had ordered and then called off military strikes against Iran after Tehran shot down a U.S. surveillance drone over the Strait of Hormuz."

Trump ignorantly plays an exceptionally dangerous game.  Presents an exigent threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  -- To say nothing of that to the world community.

The Washington Post reports:

"President Trump said Saturday that he is comfortable with his decision to call off U.S. military strikes, adding that he is “not a warmonger.” He also said he could imagine a future where the U.S. is Iran’s “best friend.”

Amazing turn around, no?  LOL.

"Washington has insisted the drone was flying over international waters, but Iran has disputed that account, saying the RQ-4A Global Hawk was targeted after penetrating Iranian airspace early Thursday. Shortly before Trump spoke with reporters Saturday, Iran’s foreign minister posted new maps on Twitter he said offered further details on “the path, location and point of impact” of the U.S. Navy surveillance drone shot down by Iran. “There can be no doubt about where the vessel was when it was brought down,” Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote on Twitter alongside images he said listed the coordinates of the drone as it flew over the Strait of Hormuz.

    "For more visual detail on the path, location, and point of impact of the U.S. military drone Iran shot down on Thursday, and of the waters over which it was flying, see these maps and coordinates.

    There can be no doubt about where the vessel was when it was brought down. pic.twitter.com/eInqIYolaS
    — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) June 22, 2019"

Get this:

"Trump also thanked Iran for the “wise” decision not to shoot down an American military plane with a crew of 38 aboard. Trump said Iran had a manned plane “in their sights” but instead hit the remotely-piloted surveillance plane, “and that’s something we really appreciate.” Conservative critics excoriated the Obama administration when then-Secretary of State John F. Kerry publicly thanked Iran for releasing a group of American sailors who had apparently strayed into Iranian waters in 2016. The president spoke as he left the White House for a weekend getaway at Camp David, where he said he will hold meetings on Iran. He suggested that some advisers would join by video or telephone conference. National security adviser John Bolton is overseas. Trump said additional U.S. sanctions will soon be applied to Iran, but did not specify the type. His administration has already applied stringent economic sanctions because of the country’s alleged support for terrorism, and Bolton and others have made no secret that a goal is to cripple Tehran’s oil-dependent economy.

"The president’s unusually friendly tone toward the chief U.S. adversary in the Middle East included an open invitation to Iranian leadership to “start all over” with negotiations on its nuclear program following his decision to withdraw from the 2015 multinational pact negotiated under Barack Obama. “Iran wants to become a wealthy nation again. Let’s make Iran great again. Does that make sense? Make Iran great again, okay with me,” Trump said. “But they’re never gonna do it if they think in five or six years, they’re gonna have a nuclear weapon.” He continued: “We are not going to have Iran have a nuclear weapon. And when they agree to that, they are going to have a wealthy country, and they are going to be so happy, and I’m going to be their best friend. I hope that happens, but it may not.”

“We’ll start all over and we could have a deal very quickly if they want to do it,” Trump said. “It’s up to them.” “Everyone was saying I’m a warmonger and now they’re saying I’m a dove, and I say I’m neither. I didn’t like the idea of them unknowingly shooting down an unmanned drone and we killing 150 people,” Trump said."

Amazing, isn't it?  Think this guy fit for office?  Has all his marbles?

NBC News reports:

"Fresh sanctions levied by the United States drew an intense reaction from Iran on Tuesday, with a senior official saying they spell the "permanent closure" of diplomacy between the two countries. Iran said it would take new steps to reduce its commitments under its nuclear deal with world powers on July 7, according to Fars, Iran's semiofficial news agency. Ali Shamkhani, the head of Iran's national security council, said European signatories to the nuclear deal had not done enough to save it, during an interview with Fars. The landmark 2015 deal requires Iran to curb its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. The U.S. withdrew from the deal last year and Trump announced additional sanctions on Monday against Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and his associates. The measures deny Khamenei and senior Iranian military figures access to financial resources and block their access to any assets they have under U.S. jurisdiction. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani mocked President Donald Trump, calling the measures "outrageous and idiotic" and saying the White House is suffering from a "mental illness." Trump fired back later Tuesday, warning that any attack by Iran "will be met with great and overwhelming force."

    "....Iran’s very ignorant and insulting statement, put out today, only shows that they do not understand reality. Any attack by Iran on anything American will be met with great and overwhelming force. In some areas, overwhelming will mean obliteration. No more John Kerry & Obama!
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 25, 2019"

The mark of a bully.  An insane bully.  Unfit to be president of the United States.  Ferociously pointedly, what did the Trump nazi expect the Iranians to do?  Kiss his ass?

ABC News reports:

"Iran warned Tuesday that new U.S. sanctions targeting its supreme leader and other top officials meant "closing the doors of diplomacy" between Tehran and Washington amid heightened tensions, even as the country's president derided the White House as being "afflicted by mental retardation." President Hassan Rouhani went on to call the sanctions against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "outrageous and idiotic," especially since the 80-year-old Shiite cleric has no plans to travel to the United States. Yet the sharp response from Tehran shows the pressure that the nation's Shiite theocracy and its 80 million people feel over the maximalist campaign of sanctions by the Trump administration. From Israel, President Donald Trump's National Security Adviser John Bolton said Iran could walk through an "open door" to talks with America, though he also warned that "all options remain on the table" if Tehran makes good on its promise to begin breaking one limit from its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers."

Jesus Christ.  Bolton is as insane as his fuhrer, the Trump nazi.  Carefully, reread the last sentence of the above quote.  The Trump nazi removed the United States from the agreement.  Yet, the Bolton idiot and Trump nazi expect Iran to uphold its end of the agreement.  That's nuts.  Blatant insanity.  'Don't do as I do, do as I say.'  The best the United States could and should have done about proliferation of nuclear weapons is warn any use of these weapons would lead to immediate nuclear obliteration of the aggressor.

"While resembling the exchange of insults just before North Korea's leader and Trump sat down for talks, Iran so far appears to have no interest in negotiations. "The useless sanctioning of Islamic Revolution Supreme Leader (Khamenei) and the commander of Iranian diplomacy means closing the doors of diplomacy by the U.S.' desperate administration," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi tweeted. "Trump's government is annihilating all the established international mechanisms for keeping peace and security in the world." The crisis gripping the Middle East stems from Trump's withdrawal of the U.S. a year ago from the nuclear deal with Iran and other world powers and then imposing crippling new sanctions on Tehran. Recently, Iran quadrupled its production of low-enriched uranium to be on pace to break one of the deal's terms by Thursday, while also threatening to raise enrichment closer to weapons-grade levels on July 7 if European countries still abiding by the accord don't offer a new deal."

Why should, why would this come as any surprise?  Forget?  The United States broke the agreement first.  That's reality.  Trump's delusional behavior is directly responsible for it.

Here's more of that blatant insanity.  CBS News reports:

"President Trump is threatening "obliteration" of Iran if the country carries out an attack on "anything American," after Iranian officials said the path to diplomacy between the two nations is permanently closed after Mr. Trump's new round of sanctions Monday. Mr. Trump announced the sanctions on Iran's supreme leader and the supreme leader's office in response to what the administration deemed multiple acts of aggression by the Iranian regime.  "Iran's very ignorant and insulting statement, put out today, only shows that they do not understand reality," Mr. Trump wrote in a series of tweets Tuesday morning. "Any attack by Iran on anything American will be met with great and overwhelming force. In some areas, overwhelming will mean obliteration. No more John Kerry & Obama!"

Trump is dangerous.  Unfit.  Presents an exigent threat to the international community, to say nothing of life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties within our formerly great country.

"Iran leadership doesn't understand the words 'nice' or 'compassion,' they never have," the president also tweeted. "Sadly, the thing they do understand is Strength and Power, and the USA is by far the most powerful Military Force in the world, with 1.5 Trillion Dollars invested over the last two years alone."

Jesus Christ.  An incompetent boob who blatantly disgraces himself, his office, our formerly great country.  A secure, competent president does not act like an insane bully.  An out of control idiot does.

"Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in a televised address, called the new sanctions "outrageous and idiotic," slamming the Trump administration for issuing the sanctions while also calling for negotiations.  Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have long been escalating, reaching a breaking point last week after Iran shot down a U.S. drone. Mr. Trump had approved a strike on Iran, but backed off after -- according to Mr. Trump -- the president learned how many lives could be lost. Instead, the Pentagon went ahead with a cyber attack."

NPR reports:

"We will continue to increase pressure on Tehran until the regime abandons its dangerous activities and its aspirations including the pursuit of nuclear weapons, increased enrichment of uranium, development of ballistic missiles, engagement in and support for terrorism, fueling of foreign conflicts, and belligerent acts directed against the U.S. and its allies," the president added. It wasn't immediately clear how the U.S. had access to the assets, though Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said they added up to "literally billions" that would be locked away. In a briefing with reporters, Mnuchin declined to provide details about the assets Iran's leaders might have either in the U.S. or in the global financial system, saying, "we follow the money and it's highly effective." As NPR's Franco Ordoñez noted, it's not clear what the Trump administration can achieve with this round of sanctions. "The president has often talked about major things happening and they turn out not so major, or at least not as major as we expect," Ordoñez said."

Called bullshit.

In an editorial courtesy of NBC News, Halie Soifer, executive director, Jewish Democratic Council of America opines:

"The recent escalation with Iran has laid bare the risk of electing a president with no commitment to truth or the ability to think strategically. Reckless decisions such as Trump’s unilateral withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal have isolated the United States from its allies, and strengthened the Iranian and American hardliners who want conflict, including those in the Trump administration. Monday’s White House decision to sanction Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and other high-ranking Iranian officials reveals the emptiness of Trump’s approach. Sanctions are a means to an end, but not an end in and of themselves. In the absence of a clear foreign policy objective, sanctions are solely punitive measures with no clear aim other than further escalation."

That's right.  Trump is not only hopelessly ignorant, but dangerously stupid.  Out to lunch.

"In addition to sanctioning Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps leaders allegedly responsible for recent Iranian provocations, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin also announced that Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif would be sanctioned by the U.S. later this week, which will make it nearly impossible to negotiate with Iran — though Trump said on Friday that he was prepared to do so with no conditions."

Aggressive stupidity at it's most dangerous worst.

"Negotiations require a partner; sanctioning Iran’s top diplomat and then hoping for negotiations is laughable at best. (The Iranians have already said they represent a "permanent closure" of diplomacy between the U.S. and Iran, after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani originally called them "hilarious" and "outrageous and idiotic.") At worst, doing so is intentionally counterproductive and will increase the chances of a military conflict by taking a diplomatic solution off the table for good."

Trump and his equally ignorant henchmen are too stupid to comprehend this.

"The key to the success of sanctions targeting Iran in the Bush and Obama administrations, unlike the ones announced on Monday, was multilateralism. Between 2006 and 2012, the United Nations passed multiple rounds of sanctions against Iran. These, together with other unilateral and multilateral sanctions, deeply strained the Iranian economy and pressured Iran into the negotiations that resulted in the 2015 nuclear agreement. If the U.S. imposes unilateral sanctions but the Iranians continue to do business with Europe, China and Russia, we cannot hope it will have a measurable impact other than further ratcheting up tension."

Hard to believe our allies haven't already made this quite clear to Trump and his fellow idiots.

"There is, of course, no evidence that the Trump administration has, or is aiming to receive, international support for these latest sanctions. They come instead at a time when the U.S. is increasingly isolated and discredited on the world stage, and Iran is taking advantage of our relative weakness to pursue its own agenda and expand its regional influence. The aftermath of the recent attacks in the Strait of Hormuz revealed the Trump administration lacks the credibility to convincingly call out Iran for its regional belligerence."

Trump and his fellow idiots are incapable of understanding truth, or embracing reality.  Live in their own delusional dream world.

"In the days after attacks on two commercial tankers in the Gulf of Oman, none of our allies fully accepted U.S. claims that Iran was responsible for the attacks and the U.N. secretary general called for an “independent investigation.” In the days after Iran shot down a U.S. drone, our allies silently considered which narrative was more credible: The Trump administration’s claim that the drone was flying over international waters or Iran’s claim that the drone violated its territorial sovereignty."

That issue still has not been resolved.  Why not?  Why haven't Trump and his henchmen provided proof?  What about our allies in the region?  Why haven't they done the same?  Someone had to have observed what happened and where.

"Trump’s pattern of lying and deception has damaged our credibility to the point where some of our allies are now more likely to believe Iran. In addition, he appears wholly unprepared, unwilling and unequipped to meet current foreign policy challenges, especially those as complex as Iran. This has resulted in a president pulled in various directions by a divided White House, where hawks such as National Security adviser John Bolton are pushing for military action even as others suggest caution."

This is precisely why Trump presents an exigent threat not only to the world community, but to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties here in the United States.

"Ten minutes before launching an airstrike against Iran last week, Trump allegedly called off the operation after learning of the projected number of Iranian casualties. Decisions of this magnitude require a deliberative process and strategy, and military operations should not be ordered — or called off — on a whim. While the details remain murky, this incident revealed that the White House national security decision-making process is deeply divided and flawed."

Dangerously, so.  ... Or, Trump was in fact immediately provided with estimated casualty figures and is blatantly lying.

"It wasn't like this always. In previous administrations, the United States executed a clear strategy of sanctioning Iran as a means of increasing pressure, which culminated in a diplomatic solution as opposed to military conflict. These sanctions were a means to an end — the Iran nuclear agreement — which took the imminent threat of a nuclear-armed Iran off the table. Trump’s decision to walk away from the deal in 2018 has left the U.S. isolated and Iran emboldened."

Quite true.  One can never get precisely what one wants in any negotiation.  Trump psychotically believes he can.  Makes him even more dangerous.

"Since that time, Trump’s policy has been replete with hypocrisy and contradiction. The Trump administration has simultaneously vilified the nuclear deal and paid lip-service to reaching a similar agreement. It claimed Iran violated the deal, yet also warned Iran against noncompliance. Now, the president is increasing sanctions and threatening “obliteration” if Iran does not negotiate an end to its nuclear program, while undermining prospects for negotiations."

Called aggressive stupidity.  Trump remains unfit for office.  Dangerously, so.  Should he be removed from office, his constitutional successors, Vice President Pence and then Speaker Pelosi, remain equally unfit for office for totally different reasons.

Coup de grace?  Get this:

"Despite Iranian compliance with the nuclear agreement — which currently remains in force with five other countries — Iran remains the world’s leading state sponsor of terror and has destabilizing proxy forces across the Middle East. Instead of finding a way to rein in Iran, Trump has vacillated to the point of incoherence, including announcing via a tweet in December that the U.S. would withdraw all troops from Syria. This would have granted Iranian forces unimpeded access across the region, from Tehran to the Mediterranean, had it not been subsequently reversed by the Trump administration as a tacit admission of the president’s recklessness."

Not just 'recklessness.  Gross unfitness.

"At this moment, Trump’s foreign policy toward Iran has been exposed for what it is — meandering and dangerous. There is no defining ideology other than a betrayal of historic alliances and abandonment of international agreements. America is strongest when its policies are guided by principles and values, and Trump has weakened our national security by implementing an erratic foreign policy defined by contradiction, especially as it relates to Iran."

An egregious problem across the board.  Both domestically and overseas.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-28-19

Senate rebukes Trump.  NPR reports:

"Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, the Senate voted to rein in President Trump's powers, passing three bipartisan resolutions on Thursday blocking the administration from selling billions of dollars of weapons to Saudi Arabia. Seven Republicans, including Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, joined all Democrats in voting for the measures blocking against sales to Saudi Arabia, each passing 53-45. With 22 separate sales pending, the other 20 resolutions involved arms sales to other allies, including the United Arab Emirates. They were voted on en bloc, whereby four Republicans joined the Democrats in that 51-45 vote. While sending a strong signal to the administration, all three Senate votes failed to get enough votes to override a pledged veto by the president. The House must now pass a joint resolution of disapproval, which would then go to the president's desk. It is also not expected to pass a veto.

"The administration has said it has the authority to carry out the sales because of an "emergency" in the Gulf, citing Iran's aggression in the region. The White House declared the emergency and approved the weapons sales May 24, the same day it announced the deployment of 1,500 troops to the Gulf region. Following last year's grisly slaying of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside Saudi Arabia's Istanbul consulate, Congress has called for holding Saudi Arabia accountable, even as the administration has affirmed U.S.-Saudi ties. Sen. Rand Paul, who was among the handful of Republicans who voted to ban the weapons sales, referenced Khashoggi on the Senate floor Thursday, saying "there is high confidence that the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia butchered a dissident with a bone saw ... You would think that would give us pause as to giving Saudi Arabia or selling Saudi Arabia more weapons."

Republicans remain out to lunch.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-28-19

Think Trump and his henchmen are not in bed with FOX employees?  NBC News reports:

"Ex-Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort exchanged hundreds of text messages with Fox News host Sean Hannity after the longtime GOP operative was charged in the special counsel's probe, according to court documents released Friday. "The media is trying to split me with DT and family by lies and untruths," Manafort wrote to Hannity in August 2017. "It is such a dirty game." In another, Manafort says: "I have new lawyers who are junk yard dogs and will undo a lot of this injustice. But it is going to be a painful and expensive fight for me." Hannity, for his part, offers Manafort consoling words and an open invitation to his show. "I pray that God give you grace and peace in this difficult moment," Hannity, one of Trump's most vocal supporters, wrote that same month. "If you ever just want to talk, grab dinner, vent, strategize -- whatever, I am here. I know this is very hard. Stand tall and strong."

Jesus Christ.  Manafort is a convicted criminal.  Rightfully, so.  His bought and paid for shysters, best in the business, couldn't get his sorry ass off.

"Hannity and Manafort, who is serving a 7 1/2 year prison sentence on charges brought by ex-special counsel Robert Mueller, sometimes texted multiple times a day between July 2017 and June 2018, according to the newly-released court documents. In late January of this year, Manafort said in one message, "Sean, per our conversation this morning, my attorney -- Kevin Downing -- will call you at 11:30 am tomorrow. He will update you on what we are doing and how it connects to your reporting. What number should I give him to call you? ”Hannity replies, "Awesome," and says "I asked him to feed me every day" and later says, "HE HAS TO SEND ME STUFF." While Hannity's text number is redacted, his full name is attached to some of the messages."

Jesus Christ.  Unbelievable.

Wake up.  Here's the problem:

"The documents show that the judge presiding over Manafort's trial in Washington D.C. was concerned that Downing had violated a gag order imposed on the lawyers and parties in the case. A newly unsealed document shows that Judge Amy Berman Jackson ordered Downing to appear for a hearing in late March on "why the court should not institute proceedings against him" for contempt of court. Downing did not immediately return a request for comment, but in an unsealed transcript of that March hearing, Downing says he had a seven minute conversation with Hannity and told the judge, "I did not feed information to Mr. Hannity." "The client wanted me to introduce myself to Mr. Hannity, and I did," Downing said in court, adding, "and we basically had a discussion about our background and growing up on Long Island, and that was it." In the end the judge noted that there were no text messages that implied there were further communication attempts by Downing. Hannity responded to the released text messages in a tweet Friday evening. "My view of the Special Counsel investigation and the treatment of Paul Manafort were made clear every day to anyone who listens to my radio show or watches my TV show," he said in the tweet."

Precisely, the issue, Mr. Hannity.  'Fair and Balanced?'  Horse shit.  Unadulterated horse shit.  Across the board.  Not only vis a vis talk show hosts, however.

"Rick Gates, a longtime associate of Manafort's and former Trump campaign official, pleaded guilty in February 2018 to charges of conspiracy and lying to FBI agents investigating Russian election interference. The following month, Hannity said to Manafort in a text: "Why don’t u get a sweetheart deal like Gates" Manafort replied, “They would want me to give up Dt or family, esp JK. I would never do that.”

Jesus Christ.  ... Protect a criminal?

"JK, the texts suggest, refers to Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. Hannity texted: “Understand. There is nothing to give up on DT."

How do you know, Mr. Hannity?  Wishful thinking?  Determinedly blind to the national socialist, fascist, nazi element in our formerly great country?

"What did JK do?” “Nothing, just like I did nothing," Manafort replied."

You had the best shysters money could buy, Mr. Manafort.  Yet, they couldn't get your sorry ass off, sir.  Wake up.

"They will want me to make s--- up on both. I will never do that.”

Jesus Christ.  Consider yourself a goddamned choir boy, sir?  Ubiquitous 'thinking' like yours is precisely why our country is no longer what it once was.

"The pair texted each other even while Hannity was on air, according to the newly-released transcripts."

How about that?  Proof positive FOX employee Hannity is ostensibly in bed with a convicted criminal.

"Sean you are on fire tonight," Manafort wrote on Oct. 25, 2017. "Finally all of the lies are becoming exposed."

Jesus Christ.  Direct opposite of reality.  Day is night, night is day, and shit smells perversely sweet in the world of the nazi element of our formerly great country.  Pitiful.  Pathetic.  Exigent threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.

"I'm sick of these lies. COME ON WITH ME WITH YOUR ATTY BEFORE THEY TRY AND ATTACK U MORE," Hannity replied. Manafort responded in a text that said, "Let's talk tomorrow." "K," Hannity wrote back. "I'm live you know."

Jesus Christ.  Reality? What's that?  Truth?  What's that?  Delusion remains order of the day in a de facto fascist police-state quickly transitioning to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.  Worst?  Yet, to come.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-28-19

Third Reich revisited.  ABC News reports:

"The Trump administration planned to deport more than 2,000 undocumented immigrants in as many as 10 cities, administration officials said this week, in an unprecedented show of force aimed at deterring illegal migration of families."

What's next, Mr. 'President?'  Concentration camps reminiscent of Adolf Hitler, Nazi Germany?  Your camps are already appalling gulags.

"Cities like Los Angeles, Baltimore and Chicago immediately fired back, saying they wouldn't cooperate with the raids and warned residents to make sure they had functional locks on their doors. Residents are not required to open their doors to officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement unless they have a warrant signed by a judge."

That's right.  The criminal jackbooted bastards in ICE must abide by the United States Constitution, Bill of Rights.

"In an interview with ABC News Live, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Mark Morgan said there were no plans to commence deportations in the range of "millions," as President Donald Trump’s tweet Monday suggested was imminent."

Interesting, isn't it?  Are these criminal jackbooted bastards even capable of speaking with one voice?

"But Morgan told ABC News Live's Devin Dwyer that the "integrity" of the system was in question and that families, in particular, needed to be convinced to stop trying to come to the U.S. illegally."

ICE wouldn't know 'integrity' if it figuratively bit the bastards hard on the ass.  The 'illegals' it intends to shortly deport never received due process, were railroaded, victims of kangaroo justice.  The 'judges' involved are beholden to ICE.  Administrative, not part of the Judiciary.

"This is not about fear," Morgan said. "No one is instilling fear in anyone. This is about the rule of law and maintaining the integrity of the system."

Jesus Christ.  A lie.  No truth to the above quote.  Hopelessly disingenuous nonsense embraced, haughtily dictated by this nazi official.  The nazi element in our formerly great country is caustically reminded our UNDOCUMENTED forebears came to this continent centuries ago,  STOLE it from its native inhabitants, then BROKE every goddamned treaty signed.  The hypocrisy of the nazi element reeks.

"Morgan did not confirm specifics on upcoming raids, which were widely reported Friday. Another administration official said there were some 2,040 family members who are living inside the United States illegally who have been identified for expedited removal. Those people were identified as living in as many as 10 cities: Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York City and San Francisco. ICE later issued a statement saying that it did not provide details in advance of operations."

Here's the problem the nazi element stupidly ignores:

"Law enforcement officials said the threat of deportation raids would hurt efforts by police departments to keep cities safe because people living in immigrant communities would grow too fearful to cooperate."

Already happened.  Will certainly grow worse.

"When you have a city like ours with 600,000 immigrants, and you have political statements being made that we're going to go round up millions of family members, it stokes fear and panic in our community," Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo told ABC News Live on Friday."

No kidding.  Aggressive stupidity.

"Trump's plan, if executed, would be considered unprecedented because it targeted families in their homes, rather than picking up people who had been arrested for crimes."

Highly reminiscent of Adolf Hitler, Nazi Germany, the Third Reich.  Trump's Fourth.

"This is the largest enforcement operation targeting families I've ever heard of," said John Cohen, a former Homeland Security official and ABC contributor. Cohen, a frequent critic of the administration, called it "mind-boggling."

Called nazism.  Our fuhrer, the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

"There are significant threats facing the U.S. from Iran, foreign terrorist groups, domestic extremist organizations, violent gangs and drug traffickers," he added. "Those threats should be a priority -- not rounding up families."

No kidding.  Goddamned right.

Get this:

"John Sandweg, former acting director of ICE under Barack Obama, said leaking details of the operations in advance would put agency personnel at risk. "They are jeopardizing the mission," he said."

They're hopelessly stupid.  Achingly, ignorant.

"Morgan said going after families living illegally in the U.S. was needed to deter more undocumented people from coming to the United States."

"Under U.S. law, people are allowed to apply for asylum and it can take months or years for their cases to wind their way through court."

Problem remains the 'courts' are administrative, not judicial.  Are under the thumb of the Executive Branch not the Judiciary.

"We’re enforcing the law against all demographics, and we’re trying to send a message to the family units that don’t come here and don’t put your life at risk, your children’s life at risk," he said."

It's your goons and your facilities that are doing this.  They're hell holes.  By design.

"Trump’s tweet has angered and worried law enforcement officials and teachers unions that said the threat of deportations only spreads fear among communities and makes their jobs harder."

Trump's stupid.  Unfit for office.

"Javier Guerra, the chief of police for Sunland Park, New Mexico, said he wants residents to know that his local officers don’t enforce immigration law and that it’s important that they still report crimes and work with police. "I’m not going to ask about your citizenship," he told ABC News. "I don’t care if you don’t speak English." Several mayors of the cities mentioned by the official immediately leveled criticism at the possible raids. "We are all aware of the threat from President Trump regarding raids by ICE, and in response, Chicago has taken concrete steps to support our immigrant communities," Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement. "I have directed – and Superintendent Johnson has confirmed – that CPD has terminated ICE's access to CPD's databases related to federal immigration enforcement activities."

About time.  What took so long?

"Baltimore Mayor Jack Young said in a statement, "I am deeply disturbed by the President’s recent comments around immigration and even more troubled at the reports of increased immigration enforcement. I want to remind Baltimore City residents that they have access to an attorney if they have been detained by ICE. Providing legal representation to those facing deportation maintains trust in law enforcement and our local institutions and keeps us all safe." Even the mayor of Trump's home city offered damning criticism of the plan. "Regardless of immigration status, immigrants in DC are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and valued members of our community," Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said. "The President should understand that not only are these threats cruel and antithetical to our American values, they are actually making our communities less safe by sending more residents into hiding, cut off from resources, support, and opportunity."

Trump and his henchmen can't, won't be confused by the truth.  Too damn stupid, hopelessly short-sighted.  Then again, what the hell else can be expected of a national socialist, fascist, nazi?

"Schools, too, have said that deportation fears can impact attendance or cooperation with teachers. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said Trump was wrongfully blaming immigrant families for the nation’s grievances and called his efforts "craven" and "cruel."

What they are is Right Wing Nazi, highly reminiscent of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini.

"Morgan dismissed the concerns and blamed Congress for laws that require the agency to release families pending a court hearing and said legislators should allow ICE to detain parents for longer than the court-mandated limit of 20 days. "I’m absolutely committed to absolutely understanding that this administration is 100 percent trying to do the right thing for the right reasons," he said."

Spoken like an ignorant, hopelessly clueless, lying nazi.

The Washington Post reports:

"When President Trump announced his travel ban a week into his presidency, it was up to the Department of Homeland Security to implement it immediately. The result was chaos at our nation’s airports."

Surprised?  Why?

"When Trump’s Justice Department announced a “zero tolerance” policy on illegal immigration, it was again up to DHS to make it workable. The result was the controversial — and since rescinded — separation of families."

Surprised?  Why?

"Now Trump is trying to quickly implement another controversial immigration plan, by launching Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids to quickly deport undocumented families, starting Sunday. And the head of DHS appears understandably wary."

Apparently, there is some sanity left among Trump's henchmen.

"But this time, Trump’s acting Homeland Security secretary is apparently conveying that he’s not onboard with the plan for the “family op.” Kevin McAleenan, who has crafted a solid bipartisan reputation since taking over for Kirstjen Nielsen, has advised against such a quick implementation."

For damned good reason.

NBC News reports:

"Ras J. Baraka, mayor of Newark, New Jersey, fiercely condemned President Donald Trump and the operation, calling it "racist, bigoted, and inhumane." Baraka and the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association said in a joint statement that they were committed to protecting immigrant communities. "This outrageous tearing of families apart and causing fear in communities across America is clearly a political stunt, coming on the heels of Trump’s kick-off of his re-election campaign," they said."

That's right.  Raw nazism highly reminiscent of Adolf Hitler, Nazi Germany; Benito Mussolini, Fascist Italy.

"Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she ordered Chicago police to remove ICE access to city databases related to federal immigration enforcement activities. "Chicago will always be a welcoming city and a champion for the rights of our immigrant and refugee communities, and I encourage any resident in need of legal aid to contact the National Immigrant Justice Center," Lightfoot said in a statement."

About time Chicago police did something right.

"The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed on Twitter that it would not be participating in the raids and that it is "committed to protecting the public through meaningful relationship building."

About time LAPD entered the 21st Century as well.

"Houston authorities will neither do ICE's job nor try to impede their work, Mayor Sylvester Turner said, emphasizing the need for comprehensive immigration reform. "People deserve certainty in their lives, especially those who have been living in our community and making positive contributions," Turner said in his statement. "We are a country that places a high premium on families and we need to be cautious about separating parents from children or uprooting entire families."

That's right.  Don't egregiously hypocritical, national socialist, fascist Republicans claim to be the party of the family?

"New York's Office of Immigration Affairs tweeted a video Friday night addressing the planned raids with a link to a "Know Your Rights" flyer. Bitta Mostofi, the department's commissioner, also reminded residents they are entitled to access to free legal immigration advice funded by the city. "As always, New York City — your city — stands with you," Mostofi said in the video."

Imagine that.  Trump's own city of origin.  LOL.

NPR reports:

"U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is expected to begin arresting and deporting thousands of migrant families in 10 cities across the country as early as Sunday, according to sources familiar with the planned raids. The roundups are targeted at recently arrived migrant families whose cases were fast-tracked by the Justice Department after being sent final deportation orders from a judge and failing to show up for court."

Kangaroo justice.  Imposed by an administrative court that is not part of the judiciary.  A 'court' that is not-so-cleverly designed to impose the will of our nazi 'president.'

"Acting ICE Director Mark Morgan defended ICE raids aimed at migrant families in an interview with NPR on Friday, saying his agency is only enforcing the law."

Simply, untrue.  An abject lie.  It is enforcing the will of our fuhrer, the Trump nazi.  Doing so administratively with no real due process, and not in the Judiciary.

"My duty is not to look at the political optics, or the will the American people, that's for the politicians to decide," Morgan said. "What the American people should want us to do as law enforcement officials is to enforce the rule of law and maintain the integrity of that system."

The administrative 'court' system is not part of the Judiciary.  Not independent from the Executive, that is, the Trump nazi and his henchmen.  Has no integrity, no credibility.

"ICE sent letters to more than 2,000 of these migrants in February, demanding that they report to immigration authorities, or leave the country. Morgan said many are not turning themselves in. "So what are our options?" he said. "They've had due process, they've had access to attorneys, they've had access to interpreters. Majority of them don't even show up. And then when they didn't show up, they received ordered removal in absentia," Morgan said. "We have no choice."

It's not justice.  It's kangaroo.  'Administrative,' not part of the Judiciary. Not independent of Trump and the Executive Branch.  Beholden to Trump and his fellow nazis.

"The decision to make families a priority for deportation sparked condemnation from immigrant rights groups. They say these families may not have understood their rights in court or never received proper notification to appear."

Kangaroo justice.  No due process.  A sham.  Charade.  Highly reminiscent of the practices of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy.  History perniciously repeating itself.  Dangerously, so.

"New York Attorney General Letitia James said Trump is using migrant families and asylum seekers as "political punching bags." "This is an immoral and unconscionable act by a president and an administration hell-bent on dividing our country," James said in a statement. "As New York's top law enforcement officer, I can assure New Yorkers we will do everything in our power to fight back against these inhumane policies."

'Alternative?'  Unthinkable.  Unwanted.  ... Hear the rumble?  An unwanted, dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming on this, and many, many other issues.

This is no more than kangaroo justice unworthy of the United States:

"The Department of Justice fast-tracked the immigration cases of recently-arrived migrant families in 10 major cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, San Francisco and Miami. The families' cases were placed at the front of the line in an expedited process developed by the Trump administration, known as "the rocket docket," an effort to deter migrant families hoping to come to the U.S. and seek asylum. The majority of the migrants who have received final orders of removal — more than 10,000 people — have received "in absentia" orders from federal court officials for not showing up to court. Migrant advocates said the raids targeting families are likely to prompt a widespread outcry. They point to last year when the Trump administration separated thousands of children from their families as a part of Trump's "zero tolerance" immigration stance. After the uproar, the administration reversed the practice. "This is a new low," Steven Choi, executive director the New York Immigration Coalition, said in a statement. "In the wake of his official campaign launch, the Trump administration this week has tried to ratchet up its racist anti-immigrant rhetoric and threats of his terrorizing deportation force."

Trump and his henchmen present an exigent threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  These are truly dangerous times in our formerly great country.

"President Trump named Morgan the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement last month. For Morgan, leading the agency followed a long career working in homeland security and criminal investigations, first as an agent for the FBI and Border Patrol before serving as the Border Patrol chief at the end of the Obama administration. Just before Morgan's appointment, Trump abruptly withdrew the previous ICE nominee, Ronald Vitiello, saying he wanted the agency to go in a "tougher" direction."

Raw nazism, courtesy of a narcissistic, fascist dictator.

"In the interview with NPR, Morgan echoed Trump's hardline immigration rhetoric and the desire to discourage families from crossing the border illegally. "By doing this we're going to send the message to these individuals," Morgan said. "We want to stop them from paying the cartels and making them a billion-dollar industry and risking their lives. We want to also send that message, if you want to come here, please do so legally. Don't risk your life."

Disingenuous horse shit.  Simply untrue.  No more than unabashed racism, blatant bigotry.  By the yellow-bellied nazi element.

"In May alone, more than 144,000 immigrants were taken into custody along the U.S.-Mexico border, the highest one-month total in more than a decade. Many of the migrants are escaping violence and poverty in Central America."

Most of them.  Due to undue U.S.  interference in South and Central American affairs the last several decades.  A fact Morgan conveniently, gutlessly ignores.

"Morgan said raids are not his preference because they can be dangerous and unpredictable for agents. But with so many migrants living in the shadows and dodging requests from ICE, he said it is an appropriate response."

Disingenuous bullshit coming from a treasonous, treacherous, traitorous criminal jackbooted federal agency that has no respect, no regard for the United States Constitution including the Bill of Rights.

"I don't want to send agents to people's homes. I don't want to send people to their workplace. I don't want to send them anywhere," but, Morgan said, "They're here illegally and they won't work with us."

More disingenuous, phony bullshit coming from the head of an agency, a traitorous agency, that has absolutely no regard for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties, -- to say nothing of human rights.

"President Trump tweeted earlier this week about the ICE operation, saying it will be next week. Morgan said that did not compromise the operations, which are usually not publicized beforehand. "You've got to remember all these individuals know every single day they're here illegally. They're always watching. Anytime a car goes by, they're always in a heightened state of awareness," Morgan said. "The tweet was just a general tweet. There's no operational specific elements that we're giving out."

Are you that stupid, Mr. Morgan?  Not only you've given your targets a useful heads up, you've mobilized law enforcement all across our formerly great country not to cooperate with your goddamned out of control traitorous, treacherous, treasonous ICE and Border Patrol goons.

The Washington Post reports:

"Hours after defending his plan to deport undocumented immigrants Saturday, President Trump changed course, tweeting that he had “delayed the Illegal Immigration Removal Process (Deportation) for two weeks to see if the Democrats and Republicans can get together and work out a solution to the Asylum and Loophole problems at the Southern Border.” “If not, Deportations start!” he warned."

Think he's playing with a full deck?

"In his tweet, Trump said “Democrats” had asked him to hold off on the raids. According to a person familiar with the call, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called Trump last night and asked him to call off the raids. Democratic lawmakers celebrated the decision. In a tweet, Pelosi wrote that the delay “is welcome.” “Families belong together,” she tweeted. The tweet comes after immigration advocates and officials in some major U.S. cities condemned plans for Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids aimed at rounding up thousands of families facing deportation orders, which were to begin Sunday. Speaking to reporters at the White House lawn before departing for Camp David on Saturday morning, Trump said that “exportation raids are groups of very, very good law enforcement people going by the law, going by our court system taking people out who came in illegally and out legally.”

Kangaroo justice imposed by criminal jackbooted bastards in ICE.

"But hours later he tweeted the delay."

Stability is certainly not a trait enjoyed by our lunatic fuhrer, the Trump nazi.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-28-19

Clash on U.S. Supreme Court.  The Washington Post reports:

"The Supreme Court’s liberal and conservative members clashed again Friday on respecting the court’s precedents, this time about when a property owner aggrieved by a local government’s restriction on her land can go to federal court. The issue has been important to the conservative legal establishment and its belief that a 1985 ruling, which the court overturned Friday on a 5-to-4 vote, left property owners without options in federal court if claims in state proceedings are unsatisfactory. But 42 pages of back-and-forth between conservative Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and liberal Justice Elena Kagan seemed more inspired by the liberals’ fear that the court’s increasingly conservative majority is on a campaign to remake the court’s precedents. “Under cover of overruling ‘only’ a single decision, today’s opinion smashes a hundred-plus years of legal rulings to smithereens,” Kagan wrote. She noted that just last month, when the court overturned another long-standing precedent, Justice Stephen G. Breyer said in his dissent, “Today’s decision can only cause one to wonder which cases the court will overrule next.” Kagan quipped: “Well, that didn’t take long. Now one may wonder yet again.” Roberts was sensitive enough to what he, in the opinion, called Kagan’s “extreme assertions” that the chief justice specifically addressed them while announcing the decision from the bench. He said the court’s majority decided quickly that the 1985 decision, Williamson County Regional Planning Commission v. Hamilton Bank of Johnson City, was incorrectly decided. But the justices still had to wrestle with the doctrine of stare decisis, which calls for them generally to honor precedent."

Not convenient for the current Republican nazi majority on this formerly great Court.

"The case was first heard in early October and apparently split the court 4 to 4. It was reargued in January after Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh joined the court, and he joined the court’s other conservative justices — Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Neil M. Gorsuch — in the majority with Roberts."

Nazi justice, -- which amounts to no justice at all.

"Kagan has become the court’s most ardent supporter of stare decisis, likely because she fears the court’s increasing conservative majority might do away with other precedents important to liberals. She was joined by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor and Breyer. Kagan also strenuously dissented last term when the court overturned a 40-year-old precedent regarding fees paid to public employee unions. That case was cited by Roberts in Friday’s opinion. “If that is the way the majority means to proceed — relying on one subversion of stare decisis to support another — we may as well not have principles about precedents at all,” she wrote."

That's right.  Republican nazis now own and control the United States Supreme Court.  ... Hear the rumble?

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-28-19

The Judiciary grows increasingly 'kangaroo,' hopelessly partisan.  NPR reports:

"The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Republican state lawmakers and upheld laws limiting the power of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. The state's December 2018 lame-duck session of the legislature passed a number of laws curbing Evers' power, including one that barred him from authorizing the state's departure from a federal lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act. Evers campaigned on leaving that lawsuit. Lawmakers also limited Evers' ability to change existing state laws through executive action, including Wisconsin's voter ID and right-to-work laws. The governor's power to appoint board members to the state's economic development agency, which is overseeing the state's $4 billion tax incentives deal with tech giant Foxconn, was scaled back as well. The court ruled 4-3 in favor of the GOP on Friday, dismissing an argument that the session was called unconstitutionally. The plaintiffs in the case, the League of Women Voters, argued the state constitution does not ascribe the power to call an extraordinary session of the legislature to lawmakers, thereby making the December session and all actions therein unconstitutional and invalid. The court's majority opinion, written by conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley, rejected that. "The Wisconsin Constitution itself affords the legislature absolute discretion to determine the rules of its own proceedings," Bradley wrote. The court's liberal justices offered a dissenting opinion, saying the majority "subverts the plain text of ... the Wisconsin Constitution." "The Legislature's ability to determine the rules of its proceedings pursuant to Article IV, Section 8 does not swallow up the meeting requirements of Article IV, Section 11 or allow it to wield unbridled power," wrote Justice Rebecca Dallet. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has a 4-3 conservative majority. That will move to 5-2, when Justice-elect Brian Hagedorn is sworn in in January."

Raw nazism.

"Evers was quick to decry the decision Friday morning. "Today's decision is disappointing and, unfortunately, all too predictable," Evers said. "It is based on a desired political outcome, not the plain meaning and text of the Constitution." Chris Carson, the president of the League of Women Voters of the United States, said the court's action "undermines the will of Wisconsin voters." "The Wisconsin state Legislature's actions defied the democratic process, which is a major blow to our democracy as a whole," Carson said."

Raw nazism.

"GOP leaders, meanwhile, defended their actions."

Surprised?  Why?

"The Court upheld a previously non-controversial legislative practice used by both parties for decades to enact some of the most important laws in the state," said Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald. "This lawsuit, pursued by special interests and Governor Evers, has led to an unnecessary waste of taxpayer resources."

Clearly, nazism rules.   ... So does disingenuous bullshit.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-28-19

Interestingly, the U.S. Supreme Court is undergoing remarkable change.  ABC News reports:

"In a remarkable case, the Supreme Court on Friday threw out the murder conviction of a Mississippi man on death row who had alleged deep-seated racial bias in jury selection cost him a fair trial. Curtis Flowers has already been tried an extraordinary six times, after prosecutors' first five attempts to convict him failed due to prosecutorial misconduct, allegations of racism and deadlocked juries. For the past 22 years, Flowers has been adamant about his innocence. The court's decision now sets the stage for an unprecedented potential seventh trial. "All of the relevant and facts circumstances taken together establish that the trial court committed clear error in concluding that the state's peremptory strike of black prospective juror Carolyn Wright [in the sixth trial] 'was not motivated in substantial part by discriminatory intent,'" Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote for the court's 7-2 majority. Kavanaugh made clear the case breaks "no new legal ground" but rather enforces existing precedent. Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch dissented."

Fascinating, isn't it?  There is enormous pressure on the Court.  -- A Court that is now hopelessly partisan.  Quite some time now.  Should that continue unabated, will forfeit all relevance, credibility.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-28-19

More of the same. The Washington Times reports:

"Officials at Planned Parenthood of St. Louis, Missouri’s last facility able to provide legal abortions in the state, said in an interview Wednesday they will defy a state-mandated second pelvic exam, claiming it’s “assault.”

Precisely, what it is.  Courtesy of the Republican Nazi Right.

"Missouri state law mandates that two pelvic exams are to be done before an abortion is completed, which the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says is “unwarranted, invasive, and not supported by evidence.” “We are choosing to provide the best quality, patient-centered care that we’ve always provided at Planned Parenthood and that includes doing things that are driven by science, by evidence, and by what’s medically appropriate,” said Dr. David Eisenberg, the clinic’s medical director, to CBS News. “Over the last few weeks, I have new evidence to say that 100% of the patients who I’ve taken care of who’ve undergone this inappropriate, medically unnecessary, unethical pelvic exam have been harmed by that,” said Dr. Eisenberg. “Because to do so, in my opinion, is just assault.”

Sexual assault.

The Washington Post reports:

"A panel of federal appeals court judges ruled on Thursday that a Trump administration family planning “gag rule” that could cut as much as $60 million in Title X funds from Planned Parenthood could go into effect immediately."

Raw, unbridled nazism.

"The decision is a major setback for the women’s health-care provider and for 21 state attorneys general who filed lawsuits shortly after the policy was published in March, arguing it would undermine the patient-provider relationship and endanger the health of millions of women. Leana Wen, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, called the news “devastating” for the millions of women who rely on Title X for services such as cancer screenings, HIV tests and birth control, and said the organization would immediately appeal. “Planned Parenthood will not let the government censor our doctors and nurses from informing patients where and how they can access health care,” she said. The new rule would make clinics ineligible to receive funds if they provide abortions or referrals for them."

Raw nazism.

"Judges Edward Leavy, Consuelo M. Callahan and Carlos T. Bea — all appointed by Republican presidents — wrote that the government is likely to prevail with its argument that the lower courts erred in concluding the rule probably violated the Administrative Procedure Act. They noted the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a similar HHS regulation in its 1991 Rust v. Sullivan decision that prohibited federally funded clinics from counseling about abortion, which “largely foreclosed any attempt to argue that the Final Rule was not a reasonable interpretation” of what Congress intended when it established the Title X program."

Raw nazism.

"Planned Parenthood, which is by far the largest recipient of Title X funds, has been a target of social conservatives in the administration who hope to shift the money to faith-based organizations with a focus on abstinence and fertility awareness. Parts of the rule, such as no longer being able to provide abortion referrals, would go into effect immediately. Other requirements, such as physically separating abortion services from non-abortion services, would have to be completed by March 4, 2020. Critics of the HHS rule were quick to say this was not the final decision on the rule and that the legal battle is far from over. “This rule is yet another example of the Trump administration’s overreach that could make it harder for women to access health care,” Michelle Kuppersmith, director of Equity Forward, said in a statement. “Secretary Alex Azar and the unqualified ideologues who are responsible for this action should be held accountable for their conduct.”

Raw nazism.  Direct violation of the First Amendment Establishment Clause, church-state separation, that is, freedom from religion.  To say nothing of freedom of speech.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-28-19

As product of a Jesuit education, the following comes as no surprise.  The Jesuits (Soldiers of Christ) are indeed the intellectuals of the Catholic Church.  Figuratively speaking, certainly take no prisoners.  ... Much to the chagrin of the Church hierarchy.  CNN reports:

"A Jesuit high school in Indiana can no longer call itself "Catholic" because it employs a teacher engaged in a same-sex marriage, the Archbishop of Indianapolis says. Archbishop Charles Thompson's decree, dated June 21, means that Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis will no longer be recognized or identified as a Catholic institution within the archdiocese."

Hard to believe St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the the order, isn't spinning in his grave.

"Thompson said the church considers Catholic school teachers to be "ministers" of the faith. "To effectively bear witness to Christ, whether they teach religion or not, all ministers in their professional and private lives must convey and be supportive of Catholic Church teaching," the Archdiocese of Indiana said in a statement on Thursday."

Jesuits don't goose step along with anyone, -- other than the Head Honcho of their religion, Christ himself.

"The Archdiocese said they tried but failed to reach an agreement with the Jesuit school. The conflict pits the Jesuits, an order of priests known for educating generations of Catholics, against the church's powerful hierarchy. It's also the latest battle between Catholic schools who want to employ gay and lesbian teachers against bishops who insist that all employees toe the line on Catholic doctrine. What makes this conflict unusual is that Jesuits and their schools enjoy a degree of independence from the church hierarchy. In contrast to other Catholic schools forced to fire gay teachers, the Jesuits rejected Thompson's request to remove the teacher."

Stood tall.

"It is rare for a Catholic institution not only to side with its LGBT faculty members, but also do so in the face of such fierce opposition from a bishop," said the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and author of "Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion, and Sensitivity." "In this case, it is also rare that a bishop would go so far as to publicly remove the designation 'Catholic' from the school," continued Martin, who is based in New York and not affiliated with the school."

Jesuits are educators.  Takes 15 years to become a Jesuit priest.  Vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.  Don't goose step along, however, with the Church hierarchy.

"The Catholic catechism teaches that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered" but also that LGBT people "must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided." In a statement, leaders from Brebeuf Jesuit Prep School said it has "respectfully declined the Archdiocese's insistence and directive that we dismiss a highly capable and qualified teacher due to the teacher being a spouse within a civilly recognized same-sex marriage."

Can still remember a lay faculty member being fired approximately a half century ago for not teaching a senior English Shakespearean drama class to strict school standards.  Creatively, brought in some far more relevant, far more interesting, contrasting contemporary issues to class before promptly getting fired after word got out.  LOL.  Pissed the living shit out of quite a few of us when he got the boot.  A most creative, truly gifted teacher.  Apparently, things changed since then.  -- His brother, a Jesuit Scholastic at the time studying for the priesthood and a fellow faculty member, remained on faculty.  -- Never got to hear what he thought of the firing.  LOL.

"The Rev. Brian Paulson, who heads the Midwest Province of Jesuits, said that the teacher does not teach religion and "is a longtime valued employee of the school." The teacher is not named in any of the statements. "To our knowledge, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis' direct insertion into an employment matter of a school governed by a religious order is unprecedented," said the letter from the school's president, the Rev. William Verbryke, and two members of the board of trustees. "This is a unique action among the more than 80 Jesuit secondary/pre-secondary schools which operate in dioceses throughout North America." In 2014 the Archdiocese of Cincinnati ordered teachers at the city's Catholic schools to sign detailed morality clauses if they wanted to stay on the job. The revised contracts forbid teachers from -- among other things -- exhibiting a gay "lifestyle." Paulson said the Jesuits will appeal this new decision, first through Archbishop Thompson, and then, if necessary, at the Vatican."

Good luck.

"Leaders of Brebeuf, founded in 1962 as an independent Catholic school, said they have always had control over their personnel decisions. "Whereas the Archdiocese of Indianapolis may choose to no longer attend or participate in the school's Masses and formal functions, Brebeuf Jesuit is, and will always be, a Catholic Jesuit school," the school's leaders said. In a tweet on Thursday, the school used the hashtag #BeBrave to announce its decision.

    An important message for the Brebeuf Jesuit community. #BeBrave https://t.co/5sCCr1ZST3
    — Brebeuf Jesuit (@BrebeufJesuit) June 20, 2019

"Please be assured, the Archdiocese's decision will not change the mission or operations of Brebeuf Jesuit."

Stand tall.  The Church is out of line.  Way out of line.  Egregiously out of touch vis a vis pedophile priests it won't hold accountable.  Would come as no surprise, at some point, should the Jesuits choose to leave the Church.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-28-19

'Don't do as I do, do as I say.'  The Washington Post reports:

"Outside the Oregon State Capitol, small groups of protesters jockeyed for position. There were loggers who opposed the cap-and-trade bill up for a vote that morning. And there were young climate activists who said the legislation was vital to preserving the world they would soon inherit. But there were a few crucial components missing from the political drama unfolding in Salem on Thursday. Namely, the lawmakers. Inside the statehouse, the Senate chambers were conspicuously quiet. As the clerk called roll, a third of the room’s seats were empty. The Republicans, facing down a Democratic supermajority bent on passing bills to combat climate change, resorted to some last-ditch political arithmetic: no senators, no votes. Without their 11 GOP colleagues, Senate Democrats can’t achieve a quorum, and their legislative agenda grinds to a halt. So the Republicans fled. They left the state, reportedly bolting over the Idaho line. But state Democrats, who control the legislature and the executive, had a last resort of their own — and that afternoon, they used it. Gov. Kate Brown called the cops. Brown instructed Oregon State Police to track down and round up any lawmakers on the lam, an order that authorizes authorities to put the elected officials in patrol cars and drive them back to the Capitol, though the department said it would instead opt for “polite communication.”

Called bullshit.  Unadulterated.  LOL.

"But Oregon Republicans said a boycott was the only way they could advocate for the people that voted them into office. They spoke of a deepening divide between the state’s ultraliberal urban enclaves and its sprawling rural counties with proud libertarian streaks. “Protesting cap and trade by walking out today represents our constituency and exactly how we should be doing our job,” Senate Republican Leader Herman Baertschiger, Jr. said in a statement. “We will not stand by and be bullied by the majority party any longer. Oregonians deserve better. It’s time for the majority party to consider all Oregonians — not just the ones in Portland.” Sen. Brian Boquist, one of Baertschiger’s colleagues, sent a warning to any search party that might come looking for him. “Send bachelors and come heavily armed,” Boquist said he told the superintendent of the state police. “I’m not going to be a political prisoner in the state of Oregon. It’s just that simple.”

Sounds remarkably like terroristic threat.  Had it been Joe Blow up the block, think his ass wouldn't have been arrested?

    "Oregon state senator @BrianBoquistGOP said if R's walk out to stop a vote on Cap and Trade and @OregonGovBrown sends state police to bring him back, they should be single and well armed. Your take? pic.twitter.com/Fcu8NXXl8h
    — Pat Dooris (@PatDooris) June 19, 2019"

"After the boycott, Republican Sen. Tim Knopp told the Oregonian, “I feel no constitutional obligation to stand around so they can pass their leftist progressive agenda.” “I think that’s true for every other Senate district that’s out there that’s represented by Republicans,” he added."

Same standard applies to Democrats and Independents who similarly walk out under protest of other matters.  Not only there, but in the United States Senate as well.

"Senate Democrats said that for each day their Republican counterparts remain missing, the GOP lawmakers will be fined $500, according to the Oregonian. By Friday morning, a GoFundMe had raised more than $19,000 to support them. It’s the second time this session that Republicans walked out in the face of a stalemate. But last month, Democrats were able to coax them back with a legislative carrot, rather than the state trooper stick. The episode makes for another installment in the country’s storied and bizarre history of police officers chasing down lawmakers who have refused to do their jobs."

Repeat of history:

"In the late-1970s, an apiary-themed manhunt unfolded for absent state senators in Texas. A Washington Post story at the time put it like this: “The hives of the Texas ‘killer bees’ remained undisturbed today ... After four days of deadlock, the ‘worker bees’ are invoking the heroes of the Alamo, the ‘queen bees’ are under 24-hour surveillance and the ‘bumble bees’ are simply trying to defend themselves." The killer bees, apparently, were 12 liberal senators who fled to sabotage the legislature’s quorum and block a bill they opposed. The worker bees were those lawmakers who stayed behind, while the queen bees were the wives of the missing men, whose houses the Texas Rangers, or bumble bees, were staking out as they searched for the senators.

"Roughly 10 years after that, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) ordered Capitol police to search for a group of Republicans that had absconded to block the passage of campaign finance reform. Sen. Robert Packwood, also an Oregon Republican, barricaded himself in his office, an official history recounted. After officers pushed through, Packwood made them a deal: he’d go with them, but they had to carry him back into the chamber feet first, a theatrical protest."

Democrats similarly need to walk out the United States Senate.  F--k the Republican nazi element.  Deny the fascist bastards a quorum.  Do what it takes to stand up to raw nazism.  What's good for the goose is good for the gander.  ... Hear the rumble?  An unwanted, dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming on multiple issues.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-28-19

Too late for coverage in this edition:  Supreme Court rules against Trump vis a vis citizenship question on U.S. Census, rules in favor of Republicans on gerrymandering fiasco, rules police can withdraw blood from unconscious drivers without a warrant.  Interestingly, U.S. Asylum officers condemn Trump's order asylum seekers must wait in Mexico.  Trump seeks to withdraw deportation protections from families of active U.S. military personnel.  Seeks to allow graduates of the military academies to delay military service so they can play professional sports.  More in the next edition on the above and other matters too late for coverage in this edition.


6-21-19

More of the same.  Obstruction of justice by the Trump nazi and his henchmen.  NPR reports:

"The separation-of-powers standoff between Congress and the executive branch deepened on Wednesday over a dispute about access to materials involving the controversial citizenship question planned for the 2020 census. The Justice Department notified the House oversight committee that it's withholding documents sought by the panel's chairman because it says they're shielded by executive privilege — the doctrine that permits an administration to conceal some of its internal workings."

Called obstruction.  Certainly, in this particular case.  As earlier reported in this publication and elsewhere.  For damned good reason.

"The letter from Assistant Attorney General Stephen Boyd arrived electronically at the Capitol at the same time Chairman Elijah Cummings, D-Md., had convened a hearing at which the committee debated whether to find Attorney General William Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in contempt of Congress. After a day's worth of discussion and amendments, it did, voting 24 to 15 by the late afternoon on contempt for the Cabinet officials. Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., who has lately stepped up his criticism of Trump, broke with Republicans to support the measure."

Only one courageous Republican willing to stand up to our fuhrer, the Trump nazi.

NPR reports:

"The Trump administration left behind a long paper trail as it pushed to get a citizenship question on the 2020 census. Many of those internal emails and memos became public as part of the lawsuits over the addition of the question, "Is this person a citizen of the United States?" They revealed that the Justice Department did not initiate the request for the question to better enforce the Voting Rights Act, as Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross — who oversees the Census Bureau — testified to Congress. Instead, Ross pressured Commerce staff to get the question added for reasons that a federal judge in Maryland has called "mysterious." Portions of the documents are blacked out with redactions by the Trump administration. Attorneys at the Justice Department, which is representing the administration in the lawsuits, cited privileges, including ones that prevent attorney-client communications and certain decision-making discussions between government officials from becoming public. The lawsuits' plaintiffs have tried to get some of those protections lifted, but the courts have generally sided with the administration. Lawmakers on the House Oversight and Reform Committee, however, have been in a months-long battle for the full release of these emails and memos, as well as other unreleased documents, as part of their congressional investigation into why the administration wants the citizenship question. This week, President Trump claimed executive privilege over the requested documents, shortly before the committee's Democrats and Rep. Justin Amash, a Republican from Michigan, voted to hold Ross and U.S. Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas for the documents."

The public is entitled to this information.  Why is Trump sitting on this?  Something to hide?

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-21-19

Despite Biden enabling Clarence Thomas' confirmation to the United States Supreme Court, Anita Hill would still be willing to support ole Joe politically.  CBS News reports:

"Anita Hill, the law professor who accused Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment during his 1991 confirmation hearing, said Joe Biden's overseeing of the hearing does not "disqualify" him for the presidency. Asked if she would consider voting for him, Hill replied during a Thursday interview with NBC News' Andrea Mitchell, "Of course I could."

...  That, despite all the damage this Republican nazi on the Supreme Court had done across the board vis a vis all civil and constitutional rights and liberties last three decades.  Fascinating take, isn't it?  Forget?  Biden facilitated confirmation of this Republican national socialist, bona fide fascist to the highest court of the land.  Pathetic.  Pitiful.

"In 1991, Hill faced an all-male Senate Judiciary Committee chaired by Biden and aggressive questioning from senators such as Republican Arlen Specter."

-- Also, affectionately known at the time as 'Asshole Sphincter.'

"Although Biden voted against Thomas' confirmation, the lawmakers' treatment of Hill has long been the subject of controversy."

You think?

"If the Senate Judiciary Committee, led then by Mr. Biden, had done its job and held a hearing that showed that its members understood the seriousness of sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence, the cultural shift we saw in 2017 after #MeToo might have began in 1991 - with the support of the government," Hill wrote in an op-ed for The New York Times last month."

That's right.  Worse?  Damage done by Thomas over the last three decades to all civil and constitutional rights and liberties might have been avoided.

"Hill also told Mitchell she has spoken with Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault during his confirmation hearing last year. After he announced his third presidential campaign earlier this spring, Biden contacted Hill and expressed "his regret for what [Hill] endured," according to The New York Times."

Worse, much worse, long-term damage done by Thomas to all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.

The following is inexplicable, certainly shortsighted:

"On the campaign trail, CBS News reported there are mixed feelings as to whether Biden's role in the hearing is still relevant, with many older voters saying it is time to move on."

The same could be said of Biden.  Time for him to retire.  Pass the torch on.  ... Haven't you already done enough damage over the years, Joe?

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-21-19

A corrupt president was of great concern to the Founders.  NPR reports:

"The founders of American democracy could not have anticipated the technology of the 21st century or many of the other changes that have redefined the republic they created. But they clearly foresaw one challenge that faces the inheritors of their handiwork – the threat of foreign interference in our elections. The fear of foreign interference was a driving issue in the conversations of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787. Several features of the Constitution the framers produced that summer had their origin in this fear, as former Federal Election Commission chairman Trevor Potter noted in a 2017 speech. Potter, now president of the Campaign Legal Center, said "the founders took steps to guard against such [interference] by including in our Constitution guardrails like the requirement that the president be a 'natural born citizen.'" Another guardrail was the emoluments clause, prohibiting any government officer from accepting a title or a gift from any foreign government. That part of the Constitution had come to seem antique, as the norms and presumptions of American politics long ago made it hard to imagine a sitting president actually being bribed by a foreign power. But today, with Saudi Arabia and other foreign governments routinely spending lavishly for accommodations at Trump Organization properties in Washington and elsewhere, the word emolument has returned to the news."

Indeed, it has.  Trump is lining his pockets.  In direct violation of the United States Constitution.

"Two federal judges at the trial court level have refused to disallow lawsuits (one filed by the District of Columbia and the state of Maryland and another filed by 201 members of Congress) charging that the Trump businesses are violating the emoluments clause. Both courts accepted the definition of emolument as "any profit, gain or advantage." The framers also feared that presidents or other executive officers might prove disloyal to the country and Constitution they were sworn to protect. Thus the impeachment clause, as originally written, singled out the crimes of treason and bribery as grounds for impeachment."

Think the Founders aren't spinning in their graves?  Were certainly concerned at the time they formed this formerly great country that we would be able to keep it.  Rightfully, so.  History has, indeed, proven their misgivings more than justified.

Think any loyal president would assert the following?  NBC News reports:

"President Donald Trump said in an interview excerpt aired Wednesday that he might take help from a foreign government offering information on an opponent. Trump made the comment to ABC's George Stephanopoulos while discussing why his son, Donald Trump Jr., didn't go to the FBI after he spoke with a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower during the 2016 presidential election. Trump Jr. spoke to Congress for three hours Wednesday to discuss answers he gave in an interview with the Senate Intelligence Committee in 2017, including those regarding emails leading up to the meeting that promised dirt on Hillary Clinton, Trump's Democratic opponent. The president told Stephanopoulos that "life doesn't work that way" when asked why his son didn't go to the FBI. Trump also said he would want to hear if another country had information on another candidate and called it "oppo research."

Jesus Christ.  This sound like an American president to you?

"It’s not an interference, they have information," Trump said. "I think I’d take it. If I thought there was something wrong, I’d go maybe to the FBI."

Jesus Christ.  This, a loyal American president?

"Stephanopoulos then pointed out that FBI Director Christopher Wray said his agency should know about contacts from foreign governments. "The FBI director is wrong," Trump said."

Trump's worse than immoral. Amoral, that is, with no morals or principles at all.

"Trump was at the center of a two-year probe into Russian election meddling and possible obstruction conducted by special counsel Robert Mueller. The 448-page report, released in April, avoided making a decision on obstruction, but Mueller did conclude that there was Russian interference in the 2016 election. "There were multiple, systematic efforts to interfere in our election. That allegation deserves the attention of every American," Mueller said at a press conference in May. House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said Thursday in response to Trump's comments that the president "has either learned nothing from the last two years or picked up exactly the wrong lesson." "The message that he seems to be sending now is, as long as a foreign power wants to help his campaign, they can count on him having the good discretion not to alert his own FBI about it," Schiff said. "And that's just dangerous, appalling, unethical, unpatriotic, you name it."

The Washington Post reports:

"With his declared willingness to accept help from a foreign government in an election, President Trump upended long-held views that such outside assistance is anathema in American campaigns, both because of laws prohibiting foreign contributions and widely embraced norms of fair play. Trump blew through those notions this week, telling ABC News that if a foreign government offered him information on a political opponent, “I think I’d want to hear it.” “It’s not an interference; they have information — I think I’d take it,” he continued. “If I thought there was something wrong, I’d go maybe to the FBI, if I thought there was something wrong.” He added that his own FBI director, Christopher A. Wray, was “wrong” when he said during congressional testimony that campaign aides should always report offers of assistance from foreign entities to the bureau. Trump’s comments came less than two weeks after his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, said he wasn’t sure if he would report a future offer of foreign assistance to the FBI, calling questions regarding it “hypotheticals.”

Must run in the family.  LOL.

NPR reports:

"After Trump's comments Wednesday evening, former CIA Director John Brennan — a frequent Trump critic the president has often bashed — tweeted that this was simply more evidence that the president is "an existential threat" to the U.S., as Biden has alleged during his campaign for the Democratic nomination.

    "This is just the latest example of what Vice President Biden meant when he said that Mr. Trump is an existential threat to our country. “Unfit to be President” is a gross understatement. @realDonaldTrump is undeserving of any public office, and all Americans should be outraged. https://t.co/vi0gYUxi67
    — John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) June 12, 2019"


6-21-19

CBS News reports:

"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is holding her weekly press conference Thursday morning, as calls to open impeachment proceedings against President Trump intensify after he said in an interview Wednesday that he would accept election help from foreign actors."

Treason.  Blatant.

"Pelosi told reporters that Mr. Trump's "cavalier" attitude towards foreign actors providing election dirt was an "assault on our democracy." "It's a very sad thing that he does not know right from wrong," Pelosi said. "It's so against any sense of decency." Pelosi also noted that while there is a law that prevents a campaign from accepting in-kind contributions from a foreign government, there needs to be more clarity on the subject. Pelosi said that the continued congressional investigations into Mr. Trump had "nothing to do with politics" and "everything to do with patriotism." However, Pelosi stopped short of saying that these comments would trigger opening an impeachment inquiry against Mr. Trump. "Everybody in the country should be totally appalled by what the president said last night. Totally appalled. But he has a habit of making appalling statements," Pelosi said. "Not any one issue is going to trigger, 'Oh now, we'll go to this,' because it's about investigating, it's about litigating."

You're dragging your feet, Madam Speaker.  For partisan reasons.  Best interests of the party, clearly, trump those of the country.  Precisely, why you and the Democrats are no better than Trump and his fellow nazis in the Republican Party.  Just different.  LOL.

"Republicans in the Senate have also condemned the president's comments. Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of Mr. Trump's closest allies in Congress, said that he thought the president's words were "a mistake."

You think?  LOL.

"If a foreign government comes to you as a public official, and offers to help your campaign giving you anything of value, whether it be money or information on your opponent, the right answer is no," Graham said. "I think it's a mistake of law. I don't want to send a signal to encourage this."

Finally, some sanity out of the Senator.  ... Been a long, long time, Lindsey.  LOL. Where have you been?  LOL.  Out to lunch?

CBS News reports:

"President Trump insisted Friday that he would both want to review information provided from a foreign government and give the information to the FBI, if it's "incorrect or badly stated," after facing criticism earlier in the week when he said he would be open to taking dirt about his rivals from a foreign power. "Of course you have to look at it," Mr. Trump told Fox & Friends in a phone interview Friday morning, adding, but "of course you give it to the FBI or report it to the attorney general." However, the president did not necessarily commit to reporting such contacts in all cases.  "If I thought anything was incorrect or badly stated, I'd report to the FBI or law enforcement, absolutely," the president said."

Double talk.

"Mr. Trump has taken heat — including from Republicans — after seeming to welcome opposition research from foreign actors during an interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos. On Friday morning, the president claimed he thought he made it clear he would report damaging information to the FBI, even though he told Stephanopoulos that "maybe" he would report that to the FBI."

Called bullshit.

Gets worse:

"Everybody understands that and I thought it was made clear," the president told Fox & Friends.  But Mr. Trump insisted that "nobody's going to present me with anything bad" because he loves this country."

Jesus Christ.  Give me a break.  LOL.

"On another topic, the president asserted that Iran was indeed behind the attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, going a step further than Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said that evidence points to Iran."

Trump has no clue what the word "truth" or reality means:

"Iran did do it," Mr. Trump said, before going on to attack the Iran nuclear deal and declaring Iran is a "nation of terror." The president also defended his top aide Kellyanne Conway, whom the Office of Special Counsel says should be removed from the federal government because she has violated the Hatch Act prohibiting federal officials from engaging in political activity so many times. "It looks to me like they're trying to take away her right on free speech," Mr. Trump said, adding he won't fire her as the ethics office suggested."

Sadly, Trump has no conception of ethics.  None at all.  Not a clue.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-21-19

Discrepancy.  NBC News reports:

"The Japanese owner of a tanker attacked in the Gulf of Oman claimed Friday that it was struck by a flying projectile, contradicting reports by U.S. officials and the military on the source of the blast. U.S. Central Command said the two vessels were hit Thursday by a limpet mine, which is attached to boats below the waterline using magnets. U.S. Central Command released video it claimed showed an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps patrol boat removing an unexploded mine from one of the tankers, the Kokuka Courageous. But on Friday morning, the owner of the 560-foot Courageous, said that sailors saw something flying toward the vessel just before the explosion and that the impact was well above the waterline."

Could both reports be true?

"We received reports that something flew towards the ship," said Yutaka Katada, president of Kokaku Sangyo Co. at a press conference. "The place where the projectile landed was significantly higher than the water level, so we are absolutely sure that this wasn’t a torpedo. "I do not think there was a time bomb or an object attached to the side of the ship." U.S. officials have not yet responded to the claims. But President Donald Trump reiterated U.S. allegations that Iran was behind the attack, telling the Fox News Channel that the incident had "Iran written all over it." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday that the weapons used and the level of expertise behind the attack suggested Tehran is the culprit. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif angrily dismissed the claims and said they were without "a shred of factual or circumstantial evidence."

Before Trump starts a war in the region, we had better know who did what to whom, -- with at least some degree of certainty.

"The attack came on the heels of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's two-day trip to Iran, aimed at improving relations between Washington and Tehran, which have deteriorated markedly in the last 48 hours. The USS Bainbridge was dispatched to help the damaged vessels in the gulf. A spokesman for Central Command said in a statement Thursday that the U.S. and the international community "stand ready to defend our interests, including the freedom of navigation.” “The United States has no interest in engaging in a new conflict in the Middle East. However, we will defend our interests,” said the spokesman, Capt. Bill Urban."

This had better not be another phony Gulf of Tonkin 'incident' President Johnson used to excuse a massive military operation in Vietnam over a half century ago.

"The Japanese Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks in a statement Friday and vowed to work with the related countries to secure the safety of the region, but did not mention Iran or other possible assailants."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-21-19

Conway in the hot seat.  NPR reports:

"Presidential adviser Kellyanne Conway has repeatedly criticized Democratic candidates in her official capacity in violation of the Hatch Act and should lose her job, according to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. The OSC, which oversees federal personnel issues, issued a stinging report Thursday, calling Conway "a repeat offender."

Best of the best.  No question.  So what else is new?  LOL.

"As a highly visible member of the Administration, Ms. Conway's violations, if left unpunished, send a message to all federal employees that they need not abide by the Hatch Act's restrictions. Her actions thus erode the principal foundation of our democratic system — the rule of law," the office wrote to President Trump. OSC is an independent federal ethics agency that has no relationship with former Department of Justice special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference with the 2016 election. The Hatch Act forbids executive branch employees from taking part in political activities while engaged in their official duties."

Common knowledge.  Yet, this shit continues unabated.  Fascinating, isn't it?

"In March 2018, the ethics agency found Conway broke the law twice in interviews about the Alabama Senate race. The new report focuses on her commentary on Democratic presidential candidates. It cites examples of her rhetoric, including suggesting Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey was "sexist" and alleging that former Vice President Joe Biden was unwilling to be "held to account for his record." Conway has downplayed the significance of the law, the report says, telling an interviewer on May 29, "If you're trying to silence me through the Hatch Act, it's not going to work," and "Let me know when the jail sentence starts." (In fact, the law has no criminal penalties.) The OSC recommends Kelly "be removed from federal service." It would be up to her supervisor, Trump, to fire her — which appears unlikely."

No kidding.  Worse?  The law has no teeth  Certainly, encourages the amoral, that is those with no morals at all, to continue right along.  LOL.

Get this:

"Special counsel Henry Kerner, a Trump appointee, told NPR that Conway's persistence led to his harsh recommendation. "We've had some prior violations" of the Hatch Act, he said, citing one during the Obama administration. "But I'm unaware of any multiple offenders on that level."

Always a first.  LOL.  Forget?  In the Trump regime, day is night, night is day, and shit smells perversely sweet.  All ass backwards.

"Conway declined to respond to the special counsel's report, as she did in 2018, the office said."

Nazi Aryan arrogance, right, Ms. Conway?  Readers are reminded her husband remains a staunch critic of the Trump nazi as reported here and elsewhere.  ...  Has to make for some incredibly interesting pillow talk, no?  LOL.

"House oversight committee Chairman Elijah Cummings, D-Md., announced his panel will conduct a hearing June 26 with the Office of Special Counsel "to hear about its findings and recommendation, and we will be inviting Ms. Conway to answer for her violations."

Better subpoena her gluteus maximi.  Even then, you might not hear from her.

"Cummings noted "multiple concerns about Ms. Conway for the past two years," citing what he called her "abusive trips on private jets," and her role in "the White House's failure to issue a legally-required national drug control strategy for two years." Cummings is also interested in whether Conway has divested her assets or is still involved in The Polling Company, which Conway founded."

Can't have that can we?  Forget?  Trump and his henchmen/women do as they please.  Law, ethics, standards?  What are they?

"Debra Katz, a Washington lawyer specializing in employment law and discrimination cases, said the White House is seeking to undermine the Hatch Act, but "it's not a law with great nuance." She told NPR, "This is not a hard act to adhere to."

There are other ways around this problem:

"The watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, CREW, which filed complaints with the OSC about Conway's conduct, said, "Conway's repeated violations and publicly expressed disdain for the law show a dangerous disregard for governmental ethics, the rule of law and the long-held understanding that government officials should not use their official positions to advance partisan politics. We join OSC in calling for Kellyanne Conway to be removed from federal service and expect today's findings to send a strong message to officials across the Trump Administration and the federal government that these violations will not be taken lightly." The nonprofit Project on Government Oversight said in a statement, "It's untenable for a senior counselor to the President to decide that civil law is no longer something she is bound by. No one is above the law."

Trump is.  'Justice' Department certainly thinks so.  Otherwise, Mueller would have indicted him on obstruction.

The Washington Post reports:

"President Trump said Friday that he will not fire White House counselor Kellyanne Conway for repeated violations of the Hatch Act, which bars federal employees from engaging in political activity in the course of their work."

So what else is new?  At the top of the food chain, the law means nothing.  Remains irrelevant.  ... Hear the rumble?  An unwanted, dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming on an increasing number of issues.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-21-19

Trump remains above the law.  Protected.  Coddled.  ABC News reports:

"President Donald Trump is directly disputing the account of a key witness in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into possible obstruction of justice during the course of the Russia probe saying that it "doesn't matter" what his former White House counsel Don McGahn testified."

It doesn't.  Truly, doesn't.  The 'Justice' Department, run and owned by the Trump nazi, asserts a sitting president is indeed above the law.  Cannot be indicted.  Nazi justice.

"In an exclusive interview with ABC News Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos, Trump says McGahn "may have been confused" when he told Mueller that Trump instructed him multiple times to have the acting attorney general remove the special counsel because of perceived conflicts of interest."

Trump remains a congenital liar.  No credibility:

"The story on that very simply, No. 1, I was never going to fire Mueller. I never suggested firing Mueller," Trump told Stephanopoulos.

"But when Stephanopoulos pushed back and referenced McGahn's testimony, Trump was defiant.

"I don't care what [McGahn] says, it doesn't matter," Trump said.

"Why would [McGahn] lie under oath?" Stephanopoulos later asked.

"Because he wanted to make himself look like a good lawyer," Trump said. "Or he believed it because I would constantly tell anybody that would listen -- including you, including the media -- that Robert Mueller was conflicted. Robert Mueller had a total conflict of interest."

"And has to go?" Stephanopoulos followed up.

"I didn't say that," Trump insisted.

"And while Trump ultimately refused to speak to Mueller’s investigators directly about McGahn and other topics, he wasn’t shy about sharing his views with ABC News.

"If you answer these questions to me now," Stephanopoulos asked, "why not answer them to Robert Mueller under oath?"

"Because they were looking to get us for lies or slight misstatements," Trump said. "I looked at what happened to people, and it was very unfair. Very, very unfair. Very unfair."

Called the truth.  Your henchmen would have never pled guilty, nor agreed to a plea bargain if they were indeed innocent.  Conveniently, forget?  You corrupt bastards at the top of the food chain employ the very best shysters money can buy.  Mueller clearly had the goods on your comrades.  Clearly, Mueller is a very, very careful prosecutor who does not care for corruption within government.  More than willing to do something about it.  Clearly, frustrated when DOJ policy dictated a sitting president is effectively above the law, that is, prevented him from doing precisely what he wanted to do, prosecute you, Mr. 'President.'

Gets more interesting:

"When Stephanopoulos pointed out that the president did not provide written answers to address questions of possible obstruction of justice, Trump grew frustrated.

"Wait a minute," Trump said. "Wait a minute. I did answer questions. I answered them in writing."

"Not on obstruction," Stephanopoulos said.

"George, you're being a little wise guy, OK -- which is, you know, typical for you," Trump shot back. "Just so you understand. Very simple. It's very simple. There was no crime. There was no collusion. The big thing's collusion. Now, there's no collusion. That means they set -- it was a setup, in my opinion, and I think it's going to come out."

There's certainly obstruction.  Ten possible examples presented by Mueller.  Will likely be prosecuted at some point.  Not only that, there are ongoing state and federal criminal investigations in New York that are nowhere near as limited in scope as the Mueller probe.  Just a matter of time, Mr. 'President,' just a matter of time.  You got confronted by an extremely well-prepared reporter named Stephanopoulos.  Think of what a prosecutor could do, Mr. 'President.'

CNN reports:

"In an extensive interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos that aired Sunday evening. President Donald Trump made several factual blunders and repeated many of his favorite incorrect claims.

"In touting his policies to expand defense spending and strengthen the military, the President took credit for improving the Department of Veterans Affairs, specifically expanding health care choices for veterans. "The vets-- the VA was in horrible shape," said Trump. "Now, they have choice. And nobody could get choice. John McCain couldn't get it. Nobody could get it. They tried for years. They couldn't get it."

"Facts First: Trump is rewriting history. The Veterans Choice Program was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2014 and was co-sponsored by Senator John McCain. Trump signed a bill to continue the program and eventually consolidated other programs under the new Veterans Community Care Program. Veterans Choice aimed to expand veteran's access to health care by increasing the number of medical staff in the VA system as well as allowing those who met certain criteria (either from wait time or distance to a VA facility) to see doctors outside of the VA system."

Trump has no conception of truth or reality.  Another example:

"When Stephanopoulos asserted that Americans are paying for the tariffs on China, Trump retorted "No, they're not." "China subsidizes their product in order to keep people working," Trump said before going on to argue that many companies were also moving out of China in order to avoid the tariffs. "So there is no tariff."

"Facts First: Trump is flatly wrong on this notion. US consumers and companies pay a large chunk of the tariffs Trump has placed on China. In addition, while there is evidence that US importers are shifting part of their production outside China, there isn't much to suggest there's a mass exodus of companies relocating away from China. Economists at Goldman Sachs estimate that 40% of the cost of tariffs has been passed on to consumers, with producers and retailers taking on the rest. According to a study from economists at Princeton, Columbia and the New York Federal Reserve, by the end of 2018 US companies and consumers were paying $3 billion a month more, plus $1.4 billion in additional losses, because of these new tariffs, mostly on China."

Trump can't, won't be confused with, or by the truth.

"In their Economic Report published in March, Trump's own administration admitted that despite any "benefits" which the tariffs may have are offset by the "costs paid by consumers in the form of higher prices and reduced consumption." So yes, Americans are paying these tariffs. As for Trump's claim that companies are fleeing China to avoid paying tariffs, it's difficult to measure how prevalent that trend is. Or if it's even happening at all."

Reality?  Trump's oblivious.  Determinedly, so.

"US imports from countries outside of China have increased in the first four months of 2019 compared to last year: 22% from Taiwan, 17% from South Korea, 38% from Vietnam, and 13% from Bangladesh. But part of this increase could be part of an already upward trend of importing more from countries outside of China and from the strong US economy, which leads to higher imports overall. US Census Bureau trade data published this month noted that US importers are taking in 12% less from China this year. While this is a significant number it's difficult to argue that "many" companies are moving out of China. Additionally, there are a large number of products made exclusively in China due to the interdependence of global supply chains. As Facts First has previously noted, for example, many raw materials integral to the US chemical industry now fall under Trump's tariffs and are "unavailable outside of China," Jennifer Abril, president of the Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates told CNN in May."

Unsustainable.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-21-19

Good 'riddings.'  LOL.  NPR reports:

"White House press secretary Sarah Sanders is leaving the White House, President Trump tweeted on Thursday. "After 3 1/2 years, our wonderful Sarah Huckabee Sanders will be leaving the White House at the end of the month and going home to the Great State of Arkansas," Trump said. "She is a very special person with extraordinary talents, who has done an incredible job! I hope she decides to run for Governor of Arkansas - she would be fantastic. Sarah, thank you for a job well done!"

Certainly, master of deception, obfuscation, outright lying.  All to benefit her clueless fuhrer, the Trump nazi.

"At a White House event Thursday, Sanders said her job as press secretary "has been the honor of a lifetime." "I've loved every minute, even the hard minutes," she said."

Disgraced yourself, madam. Wake up.

A massive failure:

"As press secretary, Sanders was known for frequent clashes with frustrated reporters who often struggled to get answers to questions about the president's thinking on issues ranging from presidential pardoning authority to the role of the press. She was often called upon to defend shifting and conflicting statements from Trump, and as a result, often faced questions about her own credibility. After a number of tense dust-ups during briefings, the White House began to hold press conferences with Sanders less frequently. It has currently been 94 days since Sanders briefed reporters in the White House briefing room. Instead, journalists now engage Sanders during impromptu question-and-answer sessions on the White House driveway."

Her credibility, -- certainly in question:

"Sanders faced scrutiny after the release of former special counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian interference in the 2016 election. The report examined her role in shaping messaging to the public after former FBI chief James Comey was fired. Shortly after Comey's ouster, Sanders told reporters that "countless members of the FBI" had reached out to the White House to express their displeasure with Comey. In her interview with the special counsel's office, she admitted that this was not true. She called the statement a "slip of the tongue."

Called lying.  Told the truth to Mueller, however.  Otherwise, he would have prosecuted her.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-21-19

The mark of a narcissistic dictator.  The Washington Post reports:

"President Trump said Friday that he is planning to make former immigration enforcement chief and Fox News analyst Tom Homan a White House “border czar,” the president’s latest move to place hard-liners who praise him on television in senior positions."

Jesus Christ.  Give me a break.  LOL.  Don't know butthole stinks?  That stupid?

“Tom Homan’s coming back,” Trump told the hosts of “Fox & Friends” via telephone Friday morning. “I would say that would be announced next week except I’d rather announce it now.”

Jesus Christ.  Think Trump's all there?

"Homan ran U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as acting director during the first 18 months of the Trump administration, but he retired in frustration when the White House failed to move his nomination forward toward Senate confirmation. Homan then became a Fox News analyst on immigration and border issues, where he was known for his blunt speaking style and enthusiasm for the president’s attempts to impose harsher border measures. “He’ll be a border czar,” Trump said. “He’ll be reporting directly to me. He’ll probably be working out of the White House but spending a lot of time at the border. ... He’s going to be very much involved with the border.”

"In recent weeks, Trump has appointed two other television analysts to senior DHS roles. Mark Morgan, a former FBI and Border Patrol official, is now acting director of ICE. And on Monday, Ken Cuccinelli, the conservative activist and former attorney general of Virginia, took over as the interim head of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-21-19

Think Trump promptly pays the bills?  The Washington Post reports:

"President Trump’s speech at the Lincoln Memorial on the Fourth of July is expected to drive up security costs for an annual event that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to the nation’s capital. But the president has still not fully paid the bill for the last time he addressed a massive crowd on the Mall: His 2017 inauguration. The Trump administration and Congress owe D.C. more than $7 million in expenses from Trump’s inauguration, according to federal and city financial records. The total cost of the four-day celebration, which culminated with a parade and gathering of roughly 600,000 people on the Mall, was $27.3 million. As a result, the District has been forced to dip into a special fund that covers annual security costs for protecting the city from terrorist threats and hosting other events such as demonstrations, state funerals and the visits of foreign dignitaries. That fund, which for years was adequately replenished by federal dollars, is now on track to enter the red by this fall, records show. The situation is riling local officials who say the federal government is not shouldering its fair share of security costs in the Trump era, which has seen an influx of demonstrators to the nation’s capital. The Fourth of July is shaping up as yet another logistical trial, with a reconfigured fireworks display, increased security for the president and at least one group of activists already planning a protest."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-21-19

May be on our way to war with Iran courtesy of our hopelessly clueless, increasingly unstable fuhrer, the Trump nazi.  The Washington Post reports:

"Fears that President Trump could be laying the groundwork for a war with Iran are fueling a wave of congressional initiatives to restrain him, but significant political hurdles could complicate lawmakers’ chances of success."

Normally, sanity rules.  No longer.

"Most of the backlash has been driven by Democrats wary of Trump’s moves to spurn Tehran — such as ripping up a nuclear deal and labeling the country’s elite military unit as a terrorist group — while he declares an emergency to expedite arms sales to its regional nemesis Saudi Arabia, despite the kingdom’s role in the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and its continued attacks on civilians in Yemen’s civil war."

Aggressive stupidity, -- at its very worst.  Proof positive, Trump remains egregiously unfit.

"A cadre of Republicans — including Sens. Todd C. Young (Ind.), Rand Paul (Ky.), Mike Lee (Utah) and Lindsey O. Graham (S.C.), a Trump ally — have joined the clamor to limit the president’s authority, inspired by what they see as end runs around Congress that could exacerbate regional instability, even if they otherwise support Trump’s stance against Iran."

Proof positive, not all Republicans have completely, totally lost their minds.

“There’s a potential that going forward, we can change the system,” Graham said this week, referencing the president’s emergency authority to complete arms sales. “And I would not have agreed to that before, but after this maneuver by the administration, count me in.”

How about that?  Some sanity returns to Graham.  Can we stand it?  LOL.

"Lawmakers have yet to settle on a course of action able to withstand a presidential veto. And as the president weighs his next move in the region, after blaming Iran for two tanker attacks in the Gulf of Oman, it is unclear if Trump’s critics can persuade his allies to challenge him."

Better get busy.  A lot at stake here.  Not only loss of life.  Severe blow to the economy.

"The next two weeks will be key, at least in the Senate, where lawmakers are eyeing multiple avenues to object to the administration’s recent actions affecting the Persian Gulf. As soon as Tuesday, senators could maneuver to block up to 22 arms deals, most of them benefiting Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, that the administration last month invoked emergency authority to complete, over congressional objections. It is unlikely, however, that all 22 disapproval resolutions will receive a vote on the floor — not least because another potential vehicle for thwarting the move is due for consideration. Senate leaders plan to tackle their chamber’s version of the annual defense bill before the end of June. The $750 billion authorization bill is one of the few must-pass measures Congress considers in a given year — and is prize territory for opponents of Trump’s arms sales and Iran policy to attach measures seeking to constrain him."

Time to get busy.  Get a move on.  Rein in the insanity.

"Democratic senators are planning amendments to limit the president’s emergency authority when it comes to concluding arms sales. In theory, the move has at least some Republican support — including from Graham. They also are pushing for an amendment prohibiting federal funds from being used for military operations against Iran unless the administration has first obtained express authorization from Congress to conduct such hostilities."

How about finally waking up?  Insist there be no war started without a congressional declaration.  As provided by the Founders in the Constitution.

"Lawmakers have struggled for years over how to prevent the commander in chief from claiming sweeping powers to engage in the Middle East militarily, despite calls from Capitol Hill to revisit the 2001 and 2002 authorizations for the use of military force. The AUMFs were initially approved for operations against al-Qaeda and Taliban affiliates, and in Iraq."

Time to rein in the spending.  Do a far better job vis a vis earmarking.  Restrain the president from usurping power constitutionally belonging to Congress.

"The House’s defense appropriations bill would end the 2001 AUMF. But in both chambers, Democrats also want to demand expressly that the administration consult Congress before confronting Iran."

Goddamned right.  Time for desperately needed change.  Before too late.

"In the Senate, Republican leaders need to permit votes on amendments to the defense bill. That means the House, where Democrats are in charge, could prove a more fruitful arena."

Again, time for desperately needed change.  Before too late.

"Earlier this week, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) promised members a full House vote to prevent “an unconstitutional war in Iran” — even if Democrats go it alone. House leaders also are planning a measure that would restrain the president’s emergency powers on arms sales."

About time.  What took so long?

"Should either chamber work those amendments into the defense bill, that will be part of the negotiations between the House and Senate over the final product. But in the past, negotiations have taken months — and time is potentially of the essence."

Time for both parties to finally get off their worthless asses.  Do something in the best interest of our formerly great country.  -- Instead of themselves.

"Unless Congress acts soon, at least some of the weapons contracts will probably be fulfilled. And while Trump has said he is “in no rush” to decide whether he will respond to the oil tanker attacks, any move he makes could dramatically change the Iran debate on Capitol Hill."

Time to rein in the lunatic. Before too late.  Time for both parties to finally display some patriotism.  Instead of only serving themselves, partisan interests.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-21-19

Hypocrisy.  Unfathomable.  Bottomless.  The following is beyond appalling.  It's hopelessly ignorant.  The Washington Times reports:

"President Trump pledged his support Saturday for updating the U.S. Constitution to let Congress outlaw burning the American flag. “All in for Senator Steve Daines as he proposes an Amendment for a strong BAN on burning our American Flag,” Mr. Trump said on Twitter. “A no brainer!”

Trump himself remains a 'no brainer.'  Literally.  Apparently, this clueless jackass has never read the First Amendment.  Has no conception of what freedom of expression truly means.

"Mr. Daines, Montana Republican, offered the proposed constitutional amendment on Friday, Flag Day, two years since launching a similar effort that ultimately failed to gain steam."

For damned good reason.  Goes against true meaning of free expression.  The nazi element in our formerly great country has no conception, no clue.  Insists on goose stepping along with the hopelessly, aggressively stupid in our formerly great country.

Impossible to confuse these hopelessly clueless, fascist assholes with the truth:

"The Supreme Court has found that flag burning is a form of free speech and accordingly protected under the First Amendment, effectively requiring the Constitution to be amended in order for Congress to have the authority to decide otherwise."

Jesus Christ.  Raw nazism.  Fascism, nazism, national socialism defined as the pernicious blend of government, business, and religion. 'Justified' by perversion and bastardization of the latter.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-21-19

Think the following not abject insanity?  ABC News reports:

"A privately funded border wall in New Mexico is being forced by a government agency to keep a gate open during the day, although local authorities have decided the door can be closed at night, according to an agreement reached Friday with the builders. It’s the latest twist in a long-running feud between a group that wants to help President Donald Trump build his “big, beautiful wall” using GoFund Me cash and local officials who say it lacked the necessary permits. U.S. officials from the International Boundary and Water Commission said the barrier was blocking a government-owned access road and the agency had repeatedly asked the group to keep the gate open. Earlier this week, IBWC workers joined by local authorities locked the gate in an open position after their requests were ignored. We Build the Wall, the group that commissioned the barrier, later said it had worked out an agreement with the agency. But on Friday, IBWC spokeswoman Lori Kuczmanski said the government had worked out an agreement with We Build the Wall. Government workers have been opening the gate during the day and allowing it to close only at night, she said."

Only in America.  LOL.  Clearly, we've lost ourselves.  Somewhere along the way.  LOL.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-21-19

Think it doesn't run in the family?  It does.  LOL.  CNN reports:

"Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, agreed to a plea deal in a case concerning illegally ordered meals at the Prime Minister's residence, according to a statement released by Israel's Justice Ministry."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-21-19

Bigotry remains alive and well.  The following is an 'Islamaphobic' example.  NPR reports:

"Dr. Ayaz Virji was a Muslim living in small-town, white America. He had left a good job in a leadership position at a successful hospital in Harrisburg, Penn., in order to practice medicine in a rural, underserved area."

How many physicians would even consider doing something like this?

"Virji says he "had the BMWs, the nice house, but it wasn't enough for me, I wanted to do more." Rural America faces a shortage of doctors, with many residents forgoing care and saying locations are too far away. "So I felt like I should do something about that. And it was back to the idea: If not me, then who?" he says. He moved with his family to Dawson, Minn., in 2014. As far as he knew, they were the only Muslims in town. Virji describes the small city — population 1,500 or so — as filled with "very gracious" people who welcomed the family to the community. "People there are kind, you know, many of them are far better than I am as a person."

How many physicians you know would make such a statement?  How many?

"But something seemed to change when Donald Trump started whipping crowds into a frenzy with anti-Muslim rhetoric. For Virji, the 2016 election was a turning point. He wondered how his neighbors, who had been so welcoming, could vote for someone who said that "Islam hates us" and had proposed a "total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States." Mandy France, who was training to be a local pastor at the time, invited Virji to give a lecture about his faith. He ended up giving a series of talks about Islam to his neighbors and people in surrounding communities in 2017. Virji wrote about the experience in the book Love Thy Neighbor: A Muslim Doctor's Struggle for Home in Rural America. He talked with NPR's Michel Martin.

"Interview Highlights

"On initial backlash

"I'd say that the biggest thing that I remember that bothered me the most, and probably still does, is that when we decided to do the lecture, when I decided, listen, I'm going to put aside my own anger. I said, listen, we're going to do something good and put these lectures on — that people in my own community protested. They said that a Muslim shouldn't be allowed to speak out publicly. How can you say [that]? You know me. I'm the town doctor, and I know you guys as patients. And if that [sentiment] was here now, then it must have been there before. It was just waiting for the opportunity to surface. ...So when [Mandy] first came to me I was myself not that interested because I was really angry about what had happened. That my own neighbors and friends voted for the guy who wants me on a registry and who wants to ban Muslims. You know, what did I do? I don't hate anybody. I didn't have to actually be here in rural America to begin with."

No kidding.

"On continuing the talks in other communities

"We gave the first talk and it was interesting. A lot of support; also some backlash. Hate mail and things that came after that as well. But what happened then was Mandy and I started bringing the talk to other communities.  And many times it was wonderful and people were very supportive. There were other times ... I remember one guy called me the Antichrist. "It doesn't matter what you do, you're the Antichrist." And OK. I tried to reason with him but it didn't work. But we just kept going."

Readers are reminded the world's top three religions, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all worship the very same Supreme Being.

"On being considered an exception, a "minority who is different"

"I think the idea is the message applies to people or these groups or minorities in general, but we have our own token, you know, minority who is different. And I remember going and visiting a patient in the hospital one day. I was just talking to the nurse and just made a comment, you know, "politics are so divisive these days." And she overheard that. I'm here at the bedside taking care of her, she just had an appendectomy, and she said, "Well you know why we have to get rid of these people from North Africa? What religion are they?" And she said, "Well they're Muslims. We have to get rid of them." I said, "Well, do you know that I'm a Muslim?" Then her jaw hits the ground and says, "Well I hope you know I don't see you that way." I said, "Well you should see me that way. I don't try to hide it." And then she's struggling with what to say and then she says, "Well, it's OK because you were born here. You weren't born over there." I stopped the conversation, but I wanted to say, "No. I was born in Africa. That's where I was born, in Kenya. I was not born here." But of course we diverted the conversation, this was not the right place to have it. But I think that people will look at me as maybe not even in that group and say, "Oh well, he's different. That doesn't apply to him."

This has to change.  Before too late.

"On what the talks accomplished

"I think we opened the narrative to change and that's what we did it for. If there were some people on the fence who just didn't know because they were scared, then we were able to say, "Listen, this message, love thy neighbor, is for all of us. It's a message of inclusion." And if you look at all of the major world religions, they all have the virtues of love and kindness and compassion and justice at their core. And the deeper dive you take into somebody else's religion or value system the more you see your own. And I think that the amount of people who have come to us and said, "Listen, you really opened my eyes," has made an impact. At least I hope."

If we don't finally wake up, this country will be no more.  ... At least, not as we knew it.

"On moving his family to Abu Dhabi

"I don't see it as leaving. Actually, I still practice in Dawson and I practice now between Abu Dhabi and Dawson. We decided to make this change at the end of the day because it was a very good opportunity and also for us to reconnect with family. So my family lives in Dubai overseas. But if people ask me, what do you call home, I'll still say Dawson. I still consider that my home. ... I would say that the Trump phenomenon made the decision easier. I suppose it wasn't the only aspect of it, but I can't tell you that it didn't have an effect."

Time for change.  Before too late.

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6-21-19

Democrats win one.  NPR reports:

"Legislative districts in Virginia that the Supreme Court previously said were racially gerrymandered have to remain in their redrawn form, the court said Monday, giving Democrats in the state a victory. The majority decision was written by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who noted that because the entirety of state government wasn't suing to keep the fight going — the case was brought by the state's GOP-controlled House — then it is throwing the case out. "In short, Virginia would rather stop than fight on," Ginsburg wrote. "One House of its bicameral legislature cannot alone continue the litigation against the will of its partners in the legislative process."

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6-21-19

Interesting split.  NPR reports:

"With less than two weeks left in the U.S. Supreme Court term, the justices handed down four decisions on Monday. Defying predictions, three were decided by shifting liberal-conservative coalitions. Here, in a nutshell, are the results, as well as the fascinating shifting votes:

"Dual sovereignty upheld, with Ginsburg, Gorsuch dissenting

"By a 7-2 vote, the court reaffirmed its 100-year-old rule declaring that state governments and the federal government may each prosecute a person separately for the same crime, without violating the Constitution's double jeopardy clause. Dissenting were the court's leading liberal justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and one of its most conservative justices, Neil Gorsuch."

Interesting, isn't it?  At some point, the Court will finally get it right.  Clearly, not yet.

"Racial gerrymandering case thrown out with a mix of liberals, conservatives

"Spurning pleas from Virginia Republicans, the court let stand decisions by lower courts finding that 11 state house districts were racially gerrymandered in violation of the Constitution. The Supreme Court said the Republican-dominated state House had no legal standing to appeal to the Supreme Court on its own when the state senate and the state attorney general had decided against appealing. Justice Ginsburg wrote the opinion for the 5-to-4 majority. She was joined by conservative Justices Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas, and liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. Dissenting were conservative Justices Samuel Alito, Brett Kavanaugh, and Chief Justice John Roberts, as well as liberal justice Stephen Breyer."

Another interesting partisan split on the Court.

"Uranium ban upheld again with an ideological mix

"The court upheld Virginia's ban on Uranium mining. By a 6-to-3 vote, the justices said that the state law was not superseded by the federal Atomic Energy Act (AEA). Writing for the court majority, Justice Gorsuch said the AEA gives the federal government the authority to regulate nuclear safety, but not the authority to regulate mining itself. Fellow conservatives Thomas and Kavanaugh joined the Gorsuch opinion in full, but liberal Justices Ginsburg, Sotomayor, and Kagan agreed only with his bottom line. They refused to sign on to Gorsuch's broad language about matters that they said "sweep well beyond the confines of this case." Dissenting were Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Breyer and Alito."

Clearly, yet another interesting partisan split on the Court.  Portend of changes to come?  We'll see.

"One traditional 5-4 split

"The only classic conservative-liberal split on Monday came in a case testing whether a private corporation that runs a public access TV channel in New York City is a public forum that, like a public park, cannot discriminate against speakers. The court, by a 5-to-4 vote, concluded that the public access channel here was owned by Time Warner, not by the city. And because it was privately owned, the channel could not be sued for refusing to air a movie. Justice Kavanaugh wrote the decision for the five conservative justices, declaring that "[M]erely hosting speech by others is not a traditional, exclusive public function." Therefore, channel operators cannot be sued for violating the First Amendment guarantee of free speech. At first blush, at least, the decision would seem to preclude First Amendment lawsuits against private platform operators, like Twitter and Facebook, though Kavanaugh warned that the decision should not be read "too broadly." Dissenting were the court's four liberal justices."

Above quotes courtesy of a most gifted, insightful writer, Nina Totenberg.

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6-21-19

History repeats itself.  Nazi Germany reincarnated.  The Washington Post reports:

"President Trump said in a tweet Monday night that U.S. immigration agents are planning to make mass arrests starting “next week,” an apparent reference to a plan in preparation for months that aims to round up thousands of migrant parents and children in a blitz operation across major U.S. cities. “Next week ICE will begin the process of removing the millions of illegal aliens who have illicitly found their way into the United States,” Trump wrote, referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “They will be removed as fast as they come in.”

A round up.  Reminiscent, Nazi Germany.  Adolf Hitler.

"Large-scale ICE enforcement operations are typically kept secret to avoid tipping off targets. In 2018, Trump and other senior officials threatened the mayor of Oakland, Calif., with criminal prosecution for alerting city residents that immigration raids were in the works. Trump and his senior immigration adviser, Stephen Miller, have been prodding Homeland Security officials to arrest and remove thousands of family members whose deportation orders were expedited by the Justice Department this year as part of a plan known as the “rocket docket.”

Due process?  What's that?  Nazi America.

"In April, acting ICE director Ronald Vitiello and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen were ousted after they hesitated to go forward with the plan, expressing concerns about its preparation, effectiveness and the risk of public outrage from images of migrant children being taken into custody or separated from their families."

Matters not to Trump and his henchmen.

CBS News reports:

"President Trump says millions of people living in the country illegally will be deported, beginning next week. In a pair of tweets Monday night — the eve of formally announcing his re-election bid — Mr. Trump said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement would next week "begin the process of removing the millions of illegal aliens who have illicitly found their way into the United States."

"They will be removed as fast as they come in," he wrote.

    ....long before they get to our Southern Border. Guatemala is getting ready to sign a Safe-Third Agreement. The only ones who won’t do anything are the Democrats in Congress. They must vote to get rid of the loopholes, and fix asylum! If so, Border Crisis will end quickly!
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 18, 2019"

Trump is hopelessly delusional.  A madman.  Seems to have forgotten U.S. support of brutal Extreme Right regimes in Central and South America for decades is directly responsible for this ongoing fiasco.

"It is unusual for law enforcement agencies to announce raids before they take place. ICE rarely announces operations in advance, especially large-scale ones like the one Mr. Trump addressed. The Washington Post reported in May that before the ouster of then Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, the White House pushed DHS — which oversees ICE — to conduct a sprawling operation targeting undocumented immigrants in major cities. That operation would have entailed the arrest of as many as 10,000 immigrants, not "millions." Any such massive deportation blitz would affect not only undocumented immigrants with pending removal orders, but millions of mixed-status families with members who are U.S. citizens, particularly children. Some in Mr. Trump's administration believe decisive shows of force — such as mass arrests — can serve as effective deterrents, sending a message to those considering making the journey to the U.S. that it's not worth the effort."

Wishful thinking.  Chickens are finally coming home to roost, -- so to speak.  None of this will end well.  None of it.

"Mr. Trump has threatened a series of increasingly drastic actions as he has tried to stem the flow of Central American migrants crossing the southern border, a flow that has risen dramatically on his watch. He recently dropped a threat to slap tariffs on Mexico after the country agreed to dispatch its national guard and step-up coordination and enforcement efforts. A senior Mexican official said Monday that, three weeks ago, about 4,200 migrants were arriving at the U.S. border daily and that the number has dropped to about 2,600. Also on Monday, the U.S. government officially announced it would cut millions of dollars in foreign aid to Central America, warning governments in the region that assistance will only resume when they do more to prevent their citizens from migrating."

Trump is hopelessly stupid, achingly ignorant.  Proof positive he's unfit for office.  No ability to see beyond the tip of his nose.

"The move, which the president ordered in late March, disrupts a long-standing pillar of American foreign policy supported by most Democrats and Republicans in Congress. Lawmakers had been urging the administration to reverse course, fearing the end of American assistance will only exasperate the rampant poverty, deep-rooted political instability and widespread insecurity in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, collectively known as the "Northern Triangle."

End result of this aching ignorance, aggressive stupidity?  Migration will worsen.

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6-21-19

Another step backwards. The Washington Post reports:

"The Trump administration finalized its biggest climate policy rollback Wednesday, requiring the U.S. power sector to cut its 2030 carbon emissions 35 percent over 2005 levels — less than half of what experts calculate is needed to avert catastrophic warming of the planet."

Can't confuse an idiot with the truth.

"Environmentalists are already threatening to challenge the administration in court, on the grounds that it cannot defend such a radical about-face by the EPA. “It can’t be justified from the standpoint of the public interest,” said Andres Restrepo, a staff attorney at the Sierra Club’s Environmental Law Program. “It is really a dereliction of duty — moral, ethical, but also legal.” However Jeff Holmstead, a partner at Bracewell LLP who headed EPA’s air office under President George W. Bush, said there is little chance that environmentalists would succeed. “Some rules coming out of the Trump administration may be legally vulnerable, but the ACE rule is on very solid ground,” Holmstead said in an email. “I think there’s very little chance of it getting overturned in court.”

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6-21-19

The insanity rages on. The Washington Post reports:

"Iran shot down an airliner-size U.S. naval surveillance drone near the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian and U.S. officials said Thursday, adding to weeks of tensions in the Persian Gulf region amid growing concerns of a wider military confrontation.  Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement that it targeted the drone — which it identified as an RQ-4 Global Hawk — inside Iranian airspace over the southern province of Hormozgan, next to the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Central Command confirmed the incident Thursday but denied that the aircraft was in Iranian airspace. “Iran made a very big mistake!” President Trump tweeted Thursday in his first public comment on the incident. “U.S. Central Command can confirm that a U.S. Navy . . . aircraft was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile system while operating in international airspace over the Strait of Hormuz,” a Centcom spokesman, Navy Capt. Bill Urban, said in a statement. He said the drone, a RQ-4A Global Hawk, was shot down early Thursday. Nearly a quarter of the world’s oil passes through the waterway, which connects Middle East energy producers to markets around the globe."

More on this in the next edition.

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6-21-19

Uncommon Valor.  There are some who stand tall no matter what.  No matter the odds.  No matter the opposition.  No matter the personal danger.  These are the true heroes in life.  Planned Parenthood is certainly one of them.  CBS News reports:

"Planned Parenthood is building the stage for another possible fight over abortion in Alabama: a large women's clinic that's under construction despite the state's passage of a near-total ban on abortions."

Another example of Uncommon Valor.  The Nazi Right, all across our formerly great country, delusionally believes it owns YOUR uterus, ladies.  Does it?

"Located beside an interstate highway in downtown Birmingham, the 10,000-square-foot structure is now nothing but a steel frame and roof. Workers under the constant watch of security guards appear to be installing electrical wiring, plus heating and cooling units."

Incredible, isn't it?  In our formerly great country, security guards necessary to protect construction workers!  Who'd 'a 'thunk' it?  Workers, doing all they can to stand up for a constitutional right.  The right of a woman to do as she pleases with HER uterus.  Jesus Christ.  Where did we lose ourselves?  When?  If there is no freedom for women to do as they please with THEIR uterus, there is no freedom at all.

Who the hell is next?  Who next to be victimized, deprived of their civil and constitutional rights and liberties by the achingly fascist assholes on the Right?  Why are these pieces of human excrement doing this?  Quite simple.  Remain delusionally determined to inflict, impose, force their outrageously perverse religious and ideological views on all.  No more complicated than that.  Bottom line, indeed simple.

Do as we say.  Do what WE dictate by law.  Nazi America.  Adolf and Benito would have been proud.  Abortion, illegal, in Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy.  The fascist assholes in our formerly great country remain bound and determined to repeat history.  Not good enough for this human excrement to follow its own beliefs without imposing them on the rest of us.  ... Hear the rumble?  An unwanted, dreaded, second American revolution catastrophically looming as our formerly great country continues to come apart at the seams.

Forget?  If there is no reproductive freedom, there is no freedom at all.  The nazi element cannot, does not understand this.  Zero comprehension.  These delusional pieces of human excrement seem to believe reproductive freedom is for women to cross their legs, keep their panties on and up.  For men, keep it in their pants.  F--k these assholes.  Forget?  This element has no personal issue with dumping the wife when she ages, not quite as attractive as she once was.

Hypocrisy, stunning.  Forget?  These are the very same assholes who beat the living shit out of their children to keep them in line.  Treat their pets like crap.  Pray on bended knee each Sunday, perversely thanking the Lord for their good fortune.  While hypocritically shitting on others in their pathetically shallow lives.  Charity?  Meaningless to these self-serving clueless pieces of crap.  -- Who place themselves above and over others.  No more complicated than that.

"The new facility could be complete around November, which is the same time the new state law will take effect unless blocked by courts. Abortion critics vow to oppose the opening, but a spokeswoman for the women's health organization said neither the new law nor opponents were a factor in the project. "We are a doctor that Birmingham has counted on for decades, and we are committed to continuing to provide that care," said Barbara Ann Luttrell, a spokeswoman for the Atlanta-based Planned Parenthood Southeast."

Way it should be.  Way things need to continue.

"Construction began in January and is continuing despite the Republican-controlled Legislature's passage of a near-ban on abortion. Gov. Kay Ivey signed the law in May, making it the most restrictive anti-abortion measure passed in the United States since Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973. The legislation — dubbed the "Human Life Protection Act" — bans all abortions in the state except when "abortion is necessary in order to prevent a serious health risk" to the woman, according to the bill's text. It criminalizes the procedure, reclassifying abortion as a Class A felony, punishable by up to 99 years in prison for doctors. Attempted abortions will be reclassified as a Class C felony penalty, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The legislation makes no exceptions for victims or rape or incest. It is one of several bills restricting abortion passed in Republican-controlled states in recent months."

These achingly fascist assholes remain hell bent, cluelessly determined to force their outrageously perverse religious views on all.   Goddamned, un-American.  Adolf and Benito?  'High-fiving' on their fiery perches.

"The American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood filed suit at the end of May to challenge the near-ban. But no court hearing is set, so abortion opponents say they hope the opening will be blocked by some combination of the new law, public pressure and a state agency. Regardless of the law, abortion opponents aim to convince the Alabama Department of Public Health to deny a license for the facility and they've tried to convince construction contractors to refuse work on the building through phone calls and emails, said Rev. Terry Gensemer of Metro Birmingham Life Forum."

Who the f--k are you, Pastor, to force your outrageously perverse religious views on the rest of us?  Should this stand, time for liberty-loving citizens to leave the not-so-great State of Alabama.  Not only is Alabama known for its racism, but for this as well.  Called nazism.  Plain and simple.

"It was surprising when we found out that they were going to build this," said Gensemer. "My question is after the bill passage, why are they continuing to be so aggressive when the possibility exists that they won't be able to be in business?"

Wake up, Pastor.  They're standing up for liberty, Reverend.  The right of a woman to do as she pleases with HER uterus, not yours, you clueless fool.

"Alabama has a long history of passing laws to restrict abortion and Luttrell said there was "absolutely no slowdown due to the legislative session" or the new law."

If one believes in liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties, Alabama is no fit place to live.

"The only work delays so far may be linked to a rainy spring, she said and Planned Parenthood is complying with all laws "so there should be no reason we would not be granted a license."

If denied, take it to court.  Fight the fascist bastards.  Expose them for precisely whom and what they are.

"The new clinic will be located on a lot that records show the organization purchased last year for $430,600. It would replace the current Planned Parenthood clinic in Birmingham, where opponents say abortions haven't been performed regularly since 2017. Luttrell says the current clinic takes appointments for the procedure when it can find a doctor to perform abortions."

Incredibly sad, isn't it, the country has gone so goddamned nazi there is difficulty finding a doctor to provide a constitutional right?  Nazi America.

"Luttrell said Planned Parenthood hopes courts block the new law by the time the new clinic is ready to open. Aside from abortion, it will offer birth control, cancer testing and screenings for sexually transmitted diseases, she said."

A necessary, vital, public service.  Desperately denied by the yellow-bellied Nazi Right.  A raucous, boot-clicking, goose-stepping, treasonous, treacherous, traitorous Seig Heil!, you achingly fascist bastards?

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6-14-19

Highly reminiscent of our outrageously bought and paid for judiciary, Llano County prosecutors, Sheriff Bill Blackburn and his criminal SS jackbooted bastards in black who continue to egregiously disgrace themselves and the badge, do as they please regardless of the law and Constitution, carefully consider the following.  It's appalling.  Runs against the grain of everything our formerly great country once stood for.  No longer.

ICE remains egregiously out of control.  Hopelessly, aggressively stupid.  Target this time?  Veterans.  The Washington Post reports:

"On the same day the White House heralded veterans on the 75th anniversary of D-Day, a federal watchdog said the government had violated its own rules on deporting former service members — and immigration authorities have no idea how many they have removed."

This agency is a massive failure.  Hopelessly, incompetent.  Direct threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  Needs to be abolished, then replaced.

"Although U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is required to especially consider a veteran’s health, deployment record and other circumstances and must elevate decisions of veteran removal to senior officials, the agency often did not because it was “unaware of the policies,” the Government Accountability Office said in a Thursday report."

Stunning, isn't it? Veterans.  Men and women who served this country at great personal risk and cost.

"ICE did not elevate a decision in 70 percent of relevant cases, according to the report. The consequence, the GAO found, was that some veterans were deported without being properly screened. Immigrants have served in uniform since the nation’s founding and have been naturalized in uniform or as veterans for a century. Nearly 130,000 troops have been naturalized since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks alone."

Stunning number.  Yet, ICE deports them with no due process.

"But assumptions that the process is automatic has left some veterans unaware that they need to apply themselves. That has partially led to deportations for an unknown number of veterans for crimes ranging from assault to relatively minor offenses such as petty theft."

Whether or not veterans are aware is irrelevant.  It is up to government to inform them, ensure they're aware of their rights.  Before deportation.

“I haven’t seen ICE use any discretion except for one veteran from El Salvador,” said Hector Barajas-Varela, an Army veteran who was deported to Mexico for 14 years but was later pardoned by California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) in 2017 and was naturalized last year. He advocates for other deported veterans. ICE does not know precisely how many veterans it has deported, the report found, which validates an issue Barajas-Varela has warned of for years: that unclear policies mean no one knows exactly how big the problem has become."

Exactly, what our fuhrer, the Trump nazi and his henchmen want.

"Barajas-Varela estimates 2,000 veterans have been deported but said he could not be certain. "Even if they started counting now, there’s no way to find out,” he told The Washington Post on Saturday."

Incredible, isn't it?  We've lost ourselves.

"In a letter to acting ICE director Mark Morgan on Thursday, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) said he was “deeply alarmed” over the findings. “We cannot allow noncitizen veterans to fall through the cracks of our broken immigration system,” Takano said. “Deporting veterans represents a failure by our government that could have been prevented if ICE officials had been adhering to agency policies,” Takano continued. “This level of carelessness and disregard for official procedures is negligent and unacceptable."

All talk, no action.  When will that change?

"Margaret Stock, an immigration attorney who represents recruits and veterans in deportation proceedings, said Pentagon and Homeland Security policies enacted in recent years have accelerated the problem. The military, until recently, quickly naturalized soldiers before they could deploy, and possibly die, for the country without being a citizen. A soldier from Trinidad was killed in Iraq on his way to gather paperwork for his citizenship, which led to legislation to expedite the process."

The way this should work is ass backwards.  A non-citizen who joins the military should be immediately granted provisional citizenship conditioned on honorably completing military service or dying before that service has been completed.  -- This isn't rocket science.  It's goddamned bullshit.  No one who has served in the military should be treated like this.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-14-19

Trump's warped sense of reality.  The Washington Post reports:

"Exactly 75 years ago Friday, Allied soldiers stepped on a deadly shore to liberate people they did not know, in a war they did not choose. President Trump said he would have preferred to serve in that kind of war. One that stirred feelings of deep pride in a U.S. victory and righteousness against a clearly defined enemy. But his generation got Vietnam. “I thought it was a terrible war,” Trump told Piers Morgan on “Good Morning Britain” on Wednesday. “I thought it was very far away, and at that time nobody ever heard of the country. So many people dying, what is happening over there? So I was never a fan — like we’re fighting against Nazi Germany, we’re fighting against Hitler.” The exchange occurred after Morgan asked Trump whether he “wished” he had served in the military, particularly in Vietnam, which Trump avoided with a string of student deferments and a medical disqualification for bone spurs.

“I would have not have minded that at all. I would have been honored” to serve, Trump said, though he did not address accusations of draft dodging with Morgan. However, Trump added, he has increased the Pentagon’s budget during his tenure, which he said should be considered as an amends to avoiding service. "I think I make up for it right now,” Trump said, describing a proposed defense budget that will approach $750 billion in 2020. “I think I am making up for it rapidly.”

LOL.  Our insane, unabashed fuhrer delusionally believes spending taxpayer dollars makes up for his failure to serve, blatant draft dodging.  Anything wrong with this picture?  Anything at all?

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-14-19

In follow up to the last edition, NPR reports:

"A federal judge in New York is delaying his review of allegations that the Trump administration concealed the real reason for adding a citizenship question to the 2020 census. The move puts the focus back on the Supreme Court, which has been expected to issue its ruling on the legal fate of the hotly contested census question by the end of June. During a brief hearing at Manhattan federal court Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman called the allegations by plaintiffs in one of the lawsuits over the question "serious."

Then, why didn't you take immediate action?  Why are you waiting for a Supreme Court ruling on the Census citizenship question?

"He added he is "acutely mindful" that his earlier ruling to block plans for the question is currently before the Supreme Court and that he sees "no reason to rush this process" because the new allegations are "collateral" to the issues before the high court. "I don't want to do anything that would cross the line or be seen to cross the line," Furman said."

At the very least, 'Judge,' that's gutless.  Trump's henchmen are accused of committing perjury.  Are you deliberately giving the five Republican nazis on the Supreme Court the opportunity to show gratitude to their fuhrer and his henchmen?

"Attorneys for both the Trump administration and the plaintiffs who brought the allegations agreed to a schedule that could run into early August. With the Supreme Court's term currently set to end later this month, the justices could rule soon to allow the administration to include on forms for the upcoming national head count the question, "Is this person a citizen of the United States?" The court is under pressure to release a decision in time for the printing of paper forms for the 2020 census to start, as currently scheduled and budgeted for, by July 1. Still, attorneys for the plaintiffs, led by the New York Immigration Coalition, say they are determined to push forward this summer with their claims that John Gore, a Justice Department official, and A. Mark Neuman — a former adviser to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who oversees the census — gave false or misleading testimony about the citizenship question's origins."

The problem with this is the likelihood the Court will conveniently use the quickly approaching end of its term to conveniently ignore the strong possibility Trump and his henchmen lied about the real reason they want the question added to the Census:

"The Trump administration has said it wants the question so it can better protect the voting rights of racial minorities. But the plaintiffs argue the administration orchestrated a cover-up of the real reason for the question — allegedly, to collect citizenship information that could be used to redraw voting districts in a way that favors Republicans and non-Hispanic white people. It was a plan outlined by a major Republican redistricting strategist, Thomas Hofeller, whose files were recently provided to the plaintiffs' attorneys from hard drives discovered by his estranged daughter after his death last year. "Does the Supreme Court want to issue a ruling in the shadow of those kinds of allegations?" Dale Ho, a plaintiffs' attorney with the ACLU, asked after the hearing outside the courthouse. "That's a question not for us to answer, but for the court." "We want to get the truth out," said John Freedman, another plaintiffs' attorney whose law firm, Arnold & Porter, obtained Hofeller's documents. "The Supreme Court, we think, no matter what it decides, will be interested in what the truth is."

We'll soon find out.  Be interesting to see how the five Republicans on the Court react.

NBC News reports:

"President Donald Trump on Wednesday asserted executive privilege over information related to his administration's decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census as the House Oversight Committee prepared to hold two of his Cabinet members in contempt for defying its subpoenas on the issue. The Justice Department announced Trump's move in a letter to the committee's chairman, Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., as the panel was preparing to vote on a resolution on whether to hold Attorney General William Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in contempt of Congress for withholding documents on the issue. The resolution would allow Democrats to pursue both civil and criminal contempt charges against Barr and Ross for defying subpoenas issued by Cummings on April 2 to produce the documents. Democratic leadership and House counsel would then decide which avenue to pursue. "What we have learned in this investigation is quite disturbing," Cummings said in his opening remarks, stating that the committee obtained evidence that Ross was "aggressively pressing his staff" to add the citizenship question to the 2020 census months before the DOJ made the request to include it, and that Ross did so at the urging of the White House. Cummings said the administration has claimed that it has supplied 17,000 pages of documents on the issue to the committee. "This is true, but the vast majority of these documents were already public; others were heavily redacted," he said."

Republican fascists do all they can to stonewall, obfuscate:

"Rep. Jody Hice, R-Ga., a member of the committee, said lawmakers should not vote on a contempt resolution until the public gets a clear understanding of why Democratic lawmakers oppose adding the question. "The American people need to know what’s going on here," Hice said. "Democrats simply don’t want to have a citizenship question, and it is important for us to ask why. We know that that question cannot be used for immigration enforcement. It cannot be used for deportation. These types of things are in federal law. So the question is, why do the Democrats not want to know how many citizens are in this country?"

This Republican national socialist, fascist and his henchmen already know the answer.  Been repeatedly stated.  Over and over and over again.  Forget?  A large number of households containing non-citizens would refuse to participate fearing deportation no matter the law.  An accurate Census count would, consequently, be greatly compromised:

"Those who oppose adding the question say it would likely suppress the response rate in immigrant communities, leading to an undercount. The administration, meanwhile, has argued that including the question would help it to enforce the Voting Rights Act."

Trump and his henchmen are liars.  This information would wind up passed on to ICE.  Forget?  Government is hopelessly duplicitous.  ... Right, Sheriff?

"To take action in criminal contempt, the House would need to hold a full floor vote. For civil contempt, Democrats would seek authorization from a bipartisan group of House leaders, in which Democrats hold the majority, to file a lawsuit to enforce the committee’s subpoenas. The committee, which had planned to vote on the resolution Wednesday morning, postponed action until the afternoon to allow members to read the Justice Department letter stating why the president had asserted executive privilege. On Tuesday, the Justice Department had warned Cummings in a letter that it would recommend the president assert executive privilege if the House voted to hold the officials in contempt of Congress."

Trump and his henchmen continue to egregiously obstruct justice.

"The planned committee vote comes a day after the House approved a resolution to authorize the House Judiciary Committee and other panels to go to court to enforce their subpoenas of the Trump administration. That measure, which was adopted 229-191 along party lines, allows the Judiciary Committee to sue Barr and former White House counsel Don McGahn for refusing to comply with its subpoenas related to former special counsel Robert Mueller’s report on Russia's efforts to influence the 2016 election and possible obstruction of justice by Trump.

"Cummings said the House vote Tuesday "marks a pivotal moment for Congress in our ability to conduct oversight as an independent branch of government.” The White House, Cummings said, has “not turned over one single shred of paper in response to any of our requests” about such things as the response to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico; executive branch security clearance concerns; efforts to transfer nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia; and hush payments that the president's former longtime lawyer, Michael Cohen, made to women who allege past affairs with Trump, which he has denied."

Called obstruction.

NBC News reports:

"The House Oversight and Reform Committee advanced a resolution Wednesday to hold Attorney General William Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in contempt of Congress for withholding documents on the Trump administration's decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census. The vote, 24-15 largely along party lines, came only hours after President Donald Trump asserted executive privilege to block access to the information. The Department of Justice announced the move in a letter to the committee's chairman, Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., just as the panel was preparing to vote on the resolution Wednesday morning. Only one Republican, Justin Amash of Michigan, voted in support of the measure."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-14-19

Re-districting is egregiously un-American.  Both parties gerrymander.  Needs to end.  Outrageously, undemocratic.  In follow up to the last edition of this publication, NPR reports:

"The way Thomas Hofeller talked about redistricting — the drawing of political boundaries and the sifting of voters into buckets — you could be forgiven if you assumed he was speaking about a loved one or a favorite holiday. "Redistricting is like an election in reverse! It's a great event," he said with a smile at a National Conference of State Legislatures event in 2000. "Usually the voters get to pick the politicians. In redistricting, the politicians get to pick the voters!" A mapmaker and Republican strategist, he saw holes in the democratic system that could be exploited by technology and guile. Hofeller, who died in August 2018, saw a way to turn small vote margins into supermajorities for GOP legislators. Now a trove of his data has been uncovered that could undo some of the work he spent decades perfecting.

"In North Carolina, after Republican successes in the 2010 election, Hofeller helped draw new maps that netted the party 10 of the state's 13 congressional seats, despite the popular vote in that state being nearly even. Hofeller also knew the key to success in this niche field was protecting against lawsuits. He spent 10 PowerPoint slides in a presentation he gave about redistricting in 2011 just on legal issues and privacy. "Treat every statement and document as if it was going to appear on the FRONT PAGE of your local newspaper," he implored on one slide. "Emails are the tool of the devil." He knew the practice was unseemly, and if politicians were going to partake, Hofeller warned, they needed good lawyers. And a way to keep secrets. "Loose lips sink ships," he said, at the same NCSL event in 2000. "Remember, a journey to legal hell starts with but a single misstatement."

Coup de grace?  LOL.  Get this:

"All the more surprising, then, that his own files have prompted legal action. After Hofeller's death, his daughter found hard drives and thumb drives holding close to 100,000 files, according to The New York Times. She turned them over to Common Cause, a voting-rights nonprofit.

"Public opinion about partisan gerrymandering is consistently negative. Last fall, voters in four states voted to reduce the role of elected officials in the redistricting process. A Campaign Legal Center poll from earlier this year found that about two-thirds of likely 2020 voters view gerrymandering unfavorably. Tokaji says the public getting a closer look at the unsavory details of Hofeller's work will only fuel those feelings. "I think it's a little bit like the Wizard of Oz," he said. "It allows those of us who have not been in the backroom to see behind the curtain, and see the real partisan agenda behind some of these decisions." The more the public knows and understands about the practice, the less brazen politicians may be when lines are redrawn in 2021."

The system is hopelessly corrupt.  Time for radical change.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-14-19

The following extreme example in Israel illustrates precisely why church-state separation is critical to a democratic republic.  Certainly, a portend of far worse to come in the United States as we transition from a de facto fascist police-state to the Trump nazi's Fourth ReichThe Washington Post reports:

"Bastet, a vegan and LGBT-friendly cafe whose blue tables spill across a central Jerusalem sidewalk, is a secular oasis for residents seeking Saturday refreshment in a city that largely comes to a standstill for the Jewish Sabbath. But each week, a procession of ultra-Orthodox men, some in their finest fur hats and gold robes, invariably marches past in a show of displeasure at the cafe’s desecration of the day of rest. “Shabbos!” they chant, using the Yiddish word for the Sabbath. On a recent Saturday, the wait staff struck back, lifting their shirts to reveal their bras in an attempt to push back the religiously conservative demonstrators. The confrontation reflected a central tension in modern Israel over the very nature of the state, founded by secular Zionists but with an ultrareligious population that is growing in size and influence. That tension came to the forefront late last month, thwarting longtime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to form a new government and sending a stunned nation to the polls for the second time this year. Netanyahu needed two competing factions, secular and religious, to form a governing majority in parliament, and they were deadlocked over legislation that proposes drafting the ultra-Orthodox into the military as other Israeli Jews are."

Trump recently complained about this Israeli failure to get their political act together.  Laughable, considering the fact our delusional fuhrer is doing precisely the same here in our formerly great country.

"For Israelis like Klil Lifshitz, the 28-year-old lesbian who opened Bastet 2½ years ago with a “super feminist” wait staff ­rather than decamp to liberal Tel Aviv as most of her friends had, the shrinking space for secularism is a concern. “They have more and more power,” she said of the ultra-Orthodox. “As long as they keep having the power they do in forming coalitions and governments, they are basically going to get what they want.” Alex Dvorkin, 21, a staffer at Bastet, said she exposed her bra to repel religious protesters and make a point about freedom. It was during an usually large demonstration last month — called by ultra-Orthodox Jews to protest what they termed Israel’s desecration of the Sabbath as the country hosted the Eurovision song contest — that the wait staff decided to make their own stand. They said the purpose was to protect their tables and make an ideological point."

Good for them.  Did the right thing.  Displayed great courage.

"Since then, the ultra-Orthodox have paused their weekly walk past."

LOL.  Imagine that.  Couldn't be, could it?  LOL.  What's the matter, boys?  Afraid you might get your cookies off?  LOL.

“It is a victory,” said Mira Ibrahim, one of the staff members who decided to disrobe, though she said the sense of triumph was tinged by a heavy-handed police response to the demonstrators that made the staff uncomfortable."

That's a problem.  There and here in the United States.  No one wants aggressive policing.  Always counterproductive.  No matter who it is directed against.  No matter why.

"But while the Bastet staff may have won a small reprieve, the wider battle is only expected to escalate. The ultra-Orthodox, also known as Haredim, make up only 12 percent of the population but are the fastest-growing segment of Israelis, with women giving birth to an average of 6.9 children. In the early days of the Israeli state, many of the ultra-Orthodox were opposed to the secular Zionist movement that created it, fearing it would eradicate their form of Judaism. Now, they are increasingly using their power in Israel’s 120-member parliament, where they most recently won 16 seats, to promote and protect their interests, rather than shunning it. And it’s not just the ultra-Orthodox who are pushing for Israel to be ruled by religious law. On June 3, Netanyahu rejected calls from his political ally Bezalel Smotrich — a religious, but not ultra-Orthodox, Jew — for the Israeli justice system to adhere to Jewish law. “Israel will not be a halacha state,” Netanyahu tweeted, using the term for Jewish law based on the Talmud. A religious state is what Avraham Menkes, an ultra-Orthodox rabbi, would like to see, and he sees conscription as a threat to the existence of his unique community. National service, he says, is a “melting pot” designed to take Israeli Jewish immigrants from a diverse mix of cultures across the world and give them a uniform identity."

While the clash between a secular and religious state is nowhere near as pronounced yet in the United States, the Nazi Right, centered in the Republican Party, is quite determined to force its political, religious, and ideological views on the rest of us by statute.  Direct violation of the First Amendment Establishment Clause, church-state separation, that is, freedom from religion.

"While many outside Israel see its conflict with the Palestinians as the country’s defining struggle, Haim said he sees the clash between his two worlds — religious and secular — as the most fateful and sure to escalate in the future, as the ultra-Orthodox population grows.  He predicted that Israel will reach a tipping point when the balance between the Jewish communities will no longer be sustainable, and secular Jews would then begin leaving Israel because it had grown so restrictive. “At some point it will break,” he warned."

At some point as well, Americans will finally wake up to what is happening in Israel.  To say nothing of what is happening here in our formerly great country.  Hopefully, before too late.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-14-19

Bigotry against the LGBTQ community remains alive and well in Washington state.  NBC News reports:

"Washington state’s top court ruled for a second time on Thursday that a Christian florist discriminated against a same-sex couple by refusing to sell them flowers for their wedding, setting up a potential clash over gay and religious rights at the U.S. Supreme Court. In a unanimous decision, the Washington Supreme Court’s nine justices said that Barronelle Stutzman, owner of Arlene’s Flowers in Richland, Washington, violated a state anti-discrimination law by refusing service to Robert Ingersoll and Curt Freed, for their marriage in 2013.  Stutzman, a member of the Southern Baptist denomination, believes that marriage should be exclusively between a man and a woman. Her lawyers vowed an immediate appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. The state court previously ruled against Stutzman in 2017, but was ordered to reconsider the case after the nation’s highest court last year sided with a Colorado baker who refused to make a wedding cake for two men, citing religious beliefs. That ruling was narrow and did not resolve the constitutional issues raised, instead finding that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission did not handle the case appropriately. On Thursday, Washington high court said it reviewed Stutzman’s case and found it was handled neutrally and “avoided animus toward religion.” It again rejected Stutzman’s argument that arranging flowers for a same-sex wedding would violate her free speech rights under the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment and would be tantamount to endorsing same-sex marriage. John Bursch, an attorney with the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal group that represented Stutzman, said the state has been hostile toward her religious beliefs. “We look forward to taking Barronelle’s case back to the U.S. Supreme Court,” he said. Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said he will continue to uphold the state’s anti-discrimination laws."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-14-19

The Hyde Amendment.  CBS News reports:

"The Hyde Amendment has taken center stage this week in the Democratic presidential field, with former Vice President Joe Biden announcing Thursday night he no longer supports it — a reversal of his long-held position. So what is the Hyde Amendment, and why is it so controversial?  The Hyde Amendment restricts federal funding from supporting abortions except in instances of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. Congress passed the first iteration of the Hyde Amendment in 1976, just a few years after Roe v. Wade, attaching it to Medicaid appropriations. The amendment effectively barred federal Medicaid funds from being used for abortion except for instances in which the woman's life would be endangered by carrying out the pregnancy. The amendment must be passed, attached to Health and Human Services appropriations, each year. The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the amendment in 1980."

Despite the fact it violates the First Amendment Establishment Clause, church-state separation, that is, freedom from religion.  Another example where the Court continues to bastardize the Constitution.

"Most Democratic presidential candidates in the 2020 race have made it clear they don't support the Hyde Amendment, like Biden said he did up until this week. Earlier this week, the Biden campaign insisted he still supported the amendment, before the former VP announced Thursday night he no longer does with the right to abortion "under attack." "I can't justify leaving millions of women without access to the care they need and the ability ... to exercise their constitutional protected right," Biden said at a Democratic National Committee fundraising gala in Atlanta Thursday night. Biden had been under pressure to change his position, with other Democrats blasting his support for the amendment. Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton, also running for president, on Thursday compared Biden's position to supporting American troops but not being willing to pay for them."

Here's what's so interesting about Biden's change of heart:

"Biden was sworn into the Senate in 1973, the same year the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade, and long said he personally opposed abortion, citing his Catholic beliefs. "I accept my church's position on abortion as a what we call de fide doctrine," Biden said during a 2012 vice presidential debate. "Life begins at conception. That's the church's judgment. I accept it in my personal life. But I refuse to impose it on equally devout Christians and Muslims and Jews. I just refuse to impose that on others."

-- Unlike Republican nazis who remain determined to impose their perverse religious and ideological views on all.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-14-19

Gamesmanship.  Brinkmanship.  Aggressive Stupidity.  Unbridled.  The Washington Times reports:

"Democrats lashed out in all directions at President Trump after he won concessions from Mexico to try to stop the flow of illegal immigrants at the border. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi chided the president Saturday for his method, saying his threat of tariffs was unbecoming of a friendly country’s treatment of a neighbor. But Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer took a different approach, saying — seemingly with as much sarcasm as can drip on Twitter — that since Mr. Trump has struck a deal, he can stop talking about illegal immigration. “Now that that problem is solved, I’m sure we won’t be hearing any more about it in the future,” Mr. Schumer said."

LOL.  Don't count on it.  LOL.  This 'deal' is no more than 'symbolism over substance.'

"Just days before Mr. Schumer had predicted Mr. Trump would cave and find a reason to revoke his tariff threat."

Exactly, what happened.  LOL.  Yet, his supporters, including those in Right Wing media and without any evidence to support their claims, delusionally trumpet success:

"But the threat appears to have worked both to bring Mexico to the negotiating table and to win concessions that the Mexican government had been reluctant to agree to, including cooperating with the U.S. to hold Central American asylum-seekers while they are awaiting their cases in the U.S."

LOL.  ... With the caveat, moreover:

"Mexico did, however, resist signing a “safe third country” agreement that would have allowed the U.S., of right, to return any non-Mexican asylum-seekers who crossed Mexico en route to the U.S.

... Whatever the hell the above quote precisely, truly means.  LOL.

"Mexico did agree to revisit its actions over the next 90 days to see if they are working."

Regardless, will do nothing to ultimately resolve the humanitarian crisis decades in the making.  Thanks to American support of Extreme Right regimes in South and Central America.  Due to insane fear of Far Left regimes that had clearly been failing for years.

"Mrs. Pelosi had opposed Mr. Trump’s goal of getting Mexico to hold onto asylum-seekers, saying it violated the migrants’ rights."

While Speaker Pelosi is indeed hopelessly full of shit on an increasing number of issues, she's right on target on this particular one.

"She said the U.S has a broader role to play in stopping the smuggling networks that orchestrate the flow of people. And she said Mr. Trump was wrong to use tariffs to force compliance."

Quite correct, as well on both issues.  Time will tell.

“President Trump undermined America’s preeminent leadership role in the world by recklessly threatening to impose tariffs on our close friend and neighbor to the south,” she said."

Also true.  Worse, without question?  Trump has disgraced himself, his office, and the country.

The Washington Post reports:

"President Trump announced Friday night that a deal was in place that would avert threatened tariffs on imports from Mexico in exchange for that country’s taking “strong measures” to curb the influx of Central American migrants at the U.S. southern border. The agreement, which came just two days before Trump had vowed to impose a 5 percent, across-the-board tariff on one of the United States’ top trading partners, called for the Mexican government to widely dispatch its national guard forces to help with immigration enforcement, with priority in the south, on its border with Guatemala, according to a joint statement. In addition, the two countries would expand a program known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), created this year, that allows the United States to return Central American migrants to Mexico while they await the adjudication of their asylum hearings in U.S. immigration court, a process that can take months."

Here's just one unresolved issue of many:

"The expansion of the program could result in tens of thousands of migrants waiting in limbo in potentially unsafe conditions in Mexico. MPP already has faced legal challenges, and while a federal appeals court panel in San Francisco has allowed it to temporarily continue while it reviews the policy, some judges have indicated that the MPP program might not be constitutional."

Clearly, matters not to our fuhrer, the Trump nazi, and his henchmen.  Why would it?

"At the State Department, Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard told reporters that the deal did not include a provision pushed by the Trump administration, known as a “Safe Third Country” agreement, that would have required asylum seekers to apply for refugee status in Mexico before reaching the United States, since it also is considered safe for asylum purposes. “I think it is a fair balance because they had more drastic measures and proposals at the start and we reached a midpoint,” Ebrard said."

It's good the Mexicans did offer some resistance.  The truth, however, is the fact Mexico is not, and has not, been safe for migrants.

"GOP leaders praised Trump for the outcome Friday evening. “By using all the tools available to him under U.S. law, President Trump has advanced the protection of our national security interests,” Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said in a statement. “While I generally do not support imposing tariffs, except in cases of legitimate violations of U.S. trade law, Mexico’s lack of commitment when it comes to addressing the unsustainable and dangerous migratory crisis at our Southern Border has left this administration no other choice. By exerting maximum pressure and demanding decisive action from the López Obrador administration, President Trump has secured an important victory on behalf of the American people.”

Unadulterated bullshit.  Republicans are relieved Trump backed down, made an agreement before they had to take action to block their nazi fuhrer.  LOL.

"But Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), who has objected to Trump’s efforts to build a border wall and his threats to seal the border to trade and tourism, reacted sarcastically to Trump’s announcement. “This is an historic night! @realDonaldTrump has announced that he has cut a deal to ‘greatly reduce, or eliminate, Illegal Immigration coming from Mexico, and into the United States,’ ” Schumer wrote on Twitter. “Now that that problem is solved, I’m sure we won’t be hearing any more about it in the future.”

LOL.

Trump's growing instability is, sadly, becoming increasingly obvious.  CBS News reports:

"In a series of tweets Saturday morning, Mr. Trump continued to defend his last-minute decision not to implement tariffs, blaming the media for perceived negative reporting. "While the reviews and reporting on our Border Immigration Agreement with Mexico have been very good, there has nevertheless been much false reporting (surprise!) by the Fake and Corrupt News Media, such as Comcast/NBC, CNN, @nytimes & @washingtonpost. These "Fakers" are Bad News!" Mr. Trump claimed without evidence. He also wrote, in all capitalization, that "MEXICO HAS AGREED TO IMMEDIATELY BEGIN BUYING LARGE QUANTITIES OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT FROM OUR GREAT PATRIOT FARMERS!"

    "MEXICO HAS AGREED TO IMMEDIATELY BEGIN BUYING LARGE QUANTITIES OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT FROM OUR GREAT PATRIOT FARMERS!
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 8, 2019"

The Washington Post reports:

"In Washington, meanwhile, Democrats described the turbulent week of tariff fears and political brinkmanship as another example of Trump claiming he fixed a crisis of his own making. “President Trump undermined America’s preeminent leadership role in the world by recklessly threatening to impose tariffs on our close friend and neighbor to the south,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said in a statement. “Threats and temper tantrums are no way to negotiate foreign policy.” Several Democratic presidential contenders also called out Trump’s penchant for threats as undermining U.S. credibility. “The damage of Trump’s reckless trade policies and tariffs has already been done,” “What we see is yet another example of him trying to be both the arsonist who created this problem in the first place and the firefighter who wants credit for addressing it,” wrote former congressman Beto O’Rourke on Twitter. Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Ind., said the United States needs a “comprehensive strategy, not just a pattern of poking folks in the eye.”

Will not change under an insane, narcissistic dictator who has no regard for the United States Constitution, separation of powers, rule of law, etc..  A fascist dictator does as he pleases.  Forget?

“Mexico cannot and should not bend the knee to Trump’s ultimatum,” said Arturo Sarukhan, a former Mexican ambassador to the United States."

No country should.  Always a mistake.  Give a nazi an inch, the fascist bastard takes a mile.  Neville Chamberlain and the British certainly learned the hard way with Adolf Hitler.

"He called it a “bad omen” and worried that Trump could seek further pressure on Mexico as the 2020 presidential race heats up."

No question.  Likely happen.  Not only on Mexico, but others as well.

Equally to the point:

“More than a deal, what Trump is looking for is a trophy,” Sarukhan said."

Astute.  Exactly, right.

More telling?  Portend of the future?  Damage to the American business community as a result of the Trump nazi's aggressive stupidity?

"Some argued that Trump’s threat made it clear that the time had come for Mexico to look to other trading partners, especially China. “We must look for other markets to compensate us for these lower sales,” said Jorge Macias, the president of Tijuana’s chamber of commerce. Like many in the private sector, Macias expressed frustration at Trump that went well beyond the recent threat of tariffs. “It is exhausting for Mexico and puts us in a scenario where we lose out,” Macias said. “It is a constant aggression by President Trump.”

Trump is doing irreparable damage.  Take decades to undo.  Time for Trump's henchmen and fellow Republicans to rein in this out of control lunatic.

The Washington Post reports:

"On Sunday, two Democratic presidential candidates said Trump had exaggerated what his tariff threats against Mexico had accomplished. They echoed a New York Times report alleging that the Mexican government had already agreed to several terms of the deal before Trump publicly floated the prospect of tariffs. “These are agreements that Mexico had already made, in some cases months ago,” former congressman Beto O’Rourke said in an interview on ABC’s “This Week.” “They might have accelerated the timetable, but by and large the president achieved nothing except to jeopardize the most important trading relationship that the United States of America has.” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) also said Trump had repackaged earlier agreements with Mexico to declare success in the trade standoff during an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “I think what the world is tired of, and what I am tired of, is a president who consistently goes to war, verbal war, with our allies,” Sanders said, adding that Trump should focus on achieving comprehensive immigration reform. “We need a decent relationship with Mexico. They are our allies, as is the case with Canada. We should not be confronting them every other day.”

Trump is growing increasingly impudent, delusional, unhinged, -- and desperate.  The Washington Post reports:

"President Trump on Monday threatened to impose large tariffs on $300 billion in imports if Chinese leader Xi Jinping did not meet with him in Japan later this month, showing how he plans to immediately pivot from his trade war with Mexico back to Beijing. Trump, in a wide-ranging and apparently impromptu interview with CNBC, said he was “scheduled to have a meeting” with Xi during the Group of 20 summit in Osaka, but Chinese officials have refused to publicly confirm the gathering."

Imagine that.  Interesting, isn't it?

“We do not want a trade war, but we are not afraid of fighting one,” said Geng Shuang, spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “If the U.S. is ready to have equal consultations, our door is wide open. But if it insists on escalating trade frictions, we will respond to it with resolution and perseverance.”

Fascinating, isn't it?

Our fuhrer is behaving more like a Mafia don than President of the United States:

"If Xi doesn’t meet with him, Trump said that he will move forward with tariffs on $300 billion in Chinese imports, which includes numerous consumer products. “China is going to make a deal because they are going to have to make a deal,” Trump said."

The mark of a nazi dictator:

"The interview signaled that Trump plans to use the same adversarial approach with foreign leaders in the coming weeks that he has used for more than a year. Based on his comments, he does not appear stung by the growing criticism from business groups and GOP lawmakers who have openly questioned whether he is misusing tariffs as a policy tool in a way that could hurt the U.S. economy. Trump brushed aside the criticism and said his approach is the only one that gets results. “Tariffs are a beautiful thing when you are the piggy bank,” Trump said."

This man is insane.  The public is looted to pay the tariffs.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-14-19

Another step backwards.  NPR reports:

"If you're poor or low-income in the U.S. and take advantage of government safety net programs, you could be affected by a number of new rules and actions proposed by the Trump administration. Most of the changes are still pending, and anti-poverty groups are trying to stop them from going into effect. Some of the proposals already face legal challenges. President Trump has said repeatedly that he wants to get more people off government aid and into the workforce so they can become self-sufficient. To help do that, he issued an executive order last year to reduce poverty "by promoting opportunity and economic mobility."

Empty, hollow, meaningless rhetoric.  The top of the food chain, including our fuhrer, the Trump nazi, make their money the old fashioned way, -- by looting the labor of the work force.  Unless and until there is a federal minimum wage that is livable, nothing changes.  That livable wage would need to be based regionally and change as conditions required.  Not impossible, but certainly extremely difficult since employers would scream bloody murder.  -- Too goddamned accustomed to doing exactly as they pleased.  Especially over the last 25 years or so.  Worse?  Best interests of shareholders always trump those of the 'grunts' doing the work.

"In it, Trump called on federal agencies to streamline existing welfare programs, strengthen work requirements and make sure that taxpayer money is spent on "those who are truly in need."

Disingenuous bullshit.  Already been happening since the Clinton regime.  -- One of a number of reasons why the gap between the top and bottom has exponentially grown.  ... Why the middle class is, indeed, an endangered species.

"But anti-poverty advocates say the administration's proposals would hurt, rather than help, poor Americans. They say it will make it more difficult for those trying to become self-sufficient by denying them food, housing and medical assistance when they need it most."

Top of the food chain, with rare exception, doesn't give a f--k about the middle class and bottom.  Forget?  It's how the hopelessly greedy bastards shamelessly line their pockets.  Greed rules.  What better way to enrich oneself than by stealing labor, manufacturing shoddy products cleverly designed to need quick replacement?  This occurs because capitalism is designedly, determinedly laissez-faire, that is, either poorly regulated or not regulated at all.  Until this changes, the top of the food chain will continue to steal labor.

"They really are trying to use every agency to make life harder for people who are low-income," says Elizabeth Lower-Basch, director of income and work supports at the Center for Law and Social Policy."

The American Way.  Yet, these hopelessly greedy, hypocritical sons of bitches go to church every Sunday, praising the Lord on bended knee for their good fortune, while f--king the living shit out of the bottom and middle class.

"Deborah Weinstein, executive director of the Coalition on Human Needs, which represents about 100 anti-poverty groups nationwide, calls the volume of proposals targeting the safety net "head spinning."

Why?  Why should this surprise anyone?  It is, and has been, the American Way for generations.  Our fuhrer, the Trump nazi, is no more than icing on the cake.  The coup de grace.  ... Most perverse example of this ongoing, concerted ass-f--king by the top of the food chain on the bottom and middle class.  Until this changes, conditions will worsen.

The report goes on and on in great detail.  The f--king would be massive.  Coming at a time an unwanted, dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looms on an exponentially increasing number of issues.  ... Hear the rumble?  One thing for sure, none of this is sustainable.  Worst, yet to come.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-14-19

'Symbolism over substance'? The Washington Post reports:

"The House took its strongest step yet in the standoff with President Trump over congressional oversight, voting Tuesday to seek court enforcement of subpoenas for Attorney General William P. Barr and former White House counsel Donald McGahn. On a party-line vote of 229-to-191, the House passed a resolution that would empower the House Judiciary Committee to go to court against Barr and McGahn over non-compliance with requests for documents and testimony."

About time.  What took so long?

"The vote keeps Democrats squarely on a meticulous investigative track favored by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other top leaders — and away from the formal impeachment inquiry that some 60 rank-and-file Democrats and several 2020 presidential candidates have been seeking."

What's happening here is appalling.  Democrats are deliberately abrogating their constitutional duty to impeach.  Interminably, failing to hold a corrupt, abusive, unstable tyrant accountable.  Placing partisan interests ahead of principle.

"Still, the House vote reflects the frustration among Democrats with Trump’s unwillingness to cooperate with congressional investigators who argue they have a constitutional right to examine the executive branch. “This is a dark time. This Congress is being tested — in this case, not by a foreign adversary, but by our own president,” said House Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), adding that Trump’s blanket policy of not complying with congressional subpoenas makes “Richard Nixon look like an Eagle Scout.”

It's far, far worse than that as covered continuously in this publication and elsewhere.

"House Republicans lambasted Tuesday’s vote as a distraction from bigger issues facing the country, including the southern border crisis. Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) borrowed one of Trump’s favorite descriptions, calling the vote “presidential harassment.”

Your fuhrer, the Trump nazi, has exacerbated the migrant crisis the last two and a half years.  Republican national socialists, fascists, nazis have failed to rein in this abomination, this failed president.  Democrats, to date, all talk, no substantive action.

“When you go around the country, you don’t hear people saying they want to continue going down this rathole of witch hunts and impeachments,” he told reporters. “They’re on this witch hunt, this search to fund [find?] something, as opposed to focusing on the problems of this country.”

More horse shit.  Mueller laid out ten examples of possible obstruction for the House to investigate.  Not only that, state and federal prosecutors are presently conducting criminal investigations of Trump that are nowhere near as limited as the Mueller investigation.

"Democrats have already gone to federal judges in Washington and New York to seek enforcement of subpoenas targeting Trump’s financial records that are in the possession of private companies. They have scored initial wins in trial courts, but appeals are likely to play out over the coming months — a sluggish timeline that has fueled the push for impeachment."

Exactly, right.  Democrats are gutlessly dragging their feet.

Ferociously, pointedly:

"The vote stops short of a criminal contempt citation, a more serious sanction, and it comes a day after the Justice Department agreed to begin providing materials gathered by former special counsel Robert S. Mueller III during his nearly two-year probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Still, Democrats cast the vote as their most serious move yet in a campaign to hold Trump accountable for his actions to derail Mueller’s investigation."

'Symbolism over substance.'  Gutlessness on the part of Democrats.  Equally to the point, why have Democrats failed to impose "Inherent Contempt?"  Has been available for approximately a century.  Empowers the House Sergeant-At-Arms to arrest and jail those who fail to honor subpoenas.

"Speaking at the Peter G. Peterson Foundation’s Fiscal Summit Tuesday, Pelosi said “not even close” to a majority of House Democrats favor launching impeachment proceedings against Trump and would not say whether she would allow an inquiry to proceed if most Democrats favored one."

You're the problem, Madam Speaker.  So are others who think like you.  You're failing to hold Trump accountable.

“Why are we speculating on hypotheticals?” Pelosi asked. She also argued that Trump’s attacks on her — he called her a “a nasty, vindictive, horrible person” last week — have only bolstered her political standing. “My stock goes up every time he attacks me,” said Pelosi."

On the contrary, Madam Speaker.  He's made you look like an ineffective, gutless fool.

Report goes on and on.  Empty rhetoric.  No substantive action.  Matters not what happens in the Senate after impeachment.  Would tie up the fuhrer the rest of his term.  Make him effectively a lame duck immediately.  Limit the scope of the damage this fascist bastard has already done.  Take years to undo, regardless.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-14-19

Republicans finally beginning to wake up?  In follow up to a recent edition, ABC News reports:

"Congress is moving ahead with legislation to block $8 billion of arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates after the Trump administration declared an "emergency" to bypass Congress and move ahead with the controversial sale over lawmakers' objections given the two countries' human rights records. Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs R. Clarke Cooper was called up to defend the decision Wednesday, but faced a grilling from both Republicans and Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. While the Trump administration has defended the U.S. relationship with Saudi Arabia, Congress has said business as usual must end, in particular because of the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents and the Saudi and Emirati-led coalition's bombing campaign in Yemen.

"There is no emergency. It's phony, it's made up, and it's an abuse of the law -- once again, attempting to cut Congress out of the whole picture," said the committee's chair, Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y. "This is not a dictatorship. We don't rule this country by fiat ... Remember when you were in school and you learned checks and balances? Congress is a coequal branch of government." The committee's highest-ranking Republican, Rep. Mike McCaul, called the move "unfortunate" and said he was blindsided by it after talking to National Security Adviser John Bolton a week prior to the emergency declaration. He and Engel both questioned how it was an emergency if the transfer of most of these weapons would take months, if not years in some cases -- and why the administration didn't give Congress a formal 30-day notice instead to allow it to vote on the sales."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-14-19

The increasing lack of transparency in the Supreme Court is a portend of far, far worse to come.  NPR reports:

"The state of Alabama executed convicted murderer Christopher Price last week, just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to grant a stay of execution. The action was not particularly unusual except for one thing — half of the briefs in the case were blacked out, so the public could not see them, and virtually all of the record in the case was sealed. It is rare for the Supreme Court to allow such deletions, and on Friday, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and NPR filed a motion with the Supreme Court requesting it unseal the material that was blocked from public view."

As well, it should.  What are the five Republican nazis on the Court so desperate to hide?

More disturbing?  Get this:

"None of the information that has been sealed has anything to do with the defendant's guilt. Rather, the information involves the drugs and the protocol Alabama uses for executions. Price wanted to be executed by nitrogen gas, which he contended would be less painful than death by lethal injection using a drug called midazolam, which Alabama ultimately did use in the execution."

The public is entitled to this information.  Has a right to know precisely how officials are killing prisoners in the name of the people.

"The Supreme Court itself has often been mired in bitter debate about the death penalty in recent years, but it has not hidden the disputes from the public — until this case. All of the deletions were at the insistence of Alabama, the reporters committee noted."

What is the State of Alabama hiding?  Ferociously pointedly, why is our national socialist, achingly fascist Court enabling this lack of transparency?

"The state did not provide any explanation for its asserted need for secrecy," citing only its need "to reference certain material ... designated 'confidential,' " the committee said. "Alabama has no legitimate interest that justifies sealing either its lethal injection protocol or expert evidence regarding the effects of midazolam."

Then why is it doing so?  Equally to the point, why are five achingly fascist Republicans on the Court enabling this?

"The reporters committee noted that in even in the Pentagon Papers case in 1971 — a case in which the government claimed a national security interest in barring publication — the briefs were unredacted, available to the press and public, and oral arguments were conducted publicly, with only parts of the court appendix sealed."

Fascinating, isn't it?

"In 2018, Chief Justice John Roberts called the judiciary "the most transparent branch in government." And the Supreme Court has long upheld the right of access to a wide range of judicial proceedings and records, because, as the court has put it, the constitutional right of access "enhances the quality and safeguards the integrity of the fact-finding process" and allows "the public to participate in and serve as a check upon the judicial process — an essential component in our structure of self-government."

Then, why the hell is our achingly fascist Republican Chief Justice clearly reversing course?

"The court has also said that court proceedings cannot be closed "unless specific, on-the-record findings are made demonstrating that closure is essential to preserve higher values" and that the closure is "narrowly tailored to serve that interest." There were no such findings made by any of the lower courts. Instead, Price's lawyers said they had to agree to Alabama's demand that the record be closed to get Price's claim heard by the appellate courts and ultimately get the case up to the Supreme Court."

No more than kangaroo justice.  In a de facto fascist police-state quickly transitioning to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.  The increasing lack of transparency is a direct, exigent threat to a democratic republic.  ... In our formerly great country, -- that remains a democratic republic in name only.  Courtesy of the traitorous, treasonous nazi element.

"Defense lawyer Aaron Katz said in an interview that the reason he agreed to let the record be closed to the public and press in the lower courts is that he was running out of time, with the execution date set for May 30. "You can't afford any sideshow" in circumstances like this, he said. "You've essentially got to agree to whatever terms the state forces" on you "to get the information you need to prove your case." To go down a "rabbit hole" fight for public disclosure is "just a waste of time" when you are fighting for a more humane method of an imminent execution, he said."

Ultimately, you were not successful anyway.  A massive failure not only for your client, but those of us in this country who believe in justice, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties determinedly eviscerated by the nazi element.

"Katz said he did ask the state to allow unredacted briefs at least in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, but the state refused, as it did when Katz made the same request for the Supreme Court briefs."

At that point, should have courageously resigned from the defense in protest.  Gone directly to the press.  Made a stink to high heaven.  Drawn public attention to this gross miscarriage of due process.  End result of all your efforts?  The state wound up doing as it pleased.

"Katie Townsend, legal director for the reporters committee, said her organization is asking the Supreme Court to unseal the briefs filed in the Supreme Court."

Too little, too late.

"The high court perhaps agreed to Alabama's request to seal the briefs because of the time considerations in the emergency stay application, but, she said, the court should not let that precedent stand."

The Court does as it pleases.  This Court is now run and owned by five national socialists, fascists.

"Alabama's claim that it needs to keep all that information secret is "crazy," she said. How can it be "that the state gets away with saying to the public, 'We're not going to tell you our legal arguments, or allow you to see our evidence, which goes to the heart of the legal issue,'" Townsend said." Were this secrecy order to stand, she said, "other lawyers can't find out what the legal arguments or evidence was in this case." Indeed, in the dissenting opinion filed by four justices in the Price case, the dissenting justices wrote an opinion that referred to the very material in the record that has been blocked from view."

The four dissenters should have had the courage to stand tall.  Released the information to the public.  Stood up to the five Republican nazis on the Court.

"Katz, Price's lawyer, underscored the problem. "Technically, I can't disclose to you what my expert testified to in a deposition that took place in a law firm in Atlanta two weeks ago," he said. "The idea that that's appropriate is pretty absurd."

Should have done so anyway no matter the consequences.  Stood tall.  Our democratic republic is no more.  In name only.  Thanks to the nazi element in our formerly great country.

"Mike Lewis, a spokesman for the Alabama attorney general, said the state sought to keep the records and arguments secret "out of concern for the safety of correctional officers as well as inmates."

Delusional Catch-22 horse shit.  You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Mr. Lewis.  So should the Alabama Attorney General.  This is traitorous, treasonous, concerted, determined nazi abrogation of due process.

"But Katz said he has never sought to disclose the names of corrections officers or anyone else involved in the execution."

Beside the point.  The public is entitled to know the identify of all officials involved in the killing of the condemned.  These officials are killing in the name of the citizenry.  The citizenry is entitled to know who's doing what and by what authority.

"The reporters committee points to the availability of appellate records that extends "far back in the nation's history," and it points to a more recent opinion issued by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. That decision declared that "the public cannot have confidence that the nation's appellate courts issue well-reasoned and fair opinions derived from facts and legal arguments the parties present if the case proceeds with key argument and evidence under seal."

That's right.  Precisely, what the nazi element in our formerly great country wants.  Demands.  Traitorously, treasonously imposes.  Nazi America.

"The circuit court opinion was written by President Barack Obama's failed Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, and joined by his then-colleague Brett Kavanaugh, later appointed to the Supreme Court by President Trump."

What webs we weave.

Above quotes courtesy of a most gifted, insightful writer and reporter, Nina Totenberg.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-14-19

Nazi justice.  NPR reports:

"The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal from a Yemeni prisoner held without charge at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for more than 17 years. But Justice Stephen Breyer, in a two-page "statement" called attention to the case, declaring that it is "past time" to examine the indefinite detention of prisoners there. "In my judgment," Breyer wrote, "it is past time to confront the difficult questions" left open.

"There are just 40 prisoners remaining at Guantanamo Bay, and just nine of them have been convicted of, or still face war crimes charges. Moath al-Alwi was captured by bounty hunters in Pakistan near the Afghanistan border in 2001 and turned over to the U.S. military. He has never been charged with any war crime. The U.S. government says he admitted to serving with the Taliban prior to his capture in 2001, but his lawyers maintain that he never used arms against American or coalition forces. Since Guantanamo, known for short as Gitmo, was opened, some 780 prisoners have passed through its doors. Of these, 532 were released by the Bush administration, 197 by the Obama administration and one by the Trump administration. Five still at Gitmo have been recommended for release. Al-Alwi is among the remaining 26 being held under indefinite "law of war detention." He appealed to the Supreme Court, contending that the U.S. government no longer has the authority to detain him without charge, because the conflict in which he was detained has, for all practical purposes, ended. In addition, he claims that since there has never been any showing that he was engaged in combat against U.S. forces, holding him without charge in perpetuity is unconstitutional. The high court declined to hear his appeal, but in its announcement on Monday, Justice Breyer attached a written "statement."

Kangaroo justice.  Nazi America.  We've lost ourselves.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-14-19

Alabama has again disgraced itself.  NPR reports:

"The University of Alabama's board of trustees has voted to return a $21.5 million gift from Hugh Culverhouse Jr. — the school's biggest donor — and take his name off its law school. The move comes after Culverhouse urged businesses and prospective students to boycott the university and the state over Alabama's new abortion law."

For damned good reason.  An outrageously unconstitutional law that denies the right of a woman to do as she pleases with HER uterus.  Alabama delusionally believes it owns YOUR uterus, ladies.  Does it?

"The school says the transaction to return the funds was processed Friday morning and that it will also return any accrued interest. Last fall, Culverhouse pledged to donate a total of $26.5 million over four years."

This is precisely the way to confront nazi government and its shills.  Hit 'em hard in the wallet.  Make it as costly to the nazi element as possible.  These fascist bastards are determined to force their perverse ideological and religious views on all by statute.  Direct violation of the First Amendment Establishment Clause, church-state separation, that is, freedom from religion.  F--k these traitorous, treasonous assholes.

Achingly lame, bogus bullshit:

"The action taken by the Board today was a direct result of Mr. Culverhouse's ongoing attempts to interfere in the operations of the Law School," the university's vice chancellor for communication, Kellee Reinhart, said Friday. "That was the only reason the Board voted to remove his name and return his money."

Culverhouse did precisely the right thing.  Stuck it to the nazi element.  Should consider donating the returned funds to Planned Parenthood and/or other charities fighting for the right to abortion.

"Culverhouse issued a statement Friday in which he renewed his call for students "to protest and reconsider their educational options in Alabama."

Here, here.  Precisely, what should be done.  Resist the nazi element.

"I expected this response from UA," he said. "I will not allow my family's name to be associated with an educational system that advocates a state law which discriminates against women, disregards established Federal law and violates our Constitution."

Precisely, the issue.  F--k the treasonous, traitorous nazi element.  If great evil is not courageously stood up to, great evil triumphs.  Life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties remain in jeopardy courtesy of the nazi element in our formerly great country.

"I want to make clear that I never demanded that $21.5 million be refunded and wonder if the University is attempting to silence my opinions by their quick response. I will not be silenced."

None of us should be.  Takes courage to stand up to these traitors.  No matter the personal cost.  Had Italians done so at the rise of Mussolini, Germans at the rise of Hitler, the world could have been spared all the death and destruction.

"The president of the university, Stuart Bell, said in a statement, "This decision was made for reasons of academic and institutional integrity. I appreciate the actions of the Chancellor and our Board of Trustees and their unwavering support of these intrinsic values."

These 'intrinsic values' are no more than national socialism, fascism, nazism.  Your university has disgraced itself.

"Culverhouse, a Florida lawyer and investor whose father was a longtime owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, made the largest donation in the school's 187-year history last September when he committed to give $26.5 million. The school had not yet received the remaining $5 million. But months after the donation was announced, Culverhouse joined those calling for a boycott of Alabama after the governor signed a restrictive abortion law, which outlaws nearly all abortions and does not include exceptions for cases of rape or incest. Culverhouse's attorney, Lawrence Kellogg, was quoted last month by Florida Politics as saying, "Sixty-six percent of the students at Alabama pay out-of-state tuition. A boycott by them could certainly be effective."

This needs to occur across the country.

"While the university has acknowledged having a dispute with Culverhouse, it insists the decision about his donation is related only to concerns about matters at the school, not at the statehouse."

Horse shit.  Unadulterated.  Colleges and universities are about the pursuit of truth, determined, relentless embrace of reality.  Not gutless capitulation to a national socialist, fascist, nazi ideology.

"University officials say the school had nothing to do with the abortion law and that there was an ongoing dispute with Culverhouse over how his donation would be used," NPR's Debbie Elliott reports. "Culverhouse says he thought it had been resolved and believes the trustees' vote is in retaliation for his position on the abortion ban." The university says Culverhouse had previously requested the return of $10 million and that he was also making demands about how the money was spent. Last week, University of Alabama System Chancellor Finis St. John recommended to the board that it return Culverhouse's $21.5 million donation to the law school."

Clearly, someone's lying.  Culverhouse needs to release all documentation and other evidence supporting his claims.  So should the university.  Let the public decide, on the basis of the evidence who the hell is lying, who is telling the truth.  Bottom line here remains the same, however.  These returned funds should go to Planned Parenthood, and/or other charities supporting and defending the right to abortion.  Again, f--k the nazi element.

"On Friday, St. John spoke to the board again as it prepared to vote on the issue. He reiterated his earlier position, saying Culverhouse's expectations for how his gift would be used are "inconsistent with the essential values of academic integrity and independent administration" of the university and its law school. When Culverhouse committed to making the unprecedented gift last fall, the university decided to rename its law school after him. But within hours of Friday's action by the board, university workers began the process of dismantling Culverhouse's name from the signage outside the law school. The university's business school is named for his father, Hugh Sr. Culverhouse went to college in Florida — but he was born in Alabama, and both of his parents went to the University of Alabama and were involved in athletics there. His previous gifts to the school have included more than $2 million to support women's golf scholarships in honor of his mother, who played golf for the Crimson Tide."

Obviously, this dispute is going to cost the university dearly financially.

Clearly, however, and for both sides, principle trumps money:

"But in the current dispute, Culverhouse also mentioned his family's social and political legacy. "My father was an officer of Planned Parenthood in Jacksonville, Florida, during the 1950s," Culverhouse said in May, according to Florida Politics. Referring to the abortion law, he added, "This is a civil rights issue that has been important to my family for many years."

Hat's off.  Continue to stand tall.  F--k the bastards.

More of the same.  No resolution.  NPR reports:

"The University of Alabama has released a series of internal emails regarding mega-donor Hugh Culverhouse, Jr., saying the documents back the university's contention that its rejection of Culverhouse's $21.5 million gift had nothing to do [with] his stance against Alabama's strict abortion law. Culverhouse had also called for prospective students to boycott the school. "Our decision was never about the issue of abortion," the university said as it released emails that are from, to and about Culverhouse. Instead, the school said, the decision was "about ending the continued outside interference by the donor." In response to the university's release of the email records, Culverhouse said he's glad they emerged — and he contends that the emails back his claim that the university disagreed with his political stance."

More to come as it becomes available.  Still no resolution.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-14-19

Priorities in Alabama are certainly screwed up.  Incomprehensible.  Achingly, perverse. The Washington Post reports:

"When a young woman came to the Family Services of North Alabama office last year for help with trauma, saying she had been raped by her step-uncle when she was 15, rape crisis advocate Portia Shepherd heard something that “killed me, shocked me.” The step-uncle, who was getting out of jail after a drug conviction, wanted to be a part of their child’s life. And in Alabama, the alleged rapist could get custody."

Day is night, night is day, and shit smells perversely sweet.  All ass backwards.

“It’s the craziest thing I ever heard in my life,” said Shepherd. “On the state level, people were shocked. How could Alabama even be missing this law?”

Courtesy of the Nazi Right.

"Alabama is one of two states with no statute terminating parental rights for a person found to have conceived the child by rape or incest, a fact that has gained fresh relevance since its lawmakers adopted the nation’s strictest abortion ban in May. That statute even outlaws the procedure for victims of sexual assault and jails doctors who perform it, except in cases of serious risk to the woman’s health."

The Nazi Right believes it owns YOUR uterus, ladies.  Does it?

"While the Alabama abortion law has been challenged in court, abortion rights activists fear it could reduce access to the procedure, forcing rape victims to bear children and co-parent with their attackers."

Jesus Christ.  How about that?  Insanity is indeed alive and well.

"Last month, Alabama lawmakers considered a bill that addressed ending parental rights in cases of rape that result in conception, but the legislature removed that language, limiting the law to cases in which people sexually assault their children. State Sen. Vivian Figures (D) and other lawmakers believed the language that was removed could have excluded boys who were assaulted, because they cannot get pregnant. Figures said she didn’t know Alabama lacked a statute preventing rapists from gaining custody of their offspring, but told The Washington Post that she now plans to introduce a bill in the next legislative session. “It’s just flat out ugly, unfair and even dangerous to these mothers and children,” said Figures, who voted against the state’s abortion ban."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-14-19

The following is an example of Uncommon Valor in the business community.  ... A business community suffering from all the abortion bans passed recently.  ABC News reports:

"A hotel in small-town Michigan is offering free accommodation to any woman traveling to the state to have an abortion. Shelley O'Brien, manager of The Yale Hotel in the tiny town of Yale, Michigan, made the offer in a post on the hotel's official Facebook page last month, following a spate of sweeping abortion bans passed in a number of states.

"Dear sisters that live in Alabama, Ohio, Georgia, Arkansas, Missouri, or any of the other states that follow with similar laws restricting access, we cannot do anything about the way you are being treated in your home-state," O'Brien wrote. "But, if you can make it to Michigan, we will support you with several nights lodging, and transportation to and from your appointment."

"The Facebook post has been shared more than 3,000 times."

Way to go.  Stand tall.  F--k the nazi element in our formerly great country.

"O'Brien later added an update to the May 16 post, saying she's received telephone numbers of people willing to help drive women to the hotel, which is located about 65 miles north of Detroit. "We've got some amazing people in our village," she wrote. "We've got your backs."

Someone has to.  The Nazi Right in our formerly great country delusionally believes it owns YOUR uterus, ladies.  Does it?

Republican national socialists, fascists, nazis are out of control.  Democrats are all talk, no action.  End result is women are being f--ked over by these traitorous, treacherous, treasonous assholes:

"More than 350 pieces of legislation that would restrict abortion access have been introduced in states across the country this year, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights research group that was initially started as part of Planned Parenthood, but officially separated in 2007 and has been operating independently ever since. So far in 2019, 17 bans on abortion have been signed in 10 states -- but none have gone into effect because they are all facing a legal challenge or have delayed starts. For now, abortion remains legal in every state. Last month, Michigan's Republican-controlled House of Representatives and Senate both voted to ban second-trimester abortion procedures and make it a felony for doctors to perform them, except to save a woman's life. But Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, has vowed to veto any legislation that restricts abortion access."

... Hear the rumble?  An unwanted, dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming on this, and many, many other issues.  As our formerly great country transitions from a de facto fascist police-state to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-14-19

Wells Fargo.  Outrageous corruption.  More of the same.  ABC News reports:

"Wells Fargo has agreed to pay at least $385 million to settle a California lawsuit alleging it signed up thousands of auto loan customers for costly car insurance without their consent, resulting in many having their vehicles repossessed."

Called legalized theft.  Yet, no one sent to prison.  Imagine that.  ... Aren't you lucky, Amanda?

"The bank filed the agreement Thursday in a federal court in Santa Ana. It still needs a judge's approval. Another defendant, National General Insurance, agreed to pay $7.5 million, the New York Post reported."

Again, why the hell hasn't anyone been criminally prosecuted, sent to prison?

"San Francisco-based Wells Fargo confirmed the agreement Friday and called it "an important step in making things right." The bank's statement said that it will be sending checks to affected customers. The 2017 class-action lawsuit alleged that for more than a decade, Wells Fargo tacked on insurance to customers' car loans that they didn't need because they had private insurance."

Where the hell were bank regulators?  Paid off?

"Some 25,000 car owners couldn't meet the additional fees and had their vehicles repossessed, the suit alleged."

Legalized theft in a goddamned de facto fascist police-state, quickly transitioning to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

"The bank acknowledged in 2017 that $80 million in unnecessary insurance charges had been added to 800,000 auto loans."

Jesus Christ.  No one prosecuted.  Shoplift a convenience store, Walmart, any retail business?  Get your sorry ass rightfully jailed.  Why no equal justice?

"It's one in a series of scandals involving the banking giant, starting in 2016 with the uncovering of millions of fake checking accounts its employees opened to meet sales quotas."

Making this ongoing criminal activity and lack of criminal justice all the more appalling.

"That led to the resignation of CEO John Stumpf."

Why wasn't this piece of crap criminally prosecuted?  Forget?  Never happens when the criminal works for a huge bank.  ... Right, Amanda?  Aren't you lucky, dearest lady?

"Last year, the Federal Reserve capped the size of Wells Fargo's assets, and Stumpf's replacement, Tim Sloan stepped down in March. New improprieties had come to light on his watch, including the auto loan issues."

Yet, no one criminally prosecuted.  No one imprisoned.  The American Way.  Forget?

"Federal regulators who lost patience with Wells Fargo's continued bad behavior inflicted harsh punishments. Wells had to pay a $1 billion fine last year to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. But more importantly, the Federal Reserve stepped in and handcuffed Wells' ability to grow its business until the bank could prove that it had gotten its house in order."

Jesus Christ.  What the f--k is going on here?  Why the hell do these criminal pieces of shit get protected, coddled, not criminally prosecuted, imprisoned?  Why no equal justice?

Coup de grace?  Get this:

"Despite the restrictions, Wells Fargo reported in March that it earned $5.86 billion and profits rose by 14% from a year earlier, helped by higher interest rates."

... Hear the rumble?  An unwanted, dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming on this, and an exponentially increasing number of other issues.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-7-19

Organized religion is in a bind.  Hypocrisy?  Overwhelming.  In the following case, extremely dangerous.  ABC News reports:

"A Kentucky pastor is accused of trying to set up a threesome with two underage girls. The Courier Journal reports that 26-year-old Bobby J. Blackburn, pastor of the Elevate Church in Prestonsburg, was arrested last week and charged with using an electronic communication system to get a minor to commit a sex act. WYMT said Blackburn also owns a local Giovanni's pizza place, which plays Christian music and puts Bible verses on receipts. An arrest citation says Blackburn's business employs the girls, one of whom showed officers the sexual messages from Blackburn. The citation also accuses the pastor of threatening to fire a third girl if she didn't take the blame for sending the messages. The newspaper reported that it tried to reach Blackburn for comment without a response."

What could this gutless, duplicitous son of a bitch possibly say in 'defense' of the indefensible?

ABC News reports:

"Earlier Sunday, Trump stood on stage as the pastor of a Northern Virginia church asked God to give Trump wisdom to lead the country. Trump stood with David Platt, pastor of McLean Bible Church in Vienna as Platt made the request as part of a nationwide day of prayer for Trump that had been called for by the Rev. Franklin Graham."

The hypocrisy?  Stunning.  Considering Trump's business practices, his continuous congenital lying, his obstruction of justice as outlined in ten examples by Mueller in his Report, etc., to say the very least, pastors should be asking him to do the right thing.  Resign in disgrace.

Sadly, the above barely scratches the surface.  As reported each week in this publication and elsewhere.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-7-19

Deranged duplicity. The Washington Post reports:

"Just weeks before the Supreme Court is expected to rule on whether the Trump administration can add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census, new evidence emerged Thursday suggesting the question was crafted specifically to give an electoral advantage to white Republicans."

Imagine that.  Couldn't be, could it?  Shameless.  Surprised?  Why?  LOL.

"The evidence was found in the files of the prominent Republican redistricting strategist Thomas Hofeller after his death in August. It reveals that Hofeller “played a significant role in orchestrating the addition of the citizenship question to the 2020 Decennial Census in order to create a structural electoral advantage for, in his own words, ‘Republicans and Non-Hispanic Whites,’” and that Trump administration officials purposely obscured Hofeller’s role in court proceedings, lawyers for plaintiffs challenging the question wrote in a letter to U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman. Furman was one of three federal judges who ruled against the question this year."

What webs we weave.  In Trump's case?  Based on deception.

"The letter drew on new information discovered on hard drives belonging to Hofeller, which were found accidentally by Hofeller’s estranged daughter. Stephanie Hofeller Lizon then shared them with the organization Common Cause for a gerrymandering lawsuit it is pursuing in North Carolina. The files show that Hofeller concluded in a 2015 study that adding a citizenship question to the 2020 Census “would clearly be a disadvantage to the Democrats” and benefit white Republicans in redistricting. Hofeller then pushed the idea with the Trump administration in 2017, according to the lawyers’ letter to Furman. The evidence, which was first reported by The New York Times, contradicts sworn testimony by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross’s expert adviser A. Mark Neuman and senior Justice Department official John Gore, as well as other testimony by defendants, the letter said."

Guess who's lying.  LOL.

"The Commerce and Justice departments did not respond to questions about the new information."

Need time to concoct yet another lie?  LOL.

"The American Civil Liberties Union filed a motion in district court Thursday morning for “sanctions and any other relief the court deems appropriate, because of apparently untruthful testimony” by Trump administration officials in the earlier trials, said Dale Ho, who argued the case at the Supreme Court on behalf of the ACLU."

Clearly, nothing coming from the Trump regime can be accepted at face value as truthful.

"It is unclear how the information might affect deliberations at the Supreme Court. The ACLU Thursday afternoon filed a letter with the court to “respectfully inform” it of the motion filed in the New York district court and that a hearing was scheduled for next week. The letter repeated the charge contained in the earlier letter to Furman that Hofeller played a significant role in adding the citizenship question to the 2020 Census “to create an electoral advantage for, in his own words, ‘Republicans and Non-Hispanic Whites,’ and that Petitioners (the government) obscured his role through affirmative misrepresentations.”

Jesus Christ.  Give me a break.  Called lying.  Call it for what it is, lying.

Report goes on and on.  Be interesting to see what effect the truth ultimately has on the outcome of the case at the Supreme Court.  Think the five Republican nazis on the Court will shamelessly go along to get along?  Reward Trump and his henchmen for overloading the Court with Republican national socialists, fascists, nazis?  LOL.

NPR reports:

"A major Republican redistricting strategist played a role in the Trump administration's push to get a citizenship question on forms for the 2020 census. Thomas Hofeller, who died last August, concluded in a 2015 report that adding the question would produce the data needed to redraw political maps that would be "advantageous to Republicans and Non-Hispanic Whites," according to a court filing released Thursday. Plaintiffs in one of the New York-based lawsuits over the question say that Hofeller later ghostwrote an early draft of the administration's request for the question and helped form a reason for adding the question to forms for the national head count. The Trump administration has maintained it wants census responses to the question — "Is this person a citizen of the United States?" — to better enforce Voting Rights Act protections for racial and language minorities."

Disingenuous bullshit.  Forget?  Trump and his henchmen are congenital liars.

"But Hofeller's documents uncovered through a separate lawsuit suggest administration officials were aware that including the question "would not benefit Latinx voters, but rather would facilitate significantly reducing their political power," argue attorneys with the law firm Arnold & Porter, the ACLU and the New York Civil Liberties Union in a letter to U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman. The revelations come weeks before the Supreme Court is expected to issue a major ruling on whether the Trump administration can add the citizenship question to the 2020 census. A total of seven lawsuits have been filed around the country against the administration's plans for the question, which are currently blocked by orders from three federal judges at lower courts. If the question is included on the census, Census Bureau research shows it is highly likely to scare households with noncitizens, especially within the Latino and immigrant communities, from taking part in the constitutionally mandated head count of every person living in the U.S. In their letter to Furman, the plaintiffs' attorneys also say that Hofeller's role was kept hidden by Justice Department official John Gore and an adviser on census issues to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross."

Deception.

"Ross oversees the Census Bureau and approved adding the question. Both Gore and the adviser, A. Mark Neuman, sat for questioning under oath last year for the citizenship question lawsuits. Gore, however, only recently disclosed as part of a congressional investigation by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform that Neuman provided an early draft of the Justice Department's letter requesting the question. That draft letter includes a paragraph about using the Voting Rights Act to justify the question. It matches word for word a paragraph found in a document among Hofeller's files. The plaintiffs' attorneys say that shows Hofeller ghostwrote a portion of the draft letter. The attorneys argue that the newly revealed evidence contradicts Gore's and Neuman's sworn testimony for the lawsuits and have asked Furman to consider issuing sanctions or other penalties.

"Before his death, Hofeller appeared to predict the legal battle that ensued after Ross announced his decision to add the citizenship question. In his 2015 study commissioned by The Washington Free Beacon, a conservative news outlet, he wrote that using census responses to a citizenship question for redistricting "can be expected to provoke a high degree of resistance from Democrats and the major minority groups in the nation." "The chances of a U.S. Supreme Court's mandate to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Decennial Census are not high," he wrote."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-7-19

The following is a critique of an editorial written by Henry Olsen, Columnist for The Washington Post.  Is highly demonstrative of the failure of the American public and the media to fully understand the nature of the threat to liberty posed by the Trump nazi and others who think like him.  The Washington Post reports:

"President Trump shouldn’t have called London Mayor Sadiq Khan a “stone cold loser” as he touched down in Britain for his state visit. But neither should Khan, a member of the country’s left-leaning Labour Party, have first likened Trump to one of the “fascists of the 20th Century” — because he’s not."

The above quote is partially true.  First, Trump demonstrated his profound ignorance and bigotry by making a false statement and calling the London Mayor a name that is demonstrably untrue.  Second, the latter part of the quote is partially true.  Trump is ideologically precisely where Hitler was when the Nazi Fuhrer became Chancellor of Germany in 1933.  Before the invasion of Poland, before the concentration camps, all the atrocities.

The ideology, however, is that of a dictator, a fascist dictator, with the worst yet to come. Fascism, nazism, national socialism defined as the pernicious blend of government, business, and religion. 'Justified' by perversion and bastardization of the latter.  Exactly what happened in Nazi Germany.  Exactly what happened in Fascist Italy.  Exactly what's happening right here, right now.

Was set in motion decades before, dating back to the Fifties and the McCarthy Era.  Exacerbated by the inauguration of Richard Nixon, January 20, 1969.  Nixon's concerted, determined assault on the Supreme Court, progress made by the Court at the time vis a vis all civil and constitutional rights and liberties in the Sixties.  The Right never understood the difference between conservatism and fascism.  Still doesn't.  Conservatives want as little government as possible.  Fascists thrive on it.

Closet fascists remain quite expert at making the following disingenuous, phony argument:

"Calling one’s political opponents outrageous names is one of the oldest tricks in the book. Even the world’s greatest statesmen have done so. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, faced with a strong challenge from the Labour Party just weeks after Nazi Germany’s surrender in 1945, said that Labour would inevitably suppress freedom and install “some form of Gestapo” if elected."

While that didn't wind up happening, that's precisely how power is abused, how dictators seize power.  Precisely, what Trump and his henchmen are perniciously doing currently.  This nazi and his defenders determinedly, concertedly ignore the fact that in our supposedly democratic republic power is shared by the Executive, Congress, and the Judiciary.  All three branches equal and a check and balance on the other.  Trump and his henchmen continue to ignore the judiciary, continue to ignore congressional subpoenas.  This is a problem.  Blatant abuse of power.

The following is beside the point, worse, clueless:

"Left-leaning politicians have called conservatives “fascists” since the end of World War II."

Republicans during the McCarthy Era were not conservatives.  Nowhere near.  They were fascists.  Presented an exigent threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  Worse?  They were insane: 'A Red Under Every Bed.'  Forget?

"Even Ronald Reagan got into the act. When Reagan, as president, awarded conservative icon Barry Goldwater the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1986, Goldwater remarked in a call with the president that Reagan had called him a "Fascist SOB" when they first met. (Reagan was a liberal then.) But just because a word is bandied about a lot doesn’t make it less hurtful or true."

While Goldwater was indeed nowhere near as rabid as other Republican nazis during the McCarthy era, his ideology was dangerous.  The public recognized this in 1964.  Precisely, why he lost to Johnson in the presidential election.  Why re-write history, Mr. Olsen, worse, ignore reality?

"Fascism is a totalitarian philosophy that directly opposes democracy. It argues that the nation, as embodied in the state, is supreme. Fascists further argue that only one party can represent the whole nation and direct the state. Free elections, free speech, and free markets have to go."

The above quote is indeed a true statement.  Precisely, what's happening today.  Exactly, what's been gradually happening since the McCarthy Era.  The state is supreme.  Look at all the statutes, regulations, corrupt and abusive law enforcement.  For all practical purposes and for years, Republican fascists have been running our formerly great country into the ground.  All levels and branches of government.

How are there 'free' elections when Republican fascists gerrymander, restrict voter access, boot people unjustly from voter rolls?  All to ensure Republicans unfairly attain office.  Impose Voter ID when there is no demonstrable level of voter fraud.  List can go on and on.  As covered week after week in this publication and elsewhere.  Free speech is under assault.  Called 'disorderly conduct' by the criminal jackbooted bastards in blue.

'Free' markets?  Where?  The market is owned, manipulated, looted by those with the wealth and means to do so.  With impunity.  Capitalism is laissez-faire, that is, either poorly regulated or not regulated at all.  Zero-sum, winner-take-all.  Precisely, why the wealth gap is the largest in history.  Middle class, going extinct.

The following will happen if Trump and others like him remain unchecked.  We are not immune:

"That’s exactly what the “fascists of the 20th century” did. Within three months of coming to power, Germany’s Adolf Hitler had abolished all competing political parties. Benito Mussolini took longer to eradicate the forms of democracy but obtained dictatorial powers from the Italian legislature nearly immediately upon becoming prime minister. Both men ruthlessly suppressed the press, placing mass media under government supervision and control."

We've already seen the above beginning to happen over the last 65 years.  The only reason to date why it has not come into full fruition is because too many of us are well aware of the history of Hitler's Third Reich and Mussolini's Fascist Italy.  Continue to resist.

The following quote not only misses the point, but ignores the reality of how this system truly works, currently operates:

"Twentieth-century fascists also extended state power to the economy. Private property was respected in form, but industrialists, bankers, unions and others acted in accord with government coordination and according to government plans. Individuals could get rich under fascism, but only with the approval and assistance of the state."

Mr. Olsen is caustically reminded the top of the food chain now owns its bought and paid for shills in government.  All branches, all levels.  For all practical purposes, owns the state.  Trump, proof positive.  That's the problem.  That's the difference between the earlier regimes and today.

Wake up, Mr. Olsen.  You're sound asleep.  Determinedly ignorant of how this cancer metastasizes:

"Compare these regimes with Trump’s United States. We all remember the frightening days of the early regime, when an ascendant autocrat demanded unlimited power and a compliant Republican Congress went along. The first days of the new state media conglomerate were earth-shattering as respected journalists were fired or imprisoned. National economic councils planned to organize U.S. business to achieve “a new national, social, industrial, and economic mobilization on a scale not seen since World War II and the New Deal era,” upending markets around the globe. Trumpism reached into every corner of national life. Or maybe we don’t remember those things. Because they never happened."

Jesus Christ.  So blind you can't see the current abuse of power, corruption, congenital lies, -- demonstrably over 10,000 since this national socialist took office? That ignorant, Mr. Olsen?  Or, is it aggressive stupidity?

"Instead of the abolition of democracy we got angry tweets about some media being “the enemy of the people." Instead of concentration of political power in one man’s hands, we got a White House so disorganized that people inside openly flouted the president’s desires. Instead of economic centralization, we got turbocharged capitalism — thanks to the 2017 Republican tax cut. And we got an election where the opposition mobilized a record-high turnout and won back control of the House."

Jesus Christ.  Give me a break.  LOL.  The damage done by this insane fascist is across the board.  Will take decades to correct.  Our standing with our allies has been eviscerated.  Our enemies no longer know what to expect since the Trump nazi has become so erratic.  The Republican tax cut lined the pockets at the top of the food chain off the backs of the bottom and quickly vanishing middle class.

Not only that, increased the national debt to over $23 trillion.  No problem with that?  Yes, Democrats took back the House.  Means nothing, however, since they've done nothing to rein in your fuhrer, the Trump nazi since taking office at the beginning of January.  Can't, won't even enforce their subpoenas.  Wake up, Mr. Olsen.  You're out to lunch.  Out of touch.  Hopelessly, divorced from reality.  Sound like a delusional Trump supporter.

Coup de grace?  Icing on the cake?  Get this:

"We didn’t get fascism; we got a bizarro-world reality show set in the West Wing."

We got both.  Too blind to see?  Too deaf to hear?

Far more delusional?  Get this:

"Some might say modern fascism is different, that it envelops its prey in velvet gloves rather than crushing it with iron fists. But even those world leaders who arguably are creating a more moderate fascism actually do things to consolidate political and economic power in their hands."

You're delusional.  The last sentence in the above quote is quite indicative of your closet support of fascism.  The worst is yet to come.  Far worse to come.  It's thinking like yours, more accurately lack thereof, that's directly responsible for what's happened in our formerly great country since the McCarthy Era, Mr. Olsen.

More highly delusional distortion of reality:

"Russia’s Vladimir Putin is perhaps the best example of modern fascism in action. Like the old fascists, he glorifies the nation (his party is called “United Russia”) and equates the nation — that is, the people — with the state — that is, the government. Like the old fascists, he identifies himself with the state and portrays his tenure in office as essential to the nation’s well-being. He has seized control of mass media, either directly or through allied oligarchs, and mass political opposition is effectively suppressed. Through selective prosecution and occasional mysterious deaths, potential competitors get the message to play ball or else. Accordingly, he reigns supreme, and has for nearly 20 years."

Mr. Olsen, you miss the point.  Clearly, don't understand the difference between both political extremes, that is, the difference between communism and nazism.  The former has no God, no Supreme Being.  The latter bastardizes Christianity to perversely 'justify' itself.  The end result, bottom line is one and the same.  Dictatorial rule.  Wake up.  Putin is, and remains, an unreformed communist.  Forget?  Was a member of the former KGB.  Clearly, you have no clue what you're talking about.

The following is achingly beside the point:

"Trump is crude and rude. He is often imprudent and often untruthful. He is, at best, racially insensitive and has demonstrated a callous disregard throughout his life for the feelings of women to whom he is sexually attracted. None of these traits are commendable, but none make him a 21st-century fascist."

Who said they did?  You're talking out your ass, Mr. Olsen.  Those traits indeed make him a boor, and a bore.  His abuse of power, actions as president, ignorance of Congress and the Judiciary, etc., however, do indeed make him a tyrant, a fascist tyrant.

"What he is, instead, is a bully. It is his most salient characteristic, his default position."

He is indeed a bully.  So was Hitler.  So was Mussolini.  Have no clue?  That detached from reality?

"But so, famously, was our 36th president, Lyndon B. Johnson. LBJ was also crude and rude, imperious and impulsive and so famed for lying that the phrase “the credibility gap” arose to measure the distance between what his administration said — particularly about Vietnam — and the truth. Both men are the sort of people avoided by polite company. Neither was a fascist."

You falsely equate, disingenuously conflate boorishness in both men with ideology.  Worse, Trump is being criminally investigated by both state and federal prosecutors in New York for good reason.  Johnson was not.  While Johnson and his henchmen lied about Vietnam, they were not congenital liars.  Not like Trump, -- who has demonstrably lied over 10,000 times since taking office.  Does so publicly on a daily basis.

Trump has clearly, repeatedly, demonstrably embraced the pernicious blend of government, business, and religion making him a fascist.  Johnson did not.  Both men are as different from one another as night and day.

"Democracy survived LBJ. It will survive Trump, too."

Wake up.  ... Hear the rumble?  An unwanted, dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming.  On this, and many, many other issues.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-7-19

Unbridled deception.  NBC News reports:

"Earlier Thursday, Trump tweeted that he had "nothing to do with Russia helping me to get elected." But he walked back that statement while speaking to reporters shortly after the tweet, saying that "Russia did not help me get elected." "I helped me get elected," Trump said. "Russia had nothing to do with it at all." Responding to Trump's earlier tweet, George Conway, a conservative attorney, frequent Trump critic and husband of top White House adviser Kellyanne Conway, made note of Trump "finally" admitting that Russia sought to boost his candidacy. "Well, that’s what the investigation was about," Conway wrote. "The investigation found plenty of evidence that Russia did just that. It thus wasn’t a 'Witch Hunt' or 'Hoax.' So why did you repeatedly try to obstruct it?"

Indeed.  Can you imagine the pillow talk between Conway and his wife?  LOL.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-7-19

Trying to placate a president who behaves like a two-year-old?  CBS News reports:

"Officers were told to keep a warship named for the late Sen. John McCain out of President Trump's view during his Memorial Day weekend visit to Japan, CBS News has confirmed. CBS News senior national security correspondent David Martin reports that a U.S. Indo-Pacific Command official wrote an email to Navy and Air Force officials before Mr. Trump's arrival. It included instructions for the proper landing areas for helicopters and preparations for the USS Wasp, the ship on which the president was to speak. The official then issued a third instruction: "USS John McCain needs to be out of sight," according to the email, which was first obtained by The Wall Street Journal. The Washington Post and Associated Press also confirmed its existence. The Washington Post's Josh Dawsey tweeted late Wednesday that, "Admin officials confirm WSJ story. Request was made to make sure McCain ship wasn't visible. Aides say Trump wasn't involved in request — but it was made to prevent any potential ire from POTUS."

Jesus Christ.  Think the Trump nazi fit to be president, -- or, fit to be tied?  LOL.

"The Journal reported that, when a Navy commander expressed surprise at the instruction, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command official answered, "First I heard of it as well." The official said he would talk to the White House Military Office to get more information about the directive, the Journal said. In response to the story, Mr. Trump - who feuded with McCain publicly for years and at one point mocked his military service - tweeted that he "was not informed about anything having to do with the Navy Ship USS John S. McCain during my recent visit to Japan." The president notably does not say that he was not informed about the ship before his visit. A message seeking clarification was left late Wednesday for White House press secretary Sarah Sanders. The president again denied the reports on Thursday, telling reporters at the White House firmly that he was "not involved" in the decision-making process. "I would not have done that. I was not a big fan of John McCain in any way shape or form. To me John McCain, I wasn't a fan. But I would never do a thing like that. Now, someone did it because they thought I didn't like him. They were well-meaning, I will say. But I wouldn't have," Mr. Trump said."

Sad, isn't it?  Pathetic.

"In Jakarta, Indonesia, on Thursday morning, Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan told reporters, "When I read about it this morning, it was the first I heard about it." He later told reporters traveling with him to a security conference in Singapore that he would ask his chief of staff to look into the reports. "I never authorized, I never approved any action around the movement or activities regarding that ship," Shanahan said. He said he would never dishonor the memory of a great American like McCain or disrespect the young men and women in the crew of the ship."

Here's the heartrending issue:

"Mr. Trump was not welcome at McCain's funeral and raised the White House's U.S. flag back to full-staff shortly after McCain's death, despite U.S. Flag Code stating that it should remain at half-staff for another day. The flag returned to half-staff later in the day. McCain's daughter, Meghan, tweeted Wednesday that Mr. Trump will "always be deeply threatened by the greatness of my dad's incredible life." She added, "There is a lot of criticism of how much I speak about my dad, but nine months since he passed, Mr. Trump won't let him RIP. So I have to stand up for him. "It makes my grief unbearable." She later addressed the controversy on air on ABC's "The View" on Thursday, saying the "president's actions have consequences." "When you repeatedly are attacking my father and war heroes it creates a culture in the military where people are clearly fearful to show my father's name," McCain said. "That's what started this again … if you're afraid to have a hat or show the name of the warship which is named after my grandfather, who was an officer in the Navy." The USS John S. McCain is named for the late senator and his father and grandfather, who were both Navy admirals."

Hat's off, Ms. McCain.  Your father was a truly great man.  A hero.  A patriot.  A national treasure.  Well-respected.

NBC News reports:

"The Pentagon has told the White House to stop politicizing the military amid a furor over a Trump administration order to obscure the Navy ship named for the late Sen. John McCain from view during President Donald Trump’s recent visit to Japan. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan told his chief of staff on Friday to speak with the White House military office “and reaffirm his mandate that the Department of Defense will not be politicized,” Shanahan's spokesman, Army Lt. Col. Joseph Buccino, said. "The chief of staff reported that he did reinforce this message." Shanahan confirmed details about a Navy email that said the White House military office wanted the USS John McCain kept “out of sight” when Trump was in Japan about a week ago. The internal Navy email came to light last week, triggering a storm of outrage. Trump, who long feuded with McCain, has said he knew nothing about the request, but added that “somebody did it because they thought I didn’t like him, OK? And they were well-meaning, I will say.”

You're an idiot, Mr. 'President.'  A disgrace to yourself, your office, and the public you supposedly serve.

"Shanahan told reporters traveling with him to South Korea on Sunday that he is not planning to seek an investigation by the Pentagon’s internal watchdog into the matter “because there was nothing carried out” by the Navy. He added that he still needs to gather more information about exactly what happened and what service members did. “How did the people receiving the information — how did they treat it,” Shanahan said. “That would give me an understanding on the next steps” to take. Shanahan did not detail what those steps could be. He also said he spoke with McCain’s wife, Cindy, a few days ago, but declined to provide any details."

Hard to believe the late Senator's wife and daughter were happy campers.

"The order to keep the Navy destroyer out of sight reflected what appeared to be an extraordinary White House effort to avoid offending an unpredictable president known for holding a grudge, including a particularly bitter one against McCain."

Clearly, sadly, Trump has never grown up.

"Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney on Sunday defended the request during the president’s visit, arguing it was not “unreasonable.”

Another goddamned, clueless idiot.

"Appearing on “Meet the Press," Mulvaney said “it was probably someone on the advance team” in the White House who was responsible, adding that the unidentified staffer who requested to hide the ship would not be fired. "The fact that some 23, 24-year-old person on the advance team went to that site and said, 'Oh my goodness, here's the John McCain, we all know how the president feels about the former senator, maybe that's not the best backdrop, can somebody look into moving it?' That's not an unreasonable thing," Mulvaney said."

You're an idiot, Mr. Mulvaney.  Unfit to be acting White House Chief of Staff.  Need to be reining in your delusional fuhrer, the Trump nazi.  Not excusing and supporting fellow idiots who are desperately attempting to placate a president who is acting more like a two-year-old than President of the United States.

"The president's feeling towards the former senator are well known," he said. "They are well known throughout the office, they are well known in the media, but to think you're gonna get fired over this is silly."

You're brain-dead, Mr. Mulvaney.  Out to lunch.

"Asked what he has learned about the incident so far, Shanahan said he was told that despite the White House request, the Navy did not move the ship and that a barge that was in front of it was moved before Trump arrived. He said that a tarp that had been draped over the ship’s name was removed, but that it was put there for maintenance, not to obscure its identity. Asked directly if members of his senior staff were aware of the White House request before the president’s visit, Shanahan said he’s been told they did not know. He also has said he was not aware of the request and that he would never have authorized it. What is still unclear, however, is who at the Pentagon may have known about the request and either agreed with it or chose not to discourage it. It’s also not clear whether Navy leaders deliberately chose the McCain crew as one of the ships to be on holiday leave during Trump’s visit, or if other measures were taken to ensure that the McCain was not visible from where the president stood when he arrived on the USS Wasp to make remarks. The warship, commissioned in 1994, was originally named for the senator’s father and grandfather, both Navy admirals named John Sidney McCain. Last year, the Navy rededicated the ship to honor the senator as well."

As well it should have.  To have hidden the backdrop of this warship from the Trump nazi, would have been an insult to all three McCain men, the ship itself, and the crew.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-7-19

The following is further proof positive our fuhrer, the Trump nazi, has never grown up. The Washington Post reports:

"President Trump raised a familiar complaint — “unfair” coverage by CNN — in a pair of Monday morning tweets. But this time he called on supporters to boycott the cable news network’s corporate parent, AT&T, to drive the point home. “I believe that if people stoped [sic] using or subscribing to AT&T, they would be forced to make big changes at CNN, which is dying in the ratings anyway,” Trump tweeted. “It is so unfair with such bad, Fake News!”

Trump is a liar.  CNN, like most major news outlets, is reporting the news accurately.  As best it can.  At a time when truth has become a moving target.  The truth is intolerable for any nazi fuhrer.  Forget?  Trump has demonstrably lied over 10,000 times since taking office.  Wouldn't know truth if it figuratively bit him hard on his achingly clueless ass.

"The president has repeatedly taken aim at the news network, which he routinely derides as “fake news,” and many of its on-air personalities over their coverage of him and his administration. Trump was vocal in his opposition to AT&T’s $85 billion acquisition of Time Warner — “too much concentration of power in the hands of too few, he has said. But critics contend his position is intrinsically linked to his ire at CNN."

No question.  Yet, Trump fails to mention Fox News has become an infomercial for him and his henchmen since taking office.  -- Talking about the news department itself, not the pundits.  Precisely, why the Fox News Department is no longer quoted in this publication as it had been in years past.

"The Justice Department sued to try and stop the deal on the grounds that it violated anti-trust laws, but a federal appeals court upheld the merger in late February, giving the entertainment giant WarnerMedia extensive power over a wide array of television, film and video game properties. House Democrats have since pushed for documents pertaining to the administration’s handling of the deal, which the White House has so far refused to provide."

Why?  What are you and your henchmen desperately trying to cover up, Mr. 'President?' What?

"Last spring, the New Yorker reported that Trump had asked the director of the National Economic Council to persuade the Justice Department to block the combination. Gary Cohn, who held the job at the time, reportedly refused."

Think it proper of the Trump nazi to do so?

"Trump has often used Twitter to go after companies that clash with his agenda. He’s threatened Ford and General Motors for not moving all production to the U.S. and argued for higher postage rates for Amazon, a move many interpreted as a swipe at Amazon’s founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos, who also owns The Washington Post. AT&T and CNN did not immediately respond to request from The Washington Post for comment."

What could they say?  LOL.

"The tweets were among a stream of complaints and criticisms Trump posted on Twitter on Monday morning, just before arriving in London for a state visit. He lashed out at the city’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, who said the United Kingdom was wrong to “roll out the red carpet” for Trump’s visit. The president misspelled Khan’s name, called him a “stone cold loser” and compared him to New York mayor Bill de Blasio. He also weighed in on the U.S.-China trade war, claiming that “many firms are leaving China for other countries, including the United States, to avoid paying the tariffs.”

That's bullshit.  Simply untrue.  Not only that, consumers and businesses are looted to pay the tariffs.

"Trump sparked debate in Britain last week after he called past comments by Meghan Markle, the wife of Prince Harry, “nasty.” During the 2016 election campaign, she’d accused Trump of being “misogynistic” and “divisive.” On Sunday, Trump lashed out at CNN as he denied the “nasty” comment, despite a recording of his words in an interview with the Sun tabloid."

Then again, Trump can't, won't be confused by the truth.  What idiot can be?

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-7-19

Think exceptions for rape or incest vis a vis access to abortion are the answer?  Wake up.  The following quotes are from an editorial written by Cazembe Murphy Jackson.  CBS News reports:

"Louisiana on Thursday became the most recent addition to a dishonorable list of states imposing abortion restrictions so draconian that they don’t include an exemption in cases of rape or incest. The laws trample on the beliefs of most Americans, who overwhelmingly support exceptions in abortion restrictions, including a sizable 45 percent of Republicans who think abortion should be legal in cases of medical necessity, rape and incest. These extreme abortion bans have caused outrage among even some anti-abortion leaders and politicians. But if Americans really want to ensure that those who have suffered rape or incest, as I did, are able to terminate the pregnancies that result from these crimes, they need to realize that adding a few words for exceptions to laws otherwise prohibiting abortions doesn’t actually protect these victims. If the state has dramatically limited access to other abortions, they will face dramatically limited access as well."

The above is beside the point.  Who the hell are Republican nazis to dictate to a woman what she can and cannot do with HER uterus?  Direct violation of the First Amendment Establishment Clause, church-state separation, that is, freedom from religion.  Why does the GOP nazi element in our formerly great country insist on forcing its national socialist, fascist ideology and religious views on the rest of us by statute?  It's un-American.  Traitorous.  Treasonous.  Outrageously unconstitutional.

"The process to get an exemption is completely unrealistic for most individuals who have been raped and found out they’re pregnant; it can be confusing, bureaucratic, onerous and challenging to find information, and policies vary in each state. Perhaps worst of all, rape exceptions do additional harm to survivors like me by placing the burden of proof on us and implicitly questioning whether our version of events can be believed. It imposes a time-consuming, emotional ordeal at a juncture when we just need to get to the nearest clinic."

The above is true, currently, for ANY woman pregnant and desperately seeking an abortion.  Why should ANY woman seeking an abortion have to put up with this shit?  Why?  Republican fascists and anyone else who support a ban on the right to an abortion present an exigent threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  Our formerly great country is a democratic republic in name only.

... No more than a de facto fascist police-state since at least 9/11, dating back in reality to January 20, 1969 when Richard Nixon took office.  When the fascist son of a bitch began dismantling all gains made during the Sixties vis a vis civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  With rare exception, was all downhill from that point.  Greed trumped principle.  Precisely, why we've fought undeclared war after undeclared war to line the pockets of the unbridled corporate management suite.

We see the fruits of this now, as our formerly great country remains frighteningly divided.  As unbridled, ineffectively regulated, essentially laissez-faire capitalism has turned into a zero-sum, winner-take-all achingly cruel, increasingly vicious game.  Where the top of the food chain owns its bought and paid for shills in government, all branches, all levels.  As the middle class becomes an endangered species.  As both major political parties place partisanship ahead of principle.  As an unwanted, dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looms on an increasing number of issues.

The following is some pretty rough stuff.  Seatbelts on.

"I say this as someone who did everything society instructed me to do after my rape nearly two decades ago, when I was a 20-year-old college junior in small-town Texas. I was on financial aid, going to class diligently and working hard so I could graduate. One evening during finals, while walking home from the library, I was raped by four men. At the time, I identified as a lesbian (now, I identify as a transgender man). I was wearing masculine clothes, and the men decided to violate me because of my gender expression and sexual orientation. “Corrective rape,” as it’s sometimes called, is sexual violence perpetrated against queer-identifying people as punishment for living as our most authentic selves. More than 60 percent of transgender people are estimated to have experienced sexual assault, while another one in eight lesbians have. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics, sexual assault among queer people is as high or higher than the rate among heterosexual people. This is one of the many reasons why abortion is a queer-health issue. Following the rape, I told my mom and I reported it to the police. I thought the police would support me, but instead I felt dismissed. It comes as no surprise to me that, given the degree of skepticism rape claims receive from the police, it’s estimated only four in 10 rapes are reported and, of those, two-thirds go unsolved."

Equally to the point, why is there no follow-up vis a vis unprocessed rape kits all across our formerly great country?  Why has law enforcement dropped the ball on this problem?

"About six weeks after the rape, I found out I was pregnant. I immediately knew I should get an abortion; all I wanted was to finish school, and the thought of continuing the pregnancy instead made me want to die. Thankfully, it was legal for me to get the procedure done in Texas at that time. I was forced to take out a payday loan with a high interest rate to cover the $300 cost, but that made my abortion possible. A few days later, I underwent the procedure. I was “lucky” in that I was able to legally get an abortion, scrape together the funds to do so and — had I needed to prove that I was a victim of rape to receive the procedure — was able to go to the police. But rape exemptions don’t take into account those of us who don’t want to call the police because the police are often not helpful, particularly to survivors from communities of color. And what happens when the police are the rapists?"

The above is a problem all across our formerly great country.  Not only to the LGBTQ community and people of color, however.  Across the board.

"Exemption laws that make it the survivors’ responsibility to prove that a rape has occurred by filing a police report, among other reporting requirements that vary by state, place tremendous added pressure on someone already dealing with the emotions from the rape and the subsequent pregnancy. And to have to handle all of this within days of a missed period, often at a very young age? It’s a violation all over again to have to prove what happened and why we need an abortion. No one should be violated while exercising their rights."

Again, this is true across the board.  All women.  The nazi element in our formerly great country delusionally believes it owns your uterus, ladies. Does it? Don't want an abortion?  Don't have one.  Don't force your views on others by statute.

"As Michelle Alexander asked in her moving New York Times column, how would a survivor who doesn’t have evidence or didn’t want to report it access an abortion if they were required to prove they’d been raped to get one? And what about others who want to end the cycle of violence created by the prison industrial complex by not engaging with the police? I have come to embrace this approach, since as a Black trans man, going to the police is rarely an option — I simply don’t feel safe. I expect to be treated as a perpetrator rather than a survivor. How does everyone like this get an abortion after a rape?"

This remains an exigent issue for all in this country, not just people of color.  Not just the LGBTQ community.  Law enforcement cannot be trusted to do the right thing.  Not only vis a vis sexual assault, but across the board.

"Exemptions also create a hierarchy of reasons for an abortion, making rape-qualifying abortions the “good abortions” and relegating those who don’t meet that standard to pursuing less safe or even criminalized methods while the stigma on them increases."

That's right.  If the nazi element in our formerly great country has its way, there'll be a return to back alley abortions, coat hangers, unsafe, botched abortions,  -- and dead women.  Wake up.

"The truth is, abortion bans harm all those who need to end pregnancies, even those who theoretically are protected by exemptions. Exceptions are nothing but an empty idea; they’re not a practical way to ensure survivors receive health care. If Americans want survivors like me to be able to terminate their pregnancies — and the vast majority of the population does — abortion needs to be available to everyone."

... Hear the rumble?  An unwanted, dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming on this, and many, many other issues.  Wake up.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-7-19

Think Republicans aren't beginning to wake up vis a vis the Trump nazi?  LOL.  Forget?  Greed rules.  Trumps all.  Literally.  The Washington Times reports:

"President Trump’s decision to slap tariffs on Mexico has angered key parts of his coalition of supporters in Washington, who say what he’s doing is not only stretching the law, but is bad policy to boot."

Will certainly cost not only their constituents, but businesses across the board.

"From top Republican senators to business and conservative pressure groups, the denunciations flowed quickly on Thursday night and Friday morning, after the president issued a lengthy statement explaining his plan. The first 5% tariff will hit on June 10, covering every import from Mexico. The rate will ratchet up to 10% in July and grow 5% more each month until it reaches 25%, the president said. Sen. Charles E. Grassley, the most senior Republican in the Senate and chairman of the Finance Committee, was the first major figure to denounce the move, saying it was a “misuse” of the president’s powers."

You think?  LOL.  Only now waking up to the fact your nazi fuhrer has been abusing power the last two-plus years?  Give me a break.  LOL.

"Fellow Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst also signaled opposition, saying slapping new tariffs at a time when the U.S. is trying to win approval of a trade deal “isn’t the right path forward.” And Sen. Martha McSally, an Arizona Republican whose state has been among the hardest hit by the border crisis, said something needs to be done, but the tariffs aren’t the answer. “While I support the President’s intention of stopping unchecked illegal immigration, I do not support these types of tariffs, which will harm our economy and be passed onto Arizona small businesses and families,” she said."

Where have you been all this time, Senator?  Think your constituents aren't being royally f--ked by all the tariffs he's imposed on goods from China and others across the globe to date?

"She said Mexico does need to do more, but “Congress must also do their job” by passing a bill to shut down the weak U.S. policies that invite more than 4,000 illegal immigrants a day to jump the border."

Wake up, Senator.  Time to smell the coffee.  Conveniently, forget?  Suffering from amnesia?  The United States is responsible for this mass migration.  Has interfered in Central and South American affairs for decades.  Supported Extreme Right regimes for decades, delusionally fearing Marxist regimes that were already clearly failing.  Now, the chickens are coming home to roost.  Poverty and violence are driving this ongoing fiasco.  A wall and tariffs will do nothing to solve this problem.  Nothing at all.  'Symbolism over substance.'

"Business groups ranging from the National Association of Manufacturers to the Business Roundtable also said the tariffs would punish Americans by raising prices on the goods they buy, while undermining the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement."

... While the Trump nazi delusionally continues to falsely claim the countries he's imposed tariffs on are footing the bill.  Forget?  Trump is a congenital liar.  Where's your outrage all this time?  Where?  Consumers and businesses are paying the tariffs.  Mercilessly looted.  You don't know that, Senator?

"The National Taxpayers Union, often a backer of Mr. Trump’s fiscal moves, was perhaps the harshest of all. Brian Riley, director of NTU’s free trade initiative, called the tariffs “an outrageous abuse of authority.”

Jesus Christ.  Give me a break.  Trump has been f--king the public and the business community since taking office.  ... Just finding that out?  LOL.

NBC News reports:

“If the president goes through with this, I’m afraid progress to get this trade agreement across the finish line will be stifled," said Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, in a statement Friday. "While I support the need for comprehensive border security and a permanent fix to illegal immigration, this isn’t the right path forward. I’m asking the president to reconsider, and for Democrats to work with us to find a solution to the humanitarian crisis at our southern border.”

Senator, need to wake up.  Why would Democrats, as admittedly useless as they are, work with equally clueless Republican nazis?  You fascist bastards in the GOP remain hell-bent on eviscerating all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  As detailed in this publication week after week, and elsewhere.  Neither party serves its constituents.  Only itself.  Partisanship trumps principle.  Been that way a long, long time.

"Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., the lone Republican lawmaker calling for impeachment proceedings against Trump, derided the president and his congressional supporters in a tweet Thursday. “How many times will Congress let the president unilaterally raise taxes on Americans? All the times,” Amash said."

Indeed.  One lone Libertarian Republican standing tall on principle.  Imagine that.

"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., suggested in a statement that the administration's move on the trade pact was premature. “The Trump Administration’s decision to send Congress a draft statement of administrative action before we have finished working with U.S. Trade Representative Lighthizer to ensure the USMCA benefits American workers and farmers is not a positive step,” she said. “It indicates a lack of knowledge on the part of the Administration on the policy and process to pass a trade agreement.”

Not only that, the Aryan arrogance and aggressive stupidity of our fuhrer, the Trump nazi, and his henchmen.

The Washington Post reports:

"Despite widespread backlash, Trump showed no signs of wavering Friday, slamming Democrats for refusing to meet his border demands and accusing Mexico of taking advantage of the U.S. in a trademark morning tweet."

Proof positive a clueless idiot cannot, will not be confused by the truth.

    "Mexico has taken advantage of the United States for decades. Because of the Dems, our Immigration Laws are BAD. Mexico makes a FORTUNE from the U.S., have for decades, they can easily fix this problem. Time for them to finally do what must be done!
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2019"

What's that, Mr. 'President?'  ... Goosestep in unison with our idiot fuhrer in the Oval Office?

"Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley blasted Trump’s move as “a misuse of presidential tariff authority and contrary to congressional intent.” Implementing the tariffs, the Iowa Republican said in a statement, would “seriously jeopardize passage” of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)." But in an appearance on Fox News, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders insisted the administration had “thought through” the tariffs against Mexico."

Wake up, Sarah.  Your fuhrer and his equally clueless henchmen remain achingly incapable of 'thinking through' anything.

“Congress has failed, and at the same time, Mexico has the ability to step up and do more. The president has been asking them for months to do that, and now he is putting some measures in place that hopefully will get them to engage more so that they will start to help us in this process,” she said."

Jesus Christ.  ... That, the best you got, madam?

"Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell backed the president on the border crisis but stopped short of supporting the tariffs. “As our third biggest trading partner, a healthy and vibrant economic relationship with Mexico is a vital source of our joint prosperity,” McConnell said Friday morning. “Any proposal that impacts this relationship deserves serious examination.”

At least, ole Mitch "The Bitch" remained true to form.  LOL.

"Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) asked Trump to reconsider the move, highlighting in a statement released Friday morning the damage the tariffs and the collapse of the trade agreement would inflict on American agriculture."

Been going on quite some time.  Just noticing, Senator?

“The livelihoods of Iowa farmers and producers are at stake,” Ernst said in the statement. “The USMCA would provide much-needed certainty to our agriculture community, at a time when they need it. If the president goes through with this, I’m afraid progress to get this trade agreement across the finish line will be stifled.”

You think?  Goddamned astute, madam.  What about all the damage the tariffs have done to date to consumers, businesses, China, and all the other countries your insane fuhrer has imposed them on?  The suffering is across the board.

"In remarks Friday morning, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said he would defend the interests of Mexicans but wanted to avoid a clash with Washington. “There is no need for confrontation,” the leftist president said at his daily morning news conference. López Obrador campaigned last year on a promise to decriminalize migration and told audiences it was not Mexico’s job to assist the United States with the “dirty work” of deportation. In a letter sent to Trump on Thursday evening, López Obrador said he would send his foreign minister to Washington on Friday “to arrive at an agreement that benefits both nations.”

Wouldn't bank on it, Mr. President.  Trump is unstable.  Unpredictable.  Irrational.  Delusional.  Hopelessly, narcissistic.  Off the wall.

Here's the bottom line:

"Though Trump paints the tariffs as punishment for Mexico, the financial burden is borne by U.S. businesses and consumers, economists say. Tariffs are paid by companies that import products, so U.S. firms would pay the import penalties and then likely pass at least some costs along to consumers. Mexico exported $346.5 billion in goods to the United States last year, from vehicles to fruits and vegetables. And many manufactured items cross the border several times as they are being assembled. The tariffs could inflict a heavy toll on Detroit’s automakers, as their supply chains have spread throughout the continent since the North American Free Trade Agreement took effect in 1994. General Motors and Ford shares are down sharply in Friday’s trading. The tariffs threaten to upend an economic relationship that has been deepening for decades and throw into chaos corporate and agricultural supply chains that have essentially worked in a system without tariffs since NAFTA. Mexico is on track to become the United States’ largest trading partner, ahead of China and Canada, according to census data through March."

Time for Republicans to finally wake up.  Your clueless fuhrer presents an exigent threat to commerce, the business community, your constituents, life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.

NBC News reports:

"The prospect of fighting trade wars on multiple fronts spooks investors and executives alike. “As we are all fighting to develop plans to exit or to reduce our exposure to China, one of our options — Mexico — is now equally in jeopardy,” said Rick Helfenbein, president and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association. “This could roil U.S. and global financial markets, which could see this as a signal that Trump is leading us in the direction of a global trade war. If that were to happen, the U.S. economy could get hit hard,” said Desmond Lachman, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a right-leaning think tank."

Trump has lost his mind.  Time for Congress to rein him in.

"From a consumer perspective, everything from cars to vegetables would get more expensive. The U.S. imports $53 billion worth of autos from Mexico, and the country also is a major supplier of produce, electronics and apparel, including more than one-third of men’s and boy’s jeans, according to Helfenbein. “Prices will go up, sales will go down, jobs will be lost,” he said. “This has a devastating effect on our industry.” “A lot of companies in the U.S., not just retailers, treat North America as a unified market,” said David French, senior vice president of government relations at the National Retail Federation. “It opens a new front in uncertainty for retailers, but really, for the U.S. economy.” “President Trump's attempt to bully Mexico has horrified U.S. businesses as well as Mexican political leaders,” said Ian Shepherdson, chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics. “We expect the market to keep falling until the president blinks.” Lachlan estimated that a 25 percent tariff on all Mexican imports could add 0.4 percent to inflation. But even more than just the health of the economy is at stake. “It borders more on the crazy,” Bill Daley, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce under President Bill Clinton, said on CNBC’s Squawk Box on Friday, characterizing Trump’s Mexico tariff threat as “throwing gas on a fire.”

The Washington Post reports:

"President Trump’s brinkmanship with Mexico over immigration has opened a new and risky front in his global campaign to pressure other nations to capitulate to his demands, a strategy that has paid few dividends over 2½ years and left his major foreign policy initiatives in doubt. From his “fire and fury” rhetoric against a nuclear-armed North Korea to an escalating trade war with China to new ultimatums aimed at Mexico, Trump has wielded threats, insults and punishments against his foreign counterparts with diminishing returns."

No kidding.  Should be increasingly obvious to his most ardent supporters.  Then again, can't confuse them with the truth.  LOL.

"Though he lured Kim Jong Un to the negotiating table through a “maximum pressure” campaign of economic sanctions, Trump’s historic summits with the young dictator ended in failure after talks collapsed in February. Beijing attempted to negotiate over Trump’s push for a trade deal, but President Xi Jinping has met successive rounds of U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods with commensurate retaliatory measures, deepening an increasingly zero-sum clash between the world’s two largest economies. And although Mexico took steps to comply with Trump’s hard-line immigration policies — allowing Central American asylum seekers to the United States a temporary haven — Trump’s vow this week to impose sweeping tariffs unless that nation curbs unauthorized immigration into the United States stirred a public backlash."

Certainly, did.

"For Trump, who campaigned on achieving “peace through strength,” the consistent application of a tool kit of toughness has limited his options and left him in a precarious position as he accelerates his campaign for a second term. Despite his pressure tactics, unauthorized immigration at the U.S.-Mexican border is at a 12-year peak, the tariff wars have sent jitters through Wall Street, and Pyongyang has resumed testing of short-range missiles, a sign that Kim is growing impatient. “It strikes me that we are in the middle of an unprecedented and multifaceted experiment in the application of brute force,” said Daniel Russel, who served as an assistant secretary of state on Asian affairs in the Obama administration. “President Trump has been extraordinarily effective at generating leverage ... but it has yet to be shown that he has the ability to translate that leverage into results that are advantageous to the United States or are durable.”

Trump is a massive failure.  Time for Republicans to rein him in.

NBC News reports:

"Senate Republicans are discussing ways to block President Donald Trump from imposing tariffs on Mexican goods out of concerns over their impact on the U.S. economy — and the president said Tuesday the GOP would be "foolish" to do so. "I don't think they will do that," Trump said during a news conference with British Prime Minister Theresa May in London. "I think if they do, it's foolish." The president said "there's nothing more important than borders" and claimed to have a 94 percent approval rating among Republican voters "Can you believe that?" Trump asked. "Isn't that something? I love records."

This is one, sick, delusional, narcissistic son of a bitch.  LOL.

"There's nothing more important than borders," Mr. 'President?'  Think Native Americans don't understand this far better than you and every other goddamned national socialist, fascist, nazi in our formerly great country?  Readers are caustically reminded our UNDOCUMENTED forebears came to this continent centuries ago, STOLE this land from them,  then BROKE every goddamned treaty ever signed.

"In the face of the planned tariffs, GOP senators are first checking to see whether Trump has the authority to take the action, two Republican Senate sources familiar with the discussions told NBC News, and then lawmakers will determine what the Senate can do to block the levies, which depend on the president's declaration of a national emergency at the border in February. The conversations, which the sources said began last night when the Senate was in session for the first time since Trump announced the tariffs last week, was first reported by The Washington Post.

"A move to block Trump's tariffs on Mexico, which are set to go into effect June 10, would be one of the most significant rebukes of the president by his own party to date. In March, Congress passed a resolution of disapproval to override Trump's use of his national emergency declaration to reapportion billions of dollars for his border wall, which Trump vetoed. Twelve Republican senators joined that vote. If enough Republicans supported another resolution of disapproval to end the national emergency because of their frustration over Trump's planned tariffs, it would undermine both the tariffs and the president's border wall funding. At least 20 Republican senators would be needed to override a presidential veto, assuming all Democrats and the two independents who caucus supported the move. Republican lawmakers and the business community are concerned that the White House hasn't fully thought through the possible economic consequences of the proposed tariffs, the sources said. Some lawmakers are also concerned about the White House's lack of messaging, planning and forethought on the tariffs, they said.

"Trump on Sunday called Mexico an "abuser" of the United States and said he wanted action, not talk. Mexico has signaled it would retaliate to the tariffs, with targets likely to include farm products on Trump supporting states."

What webs we weave.  Time for Republicans to courageously stand up to their nazi fuhrer.  Instead of gutlessly capitulating.

The Washington Post reports:

"Republican senators warned Trump administration officials Tuesday they were prepared to block the president’s effort to impose tariffs on Mexican imports, promising what would be GOP lawmakers’ most brazen defiance of the president since he took office. During a closed-door lunch, at least a half-dozen senators spoke in opposition to the tariffs, while no one spoke in support, according to multiple people present who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the private meeting. Senators told officials from the White House and Department of Justice that there could be a disapproval vote if Trump moves forward — and this time, unlike with an earlier disapproval resolution, opponents of Trump’s tariffs could have enough support to override a veto. “I think the administration ought to be concerned about another vote of disapproval on another national emergency act, this time trying to implement tariffs. Tariffs are not real popular in the Republican conference,” said Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), summarizing what he said he’d told the administration officials. “This is a different vote.”

About time.  Time to rein in the insanity.  Where have you been all these months?

"The administration lawyers who attended the meeting were not clear on whether the White House would use the existing national emergency Trump declared earlier this year on the border to justify the tariffs — or issue a new declaration, senators said. But some Republicans said the opposition to Trump’s proposed levies on Mexico runs so deep that enough GOP Senators would be willing to defy the president on any disapproval vote involving the tariffs. “I sure do,” Sen Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said when asked whether he thought there would be at least 20 Republican votes to reject Trump’s tariffs on Mexico — which would constitute a veto-proof margin in combination with Democratic opposition. “I think in light of every ball that’s up in the air whether it’s USMCA, China ... in light of all of that stuff and in light of all of that tariff activity which threatens to stifle the tremendous economic growth we now get to take credit for, particularly in the down commodity cycle with agriculture, there’s just a weariness of tariffs as the only tool in the tool kit that gets used.” It takes two-thirds support in the House and the Senate to overturn a presidential veto. “I didn’t hear many senators if any say that they wanted a tariff,” Sen. Mike Braun (R-ind.) said."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-7-19

The following is stunning.  A reality check.  The Washington Times reports:

"President Trump called impeachment a “filthy, disgusting” word Thursday and framed his battle with special counsel Robert Mueller and Democrats as a stand for democracy and a rebuke of the Washington establishment’s “insurance” policy against his presidency."

Trump is delusional.  Unfit for office.  A strong man.  Dictator.  His policies, behavior the last two and a half years are indicative he has no clue what a democratic republic truly is.

"Speaking a day after Mr. Mueller delivered a public statement saying he didn’t clear the president of a crime, Mr. Trump called the former FBI chief a “never Trumper” and his two-year probe “a sad period” for the country."

The Mueller Report offers ten examples of obstruction of justice Mueller thinks Congress should investigate via an impeachment inquiry.  Also, that Russia interfered with the 2016 election.  The 'president' is a liar.

"The president said by fighting back he is protecting not only his White House, but also future chief executives, from zealous attacks."

From what, Mr. 'President?'  Exposure of the truth?

“I think in the end, I will consider what’s happening now one of my greatest achievements — exposing this corruption,” Mr. Trump said."

Mueller exposed your corruption, malfeasance, abuse of power.  You've exposed no corruption on the part of anyone else, sir.  Only displayed your egregious unfitness for office.

"Asked by a reporter whether he expects to be impeached, the president recoiled. “To me, it’s a dirty word — the word ‘impeach.’ It’s a dirty, filthy, disgusting word. And it had nothing to do with me,” he said. “There was no high crime and there was no misdemeanor. So how do you impeach based on that?”

You're delusional, Mr. 'President.'  Out to lunch.

The walls are closing in.  Democrats are under increasing pressure to conduct an impeachment inquiry.  New York state and federal prosecutors are criminally investigating Trump, conducting much broader investigations than Mueller was authorized to do.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-7-19

Judge stands tall.  Missouri Planned Parenthood receives reprieve.  NPR reports:

"A Missouri judge has blocked the state's attempt to close down Missouri's last abortion provider. Missouri Circuit Court Judge Michael Stelzer granted a request to temporarily prevent state officials from revoking the license of a clinic operated by a St. Louis Planned Parenthood chapter, as the the state's health department had sought to do. Missouri had been at risk of becoming the first state without a clinic providing abortions since the procedure became legal 45 years ago. Planned Parenthood, Stelzer wrote in his order, "demonstrated that immediate and irreparable injury will result" if Missouri refused to renew the clinic's license. He added that the temporary restraining order "is necessary to preserve the status quo and prevent irreparable injury." Stelzer issued his ruling Friday, hours before a midnight deadline. The judge set a June 4 hearing on the matter."

No question, this judge stood tall.  Did the right thing.  Stood up to raw nazism.

"This is a victory for women across Missouri, but this fight is far from over. We have seen just how vulnerable access to abortion care is in Missouri — and in the rest of the country," said Leana Wen, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood."

Indeed.  Republican national socialists, fascists, nazis pose an exigent threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties as our formerly great country transitions from a de facto fascist police-state to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

"In a lawsuit seeking to keep the clinic open, Planned Parenthood had warned that closing the facility could force some women to "turn to medically unsupervised and in some cases unsafe methods to terminate unwanted pregnancies." Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, who recently signed one of the country's most restrictive abortions laws, has maintained state officials need to complete an investigation into a patient complaint before the clinic's license is renewed. Missouri officials have not revealed details about that complaint."

Why not?  If this is indeed not political as the Governor disingenuously claims, why not reveal all details about the complaint?

"During a press conference earlier this week, Parson argued that the attempt to not renew the clinic's license is not political."

You're a liar, Governor.

"This is not an issue about the pro-life issue at all. This is about a standard of care for women in the state of Missouri," Parson said. "Whether it's this clinic or any other clinic or any other hospital, they should have to meet the same standards."

Disingenuous bullshit.  You're a liar, Governor.  No more, no less.  A congenital liar, -- just like your fuhrer, the Trump nazi.  You falsely impose obstacle after obstacle after obstacle to make it impossible for this facility to operate.  To impose your perverse ideological and religious views on others.  Direct violation of the First Amendment Establishment Clause, church-state separation, that is, freedom from religion.

"In March, state officials cited a number of deficiencies in their inspections of the clinic as part of the annual license renewal process. One problem they noted was that not all of the staff had participated in a fire drill. Then in April, Missouri officials announced an investigation of an unspecified complaint from a patient. State officials asked to interview seven physicians associated with the clinic, some of whom who were employed by Washington University Medical School and not part of the clinic's full-time staff. Because of that relationship, the clinic argues it cannot force the doctors to be interviewed. It also says the state has not revealed the scope of the questioning, which the clinic's legal team says could include criminal referrals. Legal wrangling ensued over the interviews, with the clinic saying it did everything in its power to make the sessions happen and state officials countering that the clinic was getting in the way of the interviews."

Kangaroo justice.  An achingly phony, manufactured crisis by the nazi Governor and his henchmen.  Fascist police-state.  Nazi America.  Clearly, the Governor and his henchmen ignore the fact abortion remains legal in this country.

"Jamie Boyer, the attorney for Planned Parenthood, said in the suit that Missouri "is simply wrong in insisting it is entitled to refuse to act on Planned Parenthood's application for license renewal." But Parson says that because of the audit and investigators' inability to complete the investigation into the patient complaint, the clinic's license cannot be renewed."

Bullshit Catch-22.  So the Governor and his henchmen can force their perverse ideological and religious views on all.  Direct abrogation of their oaths of office to protect and defend the United States Constitution, First Amendment Establishment Clause, church-state separation, that is, freedom from religion.

"Ahead of the ruling, clinics in states surrounding Missouri, meanwhile, told NPR there were real worries about a wave of patients traveling across state lines from Missouri. It would be a natural response, they said, to the looming prospect of abortions being inaccessible to patients statewide. "Missouri is already in what's considered an abortion desert where the majority of Missourians live over 100 miles from a clinic," Michele Landeau, board president of the Gateway Women's Access Fund, told NPR member station St. Louis Public Radio. The fund helps women pay for abortions. "Closing clinics is just going to make that distance even worse," she said. Supporters of the St. Louis clinic praised the judge's ruling, but said the struggle for access to abortions in Missouri continues. "While temporary, we celebrate today, and tomorrow we go back to work to ensure access to abortion does not go dark at the last health center that provides abortion in Missouri," said Dr. Colleen McNicholas, an abortion provider at Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region. "While Governor Parson abandoned our patients, we will not."

F--k the nazi element in our formerly great country.  They're traitors.  Present an exigent threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.

CBS News reports:

"A St. Louis circuit judge sided with Planned Parenthood on Tuesday afternoon, granting the clinic a preliminary injunction and ruling that the testimony of non-employees was an "undue burden" and the state's subpoena to interview them "should be quashed." The testimonies are the lynchpin of an impasse between Planned Parenthood of St. Louis, which operates Missouri's last abortion clinic, and the state health officials, as first reported by CBS News. Missouri's Department of Health & Senior Services "refused to renew" the clinic's license, which was set to expire on May 31, unless it could interview those physicians as part of an ongoing investigation into the clinic's compliance with state mandated regulations. "The non-parties have shown that compliance with the subpoenas would present an undue burden and hardship on [the non-Planned Parenthood physicians] and that the subpoenas should be quashed," Judge Michael Stelzer wrote on Tuesday. The judge also issued Planned Parenthood a preliminary injunction on Tuesday, which will allow the clinic to perform abortions without the state's license. If the clinic had lost its license, Missouri would have become the first state to not have a legal abortion clinic since Roe v Wade was decided in 1973."

What the state is disingenuously perpetrating is no more than a direct attack on a constitutional right, the right to obtain an abortion.

"Planned Parenthood sued the state last week after officials "refused to renew" its license to perform abortions. Missouri health officials said that it would not renew the license unless it could interview five residents in training who had worked at the clinic but were not employed by Planned Parenthood regarding an ongoing investigation into the clinic compliance with state regulations. While Planned Parenthood offered interviews with all of its own employees, the five physicians in question declined to be interviewed. The state indicated that the result of those interviews could be "board review" in addition to "criminal proceedings," Bonyen Lee-Gilbert, a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood said. The department had not given the clinic any indication what the investigation was regarding, said Dr. Colleen McNicholas, a Planned Parenthood physician in St. Louis. "We are 100 percent committed to the best care that we can provide for patients. So certainly if there is an issue with the care we're providing we want to know about it," she said. "We want to be able to address that. But we can't do that when we're being attacked."

It's all bogus.  A bogus attack on a constitutional right.  In Nazi America.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-7-19

Convoluted Catch-22.  NBC News reports:

"A lawyer for Facebook argued on Wednesday that its users had no expectation of privacy when using the social network, pushing for a judge to throw out a class-action lawsuit related to the Cambridge Analytica scandal. “There is no invasion of privacy at all, because there is no privacy,” on Facebook or any other social media site, company attorney Orin Snyder told U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria."

Courtesy of those who greedily sell your data, readers.  Line their pockets at your expense.

"That may come as a surprise to those who have followed CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s pivot to privacy in recent months. He even wrote a manifesto for a “privacy-focused vision” of social media in March, saying he believes the future of communication lies in private, encrypted services. But his lawyer’s line of reasoning in court echoes what the company and Zuckerberg previously said both publicly and privately in past years — and explains how the company built an online advertising business that is now rivaled only by Google. And while some changes to Facebook, such as a broad embrace of encrypted messaging, have been welcomed by privacy advocates, others remain concerned that Zuckerberg’s “privacy-focused vision” leaves the company’s core business of data-targeted ads mostly unscathed."

Akin to putting lipstick on a pig.  LOL.

"Internal company emails from 2011 to 2015, leaked as part of a lawsuit by a photo app developer against Facebook and previously the subject of a report by NBC News, underscore the wide variety of ways the company initially considered monetizing its users’ data — with privacy concerns rarely mentioned. Central to those discussions were the kinds of developers that would eventually land Facebook in the middle of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, in which an app that connected to Facebook was able to harvest the information of millions of people. Some of Facebook’s early ideas to make money off its data centered on these kinds of apps, with Zuckerberg even offering up a guess at how much a single person might be worth to outside developers. “~$0.10/ user each year,” he wrote in 2012. Which “might even be too low,” he added. A Facebook spokesperson responded to a request for comment by sharing a link to a Facebook post where Zuckerberg wrote, “We’ve never sold anyone’s data.”

Jesus Christ.  Another congenital liar.  ... Just like the Trump nazi.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


6-7-19

Pompeo caught with his pants down, -- so to speak.  The Washington Post reports:

"Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered a sobering assessment of the prospects of the Trump administration’s long-awaited Middle East peace plan in a closed-door meeting with Jewish leaders, saying “one might argue” that the plan is “unexecutable” and it might not “gain traction.” He expressed his hope that the deal isn’t simply dismissed out of hand. “It may be rejected. Could be in the end, folks will say, ‘It’s not particularly original, it doesn’t particularly work for me,’ that is, ‘It’s got two good things and nine bad things, I’m out,’” Pompeo said in an audio recording of the private meeting obtained by The Washington Post. “The big question is can we get enough space that we can have a real conversation about how to build this out,” he said. The remarks are the most unvarnished comments to date from a U.S. official about President Trump’s “deal of the century,” an effort to resolve the intractable Israeli-Palestinian dispute he has entrusted to his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and former lawyer Jason Greenblatt."

The United States has never been an honest broker of peace in the region.  Has always favored the Israeli aggressor no matter what it has or hasn't done.  No matter the corruption.  No matter the murderous war crimes committed by the aggressor.  Under Trump, this problem has been exponentially exacerbated.

"The unveiling of the plan has been repeatedly delayed, a point Pompeo noted. “This has taken us longer to roll out our plan than I had originally thought it might — to put it lightly,” he said at a meeting on Tuesday of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, a New York-based group that addresses concerns of the Jewish community. In trying to manage expectations, he said there are “no guarantees that we’re the ones that unlock it,” he said, referring to the frozen conflict. “I hope everyone will engage in a serious way.” He also recognized the popular notion that the agreement will be one-sided in favor of the Israeli government. “I get why people think this is going to be a deal that only the Israelis could love,” he said. “I understand the perception of that. I hope everyone will just give the space to listen and let it settle in a little bit.”

What for?  The bottom line will remain the same.  The Israeli aggressor gets favored.  The Palestinians, f--ked.  So what else is new?  Unless this changes, expect terror to continue indefinitely in the region.

"Since the U.S. president announced plans to solve the decades-old conflict, the United States has taken actions vehemently opposed by the Palestinians, including recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital without a final-status agreement, cutting funding to the Palestinian Authority and the U.N. refugee agency that serves it, forcing its diplomatic office in Washington to close, and recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights."

Trump's above actions ensure the conflict will worsen.  Aggressive stupidity, -- to the nth degree.  Courtesy of an idiot whose head, figuratively, remains securely lodged up his clueless ass.

"Two attendees said they left with the impression that Pompeo was not optimistic the plan would succeed. “He was not in any way confident that the process would lead to a successful conclusion,” said one of the attendees, both of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity because the terms of the meeting were off the record."

Without the United States being even-handed, there is no chance for peace.  Not now, not in the foreseeable future.

"Elan Carr, the State Department’s special envoy to combat anti-Semitism who also attended the meeting, expressed a different view, saying he thought Pompeo “provided a hopeful assessment over the prospect of a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians.” “It was an excellent briefing that was very well received by the conference,” he said in a statement offered by the State Department."

Day is night, night is day, and shit smells perversely sweet.  All ass backwards from reality.  Clearly, Carr is a clueless congenital liar, just like his fuhrer, the Trump nazi.

"Aaron David Miller, a former negotiator and analyst on Middle East issues for both Republican and Democratic administrations, said the remarks were “the most revealing and real assessment of the plan that I’ve heard so far.” “The fact that Pompeo so easily conceded the perception — and likely the reality — that the plan was strongly structured and tilted toward the Israelis is striking,” Miller said."

Pompeo is working for a congenital liar who is determinedly doing all he can to eviscerate diplomacy.  Pompeo is no idiot.  Where is his honor?  Why hasn't he long since resigned in protest?  Trump has made him no more than a figurehead.  Certainly, not our nation's top diplomat:

"Pompeo, unlike previous secretaries of state, is not overseeing the peace effort, but he told the group he is kept closely abreast of the proposal, including a game plan for what to do if Israel proceeds to annex territory in the West Bank. “I have seen what I believe are all of the details of what it is we are going to roll out,” he said."

Here's the problem.  Proof of the inherent unmitigated bias of the entire effort:

"Kushner, a real estate scion from New Jersey, and Greenblatt, the former chief legal officer for Trump and the Trump Organization, have led the initiative since the president took power. The two men, both practicing Orthodox Jews, did not come in with political experience but have shared a long interest in and connection to Israel."

That's the issue, intractable problem.  They're hopelessly biased in favor of the Israeli aggressor.

"If the peace plan had appeared to be an uphill battle when Pompeo spoke Tuesday night, it hit another significant hurdle just a day later as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a governing coalition and Israel’s parliament voted to dissolve itself, sending the country back to elections in September."

Netanyahu's days are likely numbered due to corruption charges that may wind up pending later this year.

"Pompeo said the State Department had given “quite a bit of consideration” to what it would do if the plan “doesn’t gain traction.” “I don’t want to call it failing,” he said. “Call it whatever. I fail a lot, so it’s not about not using a word like that.”

Jesus Christ.  Give me a break.

"The contingency planning includes how to respond if the Israeli government decides to annex territory in the West Bank, a move many believe would be a final death knell to a two-state solution."

Should that happen, the conflict would exponentially escalate, become far more violent.

"As part of his election campaign, Netanyahu pledged to annex Israeli settlements in the West Bank if he won, a move considered illegal by much of the international community. He also may face pressure from right-wing coalition partners to take advantage of the remaining time before the next U.S. election. A peace plan that lays down Israel’s right to sovereignty over certain areas of the West Bank could bolster calls from those pushing for annexation. If Israel did go ahead with annexation, the administration would then consider “what would be the best ways to achieve the outcomes that we think are in America and Israel’s best interests,” Pompeo said."

That last statement by Pompeo is proof positive the United States is no evenhanded broker of peace.  Precisely, why there will be none.

The following is insanity:

"After a participant asked whether there was any effort to bring the Palestinians on board, Pompeo responded that “everyone will find something to hate about the proposal” but that everyone, including the Palestinians, “will find something that they say that’s something to build upon.”

Here's the reality.  Unvarnished truth:

"Palestinian officials see the White House plan as inevitably biased against them. In a speech broadcast on Palestine TV recently, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said that both the “deal of the century” and the Trump administration's upcoming economic summit for the Palestinians in Bahrain could “go to hell.” The goal of the Bahrain summit is to drum up support for the economic component of the administration’s peace plan without getting bogged down in the more contentious territorial issues. Abbas has said Palestinian officials will boycott the summit."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-31-19

Highly reminiscent of our outrageously bought and paid for judiciary, Llano County prosecutors, Sheriff Bill Blackburn and his criminal SS jackbooted bastards in black who continue to egregiously disgrace themselves and the badge, do as they please regardless of the law and Constitution, carefully consider the following.  It's appalling.  Runs against the grain of everything our formerly great country once stood for.  No longer.

Murder.  CBS News reports:

"Advocates demanded $100 million in damages Thursday on behalf of the family of a 20-year-old Guatemalan woman who was shot and killed by a U.S. Border Patrol agent last year. The legal claim on behalf of Claudia Patricia Gómez González was filed one year after she died. It comes as the U.S. government grapples with surging numbers of Central Americans crossing its southern border and the deaths of six children in the last year after they were apprehended by border agents. The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas filed the claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act as a precursor to filing a lawsuit. Gómez González crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas along with several migrants who were confronted by a Border Patrol agent, who opened fire and killed her. The claim says Gómez González "posed no threat to anyone, as would have been obvious from the slightest glance." The claim says she was unarmed and not fleeing as others in the group of migrants were. It demands $50 million each for personal injury and what it says was Gómez González's wrongful death."

Another example of the police mentality: 'shoot first, ask questions later.'

"Her life was as valuable as anyone else's, and her family deserves justice for their loss," said Andre Segura, the group's legal director. "Our government has a responsibility to treat everyone lawfully, humanely, and with respect regardless of how they came into this country." U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Border Patrol's parent agency, declined to comment Thursday. CBP's initial statement on May 23, 2018, about Gómez González's death said that the agent used his gun after being attacked by "multiple subjects using blunt objects." The agency called Gómez González an assailant."

They're liars.

"The agency revised its statement a day later to say Gómez González was "one member of the group" that rushed the agent and ignored orders to get on the ground. The statement said the agent fired one round. The agent, who was not identified, was placed on administrative leave at the time. CBP declined on Wednesday to comment on the agent's status or the claim being filed. George Altgelt, a lawyer for the agent, did not return a phone message."

What could he say?  Not easy defending the indefensible.  Why hasn't the agent been identified?  Forget?  The public is entitled to know the identity of its jackbooted oppressors.  ... Right, Sheriff?

"Gómez González was from San Juan Ostuncalco, outside the western highland city of Quetzaltenango. Family members have said she studied forensic accounting and sought admission to a state university but failed to pass three admission exams. Living in poverty and unable to find work, she left for the United States. More than 160,000 people from Guatemala were apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border between October and April. At Gómez González's wake, a woman said that many villagers had left for the United States seeking work. "We are poor, there are no jobs. That is why people leave," said the woman, Guadalupe Carreto."

The Republican Nazi Right is reminded our UNDOCUMENTED forebears came to this continent centuries ago, STOLE it from its native inhabitants, then BROKE every goddamned treaty ever signed.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-31-19

The walls are closing in on Trump and his henchmen.  The Washington Post reports:

"Stephen Calk, a former economic adviser to President Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, was indicted Thursday for allegedly approving $16 million in loans to former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort in exchange for his help seeking a top post in the administration."

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

"Calk, the founder of mortgage lender Federal Savings Bank of Chicago, illegally used the bank’s resources to curry favor with Manafort, ignoring internal standards and lying to regulators, according to the indictment unsealed in the Southern District of New York."

Consider the Aryan arrogance of this son of a bitch:

"Calk gave Manafort a list ranking the administrative jobs he wanted, starting with Treasury Secretary, the indictment alleges. The list also included 19 ambassadorships, including to the United Kingdom, according to the indictment. Calk ultimately was interviewed as a candidate for undersecretary of the Army but didn’t get the job, prosecutors said. “Stephen M. Calk abused the power entrusted to him as the top official of a federally insured bank by approving millions of dollars in high-risk loans in an effort to secure a personal benefit,” Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said in a statement."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-31-19

Iranians change tactics. The Washington Post reports:

"Iran has made a dramatic shift in how it confronts the United States, abandoning a policy of restraint in recent weeks for a series of offensive actions aimed at pushing the White House to rethink its efforts at isolating Tehran, say diplomats and analysts. With the Trump administration tightening economic sanctions and intensifying military pressure, Iran is now seeking to highlight the costs it could also impose on the United States — for instance, by disrupting the world’s oil supply — without taking actions likely to trigger an all-out war. When four ships were damaged in the Persian Gulf last week, including two Saudi tankers and an Emirati one, U.S. and Arab officials said they suspected Iran had ordered the sabotage. A Lebanese newspaper supportive of Iran’s ally Hezbollah boasted that the attacks were a message from Tehran delivered via “UAE and Saudi mailboxes.” And after a Katyusha rocket landed within a mile of the vast U.S. Embassy complex in Baghdad on Sunday, suspicion immediately turned to Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. Senior Iraqi officials warned Iran against using their territory to target the United States and its interests. Iranian leaders condemned those incidents and denied responsibility. But diplomats and analysts say they bear Iran’s signature and are part of an emerging strategy in response to the crippling sanctions the Trump administration placed on Iran after unilaterally withdrawing from the landmark nuclear deal a year ago. Particularly galling for Iran was the U.S. decision this spring not to renew waivers for eight countries allowing them to import Iranian oil despite the sanctions. “It is absolutely not surprising if we see Iran start flexing its muscles in the region where it has a pretty strong hand and it has the potential to exact a cost on the U.S. and its allies in the region,” said Ali Vaez, an Iran expert with the International Crisis Group. Over the past year, the Iranian government had pursued a strategy of relative restraint in the hopes that the 2020 U.S. election would produce a less hostile American president, analysts say."

... What webs we weave.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-31-19

Screws continue to tighten.  NBC News reports:

"The New York state Assembly passed legislation Wednesday to give Congress access to President Donald Trump's state tax returns. Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to sign the bill, which passed the state Senate earlier this month. The legislation, which passed 84 to 53, would amend New York law to permit the commissioner of the state Department of Taxation and Finance to release the state tax returns of those in federal, state and local elected or higher-level public offices, along with entities those people control or have a large stake in, that are requested by the leaders of congressional tax-writing committees."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-31-19

Walls continue to close in.  NBC News reports:

"A key congressional committee has already gained access to President Donald Trump’s dealings with two major financial institutions, two sources familiar with the House probe tell NBC News, as a court ruling Wednesday promised to open the door for even more records to be handed over. Wells Fargo and TD Bank are the two of nine institutions that have so far complied with subpoenas issued by the House Financial Services Committee demanding information about their dealings with the Trump Organization, according to the sources. The disclosures by these two banks haven’t been previously reported. Both TD Bank and Wells Fargo declined to comment for this story. Wells Fargo provided the committee with a few thousand documents and TD Bank handed the committee a handful of documents, according to a source who has seen them. The committee, led by Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., is especially interested in the president’s business relationship with Russia and other foreign entities. Appearing on MSNBC's "Hardball" Wednesday, Waters said "we don't have information to share with you at this time about what we've learned from the documents."

"The documents that have been provided so far are a fraction of those requested by Waters, whose committee has also sent subpoenas to Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, Royal Bank of Canada, Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase. The Royal Bank of Canada is in the process of complying with the subpoena, according to a source. The other banks have missed the subpoena deadline of May 6. The development comes as House Democrats are internally debating whether to move forward with launching an impeachment inquiry of the president or not. Deutsche Bank has been the Trump Organization’s biggest lender, financing more than $2 billion in loans to the president during his business career, and he still owes the bank at least $130 million, according to Trump’s latest financial disclosures. The subpoenas, details of which have not been released to the public, are predicated on the notion that Congress has access to the information under the Bank Secrecy Act, which allows Congress access to financial information to search for money laundering, according to a person who has seen them. “The potential use of the U.S. financial system for illicit purposes is a very serious concern,” Waters said in April when she issued the subpoenas. “The Financial Services Committee is exploring these matters, including as they may involve the President and his associates, as thoroughly as possible pursuant to its oversight authority, and will follow the facts wherever they may lead us.”

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-31-19

Think Trump's playing with a full deck?  ABC News reports:

"President Donald Trump fired back at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday, escalating a feud that reignited on Wednesday when she said he was "engaged in a cover-up" and he blasted her in angry remarks in the White House Rose Garden. Trump, at a White House event, said, "She's a mess," called her "crazy" and said she's "lost it."

Aren't you talking about yourself, Mr. 'President?'

Gets worse.  More delusional:

"He went around the room asking Counselor Kellyanne Conway, press secretary Sarah Sanders and other top aides to testify about how calm he was in a White House meeting with Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer that he left abruptly after just three minutes.

    "I watched Nancy and she was all crazy yesterday," President Trump says, asking Sarah Sanders what his tone was like during yesterday's meeting with Democrats.

    "Very calm and straightforward and clear," Sanders says https://t.co/IAYz641hyx pic.twitter.com/aKkYx2pW2J
    — ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) May 23, 2019

"The president, as he's done before, referred to himself "as an extremely stable genius."

Jesus Christ.  Give me a break.  LOL.

"Pelosi, using his words, tweeted back almost immediately.

    "When the 'extremely stable genius' starts acting more presidential, I’ll be happy to work with him on infrastructure, trade and other issues," Speaker Nancy Pelosi tweets. https://t.co/LL5lbshute
    — ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) May 23, 2019"

He's nuts.  Lost his mind.

"Pelosi said she continues to pray for Trump, and believes he needs "an intervention."

No kidding.  LOL.

“Now this time, another temper tantrum,” she said. "I pray for the president of the United States. I wish that his family or his administration or his staff would have an intervention for the good of the country."

    Speaker Nancy Pelosi: "I pray for the President of the United States. I wish that his family or his administration or his staff would have an intervention for the good of the country" https://t.co/5Mbxzbmz15 pic.twitter.com/xEaOtqmnDK
    — ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) May 23, 2019"

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-31-19

More charges against Assange.  NBC News reports:

"The Department of Justice on Thursday indicted Wikileaks founder Julian Assange on 18 charges, including violations of the Espionage Act and a case that could pose challenges to First Amendment protections. Assange, who was charged last month with computer hacking, is accused of aiding former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to gain a password that gave her access to secret government documents that WikiLeaks later published in 2010. Thursday's indictment alleges that Assange actively solicited classified information in 2009 and that he conspired with Manning to unlawfully access secret-level documents. The government claims that those documents' dissemination actively endangered national security, according to the Justice Department. If convicted on the new counts, Assange faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison per count. "This is madness. It is the end of national security journalism and the first amendment," WikiLeaks tweeted shortly after the new charges were announced. Edward Snowden tweeted that the "Department of Justice just declared war" on journalism. "This is no longer about Julian Assange: This case will decide the future of media."

Indeed.  Nazi America.

"John Demers, the assistant attorney general for national security, said Thursday that the department was not attacking the role of journalists and that it "takes seriously the role of journalists in our democracy."

The indictment is proof positive the direct opposite is true.  Then again, in a de facto fascist police-state since at least 9/11 quickly transitioning to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich, day is night, night is day, and shit smells perversely sweet.  All ass backwards from reality.

"The U.S. government has never successfully prosecuted anyone other than a government employee for disseminating unlawfully leaked classified information, according to University of Chicago Law Prof. Geoffrey Stone, even though the Espionage Act has long been on the books. The government rarely if ever brings those cases because journalists publish classified material regularly."

Nazi America.  Worst yet to come.  ... Hear the rumble?  An unwanted, dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming on an exponentially increasing number of issues.

NBC News reports:

"The indictment charging Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange with obtaining and publishing classified material represents a grave threat to all Americans' First Amendment rights, advocates across the political spectrum said Thursday. The superseding indictment adds 17 counts of violating the Espionage Act of 1917 to a single previous count of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion that was revealed last month. Specifically, it accuses Assange, 47, of having illegally induced Army Pfc. Chelsea Manning to send him classified documents, some of which he published without redacting the names of confidential sources who provided information to U.S. diplomats. Advocates and legal scholars said the indictment seeks to criminalize activity engaged in by journalists every day — publishing news of vital interest that they receive from someone who shouldn't have given it to them. "For the first time in the history of our country, the government has brought criminal charges against a publisher for the publication of truthful information," said Ben Wizner, director of the Speech, Privacy and Technology Project of the American Civil Liberties Union. "This is an extraordinary escalation of the Trump administration's attacks on journalism, and a direct assault on the First Amendment," Wizner said in a statement."

Raw national socialism, fascism, nazism courtesy of the tyrant in the White House, -- i.e. the Trump nazi and his henchmen.  Direct violation of the First Amendment, Freedom of Speech, Freedom of the Press.

"Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University in New York, said the new charges weren't unexpected, noting that the Espionage Act was cited in Assange's original hacking charge last month. But the added charges break frightening new ground, Jaffer said, because all previous cases under the Espionage Act targeted the government officials doing the leaking — not the publishers of their leaks. "This is really what free speech and free press advocates have been worrying about," Jaffer said in an interview on MSNBC's "All In With Chris Hayes." "It really does cross a new frontier," he said. "You had the Bush administration begin prosecuting leakers as spies, and then you had the Obama administration prosecute more Espionage Act cases than all previous administrations combined," he said. "But none of those prosecutions involved a publisher. Now we have a publisher." Regardless of whether Assange is ever tried, "the indictment itself is going to send a very chilling message," he said."

... Hear the rumble?  An unwanted, dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming on this, and many, many other issues.

"In an analysis of the indictment on Thursday, the nonprofit Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press argued that "the parallels between what a member of the news media does on a daily basis ought to be obvious." "Reporters and sources regularly use encrypted communications applications to 'conspire' and to pass information back and forth (as well they should)," it said.

    "The indictment of Julian Assange under the Espionage Act for publishing classified information is an attack on the First Amendment and a threat to all journalists everywhere who publish information that governments would like to keep secret." @Joelcpj https://t.co/3hr4vykUI4 pic.twitter.com/dhtpa9yUyZ
    — Committee to Protect Journalists (@pressfreedom) May 23, 2019"

Indeed, it is.  No question.  ... As our formerly great country perniciously transitions from a de facto fascist police-state since at least 9/11 to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

"John Demers, the assistant attorney general for national security, told reporters on Thursday that the Justice Department "takes seriously the role of journalists in our democracy" but that department officials didn't consider Assange to be a journalist. "No responsible actor, journalist or otherwise, would purposefully publish the names of individuals he or she knew to be confidential human sources in a war zone, exposing them to the gravest of dangers," Demers said. But Bruce Brown, executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, said in a statement: "Any government use of the Espionage Act to criminalize the receipt and publication of classified information poses a dire threat to journalists seeking to publish such information in the public interest, irrespective of the Justice Department's assertion that Assange is not a journalist."

That's right.  Today, Assange.  Tomorrow, who's next?  This is raw nazism.  Nowhere in the Constitution, including the First Amendment, is the Department of 'Justice' granted authority to determine who is and who is not a journalist.  This is action taken by nazi government to not only silence dissent, but prevent public disclosure of government malfeasance.  Hitler and Mussolini would have been proud.

"Criticism of the indictment crossed political lines, as several prominent conservative and libertarian commentators sounded similar warnings."

This indictment is a threat to the entire public, and its right to know.

"Julian Sanchez, a senior fellow at the nonprofit Cato Institute, a libertarian advocacy group, said the debate about whether Assange was a journalist was both "tedious" and irrelevant. (The answer, he agreed on Twitter, was "no" — Assange isn't a journalist.) The whole point of the First Amendment, he said, "is, in significant part, to avoid making particularized governmental determinations about who is a 'real journalist.'" Meanwhile, Scott Horton, director of the nonprofit Libertarian Institute, bluntly called the indictment "garbage." "It begins by citing public requests by Wikileaks for classified documents from a number of governments," Horton wrote Thursday on the institute's blog, "as though this is different from what any investigative reporter might do."

That's right.  The public has a right to know what its government oppressors are doing.

"Similarly, Eli Lake, a neoconservative columnist for Bloomberg Opinion, said the indictment "represents a profound danger to any reporter who has published state secrets." While it can be debated whether Assange is a journalist and whether Wikileaks is a news organization, "this debate is irrelevant," Lake, who has long denounced the leaking of information from counterintelligence investigations, wrote Thursday. "Assange is under no obligation to keep the U.S. government's secrets," he wrote. "If Assange can be charged with receiving classified information, then what is to stop the government from bringing similar charges against the New York Times or Bloomberg News?"

Precisely, the problem.  Delusionally believe they and others won't be next?

    "The new Assange charges are -- by far -- the Trump regime's most aggressive attack yet on the practice of journalism. If journalists of all stripes don't defend him, whatever they think of him personally, they are helping journalism's enemies. This is a defining moment.
    — Dan Gillmor (@dangillmor) May 23, 2019"

Indeed, it is.  The work of a treacherous, traitorous, treasonous dictator, -- a strong man and his henchmen.

"Advocates' criticism found support among current and former government officials, as well. David A. Kaye, the United Nations' special rapporteur on the protection of freedom of opinion and expression, said on Twitter that "regardless of what you think about Wikileaks or Julian Assange, an Espionage Act prosecution can only turn out badly for press freedom in this country." And Matthew Miller, a justice analyst for MSNBC, pointed out that the Justice Department declined to charge Assange for just that reason during the administration of former President Barack Obama, when he was its chief spokesman. "This is nonsense," Miller said on Twitter, arguing that there was a "pretty clear difference between charging government employees who have sworn to protect classified info and people outside government who publish it." "As I've been saying for several years, there are very good reasons we didn't charge this theory," he said. "And it's not like we had a record reporters loved on these issues."

... Hear the rumble?  Wake up.  Before too late.  Worst, yet to come.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-31-19

Once again, the Trump nazi and his henchmen are determinedly sticking it to the LGBTQ community.  Surprised?  Why?  The Washington Post reports:

"The Department of Health and Human Services on Friday proposed a new rule that civil rights groups worry may be used to deny care to transgender patients."

The American Way, isn't it?

"HHS director of the Office for Civil Rights Roger Severino said the change will bring the regulations in line with what lawmakers originally intended, before the definition of gender was broadened under the Obama administration. “When Congress prohibited sex discrimination, it did so according to the plain meaning of the term, and we are making our regulations conform,” Severino said."

Convenient, isn't it?  Enables you to impose your achingly perverse religious views on all in direct violation of the First Amendment Establishment Clause, church-state separation, that is, freedom from religion.

"The National Center for Transgender Equality vowed to fight the proposed regulation. “It’s about the right of every American to be treated with dignity when they walk into an emergency room, meet a new doctor, or find the right insurance plan. If permitted, this rule will promote ignorance and hate that no American should have to face while seeking care,” said Mara Keisling, NCTE executive director."

Precisely, why our fuhrer, the Trump nazi, and his henchmen are proposing it.

"Diana Flynn, the litigation director for Lambda Legal, a group supporting LGBTQ rights, said “HHS should be in the business of ensuring that people get the health care they need, not providing excuses for providers and insurers to turn people away.” The proposal is part of a broader effort by religious conservatives in the Trump administration to define gender restrictively. The result has been a weakening of protections for transgender people."

Precisely, the intention of the nazi element in the Republican Party.

"The Department of Housing and Urban Development on Wednesday proposed a new rule that would allow federally funded shelters to turn away transgender people for religious reasons or force them to use bathrooms and sleeping areas that do not conform to their gender identity. A March 12 memo from the Defense Department outlined a new policy that bans individuals with a gender dysphoria diagnosis who are taking hormones or who have transitioned to another gender to enlist. In addition, troops already in the military would have to serve according to their sex assigned at birth."

Blatant discrimination. Who's next?

"Laura Durso, vice president of the LGBT Research and Communications Project at the Center for American Progress, called the new rule “dangerous” and said it would threaten people’s health and well-being, citing surveys and other data suggesting that some transgender patients are denied treatment on the basis of their gender identity. “Make no mistake about it: this policy would provide hospitals and insurers with a sweeping license to discriminate and then allow the federal government to turn a blind eye to that discrimination,” Durso said."

Certainly the intention of the nazi element in our formerly great country.  Here's how these fascist bastards 'justify' the unjustifiable:

"The Heritage Foundation’s Emilie Kao, director of the DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society, however, said the rule change undoes federal “overreach.” Kao said that without the update physicians could be forced to provide sex reassignment procedures and abortions."

A license to practice medicine or other healthcare services is not a right, only a privilege.  No one is forced to do anything against their will.  If a given procedure is against your principles, do the right thing.  Walk away from the profession.  Do something else that more closely aligns with your religious and/or ideological views.

“No American should be forced to violate deeply held beliefs, especially in hotly debated issues in health care. All Americans should be able to choose health care and health insurance that best fits their needs and beliefs,” she said in a statement."

Her last two statements above are grossly incompatible with one another.  Can't  have it both ways.  The only way the public is well-served is if those practicing professionals that oppose such procedures simply do the right thing.  That is, leave the profession.  Make way for other professionals who will provide such desperately needed services.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-31-19

Our increasingly desperate fuhrer, the Trump nazi, is granting the U.S. Attorney General carte blanche to conduct a witchhunt.  ABC News reports:

"President Donald Trump has given Attorney General William Barr sweeping powers over the intelligence community in his review of their role in how the probe began into Russian interference in the 2016 election and surveillance on the Trump campaign. In an extraordinary move, the president issued a memo Thursday night giving Barr broad authority to declassify information related to the investigation and directed the intelligence community to fully cooperate with Barr's review so that "all Americans learn the truth," according to a statement from White House press secretary Sarah Sanders."

Laughable.  Certainly, shows increasing desperation of Trump and his henchmen as the walls close in on the ongoing insanity and malfeasance.

"The Attorney General has also been delegated full and complete authority to declassify information pertaining to this investigation, in accordance with the long-established standards for handling classified information," according to the statement. "Today’s action will help ensure that all Americans learn the truth about the events that occurred, and the actions that were taken, during the last Presidential election and will restore confidence in our public institutions," she said."

The hell it will.  Quite the opposite, -- as Trump continues to deteriorate mentally, his behavior becoming increasingly bizarre.

"Barr has told Congress that there was "spying" on the Trump campaign, echoing repeated claims made by Trump as he fends off Democratic congressional investigations and calls for his impeachment. "The first step is find out exactly what happened. And we're trying to get our arms around that getting all the relevant information from the various agencies and starting to talk to some of the people that have information," Barr told Fox News' Bill Hemmer last week. "You know the thing that's interesting about this is that this was handled at a very senior level of these departments. It wasn't handled in the ordinary way that investigations or counterintelligence activities are conducted. It was sort of an ad hoc small group and most of these people are no longer with the FBI or the CIA or the other agencies involved," Barr said on Fox."

No credibility.  Refused to disclose any details during interrogation by Congress.  Talking out his ass to support his fuhrer, the Trump nazi.

"The Democratic chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Adam Schiff of California, quickly attacked the move as political. “While Trump stonewalls the public from learning the truth about his obstruction of justice, Trump and Barr conspire to weaponize law enforcement and classified information against their political enemies. The coverup has entered a new and dangerous phase. This is un-American,” Schiff said in a statement."

Right Wing Nazi.

"This is a grotesque abuse of the intelligence community. And what's really disturbing is on the very same day that the president says I can't work with Congress to get anything done for the American people because I can't do that and respond to investigations at the same time, he initiates yet another investigation," House Judiciary Committee member Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., said on MSNBC Thursday night. Giving Barr the power to declassify information is "really extraordinary," according to one former National Security Agency attorney. “The problem is two-fold: First, as attorney general, Barr… is not naturally situated to have the full scope to know the impact of a declassification decision. He’s not in the best position to assess the potential damage," April Falcon Doss, a former NSA attorney and former Democratic counsel for the Senate’s Russia probe told ABC News. "These sources and methods are fragile, perishable and the intelligence community agency who originated the information is best positioned to understand the impact of a particular declassification decision." “Second, the AG is a political appointee. He’s already come under a lot of fire for behaving in ways that many have viewed as partisan. So, any decision he makes regarding declassification not only could be influenced by partisan considerations, but is almost certain to be seen as partisan considerations,” she told ABC News."

Dog and pony show ring led by an out of control dictator who is becoming increasingly, demonstrably unhinged.  Irrational.

"The review does not have any criminal implications, and would not involve criminal investigative power, according to one former U.S. Attorney. "A criminal probe has as its target end criminal charges. A review, at least initially, does not anticipate criminal charges...," former U.S. Attorney Michael Stern told ABC News. Stern agreed that it was dangerous "ordering one law enforcement agency to investigate another."

Time for those agencies to rise up against this growing cancer, ongoing insanity and call it for precisely what it is.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-31-19

Think Trump's not taking care of his business friends?  The Washington Post reports:

"President Trump has personally and repeatedly urged the head of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to award a border wall contract to a North Dakota construction firm whose top executive is a GOP donor and frequent guest on Fox News, according to four administration officials."

Fascinating, isn't it?  Think it proper?

"In phone calls, White House meetings and conversations aboard Air Force One during the past several months, Trump has aggressively pushed Dickinson, N.D.-based Fisher Industries to Department of Homeland Security leaders and Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite, the commanding general of the Army Corps, according to the administration officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive internal discussions. The push for a specific company has alarmed military commanders and DHS officials. Semonite was summoned to the White House again Thursday, after the president’s aides told Pentagon officials — including Gen. Mark Milley, the Army’s chief of staff — that the president wanted to discuss the border barrier. According to an administration official with knowledge of the Oval Office meeting, Trump immediately brought up Fisher, a company that sued the U.S. government last month after the Army Corps did not accept its bid to install barriers along the southern border, a contract potentially worth billions of dollars."

Report goes on and on.  Riveting material.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-31-19

Blood money.  The Washington Post reports:

"Secretary of State Mike Pompeo notified lawmakers Friday that President Trump is invoking his emergency authority to sidestep Congress and complete 22 arms deals that would benefit Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries, despite lawmakers’ objections to the transactions. Both Republicans and Democrats urged the Trump administration this week not to take the rare step of exploiting a legal window to push through deals, worth about $8 billion, according to congressional aides, that lawmakers have blocked from being finalized. Pompeo’s notification letters effectively give the Trump administration a green light to conclude the sale and transfer of mortar bombs, missile, drones, repair and maintenance services to aid the Saudi air fleet, and a controversial sale of precision-guided munitions that lawmakers fear Saudi Arabia may use against civilians in Yemen’s civil war."

Big mistake.  Incredible evil.

"Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) — the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who had been blocking the precision-guided munitions sale — said in a statement Friday that Trump had “failed once again to prioritize our long term national security interests or stand up for human rights, and instead is granting favors to authoritarian countries like Saudi Arabia.” In a statement, Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Sen. James E. Risch (R-Idaho) said that he was “reviewing and analyzing the legal justification for this action and the associated implications.” Traditionally, the administration must notify Congress when it contemplates a new arms sale, giving lawmakers the opportunity to review deals and block those they find objectionable. In each of his letters notifying lawmakers of the decision, Pompeo stated that he had “determined that an emergency exists which requires the proposed sale in the national security interest of the United States and thus, waives the congressional review requirements,” adding that the government had “taken into account political, military, economic, human rights, and arms control considerations.”

Think so?  Delusionally believe the liar?  How much of this money will find its way into the pockets of Trump and his henchmen?

"Trump and Congress have long been at odds over his unapologetic embrace of Saudi leaders, despite U.S. intelligence showing that the crown prince was behind the October 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was also a contributing columnist for The Washington Post. Earlier this year, the House and Senate voted to end U.S. support for the Saudi-led military coalition operating in Yemen — a move that Trump vetoed, with the support of most of the GOP. But many key Republican lawmakers who balked at curtailing U.S. engagement through a war powers resolution have still advocated halting nondefensive weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and its coalition allies until the country does more to improve the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. “There is no new ‘emergency’ reason to sell bombs to the Saudis to drop in Yemen, and doing so only perpetuates the humanitarian crisis there,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), one of Congress’s chief advocates for extraditing the United States from the Yemen conflict. “This sets an incredibly dangerous precedent that future presidents can use to sell weapons without a check from Congress ... If we don’t stand up to this abuse of authority, we will permanently box ourselves out of deciding who we should sell weapons to.”

Lawmakers remain gutless:

"But it is not clear how lawmakers will try to reassert control over the arms deals or challenge Trump’s authority to assume emergency authority over them. Lawmakers anticipated that the Trump administration might try to push arms deals benefiting Saudi Arabia through in light of increased tensions with Iran. Earlier this week, Pompeo, acting defense secretary Patrick Shanahan, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Joseph P. Dunford, briefed all House and Senate lawmakers on the intelligence behind the administration’s latest moves in the Persian Gulf, arguing they were necessary to respond to latest intelligence showing an increased threat. Republicans largely endorsed their actions as prudent, while Democrats accused the officials of spinning the evidence to justify a march toward war, expressing consternation that the administration would not consult Congress before taking military action. Yet the breadth of the Trump administration’s Friday decision, which benefits many more countries than just Iran’s regional rivals like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, will likely upset members of both parties, according to congressional aides. Democratic congressional aides pointed to one transaction in particular — a deal to support manufacturing and production of F-18 combat jets — as particularly disturbing, as Saudi Arabia does not use the F-18; it only helps make them for countries like Israel, India and South Korea."

Fascinating, isn't it? Unbridled evil.

"Democrats are also questioning whether Trump invoked the proper emergency authority under the Arms Export Control Act — pointing out that deals with NATO countries and allies like Australia are treated as legally distinct from deals with nations like Saudi Arabia, saying the Pompeo’s letter conflate them. “The Administration failed to even identify which legal mechanism it thinks it is using, described years of malign Iranian behavior but failed to identify what actually constitutes an emergency today, and critically, failed to explain how these systems, many of which will take years to come online, would immediately benefit either the United States or our allies and thus merit such hasty action,” Menendez said, accusing Trump of “destroying” relations between Congress and the executive branch, and jeopardizing the interests of defense contractors."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-31-19

Trump loses another one in court.  NPR reports:

"A federal judge in California has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from transferring funds from military accounts to begin building additional border fencing. U.S. District Judge Haywood Gilliam in Northern California granted a preliminary injunction blocking the administration from moving $1 billion in Defense Department funds intended for anti-drug activities. The judge did not rule on an additional $3.6 billion in funds from military construction projects that have yet to be identified by the Defense Department. "The position that when Congress declines the Executive's request to appropriate funds, the Executive nonetheless may simply find a way to spend those funds 'without Congress' does not square with fundamental separation of powers principles dating back to the earliest days of our Republic," Gilliam wrote. The ACLU sued to block the transfer on behalf of the Sierra Club and the Southern Border Communities Coalition. Gilliam has set the next conference in the case for June 5."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-31-19

In an editorial, Jonathan Allen of NBC News opines:

"President Donald Trump found four former federal officials guilty of "treason" Thursday — and then commissioned his intelligence agencies to help the Department of Justice prove it."

Indeed.  LOL.  No question.  ... Nothing quite like telling it like it is, no?  LOL.  Unvarnished truth.  Refreshing, especially at a time truth has indeed become a moving target.

"At the same time, he is blocking Congress from executing its constitutional duty to execute oversight of his administration, not only with regard to his campaign's ties to Russia and the interference detailed in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation but also on a host of other fronts."

Indeed.  Also, quite true.  Yet, Democrats remain all talk, no action.  Sit on their hands.  Refuse to hold this fascist bastard and his henchmen legally accountable.  Diddling and dawdling.  To date, refuse to hold impeachment hearings.  Won't impose "Inherent Contempt" on all those determinedly stonewalling subpoenas.  That is, exercising power in existence a century that allows the House Sergeant-At-Arms to arrest and jail these pieces of human excrement who are enabling our fuhrer, the Trump nazi.

"He's wielding power in ways not seen in the United States in generations, if ever, and which many experts say do not resemble global norms for heads of state."

Trump is emulating Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini.  No more than a national socialist, fascist, nazi dictator.  No longer a democratic republic.  In name only.  In reality, a de facto fascist police-state since at least 9/11, quickly transitioning to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

"This is really a feature of petty dictators, where you see the power of investigation abilities being used as a political tool against enemies," Claire Finkelstein, the director of the Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law at the University of Pennsylvania's law school, said in a telephone interview. "In this case I believe it is a deliberate attempt to confuse the public, to spin a certain narrative about our intelligence community, to throw pixie dust over the facts surrounding the 2016 election," she said. "And it’s remarkable in my mind that he’s been successful with these tactics" in terms of convincing a significant share of the American public that he is the victim of a "deep state" conspiracy."

We've lost ourselves.  Americans are gullible.  Believe a congenital liar who has demonstrably lied more than 10,000 times since taking office.  Day is night, night is day, and shit smells perversely sweet in a fascist police-state.  All ass backwards from reality.

"On Thursday, Trump gave the names of four people — James Comey, Andrew McCabe, Peter Stzrok and Lisa Page — when he was asked about his past formulation that former federal officials who were involved in investigations dealing with his campaign and that of rival Hillary Clinton were guilty of treason, and reminded that the crime is punishable by death."

This man is insane.  Highly reminiscent of Adolf Hitler, circa 1933, when the Nazi Fuhrer became Chancellor of Germany.  Ever see the old newsreels?

"Later, the White House issued a statement noting that Trump had directed American intelligence agencies to cooperate with a federal investigation he has ordered into any crimes that might have been committed in relation to those probes and ensuing activity by former FBI and Justice officials. He has delegated the authority to declassify information obtained from the intelligence agencies to Attorney General William Barr, even though the White House is currently fighting a series of congressional subpoenas for information on the Mueller report and a variety of other topics."

Called hypocrisy.  Convenient double standard for a nazi fuhrer establishing himself as a dictator in our formerly great country.

"Under the Constitution, treason is defined as waging war against the United States or aiding and abetting an enemy of the nation, and the law has typically recognized "enemies" of the U.S. as countries with which the U.S. is engaged in open and active hostilities."

That's right.  A fascist dictator such as Trump has no respect for the founding document of the United States.  No understanding, zero comprehension of it.  No regard for the rule of law, only his own dictates.  If anyone is committing treason, it is Trump himself and his henchmen.  Wake up.

"He doesn't care about the law," said former federal prosecutor Mimi Rocah, who serves as a legal analyst for NBC News and MSNBC. "He is trying to use the justice system and our intelligence system — he's trying to manipulate them and he has been trying to do that for two years, and now he has Bill Barr helping him, and to me, that is just terrifying."

Treason.

"Individual prosecutors across the country have tremendous power and discretion in terms of who they investigate and seek charges against, she said, and there could be "a chilling effect" on them if they watch the president and the attorney general prosecute people who investigate Trump."

Certainly, true.  Compounds the already existent issue of prosecutors clearly in bed with law enforcement.  Determinedly, concertedly refuse to hold the criminal jackbooted bastards in blue legally accountable for their crimes.  ... Right, Sheriff?

"There's already evidence of Barr breaking with norms to aid the president, according to some legal scholars."

Barr is no more than a bought and paid for shill of his fuhrer, the Trump nazi.

"This is the first time in recent memory that a U.S. president has openly called for a criminal investigation into perceived enemies, and the investigation is being carried out," Brian Z. Tamanaha, a Washington University law professor and the author of the 2004 book "On the Rule of Law," said in an email. "This does not happen in countries that respect the rule of law. The concern is heightened in this instance because Attorney General Barr has thus far behaved as if his highest duty is to President Trump rather than to uphold the Constitution and laws."

That point has been repeatedly made in this publication and elsewhere.

"Tamanaha and others suggest Trump's actions don't appear to be rooted in an interest in upholding justice."

What national socialist, fascist, nazi dictator has any interest in upholding justice?

"Countries with the rule of law do not conduct criminal investigations for political reasons," he said. "In countries that lack the rule of law — like Russia — the ruling political officials instrumentally utilize the legal system to target opponents for criminal prosecution as a means of intimidation or punishment."

Precisely, what's increasingly happening right here in our formerly great country.

"House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., criticized Trump's move as a dangerous deployment of intelligence capabilities for the political benefit of the president — and phrased his response in lawyerly terms that amount to an allegation that Trump has satisfied Mueller's standard that Trump would have to have corrupt intent in order to be guilty of obstruction of justice. The president’s order conferring new authorities over classified information held by the Intelligence community is a corrupt escalation of the president’s intention, with the assistance of the attorney general, to weaponize and politicize the nation’s intelligence and law enforcement entities," Schiff said. “The potential selective release of material that implicates sources and methods will undermine the intelligence community’s efforts to gather intelligence, including on future attacks on our elections as well as other key intelligence targets, putting not only sources at risk, but the nation’s security along with them."

Not only obstruction.  Treason.

... Hear the rumble?  An unwanted, dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming on this, and many, many other issues.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-31-19

Hypocrisy remains alive and well in both major political parties.  -- Public not well-served by either.  The Washington Post reports:

"When President Barack Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court in 2016, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) refused to consider him, blocking the nominee until after the year’s presidential election. He said then that “the American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice.” The tactic cost Garland his spot on the court."

What's good for the goose is not good for the gander:

"With his party now in the White House, McConnell said Tuesday he would try to push through any nomination that President Trump might make to the high court — even if it comes during an election year. Some saw that stance, which McConnell has signaled before, as hypocritical. McConnell responded to the hypothetical question at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon in Paducah, Ky. “Should a Supreme Court justice die next year, what will your position be on filling that spot?” an attendee asked, setting up a scenario that would mirror 2016, when Justice Antonin Scalia died suddenly in February. “Oh, we’d fill it,” McConnell said with a wry, tight-lipped smile."

Proof positive this Republican, Aryan arrogant national socialist, fascist, nazi isn't worth a f--k.  -- Not that Democrats are any better.  Forget?  All talk, no action.  No willingness to walk out the Senate to deny Republicans a quorum before passage of GOP nazi legislation designed to eviscerate all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.

"At the event, which the local news channel WPSD recorded, McConnell said that confirming judges is the best way to have “a long-lasting positive impact on the country."

Forget?  To a Republican nazi day is night, night is day, and shit smells perversely sweet.  All ass backwards from reality.

Raw nazism:

"Everything else changes,” he said, before adding: “What can’t be undone is a lifetime appointment to a young man or woman who believes in the quaint notion that the job of the judge is to follow the law. That’s the most important thing we’ve done in the country, which cannot be undone.”

This insanely fascist Senator, and those who think like him are traitors.  Determinedly, concertedly, perniciously, repeatedly violate their oaths of office to uphold the United States Constitution.

"After his comments circulated Tuesday evening, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) took to Twitter to slam McConnell.

    "Seriously it’s no surprise.@SenateMajLdr McConnell lives for GOP judges because he knows the GOP agenda is so radical & unpopular they can only achieve it in courts.

    "Anyone who believes he’d ever allow confirmation of a Dem President's nominee for SCOTUS is fooling themselves.
    — Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 29, 2019"

You're all talk, Chuck.  No action.  Empty rhetoric.  You and your fellow Democrats do nothing to effectively combat this growing cancer, raw nazism.

"Other critics said it was another example of backhanded partisan gamesmanship. “History will record McConnell as the true villain of some of the ugliest moments in this period of US history,” Susan Hennessey, the executive editor of the Lawfare blog, said in a tweet. Some also criticized the humor McConnell used to punctuate his response. “Senator McConnell’s statements further damage and undermine the Supreme Court at a time when its standing has been significantly diminished in the eyes of the public,” Kristen Clarke, the executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said in a statement. “This is no laughing matter.”

Certainly is to the nazi element in our formerly great country.  -- To say nothing of Adolf and Benito 'high-fiving' on their fiery perches.  ... Hear the rumble?  An unwanted, dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming on this, and many, many other issues.  Worst, yet to come.

Think the following not highly reminiscent of Adolf Hitler and his henchmen in 1933 shortly after the Nazi Fuhrer became Chancellor?  NBC News reports:

"At a chamber luncheon in Paducah, Kentucky, on Tuesday, McConnell was asked by a member of the audience, “Should a Supreme Court justice die next year, what will your position be on filling that spot?" “I would fill it,” he responded, smirking, which drew loud laughter."

A raucous boot clicking, goose stepping, treasonous, treacherous, traitorous Seig Heil!, Senator?  Mr. 'President?'  ... Hear the rumble?

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-31-19

... Hear the rumble?  CBS News reports:

"Missouri's last abortion clinic could be shut down this Friday, meaning it would become the first state to effectively end all legal abortion services since Roe vs. Wade was established back in 1973. Missouri's health department is refusing to renew its license, an effort that Planned Parenthood CEO Dr. Leana Wen called an attempt by the state to "weaponize" abortion clinic inspections with the aim of outlawing the practice."

Raw nazism.  In a de facto fascist police-state since at least 9/11, quickly transitioning to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.  ... As our formerly great country moves closer and closer to an unwanted, dreaded second American revolution.

"This comes just days after Missouri's governor signed a bill into law banning abortion after eight weeks of pregnancy with no exceptions for rape or incest. The law, which would go into effect in August, makes performing an abortion a felony, punishable up up to 15 years in prison. Missouri is one of six states to pass similar laws this year although none have taken effect yet."

Republican national socialists, fascists, nazis delusionally believe they own your uterus, ladies. Do they?

"This is a real public crisis that's happening right now," Dr. Leana Wen told "CBS This Morning." "Because we could face a situation where by the end of the week more than 1.1 million women in Missouri will not have abortion accessible in their own state."

Back to butchers, back alley abortions, coat hangers.  Nazi America.

"Planned Parenthood is suing to keep providing abortions at that clinic, with an emergency court hearing Wednesday. "We hope that the court will see exactly what's happening, which is that over the last 10 years the state of Missouri has imposed regulation upon regulation that has no basis in medicine," Wen said. "We've complied with all of them because we want to keep our health center open. These are things like making our hallways extra wide, forcing women to wait 72 hours – even having unnecessary, invasive pelvic exams."

Called legalized sexual assault.  All courtesy of Republican nazis desperate to force their perverse religious and ideological views on the rest of us.  Traitorous direct violation of the First Amendment Establishment Clause, church-state separation, that is, freedom from religion.

"On May 20, the Missouri's health department notified Planned Parenthood of three issues that could impact its license renewal, according to documents reviewed by CBS News and provided by Planned Parenthood. On May 22, Planned Parenthood said it would address two of them: adjusting who at the clinic provided the state-mandated counseling and adding an additional pelvic exam for abortion patients.  Wen called some of the measures requested by the state "traumatizing for women," especially those who have suffered sexual abuse. She said that staff at the St. Louis clinic have "seen this coming for years." "Because they've been on the front lines of having all these requirements imposed upon them that they've had to meet. And now this is coming. This is a warning to everyone in the country that this is not a drill," she said."

Republicans are truly evil.  Democrats no better.  All talk, no action.  ... Hear the rumble?

"For Wen, the Missouri health center in question holds personal meaning. "I was a medical student at Washington University in St. Louis. I volunteered at that health center and I've seen for myself the women who already travel hundreds of miles to access essential health care and now to see that health care literally being taken away that will endanger women's lives, in particular women with low income, women who have to travel from rural areas. This is what's happening around the country. This is the real impact of these terrible laws that are being passed."

All courtesy of Republican nazis.  Democrats ineffective.  Not worth a shit.  As all civil and constitutional rights and liberties are eviscerated by the nazi element in our formerly great country.

"CBS News reached out to Gov. Parson and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, but they did not provide a comment."

What could these goddamned gutless cowards possibly say to 'defend' the indefensible, 'justify' the unjustifiable.  Raw nazism.

NBC News reports:

"Doctors in Missouri may only have a few more days to perform abortions, but they insist their care for patients who want to terminate a pregnancy won't end anytime soon. "Despite what happens on Friday, we will continue to help our patients access care when they need it,” Dr. Colleen McNicholas, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, said on a call with reporters today. That includes helping women who are seeking to end a pregnancy find help in other states. “We will make sure Missourians who need abortion care will be able to get it, whether that be with us or with another provider,” McNicholas said. McNicholas said the center takes care of several thousand women seeking an abortion each year. She and clinic director Dr. David Eisenberg spoke with NBC News on Friday, the day Missouri’s governor signed into law a bill that would prohibit abortions after eight weeks gestation. “This is a government intrusion into the practice of medicine,” Eisenberg said."

No question.  All courtesy of Republican nazis who have no respect, no regard for the United States Constitution.  Do all they can to eviscerate all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.

"The Planned Parenthood Federation of America said Missouri’s health department is threatening not to renew the St. Louis Planned Parenthood’s license to provide abortions. The clinic is the only one in the state that offers abortion services. If the license is not renewed by May 31, doctors at the Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region will no longer be able to perform abortions, though they will still provide other medical care. That would leave more than 1 million women of childbearing age without access to abortion in the state."

Courtesy of Republican nazis.  Democrats, no better.  Have certainly failed to effectively combat this fascist takeover of our formerly great country.

"Doctors who perform abortions in Missouri were already grappling with how to handle that state's newly signed law banning abortions after eight weeks gestation, except in cases in which they are "medically necessary." Doctors say that creates a huge problem, particularly in circumstances that require snap medical decisions. “How do I know what I think is a medical emergency will be viewed as such by the attorney general?” McNicholas asked. “What a terrible place we are putting physicians in, a totally untenable ethical position where they have to choose between providing the appropriate care for their patient, or potentially going to jail or losing their medical license,” she added. Some states’ new abortion bans have been referred to as “heartbeat” bills by politicians, and mean that abortions would be prohibited after a “fetal heartbeat” is detected. But doctors say what physicians are hearing at six to eight weeks gestation isn’t a true heartbeat; it’s just electrical activity. “At six weeks, we’re talking about essentially two tubes that are aligned by some cardiac cells that can do some vibration,” McNicholas said. She says equating that electrical activity with a fully functioning heart is simply medically inaccurate."

Doesn't matter to hopelessly ignorant Republican nazis.  All that matters to these goddamned fascists is evisceration of this most precious constitutional right.

"Jennifer Box says ending her pregnancy with a fetus with a rare and deadly chromosomal abnormality was the most compassionate choice for the baby, as well as her two older children. Babies with trisomy 18 often have heart defects, difficulty eating and breathing, and are susceptible to serious infections. “I made a decision in consultation with multiple doctors, genetic counselors and different hospitals. We made a medical choice as parents for our daughter,” Box said. She and her husband, Jake, found out the fetus was a girl, and named her Libby Rose. “It was heartbreaking, but I can’t imagine giving birth to a child only to know that she would suffer indefinitely until she would die,” Box said. “I believe my greatest act of love as her mother was to suffer myself instead.”

... Hear the rumble?

"Meanwhile, physicians at the St. Louis Planned Parenthood say they will continue to provide assistance to women. “When abortion is safe and accessible, it’s the safest medicine that’s provided,” Eisenberg said. “The fact is, it’s basic health care for women.”

Not to the Republican nazi element in our formerly great country.  Democrats, egregiously ineffective in combating this fascist takeover of our formerly great country.

CBS News reports:

"Missouri will not renew Planned Parenthood's license to perform abortions unless the clinic fully complies with the state's requests, said Governor Mike Parson during a press conference Wednesday. The clinic is the last one performing abortions in the state and its license is set to expire at the end of this week. The governor claimed, "Planned Parenthood has been actively and knowingly violating state law on numerous occasions." "Regardless of if you support abortion or not, Planned Parenthood should be able to meet the basic standards of health care under the law," Parson said. "They should not receive any exceptions because they are one clinic."

The Governor is a goddamned liar.  More on this as the story develops.

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5-31-19

Mueller breaks silence.  NPR reports:

"Special counsel Robert Mueller formally shut down his Russia investigation on Wednesday in an unusual appearance in which he restated his findings and made clear that he never considered it an option to charge President Trump. "We are formally closing the special counsel's office," Mueller told reporters at the Justice Department on Wednesday morning. In his 10-minute statement, Mueller highlighted a few portions of the roughly 400-page report, including the section on whether President Trump obstructed justice. "If we had had confidence that the president did not commit a crime, we would have said so," he said. "We did not, however, make a determination as to whether the president did commit a crime." Mueller emphasized that Justice Department regulations do not permit the indictment of a sitting president. Accordingly, Mueller said, he never considered it an option to bring an indictment no matter what he'd uncovered."

Clearly, Mueller's a 'straight arrow.'  Straight shooter.  Clearly, a 'Justice' Department man.  A 'by the book' man.  Nothing new learned during his exceptionally brief speech:

"He also noted the overarching findings on Russia's interference in 2016. The attack on the election was real, Mueller said — and it merited a serious investigation. "There were multiple systemic efforts to interfere in our election, and that allegation deserves the attention of every American," he said. Mueller's remarks provided a subtle riposte to Trump and other critics who have described the special counsel as leading a "witch hunt" based on a conspiracy to deny Trump the presidency in 2016.

"The special counsel also investigated whether the president obstructed justice over the course of the investigation. The report explicitly said it did not "exonerate" Trump on the question of obstruction. Trump responded shortly after Mueller finished, saying that his statement and report changes "nothing."

    "Nothing changes from the Mueller Report. There was insufficient evidence and therefore, in our Country, a person is innocent. The case is closed! Thank you.
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2019"

You're delusional, Mr. 'President.'  The Mueller investigation was extremely limited in scope.  Not so state and federal criminal investigations in New York.  Conveniently, forget?  Mueller listed ten examples of possible obstruction Congress should investigate vis a vis impeachment.  Think Democrats won't force the issue in the House?

"Mueller declined to answer questions from reporters after his statement Wednesday. He also said he did "not believe it is appropriate" for him to testify before Congress, as House Democrats have asked. The special counsel has said what he has to say, Mueller said. "We chose those words carefully and the work speaks for itself," he said. "The report is my testimony. I would not provide information beyond that which is already public in any appearance before Congress."

Democrats need to force the issue.  Subpoena him.  Refuses to testify, fails to answer all questions, hold him in contempt.  Jail his ass.  "Inherent Contempt."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau blocked by Trump and his henchmen.  Students paying the price.  NPR reports:

"The director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says the Trump administration's Education Department is getting in the way of efforts to police the student loan industry. The revelation, in a letter obtained by NPR, comes at the same time that lawsuits allege that widespread wrongdoing by student loan companies is costing some borrowers thousands of dollars. CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger explained the problem in an April letter responding to questions from Sen. Elizabeth Warren and other lawmakers about whether the federal regulator had "abandoned its supervision and enforcement activities" related to more than $1 trillion in student loans. A central issue is that companies that manage student loans, known as student loan servicers, are refusing to share information that the CFPB says it needs to perform proper oversight. "Since December 2017," Kraninger wrote in the letter, "student loan servicers have declined to produce information requested by the Bureau for supervisory examinations" related to federal student loans. She said servicers are not sharing the information because the Department of Education has issued guidance telling them not to do so, citing "privacy" concerns. Kraninger also said that information from student loan servicers is "necessary for supervisory examinations." The letter is a carefully worded response to senators' questions. But Kraninger, a Trump administration appointee, is in essence saying that the CFPB is trying to do its job protecting student borrowers and supervising loan servicing companies, but the Education Department is getting in the way. "It's actually quite remarkable," says Seth Frotman, executive director of the nonprofit Student Borrower Protection Center. "The head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is telling the world that the secretary of education has put in place a series of policies that are obstructing federal law enforcement officials from standing up for the millions of Americans with student debt."

For you supposedly 'law and order' Republican national socialists, fascists, nazis, no problem with that?

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

Stunning the brazenness of Trump's henchmen, isn't it?  NBC News reports:

"Attorney General William Barr kidded Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday about an impending vote to find him in contempt of Congress. Barr approached Pelosi, D-Calif., at a National Peace Officers' Memorial Day event outside the Capitol, shook her hand and said loudly, "Madam Speaker, did you bring your handcuffs?" a bystander told NBC News. Pelosi — who will be scheduling the contempt vote against Barr before the full House — smiled, and indicated that the House sergeant-at-arms was present at the ceremony should an arrest be necessary, the bystander said. Barr chuckled and walked away. The House Judiciary Committee voted to hold Barr in contempt last week for refusing to comply with a subpoena to provide Congress with an unredacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report on Russian interference in the 2016 election."

Pelosi and her fellow Democrats are all talk, no action.  Continue to drag their feet.  Place partisan interests ahead of principle.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

Pelosi remains all talk, no action.  NBC News reports:

"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., blasted the White House on Thursday for asserting that it would not comply with a range of requests from the House Judiciary Committee, arguing that Congress needs certain information to perform its oversight duties and guide any moves toward impeachment. “The letter that came from the White House yesterday was completely outrageous,” Pelosi told reporters at her weekly press conference, referring to the letter White House counsel Pat Cipollone sent Wednesday to Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y. She added: "That letter that came from the White House was a joke, beneath the dignity of the presidency of the United States, in defiance of our Constitution. Shame on them.”

You're all talk, Madam Speaker.  When will you have the Sergeant-In-Arms arrest and jail these stonewalling sons of bitches for contempt?  You're dragging your feet.  Failing to do your duty.

"Pelosi was responding to a question from NBC News' Kasie Hunt, who asked for her reaction to Nadler telling reporters Thursday morning that President Donald Trump's "posture now is making it impossible to rule out impeachment or anything else." Pelosi also pushed back on the argument Cipollone outlined in his letter — that Congress can't ask any questions of the administration unless it has a legislative purpose. “One of the purposes that the Constitution spells out for investigation is impeachment,” Pelosi said. “And you can say — and the courts would respect it if you said — we need this information to carry out our oversight responsibilities and among them is impeachment. It doesn’t mean you’re on an impeachment path, but it means if you had the information, you might."

Here's the problem, the unadulterated horse shit:

"The speaker was pressed about the use of "inherent contempt" in which Congress would fine or jail Trump administration officials who refuse to comply with subpoenas. “That is a path,” she said, but declined to say whether she supports that option."

Jesus Christ.  You're not doing your job, Madam Speaker.  You're failing to hold these nazi sons of bitches accountable.

"In his letter, Cipollone called on Nadler to “discontinue” his committee’s probes into the president, arguing that they are embarking on a “duplicative investigation” by “issuing subpoenas to replow the same ground the special counsel has already covered."

The Executive Branch does not get to make that judgment.  Congress does.  Not only that, Congress intends to go well beyond the relatively limited scope of the investigation conducted by Robert Mueller and his staff.

"Last week, the Judiciary panel voted to recommend to the House that it should hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with Nadler’s subpoena for the full unredacted Mueller report and its underlying documents. Pelosi has suggested that she would combine a floor vote to hold Barr in contempt with other possible contempt citations involving Trump officials."

All talk, no action.  As our formerly great country continues to deteriorate.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

Stonewalling worsens, -- as the walls begin to close in on the Trump nazi.  ABC News reports:

"Former White House counsel Don McGahn, as expected, failed to show at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday morning after being directed not to testify by President Donald Trump, and the Democratic chairman, Rep. Jerry Nadler, vowed to pursue a contempt citation against him. "Our subpoenas are not optional," Nadler said at the start of Tuesday's hearing as he faced an empty chair reserved for McGahn at the witness table. "This committee will hear Mr. McGahn's testimony even if we have to go to court to secure it," he said."

To date, all talk, no action.

“The president has taken it upon himself to intimidate a witness who has a legal obligation to be here today. This conduct is not remotely acceptable,” he said. "We will not allow the president to prevent the American people from hearing from this witness. We will not allow the president to block congressional subpoenas, putting himself and his allies above the law. We will not allow the president to stop this investigation, and nothing in these unjustified and unjustifiable legal attacks will stop us from pressing forward with our work on behalf of the American people. We will hold this president accountable, one way or the other," Nadler said."

Again, all talk, no action.  The House has the power to arrest and jail.  Called "Inherent Contempt."  Has had that power for a century.  Why isn't it exercising it?

Republicans remain clueless.  Continue to protect and defend their fuhrer, the Trump nazi.  Place partisanship ahead of principle:

"Republicans accused Democrats of staging a spectacle to attack President Trump. “The theater is open,” Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., the top Republican on the panel, said Tuesday of the hearing without McGahn, and the Democrats' larger investigation. “Democrats claim we need to dig deeper — deeper than the two years of investigation conducted by what is considered a prosecutorial dream team — because that probe ended without criminal charges against the president or his family,” he said. “Now Democrats are trying desperately to make something out of nothing, which is why the chairman haphazardly subpoenaed today’s witness.”

Disingenuous horse shit.  Rep. Collins is reminded Mueller laid out ten obstruction of justice examples Congress should investigate vis a vis impeachment.  The only reason why charges were not brought by Special Counsel was due to a 'Justice' Department ruling a president is above the law at least while in office, cannot be indicted.

"Nadler, in a letter to McGahn Monday evening, argued that the former White House counsel isn't shielded from testifying about the episode of obstruction detailed in the Mueller report, and said the White House counsel did not formally invoke executive privilege. He warned McGahn against skipping Tuesday's hearing, and said the committee would "use all enforcement mechanisms at its disposal," later telling reporters that the committee would move to hold him in contempt of Congress in the coming weeks. Some Democrats have bristled at McGahn's dismissal of the committee's subpoena, and called for Democratic leaders to launch impeachment proceedings to aid in their investigations."

Why haven't they already done so?  Trump and his henchmen have been stonewalling since Democrats took over the House in January.  Democrats have indeed been all talk, no action since then.  What are they so afraid of?

"There is a tremendous level of frustration at our inability to get witnesses and documents that are necessary to do our work," Rep. David Ciccilline, D-R.I., a member of the committee and Democratic leadership, told reporters Monday. "We are getting to that point if Mr. McGann does not appear it will then establish a pattern from this president to not only have obstructed or attempted to obstruct justice as details in the Mueller Report, but an ongoing effort to prevent the American people from knowing the full truth engaging in a cover up and behaving as if he's above the law," he said."

The 'Justice' Department clearly believes he is above the law while in office.  Precisely, why there is no choice but to impeach.  At least, tie up the nazi and his henchmen for the rest of his term.  So what if he's not convicted in the Republican-owned Senate?  Our country is in crisis.  Time to finally do something about it.  Otherwise, Democrats are just as worthless, achingly useless as their Republican counterparts.  Won't be returned to office.

"The Mueller Report documents a shocking pattern of obstruction of justice," Nadler said in a statement earlier Monday after news of the president's direction to McGahn. "The President acted again and again -- perhaps criminally -- to protect himself from federal law enforcement. "Don McGahn personally witnessed the most egregious of these acts. President Trump knows this. He clearly does not want the American people to hear firsthand about his alleged misconduct, and so he has attempted to block Mr. McGahn from speaking in public tomorrow."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

Trump loses a big one in court vis a vis his financial records.  NPR reports:

"Federal Judge Amit Mehta ruled that an accounting company, Mazars, must comply with a subpoena issued by House Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings, D-Md. Trump had sued to quash that subpoena, arguing that members of Congress had no legitimate legislative purposes that supported their desire to get the documents."

Will likely be appealed by the Trump nazi and his henchmen.  -- Despite the fact oversight is indeed a legitimate function of Congress.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

Trump loses another one in court.  The Washington Post reports:

"A federal judge on Wednesday rejected a request by President Trump to block congressional subpoenas for his banking records, according to the Associated Press, dealing the latest blow to the president in his bid to battle Democratic investigations into his personal finances. The decision in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York could clear the way for Deutsche Bank and Capital One to hand over the president’s financial records to Democrats in the House. Trump’s attorneys could appeal the decision. Attorneys for Trump, his family and the Trump Organization filed for a preliminary injunction earlier this month as part of a lawsuit seeking to block the two institutions from handing over documents to the House Financial Services and Intelligence committees. “There will be no way to unring the bell once the Banks give Congress the requested information,” William S. Consovoy, Patrick Strawbridge and Marc Mukasey wrote. “The Committees will have reviewed confidential documents that this Court may later determine were illegally subpoenaed.” But U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos said Wednesday that Trump’s lawsuit was unlikely to succeed, according to the AP."

Fascinating, isn't it?  ... As the walls close in.

"The ruling comes after a federal judge in Washington on Monday rejected the Trump legal team’s argument in a separate case seeking to block the House Oversight Committee’s demands for records from Trump’s accounting firm, Mazars USA. Trump’s attorneys notified the judge on Tuesday that they have appealed “all aspects” of that ruling."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

Raw nazism.  A dictator out of control.  NPR reports:

"The Trump administration is preparing to add tariffs — or taxes — on virtually everything the U.S. buys from China. But the president offered reassurance that in some cases, waivers will be granted, so Chinese goods can be imported tax-free."

Unabashed favoritism, courtesy of the Trump nazi and his henchmen.

"The administration has offered similar waivers from its steel and aluminum tariffs, putting the Commerce Department in the awkward position of literally picking winners and losers."

Out of control nazi government.

NPR reports:

"The Trump administration will delay tariffs on cars and auto parts imports for six months while it negotiates trade deals with Japan and the European Union, the White House announced Friday. President Trump said that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has concluded "that the present quantities and circumstances of automobile and certain automobile parts imports threaten to impair" national security, giving the president the authority to declare tariffs or quotas. Trump cited the same "Section 232" authority that he used to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum. The administration had set a Saturday deadline to decide whether to impose tariffs on autos over national security concerns. But instead of taking immediate action, the president is calling for new trade agreements to be negotiated."

As usual, talking out both sides his sorry national socialist, nazi ass.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

Trump takes care of those who take care of him.  NPR reports:

"President Trump has granted a pardon to former media mogul and society figure Conrad Black, who was convicted of fraud in 2007. Black is also a friend of the president and frequently praises him in his newspaper columns. Last year, Black published a biography of Trump, titled Donald J. Trump: A President Like No Other.

"In 2007, Black was convicted of obstruction of justice and fraud for illegally pocketing money that should have gone to stockholders. He spent more than three years in prison. During his 2007 trial, Trump had been expected to testify as a witness in Black's defense, before Black's lawyers decided against it. An appeals court later overturned two of the convictions but left two in place, according to The Associated Press. He was deported to Canada upon release in 2012 and barred from returning to the U.S. for 30 years.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

Trump and his henchmen finally get something right.  NPR reports:

"President Trump signed an executive order Wednesday designed to bar U.S. telecommunications networks from using equipment from foreign suppliers, a move apparently targeting Chinese telecom giant Huawei. The order declares a "national emergency" and says that "foreign adversaries are increasingly creating and exploiting vulnerabilities in information and communications technology and services" and committing economic and industrial espionage against the U.S."

Quite true.

"Trump's order directs Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to draft rules to restrict the purchase of information and communications technology from companies "owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of a foreign adversary." A senior administration official says the order is not directed at any particular country or company, but the order appears to be aimed at Chinese telecom manufacturer Huawei. Separately, the Commerce Department reportedly said Wednesday it was adding Huawei to its "Entity List," preventing it from buying components from American companies without U.S. government approval."

Indeed, a wise move.

"The administration says Huawei's technology could become a conduit for snooping or sabotage by the government in Beijing. The U.S. federal government itself is already barred from doing business with Huawei and another Chinese telecom firm, ZTE. The administration has also been discouraging allies from using Huawei equipment as they build out 5G networks."

Europe is making a big mistake continuing to do business with this firm.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

Obstruction of justice.  NBC News reports:

"Former national security adviser Michael Flynn told investigators that people linked to the Trump administration and Congress reached out to him in an effort to interfere in the Russia probe, according to newly unredacted court papers filed Thursday. The court filing from special counsel Robert Mueller is believed to mark the first public acknowledgement that a person connected to Capitol Hill was suspected of engaging in an attempt to impede the investigation into Russian election interference."

Riveting, isn't it?

“The defendant informed the government of multiple instances, both before and after his guilty plea, where either he or his attorneys received communications from persons connected to the Administration or Congress that could’ve affected both his willingness to cooperate and the completeness of that cooperation," says the newly revealed section of a sentencing memo originally filed in December. Flynn even provided a voicemail recording of one such communication, the court papers say. Prosecutors did not identify any of the people who reached out to Flynn, but said the special counsel's office was in some instances "unaware of the outreach until being alerted to it by the defendant."

Truly amazing, isn't it?

"No other details were provided in the filing, but the Mueller report noted that President Donald Trump's personal lawyer left a voicemail message for Flynn in late November 2017 that addressed the possibility of him cooperating with the government. "[I]t wouldn't surprise me if you've gone on to make a deal with ... the government," the attorney said in the voicemail message, according to Mueller. [I]f... there's information that implicates the President, then we've got a national security issue [so] ... we need some kind of heads-up. Just for the sake of protecting all our interests if we can .... [R]emember what we've always said about the President and his feelings toward Flynn and, that still remains." In a separate court filing, Judge Emmet Sullivan ordered federal prosecutors to file a transcript of the voicemail message, as well as transcripts of any other recordings of Flynn including his conversations with Russian officials."

More to come as it becomes available.

The Washington Post reports:

"A federal judge on Thursday ordered that prosecutors make public a transcript of a phone call that former national security adviser Michael Flynn tried hard to hide with a lie: his conversation with a Russian ambassador in late 2016. U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan in Washington ordered the government also to provide a public transcript of a November 2017 voice mail involving Flynn. In that sensitive call, President Trump’s attorney left a message for Flynn’s attorney reminding him of the president’s fondness for Flynn at a time when Flynn was considering cooperating with federal investigators. The transcripts, which the judge ordered be posted on a court website by May 31, would reveal conversations at the center of two major avenues of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. So far they have been disclosed to the public only in fragments in court filings and the Mueller report. Sullivan also ordered that still-redacted portions of the Mueller report that relate to Flynn be given to the court and made public. Sullivan’s orders came very shortly after government prosecutors agreed to release some sealed records in Flynn’s case. The release was in response to a motion filed with the court earlier this year by The Washington Post, which argued that the public deserved to know more about Flynn’s role in key events and cooperation with investigators."

No transparency.  Continues to be a problem.  The public is entitled to this information.  Forget?  Taxpayers are mercilessly looted to pay for all these shenanigans.  Why are they denied access to this information?

"Flynn pleaded guilty in December 2017 to one felony count of making a false statement to FBI investigators about his contact with the ambassador and awaits sentencing. The purpose of the phone calls, and the motives of the callers, have been hotly debated. In the December 2016 call, Flynn urged that the Kremlin not get too riled up about U.S. sanctions that President Barack Obama had just announced against Russia and to give Trump time to take office. That conversation, intercepted by U.S. intelligence, raised grave concerns about Russians’ secret and frequent contact with Trump allies and advisers during the campaign and before his inauguration."

Yet, no collusion?

"In the second conversation, an attorney for Trump tried to learn whether Flynn had any problematic information about the president after Flynn’s attorney signaled his client might begin cooperating with Mueller’s investigators. The attorney was John Dowd, then a private attorney for the president, according to people familiar with the episode. The special counsel was then threatening to charge Flynn with lying to FBI agents about his call to the ambassador. Dowd’s voice mail was scrutinized as Mueller’s investigators probed whether the president engaged in obstruction of justice to try to thwart the probe, and whether he deployed his aides to assist him. In one of the previously redacted filings released Thursday, prosecutors said Flynn described multiple episodes in which “he or his attorneys received communications from persons connected to the Administration or Congress that could have affected both his willingness to cooperate and the completeness of that cooperation.”

Called obstruction.

"In addition to the transcripts, it also is possible that the judge may release the audio recordings of the conversations. In his Thursday order, Sullivan directed that the government provide a copy of those recordings to him in his chambers, along with any other calls Flynn made to the Russians, so he can review them."

About time.  What took so long?

"The Mueller team analyzed the Dowd call to Kelner and other allies’ outreach to Flynn for possible obstruction of justice, but ultimately determined the evidence of Trump’s intent was “inconclusive.” Mueller’s team noted its inquiry was hampered because much of the conduct involved Trump’s legal team, and concerns about attorney-client privilege limited the special counsel’s investigation. Mueller’s team noted in particular that, in November 2017 — after Flynn withdrew from his joint defense agreement with the president — Trump’s “personal counsel,” who was Dowd, left a voice mail for Kelner that urged him to give a “heads up” if they had anything that implicated the president. He added: “Remember what we’ve always said about the President and his feelings toward Flynn.” In a later call, Kelner repeated that he could not share information with Dowd, and Dowd grew indignant and said he believed the president would be very displeased, the report said. Trump seemed particularly eager to convey his affection for Flynn after Flynn left the White House in the wake of reports about his calls with Kislyak. Former White House chief of staff Reince Priebus and the former deputy national security adviser K.T. McFarland told investigators Trump asked them to reach out to Flynn to check on him and tell him to stay strong, according to Mueller’s report."

Obstruction.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

No end to the stonewalling, obstruction of justice to protect our fuhrer, the Trump nazi, his henchmen, and fellow Republicans.  Extends down now even to the State of Texas.  The Washington Times reports:

"Texas is asserting its sovereign immunity against Congress, telling Democrats on two congressional committees this week that the state has no obligation to comply with their investigative demands. Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office says that as a state with sovereign powers under the Constitution, Texas can’t be treated like a federal agency or Cabinet secretary who can be compelled to comply. “Texas does not draw its authority from the United States or the United States Constitution, but from its status as a dual sovereign within the union,” Jeffrey C. Mateer, first assistant attorney general, wrote in a letter Monday to the House Oversight and Reform Committee. Mr. Mateer fired off a similar letter Wednesday to the House Ways and Means Committee rebuffing its attempts, saying the state wouldn’t stand to be treated like a “subdivision of the federal government or a private citizen.” “Granting Congress the power to exercise ‘oversight’ over the constitutional officers of a state engaged in the lawful exercise of that state’s core authority would undermine the fabric of our system of dual sovereignty,” Mr. Mateer wrote. The defiance in some ways tracks that of President Trump, who has said House Democrats’ investigations into the president’s business, family and myriad official actions are harassment. Texas is objecting to Democrats’ requests for documents probing the state’s efforts to clean up its voter rolls, and documents detailing the state’s efforts to protect faith-based adoption and foster care providers against an Obama-era rule about working with same-sex couples. The clash could break new legal ground."

Further proof our formerly great country is transitioning from a de facto fascist police-state since at least 9/11 to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.  ... Hear the rumble?  An unwanted, dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming on an increasing number of issues.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

Delusionally believe racism isn't alive and well in Nazi AmericaThe Washington Post reports:

"For months, a Democratic senator has been asking Trump judicial nominees what appears to be a straightforward question: Was Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark decision that ended legalized school segregation, properly decided? Legal scholars across the ideological spectrum say the answer is clearly yes. Still, more than two dozen nominees have declined to answer the question at a time when many schools remain segregated by race. The standoff has come to resemble a serious game of chicken. If the nominees say Brown was correctly decided, are they obligated to opine on more controversial precedents, in particular Roe v. Wade, which established a woman’s right to abortion? Some nominees say the Democratic senators are not content with statements calling segregation immoral. The other side says the refusal to engage undermines the national consensus around equal protection under the law that underlies Brown. That decision, announced 65 years ago Friday, is widely seen as one of the Supreme Court’s greatest moments, with the court’s unanimity sending a powerful message to a segregated nation."

Clearly, no longer to the racist nazi element now overtaking our formerly great country.

"The matter was especially pronounced in the nomination of Wendy Vitter, who was confirmed Thursday as a federal district judge in Louisiana without the vote of a single Democratic senator. “I don’t mean to be coy, but I think I get into a difficult, difficult area when I start commenting on Supreme Court decisions — which are correctly decided and which I may disagree with,” Vitter said during her confirmation hearing. “If I start commenting on, ‘I agree with this case,’ or ‘don’t agree with this case,’ I think we get into a slippery slope.” “I was stunned by her answer,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), who posed the question, said this week on the Senate floor. “Brown is woven into the fabric of our nation. How could anyone suggest disagreeing with Brown, as she did?”

What national socialist, fascist, nazi would support Brown?

"Blumenthal, who regularly asks Trump district and circuit court nominees about Brown, said he assumes they are acting on orders from the White House not to give an opinion about any case on the books. A Justice Department spokesman replied: “Nominees are not instructed on how to answer any question.” Some conservatives say judicial nominees are right to avoid the question, suspecting that Democrats are trying to force nominees down a politically dangerous path."

No kidding.  Called the truth.  Again, they're not conservatives.  They're fascists.  Forget?  A conservative wants as little government as possible.  A fascist thrives on it.

"Civil rights activists are appalled by the nominees’ refusal to answer the question, saying their reluctance to engage on bedrock civil rights law undermines national consensus that has developed against school segregation. The NAACP opposed Vitter and other nominees who refuse to affirm Brown. The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights sent a letter to senators urging them to vote no on the 27 nominees it counts who have declined to answer the question. The group identified four nominees who endorsed the decision. “The Brown decision ended legalized apartheid in America’s school system, and it set the stage for African-American integration into all facets of American life,” wrote Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

No end to Trump's insanity. The Washington Post reports:

"The barrier that President Trump wants to build along the Mexico border will be a steel bollard fence, not a concrete wall as he long promised, and the president is fine with that. He has a few other things he would like to change, though. The bollards, or “slats,” as he prefers to call them, should be painted “flat black,” a dark hue that would absorb heat in the summer, making the metal too hot for climbers to scale, Trump has recently told White House aides, Homeland Security officials and military engineers. And the tips of the bollards should be pointed, not round, the president insists, describing in graphic terms the potential injuries that border crossers might receive. Trump has said the wall’s current blueprints include too many gates — placed at periodic intervals to allow vehicles and people through — and he wants the openings to be smaller. At a moment when the White House is diverting billions of dollars in military funds to fast-track construction, the president is micromanaging the project down to the smallest design details. But Trump’s frequently shifting instructions and suggestions have left engineers and aides confused, according to current and former administration officials. Trump has demanded Department of Homeland Security officials come to the White House on short notice to discuss wall construction and on several occasions woke former secretary Kirstjen Nielsen to discuss the project in the early morning, officials said."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

No justice in a fascist police-state.  NPR reports:

"Former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning was sent back to jail Thursday after refusing for a second time to comply with a grand jury investigating WikiLeaks and its founder, Julian Assange. "Facing jail again, potentially today, doesn't change my stance," Manning told reporters in Alexandria, Va., before U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga said she was in contempt of court. "I will not cooperate with this or any other grand jury," Manning insisted. "So it doesn't matter what it is or what the case is, I'm just not going to comply or cooperate." Manning said prosecutors had put her in an impossible position despite the Justice Department granting her immunity from self-incrimination. In addition to being held in custody for the duration of the grand jury's investigation or until Manning testifies, the judge ordered her to be fined $500 every day that she is in custody after 30 days and $1,000 every day in custody after 60 days, according to a statement by Manning's lawyers."

Can't get blood out of a stone.

"Moira Meltzer-Cohen, a lawyer representing Manning, spoke of her disappointment. "It is telling that the United States has always been more concerned with the disclosure of those [leaked] documents than with their damning substance," she told reporters."

Quite true.  Release of these documents was heroic.  Exposed the United States government for what it has become.

"She went on to say that the Trump administration was "obsessed with unwinding Obama's legacy, from health care to Chelsea's commutation."

Great truth to that as well.  As we transition from  a de facto fascist police-state since at least 9/11 to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

"Manning was released last week after a grand jury's term expired. She was in jail for more than 60 days and 28 of them were spent in solitary confinement conditions, according to her lawyers. But her freedom was short-lived. Prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Virginia quickly issued another subpoena for her to appear before a different grand jury panel "for [the] same questions," according to a tweet posted on her account last week."

Carefully consider the achingly clueless Aryan arrogance of a nazi government prosecutor:

"U.S. Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger told reporters on Thursday that prosecutors had "bent over backwards" to meet Manning's medical needs and schedule in the hopes of receiving her testimony. "The only thing that is being asked of her is to come answer questions truthfully," he said. "As someone who received the incredible gift of a commutation, who is literally given 28 years of her life back, she now refuses to simply answer questions as part of our constitutional criminal justice process."

What a f--king crock of shit.  This woman provided a public service at tremendous personal cost.  Under different circumstances and at a time when liberty was still treasured in our formerly great country, this heroic woman would have been awarded a medal for her courage.  When the current fiasco is finally resolved, time for Manning to consider leaving this country.  In a fascist police-state, she'll never be left alone.  Will never be truly free.

ABC News reports:

"Manning gained prominence when she was sentenced to 35 years in prison in 2013 for the unauthorized disclosure of classified materials made public by WikiLeaks in 2010. Her sentence was commuted by President Barack Obama in 2017. “In 2010, Chelsea took a principled decision to let the world see the true nature of modern asymmetric warfare,” Moira Meltzer-Cohen, an attorney for Manning, said Thursday. “It is telling that the U.S. has always been concerned with the disclosure of those documents than their damning substance.” Assange was indicted in April on a computer hacking charge for his role [in] Manning’s disclosure of those documents, a scheme the government called "one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of the United States." Assange remains in Great Britain, where he is fighting extradition to the United States to face charges."

The United States government doesn't tolerate having its dirty laundry exposed for all to see.  Always hell to pay.  Thank God there are still those willing to place principle ahead of personal interests to expose this shit for what it is.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

While Manning gets summarily jailed, consider the fact former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt, despite mercilessly looting taxpayers, continues to get let off the hook.  NPR reports:

"Scott Pruitt, the former head of the Environmental Protection Agency, and his staff spent roughly $124,000 in excessive travel costs during a ten-month period, according to a new report from EPA's internal watchdog. Pruitt, who resigned from EPA almost a year ago amidst a litany of ethics allegations, and his personal security detail flew in first or business class "without sufficient justification and, initially without appropriate approval authority," the report says."

Then why the hell wasn't he prosecuted?  Amounts to legalized theft.

"The EPA's Office of the Inspector General recommended that the agency consider recovering the estimated $123,942 in excessive costs."

You think?  The EPA, however, remains too damned corrupt to do the right thing:

"In a statement, the EPA says it believes that it complied with federal travel regulations, "making cost recovery inappropriate."

Legalized theft.  No equal justice.  -- One for the top of the food chain, the other for the rest of us.

"The audit reviewed 40 trips, including six canceled ones, that Pruitt planned or took in 2017. Nearly half of those trips stopped in, or were to, Tulsa, Okla., where Pruitt maintained a personal residence while he was the nation's top environmental steward. The report found "missing detailed support" for some of those trips. The travel during that ten-month period cost taxpayers almost $1 million. Pruitt's 24-hour security detail ate up most of that money. In a previous audit, EPA's inspector general found that the agency spent twice as much protecting Pruitt as it did his predecessor. The EPA and Pruitt, who now works as a consultant for coal companies, said those protections were necessary because of personal threats against the former-administrator."

Crock of shit.  Legalized theft:

"During his 16-month stint as head of the EPA, Pruitt's security costs, travel and other actions drew criticism from his predecessors, Democrats, environmental groups and even some Republican lawmakers. The EPA's inspector general says the office received numerous congressional requests and hotline complaints about Pruitt's travel. The new report came as a result of those. In addition to first-class travel, the audit found that lodging expenses exceeded per diem limits during some of Pruitt's travel as well. There was also inaccurate or incomplete reports for international travel."

Imagine that.  Not the only one:

"Pruitt is not the first member of the Trump administration to be questioned about his travel on the taxpayer dime. Tom Price, the former head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, broke federal rules on using chartered and military planes for government travel. Price resigned amidst controversy over that, as President Trump complained that he "didn't like the optics" of using taxpayer-funded charter flights. A report by the Interior Department's inspector general found that former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke violated the agency's travel policy by having his wife travel with him in government vehicles. The EPA's watchdog says that actions are needed to strengthen controls over travel at the agency to "prevent fraud, waste and abuse."

Despite all the above, nothing is done.  Yet, government remains more than willing to stick it hard up the ass of those who courageously expose this government for what it has become.  Anything wrong with this picture?  Anything at all?

Moreover, who are the real traitors here?  Those who loot the system?  Or, those who expose it for what it has become.  Seems we've gotten it ass backwards, doesn't it?  Wake up.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

Delusionally, think Trump, his henchmen, and fellow Republicans are indeed the party of the family?  Consider the following.  NBC News reports:

"The Trump administration has identified at least 1,712 migrant children it may have separated from their parents in addition to those separated under the “zero tolerance” policy, according to court transcripts of a Friday hearing. U.S. District Court Judge Dana Sabraw ordered the Trump administration to identify children separated before the zero tolerance policy went into effect in May 2018, resulting in the separation of over 2,800 children. Sabraw previously ordered those migrant families to be reunited, but the additional children were identified more recently when the Inspector General for Health and Human Services estimated “thousands more” may have been separated before the policy was officially underway."

Where is the outrage of national socialist, fascist, nazi Republicans who falsely claim to be the party of the family?  Where?

"Other potentially separated migrant children could still be identified. The government has reviewed the files of 4,108 children out of 50,000 so far. Sabraw gave the Trump administration six months to complete the task of combing through nearly 50,000 records to locate additional separated children. The effort to identify additional separated children is an inter-agency process, with HHS first flagging and then sending records of children it suspects were separated to the Department of Homeland Security for further review. The list of 1,712 children was sent to Customs and Border Protection for the “next phase of review,” said Commander Jonathan White, the Trump administration official who spearheaded the reunification of children separated during zero tolerance, as well as the current effort. White said the identification process started with the children most likely to have been separated, but their findings are not conclusive."

Why not?  What the f--k is going on here?  More Trump nazi duplicitous bullshit?

“I do anticipate that because we were very inclusive we will discover that many of those are false positives after CBP looks at them,” he said."

More duplicitous Catch-22 bullshit promulgated by hypocritical nazis in the Republican Party?  Where the hell are the Democrats?  All talk.  No action.

"White had said the process to identify the additional separated children could take years, but during the status hearing Friday said “we have exceeded my projections on how fast” his team was able to review the thousands of files."

How the hell could this take years to resolve when the f--k up happened nearly overnight?  These bastards are clearly lying.

"Lee Gelernt, the lead ACLU lawyer in the separations case, said in a statement that “the government has indicated that it has already found preliminary indications of 1700 more separated families, on top of the more than 3000 separated families already reported. "If the final number turns out to anywhere near 1700, that’s a lot of additional hardship and a lot of work for us to do locating these families.”

Why the hell isn't the government paying the cost of this?  What the f--k is going on here?

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

One Republican finally willing to courageously stand up to the Trump nazi.  Who'd 'a 'thunk' it?  ABC News reports:

"Rep. Justin Amash has become the first congressional Republican to call for the president's impeachment based on special counsel Robert Mueller’s report. The self-identifying libertarian Republican and frequent Trump critic shared his "principal conclusions" on Saturday, including his assertion that "President Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct" in a Twitter thread on Saturday after reading the full redacted report.

    "Here are my principal conclusions:
    1. Attorney General Barr has deliberately misrepresented Mueller’s report.
    2. President Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct.
    3. Partisanship has eroded our system of checks and balances.
    4. Few members of Congress have read the report.
    — Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 18, 2019"

Amazing, isn't it?  About time.  What took so long?  Why no others?  No honor?

"Amash said that the 448-page report "identifies multiple examples" of the president's conduct "satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice."

Certainly, does.  No question.  Had it not been for a 'Justice' Department ruling that a sitting president cannot be prosecuted, that is, remains above the law while in office, the Trump nazi would have been indicted by Mueller.

Certainly, rattled 'The Donald's' cage:

"President Trump responded in a tweet Sunday, saying he was "never a fan" of Amash.

"A total lightweight who opposes me and some our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there through controversy," he tweeted. The president went on to call Amash a "loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands!"

    ....he would see that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTION...Anyway, how do you Obstruct when there is no crime and, in fact, the crimes were committed by the other side? Justin is a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands!
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019"

That's unadulterated horse shit.  ... Can't dazzle 'em with brilliance, baffle 'em with bullshit,  Donny boy?  Trump lied.  Forget?  Mueller listed example after example of obstruction of justice that Congress needed to look into.  -- Ten of them altogether.

"The chairwoman of the Republican National Committee said Amash was "parroting the Democrats' talking points on Russia."

More bullshit.  Unadulterated.  Not only are Democrats critical of the Trump nazi, so are an increasing number of Independents.  Think Americans so stupid they don't know a congenital liar when they see one?

"The only people still fixated on the Russia collusion hoax are political foes of President Trump hoping to defeat him in 2020 by any desperate means possible," said the chairwoman, Ronna McDaniel, said in a statement. "Voters in Amash’s district strongly support this President, and would rather their Congressman work to support the President's policies that have brought jobs, increased wages and made life better for Americans."

More horse shit.  Trump has indeed benefited the top of the food chain while targeting the bottom and middle class.  Gap between rich and poor greatest ever.  ... Hear the rumble?  An unwanted, dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming on this, and many, many other issues.

"In his lengthy post, Amash stated that partisanship is getting in the way of our system's checks and balances. "When loyalty to a political party or to an individual trumps loyalty to the Constitution, the Rule of Law -- the foundation of liberty -- crumbles," he said.

    "Our system of checks and balances relies on each branch’s jealously guarding its powers and upholding its duties under our Constitution. When loyalty to a political party or to an individual trumps loyalty to the Constitution, the Rule of Law—the foundation of liberty—crumbles.
    — Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 18, 2019"

Indeed.  No question.  Worst, yet to come.

"Amash has frequently been one of the few Republicans willing to call out Trump when he feels the president has crossed the line."

Takes great courage to do so.  Nearly unheard of since the Nixon fiasco decades ago.

"Amash was one of 13 Republicans to vote with Democrats against Trump’s national emergency to fund the border wall. Amash also took a different approach than his fellow Republicans in his questioning of former Trump attorney Michael Cohen. He asked Cohen softer, open questions instead of trying to delegitimize Cohen’s testimony and criticize Democrats."

Uncommon Valor.  Hopefully, more will follow his lead.

"Another one of Amash's primary conclusions from the redacted report was that Attorney General Bill Barr "deliberately misrepresented" Mueller's findings."

Certainly did.  To be expected from a bought and paid for shill.  Precisely, why Trump nominated him.  Knew precisely what he would get.  Barr had made it unmistakably clear in writing prior to the nomination.

"It is clear that Barr intended to mislead the public about Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s analysis and findings," Amash wrote.

    "In comparing Barr’s principal conclusions, congressional testimony, and other statements to Mueller’s report, it is clear that Barr intended to mislead the public about Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s analysis and findings.
    — Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 18, 2019"

Certainly, did.  Demonstrably so.

"Barr said he had determined that a case for obstruction was not warranted. In his statement to lawmakers, Barr underscored that the report stated that “while this report does not conclude that the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him." Amash has said as recently as last month that he hasn't ruled out seeking the Libertarian nomination for presidency in 2020."

Fascinating turn of events, isn't it?

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

More of the same.  All talk.  No action.  NBC News reports:

"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Wednesday that President Donald Trump is engaged in a cover-up as he and his administration have blocked Congress from obtaining testimony and documents for their investigations. "We do believe that it’s important to follow the facts. We believe that no one is above the law, including the president of the United States. And we believe that the president of the United States is engaged in a cover-up," Pelosi said after a closed-door caucus meeting with House Democrats to discuss their efforts to conduct oversight and investigations of the Trump administration. Her comments come as calls by Democrats to open an impeachment inquiry grow louder. Nearly a dozen out of the 24 Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee — which has the power to conduct impeachment proceedings — have voiced support for opening an inquiry."

Democrats continue to do nothing but talk.  Empty rhetoric.

"Most of them have only come out in favor of initiating one since Monday, coming in the wake of Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., backing impeachment proceedings over the weekend. Many Democrats have grown increasingly frustrated with the president and his administration with their efforts to defy multiple congressional subpoenas for testimony and requested documents, and those who are not yet on the impeachment train said the administration’s obstruction could soon get them on board. “President Trump and his Administration have obstructed justice over and over again, leaving us no choice: we must open an impeachment inquiry into the President of the United States,” Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., tweeted as part of a threaded statement Tuesday evening. “It is the right time for the committee to launch a formal impeachment inquiry – in parallel with ongoing oversight – to give the American people the truth.” Democrats who don’t sit on the Judiciary Committee also came out in support of opening an inquiry Tuesday, including Rep. Kathleen Rice, D-N.Y., a frequent Pelosi critic. “For over two years the President has systematically dismantled our democracy and defied the rule of law. This cannot stand. Congress has a moral obligation to put our politics aside and take action. We need to start impeachment proceedings. The President is not above the law,” she tweeted Tuesday evening."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

What webs we weave. The Washington Post reports:

"A confidential Internal Revenue Service legal memo says tax returns must be given to Congress unless the president takes the rare step of asserting executive privilege, according to a copy of the memo obtained by The Washington Post. The memo contradicts the Trump administration’s justification for denying lawmakers’ request for President Trump’s tax returns, exposing fissures in the executive branch. Trump has refused to turn over his tax returns but has not invoked executive privilege. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has instead denied the returns by arguing there is no legislative purpose for demanding them. But according to the IRS memo, which has not been previously reported, the disclosure of tax returns to the committee “is mandatory, requiring the Secretary to disclose returns, and return information, requested by the tax-writing Chairs.” The 10-page document says the law “does not allow the Secretary to exercise discretion in disclosing the information provided the statutory conditions are met” and directly rejects the reason Mnuchin has cited for withholding the information.

"The memo is the first sign of potential dissent within the administration over its approach to the tax returns issue. The IRS said the memo, titled “Congressional Access to Returns and Return Information,” was a draft document written by a lawyer in the Office of Chief Counsel and did not represent the agency’s “official position.” The memo is stamped “DRAFT,” it is not signed, and it does not reference Trump."

Fascinating, isn't it?

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

Trump throws tantrum.  NPR reports:

"Negotiations over a potential infrastructure program fizzled on Wednesday as a White House meeting between President Trump and Democrats escalated into blame-trading and political threats — including impeachment. The president was the first to appear after the session in a Rose Garden availability that he used to renew his call for Democrats to abandon investigations into him if they want to negotiate over improving the nation's roads and bridges or other legislation. "I told the Democrats ... I want to do infrastructure," Trump said. "I'd be really good at that. It's what I do. But we can't do it under these circumstances. Get these phony investigations over with." The president appeared behind a lectern that had been decorated with placards including details about special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation and Trump's leitmotif: "No collusion. No obstruction." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., appeared on Capitol Hill shortly after Trump's press conference. In their telling, Trump was never serious about an infrastructure program. The president had no proposal for how to finance billions of dollars in new spending, Schumer said. He described a setup inside the White House that Schumer said showed that Trump had decided beforehand that he wasn't going to negotiate, but instead simply tell Democrats no and then walk out to talk to reporters. "There were investigations going on three weeks ago when we met — and he still met with us," Schumer said. "Now that he was forced to say how he would pay for it, he had to run away. And he came up with this pre-planned response."

Clearly, Trump is growing increasingly desperate:

"A source familiar with the discussion later described it in more detail. Trump came into the Cabinet Room at the White House and neither shook hands with the congressional guests nor sat in his seat. He spoke for about three minutes, telling the Democrats that he would only discuss infrastructure once their investigations were over. There won't be "two tracks," Trump said, according to the source — in other words, Democratic members of Congress cannot both investigate and also negotiate with Trump on legislation, he said. Trump left the room before any of the members of Congress could speak, the source said. Pelosi later used a public appearance elsewhere in Washington to describe the White House meeting as "very strange" and warn that Trump's continued efforts to frustrate congressional investigations could lead the House to initiate impeachment proceedings. "In plain sight, this president is obstructing justice and is engaged in a cover-up," she said. "And that could be an impeachable offense."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

Nazi Alabama will certainly pay a high price for its deliberate attack on the right to abortion.  NBC News reports:

"The phones began ringing at the clinic not long after the Alabama governor signed a bill that would ban nearly all abortions in the state, including in cases of rape and incest. The desperate women calling the POWER House, home of Montgomery’s only abortion clinic, all wanted to know the same thing. “They’re asking: ‘Can we still come in? Are you still open?’” said volunteer Bianca Cameron-Schwiesow. “They’re in a panic and they’re scared. And we say that is fine, you can still come in, because they don’t realize that this is going to stay open for the next six months.” If not longer. The law is supposed to go into effect in six months, but likely legal challenges from the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood mean it could be years before the controversial Alabama law is enforced, experts have said. “They are still terrified though,” said Margot Heartline, who also volunteers at POWER (People Organizing for Women’s Empowerment and Rights). They fear “they’re going to be thrown in jail if they go to a clinic.” Cameron-Schwiesow said the message they want to get across is that women seeking abortions still have a safe place to go and so do the doctors who serve them. “We are here for the patients, to protect them,” she said. “We try to cover them as much as we can. We are there to comfort and make sure they feel safe and secure, and we’re also here for the doctors to make sure they are safe as well, too.”

Raw nazism.  Republican nazis in our formerly great country delusionally believe they own your uterus, ladies.  Do they?

"Alabama legislators passed the bill after denying an amendment that would have made exemptions in cases of rape or incest. The bill’s sponsor, House Rep. Terri Collins, R-Ala., told NBC News on Tuesday that legislators wanted to keep the language streamlined specifically to address the language in Roe v. Wade, and hopefully revisit the question on whether a fetus in the womb can be considered a person."

Raw nazism.  The bastards responsible for this are not conservatives.  They're fascists.  A conservative wants as little government as possible.  A fascist thrives on it.

"Kathy Vincent, however, said she was adamantly opposed to this law. “I’m horrified that it passed and I’m concerned about what it does for the image of the state of Alabama,” Vincent said. “It was blatantly an attempt to get the Supreme Court to overturn Roe V. Wade, which would be a travesty in the country.” “In their hearts, there are a lot of women who know that this is a very backwards step for women’s rights,” she added. Vincent's husband, Paul, said the legal fight over this law is going to cost Alabama a bundle. “We’re going to violate the Constitution, and the taxpayers end up paying for it,” he said."

Hear the rumble?  An unwanted, dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looms on this,  and many, many other issues as our formerly great country transitions from a de facto fascist police-state since at least 9/11 to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

'Don't do as I do, do as I say,' right, Sen. Cruz?  The Washington Times reports:

"Sen. Ted Cruz issued a tweet Monday blasting “vicious” and “angry” actor Jim Carrey for posting a cartoon of Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey being aborted."

Hey, Teddy?  Wake up.  What is indeed 'vicious' and 'angry' is you GOP national socialists, fascists, nazis denying a woman the right to do with HER uterus as she damn well pleases.  Who the hell are you bona fide fascists to impose your perverse religious views on others?  Direct violation of the First Amendment Establishment Clause, church-state separation, that is, freedom from religion.

“This is not OK,” Mr. Cruz wrote. “Today’s Left: vicious, angry & consumed by hate. Instead of insults & dehumanizing rage, we should return to civility."

Jesus Christ.  Give me a break.  Kettle calling the pot black.  Goddamned hypocrisy.  Look in the mirror, you clueless piece of crap.

“I disagree w/ Carrey’s politics, but believe we should respect his humanity nonetheless. I wish he could reciprocate. #LoveIsStrongerThanHate,” the Republican senator added."

What a crock of shit.  Unadulterated.  You nazis present an exigent threat to all civil and constitutional rights and liberties, then expect no blowback?  Wake up.  ... So afraid of ferocious dissent, you or one of your henchmen took this publication off your mailing list months ago?  LOL.

"Mr. Carrey, a comedic actor turned artist and political activist, tweeted a cartoon on Saturday that envisioned Ms. Ivey, a Republican, as a fetus giving a thumbs up as she’s being aborted.  The “Ace Ventura” star added, “I think If you’re going to terminate a pregnancy, it should be done sometime before the fetus becomes Governor of Alabama.”

Have no appreciation of satire, Senator?  What are you and others who think like you so afraid of?  The truth?

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-24-19

When did we lose ourselves?  NBC News reports:

"Coaches and athletic administrators at Ohio State University knew for two decades that Dr. Richard Strauss was molesting male athletes but failed to sound the alarm or stop him, a long-awaited independent investigation into the scandal revealed Friday. “Students openly discussed Strauss’ examination methods or complained about his loitering presence in the shower and locker room, including in front of coaches and other Athletics Department staff,” the report states. “Many of the students felt that Strauss’ behavior was an ‘open secret,’ as it appeared to them that their coaches, trainers and other team physicians were fully aware of Strauss’ activities, and yet few seemed inclined to do anything to stop it.” Investigators from Perkins Coie, the law firm that was picked to conduct the independent investigation, reported that “Strauss sexually abused at least 177 male student-patients.” “We find that University personnel had knowledge of Strauss’ sexually abusive treatment of male student-patients as early as 1979, but the complaints about Strauss’ conduct were not elevated beyond the Athletics Department of Student Health until 1996,” the report states.

"Strauss, who signed on at Ohio State as an attending physician in September 1978 and served as the team physician in the athletics department from July 1981 to June 1995, died in 2005. In the report, the Perkins Coie investigators thanked Strauss’ family for cooperating with the investigation."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-17-19

Highly reminiscent of our outrageously bought and paid for judiciary, Llano County prosecutors, Sheriff Bill Blackburn and his criminal SS jackbooted bastards in black who continue to egregiously disgrace themselves and the badge, do as they please regardless of the law and Constitution, carefully consider the following.  It's appalling.  Runs against the grain of everything our formerly great country once stood for.  No longer.

The following is a direct, determined, concerted threat to a free press, deliberate abrogation of the First Amendment Freedom of the Press by the criminal jackbooted bastards in blue.  CBS News reports:

"A freelance journalist is vowing to protect his source after San Francisco police raided his home and office while keeping him handcuffed for several hours as part of a criminal investigation, according to a newspaper report. Bryan Carmody told the Los Angeles Times that officers banged on his door Friday and confiscated dozens of personal items including notebooks, his cellphone, computer, hard drives and cameras. A judge signed off on search warrants, which stated officers were investigating "stolen or embezzled" property, the newspaper reported Saturday. Authorities said the raid came during an ongoing probe into who leaked a confidential police report about the Feb. 22 death of San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi. Carmody said investigators had asked him a few weeks earlier to identify the source that provided him with the report. The reporter said he politely declined. While he was shackled, officers got a second warrant to search his newsroom, where police seized a thumb drive, CDs and, inside a safe, the leaked police report about Adachi's death, the Times said."

The journalist did the right thing.  You never, ever, never give up a source. Never.  Rot in jail first.  Then, sue the living shit out of the jackbooted motherf--kers.

"Carmody, 49, said he has not shared the name of his source with anyone, and no markings on the document could be traced to the person who provided it. To Carmody and his attorney, the raid smacks of impropriety and an invasion into the work of a professional reporter. "It's designed to intimidate," said his lawyer, Thomas Burke. "It's essentially the confiscation of a newsroom."

What it is is no more than raw nazism.  A de facto fascist police-state quickly transitioning to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

"CBS San Francisco reports a statement issued Sunday by the Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists "condemns the recent raid by law enforcement of freelance journalist Bryan Carmody, in an apparent attempt to identify the confidential source who provided Carmody with a copy of a police report detailing the circumstances of former San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi's death."

"The affidavits that police used to search Carmody's home were filed under seal, so it's unclear what investigators told the judge to secure the warrants."

Think the jackbooted bastards in blue didn't lie like hell to a 'judge' who gave them precisely what they wanted?

"Carmody is insisting on protecting his source's identity. And he swears he never paid the person for the police report. "No," he told the Times, "not even a cup of coffee." According to an official with the San Francisco Public Defender's office during a Board of Supervisors committee hearing April 18, a freelance photographer allegedly offered a TV news station confidential police information about the death of Adachi in exchange for money, CBS San Francisco reported. "Journalists should consider the motivations of anonymous sources and news organizations should disclose when content has been provided by outside sources, whether paid or not," the SPJ chapter said in its statement. "While there may be legitimate questions on the circumstances surrounding the reporting of Adachi's death, the seizure of any journalist's notes or other reporting materials sets a dangerous precedent."

No question.  It does.  Precisely, why as little information as possible should be saved.  Anything that is saved should be highly encrypted.  No matter what, sources must be protected.  Otherwise, no one will talk, provide information.  Precisely, what the criminal jackbooted bastards in blue and their handlers want and need to f--k the public they allegedly, supposedly 'serve.'

NPR reports:

"San Francisco police raided the home and office of a freelance journalist on Friday, taking a sledgehammer to the gate of his house and seizing his computers, phones and other devices. Their goal: to uncover the source of a leaked police report in the possession of freelance videographer Bryan Carmody. The raids on Carmody's home and office are the latest in a series of events concerning the death of San Francisco public defender Jeff Adachi in February, at age 59. Within hours of Adachi's collapse in a San Franscisco apartment, details from a leaked police investigation into his death were already showing up in news reports, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. A number of the details in the police report were salacious, suggesting that perhaps one or more members of the police department were trying to tarnish the reputation of Adachi, who was known as a police watchdog and fierce advocate for criminal justice reform. In San Francisco, a public defender is an elected position."

A most interesting case.  Get this:

"There were leaks happening all over the place," Carmody recalled to the Los Angeles Times. Carmody told the Chronicle he sold the report to three TV news stations and explained that, as a freelancer, such work was how he generated income. The city's supervisors harshly criticized the police department for the improper leak of the report. Adachi's widow called the release "despicable." The coroner later determined that Adachi died as the result of an accidental overdose of cocaine and alcohol."

Think first priority of these jackbooted assholes wasn't to determine the identity of the officers possibly responsible for leaking this material?

"Carmody says two police officers came to his house two weeks ago and asked him to reveal his source, which he declined to do. Eight to 10 officers showed up at his house on Friday morning, he said, this time with the sledgehammer. To stop the ramrodding, Caramody let them in, and they searched his home and kept him handcuffed for at least six hours. Their search warrant was for "stolen or embezzled" property, the Times reports.

"I'm smart enough not to talk to federal agents, ever," Carmody told The Washington Post. "I just kept saying 'lawyer, lawyer, lawyer.' "

Fifth Amendment-right to remain silent.  Sixth Amendment-right to legal counsel.

"He says the police found the report in a safe, but there were no markings on it to reveal its provenance."

Must have frustrated the jackbooted bastards.

"David Stevenson, a spokesman for the San Francisco police, told the Chronicle that the "search warrant executed today was granted by a judge and conducted as part of a criminal investigation into the leak of the Adachi police report." He called it "one step in the process of investigating a potential case of obstruction of justice along with the illegal distribution of a confidential police report."

Direct violation of the First Amendment Freedom of the Press.

"The FBI told the Times it had two agents present to interview Carmody but did not participate in the search. He was released that afternoon."

Time to sue the living shit out of all involved.

"I don't think it was right to break my door down," Carmody told the Chronicle. "I'm one of the original independent media companies in San Francisco. This is outrageous." He continues to protect the identity of his source."

Uncommon Valor.  Hat's off.

"The raid quickly raised concerns about press freedoms. "It's designed to intimidate," Carmody's lawyer, Thomas Burke, told The Associated Press. "It's essentially the confiscation of a newsroom."

What it is remains no more than raw nazism.  Think Adolf and Benito aren't 'high-fiving' on their fiery perches?

"Burke said that normally journalists would receive a subpoena and then get a lawyer to ensure the proper protections. "So much information has nothing to do with the purpose of their investigation," he said. "If you are looking for one piece of information, that's why you issue a subpoena."

Clearly, no longer in Nazi America.  De facto fascist police-state since 9/11 quickly transitioning to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.  ... Right, Sheriff?  The bastards clearly enjoy busting down doors.  How they get their cookies off.  Insanely, love abusing authority.

"The Freedom of Information Committee of the Society of Professional Journalists' Northern California chapter released a statement condemning the raid, citing California's Shield Law that protects journalists from being held in contempt for refusing to divulge sources or unpublished information. "That this search was carried out weeks after Carmody declined a request from San Francisco police to divulge his sources shows an alarming disregard for the right to gather and report on information," the committee wrote. The group alluded to the notion that news outlets' publishing of the leaked police report didn't necessarily adhere to its ethics guidelines: "The Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics directs: '[D]o not pay for access to news' and says reporters should 'avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.' Journalists should consider the motivations of anonymous sources and news organizations should disclose when content has been provided by outside sources, whether paid or not."

That's right.  No question.

"The group says that in no way justifies the seizure of Carmody's equipment, which he estimated as being worth $30,000 to $40,000. "While there may be legitimate questions on the circumstances surrounding the reporting of Adachi's death, the seizure of any journalist's notes or other reporting materials sets a dangerous precedent," the committee writes. "An attack on the rights of one journalist is an attack on the rights of all journalists."

Quite true.

"Adachi's successor as San Francisco public defender, Manohar Raju, approved of the police department's actions. "All of our criminal justice and City Hall leaders agree that the release of police reports in this fashion is wrong," Raju said in a statement to the Chronicle. "I am pleased that Chief Scott and others (are) keeping their word and working to get to the bottom of it."

Clearly, the new public defender isn't worth a shit.  Deliberately abrogated his oath of office to uphold the United States Constitution.  First Amendment Freedom of the Press.  Placed personal interests ahead of the United States Constitution.

All officers involved in this incident need to be criminally prosecuted.  Not protected and coddled.  How can the law enforcement community be trusted?  No foreign power, no terrorist organization, not even the criminal element presents a greater threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties than the criminal jackbooted bastards in law enforcement.  ... Right, Sheriff?  Madam County Attorney?  "Sonny Boy?"

These are extremely dangerous times for our formerly great country.  ... Hear the rumble?  An unwanted dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming.  -- As our legislators and other government officials figuratively 'fiddle while Rome burns.'

Not good enough.  Nowhere near.  Short of an unwanted dreaded second American revolution, only one way for these atrocities to end.  Time for a new federal agency whose sole function would be to investigate, arrest, charge, prosecute corrupt, abusive, criminal officers, prosecutors, and judges in a special court whose sole function would be to adjudicate such cases.  Total independence.

Local  and state authorities are egregiously incapable of handling these cases. Tend to protect their own.  ... Right, Sheriff?  Goes with the territory, doesn't it, Bill?  Precisely, why there is no faith or trust in your criminal jackbooted bastards.  Local authorities here in Nazi Llano County have their heads figuratively, securely lodged so far up their clueless ass their eyeballs are turning inside out.  Protect and coddle your clueless, out of control officers.  Imagine that.

Unadulterated, blatant ongoing horse shit.  ... Right, Bill?  F--k these jackbooted bastards.  Aren't worth a crap.  Continually abrogate their oaths of office to protect and defend the United States Constitution.  ... Right, Sheriff?  Includes not only deputies, but the brass as well.  No principles.  No honor.  Lying, conniving, abusive, murderous jackbooted thieving thugs.  The American Civil Liberties Union needs to step up and represent the victims of abusive law enforcement.

To say nothing of innocent civilians all across our formerly great country who are victimized by abusive police.  Need far better representation than a public defender.  Forget?  It's how the bastards in government line government coffers.  All too often, looting the innocent.  Those on the bottom of the food chain.  ... Right, Sheriff?

No justice.  The American Way.  Nazi America.  When is this shit finally going to end?  All of it.  Wake up, Sheriff.  Again, where is dashcam video of the killing of Jeffrey Gray Wise, 52, of Austin by DPS and the Llano County Sheriff's Office?  One hundred sixty weeks, now.  A goddamned disgrace.

Why are you still sitting on this information?  What are you hiding, Sheriff?  What is the identity of the officers who killed Wise?  Too gutless to release this information to the public that pays your salary and that of your goons?  Reportedly, there were three officers involved in the shooting.  Who the hell are they?

When will the goddamned 'law' 'enforcement' community finally stop making excuses for engaging in outrageous criminal activity including blatant murder, violent assault, sexual assault, theft, drug trafficking, etc.?  List can go on and on.  Protecting its own no matter what it does or doesn't do? Convenient, isn't it, Sheriff?  Again, no foreign power, no terrorist organization, not even the criminal element presents a greater threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties than all branches and levels of government, -- including law enforcement.

Corruption within law enforcement remains an existential threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  So what else is new?  ... Right, Bill?  Same old duplicitous, aggressively stupid shit occurs right here in Nazi Llano County.  ... Doesn't it, Sheriff?

Think it'll change any time soon?  Don't hold your breath, readers.  Not how things work in Nazi America, right, Sheriff?  Highly reminiscent of how your goons operate though, isn't it, Bill?  Forget?  'Stupid is as stupid does.'  F--ked up is f--ked up no matter where, no matter how.  Problem throughout all law enforcement.

Including right here in Nazi Llano County, right, Sheriff?  Too many officers clearly have their heads securely lodged where the sun seldom shines.  Egregious insanity continues to be perpetrated by the criminal jackbooted bastards in blue.  Ongoing issue.  All over our formerly great country.

Not just in Dallas as in the Guyger case, but all over the nation.  No end to it.  Surprised? Why?  In today's increasingly national socialist climate anything goes, right, Bill?  Live in a de facto fascist police-state, quickly transitioning to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.  Certainly, a problem here in Nazi Llano County, isn't it, Sheriff? Your goons, however, aren't held accountable when they egregiously f--k up. Ever.

Precisely why you refuse to release information on your deputies to the long-suffering public?  That is, employment history, criminal background, results of drug testing, etc..  ... Got to protect your criminal jackbooted thugs preying on the citizenry with virtual impunity, right, sir?

Equally pointedly, why hasn't Llano County Deputy Leroy Rodriguez, Badge #764 been held criminally accountable for egregious abuse of power involving denial of property rights to a Kingsland property owner?  To say nothing of consequent resultant physical damage done to a motor home on that property.  Why are you protecting this clueless son of a bitch, Sheriff?

Why hasn't he been prosecuted for official oppression?  Where is financial compensation for the damage this jackbooted piece of human excrement is responsible for? Ferociously pointedly, why are the District Attorney and the County Attorney continuing to protect this jackbooted piece of shit?  He and others like him present an exigent threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.

Equally to the point, why are your jackbooted pieces of human excrement refusing to enforce Berardi's property rights?  Your goons have failed to take action against Theresa Ahrens when she tore down a no trespassing sign and barrier on Berardi's property.  Have you, your goons, and/or Madam County Attorney been bribed by Johnny Greene?

Ahrens frequently drives all the way through Berardi's property.  Coup de grace?  When Berardi complained to Llano County Deputy Idle about the trespassing, the officer's response was insane.  Said the Sheriff told him to tell Berardi since Ahrens believes she owns his property she can't be charged with trespassing.  Perfect Catch-22, right, Sheriff?  You're not fit for office, Bill.  Bribed by Johnny Greene?

Why is Theresa Ahrens allowed by your goons to dictate what vehicles can and cannot be parked on Berardi's property?  Ahrens claims she has proof the property belongs to her where the vehicle was parked.  Has failed to produce it.  Surveyors say otherwise.  Back up Berardi.  Yet, your jackbooted bastards refuse to enforce Berardi's property rights.  Why?  Somebody lining somebody's pockets, Sheriff?

Ms. Ahrens micro-mini portable 'house' is parked on an unused unmarked Llano County road.  Imagine that.  Madam County Attorney well-aware.  Has done nothing.  Shit squat.  Egregiously ignored her oath of office.  Someone bribing you, Becky?  Lining your pockets, Counselor?  Paying you not to sell the unused unmarked County road to Berardi?  Doesn't the County want and need the sale money, to say nothing of the resultant tax income?

No question, County and State agencies remain determinedly, concertedly, achingly incapable of criminal investigation of their own.  Precisely, why a new federal agency desperately needs to be created whose sole function would be to investigate, arrest, charge, prosecute corrupt, abusive, criminal officers, prosecutors, and judges in a special court whose sole function would be to adjudicate only such cases.  Total independence.  Certainly, go a long, long way to cleaning up this cess pool County.  Rein in the outrageously corrupt, abusive, achingly inept, self-serving assholes who run and own this hell hole.

Sheriff, you falsely claim the Kingsland County Commissioner has the authority to resolve this ongoing property rights issue.  Clearly, doesn't.  You, Madam County Attorney, and "Sonny Boy" are certainly an egregious impediment, continue to determinedly stonewall.  Someone's pockets are being lined.  Again, where's financial compensation for the damage Llano County Deputy Leroy Rodriguez, Badge #764 is directly responsible for to the Pace Arrow?  Why hasn't he been prosecuted for this damage, to say nothing of infringement of Berardi's property rights?  -- Just getting started, Sheriff.  Far more to come.

-- You're not doing your jobs, Sheriff.  You've got a loose vicious dog problem in Kingsland, Bill.  When will you and the troops finally do something about this ongoing issue?  Certainly, a recurring problem on Skyline, particularly on occasion at the intersection of Odessa.  Pedestrians, runners, and cyclists are at risk.  Too busy lining County coffers with bogus tickets?

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-17-19

The United States government certainly doesn't like public exposure of its murderous conduct.  Always hell to pay.  NPR reports:

"Federal agents have arrested a former intelligence analyst and charged him with giving classified information to a reporter. The Justice Department says Daniel Everette Hale, 31, of Nashville, Tenn., used his top-secret computer to print out dozens of documents related to counterterrorism operations while working as a contractor for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, or NGA. The instances in question occurred nearly five years ago, according to an indictment unsealed Thursday. Hale first met the reporter in question in April 2013, when he was still in the U.S. Air Force and working for the National Security Agency, according to the court documents. He began sharing information the next year, when he had left the military and was working for defense contractor Leidos at the NGA.

"The indictment does not identify the reporter by name. But it says the reporter made a documentary about the U.S. military's use of drones and was a scheduled speaker at "a Washington, D.C. restaurant/bookstore" on or about April 29, 2013. Those details point to Jeremy Scahill, a founding editor of The Intercept and former reporter for The Nation who wrote the book Dirty Wars, and produced a documentary of the same name, about U.S. drone campaigns and operations in Afghanistan and other countries. On the evening of April 29, 2013, Scahill was the featured speaker at the Busboys and Poets bookstore in Washington. The Intercept also published lengthy investigative stories about America's drone programs on specific dates mentioned in the indictment. The Intercept has not confirmed whether it is the news outlet in question or whether Scahill is the reporter mentioned. But the organization issued a statement about the charges against the "alleged drone strike whistleblower" shortly after news of Hale's arrest emerged."

Here's the issue:

"These documents detailed a secret, unaccountable process for targeting and killing people around the world, including U.S. citizens, through drone strikes," Intercept Editor-in-Chief Betsy Reed said in the statement. "They are of vital public importance, and activity related to their disclosure is protected by the First Amendment." Reed did not mention Hale or Scahill specifically, saying the news site "does not comment on matters relating to the identity of anonymous sources." In an interview with NPR, The Intercept's Jim Risen, its senior national security correspondent and director of First Look Media's Press Freedom Defense Fund, said the indictment is the latest sign that "the Trump administration is targeting aggressive national security reporting at The Intercept" and other media outlets. It's a continuation, Risen said, of a crackdown on leaks that started with the George W. Bush administration after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, continued with the Obama administration and has now been taken to new levels under President Trump. Risen said it amounts to a prolonged effort to criminalize journalism. "This is a new phenomenon in America, and people think it's somehow normal," Risen said. "But it's not normal."

This is information that was classified Top Secret to protect the criminals that executed this criminal activity.  More to come as it becomes available.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-17-19

Love her or hate or, Chelsea Manning is one stand up gal.  More than willing to confront corrupt, abusive, criminal government at great personal expense.  NBC News reports:

"Former Army intelligence officer Chelsea Manning was released from jail on Thursday after months in custody for refusing to testify before a federal grand jury in Virginia looking into the release of documents to Wikileaks. Manning was released now that the grand jury's term has expired. A tweet from Manning's Twitter account announced the news, which the Alexandria Detention Center confirmed to NBC News. Manning has been serving time for civil contempt for 62 days."

For doing the right thing.  Standing up to corrupt, abusive, murderous, criminal government.

"The release may be short lived, however, since federal prosecutors have asked Manning to appear before another grand jury for the same questions as soon as May 16, according to the tweet. U.S. District Judge Claude Hilton told Manning in March that she would remain in federal custody “until she purges or the end of the life of the grand jury."

Over the years, Manning has been more than willing to stand tall at great personal expense.

"A Richmond appellate court in April unanimously denied an appeal by Manning. In a motion arguing for her release, Manning wrote she's refusing to cooperate with the grand jury because it "seeks to undermine the integrity of public discourse with the aim of punishing those who expose ... abuses of power by this government."

Hat's off.  Goddamned f--king right.  You go girl!  F--k the bastards.  If all Americans were courageously willing to stand up against corrupt, abusive, murderous government, all branches, all levels, our formerly great country wouldn't be in the dire straits it now finds itself in.  With far worse yet to come.

"While Manning has been in custody, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange was arrested in London on one count of "conspiracy to commit computer intrusion for agreeing to break a password to a classified U.S. government computer," according to the indictment by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison."

Has yet to be extradited to the United States.  Will have to finish serving prison time in Britain for jumping bail, fleeing to a foreign embassy.  Continues to fight extradition.

"Prosecutors say the password was being sought by Chelsea Manning, who provided Assange with a trove of secret government documents that Wikileaks published in 2010 — "one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of the United States," according to the indictment."

We'll see how much of that is or isn't true when or if Assange is finally extradited.  Until that happens, government claims vis a vis this matter are unresolved.  Must be questioned.  Readers are reminded this is a government that continually fails to hold its corrupt, abusive, criminal goons accountable for their crimes.  Edition after edition of this publication for over twenty years now offers proof positive.

ABC News reports:

"Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison in 2013 for the unauthorized disclosure of classified materials made public by WikiLeaks in 2010, but her sentence was commuted by President Barack Obama in 2017. But in April, federal prosecutors in the United States unsealed a computer hacking indictment against Assange for his role [in] Manning’s disclosure of classified documents, which the government called "one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of the United States."

To courageously expose our government for what it has become.

NPR reports:

"Last month, U.S. District Judge Claude Hilton ruled Manning should stay in jail until she either testifies or a grand jury no longer wants to hear from her. In a statement issued the day before she was taken into custody by U.S. marshals, Manning described prosecutors' questions to her: "All of the substantive questions pertained to my disclosures of information to the public in 2010 — answers I provided in extensive testimony, during my court-martial in 2013." Instead of answering those questions, Manning said, she told the court that she objected to them and would not reply on the grounds that they violated her "First, Fourth, and Sixth Amendment, and other statutory rights." Manning was freed from a military prison in 2017, after former President Barack Obama reduced what had been a 35-year prison term to a sentence of about seven years shortly before he left office."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-17-19

Facial recognition is egregiously abused by the increasingly out of control criminal jackbooted bastards in blue.  NBC News reports:

"The technology-driven revolution in policing is unfolding in big cities and small communities around the country, as more police departments purchase facial recognition software. The government “facial biometrics” market — which includes federal, state and local law enforcement — is expected to soar from $136.9 million in 2018 to $375 million by 2025, according to an estimate by market research firm Grand View Research. Driven by artificial intelligence, facial recognition allows officers to submit images of people’s faces, taken in the field or lifted from photos or video, and instantaneously compare them to photos in government databases — mugshots, jail booking records, driver’s licenses."

The corporate management suite is greedily lining its pockets at the expense of privacy.  To say nothing of flaws in the system that lead to mistaken identity, harassment and worse inflicted on innocent citizens who have committed no crime.

"Unlike DNA evidence, which is costly and can take a laboratory days to produce, facial recognition requires little overhead once a system is installed. The relative ease of operation allows officers to make the technology part of their daily work. Rather than reserve it for serious or high-profile cases, they are using it to solve routine crimes and to quickly identify people they see as suspicious."

Allows, facilitates these jackbooted bastards to get their cookies off abusing the innocent.

The following merely scrapes the surface of the problem:

"But these systems are proliferating amid growing concern that facial recognition remains prone to errors — artificial-intelligence and privacy researchers have found that algorithms behind some systems incorrectly identify women and people with dark skin more frequently than white men — and allows the government to expand surveillance of the public without much oversight. While some agencies have policies on how facial recognition is used, there are few laws or regulations governing what databases the systems can tap into, who is included in those databases, the circumstances in which police can scan people’s photos, how accurate the systems are, and how much the government should share with the public about its use of the technology."

No question.  We live in a goddamned de facto fascist police-state, quickly transitioning to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

If there is nothing to hide, nothing sinister about this shit, why are the jackbooted bastards keeping this abusive technology secret?  Get this:

"Police praise the technology’s power to improve investigations, but many agencies also try to keep their methods secret. In New York, the police department has resisted attempts by defense attorneys and privacy advocates to reveal how its facial recognition system operates. In Jacksonville, Florida, authorities have refused to share details of their facial recognition searches with a man fighting his conviction for selling $50 of crack. Sometimes people arrested with the help of facial recognition aren’t aware that it was used against them. Because police don’t treat facial recognition as evidence for presentation in court, the technique does not often turn up in public documents and has not been the subject of many judicial rulings. Its use, and spread, are difficult to track."

That's goddamned Right Wing Nazi.  Adolf and Benito?  'High-fiving' on their fiery perches.  Out of control jackbooted bastards.  Further proof positive no foreign power, no terrorist organization, not even the criminal element presents a greater threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties than government.  All branches.  All levels.  Including jackbooted law enforcement.  An exigent threat.

"The companies that build the technology are also grappling with the implications of its use. Amazon has given its facial recognition system to police departments to try out, sparking protests from employees, shareholders and artificial intelligence researchers."

Surprised?  Why?  The corporate management suite owns its bought and paid for shills in government.  The taxpaying public is looted, egregiously butt-f--ked by both government and its corporate masters to ultimately pay for this shit.  Wake up.

"Microsoft says it has resisted requests to sell its products to police, and has called for government regulation. Axon, the largest maker of body cameras in the United States, has taken out patents for facial recognition applications but says it is not pursuing them as it consults with an artificial-intelligence ethics board. At the same time, companies are creating even more advanced systems that will allow police to identify people from live video footage, such as body cameras, rather than just still images. It is only a matter of time before such technology is available for police to buy."

Clearly, the worst is yet to come.

"These developments have triggered attempts to curb police use of facial recognition. The cities of Somerville, Massachusetts, and San Francisco and Oakland, California, are considering banning it. So is the state of Massachusetts."

Not good enough.  Nowhere near.  Has to be done nation-wide.  Clearly, won't happen anytime soon.  ... As an unwanted, dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looms over this and many other issues.  ... Hear the rumble?

The following?  Just the tip of the iceberg:

"Civil rights advocates, privacy researchers and criminal defense lawyers warn that the ubiquity of police-run facial recognition systems could cause officers to become overly reliant on a flawed technology and risk wrongful convictions. They say it could trigger an explosion in arrests for petty crimes, exacerbate the criminal justice system’s disproportionate impact on the poor and minorities, and lead to even more routine uses - already deployed in China - such as exposing jaywalkers and people who take toilet paper from public restrooms. “It could have a panopticon effect where you’re worried that the government is always watching out,” said Jake Laperruque, senior counsel at the Project on Government Oversight, a nonprofit that investigates the federal government."

Report goes  on and on.  Wake up.  ... Hear the rumble?

NPR reports:

"San Francisco may become the first U.S. city to ban the use of facial recognition technology by police and city agencies. The city's Board of Supervisors will vote on a measure today, and if it votes in favor, several other cities and states could follow. Governments have used the technology for several years, and the software can assist with efforts to find missing children, for example, or prevent driver's license fraud. But in recent years, technological advances have raised concerns about civil liberties and racial bias. In a study published earlier this year by the MIT Media Lab, researchers found facial analysis software made mistakes when identifying people's gender if they were female or darker-skinned, according to The Verge. San Francisco is expected to approve the anti-surveillance legislation."

Subsequent to the above, the measure overwhelmingly passed.  More on this as it becomes available.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-17-19

Constitutional collision course.  NBC News reports:

"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Thursday that she agrees with a veteran Democratic lawmaker that the country has now entered a "constitutional crisis" — but said she still wants her party to be “methodical” in their investigations of President Donald Trump, rather than rush to launch the impeachment process."

Abject bullshit.  Precisely, why Pelosi is despised by so many.  Including some in her own party.  She's dragging her feet.  Placing partisanship ahead of principle.  Democrats are reminded they've held the House since January.  Republican national socialists, fascists have been stonewalling every step of the way.  Democrats remain all talk.  No action.

“Yes, I do agree with Chairman Nadler, because the administration has decided that they are not going to honor their oath of office,” Pelosi told reporters at her weekly press conference, referring to Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y. Asked how such a crisis is not changing her thinking or calculus on impeachment, the House speaker said that Democrats first have to go through the investigative process to uncover facts and the truth."

If that's the case, then why the hell haven't you long since subpoenaed stonewalling Republicans?  You're dragging your feet.  Not holding the Trump nazi and his henchmen accountable.

“This is very methodical. It’s very Constitution-based, it’s very law-based, it’s very factually based,” she said. “It’s not about pressure — it’s about patriotism.”

Jesus Christ.  Madam Speaker, will you ever be a straight shooter, -- rather than a shameless bullshitter?

"While Democrats are still trying to game out their next steps in the House, they are considering holding a package of contempt votes and sending them to the courts as a single package, according to Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill. Some Democrats have raised the idea of holding former White House counsel Don McGahn, for example, in contempt, for not complying with a subpoena to provide certain documents related to the Mueller investigation to Congress, and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin for rejecting a formal request from the Ways and Means Committee to provide six years of Trump’s tax returns."

What the hell are you waiting for?  You've had months to get up off your ass and do something.  You've done nothing other than talk.

"Pelosi herself — who declined to say when she will hold a House floor vote to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress, which the House Judiciary Committee recommended during a vote Wednesday — confirmed she was considering that approach."

Should have done it within hours of the Committee vote.

“In terms of timing, when we’re ready, we’ll come to the floor,” she said. “There may be some other contempt of Congress issues that we’ll want to do at the same time." She added that Nadler wants to do it as soon as possible "and so do we.”

Doesn't sound like it, Madam Speaker.  Sounds like more unadulterated bullshit.  You're placing partisanship interests ahead of principle.  Fear what happened to the Republicans after the Clinton impeachment fiasco.  Desperately don't want the same happening to Democrats.  That's gutless, Ms. Pelosi.  Empowers the Trump nazi and his henchmen.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-17-19

Trouble in U.S. Supreme Court Republican 'nazi paradise.'  NPR reports:

"Amid controversy and criticism from religious groups on the right and left about their decisions in recent death penalty cases, the U.S. Supreme Court's five-man majority is striking back. The bitter battle over the death penalty continued Monday at the U.S. Supreme Court with the highly unusual release of explanatory statements from the court's conservatives as to why they reached such apparently contradictory decisions in two death cases in February and March. On Feb. 7, the court ruled by a 5-4 vote that Alabama could go ahead with its execution of a Muslim prisoner convicted of murder. The newly energized five-man conservative majority overruled the temporary stay put in place by the lower court because Alabama allowed only a Christian minister in the execution room and refused to allow the condemned man's imam to be present. The decision was widely condemned by religious groups on the left and right, not to mention the blistering dissent from the court's liberals, who called the decision "profoundly wrong." Then, just seven weeks later, the court stayed the execution of a Buddhist Texas death row inmate, who similarly claimed that he was denied the right to have his spiritual adviser in the death chamber. This time only two justices — Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch — noted their dissents. The two apparently conflicting decisions were so puzzling that they left even the lawyers involved in the cases scratching their heads."

Expect anything less from the Republican nazi majority on the Court?

"Then two weeks later, the court was again deeply and emotionally divided in a death case that had the members of the court up late into the pre-dawn hours. Justice Stephen Breyer wrote a dissent for the court's liberals that castigated the conservative majority for refusing to block an execution even after the state had decided it was too late to go forward with it. "To proceed in this way calls into question the basic principles of fairness that should underlie our criminal justice system," Breyer wrote. "To proceed in this matter in the middle of the night without giving all Members of the Court the opportunity for discussion tomorrow morning is, I believe, unfortunate." The case that provoked the late-night fury involved not the spiritual adviser question or the death penalty itself, but the method of execution. Christopher Price, convicted of a brutal murder, wanted to be executed in Alabama by nitrogen gas, instead of lethal injection, which he maintained would cause him severe pain and needless suffering.

"Court refuses to block execution even when Alabama cancels it. But even as all this was taking place, the state of Alabama was throwing in the towel, canceling the execution, in the face of the ongoing litigation. The conservatives on the high court, however, were undaunted. They refused to grant the stay, even though Price's execution had already been temporarily put on hold by the state. And, on Monday of this week, the court refused to grant further review of the case.

"Apparently stung by public criticism of their actions, the court's conservatives released a series of explanatory opinions. In Monday's Price opinion, Justice Thomas, joined by Justices Samuel Alito and Gorsuch, wrote to rebut Justice Breyer's 3 a.m. dissent from April 12. Thomas related the brutal details of Price's crimes and then went on to challenge the 11th Circuit's finding that Alabama could have planned to execute Price by nitrogen gas instead of lethal injection. "Even if all the equipment were available on Amazon.com" as Price alleged, said Thomas, "many details remained unanswered, particularly regarding the actual process of administering the gas and, critically, the safety of the state employees administering it."

"But the ultimate point Thomas wanted to make was that, in his view, Price's lawyers had played the system, deliberately delaying at every turn, in order to prevent the execution from going forward."

Jesus Christ.  Give me a break.  The five Republican nazis were figuratively caught with their pants down.  Their inconsistency glaring, -- for all to see.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-17-19

Think Trump hasn't lost his mind?  Wake up.  ABC News reports:

"President Donald Trump went after former Secretary of State John Kerry again Thursday, calling for the former senator and top U.S. diplomat to be prosecuted for meeting with Iranian leaders and "telling them what to do."

Say what?

"It's an accusation that Kerry strongly denies and that legal scholars question the merits of as well. A source close to Kerry said that he has not talked to Iranian leaders since Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal. Trump's charges against Kerry come as his own administration has heightened tensions with Tehran. U.S. officials said Iran and its proxies were preparing an attack against U.S. forces in Iraq, sending an aircraft carrier strike group to the region and deploying Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Baghdad in a show of force."

Is the Trump nazi determined to start a war in the region?  Trump and his henchmen have refused to provide any evidence of their claims.

"Senior Trump aides met at the White House on Thursday to discuss next steps, with concerns growing about a clash between the two sides. But the president said he was not interested in war with Iran; he wanted to talk to Iranian leaders, but it was Kerry who has blocked that, according to the president. "John Kerry tells them not to call. That's a violation of the Logan Act, and frankly he should be prosecuted on that, but my people don't want to do anything," he said Thursday during a White House announcement on cutting costs for medical expenses."

Because your 'people' know you're nuts.  Out of control.  A congenital liar.

"Trump has repeatedly called for the prosecution of certain political opponents, including Hillary Clinton, Kerry's predecessor at the State Department and a fellow Democratic presidential candidate. But the president made it seem as if he had discussed prosecuting Kerry with some advisers. The White House did not respond to questions about that. "He's talking to Iran and has been -- has many meetings and many phone calls, and he's telling them what to do. That is a total violation of the Logan Act," Trump continued."

Trump is a liar.  An out of control congenital liar.  An embarrassment.  The 'president' presents an exigent threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.

"While Kerry has said publicly that he's spoken to Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif before Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, a source close to him said that he has not talked to Iranian leadership since then. "When he did before then, it was to urge them to stay in the deal," the source said. "And no, of course he has never discouraged a call. He's urged everyone on all sides to talk and use diplomacy."

Love him or hate him, Kerry has always stood tall.  From his days in Vietnam, to his days in 1971 courageously testifying before Congress as a veteran in his combat fatigues, to his long years of service in the United States government.

"Kerry himself denied Trump's accusations through a spokesperson, who told ABC News on Thursday that, in part, "Everything President Trump said today is simply wrong, end of story. He's wrong about the facts, wrong about the law and sadly he's been wrong about how to use diplomacy to keep America safe." The Iranian government also denied contacts with Kerry, with Ambassador Majid Takht Ravanchi telling MSNBC, "This is something new to us, that John Kerry has told us to not talk to the current president or his administration."

Trump is a liar.  The above clear indication of his growing desperation as the walls figuratively close in on him.  A massive failure as president of the United States.

"The law in question -- the Logan Act -- is an arcane statute that has received renewed attention in recent years. Signed into law in 1799, it penalizes private individuals for negotiating or collaborating with foreign governments on issues involving the United States without the federal government's permission. There has only been one indictment under the law -- in 1803 against a Kentucky farmer who wrote an op-ed calling for western states to secede and ally themselves with France -- and the charges were ultimately dropped. No one has ever been prosecuted under the law. It is "unclear whether the federal government does in fact have the power to limit this particular speech and whether the statute is overbroad in its coverage," according to a 2010 article in the Houston Journal of International Law. But throughout the years, politicians have used it to bully opponents, urging prosecution of them for what could be seen as traitorous behavior. Critics argued Trump's first national security adviser Michael Flynn should've been prosecuted for urging Russia to veto a United Nations Security Council resolution on Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories that the Obama administration was going to abstain on and see passed. Russia ultimately voted in favor of the resolution."

NBC News reports:

"As Secretary of State Mike Pompeo appeared to be sounding the drums of war against Iran Thursday, and U.S. warships were steaming toward the region, a reporter asked President Donald Trump if there is a risk of military confrontation. After the requisite caution that “I guess you could say that always,” Trump added, “hopefully, that won’t happen.” Then, in comments that were notably pacific, Trump suggested he would welcome talks with Tehran: “But they should call, and if they do, we’re open to talk to them," he said. "We have no secrets.”

Jesus Christ.  This man is nuts.  Losing ground.  Especially, considering the following:

"It was a striking departure from the rhetoric of his secretary of state and his national security adviser, both of whom have stepped up their warnings that the U.S. would retaliate against Iran for any attack on U.S. interests by Iran’s proxies."

Trump and his henchmen have failed to provide evidence of precisely what they are talking about.  Specifically, what exigent threat is Iran posing?

"For all his bellicosity toward Tehran — including tweeting to its leaders in all-caps last July that they will "SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE" if they threaten the U.S. — Trump has always been ambivalent about the use of force to achieve regime change. In Iran’s case, he appears to believe that crippling sanctions will eventually force its government to accept a tougher nuclear deal than the one negotiated under President Barack Obama."

That's not going to happen.  Conversely, will likely strengthen Iranian resolve.  Worse?  By strangling the Iranians, may leave them no choice but to feel compelled to start a war themselves:

"In fact, the global embargo on Iran’s oil exports the administration is now imposing does threaten to strangle Iran’s economy by cutting off oil purchases even by America’s closest allies. Britain, France and Germany have so far failed to create a workaround to circumvent the U.S. banking system to keep buying Iran’s oil. Reluctantly, they will be forced to stop dealing with Iran if they want continued access to the vastly more important American markets and the U.S. financial system that dominates world trade."

Aggressive stupidity on the part of Trump and his henchmen.  These clueless bastards in Washington play a most dangerous game.

"Iran has unsettled European allies by breaking out of parts of the nuclear deal, and threatening to begin enriching uranium to weapons grade in the coming months. That would leave the multination landmark agreement in tatters."

Why wouldn't they?  After all, Trump has already pulled out of the agreement.  What incentive do they have to do otherwise?

"But the president’s hawkish circle of advisers very well may be underestimating Iran’s resolve and resilience. With the approach of the U.S. election, Tehran may decide to wait out the Trump administration. And while the president seems confident in his powers of persuasion if he were in a room with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, how has “the art of the deal” worked so far with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un?"

Damned good question.  The blowhard narcissist in the Oval Office clearly remains way out of his league.  So do his equally clueless goose stepping henchmen.

"In addition, Iran, unlike North Korea, does not have one-man rule. Rouhani has to answer not only to the supreme leader, the Ayatollah Khamenei, but also the powerful Revolutionary Guard, recently named by the State Department as a terrorist group, the first time an official government organization was so designated."

... Think much of the world doesn't feel precisely the same about the United States?

"Under those conditions, negotiations between the two governments are all but impossible. And Pompeo said last week he does not believe Iran’s government could ever change enough to satisfy the administration."

Tough shit.  Forget? It's their country, not ours.  We don't get to dictate our will to the rest of the world.  Doing so creates wars, carnage, incredible loss of life.

"Trump struck a note of independence from the hawks on Thursday when, asked about reports that he is not entirely satisfied with national security adviser John Bolton’s hard-line advice, said: “He has strong views on things but that’s OK. I actually temper John on things, which is amazing. ... I have John Bolton and I have other people who are a little more dovish and ultimately I make the decision.”

Think Trump and his henchmen do not present an exigent threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties?

"But any so-called doves in the president’s national security team have long since gone, and it is not clear what other points of view may be getting through to the president."

The greater threat is certainly the president's growing insanity, unbridled narcissism, congenital lying.

"The overriding concern for critics is the risk of miscalculation by either side: an increasingly isolated and beleaguered American president and a regime in Tehran that is both hostile toward the U.S. and feels betrayed, having given up its nascent nuclear capability without the promised economic rewards."

Couldn't have said it better.  Precisely, why war in the region seems increasingly inevitable.

"A chorus of Senate Democrats on the foreign relations and armed services committees are now warning that the president’s policy could be risking something he himself might not want: an unnecessary war."

You think?  Yet, Democrats remain achingly out to lunch.  All talk.  No action.

What's good for the goose is certainly not good for the gander, -- so to speak.  Get this.  NBC News reports:

"President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani says he's traveling to Ukraine to urge that country's president-elect to push forward with investigations that he anticipates could help Trump's re-election campaign."

Think this riveting in light of Trump's above call for the prosecution of John Kerry?  LOL.

"We're not meddling in an election, we’re meddling in an investigation, which we have a right to do," Giuliani said in an interview with The New York Times published Thursday. According The Times, Giuliani plans to ask Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian comedian elected to lead the nation in April, to move ahead with probes involving the son of potential Trump rival Joe Biden as well inquiries related to special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 campaign. "There's nothing illegal about it," he told the paper. But, the former New York City mayor allowed in the interview, "Somebody could say it's improper."

No shit.  LOL.

"Democrats quickly did."

For damned good reason, however.  LOL.

“We have come to a very sorry state when it is considered OK for an American politician, never mind an attorney for the president, to go and seek foreign intervention in American politics,” said Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, to reporters Friday."

Precisely, what the Giuliani nazi intends to do for his fuhrer, the Trump nazi.

"Rep. Adam Schiff, chair of the House Intelligence Committee, tweeted that Giuliani's efforts are not only improper, but "immoral, unethical, unpatriotic and, now, standard procedure."

They are.  No longer matters.  Forget?  We now live in an amoral country, that is, without morals.  Both parties.  For totally different reasons.

"Giuliani told The Times Thursday that Trump fully supports his plans."

Bet he does.  How much is he lining your pockets, Rudy?  Equally to the point, Counselor, 'can't dazzle 'em with brilliance, baffle 'em with bullshit?'

We'll see, won't we?  LOL.

NBC News in follow up now reports:

"President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani said Friday that he is no longer planning to travel to Ukraine to urge the president-elect to push forward with investigations that he anticipates could help Trump's re-election campaign. Speaking on Fox News to host Shannon Bream, Giuliani said he believes he faced an unspecified political trap if he proceeded with the much-criticized trip that would have focused on an investigation involving former Vice President Joe Biden, who's running for the Democratic presidential nomination. "I’m not going to go because I think I’m walking into a group of people that are enemies of the president," Giuliani said on Fox News. " ... I think this was a set-up."

Jesus Christ.  Clearly, Rudy baby is about as unstable as his fuhrer, the Trump nazi.  LOL.

CBS News reports:

"Democrats denounced a plan by President Trump's personal attorney to push Ukraine to open investigations that he hopes could benefit Mr. Trump politically, decrying it as an overt attempt to recruit foreign help to influence a U.S. election. But Rudy Giuliani said late Friday he does not plan to go to Ukraine because of concerns about who he would be dealing with there. Giuliani told told Fox News Friday night he was not going to go because he thinks he would be "walking into a group of people that are enemies of the president ... in some cases enemies of the United States."

... Hey, Rudy?  Wake up.  You're stupidly coming off as a fool.  Clueless jackass.

"His comments marked a reversal of his plans to travel to the country, which were first reported by The New York Times on Thursday. He had told the publication he planned to ask Ukraine's new president, Volodymyr Zelensky, to look into the origins of special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, as well as former Vice President Joe Biden's son's past connections to the country. He said it was his right to travel to Ukraine to "defend" his client -- to try to push for investigations that he thinks could be "very helpful" to the president. He used Twitter on Friday to explain his rationale, writing to Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy to "explain to me why Biden shouldn't be investigated" and accused Democrats of "interfering." His statement later on Friday left many unanswered questions about what Giuliani might do about his Ukraine concerns."

Trump handsomely lining your pockets, Counselor?

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-17-19

Think the following isn't highly reminiscent of Adolf Hitler and his Third ReichThe Washington Post reports:

"In the weeks before they were ousted last month, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and top immigration enforcement official Ronald Vitiello challenged a secret White House plan to arrest thousands of parents and children in a blitz operation against migrants in 10 major U.S. cities. According to seven current and former Department of Homeland Security officials, the administration wanted to target the crush of families that had crossed the U.S.-Mexico border after the president’s failed “zero tolerance” prosecution push in early 2018. The ultimate purpose, the officials said, was a show of force to send the message that the United States was going to get tough by swiftly moving to detain and deport recent immigrants — including families with children. The sprawling operation included an effort to fast-track immigration court cases, allowing the government to obtain deportation orders against those who did not show for their hearings — officials said 90 percent of those targeted were found deportable in their absence. The subsequent arrests would have required coordinated raids against parents with children in their homes and neighborhoods. But Vitiello and Nielsen halted it, concerned about a lack of preparation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, the risk of public outrage and worries that it would divert resources from the border. Senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller and ICE Deputy Director Matthew Albence were especially supportive of the plan, officials said, eager to execute dramatic, highly visible mass arrests that they argued would help deter the soaring influx of families. The arrests were planned for New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and the other largest U.S. destinations for Central American migrants. Though some of the cities are considered “sanctuary” jurisdictions with police departments that do not cooperate with ICE, the plan did not single out those locations, officials said. ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations branch had an initial target list of 2,500 adults and children, but the plan, which remains under consideration, was viewed as a first step toward arresting as many as 10,000 migrants. The vast majority of families who have crossed the border in the past 18 months seeking asylum remain in the country, awaiting a court date or in defiance of deportation orders. DHS officials said the objections Vitiello and Nielsen raised regarding the targeted “at large” arrests were mostly operational and logistical and not as a result of ethical concerns about arresting families an immigration judge had ordered to be deported."

Report goes on and on. Above merely scratches the surface.  Nazi America.  Trump's Fourth Reich.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-17-19

The 'President' continues to boldface lie.  Surprised?  ABC News reports:

"On the same morning that the U.S. more than doubled the rate of tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods, President Trump took to Twitter to declare that trade negotiations with China are progressing in a "very congenial manner" and falsely assert that the tariffs are going "directly to the Treasury of the U.S."

Trump is indeed a liar.

    "Talks with China continue in a very congenial manner - there is absolutely no need to rush - as Tariffs are NOW being paid to the United States by China of 25% on 250 Billion Dollars worth of goods & products. These massive payments go directly to the Treasury of the U.S....
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2019

"Experts say the president's claim that revenue from the tariffs flows to the U.S. Treasury is not true, and numerous fact checks, including one this week from FactCheck.Org, and an ABC News fact check from December, have found the same. In reality, most experts say, tariffs essentially amount to a tax on US importers, which in turn pass the cost on to consumers."

That's right.  No question.  We, the people, pay the tariffs.  Trump is egregiously f--king us.  Wake up.

Here's the truth:

"According to the U.S. Trade Representative, there are nearly 6,000 items facing tariffs. The types of goods affected are wide-ranging and include fruit, vegetables, nuts, meat, cosmetics, pet food, building materials, chemicals, natural resources/compounds, electronics, machinery and many other items. Digging in on his warring stance, the president expresses confidence in the efficacy of tariffs and reiterates that he is ready to take the conflict a step further, saying "the process has begun to place additional Tariffs at 25% on the remaining 325 Billion Dollars."

He's doing this at expense of the American people.  The public is being f--ked over.  Wake up.

"The president's tweets expressing his comfort with staying the course in the escalating trade war come as Chinese negotiators are in Washington for two days of direct talks. While the president and his advisers had been expressing optimism in recent weeks that the trade war could be nearing an end as the U.S. and China closed in on a trade deal, the administration moved to impose increased tariffs over the last week following what the administration said was an attempt by China to make changes to the deal that had been negotiated."

Trump is not sticking it to the Chinese.  He's deliberately sticking it to the American public.  You, the taxpayers, will be 'paying the freight.'  F--ked, as usual.  Wake up.

"The White House said talks would continue Friday after negotiators again sat down face-to-face in Washington Thursday evening. "This evening, Ambassador [Robert] Lightizer and [Treasury] Secretary [Steven] Mnuchin met with President Trump to discuss the ongoing trade negotiations with China," White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere said late Thursday. "The Ambassador and Secretary then had a working dinner with Vice Premier Liu He, and agreed to continue discussions tomorrow morning at USTR." China's Ministry of Commerce followed, two minutes after midnight Eastern time, with a statement, saying, "China deeply regrets that it will have to take necessary countermeasures." Trump's top trade negotiators, Lighthizer and Mnuchin, met with their Chinese counterparts for a meeting and working dinner that kicked off at 5 p.m. on Thursday. Initially, a 100-person team from China was expected to travel to the nation's capital on Wednesday, but the Chinese were shaken by Trump's tweets and the talks were delayed by a day. Administration officials were cautious about characterizing the meetings as the high stakes negotiations are still underway, but they are expected to meet again on Friday morning to continue discussions. The meeting comes on the heels of the president unexpectedly announcing plans to raise tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods -- ranging from textiles to chemicals -- from 10% to 25%. China's Commerce Ministry said Wednesday that Beijing will retaliate if the U.S. actually imposes the tariffs. "The escalation of trade friction is not in the interests of the people of the two countries and the people of the world," the ministry said. "The Chinese side deeply regrets that if the US tariff measures are implemented, China will have to take necessary countermeasures."

You, the taxpayers, long-suffering public, are no more than pawns to the Trump nazi and his henchmen. Wake up.

"At a rally in Panama City Beach, Florida, the president accused the Chinese of "cheating our workers and stealing their jobs."

While the Chinese are certainly part of the problem, it is the American corporate management suite that's looting the middle class and bottom of the food chain.  Cheating and laying off workers to line its pockets, those of shareholders.  To say nothing of its bought and paid for government lackeys.  Trump and his henchmen are also certainly a big, big part of the problem.  Not the solution.

"He added, "So they are flying in the vice premier tomorrow is flying in, good man. But they broke the deal, they can't do that." On Thursday, the president told reporters that the United States and China were once "very close to a deal," and then the Chinese began to "re-negotiate." Despite the renewed trade war, the president said he has been in touch with Chinese President Xi Jinping. "Well, he just wrote me a beautiful letter. I just received it," Trump said. "And I’ll probably speak to him by phone."

Think our fuhrer fit for office?  Delusionally believe this clueless abomination has any credibility?  Any at all?

When at first your aggressive stupidity miserably fails, try, try again to ludicrously impose what's far more stupid.  CBS News reports:

"President Trump has escalated U.S. trade tensions with China, threatening to again raise tariffs -- this time on essentially all remaining Chinese imports, CBS News' Nikole Killion reports from the White House. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said on Friday Mr. Trump "ordered us to begin the process of raising tariffs on essentially all remaining imports from China, which are valued at $300 billion." Earlier Friday, the U.S. increased tariffs on approximately $200 billion worth of Chinese goods from 10 percent to 25 percent. The $300 billion in imports Lighthizer mentioned Friday hadn't yet been hit in a yearlong dispute over China's push to challenge American technological dominance, allegedly by stealing technology and forcing U.S. companies to hand over trade secrets. Lighthizer's office will have to get public comment before it can go ahead with the new tariffs."

The 'president' is an idiot.  Has no conception of how tariffs work.  Or, is lying.  Both?

"Mr. Trump said in a tweet this week tariffs "will bring in FAR MORE wealth to our Country than even a phenomenal deal of the traditional kind." However, U.S. importers and companies are likely to bear the cost of the tariffs when goods arrive from China. That would mean higher prices for American consumers, which could eventually weaken the Chinese economy since their goods become more expensive. "You're gonna see U.S. companies and Chinese companies probably being both hurt equally by the tariffs," said Chad Brown, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. "So there's going to be symmetric pain being felt on both sides of the Pacific Ocean."

Trump, his henchmen, and sick sycophants can't, won't be confused by the truth.

NPR reports:

"China is imposing new retaliatory tariffs on $60 billion worth of U.S. goods, days after the Trump administration said it would impose higher tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods. The latest tit-for-tat exchange comes as trade talks have failed to yield a deal. U.S. stock markets plunged on the news, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling by up to 580 points in the first hour of trading Monday. The Nasdaq composite fell by about 3 percent in that same time. China's latest tariffs will take effect on June 1, adding up to 25% to the cost of U.S. goods that are covered by the new policy from China's State Council Customs Tariff Commission. The retaliation had been expected. Discussing the likelihood of China hitting back at U.S. imports over the weekend, Larry Kudlow, Trump's top economic adviser, said, "I reckon they will. We'll see what they come up with."

"Tariffs on Chinese goods increased from 10% to 25% on Friday, making the underlying cost of those items higher for U.S. customers. The Trump administration has imposed tariffs on Chinese goods before, and in each case, China was quick to impose tariffs on U.S. products. Wei Jianguo, a former vice-minister at the Ministry of Commerce who handled foreign trade, told the South China Morning Post that China was prepared for a long trade war. "China will not only act as a kung fu master in response to U.S. tricks, but also as an experienced boxer and can deliver a deadly punch at the end," Wei said. With trade talks between the world's two largest economies in limbo, Chinese stock markets dipped on Monday, and the yuan hit a four-month low. But markets there are still higher than analysts had predicted."

Insane Trump nazi strikes, -- yet again.  NPR reports:

"The Trump administration is preparing a new list of $300 billion worth of Chinese imports that would be hit with tariffs of up to 25%, after China retaliated Monday in the trade war between the world's two largest economies. The U.S. Trade Representative published a list of Chinese goods that would be hit with new duties, ranging from artists' brushes and paint rollers to clocks and watches. The list also includes a wide range of sporting goods, from baseballs to fishing reels. And it dedicates several pages to agricultural products, from livestock to dairy, plants and vegetables. Staples such as rice and tea are on the list. "The proposed product list covers essentially all products not currently covered by action in this investigation," the U.S.T.R. office says. It adds, "The proposed product list excludes pharmaceuticals, certain pharmaceutical inputs, select medical goods, rare earth materials, and critical minerals." The U.S. proposal will enter a public comment period and could take effect some time in late June or July. On Monday, China's State Council Customs Tariff Commission announced it will impose tariffs of up to 25% on $60 billion worth of U.S. goods starting in June, in retaliation for Trump's tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods. The tit-for-tat exchange rattled stock markets, sending the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 2.4%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite fell 3.4%. The dispute is affecting how U.S. companies do business in China, says Jake Parker of the U.S.-China Business Council in Beijing."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-17-19

Think the Trump nazi isn't emulating his forebear?  The Washington Post reports:

"President Trump has effectively taken charge of the nation’s premier Fourth of July celebration in Washington, moving the gargantuan fireworks display from its usual spot on the Mall to be closer to the Potomac River and making tentative plans to address the nation from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, according to top administration officials. The president’s starring role has the potential to turn what has long been a nonpartisan celebration of the nation’s founding into another version of a Trump campaign rally. Officials said it is unclear how much the changes may cost, but the plans have already raised alarms among city officials and some lawmakers about the potential impact of such major alterations to a time-honored and well-organized summer tradition."

Trump's rallies are chillingly, highly reminiscent of those of Adolf Hitler.  Ever watch the old news reels?

"Fireworks on the Mall, which the National Park Service has orchestrated for more than half a century, draw hundreds of thousands of Americans annually and mark one of the highlights of the city’s tourist season. The event has been broadcast live on television since 1947 and since 1981 has been accompanied by a free concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol featuring high-profile musicians and a performance by the National Symphony Orchestra. The new event, to be called “A Salute to America,” will shift the fireworks launch to West Potomac Park, less than a mile southwest of its usual location near the Washington Monument. In addition to a possible address by Trump, the location may feature a second stage of entertainment apart from the performers at the Capitol, officials said. The revised Independence Day celebration is the culmination of two years of attempts by Trump to create a major patriotic event centered on him and his supporters, including failed efforts to mount a military parade modeled on the Bastille Day celebration in France. The new event has become a top priority for new Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, whom Trump tasked with the job three months ago, officials said. The president has received regular briefings on the effort in the Oval Office and has gotten involved in the minutiae of the planning — even discussing whether the fireworks should be launched from a barge in the Potomac River, administration aides said. The president has shown interest in the event that he often does not exhibit for other administration priorities, the aides added."

Imagine that.

"Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), who chairs the House Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, said in an interview that she is concerned that Trump could polarize what is typically a unifying event for Americans. “It’s not about any one president. It’s about how our nation came to be, because of a hardy band of brave men and women,” McCollum said. “It’s not about any one person, it’s about ‘We, the people.’ And if the president moves to make this about him, I think he will find the American public disappointed and angered by it.”

Wake up.  Hitler did the very same.

"Then, this past February, Trump announced on Twitter that Americans should “HOLD THE DATE!” on July 4 for a “Major fireworks display, entertainment and an address by your favorite President, me!”

This man is insane.  An embarrassment.  Presents an exigent threat to a democratic republic.

"Trump’s focus on Independence Day reflects a broader pattern of focusing on the details of projects important to him personally. He grew obsessed, for example, with the renovation of FBI headquarters in Washington, asking for building specs, floor plans and even furniture and carpet schemes, current and former aides said. “He wanted to be the project manager,” said a former senior administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe Oval Office meetings."

Where does the lunatic find the time?  After all, devotes his life to Fox and Twitter.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-17-19

Think the following not obstruction of justice?  CBS News reports:

"The White House asked former White House counsel Don McGahn to publicly state President Trump did not obstruct justice, CBS News has confirmed. A source familiar with the matter told CBS News that White House lawyer Emmet Flood made the request, which McGahn did not comply with. "We did not perceive it as any kind of threat or something sinister," said McGahn's attorney, William Burck. "It was a request, professionally and cordially made." McGahn has told special counsel Robert Mueller's investigators he believed Mr. Trump did not obstruct justice, but has not spoken on it publicly, The New York Times reported."

Apparently, McGahn is desperately walking a tightrope.  Trying to please two masters.

"Mueller's report, though, detailed 10 instances of possible obstruction by Mr. Trump, including by unsuccessfully ordering McGahn to fire Mueller in the summer of 2017. House Democrats want McGahn to testify before Congress, but Mr. Trump has indicated that the White House would try to block the former counsel's appearance, saying McGahn has testified for enough time before the special counsel. "I've had him testifying already for 30 hours and it's really — so I don't think I can let him and then tell everybody else you can't," Mr. Trump said last week in an interview with Fox News."

The Trump nazi and his henchmen don't get to make that judgment.  Forget?  The Legislative Branch is equal to the Executive and Judiciary.  All three, according to the Constitution serve as check and balance on the other.  The Trump nazi, however, considers himself dictator.  The Judiciary will likely ultimately settle this matter one way or the other.  -- As it did the Nixon fiasco.

"House Judiciary chairman Rep. Jerrold Nadler also threatened Tuesday to hold McGahn in contempt if he didn't respond to a congressional subpoena for Mueller's documents."

Can certainly force the issue.  Have the House Sergeant-At-Arms arrest and jail the bastard for contempt.  Formally called, "inherent contempt."  A century old.  To date, however, Democrats have been all talk, no action.

"Democrats are also trying to get Mueller to testify, but have not yet agreed on a date for him to appear. Mr. Trump this week claimed executive privilege over Mueller's entire report and the underlying documents, after Nadler issued a subpoena for the full report, including redacted portions and supporting documents."

Democrats have had since the beginning of January to get their act together in the House.  Have been dragging their feet.  Placed partisanship ahead of principle.  Fear having happen to them what happened to Republicans after the Clinton impeachment decades ago.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-17-19

The following is a glaring example of sick religion.  Raw nazism.  Deliberate encouragement of the violation of the First Amendment Establishment Clause, church-state separation, that is, freedom from religion by the Vice President of the United States.  The Washington Times reports:

"Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday elevated President Trump as a defender of religious freedom and told Liberty University graduates to muscle through criticism from the “secular left” as they live out their Christian faith, saying they’ll “be blessed” for it."

What he is apparently encouraging them to do is force their perverse religious views on others through evisceration of abortion rights, bigotry against the LGBTQ community, etc..

"Speaking to a friendly commencement crowd in Lynchburg, Virginia, Mr. Pence criticized the Obama administration for forcing nuns who care for the elderly to fight birth-control rules in court. And he slammed the “bevy of Hollywood liberals” who’ve promised to boycott Georgia as the state passes strict pro-life legislation."

Tough shit.  A healthcare license is clearly, without question, not a right.  Remains a privilege.  Can't do your job due to religious objections?  Do what's honorable and leave the profession.  Who the hell are you, Mr. Vice President, to force your perverse religious views on the rest of us?  Think you, and others who think like you, own a woman's uterus?  You don't.  Don't want to abort?  Don't.  Don't force your perverse views on those who don't agree.  Any state who denies a woman the right to do as she pleases with HER uterus, needs to be boycotted.  Deserves it.

"He got personal, too, pointing to those who criticized his wife, Karen, for returning to teach at a Christian elementary school that’s been criticized for its stance on homosexuality."

It's homophobic bigotry, Mr. Pence.  Ignorantly, Aryan arrogantly, egregiously, hypocritically most un-Christlike.  Then again, what does a nazi truly know about Christianity, Mr. Pence?

“Some of the loudest voices for tolerance today have little tolerance for traditional Christian beliefs. So as you go about your daily life, just be ready,” he said."

Jesus Christ.  What a crock of shit.  Has nothing to do with traditional Christian beliefs.  Nothing at all.  Where in the Four Gospels did the Head Honcho of your bastardized religion instruct His followers to shit on the LGBTQ community?  On women?  Where?

"The Trump White House has a close connection to Liberty University. The school’s president, Jerry Falwell Jr., is an evangelical leader who strongly supported Mr. Trump on the campaign trail."

Supported the reincarnation of Adolf Hitler.  That ChristlikeChristian?  Think so?  Delusionally believe so?

"Mr. Trump gave his first commencement speech as president to Liberty students in 2017."

Glaring hypocrisy.  Especially, in light of the following and much, much more:

"Critics say it’s rich for Mr. Trump, who’s been married three times and accused of paying hush money to a porn star and a Playboy model to cover up affairs — allegations the president denies —to cast himself as a defender of Christian values. Yet his administration has thrilled conservative evangelicals with his policies."

Called sick religion.

"He’s rolled back Obama-era rules that compelled faith-based nonprofits to insure birth control, drafted policies that support pro-life initiatives — including conscience protections for health workers — and appointed conservative judges."

All in direct violation of the First Amendment Establishment Clause, church-state separation, that is, freedom from religion.  Did so to advance his national socialist, fascist, nazi political agenda.  Yet, his sick sycophants bought his bullshit hook, line, and sinker.  What does that make them?

"Mr. Pence touted those judges at Liberty, and reminded the crowd that “America stands with Israel.”

Those 'judges' are not 'conservative.'  They're fascists.  A conservative wants as little government as possible.  Conversely, a fascist thrives on it.  Not all of us stand with the Israeli aggressor, Mr. Pence.  The aggressor continues to murder innocent Palestinians protesting its Nazi tactics, continues to steal Palestinian land the Israelites rightfully lost generations ago.  This matter has been extensively covered in this publication.  Click on the Israeli Aggressor 1 icon for more.

"He also said students are graduating at a great time, citing the robust jobs market under Mr. Trump’s tenure. “The American economy is soaring,” he said."

For the top of the food chain.  Not the long-sufferiing middle class, -- and certainly not the bottom of the food chain.

"Most of his remarks focused on shifting attitudes in the U.S. “Throughout most of American history, it’s been pretty easy to call yourself a Christian. It didn’t even occur to people that you might be shunned or ridiculed for defending the teachings of the Bible,” he said."

You're not following the teachings of the Bible, Mr. Pence.  You and others who think like you bastardize the Bible to advance your political agenda.  That's precisely why the Nazi Right is increasingly, ferociously opposed.

"He said it’s far harder now, and that students will [be] asked to “bow down to the idols of the popular culture.”

You mean to figures like you and your fuhrer, the Trump nazi?

"Mr. Pence told students to fight, because the administration has their back."

That's frightening, Mr. Pence.  Your fuhrer is a congenital liar, engages in highly questionable business practices to be exceptionally kind, is doing all he can to eviscerate all civil and constitutional rights and liberties in direct violation of his oath of office.  To impose his national socialist, fascist, achingly nazi agenda.  List can go on and on.

“As President Trump said at this very podium two years ago, on our watch, 'No one is ever going to stop you from practicing your faith or from preaching what is in your heart.’ That’s a promise,” he said. “And we will always stand up for the right of Americans to live, to work, and to worship God according to the dictates of their conscience.”

That's not, and never has been an issue, -- or in contention.  It's your Aryan arrogant practice of forcing your perverse religious views on the rest of us by statute, in the courts, etc., that is, and will continue to be, ferociously resisted.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-17-19

Like Vice President Pence, think our fuhrer, the Trump nazi, isn't a homophobic bigot?  NBC News reports:

"President Donald Trump opposes the passage of the Equality Act, a proposed bill that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to federal civil rights law to prevent discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. In a statement shared with NBC News, a senior administration official confirmed the president's opposition, which was first reported by the Washington Blade. “The Trump administration absolutely opposes discrimination of any kind and supports the equal treatment of all," the official stated."

Another boldfaced lie.  Simply untrue.  The opposite is the case.  The following double talk confirms it:

"However, this bill in its current form is filled with poison pills that threaten to undermine parental and conscience rights.”

Translation?  The 'right' to discriminate with impunity as long as it is in 'good conscience.'  Double talk.  Abject bullshit.  Disingenuously promulgated by our fuhrer, the Trump nazi and his henchmen.

"Democrats reintroduced the Equality Act in March, championing the bill as a necessary step to creating a national standard for LGBTQ nondiscrimination. Currently, the legal situation for the LGBTQ community changes dramatically at state borders. In the absence of a national law, at least 20 states have enacted LGBTQ discrimination protections. Residents of those states enjoy many of the Equality Act's protections, but those stop at state borders. An openly LGBTQ person driving from Colorado into Nebraska would find that their right to keep their job, to keep their home and to freely engage in commerce evaporates as soon as they cross the state line. The Equality Act would nationalize the protections enjoyed by LGBTQ people in states such as California and Massachusetts and extend them across the country."

The Republican nazi element in our formerly great country is opposed.  Wants carte blanche to discriminate with impunity.  Diabolically bastardizes religion to 'justify' the unjustifiable.

"Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., a co-sponsor of the legislation and one of only two openly LGBTQ members of the U.S. Senate, expressed disappointment in the president's opposition to the bill."

Would you expect anything less of our nazi fuhrer, Senator?

“No American should be at risk of being fired, evicted from their home or denied services because of who they are or whom they love," Baldwin told NBC News. 'The bipartisan Equality Act will move our country forward and the Trump administration’s opposition to it highlights how important it is to take back the White House in 2020.”

The problem, Senator, is Democrats are all talk, no action.  Lost themselves somewhere along the way.

"Sarah Kate Ellis, the president and CEO of the national LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD, said Trump's opposition to the Equality Act "further cements his administration’s legacy of being the most anti-LGBTQ government in recent memory."

Expect anything less of an up and coming nazi fuhrer highly reminiscent of Adolf Hitler?

“LGBTQ Americans will not forget the President’s politically craven flip-flop on this fair and just legislation," Ellis said in a statement shared with NBC News. In addition to Trump’s campaign promise to support the LGBTQ community, the "flip-flop" Ellis refers to is Trump’s on-record support for a very similar measure in 2000. That year, in an interview with LGBTQ magazine The Advocate, Trump said he liked "the idea of amending the 1964 Civil Rights Act to include a ban of discrimination based on sexual orientation." "It would be simple. It would be straightforward," he said at the time. "Amending the Civil Rights Act would grant the same protection to gay people that we give to other Americans — it’s only fair."

Again, expect anything less of a disingenuous congenital liar?

"However, since the legalization of same-sex marriage and the end of "don’t ask, don’t tell," many Republicans now publicly oppose the Equality Act not because it bans discrimination based on sexual orientation, but because of its provisions banning discrimination based on gender identity."

Raw nazism.  Republican hypocrisy.  Today?  The LGBTQ community, non-whites, liberals, etc..  Tomorrow?  Who's next?

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-17-19

What would you do?  How would you react?  Would you stand up?  Stand tall?  Or, gutlessly acquiesce.  NPR reports:

"Liz O'Sullivan says she struggled for months as she learned more about the military project in which her employer, Clarifai, was participating. On the night of Jan. 16, Liz O'Sullivan sent a letter she'd been working on for weeks. It was directed at her boss, Matt Zeiler, the founder and CEO of Clarifai, a tech company. "The moment before I hit send and then afterwards, my heart, I could just feel it racing," she says. The letter asked: Is our technology going to be used to build weapons? With little government oversight of the tech industry in the U.S., it's tech workers themselves who increasingly are raising these ethical questions."

About time.  What took so long?  No question.  The corporate management suite cannot be trusted to police itself.

"Clarifai was a startup, founded by Zeiler, a young superstar of the tech world. But shortly after O'Sullivan joined, Clarifai got a big break — a government contract, reportedly for millions of dollars. It was all very secretive. At first, the people assigned to work on the project were in a windowless room, with the glass doors covered. O'Sullivan would walk by and wonder: What are they doing in there? Zeiler says the contract required secrecy, but everyone working directly on the project knew what it was about. "We got briefed before even writing a single line of code," he says. "And I also briefed everybody I asked to participate on this project." NPR spoke to one employee who did work directly on the project. That person, who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation, says many of the workers in that room were not entirely clear what this was going to be used for. After all, the technology they were putting together is the same that they had been working on for other projects. In the months that followed, former employees say, information started trickling down. They were working with the Department of Defense. Then, people working on the project got an email that outlined some details. The text included a brief reference to something called Project Maven."

Sound innocuous?  It's not.  Read on:

"The Pentagon told NPR that the project, also called Algorithmic Warfare, was created in April 2017. Its first task was to use computer vision technology for drones in the campaign against ISIS. "This could be more effective than humans, who might miss something or misunderstand something," explains Ben Shneiderman, a computer scientist at the University of Maryland. "The computer vision could be more accurate." Shneiderman had serious ethical concerns about the project. And he wasn't alone. Many people in the tech world were starting to wonder: What will the technology we're building be used for down the road? O'Sullivan says this question began to haunt her too."

As well it should all of us:

"The big fear among tech activists is that will this be used to build autonomous weapons — ones that are programmed to find targets and kill people, without human intervention."

That's insanity.

"The Department of Defense's current policy requires that autonomous weapons "allow commanders and operators to exercise appropriate levels of human judgment." It's a definition many find murky. And last year, tech workers began to ask a lot of questions. "It's a historic moment of the employees rising up in a principled way, an ethical way and saying, we won't do this," Shneiderman says. In 2018, Microsoft employees protested their company's work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. And several thousand employees demanded that Google stop working on Project Maven. Google did not renew its contract with the project. Last June, Clarifai CEO Matt Zeiler also weighed in. In a blog post, he explained why the company was working on a military project. O'Sullivan read that with interest. "You know, the people running these companies are sort of techno-Utopians. And they believe that tech is going to save the world and that we really just have to build everything that we can, and then figure out where the cards fall. But there are a lot of us out here saying, should we be building this at all?"

Imagine the nightmare of completely autonomous weapon systems.  What could happen if a robotic system wound up completely on its own, went rogue, with no human ultimately in control?

"Former Clarifai employees told NPR that at the office, the mood got tense. There were plenty of people who felt comfortable working on Project Maven. Others resented that it had been so secretive. And some just found it morally troubling. As the months went by, O'Sullivan says she realized she couldn't change the direction of the company. So at the beginning of this year, she wrote that letter to Zeiler and sent it to the whole staff. "We have serious concerns about recent events and are beginning to worry about what we are all working so hard to build," she wrote. She went on to ask a bunch of questions. Many of them are the same ones being asked across the tech world today. Are you going to let us know who we're selling our stuff to? Are you going [to] vet how it's used? Do we care if this is used to hurt people?"

Her worst fears and those of others were confirmed:

"A week after she sent that letter, she says Zeiler spoke at a staff meeting. "He did say that our technology was likely to be used for weapons," O'Sullivan says, "and autonomous weapons at that." Zeiler does not deny this. In fact, he says, countries like China, are already doing it. The U.S. needs to step it up. "We're not going to be building missiles, or any kind of stuff like that at Clarifai," he says. "But the technology ... is going to be useful for those. And through partnerships with the DOD and other contractors, I do think it will make its way into autonomous weapons."

Zeiler is clueless.  Apparently, driven by profit motive.  Hasn't considered ultimate possible consequences of autonomous weapons.  Or, simply doesn't care.

"This is where he and O'Sullivan disagree. Should companies like Clarifai, Google and Amazon be involved in military projects? Zeiler says Clarifai's technology will help save American soldiers. "At the end of the day, they're out there to do a mission. And if we can provide the best technology so that they can accurately do their mission, in the worst case, there might be a human life at the other end that they're targeting. But in many cases it might be a weapons cache, [without] any humans around or a bridge, to slow down an enemy threat." And, Zeiler says, it's going to help minimize civilian casualties by improving the accuracy of weapons."

That's the positive side.  Clearly, he hasn't considered the negative.  Or, simply doesn't care.

At least one of his employees stood tall.  Didn't buy the bullshit:

"O'Sullivan wasn't buying that. She quit the day after the staff meeting. She describes herself as a conscientious tech objector. She went on to join a startup that advises companies on how to make trustworthy artificial intelligence. She says she still thinks tech can be really wonderful — or really dangerous. Like playing with magic."

That's right.  A totally autonomous robotic weapon system that cannot be overridden by a human operator immediately should never be built.  The consequences could be catastrophic for humanity.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-17-19

Filmmakers in Georgia stand tall on abortion rights.  CBS News reports:

"Filmmakers are vowing to boycott Georgia after the governor signed a controversial abortion bill into law earlier this week. While many people might not think of Georgia as a booming place for film production, more top-grossing films are produced there than anywhere else in the world, according to the state's website."

Hit the fascist bastards where it truly hurts, -- the pocketbook.  F--k the nazi element in our formerly great country.  Dictating to a woman what she can and cannot do with HER uterus is direct violation of the First Amendment Establishment Clause, church-state separation, that is, freedom from religion.

"At least three prominent production companies said they will no longer shoot their films in the state. Christine Vachon's Killer Films, which is responsible for the Oscar-nominated movie "Carol," and the Oscar-Winning film "Still Alice," will no longer shoot in Georgia," the filmmaker tweeted Thursday.  David Simon said his Blown Deadline Productions will no longer consider the state as a shooting location. Simon is responsible for "The Wire" and HBO's "The Deuce." "Add my company to the list," Neal Dodson of CounterNarrative Films tweeted shortly after Vachon and Simon announced their boycott. Several other people in the film and TV industry praised the production companies, and urged others to follow."

Here, here!  Way to go.  Stand up to this blatant nazism.

    "Killer Films will no longer consider Georgia as a viable shooting location until this ridiculous law is overturned.
    — Christine Vachon (@kvpi) May 9, 2019

    "Can only speak for my production company. Our comparative assessments of locations for upcoming development will pull Georgia off the list until we can be assured the health options and civil liberties of our female colleagues are unimpaired. https://t.co/WTb0tj95zH
    — David Simon (@AoDespair) May 9, 2019

    "Don’t give your business to Georgia. Will you pledge with me not to film anything in Georgia until they reverse this backwards legislation?
    — Mark Duplass (@MarkDuplass) May 9, 2019"

They're courageously putting their money where their principles stand.

"The filmmakers are outraged by the state's "fetal heartbeat bill," which Governor Kemp signed into law Tuesday. The law appears to violate Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that protects a woman's right to an abortion up until when the fetus is viable, which typically happens between 24 and 25 weeks.

"Several states have passed laws restricting abortion access. Georgia, however, is the only state that is now losing a major industry because of it."

Tough shit.  Far more need to courageously stand up to the nazi element in our formerly great country.  Fight this growing cancer.

"The state is attractive to filmmakers because productions shot in Georgia receive a 30% tax credit. Since this tax law was passed in 2008, the state's film industry has taken off. "That's a bit of an understatement, actually. Georgia went from being one of the film locations in the world to being the #1 film location in the world," Georgia's official website reads."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-17-19

What took so long?  Time to figuratively stick it to the nazis opposing abortion rights where it hurts most, -- the bedroom.  LOL.  ... Too bad the rest of us will have to suffer for it.  LOL.  NBC News reports:

"Actress Alyssa Milano ignited social media with a tweet Friday night calling for women to join her in a sex strike to protest strict abortion bans passed by Republican-controlled legislatures."

About time.  LOL.  -- A bird in the hand worth two in the bush?  LOL.  Men are about to find out.  LOL.

"The former star of "Charmed" and "Melrose Place" urged women in her tweet to stop having sex "until we get bodily autonomy back." Her tweet came days after Georgia became the fourth state in the U.S. this year to ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected — about six weeks after a last menstrual period and before many women know they're pregnant. "We need to understand how dire the situation is across the country," Milano told The Associated Press on Saturday. "It's reminding people that we have control over our own bodies and how we use them." She noted that women have historically withheld sex to protest or advocate for political reform. She cited how Iroquois women refused to have sex in the 1600s as a way to stop unregulated warfare. Most recently, she noted that Liberian women used a sex strike in 2003 to demand an end to a long-running civil war."

No stronger incentive than sex, -- or lack thereof.  LOL.

"Milano received support from fans and fellow actress Bette Midler joined her in also calling for a sex strike with her own tweet. But both liberals and conservatives also lampooned her idea, with conservatives praising her for promoting abstinence and liberals saying she was pushing a false narrative that women only have sex as a favor to men. Milano said the criticism didn't bother her and that her tweet was having her desired effect, "which is getting people to talk about the war on women."

It is a war on women.  Republican national socialists, fascists, nazis delusionally believe they own YOUR uterus, ladies.  Do they?

"She said she fears one of the laws could eventually be decided by the conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court, which Republicans hope will overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion."

No question.  Moreover, these assholes are not conservatives.  They're fascists.  Forget?  A conservative wants as little government as possible.  A fascist thrives on it.

"That is absolutely horrifying to me," Milano said. "Anyone who is not completely and totally outraged by this and doesn't see where this is leading, I think is not taking this threat seriously."

Raw nazism.  Direct threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.

"Milano said people have to determine for themselves how long the sex strike should last. For her part, she hasn't decided yet how long she will forgo sex. "I mean I don't know," she said. "I sent a tweet last night I haven't really thought much past that this morning."

Not to worry.  These hopelessly ignorant assholes, ahem, will be literally forced to take 'matters into their own hands,' so to speak, to pleasure themselves. Sans their long-suffering partners.  LOL.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-17-19

The State of Alabama has once again treasonously, traitorously, treacherously disgraced itself.  CBS News reports:

"The Alabama State Senate passed a near-total abortion ban in a 25 to 6 vote on Tuesday night. The legislation provides no exceptions for rape or incest. The bill is the most restrictive anti-abortion measure passed since Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973. The bill now heads to Governor Kay Ivey, a Republican. If she signs it, the bill will become law. Up until Tuesday she has withheld public comment on the legislation. The legislation -- House Bill 314, "Human Life Protection Act" -- bans all abortions in the state except when "abortion is necessary in order to prevent a serious health risk" to the woman, according to the bill's text. It criminalizes the procedure, reclassifying abortion as a Class A felony, punishable by up to 99 years in prison for doctors. Attempted abortions will be reclassified as a Class C penalty. "It's a sad day in Alabama," said Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton in the debate leading up to the vote. "You just said to my daughter, you don't matter, you don't matter in the state of Alabama."

National socialist, fascist, nazi Republicans in Alabama delusionally believe they own your uterus, ladies.  Can dictate to you what you can and cannot do with YOUR uterus.

"After the bill passed, Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth voiced his support for the measure. "With liberal states approving radical late-term and post-birth abortions, Roe must be challenged, and I am proud that Alabama is leading the way," Ainsworth tweeted on Tuesday night."

A raucous, boot clicking, goose stepping, traitorous, treacherous, treasonous Seig Heil!, you nazi son of a bitch.  ... Hear the rumble?  An unwanted, dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming on this, and many, many other issues.

Subsequent to the above, the bill was signed into law.  The court battle begins.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-10-19

Highly reminiscent of our outrageously bought and paid for judiciary, Llano County prosecutors, Sheriff Bill Blackburn and his criminal SS jackbooted bastards in black who continue to egregiously disgrace themselves and the badge, do as they please regardless of the law and Constitution, carefully consider the following.  It's appalling.  Runs against the grain of everything our formerly great country once stood for.  No longer.

Egregious abuse of power.  Gross, concerted invasion of privacy.  NPR reports:

"The American Civil Liberties Union says it has uncovered new evidence that federal border agents are violating the Constitution when they search travelers' electronic devices. The ACLU, along with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, sued the federal government in 2017, alleging that its "warrantless and suspicionless searches" of electronic devices at the U.S. ports of entry violated the First and Fourth amendments. Lawyers now say that, through depositions of border agents, they have learned that the scope of the warrantless searches has expanded far beyond the mere enforcement of immigration and customs laws. Border officers have the authority to search belongings for contraband, or to determine who is admissible into the U.S., the ACLU said. But agents now "claim authority to search travelers' devices for general law enforcement purposes, such as looking for potential evidence of illegal activity beyond violations of immigration and customs laws," plaintiffs wrote. "That claimed authority extends to enforcing 'hundreds' of federal laws, including tax, bankruptcy, environmental, and consumer protection laws. Defendants' asserted purposes for conducting warrantless or suspicionless device searches also include intelligence gathering or advancing pre-existing investigations."

A fascist police-state since 9/11 quickly transitioning to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

"These practices violate the Fourth Amendment's protection against unreasonable search and seizure, the ACLU wrote. They also violate the First Amendment, attorneys said, because people traveling to the U.S. might censor themselves, knowing that a border agent might look through their phone. In a filing this week in the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, the lawyers asked the government to rule in their favor without a trial. "Let's get one thing clear," the ACLU said in a statement. "The government cannot use the pretext of the 'border' to make an end run around the Constitution."

Has been going on quite some time as reported earlier in this publication and elsewhere.

"The government has said its searches are necessary to protect the country."

Horse shit.  Warrantless searches are egregiously unconstitutional.  Our government is out of control.

"The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to an Associated Press request for comment; ICE and CBP said they would not comment on pending litigation."

Surprised?  Why?  No foreign power, no terrorist organization, not even the criminal element presents a greater threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties than government.  All branches.  All levels.  Including all law enforcement.  Founders?  Spinning in their graves.

"The case was filed on behalf of 11 defendants, including a limousine driver, two journalists, and a NASA engineer. Ten of the plaintiffs are U.S. citizens, and one is a lawful permanent resident. Searches of international travelers' electronic devices have spiked in recent years. According to the lawsuit, border officers searched the smartphones and laptops of more than 33,000 international travelers in 2018 — an increase of almost 400% from three years earlier. Those searches, the complaint says, violate the Fourth Amendment's protections against unreasonable search and seizure."

The criminal jackbooted bastards in government have no probable cause, no warrant.  A fascist police-state.

"Border searches of electronic devices intrude deeply on the private lives of all travelers and raise unique concerns for the journalists, lawyers, doctors, and others who carry particularly sensitive information about their news sources, clients, and patients," the attorneys wrote. They argued that the warrantless searches "turn the border into a digital dragnet."

All data needs to be encrypted. Refuse to unencrypt it for the jackbooted bastards.  When denied boarding or entry, sue the living shit out of the criminal sons of bitches and their handlers.  This shit needs to end.  We've lost our country to this human excrement we've gutlessly empowered to f--k us.

"A Customs and Border Protection policy implemented in 2018 permits two kinds of searches: basic and advanced. In a basic search, an officer looks through an electronic device manually. In an advanced search, the officer connects external equipment to the device in order to review and sometimes copy its contents."

Without a warrant, that's egregiously unconstitutional.  The Fourth Amendment requires a warrant, probable cause.  F--k these criminal jackbooted assholes.

"CBP policy allows basic searches without any suspicion of wrongdoing; advanced searches require a "reasonable suspicion of activity in violation of the laws enforced or administered by CBP" or a "national security concern." U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has a similar policy permitting both basic and advanced searches. In a legal filing, the agencies said their searches were "a crucial tool for detecting evidence relating to terrorism and other national security matters" and "can also reveal information about financial and commercial crimes." But those searches go far beyond what the Constitution allows, the ACLU lawsuit argues. "The government cannot use the border to circumvent the Constitution," they wrote."

We gutlessly tolerate this shit.  Consequently, get what we truly deserve.  F--ked.  Founders wouldn't recognize the formerly great nation they created.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-10-19

Highly reminiscent of our outrageously bought and paid for judiciary, Llano County prosecutors, Sheriff Bill Blackburn and his criminal SS jackbooted bastards in black who continue to egregiously disgrace themselves and the badge, do as they please regardless of the law and Constitution, carefully consider the following.  It's appalling.  Runs against the grain of everything our formerly great country once stood for.  No longer.

Think the criminal jackbooted bastards at ICE aren't egregiously out of control?  CBS News reports:

"U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will begin voluntary DNA testing in cases where officials suspect that adults are fraudulently claiming to be parents of children as they cross the U.S.-Mexico border. The decision comes as Homeland Security officials are increasingly concerned about instances of child trafficking as a growing number of Central American families cross the border, straining resources to the breaking point. Border authorities also recently started to increase the biometric data they take from children 13 and younger, including fingerprints, despite privacy concerns and government policy that restricts what can be collected.

"Advocates said they're worried that in the name of stopping fraud, agents might take personal information from children that could be used against them later. But DHS officials said the testing will be destroyed and won't be used as evidence in any criminal case."

This government and its jackbooted goons have no credibility.  How do you know they're lying?  Their lips move.

"Still, Vera Eidelman, staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union ACLU's Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project called the plan "yet another example of the Trump administration seeking to intimidate and deter asylum seekers, adding, "Forced DNA collection is coercive and intrusive, and it raises serious privacy and civil liberties concerns."

Certainly, does.

"The government is clearly interested in learning more than an individual's identity in this instance," she continued. "The government claims it does not plan to store or share the information collected from these intrusive and coercive tests for now, but the fact that it is even building out this surveillance infrastructure — using the pretext of the border — should trouble us all. With other government actors, from local law enforcement agencies to the FBI, also rolling out Rapid DNA systems, it is not hard to imagine a nightmare of a centralized government database."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-10-19

Highly reminiscent of our outrageously bought and paid for judiciary, Llano County prosecutors, Sheriff Bill Blackburn and his criminal SS jackbooted bastards in black who continue to egregiously disgrace themselves and the badge, do as they please regardless of the law and Constitution, carefully consider the following.  It's appalling.  Runs against the grain of everything our formerly great country once stood for.  No longer.

TSA goons continue to get their cookies off at airport screenings.  ABC News reports:

"Iconic singer Diana Ross felt "violated" by a TSA agent at the New Orleans airport, she tweeted on Sunday. Ross was going through security at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport when she said she felt uncomfortable by the way the female TSA agent put her hands between her legs, front and back, she wrote.

    "Its not what was done but how , I am feeling violated - I still feel her hands between my legs, front and back ( saying to me it her job ,) WOW!!really mixed emotions I always like to see the good things but not feeling good right now
    — Ms. Ross (@DianaRoss) May 5, 2019

"Ross described the agent's actions as "over the top," saying that it's "not what was done but how." "Makes me want to cry," Ross wrote."

Apparently, the goon got her cookies off.  Enjoyed herself.

"TSA spokesman Mark Howell told The Associated Press that the agency is investigating Ross' claims but video from the incident indicates that all protocols were followed. He added that the TSA is committed to treating all travelers with respect and courtesy."

How?  By feeling them up?

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-10-19

U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr has betrayed his oath of office.  The Washington Post reports:

"It was one of the most dramatic cases of potential obstruction of justice laid out by federal investigators: President Trump directing the top White House lawyer to seek the removal of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III — and then later pushing him to deny the episode. But Attorney General William P. Barr on Wednesday played down evidence that Trump sought to fire the head of the investigation bearing down on him, emphasizing in testimony before a Senate committee that the president may have had valid reasons for his actions."

Called obstruction of justice.

"It was a surprise recasting of the account of then-White House counsel Donald McGahn, who told investigators that Trump called him twice in June 2017 at home, pressuring him to intervene with the Justice Department to try to get Mueller removed. McGahn told federal investigators that he planned to resign rather than comply. And he said he later refused a demand by Trump that he write a letter denying news accounts of the episode."

Called obstruction of justice.  Had it been Joe Blow up the block, his sorry ass would have been prosecuted.  In Nazi America, the national socialist, fascist dictator occupying the Oval Office is protected, coddled.  Granted carte blanche to do as he pleases.

"In Barr’s telling, however, Trump may have merely been trying to correct media reports he believed were inaccurate. He cited the president’s public explanations of his behavior — even though the president refused to provide testimony about it under oath. And he discounted as weak the case that Trump’s actions were part of a criminal effort to thwart a federal investigation — despite the fact that Mueller said in his report that “substantial evidence” indicated the president was acting to prevent scrutiny of his conduct in the obstruction inquiry."

Like the Trump nazi, Barr is obstructing justice to protect his fuhrer.  Pitiful.  Pathetic.  Un-American.  Right Wing Nazi.

“It would be difficult for the government to prove that beyond a reasonable doubt,” Barr said of the idea that Trump was trying to get McGahn to create a fraudulent record to fend off prosecutors. “There are very plausible alternative explanations.”

There aren't any.  If there were, this son of a bitch and his underlings in the 'Justice' Department would have quickly disclosed them.  Did not.  Wake up.

"Over and over again, the attorney general expressed skepticism about the evidence laid out in the special counsel report, which detailed 10 episodes of possible obstruction by the president. In four cases, Mueller cited “substantial” evidence to support charges. The special counsel declined to offer an assessment of whether Trump’s actions amounted to a crime. But at the end of his 448-page report, Mueller pointedly wrote, “If we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the President clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state.” Mueller had conservatively hewed to a Justice Department opinion that says a sitting president cannot be prosecuted, determining that such a decision meant he also could not accuse Trump of criminal conduct. But legal experts said that the evidence detailed in the special counsel report would normally warrant bringing charges."

That's right.  Barr is deliberately protecting the Trump nazi.  Precisely, why Trump nominated him.

"Jessica Levinson, professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, said Barr’s dismissal of strong evidence of obstruction in the McGahn episodes “strains common sense” and raises concerns that he is acting in bad faith. “For the attorney general to say, ‘There’s no there there,’ is entirely consistent with what he’s been saying, but it is against the explicit findings of the Mueller report,” Levinson said."

That's right.  Blatant malfeasance on the part of Barr.  Again, precisely, why the Trump nazi nominated him.  He knew exactly what he was going to get. Wake up.  Barr, before his nomination, clearly exposed his views of the investigation itself for the Trump nazi to see.

"McGahn’s lawyer, William Burck, declined to comment. Former White House counsel Donald McGahn told investigators that Trump instructed him, “Mueller has to go.” (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)"

That's obstruction of justice.

"Democrats accused Barr of playing down Mueller’s findings and serving as the president’s protector."

That's exactly right.  -- Even the Democrats get something right once in awhile.  LOL.

"Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), a former prosecutor, was among those on the Senate Judiciary Committee who questioned the attorney general’s conclusion that there was no obstruction-of-justice case against the president. “You look at the totality of the evidence,” she said. “That’s what I learned when I was in law school.” “There’s ample evidence on the other side of the ledger,” Barr countered later."

Where is it?  You haven't disclosed it.  Nor has anyone else in the 'Justice' Department.  You posit phony conjecture, Mr. Attorney General, not evidence.  To protect your fuhrer, the Trump nazi.

"The attorney general also repeatedly emphasized evidence and legal theories that put the president in the best light. He suggested that Trump had not actually directed McGahn to seek Mueller’s removal when the president urged him to call Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein and tell him the special counsel had conflicts of interest that should prevent him from serving. McGahn told investigators that he recalled the president saying at one point, “Mueller has to go,” and “Call me back when you do it.” But Barr said Trump might have been merely passing along a concern. “The president later said that what he meant was that the conflict of interest should be raised with Rosenstein, but the decision should be left with Rosenstein,” Barr said. And even if Trump had wanted Mueller removed because of conflicts, Barr said, that wasn’t criminal. It would have led to naming a new special counsel, not the end of the investigation."

Simply not credible.  Goes against what was in the Mueller report itself.

"Democratic senators reacted incredulously. Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) complained that Barr was trying to stage some complicated “Kabuki dance” to distract from the copious evidence that Trump’s instructions to McGahn rose to the level of criminal conduct. “I think the president’s intent was very clear. He wanted this to end,” Durbin said of the Russia investigation. “Over and over again, this president was very explicit.” Mueller’s report notes that Trump’s calls to McGahn in June 2017 were part of an ongoing effort to get rid of the special counsel. “McGahn spoke with the President twice and understood the directive the same way both times, making it unlikely that he misheard or misinterpreted the President’s request,” the special counsel wrote, describing the former White House counsel as a credible witness with no motive to lie."

Wake up.  The Attorney General is protecting his criminal fuhrer, the Trump nazi.

"After the New York Times published a story in February 2018 saying Trump ordered McGahn to fire Mueller, the president told McGahn he needed to write a letter denying the stories, according to the report."

Wake up.  Called obstruction.

"In a tense Oval Office meeting, McGahn stood his ground. “Did I say the word ‘fire?’”, Trump asked McGahn, according to the report. “What you said is, ‘Call Rod [Rosenstein], tell Rod that Mueller has conflicts and can’t be the Special Counsel,’” McGahn responded. “I never said that,” Trump said."

Someone's lying.  Guess who.

"Barr told the Senate panel Wednesday that “it could also have been the case that ... he was primarily concerned about press reports and making it clear that he never outright directed the firing of Mueller.” He said that Trump may have had a valid reason to press about Mueller’s potential conflicts of interest. But the special counsel’s report noted that very concern had been shared days earlier with Justice Department officials by the president’s personal attorney."

Fascinating, isn't it?

"Levinson, the law professor, said McGahn’s account, told to investigators under penalty of false statements, is the one to credit. “This is not a he-said, he-said between equal narrators,” she said."

We've got a serious problem here.  A 'Justice' Department that refuses to hold its fuhrer, the Trump nazi, accountable for his criminal activity.

NPR reports:

"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday accused Attorney General William Barr of breaking the law by lying to Congress. "The attorney general of the United States of America was not telling the truth to the Congress. That's a crime," Pelosi said at her weekly news conference on Thursday. "He lied to Congress." The Justice Department responded with a statement saying, "Speaker Pelosi's baseless attack on the attorney general is reckless, irresponsible, and false." During his appearance before Congress on April 9, Barr said he was not aware of reported dissatisfaction by some on Robert Mueller's team with the four-page memo Barr wrote to Congress describing the special counsel's findings. But earlier this week, the Justice Department released a letter from Mueller to Barr, dated March 27, in which Mueller states Barr's summary "did not fully capture the context, nature, and substance of this Office's work and conclusions." Barr labeled the letter from Mueller "a bit snitty" in testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. Pelosi's comments came after Barr refused to show up to a House Judiciary Committee hearing Thursday on Mueller's report. The committee met for 15 minutes of partisan accusations, countercharges and theatrics, before adjourning."

Fascinating, isn't it?

The Washington Post reports:

"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Thursday accused Attorney General William P. Barr of the crime of lying to Congress, further escalating a bitter feud between House Democratic leaders and the nation’s top law enforcement officer. “He lied to Congress,” Pelosi said of Barr during a news conference. “The attorney general of the United States of America was not telling the truth to the Congress of the United States. That’s a crime.” Pelosi’s accusation stemmed from a response from Barr during a congressional hearing last month. At the time, Barr said that he was not aware of any concerns that special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s team might have expressed about a four-page summary he wrote regarding Mueller’s findings in his probe of Russian interference in the 2016 campaign. That appeared to contradict a memo that surfaced this week in which Mueller wrote to Barr raising concerns that Barr’s summary “did not fully capture the context, nature, and substance” of his investigation. Asked whether Barr should be jailed for lying to Congress, Pelosi replied: “There’s a process involved here.” Her comments brought a swift rebuke from Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec, who said in a statement: “Speaker Pelosi’s baseless attack on the Attorney General is reckless, irresponsible, and false.” During the news conference, Pelosi also noted that one of the articles of impeachment against former president Richard Nixon was for ignoring congressional subpoenas. House Democrats have expressed exasperation in recent days as the Trump administration rebuffs a growing number of demands for information in multiple oversight investigations."

Stonewalling.

NBC News reports:

"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Thursday that Attorney General William Barr committed a crime during testimony last month. "What is deadly serious about it is the attorney general of the United States of America was not telling the truth to the Congress of the United States. That's a crime," Pelosi told reporters at her weekly press conference. "He lied to Congress. He lied to Congress," she said. "If anybody else did that, it would be considered a crime. Nobody is above the law — not the president of the United States, not the attorney general." Asked if Barr should go to jail for lying to Congress, Pelosi paused for a few seconds, and said, “There’s a process involved here and as I said, I'll say it again, the committee will act upon how we will proceed.” The Justice Department responded in a statement, "Speaker Pelosi's baseless attack on the Attorney General is reckless, irresponsible and false." Pelosi was referring to testimony that Barr gave to Congress in April in which the attorney general denied knowledge of concerns raised by special counsel Robert Mueller's team over his four-page summary of Mueller's 448-page report. By the time of Barr's testimony, he had received a formal letter from Mueller dated March 27 in which the special counsel conveyed his concerns and said that Barr’s summary had caused public confusion and did not fully capture his report’s "context, nature and substance.” At a House hearing in early April, Rep. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., asked Barr about news reports that members of Mueller's team had expressed frustration with Barr's handling of the report. NBC News and others reported that some members of Mueller's team were frustrated that Barr, in his initial letter to Congress summarizing Mueller's findings, had cleared President Donald Trump of obstruction of justice, and that those members believed the evidence against Trump is stronger than Barr suggested."

Apparently, the Attorney General has as much a problem telling the truth as his fuhrer, the Trump nazi.

NPR reports:

"Attorney General William Barr's refusal to appear before the House Judiciary Committee did accomplish one thing, according to Rep. Jaime Raskin, D-Md. "They have succeeded in building a near unanimous sense in the Democratic Caucus that the executive branch of government is in defiance of the Constitution and the rule of law," said Raskin, a former constitutional law professor who sits on both the House Judiciary and Oversight committees. Barr, already under steady attack from Democrats in both the House and Senate, declined to appear Thursday before the House Judiciary Committee because he did not want to be questioned by committee lawyers, only members. Democrats refused to accommodate Barr because Raskin said there's a bigger constitutional principle at stake. "He doesn't dictate to us how we conduct hearings in Congress," he said."

That's right.  No question.  One wouldn't know it, however, -- considering the foot dragging of Democrats to date.

"The Trump administration has made clear they're not going to play nice with Democrats' demands. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler requesting staff lawyers question the attorney general was a "pathetic" moment for the committee. "Look, we lost confidence in Jerry Nadler a long time ago, but it's surprising to find out he's lost confidence in himself," Sanders said."

Like her fuhrer, the Trump nazi, Ms. Sanders has lost her mind.  Like the Trump nazi, this woman has clearly never read the Constitution.   ... Or, like her fuhrer, is lying like hell. The Founders were abundantly clear.  All three branches of the federal government serve as check and balance on the other.  A national socialist, fascist, nazi dictator has no conception, no understanding, no appreciation of this.  Nor do his henchmen.

"Democrats need to decide what to do now. Nadler wants to give Barr another shot. "We will make one more good faith attempt to negotiate and to get access to the report that we need and then if we don't get that, we will proceed to hold the attorney general in contempt and we'll go from there," Nadler said Thursday."

Should have already done so months ago.  You're dragging your feet.  Get a move on.  Your lack of action to date offers proof positive you're hopelessly ineffective.  All talk.  No action.  Continue on this path, don't hold this insane nazi accountable?  You won't be returned to office.  No more complicated than that.

"On Friday, Nadler made good on that promise. He sent a letter to Barr requesting an unredacted Mueller report by Monday, May 6. If Barr does not comply, Nadler says Barr will face contempt proceedings "and seek further legal recourse."

Need to promptly follow up with action.  Empty rhetoric simply does not suffice.  Sadly, lacking.  Where is your courage?  We no longer live in a democratic republic.  A de facto fascist police-state since 9/11, quickly transitioning to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

"Lastly, it cannot go unremarked that, in refusing to comply with congressional oversight requests, the department has repeatedly asserted that Congress's requests do not serve 'legitimate' purposes," Nadler wrote. "This is not the department's judgment to make. Congress's constitutional, oversight and legislative interest in investigating misconduct by the president and his associates cannot be disputed."

That's right.  No question.  Precisely, why the House should have long since taken action against this nazi and his henchmen.

"Democrats say they are considering all options. Pockets of Democrats are already calling for Barr's impeachment, including Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., who is running for president. Others, including many of the 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls, have called on him to resign."

Again, empty talk. No action.  Meaningless rhetoric does not suffice.

"There's talk of censure, a type of public reprimand that has little practical effect. Lawmakers are also digging up research on Congress's long dormant "inherent contempt" powers, which haven't been triggered in nearly a century. Taken to the extreme, those powers allow Congress to detain, order arrests and levy punishments. "We're going to use every means at our disposal in order to do our jobs," Raskin said."

Get up off your sorry asses and DO something.  ... Hear the rumble?  An unwanted, dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming.

"Even Speaker Pelosi, who has repeatedly thrown cold water on impeachment talk since Democrats won the majority, reminded reporters Thursday that ignoring Congress had consequences for another president. "As you probably know, in the Articles of Impeachment for President Nixon, Article 3 was that he ignored the subpoenas of Congress, that he did not honor the subpoenas of Congress. This is very, very serious," she said."

Nixon was an angel compared to the nazi now occupying the Oval Office.  Republicans back at that time stood tall.  Forced Nixon's resignation.  Spared the country the debacle an impeachment in the House and trial in the Senate would have spawned.  Republicans knew "Tricky Dick" was a criminal.  Took immediate action.  Unlike today where they continue to protect and coddle an insane criminal who has abused power.

"She also attacked Barr for what she said was conflicting testimony to Congress about his communications with Mueller, over Barr's handling of the initial summary of the report. A March 27 letter from Mueller revealed this week called in to question Barr's account. "But what is deadly serious about it is the Attorney General of the United States of America was not telling the truth to the Congress of the United States. That's a crime," she said."

That's now more than obvious.  While Speaker Pelosi has more than her share of issues, she's quite right about this one.

"A spokesman for Barr called the speaker's comments "reckless, irresponsible, and false."

That's nonsense.  Clear indication of Barr's increasing desperation as the walls close in on him.  About this, the Speaker is quite right.  The problem with the Speaker and fellow Democrats at this juncture, however, is they're all talk.  No action.

"Increasingly, Democrats like Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., who sits on Judiciary panel, say they're not interested in hearing from Barr anymore. "At this point, I don't believe anything Barr says. So I'd rather have Mueller," she told NPR."

Mueller has his problems as well.  The Special Counsel clearly delineated 10 possible cases of obstruction by the Trump nazi in his Report.  Failed to indict due to 'Justice' Department regulations prohibiting criminal indictment of a sitting president.  Clearly, DOJ perversely believes there is one person in our formerly great country who is indeed above the law, -- the president.  ... At least while in office.  Mr. Mueller should have honorably, courageously resigned in protest.  Immediately gone to the press.  Informed the public.

"Nadler has invited Mueller to testify on May 15. It's not locked in, but Barr has said publicly that he has no objection to that."

Trump clearly does.  Mueller needs to do the right thing, regardless, -- and testify.  The Special Counsel has always been an upstanding citizen.  From his days in the military, right up to and including his years of service in the government.  Needs to continue to stand tall.

"Forecasting another anticipated clash still to come, Democrats also want to hear from former White House Counsel Don McGahn, but President Trump is indicating that he will invoke executive privilege to block any request. "Congress shouldn't be looking anymore. This is all. It's done," Trump told Fox News on Thursday."

It's not.  Far from it.  Just beginning.  If you have nothing to hide, sir, you should have no objection.  In fact, if innocent, should be demanding it.  McGahn is now a private citizen.  No longer beholden to the Trump nazi and his henchmen.  Could and should testify regardless.  Owes it to the American public.

"Democrats say they are just getting started."

Again, to date, all talk.  No action.  Wake up.

More trouble in paradise.  NBC News reports:

"House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., sent a final counteroffer Friday to Attorney General William Barr to obtain the full version of the special counsel's report, along with an ultimatum: If the Justice Department doesn’t comply, the panel will initiate contempt proceedings. “The Committee is prepared to make every realistic effort to reach an accommodation with the Department. But if the Department persists in its baseless refusal to comply with a validly issued subpoena, the Committee will move to contempt proceedings and seek further legal recourse,” Nadler wrote in a letter detailing Democrats' new demands."

What are you waiting for?  The bastard is stonewalling.  Why are you dragging your feet?  The public expects resolution.

The Washington Post reports:

"Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee said they will vote Wednesday on whether to hold Attorney General William P. Barr in contempt of Congress after Barr missed a deadline to produce a complete version of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s report."

What are you waiting for?  Why are you dragging your feet?  Time to get on with it.

"The panel had set a deadline of 9 a.m. Monday for Barr to provide the unredacted version of Mueller’s report on Russian interference in the 2016 election. It announced the planned vote in a statement Monday. “Although the Committee has attempted to engage in accommodations with Attorney General Barr for several months, it can no longer afford to delay, and must resort to contempt proceedings,” reads the text of a contempt report released by Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.). “The Committee urgently requires access to the full, unredacted Mueller Report and to the investigatory and evidentiary materials cited in the Report.”

Why are you Democratic bastards diddling and dawdling for months now?  Why?  To date, you've dragged your feet.  Rather than execute your constitutionally-mandated function of oversight.

"A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to comment."

Unbridled Aryan arrogance.  Surprised?  Why?  Delusionally expect anything less of the nazi element in our formerly great country?

"House Democrats’ move to hold the attorney general in contempt escalates the fight between President Trump and Congress. The president has vowed to fight all subpoenas and has refused to cooperate while Democrats insist they are carrying out their oversight role."

End the talk.  Take action.  Haul their fascist, stonewalling asses into court.

"Democrats on the panel are also seeking to hear from Mueller amid disagreements about whether Barr mischaracterized the special counsel’s report in his congressional testimony and statements. A key lawmaker, Rep. David N. Cicilline (D-R.I.), said Sunday that the committee has proposed a date of May 15 for Mueller to testify but that no agreement has been reached."

Why are you dragging  your feet?  Wasting time?  Subpoena him.

"Barr had released a redacted version on April 18, but Democrats said that was insufficient and have been seeking the full report and the underlying evidence. In response to a committee subpoena, the Justice Department said last week that it was “unable to provide” Mueller’s investigative files, citing a “compelling need to protect the autonomy and effectiveness of its investigations.” Democrats had rejected an earlier offer by the department to make a less-redacted version of Mueller’s report available to select members of the House and Senate, saying it would prevent them from conducting effective oversight."

Again, ferociously pointedly, why are you bastards diddling and dawdling?  Get on with it.

"Rep. Douglas A. Collins (Ga.), the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, responded to Monday’s news by accusing Democrats of “smearing” Barr out of dissatisfaction with the results of Mueller’s report."

More bullshit.  Disingenuous.  Mueller failed to indict Trump on ten counts of obstruction.  Failed to do so due to a 'Justice' Department ruling a sitting president cannot be indicted, is in fact above the law, while in office.

“Chairman Nadler knows full subpoena compliance requires Attorney General Barr to break the law,” Collins said in a statement. “Yet, instead of introducing legislation allowing the attorney general to provide Congress grand jury material, Democrats move to hold him in contempt.”

Disingenuous bullshit.  Simply, untrue.  Blatant stonewalling.  Also, Collins is well aware such legislation would not pass in the Senate, -- a Senate held by Republican nazis.

"The Justice Department has stated that revealing grand jury material in response to congressional oversight requests is barred by law. But Nadler has argued that courts have provided grand jury materials to Congress under the “judicial proceeding’’ exception in the past. Barr last week declined to testify before the House Judiciary Committee, rejecting Democrats’ plans to have a counsel question him alongside lawmakers. The move infuriated Democrats, pushing them closer to holding Barr in contempt of Congress. In his contempt resolution, Nadler pointed to the ongoing threat of Russian election interference as one of the reasons that Democrats are seeking to view a more complete version of Mueller’s report. Sections of the publicly-released version of Mueller’s report describing the actions of Russia’s Internet Research Agency and other Russian hacking efforts “contain significant redactions, which impair the ability of the Committee to gain a complete understanding of Russia’s actions,” the contempt report states. “Without this information, the Committee is unable to fully perform its responsibility to protect the impending 2020 elections — and thus our democracy itself — from a recurrence of Russian interference,” the report states. A contempt citation against Barr would set up a lengthy legal battle over the Mueller report, as Democrats take the matter to civil court."

There are reportedly other ways for the House to handle this matter.  "Inherent contempt" as reported earlier above.  Procedures that have not been imposed for a century.  Including arrest and jailing of those held in contempt of Congress.

NPR reports:

"If the Department presents us with a good faith offer for access to the full report and the underlying evidence, I reserve the right to postpone these proceedings," Democratic committee chairman Jerry Nadler said. In a 27 page report released to the press, Democrats on the committee argued that its members need more access in order to fulfill its legislative and oversight functions. "[T]he Committee needs to review the unredacted report, the underlying evidence, and associated documents so that it can ascertain the facts and consider our next steps," the report reads. The Nadler report also says about Congress' Article I powers set out in the Constitution: "That includes whether to approve articles of impeachment with respect to the President or any other Administration official, as well as the consideration of other steps such as censure or issuing criminal, civil or administrative referrals." The panel has been in a weeks-long tug-of-war with the Justice Department over access to Mueller's report. "The Attorney General's failure to comply with our subpoena, after extensive accommodation efforts, leaves us no choice but to initiate contempt proceedings in order to enforce the subpoena and access the full, unredacted report," Nadler said."

Dragging your feet.  Time to aggressively exercise all powers granted to Congress by the Constitution for oversight of the Executive.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-10-19

Interesting corollary to the above.  ABC News reports:

"In a letter obtained by ABC News, White House attorney Emmet Flood wrote to Attorney General Bill Barr in mid-April regarding special counsel Robert Mueller's report into meddling in the 2016 election saying the findings “suffers from an extraordinary legal defect: it quite deliberately fails to comply with the requirements of governing law.” Flood goes on to say in the April 19 letter of complaint that the missive was sent to avoid a “precedent” with “both the President and future Presidents in mind.” The letter is dated just one day after Barr released a redacted version of the special counsel's report to the public. The letter squarely attacks the Mueller team for not making a decision on obstruction of justice, a federal crime in which someone "corruptly" attempts to “influence, obstruct or impede” the “due and proper administration of the law” in a pending proceeding, according to federal code."

More of the same. The Washington Post reports:

"The White House last month lodged a formal complaint with the Justice Department over the findings of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III — and made clear that President Trump believes he retains the right to assert executive privilege over material contained in the report, despite its public release."

Say what?  LOL.

"The five-page letter was authored by Emmet Flood, who has handled the Mueller investigation for the White House counsel’s office, and submitted to Attorney General William P. Barr on April 19, the day after Barr released a redacted version of the report. The letter was provided to The Washington Post by a White House official one day after Barr criticized Mueller during a contentious appearance in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The attorney general described a letter from the special counsel asking him to release summaries of his report as “snitty” and said he was confused by Mueller’s decision that he could not come to a conclusion at the end of his obstruction-of-justice inquiry."

If Mueller felt compelled to follow 'Justice' Department guidelines regarding indictment of a sitting  president, he should have resigned in protest.  Immediately gone to the media.

"In his April 19 letter, Flood accused Mueller of exceeding his authority by spilling into public view a recitation of facts far more detailed than what is typically included in criminal indictments. He described the report as “prosecutorial curiosity — part ‘truth commission’ report and part law school exam paper.” Both the Justice Department and the special counsel’s office declined to comment. In the letter, Flood offered a scathing critique of Mueller’s report, writing that the special counsel team abandoned the normal burden of proof that requires prosecutors to establish crimes beyond a reasonable doubt. The refusal to “exonerate” the president, he wrote, turned the presumption of innocence on its head. “Because they do not belong to our criminal justice vocabulary, the SCO’s inverted-proof-standard and ‘exoneration’ statements can be understood only as political statements, issuing from persons (federal prosecutors) who in our system of government are rightly expected never to be political in the performance of their duties,” Flood wrote in the letter, which was first reported by CNN."

Fascinating, isn't it?

"The House Judiciary Committee has issued a subpoena to former White House counsel Donald McGahn, who was a key witness to several episodes Mueller explored as he looked at whether Trump obstructed justice. The White House has objected to McGahn’s appearance. In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Trump said he’d already had McGahn testify for more than 30 hours, referring to the time the former White House lawyer spent with Mueller’s investigators. “Congress shouldn’t be looking anymore. This is all. It’s done,” Trump said."

No, it's not.  Far from it.

"If McGahn chooses to defer to guidance from White House lawyers, the issue will likely result in a lengthy court battle that will test the limits of the president’s executive powers."

Unstable Trump nazi continues to vacillate, reverse himself.  The Washington Post reports:

"President Trump said Sunday that special counsel Robert S. Mueller III should not testify before Congress, reversing course from his previous position that the decision is up to Attorney General William P. Barr. “Bob Mueller should not testify,” Trump said in an afternoon tweet. “No redos for the Dems!”

    ....to testify. Are they looking for a redo because they hated seeing the strong NO COLLUSION conclusion? There was no crime, except on the other side (incredibly not covered in the Report), and NO OBSTRUCTION. Bob Mueller should not testify. No redos for the Dems!
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 5, 2019

"Trump also insisted that Mueller’s 448-page report found “no collusion” and “no obstruction,” overstating the conclusions of the two-year investigation."

Neither Trump or his bought and paid for shill Attorney General get to make this decision.  Congress has a constitutionally-based mandate of oversight.

"Trump’s Sunday tweet marks a shift from what he said Friday on the matter during an exchange with reporters in the Oval Office. Asked then whether Mueller should testify before Congress and whether he’d like to see the special counsel do so, Trump replied, “I don’t know. That’s up to our attorney general, who I think has done a fantastic job.”

The national socialist, fascist son of a bitch is bought and paid for.  Precisely, why you nominated him for the job, Mr. 'President.'

NBC News reports:

"The president's tweets on Sunday come as the House Judiciary Committee seeks to have Mueller testify before the panel by mid-month. Trump's statement also comes as 60 percent of Americans say he has been dishonest in the Russia investigation, while only a third believe Mueller's report clears the president of wrongdoing, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-10-19

Walls are beginning to close in:

CBS News reports:

"In a sweeping rebuke of Attorney General William Barr's conclusion
there was insufficient evidence in the Mueller report to show President
Trump obstructed justice, over 400 former federal prosecutors have
signed an open letter saying Mr. Trump would face
"multiple felony charges for obstruction of justice" if he were a
private citizen."

NBC News reports:

"President Donald Trump would have been indicted for obstruction of
justice in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation if he did not
hold the nation's highest office, more than 400 former federal
prosecutors argued in an open letter published on Medium on Monday. The
ex-prosecutors — who have served under both Republican and Democratic
administrations dating back to President Dwight D. Eisenhower — said
Attorney General William Barr's decision not to charge Trump with
obstruction "runs counter to logic and our experience." The letter
added, “Each of us believes that the conduct of President Trump
described in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report would, in the case
of any other person not covered by the Office of Legal Counsel policy
against indicting a sitting President, result in multiple felony charges
for obstruction of justice.”

The Washington Post reports:

"More than 370 former federal prosecutors who worked in Republican and
Democratic administrations have signed on to a statement asserting
special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s findings would have produced
obstruction charges against President Trump — if not for the office he
held. The statement — signed by myriad former career government
employees as well as high-profile political appointees — offers a
rebuttal to Attorney General William P. Barr’s determination that the
evidence Mueller uncovered was “not sufficient” to establish that Trump
committed a crime. Mueller had declined to say one way or the other
whether Trump should have been charged, citing a Justice Department
legal opinion that sitting presidents cannot be indicted, as well as
concerns about the fairness of accusing someone for whom there can be no
court proceeding. “Each of us believes that the conduct of President
Trump described in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report would, in the
case of any other person not covered by the Office of Legal Counsel
policy against indicting a sitting President, result in multiple felony
charges for obstruction of justice,” the former federal prosecutors
wrote. We emphasize that these are not matters of close professional
judgment,” they added. “Of course, there are potential defenses or
arguments that could be raised in response to an indictment of the
nature we describe here. ... But, to look at these facts and say that a
prosecutor could not probably sustain a conviction for obstruction of
justice — the standard set out in Principles of Federal Prosecution —
runs counter to logic and our experience.”

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-10-19

More shit to hit the fan.  NBC News reports:

"Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Monday rejected House Democrats’ request for President Donald Trump’s tax returns, failing for the third time to meet a congressional deadline to turn over the documents. The move raised the stakes in the fight between the administration and Congress over the returns, making an unprecedented legal battle to obtain them all but certain."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-10-19

Additional stonewalling.  NPR reports:

"The Trump administration says it is blocking former White House counsel Don McGahn from turning over documents requested by the House Judiciary Committee, escalating the standoff between the president and congressional Democrats. In a letter to committee Chairman Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., current White House counsel Pat Cipollone says the documents sought by the committee "remain legally protected from disclosure under longstanding constitutional principles, because they implicate significant Executive Branch confidentiality interests and executive privilege." Cipollone writes further that acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney "has directed Mr. McGahn not to produce these White House records in response to the Committee's April 22 subpoena." He says the committee should instead direct its requests for such records to the White House. The documents in question were provided by McGahn to special counsel Robert Mueller, as part of Mueller's probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election. They outline Trump's efforts to get McGahn to fire Mueller, along with subsequent conversations in which Trump tells McGahn to deny the earlier exchanges."

Trump and his henchmen are stonewalling.  Congress is legally entitled to these documents as part of its constitutionally-mandated Executive Branch oversight function.

"Cipollone's letter stops short of invoking executive privilege on behalf of the president, a point the White House may be hard-pressed to make as it already made the documents available to Mueller's team. The papers in question are believed to include contemporaneous notes taken by McGahn's secretary."

To date, Democrats have been all talk, no action.  Time for that to change.  Otherwise, they won't be returned to office.

NBC News reports:

"In a separate letter obtained by NBC News, William Burck, a lawyer for McGahn, told Nadler that the "co-equal branches of government" were "making contradictory demands" of his client and that McGahn would "maintain the status quo unless and until the Committee and the Executive Branch can reach an accommodation."

The Washington Post reports:

"The White House on Tuesday invoked executive privilege to bar former White House counsel Donald McGahn from complying with a congressional subpoena to provide documents to Congress related to special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s investigation. In a letter to the House Judiciary Committee, White House counsel Pat A. Cipollone said McGahn does not have the legal right to comply with its subpoena for 36 types of documents — most relating to Mueller’s nearly two-year probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Rather, Cipollone argued the committee needed to send the request to the White House — and even hinted that they would assert privilege to block the information. “The White House provided these records to Mr. McGahn in connection with its cooperation with the special counsel’s investigation and with the clear understanding that the records remain subject to the control of the White House for all purposes,” he wrote. “The White House records remain legally protected from disclosure under long-standing constitutional principles, because they implicate significant executive branch confidentiality interests and executive privilege.”

Think that'll stand?  As reported above, readers are reminded Congress enjoys constitutionally-mandated oversight function over the Executive Branch.

"The move is likely to infuriate House Democrats, who were hoping to make McGahn their star witness as they seek to unpack the findings of the Mueller report — particularly regarding questions of whether Trump obstructed justice. Trump and his administration have thwarted multiple House probes into the report, the president’s businesses and efforts to obtain his tax returns, frustrating Democrats who said they are trying to conduct oversight."

To date, Democrats remain all talk, no action.

"McGahn emerged as a central player in Mueller’s findings, a senior confidante who documented in real-time Trump’s rage against the Russia investigation and efforts to shut it down. Democrats were hoping to have him testify for a national television audience. The special counsel has identified two episodes in which McGahn was a critical witness and in which investigators say they have substantial evidence Trump was engaged in obstruction of justice that would normally warrant criminal charges. In mid-June of 2017, Trump tried to pressure McGahn to intervene with the Justice Department to try to push for Mueller’s removal from office based on alleged conflicts of interest, the report said; in February 2018, Trump summoned McGahn to the Oval Office and urged him to deny a news account that suggested the president asked for his help in ousting Mueller.  But Trump has said he would block McGahn’s testimony later this month. And the White House in a mid-April letter to the Justice Department argued that while Trump did not assert executive privilege for the Mueller investigation, allowing aides like McGahn to cooperate, he could still do so for any witnesses asked to appear before Congress. The White House move in this case is considered a partial or hybrid form of asserting executive privilege, because the White House counsel is attempting to avoid a direct showdown and instead negotiate directly with the committee and extend discussions."

Determined foot dragging.  Stonewalling.  Democrats need to get off the dime, take action.  Exert all congressional powers including those not used for a century.

"A formal claim of executive privilege is asserted by the president and accompanied by a letter from the attorney general. But a bigger dispute still looms over whether the White House will try to block McGahn from testifying in person to the committee. In that case, McGahn may find it more difficult to refuse to testify unless the White House makes the more formal claim of executive privilege. William Burck, McGahn’s attorney, wrote the committee Tuesday that his client is caught between demands from the White House and Congress, and will not turn over the records at this point. Instead, he said, McGahn will allow the White House to proceed in its plans to negotiate directly with the committee over the subpoena for records. “Where coequal branches of government are making contradictory demands on Mr. McGahn concerning the same set of documents, the appropriate response for Mr. McGahn is to maintain the status quo unless and until the Committee and the executive branch can reach an accommodation. Please note Mr. Cipollone writes that his office will respond to the Committee about the White House documents,” Burck wrote."

More interesting?  Get this:

"During the Mueller probe, McGahn wanted the White House to assert executive privilege but lawyers didn’t do it, prompting McGahn to complain to others that he was “thrown to the wolves,” according to people familiar with the conversations who spoke on the condition of anonymity to freely talk about discussions. Traditionally, a senior adviser’s private communications with the president would be shielded by executive privilege to allow a president to seek the honest counsel of his aides without fear of their full-throated discussions being shared with the public while he is in office. However, in this case, McGahn’s private discussions with Trump during these two critical episodes are clearly documented in the Mueller report and available for the public to review in detail. “The key waiver was the attorney general’s release of the Mueller report, that made it public” said former House counsel Irvin B. Nathan, who worked under Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) during her first term as speaker. “There’s no justification for executive privilege any longer — and there’s not a chance that any court would say that executive privilege has not been waived.” Democrats on the panel also hold this view."

For damned good reason:

“McGahn has every right to testify ... He has a responsibility to testify,” said House Judiciary Committee member Jamie B. Raskin (D-Md.), who did not know what the panel would do if McGahn refused to answer his subpoena. “Any relevant executive privilege [claim] was waived long ago when McGahn went and spent more than 30 hours being interviewed by the special counsel, so it’s very hard to imagine that you can put the toothpaste back in the tube.” The matter, should McGahn go along with the White House move, may ultimately wind up in court — and could even lead to a contempt citation for the former White House counsel. The Washington Post reported Tuesday that House Democrats have already discussed possibly holding McGahn in contempt if he does not honor the subpoena — then taking him to civil court to try to convince a judge to order him to comply with their investigations."

Whatever it takes.  Get a move on.

Saga continues. The Washington Post reports:

"President Trump formally asserted executive privilege over special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s report Wednesday, his first use of the executive authority in the escalating confrontation with Congress. Assistant Attorney General Stephen E. Boyd wrote in a letter to Congress that Trump had “asserted executive privilege over the entirety of the subpoenaed materials.” Boyd argued that Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler’s push to hold Attorney General William P. Barr in contempt had “terminated” their negotiations over what materials lawmakers would be allowed to view from Mueller’s investigation. “As we have repeatedly explained, the Attorney General could not comply with your subpoena in its current form without violating the law, court rules, and court orders, and without threatening the independence of the Department of Justice’s prosecutorial functions,” Boyd wrote. The White House assertion of privilege represents the latest collision between Trump and House Democrats, who have seen their investigations of the president blocked at every turn."

Yet, Democrats have done nothing other than talk.

"Some legal experts argued the White House and Attorney General were simply stalling, making a dubious claim of privilege over the Mueller report they have intensively reviewed to put off a fight in court. Democrats assailed Trump officials and accused the White House of trying to hide the truth from the public, embracing secrecy for a report that the president repeatedly said had exonerated him. “This decision represents a clear escalation in the Trump administration’s blanket defiance of Congress’s constitutionally mandated duties,” Nadler said, later adding: “As a coequal branch of government, we must have access to the materials that we need to fulfill our constitutional responsibilities in a manner consistent with past precedent.” The White House move came shortly before the House Judiciary Committee met to vote to hold Barr in contempt for failing to provide the full Mueller report.  The likely move against Barr represented just the second time in history that a sitting attorney general would be held in contempt of Congress; the Republican-led House admonished Attorney General Eric Holder in 2012 over his failure to provide documents to Congress."

Democrats remain all talk, no action.  Why are they so patiently putting up with this crap for months now?  Why?  Why haven't Democrats hauled their sorry (Trump Administration) national socialist, fascist asses into court?  Again, all talk, no action.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-10-19

More of the same old, same old.  The Washington Post reports:

"President Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone for more than an hour Friday about topics including the outcome of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s investigation into Russia’s 2016 election interference, the White House said. The two touched “very, very briefly” on Mueller’s findings, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters. “It was discussed, essentially in the context that it’s over, and there was no collusion, which I’m pretty sure both leaders were very well aware of long before this call took place,” Sanders told reporters at the White House."

You're clueless, Sarah.  Wishful thinking.  It's far from over.

"Mueller’s report concluded that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election “in sweeping and systematic fashion.” The interference included both a social media campaign that favored Trump and disparaged Democrat Hillary Clinton, and the hacking of computers maintained by allies of Clinton and the subsequent releases of stolen documents."

ABC News reports:

"After his administration has spent months calling on Russia to end its support of Nicolas Maduro, the embattled socialist president of Venezuela, and withdraw Russian troops from the country, President Donald Trump said on Friday that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin "feel the same way" on the country."

That's nuts.  Earlier in the week, Maduro was about to leave the country, then chose not to, -- after Putin opined he shouldn't leave.  Trump is either uninformed, misinformed, delusional, and/or lying:

"He is not looking at all to get involved in Venezuela, other than he’d like to see something positive happen for Venezuela, and and I feel the same way," Trump said of Putin after the two leaders spoke by phone on Friday."

Even his advisors are calling their fuhrer on this abject bullshit:

"In saying so, Trump not only contradicted himself but also his top advisers, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who just days ago charged that Russia had blocked U.S. efforts to get Maduro out of the country, persuading him at the last-minute not to take a waiting plane to Cuba."

The insane Trump nazi can't, won't be confused with the truth.  Pitiful.  Pathetic.

"Russia has boosted Maduro, who has faced months of protests over Venezuela's economic crisis and his seizure of power. Those protests are expected to continue on Saturday after opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido, who the U.S. and 53 countries have recognized as Venezuela's legitimate leader, said he and his supporters "will mobilize the main military units throughout the country." The opposition-controlled National Assembly declared Guaido interim president in January, but months of demonstrations and U.S. sanctions have not pushed Maduro from his grip on power -- even after a major uprising Tuesday."

That's right.  Due to interference from Putin:

"That's in large part because of Russian support, according to the U.S Russia sent at least 100 troops to rendezvous with Maduro's security forces in March. Russia also has shielded him from sanctions or penalties at the United Nations Security Council, transferred his government's assets to protect them from U.S. economic pressure, and reportedly even convinced Maduro to stay in power on Tuesday after Guaido and the U.S. said he'd won the allegiance of some top Maduro aides and a key portion of the military."

... Making Trump's above assertions all the more questionable, achingly ludicrous, -- especially in light of the following:

"That activity had so far led to condemnation by the U.S., including Trump himself. "Russia has to get out," Trump said in March when those 100 Russian soldiers and two fighter jets arrived. Trump was meeting in the Oval Office with Fabiana Rosales, a Venezuelan activist and the wife of Juan Guaido, the opposition lawmaker who the U.S. and 53 countries recognize as Venezuela's legitimate leader. When asked if that message had been communicated to Moscow, Trump said only, "They know. They know very well." Pompeo spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and reiterated that message. He stressed that Russia's "intervention ... is destabilizing for Venezuela" and "urged Russia to cease support for Nicolas Maduro."

Empty rhetoric.  All talk, no action.  Just like the Democrats.  LOL.  Clearly, neither major party is worth a crap.

"National Security Adviser John Bolton shared the same message on Twitter, just hours after the Trump-Putin call took place: "Maduro is only clinging to power because of the support of Russia and Cuba, the only foreign military forces in Venezuela. Without foreign interference, the democratic process in Venezuela would be underway today." That intervention included a call from Moscow on Tuesday, according to Pompeo. Maduro was prepared to depart the country for Cuba when the Russian government convinced him to stay, Pompeo and Bolton said. Maduro has denied that, calling it "a lack of seriousness." Beyond the contingent of troops Russia has confirmed it sent to Venezuela, Pompeo said Thursday there were Russian "people working over there in the hundreds, if not more." He did not provide evidence for that statement, but he added it was critical for U.S. national security that "countries like Russia don’t continue to have the foothold that they have literally hundreds of miles from our shores."

Think John F. Kennedy isn't spinning in his grave?  Younger readers are advised JFK courageously stood up to the Soviets in Cuba in 1962.  ... At the time, America was still young, strong, brave, and free.  The Soviets backed down.  Removed their nuclear missiles.  Can still remember the terror as a kid.  Television video of missile batteries installed on Florida's shoreline as defense against invasion.

-- An American U-2 spy jet shot down over Cuba, etc..  Pilot killed.  The world living in abject terror for several days until Khrushchev wisely backed down.  Indeed, frightening times.  At a time, however, when liberty was still treasured, deeply embraced, uncompromised in the United States.  Unlike now.  Somewhere along the way, we lost ourselves.  Status quo?  Unsustainable.  ... Hear the rumble?

"But Trump seemed to cast doubt on any Russian involvement by saying Putin was "not looking at all to get involved in Venezuela." In the face of Trump's comments, his senior officials met at the Pentagon on Friday morning. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan and Admiral Craig Faller, the head of U.S. Southern Command, met Pompeo and Bolton to make "decisions on our planning and some of the recommendations" and make "sure that we're all in alignment," according to Shanahan."

How is that possible when your insane fuhrer continues to lie, contradict himself and his advisors?

"We have a comprehensive set of options tailored to certain conditions," Shanahan added -- noting that the situation there could pose a national security threat to the U.S. that justifies military intervention. "Depends on the conditions, right? I mean, you got the Russians there, you got the Iranians there, you got the Chinese. Those are all considerations," he said."

Just like the Democrats, all talk.  No action.  Empty rhetoric.  As Putin and Maduro do as they please.  With impunity.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-10-19

Egregious violation of The First Amendment Establishment Clause.  NPR reports:

"Health care workers may now refuse to be involved with providing services that offend their religious beliefs. The new rule, issued by the HHS Office for Civil Rights, affirms existing conscience protections established by Congress, director Roger Severino says. The Trump administration issued a new rule Thursday that gives health care workers leeway to refuse to provide services like abortion, sterilization or assisted suicide, if they cite a religious or conscientious objection.

"This rule allows anyone from a doctor to a receptionist to entities like hospitals and pharmacies to deny a patient critical — and sometimes lifesaving — care," said Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Women's Law Center, in a statement. Louise Melling, deputy legal director at the American Civil Liberties Union, says the rule offers health care providers broad leeway to refuse women reproductive care, such as an emergency abortion to protect the life or health of the mother, if they claim the procedure offends their conscience. The rule protects health care workers who have indirect involvement in such procedures, as long as their roles have an "articulable connection" to a procedure such as abortion, sterilization or even administration of birth control. "If I am the person who checks you into the hospital, that's an articulable connection. If I'm the person who would take your blood pressure, that would be an articulable connection," she says."

Raw Republican nazism.  Forcing their outrageously perverse ideological and religious views on all.  The nazi element clearly believes being a healthcare provider is a right, not a privilege.

The business community is indeed beginning to fully understand these laws will not be good for business.  NPR reports:

"Mike Hollinger of IBM joined a group of business leaders at a news conference on the steps of the capitol in Austin, Texas. The business leaders oppose the so-called religious refusal laws currently under consideration in the Texas legislature."

For damned good reason.

"In Austin, Texas, a new raft of anti-LGBT legislation is working its way through the state legislature. One of the bills would allow state licensed professionals of all stripes — from doctors and pharmacists to plumbers and electricians — to deny services on religious grounds. Supporters say the legislation is needed to protect religious freedoms. But opponents call them "religious refusal bills" or "bigot bills."

Exactly, what they are.  Desperate attempt by Republican national socialists, fascists, nazis to impose their outrageously perverse ideological and religious views on the rest of the community.

"Last week, on the steps of the capital in Austin, business leaders gathered to announce their opposition to the series of bills which they say would sanction discrimination against their LGBT employees. This license to discriminate will damage the state's reputation and prevent people ... from wanting to live and work here."

That's right.  Raw nazism.

"Mike Hollinger, an executive at IBM, tried to warn the legislature against the legislative efforts. "I'm proud to speak on behalf of IBM, a company with an 80-plus year legacy in Texas and a workforce of around 10,000 here in the Lone Star State. This license to discriminate will damage the state's reputation and prevent people, including IBMers from wanting to live and work here."

No question.  Will certainly happen.  Shortsighted of the Nazi Right in our formerly great country.

"A coalition of more than 1,000 Texas and national businesses called Texas Competes are also lobbying against the bills. It includes many of the nation's biggest tech companies including Facebook, Google and Amazon."

These businesses know this outrageous bigotry will hurt business.  Do great damage.

"One of the bills, Senate Bill 17, specifically allows licensed professionals to discriminate based on sincerely held religious beliefs. Dale Carpenter, a constitutional law professor at the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University, says the bill would allow licensed service providers to discriminate without worrying that their state occupational license might be threatened by their actions."

The nazi element in our formerly great country does not understand a professional license is indeed a privilege, not a right.  These goddamned bigoted fascists are determined to reverse this.  No more than legalization of bigotry.

"Carpenter says the list of professionals included is prodigious: "There are literally hundreds of them in Texas ... They include athletic trainers, doctors, nurses, surgeons, dentists, orthodontists, physical therapists, counselors of all kinds, accountants, engineers, landscape architects, real estate agents, tax consultants, air conditioning repair personnel, electricians, on and on and on it goes." While the legislation might be designed mainly for Texas Christians to withhold their services from LGBT people, Carpenter says it would allow discrimination against anyone as long as the motive is a sincerely held religious belief. Supporters of the legislation say this is about safeguarding religious freedoms and ensuring that those who wish to exercise these freedoms aren't discriminated against as a consequence. Jonathan Saenz is the president of Texas Values, a religious liberty organization which is lobbying in favor of passage. He says the legislation has broad support."

... Only from the nazi element.

"Texans are very concerned about the attacks on religious freedom and people of faith, particularly people that believe in marriage and sexuality as it's defined in the bible," Saenz says."

Direct violation of the First Amendment Establishment Clause, church-state separation, that is, freedom from religion.

"Senate Bill 17 just makes it clear that you can't force someone to choose between their work and their faith. You can't use the government to punish people that have to get a certain license or authorization just because of some of the personal religious beliefs that they have."

You nazis delusionally seem to think a professional license is a right, not a privilege.  Worse?  Insist that license entitles you fascist bastards to discriminate against those who don't share your perverse religious beliefs.  If the requirements of your profession contradict your religious and/or ideological views, it's time to do the honorable thing.  Leave the profession.  Walk away.  What you propose is in direct violation of the First Amendment Establishment Clause, church-state separation, that is, freedom from religion.

"For Republican legislators, this type of legislation puts them in a tough spot. Two years ago a bathroom bill, which singled out transgender public school students and other transgender Texans, tore the Texas GOP in two. The business community and chambers of commerce hated it. San Antonio was about to host the NCAA Men's Final Four Basketball Tournament and the city was terrified the NCAA would pull out if the bathroom bill became law. It passed the Senate but then Speaker of the House, San Antonio Republican Joe Straus, killed it. A hero to business but loathed by his party's powerful evangelical wing, Straus retired from politics not long after."

Did the right thing killing the bill.  Should have remained in office.

"The convention and travel industries in particular tend to be the canaries in the coal mine when it comes to these types of bills. Phillip Jones, president and CEO of VisitDallas, says they'd be the first to keel over if the controversial 'religious refusal' legislation passes. "One in ten trade shows held in America are held in Texas. I've got a hundred million dollar's worth of business that's currently at risk, if this legislation were to pass," says Jones. "Based on our experience with the bathroom bill they have a provision in their contracts that spells out that, should Texas pass any form of discriminatory legislation, then they can cancel their meeting in Texas or in Dallas without any penalties."

The price of Republican nazism.  Wake up.

"Rural communities are most vulnerable if doctors or pharmacists refuse service because alternatives are usually scarce or non-existent. Moreover, opponents of the legislation worry that municipal non-discrimination ordinances in Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, El Paso and San Antonio could be rendered unenforceable if the bill were to pass. SMU's Carpenter says that other than the city ordinances, state law provides no safeguards. "It is already perfectly legal to decline service and to do so on a discriminatory basis in the state of Texas," he says. "In fact the law in the state of Texas is that rights of conscience are already protected against state regulation for private citizens and professionals and businesses."

Amazing how on some issues Texas is indeed ahead of the rest of the nation.  On others, back in the cave.

"Carpenter says that federal civil rights laws passed in the 1960s provide less protection from discrimination than many might imagine. Race, religion and national origin are protected from discrimination in public accommodations only, such as restaurants, hotels and theaters."

In many, many ways, our formerly great country is well behind the rest of the world.  Worse? Moving backwards.

"Carpenter believes that, given the already generous legal right to discriminate in Texas, the latest round of bills are merely a way for the Republican-dominated legislature to demonstrate to its evangelical base that they're on the ball."

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

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-10-19

Egregious violation of Roe v. Wade.  CBS News reports:

"Georgia Gov. Kemp has signed into law the state's "fetal heartbeat bill," a piece of legislation that would prohibit abortion after a heartbeat is detected in an embryo. That is something that usually happens between five and six weeks into a women's pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. Abortion rights advocates have called the bill an effective ban on abortion in the state."

Republican nazis remain intent in forcing their outrageously perverse ideological and religious views on all by statute.  In direct violation of the First Amendment Establishment Clause, church-state separation, that is, freedom from religion.

"The bill appears to be a violation of Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision that protects a woman's right to an abortion up until when the fetus is viable, which typically happens between 24 and 25 weeks. The American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights have promised to challenge the legislation long before it goes into effect in January 2020. "This law is bafflingly unconstitutional," said Elisabeth Smith, chief counsel at the Center for Reproductive Rights, in an email to CBS News on Tuesday morning. "Bans like this have always been blocked by courts. We will be suing Georgia to make sure this law has the same fate."

"Emboldened by the addition of conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, states have introduced and passed more anti-abortion access legislation than ever before, said Elizabeth Nash, a senior state issues manager at Guttmacher. "The surge in attempts to ban abortion in the earliest stages of pregnancy underscores that the end goal of anti-abortion politicians and activists is to ban all abortion — at any point during pregnancy and for any reason," Nash said in an email to CBS News Monday. This year alone, state lawmakers have introduced more than 250 bills restricting abortion access, according to a study conducted by Planned Parenthood and Guttmacher last month. And six-week abortion bans, like Georgia's, are up by 62 percent, according to the study."

... Hear the rumble?  An unwanted, dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming.  As all civil and constitutional rights and liberties remain under ferocious attack by national socialists, fascists, nazis in the Republican Party.  As gutless Democrats continue to do nothing but talk.

"Many of those restrictions have been blocked by federal judges, the first step in a long legal battle to get the legislation in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, said Nash. States can then appeal the decision, and if they're denied again they can submit another appeal to the Supreme Court, which can choose whether or not they want to take the case, according to Nash. For conservative lawmakers interested in overturning or eroding abortion access, this appellate path is the only way to substantively chip away at Roe v. Wade, which is protected by the U.S. Constitution."

These psychotic pieces of crap are not conservatives.  They're fascists.  A conservative wants as little government interference as possible.  A fascist thrives on it.

"Georgia's bill has been the target of intense scrutiny by Hollywood. A petition started by Alyssa Milano last month, who at the time was in Atlanta shooting for the Netflix show "Insatiable," was signed by more than 100 celebrities, including Amy Schumer, Alec Baldwin and Judd Apatow. Milano wrote that if the bill passed, "we cannot in good conscience continue to recommend our industry remain in Georgia."

Goddamned right.  Boycott any state that does the same.  F--k the nazi element.  Ladies?  These pieces of human excrement perversely believe they own your uterus.  Can dictate what you can and cannot do with it.

"The letter also noted that if members were to boycott filming in Georgia, "the cost would be most deeply felt by the residents of Georgia — including those who directly work in the film and television industry, and those who benefit from the many millions of dollars it pours into the local economy."

Tough shit.  If Georgians fail to stand up to this shit, get precisely what they so richly deserve.  Hit 'em hard in the pocketbook.  Make it cost them dearly:

"At an event in March, Kemp said the entertainment industry employs 200,000 Georgians and generated more than $60 billion of economic activity for the state. Prior to Tuesday's legislation, Georgia politicians have already passed a host of anti-abortion access laws, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Women in Georgia are required to wait 24 hours between requesting and obtaining an abortion in the state and minors are required to notify their parents."

Raw nazism.  These pieces of human excrement are reminded abortion was indeed illegal in both Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy.  History is indeed repeating itself in Nazi America.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-10-19

The following provides some indication of how Trump's supporters think.  The Washington Post reports:

"Conservative political commentator Stephen Moore, President Trump’s pick for the Federal Reserve, is facing quite a bit of scrutiny for past statements about women, black Americans and others.

"Moore has come under fire his comments about women in the workplace. In 2000, for example, he suggested on C-Span that allowing wives to work was dangerous. “The male needs to be the breadwinner,” he said. “One reason you’ve seen decline of the family, not just in the black community but now in the white community as well, is because women are more economically self-sufficient.” Republican senators may not agree with that remark, but many Trump voters do. According to the University of Michigan’s 2016 American National Election Studies poll, 47 percent of white female Trump supporters said it is better “for the family as a whole if the man works outside the home and the woman takes care of the home and family.” In a 2000 National Review column, Moore mocked female athletes, suggesting it was unfair that they expected to be paid as well as their male colleagues when “there are hundreds of men at the collegiate level ... who could beat them handily.” In another 2002 piece, he suggested women should be banned from the March Madness basketball tournament, along with other traditionally male events and spaces."

Nothing quite like going back to the cave, is there?  Fortunately, the bastard has removed himself from consideration.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-10-19

Why are we still in Afghanistan?  NPR reports:

"The U.S. has lost more than 2,200 lives and spent more than $840 billion on Afghanistan, its longest-ever war. But the U.S. public is steadily provided with less and less key information about how the war is going."

Is that because the war for all practical purposes is lost?

"Now, another crucial measure of the war's progress is no longer public. For years, the U.S. military has released basic information about how much of Afghanistan is under Afghan government control and how much is under control of the Taliban. And it's shown that the amount of land under government control has dropped over time, from 72% of districts in Nov. 2015 to 54% of districts in Oct. 2018. That data is typically released in quarterly reports from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, a body set up by Congress to audit U.S. spending in the war. In the report released Wednesday, however, SIGAR says the NATO-led mission, Resolute Support, "formally notified SIGAR that it is no longer assessing district-level insurgent or government control or influence." A copy of the communication from the U.S. military command in Afghanistan, which was provided in the report, stated that district stability data "was of limited decision-making value to the Commander." It didn't explain why data about who controlled what territory would not be useful to a commander. The Resolute Support press office did not immediately answer NPR's request for comment."

Fascinating, isn't it?  Readers are reminded the war could have been avoided had the State Department done full background checks on the 9/11 hijackers.  Not ignored warnings from the flight schools these bastards wished only to learn how to fly straight and level, not take off and land.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-10-19

In follow up to an earlier edition, NPR reports:

"The Trump Administration is rolling back some of the Obama-era safety regulations for offshore drilling that were meant to prevent a repeat of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion, the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history. The change pertains to rules aimed at keeping offshore oil and gas wells from "blowing out" – a sudden and uncontrollable release of crude oil. In its summary of the rule changes, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement says the "revisions modify regulations pertaining to offshore oil and gas drilling, completions, workovers, and decommissioning ... to ensure safety and environmental protection, while correcting errors and reducing certain unnecessary regulatory burdens imposed under the existing regulations." The rule will be published in the Federal Register next week. The move comes just after the ninth anniversary of the Deepwater disaster, in which 11 workers were killed and 4 million barrels of oil flowed into the Gulf of Mexico over 87 days."

Think this rule change anything more than softening of regulations to benefit the oil cartel?  Delusionally believe the Trump nazi and his henchmen are not placing the best interests of Big Oil ahead of the environment and long-suffering public?

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-10-19

Determined Palestinians continue to valiantly fight back against the Israeli aggressor.  NBC News reports:

"The death toll continued to rise Sunday as civilian casualties increased on both sides of the border after more than 600 rockets were fired into Israel from Gaza in less than 24 hours, in one of the most intense flareups of violence in the region in years. The barrage of rockets from Gaza started Saturday morning, prompting Israel to retaliate with airstrikes."

Sad, sad loss of life on both sides as the Israeli aggressor determinedly keeps a boot heel on the throat of the Palestinians:

"At least 17 Palestinians, including two pregnant women and a baby, were killed and ninety more have been hurt in the Palestinian enclave, according to Ashraf al Qudra, a Palestinian Health Ministry spokesman. Barzilai Medical Center in the coastal city of Ashkelon confirmed the death of four Israelis on Sunday. The first of these to be announced, a man who was killed outside his home, was the first Israeli to be killed by rocket fire in the Israel-Palestine conflict since 2014, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)."

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.


5-10-19

Madonna has stood tall for decades.  NBC News reports:

"While she’s best known for her legendary entertainment career, Madonna was celebrated on Saturday not for her musical accomplishments, but for her decades of activism on behalf of the LGBTQ community — from the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis to present-day anti-gay political policies. “No single ally has been a better friend or had a bigger impact on acceptance for the LGBTQ community than Madonna,” CNN anchor Anderson Cooper said in his introductory remarks at the 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, where the pop icon was honored with the Advocate for Change Award."

Stood tall.  Fought for the defenseless.

"At the height of the evening, amid a packed, cheering midtown Manhattan ballroom, Madonna took the stage to and delivered an emotional acceptance speech. "Fighting for all marginalized people is a duty and an honor I could not turn my back on nor will I ever,” she told the primarily LGBTQ audience. She dedicated a significant portion of her heartfelt speech to the early days of HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s, which marked a time of painful loss for her personally and the beginning of her LGBTQ advocacy. “The AIDS epidemic, the plague that moved in like a black cloud in New York City, and in the blink of an eye,” she snapped her fingers, “took out all of my friends.” “I remember the pandemonium and the fear, and people trying all kinds of drugs that didn’t work,” she continued. “And doing my own drug runs to Mexico for my friends to buy experimental medicines that were supposed [to] help cure, but ended up only killing them faster.” She recalled visits to sick friends in the ‘80s at St. Vincent’s Hospital, ground zero for New York City’s AIDs epidemic. “It felt like I had entered a concentration camp,” she said. “Emaciated bodies in every bed, and all these people who had been abandoned by their families and their friends and their loved ones. I decided to defy the universe and get into every bed and put my arms around as many humans as I could and make them feel loved — and human.”

Uncommon Valor.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk?  Get what you truly deserve.

Tim Chorney, Publisher
Liberty In Peril



Tim Chorney, Publisher
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