Liberty In Peril

                                                                                              formerly,

                                                                                       The Llano Ledger

8-18-17

What webs we weave.  A Trump aide gets hers.  Fox News reports:

"Omarosa Manigualt walked out of a panel at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in New Orleans Friday night after it devolved into chaos as attendees turned their back on the Trump administration aide and “Apprentice” star in protest.  Manigualt took part in a panel discussion on police brutality, engaged in angry exchanges with moderator Ed Gordon and then walked off the stage in disgust, according to reports."

Doesn't your heart bleed?

"Attendees tweeted photos showing people standing with their backs turned to Manigualt as she spoke.

    More attendees turn their back to @OMAROSA presence at #NABJ17 pic.twitter.com/3W0FoG0aRc
    — Haniyyah Sharpe (@OnPoint24_7) August 11, 2017

She talked about the murders of her father and brother but things went south when Gordon of Bounce TV asked her about what she was doing to advocate on behalf of blacks and Trump’s recent comments on policing in which he seemed to be encouraging police brutality, according to The Associated Press.  Gordon stepped toward Manigault as he questioned her. She accused Gordon of being “aggressive.”

Tough shit.  Can't stand the heat?  Get the hell out of the kitchen.

“When you have someone in the room, you don’t beat the hell out of them,” she told a packed ballroom. “You inform them of what’s going on in the community so they can be an advocate. You don’t walk away from the table because if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.”

What the hell is that supposed to mean?  The nazi you work for advises police to ramp up violence against those they encounter.  Then you expect not to be challenged?

"Manigault interrupted Gordon as he tried to ask her how she could sit in “a White House with a man who clearly is sending a signal to this country that” police don’t have to treat suspects gently.  “I did my best to keep this civil as possible,” Gordon said after Manigualt said she didn’t want to hear the question.  “If you want to ask about the loss of my father and my brother and the issues I do, ask about my story,” she said. “I’m not going to stand here and defend every single word and statement. Ask questions about me or my father and brother.”

Bullshit.  Far more at stake as the psychotic nazi you work for transforms the fascist police-state we already live in to the Fourth Reich.  You don't understand that?

"Pressed on Trump’s comments and the topic of policing, Manigault said, “It’s not even part of my portfolio,” The New York Times reported."

You work for the nazi son of a bitch, don't you?

“I’m not going to stand here and defend everything about Donald Trump,” she said, according to the paper, adding that the remark was greeted with loud sighs."

This aide has no guts.  What did she expect entering the venue?  A cake walk?

"Two would-be panelists, reporters from The New York Times and the New Yorker dropped out when Manigault was added to the panel at the last minute, according to a report Friday."

That's also a gutless mistake.  Should have been there to challenge her.  Can't remain gutlessly silent as our formerly great country continues to nazify.

"Manigualt walked off the stage when Gordon said it was a “quagmire” that had “reached the point of diminished returns,” according to The Times.  He ended the event by joking, “I’ll see y’all at the White House Christmas Party in December” the paper reported."

Hat's off for your determined effort to figuratively hold her feet to the fire.  Called resistance.

8-18-17

Think FBI agents shouldn't undergo more stringent screening?  Fox News reports:

"A former FBI agent remained emotionless and his daughter burst into tears when a North Carolina judge sentenced both of them to prison on Wednesday for murdering the woman's husband.   Thomas Martens, 67, and Molly Corbett, 33, were found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Corbett's husband, Jason Corbett, who died after being smashed in the head at least 10 times with a baseball bat in 2015, FOX8 reported.  Martens and Corbett, a former model, were sentenced to 20 to 25 years in prison, though both defense attorneys have filed appeals. The father-daughter duo both claimed they killed Jason Corbett in self-defense."

Think so?

8-18-17

Resistance grows to abusive policing.  Fox News reports:

"The owner of Cafe Zola in Ann Arbor wasn't about to let ICE search her restaurant.  (Google Street View)  A restaurateur in Michigan recently tried out a new approach on two immigration agents who wanted to search her cafe: She told them to go away.  Hediye Batu, who co-owns Café Zola in Ann Arbor with her husband Alan Zakalik, reportedly turned away two Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who came in to inquire about an employee of theirs on Wednesday afternoon, MLive.com reports."

Let them get a warrant.

"According to Zakalik, who was not present at the time, the worker in question was not on duty, but Batu refused to let the agents look around anyway. They reportedly left the premises soon afterward.  "I was not around when they came in but they did speak to my wife, and she refused them entry," he told MLive. "They wanted to go through the kitchen.”  Zakalik added that the men were carrying weapons and looked “pretty equipped” in their ICE gear — a sight that wasn’t lost on his customers.  "These few people who did notice, they didn't like the intimidation factor when people come in with guns," said Zakalik of the patrons he spoke with."

Precisely, the intent of jackbooted storm troopers.  Resist.  Force them to get a warrant.  If they have no warrant, sue the living shit out of them.

"The restaurant’s ICE visit also comes at a time when Ann Arbor restaurateurs are noticing a marked increase in ICE’s activity in the city, MLive reported late last month. On July 28, several of these restaurant owners and workers gathered together with activists and local officials to discuss the impact it’s had, with some officials reportedly arguing that ICE is making their community worse by tearing apart families."

Clearly, the Trump nazi and his fellow Republicans are not the party of the family.

"The owner of Sava’s, another Ann Arbor eatery, shared similar sentiments shortly after her own interaction with ICE in late May, after they ate at her restaurant before charging into the kitchen.  "It scares the whole community. Today's a great indication even if you have your documentation, and you're at the wrong place at the wrong time, you can still be at risk," she said at the time.  A spokesperson for ICE was not immediately available for comment, but the agency confirmed to MLive that no arrests were made at Café Zola on Wednesday.  "Today's enforcement operations are a part of routine, daily targeted operations conducted by ICE in this region and around the country every day, targeting criminal aliens and other immigration violators," the agency stated."

If the jackbooted bastards charge into your kitchen with no warrant, they're trespassing.  Sue the living shit out of the sons of bitches.

8-18-17

Think the North Koreans haven't lost their mind?  ABC News reports:

"North Korea's military will devise a plan by mid-August to fire four intermediate range missiles at the U.S. territory of Guam, according to North Korean state media.  A report on Thursday by the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency said the plan is "to interdict the enemy forces on major military bases on Guam and to signal a crucial warning to the United States."

What makes this particularly dangerous is the fact neither the North Koreans or the Trump nazi are rational.  More insanity:

"In a statement released Wednesday through the news agency, Kim Rak Gyom said U.S. President Donald Trump's "fire and fury" threat is a "load of nonsense." Kim also said Trump fails to grasp the situation, calling the president a "guy bereft of reason" and saying he is "extremely getting on the nerves" of the country's army.  "Only absolute force can work on him," Kim said in statement, according to the KCNA.  Kim added that the country is still examining a possible strike on waters near Guam "to signal a crucial warning to the U.S." On Tuesday, in response to Trump's remarks, North Korea said it was considering a strike on the territory that would create "an enveloping fire."

Trump, by rhetorically responding to this crap, is indeed playing the game of the North Koreans.

CBS News reports:

"Sometime in mid-August, North Korea says it is planning for the simultaneous launch of four non-nuclear Hwasong-12 rockets that would fly over the islands of Japan and into the ocean, landing just 18 to 25 miles from the U.S. airbase on the island territory of Guam.  North Korean state television said the launch would be sent as a warning to the U.S. -- pending approval from Kim Jong Un.  The threat came hours after U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis warned that further action by North Korea could lead to "the end of its regime and the destruction of its people."

NPR reports North Korea has had a change of heart.  Imagine that:

"North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reviewed his military's plans to rain "an enveloping fire" around the U.S. territory of Guam — but opted not to fire missiles at this time, according to state media. Despite the stand-down, some Guamanians were alarmed after two radio stations aired an erroneous emergency alert Tuesday."

Bet they were.  Insanity runs rampant in North Korea, -- to say nothing of the Oval Office.

"Kim visited the Korean People's Army as the self-imposed mid-August deadline for a missile demonstration approached, the Korean Central News Agency reports. But after hearing the plan and considering it, Kim opted not to give the order to launch missiles, and instead "would watch a little more the foolish and stupid conduct of the Yankees," the report says.  Kim also warned that the U.S. should not test North Korea's self-restraint."

Jesus Christ.  Aren't we lucky?

8-18-17

Why is the Trump nazi putting his nose where it doesn't belong?  NPR reports:

"President Trump says he is "not going to rule out" military action against Venezuela following President Nicolas Maduro's moves to consolidate power in recent weeks.  "The people are suffering and they are dying. We have many options for Venezuela including a possible military option if necessary," Trump told reporters.  Venezuela's defense minister responded Friday evening that such talk is "craziness."

It's none of our business.  Remains a problem to be solved by the people of Venezuela.  Does the Trump nazi intend to become world policeman?

8-18-17

No limit to the Aryan arrogance of the Trump nazi and his henchmen.  CBS News reports:

"The Trump administration has filed a brief to the Supreme Court defending the president's revised travel ban as the exercise of the president's broad powers to exclude aliens from U.S. territory for national security reasons.  Jeffrey Wall, the acting solicitor general, argued in the brief filed Thursday that the federal appeals courts in Richmond and San Francisco that stayed the ban should "not second-guess the political branches' decisions to exclude aliens abroad."

Trump is following in the footsteps of his mentors, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini.  There is no exigent threat posed necessitating such action.  The true threat to this country is no foreign power, no terrorist group, not even the criminal element.  It remains all levels of government, all branches.  As our formerly great country continues to nazify.  All civil and constitutional rights and liberties remain under vicious attack.  As innocent unarmed civilians are murdered, shaken down, abused by the criminal jackbooted bastards in blue with impunity.

8-18-17

The following is a clear example of the ongoing nazification of our formerly great country.  CBS News reports:

"Violence broke out Friday night as a large crowd of white nationalists marched through the University of Virginia (UVA) campus carrying tiki torches and chanting "you will not replace us."  The group marched ahead of a demonstration planned for Saturday to protest the removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. A federal judge issued a ruling Friday night allowing the Saturday rally to go forward."

What did the judge know and when did he know it?

"Friday's march began around 10 p.m. at an intramural field and the crowd proceeded to a statue of Thomas Jefferson on the UVA campus. Jefferson founded the university in 1819.  Dozens alt-right activists, white nationalists and neo-Confederates chanted "white lives matter" as they faced off against counter-protesters at the statue, CBS affiliate WTVR-TV reports.  Police arrived on the scene and declared the assembly unlawful. Fights broke out between the two groups of demonstrators, with some marchers swinging their torches. University police said one protester was arrested and charged with assault and disorderly conduct. Police said several people reported injuries, including one police officer."

A portend of far worse to come as our formerly great country continues to nazify.

"Not only as the Mayor of Charlottesville, but as a UVA faculty member and alumnus, I am beyond disgusted by this unsanctioned and despicable display of visual intimidation on a college campus," Signer, a Democrat, said in a statement.

"The white-nationalist protesters are in Charlottesville for the "Unite the Right" rally on Saturday, where officials expect between 2,000 to 6,000 people to attend the protest against the removal of the Lee statue from the city's Emancipation Park, according to the Daily Progress, a newspaper in Charlottesville. More than 1,000 first responders officers will be on hand for the event, the Daily Progress reported."

In a follow up article, CBS News reports:

"White nationalists clashed with counter-protesters before police moved in and intervened at a demonstration in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia, protesting the city's decision to remove a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from the city's Emancipation Park."

Precisely, the white Nazi Right that Trump and his henchmen so appeal to.

"Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency in the city to aid in the local response. He blamed "mostly out-of-state protesters" for the violence and clashes.  "I am disgusted by the hatred, bigotry and violence these protesters have brought to our state over the past 24 hours," McAuliffe said in a statement. He said state troopers and the Virginia National Guard were providing support to local authorities."

A portend of unwanted unrest, violence as this country continues to nazify under Trump and his henchmen.

"After a series of earlier confrontations in Emancipation Park, police declared the assembly unlawful and officers in riot gear began to clear the area shortly after noon. The crowd quickly dispersed and police cleared the area, which had earlier been the site of aggressive clashes."

What took so long?

"Jason Kessler, the organizer behind the "Unite the Right" rally, told CBS News he plans to sue the city for violating a court order permitting the rally to be held in the park.  "Our First Amendment rights were violated today," Kessler said by phone. He said the city of Charlottesville and McAuliffe violated the court ruling because they "didn't like the outcome."

Think so?  Believe, as well, in the Tooth Fairy?

"Some protesters who came for the "Unite the Right" rally were armed and dressed in military-like clothing, while others wore shirts with Nazi symbols and quotes from Adolf Hitler. Another read "diversity is just a genocidal scam."

A catastrophic repeat of history back in the 30s as Hitler and his Brownshirts took over Germany.

"The protest turned violent well ahead of the rally's official noon start time. At least two people were treated for serious but non-life-threatening emergencies from altercations by 10:30 a.m. Counter-protesters flooded the area to square off with the group of alt-right activists and white supremacists. Police deployed tear gas against the crowd shortly before 11:30 a.m."

Again, what took so long?

"Members of Congress largely condemned the rally, with House Speaker Paul Ryan denouncing the "spectacle" as "repugnant," calling on Americans to unite against hate."

Clearly, not all Republicans are nazis.

"The rally comes shortly after a large group of torch-bearing white nationalists marched through the University of Virginia (UVA) campus Friday night, after a judge issued a ruling allowing Saturday's protest to move forward.  UVA cancelled all scheduled events planned for Saturday citing "ongoing public safety concerns," but announced that the college's medical center would remain open."

When violence occurs, it is no longer lawful protest.

The following is the take of The Washington Post:

"After a morning of violent clashes between white nationalists and counter protesters, police ordered hundreds of people out of a downtown park - putting an end to a noon rally that hadn’t even begun.  Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency shortly before 11 a.m.  Using megaphones, police declared an unlawful assembly at about 11:40 a.m., and gave a five-minute warning to leave Emancipation Park, where hundreds of neoNazis, Ku Klux Klans members and other white nationalists had gathered to protest the removal of a Confederate statue. They were met by equal numbers of counterprotesters, including clergy, Black Lives Matter activists and Princeton professor Cornel West."

Catastrophically:

"But fighting broke out way before the noon rally, starting Friday night and then again Saturday morning.  Men in combat gear, some wearing bicycle and motorcycle helmets and carrying clubs and sticks and makeshift shields fought each other in the downtown streets, with little apparent police interference. Both sides sprayed each other with chemical irritants and plastic bottles were hurled through the air."

Insurrection.

"A large contingent of Charlottesville and Virginia state police in riot gear were stationed on side streets and at nearby barricades but did nothing to break up the melee."

Why not?

"A group of three dozen self-described “militia” - men who were wearing full camouflage and were armed with long guns - said they were there to help keep the peace, but they also did not break up the fights.  There were vicious clashes on Market Street in front of Emancipation Park, where the rally was to begin at noon. A large contingent of white nationalist rallygoers holding shields and swinging wooden clubs rushed through a line of counterprotesters."

Where were police?  Aiding and abetting the Nazi Right?

"By 11 a.m., several fully armed militias and hundreds of right wing rally goers had poured into the small downtown park that is the site of the planned rally.  At about 11:40 a.m., police appeared and ordered everyone to vacate the park. Columns of white nationalists marched out of the park, carrying Confederate flags and Nazi symbols, and headed down Market Street in an odd parade, as counterprotesters lined the sidewalks and shouted epithets and mocked them. At various points along the route, skirmishes broke out and shouting matches ensued."

Clearly, a portend of far worse to come as our formerly great country continues to nazify.

"Charlottesville officials, concerned about crowds and safety issues, had tried to move the rally to a larger park away from the city’s downtown.  But Jason Kessler, the rally’s organizer, filed a successful lawsuit against the city that was supported by the Virginia ACLU, saying that his First Amendment rights would be violated by moving the rally.  Tensions began Friday night, as several hundred white supremacists chanted “White lives matter!” “You will not replace us!” and “Jews will not replace us!” as they carried torches marched in a parade through the University of Virginia campus."

Chilling repeat of history.

"The fast-paced march was made up almost exclusively of men in their 20s and 30s, though there were some who looked to be in their mid-teens."

Brownshirts.  Chilling repeat of history.

NBC News reports:

"The rally follows a night of torch-wielding white supremacists clashing with counter-protesters at the University of Virginia.  Chants of "You will not replace us!" and "Blood and soil!" were met with shouts of "No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA!"  The shouting grew when demonstrators arrived at a statue of former President Thomas Jefferson, the university's founder, reported NBC affiliate WVIR.  At least one person was arrested and several others treated for minor injuries, according to local newspaper The Daily Progress. Both sides reported being hit with pepper spray, the newspaper added."

Blatant insurrection.

Gets worse.  CBS News reports:

"One person was killed and several others were injured Saturday when a car plowed into a group of protesters in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia, hours after police broke up violent confrontations before a rally of white nationalists.  At least a half-dozen others were also wounded, suffering minor to life-threatening injuries, authorities said Saturday.  A dozen medics were seen carting the injured back and forth on stretchers. The victims appeared to be counter-protesters but could be residents, CBS News justice reporter Paula Reid reports.  Video from the scene showed a grey sedan plowing into protesters marching through the downtown shopping district as bystanders screamed for help.  Footage from another angle showed the car speeding in reverse to flee the scene."

The Trump nazi remains achingly clueless:

"President Trump condemned the violence in a news conference Saturday afternoon."We're closely following the terrible events unfolding in Charlottesville, Virginia. We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence, on many sides," he said."

That's goddamned bullshit.  The hatred, bigotry, violence were perpetrated by his white nationalist nazi supporters.  Against protesters.  Police failed to control the violent nazi element.

"Mr. Trump said he spoke with Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe over the phone and agreed "that the hate and division must stop and it must stop right now."

Rein in your nazi supporters, Mr. 'President.'  You're personally responsible for the division.  Deliberately transforming a goddamned de facto fascist police-state to the Fourth Reich and expect no division, protest?  What planet do you live on, sir?

The Washington Times reports:

"President Trump called for unity Saturday in the wake of clashes between white supremacists and counter-protestors in Charlottesville, Virginia, demanding “the division must stop, and must stop right now.”

That will not happen as our formerly great country transitions from a de facto fascist police-state to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

“Ideally we have to love each other,” Mr. Trump said from his golf club in New Jersey, where he’s taking a working vacation, and was signing into law a veterans health bill."

Coming from a man who ripped off contractors, looted students at his 'university,' lined his pockets off his 'charitable' foundation, repeatedly went bankrupt to line his pockets, etc., who the hell is this piece of crap to talk about loving one another?

"But where some put the blame on the white nationalists alone, Mr. Trump, who has faced historic resistance to his presidency, suggested the problems ran across the political spectrum, and said it all needs to stop."

How can it?  Imposition of the Fourth Reich precludes such.  Sadly, fuels it.

"He also said the clashes were dissonant at a time when the country is “doing very well in so many ways.”

For the top of the food chain.  'Let 'em eat cake, right, Mr. 'President?'

ABC News reports:

"The driver of a car that plowed into a crowd of demonstrators after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia Saturday has been arrested, as city officials report that one person has died and 19 are injured following the incident. "

NBC News reports:

"The Detroit Red Wings said Saturday they are considering legal action to stop white nationalists from using their logo as part of a "disturbing" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The team said in a statement it "vehemently" disagrees with the rally and is in no way associated with it. The logo of the NHL club could be seen on items held by people at the rally."

CBS News reports:

"A top Republican senator called out President Trump on Twitter Saturday, after Mr. Trump declined to condemn white nationalists when violence at a "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia left one person dead and 34 others injured."

Clearly, not all Republicans are goose stepping with the president.

"Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colorado), leader of the National Republican Senatorial Committee in 2018, called on Mr. Trump to "call evil by its name." Mr. Trump, in brief remarks Saturday from his working vacation at his golf club in New Jersey, said he condemned violence "on many sides." Given a chance to clarify what Mr. Trump meant by "all sides," a White House official told the press pool the president was "condemning hatred, bigotry and violence from all sources and all sides. There was violence between protesters and counter protesters today."  But that wasn't good enough for Gardner, who had perhaps the strongest statements of any Republican Saturday afternoon."

For the Trump nazi not to condemn Klansmen and Alt Right Nazis who support him speaks volumes.

"Mr. President - we must call evil by its name. These were white supremacists and this was domestic terrorism. https://t.co/PaPNiPPAoW
— Cory Gardner (@SenCoryGardner) August 12, 2017

"Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida), also had strong words for the president.

"Very important for the nation to hear @potus describe events in #Charlottesville for what they are, a terror attack by #whitesupremacists
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) August 12, 2017"

NPR reports:

"One day after deadly unrest roiled Charlottesville, Va., its effects have sent ripples through cities across the United States. Demonstrators from New York City to Seattle organized rallies Sunday to condemn the white nationalist groups that had descended on the Virginia city this weekend.  In all, activists say, more than 500 events were planned throughout the day — including a candlelight vigil in Florida, rallies in cities across western Michigan and South Carolina, and a march through Manhattan to Trump Tower.  "If the last 48 hours have shown us anything, it's that white supremacy is alive and well," Courtney Thomas told fellow protesters in Greenville, S.C., according to The Greenville News."

Certainly, true.  Precisely, why protest must continue.  Police need to do their job.  Rein in the violence of the Nazi Right.  Certainly, did not do so in Charlottesville.  Practiced restraint unlike that after Ferguson erupted after the killing of an unarmed black man by a criminal, gutless, jackbooted bastard in blue several years ago.  Could it be police treat protest by blacks differently than that perpetrated by the KKK and Nazi Alt Right?

Regarding the victim who died at the hands of the nazi Alt Right, CNN reports:

"Heather Heyer dedicated her life to standing up for those she felt were not being heard, her family and friends said. She died fighting for her beliefs and campaigning against hate.  "She was very strong in what she felt and she spoke with conviction," Heather's close friend and co-worker Marissa Blair told Chris Cuomo on CNN's "New Day" on Monday.  "She would never back down from what she believed in. And that's what she died doing, she died fighting for what she believed in. Heather was a sweet, sweet soul and she'll never be replaced, she'll never be forgotten."

Nazism must be stood up to, ferociously but peacefully resisted.  This young woman indeed stood tall.  Paid the ultimate price for her great courage.

"Thirty-two-year-old Heyer was killed Saturday when a car plowed into a crowd of counterprotesters gathered to oppose a "Unite the Right" rally of white nationalist and other right-wing groups. Nineteen others were injured in the incident."

The nazi son of a bitch responsible has been arrested:

"A 20-year-old man from Ohio, James Alex Fields Jr., is being held and could face a second-degree murder charge in Heyer's death."

Great courage displayed during this vicious attack:

"Blair said she was at Saturday's rally with Heather and fiance Marcus Martin in a show of support for diversity."

"Blair said her fiance Martin pushed her out of the way when he saw the car coming their way. Martin was hit and sent flying through the air, breaking his leg. The moment was captured in a photograph that has been published widely."

Get this:

"Martin returned to the scene of the crash in a wheelchair Sunday night for a vigil for Heather. Blair calls Martin and Heather her "heroes".  "She spoke for people even if they didn't want speak for themselves," Blair said. "Words can't describe Heather, I will never find another friend like Heather."

When supposedly good men and women remain gutlessly silent in the face of great evil, they're no longer men, no longer women.

NBC News reports:

"The Ohio man accused of killing a woman when he allegedly rammed his car into a group protesting against white nationalists rallying in Virginia was denied bail Monday in his first court appearance since the chaos in Charlottesville.  Dressed in a black and white prison jumpsuit, James Alex Fields Jr. appeared in a Charlottesville court room via video conference from the local jail and did not enter a plea in connection with the death of 32-year-old Heather Heyer at a "Unite The Right" march Saturday."

"Fields was held on suspicion of second-degree murder, malicious wounding and failure to stop in an accident that resulted in death."

Here is the kicker.  Get this:

"Outside the courthouse, white nationalist Matthew Heimbach barged in on a gathering of reporters and accused them of being "liars" and insisted Fields was "scared for his life" and tried to portray him and the other white supremacists as the victims.  "The nationalist community defended ourselves against thugs," Heimbach insisted. "These radical leftists...they are the one who came to kill us."

What a goddamned crock of shit.  Re-write of reality.

"Heimbach was soon drowned out by chants of "Nazis go home" and "murderer" and police officers quickly surrounded him for his own protection and escorted him away from the court complex."

Amazing how the jackbooted bastards in blue protect their own and those who think like them.

Take of NPR:

"One day after a car plowed into a group of people protesting a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., the victim of that attack has been identified as Heather Heyer. The Charlottesville resident was 32 years old.  Two state troopers, Pilot Lt. H. Jay Cullen and Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates, also died Saturday, when their helicopter crashed en route to the scene of the violence. Dozens of other people were treated for injuries throughout the day, including 19 from the car crash.  Heather Heyer, 32, died on Saturday after a car plowed into a crowd of anti-racist protesters following a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va."

Here's what's so achingly poignant about this tragedy:

"Heyer's friend and co-worker Courtney Commander told NPR that the two of them had debated whether to go to this weekend's counterprotest and that Heyer was worried about the potential of violence.  "She said to us many times like 'I want to go so bad, but I just don't want to die. I'm so scared because these people are so serious,' and she was the only one that lost her life," said Commander, who worked with Heyer at Miller Law Group in Charlottesville. "I just feel so bad."  Commander said that before this weekend, Heyer had not attended protests but often spoke out about issues."

The price of liberty is indeed high.  Across the spectrum.  From dying protesting great evil to death of military personnel on the battlefield to death of police at the hands of violent criminals.

Trump is drawing tremendous heat for not specifically condemning the actions of his nazi Alt Right and KKK during the Charlottesville catastrophe.  CNN reports:

"The mayor of Charlottesville, Virginia, slammed President Donald Trump Monday for his unwillingness to forcefully condemn white separatists behind the racial unrest that left one woman dead over the weekend in the city.  Michael Signer, a Democrat, was asked by CNN's Chris Cuomo on "New Day" if Trump still needed to call out Nazis and white supremacists.  "I've already spent enough time talking about Donald Trump. He is our President, with respect, but I think it speaks for itself. He had his moment. These are times for leadership."

The 'President' remains an insane nazi fuhrer, not the leader of a supposed democratic republic.

"He continued, "He kind of had his opportunity and he whiffed and I think that speaks for itself."

Indeed, it does.  Shows his true colors:

"After Saturday's violence, Trump condemned "hatred, bigotry, and violence on many sides." His decision to not specifically mention the white nationalist or neo-Nazi groups in attendance led to bipartisan calls for him to do so."

Pressure is growing from both major political parties for him to do precisely that.  Remains recalcitrant.  Forget?  These bastards are his base.

The Washington Times reports:

"As the dust settled after Saturday’s deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, President Trump was stung by a political backlash from both sides, with leading Republicans condemning what they saw as a tepid response and a failure to call evil by its name."

Why would a nazi president be expected to do such?

"After a counterprotester was killed when a car plowed into her and two Virginia state troopers died in a helicopter crash, the president had an opportunity to dispense fully with the notion that he welcomed the support of fringe right-wing groups, neo-Nazis, white supremacists and anti-Semites."

Did shit squat.  Why?  Simple.  Trump is a national socialist, nazi, fascist, -- all terms accurately describing the Nazi Alt Right.

"Such charges have dogged Mr. Trump since the beginning of his presidential campaign, and his vice president used a trip to South America to push back against the charge.  Powerful figures in the Republican Party say the president squandered that opportunity with a Saturday statement that condemned violence and bigotry in broad terms but blamed tensions on “many sides.” The statement made no mention of the white nationalist groups that perpetrated the fatal gathering."

Trump calls for reconciliation as he deliberately transforms the goddamned de facto fascist police-state we already live in to the Fourth Reich.  That's not going to happen.  Resistance to nazism will grow as the public fully understands what's truly at stake here.

“These groups seem to believe they have a friend in Donald Trump in the White House. … I would urge the president to dissuade these groups that he’s their friend,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican, said on “Fox News Sunday.”

How can Trump do that when they are his base?

“I think the president can be very clear when he wants to be, and he needs to be clear here,” he said."

Why would you expect that in this situation, Senator?  The son of a bitch is a nazi.

"Other Republican senators, including Orrin G. Hatch of Utah, Cory Gardner of Colorado, Ted Cruz of Texas, Marco Rubio of Florida and others condemned the deadly demonstration. But Mr. Trump’s handling of the situation fueled commentary that he is comfortable with the support of white nationalist groups, some of which praised his remarks and said they amounted to a victory because they didn’t explicitly blame anyone for the violence."

That's right.  Certainly, true.  No question, the Republican Party continues to embrace nazism.  About time, members of the GOP who do not, courageously raise their voices in protest.

"On Sunday night, Vice President Mike Pence denounced such white supremacists as “dangerous fringe groups” and said Mr. Trump shares his views.  “We have no tolerance for hate and violence from white supremacists, neo-Nazis or the KKK,” Mr. Pence said at a press conference in Cartagena, Colombia. “These dangerous fringe groups have no place in American public life and in the American debate, and we condemn them in the strongest possible terms.”

Pence's claims are not credible.  From the time Trump announced his candidacy right up to the present moment, Trump's rhetoric and actions scream otherwise.

"Mr. Gardner on Sunday urged the president to speak out again in more forceful terms and make clear that the Republican Party does not welcome such views. A failure to do that, the senator said, makes it fair to question if Mr. Trump wants to remain popular among white nationalists.  “Call this white supremacism, this white nationalism, evil, and let the country hear it, let the world hear it. It’s something that needs to come from the Oval Office,” Mr. Gardner said on CNN’s “State of the Union” program. “If he doesn’t do that, then we can continue to answer the question of why.”

Indeed.

Maxine Waters certainly had her say.  Fox News reports:

"Rep. Maxine Waters lashed out at President Trump on Sunday, blaming him for the white nationalist rioters who left the nation reeling after they descended upon Charlottesville, VA on Saturday.  Then-candidate Trump "encouraged violence against protesters at rallies. We should not be surprised," Waters tweeted."

No question.

    "Trump defined himself during campaign. He encouraged violence against protesters at rallies. We should not be surprised. #Charlottesviille

    — Maxine Waters (@MaxineWaters) August 13, 2017

    "Don't forget, Trump offered to pay legal fees for those who attacked protesters at his rallies. Will he be making that same offer now?

    — Maxine Waters (@MaxineWaters) August 13, 2017

    "Trump claimed he didn't know D. Duke, but Duke said white supremacist rally was done to fulfill Trump's promises. Do you know him now,Trump?

    — Maxine Waters (@MaxineWaters) August 13, 2017

    "Trump refuses to condemn white supremacists & terrorists who showed up in Charlottesville. Is he sending a signal? Everyone must be careful.

    — Maxine Waters (@MaxineWaters) August 13, 2017"

Ms. Waters can certainly be relied on, expected to pointedly tell it like she sees it.

CBS News/AP reports:

"As President Donald Trump remained out of sight and silent, pressure mounted from both sides of the aisle for him to explicitly condemn white supremacists and hate groups involved in deadly, race-fueled clashes in Charlottesville, Virginia."

Gutless fascist more interested in maintaining his nazi base rather than doing the right thing:

"The White House statement came as Trump aides tried to stem the damage. Senior aides were dispatched to the morning news shows, yet they struggled at times to explain the president's position. The new White House statement explicitly denounced the Ku Klux Klan and neo-Nazi groups, but it was attributed to an unnamed spokesperson and not the president himself."

Speaks volumes, doesn't it?

"The White House statement Sunday went further. "The president said very strongly in his statement yesterday that he condemns all forms of violence, bigotry and hatred and of course that includes white Supremacists, KKK, neo-Nazi and all extremist groups." It added: "He called for national unity and bringing all Americans together."

Resistance to the imposition of the Fourth Reich by the Trump nazi and his henchmen will not end any time soon.  Kicker?  Abject cowardice?  Get this:

"The White House did not attach a name to the statement. Usually, a statement would be signed by the press secretary or another staffer; not putting a name to one eliminates an individual's responsibility for its truthfulness and often undercuts its significance."

You think?

"Trump, as a presidential candidate, frequently came under scrutiny for being slow to offer his condemnation of white supremacists. His strongest denunciation of the movement has not come voluntarily, only when asked, and he occasionally trafficked in retweets of racist social media posts during his campaign. His chief strategist, Steve Bannon, once declared that his former news site, Breitbart, was "the platform for the alt-right."

If it walks like a duck, quacks like a gut, looks like a duck, guess what?  It's a f--king duck.

Consequences of this catastrophe continue to roll in.  NPR reports:

"Merck CEO Kenneth Frazier is leaving President Trump's American Manufacturing Council, saying, "I feel a responsibility to take a stand against intolerance and extremism."  The resignation came after Trump was criticized for his response to the violence at white supremacist events in Charlottesville, Va., over the weekend. The president, famous for his ability to be direct and forceful, was faulted for condemning violence "on many sides."

The Trump nazi quickly reacted:

"Within an hour of Merck announcing Frazier's withdrawal, Trump retorted on Twitter, "Now that Ken Frazier of Merck Pharma has resigned ... he will have more time to lower ripoff drug prices!"

    "Now that Ken Frazier of Merck Pharma has resigned from President's Manufacturing Council,he will have more time to LOWER RIPOFF DRUG PRICES!
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 14, 2017"

Pitiful, isn't it?  Achingly, pathetic.  The petulant, out of control nazi in the Oval Office, was certainly piqued.  More than willing to show his profound displeasure.

"In a statement on his resignation, Frazier said, "America's leaders must honor our fundamental values by clearly rejecting expressions of hatred, bigotry and group supremacy, which run counter to the American ideal that all people are created equal."  Frazier, who is African-American, said he was acting as both the CEO of Merck and "as a matter of personal conscience."  The rift did not seem to harm Merck's stock: The drug company's shares rose by nearly a full percentage point in the first hour of trading, to nearly $63."

Remarkable, isn't it?  Apparently, the corporate management suite and traders are beginning to wake up, better understand the growing scourge currently occupying the Oval Office.

The Washington Post reports:

"Late Monday, Kevin Plank, CEO of Under Armour, said on Twitter that he, too, was stepping down from the manufacturing council. “I love our country and our company and will continue to focus my efforts on inspiring every person that they can do anything through the power of sport which promotes unity, diversity and inclusion,” Plank wrote in a statement.

"Hours later, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich also announced in a blog post that he was resigning from the council “to call attention to the serious harm our divided political climate is causing to critical issues.”

The Washington Post reports:

"Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Monday strongly defended President Trump’s response to the violence in Charlottesville, seeking to counter widespread criticism that the president did not go far enough in denouncing white supremacists and other hate groups."

What else would be expected from the Sessions nazi, himself a goddamned closet bigot who has no business being Attorney General?

"Sessions said on CBS’s “This Morning” that people are making “too much out of” President Trump not explicitly condemning white supremacists."

Spoken as the bigoted piece of crap, national socialist he truly appears to be.

CNN reports:

"Attorney General Jeff Sessions vowed Monday that the Justice Department will "take the most vigorous action" to protect Americans against "racism and bigotry" in the aftermath of the tragedy in Charlottesville, Virginia, over the weekend."

No credibility.  Past history screams otherwise.

"Sessions said on CBS's "This Morning" that he and FBI Director Christopher Wray will meet with President Donald Trump Monday to discuss the violence that left one woman dead after white supremacists clashed with counter-protesters. The meeting was not originally on Trump's schedule."

Fox guarding the hen house.

"You can be sure this Department of Justice in this administration is going to take the most vigorous action to protect the right of people like Heather Heyer, to protest against racism and bigotry," Sessions said on NBC's "Today" show. "We're going to protect the right to assemble and march. And we're going to prosecute anybody, to the full extent of the law, that violates their ability to do so."

Will believe it when we see it.  Until then, zero credibility.  The following is why little can be expected at this time:

NBC News reports:

"The FBI said in a statement Saturday that it, the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia have opened a civil rights investigation into the car striking the crowd of people.  The investigation will examine the actual ramming attack itself, whether it was pre-meditated, and — if it is determined the attack was planned — if others were involved.  Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia Rick Mountcastle and the Civil Rights Division in Washington will head up the federal investigation.  However, the greater issue of clashes between the rallying white supremacists and counter-protesters is currently not under investigation."

Why not?  Not enough pressure brought to bear?

"Sessions said on Saturday the federal investigation "will have the full support of the Department of Justice."  "Justice will prevail," he said."

Comforting, isn't it?

The Trump nazi finally succumbed to enormous pressure brought to bear by both parties as well as an enraged public.  NPR reports:

"It isn't remarkable for a president to denounce racism, particularly after a white nationalist rally that turned deadly. But the timing of President Trump's comments on Monday, rebuking racist groups for their participation in Saturday's violent protests in Charlottesville, Va., was newsworthy.

"Racism is evil," Trump said. "And those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, neo-Nazis, white supremacists and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans."

Simply not credible coming from Trump.  Rings hollow.  Would have had some small semblance of credibility had it come two days before.  The Trump nazi was figuratively dragged kicking and screaming to finally do the right thing.  Here is the salient issue:

"The path to Trump's Monday statement is the latest in a line of Trump's decidedly fuzzy responses to racist groups. While Trump seemed more willing to distance himself from racist groups long before his political career, the past decade has shown a man apparently ambivalent about consistently drawing a clear line between himself and groups that espouse racist ideologies."

Fascinating, isn't it?  To say nothing of his embrace of national socialism, fascism, nazism.

Think anything truly changed after Trump's amended supposed rebuke of his KKK and Nazi Alt Right supporters?  Get this.  The Washington Post reports:

"President Trump's war with CNN went off the rails Tuesday morning after he retweeted an image of a Trump train running over a CNN reporter, then quickly deleted it after the meme sparked criticism as inappropriate just days after the Charlottesville violence.  Trump was in the middle of his usual morning tweetstorm when he sent the image, posted by a supporter who added “Nothing can stop the #TrumpTrain!!," to his nearly 36 million followers.

    "Trump RT'd this pic showing a CNN journalist hit by a train days after a white nationalist ran his car into activists, killed Heather Heyer. pic.twitter.com/tWjdoE70AS

    "— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) August 15, 2017

"The president quickly deleted his handiwork but not before the original tweet had been retweeted hundreds of times and was captured on screen shots by journalists and activists."

Imagine that.  No honor.  No principles.  No empathy.  A sick nazi:

"Trump's promotion of the image came three days after a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville turned into a violent clash between the supremacists and counterprotesters. Heather Heyer, 32, was killed and 19 others injured when a driver slammed his car into a crowd of counterprotesters. A 20-year old man, who has reportedly espoused neo-Nazi views, has been charged with second-degree murder in the case. Two police officers also died when their helicopter crashed."

Equally galling?  Get this:

"A user named Mike Holden was replying to a Fox News story that said Trump had told the network in an interview that he was considering issuing a presidential pardon for former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was found guilty of defying a judge's order to halt traffic patrols on suspected undocumented immigrants. “He's a fascist, so not unusual,” Holden wrote, only to find himself retweeted by the 45th president of the United States."

Imagine the Twitter response to the above.  Shit hit the fan.

Some parents stand tall no matter what.  The following is an example of uncommon valor.  NPR reports:

"Pearce Tefft wrote a letter to members of his community in Fargo, N.D., to set the record straight about his family and the current state of his relationship to Peter Tefft, calling his son "an avowed white nationalist" who attended the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Va., over the weekend."

Parenting at its very best:

"I, along with all of his siblings and his entire family, wish to loudly repudiate my son's vile, hateful and racist rhetoric and actions," Tefft wrote in a letter to The Forum newspaper on Monday. "We do not know specifically where he learned these beliefs. He did not learn them at home."

Unsurpassed courage to so publicly rebuke his nazi son.

"As for what Peter Tefft did learn at home, his father says he believes in equality and opened his house to "friends and acquaintances of every race, gender and creed."

Adolf and Benito would have been proud of their protégé:

    "This charming Nazi is Pete Tefft of Fargo, ND -- spotted in @UR_Ninja's video: https://t.co/2oslzXHtRZ #GoodNightAltRight #Charlottesville pic.twitter.com/Zqd2gm8mOC
    "— Yes, You're Racist (@YesYoureRacist) August 12, 2017"

Amazing the power of the Internet to quickly facilitate identification of the nazi element.

"Peter Tefft's decision to "unlearn" what he was taught has brought heartbreak to the family, Pearce Tefft said. He added that he won't open his home to his son and that he is no longer welcome at any family gatherings.  Urging the community not to judge the entire family based on Peter Tefft's involvement with the neo-Nazi movement, Pearce Tefft said that while his son's beliefs are his own, they "are bringing hateful rhetoric to his siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews as well as his parents."  Calling Peter a prodigal son who might someday be welcomed back — but not until he disavows hatred — Pearce Tefft urged, "Please son, renounce the hate, accept and love all."

Imagine having your father hold your sick sorry pathetic ass so publicly accountable.  Wasn't alone, however:

"Tefft's involvement with the rally over the weekend, his nephew, Jacob Scott, issued a statement that read in part:  "In brief, we reject him wholly – both him personally as a vile person who has HIMSELF made violent threats against our family, and also his hideous ideology, which we abhor. We are all bleeding-heart liberals who believe in the fundamental equality of all human beings. Peter is a maniac, who has turned away from all of us and gone down some insane internet rabbit-hole, and turned into a crazy nazi. He scares us all, we don't feel safe around him, and we don't know how he came to be this way. My grandfather feels especially grieved, as though he has failed as a father."

Jesus Christ.  At least one family willing to tell it like it is.  Hat's off.  Gets even more poignant:

"In a Facebook post about his uncle, Scott wrote, "Peter, if you are reading this, PLEASE CHANGE YOUR NAME IMMEDIATELY. You are bringing shame and ignominy on your whole family, and causing a great deal of heartbreak and distress for all of us."  Both Jacob Scott and Pearce Tefft promised that they would resist their relative to the end, with Pearce Tefft telling his son, "you will have to shovel our bodies into the oven, too."  That sentiment, echoed by both relatives, was a reference to a joke they said Tefft had told about how fascists treat dissenting opinion."

Uncommon valor.  Yet, others can't seem to wake up, smell the coffee.  Consider the following:

Amazing how law enforcement has not yet smartened up with all the bad publicity to date.  Fox News reports:

"A Massachusetts police department is investigating a Facebook comment by an officer who wrote “Hahahaha love this” in response to a story about a car crashing into counter-protesters at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, killing one person and injuring at least 19 others.  Springfield Police Commissioner John Barbieri says he received a complaint about the comment Sunday and opened an internal investigation."

Comforting, isn't it?  Fox guarding the hen house.

"Heather Heyer, who was killed while protesting against white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia.  Officer Conrad Lariviere wrote in response to the violence: “Hahahaha love this, maybe people shouldn’t block road ways.”  In a Facebook interview with Masslive.com, Lariviere says he’s a “good man who made a stupid comment.”

Worse than stupid, shows the officer's egregious lack of empathy, any measure of compassion.  Calls his fitness for duty into question.

"Democratic Mayor Domenic Sarno says: “There is no place for this in our society, let alone from a Springfield Police Officer.”

That's right.  Indeed.

Subsequent to writing the above, the Trump nazi the very next day after condemning the KKK and Nazi Alt Right reversed course and went back to defending these pieces of shit.  More to come in the next edition as this story develops among increasing controversy and condemnation of the racist bastard by both major political parties and the long-suffering public.

8-18-17

Further evidence of determined transition from the goddamned fascist police-state we already live in to Trump's Fourth Reich?  NPR reports:

"The ACLU has filed a class-action lawsuit alleging that the Trump administration is falsely accusing immigrant teens of gang affiliations in a concerted effort to deport them.  The American Civil Liberties Union says the federal government is illegally detaining immigrant teens from Suffolk County, N.Y., in "jail-like facilities," based on unsubstantiated claims that they are members of transnational street gangs."

The nazi way.

"The civil rights group also says the young immigrants were detained without notice to their parents or lawyers, and without giving them a chance to challenge the allegations.  According to the lawsuit, the Latino teens are being "profiled as gang members based on the neighborhoods they live in and their countries of origin."

Pernicious repeat of history.

8-18-17

Apparently, the Trump nazi and his henchmen want demand for abortion to increase.  Get this.  CBS News reports:

"The Department of Health and Human Services is cutting off grants for teen pregnancy prevention programs across the country, leaving the groups that receive the grants -- and Democratic members of Congress -- perplexed.  The dozens of localities that receive funding for the Teen Pregnancy Prevention program, a program that began under former President Barack Obama in 2010, were taken aback when the date was changed last month on their notice of award documents from an office within HHS, noting their grants would end in June 2018, instead of in 2020. That means they won't receive roughly $200 million they were expecting to receive over that two-year period."

8-18-17

The Trump nazi remains cluelessly impressed with himself.  Think not?  Get this.  NBC News reports:

"President Donald Trump on Friday warned North Korea's leader that he "will not get away with" it if he does anything against the U.S. or its allies.  "If he utters one threat in the form of an overt threat — which by the way he's been uttering for years, and his family has been uttering for years — or if he does anything with respect to Guam, or American territory or an American ally, he will truly regret it and he will regret it fast," Trump said of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un."

The above is not out of the ordinary for this clueless nazi.  What follows is:

"The president said the only reason anyone was criticizing his handling of North Korea was because he was the one in charge.  "My critics are only saying that because it's me," Trump told reporters at his Bedminster, N.J., golf resort. "If somebody else uttered same words I did, they'd say what a wonderful statement."

Goddamned bullshit.  This is the first president since the dawn of the nuclear age in 1945 who has been so determinedly reckless in his taunting of a nuclear adversary.  The only one to date to stupidly bait an enemy.

"He added, "Tens of millions in this country so happy with what I'm saying — finally we have president sticking up for our nation and for our friends and allies — and this man will not get away with what he's doing, believe me."

The above?  Further evidence of his growing instability, aching insanity, egregious unfitness for office.  An out of control buffoon.

Does he think his rhetoric supports the following?  Get this.  ABC News reports:

"Despite the bombastic rhetoric exchanged between North Korean and American leaders this week, the Trump administration has been quietly engaged in back-channel diplomacy with North Korea for several months, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.  The ongoing talks, which were first reported by The Associated Press, included discussions about U.S.-North Korean relations and Americans imprisoned in North Korea, the source said."

At best, his rhetoric confuses the North Koreans.  At worst, offers proof positive the Trump nazi is not all there.

"According to the source, the talks are being held between Ambassador Joseph Yun, the U.S. special representative for North Korea policy, and Pak Song Il, a senior North Korean diplomat at the country's U.N. mission, using what’s known as the “New York channel,” which has been an avenue of communication between the U.S. and North Korea throughout the years."

Precisely, why Trump should have emulated all his predecessors since 1945.  That is, speak softly, carry a big stick.  Too much of a jackass to do that, however.  The narcissist in him prevents it.

8-18-17

The rich Nazi Right believes it can do as it pleases.  One billionaire got the message he can't. The Washington Post reports:

"Then Vinod Khosla, billionaire and a co-founder of Sun Microsystems enriched by investments in Silicon Valley venture capital, paid $32.5 million in 2008 for land adjacent to the coast, including the only road to Martins Beach — cutting off access to the beach with a closed gate and painted over access signs in 2009.  Private security guards roamed the public beach south of San Francisco, tossing out surfers and swimmers found there.  On Thursday, Khosla learned not to mess with surfers, when he lost an appeal to bar public access to the Martins Beach Road."

Aryan arrogance of the nazi.

“This is not simply a win for surfers in San Mateo County,” Surfrider Foundation legal director Angela Howe told The Washington Post. “This is a win for all of the beachgoing public that wish to enjoy California’s beautiful 1,100-mile coastline.”  A three-judge panel of the California 1st District Court of Appeals rejected the appeal of Khosla’s management companies, Martins Beach 1 and Martins Beach 2, in a suit challenging the legality of his road blockage, filed in March 2013 by the Surfrider Foundation."

8-18-17

The Trump nazi appears to be doing all he can to alienate fellow Republicans in the Senate.  NPR reports:

"President Trump is continuing to voice his frustration with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, tweeting on Thursday that the Kentucky Republican should "get back to work" after last month's failure to pass a health care bill.  The president's latest tweet imploring the Kentucky Republican to keep pressing on efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare came as Trump himself is taking a "working vacation" at his own golf course in New Jersey."

The nazi in the Oval Office doesn't seem to understand Republicans themselves are profoundly divided on health care.  There's nothing more that Mitch "The Bitch" McConnell could have done to whip them in line.

"Earlier on Thursday, Trump lashed out again at McConnell."

Trump needs to be most careful.  Fellow Republicans are beginning to turn against him.

"When it comes to health care legislation, the finger pointing between President Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is continuing almost two weeks after GOP efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act failed.  The top Republican in the Senate was the first to throw down the gauntlet this week, saying back home in Kentucky that it was Trump's political inexperience that led to him setting "excessive expectations" over wanting to speedily repeal Obamacare."

No way the GOP could successfully proceed.  Had nothing better to offer.  Should have patiently waited for Obamacare to fail of its own weight.  Now, Republicans will ultimately be saddled with its failure.  Forget?  GOP nazis own all three branches of government.  Still can't get anything done.

"Our new president, of course, has not been in this line of work before. And I think he had excessive expectations about how quickly things happen in the democratic process," the Senate majority leader continued. "So part of the reason I think people feel we're underperforming is because too many artificial deadlines — unrelated to the reality of the complexity of legislating — may not have been fully understood."

Certainly, enraged the petulant nazi dictator, -- expects to snap his fingers, have everyone goose step along.  Not to be.  Not even in his own party.

"The escalating tension between the president and McConnell has the potential to jeopardize the rest of the Republican legislative agenda in the Senate when Congress returns to Washington, D.C., next month — a daunting list that includes a tax overhaul, raising the debt ceiling and more."

Worse than that?  Pending criminal investigation conducted by Special Counsel Mueller.  Walls closing in as his approval nosedives.  Base diminishes.

8-18-17

Trump is not enforcing environmental law.  NPR reports:

"Since President Trump took office in January, enforcement of environmental laws has dropped dramatically, compared with past administrations. A study released by the Environmental Integrity Project finds that $12 million in civil penalties have been collected from violators in 26 cases between January and the end of July.  That's significantly less than the number of cases prosecuted and the penalties collected under the same six month period by the Obama, Bush and Clinton administrations. Under Barack Obama, the Justice Department prosecuted 34 cases, collecting $36 million in the time period. Under George W. Bush, 31 cases were lodged, bringing in $30 million in penalties. Under Bill Clinton, there were 45 cases filed, with penalties totaling $25 million.  So far, penalties collected by Trump's EPA are 60 percent lower than the average of the three previous administrations."

8-18-17

Think the following isn't frightening?  Direct threat to what's left of our supposed democratic republic?  CBS News reports:

"If President Trump proposed delaying the 2020 election until the U.S. could ensure that only eligible citizens were able to vote, 52 percent of Republicans would support the move, according to a survey from a pair of academics reported Thursday in the Washington Post. The number of Republicans supporting the hypothetical delay jumped to 56 percent when respondents were told that both Mr. Trump and Republicans in Congress proposed the move."

8-18-17

Think the following the mark of a rational president?  NBC News reports:

"President Donald Trump threw the weight of the White House behind the fight against the opioid crisis Thursday and declared it a national emergency.  "The opioid crisis is an emergency, and I’m saying officially, right now, it is an emergency," Trump said at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. "It’s a national emergency. We’re going to spend a lot of time, a lot of effort and a lot of money on the opioid crisis."

Think so?  Think again:

"Trump's surprise announcement came two days after he vowed the U.S. would "win" the fight against the epidemic but stopped short of acting on the recommendation of the presidential opioid commission to “declare a national emergency.”  It was not immediately clear what prompted Trump's change of course."

8-18-17

Republicans in Indiana continue to disenfranchise voters.  ABC News reports:

"The NAACP is suing Indiana officials to block a new state law that the civil rights group says would discriminate against black and Latino voters in heavily populated Lake County by consolidating voting precincts."

Crafty, isn't it?

"The lawsuit challenges a law that applies only to Lake County, which is home to Indiana's second-largest African-American population and its largest Hispanic population. It alleges that the new law unfairly reassigns large numbers of voters to new polling locations that may be difficult for black and Latino voters with mobility issues or a lack of reliable transportation to reach."

Can't dazzle 'em with brilliance, baffle 'em with bullshit.

"The federal lawsuit, filed Thursday by the Gary NAACP and the Priorities USA Foundation, names Indiana's secretary of state and members of the Indiana Election Division as defendants.  The law, approved this year by state lawmakers and signed by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb, requires Lake County to immediately consolidate precincts with fewer than 600 "active" voters, with limited exceptions, The Indianapolis Star reported. More specifically, it requires the Indiana Election Commission to adopt a consolidation plan by Sept. 1."

8-18-17

NBC News reports:

"It's been called a faulty, error-prone failure. But that might not stop this system for rooting out vote fraud from getting a national debut.  Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, the vice chair of President Donald Trump's vote fraud commission, is looking to expand the "Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program" that he's developed in his state to sweep possible illegal voters off the rolls.  Crosscheck is a computer system designed to detect fraud by finding matches in voter registration lists shared by dozens of states and thereby detecting suspected double voters.  But experts warn that Kobach could be laying the groundwork for voter suppression by using the presidential panel as a vehicle to push for the creation of a national version of the Crosscheck program. Critics fear that could lead to the widespread purging of eligible voters from the rolls because of false positive matches."

Precisely, the intention.  Increase chances only Republicans get to decide elections.  Clever, isn't it?

8-18-17

The following is the reason why the wealthy do precisely as they please.  The Washington Times reports:

"President Trump’s senior advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner has been fined by the government for failing to disclose recent financial transactions on time as required by federal law.  The U.S. Office of Government Ethics has ordered Mr. Kushner to pay $200 to the U.S. Treasury for failing to timely notify the government of transactions that occurred in February involving JCK Cadre LLC, a holding company in his name with stake in a successful New York tech startup, McClatchy first reported Thursday.  A total of at least 18 members of the Trump administration filed late financial disclosure statements with the ethics office this year, Mr. Kushner included, according to data collected by a Democratic opposition research firm, American Bridge 21st Century, and confirmed by McClatchy, the report said."

Not even pocket change to these pieces of shit.

8-11-17

Continuing problems in Trump 'paradise.'  The Washington Post reports:

"On his first day in office, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke pledged “zero tolerance” for sexual misconduct. The acting National Park Service chief testified to Congress in June that he’s bringing a culture of “transparency, respect, and accountability” to a workplace he acknowledged is often hostile."

Think so?  Wake up.

"But the Park Service recently gave a new job and performance bonus to a national park superintendent in Florida whom investigators found made unwanted advances to a woman he supervised — with hugs, lingering handshakes, inappropriate comments about her appearance, and sitting or lying on her desk while she was trying to work. Investigators said he also harassed another woman who no longer works at the park."

Come as a surprise?  Why?  Forget?  The Trump nazi has no issue with grabbing women by the genitals.  How could anyone expect his subordinates to have zero tolerance for such misconduct?

Insult to injury?  Get this:

"Then, the Park Service issued a one-page set of talking points for media inquiries. The talking points, obtained by The Washington Post, instructed staff to praise the superintendent, Jorge Acevedo, for making “a substantial contribution” during his four-year tenure at De Soto National Memorial, a coastal park near Bradenton."

Galling, isn't it?  Gets worse:

"Acevedo has served since March as partnerships manager at the Tuskegee Airmen and Tuskegee Institute national historic sites and Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, a consortium of Park Service properties. He is no longer supervising employees but kept his $82,000-a-year salary, according to an agency official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a personnel issue. Just before his transfer, the official said, he received a $1,000 cash bonus."

More trouble in the Trump regime.  The Washington Times reports:

"National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster met with President Trump Thursday amid his purge of Trump loyalists from the White House national security council, a heated debate about sending more U.S. troops to Afghanistan and a report that he allowed former Obama administration aide Susan E. Rice to keep her security clearance."

Not at all clear why he did this:

"Gen. McMaster sent a letter to Ms. Rice in April giving her unfettered and continuing access to classified information and waiving the “need-to-know” requirement on anything she viewed or received during her tenure as President Obama’s national security adviser. A copy of the letter was obtained by Circa; Mr. Trump reportedly was not aware of Gen. McMaster’s action."

Must have enraged the nazi.

"The topic of Ms. Rice has been a particularly sore spot for Mr. Trump, who was angered to learn that she unmasked the identities of Trump transition aides in conversations with Russian officials. The president has called it “a massive story.”

Think so?

"Gen. McMaster also has come under increasing fire from conservatives this week after Bloomberg reported that he concluded Ms. Rice did nothing wrong with the unmasking.  The head of a conservative group called for Gen. McMaster to be fired, citing the leaks Thursday of transcripts of Mr. Trump’s phone conversations with foreign leaders."

Doesn't your heart bleed?  Leaking of these transcripts was indeed a public service.  Confirmed precisely how unfit for office Trump remains.

"But a group of national security analysts at the conservative Heritage Foundation on Thursday called Gen. McMaster “the right leader for a tough, determined president who only wants the best for the American people.”

Someone has to rein in the unfit lunatic.

"Gen. McMaster this week ousted Ezra Cohen-Watnick, the NSC’s senior director for intelligence who was considered a Trump loyalist. He had been brought into the White House by the previous national security adviser, Mr. Flynn, who was fired by Mr. Trump in February."

Think the following isn't inexplicable?  Get this:

“General McMaster appreciates the good work accomplished in the NSC’s Intelligence directorate under Ezra Cohen’s leadership,” the White House said in a statement. “He has determined that, at this time, a different set of experiences is best-suited to carrying that work forward. General McMaster is confident that Ezra will make many further significant contributions to national security in another position in the administration.”

More of the same:

"Mr. Cohen-Watnick was involved in a controversy over a visit by House Intelligence Committee chairman Rep. Devin Nunes, California Republican, to the White House in March to look at intelligence reports about surveillance of Trump aides during the presidential campaign.  Two weeks ago, NSC director of strategic planning Rich Higgins was fired. He was ally of senior presidential adviser Steve Bannon.  Gen. McMaster reportedly has been ousting NSC staffers connected to a memo outlining how Mr. Trump was under attack from “globalists” and “Islamists” trying to undermine his agenda."

Impaneling of a grand jury has rattled the cage of the Trump nazi and his henchmen.  The Washington Times reports:

"Special counsel Robert Mueller has impaneled a grand jury to issue subpoenas and compel witness testimony as he probes Russian interference in the presidential election, including a June 2016 meeting between Donald Trump Jr. and a Russian lawyer, according to news reports.  The move is not surprising, said legal analysts, describing it as a natural step that allows Mr. Mueller to have access to evidence needed for a criminal probe.  “In a case like this, where you have a lot of documents that are going be necessary, grand jury subpoenas are a pretty early phenomenon,” said Philip Allen Lacovara, a former U.S. deputy solicitor general who served as counsel to Watergate special prosecutors.  The grand jury is sitting in Washington and has been active for several weeks, The Wall Street Journal reported."

Certainly, got Trump's attention:

"In response, Mr. Trump railed against the accusations of collusion, telling a rally in West Virginia that the entire Russia narrative was a ruse by Democrats trying to reverse their unexpected losses in November."

So much so, the Sessions nazi is again taking a raucous hard dump on the First Amendment.  ABC News reports:

"Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a warning Friday to members of the media, promising a review of the subpoena policy regarding leaks of classified information and characterizing the publication of such materials as an action that "place[s] lives at risk."

Goddamned bullshit.  What these leaks place at risk is the future of the Trump regime.  Exposure of possible criminal activity within the campaign and administration to date.

"He also warned that the federal government was "taking a stand" against the "culture of leaking" and took a moment during his prepared remarks to speak directly to "would-be leakers."  "Don't do it," said Sessions."

Leakers of this information are national heroes.  Expose the nazi and his henchmen for whom and what they are.

"We respect the important role of the press plays and will give them respect, but it is not unlimited," the attorney general added. "We must balance the press's role with protecting national security, the lives of those who serve in the intelligence community, the armed forces, and all law-abiding Americans."

More goddamned bullshit by an administration that remains on the ropes.  The press will not compromise sources.  Will rot in jail first.

In follow up, CBS News reports:

"President Trump is standing up for his national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, calling him a "good man" amid calls for his ouster by conservatives.  In a statement to CBS News on Friday, the president said, "General McMaster and I are working very well together. He is a good man and very pro-Israel. I am grateful for the work he continues to do serving our country."  Mr. Trump first issued the statement to the New York Times in a story reporting that critics on the right were angered by McMaster's move to push out several conservative staff members on the national security team who had been brought on by Michael Flynn, McMaster's predecessor."

Trump can't afford to lose retired and unretired generals he's chosen to surround himself with.  Indeed, the last refuge of a nazi dictator.  Precisely, why there must always be civilian control over both government and the military.

Here is the bottom line issue for Trump and his fellow Republicans.  The Washington Post reports:

"We're going to win so much, you're going to get tired of winning,” then-candidate Donald Trump said in February 2016. “You’re going to say: ‘Please, Mr. President, I have a headache. Please, don't win so much. This is getting terrible.’ And I'm going to say, ‘No, we have to make America great again.’ You're gonna say, ‘Please.’ I said: ‘Nope, nope. We're gonna keep winning.’”

Think Trump sane?  Fit for office?

"Republicans may still like President Trump, but they aren't yet tired of winning — not even close. In fact, more Republican and GOP-leaning voters say their side is losing on the issues that matter to them, according to a new poll.  The Pew Research Center poll shows that 42 percent of GOP and GOP-leaning voters say their side has been winning more on the important issues, while 46 percent say their side has been losing."

Height of hypocrisy?  Get this.  Ali Vitali of NBC News opines:

"President Donald Trump hates intelligence leaks — except when he doesn't.  On Tuesday morning, Trump retweeted a Fox News report about U.S. spy satellites detecting North Korean missile movements. The report was based on anonymous sources discussing leaked classified information — a practice Trump has decried repeatedly when articles are based on leaks that are damaging to his White House.

"Here's what the president retweeted:

    "U.S. spy satellites detect North Korea moving anti-ship cruise missiles to patrol boat https://t.co/BPFXsLffgy
    — FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) August 8, 2017

"Asked about the report Tuesday morning on Fox, Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said she couldn't comment on classified information, but said, "if that's in the newspaper, that's a shame."

What's good for the goose is clearly not good for the gander:

"The Fox report that was retweeted by the president to his more than 35 million Twitter followers included quotations from officials who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive information. Trump has derided news organizations for using anonymous sources, saying those sources don't exist and even proposing that the use of such sources be barred.

"They shouldn't be allowed to use sources unless they use somebody's name," the president said during a speech in February to the Conservative Political Action Conference. "Let their name be put out there."

Insult to injury?  All this, just after the Sessions nazi announced a crack down on leakers as well as the news outlets that publish this information.

8-11-17

Think the following isn't the thought of a delusional nazi?  CBS News reports:

"A poem at the Statue of Liberty that is a national symbol for the country's embrace of immigrants became the topic of a rancorous exchange Wednesday at a White House news conference to announce President Donald Trump's push for immigration reform.  Senior White House aide Stephen Miller told reporters the poem written by Emma Lazarus about the "huddled masses" is not part of the original Statue of Liberty.  Miller said the statue is a "symbol of American liberty lighting the world" and suggested it had little to do with immigrants.  Miller's comment prompted ridicule on social media and angry responses from immigrant rights advocates."

Transition from the fascist police-state we already live in is well on its way to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

"Miller was responding to a question from CNN reporter Jim Acosta asking if the Trump administration's new merit-based green card proposal was keeping with U.S. tradition.  The reporter read a line of the Lazarus sonnet, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses."  "The poem you were referring to was added later," Miller said. "It's not actually part of the originally Statue of Liberty."  The National Park Service says Lazarus' sonnet depicts the statue "as the 'Mother of Exiles:' a symbol of immigration and opportunity — symbols associated with the Statue of Liberty today."

The Trump nazi and his henchmen continue to deliberately bastardize history.

CBS News reports:

"Two local brothers were sent back to their native country after appearing at a regular check-in with immigration officials, CBS Baltimore reports.   The family of Lizandro and Diego Claros is at a loss for words. Their mother nearly collapsed hours after being hit with the crushing news.  When they thought they had it all, family and friends said it was ripped away. They were living the American dream, but have now been deported.  Several years ago, the two brothers entered the country illegally to flee violence in El Salvador. They've battled deportation since, but have also thrived. One was even on his way to college on a partial soccer scholarship.  "These are boys that worked hard every day," said Bethesda Soccer Club coach Matt Ney."

Clearly, the Republican Party under the Trump nazi and his henchmen is not the party of the family.

"The brothers have no criminal records and would not have been a priority for deportation by the Obama administration."

Nazi America.  The Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

8-11-17

Think Trump isn't a petulant nazi.  Get this.  CBS News reports:

"President Trump's frustration with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto's public denials that Mexico would pay for Mr. Trump's southern border wall was on display in a transcript of the leaders' January phone call, acquired and released by the Washington Post.   "You cannot say that to the press," Trump said repeatedly to Pena Nieto in response to his public outcries over refusing to fund the border wall, according to a transcript of the Jan. 27 call obtained by The Post.  "If you are going to say that Mexico is not going to pay for the wall, then I do not want to meet with you guys anymore because I cannot live with that," Mr. Trump added."

NPR reports:

"Way back at the start of his presidency, Donald Trump created a stir with his first calls to leaders of U.S. allies. It was reported that he had angrily cut off a call with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and, in a call with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, threatened to send military personnel to Mexico to deal with "bad hombres" (the Mexican government disputed this).  Now, new details of the conversations have emerged, via transcripts obtained by The Washington Post. The excerpts printed by the Post show a president cajoling and heatedly arguing with the two foreign leaders. The transcripts do not stray from the initial reporting on the calls — as in late January and early February, they show a president fixated on immigration and trying to burnish his image — but they provide some new insights into the president's pugilistic demeanor in dealing with even nations who have good relations with the U.S."

8-11-17

Trump is losing ground. The Washington Post reports:

"Six months into his chaotic tenure, President Trump faces mounting challenges to his authority and influence, a downward slide that his allies hope newly installed Chief of Staff John F. Kelly can help to halt."

Apparently, last ditch effort to salvage whatever is left.

"In recent weeks, Congress has moved on a number of fronts to curtail the president’s authority. Lawmakers passed legislation limiting his ability to lift sanctions on Russia and the Republican-controlled Senate will not formally adjourn this month to prevent Trump from making any recess appointments, a tactic usually employed when the president is from the opposite party. Amid increasing concerns about Trump’s attitude toward the federal investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, a bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation this week aimed at preventing special counsel Robert S. Mueller III from being fired."

Good to see Republicans are finally beginning to wake up.

"Trump is also facing the reality that his words — or tweets — are often not having their desired impact. Three Republican senators defied him and congressional leadership in opposing efforts to move the Republican health-care bill forward. His entreaties to lawmakers to delay their summer break and stay in Washington to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act were summarily ignored."

The above is encouraging.  Status quo, certainly not sustainable.  Enlightened self-interest finally beginning to have some effect.  Forget?  Prime directive of all politicians is being returned to office.

"His unexpected announcement on Twitter that he would ban transgender people from serving in the military has been denounced by members of Congress in both parties and largely ignored by the military — for now. And this week, Trump was publicly chided for apparently inventing congratulatory calls from the leader of the Boy Scouts of America and the president of Mexico that never occurred."

No question, the Trump nazi is a congenital liar.  Unbecoming a president of the United States.

“What we’re seeing today is that that system of checks and balances is now in total response to the Trump presidency and it’s coming from a lot of different directions — it’s coming from Congress, from people in the administration and others who are more openly rejecting what the president is doing,” said former defense secretary Leon Panetta, who was also White House chief of staff to President Bill Clinton. “The concern about that is that it weakens the power of the commander in chief as president.”

Exactly what happens in a supposed democratic republic run by a psychotic dictator, -- a regime that appears to be on life support.

"With the arrival of Kelly, there is hope among Trump’s supporters and aides that the retired Marine general can establish a sense of discipline and professionalism in the White House that could help halt a potentially dangerous slide in Trump’s influence."

For that to work, be truly effective, Trump has to take his advice.  Not clear that will happen on a sustained basis.

“This is a potential turning point,” said one Republican adviser to the administration, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid alienating the White House. “And if it doesn’t work — if nothing really changes with the arrival of Kelly — then it seems to me that the spiral downward will continue, and it’s hard to see what will stop it.”

Hard to believe a psychotic, out of control narcissist will in any way truly, permanently reform.

"Meanwhile, the rest of Trump’s legislative agenda remains in limbo, including proposals on tax reform and infrastructure."

Will certainly have an increasingly difficult time getting anything of substance to pass.  So far, clearly hasn't.

“They have so squandered the bully pulpit the first six months of his presidency that he has little influence left,” said John Weaver, a Republican strategist and former adviser to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Ohio Gov. John Kasich. “When he has roughly 35 percent approval rating he's under active FBI and special prosecutor investigation and he can't get anything through a Republican Congress, none of this should be surprising.”

Amazing such clarity coming from a Republican, isn't it?  Then again, not too difficult to see the handwriting on the wall.  Especially, if something of substance comes out of the Mueller criminal investigation.

In yet another editorial, The Washington Post reports:

"Such niceties are not for Trump. No surprise there, but the worst of his West Virginia speech was yet to come. Trump followed by impugning the Mueller investigation as an illegitimate effort to undo the election results: “They can’t beat us at the voting booths, so they’re trying to cheat you out of the ... future that you want. They’re trying to cheat you out of the leadership that you want with a fake story that is demeaning to all of us, and most importantly demeaning to our country and demeaning to our Constitution.”

Can't dazzle 'em with brilliance, baffle 'em with bullshit.

"Trademark Trump. He takes the very thing that he is doing — in this case, demeaning the Constitution — and flings that accusation back at his opponent. Trump’s campaign and now his presidency have been an unceasing effort to demean the Constitution. From “fake news” to “so-called” judges, from his ill-considered travel ban to encouraging police officers’ roughing up of suspects, Trump is a one-man assault on the rule of law."

He is.  Precisely why he'll likely not finish his first term.  Especially, if Mueller's criminal investigation turns up anything of substance.  Even if not, Trump's fitness for office will continue to be an issue the Republicans may not be able to continue to ignore:

"Inciting supporters to equate a criminal investigation (and potential prosecution) with a usurpation of their democratic choice is the most chilling yet. What Trump decries as a witch hunt is an authorized investigation being conducted pursuant to Justice Department rules, by an experienced prosecutor, selected for this job by another experienced prosecutor, who was nominated by Trump himself. That Trump and his allies are scheming to undermine Mueller’s legitimacy underscores that their sole goal is retaining power, the law be damned."

Indeed.  Certainly, makes these most dangerous times for our formerly great country.

8-11-17

Not all Texas Republicans are on board with the agenda of the Trump nazi and his henchmen.  NPR reports:

"During this month-long special legislative session, Texas Republicans are hoping to pass several red meat campaign promises, such as a ban on transgender bathroom access. But in a state where every statewide elected official is Republican and the party controls the legislature, there's one Republican trying to slow those efforts.  Texas House Speaker Joe Straus had made himself enemy number one among the state's most conservative voters. His crime? Bipartisanship.  "I try to encourage cooperation. I try to encourage bipartisanship. I know that's not a very fashionable thing today," Straus said.  It's not just unfashionable, for some Republicans it's downright treasonous. When Straus focuses on bipartisan efforts, like a plan to increase public school funding, he's attacked by some for doing so at the expense of "real" conservative priorities."

Like nazism?

8-11-17

Not only in Texas is the above occurring, but in Arizona as well.  CNN reports:

"Sen. Jeff Flake's decision to kick off his re-election campaign with a book railing against President Donald Trump has positioned Arizona as a battleground for the soul of the Republican Party.  Already, after a year of clashes over political style and substance -- particularly on immigration and trade -- Trump was eager to see Flake ousted in the GOP primary in next year's midterm election. But since the publication of an excerpt of Flake's book Monday, in which Flake accuses the President of campaigning on a "late-night infomercial" that is "free of significant thought," calls for two pro-Trump politicians weighing a challenge to Flake have reached a fever pitch."

Flake is certainly calling it like he sees it.  Embraces reality other Republicans remain oblivious to.

"It's getting to the point where somebody's got to make a very clear decision, instead of just talking about it," said Robert Graham, the former Arizona GOP chairman and a Trump supporter in 2016.  Flake and Trump have long been at odds. Their dramatic differences in policy and style were laid plain in Flake's new book "Conscience of a Conservative." The Arizona senator unloads on Trump in the book and concedes his own role in enabling Trump's rise to power."

NPR reports:

"A good portion of the book is spent outlining why Flake believes free trade is so critical to a healthy U.S. economy and why it's been the backbone of conservative economics. He calls Trump flat out wrong for opposing it and criticizes other Republicans for not pushing back more.  "Rather than fighting the populist wave that threatened to engulf us, rather than defending the enduring principles that were consonant with everything that we knew and had believed in, we pretended that the emperor wasn't naked," he writes. "Even worse: We checked our critical faculties at the door and pretended that the emperor was making sense."

Certainly, didn't endear himself to the Trump nazi and his dwindling base.

"Never has a party so quickly or easily abandoned its core principles as my party did in the course of the 2016 campaign....lurch[ing] like a tranquilized elephant from a broad consensus on economic philosophy and free trade that had held for generations to an incoherent and often untrue mash of back-of-the-envelope populist slogans. Seemingly overnight," Flake laments, blaming "powerful nativist impulses that have arisen in the face of fear and insecurity over the swiftly evolving global economy."

Certainly, didn't endear himself to the rest of the GOP:

"Decrying the 'nativist impulse' in immigration policy Flake, a border state Republican, is also at odds with Trump — and many within his own party — on the issue of immigration.  "We have to return to the politics of comity and inclusion and reject the politics of xenophobia and demonization," writes the former member of the Gang of Eight, the bipartisan group that pushed a comprehensive immigration reform bill through the Senate in 2013, only to see it die in the House.  "We have given into the politics of anger — the belief that riling up the base can make up for failed attempts to broaden the electorate...These are the spasms of a dying party."

Indeed, they are.  Democrats self-destructed.  Now, it's the turn of the party currently in power.  Neither major party serves the needs of the public any longer.  Only themselves.  Their corporate masters.

"As a devout Mormon, Flake also recalled the plight of his own forefathers, recalling how in 1938 the Missouri governor signed an order saying that the religious group "must be exterminated or driven from the state if necessary." And he talks about how it was a group of Muslim immigrant doctors who saved his father-in-law's life after he suffered a massive heart attack.  "When we say 'No Muslims,' or 'No Mexicans,' we may as well say 'No Mormons,'" Flake writes. "Because it is no different."

That's right.  Who's next?  When the rights of any of us are infringed, abrogated, denied, the rights of all of us are in peril.

"Flake immediately denounced Trump's proposed Muslim ban when he unveiled it on the campaign trail in December 2015, and even visited a mosque shortly after to show his support. For that action, he received a note of support and thanks from former President George W. Bush — who had also visited a mosque in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2011, terrorist attack to try and temper anti-Muslim sentiments."

Equally impressive?  Get this:

"Flake is also deeply troubled by the lines of demarcation drawn between parties, and how even helping or working with — or, heaven forbid, saying nice things about — someone from the dreaded "other side" is interpreted as partisan treason.  In one poignant anecdote, he recalls how he sat with his Arizona colleague, former Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, as she attended the State of the Union one year after she was nearly assassinated during a constituent event. Still recovering from a debilitating brain injury, she wanted to stand to applaud Obama but couldn't do it on her own. So Flake helped her rise, leaving him as "a lone Republican among cheering Democrats." That gesture prompted him to receive "furious text messages and emails" from constituents demanding to know why he "agreed with President Obama."

Agree or disagree with both men, Flake and fellow Arizona Senator John McCain are two stand up principled Republicans.  Indeed, a vanishing breed.

8-11-17

Resistance to the Trump nazi and his henchmen grows.  The Washington Times reports:

"Chicago’s mayor said the Windy City will sue the Trump administration next week over its policy of withholding funds from so-called sanctuary cities shielding illegal immigrants from federal authorities.  “We’re not going to actually auction off our values as a city, so Monday morning the city of Chicago is going to court, we’re going to take the Justice Department to court based on this,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel said during a interview slated to air Sunday on WLS radio 890, set to air Sunday, The Chicago Tribune reported Friday."

About time.  Imposition of Trump's Fourth Reich must be vigorously challenged.

“We find it unlawful and unconstitutional to be, as a city, coerced on a policy,” added Mr. Emanuel, a second-term Democrat who served in the administrations of Presidents Clinton and Obama before being elected mayor in 2011.  Specifically Mr. Emanuel said the city will sue in federal court to stop Attorney General Jeff Sessions from restricting the use of Byrne Justice Assistance Grants which are federal funds awarded annually to state, local and tribal jurisdictions to assist with law enforcement personnel, training and equipment."

CNN reports:

"Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office said in a statement that the Trump administration's "latest unlawful misguided action undermines public safety and violates" the Constitution. He said the city is challenging the administration "to ensure that their misguided policies do not threaten the safety of our residents."

"Chicago will not be blackmailed into changing our values, and we are and will remain a welcoming city," said Emanuel. "The federal government should be working with cities to provide necessary resources to improve public safety, not concocting new schemes to reduce our crime fighting resources."  The suit revolves around new conditions set for an important funding program: the FY2017 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, or JAG, which provided federal funding to support local law enforcement efforts, according to the statement."

8-11-17

More fuel to the fire. The Washington Times reports:

"The House Intelligence Committee investigating the Russian government’s role in last year’s White House race secretly dispatched two Republican staffers to London this summer to locate Christopher Steele, the former British intelligence operative attributed with compiling a controversial and largely unverified dossier detailing President Trump’s alleged ties to Russia, Politico reported Friday.  The previously undisclosed trip has heightened tensions on Capitol Hill, where multiple investigations devoted to Russia’s involvement in last year’s election are simultaneously unfolding in tandem with a Justice Department probe led by special counsel Robert Mueller, Politico reported."

Fascinating, isn't it?  Get this:

"Republican organizers hid the trip from Democratic colleagues in the House panel as well as members of the Senate Intelligence Committee investigating last year’s race and Mr. Mueller’s office, seemingly widening the information gap between the three separate but similar probes.  “They’re doing their path, we’re doing ours,” a congressional official told Politico regarding the House and Senate inquiries."

Readers will recall:

"Mr. Steele, a former member of Britain’s MI6 foreign intelligence service, gained infamy this side of the Atlantic earlier this year for compiling a sensational dossier detailing Mr. Trump’s alleged ties to Russia prior to last year’s election.  It was ultimately published online by BuzzFeed in January and was subsequently denounced by the president as “fake news,” but the document and its origins are nonetheless of interest to investigators from either side of the aisle probing Russia’s role in the 2016 race."

Even more interesting?  Get this:

"The Republican staffers left their contact information at two addresses associated with Mr. Steele, including his attorney’s office, Politico reported, citing three sources familiar with the matter.  Mr. Steele was at his lawyer’s office when the staffers arrived, but the envoy followed instructions from Washington not to speak with him directly, Politico reported. His lawyer has since been in contact with House Intelligence Committee, the report said."

8-11-17

The military remains in a quandary regarding Trump's change in transgender policy.  ABC News reports:

"President Donald Trump's tweets declaring transgender people unwelcome in the armed forces have plunged the Pentagon into a legal and moral quagmire, sparking a flurry of meetings to devise a new policy that could lead to hundreds of service members being discharged.  Months after officially allowing transgender troops to serve openly in the military, the department may be forced to throw out those who willingly came forward after being promised they'd be protected."

Think there won't be lawsuits?

"A team of military lawyers has been pulled together to deal with the matter, Adm. Paul Zukunft, the Coast Guard commandant, revealed at the Center For Strategic and International Studies this week. These lawyers are working with the White House to flesh out some of the issues, and they're bolstered by a Pentagon working group that had initially been set up to advance the implementation of the Obama administration's year-old repeal of a transgender ban."

Blatant discrimination petulantly imposed by the hopelessly insane Trump nazi.

"Pentagon chief spokeswoman Dana White confirmed that talks between the White House and the Pentagon to work out the details of a new transgender policy have begun. Although it's unclear what the result will be, the discussions illustrate that Trump's aides aren't writing off his three-tweet salvo last week as an isolated outburst but as guidance for an upheaval in one of the military's most sensitive equal rights questions.

"Whatever the final policy, court challenges are likely. And the personnel, health care and fairness issues sure to ensue may compel some soldiers, sailors and others to hide their identities and live a lie to remain in the military."

An egregious step backwards.

Trump certainly didn't think through the issue:

"If Trump stands by his tweet and the Pentagon is told to begin discharging transgender service members, officials must address several questions: Who would be thrown out? What type of discharge would they receive? How long of a grace period would they have before leaving?

"There also is no uniform method of tracking transgender troops across the services. That raises another challenge. Will the Pentagon target service members who have already asked to have their sex changed in the personnel system? Or would the crackdown expand to anyone who simply sought counseling on the issue?

"Warbelow questioned where the effort would end. People could be scrutinized for how they look or dress. For example, she suggested, could female troops be suspect for wearing clothing considered "too masculine?"

Precisely, why there will certainly be lawsuits.  Just the beginning.

8-11-17

Mueller is increasing pressure on the White House.  CBS News reports:

"Special counsel Robert Mueller has asked the White House for documents related to former national security adviser Michael Flynn's business dealings, according to people familiar with Mueller's investigation.  The request for documents was first reported by the New York Times on Friday. Investigators have also begun questioning witnesses about possible secret payments Flynn received from the Turkish government during the final months of the 2016 campaign, according to the Times.  The Times reports that the request is the first known instance of Mueller's office asking the White House for documents in the ongoing investigation into possible ties between Trump campaign officials and the Russian government."

Think the noose isn't figuratively tightening?

8-11-17

Think the effects of this increasing pressure aren't having impact?  NPR reports:

"No single issue has been a greater animating force for the Republican base over the past decade than immigration — except maybe the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. Obamacare).  And with the failure of GOP health care efforts in Congress and sliding poll numbers this summer, the Trump White House seems to be making a concerted effort to elevate cultural wedge issues, from immigration and announcing a ban on transgender people in the military to affirmative action and police conduct."

Precisely, why Trump keeps returning to his base with campaign-style rallies.

"Trump has been under siege since he took office," said Brian Jones, a Republican political consultant and veteran of several presidential campaigns, "and the cumulative effect of his administration's missteps is an eroding approval rating, even among Republicans."  So Trump's team is rolling the dice, betting that if he can't get something done through the usual avenues in Washington, he can at least keep his base supporters fired up outside of it with a dose of the cultural grievance that helped get him elected."

Even that will not be enough to keep him in office should he lose Republicans in Congress.

8-11-17

Things are not going well in Afghanistan.  How could they?  No one dating back centuries has been able to defeat them.  NBC News reports:

"President Donald Trump has become increasingly frustrated with his advisers tasked with crafting a new U.S. strategy in Afghanistan and recently suggested firing the war's top military commander during a tense meeting at the White House, according to senior administration officials."

Why are we still there?  What is the justification?

"During the July 19 meeting, Trump repeatedly suggested that Defense Secretary James Mattis and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford replace Gen. John Nicholson, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, because he is not winning the war, the officials said. Trump has not met Nicholson, and the Pentagon has been considering extending his time in Afghanistan."

The Trump nazi expects the impossible.  Needs to wake up.  Stop squandering resources and lives for no legitimate reason.

"Over nearly two hours in the situation room, according to the officials, Trump complained about NATO allies, inquired about the United States getting a piece of Afghan’s mineral wealth and repeatedly said the top U.S. general there should be fired. He also startled the room with a story that seemed to compare their advice to that of a paid consultant who cost a tony New York restaurateur profits by offering bad advice."

This man is out of his mind.  What right does the United States have to commandeer wealth from a sovereign nation?  Reinforces the image of the "Ugly American."

The Washington Post reports:

"Afghans are alarmed by widespread reports that President Trump has threatened to fire Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr., the highly regarded U.S. military commander in this war-torn country, and that Trump has also delayed deciding on a new military and political strategy Afghans have awaited anxiously for the past six months."

Time to leave.  Has been since bin Laden was killed in Pakistan by U.S. Navy SEALS.

"Nicholson, 61, the top U.S. military official in Afghanistan for the past 16 months, has become the best-known face of Washington here, working closely with Afghan military and civilian officials, and vocally advocating expanded U.S. military engagement, while the Taliban and other insurgents continue aggressive attacks across the country."

Why wouldn't they?  Afghans have a history of never, ever giving up.  Certainly, kicked the Russians out a couple of decades ago.

"Now, with two U.S. servicemen killed in the past week, Trump’s attack on Nicholson for failing to “win” the 16-year war has stunned Afghan officials and political leaders. They said a clear signal of continued support from Washington is urgently needed to keep the fragile Kabul government on its feet amid an explosion of public unrest and organized opposition from a variety of groups."

The handwriting's on the wall.  Time to leave.

8-11-17

The following is chilling.  Fox News reports:

"National security adviser H.R. McMaster said Saturday the threat of North Korea launching a nuclear weapon at the U.S. or another rival nation is “impossible to overstate” and repeated that a preemptive military strike remains an option.  “It’s impossible to overstate the danger associated with a rogue, brutal regime,” McMaster told Hugh Hewitt on the conservative commentator’s MSNBC TV show.  “Are we preparing a plan for a preventive war? … The president has been very clear that he’s not going to tolerate North Korea being able to threaten the U.S. … So of course we have to provide all options to do that, and that includes a military option,” McMaster said.  Still, he said, the United States would like to resolve the situation “short of what would be a very costly war."

ABC News reports:

"The U.N. Security Council unanimously approved tough new sanctions on North Korea on Saturday including a ban on exports worth over $1 billion — a huge bite in its total exports, valued at $3 billion last year.  U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley praised the new sanctions, telling council members after the vote that it is "the single largest economic package ever leveled against the North Korean regime."  The resolution also bans countries from giving any additional permits to North Korean laborers — another source of money for Kim Jong Un's regime. And it prohibits all new joint ventures with North Korean companies and bans new foreign investment in existing ones.  The U.S.-drafted measure, negotiated with North Korea's neighbor and ally China, is aimed at increasing economic pressure on Pyongyang to return to negotiations on its nuclear and missile programs."

May or may not be productive.  Could backfire if the tyrant believes he has nothing to lose and launches a preemptive attack against the South should his grip on power be threatened by resultant severe unrest at home.  One thing for certain, sanctions have been remarkably ineffective to date.

Hard to believe the United States has not repeatedly made it quite clear the North would be incinerated, turned into glass should it attack with a nuclear weapon, -- or the U.S. had good reason to believe such threat of attack was imminent there or here.

The Washington Post reports:

"North Korea on Monday spurned overtures from South Korea and the United States, and instead lobbed a new inflammatory threat to retaliate against the United States over new U.N. sanctions punishing Pyongyang for its missile and nuclear tests."

Remains quite defiant:

"In the printed version of the speech, Ri said the entire U.S. mainland is within firing range of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which is North Korea's official name. He said Pyongyang would use nuclear weapons only against the United States or any other country that might join it in military action against North Korea. And he dismissed stiff U.N. Security Council sanctions passed Saturday as illegal.  “We will, under no circumstances, put the nukes and ballistic rockets on [the] negotiating table,” he said. “Neither shall we flinch even an inch from the road to bolstering up the nuclear forces chosen by ourselves, unless the hostile policy and nuclear threat of the U.S. against the D.P.R.K. are fundamentally eliminated.”

Certainly, don't show any sign of backing down:

"A more direct warning was aimed at the United States in a government statement published by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).  “There is no bigger mistake than the United States believing that its land is safe across the ocean,” it said.  North Korea, KCNA said, “will make the U.S. pay dearly for all the heinous crimes it commits against the state and people of this country.”

ABC News reports:

"North Korea said today it will take "thousands-fold" revenge against the United States in response to new international sanctions over its nuclear program.  The statement came through a state-run media outlet, the Korean Central News Agency, two days after the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved new sanctions to penalize the isolated regime for its escalating nuclear and missile program, including its recent launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles, most recently in late July."

Show no willingness to back down.  When these sanctions have their full effect be interesting to see if the North Korean masses themselves force change.  Or, conversely and ominously, the dictator launches an all out attack on the South believing he has nothing to lose.

"North Korea slammed the penalties -- which could slash a third of the country's $3 billion in export revenue -- as a "violent infringement of its sovereignty" and part of a "heinous U.S. plot to isolate and stifle" their country.  The sanctions ban North Korea exports of coal, iron, lead and seafood products, estimated to be worth $1 billion.  But North Korea asserted the punishment will not lead it to change course.  "It's a wild idea to think the [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] will be shaken and change its position due to this kind of new sanctions formulated by hostile forces," Pyongnang said in its statement."

A dictator is most dangerous when his back is, indeed, up against the wall, -- and has nothing to lose.

The Washington Post reports:

"According to The Post's Joby Warrick, Ellen Nakashima and Anna Fifield, a previously secret Defense Intelligence Agency analysis indicates that Kim Jong Un's regime has produced a miniaturized nuclear warhead that can fit inside one of the intercontinental ballistic missiles that it has been testing. Those tests drew a unanimous vote on new sanctions from the United Nations Security Council over the weekend.

"The big takeaway, as The Post is reporting, is that North Korea's nuclear capabilities appear to be advancing far more rapidly than previously believed. This is a milestone when it comes to North Korea's ability to strike distant targets with nuclear weapons. Although it's not known yet that Pyongyang can strike the United States with an ICBM, U.S. officials concluded last month that the effort was also proceeding more rapidly than experts had anticipated."

Trump's reaction?  NPR reports:

"President Trump on Tuesday threatened to meet North Korean threats with "fire and fury" a day after Pyongyang said it was ready with "ultimate measures" in response to new U.N. sanctions pushed by Washington.  "North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States," the president warned at a meeting on the opioid crisis held at Bedminster, N.J., where he is on an extended working vacation. "They will be met with fire and the fury like the world has never seen," he said, adding that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "has been very threatening beyond a normal state, and as I said, they will be met with fire, fury and frankly power, the likes of which this world has never seen before."

Sounds like two juvenile delinquents challenging each other to a pissing match, consequences of which at worst no more than getting drenched.  A nuclear war between both these idiots?  Millions of dead, most of them in the Korean Peninsula and surrounding region.

Trash talk continues. North Korea now claims to be considering targeting Guam.  Plans to go down fighting.  Rationality?  What's that?

The Washington Post reports:

"Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Wednesday defended President Trump’s forceful warning to North Korea to stop threatening the United States, but attempted to dismiss concerns that Guam is in any imminent danger from Pyongyang’s missiles.  “What the president is doing is sending a strong message to North Korea in language that Kim Jong Un would understand, because he doesn’t seem to understand diplomatic language,” Tillerson said in an interview with two pool reporters while flying from Malaysia to a scheduled refueling stop in Guam.  “I think the president just wanted to be clear to the North Korean regime that the U.S. has the unquestionable ability to defend itself, will defend itself and its allies, and I think it was important that he deliver that message to avoid any miscalculation on their part.”

They hadn't already received that message?

Fox News reports:

"Secretary of Defense James “Mad Dog” Mattis echoed his boss’s fiery warning Wednesday to the dictator of North Korea with harsh rhetoric of his own. And this time, the words came from a battle-tested, four-star U.S. Marine Corps general.

    “The DPRK should cease any consideration of actions that would lead to the end of its regime and the destruction of its people.”
    - Gen. James "Mad Dog Mattis

“The DPRK must choose to stop isolating itself and stand down its pursuit of nuclear weapons,” Mattis said in a statement. “The DPRK should cease any consideration of actions that would lead to the end of its regime and the destruction of its people.”

Think that won't further provoke the Korean dictator?

The Washington Times reports:

"Defense Secretary James Mattis on Wednesday said North Korea’s pursuit of a nuclear arsenal is taking the rogue regime down a path that will end with its destruction and that of its people, echoing the strong language coming from the Trump White House.  The former Marine Corps four-star general said the size and scope of the American military’s arsenal, both in conventional and nuclear capabilities, will leave North Korea “grossly overmatched” should war break out between Pyongyang and the U.S. on the peninsula.  North Korea’s nuclear ambitions “poses a threat to global security and stability… . [and] should cease any consideration of actions that would lead to the end of its regime and the destruction of its people,” Mr. Mattis said in a statement."

Hard to believe the dictator has not been repeatedly informed over the years.

A top Senate Republican had the following take.  CBS News reports:

"After President Trump issued his latest threat to North Korea amid news that the regime passed yet another milestone in developing their nuclear capabilities, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, says the U.S. is "headed" toward military action and that the president would go to war to prevent North Korea from striking America.  "President Trump has basically drawn a red line saying he'll never allow North Korea to have an ICBM missile that can hit America with a nuclear weapon on top, he's not going to let that happen, he's not going to contain the threat, he's going to stop the threat," Graham told "CBS This Morning" on Wednesday."

Comfortable with a lunatic narcissist making that decision if and/or when the time comes?

"Speaking from Clemson, South Carolina, the Republican said two scenarios in which the U.S. would act with force would be if "they attack Guam or some other American interest or our allies, or if they try to keep developing an ICBM."  He added that he feels the U.S. will head toward war with the North "unless the world can stop North Korea", saying Mr. Trump will "pick homeland defense over regional stability and he has to."

Again, can the Trump nazi be trusted to make the right decision if and/or when the time comes?

Especially, when he disingenuously takes credit for things he did not accomplish.  CBS News reports:

"President Trump on Wednesday seemed to take credit for the the strength of the U.S. nuclear arsenal, a day after warning North Korea that it would be met with "fire and fury" if it continues to threaten America.  Mr. Trump suggested in tweets that in his nearly seven months of serving as commander in chief, he has made the arsenal more robust.

    My first order as President was to renovate and modernize our nuclear arsenal. It is now far stronger and more powerful than ever before....
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 9, 2017

    ...Hopefully we will never have to use this power, but there will never be a time that we are not the most powerful nation in the world!
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 9, 2017

"Much of the improvements to the arsenal, however, were carried out by the Obama administration, CBS News' Major Garrett reports. The Defense Department and Energy Department spent billions of dollars on refurbishing the arsenal and bringing aging nuclear weapons up to modern capabilities as well as guidance systems and related technologies."

How can his judgment be trusted when he lies, distorts reality, takes credit he doesn't deserve?

CNN reports:

"From political, diplomatic, and historical perspectives, Trump's threat, delivered from his golf club in New Jersey, was an extraordinary moment and shattered years of national security conventions in apparently threatening to use nuclear weapons in response to an adversary's rhetoric -- rather than an existential threat to US security."

Point well made.  Something no other president has done since the dawn of the nuclear age.

"It might have also walked the United States closer to a full on showdown with North Korea, and placed his own personal reputation on the line in a test of wills with Kim Jong Un."

Indeed, a most dangerous pissing contest that could certainly lead to a catastrophe of epic proportions.

"By making such an explicit threat to North Korea, on camera, the President also invested his own personal prestige into the center of the crisis. The next time Kim makes some kind of threat to the US or its allies, Trump will immediately come under pressure to make North Korea pay a price -- or risk having his authority exposed as hollow."

Point well made.  Certainly, highly indicative of Trump's lack of experience vis a vis such high stakes.  Egregious unfitness for office as well.

8-11-17

Trump certainly does not know when to leave well enough alone.  The Washington Post reports:

"President Trump on Monday launched a renewed attack on Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), calling him “a phony Vietnam con artist” on Twitter after the senator appeared on television.  Trump’s series of tweets came after Blumenthal voiced support on CNN for continuing the investigation into alleged Russian meddling in last year's election and expressed concern about the Department of Justice’s increased focus on rooting out administration officials who leak information damaging to Trump.  “Politicizing the Department of Justice for personal ends, I think, is a disservice to the law, and it’s also potentially a violation of the spirit of the First Amendment,” Blumenthal said, suggesting the department was “weaponizing” laws against leaking sensitive information."

Eliciting the following response from Trump:

“Never in U.S.history has anyone lied or defrauded voters like Senator Richard Blumenthal,” Trump wrote on Twitter shortly afterward. “He told stories about his Vietnam battles and … conquests, how brave he was, and it was all a lie. He cried like a baby and begged for forgiveness like a child.”

Think the above becoming a president?

"Trump was referencing a 2010 controversy over Blumenthal’s military service. During his Senate campaign, Blumenthal came under sharp criticism for repeated remarks over the years that he had “served” in Vietnam, even though he did his full Marine service in the United States.  Blumenthal was granted several deferments between 1965 and 1970 and then joined the Marine Corps Reserve, but did not serve in Vietnam. He later said he misspoke and intended to say that he was in the Marine Reserve during the Vietnam conflict.  Blumenthal responded to Trump on Twitter later Monday morning,writing, "Mr. President: Your bullying hasn't worked before and it won't work now. No one is above the law."

Trump and his henchmen believe they are.  We'll see when Special Counsel Mueller completes his criminal investigation.

8-11-17

Noose figuratively tightens. The Washington Post reports:

"FBI agents raided the Alexandria home of President Trump’s former campaign chairman late last month, using a search warrant to seize documents and other materials, according to people familiar with the special counsel investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.  Federal agents appeared at Paul Manafort’s home without advance warning in the predawn hours of July 26, the day after he met voluntarily with the staff for the Senate Intelligence Committee.  The search warrant was wide-ranging and FBI agents working with special counsel Robert S. Mueller III departed the home with various records. Jason Maloni, a spokesman for Manafort, confirmed that agents executed a warrant at one of the political consultant’s homes and that Manafort cooperated with the search."

Interesting, isn't it?  Especially, since this guy had apparently been cooperating with the Senate Intelligence Committee:

"Manafort has been voluntarily producing documents to congressional committees investigating Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election. The search warrant indicates investigators may have argued to a federal judge they had reason to believe Manafort could not be trusted to turn over all records in response to a grand jury subpoena.  It could also have been intended to send a message to President Trump’s former campaign chairman that he should not expect gentle treatment or legal courtesies from Mueller’s team."

Indeed.  Plot thickens.

8-11-17

A lawsuit has been filed against Trump's ban on transgenders in the military.  NBC News reports:

"Two LGBT-rights organizations filed a lawsuit in federal court Wednesday challenging President Donald Trump's tweets declaring he wants a ban on transgender people serving in the military.  The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Washington on behalf of five transgender service members with nearly 60 years of combined military service."

Sad, isn't it?  Blatant bigotry by the Trump nazi.

"The lawsuit, filed by GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) and the National Center for Lesbian Rights, says such a ban is unconstitutional, denying transgender service members equal protection and due process.  Lawyers handling the lawsuit said they hoped the court would move swiftly to prevent a ban from taking effect, given the uncertainty that transgender service members now face in regard to their livelihoods and retirement benefits.  "The damage is happening now," said Jennifer Levi, Director of GLAD's Transgender Rights Project. "These service members were told in June 2016 they could come out and continue to openly serve."

Trump and his henchmen are out of control.  Transgenders have served, and continue to serve, with distinction.

"The five plaintiffs — who were not identified in the lawsuit — serve in the Air Force, the Coast Guard and the Army. Their years of service range from three years to two decades, and include tours in Iraq and Afghanistan."

"Named in the suit, along with Trump, are Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other national security officials."

Just the beginning of the legal fight:

"The American Civil Liberties Union says it told the White House on Tuesday that it intends to sue, and requested that relevant documents be preserved in preparation for the lawsuit."

8-11-17

More problems regarding church-state separation.  The Washington Times reports:

"For months, secular organizations say they have unsuccessfully lobbied the president to make an effort to reach out to America’s nonreligious community. Now, revelations of a weekly Bible study group in the Trump White House, regularly attended by high-ranking Cabinet members, has free thinkers up in arms.  The Freedom From Religion Foundation is calling the Bible study group disturbing, scary and maybe even an illegal use of taxpayer funds.  “If those officials want privacy, the solution is pretty damn simple: Study the Bible in your private capacity, not in your official capacity and at your government desk,” the secular group said in a statement Thursday. “Do it on your time, not the taxpayers’. In short, get off your knees and get to work.”

Indeed.

"The Bible study group was started by Ralph Drollinger, founder of Capitol Ministries, which aims to spread the Gospel at the seats of power. Mr. Drollinger has established similar programs in the House and Senate, and 40 state capitals and 24 foreign countries.  Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and CIA Director Mike Pompeo are reportedly among the regulars at the White House group.  President Trump has not attended but is invited to every week, and Vice President Mike Pence plans to stop by as his schedule permits.  Mr. Drollinger told CBN News, which first reported the White House study group, that he can see the fruits of his labor in the administration’s behavior.  He said Mr. Sessions will “go out the same day I teach him something, and I’ll see him do it on camera, and I just think, ‘Wow, these guys are faithful, available and teachable, and they’re at Bible study every week they’re in town.’”

While obliterating all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  Transitioning the fascist police-state we already live in to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

8-11-17

Another example of bottomless corporate greed, worse, government failure to rein it in.  NPR reports:

"Jana Gundy and Amanda Chaffin, who live within two hours of each other in Oklahoma, each have a child with the same devastating disease.  The genetic condition, spinal muscular atrophy, robs its sufferers of muscle strength, affecting their ability to sit, stand or even breathe.  So both moms were ecstatic when the Food and Drug Administration approved the first treatment for the condition two days before Christmas in 2016. It seemed the gift they had been waiting for — a chance to slow the heartbreaking decline of their young sons.  But that common hope has taken them down different paths: In April, Gundy's child, who is on private insurance, began getting the drug Spinraza, which costs $750,000 for the initial year of treatment. Chaffin's child, a Medicaid enrollee, did not, as his state regulators debated whether to offer it to children like him who use ventilators to breathe."

8-11-17

Not all is well in the House of Google.  NPR reports:

"Google CEO Sundar Pichai cut his the vacation short and returned to the company's Mountain View headquarters as criticism mounted over a senior engineer's controversial memo condemning Google's diversity initiatives. The engineer was subsequently fired.  The memo, which some inside Google jokingly called a "manifesto," was widely shared inside and outside the company.  James Damore wrote that "biological causes" are part of the reason women aren't represented equally in its tech departments and leadership. In addition, Damore said men have a "higher drive for status."

Think so?  Make sense?  Does that explain why female bosses are often cruelly despotic over their female subordinates in the corporate environment?

"Damore also criticized the company for being an "ideological echo chamber" that made it hard to dissent from "Google's left bias" and "politically correct monoculture." He also faulted the company for offering mentoring and other opportunities to its employees based on gender or race."

Think there's any true freedom of speech and thought in corporate culture no matter the company or its ideological persuasion?

"Pichai released a memo of his own Monday night about the situation. Pichai said he supported the right of workers to express themselves but that the memo had gone too far. The CEO wrote:

"The memo has clearly impacted our co-workers, some of whom are hurting and feel judged based on their gender. Our co-workers shouldn't have to worry that each time they open their mouths to speak in a meeting, they have to prove that they are not like the memo states, being 'agreeable' rather than 'assertive,' showing a 'lower stress tolerance,' or being 'neurotic.' "

"Pichai said portions of Damore's memo violate "our Code of Conduct and cross the line by advancing harmful gender stereotypes in our workplace."  Pichai has scheduled an all-staff to discuss the situation."

Think the fired employee won't sue?

"In an email to The New York Times, Damore said he is likely to pursue legal action. "I have a legal right to express my concerns about the terms and conditions of my working environment and to bring up potentially illegal behavior, which is what my document does," Damore said."

There is no guaranty of free speech in corporate culture.  Google would likely settle, however, to make the issue go away.  Avoid any bad publicity.  We'll see. Would be an incredibly interesting case if suit is filed.  Would in effect put misogyny and the Nazi Right on trial.

"Meanwhile, social media continues to churn with tweets and posts on both sides of the issue. Conservative sites like The Federalist saw the firing as proof of Damore's point that Google does not tolerate diversity of opinion."

Think so?  Consider the following before deciding:

"However, former Google employee Kelly Ellis, who Monday told NPR she thought Google should fire Damore, sent out tweets supporting the decision. Ellis says she left Google because she was sexually harassed.  Ellis said Google promotes employees and determines salaries based on peer evaluations. Therefore, she says, Damore's bias against women could harm female colleagues."

Think Damore's manifesto won't be used to 'justify' women not receiving equal pay for equal work?  Already, a pending issue at Google for quite some time.

8-4-17

As always, when a cop does something heroic and/or of exceptional benefit to the community it leads.  Always.  Second week in a row, the cop happens to head a law enforcement agency.  NBC News reports:

"The sheriff of Washington state's King County tweeted support for transgender service members on Thursday, one day after President Donald Trump stated on Twitter that transgender people will not be able to serve "in any capacity in the U.S. Military."

    "If any transgender former or active duty members of our armed forces want a supportive boss, apply here https://t.co/fut5Vc9DL0
    — John Urquhart (@SheriffJohnU) July 27, 2017

"I respect anyone who steps up to serve our country and community, whether they’re a member of the armed forces or a first responder," Sheriff John Urquhart told NBC News. "I’m proud to have transgender individuals serving within our ranks, and they do an excellent job protecting our community day in and day out."

Hat's off, Sheriff.  Must not be forgotten when civil and constitutional rights of any segment of society are compromised or denied, these very same rights are placed in jeopardy for all of us.  The question to be asked is who's next?

"If they can do the job, they will always have a home here," Sheriff Urquhart said. "Any transgender person forced out of the military is invited to apply!"

8-4-17

The war against the LGBTQ community by the Trump nazi and his henchmen remains on.  The Washington Post reports:

"The Justice Department, intervening in an important private employment case, urged a federal appeals court to rule that civil rights law does not bar job discrimination based on sexual orientation.  The action came on the same day President Trump tweeted that he would ban transgender people from serving in the military, an abrupt reversal of an Obama administration decision.  The amicus brief filed Wednesday with the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit in New York also runs contrary to the position of the Obama administration’s Justice Department as well as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission."

A war against any segment of the population remains a war against all of it.  Who's next?

NBC News reports:

"Last Wednesday, on what LGBTQ advocates have called the “administration’s anti-LGBT day,” President Donald Trump said he would nominate Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, a vocal opponent of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights, as Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.  If confirmed, Brownback would lead the Office of International Religious Freedom, a section of the U.S. Department of State responsible for “promoting religious freedom as a core objective of U.S. foreign policy.”

Unbridled bigotry, discrimination.

"As a congressman, Brownback actively opposed same-sex marriage. Once elected governor of Kansas, Brownback revoked a 2007 executive order signed by former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius that provided non-discrimination protections to state employees on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.  Then in 2016, Brownback signed SB 175, a piece of state legislation that allows university groups to exclude LGBTQ students. Student groups can claim that LGBTQ membership violates their religious convictions and still be entitled to receive university funds. At the time, the Human Rights Campaign called it “part of an onslaught of anti-LGBT bills being pushed … by anti-equality activists around the country.”  Equality Kansas, a group dedicated to ending LGBTQ discrimination in the state, said Brownback is "unsuited to represent American values of freedom, liberty, and justice" and urged Kansas senators, Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran, not to confirm him in the position."

"Since his inauguration in January of 2011, LGBT Kansans have faced near-annual assaults on our liberties and our dignity in the name of 'religious freedom,'" the organization said in a statement. "His goal is not to use religion as a way to expand freedom, but to use a narrow, bigoted interpretation of religion to deny freedom to his fellow citizens. He has caused enough damage here in Kansas. We do not wish him upon the world."

Who's next?

8-4-17

In update to the last edition, sad news.  NPR reports:

"Charlie Gard, the British baby with a terminal illness who became subject to a high-profile legal dispute, has died in hospice care, according to multiple media reports.  The Guardian, citing Gard's parents, reports that the infant died on Friday, one day after being transferred to an unidentified hospice facility."

Not without further controversy, however:

"... Charlie's parents wanted to take him home to die. If they couldn't take him home, they wanted to keep him alive on a respirator in a hospice facility so they could have several more days together.  "We just want some peace with our son, no hospital, no lawyers, no courts, no media, just quality time with Charlie away from everything to say goodbye to him in the most loving way," Yates told Sky News on Thursday."

Not to be:

"But the Great Ormond Street hospital said it was impossible to provide care to Charlie at home, given his complex medical needs. And they said hospice facilities weren't set up to provide the kind of intensive life support necessary to keep Charlie alive for days. Attempting to do so could risk "an unplanned and chaotic end to Charlie's life," the hospital said.  To avoid unnecessary suffering, the doctors said Charlie should be transferred to a hospice and removed from life support soon after. A judge agreed to that plan."

Here is the bottom line:

"We've had no control over our son's life and no control over our son's death," Yates said on Thursday, when the decision was announced.

"Our beautiful little boy has gone," Yates said on Friday, according to the BBC. "We are so proud of you Charlie."

"Charlie died in an unidentified hospice facility. He was 11 months old."

One further point needs to be made that was deliberately not addressed in this publication while the baby was still alive.  The infant was used by the Nazi Right in this country as poster child for the supposed failure of 'socialized' medicine in England.

That's a crock of shit.  The medical system in Canada, Europe, elsewhere is not the same system as in Cuba which is socialized medicine.   While communism has indeed failed across the globe, socialized medicine in Cuba has been remarkably successful mainly due to its success reining in provider greed.

Also, must again be pointed out children in the United States do not enjoy any rights independent of their parents as in England.  That can be good or bad depending on circumstances.  In this example, the baby and his parents should have been allowed to travel here.  The infant was even reportedly granted American citizenship to facilitate matters.  Money was raised.

8-4-17

Amazing it took a half century for an exceptionally heroic Vietnam War veteran to finally receive proper recognition of exceptional valor on the battlefield.  This man saved lives as a medic running towards withering fire over a three day period while wounded himself.  NPR reports:

"President Trump will award the Medal of Honor to an Army medic on Monday afternoon at the White House, nearly 50 years after his heroic actions during the Vietnam War.  Over three days of bravery, Jim McCloughan ran toward enemy fire numerous times to save his fellow soldiers, even though he was wounded himself.  "I'd rather die on the battlefield than have heard later on that one of my men did not make it because their medic was not there," he once said."

No cake walk:

"Soldiers from Charlie Company were running for their lives. Tripping over themselves in a rice paddy south of the coastal city of Da Nang. Heavy fire was coming from the treeline behind them. AK-47s. Machine guns.  Bill Arnold, then 20, was one of the soldiers running that May morning in 1969. He was twenty years old. And he couldn't keep up. Hours before he injured his knee rolling off a helicopter. His run was reduced to a limp, and then to a crawl. Finally, he collapsed.  Arnold described being in a "haze" or a "blur" when he saw McCloughan running toward him.  "Basically you first want to say, 'What the Hell is wrong with this guy,'" he recounted. "He's heading toward the enemy and I'm trying to get out of there."

Remarkable, isn't it?

"McCloughan, then 23, had arrived in Vietnam just a couple of months earlier. A college athlete from Michigan, he was known as "Doc" — easygoing with a ready joke.  "He threw me up over his shoulder and he said, 'Get ready for a bumpy ride,'" Arnold remembers. "We were under fire. He was running. He done above and beyond what he needed to do."  That was the first of McCloughan's heroic actions. Over the next two days, he'd be credited with saving nine more soldiers."

Savage conditions.  Uncommon valor.

"Doc McCloughan received a Bronze Star with valor device for his heroics on that first day. The other two days were not taken into account. But over the decades, McCloughan's uncle and his fellow soldiers wrote letters on his behalf to upgrade the award, an effort also taken up by Michigan lawmakers. And finally after long consideration it was endorsed by the Army.  Bill Arnold says the Medal of Honor is long overdue.  "There is nobody I can think of who's more honorable, more deserving of this award than Doc," he said."

As all Medal of Honor recipients, this hero is self-deprecating:

"For his part, Doc McCloughan sees himself as more a caretaker of the medal. He says it's really an award for all 89 soldiers who lived and died during the battle. It was a team, he says, with each soldier playing a critical part.  "And I've never known it any stronger than I knew after that battle how important each man was to the other," McCloughan said."

The Washington Post reports:

"It is difficult to assess which of James McCloughan’s near-death encounters in Vietnam was the most harrowing. There were so many. From the moment his infantry unit hit the field March 9, 1969, they encountered a ferocious enemy determined to repulse the Americans at all costs.  “I got initiated the very first day,” McCloughan, 71, recalled in a recent interview with Army biographers. “We hit our first ambush. We had a man die. Had a few people to patch up. And I shot a man. That’s a lot to digest in your first day.  “But I didn’t know I was going to face anything like Tam Ky,” he added, alluding to the location of a vicious 48-hour battle, three months after he arrived in Vietnam, during which the 23-year-old combat medic risked his life at least nine times to save wounded or stranded comrades — 10 men in all — and prevented a much larger North Vietnamese force from overrunning them entirely."

Imagine the terror:

"The operation began May 13, 1969. That morning, elements of McCloughan’s unit — Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry, of the 196th Light Infantry Brigade — were flown into the foliage near Tam Ky, a city along Vietnam’s central coast. They came under immediate attack, and two U.S. helicopters were shot down.  “It was a hot LZ,” McCloughan said in his interview with the Army. He was referring to the helicopter landing zone where he and the others were unloaded. “The minute that we got there, we were fired upon.”  McCloughan joined a squad of soldiers sent to locate one of the helicopter crews, according to the Army’s summary of action for his Medal of Honor. When they arrived at the crash site, he spotted a soldier too injured to move. As his squad mates exchanged fire with North Vietnamese, McCloughan sprinted to reach the man, hoisted him onto his shoulder and carried him to safety."

Consider the following:

"Later, McCloughan’s platoon sustained heavy casualties when they were ambushed by a larger North Vietnamese force while scouting a nearby hill. With U.S. airstrikes falling nearby, he left his weapon behind and ran toward two unarmed soldiers who were pinned down."

Uncommon valor.

"While assessing them for injuries, McCloughan was sprayed with shrapnel from the blast of a rocket-propelled grenade. He carried the men to safety despite his wounds.  McCloughan would make similar trips at least four more times, ignoring his commander’s orders to stay back and instead charging into a kill zone to save the wounded."

Uncommon valor.

Beyond uncommon valor:

"The next day was devastatingly bad. As McCloughan and his platoon moved through a trench line, they saw North Vietnamese soldiers ahead. A battle erupted, and Pfc. Dan Shea, the medic from their sister platoon, was killed, cut down trying to carry a wounded soldier to safety. For his courageousness, he was recognized posthumously with the Medal of Honor.  “I got him, got his body, and now I’m the only medic,” McCloughan recounted. “So I downed my pack, near a tree, and got all of my pressure bandages out of there and put them in all of the pockets that I had. . . . And now I start going to get men.”  Amid the frenzy, McCloughan sustained additional wounds from small-arms fire and shrapnel, but he refused to leave his unit without a medic. As the battle reached its peak, Charlie Company was nearly enveloped by hundreds of enemy fighters. McCloughan ran through the crossfire again and again to pull out the wounded."

He wasn't done:

"That night, when the soldiers had run low on ammunition, McCloughan volunteered to crawl into the open carrying a light so a helicopter carrying their gear could locate them. But the resupply never came. He continued to treat casualties into the next morning, helping fend off attacks and keeping two seriously wounded soldiers alive. At last, that afternoon, he helped gather the dead and wounded so the unit could be evacuated."

8-4-17

Another example of exceptional valor.  This time displayed by a woman against Border Patrol jackbooted goons at a border checkpoint.  CBS News reports:

"Cellphone video of a confrontation at a border patrol checkpoint is stirring up new controversy in the immigration debate.  A California teacher posted a video of border patrol agents detaining her after she refused to say if she was a U.S. citizen at a checkpoint in New Mexico, about 35 miles from the border."

About time someone had the guts to stand up to these jackbooted bastards.  Who better than an American citizen?

"The video has many wondering if she was within her rights or had an obligation to comply."

She has the right to remain silent.  Fifth Amendment.  Whether or not she's guilty of any crime.

"When San Diego resident Shane Parmely was stopped at a New Mexico border patrol station she refused to answer the agent's questions. She was heading home from vacation with her three children and asked one of them to start recording the exchange.  The videos have generated thousands of views on Facebook and sparked a heated debate on immigration rights.  The middle school teacher says she did it after hearing her Latino friends talk about their experiences at checkpoints.  "It made me feel sick to get asked, knowing what my friends have been through. It just made me feel physically ill," Parmely said."

Remains the obligation of citizenship to stand up against corrupt, abusive, inept, out of control, jackbooted authority.  Peaceful  but ferocious resistance.  Otherwise, you grant the jackbooted bastards in blue carte blanche to murder on the job.  To not peacefully resist is un-American, achingly gutless.

"They do more than ask that I'm a citizen. They will ask where my kids go to school, they'll ask what grade they're in. They'll ask what type of job I have," said Gretel Rodriguez, one of Parmely's friends."

None of their goddamned f--king business.  Out of uniform jackbooted nazi storm troopers, -- no swastika armbands.

"In the video, Parmely asked, "So what's the grounds? What's the violation for being detained?" The border patrol agent responded, "You know what? Just for you. Here you go, U.S. Supreme Court."

A fascist, national socialist, nazi Supreme Court.  More than willing to take a hard dump on all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  Routinely 'legislates' its outrageously perverse ideological and religious views from the bench.

"The Supreme Court does allow agents to set up checkpoints within 100 miles of the border and ask questions about citizenship without warrants.  "She had the right to remain silent. She had the right to question why was she being detained," said Victor Nieblas, former president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association."

Goddamned right.  Amazing how this unconstitutional bullshit is allowed within a hundred miles of the border.  Yet, not allowed elsewhere.  Police have to have probable cause a crime has been committed to stop someone on the road.  Not allowed to routinely conduct a fishing expedition by setting up a roadblock beyond 100 miles of the border.

"Asked what kind of avenues border patrol agents have to verify citizenship, Nieblas said, "Well, they need a reasonable suspicion that the individual is either committing a crime or is here unlawfully and that's difficult to ascertain by someone just saying I don't want to answer a question."

Tough shit.  They can go to hell.  What ever happened to liberty?  All civil and constitutional rights and liberties?

"On Facebook, some applauded Parmely's activism while others criticized her actions.   One person wrote, "I am sorry but you are disrespectful. The boarder [sic] patrol is doing a job that must be done."

Proof positive a sucker and/or fool remain an integral part of an achingly failing, gutless, formerly great country.

"There are a lot of criticisms that seem to basically be on this logical fallacy that if you question authority, you're disrespectful. And I disagree," Parmely said."

If abusive authority remains unquestioned, quickly becomes jackbooted nazi.  Precisely, why we're in the dilemma we're now in.  Too few are willing to stand up.  Courage?  What's that?

"Parmely says she was let go after 90 minutes without answering the question."

F--k the bastards.  Resist.  Make it as difficult and time consuming as possible for them.  Stand tall.  No one should have to live in a goddamned fascist police-state, soon to be the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.  These pieces of shit are out of control.  Remain an exigent threat to all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  A far greater threat to life, liberty than any foreign power, terrorist group, or even the criminal element.

"In a statement, the border patrol says they may detain a driver for a reasonable amount of time until they can make a determination about immigration status.  It says its policy is to treat all individuals with dignity and respect."

Bullshit.  A lie.  They don't.  Worse, they've murdered on the border with impunity.  Not accountable.

8-4-17

In follow up to the last edition, CNN reports:

"A single mother of four who sought refuge in a New Haven, Connecticut church to avoid deportation will be allowed to stay with her family for now, authorities say.  Nury Chavarria, who is originally from Guatemala and has been living in the United States for 24 years, took sanctuary in a Pentecostal church in a New Haven, Connecticut last Thursday.  A judge granted Chavarria a stay Wednesday afternoon and will reopen a review of her asylum application, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesman Khaalid Walls said.  The court-granted stay will remain in effect until the judge issues a final decision on her application.  Chavarria is thankful to her supporters and will be returning home to her children and family members, her representative, Kica Matos, said.  "She's a free woman at least for the foreseeable future," Matos said."

She had some high-level Democratic support:

"Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy and Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, all Democrats, were among lawmakers who rallied around her in support, along with community activists and volunteers.  "Today, reason and compassion have prevailed. There was never a rational justification for Nury Chavarria to have been threatened with deportation and separated from her children, and I applaud this decision by ICE and the court to allow her to continue living and working in the United States with her family," Malloy said in a statement.  "Nury's plight is the direct result of an immigration system that has lost all sense of humanity -- a betrayal of fundamental American values," Blumenthal said in a statement."

Who said the GOP was the party of the family?  Simply, not so.  Certainly, not under the Trump nazi.

8-4-17

The courts are the only ones in government standing up against the Trump nazi and his henchmen.  CNN reports:

"Iraqi nationals with final orders of removal from the US cannot be deported for at least another two weeks, a federal judge has ruled.  Judge Mark Goldsmith extended a temporary stay blocking their deportation until July 24, according to the judge's order.  The judge said the court needed additional time to determine whether the court has jurisdiction over the case in the first place, according to court documents.  The group of Iraqi nationals who filed the initial lawsuit along with the ACLU argued that there was "good cause" for extending the stay, because Iraqis in danger of deportation face the same threats they did when the initial stay was granted a few weeks ago: fear of "persecution, torture or even death," upon return to their country, according to court documents."

ICE refuses to obey the law requiring refugees be given a hearing to determine veracity of their claims.

"As the court has recognized, these individuals are potentially in grave danger if sent back to Iraq," Gelernt told CNN in a statement. "There is simply no reason why the government needs to deport them before they have had an opportunity to present their claims that they will be tortured and possibly killed if returned to Iraq."  The ACLU along with some Iraqi nationals detained in the Michigan area originally filed a suit on June 15, requesting a stay of removal for any Iraqi detained under the jurisdiction of the Detroit ICE office."

Needs to happen all across the country.

8-4-17

Sometimes, however, the courts are in bed with these jackbooted bastards.  The following is appalling.  NPR reports:

"Davino Watson told the immigration officers he was a U.S. citizen. He told jail officials he was a U.S. citizen. He told a judge. He repeated it again and again."

Mattered not.  Forget?  This is a fascist police-state.

"There's no right to a court-appointed attorney in immigration court. Watson, who was 23 and didn't have a high school diploma when he entered ICE custody, didn't have a lawyer of his own. So he hand-wrote a letter to immigration officers, attaching his father's naturalization certificate, and kept repeating his status to anyone who would listen."

Direct violation of the deliberately court-bastardized Sixth Amendment right to counsel.

"Still, Immigration and Customs Enforcement kept Watson imprisoned as a deportable alien for nearly 3 1/2 years. Then they released Watson, who was from New York, in rural Alabama with no money and no explanation. Deportation proceedings continued for another year."

Nazi America.

"Watson was correct all along: He was a U.S. citizen. After he was released he filed a complaint. Last year, a district judge in New York awarded him $82,500 in damages, citing "regrettable failures of the government."  On Monday an appeals court ruled that Watson, now 32, is not eligible for any of that money — because while his case is "disturbing," the statute of limitations actually expired while he was still in ICE custody without a lawyer."

Convenient, Catch-22. Hear the rumble?

"The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals acknowledged that the ruling is "harsh," but said it was bound by precedent.  "There is no doubt that the government botched the investigation into Watson's assertion of citizenship, and that as a result a U.S. citizen was held for years in immigration detention and was nearly deported," the court ruled. "Nonetheless, we must conclude that Watson is not entitled to damages from the government."

An appeal to the Supreme Court is possible.  Think it'll fare any better in the nazi High Court?

"A separate NPR review of court records showed that in dozens of similar cases, Americans asserted their citizenship only to be sucked into a system they should have never been a part of. Some were held for days; others, for months. Some were denied bail, and most were denied a court-appointed lawyer."

This is precisely how revolutions spawn.  Hear the rumble?  An unwanted dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming.

8-4-17

Think the following isn't reminiscent of Adolf Hitler?  The mark of a nazi dictator?  CBS News reports:

"President Trump traveled to Brentwood, New York, on Long Island on Friday to address members of law enforcement about the federal government's crackdown on MS-13.  In Suffolk County, police said they have arrested more than 170 alleged members of the notorious gang, which is believed to be responsible for several high-profile murders in the area."

Indeed, need to be investigated, arrested, prosecuted, etc..  The Trump nazi took it much further, however:

"Mr. Trump told the assembled officers of the Suffolk County Police Department that they shouldn't be "too nice" when arresting members of the gang.   "I said please don't be too nice -- like when you guys put somebody in the car and you're protecting their head ... I said you can take the hand away, OK?" Mr. Trump said.  Mr. Trump's apparent encouragement of violence toward individuals under arrest alarmed many critics, but drew applause from the crowd."

A fascist police-state, soon to become the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.  The criminal jackbooted bastards in blue are already out of control.  Now, we have a nazi president granting them carte blanche.  Wasn't lost, however, on the Department:

"The Suffolk County Police Department distanced itself from the comments later. The department tweeted Friday that they have "strict rules and procedures relating to the handling of prisoners. Violations of those rules are treated extremely seriously." In a second tweet, the department wrote "as a department, we do not and will not tolerate the roughing up of prisoners."  "I think they realize that was in jest," Suffolk County Police Deputy Inspector Milagros Soto told CBS New York. "They know what our rules and procedures are, and we would not accept that."

...If only that were indeed true:

"The police department's history, however, may tell a different story.  On Thursday, the FBI announced that officer Christopher McCoy was charged with forcing a suspect to perform oral sex.  The assistant director in charge of the FBI's New York field office called the behavior "outrageous." The police department plans to fire McCoy, according to Newsday."

There's more:

"In November 2016, former police chief James Burke was sentenced to 46 months in prison after being found guilty of shackling and punching a man who allegedly stole a duffel bag from Burke's car. Burke flew into a rage against the suspected thief, beating and yelling at him until a detective intervened.  Burke tried to cover up the episode, which eventually attracted the attention of the FBI. During a sentencing hearing, Judge Leonard Wexler said Burke had "corrupted the system" and compared him to a dictator, according to the New York Times.  "It stretched over three years," Wexler said of Burke's attempts to cover up the crime, according to the Times."

Even more:

"The incident with Burke is not the only blemish on Suffolk County police department's record. In 2010, two officers severely beat an unarmed 19-year-old suspect they said was combative, according to Newsday. The man, Kevin Turner, fell into a coma and eventually died."

Think there isn't a systemic problem in law enforcement?  Exacerbating the intolerable, the Trump nazi then incites officers, on top of that, to violence?  Think this fascist, Hitler 'wannabe,' fit to be president?

The Washington Post reports:

"During a speech on Long Island on Friday, President Trump took a break from discussing gang violence and illegal immigration to give the law enforcement officers gathered for his remarks some advice on how to treat suspects.  “When you guys put somebody in the car and you’re protecting their head, you know, the way you put their hand over?” Trump said, miming the physical motion of an officer shielding a suspect’s head to keep it from bumping against the squad car.  “Like, don’t hit their head, and they just killed somebody — don’t hit their head,” Trump continued. “I said, you can take the hand away, okay?”  These remarks, coming after Trump talked about towns ravaged by gang violence and described “these thugs being thrown into the back of a paddy wagon,” met with applause from at least some of the law enforcement officers gathered for his speech at Suffolk County Community College in New York.  A group of uniform officers standing behind Trump applauded, and, when he turned to face them, some smiled and appeared to chuckle."

Then, achingly clueless law enforcement can't understand ferocious criticism directed at it?  Not all police remain as clueless, however:

"Trump’s remarks were criticized by law enforcement officials including the Houston police chief and agencies including the Gainesville, Fla., police department. His comments also drew a rebuke from the International Association of Chiefs of Police. In a statement Friday, the group did not specifically mention Trump by name but appeared to respond to his speech by stressing the importance of treating all people, including suspects, with respect."

... The only way to prevent the unthinkable, -- an unwanted dreaded second American revolution already catastrophically looming.

“Managing use of force is one of the most difficult challenges faced by law enforcement agencies,” the group said. “The ability of law enforcement officers to enforce the law, protect the public, and guard their own safety, the safety of innocent bystanders, and even those suspected or apprehended for criminal activity is very challenging.  “For these reasons, law enforcement agencies develop policies and procedures, as well as conduct extensive training, to ensure that any use of force is carefully applied and objectively reasonable considering the situation confronted by the officers,” the statement continued."

The above should always be the objective, prime directive.  Sadly, law enforcement is falling short all across the country.

Reaction to Trump's comments were immediate:

"These remarks on how to treat suspects were condemned by civil rights and advocacy groups. Vanita Gupta, who ran the Justice Department’s civil rights division during the Obama administration, decried the comments and said they ran counter to efforts from local police agencies to repair relationships with their communities.  “Trump’s remarks today are unconscionable,” Gupta, who is now president and chief executive of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, said in a statement. “The President of the United States, standing before an audience of law enforcement officials, actively encouraged police violence. His remarks undermine the positive efforts of local law enforcement agencies and communities around the country working to address police misconduct and build community-police trust.”

Trump's remarks again demonstrate egregious unfitness for office.  Place good officers in danger.  To say nothing of innocent and not-so-innocent members of the public who have to deal with these jackbooted predators in blue.

"Janai Nelson, the associate director-counsel NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said Trump’s comments “encouraging police officers to disregard the safety of individuals in their custody rises to a new level of danger.”  “We need law enforcement who do not share the Trump Administration’s outdated and unlawful views to promote protecting the rights and safety of all Americans by condemning those who condone impunity among law enforcement,” Nelson said in a statement."

Indeed, that's true.  Law enforcement is a vital part of the community.  Absolutely need them.  Can't live without them.  At the same time, criminal, abusive, murderous officers are an exigent threat to the rule of law, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties, to say nothing of life itself.

"The American Civil Liberties Union posted on Twitter that Trump was “urging lawlessness” with his speech.

    "Encouraging police to dole out extra pain at will is urging lawlessness that already imperils the lives of people of color at shameful rates

    — ACLU National (@ACLU) July 28, 2017"

Anyone in society who advocates violence or makes threats is legally accountable.  Why isn't the Trump nazi held to the same standard?

8-4-17

The following is another egregious example of police malfeasance on the border.  ABC News reports:

"Cruz Velazquez was only 16 when a stranger handed down his death sentence.

"On the night of Nov. 18, 2013, Velazquez arrived the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the Western Hemisphere’s busiest land-border crossing. Government surveillance video obtained by ABC News of his encounter with border officers shows in gripping detail just how far officers would go as they questioned a young man caught between the powerful forces on opposite sides of the cross-border drug trade.

That footage -- which aired for the first time Friday on Good Morning America, World News Tonight with David Muir, 20/20 and Nightline -- sparked a year-long ABC News investigation of U.S. Customs and Border Protection with the non-profit Investigative Fund that revealed a history of cases in which the agency appeared to ignore accusations of mistreatment and abuse.

“There is a clear history of agents and officers engaging in what I believe was serious misconduct, documented by my office, in many instances who received little or no discipline whatsoever as a result,” said James Tomsheck, the former head of internal affairs for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, who has become a sharp critic of the agency after being ousted amid controversy."

Readers are reminded this whistle blower is indeed one of their own.  The death of Velazquez was covered in an earlier edition of this publication and elsewhere.  Agents knew he had smuggled drugs across the border.  Told him to prove they weren't drugs by drinking the mixture.  The kid took a sip leading to his death.  While he should have indeed been arrested, agents don't get to be judge, jury, and executioner.  This case is only the tip of the iceberg of agent malfeasance, however.

The following rings achingly hollow:

"This is the full statement ABC News received from U.S. Customs and Border Protection regarding Brian Ross’s “Life Death at the Border” report, which will air on 20/20 on Friday, July 28, 2017.

"U.S. Customs and Border Protection conducted an investigation following the incident at the San Ysidro port of entry in November 2013. Additionally, the San Diego Police Department conducted an in-custody death investigation. On January 24, 2014, the SDPD provided a copy of their investigation to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which declined to file charges.

"CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility continued to review the case spending nearly a year that included a national-level review board, which, in September 2014 also determined that no further action was warranted and the officers involved were not disciplined.

"CBP Officers are our front line representatives protecting our country. In the San Diego Field Office alone, our officers encountered more than 75 million people last fiscal year. In spite of those vast numbers of daily interactions, our officers work hard to do the right thing every day, ensuring that they allow legitimate travelers into the U.S. while stopping illegal activity as well as working to ensure the well-being of the travelers that we encounter.

"With regard to the Guatemalan girls to which you refer, the case is actually still under investigation by CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility and I would tell you that CBP agents and officers are committed to treating everyone with professionalism, dignity and respect while enforcing the laws of the United States. CBP takes all allegations of mistreatment seriously, and does not tolerate actions that are not consistent with our core values of Vigilance, Service to Country and Integrity.

"Travelers who feel that have been mistreated have a variety of options to report situations encountered while traveling via airports, train stations and U.S. Border crossings. Among those are the DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) and the CBP Info Center, where travelers can call to file a complaint so CBP can address the allegations and take any necessary actions. Travelers can also request to see a supervisor on-site to address any concerns. CBP is committed to following up on and addressing any allegations if the complainant’s information is shared.

"All reports of misconduct are coordinated with the DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) for independent review and assessment. Some allegations are retained by the OIG for investigation while others are referred back to the Joint Intake Center for assignment to the appropriate office for investigation, fact-finding, or immediate management action. If misconduct is substantiated, appropriate corrective action will be initiated.

"In August 2014, CBP initiated new reporting protocols to ensure all complainants who allege excessive force are interviewed prior to being processed for removal. All CBP components have been directed to immediately notify the Office of Professional Responsibility upon receipt of a complaint of alleged excessive force and to not remove individuals until OPR has had the opportunity to conduct an investigative interview of the complainant.

"U.S. Customs and Border Protection is fully committed to earning the public trust through accountability and transparency within the law. To that end CBP has posted guidance on its website to allow the public to easily file a complaint or provide feedback at https://help.cbp.gov/app/home. The agency uses the feedback to improve its performance.

"The CBP Information Center also has increased its Spanish-language capacity to provide improved service, accountability and transparency to those who speak Spanish via the fully-integrated Spanish-language service at https://helpspanish.cbp.gov/."

The above statement from CBP is not credible.  Precisely, why ABC News and other news outlets must continue to investigate and expose law enforcement for whom and what it has become.

8-4-17

It's about to get worse, far worse.  The Washington Times reports:

"The country’s top immigration enforcement officer says he is looking into charging sanctuary city leaders with violating federal anti-smuggling laws because he is fed up with local officials putting their communities and his officers at risk by releasing illegal immigrants from jail."

Extension of the fascist police-state we already live in to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

"Migrants are increasingly refusing to open doors for his officers and, when they do, the encounters are turning violent, Mr. Homan said. Use-of-force instances are up about 150 percent, and assaults on ICE officers are up about 40 percent, he said."

Think agents aren't inciting violence?

"Local officials are also pushing back, declaring themselves sanctuaries and enacting policies that block their law enforcement officers from cooperating with ICE."

Why not?  A federal, not a state or local issue.  Whatever happened to states rights championed by the Nazi Right?

"The refusals range from declining to hold migrants beyond their regular release time to refusing all communication — even notifying ICE when a criminal deportable alien is about to be released into the community."

They have the right not to cooperate.  States rights.

"For Mr. Homan, who came up through the ranks of the Border Patrol and then ICE as a sworn law enforcement officer, that sort of resistance is enraging."

Tough shit.  Enraged they won't march in goose step with you, you nazi son of a bitch?

“Shame on people that want to put politics ahead of officer safety, community safety,” he said."

The lack of cooperation has nothing to do with politics or safety.  Wake up.  It's resistance to nazi laws.  Resistance to the goddamned fascist police-state we already live in, soon to be the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.  Mr. Homan?  Adolf and Benito would have been proud of you.  You're out of uniform, you fascist son of a bitch.  Where is your swastika armband?  Those of your goons?

"Sanctuaries say that cooperating with ICE frightens immigrants — both legal and illegal — and makes them less likely to report other crimes. They say that is a bigger threat to public safety than crimes committed by illegal immigrants."

No question.  Certainly, true.  Yet, a nazi is too myopic to see that far.  Creates his own perverse reality, Mr. Homan.

"ICE is also facing headwinds in the courts. One judge this week halted efforts to deport Iraqi migrants who have been convicted of serious crimes and have been ordered deported, but who now say as Christians they fear for their lives if sent back to their home country.  The judge faulted the U.S. for not being able to guarantee that the deportees won’t end up in territory controlled by Islamic State terrorists, who routinely execute Christians."

'Christian' nazis in this country couldn't care less.

"The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court this week issued a ruling that law enforcement cannot hold migrants for pickup by ICE beyond their normal release times. That effectively forbids police from complying with detainer requests, which ask local authorities to hold targets for up to 48 hours."

Tough shit.  Can't hold people who won't be charged, and/or ordered released.   The problem is not enforcement of immigration law.  It's the fact the laws are blanket enforced.  Not just against dangerous undocumented immigrants, but all undocumented immigrants.  Including refugees.  Families are broken up despite the fact the undocumented have committed no crimes other than being undocumented.  Discretion is no longer applied in the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

8-4-17

Compounding the above, ICE has now begun the process of deputizing Texas police officers to enforce federal statutes.  The de facto fascist police-state we already live in is now to become the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.  Fox News reports:

"Nearly 20 Texas police agencies signed an agreement to partner with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, giving them the authority to act as federal immigration agents in some capacities.  (Reuters/Charles Reed)  The acting director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency signed more than a dozen agreements with local Texas law enforcement entities on Monday, giving them the authority to perform certain functions as federal immigration agents.  Thomas Homan, who took over as the acting director of ICE in January 2017, signed 18 new agreements with Texas law enforcement agencies to allow officers to interrogate individuals who have been arrested on their immigration status. Officers also will be able to place detainers on individuals."

Beginning, determined execution of the slippery slope as intended by the Trump nazi and his henchmen.  -- The frog slowly lulled to sleep in a pot gently simmering on the stove.

“It is common sense partnerships like these that help law enforcement achieve our mutual goals, and I’m encouraged by the increased interest from law enforcement professionals who seek to join this program and protect public safety,” Homan said in a statement."

Has nothing to do with 'public safety,' you fascist jackass.  Greatest threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties is no foreign power.  No terrorist group.  Not even the criminal element.  It is the out of control criminal jackbooted bastards in blue at all levels of government that pose a far, far greater threat.  What 'mutual goals,' Mr. Holman?  Imposition of raw nazism in our formerly great country?  Obliteration of whatever is left of the Bill of Rights, you nazi son of a bitch?  Where is your swastika armband?  You and your goons are out of uniform.

"The 287(g) program – which became law as part of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act in 1996 – enables state and local law enforcement entities to collaborate with and perform functions of federal immigration agents."

Raw nazism.  Pernicious consolidation of Executive power by the Trump nazi, his predecessors, to say nothing of the gutless nazis in Congress who passed this abominable, un-American, outrageously unconstitutional legislation two decades ago.

“The 287(g) program is extremely helpful as it allows local law enforcement agencies to participate as an active partner in identifying criminal aliens in their custody, and placing ICE detainers on these individuals,” Matthew Bourke, a spokesman for ICE, told Fox News. “Removing criminal aliens from our communities produces a higher level of public safety.”

This law is now enforced by the Trump nazi and his henchmen against anyone undocumented, whether or not they have a criminal record or are dangerous to the community.  No discretion.  Families are deliberately broken up by these assholes.  -- The undocumented alien guilty of no more than being undocumented.  Yet, these goddamned hypocrites in the GOP claim to be 'Christians?'  Party of the family?  An egregious crock of shit.

Much more to come as this galling, atrocious, achingly appalling program continues to be implemented and executed by these jackbooted, goose stepping, treasonous, treacherous, traitorous nazis.  All of whom, falsely swore an oath to protect and defend the United States Constitution.

8-4-17

Republicans have their panties in a wad over the Mueller investigation.  Fox News reports:

"Nearly two-dozen Republicans are calling on the Trump Justice Department to appoint a second special counsel to investigate the raft of 2016 campaign controversies involving Hillary Clinton and the Obama administration, warning these questions cannot “be allowed to die on the vine” amid the Russia probe firestorm."

Tit for tat by GOP national socialists running scared.

8-4-17

Appalling Aryan arrogance.  Get this.  NPR reports:

"White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, speaking on Fox & Friends Thursday, said the Trump administration's hiring efforts are being hindered by the "hoops you have to jump through" to comply with Office of Government Ethics rules."

Tough shit.  Breaks your heart, doesn't it?

"There are so many qualified men and women who wanted to serve this administration and their country who have been completely demoralized and completely disinclined to do so based on the paperwork we have to put forward, divesting assets," Conway said."

Clearly, this lady does not know what the word "ethics" means.  No conception.  Not a clue.

"Kathleen Clark, an ethics law professor at Washington University in St. Louis, disagreed about the impact of ethics disclosure forms, saying they help ensure that government employees prioritize the public good."

Can't confuse a nazi with the truth.

"Someone who is not used to putting the interests of the people first is probably more likely to see this as an inappropriate burden, but if you put it into the context of the ethics laws, it makes sense that people have a requirement to make these disclosures," Clark said."

Indeed.

8-4-17

The military has not yet received orders from the Trump nazi vis a vis his new policy on transgender service personnel.  NPR reports:

"I know there are questions about yesterday's announcement on the transgender policy by the President," Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford said in a statement. "There will be no modifications to the current policy until the President's direction has been received by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary has issued implementation guidance.  "In the meantime, we will continue to treat all of our personnel with respect," he added. "As importantly, given the current fight and the challenges we face, we will all remain focused on accomplishing our assigned missions."

Sad, isn't, it?  Trump lied.  The generals were not consulted.

"The Department of Defense echoed that message, saying it was "awaiting formal guidance from the White House," according to a statement by chief Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White. "We will provide detailed guidance to the Department in the near future for how this policy change will be implemented."

"The statements come a day after the president tweeted what is apparently a new policy: no transgender people in the military."

8-4-17

Trump continues to pressure the Sessions nazi.  CBS/AP reports:

"After being berated for a week by President Donald Trump, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Thursday he will stay in the job for as long as Trump wants him to serve. He conceded that the president's criticism pains him, though."

Doesn't your heart bleed?

"Asked by Fox News' Tucker Carlson whether he thinks Mr. Trump's criticism is fair, Sessions said that "it's kind of hurtful, but the president of the United States is a strong leader." He also told Carlson the president "has had a lot of criticism, and he's steadfast, determined to get his job done, and he wants all of us to do our job. And that's what I intend to do."

That is, expanding the de facto fascist police-state we already live in to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich:

"Sessions told The Associated Press he and Mr. Trump have a "harmony of values and beliefs" and he intends to stay and fight for the president's agenda "as long as he sees that as appropriate."

In goose step.

NPR reports:

"A growing number of GOP lawmakers appear to have had enough with what one has called the president's "public floggings" in recent days of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a onetime senator from Alabama who served on Capitol Hill for two decades before joining the Trump administration."

Here's one:

"Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., was blunt. "If Jeff Sessions is fired, there will be holy hell to pay," he said. "Any effort to go after Mueller could be the beginning of the end of the Trump presidency."

Here's another:

"Graham's remarks follow a tweet from the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Chuck Grassley, telegraphing that a vacancy at the top of the Justice Department would go unfilled for months.

"Everybody in D.C. Shld b warned that the agenda for the judiciary Comm is set for rest of 2017. Judges first subcabinet 2nd / AG no way
— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) July 27, 2017"

8-4-17

Think the following appropriate for an American president, -- or, a nazi fuhrer?  NPR reports:

"Hours after President Trump criticized Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski's vote on debating health care legislation, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke reportedly called Murkowski and fellow Alaskan Sen. Dan Sullivan to say their state could run into trouble with the Trump administration."

Sounds like retaliation, doesn't it?

"Describing the call from Zinke, Sullivan told the Alaska Dispatch News, "I'm not going to go into the details, but I fear that the strong economic growth, pro-energy, pro-mining, pro-jobs and personnel from Alaska who are part of those policies are going to stop."  Zinke's message, writes the Dispatch News' Erica Martinson, was that Murkowski's vote "had put Alaska's future with the administration in jeopardy."

Think that becoming of the Trump nazi and his henchmen?

Stupidly failed, however, to think through the consequences.  The Washington Times reports:

"The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, led by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, delayed a vote to confirm several Trump administration appointees on Thursday after she was criticized by a Cabinet member over her health care vote.  The committee, which she chairs, was set to nominate six Trump appointments Thursday morning, including three for the Interior Department.  A committee spokesperson said the delay was “due to uncertainty of the Senate schedule.”

Think so?

8-4-17

Once again, Arizona Sen. John McCain bucked tradition, stood up for what he believed to be the right thing to do.  To chagrin of his compadres in the Republican Party.  NPR reports:

"In a moment of unexpected high drama, Republicans were stymied once again in their effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act — and they have John McCain to thank for it."

Not completely true.  Two other Republicans voted against the measure as well.  As did all Democrats.

"In the early morning hours Friday, the senator showed why he earned the nickname "Maverick" over his long tenure."

That descriptor is certainly true.  -- To his credit in most cases.

"McCain, who was diagnosed with brain cancer and returned to Washington to advance the health care bill, turned around and bucked his party's leadership — and President Trump — by joining two moderate Republicans, two independents and every Democrat in voting against the so-called "skinny repeal" of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare."

Tough, isn't it?  Yet, McCain and the others did the right thing.  While Obamacare needs to go, nothing the Republicans have offered so far is any better.  In fact, quite worse.

"McCain's office released a statement from the senator on his reasoning:

    "From the beginning, I have believed that Obamacare should be repealed and replaced with a solution that increases competition, lowers costs, and improves care for the American people. The so-called 'skinny repeal' amendment the Senate voted on today would not accomplish those goals. While the amendment would have repealed some of Obamacare's most burdensome regulations, it offered no replacement to actually reform our health care system and deliver affordable, quality health care to our citizens. The Speaker's statement that the House would be 'willing' to go to conference does not ease my concern that this shell of a bill could be taken up and passed at any time."

Once again, the Senator is spot on.  Has again demonstrated his ability and willingness to buck the jackasses in the GOP.

"McCain continued, calling on lawmakers to "return to the correct way of legislating and send the bill back to committee, hold hearings, receive input from both sides of aisle, heed the recommendations of nation's governors, and produce a bill that finally delivers affordable health care for the American people."

This issue will not be resolved unless this happens.  Doesn't appear likely any time soon, however.

"This is clearly a disappointing moment," Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said immediately after the bill failed. He added, "I regret that our efforts simply were not enough this time."  McConnell, who seemed to exhaust every trick in the procedural playbook to get to this point, seemed surprised and undercut by the result."

What did he expect?  The public does not back Trumpcare as it stands.  In fact, the three Republicans who voted against this fiasco did their party a favor.  Had it passed and been signed into law by the Trump nazi, Republicans would not have been returned to office.

The following is how clueless the Senate Majority Leader remains and has been:

"In a written statement from McConnell's office after the vote, he seemed to indicate a GOP-only effort on health care may be dead.  "We look forward to our colleagues on the other side suggesting what they have in mind," McConnell said in the statement."

First, Republicans have done all they could to stymie Obamacare.  Making sure it fails.  Withdrawing funding.  Actively sabotaging the program.  Not enforcing the law.  Now, they expect Democrats to roll over?  GOP nazis delusionally believe the failure of Obamacare will fall on the Democrats.  Not so.  Not a chance.  The public knows the truth.

Republicans did all they could to stonewall Obamacare during the Obama regime.  Would not cooperate. Not agree to desperately needed changes during the previous administration as well as to date during the Trump nazi's regime.  Worse?  Failed to deliver on their promise to repeal and replace.  Obamacare will ultimately fall of its own weight.  The failure to rein in bottomless greed.  Status quo, egregiously unsustainable.

Second, why would Democrats cooperate?  Even if and/or when Obamacare fails, the public will blame the GOP.  Why wouldn't they?  Republicans have nothing to offer that's better.  Have done nothing but stonewall all these years.  With rare exception, couldn't care less whether or not the public has adequate access to healthcare.  Proof?  Only three Republicans voted against this latest measure.

The achingly disingenuous Senate Majority Leader already knows what Democrats have in mind.  They want Obamacare fixed.  Doesn't seem possible since provider greed is not reined in, insurance 'middle man' not eliminated.  Both parties have no adequate solution presently.  Remain unwilling to do what it takes to solve the problem.  For partisan reasons.

Here's the despicable clincher:

"It's somewhat ironic that McCain was the one to derail what seemed like a sure Trump victory (even if only a short-term one). After all, Trump's comments about the former prisoner of war were among the earliest to land the then-candidate in controversy.  "He's not a war hero," Trump said in 2015 of McCain. "He was a war hero, because he was captured. I like people who weren't captured. He's been losing so long he doesn't know how to win anymore."  That was likely never lost on McCain."

That's not the reason McCain voted no.  Had it been, the Senator wouldn't have voted to debate the bill.  Would have thrown a monkey wrench into the vote to proceed.

Healthcare and national defense are equally critical to national security.  Republicans don't seem to understand this.  Both major political parties need to start from scratch.  Won't likely happen any time soon.  Partisanship trumps all.  Remains prime mover.

The Trump nazi has his shorts in a wad.  Fox News reports:

"President Trump on Saturday threatened to end health care “bailouts” for insurers and lawmakers in Washington as he continues to push Congress to pass legislation repealing ObamaCare.  “If a new HealthCare Bill is not approved quickly, BAILOUTS for Insurance Companies and BAILOUTS for Members of Congress will end very soon!” Trump tweeted Saturday afternoon."

Time to impeach, convict, and remove this lunatic from office.

"If a new HealthCare Bill is not approved quickly, BAILOUTS for Insurance Companies and BAILOUTS for Members of Congress will end very soon!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2017
He also tweeted, “After seven years of ‘talking’ Repeal & Replace, the people of our great country are still being forced to live with imploding ObamaCare!”

While Obamacare is failing, no evidence of implosion.  Hyperbolic bullshit coming from the nazi.

"Trump appears to be talking about cost-sharing subsidies for insurers. Mick Mulvaney, director of the Office of Management and Budget, recently told insurers such subsidies could end.  “We are looking at the cost-sharing payments on a month-to-month basis. We made them today. We'll make them tomorrow,” Mulvaney said, according to the Independent Journal Review. “But I don't think we'll see a long-term commitment from this administration.”

Trump fails to uphold the law.  Worse, actively sabotages the law.

"Some conservatives have also been pushing the White House to end subsidies to lawmakers and their employees made possible by an Office of Personnel Management exemption."

What's good for the goose is good for the gander.  No special treatment.

“It’s also troubling that the Trump administration used executive powers to bail out insurers but will not use his lawful executive power to end Obama’s order exempting members of Congress from paying the full Obamacare freight,” Daniel Horowitz recently wrote at ConservativeReview.com."

8-4-17

Trump continues to have egregious, out of control staff problems.  CBS News reports:

"Newly installed White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci called New Yorker reporter Ryan Lizza Wednesday night to demand information about leaks emanating from the executive branch, and in the process criticized many of his colleagues while using copious profanity."

Who the hell is this nazi to demand anything from anybody?  What planet does he live on?  His appointment come as any surprise considering the lunatic who hired him?

"Scaramucci, apparently believing that White House chief of staff Reince Priebus had leaked information about a dinner President Trump had Wednesday night with Fox News host Sean Hannity and former Fox executive Bill Shine, first threatened to fire the entire communications staff if Lizza did not divulge the source of the leaks. When he resisted, Scaramucci continued to press the issue."

Did he ever:

"I ask these guys not to leak anything and they can't help themselves," Scaramucci said. "You're an American citizen, this is a major catastrophe for the American country. So I'm asking you as an American patriot to give me a sense of who leaked it."

This, what the long-suffering public want in the White House?  An out of control idiot?

Gets worse:

"Scaramucci then teed off on Priebus and the White House communications team, and said that he believed the chief of staff had leaked the existence of the dinner because he had not been invited. "They'll all be fired by me," he said. "I fired one guy the other day. I have three to four people I'll fire tomorrow. I'll get to the person who leaked that to you. Reince Priebus—if you want to leak something—he'll be asked to resign very shortly...Reince is a f******* paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac."

Sound like a reincarnation of Adolf Hitler?  Benito Mussolini?

"The White House communication director then turned his ire toward Steve Bannon, Mr. Trump's chief political strategist. Scaramucci, referencing a onanistic sexual act, said that he was not interested in attracting media attention like Bannon, preferring only to promote the president.   "I'm not trying to build my own brand off the f******* strength of the President," Scarmucci said. "I'm here to serve the country."

Are you?  Think so?  Sound like you're out to serve yourself, you fascist son of a bitch.

"Returning to the issue of leaks, Scaramucci said that he would find the leakers and that they would be likely be prosecuted: "O.K., the Mooch showed up a week ago. This is going to get cleaned up very shortly, O.K.? Because I nailed these guys. I've got digital fingerprints on everything they've done through the F.B.I. and the f****** Department of Justice...the felony, they're gonna get prosecuted, probably, for the felony."

Think this guy isn't nuts?  Get this:

"Scaramucci then got off the phone, saying he had "to start tweeting some shit to make [Priebus] crazy." Minutes later, Scaramucci tweeted a warning that the people who released his financial records to Politico on Wednesday would be prosecuted, and appeared to implicate Priebus in the leak of that information.  As it turned out, the information Politico reported on was a matter of public record."

This guy is an out of control idiot.  This, what you Republican nazis in Llano County want in the White House?  This your man?

Subsequent to the above, Priebus is out.  NPR reports:

"He rose from relative state-party obscurity and reached an unlikely pinnacle as the man responsible for the agenda of the president of the United States.  Now, Reince Priebus is out of that job as White House chief of staff in the most significant shake-up of the rocky Trump presidency.  President Trump announced on Twitter on Friday that Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly has been named as Priebus' replacement."

NPR reports:

"Anthony Scaramucci is leaving his position as White House communications director — less than two weeks after being named for the job."

Imagine that.  Couldn't be, could it?

"Scaramucci's departure followed the Monday-morning swearing in of the new White House chief of staff, retired Gen. John F. Kelly. Scaramucci had negotiated an unusual deal to report directly to the president rather than the chief of staff (Reince Priebus at the time)."

Imagine that.  What could Trump possibly been thinking?

"Monday afternoon, Huckabee Sanders told reporters she would not elaborate on whether Scaramucci was fired or willfully resigned, but she said the former Wall Street financier would not retain another role on the White House staff "at this time."

The bastard got his.

"President Trump initially appeared to support Scaramucci's brash style. But, when asked Monday, Huckabee Sanders said, "The president certainly felt that Anthony's comments were inappropriate for a person in that position."

You think?

8-4-17

Russia has retaliated.  NPR reports:

"Stung by the new threat of American sanctions, Russia's Foreign Ministry says the U.S. must downsize its diplomatic and technical staff in Moscow and other cities. The ministry is also suspending the U.S. Embassy's use of two sites — a storage facility and a dacha on an island in the Moscow River."

Apparently, Russian patience with the Trump nazi has run out.

"The ministry says the U.S. has until Sept. 1 to cut the number of its staff at the Moscow embassy and at three consulates to match the exact number of Russian diplomats who are working in the U.S. — 455 people, according to the ministry's announcement.  After Aug. 1, U.S. staff will also be barred from using a recreational property on the bucolic island of Serebryany Bor, along with being barred from using warehouses on Moscow's Dorozhnaya Street."

Not done yet.

"More retaliation could come: The ministry added that it will mirror any further cuts to its staff in America."

This, despite all the wheeling and dealing.  CBS News reports:

"A financier for one of the largest foreign investment firms in Russia says the meeting arranged between Donald Trump Jr. and Russian entities during the 2016 campaign had a quid pro quo -- repealing the U.S.-passed Magnitsky Act and the sanctions enshrined in it in exchange for a "sizable offer" to the campaign itself.  "It's clear the interest and goal in that meeting was to repeal the Magnistky Act, said Bill Browder, CEO and founder of Hermitage Capital Management before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday. "It's the one thing we can agree with certainty that happened in that meeting."

Unbridled arrogance.

"He added, "I do know how the Russian government behaves, and this was a big ask -- to request that the possible future president of the United States, to repeal a major piece of human rights legislation, they wouldn't have gone in and said please repeal this without something in return."  But Browder said he does not know what the Russians would have offered in return.  "I do know the KGB, the FSB, would have studied their targets carefully and construct an offer that's appealing and sizable enough to be consistent with what they're asking for," he told the committee."

Fascinating.

8-4-17

Noose grows figuratively tighter around the Trump nazi and his henchmen.  NPR reports:

"The Fox News Channel and a wealthy supporter of President Trump worked in concert under the watchful eye of the White House to concoct a story about the death of a young Democratic National Committee aide, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday.  The explosive claim is part of the lawsuit filed against Fox News by Rod Wheeler, a longtime paid commentator for the news network. The suit was obtained exclusively by NPR.  Wheeler alleges Fox News and the Trump supporter intended to deflect public attention from growing concern about the administration's ties to the Russian government. His suit charges that a Fox News reporter created quotations out of thin air and attributed them to him to propel her story."

Think this isn't additional fodder for the ongoing criminal investigation by Special Counsel Mueller?

Equally troubling?  Consider the following.  The Washington Post reports:

"On the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Germany last month, President Trump’s advisers discussed how to respond to a new revelation that Trump’s oldest son had met with a Russian lawyer during the 2016 campaign — a disclosure the advisers knew carried political and potentially legal peril.  The strategy, the advisers agreed, should be for Donald Trump Jr. to release a statement to get ahead of the story. They wanted to be truthful, so their account couldn’t be repudiated later if the full details emerged."

Sounds reasonable, doesn't it?  Right thing to do, no?  Wasn't to be, however:

"But within hours, at the president’s direction, the plan changed.  Flying home from Germany on July 8 aboard Air Force One, Trump personally dictated a statement in which Trump Jr. said that he and the Russian lawyer had “primarily discussed a program about the adoption of Russian children” when they met in June 2016, according to multiple people with knowledge of the deliberations. The statement, issued to the New York Times as it prepared an article, emphasized that the subject of the meeting was “not a campaign issue at the time.”  The claims were later shown to be misleading."

More than just misleading.  Blatant deception.

"Over the next three days, multiple accounts of the meeting were provided to the news media as public pressure mounted, with Trump Jr. ultimately acknowledging that he had accepted the meeting after receiving an email promising damaging information about Hillary Clinton as part of a Russian government effort to help his father’s campaign."

Truth, a moving target.

"The extent of the president’s personal intervention in his son’s response, the details of which have not previously been reported, adds to a series of actions that Trump has taken that some advisers fear could place him and some members of his inner circle in legal jeopardy."

This is precisely the kind of activity that brought "Tricky Dick" Nixon down over four decades ago.  Not the Watergate break-in.  The cover-up.

"As special counsel Robert S. Mueller III looks into potential obstruction of justice as part of his broader investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election, these advisers worry that the president’s direct involvement leaves him needlessly vulnerable to allegations of a coverup."

No question.  Brought Nixon down.  Ended his presidency.

“This was ... unnecessary,” said one of the president’s advisers, who like most other people interviewed for this article spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive internal deliberations. “Now someone can claim he’s the one who attempted to mislead. Somebody can argue the president is saying he doesn’t want you to say the whole truth.”

Precisely, the problem when a president stupidly tries to self-servingly massage the truth.

"Trump has already come under criticism for steps he has taken to challenge and undercut the Russia investigation."

Appearance of a blatant cover-up.  Incredibly stupid, if there is indeed nothing of substance to hide.

"He fired FBI Director James B. Comey on May 9 after a private meeting in which Comey said the president asked him if he could end the investigation of ousted national security adviser Michael Flynn."

Certainly, has the appearance of a deliberate, desperate attempt to cover his ass.

"Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats told associates that Trump asked him in March if he could intervene with Comey to get the bureau to back off its focus on Flynn. In addition, Trump has repeatedly criticized Attorney General Jeff Sessions for recusing himself from overseeing the FBI’s Russian investigation — a decision that was one factor leading to the appointment of Mueller. And he has privately discussed his power to issue pardons, including for himself, and explored potential avenues for undercutting Mueller’s work."

None of this looks good.  None of it.

Consider the following:

"Although misleading the public or the news media is not a crime, advisers to Trump and his family told The Washington Post that they fear any indication that Trump was seeking to hide information about contacts between his campaign and Russians almost inevitably would draw additional scrutiny from Mueller."

Why wouldn't it?  Shouldn't be a problem for Trump, however, if no crime was committed.  Here is what's so incredibly stupid, Aryan arrogant:

"Trump, they say, is increasingly acting as his own lawyer, strategist and publicist, often disregarding the recommendations of the professionals he has hired.  “He refuses to sit still,” the presidential adviser said. “He doesn’t think he’s in any legal jeopardy, so he really views this as a political problem he is going to solve by himself.”

That's delusional.  Nixon didn't solve the problem.  Chose to resign, rather than face certain impeachment.  How is it these guys get elected to the presidency, then psychotically believe they've somehow received carte blanche to do as they please?  Not so, in a supposedly democratic republic under the Constitution and rule of law.  No one above the law.

"Peter Zeidenberg, the deputy special prosecutor who investigated the George W. Bush administration’s leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame’s identity, said Mueller will have to dig into the crafting of Trump Jr.’s statement aboard Air Force One.  Prosecutors typically assume that any misleading statement is an effort to throw investigators off the track, Zeidenberg said."

Precisely, why doing so is incredibly stupid.

“The thing that really strikes me about this is the stupidity of involving the president,” Zeidenberg said. “They are still treating this like a family-run business and they have a PR problem. ... What they don’t seem to understand is this is a criminal investigation involving all of them.”

One doesn't have to be an attorney to understand tremendous impact, significance, and gravity of the last quote.

8-4-17

Think Trump and his henchmen are not racists?  Texas Standard reports:

"On Tuesday, the New York Times published a bombshell report that could rekindle the debate over affirmative action in Texas colleges and universities. A document shows the U.S. Justice Department plans to investigate and even sue colleges over their affirmative action policies. It was only a year ago that the U.S. Supreme Court took up this question in Fischer versus the University of Texas. The judges ruled that colleges could consider race and ethnicity as part of the admissions process.  The Justice Department intends to identify colleges with affirmative action policies that it can sue on behalf of non-minority applicants who were denied admission."

8-4-17

Think the following is not the mark of a fascist dictator, racist, bigot?  The Washington Times reports:

"President Trump threw his support Wednesday behind a Senate bill that would cut legal immigration in half and implement a new merit-based system that emphasis English-speaking immigrants who can demonstrate job skills.  Meeting at the White House with GOP Sens. David Perdue of Georgia and Tom Cotton of Arkansas, the bill’s sponsors, the president said the revised legislation “would represent the most significant reform to our immigration system in half a century.”  The measure, known as the RAISE Act, “will reduce poverty, increase wages and save taxpayers billions and billions of dollars,” Mr. Trump said."

Alice In Wonderland.  No basis in fact.  No more than a nazi wish list in the mold of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini.

"The legislation would slash legal immigration in half, to 500,000 per year, over the next decade. The senators said it would replace the current permanent employment-visa framework with a skills-based system that rewards applicants based on their individual merits.  Mr. Cotton said the current immigration system is “an obsolete disaster” in which only 1 immigrant in 15 comes to the U.S. because of their job skills."

Aren't Republicans the party of the family?  Aren't corporations already importing highly skilled labor via H1B visas?

“I think it’s a symbol that were’ not committed to working-class Americans,” Mr. Cotton said of the current system."

Aching non-sequitur.  What does the one have to do with the other?  Only a convoluted nazi would link the two.

"The new system would reward education, English-language ability, high-paying job offers, past achievements, and entrepreneurial initiative."

That's already happening via H1B visas as well as rich foreign entrepreneurs granted visas and a path to citizenship.  What is the Trump nazi's henchman talking about?

"The measure prioritizes immediate family members of U.S. residents, including spouses and minor children, but would end preferences for extended family members and adult children."

Clearly, the GOP is not the party of the family.  Assertions to the contrary are a crock of crap.

"Immigrant-rights groups accused Mr. Trump of catering to “white nationalists,” saying that non-white immigrants are far more prevalent among low-skilled, poor English-speaking immigrants who would be disadvantaged under the points system.  “Let’s call it as we see it: this is a white nationalist agenda masquerading as a bill about skill levels,” said Frank Sharry, executive director of America’s Voice."

Precisely, what one would expect of a nazi dictator in the mold of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini.

8-4-17

The mark of a dictator. The Washington Post reports:

"Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has ordered his department to redefine its mission and issue a new statement of purpose to the world. The draft statements under review right now are similar to the old mission statement, except for one thing — any mention of promoting democracy is being eliminated."

8-4-17

Former Texas Gov. Rick "The Prick" Perry isn't the only gullible dummy in the Trump Cabinet.  Get this.  CBS News reports:

"A U.K.-based email prankster tricked several White House officials into thinking he was other officials in emails, according to CNN.  On Saturday, the prankster emailed Scaramucci pretending to be Reince Priebus, who had announced a day earlier that he had resigned.  "I had promised myself I would leave my hands mud free," wrote the fake Priebus, according to CNN, "but after reading your tweet today which stated how; 'soon we will learn who in the media who has class, and who hasn't', has pushed me to this. That tweet was breathtakingly hypocritical, even for you. At no stage have you acted in a way that's even remotely classy, yet you believe that's the standard by which everyone should behave towards you? General Kelly will do a fine job. I'll even admit he will do a better job than me. But the way in which that transition has come about has been diabolical. And hurtful. I don't expect a reply."  Scaramucci appeared to really think it was Priebus though. He said, "You know what you did. We all do. Even today. But rest assured we were prepared. A Man would apologize."  In another exchange, the prankster pretended to be Ambassador to Russia-designate Jon Huntsman Jr. in which he asked whose head "should roll first." Scaramucci responded, "Both of them," which appeared to refer to Priebus and White House strategist Steve Bannon, the report said."

While the above is comical, it's also dangerous.  Is security that poor officials can be so easily fooled as to the identity of those communicating with them?

8-4-17

The Abbott nazi believes in states rights, but not local control.  Imagine that.  Texas Standard reports:

"Mayors from across the state are heading to Austin, Wednesday, to meet with Gov. Greg Abbott. They are concerned about efforts to pass measures that would replace local laws and regulations with statewide ones. The mayors of Galveston, San Marcos, Lubbock, Amarillo, El Paso, Arlington, Frisco, McKinney and Irving are among those who are meeting with the governor.  Corpus Christi Mayor Joe McComb is among them. He wants to find out why the governor and members of the legislature are focused on matters that are normally the purview of city and local government.  “I’m gonna try to get my head around why all of a sudden there seems to be this aggressive assault on cities…trying to dictate and tell cities what to do out of Austin,” McComb says."

Why would you expect anything different from a national socialist Republican governor greedy for nazi power?

8-4-17

Suit has been filed in Texas against the Trump nazi's request for voter files.  Texas Standard reports:

"Steinhauser says this file mostly contains basic information, but everyone who uses this data agree to some rules.  “You can’t use the voter file for commercial purposes,” Steinhauser explains. “You can’t just spam people or try to use it for nefarious purposes. You do have to make sure you use it for political purposes – what it’s meant to be used for.”  This is why groups like the Brennan Center for Justice, the League of Women Voters of Texas and the Texas NAACP filed a lawsuit last week aimed at preventing the Texas Secretary of State from handing that information over to the administration.  “Texas provides very clear protections of privacy to ensure that voter registration data is not being misused,” says Myrna Perez with the Brennan Center.  She says once Texas hands over the voter file to the Presidential Commission on Election Integrity it will likely become public record. The federal commission is also asking for more than just that file. They want additional information, such as the last four digits of social security numbers, too.  Perez explains that federal commissions have to abide by federal transparency laws, which – in this case – would be in conflict with privacy protections in Texas law.  “It’s impossible to enforce that,” Perez says. “What would stop a company from taking that list and sending promotional material from everyone on that list? The commission has no way of knowing how that information was being used. They would not know who is accessing it now.”

Suit needs to be filed across the country against this fishing expedition launched by the lunatic occupying the Oval Office.

Yet, the Trump nazi is doing all he can to protect his privacy and that of his family.  CBS News reports:

"CBS News has obtained a new confidentiality agreement rolled out after the election. The Trump Organization is requiring employees at all levels to sign it, or else they will lose their jobs.  Employees must agree to keep secret any information they learn about anyone in the "Trump family" and extended family, including their "present, former and future spouses, children, parents, in-laws."  "I have reviewed confidentiality agreements in international, family-run hospitality organizations and... I have never seen a loyalty code to a family like this," said Debra Soltis, who has specialized in employment law for more than 25 years.  Specifically off limits: "all political, legal, social, religious, health-related affairs, activities, views and/or opinions of any member of the Trump family... all photographs, movies, sketches, videos, sound or image recordings or likenesses of any member of the Trump family."  The agreement lasts forever and is retroactive."

Yet, the Trump nazi has no issue invading the privacy of the electorate.

Here's what's at stake:

"Soltis says the agreement could discourage would-be whistleblowers. Because even though the company code of conduct requires employees to be truthful in any government inquiry, the confidentiality agreement has a clause saying if an employee is required by law to disclose confidential information, they have to notify the Trump Organization.  "What if an employee had information that was relevant and the public had every right to know? Under this agreement they could not share it. They couldn't raise their hand and say 'I know something, I've seen something.' And that is deeply troubling," she said."

The mark of a fascist dictator.

The Washington Times reports:

"A federal judge Tuesday shot down the latest attempt to derail President Trump’s voter integrity commission, saying there wasn’t enough evidence that Americans’ rights are being violated by the request for voters’ information."

Bought and paid for Republican partisan.  Appalling Aryan arrogance of this piece of crap:

"District Judge Royce C. Lamberth even seemed to chide the lawyers for Common Cause, an activist group that sued the commission, when one of them claimed they fear Mr. Trump will find a way to get at voters’ data even if states refuse.  “That’s hard to keep a straight face,” Judge Lamberth said."

Clearly, the 'judge' is too deaf to hear the rumble.  An unwanted dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming.

"His ruling is the latest legal setback for the commission’s opponents, who have lost two other early court skirmishes over the panel’s efforts to get information.  Common Cause had said that requesting information on protected First Amendment activities violates the Privacy Act, and wanted Judge Lamberth to halt the process with a temporary restraining order. The judge refused."

What national socialist ensconced on the bench wouldn't?

"Still, Judge Lamberth did seem sympathetic to Common Cause’s claims that the request was broad. At one point he called it “snooping.”  He also acknowledged that his ruling is unlikely to be the last word, as two other cases challenging the commission have already been appealed to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia."

8-4-17

CBS/AP reports:

"The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Christopher Wray, President Donald Trump's choice to replace James Comey as head of the FBI.  The Senate overwhelmingly approved Wray 92-5, concluding an afternoon of debate over his nomination that was as uneventful as Comey's departure was chaotic."

8-4-17

Not all Christian preachers have lost their minds.  Nor willing to goose step along to get along.  ... So to speak.  Rob Bell is certainly one of them.  Indeed, a breath of fresh air in what sadly has, in all too many cases, become a bed of nazism.  Not surprisingly, evangelist leaders have condemned him.  CNN reports:

"Going to hear a pastor preach on a Sunday afternoon is considered an act of piety. But when that pastor is Bell and he's speaking in the heart of the Bible Belt, it's subversive. Bell, who made the cover of Time magazine, is an outlaw in the evangelical world. He was cast out of that kingdom in 2011 after he questioned the existence of hell in his New York Times best-selling book, "Love Wins."

No freedom of speech, no open minds in the world of evangelism.  Can't have that.  Threatens the established order, more importantly, control.

"Bell is still in the business of making audacious moves. He was in Atlanta as part of his "Bible Belt Tour" to promote his new book, "What Is the Bible." He has ventured into the belly of the beast -- speaking in some of the reddest and most patriotic states in the United States -- to deliver a risky message."

Indeed, amusingly.

"He's telling audiences that a person should read the Bible "literately," not "literally;" that people who talk the most about the Bible often know it the least; and to the 81% of white evangelicals who voted for President Donald Trump, he declares: You voted for a leader who has "zero moral compass."

He's right.  How can the Christian community embrace a man who perversely believes he has the right to grab women by the genitals?  Incites police to commit violence?  Stiffed contractors working for him?  Students enrolled at his defunct 'university?'  List can go on and on.

"Bell, who was once a megachurch pastor, says many evangelicals voted that way because they were motivated by "fear and power."

Think not?

"The reason why this person got elected in many ways can be traced to a misreading of scripture," Bell said. "The way of Jesus is the way of nonviolence, it's love of the other. The story of Exodus is remembering you were once wandering slaves, so whatever you do be kind to the widow, the orphan, the immigrant among you. So when a nation of immigrants starts putting up travel bans, you have officially lost the plot."

In the present world of 'Christian' nazism, this has been conveniently forgotten.  Consider the following:

"But there is another side to Bell's ministry that was on display, one that endears him to so many fans. At the end of the Q&A, a young man raised his hand and told Bell he was struggling with his faith. He was awaiting the birth of his child but a doctor recently told him and his wife that their baby probably wouldn't survive. Is he wrong for being angry with God?  I was being handed Bible verses and told this was what you're supposed to do. The answers I was given were insufficient because I still felt like I was dying inside. Rob Bell was not scared of those questions."

Why would he be?  No blinders.  Not myopic.  Sees shades of gray.  Brilliant hues of color.  Not straight jacketed in ability to think, reason, ponder the not so easily answerable.

"An uneasy silence descended on the small preshow group, which had been laughing at some of Bell's comic asides. But Bell didn't offer any preacher platitudes. He told the man he had some tough times ahead. He spoke from personal experience: Bell was driven from the evangelical world in part because he was open about his doubts. He lost his church and some friends. Many of his fans are on the same journey: They don't want to abandon their faith, but they have questions the traditional church can no longer answer."

Spiritual belief or lack thereof does not demand forfeiture of thought.  Or, ability to think.

"Bell walked closer to the man and told him he could give him no easy answers. But he could tell him to avoid people who will try to comfort him by quoting scriptures like Romans 8:28 ("And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God") and by telling him his loss was somehow part of God's mysterious will.  "Anyone who quotes from Romans and said it's all part of a plan, they can't walk with you," Bell said.  He told the man to look for people who will be present with him and offer him "solidarity," not "solutions."

Sounds Zen Buddhist. It is.  Then again, a Zen Buddhist can easily be a Christian, not so the other way around, however.  Sadly, so.  Due to mindless rigidity.

"He said he would return to Atlanta in the years ahead and they would meet again and somehow things would be better for him.  "All the best to you," he said quietly as the man nodded in appreciation."

Ironically, the same sage insightful kind of advice the Head Honcho of Christianity would have given 2000 years ago.

7-28-17

More trouble in Trump paradise.  The Washington Post reports:

"Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Thursday that he plans to stay in his job despite the president’s public assertion that he would not have nominated Sessions to the post had he known that he would recuse himself from the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election."

Think that appropriate of an American president?

"At a news conference ostensibly meant to announce the takedown of an illicit online marketplace, Sessions said he had the “honor of serving as attorney general,” and he planned “to continue to do so as long as that is appropriate.” Asked how he could keep working, having apparently lost President Trump’s confidence, Sessions responded: “We’re serving right now. The work we’re doing today is the kind of work that we intend to continue."

What's Trump's beef?  Sessions continues to do his bidding.  That is, extend the fascist police-state we already live in to the Fourth Reich.

"On Wednesday, the New York Times published an article about an interview with Trump in which the president said he would not have appointed Sessions attorney general had he known Sessions would recuse himself from the investigation into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to influence the 2016 election.  “Sessions should have never recused himself, and if he was going to recuse himself he should have told me before he took the job, and I would have picked somebody else,” Trump said, according to the New York Times."

Was he relying on Sessions to fire Special Counsel Mueller?

In another article, The Post opines:

"President Trump’s extended, rambling new interview with the New York Times provides perhaps the clearest picture yet of his conviction that he is above the law — a conviction, crucially, that appears to be deeply felt on an instinctual level — and of his total lack of any clear conception of the basic obligations to the public he assumed upon taking office.

"There are numerous worrisome moments in this interview, from his incoherence on the health-care debate (“preexisting conditions are a tough deal”) to his odd asides about history (Napoleon “didn’t go to Russia that night because he had extracurricular activities, and they froze to death”). But I wanted to highlight the sum total of the picture that results from three things Trump said:
•Trump flatly declared that if Attorney General Jeff Sessions had told him in advance that he would recuse himself from the Russia probe, “I would have picked somebody else.” Just as bad, Trump also said that Sessions’s recusal was “very unfair to the president,” i.e., unfair to him.
•Trump said clearly that if special counsel Robert S. Mueller III is examining his family’s finances, he would view that as an abuse of his role. While Trump declined to say whether he would try to get Mueller removed, he said he would view any such overstepping as a “violation.”
•In at least two exchanges, Trump was asked directly about the fact that Donald Trump Jr.’s email chain showed that the information offered to his campaign in advance of the now-notorious meeting came from the Russian government. In one of them, he strongly suggested that being open to such information was no biggie. In the other, he dismissed the offer itself as “standard political stuff.”

All the above is indication Trump is unfit for office.  Not playing with a full deck.

Republicans are already beginning to think twice.  CBS News reports:

"It sort of looks paranoid to me," said Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee. "If he fired Bob Mueller, I think you'd see a tremendous backlash response from both Democrats but also House Republicans."  Respect for Mueller runs deep on Capitol Hill, especially among Republicans.  He was President George W. Bush's pick for FBI director, and served throughout the Bush presidency."

Precisely, why Trump should think twice about firing him.

"House Speaker Paul Ryan has had the same message for Mr. Trump since Mueller was tapped as special counsel in May: "I think the best advice would be to let Robert Mueller do his job."

To do otherwise would risk impeachment.

"Republicans were also stunned by the president's slam on their former Senate colleague Jeff Sessions, who is now attorney general.  "Jeff Sessions takes the job, gets into the job, recuses himself. I then have -- which, frankly I think is very unfair to the president," Mr. Trump told The New York Times.  Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley says Sessions was right to recuse himself.   "The attorney general can't be a wingman for a president. He's got to be very independent," Grassley said."

No question.

"As for those attempts to dig up dirt on Mueller or his staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio says good luck.  "I don't think it's going to influence Bob Mueller's work one way or another," Rubio said. "I'm pretty confident just knowing him and knowing the way he conducts himself he doesn't wake up in the morning and read those things and have them impact his ability to do his job. He's going to do his job."

Certainly hope so.  Trump has no clue in a democratic republic the president is not an unaccountable dictator immune to the rule of law.  Nor above the law and Constitution.

7-28-17

The Trump nazi is actively trying to bring down Obamacare.  The AP reports:

"President Donald Trump's administration has ended Affordable Care Act contracts that brought assistance into libraries, businesses and urban neighborhoods in 18 cities, meaning shoppers on the insurance exchanges will have fewer places to turn for help signing up for coverage."

Active sabotage of the failing system:

"Community groups say the move, announced to them by contractors last week, will make it even more difficult to enroll the uninsured and help people already covered re-enroll or shop for a new policy. That's already a concern because of consumer confusion stemming from the political wrangling in Washington and a shorter enrollment period. People will have 45 days to shop for 2018 coverage, starting Nov. 1 and ending Dec. 15. In previous years, they had twice that much time.  Some see it as another attempt to undermine the health law's marketplaces by a president who has suggested he should let "Obamacare" fail. The administration, earlier this year, pulled paid advertising for the sign-up website HealthCare.gov, prompting an inquiry by a federal inspector general into that decision and whether it hurt sign-ups."

Apparently, Trump is unwilling to let it fall of its own weight:

"Now insurers and advocates are concerned that the administration could further destabilize the marketplaces where people shop for coverage by not promoting them or not enforcing the mandate compelling people to get coverage. The administration has already threatened to withhold payments to insurers to help people afford care, which would prompt insurers to sharply increase prices.  "There's a clear pattern of the administration trying to undermine and sabotage the Affordable Care Act," said Elizabeth Hagan, associate director of coverage initiatives for the liberal advocacy group Families USA. "It's not letting the law fail, it's making the law fail."

Sadly, the Trump nazi remains too gutless, achingly duplicitous to level with the public.  Won't enforce the law he's falsely sworn to uphold.

7-28-17

Trump has again refused to address the NAACP.   The AP reports:

"The White House said Wednesday that President Donald Trump has declined an invitation to speak at the NAACP's annual convention next week in Baltimore, leading the nation's oldest civil rights organization to question the president's commitment to his African American constituents.  "During his campaign, President Trump asked us 'what do you have to lose?'" NAACP Board Chairman Leon Russell said. "We get the message loud and clear. The president's decision today underscores the harsh fact: we have lost - we've lost the will of the current administration to listen to issues facing the black community."

7-28-17

Amazing how slanted Fox News can be at the same time it's attempting to report a story factually.  The following is an example.  Fox News reports:

"In a seeming act of defiance toward the Trump administration, a federal judge in San Francisco has refused to reinstate the president’s sanctuary cities order.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions wrote a memo in May saying the executive order should be applied narrowly to a small number of grants and to very specific violations of immigration law.  The memo said cities that "willfully refuse to comply" with federal law could lose grants from the Justice and Homeland Security departments, but not other federal funding.  The Justice Department said the memo negated the need for Orrick's injunction."

Sadly, it didn't.  Here's why:

"Orrick said he found Sessions' memo unconvincing, asserting it would allow the attorney general to reverse his stand at any moment.  The judge's injunction stops enforcement of the executive order across the country, and allows the lawsuits to go forward.  And Orrick's refusal to reverse it strikes another blow to Trump's attempt to punish cities that give safe haven to those in the country illegally."

The court calls out the Sessions' nazi for his duplicity and Fox complains?

7-28-17

Continuing problems in Trump 'paradise.'  A shake up.  The Washington Post reports:

"White House press secretary Sean Spicer resigned Friday, following the appointment of wealthy financier Anthony Scaramucci as White House communications director, according to a White House official.  Spicer’s abrupt and angry departure — which caught even senior West Wing staffers by surprise — reflects the latest upheaval in a White House that has been consumed by chaos and staff infighting since almost the day President Trump took office."

Trump certainly has remained unable to rein in staff:

"Scaramucci has previously had a tense and fraught relationship with both Spicer and White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, who both vehemently objected to Trump’s decision to install Scaramucci in the top communications job. Scaramucci has coined a particularly crude nickname for Priebus, and Priebus previously blocked the financier from several other top White House roles."

'Can't we all just get along?'  Joke aside, does Trump rationally believe this latest shake up will do anything other than exacerbate systemic dysfunction?

"Scaramucci had been in talks with the president and senior staff all week. But the shake-up comes amid intensifying tumult at the White House as Trump moves to respond to the widening special counsel probe into his campaign’s possible collusion with the Russian government and searches for ways to revive the administration’s stalled legislative agenda."

Interestingly, Trump's support of the Second Amendment may not be what he claims.  Appointed Scaramucci despite the fact his new hire strongly supports gun control.

"Trump officially offered the position to Scaramucci, who he has become closer to in recent weeks, at a meeting with senior staff in the Oval Office on Friday morning. And Thursday, Trump, Vice President Pence, Scaramucci and Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, also huddled privately in the Oval Office to discuss Scaramucci’s new role."

Amazing, isn't it?  Think other rats will jump ship?

Here is where it gets interesting:

"At the same time, Trump’s legal team is also in flux. Trump’s longtime personal attorney, Marc Kasowitz, will step back from his central role in the president’s outside legal team with John M. Dowd, a seasoned Washington attorney with a focus on white-collar crime, now taking the lead in managing the president’s defense. Mark Corallo, a longtime GOP operative who had served as a spokesman for Trump’s legal team, resigned Thursday."

Appear to be circling the wagons, don't they?

"The president has become agitated by the possibility that special counsel Robert Mueller might begin looking into Trump and his family’s personal finances. In an interview this week with the New York Times, the president issued a warning to Mueller that such a move would be a “violation.”

'Violation' of what?  His sovereignty as nazi fuhrer?

"Trump’s legal team has begun working to undermine the special counsel probe, including investigating ways to highlight conflicts of interest on Mueller’s, The Washington Post reported on Thursday. The president has also inquired about his pardon authority."

This certainly abrogates supposed independence between the 'Justice' Department and the Oval Office.  What's next?  The firing of Special Counsel?

"After the story was published, one of Trump’s attorneys, Dowd, said it was “not true” and “nonsense.”  One Trump adviser said the president has simply expressed a curiosity in understanding the reach of his pardoning authority, as well as the limits of Mueller’s investigation.  “This is not in the context of, ‘I can’t wait to pardon myself,’” a close adviser said."

It's not?

“The possibility that the President is considering pardons at this early stage in these ongoing investigations is extremely disturbing,” Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) said in a statement. “Pardoning any individuals who may have been involved would be crossing a fundamental line.”

You think?

In follow up, Sarah Huckabee Sanders is Trump's new press secretary.

7-28-17

House Republicans are certainly anti-labor.  The Washington Post reports:

"House Republicans greeted current and future federal employees with two controversial body blows in recent days — one amounts to a pay cut and the other would allow new feds to be fired for “no cause at all.”  The House Budget Committee approved a spending plan that would save the government $163.5 billion over 10 years by taking that amount from federal employees. They would pay that in the form of “greater contributions to their own defined benefit retirement plans,” according to the panel’s budget document."

Isn't it interesting Congress fails to impose the same standards on top government officials as well as the House and Senate?

"Republicans call their plan “Building a Better America.”  But the Americans now working to build a better country through their federal jobs would be called on to sacrifice again, as they have repeatedly over the years."

The peasants are no more than human chattel:

“Since 2010, these employees have already lost $182 billion in pay and benefits,” Tony Reardon, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, said in a letter to the committee. Those losses occurred through measures including a partial three-year pay freeze and previous retirement hits under the Obama administration."

Both major political parties couldn't care less.  As long as they get theirs, no problem.

"Future federal employees could lose their jobs much more easily under legislation introduced by Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.). He wants all new feds to be considered at-will employees, meaning they “may be removed/suspended without notice or right to appeal for good cause, bad cause, or no cause at all,” according to a summary of the legislation."

Who would want to work for government if this passes?

"This represents no understanding that civil service protections are designed to protect not just staffers, but also the public from a government bureaucracy riven with political favoritism, as was the case under the spoils system. Even members of Congress eager to fire feds faster must know that this drastic proposal runs afoul of a basic and long-standing principle that says government staffers should be protected from willy-nilly punishment by political operatives."

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

7-28-17

The constitutional right to abortion is under severe attack all across our formerly great country.  The worst at the moment appears to be in Kentucky.  ABC News reports:

"Political pressure has intensified since the Kentucky GOP took control of state government and moved quickly to pass new restrictions on abortions. And Republican Gov. Matt Bevin makes no apologies for waging a licensing fight against a Louisville clinic that is the last remaining facility performing abortions in the state."

Direct determined concerted abrogation of a constitutional right.

"Another battle-tested participant joins the fight this weekend. Operation Save America, a Christian fundamentalist group, plans to mobilize hundreds of activists to protest against EMW Women's Surgical Center.  The group's leaders state their purpose unequivocally: to rid Kentucky of its last abortion clinic. Some of the group's followers were arrested during a protest outside EMW in the spring. The group has said it won't use those same tactics in the coming days, but a federal judge on Friday ordered the creation of a "buffer zone" to keep protesters out of an area in front of the clinic. The pre-emptive move was requested by federal prosecutors to prevent protesters from blocking access to the surgical center."

Desperate to force their outrageously perverse ideological and religious views on all.

"We have never been under siege like this," Dr. Ernest Marshall, a co-founder of the clinic open since the early 1980s, recently told The Associated Press. "We have never had any question as to whether we would exist."

No longer in Nazi Kentucky.

"As a volunteer whisked another woman past a handful of protesters, a demonstrator clutching a rosary told the patient's male companion: "Men don't kill their babies. Man up." The man turned and glared but said nothing."

Should have told the nazi bastard to go f--k himself.

"The demonstrator, Chuck Jones, defended his harsh words.  "This is the last chance we'll get to talk to them before they go in," the retired sheet-metal worker from Indiana said."

Who the hell are you to do so?  None of your goddamned business.  Not your uterus.

"I just wanted him to think about what he's doing. If anybody believes in God, they can't be for abortion, in my opinion."

That's the problem.  That's all it is.  An opinion.  Like an asshole, everyone has one.  At least the asshole, however, serves a useful bodily function.

"The 66-year-old Marshall — the father of three grown children and grandfather of eight — said he attends church every Sunday and is a former Sunday school teacher. He said abortion protesters don't have a "monopoly on morals." He condemned their tactics as "very harassing, very judgmental," taking a toll on patients and staff.  "Some of the things I see out in front of our clinic, to me, by the pro-life people, don't represent good Christianity," Marshall said. "I just don't think Jesus would harass people or name-call people or call doctors murderers."

Wouldn't want to confuse the nazi element with the truth, would you, Doctor?

"The number of protesters is expected to surge this weekend when Texas-based Operation Save America converges on Louisville for a weeklong vigil, with the long-term goal of making Kentucky a national model in its push to end abortion. The group urges state officials to ignore the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 that legalized abortion."

Raw nazism.

"The Supreme Court has found that access to an abortion must be guaranteed, but it remains to be seen whether eliminating every clinic in a single state would pass that test.  "I can't imagine being a female and being ... forced to have a baby that I didn't want," Marshall said."

A nazi can't see that far.  Too myopic.

7-28-17

Had not intended to cover Sen. McCain's illness at this time.  Circumstances have changed.  The reason will become clear after a little background first.  ABC News reports:

"Sen. John McCain's treatment for brain cancer could keep him out of Washington for weeks, perhaps months, and yet it's unlikely anyone will challenge his extended leave.  Congress has a long tradition in which no one questions ailing lawmakers taking time to recover. For starters, it's just poor form. And, frankly, it's up to the stricken member of Congress and their doctors to decide when — or even if — they return to work. Some have recuperated away from the Capitol for a year or more.  It's an unwritten courtesy that often doesn't extend to the real working world where employees are forced to file for medical disability or take unpaid leave."

A senator is an elected official, -- unlike in the corporate community where anything goes.

"Julie Tarallo, McCain's spokeswoman, said Friday that "further consultations with Sen. McCain's Mayo Clinic care team will indicate when he will return to the United States Senate."  McCain had taken to Twitter on Thursday promising a quick return.  "Unfortunately for my sparring partners in Congress, I'll be back soon, so stand-by!" said the six-term Arizona Republican and 2008 GOP presidential nominee."

Sadly, an opponent of the Senator doesn't agree.  Practically, has him already dead and gone.  -- The reason why this issue is addressed at this time in this publication.

CBS News reports:

"An Arizona Republican who tried to oust Sen. John McCain last year suggested Friday that he resign because he has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer.  Kelli Ward, who is a doctor, said in a statement that the 80-year-old McCain's diagnosis is grim and that his cancer, glioblastoma, "is both devastating and debilitating."  "As a doctor, I've counseled patients in similar situations and these end-of-life choices are never easy. I usually advise terminal patients to reduce stress, relax and spend time laughing with loved ones," Ward wrote."

Self-serving, condescending, patronizing bullshit since McCain is far from dead.  Particularly appalling?

"The Senate has complicated and difficult problems to deal with and Arizona deserves to be represented by someone who can focus on those challenges," she added."

Think so?  Believe McCain has one foot in the coffin already?  Give me a break.

"Ward, a former state senator, is running this year against Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake, also a Republican. Earlier this week she said she met with White House officials in June about the campaign, a sit-down that pointed to uneasy ties between President Trump and Flake.  In a statement, Flake called McCain a hero and said he expected to see the state's senior senator return to the Senate soon.  "I'm dumbstruck by Kelli Ward's comments," Flake said."

Readers will recall Flake was covered in the last edition for standing tall defending his Democratic opponent against Islamophobia.  Like McCain, another stand up Republican.

"In her statement, Ward said that she hopes McCain is comfortable as he battles "this terrible disease," and added that she is praying for him and his family."

Condescending, patronizing, achingly hollow bullshit.

"She said that if the senator can no longer perform his duties, "he owes it to the people of Arizona to step aside."

Think he wouldn't?  Give me a break.  This is a man who survived nearly six years of torture and abuse in the 'Hanoi Hilton' after his fighter jet was shot down over North Vietnam fifty years ago.

"When she challenged McCain in a primary in 2016, Ward suggested McCain could die this term. Saying that older people decline "physiologically," she implied that McCain will be increasingly unable to control his anger and emotions in office.  "There are things that happen physiologically with the body and the mind. One of them is control over your anger and he's already known as an angry man," Ward said. "It becomes more and more difficult to control those kinds of outbursts. And we have to have someone with a steady hand, someone with the ability to think on their feet. Someone who can problem-solve."

Makes Anne Coulter appear to be Mother Theresa, doesn't it?  Imagine being treated by a physician with the mindset of Dr. Ward?

The Senator has returned to Washington.  Voted to proceed with debate on Trumpcare.

7-28-17

Things continue to deteriorate in our country.  Takes former intelligence officials to tell it like it is.  NPR reports:

"Leaving federal government service after decades can be, well, liberating."

Clearly.  LOL.

"Just ask James Clapper, the former director of national intelligence, and John Brennan, the former leader of the Central Intelligence Agency. They unloaded on President Trump and the "baffling" way he has embraced Russia while criticizing his own intelligence apparatus during a session at the Aspen Security Forum on Friday in Colorado."

Let it rip.  LOL.

"Asked whether the president is taking the Russia threat seriously, Clapper replied: "Well, it's hard to tell. Sometimes I think he's about making Russia great again."

You think?  Certainly to the point.

"That remark, playing off Trump's "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan, drew laughter and gasps from an audience of current and former government officials and the business executives who work with them. But underlying the humor was a tone of deep concern about the morale of people responsible for protecting the nation's security — and dismay about where the country may be headed."

Refreshingly, called the unvarnished truth.

"In some respects, we're a nation in crisis right now," Brennan said."

You think?

"Then, for the next hour, they counted the ways."

Did they ever.  About time:

"The veteran spies expressed surprise that Trump campaign officials including then-chairman Paul Manafort, son Donald Trump Jr. and son-in-law Jared Kushner would take a meeting in New York last year with a Russian lawyer who promised "dirt" on Hillary Clinton.  "They should have known better," Brennan said. "If they didn't, they shouldn't have been in those positions. ... Seems as if some folks swallowed the bait."

They knew better.  Didn't care.  Aryan arrogantly, believe they're above the law and Constitution.  That anything goes.  Certainly does in the Trump regime.

"Both men withheld judgment on why Kushner had repeatedly revised a government form seeking information about his foreign contacts. But, Clapper said, if that were done by an ordinary federal employee, he would at minimum suspend the person's security clearance, "take a pause" and investigate the reasons the material had been omitted."

How did Kushner attain security clearance?  Where was the vetting?  Nepotism reign supreme?

"Clapper and Brennan said they were particularly distressed by a series of Trump tweets attacking the U.S. intelligence community, including one where the president likened them to Nazis. "Well, I was kind of hopeful that after he got rid of the two chief Nazis — John and myself — things would improve," Clapper said.  They didn't. In recent weeks, the president has continued to cast doubt on a unanimous U.S. intelligence assessment that Russia interfered in the presidential election and has called the special counsel investigation "a witch hunt."  Compare that with the warm greeting the president offered Russian President Vladimir Putin, "a great honor to meet you," at their recent meeting."

Galling, isn't it?  Putin interfered in the 2016 election and yet the Trump nazi considers it an honor to meet the son of a bitch responsible?  Achingly, appalling.  The mark of a nazi dictator who was more than willing to accept these efforts of the Russian to help him win the election.  What president, or candidate for that office, has done anything similar?

"Brennan said that was "a very, very bad negotiating tactic" for a man whose name appears on the front of a book called The Art of the Deal.  "This is Mr. Putin, who assaulted one of the foundational pillars of our democracy — our election system — invaded Ukraine, annexed Crimea, that has suppressed or repressed political opponents in Russia and caused the deaths of many of them," Brennan said."

What is surprising is the fact the Republican Party, well-known for its intractable opposition to communism, has given Trump and Putin a free pass to date.

"Moderator Wolf Blitzer of CNN pointed out that prominent House Democrats such as Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi have been wondering, "What do the Russians have on Trump?"  Clapper replied, "Well, hopefully special counsel [Robert] Mueller will get to the bottom of that."  "If there's nothing to hide," Brennan said, "they should cooperate fully in an accelerated fashion."

They're not.  In fact, the Trump nazi is assembling a legal team to fight the investigation.  The question to be asked is where is a full accounting of whom is financing this team?

"They agreed Mueller, a former FBI director who worked under presidents from both political parties, was "absolutely" the right man for the job. And, Brennan said, if the president carries out a threat to fire Mueller, members of Congress need to stand up and take action."

Be interesting to see if and/or when this point is reached Republicans indeed stand tall as they did during the Nixon fiasco over four decades ago.

The Washington Post reports:

"President Trump asserted Saturday morning that he has “complete power to pardon” in an apparent allusion to the ongoing probe into his campaign's contacts with Russian officials. And he lashed out at a new Washington Post report of previously undisclosed alleged contacts, calling the disclosures “illegal leaks” as he continues to try to shift the public focus to what he has said is a partisan attempt to undermine his presidency."

Certainly seems the Trump nazi is growing increasingly desperate.  Has only himself to blame.  Has repeatedly figuratively shot himself in the ass.  Delusionally believes only Democrats are determinedly shining light on his repeated foibles.  His actions speak for themselves.  Cannot be ignored.  Not even by his Republican compadres indefinitely.  Some are already speaking out.  Certainly, wish to be returned to office.  Only a matter of time before they all jump ship.

"The president's defense of his pardon powers came days after The Post reported that he and his legal team have discussed his power to pardon aides, family members and, possibly, even himself."

The mark of a fascist dictator.

"While all agree the U. S. President has the complete power to pardon, why think of that when only crime so far is LEAKS against us.FAKE NEWS

    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 22, 2017"

Think the nazi isn't delusional?  Out to lunch?  Unfit for office?

The following is what Trump is talking about.  In an earlier article, The Post reports:

"Russia’s ambassador to Washington told his superiors in Moscow that he discussed campaign-related matters, including policy issues important to Moscow, with Jeff Sessions during the 2016 presidential race, contrary to public assertions by the embattled attorney general, according to current and former U.S. officials."

Sessions lied.  Committed perjury:

"Ambassador Sergey Kislyak’s accounts of two conversations with Sessions — then a top foreign policy adviser to Republican candidate Donald Trump — were intercepted by U.S. spy agencies, which monitor the communications of senior Russian officials both in the United States and in Russia. Sessions initially failed to disclose his contacts with Kislyak and then said that the meetings were not about the Trump campaign."

Lied.  Deceived.  During hearings, claimed not to remember.

"One U.S. official said that Sessions — who testified that he has no recollection of an April encounter — has provided “misleading” statements that are “contradicted by other evidence.” A former official said that the intelligence indicates that Sessions and Kislyak had “substantive” discussions on matters including Trump’s positions on Russia-related issues and prospects for U.S.-Russia relations in a Trump administration."

Lied.  Deceived.  Deliberately misled.

"Sessions has said repeatedly that he never discussed campaign-related issues with Russian officials and that it was only in his capacity as a U.S. senator that he met with Kislyak."

Yet remains Attorney General.  Worse?  Unprosecuted.

Regarding the Trump tweet storm, CBS News reports:

"The president took aim at some familiar targets: the "Amazon Washington Post," leaks, Hillary Clinton, "Special Council" Robert Mueller and others.  But one missive in particular left observers scratching their heads. In a cryptic tweet, Mr. Trump accused "the Failing New York Times" of foiling an attempt to kill Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

    "The Failing New York Times foiled U.S. attempt to kill the single most wanted terrorist,Al-Baghdadi.Their sick agenda over National Security
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 22, 2017

"While Mr. Trump did not provide more detail about the accusation, the tweet came about 20 minutes after a segment about leaks aired on Fox News' "Fox and Friends." At one point, the chyron read "NYT FOILS U.S. ATTEMPT TO TAKE OUT AL-BAGHDADI."

Goddamned pitiful.  Think this man fit to be president?

7-28-17

Think the Trump nazi isn't waging war on the family?  ABC News reports:

"Nury Chavarria, an undocumented mother of four who has lived in the United States for 24 years, was set to be deported to Guatemala on Thursday night. Instead, Chavarria refused to leave her children, taking sanctuary in a Connecticut church."

Think emboldened ICE goons won't raid the church?  ... A first time for everything.

"Chavarria left Guatemala and came to the United States without legal papers in 1993 when she was 19, ABC affiliate WTNH reported.  She ultimately settled in Norwalk, Connecticut, where she got a job as a housekeeper and raised a family. Chavarria, now 43, has four children who are all U.S. citizens, two of whom are in college. She has no criminal history and has paid taxes since she received a work permit, according to her immigration attorneys."

Doesn't matter in a fascist police-state soon to be the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

"Chavarria told WTNH that she has been honest about her immigration status for years and regularly and voluntarily checked in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But this year, ICE fitted her with a GPS ankle monitor to track her movements ahead of her deportation, she said.  Chavarria was supposed to board the plane that would take her out of the country at 5 p.m. on Thursday. She sought sanctuary in the Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal Church in New Haven, according to Sidd Sinha, one of the lawyers who represented Chavarria in her battle against the deportation order."

Who said the GOP is the party of the family?

7-28-17

The Trump nazi has again disgraced himself.  This time in front of the Boy Scouts.  CBS/AP reports:

"No knot-tying demonstrations. No wood-carving advice. President Trump went straight to starting a fire in a speech at a national Boy Scout gathering.  Parents, former Scouts and others were furious after Mr. Trump railed against his enemies, promoted his political agenda and underlined his insistence on loyalty before an audience of tens of thousands of school-age Scouts in West Virginia on Monday night.

"Is nothing safe? @realDonaldTrump turns @boyscouts event into Nazi Youth rally. Boy Scouts must repudiate such a disgraceful display.
— Jon (((Wolfsthal))) (@JBWolfsthal) July 25, 2017"

Chillingly, history repeating itself.  The Fourth Reich.

7-28-17

Imagine having so much you 'inadvertently' fail to disclose millions on a financial disclosure form?  The AP reports:

"President Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner initially "inadvertently omitted" more than 70 assets worth at least $10.6 million from his personal financial disclosure reports, according to revised paperwork released Friday."

"Inadvertently?' Honest mistake?

"The previously unreported assets were added to updated financial disclosure reports certified by the U.S. Office of Government Ethics on Thursday as part of the "ordinary review process," the forms said.  Among the new disclosures, Kushner reported owning art worth more than $5 million. The new forms also reflect that Kushner sold his interest in an aging shopping mall in Eatontown, New Jersey, and no longer has a stake in a company that had held an interest in property in Toledo, Ohio.  Kushner's wife, Ivanka Trump, also filed new federal disclosures. She reported assets of at least $66 million and earned at least $13.5 million in income last year from her various business ventures."

Believe this couple and Daddy Trump to be populists?  Think so?

"A lawyer advising Kushner said that federal officials are allowed to amend their initial financial disclosures before they are certified, and stressed that Kushner had complex finances.  "Jared and Ivanka have followed each of the required steps in their transition from private citizens to federal officials. The Office of Government Ethics has certified Jared's financial disclosure, reflecting its determination that his approach complies with federal ethics laws," said Kushner attorney Jamie Gorelick. "Ivanka's financial disclosure form is still in the pre-certification stage, as she began the process later."

Populists?  Think so?

7-28-17

The Trump nazi continues to live in his own reality.  CNN reports:

"President Donald Trump on Monday described Attorney General Jeff Sessions as "beleaguered" as he tweeted about his frustration with the Russia probe.  "After 1 year of investigation with Zero evidence being found, Chuck Schumer just stated that "Democrats should blame ourselves,not Russia," the President tweeted, later adding, "So why aren't the Committees and investigators, and of course our beleaguered A.G., looking into Crooked Hillarys crimes & Russia relations?"

Say what?  Egregious non-sequitur.

"Trump did not explain why Sessions, a longtime and loyal supporter of his 2016 campaign, is "beleaguered." But the President's own, recent comments have raised pressure on his attorney general, whom he publicly criticized last week for recusing himself from the Russia investigation due to undisclosed contacts he had with Russian officials during the campaign."

Hard to believe the Sessions nazi can remain in the job.  Pressure from continued disclosures have to be taking their toll.  Perjury may eventually lead to his downfall.

"Trump's comments immediately raised speculation that Sessions could resign, though a source familiar with the attorney general's thinking said last week that Sessions has no intention of stepping down in the wake of Trump's comments.  But the President's remarks caused deep alarm within the West Wing, leading some to worry that their loyalty to Trump might not be reciprocated from the man in the Oval Office.  "It's chilling," one White House official told CNN last week, referring to Trump's comments to the Times."

Each man for himself.  Be interesting to see when or if the rats, en masse, jump ship.

7-28-17

Think Republicans favor tax breaks for all?  The AP reports:

"Republicans aren't usually big on raising taxes, but they're really eager to eliminate the federal deduction for state and local taxes."

Got a clue?  Wake up:

"Why? A look at the states that benefit the most from the tax break helps explain it — they are all Democratic strongholds. New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and California top the list of states where taxpayers get the biggest deductions. Not a single Republican-leaning state ranks in the top 10.  "Although Republicans usually recoil at any type of tax increase, cutting this tax break would almost be fun for them," said Martin Sullivan, chief economist for Tax Analysts. "It provides massively disproportionate deductions to high-tax states controlled by Democrats."

Partisanship trumps principle.  Who'd 'a 'thunk' it?

"Proposals by House Republican leaders and President Donald Trump would repeal the tax break as part of their packages to overhaul the American tax code. But they are getting a lot of pushback from Republican lawmakers in Democratic-controlled states.  The standoff illustrates how hard it is for Congress to eliminate any popular tax break, even one that primarily benefits the ruling party's political opponents."

Amazing, isn't it?

"Nationally, the average deduction is about $11,800, but it is much bigger in many blue states. New York is tops with an average deduction of more than $21,000. Connecticut is next at $18,900, followed by New Jersey at $17,200 and California at $17,100.  These are states with high property values, high costs of living, high incomes and relatively high state and local taxes compared to other states. They are also states President Donald Trump lost in last year's election. Though the president is from New York, he lost the state to Democrat Hillary Clinton by 22 percentage points."

7-28-17

More trouble for Republicans and Trumpcare 2.  CBS News reports:

"The Senate parliamentarian has determined that certain provisions of the Senate Republicans' original plan to repeal and replace Obamacare violate the "Byrd Rule," meaning that they don't qualify for passage under reconciliation's 51-vote majority. Instead, they would be subject to a 60-vote point of order during a floor vote."

Won't pass even if all Republicans vote in favor.

7-28-17

The judiciary has again rubber stamped the Trump nazi, took a hard dump on the Constitution. The Washington  Post reports:

"A federal judge on Monday allowed President Trump’s voting commission to go forward with seeking voter data from 50 states and the District, ruling that the White House advisory panel is exempt from federal privacy review requirements whatever additional risk it might pose to Americans’ information."

Bought and paid for Republican partisan on the bench.  No justice.

"The ruling averted a public setback for a president who has claimed that widespread fraud cost him the popular vote in November. The commission’s request for the voting information of more than 150 million registered voters remains controversial, with many state leaders from both parties voicing objections about its potential to reveal personal information, suppress voter participation and encroach on states’ oversight of voting laws."

Don't comply.  Resist.  Any secretary of state who capitulates should not be returned to office, given the boot.

"The panel’s June 28 letter to the states requested that they turn over “publicly-available voter roll data,” including name, address, date of birth, party registration, partial Social Security numbers and voting, military, felony and overseas history, among other data."

F--k the Trump nazi and his henchmen.

"In a statement Monday, Kobach called the ruling “a major victory for government accountability, transparency and the public’s right to know about the integrity of our elections processes,” adding, “We look forward to continuing to work with state election leaders to gather information and identify opportunities to improve election integrity.”

This nazi has his head so far up his ass his eyeballs are turning inside out.  His state won't comply, has laws against it.  There are several more lawsuits pending, issue far from settled.

7-28-17

Smoking remains a killer.  ABC News reports:

"Republican Gov. Chris Christie signed a law Friday making New Jersey the third state to raise its smoking age to 21.  Christie cited the strain on the health care system caused by tobacco-related illnesses. He also noted his mother died from the effects of smoking."

So did the mother of this writer.  So did other family members and friends.  Reportedly, there is no more addictive substance than nicotine.  Not even opioids.

"By raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21, we are giving young people more time to develop a maturity and better understanding of how dangerous smoking can be and that it is better to not start smoking in the first place," Christie wrote."

Sadly, won't deter this behavior.  Kids will still engage in it.  Will find a way.  As they do with alcohol and other drugs.  This law will likely only raise the number of young people with a criminal record.

"Previously, the age was 19. The restriction applies to tobacco products and electronic smoking devices. Christie vetoed a similar measure last year."

Amazing change of heart, isn't it?

7-28-17

The Senate has voted to begin debate on Trumpcare.  NPR reports:

"The Senate voted Tuesday to begin debating a replacement for the Affordable Care Act. It remains uncertain as to what that replacement might look like. No formal legislation has been drafted. But senators moved to take the procedural first step, known as a "motion to proceed." The vote was 51 to 50, with Vice President Mike Pence casting the tie breaking vote.  Debate will now begin, most likely on a measure to fully repeal the law, also known as Obamacare.  With all Democrats opposing the measure, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell could afford only to lose two votes from his 52 vote majority and two GOP Senators did vote no, Maine's Susan Collins, and Alaska's Lisa Murkowski.  There was more drama. The vote marked the return of Sen. John McCain, the Arizona Republican whose news that he has a form of brain cancer stunned his colleagues. He was greeted with a standing ovation on the Senate floor, and was embraced by Senators from both sides of the aisle. McCain then voted yes on the motion."

CBS News reports:

"A proposal that would partially repeal Obamacare fell short of the 51 votes needed to pass it Wednesday afternoon, dealing yet another blow to the GOP effort to roll back the 2010 health care law.  The Senate rejected the plan in a 45-55 vote. All Democrats voted against it, along with seven Republicans."

7-28-17

The Trump nazi launched a vicious attack on the LGBTQ community.  Fox News reports:

"President Trump touched off a firestorm Wednesday after tweeting that he wants to ban transgender people from serving in the U.S. military in any capacity -- citing advice from his "generals" and medical costs.  In a series of tweets, he wrote:

"After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow...Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming..victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you."

By fiat.  Time for lawsuits to be filed.  En masse.

“This is worse than don’t ask don’t tell, this is don’t serve, don’t serve,” The National Center for Transgender Equality said in a written statement. “This is an appalling attack on our service members; it is about bigotry rather than military readiness, reason or science. It is indefensible and cannot stand.”

This is no more than yet another example of the Nazi Right in our formerly great country desperately imposing its outrageously perverse ideological and religious views on all.  A direct determined deliberate attack by the Trump nazi on the First Amendment Establishment Clause, church-state separation, that is, freedom from religion:

"The Family Research Council praised Trump’s action.  “I applaud President Trump for keeping his promise to return to military priorities – and not continue the social experimentation of the Obama era that has crippled our nation’s military,” FRC President Tony Perkins said in a statement. “The military can now focus its efforts on preparing to fight and win wars rather than being used to advance the Obama social agenda.”

Goddamned bullshit perpetrated by a religious nazi desperate to force his outrageously perverse religious views on all.  Mr. Perkins, you have again disgraced yourself.

"But Trump himself tweeted during the campaign season that he would "fight" for the LGBTQ community while his opponent "Hillary (Clinton) brings in more people that will threaten your freedoms and beliefs."

Guess what?  The deceptive son of a bitch lied.  You bought his bullshit:

    "Thank you to the LGBT community! I will fight for you while Hillary brings in more people that will threaten your freedoms and beliefs.
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 14, 2016"

No question, Mr. Trump is a liar.

"The president’s tweets came only a few weeks after Defense Secretary James Mattis said he would give military chiefs another six months to conduct a review to determine if allowing transgender individuals to enlist in the armed services will affect the “readiness or lethality” of the force. The deadline for that review was Dec. 1, 2017.

"During his confirmation hearing in January, Mattis was asked whether he believed that allowing LGBT Americans to serve in the military or women in combat would undermine the military’s lethality."

“Frankly, senator, I’ve never cared much about two consenting adults and who they go to bed with,” Mattis testified."

Thousands and thousands already serve with distinction.

"Transgender expert Abbie Goldberg, professor of psychology at Clark University, told Fox News “no one wins under Trump’s plan.”  “Some people will not serve, which is a loss to the military and the country,” Goldberg said. “Others will serve, but not openly, and thus they will be at risk for discharge or verbal, physical and sexual abuse.”  The Pentagon has refused to release any data on the number of transgender troops currently serving. A RAND study found that there are between 2,500 and 7,000 transgender service members in the active-duty military, and another 1,500 to 4,000 in the reserves."

The nazi in the Oval Office has again disgraced himself and the country.  Republican fascists here in Nazi Llano County are reminded the above is from Fox News.  Imagine that.  Couldn't be, could it?  Here's some more:

“House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called Trump’s decision a “cruel and arbitrary decision designed to humiliate transgender Americans.”  "On this very day in 1948, President Harry Truman signed the executive order desegregating the U.S. military. Sixty-nine years later, President Trump has chosen this day to unleash a vile and hateful agenda that will blindside thousands of patriotic Americans already serving with honor and bravery,” she said."

Even more:

"Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., slammed the sudden announcement and said anyone who is fit to serve in the military should be allowed to do so.   “The president’s tweet this morning regarding transgender Americans in the military is yet another example of why major policy announcements should not be made via Twitter,” McCain, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said."

Clearly, the Trump nazi and his henchmen are bigots.

NPR reports:

"Transgender people already serve in the military. It's not immediately clear how Trump intends to implement the ban, but the Pentagon announced Wednesday that it will defer enlistments by transgender applicants."

Incredibly, shortsighted.

"Secretary [James] Mattis today approved a recommendation by the services to defer accessing transgender applicants into the military until Jan. 1, 2018," Chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana White said in a statement. "The services will review their accession plans and provide input on the impact to the readiness and lethality of our forces."

A snappy salute to the nazi commander-in-chief?

"Republican Sen. John McCain, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement that the president's tweets are "yet another example of why major policy announcements should not be made via Twitter."

Indeed.  Again, yet another example of Trump's unfitness for office.

"The Department of Defense has already decided to allow currently-serving transgender individuals to stay in the military, and many are serving honorably today," McCain said. "Any American who meets current medical and readiness standards should be allowed to continue serving. There is no reason to force service members who are able to fight, train, and deploy to leave the military—regardless of their gender identity."

Goddamned right.

"The Human Rights Campaign immediately tweeted its disapproval of Trump's announcement. "Threatening 15K currently serving troops who put their lives at risk is unpatriotic and dangerous," the LGBTQ rights organization said."

The mark of a nazi dictator.

"The American Civil Liberties Union put out a call to transgender service members affected by the announcement. "This is an outrageous and desperate action," the civil liberties group said in a statement. "This has been studied extensively, and the consensus is clear: There are no cost or military readiness drawbacks associated with allowing trans people to fight for their country. The president is trying to score cheap political points on the backs of military personnel who have put their lives on the line for their country."

Indeed.  Appalling.  Bigotry.  Raw nazism.  In a goddamned fascist police-state, soon to be the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.  Wake up.

"Congressman Ted Lieu, a Democrat from California, released a statement critical of the announcement. "The President's exclusion of Americans who happen to be transgender from serving in the military is not based on facts, it is based on naked bigotry. I know because I served on active duty. The military doesn't care what your sexual orientation or identity is, or who you love. It cares about whether you can shoot straight and complete the mission. The President's discriminatory decision harms our military readiness for our volunteer-based military."

We're losing our formerly great country to the Nazi Right.  Wake up.

7-28-17

Border Patrol goons continue to break the law.  NPR reports:

"Human rights groups have complained for months that border agents are wrongfully turning away people seeking asylum in the U.S..  Many are fleeing gang violence and persecution in Mexico and Central America.  Border officials say they are following policy. But activists say the problem has gotten worse under President Trump. They recently sued, alleging violations of U.S. and international law."

Officers do as they please, ignore the law.

"Activists say U.S. border agents are telling asylum seekers that they'll need a visa before they can apply. Or that they'll be separated from their children. Or, more recently, that Donald Trump has eliminated asylum.  "These things are simply untrue," says Melissa Crow, legal director at the D.C.-based American Immigration Council. Her group and others have filed a class-action lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security, challenging those alleged practices.  "All of these tactics serve to deny bona fide asylum seekers the opportunity to pursue their claims," she says."

These jackbooted bastards are breaking the law, granted carte blanche by the Trump nazi.  Asylum seekers are entitled by statute to an interview to determine veracity of their claims.  Denied this right by Trump and his henchmen.

7-28-17

Former Texas Gov. Rick "The Prick" Perry is an idiot.  The Washington Times reports:

"Energy Secretary Rick Perry recently spent a 22-minute phone call speaking with a Russian prankster posing as Ukranian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman.  Mr. Perry, convinced he was speaking to Ukraine’s prime minister, spoke July 19 about a range of topics including sanctions against Russia, coal exports, natural gas development, and the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate accord. On the other end, however, were prank callers Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexei Stolyarov, reportedly described as the “Jerky Boys of Russia.”

Need a good laugh?  Get this:

"In the phone call, the pranksters reportedly asked Mr. Perry about a new biofuel made from home-brewed alcohol and pig manure created by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. Mr. Perry said he’d like to get more information about the “scientific development,” Russian news outlet Pravda reported."

7-28-17

Republicans are protecting the Trump nazi, stonewalling the Trump Russian investigation.  NPR reports:

"The House Financial Services Committee on Tuesday considered looking into President Trump's financial ties, particularly those linking him to a bank that had been involved with laundering Russian money.  But Republican members voted "nyet" on a straight party-line vote of 34-26.  They defeated a Democrat-sponsored request to order Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to "provide certain documents ... relating to President Trump's financial connections to Russia, certain illegal financial schemes, and related information."

7-28-17

Big Brother is here.  Alive and well.  NPR reports:

"A Wisconsin company is offering to implant tiny radio-frequency chips in its employees – and it says they are lining up for the technology."

Indeed, a sucker is born every day.

"The idea is a controversial one, confronting issues at the intersection of ethics and technology by essentially turning bodies into bar codes. Three Square Market, also called 32M, says it is the first U.S. company to provide the technology to its employees."

Aren't they 'lucky?'  Human chattel owned by their corporate masters.
'
"The company manufactures self-service "micro markets" for office break rooms. It said in a press release that obtaining a chip is optional, but expects that about 50 employees will take part."

Won't be optional for long.  Called control.  Ownership.  Human chattel.

"Employees who have the rice-grain-sized RFID chip implanted between their thumb and forefinger can then use it "to make purchases in their break room micro market, open doors, login to computers, use the copy machine," 32M said.  CEO Todd Westby said that the company believes the technology will soon be ubiquitous:

    "We foresee the use of RFID technology to drive everything from making purchases in our office break room market, opening doors, use of copy machines, logging into our office computers, unlocking phones, sharing business cards, storing medical/health information, and used as payment at other RFID terminals. Eventually, this technology will become standardized allowing you to use this as your passport, public transit, all purchasing opportunities, etc."

Why not?  They already own their sheep.  Precisely, why you willingly, compliantly bare your ass for corporate inspection by the company doctor.  Piss in a bottle under corporate supervision.  You're owned.  Bought and paid for.  For a compensation package that keeps you purposefully indentured servants.  Nazi America.

"The company is immediately facing questions about safety and privacy – for example, whether the technology could be used in invasive ways, like tracing employee whereabouts and monitoring the length of breaks."

Just the beginning.

"The chip is not trackable and only contains information you choose to associate with it," the company said in a Q and A. "This chip does not have GPS capabilities." It added that the device has been FDA-approved for some 13 years."

First iteration.  Think the next generations won't track, record and upload physiological data, parameters, etc..  The sky's the limit for Big Brother.

"The employees themselves appear to be responding positively. For example, software engineer Sam Bengtson told The New York Times that "it was pretty much 100 percent yes right from the get-go for me. ...In the next five to 10 years, this is going to be something that isn't scoffed at so much, or is more normal. So I like to jump on the bandwagon with these kind of things early, just to say that I have it."

A goddamned idiot too stupid to know he's owned, controlled, manipulated by his corporate masters.

7-21-17

The Sessions nazi intends to increase legalized theft perpetrated by the criminal jackbooted bastards in blue.  The Washington Post reports:

"Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Monday said he'd be issuing a new directive this week aimed at increasing police seizures of cash and property."

No court order.  No criminal conviction required.  Legalized theft perpetrated by law enforcement.

“We hope to issue this week a new directive on asset forfeiture — especially for drug traffickers,” Sessions said in his prepared remarks for a speech to the National District Attorney's Association in Minneapolis. "With care and professionalism, we plan to develop policies to increase forfeitures. No criminal should be allowed to keep the proceeds of their crime. Adoptive forfeitures are appropriate as is sharing with our partners."

Hitler would have been proud of this goddamned thieving nazi.

"Asset forfeiture is a disputed practice that allows law enforcement officials to permanently take money and goods from individuals suspected of crime. There is little disagreement among lawmakers, authorities and criminal justice reformers that “no criminal should be allowed to keep the proceeds of their crime.” But in many cases, neither a criminal conviction nor even a criminal charge is necessary — under forfeiture laws in most states and at the federal level, mere suspicion of wrongdoing is enough to allow police to seize items permanently."

This, the goddamned fascist police-state you Llano County Republican nazis revel in?  Very thought make you cream your pants?  Your kind of country?

"Additionally, many states allow law enforcement officers to keep cash that they seize, creating what critics characterize as a profit motive. The practice is widespread: in 2014, federal law enforcement officers took more property from citizens than burglars did. State and local authorities seized untold millions more."

Think this isn't legalized theft?

"Since 2007, the Drug Enforcement Administration alone has taken more than $3 billion in cash from people not charged with any crime, according to the Justice Department's Inspector General."

No problem with this?  Until you get f--ked over, ripped off by one of these pieces of shit in blue?  No difference between these bastards and the criminal element.  -- Other than a badge, license to steal, worse, murder on the job with impunity.

"The practice is ripe for abuse. In one case in 2016, Oklahoma police seized $53,000 owned by a Christian band, an orphanage and a church after stopping a man on a highway for a broken taillight. A few years earlier, a Michigan drug task force raided the home of a self-described “soccer mom,” suspecting she was not in compliance with the state's medical marijuana law. They proceeded to take “every belonging” from the family, including tools, a bicycle and her daughter's birthday money."

These jackbooted bastards in blue are a scourge.  Common thieves. An exigent threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  No foreign power, no terrorist organization, not even the criminal element present a greater threat than these out of control nazi storm troopers.

Raw nazism in a fascist police-state soon to be the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.  Wake up.  You're being bamboozled.  Sessions intends to help local law enforcement groups bypass state laws reining in this legalized theft.

Apparently, the nazi remains too deaf to hear the rumble.  An unwanted dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming.  Doomsday clock striking dangerously close to midnight.  As our formerly great country transforms from a fascist police-state to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

In another article, The Washington Post reports:

"According to the Institute for Justice, 13 states have passed laws requiring prosecutors to obtain a criminal conviction before authorities can permanently seize an individual's property. Under federal law, however, authorities can take cash, vehicles, homes and any other property and keep it for themselves, without ever charging the suspect with a crime.  Under federal guidelines, the state and local agencies making adoptive seizures are entitled to up to 80 percent of the proceeds, while federal agencies would receive at least a 20 percent cut. The median value of those seizures was about $9,000, not exactly indicative of major drug trafficking operations."

Hear the rumble?

"Some of the seizures were as low as a few hundred dollars, including $107 taken by Kanakee, Ill., authorities on March 12, 2014. That money was turned over to the DEA, which is entitled to keep $21.40 of it, with the remaining $85.60 to be returned to Kanakee police.  These numbers comport with numerous other investigations that have found that forfeiture efforts tend to target poor neighborhoods. Between 2012 and 2017, for instance, the median value of assets seized by Cook County police was just over $1,000. A 2015 ACLU analysis of cash forfeitures in Philadelphia turned up a median value of $192.  The small dollar values often at stake undercut forfeiture defenders' claims that the practice is necessary to disrupt major criminal organizations. A 2015 Institute for Justice report found that between 1997 and 2013, 87 percent of the Department of Justice's forfeitures did not require any criminal charge or conviction."

No more than legalized theft by the criminal jackbooted bastards in blue.

"But the adoptive forfeiture program came under particularly intense criticism because it allowed state and local police to sidestep state-level forfeiture reforms using a sleight of paperwork. The Justice Department's 2015 policy change effectively eliminated the adoption program -- adoptions dropped from $65 million the prior year to just $15,000 in the following 12 months, according to the Institute for Justice's analysis.  But the changes announced today turn that cash spigot back on. Since the 2015 policy change, many more states have implemented forfeiture reforms making it harder to seize cash and property. That means that more law enforcement agencies now have the incentive to sidestep those reforms via the reinstated adoptive forfeiture process."

Law enforcement cannot be trusted.  No better than common thieves.  A fascist police-state soon to become the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

7-21-17

Pressure increases on those closest to the Trump nazi.  CBS News reports:

"President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner updated a federal disclosure form needed to obtain a security clearance three times and added more than 100 names of foreign contacts through the updates after initially providing none at all, reports CBS News' Major Garrett."

Why does this guy still have a security clearance?  How is it possible?  Equally pointedly, how did he receive it in the first place?  No vetting?  Receive special treatment?

"The first form had no foreign names on it even though people applying for a security clearance need to list any contact with foreign governments. Kushner's team said it was prematurely sent."

Believe it?  Equally pointedly, think he didn't receive special treatment?  Think nepotism doesn't trump reason?

"Then the team submitted the second one after they updated it with all of the names except for one -- the Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya who met with Donald Trump Jr., Kushner and Paul Manafort, Mr. Trump's campaign chairman in June 2016.  After omitting her name in the second form, that meeting was then conveyed to the FBI in the third revamping of the form before July."

Think the Sessions nazi will protect his sorry ass?  Interfere with the investigation currently conducted by Special Counsel?  Think Republicans aren't protecting their own?  Wake up:

"On Thursday, House Republicans reportedly in the Appropriations Committee blocked a Democratic amendment to a spending bill that targeted Kushner. It would have prevented the government from issuing or maintaining a security clearance for a White House employee under criminal investigation by a federal law enforcement agency for aiding a foreign government."

Trump, Jr. remains at the heart of the latest self-induced Trump firestorm.  CNN correctly opined:

"Donald Trump Jr. has become a prime target for the House and Senate intelligence committees, Special Counsel Robert Mueller and an army of journalists who are all investigating Russia's efforts to sway the 2016 election in his father's favor.  By releasing emails related to his encounter with a Russian lawyer in the summer of 2016, Donald Jr. has potentially undermined the White House's claim that no one in the President's campaign collaborated with Russia in its efforts to influence the US election."

The lies, deception continue unabated.  The fodder for Special Counsel seems to grow exponentially.  Trump, his family, and henchmen continue to figuratively shoot themselves in the ass.

NBC News reports:

"The Russian lawyer who met with Donald Trump Jr. and others on the Trump team after a promise of compromising material on Hillary Clinton was accompanied by a Russian-American lobbyist — a former Soviet counterintelligence officer who is suspected by some U.S. officials of having ongoing ties to Russian intelligence, NBC News has learned."

Plot thickens?  Or, mere coincidence?

"The lobbyist, first identified by the Associated Press as Rinat Akhmetshin, denies any current ties to Russian spy agencies. He accompanied the lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, to the June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower attended by Donald Trump Jr.; Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law; and Paul Manafort, former chairman of the Trump campaign."

Just happened to be there?  Mere coincidence?

"Born in Russia, Akhmetshin served in the Soviet military and emigrated to the U.S., where he holds dual citizenship. He did not respond to NBC News requests for comment Friday, but he told the AP the meeting was not substantive. “I never thought this would be such a big deal, to be honest,” he told the AP."

Think so?  Up to Special Counsel to determine.

The Sessions nazi also has his problems with perjury.  NPR reports:

"A day late, the Justice Department complied this morning with a federal court order and released part of a security clearance form dealing with Attorney General Jeff Sessions' contacts with foreign governments.  On June 12, a judge had ordered the agency to provide the information within 30 days, a deadline that passed on Wednesday."

Why wasn't his sorry ass hauled to jail?

"In a filing Thursday morning with U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the Justice Department released that part of Sessions' form which poses the question:

    "Have you or any of your immediate family in the past seven (7) years [bold font in original] had any contact with a foreign government, its establishment (such as embassy, consulate, agency, military service, intelligence or security service, etc.) or its representatives, whether inside or outside the U.S.?"

"Sessions checked "No."

The son of a bitch lied.  Committed perjury.

"A recently launched ethics watchdog group called American Oversight filed a Freedom of Information Act request in March for sections of the Standard Form 86 relating to Sessions' contact "with any official of the Russian government."  The group then filed a lawsuit in April after it said the government didn't provide the documents.  "Jeff Sessions is our nation's top law enforcement officer, and it is shocking one of his first acts after being named Attorney General was to mislead his own agency about a matter of national security," the group's executive director, Austin Evers, said in a statement."

Why is the Sessions nazi above the law?  Why haven't his gluteus maximi been prosecuted?  Anyone else not associated with the Trump nazi would have already had his sorry ass in a sling.  Why the double standard?

"The Standard Form 86, more commonly called SF86, is a detailed form required to obtain security clearance for certain government positions. It's the same form presidential adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner has recently had to revise after omitting meetings with Russian officials.  Sessions has admitted to speaking with Russia's ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Kislyak, at least twice in 2016, which he did not disclose at his confirmation hearing. But in June, Sessions testified to senators that the "suggestion that I participated in any collusion" with the Russian government "is an appalling and detestable lie."

What's a lie is what comes out the mouth of this duplicitous nazi.  How do you know he's lying?  His lips move.

The lies in the Trump regime extend to the production of 'fake news.'  CBS News reports:

"Bot stands for robot, and bots are programmed to automatically disseminate information. Alternatively, some bots are designed to just regularly tweet out information -- temperature readings from a weather station, for instance.   Other bots can be used to effectively push fake news stories. And these are the bots that have captured the interest of Congressional investigators.   Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, told "CBS This Morning" the committee is looking into whether there was an effort by the Trump campaign's digital operations team "to identify where it would be useful to push stories up in people's social media feeds."

Is this legal?  Constitutional for a regime or candidate for a new regime to promulgate false information as truth?  Do these nazis delusionally believe this is in the best interests of the public?  A public they supposedly serve?

7-21-17

In follow up to the last edition, voters are apparently strongly reacting to the Trump nazi and his henchmen.  To their concerted attempt to abrogate voting rights of non-Republicans.  Joshua Douglas in a CNN editorial reports:

"President Donald Trump and Kris Kobach's voter fraud commission is a stain on our democracy. It is already harming voters by reducing the registration rolls.  Two weeks ago, the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity asked election officials in all 50 states to turn over detailed voter information. Now, in response, voters in some states -- such as Colorado, Florida and North Carolina -- are seeking to "unregister," asking their states to remove them from voter rolls before any information is sent to the commission."

Voter intimidation?  Apparently, not.  Douglas is a law professor at the University of Kentucky College of Law.  He makes the point in the editorial people are unregistering to vote in protest:

"As Denver elections director Amber McReynolds lamented, "I never expected to see more withdrawals in a day than new registrations. The impact on voters is real. The impact on civic engagement is real. The impact on election offices is real."  This is bad for our elections -- although it's undoubtedly the kind of response Trump and Kobach, the commission's vice chairman, were hoping for. It seems clear that the true, unstated goal of the commission is not to make it easier to vote or improve our election system but instead to use the veneer of voter fraud concerns to justify stricter election laws."

The intent of GOP nazis has been clear quite some time.  There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud.  None at all.  The only reason these fascist bastards are calling for stricter election laws is to abrogate the vote of non-GOP voters.  At the same time, gerrymandering has exponentially increased across the country.  Currently, challenged in the courts.

"Trump could well try to use supposed "findings" that voter registration rolls are bloated (including, for example, with people who have died or moved, which has little to do with fraud) to argue for the repeal of the National Voter Registration Act, also known as Motor Voter, which makes it easier to register to vote and imposes limits on states purging their lists.  Now some voters are doing that work for Trump and his commission. But giving up the ability to vote against him is not the way to protest Trump's actions.  Although the number of people taking themselves off of the voter rolls is small now, if this activity continues it could be consequential in close elections."

To some of us, the above is already moot.  Beside the point.  At best.  This has been, basically, a two party system for generations.  Neither party serves the best interests of the public any longer, only themselves.  Third parties have no traction, -- at least not to date.  We seem stuck in a quagmire.  At a time of growing uncertainty as the fate of the Trump regime seems more uncertain than ever.

"In any event, unregistering probably will not protect public data already on the voter rolls, which political parties use all the time. And lawyers are already bringing several lawsuits against the commission under a variety of legal theories. So instead of removing themselves from the political process, these wary voters should instead become more engaged in politics."

Increasingly, sadly, the people see no point.  Nothing truly changes when they do participate.  Unacceptable in a democratic republic.  Then again, and in effect, this is no longer a democratic republic.  Has not been for decades.  Forget?  Government is run and owned by its corporate masters.

Now rubber stamped by a nazi Supreme Court.  Corporations are considered 'people.'  Have been accorded free speech rights meaning they can virtually spend as much as they wish to buy their bought and paid for government stooges.

"They should support ways to make voting easier by advocating for automatic voter registration, early voting, the repeal of felon disenfranchisement and other democracy-enhancing rules. They should help efforts to expand the electorate, such as the push to lower the voting age to 16 for local elections.  The way to protest the Trump-Kobach voter fraud commission is to engage more, not less, in our democracy."

In principle, last quote above is spot on.  In reality, however, rings hollow.  Forget?  The Trump nazi lost the popular vote, yet won the electoral college.  That is, a simple majority of voters in our system is not sufficient to elect a president.  The Founders did not trust the electorate to make this decision on their own.

At the same time, Trump's opponent wasn't worth a crap.  Precisely, why the popular vote wasn't sufficiently high enough to have swept the electoral college.  Time to re-think the electoral college and whether or not there is in fact desperate need to amend the Constitution.  Particularly salient in view of the fact Trump has been an unmitigated disaster to date.

Gets worse.  Get this.  NPR reports:

"The presidential commission investigating alleged election fraud has released 112 pages of unredacted emails of public comment, raising further privacy concerns amid a legal challenge to the panel's request for sensitive voter data.  In many cases, the emails, which are largely critical and often mocking of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity led by Vice President Pence and Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, contain expletives as well as the sender's email address.  "This cavalier attitude toward the public's personal information is especially concerning given the commission's request for sensitive data on every registered voter in the country," Theresa Lee, a staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union's Voting Rights Project, said."

The Trump nazi's henchmen remain clueless:

"However, the vice president's press secretary, Marc Lotter, in an email cited by The Washington Post, compared the comments to those of "individuals appearing before commission" who would submit their names before making comments.  The public comments come in response to a controversial request to the states for voter information — including names, addresses, birthdates, partial Social Security numbers, party affiliation and felon status. More than a dozen states have refused the request outright, and many of the rest have said state law prohibits them from supplying all of the requested information.  The emails released on Thursday include more than one calling the commission a "sham" and several using the F-word."

Let it rip.  F--k the bastards.

"One person whose name and email address was published by the commission wrote: "DO NOT RELEASE ANY OF MY VOTER DATA PERIOD."

Good luck.  Forget?  We already live in a goddamned fascist police-state.  Soon to be the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

Good news:

"Several lawsuits demanding more transparency from the commission have been filed in recent days. Among the groups filing suit for more openness are the Electronic Privacy Information Center and the ACLU."

Sue the living shit out of the bastards.

"EPIC President and Executive Director Marc Rotenberg says the commission "hasn't given much thought to the privacy implications of what they are doing," adding that this applies to both the request for voter data as well as the decision to release public comments, email addresses and all."

Forget?  There is no privacy in a goddamned fascist police-state.

The Washington Times reports:

"The White House has released unredacted emails containing the names and contact information of individuals who commented on the president’s Election Integrity Commission, exposing the identities of people explicitly opposed to the Trump administration’s demand for detailed voter rolls."

Trump nazi and henchmen intend to investigate dissenters?  Harass those who won't goose step in unison?  F--k these assholes.  They can go to hell. Forget?  Protected speech.  First Amendment.  Right to dissent.  Express grievances against government, etc..

"The White House began releasing comments it received concerning the election commission on Thursday this week, and by Saturday had published several thousand pages worth of emails sent by individuals for and against the administration’s controversial request for voter information."

Are these individuals now on the Trump nazi's enemies list?  If so, should be considered a red badge of courage.  Resist.  F--k these assholes.  Stand up.  Stand tall.  Fail to exercise a constitutional right? In effect,  it no longer exists.

Nazi government takes that cowardly failure as carte blanche to abrogate all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  Give a goddamned tyrant an inch, the son of a bitch takes a light year.  Don't stand up, resist a tyrant, guess what, his boot heel winds up on your throat.  Wake up.

"None of the emails were censored, meaning anyone who downloads them off the White House website can see each commenter’s name as it originally appeared in the election commission’s inbox.  Many of the commenters included their names, addresses and contact information in the body of the emails, the likes of which were subsequently published."

Let it rip.  Let the nazi know in no uncertain terms you're opposed to his imposition of the Fourth Reich.  Peaceful resistance to a lunatic nazi.  If not, you stupidly grant the criminal jackbooted bastards in blue carte blanche to murder on the job.

"The incident is particularly ironic in light of the commenters appearing largely opposed to the commission’s request for voter rolls on account of privacy concerns."

If you don't stand tall, fail to uphold all civil and constitutional rights and liberties, guess what, get what you deserve.  A lunatic tyrant in the mold of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini.  ... Had this writer known such commentary would have been released in all its raw glory by these goddamned nazis, would certainly have participated and emailed my dissent.  Would have let it rip.  As on this website. The Trump nazi and his henchmen can go to hell.  The idea is to publicly express dissent.  Do it in the blinding light of day.

7-21-17

Pressure grows on Republican national socialists to ram through their second version of Trumpcare.  Remains dicey.  NBC News reports:

"Senate leaders are just one Republican "no" vote away from seeing their health care bill fail for a second time, and they are counting on provisions already added to the legislation — as well as some new efforts aimed at benefiting individual members — to hold a coalition of 50 votes together.  The GOP senators most likely to defect from the bill are those who wouldn't support the original version for various reasons. Efforts to get them on board began shortly after leadership tabled the bill two weeks ago and even more bartering has been underway since the newest version was unveiled Thursday."

Forget?  Politics is the not-so-fine art of egregiously f--king your constituents while deceiving them into believing you're doing the opposite.  While lining your pockets and those of your corporate masters.  Both parties are eternally guilty of doing the same.  This time, however, it happens to be Republican national socialists in power, under intense scrutiny.  No matter who's in power, the public loses.  Always.  Forget?  The American Way.

"At least ten senators released statements last month saying they couldn’t support the first version of the Better Care Reconciliation Act, but only Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Rand Paul, R-Ky., have said they will not support the new bill. The others say they are withholding judgment until they can fully digest the legislation.  But some are already starting to soften their opposition. And discussions are ongoing between leadership and those who didn’t get what they wanted in the revisions, with only a few days of bargaining time left before the bill is expected to be brought to the floor on Tuesday or Wednesday."

Should this bill pass and be signed into law by the Trump nazi, Republicans will not be returned to office.  The public remains opposed.  The GOP couldn't care less.  Why?  Simple.  Can't see that far ahead.  Hopelessly, myopic.  What they care about is the present moment.  They made a promise to repeal Obamacare.  Come hell or high water that's what remains their objective.

Doesn't matter if Trumpcare is far worse than the already failing 'Affordable' 'Care' Act.  Why would it?  Only the moment matters, forget?  Democrats shouldn't get their hopes up they'll quickly be returned to office.  That likely won't happen.  Have nothing to offer.  Have had nothing to offer since the assassination of John F. Kennedy.  How will anything change significantly any time soon?

Gets worse.  Republicans apparently intend to engage in raw deception to get their abominable bill across the finish line.  NBC News reports:

"Republicans are considering advancing their health care bill without an analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office on a major new provision that insurers warn would wreak havoc on customers and would amount to a virtually unprecedented procedural move in the Senate.  The CBO analyzed — or "scored" — a previous version of the Senate bill last month and found it would cover 22 million fewer people than current law. But that was before GOP leaders added a new amendment pushed by conservative members that would allow insurers to sell unregulated plans without protections for pre-existing conditions and without requirements that they cover various benefits guaranteed under Obamacare."

Here is what's deceptive, short-sighted:

"Republican leaders have said they expect the CBO to weigh in on the new bill early next week, days ahead of an expected vote. But senators say the score may not include the sweeping changes to insurance regulations, which were initially proposed by Senators Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Mike Lee, R-Utah.  “I don’t think we'll have a score from CBO on the Cruz amendment,” Senator Ron Johnson, R-Wisc., told reporters on Thursday."

Clearly, they're desperate to accomplish something, anything.  Especially since in the last six months the Trump nazi has been in office no legislation of significance has passed and been signed into law.  This, after all the hype, unadulterated bullshit in the last year and a half.  Both parties, miserable failures.  The American public, egregiously f--ked.  Hear the rumble?

"It is extremely rare for significant legislation to be voted on without a score from CBO.  Instead, Senators could be asked to vote on the bill based on an analysis from the White House via the Department of Health and Human Services or the Office of Management and Budget."

Trust the Trump nazi and his henchmen to tell the truth?  Think the fix isn't in?

The insurance cartel is not on board.  CBS News reports:

"Two of the country's largest insurance providers called an amendment from Sen. Ted Cruz to the latest Republican health care bill "simply unworkable," as Republicans struggle to capture enough votes to pass the legislation.  The CEOs of America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association wrote a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) Friday, urging them to strike the Texas Republican's "Consumer Freedom Option" amendment, claiming it will cause costs to skyrocket for those with "significant medical needs" and limit insurance options for people who buy individual plans."

ABC News reports:

"President Donald Trump has often said he doesn't want people "dying in the streets" for lack of health care.  But in the United States, where chronic conditions are the major diseases, people decline slowly. Preventive care and routine screening can make a big difference for those at risk for things such as heart problems and cancer, especially over time.  That edge is what doctors and patients fear will be compromised if Republican efforts to repeal the Obama-era health law lead to more uninsured people. The uninsured tend to postpone care until problems break through.  It's a message that lawmakers are hearing from doctors' groups and constituents, in letters and emails, and at town hall meetings."

Clearly, the American public is not a happy camper.

Subsequent to writing the above, the vote has been postponed while Sen. McCain recovers from surgery in Arizona.  Even with the Senator, not clear Republicans have enough votes.

As of 7-17-17, four Republicans have said they will vote against the bill.  If that stands, two more than necessary to kill it.  Senate  Majority Leader Mitch "The Bitch" McConnell in response plans to hold a vote on straight repeal with replacement within two years.  The Grand Old Party appears to be disintegrating.

NBC News reports:

"Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday he is preparing to bring before the full Senate a comprehensive repeal of the Affordable Care Act — but Republican support for his plan quickly began to erode.  "I regret that the effort that we repeal and immediately replace Obamacare would not be successful. That doesn’t means we should give up," McConnell said on the Senate floor, acknowledging defeat but looking forward to his next move in a months-long effort that has stymied the Senate. "This doesn’t have to be the end of the story."  He added, "We will now try a different way to bring the people relief from Obamacare. I think we owe them at least that much. In the coming days, the Senate will take up a vote on a repeal of Obamacare combined with a stable two-year transition period as we work toward patient-centered healthcare."

The insurance cartel is not a happy camper.  Premiums will likely immediately skyrocket.  Insurers will likely exit the market.  Not clear McConnell will have the fifty Republican votes necessary to allow the Vice President to break a tie.  Democrats vow they will not cooperate.

NPR reports:

"The defeat of the GOP Senate health care bill is major blow to all Republicans involved.  President Trump, whose approval rating is lower than any recent president this early in his term, is now staring at an agenda imperiled. Despite his boasts, he has achieved little of significance through Congress. That failure is compounded by the fact that his party controls both chambers.  The position of Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell, hailed for all of his senatorial maneuverability, does not appear so enviable Tuesday morning. He showed he could gum up the system and manipulate the rules to deny a president of a different party, but he has not shown the ability to control his caucus in order to govern — the way past great Senate leaders have."

Certainly, appears to be the truth.  Despite all the hype the last several years.  Both major political parties have egregiously failed the electorate.

The Washington Post reports:

"Two Republican senators, Susan Collins (Maine) and Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.), expressed opposition Tuesday to the repeal-only option, apparently burying it.  “I did not come to Washington to hurt people,” Capito said on Twitter. “I cannot vote to repeal Obamacare without a replacement plan that addresses my concerns and the needs of West Virginians.”  “This doesn’t have to be the end of the story,” McConnell said. “Passing the repeal legislation will allow us to accomplish what we need to do on behalf our people.”

Take your head out of your ass, Mitch.  Until Republicans recognize healthcare as a right, nothing will change.  Equally to the point, nothing will change until the bottomless greed of providers is reined in.  The insurance middle man, as well, is determinedly sucking the lifeblood out of care due to its bottomless greed.

Precisely, why a single payer system is desperately required.  Akin to what's in place in Canada and throughout Europe.  Only alternative?  The unthinkable.  Socialized medicine.  Although communism has massively failed throughout the world, the only bright spot remains Cuban socialized medicine.  It works there because greed has been reined in.  Unlike here.

NPR now reports:

"Hours after a replacement for the Affordable Care Act was all but scuttled by a clutch of Senate Republicans, three lawmakers appear to have doomed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's Plan B: Repeal the Affordable Care Act without replacing it."

"Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia and Susan Collins of Maine have all said they would vote "no" on a motion that would have kicked off McConnell's plan to vote on a straight repeal of Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare."

Fascinating, isn't it?

7-21-17

In follow up to an earlier edition and to the credit of the Trump nazi, CBS News reports:

"Twice rejected for U.S. visas, an all-girls robotics team from Afghanistan arrived in Washington early Saturday after an extraordinary, last-minute intervention by President Trump.  The six-girl team and their chaperone completed their journey just after midnight from their hometown of Herat, Afghanistan, to enter their ball-sorting robot in the three-day high school competition starting Sunday in the U.S. capital. Awaiting them at the gate at Washington Dulles International Airport were a U.S. special envoy and Afghan Ambassador Hamdullah Mohib, who described it as a rare moment of celebration for his beleaguered nation."

7-21-17

In follow up to the last edition of this publication as well as elsewhere, Fox News reports:

"The Trump administration has told the Supreme Court that a lower court ruling earlier this week altering an executive order on immigration would bring thousands more refugees into the country and requires the justices’ “immediate intervention,” according to filing documents obtained early Saturday by Fox News."

Adolf Hitler couldn't have said it better.

"However, U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson, in Hawaii, issued an order Thursday to expand the list of U.S. family relationships that refugees and visitors from the six countries can use to get into the United States to include grandparents, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.  “The government therefore is left to seek this court’s immediate intervention,” Justice Department attorneys said in the 68-page filing submitted Friday.  The high court’s nine justices are on a three-month summer recess. But they are prepared to handle the emergency application and could issue an order on enforcement in coming days."

Land of the free?  Home of the brave?  No longer in a de facto fascist police-state, soon to become the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

Yet, the Trump regime seems to be sending out mixed messages.  Get this.  NPR reports:

"[T]he Government's definition represents the antithesis of common sense," Federal District Court Judge Derrick K. Watson said in his ruling, as The Two-Way reported. "Common sense, for instance, dictates that close family members be defined to include grandparents. Indeed, grandparents are the epitome of close family members. The Government's definition excludes them. That simply cannot be."  Now, the State Department has told U.S. embassies and consulates to include these new categories as they make visa decisions. The instructions are effective immediately.  The State Department spokesman did not say what the administration meant by "cousin," though a copy of the cable sent to embassies published by Reuters says the exemption is limited to first cousins."

The regime is still awaiting a ruling regarding its latest appeal.

In follow up to the above, The Washington Post reports:

"The Supreme Court on Wednesday once again compromised on President Trump’s travel ban, saying the government may enforce tightened restrictions on refugees for now but also must allow into the country more travelers from six mostly Muslim countries who have family members already here.  The short order from the court means that the administration must continue to accept those with grandparents, aunts and uncles and other relatives in the United States. The Trump administration had set a stricter interpretation of who could be allowed in under a Supreme Court decision issued last month.  The court’s action on Wednesday had two parts. In one, it said it will not disturb a lower court’s decision that expanded the definition of close family ties.  But in another, it granted the government’s request to put on hold a part of the decision that would have made it easier for more refugees to enter the country."

7-21-17

Continuing problems in Trump 'paradise.'  NPR reports:

"Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has indicated that she will loosen Obama-era guidance and practices on the department's pursuit of campus sexual assault cases. She met Thursday with survivors' advocates and feminist groups, as well as three so-called "men's rights" groups, to advise her on this process, drawing criticism and concern from the survivors and advocates."

No end to aggressive stupidity, ignorance of the nazi element in our formerly great country.

7-21-17

As the Trump nazi continues to deteriorate mentally, a few are finally courageously finding their voice. The Washington Times reports:

"Psychiatry professors from several Ivy League universities who argue Donald Trump is unfit for the presidency are calling on Congress to take “lawful steps” to remove him from office.  The professors’ letter to Congress, published by The Huffington Post, says the president’s supposed mental “unraveling” is hurting his ability to govern.  “The power of the presidency has accentuated Mr. Trump’s failings with devastating effects,” the letter states. “His psychological isolation — including his tenuous relationship to reality — has led to the dangerous isolation of the United States from the rest of the world."

Think so?  Think not?  Support the nazi no matter what he does or doesn't do?

“Our Constitution has provisions for removing any president who is unable to discharge the duties of office,” it says. “For the sake of our country and the world, we urge our elected representatives to summon their courage so that lawful steps can be taken to end the Trump presidency.”  The letter is signed by Harvard professor Judith L. Herman, Columbia lecturer Robert Jay Lifton, and Yale professor Bandy X. Lee, along University of California professors Dee Mosbacher and Nanette Gartrell, Campus Reform reported.  It’s an extension of a letter sent to former President Barack Obama in late November, in which Dr. Herman, Dr. Mosbacher and Dr. Gartrell expressed “grave concern” over Mr. Trump’s mental stability and suggested the president suffers from Narcissistic Personality Disorder."

Republicans will have no choice if Trump continues to deteriorate.  Can only go on so long making excuses for the inexcusable.  A far greater issue is who would replace him.  Pence is not psychotic, making him a far, far greater threat to all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.

7-21-17

Pleased to see there's at least one upstanding Republican in Arizona besides Sen. John McCain.  ABC News reports:

"Republican Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona has come to the defense of a Democrat who is hoping to unseat him.  Deedra Abboud, a Phoenix-based lawyer and Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate who is Muslim, started to receive disturbing messages online Tuesday after posting this message on her Facebook page:

"Almost 250 years ago a group of dreamers came together and sketched out a revolutionary vision. No longer would they be shackled to the whims of a distant government, nor bound to the religion of an idiosyncratic king. They set out to forge their own futures, determine their own destinies, and follow their own faith. In their infinite wisdom, the Founding Fathers decreed that this nation would separate church and state, and in doing so protect both institutions. Government would be free from religious overreach, and religion would be free from government interference."

The messages were indeed appalling, un-American:

"Nice try but your first love is Satan (AKA Allah) and your second love is to a litter box your 'people' come from," one person wrote. "You are as American as Chinese checkers."

"BAN ISLAM IN THE USA…WE HATE YOUR FILTHY DEATH CULT," another said."

Sen. Jeff Flake stood tall:

"Hang in there @deedra2018. Sorry you have to put up with this. Lots of wonderful people across AZ. You'll find them. https://t.co/uVfLaAfVV2
    — Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) July 19, 2017"

No one should have to put up with this:

"Abboud, a 45-year-old community activist, has been subjected to hateful rhetoric and backlash since she launched her campaign in the spring, her spokeswoman Jaclyn Freedman told The Arizona Republic. "We make sure to have police escorts at our events because, yes, we have received a lot of hate," she said."

Unacceptable in a democratic republic.

Ms. Abboud responded:

"Thank you @JeffFlake for leadership in rejecting behavior that doesn't reflect our American values. AZ's amazing people deserve more of this https://t.co/t0FztPNKbj
    — Deedra2018 (@deedra2018) July 19, 2017"

All Republicans need to follow the example of Senators Flake and McCain.

7-21-17

Aryan arrogance reins supreme in the banking community.  Amazing how not one of these Wall Street barons had his ass locked up after the 2008 meltdown.  Insult to injury?  These corrupt, abusive, inept pieces of shit remain on the job.  CBS Interactive Inc. reports:

"JPMorgan Chase (JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon lashed out at U.S. government policy during the company's quarterly earnings conference call on Friday.  "It's almost an embarrassment being an American citizen ... and listening to the stupid s--- we have to deal with in this country," Dimon said."

You mean from clueless, incompetent, wheeling-dealing assholes such as yourself, Mr. Dimon?

"Dimon was answering a question from UBS analyst Saul Martinez about whether political gridlock seemed likely to stunt the nation's economic growth. The CEO, regarded by many as the country's foremost banking executive, took it as a chance to deride U.S. policies, which he said are hindering faster expansion.   "I was just in France. I recently in Argentina, was in Israel, was in Ireland. We met with the prime minister of India and China," Dimon said. "It's amazing to me that every single one of these countries understands that practical policies that promote business and growth is good for the average citizens of this countries, for jobs and wages, and that somehow, this great American free enterprise system, we no longer get it."

It's you who no longer 'get it,' Mr. Dimon.  Your Ayn Rand Atlas Shrugged mentality is a massive failure.  Clueless, greedy assholes such as you have strangled the Golden Goose.  No such thing as a 'free' market.  The market is manipulated, driven, owned by those with the wealth.  What are you complaining about?

Exceptionally poorly-regulated laissez-faire capitalism is now designedly a zero-sum charade.  Winner-take-all. Can't hear the rumble?  An unwanted dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming you remain too deaf to hear.  Freedom?  Liberty?  What's that?  Better now known as the freedom to do what you're told.  What fascist bastards like you dictate.

"The American business sector is powerful and strong, and it's going to grow regardless," he went on. "What I'm saying is, it will be much stronger growth had we made intelligent decisions and we were not gridlocked."

What are you talking about?  The corporate management suite owns its bought and paid for lackeys in government.  Both parties.  They do your will.  Why wouldn't they?  They're bought and paid for.  Conveniently, forget?  Or, is it Aryan arrogance, aggressive stupidity, profound ignorance?

"Specifically, Dimon cited U.S. corporate tax rates and a lack of progress in modernizing the nation's roads, bridges, airports and other transportation infrastructure."

You hopelessly greedy bastards are paying nowhere near your fair share of taxes.  Yet, accept, demand corporate welfare, tax abatement, special treatment.  That infrastructure you whine about suffers enormous wear and tear from movement of commerce.

Why aren't you bastards footing the cost of repair?  You benefit most from infrastructure as well as a well-educated work force.  Why aren't you footing the cost of education?  Paying a livable wage?  Rebuilding infrastructure?

Instead of greedily lining your bottomless pockets.  How many millions a year is your compensation package, you son of a bitch?  You get yours, while others get f--ked.  The American Way.  Off the backs of the work force.  Indentured servants. To say nothing of shoddy products at gouged prices.  In a fascist police-state, soon to be the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

Insult to injury?  Get this:

"Some corporate chiefs have been pushing for a so-called tax holiday, something President Donald Trump has floated as a way to encourage companies with large overseas holdings to bring profits back into the U.S..   Many experts say letting U.S. multinationals repatriate their foreign profits is unlikely to spur economic growth. The last such holiday, in 2004, coincided with a large outflow of employment as corporations moved jobs to low-wage countries, federal data have shown."

You're being screwed by these bastards.  Sold a bill of goods.  They get theirs, you get f--ked.  Ayn Rand Atlas Shrugged nazism.

7-21-17

Despite best efforts of Republican nazis to dictate to a woman what she can and cannot do with heruterus, the outcome is not what they expected it to be.  Texas Standard reports:

"For years, Texas Republicans have pointed to defunding Planned Parenthood as a way to reduce abortions. But a new study says those measures have backfired."

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

"Miami University Economics Professor Analisa Packham studied how family planning cuts impacted teenagers specifically. She found that in the three years following the 2011 cuts to Texas’ family planning budget, the teen abortion rate rose 3.1 percent. It also found that teen births rose three-point-four percent."

Then again, 'can fix ignorant, can't fix stupid.'  ... Right, TB?

"The 2011 cuts slashed public funding for family planning by about two-thirds, resulting in the closure of more than 80 womens’ health clinics."

Direct intentional blatant abrogation of the First Amendment Establishment Clause, church-state separation, that is, freedom from religion.  The nazi element is determined to force its perverse ideological and religious views on all by statute.

7-21-17

Not only that, the Abbott nazi is determined to intrude on the privacy of those seeking an abortion.  Texas Standard reports:

"The governor says requiring the gathering more information about complications encountered during abortions will make the procedures safer. Critics believe the goal is to restrict abortion access further."

Abortion is far safer than carrying the baby to term.  The Governor knows this.  Doesn't matter to the nazi.  Remains intent on dictating to the 'lil' lady what she can and cannot do with her uterus.  To force his perverse ideological and religious views on all.  No question, the intent of the Nazi Republican Right.

"During the regular legislative session, Texas lawmakers passed new reporting requirements for abortion providers. Gov. Greg Abbott wants them to pass even tougher requirements during the special session that starts Tuesday."

It's none of the goddamned government's business.  These GOP nazis are doing this to make it as difficult and intrusive as possible for a woman to do as she pleases with her uterus.  ... Right, Greg?

"Senate Bill 8, which Abbott signed into law last month, includes a measure moving basic abortion data collection to an online database that doesn’t exist yet. It also puts the onus on physicians to report the data within a certain time period.  Blake Rocap, legislative counsel for NARAL Pro-Choice Texas, said the measures could hurt physicians. “[It] both could endanger the physician’s confidentiality,” he said, “and targets the physician for regulatory harassment for paperwork – basically what amounts to paperwork errors, not patient care errors.”

Certainly, the intention of Republican nazis.  Do all they can to abrogate a woman's constitutional right to an abortion.  In direct violation of their falsely sworn oath to protect and defend the United States Constitution.  ... Right, Governor?

"Rocap said no one is opposed to the idea of better reporting.  “We are not opposed to good neutral health care data collection, but we are opposed to doing it in such a way that puts targets on physicians,” he says. “And I mean that literally.”  Rocap said the push for these reporting requirements is a reaction to a Supreme Court ruling last year striking down a Texas abortion law that placed onerous requirements on abortion providers, like having to perform the abortion in a surgical suite instead of a clinic room.  The requirements were reportedly made in the name of safety, but the court ruled the state could not prove those additional safety measures were needed."

Has nothing to do with safety.  Nor concern for women's health.  What it is remains no more than nazi Republicans desperately trying to force their outrageously perverse ideological and religious views on all.  In direct violation of the First Amendment Establishment Clause, church-state separation, that is, freedom from religion.

... Freedom from our nazi oppressors in the Republican Party as well.  Where are the Democrats?  Out to lunch?  Clearly, neither party serves the best interests of the public.  Only itself.  Both pay lip service to liberty while shamelessly lining their pockets.

Get their cookies off abrogating liberty, whether from the Extreme Right for Republicans, or what's left of the Extreme Left for Democrats.  Either way, liberty is not well-served, deliberately abrogated.  Perversely, in the name of 'freedom.'  Catch-22.

7-21-17

The bought and paid for Abbott nazi continues to get stiff resistance from his masters in the corporate management suite.  Imagine that.  But first, Texas Standard reports:

"The Legislature’s special session begins this Tuesday. It’s 30 days long with 20 items on the agenda and Gov. Greg Abbott is calling the shots.  Yesterday, Abbott got a head start with a speech at a sold-out auditorium blocks from the state Capitol. There, he defended his decision to call lawmakers back to Austin, and took specific aim at the need to rein in what he considers over-regulation by local governments. He says local tree ordinances, which have been in the headlines statewide lately, are promoting “socialism” and “collectivism.”   They’re promoting “California-like policies,” he says, and it’s hurting the Texas brand."

What brand's that, Greg?  Republican nazism?  That is, the fervent embrace of fascism, national socialism Hitler and Mussolini would have been proud of?

"Well, when it comes to the Texas brand, there might be a bigger problem."

You think?  LOL.  Get this:

"CEOs from some of the nation’s biggest companies are urgently calling for the governor’s attention to the prospect of the Texas brand taking a serious hit. In a letter to the governor on Monday, CEOs from 14 Dallas-area companies, including IBM, AT&T, Southwest Airlines and Texas Instruments said they were concerned about the so-called bathroom-bill legislation, and that its implementation would have an impact on their bottom line."

Our hopelessly myopic, anal-retentive Governor doesn't think so.  Forget?  'Can fix ignorant, can't fix stupid.'

"Dallas Morning News State Politics Reporter Lauren McGaughy says the CEOs argue the bill hurts their chances of recruiting and retaining employees.  “They specifically said they believe the bathroom bills are discriminatory against the LGBT community and that they don’t belong in the 21st century or in Texas values,” she says."

The Governor refuses to be confused by the truth:

"In his response to the companies, Abbott said he doesn’t foresee a bathroom bill having a negative impact on the Texas economy.  “He’s rejecting that characterization for now, even in the face of all this business opposition,” McGaughy says.  A crowd gathered at the Capitol yesterday to rally against the bathroom bills, while, concurrently, Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick spoke at a large meeting at a conservative think tank down the street."

Quite unusual for a hopelessly Aryan arrogant, bought and paid for, Republican nazi to go against the will of his corporate masters.

“It felt like the session had already started. …A lot of people are making known their feelings on some of the top issues that they are expected to take up in the next month,”McGaughy says.  Abbott also said during his speech at the think tank that he’s going to pay attention to which legislators help him pass his 20-item agenda.  “He said, ‘We need to call people out,’” McGaughy says. “He called for other conservative organizations to make their own lists, and said that he will be publishing his lists of, kind of, his naughty and nice lawmakers: those that support him and those that don’t,” she says."

How about that?  Don't you love it?  Hey, Greg?  Creating an enemies list?  Indeed, quite a red badge of courage to be on your shit list, you achingly fascist son of a bitch.  You're out of uniform, Governor.  Where is your swastika armband?

The following is the text of the letter sent the Governor by the CEOs:

July 17, 2017

The Honorable Greg Abbott Governor, State of Texas
P.O. Box 12428 Austin, Texas 78711-2428

Dear Governor Abbott,

For decades, Texas has been a magnet for business investment, job creation and a strong, diverse workforce because of the pro-growth environment created by state policy makers.

As CEOs of Dallas-based businesses, we’re writing to express our concern that the so-called “bathroom bill” that the Texas legislature is considering would seriously hurt the state’s ability to attract new businesses, investment and jobs. Our companies are competing every day to bring the best and brightest talent to Dallas. To that end, we strongly support diversity and inclusion. This legislation threatens our ability to attract and retain the best talent in Texas, as well as the greatest sporting and cultural attractions in the world.

We appreciate your leadership in ensuring that Texas continues to be a model for public policies that create a climate for economic growth and job creation that’s second to none.

Respectfully,

Randall Stephenson Chairman & CEO, AT&T Inc. Doug Parker Chairman & CEO, American Airlines Kim Cocklin CEO, Atmos Energy Corporation Fred Perpall CEO, The Beck Group Matthew K. Rose Executive Chairman, BNSF Railway Mark Rohr Chairman & CEO, Celanese Harlan Crow Chairman & CEO, Crow Holdings Sean Donohue CEO, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Emmitt Smith CEO, EJ Smith Enterprises

Republican nazis in Texas are desperately trying to force their outrageously perverse ideological and religious views on all through egregiously unconstitutional statutes.  In direct violation of the First Amendment Establishment Clause, church-state separation, that is, freedom from religion.  A raucous, boot clicking, goose stepping, treasonous, treacherous, traitorous Sieg Heil!, Governor?

7-14-17

Trump and his henchmen have their shorts in a wad.  Growing backlash to their psychotic demand for voter information from the states now includes a lawsuit. The Washington Times reports:

"The Electronic Privacy Information Center also went to court in Washington, D.C., arguing the panel broke privacy laws and didn’t have safeguards to protect the information should state officials provide it."

Why should they provide it?  No more than a witch hunt by the Trump nazi and his henchmen to abrogate the right to vote of non-Republican voters.

"The Justice Department said the lawsuit was misguided."

How?  Called standing up to a lunatic nazi fuhrer determined to transform the de facto fascist police-state we already live in to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.  Resistance must be ferocious but peaceful.  Otherwise, the criminal jackbooted bastards in blue are granted carte blanche to murder on the job.

In 1933, the German masses acquiesced to Hitler and his Third Reich.  History will not silently repeat itself here.  Protest must remain ferocious, but peaceful.  Resistance every step of the way including filing suit in court.  The shyster bullshit promulgated by Trump's nazi lawyers has begun in earnest:

“EPIC’s claim of a constitutional right to informational privacy fails because neither the Supreme Court nor the D.C. Circuit has held that a federal constitutional right to informational privacy exists,” the government’s lawyers said.  They went on to say that even if such a right did exist, it wouldn’t apply in this case because Mr. Kobach has only asked for publicly available information, meaning states can refuse to share data that they don’t already share with others."

Citizens must stand tall. Resist. Peacefully.  Refuse to cooperate with this ongoing, raucous hard f--king imposed by the nazi element in our formerly great country.  Refuse to return to office any state official who cooperates with the Trump nazi and his henchmen in abrogating the right to vote of non-Republican voters.

This is, and has been, the intention of GOP fascists in the Republican Party for years.  Precisely, why we've seen the exponential rise of gerrymandering as well as repressive, unneeded, unnecessary voter ID laws determinedly designed to abrogate the vote of those who are not Republicans.  This is no more than a traitorous, treacherous, treasonous state of affairs being imposed by fascists in the Republican Party.

These nazi bastards have shamelessly abrogated their oaths of office to protect and defend the United States Constitution.  Have done so willingly, traitorously, treasonously.  Partisanship now trumps country.  So does nazism.  Remain gutlessly silent?  History will indeed repeat itself.  The Fourth Reich.  Well under way.

In follow up, The Associated Press reports:

"President Donald Trump's commission on election fraud is telling states to hold off on providing detailed voter information in the face of increasing legal challenges.  The commission had given states until July 14 to provide data including names, birth dates and partial Social Security numbers. But in an email Monday, the panel's designated officer told states to hold off until a judge rules on a lawsuit filed by the Electronic Privacy Information Center in Washington.  The American Civil Liberties Union has filed similar lawsuits in Washington, Florida and New Hampshire. A hearing set for Tuesday in New Hampshire was postponed in light of the email."

7-14-17

Also in follow up to the above, think history isn't repeating itself?  Wake up. The Washington Post reports:

"President Trump on Thursday reaffirmed the United States' bond with European allies, calling their pact as “strong as ever.” Yet he argued in a speech here that Western values are increasingly imperiled by terrorism and extremism.  In a dark and provocative address with nationalist overtones, Trump said that “the fundamental question of our time is whether the West has the will to survive.”

Straight out of Hitler's playbook, circa 1933.  Chillingly reminiscent of a far darker, evilly pernicious time of history as Adolf Hitler rose to power.

“Do we have the confidence in our values to defend them at any cost?” Trump said. “Do we have enough respect for our citizens to protect our borders? Do we have the desire and the courage to preserve our civilization in the face of those who would subvert and destroy it?”

The very same lunacy projected by Hitler decades ago.  Our borders are protected.  There has been no terroristic threat from across the border since 9/11.  Even that threat could have been thwarted if the Bush "The Tush"-"Slick Dick" Cheney regime had adequately vetted the hijackers.  Had heeded warnings from the flight schools the bastards wished only to learn how to fly straight and level, not take off and land.

Instead, the nazi element in our formerly great country, that is, both major political parties, traitorously chose to trash the Bill of Rights, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.  The USA 'Patriot' Act, 'Real' ID Act, Homeland 'Security' Act, etc..  List can go on and on.  We were sold out by these gutless cowards.  We, the People, equally gutless, allowed this to occur.  Worse?  Welcomed it.  Gutless, sniveling cowards.

The Trump nazi himself, ludicrously, gallingly with the help of his equally perverse henchmen, is 'subverting and destroying' the democratic republic the Founders were so afraid we would not keep.  We haven't.  Foolishly traded liberty for security only to wind up with neither.  -- As wisely forewarned by Franklin well over two hundred years ago.  As a country, clearly, we have lost ourselves.

Gallingly:

"The president delivered his remarks at the site of a Warsaw monument to the 1944 Polish resistance against German occupation, a symbol of the country’s struggle to shake the brutal Nazi invasion during World War II. He cast Poland as an example of a nation that had persevered despite grave challenges, saying it offered “the story of a people who have never lost hope, who have never been broken, and who have never forgotten who they are.”

You mean like we have, Mr. 'President?'

"Poland’s right-wing government has been in conflict with Merkel and many other leaders in the European Union, who have criticized its crackdown on press freedoms and erosion of democracy since leaders came to power in 2015.  Trump, however, offered no mention of Polish democracy concerns, unlike President Barack Obama’s visit to Warsaw for a NATO summit almost exactly a year ago. Trump joined with Polish President Andrzej Duda in hammering the media."

The mark of a nazi.  ... A raucous, boot clicking, goose stepping, treasonous, treacherous, traitorous Sieg Heil!, Mr. 'President?'

"But Trump said that military spending alone is not enough to preserve Western civilization.  “We can have the largest economies and the most lethal weapons of anywhere on Earth, but if we do not have strong families and strong values, then we will be weak and we will not survive,” Trump said. “If anyone forgets the critical importance of these things, let them come to one country that never has. Let them come to Poland, and let them come here to Warsaw and learn the story of the Warsaw Uprising.”

Empty rhetoric.  Nazi rhetoric.  Egregiously ignorant of what's currently going on in Poland.  To say nothing of the ongoing nazification of our formerly great country.  As we proceed from a de facto fascist police-state to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

7-14-17

Think resistance isn't growing in Germany?  CBS News reports:

"Thousands of people are taking part in a protest against the Group of 20 summit titled "G-20: Welcome to Hell," with authorities wary of potential violence.  Demonstrators gathered at a riverside plaza used for Hamburg's weekly fish market Thursday before setting off on a march through the city.  According to Reuters, German police fired water cannons during the demonstration after black-clad protesters threw bottles.   Police using loudspeakers also were calling on about 1,000 demonstrators to remove masks."

Yet, the powers-to-be remain achingly unresponsive to growing resistance to an unsustainable status quo.

7-14-17

Things are not going well at the G-20 for the Trump nazi.  The Washington Post reports:

"The growing international isolation of the United States under President Trump was starkly apparent Friday as the leaders of major world economies mounted a near-united opposition front against Washington on issues ranging from climate to free trade.  At a gathering of the Group of 20 world economic powers - normally a venue for drab displays of international comity - there were tough clashes with the United States and even talk of a possible transatlantic trade war."

Think things won't get worse?

"The tensions were a measure of Trump’s sharp break with previous U.S. policies. They were also a warning signal of Washington’s diminished clout, as the leaders of the other 19 nations gathered in Hamburg mulled whether to fix their signatures to statements that would exclude Trump or to find some sort of compromise. Two European officials said they were leaning toward a united front against Washington."

Why wouldn't they?  A vacuum always gets quickly filled.

"German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose difficult job it was to bridge the differences, made little attempt to paper over the disagreements after the first day of meetings."

Germany is now in the driver's seat courtesy of the Trump nazi.  The president has figuratively, stupidly shot himself in the ass, -- yet again.

7-14-17

Trump, learning the hard way, -- can't be dictator of the world.  The Washington Times reports:

"Russia on Thursday blocked a U.N. Security Council Resolution drafted by the U.S. that called for “significant measures” in response to North Korea’s launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)."

What did he expect?  Laughably, Russian support of the Trump nazi only goes so far.  Forget?  To the Russians, Trump was the lesser of two evils, -- compared to Hillary.  ... Despite Trump's most recent claims to the contrary.

"The U.S. circulated the statement among the 15-member council after announcing plans for a new sanctions resolution against the nuclear-armed regime in North Korea. But an objection by Russia killed the statement, said a U.N. diplomat."

Come as a surprise? Why?  Not in the interest of the Russians to cooperate with the United States.  ... At least, not in this matter.  -- From their standpoint?  Quite the opposite.  Shortsighted, however, since nuclear proliferation is indeed a global problem.  Ultimately, affects all.  Certainly, should these weapons be used, the fallout, literally, is world-wide.

"Russian officials argued that the missile launch Tuesday had not been verified as an intercontinental missile."

Can't dazzle 'em with brilliance, baffle 'em with bullshit.

"North Korea claimed it was an ICBM. The U.S. and U.N. also determined that Hwasong-14 missile launched by North Korea was of intercontinental range."

Wouldn't want the Russians to be confused with the truth, would we?

"Mr. Trump and his administration have stepped up with tough rhetoric against the regime of dictator Kim Jong-un since the missile launch, which was North Korea’s first successful test of an ICBM."

That's the problem.  All the talk.  Empty.  Hollow.  For decades.  While Trump has warned the Chinese their continued trade with North Korea could negatively impact U.S.- Chinese trade relations, has yet to follow through.  Likely won't since it would greatly disturb the GOP's corporate masters.  -- Not that the Democrats are innocent bystanders, however.

This problem dates back decades.  Both parties encouraged trade with the Chinese to line the pockets of their corporate masters.  Got way out of hand.  The egregious trade disparity ultimately resulted in a huge portion of the national debt now owed by this country to the Chinese.  Remains a threat to national security.  Yet, both major political parties in our formerly great country were too bought and paid for to do anything about this growing problem.

"The missile is believed capable of reaching Alaska."

Certainly, appears to be the case.  Hard to believe the North Koreans have not been repeatedly but quietly warned for years by this government they would be immediately incinerated should they use these weapons.  For quite some time, the Chinese have not been willing to rein in their North Korean 'ally.' Have apparently enjoyed watching the U.S. squirm.

Are also reluctant to cut off trade with the North Koreans, fearing a severe refugee crisis that would quickly cross their borders.  If the United States is truly afraid of North Korean nuclear capability, time to threaten cutting off all U.S. trade with the Chinese.  Would certainly quickly get their attention.  Usefully, possibly make them re-consider relations with the North Koreans.

7-14-17

The Office of Government Ethics Director Walter Shaub Jr. is inexplicably resigning when he's desperately most needed.  NPR reports:

"Office of Government Ethics Director Walter Shaub Jr. is turning in his resignation on Thursday.  The move follows months of clashes with the White House over issues such as President Trump's refusal to divest his businesses and the administration's delay in disclosing ethics waivers for appointees.  Shaub, an attorney, has accepted a job with the Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan organization of election-law experts."

Why do so when you've yet to be successful reining in the Trump nazi?  Why give up?

"Thursday morning, Shaub told NPR that "the current situation has made it clear that the ethics program needs to be stronger than it is. At the Campaign Legal Center, I'll have more freedom to push for reform. I'll also be broadening my focus to include ethics issues at all levels of government."

You're giving up at a time when the nation needs you most.

"He did not elaborate on what is so wrong with the "current situation."

Why not?  Why not let it rip?  No better opportunity or more salient time to do so.  Did Trump and/or his henchmen in any way threaten you and/or your office?

"But Shaub has been sharply critical of Trump's approach to ethics compliance since the election. The battle began in late November when the ethics office began issuing a series of tweets that mimicked Trump's style, exclaiming: "Brilliant! Divestiture is good for you, good for America!"  The tweets were clearly intended as pointed satire, given that Trump had not promised total divestiture."

Why didn't you hold the nazi's feet to the fire?

"And then on Jan. 11, shortly before Inauguration Day, Shaub spoke out at the Brookings Institution, causing a stir when he said Trump's plan for avoiding conflicts of interest "doesn't meet the standards that the best of his nominees are meeting and that every president in the past four decades has met."

All the more reason his departure at this time makes no sense:

"Trump's trust is "not even halfway blind," Shaub said at Brookings. "His sons are still running the businesses, and, of course, he knows what he owns."

Sadly, no one to date has been willing to hold him accountable.  Hopefully, that will change as Special Counsel continues his investigation.

"Since Trump began naming appointees following the November election, the ethics office has been racing to keep up with the workload. That involves reviewing appointees' financial information to identify conflicts of interest and then negotiating with them to resolve or at least diminish any problems. For example, OGE might suggest a White House staffer sell off a business interest or move an asset into a blind trust.  But the small agency, with about 70 employees, can only advise on ethics — not enforce rules."

Precisely, the problem.  This agency has no teeth, no real power.  No law enforcement capability to rein in the Trump nazi and others like him.  Where's Congress? As usual, out to lunch?  Oblivious?

"Many Americans have been calling the once-obscure office to report on, or demand action on, ethical issues involving the administration. That has caused a spike in OGE's workload, without an increase in staff."

Certainly, encouraging to see increased interest.  At least, the public is unhappy with the status quo.  With no enforcement power, however, nothing goes anywhere, -- quickly.  Apparently, by design.  Otherwise, the agency would have been empowered by Congress to hold these bastards' feet to the fire.

Sadly, no more than a charade.  Worse?  The Trump nazi will now appoint his own goddamned stooge.  To do his bidding.  Rubber stamp egregious conflicts of interest.  The American Way.  A fascist police-state.  Soon to be the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.

"The agency reports that during the six months between October 2008 and March 2009, as the Obama presidency was taking shape, it got 733 public contacts, such as calls, letters and emails. During the October 2016 to March 2017 period in the Trump era, it was swamped with 39,105 contacts — an increase of 5,235 percent."

How about that?  Stunning, isn't it?  Frightening, as well.

"Shaub also has been vocal about the limitations on the ethics office's power, and the failure of House Republicans to follow up on ethics issues. For example, when he was in the midst of his fight with the White House over ethics waiver disclosures, he told NPR that then-House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, a Utah Republican, has "authority to investigate these things and compel responses, so hopefully we'll see some action from him."  In contrast, OGE "has no investigative authority, so we're limited as to what we can do if these waivers are not being released publicly," he said."

Our formerly great country has clearly lost itself.  By design.

7-14-17

Plot thickens.  Exponentially.  Appears Trump's son, Donald, Jr. was open to collusion with the Russians.  Does that mean he colluded?  Up to Special Counsel to decide.  Consider the following.  The Washington Post reports:

"Donald Trump Jr. agreed to take a meeting during the 2016 presidential campaign with a woman he was told was a “Russian government attorney” who could provide damaging information about Hillary Clinton as part of “Russia and its government’s support” for his father’s presidential campaign, according to emails tweeted by the president’s son on Tuesday."

Readers are reminded the Russians are not allies.  Have interfered in the election process according to the U.S. intelligence community.

"President Trump’s eldest son tweeted the entire exchange that led to the controversial meeting early Tuesday amid a swirl of controversy about the June 2016 encounter.  The email exchange showed clearly that Trump Jr. understood he was taking the meeting as a way of channeling information directly from the government of a nation hostile to the United States to his father’s campaign. It is the most concrete public evidence to date suggesting that top Trump campaign aides were eager for Russia’s assistance in the campaign.  U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin directed a campaign to assist Trump, including the release of hacked emails stolen from Democratic officials."

Had it been the other way around, that is, had the Russians done this to Trump, think Republicans wouldn't have been rightfully screaming bloody murder?

CBS News reports:

"Donald Trump Jr. on Twitter Tuesday released a series of emails confirming he was told the arranging of a meeting with a Kremlin-connected lawyer was a part of the Russian government's support for his father.  The eldest Trump son's release confirms not only attempts to set up such a meeting that could reveal damaging information about Hillary Clinton, but also that he was told any such efforts were because of the Russian government's support of Mr. Trump. The New York Times reported Monday night that the man who set up a meeting last year for a Russian lawyer to give the Trump son potentially damaging material about Hillary Clinton indicated to him that the Russian government was the source of the information."

What makes all this more disturbing is the fact Trump and his henchmen have continually denied election-related contacts with the Russians until forced to admit otherwise when confronted by the facts.

NBC News reports:

"Donald Trump Jr. met with a Russian lawyer he believed had damaging information about Hillary Clinton in the midst of the 2016 election - and wrote "I love it" about the prospect of getting his hands on the material, according to emails tweeted Tuesday by the president’s eldest son.  The email exchange shows an acquaintance with ties to Russia, music publicist Rob Goldstone, telling the son of then-candidate Donald Trump last year that the attorney has “information that would incriminate Hillary and her dealings with Russia and would be very useful to your father.”  “If it’s what you say I love it especially later in the summer,” Trump Jr. responded."

At the very least, and to be kind, Trump, Jr. seems to be placing partisanship ahead of country.  Had it been the other way around, Republicans would have labeled Hillary a traitor, accused her of treason.

CNN reports:

"An email sent to Donald Trump Jr. last year stated that a Russian lawyer had "compromising" information about Hillary Clinton as "part of a Russian government effort" to help the Trump campaign, The New York Times reported Monday.  Citing three people with knowledge of the email, the Times reported that Rob Goldstone, who connected Trump Jr. with the Russian lawyer, sent the email to Trump Jr. pointing to the Russian government as a source of potential information that could damage Clinton.  The story that Trump Jr. was offered potential information from the Russian government to aide his father's campaign came after months of staunch denials from President Donald Trump that his campaign had a connection to Russia."

At the very least, Trump and his henchmen are liars.  Truth remains a moving target as the de facto fascist police-state we already live in transforms to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich.  Be interesting to see what comes of two pending investigations conducted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller and Congress.  While the Congressional  investigation can indeed throw light on what went down and how, it is the criminal investigation conducted by Mueller that will determine the fate of the Trump regime.

The following is the take of The Washington Post on whether or not a criminal line may have been crossed:

"The New York Times reported — and Donald Trump Jr. appeared to confirm — that he agreed to a meeting with a Russian lawyer who had damaging information on Hillary Clinton after getting an email that the Russian government was trying to help his father win the election.  “It's as close as you can get to a smoking gun” of whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia, said Jeffrey Jacobovitz, a white-collar lawyer who represented officials in the Clinton White House and now is with Arnall Golden Gregory. And it could mean Trump Jr. crossed the legal line on collusion with Russia.  First, a reframing of the way we think of collusion. Collusion actually is a political term; there's no line in the criminal code that says you go to jail for colluding with a foreign adversary.  But you can go to jail for conspiring with a foreign adversary to influence or undermine an election, and Jacobovitz thinks what Trump Jr. did, as documented by emails he himself shared on Twitter, could rise to that level."

We'll see.  Up to Mueller and a grand jury.  ... Assuming, of course, the system of justice has any integrity left.

7-14-17

The GOP has an egregious, ongoing, pending problem with Trumpcare.  Think not?  Wake up.  CBS News reports:

"A bill focused on buttressing the nation's insurance marketplaces will be needed if the full-fledged Republican effort to repeal much of President Barack Obama's health care law fails, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday. It was one of his most explicit acknowledgments that his party's top-priority drive to erase much of Obama's landmark 2010 statutes might fall short."

Amazing, isn't it?  Despite all hype, bullshit, phony assertions.  Coming up short.  Imagine that.  Who'd 'a 'thunk' it?

"The remarks by McConnell, R-Ky., also implicitly meant that to show progress on health care, Republicans controlling the White House and Congress might have to negotiate with Democrats. While the current, wide-ranging GOP health care bill — which McConnell is still hoping to push through the Senate — has procedural protections against a Democratic Senate filibuster, a subsequent, narrower measure would not and would take 60 votes to pass."

So far, Trumpcare delivers no traction to anyone in the GOP.  Moreover?  Obamacare, clearly failing.  Bottom line, disastrous.   Unresolved, Republicans will not be returned to office.

Political reality biting hard:

"If my side is unable to agree on an adequate replacement, then some kind of action with regard to the private health insurance market must occur," McConnell said at a Rotary Club lunch in this deep-red rural area in southern Kentucky. He made the comment after being asked if he envisioned needing bipartisan cooperation to replace Obama's law.   "No action is not an alternative," McConnell said. "We've got the insurance markets imploding all over the country, including in this state."

Precisely, why a single payer system is desperately required.  The insurance cartel has strangled the golden goose.  The hopelessly greedy insurance middle man is unsustainable.  Nor is unbridled provider avarice.  Equally pointed?  Repeating the very same behavior, yet expecting a different result, is the very definition of insanity:

"Even as Republicans have struggled to write legislation they can pass, some have acknowledged that if they encountered problems, a smaller bill with quicker help for insurers and consumers might be needed. They've said it could include provisions continuing federal payments to insurers that help them contain costs for lower-earning customers, and some inducements to keep healthy people buying policies — a step that helps curb premiums."

Unsustainable.  No more than a Band-Aid on an arterial wound.  Abject failure of a profoundly flawed Ayn Rand Atlas Shrugged mentality even the late author reportedly rejected, fully understanding its flaws before her death.  Worse?  Most Republican national socialists have no ability, no willingness to be confused by the truth.  Some Republicans, however, are beginning to wake up and smell the coffee:

"Further qualms were voiced by Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan.  "There are people who tell me they are better off" under Obama's law, "and I believe them," Moran said at a town hall meeting Thursday in Palco, Kansas. Moran, who'd said he could not support the current version of the bill, said health care is "almost impossible to solve" with the slim GOP majority in the Senate."

Not saying much, if anything.  Single payer will likely ultimately prevail at some point in the future.  Only other solution?  Unthinkable.  Socialized medicine.  Despite massive failure of communism throughout the world, the one bright spot is Cuban socialized medicine.

7-14-17

Trump and his henchmen continue to be sued.  NPR reports:

"Attorneys general from Massachusetts, New York and 16 other states filed suit against Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and her department Thursday, accusing DeVos of breaking federal law and giving free rein to for-profit colleges by rescinding the Borrower Defense Rule."

Forget?  Trump and his henchmen, just like the Abbott and Paxton nazis, couldn't care less about consumer protection.

"The filing by 18 states and Washington, D.C., asks a U.S. District Court to declare the Education Department's delay of the rule unlawful and to order the agency to implement it. The states say they have pursued "numerous costly and time-intensive investigations and enforcement actions against proprietary and for-profit schools" that violated consumer protection laws."

Way to go.  Sue the living shit out of the nazis.

"The Borrower Defense Rule was adopted by the Obama administration last November and had been set to take effect this month. It was created to make it "simpler for students at colleges found to be fraudulent to get their loans forgiven," as NPR's Ed team has reported."

Can't have that, can we?  Corrupt and abusive business comes first, forget?  Criminals in business need to be protected and coddled, don't they?  The American Way, right?

7-14-17

Think legislators care about what's in the best interest of the public they clearly don't serve?  Besides lining their pockets, being returned to office, here is what matters to them.  CBS News reports:

"The Speaker's lobby, a room adjacent to the front of the House chamber, is a go-to location for reporters wanting to grab lawmakers for brief interviews, and there are allegedly rules about what you can wear inside. Even as denizens of Capitol Hill wipe away sweat from Washington, D.C.'s swamp-like weather outside, men are expected to wear suit jackets and ties in the House chamber and Speaker's lobby. Women, on the other hand, have been told they're not allowed to wear sleeveless blouses or dresses, sneakers or open-toed shoes. "

Gets worse:

"On the day the House voted in early May to pass the Republican health care bill, Haley Byrd, a congressional reporter for Independent Journal Review (IJR), said she was kicked out of the Speaker's lobby because she was wearing a sleeveless dress.  "When I was kicked out that day, I was just trying to pass through the area to reach another hallway, but I was told I was violating the rules. They offered to find a sweater for me to put on, so it wasn't some tyrannical end of free press, but I opted to just go around instead. But recently they've been cracking down on the code, like with open-toed shoes," she said, adding that sometimes she walks fast and those on patrol don't notice.   "I suspect the rules are being emphasized now that it's summertime and excruciatingly hot outside and everyone is dressing for the weather."  Men have been offered what one former reporter, Jacob Fischler, has dubbed "ties of shame," exhibited below, if they left theirs at home."

The country is coming apart at the seams, -- and this, the shit these clueless turds concern themselves with?

7-14-17

As the nation continues to nazify, so does the death penalty.  ABC News reports:

"A Virginia man who killed a hospital security guard and a sheriff's deputy after escaping from custody in 2006 was executed after an unsuccessful campaign to spare the inmate's life over concerns about his mental health."

The inmate was executed despite severe mental illness.

"William Morva, 35, was pronounced dead at 9:15 p.m. Thursday after a lethal injection at the Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt. It was the first execution carried out in Virginia under a new protocol that makes more of the lethal injection procedure secret."

Why any secrecy?  If this process is not completely open, above board, raises the question what are they hiding and why?

"Morva's execution came hours after Virginia's Democratic governor announced that he would not spare Morva's life despite pressure from mental health advocates, state lawmakers and attorneys who said the man's crimes were the result of a severe mental illness that made it impossible for him to distinguish between delusions and reality."

The Governor gutlessly did what was clearly politically expedient:

"In denying a clemency petition, Gov. Terry McAuliffe concluded Morva received a fair trial. The Democratic governor noted that experts who evaluated the man at the time found he didn't suffer from any illness that would have prevented him from understanding the consequences of his crimes. He also said prison staff members who monitored Morva for the past nine years never reported any evidence of a severe mental illness or delusional disorder."

The Governor refused to be confused with the truth.  Doesn't jive with the assessment of a psychiatrist who examined him subsequent to trial.  A psychotic man was shamelessly executed.  For the sake of political expediency.

"I personally oppose the death penalty; however, I took an oath to uphold the laws of this Commonwealth regardless of my personal views of those laws, as long as they are being fairly and justly applied," McAuliffe said in a statement."

That would indeed be true if the law was justly, fairly applied.  It's not.  Questions certainly remain in this case.  Not only that, why aren't police who murder on the job not subject to the very same punishment?  Why don't statutes provide equal treatment under the law?

7-14-17

Another indication of the Trump nazi's raw misogyny.  CBS News reports:

"The median salary for a female White House staffer is $72,650 while the median salary for a male staffer is $115,000, according to the 2017 Report to Congress on White House Office Personnel, which lists the title and salary of every Executive Office employee and has been mandatory since 1995.  That means there's a 37 percent gender pay gap that favors men in President Trump's White House-- a disparity that is over triple what it was in the Obama White House (11 percent), according to a report from the American Enterprise Institute. With this in mind, a woman working for Mr. Trump earns 63.2 cents per every $1 earned by her male co-worker."

Acceptable to you Republican national socialists here in Nazi Llano County?

7-14-17

At least one Democrat is figuratively striking back hard rhetorically against the Trump nazi.  Fox News reports:

"President Trump tweeted Friday morning that "everyone" at the G-20 summit was talking about Democrats' refusal to cooperate with the U.S. probe of Russian election meddling -- prompting the target of the Twitter tear to blast the president as a "whack job."

Trump tweeted ahead of his arrival in Hamburg, Germany: "Everyone here is talking about why John Podesta refused to give the DNC server to the FBI and the CIA. Disgraceful!"

    Everyone here is talking about why John Podesta refused to give the DNC server to the FBI and the CIA. Disgraceful!
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 7, 2017"

Podesta, comically, would have none of it:

"Podesta responded angrily to Trump, calling the president names and imploring him to focus on the G-20 summit.  "On a x-country road trip with my wife," Podesta wrote in the first of seven tweets. "Pulled in for a pit stop in E. Fairmont W. Va. to see that our whack job POTUS @realDonaldTrump is tweeting about me at the G20. Get a grip man, the Russians committed a crime when they stole my emails to help get you elected President. Maybe you might try to find a way to mention that to President Putin."

    "3/ Get a grip man, the Russians committed a crime when they stole my emails to help get you elected President.
    — John Podesta (@johnpodesta) July 7, 2017

"He added: "BTW, I had nothing to do with the DNC. God only knows what you'll be raving about on twitter by the time we get to Utah. Dude, get your head in the game. You’re representing the US at the G20."

Think so?  LOL.

Here is some more from an editorial by John Podesta courtesy of The Washington Post:

"First, I had nothing to do with the Democratic National Committee - I chaired Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. So there was no DNC server for me to refuse to give and I was never asked for one. Second, the CIA has no role in domestic intelligence-gathering - in fact, it’s prohibited. The CIA would never ask anyone at the DNC for a server. Whether the FBI asked the DNC for access to a server, I don’t know, beyond what I’ve read.

"What I do know is this, which is why I’m choosing to respond to Trump’s tweet: The Russians stole my emails. When they did that, they committed a crime. They also invaded my privacy, and the privacy of a multitude of friends, family and colleagues with whom I communicated. That, combined with vicious lies spread by the alt-right media such as the so-called Comet Ping Pong conspiracy, exposed them to potential harm, as was evidenced by the shooting at Comet. The crime the Russians committed, as the intelligence community has concluded, was for the purpose of helping Trump get elected president.

"So the responsible thing for a U.S. president to do, in these circumstances, is to have the backbone to stand up against Russian interference in U.S. democracy - not to question, as Trump did on Thursday, the competence of our own intelligence community and to publicly doubt, once again, the conclusion that Russia was behind the hacking. Trump talks big on Twitter, but when he came face to face with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, we heard him say what an honor it was to meet him. It has been reported that Trump asked Putin about the election hacking, giving Putin the chance to issue an obligatory denial, despite all the evidence gathered by the U.S. intelligence community. One can only hope that Trump made clear to Putin that the United States won’t tolerate continued Russian interference in elections, as we’ve seen in the United States, France and now in Germany and across Europe. (This is one conversation that it would be nice to have a tape of.)

"As president, Trump is supposed to be doing his job representing the United States in a respectable fashion to make sure we maintain and enhance our standing around the world. Instead, he has his face glued to his phone. It’s really sad that the U.S. president can’t get his head in the game even at the G-20 summit of world leaders."

Once again, Trump disgraced himself and the United States.

7-14-17

The lies continue at the G-20.  CBS News reports:

"Russian President Vladimir Putin denied any role in hacking the 2016 election when President Trump broached the subject at the beginning of their first meeting since Mr. Trump took office at the G-20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, Friday, and the two moved on despite the "intractable" differences between the two countries, according to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.   "He pressed him, and then felt like at this point, let's talk about how do we go forward," Tillerson said as he briefed reporters after the more than two-hour meeting."

Conversely:

"That isn't the account Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov gave reporters at a separate news conference. According to Lavrov, Mr. Trump accepted Putin's assertion that Russians did not meddle in the election. Lavrov claimed Mr. Trump said, "some circles continue to pump up the topic of Russian interference in the American elections though they can't prove it."

Somebody's lying. No question.  Who do you trust?  Forget?  Both men are congenital liars.  Dictators.

7-14-17

More fallout from the Trump nazi's failed G-20.  CBS/AP reports:

"President Trump appears to be backing away from the idea of working with Russia to create a "cyber security unit" to guard against election hacking.  Mr. Trump tweeted Sunday morning about discussing such a unit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.  Yet, it's Russia that U.S. intelligence officials blame for meddling in last year's election."

Further evidence Trump has indeed lost his mind.  Sen. Graham certainly didn't buy the bullshit:

"Widespread ridicule greeted Mr. Trump's tweet. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina called  it "pretty close" to the dumbest idea he's ever heard."

Democrats weren't any more pleased:

"A Democratic congressman, Adam Schiff of California, says expecting Russia to be a credible partner in any cybersecurity initiative "would be dangerously naive." Schiff is the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. "If that's our best election defense, we might as well just mail our ballot boxes to Moscow," he said."

Flak came in from all sides, prompting the Trump nazi to think better of it:

"By Sunday evening, Mr. Trump was tweeting a different tune. He wrote that just because he and Putin discussed the idea "doesn't mean I think it can happen. It can't."

Trump's an idiot.  An embarrassment.  As a nazi, presents an exigent threat to all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.

"Another Senate Republican, Marco Rubio of Florida, said on Twitter that "partnering with Putin on a 'Cyber Security Unit' is akin to partnering with Assad on a 'Chemical Weapons Unit.' Rubio was referring to Syrian President Bashar Assad and his regime's use of chemical weapons against its own citizens."

Indeed.

"Senator John McCain, R-Arizona, said Sunday on the CBS New broadcast "Face the Nation" that Putin "got away with" trying to change the result of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and that there's been "no penalty" for those attempts."

Had it been a Republican presidential candidate targeted by the Russians, GOP partisans would have been screaming bloody murder.  Trump, now, simply wants to move on.  Forgive and forget.

7-14-17

Ordinarily, would be of no interest whether or not Ivanka Trump sat in for her father at the G-20.  Who truly cares?  Any other president would have ignored criticism directed at his daughter filling in for him.  Not so, the Trump nazi.  Couldn't leave well enough alone.  LOL.  Fox News reports:

"When I left Conference Room for short meetings with Japan and other countries, I asked Ivanka to hold seat. Very standard. Angela M agrees!
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 10, 2017

"If Chelsea Clinton were asked to hold the seat for her mother,as her mother gave our country away, the Fake News would say CHELSEA FOR PRES!
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 10, 2017"

The above tweets are of no real significance other than for the fact Chelsea came out swinging. Hard.  LOL.  Get this:

"Good morning Mr. President. It would never have occurred to my mother or my father to ask me. Were you giving our country away? Hoping not. https://t.co/4ODjWZUp0c
    — Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) July 10, 2017"

Ouch.  Joking aside, hope it's not a portend of yet another Clinton getting into politics.  -- Two of them were certainly more than enough.  LOL.  Have to admire the moxie of the daughter, however, for not taking any crap from the president.  Certainly, no wall flower.  Good for her.  ... Just spare us another Clinton in office.  Please.  LOL.

7-14-17

Yet, another court blow to the Trump nazi and his henchmen.  The Washington Times reports:

"A federal judge late Tuesday halted the deportation of hundreds of illegal immigrants from Iraq, dealing at least a tentative blow to the Trump administration in a case that could signal even greater judicial intrusion into immigration policy.  In a case resounding with major implications for big separation of powers questions, District Judge Mark A. Goldsmith said federal courts have the power to step in and be a final appeal in immigration cases, even though Congress had tried to limit their powers and give the executive branch full control of deportations."

Be interesting to see how this is finally resolved.

"Judge Goldsmith, an Obama appointee to the bench, overruled Congress and said he had to step in to save the Iraqis from immediate deportation, saying otherwise they risked “death, torture or other grave persecution” back home.  “Under the law, the federal district courts are generally the ‘first responders’ when rights guaranteed by the Constitution require protection,” the judge wrote. “In fulfillment of that mission, this Court concludes that it has jurisdiction in this case to preserve the fundamental right of habeas corpus and the duty to do so.”

7-14-17

Yet another rubber stamp by the Sessions nazi and his Department of 'Justice.'  Texas Standard reports:

"The U.S. Justice Department says the Texas Voter ID law is good to go after state lawmakers made changes to it during the recent legislative session.  In a brief filed Thursday, the DOJ said an ongoing legal challenge to the controversial law should end."

The hell it should.  No more than a rubber stamp by DOJ of Republican nazism imposed by Texas GOP fascists.  To ensure only Republican partisans get to vote unhindered.

“That’s a big change from the Obama administration’s Justice Department, which argued the original law was discriminatory. The 5th Circuit Court agreed and sent the matter back to a lower court to determine if that discrimination was intentional. The court also ordered changes to the law ahead of last November’s election. The new version of the law adopts those changes, mainly allowing people without one of the accepted forms of photo ID to use other means to prove who they are. As far as the current Justice Department is concerned, that’s good enough. But the court will have the final say.”

Not the end of the matter, however.  NBC News reports:

"Texas had the toughest voter ID law in the nation when U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos, who declared it discriminatory, struck it down ahead of the 2016 election. She later ruled that it was discriminatory in intent."

No question about that.  The strategy of GOP nazis is to do all they can to deny non-Republicans the right to vote.

"The state, which has more than a half-million registered voters without the required identification, hurried a new bill through the Legislature, arguing in June in front of the judge that they had fixed the previous law's problems. Voting rights advocates asked to have the law, which they say is rooted in the framework of the original bill, thrown out. They also called on the judge to subject any new election laws to federal pre-clearance, the mechanism that states with histories of discrimination had been subject to before the Supreme Court's 2013 ruling on the Voting Rights Act."

This is precisely what the Trump nazi and his stooge, the Sessions nazi are desperately fighting against.  That is, they want carte blanche to do as they please.

"The suit, which is continuing, is one of 15 major lawsuits pending in 11 states, according to the Brennan Center. Opponents of additional voting requirements say that in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision — which gutted much of the federal government's ability to enforce the Voting Rights Act — there has been a frenzy of election changes and proposed legislation, forcing them to fight more suits in court than ever before, which can be costly and a drain on manpower."

Again, this is precisely the strategy of Republican national socialists.  Abrogate the vote of non-Republicans.  A direct assault on the fabric of our supposed democratic republic.

"We've just seen local jurisdictions and the states enacting regulations and legislation that would not have survived under the Voting Rights Act," said Julie Houk, a lawyer for the Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights Under Law monitoring Georgia's elections, citing a recent proposal to shutter 17 polling places.  "It's become very sophisticated. It's just a matter of whether courts are going to let jurisdictions get away with it," she added."

So far, treasonous, traitorous, treacherous Republican nazis are winning this battle.  Precisely, why the rumble grows louder.  An unwanted dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming.

7-14-17

Amazing how political winds ebb and flow.  Quite a bit of change since Trump took office.  Not all of it good for Republicans.  The Washington Post reports:

"Senate Republicans began this year thinking that they had leverage over some Democrats, particularly the 10 up for reelection next year in states that President Trump won in the fall.  Those Democrats, some GOP strategists believed, would want to work with the president to appeal to enough Trump voters to win their states in November 2018.  That didn’t happen. Instead, Trump’s standing has slipped in many of these states. The president has faced legislative gridlock and a deepening investigation of his campaign’s connections to Russia. His focus, in public appearances and on social media, has regularly drifted away from the policy agenda on Capitol Hill."

Certainly, didn't look good for Democrats, initially.  That changed, as Trump began to disintegrate.  Saddest of all?  Neither major political party is worth a crap.  Third parties to date aren't viable.  The public needs to wake up.  The status quo remains unsustainable.  No easy answers with the country as divided as it remains.  Trump seems to be losing ground.  Should that continue, change might finally be possible.  If not, hear the rumble?

7-14-17

Once again, the Abbott nazi intends to force his perverse religious and ideological views on all.  Texas Standard reports:

"Among the 20 items Gov. Greg Abbott has asked legislators to tackle during the upcoming special session is a push to block all taxpayer funds from being sent to abortion providers.  Right now, both federal and state policies prohibit the use of taxpayer money for abortions, but anti-abortion activists want lawmakers to go further.  “The Hyde Amendment is not adequate,” says Joe Pojman, executive director for Texas Alliance for Life, referring to a law Congress passed in the 1970s that prohibits federal taxpayer dollars for paying for abortions."

Who the hell are these goddamned Republican nazis to force their outrageously perverse religious and ideological views on all?  Direct violation of the First Amendment Establishment Clause, church-state separation, that is, freedom from religion.

7-14-17

Oregon is stepping up.  Doing the right thing.  The Washington Times reports:

"Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said Thursday that she plans to sign a sweeping, unprecedented bill requiring insurers to provide free abortions for their customers, including illegal immigrants.  “The ability to control our bodies and make informed decisions about health are critical to providing all Oregonians the opportunity to achieve our full potential and live productive, thriving lives,” the Democratic chief executive said in an email. “Attempts to deny access to contraceptives and family planning are an attack on all Oregonians, particularly women of color, low-income and young women.”  The $10.2 million bill, which cleared the state House and Senate with no Republican votes, also comes as a badly needed boost for Planned Parenthood’s Oregon affiliate, which helped write the measure and pushed for its passage as it struggles to keep its doors open."

Excellent news.  At least in Oregon, the First Amendment Establishment Clause, church-state separation, that is, freedom from religion, remains alive and well.  Not so, in Nazi Texas.

7-7-17

Sound like a White House in disarray?  CNN reports:

"Hours after telling reporters they would be allowed to cover President Donald Trump's first re-election fundraiser in Washington on Wednesday, the White House abruptly switched course, closing the event to media in a break from past precedent.  "Unfortunately there was some confusion with the (Republican National Committee) and due to the logistical challenges bringing in the press at this late moment is not going to be possible," said deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders in an email to reporters covering the White House."

Gets worse?  Think not?  Wake up:

"Originally the event was listed on Trump's schedule as closed press. After being pressed by reporters to allow media coverage of the President's remarks, Sanders announced the event would be open to the White House press pool, a small group of reporters who share information with the larger White House press corps.  But two hours later, the event was closed again. The White House did not provide an explanation of the logistical challenges in accommodating the media."

Think the 'President isn't desperately trying to cover his ass?  Wake up:

"Trump was set to deliver remarks at a high-dollar event held at the hotel he owns in Washington. An invitation to the event showed tickets started at $35,000 per person, with a $100,000 price tag to sit on the host committee.  It's the first event Trump has held to raise funds for his re-election effort. It comes two and a half years earlier than Presidents Obama and George W. Bush held their first money events for their re-election efforts."

Carefully, re-read the last quote.  First, does this sound like a man fit to be president?  -- This nazi isn't even six months into his first term.  Second, it's clear indication Trump is using high office to line his pockets.  Not talking about campaign fundraising, but the money his hotel raked in as a result of the fundraiser.

Regarding this, ABC News reports:

"Trump's decision to hold a fundraiser at his own hotel has raised issues about his continued financial interest in the companies he owns.  Unlike previous presidents who have divested from their business holdings or interests before taking office, Trump moved his global business empire assets into a trust that he can take control of at any time. That means that when his properties — including his Washington hotel — do well, he stands to make money."

True, but more complicated than that:

"Trump technically leases the hotel from the General Services Administration, and profits are supposed to go to an account of the corporate entity that holds the lease, Trump Old Post Office LLC. It remains unclear what might happen to any profits from the hotel after Trump leaves office, or whether they will be transferred to Trump at that time.  Under campaign finance rules, neither the hotel nor the Trump Organization that operates it can donate the space for political fundraisers. It must be rented at fair-market value and paid for by the Trump campaign, the RNC or both."

7-7-17

The Trump nazi once again demonstrated his egregious unfitness for office.  NPR reports:

"President Trump unleashed one of the most vitriolic insults of his presidency Thursday morning, saying MSNBC Morning Joe host Mika Brzezinski was "bleeding badly from a face-lift" while at his Palm Beach resort for New Year's Eve. He also described her as "low I.Q. Crazy Mika."

"The president sent a pair of Tweets aimed at Brzezinski and co-host "Psycho Joe" Scarborough, apparently in response to Thursday morning's episode (though he tweeted that he no longer watches the show).

    "I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don't watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came..
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017

    "...to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year's Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no!
    — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2017"

Think this appropriate behavior from a sitting United States president?  Think this man sane enough to have his finger on the nuclear button?  Trust this lunatic as commander-in-chief?

Reaction from fellow Republicans was immediate and ferocious.  CBS News reports:

"Mr. President, your tweet was beneath the office and represents what is wrong with American politics, not the greatness of America.
    — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) June 29, 2017"

"Please just stop. This isn't normal and it's beneath the dignity of your office.
    — Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 29, 2017"

From NPR:

"This has to stop – we all have a job – 3 branches of gov’t and media. We don’t have to get along, but we must show respect and civility.
    — Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) June 29, 2017"

"This is not okay. As a female in politics I am often criticized for my looks. We should be working to empower women. https://t.co/sV6WDE0EUD
    — Lynn Jenkins (@RepLynnJenkins) June 29, 2017"

Think the Trump nazi isn't losing support from Republicans?

In response to the furor, Trump's inner circle remains achingly clueless.  ABC News reports:

"The White House is defending Trump's tweets. Deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told Fox News that the president has been subject to "outrageous" personal attacks on "Morning Joe."  "This is a president who fights fire with fire and certainly will not be allowed to be bullied by the liberal media and the liberal elites within the media or in Hollywood or anywhere else," she said."

Wake up, Ms. Sanders.  This man is a lunatic unfit for office.  Yet, you continue to defend him?  What does that make you?

Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough quickly responded to the Trump nazi's tweets in an op-ed in The Washington Post:

"President Trump launched personal attacks against us Thursday, but our concerns about his unmoored behavior go far beyond the personal. America’s leaders and allies are asking themselves yet again whether this man is fit to be president. We have our doubts, but we are both certain that the man is not mentally equipped to continue watching our show, “Morning Joe.”

Indeed.  The lack of stability demonstrated by the Trump nazi remains truly frightening.

"The president’s unhealthy obsession with our show has been in the public record for months, and we are seldom surprised by his posting nasty tweets about us. During the campaign, the Republican nominee called Mika “neurotic” and promised to attack us personally after the campaign ended. This year, top White House staff members warned that the National Enquirer was planning to publish a negative article about us unless we begged the president to have the story spiked. We ignored their desperate pleas."

If true, more fodder for Mueller and staff.

"The president’s unhealthy obsession with “Morning Joe” does not serve the best interests of either his mental state or the country he runs. Despite his constant claims that he no longer watches the show, the president’s closest advisers tell us otherwise. That is unfortunate. We believe it would be better for America and the rest of the world if he would keep his 60-inch-plus flat-screen TV tuned to “Fox & Friends.”

Ouch.  LOL.  How is it Trump has time to concern himself with what's being said about him on the boob tube?  Why would he even care?  Doesn't he have a country to run?

"Mr. Trump claims that we asked to join him at Mar-a-Lago three nights in a row. That is false. He also claimed that he refused to see us. That is laughable.  The president-elect invited us both to dinner on Dec. 30. Joe attended because Mika did not want to go. After listening to the president-elect talk about his foreign policy plans, Joe was asked by a disappointed Mr. Trump the next day if Mika could also visit Mar-a-Lago that night. She reluctantly agreed to go. After we arrived, the president-elect pulled us into his family’s living quarters with his wife, Melania, where we had a pleasant conversation. We politely declined his repeated invitations to attend a New Year’s Eve party, and we were back in our car within 15 minutes."

Somebody's lying.  Guess who?

"More significant is Mr. Trump’s continued mistreatment of women. It is disturbing that the president of the United States keeps up his unrelenting assault on women. From his menstruation musings about Megyn Kelly, to his fat-shaming treatment of a former Miss Universe, to his braggadocio claims about grabbing women’s genitalia, the 45th president is setting the poorest of standards for our children. We were heartened to hear a number of Republican lawmakers call out Mr. Trump for his offensive words and can only hope that the women who are closest to him will follow their examples. It would be the height of hypocrisy to claim the mantle of women’s empowerment while allowing a family member to continue such abusive conduct."

This is the president of the United States.  Making a jackass of himself.  Doing so repeatedly.  Can't stand the heat?  Get out of the kitchen.

"We have known Mr. Trump for more than a decade and have some fond memories of our relationship together. But that hasn’t stopped us from criticizing his abhorrent behavior or worrying about his fitness. During the height of the 2016 presidential campaign, Joe often listened to Trump staff members complain about their boss’s erratic behavior, including a top campaign official who was as close to the Republican candidate as anyone."

If true, should have immediately spoken out.  Done the country a public service.

"We, too, have noticed a change in his behavior over the past few years. Perhaps that is why we were neither shocked nor insulted by the president’s personal attack. The Donald Trump we knew before the campaign was a flawed character but one who still seemed capable of keeping his worst instincts in check."

Been apparent since the campaign started Trump was, and is, unfit for office.

The following is the take of CBS News:

"TV news hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski on Friday responded to President Trump's crude Twitter attack on Brzezinski a day earlier that drew bipartisan howls of outrage and left fellow Republicans beseeching him: Stop, please just stop.  "We don't even know how to respond to this as a country. We don't know how to deal with this guy and we have friends inside the White House that have told us over the past month they're getting more concerned about his emotional state and also more concerned at the same time about what's happening across the world," Scarborough said on their MSNBC show, "Morning Joe."

This is extremely dangerous for the country.  The Trump nazi does not appear stable.

"Brzezinski added, "It's amazing how many lies he packed into two tweets." She then recounted their visit to Mar-a-Lago where she said she noticed facelifts everywhere.  "Talk about facelifts...whoa, Palm Beach," she said. Speaking of my face, while we're there, I had my chin tweaked -- the skin under my chin...I'm pretty transparent about what I do and I think it looks awesome."

Trump has not signed into law any bills of significance since taking office.  ... Unlike all his recent predecessors.  His regime, clearly faltering.

"Mr. Trump's tweets, aimed at Brzezinski and Scarborough, her "Morning Joe" co-host and fiancé, revived concerns about his views of women in a city where civility already is in short supply and he is struggling for any support he can get for his proposals on health care, immigration and other controversial issues."

That's true.  Only a matter of time before he loses support of his fellow Republicans.  After all, prime mover in political life remains forever the same.  Winning elections, staying in office.

The following is the take of The Washington Post:

"The morning after being viciously attacked by President Trump on Twitter, MSNBC co-host Mika Brzezinski said she wasn’t exactly reeling as a result of the president’s vulgar and deeply personal social-media assault.  But on “Morning Joe” on Friday, Brzezinski said she is worried about what Trump’s tweets seem to reveal about him.  “I’m fine,” she said. “My family brought me up really tough. This is absolutely nothing for me personally. But I am very concerned about what this once again reveals about the president of the United States. It’s strange.”  She added, “It does worry me about the country.”

All this was quite evident well before the election.  Yet, he won the election, albeit possibly with the help of his Russian friends.  What does this say about the clueless idiots who voted for him?  More to the point, what does it say about those who continue to support this abomination?

"Brzezinski and Scarborough also levied a serious charge, both in their op-ed and on MSNBC on Friday: that the White House threatened a negative tabloid story about them unless they asked Trump — who is friendly with the National Enquirer’s publisher, David Pecker — to have the story killed.  “This year, top White House staff members warned that the National Enquirer was planning to publish a negative article about us unless we begged the president to have the story spiked,” they wrote. “We ignored their desperate pleas.”  “That’s blackmail,” said “Morning Joe” team member Donnie Deutsch."

Somebody's lying.  Guess who?

Here is where it gets interesting:

"In a statement Friday, the chief content officer at American Media, which publishes the National Enquirer, said the company had “accurately reported a story that recounted the relationship between Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, the truth of which is not in dispute.”  But Dylan Howard, an American Media vice president, said, “We have no knowledge of any discussions between the White House and Joe and Mika about our story, and absolutely no involvement in those discussions.”  Trump took to Twitter on Friday morning and called the claim “FAKE NEWS” — prompting Scarborough to accuse the president of “yet another lie.”

The Trump nazi appears to be a congenital liar.  Does not bode well for the country.

Trump certainly doesn't know when to leave well enough alone.  Continued his Twitter rants on Saturday, 7-1-17.  ABC News reports:

"President Donald Trump escalated an intensely personal feud with two high-profile talk show hosts Saturday, suggesting without evidence that their network is biased against him."

Abject bullshit.  No truth to the phony claim.

"The president's stream of insults has pained politicians from both parties who have appealed to him, without apparent success, to stop the 140-character bursts of character attacks and focus on running the country."

The 'President' continues to figuratively, stupidly shoot himself in the ass.  Displays egregious instability with each insane tweet.

"Trump lashed out at Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, co-hosts of MSNBC's "Morning Joe," on Twitter on Saturday. From his New Jersey golf club, he said: "Crazy Joe Scarborough and dumb as a rock Mika are not bad people, but their low rated show is dominated by their NBC bosses."

Where is his evidence?  The claim is phony.

"Trump also said that Greta Van Susteren lost her nightly show on MSNBC because she "refused to go along w/ 'Trump hate!'" MSNBC confirmed this week that Van Susteren, previously a longtime anchor at Fox News, was being replaced."

Where is your evidence, Mr. 'President?'

"NBC declined comment on all the tweets Saturday from the president. "Morning Joe" just finished the highest-rated quarter in the show's history. MSNBC never officially gave a reason for replacing Van Susteren's show; it did, however, lag in the ratings compared with the network's other shows."

That's precisely what drives what's on a network and what isn't.  'It's the money, stupid.'

Here is the take of an icon in the news business courtesy of CNN:

"Journalism legend Carl Bernstein called on the US press Friday to rise to the challenge of the Donald Trump presidency, which he characterized as "malignant."  "We're in foreign territory," Bernstein said, speaking on CNN's "New Day." "We have never been in a malignant presidency like this before. It calls on our leaders, it calls on our journalists to do a different kind of reporting, a different kind of dealing with this presidency and the President."  Bernstein went on to argue that the Trump presidency's deepest problems are becoming an open secret in Washington.  "I think something much greater is happening, and that is that we are in the midst of a malignant presidency," he said. "That malignancy is known to the military leaders of the country. It's known to the Republican leadership in Congress who recognize it, and it's known to the intelligence community."  "That has got our leaders worried," he continued. "They are worried about his character. They are worried about his capabilities. They are worried about his temperament and state of his temperament, to use kind words here."

Trump remains egregiously unfit for office:

"This President is not in control of the presidency in a way that it is functioning, and that has got our leaders worried," Bernstein said.  "We have to ... be kind of medical reporters right now," he added. "I don't mean about the President's psyche, but rather about every aspect of his presidency, and how and whether it is functioning, because many aspects are not functioning."

Incredibly sad:

"Bernstein's comments put the blame for what he said was dysfunction within the Trump administration on the President himself.  The Trump presidency, he said, "is not functioning partly because of his character. It's not functioning partly because of his attacks on the press, which is totally moving the needle that the American people ... are watching. ... But it's really not functioning because the character and capabilities of this President are called into grave question in a way that those who know him best are raising serious concerns about."

Indeed.

The insanity continues unabated.  ABC News reports:

"Donald Trump’s critics were quick to condemn the president on Sunday after he tweeted an edited video that shows him physically attacking a person with the CNN logo superimposed on his head at a WWE match."

Had it been the other way around, think Secret Service agents wouldn't have paid the tweeter a visit?  Wouldn't have considered it terroristic threat against the president?

CNN reports:

"On Sunday morning the president's personal Twitter account, which has 33 million followers, posted a 28-second video of a WWE broadcast. The video was edited to show Trump beating up a man with a CNN logo on his face.  A short time later, the official @POTUS account retweeted Trump's tweet to its 19 million followers. It is one of the president's most-shared, most-retweeted posts ever."

Amazing, isn't it?  Juvenile behavior expected of a 10-year-old, not a 70-year-old president.  Then again, anything goes nowadays, doesn't it?

"In a statement, CNN called it a "sad day when the President of the United States encourages violence against reporters."  The statement brought up the fact that Trump's deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said just a few days ago that "the president in no way form or fashion has ever promoted or encouraged violence. If anything, quite the contrary."

Stop whining.  Do your jobs.  Expose the nazi for precisely whom and what he is.

"Clearly" Sanders "lied," the CNN statement said.  "Instead of preparing for his overseas trip, his first meeting with Vladimir Putin, dealing with North Korea and working on his health care bill, he is involved in juvenile behavior far below the dignity of his office," the statement added. "We will keep doing our jobs. He should start doing his."