Settling the Lawsuit and Paying Off Friends and Family

 A while back an Internal Revenue Service contractor named Charles Littlejohn leaked some of Donald Trump's tax information to the media. Since it was illegal to do something like that Littlejohn was arrested. In 2023 he copped a plea and got five years in a federal lockup. In January of this year, Donald John Trump, once again President of the United States sued the IRS on behalf of himself, Don Jr, Eric, and the Trump Organization in the U.S. District Court for southern Florida. The suit claimed the IRS was responsible for Littlejohn's actions which had damaged all four parties. It sought $10 billion in compensation. What this ultimately meant is the President of the United States was suing the very government he runs, seeking a $10 billion payoff.  It also means the attorneys defending the government against the President are lawyers who work for the Attorney General of the United States--a person who is appointed by the President and serves at his pleasure

Yes, you can say many things about Don Trump, but when it comes to corruption, you will never be able to accuse him of being subtle. The man is unashamedly greedy and he does think big.  

The immediate reaction to the lawsuit ranged from disbelief to outrage, not to mention a heavy doses of cynicism. One of those who have been a tad skeptical about the propriety of a President suing his own government is Federal Judge, Kathleen M. Williams who was assigned the case. She ordered a hearing about the constitutionality of the suit, writing, "Although President Trump avers that he is bringing this lawsuit in his personal capacity, he is the sitting President and his named adversaries are entities whose decisions are subject to his directions." 

Oops. Faced with judge's doubts all of the lawyers working for Donald Trump, on both sides, asked the judge for an extension in order to reach an out of court settlement. Yesterday they announced the details of the deal they had miraculously reached. Donald Trump dropped the $10 billion lawsuit and the $230 million claim for damages due to the Mar-a-Lago classified papers search and seizure and the ensuing investigation. In exchange $1.776 billion (1776, get it?) of taxpayer money will be set aside to create an, "Anti-Weaponization Fund." According to Acting Attorney General, Todd Blanche--who previously worked for Trump as his personal attorney--the President, his eldest sons, and the Trump Org. won't receive any of it. Instead, they will settle for written apologies from the DOJ, which is currently run by Todd Blanche. 

Pretty convenient, right?  

The fund will be administered by the Todd Blanche led DOJ. It will dole out money to people who the government prosecuted while Donald Trump wasn't President. In other words, if someone claims they were targeted by the Biden administration, or one presumes any other administration not bearing the name Trump, for political retribution a commission will decide if and how much they'll be compensated from the fund. The five-person commission will be appointed by the aforementioned Mr. Blanche--the same guy who desperately wants to become Attorney General on a permanent basis--a decision which rests with Donald Trump. For those with short memories Blanche is the same guy who got Ghislaine Maxwell moved to her cushy new digs and defended Trump in the secret documents case.

The out of court settlement says it is, "self-executing." The argument being Judge Williams can't rule on the deal because both sides, no matter how suspiciously appearing to be the same side, agreed on it. In addition, because this is a Trump operation (even though he claims he has had nothing to do with it) the Blanche commission will have complete say on who gets how much and when. There won't be any Congressional input, or oversight.

The media and some democrats quickly predicted the money will be used to pay off all those January 6th rioters who were prosecuted for invading the capitol building and assaulting the police who were guarding it. Some speculated the payoffs would also help finance what they are calling, "Trump's personal white nationalist militia." 

Maybe some of it. However, the feeling here is the cut for those brutal thugs will be small compared to what Trump's closest pals and family members will end up getting. One can almost hear the testimony before the commission now. Gentlemen, Melania and Barron Trump suffered irreparable trauma during the search of Mar-a-Lago. That's right, even though they weren't there that night. So did Ivanka Trump when she was forced to testify in front of the Jan. 6th committee. Why not?  They weren't plaintiffs in the original suit. 

Yesterday, when asked if the January 6th rioters and he, or any member of his family would be compensated he responded by saying in part, "It'll all be dependent on a committee." (Not exactly a no when it came to him and his family.) Then he added, "A committee is being set up of very talented people, very highly respected people." 

You mean talented and respected like Kristi Noem? Or the hard drinking evangelical Christian warrior, Pete Hegseth? Or the run amok Kash Patel?  Perhaps Trump means his old pal, Roger Stone, or he and Blanche will simply cut out the middlemen and name guys like the former leaders of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, Enrico Tarrio and Stewart Rhodes. They are both out now, thanks to Trump's pardons.  

In the end, no matter who is named to this, "committee," we can be sure of one thing. There is something in this deal that rewards Donald J. Trump personally. And the less Congress and the judicial branch are involved the better. It is, as they say, his known modus operandi. 

5-19-26

The Gangs of Lake Arcadia

 According to the site, "Slang Dictionary," in 1969 two guys who lived in Compton, CA named Sylvester Scott and Vincent Owens got together and formed a gang. Because they both lived on Piru Street Owens and Scott named their little group, The Piru Street Boys. They originally aligned themselves with the already established Crips. Then in 1972, there was a, "falling out," between the two organizations. The Piru Street Boys joined forces with other local gangs, and this loose alliance quickly became known as, the Bloods, although other names are still used. For example, those members from Compton are still called Pirus, while those from other locales are known generally as Bloods.  

Here is the reason for that abbreviated history. The Oklahoma City FOX News affiliate is now reporting 18-year-old, Jaylan Davis, the first person arrested in the May 3rd Lake Arcadia mass shooting, is a member of the North Highland Piru Bloods. He apparently goes by the street moniker, 3-zzy. (Presumably pronounced three-zy.) According to court records 3-zzy has been a busy young dude when it comes to establishing his creds. He was popped in 2023 for burglary and for being involved in a drive by shooting. In 2024 he was picked up on a firearms charge. All of these, let's say, adventures, were handled through the juvenile court system. 

Well 3-zzy has hit the big time now. Police are saying at least 80 shots were fired at the unlicensed party thrown by what was known as, Crowd Control Entertainment. (Crowd Control's Instagram account has been deleted. There is still a YouTube Channel with 13 subscribers, but it doesn't have any content.) By the time it was over 22 people were either wounded, or injured and one, Avianna Smith-Gray, who like 3-zzy was 18--although, unlike him, she was scheduled to graduate from high school a few days after her death. 3-zzy, who reportedly turned himself in, is now looking at felony murder charges. 

The cops have also picked up 20-year-old, Trinity Brown in connection with the shooting. Currently she is charged with assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm after juvenile adjudication. At age 20 she is also ready for prime time. 

The local media accounts of the mass shooting has shifted. Tales of two masked men entering the campground, then randomly opening fire like crazed terrorists have long disappeared. What seems to have transpired was that halfway through the party a fight between two females broke out in the middle of the crowd. It quickly turned into a brawl between to rival gangs. Because of 3-zzy's arrest we can assume one of them was the North Highland Piru Bloods, but the other remains unidentified.

Thanks to the media's reluctance to name the second gang or even to confirm the North Highland outfit's involvement--other than 3zzy's--the entire disaster night boil down to a simple case of alcohol fueled anarchy among a bunch of young people. A bunch of young people who were packing guns, because, you know, this is America and everyone here can and does. 

The Edmond police were continuing to search the scene at Scissortail Campground yesterday. It is unclear if they found any new evidence, although one news reporter did find a bullet he pointed out to them. The word is more arrests could be made. Hey, 80 rounds are a lot for just two people. Meanwhile, Edmond Mayor, Mark Nash is continuing to tell everyone the shooting isn't representative of his home which has a population of a little over 100,000. The Mayor has yet to comment on why his police department, or the town's park department who oversees Lake Arcadia, didn't have a clue the May 3rd event was taking place beforehand. I mean, let's face it, Crowd Control Entertainment went out of their way to make sure the party wasn't a secret. 

It's unknown if any criminal charges will be filed against Crowd Control Entertainment, or the event's host, DJ Drop It. Right now, it isn't even clear Crowd Control has or had offices. It increasingly feels like it was something thrown together by some pals, one of whom knew Lake Arcadia wasn't patrolled at night by any authorities, at a bar in order to make a quick score.   

Indeed, much remains unknown. One thing we do know for sure, however is the family, loved ones, and friends of Avianna Smith-Gray are mourning her loss. She is gone forever not because she was in some gang, real or imagined or because she was involved in the initial altercation in any way. Her life cut short simply because she was at the wrong place at exactly the wrong time. 

The other thing we know is Mark Nash and the City of Edmond (79% white, 5% black) are going to make sure someone takes the fall for the Lake Arcadia shooting. The tragedy is that their fervor to get justice might not have anything to do with Avianna Smith-Gray, but rather Edmond's precious public image. Which means, when it comes to Jaylan, 3-zzy, Davis and Trinity Brown--to paraphrase the words of a rural Oklahoma Bail Bondman speaking 31 years ago--that boy and girl need lawyers worse than anyone I've ever seen. 

5-15-26  

Breaking Up With Canada, Donald's New Squeeze, More Late Night Tweets, and Old Fashioned Racism

 There is, what appears to be, an increasing number of people on this blue ball, who consider the President of the United States a delusional, somewhat unhinged, old man who has brazen ambitions of becoming a dictator for life. In short, these people, both home and abroad, think the guy is bat shit crazy. In addition, the same people believe he has surrounded himself with people who are as nuts as he is and have the same contempt for the constitution and the concept of democracy as he does. They also are convinced those who steadfastly support the President are devotees to what is known as a, "cult of personality."

Are the people who believe these awful things about Donald Trump and his followers crazy themselves? Are they Communists?

Yesterday, FOX News anchor, John Roberts (As opposed to Chief Justice John Roberts, who recently resurrected the Jim Crow era.) spoke about a phone conversation he had with Donald Trump. Roberts quoted the President as saying, "John, I just want to tell you I'm very serious. So you can talk about this. I'm serious about beginning a process to make Venezuela the 51st state."

Venezuela? Wait, wasn't Canada supposed to be the 51st state? One can only suppose Mr. Trump has grown tired and probably bored with the Canucks constant rejections to his overtures of absorption and has decided to move on. Well, he does seem a fickle sort. Now, apparently, he has decided on someplace new. Someplace that might be more willing to disappear from world maps. Someplace warmer, more suited to year-round golf. Someplace that still has scads of natural resources his family and pals can exploit with few or no consequences. 

But wait. Let's get back to Canada for a moment. It's unclear if the Canadians were aware of this breakup. Apparently, Mr. Trump didn't even have the courtesy to send Canada an email telling them he has found a new squeeze. However, despite the sudden turn of events, Canada seems unphased. So much so, the other day, former U.S. President, Barack Obama was up there speaking at a Canadian think tank gala. After he was done, Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney said in part, "Thank you for joining us in Toronto for important conversations on how we can build a better and more just future--and empower more people to build with us." 

This prompted Trumpista  commentator, Nick Sortor to write, "...Obama needs to sit down and figure out his freaking place before his ass ends up in prison for violating The Logan Act. Trump is our President; you've been sidelined Hussein." For those unfamiliar with it The Logan Act was enacted into law in January 1799.  It basically provides for criminal charges against any American citizen who negotiates with a foreign power without official authorization. You know, like Geworge H.W. Bush did with the Iranians during the 1980 presidential campaign. According to the Federalist Society, The Logan Act has never resulted in a successful prosecution. The Society also said there was, "no evidence," Obama was negotiating anything with the Canadian government.  

That didn't stop the MAGA types from howling like gut shot wolves. Another commentator, David J. Freeman wrote, "Barack Obama belongs in jail. A third, attorney Mike Davis asked, "What's Obama, a subversive Marxist, cooking up in Canada?"

All this MAGA outrage over an Obama speech in Toronto triggered Donald Trump last night. Over a five hour span he bombarded social media with 54 posts that said things like, Obama is, "demonic." Another concluded, "Arrest them all. Prosecute them all. Incarcerate them all for treachery, treason, and seditious conspiracy to overthrow the United States government. But first Barack Obama."

Depending on one's point of view, it can be either less, or even more disturbing that, during all this it didn't seem like Trump gave a rat's ass about Obama's Toronto speech. He was raving about the accusations that Russia interfered with the 2016 election on his behalf. The Irish Star reports that interspersed with the barrage of messages there were, "several videos of black individuals engaged in alleged crimes or improper behavior."          

Yes, it would seem we can add old fashioned racism to the ever-expanding list of Donald Trump's mental conditions. To prove it, on Sunday he called California Ro Khanna, "SLEAZEBAG, a wolf in sheep's clothing, (who) LIES,LIES AND LIES AGAIN." Then, just for good measure referred to him as, "SCUM." Khanna is of East Indian descent. Then Trump claimed House Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries has a, "very low IQ" and, "considers the Supreme Court illegitimate and probably hates our country." Jeffries, who is black was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. At last look, Brooklyn is part of the United States which makes the, "our country," Trump wrote about, Jeffries' country too.     

Yes, first Canada, then Greenland, and now Venezuela. Then a Trumpian court who just tossed us back over a century when it comes to voting rights, threats to broadcasters and incarcerations without legal recourse, or even trials. Plus, a new ballroom and, if the bureaucrats get out of the way, an arch so big you'll be able to see it from the fucking International Space station. And both of them will be named after Donald John Trump, who, Evangelical Pastor, Robert Jeffries (No relation to Hakeem.) insists, "...has a better understanding of what the bible teaches than the Pope." 

That's right, all that, unabashed corruption on a scale never seen before, and a war without end, amen. 

You know all those people who think Donald Trump and his die-hard supporters are crazy? They're right. 

5-12-26

Donald Trump vs. Leo XIV: Another Fight the President Can't Win

 Yesterday, the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio sat down to meet with Pope Leo XIV for around two hours. During the meeting, the Secretary gifted the Pope a small crystal American style football bearing the seal of the American State Department. The Pope's feelings about the game are a little murky, although since he is originally from Chicago one would guess, as presumably Rubio did, he is a Chicago Bears fan. Since the State Department doesn't field a team, it remains a mystery why the ball was stamped with its seal. Maybe the Bears' licensing fee was too steep for the department's budget. After all, thanks to recent events, Rubio has been on the road a lot and the cost and availability of jet fuel is at a premium lately.    

The football was a symbolic peace offering as the Secretary was there to try to smooth out the relationship between the Vatican and his boss, American President Donald Trump. Apparently, at some point in the last couple of weeks, as Trump's approval ratings flame out like the Hindenburg, it dawned on someone in the White House, the old man has finally bitten off more than even can chew. 

Not that long ago, as the spiritual leader of a little over 1.4 billion Christians worldwide--somewhere between 50 to 54 million of them in the United States--spoke publicly about his opposition to the war in Iran and in fact all wars. He had urged everyone involved to seek peace, not violence. Donald Trump responded on social media--as always--writing, in part, "Pope Leo is WEAK on crime. and terrible for foreign policy.   I don't want a Pope who thinks it's okay for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.  I don't want a Pope who thinks it's terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United States." Then, he added, "Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a politician." Along with all that, Axios reported, Trump claimed Leo had been elected Pope only because he was President and then had gone ballistic when the Pontiff met with former Obama advisor, David Axelrod the week before. 

Then, less than one hour after that message hit the internet, Donald Trump posted the infamous AI generated image of himself as Jesus Christ. He was clothed long flowing robes, healing a sick man in bed as people around him prayed, eagles and jet fighters soared overhead, and a mysterious winged and possibly horned figure charged out of a heavenly light in the background. Later, as it dawned on him the reaction to the image wasn't, let's say, what he had hoped it would be, the post was deleted. It was replaced by another, which depicted Christ personally advising him as he sat at a desk pondering various papers. 

Now, we are getting a clearer look at just how bad the reaction, especially to the first image, was. A recent Washington Post-ABC News-IPSOS poll shows 80% of the people who voted for Trump in 2024 "reacted negatively," to the image. 78% of registered republicans felt the same way. Overall, 87% of Americans rejected his online fantasy artwork.  In addition, 65% of the public, "reacted positively," to Leo's plea for Americans to seek peace. 41% viewed the Pope favorably during his dust up with the President while 19% did not. Axios reported that when asked this question many either declined to answer or claimed they were unfamiliar with the confrontation. 

After deleting the original post, Donald Trump said he simply thought it was a picture of him as a doctor. The comment prompted one wag to say, "If I'm sick and in a hospital and a doctor came in dressed like that, I'm getting out of there as fast as I can." Trump later claimed the image had something to do with the Red Cross, although the Red Cross flag, or symbol isn't seen anywhere in it. All of which just goes to prove, you might be able to claim you are blessed, or anointed by God, but when you start portraying yourself as God, even the trailer park rubes get a tad edgy. 

Of course, not everyone was as appalled as Marjorie Taylor Greene (The picture was, "beyond blasphemy.") White House spiritual advisor, Paula White-Cain was quoted as saying she could never disagree with Donald Trump, "because it would be like disagreeing with God." Vice President J.D. Vance, a convert to Roman Catholicism, warned the Pope to be, "careful when speaking about theology." It is a warning the Vice President himself might do well to heed. 

Today, Rubio is trying to smooth out the diplomatic kinks with Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. After she criticized Trump's post about Leo XIV, she also took time to be critical of the war in Iran. The President's reaction was what you would expect. Among other things he threatened to pull U.S. troops out of her country, the same as he did when German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz criticized the war.

Unfortunately, and no doubt frustratingly for Donald Trump, he can't do that with Pope Leo XIV. Vatican City doesn't house any American troops for mutual defense. He can't even slap any tariffs on it. You can't tax faith, the Holy See's only export. And it's doubtful, Donald Trump, as nuts as he is, will attempt a forcible, "regime change," in Rome, like he has done, with questionable success, in Venezuela and Iran. Not even a newly minted Catholic theologian like J.D. Vance would stick with him if he did. 

 The simple fact is, all of this came about is because of Donald J. Trump's unhinged narcissism. His only response to those who disagree with him is boorish, brutal, and increasingly deadly buffoonery. He isn't capable of anything else. 

And just think, we elected this mad beast twice. No wonder, to rephrase a movie line, America enjoys the reputation it has today.   

5-8-26 

Sunday Funday Goes Sideways at Lake Arcadia

 As the war that is no longer a war according to some, continues its slow boil in the waters near Iran and in Lebanon, a group of entrepreneurs in Oklahoma City decided to throw a kick-ass party in the suburb of Edmond. An outfit calling itself, Crowd Control Entertainment began promoting the bash, which was scheduled for this past Sunday evening at a Lake Arcadia campground. The featured performer was billed as being, DJ Drop It. The flyers, spread across various social media platforms, promised, "food, drinks, music, and good vibes." The event was named, "Sunday Funday."

In theory you had to be an adult to attend, but no one was checking IDs, so reports are there were scads and scads of underage kids who showed up. In addition, Crowd Control Entertainment didn't reserve the campgrounds, or get a permit to hold the party from the Edmond, OK Parks Department. 

So, Sunday evening, what is described as a, "large number, " of young adults and teen-agers showed up at Lake Arcadia's Scissortail Campground for a party held at night. One being thrown without a permit, and, apparently, without any security. Maybe because, you know, security might put a chill on those, "good vibes." A party where presumably alcohol was being served, or at the very least, being brought in by those in attendance.

Oh, what could possibly go wrong?

Initial reports that still persist say two unidentified men wearing ski masks showed up and began randomly firing weapons. One witness interviewed by the local CBS affiliate didn't mention anyone in ski masks, but said a fight broke out in the crowd which almost immediately turned into a widespread brawl. During the melee, shots were fired, possibly because these days no one has time for a fist fight. As the scene quickly turned into a cross between the gunfight at the OK Corral and the Battle of Los Angeles, people understandably panicked and ran every which direction. By the time it was over 23 were either wounded by bullets, or sustained injuries during the mad rush to get out of there. (When you run wildly into a wooded area at night there is always the distinct possibility of slamming face first into a fucking tree.)

Reports today say seven people remain hospitalized, three of them in critical condition. It's also reported Crowd Control Entertainment--a misnomer if there ever was one--and DJ Drop It have apologized online for the event. Beyond that, neither are responding to media requests for interviews. Who can blame them? At this point the odds seem good name changes and relocations are already in progress for everyone who organized this disaster. If they have any brains at all, they must know that potential litigants are lining up at attorney's offices all across the metro at this very moment.

The Mayor of Edmond, Mark Nash held a news conference during which he reassured citizens and potential residents, Edmond remains one of the most, "desirable," places to live in the state and nation. He added, such crimes hardly ever occur in the OKC burb of a little over 100,000. What he didn't say was that when they do happen in Edmond, the casualties are always staggering. 

40 years ago this summer, postal worker, Patrick Sherrill walked into the Edmond post office. Before he blew his own diseased head off, he killed 14 of his fellow employees and wounded six others. Sherrill's madness, coupled with other postal worker acts of violence led to the invention of the uniquely American phrase, "Going postal."

Mayor Nash went on to tell the media he wouldn't hesitate to take his own family out to Lake Arcadia, but added, "not at midnight." According to the His Honor the lake isn't patrolled at night. It's a policy you might want to re-think, Mr. Mayor. Especially since there was a small number of overnight campers at Scissortail that night who had their peaceful evening by the lake interrupted by Sunday Funday. A couple were among the first to deliver aid to the victims before the police and EMT's arrived. 

The Edmond Police who are handling the mass shooting, hasn't identified any suspects, at least not publicly. Perhaps it is best they don't. There is no telling who is in the wind already because of this nightmare. The entire investigation at this time remains, as they say, ongoing. All we know for sure at moment, is that there were more people out at Lake Arcadia with guns than just those two mysterious masked men. However, that shouldn't surprise anyone. This is America for God's sake. The land of the Free and the home of the well-armed. 

Hey, it's in the Constitution and if you got 'em you might as well use 'em. 

5-5-26

James Comey and the Seashells on the Sea Shore

 Cool shell formation on my beach walk.

The caption to a photo posted by James Comey on social media last year of seashells arraigned into the number 8647.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the term 86 as, "to refuse to serve (a customer)" or to, "get rid of," or, "throw out," someone or something. Apparently, it originated among soda fountain and lunch counter employees back in the 1920's or 30's. One legend, the one I prefer, had it originating during prohibition at a bar called Chumley's in New York City's west village. One of its two entrances was at 86 Bedford Street. When the staff was tipped off about impending police raids, they would, "86 the customers." In other words, rush them out of the joint via the Bedford Street door.

The point here being nowhere in the history, or usage of the term do the words, kill, or assassinate, or harm come up. "Getting rid of," which can be interpreted in any number of ways--86 the milk, it has gone bad--is the closest to anything you can imagine referring to violence. Be that as it may, Donald Trump and some of his cronies, at the time the post showed up, declared it a thinly veiled lethal threat against President number 47, the afore mentioned, Donald J. Trump. In response, Comey deleted the photo while saying he had no idea it could be taken that way and had meant it as a joke. Not long afterward the whole issue dropped off everyone's radar. 

It wasn't the first time 86 has been used by some when referring to a President. ABC News reports that during a 2020 TV interview Michigan Governor, Gretchen Whitmer sat near a small figurine bearing the number, 8645--Trump's first term number. While Joe Biden was President hotshot MAGA commentator, Jack Posobiec sent out a social post which read simply, "8646."No one said a word about threats of violence in either instance.

Ah yes, those were more innocent times. Trump hadn't lost all his marbles yet and Biden, as infirm as he might have been, was actually trying to be a President rather than some mad king fixated on a gilded ballroom no one but him gives a flying fuck about. James Comey's first indictment during the reign of number 47 came when Pam Bondi was running the DOJ. It had nothing to do with messages in the sand. After it was summerly tossed by a federal judge, Bondi seemed to lose interest in Comey altogether. 

Who can blame her?  By then she had become neck deep in that vast swamp known as the Epstein files. Trump got rid of her earlier this year. One of the rumored reasons was he felt she was dragging her feet when it came to pursuing his political enemies with criminal charges. 

Then along came Todd Blanche. He is now the acting Attorney General and head of the DOJ. He is best remembered as once being Trump's personal lawyer. Then later as the Deputy Attorney General who interviewed Ghislaine Maxwell who was at the time in a heavy-duty federal lockup. Maxwell assured Blanche that number 47 wasn't involved in any of Epstein's deviant behavior, then she was, "just coincidentally," moved to a minimum-security facility. She now reportedly receives catered meals and regular visits from puppies so she can play with them.

It is also being reported Todd Blanche really wants to be named Attorney General of the United States, not just acting Attorney General. In his search to find a way to please El Donald the long forgotten 8647 episode must have hit him like a bolt of lightning. His path of suck uppery was clear. Find a federal grand jury in North Carolina--home of the beach with the shells--and indict James Comey. So, he did just that. The indictment includes one charge of, "Threats against the President and successors," and one of, "Transmitting a threat in interstate commerce." ABC reports the prosecutors who parented the case wrote, Comey's deleted post constituted a threat that any, "reasonable recipient who is familiar with the circumstances would interpret as serious expression of an intent to do harm to the President of the United States." 

In a statement the ever-ambitious Blanche said in part, "...you are not allowed to threaten the President of the United States of America. That's not my decision. That's Congress' decision, and a statute that they passed that we charge multiple times a year." 

Oh really? Earlier this year at the C-PAC smoke and mirrors jamboree, Jack Posobiec, of 8646 fame interviewed the acting Attorney General in front of a live audience. The subject of Posobiec's post while Biden was President never came up. Well, one supposes there are threats you don't have to worry about and then there are THREATS that you do.  It just depends on how nuts the boss is. 

And, in Todd Blanche's case, just how badly you want the job.  

4-30-26

Cole Allen's Righteous Duty, Security Questions, and Conspiracy Theories

 We know Cole Thomas Allen is smart. You don't get into, then graduate from the California Institute of Technology (Cal Tech) without having some brains. Allen's initial degree was in engineering, his Masters was in Computer Science. The guy is 31 years old, reportedly designs computer games, and works for a company that specializes in tutoring AP students. Apparently, neither of those jobs pays enough to allow him to have his own space, because until a few days ago he lived with his parents in their Torrence, CA home. 

We also know--at least since Saturday night and Sunday morning--Cole Allen is pretty good when it comes to planning and logistics. Reports are he bought the guns in his possession at least a year ago, if not longer. He stashed them at his parent's place, without their knowledge, and periodically snuck them out to practice with at a gun range. He also avoided security questions by taking trains from LA to Chicago, then to Washington D.C. In addition, he booked a room into the Washington Hilton, prior to White House Correspondents Association Dinner, which featured President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, a number of high-ranking cabinet members and of government officials. Also present at the annual soiree that evening was every big-time media executive and reporter who covers the White House and politics in general. (For those with a taste for coincidence, Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinkley right outside of the same hotel.)

Fortunately for the President, his wife, and God only knows how many others, when it came to tactics, Cole Allen wasn't worth a shit. After all the planning, all the patient preparation, the only thing he could come up with to assassinate, Donald J. Trump and others was a crazed bum-rush through a metal detector and past a perimeter of armed security. It was a move that had all the crafty nuances of a plot hitched by Wile E. Coyote. 

Minutes before he tried to bull his way through security, Cole Allen emailed his family, letting them know what he was going to do and why. In the message he prioritized his hit list, while explaining how he was planning to deal, "nonlethally," with guards who would try to stop him. He apologized to them all for lying to them about the excuses he made up to travel to Wahington. He also apologized to his employer and students. In addition, he accused the President of treason and being a pedophile. In the letter he described the impending attack as his, "righteous duty." When it came to the Christian principle of, "turning the other cheek," he argued it applied only to the one being oppressed, not to someone who sees others being oppressed--proving once again interpretations are completely at the whims and prejudices of the interpreter. He signed off with the moniker, Cole, ColdForce Friendly Federal Assassin, Allen. (As opposed to Stan Lee's Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman.)  

As soon as his brother read the email, he contacted the local police who got in touch with the Secret Service, but by then Cole Allen had already pulled the trigger--a couple of times. One of the shots hit a Secret Service agent square in the chest--so much for that nonlethal stuff--but luckily the man was saved by his body armor.    

Questions about security were immediately posed. The main one being, how did this heavily armed clown check into a hotel that was going to host the President, his wife, and key members of his cabinet and staff without someone taking a look in his luggage? Not to mention how did he get from his room all the way to the main line of security while openly carrying a fucking shotgun? The answer to that question was brutally simple.  He used the stairs rather than the elevators. 

Since this is America, all the guns he brought were legally purchased in CA. And because Americans are a tad delusional, immediately after the attempt, the internet came alive with conspiracy theories. The most common accusation was that Donald Trump and, or his people staged the event in order to revive his tanking approval ratings. As proof at least one cited Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt's pre-shooting statement to FOX News. Describing the President's upcoming speech, she said it would be, "funny and entertaining," then added, "there will be some shots fired in the room tonight." Yeah, and Jack Kennedy's secretary was named Lincoln and Lincoln's secretary was named Kennedy, so what?  

Late Saturday evening Donald Trump, back at the White House, held a brief press conference. By all accounts, even from outlets which are openly hostile to him, he sounded reasonable, measured, and downright Presidential. By the next morning, however he had recovered from this moment of sanity. In a social media post, he claimed the shooting was the reason that, "military leaders and the heads of all the security agencies," had, "spent years begging to have a grand White House ball room built." You know, like the one he is building.

It didn't take long after that for Trumpista talking heads to blame the assassination attempt on, "democratic hate speech. Their argument apparently being if you criticize the man in any way, it will automatically create a Cole Allen. 

Meanwhile, last week, mere hours prior to the shooting Donald Trump posted this on social media. "The Southern Poverty Law Center has dedicated their existence to attacking my voters in the Klan. (The italics are mine.) That's FRAUD! Therefore the 2020 Presidential Election should be permanently wiped from the books!!!" That's our man Donnie Trump. He is, as God and the rest of us are his witnesses, standing up to defend what he believes is one of his key voter demographics--members of the nation's original organized hate group, the Ku Klux Klan. 

 Which leads us to another Christian principle we might want to interpret. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

4-27-26