We are getting close to the end now. That would be the end of democracy as we have always known it.
When it happens in the next few hours, or days, depending on the whims of Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell there won't be any immediate catastrophic consequences. The Washington Monument won't crack, then fall. The dome on the capitol building won't melt and neither will Lincoln in his chair, or the statue of Jefferson which gazes directly at the White House and Oval Office.
In fact, in many corners of the land there will be celebrations and cries that the President has been exonerated of baseless charges leveled against him by treasonous usurpers hell bent on nullifying the results of an election held three years ago. Yea, hundreds of thousands will say, the Deep State and its legions of vile conspirators have been dealt a mortal blow.
While those who rejoice, then take to social media and TV, or attend Nuremberg type rallies a line from one of the Star Wars movies will describe the moment best. "This is how liberty dies," it goes, "to thunderous applause."
One of Trump's lawyers explained the new imperial power this way. "If a President did something that he believes will help him get elected, in the public interest, that cannot be the kind of quid pro quo that results in impeachment."
In other words as, Professor Jonathan Turley wrote in USA Today, "For want of a crime, Trump could not only trade foreign aid for the investigation of Joe Biden, but he could give Delaware back to the Dutch."
When Turley, the main stream media, and much of the public reacted in revulsion to Alan Dershowitz's words, the Harvard Professor emeritus seemed shocked and hurt by the push back. "I did not say, or imply that a candidate could do anything to reassure his reelection," he whined, "only that seeking help in an election is not necessarily corrupt."
You had better explain that distinction to your client, Professor because he isn't much for legal fine points. In truth the naivete displayed by Dershowitz is why academics world wide are considered utterly out of touch with reality. In this case there is no doubt in any sane mind, once this sham of a trial is over, Donald John Trump will now believe he CAN do anything he wants and that isn't restricted to elections. Indeed, in Trump's mind, there is no difference between his interests and the public's--he isn't just the President of the nation, he is the nation and that dangerously warped notion has now been validated.
The past few days we've watched republicans in the Senate essentially create a Presidency which is no longer constrained by constitutional checks and balances, but only by the moral instincts of the person who occupies the office. In this case a rabid hyena with delusions of grandeur.
Ladies and gentlemen welcome to Donald Trump's banana republic. You may send your notes of thanks directly to the cultists, cowards, and fascists now residing in the United States Senate.
1-31-20
Friday, January 31, 2020
Monday, January 27, 2020
The Weirdness Continues in Three Parts
Then the weirdness continued.
On Saturday afternoon most of our family went to a basketball game between Oklahoma and Mississippi State. It was a dreadful exhibition of the sport. So bad that OU shot a little over 38% from the field and won. I have been watching games for 65 years and had come to the reasonable conclusion no team ever made could shoot that poorly and win. Obviously I was wrong.
Actually the personal highlight of the two hour snooze fest was a moment during a time out when the PA announcer urged fans to, "Show us your muscles!" Cameras roamed the stands throwing images of people flexing their arms on the big screen above the court. My five year old grandson, much to the astonishment of his mother, father, uncle, and maternal grandparents, leaped to his feet, stripped off his shirt in a single fluid move, then began striking bare chested Mr. Universe type poses. The crowd in our section went wild, but alas, the cameras missed him.
Sunday brought the serious shit.
A helicopter carrying NBA and LA Laker legend Kobe Bryant, his 13 year old daughter, Gianna and seven others slammed into a foggy Southern California hillside. None of the nine people aboard survived.
The tragedy went beyond the retired Bryant who had turned to coaching his daughter's AAU basketball team, among other things. Also killed were Gianna's basketball teammate Alyssa Altobelli and her parents Joe and Keri. In addition another teammate, Payton Chester and her mother Sarah died in the crash. As did Christina Mauser who served as an assistant coach for the team. The pilot, Ara Zobayan perished as well. Reports are the helicopter was headed to Thousand Oaks, CA so the kids could play in a tournament. The cause of the crash remains unknown.
Bryant's sudden death left NBA fans, especially those in Los Angeles, in absolute shock. By late afternoon impromptu memorials were springing up all over town and elsewhere. Twitter was so besieged with tributes at one point the site froze for a few seconds as it fought to keep up with the deluge of posts.
By the time former President Barack Obama and the current resident of the White House tweeted out condolences the grief was spreading beyond basketball. In fact it was quickly becoming apparent the world of sports was having what could only be described as a Princess Diana moment.
Or at least a mini moment. By this morning national news outlets were back to focusing on the impeachment trial of Donald Trump.
This weekend word hit that former White House National Security Advisor John Bolton's as yet unpublished book, contained proof of what many already know and more than a few are denying. The President of the United States had withheld vital military aid to Ukraine only because they hadn't begun publicly investigating a political rival and his son.
Trump flew into a rage as did his supporters. Their current line of reasoning is Bolton's revelation that Trump had told him face to face the extortion attempt was just that, is a salacious fantasy meant solely to sell the book.
The news is so devastating to Trump's defense, it now seems impossible for the Senate not to call witnesses, including Bolton, to testify.
Well, the sane among us can say that. Given who is running the Senate, not to mention the type of right wing cretins who infest it, there is still no telling what will actually happen. After all, Mitch McConnell, despite an oath of impartiality, is the same guy who told us right up front he is coordinating the trial's rules and procedures with the White House. In other words the foreman of the jury isn't making a move without the approval of the accused.
Yes, the weirdness continued over the weekend. Some of it was amusing, some of it tragic, and the rest, simply proof Donald John Trump is guilty of practically every sin known to humankind.
1-27-20
On Saturday afternoon most of our family went to a basketball game between Oklahoma and Mississippi State. It was a dreadful exhibition of the sport. So bad that OU shot a little over 38% from the field and won. I have been watching games for 65 years and had come to the reasonable conclusion no team ever made could shoot that poorly and win. Obviously I was wrong.
Actually the personal highlight of the two hour snooze fest was a moment during a time out when the PA announcer urged fans to, "Show us your muscles!" Cameras roamed the stands throwing images of people flexing their arms on the big screen above the court. My five year old grandson, much to the astonishment of his mother, father, uncle, and maternal grandparents, leaped to his feet, stripped off his shirt in a single fluid move, then began striking bare chested Mr. Universe type poses. The crowd in our section went wild, but alas, the cameras missed him.
Sunday brought the serious shit.
A helicopter carrying NBA and LA Laker legend Kobe Bryant, his 13 year old daughter, Gianna and seven others slammed into a foggy Southern California hillside. None of the nine people aboard survived.
The tragedy went beyond the retired Bryant who had turned to coaching his daughter's AAU basketball team, among other things. Also killed were Gianna's basketball teammate Alyssa Altobelli and her parents Joe and Keri. In addition another teammate, Payton Chester and her mother Sarah died in the crash. As did Christina Mauser who served as an assistant coach for the team. The pilot, Ara Zobayan perished as well. Reports are the helicopter was headed to Thousand Oaks, CA so the kids could play in a tournament. The cause of the crash remains unknown.
Bryant's sudden death left NBA fans, especially those in Los Angeles, in absolute shock. By late afternoon impromptu memorials were springing up all over town and elsewhere. Twitter was so besieged with tributes at one point the site froze for a few seconds as it fought to keep up with the deluge of posts.
By the time former President Barack Obama and the current resident of the White House tweeted out condolences the grief was spreading beyond basketball. In fact it was quickly becoming apparent the world of sports was having what could only be described as a Princess Diana moment.
Or at least a mini moment. By this morning national news outlets were back to focusing on the impeachment trial of Donald Trump.
This weekend word hit that former White House National Security Advisor John Bolton's as yet unpublished book, contained proof of what many already know and more than a few are denying. The President of the United States had withheld vital military aid to Ukraine only because they hadn't begun publicly investigating a political rival and his son.
Trump flew into a rage as did his supporters. Their current line of reasoning is Bolton's revelation that Trump had told him face to face the extortion attempt was just that, is a salacious fantasy meant solely to sell the book.
The news is so devastating to Trump's defense, it now seems impossible for the Senate not to call witnesses, including Bolton, to testify.
Well, the sane among us can say that. Given who is running the Senate, not to mention the type of right wing cretins who infest it, there is still no telling what will actually happen. After all, Mitch McConnell, despite an oath of impartiality, is the same guy who told us right up front he is coordinating the trial's rules and procedures with the White House. In other words the foreman of the jury isn't making a move without the approval of the accused.
Yes, the weirdness continued over the weekend. Some of it was amusing, some of it tragic, and the rest, simply proof Donald John Trump is guilty of practically every sin known to humankind.
1-27-20
Friday, January 24, 2020
Who Needs Acid While Watching TV This Week?
For those who have never eaten hallucinogens, watching republican Senators and lawyers perform on television this week sort of replicates the experience, only without the accompanying high and fun. Indeed, some, myself included, have openly questioned what variety of mushrooms ended up on top of our cheeseburgers.
How else can you explain the weird images appearing on our TV's? I mean there is no longer a question of republicans lying, it has become a matter of the chemical and organic make up of that alternate reality they live in. At this point it seems the only things missing are Hunter S. Thompson's mutant bats sweeping through the Senate Chamber screeching like rabid banshees.
It started on Monday, MLK Day. That's when Kellyanne Conway explained to the media, the President was honoring the memory of the murdered civil rights leader by working to improve the economy--over seas--and just as King would have, fighting against the injustice of his impeachment. It ended earlier today with a report which said Trump's people had conveyed to GOP Senators in no uncertain terms if they didn't vote his way, their heads would end up on pikes.
In between those two book ends one of the President's attorneys, Alan Dershowitz argued abuse of power, isn't a high crime, or misdemeanor, because technically there isn't a law saying it is. That's news to Bill Clinton. During his impeachment, Professor Dershowitz maintained that when it came to convicting a President, "It certainly doesn't have to be a crime if you have someone who completely corrupts the office of president." When asked by CNN's Anderson Cooper if he was wrong back in those days of yore, Dershowitz explained, "I'm much more correct now."
Dershowitz is best known for being on the OJ Simpson defense team. He and former special prosecutor Ken Starr also defended Trump pal and world renowned lover of children, Jeffrey Epstein.
Starr, it might be remembered, was fired as President of Baylor University for his part in helping cover up years worth of violent sex crimes committed by Baylor football players. That was after he pushed the Clinton impeachment, not because of the White Water affair, which he was supposed to be investigating, but because Clinton lied about getting a blow job from an intern. According to Starr, Clinton was guilty of obstruction due to the lie.
The current President has blocked dozens of witnesses and a multitude of documents subpoenaed by House committees in the lead up to his Senate trial. Clinton, never blocked one witness, or a single document from those investigating him. Republicans, in dizzying numbers, claim DJT isn't obstructing anything.
Early in the week White House counsel, Pat Cipollone told the Senate and Chief Justice John Roberts three House committees held secret meetings prior to the official impeachment inquiry without republican presence, or input. Democratic Representative Adam Schiff had to point out to Mr. Cipollone what was well known if you don't watch Fox News--nearly half the people in the secure chamber were republicans and they all had equal time to question witnesses.
And, speaking of Fox, as there was a back and forth between republicans and democrats early on, the propaganda arm of the GOP continually cut away when a democrat was speaking to let their, "analysts," eviscerate anyone to the left of Barry Goldwater's ghost. However when a republican would begin speaking they dutifully went back to live coverage.
There was more of course. Rudy Giuliani, even though not present, will become the subject of political science and psychiatric text books for years to come. Dozens of GOP senators broke the, "strict rules," of the proceedings by walking out during the middle of presentations made by various impeachment managers. Not to mention Trump's people have already said if he is convicted the President will consider the verdict invalid and refuse to leave office. In many locales such an action is known as a coup.
Yes, all this insane shit makes dropping acid as innocent as doing a tab of aspirin. Unfortunately neither drug will do us any good at this point. The constitution is screwed and so are we.
Ladies and gentlemen as soon as the republican controlled Senate lets Don Trump off the hook the congress and that venerated document will become irrelevant. So will the ideal of democracy in the United States of America.
sic vita est
1-24-20
How else can you explain the weird images appearing on our TV's? I mean there is no longer a question of republicans lying, it has become a matter of the chemical and organic make up of that alternate reality they live in. At this point it seems the only things missing are Hunter S. Thompson's mutant bats sweeping through the Senate Chamber screeching like rabid banshees.
It started on Monday, MLK Day. That's when Kellyanne Conway explained to the media, the President was honoring the memory of the murdered civil rights leader by working to improve the economy--over seas--and just as King would have, fighting against the injustice of his impeachment. It ended earlier today with a report which said Trump's people had conveyed to GOP Senators in no uncertain terms if they didn't vote his way, their heads would end up on pikes.
In between those two book ends one of the President's attorneys, Alan Dershowitz argued abuse of power, isn't a high crime, or misdemeanor, because technically there isn't a law saying it is. That's news to Bill Clinton. During his impeachment, Professor Dershowitz maintained that when it came to convicting a President, "It certainly doesn't have to be a crime if you have someone who completely corrupts the office of president." When asked by CNN's Anderson Cooper if he was wrong back in those days of yore, Dershowitz explained, "I'm much more correct now."
Dershowitz is best known for being on the OJ Simpson defense team. He and former special prosecutor Ken Starr also defended Trump pal and world renowned lover of children, Jeffrey Epstein.
Starr, it might be remembered, was fired as President of Baylor University for his part in helping cover up years worth of violent sex crimes committed by Baylor football players. That was after he pushed the Clinton impeachment, not because of the White Water affair, which he was supposed to be investigating, but because Clinton lied about getting a blow job from an intern. According to Starr, Clinton was guilty of obstruction due to the lie.
The current President has blocked dozens of witnesses and a multitude of documents subpoenaed by House committees in the lead up to his Senate trial. Clinton, never blocked one witness, or a single document from those investigating him. Republicans, in dizzying numbers, claim DJT isn't obstructing anything.
Early in the week White House counsel, Pat Cipollone told the Senate and Chief Justice John Roberts three House committees held secret meetings prior to the official impeachment inquiry without republican presence, or input. Democratic Representative Adam Schiff had to point out to Mr. Cipollone what was well known if you don't watch Fox News--nearly half the people in the secure chamber were republicans and they all had equal time to question witnesses.
And, speaking of Fox, as there was a back and forth between republicans and democrats early on, the propaganda arm of the GOP continually cut away when a democrat was speaking to let their, "analysts," eviscerate anyone to the left of Barry Goldwater's ghost. However when a republican would begin speaking they dutifully went back to live coverage.
There was more of course. Rudy Giuliani, even though not present, will become the subject of political science and psychiatric text books for years to come. Dozens of GOP senators broke the, "strict rules," of the proceedings by walking out during the middle of presentations made by various impeachment managers. Not to mention Trump's people have already said if he is convicted the President will consider the verdict invalid and refuse to leave office. In many locales such an action is known as a coup.
Yes, all this insane shit makes dropping acid as innocent as doing a tab of aspirin. Unfortunately neither drug will do us any good at this point. The constitution is screwed and so are we.
Ladies and gentlemen as soon as the republican controlled Senate lets Don Trump off the hook the congress and that venerated document will become irrelevant. So will the ideal of democracy in the United States of America.
sic vita est
1-24-20
Monday, January 20, 2020
MLK Day 2020: Violence Everywhere Despite Guns Saving Lives
Welcome to Martin Luther King Day, 2020.
King was, of course, The civil rights icon. Obviously there were many other leaders of the movement back in those unbelievably cruel days of legalized segregation and Jim Crow. Some are still around. None, however, despite his very human flaws, carried the moral force and persuasiveness King did.
MLK was an admirer of Mahatma Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the man who was the driving force behind India's independence from Britain. Like Gandhi, King insisted his followers adhere to a philosophy of strict non-violence during protests against what amounted to institutionalized white supremacy.
In the end they pissed off enough people both of them were gunned down a world apart. Gandhi was murdered in 1948 in New Delhi, King in Memphis, TN 20 years later.
Even though Martin Luther King Day became a federal holiday in 1986, some states resisted observing it because, first, he was black, and second, he spent much of his adult life proving how racist and wrong they were. It took until 2000 for all 50 states to set aside the third Monday in January to officially celebrate his birth and cause.
Two decades later we began the three day holiday honoring the man of peace and justice here in OKC at Penn Square Mall. For the second time in a month some goof with a short fuse and a gun opened fire inside the enclosed shopping center. The only good news is that in both instances the marksmanship of the shooters was about as sharp as their brain functions. A month ago one person was wounded while Saturday another took what is being described as a minor hit from, "shrapnel." The perps initially escaped. OKC cops arrested the first a day after he opened fire in a Footlocker store. The second is still on the run after he tried to shoot up the front of a movie theater.
On Sunday Ms. Lois Cain attempted to serve eviction papers on tenet Jarolsav Hanel in Honolulu. Hanel had been living at Cain's residence for an undetermined amount of time in exchange for performing handy man labor. That ended when Cain, who had been living out of state, decided to move back to Hawaii and needed the house to live in.
Police responded to the home near Waikiki Beach after Hanel stabbed his land lord. Before the nightmare was over Jarolsav Hanel shot and killed two cops then set the place on fire. The blaze spread to seven other homes before it was extinguished. Hanel reportedly had a history of mental issues significant enough at least four neighbors had filed restraining orders against him. Police are still searching the ashes of the home for his body and those of two women who were believed to be there with him.
Later that evening in Kansas City all sorts of people were lining up outside of a night club in order to celebrate the Chiefs football win over Tennessee in the AFC finals. Unfortunately an unidentified man was there for another reason. He opened fire on those in line to get in the joint. Before a licensed security guard shot and killed him, the presumably non Chiefs fan had murdered one woman and wounded 15 others, three critically.
In the immediate aftermath of the disaster Jackson County Prosecutor, Jean Peters Baker told the media, "Way too many people are armed."
Well don't tell them that in Richmond, lady.
Thousands of pro gun advocates showed up at the Virginia state capitol today in order to protest proposed legislation which could mildly restrict gun sales. (You can't buy more than one weapon a month and high capacity ammo clips would be banned) The situation which some feared might become violent ended up peacefully enough, maybe because Governor Ralph Northam had issued an emergency ban on weapons being carried at Capitol Square. Or, it might have been that all the neo-Nazi and white supremacist thugs who promised to show up and wreak havoc wimped out and stayed away.
That didn't stop a bunch of so called militia members from displaying their portable phallic totems outside of the confines of the square. They carried their guns, wore their masks, marched, sang, recited the second amendment in unison, and told anyone one who would listen they were there to save, The American Way of Life.
To prove how sincerely humane they are thousands of these insufferable clowns wore round orange stickers which read, "Guns Save Lives."
Now there is a sentiment which certainly captures the true spirit of Martin Luther King's life and work.
Ladies and gentlemen, the bar is open. Those of you carrying weapons can either check them at the door, or stay the fuck out. Your pseudo patriotism, not to mention the, "1984," newspeak logic on those stickers, are lost on me.
1-20-20
King was, of course, The civil rights icon. Obviously there were many other leaders of the movement back in those unbelievably cruel days of legalized segregation and Jim Crow. Some are still around. None, however, despite his very human flaws, carried the moral force and persuasiveness King did.
MLK was an admirer of Mahatma Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the man who was the driving force behind India's independence from Britain. Like Gandhi, King insisted his followers adhere to a philosophy of strict non-violence during protests against what amounted to institutionalized white supremacy.
In the end they pissed off enough people both of them were gunned down a world apart. Gandhi was murdered in 1948 in New Delhi, King in Memphis, TN 20 years later.
Even though Martin Luther King Day became a federal holiday in 1986, some states resisted observing it because, first, he was black, and second, he spent much of his adult life proving how racist and wrong they were. It took until 2000 for all 50 states to set aside the third Monday in January to officially celebrate his birth and cause.
Two decades later we began the three day holiday honoring the man of peace and justice here in OKC at Penn Square Mall. For the second time in a month some goof with a short fuse and a gun opened fire inside the enclosed shopping center. The only good news is that in both instances the marksmanship of the shooters was about as sharp as their brain functions. A month ago one person was wounded while Saturday another took what is being described as a minor hit from, "shrapnel." The perps initially escaped. OKC cops arrested the first a day after he opened fire in a Footlocker store. The second is still on the run after he tried to shoot up the front of a movie theater.
On Sunday Ms. Lois Cain attempted to serve eviction papers on tenet Jarolsav Hanel in Honolulu. Hanel had been living at Cain's residence for an undetermined amount of time in exchange for performing handy man labor. That ended when Cain, who had been living out of state, decided to move back to Hawaii and needed the house to live in.
Police responded to the home near Waikiki Beach after Hanel stabbed his land lord. Before the nightmare was over Jarolsav Hanel shot and killed two cops then set the place on fire. The blaze spread to seven other homes before it was extinguished. Hanel reportedly had a history of mental issues significant enough at least four neighbors had filed restraining orders against him. Police are still searching the ashes of the home for his body and those of two women who were believed to be there with him.
Later that evening in Kansas City all sorts of people were lining up outside of a night club in order to celebrate the Chiefs football win over Tennessee in the AFC finals. Unfortunately an unidentified man was there for another reason. He opened fire on those in line to get in the joint. Before a licensed security guard shot and killed him, the presumably non Chiefs fan had murdered one woman and wounded 15 others, three critically.
In the immediate aftermath of the disaster Jackson County Prosecutor, Jean Peters Baker told the media, "Way too many people are armed."
Well don't tell them that in Richmond, lady.
Thousands of pro gun advocates showed up at the Virginia state capitol today in order to protest proposed legislation which could mildly restrict gun sales. (You can't buy more than one weapon a month and high capacity ammo clips would be banned) The situation which some feared might become violent ended up peacefully enough, maybe because Governor Ralph Northam had issued an emergency ban on weapons being carried at Capitol Square. Or, it might have been that all the neo-Nazi and white supremacist thugs who promised to show up and wreak havoc wimped out and stayed away.
That didn't stop a bunch of so called militia members from displaying their portable phallic totems outside of the confines of the square. They carried their guns, wore their masks, marched, sang, recited the second amendment in unison, and told anyone one who would listen they were there to save, The American Way of Life.
To prove how sincerely humane they are thousands of these insufferable clowns wore round orange stickers which read, "Guns Save Lives."
Now there is a sentiment which certainly captures the true spirit of Martin Luther King's life and work.
Ladies and gentlemen, the bar is open. Those of you carrying weapons can either check them at the door, or stay the fuck out. Your pseudo patriotism, not to mention the, "1984," newspeak logic on those stickers, are lost on me.
1-20-20
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Vince Vaughn and Playing the Game by Donald Trump's Rules
There was a college football game played last night. The winner, LSU, was declared the national champion of the sport, although many of us here in Oklahoma had already come to that conclusion a couple of weeks ago.
Indeed, the Bayou Bengals dismantling of OU was so complete and humiliating the idea of watching another game, any football game, was at best unappetizing. In fact the only reason a few of us were even vaguely interested was to see if Clemson--which had built a winning streak which was getting dangerously close to OU's NCAA record of 47 straight wins--would lose. When they did we let out a collective sigh of relief for that one dim glimmer of satisfaction left to us after the debacle in Atlanta.
For others, especially those who haunt Twitter and similar social media in search of perpetual outrage, such arcane trivia meant nothing. What did matter was Donald J. Trump and his wife were in attendance, not because they like college football, but rather they couldn't pass up on a big crowd and the free air time they knew would be provided by ABC/ESPN.
Then, during the game, the actor Vince Vaughn entered the scene. Cameras caught him chatting with the Trumps in their sky box. The conversation, which couldn't be heard, seemed amiable and ended with smiles and hand shakes all around.
Twitter went berserk and still is today. How many of the trolls and screamers are genuine accounts as opposed to Russian provocateurs remains up to debate, although the way things are going on the far left these days the Russkies don't need to do much.
Those who stormed the Twitter feed expressing their shock and verbose dismay that a Hollywood Elite, would schmooze with DJT had a surprise waiting. Vaughn lists himself as a libertarian and has for years. He supported Ron Paul both in 2008 and 2012. In the 2016 republican primaries he backed Rand Paul. In the past, he worked on at least one project with ultra right wing pseudo pundit Glenn Beck.
Honestly, the politics of Vince Vaughn aren't the problem. Let's face it if we can deal with the views of guys like Clint Eastwood, Mel Gibson, and the late John Wayne why should we worry about a B list actor like him? No, the real conundrum here is the increasing intolerance and off the wall craziness displayed by the far left.
This behavior goes beyond a rube like Vaughn. In these last few days before the Iowa caucuses the Senator from Vermont, Bernie Sanders' and his campaign have launched what approaches a scorched earth policy. Hundreds, if not thousands of tweets are viciously attacking his political rivals, especially Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren. Both are being described as tools of corporate America, of accepting money from large donors and not being, pure, enough in their ideology.
The situation, which could culminate in tonight's final democratic debate, is quickly becoming a wet dream for GOP strategists from coast to coast. That's what happens when Sanders' supporters pound Twitter with accusations his opponents are brazenly lying about, well, everything, not to mention running on about a mainstream media conspiracy attempting to block his nomination.
Combine those factors with Bernie's tacit threat the other day that his supporters would not be, "enthusiastic," enough to support Joe Biden in the general election and you have the exact split Trump is looking for.
Yes, the master of chaos and his ways have seeped into the far left of the democratic party. So much so a Warren supporter on Twitter I follow complained the other day he was having to block more Bernie followers due to their incomprehensible rants than Trump supporters.
This is not the way to win an election.
It is, however, everything Donald John Trump, wants the democrats, especially on the left fringe, to sink to.
Why shouldn't he? After all, if you play the game by his rules, you're sure to lose.
1-14-20
Indeed, the Bayou Bengals dismantling of OU was so complete and humiliating the idea of watching another game, any football game, was at best unappetizing. In fact the only reason a few of us were even vaguely interested was to see if Clemson--which had built a winning streak which was getting dangerously close to OU's NCAA record of 47 straight wins--would lose. When they did we let out a collective sigh of relief for that one dim glimmer of satisfaction left to us after the debacle in Atlanta.
For others, especially those who haunt Twitter and similar social media in search of perpetual outrage, such arcane trivia meant nothing. What did matter was Donald J. Trump and his wife were in attendance, not because they like college football, but rather they couldn't pass up on a big crowd and the free air time they knew would be provided by ABC/ESPN.
Then, during the game, the actor Vince Vaughn entered the scene. Cameras caught him chatting with the Trumps in their sky box. The conversation, which couldn't be heard, seemed amiable and ended with smiles and hand shakes all around.
Twitter went berserk and still is today. How many of the trolls and screamers are genuine accounts as opposed to Russian provocateurs remains up to debate, although the way things are going on the far left these days the Russkies don't need to do much.
Those who stormed the Twitter feed expressing their shock and verbose dismay that a Hollywood Elite, would schmooze with DJT had a surprise waiting. Vaughn lists himself as a libertarian and has for years. He supported Ron Paul both in 2008 and 2012. In the 2016 republican primaries he backed Rand Paul. In the past, he worked on at least one project with ultra right wing pseudo pundit Glenn Beck.
Honestly, the politics of Vince Vaughn aren't the problem. Let's face it if we can deal with the views of guys like Clint Eastwood, Mel Gibson, and the late John Wayne why should we worry about a B list actor like him? No, the real conundrum here is the increasing intolerance and off the wall craziness displayed by the far left.
This behavior goes beyond a rube like Vaughn. In these last few days before the Iowa caucuses the Senator from Vermont, Bernie Sanders' and his campaign have launched what approaches a scorched earth policy. Hundreds, if not thousands of tweets are viciously attacking his political rivals, especially Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren. Both are being described as tools of corporate America, of accepting money from large donors and not being, pure, enough in their ideology.
The situation, which could culminate in tonight's final democratic debate, is quickly becoming a wet dream for GOP strategists from coast to coast. That's what happens when Sanders' supporters pound Twitter with accusations his opponents are brazenly lying about, well, everything, not to mention running on about a mainstream media conspiracy attempting to block his nomination.
Combine those factors with Bernie's tacit threat the other day that his supporters would not be, "enthusiastic," enough to support Joe Biden in the general election and you have the exact split Trump is looking for.
Yes, the master of chaos and his ways have seeped into the far left of the democratic party. So much so a Warren supporter on Twitter I follow complained the other day he was having to block more Bernie followers due to their incomprehensible rants than Trump supporters.
This is not the way to win an election.
It is, however, everything Donald John Trump, wants the democrats, especially on the left fringe, to sink to.
Why shouldn't he? After all, if you play the game by his rules, you're sure to lose.
1-14-20
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Ending Soleimani and Flight 752 Quite Suddenly
Qassem Soleimani's stay in Baghdad was a short one which ended quite suddenly on January 3. On January 8, Ukrainian International Airlines flight 752, traveling from Tehran to Kyiv, and finally destined for Toronto never made it out the suburbs of the Iranian capital before similarly ending, quite suddenly.
U.S. drones got Soleimani and a small cadre of allies. According to Donald Trump and members of his administration, American intel had solid information, General Soleimani was in the midst of planning deadly attacks on at least four different United States embassies. These reports came from the same intelligence services the current President has refused to believe for three years running now. Yea, the same ones he has, in the past, routinely denounced as part of, The Deep State, plot which aims to delegitimize his election in 2016 and overthrow him before November of this year.
On Flight 752 there was a large number Canadian citizens, anywhere from 57 to 63 depending on who you read. There were also 82 Iranians, 11 Ukrainians plus 9 crew members, 10 Swedes, 7 Afghans, and 3 Germans. As near as anyone can tell none of them were plotting anything, other than in many cases, getting home.
Back in Washington, immediately after Soleimani and his crew were obliterated, at least one democratic candidate for president, Elizabeth Warren questioned the timing of the attack. Within days reports would surface that the President was getting heat to kill the Iranian commander from GOP ultra hawks--Senators he desperately needs on his side once the impeachment process gets to the upper chamber.
On January 8th Iran launched a barrage of rockets at locations that house U.S. troops in Iraq. It is unclear exactly how much carnage the, "revenge," attack was expected to cause because various sources claimed Iran had notified the Iraqi government of the impending assault prior to the launch. The Iraqis reportedly alerted American authorities and by the time the missiles arrived everyone was hunkered down. Hangers were damaged and, or destroyed as was some equipment, but no one was killed, or wounded.
None of this meant the Iranians trusted the U.S. not to strike back immediately. After all Trump was blustering manically on social media and TV threatening to destroy all things Persian, both new and old. The Iranian air defenses were on full alert, expecting God only knows what from the night skies. In the midst of all this chaos, some idiot at Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport, thought it would be perfectly safe to let Flight 752 take off. The Ukrainian pilot was naïve enough to believe him. Obviously the memo regarding the decision didn't make it to the local anti-aircraft batteries.
It took until today for the Iranians to admit they'd screwed the pooch. They initially claimed the crash was caused by a dire mechanical failure. Well yeah, sort of. Mechanical stuff does tend to fail when struck by a Tor-M1 surface to air missile. Iranian officials are now using the term, "A disastrous mistake," to describe the nightmare.
Well what do you expect? The Iranian government has its own reputation for being fast and loose with the truth. Combine their prevarications with Donald Trump's Adderall laced rants and there is no telling what the fuck either one of them are talking about, much less up to.
What we do know is 176 innocent souls are now lost. And apparently they died because Trump's domestic political crisis forced him to commit what might be called an act of war, Iran's obsession to prove it too has balls, and some jittery gunner overwhelmed by it all.
What a start to the new decade.
Ladies and gentlemen, as you suspected, the bar is most definitely open.
1-11-20
U.S. drones got Soleimani and a small cadre of allies. According to Donald Trump and members of his administration, American intel had solid information, General Soleimani was in the midst of planning deadly attacks on at least four different United States embassies. These reports came from the same intelligence services the current President has refused to believe for three years running now. Yea, the same ones he has, in the past, routinely denounced as part of, The Deep State, plot which aims to delegitimize his election in 2016 and overthrow him before November of this year.
On Flight 752 there was a large number Canadian citizens, anywhere from 57 to 63 depending on who you read. There were also 82 Iranians, 11 Ukrainians plus 9 crew members, 10 Swedes, 7 Afghans, and 3 Germans. As near as anyone can tell none of them were plotting anything, other than in many cases, getting home.
Back in Washington, immediately after Soleimani and his crew were obliterated, at least one democratic candidate for president, Elizabeth Warren questioned the timing of the attack. Within days reports would surface that the President was getting heat to kill the Iranian commander from GOP ultra hawks--Senators he desperately needs on his side once the impeachment process gets to the upper chamber.
On January 8th Iran launched a barrage of rockets at locations that house U.S. troops in Iraq. It is unclear exactly how much carnage the, "revenge," attack was expected to cause because various sources claimed Iran had notified the Iraqi government of the impending assault prior to the launch. The Iraqis reportedly alerted American authorities and by the time the missiles arrived everyone was hunkered down. Hangers were damaged and, or destroyed as was some equipment, but no one was killed, or wounded.
None of this meant the Iranians trusted the U.S. not to strike back immediately. After all Trump was blustering manically on social media and TV threatening to destroy all things Persian, both new and old. The Iranian air defenses were on full alert, expecting God only knows what from the night skies. In the midst of all this chaos, some idiot at Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport, thought it would be perfectly safe to let Flight 752 take off. The Ukrainian pilot was naïve enough to believe him. Obviously the memo regarding the decision didn't make it to the local anti-aircraft batteries.
It took until today for the Iranians to admit they'd screwed the pooch. They initially claimed the crash was caused by a dire mechanical failure. Well yeah, sort of. Mechanical stuff does tend to fail when struck by a Tor-M1 surface to air missile. Iranian officials are now using the term, "A disastrous mistake," to describe the nightmare.
Well what do you expect? The Iranian government has its own reputation for being fast and loose with the truth. Combine their prevarications with Donald Trump's Adderall laced rants and there is no telling what the fuck either one of them are talking about, much less up to.
What we do know is 176 innocent souls are now lost. And apparently they died because Trump's domestic political crisis forced him to commit what might be called an act of war, Iran's obsession to prove it too has balls, and some jittery gunner overwhelmed by it all.
What a start to the new decade.
Ladies and gentlemen, as you suspected, the bar is most definitely open.
1-11-20
Saturday, January 4, 2020
Hard Feelings From Mohammad Mossaddeq To Don Trump and Qassem Soleimani
The United States hasn't liked Iran for a long time. In some quarters of Tehran the feeling has been mutual for a lot longer.
In 1951 Mohammad Mossaddeq was appointed as premier of the country. Shah Reza Pahlavi was sitting on the throne so no one really paid much attention. They should have because Mossaddeq proved to be a fervent nationalist who was sick and tired of foreigners exploiting his country's national resources. Not to mention he considered the Shah nothing more than a western lackey, something His Majesty was apparently unaware of.
Mossaddeq began moving to nationalize Iran's oil fields and all of a sudden things changed radically. The British pushed the Shah into attempting to remove his premier, but Mossaddeq was having none of it. He marshalled his supporters and wave after wave of Iranians rampaged through the streets in protest. It became ugly enough the Shah decided to leave the country for, "medical reasons."
By August of 1953 the CIA, thinking anyone nationalizing anything must be a communist son of a bitch, had bribed enough of the Iranian military that they, along with pro Shah forces, pulled a coup. Mossaddeq was chucked into prison and a healthier feeling Shah returned to the country to take strict control over the situation. One of his first moves was to hand over 40% of Iran's oil fields to American corporations.
After being released from the slammer Mossaddeq remained under house arrest for the rest of his life. His followers simmered in the shadows all the while. The former premier died in 1967. The Shah stayed a firmly committed U.S. ally in that ideological struggle called the cold war, most likely because he was King and it's good to be King, plus America was sending him billions in cash and military aid.
However, as we know all things must come to an end. Reza Pahlavi's came in early 1979 when his government collapsed due to his increasing unpopularity and the political unrest it inspired. A few days later, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini showed up to fill the vacuum. With the Shah on the lam and Khomeini condemning all things American, it was only a matter of time before something awful happened. In November it did. Iranian students and others took the U.S. embassy by force and much of the staff was held hostage for 444 days.
While the vast majority of Americans still know nothing about the ill fated Mohammad Mossaddeq almost all of us are aware of the embassy falling in Tehran and the year plus long hostage crisis which ensued. It prompted a tsunami of ill will toward Iran so severe that many even thought Saddam Hussein was a good guy--for a while anyway.
Fast forward to Thursday.
Thanks to U.S. drones, Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani and others, to quote a line from the old comedy show SCTV, "blew up real good."
His death followed that of an American contractor on December 27th in Northern Iraq and an attempted take over of the American embassy in Baghdad. The Pentagon blamed both incidents on Iran's Quds Force, which Soleimani commanded.
According to Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo the killing of Soleimani wasn't about revenge though. On Friday Pompeo told the press that offing the Iranian commander was necessary to disrupt an, "imminent attack," in the region. Trump took a break from schmoozing with pals at Mar a Lago to tell us the American drones took out Soleimani to, "prevent a war, not start one."
Really?
In 2011 the same Donald Trump predicted Barack Obama would start a war with Iran before the 2012 election because he was a weak negotiator and needed a conflict to ensure his re-election. Obama didn't bite, however it is starting to look suspiciously like Trump has.
No one is saying Qassem Soleimani was a good guy, or should be mourned. However, let's face it, Donald Trump has been known to play fast and loose with the truth--you know--congenitally--on a daily basis--like forever.
And now he is the one needing to make sure he gets re-elected.
Yes, for those of us who have been around long enough to remember the Gulf of Tonkin scam and the Iraqi weapons of mass destruction con this is a tough sell. Especially when it comes from a guy who never ceases to lie about everything, even when he knows he'll be caught, or, as we've seen lately, even when he already has.
Happy 2020, America. Just buckle up, because this is going to be a rough one.
1-4-20
In 1951 Mohammad Mossaddeq was appointed as premier of the country. Shah Reza Pahlavi was sitting on the throne so no one really paid much attention. They should have because Mossaddeq proved to be a fervent nationalist who was sick and tired of foreigners exploiting his country's national resources. Not to mention he considered the Shah nothing more than a western lackey, something His Majesty was apparently unaware of.
Mossaddeq began moving to nationalize Iran's oil fields and all of a sudden things changed radically. The British pushed the Shah into attempting to remove his premier, but Mossaddeq was having none of it. He marshalled his supporters and wave after wave of Iranians rampaged through the streets in protest. It became ugly enough the Shah decided to leave the country for, "medical reasons."
By August of 1953 the CIA, thinking anyone nationalizing anything must be a communist son of a bitch, had bribed enough of the Iranian military that they, along with pro Shah forces, pulled a coup. Mossaddeq was chucked into prison and a healthier feeling Shah returned to the country to take strict control over the situation. One of his first moves was to hand over 40% of Iran's oil fields to American corporations.
After being released from the slammer Mossaddeq remained under house arrest for the rest of his life. His followers simmered in the shadows all the while. The former premier died in 1967. The Shah stayed a firmly committed U.S. ally in that ideological struggle called the cold war, most likely because he was King and it's good to be King, plus America was sending him billions in cash and military aid.
However, as we know all things must come to an end. Reza Pahlavi's came in early 1979 when his government collapsed due to his increasing unpopularity and the political unrest it inspired. A few days later, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini showed up to fill the vacuum. With the Shah on the lam and Khomeini condemning all things American, it was only a matter of time before something awful happened. In November it did. Iranian students and others took the U.S. embassy by force and much of the staff was held hostage for 444 days.
While the vast majority of Americans still know nothing about the ill fated Mohammad Mossaddeq almost all of us are aware of the embassy falling in Tehran and the year plus long hostage crisis which ensued. It prompted a tsunami of ill will toward Iran so severe that many even thought Saddam Hussein was a good guy--for a while anyway.
Fast forward to Thursday.
Thanks to U.S. drones, Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani and others, to quote a line from the old comedy show SCTV, "blew up real good."
His death followed that of an American contractor on December 27th in Northern Iraq and an attempted take over of the American embassy in Baghdad. The Pentagon blamed both incidents on Iran's Quds Force, which Soleimani commanded.
According to Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo the killing of Soleimani wasn't about revenge though. On Friday Pompeo told the press that offing the Iranian commander was necessary to disrupt an, "imminent attack," in the region. Trump took a break from schmoozing with pals at Mar a Lago to tell us the American drones took out Soleimani to, "prevent a war, not start one."
Really?
In 2011 the same Donald Trump predicted Barack Obama would start a war with Iran before the 2012 election because he was a weak negotiator and needed a conflict to ensure his re-election. Obama didn't bite, however it is starting to look suspiciously like Trump has.
No one is saying Qassem Soleimani was a good guy, or should be mourned. However, let's face it, Donald Trump has been known to play fast and loose with the truth--you know--congenitally--on a daily basis--like forever.
And now he is the one needing to make sure he gets re-elected.
Yes, for those of us who have been around long enough to remember the Gulf of Tonkin scam and the Iraqi weapons of mass destruction con this is a tough sell. Especially when it comes from a guy who never ceases to lie about everything, even when he knows he'll be caught, or, as we've seen lately, even when he already has.
Happy 2020, America. Just buckle up, because this is going to be a rough one.
1-4-20
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