America, Your Vote and Voting Rights Are Being Devoured

Yes, Mr. and Mrs. America, the Republicans and their Republican Party know they're so deeply umpopular with Americans across the nation, they have to make it tougher to the point of impossible for us, fellow taxpaying American citizens to vote.

This cannot stand. We cannot allow this. It's un-American and un-democratic. We must stop it, all of it, state to state across the nation. Vote them all out. Push to have Congress end the filibuster and pass the For the People Act so NO POLITICAL PARtY can gerrymander voting districts any longer. Please contact your Senators.Let's do this.

Difficult to Believe What Comes Out of Republicans' Mouths

Herewith, a short, short list, very short, of some of the deeply ignorant, ugly, negative things that come out of too many Republicans minds and mouths. As always, click on picture for larger picture and easier viewing/reading

Let's vote them out, America. Let's vote them all out.

Imagine Indeed

Imagine if Republicans put the same energy into doing good, positive things for the people and nation that they do fighting good things for us all. Imagine if they stopped only working to help the already-wealthy, corporations, their own political party and themselves

Question of the Day -- Self-Serving, Greedy Congress Edition

Members of Congress should not be allowed to buy and sell stocks. How is this even a thing? --Citizens for Ethics @CREWcrew

We know why it's a thing, of course, because they benefit from it. The question is, why is it still a thing? This is nuts. We should have put an end to this long ago, long before now. The $174,000 per year salary and all-inclusive, fully paid for health care all their benefits should be enough. It should be more than enough. We must demand an end to even the possibility of this self-serving greed and insider trading.

Quote of the Day -- Post-Presidential Edition

 Former CIA Director John Brennan wrote the best, most true and deserving lines on Twitter this past  Monday on this President.

“For four years, I spoke out vigorously against Donald Trump’s craven dishonesty, corrupt pursuit of personal interests, & trampling of our democratic principles. After serving over three decades in national security, I felt compelled to condemn Trump’s depravity & incompetence. My outspokenness has brought criticism, retaliation by the Trump Administration, & threats by those blinded by Trump’s demagoguery,” he continued. “Yes, it is unusual for a former CIA Director to speak out, but when an autocrat descended upon the White House, silence was not an option for me. I now plan to ignore Trump, I leave his fate to our judicial system, his infamy to history, & his legacy to a trash heap.”

Thank you, sir, for your service.

And for these very fair, very deserved words.

Breathing a--Big--Sigh of Relief

No doubt you've heard the great, if overdue, news.

GSA Chief Says Decision to Allow Transition to Begin

Fantastic. A relief, as I said. Unfortunate it took this long, nearly 3 weeks to get to it.

And here are the markets response.

Dow crests 30,000 points on vaccine hopes, Biden transition

We're not completely out of the woods, so to speak, since the Orange Man is still technically in power and in the White House, of course, very unfortunately.

How Trump is sabotaging Biden -- and America

What he, Trump, is doing, is still doing:

--Sabotaging the Fed

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has demanded the Federal Reserve return $455 billion in unused funds from a lending program meant to prop up American businesses. The Fed could legally continue with the funds if Mnuchin didn't claw them back, but he argues the program should end at the end of this year -- a decision panned by the US Chamber of Commerce.

This will create political headaches for Biden, but it'll also have a negative impact on everyday Americans...

--Boxing Biden in on foreign policy

A report by CNN's national security team is emblematic of how Trump's administration is working actively in ways to make Biden's life more difficult.

The goal is to set so many fires that it will be hard for the Biden administration to put them all out, an administration official tells CNN in the report.
Trump's administration is:

• Further removing troops from Afghanistan and Iraq in the final days of Trump's time as President.
• Contemplating new terrorist designations in Yemen that could complicate efforts to broker peace.
• Rushing through authorization of a massive arms sale that could alter the balance of power in the Middle East.
• Planning a last-minute crackdown on China.
• Floating the idea of a last-minute military strike on Iran, according to The New York Times.
• Building a wall of sanctions that make it difficult for Biden to rejoin the Iran nuclear deal Trump scuttled.
• Sending Mike Pompeo on the first-ever official visit by a US secretary of state to an Israeli settlement....

--Handing Biden an economic grenade

Trump's failure to negotiate a new Covid stimulus with Congress will set Biden up for a political fight on Day One about how to help Americans hurt by the pandemic.
Here's what expires in December without further action:

• Provisions to beef up unemployment insurance
• A deferral on student loan payments
• A paid family leave provision
• Coronavirus relief funding for states whose tax base has been decimated
• And a moratorium on evictions...

--Weakening American democracy

The most important of these various nails left under the couch cushions is Trump's steadfast refusal to accept the legitimacy of Biden's win, an ultimately futile bit of pique, since Biden will take the oath of office and Trump will no longer be President in January.

Either because he wants to retire campaign debt, seed a new media empire of democratic disbelievers or is personally incapable of admitting defeat, Trump's actions will have consequences.

As if all that isn't bad enough, there's this horror of a thought.

Why Do All The Networks Keep Calling Biden The "46th President?" He'll Be The 47th

 It does look like Biden was just elected to be our 47th President.

Let’s not forget about the upcoming five-minute Presidency of Mike Pence, during which he will be allowed to say exactly twenty-one words: "I hereby pardon Donald Trump for all crimes, known or unknown, he has ever committed against the United States of America."

God forbid and heavens help us.

But for now, at least, Joe Biden is finally confirmed as President and he's picking his staff, the people in his administration.

Thank goodness.

Link:

Trump strips Biden’s options to boost the economy

Pennsylvania once again confirms and reassures.

Pennsylvania certifies Biden victory

Not done there, Nevada does same this morning.

Nevada Supreme Court unanimously approves Biden win

And just to remind us just precisely how small, petty and shallow he is, Trump did this today.

Trump makes one-minute appearance to tout Dow's 30,000

Word of the Day/Month/Year

 

Thanks, Republicans.

Now, let's #throwthebumout 

Quote of the Day -- On This President His Presidency and Our Nation

 

Political scientist specializing in America said on Russian state TV: “The USA has become a land of idiots.” He recommended that Russia intensify its info-wars against the United States, in order “to showcase America’s impotence on a global stage.”

--Julia Davis

@JuliaDavisNews

Russia Is Rooting for Civil War in America: ‘The Worse, the Better’: “It is better to remain neutral, but if we had to choose, then Trump is certainly ours.”

Same source.

If this Trump Presidency hasn't concerned you, at least, up to this point, perhaps now is a good time for it.

Thanks, Republicans. Clearly, clearly you'll do anything, anything for power--nation, people, fellow citizens and Democracy, our own and the one with the big D, be damned.

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BYEDON

The Topsy Turvy Trump World

The topsy turvy world into which this President and his political party have taken us all, taken the nation and even the world.

Click on picture for larger, easier viewing and reading.

Thanks, Mr. President.

Thanks, Republicans.

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BYEDON

On the RNC---From Dan Rather

 

Chilling. 

That is the sentiment that sticks with me this morning as I reflect on day 2 of the Republican National Convention. Even to call it a convention is to miss the point. This was propaganda, the pageantry, power, and symbolism of our federal government - OUR government, we the people - exploited by a president who feels unbound by the constitution in his desperate desire to hold on to power.

A secretary of state from foreign soil pledges sycophantic fealty to his boss with hopes of bolstering his own standing in a political party that has become a personality cult. Immigrants are used as props in the White House by a president who has demonized, restricted, and mistreated even legal immigrants and asylum seekers. Uniformed military personnel are employed in this charade. A first lady, who is an unrepentant birther, mouths teleprompter platitudes in front of an unmasked crowd of true believers during a deadly mismanaged pandemic in a re-imagined rose garden and is heralded by some for her tone. 

Meanwhile, in the real America, there is death, desperation, depression, hunger, and heartbreak. Once again a Black family is thrust into the national spotlight by a police shooting. And scenes of violent protests and counterprotests sweep across our national discourse, encouraged by a president who sees personal gain in racial division.

The polls tighten, or do they? What is hitting with the public and what isn't? How are these speeches playing? These are questions for the mechanics of the horse race. They are the comfortable grooves into which campaign reporting usually falls. They are hard to resist. But they do not accurately see the full scope of the moment. 

A line of attack on Joe Biden is that he would be a captive of the far left, that he is somehow a socialist. Nevermind that many of the policies of even the more liberal members of the Democratic Party would be considered mainstream center left in most European democracies. But what one doesn't hear enough in our media coverage is the term "far right." Racist and antisemtic authoritarian conspiracy theories are waved off by Republican politicians who know very well what they are about and how they are fueling support for Donald Trump. The trappings of the state are used for naked power politics. Corruption reigns. Foreign dictators are coddled. The rule of law is undermined. Voting is suppressed. This all isn't theoretical. This is happening now. All of it. And in plain sight. 

With all of this power, it is rather amazing that Donald Trump isn't assured re-election. It is a testimony to the strength and durability of the majority of Americans, across a diverse political spectrum, who see the threat for what it is. Yes, this is a fight for democracy. But do not underestimate the strength and power of those who stand in opposition. Time and again, America has withstood threats - external and internal - in its uneven march to a more perfect union. And time and time again, courageous and energetic mass movements have signed up for service to this nation's higher ideals. This is a moment of testing, to be sure. It is, as I said, chilling. But it cannot be defeated unless it is clearly seen for what it is. 

Know how to get your vote in, and make sure it is counted. See how you can help others have their voices heard at the ballot box. There is so much to despair about, but despair and demoralization is being weaponized by those who seek to cynically hold on to their power. Instead, try to be inspired by a movement of tens of millions across this nation who are determined that this shall not be the definition of America.

--Dan Rather

 

August 26 at 9:35 AM  · 

__________________________________________________________

Vote, folks.

Be sure to vote.

And vote blue.

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BYEDON

This Republican National Convention, In a Nutshell

 Here you go, folks.  Donald J "Jenius" Trump and his request for the nation.    

He, Trump, and the Republicans, are serious, too. 

They mean this.

To them, the US is, on the one hand, a big mess but hey, it's in far better shape now, with Trump "leading" us than it would be if he hadn't made all the sacrifices he has.

And we'll be far, far worse if we hand everything over to that Trotsky-lover Biden.

Right. 

Sure. 

Got it.

Sure we will.

What? We haven't handed out yet enough of the nation's treasure to the already-wealthy and corporations in the nation?

86 45

BYEDON

I Warned, We Warned About This Man, This Donald Trump

Four years ago today I wrote and posted the following on social media, Facebook, to be specific.

An open letter to America.

Fellow Americans,

Please, please don't do anything remotely close to coming anywhere near the election of Republican Party candidate Donald Trump be President. Please don't be anywhere near that irresponsible, that reckless, that foolish. The safety of the nation and, honestly, even the world depends on it.

Sincerely,

Me

I begged. I pleaded.  Lots of us did. Even Republicans and conservatives did, too.

First, I was correct. We were correct.

Second, and most importantly now, let's undo this come November 3.

Vote blue.

How Are Republicans Not Embarrassed Yet?

How are Republicans not, not yet, finally, at long last not embarrassed by this hollowed out receptacle, excuse for a man?

Chris Wallace on Trump’s claim he ‘aced’ cognitive test: ‘They asked you to identify an elephant’

I'd personally be heartily, mightily laughing if he weren't supposed to be leading us all, the nation.

And note, folks. This is Chris Wallace. From Fox.

Fortunately, some Republicans are, in fact, thankfully, getting it.

Six New Billionaires Donate To The Anti-Trump Lincoln Project

Here's hoping, folks.

Vote blue!

Sobering Facts on this President

Name one other Presidential candidate in recent history that had even one, let alone 3 different groups formally form an organization to defeat the candidate for that office from and in his own political party.

Which brings about two important points.

First, you can't. No one can. None exist. There's never been a situation or President like this or in this position.

And two, that's how precisely bad Donald Trump is as President.

Thanks, Republicans.

On to November.

Making America Great Again?

Thank goodness for Donald Trump, right?

God help us.

God save us.

And thanks, Republicans.

That's quite the guy you have there in our White House.

Possibly Important, Current Articles More Americans Should Probably Read

Yes, just that. Possibly important, current articles out just now it seems more adult Americans should see. These were out yesterday on The Washington Post. Herewith:

Overestimating Trump is a mistake. 
So is underestimating him.

Another GOP president, 

another recession

And economists have shown this, statistically, through our nation's history.

Republicans were warned,

 Yet they persisted in defending Trump

And it was even other Republicans and conservatives who warned, too.

Trump is always the last to figure it out

This quote alone from this article makes it not just worthwhile but important since Americans need to know what Republican Party members in Congress are doing presently.

Compare that gobbledygook with the reaction of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) to the administration’s refusal to reopen the exchanges. “Frankly, this is leadership malpractice,” Pritzker said. “Now more than ever, we need as many people as possible to have access to health care to seek out testing, if we’re ever going to be able to fight covid-19 and eliminate it as a major risk to our people.” He added, “On that same note, the Trump administration’s continued pursuit of a legal case to destroy the Affordable Care Act, which has provided health care to tens of millions of Americans is a special insult to the people of this nation at this moment. To seek to kill the ACA at a time like this, not to mention ever, undermines everything that we’re trying to do to keep people safe.”

During normal presidencies, you expect the commander in chief to have the best data, know the most about what is going on and have the most far-sighted vision. Instead, Trump seems to be the least-informed adult in America.

You would think the president and vice president’s abject ignorance would be a source of embarrassment. Nope. They are locked in the right-wing media disinformation bubble. They find out details under duress. Only when things go very badly and their experts are forced to confess bad news do they grudgingly move into the real world. The change in “tone” that too many gullible reporters coo about is the point at which Trump’s lies, disinformation and self-delusion can no longer be sustained. No wonder he looks deflated."

Have a great day out there, y'all. Be well. Be safe. and STAY AT HOME.

Quote of the Day -- Timely Edition

“Choose your leaders with wisdom and forethought.

To be led by a coward is to be controlled by all that the coward fears.

To be led by a fool is to be led by the opportunists who control the fool.

To be led by a thief is to offer up your most precious treasures to be stolen.

To be led by a liar is to ask to be told lies.

To be led by a tyrant is to sell yourself and those you love into slavery.”

― Octavia E. Butler, Parable of the Talents

What They Must Have Been Thinking When They Voted Trump

Quotes of the Day -- On This President

Today's New York Times is chock full of good, if not, in fact, out and out great and even possibly, very likely important articles on this Republican Party President, his current situation, his tweets and statements and moods and responses, mostly to criticism. He apparently thought once one becomes President, no one evaluates, read: criticizes, that person or his or her Presidency. Whatever.

Anyway, as I said, the paper is full of great articles, this being the first I'll briefly mention today.

Trump and His Henchmen In the Flames

Is this Trump’s public suicide or his genius for survival?

This is the most scathing, but true, summation of this man, his Presidency and administration I've seen this week. A bit from the article:

We have hit uncharted political territory. An unstable president has lurched under the pressure of an impeachment inquiry into a form of madness that is either a very public suicide or some weird genius for survival. Trump is Robert De Niro, armed with a gun, in “Taxi Driver” gazing into the mirror repeating: “You talkin’ to me?”

We are. Nixon wanted his profanities deleted from transcripts. Trump has no such qualms. He trumpets his view of the Democrats’ impeachment inquiry on Twitter: “BULLSHIT.” He will not be a one-term president! That’s weak, like Carter, like Bush One! He cannot be WEAK like them! He cannot lose! It’s all an attempted “coup”!...

...The White House, I hear, now operates like the 26th floor of Trump Tower during the campaign. There’s no structure or plan. There’s no war room or communications cell. People wander in and wander out, except they’re all lawyered up now, no doubt. They’re not even in crisis mode. Trump just goes out and shoots his mouth, as he has from Day 1. Like a good Mafia boss, he now has everyone complicit. They’re all in this together — Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, and the rest. Since John Kelly escaped in January, Trump’s henchmen are all that’s left.

...Polls show a plurality of Americans now supporting impeachment and Trump’s approval rating sinking as low as 41 percent. He is vulnerable in several states he won in 2016, including Ohio. If he shrinks to his core unshakable support, he probably has no more than a third of the vote.

So what does he do? Double down! If there’s any guiding principle it seems to be: If Trump says often enough in broad daylight that he tried to get foreign powers to interfere in our election to his benefit, how can it be wrong? “China should start an investigation into the Bidens,” says Trump, as he leaves the White House to go to Florida.

The remark is met with justified outrage. This is abuse of power. This is abuse of foreign affairs authority. These are impeachable acts. But, guess what, everyone starts reporting and writing on what Biden and his son Hunter did or did not do in China. Trump is a mass-media magician. He got McLuhan — “the medium is the message” — without reading McLuhan.

The term self-impeachment is now doing the rounds. As with a self-immolation, it can be hard to watch Trump’s blathering at its current crazed pitch. Can this be anything but the long-awaited and very public self-destruction of a man unfit for office? It may well be, but I am not entirely convinced.

As always with Trump, the rational and the Cartesian bump up against his fiendish antennae for the mass hypnosis of our age. He has his finger on the pulse of the technological character of evolution — even though he knows nothing about it. Repeat something often enough, brazenly enough and aggressively enough to people dazed enough by the cacophony around them, and they will lose their bearings enough to believe anything, even that his conversation with Zelensky was “perfect.”

There is no down range for this president. He’s too disorganized. There is only the next minute. Let’s talk Trump and golf for a minute. He likes to say, “I’m a feel player.” He’s not a believer in going to the driving range. Drop it and hit it. Fire and forget. Just hit the effing thing! Well, fire-and-forget got him to the White House, so why would he stop believing in it, even now?

Because, if Trump could manage a glimpse over the towering heights of his ego, he might see that Speaker Nancy Pelosi has him in her sights. She knows he will grow madder and madder under the pressure of the impeachment inquiry. As that happens, those working-class white women and suburban housewives who voted for Trump in large numbers in 2016 may well desert him: Derangement is not really their thing. Can the 53 Republicans of the Senate be far behind?

Then there is this.

Trump Governs by Grudge

Californians don’t vote for Trump, and he’s showing them what he can do about it.

For the last few weeks, Mr. Trump has been deep into retaliation mode, occasionally for reasons of policy, more often out of pique. His decision last month to try to revoke California’s historic right to set its own fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas standards was largely a policy matter, part and parcel of his effort to roll back President Obama’s aggressive clean car rules. That effort would be rendered incomplete as long as California maintained the right to set its own higher standards, which govern a huge chunk of the car market now and would do so going forward unless somehow Mr. Trump, in plain violation of the original Clean Air Act, got rid of it.

First Trump

• Tries to revoke California's right to set its own fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas standards that they've historically had so they can clean their admittedly dirty air then he
• Accuses the state of failing to meet federal air quality standards and threatens to withhold billions in federal highway funds if California did not do more to clean its air.

The guy is nuts. Vindictive and crazy.

Links:

Did Donald Trump Just Self-Impeach?

The Cruelty Is the Point

Poll: Majority of Americans approve of Trump impeachment

Quote of the Day -- Prescient Version