Where We Are Now, America, With Racism, Systemic Racism and Very White Privilege

So get this straight, America.

An innocent Black American was killed.
On the streets.
Unarmed.
By yet another rogue police officer.
Shot 7 times.
In the back.

So naturally, rightly, people were out protesting.

Then a young, very young, 17 year old man, white man, 20 miles away, drove to Kenosha, to the protests.

He crossed a state line to do it, too.
With his assault rifle.

Which is illegal.
And he ended up shooting 3 people.
Killing two.

And he walked away from it.

And now people are defending him, saying he's innocent and should go free.

Right.

Got it.

And some of Americans don't think systemic racism exists.

In fact, Nikki Haley, at the Republican National Convention, says racism doesn't exist in America.

Sure.

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?

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The Trumpster is Pushing an Ultimatum for the Debates Now?

 This news broke today.

Trump challenges Biden to drug test before debate

This surely surprised me.

How could the Jenius possibly think Joe Biden, taking a drug test, could or possibly would be some kind of an issue?  Does he think Biden does coke or something?  Like his own kids apparently do? At least one of them. (Eric Jr).

So as long as we're throwing out ultimatums here, here's one for you, Mr. President.

No Tax Returns, No Debate

That's right.

No tax returns, no debate.

That is, if you, sir, Mr. President, don't turn in your taxes, your tax returns. AS EVERY OTHER CANDIDATE FOR THE PRESIDENCY HAS IN RECENT HISTORY--- no debate.

Hey, as long as you're throwing around ultimatums, sir, here's one back at you.

With all due respect, sir---for the office of the President, anyway--put up or shut up.

How about it?

Links:  This idea has come from a few sources, too, before now.

Peter Scotto: No tax returns, no debate

Bill Kristol: "No tax returns, no debates!" 

Joe Lockhart suggestion: No TAX RETURNS? NO DEBATES

No tax returns, no debate - NEWSRUST

Quote of the Day -- On This Convention Edition

 Unsourced quote I saw today on last evening's Republican National Convention nightmare.

“America right now has: deadly pandemic, massive unemployment and recession, schools unable to open, protests over racial injustice, a killer hurricane bearing down on the South… And I am watching Mike Pence talk about how bad things would be in Joe Biden’s America,”

I don't know what's worse.

All these people telling us things will be worse under Joe Biden or Donald Trump telling us he's the "law and order" candidate.

Vote.

And Vote blue.

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An Open Letter to Missouri's Senator Josh Hawley

A note, a request, to our Missouri Senator Josh Hawley--

Make yourself useful, Senator Hawley. Please. Work on this. 

Fear of post office cuts grows in rural Kansas, Missouri towns. ‘It will hurt people’

Instead of TikTok or the NBA, which isn't remotely in MIssouri and which you've railed on for weeks, work on fixing funding for the USPS. 

See to it mail boxes are put back. 

Make certain all the mail sorting machines are back in place and functioning. 

We're not a Third World backwater. We're the United States of America. We shouldn't need to remind you. We're supposed to be the wealthiest nation in the world. Our Postal Service should work and it should be functioning for all of us, all the time. We're not some leader's banana republic for his reelection.

Do your work.

Do this work.

Please.

Then, after that, there's this thing called a pandemic?  You may have heard of it...

Donald Trump This Week at the RNC

After yesterday's opening performance at the Republican National Convention, it's extremely clear this is going to be like a badly failing student going to a class assembly in the auditorium, telling the entire student body he's making straight As.

And the heck of it is, some of his friends on the staff are going along with it.

Thanks, Mr. President.

Thanks, Republicans.

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Quote of the Day -- Fascist/Presidential Edition

From travel expert Rick Steves.

"This week, I'm sharing clips from my public television special, "The Story of Fascism in Europe." I believe that learning from the past is important. History may not repeat itself...but sometimes it rhymes.

Fascists all seem to use the same playbook: Hitler, Mussolini, whoever. They offer simplistic promises in response to complicated problems — repeating lies so loudly and boldly that people begin to believe them. After Hitler became Germany's chancellor in 1933, he consolidated his power by marginalizing his fiercest critics (which frightened others into silence) and suspending democratic procedures. For, you see, once a fascist gets a taste of power, he'll stop at nothing to keep it."

Thanks, Republicans.

Tweets of the Day: RNC Presidential Edition

Bill Kristol  @BillKristol
·Aug 22

"Mr. Trump...now plans to directly address the nation in prime-time on each of the convention’s four nights." It's not a party. It's a cult.

Bill Kristol  @BillKristol

The Republicans, in 2020, for the first time, have no platform. Instead: "RESOLVED, That the Republican Party has and will continue to enthusiastically support the President’s America-first agenda." It's no longer the Republican party. It's a Trump cult.

Dan Rather  @DanRather

I am confident that every other president in my lifetime would be speaking forcefully in support of the pro democracy protesters in Belarus. This is a shameful abdication of American leadership.

Dan Rather  @DanRather

I cannot remember a time when political journalists so needed backgrounds in criminal law.

And finally, what I think is probably the social media quote of the day.

Dan Rather  @DanRather

There are times I get online, see the latest news, and wonder how we are living in a world where Kafka writes for the Twilight Zone starring the Marx Brothers.

God help us, folks.

God and the heavens help us get to November 3.

And then January 20.

Vote!

VOTE BLUE!!

#BlueWave2020

At the Start of the RNC, Things are not Going Well for the Trumpster

 Yes, there have been, are some developments this morning and in the last day or two, both, just before the start of this Republican National Convention. And virtually all of them are---darn it---not good for this Republican Party Donald Trump or his group. Here's the first. It's my favorite. Just broke this morning.

27 former Republican members of Congress announce they'll support Joe Biden over Trump

Jeff Flake, 27 Other Ex-GOP Congress Members Endorse Biden

How great is that?

Yet more Republicans bailing on this psychotic President.

Next up is this from a conservative commentator. It came out yesterday.

The Biden administration needs to pursue every Trump appointee accused of perjury: conservative

In a column for the Washington Post, conservative commentator Jennifer Rubin said, should Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden win in November, he should commit to having his Justice Department look into any Donald Trump appointee who has been accused of committing perjury during the past four years.

According to the never-Trumper, the first thing the new administration needs to do is open up to the public “all documents the Trump administration previously withheld from congressional subpoenas.”

Pretty incredible, coming from, as it says, a conservative. Most, very likely a fellow Republican.

Next up and another I especially enjoy. This came out yesterday.

Trump's strategy on mail ballots divides party before GOP convention

What's especially great about this one is that the Trumpster is tearing his own political party apart.

Better still, he has no idea he's doing it.

That is fantastic.  I've said several or many times, what isn't to hate about this President, what he does and says and his administration, is to love.  This is one of the love parts.

The following broke this past Saturday and while we knew it, it's still important to hear and see--and from such an excellent source.

Trump's sister says president 'has no principles,' lies and is cruel

Not done there, God bless her...

Donald Trump’s Own Sister Thinks He’s a Complete Phony

Then it came out this morning that another one exiting the very revolving door of this administration.

Kellyanne Conway To Leave White House At The End Of The Month

Does that not maybe smack of a rat deserting a sinking ship, folks?

This next one is very likely good for destroying the Republican Party but very bad if, God and heavens forbid, this idiot were reelected. I don't think any political party has ever done this in the history of our nation.  If you didn't think or know the Republican Party has been taken over by Donald Trump, perhaps this will convince you. What would you call a party that has no platform and says whatever it’s leader says is the platform?

Republican convention to forgo party platform in favor of Trump's agenda

This one is partially good for tearing down this President's reelection attempt and to likely also tear down his political party but if this man, this buffoon, should, God and heavens forbid, actually be reelected? 

Insane.

• First, I don't think any political party has ever done this in the history of our nation and for good reason.
• Second, this kind of thing happens in Communist countries and dictatorships and banana republics. This doesn't take place in Democracies. It sure as heck doesn't happen here in America. At least, it didn't take place in America until now, with this man, this Donald Trump and his own personal political party. 
• Third, I and a lot of us out here are just personally hoping it helps just destroy his reelection campaign and their political party. Once again, proof positive he can no way be reelected, for the good and betterment of the nation, no exaggeration or overstatement. 
• Finally on this, if this isn't the epitome of a despot and despotism, what is?

Between this and the fact that 6 of the 12 keynote speakers this week at this RNC have the last name Trump, to what other conclusion are we to come but that this is a despot? He's praised other like Kim Jong Un and the Philippines' Duterte, etc.

Trump family make up half of RNC key note speakers

Additionally, Trump is requiring he speak ALL 4 NIGHTS of this convention.

Who does that? In America, what candidate for the presidency does that? Ever did it. I don't think ever. I think it's one more thing unprecedented by this President.

Finally, there is this great, breaking news this morning. I know we've seen this headline before but this just broke an hour ago.  The state of New York just isn't going to let us down.

New York attorney general investigating Trump over financial statements

And so, we go on to their---his--political convention tonight. I think NPR summed it up nicely.

Convention Gives Trump A Chance To Explain How He'll Make America Great Again...Again

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Vote, folks!

And VOTE BLUE!!

#BlueWave2020

This Week's Republican National Convention, In One Picture

This, ladies and gentlemen, is exactly what we're going to get/hear for 4 days from this Republican National Convention and this, their President Donald J Trump. Get ready for it. 

He has already said, and he will say again, repeatedly, that if we don't reelect him, it will ruin America, the USA. The opposite is true, of course. If he's reelected... God forbid.

It would only be laughable if it and he weren't so dangerous and tragic, literally, and for the nation and so many Americans.

Vote, folks. Vote.

And VOTE BLUE.

#BlueWave2020

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At What Point, America, Do You Get This on Health Care?

Okay, America. It's 2020. Worst, most killing international pandemic in more than 100 years.

You're the only Western, industrialized nation without universal health care. You're the only nation that tied and ties health care to profit.

The U.S. is the Only Very Highly Developed Country Without Universal HealthCare

You have, far and away, THE MOST EXPENSIVE health care system IN THE WORLD. And it also gives you THE WORST OUTCOMES, for all that money.

U.S. Healthcare: Most 

Expensive and Worst Performing

The U.S. Has the Most Expensive Healthcare System in the World

And we're the only nation--IN THE WORLD--where citizens can and do go bankrupt for health care costs.

Only in America: Bankruptcy Due to Health Care Costs

And not just bankruptcies, which is bad enough, but it's the NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF BANKRUPTCY in the nation.

Health Care Costs Number One Cause of Bankruptcy for American Families

And now? As I said, with this worst, most killing international pandemic in over 100 years? And the job losses? And so, people losing their health insurance?

Millions Have Lost Health Insurance in Pandemic

COVID-19 Job Losses Threaten Insurance Coverage

27M Americans may have lost job-based health insurance

At what point do you get this?

How long are we going to let corporations and profits be more important than people? And their lives?

You didn't used to be clueless. Or heartless.

Or downright stupid.

The Bizarro World That Is the Presidency of Donald J "Jenius" Trump

 Did you see this breaking news today?

Court orders Donald Trump to pay legal fees in Stormy Daniels suit

Seriously, you couldn't make up stuff this wacky, this insane that's come from this President and his Presidency the last 3-1/2 years. If it were a TV show, no one would believe it. It's too outrageous. Way too outrageous.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HAS GOT TO PAY THE LEGAL FEES OF A SEX WORKER

AND HE HAD HER PAID $130,000 TO BE QUIET ABOUT THEIR TRYST DURING HIS POLITICAL CAMPAIGN FOR THAT OFFICE

How is this guy still there?
How is he still in the White House?
How is he still in charge?

What Democrat could have said and/or done all this guy has and still be in office?

And Evangelicals---ostensibly Christians and "moral people"---supposedly support this guy, still support this guy.

Thanks, Republicans!  You and your boy are SPECIAL!

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Happy Birthday to Kansas City's Own Count Basie!

Yes sir and ma'am! Happy birthday, Count Basie! If only posthumously...

From Wikipedia:

William James "Count" Basie (/ˈbeɪsi/; August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984)[1] was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. In 1935, Basie formed his own jazz orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and their first recording. He led the group for almost 50 years, creating innovations like the use of two "split" tenor saxophones, emphasizing the rhythm section, riffing with a big band, using arrangers to broaden their sound, and others. Many musicians came to prominence under his direction, including the tenor saxophonists Lester Young and Herschel Evans, the guitarist Freddie Green, trumpeters Buck Clayton and Harry "Sweets" Edison, plunger trombonist Al Grey, and singers Jimmy Rushing, Helen Humes, Thelma Carpenter, and Joe Williams.

So you know... How did he get that nickname?

Early career

Around 1920, Basie went to Harlem, a hotbed of jazz, where he lived down the block from the Alhambra Theater. Early after his arrival, he bumped into Sonny Greer, who was by then the drummer for the Washingtonians, Duke Ellington's early band.[11] Soon, Basie met many of the Harlem musicians who were "making the scene," including Willie "the Lion" Smith and James P. Johnson.

Basie toured in several acts between 1925 and 1927, including Katie Krippen and Her Kiddies (featuring singer Katie Crippen) as part of the Hippity Hop show; on the Keith, the Columbia Burlesque, and the Theater Owners Bookers Association (T.O.B.A.) vaudeville circuits; and as a soloist and accompanist to blues singer Gonzelle White as well as Crippen.[12][13] His touring took him to Kansas City, St. Louis, New Orleans, and Chicago. Throughout his tours, Basie met many jazz musicians, including Louis Armstrong.[14] Before he was 20 years old, he toured extensively on the Keith and TOBA vaudeville circuits as a solo pianist, accompanist, and music director for blues singers, dancers, and comedians. This provided an early training that was to prove significant in his later career.[15]

Back in Harlem in 1925, Basie gained his first steady job at Leroy's, a place known for its piano players and its "cutting contests." The place catered to "uptown celebrities," and typically the band winged every number without sheet music using "head arrangements."[16] He met Fats Waller, who was playing organ at the Lincoln Theater accompanying silent movies, and Waller taught him how to play that instrument. (Basie later played organ at the Eblon Theater in Kansas City).[1] As he did with Duke Ellington, Willie "the Lion" Smith helped Basie out during the lean times by arranging gigs at "house-rent parties," introducing him to other leading musicians, and teaching him some piano technique.[17]

In 1928, Basie was in Tulsa and heard Walter Page and his Famous Blue Devils, one of the first big bands, which featured Jimmy Rushing on vocals.[18] A few months later, he was invited to join the band, which played mostly in Texas and Oklahoma. It was at this time that he began to be known as "Count" Basie (see Jazz royalty).[19]

Here's the important part:

Kansas City years

The following year, in 1929, Basie became the pianist with the Bennie Moten band based in Kansas City, inspired by Moten's ambition to raise his band to the level of Duke Ellington's or Fletcher Henderson's.[20] Where the Blue Devils were "snappier" and more "bluesy," the Moten band was more refined and respected, playing in the "Kansas City stomp" style.[21] In addition to playing piano, Basie was co-arranger with Eddie Durham, who notated the music.[22] Their "Moten Swing", which Basie claimed credit for,[23] was widely acclaimed and was an invaluable contribution to the development of swing music, and at one performance at the Pearl Theatre in Philadelphia in December 1932, the theatre opened its door to allow anybody in who wanted to hear the band perform.[24] During a stay in Chicago, Basie recorded with the band. He occasionally played four-hand piano and dual pianos with Moten, who also conducted.[25] The band improved with several personnel changes, including the addition of tenor saxophonist Ben Webster.

When the band voted Moten out, Basie took over for several months, calling the group "Count Basie and his Cherry Blossoms. "When his own band folded, he rejoined Moten with a newly re-organized band.[26] A year later, Basie joined Bennie Moten's band, and played with them until Moten's death in 1935 from a failed tonsillectomy. When Moten died, the band tried to stay together but couldn't make a go of it. Basie then formed his own nine-piece band, Barons of Rhythm, with many former Moten members including Walter Page (bass), Freddie Green (guitar), Jo Jones (drums), Lester Young (tenor saxophone) and Jimmy Rushing (vocals).

The Barons of Rhythm were regulars at the Reno Club and often performed for a live radio broadcast. During a broadcast the announcer wanted to give Basie's name some style, so he called him "Count." Little did Basie know this touch of royalty would give him proper status and position him with the likes of Duke Ellington and Earl Hines.

Basie's new band which included many Moten alumni, with the important addition of tenor player Lester Young. They played at the Reno Club and sometimes were broadcast on local radio. Late one night with time to fill, the band started improvising. Basie liked the results and named the piece "One O'Clock Jump."[27] According to Basie, "we hit it with the rhythm section and went into the riffs, and the riffs just stuck. We set the thing up front in D-flat, and then we just went on playing in F." It became his signature tune.[28]

From New York and the East Coast to Kansas City then Chicago.

Links:

Count Basie

One O'Clock Jump - Count Basie - YouTube

Huge, Fantastic Presidential News Breaking This Morning!!

It's yet another tough, tough day for the Trumpster today, campers. Check out this incredible, breaking news from just this morning 

Former Trump advisor Steve Bannon arrested on fraud charges in border wall fundraising scheme

Federal prosecutors say Bannon and three associates illegally funneled money from the “We Build The Wall” fund

Truly incredible. And wonderful.

Not done there, yet more good---no, great news.

Judge rejects Trump’s latest bid to shield his tax records from Manhattan district attorney

NEW YORK — President Trump’s latest attempt to block the Manhattan district attorney from obtaining his tax records was rejected by a federal judge Thursday.

U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero threw out the latest lawsuit brought by Trump’s lawyers which had argued that a subpoena to Mazars USA, Trump’s accounting firm, was “overbroad” in its request for documents and that it amounted to “harassment.” Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. argued repeatedly that the subpoena, issued by a grand jury, was legally valid and tied to a legitimate criminal investigation.

And then one last breaking story today.

Prosecutors looking to reinstate indictment against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort for mortgage fraud

The case was initially dismissed due to its similarity to the federal charges

The Manhattan District Attorney's office fought Thursday to reinstate the indictment against President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, according to court documents filed in the case.

Manafort had been charged in New York for allegedly conducting a yearlong residential mortgage fraud scheme before the case was dismissed in December due to its similarity to earlier federal charges.

The Manhattan DA's office argued, according to court filings, that the state's double jeopardy law contains an exception that would allow the case to proceed.

Isn't it a beautiful day, ladies and gentlemen?

So. herewith, a summary of this Trump, very Republican Party administration so far, to date:

• Rick Gates: Convicted
• Paul Manafort: Convicted
• George Papadopoulos: Convicted
• Mike Flynn: Convicted
• Michael Cohen: Convicted
• Roger Stone: Convicted
• Steve Bannon: Arrested, charged with fraud
• Donald Trump: Impeached

"Only the best people..."

"So much winning..."

Thanks, Mr. President!

Thanks, Republicans!

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VOTE!!

And VOTE BLUE!!

The Donald Trump/Republican Party Election Platform 2020

In a nutshell.

Vote Trump?

Vote Republican?

I don't think so.

Four Different Formal Groups of Republicans Against Trump

Four, four different groups of Republicans now that formed formal organizations to defeat the sitting President of their own political party.

The Lincoln Project

Republican Voters Against Trump

Right Side PAC

43 Alumni for Joe Biden

And there's this, too, from The Guardian (link below):

A set of Republican national security officials has also emerged in opposition to Trump.

That group hasn’t given itself a name yet, and includes the former Bush homeland security adviser Ken Wainstein, and John Bellinger III, who served in the state department. The group is looking to rally national security officials away from Trump – either by supporting Biden or writing in someone else.

I'm telling you, folks., this is completely unprecedented in our nation's entire history.

Vote.

And vote blue.

#BlueWave

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Links:

Republican rebels come together to take on Trump

A slew of organized Republican groups have sprung up to do all they can to defeat Trump in November

Anti-Trump Republican groups urge GOP voters to support Joe Biden for president

This President President Just Took Three Big Broadsides in 24 Hours

Yes, really, SO much going on and honestly, precious little of it good or positive for this President Trump.

First up, this was released yesterday.

Former DHS official blasts Trump, endorses Biden

Miles Taylor, who served as the Department of Homeland Security's chief of staff, in a video endorsement of Biden said that working under the current administration was "terrifying."

"What we saw week in and week out, for me, after two and a half years in that administration, was terrifying. We would go in to try to talk to him about a pressing national security issue — cyberattack, terrorism threat. He wasn't interested in those things. To him, they weren't priorities," Taylor says in the video, which was produced by the group Republican Voters Against Trump.

Taylor said that many of the things President Donald Trump wanted DHS to do were impossible and in some cases illegal. He characterized the president as vindictive and self-centered.

"Given what I have experienced in the administration, I have to support Joe Biden for president. And even though I am not a Democrat, even though I disagree on key issues, I'm confident that Joe Biden will protect the country, and I'm confident that he won't make the same mistakes as this president," Taylor, who was at DHS from 2017 to 2019, adds in the video.

That was brutal.

Then this came out this morning, in the last hour or two. And check the source.

Bipartisan Senate report describes 2016 Trump campaign eager to accept help from foreign power

The report highlights some never-before-seen evidence, including allegations about women and potentially compromising material tied to Trump trips to Russia

WASHINGTON — In a thousand-page bipartisan report released Tuesday, the Senate Intelligence Committee said the Trump administration obstructed its investigation with "novel claims" of executive privilege. It painted a portrait of a Trump campaign eager to accept help from a foreign power in 2016.

The Senate report, the most detailed account to date of the Trump campaign's embrace of Russian election interference, also asserted that the allegations that Ukraine interfered in the election — which President Donald Trump perpetuated — originated with Russian intelligence agencies.

The report highlighted some never-before-seen evidence about Trump and Russia, including three allegations of potentially compromising material relating to Trump's private trips to Russia that were unconnected to the dossier compiled by former British spy Christopher Steele...

..."Russia and other countries took advantage of the Transition Team's inexperience, transparent opposition to Obama Administration policies, and Trump's desire to deepen ties with Russia, to pursue unofficial channels through which Russia could conduct diplomacy," the report said. "The lack of vetting of foreign interactions by Transition officials left the Transition open to influence and manipulation by foreign intelligence services, government leaders, and co-opted business executives."

It added, "Russian officials, intelligence services, and others acting on the Kremlin's behalf were capable of exploiting the Transition's shortcomings for Russia's advantage. Based on available information it is possible — and even likely — that they did so."

On Ukraine, the report said that Russian-government operatives from late 2016 until at least January 2020 consistently spread "overlapping false narratives which sought to discredit investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 elections and spread false information about the events of 2016."

I personally, strongly recommend reading that entire article.

And there's more from and about this, too.

Senate report finds Manafort passed campaign data to Russian intelligence officer

Between even just these two events in the last 24 hours, this President took a couple of big, big hits, folks. And with these revelations on his campaign working with the Russians, etc., it's two big problems for him, among at least a few, if not several others, not least of which is the State of New York looking into prosecuting him.

Trump Flails Against Growing Financial Probe 

in New York

Thirdly and finally, this was announced yesterday.

Appeals court lets emoluments case against Trump continue

This President always was in over his head, so to speak. It's my contention he never knew what he was getting into because he clearly never knew our government and/or what's involved or what it takes.

As I keep saying, thanks, Republicans.  That's quite the guy you foisted on us all.

On Trump Trying to Dismantle the USPS--and Likely Our Democracy. And Nation

So here is what's going on with this many-layered situation. First this.

USPS Removes Mailboxes

Followed, also, amazingly, by this.

Postal Service plans to remove 671 high-volume mail processing machines

An internal US Postal Service document obtained by NBC News reveals plans to remove 671 high-volume mail processing machines from postal facilities across the country. The document, circulated in June, is broken out by region and city/state.

Heck, our own Kansas City Star reported it did, in fact, happen here locally.

Postal Services removes mail machines in Kansas, Missouri

Can you imagine working for the Postal Service, walking in and seeing the mail sorting machine gone? Where does that happen? In what industry do they REMOVE automating equipment? Anywhere?

Then this came from the Orange Man's mouth himself.

Trump Admits He’s Trying To Stop Mail-In Voting With USPS Sabotage

Trump admitted that he is trying to stop mail-in votes from being counted with USPS sabotage during a Thursday Fox Business interview.

Once again, this President shows he wasn't/isn't smart enough, bright enough to even keep his mouth closed, keep quiet about his plans, nefarious and blatant as they are.

With all that, this is where we are now.

House Oversight Committee calls for 'urgent' hearing with Postmaster General

The House Oversight Committee is calling for Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to testify at an "urgent" congressional hearing later this month amid growing concerns about whether cost-cutting measures will leave the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) ill-equipped to handle a rise in mail-in voting.

It seems the Trump's Postmaster General may have some significant conflicts of interest.

Amid political controversy, postmaster general's stock holdings come under renewed scrutiny

USPS head Louis DeJoy reportedly owns millions of stock in mail processor

With this President trying to under-fund or de-fund the Postal Service and the House Democrats planning to have the Postmaster General this coming week, here are some things I'd like to ask the head of the Postal Service, that Postmaster General, just now:

• Do you deny that 671 mail sorter machines--or some number--have been ordered out of our postal service facilities across the nation?
• Why are they being taken out? 
• How does taking mail sorting machines out make any sense at any time but especially now when we need the postal service and all you do for this most killing pandemic in over 100 years?
• Why are post office mailboxes being carted away?
• How can anyone think this isn't to keep people from voting this Fall?
• Can you testify now, under oath, that you own no other investments that have to do with mailing or shipping of any sort in our nation?
• Can you testify here under oath that you would in no way benefit from having our United States Postal Service ceasing to exist?
• Can you testify here, now, under oath that it is not now nor will be in the future your goal or the goal of your boss, this current President, to end the existence of the United States Postal Service?

I hope someone asks them.

This, however, is how and where it gets difficult.

What Really Scares Voting Experts About the Postal Service

No matter what Trump says, the USPS has the money and the capacity to handle a huge surge in mail-in ballots. But new restrictions could disrupt the election.

President Donald Trump and his allies might well succeed in undermining the United States Postal Service’s ability to handle an expected surge in mail-in ballots this fall. But the biggest immediate threat to voting by mail isn’t blocked funding.

Trump acknowledged yesterday that he opposes a major stimulus deal with Democrats in part because he wants to stop an infusion of $25 billion to the Postal Service ahead of the election. “They need that money in order for the Post Office to work, to take in these millions and millions of ballots,” Trump said in an interview with Fox Business’s Maria Bartiromo. But the president doesn’t want more voting by mail, and he doesn’t want the Postal Service to have any more money to help with it. “If we don’t make a deal, that means they don’t get the money. That means they can’t have universal mail-in voting. That means they can’t have it.”

Democrats see the president’s comments as slam-dunk evidence of what they have been charging for weeks: that Trump is sabotaging the November election by purposely degrading the ostensibly independent Postal Service. They have assailed the appointment as postmaster general of a Trump donor, Louis DeJoy, who has moved rapidly to reorganize the Postal Service’s leadership and institute cost-cutting measures that have already resulted in slower mail delivery. Those service changes, rather than the congressional fight over funding, are what alarm advocates for mail-in voting the most. At stake is nothing less than the integrity of the election itself, which to a large degree rests on whether tens of millions of ballots can get into mailboxes and then back to their precincts in time to count.

Keeping in mind this, overall, from our own Constitution.

8 U.S. Code § 1701.Obstruction of mails generally

Whoever knowingly and willfully obstructs or retards the passage of the mail, or any carrier or conveyance carrying the mail, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 778; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(B), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2146.)

I would never have thought a President, even this one, would attack and try to dismantle, destroy our Postal Service.

Unreal where we are.

Then this President said this.

Trump says it could take 'months' or 'years' to know election results

Have we become, are we already some Third World banana republic backwater?

Are we going to tolerate this?

I'm sure as Hell not if I can do anything about it.

First, we can't respond to a pandemic---but all other nations can---and now this?

Oh, Hell no.

Once again, one more time, thanks, Republicans.

Covid-19: A Very Current International Comparison

 Check that out. This was yesterday. Deaths from this pandemic in 7 different allies and us, the United States of America. 

The world's richest, "most advanced" nation.

1,120 Americans died yesterday. Now, more than 168,000 Americans dead from this pandemic.

We're exceptional, all right.

Thanks, Mr. President.

Thanks, Republicans.

Quote of the Day -- Presidential Edition

 

“Has there ever been a president so utterly devoid of scruple, so naked in his ambition to steal an election? Trump is so terrified of losing that he’ll take the entire system down with him. Our post office. Our elections. Our very democracy. His depravity is boundless.” 

--Rep. Adam Schiff, D-CA

And the answer, of course, is no. There has never been a President this low.

Thanks, Republicans.

What This Pandemic Is and Is Not, Here In America

I found this on the interwebs, on Facebonkers, today and thought it good to the point of important.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but you need to know how silly you look if you post some variation of, "Welcome to Socialism..."

You are not seeing Socialism. What you are seeing is one of the wealthiest, geographically advantaged, and productive capitalist societies in the world flounder and fail at its most basic test. Taking care of its people.

This crisis is not about the virus.

This crisis is about the massive failure of our, "Booming economy," to survive even modest challenges. It is about the market dissonance of shortages in stores, even as farmers/producers destroy unused crops and products. This crisis is about huge corporations needing an emergency bailout within days of the longest Bull Market in our history ending and despite the ability to borrow with zero percent interest rates.

This crisis is about corporatized healthcare systems being unable and ill equipped to provide basic healthcare, at the same time they post record profits. It is about crisis response depending on antiquated systems nobody remembers how to operate.

But most of all, this crisis is a direct result of the politicization of every aspect of our society for the benefit of a privileged few. The vilification of education, science, media, natural rights, rural lifestyles, urban lifestyles, charity, compassion, and virtually everything else for brief political gain has gutted our society.

What you are seeing is a quarter century of technological brilliance being reduced to a narcissistic popularity contest. You're seeing the folly of basing the health and welfare of an entire society on personal greed. You're seeing all the necessary tools, for us to shrug off this crisis, go unused while people argue over who should get the credit and profit. Even worse, you're seeing vital help withheld because recipients might not, "deserve it..."

You're seeing a lot of things nobody thought they'd ever see, but you're not seeing Socialism...

"Doing nothing for others is the undoing of ourselves."  -- Horace Mann

-- Paul Field