Michael Flynn’s Case: The Week the Dots Began to Connect

One of the great advantages the scoundrels involved in the Trump/Russia Collusion travesty have held since its inception is the fact that what they did is so outrageous, so far-flung and complex, so arrogant and audacious, and so well protected by the mainstream media; all of the players involved never thought for one second that they would have to answer for their actions.

First off, they never thought that Hillary would lose to Donald.  Therefore, and based on that assumption, nobody would ever hear about what they had been up to.  Had Clinton won (Plan A); no one would have.  Secondly, when Trump shocked the world and actually won the presidential race; they shifted gears to a mode that would simply get rid of this man (Plan B) who, in their eyes, was nothing more than a pretender to the throne.  And finally, when plans A and B both failed; they came up with the monstrous scheme of denial, misdirection, and cover-up (Plan C) in an attempt to keep the details of their murky enterprise from ever seeing the light of day.   

Plan A was possible because they were in power at the time it was hatched and had the tacit approval of a sitting President on their side.  The media enabled this effort by their refusal to even address it in their medium.  Plan B was possible because even though they had been defeated at the ballot box, they still retained enormous power and authority at high levels in the government and they were dealing with an absolute rookie administration that was struggling to find out where the doors and bathrooms were located.  While being forced to cover this news, the media nonetheless allowed their partisan mask to slip by how they covered these events; always in a reliable fashion for the Democrats.  And then when Plan C finally arrived, the media cast aside any pretense of ethics or journalistic integrity; instead, jumping fully clothed in the deep end of the Democratic pool of insidious, Machiavellian, and yes…even treasonous collusion.

Pending the outcome of the upcoming Presidential Election and the system shock resulting from the cornonavirus pandemic; it is questionable whether or not Attorney General Barr and U.S. Attorney John Durham will have sufficient time to disclose the full story of connivery that has unfolded over the last three years.  If a Democrat wins the White House this November and if the story has not yet been laid out by then; that ship will have sailed and history will essentially erase the essentials of this corruption over the next four years.  On the other hand…if Trump is re-elected, another four years should be adequate time not only for the story line to be fully exposed; it should also provide sufficient space to mete out some accountability.

In either case, this past week has been a linch pin period for anyone following this political escapade.  Michael Flynn’s case was the connection and transitional point between Plan A and Plan B.  For a story which has been simply too large, too disparate, and too concealed for many people to fully appreciate; Flynn’s case is the lens that has dramatically brought much of it into a greater focus.  The attempt by Obama’s corrupt corps of over-zealous ideologues to utterly destroy a THREE STAR LT. GENERAL WITH 33 YEARS OF MILITARY SERVICE TO THIS NATION is beyond contempt.  Read about Michael Flynn’s career here: https://www.stripes.com/news/us/michael-flynn-s-transformation-from-storied-military-officer-to-heated-partisan-1.560739 .  But as contemptible as this personal attack on Flynn was; the full context of it serves to connect the dots in this overall scheme to subvert the will of the American people, abuse and corrupt the powers of our government, and essentially execute a coup to overthrow a duly-elected President. 

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You will find below a series of links that will set forth the timeline of this tragic chapter in American politics; the darkest such chapter thus far in our history.  It is long, it is involved, and it is really unbelievable.  The fact that it in fact occurred is a blight not only on the people who perpetrated it; but also on the people of our great nation who put them in the position to do so.  Even as these gross abuses become matters of public record, we continue as a government and as a nation to extend the powers and authorities of our elected officials and place them in a position to repeat this sad chain of events at some point in the future.  Take the time to read the links.  Take the time to think for yourself.  Take the time to consider what kind of government you want for this country.  And then, come face to face with these harsh realities:  Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.  We get the government we deserve. 

Now keeping in mind the three plans, A/B/C, referenced above; follow the logic of the Democratic Party as this plan unfolds.  Because the recent revelations in the Flynn Case have dramatically clarified events, the calendar dates of the news item links appear to be disjointed.  They are not; the news was simply reported as it became public (Plan C was pretty effective).  Even though the Flynn Case is the linch pin to understanding the entire story; it is the most recent to be examined.  In a chronological sense, it was actually the transition point between Plan A and Plan B.

Before beginning the deep dive into the individual Plans and their links, it would be really instructive to view the following video.  No one person on the planet has been more useful in tracking and reporting on this three-year subterfuge than journalist Andrew C. McCarthy.  His experience at the highest levels of U.S. law enforcement coupled with the common sense and clarity exhibited in his writing results in a clear, objective, and cogent accounting of this perversion.  If you really want to understand what went down, then read all of the linked stories.  But first…set the table with this:   https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2020/01/ball-of-collusion-the-video.php .

Plan A.  Even though they have an incumbent President supporting them, a stupendous advantage in campaign financing, a compliant media that guarantees positive news coverage, and a clear demographic voter preference; the Hillary Clinton Campaign for President and the Democratic Leadership Committee conspire with Russian elements through Christopher Steele and his dossier to defeat Donald Trump in the 2016 Presidential Election.  This is the effort to win the presidency.

You can find the actual Steele Dossier document here: https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2017/12/who-was-that-masked-source.php .

Just how trustworthy was Mr. Steele: https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/outlets-that-covered-steele-dossier-during-russiagate-go-silent-as-steeles-ties-to-kremlin-revealed/ .

And then there is this about Mr. Steele’s methods: https://dailycaller.com/2020/04/23/christopher-steele-dossier-deleted-emails-source/ .

Was the document reliable: https://justthenews.com/accountability/russia-and-ukraine-scandals/fbi-received-repeated-warnings-about-steele-informant .

At the end of the day…just how close was the 2016 Presidential Election: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/weekly-standard/the-election-came-down-to-77-744-votes-in-pennsylvania-wisconsin-and-michigan-updated .

Plan B.  Having lost the Presidential Election and unable to come to grips with the consequences of that defeat, Hillary Clinton partisans and Obama Administration holdovers in the Department of Justice, along with their co-conspirators in the mainstream media, initiate operation Crossfire Hurricane.  The scheme is designed to sabotage the incoming Trump Administration, preserve as much of the Obama legacy as possible, and potentially remove a sitting President from office.  Their biggest challenge is figuring out a way to extend the investigation from the Obama Administration over and into the Trump Administration.  This is the effort to destroy a presidency.

President Trump assumes office and selects Michael Flynn as his National Security Adviser.  Because he was despised by the Obama holdovers and was the key to future investigations of the Trump Administration, Flynn is ambushed by the perjury trap meeting with FBI personnel.  The Flynn meeting subsequently led to the Trump/Russia Conspiracy Hoax and the Mueller Investigation.  This event was the key to carrying the investigation forward.

A good preview of the Flynn episode to set the table: https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/04/criminalizing-politics-the-investigation-of-general-flynn/ .

Flynn did nothing wrong: https://justthenews.com/accountability/russia-and-ukraine-scandals/fbi-found-no-derogatory-russia-evidence-flynn-planned .

Once again…Michael Flynn did nothing wrong: https://thefederalist.com/2020/04/30/breaking-fbi-closed-flynn-case-dubbed-crossfire-razor-in-early-2017-until-strzok-ordered-it-to-stay-open/.

And why was Flynn being interviewed to begin with: https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/05/fbi-set-up-michael-flynn-to-preserve-trump-russia-probe/ .

Some recently discovered facts regarding the Flynn deal: https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/04/explosive-revelations-in-the-flynn-case/ .

What is the current status of the Flynn episode: https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2020/04/24/flynn-case-update-reviewing-missouri-u-s-attorney-provides-exculpatory-evidence-under-seal/ .

Using the Flynn meeting as a pretext, the conspiracy heads into the surreal investigation of the Trump Campaign and Administration.  Obama green-lights the Steele Dossier as legitimate and the Mueller Games begin, along with all of the FISA madness: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/ex-fbi-officials-obama-order-drove-push-to-include-steele-dossier-in-report-on-russian-interference .

Events begin swirling down the rabbit hole.  Here is a non-partisan, “official” analysis of the FISA activities: https://oig.justice.gov/reports/2020/a20047.pdf .

And more “official” findings: https://www.scribd.com/document/439020741/Office-of-the-Inspector-General-Review-of-Four-FISA-Applications-and-Other-Aspects-of-the-FBI-s-Crossfire-Hurricane-Investigation#from_embed .

DOJ IG Horowitz “officially” updates Congress on the FISA monkey business he has discovered: https://www.scribd.com/document/439371125/Horowitz-Testimony#from_embed .

After orchestrating the Flynn ambush, James Comey is fired as FBI Director and a Special Investigator is appointed by Comey’s successor, Rod Rosenstein.  He selects Robert Mueller and his Merry Band of Democrat Lawyers.  No rules, no budget, no supervision…Just take Trump down.  Here are some details on that little adventure and what it cost America: https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/453941-key-numbers-to-know-for-muellers-testimony

Here is the “official” Mueller Report: https://www.scribd.com/document/406725805/Mueller-Report#from_embed .

When it was finally released, here is what Attorney General Barr had to say about it: https://www.scribd.com/document/402974697/Barr-s-Letter#from_embed .

And how credible was the Mueller Circus and his Legal Clownshow: https://justthenews.com/accountability/russia-and-ukraine-scandals/13-revelations-showing-fbi-never-really-had-russia .

Plan C.  The Mueller probe is a colossal flop.  Still unable to come to grips with Plan A’s failure and gradually realizing that Plan B will ultimately meet a similar fate, the players in this nefarious absurdity utilize every trick in the book to cover-up and distract from their failed efforts.  This Plan is executed mainly by Congressional Democrats through their clownish investigations, their Impeachment Circus, the Ukraine telephone call foolishness, and their constant partisan joint-efforts with the mainstream media; who by this time realize that they were demonstrably complicit in Plan B and might as well throw themselves full-bore into Plan C. 

Why…in…the…world…did…California…send…this…man…to…Congress: https://justthenews.com/accountability/russia-and-ukraine-scandals/how-adam-schiff-secretly-thwarted-efforts-bring

What exactly was wrong with this telephone call: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Unclassified09.2019.pdf

Regarding media bias…YOU be the judge.  Here is a great starting point: https://libguides.com.edu/c.php?g=649909&p=4556558 .

Here are two good articles to sum up the entire series of events: https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/04/welcome-to-the-real-russia-scandal/ .

https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2020/04/a-historic-travesty-primary-documents.php .

If you have gotten this far and are a Republican; you no doubt feel some vindication for your frustration and anger at the years of spite and malice exhibited by the Trump Derangement Syndrome so prevalent in the Democratic Party and the mainstream media.  But don’t be too smug.  If the laws are not changed and the consciousness of the American public is not raised; the next time a travesty like this unfolds, the partisan roles just might be reversed.

If, on the other hand, you are a Democrat; you have to ask yourself how in a political party so large and diverse, not a single individual with influence and authority stood up in public and condemned this despicable effort to undermine our nation’s government.  How could the membership of a political party with such a proud and productive history of service stand silent while a small band of corrupt individuals commandeered their party and pursued such terrible ends? 

And if, like me, you are an Independent; you continue to be dismayed by the situation we find ourselves in where the national political parties consistently nominate individuals who are so frightfully-flawed, have allegiance to nothing but the increased gain of power and influence, and cling to their elected offices or appointed positions as if they represented their last breaths on earth.  Neither national party has any discipline whatsoever when it comes to federal spending restraint; there is no daylight between them.  The only difference is what they choose to spend federal dollars on.  That argument is, and always will be, a legitimate function of government.

But when it comes to standing on the principles of our constitution, the very foundation upon which this nation was formed; the Republican Party is on the side of liberty and freedom.  They have many times lost their way under the influence of power and still grapple with the allure of governmental dictates; but at least they cling to a semblance of allegiance to the ideals of our forefathers. 

It is difficult to find promise and hope for government reform in the Republican Party.  The fiber of their leadership is not much different than that of the Democrats.  But by their actions during the Trump Administration as chronicled above, the Democratic Party has foregone any legitimate claim to the helm of civic leadership.  A price should be paid for this type of behavior and the bill should come due this November. 

As bad as this story was…and is…unless significant changes are made in the quality of the people we elect to administer our government and if the wisdom of the laws that are passed to dictate our lives is not dramatically increased; I fear that the lessons from this debacle will be short-lived and soon forgotten.  Consider the weasel-like and shallow Obama or the arrogant and crude Trump.  If we cannot find the political will to address the governmental deficiencies that led to these occurrences; we are condemned to a similar course of events at some point in our future.  And who then will we blame?

The Pension Time-Bomb is Closer to BOOM!

I wrote some time ago about the increasingly serious fiscal plights of many pension plans across America.  You can read that post here: http://centerlineright.blogspot.com/2019/07/revitialized-scotus-and-skin-in-game.html .  The plain and simple fact is that many states have exercised terrible fiscal judgment over the last few decades and that has resulted in their state treasuries being on the verge of financial collapse.  The prime (but not the only) component in this bad behavior is their irresponsible approach to exclusively fixed-payment pensions; essentially making promises they knew they could not keep.  And over the last handful of years, we have repeatedly seen groups like state employees, teacher unions, industry unions, and many other such organizations dig in their heels and absolutely refuse to renegotiate their pension plans. 

They do this for two reasons.  First, they are confident that those who are already receiving the pension payments will never give an inch on what they feel they have justifiably earned over the course of their careers.  Secondly, those that are still working and contributing to the pension plans see the great deal their predecessors are currently receiving in retirement and there is no way in Hades that they are giving up on that same dream.  Both of these attitudes are the equivalent of whistling past the graveyard and will not prevent the grim reaper of fiscal reality from making his gruesome presence known in the not-too-distant future.

Simple math and the harsh morning glare of reason dictates that when the funds flowing into a pension fund plus any financial gain from its asset value less its administrative costs do not cover the funds flowing out of a pension fund in the form of retiree payments, there will be a shortfall and the fund is unsustainable.  That unsustainability will by necessity result in one of two likelihoods.  Either those receiving pensions will continue receiving funds at the same rate while those working members contributing to the fund increase their portions to cover the shortfall…or…both those currently receiving pension payments and those who will receive them in the future will in fact receive not the full payment, but pennies on the dollar based on the capacity of the fund.  Of course, this dynamic can be avoided if structural changes are made to the fund to make it fiscally sustainable.  For that to happen, somebody in the system has to take a financial hit.  And that, my friends, is where the problems lie.  Nobody wants to take that hit.

The result is that the economically-shaky pension funds continue to rattle down the road; pensioners continue to trek to the bank with their overly-generous retirement checks; and current workers continue to make contributions at unrealistically-low rates and look forward to the false promises of a comfortable retirement.  The whole machine is hurtling down a hill with inadequate steering, worn out brakes, an incompetent driver, and an impenetrable wall waiting at the bottom of the incline.  It does not take an accountant to see how this story ends.

And now, under the cover of federal coronavirus relief funding, many of these same state pension guardians come forth with the notion that suddenly, like completely out of left field and no doubt due to this terrible and unavoidable global pandemic, their pension funds are on the verge of collapse and it is the obligation of this nation’s taxpayers to bail out these programs.  Catch that logic; people who will NEVER benefit from these poorly-designed and poorly-managed pension funds will nonetheless prop them up with their tax payments.  And…they will do this while struggling to finance their own retirement and while the insanity that led to this disaster simply continues unabated.  

This shameless attempt to forego any accountability for their reckless management of worker’s pension funds and to seek taxpayer relief for their own fiscal transgressions is pathetic beyond description.  Unfortunately, because many of the beneficiaries are powerful and influential players in our political system; this ruse stands an excellent chance of succeeding.  This particular phase of the coronavirus stimulus legislation might just be the Trojan Horse that states roll through the gates of Congress with a sweet little pension bailout hidden deep inside.

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·       The Gross Domestic Product is a number that expresses the annual worth of the output of a country in local currency; in other words, the market value of all goods and services produced in the United States for one full year.  America’s GDP has been running about $20.5 TRILLION over the last few years. 

·       The tax receipts that our government receives annually to pay for our nation’s business have been running around $3.3 TRILLION. 

·       The federal spending deficit for FY2018 was $779 BILLION, with total federal spending clocking in at $4.1 TRILLION. 

·       That FY2018 federal spending deficit grew by 17 percent (that is $113 BILLION) compared to FY2017 and is the highest federal deficit in six years (since FY2012).  

·       The current national debt of the United States is approximately $24,000,000,000,000.  That is in TRILLIONS.  

·       Keep in mind that this dynamic is occurring when federal tax receipts are at all time highs and the spending numbers are BEFORE any of the coronavirus stimulus was instituted.

      As the numbers reflect, we as a nation are spending essentially everything (and more) that we make each year while our monstrous debt continues to accrue interest and multiply in astronomical terms.  Look at these numbers…so many zeros…is it any wonder that our elected officials lose track of how much money they are spending?

Now comes the coronavirus pandemic and the federal effort to offset its punitive fiscal effects on our nation and its people.  Under the guise of a national emergency, called a war by some, our government has ginned up the printing presses and has thus far spent $2 TRILLION in one stimulus package and $480 BILLION in the recent follow-up bill.  And don’t be misled by Governors who are screaming that the feds are not doing all they need to do; these two spending packages were in addition to previous actions and expenditures taken to address the viral outbreak: https://www.investopedia.com/government-stimulus-efforts-to-fight-the-covid-19-crisis-4799723 . And hold on tight…there appears to be a good deal of sentiment in WDC to pass even more stimulus legislation with an ever-increasing cost on the federal debt. 

To put this in perspective, imagine that you and your family are receiving a total family income of $75,000 per year.  You get notified that your work-week will be cut down drastically; which results in a reduced or totally lost paycheck. You have debts like everyone else; a car payment or two, a mortgage, perhaps a second mortgage, education expenses for the kids, utilities, insurance, and groceries…a lot of bills.  Now after paying your bills, it would be ideal if you could set-aside a bit of your income in savings for the future or for rainy day catastrophes; but that is extremely hard to manage and the plain fact is that most people are not doing it.  Instead, and if you are operating like our federal government, you are spending almost $100,000 per year; or about 25 percent MORE than you actually receive in income. 

Now here is the rub…you do this while not paying one…red…cent on your outstanding debt.  Nothing goes to principal repayment on the car or the mortgage.  You are simply digging your financial hole deeper and deeper with the certainty that one day; the debt will have to be addressed.  If you are John Q. Citizen, the likely result is bankruptcy.  You don’t have a money tree in the back yard; but the government does. 

If you are the United States of America, the solution is…you print more money.  You kick the debt can down the road.  While you pass out stimulus checks to every Tom, Dick and Harry and spend money on federal programs like drunken sailors, you are saddling future generations of Americans with the consequences of your irresponsible and extravagant fiscal habits.  When we see parents do this to their children; we call it a tragedy.  When our government does it; we call it business as usual. 

Consider this… In recent years, our government has been receiving RECORD HIGH tax receipts from its citizens to fund itself.  But instead of taking this increased revenue and trying to apply it in some responsible fashion towards decreasing our federal debt and annual spending deficit; our elected officials have simply spent the additional revenue and more on federal programs too numerous to count.  And now…with the global pandemic paralyzing our economy and chopping down federal tax receipts to a fraction of what they have been; do you think they might consider re-priortizing spending?  Do they cut back in some areas in order to increase in others that have more pressing needs?  No!  They continue the profligate spending habits they have become addicted to and add on top of that the oceans of cash dedicated to the pandemic stimulus effort.  Instead of trying to contain the fire and save the building; they are instead pouring fuel on the fire and increasing the blaze.

It is bad enough that our elected officials, both Republican and Democrat, pay no heed to our federal debt and continue to load up this ticking fiscal time bomb.  But if, as it appears quite likely they will do, they bail out these even more irresponsible (yes…as incredible as it seems…that is possible) state governments and their unicorn pension plans; then we will have reached a point of federal fiscal ineptitude that is simply beyond comprehension.  At some point, a reckoning will arrive. 

If there is any semblance of financial reason to be found in our WDC governmental complex, that reckoning will begin to dawn soon.  Uncle Sam may not have to declare bankruptcy like John Q; but at some point, all mechanical devices wear out and chickens will come home to roost.  The United States cannot continue to endlessly print money to cover for its insatiable generosity in federal programs spending and assume, without any reasonable basis whatsoever, that future generations will figure out some way to balance the ledger.

In the mid-1980’s, the government cut off new employee entry into their Civil Service Retirement Plan (CSRS); this was the pension plan for federal employees.  They did this for two reasons.  First, they recognized that the Plan was not fiscally sustainable and had to be structurally revised if it was to continue.  Secondly, many in government wanted to tap into the large pool of federal employee retirement contributions in order to prop up the Social Security Administration.  You see, prior to that point, federal employees in the CSRS did not contribute to nor draw from the Social Security system.  The addition of new federal employees to the Social Security pool of contributors no doubt helped to stabilize the system. 

The government replaced the CSRS with the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).  While being a solid and reliable retirement system that was immensely fair to federal employees, it shifted the funding obligation more towards the employee and away from the employer.  It required more sacrifice from the individual to fund their own future retirement.  It required that all participants have some skin in the game.  This is the hard decision that many states and organizations need to make regarding their troubled retirement plans.  It requires courage from leaders; it requires sacrifices from members; and it requires common sense and fairness.  And it also requires a firm approach from the government that makes it clear that these unsustainable pension programs must first help themselves by instituting responsible structural changes before they go begging to the federal coffers for a bailout.

MORE of Some of What Makes Life Worth Living

I got a great response from previous posts featuring music.  I love the tunes and apparently, a lot of you do too.  As we hopefully approach the end of the corona lockdown, perhaps a few tunes will ease the quarantine blues.  Here is some more good stuff offered up for your enjoyment.  Find some time to kick back and run through this eclectic playlist…

This one is dedicated to the United States Congress!   Go ahead and spread that dough.  For a lot of bands…this might be over the top.  But…Not…For…This…Band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lqdErI9uss

He’s still on my bucket list to see live before I check out.  So laid back…so smooth…the great ones make it look so easy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoxEcD4PCco

One who left way too soon…great catalog of hits…be sure to check out the band for some familiar faces: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvlTJrNJ5lA

Great country song…a story we’ve heard before…easy to listen to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JIE6-ilfZE

Such a great entertainer…so many hits…what a great song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K78qUuVqgXQ

Ahead of their time….the Eagles before there was the Eagles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD0KifiYpPs

What a voice…great old song…her life was way too short: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzLd2MDAHK8

Power to the music, baby...turn it up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZTJBViOoik

Two great talents…haunting melody…true lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTIu4UbkK94

Great with the band…great by himself…so versatile: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoSn2Y-b6wI

What a feeling…they never seem to last long enough…that highway song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM4DxUVGlIk

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BIG sound…go ahead and test your volume: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCWj8Nz5DUg

After all these years…Motown still sounds soooo good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXiQtD5gcHU

Gift those roses while you are still alive!  We all wait too long to say it…say it now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1eG6tGXRxQ

So much talent in this band…so much good music…a great show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBYHwH1Vb-c

 A man in tune with his instrument…liquid music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNdYTunj8Yg

In his younger days…you could see the talent even then: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UroApoVbKn0

One part of CSN&Y…when he was just beginning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An2a1_Do_fc

What a voice…what a song…what a great way to close it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9-FQMxO_-Q

A final tribute, if you will, to those who have fallen prey to the pandemic among us.  Every lost life is a tragedy and represents an ocean of pain and sorrow.  For those who have passed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiL9PrBA-Hg

The Democrat’s Tiresome Game of Arbitrary Obstinance

When the President says right; Senate Minority Leader Schumer says left.  When the President says day; House Speaker Pelosi says night.  When the President says dry; Joe Biden says wet.  When the President says straight; the Democratic Party Leadership says crooked.   Schumer does not say this because of a sense of direction; he says it because of political calculation.  Pelosi does not say this because of policy disagreement; she says this because of pure spite and malice.  Biden does not say this because of a weather condition; he says this because….well, who knows why Biden says what he says.  And the Democratic Party does not say this because of basic political disagreement; they say this because of their lust for power and authority.  This is what our nation’s partisan divide has come to.  A senseless, non-productive, dis-incentivizing approach to governing that has been adopted wholesale by the Democrats and their soulless minions in the mainstream media.  Their shtick is becoming painfully tiresome.

Gone are the days when a loyal opposition stance by one national party regarding the other party took a sometimes partisan, sometimes childish, and sometimes debilitating toll on our governmental function.  It ultimately resulted in a compromise situation where the desires of the majority ruled; but the desires of the minority were given consideration.  We are now in the throes of a Democratic mania that demands total and absolute disdain for all things Trump, knee-jerk opposition to literally any proposal that emanates from him or his Administration, and plain disregard for the welfare of our nation if any Trumpian civic initiative can possibly be construed to be constructive or of a positive nature.  The bile and hatred that the Democratic Party and the Mainstream Media hold for this man has possessed them to a point where not only have they lost all sense of political or journalistic ethics; they have also lost all grasp of common sense and reason.

In the midst of what will historically be labeled as one of the greatest crisis eras in American history, the Democrats and the Media have shamefully coordinated in an effort to either neutralize, minimize, or downright eliminate all efforts made by the Trump Administration to combat the coronovirus pandemic.  A prime example of this attitude is the Democratic blockage of additional funds for the stimulus small business loan program.  Do you think that perhaps I overstate this and am giving in to hyperbole?  If so, do this for me: Tell me ONE thing that any DEMOCRAT in Washington, DC has done to assist the President in his efforts to mitigate this health threat.  Once this nation gets through this terrible chapter, history will record that the means to survive this monumental attack on the very foundations of our society and culture were executed in spite of the Democratic Leadership in WDC; certainly not with their support.  While blue collar Americans worry about feeding their children; Nancy Pelosi is creating bizarre videos of her mega-frig full of fashion ice creams.

Due to his arrogance and ego, it is difficult to embrace President Trump even in his greatest moments of success.  You have to stand behind him in the congratulatory line and the wait is oftentimes insufferable.  But through this time of crisis, our President has steadfastly stood before the American people and led this nation through words and deeds.  He has done this in a stoic and purposeful fashion.  He has done this under the glare of constant judgment and criticism.  He has done this with every Democrat in this country praying for him to fall flat on his face in the effort.  And he has done this while commanding a ship of state through waters that have never before been navigated.  Give the man some credit.

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All things considered…our President has stood tall and led admirably during this true test of national courage and stamina.   This pandemic chapter in U.S. history has yet to be completed; but the end is in sight.  Donald Trump brought this nation back from the abyss of Obama’s delusionary era and restored not only our economy, but also our international consciousness and respect.  He had earnestly begun the arduous task of bringing our government back to a position of effective and efficient operation; once again standing up the principle of accountability through public service.  He was a successful Chief Executive in good times. 

We have now seen him perform during a time of crisis.  We have seen how he leads when there is no established path of recovery.  We have seen him stumble and err; yet correct himself and once again get back on the right path.  We have seen him…albeit reluctantly at times…recognize the wonderful federalist nature of our country and work with the Governors of our states in a unified quest for national stability.  We have, in fact, seen him be a successful Chief Executive in bad times.

Whether the Mainstream Media can overcome its senseless and stupefying resistance to President Trump is yet to be seen; but surely those who grasp the pens that write the record of this episode in American history will reflect on the fact that our President showed up when the chips were down.  They should correctly write that our national salvation was not in the infallible nature of our President; but rather in the innate instinct of all Americans to bind together in a time of threat and survive this unique challenge as a community.  They should recognize the things that were done right and analyze the things that were done wrong.  We will all learn from our mistakes and hopefully do better the next time a pandemic rolls around.  One thing is for certain; our President was not carried along during this battle on the winds of public opinion or group-think mania.  He led in a fashion that was sincere; motivated and ruled by what he thought to be best for ourselves and our families.  He was true to his best instincts.  At this time in the course of events, America was fortunate to have Donald Trump as President.  This was his moment of truth.  This was the Democratic Party Leadership’s moment of shame.

In November, we as a nation will make a choice that will have an inestimable impact on the future of our country.  We will consider an aging Democrat who cannot speak coherently for five minutes; a man whose personal history demonstrates no principles, no substance, and no accomplishment.  A man who during one of America’s most serious health dilemmas, hid away in his basement and lobbed unfounded and cheap criticism at a President who was trying to lead our nation through this crisis.  A man who stands for nothing and simply regurgitates babble designed to gain political traction.  A   man whose ambition has always exceeded his reach and whose capabilities have always trailed his position.  This is what Democrat Joe Biden will offer this country.  If Joe Biden is elected to the Presidency in November, the odds are very good that not only will the Democrats hold the House, they may very likely gain control of the Senate.  Can you imagine the shape of our world two years after Biden, Pelosi, and Schumer run America?

Our other option will be to retain the Presidential services of Donald Trump.  I gave up long ago on the hope that Trump might mature and grow in his role as President.  He has not.  But what he HAS done is recognize that our government serves the people and not the other way around.  He understands the value of personal freedoms and a private sector economy, unfettered by heavy-handed restriction and regulation.  He has typically appointed people who support a minimalist government and respect the Constitution upon which the nation was formed.  His re-election would mean four more years of arrogant bloviating from the White House.  But it would also mean a good likelihood of a Republican Senate; one which will insure federal judges that respect the law as it is written.  It will create the possibility of a Republican House; which will in turn create the possibility of constructive and common-sense legislation passed by a functioning government.  It could usher in a Congress that legislates rather than investigates; one that assumes its own duties and allows the Executive and Judicial branches to conduct their own.

This pandemic deal has not completely played out yet.  We are hopefully past the darkest days and are beginning to carefully and thoughtfully work our way back to some semblance of normal.  But American voters should all pay very careful attention to the performance of our national political parties and their leaders during this time of trouble.  Which side practiced partisan politics instead of public service?  Which side chose to sit by and criticize while the other side chose to lead?  Which side pursued private agendas while the public needs went unaddressed?  Which side sowed discord among the nation while the other side tried its best to unify our people?  Which side embraced a broadening role for the government and demonstrated a clear inclination to retain that increased control?  Which side reached out to the private sector for the innovation and creativity required to help us through this battle?  The answers to these questions should inform us as to who might best lead our country into the future.  It is a choice between a group that wants to run our lives for us and a group that respects our freedom to choose for ourselves.  The choice will soon be before us.  We should choose wisely.

Fowl Coming Home

As I have written many times…President Donald Trump is obnoxious, arrogant, and occasionally crude to the point of disgust.  He does and says things that are really inexcusable.  But in my lifetime, no elected official has had more reason to be frustrated than this man.  And there can be no doubt that this frustration is the reason for much, not all, of his abhorrent behavior.  What the Democrats began in the Obama Administration, with either his wink or his nod, and then burrowed into the Trump Administration in order to carry the despicable effort forward is without a doubt the most serious abuse of power in American political history.

Here are two articles that simply put the status of those actions into current context.  Take the time to follow the links in the articles and judge for yourselves how you view this type of unethical civic misbehavior.  IF…THERE…IS…ANY…JUSTICE in this world, many of the scoundrels involved in this escapade will be paying for their actions with serious legal penalties.

First off, listen to what Attorney General Barr has to say about this episode: https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2020/04/barr-fbi-investigation-was-a-historic-travesty.php .  Between DOJ IG Horowitz and Federal Prosecutor Durham, we can only hope that the sheet is pulled all the way back on this atrocity.

The biggest elephant in history has been sitting on the living room couch since this whole thing started.  Only the implicit involvement of the mainstream media has allowed the Democrat Party leadership to perpetuate this farce for so long.  And what lies at the root of this entire circus?  Only this: https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2020/04/steeles-russian-disinformation.php .

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It would be a terrible mistake for the American people to view this story through the lens of a partisan or ideological glass.  This is a story of corruption that transcends politics and policy philosophy and it must be exposed for what it is.  If this type of malfeasance is allowed to be swept under the rug, then we might as will burn our Constitution on the courthouse square.  This is NOT the way our nation’s government was designed to run.

There are two big problems with what has occurred here.  The first is the fact that a news story based entirely on false information and continually nourished by unfettered partisan passion was permitted to not only severely hamper the legitimate efforts of a duly-elected President to lead this country; but it also ripped open a partisan divide in our entire society that paralyzed a functioning Congress and Executive effort at governing.  It scarred the very essence of our people’s civic opinions and those wounds continue to fester to this day; the cost is inestimable.

But a far greater atrocity than this exists.  False tales about politicians and their misadventures spring up every day and soon fade into the past.  Most are rapidly exposed and forgotten.  Unfortunately, a few linger because they are so very convenient to the political agenda of powerful forces.  This is no different than our common culture, where the mere accusation is oftentimes the equivalent of actual guilt.  False impressions are hard to forget.  We cannot unring a bell or fully remove the breaking news bombshells and juicy gossip from our minds.  We cannot effectively obliterate the false images that are oftentimes planted in our consciousness.

But the people who cooked up this particular story about Donald Trump, the Russians, and the 2016 election knew from the very beginning that this whole deal was nothing but a fabrication and hoax.  Their constant nourishing of this fairy tale extended over a three-year period that split the United States of America in two.  The fact that these people, who were elected and/or appointed to serve in positions of public service and trust, continued to promote this circus while full well knowing the terrible costs of their subterfuge is beyond contempt.  FOR…THREE…YEARS they not only stood by while these lies tortured the very soul of American politics; they continued to throw fuel on the fire to keep it burning. 

If there is not meaningful accounting for these actions to the Department of Justice, then future presidential administrations of both national parties can only take one message from this chapter.  They must conclude that the ends justify the means.  They must feel they can bend or break the rules to achieve their personal/political goals and agendas.  They can assume the right to simply ignore the legitimate choices of the American citizens at the voting booth and run this government as they see fit.  If they so choose, they can literally pursue anything they want in any fashion they choose and do so with the comforting thought that if they are exposed, there will be no consequences.  Is this how our government should operate?  Is either national party worthy of this wholesale power, authority, and trust? 

An Easter Prayer: Almighty God...we thank you for this day and the privilege of this life.  Walk with us each day, through the light and through the darkness.  Keep your hand on our shoulders and help us to prove worthy of your promise...the promise of salvation purchased by the blood of your son Jesus on the cross.  As he was resurrected; may our lives also be lifted up.  Amen.