Touché’ Mr. Trump 7-31-2019

31, July 2019                              Touché’ Mr. Trump


Donald Trump dug down into his bag of hateful, disgusting tweets and took aim at one of the most revered and respected members of Congress, Elijah Cummings. Even many of my Republicans friends winced at the depth the president would sink to try to score political points. The thin skinned Trump responded with fury at Cummings criticism of his border policy.

As usual, Fox News guided the president in formulating a hateful response by running an unflattering story about Baltimore, Cummings Congressional District. This latest spat has persuaded more and more moderate Republicans to tip toe around the radioactive president.

Officials across Baltimore and Maryland were unanimous in denouncing the president’s remarks. The Baltimore Sun responded by publishing an editorial titled “Better to have a few rats than to be one.” Well done Mr. Trump you have lost the African-American, Hispanic and an increasing number of white voters.


Perhaps Trump has forgotten his father’s own dark history when he was investigated by a U.S. Senate committee for profiteering in 1954 and again in 1966. Trump and his father were sued in 1971 by the U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division for violating the Fair Housing Act in 1973.


Trump should also take a few moments from tweeting to admonish his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner who as a slumlord operates a rat and mice infested 9,000 units in Maryland. The company has been cited for 200 code violations. The pot calling the kettle black eh, Donald Trump?

Iran – who are the villains? 7-24-2019

24, July 2019                                   Iran – who are the villains?


First, a quick historical perspective.

In 1953 the CIA/MI6 orchestrated a coup to overthrow the democratically elected  Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh in favor of strengthening the monarchical rule of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi on 19 August 1953 and handing over Iran’s oil to Britain who rebranded Iran’s oil company, British Petroleum (BP). By so doing, Britain and America violated one of the most important and basic tenets of Christianity whose teachings they both claim to revere.

Exodus 20:17 ¹⁷"You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

Or, in the modern vernacular, “do not covet or steal another country’s resources!

The blatant theft of Iran’s oil and the brutal rule of the US puppet, the Shah, caused seething resentment leading to the Iranian revolution of 1979 and the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini, the Shi’a cleric.

“This may come as a shock to Americans, who don't like to think of their country as an empire. But what else can you call America's legions of soldiers, spooks and Special Forces straddling the globe?” Michael Ignatieff, New York Times, Jul. 28, 2002

Fast forward to 26, March 2015 when foreign ministers of the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, France, China, the European Union and the Islamic Republic of Iran signed the nuclear accord limiting Iran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons. The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) group of scientists made scheduled visits to Iran and confirmed that Iran was in strict compliance. Enter President Trump, the “master deal makers” who vented his racist, anti-Obama anger to the delight of his adoring fans, and declared America was withdrawing unilaterally from the agreement. He imposed crippling sanctions on Iran in a vain and futile attempt to pressure Iran back to the negotiating table to usher a “better deal” and regime change (oh, how America loves regime changes) . War hawks John Bolton, his national security advisor, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Saudi Arabia and Israel prodded the windsock president to do their bidding. 


The once mighty independent Britain is once again dancing to US war drums rejecting their commitment to the nuclear accord. Forgotten is their foreign policy blunder accepting US bogus claims of WMD’s leading to the disastrous invasion of Iraq. 


Hijacking an Iranian tanker and then expressing outrage when Iran returned the favor.  Sadly, Britain has fallen into the tit-for-tat seizure of tankers trap set by US hawks that could easily spin out of control leading into a devastating conflict.


Shortly after British forces seized Grace 1, Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell confirmed the capture of the tanker was carried out under direct orders by Washington.

Despite its earlier misgivings, Britain has been co-opted and is on a collision course with Iran. It’s time for the P5+1 members of the nuclear accord adhere to their earlier commitments and resist the bullying of Trump and his war hawks and stop taking orders from a highly dysfunctional Washington.

Murder of Eric Garner 7-22-2019

22, July 2019                      Murder of Eric Garner

The failure of the Justice Department to charge the arresting officer with aggravated assault, or possibly murder by strangulation, and the female NYPD sergeant, Kizzy Adonim, for not interceding, is profoundly disturbing. There appears to be two sets of police guidelines, one for non-whites and a much milder version for whites. It’s hard to believe a white man would have suffered the same horrible fate as Eric Garner lying face on the pavement.

Garner’s offence, - selling cigarettes to earn money for himself and his family. A quiet conversation to deescalate the situation would have resulted in a very different outcome. Garner gasping for breath, cried out “I can’t breathe 11 times” before he fell unconscious. “I can’t breathe” become a rallying cry for activists demanding justice. Garner was not armed and imposed no threat.

Police guidelines need to be changed. How can the same set of rules be used for subduing an unnamed man selling cigarettes and a dangerous criminal toting a gun threatening to harm the public? Garner was guilty of a very minor offence. The police could have imposed a small fine much like handing a traffic ticket. If a social worker were present there is little doubt the “public nuisance crime” could easily have been averted and Garner would be alive today. African-Americans are severely handicapped by lack of access to education and job training. This travesty demands immediate action.

Trump & evangelicals 7-18-2019

18, July 2019                      Trump & evangelicals


Sycophancy has sunk to a new low. Rejecting the wonderful teachings of the Bible, Ralph Reed, the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s founder and chairman, has pledged his support to his new savior, “There has never been anyone who has defended us and who has fought for us, who we have loved more than Donald J. Trump.” No one!” Really? I wonder how the 22 women he has abused and the scores of business contractors he has stiffed would respond. Reed seems to be tone deaf to the weeping children snatched away from their parents at the US/Mexico border.


Who are these evangelical Christians? How can they blindly follow the anti-Christ who has violated or scorned the basic tenets of Christianity? This is the man who has mocked people of color and embraced falsehood. Senator Sanders describes Trump as a pathological liar. According to “fact checker” Trump has issued 10,796 lies in 869 days.


How is it possible that Americans who insisted that character and personal integrity were of paramount importance during Bill Clinton’s presidency turn  a blind eye to the ethical and moral transgressions of Donald Trump, and also constantly defend him? How can these evangelicals who promote family values continue to support a man who has such a sordid history sexual misconduct?


Why are his supporters so eager to overlook Trump’s warm cozy relationship with Kim Jong Un, the leader of the most grotesque regime in the world who has starved his people and persecuted Christians?

Perhaps Trump has taken “love thy enemy” too literally with his affection for other brutal regimes like Russia, Saudi Arabia (architects of 9-11), Egypt, UAE. . . .

Mr. Trump why don’t you leave? 7-17-2019

17, July 2019                   Mr. Trump why don’t you leave?


Since you began campaigning for the presidency in 2016 your campaign of “hate America” began by insulting the first African American, Barack Obama, falsely accusing him of being un-American demanding to see his birth-certificate. After you became President with the help of your Russian friend, Vladimir Putin, you railed on hordes of caravan criminals and rapists invading our country. Then your vented your anger at poor trade deals which has driven a large number of our great American farmers on the verge of bankruptcy. You demonstrated your scorn for the nuclear agreement with Iran which has caused enormous suffering to the Iranian people in spite of Iran’s strict adherence to the deal. You attacked an American war hero, the late John McCain for voting in support of the Affordable Care Act. You squandered $550,000 per hour of taxpayer money to mobilize tanks, fighter jets and Air Force One on July 4 to ingratiate yourself on your never ending vanity projects. You rewarded the Republican Party National Committee with special VIP access. This is a clear violation of the Hatch Act that bars taxpayers from funding partisan events. Mr. President you are a very angry man, if you hate this wonderful country so much, why don’t you leave from whence you came and MAGA.

Epstein & his friends 7-15-2019

15, July 2019                        Epstein & his friends 

Epstein and his powerful friends like Donald Trump, Bill Clinton and Harvey Weinstein are sexual predators, preying on young women. But what separates Epstein from others was flaunting his wealth to entice underage girls for sexual gratification. His sweetheart plea deal was granted by the current Labor Secretary, Alexander Acosta who was a federal prosecutor at the time. Responding to mounting outrage he resigned in ignominy – the latest casualty  of President Trump’s swamp.  Acosta’s team of powerful lawyers was a stark reminder of our broken dual justice system where the poor languish in jail and the rich walk free. Oh, what money can buy! 

His former close friends, like Trump and Clinton who were proud to be associated with him immediately shunned him treating him like a pariah following his public notoriety.

The non-prosecution agreement allowed Epstein to keep his criminal behavior secret destroying the lives of his victims. The Southern District of New York, which is rapidly gaining a reputation for judicial excellence, has now brought an indictment against Epstein allowing his victims to testify for the first time. To add to his woes, Epstein has also been charged with witness tampering. Perhaps justice may finally be served but will not erase the damage done to these vulnerable girls. 

The true hero of this sordid story is the relentless pursuit of justice by reporter Julie Brown of the Miami Herald, a shining example of the best friends of democracy that money can’t buy.

Britain’s hypocrisy 7-11-2019

11, July 2019                                Britain’s hypocrisy 

There has been muted response from the Trump White House following China’s heavy handed response to the courageous actions of the people of Hong Kong protesting the draconian new law extraditing troublemakers to China’s gulags. The new unpopular law is modeled on America’s extraordinary rendition torture program during George Bush’s presidency. 

But the British response was swift and threatening. Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt warned China of “consequences”. Hunt did not rule out imposing sanctions on the economic behemoth. Former Conservative chairman, Chris Patten, also rebuked China.

Oh, how the Brits and Americans love democracy. Forgotten is the brutal overthrow of Iran’s burgeoning democracy in 1953 by MI6 and the CIA in a blatant theft of their oil. Iran’s Prime Minister, was replaced by the reviled Shah, America’s puppet ruler. The Shah was eventually removed and replaced by a suffocating theocracy which currently rules Iran. Another dark chapter in British rule was the forced removal of 2,000 native Chagossians in the island of Diego Garcia between 1968 and 1973 to establish an American military base. Their beloved dogs, who were key to their survival, were gassed by the British.

Perhaps, they have also forgotten former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair’s disastrous decision to invade Iraq prompted by the American fairy story of WMD’s.

Wake up Britain, the sun has long ago set on your empire. Do not mislead your people. You and America support and trade with the most undemocratic demonic, evil autocratic regimes on the face of the planet, like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt to name just a few.

Perhaps, a more relevant question is why Britain imposed its will on the people of Hong   Kong in 1841. What monumental hypocrisy!

Huddled masses need not apply 7-9-2019

9, July 2019                     Huddled masses need not apply

As the Trump administration flirts with the intoxicating appeal of authoritarianism and fascism, the First Amendment, ‘democracy’s blueprint’ protecting free speech, is under increasing assault. Galvanized by the ramblings of their autocratic leader, an increasing number of Republicans believe the government should have the power to shut down biased or inaccurate media. About the same number, believe the media (except Fox and like-minded news outlets) to be the “enemy of the people.” General Gobbles, Hitler’s propaganda minister was right, repeat a lie often enough and people will accept it as the truth (also Putin’s playbook).

A majority of Republicans are also eager to demolish the wall separating Church and State and declare Christianity as the established religion ignoring the many transgressions of their esteemed leader who has violated a majority of the Ten Commandments, with 22 women accusing him of serious sexual misconduct.

President Trump is deeply envious of the world’s wicked demonic authoritarians like, Putin, Kim Jong-Un, Abdel el-Sisi, Duterte, Erdogan, Mohamed bin Salman, ,) and lusts for even greater power acutely aware that once he leaves office he will likely face a long prison term.

In a moment of great humility, Trump recently compared himself to Abraham Lincoln.

With his callous treatment of children locked up in cages separated from their parents, Trump has effectively dismissed America as a nation welcoming “huddled masses.” Only white Europeans, preferably Norwegians, need apply.

Trump’s, Guantanamo for children 7-7-2019

7, July 2019                  Trump’s, Guantanamo for children

Vice-President Pence and the Republican Party have abandoned all pretense of honoring the Bible and all its wonderful teachings embracing the sorcerer in-chief, Donald Trump who is rapidly discarding all the “goodness” of America to maintain his lust for power and escape jail.

Sworn testimony from guards and neighbors at the ‘Guantanamo’ Clint facility in Texas describe horrific conditions. Outbreaks of scabies, shingles, and chickenpox are spreading throughout the facility. The stench of children’s dirty clothing, urine and feces is overwhelming. Many of guards are weeping in despair unable to offer comfort to the children who are screaming to be reunited with their parents.  Some of the guards have set up a make-shift suicide watch.  Desperately needed federal help is needed but has been stalled by partisan politics and the uncaring, morally bankrupt Republicans. I urge readers to call their lawmakers and demand action.

Tanks but no tanks, the last hurrah? 7-4-2019

4, July 2019                     Tanks but no tanks, the last hurrah?

As a T-V reality star, Donald Trump has always loved pageantry. He was inspired by a Bastille Day celebration in Paris that he attended in 2017, or perhaps his friend  “Vlad” might have told him about the glorious Russian Revolution with Soviet tanks rolling past a portrait of Vladimir Lenin in Moscow’s Red Square in a 1980 parade. 

The pageantry will be a much needed distraction from his personal misfortunes as a failed businessman (lost over 1B over a 10 year period). The House Judiciary Committee has issued subpoenas to demand the release of his tax returns to reveal possible financial entanglements with Russian oligarchs.

How the draft dodger loves military parades.

He thrives on personal attention and adulation. At great taxpayer’s expense, estimated in excess of $100 million he ordered his administration to organize a July 4^th extravaganza with tanks rolling down Pennsylvania Avenue chewing up the road. Trump will address the nation amidst a flyover of the Blue Angels to symbolize America’s military might which has created untold misery throughout the world (Vietnam, Central America, Iraq, Libya, and Yemen.  .). This showcase is a crass political stunt to launch his 20-20 reelection campaign. He tweeted modestly that this will be  “an address by your favorite President, me!” He promised “brand new Sherman tanks” but nobody told him they haven’t been in service since the 1950s.

There are tanks in the nation’s capital and concentration camps on its border. Oh, is America like Thelma and Louise driving off a cliff?