Archives for February 2018

SDSU – Home Of “The Aztecs” – Offers Course on Removing Trump

February 28, 2018 By John DeProspo Leave a Comment

In a move that has right-wing media outlets in a tizzy, San Diego State University is offering a seminar titled: “Trump: Impeachment, Removal or Conviction?” To Trump supporters, this is just one more example of academia’s bias against the president.

A story about the class first appeared on Campus Reform, a website that aims to “expose liberal bias on America’s campuses.” The article falsely states the course is “dedicated exclusively to the topic of removing Donald Trump from office.”

University officials, however, have stated the class isn’t actually focused on getting Donald Trump out of the White House.

According to the course description, the weekend-long, one credit class will focus on the “two constitutional grounds: impeachment and removal (25th Amendment), and the possible charges of the independent counsel, the powers of the president, a history of the creation of that office and the comparison of divine right and rule of law leadership, presidential impeachments, including (President Richard) Nixon’s de facto impeachment” and more.

Following is a statement provided by SDSU:

The course presents an overall framework of impeachment, removal, or criminal investigation of a president and rather than focusing on President Trump, reviews all 19 impeachments in U.S. history. The one-unit, weekend class is not a requirement for graduation and is not paid for by state funds.

Trump TV, otherwise known as Fox News, is having a field day with the story. In a segment on Fox & Friends, co-host Ainsley Earhardt, interviewed the president of the SDSU College Republicans, Brandon Jones, who offered up this view:

“I think the dangerous part of it is that they are making a very strong claim that the president has sort of committed crimes of treason or bribery and that he is, you know, been allegedly accused of violating the Article 2 Section 4 of the Constitution.”

Perhaps the SDSU student would be well advised to learn a thing or two about another part of the Constitution … the First Amendment.

The irony that the school’s nickname is ”the Aztecs”, an ancient and proud nomadic tribe in northern Mexico, is rich.

Photo | uniquevenues.com

Will Enough Finally Be Enough This Time?

February 25, 2018 By John DeProspo 2 Comments

It’s so easy to be cynical, especially when it comes to gun safety legislation.

If the deaths of innocent six and seven-year-olds couldn’t move the needle on enacting common sense gun regulations, nothing will. At least that was the mantra up until the Parkland Florida mass shooting.

Call me a crazy optimist, but I sense something different this time around. There is a sense of outrage and disgust that, I believe, will last long after the latest gun tragedy is no longer headline news.

In a new CNN/SSRS poll taken in the week after the horrific massacre at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, nearly three quarters of respondents said they favored stricter gun laws. CNN reports that the mind-boggling results suggest that support for more gun control in America is at its highest level since 1993.

CNN goes on to say:

Overall, 70% now say they back stricter gun laws, up from 52% who said so in an October poll not long after a mass shooting in Las Vegas killed 58 people. Just 27% oppose stricter laws. Bumps in support for tighter laws following mass shootings have rarely lasted, but they have also rarely been as large as the shift seen in this poll.

What is different about the latest mass shooting and prior massacres is they didn’t have the survivors of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School!

These fearless, and articulate, kids are not going to let their ordeal be swept under the rug by the National Rifle Association and its apologists. The gun group that usually plays offense after similar tragedies is suddenly finding itself on defense.

Americans of all political persuasions are pushing companies to cut ties with the powerful gun lobby. Gun-reform activists are targeting not weapons makers, but banks, rental car agencies, airlines, insurers and other companies with ties to the NRA.

And the new tactic is working!

“Americans have had it,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a group that calls for gun law reform. “This feels like a different energy level,” she added.

The battle to defeat the NRA will be difficult and long, but it feels to me … and to many others … we may have finally turned the corner towards enacting some common sense gun regulations.

There actually may come a day when an “A” from the NRA will no longer be seen as a badge of honor by politicians, but one of shame.

Photo | abcactionnews.com

House Approves Measure Calling For Gun Labeling … “Shoot Responsibly”

February 23, 2018 By John DeProspo 2 Comments

Reprint from satirical blog Moronmajority.com

After the latest mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, Congress has finally gotten serious about gun safety legislation. In a vote of 218-217, the House of Representatives, by the slimmest margin, yesterday passed a bill that would mandate all guns sold in the United States carry the warning: “Shoot Responsibly.”

Rep. Earl Scruggs (R-TN) hailed the vote as a much needed first step in making gun owners aware that with their unalienable right to bear arms comes the obligation to use their weapon appropriately. The admonition must be affixed to all packaging containing a weapon, from the smallest handgun to the largest assault rifle.

“What this tells the gun-consuming public,” said Scruggs, “is that it’s OK to use your gun for hunting, for target practice and self defense, but not to shoot up a movie theater, a nightclub or a school.”

Scruggs, who can up with the idea after watching a Heineken commercial encouraging consumers to “drink responsibly,” knew he was on to something that could pass the House.

”It took a lot of arm-twisting but we were finally able to get bipartisan agreement on my bill,” said Scruggs. “I know some people say this will not solve the problem of gun violence in our country, but it’s a start.”

For those old enough to remember, Earl Scruggs was a member of Nancy Reagan’s task force in the 1980’s war against drugs. Scruggs was credited with coming up with the highly successful campaign “Just say NO!”

The NRA, taken by surprise by the bill’s passage, has not yet weighed in on whether it will support the legislation. A spokesperson has indicated the gun group may agree to the labeling “depending on the size of the print.

Asked for comment, Donald Trump said he would be happy to sign the bill if it ever gets to his desk.

“I am all for people using their guns responsibly,” said Trump. “You know, something like this, along with training and arming teachers, will go a long way in making our schools, and country, safer.”

The fate of a similar bill being introduced in the Senate remains uncertain.

Photo | Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson

Satire?

Trump Reprises Some Of His Greatest Hits In Early Morning Twitter Meltdown

February 18, 2018 By John DeProspo 2 Comments

Donald Trump must have had a restless Saturday night. And who could blame him! With so much on his mind … mass murders, Russia investigation, low poll numbers, the realization that his illegitimate presidency may soon come to an end … he took to Twitter Sunday morning.

Trump’s latest temper tantrum included a reprise of some of his greatest hits of all time. An attack on Obama for negotiating with Iran? It’s there. Attack on the FBI and the Justice Department? You got it. Attack on Hillary Clinton and Democrats for being sore losers? You betcha. No colluding with Russia? Of course. It’s a Trumpian mainstay!

The man who no doubt hears the Fat Lady gurgling off stage, issued the following tweets:

Expect more of the same from Trump as the long hand of justice is about to grab him by the neck for the ultimate karmic smackdown.

Photo | telegraph.co.uk

Trump Takes Low To New High

February 18, 2018 By John DeProspo 4 Comments

Trump has blamed the tragic mass shooting in Parkland, Florida on the FBI’s preoccupation with the Russia investigation. Let that sink in. He is saying if the FBI had spent more time tracking down leads on the shooter, and not leads into his potential conspiracy with a foreign adversary to swing our 2016 presidential election, the latest gun massacre may have been stopped.

Trump tweeted:

Very sad that the FBI missed all of the many signals sent out by the Florida school shooter. This is not acceptable. They are spending too much time trying to prove Russian collusion with the Trump campaign – there is no collusion. Get back to the basics and make us all proud!

Forget about the sheer inappropriateness, the lowness, of the statement. The illogic is mind-numbing!

Yes, the FBI is so small it cannot work on two things at once. And yes, the local Florida agents were all too busy working on the Mueller probe to follow up on tips about the mass shooter.

Of course, Trump is being torn to shreds on social media.

Even former acting Attorney General Sally Yates, who you may remember was fired by Trump because she would not carry out his bigoted Muslim ban, weighed in with a tweet of her own.

The woman who rarely tweets said:

Incomprehensible pain and loss at a high school, yet again, and it’s children who are the leading voices for action. Meanwhile, our president uses the tragedy to attack the investigation of a foreign adversary’s interference in our democracy. Shameful. https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/965075589274177536 …

Yes, Sally … shameful. But our “so-called president” has no shame. He has no sense of decency. He has no empathy. It’s always about making himself look good.

Trump must know the end is near for him and his criminal cabal.

Far from vindicating you, Mr. Trump, Mueller’s latest indictments against 13 Russian nationals is just the appetizer that will prepare the American public for what will prove to be a very satisfying meal … your removal from office in utter disgrace.

Photo | sostrenews.com

For A Politician, An “A” From The NRA Needs To Be Seen As The “Kiss Of Death”

February 16, 2018 By John DeProspo 4 Comments

Another brutal, senseless mass shooting at an American school. In other words, welcome to Wednesday.

Before we once again fall into the predictable cycle of anger and despair, let’s not let it happen. Before we think there is nothing that can be done to curb gun violence in this country, let’s think again. Before we give up on politicians coming up with sensible gun safety legislation, let’s remember, we, the voters, hold the ultimate power in our great democracy.

The answer to Congress passing common sense gun legislation is as simple as giving our votes to only those politicians who are committed to voting for gun safety laws. We need to become one–issue voters much like conservative Christians and abortion.

Who are such politicians?

Thanks to the NRA and its rating system of all politicians, the answer is staring us right in the face. Do not vote for any politician with an “A” or “B” rating; give thought to any politician with a “C” rating; and vote for any politician with a “D” or “F” rating.

An “A” from the NRA needs to be seen as disqualification from holding public office, not as a badge of honor. An “A” from the NRA needs to be associated with “a” as in “accomplice” to death and violence. A high mark from the NRA needs to be viewed as a low grade in human decency.

The NRA has a website where you can look up a politician’s rating … but you have to pay for it! You may have to do some legwork to find out a politician’s NRA score.

The Washington Post put out an article today that sheds light on the NRA’s grading system and includes some information on the performance (shame) level of U.S. Senators.

It is way past time to throw out the greedy cowards occupying our halls of power.

We, the people, have had enough. Mr. “Bought-and-paid-for-politician-in-the-pocket-of-the-NRA,” your time has come. My God have mercy on your pathetic, wretched rotten soul.

Photo | (Associated Press) **FILE**

Trump, Father Of Two Daughters, Supports Accused Wife Beater

February 11, 2018 By John DeProspo 2 Comments

White House staff secretary Rob Porter resigned Wednesday, a day after a British newspaper reported his two ex-wives had accused him of physical and verbal abuse.

On Friday, Trump defended his disgraced former aide and alleged wife-beater.

“As you probably know, he says he is innocent and you have to remember that. He said very strongly yesterday that he’s innocent,” Trump said in his first public statement on the scandal.

“He worked very hard. We found out about it recently and I was surprised by it, but we certainly wish him well and it’s a tough time for him. He did a very good job when he was in the White House,” Trump added. “And we hope he has a wonderful career and he will have a great career ahead of him. “

Trump likes to stand by his men even when they’re accused of sexual assault and misconduct against women, whether it’s his staff secretary, Roy Moore, Steve Wynn, Bill O’Reilly, Roger Ailes or Cory Lewandowski. The women must be lying is the usual refrain.

But what if some creep abused or assaulted one his daughters? Would he believe them?

I have no doubt Trump would not be defending the abuser. He would probably be callingl some of his old friends in New York … you know, goodfellas … to teach the punk a lesson in respecting women.

Something similar to that scene from The Godfather when Sonny beats the living crap out of his brother-in-law, Carlo, after he does a number on pregnant Connie’s face.

So why does a father of daughters not stand up for the rights and safety of all women? Why does he seem to always side with the low-life abusers?

Perhaps it’s as simple as “birds of a feather” … Father Trump also likes to wield power over women.

Photo | actionagogo.com

Democrats Embroiled In New Scandal … “Clapgate”

February 6, 2018 By John DeProspo 4 Comments

Democrats are un-American.

That is the message Donald Trump delivered yesterday during a speech at a manufacturing plant in Blue Ash, Ohio.

“They would rather see Trump do badly than our country do well. That’s what it means,” Trump told an audience of supporters. “It’s very selfish. It was bad energy.”

Trump’s accusation stems from the allegedly bad behavior Democrats exhibited at his State of the Union address last week.

Unlike Republicans, who gave Trump a rousing round of applause after every sentence uttered, Democrats sat stone-faced, unmoved.

“They were like death and un-American,” Trump added. “Somebody said ‘treasonous’. I mean, eh. I guess, why not? Can we call that treason, why not? I mean they certainly didn’t seem to love our country very much.”

As has been the pattern since the start of his presidency, some Republican lawmakers are defending Trump’s remarks, albeit with some qualification.

“I wouldn’t use the word ‘treasonous’ but boy, was it embarrassing,” said Rep Chris Collins (R-NY). “They were stoic, sitting on their hands.”

Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) perhaps stated the Republican view best:

“I would say it was un-American, and they don’t love our country. I don’t know if I would go as far as treasonous, but the president is before a large audience and he likes to talk in colorful language. I sat on the Democratic side, and I was frankly appalled at the behavior of the Democrats…I thought it was terrible that they didn’t [stand] for very American ideas, and why not? They’re just about resist? What does resist mean? Obstruct. They’re not interested in dialogue. Not interested in working with us and trying to come up with solutions.”

It is only a matter of time before Trump TV (Fox News) and other conservative media outlets run with this latest supposed Democratic debacle.

Democrats have had a bad last few days. First the release of the Nunes memo that many Republicans believe exonerates Trump of any wrongdoing in the Trump-Russia probe. And now a new scandal of their own that Republicans claim demonstrates just how unpatriotic they are … “Clapgate.”

Photo | snopes.com

Alert – Could the headline be satirical???

Now That He’s “Totally Vindicated,” Trump Goes Golfing

February 4, 2018 By John DeProspo Leave a Comment

The heat is off. The fat lady has sung. The Trump-Russia investigation will soon be no more.

At least that is what we are lead to believe by Donald Trump after the release of the “explosive” Nunes memo.

Referring to himself in the third person, Trump tweeted yesterday:

This memo totally vindicates “Trump” in probe. But the Russian Witch Hunt goes on and on. Their was no Collusion and there was no Obstruction (the word now used because, after one year of looking endlessly and finding NOTHING, collusion is dead). This is an American disgrace!

Even Donald Jr. is breathing a sigh of relief!

“There is a little bit of sweet revenge in it for me and certainly probably the family in a sense that if they wouldn’t have done this, this stuff would be going on,” said Junior on Trump TV (also known as Fox News).

And boy will Junior (and anyone else caught up in the Mueller investigation) save money! He complained on Fox about the “millions in legal fees” he had to pay in connection with the Russia probe, the time he’s had to waste and “being smeared throughout the media for a year.”

Unfortunately, the only people who believe the partisan Nunes memo marks the end of Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller’s probe are the Trumps and their diehard supporters.

The FBI, under the direction of Trump’s own appointee, Christopher Wray, issued the following statement regarding the infamous memo:

With regard to the House Intelligence Committee’s memorandum, the FBI was provided a limited opportunity to review this memo the day before the committee voted to release it. As expressed during our initial review, we have grave concerns about material omissions of fact that fundamentally impact the memo’s accuracy.

Unless Trump uses the memo as an excuse to fire him, look for Mueller and his team to religiously plow forward in their search for the truth concerning Trump-Russia collusion and obstruction of justice.

At the very least, Trump and family had an enjoyable, albeit delusional, weekend.

Photo | horsesmouth.typepad.com

Trump Pulls A Muhammad Ali … Just Call Me “The Greatest”

February 1, 2018 By John DeProspo Leave a Comment

Donald Trump is known to be a man high on himself. He loves to blow his own horn more than “Satchmo” Louis Armstrong at a New Orleans jazz festival.

Today the nation’s chief executive boasted that some people think he is the greatest president of all time. Yes, better than the “Father of our Country” and “Honest Abe.”

At an annual retreat for Congressional Republicans in West Virginia, Trump talked about how 83-year-old Senator Orrin Hatch called him “the single greatest president in his lifetime.”

“He actually once said I’m the greatest president in the history of our country,” Trump told the lawmakers. “I said, does that include Lincoln and Washington? He said yes … I said I love this guy.”

Reached for comment, however, Hatch’s office denied the senator said such a thing.

According to a spokesperson, Hatch did say Trump was “one of the best presidents I’ve served under” and “that he would like to work with the President to make this the greatest presidency in history for the American people.”

Donald Trump, never been one to let the facts get in the way of a good story, seems to have put words in the octogenarian’s mouth.

Muhammad Ali used to call himself “The Greatest.” To many boxing fans, Ali was not only the greatest boxer but also the greatest sportsman who ever lived.

Looks as if Trump is borrowing a page from Ali’s lexicon.

But some Ali loyalists are not happy with the comparison.

“I knew Muhammad Ali,” says former sparring partner, Frank “The Man Of Steel” Steele. “And Trump is no Muhammad Ali. Where does he come off calling himself “The Greatest?”

Most Americans know by now Trump is prone to hyperbole. While he may not be the greatest president in the history of the United States, he is no doubt a legend in his own mind.

Photo | boxing.com

Satire Alert!