Archives for May 2019

Stoic, Reserved Mueller Finally Talks … In “Lawyerspeak”

May 30, 2019 By John DeProspo 2 Comments

The publicity shy, by-the-book Special Counsel, Robert Mueller, delivered a surprise speech yesterday in which he, in the most indirect of ways, called his boss, Attorney General, William Barr a liar. During his nine-minute press conference, Mueller shot down both William Barr’s and Donald Trump’s “no collusion, no obstruction” mantra.

Mueller explained, under a long-standing DOJ policy, a President cannot be charged with a federal crime while in office. “Charging the President with a crime was, therefore, not an option we could consider,” said Mueller.

The mild-mannered Mueller, however, disappointed many listeners by delivering a speech devoid of bombshells, filled more with implications, hints and innuendos. It was a speech more for professionals to decode than for the American public to consume.

Bottom-line? While he couldn’t complete the job he was assigned to do, the ball is now squarely in the hands of Congress to begin impeachment proceedings for perhaps the most brazen criminal ever to occupy the White House.

Photo | smerconish.com

Bobby … Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are!

May 28, 2019 By John DeProspo 3 Comments

Mr. Mueller (may I call you Bobby? Thanks) it has now been over two months since you handed over your Trump-Russia report to your boss, AG William Barr, and it appears you have gone into hiding.

We’ve heard from all sorts of folks about your report … from those who have actually read the entire thing to those who haven’t a clue about its contents … yet we haven’t heard from the most authoritative analyst… you.

Your findings have not only be distorted and mischaracterized, they have been used by Trump and his sycophants to further their narrative that your entire two-year investigation into perhaps our most corrupt president has been a hoax.

It is way past time for you to end this game of hide and seek,

You have been called to discuss your report before the House Judiciary Committee. You now have the opportunity to set the record straight. So what gives, Bobby?

What is preventing you from doing your duty? From defending your integrity? From getting the facts out to the American people?

We now hear from Chairman Nadler that you are willing to testify but only behind closed doors?

This is no time to be camera shy. Your country needs you. The American people must see your face and hear your voice.

Is your reticence the result of being threatened? Do you fear for you safety?

Knowing your history, I seriously doubt it.

You are a man of honor and courage. A man deserving of the utmost respect. Hell, you’re a decorated combat veteran … a patriot if there ever was one.

It’s time to end your silence and get out there before the cameras … and start talking.

It’s very possible your testimony will tilt the political scales and get members of Congress to do what the Constitution calls on them to do … impeach and remove the brazen criminal now occupying the White House.

Photo | time.com

Alabama Zygotes Take Advantage Of New Status

May 26, 2019 By John DeProspo 1 Comment

Reprint from moronmajority.com

Having been declared “persons” under Alabama’s newly passed “heartbeat” law, zygotes have begun to utilize their newfound status. They are organizing.

A spokesperson for the zygotes states they have banded together to press Alabama legislators to enact stricter gun control laws. “The zygotes fear they may be the victims of gun violence once they leave the safety of the womb,” said the spokesperson.

Unfortunately, the zygotes lack the necessary funds to successfully lobby lawmakers. Many are applying for social security cards in order to qualify for public assistance. “Most want gainful employment,“ said the spokesperson,” but they haven’t developed any skills. Some cruelly mock the zygotes by pointing out they haven’t developed … period.”

Still the zygotes are thankful for the new law that redefines an “unborn child, child or person” as “a human being, specifically including an unborn child in utero at any stage of development, regardless of viability.”

Zygotes in other states considering “personhood” laws are taking notice. If they get their rights, like their Alabama brothers and sisters, this could have serious implications for gun control efforts and the continued viability of the NRA.

Photo | wisegeek.com

Why All The Pelosi Love And Praise?

May 25, 2019 By John DeProspo 9 Comments

If you believe the spin put out by even some reputable news outlets, Nancy Pelosi is a genius; a “master strategist.” We’re told she has Trump’s number; knows how to get under his skin; plays chess while Trump plays checkers; has Trump wrapped around her little pinky … and so on and so on.

The reality is Nancy Pelosi is none of the above. By not initiating impeachment proceedings, she is no better than her loathsome Republican counterparts. She is putting party above country … politics above the rule of law.

It’s pretty sad when some Republicans are calling for Trump’s impeachment … but not the Democratic Speaker of the House! If Pelosi had her druthers, Trump’s fate would be decided by the 2020 election.

A current Republican U.S. representative, Justin Amash (R-MI), has called for Trump’s impeachment. And now a former Republican representative, Tom Coleman, from the red state of Missouri, is calling both Trump and Pence ‘illegitimate.”

Said Coleman in an article he recently wrote for The Kansas City Star, “While Mueller did not find sufficient evidence that Trump or his campaign had violated a criminal statute, the net effect was that the Trump campaign encouraged a foreign adversary to use and misrepresent stolen information on social media platforms to defraud U.S. voters. Because the presidency was won in this way, the president’s election victory brought forth nothing less than an illegitimate presidency.”

Coleman goes on to say, “The political calculus not to pursue impeachment is understandable. Current polls show a majority of voters do not favor it. But critical times require exceptional leadership. Lawmakers of both parties should not blindly follow the polls but instead follow the evidence and their conscience. Politics should not rule the day. Partisan politics is what got us to this dangerous place — so dangerous, I believe, that the survival of our democracy is at risk.”

“Master Strategist” Pelosi needs to start, at the very least, an impeachment inquiry ASAP. Get the evidence out. The American people will be on board with formal impeachment once they learn the true facts contained in the Mueller report.

As Coleman noted, “This process would allow a full public review of wrongdoing, while providing Americans an opportunity to obtain a better understanding of the consequences to our national security and the lingering threat to our democracy.”

Tom Coleman concludes his opinion piece with this poignant observation:

I believe the public would conclude Democrats are no better than the Republicans who have enabled Trump for the past two years, putting party above country. It could hand Trump a second term. Failure to pursue impeachment is to condone wrongdoing. To condone wrongdoing is to encourage more of it. To encourage wrongdoing is to give up on the rule of law and our democracy. To give up on the rule of law and democracy invites autocracy and eventually dictatorship. History has taught us this outcome. In my lifetime, it has occurred in other places including the Soviet Union and Germany, as well as in Russia and Venezuela today.

Nancy do your duty, politics be damned.

Photo | youtube.com

Trump Strikes Back At Dems … “I Don’t Do Cover-Ups”

May 23, 2019 By John DeProspo 2 Comments

At a “surprise” Rose Garden appearance yesterday, Donald Trump, channelling his best John Oliver, hit back at Democrats bent on investigating him. He was particularly incensed that Nancy Pelosi accused him of being engaged with a cover-up.

While Trump may be into many things, he told the assembled press he is not into cover- ups.

Photo | aljazeera.com

A “Dear Nancy” Letter

May 21, 2019 By John DeProspo 5 Comments

Dear Speaker Pelosi,

We get it. You believe it’s politically advantageous to keep Donald Trump around until 2020. And so you are pooh-poohing impeachment proceedings.

And while you said, “This is not about politics at all” during your contentious closed-door meeting yesterday with fellow Democrats (wink, wink), we know it’s all about politics.

But didn’t you take an oath to uphold the Constitution? We have a brazen criminal in the White House and you have the power, or should I say, the duty, to remove him from office. OK, at least, to get the ball rolling.

You think you can really pull a McConnell? You know, when good ol’ Mitch refused to carry out his constitutional duty of holding a confirmation hearing on Merrick Garland because there was an election coming up soon and we should “let the American people decide”?

The next presidential election is over 17 months away. Too many bad things can happen during that time if Trump is still commander in chief.

You know, like a WAR … a FINANCIAL MELTDOWN. Heck, anything is possible with that loose cannon in the Oval Office.

Oh, I see, while that would be bad for the country, it would be good for Democrats’ chances of regaining the White House, and maybe even the Senate.

But what about that pesky document called the Constitution … the rule of law? What kind of precedent would you be setting by letting perhaps the most corrupt president ever to occupy the White House hold on to his awesome powers?

You know you have more than enough evidence of “high crimes and misdemeanors” to begin impeachment proceedings tomorrow. No further investigations needed.

Oh, right, you think impeachment is divisive and would further divide the country; that it would just rile up Trump’s base. I have some news for you … Trump’s base is already riled up! They already think Dems are out to get their man just like the “fake news media.”

It’s clear to see that you want Trump around because, contrary to popular belief, you believe a weakened, disgraced Trump would be very beatable in 2020. You want him to continue to slowly hang himself with his own rope; to continue to commit crimes and obstruct justice. Now we certainly wouldn’t want to run against a “moderate” Republican in 2020, say like a Kasich or Romney!

Sorry but I don’t think we have the time to play such political games. Too much at stake.

You need to start an impeachment inquiry, slow walk it as much as you like, but do what the Constitution requires … what the country needs. Or run the risk of losing Democratic support in 2020 because of your acquiescence and inaction during this critical time in American history.

Yes, it’s going to take some effort to overcome the false narrative put out by Trump’s lawyer (and Attorney General) Mr. Barr. But you can do it. The American people will be on your side once the true facts come out. Put Senate Republicans on the spot!

Don’t overthink this, please.

Photo | usatoday.com

It’s Official … Trump Greatest Con Man Of All-Time

May 20, 2019 By John DeProspo 7 Comments

Reprint from moronmajority.com

Guinness World Records has named Donald J. Trump the greatest con man of all-time.

Competing against such heavyweights as Frank William Abagnale Jr., Bernie Madoff and Charles Ponzi, Trump was delighted to learn of this latest honor. “That’s some helluva group I was up against, let me tell you. I just want to thank all those, beautiful, beautiful, gullible people out there.”

Said a spokesperson for Guinness, “Our research showed no other con artist has ever been able to maintain his deception for as long as Mr. Trump. Most others have either been imprisoned or otherwise forced to end their ways.”

It’s well-known Trump takes great pride in being the best at whatever he attempts. Here is a man who will cheat, lie and throw his own mother under the bus to get his way. He is obsessed with winning. “If you’re not the best,’ observed Trump, “then you’re a loser.”

Trump can now add his new title of “greatest con man” to that of: best president, greatest businessman, smartest human being, finest golfer, biggest jobs creator, and top biblical scholar.

“What other guy on that list (referring to Guinness) could con his way into the Oval Office to become the most powerful man in the world?” Trump asked. “I deserve this. I’m the greatest huckster, hands down.”

Mocking the “Fake News Media,” Trump added, “When I said I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shot someone and not lose any support, they all laughed at me. They’re not laughing now. Let’s face it, I am the greatest salesman of all time!”

Very few people would argue with that assessment.

Photo | cnn.com, alex brandon/AP

Donald Trump Jr. Agrees To “Honor” Congressional Subpoena

May 14, 2019 By John DeProspo 2 Comments

After threatening not to comply with a subpoena issued by the Senate Intelligence Committee, Donald Trump Jr. has graciously agreed to give testimony to the committee sometime in June.

Under the “terms” worked out with the Republican–controlled committee, Junior will “testify” behind closed doors, will only respond to a select set of questions and will limit his testimony to two-to-four hours.

Question … since when does a person under subpoena get to dictate the terms of his testimony?

This whole charade stinks to high heaven … and follows the continuing denigration of the rule of law by the Trump crime syndicate and sycophantic, boot-licking congressional Republicans.

Senator Mark Warner … really?

Photo | AP/pbs.org

Trump Makes Good On Campaign Promise To Run Country Like His Business

May 13, 2019 By John DeProspo Leave a Comment

We recently learned just how bad Donald Trump is as a businessman. The New York Times has reported Trump lost a staggering $1 billion over a span of ten years (1985-1994). According to the Times, “Mr. Trump appears to have lost more money than nearly any other individual American taxpayer.” But didn’t Trump promise he would run the country like his business?

Here are some examples of how Trump is a man of his word:

Trump’s “tax cuts” will increase the deficit by at least $1 trillion over a 10-year period (Joint Committee on Taxation)
Trump’s trade battles cost the U.S. economy $7.8 billion in lost gross domestic product in 2018 (National Bureau of Economic Research)
Under Trump’s tariffs, the U.S. lost 20,000 solar energy jobs (Forbes)
Trump’s trade war with China could slash almost 1 million jobs from U.S. economy (Trade Partnership Worldwide)
Because of Trump’s trade policies, more farmers are filing for bankruptcy (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
As a direct result of Trump’s trade wars, Wisconsin’s milk farmers are facing extinction (New York Times)

Figures … of all the broken promises (new and better healthcare, draining the swamp, massive infrastructure project, etc.) this one, on how he would run the country (into the ground), Trump has kept!

Photo | time.com

Breaking News … Dow plunges 700 points as China retaliates against Trump’s tariffs

Dems … Enough With The “Mister Nice Guy” Routine Already!

May 9, 2019 By John DeProspo Leave a Comment

When will Democrats learn how to deal with Republicans? When will they stop bringing knives to gunfights? When will they fight fire with fire?

We are in the middle of a constitutional crisis. We have a lawless president, and administration, that keeps giving the bird to our Constitution and system of government. And what do Dems do? Play nicy nice. We have cabinet members thumbing their noses at lawful subpoenas and Dems just keep writing cordial letters and asking for compliance.

Yes, issuing contempt citations is all fine and good … but who will enforce them? Our compromised Justice Department?

Former Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich) made a great suggestion recently, arguing against fruitless efforts to get this administration to enforce contempt citations … jail the lawbreakers! While not used since 1935, Congress has the constitutional authority (inherent contempt power) to detain and imprison a person found in contempt until that person complies with the congressional demand or that Congress comes to an end.

“To protect its constitutional authority and carry out its constitutional responsibility to the American people, it should not hesitate to use its inherent contempt power if needed,” said Levin.

The Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin agrees with Levin. She argues for the Dems to start employing their “lock them up” power.

“One can imagine the chaos that might ensue from an effort to put … Cabinet officials behind bars, but it does seem time for the House to take some measure(s) at least as dramatic as Trump and his Republican sycophants’ blatant, repeated violations of the rule of law,” writes Rubin in yesterday’s Post.

Rubin goes on to give Dems a list of actions they should consider in dealing with the criminal syndicate now running this country:

“Pursue crushing civil fines against recalcitrant witnesses, impeach Mnuchin and Barr, seek sanctions to punish lawyers for ethics violations and, yes, if need be, try to lock them up. Perhaps if Democrats start wielding their power, some Republicans (just a few) will recognize the gravity of the situation they have created and head off the administration before a true constitutional calamity ensues.”

Jennifer Rubin, a conservative columnist, is spot on. It’s past time for Dems to grow a pair and steal a page from the Republicans’ book of hardball.

“Lock em’ up! Lock em’ up! Lock em’ up!

Photo | cnbc.com