The only ones who can put an end to the criminal occupying the White House are Senate Republicans. Will They?
“Watch this space” – Rachel
Photo | thedailybeast.com
Like Congress, Supremes Fall In Line
Donald Trump is a wannabe dictator, we all know that. And he has been aided and abetted in his pursuit of absolute power by a feckless and subservient Congress.
Now we have the United States Supreme Court falling in line.
In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court has upheld Trump’s Muslim travel ban. The basic rationale? Trump, as president, has the constitutional power to decide issues of national security. So when Trump said he was proposing his travel ban against mostly Muslim countries to protect the homeland, that was good enough for the five conservative members of the Court.
It didn’t matter that lower courts had struck down each and every iteration of Trump’s travel ban, the first of which was issued in January 2017. It didn’t concern the Supremes that each lower court found that the initial order, and each new version since, exceeded the president’s authority granted by Congress and was motivated by Trump’s prejudice against Muslims.
If Trump said it wasn’t about religion but national security, then that was just fine for the deferential justices. All evidence to the contrary be damned! It doesn’t matter that the man occupying the White House is a pathological liar.
We are living through dangerous times. It is obvious our two other supposed co-equal branches of government … legislative and judicial … are not going to challenge Trump’s power grab.
The only way to begin getting out of this mess is to flip Congress in November.
Of course today’s decision wound not have been possible but for Mitch McConnell’s unprecedented move to block President Obama from nominating a replacement on the Court after the unexpected death of Antonin Scalia.
Here’s a thought. What happens when Trump declares that, as president, it is his responsibility to protect all life, both born and unborn? What happens when il Duce proclaims all abortions illegal?
I’m afraid to think what this conservative court, thanks to the illegal seat occupied by Neil Gorsuch, will decide.
Photo | eatprayvote.org
Is Dr. Ronny Jackson Really an MD?
Reprint from moronmajority.com
Now that Dr. Ronny Jackson’s bid to become the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs has suffered a major setback amid allegations of both personal and professional improprieties, some lawmakers are questioning whether Jackson is really a doctor.
A group of senators, both Republican and Democrat, has written a letter to Donald Trump advising him they will not consider Jackson’s nomination to head the VA until he produces his long form medical degree.
These same members of Congress became suspicious of the doctor’s educational background when he gave a glowing bill of health to Trump following his annual physical exam. The man, whose diet consists of junk food and little in the way of exercise, was said to be in “excellent” health by Jackson.
“Based on his cardiac assessment, hands down, there is no question he is in the excellent range,” Jackson told a group of reporters this past January.
For the record, Jackson claims to be a 1995 graduate of the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB).
Photo | westernjournal.com
Paul Ryan … Shoo-in For Father Of The Year
It is a rare thing for a man to give up power at the height of his career. Yet Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House, has done just that.
Yesterday, the 10-term congressman from Wisconsin called it quits. He will not be seeking reelection this November.
Ryan told a group of reporters he is stepping down from his position as top Republican in the House, one that puts him second in line to the presidency, to spend more time with his kids.
Women have been facing the push-pull of career versus family ever since they entered the work place. Ryan is that exceptional male who has undoubtedly felt that same internal conflict and has decided to put the needs of his family first.
What makes Ryan’s decision so praiseworthy is that he is leaving congress before fulfilling his lifelong dream of completely dismantling the safely net put in place by the New Deal and the Great Society.
Yes, he did get passed his big tax giveaway to millionaires and corporations, but that was always secondary to eliminating Medicare and Social Security, as we know them.
Ryan is setting a good example for other powerful men to stop and smell the roses. What good is power and wealth when they come at the expense of raising great, well-adjusted kids? I’m guessing Ryan didn’t want to be a “Trump” in that regard.
Sure, Ryan may look back with regret at all he gave up after checking one too many homework assignments or one too many car pools to soccer practice.
But Ryan must know, like so many women who have sacrificed their careers to be with their children, your kids are only young once. The pride and satisfaction of raising fine upstanding citizens cannot be overstated.
So Elizabeth (16), Charles (15) and Samuel (13), count yourselves among the lucky ones who will now have their dad always around as you wade through those awkward teenage years.
Many are comparing Ryan’s incredible decision to leave politics to that of Little Richard who quit rock & roll at the height of his popularity in the late 50’s, to attend Bible school.
Sir, the country could not be happier with your decision.
Photo | celebritybabies.people.com
For A Politician, An “A” From The NRA Needs To Be Seen As The “Kiss Of Death”
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**
State Of The Union?… Broken
-“All the King’s horses and all the King’s men couldn’t put Humpty together again”
Tonight, Donald Trump will deliver his first State of the Union address. No doubt we will hear how great the country is doing under his strong leadership. The official theme of Trump’s monologue will be “building a safe, strong, and proud America.”
The address is sure to be filled with many half-truths and outright lies. Trump will unquestionably take credit for a booming economy (stock market) that had its origins under the Obama administration. He will falsely claim this is all due to his tax cuts and deregulatory agenda.
But no matter what fiction Trump is willing to peddle, the majority of Americans won’t be buying the snake oil. They know better. They can see.
They can see a country divided like never before (at least not since the Vietnam War).
They can see hate crimes on the rise.
They can see racism displayed openly.
They can see a dysfunctional healthcare system.
They can see an unrelenting onslaught on immigrants.
They can see the looting of the treasury to benefit millionaires and corporations.
They can see an assault on the Constitution and the rule of law.
They can see a political party defending and supporting an incompetent and, mostly likely, corrupt president.
They can see the open rejection of political norms and institutions.
They can see a steady and continuing attack on the free press.
Many Americans are hoping the midterm elections will put an end to our national nightmare when it is believed Democrats will regain control of the House.
But even if Democrats flip the House and begin impeachment proceedings, it is the Senate that votes to expel a president. The odds that two-thirds of senators will vote for conviction are best described as slim.
One thing is for sure, however. The Trump regime will eventually come to an end. Unfortunately, it will take years, perhaps decades, to undo the damage done by Trump, and his band of enablers, to that great country Reagan once called “ a beacon of hope, a light unto the nations.”
Photo | tvo.org