Shootings

Las Vegas:shootings:guns.What can we do to prevent shootings?The answer seems to be connected with limiting guns.But that is taboo.Gun control is taboo!Guns have nothing to do with gun shootings.Whatever the NRA says,goes

Trump distractions

Every time Trump is confronted with a crisis,he creates a distraction.The latest is the NFL national anthem player debate.To stand or not to stand,that is the question...and more.It's quite the controversy.

States Rights

Texas is a classic example of why states rights should be secondary to federal government. Texas is extremely libertarian and avoids industrial regulations regularly.Consequently,the Harvey flood cost is going too be astronomically higher because of ignoring maintenance and improvements that should have been done.

Texas politicians push states rights as do most conservatives and republicans.The purpose is to avoid responsibility by exempting the state from regulations that should be required.'Leave it up to the state because we know that they won't do it.'Any ensuing catastrophe can be turned over to the feds.

The extra costs from collapsing levees,reservoir drainage,chemical plant explosions,ad infinitem, will be extensive and most can be attributed to Texas(states rights).

Texas attracts much business because of  unregulation and brags about their business climate which is highly subsidized by the federal government.Why can't the people stop this corporate plunder?Why can't we have government of the people?
Why can't we let simple things be simple?
Let's have a real central government by the people.

Trump

Will Trump attack Venezuela (minor action)rather than No.Korea because he can do that with little consequence and use that as a warning to gain some time?Trump has to realize soon that he can't out-threaten No.Korea.It turns into provocation.We don't want or need a meaningless war.

Trump Status

Is much of theTrump-Russia investigation done?Has Trump been caught up with;is he done?It appears to me that he is done.It seems that what's left is to straighten things out,organize and arrange,prepare the next steps.It's still a mess but are we arranging a conclusion?What happens now?

Pardon Me

Trump must be fictional!

Lucy

When she arrived I wasn't sure.She looked like a pig,a pot-bellied pig.Why did we get a pig?No, it's a dog,a french bulldog,a Frenchie.Wow! She's got a face like a bat and a protruding tooth.She seems like a multiple,a multiple pet:a bat-faced,pot-bellied Frenchie.I'm definitely not sure about this.I'll need some time.We'll need timeBut the friendship is immediate,mutual actual,and natural-continuous.

And we will always be friends,always;friends that accept and support and love:always.I can see her smile,feel her presence.She's always here.I look around and see her,feel her,hear her.I turn and she's in the doorway,peeking,seeking...always.

She's gone but-No,No,No, she's not gone
Look...you can see her too!
See you tomorrow.

The Ongoing Trump Russia Saga

The Trump saga has become a crazy narrative.Before it is over, there will be a dozen sub-plots and probably three movies.It is really pretty involved,this June incident.The News  media has tried to attack it from many different directions and analyzed it in sections.

But it might be about time to just step back and treat the whole saga as a conspiracy (that's more fun anyway).It is entirely possible that the conspiracy (Trump &Co.-Russia)were trying to set up a similar conspiracy between Clinton &Co.and Russia.There were enough plausible scenarios to do that.Both campaigns had enough Russian connections to create any number of plausible plots.

The June meeting begun by Goldstone may have been part of such an attempt.It's obvious from Trump's speech that they were planning an expose' and,say what you want,it was a conspiracy.It was a long shot,but enough time and money went into this plan to indicate that it was serious.

The conspiracy had already established a base.I think that it started with the European alarm of Russian money entering the US presidential election.The FBI was duped with e- mails:Podesto,DNC,Wiki- leaks,etc.I think that Obama was suspicious,but also not certain of what he could do,so he was somewhat tentative,but I think that he did enough to ultimately stymy the incident.

The June meeting reversed everything.The conspiracy  was no longer viable.They were caught,exposed;in other words,it was over.Now they had to concentrate on the cover-up and avoidance of collateral damage.It looks as if Kushner's problems have interfered with that.Money and power were the start and may be the end.The saga has reached a point where a bigger distraction may be needed.That may be military.Where? Hopefully, Ukraine,but I don't think that will be enough.Perhaps the conspiracy can be completely exposed before that,but time is a factor.Also,there are so many power people involved that anything could happen;maybe eventually more people will need to be involved.

Savior

Who can be the savior of the Democratic party?Elizabeth Warren? Perhaps they need or could use a woman.

Meetings

Trump & Co. Obviously wants no record of meetings of any kind.Putin meeting had no one taking notes.It was he said ,he said.That's the way all wanted it.Meeting was completely phony.There was no way to verify anything and that's the way everyone wanted it.It appears that that's the way it will be going forward.Keep the public in the dark.

News

News and the treatment of news seems to be a major problem.We don't even know what is real news anymore.We're in a pattern of breaking news.Everything is breaking news.Every incident is breaking news.

Supposed terrorists don't even have to be terrorizing to be treated as terrorists​.An individual can run a car into a pedestrian and  be investigated as a terrorist.Incidents with no organization are treated as organized terrorism.Everyone is a radicalized terrorist.It's crazy.We have no treatment plan,no policy.We have to stop this disorganized, haphazard news response to every questionable instance of violence.Any disoriented crazy can control the news.

We must start ignoring or at least tempering our response to these isolated incidents.Too many people are involved.Everone is given credibility.We have no standards of credibility.We used to use logic.Before Trump,we had common sense, practicality, sensibility,rationality, pragmatism.We need to revise our thinking, examine our policies,change direction.

We must stop investigating every incident as terrorism.Sometimes deaths aren't tied to terrorism; they are just coincidental deaths.News outlets have to quit presuming that every death is by design.It's just not true.Terrorists are taking advantage.The news people have to disallow that advantage.Ignore them.Don't magnify,exaggarate incidents.Just report the news.

Ramblings

Healthcare:without at least a public option,a bill will not be passed and probably not voted on until after the 2018 election.Republicans can not gamble on losing congressional majorities.An exception could be repeal only.There is some talk of that,but I don't put much credence in it.

Trump has been able to delay and interfere in the Russian collusion investigation with lies and distractions.Now he's back to blaming Obama for pretty much everything,more distractions.

Sanders is a big disappointment as a press secretary.At least Spicer was somewhat entertaining.Sanders does fit in better.She's  aTrump duplicate,has all of his disgusting qualities and no entertainment.

Trump continues to use tweets for distraction,both policy and and media attacts.They are effective because they can't be ignored.They do expose his lack of knowledge and crassness though.

More Trump

Cable news is almost all Trump.The problem is that there is other news.Trump's overseas trip did limit the Trump obsession,but a fortuitous UK bombing allowed the shows to completely fill the time.

A bombing that should have been perhaps an hour of coverage was stretched over two days. Cable news is so used to constant Trump coverage,that it had a hard time adapting to even a concert bombing.

Now, suddenly, there is more pressing Trump news.Now it's Kushner and his dealings with Russia.He supposedly wanted to create a back communication channel with Russia using Russian equipment.He also didn't disclose this communication on his appointment papers which is a felony.

Trump's demise gets closer and closer.I'm inclined to think that if the parties were reversed,well...I think the GOP would be much less tolerant.But, eventually...?

Trump Longevity

How long will the Democrats and the other branches of government allow Trump Inc.to lie,cheat,break laws,and violate the Constitution and societal norms before they intercede and stop him.

He breaks laws and violates the Constitution He's definitely guilty of obstruction of justice;he violates the constitution daily with income from his businesses;he had numerous law violations from his foundation and other areas;he has lied about everything,distorted everything; his conflicts of interest violate many statutes,norms, procedures.His term is fraught with illegalities.

Trump should have been arrested,indicted,and convicted many times over. If this had been a Democrat,he wouldn't be in office,probably wouldn't have been elected.Demmocrats need to step up.This can't go on forever.

Comey Firing

Comey was obviously fired to interfere with the Trump campaign- Russian investigation. They must have been very close to an important discovery.That's​  probably why Comey reportedly asked for more resources.

The firing should be challenged.The executive branch is interfering with an FBI investigation.Trump acts impulsively;Democrats don't act.Democrats or judicial branch must respond.

The Comey firing began with lies.The entire incident is fraught with lies.All of the background information is a compilation of lies.And the media continues to overlook and try to justify all of them.They said that they would call out Trump and his lies,but they won't.They continue to help him become an autocrat and the Democrats are allowing it to happen.

It appears to me that Trump decided Comey had to go for many reasons,but primarily because he didn't want Comey to continue heading the campaign- Russia investigation;so he fired him.Then the problems that ensued had to be walked back with lie after lie,not unusual in this administration.Trump is obviously trying to obstruct the investigation.He can't be allowed to get away away with another dictatorial act.

Unmasking

To me,Sally Yates implied that the unmasking of Flynn was revealed when the incidental surveillance was revealed.It was also obvious that Trump team didn't want him unmasked.

More Healthcare

Passing House healthcare bill was a symbolic exercise.GOP made the mistake of giving up after the first attempt to vote on a bill.They realized that was a mistake.The bill had to stay alive,consequently,it had to be revived,if even in name only.

They now had to pass a House bill,even if it would be only a token.That's probably how they acquired the votes,revealing that intent.

There is no plan to have a Senate vote.They can't have a Senate vote until after the 2018 election.The GOP can't gamble on losing congressional seats.That explains the celebration after the House vote.That was the goal.

A healthcare bill will be seriously considered in 2019.Things will be considerably different by that time.

Foreign Policy,Trump Style

Australia,England,Germany,China,South Korea,Turkey,Scotland,North Korea,Mexico,Canada,etc.?
Trump foreign policy conforms to his personality:alternately bully and praise foreign leaders.Since Trump is a delusional masochist,this"policy" will change as circumstances change and how these changes affect that masochism.Remember,Trump has no ideology,no core beliefs,no plan, consequently...no actual foreign policy.

Trump Arrest

How many laws has Trump broken?Why has he not been indicted?Why hasn't he been arrested? incarcerated?Why hasn't someone stepped up as happened with the Muslim ban?There must be someone with enough courage to challenge him.He just keeps violating law after law with no repercussions.How can that be?

What about Trump's conflicts of interest?He has myriads of conflicts.What about the rest of his family?Speaking of family, what about nepotism?When will the talk stop and action begin?

Someone must take the first step.Action must be taken.Once he is addressed,challenged,it can be expanded and will definitely mushroom in all directions;but someone has to start.Once something official is done he will eventually be stopped.Why are Democrats so cowardly?Why is everyone so cowardly?Are we going to wait until it is too late? It certainly looks like it.But I certainly hope not!

Whitehouse Visitor Records

Trump's intent to keep Whitehouse visitor records secret is indicative of his authoritative​ bent.His promise was openness,but how many promises does he keep?He must protect himself from criticism at all cost(ex:tax returns)We the people must attempt to protect ourselves from him, unfortunately.

China Warning

It's pretty pathetic when China thinks that they must temper the US.What have we become?

Supreme Court

Neil Gorsuch:stolen republican justice appointment.He's an avowed corporate lackey and unconcerned with working class rights.Now the supreme court is obviously right wing dominant.

The supreme Court is supposed to be apolitical,but it's definitely not.Justices are supposed to be unbiased,but they aren't.Something must  be done and soon,before the next appointment opening.

What can we do?We must get rid of Trump before the next appointment.Another right wing justice would be catastrophic.It's almost there now.Citizens United with political money has almost destroyed our democracy.We must have a neutral court to maintain our government.

Syrian Attack

The Syrian missile attack was not a real surprise.How much of it was contrived is hard to determine.Trump was at the point where he thought that something had to be done.Detecting Russian collusion is creeping up.His team is close to being charged and is running out of plausible distractions.The chemical attack may or may not have been part of the plan.If it was,it makes it worse.If not,it was perfect timing.Collaboration is apparent and close to being indefensible.Something had to be done.A bigger diversion was needed.

The limited airport attack was suggested by many,a safe means of response to the perhaps coincidental chemical attack.Why the middle East is so enamored with nerve agent,I don't know.It is certainly a quick response means of attack;it gets attention quickly.

I believe that Trump and Russia are still in collaboration and the US attack is part of it.I think that this is the bigger diversion to try to obfuscate the suspicion of collusion and redefine relations with Russia.I sincerely hope that it doesn't work.

Sec of State

It's obvious to me that Jared Kushner is the real Sec. Of State(with Ivanka an assistant).When Tillerson was appointed,something seemed amiss.He appeared to be a front.I think that his job pertained mostly to oil interests. I think that he is a front for Kushner.With Kushner's trip to Iraq,the appointment becomes more suspect.In time it may become more apparent.We'll see.

Healthcare Projection

It appears that the Trump team,in order to molify the electorate,may be ready to consider a public option of some kind for the healthcare bill.In order for Trump to come close to keeping his promises, he's going to have governmental help.

It would be interesting if they tried to in corporate a Medicare for all type plan,similar to Bernie Sanders or simply expand medicaid.Trump has no core beliefs so that he could adopt any plan that would appease the public.It could get interesting.

EPA

Trump wants to be the pollution king.He appears to want to eliminate the EPA using any means possible.He's removing all of Obama's beneficial carbon bills,orders,and regulations and introducing his own oppositional plans.He wants to pollute and deregulate.He wants to allow profit to supercede clean air and water.He wants to jeopardize our future at the expense of unregulated business and corporations,libertarian style.He needs careful monitoring.

Insight

Why do GOP,media fall for distraction?Why the absence of insight.Trump's group didn't want Healthcare Act.They went along with Ryan's bill gambling that there was an obscure chance that they could get the money for tax cuts.There was never a chance to get past reconciliation, which they could blame on Ryan,but if they accomplished that they would free the tax cut money and maybe some for infrastructure.

Repeal would essentially be accomplished with Ryan and GOP taking the blame.Replacement would then be a separate issue,not involving Ryan.Even government could be used for that and Ryan and GOP could also be blamed for that.

Now infrastructure will probably be the next issue because Democrats will cooperate.Insight will need revision at that point, depending on peripheral issues.

Healthcare

Healthcare legislation is a disaster.It's obvious to me that Bannon-Trump doesn't want the AHCA passed.Ryan wants it passed because of Medicaid money and tax breaks only:300 billion to the rich transferred to the poor and middle class and removal of Medicaid.

Anarchy

It's anarchy.Nothing is as it appears:a vote that's not a real vote.What about the Russians and coincidentally the Ukraine.We have obvious collaboration and collusion because some of the participants were Russian employees.So why isn't anything being done?It seems that no one knows or will reveal exactly  what has been or is being done.There is obvious collusion so if that is illegal, address it.It must be addressed and see how much worse that it gets.Individuals must be arrested.Coordination and collusion have been established, but everyone is pretending that it is not obvious.Follow the money.Expose the source of the money.We have the scenario.We must start indicting, arresting,"locking up".

Who is in charge?

When is the US to have a government?What about a president?Right now we have a 2020 presidential campaign,but no president or government.Shouldn't we have an acting president before we have a new campaign?Are we to have  years of 2016 campaign investigation while experiencing a 2020 campaign.

It appears that we only have a residual Obama presidency.If we must act will we have to bring back Obama?Who can make a decision? Definitely not Trump.Definitely not Pence.Definitely not Ryan.What is the default plan?

Secretary of State

 Trump has appointed Rex Tillerson to be Sec of State,but has he really.With the associated budget and personnel cuts,the appointment appears to be a ruse.It's not a standard appointment.So what is it?It probably has to do with oil.Perhaps a definition and description is forthcoming.What really is his job?

American Healthcare Act

Healthcare revisions have gone as I suspected.I was pretty sure that Trump would turn it over to Ryan.I also presumed that Ryan would be primarily concerned about removing taxes on the rich rather than providing benefits for the poor and needy.

Ryan cares only about the money and the money can be taken care of with reconciliation.The reconciliation plan is being used because it needs only a majority vote,a concern for the Senate.Changes that take 60 votes are subject to filibuster and will be difficult to pass.But Ryan is concerned only about transferring the costs from the rich to the 99 percent.He doesn't care about Medicaid except for votes.In other words,he cares only about reconciliation.The rest of replacement is later or not at all.Trump only cares if he can't distract,his primary concern.Ryan cares only about the 1 percent and special interests that will be affected (postponing the Cadillac tax).I suspect that this bill is not concerned about replacement.

Poem:Something

We're cared for when we're born
We're cared for when we die
If something happens in between
I really don't know why

Faux Promises

I don't believe that Trump has any real concern about keeping promises(in this case campaign)either.He's signed a few executive orders that give the appearance of satisfying a promise,but I think that they are  unserious versions.

One is the wall.He doesn't really care about the wall,but it worked for the campaign.He's making an insincere attempt to make it look like he's keeping a promise.But he doesn't care;he can stop anytime and say that he kept his promise:a faux promise.

The same is true with the "travel"ban.It is the easiest way to keep his Muslim ban promise.It's of minimal consequence and can be stopped anytime;again a faux promise.His staff does have some ingenuity.

Post Inaugeration

After inauguration, Trump revealed his primary concern,himself.His immediate concern was the press assessment of crowd size at the inauguration.He lied, exaggerated and was caught;then he doubled down and was humiliated by the press as his lies continued.He also lied about and humiliated the CIA.He revealed that his first concern was himself  and how he was presented.He ended up looking foolish.

He has since continued to lie and distort with almost every executive order he has presented and signed.He has declared war on the media and the media has won most of the ensuing battles.His response has been to direct all to watch Fox News,who has mostly tried to protect him.He issued a couple of immigration orders which have triggered much response,including exploring lies,prompting protests,irritating Mexico and causing its president to cancel a meeting.His Muslim order has prompted worldwide response,US judicial response, congressional dissent,and myriad protests.He has issued a government hiring freeze and opened up more pipeline construction.He has issued more objection to trade agreements,increased lobbying regulations,and started a war on public education.In regard to the ACA, he has pushed forward a resolution for repeal and opened up more examination of the law.This has prompted much response in numerous areas.He has admitted that replacement is in limbo.

It appears that Trump is trying to make at least a token attempt at keeping some of his  promises,although I think that he doesn't really care.It appears that his governing plan is similar to his campaign plan or should I say non-plan,a non- plan that could result in failure and possible impeachment.

Faux Campaign

What happened to our country?What happened to us?What happened to honesty and truth? Integrity?Trump happened,but it is more than that.It's all of us.Trump couldn't succeed without the rest of our complicity.Let's reconstruct:

Trump has wanted to run for president for a long time.He explored it before,but it wasn't right.This time things were a little different as he threw ideas out.
I think that originally it was simply exploration,an attempt without expectation.I know that I will be wrong about most of the particulars because,as everyone else,I will interject more logic than is present,than could be present.T rump has no concept of logic..or even order.He couldn't have succeeded otherwise.

He had a few very simple ideas and,as I said,just threw them out.Immigration seemed a good starting point.He made a couple of wild statements to gauge the response.Surprisingly,the immigration response was positive,so he decided to continue longer.

I think that he wanted to try an unstandard campaign,to concentrate on emotional issues and say what he thought the people wanted to hear.He has no concrete political ideology so he could be flexible.As he proceeded he found that he could easily adjust policies,adapt to the public response and get away with it.

I think that Trump has no core belief other than winning at any cost,so he will adopt any policy that will appease political and public response and even that is subject to change.He will also lie at will to substantiate any change.

Much of his campaign depended on attacking and degrading any opposition and is rife with hyperbole.Everything is exaggerated: wonderful, beautiful,great,big,best,(make America great).Everyone else is inferior,little, ,crooked and he is the only one that can succeed.Lies and distortions were and are the norm.He is a classic bombastic bully and he gets away with it

In summary,he had and still has,an open-ended campaign with no absolutes: whatever works, or will work,that is publically and politically palatable.No promises are real promises.Everything that he has said is meaningless.He has had,in short,a faux campaign.