"The people of the United States are entitled to assume that their President is telling the truth.   The pattern of misrepresentation and half-truths that emerges from our investigation reveals a presidential policy cynically based on the premise that the truth itself is negotiable."

To whom can we attribute this quote?  Rep. Adam Schiff?   House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler?  Nancy Pelosi?  

No, the actual speaker was one Caldwell Butler, U.S. Representative from Virginia before the House Judiciary Committee hearing on the impeachment of Richard Nixon on July 25, 1974.*

And yet the quote could have been given in December 2019, some forty-five years later.  It could just as easily have been said about our current military leader.  

Nixon could be secretive, at best, and a criminal conspirator, at worst.  The impeachment committee said he had abused power, and attempted to obstruct justice (though not technically criminal).   But Nixon with all his faults still seemed like a President.  Even in his co-called crazy moments talking to the paintings of dead Presidents in the White House, Nixon still seemed presidential.

Such cannot be said in the America of today.  This individual does not always act presidential.  And now, says the House of Representatives, he is not fit to be President.  

Perhaps it is true that, as has been said, history does not repeat itself but it does rhyme.  It rhymes.   And it also echoes.   

May God yet save the United States of America. 

 





*The Final Days.   Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein.  New York:  Simon and Schuster, 1976, p. 283.
 

 

Holiday Relaxation?

Some people put Christmas music on the stereo, radio, or computerized device.  Some people over-eat.  Some take trips, or walk amidst the winter moonlight.

As for me this year, I am reading books.   Finally, now that Christmas is over I am actually reading books again, after tending to musical endeavors. 

My main book at the moment is one I had never read:  The Final Days, about the Nixon Watergate scandal, written by those reportorial sleuths Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein.  The book, published in 1976, covers those portions of 1973-74 in which the country slowly awoke to the festering pustule called Watergate. 

So much about The Final Days registers now.  While the Ukrainian fiasco is different from the Watergate crisis in many ways, the reactions of the President in both cases do have their similarities.  The secretiveness and furtiveness, the self-dealing and self-deluding are all familiar traits of both leaders. 

The value, of course, of the Woodward-Bernstein book is its contemporaneity, its careful attention to the details of events so close in time.  If we get a similar book out of the OML nightmare, we shall be lucky.

In due time, the truth will out, as they always say.  Truth has an energy all its own, and is not something a human being or any group of persons can simply twirl in the air and set down at will.  Thus, we the people still have truth on our side, if we will just honor it and swear by it.  

The president Is Impeached

Rush post


In a proud moment for the Constitution, though a sad day in the House, the president of the United States has been impeached.  This is only the third time in history the House of Representatives has voted out articles of impeachment.  It happens to be the only time articles of impeachment have been voted out of a Democratic-led House.

Speaker Pelosi has spoken graciously about the work of the committee chairs, and has make further eloquent statements in a press conference following the vote.

Perhaps tellingly, she has also said the actual sending of the articles of impeachment to the Senate will be predicated upon suitable arrangements being made by Senate leaders to receive them and conduct a fair trial there. 

The American people through their representatives have now said enough is enough;  that there is reason to believe this president should be removed from office through the impeachment and conviction process. 

While this is, of course, most laudable, it will take more than this to set the country on the right course again.  The entire history of this blog has been what constructive, non-violent things can be done to renew America's promise.   It shall be my honor to repeat these suggestions, and to add more as needed.

Nancy Pelosi Gives Impassioned Speech for Impeachment on House Floor

Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, has just given an impassioned and eloquent speech not simply defending the impeachment effort, but our entire republican system of government.  This important statement lays down the foundation and rationale for impeachment of this president at this time.  How fortunate we are to have Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House now!

America is at a crossroads.  Shall we have rule by the people, or shall we have a king?  Have we become so cynical that we no w eschew the responsibilities as well as the freedoms of democracy for the expediency of a vaudevillian dictator who says he can do whatever he wants?

No, I say, NO!  We shall not have anything but democracy.   No matter how inconvenient democracy may be, under proper leadership, it is still the best system of government.  For every other way of governing is leadership by the powerful, the wealthy, the self-appointed or, usually, all three.

Let us be about the business of democracy!  Let us be about this unfortunate but necessary business of impeachment!

Huge Crowds Demonstrate for Impeachment All Across America Tuesday Night

Rush Link --

Often in freezing weather many thousands of people turn out to support impeachment of OML:
Thousands Demonstrate for Impeachment Across America 


 

Last Chance for Democracy?

The U.S. House of Representatives is set to approve two articles of impeachment this week.  This important development, so needed now, has the potential to re-invigorate our democracy.

In order for this to happen, impeachment must be seen as one of many activities which must occur now.  First, the people must be engaged in all aspects of the democratic experiment -- including reading and listening (learning), monitoring their Congress members, monitoring press and media, monitoring big business, advocating and proposing. 

I have made mention of press and media.  This key component of the democratic process has itself long been corrupted by complacency and hubris.  Lately, something of worry and anxiety -- if not humility -- has crept into the journalistic ethos.  For the attacks against the media have taken their toll.

What we do not yet have is open soul-searching on the part of media persons who helped enable a wolf in clown's clothing to seek the nomination of a major political party, transform it, then set about transforming an entire country.  This crime against humanity is a crime against truth and a crime against democracy.

Somehow, the notion of America as a good and just place endures.  The memory of the Founding Fathers and mothers, as well as the many torch-bearers of following generations, has not been expunged. 

So it is up to we, the people, to do our duty as we see it -- to see that this nation of liberty and justice indeed shall not perish.  Let us be about this business. 

Put Trump on House Arrest -- the U.S. House of Representatives: Columnist's Inference

Of course the House won't -- or cannot -- put Our Military Leader (OML) on house arrest.  But according to columnist Margaret Carlson, with the Republican majority leader of the Senate already raising money on the notion of making sure impeachment fails in the Senate, politicians and citizens should look seriously at the options available.  

I, for one, do not necessarily agree that the American people cannot tolerate a longer impeachment process.   For one thing, there is important news about all kinds of nefarious activities coming out almost daily, making for riveting television.  For another, the witnesses the House committee chairs are calling are first-rate and more than informative -- they are inspiring. In and of themselves they are a much-needed antidote to the dark perfidy of this White House.

I also do not necessarily believe the articles of impeachment need to be severely limited due to some limited brain-power on the part of Americans.   We can handle it, if it is necessary, and done in a dignified way.

Another advantage is the time it gives Congress to pursue other legislative remedies, while the corruption is on display daily.  

So, let Congress be on guard.  As Ms. Carlson says, this President who is acquitted might be worse than one whose impeachment is simply indefinitely investigated.  

Keeping OML in the House

Stop the Presses!

Powerful testimony from Judiciary Committee Witnesses


In Brief --

Witnesses before the House Judiciary Committee -- professors all -- gave stirring denunciations of the Presidential attempts to involve a foreign power in America's political campaign.  There can be no doubt that these Constitutional experts were appalled by the efforts of OML to enlist the help of Ukraine in our American election process.  

The import, stated clearly, was our democratic form of government itself is at stake.  In short, this attack on our republic must not stand. 

Zucked: A Facebook Morality Tale

The New Yorker this week features an article on Roger McNamee, early technology pioneer, on the Facebook matter.  It is a fascinating story of the conversion experience of an important early investor in, to a critic of, Silicon Valley.

The focus of his 2019 book is, of course, the creation of Mark Zuckerberg.  But were you, dear reader, aware that Facebook is currently valued at $500 Billion dollars?  That is an astronomical sum by an measure.

More to the point, McNamee charges that Facebook, Google, and other such firms have made our private data a source of profit.  Is this right?, McNamee asks.

Regular readers of this blog can easily guess at my own personal response.  But, naturally, I encourage each person to make up his or her own mind.  Zucked should help.

N.B.  Also see comment below for more.  

Netherlands Faces Threat of Becoming a "Narco State"

A system of inter-connected drug distribution has solidified into a behemoth threatening to over-take the Dutch nation.  The article hyper-linked below tells the story.

The story of the Netherlands is a warning for nations considering the legalization of something as supposedly harmless as marijuana.  As I have detailed here in the past marijuana is no more inherently harmless than alcohol which is itself a drug -- and the arterial flow-through for countless societal problems around the world.

In the case of Holland a seemingly innocuous decriminalization of pot has developed into a nation awash in drugs of all kinds, especially the illegal kind.  The country is essentially crying out for help from the international community.

The experience of the Netherlands is clearly a clarion wake-up call for the United States which has insufficient control over the pot producers in the land, according to reports I have seen.   And now come further reports that Congress is considering loosening federal restrictions on marijuana as well.

Parenthetically, I can say that users and abusers of pot should be pitied and aided, not given life-sentences.  But as for national policy, there is absolutely no need to repeat the Dutch mistake.  Instead, let us be sure to learn from it.  


Drug Lords Threaten to Take Over The Netherlands

Sages from the Past Can Help Us Now

Below are two quotations from ancient and classical sources which describe our American scene now.  It is indeed a perilous time for democracy with enemies both foreign and domestic.  Let us hear these sages speak now....

When a man unprincipled in private life desperate in his fortune, bold in his temper, possessed of considerable talents...is seen to mount the hobby horse of popularity -- to join in the cry of danger to liberty -- to take every opportunity of embarrassing the General Government & bringing it under suspicion -- to flatter and fall in with all the nonsense of the zealots of the day -- It may justly be suspected that his object is to throw things into confusion that he may "ride the storm and direct the whirlwind."  

                                                                                               -- Alexander Hamilton
 

++++++++++++++

Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me.

And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face:  should I be enquired of at all by them?

Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD;  Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet;  I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;

That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.

 Therefore saith the Lord GOD;  Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols;  and turn away your faces from all your abominations.

                                                                                           -- Ezekiel 14:1-6


Posted on this the final day of scheduled open hearings into impeachment by the House Committee on Intelligence, Rep. Adam Schiff, chairman 

Courts Being Corrupted by OML

Rush Post

via People for the American Way

**BREAKING** Republicans in the Senate JUST used their rubber-stamp majority to confirm one of Trump’s worst judicial nominees yet … and just a week after "The New York Times" reported on the nominee Steven Menashi’s part in an illegal scheme with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to deny debt relief to students who were ripped off by greedy for-profit universities!

Nearly every Republican voted “yes” to confirm Menashi, a Trump White House lawyer, who was hand-selected by Trump for a lifetime seat on one of our nation’s most powerful courts – the very same federal appeals court that just issued a ruling against Trump’s efforts to hide his tax returns from prosecutors in New York.

Menashi is a radical right-wing extremist who, in his many writings, has expressed blatant hostility towards...  women, low-income families, Muslims, and immigrants. But he’s not the first unfit, unethical bigot nominated by Trump or confirmed by Mitch McConnell’s Republican majority to a lifetime seat on the federal bench. And he might not be the last.

                                                                                              -- People for the American Way

--------------------
This is a reminder that OML can be impeached, but that is not all that must be done now.  I'll have more to say about this soon.  In the meantime, it is clear it is time for all hands on deck so the ship of state may be swabbed clean of filth and corruption.

TMP
 

Politico Suggests Not One But Several "Simple" Ways OML Could Be Removed from Office

"Politico," the popular on-line political magazine, says it has found one or more easy ways OML could be convicted and removed from office.  I posit there could be others, once all the options are investigated.   After all, few Americans -- including journalists -- understand all the Senate rules.

As a musician, one of my constant annoyances is the un-creative and ignorant attitudes the press and media take toward politics.   They are constantly looking into crystal balls, with little or no evidence to go on.  This is made obvious by their frequent use of the words "likely" and "unlikely."  This, when you come down to it, is nothing but personal speculation.  Remember, Richard Nixon was re-elected by one of the biggest margins in American history.   Only fantasists on the left were predicting anything like impeachment at that time.

I want to give this Politico article its due.  I can see other scenarios, too.  Politico actually mentions other factors, such as the retirements of several aged Republicans, and the low approval ratings of McConnell.  A scenario in which Republicans find it very difficult to vote against conviction could well develop if the Congressional hearings are clear and convincing.  Add in a serious economic down-turn, and it is not hard to see a snow-ball effect toward impeachment and conviction.

I'll stop there.   I don't want to take up the habit of crystal ball gazing, after all. 


Politico Finds an Easy Path or Two or Three to Impeachment Conviction

The Media Inch Their Way Toward "The Whole Truth"

One of the recent additions to my life is satellite television service.  For many years I simply didn't have either cable or satellite service.  Now for the last several months I have been enjoying accessing everything from baseball to politics to religion via my satellite dish.  The plethora of commercials on most channels, including news channels is astonishing, aggravating, and distracting.  This subject will be handled in a later post.

It is clear at this point that the media is slowly -- ever so slowly -- crawling toward the truth about the state of our voting in this country.  Tomorrow, elections will be held in numerous locations in the United States.  Here's hoping for a relatively trouble-free, calm, and viable election out-come.

Tonight on the Chris Hayes program election integrity was skirted around.  But at least it was present, however dimly.  It is true, as the Hayes program said, that the circumstances of the 2020 election, with the same "swing" states, are similar to those of 2016.  What is different, as was also pointed out, are the impeachment inquiry and the softening of the economy.

Still essentially unreported are the vast efforts of vote suppression and other dirty tricks being conducted by various forces allied with the Republican Party.  One of the most recent examples is highlighted at the link below.

The American media, itself a beneficiary of corporate largess through the copious quantity of those commercials and ads, still needs to report on the truth of the methods of vote suppression which have been rampant and so very hurtful in our land.   


Jim Crow Steals Election in North Carolina

Graphic courtesy Elections at Risk by Dorothy Fadiman

Noam Chomsky Offers Alternative View on U.S.-Russia Relations

From 2018 --

At the link below you will find Noam Chomsky's views on U.S.-Russian relations as the second decade of the 21st Century heads toward its close.   There is a video of an interview with Amy Goodman on Democracy Now, as well as a written transcript.  With a little time and mental focus, I believe you will see what Prof. Chomsky, esteemed former MIT instructor, is getting at.


I do remember how, over the years, the spirit of detente with Russia soured, and relations deteriorated almost to the point of the Cold War.  This process accelerated in the early part of the 21st Century. 

I regard the Trump domestic policy to be disastrous.   However, sad to say, this is nothing new in America.  And certainly, we must protect our sovereignty.

Further, as I have reported here over and over again, it was not the Russians who were responsible for the victory of OML in 2016.   That nefarious feat was accomplished by nine methods of Republican voter suppression as documented by the well-regarded journalist, Greg Palast. 

For now, the Chomsky interview will serve as well as any other for helping us re-focus on just what is at stake in international relations, errant President or no.  


Noam Chomsky on U.S.-Russian Relations 

What the House Is Doing Apart From Impeachment: Much

It is a refreshment to see all the work the various sub-committees of Congress were doing just today alone.  While the impeachment inquiry gets the news it is heartening to see hearings on everything from cyber threats to -- well -- hearing!

Let's celebrate Congress for a change.  After so many years of inaction and acrimony, it is a thrill to see actual work being done on behalf of the people.

This is a foundation of accomplishment worth building on.

Bravo, Speaker Pelosi, and the House of Representatives!


https://www.house.gov/legislative-activity

Via Bloomberg:

Biden Braces for Rivals’ Attacks on Son at Democratic Debate 
Really?!

Here we have what I most disdain about our way of electing Presidents:  the televised debates.  This was not always the case.  But in recent years these "debates" -- which have always actually been nothing but joint news conferences (albeit confrontational) -- have become seemingly an opportunity for the non-leaders (in the polls) to take shots at the leader.

There is a certain way that criticizing an opponent can be useful, even healthy.   No one should have a free pass to the Presidency.  But, if attacking a candidate's son is considered part of the back and forth, the dignity of the office itself is in danger.  Sadly, this is not a new phenomenon.  But in the era of television, the danger of histrionics is magnified, and the ill effect spread far and wide.


N.B.:  Why does CNN seem to be the exclusive debate sponsor?  And, in case you were wondering, yes, I do miss the League of Women Voters.

___
(In its time this was a unique and extremely important way for The League of Women Voters to contribute.  Again, I miss them very much.)

Former Sen. Harry Reid Says OML Would Not Be Easy to Beat

Newsmax claims to be "Independent. American."  Those are two good things to be.  Whatever their claim, they do have news about former Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada and his views on OML as well as Senate Republicans in general.

Mr. Reid is making at least two assumptions.   He is assuming the Master of the Oval Office will not be removed from office by either impeachment, resignation, the 25th amendment, or imprisonment.*  (Are there other non-violent ways?)   Ruling out all of these methods of removal might be a little unrealistic.

However, assuming OML is nominated by the Republicans or what is left of them, would he, in fact, be difficult to defeat?  It is something to consider, especially if he is "a very, very smart man," as Mr. Reid says he has come to believe.




Page also includes links to article about the supposed danger of impeachment to Democrats:

Former Sen. Harry Reid Says OML Would Not Be Easy to Beat


*Could a President serve in office even while imprisoned?  This has never seemed a remotely real possibility until this bizarre, unreal [P]residency. 

At This Tumultuous Time

Such sadness and concern envelope the political realm of our country.   The concern spreads and overflows this bountiful land full of good and beautiful people, confused though they are.

While possible foreign interference in our elections is a real worry, of far greater concern at this time is the suppression of votes involving a racist component.   Careful researcher, Greg Palast has documented the removal of 14 million persons from the voting rolls in the most recent period.  This is the true horror of now.  These voters, many of color, and with Hispanic-sounding names have been purged through a program called Crosscheck, originally developed by Kris Kobach of Kansas, and now spread to many other states.  (For further information see sidebar at right.)

But the people are aroused and they are tuning in.  A majority now favors impeachment of the President.  The story of the land of the free is still the story of the brave as well.  

"Your Mission Should You Accept It...."

 

Theme to "Mission Impossible," extended version with conductor's explanatory introduction.  (Music starts a few minutes in.)

Life's lesson to be learned:  the Impossible Missions Force never seemed to have a mission it could not accomplish.

Impeach the VICE-President?

What if it is shown that the President broke campaign finance laws in order to be elected?   What if, against all odds, it is revealed that the Republicans used nine methods of voter suppression, some illegal, to get Our Military Leader elected?

This issue has already been addressed at the link below.

Vice-President Could Be Impeached Says Law Professor

Trump Must Resign

For the good of the country

Policy of Detente with Russian should continue under new President

A Simple Proposal

In his landmark book, Move Fast and Break Things, author Jonathan Taplin quotes a letter of Thomas Jefferson from Paris where he was stationed back to James Madison who was serving at the Constitutional Convention.  Jefferson was concerned that there was no bill of rights proposed.  He wrote:

I will now add what I do not like.  First, the omission of a bill of rights, providing clearly, and without the aid of sophism, for freedom of  religion, freedom of the press, protection against standing armies, restriction against monopolies [emphasis added], the eternal and unremitting force of the habeas corpus laws, and trials by jury in all matters of fact triable by the laws of the land, and not by the laws of Nations.

This shows clearly Jefferson's concern that among the other  rights, a restriction against monopolies was necessary.  Jefferson had witnessed the monopolies of the English companies in the new world and knew how excessive power from monopolies as such was as great a threat as restrictions on freedom of the press or religion.   But Hamilton, representing as he did the big New York financial interests, objected strenuously and the "restriction of monopolies" was not adopted.  It was not until the anti-trust laws more than one hundred years later that protections against trusts and combines were written into law.

Sadly, more than anyone else, Robert Bork helped to enshrine a new doctrine of supposed "consumer welfare" as the test by which all proposed anti-trust actions would be judged.  That is, as long as prices were falling, Wal-Mart could take over the whole retail economy, as far as he was concerned.   Left out of his procedure was any concern for over-concentration of political power or predation.*

So, the anti-trust laws have essentially been put on the shelf, only trotted out from time to time for the biggest mergers, and even then only in the context of "consumer welfare."

The relevant portion in Chapter 6 of Move Fast and Break Things is well worth the reading.

But this problem could be taken care of by simply adopting an Amendment to the Constitution which would do little more than restore Jefferson's original proposal to restrict monopolies.  But this time, said restriction would be in the Constitution itself.  We could do this.  In fact, we must do this or its equivalent.   Otherwise, corporations will increasingly run rough-shod over our laws and the Constitution itself.  



*see quotation of Robert Reich, p. 112 

This Explosive Week

U. S.  LEADERS, PUBLIC BEGIN TO RESTORE DEMOCRATIC NORMS

Regular readers here will have noticed I have been silent all week amidst unprecedented political intrigue in Washington, D.C.   And even tonight comes news that the U.S. special diplomat to Ukraine has resigned.

The reason for the silence is this:  Since ever so many lives are affected by this unfolding crisis, and since there are seemingly limitless details, it has seemed prudent to wait and evaluate before commenting here.   After all, this is a blog, and not a monthly magazine like The Atlantic.

However, I will say the governmental whistle-blower, whose name has not been released, is to be congratulated as a true American hero.  Coming forth as he did allows the American people and their leaders to have a fairly clear picture of what has been going on in the Presidency these last days.

At the same time, since my views are not necessarily the views of the major media or either political party in the U.S., I will maintain my reserve at this time.

All I can say is the house of smoke and mirrors is a little less dark tonight than it was even a few days ago.  It is enough for us to keep our eyes open -- wide and ever so eager. 

OML's Well-being Focus of Former White House Aide's Concern

But if a clinical diagnosis is beyond my own expertise, Trump’s psychological impairments are obvious to all who are not willfully blind. On a daily basis we see the president’s chaotic, unstable mind on display. Are we supposed to ignore that?

                                                                                                                -- Peter Wehner

Former White House official Peter Wehner comments and cajoles us into both settling down and standing up.   This is no small feat.  

We must do both -- and fast.

Atlantic Monthly article on line:   

It's in Plain Sight: Something Is Wrong With the President 

As OML Escalates Border Wall Funding Push, Lawsuits Remain

Even as Our Military Leader squeezes the lemons harder for more juice, lawsuits against his politically motivated border wall continue and even increase.  The latest appears to come from the state of Washington. Below is a concise article about another lawsuit which seeks to stop the building on environmental grounds.

Building of Border Wall Halted, Delayed:
One of Many Lawsuits Against Trump Border Wall

Hillary Rodham Clinton Impeachment Memo Again Relevant

Hillary Rodham, second from left

Quick Link --

A memo Hillary Rodham wrote in 1974 on impeachment is once again being looked to as instructive for House members interested in impeachment.  


H. Clinton Impeachment Memo Again Useful 

For Republicans, Vote Suppression Starts With Voter Purging

It is well to remember that the U.S. Constitution contains no right of citizens to vote for President.

Yet, voters can and do vote for House members and Senate members, and even indirectly for President.

How is it that last year alone 14 million -- that's million -- voters were purged from the voting rolls in the United States.  It is this which is the big scandal of our times -- not Russia.  Yet, why are most Americans ignorant of this fact?  And who or what has done the purging?  Internationally known journalist Greg Palast has done the research and has the facts. 

The Republican Assault on Voter Rights

Just like in Alcoholics Anonymous, the first thing you have to do is admit the problem… We have to admit that we as Americans, and our officials, are purging legitimate voters from the voter rolls and blocking Americans from voting. 

                                                                           --  Journalist Greg Palast 

Geo-Engineering: An Idea Whose Time Has Come

Geo-Engineering: An Example to Save the Planet

The link above leads to a very interesting article on how the Sahara Desert region of Africa could potentially be used to actually lower earth sea level rise due to global warming, as well as help power the world's electricity grid.

Very much recommended

Hurricane Dorian Fatigue

The Hurricane named Dorian is pummeling The Bahamas for seemingly interminable hours, as Florida and the Southeast coast of Florida wait seemingly interminable days for the long-feared storm to come ashore, if it does at all.

As the cable TV channels dig into the details of the cyclone, the larger questions about stronger and stronger storms due to global warming continue. 

"I'm a Genius." Really?

Quick Link --

Real geniuses don't have to announce the fact, says former speech writer for Jimmy Carter.   


How Actual Smart People Talk About Themselves
(This does not include the most famous self-declared "really smart person.")

What Kind of Man Is John Hickenlooper?

The Democratic nomination race has lost a person with gubernatorial experience.  Now he is running for Senator.   Democratic Campaign Watch asks what kind of man John Hickenlooper really is. 


Direct Link:
https://democampaignwatch.blogspot.com/

Watergate Forty(-five) Years On

At the link below you can watch an interview with PBS program hosts as they describe their coverage of the Watergate hearings.   For many, the Watergate hearings were a seminal influence.



https://youtu.be/YxCASPRMZb8

Market Inversion, German Economic Decline: What Does It All Mean?

Rush Post --

The Guardian Newspaper Explains -- 


This item was originally posted at Patriot in Exigency

New Investigation of World Trade Center Building Collapse Called for By City Fire Commisioners

This is an important development in the saga of 9/11/01 investigations.  We are getting nearer to the truth.  

New Investigation of the Collapse of Building 7 in World Trade Center Called for By Fire Commisioners

The Greatest Legal Hoax

The title can be taken in more than one way.  But here, I mean to say that there is a certain legal fiction which has taken hold in these states that a corporations has most of the rights of an in-the-flesh person under the Constitution.

The web site below shows otherwise!


http://poclad.org/

Play it Cool, Democrats, Says Times Columnist

Just play it cool boy,

Real cool.

                            -- West Side Story, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

In today's New York Times, Maureen Dowd writes usefully on the divisions in the Democratic Party.  She writes in her usual carefully witty style about what she calls Puritans of the left who would rather see defeat than stray from arch-purity regarding Our Military Leader (OML) in the Oval Office.  

Ms. Dowd can certainly write more entertainingly and better than most any newspaper writer in or out of  the Times.  Her message here, however, is also wise, even desperately wise.  For what we are seeing too much of is Democratic division, both on and off the campaign trail.  

At the same time it seems likely that the polling lead enjoyed by Joseph Biden represents more than just a simple lead, or a generational lead.  I'm guessing it also means everyday Democrats badly want to win this election and they do see Mr. Biden as the best choice for accomplishing this goal.

 

Meantime, we have progressives who are rightly disgruntled.  I for one do not begrudge them their disquietude.  But to aim first at fellow Democrats, then hope enough of them are still standing to defeat OML seems decidedly short-sighted.     

Maureen Dowd Decries "Purity" 

A View on Impeachment from a House Committee Chair

Via Newsmax --  

Adam Schiff says impeachment would be a waste of time. 
 
An interesting and valuable viewpoint:
Schiff on Impeachment

CNN Important Round-table Discussion

CNN this evening has had an important discussion about impeachment as well as about late-breaking news of the scandalous caving of the Supreme Court majority in the matter of the Mexican wall.

Wolf Blitzer, plus Gloria Borger, et. al., had a very spirited discussion about impeachment.  The upshot was the House must move quickly on the impeachment matter.  I agree with the urgency.  However, for the House to move without public support is understandably difficult for House leadership.   And at this point, we must blame the mainstream American media, particularly broadcast media -- along with certain sectors of Internet and "social" media -- for a terrific dereliction of duty in failing to educate or simply tell the truth about this current administration.

As the CNN round-table member said. this is a very critical time in the life of the country.  Will those who love the truth more than comfort please stand up?    Please, stand up.  Stand up. 

Via The "Internet" --

Today's Humor

5:35 p.m. or so

FROM "CNN"  (Central News Network)  --

We interrupt this commercial to bring you the following BIG BREAKING NEWS from CNN:

"The House Judiciary Committee kinda sorta upped the ante on a semi-real impeachment inquiry today.  The Committee chair committed to a suit which might lead someday to an actual, real impeachment inquiry if Nancy Pelosi is in a good mood and polls tell them 100% of the American people are behind the effort.   

And now back to the salamander trying to sell you Gecko Insurance at this low, low, very humble price...."

The Mueller Report Up Close

It took a little while, but I was finally able to procure my own copy of the Mueller report yesterday.  Mine is The Washington Post  edition.  Their introduction to the document is excellent, and helps lay the case for an accusation of vast impropriety to say the least.

And the introduction also helps make clear just how misleading and hurtful the Barr characterization of the report was.

I look forward to reading through the report (minus redactions).  Congress deserves encouragement as relevant committees work assiduously to uncover the truth about the election of 2016 and other matters.  

U.S. Inches Its Way Toward a More Rational Discourse

If one focuses only on Our Military Leader (OML), it would seem that American political discourse is no better than it was two and a half years ago. 

But there are signs of change.  Surprisingly, one sign came out of the so-called conference on social media at the White House yesterday.  It seems that as part of his meanderings OML complained that his Twitter(R)  posts no longer sky-rocket in popularity.  Well, that is interesting.  It seems we have here not only a personal admission of a decline in the popularity of his media posts, but a news item of significance.

The significance is that it appears that at least in one area, blather, and histrionics are not as popular as they once were.  This should not be surprising to people who retain a belief in the basic truth and goodness of people and things as such.

But it is a battle, is it not?  A real knock-down drag-out battle.  And yet through new social media policies and a faintly visible desire on the part of social media companies to intensify their enforcement of pre-existing policies, vitriol may yet be brought under control.

Before this we could only dimly hope.   Now there is evidence of improvement.  

Our Military Leader's Celebration Called "Dress Rehearsal" for Fascist Parade

Cost?
$2.5+ Million 

For the source of this incredible information see here:

National Park Service Said to Divert Millions for Fascist Display

Quick Link

German Authorities Shut Down Independent Media Site

Quick Link --

Recent History Document 

https://patriotinexigency.blogspot.com/2019/07/german-authorities-raided-independent.html 

Much More Data Needed Before Pot Legalization: New York Doctor

I have written here before of a looming public health problem.  Forces favoring the legalization of marijuana have succeeded in convincing citizens and legislative leaders in several states to legalize the formerly verboten drug. 

The main advantage to this serious over-turning of a century of legal precedent is that we are beginning to develop a body of knowledge about the dangers of marijuana from the states where it is legal.  The news is far from good. 

Perhaps the biggest concern is the effect on young people.  Beginning with concerns about second-hand smoke in the home and the effect on driving, we now have concerns about the effects on the human brain, especially before the age of twenty-five.  It is a pity states have rushed to legalize pot before sufficient data about its effects are available.  At least the shroud of mystery is beginning to lift. 

Reference:
Marijuana: The Word from a Qualified Doctor

The Rise of Far-Right Economic Orthodoxy

Robert Bork did more than any individual in the twentieth century to embed the libertarian free-market principles of Ayn Rand and Milton Friedman into the heart of the American economic and judicial system....Bork came to the University of Chicago in the late 1940s as a true believer in Roosevelt's New Deal politics....But as he began to get attracted to the intersection of economics and law, the conservative professors who dominated the Chicago faculty discouraged any belief that government could or should play a role in regulating business.    

                                                 -- From Move Fast and Break Things by Jonathan Taplin, pp. 109, 111

The story of how far-right economic theory became mainstream in America is rather involved, though its beginning and course are quite traceable.  The main thing is that this orthodoxy -- which says the government has no place regulating big business -- is prevalent today, and to a large extent has simply taken over public policy as it is enunciated by politicians, academics, and pundits.

There are exceptions, of course.  After all, it is pretty cleat that the Sherman Anti-Trust act was and is not in favor of trusts (combines of corporations, including financial outfits).  Yet, as author Taplin points out, we have in good measure returned to domination of only a few firms, particularly in the Internet field.

What Taplin attempts to do -- and this is ever so useful -- is show how the Internet monopolies grew out of the capitalist economic system.  And he further shows how this has been so very hurtful to true variety, diversity, and freedom. 
                              

Robert Bork

Former Republican Prosecutors Release Video

Several former Republican prosecutors who served in the highest ranks of government have recently released an important video about the Mueller report.  This video details their view that the Mueller report is absolutely damning when it comes to the President's attempts to obstruct justice.  It appears that in some cases the attempts at obstruction of justice were successful.

How sad it is that not only is the President credibly accused of obstruction of justice, but his Attorney General and Republican leaders in Congress all profess myopia and an inability to see a problem.  This means justice is delayed.   And, has been said, justice delayed is justice denied.


(See the note at top right about the video which can be viewed at Patriot in Exigency.)

The Immigration Crisis at the Border Explained

From Democracy Now, an expert speaks

via Democracy Now -- June 5, 2019

To Impeach, Or Not to Impeach; That Is the Question

TMP Has an Answer


Blog post coming soon

President Acts to Investigate Former Administration Members

What we are seeing here is flat-out fascism.  It is Hitlerism, autocracy-in-action, and totally un-American.   In fact, it is essentially unheard of in the history of the Presidency.

Now is the time for all patriots to come to the aid of their country!*  

I'll have more to say on all this soon.

NBC Details Chilling Use of Presidential Power Against Critics

*As always, my call is strictly for non-violent actions.

Freedom of the Press Under Attack; Democracy in Danger

The Trump Administration's Decision to charge an online journalist with violation of an Espionage Act crime is creepy and chilling.

I'll have more to say on this soon.


Read the story here:

What I Am Working on Now

Coming Soon

To Impeach or Not to Impeach
Is it possible to agree -- in part -- with both proponents and opponents of impeachment?

The Julian Assange Case
The Administration's unequivocal assault on Freedom of the Press


Please join me soon for more on these and other important matters of our time.  

Judge Rules for Congress in Presidential Finances Investigation

Quick Link --

A federal judge has ruled in favor of a Congressional investigation into the personal finances of Our Military Leader.  The article headlined below states this is bound to encourage other judges to make similar rulings in other cases of like nature. 

(Web site contains legitimate video and content of unknown nature.  I make no recommendation for the site itself.  Article content is excellent, however.) 


Judge Rules for Congress in Trump Finances Investigation

Up-dated: Mitch McConnel Has Been Behaving Like a Russian Asset

But is he one?

I s Mitch McConnel what is called a Russian asset?  Perhaps not officially, but the effect is very nearly the same.  

Is one of the many outcomes of being an enabler of Trump, also the enabling of heightened Russian influence in U. S. politics?   That is a question for others to answer after proper investigation.   But it would seem to follow that the Republicans in Congress,  including Mr. McConnel, have done nothing to hinder this or other difficult and nefarious developments.

Your Musical Patriot, like other Americans, is virtually bombarded and overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of unprecedented news stories surrounding this Administration.  Not the least of this is the cessation of the daily press briefing at the White House.  (We shouldn't worry, as the President will one day wish the press could still fend for his legitimacy to power.)

So, we are at a critical time, and have been.  But I should like to let our foreign friends know that the America you have always known and loved is still here, suffering and bewildered by what is going on in Washington.   And yet we are still working hard, hoping for better, knowing something is wrong, even though we do not always know just what.

This confusion is the responsibility of the media largely.  The American media at this time has to be among the worst in the industrialized world, even if it is large, and even if there are a few (very few) honest reporters.   The media knows things it is not telling.   It does not know things it should know (about vote suppression, e.g.*).   And the things it does know it so often tells in either incomplete or distorted form.  These facts are known.  

No, Mitch McConnel is not a Russian agent.  And this week, Sen. McConnel has seemed to perhaps get a little clearer about what is true.  But we still have a Republican Party which is dominated by a fascist-type agenda of serious government-business collusion.  It is the kind of collusion many dictators around the world can only envy.  


*And exception is an article in yesterday's Washington Post.  I will reference this later.  

Mitch McConnel Is Behaving Like a Russian Asset

But Is He One?


Coming Soon Here

Trumpism Explained

The Erudite Noam Chomsky Dissects the Move Toward Trump

In this great analysis, Chomsky gives the historical foundation for Trumpism -- how it came to be and how it is being maintained.

Implicit in his analysis is the chiefly domestic cause of his rise, not Russian interference.  Included in domestic interference are the various voter suppression efforts which were so tragically effective in the 2016 race.  These various efforts have been described on this blog many times.

A most valuable video.





Many thanks to Democracy Now and its many supporters for making this video available. 

Do Dutch Media Value the Truth More Than the American Media?

From The David Pakman Show

Host of his own Internet and television show, David Pakman, here makes a useful point about what American media have become in the main.  The Dutch, he shows, do it much better.

World and National Events Continue Apace

Fascists Invade Local Book Store


All my life, the older generation has declared how much faster things move in the present compared to when they were young.  Certainly today events move at no slower pace, and indeed they seem to move faster than ever due to the instant nature of communications.

So it is not surprising that the far-right seems to metastasize at a rate not seen in recent times.  This intensification is in some ways understandable due to the unsettling nature of our times, especially economically, but also in terms of mores and manners (not that the far-right has normal manners).

Recently, a far-right gang, whose members were brought in from other states, interrupted a talk at a book store in Washington, D.C.*  According to The Washington Post, such incursions into book stores, libraries, and book fairs have been seen with increasing frequency in recent years.  Up until today, I had never really thought of book talks as being targets for white supremacy and Nazist groups.   Yet, this is so.

Sadly, in this case, the reaction to the protestors seems to have been too mild, even though the hoodlums left voluntarily after only a few minutes, and apparently without doing any physical damage.  Yet, damage was done.  Freedom does die in darkness.   And the forces of darkness are always with us. 

I will be following this particular story and reporting back here with more details and analysis. 

A band of "white nationalists" just interrupted a talk by @JonathanMetzl about his new book called "Dying of Whitness" at @PoliticsProse.  @PoPville pic.twitter.com/nlXRXdAkcX

— Katy Cain (@KatyCain526) April 27, 2019

*Washington Post, Tuesday, April 30, 2019, p. B1.


Video of Incident May Be Found Here

Appealing to the World Court of Public Opinion

URGENT

Dear Readers Everywhere,


The United States government has entered into what shows every sign of being A protracted state of crisis.  With the House of Representatives subpoenaing documents as part of their legitimate power, and the Military Leader (President) stonewalling every attempt by Congress to interview the important actors in the Russian influence-peddling investigation, these two facets of the government are at loggerheads. 

Making matters next-to-impossible, the media is heavily involved -- not in helping to solve the crisis -- but in giving each side "equal weight and treatment."  This approach puts the media as both victim and propagator of the crisis of paralysis. 

The only thing left to do is appeal to world opinion.  The United States government will not be able to solve the crisis by itself under the current circumstances.  And the media has so much power, the American people will not be able to solve it either. 

Of course, given enough time any intractable problem can be solved.  The problem here is the impasse is threatening to carry over into election year.  Even though Our Military Leader is corrupt, incompetent, and thoroughly contemptuous of the Constitutional system, this Gordian knot will defy untangling for a long time to come.  At the very least the creates a miasma of confusion.  At worst, it prevents clear action. 

Our only hope is that the International community of nations will begin to apply appropriate pressure.   Naturally, anything which threatens the security of the United States can and must be opposed.  But world opinion can be powerful.  That is what eventually undid Hitler. 

Please do not overly rely on the Internet to bring pressure to bear.   This technology is much too fragmented and diffuse for such a purpose.  If you want to send a polite, respectful, constructive e-mail to your democratically elected leaders, you are encouraged to do so.  Letters, and phone calls can also be constructive.  I will try to come up with some sort of suggested template (although creating a different one for each country will be a challenge).   Just don't expect that reading online and posting online will alone do the trick.

Also, I would like to make contacts who can help translate into other languages.

So this is an outline for action.  Please help America.   We the people did not elect this president, he is very unpopular, but is being propped up at this time by corporations, including very much the corporatized media. 

 Be thoughtful, be strategic.  Any legitimate, responsible support is welcome. 

 

Oh, What a Tangled Web

Like many Americans, I am in process of going through the news items about the Mueller report.  Setting aside for the moment the fact that Our Military Leader was not legitimately put in the White House in the first place, there are already several troubling matters which come to the fore.

The Mueller report, because of its completeness and veracity, is falling into the category of being a work of science.  And like any work of science its product is "worth it."

I don't ever recall Peter Rodino, House Judiciary Committee Chairman, saying of Richard Nixon that he "wasn't worth it," as Nancy Pelosi has said of Donald Trump.  It is true that there is a federal election a year and a half from now.   But that, my dear friends, is a life-time in politics.  The issue is not and should not be Donald Trump.   The issue is the Presidency itself.  The Presidency --  formerly known as the office of leadership of the "free world."   The Presidency -- wherein resided America's greatest aspirations in the form of the most powerful single office in the land.  What of the Presidency?  Is not the Presidency itself "worth it?"   How are we to proceed for another year and a half with this level of demonstrated misconduct, rule-breaking, malfeasance, bullying, and contempt for the Constitution?   Is it not just such a President for which the Founders provided the power of impeachment? 

The process of impeachment neither begins nor ends with the passing of an impeachment resolution by the whole House.  It begins in the Judiciary committee.  So, let the Judiciary committee take up the Mueller report.   Let's have open hearings properly televised so the people can get the information they deserve and then make up their own minds.  Let's have testimony from informed witnesses and the best legal minds, so we will have a basis for any action.  We should not have the Speaker or any other person foreclosing the possibility of impeachment.

Meantime, there is no reason to be hysterical about it either.  Histrionics will not help.   Let us support our Congress, including our esteemed and path-breaking Madam Speaker, as it and she conduct the people's business.   May we continue to celebrate the new People's House under Nancy Pelosi's leadership.   But may we also put a search for the Truth first. 

Technology as the New Religion

Jonathan Taplin states in his book Move Fast and Break Things, that the love of technology has become a new religion.  This is not the time to try to explain the details, but it seems clear that certain persons such as Parker, Thiel, and Zuckerberg have expressed something akin to religious devotion and have attached to it a zeal bordering on the fanatical.  Certainly, such persons have expressed a kind of hubris surrounding the ability of technology to astonishing things, even create immortality, that indicates a fervor even beyond the normal religions of our time.    





If we accept that the devotion to technology is deeply held by outfits such as Twitter, it would seem to follow that no amount of arm-twisting would persuade Twitter to abandon the President of the United States or ban him simply on the basis of what other people might do in response to his words.  The problem becomes, then, meeting the cult-like mind-set gripping the oligarchs of social and other media.  If this seems harsh, let it be shown that the opposite is true:  that is, that a nearly fanatical devotion is not being shown toward social media by its creators and others.  It is my belief this in fact cannot be done.


Image credit: The Best Schools.org  

Administration Tilting More and More Fascist

Today, I have been following several headlines concerning freedom of the press and Presidential appointments.  Oh, how to place these developments!  To devote time and energy to what seems obvious, is, well, so obvious.  And yet to many, I realize things may not be so obvious.

Then, too, there is the matter of repetition.  And yet, certain things do need to be repeated! 

At the same time, it is a premise of this current blog that the Presidency was stolen in 2016.*  If we believe that America is a country so far above and beyond all other countries as to be practically inhabited by angels, we will have a hard time accepting the fact that such a thing could happen.

If we believe, however, that Americans are, after all, only human and subject to the same temptations as most every other person, if given the same power and opportunity, we can begin to believe that something terribly wrong could have occurred.  Readers here already know about the size of the vote suppression which occurred then.  And regular readers have seen the evidence that D. Trump did not win either the popular vote;  or the Electoral College -- legitimately.

If wealthy people could help Our Military Leader (OML) to an ill-gotten victory, it is not such a stretch to imagine that the United States is seriously threatened by a fascist take-over, or that perhaps such a take-over may have already occurred in essence.

Truth can be said to be in the eye of the beholder.   The reality is that Truth exists as an objective entity, no matter how many or how few people see it. 

*See:
gregpalast.com

Abolish the Electoral College?

Messages in my in-box are urging abolition of the Electoral College.   (There are other suggestions, too.)   As best as I can tell these suggestions are not coming from Constitutional experts, or even historians.  They appear to be coming from various interest groups.   Well-meaning though they may be, these suggestions are -- dangerous. 

Here's why.  As regular readers of this blog know, there were all kinds of shenanigans, mostly among Republican operatives in the 2016 election.  Eventually, they were able to suppress and "lose" enough votes -- in states with Republican Secretaries of State -- to make it appear that D. Trump won in the Electoral College.  But, think for a moment.   Does the fact that vote-stealing thugs were able to "disappear" over 70,000 votes in primarily black districts in Detroit mean the Electoral College should be abolished?  That's like saying the home-owner should be jailed because he forgot to lock his house and a thief got in and stole the family jewels. 

An even worse idea is for states -- instead of following the will of its voters -- to follow the will of other states and declare all Electoral votes as bound to whoever is announced as the winner nation-wide.  Think what would happen in a situation as happened in Florida in 2000.   Think about the stolen elections of 2004, and 2016. 

No, the short story is that we must clean up the corruption in elections at all levels and stages.  This means federal and state financing of all elections, along with limited free air time for worthy candidates determined under a pre-arranged system as specified by law.

We can have fair elections, but not if we pin the tail on the wrong donkey.   

Staying Abreast

News of note from Washington, D. C., comes at a fast and furious pace these days.  There is enough material on any given day for three to five blog posts, at least.  This is currently beyond the ability of your Musical Patriot friend to supply.

However, I am going to try to put together a series of short notices, similar to the "Quick Post" and "Quick Link" formats I have used in the past.  Perhaps this will be a way to keep information rolling, so to speak.

I also plan to continue the announced new series of posts on Jimmy Carter and his important White House Diary.  What a book!

This overall plan should help keep you the reader, and myself, at least somewhat well informed.  Please check back here soon to see how this is all working.


Best wishes,

The Musical Patriot
in the USA


Art courtesy 1001freedownloads.com

Jimmy Carter, Man Ahead of His Time

New Series

I continue reading Jimmy Carter's White House Diary, an amazing look behind the scenes at a President's daily life.  There are many passages from this book which I see as important, even newsworthy.  While I don't agree with every initiative of Mr. Carter (the handling of deregulation comes to mind), I see Jimmy Carter as a man more of the 21st Century than the 20th.  

Today, I begin a new series highlighting key passages from this book, and offering side comments.  Today's excerpt concerns the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) which failed to gain approval of the necessary states. I'm not sure Jimmy Carter is exactly the last word on the role of women in culture, but his comment about the ERA is priceless, and valuable now.

The ultimate rejection of the amendment [ERA] to our Constitution was a great disappointment for Rosalynn and me, since we had supported it actively while I was governor and president.  Despite widespread public support for granting American women equal rights with men, some church leaders -- Catholic, Protestant, and Muslim -- opposed the amendment.  By exerting their influence, they probably made the difference.  The discrimination by male religious authorities, who erroneously claim it is the will of God, is one of the root causes of the worldwide abuse of women and girls.  

                                                                                      --  White House Diary, p. 254.

"Blogging" the Internet

https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-316-27577-4

Over the coming days I plan to write about the Internet itself, how it is affecting our economy and our democracy.  My major resource will be Jonathan Taplin's "Move Fast and Break Things."   (You may follow on the link above for more information.)

It has become clear that our democracy is under threat from several sources.  Not the least of these it turns out are the major Internet companies.  Taplin's book focuses on three major Internet concerns which have broad impacts on our nation now.  The three are Facebook, Google, and Amazon.  Coming from someone who has significant experience in both the computer and music worlds as Taplin does, this book is of special interest to The Musical Patriot.

I will be sharing some of what I learn or re-learn as I read the book for a second time.  I can start by mentioning how the book begins with the premise that these Internet companies have essentially returned us to the Gilded Age in which a few monopolies controlled the economy, and thus politics in the United States.

Since this is such a big subject, it is best for the reader to consult "Move Fast and Break Things," directly.  For now I will simply say America is indeed in an emergency which seemingly goes beyond any so-called Constitutional Crisis.


Coming:   Technology's Counter-cultural roots  

Mueller Report One Piece of the Puzzle

Robert Mueller

News of the release of the Robert Mueller report to the Attorney General, William Barr, broke some four hours ago in the Eastern U.S.  Few details were made public except for the fact that the report does not recommend any further indictments, according to several major news sources (NPR said).   

The news media here are understandably anxious to find out more about what is in the report and whether it will be released to the public.  

In the meantime, we need to keep in mind the larger picture of deep and widespread corruption within the American political process which has become increasingly dominated by vested interests at essentially all levels.  Regarding the Presidential election process, this has been made abundantly clear by the internationally recognized reporter, Greg Palast.  

So while the Mueller report is certainly of vital importance relating to the influence of any foreign power in American elections, there have been plenty of American bad actors from right here in our own country.  Whether there are any connections between these American bad actors and Russians will be the big mystery to solve over the coming days, weeks, months, and even years.  We already know, for instance, that the founder of the Koch enterprise had business dealings with Russia in earlier decades.  

Above all this, however, we must keep in mind the safety of the whole world and all the people in it.  Those things which promote peace should be held dear, and those things which undermine or delay peace should forever be kept at arms' length.   

Future days should be interesting, to say the least.  

Corporate Personhood: A False Notion

This month's focus

As the short articles at the link below attest, the idea that a corporation is a person under the law is patently foolish and demonstrably false.  Further, this concept -- though hinted at for decades -- reached a new pinnacle of notoriety when it was mentioned by a mistaken clerk in a Supreme Court summary late in the nineteenth century.  Otherwise, the notion that corporations could have certain rights just as a real naturally-born person would havehad never been sanctioned by the Court.  

Yet gradually, and especially in the twentieth century, corporations gained more and more so-called rights, including the right to sue and be sued.  This inevitably led to a severe imbalance in power as corporations with their superior resources moved aggressively into the legal arena to intimidate those who would question their decision-making power, even in the area of product safety.  

While the philosophy of corporate personhood did not create the profit system it did become in America its technical underpinning in a legal sense.  Never voted on by anyone, corporate personhood has achieved the status of stare decisis, or accepted legal practice, as well as received wisdom.  

But wise it most surely is not.  Whatever we may have gained in predictability, we have lost in practice.  Corporations are now more powerful than ever, though it does seems they have not yet been able to completely overcome certain forces of justice and truth inherent in the nature of things.    


Corporate Personhood: What It Is

Coming Soon: The Farce of Corporate Personhood

This post will appear soon.   Please check back later.



I am currently in research mode.  Posting will resume soon.  Thank you for your patience

Cohen Shines a Light in the Darkness

'... Will never be a peaceful transition of power...'

Cohen said in his closing statement that he fears for the future of the country's democracy if Trump loses re-election.

"Indeed, given my experience working for Mr. Trump, I fear that if he loses the election in 2020 that there will never be a peaceful transition of power," Cohen said. "This is why I agreed to appear before you today."

The testimony of Michael Cohen before Congress today was extremely concerning for our country.  If Mr. Cohen is right about the transfer of power issue -- and who could credibly counter his assertion? -- it would follow that in order to avoid a coup, we must remove this Military Leader* before things get to this point.  

The link below takes you to a web page of the network formerly called the National Broadcasting Company.  I recommend these highlights of today as the quickest way to understand the importance today's monumental testimony by a man out to redeem himself.  

Let's give truth its due. 

Michael Cohen Testifies Before Congress

 

 

*Ah, peacefully, of course