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.