If Robert Mueller Was Super Petty

I believe that Robert Mueller has collected enough information to know beyond a doubt that Donald Trump is a criminal, a fraud, and has sold out the interests of our country to a hostile foreign power. Still, he’s bound by Justice Dept. guidelines preventing him from indicting a sitting President. He’s limited to making the best case he can. Presenting a final report to the Attorney General. Assuming William Barr is confirmed, an Attorney General less than assuring that Mueller’s report will ever be made public.

Thus far, Mueller has issued so-called speaking indictments, providing far more public information than required in order to inform the American public. As the investigation winds down, with more indictments and arrests yet to play out. Mueller has to have developed a real contempt for the man occupying the Oval Office. Before the midterm elections, Mueller respectfully held off on public activity according to Justice Dept. norms. But now, given the ongoing attacks on Mueller and his credibility from Donald Trump. If Mueller were just a little bit petty. What would he do?

He’d arrest Donald Trump Jr on February 5th, hours before daddy is supposed to give the State of the Union address. That would be a shot across the bow.

He could commemorate the St. Valentines Day Massacre by arresting several members of the Trump campaign and administration on the same day. He’d also assure a headline that would live on in history. Those to include (assuming the evidence supports it) are Jared Kushner, Eric Trump, Erik Prince, Hope Hicks, John Kelly, Sean Spicer, and Rob Porter

He could issue search warrants to include offices in the White House, subpoena computers and notes of those involved.

And if he were really petty, he’d forget all about the Justice Department guidelines and indict Donald J. Trump a sitting President, charging him with everything he’s guilty of; fraud, money laundering, bribing foreign officials, perjury, Federal Election Campaign violations, and last but not least Treason. Mueller should prove that no one is above the law, not even a sitting President.

Trump should be arrested in the White House and do a perp walk across the White House lawn in full view of the cameras.

If Mueller were petty, he might do all of this. I can only hope!

What If The Whole Federal Government Called Out Sick?

Airports, the FBI, the IRS, and more, are only still functioning because Federal Workers deemed “critical” are required to still work without pay. It is illegal for Federal workers to go on strike. Several employees like air traffic controllers have called out sick on an individual basis. The rate of call-outs has raised to an average of 7% up to a high of 10% last weekend.

What if government workers got serious about calling out sick? Picking one day the first week for everyone to call out. That would shut down airports, stop tax filing help, and force the President and Congress to deal with the situation. If the first sick day doesn’t work? Call out two days the next week, three the next, then four… What would the penalty be to workers that call out? They’re already not getting paid.

It’s true the President could end this crisis in a day. Congress could do so in a few days if they had the guts. Federal workers can also force an end to the shutdown. All it takes is the will

Samuel L Jackson’s Hair Over The Years

They Call Him Mr. Glass

Stephen from Django

Jules Winnfield

Ordell Robbie from Jackie Brown

Nick Fury (Present)

Nick Fury (1970s)

Mitch Hennessey from The Long Kiss Goodnight

Elmo McElroy from The 51st State

Lazarus Redd from Black Snake Moan

Feel free to add other Samuel L. Jackson looks in the comments!

 

Republicans: From The Party Of Lincoln; To The Party Of Putin, Trump, And David Duke

Republicans like to refer to themselves as, “The Party of Lincoln.” This typically comes in response to questions about racism in an attempt to deflect any charges of discrimination today by referring to their long-ago stance. When the Republican Party formed, their first platform resisted the expansion of slavery into new states and territories. The Party’s initial founders were abolitionists, an anti-slavery faction of the Whig Party, and the Free-Soil wing of the Democrat Party. Say what you will about Republicans now, they once stood for something positive, not so much today.

Lincoln himself gets all the credit for ending slavery but given his way, he’d have allowed slavery to continue where it already existed. At his first Inauguration Address, he said, “I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so.” He also supported the return of slaves to Africa. The Emancipation Proclamation was less about granting freedom to the slaves than it was about hurting the South’s economy and keeping France and Britain from siding with the South whom economically they were inclined to.

Despite Lincoln’s personal ambivalence, the Republican Party was a major factor in the ending of slavery and the environment that led to Reconstruction. Unfortunately, they gave away their claim of moral superiority when in the Compromise of 1877, in trade for winning a disputed Presidential election. They agreed to remove Federal troops from the South which directly let to the end of Reconstruction and the imposition of Jim Crow. The Republican Party’s last claim to be the Party of Lincoln died in 1877.

Fast-forward to the present. The most recent Republican platform includes language changing the previous Republican position favorably to Russia. There has never been a satisfactory explanation as to who, how, and why. The Republicans who controlled oversight in Congress in the House and the Senate have looked away. Their response to a President and Administration who has had multiple secret meetings with Russians and Russian intelligence has been either muted, standing by watching, or a full-throated defense. The more information that becomes public about Trump and associates ties to Russia and private communications, the more the Party that tied itself to national security, at best looks the other way.

Republican legislators have foresworn any priorities other than getting re-elected. This means looking away as he separates children from families, shuts down the government, and destroys the economy with his trade wars and dramatic increase of the national debt. They perhaps console themselves with the tax cuts which benefit them personally and court appointments which protect the class they are part of.

Republicans rage at being portrayed as racist. They don’t mind their Party being racist in their policies but find being called racist offensive. I’m not saying all or even most Republicans are racist. I’m saying they have created an environment where racists are welcome and in fact, pander to them to ensure their continued support at the polls. To avoid the appearance of promoting racism, the Republican House leadership just stripped Rep. Steve King (IA) from his committee assignments after wondering how white nationalism and white supremacy got a bad name? They were shocked, shocked, to find out King harbored racist sentiments, though he’d been expressing them openly for decades. The President makes racist statements all the time, where is the outrage?

Whatever you think of the Republican Party, they have long ceased to be the Party of Lincoln. Depending on the need they now are meeting the needs of Vladimir Putin, Donald J Trump, and David Duke. Parties can and do change. A look at the past of the Democrat Party shows a history of racism, more violent than Republicans have engaged in. When Republicans allowed Jim Crow in 1877, Democrats instituted it. The Democrats changed dramatically in the 1960s when dissatisfaction with the Voting Rights Act and Civil Rights Act caused many (Dixiecrats) to flee to the Republican Party. The “Southern Strategy,” ensured they remained Republicans.

I’d like to believe Republicans can do better. I’m less sure they will. Mitch McConnel is racing to fill the Federal Courts with young, conservative Judges. He and other Republicans hope that they will exert control of the Judiciary for generations, long after demographics have lessened their power to legislate. Outside the Courts, Republicans are using Gerrymandering and Voter Suppression to impose the will of a minority on the rest of us. They have gotten a partisan Supreme Court to support unlimited, undisclosed financial contributions, courtesy of Citizens United. They just experienced historic losses of House seats in the 2018 elections and are facing tough sledding in the Senate in 2020 based on who is up for reelection. When they lose, it will be because they sacrificed the principals they once held as a Party. Telling us, “collusion is not a crime,” is not the cry of an ethical Party. Putin, Trump, and Duke couldn’t be more thrilled.

From the Party of Lincoln to the Party of Putin, Trump, and David Duke

Republicans like to refer to themselves as, “The Party of Lincoln.” This typically comes in response to questions about racism in an attempt to deflect any charges of discrimination today by referring to their long-ago stance. When the Republican Party formed, their first platform resisted the expansion of slavery into new states and territories. The Party’s initial founders were abolitionists, an anti-slavery faction of the Whig Party, and the Free-Soil wing of the Democrat Party. Say what you will about Republicans now, they once stood for something positive, not so much today.

Lincoln himself gets all the credit for ending slavery but given his way, he’d have allowed slavery to continue where it already existed. At his first Inauguration Address, he said, “I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so.” He also supported the return of slaves to Africa. The Emancipation Proclamation was less about granting freedom to the slaves than it was about hurting the South’s economy and keeping France and Britain from siding with the South whom economically they were inclined to.

Despite Lincoln’s personal ambivalence, the Republican Party was a major factor in the ending of slavery and the environment that led to Reconstruction. Unfortunately, they gave away their claim of moral superiority when in the Compromise of 1877, in trade for winning a disputed Presidential election. They agreed to remove Federal troops from the South which directly let to the end of Reconstruction and the imposition of Jim Crow. The Republican Party’s last claim to be the Party of Lincoln died in 1877.

Fast-forward to the present. The most recent Republican platform includes language changing the previous Republican position favorably to Russia. There has never been a satisfactory explanation as to who, how, and why. The Republicans who controlled oversight in Congress in the House and the Senate have looked away. Their response to a President and Administration who has had multiple secret meetings with Russians and Russian intelligence has been either muted, standing by watching, or a full-throated defense. The more information that becomes public about Trump and associates ties to Russia and private communications, the more the Party that tied itself to national security, at best looks the other way.

Republican legislators have foresworn any priorities other than getting re-elected. This means looking away as he separates children from families, shuts down the government, and destroys the economy with his trade wars and dramatic increase of the national debt. They perhaps console themselves with the tax cuts which benefit them personally and court appointments which protect the class they are part of.

Republicans rage at being portrayed as racist. They don’t mind their Party being racist in their policies but find being called racist offensive. I’m not saying all or even most Republicans are racist. I’m saying they have created an environment where racists are welcome and in fact, pander to them to ensure their continued support at the polls. To avoid the appearance of promoting racism, the Republican House leadership just stripped Rep. Steve King (IA) from his committee assignments after wondering how white nationalism and white supremacy got a bad name? They were shocked, shocked, to find out King harbored racist sentiments, though he’d been expressing them openly for decades. The President makes racist statements all the time, where is the outrage?

Whatever you think of the Republican Party, they have long ceased to be the Party of Lincoln. Depending on the need they now are meeting the needs of Vladimir Putin, Donald J Trump, and David Duke. Parties can and do change. A look at the past of the Democrat Party shows a history of racism, more violent than Republicans have engaged in. When Republicans allowed Jim Crow in 1877, Democrats instituted it. The Democrats changed dramatically in the 1960s when dissatisfaction with the Voting Rights Act and Civil Rights Act caused many (Dixiecrats) to flee to the Republican Party. The “Southern Strategy,” ensured they remained Republicans.

I’d like to believe Republicans can do better. I’m less sure they will. Mitch McConnel is racing to fill the Federal Courts with young, conservative Judges. He and other Republicans hope that they will exert control of the Judiciary for generations, long after demographics have lessened their power to legislate. Outside the Courts, Republicans are using Gerrymandering and Voter Suppression to impose the will of a minority on the rest of us. They have gotten a partisan Supreme Court to support unlimited, undisclosed financial contributions, courtesy of Citizens United. They just experienced historic losses of House seats in the 2018 elections and are facing tough sledding in the Senate in 2020 based on who is up for reelection. When they lose, it will be because they sacrificed the principals they once held as a Party. Telling us, “collusion is not a crime,” is not the cry of an ethical Party. Putin, Trump, and Duke couldn’t be more thrilled.

Trump: The Second Black President

Donald Trump must be black! That’s the only way I can see the FBI opening a Counter-Intelligence investigation to determine if he was working with or for the Russians. Never before has the FBI conducted such an investigation against a sitting President of the United States. The only way that’s possible, is if Trump were black.

You see, the FBI has never had a problem opening up such an investigation against black leaders. J. Edgar Hoover’s COINTELPRO program targeted every black leader of every black organization ever. If a black Boy Scout Troop were organized, chances are they were under investigation by the FBI. COINTELPRO wasn’t limited to black groups and individuals. The FBI went after white people as well, ranging from the United Klans of America to Jane Fonda and John Lennon. By and large, the fastest route to being placed under investigation was to be black.

Martin Luther King Jr. now has a national holiday in his honor. That didn’t keep the FBI from having a counter-intelligence investigation targeting him. Same with Rep. John Lewis who currently represents a Georgia district in the House of Representatives. The Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). Remember the Freedom Riders? That was them.

The usual suspects were investigated as well, the Black Panther Party, Nation of Islam, Huey P. Newton, and Malcolm X. Another American hero, Muhammad Ali made the list, along with stripper Tabitha Fringe Chase who disrobed to protest a “baggy pants” ban in Atlanta. COINTELPRO ran from 1956–1971 but don’t think things ended there. The FBI created a whole new category called “Black Identity Extremists” which became public soon into the Trump administration. This allows them to target groups like Black Lives Matter and anyone else who dares to seek justice where law enforcement is concerned. A black person in charge of a Rotary Club had a better chance of finding themselves the target of an FBI Investigation than a sitting President, until now.

If Donald Trump is actually black, as his targeting suggests. Maybe somebody can tell him while he’s still President so he can consider reversing some of the things he’s done to harm black people since taking office. He and his favorite whipping boy Jeff Sessions did more to free local police departments from Federal supervisions than anyone ever. He’s advocated voter suppression and divided the American people with a little help from his friends. The true test as to whether he’s black will happen if he’s found guilty and forced out of office. If he’s white, he’ll get a full pardon and spend the rest of his days golfing. If he’s black? He’ll be locked up!

In Remembrance of Otis

If I had some wine handy, I’d pour some on the ground for a brother who’s no longer here. Otis and I weren’t close, I don’t even know his last name. If I don’t say a word about his passing, I wonder if anyone else will?

I don’t know the details of his death, I’ve heard it was a heart attack but it’s only a rumor. Looking back, I barely knew the details of his life. He once attended Southern University, he kept up with sports, and he loved to engage in long conversations.

It didn’t matter if you were a friend or a stranger, Otis had something to say. He’d talk your ear off and some days people would duck him because they didn’t have time to spare. Nobody’s ducking him now, he won’t be coming back around.

It’s too early to say how much I’ll miss Otis? I didn’t think of him much when he was out of sight. Often you heard him coming before he came into view. The one constant when someone heard his voice or saw him approach was the smile he gave and the smiles he elicited. Otis impacted any number of lives, rest in peace!