Schweizerpsalm

Swiss Psalm

Trittst im Morgenrot daher,
Seh' ich dich im Strahlenmeer,
Dich, du Hocherhabener, Herrlicher!
Wenn der Alpenfirn sich rötet,
Betet, freie Schweizer, betet!
Eure fromme Seele ahnt
Gott im hehren Vaterland,
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland.

First step in dawn, therefore
I see you in the sea of ​​rays,
You, thou great, glorious one!
When the Alpenfirn reddens,
Pray, free Swiss, pray!
Your devout soul suspects
God in the glory of the Fatherland,
God, the Lord, in the glory of the Fatherland

Kommst im Abendglüh'n daher,
Find' ich dich im Sternenheer,
Dich, du Menschenfreundlicher, Liebender!
In des Himmels lichten Räumen
Kann ich froh und selig träumen!
Denn die fromme Seele ahnt
Gott im hehren Vaterland,
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland!

Come in the evening glow, therefore
I find you in the star army,
You, you philanthropic, lover!
In the sky clearing rooms
Can I dream happy and happy!
For the pious soul suspects
God in the glory of the Fatherland,
God, the Lord, in the glory of the Fatherland!

Ziehst im Nebelflor daher,
Such' ich dich im Wolkenmeer,
Dich, du Unergründlicher, Ewiger!
Aus dem grauen Luftgebilde
Bricht die Sonne klar und milde,
Und die fromme Seele ahnt
Gott im hehren Vaterland,
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland!

Pull in the nebula, therefore,
I search you in the sea of ​​clouds,
You, you unfathomable, Eternal!
From the gray air structure
Breaks the sun clear and mild,
And the devout soul suspects
God in the glory of the Fatherland,
God, the Lord, in the glory of the Fatherland!

Fährst im wilden Sturm daher,
Bist du selbst uns Hort und Wehr,
Du, allmächtig Waltender, Rettender!
In Gewitternacht und Grauen
Lasst uns kindlich ihm vertrauen!
Ja die fromme Seele ahnt
Gott im hehren Vaterland!
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland!

Ferry in the wild storm,
Are you yourself our hoard and weir,
You, almighty Waltender, rescuer!
In thunderstorm and horror
Let us childlike trust him!
Yes, the devout soul suspects
God in the glory of the Fatherland!
God, the Lord, in the glory of the Fatherland!

I am late tonight. 

Thank you for your patience.

Deaths in the National Parks.

The National Parks are open while the camp grounds are closed during the government shutdown. There are deaths that occur in the parks for a variety of reasons. There are deaths occurring while the psrk’s employees are furloughed. The investigations into these deaths need to include whether or not the death would normally be avoided if employees were at work and/or the park was closed to the public. It is obvious if the park was closed the deaths would not occur, however, is there a margin of safety lost while employees are missing? Is it more prudent to close the parks when government shutdowns occur?

Congress will have to answer that question due to the lack of truthful integrity of the Trump Administration.

Thank you.

Justice, sincere justice is finally arriving in Flint, Michigan through the Governor, new AG and a ruling to indict.

January 2, 2019
By Ron Fonger

Flint -- Attorney General Dana Nessel (click here) expects to make an announcement regarding the future of Flint water prosecutions, including the job security of special prosecutor Todd Flood, in the next several days.

Kelly Rossman-McKinney, communications director for Nessel, told MLive-The Flint Journal in an email Wednesday, Jan. 2 that no decisions have been made about the prosecution team in the water cases, “but we expect to make an announcement in the next several days.”

Nessel has been critical of the approach to Flint water criminal cases by her predecessor, Bill Schuette, but has not spoken on the subject since she was elected attorney general Nov. 6.

Charges tied to the water crisis are pending against nine current and former state of Michigan and city of Flint employees. Six other cases have been resolved with plea agreements that have resulted in no jail time or fines for those charged....

January 4, 2019
By Pamela Pugh

Since 2014, (click here) the man-made Flint water crisis has left the residents of Flint with the frustration, panic, heartache, and paranoia that comes along with the devastation not being able to trust their government with a most basic of human rights. They’ve had to question why their lives were not worth the $100-a-day expense it would have cost for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to have used corrosion control to treat Flint River water instead of cutting costs. Residents were forced to live with the knowledge that visibly brown water was not enough to convince those within the agency that something was terribly wrong.

University of Michigan professor and environmental justice pioneer Paul Mohai called the Flint Water Crisis the most egregious example of environmental justice and racism in his almost four decades of studying the subject. As the City of Flint’s chief public health advisor and an environmental justice practitioner and advocate, this comes as no surprise.

What is notable is the persistent austerity and paternalistic behavior that the MDEQ under the Snyder administration had clung to up until the end. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's first act in office was a commendable and strong first step in prioritizing the health and well-being of Michigan residents. On Wednesday, she issued a directive to require public workers to report threats to public health.....

The much-decorated Dr. Eden Wells is to stand trial for manslaughter. It only goes to prove Rick Snyder has no moral compass. His decisions during his entire administration has been based in Wall Street cutthroat values. Between Trump and Snyder, they are prime examples that they aren't needed in government.

December 7, 2018
By David Eggert

Lansing – Michigan’s chief medical executive (click here) will stand trial on involuntary manslaughter and other charges in a criminal investigation of the Flint water crisis, a judge ruled Friday.

Dr. Eden Wells is among six people facing an involuntary manslaughter charge in connection to an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in the Flint area in 2014 and 2015. Wells is now the second high-ranking state official, along with Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon, to be ordered to trial .

Wells, a member of Gov. Rick Snyder’s Cabinet, learned of the trial decision from Judge William Crawford II while inside a Flint courtroom. Wells has denied any wrongdoing, and her attorneys have said she had no legal duty to warn the public and worked diligently to investigate and resolve Flint’s water issues....

It is up to the people to make their country functional.

This is what will occur with the USA Legislation. The Democrats will pass bills based on their morality and commitments to their constituents. The US Senate will pass a bill to make the president happy. The two bills will go to "Reconciliation" and a simple 51 vote in the US Senate will result in a bill to send to the president for signature. When Trump vetoes the bill, the bill will return to the legislature and the legislature will have to carry out a two-thirds majority in both houses of the Legislature to overcome the presidential veto. This is what will transpire throughout the next two years.

The Democrats have very strong relationships with their constituents and will rely on that relationship to make calls and send letters to their US Senators to carry out legislature that is going to serve the country well. The current funding bill is such a reality. The funding bill will open the government and it is up to the people to let the US Senate know they are not going to put up with their lousy Pro-President attitude anymore.

The current border wall is causing extremism on both sides.

The youngest of the Guatemalan people are in danger because of the border wall. A few years ago teenagers with their younger siblings and friends walked across the USA border to safety. Today, they are devising armor to survive the concertina wire. There is no stopping this. What is occurring instead of ending the migrant crossing, is adaptive behaviors to defeat "The Wall." It is called human nature and fear for their lives is driving the youngest members of the migrants to seek extreme methods to achieve their safety.

This is only one report. Another report stated a woman scaled a section of wall to in turn bring her three children over it. What occurred not only left three children as orphans but, caused a heinous death when the woman lost her balance and fell on top of pointed end standards holding the wall up. She impaled herself in front of her children.

These are children and their lives are in danger as they take their lives seriously and seek adaptations to safely cross the USA southern border. The reality in Mexico they are now aware of, include drug cartels and deaths no different than the dangers they faced in Guatemala. They won't turn back. Some of these children have relatives in the USA. They will seek adaptive behaviors over and over until they are successful. They act against the Border Guards to achieve their feet landing on USA soil. Once in the USA, they welcome the Border Guards to assist their safety. They may try to avoid capture by the Border Guards, but, if caught they commit to their authority.

These young people are very smart and able to discern methods to achieve their goal of securing their lives. They have walked a very long way to simply face returning to the danger they bravely left.

...Several teenagers, wrapped in heavy jackets, blankets and rubber mats were put over the concertina wire. Border Patrol agents witnessed members of the group attempt to lift toddler sized children up and over the concertina wire and having difficulty accomplishing the task in a safe manner. Agents were not in a position to safely assist the children due to the large number of rocks being thrown at them....

January 1, 2019
By Zac Self

San Diego - More than a dozen migrants (click here) were apprehended after 150 migrants tried to climb the border fence in San Diego, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The incident happened New Year’s Eve at an unspecified time.

According to the agency, 45 migrants turned back due to CBP’s increased presence at the border before another group of migrants started throwing rocks at agents.

Border Patrol agents added that the group tried to lift toddler-sized children over the concertina wire, but agents were unable to help the children because too many rocks were being thrown....

Congratulations to the American people, the transition to new leadership of a transformative US House is complete.

I want the legislature to be successful the next two years.

To those entering the US Legislature today to defend the USA Constitution, remember this image.

President Obama knew the power of the American people when it came to threats to the Affordable Care Act or the tax cuts his administration fostered to return the economy after the 2008 global economic collapse.

He would ask the American people to call their Senators and House members to vote to benefit them and ultimately their economy. The people listened when he spoke to them directly in the only way he could and through the Presidential podium. Obama could have tweeted from his Blackberry, but, I mean really now.

TALK TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, NOT TRUMP! The American people that are constituents have power. Remember them.

Where is this mess going?

January 3, 2019
By Todd Gillman

Washington — President Donald Trump (click here) dug in Wednesday on his demand for a border wall at a meeting with congressional leaders, and one key senator emerged with an impression the 12-day government shutdown could last for weeks.

Trump has demanded $5 billion for wall construction, a nonstarter for Democrats who take control of the House on Thursday. After initially agreeing to a budget deal last month that omitted wall funding, he reneged under pressure from conservative commentators....

So, this is what Donald has been working on over his Christmas holiday, his next election. "The Poster" is really dapper, huh, Don?

See those drones in the picture below? Those are Trump's drones shot down in the Middle East.

His claims are based in fiction and myth and not fact. Donald should be careful of his claims are based in fact and not fiction.

I have a suggestion for the Democrats in approaching the cost of "The Wall." 

Where is the proof and I am not talking about the pictures and television coverage of the southern border war with unarmed migrants? Where is the PROOF that the USA NEEDS a southern border WALL and where is the PROOF that the southern border POLICY is effective in making the USA safer?

Being stubborn is what is Trump's signature policy. STUBBORNESS. The Democrats are better than that. The Democrats have decades of policy and facts to back up their current focus in using $5 billion to end southern border insecurity through thoughtful and effective policies with the Northern Triad, especially Guatemala. The policy before Trump was to help those country propagate actual economies that build on their own sovereign authority over cartels that dominate domestic chaos, victimization, injury and death of citizens.

THAT entire policy is being abandoned by Trump based in little more than populous politics. There are little facts, except for FOX News film reels, that state building a border wall will END THE CHAOS the US Border Patrol face every day. Patrol is hardly the entire job description anymore, the Border Patrol is more guards and soldiers in the year 2018.

"The Wall" is a distraction from the facts facing the USA regarding the drug cartels success, not just with the Northern Triad, but also the BORDERS (plural) of the USA. The idea a wall will end the problem is completely baseless. "The Wall" is being assaulted by enormous amounts of people from Guatemala because they are unemployed and fearful. They are scared for the lives of their children because all of a sudden the USA is turning it's back on them. They feel alone and abandoned by the USA and their own country because of their loss of economic income.

So, with that, the Democratic leadership needs to end the brawling over "The Wall" and instead place policies before the country. There is every reason to believe the INVESTMENT the USA has made in places like Guatemala is working. The American people are reeling from one lie by FOX News to the next. At every chance the Democrats get, they need to bring THE FACTS to the American people for the people's review and appreciation.

The American people can understand a policy that works that actually improves our national security AND the compassion of improving the lives of those in countries with small GDPs that cannot fight back against wealthy and terrifying drug cartels. I point to the country of Columbia whereby American policy ended the cartel culture and secured villages and lives. The entire dialogue with the White House by Congress is completely absent of the pride the USA can hold up as proof of policy that secures the USA and improves the lives and self-sufficiency of the people we can now call allies.

The Democrats are better than a barroom brawl over a fictitious wall that is going to end all problems with migrants and drug cartels. The MYOPIC focus by Trump is pure politics based on lies and visual aids rather than real policy that works.

The people from Guatemala in Mexico currently are worrisome for several reasons beyond their need for economic security. Their neediness is a threat to the security of an entire city and quite possibly the security of the northern Mexican border. The longer they reside at the Mexican - US border the longer there will deterioration of the circumstances of Mexico. That would be tragic. The USA in the past decade and a half has moved the ability of Mexico to address their problems at that border. If Mexico AGAIN falls back from its ability to address the violence of drug cartels we will be finding streets of dead people and headless corps again in northern Mexican cities.

In a recent statement to the press, it was obvious Trump is simply removing American authority from established policy and placing any problem at the feet of others. Mexico is a dramatic example of that. Mexico is not a country "like Canada" because it is linked to South America through the Northern Triad. Canada has secure borders, but, Mexico is unable to overcome the power and violence of the drug cartels which corrupts it's politics and kills it's people.

Abandoning USA authority in foreign policy to allow unknown outcomes at the will of others, is not a policy that secures the USA. It is foolishness that will cause enormous problems, a return to old policies by future administrations with far greater expense than we have now.

Everything Trump sets as THE WILL of his administration is based on profitability and where policies carry a DEFICIT rather than a PROFIT it will be abandoned as ineffective and ridiculous. Well. USA National Security is far more complicated than the bottom line of an accounting sheet.

In a brief Freudian Slip by Trump he once is referred to the USA as HIS COMPANY. The USA is not as simple as a company. I remind Mr. Trump that the USA BAILED OUT companies in the past, the most dramatic example was TARP of 2008. The USA is a large force in the world and to simply remove policy because it isn't cost effective is stupid. There is no other word, except maybe completely uninformed or studied. Both equating to stupid.

The Democrats need to lead and PROVIDE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE with facts that can reflect pride in their country and it's very effective policies. Let Trump be the "counter puncher" all he wants. It will be nothing but foolishness when batting at the air in the face of facts, national security and a long history by the USA of moving the entire world to a more secure profile.

Better said, "END THE REPUBLICAN RHETORIC" that supports FOX News propaganda. 

POLICY.

POLICY.

POLICY. 

Policy that is legislated and defendable before the Supreme Court. And. Yes. Yes, it means the US House might have to sue the President to achieve POLICY instead of political rhetoric to rule the day.

$5 BILLION USA DOLLARS IS A LOT OF MONEY!

$5.6 BILLION IS EVEN MORE!

The US Senate has an exciting and burgeoning paradigm to bring in real leadership and not simply hardline rhetoric.

I realize the Democratic response to the State of the Union is usually given to newly elected members of the Senate or House, but, that needs to be set aside this year. 

Senator Durbin needs to provide the Democratic response to the State of the Union. He needs to be able to provide corrections to the State of the Union so the country has the correct information to make decisions about their leadership. I never meant that more. How the country is defended is more important than ever. We are on the defense. Americans are trying their level best to defend their Constitution, that falls to Democratic leadership in the House AND Senate.

I admire the arrival of Senator Romney and while he is going to provide real leadership based in his knowledge of governance, he needs to get his feet wet in the US Senate and move policy beyond what McConnell can provide. The US Senate Republicans dearly need new leadership that can govern rather than obstructs. The country is in need of governance and not chronic politicking.

What Senator Romney is unaware of are the HABITS of Senate Republicans. He will provide leadership, but, will it be well received? The US Senate Republicans will remain mainly silent about Senator Romney's leadership UNTIL they begin to realize their poll ratings might be falling and if standing in the shadows backing Trump serves their poll ratings, they will abandon any leadership Senator Romney provides. He will be a lone soldier in the fight for this country and then they will begin to back Trump and ruin his place in the US Senate.

I wish Senator Romney a great place in the US Senate with longevity, but, he needs to build a consensus behind his leadership, including a BIPARTISAN approval rating. He has the potential to be a great leader in the US Senate, but, he has to be savvy and smart. He is capable. Right now he is deathly worried for the USA and I don't blame him, but, herding Republicans into real governance is going to require him to build strong relationships and his own platform of Republican reform. The election of 2018 gives him the right to do that.

Senator Romney may not have a history of military service, but, there is a place that Senator McCain defended which is currently abandoned. Senator Romney needs to occupy that place. Senator McCain's daughter, Megan, can fully brief him about the McCain Family Legacy.

Senator McCain endorsed Mitt Romney. I am sure that is something he hasn't forgotten.

I hope Ann Romney is settling in for the long run. There is every reason to believe the couple will be there for a good length of time. She is a wonderful person and can add her own leadership from the time she was First Lady of Massachusetts. I just don't know where there is a meeting room big enough if the entire family shows up to say "hello" to their new friends.

There won't be a trade for Butina and a family member of an American family and a retired American soldier.

There are far bigger fish to fry. 

If this was a deliberate kidnapping by Russia, there will be more trouble for Russia. This is not acceptable.

Diplomats and citizens all over the world will become prey to Russia. This is just the beginning and Russia has made a huge mistake.

The West is still The West and no one will put up with Russian kidnappings. Europe is still reeling from the Novochok which is illegal. This is even more illegal. There is no case for his arrest. He is a member of an American family and a retired Marine. He was there as a tourist for legitimate reasons. A visiting American retired Marine is kidnapped? I don't think so.

Paul Whelan is retired and has no immediate knowledge of American military activities. There is no reason Russia can make these accusations. It won't be tolerated. Paul Whelan is a prisoner in Russia to leverage the USA with Butina. This is a crime by Russia and it won't be tolerated. Paul Whelan has rights to counsel and a right to international contact with diplomats. With the USA Embassy under siege by Russia, Sweden should take an interest in making demands for his release.

1 January 2019

Paul Whelan (click here) poses by the Kremlin during a 2006 trip to Russia.

The brother of a US citizen (click here) arrested on Friday for spying in Russia has told BBC News he is innocent and was in Moscow to attend a wedding.

The family of ex-Marine Paul Whelan, 48, learnt of his arrest on Monday from news reports after wondering why they had not heard from him for days.

His twin brother David Whelan says he knew Russia well and cannot believe he would have broken any laws.

Russia's FSB state security agency says he was "caught spying" in Moscow.

The Michigan man was charged with the crime of espionage, for which he could be sentenced to at least 10 years in prison.

The US state department has requested consular access after being notified by the Russian authorities of the detention....

As of now, Americans are no longer safe in Russia. For all we know Paul Whelan may have been baited to come to Russia for the wedding. Russia is experiencing demonstrations and all is not happy in Russia.

Russia Federation (click here)

Travel Advisory December 18. 2018
Russia, Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise Increased Caution due to terrorism, harassment, and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Russia is experiencing problems with their youth and the Russian government is retaliating against teenagers.

It has been at least six months since Putin announced the reductions in pensions to benefit the motherland. This was from a man who is a billionaire by very underhanded international mechanisms, including his involvement as reported in the Panama Papers.

The Russian people are not happy. Add to this an exclusive hospital and medical treatment for the elite of Russia. It is a mess.

I don't know what the latest lies are by Putin to remove American guards from the Russian embassy, but, as internal unrest grows in Russia, BY THE HAND OF PUTIN, the real reason is that Russia has more control of American activities with their own guards at a time when unrest is increasing.

28 December 2018

A new Russian law envisages jail terms of up to two weeks (click here) and hefty fines for people who get children to join unauthorised demonstrations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the law against mobilising child protesters. Organisers can be fined up to 50,000 roubles (£569; $720).

Russia's Interior Ministry says 475 teenagers were arrested at unauthorised rallies this year.

Opposition activist Alexei Navalny's rallies have resonated with the young.

Mr Navalny, who has attracted thousands to his protests, has been detained repeatedly for unauthorised rallies.

In recent months there has been a wave of protests against plans to raise the retirement age. From next year that age will be pushed back in phases; by 2036 it will have risen to 65 for men and 60 for women....

Russia has been growing unrest for some time now. It is taking hold so deeply that the Kremlin is negating elections and placing their own power player in place in elections that are controlled and false. It is too early to say Putin doesn't have control of the military. Ukraine is the myth the Russia military is holding on to as changes that are needed to secure the sovereignty of a revitalized Soviet Union. The pressures on Russia are multifaceted, but, the people are not happy.

10 December 2018
By Dmitry V. Shlapentokh

Ten years ago, (click here) Vladivostok was the scene of street marches and demonstrations. The area known as the Russian Far East had experienced a long economic slump after the collapse of the old Soviet Union and anger had built. The demonstrations were eventually and brutally put down after riot police were brought in from Moscow, some 6000km away. But that unusual defiance of Moscow in the region can still be detected a decade later.

In recent elections, residents of the Russian Far East rejected Moscow’s candidate for governor. The suspicion of distant authorities in Moscow is paired with quite a positive attitude toward immediate foreign neighbours, such as the Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans. There have even been outbursts of calls to “Give Vladivostok to Japan”....

Considering how unhappy Russians are with Russia, it is complete foolishness on Putin's part to play these political games with people like Butina. The storyline with Trump among the Russian people is populist. The Russian people like Trump because they believe they have a friend in Trump. Putin should really think that through. Let's see, an American president with populist influence among the Russian people. Hm?

Within the warning of the US State Department about Russia is it stated, "...arbitrary enforcement of local laws....". To me, that means, the central government does not have control of local authorities. Considering the size alone of Russia, that means local authority has little to no information from Moscow or has directions from Moscow that is not working for them. The size of Russia is always a problem for the country.

When the explosion took place in Russia that killed at least four Russians and people lost power to heat their homes in the apartments, Putin did travel to the city to make an impression on local authorities to be sure all was being done to rescue people from the freezing temperatures. There was a baby, I think, rescued in what was coined a miracle. New Years is a very big deal in Russia and this gas explosion was especially egregious to the people. Hence. Putin. It was an opportunity to be seen as caring about Russians in extreme danger. Just my take on these episodes.

If the local authorities are carrying that level of control over their communities, the arrest could have been a knee-jerk reaction to an Americans, but, given he was a retired Marine it takes the characteristics of a more curious victim of Russian political pranks.

If this a local issue, there is more hope it can be resolved far earlier than if this was a Putin prank.

January 1, 2019
By Johanna Li

Some parents celebrated the New Year with the birth of their babies.

New year, newborns! (click here) Many happy parents rang in the New Year by welcoming their babies into the world.

In Boston, Adeline Bridie Brennan was born right at the stroke of midnight at the Boston Medical Center.

The sweet 2019 baby was born at a healthy weight of 7 pounds, and she and her mom Alana Brennan are continuing to rest comfortably at the hospital.Meanwhile, at New York’s Long Island Jewish Medical Center, a tiny baby boy was born just seven seconds after the ball dropped.

His parents, Eli and Adina Derdik of Kew Gardens Hills, Queens, are opting not to name their boy until after a bris next week and instead will call him “007” in the meantime, according to WABC.

Nearby at the Staten Island University Hospital, baby boy Dion Karpuzi was born 30 seconds after midnight.

His mom Nexhmije “Mia” Balanca called her new son a “handsome prince” and “God’s gift from heaven,” she said in a statement.

Anaaynsh Bulakh of Indianapolis, Indiana, was born soon after, at just 38 seconds after midnight. The newborn girl was photographed with her mom and dad, Ankita Kashikar and Mandar Bulakh, and the photo was shared by their hospital, Franciscan Health....

Will 2019 actually be a happy new year for Americans?

In two days, the US House will convene and pass all sorts of wonderful legislation, including, the Violence Against Women Act, DACA, Pre-existing Medical Conditions and a return of the government to full functioning. If the US Senate passes any of it; with McConnell still in leadership it will be nothing but obstruction; Trump will veto it.

Donald Trump does not care about the American people in the way they want a president to lead to provide a better quality of life to them. It is my estimation what he will do is write his State of the Union Speech and tell the country he is not reopening a full one-third of the government. 

That is called LEGISLATION FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH. It is unconstitutional. See, Trump has the idea he has control of reopening the government even if the stupid wall is built. That is not correct. The only reason the government is shut down is that without the omnibus budget gap funding it is necessary to trim down the expenses of the USA government. However, that shortfall will end and Trump will be required to open all the government again.

In his state of the union address, Trump will seek to build political momentum to rid the USA of one-third of the government. He will state "small government" has been the dream of the Republicans for some time now. He promised he would defund the government by a full quarter/twenty-five percent each year for the next four years he was elected to office. So far that hasn't happened.

Up to now, the legislature has supplied a budget that pays for a federal government. The Congress to date believes such an idea of defunding the federal government is wrong, but, will it stay that way? It is my estimation everything Trump says in his State of the Union will be embarrassed by McConnell and for the next two years the Republicans will play with political rhetoric rather than have the government function the way it should. Once again, the Republicans will not face the message the American people sent to Washington, DC. Once again it will be obstruction politics by McConnell. He knows nothing else and is determined to show the American people need to reverse their desire for a functional government and settle for the government the Republicans hand them.

The Republicans will seek to destroy the hope leveled with the votes of 2018. They will depart from responsible and reasonable governance and attempt to punish the American people for their votes. That practice by McConnell and Trump is called obstruction and with it comes a domino effect that will ultimately destroy the USA Constitution, both in spirit and word.

Kavanaugh investigation: Dr. Christine Blasey Ford FULL testimony to Senate (click here for transcript of US Senate proceedings regarding the nomination of Brett Kanaaugh - thank you)

How could they? Brett Kavanaugh's abuse of power due to prestige is the very essence of sexual assault. he should not be on the Supreme Court voting for decisions that effect women. I dare say this is worse than the objection in the UK regarding a woman's privacy to wear skirts.

First came the circus of finding a judge to review the Kavanaugh Ethics Complaints (click here for Brookings report - thank you) of which there were 15 besides those made to the US Senate.

October 11, 2018
By Michael Roberts

...Specifically, (click here) U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Roberts (no relation) has assigned ethics complaints against Kavanaugh tied to his Senate Judiciary Committee testimony to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver. The person Roberts put in charge of the inquiry is Denver-based 10th Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy Tymkovich, who'd been on President Donald Trump's short list of candidates for the Supreme Court position eventually filled by Kavanaugh. (See the letter from Roberts to Tymkovich below.)...

Below is Dr. Ford's testimony. The proceedings begin at approximately 28:00 time mark depending on how one defines the beginning of the hearing.

The president that chose such a man to the nomination and the US Senators and that allowed the nomination to go to the US Senate floor and those that voted him as a Supreme Court Justice should never serve in public office again. They dishonor and victimize women. Those aren't just words, those are FACTS. 

Women now are open to judicial decisions that are not taken seriously. It wasn't bad enough to have rape kits ignored, now women are just simply ignored. Sexual exploitation by American men is expected and allowed.

Halsey Performs "A Story Like Mine" At NYC Women's March (click here for statistics that reflect the reported attacks - thank you)

There are very few women that do not relate to his poem by Halsey. Very few if any. Does there need to be outrage by women regarding sexual assault, you betcha.

'Shame': Tory MP who blocked upskirting bill objects to women's conference (click here for BBC report - thank you)

Much to the surprise of women victims of a privacy issue called "upskirting" the initial proposal was objected to in Parliament.

Upskirting is an invasion of privacy. Some argue it is nothing more than seeing what can be seen on the beach. That is a gross underestimation of the perverted practice. Women do not wear their underclothes in public. It was shocking to realize a woman's privacy was so degraded within the political realm of the UK.

The practice has transcended age and victims as young as ten years old have been reported.

The "Age of Women" is more than welcome in the year 2019.

Upskirting is the practice of surreptitiously photographing underneath a female's dress or skirt. Upskirting often occurs by voyeurs who carry small video cameras or cell phones with photo capability in escalators in public places, outdoor parks, and shopping malls. Because upskirting occurs in public places, there is a legal debate over whether the victim is entitled to a reasonable expectation of privacy. Some states and localities have passed laws making it illegal to film or photograph under someone's clothing in a public place. Some state laws, which vary by state, have prohibited video voyeurism, which is defined to include upskirting.

Susan Bro is mother of the year.

Being American, especially for women, is a complicated task, but, Susan Bro brought the grace of such a responsibility to the public eye.

December 6, 2018

...Fields accused Bro (click here) of publicly slandering him and called her a “communist” and “anti-white supremacist.”

“She lost her daughter,” his mother reminded him.

"It doesn’t (expletive) matter,” Fields said.

His mother advised him to “stop talking” but her son insisted that Bro is “the enemy.”

“She is a communist, mother. … She is the enemy,” he said.

In other taped phone calls, he told his mother that he was “mobbed by a violent group of terrorists.”...

I am looking forward to a new year and a new world centered on climate.

At the stroke of midnight, all of humanity will have 11 years to end climate danger.

Canada has made a commitment to end coal power by 2029. The largest coal plants in the world belong to China, South Korea, Tiawan and Poland. These countries must immediately make plans to end their dependence on coal and convert to alternative energies.

The USA, under the current administration in the White House, has lost its moral compass. That doesn't mean the rest of the world has and clarly sees the danger that greenhouse gas emissions.

We can do this.

I will continue to finish the review of the Kyoto Protocol over the next few weeks with Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America.

Peace to all.

It is time to get rid of the Electoral College.

It is so coveted by Republicans it even causes corruption with the 10-year census. The funding has been cut, the field staff positions nearly eliminated and this is what our US House of Representatives and the Electoral College is based on. Enough is enough, get rid of the Electoral College and assign a permanent citizen non-profit organization to carry out the census decade after decade.

Changing to a citizens based non-profit to conduct the census may require an amendment to the US Constitution. So, while we are cleaning up the corruption get rid of the Electoral College as well. It is time to get started. We are losing the very legitimacy of our government and the Republicans don't care.

December 23, 2018
By Dartunorro Clark

Uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration's plans (click here) to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census is just one of a number of critical issues plaguing the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. government's primary watchdog warned, and time is running out to fix them before that all-important headcount.

“The ticking clock has become the enemy of the Census Bureau. There’s no reset, no do-ever, no timeout,” Robert Goldenkoff, a director of strategic issues at the Government Accountability Office, said. “Failure is not an option, the Census Bureau has to get it right. If there is a mistake, it’s a 10-year mistake.”

In a series of reports over the past year, the GAO has sounded the alarm about budget woes, potential cyber-security weaknesses, hiring shortfalls, testing cutbacks, a bankrupt printing company, and the ongoing legal battle over whether a citizenship question can be included on the form — all problems that could impede the accuracy of the agency's critical work....

...Goldenkoff told NBC News in an interview that the overall picture of the 2020 census appears alarming because of “shortcomings” in vital areas that complicate the bureau’s ability to collect accurate data....

This is a criminal act by the Executive Branch and an assault against the USA Constitution.

To begin controlling immigrants that pose no threat to the USA and it's people have never been detained as a matter of Democratic policy. The numbers migrating to the USA have steadily decreased under President Obama. It is grossly inaccurate to blame the Democrats for an exclusive Trump policy.

The problem illustrated by the two children who died is the fact when people are detained the responsibility for their wellness falls to the US Government. Detention facilities can breed disease as well. When people are held in small areas together something like the flu can spread easily.

The Catch and Release Policy that was always the Democratic policy allows for help from non-profits that work with this population along the USA southern border.

Trump is obviously afraid of his own shadow.

December 29, 2018

President Donald Trump (click here) on Saturday tried to deny that his administration bears any blame for the deaths of children detained trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border, even as his Homeland Security secretary was traveling in Arizona to meet with medical staff.

Trump tweeted Saturday that any deaths are "strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally."

It marked his first public comments following the Christmas Eve death of 8-year-old Felipe Gomez Alonzo, the second Guatemalan child to die in government custody in three weeks.

Trump is claiming the "children in question were very sick before they were given over to Border Patrol."...