The charges need to fit the crime.

I congratulate the people of Flint, the Attorney General and those families that have suffered through this nightmare. The current mayor of Flint seems to think the charges against Rick Snyder are not as strong as they should be.

It always seems to be that the people most responsible for the crime receive the least punishment. Yet, people that simply carried out orders on their jobs felt so responsible.

April 27, 2016

By Jason Silverstein

Two people connected to the Flint water crisis (click here) were found dead within days of each other this month — but authorities swear there's no connection or conspiracy in the tragedies.
A friend found Matthew McFarland, a foreman at Flint's Water Treatment Plant, dead in his Otter Lake home on April 16, according to MLive.

Just three days later, Sasha Avonna Bell — one of the first people to file a lawsuit over the city's contaminated water supply — was shot and killed in a double murder....

...In one of the first lawsuits over Flint's contaminated water, Bell claimed her child had been poisoned.

Police said she was slain along with another woman, Sacorya Renee Reed, 19, by Bell's ex-boyfriend, Malek Emmanuel Thornton. An unharmed child was found in the home and is now in the care of other family members, police said.

"There'd been an ongoing feud between them prior to the homicide," Golden said of Bell and Thornton.
"It had nothing to do with the water suit."
Thornton, 18, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. There are no other suspects for the shooting.
Golden declined to comment on the child in Bell's home and on Bell's conflict with Thornton, citing the ongoing investigation.
McFarland, 43, who worked for the City of Flint for 18 years, died "suddenly," according to his obituary. His cause of death has not been released, but police said foul play is not suspected.
Authorities did not immediately return requests for comment on his death....

Ideally, the person with the least amount of power carrying out the executive order is suppose to stand up for what is right. It isn't that easy. Pressure on employees to perform to standard regardless how wrong it seems isn't easy to simply walk away from the job and the income. Whistleblowers are brave people, but, as a society we can't count on such bravery in day to day living. Often when a Governor proceeds with what is wrong the employee assigned the task thinks the Governor knows best and he should not question him.

Mr. McFarland worked for 18 years doing the right thing under state and city authority that believed in the rule of law and the protection of life. Mr. McFarland ran into Rick Snyder and his life changed to a point where he could not live with himself.

Let's just say this is a good beginning, but, it is an incomplete criminal charge. I will comment further as time goes on. The full picture is not portrayed in the charges leveled at Rick Snyder today.

January 14, 2020
By Joe Guillen, Christine MacDonald and Jennifer Dixon

Former Gov. Rick Snyder appeared in a Flint court this morning (click here) and pleaded not guilty to two charges of willful neglect of duty as state prosecutors revealed indictments against nine defendants as a result of the Flint water crisis.

Despite the lower-level charges compared with other defendants, the case against Snyder marked a significant moment in the state's political history. Snyder is the first Michigan governor or former governor to be charged with a crime for alleged conduct while in office.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel praised the high-profile prosecutions led by her office's Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud as well as Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. Nessel had said earlier that she had walled herself off from the criminal cases, turning her focus instead to ongoing civil cases related to the contamination of Flint's drinking water beginning more than six years ago....

Johnson and Johnson is soon to seek approval of their vaccine which requires only one injection.

Trump says China wants to dissolve USA alliance.

He just figured that out? Joe Biden can ask Bill and Hillary Clinton to return peace to the region as special envoys. Bill Clinton has a fan club in North Korea. Seriously. Un’s father and Clinton were great friends. The relationship started to sour when “W” visited the DMZ. Time to turn back the clock. I have yet to understand why Republicans prefer confrontation over peace. I think they like to feel those hard borders or something. Un’s father was never interested in blowing up mountains by the way.

There are more options for peace now then before Trump.

The only leader in Asia that wants to exchange nukes is Putin. The reason is because Russia is so radioactive from scientific accidents and reactor meltdowns Putin sees no reason not to blow everything up. He is hoping Florida becomes the next Moscow with no radiation leaks. A little muscle flexing never hurt anyone. It keeps peace efforts engaged. Time to reread Colin Powell’s book.

Time to shine. The Democrats are the beacons of hope. No time to waste. The USA is up to the challenges before it. We have great leaders and the world will be healed. Go get ‘em Joe. Unlike Trump he won’t go it alone.

It looks like “Parlar” has some redeeming value. “The Verge” is reporting the collective use of Parlar has created a map of the attack. It can be used by law enforcement. The rumor is that no Trumps were anywhere to be found. No surprise there. They are all on their way to Florida to be shielded from the law by DeSantis.

The Kushners bought land on a security island off the coast of Miami. I thought they were popular. Oh, well. I am sure the island will be popular now. They haven’t built a house yet, not even an outhouse. Kushner must be selling his “666” property. I guess living on a security island is its own special form of exile. Any drug king pins live there? Just curious. Trump needs special funding for his rebellion.

The insurrectionists became a vehicle for Trump.

He justified his abuse of power as martyrdom for them. No different than his circle of loyalists. They thought their ideology and greed would be rewarded. All the insurrectionists and loyalists are getting is the loss of jobs and opportunity while ostracized by society. No pardon is going to save them from that. They are branded in a way they never imagined because of the propaganda that groomed them for over four years.

There are polls out that find large numbers of Americans abhor the riots and never want Trump to have the opportunity to run for president again. McConnell needs to try Trump on his second impeachment soon. Americans have had enough of politics that is toxic to democracy.

How about the New York Attorney General, Letitia James? She is suing the NYPD for civil rights abuses that have occurred for years? I guarantee you it is related to ruthless contracts by the union. I think she is on the right track. Their contracts can’t save them from civil rights violations in measurable patterns. It is about time corruption is gone once and for all.

Paul Ryan allowed this on FOX News.

If anyone is to blame for the inflammatory programming that assisted Trump in his attempt to dissolve the USA Constitution it was the former Soeaker of the House, Paul Ryan.

When he joined the Board of Directors at FOX News one would expect the programming to improve, not add to hate of the government leading to a violent insurrection.

Ryan made it worse and applied no brakes to Trump’s agenda. Ryan didn’t even care about facts. Lies became the truth with Ryan. The Hannity Show became noise central.

Constitutionally intact.

I am sure Chairman Adam Schiff can speak to the expedited nature of this impeachment in by passing the Justice Committee. I don’t know why there would be a question on procedural measures, what is needed to move forward a tank running through the Rotunda?

Trump has been grooming the insurrectionists for over four years. His demeanor on a timeline has been escalating this aggression against the USA Constitution. There is no question about this.

The Insurrectionists were NOT operating on their own. After his speech of hate for the USA Constitution was on the roll, Trump did nothing to end the violence. He did nothing to prevent it. This is a man that said he would meet the insurrectionists at the US Capital. The violence was being witnessed nationwide. When was Trump going to join them after his enemies were hanging on the steps of the Capital? 

There is all kinds of criticism of the intelligence community about the open online threats that preceded the violence. Well. If intelligence had access to these plans then so did Trump. Why didn’t he stop it before it got started? He knew full well all this time the violence at hand and fueling it against Governor Whitmer by stating ...those women...” including her Attorney General of Michigan. This escalation of hate has been proceeding for a long time. Trump is very guilty of attacks against the USA Constitution.

Trump’s impeachment is much more than removing him from office.

Some of the right wing media is dumbing down the act of impeachment. Their justification for dumbing down the impeachment is that Trump is leaving anyway. It is far more than that and those seeking to attack the deep reasons for impeachment are wrong. Basically, the LACK of more sophisticated content is a real attempt to divide Americans into hostile political camps.

Donald John Trump will be unable to ever run for office. He will lose the government benefits he would normally receive upon leaving office. Beside being unable to run for office, he will be unable to access the national security network. We know as president he shared top secret information with enemies to democracy and freedom. Those privileges will be gone.

The USA must be secured from Donald John Trump because he is and has been a traitor to this country’s national security. The impeachment must go forward for many, many reasons including returning the esteem of the American military. The descriptions Trump used to attack the morale of our military is unforgivable. 

There are many, many reasons for the impeachment to go forward.

Public Corruption Prosecutors

My first impression is about funding. Where did the Trump insurrectionists find the money to carry out their plans. Few were from the DC area. Many flew to be a part of the insurrection. They had gear, carpentry supplies, guns, bombs, etc.

I would think any monies involved, even personal monies need to be investigated and documented. In the 2016 elections money flowed like water, especially in the case of the NRA. What is to say there is not a foreign government involved in some way? Even at the personal level.

July 21, 2020

NY Times, “Republicans Heap Criticism on Liz Cheney, Calling Her Disloyal to Trump.”

The complaints then were that Rep. Cheney trusted Dr. Fauci and criticized Trump’s Middle East policy. Rep. Cheney departed on occasions from the House Republicans to stand up for Americans and their country. I am not surprised she is voting to impeach. Thank you to her for being stronger than the loyalists that are misguided.

It is a hard fight to bring Republicans to be the men and women that love their country more than politics. If they would only realize standing together dispels Trump’s perceived power.

There are Republican voters that know right from wrong. They are good people but their information has been nothing but propaganda. Their knowledge has been limited and controlled to benefit the circumstances that manifested on January 6th. 

Republicans need to move away from faux loyalties and return to honor defending this country from the evil that erupted at the grooming by a self-serving traitor in the person of Donald John Trump.

The voices are getting stronger and more numerous. The Joint Chiefs came out to condemn insurrection and recognized Joe Biden as the next President of the United States of America.

Misogyny

Vice President Kamala Harris is allowed to express herself in any way she wants, including the cover of “Vogue.” Her picture is protected by the First Amendment. 

If Vice President Harris believes can reach more Americans that read “Vogue” then she truly is on a mission to unite the country.

When Hillary Clinton ran for president the criticism she received for her fashion statements were never equal to any other person in that capacity. The hate of a woman that was to be president started and it never stopped.

Let me leave no doubt, Hillary Clinton is one of the greatest leaders to walk this Earth. Her work is immeasurable.

Vice President Harris is incredibly gifted with all aspects of her life. I can’t wait to see what her leadership will bring for the next four years. I am definitely and always has been an admirer of the Vice President’s abilities. She is a natural leader.

Vice President Kamala Harris’ cover photo on “Vogue” is extremely tasteful and reveals a playful attitude about her position of power. 

Well done, Ms. Vice President.

There he goes again.

With a huge amount of evidence against him, Trump is denying his own actions, words, and affiliations with the insurrectionist mob. 

He is denying his loyalist of followers that were willing to do his bidding by attacking police, breaking and entering, stealing federal property, attempted kidnapping, followed by lynching of Trump’s worst enemies. Can Trump abandon those most loyal to him fast enough?

Trump is attempting to pretend his innocence while others are facing a myriad of charges including murder. Who would a successful insurrection have benefitted? Trump, of coarse. 

Fiona Hill

Donald John Trump committed a “self coup” by operating in plain sight, talking openly about his intent, normalized his actions so people would accept them to incite his supporter base to storm the Capital on January 6, 2021.

She also stated, “I have been studying authoritarian regimes for three decades, and I know the signs of a coup when I see them.”

Link to timeline of event:

https://www.businessinsider.com/how-trump-in-final-weeks-incited-his-followers-to-storm-the-capitol-2021-1?r=US&IR=T

It didn’t take long at all. The crowd that gathered in Washington, DC knew why they were there. When they were given the command to March on the US Capital, they carried out the order. From speech to the end of the insurrection when the National Guard arrived took less than 6 hours and only that long because authorities were delayed in issuing orders to the National Guard. Had there not been obstruction in that response the insurrection would have been ended nearly as soon as it began. Lives would have been saved.

Donald John Trump and his mob were there for one purpose, to interrupt an official government proceedings to record the 2020 presidential vote by the people, take into custody people those Donald John Trump considered his enemy, and hang them until dead in full view of the crowd, the nation, and the world. 

Donald John Trump lead a mass insurrection with the intent of solidifying his permanent place as dictator to the United States of America.

Americans lay dead today because Donald John Trump wanted the coup of the USA Constitution and its Amendments.

It is only because..,

 ...some big money came to Ted Cruz’s campaign during the final weeks of the Senate run against Beto O’Rourke that brought him victory. It is that arrogant now with Republicans. The big money splurge at the end will take care of everything.

But, with the insurrection and Cruz’s endorsement stating he knows what the people of Texas need; he is very wrong. 

These last weeks while Cruz was celebrating extremists, West Texas otherwise known as The Permian by residents (The Permian has no Zip Code, by the way. It is a rock formation. To be completely correct it isn’t so much a rock formation except by oil barrons. The Permian is a point in the timeline of Earth’s history. The correct definition is Permian-Triassic. To add complete context it is correctly stated as the Permian-Triassic Extinction Event. The oil geologists leave out the extinction part because it is less romantic than wealth.) was  dealing with a different extremism. They were first inundated by rain only to have a COLLAPSED Polar Vortex deliver snow and ice. I think it was upwards of six inches. Their news isn’t so much about radical extremism in DC. Their attention rarely left their plight in the latest installment of the Climate Crisis.

So. 

When Ted Cruz states he knows what Texans want, he actually has no clue. Everyone can now call him, “Out of Touch Ted.”

I remember...

 ...when President Obama first took office and named Janet Napolitano as Secretary of Homeland Security. One of the first warnings she sent out was about White nationalist groups. She was excoriated by Republicans for doing what she believed was prudent given our first Black President.

Well.

She wasn’t wrong now was she.

Rep. Nancy Mace

Republican of South Carolina is calling the discussion about the insurrection “rhetoric.” She needs to realize talking about lawbreaking rioters after the fact is not rhetoric. She needs to recognize the difference between discussing facts and hate speech that Trump carried out for an hour that killed Americans.

The New York Times clearly outlines the anti-American hate speech by Republicans in their article, “The Roots of Josh Hawley’s Rage.” 

I think it breaks down to money and the religious right. His speeches insult the USA Constitution. The speeches are an assault. It absolutely is about conformity. The problem is Hawley’s demand to conformity hacks away at the USA Constitutional separation of church and state. 

It has been tried before, just not from the presidency with a self-righteous, self-centered billionaire. People, including Hawley are allowed to have their own sense of society, just not seeking oppression through government policy for their personal preferences.

Hawley reminds me of a former Pennsylvania Senator. Oh, what’s his name???? Oh, yeah, Santorum. Man, you talk about a racist. He wrote a book that was suppose to cure all of the USA’s ills. The problem actually was racism, not the lazy “Welfare Queens.” His rhetoric, not mine.

I actually watched the “700 Club” today. That is a rarity. Oddly enough the presentation was full of facts and truth. Absolutely no rhetoric and a Christian journalist was in the Capital and moved to prayer for what he saw. So. When it comes right down to decisions as to whether the USA Constitution stands, the rhetoric stops among men who know when to “get real.”

25th Amendment

A vote about the 25th Amendment in the US House and/or US Senate does not preclude the removal of Trump by the US Cabinet.

I had wondered if the legislature was actually able to compel the institution of the 25th Amendment. The Cabinet is housed in the Executive Branch. Trump may have been able to appealed the legislation to the Supreme Court.

The US Cabinet is free to act on their own to end risk to the country. They can carry out that act immediately.

President Biden...

 ...is correct in that once in office the US Senate and House has to be guided by his leadership, especially his first 100 days. Trump’s impeachment does not require an immediate hearing if McConnell does not carry through.

Trump continues to incite violence as the Acting Homeland Security Secretary is stepping down nine days ahead of the inauguration. Maryland and DC should keep their National Guard in place. The other 49 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, should put their national guards in place now until credible threats stop.

It is unfortunate Melania Trump is standing by her man stating there is salacious gossip about the riot at the Capital. She is a USA citizen as is her parents, it would be wise for her to discern the difference between loyalty to her husband and the threat his speeches pose to the democracy her family enjoys. Her husband and her freedom is not the same subject. She should not contribute to the confusion her husband sows to Americans.

But, what did they say about Trump’s incitement of the insurrection.

The Washington Post cites a Quinnipiac poll whereby 62 percent of Trump voters state the rioters were undermining democracy. The Republican base is intact at 38 percent of Trump voters were evenly divided and had no opinion or thought the rioters reinforced democracy.

Eighty percent of those same Trump voters state Trump is doing a good job. 

THERE IS A GIGANTIC DISCONNECT with these people in seeing the truth. Trump incited the protesters into becoming rioters for over an hour. Trump spewed hate, lies, deceptions and in that he stated he would be at the Capital with them to makes weak Republicans strong to overturn the vote.

Did these Trump voters hear the speech?

Did these Trump voters understand the words that lead to an incitement of hatred and violence?

After hearing that inflammatory speech and inciting the violence that followed how could Trump voters disconnect the mob from the mob boss? But, they do. They separate the mob from the boss that sent them to overturn one of the most hard fought and transparent elections in USA history.

Why? 

Why are people who think of themselves as good Americans and good Republicans unable to see the truth about Donald John Trump? 

They don’t have the truth available to them. Their image of Trump remains unblemished and they only blame the crowd for the insurrection and violence. These Americans need to not only hear the words but understand Trump is more to blame than those that crowded together to assault the Capital with hate and lies.

The disconnect has to end. Pollsters need to ask the questions of those that voted for Trump their understanding of his role in the insurrection. He is not exonerated for the events of that day.

His voters need a huge portion of reality about how close they have come to destroying this democracy.

Final insurgent words of Donald John Trump,

 ...”I will meet you there!”

Stop living with lies, deception, and shape shifting!

The Republicans are cowards...

 ...or out of touch with reality or both. 

Nancy Pelosi has been under hideous political attack since she became Speaker in 2006 and even now she shows more strength and pride for this country’s Constitution than the entire Republican Party rolled into one.

The country huddles behind the Democratic Speaker in hopes a vicious president intent on destroying this democracy can be removed. She is their hope at this point in time. The mob that reeked of insurrection would have killed her if they could and where is the resolve of her Republican counterparts? 

Nowhere. The Republicans are absolutely nowhere. They are in hiding in hopes this will all blow over.

THIS IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY! 

The Republican extremists, including people like Hawley, wanted to destroy the rule of law of the USA Constitution.

THIS is not going away!