Month: December 2019

Two Impeachment Articles: Abuse Of Power And Obstruction Of Congress

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The House Judiciary Committee has decided, with the backing of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to bring two articles of impeachment against Donald Trump: Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress.

While this author and blogger felt there should be more than two articles, he can agree that making the case for impeachment is easier with two succinct articles, focused on what is most evident about Donald Trump’s behavior in office.

And, ironically, or is it so, on the same day as this occurred, Trump met with the Soviet Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the White House, giving further evidence of his collusion with Russia, and his making life difficult for a nation, Ukraine, which has had its territory violated by Russia five years ago, and has led to this impeachment action.

But the Republican Party in Congress is in lockstep behind Donald Trump, having become pro Russian, which would cause a total shock to past Republicans, including Presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon, and even infamous Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin!

Who Does Barack Obama Want To Be The Democratic Presidential Nominee?

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Former President Barack Obama has been very careful to avoid any hint of who he supports for the Democratic Presidential nomination, but making clear he will endorse someone when the smoke has cleared, and it is obvious who is the future nominee.

That is not a new idea for former Presidents, as they do not wish to undermine their own reputations by interfering in the process in an open fashion.

But there are strong rumors that Obama tried to convince former Vice President Joe Biden not to run, only to be ignored by Biden.

There are also strong hints that Obama is concerned that if Senator Bernie Sanders or Senator Elizabeth Warren is the nominee, that it will harm the Democrats’ chances to win over Donald Trump, as Obama seems to believe that Medicare for All is a losing proposition with many voters.

The feeling seems to exist that Obama might prefer Mayor Pete Buttigieg as a bridge to the future, as he was, and as John F. Kennedy was 60 years ago.

Can Michael Bloomberg Ignore Iowa And New Hampshire And Have A Chance To Be The Democratic Presidential Nominee?

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The quick answer to the above question is YES, but it would be a tragedy for the nation if simply having billions of dollars fortune, and spending tens of millions of dollars to run commercials, was able to elect a President.

Michael Bloomberg was an effective NYC Mayor for three terms, but he was also controversial with some of his policies, including his dealings with racial minorities, and his trying to control the size of soda bottles and other sugary drinks.

On the other hand, he has promoted gun control, and fought against tobacco and oil interests, and is a big promoter of taking action on climate change.

And he is certainly an arrogant man, who thinks he can “own” his employees and control what his journalists at Bloomberg News report and investigate.

The fact that he has gained a few percent of the vote due to his spending $57 million on commercials, while Kamala Harris was forced out of the Presidential race for lack of funding, is totally infuriating.

This is the result of the disastrous Supreme Court decision in Citizens United in 2011, destroying and corrupting our political system in a despicable manner.

Bloomberg would be a vast improvement over Donald Trump, but seriously, it is hoped that the Democrats will not be manipulated by his commercials to nominate him. His ability to draw attention from voters, without participating in many caucuses and primaries, and avoiding engagement in debates, should NOT lead to his nomination!

Adam Schiff Should Be Acknowledged As Champion For Upholding Of Constitution And Rule Of Law!

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California Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff, the Chair of the House Intelligence Committee, should be acknowledged as a champion for upholding the Constitution and rule of law. He also will be praised for not allowing fellow Congressman and Californian Devin Nunes, the Republican ranking member, from intimidating him in his work toward impeachment of Donald Trump.

Schiff will be long regarded in history for his courage, his principles, his dignity, and his steadfastness, in his pursuit of the truth about our 45th President.

When the time comes for Senator Dianne Feinstein to leave the Senate, Schiff would be an excellent replacement for her.

78th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, And Now Greatest Security Threat With Donald Trump In Office

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America faces its greatest national security threat since Pearl Harbor, as now we have a President who is a threat to all of us, something no one would have imagined of a sitting President after September 11.

Donald Trump is clearly being manipulated by Vladimir Putin, and is attempting to destroy our constitutional checks and balances and rule of law.

He has a willing accomplice in Rudy Giuliani, who should face arrest, conviction and incarceration, as well as so many people around Trump, including Attorney General William Barr, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney.

And also, there is the willing Republican Party in Congress, which has no guts to oppose Trump’s outrageous behavior and actions.

So on this anniversary of Pearl Harbor, all Americans who are not compromised need to be active and engaged to prevent the destruction of the American Republic!

Major Moment: Joe Biden Confronts Voter Who Challenges His Age And His Son Hunter Biden

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Yesterday was a major moment in the Presidential campaign of 2020, with Joe Biden confronting an Iowa voter who challenged his age and his son, Hunter Biden.

Biden answered in a very appropriate manner, and gave this blogger renewed confidence in his candidacy, after many doubts earlier.

Biden has gone through the worst tragedy anyone could experience, the loss of a son, Beau Biden, which clearly put him into a period of depression, and Biden has known what tragedy is, with the loss in 1972 of his first wife and their daughter in an auto accident, in which both Biden sons, Beau and Hunter, were seriously injured.

Joe has been a survivor, but has also shown his humanity and compassion as a result of these tragedies in his life, including his aneurysm that nearly killed him in 1988, requiring brain surgery.

One could wish that Joe was younger, but in comparison to Bernie Sanders and Michael Bloomberg, both around the same age, with Bernie 14 months older and Bloomberg nine months older, this author would still prefer Joe in the White House.

Joe needs not to defend his son Hunter, as when one looks at the careers of Donald Trump’s sons and daughter, and how they have used their father’s name and reputation to benefit themselves, there is no need for Joe to defend his son.

As far as the concern with Joe’s age, as with the other two future octogenarians, it would still be preferable to have a younger nominee, such as Pete Buttigieg, but at this point, while this author likes Pete, it will ultimately be up to the voters in the next few months as to whether youth is preferred over age and experience.

Any concerns about Joe’s ability to perform against Trump now seems laid to rest after the way he handled this Iowa voter.

And as far as what if something happens to Joe in the White House, it could not be worse than with Donald Trump, and the same basic concern is there for Sanders, who suffered a mild heart attack, and Bloomberg, as no one can guarantee health.

That makes, however, the smart choice of a Vice President ever more urgent, no matter who the Democratic nominee is in 2020!

Bribery, Abuse Of Power, Obstruction Of Justice, Defiance Of Congress All Impeachment Appropriate Charges Against Donald Trump, Along With Violation Of Emoluments Clause In The Constitution

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The view of this author and blogger, especially after watching the four constitutional law professors today in the House Judiciary Committee hearing, is that Donald Trump should be brought up on impeachment charges on five counts.

Bribery or Attempted Bribery involving the President of Ukraine to do Trump’s bidding, and interfere in the Presidential campaign of 2020.

Abuse of Power, shown in innumerable circumstances and cases.

Obstruction of Justice, regularly utilized.

Defiance of Congress, including refusal to allow testimony by executive branch officials.

Violation since Day One of Trump’s Presidency of the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, barring any profit while serving as President.

So there should be five counts, with only one needed as enough to impeach, but with all justification, the case against Donald Trump is many times stronger than that against Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, and at least triple what it was against Richard Nixon,

Kamala Harris Withdrawal From Presidential Race Changes The Equation

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It was surprising that California Senator Kamala Harris withdrew from the Democratic Presidential competition yesterday, something no one could have predicted would happen so early.

Senator Harris said that money took her out of the race, as she is not a billionaire, and that brings up the issue of the absolute necessity to do something to prevent the future political scene only being based on personal wealth, as with Michael Bloomberg and Tom Steyer, who should not have the ability to compete simply based on their personal wealth.

The need for a turnover of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision of 2010, and the passage of another equivalent McCain-Feingold Act is urgent.

For right now, Harris’s withdrawal changes the equation, giving potential new life to New Jersey Senator Cory Booker and former San Antonio Mayor and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro, as otherwise, there will be no diversity to the Democratic debates coming on December 19 in Los Angeles, plus the future debates in the early months of 2020.

And the question also arises as to where Harris staff will gravitate, with the possibility of them going to South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg or Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, as the most likely campaigns that may gain such support.

Donald Trump Declares War On The Poor, Sick, Disabled, Children, Elderly

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Donald Trump is increasing his cruel war on the poor and elderly, with intentions of cutting Food Stamps, and cutting regulations on nursing homes.

As the top one percent continue to accrue more wealth exponentially, Trump is making clear what his agenda is for the nation if he wins reelection.

Take food out of the mouths of poor people, including children and the sick and disabled, and allow nursing homes to mistreat the elderly, by providing no oversight as to conditions of health and safety!

What could be more obscene than that, but actually, just added to the long list of crimes and human rights violations of the Trump Administration. This includes the horrific separation of migrant children from their parents at the border, without any tracking of where the separated families are, and causing, therefore, likely permanent separation, even of infants from their mothers.

Trump should face trial in the Hague, Netherlands, for violation of basic human rights, as he has committed crimes against humanity, including his support of war criminals that he has given pardons to, against the advice of the military themselves!

South Carolina Primary: Why Do African Americans In That State Favor Joe Biden Over Kamala Harris And Cory Booker?

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One of the great mysteries of the 2020 Presidential campaign is the massive support in public opinion polls for Joe Biden in the South Carolina primary coming up in February.

Biden has a mixed record on race, considering that he opposed school busing in the 1970s, and was a cosponsor of a tough crime bill in 1994, which led to a large number of African Americans being incarcerated, some unjustly, by a very harsh piece of legislation.

It seems Biden’s support may be due more to the fact that he served as Vice President under President Barack Obama, and yet Obama has purposely not endorsed his former Vice President.

Right now, Joe Biden is not doing well in public opinion polls in Iowa or New Hampshire, so South Carolina, with its large African American population, may be his ultimate life line.

But the debate is why are not Senator Kamala Harris of California and Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey doing well in South Carolina, as one would have thought?

And also, will the other African American candidate, former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, late in entering the Presidential race, perform any better than Harris or Booker?