If the Russia investigation that has morphed into an investigation of the sewer rats in the current administration really is a “witch hunt” as President Trump proclaims loudly and often then maybe some witches needed to be hunted.
I certainly don’t know if there is any direct connection between Trump and/or his administration or his presidential campaign and Russia’s efforts to subvert democracy in the U.S. , but there seems to be plenty of evidence there was some nefarious dealings — some perhaps dealing with the electing of a president and some dealing with making money out of the whole situation or actually both at the same time.
I even have a hard time wrapping my mind around the concept that paying off a whore or whores is some kind of campaign donation — that is for the courts to decide I suppose. What it all is though is tawdry, low and unethical, and should be below the dignity of our government and political system (but unfortunately is not). You cavort around with whores and then try to hide the fact, not so much that you are ashamed, but that you don’t want to make the good people of society, and the holier-than-thou (albeit hypocritical) religious right have a reason that they cannot ignore it all and support you (not to mention have your wife take you to the cleaners). As long as you can say it is all lies, then all potential supporters have cover.
And for the record here, let’s recap some of the events:
— On Tuesday (Aug. 21, 2018), Michael Cohen, former lawyer and “fixer” for Trump, pleaded guilty to tax evasion and (Trump) campaign finance violations and accused Trump of directing him to break the law.
— Also on that day, Paul Manafort, former Trump campaign manager, was convicted of financial fraud and has been charged with being an unregistered foreign agent.
— On Feb. 3 of this year Rick Gates, a former Trump campaign adviser, pleaded guilty to financial fraud and lying to the FBI.
— On Dec. 1 of 2017, Michael Flynn, former Trump national security adviser, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about conversations with the Russian ambassador.
There are several others charged and some have pleaded guilty, but you get the picture.
(While this list is all public record and has been reported by various media, giving credit where credit is due, I got this partial list from the New York Times and quoted or paraphrased it, the list that is, not my own comments, that make up this post except for this little block, which are mine and mine alone.)
It’s been said so much now: ironically although Trump vowed to clean up the sewer that is our government and political system, he and many of his cohorts in his administration are the biggest sewer rats of them all. Why the ones who are not remain I have no idea. They must not be thinking long-term.
The grounds for impeachment are clearly present. But even if the Democrats take back the House and are able to impeach, the experts predict he could not be convicted in the Senate, which I guess is thought to likely remain in Republican hands.
Of course Republicans in large numbers could start to move away from their Trump support — well theoretically. But power, however tainted, is hard to give up.
All I can say to those who cling to Trump, whether from sincere loyalty and belief in his cause (whatever that may be) or from a sense of self-preservation — at long last, have you no shame?
It might well be better for the Democrats for Trump to remain in office. Might make a better platform for 2020.
I for one wished the national nightmare of Trump was over.
But how it all comes to an end is in question. At one time — silly me — I thought vice president Pence taking over would be preferable. But he now seems rather creepy to me. But it may be more of his narrow-minded hard right view on politics. I have not read of any real corruption on his part (but I don’t know).
To my mind, the country needs a middle-of-the-roader. I almost miss those days when the late George Wallace once proclaimed: there ain’t a dime’s worth of difference between the parties, or something like that.
But moderate or middle of the road seems too dull and hopeless for a populace addicted to instant gratification or at least the idea of it.
And too, moderation sometimes amounts to go along to get along and don’t rock the boat — politicians get into office and become comfortable with what they have and the people be damned.
And I still cling to the notion that we would be better off with part-time elected officials who worked for stipends and held office out of a sense of patriotic duty.
Early on in our democracy many realized that control of the public purse was a way to riches. This attracted corrupt politicians, lobbyists, and whores — talk about a ménage à trois or an illicit threesome in bed with each other.