Well, Now We Know…
Remember earlier this month we were talking about John Bolton banging on the war drum and Trump moving military forces into the Persian Gulf? There were ominous warnings about Iran’s aggression and our bases being put on high alert in Iraq and Afghanistan. Remember, too, how no other country saw the threat and dared to say so? Well, just as quickly as the threat appeared, it also disappeared, ending when Trump, standing in the West Wing door, said, “I hope not,” when a reporter shouted the question about going to war with Iran.
Now we know what all that was about – arms sales to Saudi Arabia. Trump has made some backroom deal with MBS and the House of Saud to sell weapons to them, along with the UAE and Jordan. The trick? By declaring a another fake emergency, Trump can bypass Congress, which approves arms sales to other countries. Since MBS had journalist Jamal Kashoggi brutally murdered (and Trump didn’t do anything about it) Congress has refused to support the Saudi attacks on Yemen or to approve arms sales to them. So, Trump just ignored Congress, again.
This is how Trump operates. When the invertebrates in Congress occasionally stand up, or when the courts step in, Trump just disregards the law and acts unilaterally to do what he wants. The strength of our system of government is also its greatest weakness. The Founders designed a system of checks and balances to keep power in check. The problem with that system is that they never dreamed that each of the branches of government would be simultaneously corrupt; they anticipated a Trump-like president, so gave the Congress co-equal power to control or remove him/her if necessary. If the Congress is also corrupt, the system collapses, and this is exactly what’s happening. Trump does what he wants, lines his own pockets, destabilizes entire regions of the world, and is making the US an unstable oligarchy with widening social injustice and gaping income inequality. When Congress does makes some lame effort to slow his corruption, His Orangeness just doubles down and does what he wants. McConnell and company just shrug, since they’re busily packing the courts with radicals and weirdos while Trump infests the WH.
At least we now know why the fake concern over a fake threat from Iran so Trump can declare a fake emergency to funnel weapons to his fellow oligarchs who are differentiated from him only by their garb, language, and hair style.
And with the nearly-simultaneous prosecution of (the odious) Assange under the Espionage Act and the power granted to Barr to declassify factoids that can be used to prosecute Trump and Barr’s perceived enemies, this administration has intentionally telegraphed that it contemplates star chamber prosecution of any reporter or inside leaker who might disclose evidence Trumps manifest crimes.
The way Stalin did.
Last week should have been the crossed line that had half the population of the US in the streets with torches and pitchforks, and searching online for construction plans for tumbrels.
1Dear Leader RAT45 and his minions are also laying the groundwork to deputize our military for use in civil policing ops…think about that a moment. Hitler and Stalin also utilized special military units domestically, we all know how that worked out [plus every other dictator from before the Romans to Pol Pot, the Kims and beyond].
Y’all, Dems, independents, everyone not a Rescummie cult member have been oblivious until recently, and many/most still are, to the critical danger these autoarchotheocrats pose to our nation. They are your sworn enemies, they want you totally powerless, working as a slave to their Reich, or dead.
2There is no bipartisan middle ground with these vermin, hasn’t been for a couple of decades. Get prepared to do whatever becomes necessary…
joel hanes,
People won’t hit the streets in mass protest until it affects them personally and then it will be too late.
Rump and his flying monkeys have so far gone after journalists, immigrants, women’s medical rights, and the gay community. Who will be next? Academics, scientists, dissidents, the elderly and disabled?
As one individual, all I can do is to be aware and exercise my right as a voter.
3Sandridge @ 2
My thoughts exactly!
4Trump has gone from the bad reality show host of The Apprentice to heading up the worst season ever of Emergency 911!
Every segment is a setup, and if authorities try and trace the hoax calls, Trump claims they’re spying on him. It’s McConnell’s favorite show for the moment so no cancellation in sight.
5Sandridge@2. We’re preparing. We’re also imploring our Democratic representation to drag the Republicon Congress varmints to WakeTF Up U. Not that we are whatsoever concerned about the well being of a Con, but we still kinda sorta hope for the preservation of democracy. More a nudge toward the Last Chance Express: impeachment. Although a sidecar to 25 the 4.5 would be an acceptable alternative.
6Rick@5 not that triage is a reality among traitors. Wouldn’t miss a pitchfork thrust on any of them in my path, but will definitely keep watch that Old Scratch McConnell doesn’t escape his fate.
7If not impeachment, taking the 25th out for a drive would work.
Trump and Barr are walking on really thin ice with the intel agencies. The agencies know their most embarrasing secrets and could leak them. Or if that fails, the agencies know how to deal with inconvenient people.
8Papa @ #8 –
Have you seen Jim Acosta’s new book? From a review:
A “senior White House official” tells Acosta: “The president’s insane.”
9https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/25/jim-acosta-cnn-white-house-trump-book-enemy-of-the-people
I’m looking forward to reading it. No question, Rump is dangerously insane. I hope someone switched the codes and rerouted the phone to a local McD’s.
10