Cowards in The Capitol

Marion County man among those arrested in riot at US Capitol

          We have all seen the images of the insurrection that occurred on January 6, 2021. Images of the assault and destruction that took place at our nation’s Capitol. We all know of the plans to execute Congressional leaders and we all know, those plans were incited by Donald J. Trump, the emperor with no clothes, the loser-in-chief, who thought he could overthrow the government because he did not want to give up his position.

          What the entire world is waiting to see, is whether or not, the current administration will have the guts to make sure there is a remedy, one that is severe enough to deter any possible similar action in the future. We know the Retrumplicans (though there were a few Republicans who stood tall) were too cowardly to vote for his impeachment—with the lamest excuse in the world. “He’s leaving the White House—what would be the point?”

Well, let’s see, what would be the point of pursuing a rapist, if he’s leaving his victim, torn and abused? What would be the point of pursuing criminal charges against a bank robber if he’s already left the bank? What would be the point of seeking an arsonist if they’ve already left the fire burning out of control? What would be the point of pursuing charges against a murderer if they have already left the scene of the crime?

The point of having consequences for any criminal or criminal activity is to deter it from occurring in the future. But then, cowards don’t understand that because they’re not really interested in upsetting their supporters—the ones who condone criminal acts in order to retain power—in spite of the fact that people died. No, the cowards in the Capitol are concerned that they may anger enough of their constituents who “love trump” that they’ll be faced with a primary during their re-election. In other words, their re-election prospects are far more important to them than upholding their oath of office, “to defend and protect the Constitution.” They would rather defend and protect an orange menace who didn’t care whether a mob harmed them or not.

Every one of them—the Retrumplicans included—in the House and the Senate were eyewitnesses to what happened when they were cowering in rooms, hiding from an incensed mob, seeking to harm them. They heard them—what they did and what they said—and none of what the Retrumplicans heard or saw when they returned to the Joint Session to certify the electoral college votes, deterred them from being cowards. They still took the cowardly way out (they had to protect their re-election potential) and objecting to certifying votes, in an attempt to disenfranchise millions of voters—who did not vote for the orange menace. They have yet to understand that 81 million is more than 74 million—so not only are they cowards, but they also need to hone their math skills.

The true heroes (of sorts) in the Republican Caucus are those who dared to do the right thing—look at that—the right thing, not the party thing. But of course the Retrumplicans didn’t see it that way and they are now on a rampage to make the “good guys” pay for being disloyal to the orange menace. They are smearing the names of those who weren’t “cowards in the capitol” and publicly lying about them, both those in House and the Senate.

In subsequent interviews—the Cowards—who have victimized themselves claim they are victims of cancel culture—forget about the fact they voted to “cancel the votes of millions of the black community.” They claim they don’t have a platform to air their grievances, but they manage to do just that on Fox News and other right-wing-nut networks, and by writing columns for newspapers (don’t understand why) trying to make everyone else the villain, when they refuse to see their part in what happened on January 6, 2021.

As a result of the Cowards in the Capitol, which is enshrined with barbed wire fencing and surrounded by National Guardsmen, the seat of government is no longer accessible to the public because there is still a threat, by extremists to do bodily harm, to lawmakers—from within and without. Had they just not been Cowards and stood up for right, the end of this threat would have been in sight because the consequences, would have been known and told, both near and far. And all the Cowards had to say, publicly is, “Joe Biden won a free and fair election. There was no fraud.” But the Cowards, yet remain silent, unable to utter the truth because the lies have bound their tongues.

We have a way to go yet before the final curtain falls on this theatrical piece of nonsense, but that final curtain call, will change the landscape for all for the next 150 years, while we wait for the hammer to fall on the Cowards in the Capitol.

DC riot updates: Capitol rioters are being identified ...
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Accountability For All!

Accountability For All!

Dear trump supporters:

I’ve had a lot to say for the past two years, but this is my first letter directed at you. And yes, I know I didn’t capitalize his name, I seldom do. I have no respect for him and I won’t pretend that I do. What amazes me is that anyone could have any respect for him, but apparently, some do.

Let me begin with those who voted for him–shortsightedness, frustration, anger, apathy or just plain stupidity guided this shipwreck of a decision and here we are. I really don’t care about those who claim to be pro-life when in actuality, they are pro-fetus, not the life of those outside the womb. The proof–the mindless moron just condoned the killing of an American journalist because he can’t stand the thought of losing any business (his personal business–it’s not about America First) from the Saudis. This is what gets me–he lies and lies, deflects and denies and that same segment of people, keep making excuses for him and justifying his behavior. And for those hoping a Republican court system will prevail against abortions–think again. It won’t. If you don’t want to have an abortion, don’t have one. If you don’t want to be married to a person who is the same sex as you are, don’t marry them. And before you get your underwear in a bunch, I’m more Christian than any of the dolts who voted for this moron, and I know the most important commandment we have from Jesus is to love–unconditionally, so keep your religious, Phariseetical comments to yourself.

He does not care about America–if he did, the deficit would be decreasing and not increasing. He does not care about our military–if he did the 5800 troops at the border would be home with their families, he would have gone to combat zones before now to visit our troops, and he hasn’t done a thing to support our veterans. Anyone with even partial vision and hearing knows by now, he disrespected veterans by not going to the Arlington Cemetery on Veterans Day or the cemetery in France. He met with Putin and was so glad to see him that everyone remarked at the pure joy that showed in his face. Most of the veterans I know and have an affiliation with–are totally po’d with him. They have not been paid benefits for some time now and it’s going to cause problems for many. But does he care–not one whit. He disparaged Admiral McRaven–claiming Bin Laden should have taken out sooner than he was. But now, please remember–trump avoided the draft with phony deferments five times to avoid Viet Nam and now, he claims he doesn’t want to visit the troops for fear someone will kill him. Amazing how that fear never stopped other presidents from visiting troops in combat zones and yet–he claimed he’d run into a building with an active shooter in a school. More lies. He’s afraid of the rain because he can’t manage an umbrella.

And then there was the tax cut scam that many are going to soon regret when they realize, they did not gain anything because all the exemptions and deductions will no longer exist when they file their taxes. So some thought getting a few extra dollars in a paycheck was going to make a difference–short term and temporary. The corporations who got all the real breaks, bought back their own stocks, laid off workers and many closed doors, leaving the workers–behind the eight-ball. Right now, GM is cutting their work force by 18K. What are these folks supposed to do? Join the rolls of the unemployed and watch that percentage rise from 3.9% back to 5.1% nationally. It’s coming–this is what always happens when Republicans control government–they enrich themselves, cut spending for the poor and then we see a recession. Democrats are the ones always left to clean up the messes and reduce the deficit–by raising taxes–because cutting them led to the increased deficit to start with and the working class, did not benefit the same way the rich did.

He’s abused and misused the office of the presidency to the point where America is the laughingstock of the world. We have more lawsuits pending in court than ever before (and we’re only 2 years into this fiasco) and now–journalists have been put in danger all over the world with his stupid, mindless, reckless, rhetoric–calling the media the enemy of the people.  The true enemy of the people–is trump–the wanna-be dictator who wanted to prosecute and jail anyone who criticized him and primarily to impede the investigation into the Russian involvement in the 2016 election. I know some will never believe it, but it’s true, and not believing–won’t change the truth. You know–the way some people say they don’t believe in God–they don’t have to believe Him–and it doesn’t change the truth of who He is.

Further evidence that trump doesn’t care about Americans or America is found in the roll-back of all the “consumer protections” that were established to protect us from corporate greed and disregard. Now, corporations can poison the water, the soil and pollute the air. We’ll end up with all sorts of diseases from the protections being rolled back and then we’ll just die because he doesn’t want to provide healthcare for all. I’m guessing how we bury our dead is not a concern to him.

If I tried to relate all the stupid he’s done in just two years, this would be a very long letter. So, let me get to the point of this. There needs to be accountability for every person in an elected office and since there’s no one in this administration that has shown any capability of being an adult, the culpability for the stupid falls on the shoulders of every person who voted for the menace in the White House. I didn’t vote for him because I knew from listening to him during the campaign that would be the biggest mistake I could ever make. There were at least 65 million of us who saw through all his blather and lies. Strangely, most of that 65 million don’t claim to be Christians and I would have thought, that Christians–who are like me–who can hear Holy Spirit when He speaks–would have known better. I guess that’s the difference between being religious and being in relationship with Christ. I heard Him speak to my heart and did everything I could to warn people, but the religious folks didn’t care. They even lied and said God chose trump to be in the White House. The God of Heaven that I serve is far too wise to have chosen a person who is the antithesis of who He is. If people truly know God–they’d know this. They would also know that according to the bible, if we warn people of impending danger and they ignore us–their blood is on their hands. If they heed the warning, they are safe. But if we don’t warn people when we see impending danger and people are harmed, then their blood is on our hands. I didn’t and don’t want anyone’s blood on my hands, so I warned and I am continuing to warn about the menace in the White House. What you do about it, is on you. Not me.

So, whatever happens from this menace being in the White House, if you voted for trump, you’re responsible. The lack of assistance and support for those in Puerto Rico, the delay in FEMA action from natural disasters, the death of the journalist (complicity), the veterans, the poor, the educational system, the deaths of millions who will succumb to illness because of the heartless, mindless moron you installed in the White House. This disastrous situation is all on you.

We can only hope–that a Democratic House will finally put a check on the menace and maybe, because of their example, the GOP in the Senate will wake up from the drug induced stupor (probably due to Russian connections and bribery) and uphold their oaths of office–which they haven’t done so far.

So knowing all that has transpired in the White House since January 20, 2017, can you look into a mirror and not cringe when you think about how lives have been affected, adversely since his inauguration? If you can look at yourself in the mirror and think he’s doing good things for America, then you are just as heartless and mindless as he is and the world would be better off without you. And when you die–I pray you suffer the same indignities that caged children have suffered and every person who has lost a loved one in a mass shooting or died because of a lack of access to healthcare. That’s all on you and I won’t let you forget it. Count on it.

THERE ARE NO ADULTS IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND NONE IN THE GOP SENATE. WHERE ARE THE ADULTS IN THIS SITUATION THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE DIRECTION OUR GREAT NATION IS TAKING?

They’re on their way and some have already begun the process to make sure trump is exposed for all the evil he’s done and when those in Congress find their spines, they’ll do what they need to do. At any rate, 2020 is looking better and better for me (or someone like me) to win the presidential election and start cleaning up the mess made by trump on the national and international levels.

Let’s face it–you really blew it this time and almost cost the country its democracy. Happy now?

Sincerely,

Mary Hall-Rayford

 

 

Money, Money, Money!

Money, Money, Money!

Sitting here thinking about “the new world” Christopher Columbus was so excited about when he was making his journey from Spain and got lost. To be clear, he was not the first person to set their sights on the Americas, but that’s a discussion for another time. For now, people need to take a serious look at what we have called a democracy in America.

The pillars for which this democracy upholds are being eroded by Russian influence and a traitor to America. We know that Russia attacked our electoral system and I believe it was not just through the social media accounts–gaslighting gullible people, but it was also through deliberate bribes of those in the electoral college. Notice that in all the swing states where a recount was requested and in some cases started, money convinced judges to call them off. So if money can determine the direction of our country, what is the purpose of the Constitution? What was the purpose of establishing three branches of government by which all policies would be established, reinforced and adjudicated when needed? We have an illegitmately elected clown in the White House–who has ignored the Constitution from the beginning and more despicable clowns in Congress who refuse to exercise their oversight responsibilities. And now, with the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh, a blatant liar, and possible serial sexual predator, the Supreme Court will never again be seen as an arbiter of justice and truth. Three pillars missing from the democratic structure leaves only one left–a free press and even there, that pillar is endanger of toppling with all of the vicious lies told by the White House clown.

I have to wonder if people really understand the significance of this process in which it was nothing like the process, usually observed. Brett Kavanaugh has had several sexual assault allegations lodged against him, he perjured himself under oath during his last hearing, he’s had political PACs paying for advertisements (out of the norm for a judicial nominee), and then because he knew he had screwed up with his belligerence, wrote an OP ED in the Wall Street Journal (owned by Rupert Murdoch who also owns Fox), which defies all logic, other than to conclude, he was begging for the position. His behavior is abominable, but that won’t stop Republicans from confirming him into the position he feels he’s entitled to have. Law Professors have sent letters to the Senate warning them not to confirm him; the ABA has warned them not to confirm him and former classmates have attested to the fact that he was lying while under oath. And why oh why wasn’t the FBI allowed to question the 20 or more people who contacted them with information? Cover-up anyone? If Brett Kavanaugh had any integrity or honor he’d step aside rather than have the Supreme Court’s reputation tainted forever.  Oh yeah, the Republicans know he’s not fit to sit on the bench of the Supreme Court but they don’t care because they care more about their agenda, than people and doing what’s right. Traitor Don will have his “get out jail card” when the crap catches up with him. That’s what this is really all about–along with all other Republicans who are complicit in the Russian meddling. We know. We are not the victims of the gaslighting. That’s trump’s base. Gaslighted into cult worship.

Here’s the thing–all women, Black and White–our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren will be subject to Supreme Court decisions for decades to come. And the one thing I don’t understand is why women would sit back and allow this travesty to continue. When women vote, they should vote for people who are committed to serving them, not the lobbyists who pay them. We deserve a return on the tax dollars all elected persons get for their pay. As a result, voters must take more time in getting to know who it is they’re electing, since we are actually their employers. I don’t want to pay anyone who neglects or ignores my rights in order to obtain money from corporate entities or rich old white men who have nothing better to do with their money than to influence politics and politicians.

With the Supreme Court appointment–a life time appointment–we pay them, too. And if they choose to screw over us all, we’ve allowed it to happen by those we elected who confirmed them. So, now–it really boils down to–how do you want your tax dollars used–to promote sexual predators and those like-minded elected officials who support them or people who look out for all the people, protecting their interest for decades to come? The real issue here is that elected officials get greedy with corporate lobbyists and others. They’re not happy or satisfied with the $174K salary, they want more money and some think they are entitled to more money so they allow their greed to lead them into situations like Russia, where so many are guilty of receiving money from a foreign entity.

So, if we want democracy to work–to have government, “by the people for the people,” we must engage in the process. We must get to know the candidates that seek our support and vote, before we vote for them. We must work side-by-side with those candidates we have *vetted* to encourage others to vote for them. If we’re not going to be part of the process, we can expect to see the dismantling of our democracy by those who wish for it to crumble–the rich and powerful–who will not consider the people since they only care about money. Think–Mr. Scrooge (A Christmas Carol) and remember how the only thing he cared about was his money and making a profit. That’s what we have in the White House now–policies are legislated for the rich, not the poor; tax dollars are being wasted on the rich (US Marshall protection of DeVos, Conway, and others) instead of being used for the poor (healthcare, education, etc.). They’re stripping away all the consumer protections just so their rich cronies can make money–ravaging the land, out of greed. We see it. Gas prices rising along with food costs and everything, but do those in the legislative branch of our democracy care about what happens to the people they’re supposed to be writing legislation for?

I can’t speak for anyone other than me at the moment and all these shenanigans are giving me a headache. My blood pressure is also rising and I guess the next step I need to take would be in suing the White House for decimating my health. That’s a thought. I have to think about it more. Perhaps, the ACLU will take on the case as a class action suit.

I’m not rambling incoherently, I’m thinking out loud about my options and the possible options for others. Someone has to be thinking about–what’s next? We already know trump lied about his own wealth and how he accumulated it (I’ve known since 2016) and the fact that he doesn’t want anyone to see his tax returns, is telling. But we will see them, one way or another. But knowing, definitively, won’t change a thing about our lives, so we must muster all the energy we can to get people out to vote. This is key! We must get people to vote. This is our voice in our crumbling government and if we want to salvage it, we must vote and vote Blue or we may never get a chance to vote again. This is not a scare tactic–this is reality. Anyone can do the research for themselves–pay attention to what Steve Bannon said–destroy democracy in America. Pay attention to the Koch Brothers who have never wanted government in charge of anything. Pay attention to all the Republican politicians who are only interested in pushing forth their agenda–taking steps to move us backwards instead of forward. PAY ATTENTION! If you don’t see what’s happening right in front of you on a daily basis, it’s because you’re not paying attention or you’re willfully blind to the facts as they unfold.

I’m not blinded by gaslighting, nor am I gullible. I am fully capable of thinking for myself, researching information and analyzing what I discover, and drawing accurate conclusions. I know there are millions of others who are just as capable as I am of knowing what needs to be done–65M others who know right from wrong and they are not Putin’s puppets and we don’t have an agenda that involves us getting more money, money, money by ripping off the US Treasury.

better life