If this be treason -- Hell in Helsinki

I have, as many others have, suspected for a long time Trump's connection to Putin and the Russian meddling, indeed, swaying of the 2016 presidential election in Trump's favor.  Why would Trump not believe his own most trusted intelligence agencies -- the FBI, the CIA and the NSA -- choosing rather to believe Putin when he says simply Russia did not subvert the 2016 presidential election because Putin told him so. We know Russia did because we believe the crack American forensic intelligence agencies unequivocally through facts and evidence said Russia did.  With all the ugliness that Putin has committed from downing an airliner killing hundreds of innocents, occupying the country of Ukraine and taking over another, Crimea, why would Trump choose to wrap his arms around a thuggish Putin, believe all he says, never criticize him so Putin can crack the champagne on his journey home and toast his GSU intelligence agency for a job well done?

This allegedly America first nationalist in front of our western European allies, in front of NATO, in front of the world and in front of all our democratic republic holds dear sides with the autocratic Putin believing him whenever Putin tells him to.  Putin, the mendacious Trump says, had no reason to sway the 2016 election in Trump's favor.  Really, Mr. Trump, really?

One does not have to be the stable genius Trump thinks himself to be to realize why Russia would want a useful idiot in the presidency allied to him and not have a hard nose sophisticated smart former secretary of state like Hillary Clinton in the oval office.  Clinton would have held Putin's feet to the fire for downing Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 Boeing 777 shot down by a surface-to-air missile from a region controlled by Russian-backed separatists, invading and taking Crimea as part of Russia, invading Ukraine, radioactive poisoning Alexander Litvinenko who lay in a London hospital bed in November 2006 and identified the man responsible for his impending demise: Vladimir Putin, murdering two other English citizens in England, supporting the monster Assad killing 10,000 human beings in Syria using poison gas, weakening stable democracies of western Europe, weakening NATO and swaying a US presidential election.

Instead Trump refuses to condemn Putin over Russian election hacking: " ‘We’re All To Blame’, Trump insists, for poor relations with Russia." The U.S. president continued to aver there was no collusion between his campaign and Moscow using his well worn epithet of "witch hunt" to describe it.

One does not have to believe Democratic voices critical of the Trump/Putin meeting in Helsinki.  One should read a statement just issued by Paul Ryan, Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, when he says:

"There is no question that Russia interfered in our election and continues attempts to undermine democracy here and around the world. That is not just the finding of the American intelligence community but also the House Committee on Intelligence. The president must appreciate that Russia is not our ally. There is no moral equivalence between the United States and Russia, which remains hostile to our most basic values and ideals. The United States must be focused on holding Russia accountable and putting an end to its vile attacks on democracy."

We who have a modicum of intelligence know well there is a rationale behind Trump's refusing never to wax critical of Putin instead supporting Putin no matter what he says.  This carries with it a rationale which has yet to be revealed by Special Counsel Mueller in his pristine investigation of the 2016 election collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.  Be patient, though it is hard to do, because it will soon be known.  I suspect, although I have not seen the evidence yet, that Putin must have something on Trump which Trump is so afraid to confront lest his presidency, his career, his family, even his life will be in legal and mortal jeopardy.  I suspect it has something to do with Rubles and billions of them held over Trump's fake orange head like the sword of Damocles.  We know no bank, at least no American bank, would loan money to Trump but Russian banks and oligarchs would and I suspect did.  Trump never pays money lent to him back.  It is one thing to do that in this country and declare bankruptcy but to owe Russian oligarchs and/or banks billions I suspect carries a much steeper penalty Trump simply cannot confront.  Mix a little sex in the stew and I suspect Russia could destroy Trump in a heartbeat and Trump knows Russia would.  

Special Counsel Robert Mueller, if this be treason make the most of it and expose the high crimes, misdemeanors and treason this president has allegedly and seemingly obviously committed.

Walkaway from the Democratic Party? Hell NO -- the Only Game in Town!!!

There are bots and real human beings in techno land that have their essence within the Republican Party.  They are trying to shutdown or damage the  Democratic party.   I do not trust anyone who bad mouths the Democratic Party trying to convince one to leave it. For those who care about not only economic issues but the all important civil liberties issues do not be swayed by those who want to destroy the Democratic Party from within.  They are often Trumpian loyalists.

Do we want abortion made not only not impossible but illegal for those who seek it relegating women -- often poor women -- to back alley abortions that will kill them? Do we want politics infused with religion abandoning the separation clause of the US Constitution? Do we want persons of color to return to 1850, 1870 or to 1950 when separate but equal was legal and Jim Crow laws were a black person's fate; his only crime to have been born black? Do we want gays to return to the days before Stonewall when they could not love openly whom they choose and marry as everyone else who gets the legal benefits of marriage? Do we want to return to the lunch counter politics of exclusion this time for homosexuals that will allow public businesses to discriminate and tell one to go somewhere else.  Do you want insurance companies to deny you health care because you had/have a preexisting condition of MS, muscular dystrophy, cancer, allergies and more as a child? Do you want everyone to be continually denied healthcare as a right? Do you care if people die because of a health care policy everyone should have but does not?

These are things on which Democrats will vote how most of us want but Republicans will vote money for the top 2% and war instead.  Republicans have not, do not, and will not give a damn about human rights. These are important differences between the Parties. Democrats vote humanely on them which is why I have stuck for decades within the Democratic Party.  In essence the Democratic base and Party despite its flaws vote for necessary human rights.  Republicans vote against them for the top 2% richest and for war.

We must do all we can to keep within Democratic Party structure because it is the one we have to get a minimum of what is just. Would Democrats commit the horrors that are happening now on our borders to powerless people? Would Democrats want to expunge Social Security and Medicare? HELL NO they wouldn't!! Republicans under Trump have zero heart and even less ethics. Be careful what you do with your vote. Do not throw it away.  VOTE and vote Democratic.  No, the Democratic Party is not perfect but for people of humanitarian conscience it is the ONLY game in town!!

The Life You Save

I could not agree more with Elizabeth Allen's July, 7, 2018 MetroWest News opinion "Threats to Reproduction"  (Linked below.) Upon learning of Justice Kennedy's retirement I could not believe this reliable swing justice who at times put that which was fair over ideological obstinacy and extremism giving a variety of political beliefs a fighting chance retired unable to wait a few months until after the November midterms when Congress may change its color. 

Justice Kennedy disappointed me. When I read his son  works for Deutsche Bank, from which bank Trump allegedly has extensive financial ties I wondered if there was a connection.  It is said American banks will not lend Trump money because of his failure to pay back loans.  There seemed to me then and now to be six degrees of separation between Justice Kennedy's rapid retirement slightly before of the 2018 midterms, his son's employment at Deutsche Bank giving Trump significant loans and Trump's chance to pick the next all important justice allowing him a "conservative" majority on the Court ready to swing every decision not only right but hard right potentially for decades.  Is this a quid pro quo?  I don't know but it arouses suspicion.

All minorities and all those who care about due process, civil rights and the separation of powers holding even the president accountable for his behavior and the rule of law now are at risk as Special Counsel Mueller's investigation closes the noose around Mr. Trump and his administration's neck.  We who are concerned with human rights, feel for those for whom discrimination is a daily experience, and value justice mourn the hostile era to that in which we live.  It is why the resistance against this right wing extremist unfit-for-the-presidency president is so important.  Resist and never give up. The life you save may be your own!

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinion/20180707/letter-threats-to-reproductive-freedom

Kavanaugh was a predictable choice, but could be an unpredictable justice--MY COMMENT: NOT SO SURE

 I believe, in general, Brett Kavanaugh will be the same reliable proponent of right wing extremist policy that Gorsuch has shown and Republicans know it. The Heritage ​Foundation and the Federalist Society​​, ultra conservative organizations, picked him among other ultra right wing justices. After all what does our dear Leader know about the history of the Supreme Court contemporary or otherwise? Answer: Nothing as he knows nothing about most of the ugly inhumane decisions he makes.

Donald J. Trump knows of one issue: Donald J. Trump. ​ ​
All Trump had to do was read Justice Kavenaugh's opinion o​f​
his opposition to inditing a sitting president Trump thought he died and went to prosecutorial heaven. Granted Kavanaugh said Congress is the branch to make law declaring an indictment of a sitting president not possible. When the time comes ​​to rule​,​ ​though, Kavanaugh ​will ignore ​the responsibility of Congress ​and simply rule the presidency above the law​ and that a president should not be indicted while in office​.

Unfortunately, the media, point in fact Morning Joe, even so-called liberals or moderate to left commentators wax oleaginous and unctuous in their praise of a man whose long noted record contains very ominous signs of a reliable social issue conservative justice. He has been an audience of one when the Federal lower courts have been nearly united on declaring certain Trump policies unconstitutional. Kavanaugh acts alone in opposition even to his own court.
​
I hope Democrats hold Justice Kavanaugh's feet to the fire and not let him off with weak opposition. When the verdicts fly as Kavanaugh becomes the fifth conservative justice on the Supreme Court overturning Roe, ruining the Affordable Healthcare Act, proclaiming this president above the law and protecting him from the massive illegalities he has committed, putting a stake in the heart of gay marriage, placing religion as an acceptable rationale to deny a human being service at a public business the fault dear Brutus will not be in the stars it will be in yourselves!


https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/kavanaugh-was-predictable-choice-could-be-unpredictable-justice-n890091

Just when you think it could not get any worse -- U.S. Army Reportedly Discharging Immigrants Who Enlisted With Promises Of Citizenship

 Just when you think it could not get any worse and that the Beast could not do anything more deadly than the cruelty and misery he has already put forth there is another incredulity lodged. This time Gen. Mattis lied when he said that immigrants looking for citizenship who were willing to give up their life for this country would be sheltered in place. Now we know through the headline above and the link below it was just another lie among thousands the administration has told and tells ALL the time to a base that either is not smart enough to do analysis on what the charlatan says or doesn't want to because they LOVE his racism. Either way there is one word for it: SAD!




https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/us-army-discharging-immigrants-report_us_5b3ed376e4b09e4a8b2b6c58

"Abraham Lincoln warned us about Donald Trump" -- Daily Kos+ My Comment

My Comment:    July 4th, Independence Day, is the perfect time, I thought, to expound on the meaning of its profundities while we exist now during the time of a depraved administration that separates mothers from their children, denying all Constitutional due process and other actions so base and so ugly I thought once would never happen here. It is, though, happening here and it is the perfect national holiday to perfect a theme that zeroes in on this corrupt of all presidencies; a presidency so malevolent, so mendacious and so evil that it beggars the mind and gives pregnant pause to a writer lest one not write something adequate to express one's disgust of it all. 

In 1776 our nation threw off the shackles of tyranny and powerlessness to become a beacon of light that would in time pave the way for millions of immigrants fleeing the dangers of the hostile lands in which they were born.  They crossed a perilous sea to an unknown place, steeped in a language they could not speak and customs they did not know.  They stared in awe onboard their ships, at Lady Liberty in New York Harbor as they approached their new life.   The inspiring 1883 poem "The New Colossus" written by Emma Lazarus and placed at the statue's pedestal translated to them a sense of awe, hope and freedom to the many who heretofore had none.  Those beautiful tear stained words beckoning the tempest tossed millions to seek safe arrival in Liberty's arms I write indented below.  The poem as many know says:

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
MOTHER OF EXILES. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Happily I was sent an article by the Daily Kos, a progressive publication, climbed Liberty's Everest heights to reflect all that I believe and with laser like precision.  The writer entitled it "Abraham Lincoln warned us about Donald Trump" and says as follows:

"If the corruption and rot currently stinking up the Oval Office has had one salutary effect, it has been to force many Americans to actually think about their civic responsibility towards the nation. This 4th of July as we commemorate our country’s repudiation of British tyranny, many of us have found ourselves wondering what exactly this Holiday represents, and how it can be reconciled with the criminal Buffoon that our fellow Americans recklessly saddled us with in November of 2016.

Our 16th President, widely viewed as our best, explained in clear terms what this Holiday should mean to us, we who have inherited the legacy the authors of the Declaration of Independence sought to bestow upon future generations. It is not simply the rejection of British rule and the desire for self-governance, but the “universal” principles that justified our separation that matter. And as Lincoln warned, fealty to those principles must transcend any individual politician—including the President.

These of course are the precepts set forth at the outset of the Declaration, “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Conor Friedersdorf in The Atlantic, resurrects Abraham Lincoln’s words and sees in them a warning about today: 

“Now, my countrymen, if you have been taught doctrines in conflict with the great landmarks of the Declaration of Independence,” he declared in 1858, “if you have listened to suggestions which would take away from its grandeur and mutilate the fair symmetry of its proportions; if you have been inclined to believe that all men are not created equal in those inalienable rights enumerated in our charter of liberty, let me entreat you to come back. Return to the fountain whose waters spring close by the blood of the revolution. Think nothing of me—take no thought for the political fate of any man whomsoever—but come back to the truths that are in the Declaration of Independence. You may do anything with me you choose, if you will but heed these sacred principles.”

***

“Wise statesmen as they were, they knew the tendency of prosperity to breed tyrants, and so they established these great self-evident truths, that when in the distant future some man, some faction, some interest, should set up the doctrine that none but rich men, or none but white men, were entitled to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, their posterity might look up again to the Declaration of Independence and take courage to renew the battle which their fathers began — so that truth, and justice, and mercy, and all the humane and Christian virtues might not be extinguished from the land; so that no man would hereafter dare to limit and circumscribe the great principles on which the temple of liberty was being built.”

"Well that moment has arrived, and with it Lincoln’s challenge to all of us to uphold the country’s principles, now under assault not only by a malevolent autocrat, but by a thoroughly corrupt and slavish political party that sustains him"

The United States is now led by a man––bereft of Christian virtues, his own Twitter account a testament to his dearth of self-mastery or prudence––who extols the supposed strength of the Communists who suppressed lovers of liberty at Tiananmen Square, the authoritarian tyrant who leads Russia, and the thug who leads the Philippines. His political ideals would be a cancer to any body politic. It festers within ours and spreads daily. 

In his time, Lincoln warned that a country that continued to embrace slavery was at risk of damning itself not only because slavery in and of itself was a horrendous evil, but because by doing so it would necessarily abdicate the values set forth its own creed, exemplified in the Declaration. A nation that does this forfeits not only its legacy, but its right to any respect from the rest of the world. Of course, Donald Trump’s public embrace of corrupt, murderous dictators and disdain for our closest allies, those not only economically or militarily allied with us but also our ideological kin, has the same corrosive effect on this country as slavery once did: 

Citizen Trump’s entire public life was predicated on the unapologetic pursuit of self-interest, through lust, greed, lies, bankruptcies, and sordid behavior besides. The ethos that he carried into the White House is sufficiently similar as to risk America’s friendships with democratic peoples, whatever remains of its reputation for sincerity, and the moral character of its people in just the ways Lincoln warned, even if the particular injustices before us today are different.

On a 4th of July in which we find our Democratic norms under constant, unrelenting assault by an Administration that pays no heed or shows any interest in our country’s most cherished beliefs, it is an ideal time for the majority of Americans who do care about the country’s future to listen to the warning of a real President, one who through his words and deeds truly deserves the respect of all.

Death: How Long Can We Live? The Limit Hasn’t Been Reached, Study Finds: My Comment --NYT Pick

My Comment: Why do I loathe thinking about this subject? I think I loathe it because when parents give life to a child they usually do not belabor the fact that they have bestowed death on him/her as well. It's simply a fact we all die and in youth parents usually did not tell us that until we are much older so we are not horrified. Some couch the sting in religious myth. Sure Mrs. Calment, a subject of the reporting, can defy the odds by living to 122. So what? She died anyway and most will not live to that age.

Death is, I believe, nature's way of preserving life on the planet which could not sustain any species living forever. The myth is Ponce de Leon looked ever so hard for the Fountain of Youth and we have been looking ever since. The conundrum I face is this: I love to experience consciousness, I love learning, I fear suffering and the natural decomposition of the body. Since I do not know what death is I fear jumping into it and yet nature says not only that I will but I must. My mother never told me that or, perhaps, I would never have emerged from the womb.

Hobbs said life is nasty, brutish and short so why did my parents or does any parent bring a person into this world to face the natural often massive suffering of old age to its natural end while watching whatever hard-worked-for fortune we have left disintegrate into dust (especially in a Trumpian world) a metaphor for life. Our bodies impossible to recognize at even 90, or 80 are a shadow of the beauty we were at 21. It is reality but I don't have to like it and I don't.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/28/science/human-age-limit.html?em_pos=medium&emc=edit_sc_20180702&nl=science-times&nl_art=1&nlid=75028030emc%3Dedit_sc_20180702&ref=headline&te=1

Evidence Russia Tipped Election for Trump ‘Staggering,’ Says Former U.S. Intel Chief James Clapper + My comment: Evidence

Intel Chief Jame's Clapper's statement above and link above is chilling.  Still, the biggest bombshell lies in the answer to the question did TRUMP himself collude with the Russians.  The most profound question becomes is there EVIDENCE for Trump himself colluding with Russia or even working with the Trump campaign itself to elect him president with Russian help?

Trump deafeningly says he did not collude.  To us who loathe this presidency it surely does appear that he did collude but circumstantial evidence is NOT enough to use as evidence to impeach, most importantly to convict and remove him from office.  The biggest truth lies in the answer to the question was TRUMP himself involved with the Russians and is there EVIDENCE for Trump himself colluding with Russia or was he even involved with the forces of Trump to make him president with Russia's assistance. If there is no evidence as Trump deafeningly says then circumstantial evidence is not enough to convict and remove. The rule of law means EVIDENCE not merely the assumption he, in fact, did these dastardly acts that is necessary even if we just know in our bones he did.

It may be that Trump knew of the meeting in Trump Tower with the Russians; that he was fully aware because we conclude that Trump knew everything about his campaign and surely knew everything about what Donald Jr. did every day. That I postulate that is not enough even though it may be an obvious inference. It is not enough to conclude what it appears Trump probably -- emphasis on probably -- did know. Evidence, evidence, evidence; we must have the evidence to impeach and convict him of collusion which would be a high crime of treason. The rule of law means EVIDENCE not just assumption of evidence must be shown.  Mueller may have all the evidence he needs to show this inept unfit president did collude with the Russians or that he knew and approved of what his forces did with Russian help.  If so Mueller, will present that evidence to the American people in due time.   Please God let it be so!

Fear

I thought I would wake up today and all of the upheaval of retiring centrist Justice Anthony Kennedy would be just a nightmare. If Justice Kennedy gave new hope to women's rights, to gays, to many others and as an institutional check in favor of human rights then why in God's name would he decide to retire in July? Could he not have waited just four more months for an election of renewal? Democrats, perhaps, would have retaken the Senate and even the House thereby negating Trump's ability to nominate a right wing extremist justice to the highest court in the land. Now there will be nowhere to take our legal cases of human rights hope if tweet-storm-trooper-in-chief a/k/a draft evading General Bone Spurs gets his way.

I feel like part of me has died. All that work for all those years even before me for women's rights, for blacks and for all those who are oppressed both here and around the world seems for naught. I feel like Kennedy's retirement is a death sentence. The hundreds of protests attended by hundreds of thousands of people and all the legal maneuvering was for what -- to get an authoritarian misfit mentally ill excuse for a human in the oval office to capture the most powerful position on the planet changing life as we know it and not for the better.  Many will die because Trump has given license to the ever so violent right wing extremist hate embedded in some sinews of this nation to hurt, maim and kill those on the humanitarian left they oppose. Health Insurance companies will revisit the preexisting condition as a reason to deny one medical coverage, asylum here for those in violent lands will be no more and it will be deemed okay to rip children from mother's arms.

Trump has also influenced dramatically international politics.  Right wing extremist fascist and fascist light groups in western Europe gain in numbers.  Germany, Italy, France, Britain and even some Scandinavian nations, bulwarks of democracy, now have fascist powers who want to upend those democracies some created after the death orgy of WWII where a total of 80 million human beings lost their lives.  What does the number 80 million look like?  It is inconceivable to imagine 80 million deaths when one thinks of a ball park as holding merely 50,000 people.  Is this what we want to repeat yet again -- the fear of those years?  Our nation, saved by geography then, can no longer feel secure that it will protect us now.  It is a globalist world where nations that wish us harm possess nuclear weaponry that can destroy us.  Donald Trump is no joke.  He has won the presidency for his own personal enrichment courtesy of the American taxpayer and flouting of the Constitutional Emoluments Clause with conflicts of interest galore but those who support him do not see it.  The appeal of autocracy means that decisions are easily made by one man no matter how horrifically inhumane to vulnerable groups those decisions are.  Trump means to take human rights back, in reactionary form, to a Neanderthal era in this nation where separate but unequal ruled for persons of color, where there was nowhere to go for those whose sexual orientation was different from the norm; suicide seemed the only option and where those who sought abortion did so in filthy back rooms performed for the money by quacks where infection was not unusal and women died of blood poisoning in large numbers.

I have never felt so sad, so down, so hopeless in my life. I am telling myself I will regain the fight I once had. The stories in the press are depressing. The Daily News edition sported a big headline entitled [profanity not printed -- use your imagination.]  I quickly clicked off of it because it is the way I feel and I do not need reinforcement of that.  Trump's Muslim ban I fear will create more hatred and give extremist Muslims like ISIS just what they wanted, an excuse to attack the west and the moderate Muslims, the ones we need, will be silenced.  This is what Trump's ideological instructor, Steve Bannon has wanted -- a war between Islam (with nearly 2 billion Muslims) and the west but now nuclear weaponry is in the mix. I keep hearing FDR's words "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" but I am, despite those beautiful words, in fear now!

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez credits talking issues, not Trump, for upset win in Democratic primary -- My Comment

My Comment:  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a miracle. She is EXACTLY what the Democratic Party needs. Focus on issues but focus on them STRONGLY.  Sweep out the old and bring in the new. I'm an aging boomer and this win by a 28 year old Casio-Ortez  winning a Congressional House seat for New York's 14th district unseating an entrenched Democratic incumbent Crowley gives me hope!!

She is a gift not only to Democrats but also to millions of others -- people of good will who thirst for rational, humane and empathetic policy that puts the needs of the massive middle over the top 2% wealthiest.  Permanent tax cuts for the very rich send the deficit soaring.  All of a sudden Republicans do not care about that when it puts billions -- permanenty -- into the pockets of the very rich but nothing permanent for the majority middle.  Now on to the general, Alexandria, and let's win there. Send this to anyone you choose.

"Getting into Twitter fights with the president is not exactly I think where we're going to find progress as a nation," she said.

by Dartunorro Clark / Jun.27.2018 / 9:58 AM ET

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the 28-year-old first-time candidate whose victory over incumbent Rep. Joe Crowley in a New York Democratic congressional primary Tuesday night sent shockwaves through Washington, has a few words of advice for her fellow Democrats: Sharpen your message and avoid petty squabbles with President Donald Trump.

"We have to stick to the message: What are we proposing to the American people? Not 'What are we fighting against?'" Ocasio-Cortez told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" Wednesday. "We understand that we're under an antagonistic administration, but what is the vision that is going to earn and deserve the support of working-class Americans? And we need to be explicit in that vision and legislation, not just 'better,' but what exactly is our plan?"
"I think that's really the path forward... getting into Twitter fights with the president is not exactly I think where we're going to find progress as a nation," she added.

Political newcomer on her stunning upset and the road ahead

Jun.27.201814:58

Ocasio-Cortez, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America who organized for Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., during his 2016 presidential bid, ran a bare-bones campaign and was outspent by an 18-1 margin. She argued that Crowley had lost touch with his diverse district, both ideologically and demographically, in part due to spending so much time in Washington.

Recommended

Pelosi on Crowley loss: 'Members will choose their leaders...not about me'

Rep. Joe Crowley loses primary to 28-year-old newcomer Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

"Our campaign was focused on just a laser-focused message of economic, social and racial dignity for working-class Americans, especially those in Queens and the Bronx. We were very clear about our message, very clear about our priorities and very clear about the fact that even if you've never voted before we are talking to you," she said.

Organization, she said, was also key.
"I started this race out of a paper bag. I had flyers and clipboards and it really was just nonstop knocking on doors and talking to the community," she said.

Crowley, the Queens Democratic party boss who has spent two decades in Congress, was thought to have an inside track to become the next House speaker if Democrats win back the majority in November.

Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., said she found Ocasio-Cortez "incredibly impressive."

"I applaud anyone who decides to run for office and put themselves out there because they want to serve the country. I watched her interviews this morning, I think she’s incredibly impressive," Harris said.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said that while it is tough to see his friend Crowley lose his primary, "I trust that she’s going to bring some new energy and some youth and some vigor to Congress when she wins the general election."

"I think she's is going to be a fantastic voice for New York," Murphy added.

In a press conference, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said the Crowley will be missed and stressed that the Democratic Party is a "big tent."

"Well, Joe Crowley is a very valued member of Congress, a great gentleman, as you saw in the dignity of his concession last night to Alexandria. He is, again, a valued member," Pelosi told reporters Wednesday.

She rejected the notion that Ocasio-Cortez's victory was indicative of the socialist wing of the party taking over.

"It's ascendant in that district, perhaps, but I don't accept any characterization of our party presented by the Republicans. So let me reject that right now," Pelosi said.

Ocasio-Cortez said that she ran on a message that connected with the people of her district and that's what boosted her campaign and ultimately delivered her a victory.

"I knew that our community needed a very clear voice and I think we deserved representation that rejected lobbyist funds and put our voters and our community first," she said, adding, "I felt like our party could be better, and our message could be better."

Muslim ban -- the humanity of us

The humanity of us was today struck down once again by a narrow 5/4 decision of the nation's highest court which ruled in favor of el presidente's Muslim ban. I can only hope that this inhumane wrongheaded, Dred Scott like in importance, decision does not lead to more violence and not less. We can only hope that the rule of law prevails unless and until those of us who fight against it and for human rights finally win.

It took persons of color hundreds of years to gain a semblance of the realization of their humanity and it is still not won. Change comes, Howard Zinn always said, from the bottom up not the top down. We cannot look to our leaders ESPECIALLY now with Trump at the helm and think they will protect our human and civil rights. These so called "conservatives" won't. Sad day for so many no doubt! We WILL overcome!

RESIST

Observations from Nuremberg

https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2018/06/24/democrats-flood-border-demanding-answers-immigrant-child-separations/d430re4IitVvlhI9uLyRtK/story.html

The Conscience of Man

I am sure there is not one who receives my opinions who is not sickened by the actions of Donald Trump separating children, toddlers, and infants from the care of their mothers some of whom if not most will never see their children again to stop a person of color who is running for her life from their own country where anarchy rules to another, America, where now lawlessness rules simply to ask for asylum in this country.

Think on it. What if it were you and your children, your grandchildren, your nieces, nephews and your loved ones having this outrage and moral atrocity happen to you and them? Trump and he alone is responsible for what is happening in Texas and could stop it with the stroke of a pen. This is not law this is Trump policy commanded by Trump alone. Those that help him carry out this outrage should be held accountable too. Those like Corey Lewendowski, political operative of Trump, who mocked a Downs Syndrome child who was ripped from her mother, those who are celebrating in hotel rooms filled with Republicans drinking champagne and those who are cheering on this evil should be ashamed. Where is the shining city on a hill that Ronald Reagan described? Where are the flag waiving patriots who can countenance what Trump, his followers, and those who are carrying out his orders are doing?

What is going to happen to these captive children when it rains -- torrential rains or a hurricane occurs per the courtesy of climate change? What is going to happen when the temperature goes beyond 100 as happens in Texas during the spring and the summer? What is going to happen when many children and babies get sick; when they pass communicable diseases from one to the other? What is going to happen when it gets out to the general population because there are adults committing this atrocity there as an accessory to this bestial crime?

Donald Trump, you have sinned a great sin. I hope there is a God to rain down his fury on you and those who are accessories to this crime against humanity with you. Then I hope, finally, when your Trump curse is out of office the World Court prosecutes you for crimes against humanity. Those who are complicit should think about their roles in this and in Nuremberg fashion should stop what they are doing because this is a moral and a mortal sin that should should come with grave consequences. You should hold yourself accountable morally and STOP following orders that go against the conscience of man.

This man, Trump, who never asks forgiveness for what moral outrage against mankind, his family and his wife he has committed -- and there are many -- should ask for forgiveness now not only from his God if he actually believes in one but from his own people who will send a message loud and clear come November. Your days are numbered, Mr. Trump, and you will be held accountable to the American people as you necessarily should!

Laura Bush: Separating children from their parents at the border ‘breaks my heart’-- It breaks mine too!

Laura Bush's opinion "Separating children from their parents at the border breaks my heart" is a wonderful, humane and utterly compassionate opinion. I am a strong Democrat but even during the Bush administration I loved Laura Bush. She is a beautiful woman both inside and out. She once was a Democrat and it shows. Thank you, Mrs. Bush, for coming out so eloquently against this dastardly Trump policy of separating these desperate asylum seekers from their children. I hope we as a nation when this nightmare is over, if it ever is, will look back on this time as not only a crime against humanity but a crime against nature as well!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/laura-bush-separating-children-from-their-parents-at-the-border-breaks-my-heart/2018/06/17/f2df517a-7287-11e8-9780-b1dd6a09b549_story.html?utm_term=.404ae77154ae

So many New Testament Bible verses on children -- add these

There were so many Bible verses that compose the essence of Christianity and Christ's thought specifically on children that I may have missed some pertinent ones.  A wonderful friend who suffers through actually reading what I write made me aware of three more. 

I admit to a certain affinity for some New Testament text.  If, in my opinion, Christ was nothing else he appealed to so many because the world he knew was drowning in a totalitarian vise.  He offered something new, a kind of humanity, few of that time heard.  When one is poor, when one is sick and when one is oppressed by tyranny Christ's words fall on waiting ears that yearn for help to set them free. 

When all of you send my previous email on Bible verses on children, love and the stranger to those who need to see them add these:

Matthew 19:14:  "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come to me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

Luke 18:16:    "But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."

and Mark 10:14:16  Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

The Bible on Children, the Bible on Love, the Bible on the Stranger + My Comment

Donald J. Hypocrite and Liar Trump held up the Bible in one of his group tirades trying to get the Christian/Evangelical vote and he said the Bible was his favorite book.  When asked what his favorite verse was he lied and said it was too personal he did not want to say.  We who know he lies all the time and also know the truth as the truth is he could not quote a verse even as the good Christian he claims to be in the New Testament because he does not read, does not know Christian text nor does he take time to think on any. 

To help him I have decided to collect the most pertinent Biblical verses many from the New Testament but some, too, from the Old.  These apply especially to the stranger, especially to the children he and he alone has condemned to be separated from their mothers and lastly especially to love.  Someone should send these to him and to those who in ignorance support this malevolent fool lest he corrupt the nation he says he loves but does not.  Donald J. Trump loves himself and is in the process of raping this nation of the money that belongs to all of us but finds rest in the ugly pockets of the 2% wealthiest and in the pockets of his hypocritical self.

Here are some of the quotes Trump should study as through his policy he rips children from their mothers some of whom will never be reunited again.  Send it to him that is IF he can read, send to the hypocrite Sarah Huckabee Sanders so she can know the Bible of which she speaks and send it to Jefferson Beauregard Sessions as he bends the law to employ it and satisfy his hateful unChristian self:

Deuteronomy 10: 19 You shall love the stranger, for you were once strangers in the land of Egypt.

Matt. 25:40 Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brethren you did it to me.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.   Mark 9:42    

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,    Matthew 25:35

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Matthew 11:28–30

‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”    Acts 20:35

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.    Proverbs 19:17

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?    1 John 3:17

Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Luke 12:33

“If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart ... . You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’ Deuteronomy 15:7-11

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ...1 Corinthians 13:1-13

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.    1 Corinthians 13:13

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.    Colossians 3:14

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?    James 2:15-16

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”  Matthew 7:12

“If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.    “  Deuteronomy 15:7-8

‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31

“Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”   Luke 3:11

    THE EIGHT BEATITUDES OF JESUS and one quote from Rabbi Hillel born 110 BCE

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,

for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,

for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." St. Matthew 5:3-10

                               

“What is hateful unto you, do not do unto your neighbor. That is the whole Torah, all the rest is commentary. Now, go and study.” Rabbi Hillel born 110 BCE