Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Presidential Oath of Office: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect …
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Presidential Oath of Office: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Special Committee Vice-Chair Liz Cheney concluded Thursday following the latest presentation of testimony: “There was no ambiguity, no nuance; Donald Trump made a purposeful choice to violate his oath of office. to ignore the ongoing violence against law enforcement, to threaten our constitutional order. There is no way to excuse that behavior; it was indefensible.”
The special committee’s presentations have been running three hours each and of course draw little attention from Trump loyalists. Check the Internet.
MEANWHILE, FOR A FEW HIGHLIGHTS of this self-oriented racist’s (Trump’s) earlier life, I’ll start by returning to the blog which I’d started before last week’s hearing (the last in the current series by the House’s Jan. 6 committee until September). Turn to the Internet and type in the search “Central Park Five, Donald Trump.” He was prompting the death penalty for five young teenage Blacks FALSELY ACCUSED of a vicious assault in 1989.
And also the history of (“Trump Tower got its start with undocumented foreign workers”), the crown jewel of Donald’s empire, reveals the beginnings of the 68-story building were rooted in the back-breaking labor of 150-odd Polish immigrants — most working illegally, some without full pay.
I do also save more current things . . . as I’ve long known how Republicans trust in the public’s short memory (if the public ever paid attention in the first place). Recently, take the June 15 story by Alan Halaly in The Daily Beast: “According to one member of the House Committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection, Donald Trump intentionally wrote a tweet disparaging Mike Pence AFTER he learned of the Capitol breach.
“Meanwhile, Pence was holed up in a nearby room after being ushered off the Senate floor and then evacuated, new photos obtained by ABC confirm. Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA) testified the Capitol was breached at 2:13 p.m., but the tweet was sent at 2:24 p.m. He said PENCE WAS ‘ONE WINDOW PANE AWAY FROM THE MOB’ when Trump pressed send on the tweet after he ‘knew that there was violence.’ The now-infamous tweet said Pence ‘didn’t have the courage to do what was necessary’ to overturn Joe Biden’s legitimate win. A source told ABC that, as Pence was holed up, his wife Karen closed the curtains so potential attackers couldn’t see her and her family [See photo on the Internet].
“Aguilar said Trump’s tweet was ‘the point at which the president pointed, you know, to the mob and said IT’S THE VICE-PRESIDENT’S FAULT’.”
There were rants of “Hang Mike Pence,” and the former Oath Keeper quoted in my last blog said, “There was a gallows that was set up. This could have been the spark that started a new civil war.”
Fortunately, Trump’s efforts to get armed allies to the mob scene were thwarted. And one can only conjecture just how expendable Mike Pence could have become for refusing to go along with Trump’s election lies while sticking to his own oath of office.
So what does Donald really offer us for the future? Solidification of anti-abortion rulings by his Supreme Court (stacked with the assistance of Senate leader Mitch McConnell), red-state legislatures empowered and gone hog wild beyond all reason. A return to a white male supremacy and pandering of the wealthy? I don’t know how, for starters, a Black (or otherwise colored) individual or woman can vote for this guy or any of his choices.
What insane use does white or male supremacy offer us? Must we have ready targets for our assumed superiority?
Meanwhile, we CAN “vote” in a way, all across the country. Send money. I already have donated twice to the campaign of Stacey Abrams for governor of Georgia. It’s a close race, as is the one of Beto O’Rourke, who is running against a Trump endorsement for governor of Texas. I’ve “voted” financially, so far, a couple of times for O’Rourke. Yes, I keep an eye on Washington state candidates and have sent small amounts to members of “The Squad” throughout the year.
Check the Internet. The mid-term election Nov. 8 is a critical one.
HONOR is a measure of the quality of a person, including personal ethics, e. g., honesty, compassion, valor, and chivalry. Honor lies at the core of who we are and aspire to be, how we make choices.
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Thomas Camfield
More than 2 million unique donors have given $11.8 million in contributions to 16,059 campaigns and organizations so far this quarter via Act Blue.
Wednesday, July 27, 2022 Report this
Justin Hale
Three whole hours? wow what an outrage.....So if the POTUS doesn't act within Liz Cheney's imagined timeframe then it's a "violation" of his oath of office? How about Biden's open border policy that allows millions to enter our country illegally, going on for two years now, is that not a dereliction of his duty? Which is the bigger threat to our country?
....."Trump’s efforts to get armed allies to the mob scene were thwarted" Citation please, otherwise it's just more of the same krap you've been spewing for the last 6 years.
Wednesday, July 27, 2022 Report this
MargeS
Six years of building a coalition of Trump supporters. Trump lost the 2020 election. As his supporters stormed the capital he sat on his A S S in the White House dinning room and did nothing. Incited his followers to storm the capital, tried to join them.
Treason: The Constitution specifically identifies what constitutes treason against the United States and, importantly, limits the offense of treason to only two types of conduct: (1) “levying war” against the United States; or (2) “adhering to [the] enemies [of the United States], giving them aid and comfort.”
"President Donald Trump said on Jan. 6, 2021, during the riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol, that Vice President Mike Pence “deserves” to be hanged for not tossing out electoral votes for Joe Biden, Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) stated at Thursday night’s congressional hearing."
But constitutional law experts say the vice president has no legal authority to overturn the official election results. And the fact that some lawmakers want to amend the language of the Electoral Count Act doesn't prove otherwise.
Thursday, July 28, 2022 Report this
Justin Hale
"President Donald Trump said on Jan. 6, 2021, during the riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol, that Vice President Mike Pence “deserves” to be hanged", according to Cassidy Hutchinson's testimony. She is the one who told the story about Trump's alleged behavior in the van after the rally, and that testimony has been disputed by the secret service. This is just one more case of third-hand information, he said she said, and another example of what the entire 1/6 committee is about, not fact-finding but cobbling together a story to sell to people like M.S. and T.C.
"Shortly after the hearing, reports began surfacing from those close to Ornato and Engel that the story was untrue and that the alleged assault never happened." (https://thenationaldesk.com/top-videos/cassidy-hutchinsons-jan-6-panel-testimony-called-into-question-trump-attacked-secret-service-agent-house-committee-for-jan-6th-capitol-riot-capitol-attack)
"But after Hutchinson's testimony, NBC News' Peter Alexander reported that "a source close to the Secret Service" told him that Engel and the president's driver were prepared to testify under oath that "neither man was assaulted and that Mr. Trump never lunged for the steering wheel." (https://www.salon.com/2022/06/29/officials-disputed-cassidy-hutchinson-bombshell-testimony-were-trumps-yes-men-report/)
The VP does not have the authority to overturn election results, true.
Maybe when the House Democrats get through wasting time and money on these bogus 1/6 hearings they will take up the question of voter fraud in our elections, we both know that will never happen. I know, I know you don't believe voter fraud exists, well it does, the question is to what extent.
Thursday, July 28, 2022 Report this
Justin Hale
Is the 1/6 "select" committee Americas Reichstag Fire?
Thursday, July 28, 2022 Report this
MargeS
Trump told the insurrectionists they should March to the capitol, adding I will be with you . . . I heard him say this on Washington Post live coverage. Are you saying I and other's who witnessed this are wrong?
There was no proof found that if any election fraud would have made any difference in the outcome of the election.
Trump was so “irate” that he wasn’t being driven to the Capitol after his speech on the Ellipse on Jan. 6 that he attempted to grab the steering wheel of his limousine and lunged at a member of his Secret Service detail, Hutchinson testified, citing the account of a senior-ranking colleague.
The January 6th committee is investigating the Jan 6th insurrection because we all saw what happened. Not just that day but since Trump first decided to run for president by accusing Barrack Obama of not being an American citizen. He was a big part of the "Birther movement." Since then, there is nothing the man wouldn't do.
Thursday, July 28, 2022 Report this
Justin Hale
"Trump told the insurrectionists they should March to the capitol, adding I will be with you".....
Trump said to those at the Ellipse, " we're going to walk down to the Capitol, and we're going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women", he also said, "I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard."
At the end of his speech, he said "So let's walk down Pennsylvania Avenue."
So what? since when is it against the law to cheer and demonstrate? Did he urge anyone to break the law? No!
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"Trump was so “irate” that he wasn’t being driven to the Capitol after his speech on the Ellipse on Jan. 6 that he attempted to grab the steering wheel of his limousine and lunged at a member of his Secret Service detail, Hutchinson testified, citing the account of a senior-ranking colleague."..... The heat must be affecting your brain M.S. in my previous comment I pointed out this information
"But after Hutchinson's testimony, NBC News' Peter Alexander reported that "a source close to the Secret Service" told him that Engel and the president's driver were prepared to testify under oath that "neither man was assaulted and that Mr. Trump never lunged for the steering wheel." (https://www.salon.com/2022/06/29/officials-disputed-cassidy-hutchinson-bombshell-testimony-were-trumps-yes-men-report/)
Once again the Trump hater proves Biden's comment about choosing truth over facts. There are two different versions of the Trump "rage in the van" story. One from a person who got the information 3rd hand and another from two people who were actually in the van. You have your "truth", the facts be dam'd.
Friday, July 29, 2022 Report this
MargeS
It's been really hot this week. But no, the heat hasn't addled my brain. You support Trump for whatever reason. I am glad he is gone and may he never return. A stint in jail would be the frosting on the cake.
You going to play golf in New Jersey this weekend at Trumps golf course? The country that was responsible for 9/11, so Bush attacked Iraq.
Families and survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks criticized former President Donald Trump for hosting an upcoming tournament for the Saudi-funded LIV golf league at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J.
Unbelievable!
Friday, July 29, 2022 Report this
Thomas Camfield
It would be nice to hear something more from the Secret ServIce about the steering wheel episode. However, it seems to be such a secret branch of government that it keeps no records.
Saturday, July 30, 2022 Report this
Justin Hale
I've already said, in these comments, more than once that I do not want to see Trump nominated as the Republican candidate for POTUS in 24, how is that construed as "support"? I just don't share your pathological hatred of the man, and I certainly think he did a much better job as POTUS than the current occupant of the Oval office.
Where do you get the idea that the country of Saudi Arabia was responsible for the 9/11 attacks? Has that been established as a fact anywhere? or is this more of your "truths"?
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Tom wrote; "It would be nice to hear something more from the Secret Service about the steering wheel episode. However, it seems to be such a secret branch of government that it keeps no records.".....
"Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi objected to the letter Thursday night, saying: “The insinuation that the Secret Service maliciously deleted text messages following a request is false. In fact, the Secret Service has been fully cooperating with the OIG in every respect — whether it be interviews, do***ents, emails, or texts.”(https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/governmen*****chdog-says-secret-service-agents-deleted-jan-6-text-messages)
Saturday, July 30, 2022 Report this
MargeS
The hijackers in the September 11 attacks were 19 men affiliated with the militant Islamist group al-Qaeda. They hailed from four countries; 15 of them were citizens of Saudi Arabia, two were from the United Arab Emirates, one was from Lebanon, and one from Egypt. wiki None from Iraq. But Bush was friends with the Saudi's as many presidents have been. A lot of money was made by Bush supporters who rushed in to rebuild the county.
Rumsfeld, Cheney wanted the war. They lied to Colin Powell & Americans about weapons of mass destruction.
Washington Senator Patty Murray was one of the few who voted against the Iraq war.
Saturday, July 30, 2022 Report this
Justin Hale
M.S. your comment was "The country( Saudi Arabia) that was responsible for 9/11".....So because 15 of the al-Queda members were from Saudi Arabia the entire country of S.A. is guilty and no US company/business should do business with them? That's like saying that Central American countries are guilty of crimes their citizens commit here in America.
Here's a link that lists major American companies doing business in Saudi Arabia.
(http://the-saudi.net/business-center/links-usa.htm)
How many of those companies have stockholders who are invested? Do you have a retirement fund? maybe you yourself profit off of doing business over there?
Our fight after 9/11 was with al-Queda not with Saudi Arabia, do you think we should have gone into conflict on Saudi soil, who were major business partners or should we take that conflict to Iraq and Afghanistan where al-Queda had training camps?
And it's time for Patty to go packing, after 30 years it's time for some fresh ideas.
Monday, August 1, 2022 Report this
MargeS
You just never learn from history do you? What does Saudi Arabia have that the U.S. wants? OIL.
How are females treated in Saudi Arabia?
The Saudi state essentially treats women as permanent legal minors. Saudi Arabia has done very little to end the system, which remains the most significant impediment to women's rights in the country.
I don't invest in the stock market myself, but I am sure I probably buy from these companies. Doesn't make it right.
Patty Murray has an outstanding record since becoming our senator. Murray comes into the race as the sixth-highest ranking senator in the Senate, third among Democratic senators. She has been a part of the Democratic party’s leadership for 20 years. Murray previously served in the Washington State Senate and was Washington's first female U.S. senator.
Her likely Republican opponent Tiffany Smiley has literally no political record. NONE!
Monday, August 1, 2022 Report this
Thomas Camfield
I'm not blogging this week, but I'm pausing to read a bit, such as the following:
Retired DC cop who testified before January 6 committee says Trump 'adamantly' wanted to go to Capitol
By Shawna Mizelle, CNN
Updated 0430 GMT (1230 HKT) August 2, 2022
Former officer in Trump's Jan. 6 motorcade speaks out
Washington (CNN)—A retired Washington, DC, police officer who was part of Donald Trump's motorcade on January 6, 2021, told CNN's Don Lemon on Monday night that the then-President was adamant about going to the US Capitol as the riot unfolded.
The comments by Mark Robinson, who has testified to the January 6 committee, further corroborate key details first revealed by former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson, who spoke at length about Trump's behavior to the House select committee. Hutchinson said that she was told that Trump became "irate" when informed by security that he would not be going to the Capitol on January 6, because the situation was not secure.
Robinson was not physically with Trump on January 6. He was in the lead car of the motorcade and said that he learned Trump wanted to go to the Capitol through communications from the Secret Service.
"We've heard it several times while it was on the motorcade. I think during the speech, shortly thereafter, he had finished the speech, that the President was getting into the motorcade and he was upset. And he adamantly wanted to go to the Capitol," Robinson told Lemon. "And even when we departed from the Ellipse it was repeated again. ... It was a heated argument in the limo. And he wanted to definitely go to the Capitol."
In his first interview since testifying, Robinson said he wasn't aware of the magnitude of the riot when Trump demanded to go to the Capitol. Speaking in hindsight, Robinson said, "Now knowing what actually happened, that would've been horrible. Had the motorcade responded to the Capitol, I think, would've just been far worse."
Jan 6. rioter who carried gun to US Capitol and threatened Nancy Pelosi gets more than 7 years in prison
"I think it would have probably encouraged more rioting. And (the rioters would have) felt supported. If the presidential motorcade came in support of them. So I think the insurrectionists probably would have felt as though they had the support of the President," Robinson said.
When questioned as to the former President's possible motives for wanting to return to the Capitol on January 6, Robinson said, "I can't imagine anyone, especially in that position, wanting to go to the Capitol. You talk about the president. I just can't imagine someone wanting to go to the Capitol under those conditions."
Robinson said he is "so thankful" that the motorcade did not turn around. "Had we made that move, I thought it would have been an insane movement and I think the sentiment was felt even with the Secret Service."
Tuesday, August 2, 2022 Report this
Justin Hale
Marge, the US was a major exporter of oil three years ago, now we go begging for Saudi oil, what changed? You haters got your way and got rid of Trump and put in the guy who promised to close down the industry. So now instead of spending our oil dollars here in the US where women have rights, we send our dollars to the country that "treats women as permanent legal minors". If Trump were in office maybe we wouldn't be supporting Saudi Arabia. Is your hatred of Trump stronger than your hatred of Saudi Arabia?
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What was Patty Murray's political experience when she was first elected? She had a degree in Phys Ed from WSU. Did Patty Murray ever cast a vote that wasn't in line with the Democrat majority? I doubt it. Is that what qualifies as an "outstanding record"?
I voted for some new blood and new ideas, for M. Smiley. I'm betting you voted for the Democrat who's been in office for 30 years.
Tuesday, August 2, 2022 Report this
Justin Hale
That helps explain where you get some of your fantasy land ideas from.
So some retired D.C. cop relates a story about what he heard, second-hand, about the President being mad about not going to the Capitol.... If that even happened, so what? In the speech he just delivered he inferred that he was going to be with them at the Capitol, why wouldn't he want to be there, and why wouldn't he be angry when he was told that he could not? And who cares what a retired D.C. cop speculates about what might have happened had the President been there at the Capitol? I speculate that Trump would have told the rioters to not break the law and remain peaceful.
Tuesday, August 2, 2022 Report this
MargeS
Looking at the results of the primaries across the nation people are not buying the Republican line anymore. Goodbye Trump!
Wednesday, August 3, 2022 Report this