It’s snowing outside, I’ve got a warm cup of coffee and just gone done with the morning papers and on-line news….so….
I thought after the Kansas Citymass shootingsI’d write a post about our national gun sickness, but then I thought – why? This is who we are. We are a nation that has allowed itself to become ruled by an antiquated and mis-interpreted Second Amendment and those who use it for profit – the National Rifle Association, the gun industry and the Republican Party that serves them, a nation where teen-agers have easy access to guns.
My only message is for all the gun nuts who really think they need multiple guns and there is a real reason to own AR-15s. I have had these folks tell me they need to be armed to fight back when the “guvmint” comes for them. Tis to laugh. They also have told me “I need to protect my family.” From what, Bubba? Various crime studies show around 100 to 150 die as a result of home invasions, fewer than are killed in domestic violence incidents inside the home, accidental shootings and suicides.
There is irony in the MAGA image – Make America Great Again. No nation can be “great” that allows such sick and senseless violence, not to mention denies health care access to so many, continues to allow wide-spread displays of bigotry, does not support its elders and rejects basic democracy.
Isn’t it interesting that Republicans jump all over Joe Biden over his age and all that goes with it but are totally willing to give a pass to Donald Trump, just three years younger, who has made as many public gaffes as Biden and also is a crook, pathological liar and – given his support for Putin and other dictators – a threat to the our national security and the world at large? Dementia has hit our family and based on what I’ve learned, I don’t think either man has dementia. Difference? Biden at least is surrounded by capable people at all levels while Trump is surrounded by suck-ups and incompetents.
Hmmm. Watched a lot of the Fannie Willis trial. OK. First, she should not have hired someone with whom she was romantically involved, money aside. It’s not a good look. But, having said that, I wonder if this would have gone this far had it involved a couple of white folks? When it comes to splitting costs of their trips, I buy it. A lot of folks go “Dutch Treat.” As for her using cash, I side with their explanation about black culture. For decades blacks were not welcome in banks and feared being taken advantage of, with good cause.
And guess what? When I was a kid most white folks used cash. My mother had a series of envelopes in her desk drawer for all manner of expenses. She’d cash her, and my father’s, pay checks and spread that cash out through the envelopes. When my wife and I first married she did the same thing. Here’s hoping the judge allows this to go forward.
Thoughts on Russia….Don’t buy Putin saying he favors Biden over Trump. That’s his way of firing up anyone with doubts about Biden. He wants Trump. Is it a coincidence that he allowed Tucker Carlson to do what even Putin termed a “soft ball” interview? Is it a coincidence he felt emboldened to murder Alexei Navalny, a courageous opponent? The Russians claim Navalny was on a walk around the grounds of the arctic prison where he was being kept when he just fell down and later died. Hmm. Taking a walk when the temp is -5 and the wind chill is -25? Trump made it clear a week or so ago he’d let Putin invade any NATO country he wanted, maybe the most shocking and anti-democracy comment any former and/or current candidate for president ever has made.
Speaking of Tucker….In a Russian interview he said “Every leader kills people, including my leader. Every leader kills people. some kill more than others. Leadership requires killing people.” Within days, Navalny is killed.
But, closer to home Trump is asking the Supreme Court to rule that American presidents should be immune from prosecution for any crimes. Should we think Tucker for making it clear what the far-right thinks those crimes might include. To be fair, Carlson did add “that’s why I wouldn’t want to be a leader.” But that doesn’t change what he said leaders do, and it doesn’t change what Trump wants to do if given immunity.
And…..Republicans in Congress for the most part are going along. They are now in recess, delaying a vote on aid to Ukraine, lighting up Putin’s day, along with aid to Israel. This all comes after they rejected a bill that included a border deal that was a conservative’s wet dream, all because Trump told them he needed to image of brown folks and drug dealers crossing the border to stoke fear as a part of his campaign. Oh, and by the time Congress comes back into session we will be two days away from a government shutdown.
But, they did have time to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for, in their view, failing to deal with border issues. Uh, yeh, the same border issues they refused to act on. Meanwhile, the main “witness” they were relying on for their planned impeachment of Biden has been indicted for making up his claims. But, that didn’t phase Republicans. They said they didn’t need him. They had other “facts.” Right.
No, I didn’t forget about Donald’s other legal woes, like the fraud judgment against him, his sons and business. With interest it’s up to $542 million, on top of the $83 million he now owes E. Jean Carroll as a result of his sexual assault on her. Of course he will appeal, but he has to put up the $542 million to do that.
Where will he get it? Already there is a “Go Fund Me” effort; he’s taken moves to take over the bank account of the Republican National Committee; and, there’s always Putin. Oh, and let’s not forget the $2 billion son-in-law Jared Kushner got from the Saudi’s. There’s probably more in that money well. Could we have a president bailed out by Russia and Saudi Arabia? Hope not.
Meanwhile, the economic news continues to be good on all fronts thinks to Biden and Democrats, who continue to show how government can work, even in the face of efforts of anti-democracy forces to replace our system with an autocracy. It makes one wonder why polls make the November election, should it come down to Biden-Trump so close. It even makes one wonder, given their collective behavior, why anyone would vote Republican period this Fall, even if Trump is not on the ballot.
Rich Heiland, has been a reporter, editor, publisher/general manager at daily papers in Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio and New Hampshire. He was part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team at the Xenia Daily (OH) Daily Gazette, a National Newspaper Association Columnist of the Year, and a recipient of the Molly Ivins First Amendment Award from the Walker County (TX) Democrat Club. He taught journalism at Western Illinois University and leadership and community development at Woodbury College in Vermont. Since 1995 he has operated an international consulting, public speaking and training business specializing in customer service, general management, leadership and staff development with major corporations, organizations, and government. Semi-retired, he and his wife live in West Chester, PA. He can be reached at heilandrich1@gmail.com.
Glad you are back.