My fellow Christians:
".. in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers.. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers .. despisers of those that are good.
"Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
2 Timothy 3:4-5
#WednesdayWisdom
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Sunday, August 5, 2018
Beware Getting Hooked on Trump
(As appeared in Counter Punch https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/07/26/beware-getting-hooked-on-trump)
What would we ever do for kicks without President Donald Trump pressing our buttons?
What would we ever do for kicks without President Donald Trump pressing our buttons?
Without Trump’s pathetic, childish, provoking trash talk tweets?
Or the President’s blatant, treasonous disparagement of our democracy just a forced wink and a phony smile away from Russia’s creepy, ruthless dictator?
It’s been three hellish, Twilight Zone-on-an-endless-loop years of this two-bit snakeoil salesman peddling his poison to disgruntled, disenfranchised Americans.
And still, the desperately gullible and politically opportunistic line up, demanding more.
We ain’t what we’ve cracked ourselves up to be for so bloody long. We’re so far from the United States of America.
But hell, step right up. Show of a lifetime, folks.
Never mind the featured sideshow freak has escaped the red-and-yellow circus tent, hi-jacked the crude, wooden barker’s box and is selling discount tickets for a peek inside an empty tent.
Really, is it any surprise?
How could we survive without getting up our ire at Trump monopolizing the nightly news in his twisted, Orwellian, Big Brotherish way?
Amidst his distracting, divisive chaotic swirl of constant lies, rescinding and reassertion of absurdities, Donald Trump, against all odds, is getting his way.
Gradually, as citizen outrage rises and quells only to spasmodically rise again, “we the people” are queerly, subtlety or not, being played, conditioned.
The truth gets muddled. The lines of division in our country get hardened. And the insidious behavior of presidential imposter Donald J. Trump, gets normalized.
The way any compulsive habit can lead to addiction — and then destruction, there’s a very real danger of hell bent, anti-Trump Americans getting hooked on Trump’s insanity.
Such are the inherent complex high-stakes risks of allowing an unstable person, demonstrably bereft of morals and utterly lacking in political diplomacy to be the United States’ commander-in-chief.
So, what do we do now?
We should know Trump feeds on the notion that any publicity is good publicity.
We must remember that ugly and murderous tyrants like Adolph Hitler shared those same sympathies.
And we must know that as long as Trump orchestrates his contorted, angry dance of incites between his loyalists and his loyal opponents, appealing to our basest emotions, he can control.
No, there are no simple answers here – not as the President would have us believe.
Of course, this was why it was so critically important the con man was never given the keys to the Oval Office in the first place.
Give him a chance, his believers said. Don’t worry. Hey, he’s a successful billionaire businessman. And there will be folks around to keep him in line.
George Orwell once wrote: “A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves and traitors are not victims… but accomplices.”
But accusing or attacking the other side too vehemently, does us little good beyond simply inflamming verbal warfare.
Meanwhile, an enemy of the state has hi-jacked the highest office in our land and plots our possible destruction.
The question still begs: What do we do now?
We can’t simply tune out. That’s also what the reckless former Atlantic City casino proprietor, wheeler and dealer of human lives, would love.
No. Burying our heads in the proverbial sand would be so much worse. But we can choose when to tune in — and for how long.
If CNN had it’s way, Americans would be plastered to their TV’s 24/7 digesting a steady stream of “Breaking News” that regurgitates the same old, recycled downer Trump garabage.
And forget Fox News.
Rupert Murdoch’s alleged “fair and balanced” cable news station is Trump’s apologetic mouthpiece in the same way the early 20th Century, brainwashing Communist Party rag, Pravda, was for Soviet tyrant Joseph Stalin, who would be responsible for the deaths of some 20 million Soviet citizens.
Certainly, we should be incredulous at Trump’s treasonous fawning over thuggish Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in Helsinki a week ago.
And we need to let our voices of dissent be heard loud and clear — loud enough and clear enough so that Trump’s conspiring Congessional Republicans put their pathetic partisan allegiences aside and defend our country.
Now.
But we need to keep our wits. Now, more than ever, we need to stay cool and focused.
Whether it’s on Twitter, Facebook or at the corner drug store, we can’t respond to Trump or his sychophants with the same hatred and vitriol that our President espouses.
Then he wins. We lose.
And the divisiveness encouraged and perpetuated by this President since his fear-mongering bid for the White House three years ago, threatens our downfall by splitting us into hardened, tribal factions.
While the citizenry is polarized, at eachother’s throats, fueled by the President’s constant bombardment of inciting tweets, Trump’s myriad schemes get obfuscated.
Alert, surgical and insightful reasoning by the citizenry is called for.
Plainly, our best hope is the successful completion of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference for Trump in the 2016 presidential election.
Yes, the mid-term elections are key. But even the integrity of our elections remains in question — seriously threatened by widespread Conservative-backed voter disenfranchisement and Russia’s persistant emboldened cyberware attacks on our Democracy.
At this point, if we are to trust anyone it should be Mueller — a Vietnam War hero Marine, former FBI Director, and Republican who served in both Democratic and Republican presidential administrations.
And it’s up to “we the people” to ensure that Trump’s congressional enablers, our purported representatives, stop wavering in Mueller’s defense and start acting like Americans.
Kevin McKinney is a freelance writer and former daily newspaper journalist living at the Jersey Shore. His opinions have appeared in The Hill, Sacramento Bee, Knoxville News Sentinel and various McClatchy newspapers.
Thursday, July 26, 2018
"Witch Hunt" is Right
Talk about a "witch hunt."
It wasn't just one or two Republicans.
But 11 House Conservative lawmakers who just distinguished themselves as enemies of the state.
The group of House Republicans, led by North Carolina Representative Mark Meadows, Freedom Caucus head, filed articles of impeachment against Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstien Wednesday.
Rosenstien is the key justice department official overseeing Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's interference in our 2016 presidential elections and possible collusion with the Donald Trump campaign.
Trump's loyalist critics on the House oversight committee have been attacking the Mueller probe for months, contocting absurd claims of "lack of transparency" and questioning Mueller and the justice department's motives.
While Meadows' call for Rosenstien's impeachment appears to lack any broad support, it's still a pathetic state of affairs in light of Mueller's 32 indictments so far and the exhaustive known connections between the Trump administration and Russia.
By defending a President who treasonously fails to defend the United State's democratic sovereignty before a conniving Russian dictator, Meadows and company have clearly aligned themselves with America's adversaries.
And history will remember them that way.
It wasn't just one or two Republicans.
But 11 House Conservative lawmakers who just distinguished themselves as enemies of the state.
The group of House Republicans, led by North Carolina Representative Mark Meadows, Freedom Caucus head, filed articles of impeachment against Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstien Wednesday.
Rosenstien is the key justice department official overseeing Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's interference in our 2016 presidential elections and possible collusion with the Donald Trump campaign.
Trump's loyalist critics on the House oversight committee have been attacking the Mueller probe for months, contocting absurd claims of "lack of transparency" and questioning Mueller and the justice department's motives.
While Meadows' call for Rosenstien's impeachment appears to lack any broad support, it's still a pathetic state of affairs in light of Mueller's 32 indictments so far and the exhaustive known connections between the Trump administration and Russia.
By defending a President who treasonously fails to defend the United State's democratic sovereignty before a conniving Russian dictator, Meadows and company have clearly aligned themselves with America's adversaries.
And history will remember them that way.
Saturday, July 21, 2018
Keep It On Ice
The National Football League should ice its player protest policy for good.
The NFL recently froze it's new policy to fine NFL players who protest racial injustice by kneeling or sitting during the National Anthem, as the league continues to negotiate with the players.
Of course, it didn't take long for President Donald Trump, who arguably influenced the NFL's penalty platform, to absurdly tweet out his disapproval under the guise of patriotism.
And this from the guy who just sold out his country to a Russian dictactor in Helsinki.
But this is still America, "the land of the free" and the "home of the brave."
And those brave enough to poignantly excercise their First Amendment freedoms, our flag represents and our war heroes died defending,
shouldn't be penalized.
The NFL recently froze it's new policy to fine NFL players who protest racial injustice by kneeling or sitting during the National Anthem, as the league continues to negotiate with the players.
Of course, it didn't take long for President Donald Trump, who arguably influenced the NFL's penalty platform, to absurdly tweet out his disapproval under the guise of patriotism.
And this from the guy who just sold out his country to a Russian dictactor in Helsinki.
But this is still America, "the land of the free" and the "home of the brave."
And those brave enough to poignantly excercise their First Amendment freedoms, our flag represents and our war heroes died defending,
shouldn't be penalized.
Monday, July 16, 2018
Traitor Trump
There's no more wiggle room for doubt now.
None.
President Donald Trump is the authentic enemy of the American people.
Our alleged President in Helsinki just flatly sold out our "truth, justice and the American way" -- by embracing state enemy Russian dictator Vladimir Putin while dissing the entire U.S. intelligence community.
We just witnessed two cold, calculating, sinister minds -- well-practiced in the art of deception --performing the greatest illusion of Trump's presidency on a world stage.
"I don't see any reason why it would be the Russians," said the President, denying our intelligence community's findings that Moscow conducted a high-financed, multi-faceted, high tech manipulation of the 2016 elections for Trump.
Regardless of whether you bought the Trump snakeoil in the past, as an American you must decide if you are a true patriot who loves his or her country -- on the side of democracy and righteous justice.
None.
President Donald Trump is the authentic enemy of the American people.
Our alleged President in Helsinki just flatly sold out our "truth, justice and the American way" -- by embracing state enemy Russian dictator Vladimir Putin while dissing the entire U.S. intelligence community.
We just witnessed two cold, calculating, sinister minds -- well-practiced in the art of deception --performing the greatest illusion of Trump's presidency on a world stage.
"I don't see any reason why it would be the Russians," said the President, denying our intelligence community's findings that Moscow conducted a high-financed, multi-faceted, high tech manipulation of the 2016 elections for Trump.
Regardless of whether you bought the Trump snakeoil in the past, as an American you must decide if you are a true patriot who loves his or her country -- on the side of democracy and righteous justice.
And if you are a patriot, you must see Trump as the unequivocal enemy. And it's time we made sure our purportedly patriotic Republican representatives, abetting Trump for so long, do the same.
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Let's Exercise Those Freedoms
So, this Independance Day feels different.
And it should.
True patriots won't be able to wave our flags and gaze dreamily at fireworks displays tonight without seriously considering how the treasured freedoms we celebrate today feel like they are slowly slipping away.
Never in America's 242-year history have our democratic ideals and Godly values faced such a genuine, visceral threat than now -- amidst Donald Trump's all encompassing, facist chaos.
I feel ambivalent. I want to embrace our liberties, but am hesitant to lap up the grand show, knowing such theatrics are so easily and effectively hijacked by the presidential imposter to placate the masses.
But today also can, and must be, a reaffirming time. A time to deepen our resolve against the destructive intentions of the enemy in the White House and his schophants in Congress.
If we want to hold onto our First Amendment freedoms -- free speech, freedom to protest, freedom of the press and so much more -- we, of course, must be prepared to defend them in whatever capacity is necessary.
As they say, freedom isn't free. Foremost, pray and believe that good will prevail, that we as United States' citizens will find our better selves.
And then we must act, by speaking out, showing up, voting and letting our alleged representatives know unequivocally that it's time we started acting like citizens of the country we've long cracked it up to be.
And it should.
True patriots won't be able to wave our flags and gaze dreamily at fireworks displays tonight without seriously considering how the treasured freedoms we celebrate today feel like they are slowly slipping away.
Never in America's 242-year history have our democratic ideals and Godly values faced such a genuine, visceral threat than now -- amidst Donald Trump's all encompassing, facist chaos.
I feel ambivalent. I want to embrace our liberties, but am hesitant to lap up the grand show, knowing such theatrics are so easily and effectively hijacked by the presidential imposter to placate the masses.
But today also can, and must be, a reaffirming time. A time to deepen our resolve against the destructive intentions of the enemy in the White House and his schophants in Congress.
If we want to hold onto our First Amendment freedoms -- free speech, freedom to protest, freedom of the press and so much more -- we, of course, must be prepared to defend them in whatever capacity is necessary.
As they say, freedom isn't free. Foremost, pray and believe that good will prevail, that we as United States' citizens will find our better selves.
And then we must act, by speaking out, showing up, voting and letting our alleged representatives know unequivocally that it's time we started acting like citizens of the country we've long cracked it up to be.
Friday, June 29, 2018
The True Enemy of The People
The past few years of chaos perpetuated by demagogue Donald Trump will feel like child's play compared to the viciousness just on the horizon.
As America nears its mid-term elections in November, and myriad troubling and controversial issues intersect, be prepared for a firestorm of incivility, vitriol that will shake our democratic foundations.
The writing on the wall got larger and bolder yesterday during a scathing attack by Republican congressmen on FBI Director Christopher Wray and Assistant Attorney General Rod Rosenstien, in questioning designed to discredit special council Robert Mueller's Russia-Trump probe.
The message was clear. Trump's plutocratic loyalists are amping up their game to comprise Mueller who is expected to wrap up his collusion and obstruction of justice investigation sometime this fall, before the mid-terms.
In the meantime, a separate heated battle is brewing between Democrats and Republicans on when to vote on replacing retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy -- before or after the elections.
That in itself is a distracting mess, as we learn that Kennedy's son, Justin, a Wall Street mover and shaker lent Trump $1 billion while employed with Deutsche Bank of New York.
Duestche was fined multi-millions of dollars by the federal government on a money laundering conviction just before Trump was sworn in as President.
On top of that, Vanity Fair recently reported how Russia's high-tech threats to manipulate our social media platforms and electoral systems are only escalating, with the mid-terms and 2020 elections as targets.
Connect the dots.
As the most divisive president in United States history attacks the press (as Adolph Hitler did) "as the enemy of the people" -- just days before a gunman kills five colleagues at the Capitol Gazette Newspaper in Annapolis, MD, the true "enemy of the people" has never been more plain.
As America nears its mid-term elections in November, and myriad troubling and controversial issues intersect, be prepared for a firestorm of incivility, vitriol that will shake our democratic foundations.
The writing on the wall got larger and bolder yesterday during a scathing attack by Republican congressmen on FBI Director Christopher Wray and Assistant Attorney General Rod Rosenstien, in questioning designed to discredit special council Robert Mueller's Russia-Trump probe.
The message was clear. Trump's plutocratic loyalists are amping up their game to comprise Mueller who is expected to wrap up his collusion and obstruction of justice investigation sometime this fall, before the mid-terms.
In the meantime, a separate heated battle is brewing between Democrats and Republicans on when to vote on replacing retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy -- before or after the elections.
That in itself is a distracting mess, as we learn that Kennedy's son, Justin, a Wall Street mover and shaker lent Trump $1 billion while employed with Deutsche Bank of New York.
Duestche was fined multi-millions of dollars by the federal government on a money laundering conviction just before Trump was sworn in as President.
On top of that, Vanity Fair recently reported how Russia's high-tech threats to manipulate our social media platforms and electoral systems are only escalating, with the mid-terms and 2020 elections as targets.
Connect the dots.
As the most divisive president in United States history attacks the press (as Adolph Hitler did) "as the enemy of the people" -- just days before a gunman kills five colleagues at the Capitol Gazette Newspaper in Annapolis, MD, the true "enemy of the people" has never been more plain.
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