10/11/2021 GOP & Trump push the Bilge

 

Bilge: 1 :the bulging part of a cask or barrel. 2a :the part of the underwater body of a ship between the flat of the bottom and the vertical topsides. b: the lowest point of a ship's inner hull. 3: stale or worthless remarks or ideas. Bilge.

Bilge water

the dirty water that collects in the bottom inside part of a ship

https://www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › bilge  

 Today, I looked quickly at a Chryon below a News Story on Television that I thought read: GOP & Trump Continue to push ‘Bilge’.

What it actually said was – ‘Continue to push big lie’.  Hmmm…I thought; pretty much the same thing.  

My friends down in St. Pete Beach, FL, Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, and the Rockaways in Queens, NY all understand what Bilge is, and how to manage it. I’m sure that not all of them agree with me that the ‘Big Lie’ is Bilge but as ‘many people’ say – It is what It is

 The ‘Big Lie’ is really filthy, dirty, contaminated Bilge and like Bilge, It needs to be expelled and disposed of. The January 6^th Congressional Select Committee is now engaged in that work. This is truly worthy work to preserve our Democracy from American Autocrats, and needs our enthusiastic support. There are at least 150 prominent Republicans who agree with this, and made the case in an Op-Ed in Monday’s New York Times,

 https://www.nytimes.com/

 ‘We Are Republicans. There’s Only One Way to Save Our Party From Pro-Trump Extremists.’

By Miles Taylor and Christine Todd Whitman

Mr. Taylor served at the Department of Homeland Security from 2017 to 2019, including as chief of staff, and was the anonymous author of a 2018 guest essay for The Times criticizing President Donald Trump’s leadership. Ms. Whitman was the Republican governor of New Jersey from 1994 to 2001, and served as E.P.A. administrator under President George W. Bush.

 ‘This year we joined more than 150 conservatives — including former governors, senators, congressmen, cabinet secretaries, and party leaders — in calling for the Republican Party to divorce itself from Trumpism or else lose our support, perhaps with us forming a new political party. Rather than return to founding ideals, Republican leaders in the House and in many states have now turned belief in conspiracy theories and lies about stolen elections into a litmus test for membership and running for office….’

 ‘…we agree on something more foundational — democracy. We cannot tolerate the continued hijacking of a major U.S. political party by those who seek to tear down our Republic’s guardrails or who are willing to put one man’s interests ahead of the country. We cannot tolerate Republican leaders — in 2022 or in the presidential election in 2024 — refusing to accept the results of elections or undermining the certification of those results should they lose.’

 Also, Ben Rhodes had some insightful commentary today on twitter and Deadline White House.

Benjamin J. Rhodes (born November 14, 1977) is a former Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications under President Barack Obama. Rhodes attended Rice University, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 2000 with majors in English and political science. (No slouch, he.).

Ben Rhodes Retwee  

3h "We've already been going down this road of turning into something like... an autocracy... you have a very methodical, very transparent, very deliberate effort to try and turn this country into a Donald Trumpian, autocratic reality" -

@brhodes

w/  @NicolleDWallace

 Clearly, Better Minds than mine are seriously concerned about the current state of Our Democracy. Perhaps, so too should you.

Indict Trump? 7/15/21

 Should Trump be indicted? I’m not talking about his Fraudulent, Tax Evading corrupt business practice – we’ll leave that to the NY State AG and the Manhattan District Attorney. Nor his legal problems with Election Interference in the State of Georgia, we’ll leave that to the Fulton County District Attorney, Atlanta Judicial Circuit. I mean here charges of Sedition and Conspiracy to Overthrow the U.S. Government. Credible Reporting by numerous sources inform us that Former Pres. Trump was actively advancing unconstitutional schemes to illegally seize power and remain in Office, after having overwhelmingly lost this Nation’s most secure, and most reviewed and contested Presidential Election.

Reliable, verifiable information now comes to light that in the end days of Trump’s failed Presidency and failed Re-election bid, Trump and his closest acolytes (Giuliani, Kushner, Trump Jr., Eric Trump, et al…), proposed Seditionist, Treasonous, Illegal Plans. Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed. Much more thoughtful, reasonable people threatened Resignation and Press Conferences in order to rein-in Trump.

‘I Alone Can Fix It’  https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/07/13/book-excerpt-i-alone-can-fix-it/  By Carol D. Leonnig and Philip Rucker

"Frankly, We Did Win This Election: The Inside Story of How Trump Lost. By Michael C. Bender

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-trumthps-team-struggled-to-tell-him-no-enabled-election-falsehoods

‘A Warning’ Anonymous (Miles Taylor)

https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B07YKR7PF1&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_hWxWFbS09E7A7&tag=thewaspos09-20&reshareId=CX0SBKPM9QPPTES1XXZ4&reshareChannel=system

Recently, I compared the Trump Regime to the rise of Nazism in 1930’s Germany. Whenever and wherever I see Nazi-like conduct in Public and/or Government, I call it out.  (Please see: June 8 blog):   https://joeywalsez.blogspot.com/2021/06/democracy-itself-is-in-peril-here-at.html

Often, this is seen as over-emotional, overreaction. Personally, I think it ridiculous to claim the mantra of ‘Never Again!’, and then portray such comparisons as overreaction.

Eugene Robinson columnist and an associate editor of The Washington Post, (Pulitzer Prize Winner 2009), recently spoke of such comparisons – ‘I have a rule to columnists not to invoke Nazi’s, and here’s Gen. Mark Milley Chairman of the Joint Chiefs,  saying Trump’s Presidency is at a ‘Reichstag Moment’ with “Brownshirts” in the streets’, and the ‘Gospel of the Fuhrer’. Thank You, Mr. Robinson, and Gen. Milley, for Validation. 

 https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2017/02/26/reichstag-fire-manipulating-terror-to-end-democracy/   The Reichstag Warning  Timothy Snyder

Further, Ret. Gen. Barry McCaffery, not a Trump Staffer, but a Pentagon ‘Insider’ none-the-less, said today on MSNBC: When Foreign Intelligence Officials examine Trump’s actions at the time, they would conclude – This guy’s planning a ‘Coup against Democracy’. He also described the Trump years in Washington as a ‘Nearly Illegal Presidency’.

In addition to being awarded the Silver Star, (Twice awarded the Silver Star for exceptional valor in Vietnam combat action as a rifle company commander (1^st Cavalry Division), Gen. McCaffery Co-chaired the United States NATO Counterterrorism Working Group and among other honors, Served as Lt. General on the Joint Chiefs Pentagon staff as the J5Strategic Planner, and also served as a Major General on the Army Pentagon staff as the strategic planner. Point being this Distinguished Patriot is a guy who knows of which he speaks.

Among the Generals was former Lt. Col. Mark Esper, previous Secretary of the Army and then U.S. Secretary of Defense. Trump fired Secretary Esper following Trump’s loss to Biden in November. Defense Secretary Esper has been described as ‘being at odds with the president’ in matters involving deployment of U.S. Military Forces to quell Domestic Disturbance, and invoking the Insurrection Act during Black Lives Matter protests.  ‘We are not in one of those situations now. I do not support invoking the Insurrection Act.” Esper said then.

Had it not been for some mature, sane, reasonable people in positions of responsibility, the Nightmare that was the Trump Presidency could have been much worse. Should Trump be indicted? I think yes, the Congressional Hearings on the January 6^th Insurrection should conclude that Donald J. Trump should be Indicted and Prosecuted for Sedition against this Constitutional Republic, which is The United States of America. Also, there are some GOP Members of Congress on some very thin ice as well, (Hello, Mr. McCarthy). More will be revealed….

Pres. Biden’s Voting Rights Speech - Nice Words...

 

 7/13/21

I just listened to Pres. Biden’s Voting Rights Speech. It was a very nice bunch of very dramatic words, and unfortunately; nothing more. I like Pres. Biden. I support Pres. Biden. Pres Biden thus far, (including today’s wonderful speech), regarding Voter Rights; has been a bitter disappointment. A bunch of nice words is nice. When it comes to Voter Subversion, we need something much stronger than ‘Nice’.

When it comes to what Pres. Biden himself calls ‘Voter Subversion’, we need clear, substantial, and impactful assertive action by the U.S. AG and the Dept. of Justice. A famous book says ‘Faith without works is dead.’ Along these lines – Words without Action is meaningless.

The phony Arizona /Cyber Ninjas Election ‘Audit’ continues unimpeded and untouched by the U.S. DoJ, despite a very stern ‘Warning’. *May 5, 2021 VIA EMAIL The Honorable Karen Fann President, Arizona State Senate 1700 West Washington Street, Room 205 Phoenix, AZ 85007

Pamela S. Karlan Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Civil Rights Division pamela.karlan@usdoj.gov :  More Words – No Action. Failure of AG Garland and DoJ to act spawned  disastrous consequences:   subsequently, the proposed Pennsylvania ‘Recount’. Failure of DoJ to act in Pennsylvania instance equals capitulation.

"The Big Lie is just that: A big lie," Pres. Biden said. He called efforts to call the election in question "dark" and "sinister" on Tuesday, saying they reflected "human nature at its worst." O.K., what Now?

 When, if ever, will AG Garland & DoJ proceed with the blatantly necessary Investigative work and Prosecution of the clearly dubious Arizona ‘Recount’? What actual action is the Biden Administration going to take to enforce U.S. Election Law?

Respectfully,  Jos. R. Walsh, Binghamton, NY  c.c. Sen.’s Schumer, Gillibrand, Spkr. Pelosi, DoJ,  https://joeywalsez.blogspot.com/ , MSNBC, Lincoln Proj., et al…

**Correction** In an early version of this text I stated that the 1/6 D.C. Insurrection was a result of DOJ's failure to act on Voter Suppression. I apologize for the obvious error; to AG Garland, the DOJ, and my readers,  jw 

 

AG Garland/DOJ - Arizona Pt.2

 

An Open Letter: DOJ, the White House, Speaker Pelosi, Sen.'s Schumer, Gillibrand, ...

To Whom...

When, if ever, will AG Garland & DoJ proceed with the blatantly necessary Investigative work and Prosecution of the clearly dubious Arizona ‘Recount’?

In my previous message to the Department (which seemingly does not merit any response from DoJ, after all I’m merely a lone Concerned Citizen. You should note though, that This Lone Concerned Citizen c.c.’d Sen.’s Schumer, Gillibrand, the White House, MSNBC, the Lincoln Project, others… .),

 I reported the Problem: See Previous Post

Since that message, the situation remains unchanged -

‘Cyber Ninjas’ and the Arizona Republican State Senate have apparently engaged in Electoral Criminal Misconduct, which as previously stated, compelled a DoJ Warning Letter. Yet, as stated, DoJ has seemingly failed to follow up its Warning with any substantial action.

This represents a tragic failure on the part of the Department to recognize the obvious link between phony Trump pronouncements of massive ‘Voter Fraud’ and the catastrophic threat posed from Domestic Violent Extremism, and White Supremacist Nationalist Terrorism. (See Washington D.C 1/6/21). Please see also DHS

https://www.dhs.gov/ntas/advisory/national-terrorism-advisory-system-bulletin-may-14-2021

  As the faux ‘Audit’ wraps -up, it’s clearly too late to prevent this disastrous folly. However, the period between the ‘Audit’ conclusion and the public announcement of its ‘findings’ is crucial. Failure of the Department to disclose its own findings in the matter as well as any future course of action, would then bestow the air of legitimacy to Arizona’s ‘Audit’ and ‘Cyber Ninjas’ operation.

Also, failure of AG Garland and the Department to act in a prudent and responsible manner in this case, can only result in damage to DoJ’s credibility and reputation.   jw

 

U.S. DOJ v. Arizona State Senate 6/21

 

It seems Today’s Dept. of Justice is now engaged in contradicting its own   Directive*with regard to Arizona Senate/’Cyber Ninjas’ so-called Election “Audit”:

*May 5, 2021 VIA EMAIL The Honorable Karen Fann President, Arizona State Senate 1700 West Washington Street, Room 205 Phoenix, AZ 85007

Pamela S. Karlan Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Civil Rights Division pamela.karlan@usdoj.gov :

In the letter, DOJ describes its responsibility for “Federal Prosecution of Election Offenses, Eighth Edition 2017 at 75 (noting that “[t]he detection, investigation, and proof of election crimes – and in many instances Voting Rights Act violations – often depend[s] on documentation generated during the voter registration, voting, tabulation, and election certification processes”)*2 https://www.justice.gov/criminal/file/1029066/download

Despite this Directive/ Warning, the Arizona “Audit” proceeded undeterred by Any DOJ Action. The Arizona “Audit” continued without any adherence to Policy required by Law, and notification to Arizona Authorities.

DOJ further directed Arizona Authorities to obey Election Law with regard to ‘Cyber Ninjas’ intention “to conduct an audit of voting history” *3”, and that voters may be contacted through a “combination of phone calls and physical canvassing” to “collect information of whether the individual voted in the election” in November 2020. Statement of Work at ¶ 5.1 https://www.washingtonpost.com/context/cyber-ninjas-statement-of-work/2013a82d-a2cf-48be-8e9f-a26bfd5143e5/

Such “physical canvassing” and “phone calls”, were in fact, then conducted, by ‘Cyber Ninjas’ (?), Republican Officials (?), Random Maga-lytes (?).

DOJ even goes so far as to specifically note the inherent violation of the Voting Rights Act:  “The Department enforces a number of federal statutes that prohibit intimidation of persons for voting or attempting to vote. For example, Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act”

 Further; such action could “potentially can implicate the anti-intimidation prohibitions of the Voting Rights Act. Such investigative efforts can have a significant intimidating effect on qualified voters that can deter them from seeking to vote in the future.”

Bold words, followed up with apparently, No Action.

“Democracy itself is in peril – here at home and around the world,” U.S. President Joe Biden

 

GOP      6/2021       Jos. R. Walsh   

“Democracy itself is in peril – here at home and around the world,” U.S. President Joe Biden warned Monday 5/31 in remarks to commemorate the Memorial Day holiday.  https://im-media.voltron.voanews.com/Drupal/01live-166/styles/sourced/s3/2021-05/afp_biden_mem.jpg?itok=Y09W7VFy

I’m not saying Today’s Republicans are Nazis, (Close, but not quite…). Many of them are indeed neo-Nazis. And, Today’s GOP is very much behaving in Nazi ways: Racist Voter Suppression, Societal Division, Political Violence (see Washington, D.C.  1/6).

The D.C. Capitol Assault is eerily reminiscent of the 1933 Nazi burning of the Reichstag, and the November 8 / November 9, 1923 Munich Beer Hall Putsch. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/true-story-reichstag-fire-and-nazis-rise-power-180962240/

In the 1933 Burning of the German Parliament, (the Reichstag), Hitler and the Nazis blamed the Left for the destruction, (sound familiar?). Before certain Q-Anon followers in Congress get to comparing COVID Vaccination to Nazi persecution of Jews, they’d do well to read up on some History. Not only did the Nazis use the Reichstag Fire as an excuse to seize power, Hitler and his gang used it a reason to enact Martial Law, and call-up Nazi Militias to enforce order.

Of course the ultimate blame for the 1933 Reichstag Fire remains a matter of controversy. In 2018 however, the German Federal Prosecutor overturned the conviction of the Dutch Communist activist prosecuted and beheaded by the Nazis, citing lack of any credibility in anything the Nazis ever charged against anyone for anything.  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jan/12/secondworldwar.germany

Speaking of Militias; Oath Keepers: here we have Reporting of Self-avowed ‘Oath Keeper’, typical of Oath Keeper News -  “Newburgh tattoo artist Roberto Minuta made a remote court appearance on Tuesday” Chris McKenna The Times Herald-Record, Middletown, N.Y. (TNS)

June 3, 2021Updated: June 3, 2021 8:49 a.m ‘it quotes Minuta allegedly demanding police be ejected from the besieged Capitol as he made a video with his phone after going inside.’ “This is what's bound to happen, just get out!" Minuta yelled in the recording. "Get out! Get these cops out! It's our f---ing building! Get 'em out, get out!"

And; his wife stated - her husband went to Washington’ to provide security for Trump ally Roger Stone* and to prevent Black Lives Matter and Antifa activists from "attacking patriot crowds as they dispersed."

*A federal judge sentenced Stone, a longtime ally of President Donald Trump, to 40 months in prison after a jury convicted Stone of making false statements, witness tampering, and obstruction in November. President Donald Trump officially commuted the prison sentence of Roger Stone on Friday, July 10 2020.

Trump MAGA-lytes frequently refer to political opponents as ‘Enemies’, and the free Press as “Enemies of The People”.

As Hitler and the Nazis gained popularity in Germany, ‘the Nazis denounced the Weimar Republic and the “November criminals,” politicians who signed the Treaty of Versailles.’

Proud Boys -  Easily recognizable, thanks to their  red Make America Great Again baseball caps, members are regulars at far-right demonstrations and Trump rallies. After several years of forging alliances with members of the Republican political establishment, the Proud Boys have carved out a niche for themselves as both a right-wing fight club and a volunteer security force for the GOP. https://www.adl.org/proudboys

Proud Boys Events/Fights/Riots are reminiscent of, and akin to the 1923 Munich Beer Hall Putsch.  https://www.history.com/topics/germany/beer-hall-putsch#section_2

Another tactic used by Hitler and the Nazis, as well as most authoritarian Regimes, is the ‘Deputizing’ of line Party Officials, with authority to selectively enforce Election Laws, Process, and Outcomes.          https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-enabling-act

 In Texas, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan as well as many other States, so-called ‘Election Reform’ Laws are being enacted to weaken State’s Secretary of State Authority, as well as County Election Officials, and give that authority to State Legislators in Republican-held Legislatures. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/voting-laws-roundup-march-2021

 Demonizing all those who are not with them, persecuting those who oppose them, disenfranchising those who would vote to replace them, are hallmarks of all Oppressive Regimes. And it appears, the current Republican Party as well. Stung by the prospect that This GOP cannot endure Free and Fair Elections, This GOP is doing all it can to destroy Democracy in our Great Constitutional  Republic. 

And The South Shall Rise Again II (Arizona ?) Note * New Blog Title*

 

How is this even Legal?

Arizona has somehow commenced to undertake a so-called ‘Audit’ of the repeatedly certified and verified 2020 Election. It is reported by the Washington Post, the NY Times, MSNBC and various other reliable News sources, that a Court has Ruled that the parties engaged in this ‘Recount’ (?),‘Cyber Ninjas’, Maricopa County, et al, provide documentation that appropriate Ballot Security measures are ensured during the ‘Audit’ process as a condition for proceeding. That provision has not been enforced.

Prior to Recusing himself at the request of ‘Cyber Ninjas’, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Christopher Coury offered to pause the Recount pending compliance by ‘Cyber Ninjas’, et al, IF Democrats posted a $1 million bond to cover added expenses.

The rampant partisanship in this matter is appalling. First Judge Coury imposes an unreasonable condition upon the plaintiffs seeking entirely reasonable conditions for the process to proceed. Then, after setting this outlandish imposition, Judge Coury then recuses himself at the request of ‘Cyber Ninjas’. After Judge Coury required this $1Million bond, ‘Cyber Ninjas’ adds an attorney to their team, who formerly worked as Coury’s intern, and subsequently asks Coury to Recuse. Coury complies, a new judge is assigned, a new hearing is set for Tuesday, (4/27?), and meanwhile, the bogus ‘Count’ continues.

There is too much for one mind to unravel here, but, I’ll Try:

First, I understand that Individual States, and Individual Counties within each State, have considerable autonomy over their own elections, but that said, aren’t there Constitutional protections that ensure the validity of U.S. Presidential Elections?

And, is the Arizona Senate empowered to exclusively select an Out-of-State, obviously politically partisan private Contractor to conduct a secret ‘audit’ of a Presidential Election? For instance aren’t taxpayer-funded projects subject to competitive bid, as well as public disclosure/oversight procedures? 

(Does the Arizona GOP see itself some sort of contemporary Confederacy, exempt from Federal Election Law and long accepted norms?) There is also the issue of unidentified 3^rd parties contributing funds to offset the cost and expenses of this operation.

Is it permissible, or ethical, for a Respondent to add an Attorney to their own team, who might possibly present an apparent conflict, After proceedings have begun and Rulings have already been decided? Also, is it permissible/ethical for a judge to then Recuse, after Ruling in proceedings that have commenced? Is the Ruling valid after the Judge Recused for apparent Conflict?  

Is it Legal for a privately owned company to possess and control Election Ballot Information without Neutral 3rd-party observation? What Right, does any state Political Party have to conceal ‘Audit’ proceedings from an opposing Party or the General Public? This sham need be stopped, exposed, or both.