The Creature From Mara Lago

Wednesday, June 30th, 2021

My Dear America:

There He Was.  

Once again he was lumbering awkwardly across the stage on the way to the podium.  

He was already sweaty and extremely pale and looking as though he he had just emerged from a coffin and was was starring in a remake of "The Horror of Dracula".  

The place where he was speaking was the Fairgrounds in Wellington, Ohio.  

Although he bragged about the crowd size it certainly looked to me as though there were fewer and less enthusiastic people there than Donald Trump was used to in the old days back when he was still running for President and later on when he actually was still President.  One could understand, however, that the crowd size might have been reduced by the number of Trump admirers from Ohio who were still locked up after their participation in the January 6th Insurrection.

He is no longer President, of course (Whether he wants to admit it or not). 

He clearly and decisively lost the Presidential Election back in November of 2020.  He will never admit that, of course, and he has somehow convinced an extensive portion of the Republican Party that his Fraud Fantasy of Joe Biden and the "Radical Communist Left Wing Democrats" screwing him out of this Righteous Landslide Victory in 2020 is a real thing.

It Is Not.  

So in honor of the Phantom Screw Job and "Big Lie" that Donald Trump holds onto like a drowning man holding onto a metal life raft that doesn't float but sinks with him beneath the waves, Many Republicans have chosen to join their leader in his Insane Fantasy.

Instead of having the balls to tell Trump that he's full of shit and that he should "Get Over It" the majority of the Republican Party seem to have chosen to look at the situation and act accordingly.  In other words the Republican Party which has long been a party that valued and praised Democracy and were always out in front when it came to protecting the vote have chosen to not only abandon sanity but also to abandon Democracy.

In nearly every State where Trump legitimately lost his Presidential Election bid in 2020 and in many other Republican Led States, as well, Republican Legislators and other Republican State Officials have chosen to blatantly advocate for Clearly Anti Democratic Legislation which are meant to and certainly will negatively affect voters who are black, poor and young.  Namely Democratic Voters

How Republicans can blatantly vote to kill Democracy in light of their party's Pro Democracy History and live with themselves is difficult if not impossible to understand.  

But John McCain and many Republicans like him are gone and clearly forgotten in today's Republican Party where "Power To The People" has been replaced by Trump Toadies like Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy with "Power To The Party."

Republican Party Leaders like Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy appeared to be recognizing reality and leading the charge against Donald Trump after Trump sent his Goon Squad into the Capitol on January 6th to ransack it and to hopefully "Hang Mike Pence" rather than to have him certify the election.

But at the end of that awful day Mike Pence was still alive and doing his job, which was leading Congress in Certifying the Election of Joe Biden.

Although McConnell and McCarthy spoke out forcefully at the time and shortly after the January Sixth Riot against what Trump did on that day, they have since reversed what initially appeared to be their courageous stands and now stand with Trump and his Lunatic Fringe Conspiracy Theories.

Telling the Truth in the Republican Party now seems to be an outmoded and rather Quaint Bit of Ancient American Political History.  Witness the rise of Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene and the fall of Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, both of whom are truly Conservative Representatives who have refused to fall into line with the "Big Lie" and are paying a serious price for their honesty.

It didn't take long for Donald Trump to start passing out the Bull Shit in Ohio last Saturday.  He never mentioned the fact that he was already on notice that he might be indicted in New York any day now.

"It's a Witch Hunt" he said.  Where have we heard that one before.  Oh, That's right.  The Mueller Report"

"I'm the only one trying to save Democracy," Trump claimed. That one was almost funny.

"They used Covid To steal the Election," Trump also said.  He failed to explain how "They" did that, however.  

Trump introduced the Ohio Crowd to Some of his chosen Candidates such as Max Miller, Mike Carey and Jacketless Jim Jordan, as well as some of his other favorite syncophants including Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Trump's assessment of Democrat Tim Ryan who was running next year for Senate was a bit rude.

"He's a Stiff, A Disaster," Trump claimed.  "Look who's talking" I thought.

Whether we like it or not The Creature from Mara Lago is back.  

He is truly scary as hell and he has no limits.

He also seems to have the entire Republican Party under his control.

I don't understand it.  I will never understand it.  Truly the entire Republican Party seems to have lost its collective mind and at this point the only real way to fight it is for Democrats to give Republicans what they fear most. 

We need to organize the Democratic Party more than we ever have before because, People, Democracy is on the line and it is on the ropes and if we are not careful we might find ourselves living in Nazi Land and Trust me that is not a place where any of us want to live and if you have your senses about you and can think for yourself whether or not you are a Republican or a Democrat you don't want to live in a Nazi Country.

But these are scary times and Donald Trump is a frightening character and his party is even more frightening because he and they are willing to say goodbye to Democracy.

I'm not ready for that and I trust that We have enough Americans who we can get together in our future elections to get these Frightening Ceatures out of our politics so that we can go back to our imperfect but Decent Democracy that we do have now and would like to keep as long as we Possibly can.

Sincerely Yours

Jerry Gallagher

Lets Celebrate The End Of Slavery With "The Grandmother Of Juneteenth"

Friday June 19th, 2021

My Dear America:

President Joe Biden was on Television this week signing the most recent example of Bipartisan Congressional Legislation.  

What?  No.  That can't be.  What in the Hell could qualify to pass with Bipartisan support successfully through the United States Congress in the Year 2021.

On the day after his Spectacularly Successful European Trip to visit with G7 Members, NATO Members and Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden signed the legislation establishing Juneteenth (June 19th) as the next American National Holiday.

The significance of Juneteenth is that over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Lincoln ending slavery in America that was when Blacks still in slavery in Texas found out about it and demanded their Freedom, which certainly had been more than a little late in coming their way.  

Yes, there is actually still a possibility to have Bipartisan Legislation pass successfully through the Halls of the Congress of the United States of America.  

We all thought that Bipartisan seemed to be a word that was no longer used in Polite American Society.  Certainly it has been used rarely, if at all, in Republican Legislative Discussions

Although in years gone by Bipartisan was a highly respected word that usually meant that there was sincere and friendly cooperation between Republicans and  Democrats, that friendly cooperation has been missing in recent years.

Quite frankly, however, the Juneteenth Legislation seems to be somewhat of an Aberration rather than a signal of more Bipartisanship to come.

We can certainly hope for it but it seems to me highly unlikely that Bipartisanship is what Republicans are looking for in the days, weeks and years to come.

I may be wrong, though.  I certainly hope that I am.  

I would love to see genuine Bipartisanship make a comeback in the United States of America.

What a Treat that would be for not only Democrats, but also for those remaining    Decent Republican Politicians who sincerely want to accomplish good things in America and are willing to buck the Anti Democratic Trend in their Party.

When President Biden along with Vice President Kamala Harris announced that Juneteenth would this week become a Federal Holiday they strongly suggested that States follow suit as they did With Martin Luther King Day and other Federal Holidays to make Juneteenth a National Holiday.

Although there were many dignitaries at the Juneteenth Signing Ceremony there was one person who was more deserving of being there than even the Vice President or President.  She was a 94 Year old Grandmother from Fort Worth, Texas named Opal Lee.  "Miss Opal", as she was called by President Biden, was there in the White House getting a shout out from Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and a standing ovation from the crowd of dignitaries because she had been fighting for many Decades to accomplish what was being accomplished in her presence on June 17th, 2021.  "Miss Opal" was called up to the desk where Biden signed the Juneteenth Legislation into law and stood by his side and received the first pen used to sign the Juneteenth document into law.  "Miss Opal" was so excited that she dropped the pen but it was picked up and passed back to her.

Yes, Indeed, while there were plenty of important people on hand for this important occasion, No one was more important than "The Grandmother Of Juneteenth." 

As is usually the case, Rachel Maddow later in the evening had a lot more information regarding the rest of the story of Opal Lee and her incredible connection not only to June 19th 1865 but also June 19th, 1939.  Rachel presented a couple of old Fort Worth Newspaper stories detailing an incident that occurred in back in 1939 in Fort Worth, Texas, the city where Opal Lee still lives.  

The Newspaper stories told the horrible tale of the Flake Family, who made the ap serious mistake of moving onto Annie Street in Fort Worth which was apparently an All White Section of Fort Worth.  Otis Flake had a wife and three children and had been assured by his Real Estate Agent that Mr. Flake and his family would have no difficulty in their new home.  Mr. Flake's Real Estate Agent was wrong.

Over a four night period the Flake Family were met with an incredibly violent reception by crowds of White individuals who were determined to drive out the Flake Family from their Annie Street Home.  After a night of 100 or so rioters terrorized his family, Otis Flake obtained a gun to protect the Flake Family.  According to the Rachel Maddow's story Mr. Flake was advised by the police that if he used that gun that the police would turn Mr. Flake over to the mob.  After nearly a week and increasing numbers of White mob participants (500 at last count) Mr. Flake and his family fled the new home they had purchased.  The white mob during the nightly riots removed furniture and other items from the Flake Home and burned them outside of the house.  After the furniture burned some individuals came inside and turned on the gas jets and  fled to watch the Flake House on Annie Road burn to the ground.  

According to a recent Newspaper investigation there was never anyone arrested following the Annie Street riot.  Opal Flake was 12 years old when she and her family were driven from their home and she apparently moved to another part of the city of Fort Worth, where "Miss Opal" still lives today.  The day that the Flake Family barely escaped alive from their home on Annie Street never to return again was on June 19th (Juneteenth) 1939.

It seems to me that it takes a very strong individual just to get through a terrible situation like that which Opal Flake and her family endured.  How could she look at Juneteenth as anything other than a dark and awful day that she never wanted to think about ever again.  

Although it is probably the case that "Miss Opal" has nightmarish recollections of Juneteenth, 1939, It is also the case, however, that despite what happened to "Miss Opal" and her family on that dark date, Opal Lee (Married Name) has lobbied first her state of Texas and also the Federal Government to make Juneteenth a National Holiday.  

On June 17th of 2021 she accomplished her goal of making Juneteenth a Federal Holiday with the cooperation of the United States Government, including the United States House of Representatives, The U.S. Senate and the American President and Vice President.  "Miss Opal's" persistence paid off just as it had in Texas when Texas declared Juneteenth a State Holiday.  

Now, hopefully, "Miss Opal Lee" can relax and enjoy the fact that she did the impossible.  Not only did she accomplish her goal of making Juneteenth a Texas State and Federal Holiday, she also did the equally impossible task of bringing Bipartisanship back to the United States Congress.

God Bless you, Miss Opal for not losing faith in your fellow Americans despite the terrible things you lived through and endured.  You deserve all the love and respect you are getting after your incredible accomplishments at 94 years of age.  Thank you for hanging in there with us and never losing faith in your fellow Americans.  What you learned and what you taught us will hopefully not be lost in the chaos of what we are all living through in this day and time.  You, "Miss Opal," are living proof of the enduring goodness of America.  You have certainly seen worse than we are seeing today.  We salute you this Juneteenth and we will continue to salute you for Many Juneteenth's to come.  

Sincerely Yours

Jerry Gallagher

 

Please Do The Right Thing, Senator Manchin

 June 2nd, 2021

Dear Senator Manchin:

I know you don't know me and I don't know you but I think its important to me and maybe to my Nation that you and I communicate.

I have been writing a Political Blog since 2008.  I have enjoyed the experience, for the most part. For the first time when President Trump was elected we were stuck with a criminal figure type person as our President.  I started writing a long time ago back when Richard Nixon was our President.  I think you are old enough to remember him.

Nixon was a very bad guy, we thought.  Ultimately, he paid the price but don't forget how long he lied about Watergate and in the end he never took responsibility for screwing around with elections by having his "Plumbers" place bugging equipment in Democratic Headquarters in the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C. back in the Seventies.

I know that Bill Clinton was impeached because he had sex with an intern.  I'm not saying that it was right for him to have sex with an intern but it shouldn't  have been an issue that led to impeachment.  In my mind when the legislature convicted him that was not an acceptable result of Impeachment.  What Bill Clinton did should only have been an issue with Hillary and Chelsea and no other individuals outside of their family and probably Monica Lewinsky's Family, not with the Whitewater Special Prosecutor.

Let me get down to the nitty gritty of why I am attempting to communicate with you.  I/We need a favor.  Senator Manchin we the people of the United States endured Donald Trump for four years.  

That's enough for my 78 year lifetime.  

Back in July of last year when I started my Podcast which is called "Podcast For A Lost Nation", by the way, the reason that I started the Podcast was that I was extremely fearful of the prospect of Trump's Re- Election in November of 2020.  After the Election When I watched the careful voting coverage on MSNBC and CNN I worried that in the end Trump might win another four years.

Thank God that did not happen. 

Yes, We Democrats went to the polls like we have done for a long time and we voted for Joe Biden, among other Democrats.  After the January 6th Coup Attempt and Joe Biden's Inauguration I expected that there would be some serious weeping and gnashing of teeth in the Republican Party.  Certainly There has been considerable Republican Blowback.  But Republicans refuse to accept the reality that Joe Biden won fair and square.

But Joe Biden has taken the reins of Government from his Loser and Lunatic predecessor and has made a lot of positive moves.  You know as well as I do, Senator Manchin just what a great job President Biden is doing under very difficult circumstances.  You see every day, Senator Manchin that in the Republican Party which we are living with it is not only the fringe that is messed up.  It is 70 percent of the party still hanging on to the "Big Lie" lie that Biden did not legitimately win the 2020 election.

Those of us living down here in the real world know better.  We know, for instance that in the United States unlike other countries like Russia and others, we counted every vote.  And Thank God, Biden won.  

Mitch McConnell admitted Biden won on television in January and was chastised by his Party leaders for telling the truth.    Liz Cheney was tossed out of her Republican Leadership Position because she insisted on telling the truth. about the 2020 Election.

In fact, Donald Trump has never told the truth about the election or admitted his loss.  

In Fact, Donald Trump continues to pursue the lie that he won the 2020 Election, when he did not.  

We Democrats need to understand and react as though the shit is hitting the fan because it is.  The fact is that if Donald Trump is reinstated as his Republican Minions are claiming is going to happen this summer then we all better learn to goose step because, as usual, Donald Trump is working through the Hitler and Putin Playbook.

You made a remark, Senator Manchin just recently that you "didn't want to destroy our Democracy" by voting to kill the Filibuster.  The truth is, Senator Manchin, that if you don't cooperate with eliminating the Filibuster you may very well be killing the progress that Joe Biden has been making, in spite of Republican efforts to destroy the Biden agenda.  

We need your help, Senator Manchin,  to gently put the Filibuster where it belongs, in the binge heap of Bad Right Wing Republican Ideas that Survived Slavery but still exist.  

I know that you and Democrats in your state are in a tough spot.  You, Senator Manchin, are in a very tough spot.  But do you believe, Sir, that it is right that a simple majority cannot move important legislation in the Senate.  I know you have tried to be bipartisan with your colleagues and I certainly commend you for that.  You are a good man in a difficult situation.  But you need to understand, Senator Manchin just how important you are not only for your party but also for your country.

Look at the liars throwing out the Truth Tellers in the Republican Party.  Look at Q Anon taking over the Republican Party.  It goes way beyond Donald Trump.  Trump Lost.   Trump lies.  It should not surprise anyone that Trump is a liar continuing to lie about not losing the Election.  Only the insane or the terminally dumb should by now still be believing that Trump won in 2020.

Biden Won.  Get over it everyone not accepting that.

In all of the 78 years that I have been alive I never sincerely worried about whether Democracy would survive in the United States of America.  I am worried about that now, though.  Donald Trump is a 21st Century Hitler.  He is twins with Vladimir Putin.  He is the leader of a Dark and Dangerous Movement that is capable of everything his Ruthless Mentors are. 

We are up Shits creek without a paddle, Sir and only you and your Democratic Colleagues can open up the flood gates to badly needed Democratic Legislation.  

We need protection for real voting integrity, not the bullshit Voting integrity bills that are going to take our votes away from us if we allow Republicans to get away with the murder of liberty and voting rights for us all.  

You, Senator Manchin, can save us in our hour of need.  By cooperating with eliminating the Filibuster you might lose voters in West Virginia but I would be willing to bet large sums of money, if I had it, that you will not lose your seat in the Senate by doing the right thing and will be rewarded for your efforts to keep Democracy Alive in America.

A much needed bill which needs passing is the voting rights bill which will negate the extremely partisan and horribly Anti Democratic Legislation that Republicans are passing in states all over this country in order to keep their hopes alive in future elections.  Clearly they realize that the hour of their party passing into oblivion is near.  Why are they so aligned with Donald Trump.  They need him.  They see clearly that without him they are nothing.  Unfortunately, They are also nothing with Trump, as well.

So Please Senator Manchin as you ponder in the coming days what to do, please think about what is right about voting to freeze or completely eliminate the Filibuster and then get on with voting for truly needed progressive and positive legislation. Please observe the negativity of the Republican Party and save us from the death of Democracy at a time when we need Democracy more than we have ever needed it in our lifetimes.

Thank You Senator Manchin for allowing me to present my views to you and to all Americans.  I know you  truly love our country and in the end when you realize the consequences of your actions you will do not only the Democratic Thing but the Right Things, as well, and after the elimination of the Filibuster will pass the Right kind of Legislation that will help to keep Democracy and Hope Alive in the United States Of America for many centuries to come.

We genuinely need you, Senator Manchin, to help us to Save our Democracy.

Sincerely Yours

Jerry Gallagher