Monday, May 20th, 2019
My Dear America:
Maybe with everything else that is going on in America right now, whether Democratic Candidates for President appear on Fox News or not might seem like a minor problem. In contrast to Women's rights to choose what happens to their bodies when they get pregnant, yes, it is a minor problem.
I certainly agree with Candidate Elizabeth Warren's extremely negative assessment of Fox News and I think she has every right to turn down possible Town Halls and interviews on Fox News. Fox News is nothing more than a megaphone for the disgusting, unending lies and distortions of the truth by Donald Trump. That is true.
I applaud Senator Warren's choice to refuse to appear on Fox News. I don't blame her for her choice.
On the other hand, it cannot be dismissed that many members of Donald Trump's fan base watch Fox News exclusively. What Elizabeth Warren and other Democratic Presidential Candidates need to think about is what happens when those exclusively Fox Watchers and Trump Voters don't get the Democratic Message because it never appears on Fox.
Bernie Sanders and Mayor Pete B. have already appeared at Town Halls on Fox News. Both of these candidates had to come away from their respective Town Halls with good feelings about how the Town Halls went. I saw Bernie's Town Hall and he clearly did a great job in his Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Town Hall. Although his Fox hosts, Bret Bair and Martha McCallum tried to put Bernie on the defensive, Bernie's overall acceptance by the Town Hall audience was very positive. Although I have not actually seen Mayor Pete's Fox Town Hall what snippets I have seen show a skilled young politician doing well with a Fox selected crowd.
I think that each Democratic Candidate for President needs to make their own choice about whether or not they choose to appear on Fox, or not.
They can, Like Senator Warren refuse to appear on Fox News because they consider it a scumbag network. If they refuse, however, they may be making a serious mistake in that, like it or not, Fox viewers vote in strong numbers.
I think that any Candidate refusing to accept appearing on Fox News is hurting their candidacy by writing off Fox Viewers, which may, in the end prove to be the kind of viewers and voters who might be able to swing the 2020 Presidential race in favor of the Democrats.
Finally, and perhaps most important, is the fact that in both Bernie's and Mayor Pete's Town Halls one of the results of the Fox News appearances were Tweetstorms by Donald Trump showing that he watched the Town Halls and was angry that both Bernie and Mayor Pete had good showings on what Donald Trump considers his personal network.
Regardless of what they decide about appearing on Fox News I think Democrats probably need to think about reaching as many voters as they can by TV or Personal appearances, Debates, Whatever.
Donald Trump won in 2016 by saturating the airwaves with himself in any way possible.
Democrats would do well to learn from Donald Trump's lesson on PR and use it to their advantage in 2019 and 2020 to win the White House.
Sincerely Yours
Jerry Gallagher
Monday, May 20, 2019
Sunday, May 5, 2019
Russia If You Are Listening - Why Are You Reading My Blog
Sunday, May 5th, 2019
My Dear America:
Although I have been publishing my Blog since 2008 I must admit that although I have paid close attention to Politics in my Blog I have never, until recently, began to pay much attention to the number of readers of my Blog. In other words my Blog traffic.
In fact, although I am ashamed of my lack of technical skills regarding my Blog, I never knew until recently that I could follow and see statistics tracking how many readers I had on a daily basis. Once I realized that I could find out how many readers I have I was truly shocked and disturbed to find out that in recent months as my daily reader statistics seemed to be improving I found out that I could even track where my readers were from.
What I found out that disturbed me greatly is that although my United States readership has improved significantly, at the same time my readership in Russia has improved twice as much as the U.S. readership.
The bottom line for me is Who the hell are these Russians reading "Letters To A Lost Nation" and why are they doing it. Are they Russian government employees looking to take my negative content about Donald Trump and use it to their advantage. I don't know who they are or why they are doing it. If they are Russian Trolls looking to do harm to America I wish they would stop.
On the other hand if they are, by some miracle, just normal Russian Citizens who are simply trying to find out about America I welcome them.
Because of the terrible things the Russians did in the 2016 Campaign and continue to do, I am very concerned that my Blog could be used by them to sow discontent in the United States.
I love America because, even with all it's faults it is the best country in the world. I certainly would not be allowed to write and express myself about my government and in particular about my President in Russia in the same way I can in the U.S. I appreciate my country even though I don't appreciate it's President. I am lucky and proud to be an American and I want to say to all Russians who might be reading my Blog I hope that someday you are as free in your country to dissent as we are in ours.
I advertise my Blog on Twitter and Facebook and I know that they are under the gun these days because of some serious mistakes that they have made. To Twitter and to Facebook I ask them to realize that my Blog is an American Blog with no ties to Russia other than readership.
I don't hate Russia. I simply feel sorry for those people who live there in a society which is not free.
As disturbed as I am about this Russia connection with my Blog I will continue to write my Blog and will continue to hope that any Russians who read my Blog Postings will say to themselves, whoever they are, I wish we could be free enough to write this way in our country.
Maybe someday they will be able to. I hope that very much.
Sincerely
Jerry Gallagher
My Dear America:
Although I have been publishing my Blog since 2008 I must admit that although I have paid close attention to Politics in my Blog I have never, until recently, began to pay much attention to the number of readers of my Blog. In other words my Blog traffic.
In fact, although I am ashamed of my lack of technical skills regarding my Blog, I never knew until recently that I could follow and see statistics tracking how many readers I had on a daily basis. Once I realized that I could find out how many readers I have I was truly shocked and disturbed to find out that in recent months as my daily reader statistics seemed to be improving I found out that I could even track where my readers were from.
What I found out that disturbed me greatly is that although my United States readership has improved significantly, at the same time my readership in Russia has improved twice as much as the U.S. readership.
The bottom line for me is Who the hell are these Russians reading "Letters To A Lost Nation" and why are they doing it. Are they Russian government employees looking to take my negative content about Donald Trump and use it to their advantage. I don't know who they are or why they are doing it. If they are Russian Trolls looking to do harm to America I wish they would stop.
On the other hand if they are, by some miracle, just normal Russian Citizens who are simply trying to find out about America I welcome them.
Because of the terrible things the Russians did in the 2016 Campaign and continue to do, I am very concerned that my Blog could be used by them to sow discontent in the United States.
I love America because, even with all it's faults it is the best country in the world. I certainly would not be allowed to write and express myself about my government and in particular about my President in Russia in the same way I can in the U.S. I appreciate my country even though I don't appreciate it's President. I am lucky and proud to be an American and I want to say to all Russians who might be reading my Blog I hope that someday you are as free in your country to dissent as we are in ours.
I advertise my Blog on Twitter and Facebook and I know that they are under the gun these days because of some serious mistakes that they have made. To Twitter and to Facebook I ask them to realize that my Blog is an American Blog with no ties to Russia other than readership.
I don't hate Russia. I simply feel sorry for those people who live there in a society which is not free.
As disturbed as I am about this Russia connection with my Blog I will continue to write my Blog and will continue to hope that any Russians who read my Blog Postings will say to themselves, whoever they are, I wish we could be free enough to write this way in our country.
Maybe someday they will be able to. I hope that very much.
Sincerely
Jerry Gallagher
Friday, May 3, 2019
Wacky William And Dumb Donald - Together Again For The First Time
Friday May 3rd, 2019
My Dear America:
Well, Donald Trump has done it to us again. At first Glance, William Barr seemed like, if nothing else, at least a reasonably good pick for Attorney General of the United States. Unlike many, if not most of Donald Trump's selections for his Cabinet positions, William Barr actually had some relevant experience. Not only was he a lawyer but he even had prior experience as The United States Attorney General.
Hold On, I thought, Could Donald Trump have finally picked someone qualified for his job in his increasingly Corrupt Administration.
I made it a point to get up early on the day Barr was questioned by the Senate Judiciary Committee and found his testimony to be somewhat reassuring, considering the fact that Barr was being appointed to the Attorney General's position by Donald Trump. What I found to be especially reassuring was the fact that when Barr was questioned about his relationship with Special Counsel, Robert Mueller, Barr suggested that he and Mueller and their wives were all very good friends and had often spent what sounded like quality time together. Surely William Barr was a man of honor and a solid legal reputation and would help and assist Bob Mueller in his investigation of Donald Trump's Campaign ties to the Russians and Trump's possible Obstruction of Justice.
Well, unlike The Who's anthem, "We Won't Get Fooled Again," we have been fooled again by Donald Trump. Is it any surprise that we have once again been bamboozled by Donald Trump. By this time I guess we should be getting used to it.
I keep waking up everyday hoping that this will be the day when Donald Trump suddenly becomes a decent, law abiding statesman who children can look up to and a man who we can all be proud of. Then I turn on the television and find out what is the latest Donald Trump Outrage and the daily nightmare continues.
Although I rarely watch television when Omarosa is on it, I had the TV on this past Sunday when she was being interviewed on MSNBC. At one point in the interview Omarosa started talking about something that I found to be very interesting and relevant to what has been happening since Trump took over the White House in January of 2017.
Omarosa stated that she was aware of the fact that Donald Trump, with the help of Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller, put together a list of incredibly outrageous things that Donald Trump could say or do when Trump wanted to distract the news media (Sometimes called the "Enemies of The People) and change the conversation in the media. In other words if a news story was breaking that Trump did not want to be covered as the lead story of the day, Trump brought out his list of Outrages and proceeded to do or say something Outrageous enough to refocus the news on what Trump wanted to hear.
While Omarosa is not a person who I look to as a purveyor of Great Wisdom, I have to admit that looking back, not only on Trump's white House years, but also on his Campaign for President, Omarosa's revelations seem to make sense.
Sometimes watching Donald Trump stumbling over his words it is easy to dismiss him as a Stupid Fool. While Donald Trump will never be known as a scholarly man of letters and often times does stupid and foolish things he is also sometimes a very shrewd and masterful politician and when he wants to be he can be and is a Master of Distraction and a clever molder of public opinion. We consider him to be stupid only at our own risk.
Take Attorney General Barr, for instance. Donald Trump pulled a fast one on us. Barr had already revealed prior to his nomination by Trump, that he did not feel that Trump could be found guilty of Obstruction of Justice. If we had only all read his letter to the President expressing how he felt about how Trump could not be found guilty of obstruction we would have known that Barr was already in Trump's pocket even prior to his Nomination. Should we be surprised that Barr has gone to great lengths to protect the President.
No. Not Really.
At this point in time it is clear that William Barr is one more Trump Lawyer protecting him. The Attorney General should be someone who is looking out for all of us. In Barr's case that is not going to happen. Whatever honor Barr had in his previous legal life, that is gone now and William Barr is one more swamp creature under Donald Trump's control.
Sincerely
Jerry Gallagher
My Dear America:
Well, Donald Trump has done it to us again. At first Glance, William Barr seemed like, if nothing else, at least a reasonably good pick for Attorney General of the United States. Unlike many, if not most of Donald Trump's selections for his Cabinet positions, William Barr actually had some relevant experience. Not only was he a lawyer but he even had prior experience as The United States Attorney General.
Hold On, I thought, Could Donald Trump have finally picked someone qualified for his job in his increasingly Corrupt Administration.
I made it a point to get up early on the day Barr was questioned by the Senate Judiciary Committee and found his testimony to be somewhat reassuring, considering the fact that Barr was being appointed to the Attorney General's position by Donald Trump. What I found to be especially reassuring was the fact that when Barr was questioned about his relationship with Special Counsel, Robert Mueller, Barr suggested that he and Mueller and their wives were all very good friends and had often spent what sounded like quality time together. Surely William Barr was a man of honor and a solid legal reputation and would help and assist Bob Mueller in his investigation of Donald Trump's Campaign ties to the Russians and Trump's possible Obstruction of Justice.
Well, unlike The Who's anthem, "We Won't Get Fooled Again," we have been fooled again by Donald Trump. Is it any surprise that we have once again been bamboozled by Donald Trump. By this time I guess we should be getting used to it.
I keep waking up everyday hoping that this will be the day when Donald Trump suddenly becomes a decent, law abiding statesman who children can look up to and a man who we can all be proud of. Then I turn on the television and find out what is the latest Donald Trump Outrage and the daily nightmare continues.
Although I rarely watch television when Omarosa is on it, I had the TV on this past Sunday when she was being interviewed on MSNBC. At one point in the interview Omarosa started talking about something that I found to be very interesting and relevant to what has been happening since Trump took over the White House in January of 2017.
Omarosa stated that she was aware of the fact that Donald Trump, with the help of Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller, put together a list of incredibly outrageous things that Donald Trump could say or do when Trump wanted to distract the news media (Sometimes called the "Enemies of The People) and change the conversation in the media. In other words if a news story was breaking that Trump did not want to be covered as the lead story of the day, Trump brought out his list of Outrages and proceeded to do or say something Outrageous enough to refocus the news on what Trump wanted to hear.
While Omarosa is not a person who I look to as a purveyor of Great Wisdom, I have to admit that looking back, not only on Trump's white House years, but also on his Campaign for President, Omarosa's revelations seem to make sense.
Sometimes watching Donald Trump stumbling over his words it is easy to dismiss him as a Stupid Fool. While Donald Trump will never be known as a scholarly man of letters and often times does stupid and foolish things he is also sometimes a very shrewd and masterful politician and when he wants to be he can be and is a Master of Distraction and a clever molder of public opinion. We consider him to be stupid only at our own risk.
Take Attorney General Barr, for instance. Donald Trump pulled a fast one on us. Barr had already revealed prior to his nomination by Trump, that he did not feel that Trump could be found guilty of Obstruction of Justice. If we had only all read his letter to the President expressing how he felt about how Trump could not be found guilty of obstruction we would have known that Barr was already in Trump's pocket even prior to his Nomination. Should we be surprised that Barr has gone to great lengths to protect the President.
No. Not Really.
At this point in time it is clear that William Barr is one more Trump Lawyer protecting him. The Attorney General should be someone who is looking out for all of us. In Barr's case that is not going to happen. Whatever honor Barr had in his previous legal life, that is gone now and William Barr is one more swamp creature under Donald Trump's control.
Sincerely
Jerry Gallagher
Thursday, April 18, 2019
Bernie In The Fox Den
Thursday, April 18th, 2019
My Dear America:
This past Monday was a frustrating day, for the most part. I spent the day trying to get tickets to the Fox News sponsored Bernie Sanders Town Hall at Steel Stacks in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, just a stones throw from where I live.
I sent a couple of E Mails to Fox News and when I had gotten no response by 5:30 PM I just decided to watch the Town Hall on Television in my basement den. Although I would have preferred to be in the Steel Stacks Audience, in the end I was kind of pleased that I was able to watch the hour long Town Hall on Fox News in my den.
What I saw on Television that I am not sure that others who attended the event in Bethlehem saw were some segments talking about the history of Bethlehem Steel. Steel Stacks was built on the extensive property that was for many years the Bethlehem Steel Corporation. Due to a number of factors Bethlehem Steel, like countless other American Factories, closed its doors in the 90's never to reopen them again. Prior to and during the Bernie Sanders telecast Fox News told the story of how important Bethlehem Steel was in helping America to win Two World Wars and to build some of the most important bridges and buildings in our Nation. Those brief snippets of history made it all the more impressive as the television cameras in the Musikfest Cafe in the Steel Stacks building panned in on Fox News Town Hall Moderators, Bret Bair and Martha McCallum and the Town Hall Star and Democratic Candidate for President, Bernie Sanders. There was a large panoramic window in back of Bernie and the Moderators and outside that window, at least for the first part of the Town Hall, one could see some of the remnants of what was left of some of the Bethlehem Steel buildings that were strong enough to have been left standing following the close of the plant.
Following the disturbing, disrupting and devastating closing of Bethlehem Steel in the 90's by its new owner and today a member of Donald Trump's Cabinet, Wilbur Ross, the City of Bethlehem was faced with the question of what to do with the extensive inner city land that had been the home of one of the most important manufacturers in America. Some Bethlehem City leaders came up with a plan that would cost a lot of money but could revitalize the Bethlehem Steel site. With a great deal of planning and preparation plans were put into operation and Bethlehem Steel's abandoned factory site took on a vibrant new life.
Steel Stacks was built primarily as an Arts Center. The Musikfest Cafe, where Bernie's Town Hall took place was a concert venue where my wife and I have seen such musical luminaries as Judy Collins and David Crosby. Steel Stacks also has two movie theaters and outside Steel Stacks is the Levitt Pavillion where many free concerts are held every summer. Also next to Steel Stacks is the local PBS Television Station, WLVT, Channel 39 and down the road apiece is the Sand's Casino, Hotel, Shoppes and an Event Center where major concerts are held.
I mention these things because I think other areas of our country devastated by business losses could definitely learn some lessons from what Bethlehem has done to rejuvenate itself following the closing of Bethlehem Steel.
The Bernie Sanders Town Hall in the Musikfest Cafe at Steel Stacks was in my opinion a brilliant bit of Political Theater. Some of the early questions from the moderators were a bit Foxish, but fair. Clearly Bret and Martha were two of the more moderate Fox News personalities. Bernie handled them well, I thought. In the end I think that Bernie and the Fox Anchors came to an agreement that rather than spar with each other all night that they would at least personally respect each other. In the end I think that Bernie came off as he always seems to, an honest guy with good intentions and reasonably good plans for improving the lives of citizens of the United States of America.
As I watched the Town Hall I thought about the fact that the timing of the broadcast was a little odd. It aired from 6:30 to 7:30 PM on Fox News with Martha McCallum doing a review of the Town Hall at 7:30 PM. This was not exactly prime time but it was during a time period where many Fox viewers coming home from work might be inclined to tune in. Although early on the Fox News Moderators seemed to be prodding Bernie in order to embarass him, their questions were not unreasonable and were responded to with honesty by Senator Sanders. Bernie's tax returns were a subject of Fox scrutiny. Bernie stated that he had just released 10 years of his tax returns and then he turned to the camera and said that if the President was listening to the broadcast he should do the same and release his tax returns. Bernie was also asked by the moderators to respond to the fact that his tax returns show that he is a millionaire. Bernie stated that he had made a great deal of money last year from writing a best selling book and did not apologize for the book selling well.
Overall, during the Town Hall Bernie was asked some fair questions not only from the Moderators but also from the Audience Members. Bernie did not duck any questions and in my opinion he did a great job in answering every question he was asked in a truthful and honest manner. He was animated when he explained why he was running against Donald Trump, who Bernie identified as a "pathological liar"
Many in the Democratic Party, including myself, view Fox News as a Right Wing Media arm of the Republican Party and Donald Trump. I am sure that Bernie Sanders believed that prior to the Town Hall. But Fox News, for all their obvious fawning over Donald Trump, treated Bernie Sanders fairly and respectfully during the Town Hall.
During the Fox News Town Hall question and answer session with Bernie Sanders I couldn't help but think about how many other Americans who only watch Fox News for their political information and have heard about the terrible "Democratic Socialist" named Bernie Sanders might be willing to consider the fact that Socialist Bernie might not be as bad as Fox News and Communist Donald have made him out to be.
In agreeing to participate in the Bethlehem Town Hall Bernie might have sent an important message to Democrats, including Democratic Candidates, as well as Democratic Party Officials. That message might be construed as the following:
Hey Democrats. I know you don't like Fox News. But think about the fact that this news channel might just be changing enough for Democrats to begin using it to press their message to those who voted Donald Trump into the White House. Certainly not every Trump voter is still a Trump fan at this point in time. Trump is a "pathological liar" who cannot be trusted to run our country. Every day he does more to weaken and embarass our country. Lets be willing to follow Bernie Sanders and give Fox the benefit of the doubt and participate in Town Halls and Debates on Fox News with our eyes wide open to the fact that Bernie's successful Town Hall might have been a fluke. But then again we might find the Fox News viewers open to some new and highly improved Candidates For the Presidency of the United States.
I think Bernie Sanders has opened the door. Now it remains to be seen if other Democratic Candidates will walk through it.
Sincerely Yours
Jerry Gallagher
My Dear America:
This past Monday was a frustrating day, for the most part. I spent the day trying to get tickets to the Fox News sponsored Bernie Sanders Town Hall at Steel Stacks in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, just a stones throw from where I live.
I sent a couple of E Mails to Fox News and when I had gotten no response by 5:30 PM I just decided to watch the Town Hall on Television in my basement den. Although I would have preferred to be in the Steel Stacks Audience, in the end I was kind of pleased that I was able to watch the hour long Town Hall on Fox News in my den.
What I saw on Television that I am not sure that others who attended the event in Bethlehem saw were some segments talking about the history of Bethlehem Steel. Steel Stacks was built on the extensive property that was for many years the Bethlehem Steel Corporation. Due to a number of factors Bethlehem Steel, like countless other American Factories, closed its doors in the 90's never to reopen them again. Prior to and during the Bernie Sanders telecast Fox News told the story of how important Bethlehem Steel was in helping America to win Two World Wars and to build some of the most important bridges and buildings in our Nation. Those brief snippets of history made it all the more impressive as the television cameras in the Musikfest Cafe in the Steel Stacks building panned in on Fox News Town Hall Moderators, Bret Bair and Martha McCallum and the Town Hall Star and Democratic Candidate for President, Bernie Sanders. There was a large panoramic window in back of Bernie and the Moderators and outside that window, at least for the first part of the Town Hall, one could see some of the remnants of what was left of some of the Bethlehem Steel buildings that were strong enough to have been left standing following the close of the plant.
Following the disturbing, disrupting and devastating closing of Bethlehem Steel in the 90's by its new owner and today a member of Donald Trump's Cabinet, Wilbur Ross, the City of Bethlehem was faced with the question of what to do with the extensive inner city land that had been the home of one of the most important manufacturers in America. Some Bethlehem City leaders came up with a plan that would cost a lot of money but could revitalize the Bethlehem Steel site. With a great deal of planning and preparation plans were put into operation and Bethlehem Steel's abandoned factory site took on a vibrant new life.
Steel Stacks was built primarily as an Arts Center. The Musikfest Cafe, where Bernie's Town Hall took place was a concert venue where my wife and I have seen such musical luminaries as Judy Collins and David Crosby. Steel Stacks also has two movie theaters and outside Steel Stacks is the Levitt Pavillion where many free concerts are held every summer. Also next to Steel Stacks is the local PBS Television Station, WLVT, Channel 39 and down the road apiece is the Sand's Casino, Hotel, Shoppes and an Event Center where major concerts are held.
I mention these things because I think other areas of our country devastated by business losses could definitely learn some lessons from what Bethlehem has done to rejuvenate itself following the closing of Bethlehem Steel.
The Bernie Sanders Town Hall in the Musikfest Cafe at Steel Stacks was in my opinion a brilliant bit of Political Theater. Some of the early questions from the moderators were a bit Foxish, but fair. Clearly Bret and Martha were two of the more moderate Fox News personalities. Bernie handled them well, I thought. In the end I think that Bernie and the Fox Anchors came to an agreement that rather than spar with each other all night that they would at least personally respect each other. In the end I think that Bernie came off as he always seems to, an honest guy with good intentions and reasonably good plans for improving the lives of citizens of the United States of America.
As I watched the Town Hall I thought about the fact that the timing of the broadcast was a little odd. It aired from 6:30 to 7:30 PM on Fox News with Martha McCallum doing a review of the Town Hall at 7:30 PM. This was not exactly prime time but it was during a time period where many Fox viewers coming home from work might be inclined to tune in. Although early on the Fox News Moderators seemed to be prodding Bernie in order to embarass him, their questions were not unreasonable and were responded to with honesty by Senator Sanders. Bernie's tax returns were a subject of Fox scrutiny. Bernie stated that he had just released 10 years of his tax returns and then he turned to the camera and said that if the President was listening to the broadcast he should do the same and release his tax returns. Bernie was also asked by the moderators to respond to the fact that his tax returns show that he is a millionaire. Bernie stated that he had made a great deal of money last year from writing a best selling book and did not apologize for the book selling well.
Overall, during the Town Hall Bernie was asked some fair questions not only from the Moderators but also from the Audience Members. Bernie did not duck any questions and in my opinion he did a great job in answering every question he was asked in a truthful and honest manner. He was animated when he explained why he was running against Donald Trump, who Bernie identified as a "pathological liar"
Many in the Democratic Party, including myself, view Fox News as a Right Wing Media arm of the Republican Party and Donald Trump. I am sure that Bernie Sanders believed that prior to the Town Hall. But Fox News, for all their obvious fawning over Donald Trump, treated Bernie Sanders fairly and respectfully during the Town Hall.
During the Fox News Town Hall question and answer session with Bernie Sanders I couldn't help but think about how many other Americans who only watch Fox News for their political information and have heard about the terrible "Democratic Socialist" named Bernie Sanders might be willing to consider the fact that Socialist Bernie might not be as bad as Fox News and Communist Donald have made him out to be.
In agreeing to participate in the Bethlehem Town Hall Bernie might have sent an important message to Democrats, including Democratic Candidates, as well as Democratic Party Officials. That message might be construed as the following:
Hey Democrats. I know you don't like Fox News. But think about the fact that this news channel might just be changing enough for Democrats to begin using it to press their message to those who voted Donald Trump into the White House. Certainly not every Trump voter is still a Trump fan at this point in time. Trump is a "pathological liar" who cannot be trusted to run our country. Every day he does more to weaken and embarass our country. Lets be willing to follow Bernie Sanders and give Fox the benefit of the doubt and participate in Town Halls and Debates on Fox News with our eyes wide open to the fact that Bernie's successful Town Hall might have been a fluke. But then again we might find the Fox News viewers open to some new and highly improved Candidates For the Presidency of the United States.
I think Bernie Sanders has opened the door. Now it remains to be seen if other Democratic Candidates will walk through it.
Sincerely Yours
Jerry Gallagher
Thursday, April 4, 2019
Adam Schiff Has A Message For Republicans About Treason - "It's Not Okay"
Thursday, April 4th, 2019
My Dear America:
I remember watching the HBO Show, Real Time with Bill Maher just a few weeks ago when California Republican Congressman and House Intelligence Committee Chairman, Adam Schiff was Bill's First Guest.
I had seen Adam Schiff on Television many times before and was always impressed with his Brightness, Dignity and Decency as he tried his best to keep the Republican controlled House Intelligence Committee on target in investigating whether President Donald Trump was a Russian Spy.
It was obvious to anyone paying attention to Trump over the more than two years Trump was in the White House that Trump was an obvious Russian Asset, wittingly or unwittingly.
On this particular night a couple of weeks ago on HBO as Adam Schiff and Bill Maher had an intelligent but disturbing conversation about Russian influence on Donald Trump, I thought to myself that this man, Adam Schiff, would make a Great President in 2020, A President we could all be proud of, A President who knows what he is doing and knows that what he is doing is the right thing. In other words A Good and Decent Man. Just the kind of a man who would be the complete opposite of Donald Trump. I even thought that maybe I should E Mail Schiff and tell him that he should run for President.
I didn't E Mail him, however. I kept my thoughts to myself. Besides there were already too many Good and Decent Democrats running for President.
Adam Schiff was the Ranking Member on The House Intelligence Committee for the first two years of the Trump Presidency. During that time he always seemed to be fighting a losing battle with the Republican Committee members. Things seemed to be especially strained between Schiff and the Republican Chairman of the Intelligence Committee, Republican Devin Nunes. Even before Devin Nunes started having surreptitious midnight meetings at the White House, Schiff was making it a practice to keep CNN and MSNBC informed about what Schiff had to put up with in dealing with his Republican Colleagues on the Committee. When it was discovered that Nunes had been secretly meeting with White House Officials and keeping them informed about House Intelligence Committee information while he was supposedly investigating the White House Lets just say that things did not go well.
As a result of last year's elections when Democrats landslide victory regained control of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi wisely appointed Adam Schiff to be the Chairman of The House Intelligence Committee. Just as could be expected the tainted and questionable House Intelligence Committee Investigation whitewash began immediately to take a different turn when Adam Schiff took over the Committee Leadership.
On March 28th the nine Republican members of The House Intelligence Committee led by Devin Nunes and voiced by Republican Michael Conway, following some disturbingly denigrating Tweets by Trump aimed toward Chairman Schiff, presented Committee Chairman Schiff with a letter signed by all nine Republicans on the Committee demanding Schiff's resignation as Intelligence Committee Chairman.
Adam Schiff's verbal response to the desperate and disgusting Republican ploy will probably go down in history as one of the most powerful moments of Congressional responsibility ever recorded on television. Although Schiff's face showed his own personal fire and fury, his words were measured and powerful.
Any Republican sitting in on that Committee hearing probably left the hearing room feeling stung by Adam Schiff's brilliant response to his gutless colleagues, all of whom were obviously in Donald Trump's pocket.
Adam Schiff answered the Republican Intelligence Committee Members by listing almost every outrage committed by Trump over the past years one by one and adding at the end of each description of what Trump and his team have done - "You might think its Okay. But I don't think its Okay."
In my opinion, Adam Schiff's powerful response to the House Intelligence Committee Republicans will probably go down in Congressional Hearing history along with Joseph Welch's comment to Senator Joseph McCarthy. Welch's comment to McCarthy many years ago might also apply to Donald Trump.
"At long last, Have you no decency, Sir," Welch said to McCarthy.
Adam Schiff could very well aim the same comment at Donald Trump and at all nine members of The House Intelligence Committee.
I would suggest that anyone who has not heard Chairman Schiff's comments to the House Committee Republicans check it out on "You Tube."
If You are a Democrat it will make you proud. If you are a Republican still operating under the seemingly magical spell of Donald Trump it might wake you up to smell the Treason.
I no longer wish to see Adam Schiff run for President, at least not until Donald Trump is out of office. We need Adam Schiff to remain as Chairman of The House Intelligence Committee to do what he can to help keep Democracy alive in The United States Of America. Its a hard job but Adam Schiff can do it well.
Sincerely
Jerry Gallagher
My Dear America:
I remember watching the HBO Show, Real Time with Bill Maher just a few weeks ago when California Republican Congressman and House Intelligence Committee Chairman, Adam Schiff was Bill's First Guest.
I had seen Adam Schiff on Television many times before and was always impressed with his Brightness, Dignity and Decency as he tried his best to keep the Republican controlled House Intelligence Committee on target in investigating whether President Donald Trump was a Russian Spy.
It was obvious to anyone paying attention to Trump over the more than two years Trump was in the White House that Trump was an obvious Russian Asset, wittingly or unwittingly.
On this particular night a couple of weeks ago on HBO as Adam Schiff and Bill Maher had an intelligent but disturbing conversation about Russian influence on Donald Trump, I thought to myself that this man, Adam Schiff, would make a Great President in 2020, A President we could all be proud of, A President who knows what he is doing and knows that what he is doing is the right thing. In other words A Good and Decent Man. Just the kind of a man who would be the complete opposite of Donald Trump. I even thought that maybe I should E Mail Schiff and tell him that he should run for President.
I didn't E Mail him, however. I kept my thoughts to myself. Besides there were already too many Good and Decent Democrats running for President.
Adam Schiff was the Ranking Member on The House Intelligence Committee for the first two years of the Trump Presidency. During that time he always seemed to be fighting a losing battle with the Republican Committee members. Things seemed to be especially strained between Schiff and the Republican Chairman of the Intelligence Committee, Republican Devin Nunes. Even before Devin Nunes started having surreptitious midnight meetings at the White House, Schiff was making it a practice to keep CNN and MSNBC informed about what Schiff had to put up with in dealing with his Republican Colleagues on the Committee. When it was discovered that Nunes had been secretly meeting with White House Officials and keeping them informed about House Intelligence Committee information while he was supposedly investigating the White House Lets just say that things did not go well.
As a result of last year's elections when Democrats landslide victory regained control of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi wisely appointed Adam Schiff to be the Chairman of The House Intelligence Committee. Just as could be expected the tainted and questionable House Intelligence Committee Investigation whitewash began immediately to take a different turn when Adam Schiff took over the Committee Leadership.
On March 28th the nine Republican members of The House Intelligence Committee led by Devin Nunes and voiced by Republican Michael Conway, following some disturbingly denigrating Tweets by Trump aimed toward Chairman Schiff, presented Committee Chairman Schiff with a letter signed by all nine Republicans on the Committee demanding Schiff's resignation as Intelligence Committee Chairman.
Adam Schiff's verbal response to the desperate and disgusting Republican ploy will probably go down in history as one of the most powerful moments of Congressional responsibility ever recorded on television. Although Schiff's face showed his own personal fire and fury, his words were measured and powerful.
Any Republican sitting in on that Committee hearing probably left the hearing room feeling stung by Adam Schiff's brilliant response to his gutless colleagues, all of whom were obviously in Donald Trump's pocket.
Adam Schiff answered the Republican Intelligence Committee Members by listing almost every outrage committed by Trump over the past years one by one and adding at the end of each description of what Trump and his team have done - "You might think its Okay. But I don't think its Okay."
In my opinion, Adam Schiff's powerful response to the House Intelligence Committee Republicans will probably go down in Congressional Hearing history along with Joseph Welch's comment to Senator Joseph McCarthy. Welch's comment to McCarthy many years ago might also apply to Donald Trump.
"At long last, Have you no decency, Sir," Welch said to McCarthy.
Adam Schiff could very well aim the same comment at Donald Trump and at all nine members of The House Intelligence Committee.
I would suggest that anyone who has not heard Chairman Schiff's comments to the House Committee Republicans check it out on "You Tube."
If You are a Democrat it will make you proud. If you are a Republican still operating under the seemingly magical spell of Donald Trump it might wake you up to smell the Treason.
I no longer wish to see Adam Schiff run for President, at least not until Donald Trump is out of office. We need Adam Schiff to remain as Chairman of The House Intelligence Committee to do what he can to help keep Democracy alive in The United States Of America. Its a hard job but Adam Schiff can do it well.
Sincerely
Jerry Gallagher
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Kim and Don - The Nuclear Bromance Is Over, For Now - What's Next For The Rest Of US
March 19th, 2019
My Dear America:
Much like an episode of "The Kardashians" the Bromance between United States President, Donald Trump and The North Korean Dictator he fell in love with, Kim Jong Un, appears to be over.
Who knows what made this love affair go bad.
Well, the timing of the Vietnam Summit wasn't the best, Really.
Kim and Don got together in Vietnam on the day that Trump's long time Lawyer and Fixer was spilling the Trump Beans to the House Oversight Committee. And some stinky beans they were. It was certainly enough to dilute the President's Mojo in Vietnam. No Doubt it was difficult for the President to concentrate on Nuclear Issues when Michael Cohen was letting it all hang out in the halls of Congress.
That and the fact that the CIA had revealed that the North Koreans were not, in fact, giving up their Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Capability certainly was not a good sign that this Nuclear Bromance was going to last for any extended length of time.
Well, if nothing else, at least the end of the Nuclear Bromance finally got Donald Trump to Vietnam. Although Trump had dressed in cool looking uniforms at his Military School when it came to going to Vietnam his bone spurs were acting up. Trump didn't want to take a chance of being like John McCain, who was tortured for years in the Hanoi Hilton after being shot down by the North Vietnamese.
Jesus, those bone spurs were bad enough. Trump surely couldn't put up with torture in Vietnam. No wonder Trump didn't like John McCain, who was captured by the enemy. Trump liked soldiers who weren't captured, like himself. A Phoney Spoiled Rich Brat dressed in a uniform with bone spurs hurting too much to go to Vietnam.
I will give Trump some credit, however. After yelling and screaming about Fire and Fury at Kim, seeming to drive Kim and North Korea to what appeared to be the brink of actual Nuclear Fire and Fury, Trump finally got wise and started trying to communicate in a more reasonable and loving way. Don and Kim agreed to meet in Singapore and they both seemed to hit it off.
Now, however, it is a new day. Neither Kim nor Don stayed in Vietnam for the length of time they had been scheduled to and reports are that since the failed Vietnam Summit more activity is going on in North Korea's Nuclear facilities. Not a good sign.
Also North Korean spokespeople have indicated that North Korea found that President Trump and American Negotiators have been "too Demanding and Too Stubborn" in their insistence that North Korea give up their Nukes.
I personally don't understand how the North Koreans feel that it is too demanding for them to give up their Nukes. That was the whole point of the negotiations.
I think Trump made a mistake prior to the Vietnam Summit when he stated that he would be satisfied if North Korea would just give up Nuclear Testing, as they seemed to have done since the Nuclear Bromance began. Certainly that was setting the bar low for North Korea. But apparently not low enough.
In Trumps defense, at least the North Koreans are no longer threatening to bomb Hawaii or the U.S Mainland, at least not yet. Trump is right, however. If we can keep the North Korean hands off the Nuclear Trigger and keep Trump from threatening Kim we will all be better off, at least for the immediate future.
Sincerely
Jerry Gallagher
My Dear America:
Much like an episode of "The Kardashians" the Bromance between United States President, Donald Trump and The North Korean Dictator he fell in love with, Kim Jong Un, appears to be over.
Who knows what made this love affair go bad.
Well, the timing of the Vietnam Summit wasn't the best, Really.
Kim and Don got together in Vietnam on the day that Trump's long time Lawyer and Fixer was spilling the Trump Beans to the House Oversight Committee. And some stinky beans they were. It was certainly enough to dilute the President's Mojo in Vietnam. No Doubt it was difficult for the President to concentrate on Nuclear Issues when Michael Cohen was letting it all hang out in the halls of Congress.
That and the fact that the CIA had revealed that the North Koreans were not, in fact, giving up their Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Capability certainly was not a good sign that this Nuclear Bromance was going to last for any extended length of time.
Well, if nothing else, at least the end of the Nuclear Bromance finally got Donald Trump to Vietnam. Although Trump had dressed in cool looking uniforms at his Military School when it came to going to Vietnam his bone spurs were acting up. Trump didn't want to take a chance of being like John McCain, who was tortured for years in the Hanoi Hilton after being shot down by the North Vietnamese.
Jesus, those bone spurs were bad enough. Trump surely couldn't put up with torture in Vietnam. No wonder Trump didn't like John McCain, who was captured by the enemy. Trump liked soldiers who weren't captured, like himself. A Phoney Spoiled Rich Brat dressed in a uniform with bone spurs hurting too much to go to Vietnam.
I will give Trump some credit, however. After yelling and screaming about Fire and Fury at Kim, seeming to drive Kim and North Korea to what appeared to be the brink of actual Nuclear Fire and Fury, Trump finally got wise and started trying to communicate in a more reasonable and loving way. Don and Kim agreed to meet in Singapore and they both seemed to hit it off.
Now, however, it is a new day. Neither Kim nor Don stayed in Vietnam for the length of time they had been scheduled to and reports are that since the failed Vietnam Summit more activity is going on in North Korea's Nuclear facilities. Not a good sign.
Also North Korean spokespeople have indicated that North Korea found that President Trump and American Negotiators have been "too Demanding and Too Stubborn" in their insistence that North Korea give up their Nukes.
I personally don't understand how the North Koreans feel that it is too demanding for them to give up their Nukes. That was the whole point of the negotiations.
I think Trump made a mistake prior to the Vietnam Summit when he stated that he would be satisfied if North Korea would just give up Nuclear Testing, as they seemed to have done since the Nuclear Bromance began. Certainly that was setting the bar low for North Korea. But apparently not low enough.
In Trumps defense, at least the North Koreans are no longer threatening to bomb Hawaii or the U.S Mainland, at least not yet. Trump is right, however. If we can keep the North Korean hands off the Nuclear Trigger and keep Trump from threatening Kim we will all be better off, at least for the immediate future.
Sincerely
Jerry Gallagher
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Michael Cohen's Bombshell Testimony On Capitol Hill: A Man No Longer Willing To Take A Bullet For Donald Trump
March 3rd, 2019
My Dear America:
Although it seems more like a year ago, It was only last Wednesday when America tuned in to almost every Television Channel carrying Former Trump Loyalist and "Fixer" Michael Cohen's Testimony before The House of Representatives Oversight Committee. Surely we all thought that Cohen's Testimony would blow the lid off the Trump White House and it certainly did. Those of us who love American Democracy were certainly not pleased to hear Cohen's testimony about the American Cesspool that is everything swirling around Donald Trump.
John Dean, when he testified to the Senate Select Watergate Committee so many decades ago told the Watergate Committee that "There Was A Cancer On The Presidency" and he was correct. His testimony ended up being the beginning of the end for the Republican President, Richard Nixon.
Michael Cohen's testimony led those of us who are not under the difficult to understand spell of Donald Trump to realize that the Cancer on the Presidency was back and it was more aggressive and difficult to deal with than ever.
Oddly enough, Donald Trump just happened to schedule his largely unsuccessful meeting with North Korean Dictator, Kim Jong Un in Vietnam for Cohen's only day of Televised Testimony before the House Oversight Committee, one of the many House of Representatives Committees looking into almost every aspect of the Dung Heap that is Trump World.
After two years of Republican Control of the House, as well as the Senate and the White House, last November's Election Results turned over control of the House to the many newly elected and highly energized individuals who had been elected with the purpose of cleaning up Washington, with special emphasis on cleaning up the White House.
Certainly when Michael Cohen testified previously to a Republican Controlled Congress and lied about whether or not Donald Trump was still pursuing a Trump Tower deal with Moscow while he was running for President, both Cohen and Trump thought Cohen could get away with his lying to Congress. When Cohen, who had pledged that he would "Take A Bullet" for Donald Trump finally realized just how much Trump had played Cohen for a fool and a patsy and was continuing to do so, Cohen smartened up and agreed to cooperate with Prosecutors.
At some point it became evident to Cohen that he was going to jail for the crimes of lying to protect Trump, while Trump dumped Cohen like a bad habit and Tweeted insulting and denigrating things about Trump's long time Aide. Cohen, after spending a decade of being Donald Trump's hatchet man and doormat saw other victims of Trump prosecutions getting deals from Robert Mueller's Special Prosecutors and the U.S. Attorneys of the Southern District Of New York. At First there did not seem to be much of a prospect for Cohen to get a plea deal. Cohen did, however, even without a a plea deal agree to cooperate with Prosecutors investigating Trump and has done so.
Cohen arrived on Capitol Hill last Wednesday with a badly tarnished reputation earned through working for a decade doing Donald Trump's dirty deeds. But clearly Cohen came to talk, and talk he did.
Cohen started off reading a prepared statement identifying Donald Trump as a Racist, a Liar and a Cheat and giving personal recollections as well as copies of documents to the committee since Cohen knew that there were those on the Oversight Committee who would not believe him without documentation.
Cohen revealed through his prepared statement and responses to mainly Democratic Questioners some stunning revelations. It appeared as though mainly the Democrats were interested in what Michael Cohen could reveal about Donald Trump. Republicans on the Oversight Committee,with one exception, not only tried to delay and otherwise stymie the Cohen Testimony but asked almost no questions about Trump but simply denigrated Cohen without seeming to care about what he might reveal about Donald Trump. Two Republican Congressmen that were particularly revolting were Mark Meadows and Jim Jordan. Also there was much talk during the day about an inappropriate E Mail sent out by a Florida Republican Representative named Gaetz. Although Gaetz was not on the Oversight Committee he was observed at one point striding proudly and looking almost threatening as he walked in to talk with Republican members of the Committee
Democrats, however, seemed to be very much interested in the revelations that Michael Cohen was willing to share.
Some of the more stunning moments of Cohen's Testimony were the following:
Donald Trump did not expect to win the Presidential election. His run for the Presidency was mainly a publicity stunt aimed at promoting his "Apprentice" Television Program and putting pressure on NBC to pay him more money for the show. The stunt backfired on Trump when after some of his Racist and otherwise inappropriate comments resulted in NBC completely cutting off ties with Trump and distancing their network from any contact with him other than news coverage of his Presidential Campaign. Trump then continued the campaign because he thought it would look good for his Trump business brand even after he lost the Presidential race.
Donald Trump lied repeatedly to the American People about his Moscow Project. Time after time Trump told his crowds of supporters during the Presidential Campaign that he had no business dealings with Russia, while at the same time he had Michael Cohen negotiating with the Russians regarding the prospect of building a Trump Tower in Moscow. Certainly this could have been one of the reasons that Trump had nothing but praise for Russian leader, Vladimir Putin. Putin certainly could have used this obvious lie to blackmail Donald Trump, as well.
Michael Cohen admitted that Stormy Daniels and another Playboy Model were paid off to silence them before the 2016 Election. Cohen brought along and submitted into his testimony a copy of a canceled check from Trump paying Michael back for paying off Stormy.
Michael Cohen claimed to be in Donald Trump's Trump Tower Office when Roger Stone called and Trump spoke to Stone through a speakerphone. According to Cohen, Roger Stone claimed to have just talked to Julian Assange about Emails that Wikkileaks would be releasing that would not be in Hillary Clinton's best interests. This phone call took place prior to Donald Trump calling for the Russians to release Hillary Clinton's E Mails.
Cohen said that Donald Trump had repeatedly said in his presence that Trump's son, Don Jr. had the "Worst judgement."
Cohen admitted that he had made intimidating phone calls to various people on many occasions (possibly 500 times according to what he told Representative Jackie Spear) Some of those phone calls occurred after Trump called on Barack Obama not only to release his Birth Certificate but to also release his school transcripts. According to Cohen, at Trumps instruction Cohen made threatening phone calls to schools that Donald Trump had attended, as well as The College Board, advising the schools and the College Board not to release Trumps grades or SAT scores under threats of being sued by Donald Trump
In the end it does not seem as though Cohen's testimony has carried much weight with Donald Trump's Deplorables.
They just don't seem to care that Trump is continuing to sellout our Country to the most despicable leaders in the world. It is astonishing to see and if Republicans don't begin to see Donald Trump for the Charlatan he is we are going to continue to be in deep trouble.
We must continue to encourage our Representatives to investigate the madness that we are enduring in the age of Trump. We must also hope that our many fine Presidential Candidates don't destroy each other in the race for the White House.
Although we have many fine Candidates who have already joined the race, I would suggest that California Representative and House Intelligence Committee Chairman, Adam Schiff might be a Great Presidential Prospect. Another person who I recently saw on "Real Time With Bill Maher" who has extensive political experience including Former Congressman, Former Obama Chief of Staff and will soon be out of a job as Mayor of Chicago is Rahm Emmanuel.
We have plenty of great Presidential Prospects. Lets hope one of them puts Trump out of office.
To Me one of the most frightening things that Michael Cohen said in his Congressional Testimony is that he worries that if Trump is not reelected that there may be serious problems in getting Trump to cooperate and step down during a peaceful transition.
We are truly in for a bumpy ride with Donald Trump in the White House.
God Bless us all.
Sincerely
Jerry Gallagher
My Dear America:
Although it seems more like a year ago, It was only last Wednesday when America tuned in to almost every Television Channel carrying Former Trump Loyalist and "Fixer" Michael Cohen's Testimony before The House of Representatives Oversight Committee. Surely we all thought that Cohen's Testimony would blow the lid off the Trump White House and it certainly did. Those of us who love American Democracy were certainly not pleased to hear Cohen's testimony about the American Cesspool that is everything swirling around Donald Trump.
John Dean, when he testified to the Senate Select Watergate Committee so many decades ago told the Watergate Committee that "There Was A Cancer On The Presidency" and he was correct. His testimony ended up being the beginning of the end for the Republican President, Richard Nixon.
Michael Cohen's testimony led those of us who are not under the difficult to understand spell of Donald Trump to realize that the Cancer on the Presidency was back and it was more aggressive and difficult to deal with than ever.
Oddly enough, Donald Trump just happened to schedule his largely unsuccessful meeting with North Korean Dictator, Kim Jong Un in Vietnam for Cohen's only day of Televised Testimony before the House Oversight Committee, one of the many House of Representatives Committees looking into almost every aspect of the Dung Heap that is Trump World.
After two years of Republican Control of the House, as well as the Senate and the White House, last November's Election Results turned over control of the House to the many newly elected and highly energized individuals who had been elected with the purpose of cleaning up Washington, with special emphasis on cleaning up the White House.
Certainly when Michael Cohen testified previously to a Republican Controlled Congress and lied about whether or not Donald Trump was still pursuing a Trump Tower deal with Moscow while he was running for President, both Cohen and Trump thought Cohen could get away with his lying to Congress. When Cohen, who had pledged that he would "Take A Bullet" for Donald Trump finally realized just how much Trump had played Cohen for a fool and a patsy and was continuing to do so, Cohen smartened up and agreed to cooperate with Prosecutors.
At some point it became evident to Cohen that he was going to jail for the crimes of lying to protect Trump, while Trump dumped Cohen like a bad habit and Tweeted insulting and denigrating things about Trump's long time Aide. Cohen, after spending a decade of being Donald Trump's hatchet man and doormat saw other victims of Trump prosecutions getting deals from Robert Mueller's Special Prosecutors and the U.S. Attorneys of the Southern District Of New York. At First there did not seem to be much of a prospect for Cohen to get a plea deal. Cohen did, however, even without a a plea deal agree to cooperate with Prosecutors investigating Trump and has done so.
Cohen arrived on Capitol Hill last Wednesday with a badly tarnished reputation earned through working for a decade doing Donald Trump's dirty deeds. But clearly Cohen came to talk, and talk he did.
Cohen started off reading a prepared statement identifying Donald Trump as a Racist, a Liar and a Cheat and giving personal recollections as well as copies of documents to the committee since Cohen knew that there were those on the Oversight Committee who would not believe him without documentation.
Cohen revealed through his prepared statement and responses to mainly Democratic Questioners some stunning revelations. It appeared as though mainly the Democrats were interested in what Michael Cohen could reveal about Donald Trump. Republicans on the Oversight Committee,with one exception, not only tried to delay and otherwise stymie the Cohen Testimony but asked almost no questions about Trump but simply denigrated Cohen without seeming to care about what he might reveal about Donald Trump. Two Republican Congressmen that were particularly revolting were Mark Meadows and Jim Jordan. Also there was much talk during the day about an inappropriate E Mail sent out by a Florida Republican Representative named Gaetz. Although Gaetz was not on the Oversight Committee he was observed at one point striding proudly and looking almost threatening as he walked in to talk with Republican members of the Committee
Democrats, however, seemed to be very much interested in the revelations that Michael Cohen was willing to share.
Some of the more stunning moments of Cohen's Testimony were the following:
Donald Trump did not expect to win the Presidential election. His run for the Presidency was mainly a publicity stunt aimed at promoting his "Apprentice" Television Program and putting pressure on NBC to pay him more money for the show. The stunt backfired on Trump when after some of his Racist and otherwise inappropriate comments resulted in NBC completely cutting off ties with Trump and distancing their network from any contact with him other than news coverage of his Presidential Campaign. Trump then continued the campaign because he thought it would look good for his Trump business brand even after he lost the Presidential race.
Donald Trump lied repeatedly to the American People about his Moscow Project. Time after time Trump told his crowds of supporters during the Presidential Campaign that he had no business dealings with Russia, while at the same time he had Michael Cohen negotiating with the Russians regarding the prospect of building a Trump Tower in Moscow. Certainly this could have been one of the reasons that Trump had nothing but praise for Russian leader, Vladimir Putin. Putin certainly could have used this obvious lie to blackmail Donald Trump, as well.
Michael Cohen admitted that Stormy Daniels and another Playboy Model were paid off to silence them before the 2016 Election. Cohen brought along and submitted into his testimony a copy of a canceled check from Trump paying Michael back for paying off Stormy.
Michael Cohen claimed to be in Donald Trump's Trump Tower Office when Roger Stone called and Trump spoke to Stone through a speakerphone. According to Cohen, Roger Stone claimed to have just talked to Julian Assange about Emails that Wikkileaks would be releasing that would not be in Hillary Clinton's best interests. This phone call took place prior to Donald Trump calling for the Russians to release Hillary Clinton's E Mails.
Cohen said that Donald Trump had repeatedly said in his presence that Trump's son, Don Jr. had the "Worst judgement."
Cohen admitted that he had made intimidating phone calls to various people on many occasions (possibly 500 times according to what he told Representative Jackie Spear) Some of those phone calls occurred after Trump called on Barack Obama not only to release his Birth Certificate but to also release his school transcripts. According to Cohen, at Trumps instruction Cohen made threatening phone calls to schools that Donald Trump had attended, as well as The College Board, advising the schools and the College Board not to release Trumps grades or SAT scores under threats of being sued by Donald Trump
In the end it does not seem as though Cohen's testimony has carried much weight with Donald Trump's Deplorables.
They just don't seem to care that Trump is continuing to sellout our Country to the most despicable leaders in the world. It is astonishing to see and if Republicans don't begin to see Donald Trump for the Charlatan he is we are going to continue to be in deep trouble.
We must continue to encourage our Representatives to investigate the madness that we are enduring in the age of Trump. We must also hope that our many fine Presidential Candidates don't destroy each other in the race for the White House.
Although we have many fine Candidates who have already joined the race, I would suggest that California Representative and House Intelligence Committee Chairman, Adam Schiff might be a Great Presidential Prospect. Another person who I recently saw on "Real Time With Bill Maher" who has extensive political experience including Former Congressman, Former Obama Chief of Staff and will soon be out of a job as Mayor of Chicago is Rahm Emmanuel.
We have plenty of great Presidential Prospects. Lets hope one of them puts Trump out of office.
To Me one of the most frightening things that Michael Cohen said in his Congressional Testimony is that he worries that if Trump is not reelected that there may be serious problems in getting Trump to cooperate and step down during a peaceful transition.
We are truly in for a bumpy ride with Donald Trump in the White House.
God Bless us all.
Sincerely
Jerry Gallagher
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)