Republican cracks of support for Donald Trump became apparent when Trump announced withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria. These actions unilaterally left the Syrian people faced with hostile take- over, displacement and killing of Kurds by Turkish military forces. This set of circumstances led Trump to reconsider his impulsive move. Vice President Pence announced a cease fire agreement on Thursday, October 17. Less than 24 hours later, Turkey resumed business of firing as usual. Up to now, Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell’s iron hand kept Republican Senators in line with protecting Trump. Could these new events be the straw that helps break the GOP’s elephant back? There is also something known as karma—what comes around goes around. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R. KY) once declared that his main goal was to make President Obama a one-term president. He failed to succeed. He did succeed on his promise to deny a Supreme Court seat vacancy to President Obama as a … [Read more...] about Mitch McConnell’s Chickens may be Soon Coming Home to Roost
GOP
My Top Ten Wishes (Satirical) For the Fake SOTU
Donald Trump gives his second State of the Union Address (“SOTU”) tonight. I look forward to the Democratic rebuttal to be given by Stacey Abrams. Abrams who ran for governor of Georgia is the new face of the Democratic party. Black women have supported the Democratic party by overwhelmingly voting in higher numbers than any other group in 2016, 2012 and 2008. Yet, the Democrats have often ignored Black women while trying to win back those whites who left the Democratic party beginning with President Lyndon Johnson in the 1960’s and have yet to return. As I look forward to hearing Stacey Abrams tonight, I also wanted to share my satirical top ten wishes for the fake SOTU. In my David Letterman voice, here goes the top ten in reverse order beginning with number 10. 10. The wall becomes a non-issue and all federal government workers rejoice without the threat of a pending shutdown hanging over them. 9. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg arrives in her workout attire and begins her workout … [Read more...] about My Top Ten Wishes (Satirical) For the Fake SOTU
Lynching Statement by GOP Senator is no Laughing Matter
Everyday bold racist statements emerge in the media. A recent appalling racist statement was made by Mississippi Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith. She praised support for someone by saying: “If he invited me to a public hanging, I’d be on the front row.” As an African American who is a descendant of slaves, I can never get used to the bigoted statements and bigotry in the U.S. In response, Hyde-Smith says “any attempt to turn this into a negative connotation is ridiculous.” She’s running in a run-off election against Mike Epsy, an African American and former Congressman. I don’t know what Hyde-Smith thinks about a public lynching. But I can tell her that it’s no joking matter—now or never. It is a negative part of U.S. history. Billy Holliday sang Strange Fruit in which the lyrics describe lynching of Blacks in the south. Those words in part were: “Southern trees bear strange fruit Blood on the leaves and blood at the root Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze Strange fruit hanging … [Read more...] about Lynching Statement by GOP Senator is no Laughing Matter
Why a Decades Ago Attempted Rape Should Derail Kavanaugh
Judge Brett Kavanaugh was on to smooth sailing to a lifetime appointment on the Supreme Court before Professor Ford came forward with allegations of an attempted rape by Kavanaugh when he was 17. Ford at age 15 attended a party where Kavanaugh attempted to rape her on a bed and in the process placed a pillow over her head to prevent her from screaming. Now years later, Ford is scheduled to testify publicly about these allegations. As I appeared on DC Fox 5 this evening, I was asked why would Professor Ford come forward so many years later. Most women, including Ford would prefer to forget the details of a sexual assault. However, the reality is most can never forget the assault or in Ford’s case an attempted rape. While I cannot speak for Ford, she likely came forward now because she has a civic or moral duty to convey significant information about Kavanaugh’s character and fitness to serve on the highest court. And it doesn’t matter that the incident took place decades ago. … [Read more...] about Why a Decades Ago Attempted Rape Should Derail Kavanaugh
Trump’s Wins are Major Losses for the U.S.
When Donald Trump campaigned in 2016, he stated that he planned to win on every single issue for Americans. And one year after taking office, Trump has won hands down on every single issue that seeks to divide rather than unite us as a country and lower our standing in the world. Trump got off to a running start on January 27, 2017 by hastily implementing a Muslim travel ban on 7 Muslim countries. The ban barred citizens of the Muslim countries from entering the U.S. After a federal appeals court struck down the first ban, a second ban ensued. Later after litigation, a third ban was enacted. On December 4, 2017, the Supreme Court allowed a third version of the travel plan to go into effect banning individuals from eight Muslim countries. Citizens from the effected countries will not be able to immigrate, work, study or vacation in the U.S. while the ban is in effect. Litigation is still ongoing. The propaganda of “America First” touted by Trump has resulted in a loss of travel … [Read more...] about Trump’s Wins are Major Losses for the U.S.
Hillary Clinton Can No Longer Play it Safe
According to a recent CNN poll conducted September 1- 4 of this week, Donald Trump is in the lead for the Presidential race. All other recent polls show that Hillary Clinton is in the lead and in some polls leading by a decent margin. However in politics as in sports, apparently most voters and especially the media hates a run-away game. If the game is too close to call, it becomes more exciting. CNN’s poll may be a good thing for Hillary Clinton. It shows Trump's lead by 2 percentage points- albeit within the margin of error. Despite the polls, most voters, myself included, are somewhat apathetic to this election. The apparent reality is most voters, except perhaps the minority of fear mongering Trump folks, appear lethargic by this election cycle. Voter apathy is an understatement. Who the apathy curve will benefit remains to be seen. The media is trying to infuse some excitement in an otherwise dull apathetic election by constantly putting Trump on display and bringing up … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton Can No Longer Play it Safe