A 10-letter word for "deserving strong condemnation"

Boy,there must be a word to describe unabashed white supremacists and Nazis. What would you call people who would protest the removal of a statue armed with semi-automatic rifles, carrying shields and shouting anti-Semitic and racist slogans? How about a name for someone who would drive a car into a crowd of peaceful protesters, with the intent of killing and injuring them. I don't know, but Hillary Clinton does. The word is "deplorable." (Although the grammarian in me protests the use of an adjective as a noun, I'm willing to let her slide.) Here, from the New York Times, September 10, 2016:

"You know, just to be grossly generalistic, you could put half of Trump's supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables. Right?" she said to applause and laughter. "The racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic - you name it. And unfortunately there are people like that. And he has lifted them up."

Well, she left out "anti-Semitic," and she forgot to mention that Trump himself wove the basket and carries it like Little Red Riding Hood. But really, wasn't she right? She took a lot of heat for that remark, but honestly... And she even gave the other fifty percent the benefit of the doubt! (Although I suspect she was being generous.) Yep. Deplorable. It's the right word for anyone still backing this guy after all we've seen since the inauguration.

Ball-free zone

I know, I know. The Republicans in Congress are supposed to look out for their own. But come on! Is there not one with the cojones to stand up for what's right in our country? They all hate him, but they support him up and down the line, while taking copious abuse. To wit:

* * * * *

Paul Ryan: 

• "I applaud President Trump for keeping his promise to make this a national priority.” - 01/25/2017, on the executive order initiating Trump's promised wall

 @realDonaldTrump: "Our very weak and ineffective leader, Paul Ryan, had a bad conference call where his members went wild at his disloyalty."

 * * * * *

Reince Priebus:  

• "On behalf of the entire senior staff around you, Mr. President, we thank you for the opportunity and the blessing that you've given us to serve your agenda." - 06/12/2017 

Scaramucci: "...a fucking paranoid schizophrenic!"

* * * * *

Jeff Sessions:

•   "It's so great to be here." - 06/12/2017, at the first Cabinet meeting

@realDonaldTrump: "Attorney General Jeff Sessions has taken a VERY weak position on Hillary Clinton crimes (where are E-mails & DNC leaks) & Intel leakers!"

* * * * *

Mitch McConnell:

•   "Donald Trump delivered an "inspirational" speech to Congress...for people not committed to Donald Trump already, he did become presidential tonight." - 02/28/2017

@realDonaldTrump: "Can you believe that Mitch McConnell, who has screamed Repeal & Replace for 7 years, couldn't get it done. Must Repeal & Replace ObamaCare!"

Enough already. Where is the backbone, the intestinal fortitude - all right, I'll say it - THE BALLS - of our elected representatives? Not one real patriot in the bunch. Not even those mealy-mouthed Senators who voted against repeal of Obamacare. Not Jeff Flake, who can badmouth his party in a book, but not stand up in Congress. Rather than Jefferson Sessions, we need a Jefferson Smith, Jimmy Stewart's character in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," someone who will stand up for what's right, party-be-damned. Someone to save us from President Crazypants and his weakling sycophants. If someone doesn't step up, we'll lose our rights, our healthcare and our freedoms. Maybe even our lives, as Trump seems intent on starting a war with North Korea. Anyone got the stuff?

Trump campaign meets with Liechtenstein

Well, no, they didn't. If it was Liechtenstein, Spain, Botswana or Vanuatu, no one would care. It was Russia. Not only was it Russia, but everyone seems to have forgotten to include meetings with Russia on their security clearance forms. It's almost as if the Men in Black had gotten to them.

Here are those on the Trump team that met with Russian representatives (that we know about so far):

• Jeff Sessions
• Jared Kushner
• Michael Flynn
• Carter Page
• Roger Stone
• Paul Manafort
• Donald Trump, Jr.
• JD Gordon

So many of them. So many who neglected to meetings these meetings on their security forms. Not one who met with Liechtenstein and forgot to mention it. Or New Guinea. Or Costa Rica. Funny, that.

Monsters in our midst (well, in the midst of the Congress and Senate)

I already know the answers, but I have to ask. why would Republicans want to reduce medical coverage for the neediest and most at-risk Americans?  How can these people, many of whom consider themselves religious and caring, even think about doing what they are about to do?

Of course, the answers are obvious:

1.  They don't care about the people losing healthcare.
2.  They don't care about most religions' pronouncement on caring for the less fortunate.
3.  Maybe they care a little, but they care more about their wealthy donors' tax breaks.  

I've seen a lot of galling things in my life, but this one takes the cake (see above.) Tax breaks for the rich don't help anyone but the rich (see Kansas under Brownback). But that's the point, isn't it?

Who should pay for healthcare? Only those who can afford it? Would you deny healthcare to the those who can't? Should they (maybe I should say "we") just be allowed to suffer and die, while Congress and their owners eat steak? What kind of monsters are you, Republicans?

Can't remember, but it will come to me soon.

On the way to work this morning, I had a great idea for a blog. Two hours later, when I have time to think about it, nothing but a vague memory that I had a great idea. That is all.

Trump has made his bed, so he has to lie about it

Donald John Trump, 45th President of the United States, is not someone who lies. He is a liar, someone whose lies are a defining part of his persona. He lies about everything. He lies to cover up misdeeds, he lies to make himself look better. Sometimes he lies just to lie.

I will not use the word “misspeak” in this post, with its implications of accidental use of wrong information. No, Trump lies on purpose, and enjoys the idea that he gets away with it.
And get away it he does. He knows he lies, we know it, the people who defend him know it. Even the Wall Street Journal, which in early January (before the inauguration) refused to call Trump’s lies “lies,” by March said that he clings to falsehoods “like a drunk to an empty gin bottle.”

In a way, it’s an impressive feat. He has gotten evangelical Christians to forget the ninth commandment (thou shalt not bear false witness); they love him anyway. He deflects by calling other people liars (Lyin’ Ted! Lying Hillary! Comey’s a liar), when they point out his lying ways.

The old joke “who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes?” must have been invented for him. When presented with audio or visual evidence that contradicts him, he sticks to his lies about: illegal voters; his net worth; Russian intervention; his health; releasing his taxes; Obama’s birthplace; his inheritance; Muslims cheering 9/11; and on, and on, and on.

When he calls James Comey a leaker, that’s a lie. The wall? A lie. Heathcare for everyone? A lie. Tax reform? A lie. Maybe it would be easier to name instances where Trump has told the truth. Nope, can’t think of one. And that's the truth.

The Audacity of Trump's Hope

Today former FBI director James Comey testified before the Senate that President "hoped" he could "let it go," meaning the pursuit of Michael Flynn in the investigation of Russia's meddling in our election. Comey was taken to task by Idaho Senator Jim Risch (R) for interpreting "hope" as a direct order. If Sen. Risch had access to a dictionary, he would find that any definition of "hope" as a verb, either transitive or intransitive, includes the words "desire" and/or "expect." See Merriam/Webster's entry HERE.

Trump was not using "hope" as one would hope, say, the Penguins win the Stanley Cup (go Pens!) You don't send all the other important folks,except the one person who can stop the investigation, out of the room to "hope" something happens. "Gee, James, I hope it doesn't rain during my golf game this weekend!" Come on, Sen. Risch, get real.

Trump likes to use the word "hope." He thought Comey should hope there were no tapes.

Today, Comey said, basically, Bring on the tapes! You want to know what I hope? I think you can guess.