WE ARE AT WAR...With Ourselves.

This is the final in my Trilogy and was planned in my mind before Wednesday's Shootings at the Republican Congressional Baseball Practice.

As you will see, it very much ties in with this Blog's Message.


So Here Goes:

We are at War, with Ourselves:

And although the Main Battle Field of our War is in America, lesser Fields exist throughout the Free World.

In Britain, a Leftist Loon came within a whisker of knocking off Conservative Theresa May and it is doubtful that her Minority Win will survive much more than a year.  In France, the recent winner of its Presidency was not a member of a main stream party and next year, despite the current polls, I do not see the Godmother of present day Europe - Angela Merkel being victorious. Greece and Italy are basket cases and beyond Europe things are in even more chaos.

Something is afoot and I believe it has the potential of derailing our cherished democratic institutions.

So back to the Main Battlefield where the Progressive Left is taking every opportunity to destroy Donald Trump, His Administration and Those Who Voted For Him.

(As I have said numerous times, I am not a Trump fan indeed, as I have repeatedly mentioned, I would not have voted for him.  Nor for that matter would I have voted for Hillary the Crook nor Obama the Apologist.  My preferred candidate in last year's election ...had I had a vote...was Marco Rubio).  

But what we are seeing south of our border, is an asserted attempt by the Left to undo November's Election Results anyway they can. I am not suggesting for a minute that this extends to bringing personal harm to Trump but there are some (many?) out there who would wish for no less as Wednesday's Ball-field attack bears out.  

Underlying Democracy and what makes Democracy Work is the acceptance of the Election Results by those who participated in the Process.  The losers dust themselves off so to speak and readies themselves for the next Electoral Contest where they hope the results will be more favourable to them.

But once the losing side acts contrary to this Custom then we find, as we do today, a split Electorate where the Administration of Government starts to grind to a halt in the face of a multitude of manufactured roadblocks.

In the extreme, this is what we see in the case of despotic rule in the world's dictatorships...one Government (often one man) claims total power and those on the out spend their time trying to oust him by way of Revolution and I can tell you that I have heard that word bandied around America for the first time since the dying days of Richard Nixon's Presidency.  

Those of you who are familiar with my Blogs already know who I believe to be the two sides in this conflict.  But for you new Readers - the Progressive Left consists of those who believe themselves to be Entitled.  Big Government, Cradle to the Grave Pampering.  Maybe they are on to something since more and more Americans are opting out of the Private Workforce and going to work for the Public Sector or subsisting on Welfare.  These are the folks who eagerly flock to Obama, Hillary and Senator Bernie Sanders - he of the 90% income tax. 

On the other side are those I call the Lunch Bucket Contingent. They work primarily in the Private Sector and are too focused on providing for their families to become actively involved in politics like the Progressives.  For instance, when the Left predicted last year that there would be blood in the streets should Trump lose the election I knew full well they were wrong but that the reverse would be true...street violence would only happen if dear Hillary lost...as it did.

So the lines are fixed...it is the olde America... the Strong, Silent, Individual who just wants a chance to succeed (that is to say, those who value Individual Rights and Freedom from Government) against The Entitled who expect Big Government to meet his/her every need (that is to say Group Think and Political Correctness as determined by The Self-Proclaimed Elite).

As you can guess, my loyalty rests with the former but as a realist I know the trend is toward the latter and that the United States is the last chance to see this trend reversed.  

So here are the Options still open today:

First, The Left backs off and Lets the Trump Administration get on with Governing and awaits coming opportunities down the road to regain power.   The chance of this happening are slight to none - for instance, I cannot see the Democrats backing off their totally bizarre claim that the Trump Administration some how colluded with the Russians to affect the results of the 2016 Presidential Election.  And when that ultimately fails,as it will, they will be onto other nonsensical claims designed to destroy the current Presidency.

Second, The Left continues to use everything including the kitchen sink to destroy Trump and Company from being able to govern.   The chance of this happening are good to excellent but the negatives attached to this battle strategy will divide the United States much the same way the Civil War did over 150 years ago. But even more serious, it will hasten the day when America can truly call itself a Progressive Nation much like those in Europe over the course of the last 50 - 60 years.  And, China stands at the ready to eat us for lunch.

Third, and the worst possible outcome would arise if either side was ultimately successful in this war, and the other side launched a Revolution and installed a Dictatorship, under which too many other countries of the world currently suffer.  Chance of this happening are remote but are closer today than they were prior to November's Election. 

As I see it...

'K.D. Galagher'

GERMANY et al DOES THE RIGHT THING...BUT, FOR THE WRONG REASON

But before I get into today's Blog I just have to comment on yesterday's fiasco where Donald Trump's Cabinet Members were forced to publicly voice fealty to their Insecure and Egotistical 'Dear Leader'.

Never in my many years following politics have I ever witnessed such a Wanton Display of Gutlessness... it made me want to Barf. How could such accomplished men and women lower themselves to such Depths...up to then, for the most part, I had believed Trump's Cabinet Selections were worthy appointees. 

I am now forced to reconsider my belief.

BACK TO TODAY'S BLOG...Trilogy #2

Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany came out this past week and declared that Europe was now on its own, no longer could they depend on backing from the United States of America.

Other major countries in Europe including France and Great Britain and a number of lesser states are following suit.

So what set Merkel off?  She cites two recent developments- the Trump Administration's dressing down of NATO countries like Germany for not pulling their weight and the second was its decision to leave the Paris Accord.

Let's look at both.

First NATO - Germany spends but 1.2 % of its GDP on the military far below the 2% demanded by NATO HQ.  The US spends 3.3 % which is well above the stated target but is much less than it was but a decade or so ago.  (Of note, Russia is currently out spending both - as a % of GDP at 5.3%.)  I have written countless times about the need for NATO Countries to step up to the plate and take over some of the costs from the US because, quite frankly, America can no longer afford to pay the bulk of the freight entailed by defending the Free World (hence the drop in their own % of GDP toward the military). And, we are once again experiencing an arm's race and in addition to the massive spending of Russia, China is building up its military at an alarming rate.  

So, thank you Angela, although you are complaining about the need for Europe to defend itself...it is about time.  As and aside, I would like to point out to the Chancellor that there may have not even been a free Germany today had it not been for the American Marshall Plan which brought her country back from oblivion at the end of WWII and of course, at the expense of the American Taxpayer.

Second the Paris Accord- Here again Germany et al are astounded that the US has withdrawn from this Accord.  In my first Trilogy Blog I set out fully why this Accord is a bogus endeavour that directs attention away from the real problems of the world and contains no real targets but does require the First World to send Billions of Dollars to the Less Developed.  Their Hope is by 2020 a Fund of $100 Billion (that is not a typo) annually will established for this wealth transfer.  Merkel may be dismayed by this development but I can tell you, her citizens will not.

Once again, Ms. Merkel has made the right decision...

If Europe does follow through on its pledge to do more and rely upon the United States less, we will all benefit.

Keep up the good work Angela even though you do not have the foggiest idea what you are in fact accomplishing.

As I see it...

'K.D. Galagher'

DONALD TRUMP DOES IT AGAIN

He correctly took the United States out of the Paris Accord...

Sorry you Progressives, I know you were hoping for something derogatory.

This will be the first of a Trilogy of Blogs.

Even the Left faults the Paris Accord for lacking binding targets whereas I am delighted that compulsory targets are missing since many (most?) participants will pledge fidelity only to ignore the Accord's objectives... and for that I am grateful.

But that aside, I am opposed to the Paris Accord and similar Accords in the past since they declare war on Carbon Dioxide, a clear, colourless, odourless gas used by plants, animals and humans in the breathing process. 

I am all for efforts to clean our waters, our air and our foods but that is not what these misdirected Accords are all about.  And I too look forward to the day when we can obtain all our energy needs from Solar or other benign sources, but that day is a long way off and to destroy our economies in blind pursuit of this goal in the meantime, is simply madness.  

Another real negative attached to the Paris Accord is the fact that it requires First World Countries like America to pay Billions of $$ each year to third world countries such as China while those countries do not even have to reduce their carbon foot-print.  Pretty slick deal if you ask me.

Are we in the West stupid or what.

President Trump is vilified daily --- maybe I should say by the minute, but it is with respect to great decisions like this that he has a chance to be the best President since Ronald Reagan.

And heaven help the Left if Trump is successful in his promise to lower Corporate Income Taxes from 35 to 15 %.  Why the US economy will be booming and will result in more jobs for the folks and more disposable income in their jean pockets.

As I see it...

'K.D. Galagher'

WHO TO BELIEVE DONALD TRUMP OR JAMES COMEY ?

Note:  After some further thought I have decided to add this addendum to my below-noted Blog.  In particular, I had no difficulty with Director Comey's leaking his notes in a bid to protect his reputation.  Indeed, I would have done that too in a similar situation.  But Comey confessed that his real motivation for the leak of his notes was in the hope that it would lead to the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the President which is what in short order happened.  No one person should have that power and if that was indeed his motivation as he has professed, the guy has lost any respect I earlier had for him.  G   

My Blog:

Well surprise, surprise, I believe the former FBI Director.

But don't get too excited, the matter falls far short of an Impeachable Offence.

With that let's review today's testimony:

• Comey testified that President Trump said he hoped the investigation into former Security Advisor Michael Flynn would be dropped.  And that he correctly, in my opinion, viewed that as an order coming directly from the President of the United States.

My Note:  Trump was wrong to have done that.  Full Stop.

• Comey also testified that officers in the Obama Administration had similarly made unethical advances to him to get matters they did not like deep-sixed as well.

My Note:   They were wrong to have done that as well.

• Senator John McCain asked Comey how come he came out and stated, before Election Day, that Hillary Clinton was no longer being investigated by the FBI even though reports were swirling that the Russians may have been hacking into her unprotected emails.  McCain called it a double standard.

My Note:  Seems like a double standard to me.  

• The former FBI Director went on at length to bitterly complain about how the President and his Administration went out of their way to belittle Comey's management of the FBI by suggesting that it was ill run and the morale was a record low.

My Note:  Trump and Company were wrong to vilify the former FBI Director in this way but don't forget right or wrong this is Trump's modis operendi as his fellow candidates in last year's Republican Nomination Process can well attest.  Electors knew full well when they voted for Donald Trump this was the beast they were getting.

There was more but for me the above was the gist of today's testimony.

Now a fuller analysis:

As I said, Trump was wrong to have asked Comey to let go of the investigation of Flynn even though as as Comey himself admitted today, there was no suggestion that the President had anything whatsoever to do with the Russian Shenanigans.  I have said from the beginning that when this Russian Investigation finally and thankfully comes to an end, Trump will be vindicated.  Why I say 'thankfully comes to an end' is because it is taking up so much time and resources that could be better allocated to truly important matters such as the economy and restoring health care both of which Obama damaged.

Second I see much of Comey's testimony being an effort to restore his own credibility which to me took a fatal hit during last year's election when he came out say that Hillary was not under investigation by the FBI and then mere weeks later came out to say she was.  Although I think Hillary should have been prosecuted for deliberately exposing top sensitive emails on her unprotected server, the FBI should never have said merely days before the vote that they had reconsidered and were once again investigating her.  Comey should have been fired right there and then since even Hillary did not deserve that type of treatment.  (Trump should have cashiered Comey the first week of his new mandate given the seriousness of Comey's mistake.  Had he done so this farce could have been avoided.

What is at stake here transcends Trump, Comey and Politics in general.  What we are witnessing is a fight for Democracy.  Trump was fairly elected President by the non-elites and ever since the Elites have gone out of their way to derail him.  He is admittedly a Bull in the China Shop ...when he asked Comey to cease and desist he thought he was talking to one of the boys...just making a deal as he so often pats himself on the back for being able to do.  He has rough edges but so to do many of his supporters throughout the hinterlands of America.  A lesser man would have folded by now...I know I would have, but if Elites and their minions throughout the bureaucracy are ultimately successful in getting rid of Trump it will mean that Democracy will have likely taken an irreparable hit. 

As I see it...

'K.D. Galagher'

KINGSTON PENITENTIARY...A VISIT TO HELL WOULD BE PREFERABLE.

Yesterday, I visited the now closed Kingston Penitentiary (KP) which was once our country's largest maximum prison for the very worst of society and ...it left me shaken.

Opened in June of 1835, it closed the 30th of September 2013 and at its peak, 'housed' if I can use that word, upwards of 500 convicts and an equal number of guards.

I am no bleeding heart, but I quickly sympathized with the masses of prisoners and even the guards who were unfortunate enough to spend any time there.

Other than for the above, I am not going to recite a bunch of facts and figures to exhaust your mind, nor am I going to deal much in the way of descriptives or personalities, rather I am going to focus on my own feelings that surfaced during the 1.5 hour tour.

My background is Law and in 1971 I was slated, along with members of my law class, to visit KP. The course we were taking that required these visits was Criminology where Reform Buzz Words like 'rehabilitation, re-integration, and restitution' were bandied about in place of 'punishment and retribution' .  And, for the most part, the institutions we visited that term were consistent with this 'new way of thinking'. But they were Medium and Minimum Security Facilities.

I now know from yesterday that my own personal thoughts on penal reform would have been dramatically altered back then but for the fact that our tour got canceled due to a large and violent riot.  
So back to yesterday.  Kingston is called the limestone city and in that regard KP fits right in with its limestone construction and high intimidating limestone walls.  The iron doors at the entry are a foot deep and the inside walls are a bleak grayish brown...there is no joy to be had in the olde girl's decor or demeanour.  

As you move further in you soon reach what the guards called the guts of the beast where, in a very small area for upwards to its 500 inhabitants, ranges of cells reach skyward, all enveloped in a thick wire mesh.  It is like a commercial chicken-coop for humans and just as inviting.

It is also soul-destroying.  My sister, was part of a KP tour in the days just prior to the infamous 1971 riot and to this day she regrets having accompanied her class. Even these many years later, her face goes pale and she shutters at the memory.

Try as I might rationalize the inmates' living conditions with the evilness of their deeds I come up short, nobody should have been put through what they endured, many for the entirety of their   remaining life.  

Most would have come to KP young - victims themselves of violent upbringings.  To face serious time in such dehumanizing circumstances defies understanding but goes along way to explain why so many of them became mere animals in their captivity. 

Where was the compassion? Where were their Human Rights?

Our Tour Guide told us that in the 1800s Charles Dickens inspected Kingston Penitentiary and came away impressed.  Rather explains how really bad it was. 

As I see it...

'K.D. Galagher'

FOR THOSE OF YOU ON THE LEFT WHO ARE HOPING THAT PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WILL BE IMPEACHED...

Note:  My Following Blog is not intended for those of the Progressive Left persuasion since nothing I nor any of us can say that would convince them of the validity of what is being said here.  Rather it is for the Rest of Us - you know, the ones who work hard for their families ...the doers and not the takers...the ones that are too busy to tell us others what to think and how to live their lives. G


YOU WILL BE IN FOR GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT !!

In other words ... It Ain't Gonna Happen.

In a recent Post, I promised to continue with this follow-up to explain why America's Justice Department appointed an Independent Special Counsel and although probably necessary given all the histrionics on the part of the Progressives, it will end with a Whimper... not a Bang.  

Barely 100 days in and the Left is clamouring for Trump's Head yet not a peep out of them during the 8 years Obama was in power.

You might rightfully think that he had no scandals and yet...several come to mind:

1. IRS targets Obama's enemies; 2. Benghazi; 3. Spying on The Associated Press; 4. Rosengate; 5. The ATF's Fast & Furious; 6. HHS  Sebelius demands payment from companies HHS might regulate; 7. The Pigford scandal; 8. Solyndra; 9. The New Black Panthers (voter intimidation in the 2008 Election); 10.  Waging war in Libya without the okay from Congress; 11. Top CIA Operative in Afghanistan outed by Obama White House; etc. etc.

Plus prior to being elected Prez, he sat in his Church's pew and listened to his Pastor of 20 years condemning the very essence of America while the same pastor was living in a $10 million dollar home in a white conclave.  And even his dear wife was quoted as saying she had no use for the United States until it deigned to elect her husband President.

So 8 years of Obama and zip about investigations or impeachment and but 100 days in for Trump and half the country is screaming for exactly that.

Something stinks here.

And we won't even get into Hillary and her escapades other than to say the FBI (Comey) was severely negligent in not having brought charges against her.  If she had been a Martha Stewart, or a you or me, she'd currently be a resident of the crowbar hotel.  

With those anomalies in mind, let us now look at the alleged charges against The Donald:

The Special Counsel is authorized to investigate “any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated” with the Trump campaign.

This of course is consistent with the Left's claim that Russia interfered in the recent election with the purpose of derailing Hillary's Campaign.  Let's be honest here, Hillary did not need any help in this...she was quite capable in doing that all by herself.

Second, it would be surprising if Russia was not involved in this, in some fashion, since this is the state of world affairs today and for long past.  I suspect other countries like China and North Korea were in there like dirty shirts too.  And to think that the good olde United States of America is too good to engage in such antics is to laugh...I can recall back when I first got interested in politics President Kennedy and his Administration were actively involved in the assassination of South Vietnam's President Diem.

For the Leftist to express shock reminds me again of Inspector Renaud's pretend shock in finding out that gambling was taking place in Bogart's (aka Rick's) Bar.

And their Hypocrisy extends even further in the Left's silence in the face of Obama's recent open campaigning for the eventual winner of France's Election ...Emanuel Macron.  

A related part of the current investigation includes what if any business associations, may have existed or currently still exist, between Russians vis a vis Trump and his Administration.

Well blow me over with a wet noodle.  Just imagine Trump and Company having international business dealings all over the world and not having ties with a country as large as Russia.  Of course they would and it would be out of the ordinary if they did not.

That said, there is one chap who has rightfully come under the microscope ...Trump's former National Security Advisor General Flynn.  He who was in his new position for a grand total of 6 days. And dear Reader, it was President Trump who swiftly saw to his removal. 

Flynn'a alleged offence was failing to disclose that he worked for Turkey as a Consultant.  Don't forget Turkey, like the USA and 20+ others are members of NATO.  So the allegations did not even relate to consulting for a non-friendly especially if his work was prior to and not during his appointment.  The investigation will rightfully shed light on this issue.


The bottom-line in all of this is that the Left and their Media Lackies will go to any lengths to discredit / destroy President Trump and his Administration.  The fact that Donald Trump has such strong faith in himself and his abilities is the only thing that stands in Their way.

But realize this is not about Trump rather it is about the changing face of America.  Big Government, Big Taxes, Big Entitlements and much Less Personal Freedom are the Progressives' Goal and Donald Trump is but today's convenient target.  Should Trump resign tomorrow, Their insidious campaign would continue unabated.

We the People still have a choice but the Window is slowly but surely closing.

As I see it...

'K.D. Galagher'

MANCHESTER....Suffer The Little Children...

Most of whom were little girls.

President Trump calls these Islamic Terrorists "Losers"...I would add to that descriptor the word 'Cowardly'.

I was going to release today a Blog on why the Appointment of a Special Prosecutor into Donald Trump's alleged ties with Russia is going to turn out to be a monumental waste of time but have held it back since yesterday's senseless killing of innocents provides a much better answer.

Simply stated, we may not like Putin and his Oligarchy but it is ISIS that has Declared War On Us...not Russia: and as the 4th Century BC saying so aptly puts it...'your enemy's enemy is your friend'.

Just think what Obama would have done...or, to be more precise, what he would not have done.  If you, as a Progressive, say he would not have worked with Russia to help to bring these Terrorists down you'd be correct.  But in fact, Obama would not have worked with any country to see this done...including Israel which has the most skin at risk. His policy throughout his long 8 year term was to disengage America from the World Stage and in so doing he allowed this vile cancer to grow.

And something else Obama would never have done ...and that is to call these cowardly losers ...Islamic Terrorists.  Sort of on par with calling the Manchester Slaughter an incident.

I, for one, am glad that finally the West has a Leader who is not afraid to stand up against this Evil and for Lives of Our Little Children.

As I see it...

'K.D. Galagher'