Impeachment | notthebestoftimes...

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.”

The Oath of office taken by our President and every member of the Senate and House

For anyone reading my blog it becomes immediately evident that I am not a fan of the Republican side of our political nation…and if you are a follower, there is no need for me to restate the obvious. However, given the events of the past several months, and in particular January 6th and the trial currently underway in the US Senate, it is near impossible to ignore these current events and actions. I find the point at which our nation finds itself to be particularly disturbing – of course for the travesty that former (love being able to write that) President Trump foisted on us – but more so for the place we find ourselves this week with those Senators and Representatives we have elected to lead the nation forward.

So let us get the obvious out of the way – Donald John Trump is no doubt one of the biggest pieces of shit that ever walked the face of this earth. He walks alongside such notaries as Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, Mao Tse-Tung, Idi Amin, Pol Pot, Sadam Hussain, and let’s not forget Putin. Maybe a little less impactful than a few of them – less deaths on his hands (let us not forget the 450,000+ from Covid-19) but there has been no one whom has threatened the existence of the longest running Democracy in history than this douchebag. I could go on and on (and I have previously if you care to read my previous posts) but not today. So on to the matter of the moment.

The eyes of the world have been on the United States for quite awhile now and we, the usual world leader, have recently but consistently fallen short of doing what is “right” and being the role model we’ve been for quite a long time. There are some things that don’t need discussion as to right and wrong. Overthrowing our Government is one of those things and if you need to discuss it, stop reading now as it is evident your head is already far up your ass. Falling short of what America has always espoused is going to happen again as we, as a nation, now try in the Senate, an impeached president for the second time. It is unfortunate for all of us that the result from our “leaders” will likely be no different than the first time around Trump’s impeachment. Facts again won’t matter because partisanship rises above all else. It is maddening and I have felt the rage, the dismay, the sadness and the plethora of not good emotions I am sure many good Americans have as we’ve watched events and actions that have stunned the world. I am tired of the tears I sometimes can’t control. I am tired of the anger which comes out in ways that often feels good at the moment but really helps no one. I am lucky. I have a wife who, despite my anger and intensity, walks up and hugs me and tells me I’m okay. I have kids who sometimes struggle with the normal challenges of daily living but are good kids (if you can call adults in their 30’s kids!). I don’t worry about much at this point as our life’s efforts and decisions have brought us to a good place in retirement. But I still ache at times more than I can ever remember in my 67 years.

I will watch the farce of a Senate trial play out over the next several days. While I commend what the House Impeachment Managers have presented so far, there is really no surprise result waiting on the horizon. There is no cavalry that will ride over the distant hill to come to our rescue. Again I will remind myself about something I’ve said many times over the years – there is no magic. What we see is what we get and what we must come to accept as reality – we are now a nation that is severely divided and one that has a good deal that needs to be fixed. We can approach this in several ways. We can continue to focus on the Trump effect and all those in power who have subscribed to his unethical, immoral and self-pleasuring approach to the world – an attitude based on narcissistic, self-centered actions focused purely on “what is good for me is all that matters”. We can give this part of us extra time and attention. We can waste our energy on people who will never change. And to be honest, change requires insight and integrity and there is a dearth of that in many of us in this nation.

I think it is time to really look at our path ahead and find the means to see something positive. I know it is critical for me as I really at a crossroad. Anger is sometimes a good thing but it will take it’s toll and I have much ahead of me I really don’t want to miss. I am far from a Pollyanna and I don’t dismiss the grave challenge we as a nation now face. But we can’t be consumed to the detriment of all else.

Not easy but I’m looking for perspective. Starting at the top, does it really matter that Trump is acquitted or not? It would be nice if for no other reason it could provide evidence that our political process actually works and that partisanship is not the map leading our actions. But that is not the case, made evident by how much Trump has been able to get away with for four years. If convicted, it will really change nothing. His supporters won’t believe it. They will again see it as just an extension of the stolen election. If acquitted, it won’t change anyone’s mind either. But the benefit here is that we will all see what he did and that view will not go away…ever. Ever. Ever. That is a long time.

There are many complicit in his actions and time will hold them accountable, as will history. I find it positive that over 70% of Americans think Trump should be convicted. I will focus on them rather than the 30% who continue to consistently demonstrate they offer no value or goodness to anything or anyone. These people are unrecoverable. They are not worth a moment’s time or attention. They thrive only in a time of discord and disarray. But we now know who they are and the best thing we can do is pay as little attention to them as possible. Keep in mind, their power only lies in how much they can disrupt our lives. Trump gave them life and for probably the first time in their lives, gave them recognition and told them they deserved more. And in their usual style and want, they really had to do nothing other than be who they really are. But they remain nothings and they remain damaged human beings. I am confident that good people will continue to find these insurrectionists and most will be brought to justice. And there will be goodness realized as many of us shun these broken people and we watch their livelihoods disappear. I will get a smile each time it happens.

I am hoping this place we find ourselves will bring a new awareness. I am hoping we all recognize we need to focus on the path forward. We have a lot to fix and maybe this bottom in which we find ourselves will help move us up towards better days. In the larger sense, I believe in very little that influences or controls what we do. However, I do believe in Karma…and it is a bitch. I have watched it work it’s wonders for most of my adult life. It is one thing that gives me solace when I watch these people who believe they are impervious to consequence. For those Senators and Representatives who continue to support this lowlife fuck – you who are the weak ones, afraid to cross anyone in a position of power, who have no integrity – it is coming for you. You are the individuals who have allowed and enabled this last four years.

Trump was right in at least one thing he said over the past four years – Remember the day (January 6th).

Let’s make sure that no one – elected officials or the American public forgets the Oath of Office sworn to by those we elect.

I have been absent from posts here on my blog now for almost 22 months. I was brought back to it given notification that I had a new follower who somehow came across my blogs. In coming back and reviewing the history of my rantings, I quickly returned to a certain level of excitement that I had back then when I was somewhat prolific in posts. Given all going on (and going wrong) in our country at the moment, the timing is good.

I had spent considerable time commenting on what, at the time, were my perspectives on most everything I thought was going wrong in our country. Interestingly enough, most of the posts back then were about the current idiot in the White House (yes, I realize that most everyone working as part of the current administration could fit that description) but I mean that fat, lard ass, Trump, who single-handedly, has reduced the reputation of the United States to the level of those third rate countries run by dictators and authoritarians (Trump’s heros) around the globe. My previous posts were geared more to my issues with Trump. What has become increasingly clear is that our real issue is not entirely with Trump (although there are a litany of issues that reside there) but more so with those in our country who continue to vehemently support and defend him. While I see less people with red MAGA hats and teeshirts walking around (mostly given they are really cowards when facing others), it is apparent that “the basket of deplorables” remains in place and our great country has far too many people whose level of growth – intellectual, emotional, social, etc., etc.) remains stunted and at the level that is exceeded in many cases by a normal 4 year old.

When I first started my blog, I was still working and I used the blog as a means to blow off steam – as well to possibly annoy some people who might stumble across my rantings. The good news is on two fronts. First, based on comments, I did annoy at least one or two of those who spent the time to read my ramblings. I do believe it also gave me an outlet to vent – which I needed given where I was in my career and life goals. At this point, I am now retired (actually five years retired) and my angst has pretty much settled down to a level that is considerably less and hopefully much more reasonable and tolerable – especially given the state of affairs in which we find ourselves. I am in a good place overall with little worries in my day to day wanderings and pretty comfortable across the board with most in everything in my life. I have spent most of my existence internally focused (the ultimate introvert in psychological terms), I can look back with pride on my career accomplishments as well as my relationship with my wife of 38 years as well as the children (now successful adults) we raised. I don’t have too many day to day worries, I don’t worry about meeting my financial commitments at the end of the month and I am relatively healthy for a 66 year old. We’ve moved into the grandchild stage of our lives and it is pretty great.

However good my life is, there unfortunately remains that part of me the looks around at where we, as a country, seem to be, and it is disheartening at best. It is a travesty and a profound disaster at its’ worst. It is time, I think, to return to my “blow off steam” outlet and start posting again. Much to speak to and much to raise attention on. If there is any doubt as to where I particularly lean, a quick read of my older posts will make it very clear. I will admit I’m pretty stoked to watch the next few months play out as the Trump horde continues down the path towards impeachment. Between here and Twitter (where I’ve been pretty much focused on Trump’s posts), it should be fun. Stay posted. In the meantime, since I usually post some sort of photo, here’s one of my favorites that provides great insight into the oval office idiot. Nothing like a bit of self-awareness….then again, what good is a piece of toilet paper if it isn’t attached to a piece of shit.

TrumpTP