And, a GOOD Sunday Morning to YOU. Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee my weekly political news blog that also gets my commentary thrown in. It's what I do...
"He's Not Worth It"
Four words that, no doubt, will drive "45" over the top. Last week House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said those words when asked about the House bringing Articles of Impeachment against the current occupant of the White House. She said that it was way too deviseve for the nation and besides, "He's just not worth it". To a person who thinks and acts the way our narcissistic president thinks and acts what a major "clap-back". Ya gotta love it. He's not worth it....
The Report Is In
The nation held its collective breath on Friday as Robert Mueller delivered his report to the Justice Department. For nearly two years the special prosecutor has been turning over stones regarding the involvement of Russia in the 2016 election. Now Attorney General Robert Barr will have a look and decide what you and I can see. Meanwhile, without knowing what is in the report Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) is calling for the report to be released in its entirety because without doing so the nation will be left to wonder and the conspiracy theories will roll like the high-tide in Nebraska.
The Silence Was Deafening
This morning "45" ended his self-imposed 40 hour Twitter silence and tweeted out his campaign slogan and wished his followers a "great day". It was the first tweet since the Mueller report was delivered Friday. But, we can understand he was attending to important business at his resort in Florida. Golfing with Kid Rock is mighty heavy stuff.
New York, New York
Now the focus will shift to, what could be more damage to "45", as New York rolls through it's case against the president, his family, his business. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) is reportedly already carrying out a series of probes related to the president, including efforts focused on Trump's inaugural committee.
It is also overseeing an investigation into potential campaign finance violations tied to the president.
Trump and his allies are well aware of the investigations and the dangers of the New York prosecutors. Why, they are ruthless when it comes to sniffing out crime from mob bosses to celebrities. Then, of course, we've also got Virginia and D.C. cases to attend to.
You elect a crook...this is what you get.
Meanwhile in New Zealand
It's becoming more and more clear that New Zealand is topping the United States when it comes to being civilized. Today over 10,000 people attended a rally to mourn the 50 victims who were gunned down last week. Many women came with headscarves to show solidarity with Muslim women after the hashtag #HeadScarfForHarmony hit social media last week.
In the span of one week the leader of New Zealand didn't offer empty "thoughts and prayers" she went to work getting a ban on assault weapons, large capacity magazines and a host of other gun control measures. Of course those of you who are in love with your guns will note that in New Zealand, unlike in the United States, having a firearm is already regulated. To get a firearm there you must apply, have witnesses stand up for you and be willing to forfeit your weapon should you run counter to the law.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also said a national remembrance service for the victims is scheduled for March 29. Meanwhile over 20,000 signatures have been gathered in support of her receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for her actions in the wake of the tragedy.
AIPAC
Today the annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) kicks off in Washington, D.C. and many Democrats are twisting themselves into pretzels trying to support but condemn the Jewish state. Some of the 2020 presidential contenders are skipping the event in the hope we'll forget all about them turning their back on the only democracy in the Middle East. Some are suggesting that if we show any allegiance to Israel it is somehow a crime.
What horseshit.
I get it... and I'm about to lose my Liberal Card but here's the deal. If Iowa were surrounded by states that hate us (well, maybe that's not such a stretch) and were committed to the destruction of all three million of us what position might you take? Play "Iowa nice" as terrorists from Minnesota cross the border into Lansing and blow up the Methodist Church. (I know they have their own issues these days, right?)
No, you hate Israel because Bibi has a bromance with "45" and moved the embassy to Jerusalem and ended the Iran deal and...oh my goodness...moved to recognize Israels right to annex the Golan Heights. And you do that from the comfort of your Iowa Nice living room without a care. Please...
What is worse is that some of my liberal Jewish friends seem to swallow this anti AIPAC crap forgetting their brothers and sisters living in Israel have a target on their back. You want to debate this issue? I can do it all day long. Rather than attack Israel why not demand that your Arab friends, who teach hate and destruction say, "We recognize that the State of Israel has a right to exist in peace."
If that were to happen, rather than rockets being fired into Ashkelon or people being run over on the streets or knifed in the back as they walk to synagogue we would have peace. But, hey, Jews are a much easier target...always have been.
Well, there goes the "Liberal Card"...
Privilege?
I'm going to share a story that I was told by the family of a young woman at the center of this tale:
A woman was driving the fifteen miles home from work with her six-month old child in the car seat. Not paying attention, she was stopped by a police officer for doing 86 mph in a 65 mph zone. The officer asked for her license (she didn't have it) her vehicle registration (she didn't have it) and her proof of insurance (nope, didn't have it).
Know what happened?
She got a ticket for going 5 mph over the speed limit. No citation for anything else, no arrest for child endangerment...nada.
I failed to mention the young mother is white. Imagine, for just a moment, if a person of color were driving that vehicle.
I rest my case.
Partly Personal
Last week the Festival of Purim was held (The Book of Esther) on the same day as the Hindu Festival of Holi. Both events are rooted in the notion of good and G-d triumphing over the darkness of evil.
I was discussing the similarities with my Hindu friend, Dinesh and asked him a personal question about prayer. "Dinesh, when you pray do you place a bindi (red dot) on your forehead?" I think he may have been surprised that I would ask the question but even more surprised that I knew about the adornment. (Thank you Parkash for the lesson!) He said, "Sometimes, but I take if off when in public because, well, because, I live in Iowa and people think it's odd. Besides, my dark skin and my accent is already different so I try to blend in as much as possible."
I get it. Fitting in is important. I remember when I wore a Kippah (yarmulke) and Tzitzit (fringes) in public...in Iowa...how some folks reacted. In New York, Miami or Israel...no big deal. But here it's a little odd. But what it does do is allow people to ask the question and that can be a teachable moment. It's how we can learn about each other.
Have a fantastic Sunday and thanks for reading.
Wars mean something.
Israeli survived the Arab-Israeli War of 1048, then in 1954, 1967, and Yom Kipper in 1973. They finally gained defensible positions and have had peace with Egypt, Syria, and Jordan ever since after Pres Carter helped broker the peace treaty.
The US has California, Texas, and the American South West because of the 1800s Mexican-American war and the Indian Wars of late 1800s. Wars mean something.
Israel cannot afford to lose a single conflict, because that would be the end for them. As Golda Meir said ... It is too bad the Palestinians hate the Israelis more than they love their children.
Posted by: George Ensley | 03/24/2019 at 11:46 AM