Tag: Political Leadership

GOP Gets More Pathetic By The Day

Closing Thought–08May19

The GOP is doing what it does best…LIES!

They need to spend more time trying to govern than trying to belittle everyone that does not agree with them.

With that said the newest BS coming from the Senate’s leader is just a continuation of the comedy they call “leadership”.

Mitch McConnell summed up his view of the Mueller report in two words on Tuesday: “case closed.” The Senate majority leader criticized Democrats for wanting to continue related investigations and issued a plea to “finally end this Groundhog Day spectacle,” reports NBC News. “Remember, Russia set out to sow discord, to create chaos in American politics and undermine confidence in our democracy,” McConnell said. “But on that front, given the left’s total fixation on delegitimizing the president—the president Americans chose—and shooting any messenger who tells them inconvenient truths, I’m afraid the Russians hardly needed to lift a finger.”

This is pretty much total bullshit.

I have not heard one person in Congress say they want to overturn the 2016 election….they may believe the he is a criminal and a corrupting influence but they know he is the president…..especially the Dems…..So Mitch is just spreading manure the way he always does……

But Mitchy Boy did what all GOPers do….blame everything on Obama…..

On the Russian angle, McConnell also got in a dig at former President Obama. “Maybe stronger leadership would have left the Kremlin less emboldened,” he said. “Maybe tampering with our democracy wouldn’t have seemed so very tempting.”

My one question is…has Mitch read the report? The entire unredacted report? (My guess is he has not and will not for he is a COWARD)

Silly political theater…but then I expect that from politicians…ALL politicians

Was it over when the Benghazi investigation found nothing?  Was it nothing  about the Clinton emails?  These were the same were the same things they are accusing the Dems of doing…..but you see the GOP does stuff it is for the good of the country (read party) and not so when the Dems do something similar……that is as simple as I can break this stupidity down.

The GOP no longer has a soul…..not all it is the enabler of an imperialistic presidency….PERIOD!

Turn The Page!

Leadership We Americans Deserve

Let me say before I begin….it is amazing how many GOPers are jumping on the Obamacare bandwagon….when just short of a decade ago it was socialism at its worse. This illustrates just how cowardly the elected representatives truly are…….

That brings me to the batch of freshman representatives and how they are an illustration of the representation we truly deserve…..not the old fart cowards that have ruled the Congress for over 50 years.

For instance…AOC…..this woman shows the balls that the men in Congress cannot muster……she is an excellent rep of her district…….

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has taken Washington, D.C by storm.

She successfully ran an insurgent, grass-roots Congressional campaign. She is exceptionally bright. She is incredibly media savvy. She is hugely charismatic, because she is telegenic and photogenic, but also because she consistently seems to be a sincere, authentic, and truly nice and caring human being. In an age of bullshit, she is “real.” And she has the courage of her convictions.

She has thus quickly been embraced by the left, reviled by the right, and treated with enormous skepticism by the center.

AOC is no moderate. She candidly denounces injustice. She celebrates activists who confront fellow members of Congress (like Ana Maria Archila, who confronted Senator Jeff Flake during the Kavanaugh hearings) and even visits protestors conducting a sit-in at the office of her party’s legislative leader, Nancy Pelosi. And she advances bold new visionary policy ideas, like the Green New Deal, which she not only helped to catapult to political center stage, but managed to get senior Democratic leaders, such as Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey, to co-sponsor.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/28/why-aoc-such-terrific-member-congress
 
She scares the crap out of the old white guys in both parties and the corporate controlled officials like the Dems leadership…..AOC is showing Americans what happens when we elect real fighters and forego the cowardice of the Congressional leadership.
 
She gets my vote and more candidates should follow her lead and we would have a great country.

It’s “Antisemitism” Again

OMG! The House is about to try and bring”charges” up on a member that they accuse of antisemitic words….Rep. Ilhan Omar is once again in hot water with the d/bags that are bought and paid for by AIPAC…..

It’s easy to name the newest member of Congress making the most headlines: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. But another freshman lawmaker continues to generate controversy of her own, and it’s about to intensify this week. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Muslim Somali-American, is again under fire for statements seen as anti-Semitic. And while the Minnesota representative has apologized previously for similar controversies, this time she is doubling down while denying the anti-Semitic allegations. The details of what’s going on:

  • What she said: Speaking last week in reference to Israel and its supporters in the US, Omar said, “I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is OK to push for allegiance to a foreign country,” reports NPR.
  • The backlash: Critics pounced on that statement as anti-Semitic, including Jonathan Greenblatt of the Anti-Defamation League. “Accusing Jews of having allegiance to a foreign government has long been a vile anti-Semitic slur that has been used to harass, marginalize, and persecute the Jewish people for centuries,” wrote Greenblatt to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
  • From colleagues: Democratic Rep. Eliot Engel, chair of the House Foreign Affairs panel, also called it a “vile anti-Semitic slur.” Another Democrat, Rep. Nita Lowey, chair of the Appropriations Committee, called on Omar to apologize, saying she “continues to mischaracterize support for Israel.” Rep. Josh Gottheimer, also a Democrat, likened this to when “John F. Kennedy’s loyalty was called into question simply because he was Roman Catholic,” per the Washington Post.
    Doubling down: Omar is not apologizing. “Our democracy is built on debate, Congresswoman!” she responded to Lowey. “I should not be expected to have allegiance/pledge support to a foreign country in order to serve my country in Congress or serve on committee.” She adds that opposing Benjamin Netanyahu “and the occupation is not the same as being anti-Semitic.”
    Possible rebuke: The House is expected to vote Wednesday on a measure that doesn’t mention Omar (at least in its current draft form) but is seen as an “unprecedented public rebuke” of her, per Politico. The resolution condemns anti-Semitism and the “myth of dual loyalty.” Republicans are pushing for more, however, including having Omar removed from the Foreign Affairs panel.
  • AOC defends: Ocasio-Cortez is backing up Omar. “One of the things that is hurtful about the extent to which reprimand is sought of Ilhan is that no one seeks this level of reprimand when members make statements about Latinx + other communities (during the shutdown, a GOP member yelled “Go back to Puerto Rico!” on the floor),” she tweeted, one of several on the topic.
    Trump weighs in: Omar “is again under fire for her terrible comments concerning Israel,” he tweeted. “Jewish groups have just sent a petition to Speaker Pelosi asking her to remove Omar from Foreign Relations Committee. A dark day for Israel!”
    Past controversy: Omar apologized earlier this year after asserting that support for Israel was “all about the Benjamins” and again for a 2012 tweet asserting that Israel had “hypnotized the world.” The “Benjamins” comment led to formal criticism in the House for perpetuating “anti-Semitic tropes.”

All this is so much bullsh*t and a waste of time and energy that should be focused on important issues…I am with Rep. Omar……time for the old farts in the House to admit they are agents of a foreign government…they want to investigate Trump when they may be just as guilty as he.

 

The Death Of Malcolm X

On 21Feb1965 Black leader Malcolm X was assassinated in NYC……..

In New York City, Malcolm X, an African American nationalist and religious leader, is assassinated by rival Black Muslims while addressing his Organization of Afro-American Unity at the Audubon Ballroom in Washington Heights.

https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/142725

The question still remains……why was he killed?

Malcolm X (El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, born Malcolm Little) was an influential and inspirational figure to the Afro-Americans in the United States.  A powerful orator, excellent debater and willing to preach “The price of freedom is death,” led for his personality and teachings to be printed across the U.S. and the world.

There are three possible answers.  Three—because each on its own isn’t satisfactory.  Examining the motives behind the killing inevitably leads for more questions to be asked and before you know it, you’re in too deep.

https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/142725

Many people do not like Malcolm X because of his supposed hate for white people….some of that is warranted but after he returned from the Hajj his tone changed for the better to include all people…….

I offer a few videos for those interested…..

https://youtu.be/iAgNk4LzbIw

This video is a long piece but should be seen to understand the man and the movement he inspired……

https://youtu.be/i7klC1zR60M

This one is a short video that was made for children to acquaint them with the man…..

https://youtu.be/lERbO006Ppk

Malcolm X was more than the negativity that is always bought up when his name is mentioned…….he should be required for any history of America.

What Does It Take To Be A Good Leader?

For over a year and half now we are told all about how bad Our Dear Leader is and how he is ruining everything……especially the country.

We always hear a politician tell the people what it takes to be a good leader but unfortunately it is their ideas of what it takes not the reality of being a good leader.

So there needs to be a clarification and a standardization of the qualities leadership.

Then there is the question …how many characteristics are there?

Well I found out after much reading and thought that there are 45 characteristics that a good leader should possess…..

What are the qualities which a leader should possess? There have been many attempts at listing the many good qualities which a leader should possess, and cataloguing those undesirable characteristics which he should not possess or should minimize or eliminate. Such a listing often serves only to discourage the aspirant to leadership, because, in summation, they seem to describe an unattainable ideal. However, a goal toward which to aim is necessary, if one is to shape his efforts in self-development so as to gain a satisfactory measure of accomplishment in preparing himself to lead, to guide and direct the efforts of others in any field of common endeavor.

The qualities of the leader may be grouped according to different methods. They may be separated into personal characteristics and professional capabilities; they may be classed as physical, mental, and moral qualities; or they may be considered as those qualities related to the leader himself, and those related to the individuals whom he aspires to lead.

https://www.artofmanliness.com/2018/04/05/qualities-of-a-leader/

Compare your favorite politician to the list of characteristics…..a true “good leader” will be hard to find these days because most politicians are owned by lobbyists so most will only get about 5 or 6 of the characteristics of the 45……

If you find a politician that has most of the characteristics then I suggest that you work hard to get the person elected….this country needs and deserves good leaders….we have been too long in the fog of shitty politicians….time for that to change.

Disregard parties….pick your candidates by leadership qualities….not by personality.

The Nader Speaks

Back in the day when Ralph Nader was running as a 3rd party candidate I accused him of being a media whore.  Why?  Because every time you turned around he was on the TV spouting some crap that few Americans wanted to hear….not saying that I disagreed with him just he was everywhere…..today that would be nothing new for it is standard operating procedures for a politico.

Even though I did not think much of his constant natterings I admit that I do agree with some the old dude has had to say about the Democrats…..

If Democrats are wondering why they lost to reality television star Donald Trump and the deeply unpopular GOP in the 2016 elections—and why their advantage in 2018 polling continues to slip—longtime consumer advocate Ralph Nader argues the party must stop searching for scapegoats and start fighting for a bold and progressive agenda.

With a rare invitation to appear on cable news, Nader told MSNBC host Ari Melber, Nader said that instead of blaming third party candidates like himself and other external factors for losses that resulted from their own incompetence and inability to articulate an inspiring platform, Democrats must embrace widely popular ideas like Medicare for All and a living wage if they are to oust the “corporate indentured” Republican Party.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/11/ralph-nader-decrepit-democrats-stop-scapegoating-and-embrace-bold-agenda

Like I said…I agree, at least this time…….the Dems are spending too much time and energy scapegoating….and I think all that crap will not turn the lever in their favor come the next elections.

Give Credit Where Credit Is Due

Out Fearless leader has been on a roll taking credit for everything from airline stats to Wall Street stats while some of it he should claim others he should just let it go and keep his Twitter fingers warm…..

But since he will not do that we should look at some of the situations that he, Trump, should take credit for………

Donald Trump is not telekinetic. His brain may be a medical marvel, but for terrible reasons, not because he can move objects with his mind. Nonetheless, Trump recently took credit for keeping airplanes all around the world from crashing in 2017.

“Since taking office I have been very strict on Commercial Aviation,” the (I still can’t believe this person is) president tweeted Tuesday morning. “Good news – it was just reported that there were Zero deaths in 2017, the best and safest year on record!”

Yet there hasn’t been a fatal airline crash in the U.S. since 2009, and the current head of the FAA is Obama appointee Michael Huerta. If we’re going to go around arbitrarily assigning credit for planes staying in the sky, maybe we should give it to the guy whose job description includes “the safety and efficiency of the largest aerospace system in the world.” Or maybe pilots, or possibly airplane mechanics. Or according to Trump’s logic, every single person in the world who took a flight this year, since I’m sure we all were “very strict” about our wish not to die in a plane crash.

https://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/6-things-trump-actually-deserves-credit

He be smart……after all he is a “stable genius”…….Give credit where credit is due……to take credit for something one did not actually do….is plain pathetic.

Presidential OJT

Awhile back after the election of Trump I was concerned about his lack of any actual experience to run a country….some said that he was a successful CEO and I pointed out that a nation is NOT the same as a business…..not many agreed with me…but that is the nature of having an opinion.

Another commenter pointed out that no president has had the experience to run a country….and that I agree….they said that it was basically an OJT gig and he would learn as he goes…..that is somewhat accurate and after reading around the other day I found an article that goes along with my discussion from my recent past…..

Every time it is hoped that things inside the Trump White House will get better, we are hit by the news of another mishap and reports of escalating chaos.  The latest one is the report that Vice Admiral (retired) Bob Harward rejected Trump’s offer to serve as his National Security Adviser.  A confidant of Harward described that offer to CNN as a “s…t sandwich.”  At a more mundane level, Harward turned down the offer because he could not take his personal staff with him to his prospective job.  That is an important reason for any top-level job, but especially for operating as an effective NSA.  Now that Lt. General H. R. McMaster has become Trump’s newest NSA, an interesting question is whether he will have the autonomy to have his own staff.  For President Trump, the dual crises for now are: learning how to handle crises as a greenhorn, while deciding whether to give up or retain America’s global primacy.

Source: Learning on the Job Versus Deciding Between Retaining/Giving Up Global Primacy | Small Wars Journal

His appointment of McMaster to State illustrates a good choice (in my opinion…but one that is unacceptable to others)….is it possible that he, Trump, is learning as he goes?

A good question and as it is right now….I believe it was a bit of luck that put McMaster’s name in front of the president.  He, Trump, still does not show that he has a grip on who to nominate and where.

Yes, it is early….maybe too early to be critical…….but Hell that never stopped me before….why would it now?

McCain: A Trump Nemesis

John McCain the hero of the Right in 2008 has become a “traitor” in 2017….for no other reason than he will not bend over for the new dude in the robes of power….He, McCain, has not abandoned any of his positions on issues so that cannot be the problem…..unlike Ryan McCain has stuck by his principles….most of which I do not agree with but he gets my respect for not being a brown noser….

After a few days in the power seat Trump and McCain have already bumped heads……

WASHINGTON (AP) – Sen. John McCain has emerged as President Donald Trump’s top Republican nemesis on Capitol Hill.

Since Trump’s inauguration, McCain has broken with the president on his immigration order, warned him against any rapprochement with Moscow, lectured him on the illegality of torture, and supplied only a tepid endorsement of Rex Tillerson, Trump’s secretary of state nominee.

Oh, and McCain also hammered Trump for backing away from – instead of embracing – international free trade agreements.

As Trump presses ahead with an ambitious and contentious agenda at home and abroad, McCain is pushing back, using his seniority in Congress and his characteristic bluntness. McCain, 80, cruised to a sixth Senate term in November, defeating a Democratic challenger who hounded the senator for standing by Trump even after the billionaire businessman insulted him as a “loser.”

I wish I could be optimistic that he, McCain, will stick by his guns…..but I have watched too many politicians put on a brave front for the cameras and then cave to the will of the “boss”…..

Where McCain goes so shall Graham…..we will watch to see just how much of a nemesis these two will be….or is it all so much smoke?

Dark Days For “Moderates”

There has been an incident on the international stage that could have far ranging consequences……and NO it is not this story……

Looks like police in France have finally caught up with the Kardashian robbers. Officials say 16 people have been arrested in connection with the Oct. 3 robbery at a Paris residence of Kim Kardashian West, who was tied up and locked in a bathroom by armed attackers who made off with an estimated $10 million in jewelry, the BBC reports. The New York Daily News reports that the suspects have not yet been charged, but they can be held for at least 96 hours under French law. Kardashian West, who recently spoke out about the terrifying experience for the first time, may be asked to identify the suspects in a lineup presented via video feed.

The reason I point out this story is that it got more attention than something that could be a thorn in Trump’s ass after 20Jan17…….please someone, anyone explain why this celeb is so goddamn important!

Yet another “Flash” for the MSM……mindless bullsh*t.

This report could be a lot more troubling than the antics of a ignorant celeb……

Former Iranian president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a pugnacious moderate who survived for decades despite challenging his own turbaned elite, died on Sunday after suffering a heart attack.

Rafsanjani, who was 82, was a pivotal figure in the foundation of the Islamic republic in 1979, and served as president from 1989 to 1997.

Rafsanjani’s death is a huge loss for both reformists and moderates, as he stood as a pillar for the two camps.

Rafsanjani emerged as a moderate counter-figure to the ultra-hardliners clustered around Ahmadinejad — under whom Iran’s relations with the West plummeted — and criticised the crackdown that followed Ahmadinejad’s disputed re-election in 2009.

His voice was a voice of moderate thought within the government of Iran…..with him gone the hard-liners may once again rule the roost…..and that could be a problem for the incoming admin…..