Here we are again pondering what else could come from our president?  As someone who loves rollercoasters, I can honestly say that I too am getting very tired of the "bumpy ride" from the constant state of apprehension created by our president. Although nothing should surprise us, we do need to remain vigilant  in order to safeguard efforts to "normalize" this pattern of recklessness.  I use the term "recklessness" because many supporters of the president can't seem to see the "forest from the trees" when it comes to the damage being created by Mr. Trump.
     First, we have the president (as expected) go off "script" and attack the media again and again as "public enemy #1," designed to whip his adoring crowds into a cheering frenzy.  Sadly, by cheering they fail to recognize their own hypocrisy of demanding free speech for White Supremacists and Neo-Nazis while applauding a narrative designed to corrode the institution of the free and independent press (as guaranteed under the First Amendment).  How many of you have read comments on social media from Trump supporters slamming "libtards" for publicly claiming  "Trump supporters are Racists?" Those supporting Trump get very defensive with such remarks, and insist "we are fine people and not all of us are racists!"  But what about those same supporters claiming that anyone opposing Trump or White Supremacists or Neo-Nazis are "all Communists?" Can't we all agree that using absolutes in making proclamations about folks never actually are accurate?  Why the double standard from the Trump crowd?  Because Trump and his supporting media have created a narrative designed to divide this nation.  The more divided we are, the easier it is to take advantage of all of us, and our very system of democracy.  Think I am wrong?  Keep reading.
     On Friday, I tweeted a comment that hurricanes and Trump share something in common.  They blow both ways and leave devastation in their path.  Due to the popularity of the tweet, it was retweeted time and time again.  So much so, that two days later it was still popping up, while Hurricane Harvey was wreaking havoc on Texas.  The response from Trump supporters?  Hate-filled obscenity-laced venom I will not repeat.  Ironically, a quick look at their profiles reveal them to be supporters of Donald Trump (who also hadn't bothered to check to see the tweet was posted well before Harvey reached land).   I wonder if these same people railed against NPR for assuming their tweeting the Declaration of Independence on July 4th was an attack on Trump? (See: www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/07/05/some-trump-supporters-thought-npr-tweeted-propaganda-it-was-the-declaration-of-independence/?utm_term=.2b8ccacfa405). 
      The worst was the shared theme employed in the replies claiming that I was pursuing a political agenda of hate when so many lives were in danger.  Except a quick look at their personal tweets posted subsequent to my original hurricane tweet revealed they themselves were boasting about having Hurricane Harvey hit Texas by tweeting "Everything is BIGGER in Texas!"  Perhaps the most ironic is the fact Donald Trump himself used Hurricane Sandy in 2012 to tweet political attacks against President Obama; "Not only giving out money, but Obama will be seen today standing in water and rain like he is a real President - don't fall for it. 'Hurricane is good luck for Obama again- he will buy the election by handing out billions of dollars." (See: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2225402/Donald-Trump-uses-Hurricane-Sandy-launch-attack-President-Obama.html).  And this is a core problem in America today - folks claiming some form of "higher moral ground" while ignoring the reality their man Trump himself interjected politics while lives were in danger.  What struck me as worse, is the fact folks claim "Hate and politics have no place when people are suffering" all the while they support politicians and a president that deny climate change science. The one place is science, where we may find solutions to the devastating reality that weather related tragedies are only going to get  much worse without human intervention.  Supporting policies that actually contribute to devastation is political.  Yet, how dare you attack our president!  My favorite comment?  "Its because of haters like you that WE WON!"  What exactly have they "won?" Sadly, we have all lost, and these folks will be the very last to realize it.
       Among these folks are those that seemed to believe Obama thought he was "above the law" and "Trampled the Constitution" for his "tyrannical use of Executive Orders" aided by "lawless Democrats."  So as expected, many of these same folks support the pardoning of former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was convicted of criminal contempt for refusing to abide by a ruling from a Federal Judge.  So much for "law and order!" And what rationale do some Trump supporters write in favor of the Pardon?  The finding of criminal contempt was from a "Deep State Judge."  Since when has law become convenient to observe, obey or ignore based solely upon the judge? Since when are judges appointed under the Constitution for life to be somehow ignored?  When folks get to pick and choose which laws they wish to obey and which laws they choose to ignore, all of society will suffer - and the suffering may eventually become fatal to our democracy.
         To top the week off, news has been leaked that Trump is considering an Executive Order authorizing the sale of military hardware to local police forces.  Now I understand the need to stay ahead of the weaponry average citizens are now allowed to possess and use (thanks to the NRA and GOP legislatures throughout the country), but once local police are clothed and equipped by the military, what is left to separate the police from the military but for a couple of patches and insignias?  Could there be an argument that weaponizing local police forces is a violation of the Posse Comitatus Act?  Signed originally into law by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878, the PCA was enacted to safeguard against armed insurrection by local forces following the end of the Reconstruction Period.  Yes, I know the Act prohibits the use of the "military" to police our citizens, but if the only thing separating our modern military from our modern police is a mere insignia, then how far fetched would it be for local forces (trained in military tactics and arms), to in effect become a local army challenging Americans' civil liberties?  Only Congress can deal with this issue, and they seem to remain AWOL ever since the inauguration of Donald Trump!       
      So until the rollercoaster known as President Trump comes to a halt in the station, we can expect the continuation of an Administration filled with twists and turns that may inevitably damage our democracy.  Hypocrisy rules the day and unfortunately, blind support for any politician is never a good thing. This is true no matter which side the extremism comes from. As Robert F. Kennedy once wrote; "What is objectionable, what is dangerous about extremists, is not that they are extreme, but that they are intolerant. The evil is not what they say about their cause, but what they say about their opponents." Have a great week!

          I wish I could say I am surprised, but I am not.  I wish discussions surrounding this past week's events were honest, but they are not.  I wish those that have selective memory of history would take a step back before antagonizing those they disagree with - especially those with actual knowledge of the history.  I wish we could unite over what makes us a great nation instead of finding excuses to hate one another. ​ I wish...
         Sometimes, I wish those that have recently voiced strong feelings based solely on emotion would just take a step back and think through their arguments - long enough to see the holes that can be poked through them.  It is hard.  It is meant to be hard.  We have hard work ahead of us to heal our nation.  
         Anyone else tired of the tried and true response to the 2016 election of "Hillary lost, get over it!?"  Yes, I got over it last November. Perhaps those giving such flippant responses should think twice then when they proclaim Whites are protecting their heritage symbolized by statues commemorating the Confederacy during in the Civil War (even though a majority of the statues were erected over 50 years AFTER the war ended) (See:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_monuments_and_memorials_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America). I mean, if many think others should "get over" the 2016 election, why can't these same people realize they themselves are refusing to get over the Civil War?  The Confederacy lost over 152 years ago.  Why can't some "get over" that?  But history also includes some very sad decades of racial discrimination and hatred.  Lynchings used to be considered worthy of postcards celebrating "Southern Culture."  Is this the history some want to preserve and uphold as being worthy of veneration? (See: withoutsanctuary.org/main.html).  Can anyone tell me where statues commemorating the lynching of Blacks are located? That's also a part of Southern White history too, right?  How come we don't see those kind of statues in the public square?  At least White Supremacists and Neo-Nazis would support that!
       Perhaps the most ludicrous argument I saw was the claim that removing statues commemorating the Confederacy is somehow "erasing history."  I have a simple response to this claim.  When was the last time you went to see a statue in a park?  As a life-long student of history, I have never gone to view a statue to learn history - never.  Don't get me wrong, many are beautiful pieces of artwork.  But I did not learn history from them. Instead,  I learned history from taking classes, reading books and articles, discussing with historians and now reviewing video presentations - yet, I have never relied on statues as a source of my knowledge of history.  Have you?  So why the faux concern about their removal?  But Rubin - it's about "free speech!"  So it's reasonable to be outraged when professional athletes use the same principle of Free Speech by refusing to stand for the National Anthem but Neo-Nazi and White Supremacist chanting hate filled slogans must be protected under "Free Speech?" There is a name for those folks.  It's spelled "H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-T-E-S!"
          So if you thought this week's blog would be a condemnation of the president, I am sorry to disappoint you, but I am less disappointed with the president than with those that blindly support him. Trump is not going to change, no matter how many staffers exit his White House.  Trump is who he is.  Isn't it time to call out some Americans supporting the president for what they really are? Lets never forget our real history and never cease to remind people that American history includes many great and many equally truly awful events.  Statues really do little to educate us but to reinforce already "revised" views tailored to appease the sentiments of the ill-informed. And for those that think I am alone, consider the words of  Benjamin Franklin when he wrote; "We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid."  Try to have a great week!

       Just when I decide to write a blog about our president handing the biggest gift possible to North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un, Trump goes and botches a golden opportunity to use his bully pulpit to isolate and denigrate Neo-Nazi/White Supremacists in America.  What a week, huh?
         Even since the end of the Korean War, the leaders of North Korea have maintained a massive propaganda campaign to convince their people that Americans - ALL Americans, spend every waking hour devising ways to destroy their country.  By doing so, North Korea has an easier time subjugating their citizens to live in one of the most backward countries on the face of the Earth.  Any look from space will confirm the country is literally in the dark when it comes to advancing human society (See: www.nasa.gov/content/korean-peninsula-seen-from-space-station).  But as Americans, we know North Korea's propaganda is complete hogwash.  Americans couldn't care less about the fate of North Korea, let alone consider it even remotely worthy of expending any military effort against her.  So what does our president go and do?  Seems North Korea's threats got under his skin and he simply couldn't take it anymore before engaging in what he does best - spiraling down the rabbit-hole of a fourth grade playground antic.  "Stop saying nasty things about America or else I'll beat you up!" Except the threat is not made by a playground bully.  It was made by the Commander In Chief of the most powerful military in the World!  Would Trump actually engage in a battle with the  "Hermit Kingdom?"  If he did, what regional conflicts would it ignite (N.K. attacks on South Korea and/or Japan)?  Are Americans really prepared to go to what could become the "Last War" because our president can't for the life of him ignore threats from an annoying foreign leader?  
        Yes, North Korea is a threat.  Our responsibility is to minimize it without risking the ruination of the entire World.  If North Korea does have significant nuclear capabilities, then our only option would be to seek a diplomatic solution.  Weren't most of us taught by the eighth grade not to engage in battles we know we ultimately cannot clearly win.  With North Korea, military action would NOT provide a clear winner, only losers. But, "but America is great again, we don't take $ht from anyone."  Can adults take over the nuke codes...please?
         So if his interaction with North Korea did not help to define his presidency, his public reaction to the Neo-Nazi/White Supremacist rallies in Virginia this weekend certainly did.  It confirmed we have a weasel for a president. I do not take this statement lightly.  As  a historian and believer in our democratic system of government, AND  a proponent of the Constitution, I am appalled that our president could not call out the most unpatriotic groups in our country for what they are.  Treasonous scum!  Anyone who believes they have an inherent right to rule above anyone else because of the color of their skin or religious beliefs should be publicly humiliated and shamed.  What does our president do?  Nothing.  Oh, come on Rubin, he condemned violence from all sides!  Get over it! 
        But how does one "get over" the fact that we went to a World War to defeat Fascism and Nazism?  Would Tump now claim that both sides then were wrong for all of the killing and that Hitler, Mussolini, Franco and other fascists were only reacting to the violence from countries promoting democracy and freedom?  And this is the problem with Trump and many of his supporters.  A certain inability to see through their hypocrisy and inability to call out what is UnAmerican when it comes to their political supporters.  Oh, and the Battle Flag of the Confederacy?  When Fascists use it as their symbol of freedom, it is nothing short of treason to display it. After all, the Confederate States of America violently separated from the Union.  It does not symbolize anything other than treason and racism.  Why else would it be so proudly displayed by Neo-Nazis so opposed to the basic freedoms and liberty represented in the Constitution? 
         Yes, I know there are wackos on the Far -Left, but normal "Lefty Kumbaya Liberals" do not take up torches armed with weapons looking for a violent confrontation with those they disagree with.  Not so with the "Alt.Right."  These people are scum.  Instead of seeking to educate themselves and better their own lives, after having been lied to for decades and reinforced by Right Wind Media that somehow everything would be better if not for all of those "other folks" that don't look or think like them.  Freedom to this group apparently is spelled FREEDUMB!  And when leaders of the Alt. Right and those at the Charlottesville Rally admit they simply are supporting the vision of Donald Trump?  The man blames violence "on all sides."  Yet when one side claims rights superior to others due to race, there is but one side to take.  The side of Right against what is Wrong.  And Trump still can't seem to tell the difference.   Why?  Could it be that a major portion of his 34% approval rating is from folks agreeing with the Neo-Nazis? Or that he harbors Alt. Right supporters in his White House (Bannon, Miller, Gorka, et. al.)?  I mean, why jeopardize what little there is of his political base?  And having White house staff "clarify" his statements does nothing to change how Trump actually feels.  The man is always quick to show how he really feels.  He does not need sycophants to "clarify" what he meant.  Trump is what he is, and that is a Weasel. 
         And the hypocrisy!  For many years, Donald Trump and the Far Right Media attacked Obama for allegedly refusing to publicly condemn groups under the label "Radical Islam."  Yet, where is the outrage when domestic terrorists attack a mosque or hold rallies that threaten the fabric of America? (See: www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/08/08/trump-still-hasnt-not-condemned-the-minnesota-mosque-bombing-muslim-leaders-are-waiting/?utm_term=.3967ff11cdcf).  Where is the outrage that our president, fully capable of calling out Muslims, North Koreans, even members of his own political party and Cabinet can't seem to attack the UnAmerican Alt. Right/Nazi/Fascists by name?  If we are at a turning point in America, may it be now.  May it be from this time forward that we demand political leaders, including the president, uphold the Constitution and the principles formulated in our Declaration of Independence - that ALL men are created EQUAL! 
        As President Dwight D. Eisenhower once wrote; "​There is nothing wrong with America that faith, love of freedom, intelligence, and energy of her citizens cannot cure."  Let us all now engage in that faith and love in America, to defeat all those that promote hate for some ill-conceived personal gain.  Have a great week!

         Between lengthy travels and a Key Note Address before the Florida Council For History Education, last week was quite eventful.  One thing that did stand out for me though, was the Signing Statement President Trump used when signing legislation into law allowing sanctions to be pressed against Russia for their interfering in our elections.  
         Isn't it a tad bit curious when the President of the United States continues to tell his supporters the Russian election interference matter is a "hoax" when he himself signs a Bill into law punishing Russia for in fact engaging in such nefarious actions?  Why is this so lost on his loyal supporters?  If the president honestly does not believe Russia meddled with our 2016 elections, why not veto the Bill and send it back with a a dare for Congress to over-ride the veto?  Could it be that the political optics of vetoing anything that sanctions Russia might appear to make him complicit with Russia, thereby confirming there is fire where there is obvious smoke?
Perhaps, but if the president is so convinced the matter is a hoax, why not prove it and take his chances by vetoing the Bill and selling America on why he had to do so.  After all, aren't his nail tough negotiating skills exactly why he was elected in the first place?  "I built a truly great company worth many billions of dollars.  That is a big part of the reason I was elected.  As President, I can make far better deals with foreign countries than Congress." (See: www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/08/02/statement-president-donald-j-trump-signing-countering-americas).  
       Wouldn't a better argument be that the proposed Bill stripped the Executive of his Constitutional powers under Article II?  Of course it would, but Trump the King of Negotiation couldn't bring himself to confront this clear effort to strip his authority to handle foreign affairs under Article II because deep down, perhaps he really fears the optics of doing so - knowing there is something more to the "Russia Thing" than he or his sycophants at Fox News (Yes Hannity, that means you) claim?  
          If Trump was the "tough guy" he sold to the electorate, why cower to Congress by signing the Bill into law and still hold campaign style rallies claiming the Russians did nothing wrong. (See: www.nytimes.com/2016/12/10/us/politics/trump-mocking-claim-that-russia-hacked-election-at-odds-with-gop.html).  Why hasn't everyone begun to see through the man's constant need to "con" folks into believing him on anything?  Considering he now has lied about virtually everything, including calls of praise from the leader of the Boy Scouts to the Mexican President, how much longer will Americans provide this man heir knee-jerk support? (See: chicago.suntimes.com/news/boy-scouts-dispute-trumps-claim-about-call-praising-speech/). 
Perhaps recent polling reflects the trend all Republicans pay attention to - Americans either have no faith in Trump or are slowly beginning to realize he is not the leader they thought they were voting for.  When Trump campaigned on the notion "What do you have to lose?", perhaps more Americans have now come to realize we stand to lose a lot.  The institution of the presidency has suffered under this man.  Just ask anyone that lives outside the United States.  Think I am wrong? Go travel over 15,000 miles across the globe like we did in the past 7 weeks and come back and prove me wrong.  You can't.
          And now the president is off to a "Working Vacation" at yet another one of his private golf clubs.  Funny, do they mean working as president or working on his golf game and preparing for more campaign style rallies before ideologically blinded sycophants still wanting to "lock her up!"  One wonders how they will react if criminal indictments come down from the grand jury convened and meeting with Special Counsel Robert Mueller against Trump or his family, his campaign or current staff?  Fake News?  Time to take to the streets in support of Trump?  I'll take my chances with supporting the Rule of Law over Trump supporters ignorantly following  "their leader."  Kind of makes me wonder how similar Trumpsters are to Kim Jung-un?  Ignorance is bliss until it bites you in the butt.
    So with the president on a "working vacation" ("I will not be a president that takes vacations..." (See: www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/trumpometer/promise/1420/not-take-vacations/),  what else can pop up this coming 17 days?  With this president, nothing should surprise us! As President Theodore Roosevelt once said; "To announce that there must be no criticism of the president... is morally treasonable to the American public."  I guess we will have to wait and see if real treason exists in the White House, until then, be wary of "Don the Con!"   Have a great week!

*Proud to announce the Fifth Edition of "How Our Government Really Works, Despite What They Say" should be available this week on Amazon, B&N and other sellers of books.  ISBN:978-1-938842-38-2.  Look for the Orange Tab indicating Fifth Edition.