William Howard Taft, 27th President
As a fan of the politically based and critically acclaimed series, The West Wing, there is a scene in the pilot of the series where we are slowly introduced to members of fictional President Bartlett's Inner Circle. One of the first to be met is Leo McGarry, the president's Chief of Staff having a conversation with Mrs. Landingham, the president's long-time personal secretary. In the early scene, Leo (while passing through the Oval Office), attempts to explain how the president ran into a tree with a bike borrowed from him. Near the end of the scene, Leo proclaims "You're president is a geek Mrs. Landingham!" To which she replies, "Pease don't use that language Mr. McGarry, at least not in the Oval Office!"
Now we have a totally different scenario - and it is a real one to boot. Hey America, our president is a LIAR. I say it because not only does he lie, but so does his Chief of Staff and his "Inner Cabinet", including Vice-President Pence. Oh how outrageous to be writing such things! But it is true. Think I'm lying now? How many lies coming from the Trump White House does one need to recognize we are not going to get the straight talk from President Trump promised by Candidate Trump?
We've already witnessed the lies about the size of the inauguration, but more just seem to easily flow from the Administration. This past week alone, we have been told repeated lies about the "Muslim Ban" with Trump and his Press Secretary boldly telling the American People that the Executive Order naming seven (7) nations to be the subject of a travel ban was not a "ban at all" but "merely the same thing President Obama did in his Executive Order restricting immigration from the very same countries." Except Obama's "E.O." did not single out Muslims to be banned. Obama's E.O. created a delay in order to create extreme vetting measures to ensure terrorists are not so easily admitted under "refugee status." The difference between the two? Trump's BAN included a carve out exception allowing exemptions for Christians. Yes, he singled out Muslims in the ban, no matter how temporary one thinks 120 days are. Obama's E.O. did NOT make such exceptions based upon religion. When pushed hard enough, Trump and his folks (losing the battle with thinking Americans) claimed Obama did the same thing, pivoting to another lie. On top of that lie, they claimed the "media called it a "ban" and it really isn't a ban!" (See: indexjournal.com/news/world/AP-FACT-CHECK--Trump-claims-on-travel-ban-misleading--wrong-19846603). Except President Trump himself first labeled his action a "ban"! Spins and pivots are art of the political world, but repeated lying and then spinning becomes old, very quickly.
This past week, in an effort to solidify support for the ban, Trump's mouthpiece Kellyanne Conway went on Chris Matthews MSNBC show and stated with a straight face that there are several instances of refugees committing terrorism in the United States and that the travel ban was necessary to fully vet the so called "refugees." The example she claimed? The Bowling Green Massacre. "I bet it's brand-new information to people that President Obama had a six-month ban on the Iraqi refugee program after two Iraqis came here to this country, were radicalized and they were the masterminds behind the Bowling Green massacre," Conway told Matthews. ""Most people don't know that because it didn't get covered." But why didn't the "lame" media cover this story? Was it to protect Obama? Liberals? Muslim terrorists? Perhaps the media did not report the "massacre" she referred to because IT NEVER HAPPENED! Stating events to the extent of a "Massacre" is not just a misstatement - it is a calculated "trial balloon" to see if it sticks. And the "Bowling Green Massacre" goes to the core of the Trump Administration's difficult struggle with the truth. (See: abcnews.go.com/Politics/kellyanne-conway-cites-bowling-green-massacre-defend-trump/story?id=45237152 ).
Wouldn't these lies be enough to convince even Trump supporters that their president has a problem with honesty? Nope, they remain steadfast claiming that it is "all a liberal conspiracy to bring down our president!" (Sorry, I have no citation for this claim, but it certainly is the vibe I get from reading "Trumpsters" posting on social media). The lies from Trump keep piling up. Less than a month into his presidency, Trump continues a pattern of lies and attempted deceptions. Another case in point. When Ethics gurus claimed that Trump had way too many ethical conflicts of interest, Trump proclaimed he relinquished all control of his business concerns to his children and that he no longer had any interest in the companies. However, it has been reported this week that this too was a lie. President Trump did no such thing - he never relinquished control of his business assets to anyone, despite his statements claiming to do so.
"Trump said at a Jan. 11 press conference that he and his daughter Ivanka had signed documents giving up control of all Trump-branded companies. Next to him on a table were stacks of documents he said transferred "complete and total control" of the companies to his sons Eric and Donald Jr. and another employee." But "The independent nonprofit news service said it had contacted officials in some of the states where the Trumps do business, but found no evidence Trump has begun the process of transferring ownership of his companies to other family members. The newsroom noted on Friday: "To transfer ownership of his biggest companies, Trump has to file a long list of documents in Florida, Delaware and New York. We asked officials who said they have not." (See: www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/01/22/511103785/trump-is-yet-to-sever-ties-with-his-business-despite-promises-to-do-so-report-sa).
So what is it going to take for Trumpsters to realize their president is still not being "straight" with telling the truth? Apparently, a helluva lot more than hearing him lie directly to them. Trump, Bannon and his advisors seem to be playing a "long game" of conditioning their supporters with so many lies, it will confuse them with what the truth actually sounds like - all the awhile eroding public confidence in the government, its institutions and a free press. Has anyone ever even considered what "Alt. Facts" were before Trump? Before Trump, we simply called them lies. So why the new label, to make lies seem normal and acceptable?
This past week we experienced a botched raid in Yemen, causing not only the death of a brave Navy Seal but also the alleged deaths of dozens of civilians on the ground. Without the public knowing much of the details of the failed raid, Trump and his daughter took an "unscheduled" Marine One trip to witness the return of the body of the brave slain Seal. Right Wing media soaked it up as did Trumpsters on social media. Many such postings had tag lines of "Finally a Commander In Chief that respects the military!" Except news has been leaked that the first military raid authorized by Trump was not properly planned and was sloppy with insufficient intelligence. Some in the Trump camp tried to claim Obama had approved the raid only to leave it for the next president. But, Trump was the one that approved the raid. Does anyone truly expect Trump to give credit to Obama if the raid was successful? Case in point.
Throughout the campaign, Trump continuously criticized unemployment numbers released by the Department of Labor as a hoax. "The 5% figure is one of the biggest hoaxes in American modern politics,' Trump said during a speech in August, when unemployment was at 4.9%." But the Bureau of Labor Statistics has been a reliable source for employment figures. Okay, so what? Trump claims unemployment is higher, big deal. The Average American feels the pain of job losses and stagnant wages. Except Trump embraced the latest January, 2017 unemployment statistics - attempting to take credit for the jobs reportedly created. "President Trump touted the report earlier in the day as well, telling his Economic Advisory Council crediting the increase in jobs to “a great spirit for the country right now.” “I think that’s going to continue big league,” he added. “We’re bringing back jobs, we’re bringing down your taxes, we’re getting rid of your regulations, I think it’s going to be some really exciting times ahead.” (See: www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/trump-takes-credit-for-strong-january-jobs-numbers/).
While all of the Trumpsters rally around their amazing savior of American jobs, it should be noted that the jobs report Trump takes credit for ran from December 13 through January 12. You see, the jobs created fall under those created under the Obama Administration, not Trump's. Just another lie? I guess it would be a minor one except when Trumpsters continue to point out Obama's weaknesses as president only to lie about their own president's obvious weaknesses (including lying).
Does anyone remember Candidate Trump constantly criticizing Obama for taking too many vacations and how as president, Trump said he would stay in the White House and work hard to solve our problems instead? "Trump further added that he would not take any vacation as there was “so much work” to be done for the people. We have so much work. There’s so much work to be done. And I want to get it done for the people. I want to get it done. We’re lowering taxes, we’re taking care of health care. I mean, there’s just so much to be done. So I don’t think we’ll be very big on vacations, no.” (See: indiabbc.com/trump-will-not-draw-a-presidential-salary-or-take-a-vacation/). So where is President Trump this weekend? At work at his desk in the Oval Office? Nah, he's taking the weekend off for some rest at his Florida Mir A Largo country club. So much for not taking time off from his busy schedule running the country! (See: www.freep.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2017/02/03/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-sean-spicer-coast-guard/97437414/). I know he's "holding meetings there." But what type of meetings does he have that could not have been held at the White House?
And the latest nonsense? Trump calling a Federal Judge out for issuing an injunction against the Muslim Ban E.O. (See: www.cnn.com/2016/06/06/politics/donald-trump-gonzalo-curiel-trump-university/index.html). Yep, Trump's at it again. His latest (besides equating the United States to the killing regime of Putin (See: www.news4jax.com/news/politics/trump-you-think-our-countrys-so-innocent), he tweets "The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!" He then further tweeted, "Just cannot believe a judge would put our country in such peril. If something happens blame him and court system. People pouring in. Bad!"
Except this time Trump is telling the truth! He is admitting his total disdain for an independent judiciary established under the principals in Alexander Hamilton's famous Federalist 78;
"But it is not with a view to infractions of the Constitution only, that the independence of
the judges may be an essential safeguard against the effects of occasional ill humors
in the society. These sometimes extend no farther than to the injury of the private rights
of particular classes of citizens, by unjust and partial laws. Here also the firmness
of the judicial magistracy is of vast importance in mitigating the severity and confining
the operation of such laws. It not only serves to moderate the immediate mischiefs
of those which may have been passed, but it operates as a check upon the
legislative body in passing them; who, perceiving that obstacles to the success
of iniquitous intention are to be expected from the scruples of the courts, are
in a manner compelled, by the very motives of the injustice they meditate, to
qualify their attempts." (Emphasis added).
I know this is too much to read for Trumpsters, but what Trump really means when he attacks the judiciary is that he actually does not believe in Separation of Powers and the rule of law (See Article III, US Constitution). So now that we have an admission by Trump that he disregards the Constitution, where are his supporters to complain? When the man took his oath of office, he swore to uphold the Constitution, including but not limited to the independent powers of the Federal Judiciary (so I guess this does count as just another lie).
Already this soon into a new Administration, the list of lies is larger than I can produce herein. Moreover, we are most likely in for an ever increasing number of lies to come to light as this Administration "settles in". The fervor of blind support of Trump by his Trumpsters reveals a lack of appreciation for any opposition -regardless of the task left to all of us by our Founding Fathers and Framers - to question authority, no matter what faction it has gained power through. As I have mentioned before, any Trumpster that enjoys labeling those opposing Trump to be "Snowflakes" should recognize that an accumulation of snowflakes can bring about jagged and dangerous Icicles. Something tells me the collective use of icicles against an overreaching government is exactly what is expected of us in this democratic republic we call America. As President William Howard Taft once wrote; "Enthusiasm for a cause sometimes warps judgment." We can only hope the enthusiasm held by Trumpsters will one day, relinquish its ultimate hold on folks emotions so that common sense, nonpartisan judgment and sanity can return to our great nation. And that is no lie! Have a great week!
Now we have a totally different scenario - and it is a real one to boot. Hey America, our president is a LIAR. I say it because not only does he lie, but so does his Chief of Staff and his "Inner Cabinet", including Vice-President Pence. Oh how outrageous to be writing such things! But it is true. Think I'm lying now? How many lies coming from the Trump White House does one need to recognize we are not going to get the straight talk from President Trump promised by Candidate Trump?
We've already witnessed the lies about the size of the inauguration, but more just seem to easily flow from the Administration. This past week alone, we have been told repeated lies about the "Muslim Ban" with Trump and his Press Secretary boldly telling the American People that the Executive Order naming seven (7) nations to be the subject of a travel ban was not a "ban at all" but "merely the same thing President Obama did in his Executive Order restricting immigration from the very same countries." Except Obama's "E.O." did not single out Muslims to be banned. Obama's E.O. created a delay in order to create extreme vetting measures to ensure terrorists are not so easily admitted under "refugee status." The difference between the two? Trump's BAN included a carve out exception allowing exemptions for Christians. Yes, he singled out Muslims in the ban, no matter how temporary one thinks 120 days are. Obama's E.O. did NOT make such exceptions based upon religion. When pushed hard enough, Trump and his folks (losing the battle with thinking Americans) claimed Obama did the same thing, pivoting to another lie. On top of that lie, they claimed the "media called it a "ban" and it really isn't a ban!" (See: indexjournal.com/news/world/AP-FACT-CHECK--Trump-claims-on-travel-ban-misleading--wrong-19846603). Except President Trump himself first labeled his action a "ban"! Spins and pivots are art of the political world, but repeated lying and then spinning becomes old, very quickly.
This past week, in an effort to solidify support for the ban, Trump's mouthpiece Kellyanne Conway went on Chris Matthews MSNBC show and stated with a straight face that there are several instances of refugees committing terrorism in the United States and that the travel ban was necessary to fully vet the so called "refugees." The example she claimed? The Bowling Green Massacre. "I bet it's brand-new information to people that President Obama had a six-month ban on the Iraqi refugee program after two Iraqis came here to this country, were radicalized and they were the masterminds behind the Bowling Green massacre," Conway told Matthews. ""Most people don't know that because it didn't get covered." But why didn't the "lame" media cover this story? Was it to protect Obama? Liberals? Muslim terrorists? Perhaps the media did not report the "massacre" she referred to because IT NEVER HAPPENED! Stating events to the extent of a "Massacre" is not just a misstatement - it is a calculated "trial balloon" to see if it sticks. And the "Bowling Green Massacre" goes to the core of the Trump Administration's difficult struggle with the truth. (See: abcnews.go.com/Politics/kellyanne-conway-cites-bowling-green-massacre-defend-trump/story?id=45237152 ).
Wouldn't these lies be enough to convince even Trump supporters that their president has a problem with honesty? Nope, they remain steadfast claiming that it is "all a liberal conspiracy to bring down our president!" (Sorry, I have no citation for this claim, but it certainly is the vibe I get from reading "Trumpsters" posting on social media). The lies from Trump keep piling up. Less than a month into his presidency, Trump continues a pattern of lies and attempted deceptions. Another case in point. When Ethics gurus claimed that Trump had way too many ethical conflicts of interest, Trump proclaimed he relinquished all control of his business concerns to his children and that he no longer had any interest in the companies. However, it has been reported this week that this too was a lie. President Trump did no such thing - he never relinquished control of his business assets to anyone, despite his statements claiming to do so.
"Trump said at a Jan. 11 press conference that he and his daughter Ivanka had signed documents giving up control of all Trump-branded companies. Next to him on a table were stacks of documents he said transferred "complete and total control" of the companies to his sons Eric and Donald Jr. and another employee." But "The independent nonprofit news service said it had contacted officials in some of the states where the Trumps do business, but found no evidence Trump has begun the process of transferring ownership of his companies to other family members. The newsroom noted on Friday: "To transfer ownership of his biggest companies, Trump has to file a long list of documents in Florida, Delaware and New York. We asked officials who said they have not." (See: www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/01/22/511103785/trump-is-yet-to-sever-ties-with-his-business-despite-promises-to-do-so-report-sa).
So what is it going to take for Trumpsters to realize their president is still not being "straight" with telling the truth? Apparently, a helluva lot more than hearing him lie directly to them. Trump, Bannon and his advisors seem to be playing a "long game" of conditioning their supporters with so many lies, it will confuse them with what the truth actually sounds like - all the awhile eroding public confidence in the government, its institutions and a free press. Has anyone ever even considered what "Alt. Facts" were before Trump? Before Trump, we simply called them lies. So why the new label, to make lies seem normal and acceptable?
This past week we experienced a botched raid in Yemen, causing not only the death of a brave Navy Seal but also the alleged deaths of dozens of civilians on the ground. Without the public knowing much of the details of the failed raid, Trump and his daughter took an "unscheduled" Marine One trip to witness the return of the body of the brave slain Seal. Right Wing media soaked it up as did Trumpsters on social media. Many such postings had tag lines of "Finally a Commander In Chief that respects the military!" Except news has been leaked that the first military raid authorized by Trump was not properly planned and was sloppy with insufficient intelligence. Some in the Trump camp tried to claim Obama had approved the raid only to leave it for the next president. But, Trump was the one that approved the raid. Does anyone truly expect Trump to give credit to Obama if the raid was successful? Case in point.
Throughout the campaign, Trump continuously criticized unemployment numbers released by the Department of Labor as a hoax. "The 5% figure is one of the biggest hoaxes in American modern politics,' Trump said during a speech in August, when unemployment was at 4.9%." But the Bureau of Labor Statistics has been a reliable source for employment figures. Okay, so what? Trump claims unemployment is higher, big deal. The Average American feels the pain of job losses and stagnant wages. Except Trump embraced the latest January, 2017 unemployment statistics - attempting to take credit for the jobs reportedly created. "President Trump touted the report earlier in the day as well, telling his Economic Advisory Council crediting the increase in jobs to “a great spirit for the country right now.” “I think that’s going to continue big league,” he added. “We’re bringing back jobs, we’re bringing down your taxes, we’re getting rid of your regulations, I think it’s going to be some really exciting times ahead.” (See: www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/trump-takes-credit-for-strong-january-jobs-numbers/).
While all of the Trumpsters rally around their amazing savior of American jobs, it should be noted that the jobs report Trump takes credit for ran from December 13 through January 12. You see, the jobs created fall under those created under the Obama Administration, not Trump's. Just another lie? I guess it would be a minor one except when Trumpsters continue to point out Obama's weaknesses as president only to lie about their own president's obvious weaknesses (including lying).
Does anyone remember Candidate Trump constantly criticizing Obama for taking too many vacations and how as president, Trump said he would stay in the White House and work hard to solve our problems instead? "Trump further added that he would not take any vacation as there was “so much work” to be done for the people. We have so much work. There’s so much work to be done. And I want to get it done for the people. I want to get it done. We’re lowering taxes, we’re taking care of health care. I mean, there’s just so much to be done. So I don’t think we’ll be very big on vacations, no.” (See: indiabbc.com/trump-will-not-draw-a-presidential-salary-or-take-a-vacation/). So where is President Trump this weekend? At work at his desk in the Oval Office? Nah, he's taking the weekend off for some rest at his Florida Mir A Largo country club. So much for not taking time off from his busy schedule running the country! (See: www.freep.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2017/02/03/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-sean-spicer-coast-guard/97437414/). I know he's "holding meetings there." But what type of meetings does he have that could not have been held at the White House?
And the latest nonsense? Trump calling a Federal Judge out for issuing an injunction against the Muslim Ban E.O. (See: www.cnn.com/2016/06/06/politics/donald-trump-gonzalo-curiel-trump-university/index.html). Yep, Trump's at it again. His latest (besides equating the United States to the killing regime of Putin (See: www.news4jax.com/news/politics/trump-you-think-our-countrys-so-innocent), he tweets "The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!" He then further tweeted, "Just cannot believe a judge would put our country in such peril. If something happens blame him and court system. People pouring in. Bad!"
Except this time Trump is telling the truth! He is admitting his total disdain for an independent judiciary established under the principals in Alexander Hamilton's famous Federalist 78;
"But it is not with a view to infractions of the Constitution only, that the independence of
the judges may be an essential safeguard against the effects of occasional ill humors
in the society. These sometimes extend no farther than to the injury of the private rights
of particular classes of citizens, by unjust and partial laws. Here also the firmness
of the judicial magistracy is of vast importance in mitigating the severity and confining
the operation of such laws. It not only serves to moderate the immediate mischiefs
of those which may have been passed, but it operates as a check upon the
legislative body in passing them; who, perceiving that obstacles to the success
of iniquitous intention are to be expected from the scruples of the courts, are
in a manner compelled, by the very motives of the injustice they meditate, to
qualify their attempts." (Emphasis added).
I know this is too much to read for Trumpsters, but what Trump really means when he attacks the judiciary is that he actually does not believe in Separation of Powers and the rule of law (See Article III, US Constitution). So now that we have an admission by Trump that he disregards the Constitution, where are his supporters to complain? When the man took his oath of office, he swore to uphold the Constitution, including but not limited to the independent powers of the Federal Judiciary (so I guess this does count as just another lie).
Already this soon into a new Administration, the list of lies is larger than I can produce herein. Moreover, we are most likely in for an ever increasing number of lies to come to light as this Administration "settles in". The fervor of blind support of Trump by his Trumpsters reveals a lack of appreciation for any opposition -regardless of the task left to all of us by our Founding Fathers and Framers - to question authority, no matter what faction it has gained power through. As I have mentioned before, any Trumpster that enjoys labeling those opposing Trump to be "Snowflakes" should recognize that an accumulation of snowflakes can bring about jagged and dangerous Icicles. Something tells me the collective use of icicles against an overreaching government is exactly what is expected of us in this democratic republic we call America. As President William Howard Taft once wrote; "Enthusiasm for a cause sometimes warps judgment." We can only hope the enthusiasm held by Trumpsters will one day, relinquish its ultimate hold on folks emotions so that common sense, nonpartisan judgment and sanity can return to our great nation. And that is no lie! Have a great week!
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