Could Trump be hoping for impeachment to avoid federal prosecution?

Amidst all of the clamor over a possible impeachment effort by the House of Representatives against President Trump, an interesting question has arisen: Could President Trump actually be hoping to be impeached and then exonerated by the Senate to avoid federal prosecution after his Presidency is over? If so, would this explain his multiple orders to his staff, including Justice Department officials, not to testify before Congress and to ignore Congressional subpoenas?

The impeachment scenario

Here is how the scenario could be played out, at least in Trump's mind, if he is hoping to be impeached and then exonerated: If he is not impeached and is allowed to serve out his term of office, he most likely will not be re-elected in 2020 (All poll numbers currently are indicating that Joe Biden would easily defeat Trump, "hands down"). Trump would be subject to federal prosecution for collusion with the Russians, cover-ups and tax evasion on January 21, 2021, the first day that he is once again a private citizen at the end of his Presidency. It is very likely that prosecution of "private citizen" Trump would be swift and relentless.

Trump may be thinking that his only hope of avoiding federal prosecution is to be impeached by the House and then exonerated by the Senate while he still is President.

Why no prosecution?

The question arises: Why would a failed impeachment lessen the likelihood of a federal prosecution of Trump after his Presidency is over? The truthful answer is that it would not do so; however, Trump may be hoping that it would and that it is his only hope. Trump may be thinking that federal prosecutors would lay off and scale back their investigations and prosecution efforts if he had been impeached and then exonerated by the Republican led Senate. He may be thinking that prosecutors would take a look at the situation and say to themselves, "Why bother?;  He is not going to be convicted anyway."

The political will for prosecution

Trump also may be thinking that after a long, dragged out and laborious impeachment process that ended up in his being acquitted, that the political will for a federal prosecution of him as a private citizen simply would not be there. Prosecutions do not occur in vacuums. They are influenced by public opinion.  Juries are not supposed to be influenced by public opinion, and federal prosecutors are not supposed to be so influenced either. But when the political will of the People is adamantly against pursuing a prosecution, it makes it difficult for prosecutors to subpoena witnesses who are willing to cooperate or to conduct needed investigations.

Avoiding prison time

Trump may be hoping that the best way for him to avoid prison time is to wear out the investigatory process to the point that prosecutors are unable to proceed any further. The best way to win a race is to wear out the other guy's horse before the race even starts. What better way to wear out the horse is there than through a failed impeachment effort? Therein lies Trump's possible motive for his "face off" with Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats, his orders to his subordinates to disobey their subpoenas and his refusal to release his tax records.

Will Trump be impeached?

In this commentator's opinion, Trump most likely will not be impeached. Certainly articles of impeachment will be introduced and some House members from Progressive districts will strongly advocate for impeachment. However, impeachment is a political process and is governed by political realities. The fact of the matter is that although he could be impeached by the House, Trump would not be convicted by the Senate. It would be a failed impeachment effort. And the Democratic Congress that impeached Trump, not the Senate that acquitted him, would suffer the political losses in the 2020 elections. Nancy Pelosi is well aware of this which is why she is holding the reins on impeachment so tightly.

Mad about the way things are in Modesto? Click here to Sound Off and be heard!

Man arrested for threatening to kill President Trump

A Connecticut man in his fifties has been arrested after making threats to kill President Trump and claiming to have sent letters to Trump contaminated with Anthrax. The subject, 51 year-old Gary Joseph Gravelle of New Haven, Connecticut, has been charged on two felony counts: Conveying false information about an explosive device and making threats against the President of the Untied States, according to ABC News, on May 12, 2019. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/connecticut-man-accused-threatening-kill-trump-62991441

Bomb threats

The explosive device charge against Gravalle pertains to bomb threats that he sent to the White House addressed to President Trump and to the Islamic Center of New London. The threatening letters allegedly stated, "You die" and were laced with baby powder that easily could have been mistaken for Anthrax.

What is Anthrax?

Anthrax is a deadly bacterial disease that is caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis and afflicts cattle and sheep. It can be spread to humans. Cattle and sheep that are afflicted with the disease have to be destroyed because there is no known cure for the disease; although human victims of the deadly disease have been treated with the antibiotics doxycycline and ciprofloxacin with limited success.

Anthrax has been used as a weapon by terrorists. Baby powder, which looks like the white, powdery substance that contains Anthrax, sometimes is used by terrorists to incite fear in threatening letters. In this case, one such intended recipient of a baby powder/Anthrax hoax was President Trump.

Gravelle's prior conviction

Gravelle was convicted of sending threatening letters in 2013. More recently, he has been in custody since September 2018 for violating the terms of his probation.

Seriousness of threatening the President

Threatening the President of the United States, or a candidate for President, is a federal felony violation under the United States Code Title 18, Section 871. The key to conviction is whether the subject "knowingly and willfully" made such threats. Such threats are investigated by the Secret Service and are classified as political offenses. Subjects who are convicted under Title 18, Section 871 can look forward to many years or even decades of incarceration in federal prison.

-Kevin McClarty, Political Issues Forum 2019

Could Modesto have a Shriner's Hospital? Something special for Central California?

Modesto's new Valley Children's Hospital provides services for children who are suffering from a wide variety of serious illnesses, including cancer, leukemia, heart disease, neurological illnesses, blood diseases and more. We are very glad to have Valley Children's Hospital, which is on Pelandale Avenue, in Modesto. Many observers, including this commentator, believe that such a hospital is long overdue for Modesto and the Valley.

As the Valley Children's Hospital opens up, the question arises as to what other kinds of services for children potentially could be offered in Modesto. What could Modesto do to ensure that children with orthopedic diseases and injuries could be provided services, as well as children with cleft palates, burns, and spinal cord injuries? Could Modesto see to it that such services are provided to children regardless of ability to pay?

A Shriner's Hospital for Modesto

As many readers already know, there is a hospital that can provide such services, and for free to the parents of children who cannot afford to pay for them or who lack adequate health insurance. It is called Shriner's Hospital and it is run by the 149 year old Shriner's International. The closest Shriner's Hospital to Modesto is in Sacramento and that is fine for children in Northern California from Stockton to the Oregon border.

But how about Central California, from Modesto to Visalia? Shouldn't children from this area have a Shriner's Hospital of their own? Shouldn't the children of Central California be able to seek services in a city that is much closer to their local area?

What could the City Council, the Chamber of Commerce and the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors do to entice Shriner's International to build a hospital in Modesto?

Fund raising

Of course, if Modesto is going to request that Shriner's International build a hospital in Modesto, it is going to have to demonstrate that funds can be raised for the project. Funds can be raised in a variety of ways: concerts, Executive dinners, the internet, auctions, radio and television advertising, art shows, car shows, etc.. Also, benefactors can be contacted, including major local employers and manufacturers.

Of course, it goes without saying that Modesto would not have to raise all of the money for the construction of a Shriner's Hospital in Modesto. But if Modesto were to take the initiative and demonstrate that sizable amounts of money can be raised for the project, Shriner's International most likely would be agreeable to building a hospital here. With that in mind, this commentator is suggesting that the City get started on the fund raising project right away to demonstrate that money can be raised for the construction of the hospital.

A Central California gem

To this observer, it appears that Modesto's future entails being a Central California gem in the middle of the state. By virtue of its location in the center of the state, Modesto should be someplace very special, and it should stand out. And it should have a Shriner's Hospital.

Other cities like Stockton and Sacramento are special because of their proximity to major waterways. But Modesto is special too by virtue of its location. As this commentator has stated before, Modesto very desperately needs to attract airline service as well. It is not that difficult to envision that once Modesto again has reliable airline service, that it will be in a position to attract major medical facilities like Shriner's Hospital or even a University of California (UC) Medical Center.

This dream is possible and it is within our reach. We simply need some high-spirited, motivated and committed Modestans to work diligently to bring it to fruition. Do you have any spare time on your hands? Go Shriner's!

Driving on black ice: Safety tips and advice

OK, now that the snow, sleet and rain are temporarily gone, it is time to review how to drive on black ice. Black ice, which actually is not black but transparent, is a very thin but dangerous coating of ice that forms on the surfaces of roads at night and in the early morning when the temperatures are most likely below freezing.

Black ice can form after a rainstorm just as easily as it can after a snowstorm or sleet storm. All that is necessary for it to form is that the ground is below freezing, and that is not at all unlikely this time of year. There usually is no way that you can spot black ice visually or ahead of time; although sometimes it can appear as a "sheet of glass" at night in the moonlight. You usually don't know that black ice is there until you come upon it and your car spins, slides or does a 180 degree, "doughnut spin."

So what are the black ice rules of the road?

First of all, drive slowly if you suspect black ice is on the roadway. (If it is below freezing after a snowstorm, rain storm or sleet storm, or even during a foggy evening or morning, there most likely is black ice on the roadway).

Secondly, drive at a safe distance from the car in front of you. Remember to slowly count to 10 as you pace your distance and then stay at that distance as you drive. (You can do this by starting to count as the car in front of you passes a road sign. You should not come to that sign for at least 10 seconds or more after the car in front of you passes that sign. If you come across it sooner, then slow down and pace your distance again).

Thirdly, do not pump your brakes, especially if you have antilock brakes. Depress your brake pedal and hold it down. The antilock braking system will pump the brakes for you, and much more safely than you can do it. (If you do not have antilock brakes, consult your driving manual for advice on braking in black ice conditions).

Fourth, do not turn opposite a skid. If your car skids, slowly turn your vehicle in the direction of the skid and wait for your car to regain traction. Once it does, you can steer your car the opposite direction and resume driving straight.

Fifth, if you can, pull over and wait for the sun to melt the black ice in the morning. Listen to the Road Conditions FM radio stations that broadcast road and weather conditions 24 hours a day. Follow the advice provided by those stations.

Sixth, keep the air in your tires to manufacturers' specifications. Regularly rotate your tires and be sure that the tires have enough tread on them to attain adequate traction on the roadways.  
Carry these things with you in winter conditions:

1) Chains, even if you have an all-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive vehicle.

2) Extra sweaters, jackets, gloves, blankets and ear muffs in case you have to spend time outside in the elements because of a breakdown or accident.

3) Bottled water in case you are "snowed in" or stranded on the roadway or the side of the road.

4) A tire iron in case your car ends up submerged in water and you have to break the windows to get out of the car.

5) A flashlight with extra batteries.

6) A fully charged cell phone. Remember to set your "Location" to the "On" position in case you are lost so that the rangers and state troopers can find you!!!!

7) A fully packed First Aid kit in case of injury.

8) A working jack in the event of a flat tire. A universal jack is best in most cases.

9) A shovel in the event that you have to dig yourself and/or your car out of the snow.

10) Your common sense and good judgment. Don't ever leave those at home or you can have real problems!.

Remember that winter driving is very dangerous, even for the most experienced and professional drivers. Do not drive in black ice conditions or in bad snowstorms or rainstorms when you are in a hurry or under the influence of alcohol. It simply is not worth the risk.

You can pick up brochures on winter driving at most California Highway Patrol offices or at some State Park and National Park ranger stations. Drive safely, give yourself plenty of time, don't speed in black ice conditions, and remember this: Only you are responsible for your own driving!

What Trump should have done and said after the synagogue mass shooting: An ecumenical America

After eleven people died in a Pittsburgh synagogue shooting,  President Donald Trump remarked that the synagogue "should have had armed guards standing outside." The President, who canceled no campaign rallies in the wake of the horrific incident, joked about the possibility of having to cancel campaign events because of a "bad hair day," but mentioned nothing about the mass shooting in his diatribe.

Armed guards, and at a house of worship? Is the President of the United States, who leads the one nation founded on the principles of "freedom of religion," suggesting that churches and synagogues be protected by armed guards to keep people out

President Trump speaking at rally after Pittsburgh synagogue shooting

instead of inviting them in? Whatever happened to the ecumenical America envisioned by our Founding Fathers who eloquently inscribed in the Constitution: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Has our assimilation to the very principles of religious freedom denigrated to the point that our nation will crumble without armed militia at the door of every place of worship in our country? Have we not intrinsically internalized our very basic and fundamental principles as a People, as a nation of Constitutional laws aimed at protecting the rights of each and every American to worship as he or she chooses? Is the exercise of those very principles in everyday life in America so fragile that it will cease to exist without armed militia at every church, synagogue or house of worship in America?

Trump has given up on America

If that is the case, then we already have failed as a nation and the great American experiment in Democracy is but a sham. And President Trump is the one raising the white flag in surrender to the very hatred that he has helped to incite with his hateful rhetoric. If President Trump truly believed in America and the very principles upon which this nation was founded, including freedom of religion, he would not give up and say that the only way to protect religious freedom and the exercise thereof is to have armed guards in front of our churches, synagogues and places of worship.

President Trump fails to understand that a nation founded on the principles of religious freedom defends such principles intrinsically and from within. After over two-hundred and forty years of existence under a Constitution that transcends our differences and serves us in a common bond of freedom, we Americans share an interwoven allegiance to freedom, to religious worship when, where and how we see fit, and to freedom of speech and the right to assemble. We do not defend our churches and synagogues with the might of the sword, or the firing of the rifle. We uplift all who worship as they see fit with the preeminence of our Constitution.

Donald Trump obviously does not believe in such principles, nor does he believe that the Constitution is strong enough to protect America's freedoms from those who would threaten them. Trump has surrendered to the encircling fear that attacks some Americans and causes them to believe that America's greatest days are behind her. The President's divergent despair about the continuity of the American Dream has affected both his actions and his words in the wake of this terrible tragedy.

Trump should have had an ecumenical service to heal the nation 

 

Trump's response to this horrific massacre could have been so much different. Instead of going to campaign rallies and talking about "bad hair days," the President could have called for an ecumenical church service, open to people of all faiths and from all walks of life, in Pittsburgh. And there are some things that Trump, as President, could have said at that ecumenical service to help the nation "bind its wounds."

The speech that Trump should have given 

 

Here, then, are the healing words that the President could have offered to a nation in peril:

My Fellow Americans: Once again, and all too often in recent years, we find ourselves assembled in the wake of yet another horrific, senseless, and despicable, inhuman act by a sick, deranged person who desperately was in need of help. And we come collectively, from all walks of religious life and all faiths, to seek solace from our Creator. And we ask the Creator to help us understand. 

The defining mantra of the experience that we call America always has been the ability of its people to come together, to summon the grace of God, to shed a tear in a moment of sorrow while enjoining a resolve to unify and rebuild what has been torn asunder in times of great national tragedy. This is one of those times, the time to drop what divides us and come together in a common bond of what we do best: being Americans, thick and thin, brave, resolute and unwavering in our hope for tomorrow and our faith in a Divine Creator. 

And I commit to you today, as your President, that I will not give up on my resolve to find solutions to this ugly manifestation that has victimized our people, divided our nation, and threatened our hopes and dreams for a better tomorrow for all our children, grandchildren and future generations. I pledge to you that I will not rest, I will not stop my daily toil, and I will not claim victory until this manifestation has been eliminated from our streets, our buildings, our public events and our American way of life. 

The hatred that is responsible for this manifestation must be eliminated from every city, every village, every church, and every square inch of America. And we can measure our success by the sparkle in the eyes of our children, the radiance of hope in our college youth, and the patriotic resolve of all our citizens that this nation is the best nation ever conceived, ever created and forever defended. 

We have a lot of work to do, for the task before us is one that we all share. The "Fruited Plain" is ours to defend; and the fruits of our democracy come to us at a cost. Thank you ever so much to those who serve our country to keep us free. They know, better than anyone, that, as John F. Kennedy said, that "The price of freedom is not free." 

Together we will pay that price. Together we will worship, we will defend what is ours, we will uphold the principles of freedom, we will prevail and we will not ever give up. And we will humbly bow to our Creator and once again, as always, proclaim, "God bless the United States of America."

The long path to healing

That is what I believe that Donald Trump, or any President in this situation and at a time such as this, should have said. The path to healing is a long one for America. But it must begin at the top and with the President. And words such as those above are the first prescription for a nation of sorrow in a time of desperate need. 

Trump: I did not know who Putin was in 2016

After telling reporters in 2013 that he met Vladimir Putin in Moscow while attending the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant, President Donald Trump stated that he did not even know who Vladimir Putin was in 2016. At a news conference in 2016, Trump, who was a candidate for President, stated that did not know "who Putin is." Trump then stated that Putin had said "one nice thing" about him, but that he had "never met" Putin.

The 2016 Trump interview came to light on the heels of his emphatically disastrous press conference in Helsinki earlier this week in which he refused to support the results of his own intelligence agency findings that the Russians had interfered in the American Presidential election in 2016.

Trump's access to prostitutes

Vladimir Putin told reporters in Helsinki during the press conference with President Trump, that he did not even know that Trump had arrived in Moscow in 2013. Putin then admitted to reporters that he had been informed by Russian intelligence officials that "compromising material" pertaining to Donald Trump and his Moscow trip had been "collected." That compromising material had to do with prostitutes. It is alleged that Trump was offered access to no fewer than five prostitutes during his Moscow visit. However, Trump allegedly turned down the offers and stated that he does not "do things like that."

At this point, it is unclear whether 'the Donald' did or did not have encounters with prostitutes while visiting Moscow. However, it is known that Vladimir Putin was informed of rumors of Trump's involvement with the prostitutes and that Trump's activities were being closely monitored by Russian intelligence officials throughout his Moscow visit. At the very least, one can deduce that whatever Trump did or did do with prostitutes while in Moscow, that his activities raised the ire of the Russian espionage community enough to report his activities to Vladimir Putin. And that is disturbing, especially when one considers that any compromising material that the Russians gather pertaining to an American President, or future President, can have deleterious affects on America's security, safety and economic prosperity.

Trump says he didn't know who Putin was

As pressure was mounting on 'the Donald' during the 2016 Presidential campaign amid reports that he was "friendly" and "chummy" to Vladimir Putin, Trump told reporters that he did not even know who Vladimir Putin was. This was after he had claimed to have met Putin in 2013 during his Moscow visit, even though British born music promoter Rob Goldstone confirmed that Trump and Putin did not meet in 2013 because the tardiness of the King of Holland put Putin behind schedule.

Sizing up Trump's comments

Let's take a closer look at the President's statements. Let's see now, he stated that he met Putin in 2013 during his Moscow visit in a 2015 interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity. Trump told Hannity that he had "tremendous success" at the beauty pageant, and that he got to "meet everybody," (including Putin). Then, in 2016, amid rumors of his chumminess towards Vladimir Putin, Trump claimed that he did not even know who Putin was! And he expects us to believe that as he was running to be the leader of the Free World, that he did not know who Vladimir Putin was! Really Donald?

You can't have it both ways, Donald. The truth only goes one way. You can't burn a candle on both ends. Careful, you might burn your fingers. Try the truth next time and spare your fingers.

Save the children being held in cages in Brownsville, Texas.

As most of you probably know by now, earlier this month Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, (D), was denied access to a converted WalMart store in Brownsville, Texas that is being used as detention center for the children of refugees. The children were forcibly grabbed from their parents' arms as they attempted to attain asylum in the United States to escape horrific conditions in Central America.

Although Senator Merkley was not allowed to see the inside of the converted WalMart, he did see another facility and what he saw totally horrified him. He observed toddlers being kept in cages that he described as similar to dog kennels. He observed children from ages 0 to 17 being incarcerated in this facility.

Insidious Conditions 

The conditions that Merkley described were insidious, inhumane and horrific beyond belief! The conditions described were worse than those of the Japanese Internment Camps of the 1940's. Seemingly, the conditions described by Merkely were akin to those of the German Concentration Camps during World War II.

Conversation with Feinstein's office

I had a long conversation with Senator Dianne Feinstein's office yesterday on this issue. I was assured that Senator Feinstein is looking into this issue and that the Senator is vehemently opposed to taking children from their refugee parents and locking them in kennels. I also was told that Feinstein is working on legislation to prevent this from ever happening again; however, it is uncertain what can or will be done about these children who are being held in cages in Brownsville now.

What remains unknown

What also remains unknown is whether or not the government is keeping records on who the children's parents are, or whether or not the government ever intends to return the children to their parents! What right does the government have to grab these children from their parents and lock them in cages and treat them like animals?

Refugees, not illegal immigrants

Jeff Sessions keeps saying that the parents are "breaking the law" and this is why they are grabbing children from the parents. But these are not illegal immigrants (not that it would be right to take children away from illegal immigrants either). They are refugee parents who are tying to escape horrific conditions in Central America and to attain asylum in the United States. America always has welcomed those seeking asylum in the United States and the country was founded upon the principle of being a nation of immigrants.

Trump Administration's racism

Donald Trump, whose administration is directing this horror on immigrant children, has asked why we can't have more immigrants from Norway and other Northern European countries. Therein lies the answer to why Trump is doing this: Trump's abduction and incarceration of refugee children from Central America is racially motivated because these children are not white, blond and blue-eyed as are children from Norway. And if this is racially motivated, there is no telling what horrors may be taking place at the converted WalMart in Brownsville. And there is no telling how this thing will turn out. Most likely, it will turn out ugly if citizens like you and I don't step in and take action now.

What you can do

What can you do? You can do a lot, believe me! You can call your Member of Congress and/or your United States Senator and ask that these children be released to their parents immediately. You can demand that these detention centers be closed immediately and that subpoenas be issued so the the facilities can be inspected immediately. You can contact missionary organizations and churches and relief agencies to see if they are mobilizing an effort to assist these children and ask to be involved if they are doing so. And if they are not getting involved in this, encourage them to do so!

Finally, you can write articles like this one, or share this article with as many people and in as many places as possible. The point is to keep up people's awareness of this issue and to keep after our elected officials to do address this issue and do something about it now! These children need to be saved and you have the power to do it through your efforts. It's time to get busy!