IF IT WALKS LIKE A DUCK, QUACKS LIKE A DUCK, MAYBE...

            There are two adages that come to mind when contemplating the current political race for the White House between Hillary Clinton, Democrat, and Donald Trump, the Republican nominee. The first axiom is, “…If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck then it’s probably a duck!”

            There is nothing more appropriate than the application of this quotation to former Secretary of State, First Lady and wife of the notorious womanizer William Jefferson Clinton, former President of the United States and a disbarred attorney and friend of Monica.

            Ms Clinton is regarded by the majority of American citizens as dishonest, deceitful and spinner of lies. All of which adds up to distrust. Yet, according to recent poles, she is leading Trump by a healthy margin. “How could such a thing be?” you may ask.  In the past such suspicion of a presidential candidate would automatically put their run for office in the trash can. But not for Hillary!

            Her conduct as Secretary of State has been examined more deeply than a West Virginia coal mine. Yet she continually slips through the mesh of scrutiny as if nothing ever happened. In fact, according to her and her associates, it’s darn disgusting that she should be held accountable for her less than good decisions and lies made to the American people as Secretary of State.

Small insignificant incidents as the attack on the Benghazi CIA annex, which resulted in the deaths of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, Information Officer Sean Smith and former Navy Seals Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, she originally passed off as nothing but the result of an anti-Muslim video. Following the attack and the return of the bodies of the four dead heroes, Clinton had the audacity to tell the families that the reason for the attack was the result of the alleged video. It later came out that she knew the real truth but attempted to cover it up.

She has never explained why reinforcements were never sent even at repeated pleas from the annex by Stevens.

Clinton was able to dodge the issue even after following a Federal Bureau of Investigation examination of her emails. James Comey, director of the FBI, publically chastised Ms Clinton for her blatant mistakes. He added at the end of his televisied delivery that there, unfortunately, weren’t enough facts to recommend prosecution. This seemed odd since what he had just moments before suggested the opposite.

Comey’s announcement came only a day after his boss, United States Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch, had met with her former boss, Bill Clinton who was patiently awaiting her arrival in his private airplane located on a remote section of an airport the day before Comey’s televised statement. Following the half hour meeting between the two, without witnesses, Lynch made a public statement on national television that she would accept any recommendation from the FBI director regarding prosecution of Hillary. To many folks the idea of a fix was in.

According to Lynch her meeting with the former president and husband of Hillary, amounted to nothing more than an exchange of talk about grandchildren and such other folly. Obviously, everyone is sure there was no mention made about the former Secretary of State’s emails and connection with the Benghazi episode. In addition Comey was handicapped by the additional problem that he could not investigate anything other than the attack on the annex. But then whispers about the Clinton Foundation started to surface. And it is speculated by investigators that is why Ms Clinton had a private server. Shenanigans about foreign countries donating to the foundation would help them get special deals seemed real and having a secret email could cover such activity.

And so there is another appropriate adage: “…Where there is smoke there is fire!”

Now that Ms Clinton has been ordered to turn over ALL her emails it turns out that she didn’t—nor did she expect to have to. But now, after continued effort, more and more of these “lost” or erased emails continue to surface. And as a result a new ball game is in play.

It’s bad enough that American secrets have most likely been hacked as a result of Ms Clinton’s private server, but now information is surfacing that there is a good chance that, while Secretary of State, the Clinton’s were playing another game called “pay to play!”

When the Clinton’s left the White House they pleaded that they were broke. So broke it turned out that they tried to steal the White House silverware! But that was then and now is now. Since the Clintons are overwhelmed with altruistic need to defend and help the poor they created the “Clinton Foundation” and have amassed millions on millions in their personal bank account as a result of donations and speeches.

But what is much more disturbing is that they cashed in on this opportunity while she was working as Secretary of State. It is coming out that many donators to the foundation found their way to personal contact with Ms Clinton in exchange for what can be best described as “favors.”

Unfortunately time is running out. There are only 70 plus days left before the election of a new President and Hillary is holding on to a slight lead by her teeth. What is most interesting is the idea that if she is elected not only could she go down in the history books as the first woman president but also the first president to grant themselves a presidential pardon!

Well, like we said—“…if it walks like a duck, quakes like a duck then maybe---“

THE ART OF YELLOW JOURNALISM

            The name of William Randolph Hearst isn’t particularly well known to today’s folks but at the turn from the 19^th century to the 20^th he was recognized as one of the most powerful men in the world and was feared by his enemies. He controlled politicians, the movie industry and corporations in a way that only a Latin American dictator could do. At one time his newspapers were the most read by the American people than any competitor and he made the most of this power.

            If Hearst was alive today he would be ecstatic! Why you might wonder? Because he was the father of yellow journalism! And it was this form of blatant dishonest reporting that made himself and his newspapers famous. And this is how he managed to achieve such power.

            Yellow journalism is merely a form of propaganda—only it is based on exaggeration, false claims (outright lies presented as facts), deceit and selective reporting to name just a few examples. And it was Hearst who made the most of the use of these principles.

            He came from a wealthy family. His father George amassed his fortune in San Francisco, California, in the gold fields and growing up young Randolph sipped on the proverbial silver spoon.

Reaching adulthood Hearst’s father purchased the struggling San Francisco Examiner and put his son in charge. As a Harvard graduate William was more than up for the task. Unfortunately however, he knew nothing about the newspaper business. Relying on instinct and guile, he set about establishing what would turn out to be a revolution in newspaper field.

Hearst quickly learned that in order to sell papers he needed to sensationalize his product. When he bought The New York Journal he incorporated what was to be his main stay—Yellow Journalism and the rest became history.

During the war between the United States and Cuba it was reported that when a famed illustrator Fredric Remington who was working for Hearst covering the conflict asked to be relieved from his job while stationed at Havana, Hearst sent an order to him “…you furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war!”

At one time Hearst owned 20 daily and 11 Sunday papers and several major magazines. It is reported that at one time almost every American read a Hearst publication.

But what sold the products were the sensational headlines and slanted news. If a person was an enemy of Hearst you could bet your bottom dollar they would be smeared.

Hearst used his money and power effectively. In 1902 he ran for Congress and won. But with his main interest in his publishing company and other non-governmental projects he held the seat for only one two-year term and was ousted by a disgruntled public.

When his mother died she left him the family fortune. Included in his inheritance was a 168,000 ranch in California named “San Simeon” which was his private playground. Millionaires, actors, government officials were all at one time or another invited to spend days or weeks at the ranch. He had it all and he controlled it all including his guests’ behavior.

But the thing that really made him famous was his ability to bamboozle the public. All his newspapers and magazines relied on yellow journalism. Facts meant little if it interfered with what the position of the paper wanted. Screaming headlines, artfully tailored stories bypassing the truth, and selective reporting was the main ingredient of a Hearst paper. And they sold like hotcakes.

Unfortunately today not too much has changed. The majority of major newspapers rely on selective reporting. They also rely on screaming headlines and tailored stories. Much of this can be attributed to political coverage. A lot of this can be traced back to the formation of who are considered “journalists” today. Just about all of them were trained by liberal professors who have their own passion and convictions. “Freedom of the press” is a cherished retort to anyone who challenges their position. Subjectivity is regarded a higher standard rather than objective reporting. Bias, slanted quotes out of context and personal opinion are the weapons many journalists rely on. They want their own beliefs accepted rather than the beliefs of opponents and the best way to achieve this goal is the use of yellow journalism.

Where does all this lead you may ask?

Watching national cable news television and listening to the various “correspondents” and “commentators” is the first clue. All one need to do is switch from one channel to another you can quickly pick up on a common theme. During this time of political reporting it isn’t uncommon to hear the majority of these folks excoriating Donald Trump for his position on any subject, his off the cuff “gaffs” or any particular comment by their “reporting” taken out of context. It’s only business as usual.

Finally why the use of yellow journalism other than the flamboyancy and heart string tugs at the listening or reading audience? The real reason is to convince their audience that in order to make the right voting decision they need to rely on these “experts” no matter what they spew as “news.” Cunning, deceit, lies or outright exaggeration are the tools to gain the people’s support and vote.

Watching Trump’s speeches and watching his expressions and listening to his delivery and then watching one of the cable news reports you can’t help wonder if you actually DID hear and see what Trump said. The distortion is remarkable and unmistakable. At this juncture of the campaign they may have achieved their goal—he has no chance!

Like I said; Hearst would love this era.

GRAVEYARD VOTES PAY

            While walking our pup, “Jake” on our usual daily walk along with other dog owners through a local cemetery, we came across a headstone that had remarkable significance. It read, “Matthew Blackwood, Faithful and Dedicated and a Republican.”

Now that is faithfulness!

The significance of Mr. Blackwood’s dedication to his political preference made us muse at how important his faithfulness was—especially when it comes to voting.

Just how important this idea is can be illustrated by was the run for the Washington State governorship in 2004 between Dino Rossi, a fiscal conservative Republican, and Christine Gregoire, a very liberal Democrat. After a close battle Rossi was declared winner by the margin of only 261 votes—the closest campaign for governor in state history. But this was only the beginning of the campaign!

Following election night Rossi was the certified winner of the Governor’s office by the initial vote count. Since the margin was so close however, a second automated vote count was made verifying the original outcome.  By all reason Rossi won. But taking the advice of Yogi Berra when he said, “It ain’t over until it’s over!” the Democrats demanded a hand recount making this a third tally of ballots.

During this time official election officers in King County, the largest county in Washington State (and predominately Democrat), miraculously discovered boxes of ballots that were uncounted they claimed. Even though the election was over the court sided with the officials and sure enough after repeated recounts Christine Gregoire won by a margin of 129 votes.

Rossi, a former real estate businessman, had amassed a small fortune. He continued in business and was later elected to the Washington State Legislature where he performed well.

Gregoire had served as Washington State Attorney General before running for governor. She was considered a professional politician.

Apparently this is not the first time a real estate mogul and a professional politician has locked horns. Today we have a similar battle between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton and the results could be much the same as in the Rossi and Gregoire affair.

But graveyard voters are not new. It wasn’t unusual before the insipid new voting laws were put in action that many corrupt politicians gained office and power with the help of those who passed from this life. Corruption in such cities as Chicago is so commonplace that a power base has so deeply entrenched itself to the degree that it is nearly impossible for an honest office seeker to get elected.

The new voting laws restricting ineligible people from voting are constantly under attack. The Democrats don’t want any limits on illegal aliens from voting. They see such folks a boon to their party. They consider such people as merely “undocumented and entitled to all the advantages and privileges of a legal citizen. In reality these “goodies” are nothing but a payback for their votes and nothing less.

Corruption in politics is now merely considered part of the process. Those in current power, either Democrat or Republican, do not represent the United States in the way the average American believes the nation should be led. Poll after poll shows that the majority of voters believe the country is heading in the wrong direction and they are frustrated. This frustration is leading to the establishment of third parties—parties that have little or no opportunity or hope of advancing beyond a hopeful dream.

The creation of the “Tea Party” is only one example. These American citizens want changes as financial responsibility including reduction of the national debt and a balanced budget, lower taxes, more protection against foreign powers including terrorism, a strong military and less infringement on personal freedoms.

Unfortunately both parties have resorted to the status quo. Neither party seems to want to do much other than remain in office and collect their taxpayer paychecks. The fiasco of the Republican meltdown following Trump’s nomination is an example. Almost daily we hear of another “Republican” denouncing Trump and withdrawing their alleged support. Frankly we find this dishonest. These people are doing nothing more than trying to protect their own re-election efforts.

Why, you might ask are they doing this? The answer is simple. They believe Trump is going to lose the presidential election and they don’t want to join him in the unemployed political line!

Consequently when one of these people waves a copy of the Constitution they are really pleading that the average American will swallow their propaganda. The problem is they may be right. The average American seems unable to put two and two together and come out with anything other than five!

And that is where the graveyard vote helps. Many commentators said that this is going to be a close election but when you hear the smears, lies, distortions and denials made by Hillary Clinton, this idea of a close race may fade away. Trump is his own enemy. He is not a politician and therefore doesn’t understand that speaking the truth is a determent. If there is a chance of his pulling this election off I would suggest he visit the local cemetery and pick up  some unchallenged votes!