THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE--ONE DOWN TWO TO GO

            The big night everyone was looking forward to is now over and the results of the Clinton-Trump Presidential debate is still being debated. Who won is a matter of personal opinion—and political leanings. Over 84 million people gave up Monday Night Football to watch the two spar off on national television and many felt disappointed.

            Following the contemptuous battle for the minds and hearts of the American people major polls give the edge to Hillary Clinton. Apparently her concealed charm took center stage. She managed to appear calm, smiling and adroitly able to dodge the soft-ball questions put to her by noted liberal newscaster Lester Holt. On the other side Donald Trump might have increased his position if he had gone for Clinton’s throat but appeared to be reluctant to take advantage of the opportunities. She managed to leave open doors that normally would have been an invitation for defeat but Trump, for whatever reason didn’t take advantage.

            In addition the moderator, Holt, riddled Trump with insignificant questions as to President Obama’s place of birth (the “birther” nonsense), his tax returns and other topics that have little to do with the various crisis and issues America is facing today.

            Holt, holding to his left leanings, never questioned Clinton about her email scandal, Libya, the Clinton Foundation or any other subject that she has come under fire. No questions regarding her time with the Rose Law Firm, her relationship with Vince Foster, her making a ton of money with a $1,000 venture into the futures cattle market (her first experience ever by the way), and a list of other allegations that previously came under public scrutiny but were buried by political pressure. Like her husband Bill, she wore a coat of Teflon.

            The rules that apply to ordinary people are sharply disregarded when it comes to the Clinton’s.

            The points Trump tried to present were valid. When Hillary attacked him for not providing his tax returns (which by the way the majority of the American people couldn’t give a hoot about), he countered by saying he would instruct his attorneys to provide the tax records just as soon as Hillary produced the 33,000 deleted emails she had destroyed.

            And on and on it went for 90 minutes. Was anything of value revealed?” No. Was any issue of any value to American security? No. Was a complete truthful admission of alleged offences by either party proven? No.

            Frankly the weak presentation can be put to the feet of Lester Holt. He was completely ill prepared—or he simply didn’t want to score any attacks effecting Hillary. Who knows other than to examine the questions asked of both participants. It was recorded that Holt interrupted Trump some 40 plus times and Clinton only seven. Holt appeared argumentative when dealing with Trump but condescending with Clinton.

            Maybe it was the perfume she was wearing.

            But now there are two more debates to be held. No question Trump will spend some time licking his wounds but he is no fool. You can bet your bottom dollar he will be better prepared for the next bout.

            Yet even at that how will the majority of news outlets—both print and television—cover the next debate?

            There was a time when journalists held true to the facts. They relied on the “who, what, where, when,” when covering a story. But today it is much different. Bias is blazed across headlines, reporter’s opinion take precedent and what is supposed to read as news actually comes out more like a feature story.

            We make no bones as to our position in this column. We are conservatives. But in fairness we try to be honest in presenting the facts.

            For the sake of our country it is paramount that the American people judge these two candidates on their varsity, talent and love of country. Admittedly when Trump first came on the scene we were reluctant to take him seriously. His past record as a Democrat with liberal leanings scared a lot of folks including this writer. But on closer examination much came out as to his beliefs, patriotism and sincerity. Like he said; he doesn’t need the money he is interested only in the greatness of the United States and what the country can look forward to in the future. As for Hillary, well, everyone knows her record!

            If America continues down the road it has traveled for the past 20 years the nation has little hope of remaining a world power. Our security will be further compromised and our economy will be in the tank. The bitter pill of depression looms on what this election is all about. Our military is reduced to levels lower then when the United States was attacked by Japan, December 7, 1941. Today it seems our love of country is reduced to “what can I get?”

            And truth and honesty in government is an oxymoron.

            Let’s see what comes with the second debate. But fair warning; hold your breath!

CLINTON'S HEALTH ISN'T HER ONLY PROBLEM

            Hillary Clinton’s near collapse into the arms of Secret Service Agents as she attempted to enter her van last Sunday at the 9-11 memorial service at Manhattan, N.Y., sent shock waves throughout Democratic Party. Clinton, whose aids originally said was the result of “heat exhaustion,” turned out to be much more serious than everyone thought.

            It finally came out, after spinning a lot of garbage in an attempt to cover up Clinton’s illness that she was suffering from bacterial pneumonia, everything came to a head when she stumbled and nearly fainted. What is worse is that her doctor, Dr. Lisa R. Barback, M.D., diagnosed her condition a few days earlier but the illness was kept from the public. Yet this is not the first time Clinton’s health has come under scrutiny. Apparently she has a history of episodes where she faints and falls. It is on record her one fall resulted in a small blood clot that entered her brain and now requires medication to control clots.

            Everyone wishes her well including her opponent for the Presidency of the United States, Donald Trump. He has had the class not to attack Clinton’s medical misfortune. But what resulted in the real problem for Clinton is her attempt to hide and dodge her illness. Rather than admit to the American public that she was suffering from pneumonia she, as in the past regarding other suspected actions, decided to try to again deceive everyone. All this adds up to her reputation for dishonesty.

            With this current medical problem it was allegedly reported that there was secret whispering at the top of the Democratic hierarchy that maybe it might be necessary to replace her on the ticket. How that would come about is anyone’s guess. The probability of such a thing actually happening goes beyond remote—Clinton with her dying breath would never give up and anyone trying to replace her would be crushed like a bug. And the Clinton’s are masters at killing bugs! Ask Vince Foster if he could speak from the grave.

            Trump, to his credit, did the smart thing by releasing his own medical records. Here is a guy at age 70, who campaigns like the energizer bunny—he just keeps going and going. His stamina and energy is remarkable. Most folks half his age couldn’t keep up with his schedule.

            And now the polls are starting to reflect his efforts. The latest national polls show that Trump has moved ahead in many states and is now giving Clinton a run for her money in the key states. If he continues to make these types of strides then he can easily claim Bill Clinton’s title as “the comeback kid.”

            But Hillary’s problems aren’t confined to just the medical issues.

The Congressional Committee on Hillary’s email scandal is pressing forward with a vengeance. Republican Chairman Jason Chaffey isn’t about to give up on getting all the “lost” or “misplaced” emails that were earlier demanded by the committee. A few days ago four of Clinton’s private server employees were ordered to appear before the committee. Only three showed up and all took the Fifth Amendment not to testify. The question should be, “…if you did nothing illegal then why not cooperate and tell the committee the truth?

 The fourth witness, Brian Pagliano, decided to thumb his nose at the committee and refuse to show up. This may not have been a good idea; Chairman Chaffey indicated that several options were open that could make life very, very miserable for the recalcitrant witness including contempt of Congress.

            One witness who did show up and not take the Fifth was Justin Cooper, a high ranking former Hillary aide. His testimony revealed that he personally had taken a hammer and destroyed several cell phones that had incriminating evidence. These devices were destroyed beyond any ability to secure any information that was in their memory bank.

            Watching the hearing one couldn’t be more disgusted than the blatant interference of the Democrat co-chairman, Elijah Cummings, who repeatedly tried to derail queries by committee members. His usual smoke and mirrors comments ranged from “…witch hunt,” to “…nothing new.” You would think that any congressman, Democrat or Republican would be interested in seeking the truth for the benefit of the American people. But this is an illusion. It seems politicians are more interested in protecting their power base than what is best for our country.

            But as the campaign continues more and more Americans are taking interest. They are beginning to see through the lies, dodging and efforts of Clinton to continue to mislead them. Like the old adage; “…you can fool some the people some of the time or fool some of the people all the time but you can’t fool all the people all the time!”

            Week by week Trump’s momentum builds. His tone sounds more “presidential,” his ideas are beginning to catch on and people are massing to his appearances. What he says makes sense and Americans are beginning to take notice. If he continues to keep on message then by November 8, don’t be surprised who walks off with the big win.

            We shall see what we shall see.

LOOKING PRESIDENTIAL TRUMP IMPRESSES MANY EVEN CRITICS

            It has been quite a week as far as Donald Trump the Republican Presidential nominee for President of the United States is concerned.

            Taking up the invitation of Mexico’s President Enrique Pina Nieto, for a meeting between the two, he hopped on a jet and flew down to Mexico City. The meeting was remarkable. Here Trump played on the world’s stage appearing presidential, pragmatic and dignified. What the two discussed in private would remain private but it appeared both had many goals in common. Diplomatically it was a big coup. Hillary Clinton’s reluctance to accept the same invitation seems to illustrate her profound lack of preparation for such meetings.

            But the day wasn’t finished; flying back to Phoenix, Arizona, Trump, that night on national television, announced a promised detailed objective outlining his plans regarding immigration and pulled no punches.

Listing 10 specific articles he held nothing back. Leading off with a promise of a wall between Mexico and the United States, Trump also promised “…and Mexico will pay for it...they just don’t know it yet!” In response Mexico’s president tweeted that such a thing would never happen. Los Vegas gamblers will most likely place their bets on Trump!

Continuing on his list Trump promised there would be no amnesty. Here is a sticking point for the Democrats. Hillary not only is in favor of such a policy she encourages a more open door policy for immigrants—legal or not.

This perplexing problem has reaches beyond common sense. The problem is what to do with some estimated 11 million illegal residents who have been in the United States for decades? Since crossing the border most have disappeared throughout all 50 states. Those who came across many years ago successfully managed to make out a good living and achieve their goals, marry, have children (who are legal American citizens), and remain anonymous. “What’s the problem” you may ask. The answer is they had no business coming to the United States illegally in the first place. The real victims are their offspring. They didn’t ask to be born here; they simply are the product of natural circumstances. So, what do you do?

Let’s say you own a home. You worked hard to make the mortgage payments, pay the insurance and create a beautiful garden set off by a lovely green lawn. One morning you wake up to find someone has pitched a tent on your front yard and making themselves at home. “What the hell is going on?” is you’re first thought.

Waking up the stranger you tell them to get off your property or you will call the police. The stranger looks up at you and says; “Go ahead,” they have a right to be there. Their reasoning is that they can’t find a job in their own country, they need to make a living and America has lots to share, In addition they also have a right to live wherever they want and you don’t have a say to where that might be. So, your front yard looks inviting and they intend to stay there without yours or anyone else’s permission.

Angered by this you stomp into hour house, pick up the phone and call the police. The officer on the other end says, “…sorry, this is a sanctuary city and we can’t help.” You then call Immigration officers who say, “…sorry, but if we pick up these folks we are required by the Obama administration to let them go.” Consequently the people who pitched their tent on your property could, in all likelihood return and there is little you can do about it.

“Aren’t there laws on the books prohibiting such encroachment?” you ask and the response is “…yes but through executive presidential orders our hands are tied.” At this point all you can do is shake your head and ask, “What has happened to our nation?”

This problem didn’t happen just within the past eight years. It is a continuation of failed policies and liberal intentions to garner control and power that has been practiced for decades. How many of these illegal’s have actually been able to vote no one knows but you can bet your last dollar that many do—and they aren’t conservatives!

That is where the power comes in. By allowing liberal laws that favor the importation of foreigners with little or no vetting to enter the United States, the high majority of these people, who vote either legally or illegally, will trend to the liberals who opened the door for them—namely Democrat legislators. With this power America, as we know it, will be forever gone.

And that is where Trump has drawn a red line in the sand. Unlike Obama he has a plan to end the corruption and do something to end the problem.

“But what about those estimated 11 million illegal’s who are here?” you plead. “What about their families and homes and roots in the community?” This is where the subject gets sticky.

Trump has promised that his first goal is to remove the thieves, crooks, killers and gang members and send them back to their country of origin. His next goal is to send back those who have committed no crime and send them home to their respective country and have them get in line like the rest of those who wish to come to America.

But what about those folks who have been here for decades and have families who are legal Americans? One solution is simple; have them register with the nearest American Embassy with the provision that they can remain in the country without any benefits including welfare, Social Security or voting rights. In addition they would be sponsored by their legal family members who would be required to take full responsibility for their charges. Yet another problem remains; what about the young illegal couple who come to the U.S. and have a child. The child is legal but the parents are not? The child is underage so what is the answer?

For those who entered the country illegally and have no family ties they would be subject to deportation to their native country.

No one wants to break up families but we want America for Americans.