INSANITY AT ITS BEST

            With all the news-breaking stories the past week it was nearly impossible to keep up with a lead story. However, when the attempted assassination of the GOP congressmen who were practicing at an Alexandria, VA baseball field in preparation of the following day annual Congressional Baseball Game, everything shifted quickly.

            How such an incredible, horrific event could happen is beyond comprehension. When the gunman, James Hodghinson, approached the ball field he allegedly asked if the players were Republican or Democrat. When he learned the players were indeed Republican he pulled out his weapon and opened fire nearly killing Congressman Steve Sealise, House Minority Whip, hitting him in the hip.

            The congressman, who was at second base, went to the ground and though critically wounded managed to try to crawl to safety. But the shooter wasn’t finished.

            The field, surrounded by a high chain link fence enclosed the entire playing area. Those on the field were trapped. Continuing to shoot Hodghinson methodically moved towards the victims pouring out more rounds from his automatic rifle. Several congressmen managed to take shelter in the first base dugout. Some were injured and four other men, including lobbyist Matthew Mika, a former staffer for two former Republican congressmen, was shot in the chest and remains in serious condition. Also shot was Zack Barth, who works for Texas Congressman Roger Williams, who was hit in the leg.

And then two heroes took action. Both are Capitol police officers assigned to Scalise because of his position as Republican Whip. If it had not been for them everyone says the outcome of the shooting would have been a massacre.

As the shooter tried to approach the dug out to continue his attack the officers, David Bailey and Crystal Grinner took action. Running to the scene of fire both officers, armed only with their automatic handguns, quickly returned fire. During the battle both officers suffered gunshot wounds. Then other law enforcement officers responded and within minutes Hodghinson was killed.

Congressman Scalise was quickly transported to a hospital where he had gone into shock. According to doctors he was nearly dead. Quick medical treatment stabilized him and he was taken into surgery for repair.

Concern from the liberals didn’t last 24 hours. Democrat Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi was quick to get back into the attack mood blaming Republicans for the event.

So much for the far left empathy. What is astonishing is the majority of left leaning people have no regard for law or anyone in opposition to their demands. As for the shooter Hodghinson he is reported to have been an active supporter of Bernie Sanders and had an uncontrolled hatred for conservatives.

But what has happened to our country? There was a time when if one of our political leaders, regardless of party, died or was harmed the people took the time to pause and extend their sorrow. But not now. The left has adopted the position that nothing is sacred. They claim to be the ones who are empathic, loving, charitable and forgiving. But on examination this claim is nothing but rubbish!

When you have colleges and universities demand that any conservative speaker who appears on campus for a speaking engagement be driven off school grounds something is very wrong.  At Evergreen University, Washington State, one professor, a liberal, contested a demand by black students that all white students keep off campus for one day. The result was the students responsible for the idea called for the firing of the professor! But that isn’t all; the professor was also threatened for bodily harm and as a result he had to conduct his classes off campus.

And then you have so-called celebrities as Kathy Griffin posing with a mock decapitated head of President Trump and the Shakespeare in the Park portrayal of Julius Caesar being killed by a mob, but instead of Caesar the victim was an updated Donald Trump, something is very wrong with what is considered privileged rights under the First Amendment of our Constitution.

It seems only the liberals have a right to free speech. It also seems that only the liberals have the right to intimidate those who do not share their positions. It also seems that the liberals can riot, smash windows and cars and break laws designed to protect people and property. It also seems that the liberals can publish outlandish accusations without any facts, damaging an opponent’s reputation by lies and exaggeration.

We see  this daily on the television and printed “news.” The attacks on President Trump are constant and the stories printed are for the most part the result of “anonymous sources.” On Yahoo there has not appeared one favorable report on Trump or his successes. They only print propaganda in hopes of harming the President.

The hatred for this President is beyond comprehension. Whenever you ask for specifics from those who oppose Trump you get the wildest and most stupid reasons imaginable.  No one believes in America it seems. This is evident by the large number of people who support Socialist (communist) Bernie Sanders.

In addition nobody seems interested in the felonious activities of Bill and Hillary Clinton and their selling out America for their personal gain!

So the question remains; where has common sense and belief in truth disappeared? Are you part of it?

           

PRESIDENT TRUMP LEARNING THE HARD WAY

            There is a huge difference between the corporate world and the political world. Unfortunately President Donald Trump is learning this the hard way.

            Following the appearance of former FBI director James Comey before a Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday the best that can be said was it proved to be “get even” time. When someone calls the President of the United States a “liar” under oath it means something. And that is exactly what Comey said.

            The comment came after he testified that during a private dinner with President Trump his account of the event differed from what the President has said in public. It all hinged around what Trump said to Comey regarding his fired national security advisor Lt. General Michael Flynn. It seems that the President made a suggestion to Comey that he cut some slack regarding an on-going investigation into the Flynn’s activities with foreign countries as Turkey that led to his dismissal.

            And this is where the two worlds collide.

            Trump came from nowhere. Nobody ever expected that he would come from a non political world and win the nomination for the presidency of the United States let alone that he could be elected. Politics demands that outsiders remain outside and let the professional career hacks run everything. But Trump proved them wrong. He won the election on the foundation of ideas and promises. The American people were tired of how the country was being run and wanted someone fresh who had knowledge of how to achieve success. Trump was the man.

            As a businessman Trump achieved huge success. He knew how to cut to the meat of a problem and solve it. He came to office as a non-nonsense guy who wanted to make “American great again.” He has all the tools to make good on his word but his methods are more for the boardroom than the oval office.

            The lesson Trump needs to learn is that you do not invite an employee (Comey) to a private dinner and try to woo him to lean your way. In the corporate world this would be a normal thing to do. Flatter, feed and make the employee comfortable and then pitch your request or idea. After a couple of drinks the employee would usually agree with the boss (Trump) and fall into line. But in the political world things are done differently. Instead awards are offered, promotions are given, alliances are made, and favors are given. That is the political way of doing business. This is particularly true for someone who is incompetent—you promote them.

            In addition to this the President needs to learn that “tweaking” can do more harm than good even though the message he is promoting has merit. A thick skin is necessary to survive in the political world. This is a lesson Trump has yet to learn. If one is to make a career in the political world they need to be prepared to take a lot of knocks justified or not. Those holding office can expect a deluge of unfavorable mail. It’s part of the game. But trying to counter these attacks “tweaking” can easily be used as ammunition against you.

            It should also be noted that “truth” is not necessarily truth. Those in politics quickly learn that exaggeration, compromise, deceit and outright disinformation best serves their purpose. Dirty tricks are their best weapon and the Democrats are artists in this regard. Push a lie far enough and soon it becomes reality.

            As far as loyalty is concerned that is also part of the game. But asking an employee (Comey) for their loyalty is crazy. For one thing the former FBI Director has used his position for political reasons. This is proved by his bowing to his former boss Attorney General Loretta Lynch “suggestion” that he not use the term “investigation” regarding Hillary Clinton’s email fiasco.

            Most interesting is that Comey is a former Republican who is now registered as an Independent. This may not be too unusual since many Americans have changed their affiliation from the “Grand Old Party” to Independent including this writer.

The reason is simple; what the Democratic Party was 50 years ago is where the Republican Party is today. Both the Republicans and the Democrats seem to have lost their bearings as to what America and the principles of what our country stands forn. Now politics seems to center on power, money and getting reelected to office rather what matters best for the American people. Trump believes that this is the wrong course and that we need to get back to what our founding fathers decreed in our constitution.

            But before he can push his agenda, which makes a lot of sense, the President needs to do what he does best—continue to show leadership and stop tweaking!