Our Date with Destiny

[H2O Man]

“There is a mysterious cycle in human events. To some generations much is given. Of other generations much is expected. This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt


A lot has been said about Judge Ellis since last week's hearing on the Manafort case. What I haven't seen, either in the media or on this forum, is any mention of what was perhaps the most important case that was tried in his court …..the one that, incidentally, may be the most important in terms of understanding his comments about the Mueller investigation. I should say from the giddy-up that I have mixed feelings about Judge Ellis, and will attempt to not allow this to influence this essay.

Back in 2005-2006, as older forum members may recall, Judge Ellis presided over what was commonly known as the AIPAC espionage case. Lawrence Franklin, a neoconservative working for Douglas Feith in the Defense Department, was charged with passing classified information to two members of AIPAC. This information was largely connected with intelligence on Iran.

During the trial, the prosecution held that it could not reveal some of the classified information regarding Franklin's two co-defendants. This created an obvious conflict with the Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights of the co-defendants. Judge Ellis became the first judge to allow a limited use of the “silent witness rule,” although the prosecution would eventually drop all charges against the co-defendants. That resulted in Judge Ellis's significantly reducing Franklin's sentence.

One could hold that there are differences between an ally interfering with how our government works, and a competitor/enemy. Yet, Judge Ellis is correct in demanding that federal prosecutors submit the documentation to bring a case. Still, his comments on the “purpose” for prosecuting Manafort were way out of line: the charges against Manafort are serious, and Ellis's personal beliefs about politics has no place in the courtroom.

Another significant factor in today's cycle of human events is Trump's foolish decision to opt out of the multi-national deal with Iran. In a previous cycle, of course, Iran was an ally of the United States. That was when the US subverted democratic elections, and installed the shah as dictator. And Iran was almost a friend again, when Ollie North was selling arms to fund the Contras, with the assistance of another Middle Eastern nation.

But Iran is an enemy now, especially since Trump hired John Bolton, who was closely associated with Douglas Feith and the merry crew of freedom fighters associated with VP Dick Cheney when they opted to invade Iraq to protect the world from WMD in the form of mushroom clouds. Thus, Trump was able to deliver this cycle's yellow cake recipe for aggression, complete with a reference to the recent bad-faith presentation of outdated documents provided by the leader of the only nuclear power in the Middle East.

The big difference in this cycle appears to be that the vast majority of our friends around the globe are opposed to what Trump has done. People around the globe recognize that it is Trump and his enablers that pose the most serious threat to civilization. And for good reason.

Donald Trump is the most uninformed person to ever walk through the White House. He could not, for example, locate Iran on a map. He has no understanding of Iranian history. Nor does he have the slightest grasp of current events. Rather, his focus on the Iranian deal is rooted in his raging hatred of Barack Obama. And it has become more dangerous, as Trump feels the heat of the current investigations into his campaign, his finances, and his serving as Putin's pawn.

Trump is desperate for a major distraction, as well as the support from any group. Thus, he is convinced that threatening Iran – even if it results in warfare – can save his mangy hide. And that is exactly where we find ourselves today.

The sane people of the earth are hoping that the American people will stand up to Trump. Our date with destiny is upon us.

Peace,
H2O Man

[gay texan]

1. This is going to be our defining moment

If we choose the wrong path, we are fucked...

[H2O Man]

3. True.

The worst thing would be people sitting beside the path, hoping someone else will "do something."

[Proud liberal 80]

2. Too bad we have a lot of stupid Americans

The sane people of the earth are hoping that the American people will stand up to Trump.

Reminds of two quotes that I heard this past week.

A Democratic Republic is only as good as the sum of its parts.

And guess what, a big chunk of our parts are Deplorables.

A great nation or civilization starts out with people that are eager and hungry to make things great. Later generations then start to get comfortable, then content, then lazy, and then stupid. Then the nation fails and falls.

We are almost entering the stupid phase.

[H2O Man]

4. I do not

believe that the mentally-dead people who support Trump are among the important factors at this time.

[coeur_de_lion]

8. What are the important factors?

And what would we as citizens be able to do to prevent the calamity that is about to happen?

[H2O Man]

11. Good question.

I am convinced that we are in a defining battle to determine if we are a constitutional democracy. And I believe that the outcome will be decided largely by the grass roots. Thus, I believe that the important factors are how the grass roots coordinates with those in government -- all three branches -- within the guidelines put forth in the Constitution, especially the Bill of Rights.

Among the most important of the current circumstances are the legal cases we see being reported on the news. Team Mueller's investigation is, of course, the most important. How many people at the grass roots level have contacted their representatives in Washington to demand the investigation be allowed to continue without interference? Interference from either the White House or republicans in the House of Representatives? How many people on this forum have done so? Couldn't there be an organized effort here?

The Southern District's investigation of Cohen is obviously hitting "pay dirt." As we approach the mid-term elections, every campaign has people who keep track of the letters-to-the-editors of regional newspapers, among other sources. People who write LTTE are recognized as most likely to vote, and are viewed as representative of a portion of like-minded voters. Again, there should be organized grass roots campaigns in this area.

The Women's March on Washington and the recent student marches were displays of power. There were hundreds of other, smaller rallies and marches. These are things that people should be participating in.

One of the most impressive things going on right now is the Stormy Daniels case. Her attorney, Michael Avenatti, worked with a group under Rahm Emanuel. Michael is in a position of power. I note that he is most influential today, because of his work with a lady that "proper society" would generally dismiss. Thus, we have a prime example of the potential power of the overlooked grass roots coordinating with those with access to power.

Court cases are always important. I find the DNC case against the Trump campaign et al an interesting example. There are some risks associated with it, for sure. I appreciate that it can have both a positive and negative effect upon elections, depending upon the state and district in question. Yet, it provides another problem for the Trump forces, including maintaining an option for if there is a move to "fire" those overseeing the Mueller investigation.

At this time, there is a significant need to engage in voter registration and education, to insure maximum voter participation in November. This includes both the grass roots and those at higher levels to engage in open and honest discussions. There needs to be an understanding that candidates in conservative and liberal regions must campaign differently. But that everyone's voice is heard. And that includes outreach to independents, etc.

The rules within the legal system are such that some of Trump's actions may be in a gray area, that do not rise to the level of a sure conviction (were he indicted). But the rules for impeachment are distinct: those same actions could definitely result in impeachment and conviction. It is vital that people know these things, and then act upon them. This demands that people know the truth, the facts that they must speak and act on. Any day's reading of this forum provides not only a resource for that, but also unfortunate examples of the very opposite. So I'd include facts and the truth as very important factors, too.

I apologize if this response is disorganized .....I'm getting ready to take a trip today. But I hope it provides a general outline of what is important.

[Sensitive soul]

5. Well

The focus is back on Trump at this time tonight isn't it.

[H2O Man]

6. Yes.

I rather like the breaking news about the Russian money going into Cohen's slush fund.

[Sensitive soul]

7. Ha!

Yup. Loving it.

[Pepsidog]

9. Great post. I look around and hear educated middle class men and especially women fervently support

Trump and it scares the hell out of me. That these otherwise well educated, church going people could so slavishly support this idiot of a president is very worrying for the the future of our country. Trump need to be removed from Office before he does irreversible harm to our country. Your description of his ignorance is spot on. I only hope the rule of law will hold up and that when the time comes, Republicans and the Supreme Court will step up and do the right thing. Let’s hope

[kentuck]

10. Rec!