You Will Be Judged By History

STRICTLY SPEAKING

With BLOGGER

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Republicans , you are so concerned with your party winning that you are willing to be complicit in treason. Devin Nunes is the United States Representative for California's 22nd District. He is also the chairman of the United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Nunes would rather promote the narrative that President Donald Trump was incidentally surveyed, implying that the Obama Administration spied on the future president than deal with the issue of the involvement of Trump and his administration's cover-up. 

Mr. Nunes -- and House Speaker Paul Ryan -- you will go to jail.Is it worth it to be the reigning party if you have to deliver the United States to Russia? Because, don't fool yourselves, that is what you are doing. Here is something you may not have thought of: If the Russians control the Untied States via proxy, it won't matter if you have the majority. 

Democrats, don't be afraid to get aggressive with Republicans; speak clearly and truthfully. The Republicans seem to have a 'win at any cost attitude' and I don't think it would be wrong to get more aggressive while still maintaining your morals. 

Rupert Murdoch: Another bad man with no hair?

People, do something! Before this year, I had not voted for a long time and have never posted on a blog, but I feel that the current president is dangerous to America and the world. Make your actions meaningful. Voting is very meaningful and so is educating your fellow man. 

President Trump: Ignorance is not an excuse! I'm not talking about ignorance of the law. Because you know you are skirting the law. I'm talking about using your personality as an excuse. One thing that has seemed to happen with every president in recent history is that, once they assume the mantle of the highest office in the country, they become president for the people. Not president for their party. Not president for their economic interest, but president for the people.

Right-wing media mogul Rupert Murdoch, you are so friendly with Russian leader Vladimir Putin that you want your network to push this terrible narrative of Putin as 'friend to the United States'? All the time, Putin is romantically entangled with Murdoch's former wife.

No, there is something very rotten in the state of Denmark, or should I say the United States Government. And, there are things and people that should simply fade before they do too much harm -- like bad haircuts from the 1980's or Beta VCRs. Yet, the Trump Administration and this Congress, and these very bizarre alliances are not going anywhere anytime soon, apparently. No, the reality show that is the Federal Government has just begun its season, and it has all the class of a Jersey Shore reunion special. 

(Blogger Abraham Lincoln is the pen name for a New Jersey resident who is 'Mad As Hell And Isn't Going To Take It Anymore.')

[The opinions of Blogger Abraham Lincoln in no way reflect the attitudes or opinions of The Purcell Chronicles. Rather, the website is a venue for those who wish to articulate their views and points of views in a civil way. All points of views are invited to request space. Of course, this is no way assures same will be given. Management reserves the rights to present columnists at its discretion. --JJP]

Donald Trump is going to become president: He needs a chance

Donald Trump, the next president of the U.S.

By JIM PURCELL

I did not vote for Donald Trump. I did not want to see Donald Trump win the election. I did not think he was the best candidate. But, enough people did that he is going to become the president of the United States on January 20 -- in just a few weeks.

The American System of Government is not perfect. It is only the best that could be crafted under the rule of law. The will of the people means nothing if it is not enacted. And, Donald Trump is America's selection as the chief executive of our republic. On top of that, the nation has chosen to make the Republican Party its chief steward of its trust in both houses of the Congress.

There may be issues, which make segments of the population uncomfortable, that are going to come up in the next four years. Evidently, though, these issues need to be aired and they need to be considered again. In America, we settle arguments with debate and voting.

It was said at the time of the founding of our nation that violent revolution was unnecessary, because every four years there is a war of wills. The stronger of those wills will win the day. This year, that day was won by a common point of view. Some espouse that point of view and others do not. If there is going to be debate then let it begin. But, in that same spirit, let Mr. Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress have their chance to do good. There are no roadblocks to the good they have long said they can do. Well, they have center stage and everyone is watching.

When Barack Obama won the presidency eight years ago, nearly from the first day of that presidency he was derided by naysayers. He was mocked for his race. Hideous things were said about his family. The fact that America has traveled very far in terms of race relations was disproved. It got in the way of his presidency at times, and maybe that is due to the fact that race dynamics have not been fully explored in the American psyche. In fact, it is clear that arguments many of us believed were had and were over (about women, about race and discrimination) may well come back into focus again. It is how it is supposed to be then. This is because freedom is not free. Sometimes, fighting for freedom means making one's self heard when it is unpopular. Speaking truth to power is never, ever the road of least resistance. Sometimes, though, it is necessary.

With that said, in America, the level of political discourse has become so low that it would be reaching up to grasp the top of the gutter. Maybe it will not change. Let me restate that: Things will not change. They will be loud and ugly. They will be without dignity at times. But, imagine if things did change and arguments were made with reason and free of personal attacks and zeal.

Zealots from either party or perspective are not what America needs at this moment. As a people, we promoted a presidential election season that was a carnival. Carnivals are great to visit, but going there every day just gets old and weird. At some point, everyone has to grow the hell up. So, it is time to talk again.

This column will make no difference in what will happen. It is a hope, though, that reason can happen and civility is possible. It is amazing that in the 21st century, though, such things have to be hoped for in civic discourse.

Trump Says Will Deport Millions of Illegals With Criminal Records

President-Elect Donald Trump

By JIM PURCELL

According to Washington Post staffer Amy B. Wang, President-Elect Trump said he planned to immediately deport 2-3 million undocumented immigrants who possess criminal records. This will be among his first actions after his January inauguration.

Trump reportedly said he will be focusing on criminals, gang members and drug dealers as likely targets for deportation. Trump went on to say that, after securing the United States border with Mexico, he will then turn his attention to the remaining undocumented persons in the U.S.

Trump said there will be an effort in his administration to determine good prospects for U.S. citizenship. However, he added, "When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best."

Trump reportedly said the undocumented people coming to the United States from Mexico are people with "lots of problems," and these persons are bringing those problems to the United States. Trump said they are bringing criminals and rapists. However, he said there were good people among them.

Trump Upsets Clinton to Win Presidency

President-Elect Donald Trump

By JIM PURCELL

Well, the votes have been counted and the winner of the 2016 Presidential Election is Donald Trump. His victory on Election Day, November 8, marks perhaps the largest upset in American history. With nearly all polls showing him losing the race with Clinton, Trump came from behind in a stunning victory, marking him to be the 45th president of the United States.

In a story written by Washington Post staffers Karen Tumulty, Phillip Rucker, Juliet Eliperin and Anne Gearan, it was reported that Trump said that, under his administration, "America will no longer settle for anything less than the best." He promised foreign countries he would "always put America's interests first" but will deal fairly with everyone. He added, "We will seek common ground, not hostility."

Following her concession call to him minutes before, Trump, 70, lauded Clinton for her long history of service to the nation.

In response to Trump's election world financial markets reacted adversely, U.S. allies were considering what the future has in store with the new presidents and Americans either seethed or celebrated.

During the hotly-debated contest, Clinton garnered 218 electoral votes, while Trump notched 276 electoral tallies. In addition, Trump will be working with both Houses of Congress, which holds a clear Republican majority.

Trump was born June 14, 1946 in Jamaica Estates, in Queens, New York. Trump graduated from high school at the New York Military Academy, then went on to Fordham University for college, and completed his education at the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania.

Let's Dial Down the Election Drama

It has been a raucous election season this year.

FROM THE HIP

By JIM PURCELL

There is no need for me to discuss how much of a carnival act the 2016 Presidential Election season has been. Though there are two candidates involved, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, they are not the only ones taking center stage during this contest. The sharp contrast between the political and social outlooks of Americans throughout this country are also clearly on display.

There are conservatives and liberals, and they are at each other's throats. Trump and Clinton, rather than convincing people about points, seem to just reinforce existing biases in people and polarize them for the sake of the election.

It would not matter who the candidates were, in some sense, because the Democratic and Republican candidates, respectively, represent certain schools of thought. I have been alive for 50 years as an American, older than most and younger than some, but in that time I have seen my fair share of politics. I cannot remember a time when political campaigns looked so much like armed camps.

At this point, it is Mr. Trump who is saying he may or may not accept the results of the General Election: He said he will if he wins and will not if he doesn't. Yet, this is dangerous rhetoric at a time when tensions are running so high between the major parties and the respective outlooks of those who are their adherents.

Innocent people should never be at risk because of politics. And, if Mr. Trump loses the election and continues down this road with his rhetoric, there may be violence if he doesn't have their way. Win or lose, American elections are sacred because they prevent domestic wars and violence. What Mr. Trump is saying right now isn't free speech as much as it is falsely yelling "Fire!" in a crowded movie theater.

Frankly, neither Mr. Trump or Mrs. Clinton can be accused of having sound judgment. Neither are the best choices for president of this nation and leader of the free world. They are the candidates we have and not the candidates this nation deserves.

Perhaps the most important thing to consider here is that we are one nation, will remain one nation, and have to learn to get along with each other to a certain degree. There would not otherwise be a Civil War. There would, however, be violent incidents where innocent people would get hurt for someone's politics. Our nation has enough problems with innocent people being murdered in its streets -- Americans do not need new reasons to shoot at each other or blow each other up. And, as adults -- any adults -- each of us should know that senseless violence solves nothing and serves only to broaden the gulf between people, not build any kind of bridge.

I have been to the Middle East, to Northern Ireland (during the Troubles in the 1980s) and to Central America (also in the 1980s) and all of these troubled areas have some things in common: Stupidity on a grand scale, the inability for people to respect one another, the need for some people to condescend to other people. If there is violence on the heels of this election, rest assured that Donald Trump will do none of it and experience none of it. He is merely instigating this nonsense. The election is the revolution that happens in this country every four years, and that is it.

Mrs. Clinton is not the world's greatest choice as president. She is leading in the polls now, so some see her as a favorite. During the November election, millions of people will come out and vote and it may be Mrs. Clinton who wins, or Mr. Trump. But, holding such an election with a metaphoric pistol to the head of the American people is not 'fine,' or 'OK.' It is skirting a line, which is not rebellious or crafty, but dangerous and unhealthy. Whomever wins, wins; whomever loses, loses. No more theater -- really -- there has been far too much of that, even for a Presidential Election.

Neither Clinton or Trump are the best choice to be Prez

By JIM PURCELL

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are not simply political candidates this year -- they are a phenomenon. USA Today recently noted that Trump and Clinton are actually the least liked or wanted mainstream presidential candidates in the history of the United States. Now, that is saying something. There have been some awful candidates for president from among both parties.

Like everyone else this year, I have a candidate from among them that I dislike less than the other one. But, this isn't really about who will win or lose, or who is better, who did worse things between Clinton or Trump. What this is about is that, for the most powerful country in the world, two candidates were selected to run for our nation's highest post during the 2016 Presidential Race and -- really -- neither one of them, regardless of who wins, is the best choice for the office.

I was reading a letter to the editor, actually, and came upon a Maine man, Mr. David Hendren, of Randolph, who recently said that neither Trump or Hillary are "acceptable" enough for him to receive his vote. Well, I agree, Mr. Hendren.

How did it all go so wrong? Most people in the media and on the street think Mrs. Clinton will win the election. I think that is very possible. But, is she the best leader from among her party to hold the highest office in the land? Not in my opinion. Meanwhile, Mr. Trump is certainly not the best example of Republican leadership that can be pointed out.

I will not elaborate on the failings of either Mrs. Clinton or Mr. Trump. The media is so preoccupied with their shortfalls it would be redundant. I will say this: Either Mrs. Clinton or Mr. Trump is going to become president...and it's a heck of a shame.

Donald Trump is going to make 2016 memorable

Commentary

By REV JIM PURCELL

Donald Trump running for President of the United States is going to make the 2016 Presidential Campaign can't-miss-television.

Politics has been theater since the first caveman decided he was going to run the show. But, mankind has made it more and more entertaining until now -- when the shark has been jumped with "The Donald" running for the Oval office.  In most cases, it's been the same old thing on America's biggest stage -- Republicans and Democrats going at it with lefts and rights.

In 1992, there was some commotion when H. Ross Perot ran as an independent candidate for President and placed himself right in-between incumbent President George H.W. Bush and upstart Arkansas Governor William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton. As an aside, a lot of people don't know Clinton was actually born with the last name of "Blythe."

Anyway, I didn't have any white-knuckled terror about any one of those three men being elected. They were all sane, well-educated and had impressive records of leadership. It just so happened Clinton won and the rest, as they say, is history.

Now, turning our attention to this coming race: Yes, this horse race has me terrified all the way down to my dress socks. America is ambling out of two catastrophic wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which were fought for questionable reasons, at best. Our country is being torn apart by politics, some Liberals (like me) believe Conservatives these days are bordering upon sheer insanity and the back-and-forth going on with them and basic issues like Social Security, healthcare, military action, Medicare and worker's rights. Conservatives are terrifyingly aggressive about nonsense.

Enter Donald Trump.

I would easier trust the country with the Crips or the Bloods than with anyone in the GOP line-up these days, especially Donald Trump. Frankly, I am not the greatest fan of Hillary Clinton. However, I believe she is sane and that is all it takes to get my vote this time out.

I wouldn't care if the GOP came up with a surveillance video of Hillary robbing a liquor store with an Uzi -- she is better than any alternative the Party of Lincoln can produce. At the very least, though, it will be a show, particularly if Trump decides to go the route of Perot and become a third-party candidate should the GOP bounce him.

Rachel Maddow - Trump is Republican frontrunner, third party threats aside

I think this is important for people who are getting interested in the upcoming theater that is the upcoming Presidential Campaign. I think Maddow makes an interesting point, comparing H. Ross Perot's role in the 1992 campaign to the similar role that Donald Trump may well play in this coming election. Indeed, this may well be even more watchable as entertainment than that long ago contest.