Smoldering Washington about to turn into roaring blaze.

WASHINGTON ABOUT TO BE ENGULFED WITH LEGAL WARFARE

WILL CONFLAGRATION  CLEANSE OR CONSUME?

We have been witnessing a slow but steady increase in political and legal maneuvering that is about to become an all out legal war on many fronts. 

We have investigations by the House and Senate committees which have indicated massive corruption at the FBI and the Department of Justice. We have the Inspector General investigating along the same lines. The Department of Justice has several simultaneous investigations focused on several fronts. The Mueller investigation is appearing to be near a climax. This is now looking like a political legal crises that is likely to rock Washington for a long time. 

No matter if you are a Republican or Democrat with an ounce of objective reasoning, you must admit that something was terribly wrong at the FBI and Justice Department concerning the treatment of Hillary Clinton during the last election. The behavior of James Comey, the FBI director, and Loretta Lynch , the Attorney General, exposed a ham fisted inappropriate manipulation of the legal system that may have cost Hillary Clinton the election. I was not a supporter of Clinton and the only conclusion I could come up with was that the Obama administration was manipulating Clinton to run in a fashion that would be an extension of the Obama legacy. Only history will reveal if this was true.

This was just an early indication that things were amiss at not only these two departments, but the IRS, the State department and possibly other departments as well. All these shenanigans were expected to be protected by the anticipation of the Hillary Clinton presidency. Comey would be a powerful director in the image of J. Edgar Hoover, Top officials who cooperated would be rewarded with advancements and power. Loretta Lynch would be the Attorney general for a second president. Obama would be able to continue his fundamental transformation of America. the Clinton foundation would continue to be a slush fund for all those deserving causes. The Justice department would be able to continue extorting money from banks and businesses and funneling it into preferred organizations. Then the unthinkable happened.

DONALD TRUMP WON THE ELECTION!

Not only did disappointment sweep over the corrupt players in Washington, but overwhelming fear.

Trump stated that he was willing to overlook the past and not pursue any investigations into Clinton. Obviously the players understood that exposure would be imminent if they lost control of their positions.  It appears they set off on a path of political and legal survival that has now come to were we are today. There are indications that the now Assistant Attorney general, the leaders in the FBI, present and former, and other top officials are at risk due to the coming exposure of numerous scandals. It now seems that there is no turning back for anyone. The Inspector General, the Senators and House members who have all seen the corruption can not keep it under wraps any longer. The Special counsel probably believes he needs to go all out to indict as many Trump associates as he can. If they can bring down the whole administration maybe they can all survive. History repeats the  delusion of people who have lived by wielding power that they can overcome anything if they continue to fight.

It is now too late for any of that. It is now about to become out of the control of all the participants in this massive power play. Washington is about to get the gust of oxygen that will ignite the smoldering mess into a fire that will consume the whole town. Hopefully, God willing, it will cleanse the corrupt and unrepentant and set the stage for a rebuilding and better Government.

Irrational resistance stoops to new low.

DEMS FEAR TRUMP MAY TAKE OVER DACA DEBATE

WILL GO TO ANY LENGTH TO PRESERVE DACA AS THEIR ISSUE

President Trump has voiced his willingness to find a solution to the issue of illegal immigrants brought here by their parents while they were minors. They did not have control of their destiny at the time. Many have lived a large part of their lives in the USA. The president has repeatedly voiced his desire to have a solution that would give this group of people a permanent legal status and possibly a path to citizenship.

When the president held a large bi-partisan meeting at the white house he made it clear, I watched the whole event, that he wanted reform of chain migration, an end to the visa lottery system and heightened border security, including a wall in some areas of the border. The Democrats preferred a legal status or extension of the existing status of DACA people without any conditions. Passing such a clean DACA bill as they call it would then allow these people to bring into the country possibly 10x their numbers including their parents who broke the law by bringing them here in the first place. This will not be acceptable to the president or most of the republicans. The president has offered to support legislation that would make the DACA people legal permanently, not temporary as the current situation. It seems that the democrats are more interested in keeping DACA as a wedge issue with which they can demonize the republicans and Trump.The president stated that he hoped the congress could come up with a bill he could sign and had faith that they could do it. This is when everything went haywire.

The democrats realized Trump was possibly going to remove the DACA question before the next election, they felt they had to do whatever was necessary to keep the DACA issue solely their issue. First they got together with never-Trumper Linsey Graham, Jeff Flake and with a total of 6 senators, they called Trump and told him that they had a bill that would satisfy the president. When they arrived at the white house, they found that Trump had asked some republican sponsors of a DACA fix to attend to discuss the proposal. When Trump saw that the proposal did not address chain migration, the visa lottery, and allowed a mere 1.6 billion for border security he was not happy with their misrepresentation of their idea. There were harsh words expressed by many in the room. It seems the whole endeavor was an attempt to squeeze Trump out of the discussion by labeling him a racist and making any proposals by him unacceptable. Dick Durbin ran to the press to spin the whole meeting stressing the conversations, claiming Trump had agreed and then changed his mind, claimed Trump had told them to come back in 2 days after the original meeting, which was not true.They also thought that maybe they could force Trump to accept a clean DACA. It really did not work. It did set back any real bi-partisan hope of addressing these DACA people.

The next attempt was to tie a clean DACA to the budget. The Democrats refused to vote for the budget unless they got their way on DACA. It has not worked. Now their next proposal is to draw up a DACA law in the Senate and then try to force the House to approve it, knowing a law without the reforms will not pass the House. They can then blame it on Trump and the Republican house.

The republican solution should be to introduce and pass legislation in the house with all the required reforms and then send it over to the Senate. Then the Senate will get to either vote on a law that legalizes the DACA'S  permanently either up or down. The chess playing has just begun. You can expect this to continue for at least the next year.

Julian Assange may soon be free.

ASSANGE OF WIKILEAKS NEGOTIATING END TO STAND OFF

COULD ASSANGE TESTIMONY BLOW UP MUELLER INVESTIGATION

There has been changes in the status of Julian Assange's situation in the UK. The Swedish government has dropped their investigation into sexual assault claims against the Wikileaks head. Assange has been staying in the Ecuadorian embassy in the UK for the last 5 1/2 years. He sought refuge there rather than face extradition and a trial in Sweden. He has claimed the the charges were politically motivated in retaliation for Wikileaks publishing of secret and classified materials from the United States, France, the UK, Russia and other nations.  

There are still hurdles for Assange to overcome to gain his freedom. The Ecuadorian government has given him citizenship and also appointed him to their diplomatic corp. The British government has refused to recognize this arrangement. While the Swedish governments dropping of the investigation has ended the threat of extradition to Sweden, he will still have to answer for skipping bail in the UK. This could result in a few months of confinement. But Assange also fears that there is a sealed indictment against him from the United States and could be extradited to the U.S. by the UK if he turns himself in.

Both Trump and Attorney Sessions has talked negatively about Assange and have indicated the possibility of prosecution. It is doubtful that he would be found guilty in an American court when the New York Times, and the Washington Post have historically published classified data without prosecution. 

The question is who would be most against a Julian Assange trial, the Trump administration or the FBI and other security agencies. Assange has insisted he did not receive the Democratic National Committee emails and the Podesta emails from the Russians or any other state player. While Wikileaks has never revealed any sources, he has stated that a Wikileaks operative received the email's by hand delivery in a Washington D.C. Park. Wikileaks also has offered a $20,000 reward for anyone with information in the murder of Bernie Sanders supporter and DNC employee Seth Rich, which happened in a residential neighborhood in Washington.

It is most likely that Assange knows who hacked or transferred the email's to Wikileaks. It is likely that he could offer material proof of how all this happened. If it wasn't the Russians and could be proved it would be the most revealing disclosure in the Russian investigation. It would undoubtedly blow up the whole deal. It would be an embarrassment to the FBI and other intelligence agencies that staked their now already tarnished reputations on the assertion that the Russians were the Culprits.

Maybe Assange should allow himself to be extradited to the U.S. or at least disclose what he knows with proof before he is extradited. He does realize he is in great danger. As long as he has information that can embarrass powerful people and agencies he is a target for assassination.  He may be more safe by getting all this information into the open, revenge is less of an motive  than concealing an embarrassing and humiliating secret.

Time to end cooperation with Mueller

TRUMP SHOULD NOT TALK TO MUELLER OR FBI

TIME FOR INVESTIGATORS TO WRAP IT UP

There is much speculation about Trump being asked to be interviewed by the Special Counsel. This is a no brainer. Trump should tell them to take a hike and if subpoenaed invoke his 5th amendment rights to not testify. 

The special counsel has been investigating almost a year. It was supposed to be an inquiry into whether there was collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russians. They have interviewed almost everyone with any connection to Trump. It has become evident that they are attempting to find anything they can use  to force Trump out of office. This has been the end goal since the beginning. If they have something,  they should go for it. If not, why would Trump risk some perjury trap or other possible unrelated charge. 

In hindsight, Trump and his associates should have never cooperated with this investigation. They should have all invoked their 5th amendment rights to not answer questions. 

This is a sham investigation that the Trump opposition hope they can maintain for years. It is obvious that Comey, Mueller and some members of the FBI are all partisan operatives who are in the process of attempting to overthrow the last election. Don't give them anything.

Should America be the homeless shelter for the world?

DURBIN INTENTIONALLY SCUTTLES DACA DEAL

DACA IS TOO VALUABLE TO DEMS AS POLITICAL TOOL

After contemplating what has gone on in the last few days concerning a PRIVATE meeting at the white house it is obvious that the democrats want DACA to be an election year issue. They could really care less about the the individuals involved and are far more interested in what political advantage they may be able to reap from the situation. The fact that Dick Durbin rushed to the press, like a teenage girl, to report that the president had used derogatory terms for some countries who the dems want to keep in a favored immigration status only proves that his priority is not real solutions.

 

Trump should never speak to Durbin in private again.  In fact he should not have any communication with him at all. Hopefully there is someone else that is less partisan, but even that may not be the case.

The reason you have private meetings is to have open and frank discussion, but in today's political climate it is war continually. Political advantage is the name of the game. Problem solving is not. If every partisan politician in the past had relayed private conversations in negotiations with other presidents I have no doubt we could find many more shocking words and statements. But all is fair when dealing with Trump. 

So, as predicted, the DACA situation will not be addressed, deportations will begin and the Dems and Media will glory in their political victory over Trump. 

Trump made a good faith attempt to address this situation in a lasting way, but rather than make real and lasting permanent remedies it is all about milking the emotions of those caught in the middle of  this political war. 

We need changes in immigration policy that can be enforced as law. It is clear that some on both sides would either have no immigration law, or just ignore immigration laws. What possible motives do they have that are in the best interests of America.

Immigration reform unlikely

POLITICAL GAMESMANSHIP FOR 2018

OPEN BORDERS CRUCIAL TO DEMOCRATS LONG TERM POLITICAL STRATEGY

While much ado is being made of a white house meeting with congressional leaders on immigration reform, it is just the prelude for a chess game for the 2018 elections.

Trump and the republicans agree to legalize the DACA people coupled with eliminating chain migration, whereby new legal immigrants can bring anyone in their family tree. They also want elimination of the immigration lottery. Also insist on enhanced border security, including barriers, fences, walls etc. in certain places that are high traffic areas.

The democrats want to legalize around 800,000 illegal immigrants who were brought here by their parents or others when they were youths. Many came here unaccompanied when this program was started by executive order by Obama. Immigration laws cannot lawfully be changed by executive order. It is the responsibility of congress to pass immigration laws. It is the responsibility of the executive branch to enforce immigration laws. If no changes are made to chain migration, these DACA immigrants will be able to bring in as many as 8 million new immigrants. This is unacceptable. to the republicans.

So, here is where the chess game begins. Trump will sign new legislation if it contains the elements he wants. The democrats may be willing to agree to enhanced security which they have agreed to before, but then not allow any funding for these improvements in the future. This has been the pattern for 40 years, make agreements for amnesty and voting rights, then renege on the other parts of the bill. When in power they have refused to enforce immigration laws as has the establishment republicans like, the Bush's. 

Expect the republican's to put forth a bill containing their requirements for immigration reform, eventually bringing it to a vote to force all members to take a stand. These votes of course will be an issue in 2018 elections.

The democrats will never allow any legislation to limit immigration. They know they have been losing the arguments for a socialist state with the present electorate. Their solution is to change the electorate and appeal for their votes with promises of free entitlements and other benefits paid for by others.

Federal drug laws to be tested in court.

COURT WILL DECIDE IF FEDERAL DRUG LAWS ARE CONSTITUTIONAL

ANOTHER DILEMMA FOR CONGRESS TO ADDRESS

Late yesterday Attorney General Jeff sessions announced that the Trump administration was rescinding the rule that the federal government would look the other way, rather than enforce federal Marijuana laws. This was part of the policy of the Obama era that allowed the Federal government to pick and choose which laws it would enforce. This applied to marijuana, the defense of marriage act,  immigration and other federal laws. Congress was willing to stay silent as it seems to want to avoid making any decisions that may be controversial or difficult. The Trump administration has taken the position that it will enforce all legal federal laws. The first of these to become an issue was to rescind the Obama rule that attempted to legalize certain immigrants in contradiction to federal law. 

Much ado was made of this, but it is clear, congress shall make and alter federal law and the executive branch is bound to enforce such laws. If someone does not like the law, change it.

So now we can expect an uproar that Trump and Sessions have thrown a monkey wrench into the legalization of Marijuana in California, Colorado and other states. This decision should be welcomed, as now it will be decided if their attempts are legal or not.

So some will say all congress has to do is to revoke federal Laws on Marijuana or declassify it as a controlled substance. That will require a very hard vote by politicians, who avoid such votes, particularly in an election year.

So, ultimately we will will see a court challenge as to the constitutionality of Federal Drug laws. There is no provision in the constitution for the federal government to regulate alcohol, tobacco or drugs. So, it is very likely in the future, federal drug laws will be struck down and the states will be free to legalize or outlaw whatever drugs they want. They will also then have the responsibility to enforce their laws. 

The Federal government has a clear responsibility for immigration law, the states cannot change immigration law, and the courts are not going to side with the states.

The federal government does have the right to tax and regulate all imports, so they could put large taxes on the import of drugs and also enforce the laws in that regard. This would likely lead to a larger market in domestic drugs. 

It will be very interesting to see how all of this plays out, the states want the ability to tax drugs, they will not give it up. No matter what congress decides it will be challenged in court. The will and the money to make this a national debate is available. If the court asserts a states right decision, it will have repercussions for years and in unforeseen places. 

Regulating a unregulatable market

MARIJUANA PROFITS AND TAXES MAY GO UP IN SMOKE

MOST REGULATORS AND LAWMAKERS FORGET HUMAN ACTION

With the legalization of marijuana use and possession in California, the state is expecting an increase in revenue of up to $1 billion dollars. This will require legal sales of around $7 billion. While there is a state of euphoria from purchasers just from being able to legally purchase and posses the weed, it may be short lived as the main source of marijuana in the state.

The law states that citizens over 21 may purchase, posses and give away up to one ounce of weed. They are also allowed to cultivate their own crop of up to 6 plants at a time. There is a sales tax of between 6 and 9% and also a 15 % excise tax. There could also be other local taxes that could raise the tax to as much as 45%. 

Legal weed is expected to cost $50 to $65 for 1/8 ounce plus tax. Black market weed costs around $20 for the same 1 oz.. with no tax. The black market in marijuana is well established in the state for decades. The legalization will also be a windfall for the unregulated growers. 

If you grow your 6 plants at a time you can legally posses more than 1 ounce. You are required to store in in a secure place and not transport it. I would assume you could produce more than 1 crop a year and find yourself with multiple pounds of weed. 

Everyone can now possess weed, so it will be impossible to determine where it came from. You can give away up to one ounce legally. So, human nature being what it is the marijuana market in California is really wide open. You grow it, you can give it away, and of course you can always accept favors and gifts from friends and relatives.

Good luck with the regulators in trying to enforce this new black market. They will of course find some big time infractions and will be heavy handed on legal merchants. This will just raise the cost more for legal weed.  Good Luck , California.

2018, perpetual investigations

MOTIVE BEHIND ATTACKS ON TRUMP, SURVIVAL!

CORRUPTION IN THE FBI AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

It has been obvious since Trump's election that there has been a coordinated effort by the Washington establishment, both democratic and republican, to force Trump out of office as soon as possible. At first one had to assume that their motive was just plain political power, but as time has gone on, it now appears that the motive is survival. Survival from the exposure of the corruption at the FBI, the Justice department, the IRS and who know where all this will lead.

When Trump was elected, he stated that he had no intention of pursuing investigations into Hillary Clinton or any other scandals from the past. He was ready to get to work to implement his vision for the future of the country. But that was not to be the case. In an effort to protect their jobs, legacy and freedom, many in Washington threw down the gauntlet of investigation into anything they could to remove Trump from office. Now it looks like we are about to witness a war of investigations and indictments that could consume all of the next year.

The leadership of the FBI and Justice department in particular had gone all in to make sure that Hillary Clinton would be the next President. They were convinced that anything they did on her behalf would be rewarded in the next administration. To their surprise and dismay Trump won and now everything was about to blow up like a giant mushroom cloud in Washington. They could not take the risk that Trump would not try to expose their indiscretions. It had to be all out effort to get him out as soon as possible.

They have been aided by a press with close connections to the government. Many of the press move back and forth between media jobs and government jobs. Many of their wives, husbands, children and unemployable in laws have jobs in government. They are a natural ally in preserving the status quo.

Now it is becoming clear, that laws were broken in the Hillary Clinton investigations. That immunity was given to people in an attempt to keep them silent. That a colossal cover-up has been perpetuated. 

It also is clear that there was collusion between the Clinton campaign and the FBI to tarnish and put Trump in jeopardy. That it has been covered up. That there has been lying to investigators. That they are withholding information requested by the Senate and House investigators. That they are going all out to protect the reputation of the FBI and themselves. The House and Senate investigators and the inspector general have enough evidence to start indicting people. The propaganda war is in full swing. Who will be the winner is yet to be determined. The loser is the reputation of government agencies and the media, which will take decades to recover, if ever.

All this, while we have serious problems around the world. The ability of the United States to conduct foreign policy is greatly hampered when the future of the government is so uncertain. It is a perfect time for our adversaries to put the country to a serious test. You can bet those trying to survive will use any opportunities for their benefit.

Happy New Year

WINNERS AND LOSERS OF 2017

2018 PROMISES TO BE AN EVENTFUL YEAR

2017 has been a unique and interesting year to say the least. Many changes have occurred that will set the direction of the world for the future. Some for the better and some not. Only when we look back years later will it be a true test.

I am going to start out with the losers for 2017.

1. The ISIS caliphate, which is no more. A combined effort by Iraq, the Kurd's, Syria, Iran the USA and Russia made pretty quick work of the terrorists that actually held territory. Those that stood and fought have not only been beaten but eliminated. While terrorists are still around, they no longer have a stable base to expand and support their efforts. The war on terrorists will continue in 2018.

2. The established media in the USA has been damaged greatly. Their inability to control their emotional response to a Trump presidency has caused them to lose credibility with a large part of the american electorate. It will not be restored without a concerted effort by those at the top of these companies. Since it seems the top has encouraged this partisanship it will likely continue and possibly increase in the coming year.

3. The movement to demonize the white population and blame them for all the ills of our society for political purposes has been overplayed and exposed. Those who want to blame race relations for all the counties ills, better find another option.

4. The NFL has set the example of a poor job of how to keep partisan politics out of entertainment. The message should be heeded by others in the entertainment business. 

5. Women and men in the workplace, it will now become a strict, business only environment without personal interaction or socializing. The standards will be set by and enforced by litigation fearing employers.

6. The FBI, the premier law enforcement organization in the country has been badly damaged by partisan politics. The politicization of the country's agencies that reached its zenith in the Obama years has taken a toll on all government credibility. Their needs to be reform to weed out those who would use their power for partisan politics. It should start with the FBI, but needs to be addressed everywhere it is found. This should be led and encouraged by the good patriotic government employees themselves.

Of course there are more but I will try to keep it to 6.

Winners of 2017.

1. American business, with relaxing of onerous regulation and an increase of optimism the economy seems to have begun a recovery in 2017. Euphoria in the stock market, recovery of real estate and an increase in growth has increased the hope for prosperity. With the passing of tax reform, it should continue to grow and prosper in the year ahead.

2. American workers, with the increase in the competitive ability of american business it should lead to more opportunities for american workers to have an increase in opportunity and wages in 2018.

3. Women in the workplace. With the focus on abuses of women by people in power it may make the workplace a more favorable place for women in the future. If the focus of the movement is on change, and is not taken over by vindictive extremist feminists it could be a positive for all women. If it become a war between men and women everyone will be a loser.

4. Israel, for the first time in its history,  is developing a relationship with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. They may be recognizing that cooperation is essential to counter Iran and also for the future prosperity of the region.

5. Efficient low tax states, they have prospered by attracting new business and residents to their states. This trend will likely continue and accelerate in the new year. 

Of course there were more winners and losers, but I believe these will see a lasting impact on the future.