My opinion of Mr. Snowden has not changed. From the beginning, I believed he was a traitor, on the same level as CIA traitor Aldrich Ames. He should have been brought back to the US, tried, convicted and punished according to the law.

Many were applauding him because he exposed what they considered an egregious wrong being committed in the intel community and he had an obligation to expose it. And some considered him a hero because they regarded it as a strike against the Obama administration. I consider both assumptions to be amateur in thinking.

For the sake of debate, what if he did feel he had an obligation to expose a wrong? Well, he did have options inside the system. The Inspector General’s office in DOD responsible for NSA, notifying a Republican Senator or Congressmen were options he could have taken, if there were indeed legitimate concerns. But he didn’t make a move to contact any of them. Granted, he most likely have lost his clearance…Let’s be honest.

So, he decided to pack his bags, take a plane from Hawaii armed with a slew of classified information. He went first to Hong Kong and then to Russia, where he was supposedly stranded. His final destination according to him was to be Ecuador, but, somehow, the fates were against him. Or, he just made that up..

A few words on traitors. If you go through history, very few do it for the betterment of the country they betray. Some do it for ideological reasons; Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were devoted Communists. Others, money: Aldrich Ames wanted money, a bigger house and car. Nothing can convince me Snowden did it because he feared the direction this country was headed and wanted to help right it.. In the book written by Glenn Greenwald, he specifically took the job at an NSA installation to get the info he most likely imparted to Russian authorities. (And I have no doubt about that).

It’s people like Snowden who constantly put this country in danger. The intel community is not a friendly or fair place. I mean to say, its mission doesn’t allow ‘fairness’. It’s hard hitting, it’s full of deception, sometimes disgusting and evil practices. But, that’s what’s necessary to keep this country safe. WE SPY.. period.

What? Do some think I’m being too harsh? Well, this is done everyday in every part of the world. Everyone spies on everyone else. Whether it be military, economic, or industrial secrets, to name a few, all countries have an intelligence agency to not only protect, but to manipulate foreign sources.

Information is King. And always will be.

Snowden recognized that. He entered into Intelligence for the information.

Working in the intelligence community is not what it has been portrayed by Hollywood of constant tension, always a crisis looming and near annihilation events. Sometimes it’s boring as hell but there are times where you wonder if the world is going to hell or if it’ll even exist the next day.

Having said that, the intel community has changed drastically since my days in the 1980’s there. Now, it has become closer to the KGB. I am not using hyperbole; Obama did much damage to it and made it what it is today: an entity which is weaponized against the people it’s supposed to protect.

If our intel community is ever to get back to its original mission, it’s going to need a thorough cleaning and become more particular about those they bring on. And it needs to be re-worked from top to bottom

There are always Snowdens in this world.

Protecting our country from them is paramount..

Suffice to say, that friendship is not on the best footing right now.

And therein lies the problem… We now identify ourselves as a ‘party’ member and we ignore the larger picture..

We’re Americans first..

Donald Trump pointed that out so clearly. And that is one of the reasons the Uni-Party in DC hates him..

Yes, the Uni-Party. Let’s face it, the GOP has had its day. The final straw for me was on January 6, when Pence refused to hear the evidence regarding the votes of the Electoral College. At that moment, the veil had been fully lifted and exposed the GOP, not as a political party, but as one half of the Uni-Party.

Donald Trump is responsible for exposing this. The GOP died long ago. We’re dealing with the ghost who won’t go over to the other side. Dems and Republicans are part and parcel of the same group, which wants unfettered access to stock tips, lobbyist money, power, great health care , while the rest of Americans are wondering what part of their life is going to take a hit next..

I don’t speak as a lone voice. I’m quite active on social media, and people from all over America, of every race, religious background, are fed up with the GOP. The Republicans betrayed 75 million Americans who voted for Trump. From the beginning of Trump’s run for the White House, they did everything they could to disparage him, his campaign and his agenda. They worked hand in hand with the Democrats.

And when the American people threw a monkey wrench into their plans by electing Trump, many of them blocked his efforts, using impeachment as an excuse, or the Constitution as a weapon against him. This country is being run by one party. There is no difference between the two, save for names.

Donald Trump committed the unpardonable sin by exposing the duplicitous nature of the Deep State. Like a slap in the face, Americans realized we had been taken for a ride for decades.

His accomplishments during his 4 years were many. In my book the most important was his ability to bring people of all races, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds together under the banner our founders’ intended: as Americans.

The utter contempt that GOP committees, even in my home state of New Hampshire have for Donald Trump is troubling. I understand many of them are ‘moving on’ and focusing on the 2022 elections. Here in New Hampshire, the recent pathetic State Committee meeting and its treatment of its own people shows the swamp has made it way up here. No outrage from the State GOP on the votes in Windham and certainly no curiosity on whether it happened anywhere else in the state. “Let’s move on… Nothing to see here” is their mantra. They still have no clue what Donald Trump did for America…. Not the GOP; AMERICA.

The GOP stands for itself. Not for America. As the Democratic Party has embraced more of the Communist dogma and values, one would have expected the GOP to act as a bulwark against those actions; to protect us.

That would be true, if they were in fact, working for America and American interests. But they’re not. Their agenda has nothing to do with America, the Constitution or its values. It’s their power, what they can garner from their time in Congress or local politics, and how to pad their pockets.

It’s time for the GOP to die.

What this country needs is another political party. No, not a third party, since I pointed out earlier the one party existence, but one which should take the place of the GOP. Those who are RINOs should be Dems anyway and Conservatives are leaving in droves. Left are those who view their time in their local committees as a ‘social’ club.

You’d be surprised how many in local GOP committees have no idea who the players are in this country, the issues, both domestic and international which may have an effect on this country. I have had a discussion with one Committee Chair who keeps insisting Trump used the word “I” many times to describe the accomplishments of his administration. Of course nothing could be further from the truth..

If they are a leaders of a political committee, shouldn’t they be knowledgeable of such things? One would think so, but not in this case. I have no problem saying they’re rank amateurs.

And I hear the cries of anguish: Another Political Party!? What’s to say it won’t turn out the way the GOP did?

Good question. First, our Constitution should be the basis for the Party and the platform that Trump ran on. Trump’s efforts in bringing together the American people was unprecedented. Even Ronald Reagan was not able to accomplish that. This should be a blueprint for the new party.

Another option I have heard: Take over the GOP. No. Not possible. It’s too embedded in the Deep State. There have been many attempts. I remember when the Conservatives became very vocal and active during the Reagan administration. They were tamped down after G H W Bush came into office and for decades after.

The Tea Party was a valiant effort, but it was quickly infiltrated by RINOs who ran under the Tea Party banner and then, once elected, went into the Deep State. The Tea Party was used by politicians as a platform for their access to Congress. After they were elected , they turned their backs on their constituents.. Here in New Hampshire, the name Kelly Ayotte comes to mind, who ran as a strong Tea Party supporter, then once in Congress, went into John McCain’s lapel as an ornament.

I’m tired of people such as Mitt Romney, Mitch McConnell, Lindsay Graham, Collins, Murkowski and numerous others who have the audacity to lecture us as if we are the ignorant, unwashed and illiterate .

They are just politicians.. Not statesmen, not leaders. They are there to get what they can in money and influence from the American coffers.

‘Politicians.’: it’s time we made that word a slur.

It’s time for the GOP to go into the history books as having outlived its usefulness. Stop trying to drag that dead elephant over the finish line. There is no longer a Republican Party. It died long ago.

So, are you a Republican or an American?

The choice is yours… After all, this is America. But for how long……?

The times we find ourselves in are precarious. The America we had come to enjoy is now under attack by the very people who are supposed to protect us.

There are many voices out there, yes. But this is still America, (for the time being) and I am going to add mine to the rest in order to bring this country back to where we should be: a country that still believes in freedom, the Constitution, national security and fairness. All are in danger of being taken away….

So look for changes and a new beginning..

God Bless America…

To anyone who has ever read the essays or listened to Political QRM podcasts you are probably aware that Lou, my co-host, my friend, a person whom I considered a brother had passed away on April 28, 2020.

It was complications due to COVID-19. However, (and I had no idea) he was more ill than he let on.He had a number of illnesses that I was well aware of, but not the fact they had become more severe. Only his wife and a close friend from his military days, Al “his brother” knew all which was going on with Lou. He called Al ‘his brother’ even though they weren’t bound by blood, but a tie forged through their military background, which resulted in a deep and binding friendship that transcended blood ties.

Lou was a man, a real man who the politically correct masses would call a “toxic male”. There was nothing toxic about Lou… He was a man who had no prejudices; who treated everyone with kindness and respect.

He was strong when warranted. If someone attacked him, his wife Debbie of 18 years or his family and friends then he fiercely defended them.

He was a proud American. He served his country well. And don’t ever, EVER, think about disrespecting any aspect of this country or the flag he proudly served under.. That would mean you just used your life insurance policy.

But he had a heart of gold. He would help strangers if he came upon someone who needed it; and his friends and family could always count on him for a sympathetic ear. He was always there for anyone and anytime; no matter how much physical pain he was in himself. Many times I would ask him for his advice regarding issues in my life, my medical condition (we had similar spine issues) and just about anything. He always listened, and then would give me advice or a path I never thought about.. A wise man..

He was an animal lover. Throughout his life he always had a cat or dog and would help out any animal which needed help. He was that type of person. He had a big heart .

We became friends over the internet through an Italian website celebrating our heritage. It was strange, because I noticed a connection right off.. Like family. And we hit it off: like family..

When I decided to do a podcast and the website, there was nobody else I wanted to do it with than Lou. We were a good fit, we understood each other having both heritage and being raised in similar areas of New Jersey in common.

We had our disagreements, of course, but we were always there for each other.. I always had so much fun talking with him (when I could get a word in edgewise during the podcast!) and we would go on for hours..

If something significant occurred in the world or in the political world, I could expect a call from Lou; even if I had planned to call him.. He was always one step ahead of me..

I miss him. I miss him everyday.. There are times when I think of something and reach for the phone and it all comes back to me. I know with the darkness hanging over our country now, he would’ve been in his element, with the podcast and putting out his essays.. He would’ve been furious! And on top of it all and talking, talking, yelling, arguing in that wonderful New Jersey Italian way of his..

So Rest in Peace, dear friend.. My brother. I miss you.

WHAT has CHANGED? You’re a Democrat? Yeah? So? Wanna talk? Cool! Want to scream talking points over me while I’m trying to make a valid argument? You lost me. Calling for violence in the street? Calling for dismissal of a professor holding an opposing viewpoint at college? Shutting down guest speakers for being “racist”, “sexist”, “homphobic” or any other *.ist or *.phobe that some rabble-rouser Womyns’ Underwater Rythmic Placemat Weaving professor, (hey, it’s YOUR major, not mine), on your campus claims them to be?  Calling for boycotts of movies and eateries, (or “create a crowd” as some “progressive” politicians have recommended you do, when people who disagree with you are eating or out on a date?), since WHEN are tantrums, (over the age of, say, 2 1/2), such as this “okay”?  Some of my other social essays delve into that question a little more deeply but, suffice it to say that the terms “pajama boy”, snowflake” and others assigned the latter-day millennials and Generation X are not without worth.

I just had what I thought was a question. Now, dammit, I had to write an essay. So shall it be. But, in the meantime? DISCUSS.  COMMENT as you see FIT!

****************************************************************

I’ve been seeing it all the time in other places on the web. Now, I’m seeing it more and more on trusted website comments section. It’s a bit disconcerting to me. “Comes The Revolution”, (a line from Jefferson Airplane’s monster tune, as is the title “Volunteers Of America”), are you truly ready? I’m not talking about a dozen 5-gal buckets of Mountain House or 30K rounds of ammo, a bug-out bag and a safe retreat.

Sheriffs all over the map are declaring “Constitutional” or “Sanctuary” 2A zones, promising to NOT enforce what they see is an unlawful order. (It IS, and the duty to not follow an unlawful order is as binding as the duty to follow a lawful one). But, what happens when it gets kicked up to the state level, (the Nat’l Guard), or the FEDERAL level? Either way….are you prepared to open fire on your brother or sister? Your uncle or aunt? Your cousin? Remember, once it goes to the state level, the National Guard, it becomes a lawful order. Are you READY? Please don’t hand me that “molon llabe” or “cold, dead hands” trope. ANSWER the QUESTION! ARE you READY?  Because not only will you find yourself in a shoot-out, you’ll find yourself in a shoot-out you just might lose!

I am not advocating that you turn in your lawfully purchased products, that would make no sense whatsoever.  However, some of the answers I listed above might not be a bad idea….

(Originally published on my personal blog due to tech issues)

This is to say that, in today’s world, CHILDREN are not capable of making life-altering decisions even if they DO HAVE some form of dysphoria. We don’t let them chug a few cool ones and take the car for a spin, right? I saw a phrase in a news report that, in the case of James / Luna Younger that a judge will decide if the parents should take a position of “affirmation” or of “watchful waiting”.

I believe that this is entirely caused by either not having “gatekeepers” or by having them with a vested, (ideological OR fiduciary), interest provided by agendists. This, in my, (never), humble opinion, is quite possibly a play for “fifteen minutes” by the mother, the “professionals” involved and the medical team to come up with the next Jazz Jennings.

This should not be taken lightly. The child is a TWIN. What effects, (short OR long term), will this have on the other child’s life? Kids can be cruel. I know this for a fact as I’ve been on the receiving end many times and, yes, once in a while on the giving side. No one in my day committed suicide because they were bullied. They either went home crying, (but they didn’t knot up their bed sheets), or they “went full Ralphie”*, (a bare-knuckles approach), and ended up shaking hands at the end. Today, however, with “social” media kids are using, (several of which, I can’t recall the names), delete messages after a period of time leaving no “tracks in the snow” for authorities to follow post – mortem. Also today, “going full Ralphie” sometimes means taking mom’s rifle to school and the innocence of other children is lost.

On the father’s life? As to the father, well, on the job, in the supermarket, in the tavern or at the ball game or bowling alley…the whispers will start. The half-shielded chuckles. Change jobs? Sure. Then those whispers will be there right out of the gate. Unfortunately, the “went home crying” approach doesn’t work for adults. Well, it DOES, but it’s called “therapy”. But maybe we end up “going full Ralphie”. Which, in adults, isn’t called “Ralphie”, it’s called POSTAL. By then? What kind of psychological burden is placed on the transitioned child for his father, who sought only to love his son, is either in prison or, a hole in the ground?

Think about it before the next case comes up where you support “affirmation”.

*The term “Ralphie” is drawn from the movie “A Christmas Story”. Ralphie, the bullied kid, finally gives the bully a good-old schoolyard whoopin’.

Nancy Pelosi is one of, if not the, shrewdest and most astute politicians in recent memory.  The top gold miner in the DNC world, she plays the game on a championship level and has for years.  

Calls for the impeachment of Donald J. Trump began on 9th November 2016.  Granted, they began before that, but it didn’t matter until he was elected.  For nearly three full years Madam Speaker has resisted those calls.  Even with such shiny objects as “The Squad”, and such luminaries such as Rep. Green and “Auntie Maxine”.  They, (along with an ally in the media) wagered, for two and a half of those years, (and $45M of our money), on the “Russian Collusion” narrative.  Replete with evidence.  Of course, that evidence was tainted by the fact that it was bought and paid for by laundering money from the DNC/HRC campaigns to the Clinton Foundation to a OPFOR company to a “former” MI-5 agent to our FBI to a FISA Court…you know the story.  Well, that didn’t work out, but, they, (in the persona that is Adam Schiff, (D-CA), kept the story alive with cameras and microphones reminding us that there was “evidence” of “collusion” that they were privy to and we were not.  Stormy Daniels, discredited by her own corrupt lawyer.  Trump Holdings, which were held, (LOOK! EVIDENCE!), by a family trust.  As is customary, SCOTUS appointments, (MISOGYNY! Which fell apart by virtue of an accuser who couldn’t remember the when / where of the “assault”), kids in cages, (from the previous administration), racism, (while in the process of signing prison reform orders and first / second step programs as well as opportunity zones in major cities), homophobia, (while addressing the world to decriminalize homosexuality)…nothing.  Nothing made Pelosi blink.  Day after day, week after week, she deftly put the cries of “IMPEACH 45!” to bed.  

Then, a “whistle-blower” crawls out of the woodwork of “the swamp”.

Now she “blinks”.  Even before reading the declassified and released transcriptional evidence, (brought to light by an anonymous person with no first hand knowledge of, but was given the evidence of wrong-doing by another anonymous source), now she’s ready.  Let’s go.  In the words of the great space explorer Alan Shepard, “Lets light this candle”.  Based on the single shakiest issue of the last three years.  As well, let’s put Adam Schiff, who we all are aware is full of…well..himself.  A prevaricator and dissembler of the first order.  Is she crazy?  Is she stupid?

No.  Well, with a provision.

Okay.  While the possibility of an illness does exist, go back to the first paragraph.  No.  She is NOT “stupid”.  Never has been and likely never will be.

By the time it got down to the nitty-gritty, there were better than two dozen people vying for the Democratic nomination.  Some of them pretty much legitimate, some of them “Democratic Socialists”, (read that: Commies), and some of them just plain nuts.  Amidst all of the fray, it took former V.P. Joe Biden weeks to declare his candidacy.  AFTER reputedly being told by former president Obama; “Joe, you don’t have to do this”.  Anyway, into the pool he jumps.  The deep end; the Left end, no less.  All to be pulled down toward the whirlpool of severe restrictions on the Natural rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment, Medicare for all, (including those here illegally), and infanticide.

In light of the fact that Mme Clinton and Obama, (some also tout Oprah Winfrey into the mix), have not declared and likely won’t, Nancy knows she can’t win.  She told us so, in so many words.  “This is worth losing the house” and “this is worth losing the Speakership”.

So she yields.  Or does she?  

Yes.  She yields 2020.  With all the people on the Left tripping over themselves to get face-time on their complicit media, (see my “The Fourth Estate Is The New Fifth Column”), procedures, (some rules and others traditions), are being ignored.  A floor vote would expose members, especially in vulnerable districts, as either “former Congressman”, (what the heck.  At least they’ll get book deals, “contributor” status on the networks and positions in think-tanks or the special-interest businesses that they were working for), or rats to the cause.  So, without said vote, they can carry on and on and on.  In full view of the American people.  The same people that have just about had it with the coastal bubbles ignoring them and their will for things to get done instead of endless investigations and “clown car” appearances.

She’s thinking 2024.  2028, even.  Let Trump go.  Let him bring it.  Meanwhile, all of the hard-Left, Progressive, Socialist folks in the House and Senate will either be voted out or just plain gone.  The activists and “Identitarian” Left will dissipate, largely because instead of being afraid, (“In a gasoline station!  In a department store!  In a restaurant! You let them know that they’re not welcome here!” ~ Maxine Waters), the Republicans, Conservatives, two-time Trump voters will just roll their collective eyes.  Taking the power out of the punch, Mom’s basement will look like a much better place than the square in Portland, Seattle or San Francisco.  Besides, they’ll probably actually have JOBS by then.  Of course, he’ll also gain the Supreme Court.  But by then, the Democrat Party will be able to return to it’s roots.  It’s “everyman” roots.  The roots that got Kennedy, Carter and Clinton elected. 

Then, she can retire.  In peace.  Knowing that her mission is accomplished.

Does it make “common sense” to disallow criminals, domestic abusers, the addicted or mentally ill from buying guns? Yes. It does. But even that much “common sense” is an erosion because our Natural, (G-d given, for some of you), right, guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is, at least partially, impeded. 

Have you ever bought a gun? Filled out an ATF* form 4473**? It’s a pain in the butt. Have you ever applied for a permit to carry? I have, (and been granted), in several states. Yet, even as INFRINGED on as our rights are, with just those “common sense” ideas, you feel that the only way to stop “gun violence” is by eroding those RIGHTS even further. Except for criminals.  They actually want you to win the argument.  Besides.  They don’t waste their time on those pesky forms. 

Okay, I get it. “But LOU! Guns are SCARY!” Only if you’re in front of one. Then, you’ll be glad I’m coming around the corner with my, (VERY scary), lawfully owned and carried .45 that I did go through all that “common sense” to get.  Unlike the one pointed at you or the clerk behind the counter that nobody filled out any silly form to buy and carry around. 

The people I’ve taken to the range for the first time come away exhilarated. Other people on my “friends lists” can certainly corroborate that! YES. The first time you hear that sound you’ll probably flinch. It’s okay. Damn near everyone does. That’s why there are anti-flinching techniques and drills as well as countless articles and book chapters on the subject.***  

“But LOU!  Civilians shouldn’t have military-style assault weapons!  You can’t use them for hunting anything but HUMANS!”  Well, people shouldn’t use “Italian style” spaghetti sauce, either.  But I digress… Please.  Are you really going to go with that benighted point of view?  You can’t buy an automatic weapon.  Well, you can.  But if you think the 4473 was bad?  Woo-hoo!  Wait till you see that one!  Throw in the special ATF “tax” stamp, (last I checked, $600), and the fact that a “real”, FULLY automatic M-16 goes starting at ten grand and the fact that people use the SEMI automatic AR-15 for hunting,  (everything from ranchers shooting prairie dogs to people putting meat on the table for their kids), et voile!  Argument dissolved.  Can they be used on humans?  Yep.  Ask the combat vet who used his lawful semi-auto AR-15 to stop the Synagogue shooting last year.  Throw in the fact that the “shot heard round the world” was an assault.  Assault is an action. Committed with a rifle.  That makes it an assault rifle.  Pretty much the same rifles that were pointed by the “Redcoats” at the revolutionary colonists.  Without them, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.

*”ATF” is the colloquial term for the “BATFE”, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives”. Sounds more like a convenience store than a government agency, am I right?

** ABOUT that ATF 4473, make sure you have a pen that won’t quit. 

***Oh, and, I don’t care if you have fired a gun before…You owe it to yourself, me, and the populous-at-large to get training from a real, certified instructor.  Then, think of your weapon as a musical instrument.  Wait, hear me out.  Think of that old adage, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?”.  PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

To wit, just today, (but a dozen times.  Oy.). I have been using information from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics *.  I always use them.  Always. That way I can justify the changes.  Boon or bane, it’s all in black & white.

Pounced on in several directions and as many ways, I distilled the Liberal Banshee for you here.  “But how many of the 263K jobs were minimum wage? Fast-food? Or cashier? Or janitor?”

IT DOESN’T MATTER!  WORK IS WORK!

THE Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said “”What ever it is you’re gonna become, become the best at it. If you’re gonna be a garbage man, be the best garbage man”. Something my wife told our son when he got his FIRST JOB!

In other words, DIGNITY can be found in any job.

No, you probably can’t support a family of four on minimum wage. It wasn’t supposed to be a career!  You’re not supposed to stay at minimum wage! You’re supposed to get marketable skills and education and move up the ladder to make room at the bottom rung for people who don’t yet have those skills. Like teenagers and Liberal Arts grads. You can’t swing a cat, (in ANY condition of mortality), in my area without hitting TWO help wanted signs and in some parts a dozen!

Dad always told me all of the above. He also told me that it was easier to find a job when you have a job. I have not only seen this but lived it.  So many others have, too.

Get that kid out of your basement and hand him a pen. Mark a route on his I-whatever of every CVS, Rite Aid, Wally mart and Shop Rite.

Is it the corner-office with a reserved parking spot his humanities prof promised him?

Nope. But it IS DIGNITY.

For your convenience… the reason for the *

Employment Situation Summary, Bureau of Labor Statistics