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TODAY IS A SAD DAY IN THE EXCEPTIONAL HISTORY OF AMERICA

A sad, sad day...

Eagle-1Justice and fairness have died…

The most investigated, prosecuted, and, I dare say, persecuted man in the history of the United States, the 45th President of the United States and GOP frontrunner for the 2024 presidential nomination, Donald J. Trump, has been selectively indicted in an attempt to interfere with the 2024 presidential election.

INDICTMENT

The main co-conspirators are obviously…

Ocb-work

As citizens of an exceptional nation, we are committing suicide by continuing along a path dictated by corrupt and incompetent progressive communist democrats.

Uncle-sam-gun-to-head

An inescapable conclusion...

Whmte

Why?

The progressive communist democrats are facing an existential threat, the nation's backlash from revealed and unimpeachable documentary and sworn evidence that the highest-ranking elected officials and their accomplices are mired in scandals ranging from outright corruption to treasonous espionage involving hostile foreign powers. If the GOP flips the House, Senate, and Presidency to an unassailable majority, the Democrat Party will likely be reviled, rejected, and ruined for decades.

As a side note, it is now more than likely that Ukrainian officials may be blackmailing our government for billions of untraceable dollars in return for not providing proof of Democrat collusion in Ukrainian affairs in a pay-to-play scheme, including participation in the 2014 color revolution that changed the character of the country and deliberately provoking Russia into a conflict by allowing nearby countries to join NATO. 

Bottom line…

The progressive communist democrats cannot be trusted with upholding the U.S. Constitution, the rule of law, or the safety and security of America. They have become a hostile force bent on destroying America from within. And with the assistance of the media, the technology oligarchs, the corporatists, a cadre of acolytes, and many ill-informed useful idiots, they are succeeding.

Boorish behavior, mean tweets, and inappropriate inconsequential actions do not rise to the treasonous behavior of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joseph Biden. 

We are living in tyrannical times, manifested by inconsistency in the application of the law. One could replace the name Trump with Biden in the charging document and the offenses are the same. The key to the Trump prosecution lies in the definition of "national security documents" which is a determination by the now corrupted Department of Justice run by Obama acolyte Lisa Monaco who appears to be the puppeteer pulling Attorney General Merrick Garland's strings.

To say we are well and thoroughly screwed is an understatement.

-- Steve

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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WHY NOW? THE TRUMP INDICTMENT

Obama-biden-plot

The headlines scream...

Trump indictment live updates: Charges include Espionage Act, conspiracy to obstruct

Donald Trump has become the first U.S. president, former or otherwise, to be indicted on federal criminal charges.

[OCS: Using a novel legal theory and selective prosecution by a partisan individual with a history of corrupt judicial behavior, the prosecutors chose this moment to release the news of Trump’s impending indictment. Why?]

Trump announced in Thursday night posts on his Truth Social platform that prosecutors had notified his attorneys he had been indicted. NBC News confirmed soon after that he faces seven charges. They include making false statements and conspiracy to obstruct, Trump lawyer James Trusty told CNN on Thursday. The charges also include willfully retaining documents in violation of the Espionage Act, he said.

Trump, the leading contender for the GOP presidential nomination next year, is scheduled to appear Tuesday at a federal courthouse in Miami. The former president had kept reams of classified documents in boxes at his Mar-a-Lago resort in South Florida until federal agents raided it last year and seized the records.

[OCS: There does not appear to be any corresponding prosecution of President Joe Biden, who kept over a thousand boxes of documents, including classified documents, beginning from his Senate days and continuing until he was out of office as the Vice President. Unlike Trump, who kept documents in a secure area protected by the Secret Service, Biden’s document cache spanned multiple jurisdictions and were left unguarded.]

The ex-president said he’s innocent and ripped the case as the “box hoax.”

Special counsel Jack Smith has been investigating Trump over the removal of classified documents from the White House after he left office, as well as apparent efforts by Trump and his aides to potentially stymie the government’s investigation.

[OCS: It appears that negotiations over the retention of certain documents have now been criminalized, although the President of the United States has, unlike any other government official, the unilateral authority to declassify any document -- as the President is the sole repository of the Executive Branch Authority. Defending yourself is now characterized as obstruction of justice.]  <Source>

What seems to be overshadowed by the mainstream media…

Marjorie Taylor Greene reveals contents of Biden bribery doc

Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene on Thursday revealed the contents of a document detailing an alleged bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden.

After weeks of resistance, the FBI finally permitted the members of the House Oversight Committee to view the form FD-1023 which includes allegations from a confidential human source detailing the alleged pay-to-play scheme.

At issue is Ukrainian oil company Burisma, which was facing an investigation from Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin in 2016. The company hired Hunter Biden to "make the problems go away," Greene said. "That’s what they specifically said."

"[Burisma's owner] also said that he paid $5 million to one Biden and he paid $5 million to another Biden," Greene continued. "And it was all a bribery to get Shokin fired and end the investigation into Burisma."

Greene indicated that the Burisma owner retained records of the payments to the Bidens.

Viktor Shokin was removed from his post in 2016.

The Georgia Republican vowed to continue pursuing the matter and said she had "high expectations" that the FBI would continue cooperating with the House. She did, however, lament that the FBI had not permitted a public release of the FD-1023.

What is problematic is that all of Biden’s nefarious and corrupt activities took place under former President Obama, who had the sole decision-making power over policies involving Ukraine.

In a recorded appearance before the Council of Foreign Relations, Joe Biden bragged about an apparent illegal quid pro quo. It appears that the Department of Justice is being run by an Obama acolyte, Lisa Monaco, who seems to be the puppeteer pulling Attorney General Garland’s strings, and FBI Christopher Wray is deliberately obstructing justice at their direction.

JOE BIDEN, JANUARY 23, 2018: And that is I’m desperately concerned about the backsliding on the part of Kyiv in terms of corruption. They made—I mean, I’ll give you one concrete example. I was—not I, but it just happened to be that was the assignment I got. I got all the good ones. And so I got Ukraine. And I remember going over, convincing our team, our leaders to—convincing that we should be providing for loan guarantees. And I went over, I guess, the 12th, 13th time to Kyiv. And I was supposed to announce that there was another billion-dollar loan guarantee. And I had gotten a commitment from Poroshenko and from Yatsenyuk that they would take action against the state prosecutor. And they didn’t.

So they said they had—they were walking out to a press conference. I said, nah, I’m not going to—or, we’re not going to give you the billion dollars. They said you have no authority. You’re not the president. The president said — I said, call him.

(Laughter.)

I said, I’m telling you, you’re not getting the billion dollars. I said, you’re not getting the billion. I’m going to be leaving here in, I think it was about six hours. I looked at them and said: I’m leaving in six hours. If the prosecutor is not fired, you’re not getting the money. Well, son of a bitch. (Laughter.) He got fired. And they put in place someone who was solid at the time.
Well, there’s still—so they made some genuine substantial changes institutionally and with people. But one of the three institutions, there’s now some backsliding.

Unlike the phony quid pro quo allegations ginned up against Trump, Biden's misdeeds are apparent for all to see. 

It is also problematic that documents sent by Biden’s drug addict son and bagman included passages that could have been lifted from classified documents as the style and content exceeded Hunter’s knowledge and writing abilities.

Yes, Espionage – by Biden!

Key Player in Biden Documents Removal Was Caught Up in Bill Clinton-Era Chinagate Scandal

The custodian of Joe Biden’s vice presidential records, a key witness in his classified documents probe, was caught up in another documents scandal while working at the Commerce Department during the Clinton administration, court records reveal.
Longtime Biden aide and gatekeeper Kathy S. Chung, who has been interviewed by federal prosecutors and congressional investigators in the Biden case, was part of a team sanctioned for withholding and even destroying key documents in the federal case that sought sensitive records from a central figure in the so-called Chinagate fundraising investigation of the late 1990s, RealClearInvestigations has learned exclusively.

A special prosecutor is now investigating whether Biden unlawfully handled top secret materials in early 2017, when he tasked Chung with removing boxes containing classified documents from the White House and storing them at various private offices in D.C., including the Chinatown neighborhood. Some of the highly sensitive papers also ended up at his home in Wilmington, Del.

Noting that Chung came into Biden’s orbit through working with the president’s son, Hunter, during the 1990s, congressional investigators want to know if the Biden family dealings in China have anything to do with the stockpiling of classified documents. They note that the mishandling of White House papers took place during the 14-month period in 2017-2018 when the Chinese were wiring almost $6 million in payments to Hunter and his uncle Jimmy Biden without providing any known legitimate services. They have expressed concern that the payments, which the U.S. Treasury Department flagged, were part of a Chinese intelligence-gathering operation.
Chung is central to the Justice Department’s investigation of Biden’s breach of classified documents. <Source>

Yet. they are going after Donald Trump. Something stinks, starting with Obama and his corruption of our premier intelligence and law enforcement agencies. Let us never forget Obama was and is a communist with a highly shadowy background that has never been fully explored by the government or the media, as both advanced his radical progressive communist democrat agenda.

Bottom line…

In the realm of partisan politics, a world governed by strategy, power, and calculated moves, the occurrence of seeming coincidental actions should be viewed with great skepticism – where seemingly simultaneous actions have much more profound implications as they are meant to manipulate and mold public opinion as they delay, obfuscate, or bury bad news.

The progressive communist democrats are locked in an existential fight – to cover up provable crimes, including espionage activities that would see at least fifty top politicians facing prison or, more likely, widespread public disapproval.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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IT'S NOT AN ACCIDENT THAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE SYSTEMATICALLY DESTROYING OUR MILITARY

A sign of the times… 

An-pride

Undoubtedly, the morale and determination of a nation's fighting forces play a critical role in its success. And that demoralizing a nation’s fighting force can significantly impact its effectiveness, leading to weakened resolve, diminished combat capabilities, and increased vulnerability.

The progressive communist democrats have long employed propaganda and psychological warfare to demoralize those individuals and institutions they wish to degrade or destroy. The goal is to diminish the military in the public’s mind, erode the soldiers' confidence and trust in their leadership, and inhibit recruiting efforts.

  • Exploiting Cultural and Religious Differences: The progressive communist democrats have long used identity politics involving racial, religious, ethnic, cultural, ideological, and political differences as a proxy for the traditional class warfare in Marxist/Communist ideology. These identity factors often play a significant role in shaping soldiers' motivations and loyalties, and exploiting these differences can be a powerful strategy to demoralize a nation’s fighting forces and foster internal dissention and conflict within the ranks leading to weakening the military’s unit cohesion and diminishing its effectiveness on the battlefield.

  • Targeting Military Leadership: A nation's fighting force heavily relies on competent and inspiring leadership. Therefore, one effective strategy to demoralize fighting forces is to target its leaders. Replacing high-ranking officers and commanders with those who slavishly follow the regime’s ideology to disrupt the chain of command, causing confusion, disarray, and a loss of direction. Additionally, destroying the corps of non-commissioned officers, where the fighting forces’ institutional knowledge lies, effectively promotes incompetence, inefficiency, and a lack of good order and discipline.

Obama's Military Coup Purges 197 Officers In Five Years

What has happened to our officer corps since President Obama took office is viewed in many quarters as unprecedented, baffling, and even harmful to our national security posture. We have commented on some of the higher profile cases, such as Gen. Carter Ham. He was relieved as head of U.S. Africa Command after only a year and a half because he disagreed with orders not to mount a rescue mission in response to the Sept. 11, 2012, attack in Benghazi.

Rear Adm. Chuck Gaouette, commander of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, was relieved in October 2012 for disobeying orders when he sent his group on Sept. 11 to "assist and provide intelligence for" military forces ordered into action by Gen. Ham.

Other removals include the sacking of two nuclear commanders in a single week — Maj. Gen. Michael Carey, head of the 20th Air Force, responsible for the three wings that maintain control of the 450 intercontinental ballistic missiles, and Vice Adm. Tim Giardina, the No. 2 officer at U.S. Strategic Command.

From Breitbart.com's Facebook page comes a list of at least 197 officers that have been relieved of duty by President Obama for a laundry list of reasons and sometimes with no reason given. Stated grounds range from "leaving blast doors on nukes open" to "loss of confidence in command ability" to "mishandling of funds" to "inappropriate relationships" to "gambling with counterfeit chips" to "inappropriate behavior" to "low morale in troops commanded."

Nine senior commanding generals have been fired by the Obama administration this year, leading to speculation by active and retired members of the military that a purge of its commanders is under way. <Source>

  • Unfavorable Rules of Engagement: When the rules of engagement are deliberately weakened, prioritizing the protection of civilian lives and minimizing collateral damage, it can create uncertainty and confusion and concern among military personnel about their own safety. Soldiers rely on clear guidelines to understand what is expected of them and to make informed decisions in the field. Weakening these rules often increases the risk of unintended troop casualties, which can harm military personnel's morale. It promotes an atmosphere where soldiers are unsure about the appropriate use of force when they can engage the enemy, which leads to needless deaths and injuries. Adding insult to injury is the post-battle prosecution of soldiers who may have misinterpreted a situation and made an honest error – which the civilian leaders demand to be punished for its public relations value. Soldiers who take pride in their professionalism and strive to uphold ethical standards may compromise missions based on uncertainty. Ignoring the maxim, “He who hesitates in battle is often the one killed or injured.” Ignoring the prime directive of General George Patton, “The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.”

  • Protracted Warfare and Attrition: Prolonged political or proxy conflict can gradually weaken soldiers’ morale. Sustained casualties, repeated deployments, and prolonged separation from loved ones can lead to exhaustion and a sense of futility among soldiers. A soldier's resolve is eroded over time by prolonging the conflict and creating a perception of an unwinnable situation. Even worse, a dishonorable and disorganized withdrawal can create irreversible psychological harms that discourage further participation in battle as being futile in the long run – with soldiers dying or being injured for nothing.

  • Highlighting Technological Superiority: Continually highlighting the enemy's growing technological superiority can demoralize a nation’s fighting force. Showcasing advanced weaponry, equipment, or military capabilities that significantly outmatch our nation’s forces can create a perception of inevitable defeat. This can lead to a sense of hopelessness and demoralization among soldiers who feel outmatched and overwhelmed. Regardless of whether or not these weapons actually exist, are maintainable in the field, or can be wielded in sufficient numbers to make a difference. One space-launched hypersonic nuclear weapon can destroy an entire fleet in the blink of an eye. 

  • Poor Living Conditions: Inadequate pay and housing conditions are morale killers, especially among married soldiers with families. It is one thing to sacrifice for one’s nation voluntarily but to suffer while other less critical civilian programs are funded in an insult.

The ONLY pride flag that our government should fly.

FLAG-GBUSA

Bottom line…

Social engineering poses significant risks to the military, as it can compromise the security of our nation, its operational effectiveness, weaken morale, and potentially lead to disastrous consequences for America and Americans.

Creating an atmosphere where our soldiers appear to be gay guys in assless chaps romping hand-in-hand with fellow perverts through the tulips is not going to overcome the history of tough, macho, self-motivated, and resilient soldiers that can overcome adapt and improvise to fight as a team and win the battle. However, it does discourage recruiting efforts and further weakens the military. 

Soldiers need to trust their leaders and their fellow soldiers and the only diversity in the military should be found in the camouflage patterns on uniforms. 

We are so screwed.

POW-MIA

-- Steve

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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A CLASSIC CASE OF PROJECTION: JAMES COMEY ON THE DANGERS OF A TRUMP 2024 WIN

COMEYS-FBI

Never before has our nation experienced the degree of blatant dishonesty, criminal behavior, and interference in an electoral process from our Federal Bureau of Investigation that we have experienced under former FBI Director James Comey.

James Brien Comey Jr. is a lawyer (University of Chicago Law School/1985) who became the seventh director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on September 4, 2013 and served until his firing by President Trump on May 9, 2017.

His actions while FBI Director demonstrates that Comey appears to be a pathological liar with a narcissistic personality disorder. His criminal corruption in various political matters should have seen him in prison rather than being interviewed on MSNBC by a professional liar and former regime Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

A classic case of projection…

Projection is part of human nature, a psychological phenomenon where individuals attribute their own thoughts, feelings, motives, and actions to others, often as a defense mechanism that allows people to avoid acknowledging uncomfortable truths about themselves while projecting them onto someone else. In politics, projection is where negative behavior is shifted to the opposition, whether true or not.

I do not doubt that James Comey weaponized the FBI on behalf of the Obama/Biden Administration, lying, leaking, and excusing prosecutable criminals on behalf of the regime. He blatantly usurped the authority of the Department of Justice, undermined several legitimate investigations, and covered up the wrongdoing by both his agency and the regime.

And yet, we find him telling MSNBC political commentator Jen Psaki…

Psaki: “Can you envision a scenario where Trump managed to win back the White House, and justice is delayed?”

[OCS: Psaki’s question is ludicrous considering how justice was not only delayed but also disregarded, distorted, and damaged by the FBI under the leadership of James Comey.]

Comey: “I could. I don’t want to, but I could. I mean, it’s this crazy world that Donald Trump has dragged this country into, but he could be wearing an ankle bracelet while accepting the nomination at the Republican Convention. It would be rejected if you put it in a script for a show, but you could have a president who is potentially incarcerated when he’s elected president.”

[OCS: Comey is a lawyer, albeit corrupt, and should consider the trumped-up nature of the charges and the selective and disproportionate prosecution that has plagued Trump.]

“Think about what four years of a retribution presidency might look like. He could order the investigation and prosecution of individuals who he sees as enemies, are on the enemies list, because the president constitutionally does oversee the executive branch entirely. Which includes the Department of Justice, prosecutors, and investigators.”

[OCS: Classic projection because this describes actions taken by the Obama/Biden Administration.]

“President Trump could say I don’t care what the Supreme Court says or these district judges say, I’m telling the Marshal Service don’t enforce the court order.”

[OCS: More projection.]

“Trump comes for the rule of law, the system of justice, and the agencies with a flame thrower.”

[OCS: Defining the actions of the Obama and Biden Administrations.]

“He will come and try to criticize and attack your family, your witnesses. There are no limits to what he will try to do to obstruct an effort to hold him accountable.”

[OCS: This is Comey holding up a mirror to the regime.]

“Our constitution really does give a rogue president, which is what this would be, tremendous power to destroy. And so that’s why I’m trying to warn people. Given the way he said he intends to operate if he’s reelected, this will be something we could never have imagined. Again, it seems like science fiction in a way, but it’s what another four years of Donald Trump really promises.”

[OCS: Consider the havoc wreaked on our nation by our first progressive communist democrat president, Barack Obama, followed by the continuing damage by a cognitively impaired, corrupt, lying bigot, Joe Biden. Please read the unconstitutional Executive Orders and notice how they refuse to acknowledge the Constitution and ignore federal laws.] 

“It has to be Joe Biden.  And I’m glad he’s willing to serve. It has to be somebody committed to the rule of law, committed to the values of this country.”

[OCS: This demonstrates the depth of Comey’s corruption as he promotes a near-vegetable to lead the United States of America.]

“I want the American people to stare at the threat that we’re facing and understand that they cannot take the next election off.”

[OCS: Comey is not lying – we are staring into the abyss and starting to lose footing.]

<Inside with Jen Psaki> 

Shocker! Why would Comey be advocating for Biden?

Occam's Razor on the simplest reason being correct: He is counting on a presidential pardon to remove the overhanging criminal charges that may follow if Trump assumes the presidency again. In an Oval Office meeting, it was Biden who suggested prosecuting an innocent General Michael Flynn using the Logan Act and it was Comey's FBI that executed the plan. Co-conspirators and memorialized by FBI Agent Peter Strzok's notes. 

The perils of projection in politics and how it distorts reality and undermines democracy…

  1. Distorting Reality: Projection in politics leads to a distorted perception of reality. Politicians and their supporters project their own biases, prejudices, or faults onto their opponents, thus creating an inaccurate and skewed narrative. This reality distortion can perpetuate misinformation, inhibit critical thinking, and produce a failure to address real problems.

  2. Polarization and Divisiveness: Projection contributes to the polarization and divisiveness that plague today's malignant politics. By projecting their own extreme views onto their opponents, politicians create an "us versus them" mentality, reinforcing existing divisions, preventing cooperation, and making it easier to control small groups rather than appeal to a larger audience.

  3. Manipulation and Deception: Political leaders who engage in projection exploit the vulnerability and gullibility of their supporters. By projecting their own flaws onto others, they divert attention away from their own shortcomings or controversial policies. Projection manipulates public opinion, as people are likelier to believe adverse claims about others rather than critically examining their own leaders.

  4. Lack of Accountability: Projection in politics creates a culture of blame-shifting and a lack of personal accountability. When politicians project their mistakes or failures onto others, they evade responsibility for their actions. This evasion destroys any semblance of transparency and integrity, further eroding public trust in our political institutions. A government that lacks accountability in its leadership is increasingly susceptible to corruption and incompetence.

  5. Impeding Constructive Solutions: Projection in politics distracts from addressing critical issues and finding constructive solutions. When politicians focus on projecting blame and demonizing opponents, the energy and resources needed for problem-solving diminish greatly as policy debates take a backseat to shift focus toward personal attacks and character assassinations. This hampers the ability to make informed decisions and find common ground on crucial issues.

  6. Inhibiting Progress and Innovation: Projection can hinder progress and innovation by stifling new ideas and alternative perspectives. When politicians project their own biases onto others, they often dismiss or undermine innovative proposals simply because they don't align with the prevailing narrative or the wishes of political special interests. 

  7. Escalating Tensions and Conflict: Projection in politics often escalates tensions and contributes to heightened levels of conflict. When politicians project negative traits or intentions onto their opponents, it often ignites a Trump-like cycle of reciprocal accusations. Each side becomes more entrenched in their beliefs, further fueling animosity and deepening the divide. Matters spiral out of control, creating a toxic political climate where compromise and cooperation seem impossible.

Bottom line…

I must apologize to my readers. There was a time, early on, when I believed that James Comey was an honorable man—likewise former Attorneys General Barr and Mueller. Time and circumstance have proved me wrong as we now glimpse what these men have become – shredding their reputations as they succumbed to unimaginable political pressures and personal vanity.

Undoubtedly, we must stand up and call “bullshit” when we recognize projection in politics and actively work towards promoting a more responsible, honest, and transparent government.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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BANK LOYALTY IS DEAD!

Wf-work

After sixty years with a single bank, at least to me, loyalty to one’s bank is dead.

The days when branch managers were bankers and not babysitters appear to be over. They are little more than greeters shuffling you around to a “team member” who needs to consult the back office before displaying any initiative. My branch had less than a dozen people and plenty of empty desks.  

Due to a bank-caused problem, my name suddenly disappeared from my business account. My ATM card was revoked because a review determined I was no longer an authorized user, even though the card displayed my full name embossed over the company name. I was unable to change my online password. I could still make deposits and write checks but otherwise was flying blind.

Historically, many individuals have maintained long-term relationships with their banks, often staying with the same institution for years or even decades. However, several factors have contributed to a shift in consumer behavior and attitudes toward loyalty in recent years:

  • Increased competition: The banking industry has become highly competitive, with numerous banks and financial institutions vying for customers' attention. This has resulted in more choices and options for consumers, making it easier for them to switch banks if they find better offers or services elsewhere.

  • Technological advancements: The rise of digital banking and fintech has transformed how people interact with their banks. Mobile banking apps, online platforms, and innovative financial services have given customers more flexibility and convenience. This has made it easier for consumers to switch banks or use multiple financial providers simultaneously, potentially reducing traditional notions of loyalty.

  • Changing customer expectations: Younger consumers are often more demanding and value-oriented than seniors. They expect personalized experiences, competitive interest rates, transparent fees, and exceptional customer service. If a bank fails to meet these expectations, they are incentivized to switch to another institution that can better serve their needs.

  • Relationship-based banking: Some consumers prioritize building and maintaining long-term relationships with their banks despite the changing landscape. This is particularly true for businesses and high-net-worth individuals who may access personalized services, dedicated account managers, and tailored financial solutions.

  • Brand reputation and trust: A bank's brand reputation and trustworthiness play a significant role in consumer loyalty. If a bank has a strong track record of reliability, security, and ethical practices, customers may be more inclined to remain loyal, even in the face of increased competition.

Wells Fargo Ordered to Pay $3.7B for Array of Violations

Wells Fargo has been ordered to pay $3.7 billion in penalties and victims’ compensation for alleged illegal practices that caused thousands of the bank’s customers to lose their homes and vehicles, federal regulators have announced.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ordered the bank to pay $2 billion in consumer redress and a $1.7-billion civil penalty, which is the largest fine the CFPB has ever levied against a single financial institution.

According to the CFPB, Wells Fargo customers had their vehicles wrongly possessed, were illegally charged erroneous fees and interest charges on auto and home loans, and were also charged “unlawful” overdraft fees. More than 16 million consumer accounts were affected, the agency says.

This is hardly the start of Wells Fargo’s run-ins with the CFPB and other federal regulators. The bank’s fake accounts scandal — in which Wells Fargo admitted in 2016 to creating millions of fraudulent accounts for customers without their consent — was followed by a string of CFPB reprimands and other federal actions. <Source>

Stock awards boost compensation for Wells Fargo CEO; bank faces seven shareholder proposals

The base salary and incentive pay for Wells Fargo & Co. chief executive and president Charles Scharf was unchanged in fiscal 2022 — confirming what the bank’s board of directors took the unusual step to announce on Jan. 27.

However, Scharf’s total compensation rose by 14.9% to $24.54 million based mostly on a sizable increase in the value of stock awards provided in 2022.

Wells Fargo reported that all its remaining four listed executives were paid $1.75 million in base salary, all unchanged from 2021.

    • Jonathan Weiss, Wells Fargo’s chief executive of its Corporate and Investment Banking unit, received a 98.7% boost in incentive pay to $3.82 million and total compensation of $13.84 million, up 53.5%.
    • Michael Santomassimo, Wells Fargo’s chief financial officer, received a 71.4% jump in incentive pay to $3.15 million and total compensation of $12.81 million, up 6.8%.
    • Mary Mack, Wells Fargo’s chief executive of its Corporate and Small Business Banking unit, received a 62.1% increase in incentive pay to $2.53 million and total compensation of $11.77 million, up 47.2%.
    • Scott Powell, Wells Fargo’s chief operating officer, received a 25.8% gain in incentive pay to $2.48 million and total compensation of $10.44 million, up 12.2%.  <Source>

  • Switching costs: While consumers now have more options, significant switching costs can still be associated with changing banks. These costs could include transferring automatic bill payments, updating direct deposit information, and adjusting to new account structures. Switching banks is not always a seamless process, and some customers may choose to stay with their current institution to avoid these inconveniences. <Source>

  • Customer service and support: Exceptional customer service remains critical in fostering loyalty. Banks that prioritize responsiveness, efficient issue resolution, and personalized support can create positive experiences for their customers, increasing the likelihood of loyalty.

Bottom line…

The bank I once knew at 17 is not the bank I now know at 77. I rarely enter a branch. I no longer visit ATMs for cash. And I deposit checks electronically. I might as well be dealing with a black box – and choose that box purely on fees, rate of return on deposits, and service when needed.

After receiving bad advice and jumping through the hoops the bank required to re-link me to my money, I took 30 seconds to enable a second bank account for electronic checks.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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The Republican Party of Nothing in Particular: A Crisis of Identity

Rnc-trans

Once again, another week has gone by, and I am still clueless about the purpose of today’s Republican Party and its position in the political landscape.

Let me start with what I do know.

  • Our nation is in decline. Our barely functional institutions are compromised and weaponized by politicians who are incompetent, clueless, and corrupt. The President of the United States, the Commander-in-Chief of our military, is a doddering, senile old man who is both clueless and corrupt – functioning as a puppet for unnamed acolytes of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, or ideologues like George Soros and various oligarchs.

  • “We the People” lack a voice as politicians respond to the influential special interests first, followed by their identity group, and leaving voting constituents last unless there is a pending election.

  • The majority of media watchdogs, previously thought to be independent guardians of freedom, and the watchdogs of democracy, are little more than corporatized shills for the progressive communist democrat regime.

  • The political party's role, which was to provide a clear ideological framework that features freedom, liberty, and capitalism and exists to shape policy and represent their constituents, is no more.

What’s wrong with the Republican Party?

  1. Lack of a cohesive message: The Republican Party suffers an identity crisis and lacks a unified vision. Besides the standby platitudes involving limited government, reduced spending, lower taxes, and fewer regulations, the Party appears to be beset with internal factions that often prioritize individual specific interests over a coherent party platform. The absence of a cohesive message has led to confusion and disillusionment among party members and voters alike.

  2. Lack of consistent leadership: The Republican Party is suffering from the absence of consistent and effective leadership. Without a clear direction from influential party leaders, the Republican Party has been unable to establish a unified narrative or effectively communicate its principles.

    The Senate’s Mitch McConnel’s prime objective is raising money to keep himself and his selected loyalist cronies in power. A “go along to get along” Republican, McConnell represents the establishment wing of the GOP that wants to keep the Washington dung heap generating power and profits regardless of their majority/minority position. In the House, Kevin McCarthy appears to be doing his level best to herd his caucus in a unified direction. As for other so-called GOP leaders, few know who they are, what they represent, or even if they have guiding principles.

  3. Fragmented factions: The Republican Party suffers from divisive fragmentation, primarily between the conservatives advocating for traditional values such as limited government and reduced spending and the establishment wing advocating for business as usual. The Party also suffers from the constant battle of competing interests, primarily based on securing state-level or district-level pork to drive reelection campaign funding and to reward large donors. Undoubtedly, the GOP has undergone significant shifts and internal divisions that have diluted its core message and severely weakened its brand.

  4. Shifts in social conservatism: The Party does not have a cohesive message regarding issues associated with social conservatism, including abortion rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and other progressive social policies. The Party seems unable to cope with the growing generational divide and changing societal attitudes towards these issues, with some younger Republicans advocating for a more moderate stance on social issues, even if to frame the case as a Tenth Amendment State’s Rights matter best dealt with at the state level. Since the U.S. Constitution does not deal with sexually-related issues, the Tenth Amendment, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people,” should prevail.

  5. Response to changing demographics: It is a fact that the cultural and political nature of America is being deeply affected by hoards of illegal aliens who are bringing not only illiteracy, poverty, disease, and crime into our country but a lack of fidelity to the U.S. Constitution, an insatiable appetite for unearned entitlements, and little or no regard for America’s unique culture. As the country becomes more diverse, with increasing numbers of Hispanic, African American, and Asian American voters, the party has struggled to reach and engage these communities effectively. Without a clear message that resonates with this diverse electorate, the Party risks alienating potential voters and driving them toward the opposition.

  6. Dealing with division and polarization: When both parties face increasing electoral parity, extreme or ideologically rigid factions can exert disproportionate influence over the nation’s politics and Party decision-making. The result of these fringe factions can lead to policy positions that may not align with the broader interests or values of the Party as a whole. This can alienate voters and make it difficult for the Party to appeal to a more general electorate. Of course, the worst outcome is tyranny by a minority.

  7. Lack of legal representation: While the Democrats have fielded a cadre of attorneys to attack electoral practices and procedures in the Court system, often relying on activist judges, the GOP has no similar mechanism that can fight for the Party’s positions in the Courts. This is an abject failure of the National Committee, whose role is to build a permanent Party infrastructure to promote the Party’s interests on all levels.

  8. Lack of Vetting: What does it mean to label a candidate for office a “Republican?” Are there standards? Does anyone pre-vet candidates for corruption, criminality, or sexual deviations likely to feed political opposition research that imperils races? How can a candidate like New York Representative George Santos, recently indicted on 13 federal charges, including wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds, and lying to Congress, become a viable candidate?

  9. The elephant in the room: There is no doubt that the rise of former President Donald Trump and the populist wave within the Republican Party has played a pivotal role in reshaping its identity. It has given rise to a cartoonish cultish atmosphere where personality drives politics. Trump’s shift towards populism has blurred the Party's ideological lines, sparking an animated media feud likely to polarize Party voters and allow the progressive communist democrats to prevail. Or, as customary, watching the GOP snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Bottom line…

Traditionally, the Republican Party has been associated with limited government intervention, fiscal conservatism, free-market principles, and a robust national defense. These principles served as the foundation of the Party, providing a clear identity and policy direction. However, the Party has devolved into a mishmash of factions that have obliterated its value, messaging, and viability.

When will the Party engage in self-examination, articulate a unifying vision, and rebuild its identity based on its core principles to reclaim its position as a significant force in American politics?

It appears to me that the progressive communist democrats and their media propagandists are rooting for Trump to win the primary with a plurality and then lose the general as a growing number of voters shun his boorish behavior, transactional nature, and lack of a filter when attacking anything, big or small, that is likely to generate more personal celebrity.

Part of me would like to see Trump further his first term successes, part of me would like to see DeSantis finish the job in a more restrained manner, and all of me wants to destroy the progressive communist democrats who are destroying our nation from within and imperiling our national security and safety with their incompetence and naïve beliefs.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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THE RISE OF ANOTHER UGLY BUILDING

It can’t only be me…

Over the past ten years, I have observed a noticeable and disturbing trend - the rise of ugly buildings.

We are not speaking about merely unconventional designs that appear purpose-built to enhance an unconventional site and blend harmoniously with their surroundings, but wildly discordant designs that should never be present in an urban landscape. Structures widely perceived as unattractive and visually displeasing to large numbers of individuals who are forced to observe these eyesores in their communities.

It is almost as if Ayn Rand’s novel "The Fountainhead" has come to life, where a small group of elite architectural critics dictate style and reward those who conform to their often obscene and outlandish “artistic” visions.

WTF?

Nearing completion and known as the “The Wrapper,” this Eric Owen Moss-designed monstrosity actually exists, not in a dystopian landscape, but on the city streets of Culver City, California, a Los Angeles suburb known primarily for its association with moviemaking.

Em-wrapper-3

According to the building’s architect, Eric Owen Moss, “The lines, ‘wrapping’ the one side of the building, with their angles and curves, are meant to evoke rap music. It's dance, it's singing, it's happy, it's music."  "The straight lines were gone, but the purpose of the straight lines in terms of support as columns and supports as beams exists by analogy, but the form language is somewhat different."

Em-work

To my “unrefined” ear, this sounds like the same type of bafflegab and bullshit used to sell angular geometric designs as modern art at outrageous prices -- based more on their title and narrative than any rational esthetic value. Works feted by fools who fear being seen as ignorant, unsophisticated, or foolish if they react negatively. Another example of the type of groupthink found in Hans Christian Andersen’s famous 1837 fairy tale, "The Emperor's New Clothes."

Tw

Sorry, I can’t get past the discordance, a perceived lack of aesthetic appeal, and an atmosphere that I associate with a sense of gloom and depression.

Are we looking at a break from tradition in pursuit of originality or something else like evolving narcissism?

Is this a case where architects are pressured to create added value over functional designs by creating unique structures that stand out and make a statement – challenging conventional notions of beauty and defying established architectural norms? Are these structures, characterized by their irregular shapes, clashing colors, and jarring juxtapositions, intended to provoke media attention and the value of owning a “one of a kind” structure?

Bottom line…

In searching for a suitable description of this dreadful style of architecture, my thoughts revolved around the type of cartoon architecture that is found among students being introduced to CAD (Computer Aided Design) systems where complex objects are developed from primitive shapes such as lines, arcs, cubes, spheres, cylinders – featuring “handles” that allow the user to deform the primitive into a functional form. Sort of an artificial busyness created because it is different, and I can draw it quickly.

Regardless of their aesthetic appearance, many of these odd buildings are marvels of sophisticated engineering and the millions of calculations required to build safe buildings, especially in known Earthquake-prone seismic zones.

While ugly buildings may add a sense of “diversity” to the urban landscape, I prefer symmetrical functional shapes that do not interrupt my thoughts. 

Am I looking at a symbolic representation of urban decay and ultimate destruction? 

We are so screwed.

-- Steve

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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