Progressive Discussion - Tuesday 1/17

Good morning!

I'm up earlier than usual. This pinched nerve is the pits! I can't even remember the last time I had a good night's sleep. Anne and Pam, how do you do it? You are strong women! Made an appointment for my second injection for next Monday, and really hoping this one will work. The first one never took all the pain away, but it did make things better for a few days. Now, however, things are back as bad as they ever were. Any words of advice from those of you who are more experienced in dealing with this issue?

On the political scene, what are your thoughts about those Congressmen choosing not to attend the inauguration? I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I am sick that Tweety will be sworn in as President because I really believe he will be a disaster for our country (for those of you lurking from the "other" side, my feelings have nothing to do with the fact that he ran as a Republican). Nevertheless, he will be sworn in as President, and to not attend seems disrespectful of the peaceful transition of power that we all take pride in. For entertainers to choose not to perform at the inauguration to me is something completely different than our elected representatives attending. For an entertainer, it is a personal thing. For an elected representative, to me it is the state and the constituents who sent them to Washington representing our government and nothing to do with personal feelings. It's fine if you disagree with me. That's what I like about this group, we don't always have to be in lock step. And, as I said, my feelings are mixed. On a personal level, I would be all for it; but, for me this transcends that. I was disgusted with Mitch McConnell when he announced that the Rs sole purpose would be to make President Obama a one term President. I'm not disgusted with Congressmen choosing not to attend the inauguration, but I do think it is not the right choice in the light of our Constitution. I saw a Congresswoman from CA explaining her reason for not attending on CNN last night. She said an inauguration was a party, and she could not celebrate Tweety's presidency. I disagree with that. An inauguration is an affirmation of our Constitution. The parade, the balls and all the entertainment are the party. Those I would have no problem with Congressmen boycotting. Anyway, just my thoughts and not even worth the proverbial penny. If I've expressed them badly, blame it on the lack of sleep.

Sometimes a "lack of sleep rambling" is clearer than you think. I totally understand where you are coming from on this. My feeling is, that, each person has to justify how it makes them feel to attend or not. It's going to be a very chaotic 4 years & sometimes it just comes down to a gut feeling decision. This may be the only way, they feel, that DT is just so morally wrong for this, that they just can't do it. I guess I would rather have a person be honest & true to themselves than be a hypocrite. We all know that 3/4 of those people on at the Inauguation stage will be wishing they weren't there,....so, for me I respect those that are choosing for whatever reason not to attend & those that will suffer thru, well, that's ok too. DT has succeeded once again into turning Americans against each other....Not sure that is something to celebrate, Remember when a congressman named Wison shouted out liar at P. Obama's State of the Union speech?...Wilson should have stayed home. As you said, Joyce, it's not that Hilary lost, or that a Republican won, it's that it was Trump ...we wouldn't even be having these discussions, say if Kasick had won. I could have handled that even disagreeing with most of his policies because he just seemed like a good moral family man with values & ethics. But, as Joyce also said, for those Trump supporters that lurk here often, just remember, come Friday, you own it all..hating on Liberals, President O & Hilary won't solve the problems Trump will be bringing down on this country. As I said,, you own him & you own his policies, actions & words. Enjoy the honeymoon, cause reality will slapping you & the rest of the country hard pretty damn quick.   I will be watching the Inauguation with a sad heavy heart for & with fear thrown in.

Well said, Linda! Yes, I do remember the Congressman who yelled that at the State of the Union. That was so disrespectful not just of President Obama but of our whole government. Whatever happened to civility? In politics I am afraid it is lost never to be found again, and with the way Tweety continues to divide us it may be soon lost forever in all segments of our society. I think it began being lost in society with the emergence of the Tea Party. Tweety has taken that ball and run it across the goal line.

www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-arms-deal-idUSKBN14Z0YE



Robert Reich
16 mins ·
Trump say’s he’ll offer to end sanctions imposed on Russia in 2014 over its annexation of the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine and its support for pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine -- in return for a nuclear arms reduction deal with Moscow.
The U.S. and Russia are already committing to reducing nuclear arms (although last month Putin threatened to increase nuclear warheads). So that can’t be the real reason for Trump's proposed deal.
Why is Trump so eager to end the sanctions, and what’s he really getting back for doing so? Four theories:
1. Trump will really be paying back Russian oligarchs on multi-billion dollar loans he has outstanding to them. The sanctions have depressed the value of their assets.
2. Ending the sanctions will give Trump’s businesses access to additional financing from the oligarchs, as well as lucrative real estate deals.
3. Trump’s favored associates will make a bundle, perhaps kicking back some to Trump. Paul Manafort, Corey Lewandowski, and Carter Page have all had extensive dealings and investments in Russia. Lifting the sanctions will also allow ExxonMobil, along with its former CEO Rex Tillerson, Trump’s pick for Secretary of State, to drill in its extensive Russian oil fields.
4. It’s payback for Putin’s delivering the presidential election to Trump.
What do you think?

Joyce- We do what we can to keep going, has your Dr. suggested any PT to help?  Pam is amazing with all she does.  When you are in pain 24/7 it colors everything you do in black and green and deep purple and not in a good way......OUCH!
I think the three of us have the back pain but for different reasons and with the same effect......

When I think of the times in American History when we turned against each other and brother fought brother it scares the heck out of me just what could happen in the future with Dumpfy as president.

That the grandson of a man who was not allowed back in his own country because of his dishonesty, and was taken in by our great country will be the undoing of our Country.  All the sacrifices that were made in all the wars fought starting with the Revolution could be for naught.  That really hits home in our family.

Does he even know what a Bible is? Or the message inside that book!... I read, no pun intended, he never reads books...no interest in them....he's got 140 characters mastered, so, guess, his math is good up to a point. 😉......The thought of his "small" hands on Lincoln's bible sends chills up my spine!...UGH!