Living A Nightmare----How Long Can We Survive As A Rogue Nation
All rhetoric aside, this nation is in trouble. We seem to be inextricably divided into two opposing factions that can not or will not reach common ground on almost any issue. 51% of the nation believes that this President and his administration are rogue or illegal actors on both the international and national stage, while a fairly stable 44% of the population believes wholeheartedly that the President and his administration are heroes and heroines of American democracy.
What has happened is that provable facts are believed by only half of our populace. Facts do not have weight assigned to them. It has become de rigueur for individuals to say that there are facts for one side and alternative facts for the other. One of the things that we know is that in just over 1000 days of this administration, the President, by conservative estimates, has stated at least 8000 untruths. This is a number that has made America the laughing stock of the world.
As one of the 51% who believe that we live in what has become a rogue nation, facts matter. There is that which is provable and that which is a perversion of the truth. The question is "What are the provable facts that have set our country apart as a rogue nation? How do those facts affect this country's future?:
A) President Trump is an IMPEACHED chief executive. Whether there is a real or a sham trial in the Senate, President Trump will remain one of only three Presidents who have actually been impeached {Nixon was never impeached......he resigned from office prior to impeachment}. Nothing this President says or does will change the view of history about this President.
B) The two articles of impeachment had both indirect and direct evidence that supported the articles. This was a limited set of articles. Most (over 85% of legal scholars asked) believe that there could have easily been 2 to 5 more articles presented that had sufficient evidence of support.
C) Information from the Mueller report was presented as evidence and were considered relevant to, at least, the article dealing with abuse of power.
D) The President, for the first time in history, prohibited his highest level staff from testifying at the House hearings. This action, in itself, would be reason to call individuals such as Bolton and McElvaney to testify before the Senate. Over 70% of Americans support having these individuals testify.
E) The President has seriously eroded the principle that there are three co-equal branches of government. This executive branch has refused to share critical information with the legislative branch.
F} This president and his staff has forgotten that everything that is said is now on some type of video feed. You can no longer state that the comment was not made or was taken out of context when there are pieces of evidence that directly contradict follow up lies.
G} The evidence of a " Quid Pro Quo" has been stated by not only the President, but the Chief of Staff; and the President's envoy to the European Union and the Ambassador to the Ukraine. Those quotes don't lie.
The facts that will be recorded by history of these items and hundreds, if not thousands, of other facts that the Administration has lied about will be a damning indictment of both this President's domestic and foreign policy.
The bottom line is that this Administrations, lies, obstructions, and deceptions will ultimately be decided by the electorate in 10 short months. There is no doubt that both sides will be energized and active during the election cycle. We are entering a time where facts should count. We have to look at the facts, not the alternative realities that are out there. It is the only way that this nation will re-establish it's place as the premier nation in the world. We have to become what we have always been..... the ethical, the most honest, and the most caring nation in the world. The ball is in our court. If we hit the ball out of bounds, we might be finished as the greatest country in the history of the world,.
I am arguing the case for viewing our representatives on the basis of facts. I would appreciate a debate over factual information. What are the facts on the other side? How can those :"facts' be substantiated? How do we reclaim our allies and separate from those who have negative intentions toward the United States? Let's have a great debate.
In the larger scheme of things, nothing you say or write here has any relevance. Trump will not be removed from office and will be reelected overwhelmingly.
Why is it so difficult for some to understand that simple concept. The nation and its citizens, for the most part, are doing just fine and will vote accordingly.
There's still time for the left to be on the right side of history and begin doing the right thing. As it goes now, all their sore loser tantrums are destroying their party and alienating the electorate.
I wonder where you see an "overwhelming" victory for Trump coming from? The president is currently or potentially in trouble in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Arizona and even Texas. With any combination of these states going Democratic, the Trump campaign appears doomed. Right now the only state that went for Clinton in 2016 that might swing to the Trump camp is Minnesota. That is a long shot. Where do you see a road to victory for this president?
Maybe, maybe not,
The results of the Soleimani killing may be the factor that prevents him from being re-elected-- or even causes him not to seek re-election. (IMO many people are making th mistake of assuming Iranian revenge for the killing of one of their beloved military leaders is complete-- the harmless firing of a few missiles will not satisfy them..)
It ain't over 'till its over... (will there be more serious revenge by Iran? Only time will tell).
Nothing rude,!sweeping or no value in that insulting remark. Of course if a conservative had directed those very words at a secular progressive member they would have been deleted on sight.
Carrying every state he carried before and adding Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Virginia
Not even close to the mark. He just showed that he still had a set and that the US isn't going to be pushed around.
When all we have are "Words" of MANY others....and a "Media Source" for what is..... "Fact" ….. we are "Left"
, with nothing more than Opinion to rely on. 
Someone needs to "Play" 007 and infiltrate every area we need these actual "Facts" from. Even then....007's word will be questionable !
I assume you've given up on the idea that Trump colluded with the Russians and that the Mueller Report would prove it?
Welcome back.
1. Trump was receptive to a Campaign national security adviser’s (George Papadopoulos) pursuit of a back channel to Putin.
2. Kremlin operatives provided the Campaign a preview of the Russian plan to distribute stolen emails.
3. The Trump Campaign chairman and deputy chairman (Paul Manafort and Rick Gates) knowingly shared internal polling data and information on battleground states with a Russian spy; and the Campaign chairman worked with the Russian spy on a pro-Russia “peace” plan for Ukraine.
4. The Trump Campaign chairman periodically shared internal polling data with the Russian spy with the expectation it would be shared with Putin-linked oligarch, Oleg Deripaska.
5. Trump Campaign chairman Manafort expected Trump’s winning the presidency would mean Deripaska would want to use Manafort to advance Deripaska’s interests in the United States and elsewhere.
6. Trump Tower meeting: (1) On receiving an email offering derogatory information on Clinton coming from a Russian government official, Donald Trump Jr. “appears to have accepted that offer;” (2) members of the Campaign discussed the Trump Tower meeting beforehand; (3) Donald Trump Jr. told the Russians during the meeting that Trump could revisit the issue of the Magnitsky Act if elected.
7. A Trump Campaign official told the Special Counsel he “felt obliged to object” to a GOP Platform change on Ukraine because it contradicted Trump’s wishes; however, the investigation did not establish that Gordon was directed by Trump.
8. Russian military hackers may have followed Trump’s July 27, 2016 public statement “Russia if you’re listening …” within hours by targeting Clinton’s personal office for the first time.
9. Trump requested campaign affiliates to get Clinton’s emails , which resulted in an individual apparently acting in coordination with the Campaign claiming to have successfully contacted Russian hackers.
10. The Trump Campaign—and Trump personally—appeared to have advanced knowledge of future WikiLeaks releases .
11. The Trump Campaign coordinated campaign-related public communications based on future WikiLeaks releases.
12. Michael Cohen, on behalf of the Trump Organization, brokered a secret deal for a Trump Tower Moscow project directly involving Putin’s inner circle, at least until June 2016.
13. During the presidential transition, Jared Kushner and Eric Prince engaged in secret back channel communications with Russian agents. (1) Kushner suggested to the Russian Ambassador that they use a secure communication line from within the Russian Embassy to speak with Russian Generals; and (2) Prince and Kushner’s friend Rick Gerson conducted secret back channel meetings with a Putin agent to develop a plan for U.S.-Russian relations.
14. During the presidential transition, in coordination with other members of the Transition Team, Michael Flynn spoke with the Russian Ambassador to prevent a tit for tat Russian response to the Obama administration’s imposition of sanctions for election interference; the Russians agreed not to retaliate saying they wanted a good relationship with the incoming administration.
Yep, I see nothing in those 14 points that even mentions Russia. /s
So zero evidence of any collusion then. Given all your bluster for years about Mueller was going to nail Trump for colluding etcetera, is pretty pathetic you had to resort to this little list of nothing.
You'd think listing an event AFTER the election to SET UP A BACK CHANNEL with Russia would alert even the dimmest bulb that no coordination was taking place PRIOR to the election, when collusion would be a crime.
I wonder you just didn't state Mueller's conclusion that no one from the Trump campaign coordinated or conspired to interfere in the election. I suppose it's Better, if you don't want to honestly admit how wrong you were, to just make a list to make it look something occurred and ignore Mueller's actual conclusion.
You should have just stopped there.
Specifically, what type of "facts" are you asking for?
Do you want actual "True facts"-- or are "alternative facts" acceptable?
(See the section of the video starting at about 1:28)
I seriously doubt if 44% of americans think Trump is a "hero". There arent that many stupid people in the country.
Some of that 44% will accept anything as long as their bank account goes up and not down.
Sooooo….. Making money isn't your first source for "Income" ?
Nice article by the way Doc Phil.
Really sad that his supporters don't see the reality in A).
In truth this depicts his supporters
Trump crucifiers:
LOL. Sorry, I couldn't help myself. It sits on my desk - the base houses a magnifying glass.
So one carefully watching, one carefully listening and one enjoying a cold beer. Sounds like most Democrats I know.
No, actually they're the antithesis of "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil", i.e. "Look for Evil, Listen for Evil, Shout Evil" (using a megaphone).
can I be the beer one ?
LOL. There is no beer one, but I'm not going to stop you.
You seem to keep ignoring the fact that being impeached never seemed to bother Andrew Johnson or Bill Clinton that much, as both went on to successfully complete their terms of office. In the long run, impeachment turned out to be no big deal. Will most likely be the same for Trump when he is reelected.
Apparently there is some disagreement on that subject-- some people are pretty sure that he has not been impeached!
(See, for example, comment # 8. 2. 1. HERE)
Nice work, Doc. You've laid out your case succintly
Rogue actors have forced us to set up military check points at any major venue. Rogue actors have forced us to place security cameras on our front doors, use two factor authentication to protect our identity, and be cautious in public and at home. We must be careful what we say, how we behave, and what we do.
The United States is increasingly under attack by rogue actors every day. We are stuck in the conventional wisdom of a status quo that isn't working any longer. How long will the United States survive by not going rogue?
Donald Trump levels the playing field. We have our own rogue actor to confront the rogue actors attacking us. Trump is unpredictable. Rogue actors who depend upon the predictability of our status quo are at a disadvantage. Trump has demonstrated that chaos and unpredictability are effective counter measures against rogue actors who wish to attack us.
Defenders of conventional wisdom are alarmed by Trump and are at a loss how to respond to Trump. That should be sufficient evidence that going rogue is effective. For all his failings President Trump has not harmed the United States. What Trump has done brings the weaknesses and failings of conventional wisdom and the status quo into sharper focus.
Impeachment is a conventional response to unpredictability. Impeachment is what the status quo demands. But that impeachment will make the United States more vulnerable to attack by rogue actors. Removing Trump will make the United States more susceptible to threats because we will return to confronting those threats in a predictable manner. Like it or not, Trump's unpredictability has made the United States more secure.
Trump being president has caused the far left radicals who now control the Democrats, to go on public display as the party of unpatriotic goons and thugs who have lost all semblance of decency and morality, who wipe their asses with the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and who no longer have any regard for presumption of innocence or due process..
I wouldn't characterize the left as unpatriotic. But its plainly obvious that the left has been engaged in conventional politics and expecting Trump to respond in a conventional manner.
Trump has been anything but conventional. That's why there has been a note of desperation in the left's political squealing. The biggest concern voiced by the left is that President Trump has not been playing by conventional rules. Republicans have been caught off balance by Trump, too. But Republicans have finally given up and are just going with the flow.
Whatever Trump is doing, it seems to be working.
Are you attempting to be Oxymoronic on purpose ?
The United States is increasingly under attack by rogue actors every day.
I love "rogue actors"!
My favourite rogue actor is Jack Nicholson-- who's yours?
Trump is universally viewed as a worse threat to world peace and stability than are Bashar Assad, the Ayatollah or even Kim Jong ill. Our allies are appalled. Our enemies are emboldened. Our people are more divided than ever. The Civil War did not destroy our sacred Union butt Donald Trump just may. This is why that awful man must be convicted by the Senate. He is a want to be tyrant, would be dictator and an imminent threat to Democracy. Sadly, I am not exaggerating...
Nope. They are all scared shitless of what he MIGHT do. And I like that in a leader. Keep 'em guessing. It makes them think before they act.
That’s for sure. Those people hate Trump so much they defend Iran and terrorists against America because Trump...
Kim Jung was a threat because the N Koreans had nukes. But he is no longer a threat as he is going to give them up. (I know that's true because Trump said so...and he would never lie)
The only ones upset with Trump, are the ones that have a "Love Affair" with the status quo !
By the way....the "Status Quo" gave us Trump.
Trump doesn't do "Status Quo". The same "Status Quo" that has gotten us "Trouble" for decades ! If the "Status Quo" was so GREAT, No one would be wanting "Change" from Trump …. bucking the "Status Quo" !
It's really that SIMPLE !
I agree that Trump doesn't do "status quo".....what he does do is demonstrate on almost a daily basis that he is incapable of governing. He allies himself {not our country} with despots from nations that have been, and continue to be rogue nations who are looking to destroy the United States {Russia, North Korea, Syria, China [at times], etc.} and ruins our relationships with long standing allies {France, Germany, Canada, Great Britain, etc.}. Domestically, he has all but destroyed the regulations that were designed to help slow down climate change. He has aided and abetted white supremacists in increasing hate crimes in this country. He has forcibly separated children from their parents at the border and have been slow or unable to reunite these families. His much ballyhooed tax reforms have benefitted the rich over the vast majority of Americans. This is not changing the status quo, it is sowing the seeds for destruction of our great nation.
This is a man who lies even when the truth would better serve him. He has shown the most misdirected moral compass in the history of the United States government.
I do agree that the status quo has to be challenged and changed. The reality, however, is that Trump and his administration are not the ones who should be leading the changes to the status quo. Whoever that person is, he/she has to lead with all of the American people in mind, not just the few who have decided to lie prostrate on the ground, worshipping a "beloved leader" who is neither beloved or a leader.
He "Talks" with Enemies, instead of "Ignoring" them like has gone on from past Elected Officials" for decades. If you don't talk with them, your just "Guessing" on what they'll do next.
As far as our so-called "Allies" go, they've been "USING" this country for their gains, for a long time. Trump is making them "Step up" at their costs for a "Change !
Look at what Justin Trudeau just said about the U.S./China Agreement Trump has been workingon. He wants Trump to not sign it unless he get's (2) Canadians out of a Chinese Jail first.
What the Hell has Justin Trudeau been doing to get "HIS" Citizens back ??
Trump is also making "OUR" elected officials live up to what they've "Promised", by doing EXACTLY what they've ONLY been talking about doing for decades, for votes. When he does what he promised, which coincides with what they've been promising, all of a sudden, Trumps a BAD MAN !
Trump doesn't NEED this job. The others DO !
Trump has figured out our "Allies" !
Sort of like Trump uses our allies towards his own personal ends. For example, attempting to get the leader of the Ukraine to investigate one of Trump's political opponents (Joe Biden).
(Although as I'm sure you'll agree-- there's actually nothing nwrong with using our allies like that, eh?)
Is that what actually …..... happened ?
In case you still want to forget
...." Biden ", isn't Trumps "Political Opponent" . He's Sanders, Warrens and all the other Democrat Wannabe Presidents Opponent ! 
Utter nonsense. Trump and Biden are running for the SAME OFFICE. There isnt a Republican president and a Democratic president, there is one president. All the candidates are each others opponents. If Biden is not an election opponent of Trump's, why does Trump talk about him so much?
"Biden" is running against his own party, in order to be able to run against Trump for President.
Biden hasn't reached that "Pedestal" you put "Biden" on yet.
I dont care how many times you deny reality, perhaps that is your personal specialty. People who are running for the same office are political opponents. Hence they criticize one another across party lines.
"Biden" isn't running for President. He's running for the "Privilege" to run for President.
Did "Biden" win the Democrat nomination already ?
When Donald Trump announced his candidacy in 2015, he said "I am running for president of the United States", he didnt say I am running for president of the Republican Party.
You dont have a case ace.
Aaaaaaahhhhhh …. The "Reach Across the Aisle CRAP !
Democrats only want "The other Side" to do the reaching. When Pressed for them to do it....It's a "Security Risk" that they can't partake in.
Ever notice when some republicans speak, it is, "our" agenda or "our" people.
They are not fooling anyone with that kind of speak.
Interesting !
So...… Biden DID get the nomination to run against Trump for President ?????
When One is known to ONLY have Bluffs and distractions
on their side, I'll take that offer any day. I'm in for a mil.. You ?
So...… Biden DID get the nomination to run against Trump for President ?????
I'm ALL IN !
So...… Biden is the nominee to run against Trump for President ?????
it started with "bitter clingers and "bible thumpers, "tea baggers and such.
it will end with the demise of the lunatic left.
anything else on your mind?
mocking morons is as old as humanity itself.
Well, now we know why we keep most of the libs around here.