Thanks! Here's some interesting facts about the Transatlantic Sessions.

Putin, fear the Natasha...

Just started browsing it, but the complaint is quite a read on what we're fighting (the whole damn world, apparently):

Complaint PDF:
https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1102316/download?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

More from her Twitter page:
https://twitter.com/NatashaBertrand/status/1053357002423001089
Hattip to Natasha for her tireless journalism........

I predict things could get very nasty before year's end.

Trump reminds me of that honey badger video, if we can imagine one of those critters being cornered.

He absolutely cannot accept being wrong or seen as losing and I fear what his narcissism and psychopathy will bring out. What's even worse to imagine is what his hundreds of right-wing enablers and media freaks will do in concert with him, not to mention a few of his crazy fanboys in the red countryside if they see their dear leader going down.

Worrying times for America.......

Short answer - yes, it is brainwashing.

But, not just the Republican's dogma pushed for 30 years or so of anti-tax/anti-government and Democrats are all bad sort of stuff. It's also a culture-related brainwashing we've all experienced where climbing the ladder of success and gaining more wealth is the end-all be-all of human life's end game, along with rampant materialism and monitization of everything.

Democrats are almost as vulnerable to the effects of this as Republicans, except we tend to draw a different line as to where it stops and we're much more open-minded, compassionate and unselfish. In my personal experience, Republicans tend to be much more of selfish/self-centered genetics and therefore far more likely to buy into right-wing dogma.

Men of that type are likely to be much more dogmatic over it because we men are by nature more insecure in our skins than women (but we cleverly hide it), so therefore more susceptible to fear-based bullshit.

Psychologists have confirmed that there's primitive genetic strains in both men and women who's personalities require a strict leadership structure, and that those same people typically are full of fears of outsiders and teachings outside of their clan's system of belief. Those people are highly likely to be Republicans and are easily duped by people like Reagan and Trump that put on the airs of strong leadership - square jaw lines, radio voice, big shoulder pads and all. Policy positions are much less of a consideration to them than having someone they can look up to, just as they do their dads, preachers and corporate bosses. To me, that explains much of their blindness to reason.

Just my 2c worth - no expert, just experiences of life. End of rant.......

May not be related but I found this to be very interesting

It's absolutely mind boggling....

to try and envision the potential workload for our Democratic Reps after we take the House.

I do believe our leadership has been studying and planning for this event for a long time, though, and that gives me comfort.

Unfortunately, they will still have to battle Repug obstructionism and somehow counter their vile media blitz......

This should piss off the Dotard....

The money circle must eventually somehow be broken.

This is the process I see we're fighting that seems an endless, impossible uphill battle:

1. We buy products and services, now primarily from/through mega corporations.

2. Profits from these purchases trickle up to a large international cabal of high-wealth individuals and groups who are free to spend the excess profits as they wish. In addition, much of their investments and assets are hedged against losses.

3. They use that money that came from us to buy elections, fund lobbying, fund think tanks and public/social media in hundreds of ways that work only in their interests, not ours.

4. This has created a massive layer of power and control mostly invisible to the public, and it's protected hands-off by many politicians. They even write most of the policy papers that are executed into budgets and laws, as well as procedures for destroying existing public welfare and protections for labor, retirement, health and the environment.

This process is getting worse with time, proven by worsening economic inequality, deteriorating public health care and education (keep 'em scared, dumb and sick). Mega-mergers and backstopping of big business from failure (as in 2008) concentrates more assets and power in fewer hands.

Sorry to be so negative, but I'm not seeing a way to stop and reverse this corrupt and destructive cycle. To me, this is the elephant in the room. Most everything else is political flim-flam and bullshit. Rant over.

Demonstrates the power of right-wing media....

RW talk radio, Faux News, normalization by main-stream media along with dogmatic shitstorms on Twitter and Facebook.

Bought and paid for by our carefully concealed billionaire plutocrats......

GOP = Divide more, conquer more......

Questions to pose to Kavanaugh supporters.

For those unfortunate enough to be exposed in public to rabid Republican Kavanaugh supporters and in light of his well-documented political bias in everything he's done in his career, perhaps give these questions a try:

Q1: In America, why do you think we don't put a judicial candidate's political affiliation on ballots?

Correct citizen's answer: Because judges are not supposed to allow their personal politics affect their judgments. We're therefore supposed to only consider their education, life experiences, record of honesty and judicial experience.

Q2: In light of question #1, are you aware that throughout his career both has a political assistant and as a judge, that Brent Kavanaugh has consistently shown a very hard bias toward the extreme right in his writings and judgments?

Correct citizen's answer: Yes, I've fully reviewed his career history.

Q3: Then, in light of Question #2, do you think he would make fair and impartial judgments for all American citizens, regardless of their politics, gender, race or creed?

Correct citizen's answer: No, not really.

Q4: Are you aware that Kavanaugh has lied to or made proven deceptive statements to the Senate Judiciary Committee during his interviews and if so, do you think he can be a fair and impartial Supreme Court justice?

Correct citizen's answer: Yes, then no.

Q5: Do you think it's wise to appoint a judge to our Supreme Court that called Hillary Clinton a bitch in front of several friends?

Correct citizen's answer: No.

My thinking is to catch them off guard and ask them questions not related to his sexual dalliances and drinking. I suspect that just like with Trump, they could care less about his sexual moral character.

Please understand I don't expect them to answer in the way I proposed, but those questions may break the ice and get them to think if they're capable.

.... .......