George Washington did not take over the airports in 1775

I don't care what anybody says about any politician's speech. This 2019 speech by Donald Trump is the absolute most absurd thing I have ever seen or heard in my 71 years on this planet. What's often overlooked in this rambling bullshit by a stumbling moron, is the last line. Trump talks about the "rockets' red glare" over Fort McHenry. He's talking about revolutionary battles in 1775 and closed with a battle in a different war (the War of 1812). As a matter of fact, Fort McHenry didn't even exist in 1775. It wasn't built until 1798. This one never gets old.

Self delete (Dupe)

I recall an old union saying that's timely this election year

When I worked as a union business agent and assisted in unionizing drives, I liked to use this speech that contained a specific phrase that was quite effective.

It would go like this. A question would come from the workers who would ask, "what can you promise us if we join the union?" My answer would go something like this, "You will have a voice in the workplace. You will have an advocate who will speak in your behalf, rather than act alone. You will choose from among you a couple of fellow workers who will be part of the negotiating team. You will not pay any dues until you ratify the first contract, and that ratification vote is a secret ballot and only the workers at this facility get to vote. But most important, you will have a seat at the table. And let me leave you with this one last thought, if you don't have a seat at the table, you most assuredly will be on the menu."

Let me say to my African American friends, my Arab and Muslim American friends and other minorities who polls show are moving to Trump, albeit in a marginal manner. To those withholding their support for the Democratic nominee, let's make this clear. Joe Biden and the Democrats may not produce or support every one of your positions or issues, but you have a seat at the table. Biden and his administration will listen and balance your position against those of other members of our coalition. He will do the best he can to produce, even though the Republican and cultist opposition puts up a fierce resistance.

Should we lose this election, [and to be sure, you are part of the "we"] we all will be on the menu.

The difference between me and Mitch McConnell

Mitch McConnell is married to an Asian woman. So am I. My wife is a Filipina immigrant. I am 71 years old; she is 68. We've been married over 20 years.

I also ran for office and won. I held a series of union positions, and I was eventually appointed as a full time Business Agent of a large Boston local.

I always represented my members, no matter whether or not they supported me or my appointing authority. I did this, not because I'm such a great person, but because that's a sound political position. And I loved my job, elected or appointed. Also, the federal government allows members to file an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) against a union official who does not live up to his responsibilities. But I always went the extra mile because of what I believed in. That doesn't mean I wanted to go out for a beer with anyone who insulted me. However, I understand politics.

Now, to the point. Outside of work, in social settings with non-members, I was different. As I said, my adorable wife is brown and an immigrant. In 2008, at a family Christmas party, my cousin's husband started talking racist shit. N-Word Obama. N-Word Duval Patrick (Mass. Gov.). I was sickened by his bullshit, so I went to another room. Then, he started on immigrants and the "great replacement theory" and said "we should send them all back". I took my wife home, and she told me that she would never go to another event with my family, and she didn't. No showers, baptisms, weddings, parties. Nothing. And I couldn't blame her. You see, a person can insult me, and I could get over it. Especially in my line of work (handling union grievances and contract negotiations). But insulting my wife is unforgivable. Especially a racist rant.

Well, back to the racist man married to my cousin. For some reason, he didn't know how I felt. Naturally, he became an ardent Trump supporter. MAGA hat. Bumper sticker. Facebook posts. The whole bit. A few years went by, and he called and asked for a favor. A friend of his had a son who wanted to get into the apprentice program at my union. I could sponsor one or two kids a year, as long as they passed the entrance exam. He reminded me that I had done it for another cousin, and I told him, "Ya, but he's not a racist. As far as I'm concerned, I wouldn't lift a finger to help you. If your car was broken down on the side of the road and you were by yourself, I'd keep driving. The only way I'd pull over is if you were with my cousin."

A couple of years after that, this same person, who is a financial manager, applied for a job as the financial manager at a non-profit in which I was a board member, by virtue of my union position. The irony is that the non-profit was an organization to help the poor, including immigrants (documented and undocumented). I spoke in private to the Executive Director and told him that the applicant was married to my cousin, and he should not be hired and related the firsthand bigoted incidents that I had witnessed. Needless to say, he never got that job.

In closing, I can't believe that Mitch McConnell can support, endorse and vote for anyone who insults his wife. It's incomprehensible to me. I will hold a lifetime grudge against anyone who insults my wife, especially if that insult is about her race.

The most important question to ask a candidate

in my opinion.

"Can you vote your conscience even if you fear violence or physical threats against you or your family".

Many men and women join the military with the full understanding that they may face serious danger. Elected officials should make that same commitment, or not run for office. I'm sick and tired of finding out that sitting members of Congress don't vote a certain way out of fear. Not fear of being voted out of office, but fear of bodily harm.

Trump is just like us

After all, hasn't everyone that's been accused of violating the espionage act appeared in a court that's being presided over by a judge we appointed?

(sarcasm intended)

I would like to see the original "love letters" from Trump to Kim Jong Un

Sending self-described "love letters" to one of the most ruthless and bloodthirsty dictators in history seems to me to be a pretty important campaign issue. Why haven't Congressional and especially Senate (we hold the majority in this chamber) demanded to see these communications?

It seems like the Republicans will go to any lengths, including lying and colluding with the enemy, in an attempt to gain the upper hand and embarrass Democrats. And we seem to play by the Marquis of Queensberry rules.

Trump White House Had a Big Drug Problem

Nikki Haley is getting over 15% of Georgia Primary vote

17% of Republicans are not voting for Donald Trump. The areas in which this vote is most noticeable are the cities and suburbs, where Trump is most vulnerable.

That's a big number, considering there are no active candidates on the ballot. just names.

Biden Leads Trump in Latest Polls

How Donald Trump And Joe Biden Polls Look Eight Months Before Election
By Kate Plumme
Newsweek

President Joe Biden is beating his Republican rival, Donald Trump, in multiple polls as the presidential election campaign begins in earnest.

A rematch between Trump, the former president, and Biden has been all but confirmed in the general election after former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley last week dropped out of the GOP primary, leaving Trump without opponents.

Since then, a series of polls have suggested Biden will narrowly beat Trump in the November vote. But with eight months to go, and the polls so tight, this could change and a number of polls have also indicated that Trump will win the election.

Link:
https://www.newsweek.com/presidential-election-latest-polls-biden-trump-1877928