NC Supreme Court Halts Decision Favoring Republican Supreme Court Candidate

 By: Mildred Robertson

The battle for the seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court between Justice Allison Riggs, who currently holds the seat, and her challenger NC Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffin takes another turn today as the NC Supreme Court issues a stay in the case.

Judge Jefferson Griffin (Rep) - Justice Allison Riggs (Dem)

On Friday, April 4, the North Carolina State Court of Appeals ruled in a 2-1 decision that as many as 65,000 North Carolinians who thought they were eligible to vote could have their ballots thrown out. The appeals court said that the contested ballots in the state Supreme Court race should be recounted and verified. The Court of Appeals gave the challenged voters 15 days to prove eligibility.

But today, the North Carolina Supreme Court, the body to which Griffin aspires, issued a temporary stay of Friday's Court of Appeals order which directed election workers to identify and contact those voters whose ballots were challenged by Griffin. Justice Allison Riggs, who currently holds the contested seat, sought the stay. Following two recounts of the over 5.5 million ballots cast in the November, election results indicate that Riggs beat Griffin by 734 votes.

If the Appeals Court decision on Friday, April 4 is ultimately upheld, the elimination of hundreds of thousands of North Carolina voters' ballots could flip the election outcome, giving victory to Griffin. Democrat Toby Hampson, the only appeals court judge to dissent the ruling to eliminate votes, criticized Griffin's "indiscriminate efforts" to disqualify voters otherwise eligible to cast a ballot under existing state law. With the current ruling of the NC Supreme Court, the outcome of this case is unclear. The Court's findings will have a huge impact on the makeup of the North Carolina Supreme Court. 

Only absentee and early votes are among those challenged.  If you fall into those categories there are several databases, you can use to determine whether your vote was challenged.  You can go to the State Board of Elections’ website which is organized by county and the reason for the challenge. You can search https://tinyurl.com/3b826h3v, then locate the links to your home county. There you will find a list of names. You can search to see whether your vote is listed by hitting ctrl+f and then typing in your name.

Other alternatives include a searchable spreadsheet by government watchdog Bob Hall. Type https://tinyurl.com/bdf37zuy. Or you may access the Triangle Blog website at The Griffin List.

Court Rule May Jeopardize Your Vote In N.C.

 Early and Absentee Voters Should Check Status

BY Mildred Robertson

The North Carolina State Court of Appeals ruled in a 2-1 decision on Friday, April 4, 2025, that as many as 65,000 North Carolinians who thought they were eligible to vote could have their ballots thrown out. The court says that the contested ballots in the state Supreme Court race should be recounted and verified. The Court of Appeals gave the challenged voters 15 days to prove eligibility.

In this hotly contested race held in November 2024, Republican State Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffin trailed incumbent Democrat Justice Allison Riggs by fewer than 1,000 votes.  Riggs and the Democratic Party declared victory months ago after all the votes had been counted. Griffin, however, challenged the validity of certain ballots for numerous reasons.

The lawsuit prevents the state elections board from certifying Riggs as the winner five months after the election. The 2-1 ruling from the North Carolina Court of Appeals came in response to Republicans’ months-long effort to overturn the results of the state Supreme Court election in November. Democrat Allison Riggs, who currently sits on the NC State Court of Appeals, defeated Appellate Judge Jefferson Griffin, a Republican, by 734 votes.

Justice Allison Riggs

After the election, Griffin filed a protest seeking to disqualify around 65,000 votes. Among those challenged are voters who did not present a photo ID and American citizens living abroad who voted but never resided in the U.S. The latter are individuals who are citizens because one or both parents are U.S. citizens.

Griffin currently sits on the North Carolina Court of Appeals – the body that issued Friday’s ruling. A panel of three of his colleagues heard the case. Court of Appeals Judge Toby, the lone registered Democrat, dissented from the decision, stating that Griffin had not identified one voter who was ineligible to vote in the November elections under the laws and rules governing elections.

Justice Riggs stated, “We will be promptly appealing this deeply misinformed decision that threatens to disenfranchise more than 65,000 lawful voters and sets a dangerous precedent, allowing disappointed politicians to thwart the will of the people.”

The state board of elections previously rejected Griffin’s request and a superior court judge upheld their decision. Friday’s ruling from the court of appeals overturned that ruling. The Appeals Court ruling also reverses the decision of a trial judge who upheld the State Board of Elections action in February.  

If you think you may be among those citizens whose vote has been challenged, you should have received a notice in the mail from the North Carolina Republican Party which includes a link to protest. You can also go to the State Board of Elections’ website. It is organized by county and the reason for the challenge. You can search https://tinyurl.com/3b826h3v, then locate the links to your home county. There you will find a list of names. If your name is there you can find it by hitting ctrl+f and then type in your name.

Other alternatives include a searchable spreadsheet by government watchdog Bob Hall. Type https://tinyurl.com/bdf37zuy. Or you may access the Triangle Blog website at The Griffin List.

Trump, Musk Threaten Social Security

 By Mildred Robertson

The Trump administration is threatening to shut down the Social Security Administration (SSA), a benefits program that has served American retirees for the past 90 years. As part of the New Deal enacted in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the SSA uses funds collected from workers’ paychecks to pay small monthly checks to retirees, the disabled, and other qualified recipients.  In its pledge to destroy the “deep state,” the Trump administration appears poised to ignore a court order that would stop Elon Musk’s DOGE from continuing to access sensitive Social Security data and go after SSA. This is contrary to his campaign pledge to leave SSA out of his agency-busting agenda. 

 Leland Dudek, recently selected to head this vital organization, appears to have sown chaos and destruction in the SSA during his short tenure.  Dudek has granted complete unconstrained access to American citizens’ most personal sensitive data to Elon Musk’s Department of Efficiency of the Government (DOGE).  As part of its cost-cutting plan, DOGE recently announced the closure of Social Security offices in 18 states. This initiative follows the release of a list detailing nearly 800 federal lease contracts set for cancellation. In addition, significant layoffs and financial adjustments across various federal agencies will alter the landscape of social services nationwide.  

While allegedly focusing on cost savings, federal agencies are being decimated by office closures and staff reductions that DOGE claims will result in lower operating costs. The potential challenges that staff reductions and office closures pose to beneficiaries unable to access services seem to garner little attention. Among those states currently under threat of closure of Social Security offices are New York, West Virginia, California, North Carolina, Arkansas, Ohio, Michigan, Texas, Wisconsin, and Nevada, among others.

In an unsubstantiated claim, DOGE alleges that millions of dead people are receiving Social Security benefits. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates 101,000 centenarians live in the U.S.  It also notes that, although there are 18.9 million people aged 100 or more without death information in the agency records those deceased individuals are not receiving benefits.

Musk claims that Social Security is a “Ponzi Scheme.” However, those receiving Social Security payments have paid into the system, thereby safeguarding their retirement security. The Trump administration’s move to eliminate this retiree-funded payout will adversely impact the most vulnerable among us.  

Musk overlooks all these disadvantages and suggests that recipients who cannot access their data online may soon be required to visit their local agency to prove their identity. In-person visits will be exacerbated by downsizing and office closures. It will likely result in longer wait times and a need for recipients to travel a great distance to find an office that can service them.

This will be particularly burdensome for the low-income, the elderly, and those with disabilities. According to reports from USA TODAY, the memo estimated that between 75,000 and 85,000 more people would need to visit Social Security offices each week if phone services weren't available. The Trump administration's solution is to close offices and lay off staff.

 Is this what the American public voted for? I think not; and what about the cost of eggs?

DOGE Threatens Democracy

 

By Mildred Robertson

Let’s start this conversation by discussing what DOGE is and is not.

Trump established The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) by Executive Order on January 20, 2025. It is supposed to modernize federal technology and software for maximum government efficiency. Instead, DOGE has taken a chainsaw to government agencies by decimating the workforce, shutting down offices, eliminating or reducing resources, and generally wreaking havoc throughout the federal government.

Many say an agency such as DOGE would need congressional approval. However, Trump created this entity through an Executive Order. He has no authority to allocate funds, so where does this agency get its resources? That power belongs to Congress.

While they appear not to have legal authority to do so, I don’t see it as bad that they purged the social security database of individuals no longer alive.  However, saying those people were actively being paid has been proven to be a lie. If a name is listed on a payroll account but that person is not receiving payment, then that is NOT government waste. An apt comparison would be if you found a match in a drawer as you cleaned the house, it would not mean the house is on fire. Accordingly, you cannot say you are recouping government funds when none are being spent. You are simply cleaning the database. 

That is what DOGE has done with social security. They have found some inefficiencies, but not widespread fraud or corruption. Are there individuals receiving social security payments to which they are not entitled? I am sure there are. A system as big as Social Security will likely have some discrepancies. It is good to look for and eliminate those discrepancies. But to trash the system that millions of Americans have paid into and rely on to secure their retirement is insanity. 

It also appears that DOGE has identified payees whom they claim are dead, who are alive and well, and dependent upon those payments to live. So, mistakes happen, right? Further, even if DOGE were more competent and efficient than the agencies under attack, it has no authority to shutter them.  Agencies established by Congress cannot be eliminated by the stroke of a pen. Federal workers cannot be summarily dismissed without following personnel procedures.  And, unelected officials cannot enact policies and procedures for the federal government.

At the end of the day, we will know whether our constitution is sufficient to maintain our freedom. We will see whether DOGE will be allowed to freely move forward, swinging its chainsaw throughout the federal government. We will see whether Congress and the judiciary will withstand the onslaught of a rouge administration.

If they do not, whether millions of Americans receive their unemployment benefits will be the least of our worries.

Threat of Violence Taints American Politics

 NC Senator Thom Tillis Targeted with Death Threats

By Mildred Robertson

This is despicable behavior. This is not the way politics is supposed to work. I hope that he and his family remain safe. In this hot political atmosphere, many must cope with threats on their lives and the lives of their families. There are judges, politicians, lawyers, media, and countless others who have found themselves in the crosshairs of violent individuals who feel they have the license to intimidate folks who disagree with them politically. 

While many politicians hide from their constituents behind form letters and Zoom calls, this is not the time for politicians to be cavalier in response to the voting public. However, these practices appear to be the chosen response to the constituent's concerns. Those letters likely only serve to heighten the political temperature. Constituents want to be heard.

I am a Democrat, but once the election was completed, I expected that my legislator would still want to hear from me and consider my input regardless of my party affiliation. When I contacted Tillis on legislation or political issues across the country, his response made it abundantly clear that the conversation was one-sided, and he only wanted YOU to hear his thoughts on the subject. He missed the point that he works for us.

If constituents take issue with his legislative agenda, he should take the time to truly listen and respond authentically instead of sending out form letters. I would prefer to get no response than receive the missives sent in response to my inquiries and complaints. (Tillis' responses at least attempt to imply that he hears you, unlike North Carolina Sen. Ted Budd's delayed and belittling responses.)

I reiterate, that although I disagree with almost every position Tillis holds, threats of violence should not be part of our political process. Unfortunately, our politics is inhabited by people who are either evil, unwell, or both. The mean, spiteful, and threatening discourse that leads to violence has been perfected by the man who currently sits atop American politics.

So I am sorry that Tillis and his family live under the threat of violence. He is not alone. Many progressive and conservative politicians currently experience this hateful turn in our political landscape. I wish for his safety and for others who have come under similar threats such as Nancy Pelosi, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden...

While I wish for his safety; I also wish for his wisdom and strength of character. I pray that he stands on what is right and not just what is expected by his Party and the man who would be king.

Fighting for Democracy

By Mildred Robertson

For almost every living creature, there comes a seminal moment that impacts the course of our lives. It may be choosing the love of your life or the college or university where you wish to pursue your education.  It might be who you vote for in an historic election, or perhaps more aptly, what you do when that election goes horribly awry.

I was born in 1952 on the cusp of the Civil Rights movement. In 1965 in the heart of that movement, I was not in control of my actions. My desire would have been to hop on a bus and head back to Mississippi to take an active part in wresting my liberty and that of my people from the hands of hateful racists. But my father had taken great pains to move our family from the heart of Dixie so that we would not be trapped in a racist community that would clip our wings and possibly take our lives. He had not been quiet in that environment, and he knew neither would we.

I am glad that he made the move. It was a loving and protective thing to do. But I remember sitting in front of the T.V. watching the marches in Selma and Montgomery. I can recall being inspired by the words of Doctor Martin Luther King. I also recollect being in awe of those people who laid their bodies down in front of hatred and danger, choosing to sacrifice their mortal selves just to be free. I envied them. Their strength. Their courage. I fantasized about whether I would have that same strength and courage…and envisioned that I would.

I was a child then with others to decide for me. That is not to say that we were not on the battlefield in Missouri, doing what we could to make a change. My older sisters led the local NAACP Chapter and fought housing discrimination in the 60’s. I remember passing out flyers and going to rallies. I might have been subject to racism; but not bodily harm or death. Our family continued to be active in civil rights and one sister actually acquired a seat on the national board of the NAACP. Today she still fights the battle through that organization.

Our nation is under threat of tyranny. Not only are we in danger of losing all those hard-fought victories of the Civil Rights Movement, but also the laws and policies that protect the diverse amalgamation of humans, male and female, Black, Brown, Asian, and White that make up this nation. It is our diversity that makes us strong. If we allow that to be destroyed, we will destroy America as we know it.

As I look back at that history, and see the sacrifices that others made I am led to consider the sacrifices necessary today. You see now America faces that same kind of seminal moment that our forbearers faced in the South. It is a moment when we must decide what kind of country we will be. It is a moment where we must determine whether our Constitution is just words on paper, or whether they are words worth fighting and dying for. Some things are.

Back in the 60’s people across America rose up to say “This is NOT who we are.” Together, Black and White, we met the moment. Now, as we face another such moment, each of us must consider what WE are willing to do to save our country. Are you willing to make the sacrifice?

Democrats Bring a Knife to a Gunfight

 By Mildred Robertson

Quiet and non-confrontational. That is what Democratic leadership called for during Trump’s 2025 State of the Union Address. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wished for a “strong” and “dignified” presence at Trump’s speech.  However, Rep. Al Green could not hold his peace and disrupted Trump’s address. For that, he was escorted out of the Chamber and censured, even though Marjorie Taylor Green’s outburst during the Biden speech in 2024 went unpunished.

 

Several legislators walked out midway through Trump’s marathon fuss-fest, shedding their jackets to expose anti-Trump slogans. This act went mostly unnoticed as cameras didn’t bother to capture the “dignified” protest. 

But at least they did SOMETHING.

Al Green's protest resulted in censure by the chamber. Surprisingly 10 Democrats joined Republicans to censure Green.  This is in sharp contrast to the Republican response in 2024 When Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) yelled at Biden during his State of the Union address.   And let’s not forget Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) who shouted, “You Lie!” during President Obama’s 2009 speech to Congress. While Wilson received a reprimand, he was not escorted from the Chamber. Nothing happened to Taylor-Green.

 

Clearly, a dignified State of the Union is preferable to chaos. However, there was no dignity in the marathon speech Trump delivered before the Joint Chamber. It was full of lies regarding the crisis on our southern border, trade tariffs aimed at former allies, the abandonment of Ukraine in its war against Russia, and the implementation of government efficiency headed by an unelected partisan.  This administration is busy disassembling American democracy.

While it is not time to be “strong” and “dignified” it IS time to be STRONG. This nationally televised address would have been the perfect time for the Democrats to implement a unified strategy that speaks to the jeopardy our country faces. There comes a time when you need to pull off your earrings, pull your hair back in a ponytail, kick off your shoes, and invite your opposition to “meet me outside.” 

I don't know, perhaps Democrats should have invited constituents to come to Washington D.C. to hold a rally during the speech. Maybe they should have staged anti-state-of-the-union protests in all fifty states and the territories. Perhaps they should have asked constituents to donate a dollar for every lie Trump told. Maybe they should have asked their supporters to simply turn the television off during the speech. 

It seems Democrats have gotten the dignity part down. But the strength part; that seems in short supply.  You just don't bring a knife to a gunfight. 

TRUMP'S POLARIZING INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY

 By Mildred Robertson

Since Donald Trump’s first term in office, he has undermined the alliances that have kept America safe since 911. He has belittled nations on both our northern and southern borders, threatening to make Canada our 51^st state, and vowing to reclaim the Panama Canal from the Panamanian government. He also has inquired whether he could make Greenland part of America in exchange for Puerto Rico.  And of course, there is the now infamous claim that the Gulf of Mexico is the Gulf of America.

These absurdities are nothing new on Trump’s part. He was a polarizing force in international diplomacy dating back to his first term starting in 2017.  According to the Pew Research Center, a sizable majority of respondents across 34 countries felt that Trump could not be trusted to do the right thing. A median of 69% of respondents found the then-president to be unreliable.

Not much has changed as he embarks upon his second term, wreaking havoc on the federal government, the military, domestic and international social programs, and international diplomacy. He has sidelined Congress, subverted government agencies, and intimidated Republicans into silence. The only remaining leg of the three-legged stool that represents our democracy also flounders in futility as Trump ignores Court rulings. This president has used his first 100 days in office to set the stage for a transactional America that only cares for its own bottom line. He shows disdain for the rule of law, and those meant to enforce it.

While American leadership appears to be cowering in Trump’s shadow some world leaders have had enough and are finally finding their voices. British Prime Minster Keir Starmer corrected the president during a joint press conference when he stated that America has “given” aid to Ukraine while European countries have only loaned to the embattled nation.  He further implied that America might not come to Britain’s aid if Russia were to attack and asked whether Britain could defend itself.

While taken aback by the question, during a Q&A with the media Starmer corrected Trump’s claim that European countries supporting Ukraine would “get their money back”. In a press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron Trump falsified the dollar amounts contributed by European countries to the war effort, stating that the United States had spent $350 billion in aid to Ukraine while Europe had only spent $100 billion.

On February 28, in a face-to-face meeting in the Oval Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fell under attack when he balked at a bilateral mineral deal with America to maintain U.S. military support for his war effort. President Trump and his sidekick JD Vance tore into Zelensky, painting him as ungrateful for requesting security guarantees in return for the mineral rights the U.S. demanded in return for the possibility of continued support in the war effort. Trump suggested that he was capable of ending the war. 

Zelensky held his ground noting that Ukraine was at war with Russia and that it would be Russia and the Ukrainian people who would be at the negotiating table, with the U.S. and Europe as partners. Both Trump and Vance lectured the Ukrainian leader, calling him disrespectful for speaking up for himself and his country. During this exchange Trump bullied and mocked Zelensky, cursing and shouting at him. Ultimately, in a Truth Social post, it was noted that the deal was off. Zelensky left the White House and canceled a speech at the Hudson Institute. He appears to have had enough.

And he is not alone. All these leaders appear to have concluded that Trump is beyond reason and diplomacy is futile.  Therefore, they must prepare to face a world crisis without the United States, perhaps even AGAINST the United States. That is a scary proposition because that means that America will be left standing alone.

Serena Williams - Can't Dim Her Shine

Okay, total disclosure. I am not a football fan. I didn't watch the Super Bowl halftime in real-time, and I could not name one song by Kendrick Lamar or Drake. But I certainly know who Serena Williams is. 

This young woman has used her God-given talent to take her from the streets of Compton, CA to the heights of international dominance in her chosen field. Her task was not easy; complicated by the world-class athletes whom she handily defeated, to the systemic racism that placed obstacles in her path to domination of women's tennis worldwide.  

To belittle her Superbowl performance as a "get-back" at a former lover is an example of the lengths people will go through to besmirch this iconic athlete, entrepreneur, mother, wife, and yes, world-class champion. I saw her performance as a tribute to her roots. 

It amazes me that a woman who has conquered the tennis world, won 4 Olympic Gold Medals, launched the multimedia company "Nine Two Six Productions" and is entering a licensing deal with Wyn Beauty cosmetics still must fight the petty battles that society lays in her path. She has endorsement deals with over a dozen brands and is an active investor in a venture capital firm, Serena Venture. She is a co-founder of Will Perform, a startup that creates products for topical pain relief, and skin care. As though all of that were not enough, she released a children's book in 2022 and is part-owner of the Miami Dolphins. This young woman is prolific. 

I said that to say this. Serena Williams is likely not checking for a former lover. Her eyes are undoubtedly focused on a much higher target than a simple slap back at an ex who may be thinking right now that he probably should have kept her.  Her Superbowl performance was a get-back, but not at Drake. 

She let the world know that no matter how people try, they can't dim her shine. 

Shine on, queen!

So, Trump Renames The Gulf of Mexico

By Mildred Robertson

This is just stupid. And the fact that the media is following it like it is meaningful is also ignorant. 

You did not learn the first time. He is manipulating you. Stop reporting his every word. He cannot unilaterally change the name of the Gulf, and you know it. He plans to bully the world to his will, and the media helps him do it by making his idiotic statements headline news.

The Trump strategy is to break everything at once so that it is difficult to strategize and mobilize on any one issue. He vomits one insane objective after the other, without giving thought to the process, costs, or the resources necessary to implement them. It doesn't matter to him whether he can actually implement the policy as long as he can grab the headline. The media breathlessly reports his insane rantings as if they are rational policies and procedures capable of withstanding the rules and regulations associated with policymaking.  

Can Trump be king? He most certainly can, if we let him. 

The media's breathless pursuit of his next thing is not helpful. In one of my early journalism courses the instructor defined news like this:  "Dog bites man" is not news...'Man bites dog' - now that's news."  

For instance, I understand why the media reported Trump's statement that he wanted Greenland and Canada to be part of the United States. That was news. But the fact that they continue with the foolishness is absurd. Particularly since it would be necessary for those entities to agree with that move, or for America to decide to seize them. Now, if either of those two things were to occur, that would surely be news! The mere bluster of a megalomaniac, however, does not qualify. 

So, the media must learn a new way to report on Trump. They must see who is biting who before they splash the rantings of a seeming madman all over our newspapers, airwaves, social media, and television screens. Trump does and says things that seem to scream for a response. But the media must figure out whether his words warrant their attention. 

Can I give you a new definition of news in the Trump era? Sorry, I can't. But I know that current reporting practices are not it. 

And by the way, just like the much-reported wall that Mexico built is a non-story, so too is the imperialistic takeover of several sovereign nations; at least for now. 

Stop America's Freefall Toward Tyranny

 A Letter to Our Congress

By Mildred Robertson

I have been appalled at the blatant disregard the Trump Administration has shown for this country and its laws, rules, and regulations. It is bad enough that he is appointing totally unqualified individuals to lead the nation's most important agencies, but he also is acting illegally in purging government officials whose only fault is carrying out the duties to which they were assigned. 

It is unfortunate that 49% of America chose this man to lead the nation. It is unfortunate that many people stayed home and did not vote so that he could squeak into the Whitehouse. It is unfortunate that many people did not understand the depth of his depravity or the span of his ignorance. Nevertheless, it is left to the United States Congress to deal with this situation. While many Republicans likely do not see eye-to-eye with me on many social and political issues, I believe that some of you have the best interest of the United States at heart. The fact that an unelected individual such as Elon Musk has been given a free hand to destroy this nation's foundation must be as disturbing to some Republicans as it is to me. The threat of what he will do with information to which he is not entitled is unbelievable.

I know that this administration is formidable and that it is difficult for Republican legislators to buck the system. However, I beseech you, to gird yourself for this battle. Use your power to be a bulwark against the criminality of this administration. 

As your constituents, we ask you to speak truth to power. Trump has unleashed a water hose full of lies, deceit, and malfeasance that, if left unchallenged, will destroy America. I ask that our elected representatives stand up to him. Vote against those nominees to lead government agencies who are clearly unqualified. Stop Elon Musk from accessing sensitive government data.  Save our democracy.  Only Congress can. Be bigger than the office you hold. Be an AMERICAN.

Family Says Robert Kennedy, Jr. is Unfit to Lead USDHHS

Below is a copy of a letter from Robert Kennedy, Jr.'s cousin to congressional leaders. It requires no further comment. 

Continued-Page 2

Trump Rules by Chaos

 Mildred D. Robertson

Trump 2.0 has thrown the nation into a state of constant chaos. People cannot find solid footing as one preposterous, absurd, and sometimes illegal pronouncement after the other flows from the Trump Whitehouse. 

From the nomination of clearly unqualified individuals to head our nation's most important agencies to flinging open the doors of prisons to release convicted January 6th rioters who trashed the Capitol and brutalized police officers on January 6, 2020, Trump has lumbered into D.C. bringing with him utter chaos. 

His tendency to foster pandemonium creates a never-ending flow of "breaking news" that the media breathlessly expound upon. They relish the atmosphere created by Trump's penchant to fly in the face of the norm, fervently reporting every nuance of his untraditional leadership. While enamored with the constant flow of news, they are equally frustrated with their inability to adequately report the ever-changing political landscape as Trump crushes social and political norms. 

It is clear that Trump plans to decimate the foundation of American democracy dismissing any pretense that this will be a nation of laws, equality, or justice. True to his word, he has embarked upon a campaign of retribution against all who oppose him. He appears to care little for our history, or the lessons learned as America rose to become the most envied superpower in the world. 

In the words of Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., "We are going to have some dark days ahead."  But just as Dr. King refused to give up; just as he refused to accept the lot assigned to him by prejudice and flawed leadership, we too must continue to seek high ground. 

The "Mountain Top" view will allow us to rise above the chaos to gain a clearer view. There we will see that all is not lost...at least not forever. We will be able to see that there is work to be done, and we must do it, even in the face of this chaotic administration. 

America must stand, even in the face of the trials and tribulations that lie ahead. While this administration may seek to destroy American democracy, the foundation is strong. Working together we can survive. 

Republicans Accuse Democrats of Hegseth Smear Campaign

 By Mildred Robertson

During the confirmation hearing on Pete Hegseth's nomination on Tuesday, January 14, Democrats raised serious questions about his fitness to serve as head of the U.S. Department of Defense. Not only did they address his lack of experience in managing an agency such as the DOD, but they also questioned his character based on numerous reports of drunkenness and sexual abuse.  Republicans responded by accusing the Democratic members of the Senate Armed Services Committee of attempting to smear Trump's pick to lead the agency. In fact, the Democrats did not smear Hegseth but rather exposed the stains in his checkered past.  

Hegseth is accused of sexual assault, mismanaging funds excessive drinking, public drunkenness, and disorderly conduct. Among the allegations is that Hegseth paid a woman who accused him of physically blocking her when she attempted to leave a hotel room and then sexually assaulting her.  Although he paid her as part of a settlement agreement, he continues to assert his innocence. 

A report in the New Yorker magazine stated that a former associate at Vets for Freedom, where Hegseth served as executive director, accused him of charging inappropriate expenses such as parties and trysts. Former employees who worked for him at Concerned Veterans for America sent a letter to the nonprofit's senior management also citing excessive drinking and ill-treatment of female staff. He allegedly categorized female staff as either "party girls," or "not party girls." 

Similar allegations were raised by a Fox News producer, stating that Hegseth's drinking habit was an "open secret."  Hegseth himself previously acknowledged that when he transitioned from military to civilian life he drank heavily.  He pledges that if confirmed, he will quit drinking altogether. 

That would be laughable if it were not so scary. First of all, how many alcoholics have you heard make similar statements? Secondly, do we want to gamble with our national security on the promise of a man with a drinking problem?

Can you imagine the phone ringing at 2 o'clock in the morning regarding an urgent military matter? Would we want to entrust the control of our military to someone who might be passed out on the couch when an important call came in, or a pressing military issue needed clear-eyed attention? Do we want someone like Hegseth to be responsible for responding to a domestic or international emergency? Do we want an alleged drunken womanizer to represent us on the world stage? Well, I might not want the answer to that question, since a felony and a sexual assault conviction did not give the American public pause on Election Day November 5th. 

Those are some of the questions Democratic members of the Senate Armed Services Committee asked during the confirmation hearing today. The questions appear fair to ask of someone seeking a position of such importance, and you cannot smear that which has already been stained. 

Trump Sentencing - Unequal Justice

 Mildred D. Robertson

Equal justice under the law is a phrase engraved above the front entrance of the United States Supreme Court building in Washington D.C. It is also a societal ideal upon which the American legal system is founded. That tenet died today as Judge Juan Merchan treated Donald Trump differently from any other convicted felon in the United States. Merchan indicated about 10 days before the inauguration that he wasn't inclined to sentence Trump to prison and would likely give him an unconditional discharge. This means Trump will walk away a free man without further obligation to the court. 

Although he is now a convicted felon, found guilty by a jury of his peers, those of us who believe in equal justice under the law are left with the knowledge that American justice is neither blind nor just. The rule of law in America is decimated. 

It is breathtaking that the President-Elect is a convicted felon, who nonetheless is free of any accountability. It is farcical to assert that the U.S. judicial system metes out justice based upon the merits of the facts regardless of the individual being judged. The trope that our legal system is balanced and unbiased is just that...banal platitudes.

America's plummet from the apex of world leadership continues as U.S. politics chips away at the foundation of what made us unique and admired. No amount of media spin can make this look normal or acceptable, though they are currently making a valiant effort to do so. 

Just as Hans Christian Andersen's famed book, "The Emperor's New Clothes," exposed the emperor's nakedness America is unmasked...exposed. Everyone can see who we are.  And it is not a pretty sight.