Accountability and Misconduct in Congress

 By: Mildred Robertson

I am disappointed with Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell. If he is guilty, and evidence suggests he may be, he should face appropriate consequences for his actions. However, there is a troubling inconsistency in how justice is applied within our country. While Democrats are held accountable for their misdeeds—as they should be when found at fault—Republicans who commit similar or even more serious offenses often seem to escape punishment and walk free.

The allegations against Congressman Swalwell are just part of a broader pattern of sexual scandals that have involved members from both political parties. These incidents helped ignite the 2017 #MeTooCongress movement, which called for greater transparency and accountability regarding sexual misconduct in Congress. Among those implicated is Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales, who admitted to having a sexual relationship with a staffer who later died by suicide.

Both Swalwell and Gonzales have resigned their positions, ensuring that the balance of power within Congress remains unchanged. However, this raises important questions about what would happen if only one of them were credibly accused of abuse, and the implications such a situation might have for Congressional power dynamics.

Historically, misconduct among members of Congress has often been addressed through closed-door investigations. These processes tend to shield members from public scrutiny and prioritize their protection over that of the victims. Additionally, until recent reforms, taxpayer funds were used to settle harassment complaints. These settlements aimed to safeguard the perpetrator's reputation and finances, rather than holding them personally accountable for their actions.

Many witnesses and victims hesitate to come forward with allegations, primarily due to fears of retaliation. The process for filing complaints is not only intimidating but also lengthy and complex, involving multiple steps such as counseling and mediation. This cumbersome approach discourages individuals from seeking justice, as it places significant emotional and procedural burdens on those affected.

The current system is structured in a way that consistently favors the protection of the institution over the welfare of victims. This approach is evident even in situations where there is considerable evidence of misconduct—for example, the extensive documentation of credible accusations of sexual misconduct against a sitting president. Despite the existence of such evidence, Congress often responds with sluggish and insufficient actions. These delays persist even as public pressure mounts, with many Americans calling for greater transparency and accountability. Ultimately, this pattern highlights how the system continues to shield politicians, neglecting the needs and concerns of victims who seek justice and resolution.

While the Congressional system often acts to shield its members from the fallout of sexual misconduct allegations, the response to such accusations varies considerably depending on party affiliation. Democrats generally advocate for more stringent and immediate consequences when one of their colleagues faces accusations of sexual misconduct. This approach reflects a tendency within the party to prioritize accountability and swift action, aiming to address misconduct decisively. 

On the other hand, Republicans tend to be more skeptical of allegations made against their own members. They frequently perceive these accusations as less credible or as being motivated by political interests, which can lead to a more cautious or defensive response. 

This partisan divide underscores the challenges in establishing uniform standards of accountability within Congress, as both parties navigate the reputational risks and political consequences associated with addressing misconduct among their ranks. In the end, it is the victims who incur the reputational risks and suffer political, social and employment consequences. 

Thwarting Trumps Ambition to be King

 By Mildred Robertson

I am not sure Americans understand the threat the Trump administration poses for our nation’s continued democracy. Legal scholars, advocacy groups and political opponents have noted his sustained assault on constitutional norms and principles that maintained our democracy nearly 250 years.

The Trump administration has initiated an aggressive campaign targeting a wide range of fundamental rights and protections. This assault extends to immigrants, voting rights, civil rights, states’ rights, and women’s rights, undermining the progress and security these groups have achieved over decades. By challenging and diminishing these rights, the administration has shown a disregard for the foundational values upon which the United States has long stood.

Central to this effort is the administration’s willingness to overlook, and in many cases, actively contravene established legal precedents and constitutional safeguards. For example, actions related to birthright citizenship directly challenge the 14^th Amendment. Similarly, the administration has disregarded the principle of Separation of Powers and has overstepped its authority in congressional spending, ignoring the checks and balances that are crucial to the functioning of American democracy. These departures from tradition and law reflect a broader pattern of governance that puts personal and political interests ahead of constitutional norms.

Despite their often disorganized and seemingly incompetent behavior, the administration has made alarming progress toward a deeply concerning objective: the systematic rollback of constitutional rights for American citizens. The aim appears to be the establishment of a government resembling a monarchy, with Trump and his family positioned as the central figures of power. This gradual shift away from the democratic principles and constitutional framework upon which the United States was founded signals an unprecedented threat to the nation’s longstanding traditions of liberty and justice.

The consequences of these actions are stark. America is witnessing the slow dismantling of its constitutional foundation, a process that leaves the country vulnerable and exposed. This erosion is comparable to a scenario in which an individual, worn down by persistent advances, ultimately yields to an unwelcome suitor—only to discover that her initial fears of mistreatment and brutality were justified. As constitutional safeguards continue to be weakened, the nation faces an uncertain future, one in which the values that have defined its democracy are increasingly at risk.

Though Trump appears to be quite mad when you view his behavior on the world stage, he is nonetheless cunning. Many of his goals are so absurd that they seem to have no chance of succeeding, but he constantly and consistently pursues them. He chips away at our foundation the way a prison inmate chips away the wall that stands between him and freedom with nothing more than a kitchen fork.  

His cabinet is comprised of sycophants who are both unqualified and who place Trump’s desires over constitutional norms. Their primary goal seems to be the implementation of his every whim, whether constitutional or not.

Chief among them is Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth who has embarked on a rampage to kneecap the armed forces by firing top military leadership, even as the U.S. is embroiled in a war against Iran. The abrupt dismissal of leaders such as Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and Army Gen. David Hodne blindsided military leadership. While troops are being deployed to the Middle East, Hegseth summarily dismissed Hodne, the four-star general tasked with providing appropriate equipment to protect U.S. forces.

Dozens of other military leaders, many of them female and/or black, recently were terminated from their positions. It makes one wonder why this administration so desperately wants to decapitate the military. This pattern of dismissals raises significant questions about the administration’s intent in destabilizing the military’s leadership structure.

The judiciary has made only weak attempts to contain the rise of authoritarianism fostered under the Trump administration. Congress, on the other hand, has buckled beneath Trump’s onslaught. 

In this critical moment, the preservation of American freedom and democracy rests squarely on the shoulders of its citizens. The institutions that once served as reliable safeguards—such as congress, the courts and the military—can no longer be counted on to defend our democratic principles. Instead, it is up to the American people themselves to protect the nation’s future.

Our most effective tool in this fight is the ballot. By voting, we exercise our fundamental rights and affirm our commitment to democracy. It is through collective action and vigilance that we can ensure the survival of the liberties and values that have defined our country for generations.

In the current climate, where threats to democracy are increasingly present, it is essential for every citizen to exercise their right to vote. Even when confronted with challenges such as militarized polling stations or intimidation from groups like the Proud Boys, we must not be silenced. The act of voting is not only a right, but a crucial responsibility that ensures our voices are heard and our values are protected.

We must steadfastly defend our right to vote, making certain that every ballot is counted fairly and accurately. By standing up against any form of suppression or intimidation, we play a vital role in preserving the democratic process. The survival of democracy in America depends on our collective determination to participate, protect, and promote free and fair elections. Only through this unwavering commitment can we guarantee that democracy continues to thrive in our nation.

Trump’s War: The Bully Without Backup

By Mildred Robertson

So, Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegeseth decided it was a good idea to play wargames with Iran. Both Trump and Hegseth seem to think America’s military is a cadre of toy soldiers they can use to demonstrate what strong men they are, just like kids playing in the back yard. They entered this war with little thought, and apparently no plan, having left military experts out of the conversation. They thought they would drop a couple of bombs, assassinate a couple of leaders and that Iran would play the role of a whimpering underdog, fleeing from their strength and might. Hegseth talks about killing and fighting as though that is a goal, rather than a deterrent. 

In the three weeks since the two countries launched their attacks on Iran, the United Nations has noted mounting reports of civilian casualties. Trump’s little foray into militarism has resulted in the bombing of a school in the Iranian city of Minab,  where more than 160 schoolgirls were murdered and as many as 100 more people were wounded.

Iran answered American and Israeli attacks with drone and missile attacks on Gulf States. As of March 15, service members killed in the Middle East numbered 13.  Iran also moved to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital, narrow passage connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arbian Sea. It is the world’s most important oil transit corridor. The strait is only 21-33 miles wide and serves as the only sea route for much of the crude oil and liquid natural gas exported by Saudi Arbia, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait and Iran.

Often referred to as the gate to the Persian Gulf, Iran has restricted passage through the Strait to the US and its allies. As a result, oil prices have surged to about $100 per barrel. About 20 percent of the world’s oil usually passes through the Strait, and so global oil prices have soared. Before the war, oil was around $70 a barrel. U.S. gas prices now average $3.71. That’s up 80 cents over a month ago.

Clearly that does not play well on the nightly news in America, so Trump is seeking to extricate himself from a web of his own weaving. His next move in this bloody game is to coerce NATO allies to join him in reopening the Strait. The problem is, the Allies were not consulted when Trump started this war and do not feel compelled to join a naval coalition to escort ships through the Strait. While he calls Iran a “paper tiger”, he still wants NATO allies to send warships to secure the strait.

So, Trump has started a war he cannot finish and now turns to NATO to back his play. But this is not NATO’s war.  NATO is obliged to come to the aid of its members once they have been attacked. Nothing in their charter compels them to join a member who is the aggressor.

Trump and Hegseth must play their war game, “EPIC FURY,” alone.  The problem is Iran is not playing and war is not a game.  What America ends up with is “EPIC FAILURE,” as the bully stands alone.

 

 

Battleground State North Carolina March 3rd Primary

By Mildred Robertson

Early voting has ended in North Carolina, but it is still not too late for your voice to be heard. The 2026 Primary Election is March 3, 2026.

As Washington D.C. swirls out of control, it is more important than ever that all those Americans who marched in the streets to decry the abuses of the current administration, march into the voting booth to put action behind their rhetoric. It seems that North Carolinians are motivated to do so, with early voting totals in Wake County topping 500,000 through Thursday, February 26.  According to Catawba College’s Center for N.C. Politics & Public Service, Early voting in North Carolina surpassed both the 2022 midterm primary and the 2024 presidential primary totals at the same point in the calendar year.

Data analysis showed that early voting through Thursday was about 24% higher than at the same point in the 2022 midterm primaries-and even surpassed the 2024 presidential primaries. For context, the 2022 midterm primaries had the highest turnout for a midterm primary in the state in 20 years.

With record numbers of voters participating in the early-voting cycle, what remains to be seen is who will turn out on election day. Democrats seem to have a strong showing in early voting among registered partisans and Unaffiliated voters. According to Old North State Politics half of Unaffiliated voters chose the Democratic ballot. This could be impactful if it carries over to the March 3^rd primary vote.  

This election marks a pivotal point in our nation’s history. Not since the civil war have Americans had such a profound decision to make about who we will be, both domestically and on the world stage. As we wrestle with an authoritarian assault on our democracy we must decide whether justice and the rule of law are the real underpinnings that hold up our democracy.

At the end of the day, it is up to the voters to confirm or deny the direction in which our country is going. That means it is up to you.

If you haven’t voted, turn out on March 3^rd and make your voice heard.

Trump Insults Nation's Only Black Governor

 By Mildred Robertson

As the sitting president continues to sow chaos throughout the political landscape, he outdid himself over the past week. First, he tweeted a racist photo of former president and first lady Barack and Michelle Obama. (He claims one of staff did it yet refuses to apologize for it or chastise whoever did.) Then he moved to disinvite Governor Wes Moore of Maryland from a bipartisan dinner for governors at the White House.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, © Francis Chung/POLITICO

This is particularly puzzling since Moore is the vice chair of the organization and the only sitting Black governor. Trump announced that only Republican governors would be invited to the bipartisan winter meeting of the National Governors Association (NGA). He specifically blocked Moore and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis from the event’s black-tie dinner. Both have publicly challenged the White House since Trump began his second term.

Moore opposes Trump’s immigration policies and his deployment of the National Guard to, supposedly, combat crime in states led by Democrats. He also supports redrawing Maryland’s voting maps in response to Trumps efforts to gerrymander districts to create GOP majorities.

Moore says the National Governors Association, known for bipartisan cooperation committed that the dinner will not be considered an official NGA event. Meetings between the president and governors typically allow direct discussion of national issues. Moore claims his exclusion from this event may be due to race and criticizes the president’s actions as unaddressed.

Trump Continues His Politics of Distraction

 By Mildred Robertson

So, Trump is at it again. Trying to distract us from the EPSTEIN FILES....

- Blowing up boats in open waters

- Kidnapping a foreign leader

- Sending troops to major sanctuary cities to war against the community

- Using babies as bait to lure immigrants to capture

- Crashing into people's cars on the streets of America as a means of apprehension

- Disbursing tear gas into neighborhoods, cars and houses

- Tear gassing people in the face

- Kidnapping American citizens and holding them unlawfully

- Killing American citizens in the streets

And now he wants to start a war with Iran for carrying out similar atrocities against its own citizens. Oh, and let's not forget that he is sending the FBI into Georgia to try to rewrite history to say he won the election against Joe Biden.

All of this deserves America's attention. But we cannot forget the Epstein files. He needs to be prosecuted for all of the above. But he, and all others who show up in the Epstein files need to be made to account for their actions and pay for any crimes they may have committed.

SHOW ME THE EPSTEIN FILES.

America Awakens to the Horrors of ICE Tactics

By Mildred Robertson

Everyone has heard of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both executed by ICE agents while peacefully protesting in Minnesota. It is horrific and sickening. It is unthinkable that those are the images I see when I turn on the morning news. Muted in the media coverage, however, are stories of black and brown people who have been abused and murdered at the hands of ICE. Extrajudicial killings of people of color is normal in America. It does not pierce the conscience of America as these killing did, though it should.

Another narrative in the media is how Renee Good and Alex Pretti were great citizens, and from all accounts they were. But that was not what made their murders wrong. No one needs to be dragged through the streets, peppered sprayed in the eyes and set upon by a hoard of jack-booted thugs and ultimately be slain.  

The brutality of this agency is unbelievable. There are at least 13 instances of immigration officers firing at or into civilian vehicles. At least eight of those resulted in gunshot wounds, with two leading to deaths. Those are just the ones we know about. And the general public does not even know their names.  Assumptions by many is that these people represent the “worst of the worse” Trump so fondly refers to in his rants about immigration.

Keith Porter, a black 43-year-old father of two was shot by an off-duty U.S. ICE agent in California on New Year’s Eve. He was not the “perfect victim” whose killing raises red flags for your average white Americans. Porter fired his gun in the air in celebration of New Year’s Eve according to his family. This tradition began in early U.S. history as a symbol of celebration and renewal, and it is occasionally still practiced in some Southern regions.  His actions were illegal but did not warrant a death sentence. And ICE agents are not police. But the media attention focused on him for a moment and then moved on.

They aimed a bright light on the murder of both Renee Good and Alex Pretti who had every right to protest. They had every right to record the violence being inflicted upon the citizens of Minneapolis. They had every right to offer a hand to a citizen violently pushed to the ground and then pepper sprayed.

Their murders were atrocious, gut wrenching, unthinkable. But so are the assaults on people who may or may not have committed a crime. So are the assaults on children, women, the elderly, the sick, many of whom have fallen victim to an overly aggressive, paramilitary force released on the streets of our cities.

No matter the circumstance, no matter what the crime, everyone residing within our borders has the right to face justice based on due process. No one deserves to be summarily executed in the streets of America, to be detained without warrant or to be expelled without adjudication of their case.

If we are going to wake up…let’s wake ALL the way up.

Stranger Things: America Living in the Upside Down

 Mildred Robertson

Every day I wake up to news of additional infractions against the constitutional rights of citizens and inhabitants in America. A nation once seen as full of promise and opportunity is now viewed as a hellscape.  

Today, America is a place where soccer moms are shot in the face and five-year-olds are used as bait to entice immigrants to surrender to masked thugs as vicious as Demogorgons; humanoid but not human. Just like these fictional monsters in the Supernatural horror series “Stranger Things,” ICE agents travel in pacts enacting the will of Trump who uses his power to manipulate, terrorize and sometimes kill his victim.  His main aim seems to be controlling the world.  

The American hellscape, just like the landscape in Stranger Things, creeps into every corner of our existence, consuming everything in its path. While ICE agents ram cars on our highways and beat and choke a 16-year-old citizen whose only mistake was travelling to school in a car driven by his immigrant father, these thugs have no respect for the rule of law. They murdered Alex Pretti, who simply attempted to protect a woman who they had viciously attacked and pepper sprayed. After the first shot, they peppered his body with up to ten shots once he was down.  It is reported that one of the agents commented their actions were just like the video game, “Call of Duty”.

This is not law enforcement, and it certainly is not a game.  This is anarchy cloaked in governmental authority. It appears that Donald Trump and his administration have unleashed a rabid group of criminals upon the streets of America, parading as law enforcement. It is alleged that many ICE agents were pulled from the ranks of the January 6^th rioters, and they seem anxious to continue their attack on the foundational rights and privileges enjoyed by Americans for well over 200 years.

They have taken to the streets kicking down doors, breaking windows dragging people from cars, beating citizens and non-citizens alike, with no regard to the constitutionality of their actions.  This administration has given them license to do as they please to those residing within our borders.

As disturbing as those actions are, it appears this administration has not seen enough violence on the streets. Trump seemingly plans to deploy the ACUTUAL military to the streets of American communities.

As new atrocities come into view daily, Congress and the courts seem stymied by the brazenness of this administration’s attacks on the rule of law. It is as though they are surprised that an elected leader of the United States would choose not to play by the rules.

Our courts and our Congress seem to be caught flat-footed in the face of an authoritarian leader whose goal is to subjugate the people and undermine the Constitution. It is amazing that they did not anticipate this upside-down world, when the Constitution itself recognized it, defined it and set up guard rails to contain it.

While our Founders clearly understood that one day someone would attempt to steal the freedoms they fought so hard to wrest from the hands of an imperialistic government, they believed that they had established a framework strong enough to repel a dictator’s rise to power. Unfortunately, those agencies empowered to balance overreach by an authoritarian administration seem to be impotent. While the courts have awarded shallow victories in this fight, our gerrymandered Congress is stymied and offers us little relief.

So, we are at a crossroad. What are American citizens to do? If our courts and our Congress cannot protect us, what are we to do? Will our world remain upside down, or will we fight to return to normalcy? It is for Americans to choose.

ICE Agents Kill American Citizen

By Mildred Robertson

On January 7, 2026 Trump’s thugs killed an American citizen in cold blood. Renee Good, a Minnesota poet and mother, is accused of intentionally trying to run over ICE officers, although video indicates she was attempting to leave the scene. ICE officer Jonathan Ross pumped three bullets into Goods car, shooting her in the head. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem then took to the airwaves to lie about it. She labeled the victim as a domestic terrorist within hours of the incident and claimed the agent is immune from prosecution. 

Since her assassination Good has been vilified by members of the Trump administration, even though her final words were "I don't hate you." Compare her character to that of the assassin who called her a f'n bitch as he shot two additional rounds into her head. Let us not forget, Good was an American citizen exercising her constitutional right to protest when she was murdered on the streets of Minneapolis, just blocks from where George Floyd had been murdered by Minneapolis police in May of 2020. 

The FBI has taken over the investigation, refusing to share case materials with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension(MBCA) that includes evidence from the scene and eyewitness testimony.  As the administration continues its public attacks on Good, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz says that he fears that there will not be a fair outcome if the MBCA is not allowed access to crucial crime scene data. It appears that the MBCA will pursue a parallel investigation into the murder.

While Trump claims the ICE officer who killed Renee Good has total immunity, law seems to indicate that state prosecutors have the authority to pursue charges. The officers' qualified immunity under federal law will likely complicate the prosecution. The state is currently collecting evidence before making a decision on whether to bring charges. 

Sen. Mark Kelly Faces Death Threat

By Mildred Robertson

President Donald Trump labelled Arizona Democrat Mark Kelly and several other Democratic veterans as traitors who should be executed. Kelly and six Democrats with military or national security backgrounds appeared in an advertisement targeted to military personnel stating that they should disobey unlawful orders. The advertisement triggered a firestorm in the West Wing of the White House which caused a red-faced, white-knuckled Donald Trump to demand retribution.

It was not an outrageous thing for the Democrats to say. In fact, they simply quoted the United States Military Code of Justice which establishes the legal standards for military personnel. Under this code, military personnel are required to obey lawful orders. Likewise, military personnel HAVE a DUTY to refuse to follow unlawful orders. In fact, following such orders may expose them to criminal liability. An unlawful order is one that requires the commission of a crime, violates the Constitution, federal law or clear international law. 

It is ludicrous that Americans who use their right to free speech to voice concern over the illegal actions of this government could be threatened. We all know that those who participated in the advertisement had the right to say that soldiers DO NOT have to and SHOULD NOT follow unlawful orders. Some may even think they had the obligation to speak out. Yet this administration will spend time and the taxpayer's money to pursue this frivolous suit to detract from more pressing matters, such has the high cost of living, out of control health care costs, the destruction of our history, the dismantling of civil rights, Gestapo-styled state policing, the collapse of foreign alliances and of course, the rape of children, only to name a few.

The fact that the FBI is investigating a sitting senator for reciting the uniform code is exactly WHY we need to keep speaking up.

While Kelly is being investigated by the FBI for speaking the truth, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is accused of ordering a strike on a purported drug-smuggling vessel in international waters and then ordering a second strike to kill any survivors. As we examine the Military Code of Justice, clearly, one of these actions is not like the other.

Kelly and company exercised their right to free speech to remind military personnel of their obligation to act lawfully while carrying out their duties. Conversely, Hegseth is setting up both himself and those soldiers who carried out his orders to face war crimes and murder if he in fact issued the alleged “kill order” that resulted in the deaths of two survivors of the first strike. Trump rages about the one, and is resoundingly quiet about the other. 

Hegseth's actions have raised significant legal and ethical issues regarding the drug boat strikes. The Trump administration has carried out more than a dozen of these strikes since September 2025. More than 70 people have been killed in what may well be declared illegal operations by the American military under Hegseth’s command.

It is incredible that the FBI is investigating a sitting senator for reciting the Military Uniform Code of Justice while ignoring the highly suspect bombings in international waters that have cost the lives of these individuals without the benefit of evidence, a court or a jury. American patriots all over the country must speak up just as Kelly and his compatriots did.

We are a nation of laws. In times such as these, it is good when we are reminded.

Democrats Back Down with Compassion, Not Weakness

 By Mildred Robertson

It appears that the U.S. government shutdown is nearing an end, as Republicans continue to steadfastly oppose negotiations with Democrats. Amazingly, Democrats find themselves at this juncture, even after the overwhelming rejection of Republican candidates and their far-right politics during the November 4th elections.

It is much like the difficult decision faced by King Solomon in 1 Kings, 3: 16-28, when two women who lived together each claimed the same child as their own. It appears that one woman rolled over and killed her baby as they slept. She then switched her dead baby with the living child of her roommate.

With no witnesses and no one to identify the child’s mother, Solomon was faced with an almost impossible task to determine to whom the living child belonged. So, he did something outrageous. Since he could not determine the identity of the true mother, he ordered his soldiers to bring a sword to cut the baby in half and give half to each woman. The true mother cried out, “Please don’t kill my son…give him to her…just don’t kill him.” Solomon then discerned who the true mother was and returned the child to his true mother.

Democrats faced a similarly difficult decision as they fought to maintain healthcare for millions of Americans. The Affordable Care Act tax credits (ACA), a signature Obama program, are set to expire at the end of the year. If that occurs, Americans will face sharply higher health insurance premiums and possible loss of coverage. This program is made affordable through tax credits targeted to assist middle-class Americans who would otherwise fall outside the subsidy range. Before the enactment of the American Rescue Plan Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, those participating in the ACA faced a steep premium increase, making the coverage untenable for many Americans. 

While Democrats have fought ferociously to maintain the healthcare tax credits, Republicans have been willing to sacrifice hundreds of thousands of federal workers to fight the Democrats' attempt to safeguard healthcare. Many federal workers have been furloughed or fired, and most have not received pay during this shutdown, although workers like soldiers and air traffic controllers are still required to work. Instead of working to solve the problems facing our country, the Republicans took more than a month “vacation” as House Speaker Mike Johnson sent them home and advised them NOT to hold town hall meetings.

Acutely aware of the pain Americans were suffering as they struggled to pay mortgages, buy groceries, or pay for a myriad of necessary expenses without the funds to do so, Democrats were much like the mother in the Bible story who chose to relent rather than have the baby cut in half.

I am unsure whether it was the right choice. Unfortunately, America is not run by Solomon-like leaders, nor do I have divine insight. I know that, just as the woman in the scriptures was hard-hearted enough to sacrifice the child rather than acknowledge the death of her own, the Republicans did not feel the people’s pain and were willing to destroy everyone if they were unable to get their way. Even in the face of a landslide election that indicates Americans think they are wrong-headed, they had no intention of negotiating to find a solution that was acceptable to all.

I am somewhat disheartened that Senate Democrats backed down, but I don’t know how to split the baby without killing it. I hope that Americans view the Democratic struggle as one of compassion, and not weakness.

The Challenge of Distinguishing Fact from Fiction in Modern Media

By Mildred Robertson

In today's media landscape, distinguishing facts from fiction has become increasingly difficult. The sheer volume of information presented to us makes it challenging to verify what is real. As a result, many people rely on the media to distill facts and provide the foundation for their beliefs. However, this reliance often means that individuals neither seek out facts themselves nor work to distill them into a coherent ideology.

News and social media have, in effect, taken away our ability to analyze facts and arrive at informed conclusions. The prevalence of propaganda further complicates our ability to tell the difference between lies and the truth. Many people now struggle to distinguish between facts and opinions, viewing information through a prism of partisan bias. This tendency leads some to distrust information simply because it originates from someone with an opposing philosophy, regardless of how factual it may be. A study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign highlights that this inclination poses a serious threat to civic discourse among U.S. citizens.

The news media, once celebrated as the “fourth estate,” were recognized for their ability to mediate the dissemination of information, enabling citizens to participate intelligently in civil discourse and self-governance. Over the years, and particularly with the rise of social media, news reporting has shifted its focus toward sensationalism. This shift has undermined the media’s role in providing citizens with the information necessary to live in and maintain a free society.

Today, many consumers of news and information simply sit in front of TV or computer screens, passively absorbing the opinions, biases, and rhetoric of talking heads. This process leads individuals to believe they have arrived at a worldview based on fact, when in reality, their perspective may be shaped more by external influences than by objective analysis.

White House Demolition - The Destruction of U.S. History

 By Mildred Robertson

U.S. White House East Wing Demolition, © Evan Vucci

As I surfed the internet this morning, I found something that I knew had to be AI-generated. Bulldozers were in the process of demolishing a portion of the United States White House. 

My first thought was that "surely this cannot be true, because this is a historic building." While I was aware of Trump's intention to build a new ballroom, I thought that it would require approval from the Secretary of the Interior for construction to proceed.  That office has guidelines for the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and reconstruction of historic buildings. I further thought there would be public input into the process. While the executive branch has some discretion in reconstruction and alterations to the White House, historically, these changes have involved both preservation and practical modernization goals. Previous renovations have balanced museum stewardship and living-residence needs.

While the White House is both a private residence and a historic property, it is also "The People's House".  The 1961 Act and Executive Order 11145 provide for the White House to serve as more than a private residence, which also houses many of the nation's historic collections. The building itself has legendary history, having been built by approximately 150 free and enslaved laborers, including approximately 20 freemasons who laid the cornerstone in 1792.

While this history is impactful for many Americans, it is unlikely that the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue either knows or cares about this historical fact. Trump's $250 million construction of the ballroom in the East Wing was, according to him, not going to alter the White House itself. However, just like many other things he has told the American public, that statement is clearly false, as demolition of the East Wing has already commenced. (By the way, federal workers are not being paid during a government shutdown, and many are facing permanent unemployment, yet there is money for this vanity project.)

The destruction of a portion of this historic site has already occurred; there is nothing we can do about it at this point. That is very similar to the destruction Trump has visited upon this nation and our foundational beliefs. Historic America is under demolition. We cannot return it to its original state. Just as part of the East Wing is gone, so are many of our foundational freedoms. 

But we cannot let this one man destroy the history our forebearers gave to us. We cannot relinquish the freedoms that our Founders willed to us. There will come a time when another administration will have to fix the atrocities that this tasteless man will wreak upon the People's House. And there will come a time when "The People" will have to repair the damage he has done to our democracy. 

The demolition has begun, but we can stop it. And if it can't be stopped, we can fix it. The White House represents our history, our Constitution, and our freedom. Every American must assess our nation's trajectory and decide whether to accept the destruction we face under the current leadership, both figuratively and literally.  Will we acquiesce, or will we fight to preserve our freedom? 

Freedom was not easily won. It will not be easily relinquished. I believe that most Americans will stand for democracy.  Will you?

Millions to Protest Trump Authoritarianism

By Mildred Robertson

Updated: 10/19/2025

More than 200 groups will hold rallies nationwide to protest the growing authoritarian regime led by Donald J. Trump. The organized coalition includes groups such as the ACLU, American Federation of Teachers, Common Defense, 50501, Human Rights Campaign, League of Conservation Voters, MoveOn, National Nurses United, Public Citizen, SEIU, and United We Dream.  The "No Kings" Rallies are designed to send that message that millions of Americans reject authoritarianism and answer the call to defend democracy against it.  The No Kings Day, protesting Trump's authoritarian takeover is on October 18 nationwide. More than 500 nonviolent protests are scheduled with more being added every day! Here’s where to find No Kings events near you. This is the 2nd nationwide "No Kings" day since June 14. It was one of the largest days of peaceful protest in US history. Millions of people across the nation peacefully took to the streets with one voice to say: No thrones. No crowns. NO KINGS. The October 18  protest comes as Trump doubles down on his assault on the civil liberties of immigrants and American citizens alike, sending thugs disguised as law enforcement to terrorize the streets of America and to disappear people the administration deems unacceptable.  This is a time when every true American patriot needs courage. As Americans take to the streets, they must understand the possible consequences. This is not the America that most of us know, where you have the right to speak your truth. It harkens back to the Civil Rights movement, where protestors could be attacked with firehoses and dogs, beaten with police batons, and ultimately, might be killed.   Together, we must face the unknown as we exercise our rights in this new environment. While courage is necessary, so is restraint.  Just as Martin Luther King, Jr., led his nonviolent protests, we must not allow ourselves to be provoked. We must thwart their goal to incite us to violence so that they can justify calling for martial law.  As we prepare to let our voices be heard, we must know that we are not alone. Millions of Americans are prepared to stand up for Democracy. There are thousands of locations across the country where you can step out in courage and declare that America has no kings! And we are not alone.  Other sites across the world that will join us in our protest against the tyrannical regime in Washington are Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa, Canada; Paris, Nice, and Lyons, France; London and Bristol in the United Kingdom, Rome, Turin, and Milan, Italy; and the list goes on.  Trump believes he currently holds all the reins of power and that his rule is absolute. But America will never bow down to the chaos, corruption, and cruelty that his administration exhibits. Just as American revolutionaries rejected tyranny, so must we. Join in the fight against Trump's unlawful authoritarian regime. Whether it is sharing information about the administration's atrocities, calling and writing your congressmen and women, donating to causes that support freedom and democracy, or walking in the streets on October 18th, let them know that we are free, and won't go back to the rule of a king.  UPDATE: America...you were AWESOME yesterday. Now let's keep up the momentum. We must mobilize every sane American and make sure our voices are heard this November, and every election thereafter. Marching is good. Voting is better. Let's vote to save our democracy.

Nothing New About Trump and his Golden Idols

 

Nothing is new in the world. That includes Donald Trump.

In the bible, Daniel 3:1-18, there is a tale of a ruler who was cruel and oppressive, considering himself to be above everything and everyone, just like our current president.

God dealt harshly with this ruler, who went mad and was cast from his kingdom, forced to graze in the grass like an animal. Before Nebuchadnezzar could be restored, he had to humble himself and acknowledge God's sovereignty.

Nebuchadnezzar was counseled to:

TURN FROM EVIL: Daniel urges King Nebuchadnezzar to "break off your sins" by stopping his cruel and oppressive ways.

PRACTICE RIGHTHEOUSNESS: He is called to actively "practice righteousness," which means to act justly and do what is right, particularly in dealing with others.

SHOW MERCY TO THE OPPRESSED: Show kindness and mercy to the poor and downtrodden, which demonstrates compassion.

SEEK GOD'S FAVOR: The Bible says Nebuchadnezzar might delay God's judgment by changing his actions, leading to a "lengthening of your prosperity".

A CALL TO REPENTANCE: The advice is a direct plea for repentance, urging the king to change his heart and behavior to align with God's will.

Trump has queried whether he could enter heaven. Well, this is his roadmap, if he would only choose to follow it.

Disney Cancels Kimmel - I Cancelled Disney

 By Mildred Robertson

As I watch America spiraling into an autocratic dictatorship, I am appalled at how easy it has been for various entities to cave to government overreach. This administration has attacked regulatory bodies, infringed upon civil liberties, and used government power to impose regulations that burden individuals and businesses who do not bow down to the whims of America's authoritarian leadership.  

Trump's administration has an amoeba-like predisposition to absorb the power and authority regulating state and federal governmental agencies, large businesses, and corporations. He has cowed the United States Congress into relinquishing its oversight responsibilities and has launched an attack on fundamental constitutional rights. 

In the most recent affront to American democracy, ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show due to his comments regarding Charlie Kirk's shooting. The late-night show host remarked, "This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he calls a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish," referring to Trump's reaction to Kirk's murder on September 10 while addressing an audience on the campus of Utah Valley University.  

While Kirk's shooting is horrific, so is the governmental response to his execution. This administration is using this tragedy, an American tragedy that affects all of us, as a rallying cry to continue Trump's vindictive attack on all who would have the courage to oppose him. 

Charlie Kirk was a purveyor of hatred who, unfortunately, died while in the throes of promoting it. I have empathy for those who loved him because all deaths are sad, and all murders are unconscionable. But to lionize this man, while ignoring the violent attacks and murders of other politicians of differing ideologies, is just a ploy to justify the governmental overreach in which this administration is already engaging. 

As I watch this administration roll away my rights and freedoms under the Constitution, I often wonder what I can do to make a difference. I write this blog. I donate to causes that support my beliefs and American ideals. And now, I cancelled my subscription to Disney, which is the parent company of ABC, which cancelled the Kimmel show based on his comments.  If we cannot have the free flow of thought in our country, WE cannot be free. 

It's not much. But it is the best I can do to say enough!

You can do it too. These businesses are following the money. Let them know that your dollars will go elsewhere if they continue to acquiesce to this authoritarian regime. 

Death in America – Lethal Politics

By Mildred Robertson

As average Americans deal with the growing violence that blights our political landscape, many search for leadership that inspires unity over conflict. It is a travesty that Charlie Kirk was gunned down in the middle of a university campus, although he was there to espouse violent, hateful ideas. He had a right to his beliefs and the right to champion them. However, it is no less a travesty that he contributed to the hate and violence Americans have come to accept as normal. Kirk defended our weak response to gun control following a school massacre by saying, "Yes, people die from gun violence. It's tragic. But that's the price of freedom. Unfortunately, it's worth it to keep the Second Amendment intact."

It appears political violence is on the rise in America.  From the 2011 Tucson shooting, where then Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot during a constituent meeting and six people were killed and 13 wounded, to the assassination of right-wing conservative Charlie Kirk, terrorists have used violence to silence ideas different from their own. While right-wing leadership calls for vengeance following the fatal shooting of radical activist Charlie Kirk, they remained silent during violent attacks on political figures with differing ideas.

While we perceive ourselves as an enlightened nation that values political freedom, our history presents a different perspective.  We are a violent country. Our turbulent history dates back to the colonies and the destruction of the indigenous population. We have romanticized the violence upon which our nation was built. We see ourselves as rugged, gun-toting individualists whose primary goal is to live free of others' opinions, wants, or needs.

 You can trace America’s appetite for violence from slavery, through the civil Rights movement, up to more recent history that includes the assassination of Medgar Evers, the slaying of Martin Luther King, Malcom X, and John and Robert Kennedy.

But we cannot stop there.  Our country has endured white terrorist attacks such as Timothy McVey’s bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma, the 13 domestic terrorists who attempted to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmore, and the home invasion on Nancy Pelosi and the physical assault on her husband.

Violence in our country is neither red nor blue, as we cite the attempted assassination of Ronald Regan, a mass shooting in 2017 that left five people injured, including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, and the attempted slaying of President Donald Trump.

In June 2025, state Sen. John Hoffman survived an assassination attempt when he and his wife were shot in their Minnesota home. The attack on the Hoffmans occurred before the political assassination of state Rep. Melissa Hortman, the former House speaker, and her husband, Mark. The assassin went as far as to kill their dog. The four were on a kill list of dozens of democrats targeted for assassination.

While Trump basically ignored these recent shootings against democrats, he has ordered flags to be raised to half-staff in honor of the fallen Kirk. His administration did not formally acknowledge Hortman’s assassination or attend or send a representative to her funeral. It appears that he considers himself president of only those who support him. Whereas major statesmen who preceded him have used times such as these to bring unity, he seems to care little about uniting the nation in this time of turmoil.

As America grapples with 9,400 threats of violence against politicians in this country in 2024, we must determine whether our rugged individualism tied to the 2^nd Amendment and the right to bear arms is more important than the right to live without fear of the gun violence that has overcome us in our schools, our streets, our churches and synagogues, and even within the halls of Congress.

As we struggle with the violence that has overtaken our country, Americans have a decision to make.  Do we want to unite as one nation under God? Are we willing to live in a true democracy where all voices are heard, and ideas are put to the test at a ballot box rather than the butt of a gun? Will we relinquish our love of the violent gun culture, or will we continue to normalize the lethal politics that currently govern our lives?

Rampant gun violence. Political terrorism. Is it REALLY worth it?

I would ask Charlie Kirk how he feels about it now. But I can’t, because he is a victim of his own rhetoric and America’s lethal politics.

Trump's Revenge Tour Continues

 By Mildred Robertson

Trump says he's firing Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook, citing his administration’s allegations of mortgage fraud against her. Cook, the first Black woman to serve on the Federal Reserve Board, responded by saying that Trump has no authority to fire her and she would continue to carry out her duties. Wealthy businessman Bill Pulte, who is Trump’s Federal Housing Finance Agency Director, alleged that Cook had committed mortgage fraud. While she has not been formally prosecuted or charged, Trump made the bold, and possibly unconstitutional, decision to try to fire Cook.

And this is not a one-off. Pulte has alleged mortgage fraud against California Sen. Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James, both of whom have been strong Trump adversaries. Schiff was a member of the House Select Committee charged with investigating the January 6^th attack on the United States Capitol. James successfully prosecuted Trump and his sons Eric and Don Jr., which resulted in limits on their ability to do business in New York City. A court this week dismissed the massive monetary penalty she won in this case, but the limits on their ability to do business in New York currently remain in effect.

The decision to go after Cook is likely fueled by Trump’s desire to control the Federal Reserve. To date, his primary target at the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, appears to be more difficult to take down. Powell heads a seven-member board that serves 14-year terms.  The board is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. They oversee the Federal Reserve and help set monetary policy.

Trump has come into conflict with the board because he wants interest rates down now. He has attempted to strong-arm Federal Reserve Chair Powell into lowering the rates for months now. Powell has yet to comply.  

That’s where Pulte comes in. Trump's feeble attempt to fire Powell seems stymied by  the fact that the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 states that the Federal Reserve Board of Governors can only be removed by the president “for cause.” Trump tried unsuccessfully to base dismissal for cause against Powell on cost overruns on the central bank’s $2.5 billion headquarters renovation.  Having failed at that, alleging fraud against Cook, the only African American woman on the board, may allow him to achieve his desired results.

As Trump continues his revenge tour, Cook, along with James and Schiff, all deny wrongdoing, stating that the prosecutions are politically motivated. This is not hard to believe, in that Trump has vowed that his second term would be one of retribution against all who have opposed him.

California's Gavin Newsome Armed for the Fight

 By Mildred Robertson

Texas Democrats made a bold move to flee the state, denying Republicans the quorum they need to bring legislation to the floor. Already highly gerrymandered, Texas Republicans plan to pass legislation that could create as many as five new pro-Republican districts, thereby strengthening the Republican stronghold on the U.S. Congress.  

In an unprecedented show of solidarity, Texas Democrats’ weeklong quorum break has stymied the Republican majority while facing threats to either arrest them and bring them back to the chamber or declare their seats vacant due to the quorum bust. The Republicans, however, are no less aligned as they doggedly move forward to pass legislation that will guarantee continued Republican dominance in Texas and the United States Congress.

Democrats' valiant but ill-fated attempt to stop the Texas Republicans raised national awareness of the cost to democracy if Republicans are allowed to pick their voters by drawing voting districts where they are predetermined to win. Their efforts have resulted in new strategies by Democrat-run states to counter Texas’s move to redraw maps mid-decade to steal Democratic-leaning seats and maintain congressional leadership.

Most Democrats are inclined to follow political precedent, regardless of the lawless or unethical actions of the GOP.  Common thought implies that Democrats consistently bring a knife to a gun fight when dealing with Republican lawlessness. This is evidenced by the Democratic majority's hesitance to expand the Supreme Court when they were in power, although Republicans packed it with right-wingers.

Under Mitch McConnell’s leadership, the House stymied President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland eight months before an election, arguing voters should decide which presidential candidate should pick the next justice. He made an about-face when Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed during the final days of the first Trump administration, hastening the seating of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett days before the 2020 presidential election, which Trump lost to Joe Biden.

Several options were available to Democrats. Obama could have made an interim appointment to the Supreme Court, or the Democrats, who controlled Congress during Biden’s administration, could have expanded the court. Democrats chose to go with precedent. Democrats, it appears, choose to play fair, even when their opponents don’t. They generally stand unarmed against the Republicans' ruthless pursuit of power.

But California Gov. Gavin Newsom laid down the knife and picked up a gun. His nuclear strategy involves states under Democratic control drawing maps to create additional safe districts in their respective states to counteract the Republican power grab.

Good for him.

While his tactics are being compared to the Republican power grab, they are not the same. First, Newsome plans to put this proposed change on the California ballot. That means that California’s redistricting would be sanctioned by its constituents. Furthermore, the redrawn maps would only go into effect if triggered by a Republican state attempting to redraw maps that disenfranchise voters and impact the makeup of Congress.  

Having said that...it's a terrible policy. but Democrats are left with few choices.  Knife, or gun? Under the circumstances, Newsome and other Democratic-dominated states are doing the best they can with a bad situation. It is like the strategy of mutual assured destruction and nuclear annihilation. Don't drop the bomb, and nobody will die.