What Current American Leader Do These Definitions Describe?

If it walks, sounds, and looks like a duck, it is probably a duck!

I did a quick search for the meaning of the word "sedition". There are lots more but here are some findings:

Sedition is speech, writing, or behaviour intended to encourage people to fight against or oppose the government. (Harper Collins)

Sedition is overt conduct, such as speech and organization, that tends toward insurrection against the established order. Sedition often includes subversion of a constitution and incitement of discontent toward, or resistance against, established authority. Sedition may include any commotion, though not aimed at direct and open violence against the laws. Seditious words in writing are seditious libel. A seditionist is one who engages in or promotes the interest of sedition. (Wikipedia)

Incitement of resistance to or insurrection against lawful authority (Merriam Webster)

Of all the Presidents of the United States of America you have known which one do these words describe the best?

If Bill Barr wants to charge protestors with these or other offences then he had better charge his boss as well. Begs the question, can he charge himself?

Remember this on Election Day.

#thebrewsterblock

CNNTown Hall with Biden.

Not bad Joe but you need a little polish

Last night we saw Joe Biden on CNN in a refreshing and well run parking lot Town Hall event. Anderson Cooper did a good job of keeping him sharp as did ABC moderator George Stephanopoulos with Trump, if sharp is even applicable to The Donald. Shucks - now I sound biased.

Overall I saw what I expected. Biden was cordial and warm. He smiled genuinely and connected with his questioners. Without question it was obvious how much more comfortable and experienced he was in such an environment than is POTUS. This was lamb vs. mutton; orchid vs. ragweed; filet vs. stewing beef. Biden was in control of his ship; Trump was a fish out of water. Damn - there I go again.

Ironically, both were told not to interrupt by one of the questioners. I guess all politicians share some qualities! That was about all the two forums had in common. What we saw was Uncle Joe and Joe the guy next door - exactly what America needs.

Having delivered the kiss, here are the slaps. Close advisors and campaign managers please:

1. Tell him to ratchet down the emotion. He still got himself all tongue tied. Trump will lever this every chance he gets.

2. Please get him to stop using the term "in fact" in every other statement. It is in fact, annoying as hell.

3. Another big one. Biden constantly gets on a roll and is making an important logical argument of some kind responding to a specific point and then like an LP needle jumping he says "by the way .. " and roars off in another direction on some adjunct, never returning to finish his original point. It is a real killer making him look like he can't keep track of his thoughts.

4. He still carries on too long and then has to stop mid-sentence to apologize for it, running out of time. We all know his opponent never apologizes. Thankfully, Trump will likely force more moderator interruptions than Biden.

5. This is a tough one. Everyone feels for him and his extremely devastating personal losses of family members. Yes it is very emotional for all of us when he recounts them and does show him to be human. But it is beginning to be almost expected every time he speaks. Some will think he is playing for sympathy. I think in any face to face with Trump he should avoid this line of discussion.

So there it is. The bar is indeed low when I say he out shines Trump on almost every level but it is true. If he can focus on these points he will trounce Trump. Trump is an expert at hanging himself so just let him do it

I have said this should be his campaign slogan since Biden announced: "I will make the Presidency great again!" He should repeat it in front of the Donald as many times as he can. Whenever Trump lies, he should just point out that The President is once again indulging in "extemporaneous prevarication" (Churchill). Trump will have no idea what he means.

#thebrewsterblock

Donkeys vs Elephants or Jackasses vs Dumbos?

Would You Rather Be Kicked By A Horse Or A Cow?

Most people would try to answer "Neither". Both are going to hurt, injure, or probably kill. This election poses a similar dilemma only with a donkey and an elephant.

I have written a lot about Trump. This is simply because I have never experienced - even as a non-American - a less suitable or more despicable person occupying the White House. So I would prefer Biden by a long shot.

On election day however I have always felt that most people vote on emotion and the charisma of their chosen person. What they and their party have promised for months matters little. The accomplishments, errors, and controversies to date are forgotten overall. Sad but I believe it is true.

So ignoring the big and important items like the economy; foreign policy; readiness and willingness to protect the nation; taxation; employment; immigration; climate; and international standing to name a few, here are the items in my view which will determine the next President:

Trump's base will vote for him because:

1. He comes on like a tough guy who is capable of anything
2. He speaks at about their education level - high school at best
3. He hurls insults and mocks other people
4. He has no idea what established diplomatic behaviour is and does not care
5. He goes out of his way to thumb his nose at the establishment at home or abroad
6. He is at heart a white supremacist whether he denies it or not
7. He has zero respect for women in high places
8. He will never ever admit that he is wrong or that he made a mistake
9. He thinks he can rule like a dictator
10. He appeals to the more base instincts of human beings

Biden's supporters (not sure who his base is) will vote for him because: 

1. He has openly and publicly suffered great personal losses which makes him real
2. He has proven his empathy for other people because of 1.
3. He speaks like an educated man despite a personal stutter he had to overcome
4. He understands the COVID crisis and he will try to overcome it
5. He has a warm and sincere smile
6. He does know how to use diplomacy in all of its forms
7. He has a great relationship with his partner who is as much a people person and as hard a worker as he is
8. He listens and will continue to listen to others and take their advice frequently
9. He cares deeply about others - far more than himself
10. He appears and sounds like a person you can trust

Others will have their own lists or perhaps just one point on which they will decide.

Regardless of who wins, the other side will feel like they have been kicked and there will still be lots of Jackasses and Dumbos in power. If that looks like a zoo and sounds like a zoo, it is probably a zoo. Why aren't more of its inhabitants behind bars?

#thebrewsterblock

Is This The Straw That Breaks The GOP Elephant's Back?

Lie Your Way Out of THIS Donald

We keep getting lulled into thinking "Finally! Surely people will see the truth about him this time and withdraw their support?" Then it does not happen.

This time it is recorded for the entire world to hear - the voice of DJT talking to Bob Woodward back in February 2020. This is NOT fake news. He said then he knows this is a very serious virus; that it is transmitted by air without contact; that this one is very tricky; probably a lot of other things we have not yet heard.

A couple of the best are:

1) He informs Bob that normal flu kills over 25,000 Americans annually. Then months later you see a video of him at a meeting saying that he did not know that so many American lives are lost to flu each year!
2) You see Kayleigh McEnany telling her audience The President has NEVER played down the virus. Then you hear him months earlier stating himself that he deliberately plays it down - his words, not mine. I acknowledge that Kayleigh might not have heard those tapes when she spoke. If she had, she violated her "I will never lie to you" vow.

Trump knew. He tried to ignore it and wish it away. He misled all Americans.

Added to that are Generals who say he is actually totally disrespected by the military brass and that they hate the things he says about front line members of the armed forces.

We all suspect and some of us hope that there will be a lot more on the remaining Woodward tapes - more of what I and many others always said Trump would do - hang himself, shoot himself in the foot, or lie himself into a corner.

Mr. President - this man brought down Nixon during Watergate. Let me supply the logic: Nixon was smarter than you are; Woodward was smarter than Nixon was; that makes Woodward smarter then you. Ask one of your staff to explain it (then fire him/her I suppose.)

Oh yes - the final piece: Trump is smarter than his base and all the sycophant Republicans who are too gutless to speak out against him.

I am becoming increasingly convinced that some day soon whether he wins or loses the election the military brass will have to remove him forcefully. If that happens The American dream really will be a nightmare.

#thebrewsterblock

Melania Socks it to Donald

Class Act. So Why Donald?

Melania knocked it out of the park last night.

It was bad form using the White House. I had to shake my head when she praised her husband and addressed him as Donald. I had to pick myself up off the floor when she held his hand. Apparently she was also part of the Obama birth issue and yes, once in the past her speechwriter copied from Michelle Obama. She watches Donald late at night working so hard for the American people? Is that before the Tweets or after?

But she exuded more class from every part of her entire body as she walked to the microphone, than her husband has ever shown in his entire life. Contrived perhaps, but a great performance. She is a good speaker and it was appropriate that she discussed the loss of life in America from Covid-19  and a great touch thanking her parents for getting her here.

I could live my meagre lifestyle for weeks on what that suit must have cost. It was stunning and so was she.

The bottom line is that she had to live up to her First Lady role and support the President. However by saying little, saying it HER way, and speaking in such an intelligent fashion, she showed up Donald just by exuding class, subtly covering many topics, often in a heart-felt fashion.

I can understand any red blooded man falling for the woman we saw last night including DJT.

The only question left is, what on earth did she see in him? I have not checked but I wonder what bets are already in place with the British bookies and at what odds that she leaves him after he is out - now or four years from now?

If I were a betting man, I would say she will. Hillary stayed with Bill when she should have dumped him. Which result would show the stronger woman? 

#thebrewsterblock