Threat To Rule Of Law

Epstein Congressional Resolution Opposed By All But Four Republicans, And Termed A “Hoax” By Donald Trump, Absolutely Stunning!

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It is stunning and shocking the the House resolution proposed by Kentucky Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, to have a complete accounting of all government records on the Epstein Scandal, has been unable to gain the backing of more than three other Republicans—Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, and Nancy Mace of South Carolina–at this moment of time.

A majority of the House of Representatives is needed to force the issue, but it is two votes short, and no other Republicans seem ready to back the resolution, due to Donald Trump threatening his party members, calling taking such action as “hostile”, and saying the whole Epstein investigation is a Democratic “hoax”.

And this, despite survivors holding a press conference last week to reveal the horrors of what they went through, and wanting accountability and transparency!

Trump is opposed to any action, or revelations, clearly, because he clearly personally engaged in illicit sex with underage girls and young women, in league with Jeffrey Epstein.

The Republican Party in Congress is a total disgrace, and should be drummed out of office in the midterms in 2026 and in 2028, but sadly, many Americans, with their racism, misogyny, nativism, and ignorance of reality, are likely to continue backing Donald Trump and his party, as they destroy American democracy and the rule of law!

Hopefully, however, Marjorie Taylor Greene has threatened to reveal names, and if she does, she will have done one good thing, while otherwise, she has been a total nightmare in the House of Representatives with her various lunatic activities and behavior!

Trump’s Revenge And Retribution Tour: Moving Toward Martial Law And Mass Prosecution Of “Enemies” Of Trump!

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Sadly and tragically, President Donald Trump is clearly on a revenge and retribution tour, moving toward what seems inevitably the declaration of martial law on the nation at some point in future months.

Already, he has sent in the National Guard to Los Angeles and now Washington, DC, and is threatening such actions in other “Blue” states and cities, including Chicago, New York, Baltimore, and Oakland, by specific statements, but likely elsewhere as well.

Trump also has the Justice Department under Attorney General Pam Bondi promoting FBI raids and investigations on Trump critics, including those who once worked for him, but have turned against him, most notably in last couple of days, of former National Security Adviser John Bolton.

One does not have to agree with everything Bolton has done and said in his career, but the idea of “weaponizing” the FBI, CIA, and other national security agencies against domestic critics is horrifying and terrorizing for the concept of the Bill of Rights.

In only seven months, the Trump Presidency has become a “clear and present danger” to basic American traditions of preserving American democracy, the US Constitution, and the rule of law.

The speed of acceleration of authoritarianism almost seems unstoppable at this point.

A Time To Celebrate: 17 Years Of “The Progressive Professor”, But Also A Time To Mourn The Demise Of The American Experiment! :(

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Today, August 11, marks precisely SEVENTEEN years of this author and blogger publishing commentary on this blog, “The Progressive Professor”, that was created in 2008, with the support and encouragement of my older son, David Feinman, who knew I had a passion to share my thoughts on American history, government and politics with others!

In those 17 years, there have been to date 8,550 articles published, and 28,532 comments made by my readers and followers. The comments added have been invaluable, and have, immensely, improved the whole concept of the blog, so I wish to thank all of those individuals who have committed themselves to contributing their thoughts and ideas, to the benefit of all those who read the blog daily.

In the present political climate, one cannot be certain that there will be a continuation of the blog long term, as these are dangerous times to be expressing thoughts, many of them critical, of events and personalities.

We may be witnessing the collapse of American democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law, and we may not survive the Presidency of Donald Trump, with the ability to restore what we had over nearly 250 years–an evolving nation with many faults which moved toward “a more perfect union”.

That has been destroyed by a quarter century of deceit and right wing extremism, motivated from the time of the Presidential Election of 2000, when Al Gore was denied the Presidency in favor of George W. Bush by a Supreme Court which showed it had no principles other than promoting aggrandizement of the nation by the wealthy.

Barack Obama came along and gave us hope of recovery, but faced great and fierce opposition, and the right wing extremist factions worked to, once again, undermine the American experiment by denying Hillary Clinton the Presidency in 2016 in favor of Donald Trump, who had ill intentions from the beginning.

Donald Trump worked at destroying the American Republic, and the nation was only, miraculously, saved in 2020 by the good fortune of Joe Biden coming along at the right time.

But the right wing forces attempted a coup d’etat, an Insurrection, NOT as some people claimed just a “riot”, but now being wiped out as if it never happened, as those who were involved in criminal acts have been “exonerated” by Trump pardons.

But the “disease” promoted by Trump and minions–the spreading of nativism, racism, misogyny, and homophobia by religious extremists—managed to convince gullible and poorly educated Americans to vote in 2024 to overcome and destroy the Republic that they did not fully appreciate, a shocking development.

Now, the rest of us are forced to suffer the ignorance, stupidity, and bias of ill informed and ill educated people, and are seeing our civil liberties destroyed.

Personally, having retired completely from teaching at the university level after 53 years, this author and blogger is, fortunately, continuing to give lectures to adults and senior citizens in South Florida, but it is difficult to predict what will happen in the short run and long run regarding this blog.

I just wish to hope for the best for myself, and all those who read my blog, as we move forward to chart whatever the future brings, which at this moment, does not look promising.

The future seems, sadly, likely to see the promotion of authoritarianism; the collapse of the economy with destructive tariffs; and the triumph of evil in international affairs, as witnessed by the Russia-Ukraine War and the Israel-Gaza War.

Thanks again, for your support and encouragement, to all those who read and contribute to this blog.

51 Years Since Richard Nixon Resignation

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Today, August 9, marks the 51st Anniversary of the resignation from the Presidency of Richard Nixon, due to the Watergate Scandal.

A half century ago, his Republican Party had true principles and convictions, and their leadership made it clear in a visit to the White House that Nixon was on the road to being easily impeached by the House, with minority Republican support, as well as the Democratic Party majority, and that he would be unable to gain 34 Republican votes to save him from conviction in the US Senate.

Sadly, today, the Republican Party is owned totally by Donald Trump, with only a very few principled Republicans who have opposed him at any time.

THe Republican Party has lost its conservative principles and its soul, and the nation is in the process of the development of a Fascist authoritarianism, which endangers the US Constitution, American Democracy and the rule of law.

Donald Trump Ending Labor Union Protections For Federal Employees: A Total Disgrace! :(

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Donald Trump is in process of ending all labor union protections for federal employees, marking the biggest negative reaction since the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 was passed over President Harry Truman’s veto in 1947 by the Republican 80th Congress.

That action and the later Ronald Reagan firing of air traffic controllers in 1981 were among the lowest moments of organized labor history.

But federal government employees were able to protect their interests over the decades since then, but now a mortal blow to not just federal employees, but really all workers across the nation, has been dealt to the right of workers to organize.

The irony is that many members of labor unions stupidly, and with some bias toward racial minorities, supported Donald Trump in 2024 despite his felony convictions, two impeachments, and the inciting of the US Capitol Insurrection of January 6, 2021.

This is yet another attack on American democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law!

Taking Another Break From The Horrors Of The Trump Presidency!

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It has been an exasperating six months for this author and blogger, as we are witnessing the persistent attack on American democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law by Donald Trump and his Cabinet officers and other loyalists.

So another break, going on vacation again, is in the offing, with the expectation that there will be a resumption of commentary by the week of August 4.

Meanwhile, to my readers and followers, I wish you all peace and tranquility, a major challenge in these times!

Trump Threatens Heavy Force Against Protesters At Military Parade To Celebrate His Birthday!

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Donald Trump is threatening heavy force against any protesters at his Birthday Military Parade on this Saturday, June 14.

It is expected that there will be “No Kings” Marches all over the nation, including in Washington, DC, so this is a very worrisome situation.

There are hints that he may invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807, even though normal demonstrations and freedom of assembly are protected by the First Amendment.

There is a sense of foreboding of what is about to occur over the next few days and weeks.

The thought that the US Marines are being given the role of military force against civilians is a shock to all decent Americans, and a danger sign of authoritarianism potentially coming.

This is a very tense time in America, as it, seemingly, is veering toward a possible, dangerous turning point that threatens American democracy, the rule of law, and the Bill of Rights.

Trump Calling Out Marines For Domestic Use, And Threatening Arrest Of Gavin Newsom Totally Beyond The Pale!

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President Donald Trump’s decision to call out the Marines for domestic use in Los Angeles to back up deportation raids, and his threat to arrest California Gavin Newsom, has escalated the crisis of Trump moving toward authoritarianism!

The possibility of the invoking of the Insurrection Act, when there is no rebellion or invasion, is horrifying, and moves America close to a true Fascist dictatorship, reminiscent in many ways to Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy.

And yet, millions of Americans seem content, as their racism, nativism, and lack of concern about anyone other than their selfish selves, is demonstrated for all to see.

The worship of money, and prejudice toward immigrants shows how sick and demented many Americans are, until the time comes, that they would become victims themselves.

When that horrifying moment occurs for many of these unprincipled, selfish people who only care about their financial bottom line, there will be no sympathy by those who have, vigorously, opposed Donald Trump and his evil supporters in the Republican Party, who are not patriots, but rather traitors to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the rule of law!

Trump Utilizing National Guard In Los Angeles, Defying Governor And Mayor, Highly Unusual!

Ronald 28 Comments

With immigration raids and arrests mounting all over the nation, but particularly in the major cities of Los Angeles and New York City, Donald Trump has taken the step of escalating his authoritarian impluses by deciding to utilize the National Guard in LA, against the wishes of Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass. It is extremely unusual and rare to take such an action against the recomendations of state and local officials.

This is clearly seen as a move toward total crackdown on basic civil liberties, perpetrated by Thomas Homan, Stephen Miller, Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi, Pete Hegseth, and a host of other Trump appointees.

We have entered a “police state” situation, with great danger of massive violence and bloodshed, and it could spread quickly around the nation, and lead to the potential of civil war, a horrifying scenario!

There is no indication of massive violence, just of street protests, so this is a power grab by Trump and his government perpetrated to justify suspension of basic First Amendment rights.

It is not clear what can be done about the aggressive and abusive moves inititated by Donald Trump, so we are in a period of great mourning for our Constitution, rule of law, and American democracy!

Federal Judiciary, Including Appointees Of Trump, The Bushes, Reagan, Put Limits On Donald Trump Power!

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The Federal Judiciary, including appointees of Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, and even Donald Trump, have been clamping down on abuse of executive power, to the fury of Trump.

The fact that even some of his own judicial appointees are holding Trump accountable says legions about the abuses of power going on.

This includes all three of Trump’s Supreme Court Justice appointments—Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett.

Trump seems to be ready to refuse to obey any Supreme Court decision, or lower courts, and if that ultimately occurs, then we are in a no win situation in which the President and his appointees are unaccountable in any fashion.

This is a terrifying scenario, with horrifying potential for disaster in so many ways.

Death threats are mounting against judges across the nation, and the President’s rhetoric is encouraging such intimidation.

It is getting more difficult for critics, including this author and blogger, to keep up their optimism that democracy, the rule of law, and the Constitution can, successfully, win out over the abuses of power going on in America, as we enter the fifth full month of the second Trump Presidency.