Donald Trump vs. Ted Cruz / I’ve made my choice / Tell you why:

OK, admittedly, I sometimes go off half-baked when it comes to politics.  But, it’s my blog, so if you’re not particularly interested in what I think about the Presidential race, just hit delete now.  

There are plenty of ‘talking heads’ (experts / at least in their own minds) out there.  I’m not an expert on this area, just a guy.  My opinion is no more valid than anyone else.  And, I do understand that.  But, here goes.

Short of an indictment, Hillary Clinton will be the Democratic nominee for President.  Some of you are happy with that – the nominee part, not the indictment part.

I am an officially ‘unaffiliated’ voter in Oregon.  I just changed my registration to Republican, because I’d like to have a say in who the Republican nominee is.  In Oregon, it will be winner-take-all.

Oregon is a ‘liberal’ state, for the most part; and the Democrats will fight over Bernie or Hillary.  I really don’t care.

I do care about the Republican nominee – Trump versus Cruz.  I’ve kind of researched them both.

Let’s see – Trump first:  Donald Trump projects himself as a ‘tough guy,’ and therefore appeals to real, authentic tough guys – the hard working class – the tell-it-like-it-is class.  I like those people.  I don’t like Trump.  Why?  Because he is, in no way a ‘tough guy’ by my definition.  He was born rich and I’m sure he has never broken a sweat doing any sort of hard labor.  Why does that matter?  Because for those of you who have – and I have – he is ‘jerking’ us around.  Was he a draft dodger?  Looks to me like he was.  But nothing new about that – that’s just what rich people did – student deferment changed to 1-A (for a short time) and then converted to 4-F under doubtful circumstances.

OK, what about his policies?  The 40 foot wall along the Mexican border – hyperbole at best – lying to the public at worst.  There are more sensible ways to solve the illegal residents’ problem.  Enforce the current law is the one I would start with.  That’s what every other country (with a lick of sense) does.  Simply said:  no work unless you are a citizen or have a valid temporary work permit.

And the rest of his polices?  Reportedly, he’s going to be doing a lot of ‘kicking ass.’  Yes, right, like he has ever kicked anyone’s ass in his entire life.  Unless you want to count his body guard shoving someone around, or being sued by him – in other words having someone else ‘kick ass.’

Now, for Cruz:  I must admit, he was not my first choice.  My first choice for the Republican nomination faded away weeks back.  That’s the way it goes I guess.  So, Cruz will have my vote here in Oregon.  I generally have a low regard for attorneys.  I’ve said this before; attorneys, in my opinion, often have a character flaw that is hard for me to ignore.  To me it boils down to a highly questionable tendency in attorneys that everything is ‘relative.’  There is no right or wrong – it just depends - and, of course, money talks.  It’s their nature.  And, unfortunately, attorneys often become politicians.  Now, I’ve met a lot of good people who were attorneys; but, as a general rule, I stand by my opinion.  Cruz is an attorney; and I understand he is, professionally speaking, a very good one.

So, you might ask, by your definition is Cruz a ‘tough guy?’  Well, I’m not sure.  One thing for sure is that he doesn’t constantly try and make us believe he is.

Example:

Donald Trump:  ‘Let’s go outside and I will kick your ass.’  Outside, you will find that Trump is nowhere to be seen.  His 6’8” body guard and his attorney are there instead.

Ted Cruz:  ‘Let’s not resort to violence.  Let’s have a debate about the issue.’  And, when the debate is finished, your head spinning, you will have to admit that he ‘cleaned your clock.’

Who do you want to be President?  I’ve decided.

PS:  I finished my taxes yesterday.  I went immediately after that to my Anger Management Class.

True Nelson

Shooting of Robert 'LaVoy' Finicum / FBI Agents Fired Two Rounds at Vehicle / or did they? (Part 2)

Regarding my previous post, there might be a partial explanation to my earlier questions.  It sounds like, based on statements from the passengers in Finicum’s car, that one of the bullets, allegedly fired by an FBI Agent, shattered the car windshield of Finicum’s car as he was trying to exit the car.  It could be said, if this is what happened, the shot was poorly timed and potentially escalated a tense situation – leading to Finicum’s explosive reaction upon exiting the car.

That said, the shot was not necessarily inappropriate or unlawful under the stress-filled conditions.  Nonetheless, if the members of the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team attempted to conceal this fact – well, that’s a horse of a different color.

Refer Part One

True Nelson

The Shooting of Robert 'LaVoy' Finicum / FBI Agents Fired Two Rounds at Vehicle / or did they?

I’m curious and puzzled by the recent, front page, news article concerning the “2 Standoff Casings Not Found” (The Oregonian, Wednesday, March 16, 2016).  We shouldn’t jump to any conclusions at this point; but, reportedly, an FBI Agent fired two rounds at Robert ‘LaVoy’ Finicum’s vehicle as it raced toward a law enforcement roadblock.

For background information, I’d like to refer you to my previous post on the tactics involved in stopping Finicum’s vehicle and the shooting, by Oregon State Police, which resulted in Finicum’s death:  The Shooting of Robert ‘LaVoy’ Finicum – Let’sTalk Tactics.

“Five FBI Agents assigned to the traffic stop told investigators none of them fired at Finicum’s Dodge pickup” as it neared the roadblock at a high rate of speed.  However, “Oregon investigators concluded one Agent fired twice at the truck, hitting it once in the roof and missing on the second shot.”  There was subsequent witness statements that appear to support this information.

However, all five Agents denied shooting.  But, “a State Trooper later described to investigators seeing two rifle casings in the area where the Agents were posted.  Detectives tasked with collecting evidence didn’t find the casings.”  It has been postulated that an, as yet undetermined, Agent picked up the casings and has lied about firing at the car.

Based on my past experience, a couple of immediate questions came to mind.  Why would the Agent lie about shooting at the car?  It appears that he was probably justified. A State Police Officer fired at the car, when it appeared the driver might ram the barricade.  Have the ‘rules of engagement’ for the FBI become so restrictive that the Agent feared criticism or worse if he admitted shooting – under the defined circumstances?  And, then, when questioned, why would he commit a potential crime by lying about it?  To complicate the matter, it has been discussed and reported that all the Agents present knew about the rounds being fired; and have chosen to be complicit in the lie / cover-up.  Why would they do that?

Maybe, we will never know the answer?  But, the FBI will not take this lightly.  And, they will find the answer.  If someone lied, or if others were complicit in a lie, this will be considered far more serious than the actual shooting.  Shots fired by the FBI Agent, if it occurred, could be favorably interpreted or rationalized by FBIHQ.  Lying to law enforcement investigators conducting an official inquiry of this nature would not be tolerated.  And, someone will be required to pay the price.

True Nelson

True's Miscellany March 2016 / My Previous Post / I Don't Like It.

This morning, I read my previous post.  I don’t like it.  I could delete it; but it adds context to what I am about to say.

It’s a personal thing.  Sometimes, I write about subjects that make me feel good.  The latest one did not.  It’s what I believe, but it’s angry and not particularly relevant to anyone but me.  This is the political season.  Everyone has their personal beliefs on who they would like to see become the eventual President.  However, most of us will come to the realization that we won’t be voting for someone – as much as we will be voting against someone.  My family and friends have their preferences.  They have, or will make, their own decisions based on personal reasons – some frivolous (in my opinion) – as, undoubtedly, are my own.  As the choices for President seem to narrow, I am becoming more and more convinced that I will not vote for President.  The process has become too ugly.  The choices uninspiring.

Many young people seem inspired and motivated by Bernie Sanders.  It’s their future.  He seems like a nice guy, maybe a little nutty.  Why not?

I’m a retired, unemployed, often (at least sometimes) depressed curmudgeon - actually a bit younger than Bernie.  I don’t like to think of myself that way - depressed curmudgeon that is; but, if I’m not already there, I’m well on my way.

I need to pause and rethink what’s important – to me – now - and to write about same - maybe just a tad more uplifting.

True Nelson

Hillary Clinton / Will She be Prosecuted? / My Prediction Regarding the Email Scandal

I have a prediction regarding the outcome of the FBI’s case regarding Hillary Clinton, her ‘Private Home Server’ and the errant emails.

The Feds are currently, or close to, impaneling a Federal Grand Jury to hear the evidence regarding the above stated investigation.  The FBI has expressed interest in interviewing Mrs. Clinton and she has offered her cooperation – at least for now.

What we now know is that at least three of Mrs. Clinton’s staff members are also under investigation.  Brian Pagliano who, reportedly, set up the questionable private ‘server’ in Mrs. Clinton’s residence has agreed to be interviewed by the FBI in exchange for immunity.  He had originally invoked the Fifth Amendment.  Pagliano’s original position against potential self-incrimination may mean little.  It doesn’t mean that now he will necessarily be entirely forthcoming.  But, he will undoubtedly receive an intense grilling.

The State Department has released over 50,000 pages of emails that passed through Mrs. Clinton’s private, and officially unauthorized, private server.  Twenty-two of those documents have the highest classification of Top Secret, and will not be released to the public.  Mrs. Clinton has said that none of the messages she received, or the information contained therein, were ‘classified’ at the time she received them.

While in the military, I was Custodian for classified documents (including Top Secret) – sent and received; and have some understanding of how such material is handled.  It is conceivable that new information received, and not immediately or officially Classified, could have been relayed on to Mrs. Clinton by her Staff.  And/or her Staff could have paraphrased, summarized or reissued Classified messages without advising Mrs. Clinton that the original information had been Classified.

That is possible, I suppose.  However, one would have to totally ignore the fact that Mrs. Clinton was not just working at the State Department, she was heading the State Department.  She was the boss.  If she had no idea what type of information may very well be classified, her incompetence would have to be off the chart.  It’s hard to even imagine.  No, I think she knew.  I think she simply didn’t care.

In view of the above, I’m of the opinion that Mrs. Clinton will not be prosecuted unless a potential prosecution is an absolute ‘slam dunk.’  And, what would that be?  Well, if she doesn’t confess to a crime (which she won’t, of course) and / or self-importantly lie to the FBI, any subsequent trial’s outcome could be somewhat in doubt.  The Attorney General will not take the chance – not with Clinton’s apparent ‘slam dunk’ of the Democratic nomination for President.

I do think there will be some indictments.  Some of Mrs. Clinton’s former staff will be required to ‘fall on their sword.’  They will be prosecuted, given light sentences, probably probation.  When Mrs. Clinton gets to be President, she can give them a full pardon.

So what do we know about Mrs. Clinton?  Well, we all pretty much know her and her husband’s reputation, their modus operandi – House of Cards – in spades.  “It depends on what the meaning of ‘is’ is…” --- Benghazi.  Truth be damned.

True Nelson