Nixon vs. Obama, Comparing Watergate and the 2016 Election

Does anybody still believe in Russian Collusion? That our president somehow conspired with Vladimir Putin to steal the election from Hillary Clinton? Long ago, when this all began, I remember hearing people comparing this so-called scandal to Watergate. I guess the thought of impeaching a president they hate so much got the Liberals excited and they couldn’t resist, but honestly, it’s brought about a comparison they never saw coming.

When I was younger, I was fascinated with Watergate. I read every book I could find on the subject. The question of the day was “What did the President know, and when did he know it?” Sadly, I fear that a majority of Americans have either forgotten or never learned the facts about this chapter in our history. If they had they might be asking the same questions about former President Barack Obama.

Watergate was once called a third-rate burglary attempt, and that’s probably apt, but yet, the scandal toppled a president. Let’s look at the facts, especially those relating to President Nixon. In June of 1972, five guys (who eventually were linked to the president’s re-election campaign) broke into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate Office Complex. Their intent was to plant listening devices. So, months before the presidential election, the Republicans were trying to spy on the Democrats. But did the President know? The revelation that conversations from the oval office had been recorded was a bombshell.

Nixon easily won the election (the battle), but lost the presidency (the war), resigning less than 2 years later to avoid impeachment. All total, 69 government officials were charged and 48 found guilty. But what did Nixon do? There is no evidence that he ordered, approved, or even knew about the break-in before it happened. There is evidence that he participated in the cover-up. He discussed ways to obstruct the investigation and at one point, instructed his Attorney General to fire the special prosecutor who was demanding access to the recordings. The tapes also caught the President talking about using the FBI and the IRS to target political enemies. He had actually done it before, only targeting the media. In 1969, the White House had directed the FBI to tap the phones of five reporters and in 1971,they had the IRS conduct an audit of the editor of Newsday magazine. There is however no evidence that he used these federal agencies again.

More information about the Watergate Scandal can be found at the following website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watergate_scandal

Despite more than a year and countless millions of dollars, Robert Mueller, the special prosecutor has yet to find any evidence of Russian Collusion. Liberals are still praying for some way to impeach the president they hate with a passion. In the meantime, how does any of this compare to Watergate? Actually, there are some apt comparisons, but they have nothing to do with our current President or Russia.

Recent events have called into question, the actions of the former President, Barack Obama and his White House. Did the Democrats spy on the Republicans this time? Did they break the law to protect their own candidate? And did the President use federal agencies to punish political enemies? How do the actions of the Obama administration compare to the crimes of Richard Nixon?

A complete investigation into the election of 2016 may take many more years, but we have learned there were some questionable activities being conducted and they began well before Trump was elected. This much we know already. The FBI conducted surveillance on members of the Trump Campaign. The FBI and the DOJ used a fabricated dossier to get a FISA warrant to wiretap members of the team. The FBI inserted at least one informant (spy) into the campaign. Evidence of a cover-up implicates Former CIA Director, John Brennan, and Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, both of whom may be guilty of misleading Congress and the public about the investigation into the Trump campaign and when it actually started. The FBI even had a name for their secret Trump investigation, Crossfire Hurricane.

Even more damning were the actions taken to protect their own candidate. The FBI basically exonerated Hillary Clinton without even bothering to complete their investigation of her email scandal. This despite clear evidence that she had committed crimes involving the mishandling of classified material. The Attorney General met secretly with Bill Clinton during this time, but we’re supposed to believe that they talked about their grandchildren and the subject of Hillary’s investigation never came up. Right. Other allegations about the Clinton Foundation and possible violations have never been investigated. In addition, there is evidence that the Obama administration actively used the IRS against Conservative organizations (something Nixon only talked about doing.)

All of this was going on while Obama was the President, so, the question is “What did he know and when did he know it?” Honestly, there are only two possible answers and neither look good for the former president.

Possibility one is that he knew what all these federal agencies were doing and if he knew, then when doesn’t really matter. Either he ordered, or approved, or just sat back and let it happen, but any of these options make him responsible. He was the president and all these people answered to him. These things happened under his watch, which means, he should be held accountable.

Possibility two is that he didn’t know what these federal agencies were doing. If this is true (and I highly doubt it), then our only choice is to believe that Barack Obama is the most incompetent person to ever hold the office. We would have to believe that James Comey and Loretta Lynch and all of the others working for the president were running around doing their own thing and he was completely clueless. Or in other words, he had no control over his own administration.

Read more about Spygate here: https://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/obama-behind-trump-investigation/

Information about Hillary’s email scandal can be found at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_Clinton_email_controversy

To learn more about the IRS targeting conservative groups go to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRS_targeting_controversy

So, who was more guilty, Nixon or Obama? The Nixon conspiracy involved a poor attempt at bugging a couple of phones. The burglars were actually caught on their second break-in when they went back to fix one of the devices that didn’t work. In Obama’s case, there is little or no evidence that they ever discovered anything useful, but they definitely kept trying, renewing the FISA warrant several times, and unmasking the names of many American citizens for no apparent reasons, other than political ones.

Nixon tried to cover up the Watergate scandal. Obama and his officials have always denied any accusations of spying on the Trump campaign. The FBI and DOJ under Obama either covered up or failed to fully investigate the activities of the Clintons. Nixon talked about using federal agencies to go after political enemies. The Obama administration actually did it. And the whole Russian Collusion thing? Many are starting to believe the whole purpose of the Mueller investigation is draw attention away from the outrageous acts committed by the former President’s administration.

By any standards, the Watergate scandal seems pretty tame compared to things that have happened since.

The Real Reason Behind School Violence - Update

Another week, another school shooting, this time in Santa Fe, Texas. At least, there are some solid suggestions being made this time around. Several politicians have already mentioned the three steps that will actually have an impact on school shootings – metal detectors, single entry points, and armed security. I had jury duty recently and saw this first hand. All of us had to enter through a single entrance, go through a metal detector, while being observed and directed by several armed officers. If we are serious about preventing the kinds of recent school tragedies, I see no reason why entering our local schools shouldn’t be treated just as seriously.

As for the Liberals who believe you should never let a good crisis go to waste, they have trotted out their usual rhetoric. The Left still wants more gun laws, but even their secret agenda to abolish the 2^nd Amendment and take guns away from all private citizens won’t stop this kind of violence. Those intent on committing violence will always find a way whether it be using an illegal firearm, a homemade bomb, a knife, a car, or even their bare hands.

Here are my original thoughts from earlier this year.

Another week, another school shooting, and once again, we’ve immediately turned another tragedy into a political argument about gun control, Republicans vs. Democrats, Conservatives vs. Liberals, and how much we hate the President. Maybe it’s time we got real about school violence and stop blaming guns for the multitude of societal problems that are affecting our schools.

Let’s start with politics. I have seen proposals for several good common sense gun laws that I would gladly support. On the other hand, I do not support the position held by many on the left that the second amendment should be abolished and all guns taken out of the hands of American citizens. And who honestly believes that the President should immediately drop everything and do something about this gun problem? Seriously? What about the legislators who have been sitting around for about a hundred years up on the hill? Maybe we should look to them to pass some laws. Some people today have such a deep hatred for our current President they have lost all sense of reality. This is not a political problem.

So, about the guns. Does anyone seriously think that passing new gun laws will instantly solve the problem? Isn’t it against the law to murder people? That law didn’t seem to deter the last few school shooters. And do we really think that other weapons can’t be found if guns aren’t available. Just this week, a local man in my small community was arrested for attacking people with a machete! Anybody watch the AMC show Into the Badlands? It’s one of those apocalyptic futuristic shows where everything has gone to hell in a hand basket and oh my God, what are we going to do? In this future, guns have been totally banished, yet this is one of the most violent shows I think I have ever seen. The amount of weapons available is astounding and each episode features dozens of gruesome deaths, but at least the gun problem has been solved.

So, what’s the real problem here? I spent thirty-five years of my life working in schools. Over the years, I attended tons of workshops on school safety, wrote (or helped write) multiple emergency plans, conducted hundreds of drills, and spent more hours than I could tell worrying about the students and staff at my school. Of all those hours, I can tell you that almost none of them were devoted to guns or gun laws. Honestly, a threat is a threat. We prepared for all that we could anticipate and the priority was the safety of our students.

So what is the real reason for school violence? Could it be the fact that we live in an increasingly violent society? Just look at the news. If you can stand it. We don’t value human life anymore, do we? Or how do we explain sixty million abortions since 1973? We don’t value property anymore, do we? Watch the “non-violent” protests on the nightly news and see how much gets destroyed. We don’t value people anymore apparently, if the daily news endorses the most vile name-calling imaginable. If you don’t agree with their politics anyway.

The truth is that schools are not safe places anymore. We’ve thrown out God and the Ten Commandments in favor of political correctness. We’ve gone all in on protecting the rights of “some” and the preaching the “new normal,” but the reality is that many kids are still being ignored. Bullying is rampant, because accountability only counts on test scores and discipline is overridden by parents. Schools can’t teach the basics anymore, because we’re too busy teaching the social skills that kids no longer learn at home. And again, kids don’t feel safe anymore.

Every school I’ve ever seen has students who feel outcast and alone, who feel unloved and under-appreciated. And if they feel these things at school, then when they reach the point of lashing out, the school will be a potential target. Ages ago, they lashed out with words, or fights, or vandalism. Today, they lash out with more deadly consequences, but the root problem is the same.

So, how do we prevent school violence and keep our kids safe? I wish there were an easy answer, but there isn’t. The hard answer is that we take the target off the schools. We make schools positive and welcoming to all. We make schools the home, the family, the safe place. We make schools the place where every student feels engaged and loved and accepted. We look out for each other and remain vigilant knowing that it only takes one lone outcast to bring it all down. And we pray.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)

 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Trump vs. Clinton (Bill)

Let me say up front, I do not like the president. I also did not like the previous president. On a personal level, I find them both to be very arrogant and generally unlikeable people. But that’s okay. Fortunately, in our country, it is not important that individual citizens like their president. I respect the office of the presidency. I respect the authority of the president. And I support the president, whoever he may be, as the elected leader of our country.

It saddens me to see the enormous effort made each day by the media to attack our current president. It seems obvious to me that tarnishing the reputation of our elected leader on a daily basis makes us all look bad. I wonder if the biggest problem is the short memories of the general public. Have we forgotten the scandals of the past so quickly? (I mean the real ones.) And when did we decide that sainthood was a requirement for the presidency?

Don’t get me wrong. I would love to have our country represented by someone with high morals and unimpeachable integrity, but the truth is people are flawed. The best candidates are never perfect people and we have to choose the best of the lot. Once we have elected someone, we should do our best to support that person and if we decide he is not worthy, we can always vote for someone else the next time around. In the meantime, the constant daily criticism of the president, does nothing to help our country.

For those who think our current president is a horrible person, I thought I’d spend some time comparing him to a former president many consider to be the worst ever in terms of morals and values – Bill Clinton. Although still hailed as a hero by the Liberal Left, his legacy is forever marred by his behavior. For those who have forgotten, or never taken the time to examine, let’s take another look at the other Clinton, and see how he compares to President Trump.

Donald Trump is often condemned by his critics for his words. Old videos and tapes have surfaced repeatedly to show that he can be a crass, rude, obnoxious ass, who has often used words to bully others and promote himself. Even during the campaign (and since), he has been rude and insulting to his opponents. He is politically incorrect and proudly so, and oddly, it has endeared him to those who have become tired of the war on words waged by the Left.

Clinton, on the other hand, is a skilled politician and a gifted speaker. There is a reason he was nicknamed Slick Willie. He comes across as sincere and people want to believe him when he talks. I don’t. To me, the two most important things to remember about Bill Clinton and his words are these. First, he was found guilty of lying under oath, which led to his impeachment by the House. Secondly, he went on national TV and lied to the American public. I can clearly recall him looking straight into the camera and declaring that he “did not have sex with that woman.” Look it up on YouTube, if you don’t believe me.

Let’s consider their actions. Trump is accused of cheating on his wife and having sex with a porn star more than a decade ago. There are also a few claims of harassment involving inappropriate kissing or touching. These allegations do not hold a candle to the escapades of Bill Clinton who has been accused of rape and/or sexual assault by numerous women including while president. More shocking than anything else is the admitted fact that he had sex with a White House intern in the Oval Office. IN THE OVAL OFFICE! For a more detailed look, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton_sexual_misconduct_allegations. Or read the excellent book, High Crimesand Misdemeanors, by Ann Coulter.

Donald Trump may not be a likeable man. He may be rude and offensive at times, and he may (or may not) have committed inappropriate acts in the past, but his misbehavior does not come close to the levels reached by Bill Clinton. Whether we judge them by their words or their actions, it’s clear that our current president is certainly less guilty than the beloved Clinton who has yet to be held accountable for his despicable acts. He continues to be a champion to the Liberal Left despite his past.

One final thought about our president. Whoever occupies the office has earned their place and it is not a role to be taken lightly. In the Bible, Paul teaches us to pray for those in authority.  “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:1-2, KJV). As Christians, we should eagerly pray that God will provide wisdom for our country’s leaders, whatever our personal feelings about themmay be.

Regardless of who you voted for, he IS your president. If you truly don’t think he is, you really should just move. If this is your country, he is your president. To think any less is UnAmerican.

Mother's Day, A Brief History

Ann Reeves Jarvis was a peace activist who cared for the wounded during the Civil War and organized Mother’s Day Work Clubs to educate women on health issues related to motherhood. When she died in 1905, her daughter Anna Jarvis began working to create a national holiday to honor her mother and the work she had done. A West Virginia memorial service dedicated to her mother in 1908 is considered by many to be the first modern celebration of Mother’s Day.

It would not be until 1914 that President Woodrow Wilson would sign the proclamation making Mother’s Day an official national holiday. Scheduled for the second Sunday in May, the original intent was to recognize and honor the contributions of mothers everywhere. Despite the proclamation, Anna Jarvis soon found herself disillusioned with the new holiday. Imagining handwritten notes and gifts, she resented the commercialization led by the Hallmark Company and others and was soon organizing boycotts of the very holiday she had championed.

Today, we celebrate and honor those who have given us so much, our moms. Anna Jarvis believed that we should each celebrate our own mother, specifically, not generally. She even copyrighted the use of Mother’s Day, insisting on the singular possessive form to emphasize not all mothers, but each individual one. My own mother has passed and my wonderful mother-in-law, as well, but I think of them often, especially on this day. As the mother of my children, my wife is also to be honored this day. I pray for all the women in my life who have had the honor and privilege of becoming mothers. So to my sister, sister-in-laws, aunts, cousins, other relatives, and friends, Happy Mother’s Day. God bless you all!

Why I Hate the Dallas Cowboys

I just finished watching the series All or Nothing, the Dallas Cowboys, recently released on Amazon Prime. As a hater (and knowing how the season ended), I viewed it as a comedy and thoroughly enjoyed it! Honestly, I would recommend the series which featured the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams in previous seasons. It is an intriguing look at the day to day operations of an NFL team and provides some fascinating insights into the coaches and players over the course of a single season. The series is narrated by Jon Hamm who does a great job!

In the first two seasons, we saw two teams who aimed high and came up short. Although I was not a fan of either team, I found myself pulling for their success and agonizing with their failures. Choosing Dallas for season 3 was very interesting. Coming off a 13-3 season, the Cowboys were supposed to be the team to finally win it all. Once again, the featured team failed in their quest, but this time, I thoroughly enjoyed their failure. Before I go on, let me spell out the reasons I hate the Dallas Cowboys.

First, I can’t stand the owner. I freely admit that I was a big fan of Tom Landry’s Cowboys. When Jerry Jones bought the team and promptly fired the legendary coach, I was crushed. I stuck by the team through the Jimmy Johnson years, but when Barry Switzer was hired, I gave up.  I have never cheered for the Cowboys since.

Second, I can’t stand the coach. I truly believe Jason Garrett is a mediocre coach, at best, whose number one qualification is his willingness to kiss butt and let the owner run the team without complaining. I did applaud his plan for winning Coach of the Year. Step one, underachieve and get a higher than deserved draft pick. (Not quite as obvious as the Colts “Suck for Luck” season, but the “Reek for Zeke” season does come close. Seriously, for both of these teams, even if you lose your QB, you don’t have to lie down and quit the rest of the year!) Step two, pray for the weakest schedule in the NFL and beat the Browns every other week. Three, actually win the games where you have the most talent on the field. Wow, Coach of the Year!

Third, I can’t stand the team’s star players. Dak, Zeke, and Dez are awful. These arrogant, cocky, entitled stars are the worst and I just can’t bring myself to cheer for any of them. And when they lose, is there a bigger collection of whiners and babies in the whole league? (Congrats to Dez for getting off the sinking ship! Maybe he will be less of a jerk playing for another team.) Now, I do have some players I like, but I’ll save those for later.

Finally, I can’t stand the fans. Maybe this should have been number one. For a team that hasn’t even played in a Super Bowl in over twenty years, the fans sure talk a lot of trash! And they seriously think they’re going to win it all every year! And quit calling yourself America’s Team.

So, back to the program. After watching, I have changed my views on a few things. Don’t be alarmed, I am still a proud supporter of the Dallas Cowboy Hater Nation. (#DCHN) My biggest surprise was how much I liked the Jones family, even Jerry. They are truly a nice group of people and I really enjoyed seeing them interact with the players and each other. Watching Jerry at a high school football game supporting his grandson and raving about the hot dogs was great. I guess I’ll have to stop saying I hate the owner.

Watching Coach Garrett, I have to say I have not changed my opinion. He plays around a lot. I think he still wishes he were the QB and not the coach. I found it very irritating that he refers to his players by their numbers instead of their names the majority of the time. He cheerleads a lot. He gives a good pep talk, but I honestly never saw anything that would make me think he is a brilliant or even average strategist.

As for the star players, I still want to puke every time one of the big three is on the screen. Cocky, arrogant jerks! I did find several players that I really liked. Jason Witten is a class act and now that he is retiring, I have one fewer reason to ever cheer for the team. I loved watching the Smith brothers, Rod and Jaylon. Very inspirational! And watching Alfred Morris with his ’91 Mazda was great. I wish these guys the best of luck, even if they are Cowboys!

In summary, I highly recommend the All or Nothing series, even season 3. If you are a football fan, you will find it a fascinating program. As for the Dallas Cowboys, I predict that they will soon return to their traditional 8-8 seasons of mediocrity where they beat the weak teams on the schedule and lose to the strong ones and finish the year at home watching the playoffs on TV and proclaiming their team motto, “Wait till next year!”