Yes, They’re Laughing at YOU Donald, But It’s No Laughing Matter! And Rosenstein & Kavanaugh High Drama!

While Trump’s pathetic hyperbolic bragging about his own administration’s accomplishments in his speech before the UN elicited justifiable laughter from the audience, the really disturbing part of his speech was his repeated extolling of patriotism and sovereignty, which are really thinly veiled code words for anti-globalist nationalism and tolerance of human rights abuses and other atrocities committed within countries. Obviously this is a very dangerous trend that is already happening in many nations, including our allies. As one commentator noted, this kind of rhetoric invites unleashing the demons of extreme nationalism which ravaged the 20th century with two devastating world wars, and runs completely counter to the entire rationale for the UN’s existence! I don’t know if Trump is just completely oblivious to this risk or if this is part of some sinister plot, although if the latter, I don’t think Trump would be smart enough to come up with it! Hopefully at least much of this damage to our alliances and world order can be undone once Trump is history!

Meanwhile, back in DC, deputy AG Rod Rosenstein’s head is likely on the chopping block as a result of alleged talk of trying to depose Trump through the 25th amendment in the spring of 2017, which he denies. It seems as if other Republicans will likely prevail on Trump not to get rid of him at least until after the midterm election, after which both Sessions and Rosenstein may be quickly removed, at least if the Republicans retain control of the Senate. This is probably the greatest threat so far to the Mueller investigation, since whoever Trump brings in to replace Rosenstein or Sessions will take over supervision of that investigation and can easily reign it in to benefit Trump.  In addition, whoever is in that position will ultimately determine who gets to see the final report, which theoretically could remain buried within the Justice Department. Obviously, that would create a firestorm of protest.

Also meanwhile, we are all anxiously awaiting the dénouement of the Kavanaugh confirmation, including Thursday’s must-see senate judiciary committee hearing, with Kavanaugh and his accuser professor Ford still the only witnesses, almost guaranteeing a he-said she-said stalemate. It is quite clear that the Republicans intend this to be just a sham to show that they allowed Ford to be heard, with no actual impartial investigation or additional witnesses to try to get to the truth, which they are probably afraid of doing. In fact, leader McConnell has already announced that Kavanaugh will be confirmed in any case. However, with additional women coming forward, including one represented by Michael Avenatti who just released a bombshell affidavit alleging witnessing sexually inappropriate behavior by Kavanaugh at high school parties as well as attempts by him to get girls drunk and susceptible to gang rapes by multiple other young men which also reportedly occurred at the parties(!), it is getting harder for them to pretend that this is just a little bump in the road. But unless at least two Republican senators revolt, it is pretty clear that they will move forward quickly after the hearing and confirm him no matter what comes out of the hearing or otherwise. Except to their base, all this does not make the Republicans or Trump look good! At least we should find out what happens very soon!