diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index a73fd0b..3f130ca 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -1,205 +1,280 @@ ---- -layout: base ---- - -# Reason for Starting a Blog[^110] - -[^110]: I am the *“enemy within”*. - -## I Am the *“Enemy Within”* - -I started my blog because I realized that maintaining my opinion/editorial page that [Donald Trump Is a Fucking Idiot](https://ralphhightower.github.io/RalphHightower/Opinions/DonaldTrumpIsAFuckingIdiot.html) was going to be unwieldy to update and maintain. You may have a different opinion from mine. But the only person that can convince me that Trump is not a fucking idiot is Donald Trump himself. I probably won't change your opinion or vote. Likewise, you won't be able to change my assessment of Trump. - -Prior to the November 5, 2024 presidential election, I had concerns for **Democracy.** Now, I have fears for **Democracy.** Fears that America won't survive a second Trump term. - -Both political parties fucked up in 2016. - -- The Democrats chose Hillary because it was *"her turn."* -- The Republicans chose the candidate, Donald Trump, that was, and still is, unfit and unqualified to be president.[^310] - -[^310]: Trump meets the constitutional age requirement, but that's saying little. Plus Trump is dementia-ning! Talking about Arnold Palmer's balls, no it's not Titlist; it's that part of the anatomy that LPGA pros don't have. - -Both candidates were polarizing! Trump still is. - -No, I do not have TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome)[^320],[^325]. I certainly never was a member of the Cult of Trump. Trumpers are infected with RTD[^340]. My assessment of Trump hasn't wavered from when he first announced his candidacy in 2015. He's still a fucking idiot. - -[^320]: [Wikipedia — Trump derangement syndrome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trump_derangement_syndrome?wprov=sfla1) -[^325]: Trump's sycophants, acolytes, and cul members, are just as infantile as Trump with his name calling and labeling. -[^340]: @RalphHightower: Since Trumpers have their TDS for us, I created the *"Rabid Trump Disease"* for them. Either that, or Trump Cultists. - -Trump's actions following the 2020 election should have disqualified him from ever serving again. However, the Trumpers[^330] in the House and Senate chose **"Party Over Country"** - -[^330]: The Republican Party died July 2016 when it chose Trump as its candidate for president. - -Discussions and comments can be placed here: [RalphHightower/blog · Discussions · GitHub](https://github.com/RalphHightower/blog/discussions). - -During Trump's presidential campaigns in 2015 (primary), 2016 campaign and his presidency from January 20, 2017 through January 6, 2020's provoked Insurrection, I assessed these critical character flaws of Donald Trump: - -1. Pathological lying -2. Demagog[^120] -3. Hypocrisy[^130] -4. Immaturity[^140] -5. Temper[^150] -6. Narcissism[^160] -7. Pigheadedness[^170] -8. Grifter -9. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality[^190] -10. Strong-Arm Dictator Wannabe[^1000] -11. Cheat[^1100] -12. Thief[^1200] -13. Glory Hog[^1300] -14. Blameshifter[^1400] - -[^120]: [demagog • Merriam-Webster:](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demagog)
noun
dem·​a·​gogue
variants: or less commonly dem​a​gog
Definition (Entry 1 of 2)
**: a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power**
~~2: a leader championing the cause of the common people in ancient times~~ -[^130]: Trump whines, *"It's not fair! Biden has weaponized the [Justice system](https://www.justice.gov/) against me!"* Yet, when he gets into office the second time, he's going to direct the [Department of Justice](https://www.justice.gov/) to target his political enemies, and the enemies within. -[^140]: That childish behavior of calling people names. -[^150]: Two words. **Trumper Tantrums** -[^160]: Flattering Trump allows one to manipulate Trump. Vladimir Putin is former KGB. He knows how to control Trump. -[^170]: Absolute, total, fucking, lacking, devoid of ability or willingness to compromise.
There is no ability to work towards a *win-win* situation; which could become a *lose-lose* scenario.
With Trump, it is *"I win. You lose."* -[^190]: People with OCPD may have a preoccupation with order, perfectionism, and control. They may also have the following traits:
• **Perfectionism:** They may demand perfection in all tasks, which can lead to missed deadlines.
• **Preoccupation with details:** They may be preoccupied with lists, rules, and order.
• **Lack of flexibility:** They may be unwilling to compromise or allow others to do things.
• **Difficulty working with others:** They may have difficulty delegating tasks or working with others unless they can do things exactly as they want.
People with OCPD may have a preoccupation with order, perfectionism, and control. They may also have the following traits:
• **Perfectionism:** They may demand perfection in all tasks, which can lead to missed deadlines.
• **Preoccupation with details:** They may be preoccupied with lists, rules, and order.
• **Lack of flexibility:** They may be unwilling to compromise or allow others to do things.
• **Difficulty working with others:** They may have difficulty delegating tasks or working with others unless they can do things exactly as they want.
• **Difficulty coping with criticism:** They may have difficulty coping with criticism and may over-focus on flaws in others. -[^1000]: Trump admires strong-arm dictators, Hungary's Viktor Orbàn, Russia's Vladimir Putin, North Korea's Kim Jun-Un. +--- +layout: base +--- + +# Reason for Starting a Blog[^110] + +[^110]: I am the *“enemy within”*. + +## Briefly + +### Synopsis + +Surviving “The Apprentice: White House – Wrecking Ball”. Trump 2.0 is about Trump’s destruction of America and her democracy. Putting it in his words, “You got to fight for your country, or you won’t have a country.” Hold Trump’s feet to the fire on his campaign promises. He promised to lower grocery prices, gas prices, car/truck prices, inflation, housing prices. Grade him on the budget deficit, economy, energy, consumer goods, groceries, appliances, unemployment, stock market, interest rate, trade deficit. + +~~“The Apprentice: White House” ended a tumultuous four year season ingloriously on January 6, 2021, at an extraordinary low point in American history when thousands of far-right undesirables, Pride Boys, Zero Percenters, Oath Losers, and Booger Loogies, lay siege on the US Capitol in a vain attempt of insurrection to overthrow a fair election. Cancel the rerun of “The Apprentice: White House – Wrecking Ball 2025”. – @RalphHightower~~ + +### Contributing + +This is my blog with an extremely anti-Trump bias. If you agree that Trump is going to destroy America and Democracy, I'll consider your contribution. I'll probably have to make administration changes to accept multiple authors. + +I've posted guidelines, rules, and the template for blog posts at: [RalphHightower/blog General · Discussions · GitHub](https://github.com/RalphHightower/blog/discussions/categories/general) + +### Documentation + +### Discussions + +- [RalphHightower/blog · Discussions · GitHub](https://github.com/RalphHightower/blog/discussions) + - Announcements + - Blog Commentary + - General + - Guidelines, Rules, Policies + - Notes + - Ideas + - Polls + - Q&A + +### Issues + +Issues can be created at [Issues · RalphHightower/blog](https://github.com/RalphHightower/blog/issues). + +### License + +### Security + +## Election Results + +### 2024 + +| Candidate | Votes | Percentage | Electoral College | +|---|--:|---:|---:| +| Harris (D) | 75,017,613 | 48.32% | 226 | +| Trump (T) | 77,302,580 | 49.80% | 312 | +| (Difference) | 2,284,967 | 1.48% | 86 | + +[2024 Presidential Election Results – Federal Election Commission (FEC)](https://www.fec.gov/resources/cms-content/documents/2024presgeresults.pdf) + +### 2020 + +| Candidate | Votes | Percentage | Electoral College | +|---|--:|---:|---:| +| Biden (D) | 81,283,501 | 51.31% | 306 | +| Trump (T) | 74,223,975 | 46.85% | 232 | +| (Difference) | 7,059,526.00 | 4.46% | 74 | + +[2020 Presidential Election Results – Federal Election Commission (FEC)](https://www.fec.gov/resources/cms-content/documents/federalelections2020.pdf) + +*Maine appoints its electors proportionally. Biden-Harris won in the First Congressional District and took the state; Trump-Pence won the Second Congressional District. Maine's electoral votes were proportionally awarded accordingly: for President, Biden 3 and Trump 1; for Vice President, Harris 3 and Pence 1. +**Nebraska appoints its electors proportionally. Trump-Pence won in the First and Third Congressional Districts and took the state; Biden-Harris won the Second Congressional District. Nebraska's electoral votes were proportionally awarded accordingly: for President, Trump 4 and Biden 1; for Vice President, Pence 4 and Harris 1. + +### 2016 + +| Candidate | Votes | Percentage | Electoral College | +|---|--:|---:|---:| +| Clinton (D) | 65,853,514 | 48.18% | 227 | +| Trump (T) | 62,984,828 | 46.09% | 304 | +| (Difference) | 2,868,686 | 2.09% | 77 | + +[2016 Presidential Election Results – Federal Election Commission (FEC)](https://www.fec.gov/resources/cms-content/documents/federalelections2020.pdf) + +*Hawaii does not appoint its electors proportionally. Due to faithless voting, the electoral votes for Hawaii were: for President, Clinton 3 and Bernie Sanders 1; for Vice President, Kaine 3 and Elizabeth Warren 1. + **Maine appoints its electors proportionally. Clinton/Kaine won in the First Congressional District and took the state; Trump/Pence won the Second Congressional District. Maine's electoral votes were proportionally awarded accordingly: for President, Clinton 3 and Trump 1; for Vice President, Kaine 3 and Pence 1. + ***Texas does not appoint its electors proportionally. Due to faithless voting, the electoral votes for Texas were: for President, Trump 36, Ron Paul 1, and John Kasich 1; for Vice President, Pence 37 and Carly Fiorina 1. +****Washington does not appoint its electors proportionally. Due to faithless voting, the electoral votes for Washington were: for President, Clinton 8, Colin Powell 3, and Faith Spotted Eagle 1; for Vice President, Kaine 8, Elizabeth Warren 1, Susan Collins 1, Maria Cantwell 1, and Winona LaDuke 1. + + +## I Am the *“Enemy Within”* + +I started my blog because I realized that maintaining my opinion/editorial page that [Donald Trump Is a Fucking Idiot](https://ralphhightower.github.io/RalphHightower/Opinions/DonaldTrumpIsAFuckingIdiot.html) was going to be unwieldy to update and maintain. You may have a different opinion from mine. But the only person that can convince me that Trump is not a fucking idiot is Donald Trump himself. I probably won't change your opinion or vote. Likewise, you won't be able to change my assessment of Trump. + +Prior to the November 5, 2024 presidential election, I had concerns for **Democracy.** Now, I have fears for **Democracy.** Fears that America won't survive a second Trump term. + +Both political parties fucked up in 2016. + +- The Democrats chose Hillary because it was *"her turn."* +- The Republicans chose the candidate, Donald Trump, that was, and still is, unfit and unqualified to be president.[^310] + +[^310]: Trump meets the constitutional age requirement, but that's saying little. Plus Trump is dementia-ning! Talking about Arnold Palmer's balls, no it's not Titlist; it's that part of the anatomy that LPGA pros don't have. + +Both candidates were polarizing! Trump still is. + +No, I do not have TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome)[^320],[^325]. I certainly never was a member of the Cult of Trump. Trumpers are infected with RTD[^340]. My assessment of Trump hasn't wavered from when he first announced his candidacy in 2015. He's still a fucking idiot. + +[^320]: [Wikipedia — Trump derangement syndrome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trump_derangement_syndrome?wprov=sfla1) +[^325]: Trump's sycophants, acolytes, and cul members, are just as infantile as Trump with his name calling and labeling. +[^340]: @RalphHightower: Since Trumpers have their TDS for us, I created the *"Rabid Trump Disease"* for them. Either that, or Trump Cultists. + +Trump's actions following the 2020 election should have disqualified him from ever serving again. However, the Trumpers[^330] in the House and Senate chose **"Party Over Country"** + +[^330]: The Republican Party died July 2016 when it chose Trump as its candidate for president. + +During Trump's presidential campaigns in 2015 (primary), 2016 campaign and his presidency from January 20, 2017 through January 6, 2020's provoked Insurrection, I assessed these critical character flaws of Donald Trump. + +1. Pathological lying +2. Demagog[^120] +3. Hypocrisy[^130] +4. Immaturity[^140] +5. Temper[^150] +6. Narcissism[^160] +7. Pigheadedness[^170] +8. Grifter +9. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality[^190] +10. Strong-Arm Dictator Wannabe[^1000] +11. Cheat[^1100] +12. Thief[^1200] +13. Glory Hog[^1300] +14. Blameshifter[^1400] + +[^120]: [demagog • Merriam-Webster:](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demagog)
noun
dem·​a·​gogue
variants: or less commonly dem​a​gog
Definition (Entry 1 of 2)
**: a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power**
~~2: a leader championing the cause of the common people in ancient times~~ +[^130]: Trump whines, *"It's not fair! Biden has weaponized the [Justice system](https://www.justice.gov/) against me!"* Yet, when he gets into office the second time, he's going to direct the [Department of Justice](https://www.justice.gov/) to target his political enemies, and the enemies within. +[^140]: That childish behavior of calling people names. +[^150]: Two words. **Trumper Tantrums** +[^160]: Flattering Trump allows one to manipulate Trump. Vladimir Putin is former KGB. He knows how to control Trump. +[^170]: Absolute, total, fucking, lacking, devoid of ability or willingness to compromise.
There is no ability to work towards a *win-win* situation; which could become a *lose-lose* scenario.
With Trump, it is *"I win. You lose."* +[^190]: People with OCPD may have a preoccupation with order, perfectionism, and control. They may also have the following traits:
• **Perfectionism:** They may demand perfection in all tasks, which can lead to missed deadlines.
• **Preoccupation with details:** They may be preoccupied with lists, rules, and order.
• **Lack of flexibility:** They may be unwilling to compromise or allow others to do things.
• **Difficulty working with others:** They may have difficulty delegating tasks or working with others unless they can do things exactly as they want.
People with OCPD may have a preoccupation with order, perfectionism, and control. They may also have the following traits:
• **Perfectionism:** They may demand perfection in all tasks, which can lead to missed deadlines.
• **Preoccupation with details:** They may be preoccupied with lists, rules, and order.
• **Lack of flexibility:** They may be unwilling to compromise or allow others to do things.
• **Difficulty working with others:** They may have difficulty delegating tasks or working with others unless they can do things exactly as they want.
• **Difficulty coping with criticism:** They may have difficulty coping with criticism and may over-focus on flaws in others. +[^1000]: Trump admires strong-arm dictators, Hungary's Viktor Orbàn, Russia's Vladimir Putin, North Korea's Kim Jun-Un. [^1100]: Trump cheats on:
• wives
• taxes – personal income
• personal property tax
• real estate property tax
• corporate income
• financial loans
• insurance
• golf
• elections *(tries to)* -[^1200]: I'd call it thievery when one pays less than the agreed upon contracted price for goods or services. It was in Wikipedia or a news story on the web that Trump paid something like 30% for several grand pianos for his casinos.
It’s like I buy a Ford truck priced at \$100,000 and I tell the dealer, "It’s a good truck, but it’s not worth \$100,000. I'll pay you \$30,000 for the truck." -[^1300]: Unlike a true leader who praises his/her team for their successes a glory hog steals all the congratulations with &"I did that!"* -[^1400]: Another trait of a true leader is accepting responsibility for when things go wrong. Unlike Trump's *"It's not my fault. It's the [insert target here]."* - -## Donald Trump – The Reasons Against Him - -January 10, 2024, Donald J Trump was convicted on thirty-four counts, with an unconditional discharge, for the falsification of business records related to paying *"hush money"* to porn star, Stormy Daniels, for an extramarital affair. No jail time. No probation. No fines or penalties. Nothing. - -### Donald Trump's Serious Character Flaws - -Trump's character flaws preclude him from running anything other than his family-owned business. His character flaws precluded me from even considering him. - -Apparently, stewing in his own venom and demons after losing the 2020 election has taken its toll on Trump's mental facility. He has become more unhinged, losing focus, experiencing cognitive decline and dementia. - -#### Trump Needs to Change His Behavior and Demeanor - -***How?*** - -- Tame your temper! Quit throwing **Trumper Tantrums!** -- Quit your pathological lying and tell the **God-damned truth!** -- Quit your **God-damned gaslighting[^610]**! -- Start treating people with **respect!** I.e., quit that childish behavior of calling people names and acting like a school-yard bully. -- Be a true leader! A true leader recognizes team members, and subordinates for their accomplishment, and accepts the blame when things fail. A true leader does not use intimidation and fear. -- Quit your whining, *"It's not fair"* Grow up and be an adult! -- Accept the fact that the president lives under a **microscope.** You will be praised by some and condemned others for your actions or inactions. - -[^610]: [gaslighting – Merriam-Webster](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gaslighting): noun
Definition (Entry 1 of 2)
1: psychological manipulation of a person usually over an extended period of time that causes the victim to question the validity of their own thoughts, perception of reality, or memories and typically leads to confusion, loss of confidence and self-esteem, uncertainty of one's emotional or mental stability, and a dependency on the perpetrator
//Gaslighting can be a very effective tool for the abuser to control an individual. It's done slowly so the victim writes off the event as a one off or oddity and doesn't realize they are being controlled and manipulated.
— Melissa Spino
//Gaslighting can happen in any relationship circumstance, including between friends and family members—not just in couple relationships.
— Deena Bouknight
//This is a classic gaslighting technique—telling victims that others are crazy and lying, and that the gaslighter is the only source for "true" information. It makes victims question their reality …
— Stephanie Sarkis
2: the act or practice of grossly misleading someone especially for one's own advantage
//Election season can create emotions spanning from immense anxiety all the way to extreme apathy. The public arguing, divisiveness, and competition for votes, including political gaslighting, can be overwhelming and exhausting.
— Vernita Perkins and Leonard A. Jason
//As the midterm elections approach, Americans have gotten an earful both about crime itself and how the other side is distorting the news about it for political gain. “Cherry-picking!” “Fearmongering!” “Gaslighting!”
— Chris Herrmann and Fritz Umbach
//Intense gaslighting techniques are making it difficult for Montana's commoners to discern what's truth and what's propaganda.
— Steve Kelly
//This corporate gaslighting effectively blames children for being addicted to social media and conveniently ignores how companies have intentionally designed their products to have addictive features …
— Nancy Kim - -Trump keeps boasting that he is a highly intelligent person. As Brad Pitt said in the movie, Moneyball, "Show me the money!". In Trump’s case, I say **"Show me your Mensa test score!"**. If you're short on cash[^620], I'll even pay the $99 for you to [take the Mensa Admission Test](https://www.us.mensa.org/join/testing/). - -[^620]: @RalphHightower: I cannot fathom why a billionaire, as you claim, is short on cash, but apparently you are since you refused to pay Grand Rapids, Michigan for providing additional security of police overtime and the venue rental expenses. - -But you more than likely won't own up to my challenge to you. It'll probably be for the same reason that you won't reveal your [Internal Revenue Service](https://www.irs.gov/) tax returns as presidents have done as past precedent. You're afraid that revealing that information will prove that you are a fraud. - -### Constitutional Court Cases - -There are two court cases that have not yet convened and must be decided because Trump's behavior and actions following the 2020 presidential melection threaten the very fabric of our nation. - -1. Federal – Attempt to Overthrow the 2020 Election and the January 6, 2021 Insurrection.[^810] -2. State – Georgia. Strong-Arm Attempt to Falsify Their Election Result. - -[^810]: Federal prosecutor, Jack Smith, layed out compelling, iron-clad indictments revised for Trump, the citizen running for reelection, and not then President Trump, where he would, and did claim presidential immunity; the Supreme Court directed Smith to not include presidential duties. I cannot bring myself to strike through his federal case. - -**Damn!** How the hell did Trump win?! Although the federal case will be winding down since the [DOJ](https://www.justice.gov/) has some regulation that sitting presidents cannot be tried: - -#### Donald Trump Is Guilty For Attempting To Overturn An Election And Instigating The January 6, 2021 Insurrection - -### Third Rate Game Show Host - -I thought that it was a publicity when Trump announced that he was running for president. Trump has neither the qualifications nor the temperament to be president. My assessment has not wavered from 2016. America must not renew "The Apprentice: White House" for a second season. - -"The Apprentice: White House" ended a tumultuous four year season ingloriously in January 2020, in an extraordinary low point in American history when thousands of far-right undesirables, Pride Boys, Zero Percenters and Oath Losers, lay siege on the US Capitol in a vain attempt of insurrection to overthrow a fair election. - -## Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas - -I also think that [Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas should be impeached](https://ralphhightower.github.io/RalphHightower/Opinions/ImpeachSCOTUSJusticeClarenceThomas.html) because he is ethically financial challenged. - -## Briefly About Me - -I freeze time; I photograph. I have 50++ years of computer programming and software development; most recently using C# and .Net. Athough I am retired from software development as a vocation, I am still active for personal projects. I have witnessed two final space flights: the US half of the Apollo/Soyuz Test Project, and Space Shuttle STS-135 Atlantis with the Final Four \[CDR Chris Ferguson, PLT Doug Hurley, MS1 Sandra Magnus, MS2 Rex Walheim\], as well as the final landing next to the control tower of the Shuttle Landing Facility (200 yards from the runway). - -Photography is another creative endeavor that I have enjoyed since 1980. My first camera was the Canon A-1 which was an innovative camera for the 80's, which I still use. I added one of my bucket list cameras in July 2013, a Canon New F-1 with the AE Finder FN and the AE Motor Drive FN. December 2013, I added a DSLR, the Canon 5D Mark III with the EF 24-105mm f4L. I enjoy photography period. It doesn't matter if I am shooting film or digital. - -I have more information on my website: [\[ Ralph Hightower — Website \]](https://ralphhightower.github.io/RalphHightower/), as well as information that I want to use and that I am interested in. - -### Personality Tests - -| Test/Website | Result | -|---|---| -| [Top Gun Call Sign](http://www.topgunday.com/call-sign-generator/) | Lt. Ralph 'Tahoe' Hightower[^11] | -| [Myers-Briggs Personality Test®](https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/) | [INTP](https://www.mbtionline.com/en-US/MBTI-Types/INTP)[^12] | -| [CliftonStrength 34™](https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/253868/popular-cliftonstrengths-assessment-products.aspx) | Ideation \| Deliberative \| Learner \| Input \| Strategic
Leaders with great Strategic Thinking strengths are the ones who keep us all focused on what could be. They are constantly absorbing and analyzing information and helping the team make better decisions. People with strength in this domain continually stretch our thinking for the future. | -| [Game of Thrones Personality Test](https://mygotcharacter.com/)[^13] | Primary Character: [Mance Rayder](https://mygotcharacter.com/EKJKKKCKIACFCK.html)[^14]
Secondary Character: [Ser Jaime Lannister](https://mygotcharacter.com/EKJKKKCKIACFCK.html)[^15]
Tertiary Character: [Ygritte](https://mygotcharacter.com/EKJKKKCKIACFCK.html)[^16] | - -[^11]: I'm a [Chevy](https://www.chevrolet.com/) guy and Tahoe is a model name. I love it! -[^12]: People with INTP preferences are quiet, thoughtful, and analytical. They tend to put a great deal of consideration into everything they do. INTPs are generally easygoing and genuine. They might seem to “zone out” from time to time while they consider new concepts or explore how something works. They are often happiest laying low and working hard behind the scenes. While they may seem impersonal with people they don’t know well, they like to have a close group of people they open up to. They are naturally adept at building structural models or coming up with new concepts for solving problems. They tend to see the world as a system that can be analyzed, and this is how they approach just about everything in life.
• 4.8% of the population • 5.8% of men • 4.0% of women •
× analytical × conceptual × logical ×
× quiet × independent × easygoing ×
× complex × driven × curious ×
× questioning × methodical × values competence ×
× self-critical × thoughtful × innovative ×
× problem solver × reflective × autonomous × -[^13]: I had to Google the GOT Personality Test. Oh, I don't subscribe to HBO, so all I know of Game of Thrones is that's it's sorta like King Arthur set in medieval times.
I took the GOT Personality Test. I saw that reference in a LinkedIn news article about using personality tests to get the right balance of different personalities. I think using a personality test to determine employment is a form of discrimination and I use that rather strictly because there's race discrimination and gender discrimination. -[^14]: Primary Character: Mance Rayder
Nickname: King Beyond the Wall
Traits: Inspiring, Formidable, Pioneer
Your primary character is Mance Rayder. You are a charismatic, calm, and determined man with strong leadership qualities. You tend to rise quickly through the ranks of any organization you enter. You have good social and diplomatic skills, allowing you to collaborate with many different types of people. You have an honest yet stern persona which earns you respect and admiration of those around you. You are very trusting which can be your greatest weakness. You value freedom above all else. -[^15]: Secondary Character: Ser Jaime Lannister
Nickname: The Kingslayer
Traits: Arrogant, Sarcastic, Apathetic
Your secondary character is Ser Jaime Lannister. You are charming and capable of impeccable politeness in the right circumstances. In the wrong circumstances, others perceive you to be disdainful, sarcastic and arrogant. However your arrogance may just be confidence, as you excel in a number of areas, including intelligence. You don't mock others over minor failings but you are usually very blunt. You typically just say what you are thinking without regard to the feelings of those that you perceive as incompetent. You regard ruthlessness as a virtue and behave in an unapologetically amoral way. You're not politically ambitious and sly maneuvering is not your way. -[^16]: Tertiary Character: Ygritte
Nickname: Ygritte
Traits: Wild, Uncoventional, Determined
Your tertiary character is Ygritte. You are brave and unconventional. You have a mind of your own and prefer not to conform with the demands of societu're cunning and value freedom above all else. You're loyal, but also very passionate and you follow to your heart much more than your head. You live a very fulfilled life, chasing your dreams but this sometimes causes others to mistrust you although you have little enmity in your heart. - -### Where I Can Be Found - -| Content | Website -|---------|---------| -| CodeProject | [RalphHightower](https://www.codeproject.com/Members/RalphHightower) | -| Facebook | [RalphHightower](https://www.facebook.com/ralph.hightower/) (I spend more time on LinkedIn than I do on Facebook.) | -| GitHub | **[RalphHightower (Ralph Hightower\)](https://github.com/RalphHightower)** | -| GitLab | [RalphHightower](https://gitlab.com/RalphHightower) | -| GitLab | [Permanent Vacations](https://gitlab.com/permanent-vacations) | -| Google Dev | [RalphHightower](https://g.dev/RalphHightower) | -| Gravatar | [RalphHightower](http://gravatar.com/ralphhightower) | -| Hackster.io | [ralph-hightower](https://www.hackster.io/ralph-hightower) | -| IEEE Collabratec | [RalphHightower](https://ieee-collabratec.ieee.org/app/p/RalphHightower) | -| LinkedIn Profile | **[RalphHightower](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphhightower/)** (LinkedIn is where I spend the majority of my time.) | -| Photography Portfolio \(Flickr\) | **[RalphHightower](https://www.flickr.com/photos/ralphhightower/)** | -| Stack Overflow | [ralph-hightower](https://stackoverflow.com/users/19978043/ralph-hightower) | -| Twitter | ~~[RalphHightower](https://twitter.com/RalphHightower)~~[^21] | -| YouTube | [RalphHightower](https://www.youtube.com/@RalphHightower&show_icons) | - -[^21]: As of April 27, 2023, I deactivated my Twitter account based on this Elon Musk tweet:
[@ElonMusk](https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1651602599345373186): *Anyone making materially false statements on this platform will get Community Noted, including you, me, Tucker, advertisers, head of state, etc. No exceptions.
Convince the people and let the chips fall where they may.*
@RalphHightower: Seriously? Yet you welcomed back a pathological liar, Donald Trump, who incited and welcomed violence in an attempted coup d'état on January 6 in the storming of the U.S. Capitol. Twitter has gone to ***HELL!*** - -### Authored Websites - -| [RalphHightower](https://ralphhightower.github.io/RalphHightower/) | Description | -|---|---| -| [RalphHightower](https://ralphhightower.github.io/RalphHightower/) GitHub Repositories | Primary Website | -| [Azure-Resources](https://ralphhightower.github.io/Azure-Resources/ ) | Useful Documents for Azure | -| [GM-Canada-OnStar-2G-Sunset](https://ralphhightower.github.io/GM-Canada-OnStar-2G-Sunset/ ) | Canada sunsetted cellular CDMA 2G technology in 2015. GM Canada figured out how to retain OnStar functionality in affected vehicles without using a dongle like GM USA. Documents from [(US)[^31] National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) nhtsa\.gov](https://www.nhtsa.gov). | -| [Sushi](https://ralphhightower.github.io/Sushi/ ) | Right now, it's a place for checklists for checking off sushi menu items in the Columbia, South Carolina metro area (Richland and Lexington counties)[^33]. | -| [SpaceShuttleMissionSchedule](https://ralphhightower.github.io/SpaceShuttleMissionSchedule/ )[^32] | NASA Space Shuttle Mission Schedule Transfer to Outlook Calendar| -| [RalphHightower/minimaUSCGamecockSandstorm](https://ralphhightower.github.io/minimaUSCGamecockSandstorm/USCGamecocksSandstorm.html) | USC Gamecock Sandstorm theme derived from [jekyll](https://github.com/jekyll/jekyll ) / [minimaa](https://github.com/jekyll/minima), a one-size-fits-all Jekyll theme for USC Gamecock writers. **[Production Ready]** | - -[^31]: @RalphHightower: I find it ironic that a United States federal agency has information for cars and trucks registered in Canada. -[^32]: Support ended with wheelstop of Space Shuttle Atlantis on July 21, 2011 with the end of the Space Shuttle fleet. -[^31]: @RalphHightower: The Columbia metro area probably encompasses a larger area than those two counties, but Lexington and Richland are as far as we are willing to drive. Plus, crossing the Broad River to the Northeast area of Columbia is a farther distance. I've included Sandhills Shopping Center since we would eat there after meeting with our financial advisor when he was located out that way. - -### [USC Gamecocks](https://www.sc.edu/) - -| [USC — University of South Carolina](https://www.sc.edu) | -|---| -| [USC — College of Engineering and Computing](https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/engineering_and_computing/index.php) | -| [USC Alumni Association](https://uofscalumni.org/) | -| [USC Gamecock Sports](https://gamecocksonline.com/) | -| [WUSC-FM 90.5 FM](https://garnetgate.sa.sc.edu/organization/wuscfm)[^61] | -| [Carolina Band](https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/music/ensembles/usc_bands/athletic_bands/carolina_band/index.php) | -| [University Band](https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/music/ensembles/usc_bands/concert_bands/university_band.php) | -| [Jazz Bands](https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/music/ensembles/jazz_ensembles/index.php) | - -[^61]: WUSC-FM was an AM Radio 📻 broadcast station when I was a student. - +[^1200]: I'd call it thievery when one pays less than the agreed upon contracted price for goods or services. It was in Wikipedia or a news story on the web that Trump paid something like 30% for several grand pianos for his casinos.
It’s like I buy a Ford truck priced at \$100,000 and I tell the dealer, "It’s a good truck, but it’s not worth \$100,000. I'll pay you \$30,000 for the truck.". +[^1300]: Unlike a true leader who praises his/her team for their successes a glory hog steals all the congratulations with &"I did that!"* +[^1400]: Another trait of a true leader is accepting responsibility for when things go wrong. Unlike Trump's *"It's not my fault. It's the [insert target here]."* + +## Donald Trump – The Reasons Against Him + +January 10, 2024, Donald J Trump was convicted on thirty-four counts, with an unconditional discharge, for the falsification of business records related to paying *"hush money"* to porn star, Stormy Daniels, for an extramarital affair. No jail time. No probation. No fines or penalties. Nothing. + +### Donald Trump's Serious Character Flaws + +Trump's character flaws preclude him from running anything other than his family-owned business. His character flaws precluded me from even considering him. + +Apparently, stewing in his own venom and demons after losing the 2020 election has taken its toll on Trump's mental facility. He has become more unhinged, losing focus, experiencing cognitive decline and dementia. + +#### Trump Needs to Change His Behavior and Demeanor + +***How?*** + +- Tame your temper! Quit throwing **Trumper Tantrums!** +- **Quit your pathological lying and tell the **God-damned truth!** +- Quit your **God-damned gaslighting[^610]**! +- Start treating people with **respect!** I.e., quit that childish behavior of calling people names and acting like a school-yard bully. +- Be a true leader! A true leader recognizes team members, and subordinates for their accomplishment, and accepts the blame when things fail. A true leader does not use intimidation and fear. +- Quit your whining, *"It's not fair"* Grow up and be an adult! +- Accept the fact that the president lives under a **microscope.** You will be praised by some and condemned others for your actions or inactions. + +[^610]: [gaslighting – Merriam-Webster](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gaslighting): noun
Definition (Entry 1 of 2)
1: psychological manipulation of a person usually over an extended period of time that causes the victim to question the validity of their own thoughts, perception of reality, or memories and typically leads to confusion, loss of confidence and self-esteem, uncertainty of one's emotional or mental stability, and a dependency on the perpetrator
//Gaslighting can be a very effective tool for the abuser to control an individual. It's done slowly so the victim writes off the event as a one off or oddity and doesn't realize they are being controlled and manipulated.
— Melissa Spino
//Gaslighting can happen in any relationship circumstance, including between friends and family members—not just in couple relationships.
— Deena Bouknight
//This is a classic gaslighting technique—telling victims that others are crazy and lying, and that the gaslighter is the only source for "true" information. It makes victims question their reality …
— Stephanie Sarkis
2: the act or practice of grossly misleading someone especially for one's own advantage
//Election season can create emotions spanning from immense anxiety all the way to extreme apathy. The public arguing, divisiveness, and competition for votes, including political gaslighting, can be overwhelming and exhausting.
— Vernita Perkins and Leonard A. Jason
//As the midterm elections approach, Americans have gotten an earful both about crime itself and how the other side is distorting the news about it for political gain. “Cherry-picking!” “Fearmongering!” “Gaslighting!”
— Chris Herrmann and Fritz Umbach
//Intense gaslighting techniques are making it difficult for Montana's commoners to discern what's truth and what's propaganda.
— Steve Kelly
//This corporate gaslighting effectively blames children for being addicted to social media and conveniently ignores how companies have intentionally designed their products to have addictive features …
— Nancy Kim + +Trump keeps boasting that he is a highly intelligent person. As Brad Pitt said in the movie, Moneyball, "Show me the money!". In Trump’s case, I say **"Show me your Mensa test score!"**. If you're short on cash[^620], I'll even pay the $99 for you to [take the Mensa Admission Test](https://www.us.mensa.org/join/testing/). + +[^620]: @RalphHightower: I cannot fathom why a billionaire, as you claim, is short on cash, but apparently you are since you refused to pay Grand Rapids, Michigan for providing additional security of police overtime and the venue rental expenses. + +But you more than likely won't own up to my challenge to you. It'll probably be for the same reason that you won't reveal your [Internal Revenue Service](https://www.irs.gov/) tax returns as presidents have done as past precedent. You're afraid that revealing that information will prove that you are a fraud. + +### Constitutional Court Cases + +There are two court cases that have not yet convened and must be decided because Trump's behavior and actions following the 2020 presidential melection threaten the very fabric of our nation. + +1. Federal – Attempt to Overthrow the 2020 Election and the January 6, 2021 Insurrection.[^810] +2. State – Georgia. Strong-Arm Attempt to Falsify Their Election Result. + +[^810]: Federal prosecutor, Jack Smith, layed out compelling, iron-clad indictments revised for Trump, the citizen running for reelection, and not then President Trump, where he would, and did claim presidential immunity; the Supreme Court directed Smith to not include presidential duties. I cannot bring myself to strike through his federal case. + +**Damn!** How the hell did Trump win?! Although the federal case will be winding down since the [DOJ](https://www.justice.gov/) has some regulation that sitting presidents cannot be tried. + +#### Donald Trump Is Guilty For Attempting To Overturn An Election And Instigating The January 6, 2021 Insurrection + +### Third Rate Game Show Host + +I thought that it was a publicity when Trump announced that he was running for president. Trump has neither the qualifications nor the temperament to be president. My assessment has not wavered from 2016. America must not renew "The Apprentice: White House" for a second season. + +"The Apprentice: White House" ended a tumultuous four year season ingloriously in January 2020, in an extraordinary low point in American history when thousands of far-right undesirables, Pride Boys, Zero Percenters and Oath Losers, lay siege on the US Capitol in a vain attempt of insurrection to overthrow a fair election. + +## Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas + +I also think that [Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas should be impeached](https://ralphhightower.github.io/RalphHightower/Opinions/ImpeachSCOTUSJusticeClarenceThomas.html) because he is ethically financial challenged. + +## Introduction + +I freeze time; I photograph. I have 50++ years of computer programming and software development; most recently using C# and .Net. Athough I am retired from software development as a vocation, I am still active for personal projects. I have witnessed two final space flights: the US half of the Apollo/Soyuz Test Project, and Space Shuttle STS-135 Atlantis with the Final Four \[CDR Chris Ferguson, PLT Doug Hurley, MS1 Sandra Magnus, MS2 Rex Walheim\], as well as the final landing next to the control tower of the Shuttle Landing Facility (200 yards from the runway). + +Photography is another creative endeavor that I have enjoyed since 1980. My first camera was the Canon A-1 which was an innovative camera for the 80's, which I still use. I added one of my bucket list cameras in July 2013, a Canon New F-1 with the AE Finder FN and the AE Motor Drive FN. December 2013, I added a DSLR, the Canon 5D Mark III with the EF 24-105mm f4L. I enjoy photography period. It doesn't matter if I am shooting film or digital. + +I have more information on my website: [Ralph Hightower — Website](https://ralphhightower.github.io/RalphHightower/), as well as information that I want to use and that I am interested in. + +### Personality Tests + +| Test/Website | Result | +|---|---| +| [Top Gun Call Sign](http://www.topgunday.com/call-sign-generator/) | Lt. Ralph 'Tahoe' Hightower[^11] | +| [Myers-Briggs Personality Test®](https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/) | [INTP](https://www.mbtionline.com/en-US/MBTI-Types/INTP)[^12] | +| [CliftonStrength 34™](https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/253868/popular-cliftonstrengths-assessment-products.aspx) | Ideation \| Deliberative \| Learner \| Input \| Strategic
Leaders with great Strategic Thinking strengths are the ones who keep us all focused on what could be. They are constantly absorbing and analyzing information and helping the team make better decisions. People with strength in this domain continually stretch our thinking for the future. | +| [Game of Thrones Personality Test](https://mygotcharacter.com/)[^13] | Primary Character: [Mance Rayder](https://mygotcharacter.com/EKJKKKCKIACFCK.html)[^14]
Secondary Character: [Ser Jaime Lannister](https://mygotcharacter.com/EKJKKKCKIACFCK.html)[^15]
Tertiary Character: [Ygritte](https://mygotcharacter.com/EKJKKKCKIACFCK.html)[^16] | + +[^11]: I'm a [Chevy](https://www.chevrolet.com/) guy and Tahoe is a model name. I love it! +[^12]: People with INTP preferences are quiet, thoughtful, and analytical. They tend to put a great deal of consideration into everything they do. INTPs are generally easygoing and genuine. They might seem to “zone out” from time to time while they consider new concepts or explore how something works. They are often happiest laying low and working hard behind the scenes. While they may seem impersonal with people they don’t know well, they like to have a close group of people they open up to. They are naturally adept at building structural models or coming up with new concepts for solving problems. They tend to see the world as a system that can be analyzed, and this is how they approach just about everything in life.
• 4.8% of the population • 5.8% of men • 4.0% of women •
× analytical × conceptual × logical ×
× quiet × independent × easygoing ×
× complex × driven × curious ×
× questioning × methodical × values competence ×
× self-critical × thoughtful × innovative ×
× problem solver × reflective × autonomous × +[^13]: I had to Google the GOT Personality Test. Oh, I don't subscribe to HBO, so all I know of Game of Thrones is that's it's sorta like King Arthur set in medieval times.
I took the GOT Personality Test. I saw that reference in a LinkedIn news article about using personality tests to get the right balance of different personalities. I think using a personality test to determine employment is a form of discrimination and I use that rather strictly because there's race discrimination and gender discrimination. +[^14]: Primary Character: Mance Rayder
Nickname: King Beyond the Wall
Traits: Inspiring, Formidable, Pioneer
Your primary character is Mance Rayder. You are a charismatic, calm, and determined man with strong leadership qualities. You tend to rise quickly through the ranks of any organization you enter. You have good social and diplomatic skills, allowing you to collaborate with many different types of people. You have an honest yet stern persona which earns you respect and admiration of those around you. You are very trusting which can be your greatest weakness. You value freedom above all else. +[^15]: Secondary Character: Ser Jaime Lannister
Nickname: The Kingslayer
Traits: Arrogant, Sarcastic, Apathetic
Your secondary character is Ser Jaime Lannister. You are charming and capable of impeccable politeness in the right circumstances. In the wrong circumstances, others perceive you to be disdainful, sarcastic and arrogant. However your arrogance may just be confidence, as you excel in a number of areas, including intelligence. You don't mock others over minor failings but you are usually very blunt. You typically just say what you are thinking without regard to the feelings of those that you perceive as incompetent. You regard ruthlessness as a virtue and behave in an unapologetically amoral way. You're not politically ambitious and sly maneuvering is not your way. +[^16]: Tertiary Character: Ygritte
Nickname: Ygritte
Traits: Wild, Uncoventional, Determined
Your tertiary character is Ygritte. You are brave and unconventional. You have a mind of your own and prefer not to conform with the demands of societu're cunning and value freedom above all else. You're loyal, but also very passionate and you follow to your heart much more than your head. You live a very fulfilled life, chasing your dreams but this sometimes causes others to mistrust you although you have little enmity in your heart. + +### Where I Can Be Found + +| Content | Website +|---------|---------| +| CodeProject | [RalphHightower](https://www.codeproject.com/Members/RalphHightower) | +| Facebook | [RalphHightower](https://www.facebook.com/ralph.hightower/) (I spend more time on LinkedIn than I do on Facebook.) | +| GitHub | **[RalphHightower (Ralph Hightower\)](https://github.com/RalphHightower)** | +| GitLab | [RalphHightower](https://gitlab.com/RalphHightower) | +| GitLab | [Permanent Vacations](https://gitlab.com/permanent-vacations) | +| Google Dev | [RalphHightower](https://g.dev/RalphHightower) | +| Gravatar | [RalphHightower](http://gravatar.com/ralphhightower) | +| Hackster.io | [ralph-hightower](https://www.hackster.io/ralph-hightower) | +| IEEE Collabratec | [RalphHightower](https://ieee-collabratec.ieee.org/app/p/RalphHightower) | +| LinkedIn Profile | **[RalphHightower](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphhightower/)** (LinkedIn is where I spend the majority of my time.) | +| Photography Portfolio \(Flickr\) | **[RalphHightower](https://www.flickr.com/photos/ralphhightower/)** | +| Stack Overflow | [ralph-hightower](https://stackoverflow.com/users/19978043/ralph-hightower) | +| Twitter | ~~[RalphHightower](https://twitter.com/RalphHightower)~~[^21] | +| YouTube | [RalphHightower](https://www.youtube.com/@RalphHightower&show_icons) | + +[^21]: As of April 27, 2023, I deactivated my Twitter account based on this Elon Musk tweet:
[@ElonMusk](https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1651602599345373186): *Anyone making materially false statements on this platform will get Community Noted, including you, me, Tucker, advertisers, head of state, etc. No exceptions.
Convince the people and let the chips fall where they may.*
@RalphHightower: Seriously? Yet you welcomed back a pathological liar, Donald Trump, who incited and welcomed violence in an attempted coup d'état on January 6 in the storming of the U.S. Capitol. Twitter has gone to ***HELL!*** + +### Authored Websites + +| [RalphHightower](https://ralphhightower.github.io/RalphHightower/) | Description | +|---|---| +| [RalphHightower](https://ralphhightower.github.io/RalphHightower/) GitHub Repositories | Primary Website | +| [Azure-Resources](https://ralphhightower.github.io/Azure-Resources/ ) | Useful Documents for Azure | +| [GM-Canada-OnStar-2G-Sunset](https://ralphhightower.github.io/GM-Canada-OnStar-2G-Sunset/ ) | Canada sunsetted cellular CDMA 2G technology in 2015. GM Canada figured out how to retain OnStar functionality in affected vehicles without using a dongle like GM USA. Documents from [(US)[^31] National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) nhtsa\.gov](https://www.nhtsa.gov). | +| [Sushi](https://ralphhightower.github.io/Sushi/ ) | Right now, it's a place for checklists for checking off sushi menu items in the Columbia, South Carolina metro area (Richland and Lexington counties)[^33]. | +| [SpaceShuttleMissionSchedule](https://ralphhightower.github.io/SpaceShuttleMissionSchedule/ )[^32] | NASA Space Shuttle Mission Schedule Transfer to Outlook Calendar| +| [RalphHightower/minimaUSCGamecockSandstorm](https://ralphhightower.github.io/minimaUSCGamecockSandstorm/USCGamecocksSandstorm.html) | USC Gamecock Sandstorm theme derived from [jekyll](https://github.com/jekyll/jekyll ) / [minimaa](https://github.com/jekyll/minima), a one-size-fits-all Jekyll theme for USC Gamecock writers. **[Production Ready]** | + +[^31]: @RalphHightower: I find it ironic that a United States federal agency has information for cars and trucks registered in Canada. +[^32]: Support ended with wheelstop of Space Shuttle Atlantis on July 21, 2011 with the end of the Space Shuttle fleet. +[^31]: @RalphHightower: The Columbia metro area probably encompasses a larger area than those two counties, but Lexington and Richland are as far as we are willing to drive. Plus, crossing the Broad River to the Northeast area of Columbia is a farther distance. I've included Sandhills Shopping Center since we would eat there after meeting with our financial advisor when he was located out that way. + +### [USC Gamecocks](https://www.sc.edu/) + +| [USC — University of South Carolina](https://www.sc.edu) | +|---| +| [USC — College of Engineering and Computing](https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/engineering_and_computing/index.php) | +| [USC Alumni Association](https://uofscalumni.org/) | +| [USC Gamecock Sports](https://gamecocksonline.com/) | +| [WUSC-FM 90.5 FM](https://garnetgate.sa.sc.edu/organization/wuscfm)[^61] | +| [Carolina Band](https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/music/ensembles/usc_bands/athletic_bands/carolina_band/index.php) | +| [University Band](https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/music/ensembles/usc_bands/concert_bands/university_band.php) | +| [Jazz Bands](https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/music/ensembles/jazz_ensembles/index.php) | + +[^61]: WUSC-FM was an AM Radio 📻 broadcast station when I was a student. + [![OpenSSF Best Practices](https://www.bestpractices.dev/projects/9780/badge)](https://www.bestpractices.dev/projects/9780) -| | -|:---| -| ![Ralph Hightower Repository’s Stats](https://github-readme-stats.vercel.app/api?username=RalphHightower&show_icons=true&title_color=73000a&text_color=73000a&border_color=73000a&icon_color=73000a&bg_color=ffffff&include_all_commits=false&show=reviews,discussions_started,discussions_answered,prs_merged,prs_merged_percentage)| -| ![GitHub Streak](https://streak-stats.vercel.app?user=RalphHightower&date_format=Y-m-d&border=73000a&stroke=73000a&ring=73000a&fire=73000a&currStreakNum=73000a&sideNums=73000a&currStreakLabel=73000a&sideLabels=73000a&dates=73000a) | -| ![GitHub Summary Cards](http://github-profile-summary-cards.vercel.app/api/cards/profile-details?username=RalphHightower&theme=default) | -| ![RalphHightower's GitHub activity graph](https://github-readme-activity-graph.vercel.app/graph?username=RalphHightower&theme=minimal&color=73000a&title_color=73000a&line=73000a&point=73000a) | - -| | | -|---|---| -| ![GitHub Repositories By Language](http://github-profile-summary-cards.vercel.app/api/cards/repos-per-language?username=RalphHightower&theme=default) | ![GitHub Most Committed By Language](http://github-profile-summary-cards.vercel.app/api/cards/most-commit-language?username=RalphHightower&theme=default) | +| | +|:---| +| ![Ralph Hightower Repository’s Stats](https://github-readme-stats.vercel.app/api?username=RalphHightower&show_icons=true&title_color=73000a&text_color=73000a&border_color=73000a&icon_color=73000a&bg_color=ffffff&include_all_commits=false&show=reviews,discussions_started,discussions_answered,prs_merged,prs_merged_percentage)| +| ![GitHub Streak](https://streak-stats.vercel.app?user=RalphHightower&date_format=Y-m-d&border=73000a&stroke=73000a&ring=73000a&fire=73000a&currStreakNum=73000a&sideNums=73000a&currStreakLabel=73000a&sideLabels=73000a&dates=73000a) | +| ![GitHub Summary Cards](http://github-profile-summary-cards.vercel.app/api/cards/profile-details?username=RalphHightower&theme=default) | +| ![RalphHightower's GitHub activity graph](https://github-readme-activity-graph.vercel.app/graph?username=RalphHightower&theme=minimal&color=73000a&title_color=73000a&line=73000a&point=73000a) | + +| | | +|---|---| +| ![GitHub Repositories By Language](http://github-profile-summary-cards.vercel.app/api/cards/repos-per-language?username=RalphHightower&theme=default) | ![GitHub Most Committed By Language](http://github-profile-summary-cards.vercel.app/api/cards/most-commit-language?username=RalphHightower&theme=default) | | ![GitHub Stats](http://github-profile-summary-cards.vercel.app/api/cards/stats?username=RalphHightower&theme=default) | ![GitHub Commits By Time](http://github-profile-summary-cards.vercel.app/api/cards/productive-time?username=RalphHightower&theme=default&utcOffset=-5) | diff --git a/_posts/2025/01/2025-01-28-CDCOrderedCutCommsWHI.md b/_posts/2025/01/2025-01-28-CDCOrderedCutCommsWHI.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fa25d94 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2025/01/2025-01-28-CDCOrderedCutCommsWHI.md @@ -0,0 +1,20 @@ +--- +layout: post +tags: [MSNBC, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), Karoline Leavitt, press secretary, White House (WH), president, politics] +categories: [Donald Trump] +date: 2025-01-28 6:18 PM +excerpt: '' +#image: 'BASEURL/assets/blog/img/.png' +#description: +#permalink: +title: "CDC Ordered to Cut Comms With WHO" +--- + + +## 'Outrageous' and 'unacceptable': CDC ordered by Trump admin to cut comms with WHO + + + +Jan 28, 2025 [#CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/) [#Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) [#WHO](https://www.who.int) +Dr. Irwin Redlener, Earth Institute senior research scholar, joins Chris Jansing to react to the Trump administration ordering the [CDC](https:www.cdc.gov/) to cut communications with the [World Health Organization](https://www.who.int). + diff --git a/_posts/2025/01/2025-01-28-FirstPressBriefingKarolineLeavett.md b/_posts/2025/01/2025-01-28-FirstPressBriefingKarolineLeavett.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5376728 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2025/01/2025-01-28-FirstPressBriefingKarolineLeavett.md @@ -0,0 +1,20 @@ +--- +layout: post +tags: [MSNBC, White House (WH), president, press briefing, gr as nts freeze, funds freeze, politics] +categories: [Donald Trump] +date: 2025-01-28 6:08 PM +excerpt: '' +#image: 'BASEURL/assets/blog/img/.png' +#description: +#permalink: +title: "Trying to Get Straight Answers From Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt" +--- + + +## Unpacking first Trump White House press briefing from Karoline Leavitt + + + +Jan 28, 2025 [#Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) [#WhiteHouse](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) [#KarolineLeavitt](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) +Karoline Leavitt, [President Trump's](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) [White House](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) press secretary, made her briefing room debut today. NBC News correspondents Julia Ainsley, Sahil Kapur, Ken Dilanian and The Atlantic staff writer Ashley Parker join Chris Jansing to discuss. diff --git a/_posts/2025/01/2025-01-28-TrumpWeaponizingGovt.md b/_posts/2025/01/2025-01-28-TrumpWeaponizingGovt.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..df9e073 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2025/01/2025-01-28-TrumpWeaponizingGovt.md @@ -0,0 +1,143 @@ +--- +layout: post +tags: [Washington Post, weaponization, political enemies, retribution, vengeance, White House (WH), Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Joe Biden, Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), Kash Patel, Georgia (GA), Georgia Senate, Georgia Supreme Court, Michigan (MI), Michigan Secretary of State (MISOS), Fani Willis, Jim Jordan (T-OH), politics] +categories: [Donald Trump] +date: 2025-01-28 1:40 PM +excerpt: '' +#image: 'BASEURL/assets/blog/img/.png' +#description: +#permalink: +title: "Federal and State Civil Servants Are Preparing for Persecution From Trump, Possibly Loss of Life By the Hands of MAGAlandia Citizens" +--- + + +## [Trump adversaries prepare for retribution - The Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/28/trump-retribution-preparation-election-officials/) + +*Officials and others across the country who incited the president’s ire say they are preparing for him to make good on pledges to settle scores now that he’s back in office.* + +January 28, 2025 at 6:00 a.m. EST + +By Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Sarah Ellison, Patrick Marley and Holly Bailey + +- **Fear of Retaliation**: Officials and others who have incited [Trump's](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) ire are preparing for possible retribution, including criminal investigations, tax audits, and physical threats. +- **Personal Precautions**: Some individuals are meeting with private attorneys, visiting shooting ranges, and making plans for their families in case they are detained. +- **Targeted Groups**: Those who fear they could be targeted include election officials, prosecutors, democracy advocates, and former [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) [administration](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) officials. +- **[Trump's](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) Promises**: [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) has vowed to settle scores and has made statements about firing government officials and appointing special prosecutors to go after his perceived enemies. +- **Legal and Security Measures**: Some individuals are lining up attorneys, packing "go bags," and carrying weapons for self-defense. +- **Support Networks**: People are supporting each other through group text messages, sharing contact information for attorneys, and discussing steps to take if targeted. + +Contrary to what [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) alleges in this *“presidential action”*, [Ending The Weaponization Of The Federal Government](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/ending-the-weaponization-of-the-federal-government/), dated January 20, 2025, [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) **is weaponizing the [Federal Government](https://www.whitehouse.gov/)** to persecute[^11] his *“political enemies”*, plus those that he perceived that did him wrong. [His](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) [presidential action](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/ending-the-weaponization-of-the-federal-government/) is rife with lies and allegations. In [his](https://www whitehouse.gov/) twisted, upside-down world of logic, what's right is wrong. + +[^11]: ['Prosecute' vs. 'Persecute' – Merriam-Webster](https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/prosecuted-vs-persecuted-usage) – “One you do in court, the other you do if you're a jerk.” + +Below is the oath of office that every federal employee takes for a job position. Please note that it says that one “will support and defend the [Constitution of the United States](https://constitution.congress.gov) against all enemies, foreign and domestic”. It does not state that one will support and defend the President. + +[5 USC PART III, Subpart B, CHAPTER 33, SUBCHAPTER II: OATH OF OFFICE](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title5/part3/subpartB/chapter33/subchapter2&edition=prelim) + +5 USC PART III, Subpart B, CHAPTER 33, SUBCHAPTER II—OATH OF OFFICE +§3331. Oath of office +An individual, except the President, elected or appointed to an office of honor or profit in the civil service or uniformed services, shall take the following oath: + +“I, \, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God." This section does not affect other oaths required by law. + +(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 424.) + +In the [Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/) article, many that face the wrath of [Trump's](https ://www.whitehouse.gov/) are preparing their families and taking steps to avoid persecution. + +A state official in a battleground state asked relative, on New Year's Eve, “Would you be willing to take care of my child if authorities or allies of [President Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) detained me?” + +“You can’t be serious,” the family member responded. + +The official wished she wasn’t. But, like others around the country who have crossed [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/), she was preparing for dire scenarios. + +- meeting with a private attorney +- meeting with security officers +- visiting a shooting range +- carrying a firearm should [Thttp's](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) supporters take matters into their own hands +- lined up rides home from school for her child. + +Such plans were needed “if I get taken. I won’t say ‘arrested’ because ‘arrested’ suggests legitimacy to it.” + +Some are supporting each other in group text messages. There, they commiserate and share contact information for attorneys who could represent them. “There’s dark humor in there, too,” texted one person whose name appeared on [Patel's](https://www fbi.gov/) list of “Members of the Executive Branch Deep State” in his 2023 book “Government Gangsters.” + +[Trump's](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) campaign sparked fears from early in his campaign when he told supporters “I am your retribution” and promised to fire government officials and “totally obliterate the deep state.” He also promised to appoint a “real special prosecutor” to go after [then-President Joe Biden](bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/) and what he called the [“Biden crime family”](bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/) and said then-Vice President Kamala Harris “should be impeached and prosecuted.” A week before he was sworn in, [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) reposted a meme on social media calling for the prosecutors who charged him to be “disbarred, indicted and removed from office.” + +[Officials](https://wwe.fec.gov/) involved in administering the 2020 election — which [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) has baselessly claimed was stolen from him — say they fear they have particular reason to worry. + +Tammy Patrick, the chief program officer at the National Association of Election Officials, said she has spoken with election professionals — from public officials at all levels of government to vendors of election equipment — who view themselves as potential targets. + +“People are thinking about whether or not they have cash on hand, valid passports, if they go to another country, what country would that be, how could they make a living,” Patrick said. + +[Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) — who was impeached twice, convicted by a Manhattan jury in one case and indicted in three others, judged liable for sexual abuse and fined hundreds of millions of dollars in a civil fraud trial — has maintained that the multiple investigations he has faced are politically motivated exercises. They were intended, he has claimed, to block his electoral path, drain his finances and smear his reputation[^111]. He has vowed vengeance against those involved as recently as this month. + +[^111]: @RalphHightower: [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) does a damn fine job of smearing his own reputation. + +[Trump's](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) actions since taking office have only deepened fears that he may make good on promises of payback. + +The [administration](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) has shaken up the [Justice Department](https://www.justice.gov), removing at least 15 experienced career officials, a sign that it intends to act on [Trump's](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) promises to transform the agency. [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) has also taken action against officials who have crossed him: He [stripped the security clearances of 50 former national security officials](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/holding-former-government-officials-accountablefor-election-interference-and-improper-disclosure-of-sensitive-governmental-information/), including his former national security adviser, John Bolton. [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) revoked security protection for Bolton and for one of his first-term secretaries of state, Mike Pompeo, despite Iranian threats against him. On Friday evening, the [administration](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) removed numerous inspectors general, whose jobs include protection for whistleblowers. + +On his first day in office, [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) signed an executive order titled [“Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government”](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/ending-the-weaponization-of-the-federal-government/) that accused the [Biden administration](bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/) of “unprecedented, third-world weaponization of prosecutorial power to upend the democratic process.” The order invoked the previous [administration](https://www.whitehouse.gov/)’s prosecutions of individuals tied to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and directed the [attorney general](https://www.justice.gov/) and director of national intelligence to “correct past misconduct.” + +The [White House](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) insists fears of retribution are unfounded. + +Deputy [White House](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) press secretary Anna Kelly issued a written response to questions for this story: “[President Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) has repeatedly said that success will be his retribution, and he is already ending the weaponization of government with his recent executive orders.” + +Few of those who spoke to The [Washington Post](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) viewed rhetoric by [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) and his allies as bluster. [Biden](bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/) has called [Trump's](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) philosophy “semi-fascism,” retired Gen. Mark A. Milley has described [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) as “fascist to the core,” and those expressing worry now fear they could face the kind of disruptions that have been associated more with autocracy abroad than democracy in America. Most people who spoke about their preparations said [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/)’s return to power represented for them a new phase in the type of threats and acts of intimidation that have defined their lives since the 2020 election. + +Olivia Troye, a former [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) [administration](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) official who worked for Vice President Mike Pence and has become a vocal [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) critic, said she carefully guards every aspect of her life since [Trump's](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) win in November — vetting doctors and even dog walkers for any signs of political vendettas against her. + +The day Troye went public with her concerns about [Trump's](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) behavior in the summer of 2020, she received a call from a senior [White House](https://www.whitehouse.gov/)] official who told her he was concerned for her life. The situation got worse after she spoke at the Democratic National Convention. [Patel](https://www fbi.gov/) has threatened to sue Troye for comments she made about him on MSNBC. + +“It’s about the chilling effects,” she said. “They do want to make an example in hopes that people will get scared.” + +[Trump's](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) nomination of [Patel](https://www fbi.gov/), a former prosecutor and onetime national security aide, deepened alarm among those who feel like targets. Since [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/)’s 2020 defeat, [Patel](https://www fbi.gov/) has spread false information about that election and published a list of “deep state” government officials opposed to the president. + +To those who feel at risk, [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/)’s selection of [Patel](https://www fbi.gov/) to run the nation’s premier law enforcement agency was a clear message that revenge would come. One person watched with dread [Trump's](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) Dec. 8 appearance on [NBC’s “Meet the Press,”](https://youtu.be/b607aDHUu2I?si=N_txp7UyCFoNu-XG) in which he was asked if he wanted [Patel](https://www fbi.gov/) to investigate people on the enemies list. + +“If they think that somebody was dishonest or crooked or a corrupt politician, I think he probably has an obligation to do it,” [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) said. He said that he would not direct [Patel](https://www fbi.gov/) to probe those people. To one person who expects to be targeted for crossing [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) and his current and former aides and allies, [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/)’s answer to the question “was just a green light to [Kash Patel](https://www fbi.gov/) to do this sort of thing.” + +A spokesperson for [Patel](https://www fbi.gov/) referred questions to the [White House](https://www.whitehouse.gov/). + +Shortly before he left the [White House](https://www.whitehouse.gov/), [Biden](bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/) issued preemptive pardons to a number of high-profile [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) critics to protect them from possible prosecution. Milley, the former chairman of the [)Joint Chiefs of Staff](https://www.jcs.mil/), and Anthony S. Fauci, who helped coordinate the nation’s covid-19 response, were among those pardoned. Members and staff of the Jan. 6 congressional committee and police officers who testified before the panel were pardoned, as well. So were numerous members of [Biden's](bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/) family. + +But the list left out a raft of lower-level figures who have been subjected to threats and harassment from [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) or his allies. Most don’t have the political connections needed to reach [White House](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) officials, and many said they didn’t try to seek pardons. + +The [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) [administration](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) could intimidate critics with far less than a criminal or even congressional investigation. [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) and his allies have a history of threatening those who critique him simply by using social media to “harass and taunt individuals and their families,” said Mark Zaid, an attorney who has represented several people targeted by [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) and his allies. [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) also has filed defamation suits. As president, he said he would order investigations into those he thinks have wronged him, including those who helped investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. + +Zaid said he has received death threats and been swatted because of his work on cases related to [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/). + +“I have been publicly litigating cases against every [administration](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) since [President Clinton](https://clintonwhitehose2.archives.gov/) and against terrorist states,” he said. “I have never seen this type of behavior outside of authoritarian states or the history books.” + +[Michigan](https://www.michigan.gov/som) [Secretary of State](https://www.michigan.gov/sos) Jocelyn Benson (D) said years of harassment, litigation and misinformation have helped prepare her for what could come next. + +“We’re ready for anything,” said Benson, who launched a bid for governor last week and who oversaw the 2020 and 2024 elections in Michigan. “No amount of bullying or harassment or threats or intimidation is going to change the truth of the 2020 election.” + +Benson said she and other Michigan officials who have been targets of harassment aren’t just thinking about defensive measures. They are also looking for ways to go on offense, including proactively calling out misinformation and, if necessary, filing lawsuits such as the ones brought by 2020 [Georgia](https://georgia.gov/) poll workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss. Freeman and Moss reached a settlement this month in a $148 million defamation judgment against [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) attorney Rudy Giuliani. + +A month after the 2020 election, two dozen protesters — some of them with guns — showed up at Benson’s home while she was getting ready to watch “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” with her 4-year-old son. Since then, she has kept a go bag. While the last few years have helped prepare her for what could be coming, Benson said she has had to game out new scenarios since the November election. + +“Part of it is thinking through how, as a mom, I would prepare my kid for [FBI](https://www fbi.gov/) agents showing up at our door,” she said. + +One former public official who came under attack after [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/)’s 2020 loss in recent weeks has prepared loved ones for a potential investigation, contacted attorneys and acquired an additional weapon for self-defense. + +“I hope I’m overprepared and nothing happens,” the former official said. + +“The truth is, none of this is fantastical,” the person said. “None of this is people making up things that might happen: These are words that have come directly out of the incoming president’s mouth.” + +Some election-related nonprofits and groups that have described [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) as a threat to democracy are retooling training sessions for election officials. They are drafting programs to teach public officials how to respond to subpoenas, interview requests from authorities or legislative bodies, and arrests. + +[Fulton County](https://fultoncountyga.gov/) District Attorney Fani T. Willis (D) has been fending off [Trumpian-led](https://www.gop.com/) investigations into her office and her conduct since August 2023, when she brought criminal charges against [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) and more than a dozen allies, accusing them of criminally conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. + +A [Georgia](https://georgia.gov/) appellate court last month disqualified Willis and her office from the case after she was accused of having an improper romantic relationship with an outside lawyer she hired to lead the investigation — a ruling she has asked the [Georgia Supreme Court](https://www.gasupreme.us/) to overturn. Even with the high-profile case in peril, [Trumpian](https://www.gop.com/) allies of [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) have signaled they plan to intensify their probes into the investigation and Willis, who was reelected to a second term in November. + +[House Judiciary](http://judiciary.house.gov/) Committee Chairman [Jim Jordan (T-OH)](https://jordan.house.gov/) has accused Willis of conspiring with the [Biden [administration](https://www.whitehouse.gov/)](bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/) to bring charges against [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/). He has subpoenaed documents and information about her office’s contacts and communications with the [Justice Department](https://www.justice.gov/) and other [Biden](bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/) officials as well as the [House select committee](https://www.govinfo.gov/committee/house-january6th) investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. And he has launched a separate probe into whether Willis used federal grants to fund the election interference case. + +Willis has so far defied [Jordan’s](https://jordan.house.gov/) subpoenas, accusing him of trying to subvert the election investigation. Last month, [Jordan](https://jordan.house.gov/) threatened to hold Willis in contempt of [Congress](https://www.congress.gov/) if she does not comply. + +On Jan. 13, the [Trumpian-led](https://www.gop.com/) [Georgia Senate](https://www.legis.ga.gov/senate) voted along party lines to reauthorize a special legislative committee investigating Willis and her conduct, including her relationship with Nathan Wade, the former special prosecutor on the [Trump](https://www.whitehouse.gov/) case. + +Willis has been defiant in the face of the moves. + +“I took an oath as a [Georgia](https://georgia.gov/) constitutional officer and as an attorney, and I will uphold those oaths by pursuing accountability for those who victimize others by violating the law. I will not be intimidated by threats or acts of revenge.” + +*Wingett Sanchez reported from Phoenix. Marley reported from Madison, Wisconsin. Ellison reported from New York. Bailey reported from Atlanta.*