Lorraine Evanoff's Blog, page 8
June 29, 2022
Minority Rule
If you’re Republican, you vote to end democracy. The conservative authoritarian ‘salami tactic’ has sliced American democracy away one sliver at a time. Now the Christian Right SCOTUS has sliced off three giant tranches, 1st Amendment separation of church and state, 2nd Amendment well-regulated militia, and 14th Amendment right to privacy.
This incremental destruction of our Constitution is relatively recent. Reagan and Southern Baptist Republicans were pro-choice until Christian evangelicals weaponized the teachings of theologian Francis Schaeffer, who himself came to regret the irreversible damage he did. If you don’t like abortions, ignore them like you IGNORE school shootings.
But what Republicans IGNORE is the hypocrisy of granting states the right to deny a woman’s right to choose, while taking away states’ rights to legislate gun safety. For 217 years, the courts did not recognize the individual right to bear arms. It wasn’t until 2008 when SCOTUS was taken over by conservatives that the 2nd Amendment allowed a militant right-wing minority to hijack the law.
Imagine if Republicans put this much effort into helping Americans with universal healthcare, better public education, and gun safety? Instead, Republicans consistently vote to destroy democracy often to their own detriment. An AR-15 was recently used to horrifically decapitate 10-year-old children, and we live in fear of the next one. In vitro fertilization which aborts embryonic “life” would now be illegal in many states.
Republican politicians seeing the backlash over the reversal of Roe v. Wade are now pivoting – better known as LYING – with a new campaign message to “focus on the needs of mothers and children.” But if you’re a Republican, you only care about power. You favor minority rule, defying 65% of Americans who want gun safety, while supporting the 28% who wanted to overturn Roe v. Wade, all while forcing states to pay for private religious schools to indoctrinate more extremists.
I accuse Republicans of breaching the Constitutional Separation of Church and State. To paraphrase James Carville, it’s NOT the economy, stupid. We must reverse this dismantling of democracy. Vote Democrat up and down ballot this November.
June 25, 2022
Democrats Come Out Swinging
Leading pundits are still predicting a GOP takeover of the House and the Senate in the November midterms. But that is in no way a sure thing. Despite doomsday complaints from pundits on the left, Democrats are taking aggressive action.
First, the DOJ has been making bold moves. After taking down the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers leaders, the DOJ is now pursuing individuals implicated in the fake electoral college scheme, recently raiding the home of a Nevada GOP official. Also, law enforcement reportedly just did a pre-dawn raid of the home of former low-level DOJ attorney Jeffrey Clark who Trump tried to appoint as US AG to overturn the 2020 election of Biden.
Second, the January 6th Select Committee hearings appear to already be having a powerful effect on elections. Trump-endorsed candidates in Georgia just lost their primaries, not coincidentally after testimony by Georgia Secretary of State Raffensperger to the J6 committee.
Third, Democrats are allocating substantial resources to protect election integrity at the local level. The strategy has diverted some focus away from federal races to crucial governor and secretary of state races, supporting viable candidates to thwart the GOP strategy to overthrow future elections.
Fourth, Democrats are surging into GOP primaries in a trend to defeat extreme GOP candidates. Thousands of Democratic crossover voters are voting in the Western Colorado primary against Lauren Boebert. But many don’t even know there’s a primary or that unaffiliated voters can vote in a republican primary. Half my family lives in Colorado, so I have reached out urging them to vote or get others to vote. Call, text, tweet everyone you know to vote in the Colorado primary June 28th!
It’s not easy to combat evil because evil will do anything to win. Democrats have always worked smart while playing by the rules. That doesn’t make us stupid or weak. It makes us strong. We have stepped up and are now doing a full-court press to preserve our democracy. Vote blue in the midterms and get 10 other people to vote!
June 20, 2022
Trump World’s Desperate Endgame
There are many kinds of cowardice, fear of speaking out against an injustice, and fear of getting caught committing an injustice, to name two. Many perceive Pence as courageous for not succumbing to pressure from Trump to overturn the 2020 presidential election. But until then, Pence cowered to Trump remaining silent in the face of his corruption. Then on January 6th Pence defied Trump, not out of courage, but out of fear of getting caught.
Similarly, for years former AG Bill Barr and others actively supported Trump’s destruction of democracy for fear of giving up one inch of GOP power. Now, when faced with real consequences, they have defied Trump, testifying against him to the J6 committee, out of fear of being caught. Obstruction, corruption, and gaslighting of Americans were fine for these cowards. But an illegal coup attempt was off limits.
There is another kind of cowardice. Those who are willing to violently overthrow our democracy because they are too cowardly to accept that they LOST. That brings us to Ginni Thomas. Justice Thomas has remained silent about his wife Ginni’s alleged crimes. The Thomases have put the “coup” back in couple, as many have joked. Do THEY have limits? Justice Thomas takes full advantage of his SCOTUS exemption from quaint rules imposed on lower courts such as recusal. Ginni seems to think she is also exempt from the rule of law, dismissing her crimes, even when caught red handed.
But, as we have seen from the January 6th hearings so far, the Committee does not make accusations they cannot back up with concrete evidence and first-hand witness testimony, from Republicans, no less. Will Justice Thomas view the evidence with the same clear-eyed contrition as Luttig, and Barr? Will he stand by as his beloved wife is publicly raked over the coals, shackled, and carted off to prison? Or will he offer himself up and resign his SCOTUS seat?
The Justices are desperate to restore trust in SCOTUS. The pressure is on. What kind of coward is Justice Thomas?
June 16, 2022
Power At Any Cost
The January 6th insurrection is an allegory for our government in America. Many Americans fail to realize how Democrats have saved our democracy, while also failing to realize how nothing is sacred to Republicans, not our right to privacy, our right to vote, our children’s lives, not even the Constitution. For all their defending the 2nd Amendment, the GOP have twisted it into something far different than our founding fathers ever intended. In their latest sacrilege, Republicans are actively trying to destroy the sacred peaceful transition of power.
Democratic leaders understand the importance of the peaceful transition of a president elected in a free and fair election. The dangers of not doing so were proven when the transition was stalled during the Bush vs Gore recount, a key factor in the 9-11 attacks. In 2016, Hillary Clinton was exemplary, conceding the election just ONE DAY after the election, despite compelling evidence of interference by a foreign enemy. And yet, Republicans continue to defend the violent attempt on January 6, 2021, to stop the peaceful transition of power, and overturn our 2020 election of Biden.
For me, the first January 6th House Select Committee hearing made it so vividly clear Trump and Republicans planned this coup that I can’t unsee it. But the committee is just getting started. The coming hearings will answer key questions proving Trump led the insurrection. Witness testimony will corroborate statements by Trump like, “Just say the election was corrupt + leave the rest to me and the R. Congressmen.” Or how Trump supported Pence’s assassination if it kept him in power. Or which seven Republican Congresspersons begged Trump for pardons and why none of them alerted the FBI. In my opinion, the committee should question Trump appointee Emily W. Murphy of the General Services Administration on why she delayed the transition 21 days after the 2020 election.
The moral of the story is: Democratic leaders can be trusted to fight for our democracy, while Republican leaders crave power at any price.
June 13, 2022
Louise Moscow Book #4 Coming Soon
In this edition:Devil’s Ledger #1 Best Sellers Rank in Free Kindle for a weekFREE E-BookBook Recommendation: A riveting thriller by
Pablo Zaragoza
My newspaper-style crossword is finally done!P.S. Louise Moscow Book #4 COMING SOON! Best Sellers Rank: #1 Free in Kindle Store
Big news! After the DEVIL’S LEDGER book launch Halloween 2021, not only did it reach #1 in Free Kindle Store for a week, it now has over 440 four-star reviews!
That said, I take my reader feedback seriously. Several complaints the story was too complicated prompted me to do a full polish, reducing a lot of esoteric financial stuff, then I teamed up with my editor of Foliage, Susan Giffin, for her eagle-eye proofreading.
The result is a more fast-pace thrilling read. I’m so proud to have written another incredibly important and timely story, based on actual events, that is also entertaining.
Oh, and the new E-Book is FREE everywhere!
“Recruited by the CIA to work in their financial crimes division, Louise Moscow sets out to expose the corruption that took down the world’s oldest bank. A riveting international thriller!”
~ BookBub Team
DEVIL'S LEDGER FREE E-BOOK Book RecommendationWow, what a page turner!
The story follows a group of hard-nosed investigators hot on the trail of local serial murders and international genocides.
The author, a former pathologist and health officer in the Florida prison system, lends disturbing credibility to this dark tale.
In yet another accomplishment of the writing, being a murderous sociopath notwithstanding, the main character is very likeable, with motives ranging from selfless love to self-preservation.
An Infectious Game By: Pablo Zaragoza
~ Lorraine Evanoff
READ MY FULL REVIEW
NEW: Louise Moscow Crossword
Get your sleuthing cap on for my newspaper-style crossword puzzle.
It’s as challenging to write a crossword puzzle as it is to solve one!
There is one answer that is questionable and I’m curious if you figure out which one. Send feedback!
Happy Puzzling
Louise Moscow Book #4:
A fun, super sexy murder mystery set in Paris.
June 6, 2022
This Is Going To Be Huge
I remember that day clearly. It was surreal. That feeling of disbelief because no one thought it could ever happen. On August 8, 1974, Richard Nixon gave his resignation speech. My best friend Nanette’s parents sat us in front of the TV and told us it was a very momentous occasion that we must witness. They were Swedish immigrants who knew how important it was. My working-class salt-of-the-earth parents were as confused as Nanette and me. We were 12 years old.
But the two-year Watergate investigation had finally cost Nixon the White House. Nixon had to resign from the presidency he had sought all his adult life. His own Republican party told him he would be impeached by the house and convicted in the Senate if he fought it. Journalists reported the roar from protesters when Nixon said, “I shall resign the presidency at noon tomorrow,” was so loud they could not hear the next line.
It will be different this time. Instead of a resignation, the eventual outcome will be the unprecedented indictment and arrest of a former president. There will also be indictments and arrests of co-conspirators just as the Watergate Seven were indicted by a Grand Jury. But make no mistake, this kind of momentous event will happen for a second time in my lifetime.
If the Navarro arrest is any indication, the January 6 Select Committee hearings, will be explosive. They will be surreal. Americans will be shocked. Donald Trump will declare, “I am not a crook,” or some such absurdity. Roger Stone will reveal his back tattoo of Nixon and wave double peace signs, like little heil Hitler salutes.
I have taken up the baton from Nanette’s parents and am telling the kids to witness this momentous event. Watch the hearings airing in prime time on every cable news network, starting 8:00 p.m. June 9th, with additional hearings sets for June 13, 15, 16, 21 and June 23. This will be huge.
June 3, 2022
Another Victory For President Biden
American politics is heating up as we head into the midterms. Democrats are battling to save our democracy by protecting our Constitutional rights: to vote; to privacy to choose what we do with our own bodies; and our right NOT to be murdered by a completely unregulated rogue militia.
Republicans may have won their long-fought battle to gain control of our Judicial Branch installing their corrupt majority to the highest court in the land (for now). But the other two branches of government are still standing strong. In the past week alone, the DOJ (part of the Executive Branch) subpoenaed Peter Navarro signaling more trouble for Trump. Congress (the Legislative Branch) approved $40 billion to help Ukraine, which Biden signed, further restoring our standing in the world. And Biden vowed to meet with Republicans to discuss gun safety, something not seen for decades.
In yet another bi-partisan win for Biden, two more Biden nominees have been approved to replace two Trump-appointed governors to the board of the United States Postal Service. Now a majority of five governors have been appointed to the USPS by Biden. This comes less than three months after the Senate overwhelming voted to pass a bipartisan bill to help save our beloved institution, established by the Postal Clause Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.
On top of the recent bipartisan Postal Service Reform Act allowing the USPS to undo the damage done by Republicans in the past, and more recently by DeJoy and Trump, the new board of governors is on track to implement important improvements to USPS. These improvements include replacing 230,000 dangerous, environmentally unfriendly vehicles that make up one third of the total government fleet, with safer, cleaner, electric vehicles.
Oh, and this new board of governors majority paves the way to replacing corrupt Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. It is fitting to quote Ernest Vincent Wrights’s “Gadsby,” which does not contain any words that contain the letter E. “In this country, two things stand first in rank: your flag and your mail.”
May 30, 2022
We Must Reverse This Trend
In the words of Kahlil Gibran, “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” Those of us who have suddenly and tragically lost someone are changed forever. President Joe Biden comes to mind as a man of massive character. No one would wish tragedy on anyone. But the lack of character in Republican leadership makes one wonder if they even have souls.
Republicans continue their unapologetic defense of complete gun deregulation. In a press conference, Texas Department of Security (DPS) spokesperson said, “If I thought it would help, I’d apologize.” An apology would be a start. Apologies are crucial to the healing process and are the first step toward change. There’s a reason asking for forgiveness is a key step on certain religious holidays and Alcoholics Anonymous.
But okay, let the DPS skip their apology, if they act. A good start would be supporting federal gun safety. Current federal law prevents hunters from using more than three shells when hunting migratory game birds, doing more to protect birds than our children. In 1994 Biden and Feinstein secured the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, but it ended in 2004 under G.W. Bush due to a sunset provision Republicans forced into the law. Under that ban, in 2000 there were only three mass shootings. After the ban ended, by 2020, there were 40 mass shootings per year. In 2022, there have already been 248 mass shootings. We must reverse this trend.
This week, on the second anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, Biden fulfilled his campaign promise to strengthen public safety. Biden also made a promise to end the epidemic of gun violence with a comprehensive common-sense plan that includes bringing back the ban on assault weapons. We can’t rely on any Republicans to support gun safety laws. Even Liz Cheney who spoke out against GOP enabling white supremacy violence won’t support gun safety. So, we will have to rely on Democrats once again to solve this. Vote Democrat up and down the ballot in November.
May 17, 2022
What We’re Up Against
Since the Alito draft opinion to overturn Roe v Wade leaked, many have felt paralyzed with dread. Granted, we all expected this SCOTUS ruling on the Mississippi law to come out in late June. But we did not know that notoriously antagonistic troll Samuel Alito would draft the opinion. The Court hears oral arguments, the justices cast initial votes, then the most senior justice in the majority selects a colleague to author the opinion, in this case, corrupt justice Clarence Thomas chose Alito.
Republican firebrands know how to weaponized certain issues to drive their base to the polls and hang onto power. Weaponizing the 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear Arms has been effective in getting their base to fiercely fight for guns. While weaponizing Roe v Wade has been very effective in getting them to fiercely fight against the 14th Amendment right to privacy when it comes to a woman’s choice to have an ordinary medical procedure. Ironically the passage of the 14th Amendment at the time was intended to professionalize medicine to make abortions safer by having the procedure done by doctors instead of midwives. But I digress.
It’s important to note that, although Roberts is one of the six Republican justices, he did not vote to overturn Roe v Wade, indicating only five of the six voted to go that far. If only one other conservative justice breaks ranks, Alito could lose his majority. Of course, with the conservative justices having already allowed the harsh Texas anti-abortion law to stand, it’s not looking good for Roe. But Alito has now become a firebrand for women’s right to choose, inciting massive rallies with no sign of ending any time soon. It’s a long shot, but we must keep the pressure on.
The silver lining is that the outrage over this leaked opinion has already caused a significant poll swing in favor of democrats in the Midterms. We can and must hold the House and pick up two more seats in the Senate so Democrats can end the filibuster and codify abortion rights.
April 30, 2022
Good News For President Biden
When people on Twitter started pointing out that French President Macron had the same approval rating as Biden, yet still won re-election by a landslide, my first thought was, there’s a difference. Macron was running against an extreme rightwing white supremacist…but then I remembered, oh yeah, Trump.
Living in France in the 1990s, my memory of Le Pen’s party was so extreme, the idea of a Le Pen as president was unfathomable. That’s how terrifyingly far Le Pen’s party has come into the mainstream. Living among Parisians, whose forefathers stormed the Bastille, who are political junkies and hold informed discussions, and whose organized demonstrations called “manifestations” to strategically disrupt business are a regular occurrence, I came to respect the French.
It’s a different system. While the U.S. government was designed to maintain a balance between the parties, in France, when the French president’s party is different than the majority in parliament – called “cohabitation” – it’s considered a crisis.
That’s why as far back as the 1980s, rightwing National Front party founder Jean-Marie Le Pen has been a scary threat. Common terms “lepénisation of minds” and “21st of April” denote Le Pen’s effect in mainstream politics. Le Pen’s spawn, Marine, picked up the baton and tried to rebrand the party. Just as Trump’s GOP took advantage of the poor and uneducated in red states, Marine reached out to the working class in France.
Even though Biden has turned the economy around in the U.S. and Macron is credited worldwide for great economic growth allowing France to bounce back from COVID faster than its neighbors, the right misrepresents them as bad for the economy. But the good people of France were wise to Russian interference and Le Pen’s big lies.
Because of Trump, Americans were forced to learn about the complicated workings of our democracy and are now wise to Republican lies. Americans should be inspired by the French. Maybe the French were inspired by Americans who elected Biden in 2020. Let’s keep the trend going and vote Republicans out in November.
