"No Controlling Legal Authority"

This was the response of former Vice President Al Gore when it became 

known he was being investigated by the Obama Justice Dept in 2009
for  engaging in a felony of campaign finance laws, soliciting campaign 

contributions from his White House office.  

Although Gore's action took place while he was Vice President, the
Bush Justice Dept. never decided to prosecute even after his eight
in the presidency. Only after Obama was elected did the Justice Dept.
quickly end the investigation.

Why bring up "no controlling legal authority"​ two decades after Gore's solicitations were made?   

Only because Gore's defense came to mind as I was pondering who
actually governs our nation, is it the people we elect or the various 

unelected groups that populate Washington, DC.

With money as the common yardstick used, the five biggest spenders
wield a lot of influence starting with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 
followed by the National Association of Realtors,  Blue Cross Blue Shield, 
the American Hospital Association and the Pharmaceutical Research  & Manufacturers of America. Rounding out the top 10 are the American 
Medical Association, Boeing, the National Association of Broadcasters, 
AT&T and Business Roundtable.

But, these major influence peddlers should not concern us as much as the

ones that do not spend as much money but have an even greater amount

of influence.

You may already know their names, as they are the most politically partisan groups, all have narrow agendas but a wide range of influence on legislation coming from Congress and regulations from the Executive branch.

The following are the few major, yet politically influential,  groups lobbying 
the people WE elect yet often "govern" to their satisfaction, and include the American Civil Liberties Union, National Rifle Association, Planned Parenthood, American Bar Association and Heritage Foundation.

What similarities do these obviously different groups share?  There are 
two that quickly come to mind.

First, all of them are powerful, conveniently have offices in our nation's 

capital, and influence the men and women we have elected to represent 

all the American people fairly and equally, not lean to partisan initiatives 

at the expense of the common interests of all citizens.

Second, none of them have the "controlling legal authority" Gore cited 

nearly a decade ago when defending financial improprieties. No member 
of these groups hold elected office, although many former members of 
Congress are quickly hired to work for them after retiring.

Nor do these groups have any legal authorization to write legislation or 
federal regulations despite the fact their "fingerprints" can be easily seen 
by anyone who looks to see.

Just something to think about.....

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"There are no coincidences in politics"......

If you listen to radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh you probably have

heard him say this subject quote often.

Revelations over the past few months by so many women coming forward,

primary in Hollywood, but also in the media and politics, speaking out

about being sexually assaulted brings Limbaugh's words to mind.

We are told such behavior has been well known,  but also well hidden, 

from the public at large. So, why are so many women speaking out now, 

after many years and even decades of being silent? 

What could be the reason this wall of silence is now being breached?

If what Limbaugh believes, "there are no coincidences in politics", this 

is not happenstance, so its not a stretch to conclude its 'political', and 

aggressively advanced to benefit the desires conjured up by the new 

and  younger leaders of the women's movement who refused to turn
a blind eye to such behavior as women such as Hillary Clinton,
Gloria Steinem and other noted 'feminists' did. 

If  there is such an effort, its being done at the expense of all men,
not solely the ones that deservedly should be held to account.

All men now become "specimens" to be examined, whether they are 

the target  of accusations or not, and regardless of their support of

issues important to women!

This political 'machine' may have been actively seeking out women 

that have been victims of physical assault, which should not have

been hard, as the rumors were ripe so they could be easily found.

Assaulted women were encouraged to come forward, and assured

they will get full support and legal council if needed. They no longer

needed to fear the threat to their careers.

I expect to see the evidence of the politics coming, in the form of 

fund raising emails, public service announcements in the media 

and politicians campaigning on "workplace behavior".

There may even be a new wrinkle in women's forums across academia, 

where male behavior will analyzed and result in a scholarly lobotomy

of the male species by learned professors.

This will be good, as the curtain will be pulled back so everyone can see
how those with the power to control others will be exposed and rightfully prosecuted.

Political or not, this needs to be done!

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Generosity of wealthiest Americans needs to be applauded

The generosity of the past needs to be remembered today, especially

when the most generous of today are scorned for not paying as much 

as some politicians demand they should.

Thankfully, this divisive criticism has not kept those who have given
the most continue to give the  most, even to a government which violates
its responsibility of being good stewards of taxes paid, whether the money 

comes from minimum wage earners or billionaires.

Most of us know of the generosity of Bill Gates and Warren Buffet but few

know the names of the people that can be found on the front of major 

hospitals, universities and museums in most cities spread from coast 

to coast.

Rather than criticizing these philanthropists even as the enormous
amounts they pay in taxes already fund over 90% of our government,
they should be applauded for doing the good they do, providing all
Americans the benefitsof their generosity.

History reminds us of Andrew Mellon, a leader in American philanthropy

who funded cherished institutions such as the National Gallery of Art. 

Even today the Mellon Foundation continues the philanthropy of its 

founder, eighty years after his passing. 

There was also JP Morgan who funded the New York Museum of Natural 

History and Metropolitan Museum of Art.

These vital resources allow the poorest of the poor to benefit from the
generosity of America's wealthiest!

But, philanthropy did not die when Mellon, Morgan and Rockefeller died,
it still continues today!

Here is a snapshot of giving in the first twenty years of this century.

Top university donations:

Bill and Melinda Gates: Gate scholarship program. $1 billion over decades

Ted Stanley: the Broad Institute, $650 million since 2006

Gordon and Betty Moore: California Institute of Technology, $600 million

Florence and Herbert Irving: Columbia & New York Presbyterian, $600 million bequest

Note: There are many more, including Harvard, Stanford, Cornell, Univ.
of Oregon and Johns Hopkins.

Top hospital donations:

Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation: New York Presbyterian
Hospital, $75 million

Bernie Marcus (Home Depot): Marcus Heart and Vascular Center,
community hospital, $75 million

Kingsley and Kenyon Gillespie: Stamford CT Hospital Foundation,
$50 million.

Ernest Tschann: US Davis (California) Health System, $38 million.

Brian and Aileen Roberts: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, $25 million

Note: there are dozens more with donations $5 million of greater.

Top Arts donations:

Paul Alan, numerous gifts, totaling over $370 million

Arthur and Margaret Glasgow: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, $70 million

Phillip and Patricia Frost: Miami Science Museum, $35 million

Jorge Perez: Miami Art Museum, $30 million

Gerry and Marguerite Lenfest: art complex at Columbia University,
$30 million

David Rubinstein: Kennedy Center, $12 million

We are Blessed to live in the most generous nation in history.  We should
tune out divisive rhetoric of self-serving politicians and "tune in"  to the
self-less acts the wealthiest provide for all Americans.

.

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Presidential Conservative Black Council

An unlikely advocate for a conservative movement in Black communities

appears to be President Trump as he addressed these constituents directly.

As some may recall, when Trump was campaigning he reached out
to the Black  community as no Republican presidential candidate has
ever done,  when he cited the failed Democrat policies and ended his
statement with  "What have  you got to lose?" A simple direct message
long past being asked.

As president, Mr Trump can do something as significant as Lyndon
Johnson did, give voice to people who have been muted today for the 

way they think as all Blacks were fifty years ago when they did not

have equal rights for the color of their skin.

These Black Americans are being told how to think and for even which

political party to vote for.  Those who do not adhere to these 'directives' 

are shamed, some even shunned by members of their own families.

It is long past time conservative Blacks gained the same respect enjoyed
by Blacks who are both Democrat and liberal.

President Trump has the opportunity to give voice to a group that has

been disrespected and silenced simply for believing as they do.

The answer would be a presidential council for Black conservatives,

from many backgrounds, in academia, faith, politics, journalism and

industry.

Conservatism is the essential, yet missing, 'ingredient' not found in
impoverished communities and hurt Blacks the most for it has been 

unable to crack the impenetrable wall of govt. mandated "socialism" 

permeating throughout their commutities.  

The purpose of this council would be to achieve a single objective,
to end the cycle of despair millions of Blacks have endured as they
lived through and could not escape the failed policies of the "Great

Society".

Such a council would bring together conservatives of note, like Walter

Williams, Thomas Sowell, Shelby Steel, Jesse Lee Peterson, Larry Elder,

Alveda King, Darrell Scott, Herman Caine and Vernon Robinson among

others.

Gaining this long overdue visibility would be a giant step for the values

of conservatism once again returning to Black communities where at

one time had thrived, yet now has been decimated while communities

with freedom to think  differently and vote accordingly have prospered.

In closing, I can only ask President Trump the same question he asked 

members of Black communities across our nation while campaigning, 

"what have you got to lose?".

Those in agreement, pass along and even drop your own note to the 

president via the White House website.

In Faith,

Anthony Bruno

Cary, NC

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Duel cartridges, the true cause of mass carnage

Its not surprising every time there is "mass carnage" where firearms are 

used the argument resonates of what must be done, pass more stringent

gun legislation or completing disarm the public from defending itself.

This is appealing to the 'quick fix' crowd that believes firearms are the 

problem and if only the availability of guns and ammo was greatly reduced

"mass carnage" would not occur.

What proponents of tougher gun laws do not add to the mix are the number events of "mass carnage" where fire arms were not used.  

We don't  need to begin any earlier than 1983  when  241 US and 58 French

peace keepers were killed when a truck bomb was used to destroy the barracks they occupied in Lebanon.

For more than three decades bombs, even suicide bombers, were used to
kill the innocent throughout the Middle East.

Now, advance to 1995 when 168 people were murdered in the Oklahoma City bombing. 

Nor, we will never forget the 3000 lives lost when jet planes deliberately 

crashed into buildings in 2001 on 9/11.

Finally, more recently bombings in London subways and trucks running over people in Spain and New York City resulted in the latest "mass carnage".  

In none of these events were firearms used to kill these multitudes!  Yet, 

within the political sphere the debate continues, a tug-o-war that always

ends in a draw until the next occurrence revisits the same argument using

the same rhetoric.

What needs to be remembered is that there are two 'cartridges' that go
hand-in-hand by those who commit these heinous acts, they suffer from
either one or both.  They can always  be found, even if rarely mentioned,
when scores of innocent people are murdered. 

After the fact law enforcement, politicians, academic and the public at large

get close to them when they attempt to understand  "why did he do this?"

On occasion the state mind is mentioned, but quickly dispatched as fire
arms once again becomes the go-to reason.

These cartridges have been with us since the beginning of mankind, spoken

often in the Biblical context to draw attention and warn us. They will never 

go away, and must always be fought relentlessly.

They are 'evil' and 'insanity' and no new laws will ever stop them from 

being 'fired' indiscriminately to cause mass carnage.

Your feedback greatly appreciated.....

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Congress "Hush Money" piggy bank!

This is the opening in a CNN report on sexual harassment in Congress. 

(CNN) Two things have become painfully clear on Capitol Hill this week: 

Lawmakers and staffers say sexual harassment is "rampant", but even 

members of Congress have no idea just how widespread the problem is.

I can believe the first part but find it difficult to believe the second,
members had "no idea how widespread it is".

This issue became public when Rep. Jackie Speier, a California Democrat

held a press conference to address it.  Details found on CNN link:

http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/16/politics/settlements-congress-sexual-harassment/ 

Rep. Speier told of the problem, the stealth payments totally more than

$15 million, even the source of the money, the House administration 
committee chaired by Gregg Harper, Mississippi Republican, newly 
elected in January and yet to make any payments.

Even Speaker Paul Ryan attempted to comfort us by ordering 'mandatory' 

sexual harassment training for members and their staff, which only 
solidified the "rampant" claim CNN reported!  This is not minor by any
yardstick used.

It also appears the US Congress has been complicit, protecting its
members from embarrassing publicity and even worse, prosecution,
by silencing women with courage to speak out about sexual harassment
in their workplace, which happens to be the US Capitol.

With reports of sexual harassment in Hollywood and corporate America
it  should be no surprise even in politics it can be found, as there is already
a lengthening  'wall of shame' of past and even current members.

You would think forty years after the birth of the 'women's movement',
men had "moved" outside the Neanderthal caves they lived in!

But, it appears many members of Congress have not and the reason we
now learn of the Congressional "piggy bank" used to silence women, and
even men, that came forward to complain they have been harassed.

Like so many problems uncovered in Congress sexual harassment may
run the course for a week, maybe two, than die as most things that blemish
the stellar reputations of the people we elect.

But, it does not have to disappear from the radar.  The American people
can stoke the coals so the heat of the political fire will get even hotter until
the sexual abusing members "cool down" and behave accordingly.

This is a rare issue that should easily receive bi-partisan support. Not from

lawmakers, they can only be counted to slap themselves on the wrist with 

one hand while slapping each other on their backs with the other.

Only pressure from constituents will end the abuse of power so proper
behavior and mutual respect will become the only conduct found in the
US Capitol.

We have a good starting point, contacting:
Rep. Speir:  https://speier.house.gov/

Rep. Harper: https://harper.house.gov/ 
Speaker Ryan:  https://paulryan.house.gov

Next, contact your member of Congress, this site will searches by zip code: 

https://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

Let each of them know you demand that no members of Congress or their
staff receive dispensation for their behavior or actions and expect full
review of all allegations and prosecution when evidence is presented.

Get engaged, it is the only way to get results...

Feedback always appreciated.  ajbruno14@gmail.com

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FINALLY, good news coming out of Washington......

Once again the media is focusing on 'identity politics' rather what

is actually happening in the Trump Administration.  

This time the media finds it "newsworthy" to report who the president

is appointing which is the polar opposite to criteria found in most 

newsrooms.

The headlines across the media spectrum blare, "In search of federal

judges, Trump taps mostly white men" and "Trump picking

white males for judiciary at highest rate in 30 years".

This should not be unexpected, for it once again sets a false narrative 

of what is actually occurring, something the public has been resigned 

to accept.

Now, why would President Trump appoint White jurists at a higher rate

than his recent predecessors have done? What could reason possibly be?

Its simple, but don't expect to see the answer in the headlines.

President Trump has selected conservative jurists as he campaigned he 

would do. THAT is the story....period!

Sadly, there is clear evidence most 'people of color' serving on the bench

are not conservative, they are overwhelmingly liberal or progressive and 

worse believe in judicial activism rather than ruling on existing law.

This story may be worthy of reporting, but not for the reason the 'bean 

counters' in Washington and academia are focusing on. 

The reason is simple, this increase in White jurists being appointed is due

to one reason only, they are the most conservative, qualified judges that 

do rule on existing law and deserving of an appointment by a president to 

thinks likewise! 

Its nice to finally read REAL news coming from the media, especially when

it has the reporters so unhinged!!!!

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