DEATH BY "TRUMPCARE" AND THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED CONGRESS

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     Thanks to President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, affordable healthcare in America is available to the poor, the disabled, the chronically ill and the elderly.

     Thanks to President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, Americans with pre-existing conditions can get health insurance.

     Thanks to President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden...I have health insurance.

     But now...Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled U.S. Congress want to take it away from me just so the nation's wealthy can buy bigger houses...more expensive cars...new boats...and other luxury items.

     Don't jump down my throat so quickly.  I realize that the GOP Senate bill - revealed on Thursday, June 22nd, 2017 - doesn't permit insurance companies to deny coverage to those of us with pre-existing conditions...or to jack up the prices because of health problems.  On the other hand, though...Republican lawmakers won't make it "an absolute" for people with pre-existing conditions to be able to obtain health insurance.  Although insurance companies won't be given a green light to discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions, the GOP senators' legislation would allow state governments the flexibility to waive the Affordable Care Act's so-called "essential health benefits" - a list of ten coverage categories that every insurance plan needs.  The Republican senators' measure would also give states a pathway that would put the screws to people with pre-existing conditions. By the Senate giving the states carte blanche, insurance companies would likely entice healthy people to purchase less expensive policies that don't cover as much...which would mean that Americans with pre-existing conditions would have a tough time to find a plan that is affordable and that would cover necessary treatments.

     As for those essential health benefits...the Republicans believe states should have the right to take those EHBs and chop them up in to little pieces then throw them in to the trash so that premiums for the rich can be reduced.  By doing so, the costs of policies for the middle-class and poor will skyrocket...and deductibles will soar in to the stratosphere for everyone, but the wealthy.  Such essential health benefits that a state could eliminate include maternity care, mental health treatment, emergency services and prescription drugs, to name only a few. Premiums, therefore, would cost less for the rich and/or healthy, but the plans would cover less.  So the sick and disabled...and the poor and the aging...would be out in the cold...unable to buy insurance that fit their budgets.  Furthermore, insurance companies could impose annual or even lifetime limits on items that are not considered essential health benefits.  The Affordable Care Act had done away with those limits.

     But there is hope that the Senate measure will not pass and that President Obama's signature legislation - more commonly known as "Obamacare" - will remain the law of the land forever.  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his Republican cronies haven't pulled the plug on their bill yet, but the GOP did trip the circuit breaker on Tuesday, June 27th and, therefore, delayed the vote on the measure.  The Republicans' efforts to "repeal and replace Obamacare" are on hold until at least after Congress' 4th of July recess.  And unless McConnell can convince a total of 49 of the other 51 Republican senators to join him and jump on his bandwagon, their Better Care Reconciliation Act will go off the cliff and crash on impact.  

     The fact of the matter is...the Senate's legislation has nothing to do with improving anyone's health.  The measure is purely a political ploy to generate revenue so that massive tax reductions would be provided to moneymakers in the top 2-percent of the country, who now pay more in taxes to help America's neediest receive subsidies and tax credits so that they can afford healthcare.  Those Affordable Care Act subsidies would be drastically cut under the Republicans' plan, thus providing less money for fewer people.  And those who would still qualify for subsidies would still pay much higher premiums than they do now.  No matter what President Obama did...Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell want to undo.  And they don't give a damn that the most vulnerable Americans would suffer.

     The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office - on Monday, June 26th - determined that the Senate Republicans' healthcare plan would leave 22-million more Americans uninsured by 2026...including 15-million by 2018.  That means, over the next eight years, 49-million people in our country wouldn't have insurance.  The House of Representatives bill would equate to 51-million Americans who would be excluded from health insurance by 2026.

     Although the Congressional Budget Office says the GOP Senate plan would reduce the nation's deficit by 321-billion dollars by 2026...the CBO blames the savings on deep Medicaid cuts...which is something Donald Trump insisted - during the presidential campaign - would never happen.  Therefore, it's time to remind you of Trump's own words.

     On September 7th, 2015, Trump told CBS News correspondent Scott Pelley - in a 60 Minutes interview - "Everybody's got to be covered.  I am going to take care of everybody."

     In a February 2016 interview with Fox News...Trump told Sean Hannity..."I'm not gonna have, if I'm President, people dying in the the street because they can't afford (a) health plan.  I'm not going to allow people to die on the sidewalks of the streets. I'm not gonna let it happen."

     And on January 25th, 2017 - sitting down with ABC News anchor David Muir - Trump echoed much of what he had promised in the past.  "What my plan is...is that I want to take care of everybody.  I'm not going to leave the lower 20-percent that can't afford insurance."

     Medicaid covers about 70-million Americans.  According to The Kaiser Family Foundation, 20-percent of all Americans...39-percent of all children...49-percent of all births...and 64-percent of all nursing home residents...are covered by Medicaid. But yet...the GOP wants to slash nearly 800-billion dollars - that's almost one-trillion dollars - from Medicaid.  How do Republicans not realize that Medicaid is vital to such a vast amount of people?  In addition to the Medicaid cuts, the GOP bill would axe federal funding for Planned Parenthood...which would affect many millions of women throughout the United States.  It's no wonder Republicans wanted to keep their bill a secret until the proverbial cat was out of the bag. 

     Why do so many people - who are more fortunate than others - not want to help people living in poverty...children - and adults - who are sick with lifelong diseases... and anyone who desperately needs Medicaid merely to survive?

     Let me be clear here.  Not all Americans in that top 2-percent are selfish.  I would never make such a suggestion.  There are a great many people who fit in that financial bracket who are not only philanthropic and charitable, but who are willing to pay more in taxes so that healthcare remains a right for all, not a privilege for few.

     I truly believe that most Republicans have no clue how tens of millions of Americans live.  And now, it's apparent that they not only don't want to know...but they don't care.  On June 22nd, dozens of people - many of them ill or disabled...and some with oxygen tanks and/or in wheelchairs - were arrested after they protested against the GOP bill.  In a disgraceful and shameful act by Capitol Hill officials, police carried out the demonstrators - kicking and screaming - from outside Senator McConnell's office. I certainly hope voters will remember that day when they go to the polls for the mid-term elections in 2018 and the next presidential election in 2020.  But just in case they don't...if the Democratic Party - and all Democratic candidates - are smart... before election day, they will refresh voters' memories of the reprehensible behavior by the powers-that-be on Capitol Hill...and note that McConnell's office could have stopped the police from such horrid action.  Democrats should flood the airwaves with television ads that show physically impaired Americans being hauled away in such a disgraceful manner as if they were bags of garbage.

     If a combined House and Senate healthcare bill ever were to pass for Donald Trump to sign in to law, a tremendous amount of Americans would - in the not too distant future - be tossed out on to the streets...and hundreds-of-thousands of people...if not millions...will die.  To anyone who cast their ballots last year to elect Donald Trump as President...is this what you voted for?

     The Republican legislation would give each of the 400 wealthiest families in the country a 7-million dollar tax cut every year.  The bill would provide 500-billion dollars in tax cuts to the top 2-percent of America's earners.  Republicans nationwide - and those on Capitol Hill - who support such a measure...are cruel and heartless.  As Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts stated - June 22nd - on the Senate floor..."These cuts are blood money.  People will die."

     In my May 5th, 2017 column, I called the House Republican healthcare bill "a recipe for death."  I wrote that if their piece of legislation became law, Donald Trump...certain Members of Congress...and anyone else who supports the measure... would someday be guilty of murder.  Now...the GOP senators who back their bill...will deserve the same accusation.

     Neither the Senate or House healthcare bill should ever become law.  Such measures are vindictive viciousness by immoral monsters who are willing to pass legislation that would eventually take people to their graves.  

     "Obamacare" has saved millions of lives.  "Trumpcare" would put millions to death.

     And that's The Controversy for today.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

     "We'll talk again."

The Controversy is a publication of GBD Productions.  Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B. Duglin.

Now, please express your personal opinions by following the instructions above.  And thank you for reading The Controversy.

Copyright 2017 Gary B. Duglin and TheControversy.net.  All Rights Reserved.

DONALD TRUMP: "A NARCISSISTIC MANIAC"

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     The Controversy celebrates a milestone with this column.  Today's commentary is my 300th since The Controversy was launched on November 22nd, 2012. Unfortunately...what I write about in this editorial...is not anything to celebrate.

     For five months, the President of the United States has embarrassed our country. And many other nations around the world - including some of our strongest allies - are not happy with him.  Because of certain actions by Donald Trump...a June 14th, 2017 headline in The Washington Post read..."Special Counsel is investigating Trump for possible obstruction of justice, officials say."  And even though one of his attorneys, on June 18th, disputed the newspaper's claim...Trump himself acknowledged it to be true in a June 16th tweet.  "I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director."  

     Don't get me wrong.  Such a probe is, without question, necessary...and I wholeheartedly support it.  I also applaud Special Counsel Bob Mueller for his diligence.  But this investigation is not something that any American should be proud of or joyful about...so it is, therefore, not a celebration. 

     Donald Trump's presidency is in turmoil and crisis.  And until Mueller...federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies...and/or the U.S. Congress...can determine conclusively...whether Trump himself and/or others in his Administration...are or are not guilty of criminal activity...most Americans - perhaps close to two-thirds of the public, based on Trump's recent approval ratings - will continue to think that we have another "crook" - to use Richard Nixon's word - in The White House.

     We must know the truth about Donald Trump.  We must know the truth about Trump's alleged plan to put an end to the Russia investigation by firing the then-Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation James Comey in order to also stop the investigation of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and his alleged connections with Vladimir Putin's government.  And we must know the truth... whether Trump and/or anyone in the Trump Administration and/or campaign... colluded with Russia to interfere and affect the outcome of our 2016 presidential election.

     Most of this column had been written for publication last weekend...but because of the horrific shootings of Louisiana's Republican Congressman Steve Scalise and three others - at a baseball field in Alexandria, Virginia on June 14th - I felt it was inappropriate to post a commentary that chastises America's Commander-In-Chief. That said...now that Congressman Scalise is in fair condition and thankfully improving everyday... lobbyist Matt Mika is recovering...with Congressional staffer Zach Barth and Capitol Police Officer Crystal Griner being treated and released from the hospital...and Capitol Police Officer David Bailey having been treated and released for his non-gunshot injury...I believe that we - as a nation - must now move forward for the sake of our entire country.  And therefore, this column is essential to that movement.

     I didn't know if I was going to throw-up or put my fist through the screen of my television set.  Since I am, by nature...and by every other means...not in any way a violent person...I did not bust a hole in my TV.  And although that which I had been watching was nauseating, it wasn't worth me getting sick and making a mess in my house by puking up my guts.  But Donald Trump's narcissism reached a new level of disgust - on June 12th - when he undoubtedly staged a production for all to see... with members of his entire Cabinet (and then some)...praising him and expressing their gratitude to his maddening majesty...and to the invisible crown that he wears on his huge head.

     Never before in the history of the American presidency...have the citizens of our country...ever suffered through the agony of a self-centered loudmouth...who has created an Administration...that is overflowing with subjects...who have apparently vowed to bow down to a man...who thinks he's a cross between a king and a dictator.

     "It's a privilege to serve you."  I am "honored" to work "under your leadership."  It is "a blessing" to satisfy your sovereignty.  Okay, perhaps I exaggerate a bit.  But over and over again...in Trump's first meeting of his full Cabinet of puppets...the billionaire boss obviously arranged for his political pushovers to go one by one around their monarch's chamber room...to worship and glorify the supreme sultan of slime.

     Trump's pomposity - as he sat like an egotistical emperor on his royal throne - was not only disturbing...and troubling...but altogether humiliating for the United States of America.  The awkwardness was excruciating to witness.

     Meanwhile...Democrats in Virginia went to the polls on June 13th and voted to make the commonwealth's Lieutenant Governor, the Democratic Party's nominee for Governor.  Ralph Northam will face Republican Ed Gillespie in the gubernatorial election on November 7th.  But now...in a television ad that is airing throughout "The Old Dominion" state...Northam - who is a pediatrician - diagnosed Donald Trump as "a narcissistic maniac."

     Unlike Northam, I am not a physician.  Therefore, I don't possess the credentials that he holds.  But with all due respect to Dr. Northam, I don't believe any person needs a medical degree to understand the dictionary definition of a narcissist.  And I hope Dr. Northam would agree.

     In my column of December 19th, 2015, I wrote about "the lunacy" that has been spouted..."especially the maniacal rubbish being spewed by Donald Trump."  And in my March 9th, 2016 commentary, I authored these words.  "Donald Trump is an egomaniacal narcissist."

     Come the summer of 2016 - on August 3rd - I stated that "Donald Trump must suffer from narcissistic personality disorder.  He is a megalomaniac whose egotistical manner is beyond troubling.  Trump is unfit to be President."  It was not the first time I accused "The Donald" of being "unfit" to control the nuclear codes.  Also in that same August 3rd column - which was titled, IS DONALD TRUMP MENTALLY ILL? - I queried if Trump...because of his "obnoxious temperament and offensive behavior... will flip out and perhaps be a danger to himself or to others?"  And not too many days later - on August 13th - I wrote that Trump's "reckless remarks" make him "one pistachio short of a Planters picnic.  Donald Trump...is NUTS."  Finally - on August 18th - I reminded everyone about Trump's "narcissistic nature" and his "I alone can fix it" attitude.

     There are statesmen throughout our nation who have expressed similar sentiments.  The former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, former Vermont Governor Howard Dean tweeted on June 2nd, 2017..."Trump the narcissist has got his way at the expense of his descendants.  The Trump name will be etched in human history as a major villain."  And Republicans have also chimed in on Donald Trump's sanity.  On May 31st, the former Chairman of the Republican National Committee, former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele wondered why Trump was having trouble attracting new, good staffers to join his Administration. "The talent pool is shrinking...because who wants to sign up for crazy?"

     One of my readers responded to my June 15th column, titled A "FIELD OF DREAMS" BECOMES A BATTLEFIELD, and accused me of being disrespectful to Donald Trump.  The anonymous reader submitted his or her reply to a composition where I never once noted a coarse comment about Trump.  "In the future, please show your respect for the Office and call him President (his last name)."  I replied the following to the reader.  "I have complete and total respect for the 'Office' of the President of the United States of America.  But that does not mean I have to respect the man who sits behind The Oval Office desk.  That person needs to earn my respect.  I have no respect for Donald Trump.  And not because he is in The White House and Hillary Clinton is not. (That is what the reader insinuated in an earlier part of his remarks). If that was the case I would not have called George W. Bush, President Bush...I would not have addressed George H. W. Bush, President Bush...and I would not have called Ronald Reagan, President Reagan.  They each won their elections against Democratic opponents.  And although I disagreed politically with each of those Presidents...they were/are honorable men who had my respect and the respect of the nation.  If you have read any of my columns from the 2016 campaign then you know my reasons why I oppose Trump...and those reasons are not just political.  So no...I will not place the word President immediately in front of Donald Trump's name.  I do refer to him as President - because unfortunately he is - but to give respect to him by addressing him in that fashion...well...he is not worthy of that title."  The reader never answered back.

     On June 8th, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee issued a statement that "it's clearer than ever why nearly 50 percent of Americans said in a recent poll that they're ready to impeach Donald Trump.  All the corruption, incompetence, and abuses of power by Trump and his state-level allies are simply too much to tolerate." And in an interview on June 9th with NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd on his MSNBC show Meet The Press Daily...Democratic Senator Al Franken of Minnesota was quite critical of Donald Trump.  "He's devalued the presidency."

     Baffling as it is, there are those who don't agree with Senator Franken...with Lieutenant Governor Northam...with the DLCC...or with me.  But as I wrote in my column of March 17th, 2017 - which I also noted in editorials throughout the campaign - "Donald Trump is a pathological liar."  And there are those who have said he belongs committed in to a mental institution.

     At the meeting of the "I Pledge Allegiance To The Donald Club"...I was waiting for the Cabinet members to file out of the room...with Trump at the doorway...and each ass-kissing groupie bending down to kiss his ring.  But Donald Trump is not The Pope. He is not a king nor is he an emperor.  And he is certainly not America's dictator. Even if...in his own narcissistic mind...he thinks he is.

     And that's The Controversy for today.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

     "We'll talk again."

The Controversy is a publication of GBD Productions.  Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B. Duglin.

Now, please express your personal opinions by following the instructions above.  And thank you for reading The Controversy.

Copyright 2017 Gary B. Duglin and TheControversy.net.  All Rights Reserved.

A "FIELD OF DREAMS" BECOMES A BATTLEFIELD

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     When will it stop?  When will American moms and dads of the 21st century be able to feel the way parents in the 1960s did when their children went to school in the morning?  When will America's children of today's generation be able to feel the way kids in the 1960s did when their mothers and/or fathers went to work? 

     When my siblings and I walked to our elementary school - let's say in 1963 - the only concern my mother had was making sure I held the hands of my 6-year old sister and 5-year old brother when we crossed the street.  I was 8.  And as long as the 12-year old safety patrol guard watched the three of us - and other youngsters - we were not in any danger.  We got to school safely.

     The scariest thing throughout the day - for anyone my age - was hoping that a fourth grader wouldn't pick on any of us third graders.  No parent, though - not my mom and dad, nor any other child's folks - ever feared a psychopath spraying bullets in a classroom.  Nobody was ever afraid that - before the final school bell rang at the close of the day - we would have dead teachers and dead students because of a madman with a gun.  At the other end of the chronological spectrum, a senior citizen from a half-century ago...could walk around the block in the community of his own home without being scared that a lunatic with a revolver was going to murder him. And Members of the United States Congress - whether they be Republicans or Democrats - would never think that a deranged would-be assassin would storm the practice of a charity baseball game and shoot four people including a leadership Representative from the House.  Yes, we did lose a President to an assassin's bullets...and in that same decade...his brother - who most likely would have been elected President - was shot to death five months before the election.  And yes...we lost a great civil rights leader to yet another assassin pulling the trigger.  But school shootings and gun violence - in nightclubs, movie theaters and other public places nationwide - were nowhere as bad as it is today.

     It was shortly after 7 o'clock in the morning on Wednesday, June 14th, 2017 when, in Alexandria, Virginia - just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC - House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, a 51-year old Republican, was at second base... when a 66-year old gunman from Illinois...with a vicious hatred...decided it was time to "Destroy Donald Trump and company" - as he wrote on Facebook - so he used a baseball diamond that was next to a children's playground...as a battlefield. Before the would-be killer attacked, he reportedly asked if the players were Democrats or Republicans.  Moments later, he opened fire.  Fortunately, the shooter's aim was off and he hit Congressman Scalise's left hip, not his head or heart. However, as this column is published, the Louisiana lawmaker remains in critical condition following surgery for fractured bones, injured internal organs and severe bleeding.  A lobbyist and former Congressional staffer - Matt Mika - is also hospitalized in critical condition after reportedly being shot in the chest...while Congressional staffer Zach Barth was not seriously hurt after he was shot in the leg.  He was treated and released. Scalise - being the third ranking Member of the U.S. House of Representatives - came to the softball practice with a protection detail of two Capitol police officers.  When the would-be killer began firing an assault rifle and a pistol, the "field of dreams" became a combat zone. But the pair of Capitol cops became true heroes as they engaged in a firefight with the gunman...even though they too had been injured.  Officer Crystal Griner is listed in good condition after a bullet wound in the ankle.  Officer David Bailey was treated and released for a minor injury he received during the gunfight, but he was not shot. Thankfully Congressman Scalise was playing because if he wasn't there would not have been any armed guards on the scene and the result could have been a massive disaster with possibly twenty people or more killed. Donald Trump applauded Scalise's security detail.  "Many lives would've been lost if not for the heroic actions of the two Capitol Police officers." Within three minutes of the attack, the Alexandria Police chief says his officers arrived to help take down the shooter...who died later at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in the nation's capital...which is where the victims are recovering.

     As scheduled..."Play Ball" will be heard Thursday evening, June 15th when Congressional Democrats and Republicans will take the field at Nationals Park.  To cancel this traditional baseball game - which not only raises money for various important charities, but builds bi-partisan friendship among the politicians - would mean victory for a dead gunman.  And nobody would want him smiling from his grave.

     You may recall that two months ago on Easter Sunday - April 16th - a kindhearted 74-year old Ohio grandfather was shot to death on a sidewalk in his own neighborhood when a mentally disturbed man randomly stopped him and shot him point blank for no reason whatsoever.  And as you undoubtedly are aware, the killer recorded the tragedy and then posted it on Facebook.  Two days later, the gunman put a bullet in his own head when police caught up to him in Pennsylvania following a tip from a McDonald's employee.

     Six days before an armed maniac stole the life of that loving grandpa from "The Buckeye State"...an estranged husband of a California school teacher entered his wife's classroom and blasted six rounds of ammunition, which fatally wounded the teacher and killed a terrified 8-year old boy who was cowering behind her.  Another male student - age 9 - was injured by bullets just before the gunman committed suicide.  Authorities determined that the kids were not supposed to be victims, but that the youngsters were shot because they were too close to their teacher.

     For many years at my high school in New Jersey, a guard sits at the main entrance.  However, it was not the practice when I was a student.  After all, I grew up in a quiet, upper-middle-class, low-crime community about thirty miles from New York City.  My little town still fits that description.  But now...nobody can enter my school without signing in and being met in the lobby by a teacher or student.  That being said...once inside...what happens if the visitor has a pistol hidden under his or her clothes?  So even with a guard at the door, a killer could make his or her way passed the security personnel.

     There are a multitude of shootings daily in the United States...with 93 Americans killed and hundreds more wounded by gun violence everyday.  No place can ever be considered completely safe.  And we should never take for granted that there is.  We must be totally alert to the people in our surroundings.  But are we at a point in our country where anyone - including a family member - must be stopped at the front door of a school and subjected to a metal detector...and perhaps even patted down by an armed security guard before allowing a person to enter the campus building? Have we come to a time when not only the President, the Vice President and certain other high level federal officials should be guarded by Secret Service agents, but that every Member of the Senate and House should be too?  And are we at a point that each and every one of us need to be fearfully focused - no matter where we go - that a gunman could shoot any one of us at any moment?  Must we have to live this way?  I sure hope not.

     There are innocent men, women and children who are murdered everyday because of evil villains who possess guns.  Tragically, there are other people - many other people - who just don't care enough to do whatever is necessary to prevent the disgruntled...the insane...and the ordinary criminal element...from using deadly weapons.

     How many more Americans have to die before a federal law is passed by Congress and signed by the President of the United States so that universal background checks and extensive waiting periods are mandatory?  I pray that Congressman Scalise - along with the other shooting victims - will fully recover from their wounds.  Hopefully...because of the gunfire on the baseball field...Scalise - along with all the Republicans on his baseball team - will join together with the Democrats on the opposing team...to write a tough, strict and commonsense gun control bill that the entire House and Senate will approve...and that Donald Trump will sign in to law.

     The safety of our country's children...and adults...are at stake.  The loss of a family member...close friend...or anyone you care deeply about...is emotionally painful under any circumstances.  But for your loved one to be shot to death...has to be devastating beyond imagination.  How many more families have to suffer?  How much more blood has to be spilled?  When will the carnage cease?  No mother, no father, no son, no daughter, no husband, no wife...not one single person in the United States should ever have to agonize from their kinfolk being slaughtered by someone with a gun.

     The following was part of the gut-wrenching and heartbreaking sentiments of a grieving father after his son - a 20-year old California college student - was shot and killed in a deli mart in May of 2014.  "You don't think it'll happen to your child...until it does."  Similar words could apply to any one of us.  You don't think it'll happen to someone YOU love...until it does.

     Whether in the backyards of America's heartland or on the concourse of cosmopolitan centers, the senseless slaying of souls must stop.  Guns must be removed from the hands of sick, troubled, mentally ill and criminally degenerate individuals.  It is essential that none of them be allowed to have the opportunity to purchase a firearm.  No monster should be given the chance to blast his or her way in to a school...in to a church...in to a restaurant...on to a baseball field...or in to any other public venue.

     This column is generally motivated by political issues.  And regular readers of The Controversy know quite well of my liberal, progressive views.  I am a staunch Democrat.  But I am a proud and patriotic American.  And I oppose violence of any kind...especially when guns are involved.  Still, many of my readers have - in the past - wrongfully accused of me of being "a hater."  I hate no one.  I don't hate Republicans.  And although I don't agree with most everything that he stands for...or that he says, tweets or does...I don't hate Donald Trump.  I certainly don't wish any harm to him or to anybody else...no matter what their politics are...no matter how much I disagree with them.  We unfortunately live in a world where certain people choose to hurt others rather than discuss a matter calmly and peacefully.  We unfortunately live in a world where certain people choose not to obey the laws of the land...and they don't care if after they take another life...they end their own. Americans are - for the most part - better than that. Sometimes, though, we have to fight for what we believe is right.  With all due respect to English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton, I take the liberty to amend his 1839 adage.  Let us remember that the tongue and the typewriter...(or today's computer)...are truly mightier than the sword...or the gun.  The illegal and criminal use of a firearm for deadly purposes accomplishes nothing, but heartache.  So we - as a country...as a Congress...as a President - must come together and achieve a goal that will protect Americans' rights...and our lives.

     The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution gives all Americans the right to bear arms.  But it does not give anyone the right to use those weapons to criminally harm others.  Without better gun control laws, more tiny tots will go off to school in the morning...never to return home to their parents in the afternoon.  Must it take another classroom of first graders to be brutally massacred before people wake up to do what is right?  Let's not ever have another Sandy Hook.  Let's not ever have more Congressmen shot.

     And that's The Controversy for today.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

     "We'll talk again."

The Controversy is a publication of GBD Productions.  Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B. Duglin.

Now, please express your personal opinions by following the instructions above.  And thank you for reading The Controversy.

Copyright 2017 Gary B. Duglin and TheControversy.net.  All Rights Reserved. 

COMEY CALLS TRUMP A LIAR. AND SENATORS DIDN'T ASK A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION.

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     In a two-hour-and-forty-minute true-life national reality television show starring former FBI Director James Comey...the program's special guest stars - Members of the United States Senate Intelligence Committee - questioned Comey on Thursday, June 8th, 2017...about his conversations with Donald Trump.  But there was one question that was not asked by any U.S. Senator, which I believe remains the mystery whether Trump is part...note my word "part"...of any investigation by the FBI.  More than one Senator asked Comey if Trump was "a target" of an investigation...if Trump was "personally" being investigated...and if Trump "himself" was the focus of any FBI probe.  And each time Comey replied "No."  In one response to the Senators, Comey said he answered Trump with the following sentence.  "Sir, we're not personally investigating you."  But in national televised testimony before the House Intelligence Committee - on March 20th - Comey revealed that the FBI was, in fact, investigating the Trump campaign...to determine whether there was any links, connection or collusion between anyone in the campaign and Russia...to affect the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.  Comey repeated before the Senators on June 8th that such an investigation was underway while he was the FBI chief.  But why did no Senator ask the following question?  "As the head of the Trump campaign...was Donald Trump...in any way...PART...of that investigation?" Jim Comey is a veteran lawyer and knows how to carefully answer questions.  By agreeing with Senators with words such as "correct" and "yes"...that Trump was not "personally" a "target" of any counterintelligence...or criminal...or any other investigation...and that he "himself" was not the focus of the FBI's Russia probe... that did not give the American people the answer that we want to know.  If the Trump campaign is under investigation...then did agents of the FBI totally ignore the centerpiece of that campaign?  That is the question I wanted just one Senator to ask...so it could be answered by the Bureau's former "top cop."  It disturbs me that no Member of the Senate Intelligence Committee thought to ask Jim Comey if Donald Trump was - in any way - being investigated...under the umbrella of the Trump campaign probe.

     The lead in my June 7th column was..."Americans need to know...and must know...if the President of the United States is criminally guilty of obstruction of justice."  Under oath, Comey told the Senators that "the Special Counsel" (Bob Mueller) will look at "obstruction of justice."  Therefore, without stating that he feels Donald Trump may have obstructed justice, Comey raised the question and built a case that obstruction of justice may likely end up being the result of the Russia investigation.  Comey has testified that Trump asked him at their January 27th dinner at The White House..."I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go.  He is a good guy.  I hope you can let this go."  The former FBI Director says Trump's words were "very disturbing, very concerning."  He was "stunned by the conversation."  Comey told the Senators..."I took it as a direction" since he was alone with the President.  Comey believes that Trump's words "I hope"...did not indicate a wish...or a request...but a command...and an order from the President. Comey testified..."I took it as this is what he wanted me to do."  As Democratic Senator Kamala Harris of California noted..."When a robber" says "I hope you will give me your wallet...hope is not the operative word."  Therefore, this entire matter with Donald Trump and his conversation with Jim Comey about former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn...smells of obstruction of justice.  No matter how you analyze it, the President of the United States did use words that suggested the FBI Director shut down an investigation in which he (Donald Trump)...or members of his campaign...or members of his Administration...are under investigation.  When you combine the fact that Comey - who was leading that investigation - was subsequently fired...that adds up to obstruction of justice.  Comey testified..."I was fired" to somehow "change" the nature of the Russia investigation.  Therefore...I'm in agreement with Comey and wholeheartedly hope that Trump tape recorded conversations with the former head of the FBI.  Comey was straightforward with his remark.  "Release all the tapes.  I'm good with it."

     Are there any tapes?  Donald Trump had threatened Comey in a May 12th tweet that "James Comey better hope that there are no 'tapes' of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!"  Comey says that a few days later he woke up in the middle of the night and, in essence, decided he'd better jump the gun on Trump in case there are any tapes.  Therefore, he gave the memo that he wrote - about Trump's "direction" to "let go" the Flynn investigation - to a close friend...a professor at Columbia Law School...so that the document could be leaked to a reporter. Comey told the Senators that his reason for doing so was "that might prompt the appointment of a Special Counsel."  Eventually...that's exactly what happened.  And although Trump had fired Comey...perhaps to put an end to the Russia investigation...Bob Mueller - as Special Counsel - has picked up where Comey left off...and Mueller will get to the truth.

     As for Comey's memos...and why he felt it necessary to document his meetings and conversations with Trump...Comey was very clear.  "I was ultimately concerned that he may lie."  Thus Comey wanted to have a written record in order to defend himself.  And following Trump firing Comey on May 9th...Comey expressed to the Senators that Trump "defamed me and the FBI" with "lies."  One of those falsehoods was spoken when Trump was interviewed on May 11th by NBC News chief anchor Lester Holt.  Trump stated it was Comey who invited himself to The White House to talk with the President.  But Comey insists in his testimony that "He (Trump) called me at my desk" to invite me to dinner.  Comey elaborated that "I never initiated a conversation with the President."  And Comey testified that he was "confused" and concerned"...when Trump claimed he dismissed him from his job "by saying that the organization (the FBI) was in disarray...that it was poorly led...that the workforce had lost confidence in its leader."  Comey was to the point.  "Those were lies, plain and simple."

     So we have a President who is a liar.  In riveting testimony before Congress, the former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation thinks so...but then...I and millions of other Americans...have been saying that for a very long time.

     And that's The Controversy for today.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

     "We'll talk again."

The Controversy is a publication of GBD Productions.  Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B. Duglin.

Now, please express your personal opinions by following the instructions above.  And thank you for reading The Controversy.

Copyright 2017 Gary B. Duglin and TheControversy.net.  All Rights Reserved.

INTEL CHIEFS' FEELINGS MEAN NOTHING. WHAT DID DONALD TRUMP SAY?

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     Americans need to know...and must know...if the President of the United States is criminally guilty of obstruction of justice.  But when our nation's Intelligence chiefs refuse to answer questions to the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee then it makes me wonder what the Intel bosses are hiding.  They want us to believe that it is "not appropriate" - to quote the Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats - to publicly discuss conversations he had with Donald Trump.  But if Trump did not invoke "executive privilege" then there is no justification to use "classified information" to fall back on as a reason to remain mum.

     Both Coats and the Director of the National Security Agency - U.S. Navy Admiral Michael Rogers - testified in a national televised session on Wednesday, June 7th, 2017...and each stated they never "felt pressured" by Trump...to intervene with the investigation on Russia.  Specifically, Rogers - for one - told the Senators that he had "never been directed to do anything I believed to be illegal, immoral, unethical or inappropriate."

     I don't give a damn how the head honchos of America's Intelligence Community felt.  I don't care about their feelings and their impressions.  Americans need to know exactly what Donald Trump said and exactly what Donald Trump did.  It is imperative that we know if Coats, Rogers or anybody else who is involved with the investigation of Russia's interference in our 2016 election was told...or was even asked by Trump...to shut down the Russia probe.  All that being said...The Washington Post says DNI Coats told his associates that Trump did indeed ask him to intervene with the FBI investigation, which was led by now-fired FBI Director James Comey.

     Coats and Rogers did claim they would speak to the Senators' inquiries about conversations with Trump, but only in closed session.  But did they do that?  And if they did...what, if anything, will be revealed to the American people?  Let me remind you...and Coats and Rogers - along with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe...who also testified before Congress on June 7th - that they work for me.  Each and every member of our federal government - including the super-spies of the U.S. Intelligence Community - works for each and every American citizen.

     We already know from former FBI Director Comey...that during a January 27th dinner at The White House...Trump indicated he wanted Comey to drop the investigation on former National Security Adviser and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Michael Flynn.  Comey's written memo from that night reads the following words were spoken by Trump.  "I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go.  He is a good guy.  I hope you can let this go."  The tone and the inflection in Trump's voice is vital.  I'm, therefore, eager to hear Comey repeat that quote when he testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday, June 8th.  

     There is a very important point that is necessary to discuss...part of which I mentioned in my March 21st column.  In nationally televised testimony before the House Intelligence Committee on March 20th, Comey revealed that he had "been authorized by the Department of Justice to confirm that the FBI, as part of our counterintelligence mission, is investigating the Russian government's efforts to interfere in the 2016 Presidential election and that includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia's efforts."  Note the words "counterintelligence mission" and "any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government."  And who was at the very top of the Trump campaign?  Donald Trump. But despite Comey's detailed retrospection of his conversations with Trump - which were released on June 7th as testimony - and where he "assures" Trump that he personally was not the target of any "counterintelligence investigation"...that is not to say that Trump was not under criminal investigation by the FBI.  And if that's the case...why would the lead investigator in any criminal investigation tell a suspect that he is the focal point of the FBI?  He wouldn't.  Comey wouldn't.  Thus, I want to hear Comey - on June 8th - swear under oath to the Senate Intelligence Committee...that Donald Trump was not under any criminal investigation...or - for that matter - any investigation at all.  Trump, on the other hand, "feels completely and totally vindicated" by Comey's written testimony.  Donald...I wouldn't count your chickens before they're hatched.

     Also in Comey's memos, he states that Trump wanted to "lift the cloud" of allegations against him.  And that to Comey, Trump demanded..."I need loyalty, I expect loyalty."

     But the non-answers to the Senators on June 7th...from Coats, Rogers, Rosenstein and McCabe are so frustrating.  They have misled the Senate, but more importantly they are misleading the American people.  It is aggravating...in fact, it is borderline infuriating...to hear refusals by the country's "top cops"...to not directly answer questions posed to them by Members of Congress.  After all, they did not deny that Trump never asked them to quash or intervene in the Russia investigation. So what's the truth?

     And that's The Controversy for today.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

     "We'll talk again."

The Controversy is a publication of GBD Productions.  Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B. Duglin.

Now, please express your personal opinions by following the instructions above.  And thank you for reading The Controversy.

Copyright 2017 Gary B. Duglin and TheControversy.net.  All Rights Reserved.

KATHY GRIFFIN SHOULD BE FORGIVEN

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     In my column of May 31st, 2017 titled, KATHY GRIFFIN SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF HERSELF...I lashed out at Griffin for posting disgusting and disturbing photos...in a 12-second video on Instagram...where she is holding - what appears to be - a decapitated, bloody head resembling Donald Trump.  As an ultra-liberal, progressive Democrat who strenuously campaigned for Hillary Clinton during her 2016 run for President...and as a staunch supporter of President Barack Obama and President Bill Clinton...I nevertheless was appalled by Griffin's presentation on social media. Therefore, she deserved to be chastised and shamed for crossing the line in to inappropriate territory.  But Griffin issued a video apology the same day.  In fact, she expressed her profound sorrow just hours after her offensive behavior was witnessed by millions of people on the Internet.  "I beg for your forgiveness.  I went too far.  I made a mistake and I was wrong."  And she was indeed wrong.  Griffin did make a big mistake.  But she has apologized...which is something that the man she offended has never done.  

     Let's get real here.  Kathy Griffin posted some very graphic pictures.  But she did not murder anybody.  She did not commit a felonious crime.  And although I am not - in any way - condoning what Griffin did...she should not be blacklisted forever. Some people have noted that her career in show business should be over...and that nobody should ever book her to appear in any live venue or on any television show again.  But Griffin should not have to suffer consequences for her actions that last for the remainder of her life.  If that's the case then Donald Trump should never have been elected President of the United States.  Wow!  What a concept!  That's right, folks.  Donald Trump should have never been elected.  But I've been saying that for a very long time.

     Let us remember that the current occupant of The White House is narcissistic, misogynistic, xenophobic, homophobic and racist.  But I have echoed those strong feelings for a very long time too.  Often over the last two years - since commencing his campaign for President - plus even on more occasions before that...Trump proved his guilt as a bigoted bully.

     Throughout his campaign - beginning June 16th, 2015 - Donald Trump's verbal abuse was vulgar and vicious.  Let me remind you - in no particular order - of just some of the derogatory moments during those seventeen months.

     Trump's words attacked a grieving Gold Star Mother and Father whose son - U.S. Army Captain Humayun Khan - was killed in Iraq while performing a heroic act of bravery to save the lives of troops in his command.  But when Khizr and Ghazala Khan appeared at the Democratic National Convention in July 2016, Mrs. Khan stood by her husband as he addressed the delegates and the nation.  Two days later, an abusive Donald Trump reacted cruelly during an interview with ABC News.  "If you look at his wife, she was standing there.  She had nothing to say.  She probably, maybe she wasn't allowed to have anything to say."  Mrs. Khan later stated she was too emotional to speak at the convention.  Trump - during that same interview with ABC News - also compared himself to parents who had lost a child when he responded to Mr. Khan's convention statement that Trump had "sacrificed nothing." Trump insisted he had, in fact, made "a lot of sacrifices" throughout his life because he made charitable donations..."worked very, very hard" and "created thousands and thousands of jobs, tens of thousands of jobs."  Yes, in case you forgot, he actually equated the death of a son to employing people and raising money for charities. Even ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos seemed shocked by Trump's answer.  How twisted can this man be?  And Republicans actually voted for him.

     Trump belittled a U.S. Navy officer who was a North Vietnamese Prisoner of War when he wrongfully disparaged the military record of John McCain.  Long before becoming a U.S. Senator from Arizona, McCain spent five years in a cage.  When he retired from the Navy in 1981, McCain was honorably discharged as a captain...one rank below rear admiral...and he had pinned to his uniform a silver star...a bronze star...and a purple heart...among many other medals.  But in 2015, Trump blasted Republican Senator McCain with a deplorable comment.  "He's not a war hero.  He's a war hero because he was captured.  I like people that weren't captured."  You are so wrong, Donald.  John McCain is absolutely a hero.

     With his foul mouth, Trump was brutally evil towards two of his Republican Presidential challengers.  He posted on Twitter an unflattering picture of Heidi Cruz - U.S. Senator Ted Cruz's wife - next to a glamour photo of Melania Trump, who is a former model.  A caption read..."The Images Are Worth A Thousand Words."  Trump also accused Texas Senator Cruz's father for possibly being involved - or at least linked in some way - with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.  And in a 2015 RollingStone magazine interview, Trump insulted former GOP candidate Carly Fiorina by saying..."Look at that face.  Would anyone vote for that?"

     Donald Trump became even uglier and more obscene with his language when he gave a distasteful description of then Fox News anchor (now NBC News anchor) Megyn Kelly following a Republican Presidential Debate that Megyn had moderated. About her repulsion for Trump during the debate, the billionaire businessman candidate spewed this vile statement in a 2015 interview with CNN.  "You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes...blood coming out of her wherever."

     But the following remark off Trump's venomously toxic tongue was what started his campaign with savage hatred.  In his announcement that he was seeking the GOP nomination, Trump harshly criticized our neighbors to the south.  "When Mexico sends its people...they're not sending their best.  They're bringing drugs.  They're bringing crime.  They're rapists."

     Trump demonstrated other forms of reprehensible treatment when he demeaned a federal judge - who happens to be Latino...and Muslims - who he wants to ban from our country.  But I would perhaps object most to when Trump ruthlessly mocked a disabled reporter.  To make fun of somebody who is physically challenged is beyond disgraceful.

     Kathy Griffin regrets her wrongdoing and has shown deep remorse for her poor attempt at humor.  With genuine sincerity, Griffin has said she was sorry for posting the photos with the bloody-looking fake head of Donald Trump...and I think she should be forgiven.  Trump - on the other hand - has never apologized to any of the individuals...or the groups of people...who he has offended.  Of course uttering the words "I'm sorry" would be the honorable and decent thing to do.  Unfortunately...we have a President...who isn't decent.

     And that's The Controversy for today.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

     "We'll talk again."

The Controversy is a publication of GBD Productions.  Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B. Duglin.

Now, please express your personal opinions by following the instructions above.  And thank you for reading The Controversy.

Copyright 2017 Gary B. Duglin and TheControversy.net.  All Rights Reserved.

"SURVEY SAYS"...RICHARD DAWSON, WE MISS YOU!

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     One of the nicest people I ever had the pleasure of meeting...and working with...was television personality and actor, Richard Dawson.  Today - June 2nd, 2017 - is the fifth anniversary of Richard's death.  He died of esophageal cancer on June 2nd, 2012 at the age of 79. So with this column, I'm paying tribute to one of Hollywood's good guys.

     Best known as the longtime, original host of Family Feud... Richard's charm, wit, grace, class, sophistication and dapper attire made him a TV icon and one of the most admired and acclaimed emcees ever to helm a game show.

     Richard Dawson will also be remembered for spending six years - from 1965 to 1971 - at Stalag 13...as he portrayed Corporal Peter Newkirk in the top-rated, World War II sitcom, Hogan's Heroes.  In addition, Richard was everybody's favorite panelist - for five years, from 1973 to 1978 - on another popular game show...Match Game. 
   

     But it's Family Feud that skyrocketed Richard Dawson to super-stardom.  Therefore, as I salute him today, I do so with fond memories.

   

     One of the reasons that Family Feud was unparalleled right from the start - beyond the brilliance of the game itself by legendary game show executive producer and creative genius, Mark Goodson - was because Richard Dawson...along with his producer (later executive producer) Howard Felsher... spearheaded that which had not been done in previous game shows until Family Feud did it.  And that was to invite contestants of all ages, shapes, sizes, colors and ethnic heritages.  Family Feud also made their program available to people with disabilities...thus encouraging fans of the show who were sight or hearing impaired... or unable to walk...to become contestants with their families.  Family Feud opened the door to individuals in wheelchairs to play the game.  And, over the years, I recall there being companion dogs...in the studio...laying down at the side of numerous contestants.  A toast, therefore, to Richard Dawson...who deserves the initial credit...as it was he who believed everyone is equal to participate on Family Feud... no matter what they looked like or whether they were physically challenged in some way.

     It was my honor and privilege to share conversations with Richard while we were both at ABC in Hollywood.  We worked together on The Toni Tennille (Talk) Show when Richard was a guest.  And he was delightful.  But it was the many times after that...when I would stop by to visit with Richard in his Family Feud studio...when his engaging presence was truly appreciated.

     Family Feud starring Richard Dawson premiered on ABC on July 12th, 1976 as part of the network's daytime programming schedule.  It went off the air on June 14th, 1985.  Richard also hosted the syndicated series between 1977 and 1985.  He returned for one more year between 1994 and 1995 at the end of Family Feud's second run in syndication.  After that...he permanently retired from the show...despite it's comeback in 1999 and it's continued success. 

     On Richard's final episode of his nine-year stint on ABC, he captivated his studio audience and the viewers at home with a meaningful story...explaining why it was important that he welcome families from all walks of life...and all colors of "a rainbow."

     Warm accolades were not the only form of sentiments received by Richard Dawson.  On that last Family Feud show on ABC, Richard remarked that some people, over the years, had criticized him when he would hug and embrace people who were not of the Caucasian race.  But Richard recalled what his mother taught him on D-Day - June 6th, 1944 - when, for the first time in his life, young eleven-and-a-half year old Colin Lionel Emm (his birth name) saw military men..."boys"...of all colors... leaving his hometown in England...to join the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II...which began the liberation of German-occupied Europe...and freedom from the Nazis.

     As Richard reminisced on the air, he celebrated and applauded his mother who taught the little boy "Colin" a valuable lesson...that all of God's children are the same.  His childhood observation of people who were not white...triggered this question to his mother.  "Is there something wrong?"  Richard said his mom replied, "No.  God makes people.  You understand that, don't you?"  "Yeah," he answered. Richard's mother then asked her son, "Who makes a rainbow?"  The prepubescent lad responded, "God."  And then in this televised public setting, Richard communicated his mom's noteworthy message with loving homage to her.  He repeated her words of wisdom from 41 years earlier.  "I'd never presume to tell anyone who could make a rainbow...what color to make children."  With heartfelt sincerity, Richard praised his mother.  "She changed my whole life with that statement."

     Bigotry should never be tolerated.  Richard Dawson's mom knew it...and so does my mom.  As a tiny tot myself, my mother taught me to look at people the same way...no matter what they looked like...no matter what country they came from... who they prayed to...or for any other reason that they appeared in some way to be different from me.  Although another person's skin color might not match my pale complexion...we all bleed red.  And inside...we are all the same.

     As people...we are a planet of one species of life.  We are humans.  We all breathe the same air.  We all laugh when we are happy.  And we all cry when we are sad.  It's, therefore, tragic...that so many millions of people around the world are filled with hate...and that they want to hurt others simply because they look different.

     I hope that someday in my lifetime...everyone on Earth...especially every American...will recognize as truth...what Richard Dawson's mother told him.  We are ALL God's children.  We should love one another.  We should be kind to one another...not hate or harm each other because of differences in skin color or religious beliefs.

     When Richard bid farewell from his ABC Family Feud program, he expressed with disappointment that there were some people who got upset...and complained to the network...when he made a point to kiss every woman on his show.  Richard declared, "I kissed them for luck and love.  That's what my mother did."

     Signing off Family Feud sparked genuine emotion from Richard Dawson.  The Emmy Award winning host choked-up on camera...and with honest tears in his eyes, Richard poured his heart out to all of us watching.  "This has been a very special... nine years of my life.  If I never do another thing...I've met the good, sweet people of the world."

     As I paint this literary portrait of a distinguished and masterful entertainment luminary...I acknowledge the happiness that Richard Dawson brought me...on screen and off. But Richard gave bountiful joy to generations of people throughout the United States of America and around the globe.  And through the wonders of television and technology...he will continue to do so.  "Survey says"...we miss you, Richard Dawson.  You made us smile.  And you too...were one of the good, sweet people of the world.

     And that's The Controversy for today.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

     "We'll talk again."

The Controversy is a publication of GBD Productions.  Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B. Duglin.

Now, please express your personal opinions by following the instructions above.  And thank you for reading The Controversy.

Photo credits: celebritynetworth.com, vz.cnwimg.com, ABC Television Network, Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions, FremantleMedia and Game Show Network (Richard Dawson #1), The Scott Rollins Film and TV Trivia Blog, CBS Television Network, Bing Crosby Productions and Bob Crane Productions (Richard Dawson #2), Brandon's TV Blog, ABC Television Network, Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions, FremantleMedia and Game Show Network (Richard Dawson #3), Quotes Gram, ABC Television Network, Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions, FremantleMedia and Game Show Network (Richard Dawson #4), The Gameological Society, ABC Television Network, Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions, FremantleMedia and Game Show Network (Richard Dawson #5), NWI Times, ABC Television Network, Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions, FremantleMedia and Game Show Network (Richard Dawson #6), CNN, ABC Television Network, Mark Goodson-BillTodman Productions, FremantleMedia and Game Show Network (Richard Dawson #7) and IMBD, Amazon.com and Pinterest.com (Richard Dawson #8)

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