DEJA VU: FROM RICHARD NIXON TO DONALD TRUMP. THE DAY IS COMING.

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     I heard another ultra-progressive liberal Democrat recently ask the following words.  "Why are so many Americans so stupid?" I thought of beginning this column by asking that question myself. But if I did - which I'm not going to do - I'd be no better than the guy who lives in The White House.  And then I'd feel obligated to issue an apology, which The Oval Office occupant has never done.  Donald Trump couldn't care less who he insults and who he offends.  

     I will, however, ask a different question.  How did nearly 63 million citizens get hoodwinked in to believing that a wall - of any kind, for that matter - is what would be necessary for United States border security?  The answer is that Donald Trump - America's "conman-in-chief" - is outstanding in the field at being deceitful...at being a first-rate liar...and at having the skillful capability to cajole people in to trusting him.  By doing so, Trump - in 2016 - converted his seduced followers like a flock of Australian sheep being treated to crunchy alfalfa hay cubes, but while being herded to the slaughterhouse.  I would have thought that Americans from all walks of life would have been sophisticated enough to not be bamboozled by a smooth talking salesman when it comes to the presidency of our country.  Oh sure, people across our nation purchase products they don't need everyday.  Late night infomercials sucker viewers to spend their money through impulse buying.  But Trump is like that TV announcer whose "but there's more" kept giving certain voters enough of what they wanted to hear...including a wall on the U.S./Mexico border.  But Trump's spiel was bogus.  Despite his campaign promise - Mexico was never going to pay for the wall...and Trump probably always knew...that such a wall would never be built.

     After they cast their ballots for him, it's mind-boggling that his voters wouldn't observe - early in to Trump's presidency - that his pledge for a border wall was only part of Trump's trickery to get him elected.  Nevertheless, his base persisted to elevate him on to a pedestal and they refused to recognize that America's democracy was attacked by a foreign adversary that Trump continued to praise.

     Two years in to Trump making temporary residence in The White House, one-third of Americans (sometimes a hair more) remain snookered by Trump in to thinking that Vladimir Putin and the Russians did not meddle in America's 2016 election, even though U.S. intelligence agencies are positive of Moscow's interference.  And although Trump tried to walk back his original comments, which slammed our own intelligence community, he later claimed to accept the results and determination by U.S. government officials.  But actions speak louder than words and Trump is still buddies with Putin.  Furthermore, the Trump line remains that Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation in to collusion with Russia...by the Trump campaign and/or by Trump himself...is a "witch hunt."  Was Donald Trump a Russian asset? And if so...is he still an agent for the Kremlin?  Why won't Republicans push for the truth? 

     Do Republicans not care?  And if they do...why do Republicans want to stop the Mueller probe?  Why are Republicans - on Capitol Hill and across the country - allowing Trump to dictate to them that the Russia investigation is a "hoax?"  Why have Republicans made this a political issue?  Whether you're a Democrat, a Republican, or an Independent, every single American should want to find out... definitively...if Donald Trump - or anyone in his campaign or administration - was involved in a conspiracy to collude with Russia.  And if Mueller proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that Trump is guilty of such a crime - along with obstruction of justice, campaign finance violations, and/or treason - every American has the right to know and Congress must constitutionally perform their duty to impeach, convict and remove Trump from office.  We - the people of the United States of America - cannot permit spies for Russia to be part of our federal government.  

     It is critical for the Mueller investigation to be fully completed and on the special counsel's terms.  Whether it takes another week...another month...or another year...the probe cannot be interrupted or ended until Robert Mueller is ready to file his report. And when he's certain there are no more witnesses to interview... no more people to indict...no more evidence to uncover...then it is mandatory for the entire Congress to be provided with a complete, unredacted record.  Unless there is classified information that would affect the national security of the United States, it is imperative that Mueller's report be made public so that every American who wants to read each syllable in it...can do so.  

     But before anyone sees the Mueller report, all Americans - or anyone who cares to watch - can witness, live on national television, the under oath testimony to Congress by Donald Trump's former lawyer. Michael Cohen - Trump's so-called "fixer" and keeper of the secrets for more than ten years - will testify in an open session before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, February 27th, 2019.  Oh I know that many of you - especially Republicans - don't trust the word of a convicted felon who is going to prison because, in the past, he lied to Congress.  But remember this...prosecutors for the Southern District of New York - along with a U.S. District Court judge - concluded that Cohen was honest and truthful with his testimony that Donald Trump ("Individual 1") "directed" Cohen to commit crimes.  Once Congress comes to the same conclusion - which I believe is inevitable - impeachment proceedings will begin. And at some point - as it did with Richard Nixon and Watergate in August 1974 - Republican support on Capitol Hill will evaporate, and GOP leaders in both the House and Senate will make the short journey down Pennsylvania Avenue to advise Trump with crystal clear certainty that the votes are there in Congress to impeach, to convict, and to remove him from office.  On that day - which is coming soon - 

Donald Trump will announce his resignation, and Mike Pence - at 12 o'clock noon the next day - will be sworn in as the 46th president of the United States.  But President Nixon was involved in a cover-up, not in the actual planning of the initial crime.  If there is direct evidence to prove that Trump is guilty of the crimes being alleged, I doubt there will be a pardon

for him by Pence, as President Gerald Ford gave to Nixon. And although Pence won't express any remark similar to Mr. Ford's, Donald Trump will be gone...and Americans throughout the country will be able to echo President Ford's words..."our long national nightmare is over."

     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.

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Photo credits: NBC News screenshot (Donald Trump #1), Daily Kos (Flock of sheep wearing Make America Great Again hats), Saul Loeb/Getty Images (Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump), Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call and Slate (Special Counsel Robert Mueller), Los Angeles Times (Michael Cohen), ABC News screenshots (Mike Pence and Donald Trump) and The Associated Press (former President Richard Nixon and former President Gerald Ford)

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