Banana Republic Antics in Washington

What’s going on is shocking and appalling – how banana republics operate.

The term Banana Republic refers to politically unstable and repressive countries where a privileged few have a disproportionate share of wealth and power, where ordinary people are exploited, many persecuted, where a police state apparatus enforces control, where nonbelievers face gulag imprisonment.

It’s a plutocracy run by a criminal class, bipartisan in America, complicit with corporate predators. It’s gangsterism run for personal gain at the expense of the general welfare.

It’s what US governance is all about, fantasy democracy, fundamental freedoms disappearing in plain sight – tyranny headed toward becoming full-blown.

Trump’s domestic and geopolitical policies warrant strong criticism. Instead he’s targeted for the wrong reasons, a moving train heading toward removing him for office one way or another if things continue on their present course – a shocking indictment of a debauched system.

Russian expert Steven Cohen calls assaulting him a threat to national security “beyond belief.”

His Oval Office discussion with Sergey Lavrov and ambassador Sergey Kislyak was part of his job – not improper dealings with representatives of another country, not an act of treason.

No transmittal of secret classified information occurred, nothing justifying criticism and hysteria.

During his last Wednesday Coast Guard Academy address to graduates, Trump was right, saying “(n)o politician in (US) history…has been treated worse and more unfairly” than himself.

The witch-hunt investigation into possible improper dealings by him, his team, and/or campaign with Russia is an embarrassment to legitimate governance. So is falsely accusing Moscow of US election hacking, no evidence suggesting any of the above.

Yet the witch-hunt persists, former FBI director Robert Mueller appointed as special counsel to head it – part of the scheme to remove Trump from office based on phony allegations and accusations.

In appointing Mueller, Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein explained his “decision is not the finding that crimes have been committed or that any prosecution is warranted. I have made no such determination.”

No evidence suggests it, including a Comey memo, no one outside the Justice Department has seen if it exists as portrayed, alleging Trump asked the then-FBI director to drop the Michael Flynn investigation.

A White House statement stressed “the president has never asked Mr. Comey or anyone else to end any investigation, including any investigation involving General Flynn.”

In response to Mueller’s appointment, Trump said “a thorough investigation will confirm what we already know. There was no collusion between my campaign and any foreign entity. I look forward to this matter concluding quickly.”

Claims otherwise are “not a truthful or accurate portrayal of the conversation between (himself) and Mr. Comey.”

Suggestions of obstruction of justice are way overblown. It involves attempting to impede or interfere with the judicial system and due process of law, including actions to prevent disclosure of damaging or criminal information.

Guilt depends on having knowledge of an investigation and attempting to improperly influence it. No evidence so far suggests it, just differing versions of what may or may not have happened.

In US judicial proceedings, beyond a reasonable doubt is the highest standard of proof required – especially important in criminal cases where lives and welfare are at stake.

Most important is the fate of the nation. Removing a president unjustly is how despotic banana republics operate – America on course toward replacing the republic with full-blown tyranny.

Maybe nuclear war on Russia, China and Iran will follow under new leadership – the three leading independent states dark forces in Washington want eliminated.