Showdown
“Remember, the best defense is a hellova offense, and catching your opponent coming into your strength always results in that man being hurt.”
Rubin “Hurricane” Carter; Thursday, September 27, 1973; 3:35 pm
There is a showdown coming in America. The “main event” features Robert Mueller versus Donald Trump, of course, in a battle that represents a much larger conflict raging within our country. As the tension builds, we see Trump engaging in an increasingly out of control attack on Mr. Mueller, which reminds me of the above line from one of Rubin's letters advising me on boxing strategy 45 years ago.
The majority of the crowd gathered for the fight favor Mr. Mueller. They see Trump as more than just an obnoxious blowhard: they recognize him as a toxic threat to our constitutional democracy. They see a cheap, dirty fighter – willing to break any rule – who is as controlled by the mob as in boxer was in history. Only this time, it's the Russian mafia calling the shots.
They have seen that many “officials” – with the republicans in the House and Senate serving in roles similar to a boxing commission and referee – are unwilling to enforce the rules. Instead, they reward him for his flagrant fouls. In this case, though, it has to do with the Rule of Law, and their failure to address Trump for his openly corrupt behaviors.
Thus, unless Trump's corner throws in the towel, saying their guy has had enough, and has lost this fight by TKO, the majority of Americans have to hope that the judges – in this instance, federal court judges – render a just decision in favor of Mr. Mueller.
There is also, of course, a minority of Trump fans watching the bout. They view Trump as a hero, and their champion. They would prefer that the fight be called off before it actually starts, and Trump be declared the winner. Being unfamiliar with the rules, they support any dirty tactic Trump resorts to, and every crime he commits. They threaten the commissioner and referee for even considering enforcing the Rule of Law, in terms of their next primary. Republicans court and fear these unstable “fans.”
Despite the fact that the outcome of the fight will likely go to the scorecards of the judges – most of whom were appointed by the republican commission – the Trump fans are not going to accept it, if their decision goes against Trump. In their minds, the federal courts will be viewed as part of the “deep state.” It's a plot, don't you know.
Trump's fans do not allow “facts” to interfere with their perceptions. And it is a fact that Trump has not been wildly successful in the court system, be it with his “university” or his Muslim travel ban. He will face far more significant and humiliating defeats when the judges announce their decisions in the Trump vs Team Mueller competition.
Now, I'm familiar with more than boxing. In the past decade, for example, I've witnessed a stark increase in “fans” acting out – sometimes violently – at a variety of school sports competitions. The two things that have led to the majority of violent outbreaks have been when one of their players gets called for a foul, or when a non-white athlete on the opposing team scores points. These have resulted in fights in the stands, and in parking lots. There have been men and women taken away in handcuffs. There was even what law enforcement has called a riot, in a small town where local police had to call for back-up from county and state police.
Not all republicans will be upset when Trump loses his attempts to avoid speaking with Team Mueller. It appears likely that he'll continue to avoid doing so, and will thus get an invitation from the grand jury. His legal team will try fighting that, and lose. It's possible Trump will still refuse. But, either way, he won't survive long. And, at that point, fewer republicans will support him.
Those who will still support him are largely of the same stock as those who start fights at high school sports or boxing matches. Their actions are rooted in emotions, as opposed to the intelligence required to engage in rational thought. In the deep recesses of their minds, they will view the Rule of Law as a threat to the Constitution and Old Glory. This is largely due to their never reading more than the Second Amendment, and mistaking a piece of cloth for the concepts it symbolizes. In Freudian terms, they are the American Id.
Expecting these sad people to behave beyond impulse would be like expecting your dog to meow, or your cat to bark, or Trump to be honest. It's not in their nature. Yet they remain a minority. There are more of us, than there are of them. Some are at the Ego level, and others represent the Super Ego. Thus, it's a matter of combining those two forces, and not just come November. We need to be more than silent spectators of this fight. And that requires the best efforts of every individual.
Peace,
H2O Man
= new reply since forum marked as read
but it makes me so sad that some of my relatives are reptiles!
God. How will we ever survive this as a country? We're like a giant dysfunctional family.
Tell me H, how will we ever reconcile? Are we doomed to live out the Civil War over and over?
I have been really sad and anxious about this all week. As you know.
what's going to happen is what is predicted, they are dying out and the new seeds are pushing through the ground
reminds me of Ali in Manilla. 
Trump keeps throwing crude but powerful political punch after political punch with his demagogic tweets and pronouncements.
Mueller; as a true professional should maintains his silence absorbing the public blows while relying on the ropes of faith and integrity to let his legal works do the talking.
(snip)
Special counsel Robert Mueller on Friday filed a new, superseding indictment against former Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort that also charged Russian citizen Konstantin Kilimnik.
(snip)
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=2078994
Peace to you H2O Man
