Wednesday, December 05, 2018

The Mueller investigation and Flynn





There is a lot of news today. Special counsel Robert Mueller released documents to a federal court. These documents recommend that Michael Flynn should receive little to no prison time because of his "substantial" cooperation with the FBI probe into the Russian hacking of American institutions. Flynn was a Trump ally and former national security advisor who was caught in lies and other acts of corruption. Flynn was interviewed by the Mueller team 19 times, and many areas of the documents are redacted. This causes some to speculate that the redacted areas deal with more serious information involving possible collusion or other acts of criminal activity. Flynn has been secretly giving Mueller tons of information. The memo also shows three Justice Department investigations too. Mueller mentioned that Flynn discussed information about members of the Trump Transition Team and some Russians talking with each other. Flynn spoke with Mueller on more times than Cohen did. The irony is that Flynn is the person wanting Hillary to be locked up (for misleading the public about his activities involving dealing with foreign affairs), but Flynn could be locked up. The Trump administration is filled with criminals, liars, and extremists. That's self explanatory.

One of the most critical issues in America is criminal justice reform. This issue has support among those who are liberal and conservative because it is a common sense issue. Many people, who have nonviolent offenses, struggle to gain regular employment even after they paid their debts to society. Some good news is now more people can vote in Florida, yet we have a long way to go. Criminal justice reform isn't just about laws being changed to make the criminal justice system fairer (since cases are costly that many poor people struggle to afford). It is about the transformation of the person in the system so he or she can be a productive member of society. Punishment alone doesn't work. You also need rehabilitation and giving people tools for progressive living. For decades, many reactionaries lectured others on law and order, but there is no law or order with a non-compassionate attitude toward those who desire a better life after time served. Therefore, something should be done about mandatory minimum sentencing, the War on Drugs (which has ravished poor communities, black communities, and communities of color for decades), and other vicious policies of the corporatization of prisons. There should be a ban on solitary confinement which sociologists and other researchers document its reprehensible psychological damage to people. Laws must be changed, and the structure of society should change too. This endeavor is righteous.

Yesterday was the Birthday of Sister Tyra Banks. She is 45 years old. She has a long career as an actress, a model, and a television host. She is part of the explosion of Generation X leaders making way for themselves and future generations. She appeared in music videos and famous movies too. She was born in Inglewood, California. She was the first woman of African American descent to be featured on the covers of GQ and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, on which she appeared twice. She spoke lessons too. I remember when people criticized her on some issues and she spoke the truth that beauty is diverse never monolithic. One of her most significant contributions is to show the world that honest expression is never about conforming to what society tells you to be. The honest expression is for you to show the world how you see yourself and being free to never apologize in being you. That lesson in life is what she displays every day. She works in charities, she speaks out on many issues, and she loves truth.
I wish Sister Tyra Banks a Great Birthday.


Roger Stone will plead the Fifth in the Senate investigation and he has refused to testify to the Judiciary committee. That is all you need to know about Roger Stone's heinous character. He wants to unconditionally support the evil male Trump when Trump harbors a disrespect of the institutions of government and the rule of law. Roger Stone might be indicted soon. Trump, according to some legal scholars, have been involved in witness tampering. Conversely, Michael Cohen has admitted his wrongdoing and implicated Trump and others in working with the Russians in a proposed hotel deal.

Today, we honor the lives Brothers Fred Hampton and Mark Clark. They were assassinated on this day (yesterday) in 1969. These men were from the Black Panthers, and they wanted justice for our people. They served the community in Chicago, and Fred Hampton was an excellent leader too. Both men were murdered by the Chicago police, and they were illegally monitored by the FBI. Their deaths were so unjust that the CPD had no choice but to give financial compensation to both families years later. Fred Hampton and Mark Clark represented courage, sacrifice, and the just cause of black liberation. Rest in Power Brother Fred Hampton and Brother Mark Clark. Also, it is essential to delve into international news. We just saw mass demonstrations in France, because human beings in that country reject regressive taxation. Regressive taxation disproportionately harms the poor and the middle class. Young people and others of every age bracket have stood up and protested for economic justice. Emmanuel Marcon has forsaken his progressive platitudes by endorsing a military draft, using a pro-corporate restructuring of universities, and laying off teachers. Ambulance drivers and other workers have protested too. Opposition to austerity policies is a worldwide phenomenon. Marcon has once considered giving France a state of emergency, but he might concede more. This shows that organized people can make a difference in society.


By Timothy