SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
June 15, 2017
Sullivan’s
Salvos 6/20/17
In this edition:
*Trumpgate?
*Distractions
*Facts
*Juneteenth
*Did You Know?
*Trumpgate?
The
Watergate Scandal added an interesting twist to the English language. Now every
scandal is given the suffix “-gate”. I went ahead and applied it above!
It
has been quite some time since I have written on National politics. In the
meantime, we have serious questions over Russian involvement in US elections.
This would seem to be a pretty significant concern.
But
that was before the Republican Party decided to change everything.
What
do I mean by that? I mean there is now one single rule by which the GOP
operates, and that is GOP politics is the only thing that matters. Facts do not
matter. Laws do not matter. Lives do not matter. The only thing that matters is
GOP politics.
President
Trump said during the campaign that he could shoot someone on 5th
Avenue and not lose any votes. Amongst Republican leaders, that is 100% true.
Look
at the way Trump personally insulted the families of Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio,
yet they stand by his side. There is truly NOTHING Trump can do that crosses a
line for these Republicans. He could literally shoot someone on 5th
Avenue, and they would initiate the process of defaming the person he shot.
Obviously,
not every Republican feels this way. Many are concerned over the current state
of events. But until their leaders are willing to vote against Trump and his
enablers (Including Iowa’s US Senators), nothing will change.
*Distractions
Are
these Russia investigations important? I believe they are. But they can also
serve as a huge distraction from issues that could have MONUMENTAL impacts on
American citizens.
Look
no farther than the US Senate, where Republican Senators are quietly drafting a
bill designed to cut healthcare for poor Americans while giving tax breaks to
the wealthiest.
It
may be exciting to watch testimony, or to check out the Presidents’ daily
buffoonery, but we need to stay diligent on many other important issues.
*Facts
In
all seriousness, I have never been more concerned for our country. The reason?
We can no longer agree on the facts.
Climate
change is a fact. But we destroy the messenger. John Kerry was a war hero. But
he gets “swiftboated”. Those recent incidents set the stage for our current
politics, in which facts simply do not matter.
The
President bears much of the blame for this. The media are liars. The judiciary
is a bunch of liars. Scientists are all liars. The CBO is full of liars. Only
the President has the facts.
In
the good old days, this would be easily solved. The American people would see
how dangerous this is for our Democracy. They would simply look at the facts.
But
now we have no facts. Because the media, the judiciary, the CBO, and scientists
are all liars.
Where
do we go from here? I honestly do not know. Democrats can provide opposition,
but there aren’t enough of us. Independents and Republicans are going to need
to stand up. I hope they do so before it is too late!
*Juneteenth
The
Johnson County Juneteenth Community Committee is hosting a day of family fun
from noon-6 pm on Saturday, June 24, at Mercer Park in Iowa City. Juneteenth
commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. The free event will
include free food (while supplies last), live music, and games and activities
for the whole family.
This
year’s theme is “U & I in commUNITY,” said event coordinator LaTasha
DeLoach. “This is such a great opportunity to bring people together to not only
focus on unity, but also remember the past that divided us. This event is for
everyone who cares about freedom,” she said.
The
event will kick off with a panel discussion from 10 am to noon: “Essentials for
Success: Passion and Direction,” featuring alumni and the head track and field
coach from Wartburg College who will share their personal stories and tips on
how to be successful in school, work, athletics, and life. The interactive
discussion is intended to get youth motivated and thinking about their futures.
The
awards presentation for the Iowa City Human Rights Commission’s Youth Essay
& Art Contest will take place at approximately 12:15 pm. Afternoon
activities for children include body painting, double dutch, and hopscotch.
Live entertainment will be provided by The Dream Center Performance Art Academy,
a spoken word performance by Micah Ariel James, gospel trio Charism, the Funk
Daddies and DJ Risquisimo. There will be historical displays and a presentation
from the African American Museum of Iowa, as well as an indoor health and
information fair and local vendors selling art, clothing, books and more. Learn
more about the Juneteenth event at http://icjuneteenth.wordpress.com.
In
its second year, the Juneteenth Trailblazer Awards event will take place on
Friday, June 23, at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Coralville from
7 to 10 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Trailblazer Awards honor Emerging Activists,
Outstanding Leaders and Transformative Icons in the area of civil rights
activism. Advance tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite.com (IC Juneteenth
Trailblazers Award). http://bit.ly/2qBnSAi
The
Trailblazer Awards will honor local individuals Kendra Malone with the
Outstanding Leader Award, and Monique Green with the Emerging Activist Award.
The Transformative Icon Award will honor the Center for Worker Justice.
Marian
L. Coleman, who served nearly 40 years as an educator and administrator in the
Iowa City Community School District, will be the keynote speaker for the event.
Coleman is well known as a leader and a strong advocate for education, civil
rights and community service.
Juneteenth
event sponsors include the City of Iowa City, the Johnson County Community
Partnership for Protecting Children, Johnson County Social Services, Waterfront
Hy-Vee, Veridian Credit Union, the Iowa City Parks & Recreation Department,
Johnson County Democrats, Hills Bank and Trust Company, Scheels, RAYGUN,
Prairie Lights Bookstore, and Forbidden Planet. Trailblazer Awards sponsors
include Hills Bank and Trust Company, the University of Iowa Chief Diversity
Office, and the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center.
*DID YOU KNOW?
69 Nixon Administration officials were indicted as a part of Watergate,
with 48 being found guilty, including the US Attorney General and White House
Chief of Staff.
Anyone
interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the
County website-
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---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 4:03 PM
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