On 12-29-23, the Washington Post penned an article to: "Read the Maine decision to remove Trump from the 2024 primary ballot".  The Enlightened Prisoner read the article and responded thus:

 (In quoting Secretary Bellows from her written decision:) "I do not reach this conclusion lightly. Democracy is sacred, and the highest court of this State has repeatedly recognized that “no right is more precious in a free country than that of having a voice in the election of those who make the laws under which, as good citizens, we must live.”

Maine's Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows has demonstrated in her decision a profound respect for our country's premise, a nation of laws, not men. Her documented decision is a thing of pure patriotism.

     On 12-26-23, the Washington Post penned an article of "Americans tell us why they’re feeling better — or worse — about the economy", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

We are a pensioner family with fixed incomes and have outlived our IRA, Roth, and stock invested reserves. We avoid direct financial help from children, (okay we accepted putting our cell phones on their family plans), and we use a reverse mortgage plan for a bucket (small) of money for emergencies, (mostly the spiraling costs of medical and long-term care insurance), or appliance replacement and home repairs.

Of course, the increased costs in food market prices, car maintenance, restaurant and entertainment have caused limitations.  But, treated responsibly, (don't spend more than you make), and pay off credit purchases monthly usually results in getting a high credit rating, which of course means little for our economic plan but gets us lots of mail solicitations from credit card companies.

Still, we refuse to fall into that speculative trap of fee-based investments and feel slighted by our savings institutions continuing to penalize us with insignificant savings account interest and claiming CDs are better than the passbook compound interest rates we grew up with that rewarded thrift.  Maybe better for them, eh? 

In short, we feel like the silent and ignored generation. But hey, one from our generation is running the Administration of government right now and seems to have gotten things back to better stability. While some overpaid and underworked elected representatives run around acting like brats we used to put on corner stools with dunce caps. And they don't seem the least bit interested in compromising their selfish interests to create the country we can and should be.

Yet, we're still paying our fair share of taxes but resent the amount of debt our government is obligating to our children and their children. Thanks for listening, just wanted to speak my piece.

On 12-26-23, the Enlightened Prisoner published thus:

   I don't care how many times President Biden trips over his own feet or mistakes he makes in speaking.  The Biden Administrations' creditability and stewardship for operating our government is far superior to that demonstrated by Trump's. 

   Which is exactly the reason the electorate voted the incompetency of Trump and his band out of office.  And are they able to do self-analysis and show improved methods for their creditability and stewardship?  No, instead they shame themselves in the manner described by Socrates, "When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser."

Or the words of Eric Hoffer, "Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength."

     On 12-23-23, the Washington Post penned an article that "Law enforcement investigating threats to Colorado justices after Trump ruling", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Judicial decisions have usually been accepted for the wisdom contained in the written opinions of jurists (usually judges who are considered experts on the social science behind legislated laws).

But who has time to read them and consider or put their thought towards the depth of reason they represent. If it doesn't agree with the way I thought it should be, it is to be condemned. And besides, didn't the media also publish some derogatory information on this or that jurists being associated with the wrong political party or being seen with...them?

That seems to be the crux of reporting lately and it is a dangerous reflection again on threats to our democratic society. Simply put folks, there has to be some final authority for decisions, and those decision makers must have our confidence of doing what's best for us all. After all, those decision makers have no armed and ready force that mandates their decisions. Just the logic and reason of their words.

So, lets endeavor to accept them as that authority unless or until we find a better legislative way to deal with the problem it poses to our sensibilities. In short, find what appeals to the intelligence of the majority.

     On 12-22-23, the Washington Post penned an Opinion for, "Dumb liberal decisions aren’t a smart reason to rally around Trump", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus: 

I find it incredulous that a portion of our electorate find a choice in Trump because he's an underdog. Actually, he's a mutt lacking in creditability, a stark absence of appearance for civility behavior, and certainly an inability to project urbanity for the stewardship of governance.

Finding respectable reason to support Trump is a forgone conclusion that you have an inane capacity within your ability for picking associates.

And I hope you find this a well-meaning insult of personal character and not meant to denigrate our community of domesticated mammals.

   On 12-15-23, the Washington Post penned an Analysis, "Trump’s deal with LIV Golf is awkward for his impeachment-happy allies", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

I'm not sure I understand how the preliminary remarks by Comer and his impeachment seeking friends relate to the criminal intent of the Biden family. 

Maybe if they used some comparison examples, like it's similar to what Trump did when he...

    On 12-12-23, the Washington Post penned an article on "Patrick Mahomes regrets outburst, calls it ‘not a great example for kids’, and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus: 

In a way it was refreshing to see an apology from a member of our sports entertainment industry for wrongful conduct in a public display. What's lacking in our societal order is a display of similar character in our political entertainment industry.

     On 12-7-23, the Washington Post penned an Opinion titled: "The Trump dictatorship: How to stop it", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

The liberal Republicans who would have you believe the country suffers from ills that can only be fixed by totalitarian governance are feeding you lies. They continually cite malfeasances of current government that exist only because of their reluctance and undemonstrated efforts to join in finding fixes.

Be warned that they are asking you to turn over your Constituted liberties to their brand of power governance that circumvents what has been the reason for our country's greatness. Representative government with cooperative efforts to find and apply kind and fiscal workable solutions, despite political party differences.

    On 11-4-23, the Washington Post penned an article on "Doug Burgum suspends long-shot presidential campaign" and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

In a statement, Burgum said: “While this primary process has shaken my trust in many media organizations and political party institutions, it has only strengthened my trust in America.” He also criticized the Republican National Committee’s debate requirements, calling them “arbitrary criteria.”

I don't know fully about his Presidential qualifications but, he certainly hit that nail on the head. It's the uncontrolled money in politics that drives the party's power brokers and the for-profit media's responsibility to fairly represent everyone making the invasive sacrifice politics requires.

   On 12-4-23, the Washington Post penned an Opinion piece for "Politicians in both parties need to face up to the national debt", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

How come these anxiety producing reports on our debt crisis always pick on reducing the programs that mostly take care of our dependent pensioners or our national health care?

How about the administrative costs for running the government such as maintaining a well-supplied military, or a law enforcement, incarceration, and justice system. Then there's the costs of the increasing personnel, space, and equipping to support our Legislative and Executive branches of government. Also, there's all those government agencies and departments that regulate and take care of our lands and fair conduct of our industrial, food, and supply chains.

That's right folks it's a package deal that everybody matters, or nobody matters. It's a government that provides some of the best living conditions possible within the comfort, security and opportunity from a county that always assumes a leadership example for the rest of the world's governed societies.

So you're damned right it takes taxes, a lot of tax revenue. So, if you've got a Legislative or Executive representative telling you taxes are too high or unnecessary, then you've got a political nutcase who smooths your feathers but doesn't want to admit how uncaring they are for what ruffles them in the first place.

     On 12-2-23, the Washington Post penned an article entitled: "Trump pardoned them. Now they’re helping him return to power", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Of all the known actions of Trump for which a courtroom finding is unnecessary for condemnation, this abuse, this malfeasance of the elected office he occupied stands as evidence for his perverted inhuman traits to undermine our societal values.

The misuse of a humanitarian device like pardons being used as bargaining chits to promote a self-serving agenda for perversion of our political system stands alone as the greatest evidence of Trump's path to treasonable conduct.

As a human being Trump has no equal as a lying, untrustworthy and for certain deraigned personality. Wake up folks, he desires an office for his personal demagogue use, not for any benefit to US. And sound the alarm because now you've met his corps of pardoned misfits to help make it happen.

    On 11-30-23, the Washington Post penned an Opinion by Robert Kagan, Editor at large for | "The Trump dictatorship", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

My Gawd, how overdue and excessively wordy is this essay.

However, the Trump phenomenon can only be attributed to our own embarrassing acknowledgement that the money influence coupled with instant news distribution, (in any uncontrolled nor fact-based format), had more to do with him than our own check and balance, an informed electorate.

Unless our Legislative Branch gets serious about effective election reforms and putting candidates in more dialog-laced performance forums we will continue to be influenced by power brokers, not qualification, nor human decency.

     On 11-30-23, the Washington Post penned the article: "George Santos says lawmakers ‘bullying’ him as expulsion vote looms", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

“It doesn’t mean that it’s goodbye forever,” he (Santos) said.

Hopefully, this sad saga of human indecency and national embarrassment will pass. Eventually it seems, not soon enough.

In the future, let's hope the news media pays more attention to their obligation to inform us, (the voting public), of unqualified and undesirable candidates before election instead of capitalizing on their headline grabbing aftereffects.

    On 11-27-23, the Washington Post penned an Analysis |"With Trump moving closer to renomination, rewriting Jan. 6 attack gains urgency", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus: 

"What Trump is doing now, 340-odd days before the 2024 general election, is amplifying self-serving falsehoods and finding a hungry audience for them. This is also precisely what he was doing in the weeks before the Capitol riot." (...wrote the WAPO analysis).

For those registered to vote in this country who continue to ignore overwhelming evidence of Trump's record for illegal and abusive use of power or denial of oaths and rule of law. And yet he continues to remind us he offers us and our government nothing going forward but a continuing self-serving agenda of illegal and abusive conduct, think!

Think about just how much turmoil follows in his path. Think about how little value he puts in law-abiding people of goodness and service. Think about the human wrecks left in the wake of his lies and bully tactics. And think about how little purpose or care to now or going forward he puts into the tranquility of our country.

He was and is, unfit to serve as a steward for our government.  And so say I.  

    On 11-26-23, the Washington Post penned an article that: "Univision anchor Jorge Ramos rebukes network for not challenging Trump", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

“We cannot normalize behavior that threatens democracy and the Hispanic community, or offer Trump an open microphone to broadcast his falsehoods and conspiracy theories. We must question and fact-check everything he says,” (quoted from the WAPO article)

Trump does not allow time or space for challenge to his monologs. And they are consistently staged.

There is no way to describe his publicity offerings than pure propaganda.

     On 11-25-23, the Washington Post penned the article: "Russia held these Ukrainian teens captive. Their testimonies could be used against Putin", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus: 

It is a world-wide shame that we tolerate the likes of Russia's Putin who corrupts the concepts of value and goodness in his fellow human beings.

He is truly a horrible person who deserves our contempt and disrespect.

     On 11-21-23, the Washington Post penned an Opinion by Catherine Rampell | "Why we’re borrowing to fund the elderly while neglecting everyone else", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Ms. Rampell would have you believe that pensioners enjoy a one-way street of monetary benefits it seems. Well, Ms. Rampell, consider this. Those government pensions when combined with other sources result in pensioners paying, that's right, federal income taxes. And don't forget the percentage of monthly deduction from that government pension that goes. that's right, into Medicare and prescription drug plans.

And most of all recall that pensioners enjoy travel, food, and entertainment rather than sitting around growing old, so they make great contributions, that's right, to federal, state, and local sales, excise, and sur tax coffers.

Doesn't sound like much of a free ride to me. Kind of like those who protest the free ticket immigrants get. Who are also making payments, that's right, to those same sources. Get a clue, cry-baby.

     On 11-20-23, the Washington Post penned an article of "Vulgarities, insults, baseless attacks: Trump backers follow his lead", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

"Some of them have increasingly suggested to voters that the former president’s behavior is a problem." (Quoted the WAPO article)

If mischief-inciting miscreant qualifies as Presidential material, and you've missed all the obvious signs of embryonic fascism, or the character traits of mental (and moral) illness, then go ahead and take Trump at his word.

After all, his words are little but an immature, crass and mendacious theater.  And he's very proficient at that at least, and little else.

     On 11-14-23, the Washington Post penned the article: "Ex-Trump allies detail efforts to overturn election in Georgia plea videos", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus: 

There seems to be no lack of evidence that Trump and his cohorts made a concerted effort to compromise the legal voting process in Georgia. But this extended period of time accumulating more, and better evidence continues to frustrate those of us who want an accountability, not more titillating looks at Trump's book of horrors. We need a courtroom conviction, not a continuing media expose'.

    On 11-12-23, the Washington Post penned the article: "Hamas envisioned deeper attacks, aiming to provoke an Israeli war", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus: 

Be aware of what Hamas really is. It's not an organized army from an organized country. It is a gang of middle eastern thugs belonging to no organized government with no parliamentarian authority to appeal or transact with. There's is not to perform a representation of the Palestinian state, and they behold to no authority but their own secret plan of cause and effect. They are a criminal element of uncontrolled chaos. And they have no method of finance other than from those countries who desire to promote their secret plan of cause and effect for their own agendas.

Actually, there's is an element not unlike our own internal terrorist organizations similar to the Hell's Angels.

   On 11-8-23, the Seattle Times penned an editorial for: "Google owes news outlets at least $10 billion yearly, study estimates" | Brier Dudley, and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Bravo Mr. Dudley. You have certainly raised this reader's awareness of the secondary impact for how search engines, cyber information and consumer sites are influenced from the newsprint media. And the impact of lost revenue from advertising suffered primarily by the print media because of them.

Yes, when I stop to think about it, there are dozens of cyber inquires I make based on your newsprint industry. Like inquires for definitions of new words I see in print. Like on-line ordering of that book from the latest top read lists. Like inquiry to a locally positioned news source to find out more about a sketchy report by my news source. And it goes on and on.

And of course, the biggest impact of all. That cyber story is either a reprint or an enhancement of a news story originally researched and penned by journalists of the newsprint media. Thus, I'm paying so much more for my newsprint's loss of revenue to sources that enjoy marketing advantage at their expense? Wow!

   On 11-2-23, the Seattle Times penned an article for, "Business bigfoots the Seattle election, but quietly this time", and on the date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus: 

Let's face the inconvenient truth. The "Citizens United" decision by our Supreme Court did exactly what was intended. Opened the door to allow those with the gold to finance their rule. It took the politics out of the election process and substituted the ability to finance the marketing of a candidate without resorting to transparency, responsibility, and qualifications for the office they aspired to occupy.

   On 11-8-23, the Washington Post penned an article that: "FBI director didn’t accept new Md. headquarters decision (by the General Services Administration), sought do-over", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Recall that the GSA was the same agency that saw no conflict of interest in then President Trump's remodeling of the old Post Office building into an expensive hotel and restaurant venue in the shadow of the White House and Congress. And allowed the Trump Business Organization to self-provide their record of revenue that determined a GSA provision for sharing a percentage of profit.

Funny how it turned into a white elephant when he was voted off the DC island?

    On 11-6-23, the Washington Post penned the article, ‘Are you sitting down?’ The windfall (from Joan B. Kroc) that transformed NPR 20 years ago, and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Your first mistake is associating personalities with the quality of news reporting. The public networks have always sought to provide objective, complete, and truth-based analysis of the news they report.

That results from the efforts of their editorial management and the written interpretations by journalistic staff. Of course, the value of its presentation depends on the airway's delivery to its listening market, but putting your faith of reliable news in the delivering source is the stuff of political illusion.

But it helps explain how for-profit broadcasters seek to create a cult market rather than a reputable listening audience. Or, as Soren Kierkegkaard said, "People demand freedom of speech as compensation for freedom of thought, which is seldom used."

    On 11-5-23, the Washington Post penned an article that, "Trump and allies plot revenge, Justice Department control in a second term" and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Well, I'd like to offer a critical list of Trump's shortcomings, but I just can't bring myself to denigrate those who suffer from intellectual deficiency, immature judgmental skills, and mental illness.

For you MAGA folk, denigrate means to put down.

    On 11-3-23, the Washington Post penned an article that, "Students hated ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’ Their teachers (in Mikitio, WA) tried to dump it", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

The culture and class of a society is determined by the diverse path of an individual's educational readings and self-acknowledging writings. Not by the opinions of others who profess to understand their motives.

Social science (a highly opinionated venue) has already determined that the human mind is too complex for being categorized with total accuracy. And I'd dare say these comments stand in evidence, including my own.

    On 11-2-23, the Washington Post penned an article for "Local journalists arrested in small Alabama town for grand jury story" and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

When a newspaper with national news publication capabilities like WAPO gives coverage to such egregious incidents of governmental abuse, the only thing left to be said is, thank you for being on the side of unfettered transparency and accountability WAPO. Thank you for protecting our Constitutional rights.

   On 10-30-23, the Washington Post penned that: "House GOP demands IRS budget cuts to pay for Israel aid", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

"Using the IRS funding to offset the Israel aid might not actually save money: The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office had estimated in 2022 that the $80 billion IRS expansion would cut the deficit by more than $100 billion, by improving collections and enforcement." (said the Post article)

 (To which I said) The House GOP is again showing its true colors. As if their quality of governance wasn't already in the crapper.

    On 10-27-23, the Washington Post penned an Opinion | "Mike Johnson’s conspiracy theories about ‘illegals’ mark a new GOP low", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

It's concerning that a faction of the Republican party lacks the capacity to deal with the inconvenient truth that they continue selecting admitted amoral characters to occupy positions of party leadership.

And they seem to ignore their continuing record of incompetent governance as a result of that action. And why a faction of their monied sources continue to provide funding support for that track record begs a question of investigative concern.

While unanswered investigative questions hide behind their harmony of avoiding transparency and accountability.

    On 10-21-23, the Washington Post penned the article: "Jan. 6 charge faced by Trump upheld on appeal for second time", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

The irony of all this remains. Those folk who believed the rhetorical rants of MEGA politicians who claimed the Democrats were the cause of this country's downward spin so you must take the democratic step of voting us the power of governance.

So, they first tried to support their MEGA mouthpiece by illegally effecting a mob approach to reversing the legal election results for the Executive Branch they couldn't abide. Then turning to their elected legislators who won a majority position in the People's House of legislation only to see those representatives of their faith turn into bitter playground bullies with more interest in their personal fame than the business of representing MEGA values. Like taking the principals of governance hostage for personal theater rather than acting like mature statesmen of the realm?

Well MEGA fans, how's your political alignment working so far? As a famous man said, "It's easier to fool people than convince them they've been fooled."

   On 10-20-23, the Enlightened Prisoner put his thoughts in writing: 

"How do you cure a nation seeped in attitudes of independence from the influence of Hollywood screen writers and actors whose job is to create opinionated minds for profitable results?

Kind of like those press conferences and political rallies that forsake any questions for what is said or claimed in order to create opinion.

Well, at least we still have the courtroom where cross-examinations of oath takers still exist and attempt at finding truth. And there's still the print media with its attempts at objective analysis that leaves opinion up to you."

    On 10-11-23, the Washington Post penned an article that, "Zelensky visits NATO headquarters for allied meeting to support Ukraine", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus: 

Russia and Hamas have in common that both attack civilian targets for the reason of creating chaos and harm to the moral of the military they have not the fortitude to face. This is a criminal act that demands much more response from the united world's governments than feeding a materials pipeline.

But of course, the leaders of those united countries are mostly dependent on the endorsement of those they govern to occupy the office, not totalitarian control which enjoys the capacity to eliminate those who don't endorse them.

And we, the non-combatants become the victims of a war we had no voice in creating. While those who manufacture weapons of war endure. Sad.

    On 10-9-23, the Washington Post penned the article: "Nobel Prize in economics awarded to Claudia Goldin for work on women in the workplace", and on the date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Thanks to the Nobel Prize committee for their continuing recognition of advances and accomplishments by women in the cultural, societal and science fields of our world's community.

Now, if only the governing bodies of that world community would also begin to recognize those same successful contributions by women in politics instead of treating that entity with the continuing failures of male dominance...!?!?

    On 10-7-23, the Washington Post penned the article: "Largest ‘ghost guns’ parts maker agrees to stop selling in California", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

From 1998 to late in 2021, gun purchases in this country totaled 411.6 million weapons being sold. Folks, that's approximately 20% more guns than our total population of the country!

That also equates to 46% of civilian guns in the world being owned by members of our country while the US population is only 4.25% of the world's population!

And Polymer80 is a small part of the problem. According to the US Agency that licenses gun dealerships, there are 3.36 more-gun dealerships in this country than there are McDonald food outlets.

While the National Rifle Association, founded on the principals of responsible gun ownership and safe use continue to shrug at the mention of our rising rates of deaths by firearms, and shudder at every legislative attempt to control the sale and use of weapons designed to kill humans, not hunt game.

   On 10-2-23, the Washington Post penned an Opinion by Jennifer Rubin that | Senate Democrats must enact rules changes. Comity is long gone, and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Anyone who saw the performance of Speaker McCarthy on Face The Nation last Sunday was treated to the most obnoxious display of childish behavior you can attribute to the current GOP political tactics. Yet, there was little or no media analysis that punishes what has become their norm. Talk loud, talk fast, and never let yourself be interrupted for an accountability of what you're saying.

If the question is raised later, continue deflecting with more examples of blame to disguise your need to justify those deflecting remarks. It's as if the GOP has refused to be held accountable for anything.

I see it and am damned tired of hearing it. And frankly I'm getting really upset with the way the GOP shows utter disrespect for the media's responsibility to question anyone in power.

   On 9-28-23, the Washington Post penned that, "The small group of House Republicans who might force a government shutdown" and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

I can't begin to tell you how unprofessional and immature the loud-mouthed obstructionists of the Republican party have become. We don't need term limits; we need a national referendum that tells a current crop of politicians about our loss of confidence in their abilities to govern.

    On 9-27-23, the Washington Post penned an article that: "Sen. Menendez pleads not guilty to federal bribery charges", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

And today's top story...

Is it about Senator Mendacious, or House Speaker Mendacious, or Supreme Court Justic Mendacious, or Former President Mendacious?

And just when is the media going become truthfully objective instead of hiding behind neutral?

    On 9-24-23, the Washington Post penned an Analysis | "Fox News viewers love Trump. Newsmax viewers idolize him", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Or, as was said by Mark Twain, "It's easier to fool people than to convince them they've been fooled."

   On 9-23-23, the Washington Post penned, "Justice Clarence Thomas reportedly attended Koch network donor events", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

These exclusively Republican nominated and confirmed Supreme Court jurists have caused our entire system of justice to now be on international display, and it is sordid. And the Republican party leadership seems impotent for effecting a change. Afterall, they were voted the right of governance, not to merely shrug.

   On 9-11-23, the Washington Post penned "Trump advisers plot aggressive new tax cuts for second White House term" and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

I tire of the Republican's radical right that swings carrots on sticks rather than showing stewardship on governance. They are ill-prepared and quietly harbor an agenda of revengeful design. Well, not in my house!

    On 9-10-23, the Washington Post penned an article, "He was Mormon royalty. Now his lawsuit against the church is a rallying cry", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Of course religious organizations solicit and store huge amounts of tax-exempt donor money. They're just another form of an active political party trying to curry favor for dominance.

And just like political affiliation, take the pledge, pass the bucks, and favor a dislike for the competition so you can vote your conscience.

    On 9-7-23, the Washington Post reported that "Justice Kavanaugh says ethics changes may be coming to Supreme Court", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

'  (Quoted from the article) The Senate Judiciary Committee (likely bi-partisan) advanced legislation in July that would require the justices to follow disclosure rules as strict as those that apply to members of Congress — including more detailed and timely information about privately sponsored travel, for example. The bill, which is opposed by Republicans and unlikely to succeed, would also tighten recusal requirements for the justices and create an ethics code for the high court."

"The bill, which is opposed by Republicans and unlikely to succeed..."

Folks, do you really need a road map of which party is likely to abuse the power and benefits of office? An office of public servants no less. And doesn't this show you how the Federalist Society got it wrong,...all along?

   On 9-2-23, Seattle Times columnist Danny Wesneat penned: "What we could all learn from the Proud Boys trials", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

But the reality remains that protest opportunists seldom harbor any but demonstrative motives of their own for destructive and malicious acts that have little impact on social justice matters because of spontaneity.

The January 6th insurrection, however, was and remains a destructive act to interfere, obstruct, and deny an official government function by planned and mobilized design and encouragement offered by a voter defeated candidate with an ulterior motive of illegality. And so far, the bulk of those planners, designers and participants are being taken to task for their involvement in legal courtroom criminal justice fashion.

The cause of their cause, again however, remains unaccountable for his actions while taking cheap social media pot-shots at those irascible ankle bitters handling questions of evidence our country has never had to face before in its entire history in order to perfect proper courtroom prosecution.

This is not going to happen according to our desires for action, but when it comes to pass be assured that those public servants on payroll, not on (usually unpaid) retainer hopefully will prevail.

    On 8-24-23, the Washington Post published an Analysis | The winners and losers from the first Republican debate, and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus: 

Sorry I missed all that blither and blame, (PBS was more educational and informative), but thanks for the print media recap.  As I see it, about the only Presidential sounding contender in your recap was Nikki Haley who reminded us of Trump's major Presidential blunder of adding $8 Trillion to our national debt, a debt which our children must address.

But she forgot to remind us of the delay in distribution of those Congressional authorized Covid stimulus checks while they were reprinted with Trump's name on them instead of the normal Secretary of the Treasurer printed name.  Petty narcissistic behavior for someone who has been short-changing his tax liabilities to the government forever.   

And the rejoinder by Nikki directed at un-presidential Ramaswamy that his opinion of non-support of Ukraine was a vote for the Russian murderer of civilians. An isolationist attitude has no place in our country who has demonstrated such noteworthy activity in policing and charitable concerns shown for countries without our resources in science, education, medicine, military armament, intelligence gathering, farming and manufacturing.  

But still, I question her tribal mentality to back Trump if he becomes the Republican example of a mentally and morally incompetent steward for this country.  The Republicans badly need to draw the line on that error in judgement.   

   On 8-21-23, the Washington Post published an Opinion that | Trump’s kid-glove treatment highlights an unequal justice system, and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Let's face it. The reason our criminal justice system finds it necessary to jail defendants before trial is the result of historical information that indicate they are likely to continue in their chosen path of aberrant behavior against the norm for societal safety and tranquility.

Just think how quickly someone of Trump's publicized anti-social behavior would earn incarceration. And since when does his federal funded security detail enjoy immunity from witness testimony for his aberrant behavior?

Trump is a mentally ill mischief inciting miscreant. Lock him up!

    The Washington Post on 8-19-23, did a book Review on| The case for James Garfield, the president history forgot, and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

The benefits of history researched and written well are evident here. When the irony of a past and present political party's moral purpose (Republicans) becomes so divisive it challenges us to wonder why. Maybe the lesson to learn is our politics have become little but gaining power for the sake of its benefits, not its opportunity for public service.

    On 8-11-23, the Washington Post reported an Opinion | A Trump judge sends Southwest Airlines to right-wing reeducation camp (over a religious question), and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Thanks Ms. Marcus, you've shown the true meddle of our country's religious group's attempts at influence and impact on our Constituted Republic. They are little but disguised political parties attempting to mandate their moral adventures, (read agenda) into lawful pursuits.

They enjoy only the privilege under our Constitution of existing and practicing their storied beliefs without interference. There is no provision in our Constitution for any (religions') rights of expression that alter our laws for social conduct.

And to assume that right would seem worth punishment, not endorsement by a government official (the Judge) under oath to uphold our (Constitutional) governing document.

   On 8-9-23, the Washington Post Analysis reported | The GOP’s belated — but growing — admission that Trump lost the election, and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

This isn't about the fact that Trump lost his election. It is about the criminal actions he took to deny the political process of someone else's election.

That's the inconvenient truth the GOP is unable to acknowledge.