On 4-30-23, the Washington Post published: "With debt bill adopted, far-right House Republicans ready for fiscal war" and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus: 

This Republican political theater on debt control kind of reminds me of the Russia war on civilians tactic in the Ukraine. Make life as miserable as possible on the civilian population so they get tricked into believing those with the power deserve control.

When the population they are punishing only want to see bi-partisan work done that improves and controls how we get better governance from...public servants.

  On 4-29-23, the Seattle Times published: "Latest Legislative Session's efforts graded" and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

There are three main items of budget concern for our part-time state's legislators. Education, yes, they did address; Public Safety, somewhat addressed; and Infrastructure, our roads, bridges and their maintenance, not a word.

A simple drive around taking note of our ever-growing traffic problems, and a look at our overgrown and debris ridden road shoulders is proof enough. And don't give me this excuse that roadside greenery is cleaning up the environment. Wonder why all that gas taxed income to the state isn't even dedicated for infrastructure use? It's stashed away in the General Fund and allotted for legislative favored projects.

Hey Seattle Times, how about following that gas tax money and find out. Then find out if our expansive State Lotto system money is being totally used for Education, like it was intended.

   On 4-28-23, the Washington Post published: "Newly released White House photos capture the day bin Laden was killed" and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

"If you want to know who we are, who America is, how we respond to evil-that's it: selflessly, compassionately, unafraid." President Barack Obama

Never served in the military but what a sense of duty he brought to the office of President. His intellect and character stand tall.

   On 4-25-23, Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin offered Opinion | Tammy Baldwin has picked the lock on split-ticket voters, on the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

I appreciate the realistic view you take for politicians Ms. Rubin. Here you have recognized a politician who is smart, thoughtful, and communicative on the issues, not the usual type theater of answering a policy question with a question.

It is a shame on our electorate that too many don't want to acknowledge just how prepared and effective the potential of women would have in national leadership.

The concentration on single instances in their tenure that may be a mistake, (and usually blown out of proportion by social medias), are made into happenstances of incompetence while multiple, and I mean multiple, mistakes by male politicians are considered to have excuses like business as usual.

If we don't give more credit to what and how women in politics are improving the standards, (with the obvious exceptions of Palin and Green and their lot), we're missing a way of improving our own standard of governance.

   On 4-20-23, the Seattle Times posted: "WA’s momentous new gun laws draw a line | Editorial", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

If you must brag about your gun-toting rights and harangue those citizens who see your radical rights arguments as callous, stop and consider this. Those citizens may be quite content with our organized militia consisting of military and police as adequately armed for their protection. And your wimpy arguments that our government lacks what you see as necessary has become quite tiring and unproven.

Why would you think we'd put any trust in your like-minded cadre that proved on January 6th that a radical agenda for change by force, (to install a loser), could have involved an assault on that organized militia who were there charged with just protecting the orderly transfer of power provided for in our Constitution? And really, has there been any of those hundreds of prosecuted participants found not guilty because their cause was right?

Let's face it, the millions of dollars spent by the National Rifle Association to support the gun industry and like-minded legislators, (millions of dollars), does not come close to equating to those who profess being legitimate gun owners paying dues. Yes, the NRA is one of those dark money outlets that care more about creating chaos in the country than the safe practice of firearm uses and controls. What possible benefit comes from having more firearms manufactured and sold in this country than its number of citizens?

We have rules of sale that are so loose that straw buyers can purchase and resale, (without traceability), to the very element that shouldn't have them? Been to a gun show lately? Seen any sales that concerned anything but the exchange of cash? Let's face it, the gun owner lobby's got problems. And instead of a fix they just want to blame you for not being manly enough.

Well, I've had my say, and frankly if you find reason to fault my thinking, be assured I've lived a good life. I've served my country, paid my taxes, and respected my neighbors. I've traveled and experienced other societies, (even a communist one), and found without fail that it you get past their government's claims and excuses, the whole world of citizens only want to be left in peace and have the opportunity to realize their own potential. And not by the cause of a gun.

   On 4-20-23, WAPO penned the story: "Top GOP lawyer decries ease of campus voting in private pitch to RNC", and on that day, the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

"You wouldn't let your grandparents pick your playlist. Why would you let them pick your representatives who's going to determine your future?" Barack Obama

Gawd, I miss that intellect for our leadership.

   On 4-20-23, WAPO penned a story about: "Proud Boys’ defense wobbles in sedition trial after two take the stand", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus: 

"Federal defendants rarely testify at trial, knowing skilled cross-examiners will draw out testimony highlighting their worst behavior", said the WAPO story.

And folks, that's the reason our criminal justice system works, even if it appears to be a cumbersome delay of our time and patience. In court settings, under oath, and the scrutiny of cross-examination, defendants are unbraided from the bragging rights of innocence they had ranted about at their unchallenged social media appearances.

It's what makes Trump and his MAGA minions such viable targets and why they cause the litany of trail delaying tactics. Guilt runs deep in those who protest it most.

   On 4-19-23, WAPO penned the Opinion | "The big hole in the Dominion-Fox News settlement", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

The biggest hole left behind this settlement is escaping the evidence of Congressional needs to regulate the "entertainment" abuse that Fox News used on the unregulated cable network that the FCC regulates on the radio wave networks.

 And return of the fair news regulations that Congress usurped years ago that allows such abuse to happen on even radio wave networks.

   On 4-15-23, Seattle Times columnist Danny Westneat wrote: "A new WA voice calls out Democrats as the party of the rich, from within", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Isn't it a fact that political party affiliation in this country must always be identified with some form of hype to deflect or detract from the content of the message? You know, give you reason to suspect their motives to make the message seem hollow and callous before you've even given it thought.

Has our sense of choice for the rights of the governed in this country become more of a propaganda form of trench warfare rather than constructive debate? Have you really thought about why you feel the way you do about the opposition instead of giving hearing to what they say?

You know our Constitution was intended to give a sense of maturity to a newly formed, first-time in the world's history, a unique citizen-imposed government. And that 1st Amendment that gives total freedom to the press was intended to be a check and balance for an honest and transparent representative government, not an entertainment platform for standup critics who never have to answer for their monologs of rant.

I'm just wondering as I appraise these comments, why do so many want to contribute to the chaos instead of finding working answers?

   On 4-15-23, WAPO reported on: "Trump, in legal peril, draws cheers at NRA convention; Pence draws boos" and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

"The NRA, (registered as a non-profit organization), spent more than $31 million in support of Trump during his 2016 campaign, and more than $16.5 million on his 2020 reelection campaign, according to OpenSecrets, which tracks campaign finance numbers."

Just how does a non-profit organization, (with some of the highest paid company executives in that type business), generate profits and resources to afford that kind of political influence?

Bet you'll play hell following the money on that one.

  On 4-14-23, WAPO reported that: "Senators call for probe of Thomas amid report of real estate deals with GOP donor" and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Hm, the Republican (Senators) silence on speaking to conflicting conduct by Justice Thomas is explainable. They have no Congressional representative with a clear enough conscience to call the kettle black.

  On 4-13-23, WAPO published an Analysis for| "What you reject when you assert Trump’s complete innocence", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

The United States of American has managed to survive a great many assaults on its ways of governance and the radical behaviorism of its elected and appointed members in its administration of governance.

We'll survive ex-President Trump and his lickspittle minions, you'll see.

  On 4-12-23, a WAPO penned Opinion wrote that | "Matthew Kacsmaryk calls the right-leaning judicial branch’s bluff" and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

“Can a free government possibly exist with the Roman Catholic religion?” John Adams mused to Thomas Jefferson. No, Jefferson opined: “In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty.”

Yes, the words of those who founded our nation's freedom from religion in our documents of governance. And yet our numerous and varied styles of religion within the country continue to act as organized political parties, trying to influence and bend an entire country to their way of wanting things to be.

Please, practice your religious faith in freedom as our enabling documents allow but stay the course of your doctrine and practice it unto yourself.  Do not interfere with my governance needs for the standing population.  

  On 4-10-23, WAPO published an article on: "Have trucks really conquered every corner of America?" And on that date the Enlighted Prisoner responded thus: 

As victims of the industry's sales and marketing cadre, shouldn't we be embarrassed to learn how easily we, (not the governments), are influencing and causing the rollercoaster geopolitical crisis points in the world-wide mining of our non-renewable fuel source?

But hey, shouldn't the government be embarrassed at how much revenue they soak from us for the excise and sur taxes on every aspect of these vehicles from showroom to road? Or how much of that tax revenue is funneled directly to their general funds and how a disproportionate amount expended isn't even used for vehicle related reasons?

Well, some of us just put more thought into this equation than that of style, color and neighbor envy thinking.

  On 4-6-23, WAPO reports that, Probe widens into federal watchdog over missing Jan. 6 Secret Service texts, and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responds thus:

Isn't it that MAGA cult bunch that's been telling us our government is going to hell in a handbasket, and now we find this is the way they prove it?  By lack of transparency and obfuscation in the way they govern.

 On 4-7-23, WAPO reported that, Clarence Thomas has reported receiving only two gifts since 2004, and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

The fact that businessman Crow donated gifts of money or material gifts to both Clarance & Ginna Thomas is evidence enough for finding presumptive influence design. It's high time a member of the highest court found out their conduct is subject to review and determination of corrupt behavior by lesser courts.

When such conduct escapes lack of scrutiny it becomes an example of morbid behavior for our nation of laws, not individuals.

 The Opinion from the Washington Post on 4-3-23 read, | How the 1876 presidential election enabled Jim Crow.  And on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

What started as a social gathering I was at recently turned a little sour when the women, (a reflection on our times), began arguing the politics of recent headlines. One of the husbands of dubious respectability then tried to end all argument by shouting, "...you're nothing but a bunch of wokes!"

I'd just become aware that a proper definition for woke was, "to be informed, educated of, and aware of social injustices." I couldn't help but offer the rejoinder at him, "you're damned right they are."

Following his surprised look, he was asked to describe a social injustice of his awareness. The silence was deafening.

 Silicon Valley Bank’s risk model flashed red. So its executives changed it. Wrote the Washington Post on 4-2-23, and the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

When the dust settles on the SVB debacle, will any lesson be learned about containing the lack of transparency by bank executives and board members throughout the banking industry? Unlikely.

You see, in the corporation's world, their business plans and its execution are a closely guarded secret, and governance operates within totalitarian control. You are only made aware of their operational miscues after the fact, or in made for entertainment movies, sanitized by Hollywood Screenwriters.

 Shocked and defiant: How Trump is responding to unprecedented indictment, wrote the Washington Post and on 4-1-23, the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Of course, Trump's in upset mode. For four years he was a Presidential apprentice, then his realm was pulled up short for reasons of failing to have hands, (head and heart also), big enough to handle the job. His record of prior business/marriage failures and contractor stiffs not withstanding he set a record for the most criminally corrupt administration yet.

So now his crass personality is on stage again for, that's right, paying off a prostitute to hide his sexual prowess. But he's back into theater in order to dupe whatever cash he can out of the faithful for facing this charge and the other two pending investigations that will probably charge him with real criminal conduct. And he's the best the Republican party can claim for leadership, really?

Maybe we need a new political party in the race. We could call it "Citizen's United". Oh wait, that's already taken by the dark money party, right?