RI Heritage Hall of Fame pumps brakes on honoring Michael Flynn.

 BOSTON GLOBE: 

After facing outrage for honoring Trump’s disgraced former national security advisor, the orgainzation said in a statement that it will “defer Flynn’s induction to a more peaceful and rational time and a more secure place. 

I am not going to go into the Body of the rest of the Article, except to point out the reasoning skills offered in the following Quote;

“A majority of the board that voted to induct Flynn relied upon his 30-year record of public service and high attainments,” Conley wrote. “It accepted as true the grant of clemency from the president of the United States asserting that no crime was actually committed..."

Sorry to point this out, but an act of clemency or a pardon from the President, IS NOT PROOF OF INNOCENCE. IT IS BASICALLY AN ACT OF FORGIVENESS FOR CRIMINAL ACTIONS. TRUMP PARDONED THE ACTIONS OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHO COMMITTED CRIMES HE ADMITTED TO, THAT BENEFITTED TRUMP.

STATISTICS AND POLLS. Rules to live by. #1.

 MANIPULATING THE RESULTS IS TO EASY.

This should be a given, but it is often not reported or ignored.  Poll results can be greatly influenced by the Tactics of those conducting them.

Example-  How often do you hear a poll prefaced by words like...

"... among registered..."

"...survey of likely voters..."

"...who identify themselves as.."

"...popularity among age groups..."

What do they all have in common? They tell us virtually nothing.

-  Where did the questioning take place?  Particularly, the "COMMUNITY."  Even in a small city or town, political differences can vary greatly, so knowing the exact locations can give us an indication about the validity of reported results.

-  How much of the information acquired about those who were interviewed or polled, was self- reported or unverifiable?

-  What were the guidelines or standards set that could disqualify an individuals answers from being included in the final results?

-  If there was more than a single question asked, was each individual asked ALL of them, or did previous answers influence the length of the interview?

-  What protocols were in place to guarantee that the Interviewers or Pollsters followed proper procedures?

NEVER ASSUME THAT  POLL RESULTS, EVEN IF THEY ARE IN FAVOR OF YOUR POINT OF VIEW, WERE CONDUCTED WITHOUT BIAS, WITH ALL SIDES TREATED FAIRLY. TO OFTEN THIS LEAVES US WONDERING..."WHERE DID IT ALL GO WRONG?"

REQUESTED REPOST: Can you legally be kicked out of a restaurant for praying before a meal?...I answered this question on QUORA.

I have had a request to repost this Article because of the Current Controversy regarding the Concept of Freedom of Religion as it relates to the U.S. CONSTITUTION. 

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Can you legally be kicked out of a restaurant for praying before a meal if the people at the table next to you are bothered by your praying and complain to the manager and the manager asks you to leave?

Yes, but it is not the subject matter itself that would be judged by the Legal System, but how the behavior itself was manifested. You have the RIGHT TO PRAY ANYWHERE YOU WANT.

However, you do not have the Right to create a disturbance that a reasonable person would object to, given the TIME, PLACE, and CIRCUMSTANCES.

It may be alright to scream out your devotions in Church, but not in a public area where all Americans expect freedom from the Ill-Mannered and Rude individuals who are disrupting the experience.

Praying at normal conversation tones would and should be tolerated until the words turn into a form of intimidation that crosses the line, either by Volume and/or Content, or disrupts the proceedings that prevent others from receiving the benefits that brought them to such a Meeting, Event, or Learning Experience.

If the manager kicked you out for simply engaging in a Religious Conversation he would be opening himself up for Legal Actions that he would find hard to defend in Court.

AGAIN: TIME, PLACE, CIRCUMSTANCES.

TRUMPIAN TRAITORS ARE EVERYWHERE: EVEN IN RHODE ISLAND

The RHODE ISLAND HERITAGE HALL OF SHAME--EH, FAME, decides to induct TRUMP STOOGE AND CONSPIRACY THEORIST MIKE FLYNN INTO THEIR RANKS.

Here is a short Post I wrote about Flynn on June, 29th, 2022. See the Link for the testimony, I just Transcribed what was said. Below it is the Providence Journal Article:

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TRUMP HERO MICHAEL FLYNN PLEADS THE 5TH AMENDMENT.  "SELF INCRIMINATION." A TRUMPIAN TRAITOR.

YOU WOULD HAVE MADE A FIRST-RATE NAZI FYNN. NO, YOU DON'T DESERVE TO BE CALLED "GENERAL," YOU'RE  A PATHETIC TRAITOR. GO TO PUTIN, MAYBE RUSSIA WILL MAKE YOU AN HONORARY "GENERAL."

LINK:

 https://twitter.com/i/status/1541850921029746689

Rep. Liz Cheney: Do you believe the violence on January 6 was justified morally?

Michael Flynn: Fifth [Amendment]. Cheney: Do you believe the violence on January 6 was justified legally? Flynn: Fifth. Cheney: Do you believe in the peaceful transfer of power? Flynn: Fifth.

TELL US, WHICH FLAG DO YOU MOST IDENTIFY WITH?

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The RI Heritage Hall of Fame voted to induct Gen. Michael Flynn. Now, members are resigning.

Katherine Gregg

Providence Journal.

PROVIDENCE - The selection of former Trump National Security Adviser − and renowned conspiracy theorist − Mike Flynn as an inductee into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame has led to more than a half dozen resignations from the board that oversees the Hall of Fame.

It also led former Congressman Jim Langevin, who was also selected last week for induction into the honorary Hall of Fame, to serve notice: "If retired General Michael Flynn were to be included in this class I would not accept the nomination."

In her letter of resignation from the board, former Rep. Denise Aiken wrote: "I find that I am unable to be associated with an organization that would choose to honor a criminal who failed to keep this oath to the Constitution of the United States."

"The inclusion of Lieutenant General Michael Flynn flies in the face of honorable service," wrote Aiken, adding in a subsequent interview: "I just couldn't see placing that particular nominee on the same footing with so many fabulous people that have been honored in that way over the many years that it's been in existence."

In their own co-signed letter of resignation to the president, Lawrence C. Reid, prominent lawyer John Tarantino and former Sen. Bea Lanzi called the selection of Flynn "both disappointing and astounding."

"There is an overall right and wrong in the universe, and what has happened here, in our view, and according to our moral compasses, and consciences, compels us to resign," they wrote in a letter obtained by The Journal.

FOR THE REST OF THE ARTICLE:

https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2023/12/20/gen-michael-flynn-voted-to-ri-heritage-hall-of-fame-causing-backlash-politics-trump/71983324007/

SPECIAL HOLIDAY FICTION: WILL THE REAL CHRISTIAN PLEASE STAND UP? FULL STORY.

 PART 1.

Many years ago there lived a man who traveled about the countryside. He was a Peddler, and made his living selling merchandise to local villages.  As time went on, he realized that he must expand his customer base, or go out of business.

This worried him, for it meant conducting trade with people he did not know, and who did not know him.  Nonetheless he set out, planning to call on towns and villages that were beyond his normal territory.

However, as fate would have it, he ran into immediate bad luck. As he approached the first village, a great storm erupted. Wind, rain and lightning made travel most difficult. Even worse, he carried his wares upon his back, for he could not afford a pack animal.

As he approached the first home, he thought to himself, " I just need shelter, and will ask no more." The Peddler arrived at the front door of a small , but well maintained cottage. Shivering, he knocked feebly on the front door.  After a few moments it opened and a stout and formidable looking man of no more than thirty years, answered.

"What do you want?", asked the figure in the doorway.

" Kind sir,"  replied the Peddler,  "I seek shelter from the storm. I am new to this Township, but hope to find new friends and customers from the good people who live here."

The Man frowned slightly, and with a sneer asked; "Do you accept Jesus as you lord and Savior?"

The Peddler was taken aback. No one had ever asked such a question.

"I am not a religious man,"  he stammered, "but I believe there is good in all of us, regardless of how we find it."  

The man shook his head and with a sly smile closed the door. His last words, as the door was closing, chilled the already cold and frightened Peddler to the bone.

''We don't want your type around, you are godless."

End of PT 1.

PT 2.

The Peddler was left standing at the front door as the rain continued to come down.

"I don't understand," he thought as he walked to the next cottage.  "I have never harmed this man, why would he turn me away?"

Unfortunately, it was only the beginning.  Despite the storm, the Peddler was denied sanctuary time and time again.

In each case he was asked if he accepted Jesus as his savior.  Being a man of principle, he told the truth.  "I respect what you believe," he would say, "but I am a man who has not studied such things.  I only seek refuge from the storm."

This honesty only seemed to doom the Peddler, for he reached the last cottage in despair.  He thought, "If they do not offer me shelter, where am I to go?"

As he approached the front door his heart sank.  The dwelling was small, compared to the others in the village.  Further, it had seen better days, for it was in a general state of disrepair.  In addition, the garden surrounding the cottage looked not to have been tended or cared for in quite some time.  The Peddler, however, was desperate.  He arrived at the front door, and with a heavy sigh, began to knock in earnest.  After a few moments the door started to open slowly...

PT 3.

As the door opened, the Peddler began to shake. "This is my last chance", he thought,  "I will say anything, for I cannot go on."

To his relief the figure in the doorway soon presented itself.  A small woman, perhaps half his size, looked up at him.  The Peddler was taken aback.  His possible benefactor was advanced in age and seemed to be on the edge of physical collapse.

The Peddler collected his wits, and with a sense of desperation began to speak.  "Good woman," he began, "I have traveled far, but I am in need of the hospitality of a person like you who would not turn away one in need." The Peddler braced himself for the expected interrogation, but it did not come.

"You poor man,"  was the reply, "come in and warm yourself by my humble fire.  I cannot offer much, but what I have is yours."  With that the woman turned and gestured for the Peddler to follow.

The Peddler entered, following the small figure.  The room he beheld was even more Spartan than he had imagined.  Very few pieces of furniture were present, and he watched as his host sat herself upon a rocking chair located near a large brick fireplace.  The fireplace seemed to dominate the room, for it provided the only illumination.  The Peddler sat down upon a small ottoman and rubbed his hands together.

Confused by this sudden change of fortune, he stammered, "I have no wish to cause you harm, but your neighbors rejected me because I am not a Christian.  Why do you offer me aid.  Will they not turn against you?"

The old woman began to laugh, and with a sigh turned to the peddler and replied:"Stranger, you are new to this place.  It was not always so, at one time all were welcome.  Unfortunately, the leaders of our community became convinced of their importance, which included controlling the spiritual life of all its' citizens.  This control would not tolerate dissension, so all those who opposed were either ostracized or banished.  They use Christianity as a tool to justify their personal prejudices.  In this manner, they subvert the true teachings of our lord."

(Look for PT.4)

PT 4.

Being a simple man with no illusions, I tried to grasp the meaning of what was being said. "Good Woman," I asked in earnest, "Why would your neighbors condemn honest people who act with great Charity, even though they are not Christian?"

My host stared into the fire and shuddered. "It is well that you came upon me," she answered, "for you can leave this accursed township with your head held high. Those who govern this community rule by fear."

I stood up, and rubbing my hands together, approached the fireplace.  However, I still had questions.

"You are a woman in torment," I declared, "however, you seem to hold fast that Christianity is a system of belief that will not exploit others.  Why do you remain among those who proclaim Christian beliefs, but who violate the essential tenets set forth in scripture?"

My host stood up from her position by the fire and very slowly came over to me. She stood before me and with moistening eyes said, "They are not evil, but have lost their way.  If our savior sacrificed everything to redeem humanity, do I not have an obligation to continue his work? Maybe the Adults will always hate, but the children need to see that there is a choice, and I will not forsake them."

The next day I left.  However, I provided my benefactor with a quantity of worldly goods free of charge.  I may be a great trader, but she is dealing in higher stakes.

God help us all if she, and others like her, fail.

THE END.

NEWS FROM RUSSIA: TRUMP/FPA/GOP HERO PUTIN READY TO WIN ANOTHER RIGGED ELECTION

ASSOCIATED PRESS: WORLD NEWS

A pro-peace Russian presidential hopeful is blocked by the election commission

This excerpt is taken from the body of the Article:

"Though it is normal for an opposition candidate to run against Putin – broadcaster Ksenia Sobchak, for example, was a liberal challenger in the 2018 presidential election – the tight control that he has established during 24 years in power makes his reelection in March all but assured. Prominent critics who could challenge him are either in prison or living abroad, and most independent media have been banned."

FOR THE REST OF THE ARTICLE.

https://apnews.com/article/russia-election-presidential-duntsova-putin-nomination-e2260c1f786b554bb10e3b175b7992ae?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share

RELIGIOUS FASCISTS AND PUTIN FIND COMMON GROUND IN HATE. PART 1.

Question: What do Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Former Catholic Bishop Strickland, and the Russian Orthodox Church Have in Common?

Each cares nothing for a Free and Open Society where they are not allowed to force their Code of Morality on every member, regardless of each individuals own personal Standards of Morality. This includes Criminalizing Behavior that they consider "IMMORAL." 

What am I referring to? The following was taken from a recent AP Article.

Russia’s Putin signs anti-gay measures into law

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a measure that stigmatizes gay people and bans giving children any information about homosexuality.

The lower house of Russia’s parliament unanimously passed the Kremlin-backed bill on June 11 and the upper house approved it last week.

The ban on “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations” is part of an effort to promote traditional Russian values over Western liberalism, which the Kremlin and the Russian Orthodox Church see as corrupting Russian youth and contributing to the protests against Putin’s rule.

Hefty fines can now be imposed on those who provide information about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community to minors or hold gay pride rallies.

The Kremlin announced Sunday that Putin has signed the legislation into law.

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Traditional Russian Values: You mean those that were eliminated in the1990s, and brought back by Putin?

- PURGING OPPONENTS.

- NO INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS.

- RIGGED ELECTIONS.

- THE MILITARY LOYAL ONLY TO THE

INDIVIDUAL CONTROLLING THE GOVERNMENT.

- THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM THAT DOES WHAT IT IS TOLD

BY THE FASCIST LEADERSHIP.

Where have we seen things like this before? Oh Right, that is the

DONALD TRUMP/FASCIST PARTY OF AMERICA/GOP 

NATIONAL AGENDA.

SEE PART 2.

ASSOCIATED PRESS POLITICS: Donald Trump banned from Colorado ballot in historic ruling by state’s Supreme Court

DENVER (AP) — A divided Colorado Supreme Court on Tuesday declared former President Donald Trump ineligible for the White House under the U.S. Constitution’s insurrection clause and removed him from the state’s presidential primary ballot, setting up a likely showdown in the nation’s highest court to decide whether the front-runner for the GOP nomination can remain in the race.

The decision from a court whose justices were all appointed by Democratic governors marks the first time in history that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment has been used to disqualify a presidential candidate.

“A majority of the court holds that Trump is disqualified from holding the office of president under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment,” the court wrote in its 4-3 decision.

For the rest of the Article:

https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-2024-colorado-d16dd8f354eeaf450558378c65fd79a2?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share

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FIRST CAME THE THREAT:

'...Pressed again to “commit to making sure that there’s a peaceful transferal of power,” Trump responded, “Get rid of the ballots and...we’ll have a very peaceful—there won’t be a transfer, frankly. There will be a continuation."

IN OTHER WORDS, DO WHAT I TELL YOU...AND THERE WILL BE NO PROBLEM.

ABC NEWS: Trump, again, praises dictators and rails against immigrants -- again sparking backlash

HERE IS THE ARTICLE IN ITS ENTIRETY:

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-praises-dictators-rails-immigrants-sparking-backlash/story?id=105725220

However, below are a few excerpts from the Article:

With less than a month until the first votes are cast in the 2024 Republican primary, former President Donald Trump spent his latest rally in New Hampshire praising multiple authoritarian leaders and quoting Russian President Vladimir Putin to try and discredit the criminal indictments against him -- while sparking new backlash from critics that his anti-immigrant sentiment echoes Adolf Hitler.

"They're poisoning the blood of our country. That's what they've done," Trump said Saturday in Durham, New Hampshire. "They're coming into our country, from Africa, from Asia, over the world. They're pouring into our country."

The former president, again, praised authoritarian leaders including Hungary's Viktor Orban, China's Xi Jinping and North Korea's Kim Jong Un --

During a Veterans Day rally in New Hampshire, Trump vowed to "root out" his political opponents, who he said "live like vermin" as he warned supporters that America's greatest threats come "from within" -- yet again startling experts and critics who said his words echoed those of past fascist dictators like Hitler and Benito Mussolini. A Trump campaign spokesman dismissed the backlash to that speech.

Trump's campaign rhetoric includes repeated recent comments that he won't be a dictator as president "except for day one..."

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From the Publisher- David McDonald.

I'm sorry, but how does this surprise anyone? How many times does Trump have to say things like this before the realization sets in that Donald has never been anything but a Self-Centered Dictator Wannabe who would sell out his Country for the Power and Notoriety that he so desperately craves? 

However, It is gratifying that President Biden and many Democrats are finally calling out Trump for his Fascist and Hate-Filled Rhetoric. So, as a reminder, let us take a look at Donald Trumps Verbal Gems from the past:

On 9/30/2022 Donald Trump wrote the following on Truth Social;

“Is McConnell approving all of these Trillions of Dollars worth of Democrat sponsored Bills, without even the slightest bit of negotiation, because he hates Donald J. Trump, and he knows I am strongly opposed to them, or is he doing it because he believes in the Fake and Highly Destructive Green New Deal, and is willing to take the Country down with him?” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“In any event, either reason is unacceptable. He has a DEATH WISH. Must immediately seek help and advise from his China loving wife, Coco Chow!” he added.

Anybody who has spent any time on this site knows what I think of Mitch McConnell, and since he has spent much of the past 5-6 Years promoting Fascism, and "DER FUEHRER" TRUMP, it is hard for me to have any sympathy for him. Yet, even at my level of disdain for him personally, it would never occur to me to imply a physical threat if he doesn't change, or use a juvenile racial slur about his wife.

Why would Trump do this? BECAUSE HE KEEPS GETTING AWAY WITH IT, AND HE REALIZES THAT HIS HARD-CORE SUPPORTERS ARE LITTLE MORE THAN FASCIST THUGS, WHOSE SOCIAL AND INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT SEEMS TO LACK THE ABILITY TO EMPATHIZE AND UNDERSTAND THAT HUMANITY IS MORE THAN JUST A WORD DESCRIBING PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES, BUT A SPECIES WHO HAVE DEVELOPED THE ABILITY TO FORM AND CREATE ETHICAL GUIDELINES THAT ALLOW FOR PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE APPLICABLE TO ALL IT'S MEMBERS.

It would be different if this were an aberration, but the DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP, NEWS MEDIA, ACADEMIA etc., seems to forget the recent past. Well, I don't.

TAKE FOR EXAMPLE THE FOLLOWING;

CANDIDATE TRUMP  TALKING ABOUT HILLARY CLINTON,

HINTING AT WHAT GUN EXTREMISTS COULD DO if she is elected.

8/10/2016.

“If she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks. 

Although the Second Amendment people, maybe there is, 

I don’t know. But I’ll tell you what, that will be a horrible day.”

I realized, right then, that DONALD TRUMP was a Vile and Contemptible Human Being. To imply that ASSASINATING  YOUR OPPONENT MIGHT BE A VIABLE AND ACCEPTABLE OPTION IS SO MORALLY REPUGNANT THAT I COULDN'T BELIEVE ANYONE WHO VALUED FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAND THIS COUNTRY OVER TO A SOCIOPATHIC HATE-MONGER. 

EVEN MURDER WOULDN'T BOTHER HIS MOST FANATIC SUPPORTERS. 

1/23/2016

"I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose voters."

Actually, it would have been more accurate for TRUMP to have said; ..."and I wouldn't lose votes." Why? We know now that the Rigging of Voter returns in Key States was supposed to Guarantee a TRUMP Victory, but just in case the plan was discovered, and thwarted, Donald concentrated on a campaign that would ensure that his Most Radical Supporters:

White Supremacists.

Religious Zealots.

Xenophobes.

Homophobes.

Ultra-Conservative Nationalists.

Not only would support him, but defend any Lie or Deception that Trump spread across the Media. Unfortunately, as has happened so many times over the past half dozen years or so, Trump says things like the examples above, and the opposition and the Media fail to point out previous transgressions.

As of now, we hear constant talk about TRUMP making False Claims about the 2020 Election, Yet for some bizarre reason there is a failure to MENTION THAT TRUMP MADE THE SAME ACCUSATIONS BEFORE THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, AND AFTER THE 2018 MID-TERMS.

In 2016 it was a clever backup, in case Russia didn't deliver on the anticipated altering of Voter Returns in Key States. He had a ready-made collection of FASCIST SYCHOPHANTS ready to believe anything he said. (So the Insurrection had to wait 4 years) In 2018, it was a way to explain the GOP losses at the polls. 

Remember the following? Do you really think they were calculated to appeal to the Majority of Americans, or a select segment:

TALKING ABOUT MEXICO.

6/15/2015

"They're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."

Immigration.

1/11/2018

“Why are we having all these people from shithole countries coming here?”

Violence In Charlottesville.

8/12/2017

I GUESS IN TRUMPS "MIND" WHEN RIGHT-WING EXTREMISTS COMMIT ACTS OF TERRORISM AND VIOLENCE THE VICTIMS ARE EQUALLY AT FAULT.

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides. On many sides.”

These are just a few examples, but you get the idea. As I have said in the past:

THE CONSTITUTION MANDATES THAT WE TOLERATE SPEECH WE CONSIDER OFFENSIVE. HOWEVER, WE ARE NOT REQUIRED TO RESPECT IT. IF YOU BELIEVE I AM BEING UNFAIR TO TRUMP SUPPORTERS, I LEAVE IT TO YOU: PLEASE POINT OUT WHAT YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE "RESPECTFUL" NATURE OF THE THINGS TRUMP AND HIS ALLIES DO AND SAY. I AM ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER, TUMBLER, DIGG AND LINKEDIN. I WOULD BE MORE THAN WILLING TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO POINT OUT DONALD TRUMPS POSITIVE QUALITIES, AND HOW HIS SUPPORTERS JUST WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR THIS COUNTRY.