“We do not believe any group of men adequate enough or wise enough to operate without scrutiny or without criticism. We know that the only way to avoid error is to detect it, that the only way to detect it is to be free to inquire. We know that in secrecy error undetected will flourish and subvert.” –J. Robert Oppenheimer
I read the article, and something strange happened. There was the most awful smell in the air………. like a big dead rat, like a Schiff smell, with Andrew Weissman cheap cologne mixed in….. It smelled familiar….. I’ll admit, I’m scanning the horizon for clues of the next wild hoax, waste of time, brought to us by Nancy and Lawfare.
Notice to Dems: We’ve been through ShaMMMpeachment and Muh Russia. We know the playbook by now. You need a new scam. This one won’t work…… and the people you may deem as dumb and deplorable can see it coming from a mile away. We’ve learned!!
Here’s the story: In an article from MSM, Tony Capaccio at Bloomberg (note – this is Bloomberg reporting in an election year where Michael Bloomberg is prepared to spend billions to defeat our President), wrote a story about the “stark increase in accounting changes at the Pentagon”, changes of 35 Trillion in 2019, 30.7 trillion in 2018, and 29 Trillion in 2017. Note the phrase “accounting changes”.
Tony Capaccio, to make this a bigger story and imply wrongdoing, using all the MSM approved salacious adjectives, interviews the GAO about the “problem” of the increase in accounting changes. Note, we’re supposed to be concerned about an increase in accounting entries but NO ONE said any money is missing. Plus, remember, GAO is an arm of CONGRESS (read as Pelosi), and the Pentagon in the Executive Branch (read as Trump).
Status check: So far, we have an article with an incendiary headline, written by a Bloomberg reporter, and it involves the Pentagon and the GAO – which we now know is partisan. Spidey senses tingling? Suspicious cat?
What is an “accounting change”, you ask? Answer = Moving money from one place to another, allocating it to a different folder. Easy peasy. BUT RARELY do two people do it the exact same way. If I buy a First Aid kit for the car, I would classify it as medical supplies. Big T would call it Auto Expense. Neither is right or wrong, just different.
Example: Let’s say your house is the Pentagon. Everything you have in bedroom #1 has a value. Bedroom #1 might contain a bed, mattress, linen, dresser, nightstands, lamps, mirror, tv, and a couch. Each item would have a line item price. Total of Room #1 is $10,000. Okay, fine.
Well, Christmas comes along and you expect out of town company. You need to move the couch from Room #1 to Bedroom #2. The couch is worth $1,000. Thus, you make an “accounting change” for the value of Bedroom #1 subtracting the value of the couch, and another accounting change to add to the value of Bedroom #2. We moved the couch. We just made $2,000 worth of “accounting changes” for a $1,000 couch. After Christmas, we might move the couch back to Bedroom #1, making another $2,000 worth of accounting changes for the same couch. Heck, over Christmas holidays, we have $4,000 worth of accounting changes for one couch.
Then, imagine we move the same $1,000 couch, every Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving……. when the relatives come to visit. In 30yrs, we’ve made $120K of accounting changes on one $1000 couch…… which we already depreciated in year #7…… but that’s another accounting course.
Now imagine we’re moving F-35 jets, or ships, or men, or toilet seats…… Imagine we assign a whole task force to General Smith, for Operation ABC in the Persian Gulf. We move all the assets into an accounting folder making all the “accounting changes”. Then, President Trump fires General Smith. General Jones takes over and makes a few changes, Task Force XYZ,……. time for more accounting changes.
From the article: “As an example of how the dollar figures multiply, Pentagon spokesman Christopher Sherwood said recognizing $800 million due a contractor in previously unrecorded payments “requires multiple accounting adjustments that net to $0 but could total over $5 billion” in movement between accounts.
Normally, contractor billion for the government goes 1/3, 1/3, discretionary payment, 10% reserve until job is done, final 5% paid in a year when guarantee runs out. Well, I know how to do contractor billing for the government, but I’m guessing less than 1% of the readership knows the details. Yet, it’s EASY to explain. Yeah, it’s just like moving our couch to another bedroom…….. So, why didn’t Bloomberg’s Capaccio explain it simply? Why didn’t Capaccio make it clear there was no inference of wrongdoing? Why the incendiary headline?
More suspicious cat. It doesn’t mean the Pentagon has lost 35 TRILLION dollars or doing anything wrong. We’re arguing about “my paperwork is not sufficient for you”.
According to the article:
There were 546,433 adjustments in fiscal 2017 and 562,568 in 2018, according to figures provided by Representative Jackie Speier, who asked the Government Accountability Office to investigate.
Wait a minute. What is this? Jackie Speier, rabid leftist “asks” the GAO to do an investigation? Why does this look familiar to us? Ohhhhhh, we remember, it was Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen who “asked” the GAO to investigate President Trump for violations of the “Impound Control Act” for withholding funds to Ukraine. Yeah, and the GAO issued a press statement which coincided with Schiff’s position the President withheld funds from Ukraine with specific purpose to benefit his election in 2020. The press made a big deal out of it, until we learned there was no penalty, and Obama was in violation 7 times for legit reasons……. yeah, THAT GAO, pushed to investigate by a rabid lefist Congressman.
Would this be two times we have the Dem party in Congress using the GAO to “dig up dirt” on a political opponent? Abuse of power? Misuse of taxpayer dollars? Is the media setting up THE PENTAGON to be the next big hoax?
And we now KNOW how the left uses media story plants to create an investigation. Fool me once, shame on you……..We won’t be fooled twice. We’ve caught on to how the left operates.
Let’s see now……. So far, we have a Bloomberg reporter, an incendiary headline, The compromised GAO, a rabid leftist Congresswoman with an agenda who is giving free access to a Bloomberg reporter, and an inference of a money missing at the Pentagon…. the military…… the thing Trump loves the most.
????? Can you smell the stench? Am I dreaming, here?
This is interesting…….
Let’s look at the words here. “The watchdog agency will release a report on the subject Wednesday after reviewing more than 200,000 fourth-quarter 2018 adjustments totaling $15 trillion.” A “watchdog agency” is exactly the same terminology used by the MSM for the GAO when they tried to sell us the story on Impound Control Act, and the press release by GAO couldn’t have been more partisan. GAO is NOT neutral.
Momma smells a rat.
THEN —- the Bloomberg acolyte interviewed Congresswoman Jackie Speier. LOOK at this statement……. which further establishes the narrative of something wrong with trillions of dollars at the Pentagon. “The “combined errors, shorthand, and sloppy record-keeping by DoD accountants do add up to a number nearly 1.5 times the size of the U.S. economy,” said Speier, a California Democrat. The report shows the Pentagon “employs accounting adjustments like a contractor paints over mold. Their priority is making the situation look manageable, not solving the underlying problem,” she said.
Plus, Jackie’s statement the most SUBJECTIVE statement we’ve seen in a while. What the heck is Jackie talking about? And since the GAO is not really done with their VAST investigation, how can she make a qualified and credible evaluation? Did Jackie review the 15 trillion in accounting changes?
Ohhh, you didn’t know Jackie Speier was from California? Are you surprised? And the report is released on Wednesday, same DAY as Trump acquittal. You know how long it takes to examine 15 trillion in accounting entries? They’ve been working on this one for a long time.
Here we go, more big rats.
From the article: “The GAO estimated based on a sample that at least 96% of 181,947 automatic adjustments made in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 “didn’t have adequate supporting documentation.” LOOK at the words carefully. First, they only did a sample? Is this like the Florida polling firm who only samples female college grads who are on the alumni list from the sociology department? Because we’ve been there already……. That one really happened. Second, “don’t have adequate” is subjective, again.
Reading further, the auditors want accounting adjustments which are supported, but the accounting system at the Pentagon does not have a system which allows for supporting docs or whatever it is the auditors or GAO or Jackie Speier wants. And it does not mean anything is wrong……….. despite Jackie, Bloomberg and the GAO attempts to imply wrongdoing.
Supporting docs, eh? Hmmmm. When we all used checks, I used to write a note in the memo section on every check, as to which account or party I was working on at the time…… it was a “support”/explanation for my allocation of money. Yet, when we all went to bank cards, I have a heck of a time sorting out grocery bills for various parties. My “system” does not allow for supporting docs. Gee whiz, my house is just like the Pentagon.
Here is the part which makes me bang my head against the wall.
No one cares whether or not the Pentagon has lost 35 trillion dollars or a single dollar. Jackie Speier, the GAO, Bloomberg guy, are only worried about the NUMBER of accounting changes. That’s the headline. Who cares how many accounting changes there are? We DO CARE if we’ve LOST MONEY! It’s a fake concern from Jackie Speier….
Just like Ukraine.
I could be wrong, you know, just making muffins, out here in the hinterland of a red state….. Yet, there are too many coincidences to ignore.
Which makes me further believe there’s a big dead fish here. The GAO does not launch into an investigation of 35 TRILLION dollars in Pentagon “accounting changes” (or 15 Trillion or a smaller sample depending on the extent of work done) without approval from on high……… like Nancy Pelosi, backed up by Lawfare. Such an investigation would take extraordinary manpower and matching budget to accomplish.
SOMEONE is making a big stink. Who? Why? And timed to be finished on the Wednesday of Trump’s acquittal? Targeting the Pentagon’s money would make sense, coming from vindictive Dems. Attack the things he loves, the military.
This part is fairly bizarre. According to “Mark Easton, the Defense Department’s deputy chief financial officer, wrote the GAO that in response to its audit the department “is actively developing strategies” to reduce accounting adjustments.”
What in the living heck does THAT MEAN? We’re not going to make as many entries,…… so instead of accounting for ALL the pillows in Bedroom #1 we should just make one entry for “pillows”. Would that make Jackie Speier happy? What the heck? The Pentagon is working on more supporting docs (they imply later on), but we’re still not missing any money.
Again, from the article: “While auditors found no evidence of fraud in the review of finances that Congress required, they flagged a laundry list of problems, including accounting adjustments.”
Common sense, let alone good accounting, tells us that the more entries we have, the better we are able to track the bedroom couch……… Why in the HECK would anyone object to the number of entries and why would it be an issue?
This is the kind of thing which would infuriate President Trump, any business person, any taxpayer. We would start to ask questions. What a waste of time. There are probably a million ways an Oversight Committee could effectively reduce spending in the Pentagon, or MAKE LIFE EASIER for our soldiers. Nah, Jackie Speier is not doing that part.
And SOMEONE needs to explain why in the heck the auditors for the Pentagon and Inspector General of the Pentagon are having their work duplicated by the Congressional GAO, as ordered by Jackie Speier.
Of course, if a bunch of auditors legitimately tracked a Pentagon slush fund, which paid foreign retired spies, to entrap our President, we would be most interested in their results…………. Maybe? No? Wouldn’t it be terrific if they were looking for real waste and fraud?
This SPECIAL ACQUITTAL Night before Daughn Thursday 20200206 Open Thread is Open – VERY OPEN – a place for everybody to post whatever they feel they would like to tell the White Hats, and the rest of the MAGA / KAG! / KMAG world (KMAG being a bit of both MAGA and KAG! You can say what you want, comment on what other people said, and so on.
Free Speech is practiced here. ENJOY IT. Use it or lose it.
However, we have a new policy. Starting 20191110. Please Keep it civil.We have a new board – actually a new SITE – called The U Tree – where people can take each other to the woodshed without fear of censorship or moderation. NOT HERE. This board will remain a REFUGE for those who need civility, either some or all of the time.
They tried to FORCE fake Orwellian civility on us. In response, we CHOOSE true civility to defend our precious FREEDOM from THEM. Our rules began with the civility of the Old Treehouse, later to become the Wolverinian Empire, and one might say that we have RESTORED THE OLD REPUBLIC – the early high-interaction model of the Treehouse – except of course that Q discussion is not only allowed but encouraged, and speech is considerably freer in other ways. Please feel free to argue and disagree with the board owner, as nicely as possible.
Please also consider the Important Guidelines, outlined here in the January 1st open thread. Let’s not give the odious Internet Censors a reason to shut down this precious haven.
SPEAK THE FIVE WORDS BOLDLY TO OUR PRESIDENT! “I AM PRAYING FOR YOU!“
Also remember Wheatie’s Rules: •1.No food fights. •2.No running with scissors. •3.If you bring snacks, bring enough for everyone
I will be making a public statement tomorrow at 12:00pm from the @WhiteHouse to discuss our Country’s VICTORY on the Impeachment Hoax!
ShaMMMpeachment ends at 4:00pm Eastern Time! We’re proud of the President’s team in DC and our Congressman. Thank you to every single person who slugged it out on these threads. Thank you for contributing and passing important links up to the main thread. It’s astounding how we all help each other out and make QTree better. Thank you…..
When you’re done singing, it’s time to dance with the Crabs! In honor of Michael’s kids!
They were terrific and worked hard!
And …….a personal note …… I’ve made an executive decision. It’s time to take back all the bad things I’ve said about McTurtle over the years. When we needed him, he was there. Yes…….. I’m going to send him a VALENTINE’S Day Card! Full Mea Culpa! (Until he messes up again!)
What a fabulous SOTU speech delivered by our President! Repubs unified as never before and President takes the opportunity to reach out to the other side of the aisle, with programs and issues important to us all. His litany of successes is impressive……….. and our political enemies are defeated and miserable. Success is sweet. Those who criticized safely from the sidelines have been proven…. WRONG!
Wolfie warned us all. He said it would be a Roller Coaster once we got on that Trump Train. He said there would be good days and bad days. He said we were moving at a new speed with President Trump, faster than before.
Wolfie said, sometimes, a whirling dervish like President Trump may cast off a few people, or could draw a few people in by sheer magnetism. Yes, Wolfie warned us all, but we hung on for the ride of our lives. For those with determination and conviction………. the reward was well worth the effort. Every day with our President is an adventure. It’s exciting. What a glorious time to be alive!
Today/Yesterday was the best Twitter day EVER. This is ice cream with sprinkles while riding a Ferris Wheel. This is a brand new Porsche for your 16th birthday when your folks are middle class. This is getting a first job as a corporate VP This is your high school crush asking you out. This is going into labor with a first child and having the whole thing take about 20 minutes, WITH your lipstick still intact and no sweating. This is the high school nemesis asking YOU for a job.
It’s vindication! America is succeeding like never before and those who wanted to bring America to our knees……… are scared!
This is a long life, with “above average” kids who don’t fight, great health for the family, and prosperity under a President who fights for the people of the USA!
Muh Russia = failed Muh Ukraine ShaMMMpeachment = failed Iran = FailLLLLLINGGG Middle East Peace = maybe, perhaps, closest we’ve ever come. USMCA / China Phase One = done Military redone and re-tuning, Bad folks at the VA purged and Vets have choice Israel is doing well Border Wall = lawsuits over with, full speed ahead
Consumer confidence, home buying hitting records Unemployment at record lows Jobs available at record highs = real choice and opportunity Blue collar wages rising faster than exec wages = “inequality” in wages/gap in wages has NEVER been closer = REAL OPPORTUNITY. Manufacturing in USA is UP and gaining, while other countries falter. China in the toilet – Panda mask has slipped America is jamming Europe is worried, globalists on the run BREXIT!!!!!!!!
Gallup polls for President hit all time high…….. on the day he gives the SOTU speech! GOP at highest approval since 2005!And the Dems are in utter disarray!
Never Trumpers in the toilet Rasmussen approval for President Trump at 53% MSM is yelling at the Dems = Does it get any better?
And the Dems in Iowa are imploding, creating ripples of failure, ……… total catastrophic failure…. Caucus Chaos. And wait for this…… Bernie wins popular vote with 28K votes, Pete has 27K votes, but Pete gets more delegates and wins Iowa, …… according to the DNC? And wait for it….. the Iowa DNC only released 62% of the vote……… after 24 hours? It’s an EPIC failure.
On our side, the market was up 400 points today. It’s strange, because we’re so used to fighting, tooth and nail, with the Dems. Yet, today was sheer perfection. Like having a giraffe over for breakfast. Like election night all over again. It’s a terrific day!!!!!!! Time to be glad and rejoice in it.
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 08: Presidential elect Donald J. Trump walks on stage at his election night event at The New York Hilton Midtown on November 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/WireImage)
Can’t wait to see what happens tomorrow!
We’ve been on this “Roller Coaster” with President Trump for years. Sometimes, we take a “whole ride” in a single day. Still, after SOTU, we loudly proclaim, “Again, Again, Again”. We want to stay on the Roller Coaster.
Here is the famous Wolfie Roller Coaster Essay (thank you, Crossthread):
WolfM00n1776 wrote: Well, I don’t really have to do any holding together, now that I figured out what Trump is up to. He is shaking things out, but counting on Trump gravity to pull things back together as he moves along. He is moving “forward” at speeds Obama could not even dream of.
You and I will be anti-Trump trolls one day and MAGA heroes the next. Get used to it. Trump speed is the new normal. Some will call it flip-flopping, but that’s not what it is. Trump is dodging and weaving through reality faster than the reality can react to disrupt his plans.
I was explaining this to my wife. This is a roller-coaster now. Trump is no longer waiting for people to keep up. He is taking his bewildering art-of-the-deal campaign schtick into geopolitics, and for a lot of people who can’t keep up or hold on, it will be a rough ride.
Trump is no longer playing only with evil and cunning players who are still predictable, easily beatable dopes, like Hillary. He is playing against killers, with his own team of killers, and all the while he has scheming creeps like Hillary, BGI, SPLC, and the neocons gunning for him. Snake Ryan ready to bite when nobody is looking. “Warhead” McCain screaming for Russian blood. Psycho Kim and Samoa Obama plotting some kind of intrigue to take him down. And THOSE are the lightweights.
This is the majors now. Trump has to outwit world-class adversaries and “frenemies” by defining the deals that they will agree to. One minute they will think Trump is their friend – the next minute, a cunning, bitter foe.
And he has to do this with evil cheerleaders like Warhead, Linderace, Dipsy Dowd, Maggie Haterman, and Fake Yapper trashing him or praising him alternately, no matter which way he goes. They can’t keep up, either.
Neither can many around him. I think that half of the problem with advisers crashing into each other is they don’t realize what Trump is doing.
And people will trash you, and they will trash me. Get used to it. I’ve already caught plenty of people mocking me. Well, just wait a week in Trump time. Look stupid and conned by Trump one minute, and you look like a sage three days later. Trump will not find perfect solutions. He will find OPTIMAL solutions. We cannot ask for more. Trump has stood by and watched Perfect murder Good for 8 years – maybe longer. He’s not gonna do it. He’s going to deliver the best outcome possible, and he’s not waiting for us to feel relaxed about it.
Best presidency ever! Just hang on. More winning is coming, but a lot of people are going to scream that it’s all over at EVERY turn.
The best way through this is to define viewpoints, not people, because people will shift as they change position and velocity in Trump gravity. Bash the neocon, warmonger, and dopey globalist positions – not the people who are going to hold them one moment and come loose from them later.
Trump is Jupiter moving through the asteroid belt. He is going to pull people into his orbit. A few will get slung off into space, but most will come along for the ride of their lives.
I am ON the Trump Train for good, even if I scream that I want off and can’t take it.
In the end, I only want to scream “TOO MUCH WINNING!!!”
Wolfmoon! 4th of April, 2017
(My add) (From Crossthread).. AND He WILL be Acquitted TODAY!
Welcome back to the previously scheduled Wednesday Open Thread!
And just because of all the recent BOOMs.
https://youtu.be/Pe8FnYVSX0Y
Okay, so here’s the deal. This is the open thread. This is where we all come to get the news that other Q tree inhabitants think is worth knowing and sharing. Please, post links to any “news” stories quoted, and ask for help if you are stumped as to how to do that. We’re a friendly lot. Someone will be with you shortly, and there is no reason to have to press one for English.
Free speech, and the open exchange and hashing out of ideas is not only allowed, but encouraged. If we all don’t use it, we’re going to lose it. There are, however, limits to civility, and those limits are strictly observed here. We are all on the same team. No personal threats, baiting, name calling and other behavior you would not want someone else to do to you is allowed.
Yes, it can be rough to temper speech. However, those who would like to slog it out from the comfort of the seat behind your keyboard, Wolf has provided a venue known as the UTree. Please, take it there where this is allowed to happen:
And now for some house keeping:
There are a few rules here in the branches of the Q Tree. Our host, Wolfm00n, outlined them in a post on New Years Day 2019. Please, review these rules from time to time, maybe while waiting for the defrosters to get rolling while warming up the car in this global warming climate change deep freeze that’s happening.
Fellow tree dweller Wheatie gave us some good reminders on the basics of civility in political discourse:
No food fights.
No running with scissors.
If you bring snacks, bring enough for everyone.
Steve suggests – to be accurate – no shooting at the nuclear weapons, but to be safe about it, don’t event point firearms toward them. I, Deplorable Patriot, bossy chick that I am, request no teasing the animals, pets and wildlife alike. FG&C asks that you wash your hands, wipe down all non in-home surfaces, and take some vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and get plenty of rest.
And please, pretty please with sugar on top, no celebratory gunfire…at least not indoors. Concealed carry is encouraged though.
Teasing and trolling the lefties and their bastions, on the other hand is a moral imperative. I will say this one aged well.
From tomorrow’s readings from the First Book of Chronicles:
And the people rejoiced, when they promised their offerings willingly: because they offered them to the Lord with all their heart: and David the king rejoiced also with a great joy. [10] And he blessed the Lord before all the multitude, and he said: Blessed art thou, O Lord the God of Israel, our father from eternity to eternity.
[11] Thine, O Lord, is magnificence, and power, and glory, and victory: and to thee is praise: for all that is in heaven, and in earth, is thine: thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art above all princes. [12] Thine are riches, and thine is glory, thou hast dominion over all, in thy hand is power and might: in thy hand greatness, and the empire of all things. [13] Now therefore our God we give thanks to thee, and we praise thy glorious name. [14] Who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to promise thee all these things? all things are thine: and we have given thee what we received of thy hand. [15] For we are sojourners before thee, and strangers, as were all our fathers. Our days upon earth are as a shadow, and there is no stay.
As always, prayers for the fight against that which seeks to enslave us are welcome.
Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution lays out that the president “shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.”
A SOTU Speech is a big day. It’s a joint session of Congress and requires weeks/months of planning and security prep work.
History of the State of the Union: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/what-is-the-history-of-the-state-of-the-union In the past, Presidents submitted a written report to Congress. Woodrow Wilson began the tradition of a speech before a joint session of Congress in 1913. The Phrase “State of the Union” was popularized by FDR in 1942, officially in 1946.
Bill Clinton gave the top two longest in-person speeches: 1 hour and 28 minutes in 2000; and 1 hour and 24 minutes in 1995.
William Henry Harrison and James Garfield are the only presidents who did not give a State of the Union address. Garfield was in the White House for a little more than six months before he was assassinated; Harrison was president for only one month before succumbing to pneumonia.
Calvin Coolidge gave the first radio broadcast of his address on Dec. 6, 1923
Harry S. Truman delivered the first televised address on Jan. 6, 1947
Jan. 4, 1965 that Lyndon B. Johnson gave the first address on primetime television.
George W. Bush is the first president to have his State of the Union address broadcast via the internet.
“Designated Survivor” the idea of leaving one member of the Cabinet to live on, was started during the cold war of the 60’s. Officially, Reagan was the first to designate Ed Sec Terrel Bell to be the “designated survivor.
(Original Caption) President Truman appearing before a joint session of the new Republican controlled Congress is shown here to deliver his annual State of the Union message. He recommended a strong and sweeping legislative program to halt disastrous labor strife and called upon the G.O.P. Congress to work with him for the common good.
Thought it might be interesting to take a look at past SOTU speeches by President Trump.
Speech for 2017
Speech for 2018
Speech for 2019
Security procedures for the SOTU include no-fly-zones and all KINDS of procedures which will not be discussed here, of course!
According to Wikipedia: Speaker of the HouseNancy Pelosi sent an invitation to President Trump on December 20, 2019, two days after his impeachment by the House of Representatives.[2][3] …… The State of the Union Address is expected to take place at 9:00 p.m. EST and be televised on all major U.S. broadcast and cable television networks. The tentative date for the address falls one day after the Iowa caucuses in the 2020 presidential election, and one day before the Senate votes on whether or not to convict Trump in the current impeachment trial.
The timing of the Senate Impeachment Acquittal vote is highly suspicious, as it will come one day AFTER the State of the Union. Normally, President’s receive a boost in approval ratings in the week after the SOTU speech. It’s suspected the timing is designed for media outlets to broadcast the headline “Under a Cloud of Suspicion/Controversy of Impeachment…. The President delivers SOTU”. Typical behavior for Dems who seek to divide the country for political goals.
“Eight in 10 Americans who watched tonight felt that the president was trying to unite the country, rather than divide it. Two-thirds said the speech made them feel proud, though just a third said it made them feel safer. Fewer said the speech made them feel angry or scared.”
“After hearing his State of the Union address, most viewers think the policies they heard tonight would help them personally, though Democrats disagree.”
“And after hearing him speak tonight, 54 percent of speech watchers give him a lot of credit for the current state of the nation’s economy, up from 51 percent before they watched the State of the Union.”
After the division and hatred from MSM, years of “Muh Russia” and “ShaMMMpeachment”, it’s time to bring the country together. President Trump will try, once again.
Madam Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, the First Lady of the United States, and my fellow citizens:
Three years ago, we launched the great American comeback. Tonight, I stand before you to share the incredible results. Jobs are booming, incomes are soaring, poverty is plummeting, crime is falling, confidence is surging, and our country is thriving and highly respected again! America’s enemies are on the run, America’s fortunes are on the rise, and America’s future is blazing bright.
The years of economic decay are over. The days of our country being used, taken advantage of, and even scorned by other nations are long behind us. Gone too are the broken promises, jobless recoveries, tired platitudes, and constant excuses for the depletion of American wealth, power, and prestige.
In just 3 short years, we have shattered the mentality of American decline, and we have rejected the downsizing of America’s destiny. We are moving forward at a pace that was unimaginable just a short time ago, and we are never going back!
I am thrilled to report to you tonight that our economy is the best it has ever been. Our military is completely rebuilt, with its power being unmatched anywhere in the world — and it is not even close. Our borders are secure. Our families are flourishing. Our values are renewed. Our pride is restored. And for all these reasons, I say to the people of our great country, and to the Members of Congress before me: The State of our Union is stronger than ever before!
The vision I will lay out this evening demonstrates how we are building the world’s most prosperous and inclusive society — one where every citizen can join in America’s unparalleled success, and where every community can take part in America’s extraordinary rise.
From the instant I took office, I moved rapidly to revive the United States economy — slashing a record number of job-killing regulations, enacting historic and record-setting tax cuts, and fighting for fair and reciprocal trade agreements. Our agenda is relentlessly pro-worker, pro-family, pro-growth, and, most of all, pro-American. We are advancing with unbridled optimism and lifting high our citizens of every race, color, religion, and creed.
Since my election, we have created 7 million new jobs — 5 million more than Government experts projected during the previous administration.
The unemployment rate is the lowest in over half a century.
Incredibly, the average unemployment rate under my Administration is lower than any administration in the history of our country. If we had not reversed the failed economic policies of the previous administration, the world would not now be witness to America’s great economic success.
The unemployment rates for African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, and Asian-Americans have reached the lowest levels in history. African-American youth unemployment has reached an all-time low.
African-American poverty has declined to the lowest rate ever recorded.
The unemployment rate for women reached the lowest level in almost 70 years — and last year, women filled 72 percent of all new jobs added.
The veterans’ unemployment rate dropped to a record low.
The unemployment rate for disabled Americans has reached an all-time low.
Workers without a high school diploma have achieved the lowest unemployment rate recorded in United States history.
A record number of young Americans are now employed.
Under the last administration, more than 10 million people were added to the food stamp rolls. Under my Administration, 7 million Americans have come off of food stamps, and 10 million people have been lifted off of welfare.
In 8 years under the last administration, over 300,000 working-age people dropped out of the workforce. In just 3 years of my Administration, 3.5 million working-age people have joined the workforce.
Since my election, the net worth of the bottom half of wage-earners has increased by 47 percent — 3 times faster than the increase for the top 1 percent. After decades of flat and falling incomes, wages are rising fast — and, wonderfully, they are rising fastest for low-income workers, who have seen a 16 percent pay-increase since my election. This is a blue collar boom.
Real median household income is now at the highest level ever recorded!
Since my election, United States stock markets have soared 70 percent, adding more than $12 trillion to our Nation’s wealth, transcending anything anyone believed was possible — this, as other countries are not doing well. Consumer confidence has reached amazing new heights.
All of those millions of people with 401(k)s and pensions are doing far better than they have ever done before with increases of 60, 70, 80, 90, and even 100 percent.
Jobs and investment are pouring into 9,000 previously-neglected neighborhoods thanks to Opportunity Zones, a plan spearheaded by Senator Tim Scott as part of our great Republican tax cuts. In other words, wealthy people and companies are pouring money into poor neighborhoods or areas that have not seen investment in many decades, creating jobs, energy, and excitement. This is the first time that these deserving communities have seen anything like this. It is all working!
Opportunity Zones are helping Americans like Army Veteran Tony Rankins from Cincinnati, Ohio. After struggling with drug addiction, Tony lost his job, his house, and his family — he was homeless. But then Tony found a construction company that invests in Opportunity Zones. He is now a top tradesman, drug-free, reunited with his family, and he is here tonight. Tony: Keep up the great work.
Our roaring economy has, for the first time ever, given many former prisoners the ability to get a great job and a fresh start. This second chance at life is made possible because we passed landmark Criminal Justice Reform into law. Everybody said that Criminal Justice Reform could not be done, but I got it done, and the people in this room got it done.
Thanks to our bold regulatory reduction campaign, the United States has become the number one producer of oil and natural gas in the world, by far. With the tremendous progress we have made over the past 3 years, America is now energy independent, and energy jobs, like so many elements of our country, are at a record high. We are doing numbers that no one would have thought possible just 3 years ago.
Likewise, we are restoring our Nation’s manufacturing might, even though predictions were that this could never be done. After losing 60,000 factories under the previous two administrations, America has now gained 12,000 new factories under my Administration with thousands upon thousands of plants and factories being planned or built. We have created over half a million new manufacturing jobs. Companies are not leaving; they are coming back. Everybody wants to be where the action is, and the United States of America is, indeed, where the action is.
One of the single biggest promises I made to the American people was to replace the disastrous NAFTA trade deal. In fact, unfair trade is perhaps the single biggest reason that I decided to run for President. Following NAFTA’s adoption, our Nation lost one in four manufacturing jobs. Many politicians came and went, pledging to change or replace NAFTA — only to do absolutely nothing. But unlike so many who came before me, I keep my promises. Six days ago, I replaced NAFTA and signed the brand new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) into law.
The USMCA will create nearly 100,000 new high-paying American auto jobs, and massively boost exports for our farmers, ranchers, and factory workers. It will also bring trade with Mexico and Canada to a much higher degree, but also to a much greater level of fairness and reciprocity. This is the first major trade deal in many years to earn the strong backing of America’s labor unions.
I also promised our citizens that I would impose tariffs to confront China’s massive theft of American jobs. Our strategy worked. Days ago, we signed the groundbreaking new agreement with China that will defend our workers, protect our intellectual property, bring billions of dollars into our treasury, and open vast new markets for products made and grown right here in the United States of America. For decades, China has taken advantage of the United States, now we have changed that but, at the same time, we have perhaps the best relationship we have ever had with China, including with President Xi. They respect what we have done because, quite frankly, they could never believe what they were able to get away with year after year, decade after decade, without someone in our country stepping up and saying: Enough. Now, we want to rebuild our country, and that is what we are doing.
As we restore American leadership throughout the world, we are once again standing up for freedom in our hemisphere. That is why my Administration reversed the failing policies of the previous administration on Cuba. We are supporting the hopes of Cubans, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans to restore democracy. The United States is leading a 59-nation diplomatic coalition against the socialist dictator of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro. Maduro is an illegitimate ruler, a tyrant who brutalizes his people. But Maduro’s grip of tyranny will be smashed and broken. Here this evening is a man who carries with him the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of all Venezuelans. Joining us in the gallery is the true and legitimate President of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó. Mr. President, please take this message back to your homeland. All Americans are united with the Venezuelan people in their righteous struggle for freedom! Socialism destroys nations. But always remember, freedom unifies the soul.
To safeguard American Liberty, we have invested a record-breaking $2.2 trillion in the United States Military. We have purchased the finest planes, missiles, rockets, ships, and every other form of military equipment — all made in the United States of America. We are also finally getting our allies to help pay their fair share. I have raised contributions from the other NATO members by more than $400 billion, and the number of allies meeting their minimum obligations has more than doubled.
And just weeks ago, for the first time since President Truman established the Air Force more than 70 years earlier, we created a new branch of the United States Armed Forces, the Space Force.
In the gallery tonight, we have one of the Space Force’s youngest potential recruits: 13-year-old Iain Lanphier, an eighth grader from Arizona. Iain has always dreamed of going to space. He was first in his class and among the youngest at an aviation academy. He aspires to go to the Air Force Academy, and then, he has his eye on the Space Force. As Iain says, “most people look up at space, I want to look down on the world.”
Sitting beside Iain tonight is his great hero. Charles McGee was born in Cleveland, Ohio, one century ago. Charles is one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen — the first black fighter pilots — and he also happens to be Iain’s great-grandfather. After more than 130 combat missions in World War II, he came back to a country still struggling for Civil Rights and went on to serve America in Korea and Vietnam. On December 7th, Charles celebrated his 100th birthday. A few weeks ago, I signed a bill promoting Charles McGee to Brigadier General. And earlier today, I pinned the stars on his shoulders in the Oval Office. General McGee: Our Nation salutes you.
From the pilgrims to our Founders, from the soldiers at Valley Forge to the marchers at Selma, and from President Lincoln to the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Americans have always rejected limits on our children’s future.
Members of Congress, we must never forget that the only victories that matter in Washington are victories that deliver for the American people. The people are the heart of our country, their dreams are the soul of our country, and their love is what powers and sustains our country. We must always remember that our job is to put America first!
The next step forward in building an inclusive society is making sure that every young American gets a great education and the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. Yet, for too long, countless American children have been trapped in failing government schools. To rescue these students, 18 States have created school choice in the form of Opportunity Scholarships. The programs are so popular, that tens of thousands of students remain on waiting lists. One of those students is Janiyah Davis, a fourth grader from Philadelphia. Janiyah’s mom Stephanie is a single parent. She would do anything to give her daughter a better future. But last year, that future was put further out of reach when Pennsylvania’s Governor vetoed legislation to expand school choice for 50,000 children.
Janiyah and Stephanie are in the gallery this evening. But there is more to their story. Janiyah, I am pleased to inform you that your long wait is over. I can proudly announce tonight that an Opportunity Scholarship has become available, it is going to you, and you will soon be heading to the school of your choice!
Now, I call on the Congress to give 1 million American children the same opportunity Janiyah has just received. Pass the Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act — because no parent should be forced to send their child to a failing government school.
Every young person should have a safe and secure environment in which to learn and grow. For this reason, our magnificent First Lady has launched the “Be Best” initiative — to advance a safe, healthy, supportive, and drug-free life for the next generation, online, in school, and in our communities. Thank you, Melania, for your extraordinary love and profound care for America’s children.
My Administration is determined to give our citizens the opportunities they need regardless of age or background. Through our Pledge to American Workers, over 400 companies will also provide new jobs and education opportunities to almost 15 million Americans.
My Budget also contains an exciting vision for our Nation’s high schools. Tonight, I ask the Congress to support our students and back my plan to offer vocational and technical education in every single high school in America.
To expand equal opportunity, I am also proud that we achieved record and permanent funding for our Nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
A good life for American families also requires the most affordable, innovative, and high-quality healthcare system on Earth. Before I took office, health insurance premiums had more than doubled in just 5 years. I moved quickly to provide affordable alternatives. Our new plans are up to 60 percent less expensive. I have also made an ironclad pledge to American families: We will always protect patients with pre-existing conditions — that is a guarantee. And we will always protect your Medicare and your Social Security.
The American patient should never be blindsided by medical bills. That is why I signed an Executive Order requiring price transparency. Many experts believe that transparency, which will go into full effect at the beginning of next year, will be even bigger than healthcare reform. It will save families massive amounts of money for substantially better care.
But as we work to improve Americans’ healthcare, there are those who want to take away your healthcare, take away your doctor, and abolish private insurance entirely. One hundred thirty-two lawmakers in this room have endorsed legislation to impose a socialist takeover of our healthcare system, wiping out the private health insurance plans of 180 million Americans. To those watching at home tonight, I want you to know: We will never let socialism destroy American healthcare!
Over 130 legislators in this chamber have endorsed legislation that would bankrupt our Nation by providing free taxpayer-funded healthcare to millions of illegal aliens, forcing taxpayers to subsidize free care for anyone in the world who unlawfully crosses our borders. These proposals would raid the Medicare benefits our seniors depend on, while acting as a powerful lure for illegal immigration. This is what is happening in California and other States — their systems are totally out of control, costing taxpayers vast and unaffordable amounts of money. If forcing American taxpayers to provide unlimited free healthcare to illegal aliens sounds fair to you, then stand with the radical left. But if you believe that we should defend American patients and American seniors, then stand with me and pass legislation to prohibit free Government healthcare for illegal aliens!
This will be a tremendous boon to our already very-strongly guarded southern border where, as we speak, a long, tall, and very powerful wall is being built. We have now completed over 100 miles and will have over 500 miles fully completed by early next year.
My Administration is also taking on the big pharmaceutical companies. We have approved a record number of affordable generic drugs, and medicines are being approved by the FDA at a faster clip than ever before. I was pleased to announce last year that, for the first time in 51 years, the cost of prescription drugs actually went down.
And working together, the Congress can reduce drug prices substantially from current levels. I have been speaking to Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa and others in the Congress in order to get something on drug pricing done, and done properly. I am calling for bipartisan legislation that achieves the goal of dramatically lowering prescription drug prices. Get a bill to my desk, and I will sign it into law without delay.
With unyielding commitment, we are curbing the opioid epidemic — drug overdose deaths declined for the first time in nearly 30 years. Among the States hardest hit, Ohio is down 22 percent, Pennsylvania is down 18 percent, Wisconsin is down 10 percent — and we will not quit until we have beaten the opioid epidemic once and for all.
Protecting Americans’ health also means fighting infectious diseases. We are coordinating with the Chinese government and working closely together on the Coronavirus outbreak in China. My Administration will take all necessary steps to safeguard our citizens from this threat.
We have launched ambitious new initiatives to substantially improve care for Americans with kidney disease, Alzheimer’s, and those struggling with mental health challenges. And because the Congress funded my request, we are pursuing new cures for childhood cancer, and we will eradicate the AIDS epidemic in America by the end of the decade.
Almost every American family knows the pain when a loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness. Here tonight is a special man, someone beloved by millions of Americans who just received a Stage 4 advanced cancer diagnosis. This is not good news, but what is good news is that he is the greatest fighter and winner that you will ever meet. Rush Limbaugh: Thank you for your decades of tireless devotion to our country. Rush, in recognition of all that you have done for our Nation, the millions of people a day that you speak to and inspire, and all of the incredible work that you have done for charity, I am proud to announce tonight that you will be receiving our country’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I will now ask the First Lady of the United States to please stand and present you with the honor. Rush, Kathryn, congratulations!
As we pray for all who are sick, we know that America is constantly achieving new medical breakthroughs. In 2017, doctors at St. Luke’s hospital in Kansas City delivered one of the earliest premature babies ever to survive. Born at just 21 weeks and 6 days, and weighing less than a pound, Ellie Schneider was born a fighter. Through the skill of her doctors — and the prayers of her parents — little Ellie kept on winning the battle for life. Today, Ellie is a strong, healthy 2-year-old girl sitting with her amazing mother Robin in the gallery. Ellie and Robin: We are so glad you are here.
Ellie reminds us that every child is a miracle of life. Thanks to modern medical wonders, 50 percent of very premature babies delivered at the hospital where Ellie was born now survive. Our goal should be to ensure that every baby has the best chance to thrive and grow just like Ellie. That is why I am asking the Congress to provide an additional $50 million to fund neo-natal research for America’s youngest patients. That is also why I am calling upon the Members of Congress here tonight to pass legislation finally banning the late-term abortion of babies.
Whether we are Republican, Democrat, or Independent, surely we must all agree that every human life is a sacred gift from God!
As we support America’s moms and dads, I was recently proud to sign the law providing new parents in the Federal workforce paid family leave, serving as a model for the rest of the country. Now, I call on the Congress to pass the bipartisan Advancing Support for Working Families Act, extending family leave to mothers and fathers all across the Nation.
Forty million American families have an average $2,200 extra thanks to our child tax credit. I have also overseen historic funding increases for high-quality child care, enabling 17 States to serve more children, many of which have reduced or eliminated their waitlists altogether. And I sent the Congress a plan with a vision to further expand access to high-quality childcare and urge you to act immediately.
To protect the environment, days ago, I announced that the United States will join the One Trillion Trees Initiative, an ambitious effort to bring together Government and the private sector to plant new trees in America and around the world.
We must also rebuild America’s infrastructure. I ask you to pass Senator Barrasso’s highway bill — to invest in new roads, bridges, and tunnels across our land.
I am also committed to ensuring that every citizen can have access to high-speed internet, including rural America.
A better tomorrow for all Americans also requires us to keep America safe. That means supporting the men and women of law enforcement at every level, including our Nation’s heroic ICE officers.
Last year, our brave ICE officers arrested more than 120,000 criminal aliens charged with nearly 10,000 burglaries, 5,000 sexual assaults, 45,000 violent assaults, and 2,000 murders.
Tragically, there are many cities in America where radical politicians have chosen to provide sanctuary for these criminal illegal aliens. In Sanctuary Cities, local officials order police to release dangerous criminal aliens to prey upon the public, instead of handing them over to ICE to be safely removed.
Just 29 days ago, a criminal alien freed by the Sanctuary City of New York was charged with the brutal rape and murder of a 92-year-old woman. The killer had been previously arrested for assault, but under New York’s sanctuary policies, he was set free. If the city had honored ICE’s detainer request, his victim would be alive today.
The State of California passed an outrageous law declaring their whole State to be a sanctuary for criminal illegal immigrants — with catastrophic results.
Here is just one tragic example. In December 2018, California police detained an illegal alien with five prior arrests, including convictions for robbery and assault. But as required by California’s Sanctuary Law, local authorities released him.
Days later, the criminal alien went on a gruesome spree of deadly violence. He viciously shot one man going about his daily work; he approached a woman sitting in her car and shot her in the arm and the chest. He walked into a convenience store and wildly fired his weapon. He hijacked a truck and smashed into vehicles, critically injuring innocent victims. One of the victims of his bloody rampage was a 51-year-old American named Rocky Jones. Rocky was at a gas station when this vile criminal fired eight bullets at him from close range, murdering him in cold blood. Rocky left behind a devoted family, including his brothers who loved him more than anything. One of his grieving brothers is here with us tonight. Jody, would you please stand? Jody, our hearts weep for your loss — and we will not rest until you have justice.
Senator Thom Tillis has introduced legislation to allow Americans like Jody to sue Sanctuary Cities and States when a loved one is hurt or killed as a result of these deadly policies. I ask the Congress to pass the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act immediately. The United States of America should be a sanctuary for law-abiding Americans — not criminal aliens!
In the last 3 years, ICE has arrested over 5,000 wicked human traffickers — and I have signed 9 pieces of legislation to stamp out the menace of human trafficking, domestically and around the globe.
My Administration has undertaken an unprecedented effort to secure the southern border of the United States.
Before I came into office, if you showed up illegally on our southern border and were arrested, you were simply released and allowed into our country, never to be seen again. My Administration has ended Catch-and-Release. If you come illegally, you will now be promptly removed. We entered into historic cooperation agreements with the Governments of Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. As a result of our unprecedented efforts, illegal crossings are down 75 percent since May — dropping 8 straight months in a row. And as the wall goes up, drug seizures rise, and border crossings go down.
Last year, I traveled to the border in Texas and met Chief Patrol Agent Raul Ortiz. Over the last 24 months, Agent Ortiz and his team have seized more than 200,000 pounds of poisonous narcotics, arrested more than 3,000 human smugglers, and rescued more than 2,000 migrants. Days ago, Agent Ortiz was promoted to Deputy Chief of Border Patrol — and he joins us tonight. Chief Ortiz: Please stand — a grateful Nation thanks you and all the heroes of Border Patrol.
To build on these historic gains, we are working on legislation to replace our outdated and randomized immigration system with one based on merit, welcoming those who follow the rules, contribute to our economy, support themselves financially, and uphold our values.
With every action, my Administration is restoring the rule of law and re-asserting the culture of American freedom. Working with Senate Majority Leader McConnell and his colleagues in the Senate, we have confirmed a record number of 187 new Federal judges to uphold our Constitution as written. This includes two brilliant new Supreme Court Justices, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh.
My Administration is also defending religious liberty, and that includes the Constitutional right to pray in public schools. In America, we do not punish prayer. We do not tear down crosses. We do not ban symbols of faith. We do not muzzle preachers and pastors. In America, we celebrate faith. We cherish religion. We lift our voices in prayer, and we raise our sights to the Glory of God!
Just as we believe in the First Amendment, we also believe in another Constitutional right that is under siege all across our country. So long as I am President I will always protect your Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.
In reaffirming our heritage as a free Nation, we must remember that America has always been a frontier nation. Now we must embrace the next frontier, America’s manifest destiny in the stars. I am asking the Congress to fully fund the Artemis program to ensure that the next man and the first woman on the moon will be American astronauts — using this as a launching pad to ensure that America is the first nation to plant its flag on Mars.
My Administration is also strongly defending our national security and combating radical Islamic terrorism. Last week, I announced a groundbreaking plan for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Recognizing that all past attempts have failed, we must be determined and creative in order to stabilize the region and give millions of young people the change to realize a better future.
Three years ago, the barbarians of ISIS held over 20,000 square miles of territory in Iraq and Syria. Today, the ISIS territorial caliphate has been 100 percent destroyed, and the founder and leader of ISIS — the bloodthirsty killer Al‑Baghdadi — is dead!
We are joined this evening by Carl and Marsha Mueller. After graduating from college, their beautiful daughter Kayla became a humanitarian aid worker. Kayla once wrote, “Some people find God in church. Some people find God in nature. Some people find God in love; I find God in suffering. I’ve known for some time what my life’s work is, using my hands as tools to relieve suffering.” In 2013, while caring for suffering civilians in Syria, Kayla was kidnapped, tortured, and enslaved by ISIS, and kept as a prisoner of Al-Baghdadi himself. After more than 500 horrifying days of captivity, Al-Baghdadi murdered young Kayla. She was just 26 years old.
On the night that United States Special Forces Operators ended Al‑Baghdadi’s miserable life, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, received a call in the Situation Room. He was told that the brave men of the elite Special Forces team, that so perfectly carried out the operation, had given their mission a name — “Task Force 8-14.” It was a reference to a special day: August 14th — Kayla’s birthday. Carl and Marsha, America’s warriors never forgot Kayla — and neither will we.
Every day, America’s men and women in uniform demonstrate the infinite depths of love that dwells in the human heart.
One of these American heroes was Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Hake. On his second deployment to Iraq in 2008, Sergeant Hake wrote a letter to his 1-year-old son, Gage: “I will be with you again,” he wrote to Gage. “I will teach you to ride your first bike, build your first sand box, watch you play sports and see you have kids also. I love you son, take care of your mother. I am always with you. Dad.” On Easter Sunday of 2008, Chris was out on patrol in Baghdad when his Bradley Fighting Vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. That night, he made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Sergeant Hake now rests in eternal glory in Arlington, and his wife Kelli is in the gallery tonight, joined by their son, who is now 13 years old. To Kelli and Gage: Chris will live in our hearts forever.
The terrorist responsible for killing Sergeant Hake was Qasem Soleimani, who provided the deadly roadside bomb that took Chris’s life. Soleimani was the Iranian Regime’s most ruthless butcher, a monster who murdered or wounded thousands of American service members in Iraq. As the world’s top terrorist, Soleimani orchestrated the deaths of countless men, women, and children. He directed the December assault on United States Forces in Iraq, and was actively planning new attacks. That is why, last month, at my direction, the United States Military executed a flawless precision strike that killed Soleimani and terminated his evil reign of terror forever.
Our message to the terrorists is clear: You will never escape American justice. If you attack our citizens, you forfeit your life!
In recent months, we have seen proud Iranians raise their voices against their oppressive rulers. The Iranian regime must abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons, stop spreading terror, death, and destruction, and start working for the good of its own people. Because of our powerful sanctions, the Iranian economy is doing very poorly. We can help them make it very good in a short period of time, but perhaps they are too proud or too foolish to ask for that help. We are here. Let’s see which road they choose. It is totally up to them.
As we defend American lives, we are working to end America’s wars in the Middle East.
In Afghanistan, the determination and valor of our warfighters has allowed us to make tremendous progress, and peace talks are underway. I am not looking to kill hundreds of thousands of people in Afghanistan, many of them innocent. It is also not our function to serve other nations as a law enforcement agency. These are warfighters, the best in the world, and they either want to fight to win or not fight at all. We are working to finally end America’s longest war and bring our troops back home!
War places a heavy burden on our Nation’s extraordinary military families, especially spouses like Amy Williams from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and her 2 children — 6-year-old Elliana and 3-year-old Rowan. Amy works full time, and volunteers countless hours helping other military families. For the past 7 months, she has done it all while her husband, Sergeant First Class Townsend Williams, is in Afghanistan on his fourth deployment to the Middle East. Amy’s kids have not seen their father’s face in many months. Amy, your family’s sacrifice makes it possible for all of our families to live in safety and peace — we thank you.
As the world bears witness tonight, America is a land of heroes. This is the place where greatness is born, where destinies are forged, and where legends come to life. This is the home of Thomas Edison and Teddy Roosevelt, of many great Generals, including Washington, Pershing, Patton, and MacArthur. This is the home of Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Amelia Earhart, Harriet Tubman, the Wright Brothers, Neil Armstrong, and so many more. This is the country where children learn names like Wyatt Earp, Davy Crockett, and Annie Oakley. This is the place where the pilgrims landed at Plymouth and where Texas patriots made their last stand at the Alamo.
The American Nation was carved out of the vast frontier by the toughest, strongest, fiercest, and most determined men and women ever to walk the face of the Earth. Our ancestors braved the unknown; tamed the wilderness; settled the Wild West; lifted millions from poverty, disease, and hunger; vanquished tyranny and fascism; ushered the world to new heights of science and medicine; laid down the railroads, dug out canals, raised up the skyscrapers — and, ladies and gentlemen, our ancestors built the most exceptional Republic ever to exist in all of human history. And we are making it greater than ever before!
This is our glorious and magnificent inheritance.
We are Americans. We are the pioneers. We are the pathfinders. We settled the new world, we built the modern world, and we changed history forever by embracing the eternal truth that everyone is made equal by the hand of Almighty God.
America is the place where anything can happen! America is the place where anyone can rise. And here, on this land, on this soil, on this continent, the most incredible dreams come true!
This Nation is our canvas, and this country is our masterpiece. We look at tomorrow and see unlimited frontiers just waiting to be explored. Our brightest discoveries are not yet known. Our most thrilling stories are not yet told. Our grandest journeys are not yet made. The American Age, the American Epic, the American Adventure, has only just begun!
Our spirit is still young; the sun is still rising; God’s grace is still shining; and my fellow Americans, the best is yet to come!
Fox 10 Phoenix may carry this as they did yesterday – then again – there have been long boring waits between Senator speeches – so they may opt out. They likely will carry the final vote, however.Fox 10 Phoenix YouTube home page – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJg9wBPyKMNA5sRDnvzmkdg
Hat tip to Ga/FL
We’re still here. Kudos to the diligence of those still following the Great ShaMMMpeachment of the Congress. Forget Water-Boarding as a method of torture, watching ShaMMMpeachment would make criminals sing and confess loudly, anything to stop the whining of Congress critters who waste our time and money. Today will be a non-stop bloviating of 100 Senators all desperate for their chance in front of a camera.
It's day 11 of #acquitmas. On deck for today is 2 hours of talking points by the house mangers and 2 hours of closing arguments by Team Trump then a break and nonstop bloviating by 100 senators until 4:00pm Wednesday (I won't cover that part) So, let's begin pic.twitter.com/dDhQHBsBP0
Remember when you were a kid, kept in school for too long and anxious to get outside and play on the first warm day of Spring? Yeah, that’s what the American People feel like after ShaMMMpeachment. We’re ready to go back to work, buy a house, start a business, hire someone. Congress droning on and on, pushing propaganda, lying about events, considering hearsay as fact, demanding the President of the USA PROVE innocence rather than the prosecutor prove guilt. It’s an unending loop of Charlie Brown’s teacher.
We’re proud of the President’s team.
Like school-children kept inside for too long, we’re ready to play a little football.
Thanks to Duchess, we have the highlight of the day in the Senate, Rand Paul’s speech! He was great!
Someday, I’ll post a clip from the opera. In the meantime, here’s a little five four from the Fellowship of the Rings. Standing behind the percussion while this is played live is LOUD. (Earplugs in.)
This site is a celebration of the natural rights endowed to humans by our Creator as well as those enshrined in the Bill of Rights adopted in the founding documents of the United States of America. Within the limits of law, how we exercise these rights is part of the freedom of our discussion.
The discourse on this site is to be CIVIL – no name calling, baiting, or threatening others here is allowed. Those who are so inclined may visit Wolf’s other sanctuary, the U-Tree, to slog it out.
Fellow tree dweller Wheatie gave us some good reminders on the basics of civility in political discourse:
Why, O Lord, are they multiplied that afflict me? many are they who rise up against me. [3] Many say to my soul: There is no salvation for him in his God. [4] But thou, O Lord art my protector, my glory, and the lifter up of my head. [5] I have cried to the Lord with my voice: and he hath heard me from his holy hill.
[6] I have slept and taken my rest: and I have risen up, because the Lord hath protected me. [7] I will not fear thousands of the people, surrounding me: arise, O Lord; save me, O my God. [8] For thou hast struck all them who are my adversaries without cause: thou hast broken the teeth of sinners. [9] Salvation is of the Lord: and thy blessing is upon thy people.
As always, prayers for the fight against that which seeks to enslave us are welcome. Via con Dios.
Rush explained he’s already received a second opinion on his diagnosis, thought about keeping his treatment secret, but will need to miss some days behind the microphone while he is being treated.
The reaction across social media was instant, with Levin and Beck openly weeping. The left celebrated as is typical of the left. Yet, nothing can burnish Rush’s star.
At one time or another, all of us have been inspired by Rush. When and where did you first hear him? Did he stop and make you think? Did he make you ask questions? Did he motivate you?
God Speed to the Limbaugh family as Rush undergoes treatment. We want to hear from him behind a microphone as soon as possible.
We’re still here. It’s still ShaMMMpeachment. The never-ending-Groundhog Day–of-a-swirl-of-crap from the Dems. The country has moved on but the Dems are still stuck. Republicans are forced into a cleanup on isle 12 for the perpetually offended.
We know the Dems will never stop. There will be another faux scandal after “Muh Russia” and “Muh Ukraine”, I wonder if we will move onto another Soviet Bloc country? Do we know anyone in Latvia? Estonia? Just sayin’……………
We’re proud of our Team!
And most of all, we’re ready for some offense from our President!
Thank you so very much for all the comments from QTreeps. The threads have been lively and informative! Thank you!
