Key West Lou / IS PORTLAND THE BEGINNING OF THE END FOR THE UNITED STATES

There have been protests in Portland, Oregon recently. Never ending ones. Not that bad, however. People letting steam off.

Things got bad last night. Very bad.

As he had threatened, Trump sent in federal troops. Not exactly sure in every instance who they were. They can be described as “unidentified.” Uniforms non-descript black or green military fatigues. Neither names nor insignias identified. Black unmarked cars used.

There were some that were identifiable from 2 specific agencies. The U.S. Marshall and the Department of Homeland and Security. They might be described as non-consequential when compared to the others set forth.

A few protesters were taken into custody. I believe all released. Makes sense. No judge would hold them. Probable cause was not involved.

The 2 groups not identifiable I suspect were members of ICE and Border Patrol Military.

Why the blog title? Why do I ask the question whether Portland represents the beginning of the end for the U.S.?

Trump’s numbers are way down. The pandemic is killing him. The economy getting worse by the day. Trump’s reelection on November 3 in serious doubt. Many know it. Trump has to recognize it.

Trump will not accept defeat. Not part of his nature. I visualize one of two things occurring.

First, Trump will not run. He is not the type to publicly accept defeat. He will find some reason to gracefully withdraw.

The other is Trump will lose, but refuse to leave the White House. He will claim the election was rigged.

If he does remain in the White House, who will remove him? Will the U.S. Army do it? I doubt so. He is their commander in chief. National Guard units? No way.

Some describe ICE and the Border Patrol Military as Trump’s personal army.

I have been saying since soon after Trump was elected that ICE was being turned into Trump’s Gestapo. Their numbers and training have increased. They always seem to be where Trump has need to show force.

The Border Patrol Military are newer than ICE. Technically affiliated with the Border Patrol. They receive special forces training and are available to Trump as he desires.

Trump would illegally remain in power defended by ICE and Border Patrol Military.

The “secret” military units were shooting bullets considered less than lethal. However one of the protesters was hit in the head. His skull and other facial bones fractured. His face was rebuilt in surgery.

Others “arrested” were swept away in black unmarked cars.

Protesters were repeatedly tear gassed.

Trump said there were 2 reasons why he sent the forces in.

One, allegedly to quell violence. Problem is there was no violence till Trump’s troops arrived. Then matters escalated.

The other reason “technical justification”. Federal agents from any source were there to enforce federal laws. Specifically, “assaults on federal agents or danger to federal property.”

Trump described the protesters as “violent anarchists.” He “cheered” the tactics being used.

Everyone from the local Congressman, Mayor and Police Chief have complained Trumps actions illegal and to get out of town.

I believe Trump’s actions illegal, also. He is not the law. He is President. He has never recognized the distinction.

I worry November 3 might be too far away. Too late.

Don’t ask me what to do. I don’t know at this stage.

An American hero has passed on. John Lewis. I have a feeling his services will be similar to those befitting a President.

Lewis was a civil rights leader. He stood next to Martin Luther King Jr. Born to sharecropper parents, he was one of ten children.

He became involved in the civil rights movement in the 1960’s. Helped organize the March on Washington where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have A Dream” speech.

Lewis stood tall for what he believed. He was in the front line in Selma on Bloody Sunday marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965. He was beaten so badly he suffered a fractured skull.

For the past 33 years, Trump has been a U.S. Congressman.

Lewis 80 when he died. His death not easy. Cause pancreatic cancer.

May he rest in peace.

It was on this date in 64 AD that Rome burned. Many believe Nero started the fire. He wanted to rebuild parts of Rome.

Historians do not accept the theory that Nero burned Rome.

He was not in Rome at the time. Thirty five miles away in his country villa. Incorrect history tells us Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned. He could not have. The fiddle had not been invented yet.

Nero did put the fire to good use, however. He blamed the Christians. Fed them to the lions and crucified them.

An interesting question. Suppose the schools do not reopen. Will school taxes be refunded?

Annie occasionally comments to my blog. Her comment yesterday had to do with school reopenings.

Annie advised a reporter asked Press Secretary Kelly Anne Conway if the Trumps would be sending Barron to school if schools reopened. Conway refused to answer.

I cannot envision Melania sending Barron off to school in the next few months.

My night out this evening! Cocktails at 7 with Cathy in Seattle via Skype.

Enjoy your day!

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