More Reports on the Dishonesty of the Trump White House, and Calling a Lie a Lie

Watch out, girl, your face might just freeze like that. . .
Image from source, NYT.

It can't be said often enough. For a candidate and campaign that tried to use "liar" as the main criticism of their opponent, and "truth teller" as a description of their own candidate, Donald Trump and Company continue to show themselves as the gang who can't go a day without lying. It's endless and blatant. They lie about things that don't matter. They lie about hugely important things. They lie about things that are easily and instantly disproven. They even lie about things that have already been admitted to be untrue. That's actually a hallmark of the far right, the resurrection of lies that have been long debunked. It was one of the biggest tools used against Hillary Clinton in the campaign, the Zombie Lie, as Bill Maher has called it.

But this many lies don't come without consequence. I mean just look at Kellyanne Conway's face, if you don't believe the toll it can take. And only a week in, we already have the press being more and more willing to call lies for what they are. Here's a story that goes into how these things are talked about and why. I've got to think that the more heat that Trump puts into demonizing "the media," the more willing they're going to be to say, "screw access," and just start calling his lies lies.

[Excerpt]

In a Swirl of ‘Untruths’ and ‘Falsehoods,’ Calling a Lie a Lie

Words matter.

And from the moment he became president, Donald J. Trump has unleashed so many of consequence that the public has barely had time to parse their full implication. Words about the dishonest media, the end of Obamacare, the construction of that border wall with Mexico — this is an abbreviated list, and he hasn’t even completed his first week in office. . .

Read more at: New York Times

Donald Trump's Lies in His First Week As President

Surreality, thy name is Trump. Image from source, Boston Globe.

Before we get to the meat of this story, I want yo to look at this picture. This is the picture that would accompany a news report in a sci-fi story about time travel gone horribly wrong. Or about a parallel Earth "over there," where things are not quite as they are "over here." It's an image you might expect if a crucial historical figure died (or lived) when they weren't supposed to, causing a ripple-effect in the time stream, resulting in bizarre news reports where the Nazis won World War II or New York City was bombed in the Cuban Missile Crisis. You could even expect it in a self-contained fictional universe, like Marvel's Cinematic Universe, or the DC Comics "Arrowverse." But we somehow ended up here, and I'm frankly still a bit outside myself wondering how.

How indeed. The man is clearly--especially now, having witnessed his first complete week--unfit to be President of the United States. He's still "candidate Trump," still bleating asinine statements on Twitter, still floating ridiculous policy statements and retracting them. Still making enemies of other countries and world leaders. Still lying his ass off on a daily basis. But now, it matters.  It's horrific, it's alarming, and it's basically unsustainable at this rate. I quite simply can't imagine this going on unabated for four years without huge damage to our country and to the world. And we thought Barack Obama had a lot to mop up. Who is going to want to come in after Donnie, and squeegee up the mess?

[Excerpt]

Fact checking Trump’s inaccurate statements

Regular readers know that candidate Donald Trump had difficulty with facts. Now that Trump is president, he continues to make misleading statements, based on incomplete information, inaccurate statistics or flights of fancy. Here’s an accounting of his public statements in the first seven days as president, not counting his error-plagued inauguration speech (which had eight problematic claims). . .


Read more at: Boston Globe

Mary Tyler Moore Dead at 80

It's a good bet that a huge majority of Americans
think of this when they think of Mary Tyler Moore.
Image from source, MSN

Sniff. I mean, seriously, sniff. Yes, she was 80. No, we can't blame it on the 2016 Grim Reaper on Steroids. Yes, she'd been in ill health for some time, in fact living with juvenile diabetes for most of her life. But dammit, for some people, there's no such thing as a timely death.

Mary Tyler Moore is of course most well-known for her eponymous TV show in the 70s, a truly ground-breaking television show in or outside of the sitcom genre. She was a single gal in the city, never married and (gasp) past 30. She was a gay icon before the world (or even some gays) new what that meant. I read today somewhere, that Mary Richards, her character--like many gays trying to fit in--was absurdly nice and kind to a fault, had an awkward and weird dating life, had an assortment of oddballs as a "family" in the big city, away from family. Hello, that's "single gay male" for a whole lot us. And I'll be honest, even though I was just a touch too young to be a real Mary Tyler Moore Show fan, I did identify, though maybe more with sidekick Rhoda.

Moore was of course already well known as Laura Petrie, perky housewife on The Dick Van Dyke Show, by the time of MTM. And, with ex-husband Grant Tinker, formed a sizable and influential television production studio (also MTM), which aired one of my favorites of all time, WKRP in Cincinnati. She was also an an Emmy and Acadamy Award winning actress. And though she got her greatest acclaim in the 1960s and 70s, she was never too far out of the limelight, or our pop culture. She'll be missed. And will continue to turn the world on with her smile. RIP, Mare.

[Excerpt]

Legendary Actress Mary Tyler Moore Dies at 80

Mary Tyler Moore, who played TV’s first sexy housewife and then a single, career woman who could turn the world on with her smile and toss her hat in the air like no other, died on Wednesday. She was 80. . .

Read more at: MSN

the MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW INTRO by jcbsebrigh

Chilling! (#FreeMelania)

I'm slowly moving from anti-Trump to pro-Melania. She's easy to make fun of, what with her plagiarism, her Zsa Zsa (or Eva) Gabor accent, the icy stare through too-tightly-pulled eyes. . .but I'm being won over. I'm starting to feel sorry for her plight (sort of feeling worried about Barron too).

Source: VoenixRising.com (Sometimes NSFW)

Slightly higher quality gif of "the frown" #freemelania pic.twitter.com/h1ShuGGdZT

— 19th Of Brumaire (@delmoi) January 23, 2017

Over Time with Bill Maher: January 20, 2017

Bill and his guests, Keith Olbermann, Heather McGhee, Tom Perez, and Jon Meacham, answer viewer questions after the show.

The Resistance with Keith Olbermann #25: This Man is Dangerous (Conservatives Should Watch This)

It might behoove conservative thinkers--that is, those Trump voters who are more than just knee-jerk, blind faith supporters--to actually watch a few of these videos, starting with this one. That goes for watching Rachel Maddow too, by the way. It's okay, take small doses. But you might just find, especially with Olbermann's new, more level-headed vibe, that while you won't agree 100% (or maybe even 50%), that there is something to what is being said. At the very least, you might get some understanding where liberal thinkers are coming from.

Now, before you revert to calling me a snowflake in search of a safe space, hear me out. A lot of conservatives have complained about the "divisiveness" of the Obama years. We very likely disagree on the reasons for that. But you know what? It is the willingness of extreme partisans on both sides to believe the worst about the other side as the default that keeps that divisiveness alive.

So, do me a favor. Watch this, at least the first 60 seconds. You're going to hear things here that you didn't expect. You're going to hear an argument that comes from actual reasoned thought, not bleating, shouting, crying or whining. As I said, it may not sway you (for sure, I've listened to tons of alt-right programming, and never been swayed an inch), but it might give you some insight to how the other side really ticks, rather than the easy, silly "libtard" insults.

SNL: Vladimir Putin Addresses America, Kellyanne Conway, and More

I haven't posted a lot since the Trumpenfurher's inauspicious inauguration, but thought I'd better get these very funny Saturday Night Live posts up for Monday. More to say later. I'll be back!

Entire episode below, choice bits are the opening, the monologue,Conway! and Weekend Update.

Miss Me Yet? --Barack Obama

At last, a meme around this subject that can be answered with an affirmative YES!

Some may say "too soon" (in fact The Other Half did). Not me. Missed the moment I knew he was being replaced by an unqualified, sociopathic narcissist.

Even More Evidence of Russia/Trump Collusion

I had no doubt that Paul Manafort was into some shady shit. Did you?
Image from source, NYT

What is it going to take for your average Republican to drop their allegiance to party, and start wondering if there might not be something to this?

[Excerpt]

Intercepted Russian Communications Part of Inquiry Into Trump Associates

American law enforcement and intelligence agencies are examining intercepted communications and financial transactions as part of a broad investigation into possible links between Russian officials and associates of President-elect Donald J. Trump, including his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, current and former senior American officials said. . .

Read more at: New York Times

Coming Soon: THE TRUMPENING

Click to embiggen

Keith Olbermann Has a Question for the Incoming President Donald Trump

Mr. President-Elect, did you coordinate with Russia during the campaign? I'd like to know too. Thanks much, #MAGA.

Alec Baldwin's "Donald Trump" Once Again Riles @RealDonaldTrump

Donald Trump is a lot of things, and may actually require the invention of several new negative adjectives (and other parts of speech). But one of his best/worst qualities is his thin-skinnedness. And also, naturally, his predictability, at least in his knee-jerk Twitter responses. In this case, he's having another freakout about Alec Baldwin's Saturday Night Live impression of him, and also in this case, the parody was SPOT ON.

.@NBCNews is bad but Saturday Night Live is the worst of NBC. Not funny, cast is terrible, always a complete hit job. Really bad television!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2017

TV Listing Previews Trump Inauguration as an Episode of The Twilight Zone

I've been saying for weeks and weeks that it feels like we've fallen into an alternate reality, alternate timeline, or into a false, matrix-like simulation. Moreover, it feels wrong, like we don't belong here, and we need Neo, the Sliders kids, Sam Beckett, Barry Allen or the Legends of Tomorrow to come set things right.

I'm not the only one.

[Excerpt]

Hysterical TV Listing Compares Trump Inauguration To A Nightmarish Twilight Zone

President Trump: The Inauguration

4pm, BBC One/ STV

After a long absence, The Twilight Zone returns with one of the most ambitious, expensive and controversial productions in broadcast history. Sci-fi writers have dabbled often with alternative history stories – among the most common is the “What If The Nazis Had Won The Second World War” setting – but this huge interactive virtual reality project, which will unfold on TV, in the press, and on Twitter over the next four years, sets out to build an ongoing alternative present. The story begins in a nightmarish version of 2017 in which huge sections of the US electorate have somehow been duped into voting to make Donald Trump president. It sounds far-fetched, and it is, but as it goes on it becomes more and more chillingly plausible. . .

Read more at: NewsCorpse

Trump PEOTUS Logo Looks Appropriate

I'm just going to leave this here, and say, here's hoping.

Millions Mourn as Obama Gives Farewell Speech, and we Segue into the Trump Era

Image from source, MSN

The "millions mourn" in my headline is an assumption, though one I think that is a pretty fair bet. Donald Trump will not, can not, could not give such a speech. We will not have a presidential press conference, speech or public appearance that will rival that speech, not until we have another presidential election. On top of that, we're likely to be embarrassed--possibly even imperiled--any time he opens his mouth, or freaking tweets. So, there's that.

But for now, let's luxuriate in what it's like to have a smart, classy, qualified president. Shall we?

[Excerpt]

'Yes we did' — Obama bids farewell in nostalgic last speech

President Barack Obama bid farewell to the nation Tuesday in an emotional speech that sought to comfort a country on edge over rapid economic changes, persistent security threats and the election of Donald Trump. Forceful at times and tearful at others, Obama's valedictory speech in his hometown of Chicago was a public meditation on the many trials the U.S. faces as Obama takes his exit. For the challenges that are new, Obama offered his vision for how to surmount them, and for the persistent problems he was unable to overcome, he offered optimism that others, eventually, will. . .

Read more at: MSN

Trump Presser Lawyer's Firm "Russia Law Firm of the Year"

Ugh. What a preview. Image from source, Law Newz

It's difficult to know how to begin this year, as a blogger. Especially as a mostly absentee blogger of late. How do you just jump in to this vortex of hard-to-believe Trumpgasms and Tweetstorms and just cartoonish, badly written alt-reality fiction we seem to be somehow living in?

Today, Donald Trump finally held a press conference, on the heels of both President Obama's farewell speech (which was tremendous, believe me), and the release of damning information both linking Trump to Russia, and showing him to be something of a perv. The usual painful, embarrassing delivery was on display, of course. The word salad was in evidence. Occasionally, he made sense for a few minutes. And apparently, when he had his lawyer speak, it was a welcome event, since she seemed to know what she was talking about (but still couldn't get through it without a slew of pro-Trump talking points). But even her apparent professionalism was tainted with potential scandal.

If this story is to be believed (and it's pretty believably sourced), that lawyer representing Trump is from a firm that won "Russia Law Firm of the Year" in 2016. No joke. I can't even. . .

[Excerpt]

Law Firm Representing Trump Rated ‘Russia Law Firm of the Year’

Earlier today, Donald Trump held a press conference, where his attorney, Sheri Dillon, spoke regarding Trump’s business interests. As LawNewz.com noted, Dillon is a partner at the law firm Morgan Lewis & Bokius. Using the services of the firm makes sense for Trump, as Morgan Lewis is a world-renowned organization. In fact, just last year, Chambers and Partners rated them as the top firm in a certain country, and guess which one it is. . .

Read more at: Law Newz

Donald Trump Lies Blatantly about Russia Hacking Report

We know Donald Trump lies, and does so when it is easily debunked. He lies for no good reason, about things people know are untrue. He lies about things he's lied about! His "truth teller" status during the election was and remains baffling, because he's known to be a worse liar than even the most dishonest politician. Hillary Clinton, long tarred with that brush, actually comes out close to the top of the heap of most honest politicians. So, go figure.

But with this Russia thing? He lied about something rather enormous. And still hasn't come clean. What did he know, and when did he know it? This will haunt his entire presidency, however (hopefully) short it is.

2017: New Beginnings

If you're a person who has read Greenlee Gazette in the past, you're both rare, and aware that in recent weeks and months, I haven't bee blogging very regularly. As I've struggled to relate, there are many reasons for this, chief among them that my need to unload, to get my ideas out there, have been met in other ways over the years. I felt almost alone back in 2007 when I started this thing, unheard, almost in an alternate universe where facts didn't seem to matter. Karl Rove and the Bush team said and did what they wanted, and people seemed to take it at face value. It was very aggravating and depressing, and blogging provided an outlet for all of that.

And boy, was I prolific! I started slowly, and then burst into a many-times-per-day blogger, logging hundreds, even once thousands of posts per year. Now, I'm lucky to get a few posts up per week. I've pondered just calling it quits, but I really don't want to do that. So, I've been sputtering out a few things here and there. And I was set to really give it a go again after Trump won the presidency. After all, we've circled back around to surreality of a Twilight Zone norm for politics.

People love this guy? Newsflash: I don't.

Very likely, I'm going to be happy to have kept the blog going. And I guess there was no real danger of it being deleted. It just might have sat here, unaltered for the rest of Blogger's existence. But the Trumpster fire that is only just getting flared up will need commentary, and I'll need concentrated doses of brain dumpage that Twitter can't really provide. So, I'll be here in 2017.

It just may take a little effort to really get going. Life got a little out of balance for completely un-Trump related reasons, recently. After almost two years working from home part time, I finally got a full-time job. That in and of itself would be fine, after all, I was fully employed for most of my blogging years. But I still have my part-time at-home job too! And I sorely need to work in where I'm going to be getting some exercise (not to mention dieting). So, scheduling is a bit of a problem.

But I'll sort it all out somehow. I'll want to, I'm sure, as this new post-Obama era gets into full, ludicrous speed. In the meantime, I just wanted something up here on January 1, to prove I'm still here!