Max

I emailed Mike a few days ago to check on him. Tonight I got an email from his wife, Kim. Mike Died on June 9th of his kidney cancer. RIP my friend.

Politiforum.com

Small engaged group. See you there.
DI

Are You Scared Yet?

If the answer is no, then you'd better read this:

 http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2016/05/31/trump_has_taught_me_to_fear_my_fellow_americans_130700.html

Suffering from ED? (Excessive Dishonesty)

“I am here to tell you that every little act counts."

A great speech by Armando Valladares

“I am here to tell you that every little act counts. No man or woman is too small or simple to be called to bear witness to the truth. I’m here to remind you that each of you possesses great wealth in the sacred domain of your conscience. And I’m here to tell you that each of you is called to stay true. I am also here to tell you that when you make that choice, from that moment forward, even if you are naked, in solitary confinement for eight years, you are never alone because God is there with you. 
“For many of you, particularly the young people, it may seem I come from a faraway land from a long time ago. Young friends, you may not be taken away at gunpoint, as I was for staying true to my conscience, but there are many other ways to take you away and to imprison your body and your mind. There are many ways you can be silenced, in your schools, your universities, in your workplace.”

 http://www.worldmag.com/2016/05/a_great_speech_by_armando_valladares

 

2016 Senate Works Fewest Days In 60 Years

So much for "back to work".  http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/senate-light-work-schedule-222460

You Mean The New York Times Lied?

A woman who dated Donald Trump said early Monday that The New York Times "spun" her comments for an article about the presumptive Republican presidential nominee's treatment of women, adding that he always treated her respectfully.  

“He never made me feel like I was being demeaned in any way,” Rowanne Brewer Lane said on Fox News’s “Fox & Friends.”

“He never offended me in any way,” the former model added. "He was very gracious. I saw him around all types of people, all types of women. He was very kind, thoughtful, generous. I did not have a negative experience with Donald Trump.”

The Times on Sunday published an article documenting Trump’s past behavior with women.

The newspaper’s report said that the outspoken billionaire both nurtured women’s careers and demeaned their appearance, creating a “complex, at times contradictory portrait.”

Lane on Monday said the Times had distorted her account of the time she spent as Trump’s companion.

“The New York Times told us several times that they would make sure that my story I was telling would come across,” she said.

“They told me and my manager several times that it would not be a hit piece and that my story would come across in the way I was telling it and accurately. It absolutely was not. I don’t appreciate them making it look like it was a negative experience,” she added.

And what about this?

jonathanturley.org

Mr. Putin, Please Release Hillary Clinton’s Email

By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor An open letter to Vladimir Putin, President of Russia President Putin, As you are certainly aware,  a great controversy is roiling here in the United States whe…

https://jonathanturley.org/2016/01/23/mr-putin-please-release-the-hillary-clinton-emails/

Perhaps the time is right

Hey all, I just read that post about merging the group or opening up for new members. I've enjoyed coming to this spot and sharing this with people. I can truly admit, no matter diametrically opposed I am to some in terms of politics, there is no one here I would not want to have dinner with and bring my wife Kim along. I know at times I have been way way over the top in firing off some angry and ultimately unnecessary remark. I've also made things kind of personal at times and do regret. Nonetheless, the dinner remark is 100% true.

Some of you know and some don't that I was diagnosed with kidney cancer just about a month ago. In the first few weeks, things have been a bit chaotic. My scan that was suggestive of renal cell carcinoma was completed on April 11, and then I had a biopsy on April 12 and after a few days, the results of that were inconclusive. Nonetheless, we started treatment based on likely histology and after they re-ran the biopsy, it appears I have non-clear cell renal sarcoma.

This is not a curable cancer and the only thing they can do with treatment is buy some time. How time is quite variable. I am going to USC in LA soon for a second opinion, and already have started a treatment that, by itself, is appropriate. However, I may soon also need adjuvant therapy, such as chemo. Quite honestly, I have literally no solid idea right now how much time I may or may not have. I am still up and getting around, but I have lost gobs of weight and have not yet returned to work for light duty.

So, I have decided to make a "signing off" post. With all else that is going on, I don't have much time to chime in and additionally, I have found that the more I focus on my relationship with Kim and the warm wishes coming in from friends, I feel peace. I'm not likely to significantly alter the path of my cancer, and I have made peace with that as well. When it is time, I will sign on to hospice care and try to live what I have preached to others for so many years now. If anyone is interested in stay in touch, I'd love to hear from anybody. This is my best email mkemp1234@gmail.com   From here on out though, it is likely I won't be chiming back in here unless I have some insomnia LOL

to everybody, I have truly enjoyed the back and forth we have had. I wish at times my tone was less harsh, but I think we have all learned something from each other at times, I know I have and even William has made me admit to myself (if no one else) I was wrong about some point. To all of you, God bless and may peace and health be with you and your families. Perhaps i will continue to interact with some of you by email.

Take care everyone,

Mike Kemp

Why Donald Trump could actually become the next President

God help our country but the Donald could actually pull this off. Trump has done the one thing that John McCain couldn't do and Mitt Romney couldn't do. He has won the republican nomination from the center and the center is where our presidents get elected.
  McCain and Romney both were forced to run in the primary far right of where they actually stand in the political universe. When they scurried back towards the center they looked like flip floppers and statements made in the heat of a far right primary came back to bite them both in the ass.
   Who can forget McCain quitting the road and racing back to Washington as the economy failed in 2008 and ending up on the wrong side of history on that one. Who can forget Romney's 47% remark during a speech to wealthy far right donors that became a slogan against his campaign.
    But Trump, he has won the nomination with his give no quarter rhetoric against anything and everything he feels stands in his way. He has hit every nerve in the American psychic on both sides of the aisle.
    If it were just Democrats and Republicans who could vote in the general election I believe the Donald might very well win.
     What we don't know, what is the wild card is the independent. Many states have open conventions where independents can vote and Trump did very well. But many largely populated, mostly blue states in the north do not allow independents to vote in the primary. Trump faired well with the base in these places but how will he appeal to independents who will get to make their first vote in November between Trump and probably Hillary Clinton. How many moderate republicans will follow the lead of the Bush family and sit this one out. And how will Trump affect the down ballot races. Will he have any coat tails or will the independents cut him off at the knees. It will be an interesting election cycle.