1. I typically avoid politics here. In fact, until recently, I've avoided it like the Black Plague. It's OT on this board due to Ken's wishes. I also loathe politics. I am only joining the fray now as I think what is currently going on here in the US is too important to ignore. Besides - exactly how long do you think I've been on this board? Obama left office for good January 2017. . .8 years ago. I don't keep records but I am pretty sure I haven't been here for 8 years. I have also taken long absences from here, thus not joining many conversations.

2. I left the Democratic party years ago and unless they turn things around (I am not holding my breath) I will never register with them again. The absolute fiasco during the Biden/Trump election cycle put the final nail in the I-will-NOT-go-back-to-them coffin. They have stopped 'courting' me to come back. I think they've finally figured it out. I also think that neither Biden nor Harris belonged in office right along with Trump. You are welcome to the Three Stooges.

3. There are people in the US who say they would vote for Obama again, if he ran. Count me OUT! He can't run for a third term, and no one should attempt it regardless of who has tossed their hat into the ring. No one should attempt to run for a third term. The first time Obama ran, I had such high hopes for him. Today I am not an Obama fan . . . and am happy Michelle Obama is not interested in running. To be honest, it's been a long long time since we have had an impressive President in office. A long time.

4. I can't say for all military families but I can say that the ones I associated with for my husband's 20 years of service (we are still in contact with many), all had a deep respect for the US Constitution. Presidents are sworn to uphold the very same Constitution. When they don't, they violate their oath of office. That is not something that any of us take lightly. It's serious. It also puts the military in a very bad position when their Commander-in-Chief gives an illegal order.

5. No matter how strongly any President may feel about what is going on in the country that shouldn't be, no matter how strongly he desires to step in to do the 'right' thing whatever he deems them to be, he still may not violate his oath of office nor may he take powers that he is not legally entitled to grab. By doing so he upsets the balance of power and opens the door to those who come after him. I am NOT saying that this is Trump's motives. I am saying that no matter how honorable a President's personal motives may be, when in office, it is his sworn duty to respect the powers and limitations of that office. He is an instrument of that office - he is not the office itself.

6. I am a very firm believer in 'power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely'. Trump, Obama, Bush, Clinton - non of them are an exception to that. None. It is essential for many reasons that all Presidents respect the balance of power, respect the checks and balances system of government, and accept that none of them are incapable of corruption. If they think they are above it all, they don't belong in office.

What have I seen of Trump? He bullies, name calls, acts in a thoroughly undignified and non-statesmen-like way, threatens galore with lawsuits, throws his weight around, attempts to censor, lies lies and lies, grabs power wherever he can, insults. . . . I don't trust his judgment, I don't trust him. I will be glad when his term is up. . . very, very glad. And he can take Kennedy along with him. . . and some others as well.