First-time readers, the dialogue in this blog is set in the future (sometime after the year 2020).  Each entry assumes there has been a 5th revolution in the US — the Revenge Revolution.  More about Revenge Revolution and author, Entry #1.  List and general description of entries to date.  Annual assessment if Revolution plausible.

Note: most characters appear in a number of entries, with many entries building on previous conversations.  Profile of characters.  You’ll catch on quickly.  Thanks for your time and interest…and comments.

Scene: Jordan’s Washington office following meeting with Greenie and JC.  Series with JC and Greenie starts Entry #244 and ends Entry #257. This conversation starts #258.

Gelly:  “Whew, I feel better.  A break and a coffee refill.  Now, where were we?”

Jordan:  “You were asking why Mueller and the other Congressional investigations didn’t start following the money earlier.  Actually, I think they did but tried to keep quiet about it.”

Gelly:  “By keeping quiet, you think they reduced the likelihood that Trump would try to fire Mueller?  Had Trump really known where the investigation was headed, he might have tried to fire Mueller right away.”

Jordan:  “Probably.  But one thing about all the investigations baffles me.”

Gelly:  “Only one?  And that is?”

Jordan:  “Trump’s behavior.    I mean he had to know one or more of the investigations, especially Mueller’s, would lead to his finances.  How could you think otherwise?”

Gelly:  “I agree.  Somehow…and we’ll never know for sure…Trump seemed naïve enough to believe that he could hide all the illicit financial deals…”

Jordan:  “…and even more naïve believing his taxes never would be disclosed.  What was the guy thinking?”

Gelly:  “He thought he was king.  The Donald lived in his own goofy ‘I’m-above-it-all’ world.  Surely the rest of the family von Trump had some common sense.”

Jordan:  “For a while I thought Kushner might be OK.  However, in short order he proved to be the caricature of a developer – shady and untrustworthy.”

Gelly:  “I must admit feeling sorry for Ivanka’s and Jared’s kids when he got into so much trouble.  But, hey, he was a big boy and should have known better.”

Jordan:  “Another example of the apple not falling far from the tree.”

Gelly:  “You mean old-man Kushner, I mean Jared’s father, being convicted of tax evasion and witness tampering…and then spending time in jail?”

Jordan:  “Yes.  OK, so the key players in Trump family were stinko.  What’s even worse to me is the family seemed to be able to drag seemingly respectable people into the Trump gutter…and do it quickly.”

Gelly:  “I have some friends who were part of the White House staff early on in the Trump Administration.  Most had worked for the Obama Administration and a few also had worked for the Bush Administration.  All…and I mean every single person…was shocked at the lack of professionalism among Trump’s key staff members.  They said calling it ‘amateur hour’ would be a compliment.”

Jordan:  “What’s equally shocking to me is how quickly some of the cabinet appointees started to take on Trump’s demeanor.  I understand cabinet heads conveying the message but taking on Trump’s a-hole demeanor was frankly shocking.”

Gelly:  “In more polite terms, you mean like dogs who take on their master’s behavioral characteristics?”

Jordan:  “Never thought about it in those terms but yes.  Good analogy, Gelly.”

Gelly:  “Look, it’s cathartic to beat up on the Trump family and their lackeys.  As I look back, what bothers me the most .was how Trump and his Alt-right crowd attempted to corrupt the democracy and destroy the US.  And for what purpose?  Money?”

Jordan:  “For Trump, money for sure.  And Trump had to try to hide the Russian connection.  Because of all the earlier shady financial dealings Putin had Donnie boy by the short hairs.”

Gelly:  “Jordan, I know what you mean but could you use a different expression, please?”

Jordan:  “Alright.  In addition to greed, what seemed to drive the Donald was an insatiable appetite for respect.   He was the quintessential wanna be.”

Gelly:  “Apparently what he never understood was money, wealth and fame don’t buy you respect.  It might buy respect with people who voted for him but not with people who really matter and get things done.”

Jordan:  “That’s a rather elitist statement.  Actually, I think I know what you mean but those words wouldn’t play well with a lot of people.”

Gelly:  “There’s probably a better way to phrase it.  But just step back and think about it.  Who in your life do you respect?  If you made a list, I’ll bet many on the list don’t have much money…and certainly aren’t famous.”

Jordan:  “You’re right.  And you know what?  Not a single person that comes to mind sought public recognition.  Even if they were rich, they just made things happen…sometimes big things and sometimes small things but always unassuming and humble.”

Gelly:  “OK, so there you go.  Contrary to people on your list, little Donnie acted like a bully and thought people should respect him.  Even after he became president, he tried to bully everyone.  And what happened?  Did he earn anyone’s respect?”

Jordan:  “No, he lost it for himself and the US, other than with the bunch of other wanna be’s who continued to support him.  Little Donnie the bully became the laughing-stock of serious people worldwide.”

Gelly:  “Well, there is one thing we can thank him for.”

Jordan:  “There is?  What’s that?”

Gelly:  “He hastened the Revenge Revolution.  The country was on track for a Revenge Revolution sometime in the next decade or so…but his behavior caused it to occur 5 years, maybe 10 years early.  I guess we should thank him for that, right?”

Jordan:  “I guess so.  It’s about the only thing we can thank him for.”

Gelly:  “Thanks Donnie for hastening the Revenge Revolution and getting America back on track…not your track but the right track.”

Jordan:  “With that point want to call this a wrap for the day?”

Gelly:  “Good idea.  Let’s get out of here.”