Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US. Entry #430 was the most recent “sense check.”

ENTRY #457 BEGINS: Nothing like an oppressive heat wave in much of the country, record rainfall in some areas, forest fires in other areas and a well-publicized Congressional hearing with evidence overwhelmingly indicating the former president is guilty of multiple crimes to have politicians and voters pull their head out of their you-know-what.  And, if that weren’t enough, women of childbearing age are recognizing that they’ve lost a bunch of personal rights thanks to a bunch of old white guys, save one, in Washington.

Nevertheless, the saying, “hope springs eternal“ still seems true. While very early in the “hope” spring – the crocus are the only plants peeping up through the snow – the US made some progress this past week in addressing climate change.  Thanks to efforts by Chuck Schumer, Senate majority leader, the Democrats appear to have enough votes to pass a major bill addressing climate-change and some other issues. 

OK, so Schumer had to line the pockets of Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia – or was that Manson? — but the bill has life.  Of course, no Republican Senator has yet to acknowledge their constituents are suffering from record heat, record drought in some areas and record rainfall.  Mitch McConnell, (R, KY) apparently forgot he represents Kentucky, which has been hit with a series of disastrous weather events.  Mitch and the other Republican senators must be very slow learners.

Maybe the prospect of passage of the legislation addressing climate change will provide some cover for Republican senators who have been insisting that climate change is not an issue.  We know that Republican of all stripes have a problem with basic science.  Remember how difficult high-school chemistry and physics were?  Besides, you can’t expect a Republican senator to have confidence in science. I mean, how can you trust Newton, Einstein, Madam Currie et al?  All of them were liberals, ya’ know. 

While Republicans seem to have a hard time with basic science, some Republicans now seem to realize that their hero, Donald J Trump, is really a gangster.  Their hero made every effort to overthrow the government.  Many Republicans thought such a takeover was OK as long as a far-right Republican was in charge. 

But alas, the January 6 Committee is making supporting the Donald difficult for many rational Republicans.  Gee, what would happen if a Democrat acted the same way as Trump?  Guess allowing an overthrow is not such a good idea after all. 

Even some of Trump’s inner circle are beginning to change their minds.  What we the public don’t know is who among the coup plotters has talked.  We know about testimony from a number of people with direct access to Trump and or key aides, and even from some Trump family.

What comes next will be even more interesting. As the screws from various federal and state investigations begin to tighten on the coup plotters, how many more of Trump’s munchkins will come forth?  The coup plotters see that Steve Bannon has been convicted of two (2) counts of contempt of Congress and faces up to 24 months in the slammer.  Given his past behavior and behavior since the conviction, seems highly Bannon will break whatever terms for behavior are between trial and sentencing. Little Stevie could be spending even more time in the slammer.

Then there is Peter Navarro, another coup plotter. Navarro is next to go to trial for contempt of Congress.  Navarro’s case appears to be about as cut-and-dried as Bannon‘s.  Wonder if Navarro prefers an orange jumpsuit or one with black and white stripes?

Other members of the gang-that-couldn’t-shoot-straight may face more severe charges and consequences. When faced with the prospect of going to jail or protecting Trump becomes more apparent, who in the gang will squeal? My bet is Rudy Giuliani, if he’s not already done so, might be first in line.

The information from the January 6 hearing has caused some other high-profile defections from Trump.  Even Rupert Murdoch and Fox News have been avoiding Trump lately.  In what must have sent Trump into a tantrum that would make a 2-year-old proud, Fox broadcast 15-20 minutes of a speech by Mike Pence while ignoring a speech by Trump given about the same time.

How do the defections from Trump affect the midterms?  Who knows right now?  The 01/06 Committee has more hearings and more damaging evidence will be released to the public.  We know that a certain percentage of voters will support Trump forever.

But other voters are awakening from the Trump-induced coma. More voters on the right and left are beginning to realize the democracy only works when people can be aside political differences and find practical solutions to important issues.

One of those issues is the need to take serious steps immediately to address the causes of climate change.  The solutions to climate change are going to be painful but, like the sacrifices made in WWII, everyone in the population will be affected.  We are still early in the “hope spring” – remember the crocus are just peeking out of the snow – but there is hope. END ENTRY #457

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, what it was like to work day-to-day with Lee Iacocca and an array of other topics? Visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/