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.”
Gelly: “Ok, you’ve had your break. Now tell me, if Trump was such a bad financial risk, why would the Russians…or anyone for that matter…lend him money?”
Jordan: “Your term, not mine…but yes, like one of Putin’s cronies. And Putin allowed you to run a ‘private’ company in Russia.”
Gelly: “Then what did they do with the money? Kind of hard to hide if it all the money is inside Russia. How’d they get the money out of the country?”
Gelly: “This skimming goes on for a while and, voila, the Russian Trading Company has this big pile of money. To protect themselves against a regime change and a new gang of thieves, I mean officials, Putin and company want to hide the money someplace.”
Gelly: “Gee, let me think hard about that one. None other than ‘Mr. Straight-Shooter Real-Estate-Developer’ himself, the Donald.”
Jordan: “If you obtain money illegally…like skimming it off the top…then you realize some portion might be lost as you try to make the illegal money appear legitimate. Let’s just say that when dealing with Trump, Putin and cronies knew they might lose some of their ill-gotten gains.”
Gelly: “You mean that place he 
Gelly: “So that’s why, at least according to Donald Junior, the Russians were a major source of capital when Trump bought all those golf courses…like the one in Scotland…and Charlotte…and Mar-a-Lago…and Bedminster, NJ…and the list goes on and on.”
Gelly: “That Bank of Cyprus name rings a bell. Wasn’t one of Trump’s cabinet members connected with that bank?”
Jordan: “You mean why didn’t the investigations just start by following the money trail rather than spend time on all the other issues?”
Gelly:
Jordan:
Jordan:
Gelly:
Jordan:
Jordan:
Gelly: “Wow, what a pleasant surprise. Two civilized people in the office. Didn’t think you’d still be here.”
JC: “More about scandals? That seems pretty well researched by now.”
Greenie: “I agree it’s unusual for a Congressional committee to be exploring such a topic. Is the hearing going to be open to the public?”
JC: “Any idea what sources of data will be used for the study, aside from our expert witness here?”
JC: “My conclusion was that people who follow religions that preach or instruct congregants to follow strict rules or believe that certain statements are absolutes that should not be questioned…the people who continue to follow the religion have been brainwashed.”
Gelly: “You mean like people who insist on buying only Apple products, even though Apple costs more and might not perform as well? Or those people who vote only for one party no matter how flawed the candidate? Are you considering these people brainwashed?”
JC: “Another group that seemed prone to brainwashing was the group that ‘can’t connect the dots.’ The ‘no-dots’ crowd seems to view each event as discreet and somehow not linked. They cannot fathom that somehow someone might be manipulating them.”
Greenie: “The idea of modern-day mass brainwashing is scary stuff. I never really considered the possibility being so widespread. I mean, there’s always been some portion of the political parties that was effectively brainwashed. The old Blue-dog Democrats, for example, and the more recent alt-right Republicans. But you’re paper implied a higher percentage of the population.”
Greenie: “I’d like a coffee, too, please. By the way, where’s Gelly?”
JC: “You suggesting it wasn’t the FBI…but somebody else?”
Greenie: “I think the real issue was early-stage dementia. It wasn’t very bad before the election. Then the deterioration accelerated once he was in office. It was like his brain was on a ski slope headed downhill fast.”
Jordan: “Alright. I know his father, Fred Trump, had Alzheimer’s. There’s also data indicating a higher probability of being inflicted if a parent has had Alzheimer’s. Assuming your prognosis is correct, do you really think the dementia was having that much of an effect?”
JC: “And think about the tweets? He’d take one position one day and then a few days later he’d do a U-turn and contradict himself. Then he’d claim he never sent the first tweet. I agree he seemed to have less and less control over his emotions.”
JC: “Oh, nothing more than insulting heads of state, insulting the mayor of London and then disclosing Israeli secrets to the Russians. Oops, I forgot he effectively gave the finger to his own cabinet members by regularly contradicting them publicly. Then, he attempted to trash any media that questioned anything about the administration. What was really kooky was the wrestling video aimed at CNN. Shall I go on?”
JC: “I sorta remember that incident but why do you think driving a cart on the green is so important?”
Greenie: “Jordan’s point, I think, is that Trump had spent all this time and money trying to build credibility with the high-end golfing community. Then in one fell swoop he managed to alienate almost all the people he was trying to impress. So the question is ‘why would anyone behave like some spoiled brat and do that?’”
Greenie: “Now, we’re out of here. Please tell Gelly we said hello…and not to take you too seriously.”
Gelly: “No, and he never does. But, hey, he’s a reporter.”
Greenie: “Jordan, meeting with Matt will be more fun than a movie. Exactly what does he want to talk about?”
JC: “…until she convinced me meeting with you would be more fun. Nice to see you Matt.”
Matt: “The book attempts to address and link, if a link exists, various events leading up to when Trump was taken out.”
JC: “And, duh, Kushner wanted to use the communications equipment in the Russian embassy. According to the article, even the Russian ambassador was taken aback by the idea.”
Greenie: “OK, skip the Orthodox issue. Here’s a 30-something in the White House with no previous political experience…and he’s effectively running the country. Kushner pulls a string and the puppet Trump reacts, just like Howdy Doody. Just thinking of it is depressing.”
JC: “You mean running the running the government turned out to be more complicated than doing a real estate deal? Who knew? Seriously, what really baffles me is how could they have thought communications with the Russians were not being monitored?”
JC: “How could a, what 3-star general in the Marines, with some national security experience no less, not know about calls to the Russians being monitored?”
Greenie: “Mike Pence and Jeff Sessions were experienced politicians. Sessions had been in the Senate for 20 years and had been US attorney earlier in his career.”
Jordan: “Back to Pence and Sessions. Where did their money go?”
Gelly:
Sandy:
Greenie:
JC:
Greenie:
JC: “Maybe heads should have rolled at the White House sooner. Sorry, that was too easy.”
Sandy:
JC: “Yes, we would…right Jordan?”
Gelly: “I guess that’s what’s confusing me. I agree Trump was like a water bug when it came to international policies – he’d head off in one direction one second and then quickly shift to another direction. But other than some blustery talk about bombing North Korea and the infamous wrong-way destroyer claim, he never caused any turbulence below the surface. The diplomats and the professionals somehow handled the foreign-policy issues.”
Gelly: “Seems to me that some of the Trump proposals, if implemented as drafted, would have completely split the country. Even though some of the crazier the ideas were eventually watered down, we still had the Revenge Revolution. Just how much carnage would there have been if had not been taken out?”
Gelly: “Ya’ know, it’s probably not fair, but when I think of Trump as president I think of Howdy Doody.”
Greenie: “Thanks for the compliment…but it’s been a while since I was an insider. Anyway, I want to hear your take.”
JC: “Maybe first in not studying and first in narcissism. But he’s no one’s academic. And I’m sure Wharton would rather not admit he’s an alum.”
JC: “More like, if you don’t disappear voluntarily, then you, too, will disappear.”
Waiter delivers a round of drinks.
Gelly:
Greenie:
Greenie:
Gelly:
Jordan:
Greenie: “Jordan, if you don’t mind, I’d like to continue the conversation we began at the office. You know lots of the ins and outs of Washington…so why did the Donald get taken out?”
Jordan: “Simple. Well, maybe not so simple…but easy to understand. It’s the old adage of ‘Just follow the money.’”
JC: “I hear you Jordan. How much do you think he owed on those properties…and to whom?”
Gelly: “So you guys think he was heavily in debt. If so, like JC said, money owed to whom?”
Gelly: “Then are you saying then that the Russians took out Trump?”
Jordan: “Good point, Greenie. I’ve always been suspicious about the sudden change in attitude. And, then, within a day or so of the change in attitude, Secretary of State Tillerson is at the Kremlin and has a private, unscheduled, undocumented two-hour meeting with Putin. That meeting doesn’t smell right. How much of a bad-ass could Tillerson have been? Just a couple of years before, Putin gave Tillerson a Russian Order of Friendship medal.”
Jordan: “Good one Gelly.”
Jordan: “I agree he might have thought he could give the proverbial finger to the Russians and walk away…but that’s not how it works.”