Semantics for the masses: "Grifter" for college educated; "pocket padder" for everyone else

 Sometimes the left uses words that are not in common usage and then wonders why it is hard to communicate with those not as well educated. "Grifting" is one of those terms.  I really never heard it often, and I wonder if it meant a person who takes bribes or is just greedy for wealth, a con artist, unethical, or anything in between.  It does...but I would nominate another term that is in the common language. " Pocket padding" or "pocket padder. "

 So much is being made of Trump and family enriching themselves, yet nothing so far has been proved that bribery influencing public policy has happened.  It may well be, but so far it seems that the worst accusation is the violations of gift acceptance forbidden in the Constitution.The Foreign Emoluments Clause (Article I, Section 9, Clause 8) of the U.S. Constitution prohibits any person holding a federal office—including the President—from accepting any present, emolument, office, or title from a foreign state, king, or prince without the consent of Congress. The GOP had persecuted Hunter Biden for trading on his family name and being the son of the president in his business deals in Ukraine. What is happening with the Trump family, and Trump himself, makes Hunter's sin look petty next to theirs.

 

https://www.newyorker.com/news/a-reporter-at-large/trumps-profiteering-hits-four-billion-dollars

 MAGA couldn't care less, but I think deep in their hearts they really could become resentful of the wealth accumulation of the Trump family, who are taking advantage of Trump's presidency to accumulate more wealth for themselves and their father.  Class sensitivity is not dead. The ultra-wealthy who are dishonest and greedy are still an object of disdain. MAGA once got riled up about Hunter's mideeds, and the "Biden Crime Family" they never proved. Resentment of a president's son trading on his father's name resonated with them then, but not now. Funny, isn't it. What came to mind was the Mar-a-Lago documents dump. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-showed-off-a-classified-map-during-a-2022-plane-trip-raskin-alleges-in-letter from  Jack Smith's suppressed report.  Allegations and observations have been made that the documents Trump illegally kept were for "business" purposes.  That puts the "Art of the Deal" on a whole new level. 

I found this courtesy of AI, which best describes a pocket padder in the context I am using. https://ludwig.guru/s/pad+their+pockets.   It is an idiomatic expression that means to take advantage of someone or something for personal gain. 

Impeach Trump or not to impeach Trump..that is the question

To impeach or not to impeach Trump...that is the question. It may be more of a timing issue, dependent on the flipping of the House from red to blue in 2026, which is looking more and more likely given the three-seat GOP margin now. To attempt to do that now is silly since MAGA still controls its House majority. Rewriting history to make the dear leader look flawless is the stuff China and other doctorship run countries use to control the thought of their subjects. That Trump was impeached twice is now removed from the Smithsolnian museum. Removal of Trump From Smithsonian Impeachment Exhibit Sparks Outrage - Newsweek

A simple majority is required to impeach. The attempt for impeachment now got an explosive comment and pushback per a report: https://www.thedailybeast.com/dems-explode-on-dumbst.../...

As much as Trump deserves impeachment, it is a fools errand at this time and could backfire on Democrats in 2026 who need independents and business interests to flip the House, deiverting attention from other issues like the economy or racism and Musk's chainsaw destruction of popular services.

However, if and when the time comes, Democrats have an obligation to try, given the out-of-control arrogance of Trump's corrupt actions concerning the emoluments clause, given the uproar of the Qatar gift of a 747 jet to be used now and after he leaves the presidency. Trump's selling access to foreign investors in his meme coin and benefiting from involvement in his stablecoin cryptocurrency scheme all allow foreign interests to shape Trump's policies to their benefit. They also give avenues for domestic abuses of campaign contributions. He must be held accountable, or else future presidents will likewise use these kinds of acts as acceptable corrupt practices with no repercussions.

Unless the Senate, which has the power to oust Trump from office if the House impeaches (like an indictment), has an unlikely shift enough to meet the supermajority required to convict, Trump will likely be able to serve out his four-year term. However, having three impeachments as his legacy, instead of just two already, is not a great record for the history books. So far as prosecuting Trump for a crime, forget that one: the DOJ is his MAGA tool, and the Supreme Court granted him immunity, as well. Impeachment, even if it does not remove him from office, will serve as a lesson for any future president contemplating a corrupt practice.

MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: Trump's for sale and so's whatever the White House can offer?

MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: Trump and family crypto investments are raising eyebrows. Any there there?

MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: Trump's grift: grist for the impeachment mill?

MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: Feathering his own nest, Trump trades on his position in crypto, updated 5/7/2025

MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: How the Trump administration is clearing the way for corruption, updated to 4/30/2025

Memorial Day is also a time to remember what those who died were defending

A version of this was published in the Sky Hi News, May 21-23, 2018
https://www.skyhinews.com/news/muftic-memorial-day-also-a-time-to-remember-what-those-who-died-were-defending/

On Memorial Day  May 28 we will specially honor and remember the nearly million and a half in the military who died in wars to keep us from foreign control and the liberty  to pursue life and happiness. At the same time we should be asking ourselves do enough of us even care about protecting our freedoms anymore?

Our founders  put protections of our civil and human rights and freedoms  in the amendments to the Constitution. Not all of those freedoms are absolute and their meanings and limits  have been shaped by an independent judiciary, but they are still fundamental to the freedoms we enjoy for which so many have died.

Nonetheless, the U.S. ranks 45  of 180 countries based on press freedom, survey conducted by the non profit Reporters Without Borders.“ A media-bashing enthusiast, Trump has referred to reporters as ‘enemies of the people,’ ...has attempted to block White House access to multiple media outlets, routinely uses the term ‘fake news’in retaliation for critical reporting, and has called for revoking certain media outlets’ broadcasting licenses.” Update: June 10, 2018: Homeland Security is now compiling lists and data bases of journalists and influencers. To what use will that information be put is the question.

We have had  our civil wars, our slavery, our abuses of rights, but we have  had made progress to improve the implementation of our ideals. No longer.   Human Rights Watch, a non profit watchdog group, has released their 2018 report: “Across a range of issues in 2017, the US moved backward on human rights. Trump has targeted refugees and immigrants, calling them criminals and security threats; emboldened racist politics by equivocating on white nationalism; and consistently championed anti-Muslim ideas and policies…. and (undermining) police accountability for abuse…..”

Voter laws are being passed locally that make it more difficult  for minorities to vote by restricting voting times and motor voter registration laws, and  requiring extra effort and expenses to obtain photo IDs. These suppression measures were implemented  deceptively to protect us from virtually non-existent fraud.

The GOP dominated  Senate is fast tracking the process  to fill federal judicial seat vacancies  with ideologues passing litmus tests preferred over nominees who support judicial precedent and who pass peer professionals’ standards .  This will impact the current interpretation of the meaning of freedom for years, from Roe v Wade to the right refuse to serve certain customers on religious grounds to shrinking governmental protections of the environment, worker safety, and health care.

One freedom that our forefathers treasured was protection  from foreign control . Our founders never imagined the reach to millions on social media by Russian bots and advertising  to help Donald Trump win, as the bi-partisan Senate Intelligence Committee has concluded and reported May 16, 2018, and as our intelligence concluded in January 2017. Added May 23, 2018: Former director of national intelligence, James Clapper, concludes Russian meddling elected Donald Trump. https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2018/05/23/james_clapper_in_new_book_of_course_the_russians_swung_the_election_to_a_trump_win.html

The control the United States by bribery or personal gain by officials was so feared they put the emolument clause in the Constitution itself. There is a stench in the air that Trump has violated that clause. On May 16, we learned the Trump business organization from which Trump still benefits is  entangled in China financing a Trump Indonesian hotel just as US sanctions were lifted on a Chinese telecom already deemed a threat to US security. Another bombshell May 16 was learning Michael Cohen, Trump’s personal lawyer,  manages a consulting company account that appears to have millions coming into it, including foreign money. Suspicions are , that money could be seen as bribery to get access to the President on issues coming before the new administration, yet where finding the money went and who got it  is required to separate the crime from the slime.

https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2018/country-chapters/united-statesk

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-drops-to-45-in-ranking-of-countries-based-on-freedom-of-the-press-2018-04-25?mod=mw_share_facebook

https://www.brennancenter.org/blog/5-things-know-about-wisconsin-partisan-gerrymandering-case

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_military_casualties_of_war. https://www.cnn.com/2017/12/

15/politics/trump-judges-nominees/index.htmlhttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/sep/13/america-
history-voter-suppression-donald-trump-election-fraudhttps://www.washingtonpost.

com/news/wonk/wp/2018/02/19/pennsylvania-supreme-court-draws-a-much-more-competitive-district-map-to-overturn-republican-gerrymander/?utm_term=.10c69794f16a

http://time.com/5279573/senate-intelligence-committee-russia-trump-2016/

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/05/trump-organization-indonesia-project-will-benefit-from-usd500-million-chinese-government-loan-report-says.html

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/sep/13/america-history-voter-suppression-do
nald-trump-election-fraud

https://www.brennancenter.org/blog/5-things-know-about-wisconsin-partisan-gerrymandering-case

Lee Greenwood’s great lyric which  captures the meaning of Memorial Day the best:

“And I'm proud to be an American

Where at least I know I'm free

And I won't forget the ones who died who gave that right to me

And I'll gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today

Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God Bless the USA.”

https://www.thenation.com/article/wisconsins-voter-id-law-suppressed-200000-votes-trump-won-by-23000/

From https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/ICA_2017_01.pdf
"Russian efforts to influence the 2016 US presidential election represent the most recent expression of Moscow’s longstanding desire to undermine the US-led liberal democratic order, but these activities demonstrated a significant escalation in directness, level of activity, and scope of effort compared to previous operations. We assess Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential election. Russia’s goals were to undermine public faith in the US democratic process, denigrate Secretary Clinton, and harm her electability and potential presidency. We further assess Putin and the Russian Government developed a clear preference for President-elect Trump. We have high confidence in these judgments.  We also assess Putin and the Russian Government aspired to help President-elect Trump’s election chances when possible by discrediting Secretary Clinton and publicly contrasting her unfavorably to him. All three agencies agree with this judgment. CIA and FBI have high confidence in this judgment; NSA has moderate confidence."

What we celebrate this 4th is as important today as it was in 1776.

One fundamental meaning of the 4th of July likely has been lost in the holiday celebrations, fireworks, barbecues, flag waving, and patriotic speeches.  What we should not forget  is why in 1776  we declared our independence from England.  Remember why our founding fathers meeting in Philadelphia  1776 wanted to be free from English rule so much , they were willing to risk being hanged as traitors to the English crown? The issue is of independence from foreign control is as fundamental and relevant in 2017 as it was in 1776 .

Here we are in 2017  when many including President Trump deny or shrug their shoulders that another country, Russia,  has tried to interfere in our elections to give support to the US candidate who would be most favorable to Russia's national interests.

Just publicly revealed there is evidence of recorded Kremlin conversations that their interference, planting fake news stories, hacking, publishing the hacks, and demonstrating the potential to cause havoc in 21 states in voter registration data on election day, was directed by Vladimir Putin himself. His stated purpose was to help Donald Trump and hurt Hillary Clinton. Pres. Obama may have stopped some of this by personally confronting Putin himself and outing the Russian plans. Some measures resulted: sanctions, kicking out 35 of their spies and putting in place for future use retaliatory cyber counter attacks. One can argue if this was enough, but Trump has does nothing but restore the spy property and hinting at ending sanctions.

The reasons our founders revolted were about taxation without representation  and anger with unfair English methods of  controlling their colonies.  After the revolution, the 1789 Constitution was constructed to prevent abuses of our personal freedoms by a government and to balance and check the powers of the three branches, without which they feared would lead to the establishment of another monarchy.

There was also concern that foreign governments would try to take over the US by bribery or financial entanglements. Alexander Hamilton did not even trust the voters or elected officials to stop such attempts. Hamilton expressed his fears in his Federalist Paper 22 “.One of the weak sides of republics..., is that they afford trust too easy an inlet to foreign corruption. ...In republics, persons elevated from the mass of the community, by the suffrages of their fellow-citizens, to stations of great pre-eminence and power, may find compensations for betraying their trust...”  Because of Hamilton’s reasoning  the writers of the Constitution included  the emoluments clause to head off such abuses…” no person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.” Note Congress' responsibility in these matters.

In 2017,  many of the cabinet members, White House advisers, and President Trump , have a  history of financial dealings with Russia.     The significance  is  that some in the administration, in addition to Mike Flynn, may be vulnerable to Russian manipulation to affect policy decisions. If any hid unlawful financial practices known by the Russians, they too are vulnerable  to blackmail. They are compromised. For that reason the various investigations into the Russian connection are following the money.

http://www.kansascity.com/news/nation-world/article159682299.html

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/05/trumps-company-isnt-tracking-all-the-money-it-gets-from-foreign-governments/
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2017/06/27/trump-russia-and-sanctions/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/world/national-security/obama-putin-election-hacking/

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/21/us/politics/jeh-johnson-testimony-russian-election-hacking.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-elections/obama-says-he-personally-told-putin-to-cut-it-out-on-hacking-a7480576.

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/08/world/europe/defense-secretary-warns-russia-to-stay-out-of-us-elections.html

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-cyber-congress-idUSKBN19C1Y3?il=0

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/report-putin-russia-tried-help-trump-discrediting-clinton-n703981

https://www.rferl.org/a/cia-told-obama-august-2016-that-putin-ordered-election-interference/28575911.html

http://www.npr.org/2017/06/02/531269090/trump-administration-made-secret-efforts-to-ease-russia-sanctions
http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/29/politics/russia-sanctions-announced-by-white-house/index.html