It’s been said you can tell a lot about a man by his friends and the company he keeps. There’s also a school of thought that you can tell a man by who his enemies are.
No doubt, all of those apply to Donald Trump, as we are reminded constantly by the media in one form or another.
Recently a name from the past has been a critic: James Clapper, the former Director of National intelligence.
Clapper has jumped into the fray to bring down Trump by stepping to the tune that Trump is mentally unfit for the presidency. It’s been floated before, but now it’s repetitive as a talking point, and undoubtedly it’s the next in line as the Russian investigations of 10 months have yielded nothing.
Clapper hasn’t been around since resigning in late December 2016. It could be said he’s speaking out now as his name has come up in the investigations into the matters of the Clintons, James Comey and Loretta Lynch.
Considering Clapper’s known history of lying to a congressional body, he should be quiet.
In 2013, Clapper was asked if intelligence authorities collected data on Americans. He answered, “No, Sir, not willingly.” He may have gotten by with that lie but for the antics of Edward Snowden and WikiLeaks that showed the agency had not only gathered phone records of millions of Americans but also had them stored.
The explanations for the lies changed over a short span of time. Clapper initially said he didn’t lie. He then offered that he meant to say they didn’t look at Americans’ emails. Next, he admitted his response was “the least untruthful” he could give to Congress. Lastly, in his letter to Congress he admitted his words were “clearly erroneous.”
After all of this, Clapper spoke to a group of government officials and contractors at a summit for two major industry groups and complained: “It has been very disappointing to have my integrity questioned because of a mistake.”
In the speech, he went on to complain about the leaks to the news media (where have we heard that lately)?
Profoundly, Clapper said such intelligence could be gathered on Americans without risk of embarrassment or any threat to civil liberties, saying with a reported chuckle, “We call this immaculate collection.”
Secondly is Mitch McConnell, who has spoken out with his latest friction with Trump over the failure of the healthcare bill in the Senate.
He spoke to a Kentucky Rotary Club recently and said: “Our new president, of course, has not been in this line of work before. … I think he had excessive expectations about how quickly things happen in the democratic process” (per CNN affiliate WCPO, which covered the event).
Reportedly, McConnell claimed: “Congress is working as it should, and that voters should allow the process to play itself out before passing judgment.” He continued: “The reason I think people think we’re under-performing is because of too many artificial deadlines unrelated to the reality of the Legislature which may have not been understood.”
What nonsense of artificial deadlines and expecting too much too soon? McConnell’s herd was among the Republicans who have been yelling about repealing an replacing Obamacare for over seven years, and now Trump is expecting a change too soon?
Last but not least, Hillary Clinton is back with her newest book this week of “What Happened.” Naturally, the tantalizing audio book is repeatedly being played with the excerpt where she accuses Trump of getting into her space at the debate and presents a picture of him stalking her.
Hopefully for Hillary, writing this book and getting out her venom was cathartic, because it appears she still doesn’t get it.
There is a myriad of reasons, not to be detailed here, why Hillary Clinton isn’t president, and none has anything to do with a debate stage.
In Jon Rappoport’s blog entitled “Hillary’s new book: Its Never My Fault,” July 31, 2017, he lists a lot of the reasons Hillary’s 2016 run failed.
Yes, identifying enemies is as important as friends when it comes to judgment.
Betty Arenson is a Valencia resident who believes in the Constitution in its entirety and that laws should be upheld and apply to everyone equally.
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.
It’s interesting that you failed to comment on the most prevalent issue of the week: The “fine” people on both sides at the Charlottesville demonstration.
It is interesting that you can comment on Hillary’s book but not the most prevalent issue of the week: The “fine” people on both sides at the Charlottesville protest.
Betty, isn’t it funny what happens when dems see facts and actual quotes, words…used by their leaders… that threaten the very stability of their sanity? I mean, we have seen “head in the sand thinking” …and talking…for more than 8 years from the far left..and they still think…I’m sorry, no thinking actually happens in this deep,state of denial…their president is no longer…his last words were…well…it’s up to you all now…meaning time to ramp up the denial that the country doesn’t all agree with your ideas and (quietly sobing)..dare I say it..your dreams (more quiet sobs), so….you all leftists that feel this country belongs to Just You…Wake the F Up…Bloody Wankers…you all vote….but your vote didn’t win…hello???
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not.
Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter,
the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
As restrictions remain in place for gatherings and events in Los Angeles County, one of Santa Clarita’s most important traditions will take place on an online format in 2020.
The holiday shopping rush is upon us! As with everything this year, checking loved ones off your shopping list will look a little different in 2020. There will be no braving the crowds and tussling for the first crack at the doorbuster deals on Black Friday.
In his monthly message for October 2020, Santa Clarita City Manager Ken Striplin spotlights results of the city's 2020 public opinion survey about the quality of life in our community.
As with everything in 2020, this year’s State of the City event will be different than years past. We are looking on the bright side, embracing the necessary changes for safety’s sake and rejoicing in the fact that this year’s event is truly inclusive of the entire Santa Clarita community.
As COVID-19 vaccination continues for health care workers and those over 65, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday California is looking to prioritize the next phases of vaccination efforts by age, rather than occupation.
Tejon Ranch Co. declared victory for its 8,000-acre Grapevine mixed-use development after a Kern County Superior Court judge ruled against an Arizona-based environmental group that dubbed the project “damaging.”
In 2019, Valencia High School student, Pedro Roman, was diagnosed with Leukemia. After one long and hard-fought year, Roman is now in remission due to the success of his latest treatment.
California Public Health officials lifted the regional Stay at Home Order statewide on Monday as Los Angeles County Public Health officials confirmed 43 new deaths and 6,642 new cases of confirmed COVID-19 countywide, and Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Valencia reported five new deaths on Saturday and Monday.
Los Angeles County is set to align its health order with California's by the end of the week, as the state lifted its regional stay-at-home order statewide Monday, green-lighting the reopening of in-person outside dining and hair and nail salons, among other businesses.
Officials with the California Department of Public Health on Monday ordered the Regional Stay at Home Order lifted for all regions statewide, including the three regions that had still been under the order – San Joaquin Valley, Bay Area, and Southern California.
As another winter storm hit the Santa Clarita Valley and surrounding areas, Interstate 5 was shut down through the Grapevine in "Operation Snowflake" Monday morning, with some lanes reopened by Monday afternoon.
Because of the recent rainfall, Los Angeles County Health Officer Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, is cautioning residents about beach water use due to bacteria, chemicals, debris, trash, and other public health hazards from city streets and mountain areas that are likely to contaminate ocean waters at and around discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers.
A series of projects brought forth by Santa Clarita Valley-based organizations and agencies to aid the local homeless population could soon receive thousands of dollars from the city of Santa Clarita.
Citing the case of a convicted child rapist, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said Friday she’s concerned there is a growing trend that the rights of victims of some of the most violent crimes are not being protected under District Attorney George Gascón’s administration.
Medical examiners with the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office identified Benjamin Marquez IV, 31, of Castaic, as the man killed in a solo-vehicle crash that left one dead and sent another to the hospital Saturday.
The COVID-19 crisis has trashed recycling efforts and instead generated an increase in plastic waste, according to a recent study, but Los Angeles County restaurants could soon be required to make adjustments related to disposable food ware in an effort to reduce waste.
Despite signs that California’s latest and most damaging wave of the pandemic is subsiding, the state nonetheless sets a one-day record of 764 deaths on Friday.
Claims of excessive force, retaliation, and other misconduct by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will be probed during a C, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said Friday.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials on Friday confirmed 256 new deaths and 9,277 new cases of confirmed COVID-19 countywide, as Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Valencia reported it's 107th death.
The Los Angeles County Library, in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, is set to host a series of free virtual workshops running every other week on Fridays from January through June.
The temporary residential green waste pick-up schedule will continue through Jan. 29 for customers in Santa Clarita after Waste Management requested an additional week for its modified schedule.
The William S. Hart Union High School District Governing Board has approved the recommendation to name Julian Gomez as the assistant principal of Bowman High School.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.
5 Comments
It’s interesting that you failed to comment on the most prevalent issue of the week: The “fine” people on both sides at the Charlottesville demonstration.
It is interesting that you can comment on Hillary’s book but not the most prevalent issue of the week: The “fine” people on both sides at the Charlottesville protest.
You really get it, Betty!
Betty, isn’t it funny what happens when dems see facts and actual quotes, words…used by their leaders… that threaten the very stability of their sanity? I mean, we have seen “head in the sand thinking” …and talking…for more than 8 years from the far left..and they still think…I’m sorry, no thinking actually happens in this deep,state of denial…their president is no longer…his last words were…well…it’s up to you all now…meaning time to ramp up the denial that the country doesn’t all agree with your ideas and (quietly sobing)..dare I say it..your dreams (more quiet sobs), so….you all leftists that feel this country belongs to Just You…Wake the F Up…Bloody Wankers…you all vote….but your vote didn’t win…hello???
Very well placed …s for dramatic effect there… Michael… Reads like you were really thinking it through. You weren’t.