Take a few minutes and thoroughly contemplate the current situation with governance in America.  Take a long, hard look at the former The Donald J. Trump of the United States of America.  Take a long hard look at the United States congress.  And finally, take a long hard look at the Supreme Court of the United States of America (SCOTUS).

Ask yourself if you are or should be concerned about the four indictments and 91 criminal charges that Mr. Trump is facing.  Then ask yourself, am I comfortable with the amount of control and influence that Mr. Trump has on the Republican led congress, that he is in essence running it through a few right-wing extremist congressmen, that the House Republican majority is being held hostage by that minority and as a result, that minority is running congress under the leadership of Mr. Trump.  It is reasonable to assume that your answer should be no.

Now, shift your attention away from Mr. Trump, the four indictments and 91 criminal charges that he is facing and focus it on the SCOTUS.  Contemplate its current situation.  Reflect on the fact that its approval rating is at the lowest in U.S. history.  Reflect on the possible effect that the drip, drip negative revelations about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and his relationship to billionaires who have, have had or are likely to have cases addressed by the Court will have on the American public.  Ask yourself, will this drive trust in the SCOTUS even lower?  Will there be more negative revelations about Justice Thomas’ wife Ginni?  And it is not a secret that there is at least one other Justice, Samuel Alito, on the Court who is said to be involved in things with billionaires like those as Justice Thomas that have already raised eyebrows.

During his one term as The Donald J. Trump of the United States of America, Mr. Trump was able to nominate and have three nominees appointed to the SCOTUS thereby giving the Court a supermajority of conservative justices.  Further, the SCOTUS is likely to soon address and/or rule on several matters and cases that could have a major impact on governance in America.  Among those possible matters and cases is the Chevron deference test.  This is a principle of administrative law that refers to the judicial doctrine of deferring to the legal interpretation of an executive agency.

For instance – as regards Chevron deference, currently the SCOTUS would defer to the interpretation of an executive agency such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) when a dispute arises rather than the courts, including the SCOTUS, having to address each dispute.

Of course, it is somewhat more complicated than this quick explanation but that is the gist of it.  The point is that the Koch billionaires allegedly are interested in changing, if not eliminating, Chevron deference.  According to recent reports, Justice Clarence Thomas has secretly participated in at least two Koch Network Donor events.  This raises questions about whether Justice Thomas should recuse and has the potential of bringing trust in the SCOTUS down even further.

Congress will need to address the issues involving the SCOTUS if it cannot or is unwilling to address them itself.  And right now, it appears that the SCOTUS has no intention of addressing them.  This creates another problem because currently the House of Representatives is in complete chaos and is amid a downward spiral.  Speaker Kevin McCarthy has lost control of his caucus and there are no signs that he will be able to regain control of it.

Just like he sold all the power of the speakership to become Speaker, he is now selling slivers of what is left of it in the form of favors to move what would normally be routine bills, forward in order to avoid a government shutdown.  At this point it appears that there will be a shutdown so all Americans should prepare for the consequences that will accompany it.

That’s it.  That no doubt did not do a lot to brighten your day but it is news that needed to be shared.  It needed to be shared to remind all voters that we must stay in the fight.  We must stay in the fight to keep America great and assure that she remains a democracy.  How do we do that?  Voters can do it through our votes.  The rest of the American people who do not vote; whether it is because you are not yet old enough or there is some other reason that prevents you from doing so, you must still make your voices heard.  Mr. Trump and his toadies would like nothing better than to see voters and all the American people grow weary and quit.

So always remember, whether you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent, your vote is the most important one of all…unless you don’t use it!  And now, M2: Street Cop To Top Cop Excerpt 5: For Your Reading Pleasure.  This is the final excerpt.  Enjoy.

M2: Street Cop To Top Cop Excerpt 5

It was the weekend and Charles was at home relaxing in his bed while sipping on a glass of chilled champagne.  He was winded and his body glistened with sweat.  The silk sheet felt cool against his skin as it rested down near his waistline.  He was perfectly content!  A beautiful young woman, also sipping champagne, was relaxing beside him: her name was Candice.  She must have felt content as well because with each sip of champagne she made what was an almost purring sound and pressed hard against Charles and wriggled her upper body in small circles.  Charles was enjoying every second of this because it made him feel like his work had been a job well done.

After they finished their bottle of champagne and went a few more rounds between the sheets, Charles suggested that they have some breakfast.  I’m famished, let’s have something to eat, he said as he got out of bed, tossed on a robe then walked toward the bedroom door.  Candice swiftly followed him.

Great idea.  I hope that you plan on doing the cooking, she said.

By now Charles had been seeing Candy – that’s what he often called her, and with good reason as far as he was concerned – for about six months so he knew that she could not cook.  If she can cook, she does an excellent job of pretending that she can’t, he thought.

I’m not making any promises about cooking but I will put something together for us to eat.

That’s good enough for me.  After we eat we can get back to doing more fun things like…  Candice did not add anything further but instead paused briefly in a seductive pose and gave him a come-on look.

Don’t tempt me or we may never reach the kitchen!

Candice laughed.  For what I have in mind, it’s imperative that we reach the kitchen because you will need all of your strength; hopefully, that will be sufficient.

Follow me then, Charles said as he headed toward the kitchen.  Then he added, I can’t wait to see what you have in mind.

When Charles arrived at Winston Morgan and Morgan on Monday morning his secretary could not help but to notice his radiance.

Good morning, Mr. Morgan; you seem to be in an extraordinarily good mood this morning.  You’re glowing!  Was this a special weekend, Cindy asked?

Charles flashed a quick smile.  No it wasn’t, Cindy.  I guess I just put a little extra oomph into my exercise regimen this weekend he said as he continued past her and into his office.  He closed the door behind him to discourage any follow-up questions that she might have.

I have no doubt that you did, Cindy thought as she glared at the closed door.  She was not unfamiliar with the ‘as if he were walking on air strut’ and glowing aura that Charles projected because there was a time when she had been responsible for it: she had been that extra oomph in his exercise regimen.

Although she and Charles still had sex from time-to-time, even at the office during regular business hours, it was no longer the same kind of hot and passionate sex that produced the air she witnessed this morning.  She wanted what they had before but since she still enjoyed their occasional sex, she had accepted the thought that this was probably as good as it would get.  Besides, she thought, this is not a bad trade-off because I’m still earning really good money and continuing to get really good salary increases every year.  Then she dismissed her thoughts about Charles and refocused on her work.

Cindy always took coffee in to Charles as soon as he arrived with the exception of the times when he immediately closed his door.  He usually only did this when he was troubled by something whether it was business or personal.  Although she knew that this wasn’t the case today, since he closed his door, she followed protocol and did not bother him.  About fifteen minutes later he opened his door.

Cindy, would you bring me a cup of coffee, he asked cheerfully?

Right away, Mr. Morgan, she responded.  She was always formal like this unless her office door was closed.  When she took his coffee to him everything seemed to be normal.  Will there be anything else, she asked?

No, that will be all.

While Charles sat in his office and sipped his coffee he reflected on the time that he and Candice spent together during the weekend.  He knew that Cindy had a pretty good idea that he had been with a woman over the weekend because of her comment to him when he arrived.  Women just seem to know those kind of things; especially those that you are intimate with, he thought as he took another sip of his coffee.  He also felt sure that Candice would never be anything to him other than a beautiful young woman that he could enjoy spending time with at his leisure.

Eulus Dennis – author, M2: Street Cop To Top Cop, Operation Rubik’s Cube and Living Between The Line

I’m back.  This time with a quick rundown on politics and policing; with a quick peek into how they relate to Donald J. Trump from my perspective.  After that, I will give you another excerpt from M2: Street Cop To Top Cop: For your reading pleasure.

Rather than talk a lot in detail about politics, and especially policing, from my perspective I am going to provide you with a link to an NAACP article that reveals the origin of modern-day policing.  This article will give you a good foundation to start from to help you understand why the problems with policing throughout America are systemic and not caused by just “a few rotten apples” in the barrel in each police department.  It is the culture of policing that needs to be addressed and changed.

Politics has everything to do with why this problem has not been effectively addressed.  All Americans see that America is polarized.  Many Americans may not realize that this is the case because far too many of our politicians have been afraid to do the right thing and so have been gaslighting us.  They are afraid to do the right thing because they are more concerned about their political ambitions and holding on to the power and perks of their office than they are about governing.  If this gaslighting by politicians is allowed to continue rather than them doing the job that they were elected and sent to Washington to do, America will never learn from her errors, grow stronger and continue to work to become a more perfect union.

What is happening with our elected politicians right now even though there is an existential threat to the American democracy serves to warn every American that a democratic America is not a given: All Americans must work to keep her as such.  This is where the former The Donald J. Trump of the United States of America comes in.  He is likely thrilled with America’s current situation.  After all, he wants to “make America great again” by taking all Americans back to “the good ole days;” the days when all Americans were not treated equally.

Let there be no doubt, all Americans are not treated equally today… but most Americans are working on changing that.  And although the work to change things has been slow and excruciatingly painful, if we go back to the “good ole days,” even that work and the progress that has been made will be wiped out.  “Good ole days;” good ole days for who?!

The policing of Americans through fair and equal treatment under the law is only one small piece of the puzzle that is America.  But it is an intricate piece among the many pieces that must be assembled in America’s journey to be the best that she can possibly be.  Notwithstanding our political affiliation, let’s work together to put politicians in office who will uphold their oath of office, put America ahead of their personal political ambitions and party and govern.  Let’s put politicians in office who will keep America great!  “Make America great again?”  “Good ole days?”  Hogwash!

That’s it other than the link to the NAACP article that I previously said I would provide you.  And now:

M2: Street Cop To Top Cop Excerpt 4: For your reading pleasure.

M2 was on his way to Veronica’s.  As he drove with the top down on his M6 BMW, he reflected on what a beautiful day that it was.  He was also thinking about Veronica and what would happen once he told her that he was no longer a cop.  He knew that she ‘liked’ him a lot but she ‘loved’ the blue uniform and badge and the power that they represented.  He had decided that he would break that news to her today and he was all but certain that it would be a deal breaker.

Veronica was the only chippie that he had continued to date since his resignation because she was his favorite.  Consequently, he was having a hard time in making the decision to risk losing her before he was sure that he was ready to handle the potential negative outcome should she choose the uniform and badge over him.

His thoughts flipped to the reason why he made the decision to tell Veronica he was no longer a cop; it was Diana Minnelli.  From the time that he met her he had not been able to stop thinking about her.  He had not called her because she was married, which was not like him because something like that usually didn’t matter.  But his gut had told him that she was special.  He briefly reflected on her comment at Civic Center Station when she said that she had to make relief and how, due to his facial expression, she had assured him that it wasn’t what he was thinking.  He also recalled that during their conversation she managed to interject a comment about the imminent dissolution of her brief marriage.  Before he refocused his thoughts on Veronica, he decided that he would call Diana.

M2 turned into the driveway at Veronica’s house and pulled up within a few feet of the closed garage door.  Veronica opened the door before he rang the bell and stood behind it as he entered the house.

She looked extremely desirable, as she always did, when she closed the door and paused briefly so that he could get a good look at her.  Like what you see, she asked?

That goes without saying, M2 responded.

Yeah, but I want to hear it, Veronica said as she approached him sultrily.

I like what I see; I always do, M2 said.

Veronica put her arms loosely around his neck and kissed him.  What’s on your mind, baby, she asked?

M2 decided that rather than get all hot and bothered first and then get let down as soft and easy as the impact of a heavy rock dropped from the top of the Empire State Building – him being the rock, he would go directly to the point of his visit.  Veronica, I resigned and I am no longer a cop, he said.

Veronica looked into his eyes and giggled, stop fooling around, M2, she said.

No, it’s true.  I resigned more than a month ago.

Veronica’s tone became more serious.  Are you serious, she asked?

Yes, I’m serious, M2 said.

Veronica’s sensuous air vanished and her demeanor completely changed.  She softly pushed herself away from him while looking down at the floor and didn’t say anything.

M2 could see that he was right in his assessment about how Veronica would feel about him without the blue uniform and badge.  If he no longer had those, it was a deal breaker.  Tell me what you’re thinking, Veronica, he said.

Veronica continued to stare at the floor and did not immediately respond.  When she shifted her gaze from the floor to M2,  she appeared to be in a daze.  She paused awhile longer before she finally said, M2…  She did not finish her sentence.

There was an awkward pause while M2 waited for her to finish saying what it seemed that she wanted to say.  When she didn’t, he spoke up.  It’s okay, Veronica; I understand.

After M2 broke the silence Veronica, seemingly still in shock, asked, why did you quit?  Everything was so perfect, she said.

I just thought that it was time to go.  When Veronica just continued to gaze at him without saying a word, M2 said – goodbye, Veronica.

Goodbye, M2, she said as she continued to stare at him in amazement.

M2 walked to the door and Veronica followed him.  When he stepped outside, he intended to tell her how sorry he was that things ended this way.  But before he could turn around to say anything, she closed the door.  Without any meaningful elaboration whatsoever, their relationship was over.

M2 felt relieved and felt a new sense of freedom now that the chapter with Veronica in his life was over.  He decided that the next thing he should do was to contact Charles and tell him which option he chose.  After that, he would call Diana.

He took a little more than two weeks to recover from his breakup with Veronica before he called Charles.  The telephone rang only one time before it was answered.

Winston Morgan, and Morgan a pleasant sounding voice said.

This is Matt Morgan; may I speak to Charles please.

Mr. Morgan is in a meeting right now, may I have him return your call when he is available?  Everyone at the firm knew that Matt was Winston Morgan’s son and they also knew, by way of office gossip, that their relationship was a strained one but staff always avoided talking about it openly.

Yes, that will be fine.

Okay, sir; I will be sure that he gets the message.

Thank you, M2 replied and hung up.  He reflected briefly on the major step that he was about to take in joining his father’s law firm and tried to imagine what working for him would be like.  He cringed at the thought and immediately dismissed it out of concern that he would change his mind.  He did not want to do that because he had no doubt that this option was the best one for him at this point in his life.

Stay tuned for more political news and the next exciting excerpt of M2: Street Cop To Top Cop.

Eulus Dennis – author, M2: Street Cop To Top Cop, Operation Rubik’s Cube and Living Between The Line

For many people, performing civic duty politics can feel like coughing to recover from COVID.  The process is irritating but absolutely necessary to get back to full health and remain that way for as long as possible.  And if one ultimately contracts COVID again after recovering, they must repeat that same process to achieve the same result.  And no matter how many times they contract COVID, to get back to and remain healthy, they must repeat this process.

All people who make excuses not to vote and then refuse to vote as a result of those excuses are refusing to cough.  Yes, you are the equivalent of people recovering from COVID who refuse to cough.  Just like someone who has COVID and refuses to cough is unlikely to recover, the American democracy, which is in an existential crisis, is unlikely to recover unless all Americans do our civic duty, which includes voting.

The preceding short message and admonition along with the following link to an extremely important and informative article on the Alternet that is a must read that will prepare and encourage you to do your civic duty, are the only politics that you will need to receive your political fill from this article.  So now, here is “… For Your Reading Pleasure”:

M2: Street Cop To Top Cop

M2 was startled awake by his ringing telephone.  He looked at the clock and could not believe what he saw; it was 4:15 a.m.  Who could that possibly be, he thought, as he dragged himself out of the bed and answered the phone.

Hello, he said, while struggling to keep his voice from sounding groggy and unclear.

Hello, Mr. Morgan.  This is Albert, the front desk attendant in the lobby.  He continued before M2 could respond.  It seems that we have a young woman in the lobby who insists on speaking with you.  She is causing quite a scene and she refuses to leave unless we allow her to speak with you.

What is her name?  There was a brief pause before Albert responded.

She says that her name is Candy, sir.

It was chippie 10!  M2 had introduced himself to her only a few months ago and, just as it was with all of his chippies, they had immediately become friends with benefits.  I knew that she was a mistake, he thought, as he retrieved the jeans that he had worn to happy hour.  I’ll be right down.

Thank you, sir.

M2 was fuming!  When the elevator stopped at the lobby level M2 took a deep breath and calmed himself before he got off and took the short walk to the lobby area.  Although Albert did not say anything, M2 nodded at him just to acknowledge his presence.  He smiled broadly when he reached chippie 10 before he spoke.  It was obvious to him that she had been drinking.

Good morning, Candice.  You are here bright and early.  Let’s go up to my place.

Good morning, baby, she said as she walked beside him toward the elevator.

M2 remained calm while he and Candice were on the elevator but did not say anything because he knew that the elevator had surveillance cameras.  Candice was very happy and chatty.

As soon as they entered M2’s apartment, he exploded in anger.  What the hell do you think that you are doing, Candy, coming here like this and at this time of the morning?!  As a matter of fact, what the hell are you doing coming here period?!  And how did you find out where I live, anyway?!

Candice was overcome with anger as she attempted to respond.  First of all, don’t you…!  M2 interrupted her midsentence.

Listen bitch, I don’t know what kind of scheme you have in mind but you had better realize that I am not one of those guys out there on the street or that you pick up at the bars that you frequent! As of this minute, we are done!  And if you are thinking of going to Internal Affairs (IA), forget it; if you try that, I will bury you.  You will be in jail for so long that you will forget what the outside looks like… and you know that I can do it!

Candice had heard about M2’s reputation before she met him and they had become friends so she knew what he was saying was true.  A lot of her friends who lived the same lifestyle as she did had told her about other women who had crossed him and what had happened to them.

Under the circumstances, rather than press the issue Candice decided to remain silent and accept her fate.  She and M2 were through.  Because of her demeanor and lack of response, M2 calmed down.  He could sense her fear and acquiescence so when he continued to speak it was in a kinder and gentler tone.

I’m sorry that I yelled at you, Candy, but you have to know that you shouldn’t have come to my apartment without calling me first to see if it would be okay.  And just so that you will know it, it would not have been okay.  This is my private space; this is where I can always be alone, relax, and escape from any and everything that I might want to escape from.

Now, I can tell that you have been drinking so I am going to fix you a hot cup of coffee and after you have finished it, I’m going to drop you off at your place.  And Candice, after what happened today, I don’t want to hear from you again.  And another thing, I don’t want you to share my address with anyone.

Okay, Candice responded.

She spoke in a whispered voice and her tone was so contrite that M2 felt terrible and hurt about how he had just treated her.  His experience as a cop told him that he could not let Candice know this though because he knew that with her background she would take it as a sign of weakness and her natural instinct would be to take advantage of the opportunity.  So he put on his calloused street cop face and went to fix her coffee.

It was 5:15 a.m. by the time that M2 dropped Candice off at her apartment and headed home so he decided to stop and have breakfast.  When he got home it was a little past 6:30 a.m.  He went back to bed.

Again, I hope that you enjoyed the read.  Be sure to continue to stay tuned because there will be more political articles to keep you informed and… there could be more excerpts for your reading pleasure.

Eulus Dennis – author, M2: Street Cop To Top Cop, Operation Rubik’s Cube and Living Between The Line