Predicting primary not really that hard

Except for some exceptions, my column writing depends upon the deadline set by The Duncan Banner. In this case, it was June 16. So, I write not knowing who won which or what or whether there will be multiple run-offs.

But, that does not mean total ignorance. I feel certain some of my own preferences were defeated by corporate Democrats – whom I will dutifully support. (If only the “moderates” would promise to do the same, we might see some meaningful change.)

We also know that whichever proud pro-Trump Republicans are moving forward they are doing so with their loud, Trump-fawning commercials. Thus, we know that they approve:

• Trump’s unprovoked attack on the Shiites in Iran that Trump was gulled into by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his own Jewish son-in-law Jared Kushner, whose $2 billion grant from the Sunnis in the Saudi Arabian government makes him an unregistered agent for a foreign power.

• Trump’s bombing of the Shajareh Tayyabeh Elementary Schools which killed more than 170 civilians, most of them schoolgirls.

• Trump’s “extra-judicial executions” of more than 200 people in small boats in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Locally, law enforcers encourage people to call Crime Stoppers with information about extra-judicial executions. Trump has ordered these summary killings by presenting no evidence in no courts where no trials are ever held and no convictions reached – for alleged crimes that are not death penalty crimes.

• Trump using the full power of the government to enhance his personal finances. His personal wealth has nearly tripled during the 16 months of his second term while costs skyrocket for ordinary Americans. Typical of Trump’s self-enhancement agenda, HuffPost reported at the end of May that he “bought a load of Dell Technologies stock just months before the computer maker received a massive Pentagon contract.”

• Trump lying repeatedly about rigged elections every time he or a follower loses.

• Trump’s total destruction of half the White House in order to construct a receiving room ballroom where he and his oligarch pals can celebrate in regal style.

• Trumpista efforts to put his orange visage on a $250 bill. Current law requires anyone to be so honored to be dead, not merely brain dead. I guess the visit of King Charles made him jealous.

• Trump’s obsequious devotion to Russian mob boss Vladimir Putin to the point of trying to weaken NATO, the latest example being Trump’s announced withdrawal of 5,000 American troops from Germany after a two-hour conversation with his puppeteer.

• Trump’s support and funding of Netanyahu’s scheme for a Greater Israel, consisting of the planting of Jewish settlers into the West Bank, the proposed annexation of 70% of Gaza and Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon. To achieve this goal, the Israeli army has razed most of Gaza and made refugees of those citizens not indiscriminately killed (special bull’s-eyes on aid workers, health professionals and journalists). Trump has visions of a Trump hotel on the cleared beachfront property of ethnically-cleansed Palestinians.

• Trump insulting and threatening our allies.

• Trump insulting and denigrating women reporters every time one asks a question.

• Trump’s gift for such open graft as a Trump-signed fundraising email encouraging donors to “Claim your spot. Claim your spot. Join now to receive private national security briefings.” And, in true Trumpian respect for our military, the background of the ad features a dignified transfer ceremony featuring the flag-draped coffin of an American service member killed in action: “We have a lot of work to do, so please consider donating to the MAGA movement.”

• Trump using the government to persecute critics and prosecute political enemies.

• Trump’s campaign to destroy public education. (Many Republicans have been working on that for years.)

• Trump spending at least $60 million of our money for his birthday party and the glorification of MMA organizations, many of which are dedicated to radicalizing young men in white supremacy nonsense.

• Trump’s prominence -- more than 38,000 citations – in the scantily released records of his former wingman – child rapist and child trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, with more files still hidden – if not being incinerated.

Our All-Trump-All-the-Time GOP candidates have approved his misogyny since his first campaign when he laughed and bragged about sexually assaulting women.

Every Republican who “stands with Trump” stands with these actions along with his raving bigotry. With Trump as their role model, they are telling us what we could expect from them.