DONALD TRUMP'S EXCELLENT WEEK

“Can I ask you something?” Cat said
“I guess,” I said. "But it’s late, and I have to get the posting going.”
“Which makes my question all the more relevant,” Cat said. “How come you just wrote the headline even before we’ve written today’s post?”
“You mean, before I, Phoebe, wrote the post?” I said. “You hardly ever lift a claw to help, so I end up doing 98 percent of the work around here. All you do is conk out in one of your 384 ‘favorite’ places to nap, while I’m writing my brains out.”
“So that’s where your brains went,” Cat sneered. “It explains a lot. Is that why all dogs are stupid, or just the pretentious writer-dogs?”
"BUT LET'S CUT right to the chase,” Cat said. “What do you mean by saying that Trump had an excellent week? People in his own party have been saying some really, really REALLY mean things for several weeks, and last week was no exception.”
“Cat, I didn’t know you were such a voracious news consumer, but obviously you are not thinking straight," I said.
"It’s true that two Republican Senators were all over his case, calling Trump all sort of terrible-but-true names,”
And I proceeded with the list that everybody is sick of hearing by now:
- “We must never meekly accept the sundering of our country. The personal attacks, the threats against principles, freedoms and institution, the flagrant disregard for truth and dignity” - that’s from the speech Sen. Jeff Flake, a Republican, gave on the Senate floor last Tuesday.
- And another Republican, Sen. Bob Corker – he’s the Republican who Tweeted that “it’s a shame the White House has become an adult day care center,” meaning that Trump has to be watched by his “adult” advisers so he doesn’t start World War III – Corker also kept bashing Trump.
- Earlier, former President George W. Bush, another REPUBLICAN, went after Trump, implying he's a bully, who “provides permission for cruelty and bigotry and compromises the moral education of children.”
- And Sen. John McCain, another REPUBLICAN, also earlier had suggested that Trump is leading a retreat from world leadership “for the sake of some half-baked, spurious nationalism cooked up by people who would rather find scapegoats than solve problems.”

“You might look at what else happened last week,” I said, trying not to sound like I’m smarter that any cat, especially the doddering one I happened to be speaking too.
I pointed out the obvious: that Flake and Corker have announced they aren’t seeking reelection.
“That’s bad news for Trump?” I said. “No, Cat, it’s great news for him. He’s just scared off two loudmouths he doesn’t like, who will be replaced by more loyal Republicans. And set an example for other Republicans that they better not to cross the big dog, if you get my meaning.”
I went on to explain to Cat that George Bush, no matter how impressive his speech, is no longer president, and is not particularly popular in the Republican Party. And sad to say, the John McCain, a true American hero, has a particularly dangerous form of cancer.
“But, but, BUT,” Cat said, “All of these guys are speaking up. That’s got to count for something.”
“Not really,” I said, “Last Tuesday, while Flake and Corker were on the attack, Republican Senators were having lunch with Trump, and giving him what – a piece of their minds? No. They were giving him standing O’s – standing ovations.”
CAT WANTED to know if that was all for Trump’s excellent week.
Not by a long shot, I told him.
On Wednesday, a judge shot down the request of 18 – that’s eighteen – states, which had asked for a court injunction, essentially forcing Trump to pay subsidies for poor people to afford Obamacare medical insurance. Even a cat should know that's a victory.
And it wasn’t all.
On Thursday, the House passed a measure that puts Trump and the Republicans on track to enact tax “reform,” which likely will help the rich and the corporations, but not the rest of us.
And also last week, it was reported that Hillary Clinton’s campaign and the Democratic National Committee helped pay for the “dossier” that supposedly showed that that Trump had colluded with Russians who favored him during the election.
“Wait a minute, my floppy-eared friend,” Cat said. That whole ‘research’ into Trump’s background was started by Republicans.”
“Doesn’t matter,” I said. “Makes Hillary look slimy, and gives the Republicans a way to claim the whole Russia thing is political.”
“And there was more, Cat,” I said.
“Last week, the congressional committees looking into Russia decided to also ‘investigate’ some stuff more about Clinton and former President Obama, as a way of taking the focus away Trump – at least that’s what the Democrats said.”
“I suppose there’s more,” Cat said in a very tired and gloomy voice.
"WELL, THERE WAS the Halloween party that Trump threw on Friday for kids of reporters who cover the White House,” I said.
“How is that a bad thing?” Cat asked. “Sounds like a nice gesture, nice way to end the week.”
“You mean it’s ‘nice’ that Trump told the press corps children, who were dressed up like Star Wars characters and wore other costumes, that he, the President of the United States, doesn’t think much of their parents?
‘I cannot believe the media produced such beautiful children.’
‘These are beautiful, wonderful children – ughh. You going to grow up to be like your parents?
Cat looked at me in absolute bewilderment: “You mean, he actually told the kids that their mommies and daddies are ugly jerks?”
“Fraid so,” I said. “But it’s worse than that. Who in their right minds would let their children anywhere near Donald Trump? I mean, Cat, these reporters are the very people who are supposed know much more than the rest of us just what a terrible, disgraceful, mean, hateful person and serial liar that Donald Trump is.”
Cat grew very quiet.
“You are right, for once, Dog Breath,” Cat said finally. “If the media people won’t use good judgement in protecting their own children, what’s that say about their news judgement?”
Leaving Cat and me in just a terrible mood as we realized that there’s brand new new week in the works, and it's already started.