The Part of The Joel Osteen Story That Is Missing

Megachurch pastor Joel Osteen (that is how Times Picayune columnist Tim Morris described him in his article of Sept.3) has been catching flack from the social media and others who accused him of not opening his church to the victims of Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas.   Joel's church was reported taken in victims of the storm during the middle of last week and were taken in donated supplies also.

Morris reports that televangelist Osteen is worth $50 million, owns a $10.5 million Houston home with six bedrooms, six baths, three elevators, five fireplaces, a guest house and a pool house.  That is a long way from what Jesus told his followers when he said "give up your possessions and follow me."  Of course, wealthy televangelist is nothing new, it has been a part of the God and Jesus culture for a long time and now also involves itself in politics which some politicians love, especially conservative republicans.

Because of the social medias role concerning their reporting on the Osteen matter, Morris ends his article with this sentence.  THE INTERNET COULD USE LESS SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND MORE HUMILITY.  PolitiDose believes that should apply also to opinion writers who during the 2016 Presidential campaign regularly reported Trump's lies and fake news he tweeted over the internet and others use of social media to spread their hate.

But the real story that is missing is the oldest story of them all.  That is how Jesus when on earth, ran the money changers out of the Temple.  This writer believes that if Jesus walked the earth today, he would run the televangelist money makers out of their studios and arenas and would expose their lavish possessions.  

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Department Of Justice Confirms That President Trump Is A Liar

In response to a suit filed by an independent group to obtain the information claimed by Donald Trump that President Obama tapped his phones at Trump Tower during the 2016 Presidential campaign, the Department of Justice told the court there was no record or evidence that showed the FBI or any other government agency was ordered to tap Trump's phone by President Obama.  That filing by the Department with the court directly refutes Trump's big lie in his tweet of March 4, 2017 when he accused President Obama of ordering a tap on his phones in Trump Tower during the campaign.

Trump's lies are well known and represents how he lives, runs his business world and acts as President of the United States.  It confirms his lack of morals in his daily dealings and his disregard for the democratic process that past Presidents understood and are the foundation for America's success and unity.  Trump's ongoing lies also confirm that President Obama and Hillary Clinton's leadership stands tall in comparison to Trump.  In fact, its not even close.

Lies are corrosive and divisive, and when the President of the United States uses lies as policy and personal attacks against people he wants to harm, it indicates the country has a sick leader.  And impeachment is the only cure for the sickness in the White House.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Statues, Monuments, the Confederacy, Slavery and Division

After Charlottesville, President Trump asked, "are we going to remove the statues of Washington and Jefferson?"  "When does it end?"  Of course, Washington and Jefferson was not the issue in Charlottesville.  It was the statue of Robert E. Lee.  It was Trump's way to try and divide the country even more because division is part of his political strategy.  Conservative opinion writer Tim Morris in a Times Picayune article dated August 27 as usual tries to give Trump's statement credibility.

What happened in Charlottesville concerned the confederacy and the statue of General Robert E. Lee.  Washington and Jefferson did not live to see the confederacy or the civil war and the 11 confederate states that seceded from the union took place in 1860 and 1861, long after both Washington and Jefferson passed away.  Trump, who lacks knowledge of history made the wrong comparison.  Both Washington and Jefferson were Presidents of the United States and the statues and monuments that honor them do so in memory of their great contributions to our country.  The same can be said about Andrew Jackson plus his actions in the battle of New Orleans which honors him with a statue in Jackson Square in New Orleans.

Morris says its okay for the statue of Robert E. Lee to come down but was not so kind to Mayor Mitch Landrieu when he removed Lee's statue and two other ones.  The Mayor did what he did to take away the possible threat of violence because there are people who would use any excuse to start trouble.  Landrieu bit the bullet and the criticism that went along with his decision.  On the other hand, Trump used Charlottesville to introduce some thing unrelated to what happened there to divide the people.

The history of the confederacy and the civil war is not about statues or monuments.  That came long after the war.  All three are man made but history honors and is a record about heroic men and women who never had a statue or monument made in their honor.  Slavery had its time in our history and was a fact.  What we will never know for sure is what would be those slave owners position if they were living today.  Slavery was not the only reason the southern confederacy seceded from the union.

Slavery to some is a catch all and excuse to make trouble.  And there are those who still deny slavery ever existed.  And the hate groups that would do any thing to cause trouble and promote racism.  Statues and monuments became the excuse and all seems to snow ball from there.  What the country, the states and the cities need the most are elected officials with wisdom to address the issues and not use the issues to divide us.

America has a history of overcoming its most darkest of times because our people understand the bad times do not define who we really are and as a whole we are able to deal with the facts.  And America will not allow the statue/monument issue change the true history of the past.  To divide is to weaken.  To unite is strength.  And yes, understanding the mistakes of the past is still the key for a better future.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Like The Republicans Before Him, President Trump Threatens To Shut Down The Federal Government

President Donald Trump, taking his cue from previous republicans has threatened to shut down the U.S. Government if congress does not fund and build his WALL.  And I feel sure readers of PolitiDose know what WALL the liar is talking about.  Yes, its the WALL across Mexico and that country's President just reminded Trump again his country would never pay for such a WALL.

The republicans who control both houses of congress could put an end to that talk quickly if they really wanted too, but they will not confront Trump's big lie because they lack any and all policy to do so.  Trump's threat is no policy and is a tactic to satisfy his base who support his lies.  In the mean time all this talk is playing out while congress is out of session and Trump is tweeting up a storm.

Trump has been in office over seven months with still no major accomplishments and a job approval rating around 35%.  His signature promise to repeal and replace the ACA has failed, he wants the U.S. to now pay for his WALL and will not even submit his own tax reform proposal to congress for debate.  Instead he is leaving tax reform to congress.

The people of Louisiana should remember the last time the republicans in congress threatened to shut down the federal government, Louisiana's representatives in congress at the time voted to shut the government down if the ACA was not included in the bill.  They were Bill Cassidy, David Vitter, Steve Scalise and John Fleming who voted against the CR that would have kept the government open.

Robert Reich, the former Labor Secretary during the Clinton administration said it best last week when he said Trump has to go now and that our country could not endure 41 more months of Donald Trump and spelled out the reasons Trump should be impeached.

It all adds up to a President with out leadership, morals and the qualifications to be President of the United States.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Note:  This writer is back once again writing commentary after 5 days in Gulf Shores, Alabama so stay tuned.

Does S. Korea's President Hold The Trump Card For The Korean Peninsula?

S. Korea's President Moon Jae-In said his country has a veto on any American preemptive strike on N. Korea.  Trump and America's military leaders know where President Moon is coming from and his willingness to start a dialog with the leaders of N. Korea.  Moon sees the N. Koreans and Trump escalating their threats and S. Korea sits right smack in the middle of harms way only a stones throw from N. Korea.

Our military leaders have been telling us that if the U.S. attacks N. Korea they would respond on S. Korea with horrific destruction and loss of life.  If their predictions are truthful and accurate its easy to understand the predicament the U.S. is in.  And its much easier to understand the predicament S.Korea is in.  S. Korea's leaders know that and feel they have veto power over any independent action by the U.S.

There is another big problem.  The U.S. has 20,000 plus troops in S. Korea and S. Korea could say withdraw your troops from our soil.  Those troops would also be in harms way from a N. Korean attack.  And contrary to what the story line says, American troops are not in S. Korea only to protect that country.  They are there because they are close to China and in Asia where our military thinks they are needed to respond to conflicts in that area and Chinese expansion.

The best prospect for the Korean people is still for the North and South to unite into one nation and one people with out interference.  This writer suspects S. Korea's Moon knows that and will try to lay the ground work to do that in time.  Future threats from N. Korea and or Trump may speed up his time table.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

How Long Does It Take To Understand President Trump's Un-American Attitude and The Damage He Has Done To America?

Well, if you are a republican in congress or a conservative opinion writer it make take forever.  What happened in Charlottesville ruffled a few republicans in congress to criticize Trump's double talk response to the violence but they still support him.  New York's republican representative in the U.S. House Peter King said Trump's white house strategist Steve Bannon should be fired and his time in the white house should be over.

Republican U.S. Senator Bob Corker said Trump has not demonstrated stability or competence or that he understands what has made this nation great.  Times Picayune conservative opinion writer Tim Morris in an article dated 8/16 said Trump needs to remove the alt-right influence in the white house starting with Steve Bannon, a key Trump adviser.  A few other republicans in congress followed and criticized Trump's double talk.

Steve Bannon was the top man at Breitbart, a right wing extremist publication that supported white nationalist and other extreme causes.  Trump hired him to work in his 2016 campaign as chief strategist, stayed on after Trump's election and was appointed by Trump to sit on the National Security Council which he had no experience.  Bannon was quoted as saying racial strife was a winning issue for Trump

Of course, the republicans in congress and Tim Morris knew of Bannon's back ground from day one and were silent the whole time until Charlottesville.  They were even aware of Trump's willingness to play up to various hate groups as part of his base.  The main street media exposed the relationship between Trump and Bannon to their credit and also the right wing ideology they were pushing.

Hillary Clinton and the democratic party also warned of the relationship and spoke out about the dangers of Trump's willingness to accept the support of hate groups.  Clinton even made a point of it during the debates and spoke out forcefully against hate, racism and bigotry.  There were no doubts where she stood.  There was timely warning before hand and as we now know was not really a political warning but a warning how giving hate groups legitimacy would compromise what America stands for.

Hillary Clinton was also right about every thing she said that Trump was not qualified to be President.  What she predicted would happen if Trump was elected President has happened.  And in a few weeks, the republicans in congress and Tim Morris will have forgotten about the President's Un-American response to the tragic events at Charlottesville and continue their support for Trump and their own right wing agenda.  They will also go back to their ditto head game of passing the buck and blame on any thing democratic.

It took a tragedy to bring some republicans and Tim Morris around to recognize and admit the truth about Trump, Bannon and their connection to hate, racism and bigotry.  Fifty four percent of the voting public understood the connection early on and voted against Donald Trump in the November general election.  And the crooked candidate in that race was Donald Trump.  Hillary Clinton not only won the popular vote by a wide margin, when the election ended, she emerged as THE CANDIDATE WITH THE MORAL CHARACTER TO TELL THE TRUTH.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

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The American Flag Of The United States of America

It is the only flag we pledge allegiance too.  It flies at the top of the U.S. Capitol and all state capitols.  The United States military raises its colors every morning at military installations.  It is the flag we take to war if war comes and represents a democracy we fight for.  There is a respect as to how it is raised and lowered and how it is folded.  We never let it touch the ground.  It represents liberty, strength, freedom, justice and trust.  It covers the coffins of millions of Americans who served their country in uniform.  There is a procedure to follow when the flag has to be taken out of service because of wear and tear.  It is America's conscience.

So why do protesters have to carry the confederate flag, a Nazi flag or a swastika symbol if they are sincere in their protest.  Why use such flags and symbols that represent the past.  The confederate flag is part of American's past history and as such had its time.  But that was so long ago.  Hate groups and individuals have used it to promote racism, bigotry and white supremacy.  We know that as a fact because its been exposed.  And when Nazi symbols, signs and flags are used that represents the worst of the worst.  The removal of confederate monuments do not change history as some think.  It is part of an everlasting process of change that takes place in a democracy.


Flags and symbols that are used in a hateful way will accomplish very little and do more harm than good.  And any time an issue is taken to the extreme, bad things happen.  The United States is a diversified country but we are still one people with one flag and one country under God.  It is the American flag that give the people the right to protest, not the confederate flag or Nazi symbols.  The American flag, that star spangle banner can unite us all and govern every ones behavior.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Mayor Mitch Landrieu and New Orleans Confederate Monuments

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu understands there are those in all walks of life who would use any excuse to divide, create violence and promote their extreme views.  What happened in Charlottesville is a good reminder and Landrieu seemed to understand that long ago.  So he proceeded on a path to remove several confederate monuments in his desire to defuse a possible future situation that could divide the people, get out of control, injure some one and even bring death.  

But Landrieu is not just another elected official, he is a truly public servant and as such announced his plans to the public, held public hearings before the City Council and public meetings in various parts of the city to obtain comments and input.  His transparency kept every one informed.  The process lasted almost two years before the monuments came down.  The Mayor never backed down from his commitment and the people knew where he stood on the issue.

Many opposed Landrieu's position and thought the Mayor had other political reasons behind his decision and that the security of the city and its people were not the issue.  But what took place in Charlottesville changes the matter as the violence there took place in protest of the City removing the confederate stature of General Robert E. Lee.  And now we see more Mayors and Governors coming forward saying they will start the process of removing confederate monuments in their Cities and States.

New Orleans, "the city that care forgot" has a Mayor who cared enough to make a tough decision that would bring him much criticism and many nasty comments just because he thought it was the right thing to do.  The Mayor stood tall and the Mayors and Governors of other cities and states now understand the wisdom behind Mayor Landrieu's actions.  

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Charlottesville: The President Continues His Treachery

President Trump continues to betray the Presidency and what American Presidents stand for with his lack of moral behavior.  The President's initial statement concerning the Charlottesville riots and his follow up statements did not sit well with the people and the world and reflected the President's inability to separate himself and his office from the hate groups that Trump counted on as part of his base during the Presidential campaign of 2016.  Nor did it stop Trump from pandering to them since he took office.

Past Presidents stood up to hate groups and their bigotry and racism attitude and division and knew America was better than that.  Trumps lack of morality stems from his business dealings.  He has always had enough money to intimidate others that got in his way and has carried that corrupt attitude to the White House and the Presidency.

Trumps lack of statesmanship concerning what happened in Charlottesville is no surprise to this writer.  He played to the hate groups during the 2016 campaign and even asked his supporters to show the door to protesters at his rallies.  The shame is that conservative opinion writers kept making up excuses for Trump and his lies, his fake news and his alternate facts and were silent the whole time Trump was catering to his hate group supporters.

Hate groups that carry the Nazis flag or symbol, the confederate flag or who wear hoods are only interested in dividing the country and its people and found a divider in President Trump.  Thousands of Americans died during WWII fighting Nazis Germany and Germany has banned the Nazis flag and symbol in public because of the horrors connected to Nazi Germany.

Hillary Clinton's response to what happened was timely, thoughtful and reflected American values and morality.  Most Americans and foreign comments took aim at Trump's response and his lack of understanding what makes America the leader of the free world.  A number of business CEO's appointed by Trump to his business council resigned because of Trump's inadequate response.  Republicans in congress and the conservative news media will continue their week responses to Trump's treachery and then it will be business as usual for them and their ditto head mentality.

PolitiDose long ago reported that Trump was a traitor to America and the people, that he lacked morals and respect for the Presidency, was unfit for office  and that he betrayed the ideals and respect that has made American the greatest country in the world for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  Impeachment is the only answer for this President.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Job Creation and The Unemployment Rate For July

The U.S. economy created 209,000 jobs in July, down from the 222,000 jobs in June and the unemployment rate came in at 4.3% .   It was the 82nd. straight month of positive job growth as the economy continues to move forward.  The Labor Department announced that economic conditions are still broad based and with momentum.

 Trump said that many companies are moving back to the U.S. with more to come that will create jobs.  Those jobs do not show up in the stats yet because Trumps words have not turned into facts yet.  There is nothing new on NAFTA as far as changes that Trump said would be made nor has there been any agreement with China on trade.

Sooner or later those factors will have to be considered when decisions will actually take place.  And those decisions could affect the economy in a positive or negative way.  Until that comes about the economy needs to stay on a healthy path.  The most important thing to watch for now is the time it takes Congress to move forward on legislation that impact the economy and job creation.

Congress does not return to work until after Labor Day and already some republicans are saying no major legislation will happen this year.  That should be unacceptable because 7 months have already been wasted.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio