News from the United States remains disturbing and almost unbelievable. My source of information today is a Nigerian newspaper Punch. It brought news of tax evasion and cronyism. Trump appointed his son-in-law’s father as Ambassador to France. Here are his rather dubious credentials:
“The elder Kushner, who is also a lawyer, served time in a federal prison for tax evasion. Trump pardoned him in 2020 towards the end of his first term.”
Democrats have no reason whatsoever to be condemning for the following unbelievable reason. The action of outgoing President Biden is even more reprehensible. It was also headlined in the December 1, 2024 edition of Punch.
“US President Joe Biden on Sunday issued an official pardon for his son Hunter, who was facing sentencing for two criminal cases, despite assurances that he would not intervene in his legal troubles. “No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son — and that is wrong,” the president said in a statement. The move is sure to bring about fresh scrutiny over the independence of the US judicial system — especially at a time when incoming president Donald Trump has moved to appoint loyalists to the FBI and Justice Department himself.”
I wrote about Hunter in my September 9, 2024 blog which will be reposted in its entirety. ANY reasonable person, as did the court, find him absolutely totally guilty. What lies are being perpetuated!! There seems to be a competition for who is the biggest liar. Biden continues his hypocrisy.
“Joe Biden, who is in the final weeks of his presidency before Trump takes office on January 20, had repeatedly said he wouldn’t pardon his son.“I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,” President Biden said in Sunday’s statement.“The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election,” he added.”
The lies told by the United States are being perpetuated.Perpetuate is the perfect word: make (something, typically an undesirable situation or an unfounded belief) continue indefinitely. The lies told by the United States have continued indefinitely – until Gaza – when the truth began to be revealed.
According to Punch the pardoning of relatives and friends by outgoing presidents is common practice. This is the first time I have ever heard of it, but that figures, as I was always relying upon US main stream media.
“Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother for old cocaine charges and Trump pardoned the father of his son-in-law for tax evasion, though in both cases those men had already served their prison terms.”
I look at the United States from afar with their two party system of government. The Democrats point the finger at the Republicans and the Republicans blame the Democrats. The idiom pot call kettle black describes the situation. “The pot calling the kettle black” means to accuse someone of a fault that you yourself have:T he idiom is an example of hypocrisy or psychological projection. There is no hope for change, for humanity, for progress because no one takes any responsibility for their behavior. Perhaps once in the history of that country things were different but those days are long gone.
Every moment of each passing day I feel increasingly blessed, thanking Allah (SWT) for the wrong committed upon me in the days following my reversion to the Islamic Faith. Brutality by the Central Marin police department, coupled with illegal eviction from Marin County Courts, and Islamophobia from my Tamal Vista Corte Madera neighbors and the Marin County Jewish Community Center which led to my fleeing in fear from the United States. Allah (SWT) guided me, staying to fight the wrong would have been fruitless and destructive. Alhamdullah.
It seems all countries have tax problems, but none as massive, or as well hidden as the USA, Nigeria has its own tax problems too Punch reports.
“The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has clarified his position on the controversial tax reform bills, saying he was not an enemy of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Zulum, however, insisted that if the four tax bills currently undergoing review before the Green Chamber are passed into law, only one of the 36 states – Lagos – will be the major beneficiary.”
That is not good news for my Nigerian ‘connections’. They live in the north, Muslim ‘territory’ and are rich – so they will not be getting tax reform. (Boo Hoo. I fear for my dowry. Hahaha)
Those unfamiliar with Nigeria will not know that the Christians are in the south, near Lagos, while Muslims in the north, near Kano. I do, by the way, have Nigerian viewers. Not many at this time, but who knows in the future?
Those in command are not at all together happy about it all and made a cogent argument.
“Then why are we in a rush? Not only Northern Nigeria but also the Southeast, South-South, and even the Southwest will be severely affected. Only Lagos will benefit from this scheme. But what we are telling them is to give us time. Why are we in a rush? Let us pause and have a deeper consultation because we are in a democracy.”
Nigeria is a democracy, by the way. I was forced to learn about Nigeria recently, because I was, perhaps, too honest. I had just met a man in the Oberio Hotel Kyoto Restaurant. He was sitting in MY chair at the sushi bar. I spoke to him, politely exiting him from my chair. He was polite, we began to speak.
Me: You have an English accent. You must be from England. I lived there from 2013-2017
He: No. I am from Nigeria.
Me: Where is that?
He: Africa.
Me: Sorry. I am geographically challenged. If it were not for foreign men in my life I would not know where any countries are.
That is the truth. I knew nothing of the existence of Malaysia until meeting Joo Kim Thia in 2017. Met him in Vancouver. Now I live here but he has nothing at all to do with my presence this country. I now find it rather fascinating that he is not actually a Malaysian citizen because he is a born again Christian, who was always trying to convert me. He failed – Allah (SWT) prevailed. Alhamdulillah.
The Nigerian is funny by the way. Later texted.
Me: We meet in Kyoto. You were sitting in my chair.
He: Kyoto Japan. Our chair.
I pinned the Instagram reel of our first lunch together at Kyoto Restaurant (not Japan). Just go to Alexis_alaa_McBride, my Instagram identity. He told me his father, an imminent Islamic scholar, saw the reel saying that 1) I had a clean slate 2) was blessed by Allah (SWT) as I was living right next to Medina’s Prophet’s Mosque but 3) that I did not know how to tie a hijab. It is certainly true that I do not know how to tie a hijab, I pray his other observations are true as well.
But enough of all of this. Back to my the world of today
Today is Monday, December 2, 2024. I am fasting. Originally planned to exercise, either in the pool or the exercise bike but decided that would be sheer folly. It is almost four as I write. As the day progresses my energy progressively depletes. Walking to the bathroom is the very most I can do at this point.
At this moment I am Messaging a wonderful woman living with her family in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. We met during her family’s vacation here at Lexis Suites Penang in June. Hopefully we can see one another soon. Jeddah is my very favorite Saudi City – I would love to go back there again. Enjoyed Jeddah immensely, there is a reel somewhere put together by iPhoto. I will search fort and put it on my YouTube channel. Had a fabulous time there in July of 2023. A short stay in April of 2024. Had an allergic reaction to an anti inflammatory during those days necessitating treatment at a hospital near the Shangri-La Hotel where I was saying.
My Jeddah friend and I had the greatest chat, sharing our memories.
Me: I love that you just said that I gave you wonderful energy the day we met. You gave me hope.. I was being very negative about Saudi Arabia and you helped me by being the best of Saudi families.
She: If you meet my mom and family you will cancel all your negative feelings and you will see the best of Saudi family and love.
Me: I cannot wait to meet them and feel the love and give it.
Back to some ‘housekeeping chores’. The reel promised in yesterday’s blog is on my YouTube channel. It was most impromptu. I was visiting Lexis Suites Christmas decorated lobby, there are four reindeer. I burst into song, and was provided with a rather unique microphone. I absolutely love Prakash the bellman, who so gracefully celebrates his disability. I am thinking of filming a medley of Christmas carols. At this time it has 503.
Another housekeeping chore. Emailed the photo of a Saudi woman and I to Computer Guru, Blog Master Chris for inclusion in the prior blog. He sent the MOST beautiful message.
He: Aww what a lovely photo Alexis.. brightened up my day and its only 7:45 AM.
Me: My goodness thank you. The woman just loved me!! She did not speak English. At the tie my Muslim name was Fatimah and it was her name, as well.. She said my face shone, like a light from within. That is said about the Prophet’s Daughter. It was an amazing experience, I should put the reel made of me and all of the women working at their market on YouTube. You made me day by saying that!!! It is going on the blog. Hahaha
I cannot help it!! I MUST do this, spoon fed you another Andy Borowitz. One does not have to be steeped in US politics to enjoy this. Title: Pete Hegseth Claims He Never Met His Mother. “WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—Desperate to save his nomination as Secretary of Defense, on Monday Pete Hegseth claimed that he had never met his mother.Asked about an email in which his mother slammed his treatment of women, the embattled former “Fox & Friends” personality said, “I’m not going to dignify what is clearly a politically motivated attack from some so-called mother of mine who I never met in my life.”“I think it’s pretty suspicious that, just when a man is nominated for a Cabinet position, his mother comes out of the woodwork,” he said.Shown a photo of his mother, Hegseth said that he could not identify her, but added, “When it comes to being my mother, this woman is not my type.”In his most vehement denial, the former TV host said, “My mother says she has met me, but this is clearly a case of he said/she said.”
Photographs include the Lexis Suites Penang Christmas decorations, improving every day with bows on the reindeer and better lighting. A photo or two from my July 2023 Jeddah days and perhaps a reprint of the photo of the Saudi woman and myself.
