I don’t know about you, but I’m getting pretty tired of hearing about all things Russia — collusion, interference, connections. I grew up in the 60s where all evil led to the Big Bear — remember duck and cover {although I honestly don’t ever actually participating in the rather, as I look back, stupid exercise … I mean in case of a nuclear attack, that didn’t give much cover}, Ivan Koloff  {the Big Bear himself in the wrestling ring … we also liked our anti-heroes to be of Middle Eastern (The Sheik) and Japanese (Mr. Fuji) descent}, or Natasha Fatale and Boris Badenov {main antagonists of Rocky and Bullwinkle}.

My generation — and I’m surprised our Washington so-called leaders, many of whom are products of the same generation — has been living with Russia forever. We know their tricks. We know their methods. We know their capabilities. And for the younger set, haven’t they been watching The Americans?

This whole Russia charade is old news. No one — especially the elites in Washington — should be surprised. And yet, here we are with, what, seven investigations about Russian influence in the U.S. And we have little but partisan pandering pushing “facts” that are so obvious a high school freshman can postulate on.

Do we want to protect the sanctity of democratic elections here in America? Of course we do. We don’t like it when people mess with the U.S.of A. But, do you actually believe the Chinese or North Koreans or Iranians or even more moderate nations haven’t exerted pressure  on American politics. We do it ourselves. The Democrats have been known to bloat rolls with illegals and deceased persons. The Republicans have jerry-rigged districts for their benefit. And don’t think for a second United States operatives haven’t attempted to influence elections around the globe … only we call it “nation building.”

I also find it hard to believe Jim Comey. He’s an imposing guy. I met him once casually at a Washington event. It’s hard to believe he could blend in anywhere. It’s also hard to believe he was so intimidated by Donald Trump after a 10 or 20 or 30 or even 60 second encounter he would have to resort to memos to self. His testimony sounded more to me than a COA chip in the likely event he was going to be fired. He used it — in front of the salivating Democratic inquisitors at his “hearing.” Sorry, it smacked of theatrics to me.

But instead of getting out of the Russian rabbit hole and starting an investigation on the real treasonist, obstructionist acts of unauthorized leaks, our merry band of senators and representatives keep getting bogged down in the same old tired rhetoric.

I’ve met Robert Mueller casually as well. I know him better by reputation as a fair person. I hope he conducts his investigation as special prosecutor with that balanced fairness. However, it seems he has surrounded himself with Democratic cronies. And the Democrats have one agenda — stop Donald Trump any way they can. I’m with Donald on this one … it appears this special investigation will be a witch hunt.

Now, Trump is no angel. Neither was Barack Obama or George W. Bush. And Bill Clinton was far from a Boy Scout. It always boggled my mind why millions and millions of dollars would be spent to “hire” a president at a low-level CEO salary. It’s not about the money. It’s about the power. Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Case in point — Washington, DC. And it extends to each state’s capital as well.

I can’t help but wonder how these senators and congressmen can seek the “truth” through these investigations when they can’t seem to find it themselves. Seasoned politicians know how to couch answers and COA so, even when confronted with apparent wrongdoing overtly or covertly, there is always plausible deniability. That’s the problem with Trump. He’s not a politician.

Listening to the Comey and Sessions hearing, I was struck by the Democratic line of questioning. In Sessions’ case, there was a sense of arrogance that used Comey’s words as gospel. Sessions was wrong until proved right … and the Dems weren’t about to accept right. I mean, how many times do you have to told no to believe the answer is no, or was the continual berating a method used to get the answer and outcome you wanted. Sorry, that’s “Gotcha” politics and it isn’t playing well outside the Beltway.

And where is our intelligence agencies in all this? We pride ourselves as having the best agents in the world. We know they can predictively respond to key words and phrases in conversations, e-mails, social media, etc. Yet, they can’t seem to be able to identify a leaker. My take is from Agent 86 {Maxwell Smart}, “Missed it by that much!”

It’s time for the bickering to stop. Maybe Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer should meet in the back room of a Georgetown pub, order a pitcher of beer and a bowl of pretzels and figured out how they can work together. What is the common ground. What’s best for America … not the Republicans, not the Democrats.

I would suggest the same for Paul Ryan and Nancy Pelosi, but I’m afraid the minority leader might end up at the wrong bar.

How much are these probes costing us in time and energy {and American taxpayer dollars}. Instead of protecting their own partisan turf, it would so refreshing to see our representatives in Washington doing something. The list is endless. Health care. Immigration. Economic development. Crime. Infrastructure. Budget. National Security. Education. Civil rights and race relations. Terrorism. Imagine what could be accomplished if we worked together — 100 senators and 435 representatives.

Well, it’s time I get off my Saturday soap box. Would the pretty Russian girl over there — Natasha? — help me down?

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: You are not a product of your circumstances, you are a product of your decisions.