The Smell Test

I saw this recently in reference to a government conference to which members of the press were not invited.  The writer said it didn't pass the Smell Test.

That set off some brain rumbling - there have been a number of things in the news lately that do not pass my Smell Test.

Special privileges for members of Congress:

• Government paid automobile
• Free parking at Washington National Airport
• Free flights

Government office holders who are running for office while they are still in another office.  They are being paid to run the government, but they spend up to six months or more trying to succeed themselves or, as in those listed below, get a new position with more power, more pay, and more prestige.

• Chris Christie, Governor of New Jersey
• Ted Cruz, US Senator from Texas
• Lindsey Graham, US Senator from South Carolina
• Bobby Jindal, Governor of Louisiana
• Rand Paul, US Senator from Kentucky
• Marco Rubio, US Senator from Florida
• Bernie Sanders, US Senator from Vermont

Of course, that leaves us with a bunch of unemployed who are seeking the Presidency, and, of course, Donald Trump, whose idea of border diplomacy is to insult those on the other side of the border.

But does it really?  How about Morrison Bonpasse, Jeff Boss, Harry Braun, Andy Caffee, Willie Carter, Lincoln Chaffee, Lloyd Kelso, Martin O'Malley, Doug Shreffler, Michael Steinberg, Jim Webb, Robbie Wells, Willie Wilson, and Brad Winslow all are Democrats who have publicly declared they are running for President.  Why isn't the press astounded at that number, or are they just too taken with Hillary and Bernie and the Republican Sixteen?  Does this pass the Smell Test?

 
Why the conservatives were so alarmed that Obama might not have been born in the United States (he was, you know.  Hawaii achieved statehood in 1959, Barry was born in 1961), but didn't think it necessary back in the day to question why Barry Goldwater wasn't born in the US.  Now, one of their hot tickets is Ted Cruz who, besides being a Senator who spends his time seeking the Presidency, was born in Canada to a Cuban national who didn't become a naturalized citizen until Ted was 37 years old.  Does this pass the Smell Test?