My good friend Bill sent me an email on May 17 that referred to “86 47,” the numbers that Trump and his loyalists interpret as a death threat against Trump.

Of course, being the Trump loyalist that I am…(Good grief, I almost threw up when I typed those lyin’ words!)…I immediately thought I should send Bill’s name to my best buddy Trump..(another near-tossing of my stomach)…so he can have Bill arrested, prosecuted and sentenced to a prison term in solitary confinement for many, many, many decades. But I restrained myself!

The number “86 47” suddenly erupted its way into the national news media when Trump and his loyalists complained about former FBI director James Comey posting an Instagram photo of the number on May 15. He had taken the photo of seashells that some other person had previously designed into the numbers “84 47” on the beach where Comey was walking.

Trump and his loyalists claim the use of “86 47” is an assassination threat against Trump. They have declared that “86” means death; “47” is the term of his presidency.

Comey is definitely not a Trump loyalist. As you might recall, Trump became angry in his first presidential term because Comey swore allegiance to the U.S. Constitution but not to Trump. Much to Trump’s extreme ire, the FBI under Comey began investigating Russia’s interference to influence Americans to vote for Trump in 2016. Trump fired Comey by email.

The “86 47” now has led to the threat of a federal investigation and possible prison time for Comey—read about it.

Personally, I think “39 47” is a more appropriate set of numbers. In some parts of the world, “39” means a cursed badge of shame. It also symbolically refers to the pimp of prostitutes.

Well, gosh, just as I gallantly refrained from squealing on my friend Bill, I will refrain here from associating Trump and his loyalists to the “39” symbolic reference to a pimp and prostitutes.

As most Americans know, “86” is the most commonly used term for ejecting a badly behaving customer from a tavern or restaurant or establishment, including the White House. The Merriam-Webster defines “86” as slang meaning “to throw out,” “to get rid of” or “to refuse service to.” The dictionary says it does not include “86” as “to kill” because of the “sparseness” of use of that meaning of the number.

The “to kill” association is so little known that nobody but Trump and his loyalists seem to use it or even know about it.

In my six decades in journalism, I interviewed thousands of people, including police officers, sheriffs, and FBI agents, as well as criminals and Mafia thugs, and nobody ever mentioned “86” as a “to kill” reference. Comey, once our nation’s top cop, was also not knowledgeable of the association, as he pointed out after Trump and his loyalists dredged up the “to kill” use from the deep depths of dark obscurity.

It must be noted (here’s something not mentioned by Trump or his loyalists) that “47” and “86,” as well as “39,” are considered to be Angel Numbers, divine messages sent to humans by angels to guide and help us find a sense of balance and better life on earth.

As an Angel Number, “86” has significant meanings related to abundance, financial stability, and spiritual guidance, while “47” signals that guardian angels appreciate you for everything you do to better your life and that of others. The Angel Number I prefer (“39”) means you are supported, loved and guided in your journey.

I mention Angel Numbers to point out that the “86 47” found by Comey on the beach could just as easily have been a message saying anyone who sees these four numbers has much abundance and is appreciated for improving lives.

But, of course, Trump isn’t an Angel Number sort of guy. He has proven time and again that one of his primary goals is to find ways to ridicule, shame, scare, and persecute people he deems to be his opponents. This tactic is frequently used by Trump and dictators in other countries.

Americans definitely need to take note of these despicable tactics by Trump. We also need to keep pointedly aware of Trump’s ultimate mission: becoming a dictator. He is using the same tactics and strategies relied upon by every dictator in the last century.

But…

Back to my friend Bill. Here is his email:

“From this point forward, every written communication, email, letter or text, shall be signed in the appropriate closing manner of your choosing, followed by “86 47”.  If anyone, Noem, Gabbard, Patel, trumptydumpty, etc., chooses to suggest that it means something illegal, kindly refer them to Merriam-Webster and inform them that they are being deliberately disingenuous. “86 47” shall be the shorthand that best expresses our displeasure with the criminals now infesting our government.”

Please take Bill’s words to heart.

With best wishes to you, Dear Reader, I hope you have a happy day. I’m signing off with “86 47.”  It’s up to you to decide your own interpretation of the numbers.

“86 47”