On Tuesday, August 18, during a debate for a runoff to win the South Carolina Republican senatorial primary, Senator Darline Graham (R-SC) answered a question about Taiwan and the importance of the South China Sea by saying: “I’m not that informed on national security.” She paused, and added: “But I do support the military.”
A political party that substitutes loyalty for competence has no ability to govern. They can scream about culture wars, build ballrooms, stage spectacles, and repeat slogans all day long. None of it lowers grocery prices, provides healthcare, educates children, or keeps a country safe.
We’re watching enormous energy being spent performing power while the actual responsibilities of government are ignored. Apparently knowing what you’re doing has become optional as long as you know who you’re loyal to.
Government is not supposed to be a monument to one narcissist. It’s supposed to serve 340 million people.
True, and the mindless devotion of Trump supporters to his criminal cult as well as Mrs. Graham’s response are the culmination of decades of anti intellectualism. Perhaps America was founded in part by limiting education to where the masses bend to their master’s will.
In fairness, no one told her you actually had to know stuff in order to be a Senator. I guess she took one look at Tommy Tuberville and thought, 'well, dadgummit, I guess I can get away with it, too...'
Actually that would make sense to MAGA. It's a cult and the damage to their minds is permanent. We can and need to move on.
FOX News was born right after 9/11 and has been entertaining these people's minds. Things are changing with the majority of Americans and we need to believe that we can pull back from the darkness. I believe we will.
From Wikipedia- "The channel was created by Australian-born American media mogul Rupert Murdoch, who hired Roger Ailes as its founding CEO. The channel was launched on October 7, 1996 to 17 million cable subscribers."
Fox is a neoconservative organization. It was created to help the takeover of the GOP by neocons. They succeeded four years after they founded it, with the arrival of G.W. Bush.
In 1976 already, Irving Kristol, founder of neoconservatism, wrote an op-ed in the WSJ claiming that conservatives will never be able to win debates, so, he concluded, in a "healthy" society, intellectuals stay at the margins rather than participating in public debates.
In the meantime, what voters need to vote for conservatives is voting with their gut, based on "sentiment" only. No rational thinking. It's what made the GOP decide to launch one culture war after the other - all fake. But hey, if people can be made to believe that El Sayed kills puppies and then vote for the GOP instead of for Medicare for All, that will be good enough.
All neofascists had to do was take the propaganda machine neocons had created and make it their own.
It was interesting how FOX shot up and I will have to look it up but I believe FOX negotiated early on to have its station be a paid part of cable packages so subscribers had no choice but to have the channel. And then it was everywhere, like background noise.
To show you how dumb trumpers are, one claimed that FOX News was a mouth piece for liberals. After quoting the first amendment, I was told that it was dumbocrat BS. The White House is not a historical place. Finally, I am posed with my protest poster against trump and this idiot says that my friends are republicans!
Frank, can you see Tuberville, Walker, or McMahon trying to defend someone who, like them, has no clue. It would probably be pretty funny. I know FoxFraud would rework things to make it look like they were just brilliant, probably using AI fakes because there is no way that would happen in real life.
You also don't need to reside in the state to represent that state. Tommy lives in FL, Josh Hawley in DC, staying with his sister in St. Louis when he goes to MO, Paul LePage lives in FL and is renting an apartment while he runs for Congress. The list goes on and on. When almost everyone in Congress is at least a millionaire, there should be a residency requirement for before AND after the election.
GJ Loft et al., time for the story of Senator Albert Gore, senior, of Tennessee, which I heard from my teacher of civics and world history (in BYRD days)in public school in Virginia.
Senator Gore was a farmer elected to the US Senate by the people of Tennessee, who could not afford a house in DC, so during congressional sessions lived with his family in a DC hotel. His son Albert, junior, worked on the farm in summer and went to school in DC in winter. Eventually he too became a senator and, in 1990 published a book which included warnings about climate change. I read it in 2000, the year he ran for president. The rest is history, which I think about as I hear about the temperatures in the South in which I used to live. (Of course now I’m in Chicago and it’s ICE sirens. Temperatures this summer have been mostly bearable, but to hear ICE sirens 24/7 is to live in occupied Europe during WWII or perhaps a communist country afterwards.)
Gore Jr was my senator. How far we have fallen with Blackburn & Hagerty (his campaign sign on Oak Ridge Hwy: (line 1) Hagerty (line 2) U. S. Senator (line 3) Endorsed by Trump). He has done NOTHING for Tennesseans. In fact, he’s invisible.
MLMinET, I watch Justin Pearson. He may be the beginning of putting TN back in the real world. If he wins his race, there’s a start. I also watch Jon Meacham at Vanderbilt, wondering when he and the university will stick their necks out for Davy Crockett, “born on a mountaintop in Tennessee,/…king of the wild frontier.”
The gerrymandering inn TN is something else. Didn't they decimate voting districts in Nashville so blacks would not be represented? and the treatment of the Justins by locking them out was outrageous. Just because they were protesting.
Richard Nixon envisioned a propaganda station that would broadcast R talking points. Thanks to Reagan who illegally gave U.S. citizenship to the Australian Murdock after only one year of living in the country, in order for him to purchase Fox "news." This has accomplished exactly what Nixon dreamed of. With "news" in its name, people incorrectly believe it is a news station, which in fact, has an entertainment license, with talking heads instead of actually journalists.
Hmmm. Interesting. Kind of like Melania's parent that came to the US in 2017 to babysit Baron. And her dad was a known communist, but NOBODY on the right ever said a word about them getting a free pass into the US.
Diane I did not know that. But I did learn Roger Ailes worked in Cleveland , Ohio at the Mike Douglas Show and some Republican perhaps Nixon ? came on and brought him into the Republican Entertainment Machine. There have books on written by Gabriel Sherman about this.
We don't need new rules. We need to remember that a rule is supposed to be a way of adhering to the moral principle (treat others the way you would want to be treated if the shoe was on the other foot) in a rule-specific context. If we forget what rules are for, then they become excuses for violating the moral principle. And then new rules become new excuses.
How do you represent a state if you don't live in it? This seems so wrong. I know when Herschel was running against Warnock in Georgia, he was getting tax breaks on his property in Texas which was only applicable to residents.
It's Come to This, yep, Republicans have stocked their congressional seats with Trumplandia's best butt smoochers, anti-American greedy white boys and girls, and utter incompetents! Then, somehow, they convince the constituents that having Republican ignoramuses or self-interested thugs in office is a good thing. They tell people not to look behind the curtain!
Finally, though, some of the people have peeked a bit behind the curtain and note that it's all a fraud and that they have been had. Maybe we can help them push the curtain back enough so everyone will see what is really there, an old man with dementia being used as a puppet by a bunch of super rich white boys and their sadistic friends to do as much damage to our nation as they can so they can take over and rule. they have nothing positive to offer anyone. Their lies neglect to tell us of the suffering they plan for everyone who doesn't go along with their white male supremacist pseudochristian BS, thought up by a bunch of toddler-adults who have no clue about life beyond their own little rich white boy bubble.
We, the people - the vast majority of the people- MUST get out to VOTE!
We MUST NOT ALLOW Liar, Fraud, Con, Grifter, Felon, Racist, Fascist, Scumbag, Putin’s Puppet, Epstein-Coverup Trump to go another two years with unchecked power!
Just keep writing those GOTV postcards. I have 400 addressed and stamped which get three sentences and a signature to be mailed 12 and 14 October. Meanwhile there are local races for which I can get addresses and write 10 cards a day—tangible reminders to vote. It’s my contribution to Democrats everywhere.
Hey, ICTT. Do you have any intel about the "race" in D.C. this weekend. I live about 40 miles away. The storms here (which usually find their way down to the D.C. metro area) were pretty bad, with constant lightning strikes, more than I've ever before seen.
The best thing that I've heard said was "at least she was honest about her answer" - but after she "clarified" on Hannity -it was clear she's just another tdumper.
Well, It's Come to This, she might have taken lessons from her brother, who, depending on the climate, frequently declared that he "was through," then turned the ship around and again declared fealty to the mob boss.
Was it back with Regan that the word "elite" (meaning highly educated people) started becoming an insult and the coasts and major universities were denigrated as indoctrination centers? There used to be a time when Americans valued a good education -- that is apparently a mark against you these days -- even though so many Cabinet members and the VP went to Ivy League schools - which makes their actions all the more cynical and evil because it's clear they know better and just relish being on the evil side of things.
Brings to mind Romney's statement at a rally (referring to Al Gore, I think): "He wants every kid to go to college. What a snob!" That line didn't go over very well with the crowd.
Then there is the attitude of our then Michigan governor, Jennifer Granholm, that every auto worker had to go to college to learn how to operate the new computerized robots that would then put together our cars and trucks. She gleefully (if unknowingly) denigrated a whole class of hard working Michiganders in one fell swoop, and I heard about it from every tradesman I hired to work on my house. I'm sure they all later became trumpers.
Drumpf attended an Ivy League school, the Wharton School of Business at Penn. Granted he graduated at or near the bottom of his class, but he has an Ivy League diploma.
Frank, I’m sure you know lauriemcf is referring to a time when diplomas were awarded to students who actually did the work and earned the grades. Money has always had undue influence at Ivy League schools, but in the past, daddies had to buy buildings, not the diplomas.
It’s just one example of how piles of money have corrupted literally everything in the U.S.
Piles of money have been corrupting the world for millennia. If you believe the New Testament, Judas sold out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. People have been skating through colleges and handed diplomas for centuries in this country because they had money behind them.
Have I seen the diploma? No, but I believe numerous sources have published the program for his graduation and Trump’s name is on it but without any honors designation.
And yet he made us look up the meaning of Nattering Nabobs of Negativism, while he took bribes that would not be enough to get anyone to look hard at them today. He and his President finally got what they deserved from the Nabobs.
And the Republicans' ChristoNazi anti-intellectualism is every bit as sadistic and murderously hateful as their racism and misogyny and their war to terminate literally [every] progressive advancement our species has ever achieved. (Indeed if this were a science fiction film, they would have already sold out to the extraterrestrials, agreeing to serve them as their forever slave-masters -- rape-rooms, whipping posts, castration clamps and branding-irons always at the ready.)
Yes and she is great and worth listening too! She was working with the state and got pushed out and don’t is great to see her. The opponent whose name will not be mentioned is a fraud . So good to see her. Brown is running again and good though I do wish he had mentored several younger folks who could now be running. So it goes. Both would really really help!
There has always been a culture conflict in the USA, sometimes open and sometimes in the background. Why else would the term "elitist" be applied to talented, well educated and hardworking people instead of to super-rich egotistical grifters?
America's right wing, under the leadership of a charlatan snake oil salesman, has had its season to prove "the South will rise again". Nothing could be more emblematic than Trump's rally for Darlene Graham this week.
158 years after the end of the "War of Northern Aggression" against Southern slavers and insurrectionists,, the right wing is back out, showing America and the world how they believe their grievance driven world should work.
There's only one problem. Americas didn't buy their grievances in 1868 and we DEFINITELY don't buy it in 2026. If anything is rising again in 2026, it's the better angels of the American dream, ready and able the rebend the arc of history in America back towards justice.
"Perhaps America was founded in part by limiting education to where the masses bend to their master’s will."
Well.. not exactly. But it shouldn't be a surprise that thanks to the Puritans in New England education was a priority. In Massachusetts there was a law that any town with more than 50 families had to hire a teacher. Some of those schools still operate as 'prep schools' today.
Harvard. UPenn, Brown, Dartmouth and more were all started before (or during) the Revolution.
There are no counterparts to that in the South.
The limited public education in the south was run by missionaries and Catholic charities. And it was illegal to educated black people. There were no public schools in the south until the Reconstruction (1865-1877)
By 1900, 34 States had public education laws.
Only 4 of those states were in the south.
The south has apparently always been stupid. The fight to educate the people didn't even really get going until after the Civil War. Jim Crow managed to not only keep Black communities from getting an education but white ones as well. Only the wealthy could afford schooling.
Massachusetts began public education in 1647.
Mississippi would be the last to mandate public education... in 1918.
So I literally started this post thinking I was going to tell you that America had always had a commitment to public education but that the quality of that education dropped like a rock during WWII when the government decided patriotism was more important than truth.
But I'm from New England so my history is different from other areas of the country. And going to look up some statistics made me realize the error of my thoughts...
and makes me think differently about the whole 'elitism' slur.
BLB, I am an expat New Yorker who has lived in the South for most of my life – by choice. I've had chances to return to the North, but the brutal winters are beyond my level of tolerance. While I deplore much of the Southern world-view, I try to understand how it was shaped. I think you crossed a line by calling the South "stupid."
This remark demonstrates either your shallow understanding or your lack of sensitivity to how the U.S. developed. Obviously, the U.S. covers a huge land mass comprised of 8 climate zones, from sub-arctic to tropical. Owing to the climate differences, the North developed primarily as an industrial culture, while with more warm months, the South developed as an agrarian culture.
Although factory work is menial, most factory jobs have always required basic literacy and math skills. Industrial work also depends on human productivity. The faster a person moves, the more units are produced and the more revenue is generated. Thus, Northerners generally tend to be always in a hurry, with less time for social niceties. Southerners interpret this as rudeness, but I understand it as hurry.
By contrast, agricultural work could be accomplished with only minimal skills in reading and math. Because of the South's agricultural origins, formal education was never as important. Unlike factory production, which can be sped up with production quotas or automation, crops and livestock grow as fast as they grow, and no faster. As a result, the Southern cultural pace is slower, which is both good and annoying. There's more time to be friendly, and more time for damaging gossip. And it can be frustrating when one is trying to get one's errands done in a short period of time.
Bottom line: An equal percentage of people in all sections of the country have their areas of ignorance, which is different from stupidity. Likewise, there are equal percentages of stupid people in all sections of the U.S. For example, many of Trump's strongholds are Northern states.
To this point and lauriemcf's point, there are plenty of Southern politicians with post-graduate degrees from excellent schools. But the Republicans among them yuck it up like it's embarrassing to know how to read. And then they sell that slop to their constituents.
No! Mike Hammer. Before WWII, public education was prioritized. Then racism and greed took precedence. I’ll never forget reading a book that told about schools in dugouts in the Midwest. (As the only other dugouts I knew about were for Russian serfs, it was an unforgettable moment.)
As I came from a family of teachers, however, I may have a somewhat skewed view of the importance of education, though recent politics makes me believe otherwise.
So true, Mike, and religious fundamentalism is the easiest way to accomplish this task. Religion is a personal matter of belief. It can be used wisely and offer direction and comfort to those who believe, and it can be used unwisely as a way to "other" (verb) people, enjoy material riches that belong to all, and excuse bad behaviour. If you're a believer, then anti-intellectualism is anti-God... who bestowed us with the brains we are expected to use.
🤡😃🤡😃 Welcome to the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, because nothing says “serious world power” like turning Washington into Mario Kart while the country has actual problems.
Prices are up, the war with Iran grinds on, relations with Canada are souring, and public debt has passed $40 trillion. So naturally, the president’s motorcade will take a ceremonial lap before race cars scream past the monuments at nearly 200 mph.
Apparently governing is boring. Spectacle has better television ratings.
The symbolism is almost too perfect: America racing in circles, burning fuel, making tremendous noise, passing the same landmarks 147 times, and somehow calling it progress.
The guy in charge thinks that TV IS the real world! He lives in a fantasy bubble where facts and reality are non-existent. No cost is too high to create monuments or spectacle performances for him (because the bills aren't paid from HIS pocket, only by mere US citizens).
Well, Repos don't want to GOVERN. They want to get paid for Destroying government and letting the Free Market (their Billionaire Benefactors) and GOD take the wheel,
so White Christian Men can have peace and prosperity again.
What makes you imagine that a neofascist GOP (and, as Kamala Harris so correctly repeated, this has been decades in the making) would somehow not "know what you're doing"... ??
Fascists always need clowns-in-chief who distract and entertain us. The GOP knew this for a long time already. It's why they hired Trump.
And fascism (as all studies have shown) vitally NEEDS incompetence everywhere. It's how you keep people cultivating cynicism rather than believing that real progress would be possible. And without widespread cynicism, fascism cannot survive.
Also, actively fabricated incompetence is needed because fascists constantly need people to believe that they will eradicate government incompetence. So they fabricate it, and then regularly fire their own to prove that they're serious about eradicating it. In the meantime, the chaos creates huge uncertainty so the only way to get by is to become loyal to the local fascist, who will reward you with favors.
None of this is new. None of this is a matter of ignorance. It's all deliberate and planned. By the entire GOP leadership (together with Viktor Orban's Danube Institute). While Trump is having fun tweeting and golfing and keeping us forever stuck in TDS.
I truly wish whenever this SC race is mentioned that they would stress we have a choice here. Dr. Annie Andrews is a smart, well informed candidate who has been out there for a year, getting people to see what she believes in. She would fit nicely into the narrative discussed by Pete in his video. Someone who can help create a better America for all. She could wipe the floor with either of these 2 candidates vying for the Republican candidacy.
Gosh, where to start; It’s South Carolina and South Carolina doesn’t want smart and well informed. South Carolina wants dumb and loyal to their orange Jesus. Speaking of Jesus, if Jesus came back and ran as a Democrat, they wouldn’t vote for him, that’s how far away they are from electing anyone from the Democratic Party. Second, corporate media is forever stuck on reporting every political contest as a horse race, and since Dr. Andrews doesn’t stand a chance with a half-mile lead, they will never mention her. Third, I’m sure you’re right in your assessment of her “wiping the floor” with either of them, but as with anyone from the cult running for office, a ham on Rye with Swiss would also do the same in a state whose residents hadn’t completely lost their minds.
South Carolina would have to transform its social and political culture to support a democrat. Those who believe in miracles, work and pray. Remember, the south used to be "democrat" before the parties swapped identities. Maybe the people can figure out which candidates and party represents their real interests. It's not rocket science.
We can't let these upcoming elections be our "Bunker Hill;" where we inflict heavy losses while losing the battle. We need another "Battle of Yorktown." The win must be decisive and we must clearly identify the enemy forces: the religious right, the oligarchs, the 6 Roman Catholic members of the U.S. Supreme Court along with the failure of our public schools to teach adequately history, government and critical thinking skills. The Magats, IMO, have no clue what they are in fact supporting in terms of how it will come back to crush them.
I want to "thank you" with words printed, not only agreed with as I read your clear truths regarding the degradation of "leadership" at the top levels of our government ie local, state and national.
I am particularly concerned for our beloved children as well as their parents or grandparents who are struggling everyday to pay their bills...who come home, tired from a day's work to little ones who have been waiting all day to receive their love and care. ( I worked at a preschool, so I know for a fact...no matter how many songs we sang, no matter how many "fun games" we played while also teaching science, or math or participating in art activities....when a parent comes through the doors....those children get up and run to give mom or dad a hug!!!!)
Following a quick evening meal, the family and or older children will be dropped off to participate in sports or together to Wednesday evening church services.
Regular Americans do not have time to dance in gold decorated ballrooms, or sadly for many to receive appropriate healthcare due to the expense, not only of Doctor visits , but also needed medications or therapy.
This administration in Washington, D.C. is completely "out of touch" with the realities of the daily life of regular Americans and I have not even mentioned our senior citizens!!!!
Emily Pfaff, this 92-yr old thanks you for remembering the struggles of those who were supposed to die of Covid and failed to do so. It’s hard to make one’s way forward some days knowing your government wants to cut (or eliminate) your social security to have more money for the disgustingly rich. Waiting for WWII taxing of .001% incomes (91%).
Some of this reminds me of a quote by Patrick Moynihan - "defining defiance down," which represents the republican party where not a single bit of principle is left.
Oh, they know what they're doing alright. They don't need the ability to govern, they only need the power. How long they can sustain this type of politics and remain in government will depend mostly on how successful they are at controlling the narrative. Conservative media and social media have been largely responsible for ensuring that White House messaging is amplified and disseminated but there are already some cracks in the edifice with Trump launching furious attacks on those within the party who express concern about the direction of government, even though they present no real threat to him.
Trump has definitely become more erratic and Leavitt's departure inevitably means that it will become harder for the White House communications team to clean up his various messes. He won't accept that he has bad approval ratings
Democrats seem confident that they can secure more seats in both chambers of Congress but it would certainly help if they had a consistent and unified message of their own rather than the factional bickering we have seen in the primaries.
Republicans don’t know how to govern. We have seen it constantly throughout our history. They keep on thinking that ‘businessmen’ know how to govern and know what’s best for the country.
I don’t think any of them, some Democrats as well have any understanding of public administration.
I generally agree with and support Pete’s comments. However, I don’t agree with this statement:“People want leaders who respect those who disagree or vote differently.”
We’ve had 2 failed impeachments of Drumpf, neither of which should have failed if the other side had any morals, or sense of obligation to country over party. I don’t respect most republicans or republican voters. Their lack of morals and lack of humanity mean they have lost any modicum of respect I once might have had for them. You vote for a rapist and convicted felon; we’re done.
We can never forget what the maga/nazis have done to destroy so much so quickly-and for what? For whom? We are all suffering because of their blind loyalty to madness. We can never forget.
For the wealthiest to do whatever they want. And because they are convinced that if they have that freedom and take it away from everyone else, the country as a whole will be better off.
They believe the myth of trickle down economics-and relish the idea of being at the top and, instead of trickling, squeezing every penny until it squeals like the pigs they are rather than sharing it or letting someone else earn it. Maga/nazis are a truly delusional bunch who believe that they’ll get the scraps from the wealthy rather than seeing the reality of the wealth-hording.
Welp.. you can disagree with Pete all you want. But I disagree with you.
I have no respect for MAGA and their culture wars.
But that does not mean that I can't have respect for someone who disagrees with me.
I absolutely agree with Pete that our leaders need to be able to hear and understand political opinions from across the spectrum. Making informed choices is the superpower of our democracy.
There is a world of difference between disagreeing, even passionately, over issues in good faith, and demonizing, dehumanizing, and othering your opponents and/or breaking agreements made before just because you can. That type of bad faith is the GOP-MAGA party of today.
I agree. While previous lawmakers worked together for the benefit of all Americans, the current class of politicians clearly have decided that people you disagree with are the enemy!
Agreed, DanKinSD, it has been a lengthy operation for the right-wing to take advantage of people's religious beliefs and petty bigotry in order to get them to literally hate anyone who doesn't agree with their misogyny, racism, strict sexual and gender rules, and that think everyone should be equal.
I wonder what it would take to convince these people that they have been following false political and religious beliefs and come to their senses.
Nice snark ;). I support democracy. My point was intended to be very specific. If rape is ok with you, as a voter, we have reached a point where compromise is not possible. It is a moral line that I wont cross, won’t look the other way. It’s not like he is contrite about it. —. Reports are now out on pedophilia committed by this president. At what point, when republicans continue to support him do you reach the conclusion that there is no compromise to be had unless you yourself experience intellectual and moral death?
But I have terrible news to report. By the midterms, we will be under a declaration of martial law. The insurrection Act will be declared a few riots will bring on this declaration. The drunken Kash Petal will send raids of FBI to confiscate ballots, ICE will work in tandem with the military that will be deployed to every city and town in the nation and when a reporter asks one of the soldiers why, the response will be, “I’m sorry, we are just following orders.”
And then, I will be prepared to walk into the lion’s den.
No thanks bill at all. No one is going to say "I'm sorry .... IMO walking " ... into the Lion's Den" is not a good tactic.
Others are gaming out possible political tactics & developed counter strategies that protect state voting places & our neighbors regardless of skin color, gender or wealth.
I'm also working with my CA state AG, ROB BONTAS. Rob is working with over 20 other AG's as well as state Courts across the Country, Democracy Docket & many Others like "HF", high functioning, Pete Buttigieg.
*************************************************
Sunday Morn 8/23 Update
The Secretary of State Nevada, FRANCISCO AGUILAR was interviewed this AM on Jacob Soboroff's Connect .
Francisco is prepared & in contact with NV County Sheriffs & prepared for bad actors including DRAFT civil complaints.
You misunderstood my quip, “…walk into the lion’s den.” That I’m prepared to fight and die.
I have published letters sent to my CT governor to have discussions with our National Guard on refusing any federal orders even though it’s illegal to ignore a presidential order on national guard deployment. We are in historic times and need to be prepared for a counter revolt.
Bill, I understand the emotion. Be sure you are fighting the right people. Your fight and our fight are with Donald J Trump directly and personally, and not with the National Guard or whatever paramilitary group he tries to incite to fight his battle. If it comes to that, you need to be prepared to find where he is hiding and fight him and his people there. Few things in life would bring more pleasure to the criminal President than watching all of us fighting each other in the street!
I think you misunderstood me as well. It’s important to interrupt any presidential order for a state guard to deploy. They need to be given guidance or they will ‘follow orders’ and those orders me go against you.
The problem, Bryan, is that while the Dems are 'preparing' a response to the election perversions that will happen on Nov. 3, most of what we're preparing to resist will already have happened. Then what?
WE have to spread it. We have to memorize these arguments and then talk with Republicans. That's how it's always done, in any democracy that survives and thrives.
To see how to do this, google "YouTube Adam Mockler Trump rally".
Adam is such a good example, as is Mayor Pete, on how to engage with others, and most importantly, not throw anyone under the bus. I observe that the reason I admire both communicators so much is that they stand comfortably in spaces with republicans. They stand comfortably and decently there and accept the push back - in fact invite it. Often I feel confident in my beliefs and facts, yet uncomfortable in the high emotion of actual face to face push back. Knowing how to stand in that moment calm and open is the space true democracy exists in.
Very well said! That's exactly it. A democracy vitally needs constant citizen debates (at the kitchen table, at work, in church, at dinner parties etc.), and the most important thing we need to train in to be able to do this is learning to work with our emotions.
Social media cultivates the exact opposite attitude: constantly increasing emotional reactivity.
That starts with accepting that there will always be people who believe things that we find truly frightening, so we do need to find our source of well-being elsewhere, not in the idea of an entire society thinking like us. Once we've installed that, we won't be freaking out so much anymore and can indeed stand comfortably and at ease.
This is on US. Victims of neofascist propaganda are not in a place to learn how to do this, so it's OUR calm that will keep THEM calm enough to "be with" their emotions rather than just act out. And if they can be with them, they can begin to think. And if we don't freak out (= send them the implicit signal that there's something wrong with who they are, deep down), we create the conditions for them to feel that we're genuinely curious about the logic behind their thoughts, assuming that in the end, they are good people too, just like us.
You describe the act of true bridge building / light shining. We have been living in what I call a Mindf*ck. It’s a dark, propagandized place intentionally created to divide, distract, and disgust us in hopes of killing the skills of actual curious and humane interaction. ( and to extract billions of dollars from us as they strip-mine our data) And you are exactly right that this is OUR task. In a way it’s our TEST. In this moment in history, this is our test. Do we really want Democracy? Are we capable of Democracy? I believe we are if we develop these skills and model them for others to be inspired by.
It is about the "money", "the power", "the control" : to take as much as possible during these vulnerable days.
One can wait for "better" but "better" is not going to come without a fight, not without various forms of of putting our "NO MOREs, our ENOUGHs!!!!" out in front!!!!
Wake up America, we have a "monster" of an enemy!!!!
Our leaders need us to stand with them at this time, in whatever way we are able!!!! Find YOUR way, you are valuable in this battle for liberty, not only for us but for our children and grandchildren and for our country....for the best we have believed in and in memory of those who have given their lives before us!!!!
That's all well and good,EUWDT, my concern is not so much about average civilians. The ones who have joined militias and relish the idea of clashing with peaceful protesters and the people who are in power today who see that their efforts to keep minority rule will fail so this is their last chance to retain control.
With federal law enforcement agencies now set up as paramilitary forces and the actual military purged of honorable leadership, they will order these forces to put down all dissent. I think we will find out, either before or after the elections, whether these forces will obey or stand up for our democracy. Judging by how the Fascist DOJ were able to get a Judge to sign a subpoena and the FBI to seize the 2020 Fulton County election ballots does not give me confidence that the system will hold.
"On August 17, former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg recorded a video to assure those Americans who oppose the Trump administration that they are in the large majority."
A large majority doesn't count unless we vote in large enough numbers to overcome EVERY voter suppression trick Trump GOP throws at us.
Second. And now how about asking Texas voters why they prefer Paxton over Talarico? Anothe interview is for the black Republican nominee for governor of Florida why he is 100% in support of Trump. I would like to learn their reasons.
Your local Registrar of Voter can inform you as to the first available day to Vote in your precinct. Put it on your Calendar. Go with others, Souls-to-the-Polls
"Trump went to South Carolina last night to help Graham’s campaign. He told those attending the rally that the election was really about him...."
Of course he did. He can't even imagine a world where *everything* isn't always about him, 24/7/365. But that cuts both ways, though he's far too stupid to figure that out.
The day before yesterday, our very humble, modest, brilliant and strategically-focused President announced he would be ready to use the military "in the bond market" to get his way, of course. Many of us had to actually double-check, because we simply couldn't believe a President of the United States could actually say something that stupid. But lo and behold, he did, and he is. He thinks it makes him sound smart and strong....
Yesterday, Prime Minister Carney turned the tables on America, telling Trump and his people to go screw themselves, calling the bluff on Trump's last minute bait-and-switch effort that turned good-faith negotiating into a farce, the same way he wants his face on Mt. Rushmore, the same way he wants somebody else's Nobel Peace Prize, the same way he demands to be allowed to pee on everything he comes in contact with.
But the Very Stable Genius didn't bother doing his homework. Canada is now the 5th largest holder of American debt, more than South Korea and Saudi Arabia combined (over $500 billion as of June). For the past 18 months, it's quietly been building new trade and financial relationships with other countries without America, while using its power to build leverage within the bond markets. Donnie thinks he's pulled a gun out of a hat, but turns out Carney is the one with his finger on the trigger -- and that trigger is actually aimed at us.
A couple of days ago, Jeffrey Sachs, the former Director of Harvard's Institute for International Development, pointed out that "any statement by Donald Trump contradicts itself before the end of the sentence." The situation in the world today is "very dangerous, probably the most....since World War II," he added. "Trump is mentally ill...a dark triad personality -- malignant narcissism, Machiavellian, psychopathic, now with fronto-temporal dementia" -- a reflection of the utter brokenness of the American political system.
November, November, eyes on the prize of November....
The only issue Trump voters have ever cared about is white supremacy. They want non-white immigrants deported or in camps regardless of their immigration status. They want Black people stripped of all power whether in government, universities or finance. They want women in the kitchen, bedroom, and nursery. Trump is giving them the only thing they ever really cared about. Delivered with the cruelty they enjoy.
Trump has contempt for women and sees them there just to serve his needs - be it sex or a diaper change. Yesterday evening the BBC news strung together clips of Trump insulting female reporters: "Quiet; You're a terrible reporter; You're a low IQ person; You're fake news; Quiet Piggy; you're boisterous[??]; you're disrespectful; you should be ashamed" and on and on and on. How I wish the other reporters would stand up and say "don't talk to our colleague that way" and walk out.
Trump is all about greed. Racism is a tool for him to use to divide us and he's found it work. I do think he is racist, but above all he is greedy: it is all about him, it is all for him.
That is possibly true of Trump, but most of his supporters are actually being harmed financially through higher prices, paying more for medical care, if they have it at all, being saddled with debt for education, higher interest rates, and they don't care if you deliver white supremacy.
But they’re all about “Christian values.” What are their “Christian values?” For example, Moms for Liberty co-founder Bridget Ziegler, who has said public schools are “indoctrination centers for the radical left” and that she wanted to bring “religious values” to them. Ziegler is married to the former chair of the Florida Republican Party, who was forced out of his position after a woman alleged he had raped her in relation to the three-way sexual relationship she had with the Zieglers. Kinky Christian Bridget Ziegler refused to step down from the school board after the scandal broke.
"Christian values" is code for keeping the Patriarchy intact, Kristin. It all centers on keeping women "in their place" so that men can run amok and do as they please without suffering any consequences. It is truly that simple.
You’re partially correct IMO. I think in addition to white supremacy there is another trump voting block: anti-abortion, basically anti-women’s rights.
While there are people who are strongly against abortion, "pro life" is a fig leaf to compensate for all other sins they don't regret like white supremacy. "I know I am a good person and God approves of me because I am against abortion. I vote for Trump because I am against abortion." Never mind that I support ICE and concentration camps and withholding food and medical care from people who need it.
Sounds like you have direct knowledge of the dissonant rationalizations of trump supporters! I wonder if it’s the same cognitive dissonance as those who didn’t vote or voted third party in protest against “ Genocide Joe” and his handpicked successor. “At least I didn’t support an apologist for Israel and contributor to harm against the Palestinian people so I’m absolved for ushering in trump.” While brown people in this country are harmed by ICE, Doge trashed USAID and Africans are starving, and everyone else is dying of contaminated lettuce or formerly preventable diseases. Don’t get me wrong: U.S. long standing whole-hearted support of Israel is wrong and what is being done to Gaza and Palestinian people is horrendous. But did we have a better chance of affecting that policy under trump than Kamala? Palestine is no better off with trump and we and the rest of the world are s lot worse off.
I suspect some of those people thought Kamala would win. They could not quite believe that Trump would win, and thus Kamala did not need their vote. They were wrong. It would be very interesting to find all of those people and ask them if they knew then what they know now, would they vote differently.
The thing is, Trump believes that saying that the election is all about him will be a net positive for the Republican Party. The math says otherwise but it's actually clarifying. On 11/4 we will know for dead certain what kind of country we are and want to be.
I worry that you won’t be included in the decision. It could be that most people want a democratic, fair country to be proud of but that will be ripped away from you!!!
Foreign Billionaires With Israel Parasitizing On America
Rupert Murdoch from Australia, Musk and Thiel from South Africa, Netanyahu/AIPAC from Israel. All throwing $$$ they have earned from an American society who allowed them into America. And they have gotten wealthier due to their proximity to Republican regimes.
These greedy wealthy corporate fascists transplanted from other countries to parasitize on the American people have no business in American politics and the electorate’s ire should be turned against them. It’s time WE the People say, “WE’ve had enough of your fascist influence.” Send these bastards back to where they came from. WE the People don’t want them influencing our elections, our media, and our government.
One of the first priorities WE the People should demand in 2029 legislation to reform campaign financing and revoke Citizens United. That will put more $$$ into people's wallets.
We have not been waiting for the overturn of Citizen's United. Let's be realistic. Politicians like PAC money. They don't care about the fact that they become beholden to the PAC instead of the voters who got them into office.
We are cutting off PAC influence in elections now. There are an increasing number of candidates who are taking no PAC money; specifically AIPAC (the ultra-powerful Israeli lobby). This year 45 candidates were successful without AIPAC money in their races. Bernie Sanders, AOC, Mamdani are the most well-known. El-Sayed in the Michigan race beat back over $40 MILLION in AIPAC money to win the primary for the Michigan Senate seat. Schumer fought like crazy to try and stop El-Sayed. Schumer says his first allegiance is to Israel.
You can go to AIPAC Tracker and see who is controlled by lobbies. No wonder we are in the fix we are in. Too many in Congress on both sides of the aisle are beholden and afraid. They stopped working for us. They work for their PAC lobbyists. It is up to each of us to research who is funding a race and call it out.
And extremely urgent matter pertaining to the oligarchs are the proliferation of data centers. Oligarchs are trying to take over our world/existence through the implementation of a super charged AI driven world. This is nasty sci-fi stuff come true.
I urge everyone to fight data centers with everything you have.
Hey, Barbara. Lovettsville, VA, in Loudoun County, where I live, is fighting back against Valley Link North who are looking to put a transmission line across our properties, from West Virginia through Virginia to Maryland. We've had meetings that have been well attended. Now our Virginia state representatives are "hosting" a meeting at the end of the month to gather info that will hopefully help us beat them back. My property along with several others on my street have "No Trespassing" signs. I have sent them a certified letter formally informing them they have no permission to trespass on our property. But it's not just here, it's everywhere in our state we want them out.
It's my understanding the State Corporation Commission of Virginia has the authority to approve or deny any permits Valley Link applies for. We are hopeful the SCC will see it our way.
At this time We the People are fighting back against data centers, intrusive utility companies, flock cameras and unregulated AI.
We are under a serious assault by a concerted effort of oligarchs to completely change our environment and our way of life. Amazon, Meta, Google and Open AI are wanting to take over America with their thousands of data centers (4,000 to date).
Best of luck Lynell on opposing the power grid. I looked it up. Looks really nasty. Data Center companies and utilities are seeing defeats at the hands of some really angry and very organized folks.
1. OpenAI said on Tuesday that an autonomous agent powered by its advanced artificial intelligence models went rogue during a security test and triggered a hack that compromised the infrastructure of AI startup Hugging Face last week. (Open AI created ChatGPT).
I agree and the Supreme Court just said that - contrary to previous law - that PACS can now coordinate with campaigns (which they've done behind the scenes for years). But that is blatant purchasing of elections. And Schumer can't go soon enough.
And Hakeem Jeffries. Under Jeffries and Schumer protecting their own interests and the Israeli government have come first. Then there is Adam Schiff who has received over $5 MILLION of AIPAC money and says he will continue to do so. Coery Booker refuses to disavow Netanyahu, and on and on throughout the Democratic Party.
I am for a united Democratic Party. However. I get my back up when Jeffries is meeting with Kushner to see how they can work together. This is capitulation. This is fake bipartisanship. I am outraged by this. I get my back up when the "vote blue no matter" who does not include the Progressive and DSA members of the Party who are actually representing our interests.
Agree completely! I am furious at Jeffries and Schumer for their AIPAC ties and their lack of spine. Meeting with Kushner -- when I first read that this morning I thought it had to be satire. I love the younger ones out there -- Ossoff, Talarico, El Sayed, Mamdani, AOC -- and I admire many of the more moderate ones -- just not the ones in the pockets of PACS. The messaging against Trump writes itself -- and I wish we would hear a lot more of it.
Whenever someone who is not bound by AIPAC money speaks it still amazes me. Their plain talk is so clear. Their ability to speak with the press and not get cowed or play along is so strong. And on and on.
Completely agree with you Barbara. I'm supporting the campaigns of these young, courageous voices of the Progressive and DSA such as Jon Ossoff, Talarico and others "who are actually representing our interests". We so need them to win. Thank you Barbara.
In Florida,every congresscritter….except MAXWELL FROST.
Also,if you’re in Florida please 📣,📲, 💻🪧 Byron Donalds (and others) support/will support data centers!
“Data center supporters have spent more than $22 million on campaign contributions in Florida ahead of the 2026 elections, according to a new Seeking Rents analysis of state fundraising data.
Roughly a quarter of that money — around $5.8 million — has been spent boosting Byron Donalds, the Republican Congressman from Naples who is the heavy favorite to win the GOP nomination for governor in next month’s primary elections.”
They became US citizens because they knew the broad US culture would welcome them and allow them to thrive more than their birth countries and anywhere else in the world. And, they were right. But, maybe they've pushed things too far and it's not too late for the US to reject them and, in time, lead their rejection by the rest of the world??
I want us to beware of using too broad a brushstroke about successful businessmen who came to the US from other countries. Protect The Vote (the above poster) names some bad apples (Musk, Thiel, etc), and they sure have poisoned the pack. But there are good immigrants, yes? We don’t need to demonize them all; but rather to enact policies to prevent the poison from spreading.
I don't see these three as generally representative of migrants. In fact, I don't see them as generally representative of most human beings. Every migrant makes their own way; the vast majority with honesty and dignity, and that is happening the world over (not just the US) despite the efforts of various people to convince us otherwise.
Agree....the comment was not meant to disparage all successful immigrant wealthy business people but to say that they should not be in politics. Rather use their new found wealth for the good of the country in some way. Usually people who reach these levels of stratospheric wealth love power unfortunately.
And this is why the Democrat party is going to struggle to win going forward to many fucking ignorant, and I mean ignorant antisemites in the group like this jerk
I think the negotiations with Canada says everything one needs to know about the incompetence, short sightedness, misunderstanding of how the world is working today, and most importantly working with an ally that makes us all stronger and more free.
There’s a very amusing thing going around my FB community imagining a dialogue between Carney and Trump. While the former tries to teach sweet reason to the Felon, all he can do is scream “More tariffs!” The dialogue ends with Canada showing an eye-roll emoji and a yawn. They are definitely moving forward with their own globalization plan—including considering expelling the Trumpista ambassador—and no longer need us. But boy KY and TN are hurting because sales of whiskey in Canada have dropped below the floor.
He negotiates with Canada the way he negotiates with Iran. I.e. he screams demands at them then threatens tariffs or sanctions if he isn't given his way. Thankfully both these nations have stood fast against him. But we, the American people? We're the losers in these negotiations. And "he" doesn't care at all.
We must vote wisely in November. Trump Republicans need to be voted out. Its obvious they've done virtually nothing good for our country - or the world either. We can't let our country continue to be destroyed for another two and a half years because of cowardice and incompetence.
No, Gail, at this point, a statement needs to be made across the country, on ALL levels of government, against what used to be the Republican Party. It is the ONLY way to make them understand, and to get us back on track as a people. We must vote them ALL out, decisively!
Just before the demons of CBS pushed Steven Colbert off the air, he invited Lieutenant-Mayor-Secretary Pete on as his guest. Deftly punting the inevitable 'are you running for office?' Colbert jab without trying to sound too cagey, too smarty-pants, and with a dash of self-effacing humor, Pete focused his energies -- as he does in all his presentations in purple and red states and districts -- on 2026, on getting us through our current horrendous horror show.
If you listen carefully, his talks -- short, long, person-to-person, in a "bro" studio, on late-nite cable TV, in a gymnasium filled with the committed and the curious -- come at you without the usual "uhs" or "umms" that often fill the speeches of others. There are no unthought-out, half-baked responses. Every sentence is complete, grammatical, cogent. Every thought forms a logical paragraph. Every paragraph builds a laid-out strategy of governance to replace the void now eating its way through us like sulfuric acid. He's not the only one describing what a new pact between state and society might look like, but he's probably the most coherent, allowing enough nuance for real differences, focusing on welcoming lost sheep to a new fold. When he speaks, you can feel intelligence and passion as partners, instead of the guttural shrieks of a village of cultists wielding torches and pitchforks to burn some monster they thought they saw on a hill somewhere.
It was Pete who came up with the term "The Big Deal" to describe Joe Biden's skillful bipartisan enactment of a 10-year-long $100 billion infrastructure re-investment in America. For whatever reason, neither Biden nor Harris picked up the term, and in so doing, let a major political opportunity to define an era slip by. It symbolized what America really does stand for, not the demonic bibble-babble about Haitians, dogs, cats, or little boys with vaginas pouring across the Rio Grande to teach your kindergarteners critical race theory....
We so need new memes and themes right now -- we need "real deals." The Trump idiocy is oozing into a pile of rancid goo. Skillful, adept sweepers and scourers are urgently needed to clean and disinfect the mess away, while articulating something far better for the future than what we've devolved into.
Ah! The Brilliance of Pete!! As you've covered here, he is just about the smartest and most well spoken politician in the US. He's regularly on Fox "News", and always holds his own. He is immensely likable and patient and kind. So very kind. We are lucky to have him and I hope we give him the attention and the positions he deserves.
And you don't think he can change that perception? Here's a sample spray of "others". Mamdani? Abdul al Sayed? Ocasio-Cortez? Obama? Er, Knauss? And of course, Bessent?
Re: Darline Graham - Would you choose the sister of a doctor to perform brain surgery on you when the sister has no experience? The sister says, “I’ve never been sued nor have a patient die.” True. You will be the first patient.
Politicians must use their birth given name; not change their name to win political office. Watch movie “Destinguished Gentleman “ Eddie Murphy. This must be considered “bait and switch “ politics or “false advertising “.
That’s a great analogy Paul, if you’re a fucking moron. There are 100 senators and she is one voice, so everyone is going to do the operation not just her by herself
By the way, how much did you know about sex before you had it or if you ever had it
You are not the US taxpayer. You’re a Trump hating fool was hoping for America to fail so you can embarrass Trump but unfortunately for you, he’s winning at every turn
What’s a rally for? Presidents don’t need a rally they do a rally generally for somebody else. And anyone that supports Trump’s policies is my brother and sister And anyone that hates Trump does so out of irrational thought so welcome to the group of totally irrational thinkers Merrill… What I call them generally as haters without a cause
Rick, You like to come on this discussion group and start calling people stupid and morons. The only stupid moron here is you. You like to think of yourself as "middle of the road"? while you swim in the poisonous waters of Trump's agenda. Being "middle of the road" and pro trump agenda is a joke. It's a distinction without a difference. If you don't do Trump rallies, you can start going to demolition derbys.
That's your problem you can't name a poisonous water that's your problem. All you can name is a pre-presidential poisonous item. His policies are working like a dream and you should be saying thank you From your knees for all the money you've made in your 401(k) since he took Office And all the wins he's had all over the world. Instead, the reflecting pool is the center of the universe. And I don't understand you haven't brought it up in weeks. What's the problem? Still like the thing that makes the world turn
All his policies are working in Merrill and any statement to the country Would be denial And ignorance
Hey Meryl, sorry pal I call themlike I see him. And like they are People make the most ridiculous statements here irrational statements here. What do you want me to do give them any A minus.
As I write this, it is early morning of that date here in the mountains of Kyushu, Japan.
It’s early Saturday evening of the day before that on the seacoast of Maine, where Heather has not yet even begun her Letter (though it would come up 2:30 in the afternoon of the 23rd my time, a bit after midnight beginning the 23rd for her).
On August 23, 1971, a middle-aged, courtly, gentleman corporate lawyer for big tobacco, Louis Powell, anonymously published the memo that 17 months later would spawn the new, far-right Heritage Foundation, and ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council), and so much more. For it, later that year Richard Nixon would name him, Louis Powell, to a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court.
His authorship of the Powell memo would never come up in his U.S. Senate hearings.
The Beatles had broken up. Bob Dylan still toured with The Band. No one had yet talked to Emily Lou Harris of Mendocino. Bruce Springsteen had in no way yet visited Nebraska. John Prine and Bob Seger were still only local acts. Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Johnny Cash had yet to become outlaws. And testing but occasionally visited American schools.
Powell was primed and placed by the Warligarchy. The MIC had been entrenched since the Cold War. His Memo was not an epiphany. It was more of an assignment. His Faustian path to the Highest Court on Earth, but he never regretted his decision. I think sometimes Gorsuch has his doubts, and Amy. But they were indoctrinated long and hard by the Catholic Church, the Opus Dei, like all the disastrous Federalist Placements. I'd love to see her Break the Shackles, but it's probably just a fantasy.
It's up to us, THE VOTERS, to Dilute their power by expanding the Court to reflect the size of our polity, and the complexity of our laws during The Upgrade To COME.
Expanding to 13 makes sense for a practical reason, too, Patrice.
The court supervises 13 circuits, so upping the justices by four more would fairly adjust work load.
But your main point weighs well -- so much depends on the extent to which voters manifestly condemn, eject, replace all the corrupt floating the orange bigot, rapist, racist, murderer.
Wow, you might wanna work on your vocabulary to utilize more factual and realistic terms rather than utopian Esoteric thoughts
Just another lost educator, I think. Who believes that education is a sign of intelligence when all it is is a theoretical science Until put into practice in the real world, not in the classroom
Why is it that all of a sudden liberals have the idea of expanding the court oh I get it now when the liberals were in charge, there would never be a discussion of expanding the court And why is that because all liberals care about in their essence is control That is the essence of their total existence in fact, even when they’re in control and the shit is flying everywhere and the countries in the toilet, there is total silence by the liberals because guess what they’re in control
The education system of this country has been going downhill ever since the Democrats took control of it in 1979 where we went from first in the In the world in education to 18th 30 years later to 40th today When children now are learning more about their genitals and they are math and science so much that an esteemed professor and of all schools, Berkeley is saying he has to dumb down his lectures to incoming freshman.
And Trump has done us all a favor by eliminating that organization and bringing it back to the states so that it’s voters and it’s elected officials/representatives can make a more appropriate decision for its particular population and their needs. Choice. Something, the , Democrats abhor .
How come we didn’t discuss, expanding the court when Roe v. Wade came out. And the Democrats were in control of the court for decades I didn’t hear a peep out of you then. Just a fucking hypocrite. here’s a couple of memes to help you. I’m allowed to post them here, but I’m not sure she will
Nope can’t post meme , but I can state it for you texting Caps so you get it
LIBERALS. IF WE COULD JAIL THE SITTING PRESIDENT, GET RID OF MAGA, END THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE, STACK THE SUPREME COURT, BAN VOTER ID, AND CENSOR FREE SPEECH, WE….COULD SAVE DEMOCRACY !!
That’s the liberals, Hippocratic and hypocrite oath. The liberal Maga… make America go away
Rick..you are an utter fool. You and your deluded friends are well on the way out of power. At the start of the Civil War, Julia Ward Howe, a deeply religious abolitionist wrote the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Her rage at the Southern slavers and insurrectionist was screaming out of her first verse:
"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on"
Just insert "We the People" into each religious reference and you'll understand how ready the great majority of Americans to bring a reckoning to Trump/MAGA.
Why is it and I just can’t understand it 90% or more of the people on this website are still living in the past Are living in history are still calling history are living in ancient civilizations, trying to like it to anything of today. Yikes. It’s a circle jerk… nobody is living in today. You’re either living in yesterday or predicting the future, which is never taken place. In fact, almost every prediction, you’ve made has been wrong. Predictions on the president before this election predictions on Congress before this election Addictions, on most of the legislation that the liberals were against the passed anyway.
Try living in the moment Merrill try living in the now
Well, if you’ve been to a clairvoyant lately or maybe a séance or maybe you got a brand new Ouija board. Some people never learn that you should not predict the future. You should watch for it you should hope for the best, but plan for the worst
I don’t have any deluded friends. My friends are all successful businessman. Who have their eye on the ball in their finger on the pulse of common sense.
The Democrat party are the ones that are going to be struggling because they can’t find any sense of themselves. They have no leader, and they have a multitude of agendas… none of them cohesive, very few of them coherent, and they claim to have a big tent party, but the only thing anyone’s ever seen in a big tent is a circus.
There are five Democrat parties now and it’s gonna be very hard to coalesce
So if you see in the agenda or platform of the DSA, it’s the new Maga Merrill.
It is the make America go away party. And it’s not gonna work. Do you have a few insane Democrats left on the cricket, but those in power now will not be in power after the midterm. It’ll be a smattering of wackos socialist and communist and antisemites quite an impressive group.
The problem that you have Merrill is that you have nobody in power right now. And of trumps current strategy of strangling Iran naturally, on her about the midterms…
For the first time in more than 50 years, catch that again for the first time more than 50 years, the party in power when it came into office with both houses of Congress may actually have a chance to retain it. But that hasn’t happened in more than 50 years.
And then in January of 2026, a homeless cat sat outside my basement window watching me work. I paused to look back at her. She was communicating something to me. It was right before the Arctic blasts hit New England. I captured her and slowly introduced her to the cat family. A month later she had a litter of 4. All would have been destroyed by the elements.
One kitten from the first moment she could crawl, walked to me every time I sauntered into the room. Billie Jean picked me and her permanent place in the Katzel.
Now, Billie Jean is training multiple squads of felines for the coming wars to save America. She has invented new technologies to turn poop into devastating drone bombs aimed at destroying the remaining White House with all occupants inside. She said it’s necessary to destroy in order to rebuild. Poop bombs will bring down all MAGA elements. She has teamed with our Ukraine allies and is developing a poop bomb so large one dropped on Mar-a-Lago will turn the motel complex into Florida SWAMPLAND.
Billie Jean has indicated she wants to become the next president of the United States and have Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen perform at her inauguration.
Please provide some counsel which your Billie Jean has missed.
Criminal Donald already used (by AI) a flying source of shit from the sky being poured on people. This, after one of the No Kings mass rallies, and the orange fat felon wanted to make clear his opinion of Americans less than appreciative of his rapes, murders, extortions, daily vulgarities, mass sales of pardons to criminal billionaires, industrial scale flatulence, pardoning police attackers, siccing ICE on our neighbors, and befriending the worst dictators of the world.
Hey Phil, stay there keep in mind the people that you complain having gone to war with are now some of our best and most furthest and loyal allies. But a lot of you crack me up when you talk about oh my God if we go a war against them, they’re not gonna like us well no shit but look at the countries that are our biggest allies. The ones we’ve defeated.
And here we have Phil bailout. Who whose brain decided to leave his had many many years ago. And who uses a bicycle tire pump to fill it up again when it gets low like this.
Thank you, Professor as always. And thank you, Pete. You are the antithesis of what we have right now. Please run. Truth, honesty, intelligence, love of democracy, keeper of the constitution and the belief that all people, in need of care, should receive it. I know you stand for that and all of us stand for that. So do it please. We can change the world back to good….☮️❤️🌻
Today’s letter is simply brilliant as are your comments. Heather’s carefully curated list of shortcomings is comprehensive without being strident. Secretary Pete Buttigieg's remarks clarifying that many of the positions taken by the current administration are not supported by a majority of the American people are a calm and clear statement of the obvious. This administration has lost legitimacy. This administration has lost the support of the people who are stuck paying the bills. This administration is soon to be defanged. Sometimes lowering the temperature of the conversation makes the power of its message shine more brightly, and you are to be commended for recognizing and encouraging that approach.
My husband and I have been following Pete Buttigieg since he was the Mayor of South Bend IN. We had hoped he might run for governor or the US Congress. He received our votes in the race for the Democratic presidential primary. Should he run again in 2028 we will be proud to support his campaign and vote for him again!
Yeah, have you written any of his buses or charge your car in any of his nonexistent charging stations that’s been $16 billion of your money? You know that’s amazing about liberals they could pick up something like Academy center which means nothing to anybody as far as our daily lives but when the government here pisses away billions of dollars opens the border and closest trillions of dollars as long as the liberals are in control, they don’t give a shit how they don’t say a damn thing
“And now the story that the closest advisor to the President of the United States is a 35-year-old woman who seems unhealthily obsessed with him ties Republican Party leadership to the reality that they are permitting the destruction of the United States with barely a whimper.”
I hold the Republican Party far more responsible than Trump for the profound mess the US is spiraling into at the moment. The GOP could have stopped him any time, but chose not to. Right, Senator McConnell?
Hey Ralph, do you know if we call what you have? Besides being incredibly sad
The term is “malicious jealousy”/envy” . And I totally understand it. That’s what happens when you fantasize about relationship, that doesn’t exist, and it makes it worse is specially when you can’t get it up anymore.
Hey, Rick! I think I see what you’re trying to say but it’s tough when your subjects and verbs don’t match and your syntax is just weird. Maybe get someone who knows the English language better than you to edit your posts for you. Maybe a 5th grader.
You people are probably some of the dumbest motherfuckers on the planet. In fact, you’re the kind of guy if you read the Declaration of Independence and you found a dangling participle or ending a sentence with a preposition, Or even worse , use the word who instead of whom. Lmao…. you would just toss the declaration in the trash because You ignored your ninth grade teacher when she told you always consider CONTENT OVER FORM. …….moron.
If you wanna complain about my grammar, you should call Steve Jobs voice texting software people and tell them about it
Otherwise, you can take your orthographic comments and shove them up your ass cause they’re worthless remarks and that’s what happens when you deflect from the facts …deflect from the truth because you don’t wanna hear the truth so you pick on minutia Things like the reflecting Pool, which is you know makes the world go round between that and the Kennedy center I don’t know how we would survive
WELL, SINCE YOU DIDN’T LEARN FROM YOUR NINTH GRADE TEACHER, MAYBE YOU SHOULD LEARN FROM ME THE FIFTH GRADER THAT WILL TEACH YOU THAT CONTENT ALWAYS RULES OVER FORM
I’m beginning to wonder if you ran your life like this also.
The regime is leaving its mark on the US and the world. I would hope the European and Asian nations feel somewhat sorry for those of us who did not get sucked up in the trumpian whirlpool. Today I heard someone say that it wasn’t the economy that is messed up. It’s the government. We will have a ton of work to do when we win back the House, the Senate, and the WH. I sure as hell do not want one Dem usurping their duty to serve Americans. May they be damned if they do.
And the Dems need to find a way to produce a united front and stop the inner squabbling. We are stronger together and there is room for multiple points of view - the goal this November is to vote the Republicans out. That's more important than anything else.
Agreed. They do need to stop the squabbling and create the big tent.
BUT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO SO.
Ken Martin, the leader of the DNC, is still screaming about the evils of Progressives instead of the evils of MAGA.
Speaker Jefferies is more concerned about United Healthcare's stockholders than the lives of American citizens who no longer have healthcare.
... and don't even get me going about Chuck the Ultimate Zionist Schumer. Who believes that promoting Israel's government is more important than representing the people of New York or of his job as Minority Leader in America.
Instead they whine that we need to be like MAGA. Support them no matter what they say.. even as they refuse to support us.
MAGA is probably the end of the GOP. But it's also going to be the end of the Democratic Party because they still don't get it.
And this just in: "Representative Hakeem Jeffries, Democrat of New York and the minority leader, met privately in recent weeks with Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law and top outside adviser, and discussed potential areas of common ground, according to five people with knowledge of the meeting."
Common ground with Jared Kushner? What common ground could there be with this presidential cheerleader/lapdog/grifter? What in the world is Jeffries trying to do to the Democratic Party? Assuming the Dems win the House, Jeffries must be replaced as leader by someone who will fight for what the voters want. Maybe AOC.
Stephen what the fuck did you think you’re Department of Education run by liberals controlled by liberals and teachers unions for 50 years has done to our children
Children today educated by the liberal horde, know more about their genitals, and they know about math and science. And 79 when the liberals took control of the education system through the department of education, we were number one of the world and education, and they and they managed to get it down to 18th 20 years later and now we’re at 40th Inculcation not education is what was happening for the last 50 years. That’s why I Berkeley professors said he had to dumb down his classes for incoming freshmen because I couldn’t even fucking read
People followed President Trump because they believed the myth of "you're fired". They believed he was a successful, savvy businessman, who made millions because of his smarts. People believed the republican myth that immigrants are stealing money from them and eating their pets. People are beginning to realize they have blindly followed and are becoming leaders of their own destiny.
As the bumper sticker from the 1960's stated "question authority".
I only watched one show so I don’t know what the show is much about. He’s the only president with a set of testicles in the last 40 years, except a few of them at one of the Use their testicle for something else. Is keeping his promises and getting the work done and America is being rewarded because of it
I had a bumper sticker in the 70s that read: “Impeach hell, Castrate” referring to another criminal republican president. At least there were some republicans back then courageous enough to tell Nixon he would be impeached and convicted by Congress. Now the ass-kissing republicans will tolerate no end of dumbfuckery from Donny and his dunces with no question or complaint. As my Canadian Aunt Donna used to say: “It’s time for these buggers to smarten up.” We’re going to have to help them it’s clear. Vote!
Nobody voted for Trump because of you’re fired. They voted for Trump for a number of reasons, none of which had to do with you’re fired. Thank God they did.
Hey did you question authority when Joe Biden arbitrarily and autocratically opened our southern border, and then lied to us? Hmmmmmm.
Did you question Barack Obama when he said if you like your plan you can keep your plan or if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor? People here are so blinded by their hate they can’t make a rational decision about anything
I think both Buttigieg and Ossoff could be some of the leaders we're looking for right now. They both have that air of confident competence that Carney, Zelensky and Magyar carry themselves with. We need some of that.
There's also Mark Kelly. (I too am sorry that the leading contenders at this point are all white males. But there is AOC moving up in experience and stature.)
The misogyny of men in America is not an excuse for not promoting women who have earned it.
I refuse to play their game. If they are incapable of promoting our most important and most basic tenets of Equal Rights and Justice for all... then they are a failed human being to begin with.
A political party that substitutes loyalty for competence has no ability to govern. They can scream about culture wars, build ballrooms, stage spectacles, and repeat slogans all day long. None of it lowers grocery prices, provides healthcare, educates children, or keeps a country safe.
We’re watching enormous energy being spent performing power while the actual responsibilities of government are ignored. Apparently knowing what you’re doing has become optional as long as you know who you’re loyal to.
Government is not supposed to be a monument to one narcissist. It’s supposed to serve 340 million people.
True, and the mindless devotion of Trump supporters to his criminal cult as well as Mrs. Graham’s response are the culmination of decades of anti intellectualism. Perhaps America was founded in part by limiting education to where the masses bend to their master’s will.
In fairness, no one told her you actually had to know stuff in order to be a Senator. I guess she took one look at Tommy Tuberville and thought, 'well, dadgummit, I guess I can get away with it, too...'
Perhaps MAGA needs to send Tommy Tuberville and Herschel Walker to the rescue,
backed up by Linda McMahon.
Actually that would make sense to MAGA. It's a cult and the damage to their minds is permanent. We can and need to move on.
FOX News was born right after 9/11 and has been entertaining these people's minds. Things are changing with the majority of Americans and we need to believe that we can pull back from the darkness. I believe we will.
From Wikipedia- "The channel was created by Australian-born American media mogul Rupert Murdoch, who hired Roger Ailes as its founding CEO. The channel was launched on October 7, 1996 to 17 million cable subscribers."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Fox_News
Fox News has over 10,000 employees. Oddly, enough Trump has hired 40 of the most idiotic people that ever worked at Fox during Trump(2).
Fox is a neoconservative organization. It was created to help the takeover of the GOP by neocons. They succeeded four years after they founded it, with the arrival of G.W. Bush.
In 1976 already, Irving Kristol, founder of neoconservatism, wrote an op-ed in the WSJ claiming that conservatives will never be able to win debates, so, he concluded, in a "healthy" society, intellectuals stay at the margins rather than participating in public debates.
In the meantime, what voters need to vote for conservatives is voting with their gut, based on "sentiment" only. No rational thinking. It's what made the GOP decide to launch one culture war after the other - all fake. But hey, if people can be made to believe that El Sayed kills puppies and then vote for the GOP instead of for Medicare for All, that will be good enough.
All neofascists had to do was take the propaganda machine neocons had created and make it their own.
So, you are saying that Fox News was an incubator for Trump's cabinet and administration? LOL Makes sense to me.
It was interesting how FOX shot up and I will have to look it up but I believe FOX negotiated early on to have its station be a paid part of cable packages so subscribers had no choice but to have the channel. And then it was everywhere, like background noise.
Well Nathalie works at AON so maybe that gives her the distinction of going to another organization. Then again it might be even worse than FOX.
Chris, from your lips to God’s ear!
And low-grade, enervating entertainment it's been, like a fever, however long it's been contaminating. Yes, Chris, we will overcome.
To show you how dumb trumpers are, one claimed that FOX News was a mouth piece for liberals. After quoting the first amendment, I was told that it was dumbocrat BS. The White House is not a historical place. Finally, I am posed with my protest poster against trump and this idiot says that my friends are republicans!
Frank, can you see Tuberville, Walker, or McMahon trying to defend someone who, like them, has no clue. It would probably be pretty funny. I know FoxFraud would rework things to make it look like they were just brilliant, probably using AI fakes because there is no way that would happen in real life.
Good psychology!
You also don't need to reside in the state to represent that state. Tommy lives in FL, Josh Hawley in DC, staying with his sister in St. Louis when he goes to MO, Paul LePage lives in FL and is renting an apartment while he runs for Congress. The list goes on and on. When almost everyone in Congress is at least a millionaire, there should be a residency requirement for before AND after the election.
GJ Loft et al., time for the story of Senator Albert Gore, senior, of Tennessee, which I heard from my teacher of civics and world history (in BYRD days)in public school in Virginia.
Senator Gore was a farmer elected to the US Senate by the people of Tennessee, who could not afford a house in DC, so during congressional sessions lived with his family in a DC hotel. His son Albert, junior, worked on the farm in summer and went to school in DC in winter. Eventually he too became a senator and, in 1990 published a book which included warnings about climate change. I read it in 2000, the year he ran for president. The rest is history, which I think about as I hear about the temperatures in the South in which I used to live. (Of course now I’m in Chicago and it’s ICE sirens. Temperatures this summer have been mostly bearable, but to hear ICE sirens 24/7 is to live in occupied Europe during WWII or perhaps a communist country afterwards.)
Gore Jr was my senator. How far we have fallen with Blackburn & Hagerty (his campaign sign on Oak Ridge Hwy: (line 1) Hagerty (line 2) U. S. Senator (line 3) Endorsed by Trump). He has done NOTHING for Tennesseans. In fact, he’s invisible.
MLMinET, I watch Justin Pearson. He may be the beginning of putting TN back in the real world. If he wins his race, there’s a start. I also watch Jon Meacham at Vanderbilt, wondering when he and the university will stick their necks out for Davy Crockett, “born on a mountaintop in Tennessee,/…king of the wild frontier.”
The gerrymandering inn TN is something else. Didn't they decimate voting districts in Nashville so blacks would not be represented? and the treatment of the Justins by locking them out was outrageous. Just because they were protesting.
Richard Nixon envisioned a propaganda station that would broadcast R talking points. Thanks to Reagan who illegally gave U.S. citizenship to the Australian Murdock after only one year of living in the country, in order for him to purchase Fox "news." This has accomplished exactly what Nixon dreamed of. With "news" in its name, people incorrectly believe it is a news station, which in fact, has an entertainment license, with talking heads instead of actually journalists.
Hmmm. Interesting. Kind of like Melania's parent that came to the US in 2017 to babysit Baron. And her dad was a known communist, but NOBODY on the right ever said a word about them getting a free pass into the US.
Diane I did not know that. But I did learn Roger Ailes worked in Cleveland , Ohio at the Mike Douglas Show and some Republican perhaps Nixon ? came on and brought him into the Republican Entertainment Machine. There have books on written by Gabriel Sherman about this.
We don't need new rules. We need to remember that a rule is supposed to be a way of adhering to the moral principle (treat others the way you would want to be treated if the shoe was on the other foot) in a rule-specific context. If we forget what rules are for, then they become excuses for violating the moral principle. And then new rules become new excuses.
That is my only bible James - 'do unto others'...it works for me.
And me. One needs to look no further.
Almost everyone in the GOP Congress, you mean.
How do you represent a state if you don't live in it? This seems so wrong. I know when Herschel was running against Warnock in Georgia, he was getting tax breaks on his property in Texas which was only applicable to residents.
It's Come to This, yep, Republicans have stocked their congressional seats with Trumplandia's best butt smoochers, anti-American greedy white boys and girls, and utter incompetents! Then, somehow, they convince the constituents that having Republican ignoramuses or self-interested thugs in office is a good thing. They tell people not to look behind the curtain!
Finally, though, some of the people have peeked a bit behind the curtain and note that it's all a fraud and that they have been had. Maybe we can help them push the curtain back enough so everyone will see what is really there, an old man with dementia being used as a puppet by a bunch of super rich white boys and their sadistic friends to do as much damage to our nation as they can so they can take over and rule. they have nothing positive to offer anyone. Their lies neglect to tell us of the suffering they plan for everyone who doesn't go along with their white male supremacist pseudochristian BS, thought up by a bunch of toddler-adults who have no clue about life beyond their own little rich white boy bubble.
We, the people - the vast majority of the people- MUST get out to VOTE!
We MUST NOT ALLOW Liar, Fraud, Con, Grifter, Felon, Racist, Fascist, Scumbag, Putin’s Puppet, Epstein-Coverup Trump to go another two years with unchecked power!
PLEASE!
Just keep writing those GOTV postcards. I have 400 addressed and stamped which get three sentences and a signature to be mailed 12 and 14 October. Meanwhile there are local races for which I can get addresses and write 10 cards a day—tangible reminders to vote. It’s my contribution to Democrats everywhere.
I’m almost finished with my 200 postcards; can’t wait to mail them on Oct 14th!
Thank You for your service, Virginia!!
Hey, ICTT. Do you have any intel about the "race" in D.C. this weekend. I live about 40 miles away. The storms here (which usually find their way down to the D.C. metro area) were pretty bad, with constant lightning strikes, more than I've ever before seen.
In a perfect world the whole thing will simply be rained out and washed away. Let us pray.
Morning, Lynell! I cannot fathom the disruption that debacle will cause.
Morning, Ally! I'm not good at chasing these things down, so I probably won't know til Monday what happened.
Darline forgot that there are different rules for Republican women. They at least have to be bright enough to clean up the men’s messes.
While acting stupid enough to stay with the Republican men.
Your president himself sets the tone for ignorance and stupidity. 'The Islamic Republic of Japan' FFS!
The best thing that I've heard said was "at least she was honest about her answer" - but after she "clarified" on Hannity -it was clear she's just another tdumper.
It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt. Mark Twain
My father used to say if you keep your mouth shut people won't know how stupid you are. Twain was more poetic.
And there are so many who need to read & understand that!
They haven't told her because they don't believe it themselves. Their voters told them so.
Tuberville: The senator who said out loud the three branches of government were the house, the senate, and the president. 🤓
Well, It's Come to This, she might have taken lessons from her brother, who, depending on the climate, frequently declared that he "was through," then turned the ship around and again declared fealty to the mob boss.
Sure seems like it!
When did dagnabbit turn into dadgummit?
Was it back with Regan that the word "elite" (meaning highly educated people) started becoming an insult and the coasts and major universities were denigrated as indoctrination centers? There used to be a time when Americans valued a good education -- that is apparently a mark against you these days -- even though so many Cabinet members and the VP went to Ivy League schools - which makes their actions all the more cynical and evil because it's clear they know better and just relish being on the evil side of things.
Brings to mind Romney's statement at a rally (referring to Al Gore, I think): "He wants every kid to go to college. What a snob!" That line didn't go over very well with the crowd.
Then there is the attitude of our then Michigan governor, Jennifer Granholm, that every auto worker had to go to college to learn how to operate the new computerized robots that would then put together our cars and trucks. She gleefully (if unknowingly) denigrated a whole class of hard working Michiganders in one fell swoop, and I heard about it from every tradesman I hired to work on my house. I'm sure they all later became trumpers.
Drumpf attended an Ivy League school, the Wharton School of Business at Penn. Granted he graduated at or near the bottom of his class, but he has an Ivy League diploma.
Frank, I’m sure you know lauriemcf is referring to a time when diplomas were awarded to students who actually did the work and earned the grades. Money has always had undue influence at Ivy League schools, but in the past, daddies had to buy buildings, not the diplomas.
It’s just one example of how piles of money have corrupted literally everything in the U.S.
Piles of money have been corrupting the world for millennia. If you believe the New Testament, Judas sold out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. People have been skating through colleges and handed diplomas for centuries in this country because they had money behind them.
But have you seen it? He SAYS that.
Have I seen the diploma? No, but I believe numerous sources have published the program for his graduation and Trump’s name is on it but without any honors designation.
But...but...but he is a stable "genius" and has an MIT uncle to prove it.
lauriemcf, I think it was even earlier that 'elite' became a dirty word. Spiro Agnew loathed all things that were meant to be edifying.
And yet he made us look up the meaning of Nattering Nabobs of Negativism, while he took bribes that would not be enough to get anyone to look hard at them today. He and his President finally got what they deserved from the Nabobs.
Yes! That's it!
And the Republicans' ChristoNazi anti-intellectualism is every bit as sadistic and murderously hateful as their racism and misogyny and their war to terminate literally [every] progressive advancement our species has ever achieved. (Indeed if this were a science fiction film, they would have already sold out to the extraterrestrials, agreeing to serve them as their forever slave-masters -- rape-rooms, whipping posts, castration clamps and branding-irons always at the ready.)
You don't elect someone one like trump or ms. graham in a healthy political and social system. We've become a pathetic country.
So far, nobody, including Heather, has mentioned that the Dems have a great candidate, DR. ANNIE. https://drannieandrews.com/about/
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/loc_annie_gs-dd_q22025?refcode=LOC_ad_Search_DD_20260512_GS_NameKW_TextAd2&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23836494666&gbraid=0AAAAA_uZWGrFSe6QNifJ65k2qQxHx-E5B&gclid=CjwKCAjwtKrUBhAhEiwAr77Zor50g8-vYTtwWOLMcWtGtGbE2PCxkVGz5z9For7t-yC4ohLvRSBu9BoCuLgQAvD_BwE
Yes and she is great and worth listening too! She was working with the state and got pushed out and don’t is great to see her. The opponent whose name will not be mentioned is a fraud . So good to see her. Brown is running again and good though I do wish he had mentored several younger folks who could now be running. So it goes. Both would really really help!
There has always been a culture conflict in the USA, sometimes open and sometimes in the background. Why else would the term "elitist" be applied to talented, well educated and hardworking people instead of to super-rich egotistical grifters?
America's right wing, under the leadership of a charlatan snake oil salesman, has had its season to prove "the South will rise again". Nothing could be more emblematic than Trump's rally for Darlene Graham this week.
158 years after the end of the "War of Northern Aggression" against Southern slavers and insurrectionists,, the right wing is back out, showing America and the world how they believe their grievance driven world should work.
There's only one problem. Americas didn't buy their grievances in 1868 and we DEFINITELY don't buy it in 2026. If anything is rising again in 2026, it's the better angels of the American dream, ready and able the rebend the arc of history in America back towards justice.
Merrill, and pray to God this time there will be accountability!
Thanks for hope, Merrill.
"Perhaps America was founded in part by limiting education to where the masses bend to their master’s will."
Well.. not exactly. But it shouldn't be a surprise that thanks to the Puritans in New England education was a priority. In Massachusetts there was a law that any town with more than 50 families had to hire a teacher. Some of those schools still operate as 'prep schools' today.
Harvard. UPenn, Brown, Dartmouth and more were all started before (or during) the Revolution.
There are no counterparts to that in the South.
The limited public education in the south was run by missionaries and Catholic charities. And it was illegal to educated black people. There were no public schools in the south until the Reconstruction (1865-1877)
By 1900, 34 States had public education laws.
Only 4 of those states were in the south.
The south has apparently always been stupid. The fight to educate the people didn't even really get going until after the Civil War. Jim Crow managed to not only keep Black communities from getting an education but white ones as well. Only the wealthy could afford schooling.
Massachusetts began public education in 1647.
Mississippi would be the last to mandate public education... in 1918.
So I literally started this post thinking I was going to tell you that America had always had a commitment to public education but that the quality of that education dropped like a rock during WWII when the government decided patriotism was more important than truth.
But I'm from New England so my history is different from other areas of the country. And going to look up some statistics made me realize the error of my thoughts...
and makes me think differently about the whole 'elitism' slur.
BLB, I am an expat New Yorker who has lived in the South for most of my life – by choice. I've had chances to return to the North, but the brutal winters are beyond my level of tolerance. While I deplore much of the Southern world-view, I try to understand how it was shaped. I think you crossed a line by calling the South "stupid."
This remark demonstrates either your shallow understanding or your lack of sensitivity to how the U.S. developed. Obviously, the U.S. covers a huge land mass comprised of 8 climate zones, from sub-arctic to tropical. Owing to the climate differences, the North developed primarily as an industrial culture, while with more warm months, the South developed as an agrarian culture.
Although factory work is menial, most factory jobs have always required basic literacy and math skills. Industrial work also depends on human productivity. The faster a person moves, the more units are produced and the more revenue is generated. Thus, Northerners generally tend to be always in a hurry, with less time for social niceties. Southerners interpret this as rudeness, but I understand it as hurry.
By contrast, agricultural work could be accomplished with only minimal skills in reading and math. Because of the South's agricultural origins, formal education was never as important. Unlike factory production, which can be sped up with production quotas or automation, crops and livestock grow as fast as they grow, and no faster. As a result, the Southern cultural pace is slower, which is both good and annoying. There's more time to be friendly, and more time for damaging gossip. And it can be frustrating when one is trying to get one's errands done in a short period of time.
Bottom line: An equal percentage of people in all sections of the country have their areas of ignorance, which is different from stupidity. Likewise, there are equal percentages of stupid people in all sections of the U.S. For example, many of Trump's strongholds are Northern states.
To this point and lauriemcf's point, there are plenty of Southern politicians with post-graduate degrees from excellent schools. But the Republicans among them yuck it up like it's embarrassing to know how to read. And then they sell that slop to their constituents.
Vanderbilt is an excellent, competitive school, for just one example. Not everyone here is ‘stupid,’ as you say.
You just got educated BLB?
No! Mike Hammer. Before WWII, public education was prioritized. Then racism and greed took precedence. I’ll never forget reading a book that told about schools in dugouts in the Midwest. (As the only other dugouts I knew about were for Russian serfs, it was an unforgettable moment.)
As I came from a family of teachers, however, I may have a somewhat skewed view of the importance of education, though recent politics makes me believe otherwise.
So true, Mike, and religious fundamentalism is the easiest way to accomplish this task. Religion is a personal matter of belief. It can be used wisely and offer direction and comfort to those who believe, and it can be used unwisely as a way to "other" (verb) people, enjoy material riches that belong to all, and excuse bad behaviour. If you're a believer, then anti-intellectualism is anti-God... who bestowed us with the brains we are expected to use.
Actually, she’s Ms Graham and Mrs Nardone.
I would say she's misguided and misplaced.
THE CLOWN CAR RALLY
🤡😃🤡😃 Welcome to the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, because nothing says “serious world power” like turning Washington into Mario Kart while the country has actual problems.
Prices are up, the war with Iran grinds on, relations with Canada are souring, and public debt has passed $40 trillion. So naturally, the president’s motorcade will take a ceremonial lap before race cars scream past the monuments at nearly 200 mph.
Apparently governing is boring. Spectacle has better television ratings.
The symbolism is almost too perfect: America racing in circles, burning fuel, making tremendous noise, passing the same landmarks 147 times, and somehow calling it progress.
At least the race cars have a finish line.
Nice assessment, Michael!
Indeed!
Well said, Michael. We get bread and circuses from this regime — minus the bread.
Or crap whitebread at fine pastry prices.
Great concise post , Michael !
Brilliantly observed!
What a great exit line! Fingers crossed that the November election provides a finish line of sorts.
The guy in charge thinks that TV IS the real world! He lives in a fantasy bubble where facts and reality are non-existent. No cost is too high to create monuments or spectacle performances for him (because the bills aren't paid from HIS pocket, only by mere US citizens).
The Republican Congress is clearly incapable of anything EXCEPT performative nonsense.
It's installing neofascism, and fast. I'd call that quite a "performance"...
It's consenting to the agenda of Trump's backers, the gang behind Project 2025.
Well, Repos don't want to GOVERN. They want to get paid for Destroying government and letting the Free Market (their Billionaire Benefactors) and GOD take the wheel,
so White Christian Men can have peace and prosperity again.
And they will get neither.
Oh God is definitely not at the wheel, Patrice.
What makes you imagine that a neofascist GOP (and, as Kamala Harris so correctly repeated, this has been decades in the making) would somehow not "know what you're doing"... ??
Fascists always need clowns-in-chief who distract and entertain us. The GOP knew this for a long time already. It's why they hired Trump.
And fascism (as all studies have shown) vitally NEEDS incompetence everywhere. It's how you keep people cultivating cynicism rather than believing that real progress would be possible. And without widespread cynicism, fascism cannot survive.
Also, actively fabricated incompetence is needed because fascists constantly need people to believe that they will eradicate government incompetence. So they fabricate it, and then regularly fire their own to prove that they're serious about eradicating it. In the meantime, the chaos creates huge uncertainty so the only way to get by is to become loyal to the local fascist, who will reward you with favors.
None of this is new. None of this is a matter of ignorance. It's all deliberate and planned. By the entire GOP leadership (together with Viktor Orban's Danube Institute). While Trump is having fun tweeting and golfing and keeping us forever stuck in TDS.
EUWTB, don’t forget the 90-minute phone calls DT/Putin. Like ICE, they seem to be “unmentionables” lately.
"Give them bread and circuses and they will never revolt" Juvenal....
The Republicans are good at circuses. Not so good at bread.
I truly wish whenever this SC race is mentioned that they would stress we have a choice here. Dr. Annie Andrews is a smart, well informed candidate who has been out there for a year, getting people to see what she believes in. She would fit nicely into the narrative discussed by Pete in his video. Someone who can help create a better America for all. She could wipe the floor with either of these 2 candidates vying for the Republican candidacy.
Gosh, where to start; It’s South Carolina and South Carolina doesn’t want smart and well informed. South Carolina wants dumb and loyal to their orange Jesus. Speaking of Jesus, if Jesus came back and ran as a Democrat, they wouldn’t vote for him, that’s how far away they are from electing anyone from the Democratic Party. Second, corporate media is forever stuck on reporting every political contest as a horse race, and since Dr. Andrews doesn’t stand a chance with a half-mile lead, they will never mention her. Third, I’m sure you’re right in your assessment of her “wiping the floor” with either of them, but as with anyone from the cult running for office, a ham on Rye with Swiss would also do the same in a state whose residents hadn’t completely lost their minds.
South Carolina would have to transform its social and political culture to support a democrat. Those who believe in miracles, work and pray. Remember, the south used to be "democrat" before the parties swapped identities. Maybe the people can figure out which candidates and party represents their real interests. It's not rocket science.
Gee, JohnC-Va, South Carolinians haven’t learned anything since 1861.
Too small to be a Republic, too big to be an insane asylum…..
We can't let these upcoming elections be our "Bunker Hill;" where we inflict heavy losses while losing the battle. We need another "Battle of Yorktown." The win must be decisive and we must clearly identify the enemy forces: the religious right, the oligarchs, the 6 Roman Catholic members of the U.S. Supreme Court along with the failure of our public schools to teach adequately history, government and critical thinking skills. The Magats, IMO, have no clue what they are in fact supporting in terms of how it will come back to crush them.
Kelli Klymenko,
I want to "thank you" with words printed, not only agreed with as I read your clear truths regarding the degradation of "leadership" at the top levels of our government ie local, state and national.
I am particularly concerned for our beloved children as well as their parents or grandparents who are struggling everyday to pay their bills...who come home, tired from a day's work to little ones who have been waiting all day to receive their love and care. ( I worked at a preschool, so I know for a fact...no matter how many songs we sang, no matter how many "fun games" we played while also teaching science, or math or participating in art activities....when a parent comes through the doors....those children get up and run to give mom or dad a hug!!!!)
Following a quick evening meal, the family and or older children will be dropped off to participate in sports or together to Wednesday evening church services.
Regular Americans do not have time to dance in gold decorated ballrooms, or sadly for many to receive appropriate healthcare due to the expense, not only of Doctor visits , but also needed medications or therapy.
This administration in Washington, D.C. is completely "out of touch" with the realities of the daily life of regular Americans and I have not even mentioned our senior citizens!!!!
Emily Pfaff, this 92-yr old thanks you for remembering the struggles of those who were supposed to die of Covid and failed to do so. It’s hard to make one’s way forward some days knowing your government wants to cut (or eliminate) your social security to have more money for the disgustingly rich. Waiting for WWII taxing of .001% incomes (91%).
Some of this reminds me of a quote by Patrick Moynihan - "defining defiance down," which represents the republican party where not a single bit of principle is left.
I wish I had proof read better i meant deviance”.
“A political party that substitutes loyalty for competence has no ability to govern.”
A political party that substitutes loyalty for competence is by definition fascist and has no right to exist in a democratic republic.
Oh, they know what they're doing alright. They don't need the ability to govern, they only need the power. How long they can sustain this type of politics and remain in government will depend mostly on how successful they are at controlling the narrative. Conservative media and social media have been largely responsible for ensuring that White House messaging is amplified and disseminated but there are already some cracks in the edifice with Trump launching furious attacks on those within the party who express concern about the direction of government, even though they present no real threat to him.
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/117136835644298066
Trump has definitely become more erratic and Leavitt's departure inevitably means that it will become harder for the White House communications team to clean up his various messes. He won't accept that he has bad approval ratings
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LV8bgHxJhF0
and he seems to believe that he alone can ensure victory at the midterms, even though candidates he has endorsed have been losing in the primaries.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SFD8r7q2sTA
Democrats seem confident that they can secure more seats in both chambers of Congress but it would certainly help if they had a consistent and unified message of their own rather than the factional bickering we have seen in the primaries.
Carney said: “We have recognized from the beginning that America has changed, and that we will not return to our old relationship.” ...
Said/thought EVERY European NATO member this year...
Amen, Kelli!
Republicans don’t know how to govern. We have seen it constantly throughout our history. They keep on thinking that ‘businessmen’ know how to govern and know what’s best for the country.
I don’t think any of them, some Democrats as well have any understanding of public administration.
What can we expect when we have a President who employs Cowboy Diplomacy and the Shaggy Defense in equal measure:
Thanks for sharing Pete’s message which I had not seen. Very encouraging
I generally agree with and support Pete’s comments. However, I don’t agree with this statement:“People want leaders who respect those who disagree or vote differently.”
We’ve had 2 failed impeachments of Drumpf, neither of which should have failed if the other side had any morals, or sense of obligation to country over party. I don’t respect most republicans or republican voters. Their lack of morals and lack of humanity mean they have lost any modicum of respect I once might have had for them. You vote for a rapist and convicted felon; we’re done.
We can never forget what the maga/nazis have done to destroy so much so quickly-and for what? For whom? We are all suffering because of their blind loyalty to madness. We can never forget.
For the wealthiest to do whatever they want. And because they are convinced that if they have that freedom and take it away from everyone else, the country as a whole will be better off.
They believe the myth of trickle down economics-and relish the idea of being at the top and, instead of trickling, squeezing every penny until it squeals like the pigs they are rather than sharing it or letting someone else earn it. Maga/nazis are a truly delusional bunch who believe that they’ll get the scraps from the wealthy rather than seeing the reality of the wealth-hording.
Welp.. you can disagree with Pete all you want. But I disagree with you.
I have no respect for MAGA and their culture wars.
But that does not mean that I can't have respect for someone who disagrees with me.
I absolutely agree with Pete that our leaders need to be able to hear and understand political opinions from across the spectrum. Making informed choices is the superpower of our democracy.
I took Pete's remark to be directed toward DJT's vilification of opponents of any stripe.
There is a world of difference between disagreeing, even passionately, over issues in good faith, and demonizing, dehumanizing, and othering your opponents and/or breaking agreements made before just because you can. That type of bad faith is the GOP-MAGA party of today.
I agree. While previous lawmakers worked together for the benefit of all Americans, the current class of politicians clearly have decided that people you disagree with are the enemy!
Respect is earned, not given freely!
Agreed, DanKinSD, it has been a lengthy operation for the right-wing to take advantage of people's religious beliefs and petty bigotry in order to get them to literally hate anyone who doesn't agree with their misogyny, racism, strict sexual and gender rules, and that think everyone should be equal.
I wonder what it would take to convince these people that they have been following false political and religious beliefs and come to their senses.
Seems like you may still have some work to do before you learn how to support democracy :-).
Nice snark ;). I support democracy. My point was intended to be very specific. If rape is ok with you, as a voter, we have reached a point where compromise is not possible. It is a moral line that I wont cross, won’t look the other way. It’s not like he is contrite about it. —. Reports are now out on pedophilia committed by this president. At what point, when republicans continue to support him do you reach the conclusion that there is no compromise to be had unless you yourself experience intellectual and moral death?
This is not about Trump, it's about how to engage in political debates.
We are talking past each other. Good day!
"not simply rebuild the past, but create something new and better"-Buttigieg
Man, I love that guy.
Yes, how can this get wider publicity- especially for Republicans?
But I have terrible news to report. By the midterms, we will be under a declaration of martial law. The insurrection Act will be declared a few riots will bring on this declaration. The drunken Kash Petal will send raids of FBI to confiscate ballots, ICE will work in tandem with the military that will be deployed to every city and town in the nation and when a reporter asks one of the soldiers why, the response will be, “I’m sorry, we are just following orders.”
And then, I will be prepared to walk into the lion’s den.
No thanks bill at all. No one is going to say "I'm sorry .... IMO walking " ... into the Lion's Den" is not a good tactic.
Others are gaming out possible political tactics & developed counter strategies that protect state voting places & our neighbors regardless of skin color, gender or wealth.
I'm also working with my CA state AG, ROB BONTAS. Rob is working with over 20 other AG's as well as state Courts across the Country, Democracy Docket & many Others like "HF", high functioning, Pete Buttigieg.
*************************************************
Sunday Morn 8/23 Update
The Secretary of State Nevada, FRANCISCO AGUILAR was interviewed this AM on Jacob Soboroff's Connect .
Francisco is prepared & in contact with NV County Sheriffs & prepared for bad actors including DRAFT civil complaints.
You misunderstood my quip, “…walk into the lion’s den.” That I’m prepared to fight and die.
I have published letters sent to my CT governor to have discussions with our National Guard on refusing any federal orders even though it’s illegal to ignore a presidential order on national guard deployment. We are in historic times and need to be prepared for a counter revolt.
Bill, I understand the emotion. Be sure you are fighting the right people. Your fight and our fight are with Donald J Trump directly and personally, and not with the National Guard or whatever paramilitary group he tries to incite to fight his battle. If it comes to that, you need to be prepared to find where he is hiding and fight him and his people there. Few things in life would bring more pleasure to the criminal President than watching all of us fighting each other in the street!
I think you misunderstood me as well. It’s important to interrupt any presidential order for a state guard to deploy. They need to be given guidance or they will ‘follow orders’ and those orders me go against you.
States have great historic rights not used since the revolution .
The problem, Bryan, is that while the Dems are 'preparing' a response to the election perversions that will happen on Nov. 3, most of what we're preparing to resist will already have happened. Then what?
Yes Bryan. I am so proud of our AG, Rob Bontas in CA, for all he is fighting for and is doing working with over 20 other AG's and many others.
The courts are still working. Read Marc Elias and you'll see how the GOP is systematically losing most of its trials.
Thanks, Bill. Always good to start on a happy note. . .
On the other hand, read below. Billie Jean, a new feline in the Katzel, is now taking the lead to Make America Grow Again.
WE have to spread it. We have to memorize these arguments and then talk with Republicans. That's how it's always done, in any democracy that survives and thrives.
To see how to do this, google "YouTube Adam Mockler Trump rally".
Adam is such a good example, as is Mayor Pete, on how to engage with others, and most importantly, not throw anyone under the bus. I observe that the reason I admire both communicators so much is that they stand comfortably in spaces with republicans. They stand comfortably and decently there and accept the push back - in fact invite it. Often I feel confident in my beliefs and facts, yet uncomfortable in the high emotion of actual face to face push back. Knowing how to stand in that moment calm and open is the space true democracy exists in.
Very well said! That's exactly it. A democracy vitally needs constant citizen debates (at the kitchen table, at work, in church, at dinner parties etc.), and the most important thing we need to train in to be able to do this is learning to work with our emotions.
Social media cultivates the exact opposite attitude: constantly increasing emotional reactivity.
That starts with accepting that there will always be people who believe things that we find truly frightening, so we do need to find our source of well-being elsewhere, not in the idea of an entire society thinking like us. Once we've installed that, we won't be freaking out so much anymore and can indeed stand comfortably and at ease.
This is on US. Victims of neofascist propaganda are not in a place to learn how to do this, so it's OUR calm that will keep THEM calm enough to "be with" their emotions rather than just act out. And if they can be with them, they can begin to think. And if we don't freak out (= send them the implicit signal that there's something wrong with who they are, deep down), we create the conditions for them to feel that we're genuinely curious about the logic behind their thoughts, assuming that in the end, they are good people too, just like us.
You describe the act of true bridge building / light shining. We have been living in what I call a Mindf*ck. It’s a dark, propagandized place intentionally created to divide, distract, and disgust us in hopes of killing the skills of actual curious and humane interaction. ( and to extract billions of dollars from us as they strip-mine our data) And you are exactly right that this is OUR task. In a way it’s our TEST. In this moment in history, this is our test. Do we really want Democracy? Are we capable of Democracy? I believe we are if we develop these skills and model them for others to be inspired by.
MLRGRMI,
It is about the "money", "the power", "the control" : to take as much as possible during these vulnerable days.
One can wait for "better" but "better" is not going to come without a fight, not without various forms of of putting our "NO MOREs, our ENOUGHs!!!!" out in front!!!!
Wake up America, we have a "monster" of an enemy!!!!
Our leaders need us to stand with them at this time, in whatever way we are able!!!! Find YOUR way, you are valuable in this battle for liberty, not only for us but for our children and grandchildren and for our country....for the best we have believed in and in memory of those who have given their lives before us!!!!
Hear hear!!
That's all well and good,EUWDT, my concern is not so much about average civilians. The ones who have joined militias and relish the idea of clashing with peaceful protesters and the people who are in power today who see that their efforts to keep minority rule will fail so this is their last chance to retain control.
With federal law enforcement agencies now set up as paramilitary forces and the actual military purged of honorable leadership, they will order these forces to put down all dissent. I think we will find out, either before or after the elections, whether these forces will obey or stand up for our democracy. Judging by how the Fascist DOJ were able to get a Judge to sign a subpoena and the FBI to seize the 2020 Fulton County election ballots does not give me confidence that the system will hold.
President Pete has a nice ring to it. If only.
I was trying to think of a slogan for him comparable to "I Like Ike" and you just handed it to me - Pete for Prez!
"On August 17, former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg recorded a video to assure those Americans who oppose the Trump administration that they are in the large majority."
A large majority doesn't count unless we vote in large enough numbers to overcome EVERY voter suppression trick Trump GOP throws at us.
Second. And now how about asking Texas voters why they prefer Paxton over Talarico? Anothe interview is for the black Republican nominee for governor of Florida why he is 100% in support of Trump. I would like to learn their reasons.
First of all, apologies to Canada. Second, thank you Pete Buttigieg. Third everyone — VOTE.
Your local Registrar of Voter can inform you as to the first available day to Vote in your precinct. Put it on your Calendar. Go with others, Souls-to-the-Polls
Bryan if you don’t mind going to use your “Souls-to-the-Polls” battle cry… Outstanding
Absolutely!
"Trump went to South Carolina last night to help Graham’s campaign. He told those attending the rally that the election was really about him...."
Of course he did. He can't even imagine a world where *everything* isn't always about him, 24/7/365. But that cuts both ways, though he's far too stupid to figure that out.
The day before yesterday, our very humble, modest, brilliant and strategically-focused President announced he would be ready to use the military "in the bond market" to get his way, of course. Many of us had to actually double-check, because we simply couldn't believe a President of the United States could actually say something that stupid. But lo and behold, he did, and he is. He thinks it makes him sound smart and strong....
Yesterday, Prime Minister Carney turned the tables on America, telling Trump and his people to go screw themselves, calling the bluff on Trump's last minute bait-and-switch effort that turned good-faith negotiating into a farce, the same way he wants his face on Mt. Rushmore, the same way he wants somebody else's Nobel Peace Prize, the same way he demands to be allowed to pee on everything he comes in contact with.
But the Very Stable Genius didn't bother doing his homework. Canada is now the 5th largest holder of American debt, more than South Korea and Saudi Arabia combined (over $500 billion as of June). For the past 18 months, it's quietly been building new trade and financial relationships with other countries without America, while using its power to build leverage within the bond markets. Donnie thinks he's pulled a gun out of a hat, but turns out Carney is the one with his finger on the trigger -- and that trigger is actually aimed at us.
A couple of days ago, Jeffrey Sachs, the former Director of Harvard's Institute for International Development, pointed out that "any statement by Donald Trump contradicts itself before the end of the sentence." The situation in the world today is "very dangerous, probably the most....since World War II," he added. "Trump is mentally ill...a dark triad personality -- malignant narcissism, Machiavellian, psychopathic, now with fronto-temporal dementia" -- a reflection of the utter brokenness of the American political system.
November, November, eyes on the prize of November....
The only issue Trump voters have ever cared about is white supremacy. They want non-white immigrants deported or in camps regardless of their immigration status. They want Black people stripped of all power whether in government, universities or finance. They want women in the kitchen, bedroom, and nursery. Trump is giving them the only thing they ever really cared about. Delivered with the cruelty they enjoy.
Trump has contempt for women and sees them there just to serve his needs - be it sex or a diaper change. Yesterday evening the BBC news strung together clips of Trump insulting female reporters: "Quiet; You're a terrible reporter; You're a low IQ person; You're fake news; Quiet Piggy; you're boisterous[??]; you're disrespectful; you should be ashamed" and on and on and on. How I wish the other reporters would stand up and say "don't talk to our colleague that way" and walk out.
How I wish one of these women reporters would stand up for themselves and tell him off. Just once..
I think CNN defended one of its female reporters that was insulted recently... though I don't remember the specifics.
that's good!
Trump is all about greed. Racism is a tool for him to use to divide us and he's found it work. I do think he is racist, but above all he is greedy: it is all about him, it is all for him.
That is possibly true of Trump, but most of his supporters are actually being harmed financially through higher prices, paying more for medical care, if they have it at all, being saddled with debt for education, higher interest rates, and they don't care if you deliver white supremacy.
But they’re all about “Christian values.” What are their “Christian values?” For example, Moms for Liberty co-founder Bridget Ziegler, who has said public schools are “indoctrination centers for the radical left” and that she wanted to bring “religious values” to them. Ziegler is married to the former chair of the Florida Republican Party, who was forced out of his position after a woman alleged he had raped her in relation to the three-way sexual relationship she had with the Zieglers. Kinky Christian Bridget Ziegler refused to step down from the school board after the scandal broke.
"Christian values" is code for keeping the Patriarchy intact, Kristin. It all centers on keeping women "in their place" so that men can run amok and do as they please without suffering any consequences. It is truly that simple.
They've crafted an American brand of shariah law for women.
And if Jesus should miraculously appear in America today he'd be deported by ICE. Christian values - my ass!
Oh, but do they ever complain loudly if you make that comparison!
You’re partially correct IMO. I think in addition to white supremacy there is another trump voting block: anti-abortion, basically anti-women’s rights.
While there are people who are strongly against abortion, "pro life" is a fig leaf to compensate for all other sins they don't regret like white supremacy. "I know I am a good person and God approves of me because I am against abortion. I vote for Trump because I am against abortion." Never mind that I support ICE and concentration camps and withholding food and medical care from people who need it.
Sounds like you have direct knowledge of the dissonant rationalizations of trump supporters! I wonder if it’s the same cognitive dissonance as those who didn’t vote or voted third party in protest against “ Genocide Joe” and his handpicked successor. “At least I didn’t support an apologist for Israel and contributor to harm against the Palestinian people so I’m absolved for ushering in trump.” While brown people in this country are harmed by ICE, Doge trashed USAID and Africans are starving, and everyone else is dying of contaminated lettuce or formerly preventable diseases. Don’t get me wrong: U.S. long standing whole-hearted support of Israel is wrong and what is being done to Gaza and Palestinian people is horrendous. But did we have a better chance of affecting that policy under trump than Kamala? Palestine is no better off with trump and we and the rest of the world are s lot worse off.
I suspect some of those people thought Kamala would win. They could not quite believe that Trump would win, and thus Kamala did not need their vote. They were wrong. It would be very interesting to find all of those people and ask them if they knew then what they know now, would they vote differently.
The thing is, Trump believes that saying that the election is all about him will be a net positive for the Republican Party. The math says otherwise but it's actually clarifying. On 11/4 we will know for dead certain what kind of country we are and want to be.
I worry that you won’t be included in the decision. It could be that most people want a democratic, fair country to be proud of but that will be ripped away from you!!!
ICTT, are you saying that Carney has a bigger “gun" than Trump? Metaphorically speaking, of course… ;)
think that's sort of obvious, don't you? 😊
Foreign Billionaires With Israel Parasitizing On America
Rupert Murdoch from Australia, Musk and Thiel from South Africa, Netanyahu/AIPAC from Israel. All throwing $$$ they have earned from an American society who allowed them into America. And they have gotten wealthier due to their proximity to Republican regimes.
These greedy wealthy corporate fascists transplanted from other countries to parasitize on the American people have no business in American politics and the electorate’s ire should be turned against them. It’s time WE the People say, “WE’ve had enough of your fascist influence.” Send these bastards back to where they came from. WE the People don’t want them influencing our elections, our media, and our government.
One of the first priorities WE the People should demand in 2029 legislation to reform campaign financing and revoke Citizens United. That will put more $$$ into people's wallets.
We have not been waiting for the overturn of Citizen's United. Let's be realistic. Politicians like PAC money. They don't care about the fact that they become beholden to the PAC instead of the voters who got them into office.
We are cutting off PAC influence in elections now. There are an increasing number of candidates who are taking no PAC money; specifically AIPAC (the ultra-powerful Israeli lobby). This year 45 candidates were successful without AIPAC money in their races. Bernie Sanders, AOC, Mamdani are the most well-known. El-Sayed in the Michigan race beat back over $40 MILLION in AIPAC money to win the primary for the Michigan Senate seat. Schumer fought like crazy to try and stop El-Sayed. Schumer says his first allegiance is to Israel.
You can go to AIPAC Tracker and see who is controlled by lobbies. No wonder we are in the fix we are in. Too many in Congress on both sides of the aisle are beholden and afraid. They stopped working for us. They work for their PAC lobbyists. It is up to each of us to research who is funding a race and call it out.
And extremely urgent matter pertaining to the oligarchs are the proliferation of data centers. Oligarchs are trying to take over our world/existence through the implementation of a super charged AI driven world. This is nasty sci-fi stuff come true.
I urge everyone to fight data centers with everything you have.
Hey, Barbara. Lovettsville, VA, in Loudoun County, where I live, is fighting back against Valley Link North who are looking to put a transmission line across our properties, from West Virginia through Virginia to Maryland. We've had meetings that have been well attended. Now our Virginia state representatives are "hosting" a meeting at the end of the month to gather info that will hopefully help us beat them back. My property along with several others on my street have "No Trespassing" signs. I have sent them a certified letter formally informing them they have no permission to trespass on our property. But it's not just here, it's everywhere in our state we want them out.
It's my understanding the State Corporation Commission of Virginia has the authority to approve or deny any permits Valley Link applies for. We are hopeful the SCC will see it our way.
Good for you and the people of Virginia!
At this time We the People are fighting back against data centers, intrusive utility companies, flock cameras and unregulated AI.
We are under a serious assault by a concerted effort of oligarchs to completely change our environment and our way of life. Amazon, Meta, Google and Open AI are wanting to take over America with their thousands of data centers (4,000 to date).
Best of luck Lynell on opposing the power grid. I looked it up. Looks really nasty. Data Center companies and utilities are seeing defeats at the hands of some really angry and very organized folks.
1. OpenAI said on Tuesday that an autonomous agent powered by its advanced artificial intelligence models went rogue during a security test and triggered a hack that compromised the infrastructure of AI startup Hugging Face last week. (Open AI created ChatGPT).
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/openai-says-ai-models-went-rogue-testing-triggering-unprecedented-brea-rcna588611#:~:text=OpenAI%20says%20AI%20models%20went%20rogue%20during%20testing%2C%20triggering%20%E2%80%98unprecedented%E2%80%99%20breach%20at%20startup
2. Sarah Connor in Terminator 2 is our cautionary tale.
I agree and the Supreme Court just said that - contrary to previous law - that PACS can now coordinate with campaigns (which they've done behind the scenes for years). But that is blatant purchasing of elections. And Schumer can't go soon enough.
And Hakeem Jeffries. Under Jeffries and Schumer protecting their own interests and the Israeli government have come first. Then there is Adam Schiff who has received over $5 MILLION of AIPAC money and says he will continue to do so. Coery Booker refuses to disavow Netanyahu, and on and on throughout the Democratic Party.
I am for a united Democratic Party. However. I get my back up when Jeffries is meeting with Kushner to see how they can work together. This is capitulation. This is fake bipartisanship. I am outraged by this. I get my back up when the "vote blue no matter" who does not include the Progressive and DSA members of the Party who are actually representing our interests.
Agree completely! I am furious at Jeffries and Schumer for their AIPAC ties and their lack of spine. Meeting with Kushner -- when I first read that this morning I thought it had to be satire. I love the younger ones out there -- Ossoff, Talarico, El Sayed, Mamdani, AOC -- and I admire many of the more moderate ones -- just not the ones in the pockets of PACS. The messaging against Trump writes itself -- and I wish we would hear a lot more of it.
Whenever someone who is not bound by AIPAC money speaks it still amazes me. Their plain talk is so clear. Their ability to speak with the press and not get cowed or play along is so strong. And on and on.
Have you seen Angie Nixon speak? Oh my.
have not seen her speak but have certainly read about her! She sounds amazing!
Completely agree with you Barbara. I'm supporting the campaigns of these young, courageous voices of the Progressive and DSA such as Jon Ossoff, Talarico and others "who are actually representing our interests". We so need them to win. Thank you Barbara.
Thank you.
https://www.trackaipac.com/congress
In Florida,every congresscritter….except MAXWELL FROST.
Also,if you’re in Florida please 📣,📲, 💻🪧 Byron Donalds (and others) support/will support data centers!
“Data center supporters have spent more than $22 million on campaign contributions in Florida ahead of the 2026 elections, according to a new Seeking Rents analysis of state fundraising data.
Roughly a quarter of that money — around $5.8 million — has been spent boosting Byron Donalds, the Republican Congressman from Naples who is the heavy favorite to win the GOP nomination for governor in next month’s primary elections.”
https://jasongarcia.substack.com/p/data-center-donors-have-spent-more?
Amen sister. I was sad but not surprised to see Moskowitz win. But! Angie Nixon surprised everyone.
🎯
Well, maybe Schumer should go live in Israel- permanently!
They became US citizens because they knew the broad US culture would welcome them and allow them to thrive more than their birth countries and anywhere else in the world. And, they were right. But, maybe they've pushed things too far and it's not too late for the US to reject them and, in time, lead their rejection by the rest of the world??
I want us to beware of using too broad a brushstroke about successful businessmen who came to the US from other countries. Protect The Vote (the above poster) names some bad apples (Musk, Thiel, etc), and they sure have poisoned the pack. But there are good immigrants, yes? We don’t need to demonize them all; but rather to enact policies to prevent the poison from spreading.
I don't see these three as generally representative of migrants. In fact, I don't see them as generally representative of most human beings. Every migrant makes their own way; the vast majority with honesty and dignity, and that is happening the world over (not just the US) despite the efforts of various people to convince us otherwise.
Agree....the comment was not meant to disparage all successful immigrant wealthy business people but to say that they should not be in politics. Rather use their new found wealth for the good of the country in some way. Usually people who reach these levels of stratospheric wealth love power unfortunately.
And we have plenty of home-grown bad apples who share the blame.
Wealthy greedy bastards can smell opportunity for graft better than any predator. Chump’s USA is on the ropes. And he invites them in. Feeding time.
Right JDinTX — feeding frenzy. Gives sharks a bad name.
Send them to Liberia
And this is why the Democrat party is going to struggle to win going forward to many fucking ignorant, and I mean ignorant antisemites in the group like this jerk
I think the negotiations with Canada says everything one needs to know about the incompetence, short sightedness, misunderstanding of how the world is working today, and most importantly working with an ally that makes us all stronger and more free.
There’s a very amusing thing going around my FB community imagining a dialogue between Carney and Trump. While the former tries to teach sweet reason to the Felon, all he can do is scream “More tariffs!” The dialogue ends with Canada showing an eye-roll emoji and a yawn. They are definitely moving forward with their own globalization plan—including considering expelling the Trumpista ambassador—and no longer need us. But boy KY and TN are hurting because sales of whiskey in Canada have dropped below the floor.
He negotiates with Canada the way he negotiates with Iran. I.e. he screams demands at them then threatens tariffs or sanctions if he isn't given his way. Thankfully both these nations have stood fast against him. But we, the American people? We're the losers in these negotiations. And "he" doesn't care at all.
We must vote wisely in November. Trump Republicans need to be voted out. Its obvious they've done virtually nothing good for our country - or the world either. We can't let our country continue to be destroyed for another two and a half years because of cowardice and incompetence.
No, Gail, at this point, a statement needs to be made across the country, on ALL levels of government, against what used to be the Republican Party. It is the ONLY way to make them understand, and to get us back on track as a people. We must vote them ALL out, decisively!
I’m sorry do you think that the negotiations with Canada are not a good thing?
Oh yes, I get it now why put America first ? the liberals, suicidal empathy posture.
World is working great for America pal. Running on all cylinders, both petroleum run engines and electric, which by the way Run and petroleum
Biden didn’t get that but Biden didn’t get much.
Biden, Biden, Biden.. you're a bad case of BYD!
Go back to sleep Rick.
Pete Buttigieg is the real deal.
Just before the demons of CBS pushed Steven Colbert off the air, he invited Lieutenant-Mayor-Secretary Pete on as his guest. Deftly punting the inevitable 'are you running for office?' Colbert jab without trying to sound too cagey, too smarty-pants, and with a dash of self-effacing humor, Pete focused his energies -- as he does in all his presentations in purple and red states and districts -- on 2026, on getting us through our current horrendous horror show.
If you listen carefully, his talks -- short, long, person-to-person, in a "bro" studio, on late-nite cable TV, in a gymnasium filled with the committed and the curious -- come at you without the usual "uhs" or "umms" that often fill the speeches of others. There are no unthought-out, half-baked responses. Every sentence is complete, grammatical, cogent. Every thought forms a logical paragraph. Every paragraph builds a laid-out strategy of governance to replace the void now eating its way through us like sulfuric acid. He's not the only one describing what a new pact between state and society might look like, but he's probably the most coherent, allowing enough nuance for real differences, focusing on welcoming lost sheep to a new fold. When he speaks, you can feel intelligence and passion as partners, instead of the guttural shrieks of a village of cultists wielding torches and pitchforks to burn some monster they thought they saw on a hill somewhere.
It was Pete who came up with the term "The Big Deal" to describe Joe Biden's skillful bipartisan enactment of a 10-year-long $100 billion infrastructure re-investment in America. For whatever reason, neither Biden nor Harris picked up the term, and in so doing, let a major political opportunity to define an era slip by. It symbolized what America really does stand for, not the demonic bibble-babble about Haitians, dogs, cats, or little boys with vaginas pouring across the Rio Grande to teach your kindergarteners critical race theory....
We so need new memes and themes right now -- we need "real deals." The Trump idiocy is oozing into a pile of rancid goo. Skillful, adept sweepers and scourers are urgently needed to clean and disinfect the mess away, while articulating something far better for the future than what we've devolved into.
Ah! The Brilliance of Pete!! As you've covered here, he is just about the smartest and most well spoken politician in the US. He's regularly on Fox "News", and always holds his own. He is immensely likable and patient and kind. So very kind. We are lucky to have him and I hope we give him the attention and the positions he deserves.
Fox ratings probably go up when Pete's on. He's calm, answers questions and always makes perfect sense, and nobody can make him look foolish.
Then magats will turn off.
She said Fox ratings go up.
Maybe they won't. He doesn't accuse. Or insult.
But he is gay, means he is an “other.” Hate is operative with so many
And you don't think he can change that perception? Here's a sample spray of "others". Mamdani? Abdul al Sayed? Ocasio-Cortez? Obama? Er, Knauss? And of course, Bessent?
Absolutely Nancy!
Re: Darline Graham - Would you choose the sister of a doctor to perform brain surgery on you when the sister has no experience? The sister says, “I’ve never been sued nor have a patient die.” True. You will be the first patient.
Darline Nordone...
Who now goes by Darline Graham to gain recognition...
Vigorously Supports trump's SAVE Act (which ONLY SAVES trump).
Does she ALSO not realize that she better have a Birth Certificate that matches up with her ID...or she won't be able to VOTE, either??!
Politicians must use their birth given name; not change their name to win political office. Watch movie “Destinguished Gentleman “ Eddie Murphy. This must be considered “bait and switch “ politics or “false advertising “.
If her driver's license has "Nordone," she will need to show proof of marriage as well.
That’s a great analogy Paul, if you’re a fucking moron. There are 100 senators and she is one voice, so everyone is going to do the operation not just her by herself
By the way, how much did you know about sex before you had it or if you ever had it
You are not the US taxpayer. You’re a Trump hating fool was hoping for America to fail so you can embarrass Trump but unfortunately for you, he’s winning at every turn
Rick...really find a Trump rally to attend. You'll be with your brothers. But not hete
What’s a rally for? Presidents don’t need a rally they do a rally generally for somebody else. And anyone that supports Trump’s policies is my brother and sister And anyone that hates Trump does so out of irrational thought so welcome to the group of totally irrational thinkers Merrill… What I call them generally as haters without a cause
Rick, You like to come on this discussion group and start calling people stupid and morons. The only stupid moron here is you. You like to think of yourself as "middle of the road"? while you swim in the poisonous waters of Trump's agenda. Being "middle of the road" and pro trump agenda is a joke. It's a distinction without a difference. If you don't do Trump rallies, you can start going to demolition derbys.
That's your problem you can't name a poisonous water that's your problem. All you can name is a pre-presidential poisonous item. His policies are working like a dream and you should be saying thank you From your knees for all the money you've made in your 401(k) since he took Office And all the wins he's had all over the world. Instead, the reflecting pool is the center of the universe. And I don't understand you haven't brought it up in weeks. What's the problem? Still like the thing that makes the world turn
All his policies are working in Merrill and any statement to the country Would be denial And ignorance
Hey Meryl, sorry pal I call themlike I see him. And like they are People make the most ridiculous statements here irrational statements here. What do you want me to do give them any A minus.
August 23.
As I write this, it is early morning of that date here in the mountains of Kyushu, Japan.
It’s early Saturday evening of the day before that on the seacoast of Maine, where Heather has not yet even begun her Letter (though it would come up 2:30 in the afternoon of the 23rd my time, a bit after midnight beginning the 23rd for her).
On August 23, 1971, a middle-aged, courtly, gentleman corporate lawyer for big tobacco, Louis Powell, anonymously published the memo that 17 months later would spawn the new, far-right Heritage Foundation, and ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council), and so much more. For it, later that year Richard Nixon would name him, Louis Powell, to a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court.
His authorship of the Powell memo would never come up in his U.S. Senate hearings.
The Beatles had broken up. Bob Dylan still toured with The Band. No one had yet talked to Emily Lou Harris of Mendocino. Bruce Springsteen had in no way yet visited Nebraska. John Prine and Bob Seger were still only local acts. Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Johnny Cash had yet to become outlaws. And testing but occasionally visited American schools.
Powell was primed and placed by the Warligarchy. The MIC had been entrenched since the Cold War. His Memo was not an epiphany. It was more of an assignment. His Faustian path to the Highest Court on Earth, but he never regretted his decision. I think sometimes Gorsuch has his doubts, and Amy. But they were indoctrinated long and hard by the Catholic Church, the Opus Dei, like all the disastrous Federalist Placements. I'd love to see her Break the Shackles, but it's probably just a fantasy.
It's up to us, THE VOTERS, to Dilute their power by expanding the Court to reflect the size of our polity, and the complexity of our laws during The Upgrade To COME.
Expanding to 13 makes sense for a practical reason, too, Patrice.
The court supervises 13 circuits, so upping the justices by four more would fairly adjust work load.
But your main point weighs well -- so much depends on the extent to which voters manifestly condemn, eject, replace all the corrupt floating the orange bigot, rapist, racist, murderer.
Permission to rob, plunder and rule doesn’t stay below the radar for long.
Wow, you might wanna work on your vocabulary to utilize more factual and realistic terms rather than utopian Esoteric thoughts
Just another lost educator, I think. Who believes that education is a sign of intelligence when all it is is a theoretical science Until put into practice in the real world, not in the classroom
Why is it that all of a sudden liberals have the idea of expanding the court oh I get it now when the liberals were in charge, there would never be a discussion of expanding the court And why is that because all liberals care about in their essence is control That is the essence of their total existence in fact, even when they’re in control and the shit is flying everywhere and the countries in the toilet, there is total silence by the liberals because guess what they’re in control
The education system of this country has been going downhill ever since the Democrats took control of it in 1979 where we went from first in the In the world in education to 18th 30 years later to 40th today When children now are learning more about their genitals and they are math and science so much that an esteemed professor and of all schools, Berkeley is saying he has to dumb down his lectures to incoming freshman.
And Trump has done us all a favor by eliminating that organization and bringing it back to the states so that it’s voters and it’s elected officials/representatives can make a more appropriate decision for its particular population and their needs. Choice. Something, the , Democrats abhor .
How come we didn’t discuss, expanding the court when Roe v. Wade came out. And the Democrats were in control of the court for decades I didn’t hear a peep out of you then. Just a fucking hypocrite. here’s a couple of memes to help you. I’m allowed to post them here, but I’m not sure she will
Nope can’t post meme , but I can state it for you texting Caps so you get it
LIBERALS. IF WE COULD JAIL THE SITTING PRESIDENT, GET RID OF MAGA, END THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE, STACK THE SUPREME COURT, BAN VOTER ID, AND CENSOR FREE SPEECH, WE….COULD SAVE DEMOCRACY !!
That’s the liberals, Hippocratic and hypocrite oath. The liberal Maga… make America go away
All sounds to right. Thanks
I’m Kind of a middle of the road kind of guy there Merrill
Rational thought as positive as can be for the benefit of the most Americans possible.
Rick..you are an utter fool. You and your deluded friends are well on the way out of power. At the start of the Civil War, Julia Ward Howe, a deeply religious abolitionist wrote the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Her rage at the Southern slavers and insurrectionist was screaming out of her first verse:
"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on"
Just insert "We the People" into each religious reference and you'll understand how ready the great majority of Americans to bring a reckoning to Trump/MAGA.
Why is it and I just can’t understand it 90% or more of the people on this website are still living in the past Are living in history are still calling history are living in ancient civilizations, trying to like it to anything of today. Yikes. It’s a circle jerk… nobody is living in today. You’re either living in yesterday or predicting the future, which is never taken place. In fact, almost every prediction, you’ve made has been wrong. Predictions on the president before this election predictions on Congress before this election Addictions, on most of the legislation that the liberals were against the passed anyway.
Try living in the moment Merrill try living in the now
Well, if you’ve been to a clairvoyant lately or maybe a séance or maybe you got a brand new Ouija board. Some people never learn that you should not predict the future. You should watch for it you should hope for the best, but plan for the worst
I don’t have any deluded friends. My friends are all successful businessman. Who have their eye on the ball in their finger on the pulse of common sense.
The Democrat party are the ones that are going to be struggling because they can’t find any sense of themselves. They have no leader, and they have a multitude of agendas… none of them cohesive, very few of them coherent, and they claim to have a big tent party, but the only thing anyone’s ever seen in a big tent is a circus.
There are five Democrat parties now and it’s gonna be very hard to coalesce
So if you see in the agenda or platform of the DSA, it’s the new Maga Merrill.
It is the make America go away party. And it’s not gonna work. Do you have a few insane Democrats left on the cricket, but those in power now will not be in power after the midterm. It’ll be a smattering of wackos socialist and communist and antisemites quite an impressive group.
The problem that you have Merrill is that you have nobody in power right now. And of trumps current strategy of strangling Iran naturally, on her about the midterms…
For the first time in more than 50 years, catch that again for the first time more than 50 years, the party in power when it came into office with both houses of Congress may actually have a chance to retain it. But that hasn’t happened in more than 50 years.
I wish you luck
And then in January of 2026, a homeless cat sat outside my basement window watching me work. I paused to look back at her. She was communicating something to me. It was right before the Arctic blasts hit New England. I captured her and slowly introduced her to the cat family. A month later she had a litter of 4. All would have been destroyed by the elements.
One kitten from the first moment she could crawl, walked to me every time I sauntered into the room. Billie Jean picked me and her permanent place in the Katzel.
Now, Billie Jean is training multiple squads of felines for the coming wars to save America. She has invented new technologies to turn poop into devastating drone bombs aimed at destroying the remaining White House with all occupants inside. She said it’s necessary to destroy in order to rebuild. Poop bombs will bring down all MAGA elements. She has teamed with our Ukraine allies and is developing a poop bomb so large one dropped on Mar-a-Lago will turn the motel complex into Florida SWAMPLAND.
Billie Jean has indicated she wants to become the next president of the United States and have Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen perform at her inauguration.
I will be her proud daddy.
Please provide some counsel which your Billie Jean has missed.
Criminal Donald already used (by AI) a flying source of shit from the sky being poured on people. This, after one of the No Kings mass rallies, and the orange fat felon wanted to make clear his opinion of Americans less than appreciative of his rapes, murders, extortions, daily vulgarities, mass sales of pardons to criminal billionaires, industrial scale flatulence, pardoning police attackers, siccing ICE on our neighbors, and befriending the worst dictators of the world.
Her teams have already infiltrated the soon to be Brown House. She is now resting neath my armpit. 💩 💩💩💩💩💩💩💩🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛
Keep her away from chump…
Hey Phil, stay there keep in mind the people that you complain having gone to war with are now some of our best and most furthest and loyal allies. But a lot of you crack me up when you talk about oh my God if we go a war against them, they’re not gonna like us well no shit but look at the countries that are our biggest allies. The ones we’ve defeated.
And here we have Phil bailout. Who whose brain decided to leave his had many many years ago. And who uses a bicycle tire pump to fill it up again when it gets low like this.
Thank you, Professor as always. And thank you, Pete. You are the antithesis of what we have right now. Please run. Truth, honesty, intelligence, love of democracy, keeper of the constitution and the belief that all people, in need of care, should receive it. I know you stand for that and all of us stand for that. So do it please. We can change the world back to good….☮️❤️🌻
Today’s letter is simply brilliant as are your comments. Heather’s carefully curated list of shortcomings is comprehensive without being strident. Secretary Pete Buttigieg's remarks clarifying that many of the positions taken by the current administration are not supported by a majority of the American people are a calm and clear statement of the obvious. This administration has lost legitimacy. This administration has lost the support of the people who are stuck paying the bills. This administration is soon to be defanged. Sometimes lowering the temperature of the conversation makes the power of its message shine more brightly, and you are to be commended for recognizing and encouraging that approach.
Thank you
Brilliant? Which tells you all you need to know about the low bar of the level intelligence. Just too many educated derelicts
HCR never aims at the wrong target. We needed to read Pete B's words. Is there anything he doesn't grasp? He's a leader.
Thank you for what helping you destroy America and its success. Not gonna happen, Pal
My husband and I have been following Pete Buttigieg since he was the Mayor of South Bend IN. We had hoped he might run for governor or the US Congress. He received our votes in the race for the Democratic presidential primary. Should he run again in 2028 we will be proud to support his campaign and vote for him again!
Yeah, have you written any of his buses or charge your car in any of his nonexistent charging stations that’s been $16 billion of your money? You know that’s amazing about liberals they could pick up something like Academy center which means nothing to anybody as far as our daily lives but when the government here pisses away billions of dollars opens the border and closest trillions of dollars as long as the liberals are in control, they don’t give a shit how they don’t say a damn thing
“And now the story that the closest advisor to the President of the United States is a 35-year-old woman who seems unhealthily obsessed with him ties Republican Party leadership to the reality that they are permitting the destruction of the United States with barely a whimper.”
I hold the Republican Party far more responsible than Trump for the profound mess the US is spiraling into at the moment. The GOP could have stopped him any time, but chose not to. Right, Senator McConnell?
Hey Ralph, do you know if we call what you have? Besides being incredibly sad
The term is “malicious jealousy”/envy” . And I totally understand it. That’s what happens when you fantasize about relationship, that doesn’t exist, and it makes it worse is specially when you can’t get it up anymore.
Hey, Rick! I think I see what you’re trying to say but it’s tough when your subjects and verbs don’t match and your syntax is just weird. Maybe get someone who knows the English language better than you to edit your posts for you. Maybe a 5th grader.
You people are probably some of the dumbest motherfuckers on the planet. In fact, you’re the kind of guy if you read the Declaration of Independence and you found a dangling participle or ending a sentence with a preposition, Or even worse , use the word who instead of whom. Lmao…. you would just toss the declaration in the trash because You ignored your ninth grade teacher when she told you always consider CONTENT OVER FORM. …….moron.
If you wanna complain about my grammar, you should call Steve Jobs voice texting software people and tell them about it
Otherwise, you can take your orthographic comments and shove them up your ass cause they’re worthless remarks and that’s what happens when you deflect from the facts …deflect from the truth because you don’t wanna hear the truth so you pick on minutia Things like the reflecting Pool, which is you know makes the world go round between that and the Kennedy center I don’t know how we would survive
WELL, SINCE YOU DIDN’T LEARN FROM YOUR NINTH GRADE TEACHER, MAYBE YOU SHOULD LEARN FROM ME THE FIFTH GRADER THAT WILL TEACH YOU THAT CONTENT ALWAYS RULES OVER FORM
I’m beginning to wonder if you ran your life like this also.
The regime is leaving its mark on the US and the world. I would hope the European and Asian nations feel somewhat sorry for those of us who did not get sucked up in the trumpian whirlpool. Today I heard someone say that it wasn’t the economy that is messed up. It’s the government. We will have a ton of work to do when we win back the House, the Senate, and the WH. I sure as hell do not want one Dem usurping their duty to serve Americans. May they be damned if they do.
You forgot to mention the Supreme Court and Military.
Yep, because those are a given but thanks for the reminder.
And the Dems need to find a way to produce a united front and stop the inner squabbling. We are stronger together and there is room for multiple points of view - the goal this November is to vote the Republicans out. That's more important than anything else.
On ALL levels!!
Agreed. They do need to stop the squabbling and create the big tent.
BUT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO SO.
Ken Martin, the leader of the DNC, is still screaming about the evils of Progressives instead of the evils of MAGA.
Speaker Jefferies is more concerned about United Healthcare's stockholders than the lives of American citizens who no longer have healthcare.
... and don't even get me going about Chuck the Ultimate Zionist Schumer. Who believes that promoting Israel's government is more important than representing the people of New York or of his job as Minority Leader in America.
Instead they whine that we need to be like MAGA. Support them no matter what they say.. even as they refuse to support us.
MAGA is probably the end of the GOP. But it's also going to be the end of the Democratic Party because they still don't get it.
And this just in: "Representative Hakeem Jeffries, Democrat of New York and the minority leader, met privately in recent weeks with Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law and top outside adviser, and discussed potential areas of common ground, according to five people with knowledge of the meeting."
Common ground with Jared Kushner? What common ground could there be with this presidential cheerleader/lapdog/grifter? What in the world is Jeffries trying to do to the Democratic Party? Assuming the Dems win the House, Jeffries must be replaced as leader by someone who will fight for what the voters want. Maybe AOC.
I saw this too Donna -- I mean WTAF? Jeffries is weak and bland and Schumer is owned by AIPAC. And as dull as wet cardboard!
JFC. Seriously? I hadn't seen this.
"Potential areas of common ground" with Jared Kushner?
So that would be what? Turning Gaza in to a shopping mall? Destroying the US dollar entirely by going 'crypto'? Just selling the entire country to SA?
So help me... the corruption is just over the top. And we need to be constantly reminded that it's not just the GOP.
YES to all of this!!!
Tell Fetterman
" Moms for Liberty was behind the book banning of the past several years"... no greater liberty than banning what people can read...
Stephen what the fuck did you think you’re Department of Education run by liberals controlled by liberals and teachers unions for 50 years has done to our children
Children today educated by the liberal horde, know more about their genitals, and they know about math and science. And 79 when the liberals took control of the education system through the department of education, we were number one of the world and education, and they and they managed to get it down to 18th 20 years later and now we’re at 40th Inculcation not education is what was happening for the last 50 years. That’s why I Berkeley professors said he had to dumb down his classes for incoming freshmen because I couldn’t even fucking read
The world is full of followers and not leaders.
People followed President Trump because they believed the myth of "you're fired". They believed he was a successful, savvy businessman, who made millions because of his smarts. People believed the republican myth that immigrants are stealing money from them and eating their pets. People are beginning to realize they have blindly followed and are becoming leaders of their own destiny.
As the bumper sticker from the 1960's stated "question authority".
His TV show that ran for 10 years created many loyal fans and they turned into voters. Apparently many still think he is his phony TV persona.
I only watched one show so I don’t know what the show is much about. He’s the only president with a set of testicles in the last 40 years, except a few of them at one of the Use their testicle for something else. Is keeping his promises and getting the work done and America is being rewarded because of it
And, then there's professional wrestling and Hulk Hogan - https://youtu.be/NS7ugqFpH7c?si=UuMqwNqf7XyqoPi9
I think hulk has gone to his reward. But perhaps i'm mistaken
I had a bumper sticker in the 70s that read: “Impeach hell, Castrate” referring to another criminal republican president. At least there were some republicans back then courageous enough to tell Nixon he would be impeached and convicted by Congress. Now the ass-kissing republicans will tolerate no end of dumbfuckery from Donny and his dunces with no question or complaint. As my Canadian Aunt Donna used to say: “It’s time for these buggers to smarten up.” We’re going to have to help them it’s clear. Vote!
Nobody voted for Trump because of you’re fired. They voted for Trump for a number of reasons, none of which had to do with you’re fired. Thank God they did.
Hey did you question authority when Joe Biden arbitrarily and autocratically opened our southern border, and then lied to us? Hmmmmmm.
Did you question Barack Obama when he said if you like your plan you can keep your plan or if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor? People here are so blinded by their hate they can’t make a rational decision about anything
I think both Buttigieg and Ossoff could be some of the leaders we're looking for right now. They both have that air of confident competence that Carney, Zelensky and Magyar carry themselves with. We need some of that.
There's also Mark Kelly. (I too am sorry that the leading contenders at this point are all white males. But there is AOC moving up in experience and stature.)
AOC is on my Dinner party list.
As my brother said, ain’t voting for no woman. Yes, he is ignorant but first in line to vote.
Don't care.
Seriously.
"oh that will cost you a vote"
STILL DON'T CARE.
The misogyny of men in America is not an excuse for not promoting women who have earned it.
I refuse to play their game. If they are incapable of promoting our most important and most basic tenets of Equal Rights and Justice for all... then they are a failed human being to begin with.
"As my brother said, ain’t voting for no woman.."
Yikes!
I totally agree. Articulate; plain spoken with a positive plan. Just what we need most.
You’re right …they can piss away, money with the best of them.