Last Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reposted a video in which Christian nationalist pastors express their opposition to the idea of women voting.
Gosh, Heather, please refrain from calling Hegseth a “political leader”. He is a proven so-called “reformed” alcoholic who supposedly found Jesus Christ when he blew it a thousand times, over and over again. He claims his Christianity by tattooing his body parts with symbols of hatred. Hegseth is a pathetic inhumane person occupying space in our nation right now. Someday, his lily white derriere will be grass. Have a good night and see ya’ tomorrow.
Marlene, I hear you and yeah, Hegseth’s personal résumé is a walking contradiction. But that’s the point Heather’s making: it’s not just the guy, it’s the office. You let someone use that seat to push one religion’s rulebook, and suddenly Madison’s 1785 warning isn’t history class anymore, it’s the evening news. Once faith becomes law, it stops being faith… and just turns into raw power. www.xplisset.com
Yeah, once someone ‘gets religion,’ I get suspicious. Certainly it could be genuine, but the proof is in the living that faith, not beating your chest and telling others how they’re gonna live. And it’s most certainly not taking away others’ dignity, humanity and civil rights, like voting.
And I've always heard (and seen) that 'there's nothing worse than a reformed drunk'. (Or any other kind of rabid 'reformed' anything, because they always seem to decide it's their place to convince the rest of us what their new beliefs are.)
What do you mean by "reformed drunk"??? I've had many, many friends, acquaintances, and co-workers over the decades who were (and are) recovering alcoholics and addicts. As someone who grew up in an alcoholic family, I benefited greatly from 12-step programs myself. Your "they always" comment sounds like the ignorant remarks I've been hearing for decades. I hope you will clarify what you meant here.
I understand (from professional observations and reports from friends) what alcoholic families are like, and I know many people who have been helped by both AA and Al Anon (and back in the day, Adult Children of Alcoholics which, IIRC, was Al Anon without the spiritual/religious component.)
In my lexicon, "reformed drunk" has the same contextual energy as someone who has "got religion". Some people need to be so certain that their path is for everybody that they must convince the entire world that their path is the "one true way".
I did not read the Professor's words as demeaning anyone who had found help fighting addiction and entering recovery.
I've not been active here for a while. I am a recovering alcoholic with 42 years of sobriety behind me. Hegseth is clearly still drinking. Also, those who use the term "reformed" with regard to alcoholism are ignorant of the real process of recovery. In my view, Hegseth is clearly still drinking and has used both recovery and religion as part of his personal con on the world. He is a manifestly horrible man.
Ally, let’s all just agree that recovery is often ‘relative’ according to the individual. Alcoholism is a disease, often generations in a family are affected by it. I admire any addict substance or otherwise, who works hard to become free of an addiction. To overcome addiction is ..as many here via HCR know… extremely difficult.
It’s said in AA that only 10% make it to real sobriety. Unfortunately, the chances are slim!
As for Hege the ugly, particularly for the rest of us, his addiction to religion is like swapping deck chairs on the Titanic.
Ally the number of demeaning remarks relating to an alcoholic person today is disheartening. This coupled with the expressions of real hatred in comments today is troubling. I hope folks are channeling their hatred into activism.
Ally; What is the meaning behind IIRC ? I find myself very rapt in these discussions, though late to the forum. I don't care to misunderstand even an iota of it.
I'm not referring to "the Professor," if by that you mean HCR. I'm referring to the commenter I responded to. I don't believe that individual is a professor. I realize the threading on Substack can be hard to follow, but it does matter.
Susanna, I'm sorry that I was flip in my comment. I, too, grew up in an alcoholic household, and had many friends, some of whom found sobriety, and I applauded them. Some weren't so lucky, or as determined, and died young.
My comment, which I should have elaborated on, was referring to those, who (as someone else in the comments stated) are like those who 'get religion' and then feel the need to foist their new beliefs on everyone else. That's what the 'reformed' meant.
It seems you missed the "seem" in "they always seem". Congrats on your own sobriety. As someone who grew up in an alcoholic family, you should realize that Hegseth's struggles with alcohol will continue and will complicate his ability to perform in such a demanding position.
I agree with Suzanna. There are an awful lot of really nasty comments on alcoholics today. Dislike the moral character of people like Hegseth. Separate the disease out.
No, I didn't. The key word there is "always." "They always seem" is a common way to introduce a generalization that borders on bigotry and often crosses the line. Try swapping in other groups for "they": women, people of color, immigrants . . .
There are many people who stop drinking alcohol but NEVER openly deal with the abuse, mental health, personality issues so 'dry drunk' refers to those who have not finished (or worked for) those conflicts. I have a family member that's in that boat. Sobriety is only one part of the solution. The programs are wonderful for so many family & friends- even if it is just giving them the power to break the bonds tying them to a person who hasn't finished their work.
With all due respect, Sandra, no drunk is "reformed." They are recovering as alcoholism stays with the individual for their lifetime. Hegseth's problem isn't so much his drinkin' as much as is his thinkin'.
Exactly Marge. Certainty in self - righteousness. Damn; I'd just love to 'grade my own tests' wouldn't you, wouldn't everyone ? Just imagine what scholars we all would be without evidence. Isn't that the cruxt of the matter ?
Due respect, Sandra. You might want to do some research on recovery. Some of the best people I know are in recovery. My only perspective is with alcoholism.
You would be surprised by how many untreated alcoholics are out in full force in the world. People who seek true sobriety are not just not drinking, they are changing their lives, being honest and changing not just their lives but the people close to them.
You should ask a child of an alcoholic who is in recovery and striving to live a sober life, not just a dry-drunk life if they think it’s bull shit.
I’d argue the most glorious thing AA has done is not monetize it.
For free or a buck some person can walk into a room and truly be helped. Maybe they are preachy sometimes about recovery but the ones who truly want to live a better life simply seem eager to share how much their lives have been saved by recovery programs, not just AA. And a wonderful thing AA did was to drop God from its language. Another thing my brave friends have stressed. They do suggest a higher power, mostly to stress the person has no control but they recognized people who really needed the program might be turned off from a Christian God. They wanted Jews, Muslims, atheists, Buddhists who were suffering to be included, not excluded.
So I take exception with AA being lumped into whatever it is Hegseth practices and Prosperity (gag!) preaching. Jesus literally fought bevause people had to pay to get into the temples to worship. How they duped the flock into “prosperity preaching” is simply brilliant marketing for charlatans.
To me, if you are religious, no matter what religion, your faith is exhibited by your behavior not your words or symbols. It is action. This man means to force women into submission or his pleasure and because he is scared shitless of us.
MLM, even the most "genuine" Christianity is patriarchal, which by definition, is not democratic.
Christianity originates from Judaism, an ancient patriarchy which joined religious superstition and government to create a theocracy.
Modern Christians, particularly evangelicals, get their ideas about women's roles, not from Jesus, but from the religious-terrorist-turned-evangelist Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus.
Just as Saul allegedly went blind before his "conversion," naive evangelicals are blind to the facts.
1. Evangelicals believe that the Bible is "inerrant," that every word in it was somehow dictated by God and the authors were no more than stenographers.
2. Evangelicals assume that Saul's conversion was total. Even nominal knowledge of human nature tells us that such a transformation is impossible. Saul held extreme beliefs before his conversion from Hebrew legalism to allegiance to the Jesus movement. It is unreasonable to think he suddenly dropped his former patriarchal beliefs, including misogyny, after he converted.
3. Evangelicals are unaware or do not accept the findings of modern biblical scholars, who assert that only 7 of the 14 epistles attributed to Paul were actually written by him. The others were likely not even written contemporaneously. In any case, the opinions expressed in those letters, including "women should keep silent" are just that: opinions.
4. The provenance of the entire Bible, both the Hebrew Scriptures (aka The Old Testament) and The New Testament, is sketchy at best. This encyclopedia of ancient writings includes some interesting, even beneficial content, but it's hardly a rulebook for daily living.
Dale, thank you for providing this detailed account. I just finished a book called The Creation of Patriarchy and she has a whole chapter on ancient Israel. I would say that the creation of Judaism borrowed heavily from other views in the ancient near east which were patriarchal. Also I read a book on how the Bible came to be which concludes that the Bible was a response to the need to create a belief to hold Jews together in the face of being conquered repeatedly and being moved around by the conquerors. Also there was more than one tradition and the Bible is also an attempt to put those together. I recently reread Genesis(KJV) as preparation to reading Marilynn Robinson's book about Genesis. I was appalled actually....all about the perpetuation of male seed. I think Robinson wrote this book partly as an answer to God An Anatomy which I enjoyed, but believers would not. I have never been a fan of Paul who managed to prevail over others trying to keep the teaching of Jesus alive. Religious terrorist indeed.
Thanks, Michele. Although I was born into an evangelical household, I now identify as a non-deist. I arrived at this conclusion after a lot of study, and also, a lot of thinking (evangelicals frown on thinking, for obvious reasons).
What confounds me is that all Christians assume without reservation that Norse, Greek, Roman and other deities were all products of ancient men's imaginations, but the Judaic deity is "the real deal."
Moreover, evangelicals believe without reservation that the Old Testament myths and legends, such as the Adam & Eve and Noah's ark stories, actually happened.
It is significant to me that the Adam & Eve story is positioned at the very beginning of the biblical canon. This establishes, from the get-go, that the man is a noble, innocent being and the woman is a foolish temptress who's stupid enough to believe a talking snake, disobeys God, then immediately runs back home and seduces her husband into joining her in her sin. This is the foundation of evangelical social culture.
When you think about it, everything about Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden is confounding. If Eve had not listened to the snake, would she and Adam have lived forever in Eden, never aging, never dying, never having children (or sex)? Why create a man and a woman? Why not create two men (since they're highly superior)? Your point about Christianity and patriarchy is so crucial but it always seems to get conveniently ignored by Christians.
Dale, there is another tradition in the far east and I am blanking on which one where there were a bunch of entities going around being very happy and ignorant and then they discovered sex and all hell broke loose. I always listen to the Christmas Eve ceremony from King's College, Cambridge, where they read passages from the Bible. I always bristle at the Adam/Eve part. I also read Eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven which discusses the Catholic Church teaching on sex. Also we have those guys sitting on pillars in the desert. From all this i concluded that men who wrote the sacred books thought that sex was more powerful than anything else and blamed women for claiming their attention. I believe in a universal energy however one chooses to interpret that. I do have problems with people who condemn all believers because some people who believe do good things. They are not all hypocrites. I love many pagan beliefs.
Well, Cindy, that is why women in the Bible and in many places today only exist as uteri. I hear a lot of this now from those who would turn our country into a straight white male theocracy. Women should be barefoot, pregnant, and silent.
ML, The drunk is a chest beater on steroids. He is not nor will ever be anything remotely like the Jesus of the first three Gospels. Hmm. Weren't there women around too.
MLMinET, so right on! Pronouncing your faith while doing your utmost to undo civility is why there will be some big surprises for those people. Some sooner that later I think.
Yes. Some argue once Constantine adopted Christianity, it was over. I agree with Bonhoeffer: We need a Christianity without the religion. Men have created these structures and have decided what role women will play. Here is the “complementary “ role I have chosen for you. It is all the plan these folks hatched 50 years ago with Phyllis Schlafley from the catholic right and the evangelicals to counter integration in the schools and the women’s rights movement. Jesus and John Wayne by Kristen DuMez is the best explaination of this.
As I have read these comments, your final point has remained the reality and power of faith and belief - and even the power of law. If there is no belief in the concepts of these religious and legal ideas they remain nothing but words on a page. What a conundrum!
If one watched the Jan 6 th hearings closely the man from Arizona named Rusty spoke of his very ill daughter and how because he stood up against the MAGA they gave his family real grief. He also had a very convoluted understanding of our government underlying frameworks and yes did equate it with Christianity. I wanted someone on the panel (and I don’t think they really understood until then some folks belief systems )to shout out Jefferson was a Diest and wrote his own version of the bible. Susan B Anthony. as well Miseducated the book is an interesting read in this area. The whole way religion has been used in this country wild as wild as any other region on earth.And feminism and other religions and racism. If you read Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin is shows Catholic segregation in the south.And the Carroll family from Maryland and plantation and slaves owners played a role with our new government and the beginnings of the Roman Catholic Church. The constitution has some ties to the ingenious peoples framework and. belief systems as well but I can’t recall the name H something Confederracy perhaps? And the Jewish people have been around and along history of those who had to convert but still practiced their faith in secret. There is the story of Anne Hutchinson and others and some folks used it as a wonderful framework for good others use the framework for evil and behind that is a story we do not know but of trauma and the inability of certain systems to deal with the truths of their lives and they just end up stuck in a cesspool of conflicts and to be kind I think they much be in so much emotional pain and they must not be able to literally be in their own skin.
"Once faith becomes law, it stops being faith ... and just turns into raw power"?
Also, Xplisset: dogma, cliche, sloganeering, hatred orthodoxies, victimization scenarios, standardized testing, larger armies of lobbyists, DNC fundraising, RNC fundraising, mainstream media advertisers, social media algorithms for more hate, more victimization, and more testing to keep humanities out of schools.
Growing up in Massachusetts I always thought it curious that the colonists who came to the New World claiming they wanted religious freedom made the colony so intolerant of dissent from their version of religious freedom that Roger Williams had to flee and create what became Rhode Island. People who believe they are “chosen” by god always think their’s is the one, true way to be and live and centuries of history show they’ll kill you if you disagree.
I'm hoping that HCR can talk about the nature of the Puritan ideology and what kinds of ideas were in the minds of their opposition -- not a small group, either!
Extremely sage observation X. Thanks for the invitation to you essays / substack. A brief perusal there causes me some interest friend; Or I should hope to call you such in the future. I hope you'll join in this 'little community' more frequently; Many of us are 'known' to one another over substantial time. Welcome; And yes, it becomes "raw power." And a power we must resist, even with our blood should need be. I've offered mine before and for far less worthy causes it seemed in retrospect. I'm willing again for far greater cause in this 'moment.'
Bruce, the real danger isn’t just the bad actors ….it’s the blueprint they’re leaving behind. Authoritarians always bet on the same formula: rewrite the moral rules to match their ambitions, twist the legal code until it’s a weapon, then dare anyone to stop them. That’s why Heather’s piece about Madison’s fight for conscience is so relevant — he saw that once one group’s theology becomes everyone’s law, the whole structure of representative government collapses.
What we’re watching now is a stress test of the system and a live demonstration of how fragile those guardrails get when apathy, disinformation, and raw power start working together. I’ve been mapping that pattern, past and present, and it’s scary how predictable it is… and how stoppable it still could be if enough of us understand the playbook. I break it down here: www.xplisset.com.
Some background on "Heather" also known Dr. Richardson.
Richardson attended Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire.[1][2] She received her AB, MA, and PhD degrees from Harvard University,
"Heather Cox Richardson is one of the most popular historians in the U.S., boasting more than 3.2 million Facebook followers and 2.5 million Substack subscribers, making her the most-subscribed individual creator on that platform.
In “Letters from an American,” the newsletter she began writing in 2019, the 62-year-old analyzes current events by connecting them to broader historical trends and patterns in American history.
She also regularly hosts evening live chats on Facebook, taking reader questions in a new version of the nightly news."
In the realm of traditional media, Richardson is the author of seven books, including To Make Men Free: A History of the Republican Party, How the South Won the Civil War: Oligarchy, Democracy, and the Continuing Fight for the Soul of America, and Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America—she’s well-positioned to cover a divided United States. When she’s not writing, she’s a professor at Boston College, teaching 19th-century American history to undergraduate and graduate students.
At the core of Richardson’s work is ensuring people have an understanding of past mistakes, in hopes the nation can avoid repeating them."
Sources: Time and Wikipedia
Dr. Richardson has said the only time she will insist on being called "doctor" is when she is being mansplained.
Barbara, I appreciate you sharing that because it adds even more weight to why her words hit me the way they do. I’ll admit, I’ve been a little casual with “Heather,” but that’s just because when her writing lands, it feels like she’s talking to you across the table, no pretense, no distance. That said, she’s earned every ounce of respect that comes with “Dr. Richardson,” and knowing more about her path just makes me value her work even more. I’ll keep that in mind… even if my straight-talk side sometimes slips out.
Dr. Richardson is considered one of the foremost minds in America today. She is multi-dimensional. She has interviewed President Biden twice and President Obama. Her work academically dovetailing with her recent entry into American politics has made her a sought-after voice in America.
Very early on, on one of her "Politics Chats", someone asked the question of what she wanted to be called. Her guideline (and keeping in mind, this was a while ago) she said that the only guidelines she had with her students, she asked the undergrads to call her "Doctor" or "Professor" and worked hard to get her graduate students to call her "Heather" since they worked together more personally.
As someone who lived within a command structure for 30+ years and had friends who promoted "up the chain of command" (to include my last Sheriff and Chief Deputy [second in command] who both rode with me as explorer scouts and having done the background investigation on the Chief Deputy) I would use their given names in private conversations but some form of their rank in public. This was most often "Sarge" or "Lt". I have settled on calling her Professor, since it conveys the respect I have for her.
If I ever get to meet her in person, I'll call her "Heather".
How sad that any woman needs to use the title doctor to have them see a woman can be smarter that they- even then , they probably assume she didn't really 'earn' her title. She is ranked pretty high in my book!
Glad it clicked for you. Heather’s pieces I’ve read have that layered depth, so I just try to pull a couple threads and tie them to something I’ve lived or seen firsthand. Makes the history hit different when you can feel it in your gut, not just read it on the page.
Yes, alcoholism is a disease. But using alcoholism as an excuse for arrogance, hatred, sadistic cruelty and stupidity is not a disease; it is a choice. And it is unquestionably a moral failing. An alcoholic who kills someone because s/he chose to drive while drunk is rightly held responsible for that death. He gets no pass here. None.
I don't think anyone here is using alcoholism as an excuse for ghastly personality traits and behaviors. Hegseth is all that you say but is more likely the result of nurture rather than nature. Alcoholism runs through both sides of my family tree but those closest to me were never ugly and cruel whether sober of drunk.
I also highly doubt that Hegseth has stopped drinking, just somewhat more controlled in public. His position is too stressful for him to have stopped cold turkey upon taking the job and rehab would have required him to disappear for at least several weeks.
His alcoholism just brings his horrible personality traits and behaviors to the fore. Alcoholism does not always manifest itself in cruelty and criminality, those traits were always part of his personality. He is truly a horrible, stupid and self centered person. Just like his boss.
Yes, that’s been reported—talk about someone with no self-awareness. He’d be up against Marsha Blackburn, Trump’s chief sycophant, whose treasurer is a WWE ‘wrestler’ and our county mayor. He wants her seat because he’s term limited—and, because he’s a libertarian, during Covid he saw no reason for the gov to be involved in public health; he said every person is responsible for his/her individual health.
Oh, and the Christian Nationalists have purchased 500 acres in Jackson Co for their ‘headquarters.’
Whatever have we done, Lord, to be punished like this. Oh, wait. Let Republicans run unopposed for too long. Www.bluetennessee.org We’re trying …
Knox County resident here and Gloria Johnson voter. I'd love to believe that Blackburn or Hegseth wouldn't have ANY chance to be governor of Tennessee, but too many of our citizens will be shocked, appalled, gobsmacked by what's been done to them by R's ‼️ and then vote republican 🤢💔
Our state sadly might be headed In the direction of Missouri. Supermajority R's refusing to listen to voters, pushing through whatever they believe is the best way.
MLM--are you aware of "Tennessee Brando" form the Meidas Touch network? He's the real deal. His YouTube channel has exploded in the past six months. He's the real deal, taping from a 9,000 ulta-red Tennessee town. Very courageous.
WOW! Glad you posted the site. I know there are lots of people in lots of Red areas getting out information that they wouldn't hear about otherwise. Knowledge is power.
It’s one thing to be appointed. But elected? It’s hard to read Tennessee. Recent politics brought us Justin Jones and Justin Pearson. Then again, also Marsha Blackburn. Well, I say he should take his little Pathetic Dunce Party self over there and see what the electorate thinks.
Jones has been treated despicably by the House speaker (who, btw, was found not to be living in the district he represents but collecting per diem). The Justin’s are young and Marsha is 73 and a long-time politico. She needs to retire. She is a terrible representative, both ‘representative’ as in her national notoriety and in her (lack of) service to Tennesseans.
He’s a lazy spoiled brat, just like the rest of them. He actually complained about how much work he has had to do since becoming SOD.
Imagine any 5 star general complaining like a teen during mid terms that “it’s like really hard. And sooooooo much work.”
This is the level of dip shitter Trump brings with him. What did he THINK it was going to be like?
The Snetae should hang their heads in shame. Not just Hegseth. RFK JR blatantly LIED. And now is making the whole world sicker and making America lose their status as the best of the best in research and development for the very thing he’s supposed to head. - HEALTH. Another lying grifter.
America Land of the weak, Home of the sick. Thanks, MAGA!
Maybe the majority of MAGA doesn’t realize that America was NOT founded on Christianity. They have been hearing for a generation in Evangelical Churches how God chose America so maybe they don’t actually know better.
But SCOTUS certainly does. Most of Congress and the Senate do. It’ll be interesting for them to incorporate their bull shit Originalism theory into the Founders NOT wanting separation of church and state even though they said it about 800 times that’s EXAVTLY what they want. But as we’ve seen SCOTUS do with originalism…they usually conjure originalism up when they can’t fit plain language into doing the opposite.
Autocratic regimes do not want to surround themselves with intelligent, educated, competent people. They want to be revered, not questioned or criticized. And dishonest leaders want dishonest subordinates - not honest people who might rat them out. If those subordinates aren’t dishonest enough when employed, the dictator will give them dishonest orders so they can be exposed, blackmailed and/or moved into ever-more dishonest behaviors.
Translation: “Take away women’s votes so we can waltz into 2026 with our hands already in the till.” Spare me the pious act you turkeys — this isn’t religion, it’s opportunism in vestments. Doug Wilson and Pete Hegseth pawned their souls to the devil so long ago, he’s probably charging them storage fees.
I call it "Trump's regime" instead of his "government", and would call Hegseth a "craven follower" in the cult of Trump. He is not able to govern, and news that he wants to run for governor of some Red State and views Sec Def as a means to getting that, does not bode well for his attention to the job.
I would like to share this on X, TikTok posting that someone shared with me today that is also uplifting, about why people are MAGAs. I think she is speaking truthfully and helpfully.
Excellent. We can do all she suggests but in the meantime, the brutal kidnappings continue and our rule of law is shredded. It will take physically removing this illegitimate regime because they will not relinquish power quietly or meekly.
I have had a simple idea to eventually defund the administration by getting our legislators to draft a bill that ends federal taxes and has the states as the sole taxing body. The military and other shared interests can by covered by a fee paid by the states. Also, they should have their own militaries at this point. Even tiny Wyoming has a bigger population and GDP than many countries, and many states have a larger GDP than similar sized countries that are well off and support their populations in all the areas that one needs. health care, pension, housing, education, transportation, environment, family supports, poverty funds, disaster relief, etc...
It will go along with what Republicans claim they want, only they want no federal and no state taxes, or minimal. If they complain then they can be pointed out to their constituencies as hypocrites. Once enacted, I think Red State governors and legislatures will be much more under pressure to provide services for their people than they are now, when they can still blame all problems on others.
LInda, I watched that clip and HEY ANYBODY READING THIS---STOP RIGHT NOW AND WATCH IT!--just, WOW Does that explain Trump!
The point is, MAGA IS cracking. And some CAN be reached!
I've often referenced the YouTube channel "Belle of the Ranch" and she has a group of guys who work in a metal shop. They are on both sides, and started watching her clips and debating. They sent a question which she answered, and they occasionally will send another question her way. One of the most recent ones was that one of the Trumper-guys has seen the light, and he's struggling trying to convince OTHER MAGA! He asked Belle for some easy to understand explanation, and she answered it on her longer format "The Roads with Belle". Her explanations are excellent.
Miselle, thank you for the links. I do think this economic explanation is excellent. I will look at more of them later. One of the women in a book club I am in was saying that she has one MAGA that she regularly communicates with and recommends that everyone have one that you reach out to and communicate on a friendly level. This is a great way to discuss this information. I am/was a Deweyan teacher, so I like to tell stories to illustrate things I want to teach, and to provide experiences so that my students can internalize the understanding. This is storytelling, which is a helpful way to explain things. Trump always ties his lies to stories. We can tie truths to them as well.
Linda, I think your friend is very wise in saying that. I have a friend who is not totally MAGA, there is some areas that are gray for her. We get together from time to time and she said she "appreciates (me) because I let (her) talk without lecturing to (her)". I try to counter what she says in a gentle manner. For instance, while she is not opposed to gay people, she has this aversion to trans and says she "doesn't like having trans shoved down her throat". I asked her, who is shoving it at you, where are you hearing it? And when she realized it is from church, she said--point taken.
I make a point to find the things we both enjoy and discuss that: rock music especially concerts, travel, reading, dealing with our sisters, illnesses we both are dealing with. I think if you do that, you are more likely to get chances to plant seed.
Miselle, that is what we all need to do. Historian Jefferson Cowie was telling us that in a talk he gave that with 2/3 of Americans not having college degrees, if the Democratic party wants these people to vote for them, they have to have a platform that makes them feel part of the story and that we need to be reaching across the aisle.
I have neighbors in Chicago who might be MAGA. I don't know because we discuss neighborly things when we hang out, like our children, and what is going on with neighborhood politics.
I watched it, and was struck that everything she said is not only true, but was eloquently described in a little book published in 1951 called, "The True Believer", by Eric Hoffer. I read it in college and found it fascinating, and I've watched the powers behind the Republican Party use its precepts for decades. And here we are.
Thank you for this. It should be passed on. I agree with her and she fleshes out this truth. This is what I was saying in our previous discussion where we were talking about whether this was/is mental illness. I objected to your broad brushing and name calling which if reverberated/repeated does harm.
I do believe that people can be snapped out of this (they must be). She gives clues. But first is to recognize the problem. It's a psychological problem- individual and societal. It's a tough one!
More cults were happening or in the news they were relatively smaller, not so massive, back in the late 60's and 70's. There were de-programing attempts. Some of the cults ended in disaster. This is different, on a different scale.. maybe more like Nazi Germany which is why people bring that example up so often.
Biden tried to offer hope and something better. I don't recall he "shamed" Trump followers either. But he was not a strong enough personality- nor was (or is) any Democrat or non-MAGA at the moment.
I would call this mental illness. In general, mental thoughts that impede your normal functioning that persevere are considered mental illness. You stigmatize it more than I am here.
I do not because I know better. People do though. I find that many if not most do not understand mental illness, what it means, a broad category. Linda I think you are digging in and and I am not going to argue this point with you, including other things about racism being mental illness. I found it ironic though that you should post this link saying just what I said in that discussion. about this being a cult.
Google "is cult behavior mental illness?":
Quote--
Is cult behavior a mental illness?
While involvement in cults can have a significant and often detrimental impact on mental health, cult behavior itself isn't directly categorized as a mental illness.
"While cult behavior is not classified as a mental illness, it's crucial to acknowledge the profound and often damaging psychological and emotional consequences that cult involvement can have on individuals. "
and link to Psychiatric Times for further explanation.
I understand the Psychiatric Times says not necessarily mental illness, although many consider life in a cult to create the conditions for mental illness. In fact, the courts do not consider being in a cult as sign of mental illness unless there is a specific mental illness being diagnosed, but what is included and not included in a mental health diagnosis can change. Some of this is political. Still, by my understanding of the MAGA cult, which is in a perpetual state of anger, people will be mentally ill. Perpetual anger and hate make you mentally ill.
I object to the broad brushing and lay diagnosing. The MAGA cult is a faction of Trump's support. Not all, by any means. You said voting for Trump is dysfunctional. YOu do not know that. You are entitled to your opinion and people want to say "yeah- that's it" then you link to this woman who has it closer to correct- this is a kind of cult, a mass cult. I buy that. Their behavior (the MAGA faction?) can lead to mental illness or some may HAVE/or seem to have mental illness-- a broad category. We do not know that nor can say about them all or the rest. What do you know about whether they are in a perpetual state of anger? Some seem very happy in their cult- obviously. We see that. They are joyous! You are entitled of course. Your mom apparently gave you good advice to protect yourself. I guess my mom gave me similar advice.
Dr. Richardson as a historian uses the correct terminology. Her Letters are a historical record. The people residing in his regime are technically the "political leaders".
In regard to Hegseth being an alcoholic. Please remember that alcoholism is a disease. It does not automatically mean an alcoholic is a bad person. Also, Christians are not all bad people.
Hatred of the other is how we got in this mess among other things. We need to not let the severity of the times change us. The best revenge is to maintain our sense of humanity.
Well said, Barbara. LOVE is complicated. FORGIVENESS is complicated. Hegseth has had (still has?) a drinking problem. Trump has (apparently/probably) various problems. (The List goes on and on.) Millions of our fellow Americans elected Trump to be our current President. We must “maintain our sense of humanity.” Thanks, Barbara. Will do, but it ain’t easy….
Yup, so true. I just deposited this comment to another HCR reader:
Jerry, you hit the key word for ALL of us here on Earth: RESPONSIBILITIES. We need to feel and be responsible for one another. We are truly Brothers and Sisters - One Family. We don’t have to love or even like what Uncle Pete or Aunt Kristi or Grandfather Donald says or does, but we do have to figure out how to prevent them from harming all of our family members. If Aunt Kristi says or does horrible, cruel things, we should remind her that Love and Life are better options. Helping others - even dogs and goats - is a refreshing, life-giving option. We must be RESPONSIBLE for ONE ANOTHER, not JUST ourselves. Leave EGO out of it.
Barbara, I feel that anger is justified in this situation even if it does not solve the problem is it healthier than hopelessness. Women should not be doormats. Anger and being fed up inspired the women of ICELAND to make a change.
Barbara, well stated. I've had some friends almost sputter with anger that I maintain friendships with MAGA people. I find it more effective to maintain these in the hopes that I can drop little seeds of reality into their psyche.
I mean no harm to recovering alcoholics nor addicts (other than RFK, Jr.) but merely was stating facts. Hegseth is a man out of control because of his excessive drinking and his past abuse of women. I am describing this one man and not others. Proper vernaculars should be used when respecting the person one speaks about but in his case, not a chance.
Marlene, he is also someone who cheated on his various wives numerous times and is apparently notorious as a philanderer. But I would like to point out some highly salient points. There are plenty of representative democracies--the UK, Canada, Australia, Italy . . .--that have national churches. That's what the Church of England is and when Henry VIII established it, he claimed to be head of the church as well as head of state. And there is no question (at least after 1920--let's not forget how long the process took) that women have the right to vote in those countries. Indeed, in England they are dropping the voting age to 16. So this whole claim by christofascists that it is "un-Christian" for women to be able to vote is utter total b*llsh*t. It is well beyond time for the worse-than-mediocre white boyz to step aside. The fact that they are now touting these idiocies as potential "policy" tells us how afraid they are that more and more women (and we are the population majority in the USA after all) are cottoning to their disgusting despicableness. Maybe women should just stop having sex with men. After all, they rely on controlling sexual access to women, because what rational female who has independent income and a sense of self awareness would ever have anything to do with them? As both Frederik Engels in 1890 and Gerda Lerner in 1986 pointed out, the enslavement of women for sexual purposes was likely the first form of human trafficking. Time's up.
Linda, my mother used to tell me “Women can live without men but men cannot live without women”. She actually repeated this to me several times as I was growing up. My thoughts are that we airdrop thousands of dildos in the red states for all girls and women to use with notes attached “Have fun! No man needed!”.
Marlene, my doctoral dissertation was a study of elite widowhood in Britain in the 13th century and I was able to demonstrate that, while 100% of men who survived their wives remarried within 2 years, only 30% of widows remarried and most who did were childless and still fertile. My conclusion? Women could--and did--hire men to do everything a husband did (other than impregnating legitimately) but men could not hire women to do what wives did. So your mum was spot on!
Gov M has already publicly stated that she is scared of retaliation from tRump and his goons. If she is too scared to govern with conscience then she should honor her constituents and her country and step down.
Marlo, one of us is confused, I think. The only Murkowski who supposedly represents Alaskans is Lisa Murkowski, elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002. She doesn't have police powers.
Mike Dunleavy has been the governor of Alaska since 2018. He could order his State Police Colonel to arrest any criminal present in the state, though that's unlikely since he's a Trump loyalist.
If you're conditioned to celebrate good stuff as "God's blessings" and bad stuff as "God's will," it's not a leap to accept Trump's gift to Putin as "God's will."
He uses Christianity as a shield for his horrific behavior. It’s pathetic and should be shunned and booed by people who actually follow the teachings of Christ.
And a “reformed” alcoholic. I’m guessing he’s hiding booze in his closet. The only thing that was remotely driving him to quit was getting confirmed. I’m guessing if you gave him a random urine test, he’d fail.
Alcoholism is a very serious disease. It was disgusting and INSULTING for all people who struggle with substance abuse problems and actually are TRYING to better themselves to listen to his phony claims of reformation. If he isn’t drinking, which I highly doubt, he’s simply a dry drunk. There’s a huge difference between people who seek sobriety and people who white knuckle it. The former doesn’t just stop drinking, they seek to become better humans to their fellow man, repair and make amends to those they have hurt, and vow to help others. A dry drunk just takes away the booze and keeps all of the character flaws he had while drinking.
Has anyone seen a positive change in the Pete Hegseth pre confirmation who was drinking in the job at FOX to the Pete Hegseth now…a sloppy mess who needs hi wife to babysit him, included a reporter on a classified call and the LIED about it.
People who truly seek sobriety seek to be honest with themselves and others. Does anyone see him being honest about ANYTHING? He’s lied and been caught multiple times and then blames someone else. So again, zero accountability which is not a staple of a reformed alcoholic.
It's small, weak, impotent and in hegseth's case a not so functional alcoholic, who need to squash women, who need women to have no autonomy, no power of her own. These men are threatened by strong competent independent women bc there is no there there. It's all just bravado. It's all performance. His wife probably has to do everything for him like the little boy he really is inside.
And stand by for the narcissistic sociopath dear leader to declare marshal law in DC tomorrow, while shipping struggling disadvantaged citizens off the streets to a swamp in Florida, or some other disgusting inhumane place created by this "Christian loving" regime. So much for the Constitution, rule of law, Judicial and Congressional branches of our government...they don't function or exist any more. All while he turns an icon of our country, the White house, into his castle. The elephant in the room is, what are we going to do about?
However, till then, a parting shot for you and others who read. Instigator that I am at heart, I must place this thought for debate. As I recall, those 'stenographers' of yore never specifically recorded the 'gender' of the talking serpent / snake... Was it a manipulating, self-serving male, or some 'conniving' female ? Lol..... *Full disclosure, my amazing spouse tickled this thought.
Hi Marlene; It's tomorrow ! I do so hope this day finds you steadfast and hopeful, despite it all. From talking with you for all this time, I took your meaning just fine, and absent any imaginings. Full disclosure, I read down much further and enjoyed all the 'rabbit holes' we've wandered down, and for good reason - it's all pretty relevant to collectively getting some handle on all that afflicts us and I have no corner on the market of thoughts and theories, nor in any respect, absolute certainty. I do have some thoughts to share.. humbly from my own decades of hard won experience. I'll do so from here, with you and any who'd care to read in just a little while. I have some needs to attend; Then I'll be back. Cheers anyway ! ~D
Exactly, Gloria separation of church and state isn’t some anti-religion move, it’s the safety net. Madison nailed it back in 1785: keep the state out of religion, keep religion out of the state, and you actually protect both. The minute you let lawmakers start playing preacher, you lose your faith and your freedoms. www.xplisset.com
Xplisset coincidentally the Freedom From Reiigion Foundation isn't a anti-religion movement either. It's a freedom to practice any or no religion or to be spiritual in your own way.
I joined FFRF because they tenaciously fight the white Christian Nationalist agenda of taking away that freedom. It takes an army to fight these back against these nutcases and FFRF along with the ACLU and others usually win.
Exactly. And as we’ve seen when lawmakers try to impersonate (and overrule) doctors, they generally suck at it and end up with the worst possible & most fanatical “solution”.
To let those hypocritical scumwads inflict their twisted “beliefs” (quotes are because most of them are likely lying about their “faith”) on the country is not just un-American (and unconstitutional), but shockingly stupid. These are very small-minded, vain, corrupt “people”. (That’s the nicest thing I can call them. People in quotes since they are NOT like the rest of us, they are much less . . ).
We still need to get these “preachers” spewing these ideas of one white Christian nation to actually study the Bible and theology. As a community college teacher here in a small town in the south, I had a student loudly proclaim that Catholics weren’t Christians. Another argued that only his small family church was the “true” Church. (But then he, and several others, believed that Jews have horns on their heads).
These people exist only as long as they manage to remain segregated from the foundations of Christianity. I’ve always wanted to attend one of these churches and get up to repeat loudly all of Jesus’s words to sinners.
My daughter who is now 37 experienced the"...Catholics weren't Christians." when she was in elementary school in Denver. The student body was mostly white Christian. It was a "Choice" school funded by public money.
If you think about it, does not right-wing "Christianity" advocate Orewellianly opposite values to those attributed to Jesus? On the poor and persecuted? On wealth? On armed conflict?
Does the Trump regime most resemble Jesus and his cohort? Or that who crucified him?
It amazes me that so many of the SCOTUS are Catholics and supported by the other Christian denominations, because I've seen some very anti-Catholic views in my lifetime.
Well…apparently Trump would like to protect the Catholic Church by pulling the law that forces them to report sexual abuse revealed in the confessional. Uhm
Our founders in their wisdom were able to see what had happened to European powers who had religious underpinnings. They fought religious wars interminably, while ostensibly they were political, religion often was the support structure for years of combat that consumed lives. Our founders wanted no part of that and so we have institutionalized separation of church and state, and we until now, have never had a religious war. Faith or lack of faith should have no bearing on citizenship, and the government has no business in religious affairs.🙏
the details of our from of government appears strongly influenced by philosophies of The Enlightenment period in Europe, which are organized around reason and scientific empiricism. The founders were not irreligious, but key individuals were deists. Jefferson created a sharply abridged Bible, stripping out the miraculous. It was also an era of creativity and discovery, as opposed to, say, the "Dark Ages". Our laws are supposed to rest on evidence, not divination.
They ditched that concept long ago, with the political missionaries on the SC. Religion (the religion made by the hands of man) trumps state every time. The hypocrites guarantee it.
The claim that I'm the boss of you because God is on MY side is malignant narcissism. Even the Bible has some warnings against it. Yes, you have a right to practice a religion or no religion so long as you respect other's rights. That climate of mutual respects for one another's rights is where the rule of law comes in. Religion often relies on what can't be proven, but law is supposed to rely on confirmable evidence. That's part of why they don't mix. Religion may influence how an individual votes, religion is not legitimately imposed on others, nor privileged as a matter of law.
And while Jesus preached peace and kindness, many who have historically claimed Christianity excuses slavery and genocide. Laws of the land require a more objective standard. No votes for women? By what right?
ProfessorRichardson:" If lawmakers could destroy the right of freedom of conscience they could destroy all other inalienable rights".
Yesterday afternoon, I got a call from my oldest friend who told me that he & his wife are leaving the United States.
My old fiend, an MD, was a former auto immune researcher, became a stalwart community physician out West where he raised a family.
Fully aware of the existing & growing practical problems with the American expatriate colony in Portugal and the significant citizenship & financial barriers to lawful entry into New Zealand, I used my legal contacts to forward solid facts to my friend on entry into other countries in North America & other continents.
Me? I am a fighter. I am not going anywhere.
As I have posted previously, I reactivated my California law license in March 2025. I have since filed two (2) verified complaints with my colleague & California Attorney General, ROB BONTA. In my legal career, I have qualified as an expert witness in civil litigation. I will battle to preserve "Inalienable rights" on my watch.
Good luck with that. I'm to old to wait until the US rebuilds. I will be long dead. France is an option (I've done it). Not difficult if you have some money in the bank.
Oui, I comprehend. If you want to listen & learn perfect French diction, you may enjoy the the French detective series, "ASTRID".
Detective Major RAPHAELLE COSTE is an impulsive squad leader. Her file room archivist, the character, Astrid Nielsen, has Asperger's syndrome but, her character knows the details of every historical criminal case. Like Heather, Astrid thinks in full historical context.
Astrid loves puzzles the more complex the better. Astrid know that puzzles like a Rubik's cube are designed to distract you from the solution. Astrid does not get misled while speaking perfect French.
There is a whole detective genera involving individuals who are visibly neurodiverse. Astrid is socially challenged in ways that many are, yet is exceptionally observant of other subtle cues. We are wise and empathetic to accept, embrace, and benefit from the engagement and skills of such people; and yet in a larger sense I think we are all neurodivergent to a greater degree than we are generally prepared to admit. Evolution thrives on diversity, and while some species filter mating by completion of an archetypal ritual, ours is far more creative; and our division of labor and skills far more adaptive when diversified yet combined. I think our aggregated competence as a country got a big boost when skills from may nation combined here by immigration.
And diversity is the soul of liberty. The freedom to "pursue happiness" is hollow without a robust array of responsible choices; and "responsible" choices so that one's choice does not rob others of the same right. Solidarity, not conformity. The "I" word; "inclusion". The E Pluribus Unum that protects the space in which to be unique.
We being to Democrats Abroad Spain. We bought a house in Spain in 2006 and I want to fight from there. It’s complicated but it may just become easier than staying. Wish I had a law license!
J.L., you’re right .”God is on MY side” isn’t faith, it’s just ego in a choir robe. And Madison saw it coming all the way back in 1785. That’s why Heather’s post hit so hard — the Founders knew once you let one religion write the laws, it’s not about conscience anymore, it’s about control.
Law’s supposed to be the common ground …the thing we can all stand on whether we pray, meditate, or do neither. Religion can guide how you vote, but it’s not supposed to be the battering ram you use to knock down everyone else’s rights. That’s not faith, that’s just power in a pulpit.
Robert, when I saw you reply “Gott mit uns,” it had me feeling some sorta way man cause it’s the same playbook, just translated. As a kid watching Apocalypse Now, I remember seeing “God’s Country” stitched into that patrol river boat. Even back then, it felt weird but now I get it that : people will sew God’s name onto the mission, no matter how ugly the mission is.
This post is a reminder that once religion becomes the stamp of state power, it stops being about faith and turns into branding for whatever the people in charge want to do. Whether it’s “God’s Country” in Vietnam, “Gott mit uns” in WWII, or the “Christian nation” language baked into Project 2025 it’s the same dangerous habit of turning the divine into a political logo.
Exactly. Growing up in Ohio in the 1950s I was repeatedly assured by teachers and other adult "youth leaders" that the USA was God's favorite country, but I never noticed anything in the Bible about that. A bit of projection perhaps. Malignant hubris; for some fanatical, for others (such as Trump) just opportunistic.
Exactly!! White Christian Nationalists think that God's law should prevail over and be imposed on secular law, and it is just a coincidence that God's law aligns so well with their own racial bigotry and misogyny.
Complete malignant narcissism; I have impunity and you no rights because my will is God's will. "The King can do no wrong" because of the "divine right of Kings". It's mental malware, and it burned people at the stake, and flew airplanes into buildings in the self-righteous name of "righteousness". It is humanities' most tragic flaw and greatest threat to our long term survival. This is not the religious appeal to conscience of Martin Luther King. Those who most effectively preach peaceful change are often assassinated, Jesus included. It is mislabeled sociopathy, and we need to get more real about that.
Us too. My grandkids might never know true freedom and that thought makes me very sad and then angry. If we leave the USA, hopefully my children and grandkids can join us.
The Catholic Church's hierarchy has never really gotten over its fall from secular power, which began during the Enlightenment. John XXIII and Francis have tried to drag the Church into a more modern outlook, but there is still a lot of bitterness among Church officials and Rad Trad loyalists.
I don’t think it is coincidental that the same White Christian Nationalists who are turning a blind eye to Trump’s proven abuse of women (and alleged abuse of girls) turn a blind eye to the Catholic Church hierarchy’s decades-long complicity in covering up the rape of children and nuns.
You are right. But the pedophile cover up will be a rock around the Church's neck for a long time. Just last month the Diocese of Fresno, California filed for Chapter 11
I was once a very devoted Catholic and I continue to grieve for the loss of my faith community. There are all kinds of priests and they differ greatly in their expression of Catholicism. Some are liberals. Some are hardcore conservatives. It is difficult to reconcile the very different approaches. So I do not hate the church, rather it is the patriarchy that has brought it to this point. How ironic that the church is referred to as “she” while being controlled and abused by the men that feel entitled to abuse her rather than serve her.
The famous words of Emma Watson, "Fuck the Patriarchy."
The fact that the Catholic Church will never allow women to be priests makes me doubt their sincerity to the teachings of Jesus. Women would definitely upset the order set up centuries ago.
Like many, I was raised in a devout Catholic, middle class household. I long ago abandoned the Church for its lack of protection for its children and lack of remorse in the wake of the pedophile priest findings. Not to mention the politicizing of sermons, the refusal to allow women (who historically have run the Church in mission work and keeping churches solvent) to become priests. But a final push for abandoning the Catholic Church was a trip my husband and kids and I took to Rome years ago. A group tour of the Vatican left me completely disgusted at the gaudy display of wealth and abuse of power over centuries.
My paternal grandmother told me that religion was just a way for the rich to control the poor. That's an incomplete picture but there is truth to it. Certainly it is true of Trump; but religion has also been a path to liberation. The great big grab-bag we call religion seems have a pretty eclectic collection of stuff in it, including many things that seem divergent, discordant and/or incompatible with trying to be a "good person", like the "Good Samaritan".
Except that your rights are being violated every day and at every turn by the Supreme Court snd the administration. I wouldn’t be so sure of your rights. Fascists don’t care
At the time of the founding there was no such thing as a 'Christain' nation. All nations that had a state religion were explicitly a specific denomination. Protestants in Catholic nations were persecuted and vice versa. Establishing a state religion here would have left out those Christians who weren't the right kind.
When Hegseth or Johnson start talking about us being a 'Christian nation', I really wish someone would ask them which denomination's teachings we're supposed to follow.
“Those who would renegotiate the boundaries between church and state must therefore answer a difficult question: why would we trade a system that has served us so well for one that has served others so poorly?”
O'Connor, despite being a Republican, would almost certainly NEVER have been a Trump supporter. She truly believed in the law and although I don't agree with all of her holdings, she always had good sound arguments to make.
Is it funny at all that the forever predictably drunken Hegseth would badmouth women?
I mean, in the same sense that Trump palled around for years -- best friends -- with guaranteed child rapist and moreover abuser of women Epstein.
Their views of women coincide with the same vulgarity, the same contempt, the same lack of conscience -- and isn't it charming how Heather today uses this word conscience in the best sense, in the way our highest ideals have held?
What diametrically opposite contrasts we live with constantly now.
Well, now how could we have faux Christianity without those three magic words? How could Faux News reporters get up every morning and smear make-up and eyeliner all over their faces without invoking the Holy Trinity?
Secretary Kegsbreath's "All for Me and All for Me" philosophy doesn't have much to do with Christianity, a faith once practiced in secret by persecutees worshipping in caves, ever mindful of being uncovered and denounced to the authorities. Its original adherents understood the dictum: 'pray to thy Father in secret, and He shall reward thee openly.' That was all that was needed. It was easy to remember what Jesus said about worship: don't make it public. Don't be like the hypocrites, who choose the best seats for themselves in the synagogues, not to pray, but to be seen, to primp and to preen, to be publicly fanned and fluffed.
Why, Jesus even included a helpful primer to figure out the difference between true prophets and the wolves in tattoos and sheep's clothing. Something having to do with fruits, I think...
When your own mother, when she has no reason to lie (you are not in politics yet), calls you an serially abusive bully and adulterer, there is no reason to doubt her! We should never forget who this guy besides an alcoholic and the most unqualified Sec of Defense in history.
I think it's like getting into Harvard. A perfect GPA and SAT aren't quite enough. You have to have fascinating hobbies and volunteer work like being "batshit loony" and "fucked-up beyond belief" in order to get in, together with a long tongue stained dark orange from constant use.
MAGA qualifications: 1) Complete Sycophant to Trump (kind of like he is to Putin), 2) Fox News or batshit crazy influencer background, 3) the 'porn' look if you are a woman (hair extensions--preferably blond regardless of natural color, puffy lips, botox, inches of makeup caked on face, etc).
Phil, you’re right the hypocrisy is baked in. That’s why I loved Heather’s use of “conscience” here. On one side, you’ve got contempt, greed, and self-interest; on the other, the very value the Constitution was built to protect. Madison would’ve seen it instantly that it’s the same fight, just with flashier villains.
Hello Xplisset.... The Constitution was what the Gentlemen of the Time could agree on in the time they had... The Framers would be called the Male Upper White Class today.... Women, the Indigenous, and the Enslaved were not allowed to Vote for Instance... The Constitution was written to be porous, and flexible, in effect a Gentleman's agreement... They did not foresee someone like DJT rising in Society, and coming to Power, or the Corruption of the Body Politic... Now We Have A Demented King With A Court Of Sycophants That Corrupts Every That He Touches...
I hear you man, but I gotta push back a bit because the Framers weren’t some wide eyed gentlemen in powdered wigs thinking the republic would run forever on good manners and polite applause. They knew exactly what political mess looked like. They’d seen kings overreach, parliaments rot from the inside, and “courts of sycophants” wreck nations.
That’s why they didn’t just leave it at a handshake deal no they built in separation of powers, checks and balances, the whole “keep each other in line” thing. And here’s the real freakin deal here — they didn’t come up with all that on their own. They borrowed heavy from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s Great Law of Peace which Alta people here in this Substack already know it an Indigenous model where powers were clearly divided and leaders actually had to answer to someone.
Yeah, it was still a system for the male upper class of the day, no doubt about it. Women, Indigenous people, and the enslaved were shut out. Hypocrisy was baked in from day one. But trust me these men knew corruption was coming. What they didn’t have was cable news, social media, and a chunk of the population cheering the corruption on like it’s a tailgate party.
They didn’t fail to imagine a “demented king.” They built a machine to contain one. What we’re watching now is what happens when too many people running the machine decide they like the goddamned king better than the Constitution.
Hello Xplisset.... I never said that these People were Angels... My favorite Founder is Ben Franklin... He was a Pull-Yourself-Up Type, and an Empiricist... He has been quoted, "We have a Republic if You can keep it", and "All Governments are Corrupt because all Men are Corrupt"... OBW: George Washington, as admirable as he is given his context, was an accomplished Indian Fighter... Being Indigenous, I take that with a Big Grain Of Salt...
Taken over totally by the testers, we see now what happens when all the decent teachers get shut out by the billionaires' agenda for their impersonal-with-a-vengeance, machining assembly lines.
Obviously one reason the Christonazis so worshipfully adore Trump as dictator by divine right is he (like his late buddy Epstein) not only shares their bottomless hatred of and contempt for women, he intends to make it the law of the land. (An even scarier reason the Christonazis worship Trump is their adoration of his Hitler-complex -- his stated intent to start World War III by invading Canada, Greenland, Panama and Mexico, thereby bringing about their long-awaited End Times.)
I think the ultimate battle here is between those who seek to dominate (or dominate and be dominated) over those who "get" the the more complicated path of freedom.
The one thing that freedom is absolutely NOT is the right to bully others; in a family, a group, or in a society. Freedom is certainly not an absence of self or societal restraints. Just, egalitarian laws are the ground rules, and conscience and compassion are needed traits of character. Social freedom is an environment of freedom, as well as a set of personal rights. It's the stated "why" the Declaration of Independence was signed; why the Constitution was written. The spelled-out goal of both documents.
A free society is way more complicated than on in which you just tell people, or are told, what to do. It is replete with negotiation, some of it quite subtle and some of it not. It requires give and take, and "working things out", which can easily be frustrating. It requires moderating the urges of the ego, and caring about the experience of others. It is solidarity, not conformity. It restrains violent acts, yet even sentenced criminals retain certain human rights. It attempts to reconcile the human rights of each and every individual with the rights of the society, and our species as a whole.
Of course the opposite contrasts remind me of the Lincoln quote about "the two principles that have stood face to face from the beginning of time, and will ever continue to struggle". The thing is it's seeming that we can't go on this way, at least not without unprecedented horrors. I'm hoping that we somehow wise up before it gets far worse.
What does Christianity have to do with taking the right to vote away from women? Can Pete Hegseth explain this? Now, if you took the vote away from men, it might do some good.
Hegseth believes women should be subservient in all things. His spiritual leader believes the “family unit” should have ONE vote and that, after respectful discussion, the man of the house should pat the little woman on the head, lovingly tell her she is wrong, a advise her to pray some more so she can see that he is right.
Dave A., others may read your comment and think you're being funny or sarcastic. I grew up in the household of an evangelical pastor. Yours is a precise description of the evangelical marriage dynamic.
Indeed. Our courageous hostess is one of a very few sources who truly help us fulfill Sun Tzu's requirements for victory: knowing the intentions and capabilities of our enemy and acknowledging the realities of our own situation. Not only do I thank her; I salute her for her unflinchingly valorous erudition.
Those who brings up the fact that we're supposed to have a separation of church and state, are frequently accused of being 'atheist' or 'unChristan,' etc., as if those things are not allowed or make one less than someone else. Grrrrr!!
First, I think this is another diversion from the Epstein files. But yes, dare to use Jefferson's "Wall of separation between church and State" quote and be called anti-American. Yet constitutional secularism has always been the Supreme Law of the Land. It boils down to freedom of and from opinion and freedom of and from expressing opinion. In "West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette" 319 U.S. 624 (1943), the "Flag Salute Case" at issue was a State law compelling school children to recite the pledge of allegiance while saluting the flag. The Court reasoned "To sustain the compulsory flag salute, we are required to say that a Bill of Rights which guards the individual's right to speak his own mind left it open to public authorities to compel him to utter what is not in his mind." Thus the Court saw it as a free speech case and used the "Clear and present danger test" to determine whether the State law violated the Constitution. Once the Court found the State law failed the test it stated what is my favorite quote about freedom, "Struggles to coerce uniformity of sentiment in support of some end thought essential to their time and country have been waged by many good, as well as by evil, men. Nationalism is a relatively recent phenomenon, but, at other times and places, the ends have been racial or territorial security, support of a dynasty or regime, and particular plans for saving souls. As first and moderate methods to attain unity have failed, those bent on its accomplishment must resort to an ever-increasing severity. As governmental pressure toward unity becomes greater, so strife becomes more bitter as to whose unity it shall be. Probably no deeper division of our people could proceed from any provocation than from finding it necessary to choose what doctrine and whose program public educational officials shall compel youth to unite in embracing. Ultimate futility of such attempts to compel coherence is the lesson of every such effort from the Roman drive to stamp out Christianity as a disturber of its pagan unity, the Inquisition, as a means to religious and dynastic unity, the Siberian exiles as a means to Russian unity, down to the fast failing efforts of our present totalitarian enemies. Those who begin coercive elimination of dissent soon find themselves exterminating dissenters. Compulsory unification of opinion achieves only the unanimity of the graveyard.
It seems trite but necessary to say that the First Amendment to our Constitution was designed to avoid these ends by avoiding these beginnings. There is no mysticism in the American concept of the State or of the nature or origin of its authority. We set up government by consent of the governed, and the Bill of Rights denies those in power any legal opportunity to coerce that consent. Authority here is to be controlled by public opinion, not public opinion by authority." 319 U.S. 640-641.
The First Amendment essentially secures that the Federal government shall not infringe upon freedom of thought or the expression thereof. The Framers of the US Constitution wanted to be more clear than just saying that and so they wrote a six clause law doing so, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” The “Establishment Clause” secures against government establishing a state religion and favoring one religion over another. The Free Exercise Clause secures against government interfering with religious beliefs and practices unless there is a compelling government interest such as public health and safety.
After the Civil War the Fourteenth Amendment was ratified in 1868. It’s Due Process has been interpreted to incorporate certain protections of the Bill of Rights against State governments. It's Equal Protection clause secures equal treatment of all persons by the State. The Fifteenth Amendment was ratified in 1870. It secures that the right to vote cannot be denied or abridged based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. It was promoted by the American Woman Suffrage Association who saw it as a first step toward achieving the right of Women to vote. Next week on August 18 we will celebrate the 105th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified in 1920 which secures the right of both females and males to vote. Although the Declaration of Independence is not law itself these four Amendments above secure on a national level that all persons have certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” BTW, Jefferson used “pursuit of Happiness” in the Declaration of Independence as a euphemism in place of “property” which the Fourteenth Amendment states out loud.
Finally, the Free Speech Clause secures Secretary of Defense Hegseth’s right to express his ignorance of American history and law and thereby showing the greater ignorance of our Commander in Chief for appointing such a Dumb Ass. So stand back and give Hegseth all the air he needs to speak. Speak Hegseth, speak!
Really appreciated your excellent summary... and this short paragraph especially: : "There is no mysticism in the American concept of the State or of the nature or origin of its authority. We set up government by consent of the governed, and the Bill of Rights denies those in power any legal opportunity to coerce that consent. Authority here is to be controlled by public opinion, not public opinion by authority." 319 U.S. 640-641."
You are most welcome and My Thanks. Oh yes, Justice Robert H. Jackson, an FDR appointee, was perhaps as eloquent as Thomas Jefferson. I should have provided a link to the whole opinion. See below. So many people who even know of the opinion are confused that since the case was fought and won during WWII by very brave Jehovah's Witnesses that there is an exception made for their children to not be made to take part in the flag ritual. In fact, many political science Constitutional Law text books list the case in a chapter on religion and the law when it clearly belongs in the chapter on freedom of speech; the freedom to not be made to speak. The opinion is clear that the issue is not about any exception made to a States rule but rather whether a State has power to make such a rule. When you think about the logic supporting the opinion it becomes clear that actually for a State to even ask, “Please stand for the Pledge...” it puts the child in a position of having to express themself by either joining in or not joining in. Thus the flag ritual is inescapably a test oath which is unconstitutional.
Thank you so much for that! You continue to share historical perspectives about our country that help keep me going in this fight. I often feel weary and then realize this will very likely continue past my lifetime. All I can do is the best I am able to make a difference in the here and now.
Ned, that’s exactly it. What does religion have to do with running the Department of Defense? Madison’s answer: nothing… unless your goal is to undercut the Constitution. The second you let dogma into government, you’ve walked away from representative democracy and straight into the world our Founders warned us about. www.xplisset.com
Hegseth, if not for his current job as SOD would be readily dismissed in any rational discussion or conversation as he can not keep from showing his ass . He is ignorant , uneducated and can't follow directions as evidenced in the many times he has been called to the Capitol to answer questions. He is an embarrassment and should never be allowed to speak for the Department of Defence. His inability to comprehend how inappropriate it is to even comment on his religious beliefs is friightening. He needs to be asked to step down or wear a muzzle.
Compare and contrast Mark Milley. Not the same job, I know, but a lucid defender of what the Preamble of the Constitution meant by "provide for the common defence".
Use/share this spreadsheet (bit.ly/Goodtrouble) as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Reach out to those in your own state, and those in a committee that fits your topic. Call. Write. Email. Protest. Unrelentingly. We deserve better ❤️🩹🤍💙
Megan, I know you're committed to your mission, but I'm "liking" your post as an expression of encouragement and appreciation. Thank you for your service.
Thank you! Someone from Canada sent me an email recommending I turn the longer link into a bit.ly, and then I was able to write it on my protest sign for the Good Trouble protest back in July!
Actually, although I personally am an atheist, I think REAL Christians actual do agree for the most part among themselves. These are the ones who truly follow the ostensible teachings of Christ, rather than the teachings of Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, James Dobson, the so-called Christian right who are actually the Christian fraud.
Its the various Christian frauds who can't agree...
Likely, too, Jon, that "real" Christians follow most of the key teachings of the Buddha, many books of the Old Testament, Islam's original prophet Mohammed, even the historian of 2500 years ago, Herodotus.
I know that there are many forms of Buddhism, but I was reading a book by Thich Nhat Hanh and noting how closely some of his thoughts parallel modern psychology, as they do some of the precepts of Jesus. The Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu were close, playful friends.
There is quite a bit of overlap in major religions. It's almost like humanity is baked into our DNA, although the ego can fight it.
I can't claim to have read the Quran, but I used to question (respectfully) some Muslim coworkers about various aspects of their beliefs. Genuine curiosity and a willingness to listen goes a long way in reaching people.
I belong to the United Methodist Church here in Oklahoma, which is known as the church that "lets everyone in" (some people say this as a criticism but we know it's a badge of honor).
I do not even know what "All of Christ for All of Us" means.... but what I DO know is that Jesus welcomed everyone as equals. And while I also know that America is NOT a Christian nation, I say this to all of Hegseth's friends: YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHO JESUS IS. AND YOU ALSO DO NOT KNOW THAT THE DEVIL CONVINCES THE WEAK MINDED AMONGST US THAT HE IS GOD. And how do we tell the difference between God and the Devil? ... By asking "Is anyone being hurt by what is being taught?" If the answer is "Yes"... then that's the Devil doing the teaching. If the answer is "No... no one is being hurt"... then that's Jesus doing the teaching. Simple as that.
In fairness, Pete Kegsbreath doesn't even know what "All of Christ for All of Us"means. Or more likely, he just means: "All of Everything for Just a Few Of Us." Invoking Christ is just like pouring chocolate sauce over the cow patty on the middle of the dining room table and calling it a sundae.
Every time that asshole's name comes up, all I can see and hear is Senator Tammy Duckworth yelling "YOU'RE NOT QUALIFIED!" during his confirmation hearing. And every single Repulsican sitting in that Senate chamber knew what she said was true --- yet *they* *confirmed* *him* *anyway.*
One day, this dumb-ass cult will be but a distant memory, yet the dishonor of spineless toads like Lindsey Graham, the arrogance of Kentucky Fried Voldemort, the hypocrisy of Thom Tillis, the cowardice and moral wretchedness of Josh Hawley will remain.
" Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can." John Wesley
When I call MAGA Mike's office, I tell the aides to tell him he is flirting with his immortal soul when he falls under the lure of Satan offering power and wealth. I also advise his aides to get out of this job before they are pulled under.
I'd love to be a fly on the wall IF that message is given to Mike.
I write because I fear, amid the decimation of the American national narrative that always has aspired to be a pluralistic narrative subject, by popular consent, to the Rule of Law and a written constitution, too many of our elected officials seem to care more about staying in office than they do about our crumbling institutions. If I’m right, and admittedly there are exceptions, it’s largely on us to try and ensure fascism doesn’t take hold here.
The only way they will stay in office is to support the current regime which denies people a say in their/our government. The Republicans know their way of governing is unpopular and the only way they can win is by cheating. "Stick with me and I 'll make sure you get re-elected." They are afraid because they see the demonstrations against the regime. They know the majority of people do not support what's happening in the country. Instead of doing the will of the people, they are trying to gild themselves. The future will not be boring, however things evolve.
HumorTo End The Week: Once a week, Jay Kuo puts out on his Status Kuo substack a collection of political satire including cartoons, posts, videos and some non political videos ... He calls the weekly collection, " Just for Skeets and Giggles" - if you want some humor to offset the " flood the zone" barrage of Trumpism, then you should give this a try. I, hopefully, will post the link here. I really liked the video of the group song, "It Ain't Gonna Go Away" (re/ the Epstein file). And the fiddles, banjos, guitar, etc were all part of the 8 minute "experience". Hope you enjoy!!
Michele2, LOVE Jay’s Substacks and eagerly await his ***special*** Saturday posts! Have forwarded them to folks going thru a rough time & I’ve been told they helped lighten the load…they really are a kaleidoscope of pics/posts/memes/vids/etc some snarky, some sweet, some funny….some things (where DOES he find this stuff?) I’ve never seen/known about before!
Thank you for your post... I love the word "kaleidoscope" to describe his myriad collection of entries. Where does he find this great stuff?!!## I did not know if anyone would respond to this... But as we all have to deal with the day-in, day-out struggles, this has helped me, and I'm truly heartened, as you say, it has helped others... That is an important part of this community. Also, poking the "bear" is a good strategy as well... Thanks to South Park for not letting political comedy die... And thanks to Colbert for lambasting Trump and his "minions" to stand up for our Democracy.. And cheers to Jay Kuo and Heather and all who are engaged in this fight!!! Thank you Barbara...
It’s going to take ALL of us who believe in the promise of the USA to rally and resist….that some of these voices have a big audience (“celebrities” of all sorts) is helpful, I think, in building resolve & hope.
Yes, I think that is a really good point... I think there is strong reason to hope.. And some of these bigger voices are helping to bring that hope "alive and kicking" right now. Your posts are inciteful and so appreciated... I still cannot quite comprehend exactly what a "meme" is...the term eludes me...
Thank you... A snippet ... Culturally relevant... Isn't everything culturally relevant from someone's point of view? I think I need to "renew" in nature... Thanks for everything! I will dream of possible memes...Goodnight...
Thanks, Michele….a “meme” is widely spread, sometime “gone viral” snippets of video, Tik-Tok, Instagram (etc), a picture, a drawing or even an email—-they are mostly online and very popular ones can become almost cultural “icons” in that their message is simple & usually very clear to most anyone who sees it. Kinda hard to describe accurately…at least for me! You don’t see any on LFAA unless someone posts a link to an offsite source (YouTube, etc)…can’t imbed the actual “meme” so it can be fully seen, think it’s a SubStack thing, or maybe decided by the creator of the SubStack to allow them on the site, but not sure. Hope this helps!!!
I also suggest the substack "Chop Wood, Carry Water" as weekly, there is a list of the good news happening in the US and world which supports liberal viewpoints.
Gosh, Heather, please refrain from calling Hegseth a “political leader”. He is a proven so-called “reformed” alcoholic who supposedly found Jesus Christ when he blew it a thousand times, over and over again. He claims his Christianity by tattooing his body parts with symbols of hatred. Hegseth is a pathetic inhumane person occupying space in our nation right now. Someday, his lily white derriere will be grass. Have a good night and see ya’ tomorrow.
Marlene, I hear you and yeah, Hegseth’s personal résumé is a walking contradiction. But that’s the point Heather’s making: it’s not just the guy, it’s the office. You let someone use that seat to push one religion’s rulebook, and suddenly Madison’s 1785 warning isn’t history class anymore, it’s the evening news. Once faith becomes law, it stops being faith… and just turns into raw power. www.xplisset.com
Yeah, once someone ‘gets religion,’ I get suspicious. Certainly it could be genuine, but the proof is in the living that faith, not beating your chest and telling others how they’re gonna live. And it’s most certainly not taking away others’ dignity, humanity and civil rights, like voting.
And I've always heard (and seen) that 'there's nothing worse than a reformed drunk'. (Or any other kind of rabid 'reformed' anything, because they always seem to decide it's their place to convince the rest of us what their new beliefs are.)
What do you mean by "reformed drunk"??? I've had many, many friends, acquaintances, and co-workers over the decades who were (and are) recovering alcoholics and addicts. As someone who grew up in an alcoholic family, I benefited greatly from 12-step programs myself. Your "they always" comment sounds like the ignorant remarks I've been hearing for decades. I hope you will clarify what you meant here.
I understand (from professional observations and reports from friends) what alcoholic families are like, and I know many people who have been helped by both AA and Al Anon (and back in the day, Adult Children of Alcoholics which, IIRC, was Al Anon without the spiritual/religious component.)
In my lexicon, "reformed drunk" has the same contextual energy as someone who has "got religion". Some people need to be so certain that their path is for everybody that they must convince the entire world that their path is the "one true way".
I did not read the Professor's words as demeaning anyone who had found help fighting addiction and entering recovery.
Hi, Ally -
I've not been active here for a while. I am a recovering alcoholic with 42 years of sobriety behind me. Hegseth is clearly still drinking. Also, those who use the term "reformed" with regard to alcoholism are ignorant of the real process of recovery. In my view, Hegseth is clearly still drinking and has used both recovery and religion as part of his personal con on the world. He is a manifestly horrible man.
Ally, let’s all just agree that recovery is often ‘relative’ according to the individual. Alcoholism is a disease, often generations in a family are affected by it. I admire any addict substance or otherwise, who works hard to become free of an addiction. To overcome addiction is ..as many here via HCR know… extremely difficult.
It’s said in AA that only 10% make it to real sobriety. Unfortunately, the chances are slim!
As for Hege the ugly, particularly for the rest of us, his addiction to religion is like swapping deck chairs on the Titanic.
Ally the number of demeaning remarks relating to an alcoholic person today is disheartening. This coupled with the expressions of real hatred in comments today is troubling. I hope folks are channeling their hatred into activism.
Ally; What is the meaning behind IIRC ? I find myself very rapt in these discussions, though late to the forum. I don't care to misunderstand even an iota of it.
I'm not referring to "the Professor," if by that you mean HCR. I'm referring to the commenter I responded to. I don't believe that individual is a professor. I realize the threading on Substack can be hard to follow, but it does matter.
Susanna, I'm sorry that I was flip in my comment. I, too, grew up in an alcoholic household, and had many friends, some of whom found sobriety, and I applauded them. Some weren't so lucky, or as determined, and died young.
My comment, which I should have elaborated on, was referring to those, who (as someone else in the comments stated) are like those who 'get religion' and then feel the need to foist their new beliefs on everyone else. That's what the 'reformed' meant.
My apologies for any offense given.
It seems you missed the "seem" in "they always seem". Congrats on your own sobriety. As someone who grew up in an alcoholic family, you should realize that Hegseth's struggles with alcohol will continue and will complicate his ability to perform in such a demanding position.
I agree with Suzanna. There are an awful lot of really nasty comments on alcoholics today. Dislike the moral character of people like Hegseth. Separate the disease out.
No, I didn't. The key word there is "always." "They always seem" is a common way to introduce a generalization that borders on bigotry and often crosses the line. Try swapping in other groups for "they": women, people of color, immigrants . . .
There are many people who stop drinking alcohol but NEVER openly deal with the abuse, mental health, personality issues so 'dry drunk' refers to those who have not finished (or worked for) those conflicts. I have a family member that's in that boat. Sobriety is only one part of the solution. The programs are wonderful for so many family & friends- even if it is just giving them the power to break the bonds tying them to a person who hasn't finished their work.
With all due respect, Sandra, no drunk is "reformed." They are recovering as alcoholism stays with the individual for their lifetime. Hegseth's problem isn't so much his drinkin' as much as is his thinkin'.
The saying as I've heard it is, "There's nothing more righteous than a reformed _____." (fill in the blank)
'Felon'?
Exactly Marge. Certainty in self - righteousness. Damn; I'd just love to 'grade my own tests' wouldn't you, wouldn't everyone ? Just imagine what scholars we all would be without evidence. Isn't that the cruxt of the matter ?
Due respect, Sandra. You might want to do some research on recovery. Some of the best people I know are in recovery. My only perspective is with alcoholism.
You would be surprised by how many untreated alcoholics are out in full force in the world. People who seek true sobriety are not just not drinking, they are changing their lives, being honest and changing not just their lives but the people close to them.
You should ask a child of an alcoholic who is in recovery and striving to live a sober life, not just a dry-drunk life if they think it’s bull shit.
I’d argue the most glorious thing AA has done is not monetize it.
For free or a buck some person can walk into a room and truly be helped. Maybe they are preachy sometimes about recovery but the ones who truly want to live a better life simply seem eager to share how much their lives have been saved by recovery programs, not just AA. And a wonderful thing AA did was to drop God from its language. Another thing my brave friends have stressed. They do suggest a higher power, mostly to stress the person has no control but they recognized people who really needed the program might be turned off from a Christian God. They wanted Jews, Muslims, atheists, Buddhists who were suffering to be included, not excluded.
So I take exception with AA being lumped into whatever it is Hegseth practices and Prosperity (gag!) preaching. Jesus literally fought bevause people had to pay to get into the temples to worship. How they duped the flock into “prosperity preaching” is simply brilliant marketing for charlatans.
Prosperity? Remember how the Bible (and other religious texts) warn that riches on earth don't count in eternity!
Interesting observation, my sense it is valid.
To me, if you are religious, no matter what religion, your faith is exhibited by your behavior not your words or symbols. It is action. This man means to force women into submission or his pleasure and because he is scared shitless of us.
Very real point Catherine! Like a couple of real women said "They wouldn't be trying to shut us up if our words didn't scare them.
MLM, even the most "genuine" Christianity is patriarchal, which by definition, is not democratic.
Christianity originates from Judaism, an ancient patriarchy which joined religious superstition and government to create a theocracy.
Modern Christians, particularly evangelicals, get their ideas about women's roles, not from Jesus, but from the religious-terrorist-turned-evangelist Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus.
Just as Saul allegedly went blind before his "conversion," naive evangelicals are blind to the facts.
1. Evangelicals believe that the Bible is "inerrant," that every word in it was somehow dictated by God and the authors were no more than stenographers.
2. Evangelicals assume that Saul's conversion was total. Even nominal knowledge of human nature tells us that such a transformation is impossible. Saul held extreme beliefs before his conversion from Hebrew legalism to allegiance to the Jesus movement. It is unreasonable to think he suddenly dropped his former patriarchal beliefs, including misogyny, after he converted.
3. Evangelicals are unaware or do not accept the findings of modern biblical scholars, who assert that only 7 of the 14 epistles attributed to Paul were actually written by him. The others were likely not even written contemporaneously. In any case, the opinions expressed in those letters, including "women should keep silent" are just that: opinions.
4. The provenance of the entire Bible, both the Hebrew Scriptures (aka The Old Testament) and The New Testament, is sketchy at best. This encyclopedia of ancient writings includes some interesting, even beneficial content, but it's hardly a rulebook for daily living.
Dale, thank you for providing this detailed account. I just finished a book called The Creation of Patriarchy and she has a whole chapter on ancient Israel. I would say that the creation of Judaism borrowed heavily from other views in the ancient near east which were patriarchal. Also I read a book on how the Bible came to be which concludes that the Bible was a response to the need to create a belief to hold Jews together in the face of being conquered repeatedly and being moved around by the conquerors. Also there was more than one tradition and the Bible is also an attempt to put those together. I recently reread Genesis(KJV) as preparation to reading Marilynn Robinson's book about Genesis. I was appalled actually....all about the perpetuation of male seed. I think Robinson wrote this book partly as an answer to God An Anatomy which I enjoyed, but believers would not. I have never been a fan of Paul who managed to prevail over others trying to keep the teaching of Jesus alive. Religious terrorist indeed.
Thanks, Michele. Although I was born into an evangelical household, I now identify as a non-deist. I arrived at this conclusion after a lot of study, and also, a lot of thinking (evangelicals frown on thinking, for obvious reasons).
What confounds me is that all Christians assume without reservation that Norse, Greek, Roman and other deities were all products of ancient men's imaginations, but the Judaic deity is "the real deal."
Moreover, evangelicals believe without reservation that the Old Testament myths and legends, such as the Adam & Eve and Noah's ark stories, actually happened.
It is significant to me that the Adam & Eve story is positioned at the very beginning of the biblical canon. This establishes, from the get-go, that the man is a noble, innocent being and the woman is a foolish temptress who's stupid enough to believe a talking snake, disobeys God, then immediately runs back home and seduces her husband into joining her in her sin. This is the foundation of evangelical social culture.
When you think about it, everything about Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden is confounding. If Eve had not listened to the snake, would she and Adam have lived forever in Eden, never aging, never dying, never having children (or sex)? Why create a man and a woman? Why not create two men (since they're highly superior)? Your point about Christianity and patriarchy is so crucial but it always seems to get conveniently ignored by Christians.
Dale, there is another tradition in the far east and I am blanking on which one where there were a bunch of entities going around being very happy and ignorant and then they discovered sex and all hell broke loose. I always listen to the Christmas Eve ceremony from King's College, Cambridge, where they read passages from the Bible. I always bristle at the Adam/Eve part. I also read Eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven which discusses the Catholic Church teaching on sex. Also we have those guys sitting on pillars in the desert. From all this i concluded that men who wrote the sacred books thought that sex was more powerful than anything else and blamed women for claiming their attention. I believe in a universal energy however one chooses to interpret that. I do have problems with people who condemn all believers because some people who believe do good things. They are not all hypocrites. I love many pagan beliefs.
So & so beget... only mentions fathers & sons. Always found this disturbing
Well, Cindy, that is why women in the Bible and in many places today only exist as uteri. I hear a lot of this now from those who would turn our country into a straight white male theocracy. Women should be barefoot, pregnant, and silent.
Thank you Heather for this panorama of democracy and the role of women in its
Trying hard to distract from the Epstein files…
Hegseth is the kind of man who lusts for power, and to use that power to impose his narrow, morally ugly mindset on everyone else.
Hegseth and Wilson worship a petty, vengeful deity that they created in THEIR image.
ML, The drunk is a chest beater on steroids. He is not nor will ever be anything remotely like the Jesus of the first three Gospels. Hmm. Weren't there women around too.
MLMinET AMEN. “the proof is in the living that faith”
MLMinET, so right on! Pronouncing your faith while doing your utmost to undo civility is why there will be some big surprises for those people. Some sooner that later I think.
"Once faith becomes law, it stops being faith ... it just turns into raw power."
Exactly. And this happened century after century after the Jesus movement morphed into institutional Christianity.
Love your quote. The union of Church and State has always been an evil combination.
The American Taliban.
John, as the Founders well knew from their observations of recent European wars about faith.
Monroe quoted XPlisset's comment in her response.
Xplisset's Substack is worth a view.
I second that.
WOW! Sure is!
Yes. Some argue once Constantine adopted Christianity, it was over. I agree with Bonhoeffer: We need a Christianity without the religion. Men have created these structures and have decided what role women will play. Here is the “complementary “ role I have chosen for you. It is all the plan these folks hatched 50 years ago with Phyllis Schlafley from the catholic right and the evangelicals to counter integration in the schools and the women’s rights movement. Jesus and John Wayne by Kristen DuMez is the best explaination of this.
"to counter integration in the schools and the women's rights movement"
Yes. Schlafly, Weyrich, Falwell made conservative Christianity a crucial part of the Republican political machine.
On the other hand, Christianity also produced MLK and the Berrigan brothers.
As I have read these comments, your final point has remained the reality and power of faith and belief - and even the power of law. If there is no belief in the concepts of these religious and legal ideas they remain nothing but words on a page. What a conundrum!
If one watched the Jan 6 th hearings closely the man from Arizona named Rusty spoke of his very ill daughter and how because he stood up against the MAGA they gave his family real grief. He also had a very convoluted understanding of our government underlying frameworks and yes did equate it with Christianity. I wanted someone on the panel (and I don’t think they really understood until then some folks belief systems )to shout out Jefferson was a Diest and wrote his own version of the bible. Susan B Anthony. as well Miseducated the book is an interesting read in this area. The whole way religion has been used in this country wild as wild as any other region on earth.And feminism and other religions and racism. If you read Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin is shows Catholic segregation in the south.And the Carroll family from Maryland and plantation and slaves owners played a role with our new government and the beginnings of the Roman Catholic Church. The constitution has some ties to the ingenious peoples framework and. belief systems as well but I can’t recall the name H something Confederracy perhaps? And the Jewish people have been around and along history of those who had to convert but still practiced their faith in secret. There is the story of Anne Hutchinson and others and some folks used it as a wonderful framework for good others use the framework for evil and behind that is a story we do not know but of trauma and the inability of certain systems to deal with the truths of their lives and they just end up stuck in a cesspool of conflicts and to be kind I think they much be in so much emotional pain and they must not be able to literally be in their own skin.
"Once faith becomes law, it stops being faith ... and just turns into raw power"?
Also, Xplisset: dogma, cliche, sloganeering, hatred orthodoxies, victimization scenarios, standardized testing, larger armies of lobbyists, DNC fundraising, RNC fundraising, mainstream media advertisers, social media algorithms for more hate, more victimization, and more testing to keep humanities out of schools.
“God, Government and Roger Williams’ Big Idea”
“The Puritan minister originated a principle that remains contentious to this day—separation of church and state”
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/god-government-and-roger-williams-big-idea-6291280/
Growing up in Massachusetts I always thought it curious that the colonists who came to the New World claiming they wanted religious freedom made the colony so intolerant of dissent from their version of religious freedom that Roger Williams had to flee and create what became Rhode Island. People who believe they are “chosen” by god always think their’s is the one, true way to be and live and centuries of history show they’ll kill you if you disagree.
I grew up in Rhode Island where Roger Williams is revered…
Yes, a great park there named after him.
I'm hoping that HCR can talk about the nature of the Puritan ideology and what kinds of ideas were in the minds of their opposition -- not a small group, either!
AND WOMEN ARE PROPERTY. COVERTURE!!!!! That is the correct historical term.
Extremely sage observation X. Thanks for the invitation to you essays / substack. A brief perusal there causes me some interest friend; Or I should hope to call you such in the future. I hope you'll join in this 'little community' more frequently; Many of us are 'known' to one another over substantial time. Welcome; And yes, it becomes "raw power." And a power we must resist, even with our blood should need be. I've offered mine before and for far less worthy causes it seemed in retrospect. I'm willing again for far greater cause in this 'moment.'
Yes, and it's also UNCONSTITUTIONAL!
Agree.
Agree to agree...hoping "someday" is "Monday".
Bruce, the real danger isn’t just the bad actors ….it’s the blueprint they’re leaving behind. Authoritarians always bet on the same formula: rewrite the moral rules to match their ambitions, twist the legal code until it’s a weapon, then dare anyone to stop them. That’s why Heather’s piece about Madison’s fight for conscience is so relevant — he saw that once one group’s theology becomes everyone’s law, the whole structure of representative government collapses.
What we’re watching now is a stress test of the system and a live demonstration of how fragile those guardrails get when apathy, disinformation, and raw power start working together. I’ve been mapping that pattern, past and present, and it’s scary how predictable it is… and how stoppable it still could be if enough of us understand the playbook. I break it down here: www.xplisset.com.
Some background on "Heather" also known Dr. Richardson.
Richardson attended Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire.[1][2] She received her AB, MA, and PhD degrees from Harvard University,
"Heather Cox Richardson is one of the most popular historians in the U.S., boasting more than 3.2 million Facebook followers and 2.5 million Substack subscribers, making her the most-subscribed individual creator on that platform.
In “Letters from an American,” the newsletter she began writing in 2019, the 62-year-old analyzes current events by connecting them to broader historical trends and patterns in American history.
She also regularly hosts evening live chats on Facebook, taking reader questions in a new version of the nightly news."
In the realm of traditional media, Richardson is the author of seven books, including To Make Men Free: A History of the Republican Party, How the South Won the Civil War: Oligarchy, Democracy, and the Continuing Fight for the Soul of America, and Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America—she’s well-positioned to cover a divided United States. When she’s not writing, she’s a professor at Boston College, teaching 19th-century American history to undergraduate and graduate students.
At the core of Richardson’s work is ensuring people have an understanding of past mistakes, in hopes the nation can avoid repeating them."
Sources: Time and Wikipedia
Dr. Richardson has said the only time she will insist on being called "doctor" is when she is being mansplained.
Barbara, I appreciate you sharing that because it adds even more weight to why her words hit me the way they do. I’ll admit, I’ve been a little casual with “Heather,” but that’s just because when her writing lands, it feels like she’s talking to you across the table, no pretense, no distance. That said, she’s earned every ounce of respect that comes with “Dr. Richardson,” and knowing more about her path just makes me value her work even more. I’ll keep that in mind… even if my straight-talk side sometimes slips out.
Dr. Richardson is considered one of the foremost minds in America today. She is multi-dimensional. She has interviewed President Biden twice and President Obama. Her work academically dovetailing with her recent entry into American politics has made her a sought-after voice in America.
Very early on, on one of her "Politics Chats", someone asked the question of what she wanted to be called. Her guideline (and keeping in mind, this was a while ago) she said that the only guidelines she had with her students, she asked the undergrads to call her "Doctor" or "Professor" and worked hard to get her graduate students to call her "Heather" since they worked together more personally.
As someone who lived within a command structure for 30+ years and had friends who promoted "up the chain of command" (to include my last Sheriff and Chief Deputy [second in command] who both rode with me as explorer scouts and having done the background investigation on the Chief Deputy) I would use their given names in private conversations but some form of their rank in public. This was most often "Sarge" or "Lt". I have settled on calling her Professor, since it conveys the respect I have for her.
If I ever get to meet her in person, I'll call her "Heather".
Then there is this:
https://youtu.be/wTWrDWPn-Vs?si=p17dXlxrYbjktBUs
Thank you for sharing! I sent this on to quite a few people. Glad I keep tissues nearby!
Thank you. This made me cry.
How sad that any woman needs to use the title doctor to have them see a woman can be smarter that they- even then , they probably assume she didn't really 'earn' her title. She is ranked pretty high in my book!
I appreciate this explanation, Xplisset. It helped me understand more fully what Heather said.
Glad it clicked for you. Heather’s pieces I’ve read have that layered depth, so I just try to pull a couple threads and tie them to something I’ve lived or seen firsthand. Makes the history hit different when you can feel it in your gut, not just read it on the page.
Morning, Lynell! I'm really glad he's wandered over here.
Me, too, Ally...morning!
Hi, Ally. Check out Xplisset's webpage. Lots of great stuff on it.
Raw power and the love of money above everything else...
Xplisset, Ty, very well stated.
Agree absolutely. But I read someplace recently that he was tired of being SOD and was considering running for govenor of TN.
He will always be a SOB and POS even when he is no longer the SOD.
Also a sot.
Remember that alcoholism is a disease. A lot of fine people suffer from this. Please stop conflating this disease with moral character.
Yes, alcoholism is a disease. But using alcoholism as an excuse for arrogance, hatred, sadistic cruelty and stupidity is not a disease; it is a choice. And it is unquestionably a moral failing. An alcoholic who kills someone because s/he chose to drive while drunk is rightly held responsible for that death. He gets no pass here. None.
I don't think anyone here is using alcoholism as an excuse for ghastly personality traits and behaviors. Hegseth is all that you say but is more likely the result of nurture rather than nature. Alcoholism runs through both sides of my family tree but those closest to me were never ugly and cruel whether sober of drunk.
I also highly doubt that Hegseth has stopped drinking, just somewhat more controlled in public. His position is too stressful for him to have stopped cold turkey upon taking the job and rehab would have required him to disappear for at least several weeks.
His alcoholism just brings his horrible personality traits and behaviors to the fore. Alcoholism does not always manifest itself in cruelty and criminality, those traits were always part of his personality. He is truly a horrible, stupid and self centered person. Just like his boss.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUU8NTFHCvk
Behind the Bastards podcast if you can stomach learning more about this POS SOB
Thanks Becky. I am sure I wouldn’t be able to stomach it!
Made me smile Colette!
Yes, that’s been reported—talk about someone with no self-awareness. He’d be up against Marsha Blackburn, Trump’s chief sycophant, whose treasurer is a WWE ‘wrestler’ and our county mayor. He wants her seat because he’s term limited—and, because he’s a libertarian, during Covid he saw no reason for the gov to be involved in public health; he said every person is responsible for his/her individual health.
Oh, and the Christian Nationalists have purchased 500 acres in Jackson Co for their ‘headquarters.’
Whatever have we done, Lord, to be punished like this. Oh, wait. Let Republicans run unopposed for too long. Www.bluetennessee.org We’re trying …
Knox County resident here and Gloria Johnson voter. I'd love to believe that Blackburn or Hegseth wouldn't have ANY chance to be governor of Tennessee, but too many of our citizens will be shocked, appalled, gobsmacked by what's been done to them by R's ‼️ and then vote republican 🤢💔
Our state sadly might be headed In the direction of Missouri. Supermajority R's refusing to listen to voters, pushing through whatever they believe is the best way.
I think we're already there. Lee & co. passed the vouchers bill, in spite of a majority of school boards being against it.
And that tesla tunnel 😳
MLM--are you aware of "Tennessee Brando" form the Meidas Touch network? He's the real deal. His YouTube channel has exploded in the past six months. He's the real deal, taping from a 9,000 ulta-red Tennessee town. Very courageous.
Yes, I watch him sporadically. Need to be more diligent. He makes so much sense and ought to be able to make inroads bc of his background.
Highly recommended to all The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social. Never lived there, currently in Colorado but it’s awesome 🎯
Yes, it’s a great independent. A little less cheeky but also good is The Tennessee Lookout. I think a member of the States Newsroom (?).
And 'holler' it is. Not hollow. (WV roots)
WOW! Glad you posted the site. I know there are lots of people in lots of Red areas getting out information that they wouldn't hear about otherwise. Knowledge is power.
Which state? Did I miss that in the comments? 🤔
TN?
It’s one thing to be appointed. But elected? It’s hard to read Tennessee. Recent politics brought us Justin Jones and Justin Pearson. Then again, also Marsha Blackburn. Well, I say he should take his little Pathetic Dunce Party self over there and see what the electorate thinks.
Jones has been treated despicably by the House speaker (who, btw, was found not to be living in the district he represents but collecting per diem). The Justin’s are young and Marsha is 73 and a long-time politico. She needs to retire. She is a terrible representative, both ‘representative’ as in her national notoriety and in her (lack of) service to Tennesseans.
J and J are from blue city districts.
He’s a lazy spoiled brat, just like the rest of them. He actually complained about how much work he has had to do since becoming SOD.
Imagine any 5 star general complaining like a teen during mid terms that “it’s like really hard. And sooooooo much work.”
This is the level of dip shitter Trump brings with him. What did he THINK it was going to be like?
The Snetae should hang their heads in shame. Not just Hegseth. RFK JR blatantly LIED. And now is making the whole world sicker and making America lose their status as the best of the best in research and development for the very thing he’s supposed to head. - HEALTH. Another lying grifter.
America Land of the weak, Home of the sick. Thanks, MAGA!
Maybe the majority of MAGA doesn’t realize that America was NOT founded on Christianity. They have been hearing for a generation in Evangelical Churches how God chose America so maybe they don’t actually know better.
But SCOTUS certainly does. Most of Congress and the Senate do. It’ll be interesting for them to incorporate their bull shit Originalism theory into the Founders NOT wanting separation of church and state even though they said it about 800 times that’s EXAVTLY what they want. But as we’ve seen SCOTUS do with originalism…they usually conjure originalism up when they can’t fit plain language into doing the opposite.
They've been listening to the RWNJ propaganda pushed both by Fox and their churches that the US was founded as a Christian nation.
Autocratic regimes do not want to surround themselves with intelligent, educated, competent people. They want to be revered, not questioned or criticized. And dishonest leaders want dishonest subordinates - not honest people who might rat them out. If those subordinates aren’t dishonest enough when employed, the dictator will give them dishonest orders so they can be exposed, blackmailed and/or moved into ever-more dishonest behaviors.
He’d be running against Marsha Blackburn in a primary
Maybe he will use St. Paul's admonition against women in power. It is still hot among Catholics and Evangelicals.
….hot among SOME old fashioned Catholics (not the Pope) and SOME (though too many) Evangelicals.
Ms. Bed Head who is unable to talk to the press.
And she voted for him as SecDef.
Perfect
He may hold other jobs, but he will always be a sod ... in the British sense.
Heaven help TN! Wonder how that run would go? Hope the voters would remember what horrible things Hegshit ha done.
Let’s see. What other Fox essence personality is waiting in the wings to be secretary of defense?
I'm sure T can find someone who's jumping up & down, waving their arm & shouting "Me! Me!'
Yes, grass growing out of his ass. A surprisingly reassuring image. Thanks Marlene.
Translation: “Take away women’s votes so we can waltz into 2026 with our hands already in the till.” Spare me the pious act you turkeys — this isn’t religion, it’s opportunism in vestments. Doug Wilson and Pete Hegseth pawned their souls to the devil so long ago, he’s probably charging them storage fees.
We need to do what ICELANDIC women did.
. https://youtu.be/e9OsIj32w7U?si=cez1YP0E7dKGXtOd
Arrest Pee-tin in Alaska. Or… there may be other options I suppose: There must be hunters there? The bear is Russia’s symbol, isn’t it?
Let’s promote that for let’s say a day?
I call it "Trump's regime" instead of his "government", and would call Hegseth a "craven follower" in the cult of Trump. He is not able to govern, and news that he wants to run for governor of some Red State and views Sec Def as a means to getting that, does not bode well for his attention to the job.
I would like to share this on X, TikTok posting that someone shared with me today that is also uplifting, about why people are MAGAs. I think she is speaking truthfully and helpfully.
https://x.com/charise_lee/status/1954165209121345991?t=c78guhGFV3HpxpnaCQA2-A&s=09
Excellent. We can do all she suggests but in the meantime, the brutal kidnappings continue and our rule of law is shredded. It will take physically removing this illegitimate regime because they will not relinquish power quietly or meekly.
I have had a simple idea to eventually defund the administration by getting our legislators to draft a bill that ends federal taxes and has the states as the sole taxing body. The military and other shared interests can by covered by a fee paid by the states. Also, they should have their own militaries at this point. Even tiny Wyoming has a bigger population and GDP than many countries, and many states have a larger GDP than similar sized countries that are well off and support their populations in all the areas that one needs. health care, pension, housing, education, transportation, environment, family supports, poverty funds, disaster relief, etc...
It will go along with what Republicans claim they want, only they want no federal and no state taxes, or minimal. If they complain then they can be pointed out to their constituencies as hypocrites. Once enacted, I think Red State governors and legislatures will be much more under pressure to provide services for their people than they are now, when they can still blame all problems on others.
Once again, Linda, you’re amazing me.
yes, amazingly delighting me.
Thank you samani! ✌🏽
It’s actually brilliant.
LInda, I watched that clip and HEY ANYBODY READING THIS---STOP RIGHT NOW AND WATCH IT!--just, WOW Does that explain Trump!
The point is, MAGA IS cracking. And some CAN be reached!
I've often referenced the YouTube channel "Belle of the Ranch" and she has a group of guys who work in a metal shop. They are on both sides, and started watching her clips and debating. They sent a question which she answered, and they occasionally will send another question her way. One of the most recent ones was that one of the Trumper-guys has seen the light, and he's struggling trying to convince OTHER MAGA! He asked Belle for some easy to understand explanation, and she answered it on her longer format "The Roads with Belle". Her explanations are excellent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNSg5kb0yjE&t=4s
She's grouped all the metal shop questions under one playlist, for anyone interested.
https://www.youtube.com/@BelleRanch/playlists
Miselle, thank you for the links. I do think this economic explanation is excellent. I will look at more of them later. One of the women in a book club I am in was saying that she has one MAGA that she regularly communicates with and recommends that everyone have one that you reach out to and communicate on a friendly level. This is a great way to discuss this information. I am/was a Deweyan teacher, so I like to tell stories to illustrate things I want to teach, and to provide experiences so that my students can internalize the understanding. This is storytelling, which is a helpful way to explain things. Trump always ties his lies to stories. We can tie truths to them as well.
Linda, I think your friend is very wise in saying that. I have a friend who is not totally MAGA, there is some areas that are gray for her. We get together from time to time and she said she "appreciates (me) because I let (her) talk without lecturing to (her)". I try to counter what she says in a gentle manner. For instance, while she is not opposed to gay people, she has this aversion to trans and says she "doesn't like having trans shoved down her throat". I asked her, who is shoving it at you, where are you hearing it? And when she realized it is from church, she said--point taken.
I make a point to find the things we both enjoy and discuss that: rock music especially concerts, travel, reading, dealing with our sisters, illnesses we both are dealing with. I think if you do that, you are more likely to get chances to plant seed.
Miselle, that is what we all need to do. Historian Jefferson Cowie was telling us that in a talk he gave that with 2/3 of Americans not having college degrees, if the Democratic party wants these people to vote for them, they have to have a platform that makes them feel part of the story and that we need to be reaching across the aisle.
I have neighbors in Chicago who might be MAGA. I don't know because we discuss neighborly things when we hang out, like our children, and what is going on with neighborhood politics.
I gotta give her some more time...
Definitely worth watching!!
I watched it, and was struck that everything she said is not only true, but was eloquently described in a little book published in 1951 called, "The True Believer", by Eric Hoffer. I read it in college and found it fascinating, and I've watched the powers behind the Republican Party use its precepts for decades. And here we are.
Thank you for this. It should be passed on. I agree with her and she fleshes out this truth. This is what I was saying in our previous discussion where we were talking about whether this was/is mental illness. I objected to your broad brushing and name calling which if reverberated/repeated does harm.
I do believe that people can be snapped out of this (they must be). She gives clues. But first is to recognize the problem. It's a psychological problem- individual and societal. It's a tough one!
More cults were happening or in the news they were relatively smaller, not so massive, back in the late 60's and 70's. There were de-programing attempts. Some of the cults ended in disaster. This is different, on a different scale.. maybe more like Nazi Germany which is why people bring that example up so often.
Biden tried to offer hope and something better. I don't recall he "shamed" Trump followers either. But he was not a strong enough personality- nor was (or is) any Democrat or non-MAGA at the moment.
I would call this mental illness. In general, mental thoughts that impede your normal functioning that persevere are considered mental illness. You stigmatize it more than I am here.
I do not because I know better. People do though. I find that many if not most do not understand mental illness, what it means, a broad category. Linda I think you are digging in and and I am not going to argue this point with you, including other things about racism being mental illness. I found it ironic though that you should post this link saying just what I said in that discussion. about this being a cult.
Google "is cult behavior mental illness?":
Quote--
Is cult behavior a mental illness?
While involvement in cults can have a significant and often detrimental impact on mental health, cult behavior itself isn't directly categorized as a mental illness.
"While cult behavior is not classified as a mental illness, it's crucial to acknowledge the profound and often damaging psychological and emotional consequences that cult involvement can have on individuals. "
and link to Psychiatric Times for further explanation.
I understand the Psychiatric Times says not necessarily mental illness, although many consider life in a cult to create the conditions for mental illness. In fact, the courts do not consider being in a cult as sign of mental illness unless there is a specific mental illness being diagnosed, but what is included and not included in a mental health diagnosis can change. Some of this is political. Still, by my understanding of the MAGA cult, which is in a perpetual state of anger, people will be mentally ill. Perpetual anger and hate make you mentally ill.
I object to the broad brushing and lay diagnosing. The MAGA cult is a faction of Trump's support. Not all, by any means. You said voting for Trump is dysfunctional. YOu do not know that. You are entitled to your opinion and people want to say "yeah- that's it" then you link to this woman who has it closer to correct- this is a kind of cult, a mass cult. I buy that. Their behavior (the MAGA faction?) can lead to mental illness or some may HAVE/or seem to have mental illness-- a broad category. We do not know that nor can say about them all or the rest. What do you know about whether they are in a perpetual state of anger? Some seem very happy in their cult- obviously. We see that. They are joyous! You are entitled of course. Your mom apparently gave you good advice to protect yourself. I guess my mom gave me similar advice.
Check this:
https://www.psypost.org/the-psychological-puzzle-of-donald-trump-eye-opening-findings-from-20-studies/#google_vignette
Linda, this is a great summary.
Jayne Converse 3 is great at explaining and breaking down a lot of seemingly inexplicable things happening now. She’s a history and civics teacher!
Also on IG.
https://www.instagram.com/jayneconverse3?igsh=MWp2NXhhbWJ4cmxkbQ==
Dr. Richardson as a historian uses the correct terminology. Her Letters are a historical record. The people residing in his regime are technically the "political leaders".
In regard to Hegseth being an alcoholic. Please remember that alcoholism is a disease. It does not automatically mean an alcoholic is a bad person. Also, Christians are not all bad people.
Hatred of the other is how we got in this mess among other things. We need to not let the severity of the times change us. The best revenge is to maintain our sense of humanity.
I think I'm seeing more anger than hatred. The two are completely different.
Yes they are. And it is easy to start mixing the two together-a bad cocktail for sure.
Well said, Barbara. LOVE is complicated. FORGIVENESS is complicated. Hegseth has had (still has?) a drinking problem. Trump has (apparently/probably) various problems. (The List goes on and on.) Millions of our fellow Americans elected Trump to be our current President. We must “maintain our sense of humanity.” Thanks, Barbara. Will do, but it ain’t easy….
The hatred in the comments today is really worrisome.
Yup, so true. I just deposited this comment to another HCR reader:
Jerry, you hit the key word for ALL of us here on Earth: RESPONSIBILITIES. We need to feel and be responsible for one another. We are truly Brothers and Sisters - One Family. We don’t have to love or even like what Uncle Pete or Aunt Kristi or Grandfather Donald says or does, but we do have to figure out how to prevent them from harming all of our family members. If Aunt Kristi says or does horrible, cruel things, we should remind her that Love and Life are better options. Helping others - even dogs and goats - is a refreshing, life-giving option. We must be RESPONSIBLE for ONE ANOTHER, not JUST ourselves. Leave EGO out of it.
Barbara, I feel that anger is justified in this situation even if it does not solve the problem is it healthier than hopelessness. Women should not be doormats. Anger and being fed up inspired the women of ICELAND to make a change.
. https://youtu.be/e9OsIj32w7U?si=cez1YP0E7dKGXtOd
Yup, Linda, as a male, I do not condone treating women as “doormats.” I also believe there is a massive difference between ANGER and HATRED.
Productive anger yes. Hatred no.
There is an awful lot of labeling, prejudice, generalizing and name calling in these comments today. It has put a pit in my stomach.
Barbara, well stated. I've had some friends almost sputter with anger that I maintain friendships with MAGA people. I find it more effective to maintain these in the hopes that I can drop little seeds of reality into their psyche.
I mean no harm to recovering alcoholics nor addicts (other than RFK, Jr.) but merely was stating facts. Hegseth is a man out of control because of his excessive drinking and his past abuse of women. I am describing this one man and not others. Proper vernaculars should be used when respecting the person one speaks about but in his case, not a chance.
Marlene, he is also someone who cheated on his various wives numerous times and is apparently notorious as a philanderer. But I would like to point out some highly salient points. There are plenty of representative democracies--the UK, Canada, Australia, Italy . . .--that have national churches. That's what the Church of England is and when Henry VIII established it, he claimed to be head of the church as well as head of state. And there is no question (at least after 1920--let's not forget how long the process took) that women have the right to vote in those countries. Indeed, in England they are dropping the voting age to 16. So this whole claim by christofascists that it is "un-Christian" for women to be able to vote is utter total b*llsh*t. It is well beyond time for the worse-than-mediocre white boyz to step aside. The fact that they are now touting these idiocies as potential "policy" tells us how afraid they are that more and more women (and we are the population majority in the USA after all) are cottoning to their disgusting despicableness. Maybe women should just stop having sex with men. After all, they rely on controlling sexual access to women, because what rational female who has independent income and a sense of self awareness would ever have anything to do with them? As both Frederik Engels in 1890 and Gerda Lerner in 1986 pointed out, the enslavement of women for sexual purposes was likely the first form of human trafficking. Time's up.
Linda, my mother used to tell me “Women can live without men but men cannot live without women”. She actually repeated this to me several times as I was growing up. My thoughts are that we airdrop thousands of dildos in the red states for all girls and women to use with notes attached “Have fun! No man needed!”.
Marlene, my doctoral dissertation was a study of elite widowhood in Britain in the 13th century and I was able to demonstrate that, while 100% of men who survived their wives remarried within 2 years, only 30% of widows remarried and most who did were childless and still fertile. My conclusion? Women could--and did--hire men to do everything a husband did (other than impregnating legitimately) but men could not hire women to do what wives did. So your mum was spot on!
"Maybe women should just stop having sex with men"
We already have a cult of rape in this country. That would give some "justification" in some minds.
Well said, Linda.
Let’s all call SENATOR Murkowski and ask her how she feels about a WAR CRIMINAL (Putin) coming to her state. Will she arrest him?
Lisa Murkowski / (907)271-3735
(907) 456-0233
(907) 586-7277
(907) 376-7665
(907) 262-4220
(907) 225-6880
(202)-224-6665
Gov M has already publicly stated that she is scared of retaliation from tRump and his goons. If she is too scared to govern with conscience then she should honor her constituents and her country and step down.
Exactly! And she capitulated, was thrown a few “gifts,” and voted for the BIg, Bad, Ugly Bill.
I meant SENATOR Murkowski
Marlo, one of us is confused, I think. The only Murkowski who supposedly represents Alaskans is Lisa Murkowski, elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002. She doesn't have police powers.
Mike Dunleavy has been the governor of Alaska since 2018. He could order his State Police Colonel to arrest any criminal present in the state, though that's unlikely since he's a Trump loyalist.
Yes, corrected. SENATOR Murkowski. Thanks. The heat, informational overload, and constant Trump’s outrageous deflections are getting to me!
Marlo, it's happening to all of us. We all have to look out for each other.
Read or listen to this excellent newsletter:
https://thewestpointhistoryprofessor.substack.com/p/who-garroted-epstein-they-tried-to?r=24p296&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=audio-player
Isn’t it interesting that Trump feels he can negotiate with this lying war criminal and give Ukraine’s rightful territory to him?
Russia once owned Alaska. I wonder what the Governor would think if Trump gave Putin Alaska (which Putin wants). Would he STILL be a Trump loyalist?
If you're conditioned to celebrate good stuff as "God's blessings" and bad stuff as "God's will," it's not a leap to accept Trump's gift to Putin as "God's will."
He uses Christianity as a shield for his horrific behavior. It’s pathetic and should be shunned and booed by people who actually follow the teachings of Christ.
And a “reformed” alcoholic. I’m guessing he’s hiding booze in his closet. The only thing that was remotely driving him to quit was getting confirmed. I’m guessing if you gave him a random urine test, he’d fail.
Alcoholism is a very serious disease. It was disgusting and INSULTING for all people who struggle with substance abuse problems and actually are TRYING to better themselves to listen to his phony claims of reformation. If he isn’t drinking, which I highly doubt, he’s simply a dry drunk. There’s a huge difference between people who seek sobriety and people who white knuckle it. The former doesn’t just stop drinking, they seek to become better humans to their fellow man, repair and make amends to those they have hurt, and vow to help others. A dry drunk just takes away the booze and keeps all of the character flaws he had while drinking.
Has anyone seen a positive change in the Pete Hegseth pre confirmation who was drinking in the job at FOX to the Pete Hegseth now…a sloppy mess who needs hi wife to babysit him, included a reporter on a classified call and the LIED about it.
People who truly seek sobriety seek to be honest with themselves and others. Does anyone see him being honest about ANYTHING? He’s lied and been caught multiple times and then blames someone else. So again, zero accountability which is not a staple of a reformed alcoholic.
Little Petey is a bottom feeding creature kept alive from the waste in Trump’s cesspool!
It's small, weak, impotent and in hegseth's case a not so functional alcoholic, who need to squash women, who need women to have no autonomy, no power of her own. These men are threatened by strong competent independent women bc there is no there there. It's all just bravado. It's all performance. His wife probably has to do everything for him like the little boy he really is inside.
Marlene-Lerner-Bigley (CA): Here, here! You speak plain truth, and I second you enthusiastically.
You express it exactly right!
"Someday, his lily white derriere will be grass."
Yes!
And stand by for the narcissistic sociopath dear leader to declare marshal law in DC tomorrow, while shipping struggling disadvantaged citizens off the streets to a swamp in Florida, or some other disgusting inhumane place created by this "Christian loving" regime. So much for the Constitution, rule of law, Judicial and Congressional branches of our government...they don't function or exist any more. All while he turns an icon of our country, the White house, into his castle. The elephant in the room is, what are we going to do about?
However, till then, a parting shot for you and others who read. Instigator that I am at heart, I must place this thought for debate. As I recall, those 'stenographers' of yore never specifically recorded the 'gender' of the talking serpent / snake... Was it a manipulating, self-serving male, or some 'conniving' female ? Lol..... *Full disclosure, my amazing spouse tickled this thought.
Hi Marlene; It's tomorrow ! I do so hope this day finds you steadfast and hopeful, despite it all. From talking with you for all this time, I took your meaning just fine, and absent any imaginings. Full disclosure, I read down much further and enjoyed all the 'rabbit holes' we've wandered down, and for good reason - it's all pretty relevant to collectively getting some handle on all that afflicts us and I have no corner on the market of thoughts and theories, nor in any respect, absolute certainty. I do have some thoughts to share.. humbly from my own decades of hard won experience. I'll do so from here, with you and any who'd care to read in just a little while. I have some needs to attend; Then I'll be back. Cheers anyway ! ~D
Separation of church and state protects my right to practice my religion or have no religion.
Exactly, Gloria separation of church and state isn’t some anti-religion move, it’s the safety net. Madison nailed it back in 1785: keep the state out of religion, keep religion out of the state, and you actually protect both. The minute you let lawmakers start playing preacher, you lose your faith and your freedoms. www.xplisset.com
Xplisset coincidentally the Freedom From Reiigion Foundation isn't a anti-religion movement either. It's a freedom to practice any or no religion or to be spiritual in your own way.
I joined FFRF because they tenaciously fight the white Christian Nationalist agenda of taking away that freedom. It takes an army to fight these back against these nutcases and FFRF along with the ACLU and others usually win.
Thank you for FFRF info. As a non christian lady I am incensed to watch the dismantling of my country today.
Concentration camps in the USA being built using taxpayer dollars is my nightmare.
How much longer will the rigged system allow FFRF and ACLU to win?
Exactly. And as we’ve seen when lawmakers try to impersonate (and overrule) doctors, they generally suck at it and end up with the worst possible & most fanatical “solution”.
To let those hypocritical scumwads inflict their twisted “beliefs” (quotes are because most of them are likely lying about their “faith”) on the country is not just un-American (and unconstitutional), but shockingly stupid. These are very small-minded, vain, corrupt “people”. (That’s the nicest thing I can call them. People in quotes since they are NOT like the rest of us, they are much less . . ).
We still need to get these “preachers” spewing these ideas of one white Christian nation to actually study the Bible and theology. As a community college teacher here in a small town in the south, I had a student loudly proclaim that Catholics weren’t Christians. Another argued that only his small family church was the “true” Church. (But then he, and several others, believed that Jews have horns on their heads).
These people exist only as long as they manage to remain segregated from the foundations of Christianity. I’ve always wanted to attend one of these churches and get up to repeat loudly all of Jesus’s words to sinners.
My daughter who is now 37 experienced the"...Catholics weren't Christians." when she was in elementary school in Denver. The student body was mostly white Christian. It was a "Choice" school funded by public money.
If you think about it, does not right-wing "Christianity" advocate Orewellianly opposite values to those attributed to Jesus? On the poor and persecuted? On wealth? On armed conflict?
Does the Trump regime most resemble Jesus and his cohort? Or that who crucified him?
Bring a bunch of bodyguards. "Them's violent cusses".
YUP
It amazes me that so many of the SCOTUS are Catholics and supported by the other Christian denominations, because I've seen some very anti-Catholic views in my lifetime.
My mother, a very devout Catholic, was fond of quoting that. Her version was: protect the Church from the state and protect the state from the Church.
Former SDA right here. Funny how it was our devout religions which ingrained these principles of separation of church and state in us.
Well…apparently Trump would like to protect the Catholic Church by pulling the law that forces them to report sexual abuse revealed in the confessional. Uhm
Then again, it wasn't just the Catholic church. Other denominations as well were/are plagued with pedophilia. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/3-big-us-churches-in-turmoil-over-sex-abuse-lgbt-policy
Oh yes Any organization that deals with groups of kids, like the boy scouts
Church and state can peacefully coexist and influence one another, but both are dangerously corrupted when mixed.
Our founders in their wisdom were able to see what had happened to European powers who had religious underpinnings. They fought religious wars interminably, while ostensibly they were political, religion often was the support structure for years of combat that consumed lives. Our founders wanted no part of that and so we have institutionalized separation of church and state, and we until now, have never had a religious war. Faith or lack of faith should have no bearing on citizenship, and the government has no business in religious affairs.🙏
the details of our from of government appears strongly influenced by philosophies of The Enlightenment period in Europe, which are organized around reason and scientific empiricism. The founders were not irreligious, but key individuals were deists. Jefferson created a sharply abridged Bible, stripping out the miraculous. It was also an era of creativity and discovery, as opposed to, say, the "Dark Ages". Our laws are supposed to rest on evidence, not divination.
They ditched that concept long ago, with the political missionaries on the SC. Religion (the religion made by the hands of man) trumps state every time. The hypocrites guarantee it.
The claim that I'm the boss of you because God is on MY side is malignant narcissism. Even the Bible has some warnings against it. Yes, you have a right to practice a religion or no religion so long as you respect other's rights. That climate of mutual respects for one another's rights is where the rule of law comes in. Religion often relies on what can't be proven, but law is supposed to rely on confirmable evidence. That's part of why they don't mix. Religion may influence how an individual votes, religion is not legitimately imposed on others, nor privileged as a matter of law.
And while Jesus preached peace and kindness, many who have historically claimed Christianity excuses slavery and genocide. Laws of the land require a more objective standard. No votes for women? By what right?
ProfessorRichardson:" If lawmakers could destroy the right of freedom of conscience they could destroy all other inalienable rights".
Yesterday afternoon, I got a call from my oldest friend who told me that he & his wife are leaving the United States.
My old fiend, an MD, was a former auto immune researcher, became a stalwart community physician out West where he raised a family.
Fully aware of the existing & growing practical problems with the American expatriate colony in Portugal and the significant citizenship & financial barriers to lawful entry into New Zealand, I used my legal contacts to forward solid facts to my friend on entry into other countries in North America & other continents.
Me? I am a fighter. I am not going anywhere.
As I have posted previously, I reactivated my California law license in March 2025. I have since filed two (2) verified complaints with my colleague & California Attorney General, ROB BONTA. In my legal career, I have qualified as an expert witness in civil litigation. I will battle to preserve "Inalienable rights" on my watch.
Have Law License Will Travel.
Be Safe All.
Good luck with that. I'm to old to wait until the US rebuilds. I will be long dead. France is an option (I've done it). Not difficult if you have some money in the bank.
Oui, I comprehend. If you want to listen & learn perfect French diction, you may enjoy the the French detective series, "ASTRID".
Detective Major RAPHAELLE COSTE is an impulsive squad leader. Her file room archivist, the character, Astrid Nielsen, has Asperger's syndrome but, her character knows the details of every historical criminal case. Like Heather, Astrid thinks in full historical context.
Astrid loves puzzles the more complex the better. Astrid know that puzzles like a Rubik's cube are designed to distract you from the solution. Astrid does not get misled while speaking perfect French.
Like Astrid & Heather, I'm into real solutions.
There is a whole detective genera involving individuals who are visibly neurodiverse. Astrid is socially challenged in ways that many are, yet is exceptionally observant of other subtle cues. We are wise and empathetic to accept, embrace, and benefit from the engagement and skills of such people; and yet in a larger sense I think we are all neurodivergent to a greater degree than we are generally prepared to admit. Evolution thrives on diversity, and while some species filter mating by completion of an archetypal ritual, ours is far more creative; and our division of labor and skills far more adaptive when diversified yet combined. I think our aggregated competence as a country got a big boost when skills from may nation combined here by immigration.
And diversity is the soul of liberty. The freedom to "pursue happiness" is hollow without a robust array of responsible choices; and "responsible" choices so that one's choice does not rob others of the same right. Solidarity, not conformity. The "I" word; "inclusion". The E Pluribus Unum that protects the space in which to be unique.
Merci pour la suggestion.
Thank you for getting back in the fight.
One can be a fighter from outside the US!
Fact Check: TRUE.
A well known & on-going smart group is 'Democrats Abroad Germany' (DAG).
We being to Democrats Abroad Spain. We bought a house in Spain in 2006 and I want to fight from there. It’s complicated but it may just become easier than staying. Wish I had a law license!
J.L., you’re right .”God is on MY side” isn’t faith, it’s just ego in a choir robe. And Madison saw it coming all the way back in 1785. That’s why Heather’s post hit so hard — the Founders knew once you let one religion write the laws, it’s not about conscience anymore, it’s about control.
Law’s supposed to be the common ground …the thing we can all stand on whether we pray, meditate, or do neither. Religion can guide how you vote, but it’s not supposed to be the battering ram you use to knock down everyone else’s rights. That’s not faith, that’s just power in a pulpit.
Very well put.
"Founders knew once you let one religion write the laws, it’s not about conscience anymore, it’s about control."
I respect and am often moved by people of conscience, whether famed as a religious choice or not. Narcissistic bullies are another matter.
All about control -- and typically about control of women.
Deliberate abuse of anyone who is vulnerable; women, children, the elderly, the poor.
Truth.
"Gott mit uns."
Robert, when I saw you reply “Gott mit uns,” it had me feeling some sorta way man cause it’s the same playbook, just translated. As a kid watching Apocalypse Now, I remember seeing “God’s Country” stitched into that patrol river boat. Even back then, it felt weird but now I get it that : people will sew God’s name onto the mission, no matter how ugly the mission is.
This post is a reminder that once religion becomes the stamp of state power, it stops being about faith and turns into branding for whatever the people in charge want to do. Whether it’s “God’s Country” in Vietnam, “Gott mit uns” in WWII, or the “Christian nation” language baked into Project 2025 it’s the same dangerous habit of turning the divine into a political logo.
Exactly. Growing up in Ohio in the 1950s I was repeatedly assured by teachers and other adult "youth leaders" that the USA was God's favorite country, but I never noticed anything in the Bible about that. A bit of projection perhaps. Malignant hubris; for some fanatical, for others (such as Trump) just opportunistic.
"I'm the boss of you because God is on MY side"
Exactly!! White Christian Nationalists think that God's law should prevail over and be imposed on secular law, and it is just a coincidence that God's law aligns so well with their own racial bigotry and misogyny.
So. Much. This.
Complete malignant narcissism; I have impunity and you no rights because my will is God's will. "The King can do no wrong" because of the "divine right of Kings". It's mental malware, and it burned people at the stake, and flew airplanes into buildings in the self-righteous name of "righteousness". It is humanities' most tragic flaw and greatest threat to our long term survival. This is not the religious appeal to conscience of Martin Luther King. Those who most effectively preach peaceful change are often assassinated, Jesus included. It is mislabeled sociopathy, and we need to get more real about that.
"mislabeled sociopathy" - That is what it is!!
Precisely.
Great comment JL.
We've considered emigrating even though we're retired, but we're staying for our kids and grandkids. They'll need us.
Us too. My grandkids might never know true freedom and that thought makes me very sad and then angry. If we leave the USA, hopefully my children and grandkids can join us.
The hypocrisy of these people knows no bounds. Every one of the Republican SCOTUS theocrats was raised or is still Catholic.
Exactly, why shouldn't we hate the Catholic Church? How are they spending their billions?
The Catholic Church's hierarchy has never really gotten over its fall from secular power, which began during the Enlightenment. John XXIII and Francis have tried to drag the Church into a more modern outlook, but there is still a lot of bitterness among Church officials and Rad Trad loyalists.
I don’t think it is coincidental that the same White Christian Nationalists who are turning a blind eye to Trump’s proven abuse of women (and alleged abuse of girls) turn a blind eye to the Catholic Church hierarchy’s decades-long complicity in covering up the rape of children and nuns.
You are right. But the pedophile cover up will be a rock around the Church's neck for a long time. Just last month the Diocese of Fresno, California filed for Chapter 11
Keep an eye on those Chapter 11 filings. The church lawyers have gotten pretty good at sheltering or hiving off valuable assets.
I was once a very devoted Catholic and I continue to grieve for the loss of my faith community. There are all kinds of priests and they differ greatly in their expression of Catholicism. Some are liberals. Some are hardcore conservatives. It is difficult to reconcile the very different approaches. So I do not hate the church, rather it is the patriarchy that has brought it to this point. How ironic that the church is referred to as “she” while being controlled and abused by the men that feel entitled to abuse her rather than serve her.
The famous words of Emma Watson, "Fuck the Patriarchy."
The fact that the Catholic Church will never allow women to be priests makes me doubt their sincerity to the teachings of Jesus. Women would definitely upset the order set up centuries ago.
Like many, I was raised in a devout Catholic, middle class household. I long ago abandoned the Church for its lack of protection for its children and lack of remorse in the wake of the pedophile priest findings. Not to mention the politicizing of sermons, the refusal to allow women (who historically have run the Church in mission work and keeping churches solvent) to become priests. But a final push for abandoning the Catholic Church was a trip my husband and kids and I took to Rome years ago. A group tour of the Vatican left me completely disgusted at the gaudy display of wealth and abuse of power over centuries.
My paternal grandmother told me that religion was just a way for the rich to control the poor. That's an incomplete picture but there is truth to it. Certainly it is true of Trump; but religion has also been a path to liberation. The great big grab-bag we call religion seems have a pretty eclectic collection of stuff in it, including many things that seem divergent, discordant and/or incompatible with trying to be a "good person", like the "Good Samaritan".
Except that your rights are being violated every day and at every turn by the Supreme Court snd the administration. I wouldn’t be so sure of your rights. Fascists don’t care
Separation of church and state is necessary but not sufficient; we voters are hostage to the corporate powers that rule the two-party system.
At the time of the founding there was no such thing as a 'Christain' nation. All nations that had a state religion were explicitly a specific denomination. Protestants in Catholic nations were persecuted and vice versa. Establishing a state religion here would have left out those Christians who weren't the right kind.
When Hegseth or Johnson start talking about us being a 'Christian nation', I really wish someone would ask them which denomination's teachings we're supposed to follow.
Not if republicans have their way🤬
Thank you Professor Richardson.
“Those who would renegotiate the boundaries between church and state must therefore answer a difficult question: why would we trade a system that has served us so well for one that has served others so poorly?”
― Sandra Day O'Connor
O'Connor, despite being a Republican, would almost certainly NEVER have been a Trump supporter. She truly believed in the law and although I don't agree with all of her holdings, she always had good sound arguments to make.
Except her vote to GiVE little Georgie bush the presidency in 2000! Once a repub always a repub!
Well, she was responsible for George W.
Gosh. Did Sandra Day O'Connor say that? Dig her up and have her arrested and deported to CECOT, or Eritrea! Or Swaziland! At Once! 🤪!
Ten women. I doubt Pete Kegsbreath has heard of even one of them.
I noticed that too. Ten amazing, courageous women.
Bingo!
Is it funny at all that the forever predictably drunken Hegseth would badmouth women?
I mean, in the same sense that Trump palled around for years -- best friends -- with guaranteed child rapist and moreover abuser of women Epstein.
Their views of women coincide with the same vulgarity, the same contempt, the same lack of conscience -- and isn't it charming how Heather today uses this word conscience in the best sense, in the way our highest ideals have held?
What diametrically opposite contrasts we live with constantly now.
Irony, oxymorons, and bullschittery are juxtaposed with every syllable these days…
Well, now how could we have faux Christianity without those three magic words? How could Faux News reporters get up every morning and smear make-up and eyeliner all over their faces without invoking the Holy Trinity?
Secretary Kegsbreath's "All for Me and All for Me" philosophy doesn't have much to do with Christianity, a faith once practiced in secret by persecutees worshipping in caves, ever mindful of being uncovered and denounced to the authorities. Its original adherents understood the dictum: 'pray to thy Father in secret, and He shall reward thee openly.' That was all that was needed. It was easy to remember what Jesus said about worship: don't make it public. Don't be like the hypocrites, who choose the best seats for themselves in the synagogues, not to pray, but to be seen, to primp and to preen, to be publicly fanned and fluffed.
Why, Jesus even included a helpful primer to figure out the difference between true prophets and the wolves in tattoos and sheep's clothing. Something having to do with fruits, I think...
https://substack.com/home/post/p-169951775
A bad load of mulch means fighting thistle for two years. Now the little ba*tards will have a face. 😜
The GQP dream; the enshitifacation of America.
They REALLY want everyone to just embrace the suck.
Like the stretched out b.s.-ery 🎶💥Sleep time here💤
When your own mother, when she has no reason to lie (you are not in politics yet), calls you an serially abusive bully and adulterer, there is no reason to doubt her! We should never forget who this guy besides an alcoholic and the most unqualified Sec of Defense in history.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/pete-hegseth-mother/
In the looking glass world (cracked side to side) of modern nominal Republicanism "unqualified" seems to be the key qualification.
I think it's like getting into Harvard. A perfect GPA and SAT aren't quite enough. You have to have fascinating hobbies and volunteer work like being "batshit loony" and "fucked-up beyond belief" in order to get in, together with a long tongue stained dark orange from constant use.
MAGA qualifications: 1) Complete Sycophant to Trump (kind of like he is to Putin), 2) Fox News or batshit crazy influencer background, 3) the 'porn' look if you are a woman (hair extensions--preferably blond regardless of natural color, puffy lips, botox, inches of makeup caked on face, etc).
I'm with you on this one Phil, 1000%...
PB concludes “What diametrically opposite contrasts we live with constantly now.”
How like Alice in Wonderland’s White Queen who could in believe "six impossible things before breakfast".
Hello Ed... Is DJT the Red Queen?...
Hopefully, only “Queen for a Day” and only on TV.
He'd like to be. Then he would be able to shout, "Off with their heads!"
Phil, you’re right the hypocrisy is baked in. That’s why I loved Heather’s use of “conscience” here. On one side, you’ve got contempt, greed, and self-interest; on the other, the very value the Constitution was built to protect. Madison would’ve seen it instantly that it’s the same fight, just with flashier villains.
Same old serpent.
Just a different promise - Make America White Again.
Hello Xplisset.... The Constitution was what the Gentlemen of the Time could agree on in the time they had... The Framers would be called the Male Upper White Class today.... Women, the Indigenous, and the Enslaved were not allowed to Vote for Instance... The Constitution was written to be porous, and flexible, in effect a Gentleman's agreement... They did not foresee someone like DJT rising in Society, and coming to Power, or the Corruption of the Body Politic... Now We Have A Demented King With A Court Of Sycophants That Corrupts Every That He Touches...
I hear you man, but I gotta push back a bit because the Framers weren’t some wide eyed gentlemen in powdered wigs thinking the republic would run forever on good manners and polite applause. They knew exactly what political mess looked like. They’d seen kings overreach, parliaments rot from the inside, and “courts of sycophants” wreck nations.
That’s why they didn’t just leave it at a handshake deal no they built in separation of powers, checks and balances, the whole “keep each other in line” thing. And here’s the real freakin deal here — they didn’t come up with all that on their own. They borrowed heavy from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s Great Law of Peace which Alta people here in this Substack already know it an Indigenous model where powers were clearly divided and leaders actually had to answer to someone.
Yeah, it was still a system for the male upper class of the day, no doubt about it. Women, Indigenous people, and the enslaved were shut out. Hypocrisy was baked in from day one. But trust me these men knew corruption was coming. What they didn’t have was cable news, social media, and a chunk of the population cheering the corruption on like it’s a tailgate party.
They didn’t fail to imagine a “demented king.” They built a machine to contain one. What we’re watching now is what happens when too many people running the machine decide they like the goddamned king better than the Constitution.
Hello Xplisset.... I never said that these People were Angels... My favorite Founder is Ben Franklin... He was a Pull-Yourself-Up Type, and an Empiricist... He has been quoted, "We have a Republic if You can keep it", and "All Governments are Corrupt because all Men are Corrupt"... OBW: George Washington, as admirable as he is given his context, was an accomplished Indian Fighter... Being Indigenous, I take that with a Big Grain Of Salt...
The schools, Xplisset.
Taken over totally by the testers, we see now what happens when all the decent teachers get shut out by the billionaires' agenda for their impersonal-with-a-vengeance, machining assembly lines.
Obviously one reason the Christonazis so worshipfully adore Trump as dictator by divine right is he (like his late buddy Epstein) not only shares their bottomless hatred of and contempt for women, he intends to make it the law of the land. (An even scarier reason the Christonazis worship Trump is their adoration of his Hitler-complex -- his stated intent to start World War III by invading Canada, Greenland, Panama and Mexico, thereby bringing about their long-awaited End Times.)
I think the ultimate battle here is between those who seek to dominate (or dominate and be dominated) over those who "get" the the more complicated path of freedom.
The one thing that freedom is absolutely NOT is the right to bully others; in a family, a group, or in a society. Freedom is certainly not an absence of self or societal restraints. Just, egalitarian laws are the ground rules, and conscience and compassion are needed traits of character. Social freedom is an environment of freedom, as well as a set of personal rights. It's the stated "why" the Declaration of Independence was signed; why the Constitution was written. The spelled-out goal of both documents.
A free society is way more complicated than on in which you just tell people, or are told, what to do. It is replete with negotiation, some of it quite subtle and some of it not. It requires give and take, and "working things out", which can easily be frustrating. It requires moderating the urges of the ego, and caring about the experience of others. It is solidarity, not conformity. It restrains violent acts, yet even sentenced criminals retain certain human rights. It attempts to reconcile the human rights of each and every individual with the rights of the society, and our species as a whole.
Well said!
Of course the opposite contrasts remind me of the Lincoln quote about "the two principles that have stood face to face from the beginning of time, and will ever continue to struggle". The thing is it's seeming that we can't go on this way, at least not without unprecedented horrors. I'm hoping that we somehow wise up before it gets far worse.
I am amazed these type of men find women to marry them!
It's something I've always had trouble wrapping my head around.
They want to go back to the 50s. Or even further. They think Father Knows Best was a documentary.
What does Christianity have to do with taking the right to vote away from women? Can Pete Hegseth explain this? Now, if you took the vote away from men, it might do some good.
👆this!👆
St Paul, 1 Timothy 2:12 - "she is to remain silent". Evidently, Noem and Bondi are God's exceptions.
Plus all the women who were/are televangelists.
Then may God have mercy on the rest of us.
Hegseth believes women should be subservient in all things. His spiritual leader believes the “family unit” should have ONE vote and that, after respectful discussion, the man of the house should pat the little woman on the head, lovingly tell her she is wrong, a advise her to pray some more so she can see that he is right.
Dave A., others may read your comment and think you're being funny or sarcastic. I grew up in the household of an evangelical pastor. Yours is a precise description of the evangelical marriage dynamic.
Yes, I just saw a clip of Hegseth’s pastor explaining how this is at it should be. I was being just a LITTLE sarcastic.
Thank you, Heather.
Indeed. Our courageous hostess is one of a very few sources who truly help us fulfill Sun Tzu's requirements for victory: knowing the intentions and capabilities of our enemy and acknowledging the realities of our own situation. Not only do I thank her; I salute her for her unflinchingly valorous erudition.
Beautiful! Gnite😴
Those who brings up the fact that we're supposed to have a separation of church and state, are frequently accused of being 'atheist' or 'unChristan,' etc., as if those things are not allowed or make one less than someone else. Grrrrr!!
First, I think this is another diversion from the Epstein files. But yes, dare to use Jefferson's "Wall of separation between church and State" quote and be called anti-American. Yet constitutional secularism has always been the Supreme Law of the Land. It boils down to freedom of and from opinion and freedom of and from expressing opinion. In "West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette" 319 U.S. 624 (1943), the "Flag Salute Case" at issue was a State law compelling school children to recite the pledge of allegiance while saluting the flag. The Court reasoned "To sustain the compulsory flag salute, we are required to say that a Bill of Rights which guards the individual's right to speak his own mind left it open to public authorities to compel him to utter what is not in his mind." Thus the Court saw it as a free speech case and used the "Clear and present danger test" to determine whether the State law violated the Constitution. Once the Court found the State law failed the test it stated what is my favorite quote about freedom, "Struggles to coerce uniformity of sentiment in support of some end thought essential to their time and country have been waged by many good, as well as by evil, men. Nationalism is a relatively recent phenomenon, but, at other times and places, the ends have been racial or territorial security, support of a dynasty or regime, and particular plans for saving souls. As first and moderate methods to attain unity have failed, those bent on its accomplishment must resort to an ever-increasing severity. As governmental pressure toward unity becomes greater, so strife becomes more bitter as to whose unity it shall be. Probably no deeper division of our people could proceed from any provocation than from finding it necessary to choose what doctrine and whose program public educational officials shall compel youth to unite in embracing. Ultimate futility of such attempts to compel coherence is the lesson of every such effort from the Roman drive to stamp out Christianity as a disturber of its pagan unity, the Inquisition, as a means to religious and dynastic unity, the Siberian exiles as a means to Russian unity, down to the fast failing efforts of our present totalitarian enemies. Those who begin coercive elimination of dissent soon find themselves exterminating dissenters. Compulsory unification of opinion achieves only the unanimity of the graveyard.
It seems trite but necessary to say that the First Amendment to our Constitution was designed to avoid these ends by avoiding these beginnings. There is no mysticism in the American concept of the State or of the nature or origin of its authority. We set up government by consent of the governed, and the Bill of Rights denies those in power any legal opportunity to coerce that consent. Authority here is to be controlled by public opinion, not public opinion by authority." 319 U.S. 640-641.
The First Amendment essentially secures that the Federal government shall not infringe upon freedom of thought or the expression thereof. The Framers of the US Constitution wanted to be more clear than just saying that and so they wrote a six clause law doing so, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” The “Establishment Clause” secures against government establishing a state religion and favoring one religion over another. The Free Exercise Clause secures against government interfering with religious beliefs and practices unless there is a compelling government interest such as public health and safety.
The“Establishment Clause” was inspired by a Virginia law. Patrick Henry in a 1775 speech said "Give me liberty, or give me death!" Then in 1784 he advocated in Virginia for "A Bill Establishing a Provision for Teachers of the Christian Religion." James Madison wanted a strong separation of church and state. He won in 1786 by promoting a bill written by Thomas Jefferson which became the “Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom.” It thereafter provided Madison the foundation for the “Establishment Clause” ratified in 1791. Jefferson’s eloquence and logical reasoning make it a must read. https://www.monticello.org/research-education/thomas-jefferson-encyclopedia/virginia-statute-religious-freedom/#:~:text=The%20Statute%20of%20Virginia%20for,established%20church%E2%80%94on%20the%20basis
After the Civil War the Fourteenth Amendment was ratified in 1868. It’s Due Process has been interpreted to incorporate certain protections of the Bill of Rights against State governments. It's Equal Protection clause secures equal treatment of all persons by the State. The Fifteenth Amendment was ratified in 1870. It secures that the right to vote cannot be denied or abridged based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. It was promoted by the American Woman Suffrage Association who saw it as a first step toward achieving the right of Women to vote. Next week on August 18 we will celebrate the 105th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified in 1920 which secures the right of both females and males to vote. Although the Declaration of Independence is not law itself these four Amendments above secure on a national level that all persons have certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” BTW, Jefferson used “pursuit of Happiness” in the Declaration of Independence as a euphemism in place of “property” which the Fourteenth Amendment states out loud.
Finally, the Free Speech Clause secures Secretary of Defense Hegseth’s right to express his ignorance of American history and law and thereby showing the greater ignorance of our Commander in Chief for appointing such a Dumb Ass. So stand back and give Hegseth all the air he needs to speak. Speak Hegseth, speak!
"It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it." ~Switzer
Really appreciated your excellent summary... and this short paragraph especially: : "There is no mysticism in the American concept of the State or of the nature or origin of its authority. We set up government by consent of the governed, and the Bill of Rights denies those in power any legal opportunity to coerce that consent. Authority here is to be controlled by public opinion, not public opinion by authority." 319 U.S. 640-641."
You are most welcome and My Thanks. Oh yes, Justice Robert H. Jackson, an FDR appointee, was perhaps as eloquent as Thomas Jefferson. I should have provided a link to the whole opinion. See below. So many people who even know of the opinion are confused that since the case was fought and won during WWII by very brave Jehovah's Witnesses that there is an exception made for their children to not be made to take part in the flag ritual. In fact, many political science Constitutional Law text books list the case in a chapter on religion and the law when it clearly belongs in the chapter on freedom of speech; the freedom to not be made to speak. The opinion is clear that the issue is not about any exception made to a States rule but rather whether a State has power to make such a rule. When you think about the logic supporting the opinion it becomes clear that actually for a State to even ask, “Please stand for the Pledge...” it puts the child in a position of having to express themself by either joining in or not joining in. Thus the flag ritual is inescapably a test oath which is unconstitutional.
https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/319/624/
They see any resistance or not getting their way as persecution.
Watched ALL TEN EPISODES.
Thank you so much for that! You continue to share historical perspectives about our country that help keep me going in this fight. I often feel weary and then realize this will very likely continue past my lifetime. All I can do is the best I am able to make a difference in the here and now.
¿What does religion have to do with being Secretary of Defense for anyone other than the tattoo-tippler?
Trump, I am waiting for attention to this matter.
Hegseth, I am waiting for your answer.
Ned, that’s exactly it. What does religion have to do with running the Department of Defense? Madison’s answer: nothing… unless your goal is to undercut the Constitution. The second you let dogma into government, you’ve walked away from representative democracy and straight into the world our Founders warned us about. www.xplisset.com
Hegseth, if not for his current job as SOD would be readily dismissed in any rational discussion or conversation as he can not keep from showing his ass . He is ignorant , uneducated and can't follow directions as evidenced in the many times he has been called to the Capitol to answer questions. He is an embarrassment and should never be allowed to speak for the Department of Defence. His inability to comprehend how inappropriate it is to even comment on his religious beliefs is friightening. He needs to be asked to step down or wear a muzzle.
Compare and contrast Mark Milley. Not the same job, I know, but a lucid defender of what the Preamble of the Constitution meant by "provide for the common defence".
The take-away is that the SecDef and every other cabinet member should be vetted psychologically as senior military officers are.
The worst thing is that Hegseth is educated and likely intelligent. He's simply a mean-spirited ideo-hog and misogynist.
Another unfortunate example of a greedy old patriarch's malignant narcissism.
Great answer, Xplicit. I need reminders like yours.
Well said, sir.
I second that explicit commotion, Ma'am. 🙂
To help people stand up for American values:
Use/share this spreadsheet (bit.ly/Goodtrouble) as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Reach out to those in your own state, and those in a committee that fits your topic. Call. Write. Email. Protest. Unrelentingly. We deserve better ❤️🩹🤍💙
Megan, I know you're committed to your mission, but I'm "liking" your post as an expression of encouragement and appreciation. Thank you for your service.
Your comment helps. Thank you! I smile when I recognize the same names reacting! It refuels me!
Love the bit.ly!
Thank you! Someone from Canada sent me an email recommending I turn the longer link into a bit.ly, and then I was able to write it on my protest sign for the Good Trouble protest back in July!
Hell hath no fury as a woman scorned. Just sayin’.
We had better rage against the machine before the SAVE Act is a reality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWXazVhlyxQ&list=RDbWXazVhlyxQ&start_radio=1
One of my favorites!! Especially now.
Christians can’t even agree among themselves what Christian teachings or values are. We aren’t so far away from sectarian violence again.
Actually, although I personally am an atheist, I think REAL Christians actual do agree for the most part among themselves. These are the ones who truly follow the ostensible teachings of Christ, rather than the teachings of Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, James Dobson, the so-called Christian right who are actually the Christian fraud.
Its the various Christian frauds who can't agree...
Likely, too, Jon, that "real" Christians follow most of the key teachings of the Buddha, many books of the Old Testament, Islam's original prophet Mohammed, even the historian of 2500 years ago, Herodotus.
Thanks, Phil. And I don't have to be a "Christian" of any kind to believe that there is great morality in many of the writings of people who believed.
And of course great immorality in much that is written by the Christian right.
"That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
And anyone who would pave over a beautiful rose garden would smell quite rank, I expect :-).
😉
Bereft of soul.
I know that there are many forms of Buddhism, but I was reading a book by Thich Nhat Hanh and noting how closely some of his thoughts parallel modern psychology, as they do some of the precepts of Jesus. The Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu were close, playful friends.
There is quite a bit of overlap in major religions. It's almost like humanity is baked into our DNA, although the ego can fight it.
I can't claim to have read the Quran, but I used to question (respectfully) some Muslim coworkers about various aspects of their beliefs. Genuine curiosity and a willingness to listen goes a long way in reaching people.
I too am atheist - but I remember the church of my childhood - where the lessons taught were of kindness and compassion, not control and rage.
Evangelicals believe that Catholics are not “true” Christians.
OY! it's all so ridiculous!
St Francis was a Christian. Evangelicals worship obedience to their own outrage and fear.
In these times, religion is a political tool of Republicans. They have used abortion and birth control to get votes, especially from Catholics.
And all of it is BS. They used those issues to stir people up. To instigate fuel to their righteous indignation.
I fear we may see violence against everyone whose religion doesn't reach their "standards" soon.
I belong to the United Methodist Church here in Oklahoma, which is known as the church that "lets everyone in" (some people say this as a criticism but we know it's a badge of honor).
I do not even know what "All of Christ for All of Us" means.... but what I DO know is that Jesus welcomed everyone as equals. And while I also know that America is NOT a Christian nation, I say this to all of Hegseth's friends: YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHO JESUS IS. AND YOU ALSO DO NOT KNOW THAT THE DEVIL CONVINCES THE WEAK MINDED AMONGST US THAT HE IS GOD. And how do we tell the difference between God and the Devil? ... By asking "Is anyone being hurt by what is being taught?" If the answer is "Yes"... then that's the Devil doing the teaching. If the answer is "No... no one is being hurt"... then that's Jesus doing the teaching. Simple as that.
In fairness, Pete Kegsbreath doesn't even know what "All of Christ for All of Us"means. Or more likely, he just means: "All of Everything for Just a Few Of Us." Invoking Christ is just like pouring chocolate sauce over the cow patty on the middle of the dining room table and calling it a sundae.
Every time that asshole's name comes up, all I can see and hear is Senator Tammy Duckworth yelling "YOU'RE NOT QUALIFIED!" during his confirmation hearing. And every single Repulsican sitting in that Senate chamber knew what she said was true --- yet *they* *confirmed* *him* *anyway.*
One day, this dumb-ass cult will be but a distant memory, yet the dishonor of spineless toads like Lindsey Graham, the arrogance of Kentucky Fried Voldemort, the hypocrisy of Thom Tillis, the cowardice and moral wretchedness of Josh Hawley will remain.
If he was a true Christian he would not be working for the Orange Anus.
" Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can." John Wesley
Thank you for the great John Wesley quote!
You're welcome. I always liked the fact that his brother Charles was a great hymn writer as well!
I mentioned you in Bible study class this morning. And my friends were delighted.
When I call MAGA Mike's office, I tell the aides to tell him he is flirting with his immortal soul when he falls under the lure of Satan offering power and wealth. I also advise his aides to get out of this job before they are pulled under.
I'd love to be a fly on the wall IF that message is given to Mike.
I write because I fear, amid the decimation of the American national narrative that always has aspired to be a pluralistic narrative subject, by popular consent, to the Rule of Law and a written constitution, too many of our elected officials seem to care more about staying in office than they do about our crumbling institutions. If I’m right, and admittedly there are exceptions, it’s largely on us to try and ensure fascism doesn’t take hold here.
The only way they will stay in office is to support the current regime which denies people a say in their/our government. The Republicans know their way of governing is unpopular and the only way they can win is by cheating. "Stick with me and I 'll make sure you get re-elected." They are afraid because they see the demonstrations against the regime. They know the majority of people do not support what's happening in the country. Instead of doing the will of the people, they are trying to gild themselves. The future will not be boring, however things evolve.
“You” is “us”: Marge Piercy poem I have linked several times: https://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/piercylowroad.html
Impressive and on point for what you consider a night off. Thanks
HumorTo End The Week: Once a week, Jay Kuo puts out on his Status Kuo substack a collection of political satire including cartoons, posts, videos and some non political videos ... He calls the weekly collection, " Just for Skeets and Giggles" - if you want some humor to offset the " flood the zone" barrage of Trumpism, then you should give this a try. I, hopefully, will post the link here. I really liked the video of the group song, "It Ain't Gonna Go Away" (re/ the Epstein file). And the fiddles, banjos, guitar, etc were all part of the 8 minute "experience". Hope you enjoy!!
https://statuskuo.substack.com/p/just-for-skeets-and-giggles-8925
Michele2, LOVE Jay’s Substacks and eagerly await his ***special*** Saturday posts! Have forwarded them to folks going thru a rough time & I’ve been told they helped lighten the load…they really are a kaleidoscope of pics/posts/memes/vids/etc some snarky, some sweet, some funny….some things (where DOES he find this stuff?) I’ve never seen/known about before!
Thank you for your post... I love the word "kaleidoscope" to describe his myriad collection of entries. Where does he find this great stuff?!!## I did not know if anyone would respond to this... But as we all have to deal with the day-in, day-out struggles, this has helped me, and I'm truly heartened, as you say, it has helped others... That is an important part of this community. Also, poking the "bear" is a good strategy as well... Thanks to South Park for not letting political comedy die... And thanks to Colbert for lambasting Trump and his "minions" to stand up for our Democracy.. And cheers to Jay Kuo and Heather and all who are engaged in this fight!!! Thank you Barbara...
It’s going to take ALL of us who believe in the promise of the USA to rally and resist….that some of these voices have a big audience (“celebrities” of all sorts) is helpful, I think, in building resolve & hope.
Yes, I think that is a really good point... I think there is strong reason to hope.. And some of these bigger voices are helping to bring that hope "alive and kicking" right now. Your posts are inciteful and so appreciated... I still cannot quite comprehend exactly what a "meme" is...the term eludes me...
Edit to my comment a few mins ago….I was curious so I went a-searchin’ and found this site…think it does a pretty good job & gives examples:
https://sproutsocial.com/glossary/meme/ You’ll probably exclaim “of course!”.
Thank you... A snippet ... Culturally relevant... Isn't everything culturally relevant from someone's point of view? I think I need to "renew" in nature... Thanks for everything! I will dream of possible memes...Goodnight...
Thanks, Michele….a “meme” is widely spread, sometime “gone viral” snippets of video, Tik-Tok, Instagram (etc), a picture, a drawing or even an email—-they are mostly online and very popular ones can become almost cultural “icons” in that their message is simple & usually very clear to most anyone who sees it. Kinda hard to describe accurately…at least for me! You don’t see any on LFAA unless someone posts a link to an offsite source (YouTube, etc)…can’t imbed the actual “meme” so it can be fully seen, think it’s a SubStack thing, or maybe decided by the creator of the SubStack to allow them on the site, but not sure. Hope this helps!!!
Jay brings belly laughs to my Saturdays!
I always read and share this Saturday treat.
I read Jay almost every day but never miss a Saturday!
Michele2
OMG THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
I honestly laughed so hard I was SNORTING and CRYING!!
Me too!
I also suggest the substack "Chop Wood, Carry Water" as weekly, there is a list of the good news happening in the US and world which supports liberal viewpoints.
Thank you so much. I will check it out! Sounds great!