Republican Matt Van Epps won yesterday’s special election in Tennessee’s seventh congressional district, but Republicans aren’t celebrating triumphantly.
Canada and the EU are also piling on. Canada is considering plans to cut back on its purchases of F-35s and going with the Swedish Gripen, which would be produced in Canada. Canada is shifting its entire defense industry to align with Europe, making all parts and designs compatible in the SAFE agreement. It will be a big hit on the US defense and aerospace industry.
The EU announced a pair of plans to fund 3/4 of Ukraine's war effort for the next 2 years while ending imports of Russian oil and gas by the end of 2027. They are close to using frozen Russian assets in one of the plans, as a loan to Ukraine, which only has to be repaid to restore the assets if Russia agrees to itself pay for Ukrainian reconstruction.
Viktor Orban apparently brought the news to Putin ahead of the Witkoff/Kushner meeting. Hence, the nothing burger after 5 hours of discussion. The EU and Canada have effectively kicked Trump to the curb as the chief negotiator of the "peace deal." So there go all of those grifts for Trump and his cronies and the potential Nobel Prize.
UPDATE: I got feedback from some Canadians who questioned whether the Gripen deal had been signed. Thanks for the heads up.
I researched further. It is separate from the SAFE agreement. SAFE has been signed, the Gripen deal has not yet. I edited the first paragraph to reflect that. One of the issues tilting towards Gripens is the difficulty of getting F-35 parts. Ukraine has signed an agreement to buy Gripens.
Trump and his corrupt boot-licking Cabinet seem genuinely surprised that Canada, Britain, Australia, the EU and even Greenland aren’t just rolling over to Trump’s outrageous demands. Our closest allies are rejecting this corrupt grifter in every way they can. Renegotiating military contracts with other countries, boycotting American goods, refusing to travel to the US, boycotting morally-bankrupt corporations like Amazon & StarLink, refusing to share military intelligence (which they have done since WWII) and generally making the US “sit on the sidelines” like some bratty 3rd grade kid who gets sent to the bench for having a toxic attitude problem.
Well, no one ever accused Dr. Caligari’s Cabinet of Horrors of having the brains of Albert Einstein to master the complex topics involved in diplomacy, let alone to figure out that actions cause reactions.
We’ve managed to piss off Denmark. Think of the genius behind that one. Denmark — one of the first allies to join NATO, which has given us the indispensable use of Thule AFB in Greenland since that time. I didn’t think it was possible to be that stupid.
As a sign on No Kings Day said, “I’ve Seen Smarter Cabinets at IKEA.”
It's come to this, yes, the level of stupidity among the Trumpers and Trumpettes of the cabinet is astounding, and to me, stupidity is a choice. Then, there's the hatred that festers and colors everything they do, now, targeting the Samali community, and for no reason other than that they are African in origin. Well, Mr. Trump and cabinet, we all are from Africa originally, so get over yourselves!
The other part of targeting Somalis is two-fold: they are Muslim and Minnesota, a blue state, is home to the largest number of Somalis in the US. So target Muslims like Rep. Ilhan Omar, who has relentlessly criticized Republicans, particularly Donald Trump (remember that Trump instituted a ban on Musljms coming into the US in his first term.)
Also, target Governor and former VP candidate Tim Walz, who is up for reelection this year. Republicans have spent vast sums trying to turn MN red. We are resisting. 😎
Sheila, I don't think targeting people's neighbors for no other reason than that Baby Donnie got it into his dementia-laden brain that Somalis are anti-American or whatever it is he is "thinking," is a good idea. It does not seem to be a way to win friends and influence people. It seems the folks in MN like the Somali community and most like Tim Walls too. I had a blast in Minneapolis this past summer for a convention and will return when I can because it was just so friendly and fun.
I donate to her whenever I can. Because I've given to her campaign multiple times, it seems that I'm often asked to keep donating. I don't mind; I simply have to watch my finances for more than several reasons.
Apparently Mike the Pillow Guy is seriously considering a run for Minnesota Governor. Hopefully the reality that he’s been convicted of lying about the voting machine scandal. He’s not worth the price of the page his name appears on.
As the Christmas song says: “🎵let him run, let him run, let him run🎶””…oh wait… I think that’s let it snow…😂… still fits. It would nonetheless give me cheer to see him eviscerate himself politically.
It may not be long before the fascist cabal occupying the White Supremacist House decides that turning blue states red means blood in the streets as previewed by their loathsome blood-in-the-water Orwellian "kinetic strikes."
J.K., that is why we can't sit back and let them make more moves into blue states and cities. Arresting ICE operatives for their illegal actions would be a good start! I'd like to see governors of Illinois and North Carolina to be the first to do this. CA's Newsome would be a good one to get the process going too. We know the red staters won't do a thing because they think they are safe and those ICErs won't target them or someone they care about. Yeah, Lee of TN, DeSantis of FL, and Abbott of TX are not exactly men who care about anyone but rich white men and bowing and scraping to them, hoping they will get some bennies from such subservience. What a bunch of jerks!
There is a component at play in MAGAland. They get fed certain lies on their "information" sources, then spew it forth. My former sergeant posted a bunch of garbage, including that, by denouncing the extrajudicial murder of men in speedboats allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela to the US, Democrats favor illicit drug use. I've been pondering my reply (which so far is stuck at "extra-judicial murder", but I know there is more) because it is so disjointed and rambling, I suspect he did a "copy/paste" of whatever he was told to share.
You might remind him that the Coast Guard is not asleep at the wheel, that it continues to carry out its interdict, confiscate, hold and prosecute orders well. So why would he support a law enforcement function being perverted into a military one? And does pardoning the bastard who got 800,000 pounds of cocaine smuggled here send him warning signals that whatever this is — it sure ain't about stopping drugs?
Thanks, ICCT. My initial thought on my response was to lead with "Mostly, I am against extrajudicial killings", and bringing the USCG interdictions into the foray is a great idea. I will also bring up the pardon.
How about reminding him that President Donald Trump just pardoned former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández! Hernández was found guilty of conspiring to import hundreds of tons of cocaine into the U.S.
Democrats didn't do this. His MAGA President just did this.
Ally, yeah, those who are told to pump out garbage and do it are not exactly folks anyone should be listening to, being aware of, yes, but not listened to.
IF those small boats off the coast of Venezuela were running drugs, the drug would be cocaine, not fentanyl, and they could not possibly reach the US on the amount of fuel they carry. Juan Orlando Hernandez, on the other hand, was in prison for having moved 400 tons of cocaine into the US. (He was also accused of accepting a million $$ bribe from El Chapo Guzman for protecting El Chapo's drug route through Honduras) What trump/hegseth are doing is performative slaughter. They do not give a rat's ass about drug deaths in the US or any deaths ANYWHERE.
Every time I read one of his bizzarro posts, I remind myself that this is the guy who took me to task over utter garbage in several investigations I did that I ultimately was proven correct in.
The claim that these boats were leaving from Venezuela to the U.S. seems ludicrous. A 30-foot boat with four 300-hp outboards can travel 150-300 miles on a full fuel tank depending on load, cruising speed, and weather conditions. Roughly the shortest distance between Venezuela and the U.S. (Florida) would be 1500 miles.
Ruth Sheets. It is not stupidity. They are raiding the country, They are incompetent at running the country but ruining the country for their personal benefits is their specialty, The tariffs have raised the price of nearly everything we buy. How can not the majority of our voters not recognize what is happening to our country?
How can not the majority of our voters not recognize what is happening to our country?" Well, the unsmart people are choosing to believe what they are being told - like Dr Richardson said. "
“Remember,” Luttnick said, “as you deport people, that’s going to suppress private job numbers of small businesses. But they’ll rebalance and they’ll regrow. So I think this is just a near-term event and you’ll see as the numbers come through over the next couple of months, you’ll see that all pass, and next year the numbers are going to be fantastic.”
Marj, at the risk of sounding like a broken record,* this trope of "yes, things are terrible now, but just hold on because all will be wonderful in the future" is a core tenet of evangelical theology, which informs most of MAGA ideology.
Evangelicals – especially those in poverty – are admonished to "keep the faith and give sacrificially to God's work and you will be rewarded with untold riches, if not in this life, in the next."
Donald and his operatives use the same technique. "We don't have anything for you now, but in two weeks, or next year, we'll have a wonderful concept of a plan."
Only people who've been brainwashed to wait indefinitely for their rewards swallow this nonsense.
*People of a certain age understand the "broken record" reference.
I have to disagree, Ruth: with folks like McMahon, stupidity simply comes naturally. She apparently couldn't even figure out how to do studies that would demonstrate what results would come about if and when deciding to cut her budget. In clips of hearings in which I saw her, she clearly was out of her league.
The Danes and Canadians haven’t dumbed down their educational systems to the point that so much of the US can’t think and consequently vote for someone as vile as Trump. A known, convicted criminal, who has basically been a mob boss and a child molester his entire adult life.
ICTT, we have a local recycler who specializes in taking in construction/renovation materials (replace a bathtub, send it to "Bring Recycling". Cabinets, doors, appliances, ditto). One guy had a sign that said "I've seen better Cabinets at Bring" which I thought was fabulous.
Trump regime has said it is no longer sharing Intel with Germany, after several countries have said they can no longer share intel with the US because of the illegal killings in Venezuela. Of course they are all reluctant to expose their assets because Trump's relationship with Russia makes the US unreliable. We really are cutting our ties to other countries with whom we have been allied since post WW2.
Trump is tying our fortunes to the least reliable countries he can, those who buy him. Of course the American people are not going to see a penny of this money.
Linda, that is the direction Trump's dementia is taking and his toddler pool/handlers are OK with that because they think that somehow, they can woo the world with their brilliance when Trump is no longer functioning, which is coming soon. The world knows better. They know they are not really dealing with Baby Donnie, but his corrupt cadre of toddler-men who would rob every single one of them if they could.
It's amazing how long it is taking our democratic system to deal with what is the obvious to everyone else about this dozing president and his failing operation/administration. Trump is getting worse in full view. He still has power though. Those he defers to and delegates power to are either saluting or using his malleability for their own ends/needs. Hegseth is a glaring example. And so we have these eruptions on a weekly basis. There is no settling down to a normal with this... which is good.
They are dealing with temper tantruming toddler Trump (I read on Meidas Touch that Trump was screaming loudly at Hegseth yesterday), and his US and Russian handlers who are calling the shots and managing Trump and his iratic moods.
Zero will go to the average American. Think about the success the US has had with our partners. The tech bros hate Europe because they had the audacity to regulate their shit product to PROTECT kids, not have them bullied into suicide or molested by some perv. They demanded that lies were not elevated to the point Where chaos erupted.
Peter Theil wants a world where the rich have their own little island worlds with their own armies and their own rules. Hernandez pardon was orchestrated because he, Andreesen and the others want an island off Honduras to run a criminal worldwide ring that makes Epstein and Escobar look like a Boy Scout. Hegseth things he’s simply in a sim world of Call of Duty and Trump is a lunatic.
When did the American people elect or confirm consent to Witkoff or Kushner? They aren’t making deals to stop the killings of Ukrainians and Russians, they’re making deals for themselves. And Americans are worried about food prices. Yes, they should be but wait until this all goes to shit and see how your neighbors are killing each other over a chicken coop.
The one thing in common about the countries Trumo so admires and wants to have the US emulate….the majority of the people are miserable and dependent on the charity of the rich. Even shiny Dubai…they HAVE to hand out petro dollars or they’d bean Arab Spring everyday. That’s what America will become…get rid of all the brown peopl so the white ones can be on the dole with ZERO freedom. The only determination of success will be who your parents are.
It’s ironic we have come full circle to the promise of America
This has been planned for a long time - the WEF is all in on eliminating 90% of the population - they think we are useless eaters. This shit makes medieval feudalism look sweet and pastoral...
Your comment on Hegseth--BINGO!! He acts like a teenager playing video games. And anyone else here read Jeff Tiedrich? OMG do I love me some of his sneaking in the gif of the Hegseth skateboard to the nuts!!! He could post a column of just THAT gif repeated about a dozen times!!
Miselle, I love that Hegseth skateboard gif too, and Jeff times its placement perfectly in his pieces. I also love the pic of Hegseth at the Cabinet meeting where he has a sign that says SSecretary of War. We were discussing if the sign maker was intentionally sending a message. Scroll down and see.
LInda, I saw the sign but the "SS" part didn't strike me till you said that! I really hope someone was trying to make a point there! All of our little actions are working!
Marcus, your description of Thiel's wet dream reminds me of the Middle Ages, where lesser kings, most of them insane and/or depraved, ruled fiefdoms in relative isolation one from the other. They and their courtesans enjoyed lives of idle luxury while the peasants struggled with illness and poverty. For the royals, it was fun while it lasted, but it didn't.
Well, Donald, I can't because it is. But historians say that operating system ended with The Enlightenment. Maybe what they mean is the operating system ended, but isolated routines are still running.
Someday when this era of insanity ends, the United States, under different leadership, will want to rejoin the western alliance. But when it does, it will not be the boss of that alliance. It will take decades to rebuild that type of trust. It will be Germany, France and Canada calling the shots, and our role will be to play along and salute smartly. We will be eating many slices of humble pie, for many years.
sounds good to me...let the grownups rule western civilization. Germany!, how ironic is that, guess they learned their lessons well...kudos to the German people.
Absolutely they learned their lesson. When I visited Germany years ago it was palpable how much they feel collective shame about the Nazi era, and are determined to never let it happen again. We should have had that kind of reckoning after the Civil War, and allowed ourselves not to, in the name of “reconciliation.” And now here we are.
Here is a message I got from the Signal Chat Group Grüne Europa, which has 4 sections with 1000 people on it today. It is a branch of the Green Party in the European Parliament, and has a website called Europe Calling, which has regular webinars educating Europeans on political topics of interest. Here is what the message is.
This is from Sven Giegold of Grüne Europa Signal Group. "Gestern am späten Abend hat die frühere spanische Außenministerin Arancha González in Hannover eine beeindruckende Europa-Rede mit unmissverständlicher Botschaft gehalten:
We need a more European Germany.
We need a Germany that is confident.
We need a Germany that is determined.
We need a Germany that is generous." The above part in German means "Late yesterday evening, former Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha González gave an impressive speech on Europe in Hanover with an unambiguous message:"
Schaut Euch das untertitelte Video an (Empfehlung!):
In other words, Germany needs to get it together to be a leader in Europe. I am in Germany now, and trying to balance my activism between supporting actions in the US and supporting actions here in Germany and Europe. I am on several Signal chat groups that involved politics in either country and many countries. We plan and carry out actions, such as rallies, phone banking, voter registration, demonstrating for democracy and against autocracy, and socializing together which has built community for us.
I don't subscribe to META so I don't know what they are posting Donald. It seems that the far right in the US is furious that German political parties refuse to work together with the AfD, and therefore they don't get to run things, although they certainly affect them. Trump, Vance and other MAGA members have been inviting AfD members to the US, and I am sure are funneling dark money and political advice to them.
Chris, I for one, would welcome that outcome. Being the boss carries with it a considerable amount of pressure and a great burden, not least of which is financial.
Wouldn't it be great to be just "one of the bunch," meeting for lunch and letting someone else decide where to dine and worry about splitting up the bill.
It is wise for our [former] NATO allies to assume that any and all intelligence shared with the US is forwarded, un-edited and un-redacted, to Moscow the same day.
I agree on that. Also, to the Saudi's and probably Qataris now too. Wasn't it after Trump had a hold of our Intel and flew around that journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed by the Saudis?
Jacob Kaarsbo, former Danish Intelligence analyst said, in a discussion of the US has now stopped sharing intelligence with Germany, that it is tainted anyway.
00sg14, this should be a lesson to anyone who thinks putting an old man with dementia back in power after he nearly wrecked our country the first time around (and the dementia was obvious before the end of his first term). It's a really bad idea!
I think the founders would be horrified at today’s political situation. They might have anticipated a trump like person coming into the presidency, but they did not envision that the House and Senate would just roll over to a creature like Trump. They would also be horrified at the unitary executive theory of the presidency and the made up doctrine of presidential immunity that the corrupt Supreme Court came up with. All the safeguards the founders put in place don’t work if the people with oversight will not apply them. The blatant disregard for the truth and the law have this country on the edge of a cliff. The founders did not expect a president who would make war on our own citizens to enrich his sorry self.
For all the racist, anti-democratic, aristocratic compromises that it took to reach consensus on the original Constitution, one of them could have prevented this fiasco: the electoral college. Had the clause been taken literally in 2016, the electors could have stopped all this insanity and elected somebody else. Anybody else. Oh, please. Anybody else.
The problem is that Trump is the Useful Idiot who, if in office long enough, can enable the Project 2025 leaders to permanently cement authoritarianism as the governing structure of the USA. I think the time is coming when these leaders conclude that he is no longer needed. That will NOT be a day to celebrate.
I actually agree with you. The electoral college served 2 purposes. 1. It placated slave owners, the oligarchs of that time. 2. The intellectuals did not believe the hoi polloi were intelligent enough to elect a president by popular vote.
Again, trump couldn't have done any of this without the help of every right-winger in Congress and the Supreme Court. Hold every last one accountable for the giant downgrade in every imaginable way we as a country have taken internationally, and here at home in the last year. Even with the destruction of all the federal agencies, departments, health ,and technological research investments the only people whose tax burden has gone down are the ultra-rich and corporations. Everyone else's taxes have increased through tariffs.
The GOP Congresspeople will not vote for ACA credits because they have finally effectively killed Obamacare as has been their goal all along.
The Medicaid cuts don't go into effect until after the midterm elections and the Dems need to make the people aware of that from now until the elections. If we manage to rescue our democracy with the midterm elections, who knows how long it will take or if we can ever regain what we have have lost in respect and trust in the world.
Those that put him in once and twice do not get what is wrong, just that things are not going as well in their lives as they expected if they believed his promises.
These actions are needed for the survival of this planet. I deeply regret the treatment of our former friends and neighbors. They can no longer trust America. Their actions are for the care and safety of their citizens.
Trump and his minions forced them to respond with these actions.
OOsg14, I can't imagine that at least some of the cabal do not get it. But death star is surrounded by incompetent egos who think they are much smarter than they really are. They are so tone deaf that one might think they do not have ears. The Secretary of Commerce billionaire saying that the economy will improve after we get rid of those brown people who do the scut work. It is notable that they are refusing to share intelligence. Here in Oregon wineries are suffering because of the Canadian refusal to buy their wine. We hear reports of Canadians not coming south for the winter. And of course, the brain drain is going in the opposite direction as researchers leave and many others opt not to come.
It is the only logical direction for Canada and Europe. Putin will not stop at Ukraine if he gets away with this, so the rest of Europe is acting in its own best interest. And considering how the US has shattered our close relationship with Canada, it is in their best interests as well. I've read that Russia is dying economically so resistance is NOT futile on Ukraine's part. Russia NEEDS the US to help them out of this.
Your comment is excellent and true! But we have never had persons in the USA in such powerful positions who would follow Putin in order to line their own pockets.
I am furious at Trump's actions and the horrible thieves and robbers within our leadership in the United States of America. I am horrified at the use of the Trump family ....using Trump's Presidency to gain favor with oil rich countries for the benefit of himself and his family. I am furious that instead of supporting and aiding a truly great human being ie Zelensky, Trump favors Putin and is acting in kind to assist Putin in robbing Ukraine of its minerals. We do not have leaders in charge, we have robbers and thieves taking from Ukraine. Putin, I am sure cannot believe his eyes. I have never seen such a big smile on his face as he sees the greed of US "so called leaders" helping him achieve his goals. Do you seriously believe you will win over Putin? Ukraine is only one of his goals. Putin is working and planning all of the time. Our current "leaders" are idiots!!! They are blinded by the opportunity to gain personal riches! You can see how downcast Zelensky's being has become...former supporters, Americans, joining Putin....for riches.
I am sick at the actions taken towards Hispanic people who came to this country to find work and willing to accept the most difficult and humble jobs in order to eventually have a better life for themselves and for their families. These actions should not have happened!!!!
We are no longer the country we once were though we have always had our cruelties and prejudices. We have also had persons of valor and persons of great kindness.
We need to rise up! We must vote! We must find as many ways as possible to make our voices heard. We must take our country back!!!!
'merikkka has always been racist, misogynist and corrupt but this is off the charts. Add the rape of children becoming normalized and I just want to scream!
...and it is really grotesque when you consider that many of those Hispanic migrants are fleeing violence from the same drug cartels that trump is now pardoning (Hernandez) MONEY, MONEY, MONEY. Hope there really is a HELL because these people are creating hell on earth for good hard working people. I live to see them all held ACCOUNTABLE.
Can Europe (and Canada) unite? Pool its (their) resources to fight for decency and democracy in the face of Putin's avowed intentions, and in the face of his lapdog Donald's magisterial combinations of corruption and treason?
That is exactly what they are taking the first steps toward here, opening the door to a united military and a broader economic alliance than the EU. Carny is no fool. He recognizes that Trump's America is an unstable ally both militarily and economically. The integrated EU-Canada defense industries plan is called SAFE. It is estimated it will generate 10,000 high-paying tech jobs in Canada.
I think that this is preliminary to renaming the EU to include a broader coalition, and then ejecting Hungary over its human rights violations, and perhaps Serbia, too. The EU needs to renegotiate the rules when unanimous votes are needed on policy changes. So EU+ 2.0.
I also read there were some proposals to have a small standing EU force of 5000 to respond to emergencies, but I lost the reference in the flood of news ;-(
The rapid unraveling of US democracy & standing in the world is the work of Trump - the bankruptcy king and corrupt senate Republicans who abdicated responsibility & refused to convict & remove him in his first term. They were too weak and supportive of Russian political technology.
You are so right. I’m sitting here thinking how far we have fallen and how Trump sycophants and enablers are responsible. 47 is clearly mad—as in cray cray mad—in addition to regular mad. Are Rs SO tied to this maniac they are paralyzed to separate themselves?
Yes, John, they're all absolutely guilty as you say.
But U.S. schools? -- all who rolled over to the standardized testers and the corporate textbook packagers? Don't they and the billionaires of dark money whose far-right foundations who made teachers nothing more than test-preppers and so dehumanized all the schools also get some share of the blame?
Just for our perspective: Russia has an economy about the size of Italy. And we all know it is extremely dependent on one source of revenue. With greater unity and consistently tougher sanctions, Putin could be walled off from the rest of the world and his people might find alternatives to his disastrous leadership. No king or czar has lasted forever...
After all, what's the "affordability factor" in Russia now? If you are a Russian family and your son has died in a stupid war and the price of bread is going up....
A smart U.S. administration could be working with China and India to buy OUR oil and that of other producers (Venezuela!). That sounds sort of pro fossil fuel, which I am NOT. Both China and India are world leaders in developing sustainable energy sources. Their new solar projects account for the bulk of their growth in energy production. China and India will be using less and less coal and oil because it is more expensive...and then there is the Indian smog.
If Trump were smart he could feed his petro friends and win the war with Russia. But he won't because: Trump is an ALLY of Putin AND....he is not very smart.
Bill, I think Putin remains in power because the Kremlin has waged a multi-faceted campaign for decades to convince the Russian populace that Putin's regime is inevitable, that there are no other options, that "this is how things are, so get used to it."
I see a similar campaign being waged in the U.S. Business tycoons, educators and media operatives are all sending us the same message.
Emily, I appreciate that you are passionate and committed to your love of country.
I would suggest that emotions got us into this mess, literally.
If our powerful emotions are not controlled and moderated by our intellect and attention to reality, we will make mistakes that are just as devastating to our future, but in a different way.
Bill, Putin does more than campaign. In the recent past, one of his friend's planes was shot down as he was returning from Putin's/Russia's mines in Africa because Putin is #1...he does not share riches or power with anyone!
He places perceived enemies in prisons where they freeze to death...leaving the family alive to experience the pain of loosing their husband/father because he stood against Putin.
We are NOT Russia and Trump is NO PUTIN!!!!
We have the power/vote to change our situation. We had better NOT sleepwalk through these days!!!!
Standing up for our country and for the freedoms we have enjoyed, has never been more important. We do have enemies who, at this time have access and at this time, EVEN MORE ACCESS TO OUR GOVERNMENT AND ITS "leaders"??? Money rules....and power??? Are we "sleep walking?".... surrendering power and safety and a healthy future for our children and grandchildren in exchange for what some believe will turn into personal treasure....for THEM....even for a short time.
What of the USA? What of our future....the lives of our children....basic medical care......our education system....the job market......the care of the elderly? What of our friends who have helped us in the past and whom we have supported? We, because of our lack of leadership, are leaving them in more danger.
These are extremely serious times. Wisdom, action, sacrifice are needed...NOW!
Thanks to the wise humble and sacrificial HEROES who have seen and are acting!!!
Trump and his minions are small minded men and women with no character.....basically "dressed up thugs" with too much power and access to our hard earned money....which many of us have been saving to help our grandchildren with college expenses!....or just to get through the end of our last days of life!!!
Examples: tearing down an historical part of the White House to build a ball room.
Tariffs which harm businesses, farmers...our allies and everyone with whom we do business ...
Hiring only "yes men and women"...no creativity....favorite words the same as a baby, "Me , Mine...I want"
As I have stated previously...I have never seen Putin smiling so big....or was that laughing!!!!
Also, US is no longer sharing Intel with Germany. At the same time, wonder whether they are sharing intel with the AfD, Trump and JDV's buddies in Germany.
Even if the EU follows through completely, refusing to play its designated role as subsidizer of Trump’s get-rich schemes to divest Ukraine of its mineral resources, it is not likely to result in Russia’s capitulation, driven by Putin’s bloodthirsty need to prove that Ukraine does not even exist.
So much is changing every day with this silly putty deal that assumes the shape of whatever container it just got tumped out of. More telling, perhaps, is the body language of participants. Yesterday, Macron walked up to Zelenskyy and threw his arms around him for a long time. Whether it meant “I got your back, Volodymyr” or “I am so, so sorry” is yet to be determined. The look on Zelenskyy’s face was as grim as I can ever remember.
This winter is set to be the coldest, darkest, most fearful yet for Ukraine.
Timothy Snyder has worked out a means for Americans to donate towards Ukrainian military vehicles that can identify the approach of Russian drones. I’m donating.
It’s Come to This: Well done! Zelenskyy’s heroism is getting its greatest test. Somehow I think Ukraine and he will come through. Too much depends on it.
Well, Virginia, for starters, Ukrainians are made of stronger stuff than Americans. We are fat, dumb and happy.
In Ukraine, defense is everybody's job. In the U.S., it's the job of youngsters from low-income backgrounds who have few other options for their futures.
Thank you! I can send something to help Ukraine and to support Zelensky. Does anyone have a safe address? Do we have a safe American contact who can ensure support is given to Zelensky and to those who will genuinely care for the citizens and soldiers and the soldier's families in Ukraine?
This is a concern for me that the ones who will use our contributions will truly use them for good.
Ukraine24 is the official Government site. Expect your credit card company to ask you to verify your donation — they’re doing due diligence — but it works fine. There’s all kinds of stuff you can contribute to.
Now, we feel (as the second rate team of Trump) whereas the more savvy players, like you say Georgia, are planning future strategies without us, as we get kicked to the curb, and Trump has not built a stronger America for our future. The U.S. needs thousands of good paying jobs…not Trump sliding our workforce into a recession.
We, the taxpayers, must equip it for his luxury to fly around after his White House destruction, to spend his remaining days on Earth visiting all his dictator raping, murdering, mass murdering, drug-dealing, money-laundering, underage girl trafficking pals, golfing, and eating, farting, shitting his fat self to his last day on Earth.
Some of us (well, 2) have long claimed the way to get rid of people like this without mass casualties is simply to buy them off. Back in the Saddam days I figured a trillion dollars would do it, in exchange for him and alla his spawn to just go away somewhere they could not smoke their neighbors. Would have saved many lives (American and other), and a few trillion dollars.
Same would work for Trump'nspawn, tho the price has gone up, of course.
As we discussed in this forum a couple days ago, for the unrestrained capitalist, there is no such thing as "enough." If Elon lives to be 100 (unlikely because of excess ketamine use), that would not be enough time to spend all the money he has and will have.
Likewise with Donald. He's 80. Between unhealthy lifestyle and dementia, he's not long for this world, and he won't live to spend all the money he's grifted.
Unrestrained capitalists do not have a price; what they want is MORE. In a vicious cycle, the more they get, the more they want. Only the grim reaper can end this insatiable desire for MORE.
Putin said the new "peace plan" now has 27 points in four sections, with each of the sections to be discussed separately. But he wouldn't say anything about them because he didn't want to interfere with "Trump's process."
Witkoff/Kushner went into the 5-hour meeting with a 20-point plan. Putin called it a "necessary conversation" and said the basis was the agreements made with President Donald Trump in Alaska.
My goodness it must have been an interesting conversation between just Putin and Trump in the limo in Alaska.
Interesting delay in saying a peep about the Witkoff/Kushner meeting.
“They just divided these 28, I think 27, points into four packages,” Putin was quoted as saying. “And they proposed that we discuss these four packages. But essentially, they are the same (provisions).”
It is unclear whether Putin meant that the Kremlin talks covered the version of the plan before it was amended following U.S.-Ukraine talks in Geneva last weekend.
Putin then went to India on a planned state visit to discuss their imports of Russian oil, which are subject to sanctions. This is likely in response to the EU plans to cut off all Russian imports by the end of 2027. Oil is key because it is a significant source of revenue for Russia's war effort. Ukraine just successfully disabled two of Russia's "shadow fleet" of oil transport ships.
Speaking as a Canadian taxpayer, the decision to cut back on buying F-35s was not easy, and there were strong arguments for and against that decision. The original purchase made sense since the idea was to protect the continent from the most likely source of aggression or attack -- the Russian-Chinese axis -- and those planes have some superior abilities over the Gripens. But the only country to actually and directly challenge Canadian sovereignty since WWII (when Germans actually made landfall at least on Anticosti Island) has been the U.S.A., under Trump. It has been a wake-up call to Canadians and Europeans that if the U.S. can elect an anti-democratic government once, one that aligns with Russia and against western values, it could do so again.
In effect another cold war is being put into play and the peacefulness that Canada has enjoyed thanks in huge part to its alignment with "the west", most particularly including the U.S., is over, and even if it returns, it should not be taken for granted. The Gripens also offer some benefits over the American planes so the decision to go with some of each may seem sensible, but it was opposed by the Canadian military as it is far more complicated to have two different operating systems -- and a heck of a lot more expensive, taking money away from social spending where it most helps the citizens -- but only if we assume it is a time of peace. The U.S. siding with Russia as the latter threatens Europe while attacking Ukraine with less than full opposition from the U.S. to whom the protection of democracy was given post WWII, does not bode well for lasting peace.
All that said, in spite of my spending far too much time reading popular and technical articles and explanations from psychologists, social researchers, behaviorists, historians, and political pundits in an effort to understand, I still find it hard to comprehend why Republicans wonder why they are losing support. I'm astounded that they still have as much as they do.
But of course Heather has pointed out that alarms among many people simply don't get triggered until the idiocy of Republican policy rears up and bites them in their bank accounts. Just in any given week, and certainly this one, we can see reason after reason why the GOP is unfit to govern by virtue of not fully having turned on Trump and his administration. Just the fact that Jordan, carrier of quite a bit of previous baggage, wants to keep Smith's testimony private would be enough for me when augmented by Trump pardoning a major force in the trafficking of cocaine, or Hegseth et al committing what, always pending the results of fair trial -- would certainly appear to be war crimes, not to mention the collusion with Russia, all would suggest, apart from the harm done by so many ill-conceived and unnecessary tariffs and deportations, to condemn the Republicans to oblivion at all levels of government.
Is the White House not the people's property? Is it okay to so greatly damage it with no oversight by who the people elected to represent them, a majority of whom ignore their duties? It's truly bizarre. I would not buy a used car from such a country, or a multi-million dollar jet plane, but it only became such a country after Trump was elected for his second term.
Thanks for your take on the Gripens. Apparently one of the considerations was difficulty in getting F-35 parts. One more example of American no longer being considered a reliable partner. The European market for weaponry is going to grow rapidly and I think that is why Carny is shifting the focus towards Europe along with a refusal to contribute to Trump’s agressions.
In some sense I am glad of it. I think I might feel more comfortable right now if the US had fewer weapons to deploy in the Americas.
Barry, thank you for your comment, all of it astute.
"It has been a wake-up call to Canadians and Europeans that if the U.S. can elect an anti-democratic government once, one that aligns with Russia and against western values, it could do so again."
This statement alone describes why we in the United States can never again be trusted by anyone for any reason. The U.S. electorate knew exactly who and what Donald Trump is, and even had a four-year record of his incompetence. Yet, a sufficient majority elected him for a second term because of their obsessions with one pet issue or another.
All kinds of excuses can be claimed for Donald's second win, but none of them matter. The bottom line is he's in what's left of the White House and he's wreaking the havoc that we knew he was going to. There is no reason to think that U.S. voters won't do it again, if not next election cycle, the next, or the next.
Thank you, Georgia, for explaining so cogently, in this and your other comments of today, the underlying pathology of the “other” side: greed PLUS entitlement. And, of course, their malignant disregard for the rest of humanity. I hadn’t understood…one thinks of Genesis. Christina Robinson
Good for the EU. They have to live with the most immediate and dangerous consequences of allowing Putin to take Ukraine, so they should step up and defend it.
I think that the overall raw intelligence of our species is a good deal higher than we are encouraged to apply. I fact, there are vested interests of many sorts that deliberately try to discourage or sidetrack our native intelligence. An important educator/scientist in my acquaintance has talked about presenting scientific concepts (which is something he does well in simple language) to 4th graders as opposed to undergraduates who are ticking off a required box to earn a degree. It's like the light is out for far too many of them. How much of that is individual character and how much the values of our society? And how much are those are values of, by and for the public, and how much in imposed by concentrated power?
In any case, I know of a number of people with degrees and apparent cleverness who repeat MAGA's every talking point? Alien mind-control rays? It seems like it might as well be. I keep hoping the spell will be broken, and do see some cracks; but the same old sociopathic urge to dominate is as old as dirt, and evident at every turn of history.
which I found useful for answering the questions you are asking. It's not an easy read, and takes effort and several times through, but it's worth the slog.
I feel like I am finally getting what is going on with hard-core MAGA. It has a kinship with Heather's description of the South in the Civil War and its aftermath, but on a deeper psychological level.
Thanks for that link. I hope to peruse it later today when I am both adequately caffeinated and free of my scheduled obligations.
My birds-eye view of my former work cohort has me thinking that they have become such slaves to the amygdala-tickling "information" source they consume that they have lost all critical thinking skills. The foundation of that amygdala tickling is racism and its foundation in Christian Nationalism, which gives white males the dominant position in society.
JL, when I was in HS, I had a wonderful AP Biology teacher. He was one of the first teachers I had who spoke to students like we were equal adults! Many things stand out from his class from 50 years ago, but his encouragement of curiosity and to THINK stayed with me.
I will never forget this one class: he lit a candle and sat it on a table. Then he asked us to consider what defined something as being alive. We tossed out various ideas, including living things eat something, they excrete, they take in oxygen. He countered all our points with examples of how the flame did that.
It was a wild moment, you could see all our eyes widen as we all thought the same thing--fire was a living creation!
There were many moments in his class that are unforgettable. I was so fortunate to have had him as a teacher!
Good comment. Unless there’s been a very recent change, I believe Canada hasn’t decided on the Gripen yet. Its advantages are not related to *flight performance, but more to supplying Canadians with 1000’s of jobs manufacturing them on our own turf.
The Dean Blundell post says one issue is that Canada can't get parts from the US for the planes. Post was out Monday, though I may be wrong. Like Heather I am confusing days.
Boeing has shot themselves in both feet. I have pilots in my family (soon to be three, as my niece is affianced to another pilot) who do two things: they pretty much say "If it's a Boeing, I ain't gong"...except for my niece, who is a FO on the 737's for United.
They want a guarantee that if Russia comes after them, I guess for fiscal malfeasance in handling the assets, that they won't take the financial hit.
Al Jazeera does a good job of covering European events related to Ukraine, and is usually first up with news. I am a second-generation Ukrainian-American, so I have a vested interest in finding quality sources.
I hope this is true. Ukraine deserves the support of all of Europe. We have proved ourselves a false friend. Europe must unite to support Ukraine otherwise, next.. Poland, the Baltic States, Finland. Putin will not stop.
Four of the top five states most affected by ACA premium increases are red (Colorado, West Virginia, Florida, Wyoming, Alaska).
Unlike the Trump administration which prides itself on keeping blue states down, Democrats are concerned about all states. Any American concerned with fairness should see right through Republican favoritism and poor governance.
The posts are long and repetitive, but are well-sourced and based foundationally on Hanna Arendt's work. I find it a hard read, but my background is hard science so I don't have any background in psychology or sociology. It also has an almost poetic cadence, which I find annoying. But I am at the stage where I am starting to understand why you were not able to convince your MAGA Uncle Mike to abandon Trump after a chat over the Thanksgiving turkey. More to the point, it is relevant to why so many MAGA have lost their moral compass and why there is a hard core of Trump supporters who will believe anything.
Mostly, this makes me sad. But, more clear-eyed, I think, about where our resources need to be put to defeat Trump and MAGA. It will take a long time to make democracy in America safe again given how deeply embedded these beliefs are in MAGA.
Everything below is straight copy from the last section of the paper at the link above. I spot checked some of the references and they are real.
Central Conclusion: MAGA Is Not the Rebellion of the Oppressed
Authoritarian movements often disguise themselves as uprisings of the downtrodden. They speak in the register of revolt, cloak themselves in the language of liberation, and cast their violence as the desperate act of a people with nothing left to lose. MAGA mimics this posture with theatrical precision. But the research, and the reality, tell a different story.
The core psychological engine is not deprivation but dominance protection. Jost’s work on system justification and conservative threat sensitivity has shown for decades that individuals who benefit from existing hierarchies react to social progress as if it were destabilization. Their worldview interprets equality as erosion, representation as disorder, and pluralism as a threat to the “natural” arrangement of society (Jost, 2003). This is not the psychology of the oppressed. It is the psychology of those who have never imagined themselves as anything but central.
Collective narcissism amplifies this instinct. As de Zavala’s research demonstrates, groups that believe themselves exceptional yet insufficiently honored respond to perceived disrespect with aggression. The injury they experience is symbolic, but the punishment they demand is real. Their rage is not born of suffering; it is born of unmet expectations of reverence. MAGA’s constant insistence that “real Americans” are being humiliated or replaced is not evidence of oppression, it is evidence of entitlement (Golec de Zavala et al., 2009; follow-up studies).
Status threat completes the picture. Womick and colleagues have shown that when dominant groups anticipate the loss of majority status or cultural supremacy, they do not fight for survival, they fight for restoration. And the policies they endorse under this pressure are consistently punitive, exclusionary, and authoritarian (Womick et al., 2018). The threat is not material but symbolic: the fear of becoming equal.
Identity fusion transforms this grievance into something far more dangerous. In Radicalized Trump Supporters: Identity Fusion & Extremism, Mason and colleagues show that fused followers experience the leader’s fate as indistinguishable from their own. Violence becomes not just permissible but morally necessary, because protecting the leader becomes a form of protecting the self. It is precisely here, where identity eclipses judgment, that ordinary politics gives way to extremism.
Modern authoritarianism thrives in this psychological soil. As Spin Dictators demonstrates, contemporary autocrats do not need failing economies or collapsing states. They need only the power to craft perceptions, to invent dangers, inflate grievances, and define enemies who exist more vividly in the imagination than in the world. MAGA is a case study in this method: a movement infused with fear despite living in one of the safest, wealthiest societies on the planet (Guriev & Treisman, 2022).
Arendt anticipated this dynamic with chilling clarity. Totalitarian movements, she argued, do not arise solely from economic suffering but from mythic victimhood. The dominant group fashions itself as persecuted, the secure as besieged, the privileged as under attack. From this invented injury, cruelty flows freely. Once a movement convinces itself that it is the true victim, anything becomes permissible in the name of its defense.
This is the final and unavoidable conclusion:
MAGA is not the rebellion of the oppressed. It is the revolt of those who mistake equality for tyranny, accountability for persecution, and pluralism for defeat.
Its anger is not born from hardship but from the shock of sharing a country it once believed it owned. Its violence is not an answer to societal collapse but a demand to resurrect a lost hierarchy. And its authoritarianism is not the product of fear, it is the product of entitlement weaponized into grievance.
MAGA is not fighting for freedom. It is fighting for supremacy.
And that, history teaches, is the most dangerous form of authoritarianism of all.
It’s a long read, indeed, but maybe can be summarized as reminding readers that those who actually lived through fascism best understood how it came to power the way it did. The first great lie was in convincing just enough German voters that 2+2 really equaled 5, that they could have everything they wanted without the slightest trade-offs or compromises, and that *everything* they wanted made perfect sense.
The next step was getting a lot of cowardly, self-interested, center-right political leaders to acquiesce to the nonsense, hoping to benefit from it. Somehow the Nazis got that, too.
So far that’s been the same recipe for our MAGA bowel movement, right down to the “vermin” comments, the immigrant-bashing, the hate talk against transfolk, the trash talk against blue cities, brown people and green frogs, all while pathetic little weenies like JD Wanker bang the table in support.
Not a speck of it is new, sadly. We’ve been here before. Only with great skill and constant pressure can we hope to avoid further chapters.
"Its anger is not born from hardship but from the shock of sharing a country it once believed it owned."
The whole point of the full article, (which I apologize for not including.) is that Hitler's brand of authoritarianism (born from hardship) is inherently different from MAGA's based on "the shock of sharing a country it once believed it owned."
Maybe I’m not attuning enough to the implications involved, but it feels like distinctions without much of a difference, born of the same spirit of resentment. Germans also believed they owned things they were unwilling to share with others.
ICTT, I am thinking the difference between Germans post-WWI and MAGAs today has to do with the point from which their anger began. Germany was in bad shape after WWI. The population was generally on hard times. I have long thought it peculiar that some MAGAs are highly educated and wealthy, and those who are not in that category nevertheless hold to a similar–– let's just say––sense of entitlement which Georgia's article points out.
But MAGAs won't/can't admit, of course, that they resent others. I've heard it in relatives' explanations of their views. "My sister works so hard. She deserves more." The subtext being that someone else has more than they "deserve." It is hard to upack that subtlety.
ICTT, maybe my knowledge of German history and culture is inadequate. But my sense of the difference is that in the U.S., the Horatio Alger principle has been promoted, often stated as "anyone can grow up to be the president." This is inherently a positive message.
But promoters of this notion – as promoters always do – have omitted significant components of the idea that make it operative. One must get a good education, must possess a strong work ethic and exercise it, and must have a better product/idea than those of the crowd. One must be willing to make the initial sacrifices that enable their dream to come to fruition.
Rather, the typical American, MAGA or not, believes that they could be a millionaire by skipping the hard part and getting the "right break." Our media promotes the "lucky break" stories and ignores the hard work stories. In that light, Americans have been encouraged to protect millionaires and billionaires because "one day, that could be me."
Analagous to that theory is the idea that anyone who stands in the way of the "lucky break" is to be resented, attacked and eliminated.
Much there that is true. I don't think our Founders envisioned an America without hard work, education and the cultivation of civic virtues. Even the 'lucky break' stories get glossed up to ignore all the sweat and toil that went into the effort. Fortune favors the prepared mind and all that.
Great work Georgia. I haven’t understood why the MAGAs of my acquaintance who are successful and educated have taken on the mantle. Turns out it’s the same reason the unsuccessful and uneducated have done the same. Fear of losing place rather than embracing the benefits of community. Fear of losing their share of the pie when there is no pie at all.
“ … its authoritarianism is not the product of fear, it is the product of entitlement weaponized into grievance. MAGA is not fighting for freedom. It is fighting for supremacy.”
— Precisely! And Trump was their gold-plated talisman.
MAGAs actually have an inferiority complex, so successful Blacks or the educated are a threat to their self-esteem & they must be dragged down to their level at least … which Trump, by attacking ‘blue’ states & Dems, is happy to do.
I disagree. They don’t have inferiority feelings, they have unearned feelings of superiority and they are absolutely p!ssed that the rest of society has given status to people THEY don’t feel deserve it. Black, brown and female doctors, lawyers, judges, congress critters, engineers, scientists, are proof positive of this.
In the 19th century there was the idea of manifest destiny, supporting removing indigenous people from their land. I believe it was more complex than that, and controversial, but I am reminded of it when thinking about people attracted to MAGA because of a sense of entitlement. How dare those immigrants come to MY country and take the jobs I am entitled to have? I believe it was Vance talked about how crowded “they” make schools and emergency rooms. People who are economically suffering, perhaps not working and not dating, so not hopeful about a future, feel that they were entitled to something they don’t have, and it is easy to direct their misery into hatred.
Thank you for your research. These conclusions are exactly what I have witnessed in my own family. The racism and antisemitism is the basis for their grievance but they will never admit to being racist or antisemitic. They have all kinds of twisted “logic” to justify their hatred, and that is reinforced by Fauxnooz and rightwing religious “leaders” who daily give them reasons to stay aggrieved.
Georgia, thank you for this very comprehensive viewpoint. I personally feel it is all a brainwashing technique that dictators use on their followers. These souls simply cannot think “out of the box” so they rely on something or someone to do that for them. I have always felt that Trump is their Pied Piper because they become so mesmerized by his unforgivable rhetoric.
I am first generation Eastern European. Both parents were Holocaust victims from Germany and Berlin. My maternal grandparents were gassed at Chelmno. I too, now have an interest in Ukraine because my father’s town of Boryslav in Poland, was absorbed by the Ukrainian government. Slava Ukraini!
I’ve long thought that Pied Piper arrangement is reciprocal. He tells them to fly their freak flags proudly and they return the favor by endorsing every lie and inanity he utters. It works — right up until it doesn’t. Long ago (it seems) Hillary tried to shame these people by calling them “deplorable.” It backfired, perhaps because we’ve passed a place where shame works, I don’t know.
I remain hopeful we are now at a crossroads where just enough see the black magic start to fail around them that the Bandwagon of Abandonment really starts rolling. Momentum seems to be with us.
Let’s also not forget the HUGE assist here from far-right “media” - Fox were the OG, but there are so many more who now feed the narrative, and the social media algorithms ensure that if you’re in that bubble, that’s where you’ll stay. Kind of a mess, but I do believe this still is an affliction of a minority of America. We (who understand the lies for what they are) are far greater in numbers and we need to act like it.
Divide and conquer works as well today as ever, and solidarity still authoritarianism's nemesis.
As a social phenomenon, "Master Race", any supremacist thinking, is more stupefying, irrationally addictive, and insidiously dangerous than methamphetamine or fentanyl; and like drug kingpins, it can be used by those who promote it wholesale to gain tyrannical amounts of power.
Collective narcissism is the perfect term. The young woman who wrote an anti-trans screed instead of a psych class paper, received a zero and then appealed it because she said she was the “victim of religious persecution” comes to mind. These people don’t have an inferiority complex, they have unearned feelings of superiority.
Thanks for your posts today,Georgia.Soinformative.You are so right about trying to engage in convo with extreme MAGAs.Although I did have to respond to my Rep’s BS email yesterday when he stated..” Negotiation is the only way forward, and President Trump is actively working to end this war. President Trump’s mineral rights deal is a practical, common sense solution that benefits both nations.” We must keep calling out this sycophant legislators !
This ⬇️ was from the Rational League link you provided.I found it clarifying…
“This is the heart of the MAGA phenomenon. The movement’s sense of persecution is not an organic reaction to real conditions but a manufactured emotional state. It is a politics that requires fear the way agriculture requires water. Without crisis, fabricated, exaggerated, or wholly invented, the narrative collapses. Equality would no longer feel like danger. Opponents would no longer feel like enemies. Democracy would no longer feel like betrayal.
Fear is the scaffolding that holds the entire structure upright.
And that is why the movement clings to it with such fanaticism: not because America is falling, but because fear is the only thing that makes its worldview coherent.“
Thank you for posting this .... I have just discovered The Rational League . He ANALYZES rather than reports. Some of his substack articles discuss ways of pushing back!! Well worth the time to read it!!!! {He includes references, as does H.C.R.)
Wow! That was really interesting. I have been reading as much psychology as I can on MAGA followers, trying to understand their dug-in refusal to accept facts and logic. Thanks.
"mythic victimhood". No wonder they were so obsessed with Charlie Kirk's assassination.*
*I debate internally every time I use assassination; in my mind, political figures are assassinated. Per the dictionary definition, the first two are "killing by treacherous violence" or "for political reasons". I don't know the killer's true motivation (nor do I believe that there has been a competent investigation into the crime) but what I reluctantly settled on was that if MLK was assassinated, then I guess Kirk was as well.
Ally, I share your discomfort with using "assassination" in reference to the deceased who were not political leaders or dignitaries.
I struggle with the idea that indiscriminately using the "A-word" posthumously elevates the victim to a level of national honor that they had not earned nor deserve, as would be conferred by an office or title they did not hold.
My opinion is probably unpopular, but I think "assassination" is misused in reference to MLK (and I suspect he would agree with me). If he were a senior bishop in one of the Baptist conventions, perhaps his murder could be described as an assassination, but he wasn't. He was the first president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, but that was just a "side-gig" and at the time, it wasn't a national organization of global importance. I doubt that anyone would characterize the murder of the president of the American Numismatic Association, the Audubon Society or any other special interest group as an assassination.
Kirk did not, by any stretch of the imagination, rise to the level of a national, political title-holder. I'm certain that his murder was intentionally described as an assassination by right-wing and corporate media as a pander to Trump and his followers. I find Kirk's unofficial canonization bizarre, but not unexpected.
I agree; assassination should be reserved for political figures, and not popular ones. I note that no one said John Lennon was assassinated. Food for thought.
This is spot on to me! I have a maga brother and pretty much all my cousins are maga - all very well off if not down right rich, like my millionaire brother. They see that women and brown folks having a. good job, a house and some savings as a threat to their way of life...I said to a couple of them that they are only losing privilege not any real assets but then I just get ghosted...This seem to explain it quite nicely!
“Exceptional yet insufficiently honored…”. There is the crux of conflict, not only in the MAGA universe. Thank you, Georgia,for this distillation of so much study. We have large classes who actually ARE exceptional yet insufficiently honored rather than entitled. It partly comes, I think, from families where there was a lack of respect for each other. Respect for oneself and for others has to be practiced to become true and solid. This is such an important post, Georgia. Thank you.
Elizabeth, I am reminded of an article I read long ago: 85% of US drivers rate themselves as "above average" or "exceptional". I tend to rate myself as average even though I have had 27 years of exceptional vehicle operations training and almost 27 years of operating a marked police vehicle. I know that I am an average driver, especially as I am within "spittin' distance" of 70.
Ally, an admirable record. I wonder if it is a cultural thing, to see oneself as exceptional. Have you seen any cross-cultural studies? Even Europe might produce different results. Also, you can be exceptional but realistic, or even exceptional and modest.
No studies; my gut feeling is that it is "American Exceptionalism" on an individual scale.
I know my own abilities to know that I am NOT exceptional, especially with some of the decay in perception/reaction time, focus and concentration, although I think that my situational awareness is still pretty strong.
Scary stuff indeed, Georgia Fisanick, thanks for the link.
Indeed, MAGA didn't need a failed economy to gain control.
I wonder if they will realize that their chosen political leaders are responsible for sabotaging our economy, and when we go into a significant recession at best, it will be their fault. The Dems need to reject the ultra-rich and work for the good of the working class again.
Red states and Red Rural districts are going to get hard by this bill. Mifflin County in Pennsylvania voted 80% Trump and is looking at losing much of the funding for its only hospital. Same in Northern California in places like Shasta County. Ditto for Eastern Washington and Arizona’s more rural hospitals are heavily funded by Medicare and Obamacare Insurance. It’s going to be a very tough year for folks who live in these areas.
And you wonder why Trump is pressuring the NATO to increase their deposits into their security into their own security and now they’re doing it because Trump Upton from 1 to 2 and now the suggestion is five and they’re trying to do it and here’s a sample as the white thank you Bill Clinton thank you Barack Obama thank you Joe Biden
Well, dick, unless I am mistaken, we call that a deflection of the facts
Either it was in the bill or was not in the bill… when whoever signed the bill, signed it knowingly, but this was in the bill. And obviously it wasn’t good enough. Ergo today’s dilemma.
It’s called a democracy and the presidents. Don’t get what they want. Sometimes they have to compromise. And here’s the problem dick, but you don’t get nor o many of them haters here either…. The best results from this democracy in my lifetime, what is when Bill Clinton decided let’s work together and they did. Report America together, and brought it prosperously
Today’s TDS and the divisive Ness that Obama started it still dividing us today. And if the Democrats instead of just saying no to anything that has the word Trump in it, sit down and try to RATIONALLY, AND LOGICALLY, try to solve the problem instead of the heat and the automatic pushback he would be a better nation for it.
I will relate to a US survey by CNN about four months ago that said that 65% of Democrats would vote against apolicy developed by Trump even if it benefited most Americans. That’s how bad the hate is…
And I have asked over and over for the reasons for the hate and everything that comes back. It’s meaningless tirade of a cornucopia of crap.
I asked this question please list me five policy is developed by the Trump administration that are negatively affecting your life today on a daily
Basis… that point all I get is references to the past, And history of trumps persona BEFORE he became president… and a litany of hate related to nothing involving government policy… not anything to do with his policies today assuming they understand anything about the policies in the first place.
And as a reminder… The only thing American should be concerned with all the policies or laws that are signed by the president and Power and Howard affects our daily lives or future lives. Because a present comes and goes pretty quickly and the shingle on the door changes, but the only thing that remains are the policies. in history that’s all that matters
Here goes — five policies by the Trump admin that negatively affect Americans lives today:
1.) Having non-identified, face-mask covered, heavily armed thugs grab people wantonly on the street and disappear them to unknown detention camps and jails.
2.) While promising the American people these are “only the worst of the worst”; where this is patently untrue (see the word “only”).
3.) Pardoning appropriately-convicted major criminals. Many of them! Worst case (so far): ex-president Hernandez of Honduras convicted of using his office to help import over 400 tons of cocaines into the USA. He was just sentenced and had begun serving 45 years in our prison system. Trump set him free for no stated reason. There are dozens of more similar examples.
4.) Trump flip-flops endlessly on supporting Ukraine or Putin regarding the war. His arguments are nutty in the first place and dangerous for democracy in the second.
5.) Trump support for ending ACA subsidies while also supporting tactics to end Medicaid for millions, WHILE supporting Argentina with 20 to 40 Billions of USA taxpayer dollars is just plain crazy.
6.) Tariffs. Need I say more? They are illegal (according to multiple Federal District Courts and Appellate Courts and rather obviously so given black ink law), but worse are an economic disaster for many Americans. For many farmers it’s a disaster. For border states with Canada it’s been a major blow. For small businesses dependent on imports it’s wiping them out. And, major pain is felt in many other businesses by his knee-jerk, flip-flopping, senseless behavior in altering of them. It’s crazy stuff.
7.) His hiring of completely unqualified and unfit cabinet officers who will willingly break laws and norms of society without a thought. It’s madness. I refer, of course, to Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, Kristi Noem, Pete Hegseth, Howard Lutnick, and so many more. They are not working in the interests of the American people but rather as subservient to the President.
8.) Trump has wontedly yanked federal support for solar and wind power right at a time when electricity prices have skyrocketed affecting affordability for all Americans including businesses which cause price hikes by them. It’s clearly shown that the sustainable generators of electricity are cheaper than fossil fuels — Trump wants more oil and coal (read: polluting) power plants. It’s completely upside down and backwards.
9.) Trump just ordered fuel usage requirements for vehicles lowered. That will cause higher overall costs for vehicle owners across the board. It’s a well known fact that vehicle manufacturers can meet higher standards when required — they
always have, but won’t if not required to. This is an affordability failure by the administration.
10.) Trump has ended many weather balloons, ocean weather buoys and weather service staffing … a simply crazy move. There’s no reason for this. We can expect it to lessen the accuracy of weather forecasts and even more damaging to Americans suffering catastrophic weather events.
11.) It should be pointed out this presidents once simply changed the track of a hurricane with his sharpie. He just redrew the track and ordered it so. The hurricane ignored his tyrannical order and went exactly where it had been predicted by the National Hurricane Center’s forecasters. This was a US President thinking he knew more than forecasters. It’s crazy stuff.
I could go on for hours and hours as the president sets new policies practically every day that he’s not at Mar-A-Lago golfing ( which is often). It should be noted that upon taking office he said he’d be too busy to play golf. Yeah. sure. Another lie.
Lastly … the new just released National Security Strategy is largely taken out of the Third Reich handbook. If allowed to stand it will be the end of the United States of America as we’ve known it for 250 years. It’s clearly policy that will hurt every single citizen including you.
Sorry before I get to five I want to revisit for something. I completely forgot and boy am I to blame. BIDEN ACTUALLY PARDONED DR. FAUCI.
HOLLLLLLY INSANITY.
5). I’m trying to make sense of the rationale in number five unless you’re trying to equate the cost of either Medicaid or the ACA against the money he’s given Argentina and the two are non-relatable whatsoever…. Have you at all investigated why Trump gave $20. Billion to Argentina. And I suggest very heavily. And deeply that you investigate the reason and purpose for the money invested in Argentina and the contingencies that are set forth in that investment. But you’d never did that. And I’m glad you’re speaking for the world and all Americans and saying that is deeply crazy when you don’t even know why the hell it was done what’s the purpose? What’s the intended outcome etc.
Now, if you want to speak about the ACA, that’s a whole Nother subject I’ll just address the highlights.
When Barack Hussein Obama signed into law, the ACA commonly known as Obama care … Barack Hussein Obama signed the law that said IN DECEMBER 2025 All the subsidies heretofore WILL TERMINATE.
SO IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SUBSIDIES OR THE ACA GO TALK TO OBAMA, DON’T TALK TO TRUMP he had nothing to do with the Bill didn’t sign. The Bill didn’t invent. The Bill didn’t participate in its legislation as he wasn’t involved in government. He had absolutely nothing to do with the extreme difficulties that are presented now with a potential for premium increases, disparities in coverage and care in states that have not expanded Medicaid…. In addition it’s facing challenges due to rising insurance cost with many and Rawley struggling to afford premiums and out-of-pocket expenses and that my friend has nothing to do with Trump. However, Obama is the one that signed the subsidy termination himself, which will cause significant premium increases and many to consider dropping the coverage.
But if you’d like to hear the reality behind the ACA, you should hear this
Of all the insurance policies and programs available to people in United States only 14% of the population has signed up for THE ACA.
Now, well that’s not a small number. It’s substantially less than was anticipated and provides a factual basis for not having a national insurance program that fits everyone otherwise more people would’ve participated. They chose instead to look for their insurance elsewhere.
Once again, I could have a long discussion about the ACA on a number of topics but the most important one that you don’t want to realize is the one I mentioned
OBAMA PUT THE LIMIT ON THE SUBSIDIES NOBODY ELSE …. AND NOW THE DEMOCRATS ARE MAD AT TRUMP FOR SOMETHING THAT OBAMA DID AND TRUMP IS NOT GONNA BE THE SCAPEGOAT EXCEPT FOR THE PEOPLE HERE WHO DON’T WANT TO FACE THE TRUTH.
SO SOUNDS TO ME LIKE ZERO FOR FIVE Not to once again, remind you that I asked how have any of these policies affected you negatively day-to-day currently A BIG FAT ZERO FOR DIRK SO FAR
Not sure if I have time to do number six this is already been a complete waste of my time and energy and I would like to catch a little football so I may answer another one or two today but if not, I’ll get them all before I’m done. But you ought to try to regroup and come up with some facts and you might wanna think about the question that I asked you in the first place. Name me five policies that have negatively affected. YOUR LIFE on a day-to-day basis currently. And I think you said something about facts, but you’re quite a bit lean in that area. Sorry
Are you familiar with the president’s right of pardon? Are you aware of the thousands of criminals that have been pardoned over the years?
Would you like to have me prepare a list for you… of some of the most egregious criminals that were pardoned by previous presidents?
Name some of the worst criminals that were pardoned by previous presidents and what there was their crime. Let’s review some of the worst. Shall we
Where do we begin?
Let’s start with most recently, Trump Henry Cuéllar
Trump did Trump pardon the ex prez of Honduras, but many sources see an alternative to why the pardon happened. I don’t necessarily agree with it, but apparently there were some significant political involvement in Honduras itself, and by the Biden administration to accuse him. It doesn’t matter it was bad.
Bill Clinton pardoned his half brother and a Puerto Rican drug crime organization why did Clinton why did Clinton pardon FALN a violent drug organization having committed serious crimes
Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon I believe. That pardon of Richard Nixon… was far more sweeping than the one you bring up as well obviously, today he might not even eligible for conviction at the time and removal, unless voted on by Congress.
I believe Bill Clinton also pardon Chelsey Manning for breach of vital and secret intelligence information to our enemy. Actually a commutation of 28 years but pardon nonetheless.
Which president pardoned all the drug draftdodgers
jimmy carter pardoned all draftdodgers. Wowowowow. That’s a good way to secure our liberty by pardoning the cowards who refused service.
Who pardoned the Iran contra people
President Bush pardoned many members of the Iran-Contra affair again significantly more important on a global scale
And here’s one of the most ironic and obviously horrible pardons by Bill Clinton. He pardoned Mark Rich, who was $1 million donor to Bill’s campaign and into the Democrats ..he was indicted on federal charges of tax evasion wire fraud racketeering, and making oil deals with Iran behind our back. And evaded $45 million and income due.
And though there was no pardon or conviction, it was very evident even by snoops that Barack Obama had a very good relationship with Weather underground, and Bill Ayres and his associates. And their violent actions against NYPD headquarters the capital the Pentagon of San Francisco police station, and Bernadine Dorn. The charges were dropped ostensibly because of illegal investigating into their crimes. How cheesy is that?
Now let’s get to one more and then one small one that just happened
JOSEPH ROBINETTE BIDEN PARDONED NEARLY HIS WHOLE FAMILY And a list of crimes is long but distinguished. Including his son, who had multiple in fractions that were outside of the perusal of his pardon.
This was essentially a cover-up of everything that Joe Biden was involved in, but was immune to, and this took care of the millions and millions of dollars taken in by the family under almost unbelievable circumstances, including many potential felonies should they have seen the inside of a courtroom?
And lastly, just so you feel a little bit better about everything above Donald Trump pardoned all the J6 participants. And spent 2 1/2 years, searching for people that stood outside the capital unarmed and arrested them. Do us all a favor there George let us not use the word insurrection because summer of love when George Floyd was killed was an insurrection every no Kings March was an insurrection the protest in front of Washington DC a couple Sundays ago was an insurrection no less than January 6. And if you’d like to argue about that, I’d be more than happy to engage in that conversation, but I’ll send you this video to conclude this particular number three, which is now done and over to your fruitless attempt to talk about One presidents pardons over others.
One of my favorite videos of all time? And I do mean all time. Nancy Pelosi here, taking responsibility for January 6, and not posting sufficient military/ police protection. she is here speaking to her daughter in an SUV while the event is going on, on J6!
I’m guessing you haven’t seen this video. Enjoy and now I’m done with number three so you see how valid your so-called facts are so far
Misguided opinions, and misrepresentations based on your being the voice of America rather than just plain old Jorge, who has asked the question once again how has Trump’s policies affected you negatively on a daily basis?
2). You might want to realize that these people that are being captured and found to be illegal. ARE NOT WEARING VISIBLE IDENTIFICATION. THAT SAYS. HEY IM AN ILLEGAL CRIMINAL AND HERE ILLEGALLY COME ARREST ME. They have a photo Bank Of many of these people and are looking for themAND THEIR ASSOCIATES Who may indeed lead them to the worst of the worst. But I would like your opinion as to out of 8 1/2 to 15,000,000 illegals having entered the country recently. How many would you consider to be the worst of the worst?
Who are they?
Where did they come from?
Have they committed any crime here, etc. rape?murder? Wife beatings?
have they trafficked any drugs?
Have they trafficked any humans?
Have they hidden any children?
and how can they identify them until they capture (aka catch and release) them since there was no vetting at the border? Nor and this is the part I love was there any verification of or validation of a vaccination which here to four you held as sacrosanct Ooooops.
what is truly amazing to me as how communities are pushing back vehemently against the arrest of these illegals,
So as to your word, only, are you suggesting that we should take each and every one of them, try to find them…release them, Then indict them ,put them on trial, have a hearing, and then determine if we could arrest them or not ? If that’s the case, you’re defying history, especially Democrat history. Bill Clinton not only deported almost 10,000,000 during his term, but actually came up with a law, allowing him to arrest them at the border and turn the back around without any bedding whatsoever. The bedding was done at the border by border officials there, and they were simply turned around and sent home. IIRIRA THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION REFORM AND IMMIGRANT REPONSIBILITY ACT. allowing EXPEDITED REMOVAL. Or the over 3 million during Obama’s first term were only 25% actually had due. process. Feel free to look these up, but you had no idea at all. And most of you just regurgitate vomit shit on the page without actually making sure your brain is engaged before you put your mouth in gear.
So I guess you’re the spokesman for American, instead of answering the question that I asked you. If I looked down the list, it is highly unlikely that any of these issues are affecting you at all. But congratulations on being the spokesman for America. …
And how I should’ve started out this particular targeted post is this if Joe Biden and his administration had not let in over 25,000 illegals per day into American southern border we would not be having the problem that you are now addressing would we ? All this administration is doing is trying to read ourselves of these people who have no right to be here right now. And so far he’s not done too bad with 2 1/2 million already gone in just nine months. And that is despite major pushback from many of you here who are siding with criminals, terrorists, narco- terrorists, kidnappers, rapists, wife, beaters, traffickers, etc.. now there are some facts and documented proof… if you really cared to look
You want to supply facts, but all you supplied here are opinions with very little fact, very little depth and quite a bit of one-sided information where you don’t know the truth /entire story from both sides and that is painfully obvious so I’m gonna have to kinda handle these one at a time and they may be long but since you took the time to do it, I’ll take the time to reply.
You obviously have no reason why these” heavily armed thugs”. KNOWN AS ICE ICE/POLICE/CBP/ are wearing masks and in some cases don’t self identify until a legal capture is made Because they are lawfully, attempting to remove illegals from our midst, especially those who have committed additional crimes after their initial crime of coming across the border ILLEGALLY…. There have been hundreds of these people doxxed, that have had their families threatened, that have had because of that that I’ve had crowds show up outside their homes, swatting, sealionimg, and rage farming… to threaten the lives, and the families are harassed regular law enforcement so they have been forced to cover their faces because people are taking pictures of them and actually posting them all over communities on telephone poles and the like and anywhere they can. Further, it makes me sick to my stomach beyond that actually that you call law-enforcement THUGS When they are actually the people protecting your ass from crime.
In addition to that, there are now communities using portals website, websites, apps, etc., to notify illegals when ice is in the neighborhood so they can avoid capture. That’s called aiding and abetting .
Now as to your asinine comment about throwing them in hidden jails or prisons never to be heard From is total nonsense. And that is why I suggested to you earlier you should change the channel and why don’t you find out the whole truth?
Unfortunately, there have been a number of citizens, including two judges that have now been arrested and face incarceration for harboring criminal illegals… one of them allowed one to slip out of their courtroom in an attempt to have them avoid arrest for the agents that were there ready to arrest him.
in another instance a judge in either Texas or Arizona was caught housing a known gang member of trend de Aragua.
There are no citizens being arrested, unless they’re committing crimes of aiding and abetting illegal criminals.
SO MANY OF YOU HERE SEEM TO HAVE FORGOTTEN THE LAW…. Let me see if I can translate that and make this a little easier for those of you who seem to be a little slow or forgetful.
When somebody does something that is against the law, in other words called illegal… they have committed a crime. And people who have committed a crime are also known as criminals FACTUALLY.
So the minute some people come across the border against the law they are now criminals … you also have been substantially unaware of the thousands of illegals that have come here that had committed felonies in their own country and then there are those that have committed additional crimes here who need to be sent back as well.
So I think I’ve covered this particular topic as much as necessary.
So let me take on the next misguided piece of partial, misinformation in your next offering
AND PLEASE KEEP IN MIND NOBODY HERE SO FAR HAS DEMONSTRATED A POLICY FROM TRUMP. THAT HAS ACTUALLY AFFECTED THEM NEGATIVELY PERSONALLY CURRENT DAY.
When you start speaking for others, you are no longer dealing in facts. You are dealing in estimates, suggestions, , unvetted news stories hearsay, politics, and hate.
Well, you started off perfectly. Yikes. . You demonstrated your lack of awareness immediately and the fact that you don’t watch multiple media sources also, The first one doesn’t affect you… so strike one and I’ll finish up in the morning. nor is it accurate and you are obviously not being told why. It’s 1130 and I’ve been driving seven hours today so I will get to you in the morning but you won’t like to hear my responses for the most part but the first one is hysterical. Have a good night sleep
So you should go blame OBAMA because he put that date of December of this year the day in the bill/act that the subsidies would disappear!!! Trump had nothing to do with it at all. Nor did Trump have anything to do with the cost of living today you’re not gonna get away with the 20% increase in groceries by the Obama ministration the doubling of gas prices the tripling of mortgage rates and inflation between seven and 9%. Trump is not only fighting to change that which is making incredible strides and doing and he also just negotiated lower drug prices same price as the rest of the world is paying. Inflation is how steady the Washington Post just corrected itself and saying that grocery prices have been steady. The only weakness right now seems to be the labor market so if Paul gets off his butt and decreases interest rates, that should help all around. But be excited for 2026 when Trump gets his own choice for Fed chair. Then many things will become less expensive as there will be an interest rate cut, probably a couple of major ones.
Так что вам стоит винить ОБАМУ, потому что именно он установил эту дату — декабрь этого года — в законопроекте/законе, когда субсидии должны были исчезнуть!!! Трамп здесь ни при чём. У Трампа также нет отношения к сегодняшней стоимости жизни — вы не сможете свалить на него 20%-ное увеличение цен на продукты, удвоение цен на газ, утроение ставок по ипотеке и инфляцию от 7 до 9% — всё это дело администрации Обамы. Трамп не только борется за изменение ситуации, делая невероятные успехи, но он также недавно добился снижения цен на лекарства до уровня, который платит остальной мир. Инфляция — вот, что недавно признала газета Washington Post, заявив, что цены на продукты были стабильны. Единственная слабая сторона сейчас, похоже, на рынке труда, так что если Пол двигнется и снизит процентные ставки, это должно помочь всем. Но ждите с нетерпением 2026 года, когда Трамп сможет назначить своего председателя ФРС. Тогда многие вещи станут дешевле, так как появится...
And you wonder why Trump is pressuring the NATO to increase their deposits into their security into their own security and now they’re doing it because Trump Upton from 1 to 2 and now the suggestion is five and they’re trying to do it and here’s a sample as the white thank you Bill Clinton thank you Barack Obama thank you Joe Biden
Well, another person that doesn’t pay attention and doesn’t realize the words that come out of their mouth.’ And first thing in the morning, expresses their hatred for Donald Trump and they’re suffering from TDS
The
Washington post is the top major antagonist of Donald Trump. They never apologize for criticizing wrongly… printing their hate on the front page of the paper. They NEVER give him credit for anything ever in fact, even yesterday they came up with a story on the front page that the New York Times refuted, which is UNBELIEVABLE . When they talked about the double tap/kill them all statement, that never happened relating to the drug boats
So if the Washington Post says grocery prices are stable you want to take that to the bank. But most people that use three names like you do are smart enough to do a little bit of research. Apparently just want to add ignorance and bias to your résumé
Not only have grocery prices remain steady, but Walmart has come out and talked about lowering prices across the board and made a statement just before Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving prices would be 25% less than last year. But you can check these statements or facts by yourself before you post here.
THE REASON YOU ARE PAYING HIGH PRICES RIGHT NOW. IS CALLED JOE BIDEN. I’m just below here is a link that was placed by vets by the White House Stafford, which they had to pull down immediately so they were Barris meant because it try to show how Trump‘s prices are up 3% since February but unfortunately for them they went back four years and it showed that three months after Biden administration prices were up take a seat when I say the 20% in the grocery stores and it’s been confirmed everywhere and I’m gonna put up the link…. https://freebeacon.com/latest-news/dnc-tweets-then-deletes-chart-showing-soaring-grocery-prices-under-biden/
And I have a number of more links but you’ll have to do some research yourself so that you learn not to open your mouth before you’ve actually studied the issue and don’t let your hate jump out at you
You remind me of an old adage, I learned in high school.
Make sure the brain is engaged before you put your mouth in gear.
At the end here I will add a link or two that will kind of put life in perspective for you, or the price of goods and services that you are seeing today, which are not the fault or based upon anything that Donald Trump is done in fact, the opposite.
Even your wildest west wing radical news media has confirmed that the inflation rate has remained less than 3% including our government, which you probably believe Less, in fact, even chairman Powell, who has questioned Donald Trump at every turn and recently said the Terrace and not happy it’s negative impact that we thought they would prices are steady.
You’re the meantime gas prices are down over two dollars a gallon and most precincts and now at their lowest prices they been in five years. At less than three dollars per gallon in 35 states. And yesterday they came down again even more now at 294, versus 307 a week ago egg prices are down 60% with everybody here was crying and demanding the Trump fix the egg prices and now they’re down 60%.
Go ahead and do some research…
The stock market is up 8000 points compared to the day that Trump announced his terrorist, and everybody here was cheering because it looked like the economy was failing because the market went down so much and of course it was trump’s fault. Oooooops.
I agree with some of what you're saying here, but I think the Fed should be very careful and slow with any cuts in interest rates so it doesn't increase the rate of inflation. And we really don't want the Fed to be totally under the influence of any sitting President. Interest rates and mortgage rates needed to go up in 2021-22, to slow inflation .The price of gasoline in CO now is down to $2.40 per gallon, lowest it's been in awhile.
I absolutely agree with you. I do not have a crystal ball or a ouija board but I would guess the first cuts going to be a half a point and then maybe a quarter of a calendar year later or another quarter of a quarter or so that’s kind of my guy thinks a person to bring confidence to Business and help homebuyers as well. It could be less if Powell , lowers the rates under the next two opportunities. Again, you would be correct.
That was a bad is generic and meaningless as it gets. And if you want to talk about keeping the opposition down, we should investigate how Biden talk to all the heads of the social media networks like Google, etc. to get them to try to prevent those sites from posting right leaning information As well as try to shut down free-speech. So, if you like to give me some specifics, I would love to hear them. Let me say it again life is a do it yourself proposition. California continues to have people flee by the hundreds of thousands because they can’t afford to live in that armpit that used to be the shining light on the hill. Same goes for New York because people can’t live there. The same goes for Chicago and many other blue cities that I’ve gotten out of hand with costs in crime. so I’ll wait for your reply
I would love to hear how Trump keeps blue states down. I guess you don’t believe that life is a self fulfilling proposition life is a do it yourself there Phil. I want to look at how many counties in this counties are red versus blue. Why do you think they’re such a concentration of blue on either coast, and almost nothing but a small rash of blue in the middle. Here’s your map. Read.m and weep. I haven’t read Heather’s entire post yet, but I’m waiting for the famous or infamous term here. “Moral Victory’” which I assume is coming. But I have a nice comparison about the victory/trouncing for Heather.
She is actually trying to compare the candidate that ran on the Republican ticket to Donald Trump? Omg. When I saw him makers quarrel “in crowd, congratulation, speech, I thought I’m surprised he won at all.
What do you mean republican favoritism I gotta go. That’s what this is gonna be good.
Most of the blue states are now losing population. Many of the blue states or have big deficits. Many of them have very high crime rates. Many of them have educational, dropout rates that exceed the norm. Many of them have too many homeless, and too many people on the government teeth that don’t deserve to get them because they don’t qualify
As a person who has received premium tax credits under the ACA for over a decade, it is important to note that the premium tax credits are not going away for those still between 100% and 400% of poverty, the demographic covered since the ACA was passed under Obama. What IS ending are the Biden era subsidies to super savings plans, $0 premiums and the extension of tax credits to those over 400% of poverty which doubled the roles of the number of people on a marketplace plan since the pandemic. The ACA marketplace is far from perfect but it is not a disaster as claimed by the president. It has been a life changer for those of us with preexisting conditions and who made too much to qualify for Medicaid and could not get affordable care before 2012. I am glad our convoluted and wasteful bureaucratic system of health care is taking center stage again, but the reality in the 21st century is that it would be so much easier and efficient and cheaper for our Congress to simply vote to expand Medicare/Medicaid for all Americans and stop all the for profit bullshit that makes our healthcare system so expensive.
Democrats have been trying to do that since the Truman Administration, but Republicans always moved the bullshit horror wagons in place to stop it from becoming reality.
Then Obama got the brilliant idea of copying Mitt Romney’s version of healthcare access in Massachusetts. And the GOP have never forgiven him for being smart enough to use a Republican plan to beat them at their own game.
38 trillion. 38 trillion. How do you happen to notice that almost every major large government economic fraud has made millionaires and billionaires of fraudsters time and time again and we only catch it when it’s too late. Not gonna happen again
Approximately half a million American individuals and families declare bankruptcy every year in the US due to medical bills. I assume this means that their medical bills will not be paid and therefore the rest of us will pay their bills for them. Additionally, women that are FORCED to have their babies must pay for the hospital bills which often means that we pay for the delivery and post-natal care of the mother and the baby. And Republicans don't give a fuck about any child until they are 18 years old and can vote and pay taxes.
If this episode of chaos in health care does not lead to massive public outcry for a universal healthcare plan that the stinking Republicans have to finally admit makes sense, I will give up entirely on any respect for the great ‘ merican public.
Doctors in my area are retiring early in droves. They cannot practice the kind of medicine that they trained to do and are giving up in disgust. The regional hospital has been taken over by a greedy for profit corporation and are on their third emergency caution. Patients are dying due to their profit driven management. Greed is literally killing us.
If not a majority at least a large segment like me (12 million) have had access to health insurance that was not an option before and this has kept us healthier than before.
I agree, All the health care industry is the problem. What we pay at the doctors office, and other specialist providers, pharmacies, hospitals is out of control. This is where the problem is. I've said it before, the government shouldn't be subsidizing health care. Again, it's called welfare for rich corporate America. I want Medicare for all so I don't have to go through the annual Open Season just to pay more each year for premiums and more out of pocket for less coverage..
I’m ok with paying for the worth of the expertise and knowledge of my doctors. I’m not ok with how much debt is burdening them to gain that expertise and knowledge. I’m not ok with the bureaucratic levels of bean counters who can decide what services I get or the fact that so many levels add billions to our costs that don’t exist in other developed nations.
It is so simple. Get the health insurance companies that pay their CEOs millions to screw us AND the doctors over and the cost will come down. Think about how many people each doctors office employ just to deal with insurance companies! There is more savings. How many more in every hospital to battle with insurance companies. We get much poorer medical care every year. The Insurance companies get richer and doctors and hospitals are getting sqeezed in the rush for profit.
I have some friends in exactly your same boat, SP. Make enough money to survive, but not to cover medical insurance. One is neurodivergent, another an abuse survivor; my sister was in that category as a full time grocery worker in a non-union shop that had such bizarre requirements to qualify for their "insurance plan" that she probably had coverage for 2 of the 10 years she worked there. She's now in a Union shop with great benefits.
Elizabeth Warren is arguably the most knowledgeable politician on bankruptcy. She tried to get a clause in the ACA to eliminate bankruptcy caused by medical bills. As a result about half a million people a year in the US declare bankruptcy due to their medical bills. None of the other first or second world countries allow a person/family to go bankrupt because of their medical bills.
It seems that people have forgotten about the pre-existing conditions clause of pre-ACA. People were unable to change jobs because of it. That was huge, both for the ability to move up the career ladder, relocate if a spouse was transferred, leave a job because of harassment, sexual or otherwise, or any number of other reasons people needed or wanted to change jobs.
If we’re going to have a system that covers pre-existing conditions then we have to a system that has as broad a risk pool as possible. The Republicans have been talking about some 40% of people not “using their health plans” as a justification for doing away with our system. As if, what, health insurance is a gift card? It’s INSURANCE. I use my health insurance every time I eat out or drive down the street or frankly walk across the street. Insurance is peace of mind, not a set amount of money issued to individuals.
Of course Donald’s favorite drug lord got his pardon and got released from prison.
It’s by the same logic Donald pardoned all guilty of attacking the U.S. Capitol.
What’s most interesting is Heather’s take in the pro-criminality of the U.S.’s only-ever criminal in the White House.
He’s so un aware of any others as human beings that he personifies all his fellow rich U.S. rapists and all his fellow billionaires and dictators from around the world in that all who form “the Epstein class” cannot see what’s wrong with pushing mass amounts of drugs, raping underage girls, invading smaller, neighboring countries, murdering journalists, or even just arbitrarily up and demolishing the U.S. “people’s house.”
These of the Epstein class can’t see any of their evils as evil even if, as Heather puts it here today,
bi-partisan congressional leaders "are calling out what looks to be Bondi’s attempt to shield Trump." Of course. Evil reigns. Donald's pals could traffic those underage girls -- and kidnap some, too (as Virgin Island legal papers also showed today) as Putin could kidnap into Russian tens of thousands of Ukrainian children.
This Epstein class and all in it share the same insolence, the same scorn for law, all as if the world had schools actively teaching willful anesthetization by elites with the most money, graduates of the best schools, and most effective protectors of each other over the bottom 95% of us.
My experience with schools is that they are forced to teach what politicians will allow them teach, and that this has become markedly ,more so over time thanks to growing influence of authoritarian plutocrats and the bought and paid for (anti) Republican Party.
All the more piquant then that the movers of 1971's Powell memo knew that, to get the money flowing more in their direction, first step must be to disembowel the schools of their humanities.
Thus the new Heritage Foundation, the new ALEC, and a revived older Hoover Institution combined forces for the rest of that decade -- with lobbyists in every state capital, new tens of thousands of lobbyists in Washington, D.C. -- to defund all the public colleges and universities, shame professors from using books, films, and songs for public causes outside narrow specialization, and organize campaigns against all kinds of literature and other arts, too, at the K-12 level.
Decade by decade schools everywhere lost the arts of the personal, the ways they had had to see (and to teach) human issues in human contexts, and the most amoral grew into the most cynical, and they all united into what Heather has been calling our currently ruling Epstein class.
The Bible calls the love of money the root of (some say "all" others "many) evils, but it's a strange use of the word "love", and I think much abusive avarice manages to conceal itself in the imprecision. I think that most would agree that money itself is not the evil, but that the willingness to disregard or violate our social obligations to one another as individuals, as a society, or even as a species, in order to serve personal gain is. That is what rape, robbery, or murder is about, as well as fraud, corruption, tyranny and aggressive war, among many other presentations of human injustice and violence. We are human because we care; about our own experience, as well as about other beings and things. I have long thought that it is more accurate to say "I FEEL, therefore I am" or "I EXPERIENCE, therefore I am" than is Descartes' famous abstraction. I would also argue that WHAT one is moved to pay attention to is an essential component of wisdom, as well as raw of intelligence. In any case don't those decisions of value make all the difference?
The Powell memo crowd has hustled to make "profit uber alles" sacrosanct, and ironically somehow, "Christian", which is "War is Peace" grade Doublethink. Religion is nothing without discussion of values, but for me most presentations of it leave too small a role to evidence-based reality checking. Not that we can PROVE "correct" value with evidence and logic alone, but we can certainly INFORM our values, by keenly observing verifiable in common realities, and we can share our human reactions in good faith. I am not sure that any truth, especially one of trusted values, is ultimately "self-evident", but we can agree that for us as human beings, they are functionally axiomatic. Why do we honor someone like Lincoln over Hitler, over and above the fact that both were impactful? Why do we pull out the Dickens's stories, or the "Grinch", at Christmas, which is often, even for those who don't identify as Christian, is regarded as a time for tenderness? Without a sense of values, what matters at all? Literally.
I don't think the schools bear the primary burden for promoting the precepts of our common weal, though they rightly bear a great deal of it. Public education reflects the values that we hold in common. Ans yes, the Powell Memo powers are doing their best to warp our cultural awareness to their own advantage; for which the power of even holding even hundreds of billions (with a "B") of dollars is never enough, while others, or even posterity, be damned if they get in the way of unbridled greed. And the greed and abuses now coming to the fore makes the Dickens tales seem tame; and we so need see that in perspective.
No, the first step is to bring back school choice to bring back occupational education, so that those that don’t have any desire to go on to college to make a living and not become dependent on the state
You sort of speak for me as I feel that the Epstein class can’t see any of their evils as evil. Just another way of saying that we are in a trance of “willful anesthetization by elites” so that the lawlessness is ignored. Lawlessness is not only ignored but perpetuated by the Epstein class. Full circle, a merry-go-round with dizzying implications and consequences.
The Trump pardoned drug lord met with Roger Stone and the two of them crafted a letter to Donald Trump with the usual sycophancy and how they were both unfairly tried based on no evidence blah blah blah.
IQ is not a static measurement. At one time Donald probably had an IQ over 100 but because he refuses to read and learn his IQ has likely dropped below 100. And as his dementia progresses even lower.
Does anyone expect Trump's mental acuity to improve?
Have you read the narrations by Noel Cassler - Trump family assistant on The Apprentice about 45/47 drug use? D Snorting crushed adderall + a lot of cocaine on the set. Perforated his sinuses = white stuff popping out his mouth in televised debates. Probably not much left upstairs but he has a lizzard brain con-man charisma his base likes.
It's not a f*cking "class". If you're using the name "Epstein" you're referring to an international criminal enterprise. And not everyone in the top 5%, as you appear to believe, is involved in it. But just for kicks, please name who you think is the "Epstein class".
Sorry, Steven, but there's a chasm between what I may think and what the evidence is.
Read Diane Ravitch's "The Language Police." There you will see -- with hundreds of apt appendices -- further evidence of not those who did the underage girls, but the similarly foul, soulless billionaires who trafficked all those standardized tests and corporate packaged textbooks to all the millions consequently anesthetized by them.
I will be happy to read the book you recommend. Still, as I said, if you, or Heather, is using the name "Epstein" you're referring to a specific international criminal enterprise. From what you've replied I think the Billionaire Class is probably what you intend to be castigating. And it *is* a "class". And it is powerful. And what they're doing to democracy and the planet is criminal, but not necessarily in a legal sense.
Not all the billionaires are "Epstein Islanders", but a large enough percentage of them are. Using "Epstein class", to my way of thinking, calls out those who both frequent the island for its procurement of underage children AND who believe that their "3 comma wealth" gives them a status above the law. Throw in a healthy measure of assumption of white male superiority, and you've got the "Epstein Class".
Hey Ally! How do you know "a large enough percentage of them are."?
Anyway, I'm not going to die on this hill. Much like "Defund the Police", it's wrong and doesn't really communicate reality. At least Phil Balla made the distinction between actual rapist pedophiles and billionaire manipulators. What's the point of using imprecise language? Tell it like it is and say "Epstein group" or "Epstein international criminal enterprise". SMH.
Steven, we had a side-conversation about this a couple days ago. HCR did not coin the term, "Epstein class," but she quoted it because it carries a context that perfectly describes the individuals who are part of it.
As I noted then, "Epstein class" might be equated with the "One-Percenters," or as you suggest, the "billionaire class," but those designations merely indicate that members are super-rich.
"Epstein class" signifies that its members are not only extremely wealthy, but entitled, protected by their peers, self-dealing, and profoundly callous to the harmful effects of their behaviors on others. In other words, "Epstein class" carries more meaning, easily inferred by people who hear/read it.
I see your point. But can you name who's in the Epstein class? How do you identify them? It's just a non-specific condemnation and becomes a stereotype that disinforms and supposedly references an ambiguous "class" of people. Are they criminals? Are they dupes? Are they all actively plotting? Sorry, but to my mind it just creates another "class" of people to hate. I just don't see how this is constructive.
The Epstein criminal enterprise is comprised of specific individuals who should be prosecuted for the crimes they may have committed. Maybe this will illustrate it for you:
Should we be calling the military involved in the "strikes" in international waters the "Hegseth class"? Is there a Hegseth class? Or maybe it's the "Rubio class" or the "Miller class". Why not the "Trump class"? SMH.
Steven, my mom would have said, "Oh, Steven, you're just being contrary." She also used to say, "He's the Eddie Haskel type." When I've mentioned this to people my age, they know exactly the type she was talking about; Someone who's smarmy and faux-respectful to parents and authority figures and a scoundrel when the adults aren't looking.
You write like a lawyer, someone who's trying to entrap another writer asking leading questions. Perhaps you're a member of the "lawyer class."
These are not people we hate. It's a shorthand method of identifying a "type."
Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are in the Epstein class. Both are obscenely wealthy, sacrifice personal integrity for financial gain, enjoy preferential treatment from their peers and do not care how their harmful actions affect others. Neither of these men trafficked underage girls for sex (that we know of) but they are still members of the Epstein class.
Do I hate them? No. Do I buy from Amazon or drive a Tesla? No. Actually, they do not deserve the energy it would require of me to hate them. It's their actions that I condemn.
“Anesthestized” gets to the objective of the decades of gradually monopolized mainstream media, hate-radio, social media, hate-podcasts & violent gamer culture that has evolved into an omnipresent, all enveloping / conditioning matrix that degrades enough people’s cognitive sovereignty that they can be manipulated; operated on to serve the interest of fascist mafia state oligopolists / colonizers. It’s a social disease that Dr. Bandy X. Lee calls Trump contagion. <> We’re well on with forensic analysis. Massive grassroots effort with sound comm skills as described by Karin Tamerius (Smart Politics) is needed to reach out to newly disillusioned former Trump voters, the people with standing to start internal resistance in Trumpworld.
They're out there, John, our fellow millions for human decency.
Because his new memoir, "The Uncool," is out, I've followed several interviews recently with boy prodigy, music journalist, film director Cameron Crowe. So good, so perceptive on what it takes to see others, to probe into the emotions, the personal lives which take effort, some skills, to find.
I love our democracy (our in the broadest, most international sense) because it allows to blossom not only souls of all colors such as Cameron C., but it also lets us grow and cherish so many musicians, chefs, knitters, novelists, quilt makers, memoirists, gardeners, film makers, orchardists, travel writers, essayists, and others of skills I've forgotten to name here.
Mean, legacy media, which is now dying like CNN was trying to be sold and MS and now I had to change their name to the credibility issues well, both lost about 50% of its former viewership and audience and the strongest networkthat we watch on TV now is Fox …leading all the networks in primetime viewership.
If you were out there in the real world, you wouldn’t make stupid statements like people standing to start internal resistance. As prices come down on gas, inflation stays flat. Please deals continue to be made the stock market continues to rise. And allegiance will continue to grow. Oooooops
All succinctly profound. This point, “and most effective protectors of each other over the bottom 95% of us.” applies 100% to Fred & Donald Trump. Separate IJs, David Cay Johnston & Wayne Barrett exposed facts that, to people who knew the lay of the land around NYC & NJ indicated Fred was probably a money launderer for maybe 2, or 3 mob families: Backed up by troubled son Donald getting Roy Cohn as his mentor & attorney as he started into Manhattan development. Not any schlub from Queens gets that. <> Michael Cohen’s MD uncle did patch up work for NY mob soldiers injured in the line of work. He was a principal owner of Caribe Caterers in Brighton Beach - Brooklyn. Attorney Cohen kater became a part owner. It was a Russian / Ukrainian mob social club / meeting place. My cousin insured the fleet of oil tankers owned by a newly minted Russian Oligarch after the fall of the USSR / CCCP. Negotiations for the contract were a series of meetings at El Caribe.
This is from a new world newscaster bringing you an emergency alert.
Not sure how you been missing it but it is now December 2025. You just might want to catch up and look towards tomorrow instead of continuing your addiction to ancient history.
Spicy, John, your first-hand insights into the U.S. mob and Russian nomenklatura.
I was in eastern Europe (Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic) during the period when American hot shots were investing in those former Soviets becoming oligarchs during the 1990s. U.S. State Dept. eagerly aided in the massive thievery of state assets from the Russian people to the new oligarchs and their U.S. investors (many just minted with new M.B.A.s from the Ivies).
The Republicans favorite drug lord has been killing drug Lords killing traffickers, sending them back to their original countries at some 2 1/2 million now only nine months after taking office.
You have to thank the ANTI-DRUG LORD//PUSHER Joe Biden for the struggles that Trump is going through right now. But I forgot to tell you, the border was secure.
There’s a calendar on my spreadsheet so we can target our calls/letters/emails/faxes to flood offices in an organized manner.
Use/share this spreadsheet (bit.ly/Nokings) as a resource to contact members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Call. Write. Email. Protest. Unrelentingly.
Reach out (beyond your own) to as many in the Senate and House as you can. All of this is bigger than “I only represent my constituents” issues.
Add a comment to help keep this bumped ✊ New eyes seeing this means new ripples for change! 🤞
I do have an easy to print PDF and have a note on my spreadsheet with my email to message me for one. I can’t post a PDF on a comment in Substack, but my email is Megan.neish@gmail.com so just send me an email asking for it :)
I only share a pdf when asked because it’s a growing document and the pdf would change anytime I had to adjust anything on the spreadsheet. I know not everyone likes Google spreadsheets though
Megan, thank you for doing this daily. You are a prime example of how everyday people can used whatever skills they have to fight this battle. EVERY bit that someone contributes helps!
I have sometimes wondered when they use that phrase, that perhaps their political career aspirations and actions have so wounded their relationships that they DO need to spend time with their families. Let's hope their families set them straight.
Do you think the current rendition of republiscum can survive their own pus pockets? God I would hate to call myself by that stripe. Send them a block of ice for Christmas.
Power has always tended to corrupt, does it not? At least when tethered from sufficient feedback and accountability. I struggle to sufficiently manage my own internal "Mr. Hyde". We all seek self-interest, but that gets complicated in a society.
"had I risked the experiment while under the empire of generous or pious aspirations, all must have been otherwise, and from these agonies of death and birth, I had come forth an angel instead of a fiend. The drug had no discriminating action; it was neither diabolical nor divine; it but shook the doors of the prison-house of my disposition; ... At that time my virtue slumbered; my evil, kept awake by ambition, was alert and swift to seize the occasion; and the thing that was projected was Edward Hyde."
The sociopathic side of Jekyll's character became dominant due to a fictional drug, but does not excess of money, and other forms of social power have much the same effect? Epstein is just one of a whole rouge's gallery of historical illustrations; and this is by no means the first time we have seen those proclivities spread across societies. Only eternal commitment and vigilance can keep us individually and collectively out of a Hobbesian nightmare. I think most of us have access to that resource, but commitment and engagement makes it real, in individual choices, in social mores and in the goals and actions of governance.
So we'll win the House and possibly the Senate next November. What is the Democrats' plan for what to do next? If we don't plan now, it'll be a failed Reconstruction all over again. Affordability is an issue, but so much will be resolved by the cancellation of the tariffs that much can be remedied in one fell swoop. Healthcare only takes the political will to extend the ACA tax credits. Done and done. Now, about that pesky Rule of Law... If we don't start impeaching, convicting, and jailing those who have run roughshod over the laws of our country, no victory in 2026 or 2028 will stay. Those who broke the law so blatantly and personally profited from the Presidency must be punished so harshly that no one will even think to try it again in our lifetime. NEW NURENBERG 2026!
I hope you’re young Kass. It’s because when you say our efforts should prevent a reversion to authoritarian efforts to last within our lifetime, to me that sounds like a couple or few election cycles.
I know the cost of freedom and such democracy as we have is constant vigilance. I suppose there’s teeth in that realization. At the same time, I’d really like to leave behind something that might last awhile. I guess that’s the vigilance part. ✊
My hope, Bill, is that a new Nuremberg keeps the criminals out of government for at least as long as the last Nuremberg. So 80 years?
My more important point is that we cannot go back to how things were just crossing our fingers and praying that everyone respects norms. We need to codify those norms in law and punish offenders swiftly. I fear when Trump is gone, Dems will sigh with relief and just go back to the old ways. That will only last until the next midterms. We need reform to prevent this happening again and politicians willing to do work that they may not get thanked for for decades.
Yes, prayer is the elevator to the political guillotine. 80 years is a fantastic forecast. I’d be surprised, still hopeful. Thinking of the aftermath of Nuremberg, things remained pretty rough. Interestingly, those trials nestled at the apex of HUAC’s rise and fall. Also, a consolidation of hard right groups around our own homegrown “Nazification”, and coincidentally the rise of Goldwater and the worship of John Galt, the comicbook character. Hmmm …
I join in your hope. And yes, it is necessary to fully prosecute.
Why did Trump pardon Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) who was serving a jail sentence and immediately filed to run for Congress? Ahhh....could it be because Cuellar has a safe Dems seat, he has NOT switched parties, but has agreed to vote ever how Trump demands in a quid pro quo and thus has stolen a seat in the midterms? Backed by a pardon at the end, Cuellar has no downside risk and upside of walking out of prison.
Trump has no ideas, beliefs or fixed causes, except those which benefit him personally. He lives for the moment somebody — anybody — kowtows to him, pays attention to him, appears to flatter him, lick his boots, polish his little knob for him, etc.
Except for Marco Rubio, of course. When Lil’ Marco whips out his tongue, Donnie Dementia just falls asleep. Not his type, I guess.
Then there is Jeffries announcing he wouldn't support impeaching Hegseth. Capitulating in advance. Maybe, he thinks it would take time and hinder higher-priority legislation. But why make it a public statement?
That is not capitulation, and reporting it like that does a disservice to the issues involved. Jeffries wants Republicans to demand his resignation because he knows they will *not* support impeachment. (If they vote to impeach Hegseth, it wouldn’t stop there, and everyone knows it).
He was asked point-blank would he support impeachment, and he didn’t beat around the bush. A Democratic-led House move would fail as House Goopers would circle what’s left of their wagons in a flash. And it would distract from Senate hearings, which seem to be coming and will force into the open what has heretofore been kept hidden. It’s likely Jeffries is counting on that.
The GOP will then pretend to itself that resignation is the lesser evil, but will be forced to go on record as initiating the beginning of real accountability. We can all be mistaken, but it feels like Kegsbreath isn’t long for this world.
You can disagree with the strategy, but there most certainly is a strategy in play.
A better answer would have been: "The highest immediate priority for Democrats is to extend the ACA subsidies. We are the party that supports working people in this country." And then walk away.
Republicans will spin what Jeffries did say into "Even Democrats know there is no case against Hegseth."
Those who walk away almost never get anything. Those who strategize about how best to play may well get something worth keeping. There’s a momentum involved and it doesn’t look good for the GOP. It would be foolish not to make use of that.
Affordability...Republicans new dirty word, as in "If you have to ask, you can't afford it."
"Republican strategists think that voters won’t care about healthcare costs by the time of the midterm elections, especially if Republican policies bring down the costs of housing, energy, food, and gas. They think voters will be angrier at support for the Affordable Care Act than at higher healthcare costs."
Promises, promises. Is a bird in the hand worth two in the bush? I wouldn't count on Republicans bringing down the costs for Americans at some future time.
Also, can someone tell me why "they" will be angrier at support for the ACA than at higher healthcare costs?
As for affordable housing, check out this new bill that Jessica Craven's U.S. Rep just introduced in the House. He advocates taking the "$175 billion ICE and CBP slush fund" from the Big Ugly bill and putting it toward housing for Americans. It's called the Make Housing Affordable and Defend Democracy Act.
ACA & other healthcare initiatives like Medicare cut into the massive profits of the insurance, pharmaceutical and medical equipment companies. There are those, including in the House and Senate, who carry portfolios in part gilded with those securities. Not to overlook heavy investment by many of our most beloved plutocrats.
The next few days are huge; tuba rehearsal tonight, duets tomorrow, our Tuba Carol Concert on Saturday along with Symphonic Band dress rehearsal, then Symphonic Band Concert on Sunday. At least my church quartet gig got moved to a different Sunday!
Remember,” he (Lutnick) said, “as you deport people, that’s going to suppress private job numbers of small businesses. But they’ll rebalance and they’ll regrow. So I think this is just a near-term event and you’ll see as the numbers come through over the next couple of months, you’ll see that all pass, and next year the numbers are going to be fantastic.” And how is this miraculous rebalancing going to appear? The ONLY workers willing to work in agriculture are the very people trump slime and useless bimbo Noem deported. Oh! oh! we're going to enslave the MAGA cult - men, women, and children and their love for Dear Leader will make them willing, uncomplaining slaves, Right, got it.
“Effective activism succeeds when every member knows their role, shows up without having to be called, acts without waiting for permission, and understands that their individual action connects to something larger.”
“There’s a difference between RESISTANCE and OPPOSITION.
Resistance is reactive. It responds to someone else’s agenda, plays defense, waits to see what the other side does and then scrambles to block it. Opposition sets its own agenda. Opposition decides what it wants and builds the power to take it. We are done reacting.
🆘 We set the agenda now.
The cycle has four phases: Educate, Activate, Recruit, Repeat.
Not a burst of activity after each new outrage, but a practice woven into daily life.
🆘 The goal is making activism something we are rather than something we do when we have energy. We are pushing for policies that create actual independence from fascist control.
Example:
🆘 state attorneys general must open criminal investigations and prosecutions of federal officials who violate state law.
🆘 A tiny thing daily.
Frequency, duration, intensity. Thanks for being here, together.”
What the Mafia Can Teach Us About Destroying MAGA
CHRISTOPHER ARMITAGE | THE EXISTENTIALIST REPUBLIC
In that spirit, why is there STILL no Democratic shadow cabinet that is crafting legislation and policy--a Plan For America 2027? That idea was first floated right after the election. It would have clarified what Dems would do for the working class and introduced a deep bench of candidates to the American people, each focused on a specific policy area.
I've been pushing for people like Robert Reich and Paul Krugman to try to organize it. But crickets.
Republicans had Project 2025, which really is a plan for the destruction of government. It sure has been an effective wrecking ball. But the idea is to show up prepared to change things on Day One.
I don't know what Democrats would do in the first 100 days if they took control of Congress. Does anyone here? If you do, please tell me.
The two people I would NOT want in the shadow cabinet to "clarify" what the Democratic party would do for the working class are Larry Summers and Reid Hoffman. Summers has been banned for life from the American Economics Association, dropped by the American Center for Progress and may very well lose his Harvard professorship. Hoffman was openly and loudly called for Lina Kahn's resignation as chair of the FTC under Biden.
I certainly don't want people like this defining and clarifying who gets what and why, for me.
Blondie -I mean Bondi- will of course blow them off. But the bipartisan effort shows more cracks in the Gop ranks and willingness to challenge the administration. The weakness is spreading.
Canada and the EU are also piling on. Canada is considering plans to cut back on its purchases of F-35s and going with the Swedish Gripen, which would be produced in Canada. Canada is shifting its entire defense industry to align with Europe, making all parts and designs compatible in the SAFE agreement. It will be a big hit on the US defense and aerospace industry.
The EU announced a pair of plans to fund 3/4 of Ukraine's war effort for the next 2 years while ending imports of Russian oil and gas by the end of 2027. They are close to using frozen Russian assets in one of the plans, as a loan to Ukraine, which only has to be repaid to restore the assets if Russia agrees to itself pay for Ukrainian reconstruction.
Viktor Orban apparently brought the news to Putin ahead of the Witkoff/Kushner meeting. Hence, the nothing burger after 5 hours of discussion. The EU and Canada have effectively kicked Trump to the curb as the chief negotiator of the "peace deal." So there go all of those grifts for Trump and his cronies and the potential Nobel Prize.
UPDATE: I got feedback from some Canadians who questioned whether the Gripen deal had been signed. Thanks for the heads up.
I researched further. It is separate from the SAFE agreement. SAFE has been signed, the Gripen deal has not yet. I edited the first paragraph to reflect that. One of the issues tilting towards Gripens is the difficulty of getting F-35 parts. Ukraine has signed an agreement to buy Gripens.
https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-plans-major-air-power-boost-with-swedish-gripens-what-is-feasible/
Trump and his corrupt boot-licking Cabinet seem genuinely surprised that Canada, Britain, Australia, the EU and even Greenland aren’t just rolling over to Trump’s outrageous demands. Our closest allies are rejecting this corrupt grifter in every way they can. Renegotiating military contracts with other countries, boycotting American goods, refusing to travel to the US, boycotting morally-bankrupt corporations like Amazon & StarLink, refusing to share military intelligence (which they have done since WWII) and generally making the US “sit on the sidelines” like some bratty 3rd grade kid who gets sent to the bench for having a toxic attitude problem.
Well, no one ever accused Dr. Caligari’s Cabinet of Horrors of having the brains of Albert Einstein to master the complex topics involved in diplomacy, let alone to figure out that actions cause reactions.
We’ve managed to piss off Denmark. Think of the genius behind that one. Denmark — one of the first allies to join NATO, which has given us the indispensable use of Thule AFB in Greenland since that time. I didn’t think it was possible to be that stupid.
As a sign on No Kings Day said, “I’ve Seen Smarter Cabinets at IKEA.”
It's come to this, yes, the level of stupidity among the Trumpers and Trumpettes of the cabinet is astounding, and to me, stupidity is a choice. Then, there's the hatred that festers and colors everything they do, now, targeting the Samali community, and for no reason other than that they are African in origin. Well, Mr. Trump and cabinet, we all are from Africa originally, so get over yourselves!
The other part of targeting Somalis is two-fold: they are Muslim and Minnesota, a blue state, is home to the largest number of Somalis in the US. So target Muslims like Rep. Ilhan Omar, who has relentlessly criticized Republicans, particularly Donald Trump (remember that Trump instituted a ban on Musljms coming into the US in his first term.)
Also, target Governor and former VP candidate Tim Walz, who is up for reelection this year. Republicans have spent vast sums trying to turn MN red. We are resisting. 😎
Sheila, I don't think targeting people's neighbors for no other reason than that Baby Donnie got it into his dementia-laden brain that Somalis are anti-American or whatever it is he is "thinking," is a good idea. It does not seem to be a way to win friends and influence people. It seems the folks in MN like the Somali community and most like Tim Walls too. I had a blast in Minneapolis this past summer for a convention and will return when I can because it was just so friendly and fun.
What an excellent opportunity to show support for our country. Ilhan Omar for congress. It must be on a website somewheres.
She’s already in Congress. Represents MN’s 5th Congressional district which is Minneapolis and the western suburbs.
I donate to her whenever I can. Because I've given to her campaign multiple times, it seems that I'm often asked to keep donating. I don't mind; I simply have to watch my finances for more than several reasons.
Apparently Mike the Pillow Guy is seriously considering a run for Minnesota Governor. Hopefully the reality that he’s been convicted of lying about the voting machine scandal. He’s not worth the price of the page his name appears on.
BWHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh, wait - that was a legitimate comment? OMFG.
OMG... that's like Stefanik running for governor of NY. Let's hope they both lose in a landslide!!
As the Christmas song says: “🎵let him run, let him run, let him run🎶””…oh wait… I think that’s let it snow…😂… still fits. It would nonetheless give me cheer to see him eviscerate himself politically.
Thank You for your service, Sheila.
It may not be long before the fascist cabal occupying the White Supremacist House decides that turning blue states red means blood in the streets as previewed by their loathsome blood-in-the-water Orwellian "kinetic strikes."
J.K., that is why we can't sit back and let them make more moves into blue states and cities. Arresting ICE operatives for their illegal actions would be a good start! I'd like to see governors of Illinois and North Carolina to be the first to do this. CA's Newsome would be a good one to get the process going too. We know the red staters won't do a thing because they think they are safe and those ICErs won't target them or someone they care about. Yeah, Lee of TN, DeSantis of FL, and Abbott of TX are not exactly men who care about anyone but rich white men and bowing and scraping to them, hoping they will get some bennies from such subservience. What a bunch of jerks!
There is a component at play in MAGAland. They get fed certain lies on their "information" sources, then spew it forth. My former sergeant posted a bunch of garbage, including that, by denouncing the extrajudicial murder of men in speedboats allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela to the US, Democrats favor illicit drug use. I've been pondering my reply (which so far is stuck at "extra-judicial murder", but I know there is more) because it is so disjointed and rambling, I suspect he did a "copy/paste" of whatever he was told to share.
You might remind him that the Coast Guard is not asleep at the wheel, that it continues to carry out its interdict, confiscate, hold and prosecute orders well. So why would he support a law enforcement function being perverted into a military one? And does pardoning the bastard who got 800,000 pounds of cocaine smuggled here send him warning signals that whatever this is — it sure ain't about stopping drugs?
Good luck!
Thanks, ICCT. My initial thought on my response was to lead with "Mostly, I am against extrajudicial killings", and bringing the USCG interdictions into the foray is a great idea. I will also bring up the pardon.
How about reminding him that President Donald Trump just pardoned former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández! Hernández was found guilty of conspiring to import hundreds of tons of cocaine into the U.S.
Democrats didn't do this. His MAGA President just did this.
That's going in there too!
Ally, yeah, those who are told to pump out garbage and do it are not exactly folks anyone should be listening to, being aware of, yes, but not listened to.
IF those small boats off the coast of Venezuela were running drugs, the drug would be cocaine, not fentanyl, and they could not possibly reach the US on the amount of fuel they carry. Juan Orlando Hernandez, on the other hand, was in prison for having moved 400 tons of cocaine into the US. (He was also accused of accepting a million $$ bribe from El Chapo Guzman for protecting El Chapo's drug route through Honduras) What trump/hegseth are doing is performative slaughter. They do not give a rat's ass about drug deaths in the US or any deaths ANYWHERE.
Good grief, Ally, I don't know how you stand reading his posts, but kudos that you do.
You are made of some tough stuff!
Every time I read one of his bizzarro posts, I remind myself that this is the guy who took me to task over utter garbage in several investigations I did that I ultimately was proven correct in.
The claim that these boats were leaving from Venezuela to the U.S. seems ludicrous. A 30-foot boat with four 300-hp outboards can travel 150-300 miles on a full fuel tank depending on load, cruising speed, and weather conditions. Roughly the shortest distance between Venezuela and the U.S. (Florida) would be 1500 miles.
Ruth Sheets. It is not stupidity. They are raiding the country, They are incompetent at running the country but ruining the country for their personal benefits is their specialty, The tariffs have raised the price of nearly everything we buy. How can not the majority of our voters not recognize what is happening to our country?
How can not the majority of our voters not recognize what is happening to our country?" Well, the unsmart people are choosing to believe what they are being told - like Dr Richardson said. "
“Remember,” Luttnick said, “as you deport people, that’s going to suppress private job numbers of small businesses. But they’ll rebalance and they’ll regrow. So I think this is just a near-term event and you’ll see as the numbers come through over the next couple of months, you’ll see that all pass, and next year the numbers are going to be fantastic.”
Marj, at the risk of sounding like a broken record,* this trope of "yes, things are terrible now, but just hold on because all will be wonderful in the future" is a core tenet of evangelical theology, which informs most of MAGA ideology.
Evangelicals – especially those in poverty – are admonished to "keep the faith and give sacrificially to God's work and you will be rewarded with untold riches, if not in this life, in the next."
Donald and his operatives use the same technique. "We don't have anything for you now, but in two weeks, or next year, we'll have a wonderful concept of a plan."
Only people who've been brainwashed to wait indefinitely for their rewards swallow this nonsense.
*People of a certain age understand the "broken record" reference.
When I read that a vision of Bugs Bunny flashed before my eyes-
"What a Luttnick".
I have to disagree, Ruth: with folks like McMahon, stupidity simply comes naturally. She apparently couldn't even figure out how to do studies that would demonstrate what results would come about if and when deciding to cut her budget. In clips of hearings in which I saw her, she clearly was out of her league.
To me, ignorance is a choice- as I've heard it said, "You can't fix stupid!"
Really, how hard do you have to work to piss off Danes and Canadians?
The Danes and Canadians haven’t dumbed down their educational systems to the point that so much of the US can’t think and consequently vote for someone as vile as Trump. A known, convicted criminal, who has basically been a mob boss and a child molester his entire adult life.
ICTT, we have a local recycler who specializes in taking in construction/renovation materials (replace a bathtub, send it to "Bring Recycling". Cabinets, doors, appliances, ditto). One guy had a sign that said "I've seen better Cabinets at Bring" which I thought was fabulous.
I've seen smarter cabinets in the junkyard
Trump regime has said it is no longer sharing Intel with Germany, after several countries have said they can no longer share intel with the US because of the illegal killings in Venezuela. Of course they are all reluctant to expose their assets because Trump's relationship with Russia makes the US unreliable. We really are cutting our ties to other countries with whom we have been allied since post WW2.
Trump is tying our fortunes to the least reliable countries he can, those who buy him. Of course the American people are not going to see a penny of this money.
Linda I agree -- Trump is trying to shovel as much money toward himself as possible and damn the rest of us and our security or well being.
Yes. His main purpose is to rob us blind and grift, grift, grift with anyone and everyone national security be damned.
Linda, that is the direction Trump's dementia is taking and his toddler pool/handlers are OK with that because they think that somehow, they can woo the world with their brilliance when Trump is no longer functioning, which is coming soon. The world knows better. They know they are not really dealing with Baby Donnie, but his corrupt cadre of toddler-men who would rob every single one of them if they could.
It's amazing how long it is taking our democratic system to deal with what is the obvious to everyone else about this dozing president and his failing operation/administration. Trump is getting worse in full view. He still has power though. Those he defers to and delegates power to are either saluting or using his malleability for their own ends/needs. Hegseth is a glaring example. And so we have these eruptions on a weekly basis. There is no settling down to a normal with this... which is good.
They are dealing with temper tantruming toddler Trump (I read on Meidas Touch that Trump was screaming loudly at Hegseth yesterday), and his US and Russian handlers who are calling the shots and managing Trump and his iratic moods.
“…cutting our ties(?)…” more like cutting our own throats. This disaster continues to be in the making with no sign of relief.
Zero will go to the average American. Think about the success the US has had with our partners. The tech bros hate Europe because they had the audacity to regulate their shit product to PROTECT kids, not have them bullied into suicide or molested by some perv. They demanded that lies were not elevated to the point Where chaos erupted.
Peter Theil wants a world where the rich have their own little island worlds with their own armies and their own rules. Hernandez pardon was orchestrated because he, Andreesen and the others want an island off Honduras to run a criminal worldwide ring that makes Epstein and Escobar look like a Boy Scout. Hegseth things he’s simply in a sim world of Call of Duty and Trump is a lunatic.
When did the American people elect or confirm consent to Witkoff or Kushner? They aren’t making deals to stop the killings of Ukrainians and Russians, they’re making deals for themselves. And Americans are worried about food prices. Yes, they should be but wait until this all goes to shit and see how your neighbors are killing each other over a chicken coop.
The one thing in common about the countries Trumo so admires and wants to have the US emulate….the majority of the people are miserable and dependent on the charity of the rich. Even shiny Dubai…they HAVE to hand out petro dollars or they’d bean Arab Spring everyday. That’s what America will become…get rid of all the brown peopl so the white ones can be on the dole with ZERO freedom. The only determination of success will be who your parents are.
It’s ironic we have come full circle to the promise of America
This has been planned for a long time - the WEF is all in on eliminating 90% of the population - they think we are useless eaters. This shit makes medieval feudalism look sweet and pastoral...
Your comment on Hegseth--BINGO!! He acts like a teenager playing video games. And anyone else here read Jeff Tiedrich? OMG do I love me some of his sneaking in the gif of the Hegseth skateboard to the nuts!!! He could post a column of just THAT gif repeated about a dozen times!!
Yes hegseth getting a skateboard to the nuts makes me laugh everytime! Love Uncle Jeff!
Miselle, I love that Hegseth skateboard gif too, and Jeff times its placement perfectly in his pieces. I also love the pic of Hegseth at the Cabinet meeting where he has a sign that says SSecretary of War. We were discussing if the sign maker was intentionally sending a message. Scroll down and see.
https://www.jefftiedrich.com/p/shh-dont-wake-preznit-fuckwit-cabinet?r=f0qfn&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
I call Hegseth "Secretary of War Crimes" but the person who put SS on his sign was saying the same thing in a different way!
LInda, I saw the sign but the "SS" part didn't strike me till you said that! I really hope someone was trying to make a point there! All of our little actions are working!
SS seems totally appropriate for the wanna be nazi...
Marcus, your description of Thiel's wet dream reminds me of the Middle Ages, where lesser kings, most of them insane and/or depraved, ruled fiefdoms in relative isolation one from the other. They and their courtesans enjoyed lives of idle luxury while the peasants struggled with illness and poverty. For the royals, it was fun while it lasted, but it didn't.
Prove to me it isn't still going on.
Well, Donald, I can't because it is. But historians say that operating system ended with The Enlightenment. Maybe what they mean is the operating system ended, but isolated routines are still running.
Someday when this era of insanity ends, the United States, under different leadership, will want to rejoin the western alliance. But when it does, it will not be the boss of that alliance. It will take decades to rebuild that type of trust. It will be Germany, France and Canada calling the shots, and our role will be to play along and salute smartly. We will be eating many slices of humble pie, for many years.
That’s potentially a good outcome. Germany, France and Canada are good role models.
sounds good to me...let the grownups rule western civilization. Germany!, how ironic is that, guess they learned their lessons well...kudos to the German people.
Absolutely they learned their lesson. When I visited Germany years ago it was palpable how much they feel collective shame about the Nazi era, and are determined to never let it happen again. We should have had that kind of reckoning after the Civil War, and allowed ourselves not to, in the name of “reconciliation.” And now here we are.
Here is a message I got from the Signal Chat Group Grüne Europa, which has 4 sections with 1000 people on it today. It is a branch of the Green Party in the European Parliament, and has a website called Europe Calling, which has regular webinars educating Europeans on political topics of interest. Here is what the message is.
This is from Sven Giegold of Grüne Europa Signal Group. "Gestern am späten Abend hat die frühere spanische Außenministerin Arancha González in Hannover eine beeindruckende Europa-Rede mit unmissverständlicher Botschaft gehalten:
We need a more European Germany.
We need a Germany that is confident.
We need a Germany that is determined.
We need a Germany that is generous." The above part in German means "Late yesterday evening, former Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha González gave an impressive speech on Europe in Hanover with an unambiguous message:"
Schaut Euch das untertitelte Video an (Empfehlung!):
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15SKC1p2uQs/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sven-giegold.de/post/3m6tqhiaggc2m
Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@sven_giegold/115638265805425503
In other words, Germany needs to get it together to be a leader in Europe. I am in Germany now, and trying to balance my activism between supporting actions in the US and supporting actions here in Germany and Europe. I am on several Signal chat groups that involved politics in either country and many countries. We plan and carry out actions, such as rallies, phone banking, voter registration, demonstrating for democracy and against autocracy, and socializing together which has built community for us.
It seems to me Sugarhill is doing his best to diminish German influence. Is there a better reason for META to be posting so much about the Nazi era?
I don't subscribe to META so I don't know what they are posting Donald. It seems that the far right in the US is furious that German political parties refuse to work together with the AfD, and therefore they don't get to run things, although they certainly affect them. Trump, Vance and other MAGA members have been inviting AfD members to the US, and I am sure are funneling dark money and political advice to them.
Chris, I for one, would welcome that outcome. Being the boss carries with it a considerable amount of pressure and a great burden, not least of which is financial.
Wouldn't it be great to be just "one of the bunch," meeting for lunch and letting someone else decide where to dine and worry about splitting up the bill.
It is wise for our [former] NATO allies to assume that any and all intelligence shared with the US is forwarded, un-edited and un-redacted, to Moscow the same day.
I agree on that. Also, to the Saudi's and probably Qataris now too. Wasn't it after Trump had a hold of our Intel and flew around that journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed by the Saudis?
Jacob Kaarsbo, former Danish Intelligence analyst said, in a discussion of the US has now stopped sharing intelligence with Germany, that it is tainted anyway.
Linda🤨😠🤬💩
00sg14, this should be a lesson to anyone who thinks putting an old man with dementia back in power after he nearly wrecked our country the first time around (and the dementia was obvious before the end of his first term). It's a really bad idea!
I think the founders would be horrified at today’s political situation. They might have anticipated a trump like person coming into the presidency, but they did not envision that the House and Senate would just roll over to a creature like Trump. They would also be horrified at the unitary executive theory of the presidency and the made up doctrine of presidential immunity that the corrupt Supreme Court came up with. All the safeguards the founders put in place don’t work if the people with oversight will not apply them. The blatant disregard for the truth and the law have this country on the edge of a cliff. The founders did not expect a president who would make war on our own citizens to enrich his sorry self.
For all the racist, anti-democratic, aristocratic compromises that it took to reach consensus on the original Constitution, one of them could have prevented this fiasco: the electoral college. Had the clause been taken literally in 2016, the electors could have stopped all this insanity and elected somebody else. Anybody else. Oh, please. Anybody else.
The problem is that Trump is the Useful Idiot who, if in office long enough, can enable the Project 2025 leaders to permanently cement authoritarianism as the governing structure of the USA. I think the time is coming when these leaders conclude that he is no longer needed. That will NOT be a day to celebrate.
I actually agree with you. The electoral college served 2 purposes. 1. It placated slave owners, the oligarchs of that time. 2. The intellectuals did not believe the hoi polloi were intelligent enough to elect a president by popular vote.
Again, trump couldn't have done any of this without the help of every right-winger in Congress and the Supreme Court. Hold every last one accountable for the giant downgrade in every imaginable way we as a country have taken internationally, and here at home in the last year. Even with the destruction of all the federal agencies, departments, health ,and technological research investments the only people whose tax burden has gone down are the ultra-rich and corporations. Everyone else's taxes have increased through tariffs.
The GOP Congresspeople will not vote for ACA credits because they have finally effectively killed Obamacare as has been their goal all along.
The Medicaid cuts don't go into effect until after the midterm elections and the Dems need to make the people aware of that from now until the elections. If we manage to rescue our democracy with the midterm elections, who knows how long it will take or if we can ever regain what we have have lost in respect and trust in the world.
Those that put him in once and twice do not get what is wrong, just that things are not going as well in their lives as they expected if they believed his promises.
oosg14,
These actions are needed for the survival of this planet. I deeply regret the treatment of our former friends and neighbors. They can no longer trust America. Their actions are for the care and safety of their citizens.
Trump and his minions forced them to respond with these actions.
OOsg14, I can't imagine that at least some of the cabal do not get it. But death star is surrounded by incompetent egos who think they are much smarter than they really are. They are so tone deaf that one might think they do not have ears. The Secretary of Commerce billionaire saying that the economy will improve after we get rid of those brown people who do the scut work. It is notable that they are refusing to share intelligence. Here in Oregon wineries are suffering because of the Canadian refusal to buy their wine. We hear reports of Canadians not coming south for the winter. And of course, the brain drain is going in the opposite direction as researchers leave and many others opt not to come.
"Boot-licking" ?? Seems to me it's more like butt-licking…
Great comment. Thank you
It is the only logical direction for Canada and Europe. Putin will not stop at Ukraine if he gets away with this, so the rest of Europe is acting in its own best interest. And considering how the US has shattered our close relationship with Canada, it is in their best interests as well. I've read that Russia is dying economically so resistance is NOT futile on Ukraine's part. Russia NEEDS the US to help them out of this.
Dana,
Your comment is excellent and true! But we have never had persons in the USA in such powerful positions who would follow Putin in order to line their own pockets.
I am furious at Trump's actions and the horrible thieves and robbers within our leadership in the United States of America. I am horrified at the use of the Trump family ....using Trump's Presidency to gain favor with oil rich countries for the benefit of himself and his family. I am furious that instead of supporting and aiding a truly great human being ie Zelensky, Trump favors Putin and is acting in kind to assist Putin in robbing Ukraine of its minerals. We do not have leaders in charge, we have robbers and thieves taking from Ukraine. Putin, I am sure cannot believe his eyes. I have never seen such a big smile on his face as he sees the greed of US "so called leaders" helping him achieve his goals. Do you seriously believe you will win over Putin? Ukraine is only one of his goals. Putin is working and planning all of the time. Our current "leaders" are idiots!!! They are blinded by the opportunity to gain personal riches! You can see how downcast Zelensky's being has become...former supporters, Americans, joining Putin....for riches.
I am sick at the actions taken towards Hispanic people who came to this country to find work and willing to accept the most difficult and humble jobs in order to eventually have a better life for themselves and for their families. These actions should not have happened!!!!
We are no longer the country we once were though we have always had our cruelties and prejudices. We have also had persons of valor and persons of great kindness.
We need to rise up! We must vote! We must find as many ways as possible to make our voices heard. We must take our country back!!!!
'merikkka has always been racist, misogynist and corrupt but this is off the charts. Add the rape of children becoming normalized and I just want to scream!
So, mass shootings of children isn't so important?
...and it is really grotesque when you consider that many of those Hispanic migrants are fleeing violence from the same drug cartels that trump is now pardoning (Hernandez) MONEY, MONEY, MONEY. Hope there really is a HELL because these people are creating hell on earth for good hard working people. I live to see them all held ACCOUNTABLE.
Well said. I hold on to the scripture that says “If you live by the sword you will die by the sword”.
I replace sword with greed, money and power! I don’t want them to just die but spend the rest of their lives in the prison in El Salvador👍🏼
yes, we must take our country back! Now!
Yes, Dana -- Putin needs every mad, damned, doomed mob thug leading any/every country.
Good of you, Georgia, to bring this news to us.
Can Europe (and Canada) unite? Pool its (their) resources to fight for decency and democracy in the face of Putin's avowed intentions, and in the face of his lapdog Donald's magisterial combinations of corruption and treason?
That is exactly what they are taking the first steps toward here, opening the door to a united military and a broader economic alliance than the EU. Carny is no fool. He recognizes that Trump's America is an unstable ally both militarily and economically. The integrated EU-Canada defense industries plan is called SAFE. It is estimated it will generate 10,000 high-paying tech jobs in Canada.
I think that this is preliminary to renaming the EU to include a broader coalition, and then ejecting Hungary over its human rights violations, and perhaps Serbia, too. The EU needs to renegotiate the rules when unanimous votes are needed on policy changes. So EU+ 2.0.
I also read there were some proposals to have a small standing EU force of 5000 to respond to emergencies, but I lost the reference in the flood of news ;-(
Yes, thanks for this news. It is good to know the EU and Canada is acting correctly in response to Putin and Trump. Also, is this what you refer to, "Common Security and Defence Policy: EU Rapid Deployment Capacity becomes operational" Brussels, 20 May 2025. https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/common-security-and-defence-policy-eu-rapid-deployment-capacity-becomes-operational_en
Yes it is! Thank you for finding it!
The rapid unraveling of US democracy & standing in the world is the work of Trump - the bankruptcy king and corrupt senate Republicans who abdicated responsibility & refused to convict & remove him in his first term. They were too weak and supportive of Russian political technology.
You are so right. I’m sitting here thinking how far we have fallen and how Trump sycophants and enablers are responsible. 47 is clearly mad—as in cray cray mad—in addition to regular mad. Are Rs SO tied to this maniac they are paralyzed to separate themselves?
Yes, John, they're all absolutely guilty as you say.
But U.S. schools? -- all who rolled over to the standardized testers and the corporate textbook packagers? Don't they and the billionaires of dark money whose far-right foundations who made teachers nothing more than test-preppers and so dehumanized all the schools also get some share of the blame?
Georgia, thank you for all this info. Wow.
Just for our perspective: Russia has an economy about the size of Italy. And we all know it is extremely dependent on one source of revenue. With greater unity and consistently tougher sanctions, Putin could be walled off from the rest of the world and his people might find alternatives to his disastrous leadership. No king or czar has lasted forever...
After all, what's the "affordability factor" in Russia now? If you are a Russian family and your son has died in a stupid war and the price of bread is going up....
A smart U.S. administration could be working with China and India to buy OUR oil and that of other producers (Venezuela!). That sounds sort of pro fossil fuel, which I am NOT. Both China and India are world leaders in developing sustainable energy sources. Their new solar projects account for the bulk of their growth in energy production. China and India will be using less and less coal and oil because it is more expensive...and then there is the Indian smog.
If Trump were smart he could feed his petro friends and win the war with Russia. But he won't because: Trump is an ALLY of Putin AND....he is not very smart.
As Rex Tillerson so aptly put it, “[trump] is an f*^king moron.” Trump has a certain animal like cunning, but he’s not smart at all.
Bill, I think Putin remains in power because the Kremlin has waged a multi-faceted campaign for decades to convince the Russian populace that Putin's regime is inevitable, that there are no other options, that "this is how things are, so get used to it."
I see a similar campaign being waged in the U.S. Business tycoons, educators and media operatives are all sending us the same message.
Dale Rowett,
Sorry to offend. I just am very emotional about these times.
Emily, I appreciate that you are passionate and committed to your love of country.
I would suggest that emotions got us into this mess, literally.
If our powerful emotions are not controlled and moderated by our intellect and attention to reality, we will make mistakes that are just as devastating to our future, but in a different way.
Dale Rowett,
Bill, Putin does more than campaign. In the recent past, one of his friend's planes was shot down as he was returning from Putin's/Russia's mines in Africa because Putin is #1...he does not share riches or power with anyone!
He places perceived enemies in prisons where they freeze to death...leaving the family alive to experience the pain of loosing their husband/father because he stood against Putin.
We are NOT Russia and Trump is NO PUTIN!!!!
We have the power/vote to change our situation. We had better NOT sleepwalk through these days!!!!
Standing up for our country and for the freedoms we have enjoyed, has never been more important. We do have enemies who, at this time have access and at this time, EVEN MORE ACCESS TO OUR GOVERNMENT AND ITS "leaders"??? Money rules....and power??? Are we "sleep walking?".... surrendering power and safety and a healthy future for our children and grandchildren in exchange for what some believe will turn into personal treasure....for THEM....even for a short time.
What of the USA? What of our future....the lives of our children....basic medical care......our education system....the job market......the care of the elderly? What of our friends who have helped us in the past and whom we have supported? We, because of our lack of leadership, are leaving them in more danger.
These are extremely serious times. Wisdom, action, sacrifice are needed...NOW!
Thanks to the wise humble and sacrificial HEROES who have seen and are acting!!!
Emily, I'm not sure why you're preaching at me. I'm on your side. Cool it.
Bill Alstrom,
Trump and his minions are small minded men and women with no character.....basically "dressed up thugs" with too much power and access to our hard earned money....which many of us have been saving to help our grandchildren with college expenses!....or just to get through the end of our last days of life!!!
Examples: tearing down an historical part of the White House to build a ball room.
Tariffs which harm businesses, farmers...our allies and everyone with whom we do business ...
Hiring only "yes men and women"...no creativity....favorite words the same as a baby, "Me , Mine...I want"
As I have stated previously...I have never seen Putin smiling so big....or was that laughing!!!!
They should eject Turkey as well, but it strategically too difficult as it is the oil gateway
They are with the deal Canada just signed.
https://www.dw.com/en/canada-eu-safe-defense/a-74978307
Also, US is no longer sharing Intel with Germany. At the same time, wonder whether they are sharing intel with the AfD, Trump and JDV's buddies in Germany.
Can they? They are.
Keep in mind that Canada is still a constitutional monarchy loyal to the King of Canada who happens to live in London.
I must have missed something. Aren't Canada and Europe already taking action?
The Art of the (raw) Deal.
Even if the EU follows through completely, refusing to play its designated role as subsidizer of Trump’s get-rich schemes to divest Ukraine of its mineral resources, it is not likely to result in Russia’s capitulation, driven by Putin’s bloodthirsty need to prove that Ukraine does not even exist.
So much is changing every day with this silly putty deal that assumes the shape of whatever container it just got tumped out of. More telling, perhaps, is the body language of participants. Yesterday, Macron walked up to Zelenskyy and threw his arms around him for a long time. Whether it meant “I got your back, Volodymyr” or “I am so, so sorry” is yet to be determined. The look on Zelenskyy’s face was as grim as I can ever remember.
This winter is set to be the coldest, darkest, most fearful yet for Ukraine.
Timothy Snyder has worked out a means for Americans to donate towards Ukrainian military vehicles that can identify the approach of Russian drones. I’m donating.
It’s Come to This: Well done! Zelenskyy’s heroism is getting its greatest test. Somehow I think Ukraine and he will come through. Too much depends on it.
Well, Virginia, for starters, Ukrainians are made of stronger stuff than Americans. We are fat, dumb and happy.
In Ukraine, defense is everybody's job. In the U.S., it's the job of youngsters from low-income backgrounds who have few other options for their futures.
It's Come to This,
Thank you! I can send something to help Ukraine and to support Zelensky. Does anyone have a safe address? Do we have a safe American contact who can ensure support is given to Zelensky and to those who will genuinely care for the citizens and soldiers and the soldier's families in Ukraine?
This is a concern for me that the ones who will use our contributions will truly use them for good.
Ukraine24 is the official Government site. Expect your credit card company to ask you to verify your donation — they’re doing due diligence — but it works fine. There’s all kinds of stuff you can contribute to.
Now, we feel (as the second rate team of Trump) whereas the more savvy players, like you say Georgia, are planning future strategies without us, as we get kicked to the curb, and Trump has not built a stronger America for our future. The U.S. needs thousands of good paying jobs…not Trump sliding our workforce into a recession.
Hey, JaKsaa, he's got his Qatari jet.
We, the taxpayers, must equip it for his luxury to fly around after his White House destruction, to spend his remaining days on Earth visiting all his dictator raping, murdering, mass murdering, drug-dealing, money-laundering, underage girl trafficking pals, golfing, and eating, farting, shitting his fat self to his last day on Earth.
Some of us (well, 2) have long claimed the way to get rid of people like this without mass casualties is simply to buy them off. Back in the Saddam days I figured a trillion dollars would do it, in exchange for him and alla his spawn to just go away somewhere they could not smoke their neighbors. Would have saved many lives (American and other), and a few trillion dollars.
Same would work for Trump'nspawn, tho the price has gone up, of course.
Bern, I'm not sure that plan would work.
As we discussed in this forum a couple days ago, for the unrestrained capitalist, there is no such thing as "enough." If Elon lives to be 100 (unlikely because of excess ketamine use), that would not be enough time to spend all the money he has and will have.
Likewise with Donald. He's 80. Between unhealthy lifestyle and dementia, he's not long for this world, and he won't live to spend all the money he's grifted.
Unrestrained capitalists do not have a price; what they want is MORE. In a vicious cycle, the more they get, the more they want. Only the grim reaper can end this insatiable desire for MORE.
"What Woud Putin Do" is the answer.
maybe they'll get those rubbery wristbands with "WWVD?" on them. /s
UPDATE: https://www.newsweek.com/russia-ukraine-war-live-news-updates-map-putin-trump-11153377
Putin said the new "peace plan" now has 27 points in four sections, with each of the sections to be discussed separately. But he wouldn't say anything about them because he didn't want to interfere with "Trump's process."
Witkoff/Kushner went into the 5-hour meeting with a 20-point plan. Putin called it a "necessary conversation" and said the basis was the agreements made with President Donald Trump in Alaska.
My goodness it must have been an interesting conversation between just Putin and Trump in the limo in Alaska.
Interesting delay in saying a peep about the Witkoff/Kushner meeting.
According to AP:
https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-putin-trump-peace-plan-7e48114f6908ce2657947cfdd633150e
“They just divided these 28, I think 27, points into four packages,” Putin was quoted as saying. “And they proposed that we discuss these four packages. But essentially, they are the same (provisions).”
It is unclear whether Putin meant that the Kremlin talks covered the version of the plan before it was amended following U.S.-Ukraine talks in Geneva last weekend.
Putin then went to India on a planned state visit to discuss their imports of Russian oil, which are subject to sanctions. This is likely in response to the EU plans to cut off all Russian imports by the end of 2027. Oil is key because it is a significant source of revenue for Russia's war effort. Ukraine just successfully disabled two of Russia's "shadow fleet" of oil transport ships.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/4/putin-visits-india-amid-ukraine-peace-push-whats-on-the-agenda
Al Jazeera had a detailed story on the Putin-India trip, discussing the oil trade and its importance to Russia, as well as Trump's sanctions on India.
Slava Ukraini!
Слава Україні!
Yes, I remember how ashen Trump and his retinue looked when they emerged from the Alaska meeting with Putin.
Only curious: what country are you in? You’re so well informed as I appreciate your sharing.
Heroyam Slava!!!
If only somebody, anybody (everybody?) could have seen this one coming a hundred miles away, 30 days before it took place….
Here’s to 2026, the Year of the Bitch-on-Wheels for the GOP, because, God knows, the Trump people are NOT smart.
Speaking as a Canadian taxpayer, the decision to cut back on buying F-35s was not easy, and there were strong arguments for and against that decision. The original purchase made sense since the idea was to protect the continent from the most likely source of aggression or attack -- the Russian-Chinese axis -- and those planes have some superior abilities over the Gripens. But the only country to actually and directly challenge Canadian sovereignty since WWII (when Germans actually made landfall at least on Anticosti Island) has been the U.S.A., under Trump. It has been a wake-up call to Canadians and Europeans that if the U.S. can elect an anti-democratic government once, one that aligns with Russia and against western values, it could do so again.
In effect another cold war is being put into play and the peacefulness that Canada has enjoyed thanks in huge part to its alignment with "the west", most particularly including the U.S., is over, and even if it returns, it should not be taken for granted. The Gripens also offer some benefits over the American planes so the decision to go with some of each may seem sensible, but it was opposed by the Canadian military as it is far more complicated to have two different operating systems -- and a heck of a lot more expensive, taking money away from social spending where it most helps the citizens -- but only if we assume it is a time of peace. The U.S. siding with Russia as the latter threatens Europe while attacking Ukraine with less than full opposition from the U.S. to whom the protection of democracy was given post WWII, does not bode well for lasting peace.
All that said, in spite of my spending far too much time reading popular and technical articles and explanations from psychologists, social researchers, behaviorists, historians, and political pundits in an effort to understand, I still find it hard to comprehend why Republicans wonder why they are losing support. I'm astounded that they still have as much as they do.
But of course Heather has pointed out that alarms among many people simply don't get triggered until the idiocy of Republican policy rears up and bites them in their bank accounts. Just in any given week, and certainly this one, we can see reason after reason why the GOP is unfit to govern by virtue of not fully having turned on Trump and his administration. Just the fact that Jordan, carrier of quite a bit of previous baggage, wants to keep Smith's testimony private would be enough for me when augmented by Trump pardoning a major force in the trafficking of cocaine, or Hegseth et al committing what, always pending the results of fair trial -- would certainly appear to be war crimes, not to mention the collusion with Russia, all would suggest, apart from the harm done by so many ill-conceived and unnecessary tariffs and deportations, to condemn the Republicans to oblivion at all levels of government.
Is the White House not the people's property? Is it okay to so greatly damage it with no oversight by who the people elected to represent them, a majority of whom ignore their duties? It's truly bizarre. I would not buy a used car from such a country, or a multi-million dollar jet plane, but it only became such a country after Trump was elected for his second term.
Thanks for your take on the Gripens. Apparently one of the considerations was difficulty in getting F-35 parts. One more example of American no longer being considered a reliable partner. The European market for weaponry is going to grow rapidly and I think that is why Carny is shifting the focus towards Europe along with a refusal to contribute to Trump’s agressions.
In some sense I am glad of it. I think I might feel more comfortable right now if the US had fewer weapons to deploy in the Americas.
Barry, thank you for your comment, all of it astute.
"It has been a wake-up call to Canadians and Europeans that if the U.S. can elect an anti-democratic government once, one that aligns with Russia and against western values, it could do so again."
This statement alone describes why we in the United States can never again be trusted by anyone for any reason. The U.S. electorate knew exactly who and what Donald Trump is, and even had a four-year record of his incompetence. Yet, a sufficient majority elected him for a second term because of their obsessions with one pet issue or another.
All kinds of excuses can be claimed for Donald's second win, but none of them matter. The bottom line is he's in what's left of the White House and he's wreaking the havoc that we knew he was going to. There is no reason to think that U.S. voters won't do it again, if not next election cycle, the next, or the next.
Thank you, Georgia, for explaining so cogently, in this and your other comments of today, the underlying pathology of the “other” side: greed PLUS entitlement. And, of course, their malignant disregard for the rest of humanity. I hadn’t understood…one thinks of Genesis. Christina Robinson
Good for the EU. They have to live with the most immediate and dangerous consequences of allowing Putin to take Ukraine, so they should step up and defend it.
Isn't it a wry and frightening commentary on the abysmal intelligence and values of the voters in general
I think that the overall raw intelligence of our species is a good deal higher than we are encouraged to apply. I fact, there are vested interests of many sorts that deliberately try to discourage or sidetrack our native intelligence. An important educator/scientist in my acquaintance has talked about presenting scientific concepts (which is something he does well in simple language) to 4th graders as opposed to undergraduates who are ticking off a required box to earn a degree. It's like the light is out for far too many of them. How much of that is individual character and how much the values of our society? And how much are those are values of, by and for the public, and how much in imposed by concentrated power?
In any case, I know of a number of people with degrees and apparent cleverness who repeat MAGA's every talking point? Alien mind-control rays? It seems like it might as well be. I keep hoping the spell will be broken, and do see some cracks; but the same old sociopathic urge to dominate is as old as dirt, and evident at every turn of history.
JL: I posted down below about The Rational League Substack
https://substack.com/@therationalleague?utm_source=global-search
which I found useful for answering the questions you are asking. It's not an easy read, and takes effort and several times through, but it's worth the slog.
I feel like I am finally getting what is going on with hard-core MAGA. It has a kinship with Heather's description of the South in the Civil War and its aftermath, but on a deeper psychological level.
Thanks for that link. I hope to peruse it later today when I am both adequately caffeinated and free of my scheduled obligations.
My birds-eye view of my former work cohort has me thinking that they have become such slaves to the amygdala-tickling "information" source they consume that they have lost all critical thinking skills. The foundation of that amygdala tickling is racism and its foundation in Christian Nationalism, which gives white males the dominant position in society.
JL, when I was in HS, I had a wonderful AP Biology teacher. He was one of the first teachers I had who spoke to students like we were equal adults! Many things stand out from his class from 50 years ago, but his encouragement of curiosity and to THINK stayed with me.
I will never forget this one class: he lit a candle and sat it on a table. Then he asked us to consider what defined something as being alive. We tossed out various ideas, including living things eat something, they excrete, they take in oxygen. He countered all our points with examples of how the flame did that.
It was a wild moment, you could see all our eyes widen as we all thought the same thing--fire was a living creation!
There were many moments in his class that are unforgettable. I was so fortunate to have had him as a teacher!
Good comment. Unless there’s been a very recent change, I believe Canada hasn’t decided on the Gripen yet. Its advantages are not related to *flight performance, but more to supplying Canadians with 1000’s of jobs manufacturing them on our own turf.
* Former pilots prefer the F-35s …
The Dean Blundell post says one issue is that Canada can't get parts from the US for the planes. Post was out Monday, though I may be wrong. Like Heather I am confusing days.
They are going to buy their new jets etc. from Airbus. So more bad news for Boeing.
Boeing has shot themselves in both feet. I have pilots in my family (soon to be three, as my niece is affianced to another pilot) who do two things: they pretty much say "If it's a Boeing, I ain't gong"...except for my niece, who is a FO on the 737's for United.
This is so insane. There’s no going back. Trump has destroyed some of the most successful alliances ever.
Hello Georgia ~ Would you please post links to the articles where you saw this information? Thank you!
Blundell's commentary which has the links to SAFE and screen shots of the Carny post on SAFE
https://substack.com/inbox/post/180602205
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/4/eu-proposes-using-russian-assets-loans-to-fund-105bn-package-to-ukraine
I have been following the Ukraine news on my substack with more detailed commentary
https://georgiafisanick.substack.com/p/leaving-america-behind
Thank you!
I see Belgium is still the fly in the ointment. Sigh.
They want a guarantee that if Russia comes after them, I guess for fiscal malfeasance in handling the assets, that they won't take the financial hit.
Al Jazeera does a good job of covering European events related to Ukraine, and is usually first up with news. I am a second-generation Ukrainian-American, so I have a vested interest in finding quality sources.
Canada is doing pretty good for their assistance of Ukraine recently, another 200 million? Plus 1000’s of Ukrainian refugees here.
— One Ukrainian cashier here in our little village, she’s a lovely lass! 🩵
She changed her Short-term visa to a 10-year passport & visa.
— she had to return temporarily to Ukraine to get paperwork & feared for her life 3 times. 💥
I hope this is true. Ukraine deserves the support of all of Europe. We have proved ourselves a false friend. Europe must unite to support Ukraine otherwise, next.. Poland, the Baltic States, Finland. Putin will not stop.
Four of the top five states most affected by ACA premium increases are red (Colorado, West Virginia, Florida, Wyoming, Alaska).
Unlike the Trump administration which prides itself on keeping blue states down, Democrats are concerned about all states. Any American concerned with fairness should see right through Republican favoritism and poor governance.
On the issue of the moral values of MAGA voters, I've been reading posts from The Rational League, on the psychology of authoritarianism.
https://substack.com/inbox/post/180525377
The posts are long and repetitive, but are well-sourced and based foundationally on Hanna Arendt's work. I find it a hard read, but my background is hard science so I don't have any background in psychology or sociology. It also has an almost poetic cadence, which I find annoying. But I am at the stage where I am starting to understand why you were not able to convince your MAGA Uncle Mike to abandon Trump after a chat over the Thanksgiving turkey. More to the point, it is relevant to why so many MAGA have lost their moral compass and why there is a hard core of Trump supporters who will believe anything.
Mostly, this makes me sad. But, more clear-eyed, I think, about where our resources need to be put to defeat Trump and MAGA. It will take a long time to make democracy in America safe again given how deeply embedded these beliefs are in MAGA.
Everything below is straight copy from the last section of the paper at the link above. I spot checked some of the references and they are real.
Central Conclusion: MAGA Is Not the Rebellion of the Oppressed
Authoritarian movements often disguise themselves as uprisings of the downtrodden. They speak in the register of revolt, cloak themselves in the language of liberation, and cast their violence as the desperate act of a people with nothing left to lose. MAGA mimics this posture with theatrical precision. But the research, and the reality, tell a different story.
The core psychological engine is not deprivation but dominance protection. Jost’s work on system justification and conservative threat sensitivity has shown for decades that individuals who benefit from existing hierarchies react to social progress as if it were destabilization. Their worldview interprets equality as erosion, representation as disorder, and pluralism as a threat to the “natural” arrangement of society (Jost, 2003). This is not the psychology of the oppressed. It is the psychology of those who have never imagined themselves as anything but central.
Collective narcissism amplifies this instinct. As de Zavala’s research demonstrates, groups that believe themselves exceptional yet insufficiently honored respond to perceived disrespect with aggression. The injury they experience is symbolic, but the punishment they demand is real. Their rage is not born of suffering; it is born of unmet expectations of reverence. MAGA’s constant insistence that “real Americans” are being humiliated or replaced is not evidence of oppression, it is evidence of entitlement (Golec de Zavala et al., 2009; follow-up studies).
Status threat completes the picture. Womick and colleagues have shown that when dominant groups anticipate the loss of majority status or cultural supremacy, they do not fight for survival, they fight for restoration. And the policies they endorse under this pressure are consistently punitive, exclusionary, and authoritarian (Womick et al., 2018). The threat is not material but symbolic: the fear of becoming equal.
Identity fusion transforms this grievance into something far more dangerous. In Radicalized Trump Supporters: Identity Fusion & Extremism, Mason and colleagues show that fused followers experience the leader’s fate as indistinguishable from their own. Violence becomes not just permissible but morally necessary, because protecting the leader becomes a form of protecting the self. It is precisely here, where identity eclipses judgment, that ordinary politics gives way to extremism.
Modern authoritarianism thrives in this psychological soil. As Spin Dictators demonstrates, contemporary autocrats do not need failing economies or collapsing states. They need only the power to craft perceptions, to invent dangers, inflate grievances, and define enemies who exist more vividly in the imagination than in the world. MAGA is a case study in this method: a movement infused with fear despite living in one of the safest, wealthiest societies on the planet (Guriev & Treisman, 2022).
Arendt anticipated this dynamic with chilling clarity. Totalitarian movements, she argued, do not arise solely from economic suffering but from mythic victimhood. The dominant group fashions itself as persecuted, the secure as besieged, the privileged as under attack. From this invented injury, cruelty flows freely. Once a movement convinces itself that it is the true victim, anything becomes permissible in the name of its defense.
This is the final and unavoidable conclusion:
MAGA is not the rebellion of the oppressed. It is the revolt of those who mistake equality for tyranny, accountability for persecution, and pluralism for defeat.
Its anger is not born from hardship but from the shock of sharing a country it once believed it owned. Its violence is not an answer to societal collapse but a demand to resurrect a lost hierarchy. And its authoritarianism is not the product of fear, it is the product of entitlement weaponized into grievance.
MAGA is not fighting for freedom. It is fighting for supremacy.
And that, history teaches, is the most dangerous form of authoritarianism of all.
It’s a long read, indeed, but maybe can be summarized as reminding readers that those who actually lived through fascism best understood how it came to power the way it did. The first great lie was in convincing just enough German voters that 2+2 really equaled 5, that they could have everything they wanted without the slightest trade-offs or compromises, and that *everything* they wanted made perfect sense.
The next step was getting a lot of cowardly, self-interested, center-right political leaders to acquiesce to the nonsense, hoping to benefit from it. Somehow the Nazis got that, too.
So far that’s been the same recipe for our MAGA bowel movement, right down to the “vermin” comments, the immigrant-bashing, the hate talk against transfolk, the trash talk against blue cities, brown people and green frogs, all while pathetic little weenies like JD Wanker bang the table in support.
Not a speck of it is new, sadly. We’ve been here before. Only with great skill and constant pressure can we hope to avoid further chapters.
"Its anger is not born from hardship but from the shock of sharing a country it once believed it owned."
The whole point of the full article, (which I apologize for not including.) is that Hitler's brand of authoritarianism (born from hardship) is inherently different from MAGA's based on "the shock of sharing a country it once believed it owned."
Maybe I’m not attuning enough to the implications involved, but it feels like distinctions without much of a difference, born of the same spirit of resentment. Germans also believed they owned things they were unwilling to share with others.
ICTT, I am thinking the difference between Germans post-WWI and MAGAs today has to do with the point from which their anger began. Germany was in bad shape after WWI. The population was generally on hard times. I have long thought it peculiar that some MAGAs are highly educated and wealthy, and those who are not in that category nevertheless hold to a similar–– let's just say––sense of entitlement which Georgia's article points out.
But MAGAs won't/can't admit, of course, that they resent others. I've heard it in relatives' explanations of their views. "My sister works so hard. She deserves more." The subtext being that someone else has more than they "deserve." It is hard to upack that subtlety.
It's taken me several reads of the whole article to get the distinctions. Warned you it wasn't easy! ;-)
ICTT, maybe my knowledge of German history and culture is inadequate. But my sense of the difference is that in the U.S., the Horatio Alger principle has been promoted, often stated as "anyone can grow up to be the president." This is inherently a positive message.
But promoters of this notion – as promoters always do – have omitted significant components of the idea that make it operative. One must get a good education, must possess a strong work ethic and exercise it, and must have a better product/idea than those of the crowd. One must be willing to make the initial sacrifices that enable their dream to come to fruition.
Rather, the typical American, MAGA or not, believes that they could be a millionaire by skipping the hard part and getting the "right break." Our media promotes the "lucky break" stories and ignores the hard work stories. In that light, Americans have been encouraged to protect millionaires and billionaires because "one day, that could be me."
Analagous to that theory is the idea that anyone who stands in the way of the "lucky break" is to be resented, attacked and eliminated.
Much there that is true. I don't think our Founders envisioned an America without hard work, education and the cultivation of civic virtues. Even the 'lucky break' stories get glossed up to ignore all the sweat and toil that went into the effort. Fortune favors the prepared mind and all that.
Great work Georgia. I haven’t understood why the MAGAs of my acquaintance who are successful and educated have taken on the mantle. Turns out it’s the same reason the unsuccessful and uneducated have done the same. Fear of losing place rather than embracing the benefits of community. Fear of losing their share of the pie when there is no pie at all.
“ … its authoritarianism is not the product of fear, it is the product of entitlement weaponized into grievance. MAGA is not fighting for freedom. It is fighting for supremacy.”
— Precisely! And Trump was their gold-plated talisman.
MAGAs actually have an inferiority complex, so successful Blacks or the educated are a threat to their self-esteem & they must be dragged down to their level at least … which Trump, by attacking ‘blue’ states & Dems, is happy to do.
I disagree. They don’t have inferiority feelings, they have unearned feelings of superiority and they are absolutely p!ssed that the rest of society has given status to people THEY don’t feel deserve it. Black, brown and female doctors, lawyers, judges, congress critters, engineers, scientists, are proof positive of this.
Don't forget their absolute belief in Christian persecution to go along with the rest of your descriptors.
Entitlement + identifying as the victim of "the other" = grievance, by which they justifiy cruelty and violence. It's so freaking sick.
In the 19th century there was the idea of manifest destiny, supporting removing indigenous people from their land. I believe it was more complex than that, and controversial, but I am reminded of it when thinking about people attracted to MAGA because of a sense of entitlement. How dare those immigrants come to MY country and take the jobs I am entitled to have? I believe it was Vance talked about how crowded “they” make schools and emergency rooms. People who are economically suffering, perhaps not working and not dating, so not hopeful about a future, feel that they were entitled to something they don’t have, and it is easy to direct their misery into hatred.
Thank you for your research. These conclusions are exactly what I have witnessed in my own family. The racism and antisemitism is the basis for their grievance but they will never admit to being racist or antisemitic. They have all kinds of twisted “logic” to justify their hatred, and that is reinforced by Fauxnooz and rightwing religious “leaders” who daily give them reasons to stay aggrieved.
Georgia, thank you for this very comprehensive viewpoint. I personally feel it is all a brainwashing technique that dictators use on their followers. These souls simply cannot think “out of the box” so they rely on something or someone to do that for them. I have always felt that Trump is their Pied Piper because they become so mesmerized by his unforgivable rhetoric.
I am first generation Eastern European. Both parents were Holocaust victims from Germany and Berlin. My maternal grandparents were gassed at Chelmno. I too, now have an interest in Ukraine because my father’s town of Boryslav in Poland, was absorbed by the Ukrainian government. Slava Ukraini!
I’ve long thought that Pied Piper arrangement is reciprocal. He tells them to fly their freak flags proudly and they return the favor by endorsing every lie and inanity he utters. It works — right up until it doesn’t. Long ago (it seems) Hillary tried to shame these people by calling them “deplorable.” It backfired, perhaps because we’ve passed a place where shame works, I don’t know.
I remain hopeful we are now at a crossroads where just enough see the black magic start to fail around them that the Bandwagon of Abandonment really starts rolling. Momentum seems to be with us.
Let’s also not forget the HUGE assist here from far-right “media” - Fox were the OG, but there are so many more who now feed the narrative, and the social media algorithms ensure that if you’re in that bubble, that’s where you’ll stay. Kind of a mess, but I do believe this still is an affliction of a minority of America. We (who understand the lies for what they are) are far greater in numbers and we need to act like it.
And I, Marlene, a grandfather from the now Ukrainian town of Munkachevo.
When he was born (1884), it was still the Hungarian Munkacs.
Heroyam Ukraini!
Divide and conquer works as well today as ever, and solidarity still authoritarianism's nemesis.
As a social phenomenon, "Master Race", any supremacist thinking, is more stupefying, irrationally addictive, and insidiously dangerous than methamphetamine or fentanyl; and like drug kingpins, it can be used by those who promote it wholesale to gain tyrannical amounts of power.
Collective narcissism is the perfect term. The young woman who wrote an anti-trans screed instead of a psych class paper, received a zero and then appealed it because she said she was the “victim of religious persecution” comes to mind. These people don’t have an inferiority complex, they have unearned feelings of superiority.
4:11 a.m. is too early in the day to be this terrified. Thanks, I think, Georgia.
Thanks for your posts today,Georgia.So informative.You are so right about trying to engage in convo with extreme MAGAs.Although I did have to respond to my Rep’s BS email yesterday when he stated..” Negotiation is the only way forward, and President Trump is actively working to end this war. President Trump’s mineral rights deal is a practical, common sense solution that benefits both nations.” We must keep calling out this sycophant legislators !
This ⬇️ was from the Rational League link you provided.I found it clarifying…
“This is the heart of the MAGA phenomenon. The movement’s sense of persecution is not an organic reaction to real conditions but a manufactured emotional state. It is a politics that requires fear the way agriculture requires water. Without crisis, fabricated, exaggerated, or wholly invented, the narrative collapses. Equality would no longer feel like danger. Opponents would no longer feel like enemies. Democracy would no longer feel like betrayal.
Fear is the scaffolding that holds the entire structure upright.
And that is why the movement clings to it with such fanaticism: not because America is falling, but because fear is the only thing that makes its worldview coherent.“
Thank you for posting this .... I have just discovered The Rational League . He ANALYZES rather than reports. Some of his substack articles discuss ways of pushing back!! Well worth the time to read it!!!! {He includes references, as does H.C.R.)
Wow! That was really interesting. I have been reading as much psychology as I can on MAGA followers, trying to understand their dug-in refusal to accept facts and logic. Thanks.
A real eye-opener!
"mythic victimhood". No wonder they were so obsessed with Charlie Kirk's assassination.*
*I debate internally every time I use assassination; in my mind, political figures are assassinated. Per the dictionary definition, the first two are "killing by treacherous violence" or "for political reasons". I don't know the killer's true motivation (nor do I believe that there has been a competent investigation into the crime) but what I reluctantly settled on was that if MLK was assassinated, then I guess Kirk was as well.
Ally, I share your discomfort with using "assassination" in reference to the deceased who were not political leaders or dignitaries.
I struggle with the idea that indiscriminately using the "A-word" posthumously elevates the victim to a level of national honor that they had not earned nor deserve, as would be conferred by an office or title they did not hold.
My opinion is probably unpopular, but I think "assassination" is misused in reference to MLK (and I suspect he would agree with me). If he were a senior bishop in one of the Baptist conventions, perhaps his murder could be described as an assassination, but he wasn't. He was the first president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, but that was just a "side-gig" and at the time, it wasn't a national organization of global importance. I doubt that anyone would characterize the murder of the president of the American Numismatic Association, the Audubon Society or any other special interest group as an assassination.
Kirk did not, by any stretch of the imagination, rise to the level of a national, political title-holder. I'm certain that his murder was intentionally described as an assassination by right-wing and corporate media as a pander to Trump and his followers. I find Kirk's unofficial canonization bizarre, but not unexpected.
"...bizarre, but not unexpected." BINGO!!
I agree; assassination should be reserved for political figures, and not popular ones. I note that no one said John Lennon was assassinated. Food for thought.
This is spot on to me! I have a maga brother and pretty much all my cousins are maga - all very well off if not down right rich, like my millionaire brother. They see that women and brown folks having a. good job, a house and some savings as a threat to their way of life...I said to a couple of them that they are only losing privilege not any real assets but then I just get ghosted...This seem to explain it quite nicely!
“Exceptional yet insufficiently honored…”. There is the crux of conflict, not only in the MAGA universe. Thank you, Georgia,for this distillation of so much study. We have large classes who actually ARE exceptional yet insufficiently honored rather than entitled. It partly comes, I think, from families where there was a lack of respect for each other. Respect for oneself and for others has to be practiced to become true and solid. This is such an important post, Georgia. Thank you.
Elizabeth, I am reminded of an article I read long ago: 85% of US drivers rate themselves as "above average" or "exceptional". I tend to rate myself as average even though I have had 27 years of exceptional vehicle operations training and almost 27 years of operating a marked police vehicle. I know that I am an average driver, especially as I am within "spittin' distance" of 70.
Ally, an admirable record. I wonder if it is a cultural thing, to see oneself as exceptional. Have you seen any cross-cultural studies? Even Europe might produce different results. Also, you can be exceptional but realistic, or even exceptional and modest.
No studies; my gut feeling is that it is "American Exceptionalism" on an individual scale.
I know my own abilities to know that I am NOT exceptional, especially with some of the decay in perception/reaction time, focus and concentration, although I think that my situational awareness is still pretty strong.
Thanks—I’ve pulled up the reference to read later today.
Thank you for this.
Scary stuff indeed, Georgia Fisanick, thanks for the link.
Indeed, MAGA didn't need a failed economy to gain control.
I wonder if they will realize that their chosen political leaders are responsible for sabotaging our economy, and when we go into a significant recession at best, it will be their fault. The Dems need to reject the ultra-rich and work for the good of the working class again.
Thanks for the link & share.
Red states and Red Rural districts are going to get hard by this bill. Mifflin County in Pennsylvania voted 80% Trump and is looking at losing much of the funding for its only hospital. Same in Northern California in places like Shasta County. Ditto for Eastern Washington and Arizona’s more rural hospitals are heavily funded by Medicare and Obamacare Insurance. It’s going to be a very tough year for folks who live in these areas.
Likely true. But who will MAGAs blame? Many will support the one who actually caused it and he will delight in that.
We’re in a topsy-turvy world (country) right now. You know what you must do … act up and vote. No one is going to rescue you. Get on it.
And you wonder why Trump is pressuring the NATO to increase their deposits into their security into their own security and now they’re doing it because Trump Upton from 1 to 2 and now the suggestion is five and they’re trying to do it and here’s a sample as the white thank you Bill Clinton thank you Barack Obama thank you Joe Biden
https://www.foxnews.com/world/germany-unveils-new-incentives-boost-military-recruitment-amid-growing-russia-threat
Then blame Obama he is the one that put a date in the initial bill that the subsidies would expire!!!
🙄
Obama did not want to put that date in. It was one of a few compromises he didn’t like but took anyway to get the bill passed.
It wasn’t a ‘clean’ bill but just good enough.
Well, dick, unless I am mistaken, we call that a deflection of the facts
Either it was in the bill or was not in the bill… when whoever signed the bill, signed it knowingly, but this was in the bill. And obviously it wasn’t good enough. Ergo today’s dilemma.
It’s called a democracy and the presidents. Don’t get what they want. Sometimes they have to compromise. And here’s the problem dick, but you don’t get nor o many of them haters here either…. The best results from this democracy in my lifetime, what is when Bill Clinton decided let’s work together and they did. Report America together, and brought it prosperously
Today’s TDS and the divisive Ness that Obama started it still dividing us today. And if the Democrats instead of just saying no to anything that has the word Trump in it, sit down and try to RATIONALLY, AND LOGICALLY, try to solve the problem instead of the heat and the automatic pushback he would be a better nation for it.
I will relate to a US survey by CNN about four months ago that said that 65% of Democrats would vote against apolicy developed by Trump even if it benefited most Americans. That’s how bad the hate is…
And I have asked over and over for the reasons for the hate and everything that comes back. It’s meaningless tirade of a cornucopia of crap.
I asked this question please list me five policy is developed by the Trump administration that are negatively affecting your life today on a daily
Basis… that point all I get is references to the past, And history of trumps persona BEFORE he became president… and a litany of hate related to nothing involving government policy… not anything to do with his policies today assuming they understand anything about the policies in the first place.
And as a reminder… The only thing American should be concerned with all the policies or laws that are signed by the president and Power and Howard affects our daily lives or future lives. Because a present comes and goes pretty quickly and the shingle on the door changes, but the only thing that remains are the policies. in history that’s all that matters
Whew! Why not tell us exactly how you feel?!
Here goes — five policies by the Trump admin that negatively affect Americans lives today:
1.) Having non-identified, face-mask covered, heavily armed thugs grab people wantonly on the street and disappear them to unknown detention camps and jails.
2.) While promising the American people these are “only the worst of the worst”; where this is patently untrue (see the word “only”).
3.) Pardoning appropriately-convicted major criminals. Many of them! Worst case (so far): ex-president Hernandez of Honduras convicted of using his office to help import over 400 tons of cocaines into the USA. He was just sentenced and had begun serving 45 years in our prison system. Trump set him free for no stated reason. There are dozens of more similar examples.
4.) Trump flip-flops endlessly on supporting Ukraine or Putin regarding the war. His arguments are nutty in the first place and dangerous for democracy in the second.
5.) Trump support for ending ACA subsidies while also supporting tactics to end Medicaid for millions, WHILE supporting Argentina with 20 to 40 Billions of USA taxpayer dollars is just plain crazy.
6.) Tariffs. Need I say more? They are illegal (according to multiple Federal District Courts and Appellate Courts and rather obviously so given black ink law), but worse are an economic disaster for many Americans. For many farmers it’s a disaster. For border states with Canada it’s been a major blow. For small businesses dependent on imports it’s wiping them out. And, major pain is felt in many other businesses by his knee-jerk, flip-flopping, senseless behavior in altering of them. It’s crazy stuff.
7.) His hiring of completely unqualified and unfit cabinet officers who will willingly break laws and norms of society without a thought. It’s madness. I refer, of course, to Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, Kristi Noem, Pete Hegseth, Howard Lutnick, and so many more. They are not working in the interests of the American people but rather as subservient to the President.
8.) Trump has wontedly yanked federal support for solar and wind power right at a time when electricity prices have skyrocketed affecting affordability for all Americans including businesses which cause price hikes by them. It’s clearly shown that the sustainable generators of electricity are cheaper than fossil fuels — Trump wants more oil and coal (read: polluting) power plants. It’s completely upside down and backwards.
9.) Trump just ordered fuel usage requirements for vehicles lowered. That will cause higher overall costs for vehicle owners across the board. It’s a well known fact that vehicle manufacturers can meet higher standards when required — they
always have, but won’t if not required to. This is an affordability failure by the administration.
10.) Trump has ended many weather balloons, ocean weather buoys and weather service staffing … a simply crazy move. There’s no reason for this. We can expect it to lessen the accuracy of weather forecasts and even more damaging to Americans suffering catastrophic weather events.
11.) It should be pointed out this presidents once simply changed the track of a hurricane with his sharpie. He just redrew the track and ordered it so. The hurricane ignored his tyrannical order and went exactly where it had been predicted by the National Hurricane Center’s forecasters. This was a US President thinking he knew more than forecasters. It’s crazy stuff.
I could go on for hours and hours as the president sets new policies practically every day that he’s not at Mar-A-Lago golfing ( which is often). It should be noted that upon taking office he said he’d be too busy to play golf. Yeah. sure. Another lie.
Lastly … the new just released National Security Strategy is largely taken out of the Third Reich handbook. If allowed to stand it will be the end of the United States of America as we’ve known it for 250 years. It’s clearly policy that will hurt every single citizen including you.
Sorry before I get to five I want to revisit for something. I completely forgot and boy am I to blame. BIDEN ACTUALLY PARDONED DR. FAUCI.
HOLLLLLLY INSANITY.
5). I’m trying to make sense of the rationale in number five unless you’re trying to equate the cost of either Medicaid or the ACA against the money he’s given Argentina and the two are non-relatable whatsoever…. Have you at all investigated why Trump gave $20. Billion to Argentina. And I suggest very heavily. And deeply that you investigate the reason and purpose for the money invested in Argentina and the contingencies that are set forth in that investment. But you’d never did that. And I’m glad you’re speaking for the world and all Americans and saying that is deeply crazy when you don’t even know why the hell it was done what’s the purpose? What’s the intended outcome etc.
Now, if you want to speak about the ACA, that’s a whole Nother subject I’ll just address the highlights.
When Barack Hussein Obama signed into law, the ACA commonly known as Obama care … Barack Hussein Obama signed the law that said IN DECEMBER 2025 All the subsidies heretofore WILL TERMINATE.
SO IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SUBSIDIES OR THE ACA GO TALK TO OBAMA, DON’T TALK TO TRUMP he had nothing to do with the Bill didn’t sign. The Bill didn’t invent. The Bill didn’t participate in its legislation as he wasn’t involved in government. He had absolutely nothing to do with the extreme difficulties that are presented now with a potential for premium increases, disparities in coverage and care in states that have not expanded Medicaid…. In addition it’s facing challenges due to rising insurance cost with many and Rawley struggling to afford premiums and out-of-pocket expenses and that my friend has nothing to do with Trump. However, Obama is the one that signed the subsidy termination himself, which will cause significant premium increases and many to consider dropping the coverage.
But if you’d like to hear the reality behind the ACA, you should hear this
Of all the insurance policies and programs available to people in United States only 14% of the population has signed up for THE ACA.
Now, well that’s not a small number. It’s substantially less than was anticipated and provides a factual basis for not having a national insurance program that fits everyone otherwise more people would’ve participated. They chose instead to look for their insurance elsewhere.
Once again, I could have a long discussion about the ACA on a number of topics but the most important one that you don’t want to realize is the one I mentioned
OBAMA PUT THE LIMIT ON THE SUBSIDIES NOBODY ELSE …. AND NOW THE DEMOCRATS ARE MAD AT TRUMP FOR SOMETHING THAT OBAMA DID AND TRUMP IS NOT GONNA BE THE SCAPEGOAT EXCEPT FOR THE PEOPLE HERE WHO DON’T WANT TO FACE THE TRUTH.
SO SOUNDS TO ME LIKE ZERO FOR FIVE Not to once again, remind you that I asked how have any of these policies affected you negatively day-to-day currently A BIG FAT ZERO FOR DIRK SO FAR
Not sure if I have time to do number six this is already been a complete waste of my time and energy and I would like to catch a little football so I may answer another one or two today but if not, I’ll get them all before I’m done. But you ought to try to regroup and come up with some facts and you might wanna think about the question that I asked you in the first place. Name me five policies that have negatively affected. YOUR LIFE on a day-to-day basis currently. And I think you said something about facts, but you’re quite a bit lean in that area. Sorry
Are you familiar with the president’s right of pardon? Are you aware of the thousands of criminals that have been pardoned over the years?
Would you like to have me prepare a list for you… of some of the most egregious criminals that were pardoned by previous presidents?
Name some of the worst criminals that were pardoned by previous presidents and what there was their crime. Let’s review some of the worst. Shall we
Where do we begin?
Let’s start with most recently, Trump Henry Cuéllar
Trump did Trump pardon the ex prez of Honduras, but many sources see an alternative to why the pardon happened. I don’t necessarily agree with it, but apparently there were some significant political involvement in Honduras itself, and by the Biden administration to accuse him. It doesn’t matter it was bad.
Bill Clinton pardoned his half brother and a Puerto Rican drug crime organization why did Clinton why did Clinton pardon FALN a violent drug organization having committed serious crimes
Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon I believe. That pardon of Richard Nixon… was far more sweeping than the one you bring up as well obviously, today he might not even eligible for conviction at the time and removal, unless voted on by Congress.
I believe Bill Clinton also pardon Chelsey Manning for breach of vital and secret intelligence information to our enemy. Actually a commutation of 28 years but pardon nonetheless.
Which president pardoned all the drug draftdodgers
jimmy carter pardoned all draftdodgers. Wowowowow. That’s a good way to secure our liberty by pardoning the cowards who refused service.
Who pardoned the Iran contra people
President Bush pardoned many members of the Iran-Contra affair again significantly more important on a global scale
And here’s one of the most ironic and obviously horrible pardons by Bill Clinton. He pardoned Mark Rich, who was $1 million donor to Bill’s campaign and into the Democrats ..he was indicted on federal charges of tax evasion wire fraud racketeering, and making oil deals with Iran behind our back. And evaded $45 million and income due.
And though there was no pardon or conviction, it was very evident even by snoops that Barack Obama had a very good relationship with Weather underground, and Bill Ayres and his associates. And their violent actions against NYPD headquarters the capital the Pentagon of San Francisco police station, and Bernadine Dorn. The charges were dropped ostensibly because of illegal investigating into their crimes. How cheesy is that?
Now let’s get to one more and then one small one that just happened
JOSEPH ROBINETTE BIDEN PARDONED NEARLY HIS WHOLE FAMILY And a list of crimes is long but distinguished. Including his son, who had multiple in fractions that were outside of the perusal of his pardon.
This was essentially a cover-up of everything that Joe Biden was involved in, but was immune to, and this took care of the millions and millions of dollars taken in by the family under almost unbelievable circumstances, including many potential felonies should they have seen the inside of a courtroom?
And lastly, just so you feel a little bit better about everything above Donald Trump pardoned all the J6 participants. And spent 2 1/2 years, searching for people that stood outside the capital unarmed and arrested them. Do us all a favor there George let us not use the word insurrection because summer of love when George Floyd was killed was an insurrection every no Kings March was an insurrection the protest in front of Washington DC a couple Sundays ago was an insurrection no less than January 6. And if you’d like to argue about that, I’d be more than happy to engage in that conversation, but I’ll send you this video to conclude this particular number three, which is now done and over to your fruitless attempt to talk about One presidents pardons over others.
One of my favorite videos of all time? And I do mean all time. Nancy Pelosi here, taking responsibility for January 6, and not posting sufficient military/ police protection. she is here speaking to her daughter in an SUV while the event is going on, on J6!
https://x.com/i/status/1901518162589266053/video/1
I’m guessing you haven’t seen this video. Enjoy and now I’m done with number three so you see how valid your so-called facts are so far
Misguided opinions, and misrepresentations based on your being the voice of America rather than just plain old Jorge, who has asked the question once again how has Trump’s policies affected you negatively on a daily basis?
2). You might want to realize that these people that are being captured and found to be illegal. ARE NOT WEARING VISIBLE IDENTIFICATION. THAT SAYS. HEY IM AN ILLEGAL CRIMINAL AND HERE ILLEGALLY COME ARREST ME. They have a photo Bank Of many of these people and are looking for themAND THEIR ASSOCIATES Who may indeed lead them to the worst of the worst. But I would like your opinion as to out of 8 1/2 to 15,000,000 illegals having entered the country recently. How many would you consider to be the worst of the worst?
Who are they?
Where did they come from?
Have they committed any crime here, etc. rape?murder? Wife beatings?
have they trafficked any drugs?
Have they trafficked any humans?
Have they hidden any children?
and how can they identify them until they capture (aka catch and release) them since there was no vetting at the border? Nor and this is the part I love was there any verification of or validation of a vaccination which here to four you held as sacrosanct Ooooops.
what is truly amazing to me as how communities are pushing back vehemently against the arrest of these illegals,
So as to your word, only, are you suggesting that we should take each and every one of them, try to find them…release them, Then indict them ,put them on trial, have a hearing, and then determine if we could arrest them or not ? If that’s the case, you’re defying history, especially Democrat history. Bill Clinton not only deported almost 10,000,000 during his term, but actually came up with a law, allowing him to arrest them at the border and turn the back around without any bedding whatsoever. The bedding was done at the border by border officials there, and they were simply turned around and sent home. IIRIRA THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION REFORM AND IMMIGRANT REPONSIBILITY ACT. allowing EXPEDITED REMOVAL. Or the over 3 million during Obama’s first term were only 25% actually had due. process. Feel free to look these up, but you had no idea at all. And most of you just regurgitate vomit shit on the page without actually making sure your brain is engaged before you put your mouth in gear.
Now onto number three.
So I guess you’re the spokesman for American, instead of answering the question that I asked you. If I looked down the list, it is highly unlikely that any of these issues are affecting you at all. But congratulations on being the spokesman for America. …
And how I should’ve started out this particular targeted post is this if Joe Biden and his administration had not let in over 25,000 illegals per day into American southern border we would not be having the problem that you are now addressing would we ? All this administration is doing is trying to read ourselves of these people who have no right to be here right now. And so far he’s not done too bad with 2 1/2 million already gone in just nine months. And that is despite major pushback from many of you here who are siding with criminals, terrorists, narco- terrorists, kidnappers, rapists, wife, beaters, traffickers, etc.. now there are some facts and documented proof… if you really cared to look
You want to supply facts, but all you supplied here are opinions with very little fact, very little depth and quite a bit of one-sided information where you don’t know the truth /entire story from both sides and that is painfully obvious so I’m gonna have to kinda handle these one at a time and they may be long but since you took the time to do it, I’ll take the time to reply.
You obviously have no reason why these” heavily armed thugs”. KNOWN AS ICE ICE/POLICE/CBP/ are wearing masks and in some cases don’t self identify until a legal capture is made Because they are lawfully, attempting to remove illegals from our midst, especially those who have committed additional crimes after their initial crime of coming across the border ILLEGALLY…. There have been hundreds of these people doxxed, that have had their families threatened, that have had because of that that I’ve had crowds show up outside their homes, swatting, sealionimg, and rage farming… to threaten the lives, and the families are harassed regular law enforcement so they have been forced to cover their faces because people are taking pictures of them and actually posting them all over communities on telephone poles and the like and anywhere they can. Further, it makes me sick to my stomach beyond that actually that you call law-enforcement THUGS When they are actually the people protecting your ass from crime.
In addition to that, there are now communities using portals website, websites, apps, etc., to notify illegals when ice is in the neighborhood so they can avoid capture. That’s called aiding and abetting .
Now as to your asinine comment about throwing them in hidden jails or prisons never to be heard From is total nonsense. And that is why I suggested to you earlier you should change the channel and why don’t you find out the whole truth?
Unfortunately, there have been a number of citizens, including two judges that have now been arrested and face incarceration for harboring criminal illegals… one of them allowed one to slip out of their courtroom in an attempt to have them avoid arrest for the agents that were there ready to arrest him.
in another instance a judge in either Texas or Arizona was caught housing a known gang member of trend de Aragua.
There are no citizens being arrested, unless they’re committing crimes of aiding and abetting illegal criminals.
SO MANY OF YOU HERE SEEM TO HAVE FORGOTTEN THE LAW…. Let me see if I can translate that and make this a little easier for those of you who seem to be a little slow or forgetful.
When somebody does something that is against the law, in other words called illegal… they have committed a crime. And people who have committed a crime are also known as criminals FACTUALLY.
So the minute some people come across the border against the law they are now criminals … you also have been substantially unaware of the thousands of illegals that have come here that had committed felonies in their own country and then there are those that have committed additional crimes here who need to be sent back as well.
So I think I’ve covered this particular topic as much as necessary.
So let me take on the next misguided piece of partial, misinformation in your next offering
AND PLEASE KEEP IN MIND NOBODY HERE SO FAR HAS DEMONSTRATED A POLICY FROM TRUMP. THAT HAS ACTUALLY AFFECTED THEM NEGATIVELY PERSONALLY CURRENT DAY.
When you start speaking for others, you are no longer dealing in facts. You are dealing in estimates, suggestions, , unvetted news stories hearsay, politics, and hate.
Well, you started off perfectly. Yikes. . You demonstrated your lack of awareness immediately and the fact that you don’t watch multiple media sources also, The first one doesn’t affect you… so strike one and I’ll finish up in the morning. nor is it accurate and you are obviously not being told why. It’s 1130 and I’ve been driving seven hours today so I will get to you in the morning but you won’t like to hear my responses for the most part but the first one is hysterical. Have a good night sleep
Colorado is not a red state. I know- I live here. If anything we are a purple state trending blue. Hey, we went for Bernie Sanders in the primary.
The comment said four oif the five were red. Colorado was the only non-red state.
You mean the communist in capitalist clothing. Who has millions of dollars in his bank accounts that communist?
“Any American concerned with fairness.” Lord, are we still questioning who that is?.?
So you should go blame OBAMA because he put that date of December of this year the day in the bill/act that the subsidies would disappear!!! Trump had nothing to do with it at all. Nor did Trump have anything to do with the cost of living today you’re not gonna get away with the 20% increase in groceries by the Obama ministration the doubling of gas prices the tripling of mortgage rates and inflation between seven and 9%. Trump is not only fighting to change that which is making incredible strides and doing and he also just negotiated lower drug prices same price as the rest of the world is paying. Inflation is how steady the Washington Post just corrected itself and saying that grocery prices have been steady. The only weakness right now seems to be the labor market so if Paul gets off his butt and decreases interest rates, that should help all around. But be excited for 2026 when Trump gets his own choice for Fed chair. Then many things will become less expensive as there will be an interest rate cut, probably a couple of major ones.
Так что вам стоит винить ОБАМУ, потому что именно он установил эту дату — декабрь этого года — в законопроекте/законе, когда субсидии должны были исчезнуть!!! Трамп здесь ни при чём. У Трампа также нет отношения к сегодняшней стоимости жизни — вы не сможете свалить на него 20%-ное увеличение цен на продукты, удвоение цен на газ, утроение ставок по ипотеке и инфляцию от 7 до 9% — всё это дело администрации Обамы. Трамп не только борется за изменение ситуации, делая невероятные успехи, но он также недавно добился снижения цен на лекарства до уровня, который платит остальной мир. Инфляция — вот, что недавно признала газета Washington Post, заявив, что цены на продукты были стабильны. Единственная слабая сторона сейчас, похоже, на рынке труда, так что если Пол двигнется и снизит процентные ставки, это должно помочь всем. Но ждите с нетерпением 2026 года, когда Трамп сможет назначить своего председателя ФРС. Тогда многие вещи станут дешевле, так как появится...
And you wonder why Trump is pressuring the NATO to increase their deposits into their security into their own security and now they’re doing it because Trump Upton from 1 to 2 and now the suggestion is five and they’re trying to do it and here’s a sample as the white thank you Bill Clinton thank you Barack Obama thank you Joe Biden
https://www.foxnews.com/world/germany-unveils-new-incentives-boost-military-recruitment-amid-growing-russia-threat
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Grocery prices are steady per the WAPO? Well, then it must be true!
Well, another person that doesn’t pay attention and doesn’t realize the words that come out of their mouth.’ And first thing in the morning, expresses their hatred for Donald Trump and they’re suffering from TDS
The
Washington post is the top major antagonist of Donald Trump. They never apologize for criticizing wrongly… printing their hate on the front page of the paper. They NEVER give him credit for anything ever in fact, even yesterday they came up with a story on the front page that the New York Times refuted, which is UNBELIEVABLE . When they talked about the double tap/kill them all statement, that never happened relating to the drug boats
So if the Washington Post says grocery prices are stable you want to take that to the bank. But most people that use three names like you do are smart enough to do a little bit of research. Apparently just want to add ignorance and bias to your résumé
Not only have grocery prices remain steady, but Walmart has come out and talked about lowering prices across the board and made a statement just before Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving prices would be 25% less than last year. But you can check these statements or facts by yourself before you post here.
THE REASON YOU ARE PAYING HIGH PRICES RIGHT NOW. IS CALLED JOE BIDEN. I’m just below here is a link that was placed by vets by the White House Stafford, which they had to pull down immediately so they were Barris meant because it try to show how Trump‘s prices are up 3% since February but unfortunately for them they went back four years and it showed that three months after Biden administration prices were up take a seat when I say the 20% in the grocery stores and it’s been confirmed everywhere and I’m gonna put up the link…. https://freebeacon.com/latest-news/dnc-tweets-then-deletes-chart-showing-soaring-grocery-prices-under-biden/
And I have a number of more links but you’ll have to do some research yourself so that you learn not to open your mouth before you’ve actually studied the issue and don’t let your hate jump out at you
You remind me of an old adage, I learned in high school.
Make sure the brain is engaged before you put your mouth in gear.
At the end here I will add a link or two that will kind of put life in perspective for you, or the price of goods and services that you are seeing today, which are not the fault or based upon anything that Donald Trump is done in fact, the opposite.
Even your wildest west wing radical news media has confirmed that the inflation rate has remained less than 3% including our government, which you probably believe Less, in fact, even chairman Powell, who has questioned Donald Trump at every turn and recently said the Terrace and not happy it’s negative impact that we thought they would prices are steady.
You’re the meantime gas prices are down over two dollars a gallon and most precincts and now at their lowest prices they been in five years. At less than three dollars per gallon in 35 states. And yesterday they came down again even more now at 294, versus 307 a week ago egg prices are down 60% with everybody here was crying and demanding the Trump fix the egg prices and now they’re down 60%.
Go ahead and do some research…
The stock market is up 8000 points compared to the day that Trump announced his terrorist, and everybody here was cheering because it looked like the economy was failing because the market went down so much and of course it was trump’s fault. Oooooops.
To those who supported this position, I appreciate your input, brings a little bit more relevance to go to either dispute it or refuse to believe it
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I agree with some of what you're saying here, but I think the Fed should be very careful and slow with any cuts in interest rates so it doesn't increase the rate of inflation. And we really don't want the Fed to be totally under the influence of any sitting President. Interest rates and mortgage rates needed to go up in 2021-22, to slow inflation .The price of gasoline in CO now is down to $2.40 per gallon, lowest it's been in awhile.
I absolutely agree with you. I do not have a crystal ball or a ouija board but I would guess the first cuts going to be a half a point and then maybe a quarter of a calendar year later or another quarter of a quarter or so that’s kind of my guy thinks a person to bring confidence to Business and help homebuyers as well. It could be less if Powell , lowers the rates under the next two opportunities. Again, you would be correct.
I actually apologize that I suggested that it was the Obama administration that increased grocery crisis or other prices it was actually Biden
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Careful there Derek...them eyes gonna get stuck!
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He tries to keep any opposition or alternative down. The aim for all of our states is subjugation.
That was a bad is generic and meaningless as it gets. And if you want to talk about keeping the opposition down, we should investigate how Biden talk to all the heads of the social media networks like Google, etc. to get them to try to prevent those sites from posting right leaning information As well as try to shut down free-speech. So, if you like to give me some specifics, I would love to hear them. Let me say it again life is a do it yourself proposition. California continues to have people flee by the hundreds of thousands because they can’t afford to live in that armpit that used to be the shining light on the hill. Same goes for New York because people can’t live there. The same goes for Chicago and many other blue cities that I’ve gotten out of hand with costs in crime. so I’ll wait for your reply
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I would love to hear how Trump keeps blue states down. I guess you don’t believe that life is a self fulfilling proposition life is a do it yourself there Phil. I want to look at how many counties in this counties are red versus blue. Why do you think they’re such a concentration of blue on either coast, and almost nothing but a small rash of blue in the middle. Here’s your map. Read.m and weep. I haven’t read Heather’s entire post yet, but I’m waiting for the famous or infamous term here. “Moral Victory’” which I assume is coming. But I have a nice comparison about the victory/trouncing for Heather.
She is actually trying to compare the candidate that ran on the Republican ticket to Donald Trump? Omg. When I saw him makers quarrel “in crowd, congratulation, speech, I thought I’m surprised he won at all.
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What do you mean republican favoritism I gotta go. That’s what this is gonna be good.
Most of the blue states are now losing population. Many of the blue states or have big deficits. Many of them have very high crime rates. Many of them have educational, dropout rates that exceed the norm. Many of them have too many homeless, and too many people on the government teeth that don’t deserve to get them because they don’t qualify
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As a person who has received premium tax credits under the ACA for over a decade, it is important to note that the premium tax credits are not going away for those still between 100% and 400% of poverty, the demographic covered since the ACA was passed under Obama. What IS ending are the Biden era subsidies to super savings plans, $0 premiums and the extension of tax credits to those over 400% of poverty which doubled the roles of the number of people on a marketplace plan since the pandemic. The ACA marketplace is far from perfect but it is not a disaster as claimed by the president. It has been a life changer for those of us with preexisting conditions and who made too much to qualify for Medicaid and could not get affordable care before 2012. I am glad our convoluted and wasteful bureaucratic system of health care is taking center stage again, but the reality in the 21st century is that it would be so much easier and efficient and cheaper for our Congress to simply vote to expand Medicare/Medicaid for all Americans and stop all the for profit bullshit that makes our healthcare system so expensive.
Democrats have been trying to do that since the Truman Administration, but Republicans always moved the bullshit horror wagons in place to stop it from becoming reality.
Then Obama got the brilliant idea of copying Mitt Romney’s version of healthcare access in Massachusetts. And the GOP have never forgiven him for being smart enough to use a Republican plan to beat them at their own game.
38 trillion. 38 trillion. How do you happen to notice that almost every major large government economic fraud has made millionaires and billionaires of fraudsters time and time again and we only catch it when it’s too late. Not gonna happen again
Approximately half a million American individuals and families declare bankruptcy every year in the US due to medical bills. I assume this means that their medical bills will not be paid and therefore the rest of us will pay their bills for them. Additionally, women that are FORCED to have their babies must pay for the hospital bills which often means that we pay for the delivery and post-natal care of the mother and the baby. And Republicans don't give a fuck about any child until they are 18 years old and can vote and pay taxes.
Yes- Many Republicans are not pro life. They are actually pro birth and care nothing for the once helpless fetus that they worked so hard to save.
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And be drafted.
I agree. ACA allowed the majority of Americans to be covered by health insurance, which I think is a huge achievement.
If this episode of chaos in health care does not lead to massive public outcry for a universal healthcare plan that the stinking Republicans have to finally admit makes sense, I will give up entirely on any respect for the great ‘ merican public.
Doctors in my area are retiring early in droves. They cannot practice the kind of medicine that they trained to do and are giving up in disgust. The regional hospital has been taken over by a greedy for profit corporation and are on their third emergency caution. Patients are dying due to their profit driven management. Greed is literally killing us.
If not a majority at least a large segment like me (12 million) have had access to health insurance that was not an option before and this has kept us healthier than before.
Yes, and that's a cost savings right there - as people are able to get preventative care and don't end up in the emergency room. I'm on ACA myself.
I agree, All the health care industry is the problem. What we pay at the doctors office, and other specialist providers, pharmacies, hospitals is out of control. This is where the problem is. I've said it before, the government shouldn't be subsidizing health care. Again, it's called welfare for rich corporate America. I want Medicare for all so I don't have to go through the annual Open Season just to pay more each year for premiums and more out of pocket for less coverage..
I’m ok with paying for the worth of the expertise and knowledge of my doctors. I’m not ok with how much debt is burdening them to gain that expertise and knowledge. I’m not ok with the bureaucratic levels of bean counters who can decide what services I get or the fact that so many levels add billions to our costs that don’t exist in other developed nations.
It is so simple. Get the health insurance companies that pay their CEOs millions to screw us AND the doctors over and the cost will come down. Think about how many people each doctors office employ just to deal with insurance companies! There is more savings. How many more in every hospital to battle with insurance companies. We get much poorer medical care every year. The Insurance companies get richer and doctors and hospitals are getting sqeezed in the rush for profit.
We need Medicare for all……NOW!
I have some friends in exactly your same boat, SP. Make enough money to survive, but not to cover medical insurance. One is neurodivergent, another an abuse survivor; my sister was in that category as a full time grocery worker in a non-union shop that had such bizarre requirements to qualify for their "insurance plan" that she probably had coverage for 2 of the 10 years she worked there. She's now in a Union shop with great benefits.
Your last line says it all!
Elizabeth Warren is arguably the most knowledgeable politician on bankruptcy. She tried to get a clause in the ACA to eliminate bankruptcy caused by medical bills. As a result about half a million people a year in the US declare bankruptcy due to their medical bills. None of the other first or second world countries allow a person/family to go bankrupt because of their medical bills.
Well do it California does lie about an issue and gives Medicaid. Although your relatives look like they’re certainly eligible for Medicaid
It seems that people have forgotten about the pre-existing conditions clause of pre-ACA. People were unable to change jobs because of it. That was huge, both for the ability to move up the career ladder, relocate if a spouse was transferred, leave a job because of harassment, sexual or otherwise, or any number of other reasons people needed or wanted to change jobs.
If we’re going to have a system that covers pre-existing conditions then we have to a system that has as broad a risk pool as possible. The Republicans have been talking about some 40% of people not “using their health plans” as a justification for doing away with our system. As if, what, health insurance is a gift card? It’s INSURANCE. I use my health insurance every time I eat out or drive down the street or frankly walk across the street. Insurance is peace of mind, not a set amount of money issued to individuals.
Why don’t you admit it the ACA FAILED MISERABLY. Premiums have skyrocketed
Subsidies have grown, and Obama himself put a limit on that, knowing what it would cost.
Of course Donald’s favorite drug lord got his pardon and got released from prison.
It’s by the same logic Donald pardoned all guilty of attacking the U.S. Capitol.
What’s most interesting is Heather’s take in the pro-criminality of the U.S.’s only-ever criminal in the White House.
He’s so un aware of any others as human beings that he personifies all his fellow rich U.S. rapists and all his fellow billionaires and dictators from around the world in that all who form “the Epstein class” cannot see what’s wrong with pushing mass amounts of drugs, raping underage girls, invading smaller, neighboring countries, murdering journalists, or even just arbitrarily up and demolishing the U.S. “people’s house.”
These of the Epstein class can’t see any of their evils as evil even if, as Heather puts it here today,
bi-partisan congressional leaders "are calling out what looks to be Bondi’s attempt to shield Trump." Of course. Evil reigns. Donald's pals could traffic those underage girls -- and kidnap some, too (as Virgin Island legal papers also showed today) as Putin could kidnap into Russian tens of thousands of Ukrainian children.
This Epstein class and all in it share the same insolence, the same scorn for law, all as if the world had schools actively teaching willful anesthetization by elites with the most money, graduates of the best schools, and most effective protectors of each other over the bottom 95% of us.
My experience with schools is that they are forced to teach what politicians will allow them teach, and that this has become markedly ,more so over time thanks to growing influence of authoritarian plutocrats and the bought and paid for (anti) Republican Party.
Follow the money.
Sadly so J L.
All the more piquant then that the movers of 1971's Powell memo knew that, to get the money flowing more in their direction, first step must be to disembowel the schools of their humanities.
Thus the new Heritage Foundation, the new ALEC, and a revived older Hoover Institution combined forces for the rest of that decade -- with lobbyists in every state capital, new tens of thousands of lobbyists in Washington, D.C. -- to defund all the public colleges and universities, shame professors from using books, films, and songs for public causes outside narrow specialization, and organize campaigns against all kinds of literature and other arts, too, at the K-12 level.
Decade by decade schools everywhere lost the arts of the personal, the ways they had had to see (and to teach) human issues in human contexts, and the most amoral grew into the most cynical, and they all united into what Heather has been calling our currently ruling Epstein class.
The Bible calls the love of money the root of (some say "all" others "many) evils, but it's a strange use of the word "love", and I think much abusive avarice manages to conceal itself in the imprecision. I think that most would agree that money itself is not the evil, but that the willingness to disregard or violate our social obligations to one another as individuals, as a society, or even as a species, in order to serve personal gain is. That is what rape, robbery, or murder is about, as well as fraud, corruption, tyranny and aggressive war, among many other presentations of human injustice and violence. We are human because we care; about our own experience, as well as about other beings and things. I have long thought that it is more accurate to say "I FEEL, therefore I am" or "I EXPERIENCE, therefore I am" than is Descartes' famous abstraction. I would also argue that WHAT one is moved to pay attention to is an essential component of wisdom, as well as raw of intelligence. In any case don't those decisions of value make all the difference?
The Powell memo crowd has hustled to make "profit uber alles" sacrosanct, and ironically somehow, "Christian", which is "War is Peace" grade Doublethink. Religion is nothing without discussion of values, but for me most presentations of it leave too small a role to evidence-based reality checking. Not that we can PROVE "correct" value with evidence and logic alone, but we can certainly INFORM our values, by keenly observing verifiable in common realities, and we can share our human reactions in good faith. I am not sure that any truth, especially one of trusted values, is ultimately "self-evident", but we can agree that for us as human beings, they are functionally axiomatic. Why do we honor someone like Lincoln over Hitler, over and above the fact that both were impactful? Why do we pull out the Dickens's stories, or the "Grinch", at Christmas, which is often, even for those who don't identify as Christian, is regarded as a time for tenderness? Without a sense of values, what matters at all? Literally.
I don't think the schools bear the primary burden for promoting the precepts of our common weal, though they rightly bear a great deal of it. Public education reflects the values that we hold in common. Ans yes, the Powell Memo powers are doing their best to warp our cultural awareness to their own advantage; for which the power of even holding even hundreds of billions (with a "B") of dollars is never enough, while others, or even posterity, be damned if they get in the way of unbridled greed. And the greed and abuses now coming to the fore makes the Dickens tales seem tame; and we so need see that in perspective.
Try living without money pal go ahead get out there. I’ve got a big cardboard box already for you.
No, the first step is to bring back school choice to bring back occupational education, so that those that don’t have any desire to go on to college to make a living and not become dependent on the state
High five JL ~
Hi five? More like hi 1… The middle one
You sort of speak for me as I feel that the Epstein class can’t see any of their evils as evil. Just another way of saying that we are in a trance of “willful anesthetization by elites” so that the lawlessness is ignored. Lawlessness is not only ignored but perpetuated by the Epstein class. Full circle, a merry-go-round with dizzying implications and consequences.
The Trump pardoned drug lord met with Roger Stone and the two of them crafted a letter to Donald Trump with the usual sycophancy and how they were both unfairly tried based on no evidence blah blah blah.
IQ is not a static measurement. At one time Donald probably had an IQ over 100 but because he refuses to read and learn his IQ has likely dropped below 100. And as his dementia progresses even lower.
Does anyone expect Trump's mental acuity to improve?
Have you read the narrations by Noel Cassler - Trump family assistant on The Apprentice about 45/47 drug use? D Snorting crushed adderall + a lot of cocaine on the set. Perforated his sinuses = white stuff popping out his mouth in televised debates. Probably not much left upstairs but he has a lizzard brain con-man charisma his base likes.
It's not a f*cking "class". If you're using the name "Epstein" you're referring to an international criminal enterprise. And not everyone in the top 5%, as you appear to believe, is involved in it. But just for kicks, please name who you think is the "Epstein class".
Sorry, Steven, but there's a chasm between what I may think and what the evidence is.
Read Diane Ravitch's "The Language Police." There you will see -- with hundreds of apt appendices -- further evidence of not those who did the underage girls, but the similarly foul, soulless billionaires who trafficked all those standardized tests and corporate packaged textbooks to all the millions consequently anesthetized by them.
I will be happy to read the book you recommend. Still, as I said, if you, or Heather, is using the name "Epstein" you're referring to a specific international criminal enterprise. From what you've replied I think the Billionaire Class is probably what you intend to be castigating. And it *is* a "class". And it is powerful. And what they're doing to democracy and the planet is criminal, but not necessarily in a legal sense.
Not all the billionaires are "Epstein Islanders", but a large enough percentage of them are. Using "Epstein class", to my way of thinking, calls out those who both frequent the island for its procurement of underage children AND who believe that their "3 comma wealth" gives them a status above the law. Throw in a healthy measure of assumption of white male superiority, and you've got the "Epstein Class".
I see Epstein class as a very concise term, similar to how WASP has been used. Although you don't see that term much anymore.
Hey Ally! How do you know "a large enough percentage of them are."?
Anyway, I'm not going to die on this hill. Much like "Defund the Police", it's wrong and doesn't really communicate reality. At least Phil Balla made the distinction between actual rapist pedophiles and billionaire manipulators. What's the point of using imprecise language? Tell it like it is and say "Epstein group" or "Epstein international criminal enterprise". SMH.
Well, you epstein commentators. Epstein is dead. Let’s all move on to December 2025 and see how we can help this country move forward shall we
YMMV
Listen, if you don’t wanna make money and be as well go to camp America, may not be for you. That’s not a bad thing it’s just an obvious thing
Steven, we had a side-conversation about this a couple days ago. HCR did not coin the term, "Epstein class," but she quoted it because it carries a context that perfectly describes the individuals who are part of it.
As I noted then, "Epstein class" might be equated with the "One-Percenters," or as you suggest, the "billionaire class," but those designations merely indicate that members are super-rich.
"Epstein class" signifies that its members are not only extremely wealthy, but entitled, protected by their peers, self-dealing, and profoundly callous to the harmful effects of their behaviors on others. In other words, "Epstein class" carries more meaning, easily inferred by people who hear/read it.
I see your point. But can you name who's in the Epstein class? How do you identify them? It's just a non-specific condemnation and becomes a stereotype that disinforms and supposedly references an ambiguous "class" of people. Are they criminals? Are they dupes? Are they all actively plotting? Sorry, but to my mind it just creates another "class" of people to hate. I just don't see how this is constructive.
The Epstein criminal enterprise is comprised of specific individuals who should be prosecuted for the crimes they may have committed. Maybe this will illustrate it for you:
Should we be calling the military involved in the "strikes" in international waters the "Hegseth class"? Is there a Hegseth class? Or maybe it's the "Rubio class" or the "Miller class". Why not the "Trump class"? SMH.
Steven, my mom would have said, "Oh, Steven, you're just being contrary." She also used to say, "He's the Eddie Haskel type." When I've mentioned this to people my age, they know exactly the type she was talking about; Someone who's smarmy and faux-respectful to parents and authority figures and a scoundrel when the adults aren't looking.
You write like a lawyer, someone who's trying to entrap another writer asking leading questions. Perhaps you're a member of the "lawyer class."
These are not people we hate. It's a shorthand method of identifying a "type."
Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are in the Epstein class. Both are obscenely wealthy, sacrifice personal integrity for financial gain, enjoy preferential treatment from their peers and do not care how their harmful actions affect others. Neither of these men trafficked underage girls for sex (that we know of) but they are still members of the Epstein class.
Do I hate them? No. Do I buy from Amazon or drive a Tesla? No. Actually, they do not deserve the energy it would require of me to hate them. It's their actions that I condemn.
“Anesthestized” gets to the objective of the decades of gradually monopolized mainstream media, hate-radio, social media, hate-podcasts & violent gamer culture that has evolved into an omnipresent, all enveloping / conditioning matrix that degrades enough people’s cognitive sovereignty that they can be manipulated; operated on to serve the interest of fascist mafia state oligopolists / colonizers. It’s a social disease that Dr. Bandy X. Lee calls Trump contagion. <> We’re well on with forensic analysis. Massive grassroots effort with sound comm skills as described by Karin Tamerius (Smart Politics) is needed to reach out to newly disillusioned former Trump voters, the people with standing to start internal resistance in Trumpworld.
They're out there, John, our fellow millions for human decency.
Because his new memoir, "The Uncool," is out, I've followed several interviews recently with boy prodigy, music journalist, film director Cameron Crowe. So good, so perceptive on what it takes to see others, to probe into the emotions, the personal lives which take effort, some skills, to find.
I love our democracy (our in the broadest, most international sense) because it allows to blossom not only souls of all colors such as Cameron C., but it also lets us grow and cherish so many musicians, chefs, knitters, novelists, quilt makers, memoirists, gardeners, film makers, orchardists, travel writers, essayists, and others of skills I've forgotten to name here.
You guys should probably be candidates to read John Kennedy’s new book. How to test negative for stupid. Number one on the best seller list.
Mean, legacy media, which is now dying like CNN was trying to be sold and MS and now I had to change their name to the credibility issues well, both lost about 50% of its former viewership and audience and the strongest networkthat we watch on TV now is Fox …leading all the networks in primetime viewership.
If you were out there in the real world, you wouldn’t make stupid statements like people standing to start internal resistance. As prices come down on gas, inflation stays flat. Please deals continue to be made the stock market continues to rise. And allegiance will continue to grow. Oooooops
Democrats? Ok
Well, we’ve come to find out at least three or four very very famous Democrats to say the least. And one royal family member
All succinctly profound. This point, “and most effective protectors of each other over the bottom 95% of us.” applies 100% to Fred & Donald Trump. Separate IJs, David Cay Johnston & Wayne Barrett exposed facts that, to people who knew the lay of the land around NYC & NJ indicated Fred was probably a money launderer for maybe 2, or 3 mob families: Backed up by troubled son Donald getting Roy Cohn as his mentor & attorney as he started into Manhattan development. Not any schlub from Queens gets that. <> Michael Cohen’s MD uncle did patch up work for NY mob soldiers injured in the line of work. He was a principal owner of Caribe Caterers in Brighton Beach - Brooklyn. Attorney Cohen kater became a part owner. It was a Russian / Ukrainian mob social club / meeting place. My cousin insured the fleet of oil tankers owned by a newly minted Russian Oligarch after the fall of the USSR / CCCP. Negotiations for the contract were a series of meetings at El Caribe.
This is from a new world newscaster bringing you an emergency alert.
Not sure how you been missing it but it is now December 2025. You just might want to catch up and look towards tomorrow instead of continuing your addiction to ancient history.
Spicy, John, your first-hand insights into the U.S. mob and Russian nomenklatura.
I was in eastern Europe (Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic) during the period when American hot shots were investing in those former Soviets becoming oligarchs during the 1990s. U.S. State Dept. eagerly aided in the massive thievery of state assets from the Russian people to the new oligarchs and their U.S. investors (many just minted with new M.B.A.s from the Ivies).
So much corruption at the top for everyone.
The Republicans favorite drug lord has been killing drug Lords killing traffickers, sending them back to their original countries at some 2 1/2 million now only nine months after taking office.
You have to thank the ANTI-DRUG LORD//PUSHER Joe Biden for the struggles that Trump is going through right now. But I forgot to tell you, the border was secure.
Holy effing shit gullible piece of crap
Thank you, as always!
And my normal -
We deserve better ❤️🩹🤍💙
There’s a calendar on my spreadsheet so we can target our calls/letters/emails/faxes to flood offices in an organized manner.
Use/share this spreadsheet (bit.ly/Nokings) as a resource to contact members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Call. Write. Email. Protest. Unrelentingly.
Reach out (beyond your own) to as many in the Senate and House as you can. All of this is bigger than “I only represent my constituents” issues.
Add a comment to help keep this bumped ✊ New eyes seeing this means new ripples for change! 🤞
Thank you!
You’re welcome! Thanks for speaking up right now!
Go Meg go !!!
Good morning! ☺️ have a great day!
Thank you, Megan.
Thank YOU for commenting often!
Dear Megan, please provide a .pdf of your spreadsheet. Many thanks!
I do have an easy to print PDF and have a note on my spreadsheet with my email to message me for one. I can’t post a PDF on a comment in Substack, but my email is Megan.neish@gmail.com so just send me an email asking for it :)
I only share a pdf when asked because it’s a growing document and the pdf would change anytime I had to adjust anything on the spreadsheet. I know not everyone likes Google spreadsheets though
Megan, thank you for doing this daily. You are a prime example of how everyday people can used whatever skills they have to fight this battle. EVERY bit that someone contributes helps!
When an R+22 district shrinks to a single-digit win, a lot of Republicans in R+10 districts are about to prefer more quality time with family.
I prefer the Professor Dumbledore version: so-and-so is leaving Hogwarts “in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs.”
Oh, I do hope so.
That can't happen too soon.
I have sometimes wondered when they use that phrase, that perhaps their political career aspirations and actions have so wounded their relationships that they DO need to spend time with their families. Let's hope their families set them straight.
"Republicans can survive if we..."
Cheat!
Do you think the current rendition of republiscum can survive their own pus pockets? God I would hate to call myself by that stripe. Send them a block of ice for Christmas.
Power has always tended to corrupt, does it not? At least when tethered from sufficient feedback and accountability. I struggle to sufficiently manage my own internal "Mr. Hyde". We all seek self-interest, but that gets complicated in a society.
"had I risked the experiment while under the empire of generous or pious aspirations, all must have been otherwise, and from these agonies of death and birth, I had come forth an angel instead of a fiend. The drug had no discriminating action; it was neither diabolical nor divine; it but shook the doors of the prison-house of my disposition; ... At that time my virtue slumbered; my evil, kept awake by ambition, was alert and swift to seize the occasion; and the thing that was projected was Edward Hyde."
The sociopathic side of Jekyll's character became dominant due to a fictional drug, but does not excess of money, and other forms of social power have much the same effect? Epstein is just one of a whole rouge's gallery of historical illustrations; and this is by no means the first time we have seen those proclivities spread across societies. Only eternal commitment and vigilance can keep us individually and collectively out of a Hobbesian nightmare. I think most of us have access to that resource, but commitment and engagement makes it real, in individual choices, in social mores and in the goals and actions of governance.
Epstein Class. Ever think about why the classic cartoon "villain" wears a top hat?
Yes, I like
So we'll win the House and possibly the Senate next November. What is the Democrats' plan for what to do next? If we don't plan now, it'll be a failed Reconstruction all over again. Affordability is an issue, but so much will be resolved by the cancellation of the tariffs that much can be remedied in one fell swoop. Healthcare only takes the political will to extend the ACA tax credits. Done and done. Now, about that pesky Rule of Law... If we don't start impeaching, convicting, and jailing those who have run roughshod over the laws of our country, no victory in 2026 or 2028 will stay. Those who broke the law so blatantly and personally profited from the Presidency must be punished so harshly that no one will even think to try it again in our lifetime. NEW NURENBERG 2026!
Part of cleaning up the House, will be to pass a law that no convicted felon can run for President.
And outlaw Citizens United. And get an enforceable code of ethics AND limit SCOTUS to 20 year terms!
Heck, let's have Universal Healthcare as well.
Yes! Should have been already.
Is another shutdown coming up. Republicans shut down and democrats wake up. Is it possible.
Yup! Jan 30 I'm given to understand.
I hope you’re young Kass. It’s because when you say our efforts should prevent a reversion to authoritarian efforts to last within our lifetime, to me that sounds like a couple or few election cycles.
I know the cost of freedom and such democracy as we have is constant vigilance. I suppose there’s teeth in that realization. At the same time, I’d really like to leave behind something that might last awhile. I guess that’s the vigilance part. ✊
My hope, Bill, is that a new Nuremberg keeps the criminals out of government for at least as long as the last Nuremberg. So 80 years?
My more important point is that we cannot go back to how things were just crossing our fingers and praying that everyone respects norms. We need to codify those norms in law and punish offenders swiftly. I fear when Trump is gone, Dems will sigh with relief and just go back to the old ways. That will only last until the next midterms. We need reform to prevent this happening again and politicians willing to do work that they may not get thanked for for decades.
Yes, prayer is the elevator to the political guillotine. 80 years is a fantastic forecast. I’d be surprised, still hopeful. Thinking of the aftermath of Nuremberg, things remained pretty rough. Interestingly, those trials nestled at the apex of HUAC’s rise and fall. Also, a consolidation of hard right groups around our own homegrown “Nazification”, and coincidentally the rise of Goldwater and the worship of John Galt, the comicbook character. Hmmm …
I join in your hope. And yes, it is necessary to fully prosecute.
Why did Trump pardon Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) who was serving a jail sentence and immediately filed to run for Congress? Ahhh....could it be because Cuellar has a safe Dems seat, he has NOT switched parties, but has agreed to vote ever how Trump demands in a quid pro quo and thus has stolen a seat in the midterms? Backed by a pardon at the end, Cuellar has no downside risk and upside of walking out of prison.
Trump has no ideas, beliefs or fixed causes, except those which benefit him personally. He lives for the moment somebody — anybody — kowtows to him, pays attention to him, appears to flatter him, lick his boots, polish his little knob for him, etc.
Except for Marco Rubio, of course. When Lil’ Marco whips out his tongue, Donnie Dementia just falls asleep. Not his type, I guess.
He paid for his pardon with votes!!!
As always, HCR cuts through the fog and presents clear and convincing reporting!
Is it me, or are the Democrats starting to be more aggressive? It's been so long - but it's certainly refreshing to see!
Some are like Garcia and Raskin.
Then there is Jeffries announcing he wouldn't support impeaching Hegseth. Capitulating in advance. Maybe, he thinks it would take time and hinder higher-priority legislation. But why make it a public statement?
That is not capitulation, and reporting it like that does a disservice to the issues involved. Jeffries wants Republicans to demand his resignation because he knows they will *not* support impeachment. (If they vote to impeach Hegseth, it wouldn’t stop there, and everyone knows it).
He was asked point-blank would he support impeachment, and he didn’t beat around the bush. A Democratic-led House move would fail as House Goopers would circle what’s left of their wagons in a flash. And it would distract from Senate hearings, which seem to be coming and will force into the open what has heretofore been kept hidden. It’s likely Jeffries is counting on that.
The GOP will then pretend to itself that resignation is the lesser evil, but will be forced to go on record as initiating the beginning of real accountability. We can all be mistaken, but it feels like Kegsbreath isn’t long for this world.
You can disagree with the strategy, but there most certainly is a strategy in play.
A better answer would have been: "The highest immediate priority for Democrats is to extend the ACA subsidies. We are the party that supports working people in this country." And then walk away.
Republicans will spin what Jeffries did say into "Even Democrats know there is no case against Hegseth."
Those who walk away almost never get anything. Those who strategize about how best to play may well get something worth keeping. There’s a momentum involved and it doesn’t look good for the GOP. It would be foolish not to make use of that.
I'm not surprised, just disappointed. Jeffries, just like his preceptor Chuck Schumer, is clinging to an obsolete and failed strategy.
There is blood in the water.
Literally, as a result of Hegseth's orders.
The end of the Trump dictatorship has begun, but it will be a dangerous and probably long road to the finish.
Affordability...Republicans new dirty word, as in "If you have to ask, you can't afford it."
"Republican strategists think that voters won’t care about healthcare costs by the time of the midterm elections, especially if Republican policies bring down the costs of housing, energy, food, and gas. They think voters will be angrier at support for the Affordable Care Act than at higher healthcare costs."
Promises, promises. Is a bird in the hand worth two in the bush? I wouldn't count on Republicans bringing down the costs for Americans at some future time.
Also, can someone tell me why "they" will be angrier at support for the ACA than at higher healthcare costs?
As for affordable housing, check out this new bill that Jessica Craven's U.S. Rep just introduced in the House. He advocates taking the "$175 billion ICE and CBP slush fund" from the Big Ugly bill and putting it toward housing for Americans. It's called the Make Housing Affordable and Defend Democracy Act.
https://gomez.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5821
ACA & other healthcare initiatives like Medicare cut into the massive profits of the insurance, pharmaceutical and medical equipment companies. There are those, including in the House and Senate, who carry portfolios in part gilded with those securities. Not to overlook heavy investment by many of our most beloved plutocrats.
Agreed!
Morning, Lynell! That seems like a fabulous idea to me!
Morning, Ally! Hope your day - and every day - is full of music!
The next few days are huge; tuba rehearsal tonight, duets tomorrow, our Tuba Carol Concert on Saturday along with Symphonic Band dress rehearsal, then Symphonic Band Concert on Sunday. At least my church quartet gig got moved to a different Sunday!
Go on with your tubal self...Woohoo!
🎵🎶🎵🎶
Remember,” he (Lutnick) said, “as you deport people, that’s going to suppress private job numbers of small businesses. But they’ll rebalance and they’ll regrow. So I think this is just a near-term event and you’ll see as the numbers come through over the next couple of months, you’ll see that all pass, and next year the numbers are going to be fantastic.” And how is this miraculous rebalancing going to appear? The ONLY workers willing to work in agriculture are the very people trump slime and useless bimbo Noem deported. Oh! oh! we're going to enslave the MAGA cult - men, women, and children and their love for Dear Leader will make them willing, uncomplaining slaves, Right, got it.
‘Rebalance’ — I noticed that silly comment too — the power of wishful thinking.
Among themselves & MAGAs they live in a bubble where this provides solace.
— they are all going to need to experience a whole lotta pain before they wake up.
Altho ‘Waking’ up is the last thing they want voters to do.
I think they are going to force people who take SNAP benefits to take those jobs.
“Effective activism succeeds when every member knows their role, shows up without having to be called, acts without waiting for permission, and understands that their individual action connects to something larger.”
https://open.substack.com/pub/cmarmitage/p/what-the-mafia-can-teach-us-about?r=kxzps&utm_medium=ios
“There’s a difference between RESISTANCE and OPPOSITION.
Resistance is reactive. It responds to someone else’s agenda, plays defense, waits to see what the other side does and then scrambles to block it. Opposition sets its own agenda. Opposition decides what it wants and builds the power to take it. We are done reacting.
🆘 We set the agenda now.
The cycle has four phases: Educate, Activate, Recruit, Repeat.
Not a burst of activity after each new outrage, but a practice woven into daily life.
🆘 The goal is making activism something we are rather than something we do when we have energy. We are pushing for policies that create actual independence from fascist control.
Example:
🆘 state attorneys general must open criminal investigations and prosecutions of federal officials who violate state law.
🆘 A tiny thing daily.
Frequency, duration, intensity. Thanks for being here, together.”
What the Mafia Can Teach Us About Destroying MAGA
CHRISTOPHER ARMITAGE | THE EXISTENTIALIST REPUBLIC
DEC 1 2025 | Substack
In that spirit, why is there STILL no Democratic shadow cabinet that is crafting legislation and policy--a Plan For America 2027? That idea was first floated right after the election. It would have clarified what Dems would do for the working class and introduced a deep bench of candidates to the American people, each focused on a specific policy area.
I've been pushing for people like Robert Reich and Paul Krugman to try to organize it. But crickets.
Republicans had Project 2025, which really is a plan for the destruction of government. It sure has been an effective wrecking ball. But the idea is to show up prepared to change things on Day One.
I don't know what Democrats would do in the first 100 days if they took control of Congress. Does anyone here? If you do, please tell me.
The two people I would NOT want in the shadow cabinet to "clarify" what the Democratic party would do for the working class are Larry Summers and Reid Hoffman. Summers has been banned for life from the American Economics Association, dropped by the American Center for Progress and may very well lose his Harvard professorship. Hoffman was openly and loudly called for Lina Kahn's resignation as chair of the FTC under Biden.
I certainly don't want people like this defining and clarifying who gets what and why, for me.
Blondie -I mean Bondi- will of course blow them off. But the bipartisan effort shows more cracks in the Gop ranks and willingness to challenge the administration. The weakness is spreading.
What's the over/under on Bondi's eventual disbarrment? Because I simply do not see how she comes out of this law license intact.