Last night’s thirteen-minute Super Bowl half-time show featuring Bad Bunny had more watchers than any other halftime show in history: an estimated 135 million watched live, while millions more have streamed it since.
I found the entire half time show deeply moving. From the joy of the dancing to Benito moving rapidly among the colorful typical daily scenes, and most of all, the real life wedding! How cool was that?! But more, I felt it was a rebuke of the current political scene. Life goes on, is what he was saying, and you can’t erase or deport people who have every right to be here. To me, it seemed an almost Jesse Owens-like display of serene defiance. He knew, they both knew, they weren’t wholly welcomed in the arena and they both ignored that to go on and work their magic.
I have had a problem since grade school geography with referring to the people who live in the United States as "Americans" as though we are the only Americans. Lol. Thanks for the history lesson, HCR.
Lady Emsworth, although I've mentioned it here before, my comment undoubtedly got lost in Substack's bizarre indent/push-out comment system.
A Scottish writer named James Duff Law was about 120 years ahead of you. In a letter he wrote: "We of the United States, in justice to Canadians and Mexicans, have no right to use the title 'Americans' when referring to matters pertaining exclusively to ourselves." He coined the term "Usonia" (United States of North Independent America).
Preeminent U.S. architect Frank Lloyd Wright shared Law's discomfort with the arrogant disregard of the other citizens of North, Central and South America. He embraced Usonia as early as 1927 and went on to design a class of affordable housing that he called "Usonian."
Funny story: my "American" half-sister (born in Australia, brought up in US for lengthy reasons I won't go into, fervent Australian passport-holder, strong Chicago accent) was visiting me in Sydney. We went on a train trip to show her some country towns, and as we pulled into Woy Woy I told her this was where Spike Milligan's mother lived. Another passenger waiting for the train to stop said to me, curious, "Are you American?" I stared at her, stupidly, because I have a marked English accent. "Er, no, I'm not." The train stopped and we all went our separate ways. Perhaps the oddest thing was the fact that Spike Milligan, known for being one of the figureheads of English comedy and knighted by the Queen, who had a great sense of humour, was born in India to Irish father and English mother, served with the British in WWII, became stateless on refusing to swear allegiance to the Queen, and took Irish nationality which he retained for life. His tombstone (in England) is engraved in Gaelic "I told you I was ill."
When I have traveled outside the USA and been asked where I am from I have said the United States of America. The response: "Yes, but where in the United States?" The question was for State and City because the questioner was knowledgeable and curious.
'United States' and 'America' literally have the same number of syllables....but one is much more accurate than the other. 'America' isn't shorter, it's just kinda lazy (imho).
40 years ago I went to Guatemala. I am a nurse and worked in a rural clinic there. When I said I was American, even then they corrected me, to say we are all American on this continent. Maybe other places besides this continent call us Americans but not on this continent.
'United States' and 'America' literally have the same number of syllables....but one is much more accurate than the other. 'America' isn't shorter, it's just kinda lazy (imho).
Gary, I completely agree. It's in our name. It's in the name and lyrics of the anthem I prefer 'America the Beautiful' as well as 'God Bless America' (not my fave my still better than our official anthem.) It's in our history going back to at least the 18th C, and probably earlier, thanks to Amerigo Vespucci. And I have no problem with people from other countries in this hemisphere calling themselves 'Americans', be they from North or South America.
I’ve never heard anybody complain about the use of “America” and “American” to refer to the U.S. and its citizens except ivory tower academics and think tank gurus. People from the other American countries don’t seem to be bothered and call us “Americans.”
Gloria, why have you felt that way? As I replied to Gary Pudup, it's in our name, has been since the latter part of the 18th C. We have both self-referred and been referred to by others as 'Americans'. I have a huge problem with much of our history, including our current history, but not with calling myself an American (although I'd really prefer to call myself a Canadian at this point, to be honest, but I can't.)
I’m not into sports except running but I watched Bad Bunny and enjoyed it. Wow fantastic presentation. I want to open for Bad Bunny, lol. 😝
I first visited the island nation in1993 to visit an international graphic art exhibit. And subsequently have visited through the years. I recall once discussing independence with an activist. He thought I might be a FBI plant so I advised him to keep his big mouth shut.(The FBI was still searching for Victor Gerenia who stole several million from a Wells Fargo truck in my hometown of Hartford. And I’m sure the FBI was listening to my calls to his ex-girlfriend who was a hair stylist that I frequented for hair cuts, lol. I can imagine the listener when I asked, “When can I get an appointment?) But I did offer my opinion on independence. Puerto Ricans held a few referendums on independence but always fell short. I suggested they demand both Puerto Rico and the mainland have such a referendum and if they had, Puerto now would be a nation. But those times have past. It time to make Puerto Rico the 51st state.
Funny that I couldn’t later find out who won since after half time, I closed my TV. But Bad Bunny stories prevailed everywhere especially on Fox. I had fun ridiculing the posters.
Yes, Puerto Rico should be the 51st state. Of course. Absolutely not Greenland or Canada. I would have liked to travel to Puerto Rico. My bucket list was too long. Now I am too old. Bad Bunny was fabulous. What a statement as well as a fantastic performance.
And they never voted for independence because they would have gone down hill even further than they are now. The middle class would never and did never vote for independence.
"In July 2024, Governor Pedro Pierluisi called a plebiscite on the status of Puerto Rico in November 2024; for the first time the island's current status as a U.S. territory was not an option during the non-binding plebiscite. The executive order followed the U.S. House of Representatives' 2022 approval of a bill to help Puerto Rico move toward a change in territorial status. Voters were given the choice of statehood, independence, or independence with free association, the terms of which would be negotiated regarding foreign affairs, U.S. citizenship, and use of the U.S. dollar.[76] The Popular Democratic Party called for a blank vote for not including the Commonwealth or the current system.[77]
In the November 5 referendum, the top choice was statehood which garnered 57% of votes.[78][79] - Wiki
IMO, it's either statehood by choice or independence by choice.
This made me smile. You captured how his reach goes far beyond sports or charts. Your Puerto Rico memories add real depth, especially the independence conversation and how history narrowed the options over time. I agree the halftime show overshadowed the game itself, which says something. Art has a way of cutting through noise, even on channels that might miss the point, and that contrast made it even more revealing.
I LOVED this show. I didnt care for the women scantily clad shakin their booties either. I dont know much of any Spanish and I am not a fan of the crotch grabbing either. I am not sure what makes me uncomfortable with it. How did that make you feel?
Because I don’t know anything about Bad Bunny and don’t speak Spanish, I was left with the visuals. And the very first visuals were of the scantily clad well endowed women, shaking, shaking, and showing it all. And then, as you say, the crotch grabbing. I’m so tired of it. I might be willing to celebrate Puerto Rican culture, but I don’t celebrate the culture that keeps women in a certain place. Not in Puerto Rico, not in Saudi Arabia, not in the orthodox Jewish community, not with Muslims, not with Mormons, etc.
Me either! Other than that, I wish they had rolled an English translation while it was in so that we could know what he was saying. I speak Spanish, but it was too fast for me☺️
Me, too. Crotch grabbing has a history (I looked it up), but psychologists/psychotherapists and men in general give various reasons - release of feel-good hormones, proof of masculinity, or maybe just plain itching.
That is a beautiful reading of it. The joy felt intentional, not escapist but grounded in everyday dignity. The wedding moment especially said, we exist, we love, and we build lives in public view. I agree about the political undercurrent. It was not a shout but a calm refusal to disappear. That kind of presence, confident and unbothered, can be more powerful than protest.
Thank you for history I didn’t know about Puerto Rico. The halftime show was absolutely phenomenal and such a strong message for unity and love ❤️
And my usual - Be LOUD. These are unprecedented times 💔🤍💙
Use/share this spreadsheet (bit.ly/Goodtrouble) 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.
I agree Megan. The show was phenomenal. Not only was Bad Bunny sending a strong message for unity, but also a strong message of resistance. We need more performers like him. He avoided saying "Fuck ICE" directly, but said it in every other way.
For those who complained about not understanding the words, do they do the same thing when they here the Ode to Joy in Beethoven's Ninth? Music is universal, and if one has lived in the US and not picked up enough Spanish to understand many words, that is unfortunate. Also, I know that my mom never understood the words to my music when I was growing up, and my daughter had to teach me the words to the songs she is listening to, which have included Bad Bunny. I wrote a piece about why Bad Bunny did not come to Chicago to perform when I was there in September.
The rest of the world embraces learning other languages. Even the most rabidly German First AfD member knows some English and does not complain about it. In Berlin, many restaurants have staff who come from all over the world who speak English, but not German. They are taking German though because they know that they will need it to get ahead and study in universities, which are tuition free by the way.
I was just reading a discussion of the book "Outclassed: How the Left Lost the Working Class and How to Win Them Back" by Joan C. Williams, where a person was asking, "Williams quotes a staggering figure of “only 46% of progressive activists would choose to live in the US if they could live anywhere in the world.” If the current trend of American government prevails, does this mean that we are likely to see mass emigration of progressives out of the US, similar to recent trends of wealthy Republicans leaving New York and California for Florida and Texas?"
I think we are seeing people leaving, but more staying. One reason people stay is that people are fighting back and resisting this administration. That gives them hope for better days. They are protesting, and documenting the atrocities. Inertia is another reason people will stay. Those who are truly unhappy with what the US is becoming will seek to leave to better opportunities. I personally know several people who are secretly searching for other academic jobs, particularly in the sciences in other countries. Four years of an anti-science government is deadly for research and careers. It forced my husband out, but we had already planned to retire abroad for structural reasons with how the US handles health care for retired people, and the constant threat from the far right politicians to steal our social security and our medicare. Instead we fight from abroad. Ironically, my white German husband feels safer in the US, than I, a born American citizen with brown skin do.
I think about the people in the other American countries who have moved to the United States, leaving extreme hardship behind to face an even harder journey just to get someone else where life for their children can be better than what they endure. People who move to other countries always have a certain tenacity. I see that among my fellow Americans abroad. They bring that tenacity to their lives in the USA, and our spirit is filled with that striving. The striving of generations. It is this spirit that makes us different from other countries. Americans abroad also are protesting and resisting this government as it seeks to spread its influence around the world. Puerto Ricans are both Americans abroad and Americans at home. They should either be allowed their independence of be made the 51st state depending on the will of the people.
In my youth a number of hit songs (even in stodgy Ohio) we in other languages, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Japanese, I think there was even one in Russian. When my age was still in the single digits, my folks started taking me to see foreign movies. I didn't like subtitles, but soon enough it became natural. Now most of the movies I see are subtitled. I like the fact that we humans come in different cultures. I hate dubs. It is reassuring that facial expressions, the tone of voice, the motives, seem to be largely familiar despite the differing verbal codes.
JL I also was taken to foreign movies a lot as a child. Even some inappropriate ones because my mother was friends with the theater manager of the local art house movie theater. Not only did I see The Battle of Algiers many times, but also Fahrenheit 451, and other more eclectic things like that, but I could read the subtitles too. I had taught myself to read at 3, so by 7 I could read the movie subtitles which are always simplified. I viewed seeing a foreign movie as a vacation away. I sat through 14 hours in 2 days of Fassbinder's "Berlin Alexanderplatz." The people who stayed for the whole thing became like family even if we did not talk to each other, we had a shared experience.
I worked at a movie theater when I was in college. It showed a different double feature every day, and we could trade out with all the other theaters and Second City to go to their shows in exchange for their people being able to come to ours. We would often watch in our theater from the balcony where it was just us on shifts we were not working with a bag of buttered popcorn with parmesan cheese sprinkled on it. We showed films by Fassbinder, Buñuel, Almodovar; and French New Wave filmmakers like Rohmer, Godard, Varda as well. Kirosawa and Miyazaki were also in. I fell in love with the movie "Diva."
The diversity in the USA is its Super power and Trump fails to realize it. Luckily for Canadians, Carney does.
"The diversity in the USA is its Super power and Trump fails to realize it. Luckily for Canadians, Carney does. "
Brava good sister; That is the absolute truth. But, djt is only the belligerent face forward; It's the money folks supporting it. Don't lose sight of that; That it's a coalition and they thought djt might be a 'useful tool.'
Trump yesterday threatened on Truth Social to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, repeating the familiar claim that Canada had taken advantage of the USA and demanding compensation.
He publicly endorsed the bridge to Canada in 2017, declaring: "America is deeply fortunate to have a neighbor like Canada. We have before us the opportunity to build even more bridges, and bridges of cooperation and bridges of commerce.”
I envy you being able to spend that theater time. Back before children, my spouse and I went to movies multiple times a week when late afternoon shows were discounted. Kids and then COVID have put the kibosh on going to theaters. I miss that. Watching movies on even a big screen TV is never going to replace it.
Back before children my husband and I were film center members in Chicago, and went to several other film clubs too James. I envy myself for that life, but I have to say, I am enjoying retirement and do what I want. There are some nice theaters that show that sort of film in Bremen as well.
Indeed it is. I grew up in an area with a huge Eastern European population. My classmates had Polish names, which, as we all know, contain no vowels (☺️) and were first- or second-generation Americans. I miss it.
My husband is studying Polish right now as one of several languages that he started studying during Covid. Being from Chicago, which is known as an immigrant friendly city, in fact, it is used as a model to explain immigration to the US; the sector model is that people come to communities in the US of others like them and in 2-3 generations move to the suburbs where the melt in. It is the melting pot theory, that is not exactly correct, but was held for a long time.
I always thought that the fact that I grew up in a university community with friends whose parents came from all over the world was a plus.
Bad Bunny is making us aware again of who is American, and what America is as a long continental mass, not one country called the United States. Donald Trump wants to stride from one end of the Americas and consider it his territory, but no one outside of the US wants that.
I wrote this piece about Bad Bunny in the fall when I was in Chicago. He is a hero.
As of 2024, approximately 6.1 million Puerto Ricans live on the mainland, while only about 3.1 to 3.2 million reside on the island. This trend, where the diaspora outnumbers the island population, has existed since around 2006 due to economic migration. A lot of it is due to the fact that SSI is unavailable in PR.
Where I live, most of the population is Hispanic.
A number of them are at odds, sometimes for economic reasons, sometimes because of racism.
I don't think, however that MAGA/Trump did itself any favors with MAGA followers by boycotting Bad Bunny. "Many fans have even dubbed this year’s Super Bowl as the “Benito Bowl,” referring to Bad Bunny’s nickname.".
If your husband had Latin in high school or college (I was lucky enough to have one year with an excellent teacher) he will find the cases and declensions a good base for learning Polish. The bit of German I have makes me think that will help too. I had a good laugh when the US military thought it would take Ukrainians so long to learn complicated weapons. With two languages from childhood? Was my response.
In graduate school in French, having done Old French with an International scholar and excellent teacher, I took Old Spanish, taught in Spanish, and passed it. The brain stimulus of language should be a gift for every child. But learning a new language is possible
even in old age, particularly if humor is an integral part of the class. Two graduates of Jagellonian are proving that in Kraków.
Yes. No to dubs. When it first came out, I watched "Das Boot" in a theater, in the front row because there were few available seats. The original, in German with subtitles. Being that close to the screen made it feel like I was IN the movie. Some years later, I saw a dubbed version and was sorely disappointed. You just can't do that movie in anything but German and get the same impact. I've got the original on DVD.
I saw Das Boot in the theater, and though I would like to see it again, I won't watch it at home. It would not have nearly the same impact as watching it on a big screen in a dark room.
Trump has always used the English only message as part of his hate and fear campaign. I recall in the 1980's the hateful "English Only" movement seemed to me as anti-American. The First Amendment secures our freedom of speech. The Framers of the Bill of Rights were smart people and if they intended "speech" to be only in the English language then they would have said so with an amendment securing only freedom of speaking English. Hey, then maybe the Roberts Six are totally wrong allowing ICE to question people speaking Spanish. Actually, they are wrong and everything they have done to our Constitution must be repealed. United We Amend.
Agreed, Albert, on the corrupt "Roberts Six," Long Dong Clarence court.
But as to languages, there's one favorite of mine. That is gaggles of little children walking outside together. I don't care what country it is, or nominally what language, but those kids always sound to me like a happily bubbling, gurgling, babbling brook.
Have you heard of American Promise? They proposed and amendment to get money out of politics and already have I believe 27 states—both Rs and Ds—on board.
"The Koch amendment refers to a proposed amendment related to U.S. policy that has faced criticism for potentially having negative effects, particularly concerning human rights and political relations. It is often associated with the Koch brothers' influence in American politics and their push for certain fiscal policies.
Overview of the Koch Amendment
The Koch amendment refers to a proposed change in legislation that has been associated with the Koch brothers, influential figures in American politics known for their libertarian views and significant financial contributions to conservative causes. for certain fiscal policies.
Wikipedia U.S. Department of State..."
"Purpose of the Koch Amendment
The amendment aims to impose strict fiscal constraints, particularly advocating for a balanced budget amendment (BBA) to the U.S. Constitution.
It seeks to limit government spending and ensure that the federal budget is balanced, preventing deficits.
Legislative Context
The amendment is part of a broader effort by right-wing groups, funded by the Koch brothers and other wealthy conservatives, to convene a national constitutional convention.
This convention would allow states to propose amendments without Congressional approval, requiring 34 states to call for it.
Current Status
As of now, the push for the Koch amendment has faced challenges. While proponents have gained support from several states, campaigns to rescind convention calls have also succeeded in some areas.
The movement has garnered significant opposition, with over 200 organizations denouncing the idea of an Article V convention, citing concerns over potential risks to the Constitution and civil rights.
Implications
Critics argue that the Koch amendment could lead to unintended consequences, including undermining democratic processes and civil liberties.
The debate continues as advocates and opponents present their cases regarding the necessity and risks of such an amendment.
You make a strong constitutional point. The First Amendment protects speech, not a preferred language, and that pluralism is deeply American. The English-only push has always been about fear, not civic unity. When language becomes grounds for suspicion, the Constitution is already being bent. I appreciate your framing. Rights survive when people insist on expanding them, not shrinking them.
Recently finished watching all 10 seasons of the wonderful series 'Seaside Hotel' on PBS, every bit of it in Danish (save for the old 1920s Gershwin songs in English), thanks to the expertly translated subtitles. Have to say, Danish sounds to me like German, but with almost all the consonants removed!
Thanks for the suggestion. We too are currently watching a Danish sub-titled series - "Families Like Ours". It's a dystopian climate change movie about the evacuation of Denmark (Netherlands has already shut down) due to the rising oceans. The storyline is in the following IMDB link.
Yes, it will be interesting when the US gives up on trying to shore up Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Houston, etc. We're talking millions of people that can't just move inland in FL, TX, LA, MS and AL. South Carolina has already lost many properties to climate change as have the outer bank of NC.
We traveled some Scandinavian countries last year. My great grandfather was a Swedish immigrant in 1800s. When I found out Swedish, which I couldn’t make out, and German has commonalities, it all made sense. 😚
Spanish isn’t a foreign language in the US. Spanish speakers were there before many Anglos, as were French speakers. More so for the Native American languages, which were there before any European languages.
Some of our favorite series have been Norwegian produced. Beforeigners, WIsting, Wallander and several others. We prefer to read the English sub-titles and leave the Norwegian dialog.
When we visited Norway, we were told by someone at the visitor center that virtually all Norwegians under age 50 could speak English. I assume they learned it at school.
When I visited Denmark last summer I went to Roskilde to see the Viking ships. As I was buying a ticket, the clerk asked in perfect English where I was from, and I hung my head and covered my face while whispering, “From the US. I’m sorry.” She started to laugh and laughed harder and harder and at the end, wiping her eyes, she said, very maternally, “That’s all right, dear. We welcome you.” Later I found that asking someone if they spoke English was almost an insult, as if I thought they were ignorant.
In the Netherlands, we did encounter some (mostly older) people who didn't speak English.
I took French in high school - decades ago - but I wish I had learned Spanish, since there are far more Spanish speakers in the U.S. and I would've had a lot more opportunities to practice.
Our Hungarian exchange student spent a year in the US with the goal of improving is English to the point he could understand song lyrics. Half the time I can't understand what is being said in faster songs. He contemplated bringing his pregnant wife here to have their baby in the US for the birthright citizenship but I discouraged that idea after T's election. Incidentally my brother, a PA, was at a protest at the Minnesota federal building Saturday where medical professionals protested the treatment of detainees. Some were arrested (thankfully not my brother) for throwing "objects" at the building. The news doesn't say it, but those objects were dildos. Gave me a chuckle.
I cannot understand many songs either cameron. My daughter acts as interpreter for contemporary songs to tell me what they are singing. Everyone I know has some song from their past where they were singing the wrong words. I guess that does not happen to MAGA though.
Thanks for the vocabulary development MLM. Yesterday I also had to look up 2 words as I was reading Orwell's "1984." Read and ye shall learn.
When I was in grad school I was substitute teaching and taught in a class of Puerto Rican children for a while. It was Kindergarten. The school would broadcast the "Pledge of Allegiance" over the PA, and at the end of it the office manager would say, "Thank you very much. Have a nice day." All of those little Kindergarteners would say that part at the end, and it was so cute, and so clearly brainwashing them. While that was not a Mondagreen, it reminded me of the character Ramona Quimby, in one of the books by Beverly Cleary, misunderstanding the "dawns early light "as the "Dawnzer Lee light." That is because it does not make sense to Kindergarteners. Some of the words in songs make about that much sense to me, thus I cannot remember or understand, or misunderstand them. There were Beatle songs where I had to look up the words or I would have been singing the wrong ones.
Why the dildos? I attend every protest I can, but I carry signs. I dont know if my prude old lady self could brandish a dildo in public, and they seem a bit expensive to be throwing them away. They are hilarious !
In early 2025, I began investigating the possibility of obtaining Italian citizenship. It’s more difficult and expensive that I expected but my mother’s parents immigrated from Sicily. I could manage living there as I already had for two blessed years in the late 1970s. Upon arrival in Florence, the first two people I befriended was a Nigerian art student named Rafiello, an adopted name. The other was an Iranian vendor named Sammy that had escaped from military conscription. I purposely kept my distance from fellow Americans. Interesting that I would.
I think you should try it. I am meeting regularly with wonderful Americans, mostly women living in Italy, France, England, Canada, Portugal and elsewhere in Germany, because of Indivisible Abroad. Some are also in Democrats Abroad. I have not avoided Americans, because those of us who live abroad have a lot in common. My German husband and my American friends German husbands all get along together because all of them have also spent significant time living in the States. It is a certain personality that is like that.
Your words took me back to my childhood and my boyhood idol, Roberto Clemente. He faced so many obstacles and challenges coming to play in Pittsburgh in the 1950s. In every gesture, like Bad Bunny he carried himself in pride for his homeland and his humanity. So, thank you!
Jack, when I was in graduate school I worked in several schools on an AIDS project. One of the schools I worked at was Roberto Clemente High School in Chicago, in a Puerto Rican part of the city Humboldt Park. That is how I learned about Clemente, although I have mostly forgotten his story. That is because it does not come up often enough. You are reminding me of that time in my life and Clemente as a person. Thanks.
I was stationed in Puerto Rico for two years, and remember the high regard the people all had for him. A real hero, he was killed when the plane he had chartered to fly relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua crashed on takeoff from San Juan.
I highly recommend it. She touches on the role of neoliberalism, which you have studied there and weaves many other things together in her book in order to form a pretty clear picture.
To my small group watching the Superbowl, I commented that I generally can't understand lyrics at the halftime show, even if they are sung in English! I'm not meaning slang, I mean that between the background noise, audio issues, etc, even if I know the artist AND the lyrics, I still can't!
So what the (BAD WORD!) is the big deal?
Back when I was growing up, the popular radio stations in Chicago (WLS and WCFL) still mostly segregated music (I had a friend introduce me to HK the DJ!!) but even within that, there was more variety of music. A black artist/group on 'LS or "CFL was considered "crossover".
I recall songs which became popular which were sung in other languages. I wish I could bring them up, and I doubt I have the spelling correct, but I recall hearing "Eres Tu". Also the singing nuns singing "Dominque".
As for me, I thought the sets and theatrics were wonderful and entertaining.
A last thought--do any of those complaining about the halftime show sung in Spanish ever attend an opera?
And also realizing how much we needed to see Bad Bunny at halftime knowing an estimated 135 million watched with us. Most liked what they saw too. That is what is driving Trump and MAGA nuts. The wanted "injection of hope and warmth" in the middle their campaign of hate and fear.
How I’d love to see the joy and love of Bad Bunny and Zohran Mamdani as the new face of the Democratic Party. Harkens a bit back to the peace and love of the ‘60’s & ‘70’s.
Yes, Gail, sooo agree! With what we are witnessing now, people in Minnesota and elsewhere, in large numbers, helping neighbors victimized by ICE. There's also the phenomenon of the Peace Walk soon to arrive in Washington D.C. And, for years now, Spanish has been treated as a second language in U.S. stores and on the phone to government and others like credit card companies. Also in the media, Latino television, for example. Peace and love is all around and we continue to RESIST!
The concert has been the topic of conversation on a couple of my political chats. I have learned a lot. more about Bad Bunny from these discussions because I have been looking him up. Here is a Bad Bunny mini documentary. https://youtu.be/4dFXQQLzTFs?si=pTVctiRe8NkR0OZE
And, in discussion over why he was picked, I found this piece which fit with what I was told the head of the NFL said, which is it was for money. This piece elaborates further. https://youtu.be/LnCUUlFkl58?si=xqjHURd4mXtmEqgI
I liked that they talk about the positive effect on Puerto Rico's economy for Bad Bunny to boycott the US with his concert tour. I had written this piece in the fall.
The message of the Republican party has always been hate and fear. They wish to divide and conquer us so corporations can takeover divided states. Our survival depends upon our identity and unity as Americans with the best Constitution in the world because we the people can amend it. Our history of “e pluribus unum” (out of many, one) of various peoples, ethnicities, and ideas forming a single, cohesive American identity having a common past, present and future, with our strong National defense, our common desire for opportunities including equal access to all levels of education, emergency services, public safety, clean air and water: affordable healthcare, safe transportation systems and proper social services in the future for ourselves and our posterity can only exist with our unity.
I’m thinking democratic states and our governors should begin exploring withholding paying the federal taxes if Trump begins (he has) withholding state grants to democratic Ststes. This is so bad. I know what would be a blessing for all but I can’t say it.
Bill, I agree. I have been saying this since last January. In fact, I recommend a class action lawsuit from people in Blue States saying no taxation without representation. We don't have it from our federal government even if we may have representatives working for us. Not enough as far as I can see. The House needs to grow so that it represents the people in the numbers that it used to.
The report of the 2025 Munich Security Conference (at which Vance infamously castigated European leaders for suppressing free speech, failing to halt illegal migration and running in fear from voters’ true beliefs) includes a section the US entitled 'Maga Carta'! Americans should know what europeans really think about the US under Trump.
The 2026 report (mercifully not attended by Vance) states that:
"In many Western societies, political forces favoring destruction over reform are gaining momentum. Driven by resentment and regret over the liberal trajectory their societies have embarked on, they seek to tear down structures that they believe will prevent the emergence of stronger, more prosperous nations."
It adds: "The most powerful of those who take the axe to existing rules and institutions is US President Donald Trump....we might see a world shaped by transactional deals rather than principled cooperation, private rather than public interests, and regions shaped by regional hegemons rather than universal norms. Ironically, this would be a world that privileges the rich and powerful, not those who have placed their hopes in wrecking-ball politics."
Capitalism thrives on hate and fear, estrangement and individualism, hugeness and division. Coming together is a stick in the eye of the capitalists. So let’s come together and vow to stay that way even after we have triumphed.
The Fascist Republicans on SCOTUS are about to hand down their long awaited decision on Trump's chaotic and retribution filled tariffs. And of course, they are going to side with the madman despot Trump.
Include your thoughts about the illegal tariffs Trump has imposed on dozens of countries with absolutely no logic behind any of them.
Hundreds of businesses have been bankrupted by the tariffs and according to Paul Krugman .8% of 2025's inflation can be attributed to the 2.8% inflation suffered under Trump. Wage gains vs. inflation made under Biden- gone for most people earning under $75,000/year. Millions of people laid off in 2025 as the unemployment rate continues to rise.
This is not only on Trump, but also on his enablers -- EVERY REPUBLICAN in a position of power. And this includes SCOTUS and all of the dim-witted incompetent sycophants surrounding Trump.
''War as Spectacle: How Manufactured Crisis Becomes Trump’s Political Oxygen''
There is a familiar sound in American politics, the low mechanical hum of engines warming on a runway while headlines begin to shout. Cargo planes. Threat assessments. Emergency briefings. A foreign leader summoned to Washington. The language of inevitability creeps in quietly at first, then all at once. Something serious is happening. History is moving. Attention is required.
This is the sound of distraction taking flight.
Moments like this arrive wrapped in the gravity of national security, but they rarely exist outside domestic need. They do not simply emerge. They are cultivated, amplified, and staged for maximum emotional yield. In the age of permanent crisis politics, war does not have to happen to be useful. It only has to feel close enough to silence doubt and reorder loyalty...
Heather only left out one thing from her recounting of the U.S.'s sorry colonial history.
That is, she could have cited the account which U.S. Major General and commandant of the U.S. Marines, Smedley Butler began giving in his retirement during the 1930s.
More brilliantly than anyone alive then or since he acknowledged his embarrassment at how his marines mainly served the country's moneyed interests -- who exploited the colonial lands and peoples horrifically, as he saw first-hand.
It was the old Epstein class, alive and well -- and demonstrably evil -- then as now.
So sugar is the bad guy both in history and in diet.
The shame is that most of us never learned that in our educational system and now that information would be purged based on policy.
The 1917 law granting citizenship to Puerto Ricans passed because we needed troops to fight in WWI. Puerto Ricans have participated in American wars since then in much greater numbers than their population.
"Big Business" has always cast an ugly shadow on US governance; The East India Company, "King Cotton", United Fruit (Chiquita), and of course oil, on and on. I have no problem with private enterprise per se (except when people argue it should replace the public sector) but I do have a problem with market monodies and oligarchies, and impunity for anybody. Government of, by and for the people should be exactly that. The tail should not be wagging the dog.
I will echo what Megan said, Heather. Thank you for the history of Puerto Rico. As for Bad Bunny’s performance, I found it exhilarating. The symbolisms were everywhere, even with the little boy who was used as a stand-in for the little 5 year old, Liam Ramos. I regretfully do not speak Spanish but Latin music has always made me move and groove. I couldn’t help myself yesterday and I see I fit right into the crowd of millions who felt like me.
Hello Marlene... The Elucidation of Hawaiian History is also illuminating.... The Native Hawaiians, and the Mainland Indigenous share a Common 'Energy'... I feel very at Rest among the Hawaiians.... Genetically, the American Indigenous are very close to the Native Hawaiians, and Japanese.... If you go to Hawaii, and talk to People, it is very different then the Mainland... People are Nicer... Hawaii is also a Melting Pot for Native Hawaiians, Asians, and relatively few 'White' Mainlanders, and their Descendants...
Hate to burst any bubbles, but genetically, native Hawaiians have nothing in common with American indigenous, yet share tons of common ancestry with Marquesans, Maori, and other Polynesian groups -- which makes sense, since that's the part of the world they came from. But yes, the islands do tend to make kindness and gentleness a dominant trait, rather than a rarity.
Hello ICCT.... I beg to differ.... The Native Hawaiians are Polynesians... The Polynesians made it to Coastal California, and Peru as well... When I go to the Outer Islands, the locals always think that I am one of them from the next Island over... They let me join the local Surf Line-Ups which they actively discourage the Non-Native from doing... OBW: There is not a Universal Generic Native American, we came in multiple Migration Waves... Alaskan Athabaskans are very different then the Natives of Tierra del Fiego... In the Americas, there are over 500 Indigenous Nations... Each is Different....
Rick Wilson's take today 🤣 "Here’s the cold, hard truth for MAGA: Bad Bunny doesn’t know who you are, and he doesn’t care. The NFL doesn’t care. The advertisers definitely don’t care. You are shouting at a tide that went out three decades ago. You’re losing the culture because your “culture” is a stagnant pond of grievance, gas station boner pills, Lee Greenwood covers, of a be-jorted Kid Rock lip-syncing in a nearly-empty sound stage. The future is dancing past you in better clothes and with sexier music, and your only response is to scream into the void of Truth Social. It’s not a political stance; it’s a geriatric temper tantrum".
Robert Reich on his substack channel took a page out of history and wrote about Cheeto as a racist pig(https://bit.ly/4qssh1p) In the 1960’s the term “racist pig” came up when Sherrif Jim Clark attacked civil rights leader John Lewis and his followers Later not only was Jim Clark labeled a racist pig but the governor of Alabama George Wallace got the same moniker And over the period of the 1960’s the term racist pig was used in many contexts relating to the civil rights movement
Now fast forward 60y later and the same pig that occupies the White House is being deemed a racist after his volatile posting of the Obamas and Cheeto declaring himself as King of the Jungle(https://bit.ly/4a3fDRJ) Cheeto’s past is riddled with a lawsuit about racist bias in apartment rentals, his attack on the now acquitted Central Park 5, and his attack on Obama’s birth certificate But now it’s now Hispanics not AfroAmericans
Given his lawlessness and psychotic behavior maybe it's best he be impeached as he's not fit to hold the office physically and mentally His out of control behavior threatens the domestic, economic, and national security of the country His policies have damaged our country's relationships with all of our allies and China is happy and grateful
Lawrence O'Donnell did a good piece on that moniker tonight, as applied to T****, who is, at the very bottom of his soul, a racist. Jamelle Bouie's NYT column was highlighted.
“While adults in the room remained paralyzed with shock, a teenage busboy named Juan Romero knelt to cradle the dying man’s head. Kennedy’s last words were, “It’s going to be okay.” Great leaders take care of others before taking care of themselves, and Kennedy made his best case for being president in those final moments.”~ Sebastian Junger
Thank you for providing the link of Juan Romero cradling Robert Kennedy. I remember that very touching photo, but I didn't know of Kennedy's last words.
"Human touch can literally stabilize you enough for the surgeons to save your life.
Sustained touch is also an extraordinary social equalizer. One of the finest qualities of democratic society is that its leaders often come into contact with “ordinary” people. "
Of course that human contact with democratic leaders has become problematical between security concerns and the sheer size of the nation.
Is not an actual hero someone who cares for other people, sometimes even more than they care to take care of themself? The exact opposite of Feckless Leader and his toadies.
Thank you for sharing JaKsaa. What a moment to capture, such a shocking picture, such sad, haunting final words from Robert Kennedy imbued with hope.
I didn't know Sebastian Junger was on Substack. I saw the documentary he did with Tim Hetherington, 'Restrepo', around when it came out in 2010. That's where the beginning of his post starts off, in Afghanistan's Korangal Valley, it was one of the most dangerous places for U.S. troops. 50 American soldiers died in the Korangal Valley overall during that deployment.
More recently I read his book 'In my time of Dying: How I Came Face to Face with the Idea of an Afterlife'. I bought it on a whim and it turned out to be an unexpected gem of a book. His memoir and investigation into mortality, sparked by a near-fatal ruptured aneurysm in 2020. Junger explores the science of dying while reflecting on a personal, unexplained vision of his deceased father during the experience while trying to integrate his atheism with everything that happened.
Ashamed to say never really thought about Puerto Rico much. Another whitewashed chapter in our history we were never taught about. Puerto Ricans need to hold a referenda on their future and Congress needs to enact their decision. They voted for statehood in 2020 but might have another idea today.
That's some history lesson! Apparently our legal system has deep experience creating hypocritical laws that consider land domestic while maintaining its occupants are foreign. And at the end of the essay, I couldn't help be struck that our genius who insisted on renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, has no clue that he included two dozen more countries to the party :) My Southern Hemisphere friends always take pains to remind me that America is all of us.
I had that same thought, Russell, when the "Gulf of America" was first introduced by Felon 45-47! To say, "I'm an American" is not reserved for USA'ers. I think people need to be mindful of that.
I actually believe Bad Bunny and Trump have congruent foreign policies. Only Trump wants to rape America (all countries) and Bad Bunny wants to love it. I’m with Bad Bunny.
Why a free society needs historians. Real historians, not revisionists who spin romantic tales of what didn’t happen. If we lose control of our history, we lose control of our future.
In a couple of weeks I turn 75. I have some advice for young liberal arts academics casting about for a meaningful, interesting, and very important career path, especially in light of current attempts to re-write American history. We must have real historians.
Let Heather Cox Richardson be your inspiration. She certainly inspires me every day.
Exactly right, Ralph. Not only do we lose control of the future, but we fail to understand the present, which puts us, domestically and internationally, in a bad position. Or rather, in a position that increases the likelihood of making bad decisions.
And I would add, to encourage any would-be historians out there, that there will be jobs available outside of academia, especially after the Trump administration is tossed into the toxic waste dump of (real) history.
I think when the Trump dumpster fire is over, there will be more students of abnormal psychology than historians and political scientists picking through the ashes.
Thank you for this, Heather. My husband and I just read this and really did not know about this Puerto Rican history. I knew that PR was a territory but didn't know all the details. It doesn't seem right. I guess we can't say no taxation without representation if they don't pay taxes, but I'd love to see them have the full privileges of statehood--though perhaps they don't want that. It just smacks of second class citizenship.
The United States history with Puerto Rico should be and is a warning to Greenland what to expect if the United States is able to wrest control of Greenland. Their welfare and well being will be ignored and their cultural heritage shunned. They are being viewed as a source of potential mineral wealth to be exploited. The claim of security is a false one. The US has the right to military bases and has had large numbers of people stationed in Greenland during the height of the Cold War. However, in recent times the amount of people stationed there have shrunk to a handful. Minerals are now being viewed much like sugar of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.
Our recent treatment of Puerto Rico following the disastrous hurricanes has been appalling. I keep hearing Trump's saying that Puerto Rico is such an awful, dirty place and I am sure for him that applies to those who come from Puerto Rico. For me, for all of the time the US has been in control of Puerto Rico we have failed in our responsibility to those who live and come from there. Maybe through popular culture there is a chance to put more focus to help.
Heather, yours is the only account of Bad Bunny’s performance that connected the dancers on the telephone poles to the electrical outages which have been coming regularly since the last hurricane? I can imagine it would’ve been something else for Maga to be upset about only they didn’t get it. The other little thing is someone wrote about the cute little frog that appears with Bad Bunny. The little frog is called the coquí because it makes the sound co-kee and it is beloved by Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico. The show was over the top. I still don’t know why women are so into twerking but what they do with their behinds is their business I suppose. Plus ça change…
I was a bit off put by the twerking women too...although it made me laugh to think it proves the country is united after all, or at least the male half thereof; I'm sure the MAGA guys who switched channels to watch the 55-year-old "Kid Rock" not rock are sorry they missed it. Twerking aside, I thought the rest of the show was great fun...and Bad Bunny oozes charm. I think Americans wd get along better if we partied together more often.
A NYT reporter suggested Bad Bunny’s presentation to the child symbolized encouragement to the next generation, essentially saying “what I achieved, you can too.” Made me smile.
First, Bad Bunny's halftime show with a huge cast was outstanding. However, it is curious that it was sponsored by Apple. I have a feeling that Tim Cook probably received a call from Trump right after it started. Wouldn't it be interesting to hear a live recording of that conversation?
I found the entire half time show deeply moving. From the joy of the dancing to Benito moving rapidly among the colorful typical daily scenes, and most of all, the real life wedding! How cool was that?! But more, I felt it was a rebuke of the current political scene. Life goes on, is what he was saying, and you can’t erase or deport people who have every right to be here. To me, it seemed an almost Jesse Owens-like display of serene defiance. He knew, they both knew, they weren’t wholly welcomed in the arena and they both ignored that to go on and work their magic.
I have had a problem since grade school geography with referring to the people who live in the United States as "Americans" as though we are the only Americans. Lol. Thanks for the history lesson, HCR.
The correct name for "America" is "The United States of America."
on the continent of America there are Puerto Ricans, Peruvians, Argentinians, Ecuadorians etc. etc.
"United States of Americians" doesn't roll of the tongue easily. We need to find a better, shorter name.
Usanians? or maybe, "Youinsanians. . ." if we're talking about MAGA. . .
Dear Lady, “Youinsanians” is perfect!🤣🤣🤣. Thank you.
The formal name for Mexico is the United Mexican States.
Jeffrey Brendecke The World on Our Shoulders --"The formal name for Mexico is the United Mexican States."
That is true.
The formal, constitutional name of Mexico is the United Mexican States (Estados Unidos Mexicanos).
A bit of context, since this often surprises people:
The name comes from Mexico’s 1824 Constitution.
It reflects a federal system of states, modeled in part on the United States.
The official name remains in force today, even though “Mexico” is used in everyday speech, diplomacy, and branding.
Comparable examples:
United States of America
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
So the statement is accurate, not a myth or a semantic trick.
Thank you, Jeffrey Brendecke! I did not know that.
We are “Gringos” to most of the Americas except Canada. I am not sure how that looks on a passport, however.
Ha ha! Thanks, Len.
See what you did?
There's no continent of America. We just shorten things. We have bigger fish to fry.
Lady Emsworth, although I've mentioned it here before, my comment undoubtedly got lost in Substack's bizarre indent/push-out comment system.
A Scottish writer named James Duff Law was about 120 years ahead of you. In a letter he wrote: "We of the United States, in justice to Canadians and Mexicans, have no right to use the title 'Americans' when referring to matters pertaining exclusively to ourselves." He coined the term "Usonia" (United States of North Independent America).
Preeminent U.S. architect Frank Lloyd Wright shared Law's discomfort with the arrogant disregard of the other citizens of North, Central and South America. He embraced Usonia as early as 1927 and went on to design a class of affordable housing that he called "Usonian."
When I travel outside the U.S. I’m super irritated when I hear others from the States say they’re from America. It hits me everytime.
Funny story: my "American" half-sister (born in Australia, brought up in US for lengthy reasons I won't go into, fervent Australian passport-holder, strong Chicago accent) was visiting me in Sydney. We went on a train trip to show her some country towns, and as we pulled into Woy Woy I told her this was where Spike Milligan's mother lived. Another passenger waiting for the train to stop said to me, curious, "Are you American?" I stared at her, stupidly, because I have a marked English accent. "Er, no, I'm not." The train stopped and we all went our separate ways. Perhaps the oddest thing was the fact that Spike Milligan, known for being one of the figureheads of English comedy and knighted by the Queen, who had a great sense of humour, was born in India to Irish father and English mother, served with the British in WWII, became stateless on refusing to swear allegiance to the Queen, and took Irish nationality which he retained for life. His tombstone (in England) is engraved in Gaelic "I told you I was ill."
Very funny!
What do you prefer they say? I’m from the United States? Who is going to say they are from “The United States of America.”
I would say the US, never a confusion factor for me
I've always said The U.S., The U.S.A, U.S., USA, or The States, depending on the formality or casualness of the exchange.
In most places I’ve traveled US or United States will do it.
When I have traveled outside the USA and been asked where I am from I have said the United States of America. The response: "Yes, but where in the United States?" The question was for State and City because the questioner was knowledgeable and curious.
I usually say "the States," though I often try to pass as Canadian, as was one of my grandmothers.
'United States' and 'America' literally have the same number of syllables....but one is much more accurate than the other. 'America' isn't shorter, it's just kinda lazy (imho).
Such an impressive halftime show! Despite all the MAGA derision, Bad Bunny sends a message of the power of love over hate.
OK, but this isn't an "American" thing, it's what everyone outside of the US calls us.
It goes way back, and not of our making. It's simply a shortening of our name.
Much ado about nothing.
40 years ago I went to Guatemala. I am a nurse and worked in a rural clinic there. When I said I was American, even then they corrected me, to say we are all American on this continent. Maybe other places besides this continent call us Americans but not on this continent.
Disagree. Canadians cringe at the word Americans when referring to the US. And Europeans I know call us the US.
'United States' and 'America' literally have the same number of syllables....but one is much more accurate than the other. 'America' isn't shorter, it's just kinda lazy (imho).
Gary, I completely agree. It's in our name. It's in the name and lyrics of the anthem I prefer 'America the Beautiful' as well as 'God Bless America' (not my fave my still better than our official anthem.) It's in our history going back to at least the 18th C, and probably earlier, thanks to Amerigo Vespucci. And I have no problem with people from other countries in this hemisphere calling themselves 'Americans', be they from North or South America.
I’ve never heard anybody complain about the use of “America” and “American” to refer to the U.S. and its citizens except ivory tower academics and think tank gurus. People from the other American countries don’t seem to be bothered and call us “Americans.”
I totally concur. The stumbling block is that one can’t call us United Statesians, so Americans is the logical default.
Gloria, why have you felt that way? As I replied to Gary Pudup, it's in our name, has been since the latter part of the 18th C. We have both self-referred and been referred to by others as 'Americans'. I have a huge problem with much of our history, including our current history, but not with calling myself an American (although I'd really prefer to call myself a Canadian at this point, to be honest, but I can't.)
I’m not into sports except running but I watched Bad Bunny and enjoyed it. Wow fantastic presentation. I want to open for Bad Bunny, lol. 😝
I first visited the island nation in1993 to visit an international graphic art exhibit. And subsequently have visited through the years. I recall once discussing independence with an activist. He thought I might be a FBI plant so I advised him to keep his big mouth shut.(The FBI was still searching for Victor Gerenia who stole several million from a Wells Fargo truck in my hometown of Hartford. And I’m sure the FBI was listening to my calls to his ex-girlfriend who was a hair stylist that I frequented for hair cuts, lol. I can imagine the listener when I asked, “When can I get an appointment?) But I did offer my opinion on independence. Puerto Ricans held a few referendums on independence but always fell short. I suggested they demand both Puerto Rico and the mainland have such a referendum and if they had, Puerto now would be a nation. But those times have past. It time to make Puerto Rico the 51st state.
Funny that I couldn’t later find out who won since after half time, I closed my TV. But Bad Bunny stories prevailed everywhere especially on Fox. I had fun ridiculing the posters.
Yes, Puerto Rico should be the 51st state. Of course. Absolutely not Greenland or Canada. I would have liked to travel to Puerto Rico. My bucket list was too long. Now I am too old. Bad Bunny was fabulous. What a statement as well as a fantastic performance.
...or possibly the 52nd after the District of Columbia.
It's up to them. They could be, but they vote against it.
Why? who wants to pay federal taxes?
And they never voted for independence because they would have gone down hill even further than they are now. The middle class would never and did never vote for independence.
If they're happy, why should we feel guilty then?
It's a "progressive" thing...bad America, bad.
"It time to make Puerto Rico the 51st state."
How very colonial, telling them what they should do. /s
"In July 2024, Governor Pedro Pierluisi called a plebiscite on the status of Puerto Rico in November 2024; for the first time the island's current status as a U.S. territory was not an option during the non-binding plebiscite. The executive order followed the U.S. House of Representatives' 2022 approval of a bill to help Puerto Rico move toward a change in territorial status. Voters were given the choice of statehood, independence, or independence with free association, the terms of which would be negotiated regarding foreign affairs, U.S. citizenship, and use of the U.S. dollar.[76] The Popular Democratic Party called for a blank vote for not including the Commonwealth or the current system.[77]
In the November 5 referendum, the top choice was statehood which garnered 57% of votes.[78][79] - Wiki
IMO, it's either statehood by choice or independence by choice.
I’m curious to know whether Puerto Rico really wants to become a state. I think Puerto Ricans already are against colonialism and want independence.
This made me smile. You captured how his reach goes far beyond sports or charts. Your Puerto Rico memories add real depth, especially the independence conversation and how history narrowed the options over time. I agree the halftime show overshadowed the game itself, which says something. Art has a way of cutting through noise, even on channels that might miss the point, and that contrast made it even more revealing.
You had fun ridiculing the posters. ?
Coulda done without the crouch grabbing.
That as a Michael Jackson thing too. Sorry, I just don't get that.
I LOVED this show. I didnt care for the women scantily clad shakin their booties either. I dont know much of any Spanish and I am not a fan of the crotch grabbing either. I am not sure what makes me uncomfortable with it. How did that make you feel?
Kids today!
Exactly. They are trying to make dancing all about sex - instead of all about sex, like it used to be.
The best comment!
LOL
Because I don’t know anything about Bad Bunny and don’t speak Spanish, I was left with the visuals. And the very first visuals were of the scantily clad well endowed women, shaking, shaking, and showing it all. And then, as you say, the crotch grabbing. I’m so tired of it. I might be willing to celebrate Puerto Rican culture, but I don’t celebrate the culture that keeps women in a certain place. Not in Puerto Rico, not in Saudi Arabia, not in the orthodox Jewish community, not with Muslims, not with Mormons, etc.
Me either! Other than that, I wish they had rolled an English translation while it was in so that we could know what he was saying. I speak Spanish, but it was too fast for me☺️
Me, too. Crotch grabbing has a history (I looked it up), but psychologists/psychotherapists and men in general give various reasons - release of feel-good hormones, proof of masculinity, or maybe just plain itching.
Patriarchy reinforcement. The necessity reinforces the need.
Right on!
Beautifully said!
That is a beautiful reading of it. The joy felt intentional, not escapist but grounded in everyday dignity. The wedding moment especially said, we exist, we love, and we build lives in public view. I agree about the political undercurrent. It was not a shout but a calm refusal to disappear. That kind of presence, confident and unbothered, can be more powerful than protest.
Thank you for history I didn’t know about Puerto Rico. The halftime show was absolutely phenomenal and such a strong message for unity and love ❤️
And my usual - Be LOUD. These are unprecedented times 💔🤍💙
Use/share this spreadsheet (bit.ly/Goodtrouble) 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.
Comments/reactions help keep this bumped ✊
I agree Megan. The show was phenomenal. Not only was Bad Bunny sending a strong message for unity, but also a strong message of resistance. We need more performers like him. He avoided saying "Fuck ICE" directly, but said it in every other way.
For those who complained about not understanding the words, do they do the same thing when they here the Ode to Joy in Beethoven's Ninth? Music is universal, and if one has lived in the US and not picked up enough Spanish to understand many words, that is unfortunate. Also, I know that my mom never understood the words to my music when I was growing up, and my daughter had to teach me the words to the songs she is listening to, which have included Bad Bunny. I wrote a piece about why Bad Bunny did not come to Chicago to perform when I was there in September.
https://lindaweide.substack.com/p/the-view-from-chicago-why-bad-bunny?r=f0qfn
The rest of the world embraces learning other languages. Even the most rabidly German First AfD member knows some English and does not complain about it. In Berlin, many restaurants have staff who come from all over the world who speak English, but not German. They are taking German though because they know that they will need it to get ahead and study in universities, which are tuition free by the way.
I was just reading a discussion of the book "Outclassed: How the Left Lost the Working Class and How to Win Them Back" by Joan C. Williams, where a person was asking, "Williams quotes a staggering figure of “only 46% of progressive activists would choose to live in the US if they could live anywhere in the world.” If the current trend of American government prevails, does this mean that we are likely to see mass emigration of progressives out of the US, similar to recent trends of wealthy Republicans leaving New York and California for Florida and Texas?"
I think we are seeing people leaving, but more staying. One reason people stay is that people are fighting back and resisting this administration. That gives them hope for better days. They are protesting, and documenting the atrocities. Inertia is another reason people will stay. Those who are truly unhappy with what the US is becoming will seek to leave to better opportunities. I personally know several people who are secretly searching for other academic jobs, particularly in the sciences in other countries. Four years of an anti-science government is deadly for research and careers. It forced my husband out, but we had already planned to retire abroad for structural reasons with how the US handles health care for retired people, and the constant threat from the far right politicians to steal our social security and our medicare. Instead we fight from abroad. Ironically, my white German husband feels safer in the US, than I, a born American citizen with brown skin do.
I think about the people in the other American countries who have moved to the United States, leaving extreme hardship behind to face an even harder journey just to get someone else where life for their children can be better than what they endure. People who move to other countries always have a certain tenacity. I see that among my fellow Americans abroad. They bring that tenacity to their lives in the USA, and our spirit is filled with that striving. The striving of generations. It is this spirit that makes us different from other countries. Americans abroad also are protesting and resisting this government as it seeks to spread its influence around the world. Puerto Ricans are both Americans abroad and Americans at home. They should either be allowed their independence of be made the 51st state depending on the will of the people.
In my youth a number of hit songs (even in stodgy Ohio) we in other languages, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Japanese, I think there was even one in Russian. When my age was still in the single digits, my folks started taking me to see foreign movies. I didn't like subtitles, but soon enough it became natural. Now most of the movies I see are subtitled. I like the fact that we humans come in different cultures. I hate dubs. It is reassuring that facial expressions, the tone of voice, the motives, seem to be largely familiar despite the differing verbal codes.
JL I also was taken to foreign movies a lot as a child. Even some inappropriate ones because my mother was friends with the theater manager of the local art house movie theater. Not only did I see The Battle of Algiers many times, but also Fahrenheit 451, and other more eclectic things like that, but I could read the subtitles too. I had taught myself to read at 3, so by 7 I could read the movie subtitles which are always simplified. I viewed seeing a foreign movie as a vacation away. I sat through 14 hours in 2 days of Fassbinder's "Berlin Alexanderplatz." The people who stayed for the whole thing became like family even if we did not talk to each other, we had a shared experience.
I worked at a movie theater when I was in college. It showed a different double feature every day, and we could trade out with all the other theaters and Second City to go to their shows in exchange for their people being able to come to ours. We would often watch in our theater from the balcony where it was just us on shifts we were not working with a bag of buttered popcorn with parmesan cheese sprinkled on it. We showed films by Fassbinder, Buñuel, Almodovar; and French New Wave filmmakers like Rohmer, Godard, Varda as well. Kirosawa and Miyazaki were also in. I fell in love with the movie "Diva."
The diversity in the USA is its Super power and Trump fails to realize it. Luckily for Canadians, Carney does.
"The diversity in the USA is its Super power and Trump fails to realize it. Luckily for Canadians, Carney does. "
Brava good sister; That is the absolute truth. But, djt is only the belligerent face forward; It's the money folks supporting it. Don't lose sight of that; That it's a coalition and they thought djt might be a 'useful tool.'
Trump yesterday threatened on Truth Social to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, repeating the familiar claim that Canada had taken advantage of the USA and demanding compensation.
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116043090074364624
He publicly endorsed the bridge to Canada in 2017, declaring: "America is deeply fortunate to have a neighbor like Canada. We have before us the opportunity to build even more bridges, and bridges of cooperation and bridges of commerce.”
I envy you being able to spend that theater time. Back before children, my spouse and I went to movies multiple times a week when late afternoon shows were discounted. Kids and then COVID have put the kibosh on going to theaters. I miss that. Watching movies on even a big screen TV is never going to replace it.
Back before children my husband and I were film center members in Chicago, and went to several other film clubs too James. I envy myself for that life, but I have to say, I am enjoying retirement and do what I want. There are some nice theaters that show that sort of film in Bremen as well.
Indeed it is. I grew up in an area with a huge Eastern European population. My classmates had Polish names, which, as we all know, contain no vowels (☺️) and were first- or second-generation Americans. I miss it.
My husband is studying Polish right now as one of several languages that he started studying during Covid. Being from Chicago, which is known as an immigrant friendly city, in fact, it is used as a model to explain immigration to the US; the sector model is that people come to communities in the US of others like them and in 2-3 generations move to the suburbs where the melt in. It is the melting pot theory, that is not exactly correct, but was held for a long time.
I always thought that the fact that I grew up in a university community with friends whose parents came from all over the world was a plus.
Bad Bunny is making us aware again of who is American, and what America is as a long continental mass, not one country called the United States. Donald Trump wants to stride from one end of the Americas and consider it his territory, but no one outside of the US wants that.
I wrote this piece about Bad Bunny in the fall when I was in Chicago. He is a hero.
https://open.substack.com/pub/lindaweide/p/the-view-from-chicago-why-bad-bunny?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
As of 2024, approximately 6.1 million Puerto Ricans live on the mainland, while only about 3.1 to 3.2 million reside on the island. This trend, where the diaspora outnumbers the island population, has existed since around 2006 due to economic migration. A lot of it is due to the fact that SSI is unavailable in PR.
Where I live, most of the population is Hispanic.
A number of them are at odds, sometimes for economic reasons, sometimes because of racism.
I don't think, however that MAGA/Trump did itself any favors with MAGA followers by boycotting Bad Bunny. "Many fans have even dubbed this year’s Super Bowl as the “Benito Bowl,” referring to Bad Bunny’s nickname.".
Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article314602878.html#storylink=cpy
If your husband had Latin in high school or college (I was lucky enough to have one year with an excellent teacher) he will find the cases and declensions a good base for learning Polish. The bit of German I have makes me think that will help too. I had a good laugh when the US military thought it would take Ukrainians so long to learn complicated weapons. With two languages from childhood? Was my response.
In graduate school in French, having done Old French with an International scholar and excellent teacher, I took Old Spanish, taught in Spanish, and passed it. The brain stimulus of language should be a gift for every child. But learning a new language is possible
even in old age, particularly if humor is an integral part of the class. Two graduates of Jagellonian are proving that in Kraków.
Our diversity is our super power. Repeat ad nauseam.
I took my young daughter to foreign films, some I should not have. But, you had a great addendum to your education
Yes. No to dubs. When it first came out, I watched "Das Boot" in a theater, in the front row because there were few available seats. The original, in German with subtitles. Being that close to the screen made it feel like I was IN the movie. Some years later, I saw a dubbed version and was sorely disappointed. You just can't do that movie in anything but German and get the same impact. I've got the original on DVD.
But you need subtitles to understand the dialogue no? I would need it anyway.
Yes, I need the subtitles for most of the dialogue. But "Mach schnell" doesn't need translation.
Watching subtitled movies greatly improved my German and Japanese.
Subtitled is different than dubbed.
Dubbed versions of movies always seems cartoonish to me.
I saw Das Boot in the theater, and though I would like to see it again, I won't watch it at home. It would not have nearly the same impact as watching it on a big screen in a dark room.
Trump has always used the English only message as part of his hate and fear campaign. I recall in the 1980's the hateful "English Only" movement seemed to me as anti-American. The First Amendment secures our freedom of speech. The Framers of the Bill of Rights were smart people and if they intended "speech" to be only in the English language then they would have said so with an amendment securing only freedom of speaking English. Hey, then maybe the Roberts Six are totally wrong allowing ICE to question people speaking Spanish. Actually, they are wrong and everything they have done to our Constitution must be repealed. United We Amend.
Agreed, Albert, on the corrupt "Roberts Six," Long Dong Clarence court.
But as to languages, there's one favorite of mine. That is gaggles of little children walking outside together. I don't care what country it is, or nominally what language, but those kids always sound to me like a happily bubbling, gurgling, babbling brook.
Regretfully, the "English only movement" is still alive and well. What are those people so afraid of?
Anyone a tad different. They want Stepford zombies all over
A harmful barrier’: new Florida law mandates all driving tests to be offered in English only
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/07/florida-driving-tests-english
😲
The whole "English-only" movement is just stupid!
WHAT???
Have you heard of American Promise? They proposed and amendment to get money out of politics and already have I believe 27 states—both Rs and Ds—on board.
Be careful, Koch nut wants to amend with an agenda that you would not like. And had made headway. Check it out
JDinTX, is this what you're referring to?
"The Koch amendment refers to a proposed amendment related to U.S. policy that has faced criticism for potentially having negative effects, particularly concerning human rights and political relations. It is often associated with the Koch brothers' influence in American politics and their push for certain fiscal policies.
Overview of the Koch Amendment
The Koch amendment refers to a proposed change in legislation that has been associated with the Koch brothers, influential figures in American politics known for their libertarian views and significant financial contributions to conservative causes. for certain fiscal policies.
Wikipedia U.S. Department of State..."
"Purpose of the Koch Amendment
The amendment aims to impose strict fiscal constraints, particularly advocating for a balanced budget amendment (BBA) to the U.S. Constitution.
It seeks to limit government spending and ensure that the federal budget is balanced, preventing deficits.
Legislative Context
The amendment is part of a broader effort by right-wing groups, funded by the Koch brothers and other wealthy conservatives, to convene a national constitutional convention.
This convention would allow states to propose amendments without Congressional approval, requiring 34 states to call for it.
Current Status
As of now, the push for the Koch amendment has faced challenges. While proponents have gained support from several states, campaigns to rescind convention calls have also succeeded in some areas.
The movement has garnered significant opposition, with over 200 organizations denouncing the idea of an Article V convention, citing concerns over potential risks to the Constitution and civil rights.
Implications
Critics argue that the Koch amendment could lead to unintended consequences, including undermining democratic processes and civil liberties.
The debate continues as advocates and opponents present their cases regarding the necessity and risks of such an amendment.
Moyers & Company
Wikipedia"
Yes, I listened to HCR interview the founder of American Promise. Hopeful that 23 states have signed on.
https://americanpromise.net
You make a strong constitutional point. The First Amendment protects speech, not a preferred language, and that pluralism is deeply American. The English-only push has always been about fear, not civic unity. When language becomes grounds for suspicion, the Constitution is already being bent. I appreciate your framing. Rights survive when people insist on expanding them, not shrinking them.
Recently finished watching all 10 seasons of the wonderful series 'Seaside Hotel' on PBS, every bit of it in Danish (save for the old 1920s Gershwin songs in English), thanks to the expertly translated subtitles. Have to say, Danish sounds to me like German, but with almost all the consonants removed!
Thanks for the suggestion. We too are currently watching a Danish sub-titled series - "Families Like Ours". It's a dystopian climate change movie about the evacuation of Denmark (Netherlands has already shut down) due to the rising oceans. The storyline is in the following IMDB link.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12963502/?ref_=fn_t_1
That was a great series... and it says a lot about international migration.
Yes, it will be interesting when the US gives up on trying to shore up Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Houston, etc. We're talking millions of people that can't just move inland in FL, TX, LA, MS and AL. South Carolina has already lost many properties to climate change as have the outer bank of NC.
That's such a good series! I'm currently watching it a second time around. Madsen drives me crazy. Hmmm.... that's curious....
I just started watching Homeland.
I watched the series a while back, very intense, interesting and thought provoking.
We traveled some Scandinavian countries last year. My great grandfather was a Swedish immigrant in 1800s. When I found out Swedish, which I couldn’t make out, and German has commonalities, it all made sense. 😚
Spanish isn’t a foreign language in the US. Spanish speakers were there before many Anglos, as were French speakers. More so for the Native American languages, which were there before any European languages.
How true and how we think winning a battle solves all the human issues. The Marshall Plan came close but repubs believe in the path of WW1
Norwegians do not dub foreign movies. It is one of the reasons that so many are fluent in English. Maybe we should consider doing the same?
Some of our favorite series have been Norwegian produced. Beforeigners, WIsting, Wallander and several others. We prefer to read the English sub-titles and leave the Norwegian dialog.
https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?title_type=tv_series&countries=NO
When we visited Norway, we were told by someone at the visitor center that virtually all Norwegians under age 50 could speak English. I assume they learned it at school.
When I visited Denmark last summer I went to Roskilde to see the Viking ships. As I was buying a ticket, the clerk asked in perfect English where I was from, and I hung my head and covered my face while whispering, “From the US. I’m sorry.” She started to laugh and laughed harder and harder and at the end, wiping her eyes, she said, very maternally, “That’s all right, dear. We welcome you.” Later I found that asking someone if they spoke English was almost an insult, as if I thought they were ignorant.
In the Netherlands, we did encounter some (mostly older) people who didn't speak English.
I took French in high school - decades ago - but I wish I had learned Spanish, since there are far more Spanish speakers in the U.S. and I would've had a lot more opportunities to practice.
They use subtitles for languages they don’t know, like Japanese or Greek.
"The Grass is Alive!" Yes, the clumps of grass were people! Oh, that bad, bad bunny.
Bad Sunny:s YouTube channel gets billions of hits.
You go Bad Bunny., Damelo!
Muy Bueno.
Si or as we say here in Americas, es fantastico..
Our Hungarian exchange student spent a year in the US with the goal of improving is English to the point he could understand song lyrics. Half the time I can't understand what is being said in faster songs. He contemplated bringing his pregnant wife here to have their baby in the US for the birthright citizenship but I discouraged that idea after T's election. Incidentally my brother, a PA, was at a protest at the Minnesota federal building Saturday where medical professionals protested the treatment of detainees. Some were arrested (thankfully not my brother) for throwing "objects" at the building. The news doesn't say it, but those objects were dildos. Gave me a chuckle.
I cannot understand many songs either cameron. My daughter acts as interpreter for contemporary songs to tell me what they are singing. Everyone I know has some song from their past where they were singing the wrong words. I guess that does not happen to MAGA though.
Right on for the dildos.
BTO’s “Baking Carrot Biscuits” instead of “Taking Care of Business.” I think those are called ‘mondagreens.’
Thanks for the vocabulary development MLM. Yesterday I also had to look up 2 words as I was reading Orwell's "1984." Read and ye shall learn.
When I was in grad school I was substitute teaching and taught in a class of Puerto Rican children for a while. It was Kindergarten. The school would broadcast the "Pledge of Allegiance" over the PA, and at the end of it the office manager would say, "Thank you very much. Have a nice day." All of those little Kindergarteners would say that part at the end, and it was so cute, and so clearly brainwashing them. While that was not a Mondagreen, it reminded me of the character Ramona Quimby, in one of the books by Beverly Cleary, misunderstanding the "dawns early light "as the "Dawnzer Lee light." That is because it does not make sense to Kindergarteners. Some of the words in songs make about that much sense to me, thus I cannot remember or understand, or misunderstand them. There were Beatle songs where I had to look up the words or I would have been singing the wrong ones.
Why the dildos? I attend every protest I can, but I carry signs. I dont know if my prude old lady self could brandish a dildo in public, and they seem a bit expensive to be throwing them away. They are hilarious !
I assume it means "shove it up your ---!"
That reminded me... at our No Kings last year, someone came in a dildo costume... walking around with the person in the frog costume. Hilarious.
In early 2025, I began investigating the possibility of obtaining Italian citizenship. It’s more difficult and expensive that I expected but my mother’s parents immigrated from Sicily. I could manage living there as I already had for two blessed years in the late 1970s. Upon arrival in Florence, the first two people I befriended was a Nigerian art student named Rafiello, an adopted name. The other was an Iranian vendor named Sammy that had escaped from military conscription. I purposely kept my distance from fellow Americans. Interesting that I would.
I think you should try it. I am meeting regularly with wonderful Americans, mostly women living in Italy, France, England, Canada, Portugal and elsewhere in Germany, because of Indivisible Abroad. Some are also in Democrats Abroad. I have not avoided Americans, because those of us who live abroad have a lot in common. My German husband and my American friends German husbands all get along together because all of them have also spent significant time living in the States. It is a certain personality that is like that.
Florence is on the list for this Irish citizen via grandparent.
Go in the winter not warm season. It is now inundated with humanity. You wouldn’t like it in season.
Your words took me back to my childhood and my boyhood idol, Roberto Clemente. He faced so many obstacles and challenges coming to play in Pittsburgh in the 1950s. In every gesture, like Bad Bunny he carried himself in pride for his homeland and his humanity. So, thank you!
Jack, when I was in graduate school I worked in several schools on an AIDS project. One of the schools I worked at was Roberto Clemente High School in Chicago, in a Puerto Rican part of the city Humboldt Park. That is how I learned about Clemente, although I have mostly forgotten his story. That is because it does not come up often enough. You are reminding me of that time in my life and Clemente as a person. Thanks.
I was stationed in Puerto Rico for two years, and remember the high regard the people all had for him. A real hero, he was killed when the plane he had chartered to fly relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua crashed on takeoff from San Juan.
I first heard of Williams and her book on the Commonwealth Club of California podcast June 2, 2025 episode. A real good book. Take her test.
We are deciding today whether it will be our next read. Thanks for the recommendation Gregg. Do you have a link to her test, or is it in the book?
Go to her homepage and take the new class bubble quiz.
I highly recommend it. She touches on the role of neoliberalism, which you have studied there and weaves many other things together in her book in order to form a pretty clear picture.
Linda,
To my small group watching the Superbowl, I commented that I generally can't understand lyrics at the halftime show, even if they are sung in English! I'm not meaning slang, I mean that between the background noise, audio issues, etc, even if I know the artist AND the lyrics, I still can't!
So what the (BAD WORD!) is the big deal?
Back when I was growing up, the popular radio stations in Chicago (WLS and WCFL) still mostly segregated music (I had a friend introduce me to HK the DJ!!) but even within that, there was more variety of music. A black artist/group on 'LS or "CFL was considered "crossover".
I recall songs which became popular which were sung in other languages. I wish I could bring them up, and I doubt I have the spelling correct, but I recall hearing "Eres Tu". Also the singing nuns singing "Dominque".
As for me, I thought the sets and theatrics were wonderful and entertaining.
A last thought--do any of those complaining about the halftime show sung in Spanish ever attend an opera?
Celebrating joy and life and a vibrant culture, in spite of a dark history.
I don't think I realized how much I needed to see Bad Bunny.
An injection of hope and warmth in this very cold winter of our discontent.
And also realizing how much we needed to see Bad Bunny at halftime knowing an estimated 135 million watched with us. Most liked what they saw too. That is what is driving Trump and MAGA nuts. The wanted "injection of hope and warmth" in the middle their campaign of hate and fear.
He is such a miserable SOB!
Did you know Bad Bunny’s work and what this was going to be about before you watched it?
How I’d love to see the joy and love of Bad Bunny and Zohran Mamdani as the new face of the Democratic Party. Harkens a bit back to the peace and love of the ‘60’s & ‘70’s.
Yes, Gail, sooo agree! With what we are witnessing now, people in Minnesota and elsewhere, in large numbers, helping neighbors victimized by ICE. There's also the phenomenon of the Peace Walk soon to arrive in Washington D.C. And, for years now, Spanish has been treated as a second language in U.S. stores and on the phone to government and others like credit card companies. Also in the media, Latino television, for example. Peace and love is all around and we continue to RESIST!
The concert has been the topic of conversation on a couple of my political chats. I have learned a lot. more about Bad Bunny from these discussions because I have been looking him up. Here is a Bad Bunny mini documentary. https://youtu.be/4dFXQQLzTFs?si=pTVctiRe8NkR0OZE
And, in discussion over why he was picked, I found this piece which fit with what I was told the head of the NFL said, which is it was for money. This piece elaborates further. https://youtu.be/LnCUUlFkl58?si=xqjHURd4mXtmEqgI
I liked that they talk about the positive effect on Puerto Rico's economy for Bad Bunny to boycott the US with his concert tour. I had written this piece in the fall.
https://lindaweide.substack.com/p/the-view-from-chicago-why-bad-bunny?r=f0qfn
LOVE IS STRONGER THAN HATE!!
WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER!!
WE SHALL and MUST OVERCOME!!
The message of the Republican party has always been hate and fear. They wish to divide and conquer us so corporations can takeover divided states. Our survival depends upon our identity and unity as Americans with the best Constitution in the world because we the people can amend it. Our history of “e pluribus unum” (out of many, one) of various peoples, ethnicities, and ideas forming a single, cohesive American identity having a common past, present and future, with our strong National defense, our common desire for opportunities including equal access to all levels of education, emergency services, public safety, clean air and water: affordable healthcare, safe transportation systems and proper social services in the future for ourselves and our posterity can only exist with our unity.
I’m thinking democratic states and our governors should begin exploring withholding paying the federal taxes if Trump begins (he has) withholding state grants to democratic Ststes. This is so bad. I know what would be a blessing for all but I can’t say it.
Bill, I agree. I have been saying this since last January. In fact, I recommend a class action lawsuit from people in Blue States saying no taxation without representation. We don't have it from our federal government even if we may have representatives working for us. Not enough as far as I can see. The House needs to grow so that it represents the people in the numbers that it used to.
e. pluribus unum.
Indeed
Trump’s RED HAT is his reminder to spread HATRED.
The report of the 2025 Munich Security Conference (at which Vance infamously castigated European leaders for suppressing free speech, failing to halt illegal migration and running in fear from voters’ true beliefs) includes a section the US entitled 'Maga Carta'! Americans should know what europeans really think about the US under Trump.
https://securityconference.org/en/publications/munich-security-report-2025/united-states/
The 2026 report (mercifully not attended by Vance) states that:
"In many Western societies, political forces favoring destruction over reform are gaining momentum. Driven by resentment and regret over the liberal trajectory their societies have embarked on, they seek to tear down structures that they believe will prevent the emergence of stronger, more prosperous nations."
It adds: "The most powerful of those who take the axe to existing rules and institutions is US President Donald Trump....we might see a world shaped by transactional deals rather than principled cooperation, private rather than public interests, and regions shaped by regional hegemons rather than universal norms. Ironically, this would be a world that privileges the rich and powerful, not those who have placed their hopes in wrecking-ball politics."
Repeat ad nauseam
Capitalism thrives on hate and fear, estrangement and individualism, hugeness and division. Coming together is a stick in the eye of the capitalists. So let’s come together and vow to stay that way even after we have triumphed.
Blue Sky, this may seem crazy, but I think the right, maga, the white Christian's, ice, billionaires, the list is long, shout the same refrain.
YES!
"These are unprecedented times 💔🤍💙" Yes they are Meg; Keep waking them all up girl ! It 'can' happen here' - it 'is' happening here !!!
Go Meg, go ! WAKE them up !!!
The Fascist Republicans on SCOTUS are about to hand down their long awaited decision on Trump's chaotic and retribution filled tariffs. And of course, they are going to side with the madman despot Trump.
Include your thoughts about the illegal tariffs Trump has imposed on dozens of countries with absolutely no logic behind any of them.
Hundreds of businesses have been bankrupted by the tariffs and according to Paul Krugman .8% of 2025's inflation can be attributed to the 2.8% inflation suffered under Trump. Wage gains vs. inflation made under Biden- gone for most people earning under $75,000/year. Millions of people laid off in 2025 as the unemployment rate continues to rise.
This is not only on Trump, but also on his enablers -- EVERY REPUBLICAN in a position of power. And this includes SCOTUS and all of the dim-witted incompetent sycophants surrounding Trump.
Muchas gracias, Megan. 🫶✊
Thanks, Megan
''War as Spectacle: How Manufactured Crisis Becomes Trump’s Political Oxygen''
There is a familiar sound in American politics, the low mechanical hum of engines warming on a runway while headlines begin to shout. Cargo planes. Threat assessments. Emergency briefings. A foreign leader summoned to Washington. The language of inevitability creeps in quietly at first, then all at once. Something serious is happening. History is moving. Attention is required.
This is the sound of distraction taking flight.
Moments like this arrive wrapped in the gravity of national security, but they rarely exist outside domestic need. They do not simply emerge. They are cultivated, amplified, and staged for maximum emotional yield. In the age of permanent crisis politics, war does not have to happen to be useful. It only has to feel close enough to silence doubt and reorder loyalty...
https://essayx.substack.com/p/war-as-spectacle-how-manufactured
Heather only left out one thing from her recounting of the U.S.'s sorry colonial history.
That is, she could have cited the account which U.S. Major General and commandant of the U.S. Marines, Smedley Butler began giving in his retirement during the 1930s.
More brilliantly than anyone alive then or since he acknowledged his embarrassment at how his marines mainly served the country's moneyed interests -- who exploited the colonial lands and peoples horrifically, as he saw first-hand.
It was the old Epstein class, alive and well -- and demonstrably evil -- then as now.
They are always around, slithering and creeping.....ready to bite and kill. Plain old evil IN FRONT OF OUR EYES........WATCH BLINK TWICE
Maybe, Somewhere.
Then, maybe again money buys gentility. Lawyers. Accountants. Realtors. Private security. Art dealers. Private chefs. And underage girls.
Gentility has little to do with money.
Art dealers? Why how dare you…
Thanks Phil, I just read about Butler on Wikipedia.
Interesting about his views on the use of the military and fascism.
So sugar is the bad guy both in history and in diet.
The shame is that most of us never learned that in our educational system and now that information would be purged based on policy.
The 1917 law granting citizenship to Puerto Ricans passed because we needed troops to fight in WWI. Puerto Ricans have participated in American wars since then in much greater numbers than their population.
Thank you for your service.
"Big Business" has always cast an ugly shadow on US governance; The East India Company, "King Cotton", United Fruit (Chiquita), and of course oil, on and on. I have no problem with private enterprise per se (except when people argue it should replace the public sector) but I do have a problem with market monodies and oligarchies, and impunity for anybody. Government of, by and for the people should be exactly that. The tail should not be wagging the dog.
It’s ALWAYS about the money, isn’t it?
Exactly, big business has become a necessary pariah for me. Ditching all I can. Greed is graft
Amen to that, Phill!
Sugar is a drug. Necessary but that’s why we crave it.
I will echo what Megan said, Heather. Thank you for the history of Puerto Rico. As for Bad Bunny’s performance, I found it exhilarating. The symbolisms were everywhere, even with the little boy who was used as a stand-in for the little 5 year old, Liam Ramos. I regretfully do not speak Spanish but Latin music has always made me move and groove. I couldn’t help myself yesterday and I see I fit right into the crowd of millions who felt like me.
Hello Marlene... The Elucidation of Hawaiian History is also illuminating.... The Native Hawaiians, and the Mainland Indigenous share a Common 'Energy'... I feel very at Rest among the Hawaiians.... Genetically, the American Indigenous are very close to the Native Hawaiians, and Japanese.... If you go to Hawaii, and talk to People, it is very different then the Mainland... People are Nicer... Hawaii is also a Melting Pot for Native Hawaiians, Asians, and relatively few 'White' Mainlanders, and their Descendants...
Hate to burst any bubbles, but genetically, native Hawaiians have nothing in common with American indigenous, yet share tons of common ancestry with Marquesans, Maori, and other Polynesian groups -- which makes sense, since that's the part of the world they came from. But yes, the islands do tend to make kindness and gentleness a dominant trait, rather than a rarity.
Hello ICCT.... I beg to differ.... The Native Hawaiians are Polynesians... The Polynesians made it to Coastal California, and Peru as well... When I go to the Outer Islands, the locals always think that I am one of them from the next Island over... They let me join the local Surf Line-Ups which they actively discourage the Non-Native from doing... OBW: There is not a Universal Generic Native American, we came in multiple Migration Waves... Alaskan Athabaskans are very different then the Natives of Tierra del Fiego... In the Americas, there are over 500 Indigenous Nations... Each is Different....
I also found it exhilarating!
Yes!!
Even As a teenager (!) I was a fan of Sergio Mendez and Brasil ‘66. Along with the Beatles, Rolling Stones, etc.
Rick Wilson's take today 🤣 "Here’s the cold, hard truth for MAGA: Bad Bunny doesn’t know who you are, and he doesn’t care. The NFL doesn’t care. The advertisers definitely don’t care. You are shouting at a tide that went out three decades ago. You’re losing the culture because your “culture” is a stagnant pond of grievance, gas station boner pills, Lee Greenwood covers, of a be-jorted Kid Rock lip-syncing in a nearly-empty sound stage. The future is dancing past you in better clothes and with sexier music, and your only response is to scream into the void of Truth Social. It’s not a political stance; it’s a geriatric temper tantrum".
If you want to read the whole thing - https://open.substack.com/pub/therickwilson/p/maga-is-losing-the-culture-war?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=gfzoo
right on Sandra ✊
fantastic! thank you for providing the link also. I did not know about Ground News - but I think it's worth subscribing to.
Thank You, Sandra! Shared Rick Wilson article!
Geriatric temper tantrum hijacked by muskrat and his vipers. Let’s make America Welcoming Again. Well, more so
👏👏👏👏
Cheeto: The Racist PIG
Robert Reich on his substack channel took a page out of history and wrote about Cheeto as a racist pig(https://bit.ly/4qssh1p) In the 1960’s the term “racist pig” came up when Sherrif Jim Clark attacked civil rights leader John Lewis and his followers Later not only was Jim Clark labeled a racist pig but the governor of Alabama George Wallace got the same moniker And over the period of the 1960’s the term racist pig was used in many contexts relating to the civil rights movement
Now fast forward 60y later and the same pig that occupies the White House is being deemed a racist after his volatile posting of the Obamas and Cheeto declaring himself as King of the Jungle(https://bit.ly/4a3fDRJ) Cheeto’s past is riddled with a lawsuit about racist bias in apartment rentals, his attack on the now acquitted Central Park 5, and his attack on Obama’s birth certificate But now it’s now Hispanics not AfroAmericans
Given his lawlessness and psychotic behavior maybe it's best he be impeached as he's not fit to hold the office physically and mentally His out of control behavior threatens the domestic, economic, and national security of the country His policies have damaged our country's relationships with all of our allies and China is happy and grateful
Lawrence O'Donnell did a good piece on that moniker tonight, as applied to T****, who is, at the very bottom of his soul, a racist. Jamelle Bouie's NYT column was highlighted.
I enjoyed hearing from Jamelle Bouie. Lawrence O'Donnell gets it right, night after night.
Yes he does. Ironically or otherwise, it was in Puerto Rico after the hurricane that the racist pig in chief threw rolls of paper towels at the crowd.
Absolutely spot on as ususal
To say nothing of Putin.
Sadly, repubs are exhilarated by the destruction derby that they have wanted at least since W/Dickie.
“One of the finest qualities of democratic society is that its leaders often come into contact with “ordinary” people.”
“In 1968, presidential candidate Robert Kennedy was shot by Sirhan Sirhan at the Ambassador Hotel in 1968.” (photo in article link here)
https://open.substack.com/pub/sebastianjunger/p/breathe-with-me?r=kxzps&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=overlay
“While adults in the room remained paralyzed with shock, a teenage busboy named Juan Romero knelt to cradle the dying man’s head. Kennedy’s last words were, “It’s going to be okay.” Great leaders take care of others before taking care of themselves, and Kennedy made his best case for being president in those final moments.”~ Sebastian Junger
‘Breathe With Me’
TRIBE WITH SEBASTIAN JUNGER
FEB 9 2026 | Substack
https://open.substack.com/pub/sebastianjunger/p/breathe-with-me?r=kxzps&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=overlay
.
Thank you for providing the link of Juan Romero cradling Robert Kennedy. I remember that very touching photo, but I didn't know of Kennedy's last words.
that photo moved me too.
I liked his comment:
"Human touch can literally stabilize you enough for the surgeons to save your life.
Sustained touch is also an extraordinary social equalizer. One of the finest qualities of democratic society is that its leaders often come into contact with “ordinary” people. "
Of course that human contact with democratic leaders has become problematical between security concerns and the sheer size of the nation.
Is not an actual hero someone who cares for other people, sometimes even more than they care to take care of themself? The exact opposite of Feckless Leader and his toadies.
Thank you for sharing JaKsaa. What a moment to capture, such a shocking picture, such sad, haunting final words from Robert Kennedy imbued with hope.
I didn't know Sebastian Junger was on Substack. I saw the documentary he did with Tim Hetherington, 'Restrepo', around when it came out in 2010. That's where the beginning of his post starts off, in Afghanistan's Korangal Valley, it was one of the most dangerous places for U.S. troops. 50 American soldiers died in the Korangal Valley overall during that deployment.
More recently I read his book 'In my time of Dying: How I Came Face to Face with the Idea of an Afterlife'. I bought it on a whim and it turned out to be an unexpected gem of a book. His memoir and investigation into mortality, sparked by a near-fatal ruptured aneurysm in 2020. Junger explores the science of dying while reflecting on a personal, unexplained vision of his deceased father during the experience while trying to integrate his atheism with everything that happened.
Ashamed to say never really thought about Puerto Rico much. Another whitewashed chapter in our history we were never taught about. Puerto Ricans need to hold a referenda on their future and Congress needs to enact their decision. They voted for statehood in 2020 but might have another idea today.
We are not encouraged to think about Puerto Rico and that feels very wrong.
Real history matters.
Black lives matter.
That's some history lesson! Apparently our legal system has deep experience creating hypocritical laws that consider land domestic while maintaining its occupants are foreign. And at the end of the essay, I couldn't help be struck that our genius who insisted on renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, has no clue that he included two dozen more countries to the party :) My Southern Hemisphere friends always take pains to remind me that America is all of us.
I had that same thought, Russell, when the "Gulf of America" was first introduced by Felon 45-47! To say, "I'm an American" is not reserved for USA'ers. I think people need to be mindful of that.
It's really mind-opening to realize how provincial and insular we sound when we forget to include the rest of America in our understanding!
I always talk about USians when speaking of inhabitants of the US.
I actually believe Bad Bunny and Trump have congruent foreign policies. Only Trump wants to rape America (all countries) and Bad Bunny wants to love it. I’m with Bad Bunny.
I looked for Canada on the list.
Why a free society needs historians. Real historians, not revisionists who spin romantic tales of what didn’t happen. If we lose control of our history, we lose control of our future.
In a couple of weeks I turn 75. I have some advice for young liberal arts academics casting about for a meaningful, interesting, and very important career path, especially in light of current attempts to re-write American history. We must have real historians.
Let Heather Cox Richardson be your inspiration. She certainly inspires me every day.
Exactly right, Ralph. Not only do we lose control of the future, but we fail to understand the present, which puts us, domestically and internationally, in a bad position. Or rather, in a position that increases the likelihood of making bad decisions.
And I would add, to encourage any would-be historians out there, that there will be jobs available outside of academia, especially after the Trump administration is tossed into the toxic waste dump of (real) history.
I think when the Trump dumpster fire is over, there will be more students of abnormal psychology than historians and political scientists picking through the ashes.
Good one! There certainly will be more psychologists doing so than is usual.
Thank you for this, Heather. My husband and I just read this and really did not know about this Puerto Rican history. I knew that PR was a territory but didn't know all the details. It doesn't seem right. I guess we can't say no taxation without representation if they don't pay taxes, but I'd love to see them have the full privileges of statehood--though perhaps they don't want that. It just smacks of second class citizenship.
There's a reason Puerto Ricans broke into Congress in 1951 and opened fire.
The United States history with Puerto Rico should be and is a warning to Greenland what to expect if the United States is able to wrest control of Greenland. Their welfare and well being will be ignored and their cultural heritage shunned. They are being viewed as a source of potential mineral wealth to be exploited. The claim of security is a false one. The US has the right to military bases and has had large numbers of people stationed in Greenland during the height of the Cold War. However, in recent times the amount of people stationed there have shrunk to a handful. Minerals are now being viewed much like sugar of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.
Our recent treatment of Puerto Rico following the disastrous hurricanes has been appalling. I keep hearing Trump's saying that Puerto Rico is such an awful, dirty place and I am sure for him that applies to those who come from Puerto Rico. For me, for all of the time the US has been in control of Puerto Rico we have failed in our responsibility to those who live and come from there. Maybe through popular culture there is a chance to put more focus to help.
Heather, yours is the only account of Bad Bunny’s performance that connected the dancers on the telephone poles to the electrical outages which have been coming regularly since the last hurricane? I can imagine it would’ve been something else for Maga to be upset about only they didn’t get it. The other little thing is someone wrote about the cute little frog that appears with Bad Bunny. The little frog is called the coquí because it makes the sound co-kee and it is beloved by Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico. The show was over the top. I still don’t know why women are so into twerking but what they do with their behinds is their business I suppose. Plus ça change…
I would suggest learning about the history of dance traditions such as twerking :)
Twerking: History, Benefits, and Cultural Significance https://share.google/Bu9onJle8M0hIIqXL
I was a bit off put by the twerking women too...although it made me laugh to think it proves the country is united after all, or at least the male half thereof; I'm sure the MAGA guys who switched channels to watch the 55-year-old "Kid Rock" not rock are sorry they missed it. Twerking aside, I thought the rest of the show was great fun...and Bad Bunny oozes charm. I think Americans wd get along better if we partied together more often.
I had totally missed the little kid as a metaphor for Liam in the bunny hat. There was clearly a lot going on there....
A NYT reporter suggested Bad Bunny’s presentation to the child symbolized encouragement to the next generation, essentially saying “what I achieved, you can too.” Made me smile.
First, Bad Bunny's halftime show with a huge cast was outstanding. However, it is curious that it was sponsored by Apple. I have a feeling that Tim Cook probably received a call from Trump right after it started. Wouldn't it be interesting to hear a live recording of that conversation?
He’ll just send Trump another golden apple?