What boggles my mind is the energy that these (apparently) talented people are expending on these devious ploys, while real problems, like homelessness & hunger are so prevalent. These issues could actually be resolved with this sort of determination, yet it is spent on control & greed. Oh my gawd, it is getting more disappointing by the hour. 😥
What boggles my mind is the energy that these (apparently) talented people are expending on these devious ploys, while real problems, like homelessness & hunger are so prevalent. These issues could actually be resolved with this sort of determination, yet it is spent on control & greed. Oh my gawd, it is getting more disappointing by the hour. 😥
As a linguist I can see a creative beauty in the synonyms you create. Flamboyant words like gerrymandering and filibuster to replace a good hardworking Anglo Saxon word like "cheat".
Thank you Christopher, from the deeply gerrymandered state of Fl. Oh, our governor drew the congressional districts. Although, they have been declared unconstitutional, I’ve heard nothing about the court case that was supposed to take place after the election. I’m so sick and disgusted with all of the cheating, my vote is worth nothing in this state. 😢
Phyllis, you deserve many liked because you are describing what's going on in many states and that's only one of the ways the 1% billionaires and the maga minority are going to try to stay in power no matter what. It's important to be on top of that reality day in day out. Please keep posting about it. People need to open their eyes!!!. Thanks for your input.
Katherine I think you are paying attention to the real problem. As tragic as the fires in California are, you used the phrase "losing power" to focus on what the 1% and maga is doing to the democracies in this country and abroad.
I've been writing lately that once those people gain powe as they been doing in some states and in the last election in most of the country, they are going to be in control for a long, long time . For those of us that hope the midterm election is going to take some of that power away and then in four years we'll be back in the White House, I think don't have the whole clear picture of how deeply the situation changed already. They been secretively for at least since Regan times, little by little, planning, executing, trying again and investing billions of dollars. Such an effort and investment finally presented them with control of the 3 branches of government and the media. They are not to risk all that plying nice and in one or few elections. They are here to stay they have contingency plans. We have to open our eyes and act ASAP. What's going on in NC is proof enough. Look Oklahoma , Texas and Wisconsin to name a few states. And pay attention to the relentless campaign against Governor Newsom, most likely one of the leading presidential contender for the next election due " his criminal behavior during the fires " .Stay put.
Don't forget to blame all of the fire on the response of "lesbian firefighters" based on the first female LAFD Chief, who is lesbian, and has been with LAFD for 22 years.
Absolutely Mike, hope is not a plan but we have to have a clear and realistic view of the field where we have to confront them and their strengths and weaknesses before drowning plans. Time is essential here, not to waste any or we risk everything. We have to start using what we have at hand already, our leaders and legislators by pressuring them to take action, create obstacles at every step to prevent them to establish total control.
I also think that the vile lies being spread about the LA fires is part of the longterm strategy. Blue California is not as unified as the pundits would have us believe. The "Newscum" just might trigger some gun nut to try to rid the state of our governor (I truly hope he has top level security!). Taking over California is the dream...and if the lies get loud enough, the reactionaries might bring back the Reagan era. I hope not but I live in a red part of the state.
You are absolutely right Juanita. They are counting on flipping California red and expect 4 years of relentless media lies and calls for investigations . In response Governor Newsom opened a website to counteract those lies. Where's your megaphone Governor?????
Those falling down the economic ladder don’t have power, that’s the point of cutting taxes for the wealthy and cutting services for ordinary Americans and those in need. Money = power.
Some people have little imagination and less empathy, so if they're not homeless or hungry themselves, they can't understand the plight of those who are.
You hit the nail on the head - the lack of empathy. So many are no longer capable of it - I’ve wracked my brain trying to figure that one out. ASD is much more prevalent, along with more narcissism - I mean, it just wasn’t so obvious 30 years ago, now it’s every time I turn around. Empathy isn’t really something that can be taught (seems like we all used to have it - not so any longer). 😥
Republicans do whatever they want; they don’t follow rules because for all intent and purpose there are literally no consequences. Litigating is inconsequential when it comes to people who have money, power and tactics to delay things. They are above the law. Rules, equity and ethics only work when people have a code of honor, or at a minimum some self respect. Here, we are being told that they will cheat and steal votes; let the litigating begin. The lying and alternative facts have been normalized-lying, cheating, stealing. Welcome to America.
But they love to say things like "no one is above the law," or "justice for all" as they take away the right to vote or make medical choices about our own bodies.
TR, so much for the hallowed "rule of Law" as Joyce calls it in her Substack. Since when has the ever been a rule of Law under our constitution. In America, it has always been the "Law of the Ruler". So what do you do about that? Constitutional reform. We (with our Allies) gave another country and thereby the region a new basic law which works pretty well in 1949. I speak of Germany and parts of Europe. Maybe we should look at that again.
The Dems, thru dark money sources, collected and spent $1.3 billion in 11 weeks of campaigning. Far, far more than trump. Money, power and tactics didn’t work FOR the Dems. So why complain.
In some cases it goes beyond "lack of empathy". That lack of empathy is one of the traits listed in a description of "psychopathy". For example, consider the practice during 45's term where asylum-seeking families were separated without keeping records of where their children were sent. That was the work of a psychopath. They are not just indifferent to the lives of other people, they are hostile. And they have managed to convert people with good hearts to vote for their evil ways. More than 11% of Americans are living in poverty -- more than 30 million of US. These people need our empathy.
I’ve never seen more damaged people elevated to places of power who have for the entire lives been boosted by making others hurt. Whether they were the schoolyard bully, the racist landlord, the theme of sexual assault is pretty rampant, the cage match beat downs, etc.
And America said, “ok, I’m hurting, may as well vicariously hurt others.”
Mark Zuckerberg built an empire on rating woman as farm animals, harming out kids, etc and now won’t even supply truth? Whose speech is being protected. His other Harvard twin bros brought legitimacy to drug dealers and child pimps, rapists via Bitcoin. They peddle addition for pro and video games to the point of men failing in school, relationships or simple eye contact. They stalk and follow and track via the internet every thing we do and ask we say thank you.
Apple tags are just the newest way to hunt - but don’t forget it’s illegal to put them on people! Thanks for the get out of jail free card when they are slipped into significant others, workers, politicians, bosses. Yes, our completely law abiding society will only use that for luggage and wallets! Because we haven’t seen any sort of privacy invasion used to hurt people. And yet we seem to be totally helpless. Just a tiny kitten in a tree when miraculously, other nations can say, “um, no. Sell your product of harassment of teens, addiction and laundering money for arms and drug dealers some other way.”
Funny @uck isn’t doing away with fact checkers worldwide. Just here. Just to be shoved into a locker by MAGA. I guess all those martial arts cage matches didn’t grow a spine.
You're right. CFDT spouts his nonsense 24/7/365, so we become outraged for 5 minutes and then he brings up another stupid thing like immigrants eating pets.
And that is what our corporate media gloms on to instead of the fact that CFDT was crushed in his debate with Kamala and then refused to debate her again.
How many times has the corporate media pointed out that CFDT is a demented fool unqualified to be President. Instead, they focus on his latest ridiculous diversion.
CFDT has arguably picked 4 or 5 cabinet candidates that are unqualified to do anything and yet the media and Republicans have mostly accepted that they might actually be approved to positions that only CFDT can remove them from.
Exactly. Apathy will destroy us. Can’t tell you how many people I love and respect just shrug or worse, don’t want to hear factual reporting.
The people about to take over are not dumb. They are master salesmen who give what they have collected decades of data to distract people from any control over their lives.
Deep dive into how destroying the Dept of Ed might lead to privatizing student loans and giving private schools (religious and otherwise) taxpayer money or mindless labradoodle videos and guys getting hit in the nuts after a day at work?
We know the answer. But when your kids schools can’t afford pencils and the other side of town where they make 30 X more than you are sending their kid private, you might want to learn a bit. As far as I’ve heard, there is no wealth restriction on vouchers. So the guy making 750,000 a year will have his kid’s tuition supplemented by the single dad making 50k and praying his kid will get a decent education.
As a person familiar with private schools, the big draw is donations and literally not allowing kids in. The idea is to appear exclusive. So do MAGA a parents with a 80k salary think their kid, even with the voucher, will be attending school with the billionaire babies? And even if by the genetic gods, they are good athletes, they will need to travel most certainly 30, 40, 1 hour away. Hopefully their boss doesn’t mind work hours from 9 to 3 because they aren’t supplying buses.
Opportunistic narcissists only ever see themselves.
Scarily, Musk doesn’t even seem to have any love for his own child and made making the lives of children like his own flesh and blood miserable.
Why would he in a million years are about others children or their future?
Donald Trump seems not overly concerned with the people he brought into this world. He’s going to care about my kids and grandkids?
Peter Thirel….no kids. According to JD Vance he should be running a daycare for the employees of factories. Oh, wait, childless cat ladies get the diapers, childless cat dudes get the kings to the kingdom even though they also, according to Vance, have no allegiance to the perpetuity of America.
If is true that Mu$k doesn't have any love for his own children, and I agreed it's totally true, what to expect to get from him when his decisions in government stat affecting the rest of us, the no related in flesh and blood (luckily). Felon 34 belongs to the same breed obviously preferring one over the others. Rupert Murdock also in the same trend with only one of his clan in charge of his empire and the rest dismissed as second class relatives.
As for Peter Thiel, I think he adopted Manchurian candidate Vance. Apparently it was love at first sight and he is being groomed at high speed to appear in official photos, smile and insult women. Official function as they say.
Bottom line, you can't run a country as it were a business.
And the sheeple vote for them because they can spew hate and fear. The Republicans have found a way to buy their way into several Senate seats like JD, Cruz, Scott, etc. with their lies and disinformation.
As one writer I read recently said, “MAGA has nothing to offer. All they have left is cruelty.” We on the other hand, have hearts and hands to offer our scared and struggling people.
Some people seem obsessed with lording over others. It seems to be humanity's actual original sin, and the historical source of most of humanity's avoidable sufferings. Abuse of power is, literally is, evil. Throughout history some have dreamed of societies in which people prosper in peace, but that state is always fragile, and never completed large scale. I keep thinking that we, as a people, could deescalate violence if we chose to.
For a moment, imagine an America without corporations. When I imagine such an America, I see a country where everyone stands on a level playing field... a country without the wealth and power that only corporations can accumlate, and no man can generate on his own... a country that nurtures creativity, innovation, independent thinking and collaboration... a country that puts children first... a country that values peace more than wealth and happiness more than strife... a country where fair is an adult word, not a child's word.
I don't have to imagine that. We, as citizens, had that vision starting with the Progressive movement in the late 19th century. Continuing with Brandeis anti trust law and then with FDR and the New Deal. Corporate power must be checked by the countervailing power of government regulation and enforcement power to promote fairness and competition. We had that in our grasp, but gave it up with the election of Nixon and Reagan.
Gregg, I was talking about ending corporations altogether, and putting business people back in control of business. Government can serve as a capital accumulator for public good, much better than corporations.
What boggles my mind is the energy that these (apparently) talented people are expending on these devious ploys, while real problems, like homelessness & hunger are so prevalent. These issues could actually be resolved with this sort of determination, yet it is spent on control & greed. Oh my gawd, it is getting more disappointing by the hour. 😥
Those aren't real problems to the people pulling this stunt. Losing power is the only problem.
As a linguist I can see a creative beauty in the synonyms you create. Flamboyant words like gerrymandering and filibuster to replace a good hardworking Anglo Saxon word like "cheat".
I suppose you imagine it best that rather than give you a diagnosis, the doctor simply said, “you’re sick”, and sent you home.
I see what you mean Bill, these wonderfully sounding words are specifying elaborate ways of cheating.
However when the doctor specifies and clarifies my illness, I know I am "sick".
I do not believe that in this case they acknowledge that they are cheating b astards. These synonyms are used to obscure not clarify.
Thank you Christopher, from the deeply gerrymandered state of Fl. Oh, our governor drew the congressional districts. Although, they have been declared unconstitutional, I’ve heard nothing about the court case that was supposed to take place after the election. I’m so sick and disgusted with all of the cheating, my vote is worth nothing in this state. 😢
Phyllis, you deserve many liked because you are describing what's going on in many states and that's only one of the ways the 1% billionaires and the maga minority are going to try to stay in power no matter what. It's important to be on top of that reality day in day out. Please keep posting about it. People need to open their eyes!!!. Thanks for your input.
Katherine I think you are paying attention to the real problem. As tragic as the fires in California are, you used the phrase "losing power" to focus on what the 1% and maga is doing to the democracies in this country and abroad.
I've been writing lately that once those people gain powe as they been doing in some states and in the last election in most of the country, they are going to be in control for a long, long time . For those of us that hope the midterm election is going to take some of that power away and then in four years we'll be back in the White House, I think don't have the whole clear picture of how deeply the situation changed already. They been secretively for at least since Regan times, little by little, planning, executing, trying again and investing billions of dollars. Such an effort and investment finally presented them with control of the 3 branches of government and the media. They are not to risk all that plying nice and in one or few elections. They are here to stay they have contingency plans. We have to open our eyes and act ASAP. What's going on in NC is proof enough. Look Oklahoma , Texas and Wisconsin to name a few states. And pay attention to the relentless campaign against Governor Newsom, most likely one of the leading presidential contender for the next election due " his criminal behavior during the fires " .Stay put.
Don't forget to blame all of the fire on the response of "lesbian firefighters" based on the first female LAFD Chief, who is lesbian, and has been with LAFD for 22 years.
They would use every single stupid reason to keep the heat on .
You got that right!
“Hope” is not a plan.
Absolutely Mike, hope is not a plan but we have to have a clear and realistic view of the field where we have to confront them and their strengths and weaknesses before drowning plans. Time is essential here, not to waste any or we risk everything. We have to start using what we have at hand already, our leaders and legislators by pressuring them to take action, create obstacles at every step to prevent them to establish total control.
I also think that the vile lies being spread about the LA fires is part of the longterm strategy. Blue California is not as unified as the pundits would have us believe. The "Newscum" just might trigger some gun nut to try to rid the state of our governor (I truly hope he has top level security!). Taking over California is the dream...and if the lies get loud enough, the reactionaries might bring back the Reagan era. I hope not but I live in a red part of the state.
You are absolutely right Juanita. They are counting on flipping California red and expect 4 years of relentless media lies and calls for investigations . In response Governor Newsom opened a website to counteract those lies. Where's your megaphone Governor?????
😥True.
Those falling down the economic ladder don’t have power, that’s the point of cutting taxes for the wealthy and cutting services for ordinary Americans and those in need. Money = power.
Some people have little imagination and less empathy, so if they're not homeless or hungry themselves, they can't understand the plight of those who are.
You hit the nail on the head - the lack of empathy. So many are no longer capable of it - I’ve wracked my brain trying to figure that one out. ASD is much more prevalent, along with more narcissism - I mean, it just wasn’t so obvious 30 years ago, now it’s every time I turn around. Empathy isn’t really something that can be taught (seems like we all used to have it - not so any longer). 😥
Republicans do whatever they want; they don’t follow rules because for all intent and purpose there are literally no consequences. Litigating is inconsequential when it comes to people who have money, power and tactics to delay things. They are above the law. Rules, equity and ethics only work when people have a code of honor, or at a minimum some self respect. Here, we are being told that they will cheat and steal votes; let the litigating begin. The lying and alternative facts have been normalized-lying, cheating, stealing. Welcome to America.
But they love to say things like "no one is above the law," or "justice for all" as they take away the right to vote or make medical choices about our own bodies.
And SCOTUS has said that TFG IS ABOVE the law...Hypocrisy much?
TR, so much for the hallowed "rule of Law" as Joyce calls it in her Substack. Since when has the ever been a rule of Law under our constitution. In America, it has always been the "Law of the Ruler". So what do you do about that? Constitutional reform. We (with our Allies) gave another country and thereby the region a new basic law which works pretty well in 1949. I speak of Germany and parts of Europe. Maybe we should look at that again.
‘Power Hungry’😥
The Dems, thru dark money sources, collected and spent $1.3 billion in 11 weeks of campaigning. Far, far more than trump. Money, power and tactics didn’t work FOR the Dems. So why complain.
In some cases it goes beyond "lack of empathy". That lack of empathy is one of the traits listed in a description of "psychopathy". For example, consider the practice during 45's term where asylum-seeking families were separated without keeping records of where their children were sent. That was the work of a psychopath. They are not just indifferent to the lives of other people, they are hostile. And they have managed to convert people with good hearts to vote for their evil ways. More than 11% of Americans are living in poverty -- more than 30 million of US. These people need our empathy.
Republicans breathe malice and cruelty, and proudly display it.
I’ve never seen more damaged people elevated to places of power who have for the entire lives been boosted by making others hurt. Whether they were the schoolyard bully, the racist landlord, the theme of sexual assault is pretty rampant, the cage match beat downs, etc.
And America said, “ok, I’m hurting, may as well vicariously hurt others.”
Mark Zuckerberg built an empire on rating woman as farm animals, harming out kids, etc and now won’t even supply truth? Whose speech is being protected. His other Harvard twin bros brought legitimacy to drug dealers and child pimps, rapists via Bitcoin. They peddle addition for pro and video games to the point of men failing in school, relationships or simple eye contact. They stalk and follow and track via the internet every thing we do and ask we say thank you.
Apple tags are just the newest way to hunt - but don’t forget it’s illegal to put them on people! Thanks for the get out of jail free card when they are slipped into significant others, workers, politicians, bosses. Yes, our completely law abiding society will only use that for luggage and wallets! Because we haven’t seen any sort of privacy invasion used to hurt people. And yet we seem to be totally helpless. Just a tiny kitten in a tree when miraculously, other nations can say, “um, no. Sell your product of harassment of teens, addiction and laundering money for arms and drug dealers some other way.”
Funny @uck isn’t doing away with fact checkers worldwide. Just here. Just to be shoved into a locker by MAGA. I guess all those martial arts cage matches didn’t grow a spine.
“ASD?”
Autism Spectrum Disorder
We're beyond a lack of empathy. It is indifference. The worst crime of all. The one thing that will destroy us.
You're right. CFDT spouts his nonsense 24/7/365, so we become outraged for 5 minutes and then he brings up another stupid thing like immigrants eating pets.
And that is what our corporate media gloms on to instead of the fact that CFDT was crushed in his debate with Kamala and then refused to debate her again.
How many times has the corporate media pointed out that CFDT is a demented fool unqualified to be President. Instead, they focus on his latest ridiculous diversion.
CFDT has arguably picked 4 or 5 cabinet candidates that are unqualified to do anything and yet the media and Republicans have mostly accepted that they might actually be approved to positions that only CFDT can remove them from.
For what it's worth, a line in a Lumineers' song, "Stubborn Love", asserts that "the opposite of love is indifference".
https://genius.com/The-lumineers-stubborn-love-lyrics
Exactly. Apathy will destroy us. Can’t tell you how many people I love and respect just shrug or worse, don’t want to hear factual reporting.
The people about to take over are not dumb. They are master salesmen who give what they have collected decades of data to distract people from any control over their lives.
Deep dive into how destroying the Dept of Ed might lead to privatizing student loans and giving private schools (religious and otherwise) taxpayer money or mindless labradoodle videos and guys getting hit in the nuts after a day at work?
We know the answer. But when your kids schools can’t afford pencils and the other side of town where they make 30 X more than you are sending their kid private, you might want to learn a bit. As far as I’ve heard, there is no wealth restriction on vouchers. So the guy making 750,000 a year will have his kid’s tuition supplemented by the single dad making 50k and praying his kid will get a decent education.
As a person familiar with private schools, the big draw is donations and literally not allowing kids in. The idea is to appear exclusive. So do MAGA a parents with a 80k salary think their kid, even with the voucher, will be attending school with the billionaire babies? And even if by the genetic gods, they are good athletes, they will need to travel most certainly 30, 40, 1 hour away. Hopefully their boss doesn’t mind work hours from 9 to 3 because they aren’t supplying buses.
Or they do but don't care.
Opportunistic narcissists only ever see themselves.
Scarily, Musk doesn’t even seem to have any love for his own child and made making the lives of children like his own flesh and blood miserable.
Why would he in a million years are about others children or their future?
Donald Trump seems not overly concerned with the people he brought into this world. He’s going to care about my kids and grandkids?
Peter Thirel….no kids. According to JD Vance he should be running a daycare for the employees of factories. Oh, wait, childless cat ladies get the diapers, childless cat dudes get the kings to the kingdom even though they also, according to Vance, have no allegiance to the perpetuity of America.
If is true that Mu$k doesn't have any love for his own children, and I agreed it's totally true, what to expect to get from him when his decisions in government stat affecting the rest of us, the no related in flesh and blood (luckily). Felon 34 belongs to the same breed obviously preferring one over the others. Rupert Murdock also in the same trend with only one of his clan in charge of his empire and the rest dismissed as second class relatives.
As for Peter Thiel, I think he adopted Manchurian candidate Vance. Apparently it was love at first sight and he is being groomed at high speed to appear in official photos, smile and insult women. Official function as they say.
Bottom line, you can't run a country as it were a business.
Exactly! Just imagine what could be accomplished if they weren't so corrupted by power and wealth.
And the sheeple vote for them because they can spew hate and fear. The Republicans have found a way to buy their way into several Senate seats like JD, Cruz, Scott, etc. with their lies and disinformation.
As one writer I read recently said, “MAGA has nothing to offer. All they have left is cruelty.” We on the other hand, have hearts and hands to offer our scared and struggling people.
Some people seem obsessed with lording over others. It seems to be humanity's actual original sin, and the historical source of most of humanity's avoidable sufferings. Abuse of power is, literally is, evil. Throughout history some have dreamed of societies in which people prosper in peace, but that state is always fragile, and never completed large scale. I keep thinking that we, as a people, could deescalate violence if we chose to.
For a moment, imagine an America without corporations. When I imagine such an America, I see a country where everyone stands on a level playing field... a country without the wealth and power that only corporations can accumlate, and no man can generate on his own... a country that nurtures creativity, innovation, independent thinking and collaboration... a country that puts children first... a country that values peace more than wealth and happiness more than strife... a country where fair is an adult word, not a child's word.
I don't have to imagine that. We, as citizens, had that vision starting with the Progressive movement in the late 19th century. Continuing with Brandeis anti trust law and then with FDR and the New Deal. Corporate power must be checked by the countervailing power of government regulation and enforcement power to promote fairness and competition. We had that in our grasp, but gave it up with the election of Nixon and Reagan.
Gregg, I was talking about ending corporations altogether, and putting business people back in control of business. Government can serve as a capital accumulator for public good, much better than corporations.
Can you imagine if the money spent on elections went to adequate housing or education? I have a dream.
I often have this thought about criminals in general. If they put half their skill into doing something non-criminal, they'd have great success.
More disappointing by the hour. The reality of next Monday and the resultant alternative dimension is upon us.
I don’t believe they voted this way. The election was hacked with an algorithmic manipulation (see “Dire Talks” YouTube video).
Harris should have demanded hand recounts in the swing states.
Links to Dire Talk’s Newest video - Clark County Nevada - Leaked Data Proves Algorithmic Manipulation. Please look at the proof:
https://youtu.be/qmzGOQwMG_k
https://youtu.be/y3-jqU8m-80?si=AzvhGqSUU-bC6VC1
https://youtu.be/T5cq1ITqzWU
Voters were suppressed:
https://youtu.be/P_XdtAQXnGE