Nice to remember. I have never forgotten Cassidy Hutchinson's portrait of him holed up in a White House dining room watching on television as the food splattered everywhere. Had we had a more vital Congress, the members who supported him would no longer serve.
Millions of TFFG followers never read a newspaper, book or even the crawler at the bottom of Faux News.
We need to display images of the 1/6 rioters beating policies officers.
We need to display pictures of TFFG's poorly designed and constructed wall with holes in it and patched and repatched.
We need to show Josh Hawley giving a fist pump to the rioters.
We need to show TFFG struggling to drink with both hands wrapped around the bottle.
We need to show TFFG's bathroom at Mara-Lago with boxes of Top Secret documents.
We need to show Federal agents in Lafayette Square shooting tear gas and rubber bullets at innocent people and TFFG hold the Bible upside down.
We need to show TFFG standing in church looking baffled and bewildered while everyone else is singing a well known him.
We need to show them Putin and TFFG standing together in solidarity and bombed out Ukranian cities.
We need to show....
MAGANAZIs and white faux-Christian nationalists are not readers. Sure, many of them don't believe their own eyes, but images are more likely to have an impact on most TFFG sycophants.
It's the more independent persuadable voters you need to go for, die hards are already entrenched in their views. This is political Kool Aid of a whole new level in American politics - Fervent White / evangelical nationalists thinking the rest of America are dismally corrupt. If and most likely when the Dems win 2024, the GOP may be headed for Rumpland, indefinitely, if the party in fact doesn't come apart at the seams. We are all Strangers in a Strange Land, these days. This isn't just about USA by a stretch.
Exactly. The folks like those just arrested - "Rapture Gun and Knife" - are gone, lost in myth and furious anger. They are headed for Jonestown. If you believe in the "Rapture" you will be hopelessly unavailable for any logic, facts or reasoning.
The great middle of America that is less passionate and less upset by the events of January 6th - needs to be aroused.
In 2004, 31% identified as Independents. By 2022, it had risen to 49%.
For many, to give up believing in Trump is to give up their friends, their social group and standing, their religion, and their very identity. They do not want to hear any arguments against him and will not hear any.
“…will not hear any.” Exactly. I live among some of them. Facts do not sway them. They have no deeper understanding of governance and policy than “close the border”. Because that’s what they’ve been conditioned to spout.
Those who would and did riot at the Capitol are the tiniest flotsam and jetsam of the American public. They are, in one sense, not the problem at the moment.
The problem is that there are millions of Americans who support Trump still. As devoted, often fanatic, acolytes, they have managed to to concoct a melange of theories designed to wave January 6 as irrelevant, as patriotism triumphing over common sense, as inspired by the FBI or Antifa. . . whatever thin soup serves to put J6 and Trump’s role in it aside in the upcoming election is enough for them to forge ahead in their support for Trump, their consciences unmolested by thoughts of malfeasance by their candidate.
The center of the problem is that Trump is a phenomenally successful politician. He learned many many lessons from his years in sales in New York and his time in television. He remains a deadly serious foe, probably more so now than in 2016 or 2020, as his experiences in Washington have added another series of sharpened knives to his already bulging drawer.
We can, and must, point out ceaselessly what a hollow shell of a human being Trump is. The word ‘narcissism’ is unassailable linked to him. His desire for money and fame is so keen that the various tasks of a President, as normal society defines them, are completely foreign to him. Expecting Trump to govern on behalf of America is like waiting for your pet turtle to become an expert juggler. It ain’t gonna happen.
Trump will govern on behalf of a.) his deep-rooted need for approval b.) his reflexive need to pillage and c.) as a means of staying out of prison. Not one action of his comes without a string attached - he is as reflexively transactional as he is narcissistic.
Broadly he will attract three kinds of supporters: the relatively small group who are as transactional as he and have some useful skill to barter. They are the soulless bastards and in some ways they are worse representatives of our species than Trump. At least he is always in character - they are slippery, skillful operatives who crawl out of the shadows at the opportune moment to strike a deal with him. Trump is without a soul - he wouldn’t recognize it if he kicked it down the street. This group - think Giuliani and Stephen Smith as iconic in this tribe - are obviously going to be supremely dangerous if Trump gains the Presidency.
The millions of Trump voters who exist to put him in office are an amorphous collection. Some are anarchists and know Trump will deliver anarchy. Many, many are original Trump voters and have, knowingly or unknowingly merged their identity, their sense of self, some even their raison d’être with the Trump cause. Depending on the degree of their commitment, they are either dead center in the cult or teetering on the fringes.
Finally there are those who don’t particularly care for Trump, are immune from his inside jokes, but nonetheless see him as a vehicle to get or stay wealthy. They are the “tax-break” crowd.
So the Democrats face the most skilled politician since Franklin Roosevelt who has the added advantage of having entirely co-opted his Party (a whole other story. The knight sent out to slay the dragon is Joe Biden, a man who seems never to have found his true calling until he became President. Biden is everything Trump is not. He has a moral center. He believes desperately in America. He has learned all the right lessons from his mistakes and aged like fine wine in the process. But is 2024 Biden an equal vintage to 2020 Biden. Many supporters fear not and there is a curious air of ambivalence about his candidacy.
Yet I believe that 2024 is a year entirely dissimilar from any Presidential election year since 1860 (one where the stakes were uncannily similar. We are going to see not a single black swan this year, but a flock of them. Nothing is normal this year. Some of the abnormal that will take place will frighten us. Some will test our resolve. Some may even be amusing - in a George Santos way.
But I believe that it is inevitable that in this tumult Republicans, from Trump on down, will go too far in trying to nail down this most unwarranted second Presidency. There will be rhetoric that crosses the pale. It is hard to see how there will not be violence. And if the Democrats threat to win is real, then Trump will start to writhe in fear of prison and he will lash out in ways that will cost him the election.
The solution is simple, but simple rarely translates to easy. Americans must get behind Biden unequivocally, especially now when Trump has the stage because of the primaries. The Nervous Nellies must be frog-marched off stage. Biden must repeatedly attack Trump as magnificently as he did last Friday. He must do it so often that we practically know his words by heart. The Democrats must be unflinching, resolute, generous financially - and united in a joyful spirit of righteous opposition.
In the end this could be a slam dunk for Biden and democracy - or a romp for Trump and whatever label you want to paste on his creed du jour.
It is in Democratic hands. Rise up and slay the dragon.
Yeow. That was spot on. One of the most bizarre attributes of humans can be an unwillingness to admit error, to accept having been conned - even with irrefutable evidence! I remember a study about people who were victims of ponzi schemes who weren't angry at the con man...rationalized the whole crime. Sort of a "Stockholm syndrome" mind bend.
Great post Eric. You could put that into a YouTube video. We would help it go viral :)
I don't believe he's a skilled politician. But he is an entertainer without peer, the P.T. Barnum of self-promotion. That attracts far more TV- and social-media-addicted Americans than even the best politicians can dream. Which makes him MORE dangerous, his "entertainer" chops.
Rapture Gun and Knife, Christian-owned, had to have been a parody, but it wasn’t. Jesus would not have approved of its concept and merchandise, but then some of the “Christians” do not revere Jesus, nor the Love Thy Neighbor ethic.
I am not religious. But I was schooled in what Jesus intended for us. Many current "Christians:" are indeed the "anti-Christ". The good news is that there are folks of good heart within that faith.
We are in "choir" mode, no apologies. I wonder how that independent segment grew over the past generation. Less trust generally, and which party has lost to most over this period? Being Dem sympathetic, I put it mainly on the GOP, tea party style, subsequently MAGA. Ok, looked it up. Millenials and likely others have backed off party loyalty. https://www.axios.com/2023/04/17/poll-americans-independent-republican-democrat
I'm a sympathetic progressive/liberal north of your border, Maine to be exact. Been following your situation for quite a while. Was enthralled with the arrival of Obama, could hardly believe it. seems the pushback has been venomous. Politics, at least for me, are relatively "calm" in Canada, though there is a religious conservative crowd making waves, currently over trans issues.
I am not sure "we need" to be responsible for the education and judgement of others. In fact, I do not feel even slightly responsible for the actions and thoughts and mindset of others.
America was born in a time when those of influence, like John Adams WERE very, very, very widely read. In Adam's case he had actually red the entire Magna Carta. All if it.
But, lots of folks at that time were Not like John Adams. Remember "Shay's rebellion" which so shook up George Washington that he became more involved in the government process.
Educating those who choose not to educate themselves and instead, because of the reward of "emotion" choose a path of ignorance, violence and general stupidity is not my responsibility to overcome.
I overcame my own ignorance (I am from East Texas) by going to the library, reading, going to college, going to grad school, challenging my very basic "beliefs" while in grad school and modifying them substantially.
For those who lack the discipline and integrity and desire to grow their knowledge and judgement and challenge their basic "feelings" and "beliefs" I say: I am not responsible.
People are responsible for themselves. IF they ask me for help, I will be the first one there with whatever they need.
But, I am not going to push anything on any ignorant American who proudly plants his feet in the pure shite of ignorance with arrogance.
Mike, I applaud you for the efforts you made to educate yourself. One of Marie Montessori's mantras was "learning for life." Most of those commenting here whether they are 15 or 95 seem thirsty for knowledge.
I have been thinking about the southern border for a long time. The GOP obviously uses it as a trigger issue. Most Americans have never been to any border of the US, whether it's the southern or the northern border. I have crossed both borders many times in many places. I have seen how easy it is to cross the northern border. No fences, no border patrol. In the summertime it's an easy hike to "civilization" in many places along the border even though the crossing itself is isolated.
What I have in mind is a social media page with pictures. I'm not thinking of having MSNBC broadcast images of Trump day on a special segment. Put it out there for the low-information voters to view.
Mike, I agree that we are not responsible for changing the beliefs and actions of others. It may behoove us to try but we are not responsible.
I do not agree with your generalizations about people who “lack the discipline, and integrity....” to achieve the level of education and self-knowledge you have.
I have spent forty years working on issues faced by children in foster care, families living in poverty and/or experiencing homelessness and refugees trying to learn English.
It has become clear to me that we are the products of so many factors beyond our control. Genetics, life experiences, and parenting determine our resilience. Ongoing severe stress affects our ability to control impulse and emotions - and overrides the prefrontal cortex.
Yes, there are clearly people with higher levels of resilience and more supports who are able to overcome these factors and achieve a better life. But not all can. And many have few supports to help.
So while I don’t feel responsible for others’ choices, I think it’s more fair to withhold negative stereotyping.
That's very kind of you. I need to find a young person versed in the ways of TikTok, Facebook, and all the other social media sights I'm not aware of because I'm too old.
I do this & choose to ignore the nasty responses but I think the visual remains long after the words are forgotten. My hope is that fence sitters will choose the truth over the falsehood
TFG mocking a disabled journalist should have done it and it did not! Maybe his followers did not see it. That video clip should be projected 24/7 in Times Square, on the National Mall, and anywhere else that people congregate!
Correct, Trump himself is a well known coward where violence is relevant. He will incite all his self described "losers and suckers" to do his dirty work for him.
He won’t. He will incite others. The “fine people” on the other side of both sides.
He'll cheer them on from a safe distance.
Exactly. In spite of all his bravado, he’s a real coward.
Nice to remember. I have never forgotten Cassidy Hutchinson's portrait of him holed up in a White House dining room watching on television as the food splattered everywhere. Had we had a more vital Congress, the members who supported him would no longer serve.
A picture is worth a thousand words.
Millions of TFFG followers never read a newspaper, book or even the crawler at the bottom of Faux News.
We need to display images of the 1/6 rioters beating policies officers.
We need to display pictures of TFFG's poorly designed and constructed wall with holes in it and patched and repatched.
We need to show Josh Hawley giving a fist pump to the rioters.
We need to show TFFG struggling to drink with both hands wrapped around the bottle.
We need to show TFFG's bathroom at Mara-Lago with boxes of Top Secret documents.
We need to show Federal agents in Lafayette Square shooting tear gas and rubber bullets at innocent people and TFFG hold the Bible upside down.
We need to show TFFG standing in church looking baffled and bewildered while everyone else is singing a well known him.
We need to show them Putin and TFFG standing together in solidarity and bombed out Ukranian cities.
We need to show....
MAGANAZIs and white faux-Christian nationalists are not readers. Sure, many of them don't believe their own eyes, but images are more likely to have an impact on most TFFG sycophants.
The image that stays with me always is Helsinki, Putin looking like the cat and chump the mauled canary. That image spoke volumns
the fact we never saw a transcript of that meeting spoke volumes.
I knew we were in trouble when I saw that.
It's the more independent persuadable voters you need to go for, die hards are already entrenched in their views. This is political Kool Aid of a whole new level in American politics - Fervent White / evangelical nationalists thinking the rest of America are dismally corrupt. If and most likely when the Dems win 2024, the GOP may be headed for Rumpland, indefinitely, if the party in fact doesn't come apart at the seams. We are all Strangers in a Strange Land, these days. This isn't just about USA by a stretch.
Exactly. The folks like those just arrested - "Rapture Gun and Knife" - are gone, lost in myth and furious anger. They are headed for Jonestown. If you believe in the "Rapture" you will be hopelessly unavailable for any logic, facts or reasoning.
The great middle of America that is less passionate and less upset by the events of January 6th - needs to be aroused.
In 2004, 31% identified as Independents. By 2022, it had risen to 49%.
https://www.axios.com/2023/04/17/poll-americans-independent-republican-democrat
So...we have close to half the country to work with. No excuses, folks. "Clear Eyes, Full Heart, Can't Lose!"
For many, to give up believing in Trump is to give up their friends, their social group and standing, their religion, and their very identity. They do not want to hear any arguments against him and will not hear any.
“…will not hear any.” Exactly. I live among some of them. Facts do not sway them. They have no deeper understanding of governance and policy than “close the border”. Because that’s what they’ve been conditioned to spout.
Covie @covie_93 • 11h
Republicans: THERE'S A CRISIS AT THE BORDER AND BIDEN IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO HELP.
Biden: Pass the supplemental package which includes $14 billion for border security.
Republicans: No
This was an xeet from Jay Kuo’s Substack last Friday’s Xeets and Memes.
I’m C&P this, love it!
The WH fb page is full of identical comments. & lots of foreigners posting with negative comments
Cant help a LOL
Sociology 101, esp when fervent emotions of loyalty are involved.
Those who would and did riot at the Capitol are the tiniest flotsam and jetsam of the American public. They are, in one sense, not the problem at the moment.
The problem is that there are millions of Americans who support Trump still. As devoted, often fanatic, acolytes, they have managed to to concoct a melange of theories designed to wave January 6 as irrelevant, as patriotism triumphing over common sense, as inspired by the FBI or Antifa. . . whatever thin soup serves to put J6 and Trump’s role in it aside in the upcoming election is enough for them to forge ahead in their support for Trump, their consciences unmolested by thoughts of malfeasance by their candidate.
The center of the problem is that Trump is a phenomenally successful politician. He learned many many lessons from his years in sales in New York and his time in television. He remains a deadly serious foe, probably more so now than in 2016 or 2020, as his experiences in Washington have added another series of sharpened knives to his already bulging drawer.
We can, and must, point out ceaselessly what a hollow shell of a human being Trump is. The word ‘narcissism’ is unassailable linked to him. His desire for money and fame is so keen that the various tasks of a President, as normal society defines them, are completely foreign to him. Expecting Trump to govern on behalf of America is like waiting for your pet turtle to become an expert juggler. It ain’t gonna happen.
Trump will govern on behalf of a.) his deep-rooted need for approval b.) his reflexive need to pillage and c.) as a means of staying out of prison. Not one action of his comes without a string attached - he is as reflexively transactional as he is narcissistic.
Broadly he will attract three kinds of supporters: the relatively small group who are as transactional as he and have some useful skill to barter. They are the soulless bastards and in some ways they are worse representatives of our species than Trump. At least he is always in character - they are slippery, skillful operatives who crawl out of the shadows at the opportune moment to strike a deal with him. Trump is without a soul - he wouldn’t recognize it if he kicked it down the street. This group - think Giuliani and Stephen Smith as iconic in this tribe - are obviously going to be supremely dangerous if Trump gains the Presidency.
The millions of Trump voters who exist to put him in office are an amorphous collection. Some are anarchists and know Trump will deliver anarchy. Many, many are original Trump voters and have, knowingly or unknowingly merged their identity, their sense of self, some even their raison d’être with the Trump cause. Depending on the degree of their commitment, they are either dead center in the cult or teetering on the fringes.
Finally there are those who don’t particularly care for Trump, are immune from his inside jokes, but nonetheless see him as a vehicle to get or stay wealthy. They are the “tax-break” crowd.
So the Democrats face the most skilled politician since Franklin Roosevelt who has the added advantage of having entirely co-opted his Party (a whole other story. The knight sent out to slay the dragon is Joe Biden, a man who seems never to have found his true calling until he became President. Biden is everything Trump is not. He has a moral center. He believes desperately in America. He has learned all the right lessons from his mistakes and aged like fine wine in the process. But is 2024 Biden an equal vintage to 2020 Biden. Many supporters fear not and there is a curious air of ambivalence about his candidacy.
Yet I believe that 2024 is a year entirely dissimilar from any Presidential election year since 1860 (one where the stakes were uncannily similar. We are going to see not a single black swan this year, but a flock of them. Nothing is normal this year. Some of the abnormal that will take place will frighten us. Some will test our resolve. Some may even be amusing - in a George Santos way.
But I believe that it is inevitable that in this tumult Republicans, from Trump on down, will go too far in trying to nail down this most unwarranted second Presidency. There will be rhetoric that crosses the pale. It is hard to see how there will not be violence. And if the Democrats threat to win is real, then Trump will start to writhe in fear of prison and he will lash out in ways that will cost him the election.
The solution is simple, but simple rarely translates to easy. Americans must get behind Biden unequivocally, especially now when Trump has the stage because of the primaries. The Nervous Nellies must be frog-marched off stage. Biden must repeatedly attack Trump as magnificently as he did last Friday. He must do it so often that we practically know his words by heart. The Democrats must be unflinching, resolute, generous financially - and united in a joyful spirit of righteous opposition.
In the end this could be a slam dunk for Biden and democracy - or a romp for Trump and whatever label you want to paste on his creed du jour.
It is in Democratic hands. Rise up and slay the dragon.
Yeow. That was spot on. One of the most bizarre attributes of humans can be an unwillingness to admit error, to accept having been conned - even with irrefutable evidence! I remember a study about people who were victims of ponzi schemes who weren't angry at the con man...rationalized the whole crime. Sort of a "Stockholm syndrome" mind bend.
Great post Eric. You could put that into a YouTube video. We would help it go viral :)
Tim Alberta gives a very articulate account of the rationalizations that drive the Christian Nationalist crowd justifying supporting tfg
I listened to him talk to Preet Bharara. His account of the evangelists flogging his father at the man’s funeral is chilling.
Excellent on all fronts, Eric! It is up to us, the voters, to stand behind democracy and Joe Biden is our leader., a true American.
I don't believe he's a skilled politician. But he is an entertainer without peer, the P.T. Barnum of self-promotion. That attracts far more TV- and social-media-addicted Americans than even the best politicians can dream. Which makes him MORE dangerous, his "entertainer" chops.
cant resist a bit of kudo for the barnstormer here.
Bill, in 2004 I was an independent, today I am proud Democrat!
My sister and I were raised as Republicans. I became a Democrat around the time of Nixon. My first vote was for McGovern. Well...we took one state.
Sis switched to Democrat when Trump came on the scene. She felt the GOP had left her.
Rapture Gun and Knife, Christian-owned, had to have been a parody, but it wasn’t. Jesus would not have approved of its concept and merchandise, but then some of the “Christians” do not revere Jesus, nor the Love Thy Neighbor ethic.
I am not religious. But I was schooled in what Jesus intended for us. Many current "Christians:" are indeed the "anti-Christ". The good news is that there are folks of good heart within that faith.
https://www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org/ More like this, please.
We are in "choir" mode, no apologies. I wonder how that independent segment grew over the past generation. Less trust generally, and which party has lost to most over this period? Being Dem sympathetic, I put it mainly on the GOP, tea party style, subsequently MAGA. Ok, looked it up. Millenials and likely others have backed off party loyalty. https://www.axios.com/2023/04/17/poll-americans-independent-republican-democrat
I forget exactly when I committed to one party. It was around the same time you did I think.
I decided it was time to raise the stakes and take a stand, just like I suspect you did!
I'm a sympathetic progressive/liberal north of your border, Maine to be exact. Been following your situation for quite a while. Was enthralled with the arrival of Obama, could hardly believe it. seems the pushback has been venomous. Politics, at least for me, are relatively "calm" in Canada, though there is a religious conservative crowd making waves, currently over trans issues.
Gary,
I am not sure "we need" to be responsible for the education and judgement of others. In fact, I do not feel even slightly responsible for the actions and thoughts and mindset of others.
America was born in a time when those of influence, like John Adams WERE very, very, very widely read. In Adam's case he had actually red the entire Magna Carta. All if it.
But, lots of folks at that time were Not like John Adams. Remember "Shay's rebellion" which so shook up George Washington that he became more involved in the government process.
Educating those who choose not to educate themselves and instead, because of the reward of "emotion" choose a path of ignorance, violence and general stupidity is not my responsibility to overcome.
I overcame my own ignorance (I am from East Texas) by going to the library, reading, going to college, going to grad school, challenging my very basic "beliefs" while in grad school and modifying them substantially.
For those who lack the discipline and integrity and desire to grow their knowledge and judgement and challenge their basic "feelings" and "beliefs" I say: I am not responsible.
People are responsible for themselves. IF they ask me for help, I will be the first one there with whatever they need.
But, I am not going to push anything on any ignorant American who proudly plants his feet in the pure shite of ignorance with arrogance.
Images abound, why not use them to counter false narratives.
Mike, I applaud you for the efforts you made to educate yourself. One of Marie Montessori's mantras was "learning for life." Most of those commenting here whether they are 15 or 95 seem thirsty for knowledge.
I have been thinking about the southern border for a long time. The GOP obviously uses it as a trigger issue. Most Americans have never been to any border of the US, whether it's the southern or the northern border. I have crossed both borders many times in many places. I have seen how easy it is to cross the northern border. No fences, no border patrol. In the summertime it's an easy hike to "civilization" in many places along the border even though the crossing itself is isolated.
What I have in mind is a social media page with pictures. I'm not thinking of having MSNBC broadcast images of Trump day on a special segment. Put it out there for the low-information voters to view.
Mike, I agree that we are not responsible for changing the beliefs and actions of others. It may behoove us to try but we are not responsible.
I do not agree with your generalizations about people who “lack the discipline, and integrity....” to achieve the level of education and self-knowledge you have.
I have spent forty years working on issues faced by children in foster care, families living in poverty and/or experiencing homelessness and refugees trying to learn English.
It has become clear to me that we are the products of so many factors beyond our control. Genetics, life experiences, and parenting determine our resilience. Ongoing severe stress affects our ability to control impulse and emotions - and overrides the prefrontal cortex.
Yes, there are clearly people with higher levels of resilience and more supports who are able to overcome these factors and achieve a better life. But not all can. And many have few supports to help.
So while I don’t feel responsible for others’ choices, I think it’s more fair to withhold negative stereotyping.
Just FYI
Gary, I replayed every one of those images as I read your list. The DNC should hire you!
That's very kind of you. I need to find a young person versed in the ways of TikTok, Facebook, and all the other social media sights I'm not aware of because I'm too old.
I know the feeling! Me, too!
Dale Carnegie: A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.
I learned and grew, it is possible, otherwise become ostriches
I do this & choose to ignore the nasty responses but I think the visual remains long after the words are forgotten. My hope is that fence sitters will choose the truth over the falsehood
TFG mocking a disabled journalist should have done it and it did not! Maybe his followers did not see it. That video clip should be projected 24/7 in Times Square, on the National Mall, and anywhere else that people congregate!
A recent one where he mocked Biden's speech
George,
Correct, Trump himself is a well known coward where violence is relevant. He will incite all his self described "losers and suckers" to do his dirty work for him.
His support of Giuliani show the kind of "friend" he is
That’s called pulling out all the stops, the cowardly way.