"Trump has managed to avoid legal accountability by using every possible means to delay the federal case brought against him for his attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.''
This is a classic authoritarian strategy. Successful dictators exploit existing systems, bending legal frameworks and norm…
"Trump has managed to avoid legal accountability by using every possible means to delay the federal case brought against him for his attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.''
This is a classic authoritarian strategy. Successful dictators exploit existing systems, bending legal frameworks and norms to consolidate power while undermining the very institutions meant to hold them accountable. It highlights the fragility of democracy when leaders manipulate the system for personal gain.
In addition to Heather's newsletter, our friend Timothy Snyder's Substack is essential reading as well during these dark times: https://snyder.substack.com/
Thank you. We MUST NOT STOP. We must Continue SPEAKING, WRITING, INTERVIEWING & KEEPING OUR HONEST, OPEN DISCUSSION ALIVE through the coming weeks of formalities.
We must find a way to keep hope alive for ALL of US working daily to hold our own families accountable and be able to answer honestly to our neighbors, our children & theirs, that we are doing what we can to stand strong for our Democracy.
Please do not give up. Please find your best words to support our Way of Life in this Experiment called Democracy…a government of and by the people of this great land of “freedom for all.”
I was a schoolgirl when the words ‘under god’ were added to the pledge of allegiance to the American flag. I resented it then and the damage it did continues unabated. Which god? There are many. Only one you say? Yours? So - everyone else is wrong and should be brought around to your way of thinking? Or maybe you’ll be generous and ‘allow’ them to be wrong headed? Let’s incorporate that into our government. We don’t need separation of church and state. What could possibly go wrong?
I resent these words too. The United States has people from many religions and also many - myself included - who are atheists. The right has been able to twist these words to give themselves a "Christian" mandate. Sadly, the true Christians in our nation have been overrun by the zealots.
I feel the same, Laurie. I typically recite it (if I have to -- I get queasy about being socially forced to recite a pledge of patriotism, as it seems like something out of the USSR) by saying "One nation, indivisible..."
I consider myself patriotic and i do my best to honor America despite our flaws, and I don't believe that saying the pledge makes me any more patriotic. It's the folks who clasp hands over hearts and recite it while denying "liberty and justice for all" that get me.
Regarding patiotism.... At one of the last parades I went to (4th of July last year; first time in about 15 years I had no performances of my own), there were numerous "formal" presentations of the National Colors. I stood for them all, took off my hat, rendered the civilian hand salute, (a local Boy Scout Troop, the Reserve Unit that led the parade, two civic organizations, one from Mexico that carried both the US and Mexican colors, displayed as US Flag code requires, and two Veterans groups. After the third one, the guy sitting next to me asked if I was a Veteran, since I was so consistent with my response. I told him "No, just an American who understands and respects the US flag code."
My two middle fingers ae raised at the incoming administration.
Please attend the March on Washington and any marches in your hometowns. I will be at te New York rally I the city by the same and on January 18 from 10-3.
Doug, I agree. True patriotism is not measured by the pledge, the national anthem, or the flying the flag. It is adhering to the ideals of our democracy and treating everyone well no matter what their color, faith, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.
Agreed. I want to be a patriot to this country into which I was born, although some days it gets harder and harder. But the "under god" phrase I find offensive and divisive, particularly these days, when it is used as a weapon. I don't have to believe in any godlike deity to pledge allegiance to my country. And it feels like it is speaking only to a Christian god. If we are who we say we are, we respect people of all faiths, and religion isn't a requirement to be patriotic. Ged rid of it.
"There shall be NO religious test" which the gop theocrats violate every damn day without recourse or consequences. I am praying for their day of judgement where they will rue the day they became so damn petty to the elixir of power and money.
Note how they always harp on morals and yet never check capitalism's vulture qualities for money seeking wealth. The ardent vulture capitalists have said Capitalism (an economic model) is incompatible with democracy (a form of government).
But, remember, this is the God of Abraham, which means God is acknowledged by Christians, Muslims, and Jews. And I agree this is used as a weapon by the mean-spirited.
Jesus spoke to the Fake Fascist Christian Nationalists over 2000 years ago on the Sernon on the Mount
Matthew 7:21-23
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father in heaven"
"On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'"
"And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness'"
John Locke's exact words "A Letter Concerning Toleration" written in 1689 which clearly articulates the separation of church and state in a very profound and concise manner.
They and our founders knew much about the state sponsored religions of old Europe. The Declaration of Independance is fundamental in many horrible experiences learned back then. And yet those preaching patriot have long forgotten what that meant for their day of power to rule.
It's beyond sad, Cathy, it's freakin' pathetic. All for show, nothing genuine or from the heart. It's the most poorly disguised, self-serving, hypocritic crap I've ever seen. If MAGA wants to dine on it, let them. I see malnutrition in their future.
Yes, as a Christian, I resent having the Christian Nationalist Right claim my faith. Their religion has nothing to do with true Christianity. It only has to do with the power of the white supremacists.
Even if you don't read the bible, Hiro, these false "patriots" are just full of it. They don't know their ass from their elbow when it comes to anything involving faith, hope, or charity.
Every religion has a dark side - a shadow, if you will. Christianity has the evangelical right (or some say, Reich), Islam unfortunately had ISIS and its foundation in Wahabism which in turn had no problem befriending The Taliban, and Judaism has Zionism as its ultimate dark side. No doubt, others will have a dark side also. Even, what I consider a most enlightened "religion" such as Unitarian Universalists have made faux pas. Maybe not in public literature, but as one who has attended many sermons in that church, which are also called words of welcome, I personally witnessed the insult of Christianity. I'm an atheist, but even that made me cringe. The sad truth is, all religions have been tainted. Some may ask what argument I may have with God? I have no argument with God as I don't believe he/she exists; my argument solely is with religion.
I could not agree more. I refuse to say it. I just leave it out. Who's god? And yes, that phrase is on our money. I contribute to and get the magazine about the separation of church and state. It more important than ever.
With respect, the problem is not whether people prescribe or proscribe a belief in God. The problem is people who identify with a moral practice that then decide the practice is made so much easier (in the short term) by disregarding the “moral” part … where the “moral” part is treating others the way you would want to be treated if the shoe was on the other foot.
Someone who identifies as a [fill in the blank] and disregards the foundational moral part of their practice is not behaving like a real [fill in the blank]. You can fill in the blank with Christian, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, Democrat, democrat, Republican, republican, scientist, and even capitalist (based Adam Smith’s version, which was before the moral part was disregarded).
Just a suggestion, but wouldn’t we all be better off by promoting that idea instead of promoting a bunch of “I’m right and you’re wrong because you disagree with me” ideas? The good news is it allows everyone to hold everyone accountable to the moral principle of their belief system. The bad news is that the people held accountable includes the person in the mirror. The other good news is that the people held accountable includes the person in the mirror.
This god business is a complex one, but let’s remember the context in which the phrase One nation under God was added to the pledge and In God We Trust was added to the currency under Dwight Eisenhower. This was accomplished by a group of businessmen who sought to use the concept to oppose what so many people were calling ‘godless communism’.
In effect what they were doing was using Christianity to support capitalism; the idea being that the Christian God would have supported an economic system that helped to create just the kind of wealthy men whom Christ himself noted had no more chance of entering Heaven than that of a camel trying to pass through the eye of a needle.
The Christian Church later got around this problem by saying that the goodness of the many poor atoned for the excesses and sins of the few rich. It was just the kind of clever work-around that has ever since turned Christianity into a haven even for those who exploit the poor, something Christ himself would never have tolerated.
The problem here is the use human beings have made of the concept of the Divine. And that is very rich history, going back to the days of ancient Sumer when ’the kingship descended from Heaven’
Ever since, the powerful (or those who would be powerful) have used their supposed support by the Divine for all sorts of purposes, some good, some evil.
This is exactly the kind of power bargain so many Christians have made with Donald Trump, who is possibly the least Christian-like individual ever to occupy the Oval Office.
I get it. It’s complicated. But in addition to being complicated, it’s also simple.
You are correct. The Jesus Christ of the Gospel was intolerant of behavior expressed by far too many people today who identify as Christian. And I’m correct. The Adam Smith that wrote The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759) was intolerant of the same behavior. And I’m intolerant of the same behavior expressed by far too many people today who identify as scientists while disregarding the moral “subject my assumptions to rigorous skepticism” principle.
The simple part is holding everyone accountable to the same simple and universal moral standard. Otherwise, the implicit message Republicans are receiving from Democrats is “it’s against the rules for you to be bad because you’re better at it than we are.”
For the record, Kamala Harris as POTUS would have been great, and now we're all in big trouble, but as Winston Churchill once said, "If you're going through hell, keep going."
It's not that I don't believe in God... I don't believe in religion. Religion to me is just another form of politics. A way to control people. In my view, throughout history, there has been too much harm done in the name of religion (fill in whatever religion comes to mind).
I agree. You have written the words better than I.
A true faith/religion is not genuine if forced on anyone. It is a spiritual belief lived out from within a person's belief system. None of us live our faith/life out perfectly. This is the reason we should have compassion towards one another.
True faith can only honestly be lived out one by one. A person who chooses no faith also has chosen a way of living out their life.
I am a Christian. I grew up within the home of wonderful Christian parents. They lived a quiet disciplined life of love for us and between themselves. BUT...that did not make me a Christian!!!!
Later in my life, I personally received Christ as my Savior. I was alone...not in a Church...not with a friend ....I could not find a place to worship. I was even in a cult for a few years. I was attracted by the life of disciple in which they lived and the mutual respect each gave for one another. My mom kidnapped me from that cult with the help of a friend.
When..."I got my mind right".... as well as my heart, I was able to share my personal experience with my faith experience and to help others to be aware of "cults".
I am replying to your comment because I also fear the "group mentality"....a desire to belong somewhere to something bigger than ones self. We are vulnerable and have the great ability to make BIG mistakes that can affect the lives of others and in this day....influence our fellow citizens to vote for an enemy to democracy! ...as we skip joyfully along to the "gates of Hell!" and our own self-destruction.
Emily, here’s how to tell if people want to belong to something bigger than just themselves and their immediate family. Give them a DNA test. If it comes back Homo sapiens, and you want to win a lot of money, bet big on the idea that they want to belong to something bigger than just themselves and their immediate family. In other words, it’s in our born-with nature.
Let me guess. The cult you left included some people and excluded other people. The Jesus Movement includes some behavior and excludes other behavior, but includes everyone listed in Galatians 3:28, which is “neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” In other words, your moral Christian practice excludes no person, as does my moral science practice, but they both exclude “I’m right, you’re wrong, and this conversation is over” behavior (ref. Luke 10:27).
I suggest that every practice begins as an inclusive moral practice. That is certainly true of all the world’s great religions, democracy, science, and (as I noted in a previous comment) capitalism. The moment a practice stops being moral and starts being immoral is the moment it starts excluding people. Conversely, it will keep being a moral practice if it constantly reminds its adherents to always apply and never disregard the moral “treat everyone the way you would want to be treated if the shoe was on the other foot” principle.
Maybe every practice doing precisely that is what Jesus meant by referring to the Kingdom of God. Regardless, and although the left and right roads to hell are paved with good intentions, we are much better off in the long term when we choose the centered, unpaved, and narrow "moral" path.
I was in the third grade, and asked my Mom why we said "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. I forget her exact words, although the practice has carried through the rest of my life. When I'm in a situation where the Pledge is recited (not often any longer, but frequently when I was still working), I omit "under God". I also do not sing anytime "God Bless America" is sung as part of any event. (The Kiwanis Club where I worked my last 5 years was very law enforcement friendly, and I was a not infrequent invitee, and they always sang GBA.)
I hate that "In God We Trust" replaced "E Pluribus Unum" on our coins.
I neither need nor want someone else's imaginary sky pilot in my life.
Very eloquently stated. My thoughts exactly. “Under God” was added in 1954. Whose God? That is a multiple choice question. I don’t know when “E Pluribus Unum” was replaced. Regardless, it wasn’t what the founders wrote.
the more they try to shove christianity down my throat, the more I realize that they believe god is really stupid... that they think they can continue "sinning" and "go to heaven" as long as they say they believe in god and say they "repent" - they are like the boy who cried wolf and "god" is the village people who no longer believe him...
Yes, Lisa, they seem to forget that "god" is purported to be omniscient. They think they are the ones who know everything. Such hubris. I like the ancient Greek belief that "he whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad." These so called god fearing Christians are just plain nuts. I mean no disrespect for anyone who has truly given themselves to any religious principles, I only hold the hypocrites who commit ungodly acts in the name of God in contempt. Can we please get on with the destruction part now?
Dear Dancing Fox, one wonders if the addiction community hit on something useful when it refers to one's "higher power,” or as Abraham Lincoln worded it, “the better angels of our nature.” Whether atheist, agnostic, Christian, Jew or Muslim, I think it useful to have SOMETHING beyond our own immediate interests to which we can appeal.
Dancing Fox, while I agree with your views, let's not get distracted and forget the core issue, as Carol O so eloquently states: preserving our democracy. 1/3 of eligible voters have re-elected a wannabe dictator. A slide into a de facto authoritarian state over the next four years or less is very possible. We all need to pull together to avoid that outcome.
I was a school girl when that happened too. I usually don't say that part. In fact, I often just stand but don't say any of it. I didn't say a prayer in school when that was a thing too.
I don't mind it being in the pledge,there is only one God but many different ways of honoring Him. It has always baffled me that each religion states that if you are not like us you cannot get into heaven and that they all proclaim him to be almighty and all knowing and loving. If there is a being that created us, the earth,the solar system, the galaxy,the universe, do they think a being of that power needs a human to defend him? It all boils down to "do as you would be done by". Seems so simple,apparantly,it is not.
I also was a girl when that was added, and even at a young age, I already knew that our country had separation of church and state, and did not see the reasoning behind this addition. It has just added to conflict over these many years....
Agreed. My mom used to say that Black people were still lynched in this country after the phrase was added to the pledge in the 1950s. What does that say about our "one nation"? That the biblical commandments against killing and to love thy neighbor didn't include Black people?
Same here. As a side note, when I sat on my town’s planning/zoning committee and the board of adjustment, we used to pray. I called attention to the fact that including prayer in a public meeting went against the first amendment so they stopped. As for the pledge, I refused to follow along. Probably made no friends but so what was my attitude. They could pray and pledge all they wanted in church or at home.
Dancing Fox, i wondered about that too and was certain people would respond. I can't remember if I just stopped saying the pledge or left off the words, under god, certainly the latter.
I comfort myself, Dancing Fox, with Joseph Campbell's hero with many faces. I think God has many faces, too, if he/she/it even exists. Many, or maybe most, people need a way to explain to themselves why and how we got here, and God is the easiest answer. I remain agnostic not just about deity, but about whether we have any purpose. In many ways I'm happier believing humanity is an accident.
As a non-theist and an American, I respect your right to say "UNDER GOD."
But, I do not respect how MEAN and CRUEL the Evangelicals (white Christian Nationalists) have become or the patriarchal structure of most world religions.
If your God is the triune God represented in the Christian Bible, then do everything in your power to get those you worship with to UNDERSTAND and PRACTICE ALL of the lessons Jesus teaches as relayed in the New Testament.
Yours is one of a few comments that have significance. We cannot indulge in exchanging criticisms and laments. There are too many of those. We should urge AG Garland to publish the Jan 6 report about Trump. It is an utmost interest of voters. If he does not, he is alfter all another participant for betraying citizns.
Let's hope, Hiro, that Garland pays as little attention to what Trump wants as Trump pays to what America wants. Publish away, Merrick, while we still have freedom of speech.
Hiro, my understanding is that Trump II immediately went forum shopping Judge Cannon FL to get temporary relief, from JACK's Report -- could be very temporary.
As a US Marine I have always respected the rights which many have died to protect and preserve.
I too have a firm belief in separation of church and state for the many reasons listed below but fundamentally because of John Locke's treaties on "A letter Concerning Toleration" as written in 1689.
The Gov't is a body of laws - not men/women. No law can be enacted that must have an associated penalty for what must be a spiritual journey and belief of one's own heart vs. mandated by another. No magistrate (gov't official) can legislate how to believe no more than I'd be willing to let another tell me about my live or achieve my own eternal destiny as I believe. We have churches and other places to contemplate, discuss and grow our spiritual lives.
I agree with everything above but your last "under god reference" and really wish the "holy men" of the damn GOP and those wishing to claim the hearts of many by faux patriotism/nationalism would just understand they're really just asserting power over others.
It personally hurts my heart to see the flag, a symbol of our nation, defiled but also deeply believe it's a person's fundamental right to protest in accordance with the 1A. And just the same about POC, LGBTQ community that "offend" the "sensibilities" of others (sic) - the USA is the melting pot of all aspects of creation (if you so believe) and is "E Pluribus Unum" of our founders. They knew a lot about state sponsored religion in old Europe.
My USMC aspects demands that I respect and honor the rights we fight and die to protect and preserve for our families, friends, neighbors and fellow country persons. I pray we the people can keep DJT in check until we can truly restore equality and power to the people that consent to be governed by democratic values.
Ya....about that "One Nation Under God" business: that was done more to combat communism than to support any religious movement supposedly inherent within this nation. Our founders made it clear that there would be a "separation between church and state," and yet, we are all still wrestling with this concern especially since 1957 when "God" was forcibly entered in the governmental picture. As an atheist, and also one who resents the inclusion of statements such as "In God We Trust", I have concerns about how all of us ever reached this vision that a God, in fact, does exist. Could it be, possibly, that long ago folks could not explain the physical and transformational realities of our world in scientific principles? Before Galileo who was arrested for heresy, daring to challenge the church on matters of the universe, or Copernicus who dared place the sun at the center of the universe, rather than admit that it was earth as the center, there was little introduction to the masses of natural phenomenon. Consequently, people turned to the church for reasoning of these phenomenon. The tide coming in or out? Well, that must be "God's work." The eclipse of the sun or moon? Why...it's "God's work, off course." And blizzards, rain, lightning, etc. etc. etc....why, "God's work, off course." What was it that Goebbels had always claimed to Hitler? “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it." And now, we're stuck with Trump for 4 years. Michael Corthell referred all of us to a wonderfully written article by Timothy Snyder on the possibilities of a "shadow cabinet." We had that at one time during the W. Bush years. The Green Party led by Jill Stein developed a "shadow government" complete with a cabinet. I used to follow it and wonder what ever did happen to the Green Party's idea. We need to revitalize that idea today.
“Under God” was added in 1954. It was not part of the original Pledge of Allegiance. Since there is supposed to be separation of state and church, whose God are we under? None.
Carol O, I agree wholeheartedly with everything you wrote, except for the last sentence. "Freedom for all" also means freedom from religion, if one chooses.
Although I do feel that we are all f*cked in the short term, I agree that we do not throw up our hands. Let's focus on the midterms. And pray to whatever is your higher power. I feel that my prayers are being answered--there is serious infighting in MAGA-world....
Yup, Carol, we must keep on trying. We cannot give up! But we need to be realistic and focused!
Trump Has “The Country” Behind Him
We Gotta Dealt With It — But It Won’t Be Easy!!
Remember: 77,303,573 Americans voted for Trump. 77,303,573 Americans!!! That number is larger than the 75,019,257 Americans who voted for Harris - 2+ million larger.
Yes, we can listen to Republican politicians speaking on January 6, 2021 as they criticize what was going on in the Capitol building. Back then - 4 years ago, they didn’t like what they saw as their lives were in danger.
Bottom line: Forget about what they said back then and don’t even bitch about their quick about face during the next several weeks - their No Impeachment votes, their ring kissing, etc. Yes, this behavior is hypocritical, bla, bla, bla!
Instead, I urge everyone to listen to what the people who Trump was “loving” on that day. Listen to what the 77,303,573 Americans said on November 5, 2024. They are saying, “We want Trump! We LOVE Trump.”
In a couple of weeks, Trump will probably pardon the 1250 (or so) Jan. 6 convictions, and what will the 77,303,573 Americans be saying? My prediction: “Right on, Bro!”
Why WOULDN’T Trump pardon Enrique Tarrio? There are 77,303,573 Americans (at least) who will be saying, “Right on, Bro! Trump is the kind of GOVERNMENT we voted for!”
They are saying - no SHOUTING: “We are tired of a government that is always telling us what we CAN’T do. We like a guy like Trump who flips the bird at the government. And, look, that stupid government can’t catch Trump. Maybe that’s because he didn’t really do anything wrong!! Stormy is imaginary. He didn’t steal secret documents. If he did, he’d be locked up! The 2020 election WAS stolen, and WE - the Mighty MAGA Faithful are conquering the corrupt swamp monsters.”
Yes, we can listen to liberal politicians and commentators talk on and on about how AWFUL pardoning Enrique Tarrio (et al) is for our democracy. BUT, there are 77,303,573 Americans (at least) who are SCREAMING, “Right on, Bro!! Go for it, Bro!!”
The Hicks, McConnell, McCarthy, Rubio, Graham, etc. remarks and behaviors are HYPOCRITICAL. BUT, what the 77,303,573 Americans are saying has been CONSISTENT since the “Golden Escalator.”
Carol, I understand where you are coming from, though I am atheist. You see the world through your faith and given your comment, you desire freedom of expression for everyone. It makes no difference to me (to paraphrase TJefferson) whether you worship one god or twenty.t
Now, if you were a Christian nationalist, you would not be able to honestly say that you want us to support democracy. This is how I understand your comment about free speech and keeping hope alive for ALL OF US. if
Sadly, as I am sure you are aware, from John Rousas Rushdoony to the current crop of Christian Nationalists, they most assuredly do NOT want a democracy. It has way too much diversity, too much freedom of expression. So CNs support whoever is the best wrecking ball to our liberalism, to the separation of powers and our freedoms as delineated in the U.S. Constitution. Historically, Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer come to mind, two Christian thinkers who stood up against the Nazis.
Ooo thank you… for jostling my head and heart … I need to take a deep breath & do more reading, expand my vistas, my understanding of Christian Nationalism.
Oh GOD! Here we go down an off topic slippery slope that never ends. Every philosophy discussion leads to this because it's the biggest question that nobody can solve. I've been down this road too many times. Get a room! I refuse to get sucked into this black hole 🕳️
Robert Reich is also great reading. His recent article regarding the obstacles in Trump's path - namely the federal courts, the majority of which have judges appointed by Democratic presidents - was particularly hopeful for the long haul. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/see-you-in-court
I also highly recommend Paul Krugman. Since leaving The NY Times he has started publishing on Substack. In a few weeks he already has over 70,000 subscribers.
I hope that Merrick Garland will release Jack Smith's report. It will lay out the federal charges against Trump. If his lawyers objected to those charges, the should have encouraged him to go to trial so that they could present their objections. Since they chose instead to avoid a trial, the evidence should be presented to the American people to decide for themselves.
After their failure to fight, I "fired" Reich, Hubbell, Roseberg, et al. We were attacked and Russian psy ops tilted the election. Most likely Trump will be a dictator on day 1.
I am sickened by the attitude of the Democrats. They know that Trump is ineligible, via the 14th Amendment clause 3 to take the oath, but they acquiesce. They know we lost the cold war.
In 2017 Trump started a quest to eliminate "quality" and "justice" within a government he deemed the deep state. At that time, he tried but was unable to completely eliminate civil service which has been in place since the administration of Rutherfraud B. Hayes, another ethically challenged president.
Come Jan 20, he says he has dozens of executive orders rarin' to go, to finish the job. Sonce 2018, SCOTUS has given him tools to do it. .So long Administrative Procedure Act. So long civil rights. So long mis amigos, Jesus y Maria. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNmn7jdbQwA
A "unitary executive" doesn't need no friggin' judges.
I read an article yesterday that send he’s having trouble filling positions in the ranks because they don’t pass the loyalty test. I think Susie Wiles and Stephen Miller are determining who passed the test.
Thnx for uplifting reminder about federal court judges! Biden has spent all of his energy on protecting all of us from what he & most of us are concerned about…T’s unedited fly-by-seat of his pants behaviors, declarations, invitations to whomever to become involved in Trump’s current moment.. Greenland, etc etc.
Do not expect too much from democratic judges, as I see it they let him off the hook in all his criminal proceedings and as a backstop there is the SCOTUS, which is in his pocket.
Thank You, Michael, for sharing Tomothy Snyder's excellent suggestion of a British type "shadow government" (although, as he recommends, it does need a better name) to protect our democracy. How about "U.S. Conscience"?
In the comment sections of regular mainstream news or on "mainstream" substacks like Dan Rather (who I respect) I have started telling people about non-mainstream substacks like Heather's, Timothy Snyder's, etc. It seems as if few people who read more mainstream pieces, substack or not, do not know about the ones I read. I must subscribe to at least 5-6 and also the MeidasTouch network. I think it is a good idea to start telling people about them.
Let's have a "shadow cabinet" as Timothy Snyder has suggested. It would keep our attention on the alternatives to the policies that will be enacted by Trump's cabinet. Keep the dialogue alive and counter the mad mad world of MAGA and the Oligarchs.
True, and he isn’t changing now. He’s badmouthing Juan Merchan, the judge sentencing him in the business records fraud case. His lies are so pervasive his groupies believe him.
By showing weakness by relaying on slow legislators and even slower attorney general. Just to name a few reasons. Hope this answer your well taken question theff.
Carol, that, in a nutshell, (speaking of nuts😳) sums up the life of Donald Trump. The sad part is that those of us who were not brought up like that are now going to suffer.
His lawyers' statement SHOULD read, "TRUMP 'would not be in the public's best interest.'"
Yes this is how he ‘gets away with it’ delay, deny, disinformation, lie upon lie repeated while threatening , bribing, intimidating those minions to follow suit. That’s how Autocrats work and further obvious why the playbooks of those famous now are followed.
Why isn’t the having a felony makes one NOT eligible for presidential placemen working …oh ..because it wasn’t codified? But ‘ established law ‘ …oh right that wasn’t codified either… principles got dissected then damned
..have all those votes thrown out been checked for accurate disposal…no.
..have the gerrymandered districts been redefined, redrawn…no.
..have laws been changed so defense can no longer be exacted …
..can a sitting president pardon himself…or a person already convicted ..depends
..Will the people call foul when they get bit , ‘if’ is not even questioned…when they get to the internment camp-went to the wrong address?..too late!
What is their soul worth for those ‘Christians’…
Welcome to 2025 ..
I’m still trying to make sense of it all cause I pretty well know where it’s headed …
There is only one parallel example to this exact situation that we face as a country now, and that is Nazi Germany in the 30s, when Hitler was elevated to lead Germany after leading an insurrection to overthrow the government. We should all know what’s coming folks.
Perfect analogy Jane. I only hope that Merrick Garland put the pants on this time and, for the record and in the name of decency, release Jack Smith's report to the public.
Ricardo, i hope someday soon there is a critical forensic analysis of Garland's slowness to initiate action against Trump immediately after Jan 6, and then again after the discovery of the classified documents at Mar a Lardo. I believe he and McConnell are the 2 people most responsible for Trump's success in avoiding justice of either the legal or political sort.
I was wondering last night -- how soon does the convicted felon get the docs back that he stole? And now that he has immunity, how many more will he steal, and possibly share with our enemies? It's a chilling thought, adding to what other American carnage lies ahead.
Doug, I fear that in Biden giving Merrick Garland “a second chance” at elevation after his failed effort at appointment to SCOTUS, he failed to take into account Garland’s very much more judicial temperament than the attack dog temperament often more useful as Attorney General.
I loved your comment Doug, you are 💯 % on target 😀.
As for how long the convicted felon would get back the documents he stole to share with our enemies, I advice you not to blink because you might miss the whole event 😉
Sorry Carole, it's impossible to mend the original mistake of nominating him for such fundamental job. Maybe if the party as a whole put pressure on him 24/7 we can accomplish the goal.
Yes, we failed to do even that, then of course we have had media opining that maybe Democrats caused all this by trying to hold him accountable. And Americans are so gullible they gobble that garbage right up.
Yes, but he got a 3 month sentence that was shortened to one month, and there was no provision attached that he couldn’t run for office. That is a glaring problem in American politics, as well as the DOJ “rule” that you cannot prosecute a sitting president. Congress could have kept Trump from running again with an impeachment conviction, but McConnell had to save his own butt.
Trump’s infamous threat to be a one-day dictator, coupled with his growing territorial claims (Greenland, Panama, Canada), set the stage for international conflict. “For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” Trump said. Retaking the Panama Canal is “required” if shipping costs aren’t lowered, he claims. Mocking outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “governor” of the “Great State of Canada” is more than Trump just being a jerk. His demands and bluster bring to mind Hitler’s pre-World War demands for territory (the Rhineland, Sudetenland). Most concerning is Trump’s invoking “national security” as a rationale for land grabs. Years of Trumpublican fear-mongering over U.S.-Mexican border security sets the stage for military action. Who would stop Trump from establishing a “buffer zone” by ordering an invasion of our Southern neighbor? World leaders bent the knee to Hitler. The result was catastrophic.
According to history, Ruth Ben Ghait , and many/several others , Stalin, Mussolini, Putin, Assad, Mao T., Ghadhaffi, the list is long…wanna bes …longer. But the victims….millions.
We have the opportunity to push back loud and fast. We have the benefit of history to see what not pushing back looks like. Join with local activists. Start an Indivisible group. Look for ways to help. Read Timothy Snyder's On Freedom. You might be right, but if we don't give up in advance, you might not be.
I know folks are talking. I would think the old RC spiritual bouquet for here or to others and snail mail as well. Social Justice bouquet where we state in five different ways and methods what we pledge to do for the week to another human being. The other idea is every county in this country by virtue of the old land grant act has a cooperative extension agency. They have 4 zH clubs fur the young usually but not always rural. One could take that club concept and run with it in local and regional areas. The old women. Club seen humorously in the Musical Man was a real thing and Sndrew Carnegie used them fir his library system after he had in some ways sen the light.Talkibg and individual acts need also a community web of support and interaction. If it showing to get dark or even not because so much of community still recovering from years of neglect so so so needed. As far as I know anyone constant a 4 H Club.
On order to maintain an environment of liberty and justice, we as citizens have a responsibility to deal with each other in a spirit of good faith, even and probably especially when in conflict. There is simply no law or legal framework that can be designed so cleverly that it cannot be turned malicious when good faith fails to prevail.
Joseph Welch called it "decency". Call it what you will. It is the self discipline to speak honestly, and to refuse to resort to cheating. It is the capacity to care about things beyond and in addition to personal self-interest. An excessively self-centered personality and/or society can turn nasty fast, and there are plenty of historical examples. It seems to me that we as an aggregated society are not paying enough of a focused attention to that.
This brings to mind the question asked by attorney Joseph Welch of Sen. Joe McCarthy at the end of his infamous investigation on UnAmerican Activities.
“At long last, have you no sense of decency?” What used to be the Lincoln has none.
Exactly, and her last sentence is chilling...."They conclude that releasing Smith’s report “would not ‘be in the public interest.’” How authoritarian can you get?
But nooooo, you cannot compare Trump to Hitler or other dictators. That’s not fair! Even if he has played out every trick in the fascist dictator’s handbook, he’s still a great guy and loves the American people [/end MAGA main stream media mode]
Michael, you are right, but the system in this case helped Trump along by not bringing charges for the stolen documents immediately, by not charging Trump with insurrection immediately, by letting Trump and friends judge shop and the 11th circuit not holding Cannon to account for her bad behavior, for Georgia pretending it was Willis who was the criminal instead of Trump and friends. That's part of the authoritarian game too and clearly Trump's friends have learned how to play it well and we will all suffer for it.
Number One unindicted co-conspirator: Merrick Garland, for continuing the Democratic tradition established by Eric Holder of not holding the rich and powerful accountable for their crimes.
Number Two unindicted co-conspirator: Joe Biden, for continuing the Democratic tradition of not insisting that the Attorney General do his job.
To be sure we are entering a period of unprecedented corruption but one that could have been prevented by simply applying the law equally. As someone who lost a substantial portion of my retirement savings in the financial meltdown I understand the rage that drives many MAGA voters and am perplexed at the blindness of so many Democrats.
We don't know how to fight. In retrospect, had a Jack Smith filed cases immeditedly after Jan 6, 2021, things would be different.
Those MAGATS are marks. At the same time, hate Trumps economics.
I go back to Nixon who let the dollar float. That opened our economy for a takeover. Thus we sold manufacturing, the goose that laid the golden egg. We are now more vulnerable than anyone in the media has expressed.h Half of our "allies" are working with BRIC to undemine our currency.
Trump has his own "currency." So does Musk. We'll see who will be the "marks."
I would argue and say that Republicans led by Mitch McConnell let us all down during the impeachment process. Unfortunately, the Constitution really doesn't have a good process in place for an actually effective impeachment mechanism. It is and always has been practically impossible to hold an American president to account, especially when the legislature is likely within his party's control or at least is split. That's a puzzling oversight for the Founders who supposedly designed the whole thing around checks and balances and the *default assumption* that power corrupts and that having an unaccountable king (like George III) was the worst thing.
That said, I agree that Merrick Garland has been an abject failure in this regard, and honestly every sitting public official who got off without even a warning or having to appear in court was a travesty.
I think the Jack Smith draft report is finished. Write to Merrick Garland and ask him to release the Jack Smith report. You can do it here. Select “Messages to the Attorney General” from the drop down menu https://www.justice.gov/doj/webform/your-message-department-justice
Make no mistake about it, the Fascists are now in control of our government. And let's not be naïve, they're not going to relinquish this power in a peaceful process 2 or 4 years hence. Jan. 6, 2029 will look nothing like what transpired yesterday. The possible/probable solution: Elect a super majority of Democratic Senators and Representatives. Even then, the going will be rough.
There is one track left to combat this authoritarian strategy. The release of the special prosecutor's reports is imperative. Smith and Garland should release as much as possible, preferably all of it. If Trump's lawyers succeed in burying it, history will be deprived of vital details for decades if not forever. These reports will reinforce the findings of the January 6 Committee and the Mueller's report to help future citizens combat outrageous behavior by those in power.
Michael Corthell, I agree. You described the authoritarian Trump strategy accurately and then, the way I see it, turned to the other side in this contest and said that democracy is fragile. I think you mean democracy is inherently fragile and many serious, well educated people agree with you. I agree, too, though I think democracy isn’t as fragile as it appears right now.
I’m with those critics who say our response to this threat has been weak. We’ve been slow to understand how serious it is; so serious that our traditional reliance on debate, compromise, bipartisanship, and the language of conciliation doesn’t fit the moment. AG Garland is a fitting example of how Democrats responded (although we should note he is a member of the Federalist Society and may have divided loyalties.)
Now we learn from post-election analyses that uncommitted voters felt that Democrats would not fight for them. Who can blame them?
Justice delayed proved again to be justice denied. 😢 Thus start the two weeks of dread. 🤢 Attorney General Garland: ¡release that report! ⚖️ G-D bless President Biden and Vice President Harris. 🙏 As a sixty-seven year old, I may not last long; I am ready to fight. ✌🏽
- Pulled Quote -
"Trump has managed to avoid legal accountability by using every possible means to delay the federal case brought against him for his attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.''
This is a classic authoritarian strategy. Successful dictators exploit existing systems, bending legal frameworks and norms to consolidate power while undermining the very institutions meant to hold them accountable. It highlights the fragility of democracy when leaders manipulate the system for personal gain.
In addition to Heather's newsletter, our friend Timothy Snyder's Substack is essential reading as well during these dark times: https://snyder.substack.com/
Thank you. We MUST NOT STOP. We must Continue SPEAKING, WRITING, INTERVIEWING & KEEPING OUR HONEST, OPEN DISCUSSION ALIVE through the coming weeks of formalities.
We must find a way to keep hope alive for ALL of US working daily to hold our own families accountable and be able to answer honestly to our neighbors, our children & theirs, that we are doing what we can to stand strong for our Democracy.
Please do not give up. Please find your best words to support our Way of Life in this Experiment called Democracy…a government of and by the people of this great land of “freedom for all.”
OUR ONE NATION, UNDER GOD.
I was a schoolgirl when the words ‘under god’ were added to the pledge of allegiance to the American flag. I resented it then and the damage it did continues unabated. Which god? There are many. Only one you say? Yours? So - everyone else is wrong and should be brought around to your way of thinking? Or maybe you’ll be generous and ‘allow’ them to be wrong headed? Let’s incorporate that into our government. We don’t need separation of church and state. What could possibly go wrong?
I resent these words too. The United States has people from many religions and also many - myself included - who are atheists. The right has been able to twist these words to give themselves a "Christian" mandate. Sadly, the true Christians in our nation have been overrun by the zealots.
I feel the same, Laurie. I typically recite it (if I have to -- I get queasy about being socially forced to recite a pledge of patriotism, as it seems like something out of the USSR) by saying "One nation, indivisible..."
I consider myself patriotic and i do my best to honor America despite our flaws, and I don't believe that saying the pledge makes me any more patriotic. It's the folks who clasp hands over hearts and recite it while denying "liberty and justice for all" that get me.
Same here, Doug.
Regarding patiotism.... At one of the last parades I went to (4th of July last year; first time in about 15 years I had no performances of my own), there were numerous "formal" presentations of the National Colors. I stood for them all, took off my hat, rendered the civilian hand salute, (a local Boy Scout Troop, the Reserve Unit that led the parade, two civic organizations, one from Mexico that carried both the US and Mexican colors, displayed as US Flag code requires, and two Veterans groups. After the third one, the guy sitting next to me asked if I was a Veteran, since I was so consistent with my response. I told him "No, just an American who understands and respects the US flag code."
My two middle fingers ae raised at the incoming administration.
Please attend the March on Washington and any marches in your hometowns. I will be at te New York rally I the city by the same and on January 18 from 10-3.
Doug, I agree. True patriotism is not measured by the pledge, the national anthem, or the flying the flag. It is adhering to the ideals of our democracy and treating everyone well no matter what their color, faith, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.
Agreed. I want to be a patriot to this country into which I was born, although some days it gets harder and harder. But the "under god" phrase I find offensive and divisive, particularly these days, when it is used as a weapon. I don't have to believe in any godlike deity to pledge allegiance to my country. And it feels like it is speaking only to a Christian god. If we are who we say we are, we respect people of all faiths, and religion isn't a requirement to be patriotic. Ged rid of it.
"There shall be NO religious test" which the gop theocrats violate every damn day without recourse or consequences. I am praying for their day of judgement where they will rue the day they became so damn petty to the elixir of power and money.
Note how they always harp on morals and yet never check capitalism's vulture qualities for money seeking wealth. The ardent vulture capitalists have said Capitalism (an economic model) is incompatible with democracy (a form of government).
They've all been bitten by the golden calf.
But, remember, this is the God of Abraham, which means God is acknowledged by Christians, Muslims, and Jews. And I agree this is used as a weapon by the mean-spirited.
A Christian mandate and yet, they don’t act like Christians. All just words. Holier than thou…so sad.
Jesus spoke to the Fake Fascist Christian Nationalists over 2000 years ago on the Sernon on the Mount
Matthew 7:21-23
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father in heaven"
"On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'"
"And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness'"
John Locke's exact words "A Letter Concerning Toleration" written in 1689 which clearly articulates the separation of church and state in a very profound and concise manner.
They and our founders knew much about the state sponsored religions of old Europe. The Declaration of Independance is fundamental in many horrible experiences learned back then. And yet those preaching patriot have long forgotten what that meant for their day of power to rule.
It's beyond sad, Cathy, it's freakin' pathetic. All for show, nothing genuine or from the heart. It's the most poorly disguised, self-serving, hypocritic crap I've ever seen. If MAGA wants to dine on it, let them. I see malnutrition in their future.
Yes, as a Christian, I resent having the Christian Nationalist Right claim my faith. Their religion has nothing to do with true Christianity. It only has to do with the power of the white supremacists.
If you read the Bible, you will realize that Repulican right Christians are not Christians at all. They are name only.
Even if you don't read the bible, Hiro, these false "patriots" are just full of it. They don't know their ass from their elbow when it comes to anything involving faith, hope, or charity.
Every religion has a dark side - a shadow, if you will. Christianity has the evangelical right (or some say, Reich), Islam unfortunately had ISIS and its foundation in Wahabism which in turn had no problem befriending The Taliban, and Judaism has Zionism as its ultimate dark side. No doubt, others will have a dark side also. Even, what I consider a most enlightened "religion" such as Unitarian Universalists have made faux pas. Maybe not in public literature, but as one who has attended many sermons in that church, which are also called words of welcome, I personally witnessed the insult of Christianity. I'm an atheist, but even that made me cringe. The sad truth is, all religions have been tainted. Some may ask what argument I may have with God? I have no argument with God as I don't believe he/she exists; my argument solely is with religion.
I could not agree more. I refuse to say it. I just leave it out. Who's god? And yes, that phrase is on our money. I contribute to and get the magazine about the separation of church and state. It more important than ever.
In God we trust. All others pay cash.
Us old cops also used to say "In God we trust, all others checked through NCIC."
Agreed: I have long been offended by that.
With respect, the problem is not whether people prescribe or proscribe a belief in God. The problem is people who identify with a moral practice that then decide the practice is made so much easier (in the short term) by disregarding the “moral” part … where the “moral” part is treating others the way you would want to be treated if the shoe was on the other foot.
Someone who identifies as a [fill in the blank] and disregards the foundational moral part of their practice is not behaving like a real [fill in the blank]. You can fill in the blank with Christian, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, Democrat, democrat, Republican, republican, scientist, and even capitalist (based Adam Smith’s version, which was before the moral part was disregarded).
Just a suggestion, but wouldn’t we all be better off by promoting that idea instead of promoting a bunch of “I’m right and you’re wrong because you disagree with me” ideas? The good news is it allows everyone to hold everyone accountable to the moral principle of their belief system. The bad news is that the people held accountable includes the person in the mirror. The other good news is that the people held accountable includes the person in the mirror.
This god business is a complex one, but let’s remember the context in which the phrase One nation under God was added to the pledge and In God We Trust was added to the currency under Dwight Eisenhower. This was accomplished by a group of businessmen who sought to use the concept to oppose what so many people were calling ‘godless communism’.
In effect what they were doing was using Christianity to support capitalism; the idea being that the Christian God would have supported an economic system that helped to create just the kind of wealthy men whom Christ himself noted had no more chance of entering Heaven than that of a camel trying to pass through the eye of a needle.
The Christian Church later got around this problem by saying that the goodness of the many poor atoned for the excesses and sins of the few rich. It was just the kind of clever work-around that has ever since turned Christianity into a haven even for those who exploit the poor, something Christ himself would never have tolerated.
The problem here is the use human beings have made of the concept of the Divine. And that is very rich history, going back to the days of ancient Sumer when ’the kingship descended from Heaven’
Ever since, the powerful (or those who would be powerful) have used their supposed support by the Divine for all sorts of purposes, some good, some evil.
This is exactly the kind of power bargain so many Christians have made with Donald Trump, who is possibly the least Christian-like individual ever to occupy the Oval Office.
I get it. It’s complicated. But in addition to being complicated, it’s also simple.
You are correct. The Jesus Christ of the Gospel was intolerant of behavior expressed by far too many people today who identify as Christian. And I’m correct. The Adam Smith that wrote The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759) was intolerant of the same behavior. And I’m intolerant of the same behavior expressed by far too many people today who identify as scientists while disregarding the moral “subject my assumptions to rigorous skepticism” principle.
The simple part is holding everyone accountable to the same simple and universal moral standard. Otherwise, the implicit message Republicans are receiving from Democrats is “it’s against the rules for you to be bad because you’re better at it than we are.”
For the record, Kamala Harris as POTUS would have been great, and now we're all in big trouble, but as Winston Churchill once said, "If you're going through hell, keep going."
It's not that I don't believe in God... I don't believe in religion. Religion to me is just another form of politics. A way to control people. In my view, throughout history, there has been too much harm done in the name of religion (fill in whatever religion comes to mind).
James R. Carey,
I agree. You have written the words better than I.
A true faith/religion is not genuine if forced on anyone. It is a spiritual belief lived out from within a person's belief system. None of us live our faith/life out perfectly. This is the reason we should have compassion towards one another.
True faith can only honestly be lived out one by one. A person who chooses no faith also has chosen a way of living out their life.
I am a Christian. I grew up within the home of wonderful Christian parents. They lived a quiet disciplined life of love for us and between themselves. BUT...that did not make me a Christian!!!!
Later in my life, I personally received Christ as my Savior. I was alone...not in a Church...not with a friend ....I could not find a place to worship. I was even in a cult for a few years. I was attracted by the life of disciple in which they lived and the mutual respect each gave for one another. My mom kidnapped me from that cult with the help of a friend.
When..."I got my mind right".... as well as my heart, I was able to share my personal experience with my faith experience and to help others to be aware of "cults".
I am replying to your comment because I also fear the "group mentality"....a desire to belong somewhere to something bigger than ones self. We are vulnerable and have the great ability to make BIG mistakes that can affect the lives of others and in this day....influence our fellow citizens to vote for an enemy to democracy! ...as we skip joyfully along to the "gates of Hell!" and our own self-destruction.
Emily, here’s how to tell if people want to belong to something bigger than just themselves and their immediate family. Give them a DNA test. If it comes back Homo sapiens, and you want to win a lot of money, bet big on the idea that they want to belong to something bigger than just themselves and their immediate family. In other words, it’s in our born-with nature.
Let me guess. The cult you left included some people and excluded other people. The Jesus Movement includes some behavior and excludes other behavior, but includes everyone listed in Galatians 3:28, which is “neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” In other words, your moral Christian practice excludes no person, as does my moral science practice, but they both exclude “I’m right, you’re wrong, and this conversation is over” behavior (ref. Luke 10:27).
I suggest that every practice begins as an inclusive moral practice. That is certainly true of all the world’s great religions, democracy, science, and (as I noted in a previous comment) capitalism. The moment a practice stops being moral and starts being immoral is the moment it starts excluding people. Conversely, it will keep being a moral practice if it constantly reminds its adherents to always apply and never disregard the moral “treat everyone the way you would want to be treated if the shoe was on the other foot” principle.
Maybe every practice doing precisely that is what Jesus meant by referring to the Kingdom of God. Regardless, and although the left and right roads to hell are paved with good intentions, we are much better off in the long term when we choose the centered, unpaved, and narrow "moral" path.
‘Twould seem closely akin to "a higher power" Emily.
I was in the third grade, and asked my Mom why we said "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. I forget her exact words, although the practice has carried through the rest of my life. When I'm in a situation where the Pledge is recited (not often any longer, but frequently when I was still working), I omit "under God". I also do not sing anytime "God Bless America" is sung as part of any event. (The Kiwanis Club where I worked my last 5 years was very law enforcement friendly, and I was a not infrequent invitee, and they always sang GBA.)
I hate that "In God We Trust" replaced "E Pluribus Unum" on our coins.
I neither need nor want someone else's imaginary sky pilot in my life.
Very eloquently stated. My thoughts exactly. “Under God” was added in 1954. Whose God? That is a multiple choice question. I don’t know when “E Pluribus Unum” was replaced. Regardless, it wasn’t what the founders wrote.
the more they try to shove christianity down my throat, the more I realize that they believe god is really stupid... that they think they can continue "sinning" and "go to heaven" as long as they say they believe in god and say they "repent" - they are like the boy who cried wolf and "god" is the village people who no longer believe him...
Yes, Lisa, they seem to forget that "god" is purported to be omniscient. They think they are the ones who know everything. Such hubris. I like the ancient Greek belief that "he whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad." These so called god fearing Christians are just plain nuts. I mean no disrespect for anyone who has truly given themselves to any religious principles, I only hold the hypocrites who commit ungodly acts in the name of God in contempt. Can we please get on with the destruction part now?
Dear Dancing Fox, one wonders if the addiction community hit on something useful when it refers to one's "higher power,” or as Abraham Lincoln worded it, “the better angels of our nature.” Whether atheist, agnostic, Christian, Jew or Muslim, I think it useful to have SOMETHING beyond our own immediate interests to which we can appeal.
Where does it end if you let it begin? A worshipful nation is not what the founders intended when they decided on separation of church and state.
The kind of addiction you reference seems speak to our vulnerability to cultism.
Perhaps so Dancing Fox ...and yet here we are, firmly in the grasp of the cult of tRump!
Dancing Fox, while I agree with your views, let's not get distracted and forget the core issue, as Carol O so eloquently states: preserving our democracy. 1/3 of eligible voters have re-elected a wannabe dictator. A slide into a de facto authoritarian state over the next four years or less is very possible. We all need to pull together to avoid that outcome.
I’m in. What do you have in mind to do?
For starters, send a message to AG Garland to release Smith's reports on the January 6th and classified documents cases. https://www.justice.gov/doj/webform/your-message-department-justice
I was a school girl when that happened too. I usually don't say that part. In fact, I often just stand but don't say any of it. I didn't say a prayer in school when that was a thing too.
I don't mind it being in the pledge,there is only one God but many different ways of honoring Him. It has always baffled me that each religion states that if you are not like us you cannot get into heaven and that they all proclaim him to be almighty and all knowing and loving. If there is a being that created us, the earth,the solar system, the galaxy,the universe, do they think a being of that power needs a human to defend him? It all boils down to "do as you would be done by". Seems so simple,apparantly,it is not.
I also was a girl when that was added, and even at a young age, I already knew that our country had separation of church and state, and did not see the reasoning behind this addition. It has just added to conflict over these many years....
Agreed. My mom used to say that Black people were still lynched in this country after the phrase was added to the pledge in the 1950s. What does that say about our "one nation"? That the biblical commandments against killing and to love thy neighbor didn't include Black people?
Same here. As a side note, when I sat on my town’s planning/zoning committee and the board of adjustment, we used to pray. I called attention to the fact that including prayer in a public meeting went against the first amendment so they stopped. As for the pledge, I refused to follow along. Probably made no friends but so what was my attitude. They could pray and pledge all they wanted in church or at home.
Go, girl.
Dancing Fox, i wondered about that too and was certain people would respond. I can't remember if I just stopped saying the pledge or left off the words, under god, certainly the latter.
🎯
Dancing Fox, you are a kindred spirit. Thank you for your articulate response.
I comfort myself, Dancing Fox, with Joseph Campbell's hero with many faces. I think God has many faces, too, if he/she/it even exists. Many, or maybe most, people need a way to explain to themselves why and how we got here, and God is the easiest answer. I remain agnostic not just about deity, but about whether we have any purpose. In many ways I'm happier believing humanity is an accident.
As a non-theist and an American, I respect your right to say "UNDER GOD."
But, I do not respect how MEAN and CRUEL the Evangelicals (white Christian Nationalists) have become or the patriarchal structure of most world religions.
If your God is the triune God represented in the Christian Bible, then do everything in your power to get those you worship with to UNDERSTAND and PRACTICE ALL of the lessons Jesus teaches as relayed in the New Testament.
Dig deep into Dominionist (i.e. Johnson, the speaker of the house, Hawley et al) dogma, only the "elect" will get a vote: male observant Christians.
You left out white.
My feelings exactly, Gary.
Amen and Amen.
Thank you Michael & thank you Carol O. I concur with your pulled quotes from yet another "Best Ever" LFFA from Professor HCR.
Be Safe All.
Yours is one of a few comments that have significance. We cannot indulge in exchanging criticisms and laments. There are too many of those. We should urge AG Garland to publish the Jan 6 report about Trump. It is an utmost interest of voters. If he does not, he is alfter all another participant for betraying citizns.
Let's hope, Hiro, that Garland pays as little attention to what Trump wants as Trump pays to what America wants. Publish away, Merrick, while we still have freedom of speech.
Hiro, my understanding is that Trump II immediately went forum shopping Judge Cannon FL to get temporary relief, from JACK's Report -- could be very temporary.
🎯
As a US Marine I have always respected the rights which many have died to protect and preserve.
I too have a firm belief in separation of church and state for the many reasons listed below but fundamentally because of John Locke's treaties on "A letter Concerning Toleration" as written in 1689.
The Gov't is a body of laws - not men/women. No law can be enacted that must have an associated penalty for what must be a spiritual journey and belief of one's own heart vs. mandated by another. No magistrate (gov't official) can legislate how to believe no more than I'd be willing to let another tell me about my live or achieve my own eternal destiny as I believe. We have churches and other places to contemplate, discuss and grow our spiritual lives.
I agree with everything above but your last "under god reference" and really wish the "holy men" of the damn GOP and those wishing to claim the hearts of many by faux patriotism/nationalism would just understand they're really just asserting power over others.
It personally hurts my heart to see the flag, a symbol of our nation, defiled but also deeply believe it's a person's fundamental right to protest in accordance with the 1A. And just the same about POC, LGBTQ community that "offend" the "sensibilities" of others (sic) - the USA is the melting pot of all aspects of creation (if you so believe) and is "E Pluribus Unum" of our founders. They knew a lot about state sponsored religion in old Europe.
My USMC aspects demands that I respect and honor the rights we fight and die to protect and preserve for our families, friends, neighbors and fellow country persons. I pray we the people can keep DJT in check until we can truly restore equality and power to the people that consent to be governed by democratic values.
Peace.
Ya....about that "One Nation Under God" business: that was done more to combat communism than to support any religious movement supposedly inherent within this nation. Our founders made it clear that there would be a "separation between church and state," and yet, we are all still wrestling with this concern especially since 1957 when "God" was forcibly entered in the governmental picture. As an atheist, and also one who resents the inclusion of statements such as "In God We Trust", I have concerns about how all of us ever reached this vision that a God, in fact, does exist. Could it be, possibly, that long ago folks could not explain the physical and transformational realities of our world in scientific principles? Before Galileo who was arrested for heresy, daring to challenge the church on matters of the universe, or Copernicus who dared place the sun at the center of the universe, rather than admit that it was earth as the center, there was little introduction to the masses of natural phenomenon. Consequently, people turned to the church for reasoning of these phenomenon. The tide coming in or out? Well, that must be "God's work." The eclipse of the sun or moon? Why...it's "God's work, off course." And blizzards, rain, lightning, etc. etc. etc....why, "God's work, off course." What was it that Goebbels had always claimed to Hitler? “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it." And now, we're stuck with Trump for 4 years. Michael Corthell referred all of us to a wonderfully written article by Timothy Snyder on the possibilities of a "shadow cabinet." We had that at one time during the W. Bush years. The Green Party led by Jill Stein developed a "shadow government" complete with a cabinet. I used to follow it and wonder what ever did happen to the Green Party's idea. We need to revitalize that idea today.
Agree but at some juncture somebody must do something, not just say the right words. This is class warfare and the super rich keep winning.
“Under God” was added in 1954. It was not part of the original Pledge of Allegiance. Since there is supposed to be separation of state and church, whose God are we under? None.
My teachers did not have answers for us in 4th grade… I remember this now.
Carol O, I agree wholeheartedly with everything you wrote, except for the last sentence. "Freedom for all" also means freedom from religion, if one chooses.
Although I do feel that we are all f*cked in the short term, I agree that we do not throw up our hands. Let's focus on the midterms. And pray to whatever is your higher power. I feel that my prayers are being answered--there is serious infighting in MAGA-world....
Yup, Carol, we must keep on trying. We cannot give up! But we need to be realistic and focused!
Trump Has “The Country” Behind Him
We Gotta Dealt With It — But It Won’t Be Easy!!
Remember: 77,303,573 Americans voted for Trump. 77,303,573 Americans!!! That number is larger than the 75,019,257 Americans who voted for Harris - 2+ million larger.
Yes, we can listen to Republican politicians speaking on January 6, 2021 as they criticize what was going on in the Capitol building. Back then - 4 years ago, they didn’t like what they saw as their lives were in danger.
Bottom line: Forget about what they said back then and don’t even bitch about their quick about face during the next several weeks - their No Impeachment votes, their ring kissing, etc. Yes, this behavior is hypocritical, bla, bla, bla!
Instead, I urge everyone to listen to what the people who Trump was “loving” on that day. Listen to what the 77,303,573 Americans said on November 5, 2024. They are saying, “We want Trump! We LOVE Trump.”
In a couple of weeks, Trump will probably pardon the 1250 (or so) Jan. 6 convictions, and what will the 77,303,573 Americans be saying? My prediction: “Right on, Bro!”
Why WOULDN’T Trump pardon Enrique Tarrio? There are 77,303,573 Americans (at least) who will be saying, “Right on, Bro! Trump is the kind of GOVERNMENT we voted for!”
They are saying - no SHOUTING: “We are tired of a government that is always telling us what we CAN’T do. We like a guy like Trump who flips the bird at the government. And, look, that stupid government can’t catch Trump. Maybe that’s because he didn’t really do anything wrong!! Stormy is imaginary. He didn’t steal secret documents. If he did, he’d be locked up! The 2020 election WAS stolen, and WE - the Mighty MAGA Faithful are conquering the corrupt swamp monsters.”
Yes, we can listen to liberal politicians and commentators talk on and on about how AWFUL pardoning Enrique Tarrio (et al) is for our democracy. BUT, there are 77,303,573 Americans (at least) who are SCREAMING, “Right on, Bro!! Go for it, Bro!!”
The Hicks, McConnell, McCarthy, Rubio, Graham, etc. remarks and behaviors are HYPOCRITICAL. BUT, what the 77,303,573 Americans are saying has been CONSISTENT since the “Golden Escalator.”
Happy New Year!
liked for the truth.
Can't say there wasn't another, "but that woman" can't be president went along.
The patriarchal system is fighting for ITS right to rule. I am sick of it all.
Carol, I understand where you are coming from, though I am atheist. You see the world through your faith and given your comment, you desire freedom of expression for everyone. It makes no difference to me (to paraphrase TJefferson) whether you worship one god or twenty.t
Now, if you were a Christian nationalist, you would not be able to honestly say that you want us to support democracy. This is how I understand your comment about free speech and keeping hope alive for ALL OF US. if
Sadly, as I am sure you are aware, from John Rousas Rushdoony to the current crop of Christian Nationalists, they most assuredly do NOT want a democracy. It has way too much diversity, too much freedom of expression. So CNs support whoever is the best wrecking ball to our liberalism, to the separation of powers and our freedoms as delineated in the U.S. Constitution. Historically, Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer come to mind, two Christian thinkers who stood up against the Nazis.
Ooo thank you… for jostling my head and heart … I need to take a deep breath & do more reading, expand my vistas, my understanding of Christian Nationalism.
❤
Oh GOD! Here we go down an off topic slippery slope that never ends. Every philosophy discussion leads to this because it's the biggest question that nobody can solve. I've been down this road too many times. Get a room! I refuse to get sucked into this black hole 🕳️
At least it did not say "Under Jesus." I would say if the power hungary people today made that call that is what they would add.
I didn’t watch … too heart breaking in my imagination..She’s a true WARRIOR, role model for ALL of us.
Truly right on.
Robert Reich is also great reading. His recent article regarding the obstacles in Trump's path - namely the federal courts, the majority of which have judges appointed by Democratic presidents - was particularly hopeful for the long haul. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/see-you-in-court
I also highly recommend Paul Krugman. Since leaving The NY Times he has started publishing on Substack. In a few weeks he already has over 70,000 subscribers.
I hope that Merrick Garland will release Jack Smith's report. It will lay out the federal charges against Trump. If his lawyers objected to those charges, the should have encouraged him to go to trial so that they could present their objections. Since they chose instead to avoid a trial, the evidence should be presented to the American people to decide for themselves.
I emailed Garland with the cut/paste from Heather asking for the release
After their failure to fight, I "fired" Reich, Hubbell, Roseberg, et al. We were attacked and Russian psy ops tilted the election. Most likely Trump will be a dictator on day 1.
I am sickened by the attitude of the Democrats. They know that Trump is ineligible, via the 14th Amendment clause 3 to take the oath, but they acquiesce. They know we lost the cold war.
In 2017 Trump started a quest to eliminate "quality" and "justice" within a government he deemed the deep state. At that time, he tried but was unable to completely eliminate civil service which has been in place since the administration of Rutherfraud B. Hayes, another ethically challenged president.
Come Jan 20, he says he has dozens of executive orders rarin' to go, to finish the job. Sonce 2018, SCOTUS has given him tools to do it. .So long Administrative Procedure Act. So long civil rights. So long mis amigos, Jesus y Maria. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNmn7jdbQwA
A "unitary executive" doesn't need no friggin' judges.
MTN is fighting !!
“Unlike ABC and other corporate media, when Trump attacks the MeidasTouch Network, we fight back.
If Trump tries to come after us in the future again—which I am sure he will—we will make his life hell.
I will personally take his deposition for days, grill him, and make sure the deposition video is released publicly on our YouTube channel.
We will never settle with him or run away from him.”
https://www.meidasplus.com/p/trumps-attack-on-meidas-failsbig?r=fqsxl&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
I find they are full of themselves, When Ben interviewed Biden, didn't ask him about the Russian takeover, about Trump's threats, etc. Softball.
I have been giving him unsolicited advice -- get a lawyer and sue Fox for numerous business torts, Fox is vulnerable post Dominion.
But Timothy Snyder fought and is still fighting the "good fight". Harris and Buttigieg could be part of the "shadow cabinet".
Harris acquiesced. IMHO yesterday was a day of disgrace.
Snyder lives in an ivory tower. Those of us on the front lines could be living in gulags if Trump has his way -- if we survive.
I don't know about Buttigieg.
I don't know what you think Harris could have done.
I read an article yesterday that send he’s having trouble filling positions in the ranks because they don’t pass the loyalty test. I think Susie Wiles and Stephen Miller are determining who passed the test.
Thnx for uplifting reminder about federal court judges! Biden has spent all of his energy on protecting all of us from what he & most of us are concerned about…T’s unedited fly-by-seat of his pants behaviors, declarations, invitations to whomever to become involved in Trump’s current moment.. Greenland, etc etc.
Do not expect too much from democratic judges, as I see it they let him off the hook in all his criminal proceedings and as a backstop there is the SCOTUS, which is in his pocket.
Thank You, Michael, for sharing Tomothy Snyder's excellent suggestion of a British type "shadow government" (although, as he recommends, it does need a better name) to protect our democracy. How about "U.S. Conscience"?
Maybe …. ‘Decency Council’
How about “Loyal Opposition”? Loyal to the Constitution.
How about Guardians of Democracy?
How about "Goverrnment in Exile"?
Sadly
Excellent article by Timothy Snyder.
In the comment sections of regular mainstream news or on "mainstream" substacks like Dan Rather (who I respect) I have started telling people about non-mainstream substacks like Heather's, Timothy Snyder's, etc. It seems as if few people who read more mainstream pieces, substack or not, do not know about the ones I read. I must subscribe to at least 5-6 and also the MeidasTouch network. I think it is a good idea to start telling people about them.
Excellent, thank you for sharing!
Let's have a "shadow cabinet" as Timothy Snyder has suggested. It would keep our attention on the alternatives to the policies that will be enacted by Trump's cabinet. Keep the dialogue alive and counter the mad mad world of MAGA and the Oligarchs.
TRUMP HAS spent his ENTIRE life AVOIDING accountability.
Trump has defined the meaning of "Justice delayed, Justice denied."
Yes, justice has been denied the American people to see this man held accountable for his crimes. An injustice to all of us.
True, and he isn’t changing now. He’s badmouthing Juan Merchan, the judge sentencing him in the business records fraud case. His lies are so pervasive his groupies believe him.
He also bad mouthed Biden yesterday - as his own election was certified. A stink bug has more class than the orange menace.
And he’s more puffed up than ever, with his reelection.
You can extend your characterization to his whole family and still be 💯 %right.
Absolutely.
Kathy, there's no reason for him to change by the contrary since there weren't any consequences for him.
…it worked..
And when it gets overturned on appeal will you accept that result?
And when we had the opportunity of a life time, we squandered.
How so?
By showing weakness by relaying on slow legislators and even slower attorney general. Just to name a few reasons. Hope this answer your well taken question theff.
Agree, the democrats have been incredibly weak.
Carol, that, in a nutshell, (speaking of nuts😳) sums up the life of Donald Trump. The sad part is that those of us who were not brought up like that are now going to suffer.
His lawyers' statement SHOULD read, "TRUMP 'would not be in the public's best interest.'"
..his lawyers likely have…not him!
Yes this is how he ‘gets away with it’ delay, deny, disinformation, lie upon lie repeated while threatening , bribing, intimidating those minions to follow suit. That’s how Autocrats work and further obvious why the playbooks of those famous now are followed.
Why isn’t the having a felony makes one NOT eligible for presidential placemen working …oh ..because it wasn’t codified? But ‘ established law ‘ …oh right that wasn’t codified either… principles got dissected then damned
..have all those votes thrown out been checked for accurate disposal…no.
..have the gerrymandered districts been redefined, redrawn…no.
..have laws been changed so defense can no longer be exacted …
..can a sitting president pardon himself…or a person already convicted ..depends
..Will the people call foul when they get bit , ‘if’ is not even questioned…when they get to the internment camp-went to the wrong address?..too late!
What is their soul worth for those ‘Christians’…
Welcome to 2025 ..
I’m still trying to make sense of it all cause I pretty well know where it’s headed …
don’t have to agree with it though
I believe that his time will come...and it may be at a time when he has not control...just sayin'
We have all been waiting…
How so?
There is only one parallel example to this exact situation that we face as a country now, and that is Nazi Germany in the 30s, when Hitler was elevated to lead Germany after leading an insurrection to overthrow the government. We should all know what’s coming folks.
Perfect analogy Jane. I only hope that Merrick Garland put the pants on this time and, for the record and in the name of decency, release Jack Smith's report to the public.
Ricardo, i hope someday soon there is a critical forensic analysis of Garland's slowness to initiate action against Trump immediately after Jan 6, and then again after the discovery of the classified documents at Mar a Lardo. I believe he and McConnell are the 2 people most responsible for Trump's success in avoiding justice of either the legal or political sort.
I was wondering last night -- how soon does the convicted felon get the docs back that he stole? And now that he has immunity, how many more will he steal, and possibly share with our enemies? It's a chilling thought, adding to what other American carnage lies ahead.
Doug, I fear that in Biden giving Merrick Garland “a second chance” at elevation after his failed effort at appointment to SCOTUS, he failed to take into account Garland’s very much more judicial temperament than the attack dog temperament often more useful as Attorney General.
JohnM, Garland would have had a better legacy as a spurned SCOTUS nominee than what he'll have, methinks.
Methinks you are correct,…sadly.
Exactly
I still think that Garland is somehow compromised.
I loved your comment Doug, you are 💯 % on target 😀.
As for how long the convicted felon would get back the documents he stole to share with our enemies, I advice you not to blink because you might miss the whole event 😉
Is there any way to put pressure on Garland to release the documents? I only have mutant R for Congressional reps
Sorry Carole, it's impossible to mend the original mistake of nominating him for such fundamental job. Maybe if the party as a whole put pressure on him 24/7 we can accomplish the goal.
I emailed him
Garland is busy writing his book about how he saved the DOJ. A historical novel that will be a little loose with the facts.
Expect Merrick Garland to ultimately support the criminals. He is .corrupt
🤞🙏🤞🙏🤞🙏🤞
That is the precise parallel that concerns me.
Hitler actually went to jail after the attempted putsch and before becoming Chancellor…just sayn’.
Yes, we failed to do even that, then of course we have had media opining that maybe Democrats caused all this by trying to hold him accountable. And Americans are so gullible they gobble that garbage right up.
Yes, but he got a 3 month sentence that was shortened to one month, and there was no provision attached that he couldn’t run for office. That is a glaring problem in American politics, as well as the DOJ “rule” that you cannot prosecute a sitting president. Congress could have kept Trump from running again with an impeachment conviction, but McConnell had to save his own butt.
At least Hitler spent nine months of his five year sentence in jail.
Robert🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😜
Trump’s infamous threat to be a one-day dictator, coupled with his growing territorial claims (Greenland, Panama, Canada), set the stage for international conflict. “For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” Trump said. Retaking the Panama Canal is “required” if shipping costs aren’t lowered, he claims. Mocking outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “governor” of the “Great State of Canada” is more than Trump just being a jerk. His demands and bluster bring to mind Hitler’s pre-World War demands for territory (the Rhineland, Sudetenland). Most concerning is Trump’s invoking “national security” as a rationale for land grabs. Years of Trumpublican fear-mongering over U.S.-Mexican border security sets the stage for military action. Who would stop Trump from establishing a “buffer zone” by ordering an invasion of our Southern neighbor? World leaders bent the knee to Hitler. The result was catastrophic.
Please be mindful that the man is a meth head.
Exactly what I thought about all day yesterday.
I did not know the report was ready u til I read it here.
Think Franco, Castro, and numerous other caudillos. Think Putin.
According to history, Ruth Ben Ghait , and many/several others , Stalin, Mussolini, Putin, Assad, Mao T., Ghadhaffi, the list is long…wanna bes …longer. But the victims….millions.
Exactly. Read The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich.
We have the opportunity to push back loud and fast. We have the benefit of history to see what not pushing back looks like. Join with local activists. Start an Indivisible group. Look for ways to help. Read Timothy Snyder's On Freedom. You might be right, but if we don't give up in advance, you might not be.
I know folks are talking. I would think the old RC spiritual bouquet for here or to others and snail mail as well. Social Justice bouquet where we state in five different ways and methods what we pledge to do for the week to another human being. The other idea is every county in this country by virtue of the old land grant act has a cooperative extension agency. They have 4 zH clubs fur the young usually but not always rural. One could take that club concept and run with it in local and regional areas. The old women. Club seen humorously in the Musical Man was a real thing and Sndrew Carnegie used them fir his library system after he had in some ways sen the light.Talkibg and individual acts need also a community web of support and interaction. If it showing to get dark or even not because so much of community still recovering from years of neglect so so so needed. As far as I know anyone constant a 4 H Club.
On order to maintain an environment of liberty and justice, we as citizens have a responsibility to deal with each other in a spirit of good faith, even and probably especially when in conflict. There is simply no law or legal framework that can be designed so cleverly that it cannot be turned malicious when good faith fails to prevail.
Joseph Welch called it "decency". Call it what you will. It is the self discipline to speak honestly, and to refuse to resort to cheating. It is the capacity to care about things beyond and in addition to personal self-interest. An excessively self-centered personality and/or society can turn nasty fast, and there are plenty of historical examples. It seems to me that we as an aggregated society are not paying enough of a focused attention to that.
J L, paying attention won't return business as normal. We are dealing with an orde ,from the top down that is the opposite of what you call decency.
This brings to mind the question asked by attorney Joseph Welch of Sen. Joe McCarthy at the end of his infamous investigation on UnAmerican Activities.
“At long last, have you no sense of decency?” What used to be the Lincoln has none.
Robert🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😳
Exactly, and her last sentence is chilling...."They conclude that releasing Smith’s report “would not ‘be in the public interest.’” How authoritarian can you get?
Up is down and black is white—“not in the public interest.” Here we go.
Write the Justice dept & ask for the release
Which "public" are they referring to?
But nooooo, you cannot compare Trump to Hitler or other dictators. That’s not fair! Even if he has played out every trick in the fascist dictator’s handbook, he’s still a great guy and loves the American people [/end MAGA main stream media mode]
Michael, you are right, but the system in this case helped Trump along by not bringing charges for the stolen documents immediately, by not charging Trump with insurrection immediately, by letting Trump and friends judge shop and the 11th circuit not holding Cannon to account for her bad behavior, for Georgia pretending it was Willis who was the criminal instead of Trump and friends. That's part of the authoritarian game too and clearly Trump's friends have learned how to play it well and we will all suffer for it.
Number One unindicted co-conspirator: Merrick Garland, for continuing the Democratic tradition established by Eric Holder of not holding the rich and powerful accountable for their crimes.
Number Two unindicted co-conspirator: Joe Biden, for continuing the Democratic tradition of not insisting that the Attorney General do his job.
To be sure we are entering a period of unprecedented corruption but one that could have been prevented by simply applying the law equally. As someone who lost a substantial portion of my retirement savings in the financial meltdown I understand the rage that drives many MAGA voters and am perplexed at the blindness of so many Democrats.
We don't know how to fight. In retrospect, had a Jack Smith filed cases immeditedly after Jan 6, 2021, things would be different.
Those MAGATS are marks. At the same time, hate Trumps economics.
I go back to Nixon who let the dollar float. That opened our economy for a takeover. Thus we sold manufacturing, the goose that laid the golden egg. We are now more vulnerable than anyone in the media has expressed.h Half of our "allies" are working with BRIC to undemine our currency.
Trump has his own "currency." So does Musk. We'll see who will be the "marks."
I would argue and say that Republicans led by Mitch McConnell let us all down during the impeachment process. Unfortunately, the Constitution really doesn't have a good process in place for an actually effective impeachment mechanism. It is and always has been practically impossible to hold an American president to account, especially when the legislature is likely within his party's control or at least is split. That's a puzzling oversight for the Founders who supposedly designed the whole thing around checks and balances and the *default assumption* that power corrupts and that having an unaccountable king (like George III) was the worst thing.
That said, I agree that Merrick Garland has been an abject failure in this regard, and honestly every sitting public official who got off without even a warning or having to appear in court was a travesty.
Totally agree about McConnell. Just think about where we'd be if he had stood up to the Orange Menace.
I agree with you but the Republican response was to be expected. That made a robust Democrat response all the more impotrtant.
🚨🚨🚨🚨HOMEWORK🚨🚨🚨🚨
I think the Jack Smith draft report is finished. Write to Merrick Garland and ask him to release the Jack Smith report. You can do it here. Select “Messages to the Attorney General” from the drop down menu https://www.justice.gov/doj/webform/your-message-department-justice
Done.
Make no mistake about it, the Fascists are now in control of our government. And let's not be naïve, they're not going to relinquish this power in a peaceful process 2 or 4 years hence. Jan. 6, 2029 will look nothing like what transpired yesterday. The possible/probable solution: Elect a super majority of Democratic Senators and Representatives. Even then, the going will be rough.
There is one track left to combat this authoritarian strategy. The release of the special prosecutor's reports is imperative. Smith and Garland should release as much as possible, preferably all of it. If Trump's lawyers succeed in burying it, history will be deprived of vital details for decades if not forever. These reports will reinforce the findings of the January 6 Committee and the Mueller's report to help future citizens combat outrageous behavior by those in power.
1-7-2025
Michael Corthell, I agree. You described the authoritarian Trump strategy accurately and then, the way I see it, turned to the other side in this contest and said that democracy is fragile. I think you mean democracy is inherently fragile and many serious, well educated people agree with you. I agree, too, though I think democracy isn’t as fragile as it appears right now.
I’m with those critics who say our response to this threat has been weak. We’ve been slow to understand how serious it is; so serious that our traditional reliance on debate, compromise, bipartisanship, and the language of conciliation doesn’t fit the moment. AG Garland is a fitting example of how Democrats responded (although we should note he is a member of the Federalist Society and may have divided loyalties.)
Now we learn from post-election analyses that uncommitted voters felt that Democrats would not fight for them. Who can blame them?
Justice delayed proved again to be justice denied. 😢 Thus start the two weeks of dread. 🤢 Attorney General Garland: ¡release that report! ⚖️ G-D bless President Biden and Vice President Harris. 🙏 As a sixty-seven year old, I may not last long; I am ready to fight. ✌🏽
Email Garland ask for release of report
Keep fighting. Trump is not president yet. Biden is.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1D2M61uxs5/
Evil is a word that comes to mind.