Yesterday at the meeting of the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7), a forum of democracies with advanced economies, President Donald Trump told reporters: “The UK is very well protected.
A number of reports suggested that the real reason the Felon left the G7 meeting so abruptly is that his growing (galloping?) levels of confusion, incoherence, sleepiness, and incontinence were far too revealing, and his handlers used the Iran crisis as a pretext. I would also like to point out that anything coming out of the Felon’s social media that is actually grammatically correct and spelled properly is being written by someone else, likely Stephen Miller or one of his minions. Third, according to other news sources, the Felon continually confused the UK and the EU in his public utterances at the G7. Not to mention scattering all his papers in front of a bemused Sir Keir Starmer (the UK PM) at a presser. So it is essential that the real rulers of this maladministration—especially Stephen Miller—be publicly outed and critiqued. The Big Orange Blob is nothing but a figurehead.
Hi Linda...Today's Interesting Military Factoid: The PROFESSIONAL US Intel Consensus, per CNN, is that Iran is Years away from being able to assemble, and package a Nuclear Weapon if they actually want one.... On CNN, Congressman Moskovitz of Florida, an Israel Firster, declared that Iran was Days away... Netanyahu also said that the Iranians were days away as well... IMHO: Netanyahu precipitated this in order to be perceived as a "Conquering Caesar', a 'Savior Of Israel' in preparation for Theoretical 2026 Israeli Elections if they do occur, and to distract from the Israeli-led Humanitarian crisis in Gaza... This Dove-Tails with DJT's extralegal efforts in the USA in preparation for the 2026 Elections IFF they occur... This Crisis with Iran diverts attention from DJT's Domestic problems... Meanwhile the Gazans continue to suffer...
The people in Gaza are starving and being killed when they are trying to get food from the few humanitarian aid trucks that war criminal Netanyahu lets in, the people in the Ukraine are being bombed by war criminal Putin, the people of the United States are being terrorized by a convicted felon president and his malicious administration that are hell bent on taking away our rights and liberties or in some cases snatching people from work places, cars, homes, etc.
Stephen Miller is a wannabe Nazi and has been stewing in his own vile bile since thump’s first horror show and now they have LOTS of money, greed and lust for power behind them.
When will we say ENOUGH? This is a bottomless pit of corruption and evil that will destroy our democracy.
We HAVE said enough but there is little we can do to actually change things for the next 18 months. Impeachment with conviction is almost impossible (and without conviction is essentially meaningless - he has already been impeached TWICE), and there are few other guardrails that can be invoked to stop him without the cooperation of at least a handful of GOP Congress critters and Senators. The courts are doing about the best they can but we still haven't seen final decisions from the Supreme Court in most of the important cases (birthright citizenship, deportation, etc).
We need to all keep the faith but we also need to be aware that this is going to be a LONG fight and not an easy win.
You keep saying stuff like that, but a few Congessional Republicans have the capacity to completely screw up his agenda.
That statement, “The UK is very well protected. You know why? Because I like them, that's why. That's the ultimate protection.” is evidence of a delusion of grandeur.
Appeared at G7 as Putin's agent. Takes credit for Israel's success in Iran... the entire story is bullshit. Never had a conversation about assassination. During his middle east trip, he took multiple tributes -- and sold out Israel by granting Syria a get out of war card, at a time when Israel was protecting the Druze. Did a "deal" with the Houthis, who immediately sent missiles into Israel. His vision for Gaza is another Trump resort.
Note the reaction to Trump/Iran today in right wing circles.
Poll: Americans overwhelmingly want Trump to obey court rulings, but MAGA Republicans are split
Eight in 10 respondents believe the Trump administration shouldn't ignore a federal court ruling the White House doesn't like, per the new NBC News Decision Desk Poll.
The economy is likely in a recession already. Trump's promise of LOWER grocery prices was a lie as was his promise to lower energy costs. If only 2% of voters believe(d) Trump's lies he would have lost the election. But that's water under the bridge.
We are all fucked if the BBB passes, unless you are among the top 1% in income in the US.
Bessent yesterday: "whether he would have supported the bill to preserve health coverage for millions of Americans, he responded simply by saying, “No.”
So....why aren't Hawley et al all over him?
"I want changes," Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said. "I'm still not satisfied with where we are on Medicaid."
One of the most powerful lobbies in Washington is redoubling its efforts to avoid a cut to Medicaid payments in the GOP’s megabill.
Hospital executives weren’t happy last month when the House included a provision in its version of the bill freezing a loophole states have used to boost payments to hospitals serving the low-income patients enrolled in Medicaid. Hospitals have long enjoyed deference from lawmakers — since they both care for and employ their constituents.
But they were infuriated when Senate Republicans on the Finance Committee released their version of the bill on Monday. Their proposal went even further than the House measure in curtailing the ability of states to impose taxes on providers. States have used those taxes to gain a larger federal Medicaid contribution, which they have then directed back to hospitals with higher reimbursements.
"We actually are seeing a pretty significant uptick in Medicaid popularity," says Kirzinger, who is director of survey methodology for health research organization KFF. According to a poll published Tuesday, 83% of the public have favorable views of Medicaid. Just a few months ago, in January, that figure was 77% of the public.
Support from 3 in 4 Republican voters
"The largest uptick we saw in favorability of the past couple of months was among Republicans," Kirzinger adds. Three in 4 Republicans now say they view Medicaid favorably.
This election was stolen. Analysis coming out of the swing states, and revelations about UPS backups with programmable capability, something absolutely unnecessary for these devices, is compelling. This election was indeed stolen.
GJ, our pork guy who also does beef told us that the price of beef is skyrocketing and predicted the price of hamburger would make it no longer a cheap meat.
Like you I am hoping the BBB does not pass, but Rs are cowards
As I noted here recently, we ultimately need 3 - 5 percent to make the country and the earth 'move.' I somehow wanna' believe that actual number is about 3.5 percent of any given population requirement; Fatigue is playing with my head...lol.
If we get involved in the Israel/Iran war, we can expect the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on tankers and other shipping. Ready for $10/gas?
To your last comment…I totally agree. With the notable exception that I think we are all totally fucked right now. Less than 6 months in office and I’ve gone beyond being fearful for my country to wondering if my grandchildren will survive or become enslaved or killed in my lifetime.
Regarding your statement that Trump taking credit for Israel’s success with Iran is bullshit…please read Seth Abramson’s Substack from yesterday where he lays out evidence that Trump has been involved in plans to take down Iran for many years, not because of any ideology but simply greed and self-interest.
Permit me to preface this way. Dan, I have long loved the info you share here and your disposition. Thanks ever again for all that you share, but I do hope you realize that responses to some folks is nothing but perpetuating their narratives and trolling. Cheers friend ~
A long fight? Since the beginning of Islam 1500 years ago. the strife has been on-going. I have imagined that Mankind's end will be the result of opposing religious forces having nuclear weapons deciding that it is time for Armageddon, time to "meet their maker and destroy the infidels." Religion is at the core of the problem between Israel and Iran.
As to Trump, yes, his support comes from weak, misguided white Christian nationalists. Our only hope, IMO, is to survive until the next election and vote them out of office. Take Senator John Cornyn of Texas, for example. He is a Christian Restorationist, a fundamental sect of the Church of Christ. His sect, to his mind, is the only true church. Cornyn is not a rational thinker and will support Christian natioanlism.
Medievalist weighing in here, Richard: At the beginning of the development of Islam--and for several hundred years of its development and expansion--Judaism and Jews and Islam and Muslims were not incompatible. This was especially the case in Al Andalus (most of Iberia that was under the control of the Almohad and Almoravid caliphates). They had a common enemy: militant Western Christianity. The Byzantines had more or less made agreements with the Baghdad Abbasid caliphate in the interest of trade, cooperation, and religious toleration--which existed throughout the caliphate to a very large degree. The problem was the decision by the papacy in 1095, when efforts to enforce the Peace of God and the Truce of God, which were designed to tamp down the violence in Western Europe, failed miserably, to invent an excuse to invade Islamicate regions by "responding" to a request made by Emperor Manuel Comnenus for a small body of mercenaries to help kick the Seljuk Turks out of Nicaea by preaching a full-scale invasion of the "Holy Land". Not what Comnenus had intended. Again: white men from western Europe fucked everything up for the rest of the region.
Yes. The semites, Jews and Islamists lived together in peace for hundreds of years until the Crusades sought to destroy them all (curiously forgetting that Jesus was a Jew.)
A next election? Amazingly, that isn't an idle thought, Judith. I am livid that the MAGATs couldn't see this cipher for what he is. Their racism blinded them. Yes, we've "got problems right here in River City" and it starts with a "D."
It will be interesting to see the SCOTUS opinions soon to be coming out - America will find out once again where we stand with what looks like some definite unethical/corrupt members of the SCOTUS.
Who is going to go after it? DoJ? They report to Trump. The military? They report to Trump. The fact is that the Executive has great power because almost all of the "executing" parts of the government are led by the President. There are a few exceptions in both the Congressional and judicial branches but they are few and relatively weak.
When you say "can't we go after the administration", it reminds me of the old Lone Ranger joke when he and Tonto are surrounded by native American warriors and he says "How are we going to get out of here Tonto?" And Tonto says "what do you mean WE paleface?".
I know, not exactly politically correct and I apologize for that but I hope you understand my meaning.
If I act based on the assumption that nothing can be done, then I'll have my self-fulfilling prophecy as an excuse for doing nothing. Or I can do something, and if it does nothing, then at least I can say I tried. But I have faith that right makes might and that we will teach the people who think that might makes right that they are wrong.
In 1860, only 73 years before you were born, Abraham Lincoln said, "Let us have faith that right makes might; and in that faith, let us dare to do our duty as we understand it." George Baum, you have done your duty. Thank you!
But prepare yourself for President J.D. Vance. That is as sure as the crap running down Trump’s leg. I shouldn’t be so vulgar since this medical condition could happen to anyone. But this time it has happened to a very bad person and this is good. The home care specialist who changes his shit bags every day will one day write a book. I trust they are keeping a log. It will be a million dollar seller.
Hey brilliant idea. I’ll imagine that the person changing his manure bags is yours truely.
Log on day so and so: “Oh Mr. President, why did you have to crap all over your bed last night?”
Trump: “I had a bad dream. I dreamt that Hillary Clinton wanted to give me a special in the Oval Office.”
(Come on, a little humor. If you cease poking humor, we will go insane.)
Yes, I agree, but then what will happen? I think the same thing as what happened to Ron DeSanctimonious. Trump is the only real phony. The rest of them are phony actors pretending to be real phony, and the only thing MAGA wants is the real phony.
Trump says jump, and the R party asks "How high?" But if VP Vulgar became POTUS and said jump, my guess is R would say "Go eff yourself!"
You're right to equate a sense of humor with sanity, which explains why Pope Donald the Infallible has no sense of humor.
So, you wrote the joke knowing it was in bad taste, but pushed through anyhow and preemptively chastised those of us who might call it out as tasteless. What's more, your entire post was merely a lead up to said poor joke. C'mon, with all the low-hanging fruit around, you can do better.
Even if you are in a blue state, it is important to call your MOC s or send an email. They need to hear from you. If you live in a red state, it is very important that your MOC s hear from you. They normally do not. I have been to 3 marches, and am writing post cards and will donate to races that are important: Abigail Spanberger in Virginia is one example.
Thank you for saying what’s weighing so heavily on so many hearts right now. It’s overwhelming and enraging to witness so much cruelty, suffering, and calculated disregard for human life and dignity. From Gaza to Ukraine to our own communities, the toll is immense.
I keep coming back to this question too: when will we say enough? And more importantly, how can we turn that into collective, sustained action that defends life, justice, and truth?
It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of systems so entrenched in violence and greed. But I believe deeply in the strength of organized compassion, in solidarity that crosses borders, and in movements built from the ground up. We need each other now more than ever, not just to resist but to create a future that reflects our shared humanity.
I add it out of a kindness of which he is not worthy. I shall heretofore omit the gesture.
He's definitely reptilian, (and my apologies to all reptiles). The aspiration to be the Second Coming of Roy Cohn fails as that horror show (Cohn) was a brilliant anti-gay gay Beelzebub.
And apparently Goebbels-wannabe Miller is on an extended toddler tantrum because his wife left him for Elon Musk--which is kind of like jumping sideways in the 8th circle of Hell (one of the fraud ones). Several non-traditional political pundits have noted that the screaming about ICE rounding up at least 3,000 people a day began right after that event.
It’s already destroyed. Don’t you get it? I would have taken my chances with the once remaining good generals to prevent a Trump to destroy the government. Now it’s almost too late.
I agree.. Shit Head and his bastards have destroyed your country. It looks and sounds like post Soviet Russia, and it only took 5 months. There won’t be any meaningful mid terms. He’ll cancel them in Democratic states, under guise of some bullshit emergency or something. Long road ahead indeed. It will take generations, and probably, something a little stronger than street level protests, to rebuild your country.
This is why the blue states need to secede. Only 9 states give more to the Federal govt. than they receive and they are mostly blue states.
Judging by the disrespect the soldiers showed at Trump's birthday bash, Trump's dream of a military coup will likely fall flat. Unfortunately, the administration will lie about military recruitment numbers, but who would choose to go into the military under Hogsbreath and Trump besides the proud boys and other wannabe Fascists.
Already, only one in four 18-24 year olds can even qualify to be in the military, and when no one dares to join except the dregs of society, things are going to get very bad.
That's an interesting thought. Putting the Proud Boys in the military and sending them to fight the new war in Iran. I'm not sure they would enjoy fighting on foreign turf as much as they do here.
GJ, I am friends with several former military musicians. To an individual, the Army guys (at least my friends are, and as you might suspect more closely affiliated with us here than not) have said "Can you believe what Pershing's Own (highest level Army band) did in that parade? That HAD to be hard to do!!
Sadly, I cannot find a video of it. Apparently several members were seen to be out of step. Unheard of for that group.
That last time this occurred there was a Civil War. But stoping elections is plausible. First you send ICE as he said he would to sanctuary cities. Then a street backlash results and the. Commit national guard and the army declare martial law and stop elections. That is the playbook of other tyrants. It could very easily be tried here.
Here are two bits written in 2018 under the first shithead administration and taken from, "Donald's Vanity Tantrums"
Beam Me Up, Scotty: Scott Pruitt's "New Agency for Holistic Standards Through Unobstructed Pollution" (formerly the Environmental Protection Agency)
April 13, 2018
If anyone gets into trouble in the Trump administration, just wait a few days until someone else gets into more trouble! A new disaster always comes waltzing in to take center stage and nudge out the current intolerable mess. Trump hops from one fiasco to another so the firing of Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt will not be a matter of concern for long.
Syrian bombing missions take the limelight off excessive personal spending habits of EPA director Scott Pruitt.
The Trump EPA has painfully become a dysfunctional shell of what it was. Science and research have been sidelined and global warming is called a figment of wild imagination. The already minuscule budget has been slashed by 30 percent, making enforcement actions impossible. Superfund enforcement (requiring polluters to clean up their toxic spills) has been reduced to the current interest rate.
The new EPA lost 700 employees. The House Appropriations Committee approved $31 million for Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) and Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments (VSIP) to buy out contracts of existing staff. Now the polluters are running the show. A mining operation in Alaska's Bristol Bay goes forward after being blocked. One oil leak could destroy the largest sockeye salmon resources in the world. No more banning toxic pesticides, or more requirements for companies to disclose hazardous chemical inventories.
Welcome the return of smog, bigger and more profitable Trump Smog – coal ash, mining waste, benzene and mercury pollution. Get your oxygen tank and face masks out. Invest in air purifiers and carbon filters.
It’s profit at any cost. Fossil fuel is Trump’s renewable energy. Dirty energy industry lobbyists and CEOs are the new guards at the American power and utility gates.
"He's a fantastic person. I just left coal and energy country. They love Pruitt. They feel very strongly about Pruitt, and they love Pruitt,” Trump gloats.
Normally, this kind of accolade is a prelude to being fired. But normalcy doesn't thrive in this Trumpian era. Scott Pruitt resigned for using government funds on himself and his wife.
May God bless his little-soundproof-Chick-Fil-A-wifey-used-Trump-Hotel-mattress-cheap-rent-condo heart.
Environmental Protection Agency
2018
"Hello, EPA, may I help you?"
"This is Shelby Connor from Parrish, Alabama. We've had 260 box car loads of dog gone shit sittin' at our rail yard for months. It stinks.”
"That's a state matter. Did you call the Alabama Department of Environmental Management?"
"What ya'll mean? These trainloads of shit have come down from New York. It's a federal inter-state matter."
"Sir, please be respectful. It's human waste.”
"I don't care what you call it. It's stinkin' up our town. We can't even go to a Little League baseball game ‘cause the boxcars are right across the tracks. How would you like to drive to church on Sunday and take a whiff of it while praying to the Lord?”
"Did Trump send this stench down here because we didn't elect Roy Moore? Let me speak with your director."
“Sir, Mr. Pruitt isn't available. And he no longer reviews environmental issues. Our new mandate from the president is to help companies get rid of waste the cheapest way possible. They probably picked Alabama because your dumping rates are so low. You'll have to call the West Virginia office to file a complaint. They handle waste disposal. Oh wait, that office has been closed down, too."
"I wanna know why New York and New Jersey’s shit is sittin’ in our little town. Git the stuff outta here."
“Shelby, shouting into the phone won't get you anywhere. I'm trying to help. Here, let me give you the Denver office. They have experience handling bio solids. Oops, sorry, that office was recently closed, too. Mr. Connor, we're not going to be around much longer as an agency. The EPA is shutting down. Haven't you heard?"
"I voted for Donald Trump. And now he's turning his backside on us."
"The president is doing a great job getting rid of regulations so more jobs can be created. Do you know how many people you could employ shoveling that sludge into a dump? Your residents could have more work for generations. I suggest that you could turn this waste into fertilizer-rich compost and grow organic vegetables."
"You got a point there. That’s why we voted for him. I need a second job, too. How can we git more New York bio waste?"
Excellent summation of the disastrous mess we are in BECAUSE Republicans and part of the American electorate have given this monstrous “president “ power.
Thank You Collette... These are Horrible Unconscionable Actions... Meanwhile A.I. has been projected to cause Mass UnEmployment of White-Collar Jobs by 2030, and the severe degradation of the Human-Habitable Biosphere by 2050... DJT is a Weapon-Of-Mass-Destruction, and the Worst Human for this Time...
You forget Iran…Stephen Miller makes many of the core German leaders pale in comparison! He is a new kind of neo-fascist…and he has tapped into the ‘Bro-World’ even though he is a toad at best. Rubbing his hands together in glee, excited about the prospect of more anger, fear, chaos. He knows that the media feed algorithms (AI) are on his side, “if it Smells, it Sells!”
When will we Say ENOUGH?........"saying" won't do anything. I've been studying this since Oct7 when those Jewish Israelis started bombing Gaza, while knowing their people were there. As it turned out, they tried to kill them all as they were bring taken into Gaza: That Hannibal Directive....
I had NO idea just how even worse than Nazis Jews could be. The Nazis didn't celebrate their deeds. The Germans got reformed and super guilted.
After reading Heather's piece, and the first few comments, it's clear to me that this forum and everyone who contributes to the conversation has become a vital piece of our ability to clearly see what is happening to our Democracy.. Connecting the pieces, players and intentions of this corrupt regime is essential to our survival. One sign I saw at our No Kings Rally Saturday said it all, "Think While It's Still Legal".
Excellent! Just considering that "thinking and peacefully protesting", would be threatened in our Democracy should be shocking to everyone in America...
That was my impression of this situation as well. I am not a politician nor involved in Iranian nuclear behaviors. It is just a gut feeling. I know, Trump has given trusting ones guts a bad name.
“Netanyahu also said that the Iranians were days away as well... “
Netanyahu has said this exact same thing (verbatim) in 2012, 2016, 2018 and another year or two. Watch the Daily Show episode from this past Monday (June 16th) where they show video clips of him repeating this nonsense.
Wasn't trump boasting about our air power over Iran-the best ever. Somehow. I think having military planes flying over your country seems rather aggressive and warlike. I thought he was about peace. Considering his rhetoric and threats to democratic cities and protesters he is very violent as is some of his devoted followers. ( like the guy in Minnesota. republicans are trying to say it wasn't politically motivated. Why were thee no republican names on the hit list?
The orange sadist brushed off Gabbard's testimony in Congress in March, saying in his completely stupid way, "I like Tusli" ... but. I mean, WTF does "liking her" have to do with getting us involved in a ghastly Middle East war??!!!!
Apache, the IAEA disputed CNN'S timeline. "Rafael Grossi, the head of the UN’s nuclear weapons watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, warned a few weeks ago that “they’re not far off,” and also cautioned that Tehran’s obstruction of his agency’s inspectors has meant that the IAEA has not been able to keep track of recent progress by the regime on the various aspects of its program."
The IAEA-International Atomic Energy commission disputes CNN's timeline.
"Rafael Grossi, the head of the UN’s nuclear weapons watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, warned a few weeks ago that “they’re not far off,” and also cautioned that Tehran’s obstruction of his agency’s inspectors has meant that the IAEA has not been able to keep track of recent progress by the regime on the various aspects of its program."
Hello Eadie.... What does not "Not Far Off" Mean?.... Uranium Enrichment is one thing. in which case, the Iranians are close.... Building a Device is another thing, and reputably the Iranians are Years away from that as well as Delivery Systems for it... They stopped progress on that in 2003... Maybe GWB had something to do with that... Netanyahu declared last week that the Iranians were days away from having a Device... Well days have passed and still no Device... The CNN estimates were based on what DNI Tulsi Gabbard released back in March 2025... I believe that Netanahu's Timeline is based on his Domestic Political Needs... Henry Kissinger famously said that the Israeli have no Foreign Policy, just Domestic Politics.... DJT needs another Distraction from his Domestic Political Problems... Among the many Demons in this Pandora's Box, is the Iranians disrupting the International Oil Supply by destroying Oil Fields, and Closing the Straits of Hormuz... Do You Remember The Gas Lines Of The 1970s?....
Not Far Off means that Iran has been an existential threat to Israel and the rest of the world. If you are going to tell me Netanyahu is operating from self interest. I agree. However, if any country was in danger of being annihilated, I wouldn't quibble about whether it would take a week or a year to build a device. I would want to eliminate the threat. I won't go into chapter and verse of the history of the tiny state of Israel, the size of Connecticut. Suffice it to say their neighbors have not been friendly. Whether the US should enter this war is up to better heads than mine. However, my personal opinion is that we should not. Israel has never asked for boots on the ground from anyone in a dozen major skirmishes from anyone.
Eadie... My Only Concern Regards The USA... I have Children that Served in Spec Ops Units in the GWOT... Now I have Grandchildren getting ready to serve in Front-Line Units... Israel's founding led to a violet displacement of the indigenous Palestinians... There has been Conflict since... Netanyahu could have used his talents to establish Peace... In the past 6-Months, besides killing thousands in Gaza, he has accelerated the Displacement of West Bank Palestinians... Netanyahu has done the Opposite of seeking Peace... Now Netanyahu is trying to maneuver the DJT to finish his mess... As an American, and for sake of those that have loved ones in Harms-Way, I resent that... Do You have Loved-Ones in Harm's Way?... I am not saying that the Iranians are the Good Guys, I personally think that the Iranian Leadership is Evil & Stupid.... The US/Iraqi War was supposed to be a 6-Month Cakewalk, and look at how that turned out... I would check out the origins of that War... Netanyahu was one of the Catalysts in the mid-90s... Yes, the USA did have Boots-On-The-Ground there... Regime change in Iran could unleash the Demons-In-Pandora's-Box...
War is mass murder, period. Aggressive war is malignantly insane; as however it may benefit the aggressor, it is sociopathic. That said, I believe that the right to self defense justifies some kinds of lethal force, and that we had a right and a responsibility to join the fight against Hitler. I respect and value wild bears (which I have photographed in my yard on more than one occasion, but I would kill one if I could if evidently necessary to protect a human life.
I am troubled by "preemptive" violence. Even an ultra-liberal relative supported W's Iraq war on being told that New York City was at risk.. Except that it wasn't, and Saddam's WMDs were pretty much a pipe dream if not a hoax. I have not researched, it but it seems to me that incidents of law enforcement shoot first and assess later rose after Bush established speculation as a casus belli.
I fear this is true. The thought of propping him up on his porcelain throne, babbling incoherently, with Stephen Miller now in charge is becoming a frightening reality.
It is getting worse, sometimes on a daily basis. You can see it in his eyes. I keep being gobsmacked that reporters dribble out cleaned-up versions of his words (which don’t make sense on a good day) but ignore all the tell-tale physical gestures and signs. His eyes rove and roam. He looks disassociated. He stands at a podium one shoulder always jutting up — the Hunchback of 2025, a sign of duplicity, double-dealing. The constant invisible concertina-pumping: ‘go away, don’t ask, lies, lies, lies.’
Weeks ago Bob Woodward wrote that the no-odor elastic seal on his underwear clearly “doesn’t work.” Adam Kinzinger has testified that up close and personal he “smells like butt.” Then there is the UK for the EU. And most recently, musing that maybe he should drop a bomb on Tehran.
Dark times and perfect storms dead ahead. Buckle your seat belts—it’s going to be a bumpy next few years.
His public appearances and comments make it painfully clear that felon 45 is suffering from mental and physical decline. There usually has to be some crisis that families CANNOT ignore that sparks a change. In our family’s case, the uncle had a bad wreck, totaling his vehicle while he was lost, trying to get home. Fortunately, no one was injured.
Do we want to know what terrible circumstances might provoke removing DJT from office because he is physically unable to do the job? The terrible circumstances would likely hurt SO many people.
Peter Theil and other American oligarchs have Hillbilly trainee J.D. Vance prepped, marinated and ready to drop the hammer on Dirty Diaper Donny; the collapse of our democratic republic looms.
From the way miller is always hovering around him, my guess is that he’s the one that changes his diaper when it fills up, no wonder his despicable wife left him, I can hear her saying to him “don’t touch me”.
All the enabling minions should not be privileged by the SCOTUS ruling exempting presidential acts from criminal prosecution. Looking forward in 2027 to a House Investigative Committee on the Trump Regime with referrals to a DOJ staffed to file criminal charges promptly.
The DOJ in 2027 will still be completely under the control of Trump. There is simply no logical way to presume that any criminal filings would be taken against members of his own administration while he is still in power. That is going to have to wait at least until 2029 after the next presidential election.
You can fantasize that this could happen but no rational person should think that it actually will.
Ellie, perhaps even more wishfully, let's stay with 2027, the House does its thing and tbe new majority Democratic Senate votes to remove him from office. (Hey, a guy can dream. And yes, I know that leaves Vance in charge, but let's deal with one at a time.)
I think you’re batting 1.000 on your analysis. Actually confusion incoherence sleepiness and incontinence sound like the infield on a last place minor league team. Who’s on first?
It's time for commentators to stop saying trump did this or trump did that. As you correctly point out, Linda Mitchell, trump is just a figurehead at this point, too mentally deteriorated to be calling the shots. It gives us false hope that once the child king is gone we can get back to sanity. Not gonna happen. It is the malevolent actors who created project 2025 -- and all the republicans who enable them -- we should be focused on. I'm afraid we will be fighting this for generations. That is the new normal.
Absolutely agree. We must not fall for the trap that this is all tRump. There is a large group of people orchestrating the takedown of our democracy. Now is the time to go beyond the rump and muskrat. We must hold the puppet masters accountable.
This Rightist program has been in the works for decades. The hilarity of their self described anti socialist stance--Mike Lee alleging the Minnesota murderer was a Marxist--shows their orientation in this world to be without any teeny bit related to reality.
Trump is a terrible person who is also suffering from dementia. Just-a-Dick Vance appears to be a strait up creepy antisocial inhuman monster, who is molded from top to toe with excrement.
If Drumph resigns for "health reasons" or otherwise "strokes out" Just-a-Dick will be in charge.
How about charges for impeachment of the lying Beard as well as Drumph.
I fear you are correct, Dan--it has been normalized since the Shrubby Bush years, when the Ghastly Oligarchs Party was paying lip service to the idea of democracy but in fact working hard to undermine it.
Leah Greenberg gave a great frame on today’s Indivisible What’s Next call (see it on YouTube). We’ve been on “normal” Earth One where Dems and Republicans do elections and policy. Now we’re on Earth Two with fighting the rising authoritarianism, pervasive Big Lie, rampant propaganda, and erosion of our rights. We’re working toward Earth Three of something better because Earth One allowed for Earth Two.
I’m trying this frame to engage GenZ and Millennials.
Absolutely! And the news focus needs to be on investigating
Miller, Vought and the others behind him (who is this Sergio Gors who refuses to cooperate with vetting??) rather than the demented behavior of tfg, which is just a distraction.
I've been saying that last sentence for a long time. The Felon is nothing but several bad actors' "useful idiot". Look behind the scenes for his puppet-masters. They are the dangerous ones.
I totally agree. While Trump is certainly evil, his deteriorating, dwindling mental and physical capabilities are rendering him incapable of doing much in public. His handlers, I believe, had him leave the G7 because of this. The real puppeteer in all of this is the also very evil, Stephen Miller. We need to out Miller somehow, do to him what was done to Elon Musk and Tesla. Find something on him and exploit it all day long.
Absolutely. That is exactly what my husband and I discussed at breakfast yesterday. Almost word for word. The Felon canNOT put together two words much less a coherent statement. The words in CAPS are nice touch that Steven Miller (most likely) is adding. We are not to be fooled.
I would add to your initial point of reasons why the liar in chief left the G7, Zalenskyy was set to arrive in a few hours. Given the reason of Zalenskyy's attendance, to request much more support from the leaders of the G7, in person, Trump did not want to, yet again, make a fool of himself on this subject. After all, Trump wants the G7 to welcome Putin back into the group. Trump values his relationship with Putin more than he values his relationship with the traditional allies of the U.S. As HCR quotes in the opening sentence of this letter, “The UK is very well protected. You know why? Because I like them, that's why. That's the ultimate protection.” Trump believes that he is the embodiment of the United States, more important than our Constitution (L'etat, c'est moi"). Merde, Monsieur Trump! No, Trump, you are the mob boss.
I heartily agree and the likes of Stephen Miller runs culls down my spine. I don’t like feeling helpless and watching our country being destroyed by an erratic, evil greedy bumblehead like Trump. And to top it off: orange bumblehead says he might put our country in this war between Iran and Israel? That’s the real danger: nuclear war.
A very dangerous figurehead...The idea of selling off our precious public lands just makes my blood boil. This regime is so hateful, so greedy, so destructive to everything we hold scared in this country...How do we get rid of it? It's like our body as a country has been invaded by a life threatening parasite...
Like HCR says, call or email our elected representatives. Engage people you know to do the same, and for elections, work to get out the vote for Democratic candidates.
Well, I see that everyone is catching up with me. To repeat my previously offered metaphor, Donald is the shiny hood ornament on the hearse that would carry U.S. democracy to the cemetery. I don't mean that Donald is bright, but he is the distraction.
To continue the metaphor, we are kept guessing who is driving the hearse, what with its black-tinted windows. It appears that Stephen Miller spends a lot of time in the driver's seat, and clearly, Elon Musk bought time at the wheel. But maybe it's Russel Vought who's been squatting on the floorboard all along, grabbing the wheel and pressing on the accelerator pedal. He's been extremely adept at avoiding cameras and microphones, except for that one time last July when he was secretly recorded outlining his blueprint for the Trump regime.
"The deal gives the president permanent veto power over nearly a dozen actions the company might want to take, as well as power over its board of directors."
What is it called again, where the government controls the means of production?
Especially when that government is a foreign one. All Trump has is a veto power and he's the last person in the world you would want to wield such a power in the national interest. The irony is that he's holding out on tariffs on UK steel because Tata industries, an Indian conglomerate, is still importing raw materials from abroad at the Port Talbot site in Wales.
I am mpre cpmcermed with our government is losing the control of our lands. Professor says: "The growing power of international oligarchs to use the resources of the government for their own benefit recalls a speech Robert Mueller, then director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, gave in New York City in 2011." Trump family is selling out our lands to foreign organized criminals. We could end up with living in the rented America. Is there any way to stop this?
Fresh from my post-No Kings protest high, I read this and feel hopeless again. The thought of our national parks and public lands being sold off to oligarch assholes for development makes me want to cry a river of tears. :`(
That was exactly what I felt, I just want to cry. I have an ache in my heart. I live in Lincoln National Forest in NM, very near where Smokey Bear was found.
And living in Montana, I noticed Montana is the only western state not listed. Steve Daines did a huge carve out because he would be toast in Montana where public lands are sacred. Public Lands in Public Hands, no exceptions. Call Steve Daines (202-224-2651) and Mike Lee (202-224-5444)
And could not help noticing that the main guy behind this bullshit in the Senate is the very same one who’s now the most hated, useless piece of dreck in that Chamber for his callous remarks about Minnesota’s murdered State House Speaker.
Lee fobs himself off as a deeply religious man. Jesus would have called him a “whited sepulcher of corruption and filth.”
He didn’t mince words, that Jesus. The real one, of course, not the phony plasticine shameless one that lives in Lee’s rotten heart.
Maybe, T.R., we’ll have to do for our public lands the efforts we made to protect the old growth Redwood & Doug fir forests in Northern CA—ended up creating the Headwaters Forest….lots of effort, sacrifice and pain (and camaraderie & passion) went in to what were called the “Timber Wars” & the protests/direct actions were some of the last I’d been involved with until ‘Rump became the “pretendident”. A Wiki blurb on it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headwaters_Forest_Reserve Other land protection actions have been taken further up north (Pacific Northwest) and numerous other places across the country as well. No rest for those paying attention, I guess!
I feel the same way ...... and angry. It is true that Alaska has much land, but look at how much it has to lose. And Montana does not have to have any of it's land sold???? SO that is how that vote and amendment came about in the Senate. Public lands have been our national treasures and have been accessible to everyone. How can this be undone?
We ALL must call our senators & reps, state & federal, our various govenors & even call our AGs to demand that they get that taken out of the bill. It’s the MAGA Murder Bill - it’s going to kill people & our environment.
As a long time supporter of our wildlife and national parks, it grieves me to my soul. Yea, it is possible to grieve over many things at the same time. Heavy burdens are the norm now…
I live in Oregon, and note that many of the Public Lands slated for sale are all up and down the I-5 Corridor. You know, where you can build a upscale hunting/fishing lodge and bring in millions. Never mind the ancestral lands, and the fact that so much money is still made from timber harvest on those lands that what once went to the government will now go into those rich pockets instead of the state.
We just returned from our first trip to Yosemite: it was absolutely stunningly glorious, the natural beauty out there is utterly jaw dropping. The thought of that gift to the American people being shut off and sold to some oligarch by jerks like M Lee is beyond infuriating. That cannot happen under any circumstance. This land is OUR LAND!
Thank you Professor Richardson. Your letters are so important.
Call. Write. Email. Protest. Unrelentingly.
Use/share this spreadsheet as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Reach out to those in your own state, as well as those in others. Use your voice and make some “good trouble” ❤️🩹🤍💙
Let us not forget his Big Pile of Cruelty and Financially Incoherent Slop is still in Congress. The CBO now estimates the House Repulsican version of it will add $3.4 trillion to the debt over 10 years.
Why does Trump have this sudden urge to join with Israel in attacking Iran?
First of all, if Trump commits any of our armed forces to join Israel in their war against Iran, such an act would constitute an impeachable offense as a violation of Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of the U.S. Constitution which grants Congress the sole power to declare war.
There is one point though that is worth conceding. If anyone knows how to plan an invasion, it's Donald Trump. He had proven this on January 6, 2021 when his MAGA fighters successfully smashed through the doors, windows and other barriers to invade the Capitol building. Victory though was not to be Trump's, as we know.
Which brings us to what's really behind Trump's sudden urge to join Israel in their war against Iran.
For the past 72 hours, the world has been laughing at Donald Trump's pathetic birthday fizzle to himself on Saturday. So who but "a stable genius", after consulting with his brain trust of "Little Marco" Rubio and Pete Hegseth (assuming he was sober at the time), could have come up with the brainstorm of threatening a nuclear war to take everyone's mind off of Trump's thorough humiliation of himself?
It's not so long ago that Trump pointed his finger at Zelenskyy and threatened that Ukraine was pushing the world to the brink of nuclear war. Since a Nobel Peace Prize doesn't seem to be in Trump's future, maybe WW III sounds like an good alternative for eternal fame.
Hello L.D. ... Today's Interesting Military Factoid: The PROFESSIONAL US Intel Consensus, per CNN, is that Iran is Years away from being able to assemble, and package a Nuclear Weapon if they actually want one.... On CNN, Congressman Moskovitz of Florida, an Israel Firster, declared that Iran was Days away... Netanyahu also said that the Iranians were days away as well... IMHO: Netanyahu precipitated this in order to be perceived as a "Conquering Caesar' in preparation for Theoretical 2026 Israeli Elections if they do occur... This Dove-Tails with DJT's extralegal efforts in the USA in preparation for the 2026 Elections IFF they occur... This Crisis in the USA diverts attention from DJT's Domestic problems... Meanwhile the Gazans continue to suffer.
Bibi Netanyahu has always been able to convince the Felon to do really stupid shit. And because the Saudis would love to see Iran obliterated, there's another incentive.
L.D. Congress gave up it's constitutional responsibility after WWII. NONE of the other "conflicts" since then, from Korea through Vietnam, and into the Sandbox (Desert Storm, GWOT) have been declared wars. I think we'd be hard pressed at this point to push for impeachment on this charge. Congress rolled over and gave up its soft belly nearly 70 years ago..
As I understand the various legislation enacted by Congress relating to the offensive use of our military by the President, while Congress has the sole power to declare war, it thereby has the power to enact legislation specifically authorizing the President to engage in such warfare pursuant to the restrictions it imposes. The President does not have and has never been given, to my knowledge, the power to start offensive wars or offensively invade foreign territories whenever he wants to. While he certainly has the right, power and duty to defend our country, he does not have the right to go around invading foreign countries or foreign lands, whether it be Canada, Greenland or Iran.
Two questions: When a judge orders that some Trump policy be reversed, for example, for grants to be restored, is there any enforcement mechanism? And if a scientific study has been stopped for lack of funding, how easy is it for the study to be resumed? Not being a scientist, I don't understand if research can be turned on and off like my computer. While many of these rulings sound encouraging, I can't help wondering to what extent they are useful.
You’re correct to wonder about that. No, scientific & medical studies cannot just be turned off suddenly, defunded, & then suddenly be restarted. Important time & data has been lost; our research has been set back by years, quite possibly many, many years. That is one of the most heartbreaking things about what has happened to us. There was some really important work being done with RNA & it’s use in developing vaccines against cancer, that has been delayed.
As to enforcement of judicial orders, I’m not aware if ANY court order regarding restoration of funding has been obeyed. Of course the court is going to bend over backward & give them multiple chances to comply. They could then find them in contempt of court & fine them or have them arrested & jailed. It would be the attorneys or other underlings that would deal with those consequences, certainly not DT. Normally a U.S. Marshal would make the arrest, but they are under Pam Bondi, & I’m sure she would tell them not to do it. The judge could appoint another law officer to carry out the arrest.? Needless to say, it’s unlikely that any of that is going to happen. ☹️
P.J. yes. And yesterday all but one of the Fulbright Committee resigned in protest. So not only are grants disappearing, but the people who might try to fight back have decided their own arses are far more important. I can't blame them, but as a Fulbright alum myself (and someone who has been dealing with cancer for the last 30 years--my sell-by date is now accelerated but I am alive because of drugs developed in the last 20 years, funded by the government), I know how devastating the loss of such grants is, and the insanity of canceling NIH and NSF grants on spurious grounds even more so.
It’s really devastating. My niece is alive today because of the development of Interferon treatment that was just in time for her to be accepted as one of the youngest pts to receive it in about 1987 when she was 15.
Lawyers, universities, the uber-rich, and above all the House GOP need to stop giving power to Trump. He's too enfeebled and venal to do anything but abuse that power for his own interests.
The lawyers and universities, at least, are saying "No more," and millions declared "No Kings."
Judy, he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and somehow it seems he now has a silver shovel in it. Would have avoided much of this clusterfu*k had McConnell not caved on giving the nod to the Senate convict on his 2nd impeachment…no telling, however, how ‘Rump would have “played” that had that happened especially after the unending caterwauling about the “stolen election”. Perhaps in an alternate universe he WAS convicted…..🤷🏻♀️
Another analogy, a baseball reference. The stupid bastard was born on third base but thinks he hit a grand slam HR, and that’s the story he’s sticking with. I’m just wondering how much longer his handlers can keep hiding his complete mental breakdown from the public at large. This might be the most dangerous situation we’ve faced as a country, a mentally incapacitated president, propped up by a cult which will never call him out and remove him, leaving the country to be run by the worst gang of fascists, thugs, thieves, money grubbers and outright criminals the Executive branch has ever assembled.
Wired has a splendid article that lists tools for tracking what the Trump administration is doing. Since the article lies behind a paywall, I will briefly list them here:
Substacks like this show that the mainstream media is trying its best to cover everything of note but inevitably there are gaps. It's heartening to see so many people so diligently engaged in bringing these matters to people's attention.
Totally agree, JD….in the Substack I posted above, George really gets into the “weeds” (so to speak). It’s great that a number of Substacks shine a light on what’s going on, especially those like HCR’s, that “bring the receipts” so the reader knows the info has been vetted.
I understand the need for paywalls - people gotta eat. Seriously though, even the good professor Richardson will summarise news that lies behind paywalls so we're probably on safe ground.
Keep up your good work. Many appreciate but forget to say thanks as I too did. Lots of good minds and backs doing the heavy-lifting after we march and say "enough." So, Thank you.
I'm encouraged that there are so many clever people working diligently to keep people informed. I live in the UK so I can't march with you but I try to do what I can. After all, Trump's baleful influence extends beyond your borders.
Imagine a world where, if we’re talking Farsi-speakers in Iran, Hebrew speakers in Israel, and Arab speakers in the West Bank and Gaza, many of us might be literate in recent novels, memoirs, and histories in Farsi, Hebrew, and Arabic. We’d be full of the vitality of artists alive to individuals.
We don’t live in any such world. We live in one, instead, where testing teaches that only corporate management asks the questions. And the answers always speak only to groups and categories, in linear lockstep only.
Compare that closed world to the giveaway in Doris Kearns Goodwin’s memoir of her husband, Richard Goodwin, in “An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s.” It’s when his friend, Robert Kennedy, is undergoing major changes in late 1967. “He was asking questions, reading in a more urgent and expansive way than ever before – Camus, Aeschylus, Euripides, Shakespeare.”
Seeking humanities – those quoted here, anywhere – points far away from testers’ predictable conceits, hones more to individuals than to groups.
Dems today slink just about as far as any could get from the era of Richard Goodwin, John Kennedy, and the original Bobby Kennedy. Today’s ask no questions, see no individuals. And if the groups are Iranian, Israeli, and Palestinian, all must rut in only the dumb history committees have written.
"Imagine a world where, if we’re talking Farsi-speakers in Iran, Hebrew speakers in Israel, and Arab speakers in the West Bank and Gaza, many of us might be literate in recent novels, memoirs, and histories in Farsi, Hebrew, and Arabic. We’d be full of the vitality of artists alive to individuals."
Try Israel. In 1948 most Arab countries expelled Jews -- and millions of Israelis speak Arabic and Farsi as their first language.
Why make it a team contest, Daniel -- as if only one side can "win"?
I thrilled to "Exodus" (the movie), as a youth. I venerated Max Dimont's "Jews, God, and History." As a high school kid and college youth I learned Latin, classical Greek, and Biblical Hebrew (plus some European languages). In love with regionalism, I wanted to do grad study of the Hebrew poets of the eastern European shtetl -- and in 1969 got accepted to Hebrew University to do so.
But we Americans had our own war at the time, so I instead upped for becoming a U.S. Army translator/interpreter of Vietnamese.
I'm tired of so many schools of the world just joining the "Be true to your school" mentality which the Beach Boys lampooned back then. My side beats your side. Throw in mass murder, campaigns of hatred, and now the campaigns of neuterdom, indifference which standardized testing levels worldwide.
And come on, Daniel --"millions of Israelis speak Arabic and Farsi as their first language" -- when Israel doesn't even reach ten million in population?
Appreciate your comments. Going to college and being closely exposed to many people from many parts of the world was a great and cherished experience.
Countries are much better understood, appreciated and valued when we really get to know one another.
One nuclear bomb facing another can really not form a caring relationship in which each can be involved with truly getting to know one anther as human beings and assisting one another when an opportunity is provided.
I will also state the obvious. It is usually a person from another country who can speak not only their language but English and often others .
Knowing multiple languages changes you in ways that are deep and long lasting. Your language skills are impressive. I'm merely bilingual and that changed my life.
I am not really bilingual although I have been taking languages from elementary school. In the same Spanish literature class for many years and live where "Spanglish" is predominant. Within Spanish are many idioms that are uningtelligble even to most native Spanish speakers unless they are explained.
Our professor is originally from Colombia, is a published poet and scholar, taught law, taught Spanish in Taiwan, but doesn't know any Lukumi, which is required to undersand colloquial Cuban modern literature. In Spain, each province has it's own version -- and Spain was owned by Visigoths and Moors, influenced by many others. Cervantes, the iconic "Spanish" author, was a "converso" and actually wrote in Ladino. Got to understand Hebrew to appreciate it.
When I was in Fresno, Hmong was still not reduced to writing and we developed a lexicon, taking what we got from interpreters. We had two. Mr. Vinh and Mr. Vanh. Yin and yang. Never the twain....
In Miami, we did the same with Creole, reduced to writing at Miami Dade college.
Some of the other students in my class are in Montreal and Bogata, and although I try to concentrate on Cuban "boon" writers, they cover many other countries.... similar but not the same.
I will never be abe to fully understand some of the mystic writers...
I was raised in Puerto Rico, so I'm fluent in their dialect which is the most common one in the Caribbean. Cuban Spanish is very close to it. I know a little Italian and German, too.
My wife was a home visit nurse in Wisconsin and worked with the Hmong quite a bit. Their kids were frequently the translators.
I was taught the history of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, too. I see things down there much differently than most Americans.
I can read and write formal and colloquial Spanish con fluedes. But PR is demasiado rapido. Speaking, listerning, is another matter.
I am the author of Breaking Up with Cuba. Cuba was the most Americanized country and many Cubans had to learn English. One of the reasons for a revolution was to remove American influences. Come Castro, adios Santa Klaus, adios Christmad trees, adios Thankdsgiving, adios American literature, adios American music. Whereas much of the language had been Americnized, it was cleaned after 1959. Therefore Americanized Cuban Spanish pre 1960 is antiquated and obsolite in modern Cuba.
This iis a theme in modern Cuban American literature. A minor theme. Check out radio station WDNA. https://wdna.org/
AI. Approximately half of Israel's Jewish population has roots in Muslim-majority countries. These Jewish Israelis, often referred to as Mizrahi Jews, trace their ancestry back to communities that lived in various parts of the Middle East and North Africa for centuries. Specifically, around 600,000 Jews from Arab and Muslim countries relocated to Israel by 1972, with an additional 300,000 migrating to other countries like France, the US, and Canada, according to Wikipedia.
They had offspring.
Add to that, approximately 2.04 million Arabs live in Israel, making up about 21% of the country's total population, according to the Israel Democracy Institute and The iCenter. This includes both citizens and permanent residents.
I majored in history and later returned to college to receive a teacher's certification. At that time I met a young man from Iran.
He spoke excellent English. I could speak NO PERSIAN!
He invited me to meet his brother and his brother's wife who were attending NC State University. They were very interesting and political.
I wrote about his country ...just a short version of an ancient beginning and a growing modern presence within Iran, to share with a fourth grade class. He attended and was so kind. I asked him if my presentation was okay . He was kind complementary and even added he learned new things about his country as I made my presentation.
I could not imagine learning his language or navigating a country so different as ours.
His father was a judge but sadly had passed away. His mom was now the fierce leader of the family.
We need to get to know one another. We have great cultures and lives to cherish.
I was an adjuct to a program that taught foreign judges about American concepts of due process.
I am a Vietnam veteran and I have extensive familiarity with Hmong and other unique cultures and Balla jumped to a derisive conclusion and has no clue about many Jews who speak Farsi and Arabic as a first languge.
How about Farsi speakers who had to seek amnesty in the US and oppose the mullas to the death?
Thank you for bravely defending democracy, Heather. Let’s fight against fascism by continuing the NO KINGS protests. I composed a battle hymn song for us to sing together and will be releasing the musical recording in the morning: https://democracydefender2025.substack.com/p/no-kings-song-june-14
To answer Judge Young's question. Republicans in this country have fallen so low as to no longer feel shame. In better times, when Senators had pride in the stature of the Senate as a forum for deliberation about the people's business, rather than acting as a tool of the Executive, Senator Lee would have been censored for his remarks about the political assassinations in Minnesota. Maybe instead of asking Senators if they have no shame, we should ask why they have NO CLASS. Bill
Yes! ... and now we'll see what our little 'American Experiment in Democracy' is really about.
One thing that keeps me from 'harakiri', is the opportunity to watch this major critical moment in history unfold in real-time. I guess Gil Scott-Heron was wrong, and the revolution WILL be televised.
One quote stands out: “ These are not disposable places as some proponents of land sales have claimed, they are some of the most significant intact landscapes in the United States. The Arctic, Otero Mesa, the Owyhee Canyonlands, Snoqualmie forest—these places are vital not only to the human communities in and around them but also to vulnerable wildlife struggling to survive in an increasingly developed world.”
Thanks for sharing. Is there a link to the live map in the article? I'd be glad to promote that. "This map and analysis were made possible thanks to the hard work of Phil Hartger. Data current as of legislative text dated June 16, 2025."
This, I think, more than anything else just might be the key to turning some MAGAt's heads. Many of those individuals in my life are avid hunters, fishermen, and true outdoorsmen (and not just the guys). The map I've seen has almost all the public lands up and down the I-5 corridor up for grabs, as well as some of the most pristine coastline.
. Thank you, Professor. The man is nothing but a Russian Shill. He will collapse, and his neophytes around him eventually. I love you all. We must fight the good fight. Stay strong together everybody. I love this country too much to let it be destroyed for power and gain corruptly..🌻🌻🌻
Hmmm, Russell, wonder if any of the whipped-winds will be heading “More-a-Lago’s” way….he might change his tune about both FEMA and NOAA if it was a direct hit. You know, cuz it affected HIM.
Wait. I'm confused because I'm sure MTG told us that the federal government controlled the weather when Biden was President. Did he not give those keys to 'Rump?
ICE Question: might the reason for the supposed ICE officers wearing masks & no name tags or any manner of identification, be that they're not ICE but possibly the pardoned Proud Boys and other allied militias? Apologies if that sounds paranoid, but it is just so unusual.
I think it’s because they know that what they’re doing is both illegal and wrong, and they’re trying to protect themselves from future litigation. But how in the world is a person supposed to know the difference between ICE and a gang of kidnappers? It won’t be long before bad guys take advantage of that.
Interesting thought, but wouldn't they be protected from future prosecution if they were doing as ordered (hmmm.....the "just following orders" defence)? Also, there suddenly seem to be quite a lot of ICE personnel. Still wonder if their numbers are being complemented.
A number of reports suggested that the real reason the Felon left the G7 meeting so abruptly is that his growing (galloping?) levels of confusion, incoherence, sleepiness, and incontinence were far too revealing, and his handlers used the Iran crisis as a pretext. I would also like to point out that anything coming out of the Felon’s social media that is actually grammatically correct and spelled properly is being written by someone else, likely Stephen Miller or one of his minions. Third, according to other news sources, the Felon continually confused the UK and the EU in his public utterances at the G7. Not to mention scattering all his papers in front of a bemused Sir Keir Starmer (the UK PM) at a presser. So it is essential that the real rulers of this maladministration—especially Stephen Miller—be publicly outed and critiqued. The Big Orange Blob is nothing but a figurehead.
Hi Linda...Today's Interesting Military Factoid: The PROFESSIONAL US Intel Consensus, per CNN, is that Iran is Years away from being able to assemble, and package a Nuclear Weapon if they actually want one.... On CNN, Congressman Moskovitz of Florida, an Israel Firster, declared that Iran was Days away... Netanyahu also said that the Iranians were days away as well... IMHO: Netanyahu precipitated this in order to be perceived as a "Conquering Caesar', a 'Savior Of Israel' in preparation for Theoretical 2026 Israeli Elections if they do occur, and to distract from the Israeli-led Humanitarian crisis in Gaza... This Dove-Tails with DJT's extralegal efforts in the USA in preparation for the 2026 Elections IFF they occur... This Crisis with Iran diverts attention from DJT's Domestic problems... Meanwhile the Gazans continue to suffer...
The people in Gaza are starving and being killed when they are trying to get food from the few humanitarian aid trucks that war criminal Netanyahu lets in, the people in the Ukraine are being bombed by war criminal Putin, the people of the United States are being terrorized by a convicted felon president and his malicious administration that are hell bent on taking away our rights and liberties or in some cases snatching people from work places, cars, homes, etc.
Stephen Miller is a wannabe Nazi and has been stewing in his own vile bile since thump’s first horror show and now they have LOTS of money, greed and lust for power behind them.
When will we say ENOUGH? This is a bottomless pit of corruption and evil that will destroy our democracy.
We HAVE said enough but there is little we can do to actually change things for the next 18 months. Impeachment with conviction is almost impossible (and without conviction is essentially meaningless - he has already been impeached TWICE), and there are few other guardrails that can be invoked to stop him without the cooperation of at least a handful of GOP Congress critters and Senators. The courts are doing about the best they can but we still haven't seen final decisions from the Supreme Court in most of the important cases (birthright citizenship, deportation, etc).
We need to all keep the faith but we also need to be aware that this is going to be a LONG fight and not an easy win.
You keep saying stuff like that, but a few Congessional Republicans have the capacity to completely screw up his agenda.
That statement, “The UK is very well protected. You know why? Because I like them, that's why. That's the ultimate protection.” is evidence of a delusion of grandeur.
Appeared at G7 as Putin's agent. Takes credit for Israel's success in Iran... the entire story is bullshit. Never had a conversation about assassination. During his middle east trip, he took multiple tributes -- and sold out Israel by granting Syria a get out of war card, at a time when Israel was protecting the Druze. Did a "deal" with the Houthis, who immediately sent missiles into Israel. His vision for Gaza is another Trump resort.
Note the reaction to Trump/Iran today in right wing circles.
Republican hawks vs Maga isolationists: the internal war that could decide Trump’s Iran response. - Andrew Roth. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/17/republican-hawks-vs-maga-isolationists-the-internal-war-that-could-decide-trumps-iran-response
Trump's Most Favorable Pollster Warns It Could Be 'All Over for MAGA'
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-pollster-warns-all-over-maga-iran-israel-2086637
MAGA supporters split on whether Trump should follow court rulings
https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5353865-maga-supporters-split-on-whether-trump-should-follow-court-rulings/
Poll: Americans overwhelmingly want Trump to obey court rulings, but MAGA Republicans are split
Eight in 10 respondents believe the Trump administration shouldn't ignore a federal court ruling the White House doesn't like, per the new NBC News Decision Desk Poll.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/poll-americans-overwhelmingly-want-trump-obey-court-rulings-maga-repub-rcna212783
The economy is likely in a recession already. Trump's promise of LOWER grocery prices was a lie as was his promise to lower energy costs. If only 2% of voters believe(d) Trump's lies he would have lost the election. But that's water under the bridge.
We are all fucked if the BBB passes, unless you are among the top 1% in income in the US.
Bessent yesterday: "whether he would have supported the bill to preserve health coverage for millions of Americans, he responded simply by saying, “No.”
So....why aren't Hawley et al all over him?
"I want changes," Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said. "I'm still not satisfied with where we are on Medicaid."
One of the most powerful lobbies in Washington is redoubling its efforts to avoid a cut to Medicaid payments in the GOP’s megabill.
Hospital executives weren’t happy last month when the House included a provision in its version of the bill freezing a loophole states have used to boost payments to hospitals serving the low-income patients enrolled in Medicaid. Hospitals have long enjoyed deference from lawmakers — since they both care for and employ their constituents.
But they were infuriated when Senate Republicans on the Finance Committee released their version of the bill on Monday. Their proposal went even further than the House measure in curtailing the ability of states to impose taxes on providers. States have used those taxes to gain a larger federal Medicaid contribution, which they have then directed back to hospitals with higher reimbursements.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/17/hospitals-senate-medicaid-megabill-taxes-00410769
"We actually are seeing a pretty significant uptick in Medicaid popularity," says Kirzinger, who is director of survey methodology for health research organization KFF. According to a poll published Tuesday, 83% of the public have favorable views of Medicaid. Just a few months ago, in January, that figure was 77% of the public.
Support from 3 in 4 Republican voters
"The largest uptick we saw in favorability of the past couple of months was among Republicans," Kirzinger adds. Three in 4 Republicans now say they view Medicaid favorably.
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/06/17/nx-s1-5435312/medicaid-cuts-big-beautiful-bill-trump-kff-poll
This election was stolen. Analysis coming out of the swing states, and revelations about UPS backups with programmable capability, something absolutely unnecessary for these devices, is compelling. This election was indeed stolen.
GJ, our pork guy who also does beef told us that the price of beef is skyrocketing and predicted the price of hamburger would make it no longer a cheap meat.
Like you I am hoping the BBB does not pass, but Rs are cowards
As I noted here recently, we ultimately need 3 - 5 percent to make the country and the earth 'move.' I somehow wanna' believe that actual number is about 3.5 percent of any given population requirement; Fatigue is playing with my head...lol.
Keep the pedal to the metal - pressure up !
If we get involved in the Israel/Iran war, we can expect the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on tankers and other shipping. Ready for $10/gas?
To your last comment…I totally agree. With the notable exception that I think we are all totally fucked right now. Less than 6 months in office and I’ve gone beyond being fearful for my country to wondering if my grandchildren will survive or become enslaved or killed in my lifetime.
Regarding your statement that Trump taking credit for Israel’s success with Iran is bullshit…please read Seth Abramson’s Substack from yesterday where he lays out evidence that Trump has been involved in plans to take down Iran for many years, not because of any ideology but simply greed and self-interest.
https://substack.com/@sethabramson/note/c-126932018?r=aunxn&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
He was left out of the loop. Call Rubio to the stand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chCAMS-_2RM
Instead of calling them Republicans call them Mobsters. It is the mob party.
Check out Whitney Webb on youtube. She has it nailed. Mobsters are in charge of the whole megillah. I think the Dems aren't much better.
What do you think of these reports?
https://thiswillhold.substack.com/p/she-won-they-didnt-just-change-the
https://www.thenerdreich.com/ai-empire-and-techs-quest-for-power/?ref=the-nerd-reich-newsletter#ghost-comments
If one (1) vote was intimidated or changed or not counted, it's a crime in say, Pennsylvania. Up to a DA in Pennsylvania to ddecide whether to use it.
Permit me to preface this way. Dan, I have long loved the info you share here and your disposition. Thanks ever again for all that you share, but I do hope you realize that responses to some folks is nothing but perpetuating their narratives and trolling. Cheers friend ~
A long fight? Since the beginning of Islam 1500 years ago. the strife has been on-going. I have imagined that Mankind's end will be the result of opposing religious forces having nuclear weapons deciding that it is time for Armageddon, time to "meet their maker and destroy the infidels." Religion is at the core of the problem between Israel and Iran.
As to Trump, yes, his support comes from weak, misguided white Christian nationalists. Our only hope, IMO, is to survive until the next election and vote them out of office. Take Senator John Cornyn of Texas, for example. He is a Christian Restorationist, a fundamental sect of the Church of Christ. His sect, to his mind, is the only true church. Cornyn is not a rational thinker and will support Christian natioanlism.
Medievalist weighing in here, Richard: At the beginning of the development of Islam--and for several hundred years of its development and expansion--Judaism and Jews and Islam and Muslims were not incompatible. This was especially the case in Al Andalus (most of Iberia that was under the control of the Almohad and Almoravid caliphates). They had a common enemy: militant Western Christianity. The Byzantines had more or less made agreements with the Baghdad Abbasid caliphate in the interest of trade, cooperation, and religious toleration--which existed throughout the caliphate to a very large degree. The problem was the decision by the papacy in 1095, when efforts to enforce the Peace of God and the Truce of God, which were designed to tamp down the violence in Western Europe, failed miserably, to invent an excuse to invade Islamicate regions by "responding" to a request made by Emperor Manuel Comnenus for a small body of mercenaries to help kick the Seljuk Turks out of Nicaea by preaching a full-scale invasion of the "Holy Land". Not what Comnenus had intended. Again: white men from western Europe fucked everything up for the rest of the region.
Yes. The semites, Jews and Islamists lived together in peace for hundreds of years until the Crusades sought to destroy them all (curiously forgetting that Jesus was a Jew.)
And wasn’t there also an economic interest for the crusaders to acquire La DS and riches in the “Holy Land?”
Religion, racism, and income inequality. I believe without these stresses peace would maybe have a chance.
50-50, perhaps, Mark?
You think there will be a next election??
A next election? Amazingly, that isn't an idle thought, Judith. I am livid that the MAGATs couldn't see this cipher for what he is. Their racism blinded them. Yes, we've "got problems right here in River City" and it starts with a "D."
It will be interesting to see the SCOTUS opinions soon to be coming out - America will find out once again where we stand with what looks like some definite unethical/corrupt members of the SCOTUS.
Can't we go after his administration if we can't impeach and remove tdump?
Who is going to go after it? DoJ? They report to Trump. The military? They report to Trump. The fact is that the Executive has great power because almost all of the "executing" parts of the government are led by the President. There are a few exceptions in both the Congressional and judicial branches but they are few and relatively weak.
When you say "can't we go after the administration", it reminds me of the old Lone Ranger joke when he and Tonto are surrounded by native American warriors and he says "How are we going to get out of here Tonto?" And Tonto says "what do you mean WE paleface?".
I know, not exactly politically correct and I apologize for that but I hope you understand my meaning.
Of course, I am referring to Congress. I am a believer in fighting even the losing battles. Make some noise……A LOT of noise.
If I act based on the assumption that nothing can be done, then I'll have my self-fulfilling prophecy as an excuse for doing nothing. Or I can do something, and if it does nothing, then at least I can say I tried. But I have faith that right makes might and that we will teach the people who think that might makes right that they are wrong.
At 92, I attended a protest on the 14th. That was my bit.
In 1860, only 73 years before you were born, Abraham Lincoln said, "Let us have faith that right makes might; and in that faith, let us dare to do our duty as we understand it." George Baum, you have done your duty. Thank you!
Thank You for your service, George!
You can still write letters.
But prepare yourself for President J.D. Vance. That is as sure as the crap running down Trump’s leg. I shouldn’t be so vulgar since this medical condition could happen to anyone. But this time it has happened to a very bad person and this is good. The home care specialist who changes his shit bags every day will one day write a book. I trust they are keeping a log. It will be a million dollar seller.
Hey brilliant idea. I’ll imagine that the person changing his manure bags is yours truely.
Log on day so and so: “Oh Mr. President, why did you have to crap all over your bed last night?”
Trump: “I had a bad dream. I dreamt that Hillary Clinton wanted to give me a special in the Oval Office.”
(Come on, a little humor. If you cease poking humor, we will go insane.)
Yes, I agree, but then what will happen? I think the same thing as what happened to Ron DeSanctimonious. Trump is the only real phony. The rest of them are phony actors pretending to be real phony, and the only thing MAGA wants is the real phony.
Trump says jump, and the R party asks "How high?" But if VP Vulgar became POTUS and said jump, my guess is R would say "Go eff yourself!"
You're right to equate a sense of humor with sanity, which explains why Pope Donald the Infallible has no sense of humor.
So, you wrote the joke knowing it was in bad taste, but pushed through anyhow and preemptively chastised those of us who might call it out as tasteless. What's more, your entire post was merely a lead up to said poor joke. C'mon, with all the low-hanging fruit around, you can do better.
I don’t think I chastised anyone. But it was tastefully expressed and left to the imagination. What more do you want? And do do standup.
Even if you are in a blue state, it is important to call your MOC s or send an email. They need to hear from you. If you live in a red state, it is very important that your MOC s hear from you. They normally do not. I have been to 3 marches, and am writing post cards and will donate to races that are important: Abigail Spanberger in Virginia is one example.
We are kindred spirits in that regard James; Those mirror my convictions. Bravo ~
Thank you for saying what’s weighing so heavily on so many hearts right now. It’s overwhelming and enraging to witness so much cruelty, suffering, and calculated disregard for human life and dignity. From Gaza to Ukraine to our own communities, the toll is immense.
I keep coming back to this question too: when will we say enough? And more importantly, how can we turn that into collective, sustained action that defends life, justice, and truth?
It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of systems so entrenched in violence and greed. But I believe deeply in the strength of organized compassion, in solidarity that crosses borders, and in movements built from the ground up. We need each other now more than ever, not just to resist but to create a future that reflects our shared humanity.
For Stephen Miller, I think the “wannabe” modifier is completely unnecessary.
I add it out of a kindness of which he is not worthy. I shall heretofore omit the gesture.
He's definitely reptilian, (and my apologies to all reptiles). The aspiration to be the Second Coming of Roy Cohn fails as that horror show (Cohn) was a brilliant anti-gay gay Beelzebub.
And apparently Goebbels-wannabe Miller is on an extended toddler tantrum because his wife left him for Elon Musk--which is kind of like jumping sideways in the 8th circle of Hell (one of the fraud ones). Several non-traditional political pundits have noted that the screaming about ICE rounding up at least 3,000 people a day began right after that event.
Good eye.
It’s already destroyed. Don’t you get it? I would have taken my chances with the once remaining good generals to prevent a Trump to destroy the government. Now it’s almost too late.
I agree.. Shit Head and his bastards have destroyed your country. It looks and sounds like post Soviet Russia, and it only took 5 months. There won’t be any meaningful mid terms. He’ll cancel them in Democratic states, under guise of some bullshit emergency or something. Long road ahead indeed. It will take generations, and probably, something a little stronger than street level protests, to rebuild your country.
This is why the blue states need to secede. Only 9 states give more to the Federal govt. than they receive and they are mostly blue states.
Judging by the disrespect the soldiers showed at Trump's birthday bash, Trump's dream of a military coup will likely fall flat. Unfortunately, the administration will lie about military recruitment numbers, but who would choose to go into the military under Hogsbreath and Trump besides the proud boys and other wannabe Fascists.
Already, only one in four 18-24 year olds can even qualify to be in the military, and when no one dares to join except the dregs of society, things are going to get very bad.
That's an interesting thought. Putting the Proud Boys in the military and sending them to fight the new war in Iran. I'm not sure they would enjoy fighting on foreign turf as much as they do here.
GJ, I am friends with several former military musicians. To an individual, the Army guys (at least my friends are, and as you might suspect more closely affiliated with us here than not) have said "Can you believe what Pershing's Own (highest level Army band) did in that parade? That HAD to be hard to do!!
Sadly, I cannot find a video of it. Apparently several members were seen to be out of step. Unheard of for that group.
That last time this occurred there was a Civil War. But stoping elections is plausible. First you send ICE as he said he would to sanctuary cities. Then a street backlash results and the. Commit national guard and the army declare martial law and stop elections. That is the playbook of other tyrants. It could very easily be tried here.
They fix nothing and break everything. Putting the country back together will take a long time and a great leader. Who shall it be??
Well, it sure ain't gonna be a Republican. The GOP is dead.
Here are two bits written in 2018 under the first shithead administration and taken from, "Donald's Vanity Tantrums"
Beam Me Up, Scotty: Scott Pruitt's "New Agency for Holistic Standards Through Unobstructed Pollution" (formerly the Environmental Protection Agency)
April 13, 2018
If anyone gets into trouble in the Trump administration, just wait a few days until someone else gets into more trouble! A new disaster always comes waltzing in to take center stage and nudge out the current intolerable mess. Trump hops from one fiasco to another so the firing of Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt will not be a matter of concern for long.
Syrian bombing missions take the limelight off excessive personal spending habits of EPA director Scott Pruitt.
The Trump EPA has painfully become a dysfunctional shell of what it was. Science and research have been sidelined and global warming is called a figment of wild imagination. The already minuscule budget has been slashed by 30 percent, making enforcement actions impossible. Superfund enforcement (requiring polluters to clean up their toxic spills) has been reduced to the current interest rate.
The new EPA lost 700 employees. The House Appropriations Committee approved $31 million for Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) and Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments (VSIP) to buy out contracts of existing staff. Now the polluters are running the show. A mining operation in Alaska's Bristol Bay goes forward after being blocked. One oil leak could destroy the largest sockeye salmon resources in the world. No more banning toxic pesticides, or more requirements for companies to disclose hazardous chemical inventories.
Welcome the return of smog, bigger and more profitable Trump Smog – coal ash, mining waste, benzene and mercury pollution. Get your oxygen tank and face masks out. Invest in air purifiers and carbon filters.
It’s profit at any cost. Fossil fuel is Trump’s renewable energy. Dirty energy industry lobbyists and CEOs are the new guards at the American power and utility gates.
"He's a fantastic person. I just left coal and energy country. They love Pruitt. They feel very strongly about Pruitt, and they love Pruitt,” Trump gloats.
Normally, this kind of accolade is a prelude to being fired. But normalcy doesn't thrive in this Trumpian era. Scott Pruitt resigned for using government funds on himself and his wife.
May God bless his little-soundproof-Chick-Fil-A-wifey-used-Trump-Hotel-mattress-cheap-rent-condo heart.
Environmental Protection Agency
2018
"Hello, EPA, may I help you?"
"This is Shelby Connor from Parrish, Alabama. We've had 260 box car loads of dog gone shit sittin' at our rail yard for months. It stinks.”
"That's a state matter. Did you call the Alabama Department of Environmental Management?"
"What ya'll mean? These trainloads of shit have come down from New York. It's a federal inter-state matter."
"Sir, please be respectful. It's human waste.”
"I don't care what you call it. It's stinkin' up our town. We can't even go to a Little League baseball game ‘cause the boxcars are right across the tracks. How would you like to drive to church on Sunday and take a whiff of it while praying to the Lord?”
"Did Trump send this stench down here because we didn't elect Roy Moore? Let me speak with your director."
“Sir, Mr. Pruitt isn't available. And he no longer reviews environmental issues. Our new mandate from the president is to help companies get rid of waste the cheapest way possible. They probably picked Alabama because your dumping rates are so low. You'll have to call the West Virginia office to file a complaint. They handle waste disposal. Oh wait, that office has been closed down, too."
"I wanna know why New York and New Jersey’s shit is sittin’ in our little town. Git the stuff outta here."
“Shelby, shouting into the phone won't get you anywhere. I'm trying to help. Here, let me give you the Denver office. They have experience handling bio solids. Oops, sorry, that office was recently closed, too. Mr. Connor, we're not going to be around much longer as an agency. The EPA is shutting down. Haven't you heard?"
"I voted for Donald Trump. And now he's turning his backside on us."
"The president is doing a great job getting rid of regulations so more jobs can be created. Do you know how many people you could employ shoveling that sludge into a dump? Your residents could have more work for generations. I suggest that you could turn this waste into fertilizer-rich compost and grow organic vegetables."
"You got a point there. That’s why we voted for him. I need a second job, too. How can we git more New York bio waste?"
Most of us have had enough, but not the ones with the microphone. Scream on Bernie, every syllable counts since too many democrats have gone mute
You have summed up what is happening Collette. 10 years of this horror show. We must keep fighting back peacefully.
So well said, Colette. Every word.
Thank you Jen.
Excellent summation of the disastrous mess we are in BECAUSE Republicans and part of the American electorate have given this monstrous “president “ power.
Stephen “G” Miller or Stephen Goebbels Miller. He is the one pushing for 3000 deportations a day.
Thank You Collette... These are Horrible Unconscionable Actions... Meanwhile A.I. has been projected to cause Mass UnEmployment of White-Collar Jobs by 2030, and the severe degradation of the Human-Habitable Biosphere by 2050... DJT is a Weapon-Of-Mass-Destruction, and the Worst Human for this Time...
You forget Iran…Stephen Miller makes many of the core German leaders pale in comparison! He is a new kind of neo-fascist…and he has tapped into the ‘Bro-World’ even though he is a toad at best. Rubbing his hands together in glee, excited about the prospect of more anger, fear, chaos. He knows that the media feed algorithms (AI) are on his side, “if it Smells, it Sells!”
Really!
Trump is merely continuing Biden's "policies" on Gaza, supported by Chuck Schumer and most of the Democratic caucus.
This is what living in a Kakistocracy is like.
When will we Say ENOUGH?........"saying" won't do anything. I've been studying this since Oct7 when those Jewish Israelis started bombing Gaza, while knowing their people were there. As it turned out, they tried to kill them all as they were bring taken into Gaza: That Hannibal Directive....
I had NO idea just how even worse than Nazis Jews could be. The Nazis didn't celebrate their deeds. The Germans got reformed and super guilted.
Is it possible with these Zionist Jews??
After reading Heather's piece, and the first few comments, it's clear to me that this forum and everyone who contributes to the conversation has become a vital piece of our ability to clearly see what is happening to our Democracy.. Connecting the pieces, players and intentions of this corrupt regime is essential to our survival. One sign I saw at our No Kings Rally Saturday said it all, "Think While It's Still Legal".
Love it, “think while it is still legal”. Let’s add protest peacefully and loudly while it is still legal”
Excellent! Just considering that "thinking and peacefully protesting", would be threatened in our Democracy should be shocking to everyone in America...
Oh... I like that.
How to protect against election tampering in 2026? https://thiswillhold.substack.com/p/she-won-they-didnt-just-change-the?fbclid=IwY2xjawK5sJBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFoU1hMZlRWQllqb2hYWWUzAR6pUgl-jSasItroC1try4oQpZft97ggL9LAI1fMmXjswykXjSoTaXzTEpUQxg_aem_c4Ztxbb0Bso_7bjM7QknGA
Good article.
That was my impression of this situation as well. I am not a politician nor involved in Iranian nuclear behaviors. It is just a gut feeling. I know, Trump has given trusting ones guts a bad name.
“Netanyahu also said that the Iranians were days away as well... “
Netanyahu has said this exact same thing (verbatim) in 2012, 2016, 2018 and another year or two. Watch the Daily Show episode from this past Monday (June 16th) where they show video clips of him repeating this nonsense.
The Daily Show is on Comedy Central.
Tulsi Gabbard also advised Dear Leader that Iran was not creating nuclear weapons, and now she's in the doghouse. You just can't male this shit up.
Wasn't trump boasting about our air power over Iran-the best ever. Somehow. I think having military planes flying over your country seems rather aggressive and warlike. I thought he was about peace. Considering his rhetoric and threats to democratic cities and protesters he is very violent as is some of his devoted followers. ( like the guy in Minnesota. republicans are trying to say it wasn't politically motivated. Why were thee no republican names on the hit list?
Deeds Not Words Matter... DJT is a Multiplie Failed Businessman whose only True Talent Is Grift....
The orange sadist brushed off Gabbard's testimony in Congress in March, saying in his completely stupid way, "I like Tusli" ... but. I mean, WTF does "liking her" have to do with getting us involved in a ghastly Middle East war??!!!!
With regard to the situation with Iran - can anyone say "wag the dog"?
Hello Jane... More Like 'Blood Sucking Fleas Wagging The Dog'...
Apache, the IAEA disputed CNN'S timeline. "Rafael Grossi, the head of the UN’s nuclear weapons watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, warned a few weeks ago that “they’re not far off,” and also cautioned that Tehran’s obstruction of his agency’s inspectors has meant that the IAEA has not been able to keep track of recent progress by the regime on the various aspects of its program."
The IAEA-International Atomic Energy commission disputes CNN's timeline.
"Rafael Grossi, the head of the UN’s nuclear weapons watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, warned a few weeks ago that “they’re not far off,” and also cautioned that Tehran’s obstruction of his agency’s inspectors has meant that the IAEA has not been able to keep track of recent progress by the regime on the various aspects of its program."
Hello Eadie.... What does not "Not Far Off" Mean?.... Uranium Enrichment is one thing. in which case, the Iranians are close.... Building a Device is another thing, and reputably the Iranians are Years away from that as well as Delivery Systems for it... They stopped progress on that in 2003... Maybe GWB had something to do with that... Netanyahu declared last week that the Iranians were days away from having a Device... Well days have passed and still no Device... The CNN estimates were based on what DNI Tulsi Gabbard released back in March 2025... I believe that Netanahu's Timeline is based on his Domestic Political Needs... Henry Kissinger famously said that the Israeli have no Foreign Policy, just Domestic Politics.... DJT needs another Distraction from his Domestic Political Problems... Among the many Demons in this Pandora's Box, is the Iranians disrupting the International Oil Supply by destroying Oil Fields, and Closing the Straits of Hormuz... Do You Remember The Gas Lines Of The 1970s?....
Not Far Off means that Iran has been an existential threat to Israel and the rest of the world. If you are going to tell me Netanyahu is operating from self interest. I agree. However, if any country was in danger of being annihilated, I wouldn't quibble about whether it would take a week or a year to build a device. I would want to eliminate the threat. I won't go into chapter and verse of the history of the tiny state of Israel, the size of Connecticut. Suffice it to say their neighbors have not been friendly. Whether the US should enter this war is up to better heads than mine. However, my personal opinion is that we should not. Israel has never asked for boots on the ground from anyone in a dozen major skirmishes from anyone.
Eadie... My Only Concern Regards The USA... I have Children that Served in Spec Ops Units in the GWOT... Now I have Grandchildren getting ready to serve in Front-Line Units... Israel's founding led to a violet displacement of the indigenous Palestinians... There has been Conflict since... Netanyahu could have used his talents to establish Peace... In the past 6-Months, besides killing thousands in Gaza, he has accelerated the Displacement of West Bank Palestinians... Netanyahu has done the Opposite of seeking Peace... Now Netanyahu is trying to maneuver the DJT to finish his mess... As an American, and for sake of those that have loved ones in Harms-Way, I resent that... Do You have Loved-Ones in Harm's Way?... I am not saying that the Iranians are the Good Guys, I personally think that the Iranian Leadership is Evil & Stupid.... The US/Iraqi War was supposed to be a 6-Month Cakewalk, and look at how that turned out... I would check out the origins of that War... Netanyahu was one of the Catalysts in the mid-90s... Yes, the USA did have Boots-On-The-Ground there... Regime change in Iran could unleash the Demons-In-Pandora's-Box...
War is mass murder, period. Aggressive war is malignantly insane; as however it may benefit the aggressor, it is sociopathic. That said, I believe that the right to self defense justifies some kinds of lethal force, and that we had a right and a responsibility to join the fight against Hitler. I respect and value wild bears (which I have photographed in my yard on more than one occasion, but I would kill one if I could if evidently necessary to protect a human life.
I am troubled by "preemptive" violence. Even an ultra-liberal relative supported W's Iraq war on being told that New York City was at risk.. Except that it wasn't, and Saddam's WMDs were pretty much a pipe dream if not a hoax. I have not researched, it but it seems to me that incidents of law enforcement shoot first and assess later rose after Bush established speculation as a casus belli.
Apache, when I have more time I will respond to your last post.
I fear this is true. The thought of propping him up on his porcelain throne, babbling incoherently, with Stephen Miller now in charge is becoming a frightening reality.
It is getting worse, sometimes on a daily basis. You can see it in his eyes. I keep being gobsmacked that reporters dribble out cleaned-up versions of his words (which don’t make sense on a good day) but ignore all the tell-tale physical gestures and signs. His eyes rove and roam. He looks disassociated. He stands at a podium one shoulder always jutting up — the Hunchback of 2025, a sign of duplicity, double-dealing. The constant invisible concertina-pumping: ‘go away, don’t ask, lies, lies, lies.’
Weeks ago Bob Woodward wrote that the no-odor elastic seal on his underwear clearly “doesn’t work.” Adam Kinzinger has testified that up close and personal he “smells like butt.” Then there is the UK for the EU. And most recently, musing that maybe he should drop a bomb on Tehran.
Dark times and perfect storms dead ahead. Buckle your seat belts—it’s going to be a bumpy next few years.
His public appearances and comments make it painfully clear that felon 45 is suffering from mental and physical decline. There usually has to be some crisis that families CANNOT ignore that sparks a change. In our family’s case, the uncle had a bad wreck, totaling his vehicle while he was lost, trying to get home. Fortunately, no one was injured.
Do we want to know what terrible circumstances might provoke removing DJT from office because he is physically unable to do the job? The terrible circumstances would likely hurt SO many people.
We may be about to find out. Hang on for dear life.
Peter Theil and other American oligarchs have Hillbilly trainee J.D. Vance prepped, marinated and ready to drop the hammer on Dirty Diaper Donny; the collapse of our democratic republic looms.
His posture makes him look like he's been beaten down.
Steve Miller is already in charge.
Another dangerous individual behind the scenes but wielding real power is OMB head and Project 2025 principal Russell Vought.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Vought
RV is the architect of this insanity, and Miller is the executioner. Miller is a look-alike to another evil monster Roy Cohen.
From the way miller is always hovering around him, my guess is that he’s the one that changes his diaper when it fills up, no wonder his despicable wife left him, I can hear her saying to him “don’t touch me”.
It is my fervent hope that Stephen Miller will be held accountable for his crimes against the American people.
All the enabling minions should not be privileged by the SCOTUS ruling exempting presidential acts from criminal prosecution. Looking forward in 2027 to a House Investigative Committee on the Trump Regime with referrals to a DOJ staffed to file criminal charges promptly.
The DOJ in 2027 will still be completely under the control of Trump. There is simply no logical way to presume that any criminal filings would be taken against members of his own administration while he is still in power. That is going to have to wait at least until 2029 after the next presidential election.
You can fantasize that this could happen but no rational person should think that it actually will.
You're correct. I'm looking forward to 2029 and subconsciously wishfully typed "2027."
Ellie, perhaps even more wishfully, let's stay with 2027, the House does its thing and tbe new majority Democratic Senate votes to remove him from office. (Hey, a guy can dream. And yes, I know that leaves Vance in charge, but let's deal with one at a time.)
We do it all:
(1) work to get our Dem majority in the House and Senate in 2026
(2) assess our options for impeachment, and
(3) work to keep Dem Congress and regain the Presidency in 2028. 💙
I have a sneaky feeling that Vlad is not a patient man…
I think you’re batting 1.000 on your analysis. Actually confusion incoherence sleepiness and incontinence sound like the infield on a last place minor league team. Who’s on first?
Four horsemen of Hypocrilips.
What is “Hypocrilips”?
I made it up, though admittedly it something of a stretch, combining hypocrisy and lips and a play on Horsemen of the Apocalypse
That’s what it reminded of.
It's time for commentators to stop saying trump did this or trump did that. As you correctly point out, Linda Mitchell, trump is just a figurehead at this point, too mentally deteriorated to be calling the shots. It gives us false hope that once the child king is gone we can get back to sanity. Not gonna happen. It is the malevolent actors who created project 2025 -- and all the republicans who enable them -- we should be focused on. I'm afraid we will be fighting this for generations. That is the new normal.
Absolutely agree. We must not fall for the trap that this is all tRump. There is a large group of people orchestrating the takedown of our democracy. Now is the time to go beyond the rump and muskrat. We must hold the puppet masters accountable.
This Rightist program has been in the works for decades. The hilarity of their self described anti socialist stance--Mike Lee alleging the Minnesota murderer was a Marxist--shows their orientation in this world to be without any teeny bit related to reality.
Trump is a terrible person who is also suffering from dementia. Just-a-Dick Vance appears to be a strait up creepy antisocial inhuman monster, who is molded from top to toe with excrement.
If Drumph resigns for "health reasons" or otherwise "strokes out" Just-a-Dick will be in charge.
How about charges for impeachment of the lying Beard as well as Drumph.
Maybe protests need to expand beyond “no kings” to include congress.
I fear you are correct, Dan--it has been normalized since the Shrubby Bush years, when the Ghastly Oligarchs Party was paying lip service to the idea of democracy but in fact working hard to undermine it.
Leah Greenberg gave a great frame on today’s Indivisible What’s Next call (see it on YouTube). We’ve been on “normal” Earth One where Dems and Republicans do elections and policy. Now we’re on Earth Two with fighting the rising authoritarianism, pervasive Big Lie, rampant propaganda, and erosion of our rights. We’re working toward Earth Three of something better because Earth One allowed for Earth Two.
I’m trying this frame to engage GenZ and Millennials.
Absolutely! And the news focus needs to be on investigating
Miller, Vought and the others behind him (who is this Sergio Gors who refuses to cooperate with vetting??) rather than the demented behavior of tfg, which is just a distraction.
I've been saying that last sentence for a long time. The Felon is nothing but several bad actors' "useful idiot". Look behind the scenes for his puppet-masters. They are the dangerous ones.
I think you are absolutely accurate in every part your description of these national embarrassments.
Mark Carney should have arrested Trump when he had the chance
I totally agree. While Trump is certainly evil, his deteriorating, dwindling mental and physical capabilities are rendering him incapable of doing much in public. His handlers, I believe, had him leave the G7 because of this. The real puppeteer in all of this is the also very evil, Stephen Miller. We need to out Miller somehow, do to him what was done to Elon Musk and Tesla. Find something on him and exploit it all day long.
Absolutely. That is exactly what my husband and I discussed at breakfast yesterday. Almost word for word. The Felon canNOT put together two words much less a coherent statement. The words in CAPS are nice touch that Steven Miller (most likely) is adding. We are not to be fooled.
Or, as I've called him, "a tool."
But whose?
Whoever has convinced him they are giving him the best "deal," or whoever tells him how pretty he is that particular day.
Putin's, definitely tho', since he sold himself to Russia 40 odd years ago.
I would add to your initial point of reasons why the liar in chief left the G7, Zalenskyy was set to arrive in a few hours. Given the reason of Zalenskyy's attendance, to request much more support from the leaders of the G7, in person, Trump did not want to, yet again, make a fool of himself on this subject. After all, Trump wants the G7 to welcome Putin back into the group. Trump values his relationship with Putin more than he values his relationship with the traditional allies of the U.S. As HCR quotes in the opening sentence of this letter, “The UK is very well protected. You know why? Because I like them, that's why. That's the ultimate protection.” Trump believes that he is the embodiment of the United States, more important than our Constitution (L'etat, c'est moi"). Merde, Monsieur Trump! No, Trump, you are the mob boss.
I heartily agree and the likes of Stephen Miller runs culls down my spine. I don’t like feeling helpless and watching our country being destroyed by an erratic, evil greedy bumblehead like Trump. And to top it off: orange bumblehead says he might put our country in this war between Iran and Israel? That’s the real danger: nuclear war.
Don't forget his asking the generals about using nuclear weapons since we have them. That was 45.
A very dangerous figurehead...The idea of selling off our precious public lands just makes my blood boil. This regime is so hateful, so greedy, so destructive to everything we hold scared in this country...How do we get rid of it? It's like our body as a country has been invaded by a life threatening parasite...
Like HCR says, call or email our elected representatives. Engage people you know to do the same, and for elections, work to get out the vote for Democratic candidates.
Well, I see that everyone is catching up with me. To repeat my previously offered metaphor, Donald is the shiny hood ornament on the hearse that would carry U.S. democracy to the cemetery. I don't mean that Donald is bright, but he is the distraction.
To continue the metaphor, we are kept guessing who is driving the hearse, what with its black-tinted windows. It appears that Stephen Miller spends a lot of time in the driver's seat, and clearly, Elon Musk bought time at the wheel. But maybe it's Russel Vought who's been squatting on the floorboard all along, grabbing the wheel and pressing on the accelerator pedal. He's been extremely adept at avoiding cameras and microphones, except for that one time last July when he was secretly recorded outlining his blueprint for the Trump regime.
"The deal gives the president permanent veto power over nearly a dozen actions the company might want to take, as well as power over its board of directors."
What is it called again, where the government controls the means of production?
Oh, good one!
Especially when that government is a foreign one. All Trump has is a veto power and he's the last person in the world you would want to wield such a power in the national interest. The irony is that he's holding out on tariffs on UK steel because Tata industries, an Indian conglomerate, is still importing raw materials from abroad at the Port Talbot site in Wales.
Right !
One arrogant dicktator looks pretty much like another.
💯 That was my first thought when I read that! 🐦🐦🪶
Fascism or Communism. Take your pick.
I am mpre cpmcermed with our government is losing the control of our lands. Professor says: "The growing power of international oligarchs to use the resources of the government for their own benefit recalls a speech Robert Mueller, then director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, gave in New York City in 2011." Trump family is selling out our lands to foreign organized criminals. We could end up with living in the rented America. Is there any way to stop this?
Bravo!
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Fresh from my post-No Kings protest high, I read this and feel hopeless again. The thought of our national parks and public lands being sold off to oligarch assholes for development makes me want to cry a river of tears. :`(
That was exactly what I felt, I just want to cry. I have an ache in my heart. I live in Lincoln National Forest in NM, very near where Smokey Bear was found.
I’m just silently screaming inside.
Yes, and he is also threatening land around the petroglyphs here in Albuquerque, and in the east mountains!
And living in Montana, I noticed Montana is the only western state not listed. Steve Daines did a huge carve out because he would be toast in Montana where public lands are sacred. Public Lands in Public Hands, no exceptions. Call Steve Daines (202-224-2651) and Mike Lee (202-224-5444)
I hate this so badly. Let’s be calling our Federal & State reps & the Govenor too.
I completely feel you. 💔🥺🫂
And could not help noticing that the main guy behind this bullshit in the Senate is the very same one who’s now the most hated, useless piece of dreck in that Chamber for his callous remarks about Minnesota’s murdered State House Speaker.
Lee fobs himself off as a deeply religious man. Jesus would have called him a “whited sepulcher of corruption and filth.”
He didn’t mince words, that Jesus. The real one, of course, not the phony plasticine shameless one that lives in Lee’s rotten heart.
And Montana Senator Steve Daines. He thinks he is saving his ass by taking Montana off the list. Call him 202-224-2651 and Mike Lee 202-224-5444.
Tell them “Public Lands Stay in Public Hands!!”
Thanks Sheila. Calling now
They kicked Jesus to the curb in 2006 when Rove courted the “true believers.”
Many many many are in that same “religion” Lee professes to be. Can’t imagine what Christ is feeling right now……
Maybe, T.R., we’ll have to do for our public lands the efforts we made to protect the old growth Redwood & Doug fir forests in Northern CA—ended up creating the Headwaters Forest….lots of effort, sacrifice and pain (and camaraderie & passion) went in to what were called the “Timber Wars” & the protests/direct actions were some of the last I’d been involved with until ‘Rump became the “pretendident”. A Wiki blurb on it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headwaters_Forest_Reserve Other land protection actions have been taken further up north (Pacific Northwest) and numerous other places across the country as well. No rest for those paying attention, I guess!
Damn Barb, I love that, “pretendident” !
I do too. I’ve been calling him the WH resident, I refuse to call him president.
Ditto P.J. - worse things under my breath.
🤣yeah, sure feels right-on!!!
Thanks for this info, Barbara! No rest indeed. :\
I feel the same way ...... and angry. It is true that Alaska has much land, but look at how much it has to lose. And Montana does not have to have any of it's land sold???? SO that is how that vote and amendment came about in the Senate. Public lands have been our national treasures and have been accessible to everyone. How can this be undone?
Teddy spinning in his grave
We ALL must call our senators & reps, state & federal, our various govenors & even call our AGs to demand that they get that taken out of the bill. It’s the MAGA Murder Bill - it’s going to kill people & our environment.
It's exhausting, but we have to keep fighting (in-between resting!) for our sacred earth and its inhabitants.
T.R. then you don't want to listen to this morning's Morning Edition interview with Sara Kehaulani Goo about what is happening in Hawai'i, where billionaires are snatching up historically indigenous lands because the owners are unable to pay the 500% rise in property taxes. https://www.npr.org/2025/06/18/nx-s1-5225979/journalist-and-author-sara-kehaulani-goo-discusses-her-new-book-kuleana
That is just disgusting!!!
Oh man, that’s sickening
Omg!! :O Nnooooo
As a long time supporter of our wildlife and national parks, it grieves me to my soul. Yea, it is possible to grieve over many things at the same time. Heavy burdens are the norm now…
Well said. :(
I live in Oregon, and note that many of the Public Lands slated for sale are all up and down the I-5 Corridor. You know, where you can build a upscale hunting/fishing lodge and bring in millions. Never mind the ancestral lands, and the fact that so much money is still made from timber harvest on those lands that what once went to the government will now go into those rich pockets instead of the state.
That’s the plan man
We just returned from our first trip to Yosemite: it was absolutely stunningly glorious, the natural beauty out there is utterly jaw dropping. The thought of that gift to the American people being shut off and sold to some oligarch by jerks like M Lee is beyond infuriating. That cannot happen under any circumstance. This land is OUR LAND!
I feel the same.
“It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment.”
― Ansel Adams
I noticed that the two gentlemen from MT managed to exclude their state from the list.
Thank you Professor Richardson. Your letters are so important.
Call. Write. Email. Protest. Unrelentingly.
Use/share this spreadsheet as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Reach out to those in your own state, as well as those in others. Use your voice and make some “good trouble” ❤️🩹🤍💙
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13lYafj0P-6owAJcH-5_xcpcRvMUZI7rkBPW-Ma9e7hw/edit?usp=drivesdk
Let us not forget his Big Pile of Cruelty and Financially Incoherent Slop is still in Congress. The CBO now estimates the House Repulsican version of it will add $3.4 trillion to the debt over 10 years.
AKA The Big Bullshit Bill.
Why does Trump have this sudden urge to join with Israel in attacking Iran?
First of all, if Trump commits any of our armed forces to join Israel in their war against Iran, such an act would constitute an impeachable offense as a violation of Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of the U.S. Constitution which grants Congress the sole power to declare war.
There is one point though that is worth conceding. If anyone knows how to plan an invasion, it's Donald Trump. He had proven this on January 6, 2021 when his MAGA fighters successfully smashed through the doors, windows and other barriers to invade the Capitol building. Victory though was not to be Trump's, as we know.
Which brings us to what's really behind Trump's sudden urge to join Israel in their war against Iran.
For the past 72 hours, the world has been laughing at Donald Trump's pathetic birthday fizzle to himself on Saturday. So who but "a stable genius", after consulting with his brain trust of "Little Marco" Rubio and Pete Hegseth (assuming he was sober at the time), could have come up with the brainstorm of threatening a nuclear war to take everyone's mind off of Trump's thorough humiliation of himself?
Bingo!
It's not so long ago that Trump pointed his finger at Zelenskyy and threatened that Ukraine was pushing the world to the brink of nuclear war. Since a Nobel Peace Prize doesn't seem to be in Trump's future, maybe WW III sounds like an good alternative for eternal fame.
Yeahbut it might cramp his grifts.
Or eternal shame!
If only shame were part of his emotional toolbox!
Hello L.D. ... Today's Interesting Military Factoid: The PROFESSIONAL US Intel Consensus, per CNN, is that Iran is Years away from being able to assemble, and package a Nuclear Weapon if they actually want one.... On CNN, Congressman Moskovitz of Florida, an Israel Firster, declared that Iran was Days away... Netanyahu also said that the Iranians were days away as well... IMHO: Netanyahu precipitated this in order to be perceived as a "Conquering Caesar' in preparation for Theoretical 2026 Israeli Elections if they do occur... This Dove-Tails with DJT's extralegal efforts in the USA in preparation for the 2026 Elections IFF they occur... This Crisis in the USA diverts attention from DJT's Domestic problems... Meanwhile the Gazans continue to suffer.
Bibi Netanyahu has always been able to convince the Felon to do really stupid shit. And because the Saudis would love to see Iran obliterated, there's another incentive.
"Why does Trump have this sudden urge to join with Israel in attacking Iran?"
He wants the credit.
L.D. Congress gave up it's constitutional responsibility after WWII. NONE of the other "conflicts" since then, from Korea through Vietnam, and into the Sandbox (Desert Storm, GWOT) have been declared wars. I think we'd be hard pressed at this point to push for impeachment on this charge. Congress rolled over and gave up its soft belly nearly 70 years ago..
As I understand the various legislation enacted by Congress relating to the offensive use of our military by the President, while Congress has the sole power to declare war, it thereby has the power to enact legislation specifically authorizing the President to engage in such warfare pursuant to the restrictions it imposes. The President does not have and has never been given, to my knowledge, the power to start offensive wars or offensively invade foreign territories whenever he wants to. While he certainly has the right, power and duty to defend our country, he does not have the right to go around invading foreign countries or foreign lands, whether it be Canada, Greenland or Iran.
Agreed
Two questions: When a judge orders that some Trump policy be reversed, for example, for grants to be restored, is there any enforcement mechanism? And if a scientific study has been stopped for lack of funding, how easy is it for the study to be resumed? Not being a scientist, I don't understand if research can be turned on and off like my computer. While many of these rulings sound encouraging, I can't help wondering to what extent they are useful.
You’re correct to wonder about that. No, scientific & medical studies cannot just be turned off suddenly, defunded, & then suddenly be restarted. Important time & data has been lost; our research has been set back by years, quite possibly many, many years. That is one of the most heartbreaking things about what has happened to us. There was some really important work being done with RNA & it’s use in developing vaccines against cancer, that has been delayed.
As to enforcement of judicial orders, I’m not aware if ANY court order regarding restoration of funding has been obeyed. Of course the court is going to bend over backward & give them multiple chances to comply. They could then find them in contempt of court & fine them or have them arrested & jailed. It would be the attorneys or other underlings that would deal with those consequences, certainly not DT. Normally a U.S. Marshal would make the arrest, but they are under Pam Bondi, & I’m sure she would tell them not to do it. The judge could appoint another law officer to carry out the arrest.? Needless to say, it’s unlikely that any of that is going to happen. ☹️
P.J. yes. And yesterday all but one of the Fulbright Committee resigned in protest. So not only are grants disappearing, but the people who might try to fight back have decided their own arses are far more important. I can't blame them, but as a Fulbright alum myself (and someone who has been dealing with cancer for the last 30 years--my sell-by date is now accelerated but I am alive because of drugs developed in the last 20 years, funded by the government), I know how devastating the loss of such grants is, and the insanity of canceling NIH and NSF grants on spurious grounds even more so.
It’s really devastating. My niece is alive today because of the development of Interferon treatment that was just in time for her to be accepted as one of the youngest pts to receive it in about 1987 when she was 15.
Reality has a say, and it is complicated. The damage makes anything more delayed and difficult.
Lawyers, universities, the uber-rich, and above all the House GOP need to stop giving power to Trump. He's too enfeebled and venal to do anything but abuse that power for his own interests.
The lawyers and universities, at least, are saying "No more," and millions declared "No Kings."
Just stop giving him something he's never earned.
Judy, he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and somehow it seems he now has a silver shovel in it. Would have avoided much of this clusterfu*k had McConnell not caved on giving the nod to the Senate convict on his 2nd impeachment…no telling, however, how ‘Rump would have “played” that had that happened especially after the unending caterwauling about the “stolen election”. Perhaps in an alternate universe he WAS convicted…..🤷🏻♀️
Another analogy, a baseball reference. The stupid bastard was born on third base but thinks he hit a grand slam HR, and that’s the story he’s sticking with. I’m just wondering how much longer his handlers can keep hiding his complete mental breakdown from the public at large. This might be the most dangerous situation we’ve faced as a country, a mentally incapacitated president, propped up by a cult which will never call him out and remove him, leaving the country to be run by the worst gang of fascists, thugs, thieves, money grubbers and outright criminals the Executive branch has ever assembled.
John, have you seen this YouTube vid? From a TikTok that went viral…he says it all in a short song: Hostile Gov’t Takeover https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9rgHC9P7FjI
House and senate gop'pers won't do squat; They are far too 'invested' too.
ALL SO DEVASTATING! Thank God for MOBILIZE! THE OSPREY NEST NEEDS TO GET DRAGGED FROM THE PEOPLES HOUSE!
He sits on the throne, a pretty secure perch. Ousting is a precarious endeavor.
Wired has a splendid article that lists tools for tracking what the Trump administration is doing. Since the article lies behind a paywall, I will briefly list them here:
The Impact Map
https://theimpactproject.org/the-impact-map/
United States Disappeared Tracker
https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/danielleharlow/viz/UnitedStatesDisappearedTracker/Map
ICE Flight Tracking by Tom Cartwright, immigration rights advocate
https://witnessattheborder.org/
Regulatory Changes Tracker
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/tracking-regulatory-changes-in-the-second-trump-administration/
Trump Administration Litigation Trackers - there are two main trackers by Just Security and Lawfare
https://www.justsecurity.org/107087/tracker-litigation-legal-challenges-trump-administration/
https://www.lawfaremedia.org/projects-series/trials-of-the-trump-administration/tracking-trump-administration-litigation
Far Right Groups Targeting Pride Month
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1kd_jQ6rRJrgaQp4J0Km7NWwKsuyDCtQ&ll=41.25881813524539%2C-96.69431800000001&z=5
These guys between them are tracking every move the administration makes.
Russell, there is also a Substack “What Did Trump Do Today” [It was originally started during the Biden/Harris admin as a way to showcase what the MSM missed—or neglected to cover—about actions taken.] The author, George Cummings, then switched to covering Trump…perhaps not a pleasant pastime. Anyway, check it out here—this is today’s post: https://whatdiddonaldtrumpdotoday.substack.com/p/what-did-donald-trump-do-today-bb1?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=954002&post_id=166203544&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=false&r=6wq7j&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
Substacks like this show that the mainstream media is trying its best to cover everything of note but inevitably there are gaps. It's heartening to see so many people so diligently engaged in bringing these matters to people's attention.
HCR does a good job too
Totally agree, JD….in the Substack I posted above, George really gets into the “weeds” (so to speak). It’s great that a number of Substacks shine a light on what’s going on, especially those like HCR’s, that “bring the receipts” so the reader knows the info has been vetted.
There needs to be a library devoted to his evil deeds.
Now THAT would truly be a one of a kind presidential library!!!!
He deserves special treatment. He has made every other incompetent president seem like a genius
Thanks Russel John !
Russel John, these are great links! Thanks.
I'm sharing you comment on my FB page with friends.
I do hope that it's not a breach of copyright!
Me to. I've been sharing comments this way for quite awhile. Connects others to salient comments and the original posts.
I understand the need for paywalls - people gotta eat. Seriously though, even the good professor Richardson will summarise news that lies behind paywalls so we're probably on safe ground.
Keep up your good work. Many appreciate but forget to say thanks as I too did. Lots of good minds and backs doing the heavy-lifting after we march and say "enough." So, Thank you.
I'm encouraged that there are so many clever people working diligently to keep people informed. I live in the UK so I can't march with you but I try to do what I can. After all, Trump's baleful influence extends beyond your borders.
Thank you!
Imagine a world where, if we’re talking Farsi-speakers in Iran, Hebrew speakers in Israel, and Arab speakers in the West Bank and Gaza, many of us might be literate in recent novels, memoirs, and histories in Farsi, Hebrew, and Arabic. We’d be full of the vitality of artists alive to individuals.
We don’t live in any such world. We live in one, instead, where testing teaches that only corporate management asks the questions. And the answers always speak only to groups and categories, in linear lockstep only.
Compare that closed world to the giveaway in Doris Kearns Goodwin’s memoir of her husband, Richard Goodwin, in “An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s.” It’s when his friend, Robert Kennedy, is undergoing major changes in late 1967. “He was asking questions, reading in a more urgent and expansive way than ever before – Camus, Aeschylus, Euripides, Shakespeare.”
Seeking humanities – those quoted here, anywhere – points far away from testers’ predictable conceits, hones more to individuals than to groups.
Dems today slink just about as far as any could get from the era of Richard Goodwin, John Kennedy, and the original Bobby Kennedy. Today’s ask no questions, see no individuals. And if the groups are Iranian, Israeli, and Palestinian, all must rut in only the dumb history committees have written.
"Imagine a world where, if we’re talking Farsi-speakers in Iran, Hebrew speakers in Israel, and Arab speakers in the West Bank and Gaza, many of us might be literate in recent novels, memoirs, and histories in Farsi, Hebrew, and Arabic. We’d be full of the vitality of artists alive to individuals."
Try Israel. In 1948 most Arab countries expelled Jews -- and millions of Israelis speak Arabic and Farsi as their first language.
Why make it a team contest, Daniel -- as if only one side can "win"?
I thrilled to "Exodus" (the movie), as a youth. I venerated Max Dimont's "Jews, God, and History." As a high school kid and college youth I learned Latin, classical Greek, and Biblical Hebrew (plus some European languages). In love with regionalism, I wanted to do grad study of the Hebrew poets of the eastern European shtetl -- and in 1969 got accepted to Hebrew University to do so.
But we Americans had our own war at the time, so I instead upped for becoming a U.S. Army translator/interpreter of Vietnamese.
I'm tired of so many schools of the world just joining the "Be true to your school" mentality which the Beach Boys lampooned back then. My side beats your side. Throw in mass murder, campaigns of hatred, and now the campaigns of neuterdom, indifference which standardized testing levels worldwide.
And come on, Daniel --"millions of Israelis speak Arabic and Farsi as their first language" -- when Israel doesn't even reach ten million in population?
Phil Balla,
Appreciate your comments. Going to college and being closely exposed to many people from many parts of the world was a great and cherished experience.
Countries are much better understood, appreciated and valued when we really get to know one another.
One nuclear bomb facing another can really not form a caring relationship in which each can be involved with truly getting to know one anther as human beings and assisting one another when an opportunity is provided.
I will also state the obvious. It is usually a person from another country who can speak not only their language but English and often others .
Knowing multiple languages changes you in ways that are deep and long lasting. Your language skills are impressive. I'm merely bilingual and that changed my life.
I am not really bilingual although I have been taking languages from elementary school. In the same Spanish literature class for many years and live where "Spanglish" is predominant. Within Spanish are many idioms that are uningtelligble even to most native Spanish speakers unless they are explained.
Our professor is originally from Colombia, is a published poet and scholar, taught law, taught Spanish in Taiwan, but doesn't know any Lukumi, which is required to undersand colloquial Cuban modern literature. In Spain, each province has it's own version -- and Spain was owned by Visigoths and Moors, influenced by many others. Cervantes, the iconic "Spanish" author, was a "converso" and actually wrote in Ladino. Got to understand Hebrew to appreciate it.
When I was in Fresno, Hmong was still not reduced to writing and we developed a lexicon, taking what we got from interpreters. We had two. Mr. Vinh and Mr. Vanh. Yin and yang. Never the twain....
In Miami, we did the same with Creole, reduced to writing at Miami Dade college.
Some of the other students in my class are in Montreal and Bogata, and although I try to concentrate on Cuban "boon" writers, they cover many other countries.... similar but not the same.
I will never be abe to fully understand some of the mystic writers...
I was raised in Puerto Rico, so I'm fluent in their dialect which is the most common one in the Caribbean. Cuban Spanish is very close to it. I know a little Italian and German, too.
My wife was a home visit nurse in Wisconsin and worked with the Hmong quite a bit. Their kids were frequently the translators.
I was taught the history of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, too. I see things down there much differently than most Americans.
I can read and write formal and colloquial Spanish con fluedes. But PR is demasiado rapido. Speaking, listerning, is another matter.
I am the author of Breaking Up with Cuba. Cuba was the most Americanized country and many Cubans had to learn English. One of the reasons for a revolution was to remove American influences. Come Castro, adios Santa Klaus, adios Christmad trees, adios Thankdsgiving, adios American literature, adios American music. Whereas much of the language had been Americnized, it was cleaned after 1959. Therefore Americanized Cuban Spanish pre 1960 is antiquated and obsolite in modern Cuba.
This iis a theme in modern Cuban American literature. A minor theme. Check out radio station WDNA. https://wdna.org/
Te disfrutas!
AI. Approximately half of Israel's Jewish population has roots in Muslim-majority countries. These Jewish Israelis, often referred to as Mizrahi Jews, trace their ancestry back to communities that lived in various parts of the Middle East and North Africa for centuries. Specifically, around 600,000 Jews from Arab and Muslim countries relocated to Israel by 1972, with an additional 300,000 migrating to other countries like France, the US, and Canada, according to Wikipedia.
They had offspring.
Add to that, approximately 2.04 million Arabs live in Israel, making up about 21% of the country's total population, according to the Israel Democracy Institute and The iCenter. This includes both citizens and permanent residents.
My wife and I watch Persian (don't call them Iranian) TV. They are hoping that there will be an internal uprising to kick out the mullahs.
There are competing versions -- one by the prince in exile.
Daniel Solomon,
I majored in history and later returned to college to receive a teacher's certification. At that time I met a young man from Iran.
He spoke excellent English. I could speak NO PERSIAN!
He invited me to meet his brother and his brother's wife who were attending NC State University. They were very interesting and political.
I wrote about his country ...just a short version of an ancient beginning and a growing modern presence within Iran, to share with a fourth grade class. He attended and was so kind. I asked him if my presentation was okay . He was kind complementary and even added he learned new things about his country as I made my presentation.
I could not imagine learning his language or navigating a country so different as ours.
His father was a judge but sadly had passed away. His mom was now the fierce leader of the family.
We need to get to know one another. We have great cultures and lives to cherish.
PEACE is a powerful action word!!!!
I don't know why you address me that way.
I was invited to weddings in pre -1979 Iran. I had two Iranian American law clerks who would oppose each other -- but both work for the US government.
Watch Persian (son't call them Iranian) TV. E.G. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjJec0wv1EUomjrBNt1xCTA
I was a volunteer member of ROLI, https://www.americanbar.org/advocacy/global-programs/?login
I was an adjuct to a program that taught foreign judges about American concepts of due process.
I am a Vietnam veteran and I have extensive familiarity with Hmong and other unique cultures and Balla jumped to a derisive conclusion and has no clue about many Jews who speak Farsi and Arabic as a first languge.
How about Farsi speakers who had to seek amnesty in the US and oppose the mullas to the death?
Thank you for bravely defending democracy, Heather. Let’s fight against fascism by continuing the NO KINGS protests. I composed a battle hymn song for us to sing together and will be releasing the musical recording in the morning: https://democracydefender2025.substack.com/p/no-kings-song-june-14
To answer Judge Young's question. Republicans in this country have fallen so low as to no longer feel shame. In better times, when Senators had pride in the stature of the Senate as a forum for deliberation about the people's business, rather than acting as a tool of the Executive, Senator Lee would have been censored for his remarks about the political assassinations in Minnesota. Maybe instead of asking Senators if they have no shame, we should ask why they have NO CLASS. Bill
Zero decency. Zero "soul".
"Have we fallen so low? Have we no shame?” That applies to so many of the trumpers' 'activities'.
Yes! ... and now we'll see what our little 'American Experiment in Democracy' is really about.
One thing that keeps me from 'harakiri', is the opportunity to watch this major critical moment in history unfold in real-time. I guess Gil Scott-Heron was wrong, and the revolution WILL be televised.
Trump issues license to sell Public Lands: Mapping where National Parks are up for sale.
https://thedemlabs.org/2025/04/04/trump-issues-license-to-mine-public-lands-national-parks/
Global map of over 320 NO KINGS DAY photos
https://thedemlabs.org/2025/06/16/global-map-of-no-kings-day-photos/
https://www.wilderness.org/articles/blog/congress-making-more-250-million-acres-public-lands-available-sale
Kathy, thanks for the Wilderness article link!
One quote stands out: “ These are not disposable places as some proponents of land sales have claimed, they are some of the most significant intact landscapes in the United States. The Arctic, Otero Mesa, the Owyhee Canyonlands, Snoqualmie forest—these places are vital not only to the human communities in and around them but also to vulnerable wildlife struggling to survive in an increasingly developed world.”
Hi Kathy,
Thanks for sharing. Is there a link to the live map in the article? I'd be glad to promote that. "This map and analysis were made possible thanks to the hard work of Phil Hartger. Data current as of legislative text dated June 16, 2025."
DP
This, I think, more than anything else just might be the key to turning some MAGAt's heads. Many of those individuals in my life are avid hunters, fishermen, and true outdoorsmen (and not just the guys). The map I've seen has almost all the public lands up and down the I-5 corridor up for grabs, as well as some of the most pristine coastline.
. Thank you, Professor. The man is nothing but a Russian Shill. He will collapse, and his neophytes around him eventually. I love you all. We must fight the good fight. Stay strong together everybody. I love this country too much to let it be destroyed for power and gain corruptly..🌻🌻🌻
CBS has a great report on how those FEMA cuts are going to impact red states and Trump voters.
https://www.cbsnews.com/femagrantcuts/
Best strap in for the hurricane season!
Hmmm, Russell, wonder if any of the whipped-winds will be heading “More-a-Lago’s” way….he might change his tune about both FEMA and NOAA if it was a direct hit. You know, cuz it affected HIM.
Wait. I'm confused because I'm sure MTG told us that the federal government controlled the weather when Biden was President. Did he not give those keys to 'Rump?
And don't forget the Jewish Space Lasers!
Barbara, I have been thinking along those same lines.
Apparently, Mar a Lago was built to withstand hurricane-force winds.
https://eu.palmbeachdailynews.com/story/business/real-estate/2024/09/25/trumps-mar-a-lago-has-withstood-hurricanes-and-tropical-storms-for-decades/75379762007/
This, of course, doesn't mean that the estate couldn't be flooded at some point in the future.
https://climatecontroljournal.com/does-climate-change-pose-a-threat-to-mara-lago.html
Heh, Russell, I think it’ been “flooded” since he took it over….I just won’t say with what!
ICE Question: might the reason for the supposed ICE officers wearing masks & no name tags or any manner of identification, be that they're not ICE but possibly the pardoned Proud Boys and other allied militias? Apologies if that sounds paranoid, but it is just so unusual.
I think it’s because they know that what they’re doing is both illegal and wrong, and they’re trying to protect themselves from future litigation. But how in the world is a person supposed to know the difference between ICE and a gang of kidnappers? It won’t be long before bad guys take advantage of that.
Interesting thought, but wouldn't they be protected from future prosecution if they were doing as ordered (hmmm.....the "just following orders" defence)? Also, there suddenly seem to be quite a lot of ICE personnel. Still wonder if their numbers are being complemented.
I don’t know. Honestly, I hope not.