I am 82 years old and I have never seen anything as disgusting as the actions of Trump and his henchmen these past 6 weeks. Yesterday’s berating of President Zelenskyy was horrible, a complete failure of diplomacy, an embarrassment to this country. And to think I thought Nixon was bad…
I am 82 years old and I have never seen anything as disgusting as the actions of Trump and his henchmen these past 6 weeks. Yesterday’s berating of President Zelenskyy was horrible, a complete failure of diplomacy, an embarrassment to this country. And to think I thought Nixon was bad…
I think even Ronald Reagan would be horrified and ballistic over an American President think of himself as BFF to Putin and that that was a good thing 🤮
I thought it was very telling that Zelenskyy went on Fox and invoked Reagan's name directly. He knows. And he's talking to the American people. If he can believe in us, we can believe in him...
I grew up thinking the name Cheney was that of the devil, but I am now in deep deep respect and admiration for those Republicans who do stand up to the craziness. Yay Liz Cheney!
Putin wants to invade Ukraine and steal its valuable resources. Trump promised to end that war without saying how he would do it. Now we know how. He and Vance told Zelensky that they would "save" his country from Putin by having the United States invade Ukraine and steal its valuable recourses instead. Trump is making the US the scorn of the civilized world.
True. But it has been a long, long road for Mr. Bolton. Anyone remember Bolton's role In the "Brooks Brothers" DC intervention in the Florida National Election Gore-Bush count?
I recall Bolton was the poster Boy with beedy eyes & mustache looking up against light at a election ballot to inspect the infamous "hanging chad".
Or should I refer to the episode as the Bush-Gore-Stop-Counting Election? Reminder to Attorneys, SCOTUS ruled we cannot cite their Bush-Gore Opinion for anything much less "Black Letter" law.
Her father was anathema to me and the wing nut across the street looks and sounds like him. However, I am glad that Liz is speaking out as did Pence recently.
Remember that in the next election. Not all conservatives have horns and tails (and not all liberals have common sense.)
I'm still trying to figure out why most Republicans are going along with Trump's agenda. Are they really afraid (what liberals want to think) or are they truly fed up and find Trump a useful tool (what liberals can't fathom)?
That broad brush which liberals use to paint conservatives is part of the reason we just lost the election. I'm talking about voters that supported Republican candidates in the last several elections. Greed is not close to one of the adjectives of use.
Je: Have you bothered actually talking to any of them? Look at what the Dems agenda has done to America in the last 4 years:
UKRAINE: got us into a never-ending war because Biden gave Zelenski enough to keep fighting but not enough to win.
BORDER: deliberately let millions upon millions of people , most of whom cannot speak English and will need OUR social assistance dollars for the foreseeable future. loose in our country.
CRIME: allowed AGs across the country to NOT criminalize theft or violence and have also let many violent illegals loose; refuse to prosecute theft under $100 dollars, leading to invasions of shoplifters and locked-up merchandise.
RIOTS: Refused to lock up/prosecute BLM rioters who actually killed cops in summer 2020, while calling a few trespassers on Jan 6 "insurrectionists" when not one of them had a gun, and the 5 people who died that day were all non-violent Trump supporters.
LAWBREAKING: Siccing the DOJ and crooked lawyers/judges on any opposition politician who threatened to unseat Biden, ie Trump and RFKJr.
ELECTION: removed elected President without Dem voter input, then inserted Kamala Harris as candidate without Dem voter input, while blaming Trump for "threatening democracy".
REAL Republicans like Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, Steve Schmidt, and the people at The Bulwark have been QUITE vocal in their opposition for years. I've seen strong denunciations by all three in the wake of this most recent disaster. I don't have time to watch long-winded, time-filling videos from Schmidt and the Bulwark folks, but they're all doing the right thing.
I've been watching the podcasts you mention, Jim Brown, the Lincoln Project for several years. I find their commentary more illuminating than staunch Dems in most cases, although I also watch Brian Tyler Cohen and the Meidas Bros. The interesting thing is that they're more or less of one voice: they're for trimming waste, fraud, and abuse from gov't spending, and they say frequently that Elump is only cutting programs that hurt the bottom to renew tax cuts for the top, that how they're doing it is illegal and unconstitutional, and that they are crass, crazy, greedy kleptocrats shoving money into their personal pockets. There are no different sides to the aisle when it comes to supporting the constitution or loving democracy. We're either for American ideals or against it. Elump is emphatically and shamefully against.
So true! The American people need to flood the regime with emails written in all caps reminding them that this is OUR MONEY and should not be redistributed to the wealthy. And the Repubs are going to fired for poor performance. Instead of the snarky subject line: “Fork in the Road,” our emails’ subject line should read: “Pitchforks in the Street.”
Stephanie, on alt national park service there was a post that said EPA workers are being treated like criminals with visits from the F.B.I. because they have been doing their jobs. Not only is the country is the country becoming a s...thole country in terms of foreign affairs, etc, but it will be literally a s...thole place to live...unless you are rich.
Dear Michele - I just read about the FBI coming down on the EPA as if it were a criminal organization. It is an alarming turn of events much like what happened to Zelensky in the Oval Office. This nation is devolving into a police state much like the Soviet Union was with the FBI becoming the American version of the KGB. I don't feel safe any longer. Who's next?
If one truly sought to trim waste, whether resulting from fraud, negligence, or slap dash purchasing protocols, why wouldn't one look first at the defense department spending? It is the largest item in the budget, and they have a long record of being unable to account for their assets or to pass an audit. This omission by the Muskrats is a clear signal that the waste cutting is just a smokescreen for their adoption of the 2025 agenda and their proposed tax cuts, which will transfer trillions from the middle and less well off classes to Uber wealthy billionaires and corporations.
I agree 100%, Fred Krasner. It's obvious to even the most casual observer that they have no interest in coming up with a better budget. They're looking in the couch cushions for enough change to cover the renewal of T1 tax cuts. And the irony is that they'd get there a bunch faster if they did look at military spending. But that would cut into Elon's take, which would never do.
Of course, the cost-cutting is just a smoke screen for the real reason Musk is firing staff in departments that oversee his businesses and the departments that Trump has a personal distaste for. What I find ironic is that Musk stood up at the first cabinet meeting talking about how much money is devoted to servicing the debt and yet Trump wants Congress to remove the debt ceiling limit. What a bunch of nitwits.
Oh, really? I've been following Steve Schmidt on Substack and like his writing and opinions. I was not aware that he's a Republican; he sure doesn't sound like one! So, I agree about Liz Cheney and now Steve Schmidt. I found the Bulwark to be incoherent, so I dropped my subscription to that.
He was McCain’s campaign manager and the person most responsible for choosing Sarah Palin as the VP candidate. He was also a principal supporter of the Dean Phillips candidacy against Biden in the 2024 primary.
To me, Schmidt seems to write in a sort of ersatz West Wing tone while practicing the usual Republican hackish politics.
I’ve always had the impression that he’s in it for himself. I was considering McCain as a candidate when they stuck Palin in there. I had great respect for the McCain family when I lived in Arizona. He would have been my first Republican vote.
Steve is not a Republican . He became a Democrat when Trump was elected. He did work for McCain but has stated repeatedly in his posts that he did not have anything to do with picking Palin..
Schmidt is one of the best friends the Resustance has.
Schmidt is a disillusioned Republican, and worked for John McCain’s campaign of late. Knows how it works within the public, was part of the initial Lincoln Project group.
Yesterday, I noted to a friend who was asking the same thing that there has seemingly always been this unspoken "code" amongst ex-Presidents that once they are out of office they refrain from any and all interference in succeeding administrations. The glaring exception to this, of course, is the current interloper in the White House, who has never avoided any opportunity to open his big yap. However, it would seem to me that the situation right now demands "all hands on deck" in defending our democracy, so any such "codes", or "gentlemen's agreements", should be put by the wayside.
I agree. I understand the traditional 'code' but, as you say, what's happening today is not traditional and is definitely endangering our country. My only hope is that the formers are silently gathering and preparing their own "Project 2025" to destroy this regime.
James Carville, from Louisiana, says we should roll over and play dead and let the Regime dig itself a ditch. But how to recover and how long to shovel all that dirt back in?
To paraphrase Ellen Glasgow, “The only difference between a ditch and a grave are the dimensions.”
Carville is older than the dirt removed from a ditch. He was once a brilliant strategist, but his strategies worked in a world that is very different from the one we live in now.
If Donald's handlers are allowed to wreak havoc at the pace they are currently keeping, humanity will not survive long enough to repair the damage.
The "Python" is wrong on his one. Pythons just keep squeezing. The Nation is stressed out.
You can almost feel the widespread anxiety. Anxiety breeds misperceptions then mis-reporting then more confusion. All that leads to PANIC as the nation witnessed yesterday at the Dallas TX, National Cheerleaders gathering. A "loud noise " turned into a "loud pop" which morphed into "pop, pop, pop" which triggered a police & ambulance overreaction from a "fight"
Do not Play Dead.
Like Rachel Maddow taught me ... go to a valid LOCAL news source. The Dallas Morning News:
"What we know about incident at the NCA cheer competition at Kay Bailey Hutchinson"
Byran, you can actually feel the anxiety and read about it. On Nextdoor yesterday, some poor soul worried about Medicare and a mess physically was calling for people to join her in a protest at the state capitol downtown..Salem, Oregon. Often I see wingnuts there.
Whenever I see someone mention, "Where are the past Dem Presidents?" I wonder how devastating this moment is to them. They were all civil servants who dedicated their lives to strengthening our country. And we elect a mobster conman who told us who he was for a decade as he built enough power to destroy our country. Why is it on them to fix our disastrous mess if we chose it? I understand their silence as a reasonable reaction to OUR absolute rejection of all their work, vision, and morality.
It is not on them to fix this mess. But it would be nice to know they are in favor of fixing it. Evil is allowed to flourish when good people stay silent.
Doing what? Howling into the void like the rest of us?
The Continuing Resolution (CR) to extend federal spending and avert a government shutdown ends March 14, 2025.
I suspect (hope!) Dems are waiting for the upcoming budget shit show in order to get more of the public on board. In this country, most people don't react until it affects them personally.
There are some - Jamie Raskin, AOC, Bernie Sanders, etc. - who are speaking out. The formers could join them if for nothing else to show they are against what trump is doing. After all, it is we the people who have to vote them out or protest them out or revolt them out. It would be good to know who all supports us.
Yes! Bernie is always the one I want for a leader. He was treated shamefully by the Democratic party which did all it could to stop him from becoming our president. A populist president, truly looking out for the people and the planet. Another ginormous error that we will never stop paying for.
Bernie was treated shamefully by the Dems? You do realize he is not a Democrat? And when he was losing, he tried to force a rule change—in the middle of the primaries—to benefit his candidacy? The party he disdains treated him shamelessly? And he then sat out the Clinton campaign acting angry and disaffected?
Bernie, who has never passed a significant piece of legislation he sponsored is to me a perfect example of why activists should not be elected to office.
Yes, I do realize that he is an Independent. I don't care about party affiliation--I focus on humanity, character, and heart. He is the only one I've seen in the sea of selfishness and ambition that is our 2 party system in decades. Carter was the last.
Tom, personally, I have never liked Bernie, but do like some of his ideas. I would have voted for him had he been the candidate. And had HRC won, we would not be in the mess. It was a dire enough situation in 2016 especially with the Supreme Court that people should have held their noses.
Hillary was more qualified. Period. However, in retrospect I believe Bernie may have been able to overcome the suddenly emboldened misogynistic crowd rejecting Hillary. She did win the popular vote.
You are exactly right, Gigi! This entire Trump mess lays at the feet of the Republican Party. GOP now stands for something like Gone Out Partying. Yes, there are a few vocal Republicans, but most (all?) of those in “power” are silent, publicly and, apparently, privately.
It’s going to take some time, but the Trump Demolition Squad (TDS, right?) will do enough damage to make taking action obvious and imperative.
In the meantime, We, the Shut Him Up Totally (SH!T) Brigade need to protect each other and those most vulnerable and do what we can to survive. This cleanup is not in the hands of the press or the late night comedians. We need to encourage (NOOE DEMAND) our Senators, Representatives, Governors - of all stripes - to get to work NOW!
Liz Cheny has spoken, not her father. As for the others, history will remember their silence. They are waiting to see if we revolt, so REVOLT (and call your congressperson)
In the 60s, we revolted. We were out in the street. We were sitting in. We were dragged away by the police. Why is everybody at home hoping someone else will do what we the people have to do?
because those of us who did all of that in the 60's are now in our 80's and doing as much as we can.....where are the younger people in the crowds that we were part of?
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), in a text to Axios, said Friday was "a bad day for America's foreign policy."
"Ukraine wants independence, free markets and rule of law. It wants to be part of the West. Russia hates us and our Western values. We should be clear that we stand for freedom," he said.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), in a post on X, called the meeting "a disaster — especially for Ukraine," adding, "Sadly, the only winner of today is Vladimir Putin.
When either or both grow the balls to stand up in Congress, and publicly state their opposition to the Nazis, I'll believe them. Until then, they're nothing but publicity hounds, and false patriots.
If they had any guts they would quit the Republican caucus, call themselves the Independent Caucus and vote with the Dems in a coalition, dump Mike Johnson and vote to impeach Trump and Vance. I guess I can dream.
We have had 2 rallies at his local office. He was a no-show both times, or at least stayed in hiding. I've sent daily emails to him, with no response to this point. I've called almost daily, and am greeted by a semi-conscious maybe-human. The man is a spineless eunuch. Ms. Kaptor is in the Toledo area, so out of my district. And there was a large Ukrainian support rally in Parma yesterday that did get some local TV coverage, and I believe Ms. Kaptor attended. I could not - this time. As to Joyce, he talks a good game, but if he ever HAD to state a position, he would piss in his pants on the spot.
I was just wondering around to my husband yesterday about how all the Ukrainian Americans feel about this. My best friend was Ukrainian growing up and her mom was like a second mom to me. It was a massive community of some of the greatest people I had the opportunity to learn from.
I don’t understand how Republicans are still getting elected to office in Ohio.
Reagan set this up. He laid waste to the middle class, promoted hatred, homophobia and racism, and advanced the disastrous trickle-down theory. He and his policies were a precursor to every single thing the Republican Party is today. No wonder the Republican Party deifies him.
But let's not forget that the slide toward Trump began with Reagan (if not earlier, with Nixon's southern strategy and the now-famous Lewis Powell memo of 1971). The corporate tax cuts. The gutting of unions. The Clinton administration surely helped by repealing the Glass-Steagall Act, which had done a lot to keep corporate money in check. Then Bush II, along with being arguably the least competent president till Trump relieved him of the title, appointed John Roberts as chief justice of the Supreme Court and Samuel Alito as associate justice, which led to the godawful Citizens United decision (2010) even before we got the three McConnell-Trump appointees.
Susanna, and I can’t forget Clinton’s 1996 “welfare reform,” which converted a federal entitlement for poor families into a block grant for states. Red states chose to divert a lot of their block grants to surveillance of patents, and onerous requirements (like parenting classes, drug testing,etc) rather than the cash payments that paid rent. The whole country essentially froze benefits for the next quarter century. And that is when, for the first time, we experienced family homelessness. Once rents exceeded the entire cash benefit, homelessness increased in my county by 32% PER YEAR. THIS is what the GOP would love to see again.
Glass Steagall had absolutely nothing to do with keeping corporate money in check. It was passed in 1933 as a companion piece to establishing the FDIC.
It separated investment banking and commercial banking. It was written to protect depositor money by enduring that banks with depositor money could not engage in the inherently riskier activities of investment banking.
Its repeal was accompanied by substantially strengthened rules by the FDIC, the Fed, and the Comptroller of the Currency to limit the commingling of depositor money and investment banking activities.
But feel free to keep trying. Last time I read one of your comments, you blamed its repeal (and Clinton)—wrongly—for the real estate crisis.
So I guess the multiple marriages of investment banking and commercial banking had nothing to do with the wild speculation in derivatives (etc.) that led to the economic crash of the late Bush II administration? Asking for several friends . . .
As I have replied to you before, there was nothing in Glass Steagall that would have prevented banks from bundling shitty sub-prime mortgages and selling them as securities. Nor prevented investment brokers and investment bankers from buying them. Nor prevented insurance companies that went far beyond their capital adequacy from insuring them. Nor for corrupt rating agencies from assigning spuriously good investment grades as a way to curry favor with investment bankers.
This is a complicated subject and someone who doesn’t understand would not bother me. Except you sort of pretend you do, and get a snotty attitude when you’re challenged.
Thanks for your explanation. I go for the simple idea that there will always be people who are looking for holes, ways to make money, regardless of it being at the expense of others. There are not enough laws, and will never be, to cover the cleverness cum corruption/ill will of people who are so disposed. We have great example of that in the White House.
Thank you for this response. For those of us still learning our history...Clinton became President when I was in college. He was my first Presidential vote! While I was thrilled about that, I admit I didn't pay as much attention to some of his policies in real time.
Thanks! Gotta say, I'm exasperated with all the people who think this all started with Trump. Trump is the endgame -- but I don't think Reagan and his crew, or even Bush II and *his* crew, had any idea we'd end up where we are now. (I'm still having trouble believing it myself.)
It grew... with enough ignorance and disinformation. Trump stepped in and took this partisanship to the extreme. We got complacent and "triangulated" went along to get along. They were increasingly for absolute rule. And so we are here. This is a really tough situation.
Apache, I have been looking for a good nickname for JD....Mini-Me fits well. He and his family tried to go skiing in Vermont and they were met by protesters. One sign said Go ski in Russia.
Of course, that was a time when the US still believed in "we hold these truths to be self-evident...."; when we still had respect for order, good to the poor, trying not showing pride or prejudice. Today, our great leader fans the flames of hatred and espouses extremist aims.
I was never fond of Reagan's "evil empire" rhetoric, to put it mildly, but Trump has dragged a mentally drugged Maga/Republican horde a full 180. Dismay but mostly disgust has flooded my news channels, my FB timeline is abundant with pro-Velenski/Ukraine support, and some gross-indeed anti-Trump satires. Pax Americana is disappearing down a white racist, anti-diversity, grift riven snake hole. (no disrespect for real snakes mind you)
"Pax Americana is disappearing down a white racist,..."
This is our karma. Our refusal to address our internal demons beginning with the genocide of Native Americans when the white man's boats hit our shores, followed by the slave boats, followed by the economic enslavement of millions of Americans, followed by the disinformation plague promulgated by tech oligarchs has all served to wash over us in a destruction of our Democracy.
I still work with people who are 100% ignorant of what is happening. Now. Now I understand Nazi Germany and how the people ignored what was happening.
Agreed on your gist, sadly now into a downward spiral. The only thing i can say is that if you read across the board on European imperial and colonial expansions, slaving, indigenous conquest and near genocide, have been more the rule than the exception. You can toss in much of the rest of world and find similar inequities. "used to be" conquest was just the name of the game.
The focus, sadly, is on America right now as we slide into authoritarianism. I have always thought other Countries were more mature. They have fought hard for their Democracies. We have become lazy and arrogant about our Democratic rights and privileges.
We are a teenaged nation. And we know most teenagers go insane for a few years. Hopefully they survive to grow up.
Our citizens have never had to fight off an invasion on our soil. And now selfishness rules. Empathy is no longer trending.
Now we have been compromised from within. Putin is here. In every living room in America. On every device. He has been clever with his costumes. Lately, he has donned a phony hairdo, gained a lot of weight and looks a bit jaundiced.
Considering US had 1/4 world's economic power and a military bigger than the next 4 or so combined, is a scientific and technological leader, its political culture remains mired in pre-scientific religious dogma and racist culture. This is WHITE america in reactionary mode to society which has been moving toward a culturally and racially diverse condition. This is the first time I've felt a real chill about what the US is capable of.
America has been castrated by Putin. We are no longer capable of much either in the world arena or at home.
At age 75 I have always been full of optimism about America. Now I am just not so sure anymore. The 3 branches of government have been compromised. The fourth estate has been muzzled. The Democratic Party is wheezing. The only thing remaining is for him to invoke the Insurrection Act.
Yes. Hiding our heads under the blankets has not worked so far. Pelosi, Biden, Schumer, Harris and the other Democratic Party elite are experts at doing that. So sad to witness these people seemingly in hiding.
Because they considered Biden to be helpless to control high prices or the border. As he refused to listen to the 75% who said he was too old to run (that’s a consistent poll result over 3 years). Because by the last year of his presidency, he never had spontaneous sustained press conference—all his appearances were staged, with prepared remarks.
The very same reasons lots of white voters switched sides.
In my opinion there were a couple million voters who voted for Trump less to favor him, but as a way to fire Biden, his administration, and his VP.
We have 2 special elections in Florida on April 1st for the House. We ALL need to work to get EVERY registered Dem to the polls for this. If we get both, we gum up the works for L'il Mikey, and the rest of the Nazis.
Never say never Tom. It's ok to be pessimistic but even if we can't get a 2/3 majority, we might have some of the Republicans if the situation is too dire and they grow a spine. Although I'm not betting on it, it might happen. In the meantime we have to figure what else might work. The main problem is if we are going to have a midterm election at all. Without an election, nothing else matters.
You are describing the exact outcome of his second impeachment. The failure to convict only emboldened him and further divided the country. Never say never is a great attitude for firing up a high school football team, I guess. But “never” happens all the time. I would rather spend my time on things with any chance of success.
At this point Tom I don't think anybody, much less me, is spending any time plotting an impeachment. It's out of reach. And yes, some people are posting about it, but they are only ventilating. Relax.
True. But if we have a solid majority in the House, we can block a lot of BS. We can hold hearings. We can investigate. We can expose. And we could have a House that reasserts its Constitutional responsibility to control the power of the purse.
And while it is true that it would require 290 House members to expel some traitors, let's not underestimate the blowback of the red state people who are being betrayed. I predict Republican rebellion - especially as $Trump makes multiple mistakes every day. I recommend that we all have enough liquid assets to get through the next Great Recession. The insane tariffs will hike inflation, the Fed might raise rates, the markets will be angry.
Regaining the House combined with a simple majority in the Senate could lead to some serious opposition on many subjects. The pendulum will swing back our way. But it will be ugly as it cuts through.
If I keep saying stuff like what I'm about to say I might get in trouble, but I think we still have Freedom of Speech. If the Dems had a Majority in the House their would be a Dem second in line to the Presidency.
I think Reagan used the power of media to conceptually estrange us from the concept of "government of the people, by the people, for the people"; and sold the idea that America would be way better off when ruled by the rich. We are now seeing the logical result of that path taken. That said, I think Trump's subservience to his Russian patron, and the rough Mafioso manner of Team Trump would have deeply offended him.
It still galls me that Reagan’s name is invoked as the hallmark of the common good. His administration was the snowball running down the mountain that became an avalanche: Citizens United (corporations are people), firing 11,359 air traffic controllers . . . Remember when he said, “ The 9 most terrifying words in the English language are ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’” Remind people in the red states who are recipients of the most federal dollars. Mitch McConnell rules over one of those states. They’re always first in line after a disaster. And Reaganomics? “trickle down economy?” What we’re seeing today in this country is the embodiment of all of that. And remember, he was an actor—a showman.
I agree, Jan. I was one of those air traffic controllers. It sickens me when I hear his name in regards to something good for America. I will never consider calling Washington National Airport by any other name. Trickle down economics is more appropriate to associate with his name.
Or John Wayne airport. Seems to me Reaganomics harks back to feudalism; the preponderance of wealth in very few hands and stratified, authoritarian rule.
Foreshadowing Trump- a conman. Both conmen so far as I could see, but Trump is even a deeper sociopath. They both despised a republican (small "r") form of government and preached the glories of plutocracy. They both use(d) big lies. They both rule(d) with stagecraft over statecraft, both maliciously, but Trump out-Orwell's Orwell; “The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and of your ears.", and now the last flicker of reason of your brain.
Reagan was pretty out of it in the White House, and even the press noticed, yet (mostly) smiled. I always suspected that "The Gipper", while genuinely right wing, he was more the mouthpiece for the plutocratic coup than the author; but I have not researched enough to prove it.
I agree - it was Reagan who called government "the problem" and not "the solution" a position that they have tried to hammer home for decades and decades, characterizing those who receive governmental services (even Social Security and Medicare, which we pay into) as parasites, and the rich as the "makers" - when mostly what the rich make is more money.
The rich aren’t makers as much as they are takers. Petroleum industries get government subsidies; Musk’s wealth is based on government contracts and subsidies advantageous to his companies; obscenely wealthy people and corporations that pay little to no taxes. But make no mistake. What Elon is trying to do to this country is to break it to line his pockets. How can millions of people be thrown out of work without the country going into an economic meltdown?!
I's sure it's just lore, but "Alexander the Great" supposedly wept because he found no more worlds to conquer. History seems to illustrate the notion of unaccountable power corrupting absolutely. Or do only the corrupt even seek power that is absolute? At some point many of those with more cash than some nations become obsessive enough to want it ALL.
I distinctly remember coming back to America after growing up overseas just as Reagan was voted in. I thought it bizarre how much invective was thrown at Air Traffic Controllers and US Postal Service especially the postal carriers. In short, government workers with powerful Unions who had daily contact with Americans--doing jobs that definitely made paying our taxes seem worth it because what they did was indispensable to the country running properly.
They sure didn't seem to be lazy to me, but were continually reviled, portrayed as the enemy. There was so much pressure on these poor people who were just trying to do their damn job--which wasn't easy even without Americans yelling at them. "Going postal" became a phrase back then, when people went mad with anger.
Thinking about it now, I realize the entire Republican plan for decades has been to make our own government "the other" to steadily wear away trust in our Democracy. That "welfare queen" bit was particularly vile, attacking poor black women in urban areas (and yes, it was definitely aimed at black women). That's where the racial component came in, hard.
Reagan barely kept the John Bircher types under control back then. He wasn't as greedy as Trump. For him, there was a limit. But I still think this should all be traced back to Reagan and his deep cynicism and that false cowboy image. The country started changing back then.
I don't give Reagan any credit for holding back. He started it, he owns it. He was fine with it so long as it voted Republicans in. Pretty much how McConnell behaved.
I recall when a local TV station was running a feature with the evening news called "It's Your Money" and it was always about government waste, or perceived waste, like research into things that seemed weird without knowing the context. Never a word of praise or examination of the vast web of services we take for granted because they are part of (our) life. There have been a lot of such outlets for excoriating government, virtually always one sided. I recall Bush the Elder on national TV claiming it was "outrageous" that tax money went to measuring the methane output of livestock. I saw that lampooned in the newspaper as well. Never mind that methane is a potent "greenhouse gas", and yes. animal agriculture releases a LOT of it.
Yet, if we fancy, as we are (or were) taught in school, a " government of the people, by the people, for the people"; if such a government sucks, who is blame? And if it's not "the people", why not?
I agree. Reagan used that faux folksy persona to begin a radical assault on our system of government. People don't talk about Iran-contra, and other actions by Reagan.
RR: "I think you all know that I've always felt the nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help."
My family has believed this sentiment for my entire 63 years. Now when things go south with all the firings, they won't blame Trump or Musk, they'll still blame "the Government".
"The legitimate object of government, is to do for a community of people, whatever they need to have done, but can not do, at all, or can not, so well do, for themselves---in their separate, and individual capacities.
In all that the people can individually do as well for themselves, government ought not to interfere."
Lincoln was definitely not a Reagan Republican. The "legitimate object", right?
It's Karma, a Republican president, laid the groundwork for an oligarchy of a morbidly rich, ruling class. Regan, W and the orange blight all increased the deficits while cutting taxes on the wealthy. Now we are discovering what it is like to live under an oligarchy of the morbidly rich and morally bankrupt. It is cruel, frightening and chaotic.
Probably little all by itself, but democracy is inherently a form of communication, and cannot exist without it, with those who speak in our name and between one another. I think that's an essential part of the role of democratic citizen that Blinken talked about. If we are really to be a government of, by, and for the people, there is no other choice than to be well informed about our options, to think ahead with the help of others, and to set a focused agenda for the political agents we chose to advance our will. And that requires that sort of interchange I believe happens here. Some of it is just lets off steam, but much exchange is educational and conversational.
Tyranny thrives on division and confusion. Progress requires clarity; "keep your eyes on the prize". It would not be wise to neglect general vigilance, but yet it's important to seek to maintain fruitful, foundational foci. What democracy isn't is choice restricted to someone else's proprietary menu, flipping between "channels" of top-down, pre-packaged content.
Grass roots innovation was easier when communities communicated in taverns, or the town square. We are now awash in information, both accurate and deceptive; and some have megaphones much louder than the voices a small collection of assembled citizens. In that respect, "money doesn't talk it swears"; very loudly. That said, Lincoln claimed that,
“In this age, in this country, public sentiment is everything. With it, nothing can fail; against it, nothing can succeed. Whoever molds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes, or pronounces judicial decisions.”
Just because Lincoln said it doesn't prove it, but I think there are historical illustrations, and of "nuclei" of concerted efforts that gained
Reagan was the first president ever to declare that the government is the enemy. He also was the first to declare that teachers are “ the new welfare queens” thus indicting servants of the people or federal employees as “takers”. Then he fired the air controllers en mass and for life which, frankly, is why there’s always a shortage as it is not regarded as a secure job. i used to know how many open positions there are for teachers….thousands. So few are going into teaching now that Schools of Education have shut down across the country. Chris Christie who is now making a living talking about the psychology of Trump, expanded on Reagan’s negative opinion of teachers by saying that all public workers are the new welfare queens. You understand the racism inherent in this “ kill two birds with one stone” comment as the original welfare queens in the minds of Republicans are Black unwed mothers. So for forty plus years the Republican ideology which seems to have always, since the Twentieth Century devolved around a Calvinistic belief in money proving who are the chosen people and who aren’t also rested on the notion that the common man, woman and child, the aren’ts are little more than freed slaves and deserve their contempt which they lavishly dish out to this day. That was very obvious to me in the tongue lashings of Trump, Vance, and the presumptive right of the reporter to “dress the dishonored guest down” with comments about Zelensky’s non suit. Who does that guy think he is, by the way? The whip in hand overseer?
The site for direct donations to the government of Ukraine is at https://u24.gov.ua/ You can designate where you want your donation to be used, such as direct military aid, medical, education, etc.
U24 projects I have donated to in the past year have been removing land mines from farmland, and defensive systems to deal with incoming drone attacks.
Safe Passage for Ukraine (helping people evacuate and wounded foreign fighters to return home; can donate airline miles not just cash): https://sp4ukraine.org
Note: DO NOT donate to K9 Global, UWARF (aka. Ukraine War Animals Relief Fund) or MARS (Mobile Animal Rescue Service later Medical Aid and Rescue Service) ; there are reports that they are falsely claiming the work of others as their own.
=> Also 'Protect A Volunteer' has some allegations that it's a scam. <=
You may want to consider supporting YouTube and similar channels directly (Patreon, if they're selling stuff, etc) as there seem to be some efforts to get their channels 'demonetized'.
If you know any Ukrainians (displaced or otherwise), give them the following info:
Register of Damage for Ukraine (European Union site so russia can be charged / fined for the damage they caused and victims compensated; this in part will help justify giving seized russian money to Ukraine): https://rd4u.coe.int/en/documents(also in Ukrainian: https://rd4u.coe.int/uk/documents )
Beware of lighters, power banks, flashlights, or other devices in de-occupied areas because they could be rigged with explosives. There have also been stories of booby trapped teddy bears and even animals left in booby trapped closets.
If you or someone you know is in a situation where unknown persons demand money for the "liberation" of a relative from captivity, immediately contact the United Center for the Search and Release of Prisoners: +38 067 650-83-32, +38 098 087-36-01
I trust Timothy Snyder on this….and at this point, fear is not an option.
“If you are thinking today about how to help Ukrainians, here are some possibilities: Come Back Alive (Ukrainian NGO that supports soldiers on the battlefield and veterans), United 24 (the Ukrainian state platform for donations, with many excellent projects), RAZOM (an American NGO, tax-deductible for US citizens, which cooperates with Ukrainian NGOS to support civilians), and Documenting Ukraine (a project that helps to give Ukrainians a voice, also tax-deductible for Americans)”
You are correct, so apparently, the Republicans legislators who refuse to stand up to this and do their bloody job and stop this are far from decent! If you have a Republican legislator, please contact them every single day and remind them it is you who helped them get their job and it is you who will move them out of their job!
Don't think it's going to calm you down but you are not alone Carol, there are millions like you. I'm one of them and you are another one. Calm down and carry on. 🫠
Well, at least all the cards are on the table now, in plain sight. tRump and his band of dumb thugs have proven beyond all doubt they are wannabe dictators and fascists. If anyone in the world is still unsure about this fact, then someone should check their pulse.
I make calls. But please don't try to call representatives outside your district and state. They won't listen and it makes it harder for their constituents to get through. Send postcards instead!
You can leave a message. I had no problem doing that after hours. My representatives are Democrats. We need to change the minds of these Republicans! Tell them they will be voted out.
Impeachment may be in order Marlo, but it’s not going to happen until Democrats regain control of Congress. That’s the immediate task before us. Let’s do it!
If Liz Cheney can speak out, where are former Dem leaders? Why the silence from Obama, Clintons, et al? Where is Schumer? If foreign leaders are shocked, so are ordinary Americans!!
The Dems are laying low. Which is a gigantic mistake. Considering that Musk and Vance are working overtime to take control of the federal government.
Their "philosopher guide" Yarvin reads history, like Putin. And he twists history to justify his anarchic dreams, like Putin. (See the Substack Dark Mirror. Don't subscribe but read Yarvin's mush and realize that VP Vance is a fanboy.)
The Dems are leaving a void that Musk and Vance are filling. They are not objecting/shutting down Musk's requirement that 2.2 million federal employees report directly to HIM! The Press and the Dems don't seem to have a problem with this. Astounding.
This is a class war coup. The ruling class in the Democrats are going to have far more in common with the ruling class in the Republicans than not. Being in a class of extreme wealth often creates cultural decay and moral cowardice even amongst the best individuals.
Trump has always longed to belong to the inner circle -- any inner circle. He didn't get that while being a real estate "mogul" (ahem) in Manhattan, as the elite of Manhattan thought he was a crude buffoon, so he's trying to get it now -- to the peril of all of us.
He'll be always a tragic, crude buffoon no matter what. His running mate is the real and present danger by being smarter and articulated and being a puppet controlled by Peter Thiel.
Trump is trying to make Crude Buffooning somehow "cool", but he is tanking US world wide esteem and leverage . Putin declares his approval, but only for his own handiwork. Putin is evil, but he is not a fool. He surely knows what Trump and his coterie really are. A US country run by crude buffoons is suiting his predatory purposes.
No wonder Putin's intelligence apparatus and psychological war experts been working non stop to make sure he would be president since before 2016. Thanks for your comment J L.
Hence the shift away from the working class and labor by the Democratic party of the last many years. And, well, here we are. A day late and a dollar short. The one thing i know for sure is that they are few and we are many.
The problem with this line of thought is that it’s at its base, untrue. The difference being MAGAs promises to the working and middle classes which were never fulfilled, vs. Dems having worked to improve those classes and at the same time become more inclusive. The working and middle classes took these programs for granted. Now it’s FAFO.
So then, it is working class apathy and complacency and not Democratic priority in policy that left them looking for a message, any message which the other party capitalized on?
Gregg, as the expression goes, "It's complicated."
Democrats are trying to do a post mortem on the '24 election while the christo-fascist goons and the techno-fascist rapists are storming through U.S. Government at top speed, slashing and burning as they go. The situation is so dire, it's almost pointless to discuss what anyone did yesterday, much less, last year.
To say that Dems abandoned the working class is just not accurate. Yes, Dems have courted financial support from deep-pocketed donors, but they have never deserted their constituents, unlike GOP legislators. The financial factor in the U.S. electoral process has been exaggerated by Citizens United. (A pox on SCOTUS!) Nowadays, nobody can play to win without vast sums of money and a 4-year campaign.
But to focus on economics is to overlook all the other factors that are hindering Democrats. I don't claim to know all of them, but I recognize a few.
The U.S. electorate has a short collective memory. We can't even remember the state of affairs 5 years ago, let alone, 150 years ago, when robber barons ruled from their marble mansions and workers had NO rights, NO benefits and NO agency in determining their futures. Moreover, Americans have never lived under a dictatorship, and have no idea what it's like. Donald TOLD us he would be a dictator, couched in nonsense about sharks and wet batteries. Nobody took him seriously.
Racism, misogyny and homophobia are not just the province of Republicans. A lot more Democrats harbor these prejudices than we can bring ourselves to admit.
Media and messaging have been a huge failure for Democrats, but this alone didn't lose the battle.
No doubt, there are more factors than I'm mentioning. But to focus on one is to miss the big picture
Point taken, sir. I did say " the shift away" and not abandon. Nevertheless, I shall stand corrected. It is indeed complicated. There is a class system within the Democratic party and I am trying to make sense of it as we hurtle headlong backwards toward feudalism, I guess.
Well, it seems Trump has most of the 1% behind him. That has been a gigantic thumb on the scale since at least Reagan (never absent, but far more assertive since, and successful in government capture). And yeah, I get a lot of Email from Democrats that's just high pressure sales pitch, not real adult to adult communication.
"But the main culprit, the cancer on the body politic, is money: Money, money, money. When I ran 6 years ago, in 1998, I raised $8.5 million. That $8.5 million is $30,000 a week, every week, for 6 years. If you miss Christmas week, you miss New Years week, you are $100,000 in the hole and don't you think we don't know it and we start to work harder at raising money.
As a result, the Senate doesn't work on Mondays and Fridays. We have longer holidays. The policy committee is adjourned and we go over to the campaign building because you can't call for money in the office. So we go over to the building and call for money and obviously we only can give attention to that. We don't have time for each other. We don't have time for constituents, except for the givers. Somebody ought to tell the truth about that. Unless and until we excise this cancer, the Congress and Government is going to languish alone because it has to be done."
I apologize for the ugly link but please watch it. Here’s my take—Jeffries has set up responders Raskin and Neguese. They are smart guys like himself, and also lawyers. I understand Dems are trying to keep it together but Responders need to be people who can get our attention first— AOC/Jasmine Crockett/Bernie Sanders/David Hogg style. Remember the joke about getting a donkey’s attention by hitting him on the head first. Respectfully Mr Jeffries and Mr Schumer—add some FIREBRANDS!!
Once you get to the link you provided (that starts with "Thanks Joan"), you can select to see it on YouTube then do like I did and access it through the much shorter named link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo-l901DoiU
Gigi, Thanks, I appreciate you communicating your take, and I'll be more careful with links in the future. Yes, FIREBRANDS!! As mild-mannered people face their reluctance to flame in public, more may be in the making each day as we blow on embers.
Agreed but Yarvin's substack is entitled Gray Mirror. Vance acknowledges that Yarvin is a major influence on him. Here's a quote from his latest post. That this guy is influencing the VP of the US is chilling. One sentence, and you know you are in cuckoo land.
"I’m worried that the resemblance between President Trump’s Gaza plan and mine will contribute to the weird delusion that I am secretly running the world. No, actually, (a) I have not talked to anyone important about Gaza; and (b) the idea is obvious, anyway.
I realize that it seems improbable that we would both have the same crackpot idea. No. It is extremely probable, because the President and I inhabit the same reality. We are both looking up and noticing that the sky is blue. Most people live in crackpot world, where the sky is green and our present Middle East policy is sane. Reality has started to seep into this crackpot world, and the mixture is… remarkable."
I am pretty sure it’s a strategy. Keep the focus on Trump and Vance while they are getting trashed from piller to post. i read they are not going to interrupt his Inaugural Address either. i’ll read about it. i shun him. i think that may be what the Dems are doing, too. He hates to be ignored.
I agree Tina. One or two Dems made it into the news. They have to get a group together in front of the cameras and clutch their pearls and be shocked! Shocked! at this horrific event. Stop looking for money and make some noise.
Harsh but true words Laurie. Jeffries also the same problem. I get that they need to keep it together but the first responders Jeffries is talking about are also explainers. Headline getters are needed. Sanders, Warren, Buttigieg, AOC, Crockett, get a crowd in front of the mics. Schumer and Jeffries can stand there too. Do you agree?
The Dem replacement for the retiree is pretty good. She will be giving the response to the State of the Union address. I hope our former Secretary of Transportation will run for Peters' seat.
I called Johnson, Peter’s & Jeffries today. Russia needs to be defeated without concessions. Putin ILLEGALLY invaded a sovereign country after Russia had signed an agreement never to do so (Budapest Memorandum). Ukraine should be allowed to join NATO for future protection as Russia cannot be trusted (nor can we apparently). No other country is asking to be repaid. We made our bed by not stopping Russia (Crimea, Georgia, Trump’s delay of the weapons resulting in his first impeachment), now we have to lie in it.
They should have gone out to say goodbye to Zelenskyy and then immediately called a press conference. Their voices need to be heard -- in unison - objecting to this dismantling of America.
Did the Democrats leaders even TRY to give Zelensky an opportunity to counter the misinformation spread by Trump and Vance in that meeting? A press conference? A one-on-one interview?
Of Note: 28-Feb-2025: On the Bill Maher Show, Chrystia Freeland of Canada appeared... Chrystia is very accomplished, having among other things, Canadian Finance Minister, served as Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, been a financial journalist, and importantly, helped negotiate the current, CUSMA, trade deal between Canada, the United States, and Mexico... She knows DJT, and DJT knows her... Chrystia, like Zelenskyy is small in statue, but giant in presence... Chrystal's Mother is Ukrainian, and Chrystia studied in Ukraine, and
is fluent in Ukrainian... While she studied in the Ukraine, Chrysytia was followed by the KGB since they considered Chrystia to be a Ukrainian Activist... By the time her activism
within Ukraine came to an end, Freeland had become the subject of a high-level case study from the KGB on how much damage a single determined individual could inflict on the
Soviet Union; a 2021 Globe and Mail article quoted the report by a former officer of the KGB, which had described Freeland as "a remarkable individual", "erudite, sociable,
persistent, and inventive in achieving her goals"... Chrystia is an excellent Communicator, with excellent People Skills, and very Intelligent... She is considered to be the likely next Prime Minister of Canada... On the Bill Maher Show, Chrystia declared that she will defend Canadian Interests... Canada will have a Good Leader... Slava Ukraine!!!
Apache, Canada needs a leader who can BEAT PIERRE POILLIEVRE—the spawn of Donald Trump! His rhetoric mimics that of any tyrant, not just Trump. Canadians must vote for the person who can beat Poilievre and protect Canada’s sovereignty and national security. Keep your eyes wide open, please!
I watched that interview. She's completely new to me, no surprise since I'm in NorCal, but she seemed very sharp and quite solid. Maher can be a hard case, making it difficult for folks to get a word in edgewise, but she had no trouble dominating the interview. And I think he liked her.
I would rate Ms Freeland's chances of beating out Mark Carney for leader of the Liberal Party (and thus Prime Minister till the next election) as maybe 1 in 5 at best.
And the Liberal Party's chances of winning the next election, not very long from now, certainly by the autumn of this year, maybe sooner, are maybe 1 in 4 (and if Trudeau had stayed on, 1 in 20.)
I agree that Freeland is impressive, and has Trump's number. He has said he does not like her, which is already a point in her favour.
While I think Chrystia Freeland would make a great PM, she is not a shoo-in. Her biggest competitor is Mark Carney, former head of the Bank of Canada and later of the Bank of England.
Thanks Jude... We can hope... Chrystia has interesting Opinions on the Global Oligarchs... Wikipedia has interesting Details... Canada needs a Strong Leader to defend it from Predatory DJT...
I know. I thought Nixon was bad. And Reagan. And Bush. And Mitch McConnell and so very many others. And yes, this is beyond scary and mean. And for all of us beyond what we could have imagined.
All those politicians that "we thought were bad" WERE bad...they paved the way for our current cowardly, insecure, fascist man-baby prez and his little heinie-licking fascist side-kick vp. I have never been more disgusted than I was upon viewing that crass, barbaric ambush of a man who has more integrity and courage in his little finger than both drump and vance have EVER had. And, I'm disgusted with the Dems as well--I have gotten almost more begging texts in the past few weeks than I did during the run-up to the election.
Hey, elected Dems: instead of begging for more and yet more money, howsabout DOING SOMETHING--ANYTHING! and THEN asking for money?
Yeah--in the same place TL as you are. All I get are "we want you to be our ATM" messages from the Dems. And many are likely not even legit, but Russian and Chinese bots, as that was demonstrated to be the case last year during the campaign. I identify all of them as "junk" and I refuse to give them a penny. One thing: if you communicate with your member of Congress directly (if they are a Dem), as I do with Mr. Cleaver, my Congressman, they will communicate information. The problem is that the usual press outlets are so terrified of the Felon, they don't report on stuff that is happening. And the Dems in Congress are really crappy about reporting their activities to their constituents as a rule. We have to keep up the pressure regardless.
I think they may not care as long as they are seeing that the "libs" are feeling pain. Up to a point, that is. When they lose their SNAP benefits and their Medicaid...there might be an awakening. Maybe.
As I have stated before, based on close personal observation, MAGA maniacs have a unique prism through which they view their fortunes. When things are going well for them, they credit Republicans. When GOP mismanagement makes things difficult, they blame "the government."
This is an extension of the evangelical point of view: "I believe, therefore I am always right; I am never wrong."
I have been thinking about how just plain sadistic they seem. It makes me wonder if they tortured animals when they were under 16 (and how many still feel the urge to torture not only animals but people like some of our worst enemies).
Trump & Vance should be BOTH be IMPEACHED for TREASON (aiding and abetting the enemy - Russia). They are both Russian assets, it’s obvious.
Contact your representatives:
(202) 225-3121
First, Trump had been in contact with Putin, negotiating Ukraine, BEFORE and WITHOUT Zelensky, our ally. Very insulting and not how you negotiate peace.
Second, Trump called Zelensky, the respected, President of a DEMOCRACY with 75% of the votes, a “dictator!” Saying he wasn’t having free elections! He also said Ukraine can’t join NATO. Sounds like Putin’s demands. Another insult.
Third, Trump (I won’t call him president because of the illegally purged black votes & hacked tabulators Harris is the true president!) announced Ukraine “started the war.” Either Trump has severe dementia or he is stupid; both a possibility. It was Russia who invaded Ukraine, REPEATEDLY. THEY are the AGGRESSORS!
Fourth, just arriving at the White House from a ravaged war torn country, dignified President Zelensky is immediately criticized by Trump for what he was wearing! Musk, the richest man in the world, wears t-shirts & baseball caps & emphasizes his disrespect by bringing his 3 year old son to the oval office who then proceeds to pick the buggars out of his nose, putting them on the Lincoln desk.
With Trump’s prior insulting comments (lies) made about him, insulting him by not meeting with Zelensky FIRST, but meeting with the war criminal dictator & aggressor Putin, that’s enough to make anyone upset. Trump & Vance had NO excuse.
Fourth, THINK of what Zelensky went through to just to get to the White House from a ravaged country of 3 years. No airports. Helicopters, long train rides, etc. It probably took an entire day. He didn’t even get lunch after struggling to get there from a war zone. (He probably arrived hungry thinking they would provide lunch after he came that great distance. Is that any way to treat a guest?).
Fifth, we SIGNED a commitment in 1994 - the “Budapest Memorandum” y along with the UK, Northern Ireland and Russia! Why isn’t anyone talking about this??
In 1994 Ukraine ONLY agreed to hand over their HUGE STASH of nuclear weapons to Russia 'in exchange for a guarantee never to be threatened or invaded.' And to be protected if such an invasion occurred.
***If Ukrainian had KEPT those nuclear warheads, and they should have, Russia would never have dared to invade, EVER!•••
Ukraine was the ONLY country that honored this agreement.
Obviously, Russia, the invader, did NOT keep the commitment, but the United States MUST.
Perhaps Trump, being the non reader, poor student he was, doesn’t know about this commitment. But no wonder Zelensky doesn’t trust Russia to keep another agreement! Who should? Like Trump, Putin LIES and CHEATS and has repeatedly shown HIS WORD IS NOT GOOD!
Russia broke the agreement so they have NO bargaining power. This is what should happen:
1. Russia should return ALL of Ukraine’s land.
2. Russia should return ALL of the stockpile of nuclear warheads Ukraine gave Russia since they broke the agreement or better replace with new.
3. Russia should pay to rebuild Ukraine.
4. No other country is asking to be reimbursed. The United States did NOT give Ukraine $350 billion. That is another Trump LIE. We gave them ILD war equipment & we bough new to replace them.
5. The United States should not get anything from Ukraine - NO MINERALS. The United States did nothing when Russia took Crimea & Georgia. If they had, this total devastation & loss of lives would not have occurred. The United States, UK , N. Ireland did not come to Ukraine’s rescue when Russia invaded. All four countries broke the agreement.
6. Since neither the U.S., UK, N.Ireland nor Russia held to the agreement, Ukraine SHOULD be allowed to join NATO. They earned it. That will assure no future invasions of their county.
By agreeing to these terms along with staying out of our elections, Putin is getting off lightly because Putin is now a war criminal and should really be sentenced to death. He did irreparable harm to babies, raping women, kidnapping children, bombing hospitals, etc. Not to mention the devastation of people’s homes, the infrastructure, loss of lives, the emotional and physical trauma, etc.
DON’T GIVE IN! The ball is in your court. Russia is sweating.
Sincerely,
A very SHOCKED, ASHAMED and HORRIFIED American citizen. I apologize, respect and support you. We all agree, we would prefer it if you were our President!
“This Memorandum will become applicable upon signature. Signed in four copies having an equal validity in the Ukrainian, English, and Russian languages.”
I'm sorry, but until the Dems are a majority in the House...trying to impeach the orange arsehole is not only useless, but a waste of time and effort which could be directed at other, perhaps more productive, issues. As long as Trump and his MAGAs have their tentacles in every branch and crevice of government--what's left of it--and own the entire legislative branch, trying to impeach Trump simply will not fly.
Impeachment was tried TWICE already and even though we held the House at that point, drump still slithered out of it thanks to McConnell.
Well, don't you remember how disgusted the Repubbies were--even McConnell--after January 6? By the time the impeachment charges were argued, even McConnell had reconsidered and Trump was able to slither away. yes, many Republicans are appalled...but I doubt their dismay and disgust would last beyond considerations of Trump's vindictiveness. The Republicans are invertebrates and even if they are currently primed for an impeachment trial...I don't think it would last long enough to follow through.
Totally agree. There needs to be a ground swell grass roots movement to impeach. 100 million or more of us should be calling our representatives and senators as you suggest and demand it.
They may be invertebrates, but 100 million plus of us are not. The definition of treason is betraying one's country. It they are not guilty of treason, then we are all not living in the same country.
• Why is he letting others demolish our agencies that are “watchdogs” so he or others can’t be held accountable for corruption?
• Why is he removing ALREADY drastically cut IRS personnel at TAX season (dumb) - people that brought in $$$$$$$$ BILLIONS from tax fraud. I guess Trump doesn’t want the IRS snooping in his taxes…
• Why doesn’t he have the wealthy & corporations pay their fair share in taxes instead of giving them $4.5 trillion cuts and then scramble to cut needed areas from the poor and perhaps suddenly unemployed?
• Why isn’t Trump FOLLOWING the LAW in doing the cuts? It is ILLEGAL for him to fire Inspector Generals, cut/dismantle agencies Congress created and approved funding for. There is a LAWFUL PROCESS! That is the heart of democracy!
Trump is IGNORING that process. He is IGNORING COURT ORDERS to unfreeze the freeze in spending the allocated funds already approved by Congress. How is THAT “smart.” That is a DICTATORSHIP!
Sigh. Don't they realize trump has never ever "hid his light under a bushel"? That he is simply incapable of such subtlety. He wears his brags and "accomplishments" on his sleeve.
I'll admit it isn't always easy to see where he is being himself and where he is acting on orders and/or talking points from Moscow...but if you look carefully to see where Trump sees immediate advantage for himself--or a chance to avenge a grievance--you can usually figure out where he's going to go. He cannot for the life of him plan for his own long-range benefit--he's too impulsive. But he certainly can follow the orders of someone who does have the ability plan long range. Unfortunately.
Yes and the Repubbies are already hard at work trying to get voter suppression laws enacted (SAVE Act, anybody!??) and otherwise diddling with the people in charge of the processes. I don't think it is going to be enough to simply turn out the vote this time--it's going to require Dem strength of character to demand count challenges and recounts--just as the Repubbies have done for the last several elections. We also need to resist the Republican rush to declare winners when the votes have been only half counted. We must be ready to demand investigations and then there will be tussles to pry losers out of their offices if they insist that they won. Trump has set some very ugly precedents for his followers. I say be prepared for battle, comes election season 2026.
You're RIGHT, Nixon was Disgusting! Reagan was Disgusting, Bush and Shrub were Disgusting! But Americans kept voting for them. Again and again. The ReThuglikins, have screwed us for a generation or two already. It seems that this is the first time since Raygun that anybody aside from Progressives even noticed. I'm sorry, but I just can't get my knickers into a knot because the Right is acting Very Wrongly AGAIN! YOU KNEW THEY WERE SNAKES ALREADY!!! RISE UP AMERICA!
I’m also 82—turning 83 on March 4—and have come to the painful realization that we do not truly live in a democracy. If we did, we wouldn’t be on the brink of a fascist takeover. How can any American comprehend a president fawning over a murderous dictator while turning his back on our historic allies? If that isn’t surreal, I don’t know what is.
And I though the scumbag president was bad, till a saw the Manchurian Candidate execute a preplanned aggression against an ally leader fighting for democracy and also for us. What the scumbag president did was a reaction, what the Manchurian did was executing a plan. I'm not defending trump, I just describing the event as it happened. Vance is a present dange to our republic.
but look at the line of succession - after Vance, Speaker Christian Nationalist and room-temperature-IQ Johnson, and after Johnson, Secretary of State Rubio. Wow! Talk about an anti-assassination agenda! (And Musk will keep running the country into the ground whoever is president.)
Events of Great Change In Mathematics, are Called Catastrophes... I hope that 2025 is not like 1914... 1914 usured in the Catastrophes of the 20th Century...
I'm 77 and I agree. John Simpson's comment definetly describes my fears, my dissolutionment, my bewilderment at what Donald Trump and his supporters have done to the country I love: "A time when the basic assumptions about the way our world works are fed into the shredder." The Republican Congress members have helped Trump feed our values into the shredder, and that is so disdainful and unbelievable. I hold them responsible for allowing Trump and Musk to rip my country apart, piece by piece.
I am 82 years old and I have never seen anything as disgusting as the actions of Trump and his henchmen these past 6 weeks. Yesterday’s berating of President Zelenskyy was horrible, a complete failure of diplomacy, an embarrassment to this country. And to think I thought Nixon was bad…
I think even Ronald Reagan would be horrified and ballistic over an American President think of himself as BFF to Putin and that that was a good thing 🤮
I thought it was very telling that Zelenskyy went on Fox and invoked Reagan's name directly. He knows. And he's talking to the American people. If he can believe in us, we can believe in him...
Ronald Reagan would have been beyond Horrified by DJT, and Mini-Me JD...
I would like to hear some notable repubs be horrified—Bush,Pence, Romney, Cheney…hellooo?
Liz Cheney has gone on record as opposing what Trump has been doing.
I grew up thinking the name Cheney was that of the devil, but I am now in deep deep respect and admiration for those Republicans who do stand up to the craziness. Yay Liz Cheney!
Putin wants to invade Ukraine and steal its valuable resources. Trump promised to end that war without saying how he would do it. Now we know how. He and Vance told Zelensky that they would "save" his country from Putin by having the United States invade Ukraine and steal its valuable recourses instead. Trump is making the US the scorn of the civilized world.
Ahhh, the Art of the Deal David! ...the substance of a true shyster and grifter laid bare!
The Art of the Heel
Bravo!
Never thought "back then" i'd ever be cheering on the neocons Cheyneys including Liz.
Unless I have missed it, no neocon has spoken against Trump. There will be a place in history for them in the chapter titled, "Enablers."
I’m not exactly sure who qualifies as a neocon, but John Bolton has spoken out.
True. But it has been a long, long road for Mr. Bolton. Anyone remember Bolton's role In the "Brooks Brothers" DC intervention in the Florida National Election Gore-Bush count?
I recall Bolton was the poster Boy with beedy eyes & mustache looking up against light at a election ballot to inspect the infamous "hanging chad".
Or should I refer to the episode as the Bush-Gore-Stop-Counting Election? Reminder to Attorneys, SCOTUS ruled we cannot cite their Bush-Gore Opinion for anything much less "Black Letter" law.
Her father was anathema to me and the wing nut across the street looks and sounds like him. However, I am glad that Liz is speaking out as did Pence recently.
me too, ive been impressed by Pence of late, whatever the rest of it.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
Absolutely!!
Mao said this about allying with Chang Kai-shek against the Japanese invaders.
its a famous stratagem, played through history, often more like a multi-centred venn diagram.
Back then, not long ago, I thought that nobody would be worse than them....I was so wrong....😫
Remember that in the next election. Not all conservatives have horns and tails (and not all liberals have common sense.)
I'm still trying to figure out why most Republicans are going along with Trump's agenda. Are they really afraid (what liberals want to think) or are they truly fed up and find Trump a useful tool (what liberals can't fathom)?
G.R.E.E.D.
Exactly 💯 %
That broad brush which liberals use to paint conservatives is part of the reason we just lost the election. I'm talking about voters that supported Republican candidates in the last several elections. Greed is not close to one of the adjectives of use.
Maybe stupidity?
Je: Have you bothered actually talking to any of them? Look at what the Dems agenda has done to America in the last 4 years:
UKRAINE: got us into a never-ending war because Biden gave Zelenski enough to keep fighting but not enough to win.
BORDER: deliberately let millions upon millions of people , most of whom cannot speak English and will need OUR social assistance dollars for the foreseeable future. loose in our country.
CRIME: allowed AGs across the country to NOT criminalize theft or violence and have also let many violent illegals loose; refuse to prosecute theft under $100 dollars, leading to invasions of shoplifters and locked-up merchandise.
RIOTS: Refused to lock up/prosecute BLM rioters who actually killed cops in summer 2020, while calling a few trespassers on Jan 6 "insurrectionists" when not one of them had a gun, and the 5 people who died that day were all non-violent Trump supporters.
LAWBREAKING: Siccing the DOJ and crooked lawyers/judges on any opposition politician who threatened to unseat Biden, ie Trump and RFKJr.
ELECTION: removed elected President without Dem voter input, then inserted Kamala Harris as candidate without Dem voter input, while blaming Trump for "threatening democracy".
Continued: There were only two choices in 2024. Why do you THINK we voted for Trump?
tell us, please. Why DID you vote for DJT.
But none of the rest of the Republican members of Congress.
Anything lately? I’m afraid she was threatened after Donnie’s last outburst. M
REAL Republicans like Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, Steve Schmidt, and the people at The Bulwark have been QUITE vocal in their opposition for years. I've seen strong denunciations by all three in the wake of this most recent disaster. I don't have time to watch long-winded, time-filling videos from Schmidt and the Bulwark folks, but they're all doing the right thing.
I've been watching the podcasts you mention, Jim Brown, the Lincoln Project for several years. I find their commentary more illuminating than staunch Dems in most cases, although I also watch Brian Tyler Cohen and the Meidas Bros. The interesting thing is that they're more or less of one voice: they're for trimming waste, fraud, and abuse from gov't spending, and they say frequently that Elump is only cutting programs that hurt the bottom to renew tax cuts for the top, that how they're doing it is illegal and unconstitutional, and that they are crass, crazy, greedy kleptocrats shoving money into their personal pockets. There are no different sides to the aisle when it comes to supporting the constitution or loving democracy. We're either for American ideals or against it. Elump is emphatically and shamefully against.
So true! The American people need to flood the regime with emails written in all caps reminding them that this is OUR MONEY and should not be redistributed to the wealthy. And the Repubs are going to fired for poor performance. Instead of the snarky subject line: “Fork in the Road,” our emails’ subject line should read: “Pitchforks in the Street.”
Stephanie, on alt national park service there was a post that said EPA workers are being treated like criminals with visits from the F.B.I. because they have been doing their jobs. Not only is the country is the country becoming a s...thole country in terms of foreign affairs, etc, but it will be literally a s...thole place to live...unless you are rich.
Dear Michele - I just read about the FBI coming down on the EPA as if it were a criminal organization. It is an alarming turn of events much like what happened to Zelensky in the Oval Office. This nation is devolving into a police state much like the Soviet Union was with the FBI becoming the American version of the KGB. I don't feel safe any longer. Who's next?
L. we the people is next.
My husband just told me that little johnson thinks that Zelens'ky should resign. And muskrat think we should leave NATO and the UN. WTH.
Michele,let's get rich then. Problem solved 😄
Oh yeah.
If one truly sought to trim waste, whether resulting from fraud, negligence, or slap dash purchasing protocols, why wouldn't one look first at the defense department spending? It is the largest item in the budget, and they have a long record of being unable to account for their assets or to pass an audit. This omission by the Muskrats is a clear signal that the waste cutting is just a smokescreen for their adoption of the 2025 agenda and their proposed tax cuts, which will transfer trillions from the middle and less well off classes to Uber wealthy billionaires and corporations.
I agree 100%, Fred Krasner. It's obvious to even the most casual observer that they have no interest in coming up with a better budget. They're looking in the couch cushions for enough change to cover the renewal of T1 tax cuts. And the irony is that they'd get there a bunch faster if they did look at military spending. But that would cut into Elon's take, which would never do.
Of course, the cost-cutting is just a smoke screen for the real reason Musk is firing staff in departments that oversee his businesses and the departments that Trump has a personal distaste for. What I find ironic is that Musk stood up at the first cabinet meeting talking about how much money is devoted to servicing the debt and yet Trump wants Congress to remove the debt ceiling limit. What a bunch of nitwits.
They offer only sound not device ideas for actions! Sound will not change or cure.
Jim, interesting to hear your comments about the long videos. Me too. Schmidt has strong points but they to take forever to get to them
Sometimes it seems as if they're being paid by the minute.
Oh, really? I've been following Steve Schmidt on Substack and like his writing and opinions. I was not aware that he's a Republican; he sure doesn't sound like one! So, I agree about Liz Cheney and now Steve Schmidt. I found the Bulwark to be incoherent, so I dropped my subscription to that.
He was McCain’s campaign manager and the person most responsible for choosing Sarah Palin as the VP candidate. He was also a principal supporter of the Dean Phillips candidacy against Biden in the 2024 primary.
To me, Schmidt seems to write in a sort of ersatz West Wing tone while practicing the usual Republican hackish politics.
I’ve always had the impression that he’s in it for himself. I was considering McCain as a candidate when they stuck Palin in there. I had great respect for the McCain family when I lived in Arizona. He would have been my first Republican vote.
Steve is not a Republican . He became a Democrat when Trump was elected. He did work for McCain but has stated repeatedly in his posts that he did not have anything to do with picking Palin..
Schmidt is one of the best friends the Resustance has.
The choice of Palin caused my mother, a diehard Republican up to that point, to start voting for Democrats. She says she’s never going back.
Hmm, I didn't know those things about Schmidt. Thanks for mentioning it.
Steve Schmidt gave us Sarah Palin.
No.he did not. Go back to some of his posts and he talks at length about that
He was a founder of The Lincoln Project. He managed John McCain’s campaign.
Schmidt broke ranks in favor of Dean Phillips against Biden. https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/steve-schmidt-advising-dean-phillips-1234864257/
btw, I just turned 84, so I'm no spring chicken, either, Kelly Brest van Kempen.
Schmidt used to be a Republican. Not anymore.
Schmidt is a disillusioned Republican, and worked for John McCain’s campaign of late. Knows how it works within the public, was part of the initial Lincoln Project group.
YES! Where are the Clintons, Bush, Biden, Harris, Obama????
Yesterday, I noted to a friend who was asking the same thing that there has seemingly always been this unspoken "code" amongst ex-Presidents that once they are out of office they refrain from any and all interference in succeeding administrations. The glaring exception to this, of course, is the current interloper in the White House, who has never avoided any opportunity to open his big yap. However, it would seem to me that the situation right now demands "all hands on deck" in defending our democracy, so any such "codes", or "gentlemen's agreements", should be put by the wayside.
I agree. I understand the traditional 'code' but, as you say, what's happening today is not traditional and is definitely endangering our country. My only hope is that the formers are silently gathering and preparing their own "Project 2025" to destroy this regime.
James Carville, from Louisiana, says we should roll over and play dead and let the Regime dig itself a ditch. But how to recover and how long to shovel all that dirt back in?
To paraphrase Ellen Glasgow, “The only difference between a ditch and a grave are the dimensions.”
Carville is older than the dirt removed from a ditch. He was once a brilliant strategist, but his strategies worked in a world that is very different from the one we live in now.
If Donald's handlers are allowed to wreak havoc at the pace they are currently keeping, humanity will not survive long enough to repair the damage.
I agree. Carville's idea may be workable, but we can't wait any longer. We've waited 9 years too long all ready.
The "Python" is wrong on his one. Pythons just keep squeezing. The Nation is stressed out.
You can almost feel the widespread anxiety. Anxiety breeds misperceptions then mis-reporting then more confusion. All that leads to PANIC as the nation witnessed yesterday at the Dallas TX, National Cheerleaders gathering. A "loud noise " turned into a "loud pop" which morphed into "pop, pop, pop" which triggered a police & ambulance overreaction from a "fight"
Do not Play Dead.
Like Rachel Maddow taught me ... go to a valid LOCAL news source. The Dallas Morning News:
"What we know about incident at the NCA cheer competition at Kay Bailey Hutchinson"
Byran, you can actually feel the anxiety and read about it. On Nextdoor yesterday, some poor soul worried about Medicare and a mess physically was calling for people to join her in a protest at the state capitol downtown..Salem, Oregon. Often I see wingnuts there.
James Carville can eat dirt. I can't even listen to him. And the hubris....
Carville is wealthy. A lot of people can’t afford to just roll over.
This is a all hands on deck moment. I am disappointed beyond belief that the former Presidents and VP Harris, and Sec. Clinton are MIA.
Whenever I see someone mention, "Where are the past Dem Presidents?" I wonder how devastating this moment is to them. They were all civil servants who dedicated their lives to strengthening our country. And we elect a mobster conman who told us who he was for a decade as he built enough power to destroy our country. Why is it on them to fix our disastrous mess if we chose it? I understand their silence as a reasonable reaction to OUR absolute rejection of all their work, vision, and morality.
It is not on them to fix this mess. But it would be nice to know they are in favor of fixing it. Evil is allowed to flourish when good people stay silent.
I believe Obama has spoken out. Frankly, short of some special ops, I am not sure exactly what can be done.
They are the least of my worries. Every one of them are multi-millionaires. We elected?! No "we" did not.
Doing what? Howling into the void like the rest of us?
The Continuing Resolution (CR) to extend federal spending and avert a government shutdown ends March 14, 2025.
I suspect (hope!) Dems are waiting for the upcoming budget shit show in order to get more of the public on board. In this country, most people don't react until it affects them personally.
There are some - Jamie Raskin, AOC, Bernie Sanders, etc. - who are speaking out. The formers could join them if for nothing else to show they are against what trump is doing. After all, it is we the people who have to vote them out or protest them out or revolt them out. It would be good to know who all supports us.
Yes! Bernie is always the one I want for a leader. He was treated shamefully by the Democratic party which did all it could to stop him from becoming our president. A populist president, truly looking out for the people and the planet. Another ginormous error that we will never stop paying for.
Bernie was treated shamefully by the Dems? You do realize he is not a Democrat? And when he was losing, he tried to force a rule change—in the middle of the primaries—to benefit his candidacy? The party he disdains treated him shamelessly? And he then sat out the Clinton campaign acting angry and disaffected?
Bernie, who has never passed a significant piece of legislation he sponsored is to me a perfect example of why activists should not be elected to office.
Yes, I do realize that he is an Independent. I don't care about party affiliation--I focus on humanity, character, and heart. He is the only one I've seen in the sea of selfishness and ambition that is our 2 party system in decades. Carter was the last.
Tom, personally, I have never liked Bernie, but do like some of his ideas. I would have voted for him had he been the candidate. And had HRC won, we would not be in the mess. It was a dire enough situation in 2016 especially with the Supreme Court that people should have held their noses.
Hillary was more qualified. Period. However, in retrospect I believe Bernie may have been able to overcome the suddenly emboldened misogynistic crowd rejecting Hillary. She did win the popular vote.
becky, some of them are being affected personally including some of those who voted for death star.
Indeed! Where are they??? We need them to speak.
You are exactly right, Gigi! This entire Trump mess lays at the feet of the Republican Party. GOP now stands for something like Gone Out Partying. Yes, there are a few vocal Republicans, but most (all?) of those in “power” are silent, publicly and, apparently, privately.
It’s going to take some time, but the Trump Demolition Squad (TDS, right?) will do enough damage to make taking action obvious and imperative.
In the meantime, We, the Shut Him Up Totally (SH!T) Brigade need to protect each other and those most vulnerable and do what we can to survive. This cleanup is not in the hands of the press or the late night comedians. We need to encourage (NOOE DEMAND) our Senators, Representatives, Governors - of all stripes - to get to work NOW!
There're no more Republicans Gigi.
Either they are exiled in their houses or they arr msga. No other options for them.
They are Nazis. All of them.
Absolutely Daniel.
That is gaslighting.
Study a little history. This is a mirror to 1930’s Germany.
There are some true Republicans out there, somewhere.
Not anymore. Anywhere.
Liz Cheny has spoken, not her father. As for the others, history will remember their silence. They are waiting to see if we revolt, so REVOLT (and call your congressperson)
He did speak out, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro8rkZ4HQZQ
In the 60s, we revolted. We were out in the street. We were sitting in. We were dragged away by the police. Why is everybody at home hoping someone else will do what we the people have to do?
because those of us who did all of that in the 60's are now in our 80's and doing as much as we can.....where are the younger people in the crowds that we were part of?
All in hiding
Window of opportunity to pressure Congressional Republicans.......
Picket. Sit in. Call. Write.
From Axios.
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), in a text to Axios, said Friday was "a bad day for America's foreign policy."
"Ukraine wants independence, free markets and rule of law. It wants to be part of the West. Russia hates us and our Western values. We should be clear that we stand for freedom," he said.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), in a post on X, called the meeting "a disaster — especially for Ukraine," adding, "Sadly, the only winner of today is Vladimir Putin.
When either or both grow the balls to stand up in Congress, and publicly state their opposition to the Nazis, I'll believe them. Until then, they're nothing but publicity hounds, and false patriots.
If they had any guts they would quit the Republican caucus, call themselves the Independent Caucus and vote with the Dems in a coalition, dump Mike Johnson and vote to impeach Trump and Vance. I guess I can dream.
You live near one of the Republican House members who says he wants to work with Dems.
David Joyce: (202) 225-5731 D.C. —— (440) 352-3939 District Office
2065 Rayburn House Office Building -- Washington, DC 20515
District Office: 8500 Station Street, Suite 390 — Mentor, OH 44060
You also live near Marcy Katur's district and she is orgainizing resistance in the House -- is a Dem chair of a biparisan House Committee.
Parma has more Ukrainian Amdericans per square inch than any city in America. To parqaphrase,. it started in Parma and went all the way....
We have had 2 rallies at his local office. He was a no-show both times, or at least stayed in hiding. I've sent daily emails to him, with no response to this point. I've called almost daily, and am greeted by a semi-conscious maybe-human. The man is a spineless eunuch. Ms. Kaptor is in the Toledo area, so out of my district. And there was a large Ukrainian support rally in Parma yesterday that did get some local TV coverage, and I believe Ms. Kaptor attended. I could not - this time. As to Joyce, he talks a good game, but if he ever HAD to state a position, he would piss in his pants on the spot.
I was just wondering around to my husband yesterday about how all the Ukrainian Americans feel about this. My best friend was Ukrainian growing up and her mom was like a second mom to me. It was a massive community of some of the greatest people I had the opportunity to learn from.
I don’t understand how Republicans are still getting elected to office in Ohio.
All four actions are good but calling seems to be the most effective and SO easy: (202) 224-3121
Adam Kinzinger is very outspoken in his opposition to the president and his administration. You can find him here on Substack!
I already subscribe and recommend him highly.
Cheney has expressed a certain horror.
Adam Kinzinger has been speaking out. He has a substack post you should check out.
Reagan set this up. He laid waste to the middle class, promoted hatred, homophobia and racism, and advanced the disastrous trickle-down theory. He and his policies were a precursor to every single thing the Republican Party is today. No wonder the Republican Party deifies him.
I felt the same way Barbara . . .but I am 78. To the MAGA's Regan is ancient history . . .if they have any sense of history at all . . .
Sadly O agree with you.
But let's not forget that the slide toward Trump began with Reagan (if not earlier, with Nixon's southern strategy and the now-famous Lewis Powell memo of 1971). The corporate tax cuts. The gutting of unions. The Clinton administration surely helped by repealing the Glass-Steagall Act, which had done a lot to keep corporate money in check. Then Bush II, along with being arguably the least competent president till Trump relieved him of the title, appointed John Roberts as chief justice of the Supreme Court and Samuel Alito as associate justice, which led to the godawful Citizens United decision (2010) even before we got the three McConnell-Trump appointees.
Susanna, and I can’t forget Clinton’s 1996 “welfare reform,” which converted a federal entitlement for poor families into a block grant for states. Red states chose to divert a lot of their block grants to surveillance of patents, and onerous requirements (like parenting classes, drug testing,etc) rather than the cash payments that paid rent. The whole country essentially froze benefits for the next quarter century. And that is when, for the first time, we experienced family homelessness. Once rents exceeded the entire cash benefit, homelessness increased in my county by 32% PER YEAR. THIS is what the GOP would love to see again.
Absolutely! I wish more people were making that connection.
Glass Steagall had absolutely nothing to do with keeping corporate money in check. It was passed in 1933 as a companion piece to establishing the FDIC.
It separated investment banking and commercial banking. It was written to protect depositor money by enduring that banks with depositor money could not engage in the inherently riskier activities of investment banking.
Its repeal was accompanied by substantially strengthened rules by the FDIC, the Fed, and the Comptroller of the Currency to limit the commingling of depositor money and investment banking activities.
But feel free to keep trying. Last time I read one of your comments, you blamed its repeal (and Clinton)—wrongly—for the real estate crisis.
So I guess the multiple marriages of investment banking and commercial banking had nothing to do with the wild speculation in derivatives (etc.) that led to the economic crash of the late Bush II administration? Asking for several friends . . .
As I have replied to you before, there was nothing in Glass Steagall that would have prevented banks from bundling shitty sub-prime mortgages and selling them as securities. Nor prevented investment brokers and investment bankers from buying them. Nor prevented insurance companies that went far beyond their capital adequacy from insuring them. Nor for corrupt rating agencies from assigning spuriously good investment grades as a way to curry favor with investment bankers.
This is a complicated subject and someone who doesn’t understand would not bother me. Except you sort of pretend you do, and get a snotty attitude when you’re challenged.
Feel free to tell your several friends.
Thanks for your explanation. I go for the simple idea that there will always be people who are looking for holes, ways to make money, regardless of it being at the expense of others. There are not enough laws, and will never be, to cover the cleverness cum corruption/ill will of people who are so disposed. We have great example of that in the White House.
Thank you for this response. For those of us still learning our history...Clinton became President when I was in college. He was my first Presidential vote! While I was thrilled about that, I admit I didn't pay as much attention to some of his policies in real time.
Just an aside.........do we still have the FDIC? Is our money safe?
Yes. For now.
Absolutely Susan. Why do people think the Republican Party calls him St. Ronny?
Thanks! Gotta say, I'm exasperated with all the people who think this all started with Trump. Trump is the endgame -- but I don't think Reagan and his crew, or even Bush II and *his* crew, had any idea we'd end up where we are now. (I'm still having trouble believing it myself.)
It grew... with enough ignorance and disinformation. Trump stepped in and took this partisanship to the extreme. We got complacent and "triangulated" went along to get along. They were increasingly for absolute rule. And so we are here. This is a really tough situation.
HA! HA! Raygun started this whole DAMN thing!
Reagan did what Nancy said
You mean - Just say No?
Apache, I have been looking for a good nickname for JD....Mini-Me fits well. He and his family tried to go skiing in Vermont and they were met by protesters. One sign said Go ski in Russia.
Of course, that was a time when the US still believed in "we hold these truths to be self-evident...."; when we still had respect for order, good to the poor, trying not showing pride or prejudice. Today, our great leader fans the flames of hatred and espouses extremist aims.
When was that? My best guess is the 1970s, as the passing of Jimmy Carter has reminded us.
I was never fond of Reagan's "evil empire" rhetoric, to put it mildly, but Trump has dragged a mentally drugged Maga/Republican horde a full 180. Dismay but mostly disgust has flooded my news channels, my FB timeline is abundant with pro-Velenski/Ukraine support, and some gross-indeed anti-Trump satires. Pax Americana is disappearing down a white racist, anti-diversity, grift riven snake hole. (no disrespect for real snakes mind you)
"Pax Americana is disappearing down a white racist,..."
This is our karma. Our refusal to address our internal demons beginning with the genocide of Native Americans when the white man's boats hit our shores, followed by the slave boats, followed by the economic enslavement of millions of Americans, followed by the disinformation plague promulgated by tech oligarchs has all served to wash over us in a destruction of our Democracy.
I still work with people who are 100% ignorant of what is happening. Now. Now I understand Nazi Germany and how the people ignored what was happening.
It's all of a piece - white supremacy, a shining city on a hill - it's all narcissism. That's why we elected him again.
Agreed on your gist, sadly now into a downward spiral. The only thing i can say is that if you read across the board on European imperial and colonial expansions, slaving, indigenous conquest and near genocide, have been more the rule than the exception. You can toss in much of the rest of world and find similar inequities. "used to be" conquest was just the name of the game.
The focus, sadly, is on America right now as we slide into authoritarianism. I have always thought other Countries were more mature. They have fought hard for their Democracies. We have become lazy and arrogant about our Democratic rights and privileges.
We are a teenaged nation. And we know most teenagers go insane for a few years. Hopefully they survive to grow up.
Our citizens have never had to fight off an invasion on our soil. And now selfishness rules. Empathy is no longer trending.
Now we have been compromised from within. Putin is here. In every living room in America. On every device. He has been clever with his costumes. Lately, he has donned a phony hairdo, gained a lot of weight and looks a bit jaundiced.
Considering US had 1/4 world's economic power and a military bigger than the next 4 or so combined, is a scientific and technological leader, its political culture remains mired in pre-scientific religious dogma and racist culture. This is WHITE america in reactionary mode to society which has been moving toward a culturally and racially diverse condition. This is the first time I've felt a real chill about what the US is capable of.
America has been castrated by Putin. We are no longer capable of much either in the world arena or at home.
At age 75 I have always been full of optimism about America. Now I am just not so sure anymore. The 3 branches of government have been compromised. The fourth estate has been muzzled. The Democratic Party is wheezing. The only thing remaining is for him to invoke the Insurrection Act.
"The fourth estate has been muzzled." Alas.
SSHHHHH!!!!
Yes. Hiding our heads under the blankets has not worked so far. Pelosi, Biden, Schumer, Harris and the other Democratic Party elite are experts at doing that. So sad to witness these people seemingly in hiding.
White America? Then why did so many Hispanics and Black men vote for trump?
Because they considered Biden to be helpless to control high prices or the border. As he refused to listen to the 75% who said he was too old to run (that’s a consistent poll result over 3 years). Because by the last year of his presidency, he never had spontaneous sustained press conference—all his appearances were staged, with prepared remarks.
The very same reasons lots of white voters switched sides.
In my opinion there were a couple million voters who voted for Trump less to favor him, but as a way to fire Biden, his administration, and his VP.
Well said. We have our arrogance, our hubris, and our provincialism (narrow minds). Thus the "Ugly American" meme.
I don't know which of those is the worst, but this disinformation plague is a doozy! And it hits the "left behind areas" with a wallop.
Well said Barbara! Sadly, I couldn’t agree with you more.
Yes, why I am contributing to the Ukraine House DC Foundation.
We must believe in him otherwise what's the alternative, believe in Putin?
No, I believe in the rule of law and the US Constitution. He regularly thumbs his nose at both. I'd like to see him impeached!
For that Nanny Ann, we need majority in Congress. We'll have a chance if, and that's a huge if, we have a midterm election in 2026.🤞
We have 2 special elections in Florida on April 1st for the House. We ALL need to work to get EVERY registered Dem to the polls for this. If we get both, we gum up the works for L'il Mikey, and the rest of the Nazis.
The Democratic Party should be here in full force. Maybe they are waiting for a miracle?
We have to pull together and our 👌 best.
No, you need a 2/3 majority in the Senate to convict. Never going to happen.
Never say never Tom. It's ok to be pessimistic but even if we can't get a 2/3 majority, we might have some of the Republicans if the situation is too dire and they grow a spine. Although I'm not betting on it, it might happen. In the meantime we have to figure what else might work. The main problem is if we are going to have a midterm election at all. Without an election, nothing else matters.
You are describing the exact outcome of his second impeachment. The failure to convict only emboldened him and further divided the country. Never say never is a great attitude for firing up a high school football team, I guess. But “never” happens all the time. I would rather spend my time on things with any chance of success.
At this point Tom I don't think anybody, much less me, is spending any time plotting an impeachment. It's out of reach. And yes, some people are posting about it, but they are only ventilating. Relax.
True. But if we have a solid majority in the House, we can block a lot of BS. We can hold hearings. We can investigate. We can expose. And we could have a House that reasserts its Constitutional responsibility to control the power of the purse.
And while it is true that it would require 290 House members to expel some traitors, let's not underestimate the blowback of the red state people who are being betrayed. I predict Republican rebellion - especially as $Trump makes multiple mistakes every day. I recommend that we all have enough liquid assets to get through the next Great Recession. The insane tariffs will hike inflation, the Fed might raise rates, the markets will be angry.
Regaining the House combined with a simple majority in the Senate could lead to some serious opposition on many subjects. The pendulum will swing back our way. But it will be ugly as it cuts through.
If I keep saying stuff like what I'm about to say I might get in trouble, but I think we still have Freedom of Speech. If the Dems had a Majority in the House their would be a Dem second in line to the Presidency.
Nanny, call (202) 224-3121 and tell your congressperson you want Trump impeached! Everyong on this thread agrees . . .so what?
Not chump
Definitely not champ.
What a powerful point you make
The Gilded Age Never Endedhttps://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/03/03/the-gilded-age-never-ended
A good read from Adam Gopnik to accompany this important interview.
I think Reagan used the power of media to conceptually estrange us from the concept of "government of the people, by the people, for the people"; and sold the idea that America would be way better off when ruled by the rich. We are now seeing the logical result of that path taken. That said, I think Trump's subservience to his Russian patron, and the rough Mafioso manner of Team Trump would have deeply offended him.
It still galls me that Reagan’s name is invoked as the hallmark of the common good. His administration was the snowball running down the mountain that became an avalanche: Citizens United (corporations are people), firing 11,359 air traffic controllers . . . Remember when he said, “ The 9 most terrifying words in the English language are ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’” Remind people in the red states who are recipients of the most federal dollars. Mitch McConnell rules over one of those states. They’re always first in line after a disaster. And Reaganomics? “trickle down economy?” What we’re seeing today in this country is the embodiment of all of that. And remember, he was an actor—a showman.
I agree, Jan. I was one of those air traffic controllers. It sickens me when I hear his name in regards to something good for America. I will never consider calling Washington National Airport by any other name. Trickle down economics is more appropriate to associate with his name.
I always spell that as "tinkle down".
Or John Wayne airport. Seems to me Reaganomics harks back to feudalism; the preponderance of wealth in very few hands and stratified, authoritarian rule.
Foreshadowing Trump- a conman. Both conmen so far as I could see, but Trump is even a deeper sociopath. They both despised a republican (small "r") form of government and preached the glories of plutocracy. They both use(d) big lies. They both rule(d) with stagecraft over statecraft, both maliciously, but Trump out-Orwell's Orwell; “The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and of your ears.", and now the last flicker of reason of your brain.
Reagan was pretty out of it in the White House, and even the press noticed, yet (mostly) smiled. I always suspected that "The Gipper", while genuinely right wing, he was more the mouthpiece for the plutocratic coup than the author; but I have not researched enough to prove it.
I agree - it was Reagan who called government "the problem" and not "the solution" a position that they have tried to hammer home for decades and decades, characterizing those who receive governmental services (even Social Security and Medicare, which we pay into) as parasites, and the rich as the "makers" - when mostly what the rich make is more money.
The rich aren’t makers as much as they are takers. Petroleum industries get government subsidies; Musk’s wealth is based on government contracts and subsidies advantageous to his companies; obscenely wealthy people and corporations that pay little to no taxes. But make no mistake. What Elon is trying to do to this country is to break it to line his pockets. How can millions of people be thrown out of work without the country going into an economic meltdown?!
I's sure it's just lore, but "Alexander the Great" supposedly wept because he found no more worlds to conquer. History seems to illustrate the notion of unaccountable power corrupting absolutely. Or do only the corrupt even seek power that is absolute? At some point many of those with more cash than some nations become obsessive enough to want it ALL.
He wouldn't have been offended if he could have profited from it.
Reagan was the Republicans' first useful idiot. He just had some (superficial) manners.
I distinctly remember coming back to America after growing up overseas just as Reagan was voted in. I thought it bizarre how much invective was thrown at Air Traffic Controllers and US Postal Service especially the postal carriers. In short, government workers with powerful Unions who had daily contact with Americans--doing jobs that definitely made paying our taxes seem worth it because what they did was indispensable to the country running properly.
They sure didn't seem to be lazy to me, but were continually reviled, portrayed as the enemy. There was so much pressure on these poor people who were just trying to do their damn job--which wasn't easy even without Americans yelling at them. "Going postal" became a phrase back then, when people went mad with anger.
Thinking about it now, I realize the entire Republican plan for decades has been to make our own government "the other" to steadily wear away trust in our Democracy. That "welfare queen" bit was particularly vile, attacking poor black women in urban areas (and yes, it was definitely aimed at black women). That's where the racial component came in, hard.
Reagan barely kept the John Bircher types under control back then. He wasn't as greedy as Trump. For him, there was a limit. But I still think this should all be traced back to Reagan and his deep cynicism and that false cowboy image. The country started changing back then.
I don't give Reagan any credit for holding back. He started it, he owns it. He was fine with it so long as it voted Republicans in. Pretty much how McConnell behaved.
I recall when a local TV station was running a feature with the evening news called "It's Your Money" and it was always about government waste, or perceived waste, like research into things that seemed weird without knowing the context. Never a word of praise or examination of the vast web of services we take for granted because they are part of (our) life. There have been a lot of such outlets for excoriating government, virtually always one sided. I recall Bush the Elder on national TV claiming it was "outrageous" that tax money went to measuring the methane output of livestock. I saw that lampooned in the newspaper as well. Never mind that methane is a potent "greenhouse gas", and yes. animal agriculture releases a LOT of it.
Yet, if we fancy, as we are (or were) taught in school, a " government of the people, by the people, for the people"; if such a government sucks, who is blame? And if it's not "the people", why not?
I agree. Reagan used that faux folksy persona to begin a radical assault on our system of government. People don't talk about Iran-contra, and other actions by Reagan.
Contras were right wing terrorists.
RR: "I think you all know that I've always felt the nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help."
My family has believed this sentiment for my entire 63 years. Now when things go south with all the firings, they won't blame Trump or Musk, they'll still blame "the Government".
"The legitimate object of government, is to do for a community of people, whatever they need to have done, but can not do, at all, or can not, so well do, for themselves---in their separate, and individual capacities.
In all that the people can individually do as well for themselves, government ought not to interfere."
Lincoln was definitely not a Reagan Republican. The "legitimate object", right?
I recall that Nancy Reagan wanted the WH to return to "glamor" in fact, I think she made a statement by wearing fur coats?
And what could be more glamorous than Nancy Reagan in a fur coat?
Reagan is a bit like a piece of See’s chocolates, nuts and chews, sweet on the outside,
nuts on the inside. Trump is not even sweet on the outside.
What you see is what you get. Indigestion. Time to regurgitate him and musk out of our system.
Rancid nuts for Reagan I'm afraid. It's stomach churning to even image what the the equivalent of Trump would be.
It's Karma, a Republican president, laid the groundwork for an oligarchy of a morbidly rich, ruling class. Regan, W and the orange blight all increased the deficits while cutting taxes on the wealthy. Now we are discovering what it is like to live under an oligarchy of the morbidly rich and morally bankrupt. It is cruel, frightening and chaotic.
Does it offend you JL? Then call (202) 224-3121 and say so. This thread is an echo chamber. It feels good but accomplishes NOTHING.
Probably little all by itself, but democracy is inherently a form of communication, and cannot exist without it, with those who speak in our name and between one another. I think that's an essential part of the role of democratic citizen that Blinken talked about. If we are really to be a government of, by, and for the people, there is no other choice than to be well informed about our options, to think ahead with the help of others, and to set a focused agenda for the political agents we chose to advance our will. And that requires that sort of interchange I believe happens here. Some of it is just lets off steam, but much exchange is educational and conversational.
Tyranny thrives on division and confusion. Progress requires clarity; "keep your eyes on the prize". It would not be wise to neglect general vigilance, but yet it's important to seek to maintain fruitful, foundational foci. What democracy isn't is choice restricted to someone else's proprietary menu, flipping between "channels" of top-down, pre-packaged content.
Grass roots innovation was easier when communities communicated in taverns, or the town square. We are now awash in information, both accurate and deceptive; and some have megaphones much louder than the voices a small collection of assembled citizens. In that respect, "money doesn't talk it swears"; very loudly. That said, Lincoln claimed that,
“In this age, in this country, public sentiment is everything. With it, nothing can fail; against it, nothing can succeed. Whoever molds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes, or pronounces judicial decisions.”
Just because Lincoln said it doesn't prove it, but I think there are historical illustrations, and of "nuclei" of concerted efforts that gained
momentum over time.
Reagan was the first president ever to declare that the government is the enemy. He also was the first to declare that teachers are “ the new welfare queens” thus indicting servants of the people or federal employees as “takers”. Then he fired the air controllers en mass and for life which, frankly, is why there’s always a shortage as it is not regarded as a secure job. i used to know how many open positions there are for teachers….thousands. So few are going into teaching now that Schools of Education have shut down across the country. Chris Christie who is now making a living talking about the psychology of Trump, expanded on Reagan’s negative opinion of teachers by saying that all public workers are the new welfare queens. You understand the racism inherent in this “ kill two birds with one stone” comment as the original welfare queens in the minds of Republicans are Black unwed mothers. So for forty plus years the Republican ideology which seems to have always, since the Twentieth Century devolved around a Calvinistic belief in money proving who are the chosen people and who aren’t also rested on the notion that the common man, woman and child, the aren’ts are little more than freed slaves and deserve their contempt which they lavishly dish out to this day. That was very obvious to me in the tongue lashings of Trump, Vance, and the presumptive right of the reporter to “dress the dishonored guest down” with comments about Zelensky’s non suit. Who does that guy think he is, by the way? The whip in hand overseer?
We must contribute money arms and soldiers to Ukraine.
The scumbag president and even much worse vice Manchurian Candidate would do nothing that is decent or good for this country. Period
Nor the Pro-Apartheid Bureau.
How do we do that Bill Katz?
The site for direct donations to the government of Ukraine is at https://u24.gov.ua/ You can designate where you want your donation to be used, such as direct military aid, medical, education, etc.
Thank you!
Just donated. Thanks for the information.
Rush your donations today, while it’s still legal.
Be careful about this. There might be laws on the books for giving military aid to another country.
U24 projects I have donated to in the past year have been removing land mines from farmland, and defensive systems to deal with incoming drone attacks.
There's still plenty of opportunity to help from afar. Here's a partial list of aid organizations compiled by "Oneiros", a FARK contributor (more sources are available at https://www.fark.com/comments/13580668/Day-1102-of-WW3-Zelensky-heads-to-London-to-meet-with-sane-world-leaders-ahead-of-European-summit-as-British-PM-Starmer-retains-unwavering-support-for-Ukraine-This-is-your-Saturday-Ukraine-war-discussion)
United24, the central Ukrainian website for donations for defense, de-mining, medical aid, and rebuilding: https://u24.gov.ua
Spirit of America ("non-lethal" aid like showers and medical gear): https://spiritofamerica.org/project/help-ukraine-meet-the-moment
Eesti saun Ukrainasse (Estonia): https://saunas4ukraine.org
Dignitas Foundation (aid to soldiers and veterans): https://dignitas.fund (now a 501(c)3)
Save Life in Ukraine: https://savelife.in.ua/en/ (formerly Come Back Alive)
Prytula Foundation (includes lists of needed supplies): https://prytulafoundation.org/en
Stavnitser Foundation (support for female troops) : https://stavnitserfoundation.com/en
Arm Women Now (uniforms and support for female troops): https://armwomennow.com/en/
Ukrainian Women Veteran Movement: https://www.uwvm.org.ua/?lang=en or https://ukrainianwomenveteranmovement-en.carrd.co (Specifically for custom uniforms for females): https://send.monobank.ua/jar/7pATiWsKa7
The Vest Project (protective gear): https://thevestproject.com
Frontline Care, supplies for troops: https://eng.frontline-care.com
Support for partisans: https://www.ipay.ua/en/bills/centr-nacional-nogo-soprotivleniya-pozhertvovat-online
Protection of the Future: https://www.maibutnie.org/en
Unite with Ukraine: https://www.unitewithukraine.com
Army SOS (tech for troops): https://armysos.com.ua
Stop the War (Sweden): https://stopthewar.se/en/
A rehab/recovery center for soldiers: https://helpnow.in.ua/amp/
https://donorbox.org/2nd-battalion-legion-medical-team(they need car repairs & night vision)
For Americans who want a 501(c)3:
Ukraine Defense Support:
https://ukrainedefensesupport.org
Ukraine Defense Fund: https://ukrainedefensefund.org
Liberty Ukraine: https://www.libertyukraine.org
Hoplon International: https://www.hoplonintl.org
Humanitarian aid:
PTSD treatment: https://healtraumas.org
Job training for women truck/bus drivers (Sweden): https://reskillingukraine.professionalcenter.se/en
Common Man for Ukraine (USA, NH): https://commonmanforukraine.org/
Children of Heroes (war orphans and similar): https://childrenheroes.org/en/
Gen.Ukrainian (helping traumatized children): https://genukrainian.com.ua/en
Training combat medics & such: https://thirdwavevolunteers.com
World Central Kitchen: (organizing locals to cook mass meals) https://wck.org
Fumi Café, Kharkiv: https://www.patreon.com/FumiCafe
Jeeps for Peace (British right hand drive vehicles to confuse snipers): https://jeepsforpeace.org.uk (UK, but says US should contact them for a 501c3)
Helping Ukraine Grassroots Support (Canada): https://hugsukraine.org
We Work for Ukraine (food): https://mhp.com.ua/en/glorytoUkraine
Rebekah M (medic in Ukraine): https://linktr.ee/rebekahmaciorowski
Logistics, journalist & refugee support, etc: https://www.weathermanfoundation.org/ukraine-mission
Kiwi Aid & Refugee Evacuation (NZ): https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/kiwi-kare-ukraine-kiwi-aid-and-refugee-evacuation ; specifically for stoves: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/providing-vital-winter-warmth-to-ukraine
Smart Medical Aid (UK): https://smartmedicalaid.org
Sunflower Project (logistics; had put up with Medic Zero): https://www.bluestarsunflower.org/donate/
Baby boxes (Scotland): https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/scotbabyboxappeal
Patron Fund (for injured de-miners): https://send.monobank.ua/jar/2owjL6dFRP
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America: https://ucca.org
Logistics for frontline supplies, I think? (US): https://zeroline.org
Rebuild Ukraine (US/Minn): https://rebuild-ua.org
Safe Passage for Ukraine (helping people evacuate and wounded foreign fighters to return home; can donate airline miles not just cash): https://sp4ukraine.org
Red Cross (Ukraine chapter): https://redcross.org.ua/en/
US/Texas shipping container clinics: https://www.buildtamu.com
US/Idaho: https://toukrainewithlove.org
The $1k Project (grants to families): https://www.1kproject.org
Generators for Ukraine (UK): https://www.generatorsforukraine.co.uk
Medical focused groups:
Evacuating wounded civilians & military: https://frontlinemedics.org
Medical services: https://www.globaloutreachdoctors.org
Medical supplies & humanitarian aid: https://unitedhelpukraine.org
Medical supplies (CA/Ontario): https://www.herosocietycanada.ca
Medical supplies, equipment, prosthetics (US): https://www.rsukraine.org
Solar power for hospitals: https://repowerua.org
Training volunteer paramedics: https://www.hospitallers.life/needs-hospitallers
SMART Medical Aid: https://smartmedicalaid.org
Helping hospitals: https://www.usukrainianactivists.org
Trauma support for first responders (US/CO): https://www.projectvictorynonprofit.org
Medical support for soldiers and their families: https://dobrobut.foundation/en/home_en/
Prosthetics groups (some serve more than just Ukraine)
CA/Victoria: https://www.victoriahandproject.com/ukraine
US/Colorado: https://limbsforliberty.com
US/Pittsburg: https://brothersbrother.org/pittsburgh-unites-for-ukraine/
US/Oklahoma: https://www.limbsforlife.org
Latvia: https://www.designedtolivelatvia.com
US/NYC (collects hand-me-down limbs): https://pentaprosthetics.org
US/California: https://www.prosthetika.org
US/Minnesota: https://protezfoundation.com
US/California: https://right2walk.org
UK: https://limbcare.org
Ukraine: https://ffr.org.ua/en/
Ukraine (but a US 501c3): https://superhumans.com/en/
Germany?: https://www.life-bridge-ukraine.com/
Buy a backpack (Poland): https://f-df.pl/2023/02/16/f-df-pl-kidsforkids/
Magnolia, searching for missing children: https://magnolia.org.ua/en/content/donate
Future for Ukraine: https://ffu.foundation/en
Disasters Emergency Committee (UK): https://donation.dec.org.uk/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal
Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
Direct Relief: https://www.directrelief.org/emergency/ukraine-crisis/
Kids with cancer: https://tabletochki.org/en/
Books for kids: https://www.bettertimestories.com
Ukraine Children's Action Project: https://www.eifoundation.org/partners/ukraine-childrens-action-project/
Voices of Children: https://voices.org.ua/en/
Thank you for all the possibilities!
Janet and Garrett,
Thank you !!! I pray our gifts will be received and used for caring for those who need support the most.
Wow! Thanks!
I chatted with the author of the list and he recommended this updated Part 2:
Kyiv Botanical Gardens who are using firewood to heat their greenhouses (buy tickets to donate): https://tickets.nbg.kiev.ua/cart/cart?id_date=6766&language=en
Local news (that got affected by trump's USAID bullshiat): https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-ukrainian-media
Razom for Ukraine: https://www.razomforukraine.org
Klitschko Foundation: https://www.klitschkofoundation.org/en/
Save Our Allies: https://saveourallies.org
Myria Aid: https://www.mriyaaid.ca
Ukraine Trust Chain: https://www.ukrainetrustchain.org/donate
Clothing for wounded soldiers: http://www.phy.com.ua
Supplies to Ukrainians who stayed: https://beaheroua.org/en/
A Kyiv bakery employing disabled folks and distributing to people in need: https://goodbread.com.ua/en-us
Ukrainian Emergency Art Fund: https://ueaf.moca.org.ua
Canadian-Ukraine Foundation: https://www.cufoundation.ca
US-Ukraine Foundation: https://usukraine.org
Animal welfare groups operating in Ukraine (or Poland for displaced people with pets): https://www.eaza.net/emergency-fund/ ; https://uanimals.org/en/ ; https://happypaw.ua/en/ ; https://www.ifaw.org/news/emergency-aid-ukraine ; https://www.facebook.com/shelterFriendDnepr ; https://www.karg.kiev.ua/ ; https://animal-id.net/en/donate ; https://breakingthechainsinternational.org ; https://sites.google.com/view/vetcrew ; https://k9rescue.international/donate ; https://hachikofoundation.org ; https://transformastreetdog.org
Note: DO NOT donate to K9 Global, UWARF (aka. Ukraine War Animals Relief Fund) or MARS (Mobile Animal Rescue Service later Medical Aid and Rescue Service) ; there are reports that they are falsely claiming the work of others as their own.
=> Also 'Protect A Volunteer' has some allegations that it's a scam. <=
https://neohemmingway.com/ ; https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/KarlNkittiesInUkr
Rebuilding-specific groups:
Homes: https://www.moveukraine.org
Fixing windows (UK): https://www.insulate-ukraine.org
Salvaged windows: https://fundacjabrda.org/en/projekty/okno/o-projekcie/
Repair Together: https://taplink.cc/repairtogether
Sports gyms for kids: https://www.flyhigh.fund
Farmers / rural: https://www.wrru.org
De-mining: https://halotrust.org and https://landmineremoval.org
De-mining and prosthetics: https://courageukraine.org
Humans: https://zelenskafoundation.org/en
Students: https://ukraineachievementfund.org
You may want to consider supporting YouTube and similar channels directly (Patreon, if they're selling stuff, etc) as there seem to be some efforts to get their channels 'demonetized'.
A charity helping musicians and organizing music fundraisers: https://musiciansdefendukraine.com/en
Supplies for folks doing 3D printing for Ukrainian troops: https://send.monobank.ua/jar/9XsDb1Bi1K
If you can read Ukrainian, more are listed at https://m.fark.com/comments/12688596/157897438
If you know any Ukrainians (displaced or otherwise), give them the following info:
Register of Damage for Ukraine (European Union site so russia can be charged / fined for the damage they caused and victims compensated; this in part will help justify giving seized russian money to Ukraine): https://rd4u.coe.int/en/documents(also in Ukrainian: https://rd4u.coe.int/uk/documents )
To report crimes against children and other tips: https://childrenofwar.gov.ua/en/information/.(Also in Ukrainian: https://childrenofwar.gov.ua/information/ )
Mental health support links and advice (for returning veterans, other people interacting with veterans, etc): https://www.howareu.com/
A list of groups giving assistance: https://auc.org.ua/en/node/33272
Assistance for displaced Ukranians:
Lviv and Chernivtsi, Ukraine: https://marsh-zhinok.com.ua
Lviv, Ukraine: https://femwork.org/en/
Halifax, Canada: https://www.halifax-ukrainian-store.ca/recipents
Niagara, Canada: https://amdforhope.com/
New York, NY, US: https://www.ukrainianhabitatfund.org
Iowa students: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/38778/donations/new(donation link; not sure where to apply; must copy & paste as they break the link checker)
Android app for refugees: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gmail.theitgirlsinfo.refee
A warning about the snow: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sT6dAheaZxk
Resources for people in occupied areas: https://sprotyv.mod.gov.ua (in Ukrainian, click 'EN' in top right for English)
For people with destroyed homes, see https://espl.com.ua.
And to temporarily replace windows: https://www.insulate-ukraine.org
Advice for travelers (in Ukrainian) to avoid sex traffickers: https://www.helpforukrainians.info/ukrainian/ .
To report unexplored ordinance, send quantity, condition, location, etc, with a photo to https://t.me/evorog_bot .
Female warriors if they need uniforms (including maternity uniforms): https://stavnitserfoundation.com/en ; https://www.instagram.com/by.vtrnk/and https://armwomennow.com/en/
Free therapy for people affected by the war: https://www.therapyroute.com/free-therapy-for-ukraine . For kids: https://genukrainian.com.ua
Support for veterans: https://veteranhub.com.ua
Medical doctors (free medical manuals in Ukrainian): https://www.msdmanuals.com/uk/professional/resourcespages/medical-content-in-ukrainian
Free Norwegian army cold weather ops manuals (in English): https://www.forsvaret.no/en/organisation/centre-of-excellence-cold-weather-operations/handbook-and-lectures
Former US Marines' recommendations on defensive tactics: https://2ndbn5thmar.com/orders-ukraine/
If you have photos or video that you want saved as documentation of the war: https://dattalion.com
If you witnessed, suffered from, or otherwise know about a war crime: https://truth-hounds.org/en/homepage/#
Beware of lighters, power banks, flashlights, or other devices in de-occupied areas because they could be rigged with explosives. There have also been stories of booby trapped teddy bears and even animals left in booby trapped closets.
A warning about mines that might be kid appropriate: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-iyE6Zu2tPk
And a longer warning / explanation about mines specifically intended for grades 1-4: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GKCXi72qmss
Some advice on dealing with overwhelming news coverage of wars: https://news.yahoo.com/violent-disturbing-war-images-mideast-175253331.htmland a video on dealing with nightmares: https://m.youtube.com/watch/1WtZKo-0fFo
Advice for soldiers (and maybe families of returned soldiers?) if someone has an acute stress reaction: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Xlc8tg_lkeA
If you or someone you know is in a situation where unknown persons demand money for the "liberation" of a relative from captivity, immediately contact the United Center for the Search and Release of Prisoners: +38 067 650-83-32, +38 098 087-36-01
Those feeling anxious or depressed should consider professional help, but I also found the book 'Lost Connections' helped me years ago: https://fourminutebooks.com/lost-connections-summary/
Px6S. For those digging through the russian news feeds: https://www.bellingcat.com/resources/2022/11/23/how-to-maintain-mental-hygiene-as-an-open-source-researcher/ and https://news.yahoo.com/violent-disturbing-war-images-mideast-175253331.html
I trust Timothy Snyder on this….and at this point, fear is not an option.
“If you are thinking today about how to help Ukrainians, here are some possibilities: Come Back Alive (Ukrainian NGO that supports soldiers on the battlefield and veterans), United 24 (the Ukrainian state platform for donations, with many excellent projects), RAZOM (an American NGO, tax-deductible for US citizens, which cooperates with Ukrainian NGOS to support civilians), and Documenting Ukraine (a project that helps to give Ukrainians a voice, also tax-deductible for Americans)”
https://open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p/five-failures-in-the-oval-office?
You choose how your donation will be used. I chose medical aid.
There have already been American Volunteers in Ukraine...
Can I wait annd think about it?
On Dr. Snyder’s list is Razom:
https://www.razomforukraine.org/
Many of us who subscribe to his Substack have sent donations there.
I have read a bit and it looks genuine.
Contribute directly to Ukraine: u24.gov.ua
https://u24.gov.ua/armored-ambulances?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=np_u24_brand_usa&utm_id=22044269954&utm_content=174814121720&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoJC-BhCSARIsAPhdfSgvqPFSyDIiWVuttD48Zx5XKP-wPtQsq43ogQwVlfj2XL6Zs08KWfAaAp_5EALw_wcB
I think every decent American should be horrified.
The decent ones are
I for one am!
You are correct, so apparently, the Republicans legislators who refuse to stand up to this and do their bloody job and stop this are far from decent! If you have a Republican legislator, please contact them every single day and remind them it is you who helped them get their job and it is you who will move them out of their job!
I'm all for it Mary 🫠
I am ashamed, broken hearted, mortified and pissed!
Don't think it's going to calm you down but you are not alone Carol, there are millions like you. I'm one of them and you are another one. Calm down and carry on. 🫠
January 6th & February 28th, two day of shamed insult to everything we stand for.
Don't forget add November 5th and January 20th to the dates of infamy. December 7th 1941 it's getting a lot of competition.
My mother, born 100 years ago this month, would say “beware the Ides of March!”
Beware of parties bearing creeps.
Good point, Lynn Geri!
Well, at least all the cards are on the table now, in plain sight. tRump and his band of dumb thugs have proven beyond all doubt they are wannabe dictators and fascists. If anyone in the world is still unsure about this fact, then someone should check their pulse.
Impeachment proceedings are in order for TREASON. Contact the Representatives (doesn’t have to just be your own - leave a message): (202) 225-3121
I make calls. But please don't try to call representatives outside your district and state. They won't listen and it makes it harder for their constituents to get through. Send postcards instead!
You can leave a message. I had no problem doing that after hours. My representatives are Democrats. We need to change the minds of these Republicans! Tell them they will be voted out.
Makes sense.
Only in time of war for treason, altho I agree he’s a rat traitor and Vance is a rat pup traitor.
Impeachment may be in order Marlo, but it’s not going to happen until Democrats regain control of Congress. That’s the immediate task before us. Let’s do it!
Or run an encephalogram Kazz, although we know the results already
Where was the Dem leadership having a strategic press conference after?!? No where!!
If Liz Cheney can speak out, where are former Dem leaders? Why the silence from Obama, Clintons, et al? Where is Schumer? If foreign leaders are shocked, so are ordinary Americans!!
Replace Schumer, he’s a useless tool
Keep demanding that loud and clear from your Senators and Representatives.
The Dems are laying low. Which is a gigantic mistake. Considering that Musk and Vance are working overtime to take control of the federal government.
Their "philosopher guide" Yarvin reads history, like Putin. And he twists history to justify his anarchic dreams, like Putin. (See the Substack Dark Mirror. Don't subscribe but read Yarvin's mush and realize that VP Vance is a fanboy.)
The Dems are leaving a void that Musk and Vance are filling. They are not objecting/shutting down Musk's requirement that 2.2 million federal employees report directly to HIM! The Press and the Dems don't seem to have a problem with this. Astounding.
This is a class war coup. The ruling class in the Democrats are going to have far more in common with the ruling class in the Republicans than not. Being in a class of extreme wealth often creates cultural decay and moral cowardice even amongst the best individuals.
Trump has always longed to belong to the inner circle -- any inner circle. He didn't get that while being a real estate "mogul" (ahem) in Manhattan, as the elite of Manhattan thought he was a crude buffoon, so he's trying to get it now -- to the peril of all of us.
He'll be always a tragic, crude buffoon no matter what. His running mate is the real and present danger by being smarter and articulated and being a puppet controlled by Peter Thiel.
Trump is trying to make Crude Buffooning somehow "cool", but he is tanking US world wide esteem and leverage . Putin declares his approval, but only for his own handiwork. Putin is evil, but he is not a fool. He surely knows what Trump and his coterie really are. A US country run by crude buffoons is suiting his predatory purposes.
No wonder Putin's intelligence apparatus and psychological war experts been working non stop to make sure he would be president since before 2016. Thanks for your comment J L.
Hence the shift away from the working class and labor by the Democratic party of the last many years. And, well, here we are. A day late and a dollar short. The one thing i know for sure is that they are few and we are many.
The problem with this line of thought is that it’s at its base, untrue. The difference being MAGAs promises to the working and middle classes which were never fulfilled, vs. Dems having worked to improve those classes and at the same time become more inclusive. The working and middle classes took these programs for granted. Now it’s FAFO.
So then, it is working class apathy and complacency and not Democratic priority in policy that left them looking for a message, any message which the other party capitalized on?
Gregg, as the expression goes, "It's complicated."
Democrats are trying to do a post mortem on the '24 election while the christo-fascist goons and the techno-fascist rapists are storming through U.S. Government at top speed, slashing and burning as they go. The situation is so dire, it's almost pointless to discuss what anyone did yesterday, much less, last year.
To say that Dems abandoned the working class is just not accurate. Yes, Dems have courted financial support from deep-pocketed donors, but they have never deserted their constituents, unlike GOP legislators. The financial factor in the U.S. electoral process has been exaggerated by Citizens United. (A pox on SCOTUS!) Nowadays, nobody can play to win without vast sums of money and a 4-year campaign.
But to focus on economics is to overlook all the other factors that are hindering Democrats. I don't claim to know all of them, but I recognize a few.
The U.S. electorate has a short collective memory. We can't even remember the state of affairs 5 years ago, let alone, 150 years ago, when robber barons ruled from their marble mansions and workers had NO rights, NO benefits and NO agency in determining their futures. Moreover, Americans have never lived under a dictatorship, and have no idea what it's like. Donald TOLD us he would be a dictator, couched in nonsense about sharks and wet batteries. Nobody took him seriously.
Racism, misogyny and homophobia are not just the province of Republicans. A lot more Democrats harbor these prejudices than we can bring ourselves to admit.
Media and messaging have been a huge failure for Democrats, but this alone didn't lose the battle.
No doubt, there are more factors than I'm mentioning. But to focus on one is to miss the big picture
Point taken, sir. I did say " the shift away" and not abandon. Nevertheless, I shall stand corrected. It is indeed complicated. There is a class system within the Democratic party and I am trying to make sense of it as we hurtle headlong backwards toward feudalism, I guess.
What is that saying, Absolute power corrupts something something.....
Power corrupts absolute power corrupts absolutely.
The Dems are not exactly laying low. They have their hands out looking to use our fear to raise money. It’s disgusting!
JFC I'm getting more donation texts than before the election! Don't they see where all that $$$ got them?
Well, it seems Trump has most of the 1% behind him. That has been a gigantic thumb on the scale since at least Reagan (never absent, but far more assertive since, and successful in government capture). And yeah, I get a lot of Email from Democrats that's just high pressure sales pitch, not real adult to adult communication.
"But the main culprit, the cancer on the body politic, is money: Money, money, money. When I ran 6 years ago, in 1998, I raised $8.5 million. That $8.5 million is $30,000 a week, every week, for 6 years. If you miss Christmas week, you miss New Years week, you are $100,000 in the hole and don't you think we don't know it and we start to work harder at raising money.
As a result, the Senate doesn't work on Mondays and Fridays. We have longer holidays. The policy committee is adjourned and we go over to the campaign building because you can't call for money in the office. So we go over to the building and call for money and obviously we only can give attention to that. We don't have time for each other. We don't have time for constituents, except for the givers. Somebody ought to tell the truth about that. Unless and until we excise this cancer, the Congress and Government is going to languish alone because it has to be done."
- Fritz Hollings
I mean, for real.
Yes and it’s very annoying! I continue to respond not Until you get something done
Much as I wish Dems would/could do something major ASAP, I can see that avoiding escalation into civil war or WW III may be effective for now while they work in the courts and while grassroots organizations meet locally and people take to the streets. Watching Rachel Maddow in dialogue with Hakeem Jeffries yesterday helped me chill and take a breath. https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2025/02/24/rachel_maddow_it_feels_like_were_in_the_middle_of_a_ketamine-fueled_middle-of-the-night_autocratic_power_grab.html
Thanks Joan. I tried to read your real clear politics link and found the advertising completely overwhelming and then went to YouTube where I found a Feb 25 interview— the same interview that rcp had just cut off the beginning. https://www.google.com/gasearch?q=rachel%20maddow%20and%20hakeem%20jeffries%20interview&source=sh/x/gs/m2/5#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:2cc07243,vid:Eo-l901DoiU,st:0
I apologize for the ugly link but please watch it. Here’s my take—Jeffries has set up responders Raskin and Neguese. They are smart guys like himself, and also lawyers. I understand Dems are trying to keep it together but Responders need to be people who can get our attention first— AOC/Jasmine Crockett/Bernie Sanders/David Hogg style. Remember the joke about getting a donkey’s attention by hitting him on the head first. Respectfully Mr Jeffries and Mr Schumer—add some FIREBRANDS!!
https://jeffries.house.gov/contact/email-me/
Call Jeffries’ office to record a message— (202) 225-5936
Call Schumer’s office to record a message: (202) 224-6542
Office contact. https://schumer.senate.gov
Gigi, THX for kicking my butt. I made those calls and more (I couldn't leave a msg on Shumer's phone, but I wrote).
Once you get to the link you provided (that starts with "Thanks Joan"), you can select to see it on YouTube then do like I did and access it through the much shorter named link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo-l901DoiU
Thank you. I hope lots of people use your advice to watch it.
Thanks Jim, that's a good and direct link.
Gigi, Thanks, I appreciate you communicating your take, and I'll be more careful with links in the future. Yes, FIREBRANDS!! As mild-mannered people face their reluctance to flame in public, more may be in the making each day as we blow on embers.
Don't forget the R's have to pass a budget by 3/14. There's gonna be a lot more ammunition coming.
Agreed but Yarvin's substack is entitled Gray Mirror. Vance acknowledges that Yarvin is a major influence on him. Here's a quote from his latest post. That this guy is influencing the VP of the US is chilling. One sentence, and you know you are in cuckoo land.
"I’m worried that the resemblance between President Trump’s Gaza plan and mine will contribute to the weird delusion that I am secretly running the world. No, actually, (a) I have not talked to anyone important about Gaza; and (b) the idea is obvious, anyway.
I realize that it seems improbable that we would both have the same crackpot idea. No. It is extremely probable, because the President and I inhabit the same reality. We are both looking up and noticing that the sky is blue. Most people live in crackpot world, where the sky is green and our present Middle East policy is sane. Reality has started to seep into this crackpot world, and the mixture is… remarkable."
They both live in a world where you treat people like they're objects. These objects are either in your way, or they give you cash.
The Grateful Dead sing in Scarlet Begonias, “the sky was yellow, and the Sun was blue!”
I think we need to take the frigging pulses of the our elected Dems--they seem to be dead!
“23 Dem AGs think they’ve cracked the code to fighting Trump”
They are playing it “close to their chest”. Good read on what Dem AG’s are doing…
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/27/democrats-taking-trump-musk-winning-00206310
Exactly
Not true! There’s plenty of push back that citizens choose not to hear. What is it you expect them to do?
I am pretty sure it’s a strategy. Keep the focus on Trump and Vance while they are getting trashed from piller to post. i read they are not going to interrupt his Inaugural Address either. i’ll read about it. i shun him. i think that may be what the Dems are doing, too. He hates to be ignored.
The Dems are laying low. Which is a gigantic mistake. Considering that Musk and Vance are working overtime to take control of the federal government.
And dominate "the narrative".
I agree Tina. One or two Dems made it into the news. They have to get a group together in front of the cameras and clutch their pearls and be shocked! Shocked! at this horrific event. Stop looking for money and make some noise.
The MMS ignores the democrats, they aren’t ‘sexy’ like the party of crazy mf’ers
But please not Schumer -- he's hopeless in front of a mic and a camera. Watching paint dry is more compelling.
Harsh but true words Laurie. Jeffries also the same problem. I get that they need to keep it together but the first responders Jeffries is talking about are also explainers. Headline getters are needed. Sanders, Warren, Buttigieg, AOC, Crockett, get a crowd in front of the mics. Schumer and Jeffries can stand there too. Do you agree?
Maddow Jeffries interview:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo-l901DoiU
Schumer needs to be replaced
The Dems have left the building.
One of mine (MI) just retired. Another (Peters) announced he plans to retire. My AG Nessels is trying:
https://youtu.be/SIxQISairjA?si=9ZLv7rgRtZLftrS3
The Dem replacement for the retiree is pretty good. She will be giving the response to the State of the Union address. I hope our former Secretary of Transportation will run for Peters' seat.
I hope,Republicans with a little bit of conscience left would do the same.
I called Johnson, Peter’s & Jeffries today. Russia needs to be defeated without concessions. Putin ILLEGALLY invaded a sovereign country after Russia had signed an agreement never to do so (Budapest Memorandum). Ukraine should be allowed to join NATO for future protection as Russia cannot be trusted (nor can we apparently). No other country is asking to be repaid. We made our bed by not stopping Russia (Crimea, Georgia, Trump’s delay of the weapons resulting in his first impeachment), now we have to lie in it.
They should have gone out to say goodbye to Zelenskyy and then immediately called a press conference. Their voices need to be heard -- in unison - objecting to this dismantling of America.
Did the Democrats leaders even TRY to give Zelensky an opportunity to counter the misinformation spread by Trump and Vance in that meeting? A press conference? A one-on-one interview?
Yeah! WTF???
Of Note: 28-Feb-2025: On the Bill Maher Show, Chrystia Freeland of Canada appeared... Chrystia is very accomplished, having among other things, Canadian Finance Minister, served as Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, been a financial journalist, and importantly, helped negotiate the current, CUSMA, trade deal between Canada, the United States, and Mexico... She knows DJT, and DJT knows her... Chrystia, like Zelenskyy is small in statue, but giant in presence... Chrystal's Mother is Ukrainian, and Chrystia studied in Ukraine, and
is fluent in Ukrainian... While she studied in the Ukraine, Chrysytia was followed by the KGB since they considered Chrystia to be a Ukrainian Activist... By the time her activism
within Ukraine came to an end, Freeland had become the subject of a high-level case study from the KGB on how much damage a single determined individual could inflict on the
Soviet Union; a 2021 Globe and Mail article quoted the report by a former officer of the KGB, which had described Freeland as "a remarkable individual", "erudite, sociable,
persistent, and inventive in achieving her goals"... Chrystia is an excellent Communicator, with excellent People Skills, and very Intelligent... She is considered to be the likely next Prime Minister of Canada... On the Bill Maher Show, Chrystia declared that she will defend Canadian Interests... Canada will have a Good Leader... Slava Ukraine!!!
Apache, Canada needs a leader who can BEAT PIERRE POILLIEVRE—the spawn of Donald Trump! His rhetoric mimics that of any tyrant, not just Trump. Canadians must vote for the person who can beat Poilievre and protect Canada’s sovereignty and national security. Keep your eyes wide open, please!
What is happening is the US is definitely opening eyes in Canada, it seems, and Poilievre is losing ground.
Freeland also speaks seven languages.
I watched that interview. She's completely new to me, no surprise since I'm in NorCal, but she seemed very sharp and quite solid. Maher can be a hard case, making it difficult for folks to get a word in edgewise, but she had no trouble dominating the interview. And I think he liked her.
I would rate Ms Freeland's chances of beating out Mark Carney for leader of the Liberal Party (and thus Prime Minister till the next election) as maybe 1 in 5 at best.
And the Liberal Party's chances of winning the next election, not very long from now, certainly by the autumn of this year, maybe sooner, are maybe 1 in 4 (and if Trudeau had stayed on, 1 in 20.)
I agree that Freeland is impressive, and has Trump's number. He has said he does not like her, which is already a point in her favour.
While I think Chrystia Freeland would make a great PM, she is not a shoo-in. Her biggest competitor is Mark Carney, former head of the Bank of Canada and later of the Bank of England.
Thanks Jude... We can hope... Chrystia has interesting Opinions on the Global Oligarchs... Wikipedia has interesting Details... Canada needs a Strong Leader to defend it from Predatory DJT...
…and Pierre Poilievre!
Good and inspirational story Apache !!!!
Thanks Ricardo... Whoever Wins In Canada... Be Strong, and Resist DJT...
Would I be wrong to suggest that her U.S. counterpart might be Pete Buttigieg?
I know. I thought Nixon was bad. And Reagan. And Bush. And Mitch McConnell and so very many others. And yes, this is beyond scary and mean. And for all of us beyond what we could have imagined.
All those politicians that "we thought were bad" WERE bad...they paved the way for our current cowardly, insecure, fascist man-baby prez and his little heinie-licking fascist side-kick vp. I have never been more disgusted than I was upon viewing that crass, barbaric ambush of a man who has more integrity and courage in his little finger than both drump and vance have EVER had. And, I'm disgusted with the Dems as well--I have gotten almost more begging texts in the past few weeks than I did during the run-up to the election.
Hey, elected Dems: instead of begging for more and yet more money, howsabout DOING SOMETHING--ANYTHING! and THEN asking for money?
Yeah--in the same place TL as you are. All I get are "we want you to be our ATM" messages from the Dems. And many are likely not even legit, but Russian and Chinese bots, as that was demonstrated to be the case last year during the campaign. I identify all of them as "junk" and I refuse to give them a penny. One thing: if you communicate with your member of Congress directly (if they are a Dem), as I do with Mr. Cleaver, my Congressman, they will communicate information. The problem is that the usual press outlets are so terrified of the Felon, they don't report on stuff that is happening. And the Dems in Congress are really crappy about reporting their activities to their constituents as a rule. We have to keep up the pressure regardless.
Not all of us... unfortunately.
No, not all of us. 🐈⬛
I am not shocked or stunned or anything like that. This is exactly what we were all warned he’d do. I’m disgusted beyond belief, but not surprised.
I'm only 81 and agree with you 100 %
Better than being a 100 and agreeing 81%.
I'm with Frank.
Fount of All Evil Nixon, despite how bad he really was, still believed in the system. Unlike Krasnov and his stooge, Justa Dimbulb Vance.
Since he's Krasnov's assistant I'd bet anything JD's code-name is "Cyka".
SADISM as State Policy: atavism and nativism.
Don't forget masochism on the part of the maga supporters. They will feel the pain as everybody else. Wil they enjoy the pain or they feel remorse?
I think they may not care as long as they are seeing that the "libs" are feeling pain. Up to a point, that is. When they lose their SNAP benefits and their Medicaid...there might be an awakening. Maybe.
As I have stated before, based on close personal observation, MAGA maniacs have a unique prism through which they view their fortunes. When things are going well for them, they credit Republicans. When GOP mismanagement makes things difficult, they blame "the government."
This is an extension of the evangelical point of view: "I believe, therefore I am always right; I am never wrong."
This line comes from an article I read recently. https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-cruelty-isnt-the-point-its-the
I have been thinking about how just plain sadistic they seem. It makes me wonder if they tortured animals when they were under 16 (and how many still feel the urge to torture not only animals but people like some of our worst enemies).
Fine, scarey insight, Jim. 💡 Thank you. 🤝
I’m also 82 and hit the streets with ~1,000 other protesters in Tucson yesterday.Its time to call them out and join others who are appalled.
Good for you! We were in a dust bowl here in Sierra Vista. And I see that the Tucson paper covered the protest.
Trump & Vance should be BOTH be IMPEACHED for TREASON (aiding and abetting the enemy - Russia). They are both Russian assets, it’s obvious.
Contact your representatives:
(202) 225-3121
First, Trump had been in contact with Putin, negotiating Ukraine, BEFORE and WITHOUT Zelensky, our ally. Very insulting and not how you negotiate peace.
Second, Trump called Zelensky, the respected, President of a DEMOCRACY with 75% of the votes, a “dictator!” Saying he wasn’t having free elections! He also said Ukraine can’t join NATO. Sounds like Putin’s demands. Another insult.
Third, Trump (I won’t call him president because of the illegally purged black votes & hacked tabulators Harris is the true president!) announced Ukraine “started the war.” Either Trump has severe dementia or he is stupid; both a possibility. It was Russia who invaded Ukraine, REPEATEDLY. THEY are the AGGRESSORS!
Fourth, just arriving at the White House from a ravaged war torn country, dignified President Zelensky is immediately criticized by Trump for what he was wearing! Musk, the richest man in the world, wears t-shirts & baseball caps & emphasizes his disrespect by bringing his 3 year old son to the oval office who then proceeds to pick the buggars out of his nose, putting them on the Lincoln desk.
With Trump’s prior insulting comments (lies) made about him, insulting him by not meeting with Zelensky FIRST, but meeting with the war criminal dictator & aggressor Putin, that’s enough to make anyone upset. Trump & Vance had NO excuse.
Fourth, THINK of what Zelensky went through to just to get to the White House from a ravaged country of 3 years. No airports. Helicopters, long train rides, etc. It probably took an entire day. He didn’t even get lunch after struggling to get there from a war zone. (He probably arrived hungry thinking they would provide lunch after he came that great distance. Is that any way to treat a guest?).
Fifth, we SIGNED a commitment in 1994 - the “Budapest Memorandum” y along with the UK, Northern Ireland and Russia! Why isn’t anyone talking about this??
In 1994 Ukraine ONLY agreed to hand over their HUGE STASH of nuclear weapons to Russia 'in exchange for a guarantee never to be threatened or invaded.' And to be protected if such an invasion occurred.
***If Ukrainian had KEPT those nuclear warheads, and they should have, Russia would never have dared to invade, EVER!•••
Ukraine was the ONLY country that honored this agreement.
Obviously, Russia, the invader, did NOT keep the commitment, but the United States MUST.
Perhaps Trump, being the non reader, poor student he was, doesn’t know about this commitment. But no wonder Zelensky doesn’t trust Russia to keep another agreement! Who should? Like Trump, Putin LIES and CHEATS and has repeatedly shown HIS WORD IS NOT GOOD!
Russia broke the agreement so they have NO bargaining power. This is what should happen:
1. Russia should return ALL of Ukraine’s land.
2. Russia should return ALL of the stockpile of nuclear warheads Ukraine gave Russia since they broke the agreement or better replace with new.
3. Russia should pay to rebuild Ukraine.
4. No other country is asking to be reimbursed. The United States did NOT give Ukraine $350 billion. That is another Trump LIE. We gave them ILD war equipment & we bough new to replace them.
5. The United States should not get anything from Ukraine - NO MINERALS. The United States did nothing when Russia took Crimea & Georgia. If they had, this total devastation & loss of lives would not have occurred. The United States, UK , N. Ireland did not come to Ukraine’s rescue when Russia invaded. All four countries broke the agreement.
6. Since neither the U.S., UK, N.Ireland nor Russia held to the agreement, Ukraine SHOULD be allowed to join NATO. They earned it. That will assure no future invasions of their county.
By agreeing to these terms along with staying out of our elections, Putin is getting off lightly because Putin is now a war criminal and should really be sentenced to death. He did irreparable harm to babies, raping women, kidnapping children, bombing hospitals, etc. Not to mention the devastation of people’s homes, the infrastructure, loss of lives, the emotional and physical trauma, etc.
DON’T GIVE IN! The ball is in your court. Russia is sweating.
Sincerely,
A very SHOCKED, ASHAMED and HORRIFIED American citizen. I apologize, respect and support you. We all agree, we would prefer it if you were our President!
“This Memorandum will become applicable upon signature. Signed in four copies having an equal validity in the Ukrainian, English, and Russian languages.”
https://en.m.wikisource.org/wiki/Ukraine._Memorandum_on_Security_Assurances
A Harvard Professor of law, Timothy Snyder made some astute comments. You might like to interview him as he is an expert on Ukraine.
On the PBS Hour:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11QBNJj_8gM
Professor Timothy Snyder on his Substack video (provided links for donating to Ukrainian organizations):
https://snyder.substack.com/p/five-failures-in-the-oval-office
I'm sorry, but until the Dems are a majority in the House...trying to impeach the orange arsehole is not only useless, but a waste of time and effort which could be directed at other, perhaps more productive, issues. As long as Trump and his MAGAs have their tentacles in every branch and crevice of government--what's left of it--and own the entire legislative branch, trying to impeach Trump simply will not fly.
Impeachment was tried TWICE already and even though we held the House at that point, drump still slithered out of it thanks to McConnell.
I disagree! NOW is the time. Many Republicans are disgusted with Trump after Friday’s shameful display of treason.
But they are afraid of the orange blob because they will attack their families. The republicans won’t band together and do the right thing😡
Well, don't you remember how disgusted the Repubbies were--even McConnell--after January 6? By the time the impeachment charges were argued, even McConnell had reconsidered and Trump was able to slither away. yes, many Republicans are appalled...but I doubt their dismay and disgust would last beyond considerations of Trump's vindictiveness. The Republicans are invertebrates and even if they are currently primed for an impeachment trial...I don't think it would last long enough to follow through.
Totally agree. There needs to be a ground swell grass roots movement to impeach. 100 million or more of us should be calling our representatives and senators as you suggest and demand it.
They may be invertebrates, but 100 million plus of us are not. The definition of treason is betraying one's country. It they are not guilty of treason, then we are all not living in the same country.
I think it only takes 13 million to change course.
They will all fall in line again before you can turn around twice.
Marlo, the ones in my world think that either ffpotus and ccf were "strong" or that ffpotus is way, way smarter than he is portraying. SMH.
Then:
• Why is he letting others demolish our agencies that are “watchdogs” so he or others can’t be held accountable for corruption?
• Why is he removing ALREADY drastically cut IRS personnel at TAX season (dumb) - people that brought in $$$$$$$$ BILLIONS from tax fraud. I guess Trump doesn’t want the IRS snooping in his taxes…
• Why doesn’t he have the wealthy & corporations pay their fair share in taxes instead of giving them $4.5 trillion cuts and then scramble to cut needed areas from the poor and perhaps suddenly unemployed?
• Why isn’t Trump FOLLOWING the LAW in doing the cuts? It is ILLEGAL for him to fire Inspector Generals, cut/dismantle agencies Congress created and approved funding for. There is a LAWFUL PROCESS! That is the heart of democracy!
Trump is IGNORING that process. He is IGNORING COURT ORDERS to unfreeze the freeze in spending the allocated funds already approved by Congress. How is THAT “smart.” That is a DICTATORSHIP!
Sigh. Don't they realize trump has never ever "hid his light under a bushel"? That he is simply incapable of such subtlety. He wears his brags and "accomplishments" on his sleeve.
I'll admit it isn't always easy to see where he is being himself and where he is acting on orders and/or talking points from Moscow...but if you look carefully to see where Trump sees immediate advantage for himself--or a chance to avenge a grievance--you can usually figure out where he's going to go. He cannot for the life of him plan for his own long-range benefit--he's too impulsive. But he certainly can follow the orders of someone who does have the ability plan long range. Unfortunately.
And the election is next year. 2026. Blue wave or else 💙🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸💙it’s going to be harder than ever to have a free and fair election.
Yes and the Repubbies are already hard at work trying to get voter suppression laws enacted (SAVE Act, anybody!??) and otherwise diddling with the people in charge of the processes. I don't think it is going to be enough to simply turn out the vote this time--it's going to require Dem strength of character to demand count challenges and recounts--just as the Repubbies have done for the last several elections. We also need to resist the Republican rush to declare winners when the votes have been only half counted. We must be ready to demand investigations and then there will be tussles to pry losers out of their offices if they insist that they won. Trump has set some very ugly precedents for his followers. I say be prepared for battle, comes election season 2026.
You're RIGHT, Nixon was Disgusting! Reagan was Disgusting, Bush and Shrub were Disgusting! But Americans kept voting for them. Again and again. The ReThuglikins, have screwed us for a generation or two already. It seems that this is the first time since Raygun that anybody aside from Progressives even noticed. I'm sorry, but I just can't get my knickers into a knot because the Right is acting Very Wrongly AGAIN! YOU KNEW THEY WERE SNAKES ALREADY!!! RISE UP AMERICA!
I’m also 82—turning 83 on March 4—and have come to the painful realization that we do not truly live in a democracy. If we did, we wouldn’t be on the brink of a fascist takeover. How can any American comprehend a president fawning over a murderous dictator while turning his back on our historic allies? If that isn’t surreal, I don’t know what is.
And I though the scumbag president was bad, till a saw the Manchurian Candidate execute a preplanned aggression against an ally leader fighting for democracy and also for us. What the scumbag president did was a reaction, what the Manchurian did was executing a plan. I'm not defending trump, I just describing the event as it happened. Vance is a present dange to our republic.
They both need to be impeached.
but look at the line of succession - after Vance, Speaker Christian Nationalist and room-temperature-IQ Johnson, and after Johnson, Secretary of State Rubio. Wow! Talk about an anti-assassination agenda! (And Musk will keep running the country into the ground whoever is president.)
Events of Great Change In Mathematics, are Called Catastrophes... I hope that 2025 is not like 1914... 1914 usured in the Catastrophes of the 20th Century...
I'm 77 and I agree. John Simpson's comment definetly describes my fears, my dissolutionment, my bewilderment at what Donald Trump and his supporters have done to the country I love: "A time when the basic assumptions about the way our world works are fed into the shredder." The Republican Congress members have helped Trump feed our values into the shredder, and that is so disdainful and unbelievable. I hold them responsible for allowing Trump and Musk to rip my country apart, piece by piece.