In Florida, Kansas, Ohio, Illinois, and Arizona, Republican voters chose their presidential candidate today. The results highlight the weaknesses former president Trump is bringing to the 2024 presidential contest.
In the firehose of tffg news the past week, despite the apparent strength of the Biden-Harris campaign, I have felt a sense of gloom that tffg may yet evade justice, somehow. BUT your last sentence in tonight's essay, regarding the impeachment attempt against Biden made me actually laugh for the first time in a while of reading Substacks. Thank you.
"Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD), the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, told reporters: “Lev Parnas can debunk the bogus claims at the heart of the impeachment probe and, in the process, explain how the GOP ended up in this degraded and embarrassing place.”"
He would be a real asset - but would need to sit as far away from Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas as possible. The three women would enjoy his company ! 😉
Well, yes. MAGats are still saying January 6 was just a sightseeing tour through Congress unless those comments are actually ironic, sarcastic words from anti-trumpers. Who can tell the difference? It would make things easier and less confusing if MAGats would adopt a new flag, an orange flag with a big pumpkin in the middle and keep the American flag off their trucks and out of their hands. Save the American flag for the real patriots who vote against MAGat fascists.
I understand and empathize with the thought behind your post. However, as a veteran myself (an old one. One who got shot at in Vietnam and who shot at others), there is nothing that makes my blood boil more than the latter-day notion that vets have some special—or even exclusive—claim on the flag.
We don’t. It belongs to everyone who lives in this country. There is the same proportion of noble and patriotic people in civilian life as in the military. Just as many dedicated and hardworking people.
It is fashionable these days to fawn over the military and extravagantly thank us for our service. Many of us are frankly put off by that. Can we all try being normal?
I don’t thank strangers who are shift nurses, teachers, single moms (or dads), or literally in hundreds of other walks of life.
Believe me, vets don’t feel a special grievance when some pack of fools uses the flag to represent themselves. In fact, statistics says that a random distribution of vets are in that pack of fools.
I know I am ranting, way off topic, and unfairly singling you out.
But please, can we all abandon that line of thought?
Thank you for this. I have always railed against this pseudo patriotism, which is propaganda in disguise to promote the false idea that it is noble to join the military and go over seas to kill people. And that it's referred to as service, when I among others never asked anyone to serve me in this way always galls me. The medical personnel who fought the Covid fight are just as deserving to our appreciation, if not more, as well as all the others who serve our communities - police officers, social workers, sanitation workers, as well as those folks who just contribute by doing their jobs and following the rules that keep our society going.
Sure. I agree. A truck I saw yesterday with American flags on poles and veterans for tfffmbT-Q stickers was on my mind. Also my parents—both veterans and what would they think about that.
Thank you for your comment. My husband was Vietnam veteran as well, and felt the same way you do. I lost him in 2018, but I know if he was still here, he would be so disgusted with what is going on in this country.
Tom, I missed going to Viet Nam by one draft. I didn't have parents that could pay off a doctor to say that my bone spur was bad enough that I couldn't hold a gun. I was designated 1-A after my Army physical.
But, your comment about the flag pique my anti-Republican anti-faux-Christian Nationalist juices. If we went to public school in the US in the 1950's - 1970's chances are very good we have muttered the pledge of Alliagence to that bizarre piece of cloth we had hanging in virtually every room in our schools. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have been born in the US as a white male in a state with a smallll minority population I was treated way better than I deserved to be. And like most white males in America, I have never truly appreciated the advantages GIVEN to me.
But why the heck are any of us pledging allegiance to a piece of cloth and why the heck does it say, "under God" when Americans worship thousands of different Gods most of them we don't even know if they exist.
The “under God” phrase was added during the (Joe) McCarthy era in a weird symbolic protection against Communism or being accused of sympathy toward such.
Having been raised a Catholic, don’t get me started on the strangeness of the symbols, talismans, charms or totems we’re taught to venerate, respect, or even worship in early civic or religious life.
Nope. I think you got your wires crossed on this one, Michael. This from her dated Feb 26th: "Porter said she would support the $95 billion deal the Senate passed to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, stressing it is important the bill include humanitarian aid to Gaza residents. “Supporting democracy abroad keeps our democracy safe and strong here at home,” she said.
I also like Hakeem Jeffries. Wow, quite a Letter from Heather after hiking in remote Nevada most of the day. Thank you, as always, but especially encouraging news during these worrying days.
Raskin is sharp like a razor and knows how cut right through Republican representatives. There's a difference between knowledge, experience and stupidity. Half of the Republicans from the house don't even know what hell their talking about.
Tommy Tuberville is a dunce! His personal financial failures should have been a red flag to voters on Alabama. Instead, they saw only the word “football coach”.
Every time Raskin comments, I’m more encouraged to “write him in” in November…he’s one bright light in a dark alley. (Paraphrasing the late, great Harry Chapin)
While I, too, greatly admire Jamie Raskin, and think he would be a fine Democratic candidate for the Presidency, I always try to remind myself of the bigger picture, and the longer-range goals. At this point, any vote for anyone other than Biden is a vote for tfrg. Write-in votes and third-party votes (remember all the Bernie Sanders and Marianne Williamson "purists" who refused to cast votes for Hillary Clinton?) have the net effect of being one less vote that would ensure a Democratic party victory, and in consequence, a dagger in the heart of democracy itself. Now really is the time to unite in lock-step solidarity for the candidate who, while not perfect, at least isn't trying to turn the nation into a dictatorship.
Marli, I would love to see Jamie Raskin as the Democratic presidential candidate in 2028. He's brilliant, carried on bravely just days after his beloved son's death, can't be intimidated, and as a bonus, he's funny! As for the present, I don't want to jinx the chances, but I'm feeling more and more optimistic about November. There could be life after disaster.
Patricia, like you, I believe that the road will be rocky, and I am afraid to voice too much optimism for fear of bringing us ill fortune - as if we haven't paid enough for the last eight years!
I believe it eas former Rep Dick Armey who started the inappropriate "Democrat" as adjective talk, Ally. The Massive Maven of Mendacity did it routinely as well
And George W. Bush also talked about the "Democrat" Party. It's pretty ignorant and childish to turn an adjective into a noun and then use it as an insult. If we wanted to return the favor, we could talk about the "Republic" Party, but that's stooping to their low level.
Not only is Jamie Raskin an “asset to the Democratic Party,” but he is also an asset the all of US! His intelligence and diligence through the death of his son and his cancer are to be admired and appreciated by everyone.
"Jamie Raskin...is also an asset the all of US!" 100% agree. The average trump supporter, as opposed to the wealthy, don't realize it, butBiden and the liberals are doing good for them and the whole country they love. Why they don't see that just boggles my mind.
I agree. That's why I differentiated the average trump supporter from the wealthy. They and the wealthy "conservative" politicians believe trump will serve them. They don't care if he's out of his mind and a full-on criminal. I suppose they are too - most, if not all.
Thank you. I think all in Congress who refused to recognize the vote should be tried for treason. Of course it is possible that some (think Comer) are more stupid than venal.
JustRaven, when I read that quote of Jamie Raskin a lyrics from an old Jim Croce song (hey, all his songs are old, I guess, may he R.I.P.) came to mind:
"You don't spit into the wind"
Nor, I suppose, do you shovel barnyard waste in the wind either, as it all comes back at you. This so-called impeachment inquiry has a strong odor of bovine dung.
When did we become so discriminatory of peoples voices instead of listening to what they say? Sounds like republican distraction used against Hillary. I miss the days of common courtesy, respect, and allowing those who aren’t “perfect” a little human dignity.
Linda, I understand why you are saying this and I agree it would be nice to see a little civility now and then. However, it is hard to listen to death star and his minions because death star whines and I don't listen to any of the rest of them either. When people behave in a manner that shows that they don't have respect for anything but power and money and certainly not their Constitutional oath, I have problems not making fun of them, even their voices.
I am watching the 0versight hearing. There is dirt on both sides of the street; it does not look like it applies to President Biden (at least evidentially). In the case of the Biden family, sleazy not illegal comes to mind. Mr Bobulisnki is unctuous yet unwilling to take any responsibility for his actions, often by playing the victim card; l surmise that he learned that from the best. Mr Galanis is civil, though untrustworthy. Only Mr Parnas strikes me as sincerely contrite; he is unfailingly civil.
😳
Mr Hunter Biden displayed the de-moralized behavior of someone lost and drowning in addiction. When l suffered similarly in my teens and early twenties, I started sliding down that slippery slope. As it is, Mr Hunter Biden strikes me as sincerely trying to remain clean and to rectify his past behaviors.
🤞
The questioning by Representatives Ocasio-Cortéz (NY), Moskowitz (FLA), Mfume (MD, Goldman (NY), Crockett (TX) and Lee (¡ from my home-town district of Pittsburgh!) have deflated the Republican case. And they have been civil as have the other Democrats. These cited Democrats comprise a representative sample of the Democratic Representatives seated on the 0versight Committee.
Thank you for the update. I have often marveled at the poise, maturity, intelligence, civic mindedness, and civility of many of our Democratic politicians. It gives me hope.
"Stupid is as stupid does." It's comer's words and actions that have caused me to think of every term for stupid I can when I hear him talk. "Dumb as a, (fill in the blank)."
Marge green has become as ugly to me as the words that come out of her mouth. She's no beauty, but if she was kind, that's what I'd see.
And I see Biden as the kind, thoughtful, effective leader he has proven to be.
Just hit mute whenever Comer or any of the other republicans start talking. That's the only way I got through it. We all know that all of the republicans do nothing but lie and spread innuendo, so you don't miss a thing by muting them.
Lynell, while you're correct, only a few of those you cited could be used to describe DJT ("faultless," "fetching," "flawless" - c'mon now!). Besides that, he inspires most of my baser instincts, and over the last almost eight years, using the "F" word in relation to him has been one of the few ways I've been able to maintain my sanity.
Right, you are, Nancy. But I see how easy it was for you to dismiss the obvious "F" words that don't apply to Loser 45, just as it was for me. "favorite?" Nope. "fluent?" Definitely, no. "fantastic?" Give me a break!
And yet, those you and I chose to highlight still are "F" words. Just sayin'!
While I understand your sentiment, I have always been uncomfortable with how easily we can conflate sex with violence through the use of the F word. As rape is often a weapon of war, I tend to shy away from using this particular slur.
I picked "feckless" as my second qualifier, and later replaced it with an "R," after really thinking through his personal irresponsibility, his disregard for the rule of law, and his disrespect for democracy generally -- while there are a lot of "R" words that capture part of how I think about him (for example, Rude, Rash, Regrettable, Reckless, Racist, Rancid, Rotten, and so on), I think the "umbrella" that covers everything is "Reprehensible."
I don't even have to think about it. My fingers automatically type "tfrg."
I had that same thought a week or so ago and then I, as Lynell from VA by way of MD&DC, said below, I think is right. Actually I think the extra F should always be capitalized.
IMHO, T-Q would be better. He is no cutie. And it’s too good a word to spoil. Treacherous is an excellent word we don’t hear enough! 💙🇺🇸❤️😇. No more 🤡🎃💩
Well it could represent failure or flawed but I think we all know that it is most representative of the same 4-letter “f-word” that is or has the same meaning or meanings in every language.
Ned, we took "tfg" from President Biden, who occasionally referred to his predecessor as "the former guy" and a lot of folks adopted the letters "tfg". As the **fill in with your description of choice here, mine is shenanigans** got to be outlandish, there were some of us who threw in an extra "f". Some, less profane or inclined to let their junior high brain get its way than I use "foolish", "foolhardy", or "freakin'" as their "f". Mine is (bowing to both my inclination towards profanity and allowing my junior high brain some head time) is to use the four letter word that, in some circumstances once, stood for "for unlawful carnal knowledge". When I am not in that state, I use fpotus, lowercase letters intentional as a sign of disrespect.
Somebody around here (I think) said that fpotus is what the Secret Service uses. I use it too, though my word for the "f" is probably not the same as theirs.
It is easy to feel gloom and doom aided and abetted by the MSM which never misses a chance to give us polls numbers, etc. I also laughed at Raskin's remark this am, JustRaven. He is right on as the party of death is certainly in a "degraded and embarrassing place."
That's why Lev Parnas testimony, should be televise live for the American people. So they can see the corruption of lies and fraud that Trump has committed. Lev Parnas is a key witness that will tell the truth. We are fed up with this con feeding lies on a everyday basis with us and with the media.
If tRUMP sidesteps the most obvious crime ie the theft of highly classified documents, it will be because of his evidently bought and paid for young and beautiful (coincidence?) Florida judge, the ever inexperienced Looose Cannon who has penned a rambling 2 page document that gives 2 outcomes both of which basically say , without regard for the law, that if a prz designates any document as personal property before he leaves the White House, it is so. If any judge needs censuring or whatever it's called for judges, she's it. This line of thinking has no basis in document law and is pretty dangerous if it succeeds going forward.
Did you listen to the videos Aaron Rupar of Public Notice provided an entire thread of Lev Parnas destroying the Republicans with his testimony. Very entertaining.
Embarrassing yes, but they have no sense of embarrassment. The play-acting is to appeal to their ignorant base. They know that they can say and do anything regardless of how stupid and unfounded it is, for they know that their base will suck it up because they know what their base wants and needs and that is to be fed BS to justify their hatred.
HCR has had the siren on as she keeps us informed about the battle for Democracy in the US. We look to Ukraine as well to keep Democracy alive. World Central Kitchen is working as no other organization to feed people in need. Learn about their recent shipment of food to the people in Gaza.
'WCK is first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. ... WCK has created a new model for disaster relief ...'
'Operation Safeena: Aid shipment reaches northern Gaza'
'World Central Kitchen provided almost 200 tons of food in northern Gaza that arrived on our first maritime aid shipment. The food that reached families facing starvation arrived aboard the first humanitarian shipment to reach the Gazan coast in nearly two decades. Alongside local and international partners, WCK has provided more than 39 million meals by land, sea, and air to Palestinians in need.'
'For months, our teams across the region have worked nonstop to open this maritime aid route into Gaza. We are sourcing and loading food onto boats in Cyprus and built our own jetty in Gaza using rubble, including from bombed buildings, to safely unload cargo.'
'WCK will eventually be able to provide “huge quantities of food daily into the shores of Gaza,” said José Andrés, WCK’s founder. Our teams are currently preparing to dispatch our second maritime shipment that will include food and heavy machinery that will expedite the offloading process.
WCK's next maritime shipment will include food and heavy machinery to expedite offloading.'
'Still, much more needs to be done. José has called for a ceasefire and opening of as many land crossings as possible as the best ways to ensure Palestinians get the meals and water they need. To date, we have dispatched more than 1,500 trucks and know that many more are needed to meet the urgent needs of communities all across Gaza.'
'At the same time we deliver food to northern Gaza, WCK is supporting families fleeing south who pass through our Welcome Center in Deir al-Balah. '
WCK is a fabulous organization and one that I always feel good donating to. They always go where there is hunger and strife, no matter where. They are putting their lives on the line everyday to ease the people's pain in Gaza, in Ukraine, and when there have been disasters the States, they are there too!
Colette My wife and I are regular contributors to WCK, which has provided emergency food services in many countries, including Ukraine, Gaza, and the United States. That Jose Andres could deliver and set up food kitchens in Gaza while the United States dithered is the latest gold star on his chef’s cap.
I agree, and I did. In my case, it dove-tailed with a good friend's birthday -- she was thrilled that I made the donation to WCK in her name. I could make a habit of this. Nobody I know needs more stuff, while the people in Gaza, Ukraine and other places really do need food, which WCK is providing.
And what a waste TFG has been financially, monies that could support a cause like this. According to AP, he has spent $76 Millie so far on legal fees. It drives me crazy thinking of how many lives are impacted or even lost to the money black hole he is.
Plus the legal fees and court fees of those who try to follow his lead… he has single-handedly done lots for defense attorneys in this country…and even local school boards & election officials have had to hire protection. Seems like all that should be added up to his bail $$$$$.
Me too!! Thank you Fern, for reminding us. I also read at the WFK website that they created a pier on the Gaza beach, using destroyed buildings to create the pier.
As a consistent donor to WCK who carefully reads their reports, I’m totally impressed with Chef José Andrés and his staff who have been diligently committed to putting the needs of those they’re providing for as CRITICAL and when needed creatively develop “work arounds” when choke points stymie the provision of aid…the Gaza work around is one, but not the only example! It’s interesting to me that yet again the MSM devotes little, if any, airspace to WCK’s amazing accomplishments and dedication to providing basic nutrition to ordinary people who desperately need it.
Thank you all for the recommendation and support of World Central Kitchen. I sent a check this morning.
My preference is still for checks but there is the persistent problem of 'checkwashing.' I put a small strip of scotch tape over part of the "To whom ..." section of the check. There doesn't seem to be a problem cashing the check and none have disappeared.
Thank you, Fern for recognizing the contribution of World Central Kitchen. Patti and I donate to WCK regularly. They extend their meal service by working with local aid organizations.
These reports are making me vomit. Trump is a criminal clear and present and a danger to the American way of life. Clear and present danger. I read that he has rehired Paul manafort, as his campaign manager. The Russian licking guy. Hang onto your seats and please please ensure that your social media prescence is not timid. Theirs won’t be. Lots more to say but I’ve forgotten to breathe … except go Ukraine. Despite Republican treachery. It is what it is … treason.
Can anyone even begin to tally the dollars spent on combating and prosecuting deceit, corruption, and law-breaking? Imagine that spent on benevolence of all sorts.
If any President had pardoned even one of the traitorous fraudster felons that TFFG did, the MSM would be all over it. But all we get from them are crickets.
For more on a scary future if trump wins check out Project 2025. I've been trying to slog through the full text but it's hard to raed that much crap. It's abbout 900 pages of revamping the entire government.
Here is an excerpt of some text defining what kinds of power they want the presidency to have.
“The President must set and enforce a plan for the executive branch. Sadly, however, a President today assumes office to find a sprawling federal bureaucracy that all too often is carrying out its own policy plans and preferences—or, worse yet, the policy plans and preferences of a radical, supposedly “woke” faction of the country.
The modern conservative President’s task is to limit, control, and direct the executive branch on behalf of the American people. This challenge is created and exacerbated by factors like Congress’s decades-long tendency to delegate its lawmaking power to agency bureaucracies, the pervasive notion of expert “independence” that protects so-called expert authorities from scrutiny, the presumed inability to hold career civil servants accountable for their performance, and the increasing reality that many agencies are not only too big and powerful, but also increasingly weaponized against the public and a President who is elected by the people and empowered by the Constitution to govern.
The great challenge confronting a conservative President is the existential need for aggressive use of the vast powers of the executive branch to return power— including power currently held by the executive branch—to the American people. Success in meeting that challenge will require a rare combination of boldness and self-denial: boldness to bend or break the bureaucracy to the presidential will and self-denial to use the bureaucratic machine to send power away from Washington and back to America’s families, faith communities, local governments, and states.
Fortunately, a President who is willing to lead will find in the Executive Office of the President (EOP) the levers necessary to reverse this trend and impose a sound direction for the nation on the federal bureaucracy. The effectiveness of those EOP levers depends on the fundamental premise that it is the President’s agenda that should matter to the departments and agencies that operate under his constitutional authority and that, as a general matter, it is the President’s chosen advisers who have the best sense of the President’s aims and intentions, both with respect to the policies he intends to enact and with respect to the interests that must be secured to govern successfully on behalf of the American people.”
Written by white supremacists, funded by 40 different shell companies established by Leonard Leo. Those companies launder money between them and then to their Russian counterparts. All under the guise of “saving Christianity”. Sheldon Whitehouse and his staff have been investigating Leo for years!
The long-winded authors of the 2025 Project can almost lull a reader into missing anything overty fascistic in the plan. Maybe someone can come up with a condensed version.
In the words of former President W. "That is some weird shit."
Trump and today's GOP are not conservatives. They are regressives. They have created a kakistocracy, but have no idea they have.
I dare them to improve on the SSA. I have been impressed with every correspondence I have received from them. And they set up about 22500 new cases every working day of the year in 2022. And they also, service over 70 million Americans and keep track of our earnings from the first time we paid Federal income tax. We already know they are terrible at administration by how badly they have fucked up the USPS and the EPA.
I’m actually feeling quite hopeful with the news of so many Trump voters falling away. I am confident that he will not win and sincerely hope that the MAGAs will not start up their “stop the steal” bullshit again.
And now we need to take back the House and hold the Senate.
If we're lucky Thomas, Alito and Roberts will all die during Biden's 2nd term although I would actually prefer to see Thomas go to prison form income tax evasion.
Thank you Dr. Richardson. I have a question. Didn't we used to have a Law that funds solicited for election campaigns could not be diverted to personal use? In three of the five cases Trump has faced trial the charges had little or nothing to do with the campaign. In the 93.6 million dollar fine in favor of E. Jean Carroll that was prior to 2015 and he was found by a jury of his peers to have "sexually assaulted" Ms. Carroll, last time I looked sexually assaulting women was not part of a President's duties.
The trial for which he owes the State of New York 454+ million dollars was for business fraud. Gee, I don't remember reading in the Constitution that a President's personal business was part of the Presidential duties either.
The third New York trial is political corruption in trying to hide sexually immoral behavior illegally from the voters - I suppose that one could be stretched to cover a campaign cost.
His final two trials have to do with his stealing highly secret classified documents (including military secrets that endanger our security) and trying to overthrow a legitimate election because, well he's Donald Trump and he promised his cult he'd win.
The point of this diatribe is how can he legitimately use funds aimed at reelecting his sorry ass be used instead to pay his attorneys?
Yes. Isn't Santos under indictment for using campaign funds for personal use? Perhaps the money is exempt because of the "shell game" of PACs and Super PACs?
But as Heather mentioned today, some donors are getting tired of funding his legal fees - money they thought was going to the campaign for office.
And what about giving aid, comfort, support, and promises of pardons, to convicted felon insurrectionists? Thats front and center at his rallies these days.
I am writing this without fact checking first, so beware. But I think the short answer is that money given to PACs is not bound by the same rules as money given directly to a candidate’s campaign. The latter was/is subject to the limitations imposed by the Federal Elections Campaign Act. But the Citizens United Supreme Court decision allows PACs to circumvent those provisions (and also overturned much of another campaign finance law known as McCain-Feingold). Trump could not be using political contributions so directly for self-benefit if not for that SCOTUS decision.
Thank you Susan, I will look into this, but I know Trump's main campaign collection is the Make America Great PAC, So you are probably correct. If we are correct, then we must get rid of that loopy fairy tale known as Citizens United.
I fear that will be virtually impossible. The CU decision was a constitutional rather than a statutory decision. This means it cannot be undone by rewriting the law. Only a constitutional amendment (or the unlikely event of SCOTUS reversing the decision) can alter it now.
Thank you Susan, but if it was based on the Constitution I should be able to find the references in my copy of the Constitution and I don't. It was a five to four decision. How can five people re-write the Constitution. John Paul Stevens' dissent, mentions using common sense. I intend to read the whole case myself. And then write a new rant. I still believe on what I've read so far that the 5 favorable opinions were based on fairy tales.
I say it’s a constitutional decision because it’s based on the principle of freedom of speech…1st Amendment. The Supreme Court has held that campaign contributions are a form of free expression. They further ruled that corporations (like PACs) are “persons” under the principle of corporate personhood and so are entitled to 1st Amendment protection. The US Constitution could be amended to distinguish between natural persons and corporate entities for the purposes of elections, but how likely is any constitutional amendment in our polarized political climate?
Thanks again Susan, but as an educated scientist; human beings are Homo sapiens with specific identifying features [organs, skeletons, DNA, shape and physical abilities] Corporations on the other hand exist ONLY as legal pieces of paper filed in a particular State where the company is incorporated. I do understand the Supreme Court Justices do not have to understand the biological or physiological implications of their findings, but giving Homo sapiens rights and capabilities to legal papers is beyond the pale. A business requires a business license in the County in which it exists. That business can only become a corporation if the owners of said business file legal documents of incorporation with a State. I concede it is the Homo sapiens who actually file on behalf of the pending corporation but that does not imbue those papers with life (in fantasy maybe, but not in reality) We do not need an amendment to prove the existence of Homo sapiens, anymore than we need a Constitutional amendment to prove the existence of birds, mammals, fish, etc. Those five assenting Justices should be the ones who have to attempt the Amendment process to show cause that legal documents are living breathing creatures of any identity.
I am more and more convinced that Trump will lose, in November. The big question is what will he attempt to do, when that happens. Whichever way this election goes he will have poisoned the country and torn it apart.
Maybe it's the syphilis deranging him. Maybe his quantum leap in lying opens a chasm too wide for even his addled mental apparatus to perch over. Maybe he feels betrayed by the world's greatest criminals and murderers in high places who've uniformly relegated him to his sewer clown show. Single exception, Hungary's Orban, who's more or less twice the weight of the fat orange diaper guy but at least twice as adept stealing his country's resources.
Note, I'm part Hungarian, and cringe at how the criminal Orban matches the criminal fat orange guy in illiteracy for each of their cultures, each far beyond each's fathomless vulgarity.
U.S. Republicans meanwhile just witlessly help flush each other down the toilet. Not a single program for any hardworking American people. Nothing from any of them but fear, venom, vulgarity -- with spectacles of illiterate inanity, whether from House Speaker Howdy Doody, speech-defect-twanging Marjorie Taylor Gazpacho, or grab-a-cock-in-public Lauren Boobert.
But let's not coast. The dark money behemoths yet lurk, stew, poison.
Well said. But nothing lasts forever. I am sensing a weariness in support of the Orange Menace. And I think a complete nervous breakdown is near for "it".
Cheer up Phil (It's hard to do, I know). Trumpty Dumpty is falling off the wall (sorry couldn't help myself). As the news rushes over us, I am reminded of what was a terrific Netflix series called "House of Cards". The evil POTUS gets his in the end. MAGA is falling, crumbling, weakening. I could be wrong. It happens all the time. But that's my optimistic take on this day and my take away from today's letter.
The "House of Cards" is a perfect metaphor for all of this, Bill. So, TY for that and the much needed optimism. It reminds us that anything built on Lies eventually faces the reality it's all smoke & mirrors sooner or later. Whether it's someone with an addiction lying to conceal their using, the concealment of illegal acts or a politician lying to cover immoral behavior, the bottom row of cards eventually fall.
There are many facing a coming reckoning. Some with themselves, some with their religion, some with their political views. Their having chosen to follow one whose entire life has been based on lies will haunt them, at least it will for many.
I've personally never forgotten Nixon's immoral hidden work to extend the Vietnam War as I was part of the last draft in 1973. My number was 124 and they got to 122 so was two clicks from that awful event orchestrated by those with no conscience. But, I think about all those with numbers 1 thru 122. History will similarly expose everything happening now, from the hiring of someone to take one's SAT tests to having doctors falsify medical records with bone spurs.
To your point, the entire OGOP (Once Grand) is now fully a "House of Cards" and the fall won't pretty. We just all have to pray it is sooner than later.
House of Cards. HOC. Even sort of rhymes with GOP. A new name? I think that getting more people to realize how quickly and completely the whole shakey apparatus may fall would be a useful shift in messaging. It is so off-the-wall bonkers it simply can’t survive the will our mostly sane people. Yet another version of “the emperor has no clothes.”
I see and also hope for your optimistic take, Bill.
And I raise you with my perhaps-more-sobering fact of now 75 far right groups -- all lavishly funded by the U.S. billionaire classes -- pushing their Project 2025.
Raise you with the Clarence court doing all it can to give the corrupt, fat orange diapered guy extra time to avoid justice.
Sorry, Bill, if I use the word "justice" in connection with anything on this totally corrupt front for the U.S.'s vast array of feudal, theocrat, misogynist ideologues -- now all the more weighted down by their open bribes and perjuries.
Raise you extra, Bill, with the millions of Americans helplessly to both "higher" ed and K-12 schools suckered into elite silos all stripped of humanities, to ensure being out of touch with the damages these billionaire classes sic on all.
They and their international oligarchs, dictators, religious nut-job nationalists, and ayatollah-armed murderers, Saudi-armed murderers, Putin-armed murderers, and U.S. high-tech-armed murderers, School of the Americas-trained murderers -- in all your best optimism, how do you think America's neutered, HR-cowed educators or anyone's dehumanize, standardized-test-addicted educators can compete?
Well Phil, that's a real dose of realism and some shiver inducing facts. But I keep reverting back to two ideas that get me through each day.
First, Dobbs was the biggest single mistake the Oiligarchs and Oligarchs ever made. Beware a woman scorned. Be very wary of millions of them who are rip shit pissed off about having their reproductive rights ripped away.
Second, we should work very hard to combat the menace of this sicko "movement" but I am reinforced with the fact that we do spend a lot of time worrying about stuff that never happens. And there is a surprise around every corner.
Polls had Hillary elected. A Black president? A wahoo "W"? Slick Willy - really? Jimmy who?
And in the Republican Convention of 1880, a guy was nominated who never ran for the job. John Garfield was a last minute decision.
You are right and your well constructed descriptives are spot on.
I'll raise a glass to you tonight.
It's a horrible world. But it's not going ruin my day - not yet.
When the next Trump inspired insurrection happens, Biden will be the commander in chief.
And, if we're lucky, TFFG will be behind bars. Of course, TFFG won't end up in Leavenworth. Probably end up in the same country club jail Navarro is whining about.
Poor Navarro. It's not good to keep all that anger bottled up inside.
Navarro., just another POS...., doing 'time' for Trump. Wonder what they've got him doing. Mowing grass? Trimming hedges? Cleaning commodes? Having conjugal visits or a badly needed massage.? But, even so, he's in the clink while his boss still runs amuck.
That’s why it is important to focus behind donald. He’s the distracting, destructive circus-clown. After the Biden 2024 victory we still have to “make a more perfect Union” with these same malcontents. This is where strengthening “the Rule of Law” comes in. Donald has shown the falseness of our rule of law myth. Rule of Law needs to apply to everyone. The forces behind donald want an American Aristocracy /kleptocracy to be permanently embedded as the rule of the land.
I pray Cheetolinni loses in November but I, too, am worried what his mob will do when he loses. They don’t believe the court cases that said there was no foul play in the past election. They believe he won because he has driven that notion in their thick skulls!! They believe him when he says he is above the law and that Democrats are the bad guys. How will our country ever heal when he eventually goes away?
Rush started with the Dems are evil. Every Repub since has hammered that ad nauseam. It’s why rank and file repubs feel like it’s chump or the Dem devil. Joe is painted with a 40 year-old-brush that still resonates with the pre- magats
I don't think there will be al bloodbath when he loses, just more lies and craziness. I do think 900 convictions with jail time have cooled off some of the folks who might otherwise be planning the next insurrection. There will be some violence for sure, though. It will turn into the Second Lost Cause, as the first one was after the Civil War.
Yes, I think the same way. Sure, tffg will try to rally the minions, but I say "BRING IT ON." This time law enforcement will be ready. and shut them down "with extreme prejudice."
I do worry that similar plans are being made as those put together for the Jan 6th attack. Some of the Proud Boys are in prison, but hope the FBI has an open investigation to prevent the predicted bloodbath.(no, I don't believe he was talking about the auto industry)
Trump will never admit losing anything. It’s in his DNA! If he does lose, he’s already warned of bloodshed! What more do we have to hear him say? As always, thanks to HCR for enlightening us!
WGAS if he "admits it" or anything. When that POS has to go sit in a federal prison he can commiserate with his minders. If he's lucky Aleena Habeena will come visit, maybe she'll get paid.
That’s my concern too, not that I’m not willing to face it to keep him out of office. I worry about more violence and about his supporters in the government sabotaging Biden’s second term. I’d like to see Jordan, Meadows, Perry, et all prosecuted for abetting the insurrection, right after tfg is convicted.
Right on Jeri. If I said under oath, I had $400 million and couldn't post the first bond of $91 million I would be extremely embarrassed. But, I guess that's an emotion narcissists are unable to feel.
Don't worry, this is part of the act.., the "Woa is me" act. I'm beginning to feel sorry for alleena habbeena already. Don's broke.., No new car! My my my. Nextthing you know he'll drive to court in a 58 Ford F150.. Stormy will arrive in an Escalade (rental).
Trump needs to publicly show his tax returns since leaving office as well as Trump, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries.
Plus we need to see the results from a thorough physical from a doctor that isn't a quack like Dr. Ronnie. And a real cognition test.
And while he's at it, maybe someone can explain why, under oath, he said he had $400,000,000 in cash and he can't pony up enough to get a bond. What is better collateral than cash?
I have begun to think of the nine months leading up to the 2024 election as a troubled pregnancy. There are some very disturbing symptoms with a possibility of a miscarriage of Justice, and yet we progress towards a delivery. The father of all this has some serious genetic flaws, and something tells me that even many staunch Republicans would like an abortion, but it's probably too late for that. We should have put him away for insurrection when he left the White House.
We can and should heap much blame on "party-first, country last" McConnell for not taking care of the cancerous boil on the country's butt that is Trump, in the impeachment trial that happened after January 6th.
Nope. And I'm vindictive enough to hope McConnell's actions in service to his actively apt-to-evil "party" earn him some form of post-life eternal punishment.
You must have been watching "Dante's Inferno" that's been airing on PBS this week. Any number of circles of hell he, and a few others, could descend to.
Absolutely!!!!!!! McConnell is as much to blame as anyone-more so, for allowing this travesty of humanity to stay in the Oval as well as stacking the Supreme-ly Corrupt Court.
Thanks Heather, good job as always. Going back to my So. Cal. roots, if Trump was a surfer his theme song would be 'Wipeout'...have a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpv1h3d7DQA
This morning on Alexander Vindman's Substack I was watching a video he has created using Ronald Reagan's words to highlight why we should support funding Ukraine. A very smart strategy that pits Ronald Reagan against the Treacherous-treasonous-traitor-Trump. That video immediately switched to one of Mitt Romney being interviewed on CNN supporting us funding Ukraine so that we remain honorable, retain our allies and support our troops. He also went on to say that he will vote for Biden over Trump because he disagrees with Trump's stance on foreign policy, and he also sees Trump as having bad character and that matters to him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxKyxb0Gy7E
So glad there are Republicans who can afford the private security so that they can speak out against Trump. I see more and more rats jumping ship. I repeat that the Republican party is imploding and as an experienced classroom teacher I know that if the children ran the classroom it would implode too. That is what the Republicans in Congress are like. However, one disturbing note, is that I read in the Chicago Sun Times that the numbers of voters in Chicago were way lower than in the last 2 primaries.
Still, Biden got 91.3 percent of Democrats, with almost 700,000 votes in Illinois, and Trump got 80 percent of the Republicans with close to 500,000 votes. Nikki Haley got close to 100,000 votes, or 15% and that could lead to some of them voting for Biden.
In fact, who knows how many of the Republican votes for Haley were actually Democrats making a statement. Still, the low numbers of voters in Chicago has me hoping that is not the case in the general election. In any case, I again read that the youth vote was lowest, and many interviewed said that they are not sure how to vote from being out of state in college. I made sure my daughter, who is attending University in Germany knew how to vote. I also told her that voting in this election cycle is the most important thing she can do for her future, more important than her studies, more important than anything else other than taking care of her health. I think it is going to be very, very important that someone take on teaching people how to vote when they are living away. Of the 1000 Americans in the city that I live in in Germany where I also worked the election at the Democrats Abroad Germany voting place where one could vote in person for the Democratic election, there were only a handful that came in to vote. I can hope that they voted online at home too if their states allow it.
"rejecting his insistence that he didn’t have to answer to Congress because Trump had invoked executive privilege over their conversations about overturning the 2020 presidential election. "
For the survival of rule of law, we somehow need some kind of official guideline about what "executive privilege" is or isn't. I accept that there are things a president says and does that are privileged information, at least with respect to how and when and to whom, certain information is released, but it also seems to me that the only legitimate criteria for invoking such restrictions would be in credible service of the public's interests. As a person and as an key employee, a president has personal rights; but everything he or she does on the clock (and for presidents that can be 24/7) has impact upon and is mandated to be in service of, or at least not incompatible the good of the nation and it's people. Seems to me that whenever I hear insistence on "executive privileged" someone is claiming an excuse for dodgy behavior. We just can't afford that kind of fringe benefit in light of all that is a stake. Not and claim to be a nation of laws, and democratic justice.
For that "tool", "executive privilege" is just another tool for cheating, and one of many important terms that he has tried to redefine for himself and his rampage. To him "president" means King, and "service" means what Stormy Daniels did for him. Well she has made him pay, and I hope she also gets her pound of flesh, for all of our sakes.
Really fine insight; many thanks. I would guess that the executive privilege criteria would roughly correspond to classification criteria (e.g., degrees of harm to the national interest, if exposed). Sadly, the classification system is overused, also to evade accountability. Being embarrassed by transparency does not cut it for hiding information in the national interest.
Secrecy about what our "public servants" are up to is toxic to democracy. That said, there are powers that are the prime tools of tyrants are licensed by the public to those who perform public functions for constrained and responsible use to advance and protect recognized individual rights and the common good. These include state secrets, the use of force, including deadly force, incarceration, and other coercive or enabling powers that become criminal with misapplication, rather the ways that life-saving drugs can be used to murder.
To me "corruption" IS the misuse of entrusted powers, either by negligence or by personal/organizational use that benefits those who exercise the power to the disadvantage of harm to those who are meant to be served. To me a cover-up even of a significant honest error, let alone selfish abuse of public power, is a serious political crime, which undermines the foundation of self-governance, consent of the governed and equal justice under law to the degree it is undetected or tolerated. Worse that an accountant who embezzles, it is a breach of trust in the way than evokes special enmity for those who commit treason.
Yes, depending upon the scale and systematic nature of the mis-behavior, the mis-use and abuse of entrusted powers looks like a corruption of power to me. As to the level of information that is properly suited for secrecy, I think of the largest betrayal of the twentieth century in the United States: the betrayal of atomic secrets to the U.S.S.R. While inimical to U.S. interests in the short-term, the ultimate harm was neither permanent nor catastrophic for the U.S.
Sorry for run-on sentences above. Obviously weapon plans are exactly the sort of thing that justify secrecy, but I recall hearing atomic scientist say that to a substantial extent, once the first A-bomb exploded, the cat was out of the bag. Until that point, a successful detonation had been theoretical, and physics is physics. The Nazis had been credibly pursuing an atom bomb but Hitler had given it only moderate support, and the Allies were savvy enough to sabotage their effort. Reality is the ultimate teacher of physics.
I see it as akin to attorney-client privilege. Even that has limits - it cannot be used in furtherance of a crime. So should it be with executive privilege.
That parallel occurred to me also. A doctor who does due diligence should not be held responsible if unable to save an injured patient. A doctor who sells prescriptions for recreational opioids should have no protection. Use of "executive privilege" with clear evidence of use as a coverup should be considered a crime. There is room for benefit of the doubt, but sometimes there is none.
They used to say that "The King Can Do No Wrong" but in a true "government of the people, by the people, for the people" we are all accountable. Your liberty and my liberty requires cooperative boundaries to each others behaviors, no rape, no murder, orderly progression at a four-way stop. There is no other way to conduct a free and just society.
Thank you Heather for this most mostly good news., I wonder if it’s possible that enough Republicans will be at the national Republican nominating convention and break ranks with Trump, and at the convention nominate another person to represent their party. I suppose that’s a pipe dream?
"...the fact that more than 1,200 people have been charged for their actions that day [Jan. 6] and many of them have been sentenced to prison seems likely to dampen enthusiasm for trying something like that again."
Add to that, law enforcement wasn't prepared in 2021. They will be in 2025.
Ralph, I still have not seen an assessment of the details of how those agencies made the decisions that they did. From where I sit, it was an absolute 'command and control" failure. I knew, sitting on my couch, that the "protest" that was planned was going to be intense and violent. I don't get FBI intel briefings. How could they not have had SWAT on standby???
Hate to say it, but a fair number of folks in our law-enforcement ranks like Trump a lot. Some were probably not eager to interrupt the insurrection. Remember that all the FBI phones got "scrubbed" immediately afterwards? Oh dear. How unfortunate.
Comey did his "Hillary is being investigated " speech because he had good reason to think anti-Hillary Trump supporters within the FBI were going to leak it and accuse him of hiding it.
The FBI and DOJ have traditionally been on the conservative side and it would be naive to think they are all anti-Trump.
I clearly remember as I watched the insurrection as it was happening, noting that some of the Capitol policemen were actually smiling and ushering in the insurrectionists through the (woefully inadequate) barriers. I’ve never seen that footage again.
I remember that, too. It was confusing, made me question my perception of the whole thing. Another scene was of a cop standing calmly as a dozen or so insurrectionists wandered around the House chamber. The cop suggested they should leave, but they said no we want to look around, and he said nervously " There are more of you than me." I wondered why he seemed to have no authority in their eyes.
The violence was proof of what was really going but it was sure weird to see those friendly cops some of whom took selfish with insurrectionists. I'd sure like to know that backstory.
I agree. But if focus was put on the few police who were fine with everything, right wingers would use that to prove that it was all friendly and nobody was hurt.
The other difference this time around is that Trump is not in the White House. Had an incumbent Democrat been in the Oval Office on Jan. 6, 2021, I believe the day would have unfolded much differently.
I believe there are indeed many Trump supporters in the FBI which is ironic since the FBI is the very core, the icon, of the “deep state” MAGA claims to want to destroy.
Thank you for your thoughtful response to my comment.
Ralph, my concern is with how Capitol Police, Metro Police Department, and the Parks Police (local agencies that cover the jurisdictions involved in the area(s) involved in that incident) and why they chose to not utilize more crowd control measures. I've been involved in local protests as a county cop, and know that having tactical units at least on standby is essential. To see those bike patrol cops in their regular uniforms defending movable barricades really made me wonder what intel they had and/or why they ignored it.
Thank you HCR for another informative letter tonight. I am so in hopes that we will see the orange menace get his "come upping's" but until he is actually broke or indicted for his treasonous crimes or in jail, I will hold my breath for our country and our democracy. Watching all this unfold makes me realize how Jim Jones got his followers to drink the Kool-Aid!
And living through this upheaval, it brings to my mind a need for a Second Enlightenment. The Founding Fathers were students of the first Enlightenment where man was viewed as a rational creature capable of ruling his society more justly than kings. But there are bugs in human nature. We are all irrational and persuadable. There is no Devine-Right-to-Rule, but there is susceptibility to corruption in all of us. Going forward, our “More Perfect Union” must strengthen the gates against the insidious, corrupting effluent in the tide waters of civil society. Donald has shown us that our current “Rule of Law”, “Justice For All” belief is a myth. Strengthening our systems against “Winner-Take-All” urges is an ongoing process. Strengthening our civic life against another donald (donawannabees), or Project 2025, or “Flood-The-Zone-With-Shit” mindf*ck is the Fight we are in now and must keep putting one foot in front of the other for and create a better working democracy.
I fully agree except insofar as current “Rule of Law”, “Justice For All” belief is a myth", though I know what you are getting at. If there was none we would be like Hungary and we would not be discussing this in the light of day. Theoretically we all have a natural right to liberty and justice for ALL. That has always been an imperfect aspect of American life, and the contradictions remain legion, but we were making some strides in that direction in the last Century and still are in some respects in that face of intense backlash.
My spottily informed impress of the Enlightenment period is that while it unsurprisingly retained some naive and outdated attitudes, it was movent toward experimentation, logic, and evidence based and collaborative, thought over top-down theocracy. It seems to me that this approach better serves the capacities, resilience, cheerfulness of our species.
Another fine piece, Dr Richardson. Though not directly relevant to today's essay, here is a twelve and a half minute vid. of an interview taken earlier today aimed at the threat not only of Trump's lack of fitness for the office but the de-moralizing effect he is having on others. The discussion is worth one's time; I do not agree with everything but this lady's reasoning is tight and sober-minded.
Reminiscent of the cults of personalities responsible for in excess of hundred million deaths in the twentieth century. Perhaps you and Dr Lee could compare notes. You and she have incisive minds and think much the same way. Below is a letter-of-warning from me to me from May 2016 that follows the same concern that twisted thinking can overtake anybody, even me if I am not very careful.
But... back in 2016 I got censored by the NYT for simply recounting my Dad's conversations in 1943 with an old British journalist who happened to have covered BOTH the Russian revolution AND Hitler's coming to power. This gentleman, Wilcox by name, Foreign Correspondent of the then News Chronicle, explained Hitler's phenomenal success by how he used beer hall and barrackroom language instead of the usual staid funeral oration style then customary in German politics.
The mere mention of that H name was unmentionable.
And so I cancelled my years' long NYT subscription.
Perhaps I should not be surprised by the nightmarish upwelling of hysteria, Q, rumors, conspiracy theories, verbal violence and loud bigsnouts of the Alec Jones/Drumpf variety in a land in which so many (outside NYC) have long been so given to expressions of polite euphemism...
The two go together. The first is a well-orchestrated herd or pack phenomenon, the second, discretion as the better part of valor.
I used once to think that polite hypocrisy was a very English thing -- but no, the English I've known are plain spoken, even if there's often a hint of passive aggression...
Can't help thinking that sweet-talking understatement may be a practical way of warding off extreme violence, especially in a land overstocked with guns and paranoia.
Dr. Lee's distinction between primary and secondary illness helps me understand the dynamics playing out amidst US citizenry and yes, how you say, "twisted thinking can overtake anybody, even me if I am not very careful".
"The [GOP primary] results highlight the weaknesses former president Trump is bringing to 2024 ...Even in *Ohio, Trump received less than 80%.
*Ohio GOP primary.
2016: Trump 35.87% (713,404 votes)
Trump won the general election
2020: Trump: 100% (714,546 votes.
Trump lost the general election.
2024: 79.2% (889,001 votes)
Trump could win 2024. It's not a long shot.
There are diverse forces united for Trump**. We cannot downplay their effectiveness.
**GOP. Russia, Iran, North Korea. Jill Stein, Robert Kennedy, Cornell West; Netanyahu (war as wedge issue); Evangelicals; American Council of Bishops; Heritage Foundation et al; right wing media; Federalist Society packed courts; and ...
In the firehose of tffg news the past week, despite the apparent strength of the Biden-Harris campaign, I have felt a sense of gloom that tffg may yet evade justice, somehow. BUT your last sentence in tonight's essay, regarding the impeachment attempt against Biden made me actually laugh for the first time in a while of reading Substacks. Thank you.
"Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD), the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, told reporters: “Lev Parnas can debunk the bogus claims at the heart of the impeachment probe and, in the process, explain how the GOP ended up in this degraded and embarrassing place.”"
Must love Jamie Raskin for tirelessly debunking GOP. Reps, in such clear and direct ways. He's a top asset to the Democrat party.
Raskin is just one of many Democrats that are well spoken and make the maganazis and white faux-Christian nationalists look like fools.
Adam Schiff, Eric Swalwell, Katie Porter to name a few in the House.
But is it really that difficult to bring out the fool in a fool?
Raskin is a national gem, a Constitutional scholar fighting for what is right, and against what is wrong about the Right.
Jamie Raskin belongs on the Supreme Court!!
He would be a real asset - but would need to sit as far away from Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas as possible. The three women would enjoy his company ! 😉
Or the Oval Office.
The biggest factor against Raskin being appointed to SCOTUS: he is extremely competent!
And he can't be bought!
Well, yes. MAGats are still saying January 6 was just a sightseeing tour through Congress unless those comments are actually ironic, sarcastic words from anti-trumpers. Who can tell the difference? It would make things easier and less confusing if MAGats would adopt a new flag, an orange flag with a big pumpkin in the middle and keep the American flag off their trucks and out of their hands. Save the American flag for the real patriots who vote against MAGat fascists.
I understand and empathize with the thought behind your post. However, as a veteran myself (an old one. One who got shot at in Vietnam and who shot at others), there is nothing that makes my blood boil more than the latter-day notion that vets have some special—or even exclusive—claim on the flag.
We don’t. It belongs to everyone who lives in this country. There is the same proportion of noble and patriotic people in civilian life as in the military. Just as many dedicated and hardworking people.
It is fashionable these days to fawn over the military and extravagantly thank us for our service. Many of us are frankly put off by that. Can we all try being normal?
I don’t thank strangers who are shift nurses, teachers, single moms (or dads), or literally in hundreds of other walks of life.
Believe me, vets don’t feel a special grievance when some pack of fools uses the flag to represent themselves. In fact, statistics says that a random distribution of vets are in that pack of fools.
I know I am ranting, way off topic, and unfairly singling you out.
But please, can we all abandon that line of thought?
Thank you for this. I have always railed against this pseudo patriotism, which is propaganda in disguise to promote the false idea that it is noble to join the military and go over seas to kill people. And that it's referred to as service, when I among others never asked anyone to serve me in this way always galls me. The medical personnel who fought the Covid fight are just as deserving to our appreciation, if not more, as well as all the others who serve our communities - police officers, social workers, sanitation workers, as well as those folks who just contribute by doing their jobs and following the rules that keep our society going.
Librarians and teachers.
From the wife of another Vietnam vet, we agree with you.
I too, am the wife of a Vietnam vet.
Sure. I agree. A truck I saw yesterday with American flags on poles and veterans for tfffmbT-Q stickers was on my mind. Also my parents—both veterans and what would they think about that.
Thank you for your comment. My husband was Vietnam veteran as well, and felt the same way you do. I lost him in 2018, but I know if he was still here, he would be so disgusted with what is going on in this country.
Tom, I missed going to Viet Nam by one draft. I didn't have parents that could pay off a doctor to say that my bone spur was bad enough that I couldn't hold a gun. I was designated 1-A after my Army physical.
But, your comment about the flag pique my anti-Republican anti-faux-Christian Nationalist juices. If we went to public school in the US in the 1950's - 1970's chances are very good we have muttered the pledge of Alliagence to that bizarre piece of cloth we had hanging in virtually every room in our schools. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have been born in the US as a white male in a state with a smallll minority population I was treated way better than I deserved to be. And like most white males in America, I have never truly appreciated the advantages GIVEN to me.
But why the heck are any of us pledging allegiance to a piece of cloth and why the heck does it say, "under God" when Americans worship thousands of different Gods most of them we don't even know if they exist.
The “under God” phrase was added during the (Joe) McCarthy era in a weird symbolic protection against Communism or being accused of sympathy toward such.
Having been raised a Catholic, don’t get me started on the strangeness of the symbols, talismans, charms or totems we’re taught to venerate, respect, or even worship in early civic or religious life.
Going to miss Katie Porter in the House. Hope that she gets a spot in the new Biden administration.
She did not lose well, though, which is bothersome.
And now among Democrats in the House blocking aid to Ukraine.
Nope. I think you got your wires crossed on this one, Michael. This from her dated Feb 26th: "Porter said she would support the $95 billion deal the Senate passed to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, stressing it is important the bill include humanitarian aid to Gaza residents. “Supporting democracy abroad keeps our democracy safe and strong here at home,” she said.
My source is Calmatters.org
??? Can you provide more details? I don't see when she blocked aid to Ukraine. Maybe I missed something.
Really?
I also like Hakeem Jeffries. Wow, quite a Letter from Heather after hiking in remote Nevada most of the day. Thank you, as always, but especially encouraging news during these worrying days.
Raskin is sharp like a razor and knows how cut right through Republican representatives. There's a difference between knowledge, experience and stupidity. Half of the Republicans from the house don't even know what hell their talking about.
Tommy Tuberville is a dunce! His personal financial failures should have been a red flag to voters on Alabama. Instead, they saw only the word “football coach”.
Patricia- Half? You feeling generous today? /S
Gary, you would think not, but the Fool of all Fools is still Fooling many people.
Don't forget Dan Goldman. He's been great today.
Nope, not difficult at all.
AOC, Cory Booker (I just started following on Instagram, he is doing amazing work), and don't forget Hakeem Jeffries.
Every time Raskin comments, I’m more encouraged to “write him in” in November…he’s one bright light in a dark alley. (Paraphrasing the late, great Harry Chapin)
While I, too, greatly admire Jamie Raskin, and think he would be a fine Democratic candidate for the Presidency, I always try to remind myself of the bigger picture, and the longer-range goals. At this point, any vote for anyone other than Biden is a vote for tfrg. Write-in votes and third-party votes (remember all the Bernie Sanders and Marianne Williamson "purists" who refused to cast votes for Hillary Clinton?) have the net effect of being one less vote that would ensure a Democratic party victory, and in consequence, a dagger in the heart of democracy itself. Now really is the time to unite in lock-step solidarity for the candidate who, while not perfect, at least isn't trying to turn the nation into a dictatorship.
Not to worry, though…this is no time for ticket-splitting….Biden…tried and true…Vote Blue!
I agree 💯 percent!!Jamie is a great guy!!💙💙💙!!
Marli, I would love to see Jamie Raskin as the Democratic presidential candidate in 2028. He's brilliant, carried on bravely just days after his beloved son's death, can't be intimidated, and as a bonus, he's funny! As for the present, I don't want to jinx the chances, but I'm feeling more and more optimistic about November. There could be life after disaster.
Yes, I feel optimistic to. We still have a tough fight ahead and must not take anything for granted.
Patricia, like you, I believe that the road will be rocky, and I am afraid to voice too much optimism for fear of bringing us ill fortune - as if we haven't paid enough for the last eight years!
The DemocratIC party. Remember, it was Donald who got everyone to drop the “ic”. It was a deliberate act of disrespect.
I learned of it from Rush Limbaugh's usage. He coined words/usage to be as insulting as possible.
Checking in as the grammar police: Republican is both a noun and an adjective. Democrat is a noun, Democratic is an adjective.
I believe it eas former Rep Dick Armey who started the inappropriate "Democrat" as adjective talk, Ally. The Massive Maven of Mendacity did it routinely as well
And George W. Bush also talked about the "Democrat" Party. It's pretty ignorant and childish to turn an adjective into a noun and then use it as an insult. If we wanted to return the favor, we could talk about the "Republic" Party, but that's stooping to their low level.
Adjective and noun, one can’t “ republican” anything , as those in the House are proving.
I looked up Republican. I found no evidence of the word being used as a verb, just as a noun or adjective.
We've been republicaned! (synonym for screwed).
You're right. I shall fix that. I blame my lack of coffee this morning. I ran short...
As a certified oldster, I remember Nixon, Dole (“Democrat wars” in a debate with Carter), and others after Eisenhower using this as childish taunt.
I think it goes back to Reagan, as I recall him using the term "Democrat Party".
Thank you, Michael, for getting the proper adjective back before our eyes.
Not only is Jamie Raskin an “asset to the Democratic Party,” but he is also an asset the all of US! His intelligence and diligence through the death of his son and his cancer are to be admired and appreciated by everyone.
"Jamie Raskin...is also an asset the all of US!" 100% agree. The average trump supporter, as opposed to the wealthy, don't realize it, butBiden and the liberals are doing good for them and the whole country they love. Why they don't see that just boggles my mind.
They only want power and money. Many are traitors, not patriots.
I agree. That's why I differentiated the average trump supporter from the wealthy. They and the wealthy "conservative" politicians believe trump will serve them. They don't care if he's out of his mind and a full-on criminal. I suppose they are too - most, if not all.
Thank you. I think all in Congress who refused to recognize the vote should be tried for treason. Of course it is possible that some (think Comer) are more stupid than venal.
I think of Jamie Raskin as about the closest embodiment of Lincoln we have in our day.
JustRaven, when I read that quote of Jamie Raskin a lyrics from an old Jim Croce song (hey, all his songs are old, I guess, may he R.I.P.) came to mind:
"You don't spit into the wind"
Nor, I suppose, do you shovel barnyard waste in the wind either, as it all comes back at you. This so-called impeachment inquiry has a strong odor of bovine dung.
Can't wait to hear that.
I want to hear it but Representative Comer's voice sounds like Woody Woodpecker strung out on speed. Big deterrent. 😉
Comer Fudd. . .
… keeps stepping on rakes.
When did we become so discriminatory of peoples voices instead of listening to what they say? Sounds like republican distraction used against Hillary. I miss the days of common courtesy, respect, and allowing those who aren’t “perfect” a little human dignity.
Linda, I understand why you are saying this and I agree it would be nice to see a little civility now and then. However, it is hard to listen to death star and his minions because death star whines and I don't listen to any of the rest of them either. When people behave in a manner that shows that they don't have respect for anything but power and money and certainly not their Constitutional oath, I have problems not making fun of them, even their voices.
We all need to take what he says seriously....minus the dementia talking.
I am watching the 0versight hearing. There is dirt on both sides of the street; it does not look like it applies to President Biden (at least evidentially). In the case of the Biden family, sleazy not illegal comes to mind. Mr Bobulisnki is unctuous yet unwilling to take any responsibility for his actions, often by playing the victim card; l surmise that he learned that from the best. Mr Galanis is civil, though untrustworthy. Only Mr Parnas strikes me as sincerely contrite; he is unfailingly civil.
😳
Mr Hunter Biden displayed the de-moralized behavior of someone lost and drowning in addiction. When l suffered similarly in my teens and early twenties, I started sliding down that slippery slope. As it is, Mr Hunter Biden strikes me as sincerely trying to remain clean and to rectify his past behaviors.
🤞
The questioning by Representatives Ocasio-Cortéz (NY), Moskowitz (FLA), Mfume (MD, Goldman (NY), Crockett (TX) and Lee (¡ from my home-town district of Pittsburgh!) have deflated the Republican case. And they have been civil as have the other Democrats. These cited Democrats comprise a representative sample of the Democratic Representatives seated on the 0versight Committee.
Thank you for the update. I have often marveled at the poise, maturity, intelligence, civic mindedness, and civility of many of our Democratic politicians. It gives me hope.
Unfortunately, too many Republicans no longer play nice in the political arena.
"Stupid is as stupid does." It's comer's words and actions that have caused me to think of every term for stupid I can when I hear him talk. "Dumb as a, (fill in the blank)."
Marge green has become as ugly to me as the words that come out of her mouth. She's no beauty, but if she was kind, that's what I'd see.
And I see Biden as the kind, thoughtful, effective leader he has proven to be.
As Gangrene festers like rotting flesh, that's my nickname for her.
Just hit mute whenever Comer or any of the other republicans start talking. That's the only way I got through it. We all know that all of the republicans do nothing but lie and spread innuendo, so you don't miss a thing by muting them.
What does tffg mean?
When I first saw that extra "F," I guessed that it meant The "effing" Former Guy. Hope to see the real meaning revealed here!
Yes, Lynell, that's exactly it.
Lynell, that's what I've always thought, but never saw a "translation."
Of all the words that begin with the letter "F," you'd think we could have chosen a non-curse word:
Words that begin with F are words that start with the letter F in the English alphabet. Some examples of words that begin with F are:
Fabulous, fantastic, friendly, funny, fierce, fragile, fast, furious, fascinating, and fruitful.
False, fussy, furtive, famous, fancy, fantastic, faultless, favorite, fearless, fervent, festive, fetching, fiery, fine, fit, flawless, flexible, fluent, foremost, fortuitous, fortunate, foxy, frank...
and there are many more!
Lynell, while you're correct, only a few of those you cited could be used to describe DJT ("faultless," "fetching," "flawless" - c'mon now!). Besides that, he inspires most of my baser instincts, and over the last almost eight years, using the "F" word in relation to him has been one of the few ways I've been able to maintain my sanity.
Right, you are, Nancy. But I see how easy it was for you to dismiss the obvious "F" words that don't apply to Loser 45, just as it was for me. "favorite?" Nope. "fluent?" Definitely, no. "fantastic?" Give me a break!
And yet, those you and I chose to highlight still are "F" words. Just sayin'!
While I understand your sentiment, I have always been uncomfortable with how easily we can conflate sex with violence through the use of the F word. As rape is often a weapon of war, I tend to shy away from using this particular slur.
When I saw the extra f, I thought of “fat” as a possible adjective.
That would fit, Danielle!
I picked "feckless" as my second qualifier, and later replaced it with an "R," after really thinking through his personal irresponsibility, his disregard for the rule of law, and his disrespect for democracy generally -- while there are a lot of "R" words that capture part of how I think about him (for example, Rude, Rash, Regrettable, Reckless, Racist, Rancid, Rotten, and so on), I think the "umbrella" that covers everything is "Reprehensible."
I don't even have to think about it. My fingers automatically type "tfrg."
Perfect word, ml! I'll be sure to remember that when I see it.
I had that same thought a week or so ago and then I, as Lynell from VA by way of MD&DC, said below, I think is right. Actually I think the extra F should always be capitalized.
I actually call him quadruple T. Treacherous-treasonous-traitor-Trump! For short Q-T!
IMHO, T-Q would be better. He is no cutie. And it’s too good a word to spoil. Treacherous is an excellent word we don’t hear enough! 💙🇺🇸❤️😇. No more 🤡🎃💩
Okay T-quadrupled it is. T-Q. Treacherous-treasonous-traitor-Trump!
Thank you for saving cutie for real cuties—-babies and children who deserve to grow up in a free country. 💙🇺🇸❤️
Amen💪
Always love your poetic alliterations, Linda.
Well it could represent failure or flawed but I think we all know that it is most representative of the same 4-letter “f-word” that is or has the same meaning or meanings in every language.
Ladies,
I will not even say how I filled in those initials. 🤭
Hey, I have an image to maintain, here! 😃
Well, this "lady" doesn't shrink from the translation . . . .
The Former Fkg Guy
Ah, so he's lost his sex drive? I guess he found it too expensive (85 million dollars and counting).
You can put the 'f' word in either place, with 'former' in the other. However it trips off the tongue for you.
Ned, we took "tfg" from President Biden, who occasionally referred to his predecessor as "the former guy" and a lot of folks adopted the letters "tfg". As the **fill in with your description of choice here, mine is shenanigans** got to be outlandish, there were some of us who threw in an extra "f". Some, less profane or inclined to let their junior high brain get its way than I use "foolish", "foolhardy", or "freakin'" as their "f". Mine is (bowing to both my inclination towards profanity and allowing my junior high brain some head time) is to use the four letter word that, in some circumstances once, stood for "for unlawful carnal knowledge". When I am not in that state, I use fpotus, lowercase letters intentional as a sign of disrespect.
Somebody around here (I think) said that fpotus is what the Secret Service uses. I use it too, though my word for the "f" is probably not the same as theirs.
The Fascist Former Guy
And now we are at tfffg or tfffmb since tfffer is not a guy. He is a manbaby.
Does any of this relate to koffeefee? Or is that just a mental illness?
When I asked my friend what it meant, she said it means that former f--king guy.
Many thanks. I had it close except for fat for f*cking.
It is easy to feel gloom and doom aided and abetted by the MSM which never misses a chance to give us polls numbers, etc. I also laughed at Raskin's remark this am, JustRaven. He is right on as the party of death is certainly in a "degraded and embarrassing place."
https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/the-trump-is-a-strong-candidate-bubble?utm_campaign=email-post&r=5v4jv&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
"Biden leads in polls".....Simon Rosenberg
Death star is indeed in a bubble.
That's why Lev Parnas testimony, should be televise live for the American people. So they can see the corruption of lies and fraud that Trump has committed. Lev Parnas is a key witness that will tell the truth. We are fed up with this con feeding lies on a everyday basis with us and with the media.
If tRUMP sidesteps the most obvious crime ie the theft of highly classified documents, it will be because of his evidently bought and paid for young and beautiful (coincidence?) Florida judge, the ever inexperienced Looose Cannon who has penned a rambling 2 page document that gives 2 outcomes both of which basically say , without regard for the law, that if a prz designates any document as personal property before he leaves the White House, it is so. If any judge needs censuring or whatever it's called for judges, she's it. This line of thinking has no basis in document law and is pretty dangerous if it succeeds going forward.
Did you listen to the videos Aaron Rupar of Public Notice provided an entire thread of Lev Parnas destroying the Republicans with his testimony. Very entertaining.
I hope this is okay.
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1770453622825844814.html?utm_source=subscriptions_mailer&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=real_time
Ta ta for good?
Embarrassing yes, but they have no sense of embarrassment. The play-acting is to appeal to their ignorant base. They know that they can say and do anything regardless of how stupid and unfounded it is, for they know that their base will suck it up because they know what their base wants and needs and that is to be fed BS to justify their hatred.
Just raven, I just said as much to my husband yesterday… I feel doom and gloom in the air!!
HCR has had the siren on as she keeps us informed about the battle for Democracy in the US. We look to Ukraine as well to keep Democracy alive. World Central Kitchen is working as no other organization to feed people in need. Learn about their recent shipment of food to the people in Gaza.
'WCK is first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. ... WCK has created a new model for disaster relief ...'
https://wck.org/
'Operation Safeena: Aid shipment reaches northern Gaza'
'World Central Kitchen provided almost 200 tons of food in northern Gaza that arrived on our first maritime aid shipment. The food that reached families facing starvation arrived aboard the first humanitarian shipment to reach the Gazan coast in nearly two decades. Alongside local and international partners, WCK has provided more than 39 million meals by land, sea, and air to Palestinians in need.'
https://wck.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=06ac91679649ec3adc1c73cc3&id=5c0f294604&e=8c2d0f0321
'For months, our teams across the region have worked nonstop to open this maritime aid route into Gaza. We are sourcing and loading food onto boats in Cyprus and built our own jetty in Gaza using rubble, including from bombed buildings, to safely unload cargo.'
'WCK will eventually be able to provide “huge quantities of food daily into the shores of Gaza,” said José Andrés, WCK’s founder. Our teams are currently preparing to dispatch our second maritime shipment that will include food and heavy machinery that will expedite the offloading process.
WCK's next maritime shipment will include food and heavy machinery to expedite offloading.'
'Still, much more needs to be done. José has called for a ceasefire and opening of as many land crossings as possible as the best ways to ensure Palestinians get the meals and water they need. To date, we have dispatched more than 1,500 trucks and know that many more are needed to meet the urgent needs of communities all across Gaza.'
'At the same time we deliver food to northern Gaza, WCK is supporting families fleeing south who pass through our Welcome Center in Deir al-Balah. '
Our mailing address is:
World Central Kitchen
PO Box 96538
Washington, DC 20090
Add us to your address book
https://wck.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=06ac91679649ec3adc1c73cc3&id=5c0f294604&e=8c2d0f0321
WCK is a fabulous organization and one that I always feel good donating to. They always go where there is hunger and strife, no matter where. They are putting their lives on the line everyday to ease the people's pain in Gaza, in Ukraine, and when there have been disasters the States, they are there too!
Colette My wife and I are regular contributors to WCK, which has provided emergency food services in many countries, including Ukraine, Gaza, and the United States. That Jose Andres could deliver and set up food kitchens in Gaza while the United States dithered is the latest gold star on his chef’s cap.
Absolutely! I totally agree. What a great chef and humanitarian!
One person making a huge difference! I'm in.
WCK.
Doing what States are too cowardly to do.
As for the wretched Netanyahu: a curse to his own people, to Israel's allies and supporters, a boon to anti-Semites everywhere.
*
Thank you, Fern. I just made a first contribution. At least to be able to begin helping where help is desperately needed.
LET'S ALL CONTRIBUTE.
I'm doing that as soon as I've posted this comment.
I agree, and I did. In my case, it dove-tailed with a good friend's birthday -- she was thrilled that I made the donation to WCK in her name. I could make a habit of this. Nobody I know needs more stuff, while the people in Gaza, Ukraine and other places really do need food, which WCK is providing.
Wish I could put up a pic. here; I had a couple of the people feeding refugees arriving from Ukraine at the Polish border.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
Thank you for caring, Sabrina.
Thank you for posting this. I can't imagine a better place to send a few bucks. I am rallying my troops to join me today!
And what a waste TFG has been financially, monies that could support a cause like this. According to AP, he has spent $76 Millie so far on legal fees. It drives me crazy thinking of how many lives are impacted or even lost to the money black hole he is.
https://apnews.com/article/trump-spent-millions-legal-fees-2024-presidential-campaign-3384cbfc2df69d3e97ba9e47c2384312#
Plus the legal fees and court fees of those who try to follow his lead… he has single-handedly done lots for defense attorneys in this country…and even local school boards & election officials have had to hire protection. Seems like all that should be added up to his bail $$$$$.
THANKS for reminding us about WCK!!
I sent another donation right after reading your comment.
Me too!! Thank you Fern, for reminding us. I also read at the WFK website that they created a pier on the Gaza beach, using destroyed buildings to create the pier.
I actually sent mine the other day, after realizing I had not yet made my first quarter donation.
Thank You Fern.
As a consistent donor to WCK who carefully reads their reports, I’m totally impressed with Chef José Andrés and his staff who have been diligently committed to putting the needs of those they’re providing for as CRITICAL and when needed creatively develop “work arounds” when choke points stymie the provision of aid…the Gaza work around is one, but not the only example! It’s interesting to me that yet again the MSM devotes little, if any, airspace to WCK’s amazing accomplishments and dedication to providing basic nutrition to ordinary people who desperately need it.
Thank you all for the recommendation and support of World Central Kitchen. I sent a check this morning.
My preference is still for checks but there is the persistent problem of 'checkwashing.' I put a small strip of scotch tape over part of the "To whom ..." section of the check. There doesn't seem to be a problem cashing the check and none have disappeared.
Fern,
Thank you!
We must support these innocent families with children. They have done nothing to deserve this treatment!!!!
Thank you Fern for bringing this up!!Great organization!!
They are my #1 donation choice when I have extra to give.
Thanks for those links.
Thank you Fern. While we're asking such things, does your LFAA stand for Letters From ANOTHER American? 😉
Sorry, top secret, just saying!
God bless the WCK for supplying food to the Palestinian people in Gaza. Thank you, for given us the Address.
Thank you, Fern for recognizing the contribution of World Central Kitchen. Patti and I donate to WCK regularly. They extend their meal service by working with local aid organizations.
Thank you Fern!
Just made first donation🙏🏻
Thank you, Karen Hall!
These reports are making me vomit. Trump is a criminal clear and present and a danger to the American way of life. Clear and present danger. I read that he has rehired Paul manafort, as his campaign manager. The Russian licking guy. Hang onto your seats and please please ensure that your social media prescence is not timid. Theirs won’t be. Lots more to say but I’ve forgotten to breathe … except go Ukraine. Despite Republican treachery. It is what it is … treason.
Can anyone even begin to tally the dollars spent on combating and prosecuting deceit, corruption, and law-breaking? Imagine that spent on benevolence of all sorts.
If any President had pardoned even one of the traitorous fraudster felons that TFFG did, the MSM would be all over it. But all we get from them are crickets.
Corrupt to the bone.
....corruption is part of drumpy's DNA. The family history makes that clear.
Part and parcel for the family culture anyway. Don's ethical lapses go way back.
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/05/donald-trump-2016-mob-organized-crime-213910/
For more on a scary future if trump wins check out Project 2025. I've been trying to slog through the full text but it's hard to raed that much crap. It's abbout 900 pages of revamping the entire government.
Here is an excerpt of some text defining what kinds of power they want the presidency to have.
“The President must set and enforce a plan for the executive branch. Sadly, however, a President today assumes office to find a sprawling federal bureaucracy that all too often is carrying out its own policy plans and preferences—or, worse yet, the policy plans and preferences of a radical, supposedly “woke” faction of the country.
The modern conservative President’s task is to limit, control, and direct the executive branch on behalf of the American people. This challenge is created and exacerbated by factors like Congress’s decades-long tendency to delegate its lawmaking power to agency bureaucracies, the pervasive notion of expert “independence” that protects so-called expert authorities from scrutiny, the presumed inability to hold career civil servants accountable for their performance, and the increasing reality that many agencies are not only too big and powerful, but also increasingly weaponized against the public and a President who is elected by the people and empowered by the Constitution to govern.
The great challenge confronting a conservative President is the existential need for aggressive use of the vast powers of the executive branch to return power— including power currently held by the executive branch—to the American people. Success in meeting that challenge will require a rare combination of boldness and self-denial: boldness to bend or break the bureaucracy to the presidential will and self-denial to use the bureaucratic machine to send power away from Washington and back to America’s families, faith communities, local governments, and states.
Fortunately, a President who is willing to lead will find in the Executive Office of the President (EOP) the levers necessary to reverse this trend and impose a sound direction for the nation on the federal bureaucracy. The effectiveness of those EOP levers depends on the fundamental premise that it is the President’s agenda that should matter to the departments and agencies that operate under his constitutional authority and that, as a general matter, it is the President’s chosen advisers who have the best sense of the President’s aims and intentions, both with respect to the policies he intends to enact and with respect to the interests that must be secured to govern successfully on behalf of the American people.”
Absolutely disgusting.
I know. Pretty creepy huh?
Written by white supremacists, funded by 40 different shell companies established by Leonard Leo. Those companies launder money between them and then to their Russian counterparts. All under the guise of “saving Christianity”. Sheldon Whitehouse and his staff have been investigating Leo for years!
The long-winded authors of the 2025 Project can almost lull a reader into missing anything overty fascistic in the plan. Maybe someone can come up with a condensed version.
I'm thinking of doing a series of posts, each containing excerpts from the chapters to give folks an idea of what the plan entails.
I thank you in advance!
Part 1 is up
Subscribe to my site and post a comment. If enough folks atre interested, I'll do it.
Yes, I was certainly shocked the first time I read that. That’s the way the governments of China and Russia are set up.
Bob, it is primarily for Trump but I read it is for any Republican as well… 😬
In the words of former President W. "That is some weird shit."
Trump and today's GOP are not conservatives. They are regressives. They have created a kakistocracy, but have no idea they have.
I dare them to improve on the SSA. I have been impressed with every correspondence I have received from them. And they set up about 22500 new cases every working day of the year in 2022. And they also, service over 70 million Americans and keep track of our earnings from the first time we paid Federal income tax. We already know they are terrible at administration by how badly they have fucked up the USPS and the EPA.
No holy 10 commandments is that pile of fetid word salad
I’m actually feeling quite hopeful with the news of so many Trump voters falling away. I am confident that he will not win and sincerely hope that the MAGAs will not start up their “stop the steal” bullshit again.
And now we need to take back the House and hold the Senate.
If we're lucky Thomas, Alito and Roberts will all die during Biden's 2nd term although I would actually prefer to see Thomas go to prison form income tax evasion.
I'm not taking anything for granted. Remind people to vote!
Thank you Dr. Richardson. I have a question. Didn't we used to have a Law that funds solicited for election campaigns could not be diverted to personal use? In three of the five cases Trump has faced trial the charges had little or nothing to do with the campaign. In the 93.6 million dollar fine in favor of E. Jean Carroll that was prior to 2015 and he was found by a jury of his peers to have "sexually assaulted" Ms. Carroll, last time I looked sexually assaulting women was not part of a President's duties.
The trial for which he owes the State of New York 454+ million dollars was for business fraud. Gee, I don't remember reading in the Constitution that a President's personal business was part of the Presidential duties either.
The third New York trial is political corruption in trying to hide sexually immoral behavior illegally from the voters - I suppose that one could be stretched to cover a campaign cost.
His final two trials have to do with his stealing highly secret classified documents (including military secrets that endanger our security) and trying to overthrow a legitimate election because, well he's Donald Trump and he promised his cult he'd win.
The point of this diatribe is how can he legitimately use funds aimed at reelecting his sorry ass be used instead to pay his attorneys?
Good question Fay. It sounds like grounds for a whole new trial to me.
Or at least new charges LOL
Yes. Isn't Santos under indictment for using campaign funds for personal use? Perhaps the money is exempt because of the "shell game" of PACs and Super PACs?
But as Heather mentioned today, some donors are getting tired of funding his legal fees - money they thought was going to the campaign for office.
Santos says he’s running again. Being a representative was the best-paying scam he ever ran.
Others in the Republican Party are demonstrating how little actual work it takes.
Excellent question! Waiting for an answer.
And what about giving aid, comfort, support, and promises of pardons, to convicted felon insurrectionists? Thats front and center at his rallies these days.
Yes, but we also have an emoluments clause, and we know how that went in fpotus's term.
And several SCOTUS members should be under indictment for income tax evasion. Apparently, they are also above the law.
If someone filed suit against Thomas and Alito, would they be forced to recuse themselves from hearing the case?
Interesting question...
I am writing this without fact checking first, so beware. But I think the short answer is that money given to PACs is not bound by the same rules as money given directly to a candidate’s campaign. The latter was/is subject to the limitations imposed by the Federal Elections Campaign Act. But the Citizens United Supreme Court decision allows PACs to circumvent those provisions (and also overturned much of another campaign finance law known as McCain-Feingold). Trump could not be using political contributions so directly for self-benefit if not for that SCOTUS decision.
Thank you Susan, I will look into this, but I know Trump's main campaign collection is the Make America Great PAC, So you are probably correct. If we are correct, then we must get rid of that loopy fairy tale known as Citizens United.
I fear that will be virtually impossible. The CU decision was a constitutional rather than a statutory decision. This means it cannot be undone by rewriting the law. Only a constitutional amendment (or the unlikely event of SCOTUS reversing the decision) can alter it now.
Thank you Susan, but if it was based on the Constitution I should be able to find the references in my copy of the Constitution and I don't. It was a five to four decision. How can five people re-write the Constitution. John Paul Stevens' dissent, mentions using common sense. I intend to read the whole case myself. And then write a new rant. I still believe on what I've read so far that the 5 favorable opinions were based on fairy tales.
I say it’s a constitutional decision because it’s based on the principle of freedom of speech…1st Amendment. The Supreme Court has held that campaign contributions are a form of free expression. They further ruled that corporations (like PACs) are “persons” under the principle of corporate personhood and so are entitled to 1st Amendment protection. The US Constitution could be amended to distinguish between natural persons and corporate entities for the purposes of elections, but how likely is any constitutional amendment in our polarized political climate?
Thanks again Susan, but as an educated scientist; human beings are Homo sapiens with specific identifying features [organs, skeletons, DNA, shape and physical abilities] Corporations on the other hand exist ONLY as legal pieces of paper filed in a particular State where the company is incorporated. I do understand the Supreme Court Justices do not have to understand the biological or physiological implications of their findings, but giving Homo sapiens rights and capabilities to legal papers is beyond the pale. A business requires a business license in the County in which it exists. That business can only become a corporation if the owners of said business file legal documents of incorporation with a State. I concede it is the Homo sapiens who actually file on behalf of the pending corporation but that does not imbue those papers with life (in fantasy maybe, but not in reality) We do not need an amendment to prove the existence of Homo sapiens, anymore than we need a Constitutional amendment to prove the existence of birds, mammals, fish, etc. Those five assenting Justices should be the ones who have to attempt the Amendment process to show cause that legal documents are living breathing creatures of any identity.
I am more and more convinced that Trump will lose, in November. The big question is what will he attempt to do, when that happens. Whichever way this election goes he will have poisoned the country and torn it apart.
He's going mad, "Midnight in Paris."
Maybe it's the syphilis deranging him. Maybe his quantum leap in lying opens a chasm too wide for even his addled mental apparatus to perch over. Maybe he feels betrayed by the world's greatest criminals and murderers in high places who've uniformly relegated him to his sewer clown show. Single exception, Hungary's Orban, who's more or less twice the weight of the fat orange diaper guy but at least twice as adept stealing his country's resources.
Note, I'm part Hungarian, and cringe at how the criminal Orban matches the criminal fat orange guy in illiteracy for each of their cultures, each far beyond each's fathomless vulgarity.
U.S. Republicans meanwhile just witlessly help flush each other down the toilet. Not a single program for any hardworking American people. Nothing from any of them but fear, venom, vulgarity -- with spectacles of illiterate inanity, whether from House Speaker Howdy Doody, speech-defect-twanging Marjorie Taylor Gazpacho, or grab-a-cock-in-public Lauren Boobert.
But let's not coast. The dark money behemoths yet lurk, stew, poison.
Well said. But nothing lasts forever. I am sensing a weariness in support of the Orange Menace. And I think a complete nervous breakdown is near for "it".
Cheer up Phil (It's hard to do, I know). Trumpty Dumpty is falling off the wall (sorry couldn't help myself). As the news rushes over us, I am reminded of what was a terrific Netflix series called "House of Cards". The evil POTUS gets his in the end. MAGA is falling, crumbling, weakening. I could be wrong. It happens all the time. But that's my optimistic take on this day and my take away from today's letter.
The "House of Cards" is a perfect metaphor for all of this, Bill. So, TY for that and the much needed optimism. It reminds us that anything built on Lies eventually faces the reality it's all smoke & mirrors sooner or later. Whether it's someone with an addiction lying to conceal their using, the concealment of illegal acts or a politician lying to cover immoral behavior, the bottom row of cards eventually fall.
There are many facing a coming reckoning. Some with themselves, some with their religion, some with their political views. Their having chosen to follow one whose entire life has been based on lies will haunt them, at least it will for many.
I've personally never forgotten Nixon's immoral hidden work to extend the Vietnam War as I was part of the last draft in 1973. My number was 124 and they got to 122 so was two clicks from that awful event orchestrated by those with no conscience. But, I think about all those with numbers 1 thru 122. History will similarly expose everything happening now, from the hiring of someone to take one's SAT tests to having doctors falsify medical records with bone spurs.
To your point, the entire OGOP (Once Grand) is now fully a "House of Cards" and the fall won't pretty. We just all have to pray it is sooner than later.
House of Cards. HOC. Even sort of rhymes with GOP. A new name? I think that getting more people to realize how quickly and completely the whole shakey apparatus may fall would be a useful shift in messaging. It is so off-the-wall bonkers it simply can’t survive the will our mostly sane people. Yet another version of “the emperor has no clothes.”
I see and also hope for your optimistic take, Bill.
And I raise you with my perhaps-more-sobering fact of now 75 far right groups -- all lavishly funded by the U.S. billionaire classes -- pushing their Project 2025.
Raise you with the Clarence court doing all it can to give the corrupt, fat orange diapered guy extra time to avoid justice.
Sorry, Bill, if I use the word "justice" in connection with anything on this totally corrupt front for the U.S.'s vast array of feudal, theocrat, misogynist ideologues -- now all the more weighted down by their open bribes and perjuries.
Raise you extra, Bill, with the millions of Americans helplessly to both "higher" ed and K-12 schools suckered into elite silos all stripped of humanities, to ensure being out of touch with the damages these billionaire classes sic on all.
They and their international oligarchs, dictators, religious nut-job nationalists, and ayatollah-armed murderers, Saudi-armed murderers, Putin-armed murderers, and U.S. high-tech-armed murderers, School of the Americas-trained murderers -- in all your best optimism, how do you think America's neutered, HR-cowed educators or anyone's dehumanize, standardized-test-addicted educators can compete?
Well Phil, that's a real dose of realism and some shiver inducing facts. But I keep reverting back to two ideas that get me through each day.
First, Dobbs was the biggest single mistake the Oiligarchs and Oligarchs ever made. Beware a woman scorned. Be very wary of millions of them who are rip shit pissed off about having their reproductive rights ripped away.
Second, we should work very hard to combat the menace of this sicko "movement" but I am reinforced with the fact that we do spend a lot of time worrying about stuff that never happens. And there is a surprise around every corner.
Polls had Hillary elected. A Black president? A wahoo "W"? Slick Willy - really? Jimmy who?
And in the Republican Convention of 1880, a guy was nominated who never ran for the job. John Garfield was a last minute decision.
You are right and your well constructed descriptives are spot on.
I'll raise a glass to you tonight.
It's a horrible world. But it's not going ruin my day - not yet.
Bill, I too am noticing some optimism. You’re absolutely right… nothing lasts forever.
Thanks all for the info about the World Central Kitchen. Embarrassed I hadn’t heard of it until today.
Your mouth to god's ears. That's one I'll pray for.
When the next Trump inspired insurrection happens, Biden will be the commander in chief.
And, if we're lucky, TFFG will be behind bars. Of course, TFFG won't end up in Leavenworth. Probably end up in the same country club jail Navarro is whining about.
Poor Navarro. It's not good to keep all that anger bottled up inside.
Navarro., just another POS...., doing 'time' for Trump. Wonder what they've got him doing. Mowing grass? Trimming hedges? Cleaning commodes? Having conjugal visits or a badly needed massage.? But, even so, he's in the clink while his boss still runs amuck.
That’s why it is important to focus behind donald. He’s the distracting, destructive circus-clown. After the Biden 2024 victory we still have to “make a more perfect Union” with these same malcontents. This is where strengthening “the Rule of Law” comes in. Donald has shown the falseness of our rule of law myth. Rule of Law needs to apply to everyone. The forces behind donald want an American Aristocracy /kleptocracy to be permanently embedded as the rule of the land.
Who else could twist justice into a pretzel…
Don’t ask. That Well has no bottom.
They have made a mockery of our equal justice system. Money tends to belie so much.
I pray Cheetolinni loses in November but I, too, am worried what his mob will do when he loses. They don’t believe the court cases that said there was no foul play in the past election. They believe he won because he has driven that notion in their thick skulls!! They believe him when he says he is above the law and that Democrats are the bad guys. How will our country ever heal when he eventually goes away?
Rush started with the Dems are evil. Every Repub since has hammered that ad nauseam. It’s why rank and file repubs feel like it’s chump or the Dem devil. Joe is painted with a 40 year-old-brush that still resonates with the pre- magats
I don't think there will be al bloodbath when he loses, just more lies and craziness. I do think 900 convictions with jail time have cooled off some of the folks who might otherwise be planning the next insurrection. There will be some violence for sure, though. It will turn into the Second Lost Cause, as the first one was after the Civil War.
Yes, I think the same way. Sure, tffg will try to rally the minions, but I say "BRING IT ON." This time law enforcement will be ready. and shut them down "with extreme prejudice."
I do worry that similar plans are being made as those put together for the Jan 6th attack. Some of the Proud Boys are in prison, but hope the FBI has an open investigation to prevent the predicted bloodbath.(no, I don't believe he was talking about the auto industry)
Trump will never admit losing anything. It’s in his DNA! If he does lose, he’s already warned of bloodshed! What more do we have to hear him say? As always, thanks to HCR for enlightening us!
WGAS if he "admits it" or anything. When that POS has to go sit in a federal prison he can commiserate with his minders. If he's lucky Aleena Habeena will come visit, maybe she'll get paid.
That’s my concern too, not that I’m not willing to face it to keep him out of office. I worry about more violence and about his supporters in the government sabotaging Biden’s second term. I’d like to see Jordan, Meadows, Perry, et all prosecuted for abetting the insurrection, right after tfg is convicted.
I’m looking forward to seeing what Jamie Raskin stirs up to further embarrass the GQP morons.
Thank you for the summary.
I’m thinking Parma’s’ Ukrainian roots are rising up in his soul … or at least one would hope so.
I wish it were possible to embarrass the morons…
Right on Jeri. If I said under oath, I had $400 million and couldn't post the first bond of $91 million I would be extremely embarrassed. But, I guess that's an emotion narcissists are unable to feel.
Don't worry, this is part of the act.., the "Woa is me" act. I'm beginning to feel sorry for alleena habbeena already. Don's broke.., No new car! My my my. Nextthing you know he'll drive to court in a 58 Ford F150.. Stormy will arrive in an Escalade (rental).
That is so true, emotions only related to "my wants." If you encounter one (they can look good at first glance), but run for your life.
Trump needs to publicly show his tax returns since leaving office as well as Trump, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries.
Plus we need to see the results from a thorough physical from a doctor that isn't a quack like Dr. Ronnie. And a real cognition test.
And while he's at it, maybe someone can explain why, under oath, he said he had $400,000,000 in cash and he can't pony up enough to get a bond. What is better collateral than cash?
Same. And because a R made fun of his suits like a middle schooler: I love his suit choices. They are bold.
I have begun to think of the nine months leading up to the 2024 election as a troubled pregnancy. There are some very disturbing symptoms with a possibility of a miscarriage of Justice, and yet we progress towards a delivery. The father of all this has some serious genetic flaws, and something tells me that even many staunch Republicans would like an abortion, but it's probably too late for that. We should have put him away for insurrection when he left the White House.
We can and should heap much blame on "party-first, country last" McConnell for not taking care of the cancerous boil on the country's butt that is Trump, in the impeachment trial that happened after January 6th.
He's left centre-stage, but what he did for the previous 12 years can be neither forgotten nor forgiven.
Nope. And I'm vindictive enough to hope McConnell's actions in service to his actively apt-to-evil "party" earn him some form of post-life eternal punishment.
Never mind the afterlife, I'm hoping for unrelenting explosive diarrhea in the present
Oh man....love the way you think! Thanks for the big laugh this morning. Thankfully, I did not have a mouthful of tea when I read your comment!
There really needs to be an "alert tone" when there is danger of spewing forth the morning beverage.
You must have been watching "Dante's Inferno" that's been airing on PBS this week. Any number of circles of hell he, and a few others, could descend to.
Agreed!
Absolutely!!!!!!! McConnell is as much to blame as anyone-more so, for allowing this travesty of humanity to stay in the Oval as well as stacking the Supreme-ly Corrupt Court.
And he’s a worse worm for not defending his wife from tfg’s racist remarks about her. What a POS
You mean Mercedes? :)
Maybe her too, but I was talking about Mitch not responding to tfg calling his wife “CoCo Chow.”
Eee-zackly!
Mitch will burn in hell…karma has no deadline.
too late, having gotten rid of the right to an abortion. I love this analogy!
Thanks Heather, good job as always. Going back to my So. Cal. roots, if Trump was a surfer his theme song would be 'Wipeout'...have a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpv1h3d7DQA
This morning on Alexander Vindman's Substack I was watching a video he has created using Ronald Reagan's words to highlight why we should support funding Ukraine. A very smart strategy that pits Ronald Reagan against the Treacherous-treasonous-traitor-Trump. That video immediately switched to one of Mitt Romney being interviewed on CNN supporting us funding Ukraine so that we remain honorable, retain our allies and support our troops. He also went on to say that he will vote for Biden over Trump because he disagrees with Trump's stance on foreign policy, and he also sees Trump as having bad character and that matters to him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxKyxb0Gy7E
So glad there are Republicans who can afford the private security so that they can speak out against Trump. I see more and more rats jumping ship. I repeat that the Republican party is imploding and as an experienced classroom teacher I know that if the children ran the classroom it would implode too. That is what the Republicans in Congress are like. However, one disturbing note, is that I read in the Chicago Sun Times that the numbers of voters in Chicago were way lower than in the last 2 primaries.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2024/03/19/low-turnout-chicago-2024-primary-election
Still, Biden got 91.3 percent of Democrats, with almost 700,000 votes in Illinois, and Trump got 80 percent of the Republicans with close to 500,000 votes. Nikki Haley got close to 100,000 votes, or 15% and that could lead to some of them voting for Biden.
https://news.wttw.com/2024/03/19/live-illinois-primary-results-president-congress-and-cook-county-state-s-attorney
In fact, who knows how many of the Republican votes for Haley were actually Democrats making a statement. Still, the low numbers of voters in Chicago has me hoping that is not the case in the general election. In any case, I again read that the youth vote was lowest, and many interviewed said that they are not sure how to vote from being out of state in college. I made sure my daughter, who is attending University in Germany knew how to vote. I also told her that voting in this election cycle is the most important thing she can do for her future, more important than her studies, more important than anything else other than taking care of her health. I think it is going to be very, very important that someone take on teaching people how to vote when they are living away. Of the 1000 Americans in the city that I live in in Germany where I also worked the election at the Democrats Abroad Germany voting place where one could vote in person for the Democratic election, there were only a handful that came in to vote. I can hope that they voted online at home too if their states allow it.
Sounds like a fun day with Jamie Raskin.
"rejecting his insistence that he didn’t have to answer to Congress because Trump had invoked executive privilege over their conversations about overturning the 2020 presidential election. "
For the survival of rule of law, we somehow need some kind of official guideline about what "executive privilege" is or isn't. I accept that there are things a president says and does that are privileged information, at least with respect to how and when and to whom, certain information is released, but it also seems to me that the only legitimate criteria for invoking such restrictions would be in credible service of the public's interests. As a person and as an key employee, a president has personal rights; but everything he or she does on the clock (and for presidents that can be 24/7) has impact upon and is mandated to be in service of, or at least not incompatible the good of the nation and it's people. Seems to me that whenever I hear insistence on "executive privileged" someone is claiming an excuse for dodgy behavior. We just can't afford that kind of fringe benefit in light of all that is a stake. Not and claim to be a nation of laws, and democratic justice.
For that "tool", "executive privilege" is just another tool for cheating, and one of many important terms that he has tried to redefine for himself and his rampage. To him "president" means King, and "service" means what Stormy Daniels did for him. Well she has made him pay, and I hope she also gets her pound of flesh, for all of our sakes.
I could say something very vulgar there. But I wouldn't defile HCR's substack.
Haha! Not where I was going but I get it. Thank you for your discretion.
Please do not let the guideline come from Judge A Cannon!
Really fine insight; many thanks. I would guess that the executive privilege criteria would roughly correspond to classification criteria (e.g., degrees of harm to the national interest, if exposed). Sadly, the classification system is overused, also to evade accountability. Being embarrassed by transparency does not cut it for hiding information in the national interest.
Secrecy about what our "public servants" are up to is toxic to democracy. That said, there are powers that are the prime tools of tyrants are licensed by the public to those who perform public functions for constrained and responsible use to advance and protect recognized individual rights and the common good. These include state secrets, the use of force, including deadly force, incarceration, and other coercive or enabling powers that become criminal with misapplication, rather the ways that life-saving drugs can be used to murder.
To me "corruption" IS the misuse of entrusted powers, either by negligence or by personal/organizational use that benefits those who exercise the power to the disadvantage of harm to those who are meant to be served. To me a cover-up even of a significant honest error, let alone selfish abuse of public power, is a serious political crime, which undermines the foundation of self-governance, consent of the governed and equal justice under law to the degree it is undetected or tolerated. Worse that an accountant who embezzles, it is a breach of trust in the way than evokes special enmity for those who commit treason.
Yes, depending upon the scale and systematic nature of the mis-behavior, the mis-use and abuse of entrusted powers looks like a corruption of power to me. As to the level of information that is properly suited for secrecy, I think of the largest betrayal of the twentieth century in the United States: the betrayal of atomic secrets to the U.S.S.R. While inimical to U.S. interests in the short-term, the ultimate harm was neither permanent nor catastrophic for the U.S.
Sorry for run-on sentences above. Obviously weapon plans are exactly the sort of thing that justify secrecy, but I recall hearing atomic scientist say that to a substantial extent, once the first A-bomb exploded, the cat was out of the bag. Until that point, a successful detonation had been theoretical, and physics is physics. The Nazis had been credibly pursuing an atom bomb but Hitler had given it only moderate support, and the Allies were savvy enough to sabotage their effort. Reality is the ultimate teacher of physics.
What you write, J.L., corresponds to how I view the history. I suspect the U.S.S.R. would have successfully tested her bomb by 1951 or 1952.
I see it as akin to attorney-client privilege. Even that has limits - it cannot be used in furtherance of a crime. So should it be with executive privilege.
That parallel occurred to me also. A doctor who does due diligence should not be held responsible if unable to save an injured patient. A doctor who sells prescriptions for recreational opioids should have no protection. Use of "executive privilege" with clear evidence of use as a coverup should be considered a crime. There is room for benefit of the doubt, but sometimes there is none.
Well said!
It's just the gun-in-fifth-avenue in two words.
They used to say that "The King Can Do No Wrong" but in a true "government of the people, by the people, for the people" we are all accountable. Your liberty and my liberty requires cooperative boundaries to each others behaviors, no rape, no murder, orderly progression at a four-way stop. There is no other way to conduct a free and just society.
Thank you Heather for this most mostly good news., I wonder if it’s possible that enough Republicans will be at the national Republican nominating convention and break ranks with Trump, and at the convention nominate another person to represent their party. I suppose that’s a pipe dream?
I keep hoping the fever breaks. "What were we thinking?"
"...the fact that more than 1,200 people have been charged for their actions that day [Jan. 6] and many of them have been sentenced to prison seems likely to dampen enthusiasm for trying something like that again."
Add to that, law enforcement wasn't prepared in 2021. They will be in 2025.
Ralph, I still have not seen an assessment of the details of how those agencies made the decisions that they did. From where I sit, it was an absolute 'command and control" failure. I knew, sitting on my couch, that the "protest" that was planned was going to be intense and violent. I don't get FBI intel briefings. How could they not have had SWAT on standby???
Hate to say it, but a fair number of folks in our law-enforcement ranks like Trump a lot. Some were probably not eager to interrupt the insurrection. Remember that all the FBI phones got "scrubbed" immediately afterwards? Oh dear. How unfortunate.
Comey did his "Hillary is being investigated " speech because he had good reason to think anti-Hillary Trump supporters within the FBI were going to leak it and accuse him of hiding it.
The FBI and DOJ have traditionally been on the conservative side and it would be naive to think they are all anti-Trump.
Oh, it is true. I think that for most of my career, there were 3 of us liberal folks on the patrol side of the Sheriff's Office.
My nephew is a cop in Nebraska and he says the same thing as you about there being a lack of liberals on the force.
I clearly remember as I watched the insurrection as it was happening, noting that some of the Capitol policemen were actually smiling and ushering in the insurrectionists through the (woefully inadequate) barriers. I’ve never seen that footage again.
I remember that, too. It was confusing, made me question my perception of the whole thing. Another scene was of a cop standing calmly as a dozen or so insurrectionists wandered around the House chamber. The cop suggested they should leave, but they said no we want to look around, and he said nervously " There are more of you than me." I wondered why he seemed to have no authority in their eyes.
The violence was proof of what was really going but it was sure weird to see those friendly cops some of whom took selfish with insurrectionists. I'd sure like to know that backstory.
Now every Capitol policeman is “a hero”. There is never room for thoughtfulness or nuance in the news.
I agree. But if focus was put on the few police who were fine with everything, right wingers would use that to prove that it was all friendly and nobody was hurt.
The other difference this time around is that Trump is not in the White House. Had an incumbent Democrat been in the Oval Office on Jan. 6, 2021, I believe the day would have unfolded much differently.
I believe there are indeed many Trump supporters in the FBI which is ironic since the FBI is the very core, the icon, of the “deep state” MAGA claims to want to destroy.
Thank you for your thoughtful response to my comment.
Ralph, my concern is with how Capitol Police, Metro Police Department, and the Parks Police (local agencies that cover the jurisdictions involved in the area(s) involved in that incident) and why they chose to not utilize more crowd control measures. I've been involved in local protests as a county cop, and know that having tactical units at least on standby is essential. To see those bike patrol cops in their regular uniforms defending movable barricades really made me wonder what intel they had and/or why they ignored it.
Thank you HCR for another informative letter tonight. I am so in hopes that we will see the orange menace get his "come upping's" but until he is actually broke or indicted for his treasonous crimes or in jail, I will hold my breath for our country and our democracy. Watching all this unfold makes me realize how Jim Jones got his followers to drink the Kool-Aid!
Cults seem like the result of alien mind control, but it's just the "bugs" in human nature. Alien mind control might be easier to eradicate though.
And living through this upheaval, it brings to my mind a need for a Second Enlightenment. The Founding Fathers were students of the first Enlightenment where man was viewed as a rational creature capable of ruling his society more justly than kings. But there are bugs in human nature. We are all irrational and persuadable. There is no Devine-Right-to-Rule, but there is susceptibility to corruption in all of us. Going forward, our “More Perfect Union” must strengthen the gates against the insidious, corrupting effluent in the tide waters of civil society. Donald has shown us that our current “Rule of Law”, “Justice For All” belief is a myth. Strengthening our systems against “Winner-Take-All” urges is an ongoing process. Strengthening our civic life against another donald (donawannabees), or Project 2025, or “Flood-The-Zone-With-Shit” mindf*ck is the Fight we are in now and must keep putting one foot in front of the other for and create a better working democracy.
I fully agree except insofar as current “Rule of Law”, “Justice For All” belief is a myth", though I know what you are getting at. If there was none we would be like Hungary and we would not be discussing this in the light of day. Theoretically we all have a natural right to liberty and justice for ALL. That has always been an imperfect aspect of American life, and the contradictions remain legion, but we were making some strides in that direction in the last Century and still are in some respects in that face of intense backlash.
My spottily informed impress of the Enlightenment period is that while it unsurprisingly retained some naive and outdated attitudes, it was movent toward experimentation, logic, and evidence based and collaborative, thought over top-down theocracy. It seems to me that this approach better serves the capacities, resilience, cheerfulness of our species.
Agreed, MLRGRMI.
And, Charles Manson! Cult followers always give their support blindly!
Ain't that the truth, Anthony!
Another fine piece, Dr Richardson. Though not directly relevant to today's essay, here is a twelve and a half minute vid. of an interview taken earlier today aimed at the threat not only of Trump's lack of fitness for the office but the de-moralizing effect he is having on others. The discussion is worth one's time; I do not agree with everything but this lady's reasoning is tight and sober-minded.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCSiEDA7sZA
Reminiscent of the cults of personalities responsible for in excess of hundred million deaths in the twentieth century. Perhaps you and Dr Lee could compare notes. You and she have incisive minds and think much the same way. Below is a letter-of-warning from me to me from May 2016 that follows the same concern that twisted thinking can overtake anybody, even me if I am not very careful.
https://nedmcdletters.blogspot.com/2016/05/letter-116-b-getting-historical.html
But... back in 2016 I got censored by the NYT for simply recounting my Dad's conversations in 1943 with an old British journalist who happened to have covered BOTH the Russian revolution AND Hitler's coming to power. This gentleman, Wilcox by name, Foreign Correspondent of the then News Chronicle, explained Hitler's phenomenal success by how he used beer hall and barrackroom language instead of the usual staid funeral oration style then customary in German politics.
The mere mention of that H name was unmentionable.
And so I cancelled my years' long NYT subscription.
Perhaps I should not be surprised by the nightmarish upwelling of hysteria, Q, rumors, conspiracy theories, verbal violence and loud bigsnouts of the Alec Jones/Drumpf variety in a land in which so many (outside NYC) have long been so given to expressions of polite euphemism...
The two go together. The first is a well-orchestrated herd or pack phenomenon, the second, discretion as the better part of valor.
I used once to think that polite hypocrisy was a very English thing -- but no, the English I've known are plain spoken, even if there's often a hint of passive aggression...
Can't help thinking that sweet-talking understatement may be a practical way of warding off extreme violence, especially in a land overstocked with guns and paranoia.
Dr. Lee's distinction between primary and secondary illness helps me understand the dynamics playing out amidst US citizenry and yes, how you say, "twisted thinking can overtake anybody, even me if I am not very careful".
Thank you Ned, 116-B was interesting and informative reading!
Thank you, Sir, for indulging and, by doing so, for honouring me. 🤝
"The [GOP primary] results highlight the weaknesses former president Trump is bringing to 2024 ...Even in *Ohio, Trump received less than 80%.
*Ohio GOP primary.
2016: Trump 35.87% (713,404 votes)
Trump won the general election
2020: Trump: 100% (714,546 votes.
Trump lost the general election.
2024: 79.2% (889,001 votes)
Trump could win 2024. It's not a long shot.
There are diverse forces united for Trump**. We cannot downplay their effectiveness.
**GOP. Russia, Iran, North Korea. Jill Stein, Robert Kennedy, Cornell West; Netanyahu (war as wedge issue); Evangelicals; American Council of Bishops; Heritage Foundation et al; right wing media; Federalist Society packed courts; and ...
We have to Get Out The Vote for Biden-Harris.
Compare Biden to his opponent, not the Almighty. So far, DT is giving us the best PR we could hope for.