Lately, political writers have called attention to the tendency of billionaire Elon Musk to refer to his political opponents as “NPCs.” This term comes from the gaming world and refers to a nonplayer character, a character that follows a scripted path and cannot think or act on its own, and is there only to populate the world of the game for the actual players.
He is not doing what he is doing without express authorization by the scumbag president and vice Manchurian. Don't get distracted about whom is responsible for this cruel chaos.
Think about how Musk is behaving. Think about where you've seen his "we" are important and "they" are not behavior pattern. When adults act that way, we call them narcissists, or sociopaths, or psychopaths. When children act that way, we often laugh because we think it's cute. Why? Because we expect them to mature before they have enough power to have a significant impact on the lives of others.
Think of Musk with a child sitting on he shoulders. Ask yourself how he would feel if he allowed himself to acknowledge that he is less mature than the child.
But…but…I’m reading articles, Jess Piper among them, where people are blaming Elon, as if he is a lone actor and as if he’s acting without express support of Trump! Really?? How misled can people be? (No need to answer…)
Earlier today my wife and I were discussing whether Elon is an idiot or an idiot savant. He is definitely a ketamine abuser which fosters cognitive decline. I told her that I thought Elon was really lucky and she said, "he was born on 3rd base."
This made me think about Trump vs Elon. While most of the commenters here had no trouble making it to first or second base, we may not have many triples or home runs to our name. With the right people batting behind us, we have been able to score runs and sometimes those people get the credit but most of the time they don't. Trump has NEVER given credit to anyone for "bringing him home" from third base. Musk hasn't either but I'm not a big follower.
Most of Trump's supporters have more strikeouts that hits. They think that could change with Trump as the coach but it hasn't and it won't. But, Trump is head of their team so they will follow him and cheer him on regardless of his win loss record.
Talking about old habits Gary, as a naturalist and an ignorant about martial arts, my interpretation of your reference about "lose the head, the body will follow " was to think about a snake loosing its head and finally dying. That's why I mentioned poison spreading wider and fast. Funny that Ally House interpretation was different and more accurate. And we all communicate to each other in the same language 😅
Yup.. He's a "tool". We the people, are in the process of being 'screwed' by that "tool". Not unlike to the women he's somehow (money aside) entered into. Hahahahaaagaggg.., only for us, meaning the US, it's the anUS in the "Oval" office, which has been penetrated..., No? Like some prostitute, he's bought this country and is having his way with it.., balling it up. The world better pay attention, they're next. Maybe they've already been had? Billions don't walk, they fly. Yeah.., like "go to Mars, you POS! He's a "tool" alright. His mother must be proud.
Congress is ceding its authority to the executive branch. Executive orders were never meant to take the place of legislation. Crashing the economy and destroying the infrastructure of our government is happening because of greed, incompetence, plain old meanness.
Per Musk, social security is the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time and empathy is destroying Western Civilization. Harrumph is what I would say if I weren't an NPC
Trump and Musk are trying to steal our government and resources from the people for themselves, and Musk is wrong about Social Security. Removing the income caps alone would be enough to make the system viable, and Social Security was never intended to be an investment vehicle, but social insurance. Musk is wrongly assuming that SS is an investment vehicle. He and his fellow oligarchs can’t opt out of society as much as they may want to.
Remove the cap, Remove the cap, Remove the cap, Remove the cap, Remove the cap, Remove the cap, Remove the cap, Remove the cap, Remove the cap!
Save Social Security now!
And for all you young 'uns I have two messages for you.
When Mom and Dad or Grandpa and Grandma are reduced to eating cottage cheese on saltines while living in a cardboard box (or have to move in with you :) you will wish you had done something about the fascists.
And....you will get old. Hard to believe, I know. But it happens very slowly and then all of a sudden. You will be amazed.
You are SO CORRECT, Mr. Alstrom!! Aging does indeed happen very very slowly--until SUDDENLY: whoomf!...you're a senior citizen and no longer are the focus of advertising (except for drugs and Depends)...fashion is no longer made for you, the newest music is no longer of interest, you can't figure out what tv ads are even FOR any more....and suddenly you can't remember words, names or where you put your phone.
A week or so ago, I mentioned the story of my not-very-loved-and-very-mentally-ill Mother in law who was in a series of nursing homes, thanks to Medicare/Medicaid as we absolutely could not have cared for her even with good intentions and strong morals. No need to repeat that.
As nursing homes close, and the parents/grandparents have to come into their childrens/grandchildrens homes, I am sure that we will have a rise in elder abuse. It's one thing to diaper a recalcitrant toddler, it's quite another to diaper a 150 pound adult who throws punches and verbal abuse.
MANY years ago, in my early career as a medical technologist, I had to draw blood every morning. There was one sweet 'lil ole lady patient who waited until you had the needle in your arm, then she'd lean over and BITE you. I don't recall what her diagnosis was, but since this was about 40 years ago, I bet it was for dementia and UTI. I'd talk to the nurses, it only took a few times of her biting until they removed her dentures and put her on a pureed diet. While I didn't get "bit" I did get "gummed" a few times.
Ellen....just wait until you are in your eighties and so are many of your friends. I am the youngest of the eighties in a few of my friends and I have having a hard time coping with their stories that they have share with me everytime I am with them. LOL I pray I don't start doing that and if I do I hope someone stops me! When I say to them yes you have told me that occasionally, they just keep on telling the story! So I have learned just ignore it and let them continue.
It is always amazing to me how few people know that there is an income cap for SS. In my job I was finished paying SS tax by April, the lower paid positions paid many months longer. Raise/remove the caps.
Paul Klugman recently wrote an excellent essay on the sustainability of Social Insurance. Ending / privatizing social insurance didn't begin with Trump and Musk. It is backbone policy of the Republican Party, and has been for some time. Check out Paul Ryan's policies, which were adopted enthusiastically by the Tea Party. https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Political_positions_of_Paul_Ryan
Paul Ryan's father died when he was in high school. He received Social Security survivor's benefits until he was 18. Yet even in college he was already talking about eliminating Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.
He even admitted that it was his social security survivor's benefits that allowed his mother to keep the family business going. He brought a whole new level of hypocrisy to US politics.
TO: Mr. Eugene B. Sydnor, Jr., Chairman, Education Committee, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
FROM: Lewis F. Powell, Jr.
This memorandum is submitted at your request as a basis for the discussion on August 24 with Mr. Booth (executive vice president) and others at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The purpose is to identify the problem, and suggest possible avenues of action for further consideration.
And raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour would raise at least an additional $20 billion per year and actually bring some families out of poverty. Of course the oligarchs want to give themselves a cut in taxes rather than help families make ends meet.
I've had kitties most of my life. I no longer do. Now the last one, now he was a damned good friend. Since his departing a few years ago there just hasn't been another that came up in my eyes quite like he did.
They will when you’re there for them but I recommend getting them in pairs. The shelters will have kitties that need love and kindness and they will repay you many times over.
Lauriemcf..,hahahaaaa.., howz about "neo" Putins Cat. Russia, has quite a history of putting cats to sleep. Musko is a newer one, that's all. We've been housing quite a number of stray "cats" in our country. And, they are oh so sly. The FSB keeps them purring. Since you mentioned Cat. :))
MisTBlu, one could refer anyone inclined to believe Social Security is a Ponzi scheme needs to read Paul Krugman’s excellent description and explanation of what Social Security is and how it works
Has Musk collected a regular paycheck for more than a few years to even pay social security? Mr. Ponzi Scheme doesn’t pay any taxes but he’s collecting all of ours.
You're correct that Musk doesn't receive a salary so wouldn't pay a dime into Social Security. His compensation is based on stock options and other formulas.
ALL we taxpayers are asking is that the money we pay in, is used by our TAX dollar PAID "neighbors, fellow citizens, employed by the entity THEY make up which we refer to as the Government of the United States.. OUR friggen country, be used to make money and provide the amounts we have ALL agreed can be afforded. Because WE are the "Government".., WE are honest.., WE are responsible.., WE can read the Constitution and could not have written it any better.., WE.., are not the scum that would (with admitted or un-admitted) INTENT.., MISLEAD/Cheat/Swindle/RUIN.., INTENTionally, our fellow Americans.., much less a fellow human being. This is who we are. Whose team are you on, is the question to be asked. Don't expect an honest answer. Keep yer guard up!
Blazing Saddles? harrumph’s such a great reminder…that said much The Musky Man’s really strange businesses are phantoms of stock value…NSP of stock value…all bluff and bombast. Ready to deflect at a whim.
Also, my book club is reading Freedom's Dominion by Jefferson Cowie, which shows the difference in mentality of freedom from slave owning nations and those who are not. This New Feudalism is rising up in the south, and the rest have to accept the decision making of those who embrace it. If the US is by, for and of the propertied White, males, then what about the rest of us?
What the elected Democrats could be doing is creating legislation to fight each and every thing that the Trump/Musk administration is doing, and then look at Project 2025 and figure out what is up the turnpike and develop legislation for that too. Then, if they cannot get it on the floor, or passed, hold press conferences where they present an opposition with a plan.
Alternative legislation overall promoting a broad social support platform should be the name of the game for the Dems, and definitely a clarion call to unbreak what Trump 2.0 is attempting now. And yes, flood the public spaces and airwaves with protest.
As is pretty well-known by now, corporate media is a lost cause. But I am encouraged by what is happening with independent media. Brian Tyler Cohen is at the vanguard of this new movement, which I think, offers a glimmer of light in this otherwise dark mediascape.
Linda, as an ardent reader of history it has long been clear to me that the parasite class wants to suck us all dry as they have done for most of history. Elected Ds are doing, for the most part, what they can. I read an article this week that talked about behind the scenes. They do hold town halls, both being there and virtual. Our rep has also met with many different groups here in her district. That included that Marion County Commissioners, all of whom are Rs and whose salaries i resent paying for. The bot came on to talk about her being bribed, etc. on the post about this meeting as he does on every other post she puts out. When someone tried to wonder why a guy in Arizona keeps posting, the answer was quite vile. I have tried to block him, but cannot find him. I mention this to underline that Ds are trying to get their message out. I see all sorts of ongoing protests, full town halls, and people lining up for Bernie's rallies and even some people expressing regret that they voted for death star.
Michele, I realize that Ds are trying to get the message out and that is great. But they also need to be drafting bills to protect us. By doing this they make much clearer to people exactly what they are proposing to do to counter what Musk and Trump are doing. Like, where is the bill clearly laying out that what Musk is doing is illegal, and putting a lot of proscription to his ability to function at all. And, a bill that says a president cannot benefit from anything he rules on in office, or he automatically forfits the job. I can go through the Project 2025 tracker as well, and think of the types of legislation that should be drafted to counter what is going on. I am sure you can too.
I have read about a few bills, including one from the Oregon female doctor representing the Portland area. I can't remember what it is about. I also read an article last week about what is going on behind the scenes. Yes, a legislative path, but I am sure little johnson is busy not allowing anything to get going. It must be maddening especially in the House where he has such a razor thin margin. That doesn't mean bills should not be introduced, but it's hard when you control neither chamber. I think strikes and boycotts are going to grow. A lot of US companies have to be hurting as I see more and more countries not buying US products. Boycotts are fine and we are doing them, but we understand that it is much more difficult for some people.
I am envisioning this is something that can put a monkey wrench in the Republicans momentum. First of all, if Mikey Johnson refuses to entertain bills, it is time to mail it to the press and send a copy as well as calling a news conference and going on podcasts and newshows. Try to get on Fox news as well.
We have to be doing everything. The other options are to"
1) Go along with Trump's world, that is go along to get along. Might work for some.
2) or Revolt and have a potentially violent confrontation with the other side.
3) Secede in part, those states that are willing to do so and form a more perfect nation, a Democratic States of America, vs the Confederate States of America.
We will never eliminate all abuse of a system. Some people will ALWAYS coast along for free. BUT, that does NOT mean a system is bad and should be thrown out; it simply has reached maximum efficiency and NO system is 100% efficient. Big picture: Are more people helped than harmed? If so, carry on.
Michael, are sure you want to know more about this sociopath ? I have enough of him just by watching and reading about his doings and undoings. He is the antithesis of empathy, a basic human condition. Without it we are less than animals. Sorry animals, no offence intended.
I've been watching the crows out back here in the beetle kill ponderosa pine tree. all their antics and to-ing and fro-ing. it seems as tho they are saying " None taken, sir! We are trying to get our own government sorted out here!"
The dehumanizers are the top 1 percent of Americans, the "moochers" who don't pay tax. They are the ‘takers,’ not ‘makers'. THEY are the non-contributing members of society, and should be thrown where the garbage goes, below below below.
"That is the world that Elon Musk and Donald Trump are dismantling. They are destroying the government that works for all Americans in favor of using the government to concentrate their own wealth and power."
Divide et Impera, divide and rule, has a long history because it works; unless enough people stand together to render it powerless.
This is the argument I've made to the few MAGA that I still associate with, and who generally seem the most upset about "others" getting a free ride:
Yes, there probably IS some fraud in the social safety nets, BUT, there is in billionaires avoiding taxes, too. I'd rather my taxes are "misspent" on the poor than the billionaires.
IF you truly are angry that "nobody wants to work" then you, too, shouldn't work. Take whatever "they" are getting, and live as they are. Funny, how in my area, where "they" live is not areas that these MAGA even want to drive through, much less live in.
I was watching a newsclip from CBS (on youtube) about "Wisconsin Trump voters react to mass firings". A group of older white men, former factory workers in Kenosha, WI, were being interviewed. When asked if they agreed that there was "waste, fraud and abuse" in the federal government, all but one said yes, definitely, one saying that government workers just went in, sat there making paper airplanes, waiting to collect their paychecks and pensions.
The attitude sounded familiar, and then it struck me - this is the stereotypical racist line about Black people since time immemorial - lazy, undeserving, living off the hard work of good honest white folk. Outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin is not a particularly diverse state. But government offices such as the Post Office, Social Security, and DMV (I know the DMV is a state office, but still the "government") are one of the places a person would regularly see Black employees. This is particularly true for the rural people who need to go into town for such services, (rural Wisconsin is over 93% white).
And then it all came together. All the talk about "waste, fraud and abuse" is just more racist code about Black and Brown people, conveniently conflated with the entire federal government.
Thank you, Jane Ketcham. It hadn’t hit me, but you are exactly right! Racism is very much alive everywhere in America. There are exceptions, but they are inadequate.
What if our leaders encouraged newly questioning MAGA to use AI to fact check and demagogue check Trump and Musk? Would they understand the what happened to them?
MAGA operates as a cult-like movement because it employs classic indoctrination techniques, social manipulation, and an ecosystem designed to foster radicalization. Here’s how it works:
1. Psychological Manipulation and Identity Capture
MAGA is built around a strong leader who demands loyalty, dismisses external criticism, and constructs an “us vs. them” worldview. Followers are encouraged to tie their identity to the movement, making it emotionally and socially costly to leave.
2. Social Media Addiction & Artificial Popularity
MAGA thrives in the algorithm-driven digital age, where engagement is fueled by rage-baiting and misinformation loops.
• Bots and troll farms artificially inflate its online presence, making it appear more popular than it really is.
• Echo chambers (Facebook groups, Telegram, Truth Social) create a closed feedback loop, reinforcing propaganda.
• Memes and viral content make disinformation easily digestible and addictive.
3. Radicalization Through Indoctrination Techniques
MAGA mirrors cults in how it isolates followers from reality and escalates their radicalization:
• Information control: “Fake news” claims prevent followers from trusting objective facts.
• Apocalyptic rhetoric: The movement frames opposition as an existential threat (“the Deep State,” “communism,” “invasion”).
• Sunk cost fallacy: Once followers commit to MAGA, they find it difficult to admit they were wrong.
4. Social Cohesion on Steroids
MAGA operates as a pseudo-religious movement where members find belonging and purpose.
• Rallies and online groups mimic revivalist cult meetings.
• Persecution complex: Followers believe they are fighting an evil force, strengthening their loyalty.
• Hero worship: Trump (or any MAGA figure) is depicted as a messianic figure, above reproach.
5. Fear and Authoritarianism
Like any cult, MAGA thrives on fear and dehumanization of outsiders.
• Demonization of enemies: Democrats, journalists, immigrants, or even moderate conservatives are branded as traitors.
• Authoritarian tendencies: Followers become comfortable with political violence, suppression of dissent, and lawlessness.
MAGA’s success lies in its ability to hijack identity, emotion, and information, keeping its base locked in a self-reinforcing cycle of propaganda, outrage, and loyalty.
I think there is very strong evidence to say no. Freeing oneself from a cult, which maga is required separation from the cult members and surround by only people that care about the person. But how can this isolation be accomplished in the age of social media in Fox News?
Dr. Stephen Hassen is on Substack and he’s the cult expert.
The irony of Elon calling people NPCs is that if anybody is the video game definition of NPC it's Elon! He has no feelings, no empathy, nothing. He's the very definition of a video game NPC.
… and abuse. His father was a real asshole to Elon. I’m not excusing anything Elon is doing, but his father’s behavior very likely played a role in creating this monster.
And the same applies to Trump. But I don't believe in the sins of the father thing. In fact, I never would have survived my teenage years if I hadn't been extremely determined to find my own path. For me it was a matter of survival. Wisdom came later, and was aided considerably by a loving, kind-hearted woman.
100%! Musk, Theil, Sachs. They all grew up in South Africa. Their grievance is losing Apartied. Their goal is Elons grandfathers. A North American Technocracy.
Chris, I agree. As soon as I read Musk use of NCP, I thought: “wow this describes you, Elon, to a tee. Actually the entire 1% fits into the description. NCPs:all of them!
Musk was not born and raised in America. He has thus no love of the country and people living. He is a homeless man himself. But he has bought Trump. To fight Musk, DEMs need a national leader. Senator Sanders is one but his age is handicap. We need a young leader. Any recommendation. How about Senator Scoti…..
Assuming there will be another legitimate presidential election in the U.S., it is imperative that Democrats win. Life-and-death imperative. With that thought in mind, Democrats must take no risks with the candidate they field.
We need to swallow the bitter pill that a majority of U.S. Republican and •Democratic• voters are not yet ready to hand the reins to a woman. They have told us that twice now. I think it's wrong, foolish and misogynistic, but my opinion doesn't outweigh millions of voters.
Perhaps, the farthest we can push the U.S. electorate at this time in our history is to field an openly gay man. Because he has a penis (as far as I know), which still matters to a lot of Americans. And he doesn't "act" gay, which also matters to a lot of Americans. It doesn't hurt that he's eminently qualified.
To be honest, I was so sure Harris/Walz would win, I felt a little bad that Pete's path to the presidency might be waylaid. As it has turned out, the way is clear for him, and he has all the qualifications, talent and courage to run and win. He has never shied away from venturing into "enemy territory" and speaking truth to ignorance. In today's political environment, that is exactly what is needed.
OK, I can go along with Buttigieg. And I think Senator Slotkin as VP covers his gay handicap and strengthen military background which I think critical.
My father was not born in America, but he surely embraced it. I met a woman in Canada who grew up amid starvation in Stalin's Russia and then wound up in a Nazi death camp. She made it to Canada, and sort of made it her mission to let people know "You are living in paradise" in case they hadn't noticed.
Musk has other problems, including ruthlessness, dishonesty, and grandiousity. And he grew up with Aparthied, a particulary pernicious form of racism that resonates for Musk with the racism in our own county, so far as I can see.
I saw the link to Musk's relationship with Tesla on Daily Kos today. Assuming it's all accurate, it seems to fit what we know about his character.
Thank you J L. Most of immigrants really embrace freedom and basic goodness and generosity of Americans. I read one time in TIME that America is the most chairty giving country of the world.
And more dehumanizing in evidence with the cut-off of US intelligence to Ukrainian troops. It is having a major impact. More Russian strikes coming in, including the Russian tactic of bombing a factory, then waiting, then bombing again when the first responders have arrived. Ukraine can't deflect these strikes as they could. They can't make intelligent strikes of their own, as they could.
There is a group of 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers inside Russia who are now about surrounded. The Russians have taken rapid advantage of our intel cut off.
This has really motivated me. I call my reps and tell them that this looks like sadism. This is not what I thought America represents. Please do something, I tell them.
We voters must let our representatives know that we are paying attention.
We have betrayed Ukraine. If trump wanted Ukraine to have a chance of the most favorable peace agreement, he would help Ukraine to be in the strongest position possible, he is putting Ukraine in the weakest position possible so he can extort Ukraine to pay back American "aid" at over 400% interest rate and agree to let Putin keep all the land he has stolen.
And still not provide any help to secure Ukraine against Putin breaking his word.
I would love to see us provide all the resources for as long as it takes to chase Putin out of all of Ukraines territory, including Crimea.
YES Scott! Musk fits right in with Trump calling people he doesn't like "vermin". These are NAZI-like techniques to dehumanize political opponents and minorities. Musk’s "NPCs" are, however, waking up and beginning to awsken and organize. When they do, Musk/Trump will find out how powerful we are!
Friday, Palm Beach Post: "DJT & Musk arrive on Air Force One for a 'Mar-a-Lago Weekend". There were several Air Force interceptions reported in the Aircraft Traffic Controlled Airspace above Mar-a-Lago over the Weekend. Apparently, such interceptions including the use of warning flares are not that uncommon.
Sunday 6:00 PM Eastern, DJT "Departs from Palm Beach International per Viviana Lopz at local ABC25 WPBF.
How long do the powers that supposedly ‘protect us’ allow this to continue? This ‘war’ on equality. Which basically has been going on over how many dead bodies (?) since the beginning of time.
You’d think by now what’s documented ad infinitum …“ self evident “, would be believed.
I am currently reading War by Bob Woodward, which is really opening my eyes to how great a President Joe Biden was. Kamala Harris comes off pretty well also. The difference is that they really care and listen to people. Not to mention that they brought qualifying experience coming in.
I too have “War” and after the WI Supreme Court election, may have time to read it. Biden, like Carter will only come into his own if we survive as a democracy. At this point, run by Putin and Co. (DT, Musk, Vance), we no longer are.
In a very sick way, I believe they actually enjoy inflicting pain and suffering on others who they see as expendable. Their ultimate goal is power and wealth of a few who will control the world. That is what drives their destruction, chaos and cruelty. A civil Democratic society is something they despise. How despicable is that America?
Yes.... these people under and with Trump are bullies, free riders and cheats. Trump is an emotional grenade (note his behavior with Zelensky), suffers from a malformation in his gray cells, who is breaking all our norms and standards, spreading strife as his biggest joy, exercises selective deafness to the protests against his meat cleaver policies. His MAGA followers are willing to destroy their lives for a metaphor - Make America Great Again!!!??
Not being a gamer, I was not familiar with the term NPC. Thank you for employing it in this letter. That seems to me to be an apt framework to think about the destruction of our government and country wrought by Musk and his rats. There is no purpose to their actions other than pure destruction, much in the same way that a small child might destroy an anthill. Just because they can.
In the United States the heavy lifting, creation of highways that move our economy, creation of medical research that wiped out diseases like polio, creation of the internet was done by our government. When the Soviet Union fell, Russia was privatized. Now we are being privatized. WTF.
Russia was privatized - vandalized. Bill Browder's "Red Notice" describes how Putin and his oligarch thugs became richer than Musk and essentially restored the monarchy.
Putin is the czar of Russia. He deserves the same fate as the last one.
$Trump and Musk are jealous of Putin - their role model.
James ,this is not a game, it's death serious. People are dying already in this country and hundreds died in few days in Ukraine due savage attacks by Putin after "we" suspended intelligence to the military there and green light the Russians to act without restrictions.
Ricardo, I agree this is no game. The people of our country and the whole world are feeling the effects of this mindless vandalism. But it's nothing more than an ego-driven game to these creatures.
Because Musk and Trump are sociopaths, other people’s suffering isn’t real to them. They don’t think of others and think they are the only people who matter.
I'm curious about so many real scientists like Jonas Salk are treated like NPCs?
I'll take real scientists especially the ones that tested their break through on themselves (and didn't patent it for personal profit, so more could benefit from it).
FDR had created the foundation that led to the March of Dimes that provided public donations to Salk's research. We didn't get monetary profits, we got life saving benefits that we could see back in 1955 as the peak of the Iron Lungs required was so apparent.
We didn't hold polio patients hostage for profit, it wasn't a game.
Thank you for your useful addition to the commentary. I remember the iron lungs all too clearly and as a result was happy to be among the "Polio Pioneers" who were early recipients of the Salk vaccine.
A man I worked for early in my career had handled Salk's PR, and he told me of opening envelopes of coins and one and five dollar bills from grateful people who were happy to see a vaccine for a disease they dreaded. Salk rejected a patent on the vaccine and didn't profit himself from all the lives that were saved. Can you imagine that today?
Ezra Klein made a compelling argument in a recent episode of his podcast that the Republicans in congress have become NPCs by ceding all their power to Trump and Musk
I will not say the Democrats have been loud enough in their dissent. Why, when Green was escorted out by the sergeant at arms, did they not all go with him?
The Democrats have no marching orders from Jeffries or Schumer or the DNC. They should not have been in the room and they certainly should have marched out with Al Greene when he was escorted out. What could Trump have said in his address that we have not heard ? It was 90 minutes of bad theatre ! Thousands of people were in the streets protesting last week and our elected tepresentatives were stuck in their seats
Silent or sycophants in the room. I suppose that's as close to an to an NPC as it gets. The problem is that the have serious jobs they're supposed to be doing.
Ezra’s argument made me reflect on Gore’s attempt to make the government more efficient. I do believe AI can be used to replace the antiquated government manual processes and thus the bloat of the budget. It is difficult to apply for government help, or a license, or to file taxes, but it doesn’t have to be.
The Social Security system still uses COBOL! Modernization should have been happening for decades, but that costs money and the effect is largely unseen, unlike a new bridge where the elected official can get a ribbon-cutting photo op. Now, with the draconian cuts at multiple agencies, services to average Americans will get worse. MAGA folk will blame “lazy bureaucrats” rather than the DOGE boys for the decline, which will spark more calls for privatization in the name “efficiency.” The fundamental problem there is that profit is the central motivating force of private entities and the only way to turn a profit is by raising prices or becoming more “efficient” by cutting costs and/or services.
Thank you. I am trying to be positive but am quite disheartened. You keep me on an even keel with your essays. I am doing all I can to let my representatives know that we are not happy with them. I do feel that these oligarchs are worse than those in the past. Musk must go.
They want to make you believe it's Musk. Don't get distracted, it's the whole administration from the scumbag president and the vice Manchurian down to many of their voters and Proyect 2025. Didn't you see how fervent ovation trump had at every lie he spat out of his mouth during his two hours speech to the nation. Shame on all of them.
All of it theater. The pageantry of autocrats was effective too, but ostensibly we were too practical-minded to be fooled. At least not all of the time. I think electronic media, though it bears many virtues, has helped to erode our sense of what's real and what is a con.
I agree. I do feel these oligarchs are worse than those in the past. They are vicious, heartless & will be unrelenting. That includes all the R’s in Congress. And those congresspeople have gotten themselves into a real mess because there’ll be hell to pay if they even *try* to backtrack. I wonder how their family dynamics are - given their determination to destroy American life and our entire infrastructure.
To me, it feels like we are in the final conflict between domination and community… where down one road we all wind up being cogs in a machine run by machine-like men… Think of that as The Matrix film made real, because men like Elon Musk think like machines … they have no hearts. 
Down the other road is a world we MUST start talking about… because its vision can power humanity forward in this fight against domination. It’s not enough to fear being dominated. We must clearly see what we can have when domination is defeated. And that vision of what we can have is not going to come from the Democratic Party, which has proven itself to be not up to the crisis we face. That vision is available, however, from pioneers of the art and science of social system transformation… People like R Buckminster Fuller, W Edwards Deming, Russel L Ackoff, Riane Eisler.  I urge you all to look up these masterful pioneers of the future we can have… A future built on cooperation, love of learning, and conflict resolution without resorting to violence. Imagine living in a world where war has been declared an obsolete form of problem-solving. That world is possible! 
Here’s 2 1/2 minutes of Bucky Fuller outlining that vision way back around 1980. Yes, this vision of what’s possible, and the knowledge of how to get there has been around a long time. And it has never been more critical for that knowledge and wisdom to become public then today!
The comparison to the machine-like men in The Matrix is the appropriate one. Musk sees others only for his convenience. He “produces “ babies to spread his seed, women are the vessels and baby making machines. It’s a factory like production with no hearts or souls. Trump isn’t so different.
People don’t count humans with the full range of abilities, intelligence, and feelings and qualities. This view is dehumanizing and perpetuates the caste system. Heather’s comprehensive overview of our history shows how this system has repeated itself over again.
Thank you for making the point about musk producing so many children with different wives. Yes, he wants to spread his dehumanized seed.
I believe we have the opportunity to finally stop this historic pattern and put domination into the ashcan of history where it belongs. That is why I included the clip of Buckminster Fuller in my comment.
There is much more I can say about achieving the final victory that is out there waiting for us to have. I will do that soon through the next essay of my own Substack page… A wiser way forward.
Unfortunately, I’ve been ill. So my Substack page has moved a bit slowly. But there will be more coming there soon.
Musk also is a disinterested parent who leaves parenting to the mothers,of his children. One of his children’s mothers is trying to get child support from Musk, and he is legally obligated to pay it.
Steve, I am sorry you are so sick. I will read your Substack in the morning. It was your comment (which said what I am thinking)?that led me to write. I hope you feel better soon. I’m off to bed
This isn't a coincidence. Musk has talked at length about believing in "simulation theory". He thinks he can cause all the suffering he wants because "it's just a simulation, bro, no one's really getting hurt!"
Is it his way of absolving himself of responsibility? Absolutely. Does he actually believe it? It doesn't matter, he acts like he does.
The universe cannot really be some very complex simulation. It is much too big for that. Perhaps Elon should read Carl Sagan for some perspective about how unique our situation really is.
The universe unfolding under physical laws, the small-scale quantum ones allowing for substantial freedom in outcomes, is not nearly the same thing as a simple simulation. It is perhaps a grand simulation, but that would greatly expand the meaning of the word simulation, so I think it is best to avoid the description.
And yes, dismissing human experience in life because if your pet hypothesis that the universe is merely a simulation is denying the evidence right in front of you. Elon is clearly no scientist.
No one that matters to him. We see the message over and over. Power tends to corrupt. The (presumably monomaniacal) "love of money" produces evil. What is The Constitution, but a protocol for establishing liberty and justice by defining, limiting, dividing, and balancing the use of power? And why do that? A very long and creepy history of abuses of advantage is the self-evident answer.
How about we start looking at our individual and community lives from some more impartial place that does not judge and self-judge? For me anyway this assessment has been yielding enormous amounts of buried and forcibly stored information, and releasing new energies that I look to use in new ways that are basically following the ethical code of witches:
"... do what you will, and harm none."
For the coming times to be fruitful and multiply our blessings rather than our bitching and complaints, to keep creating the on the ground conditions for each human to thrive in multiple cooperations, to be in harmony with Nature herself (thanks mom), to continue exploring the 90%+ of the oceans we don't yet know, to honor each type of community for its own inner integrity, to continue creating within the framework of a republic in a democratic way - our working ethics need to begin immediately to guide us and most importantly the next generations, regardless of other beliefs. There I've said it :-) :-))
Good grief. I didn't want to see the Matrix, so I didn't. Just watched the trailer. Good grief! Everyone should be made to sit through it, like it or not.
Thank you for revisiting a film you originally did not want to see. Like the best film (in my opinion), it’s the story of the war between the light and the dark sides of human nature
I had a college superviser once who, after seeing The Matrix movie, opined to her students about it. She could not understand why anyone would choose to live in a world without a luxury apartment and fine dining if given a choice between that and a dirty underground collective of involuntary warriors. And she was, supposedly, an avid Aristotelian democratic socialist. I understood it as a tragic failure of imagination. A very dangerous and increasingly common cultural faultline.
The "light and dark" sides of human nature, and the fact that we are in fact dealing with human nature, seems to me to get far too little close attention in our thinking as a whole.
The dark side is taught. The light side is how we are when we are born into this world. It is important to make the distinction between behavior that is innate and behavior that is taught. Babies are not born hating others. They have to learn to hate.
I posted this here before long ago, but I think it remains relevant. Sociopathic event occur when people are framed as objects. Even Trump and Musk; although I find the urgency I see for opposing their depredations outweighs my sympathy for their humanity. That said, in a civilized society, even criminals retain some basic rights, though we have every right to arrest them. I think many who now support Trump are a product of well financed, weaponized misinformation.
"I work with dying Trump supporters. It's...confusing" By Scott Janssen
But Trump, far from losing his basic rights even though he is a recidivist criminal, has been afforded every opportunity to escape the consequences of his actions, just as if he were actually innocent. What ought to happen is that we identify him as a criminal and isolate him, at least notionally, so that he cannot gain more and more followers and continue dismantling our democracy. Then we assemble a tribunal--something far more consequential than a Congressional impeachment proceeding--to try him for his crimes.
Or a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as South Africa created. Even if Trump and his acolytes were simply stripped of their power and pernicious influence, without putting them in jail for life.
Look at the Sec of Defense. He does not believe there should be rules of war. He does not believe in the Geneva Conventions. He believes that the USA should apply its own set of “rules of engagement” which, stripped bare, means we should be able to do whatever went want to whomever we want wherever and whenever we want in order to “win.” Of course, over the years through the CIA and other covert ops., we’ve murdered people and toppled governments, so it’s not like this concept of unrestrained aggression is anything new. It just appears we’ll be doing this less covertly now.
I think understanding our own psychology (as best we can) offers our best hope for a reasonably sane, safe, and just society. We need it now more than ever because of our expanding powers to do, without sufficient wisdom and compassion to do what we do responsibly.
I am of an age and background wherein I had the honour of once meeting Bucky Fuller in the flesh. He was lit from within by his empathy and compassion. He was also always surrounded, in public anyways, by uber wealthy hangers on and wannabes. This New Age celebrity status and its travelling circus was much to the detriment of his spiritual vision. We desperately need rid of all forms of celebrity culture asap.
Heard him give a talk when I was about 12 years old--he was a very interesting guy, whose ideas (bucky balls, etc) have been instrumental in developing all kinds of new ways of thinking about the physics of the universe,, but I wouldn't consider his life particularly a role model. I think that Kurt Vonnegut is more of my touchstone.
I am delighted to learn you once met Bucky Fuller. I met him in 1983 myself when he came to New York to deliver one of his final day long lectures (on the power of personal integrity to help us know what’s truly possible).
And yes, there were new age types who hung around him and did not ultimately help. Werner Erhard comes to mind. But one person who was deeply connected to Bucky (and did to his best to help by hosting an annual conference on how to make the world work for everyone) was the singer and environmentalist John Denver. John is my role model for a celebrity who uses his fame to make the world better for us all. We need more celebrities like John Denver today.
Is it any wonder that Musk thinks like a machine? Look at how this thinking still pervades most of Western science! It’s the reductionist materialism of René Descartes, Galileo Galilei et al; 400 years old, completely refuted by quantum physics, but still going strong. Just look at the medical researchers claiming “serotonin is happiness”, neurologists saying “you are your brain”, “the brain is like a computer”; the best may be Richard Dawkins claiming that you are just “selfish genes”! Philosophically seen that’s all total bullshit, and there is no scientific proof backing it up, either - these are beliefs! Parts of a religion believing in a mechanical universe where everything can be measured and calculated perfectly. Musk and his tech bros are simply the exponent, or ultimate, of this way of thinking. It is high time for Western science to dump this mode of thinking, and turn to the holistic/organic/intuitive thinking of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (yes, the German poet), or it may be too late. I quote David Bohm, the quantum physicist: “This fragmented thinking may well lead to our extinction.”
Fragmented thinking may indeed lead to our own extinction, but while I am not an expert in quantum mechanics, I know of nothing it reveals that is in conflict with the overall enterprise of scientific thinking. I think Galileo was amazing. Newton was another giant, but was a step along the way, even though Newtonian physics is still taught, albeit it is now with major revisions. What was a speculation on Newton's part was Newtonian determinacy, which predicted a mechanical certainty, and excluded the influence of chance. I think that view unraveled long ago. It had by the time I reached college in the mid 1960s.
"Serotonin is happiness" sound far more like a newspaper claim than a qualified opinion of a scientist, and "you are your brain" more like science fiction. I think it is well established that there is very little direct correspondence between electronic computers and our nervous systems. In essence I see the scientific method a logic and evidence based process aiming for a kind of integrity of thought.
It's not the only sort of integrity we can reach for, and I think science compliments our organismic experience of life, which is often better explored and expressed via arts and philosophy. Gravitationally driven fusion of hydrogen is also "rosy fingered dawn" . The sensation of sunshine on my shoulder is a human experience. The things we share by comparing human notes.
As for Descartes, I read some portion of his work in college, including "cogito ergo sum" which didn't quite do it for me. I think AND feel, therefore I am. Otherwise, what's the point?
That's EXACTLY the point, J L!. And that is precisely the point that science has tried to eliminate for over 400 years. Remember the "primary" and "secundary" qualities of Descartes & Galileo?
Yes, science complements our experience of life, but there are many who claim the other way around: science (or better said, the scientific view) IS our reality - hence the quote "I believe in science." By the way, the quote "you are your brain" is sadly not out of science fiction, but it is the title of a book by an important Dutch neurologist: Dick Swaab. You say " I think it is well established that there is very little direct correspondence between electronic computers and our nervous systems"; I totally agree, but the mainstream view is completely the other way around: viz. Musk and his tech bros. Many of my colleagues in chemistry adhered to this paradigm, too, and would claim that "happiness is just serotonin", our emotions being a "side product of our biochemistry" and dismiss psychology as "not a real science."
It seems that you have a much more differentiated view of science than scientists themselves. Reductionistic-materialist thinking still pervades the 'natural' sciences.
"Fragmented thinking may indeed lead to our own extinction, but while I am not an expert in quantum mechanics, I know of nothing it reveals that is in conflict with the overall enterprise of scientific thinking."
Not scientific thinking per sé, but the world view it propagates: it contradicts the reductionist, mechanical world view that was laid down by Descartes, Galileo and Newton: that view in which molecules and atoms are like little balls bumping into each other behaving in predictable (even calculatable!) ways - quantum physics has done away with that: elementary particles are not little balls, but more like "probability waves". But that is not something you can explain to children, so we're sticking with the "little balls".
P.S. Newton wasn't the "hardcore father of science" that everyone thinks he is: he believed strongly in God, and was more of an alchemist than a scientist...
I attended Some of Buckie's lectures—those marathon lectures were famous for their depth, weaving together engineering, philosophy, and a profound sense of human potential. Fuller’s vision of a world where resources are intelligently managed for the benefit of all was not just idealistic; it was mathematically and scientifically grounded.
He truly believed that technological advancements and efficient design could eliminate scarcity. And yet, as you said, greed remains the biggest obstacle. Instead of distributing wealth and resources to elevate humanity, we see hoarding, short-term profiteering, and systems designed to maintain inequality.
It’s frustrating because we *do* have the means to provide a decent standard of living for everyone—there’s more than enough food, energy, and technology. But systemic greed, entrenched interests, and outdated economic models keep us stuck. I can understand why you don’t think it will happen in your lifetime. Fuller was a century ahead, but greed is as old as civilization itself.
Heather notes that "...the founders excluded Indigenous Americans, Black colonists, and all women from their vision of government, the idea that the government should work for ordinary people rather than nobles and kings was revolutionary." In some American quarters, this is commonly known as "original intent" and it is held with great zealousness. A civil war, costing 750,000 lives, once tamped it down. We now face the greatest test since that war of whether the notions we thought we had matured to hold will endure.
There was plenty of doublethink in the execution of our founding philosophy, and yet the founding philosophy has proved pretty sound; and it spread. Lincoln et al was very helpful to reconciling social realities with the vision, and leaders and movements since have battled to bring them even closer.
That said, the same old serpent continues to press complete domination.
Well said, J. L. Lincoln's genius is also evident in the Gettysburg Address, in which he melds the ideas of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution into the concept of "that" nation.
And "or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure" establishes the principles that transcend nationalism, as did those founding documents. That liberty and justice are a product of our dedication to those principles, and that a nation of that kind is lost if we fail to contribute to and defend them, and divisive supremacy is the road to ruin; the very route that MAGA imposes.
The exclusions to which Marilyn Press refers were the original intent of some of the founders of this nation, but not all. But the adoption of our (deeply flawed) Constitution was an exercise of politics as “the art of the possible.” A better Constitution was not possible, and without compromises by those inclined favorably to the ideals expressed by the Declaration of Independence, this nation would not have been created. Ben Franklin understood this and was in favor of adopting the Constitution we are stuck with as a matter of pragmatism.
Well said. We may be NPCs but the oligarchs need us to run their schemes. Walk away from their products. Turn off their social media. Disdain the values of the wealthy. The oligarchs are spending our money, our taxes, desperately seeking our envy, making serfs of workers. Feed the poor, not the wealthy. Walk on the Freedom Highway, walk away from their sources of wealth.
This was the message of the’60s generation, and it applies today.
"By 2012, Republicans were saying, as Representative Paul Ryan did in 2010, that “60 Percent of Americans are ‘takers,’ not ‘makers.’” In 2012, Ryan had been tapped as the Republican vice presidential candidate."
Yup, "supply side economics". Yet who supplies? Why affirming a legitimate role for capital, Lincoln said "Labor is prior to and independent of capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed."
Ain't it the truth?
In most cases, the consumer and the worker are one and the same person.
" There are just two classes in this world. One owns the tools it does not use, and the other uses tools it does not own. The capitalists have the tools, which they cannot use. Workingmen have not the tools, without which they cannot live." Eugene V. Debs
On who elected Elon Musk... It's very similar to the the American Revolution against an unelected tyrant. No taxation without representation. Why should Americans pay taxes to Musk and Trump when their legitimate demands aren't even heard and Republicans evade town halls.
NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION: Unelected South African billionaire Musk makes himself king
Since we are stuck with a bias and corrupt SCOTUS, my ongoing irritation is with our mainstream media. It seems like the last 10-years we are witnessing how our culture is uninformed and immoral because news media are not there to inform the public on the government or politics, it’s a sports game competition and without a moral media, any politician we elect will be invisible if they do good - or they will be sane-washed if their greed and prejudices hurt the weaker human.
HCR, tonight my favorite words were your line below:
‘Roosevelt ushered in the Progressive Era with government regulation of business to protect the ability of individuals to participate in American society as equals.’ Thank you again Heather ✅
Maybe we can take heart from history -- from the sorry state of American history especially in 1854.
The pro-enslaver classes, as Heather has reminded us, controlled the White House, both houses of Congress, and the Supreme Court.
Lincoln was just getting started.
Maybe some American decency is galvanizing now -- as with the great crowds at Bernie's rallies. But Putin has gotten his agent, that fat orange convicted criminal, in the White House. Howdy Doody Mike Johnson has his house as sycophancy chorus, Senate equally insipid. And Clarence has his corruption thoroughly guaranteed in that massively perjured court of his.
But if some of us keep writing in response to Heather, to Timothy Snyder, to many other figures for decency and -- most vitally -- to each other as fellow commenters, maybe we'll keep a low boil to compete with all the corruption, vulgarity, and illegality in high places?
Several years ago I wrote this about the overlords. It is proving to be worse than I thought.
“Yes, we can march, for now. But, to the ones pulling the strings, destroying the planet and beggaring our children, this is a small annoyance, nothing more. We are insects to them.”
The (smallish) protests are good so far, but I am completely puzzled about why there aren't HUGE demonstrations for Ukraine. When JFK was assassinated, I instinctively went to Washington because I couldn't do anything else, and that night I discovered there were candles in all the windows in town. It was so consoling - why can't we do something simple like that? If the whole country did it, you could see it from space. Why aren't we all wearing Canada pins and flying Canadian and Ukrainian flags? The First Felon is doing his best not only to destroy our government but to destroy these two nations as well. We can't let the world think this is okay with us, or that we just want eggs to be cheaper.
I recently listened to a video podcast with Anand Giridharadas and Anat Shenker-Osorio where two similar points were brought up -- one I also have been thinking we need and the other I hadn't thought of but, yeah, it makes sense. https://the.ink/p/watch-free-america
The first one is about a symbol, something we can unite around. It could be a pin, a flag, a slogan, or even a silent gesture. I like the silent gesture because there's no lingering evidence of our connection, especially important as the imprisonment of resisters, protesters, opposers begins in earnest. In the video it was a finger pressed against the lips as if to shush that slowly gets turned and becomes a middle finger. We do need something that will resonate and catch fire.
The second point was that we seem to be waiting, checking the collective temperature, trying to see is it just me, am I overreacting, or are others seeing this too? They called it social proof, the idea that "[our] very important audience is other people around us as a kind of collective gauge on what is happening." And the fact that only one representative stood up, raised his cane, interrupted, and called out the lies of an authoritarian but others did not join him is part of why we are hesitating. In the past there were often leaders, representatives who were saying the things we felt but weren't sure we could say, and without them we are still looking around to see if we really should be doing something more because we're feeling like oh, maybe it's just me. And with the media not covering our protests much if at all, again it feels like okay, maybe it isn't really so bad. So every time we do catch a glimpse of collective action in an online video, even if the action itself doesn't stop something, it gives permission, says its not just you and here's the receipts. And that happens here too each night when we have these conversations. And it happened on International Women's Day at a rally that spanned two sides of a busy street in my town, me standing next to a stranger who was trying not to use the F word to explain the way she too rages at our GOP rep alone in her home until I turned to her and said, "You can say the big word, go ahead, I say it too" and she screamed it out like she was expelling a demon she'd been desperate to exorcise. And we both felt better after.
We're getting there. My only question is will we get there soon enough and strong enough or will we find ourselves having to defend our freedom and equality once again with more than just time and treasure.
Great points. Yes, Nazi victims didn’t believe things could get that bad. Just got an idea for Blue Sky. A quote from a guard at the concentration camps. The conversations he heard over and over. People just couldn’t believe what they had seen, even as they were lined up to die.
Thank again HCR ! Your timely news and historical insights digests bring heart and soul to the forefront in this struggle for humanity. It is no less than that.
People do weary of struggle, strife and war. That’s only natural. By the same token, we must bear in mind that there are no lasting victories in warfare. No conflict has lasting resolution in this manner. The cost of struggle is vigilance. And failing that, as we can see now, carries a steep price.
Bernie Sanders is a political and moral hero whose vigilance has never waned.
I’ve always liked Bernie. At the time, I think doubts about Bernie’s presidential run were pretty reasonable. Until one might have considered the importance of hope vs realpolitik. What support would he have found in Congress at the time? Should we vote our ideals, or do we end up voting against the greater threat to them? Saddled as we are with a two party cartel system, the voter stands to lose or win on the coin toss.
This is a masterful description of the see-sawing of America and government. We have approached this point where a few claim to be smarter and more capable than the majority. Time after time this pattern of the rich taking from the rest has been challenged and a government that met the needs of the 99% and protected the country from polluted environments, unfair business practices, provided a safety net for the elderly and infirm, and provided for the defense of America and allies. I resent the notion of being part of the 47% or 60% of takers. I have worked to pay for a home, cars for my wife and me, and all of my needs, not just wants. True, I am the recipient of what the rich and the current government consider handouts. I draw a military retirement, for which I served in the military, moved my family when ordered to a new base, gave up friends and community to form other communities, sold 2 very nice cars to transfer to England and learn to drive on the other side of the road. I spent my time caring for those who had need of psychological help. I worked extra hours, updated my education as required, and served with pride in my country. I also draw Social Security from a fund I paid into yearly. I still work at 79 y/o and I still pay into Social Security and Medicare. I haven’t asked for handouts. If I needed extra money, I borrowed, but I paid back with interest. Now the elite is trying to write me off as an NCP or a parasite. One of the questions on the old Wechsler Intelligence Scale was , “Why do we pay taxes?”. To support the government, of course. I don’t pay taxes to allow a multi billionaire to decide whose work was valuable and release employees randomly because we don’t need these government services for which we pay. Why have we allowed these true parasites to restructure the government for greater efficiency when they don’t even understand the government. It is true that Trump and Musk have no empathy and don’t care about the American people. They don’t know how to listen and gauge their decreasing popularity. They are afraid to face the American public because they don’t want to hear our anger.
I salute for your military service and for your civilian dedication to this country and it's citizens. You are a proud example of what we should be and do.
Perhaps Musk should be given the title NPC-In-Chief and consigned to a room with huge screens and a game controller hooked up to a virtual world that gives him the illusion he is manipulating the other characters which he can pretend to do to his heart's content. [And we should throw away the keys.]
My favorite fantasy right now is having tRump being trapped on a Hollywood set built to look like the White House similar to the movie, "Truman Show." Throw muskrat in there, too.
Thank you for talking about the struggles over time between these poles of belief. Yes, we the people must stand up by the MILLIONS and make our voices heard. This desperate fight for the soul of our country is in our hands.
I would like to know where are the Democratic Ex Presidents are today. Sleeping? Hiding? Sitting on their bank accounts? We need the loyal opposition leaders, including Clinton, Obama and Biden to step forward and oppose the man and men licking the boots of the murderous dictator Putin.
Good question, Mark. I’ve been wondering the same thing. Democratic senators and reps also need to speak up and address this crisis. Sending email and text requests for money is NOT my idea of leadership unless you tell me what you’re planning to do. Waving paddles during Trump’s shameful speech also fails to meet the test of leadership during this crisis. Wake up Democratic senators, reps and leaders past and present. The rest of us are NOT ok with sucking up to Putin and abandoning our friends in Ukraine, Europe, and Canada!!! And we are NOT ok with abandoning neighbors, vets, friends and elders in need of Medicaid and other support! We now are joining protests, making calls, sending messages but There’s only so much we can do.
They, AND their wives spoke out BEFORE the election. They worked hard for Harris and spoke frankly about Project 2025. They were everywhere they were asked to go warning people. Harris, Walz, the Bidens. Barack kept saying, “Don’t boo; vote!” For whatever reason, people didn’t listen, didn’t believe, I don’t know. It’s terribly disheartening that it wasn’t enough. I don’t blame them for sleeping, or hiding, or just living their life.
Yes, Dena. They did speak out before the election. However, none of them and none of us predicted what actually occurred in the first 4-6 weeks. No one predicted that an unelected billionaire would be allowed to override Congressional powers in terminating funds for USAID, NIH scientific research, and so on. No one predicted that Trump would fire top military leaders, publicly accuse Zelensky of starting the Ukraine war, and simply announce an end to US military aid and intelligence to the Ukraine without further review or discussion. Historians, legal experts, and many others have recognized that we are in a constitutional crisis. I do not understand how any present or past Democratic leader can remain silent under these conditions. Fortunately, some leaders have expressed concern but I’m shocked and disappointed that so few have stepped forward.
Tim Walz SAID “you don’t write up a play book unless you plan to use it,” when talking about P25. Not trying to be argumentative but just making the point that I don’t blame them for their silence. PLUS, IMO they may feel they risk their safety by speaking out now - especially when their influence/power is limited. Speaking out is a whole different ballgame than it was before Jan. 20.
They did step up and speak out this past election. They told Americans what would happen under a 2nd Trump presidency. Maybe they need to be reaching out and speaking with those who did not vote, those who went for a 3rd party, and the MAGA crowd that's in the FAFO camp.
Dehumanizing people shows a complete lack of empathy. The lack of empathy is the hallmark of a sociopath.
https://www.timelesstimely.com/p/why-empathy-matters?r=bx&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
And Musk tweeted that empathy is destroying Western Civilization. Tells us all we need to know about him.
He is not doing what he is doing without express authorization by the scumbag president and vice Manchurian. Don't get distracted about whom is responsible for this cruel chaos.
Excellent take on vance... brilliant in fact, imagery evoked is, well, evocative! :)
Thanks for your reply Kevin 👍
Think about how Musk is behaving. Think about where you've seen his "we" are important and "they" are not behavior pattern. When adults act that way, we call them narcissists, or sociopaths, or psychopaths. When children act that way, we often laugh because we think it's cute. Why? Because we expect them to mature before they have enough power to have a significant impact on the lives of others.
Think of Musk with a child sitting on he shoulders. Ask yourself how he would feel if he allowed himself to acknowledge that he is less mature than the child.
But…but…I’m reading articles, Jess Piper among them, where people are blaming Elon, as if he is a lone actor and as if he’s acting without express support of Trump! Really?? How misled can people be? (No need to answer…)
Earlier today my wife and I were discussing whether Elon is an idiot or an idiot savant. He is definitely a ketamine abuser which fosters cognitive decline. I told her that I thought Elon was really lucky and she said, "he was born on 3rd base."
This made me think about Trump vs Elon. While most of the commenters here had no trouble making it to first or second base, we may not have many triples or home runs to our name. With the right people batting behind us, we have been able to score runs and sometimes those people get the credit but most of the time they don't. Trump has NEVER given credit to anyone for "bringing him home" from third base. Musk hasn't either but I'm not a big follower.
Most of Trump's supporters have more strikeouts that hits. They think that could change with Trump as the coach but it hasn't and it won't. But, Trump is head of their team so they will follow him and cheer him on regardless of his win loss record.
Oh, they need a hit alright. Wanna be kings? Shall we haul out the guillotine and dust if off for them? If only I could find my dang knitting.
LOL Great allusion to literature.
Lose the head, the body will follow!
Can't wait for that to happen Gary. The poison is spreading wide and fast. Thanks for your comment 👍
Excellent martial arts reference, Gary. "Control the head; the body will follow.
Seems as apt for the mental as well as the physical.
My old habits, are hard to break!
Thanks again Ally!
Talking about old habits Gary, as a naturalist and an ignorant about martial arts, my interpretation of your reference about "lose the head, the body will follow " was to think about a snake loosing its head and finally dying. That's why I mentioned poison spreading wider and fast. Funny that Ally House interpretation was different and more accurate. And we all communicate to each other in the same language 😅
👍
I know nothing about martial arts, so I thought it was a reference to the guillotine.
I keep saying, bring back the guillotine!
Yup.. He's a "tool". We the people, are in the process of being 'screwed' by that "tool". Not unlike to the women he's somehow (money aside) entered into. Hahahahaaagaggg.., only for us, meaning the US, it's the anUS in the "Oval" office, which has been penetrated..., No? Like some prostitute, he's bought this country and is having his way with it.., balling it up. The world better pay attention, they're next. Maybe they've already been had? Billions don't walk, they fly. Yeah.., like "go to Mars, you POS! He's a "tool" alright. His mother must be proud.
Mad, i do wish muskrat would take one of his rockets to Mars while we watch it explode and cheer.
I imagine the expression of relief around the world . 🤑
I refer to him as Muskraut; not to demean Germans or Germany, but to establish the Nazi/fascist linkage.
I don't think he had a mother 😕
Actually, Maye Musk, Elon's mother, is very accomplished and successful, and she supports him 100%, God help us.
Ditto Kathy, a good mother won't be supportive of such a cruel individual. Still i don't think he had a mother. I can't call him a SOB.
Was she too busy being successful to raise him?
He sprang from some fetid swamp.
True. Trump could rein Musk in IF he chose to.
Exactly Ricardo
Congress is ceding its authority to the executive branch. Executive orders were never meant to take the place of legislation. Crashing the economy and destroying the infrastructure of our government is happening because of greed, incompetence, plain old meanness.
Per Musk, social security is the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time and empathy is destroying Western Civilization. Harrumph is what I would say if I weren't an NPC
Trump and Musk are trying to steal our government and resources from the people for themselves, and Musk is wrong about Social Security. Removing the income caps alone would be enough to make the system viable, and Social Security was never intended to be an investment vehicle, but social insurance. Musk is wrongly assuming that SS is an investment vehicle. He and his fellow oligarchs can’t opt out of society as much as they may want to.
Thank you Kathy!
Remove the cap, Remove the cap, Remove the cap, Remove the cap, Remove the cap, Remove the cap, Remove the cap, Remove the cap, Remove the cap!
Save Social Security now!
And for all you young 'uns I have two messages for you.
When Mom and Dad or Grandpa and Grandma are reduced to eating cottage cheese on saltines while living in a cardboard box (or have to move in with you :) you will wish you had done something about the fascists.
And....you will get old. Hard to believe, I know. But it happens very slowly and then all of a sudden. You will be amazed.
Remove the cap.
You are SO CORRECT, Mr. Alstrom!! Aging does indeed happen very very slowly--until SUDDENLY: whoomf!...you're a senior citizen and no longer are the focus of advertising (except for drugs and Depends)...fashion is no longer made for you, the newest music is no longer of interest, you can't figure out what tv ads are even FOR any more....and suddenly you can't remember words, names or where you put your phone.
Nobody voted for Musk. 5 Million Patriots --- bring five million citizens to Washington until MUSK is expelled; and, TRUMP and VANCE are impeached.
5MillionPatriots.blogspot.com
Feathers of Hope. https://jerryweiss.substack.com/p/remove-impeach-impeach
Presssure Congressional Republicans. Call. Write. Picket. Sit in.
Which is why I have an omma phone so I can call myself when I forget where I put my cell down.
T L you said it all!
Bill, perfect comment, sir!
A week or so ago, I mentioned the story of my not-very-loved-and-very-mentally-ill Mother in law who was in a series of nursing homes, thanks to Medicare/Medicaid as we absolutely could not have cared for her even with good intentions and strong morals. No need to repeat that.
As nursing homes close, and the parents/grandparents have to come into their childrens/grandchildrens homes, I am sure that we will have a rise in elder abuse. It's one thing to diaper a recalcitrant toddler, it's quite another to diaper a 150 pound adult who throws punches and verbal abuse.
MANY years ago, in my early career as a medical technologist, I had to draw blood every morning. There was one sweet 'lil ole lady patient who waited until you had the needle in your arm, then she'd lean over and BITE you. I don't recall what her diagnosis was, but since this was about 40 years ago, I bet it was for dementia and UTI. I'd talk to the nurses, it only took a few times of her biting until they removed her dentures and put her on a pureed diet. While I didn't get "bit" I did get "gummed" a few times.
Thank you, Miselle. Funny but not funny!
I think nursing homes are the worst. I probably costs as much for round the clock care at home.
Removing the income cap would go a long way towards saving Social Security. (Allowing more immigration would also help, but that's another story.)
Yes, most of us get old. I still can't believe I'm in my 60s. I've lived longer than either of my parents did. 😳
Ellen....just wait until you are in your eighties and so are many of your friends. I am the youngest of the eighties in a few of my friends and I have having a hard time coping with their stories that they have share with me everytime I am with them. LOL I pray I don't start doing that and if I do I hope someone stops me! When I say to them yes you have told me that occasionally, they just keep on telling the story! So I have learned just ignore it and let them continue.
Remove the cap! It doesn't take a genius to figure out that this is the way to save Social Security.
Thank you, Bill. I love this!
I'm old already Bill. No option for me...😉
THIS!!! Remove the income caps from SS!!!!!! I think your average maga doesn't even know there is a cap on SS.
Random, the average MAGA only knows that they should own the libs even as it costs them.
It is always amazing to me how few people know that there is an income cap for SS. In my job I was finished paying SS tax by April, the lower paid positions paid many months longer. Raise/remove the caps.
Paul Klugman recently wrote an excellent essay on the sustainability of Social Insurance. Ending / privatizing social insurance didn't begin with Trump and Musk. It is backbone policy of the Republican Party, and has been for some time. Check out Paul Ryan's policies, which were adopted enthusiastically by the Tea Party. https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Political_positions_of_Paul_Ryan
Paul Ryan's father died when he was in high school. He received Social Security survivor's benefits until he was 18. Yet even in college he was already talking about eliminating Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.
He even admitted that it was his social security survivor's benefits that allowed his mother to keep the family business going. He brought a whole new level of hypocrisy to US politics.
The beginning, in my life time: Powell’s Confidential Memorandum. An
Attack of American Free Enterprise System. It is a long March to where we have found ourselves today...
https://reclaimdemocracy.org/powell_memo_lewis/
DATE: August 23, 1971
TO: Mr. Eugene B. Sydnor, Jr., Chairman, Education Committee, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
FROM: Lewis F. Powell, Jr.
This memorandum is submitted at your request as a basis for the discussion on August 24 with Mr. Booth (executive vice president) and others at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The purpose is to identify the problem, and suggest possible avenues of action for further consideration.
You are so right.....Frank!
And raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour would raise at least an additional $20 billion per year and actually bring some families out of poverty. Of course the oligarchs want to give themselves a cut in taxes rather than help families make ends meet.
Maybe NPC should stand for Not Putin's Cat
Kitty! Kitties! of the world unite! Meow!
Calling all Cat ladies!!!
Love this, and I don’t even have a cat.
I've had kitties most of my life. I no longer do. Now the last one, now he was a damned good friend. Since his departing a few years ago there just hasn't been another that came up in my eyes quite like he did.
They will when you’re there for them but I recommend getting them in pairs. The shelters will have kitties that need love and kindness and they will repay you many times over.
lauriemcf, thank you. i feel better knowing that I am not someone in a horrible game.
Lauriemcf..,hahahaaaa.., howz about "neo" Putins Cat. Russia, has quite a history of putting cats to sleep. Musko is a newer one, that's all. We've been housing quite a number of stray "cats" in our country. And, they are oh so sly. The FSB keeps them purring. Since you mentioned Cat. :))
😺😺😺
MisTBlu, one could refer anyone inclined to believe Social Security is a Ponzi scheme needs to read Paul Krugman’s excellent description and explanation of what Social Security is and how it works
…and how removing the cap on FICA would eliminate nearly all the SS deficit: https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/america-is-trapped-in-a-burning-tesla
or
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/3/9/2309040/-Social-Security-Primer-from-Paul-Krugman
Seems to me that Elon Musk is the only person to claim that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme. I'll read the Krugman piece. Thanks.
Has Musk collected a regular paycheck for more than a few years to even pay social security? Mr. Ponzi Scheme doesn’t pay any taxes but he’s collecting all of ours.
You're correct that Musk doesn't receive a salary so wouldn't pay a dime into Social Security. His compensation is based on stock options and other formulas.
ALL we taxpayers are asking is that the money we pay in, is used by our TAX dollar PAID "neighbors, fellow citizens, employed by the entity THEY make up which we refer to as the Government of the United States.. OUR friggen country, be used to make money and provide the amounts we have ALL agreed can be afforded. Because WE are the "Government".., WE are honest.., WE are responsible.., WE can read the Constitution and could not have written it any better.., WE.., are not the scum that would (with admitted or un-admitted) INTENT.., MISLEAD/Cheat/Swindle/RUIN.., INTENTionally, our fellow Americans.., much less a fellow human being. This is who we are. Whose team are you on, is the question to be asked. Don't expect an honest answer. Keep yer guard up!
🤣🤣🤣 Please continue the harrumphs, MisTBlu
Blazing Saddles? harrumph’s such a great reminder…that said much The Musky Man’s really strange businesses are phantoms of stock value…NSP of stock value…all bluff and bombast. Ready to deflect at a whim.
:-) In looking up Tesla's stock price today (down >10%) I note that under key personnel, Musk's titles are, "Chief Executive Officer, Director, Technoking." Curiosity led me to this: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/07/elon-musk-ceo-is-made-up-title-prefers-tesla-technoking.html
Musk and Trump are both part of the New Feudalism. They are both big leaders in this movement of Rich, mostly White, men.
I say that the people can organize a full on Revolution, the Blue States can secede, which would not be more disruptive than what is happening now, and might give people agency. Like pick where you want to live based on the politics, rather than the climate, or the job market. This Bulwark article made me think about secession as an alternative again. https://www.thebulwark.com/p/liberal-democracy-american-south-vance-bourbons?r=f0qfn&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Also, my book club is reading Freedom's Dominion by Jefferson Cowie, which shows the difference in mentality of freedom from slave owning nations and those who are not. This New Feudalism is rising up in the south, and the rest have to accept the decision making of those who embrace it. If the US is by, for and of the propertied White, males, then what about the rest of us?
A third option is for people to weigh individually what their options are, and make alternative plans that are there waiting for them if things go MORE "SOUTH," as they say. https://lindaweide.substack.com/p/a-plan-c-for-catastrophe?r=f0qfn
What the elected Democrats could be doing is creating legislation to fight each and every thing that the Trump/Musk administration is doing, and then look at Project 2025 and figure out what is up the turnpike and develop legislation for that too. Then, if they cannot get it on the floor, or passed, hold press conferences where they present an opposition with a plan.
Alternative legislation overall promoting a broad social support platform should be the name of the game for the Dems, and definitely a clarion call to unbreak what Trump 2.0 is attempting now. And yes, flood the public spaces and airwaves with protest.
As is pretty well-known by now, corporate media is a lost cause. But I am encouraged by what is happening with independent media. Brian Tyler Cohen is at the vanguard of this new movement, which I think, offers a glimmer of light in this otherwise dark mediascape.
https://plus.briantylercohen.com/p/why-i-went-to-washington-dc-this
The Youtube Medias Network is another one. It's not just one commenter but a number of them.
Yes. I am impressed that the different independent outlets are organizing. As the cliché goes, "there is strength in numbers."
As BTC noted, this should have happened 10 years ago, but now is the second best time.
Definitely. And for some, it is time to go. Thus my article above with advice on how to plan this.
And relatively simple to present and explain. Great idea.
Linda, as an ardent reader of history it has long been clear to me that the parasite class wants to suck us all dry as they have done for most of history. Elected Ds are doing, for the most part, what they can. I read an article this week that talked about behind the scenes. They do hold town halls, both being there and virtual. Our rep has also met with many different groups here in her district. That included that Marion County Commissioners, all of whom are Rs and whose salaries i resent paying for. The bot came on to talk about her being bribed, etc. on the post about this meeting as he does on every other post she puts out. When someone tried to wonder why a guy in Arizona keeps posting, the answer was quite vile. I have tried to block him, but cannot find him. I mention this to underline that Ds are trying to get their message out. I see all sorts of ongoing protests, full town halls, and people lining up for Bernie's rallies and even some people expressing regret that they voted for death star.
Michele, I realize that Ds are trying to get the message out and that is great. But they also need to be drafting bills to protect us. By doing this they make much clearer to people exactly what they are proposing to do to counter what Musk and Trump are doing. Like, where is the bill clearly laying out that what Musk is doing is illegal, and putting a lot of proscription to his ability to function at all. And, a bill that says a president cannot benefit from anything he rules on in office, or he automatically forfits the job. I can go through the Project 2025 tracker as well, and think of the types of legislation that should be drafted to counter what is going on. I am sure you can too.
https://www.project2025.observer/
That is what we need too. Not just talking, but also creating a legislative path to save us from this.
We also need to get the unions leading strikes and boycotts of companies that are not supporting the people.
I have read about a few bills, including one from the Oregon female doctor representing the Portland area. I can't remember what it is about. I also read an article last week about what is going on behind the scenes. Yes, a legislative path, but I am sure little johnson is busy not allowing anything to get going. It must be maddening especially in the House where he has such a razor thin margin. That doesn't mean bills should not be introduced, but it's hard when you control neither chamber. I think strikes and boycotts are going to grow. A lot of US companies have to be hurting as I see more and more countries not buying US products. Boycotts are fine and we are doing them, but we understand that it is much more difficult for some people.
I am envisioning this is something that can put a monkey wrench in the Republicans momentum. First of all, if Mikey Johnson refuses to entertain bills, it is time to mail it to the press and send a copy as well as calling a news conference and going on podcasts and newshows. Try to get on Fox news as well.
We have to be doing everything. The other options are to"
1) Go along with Trump's world, that is go along to get along. Might work for some.
2) or Revolt and have a potentially violent confrontation with the other side.
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/kevin-roberts-heritage-revolution-bloodshed-1235052706/
3) Secede in part, those states that are willing to do so and form a more perfect nation, a Democratic States of America, vs the Confederate States of America.
https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/secession/
4) People can plan to leave which is like individual secession.
https://lindaweide.substack.com/p/a-plan-c-for-catastrophe?r=f0qfn
We will never eliminate all abuse of a system. Some people will ALWAYS coast along for free. BUT, that does NOT mean a system is bad and should be thrown out; it simply has reached maximum efficiency and NO system is 100% efficient. Big picture: Are more people helped than harmed? If so, carry on.
Agreed.
He’s wrong, empathy is how we survive.
Unless you don't know what he looks like.
The “woke virus” that the fascists decry is basically just empathy.
Taboo in Trump’s America.
I was just about to say that.
And some consider Muskrat a genius. His huge success is more about luck than brains.
And as Tevye, in“Fiddler on the Roof,” “When you’re rich, they think you really know.” HaHa!!!!!!
Michael, are sure you want to know more about this sociopath ? I have enough of him just by watching and reading about his doings and undoings. He is the antithesis of empathy, a basic human condition. Without it we are less than animals. Sorry animals, no offence intended.
I've been watching the crows out back here in the beetle kill ponderosa pine tree. all their antics and to-ing and fro-ing. it seems as tho they are saying " None taken, sir! We are trying to get our own government sorted out here!"
It’s not civilization if we have no empathy. It’s barbarism.
Musk:I just look at the face and see a nothing. I keep looking and see nothing. For me, faces are windows to what is inside.
The dehumanizers are the top 1 percent of Americans, the "moochers" who don't pay tax. They are the ‘takers,’ not ‘makers'. THEY are the non-contributing members of society, and should be thrown where the garbage goes, below below below.
Don't forget the takers Red States, the ones that voted consistently againt the makers Blue States . Such an upside down country.
"That is the world that Elon Musk and Donald Trump are dismantling. They are destroying the government that works for all Americans in favor of using the government to concentrate their own wealth and power."
Divide et Impera, divide and rule, has a long history because it works; unless enough people stand together to render it powerless.
This is the argument I've made to the few MAGA that I still associate with, and who generally seem the most upset about "others" getting a free ride:
Yes, there probably IS some fraud in the social safety nets, BUT, there is in billionaires avoiding taxes, too. I'd rather my taxes are "misspent" on the poor than the billionaires.
IF you truly are angry that "nobody wants to work" then you, too, shouldn't work. Take whatever "they" are getting, and live as they are. Funny, how in my area, where "they" live is not areas that these MAGA even want to drive through, much less live in.
I was watching a newsclip from CBS (on youtube) about "Wisconsin Trump voters react to mass firings". A group of older white men, former factory workers in Kenosha, WI, were being interviewed. When asked if they agreed that there was "waste, fraud and abuse" in the federal government, all but one said yes, definitely, one saying that government workers just went in, sat there making paper airplanes, waiting to collect their paychecks and pensions.
The attitude sounded familiar, and then it struck me - this is the stereotypical racist line about Black people since time immemorial - lazy, undeserving, living off the hard work of good honest white folk. Outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin is not a particularly diverse state. But government offices such as the Post Office, Social Security, and DMV (I know the DMV is a state office, but still the "government") are one of the places a person would regularly see Black employees. This is particularly true for the rural people who need to go into town for such services, (rural Wisconsin is over 93% white).
And then it all came together. All the talk about "waste, fraud and abuse" is just more racist code about Black and Brown people, conveniently conflated with the entire federal government.
Very good point, I hadn't thought of it that way.
Thank you, Jane Ketcham. It hadn’t hit me, but you are exactly right! Racism is very much alive everywhere in America. There are exceptions, but they are inadequate.
Ding Dong!
They expect us to serve them, but people don’t want to do that.
These sociopaths are magnetically attracted to each other. Hitler had Goebells, Trump has Musk,
What if our leaders encouraged newly questioning MAGA to use AI to fact check and demagogue check Trump and Musk? Would they understand the what happened to them?
MAGA operates as a cult-like movement because it employs classic indoctrination techniques, social manipulation, and an ecosystem designed to foster radicalization. Here’s how it works:
1. Psychological Manipulation and Identity Capture
MAGA is built around a strong leader who demands loyalty, dismisses external criticism, and constructs an “us vs. them” worldview. Followers are encouraged to tie their identity to the movement, making it emotionally and socially costly to leave.
2. Social Media Addiction & Artificial Popularity
MAGA thrives in the algorithm-driven digital age, where engagement is fueled by rage-baiting and misinformation loops.
• Bots and troll farms artificially inflate its online presence, making it appear more popular than it really is.
• Echo chambers (Facebook groups, Telegram, Truth Social) create a closed feedback loop, reinforcing propaganda.
• Memes and viral content make disinformation easily digestible and addictive.
3. Radicalization Through Indoctrination Techniques
MAGA mirrors cults in how it isolates followers from reality and escalates their radicalization:
• Information control: “Fake news” claims prevent followers from trusting objective facts.
• Apocalyptic rhetoric: The movement frames opposition as an existential threat (“the Deep State,” “communism,” “invasion”).
• Sunk cost fallacy: Once followers commit to MAGA, they find it difficult to admit they were wrong.
4. Social Cohesion on Steroids
MAGA operates as a pseudo-religious movement where members find belonging and purpose.
• Rallies and online groups mimic revivalist cult meetings.
• Persecution complex: Followers believe they are fighting an evil force, strengthening their loyalty.
• Hero worship: Trump (or any MAGA figure) is depicted as a messianic figure, above reproach.
5. Fear and Authoritarianism
Like any cult, MAGA thrives on fear and dehumanization of outsiders.
• Demonization of enemies: Democrats, journalists, immigrants, or even moderate conservatives are branded as traitors.
• Authoritarian tendencies: Followers become comfortable with political violence, suppression of dissent, and lawlessness.
MAGA’s success lies in its ability to hijack identity, emotion, and information, keeping its base locked in a self-reinforcing cycle of propaganda, outrage, and loyalty.
Can the MAGA folks be deprogrammed?
I suppose that they will have to experience the economic betrayal of their heroes before they begin to wake up.
For a few, maybe.
I think there is very strong evidence to say no. Freeing oneself from a cult, which maga is required separation from the cult members and surround by only people that care about the person. But how can this isolation be accomplished in the age of social media in Fox News?
Dr. Stephen Hassen is on Substack and he’s the cult expert.
Love at first sight ❤️
The irony of Elon calling people NPCs is that if anybody is the video game definition of NPC it's Elon! He has no feelings, no empathy, nothing. He's the very definition of a video game NPC.
He is a product of Apartheid.
… and abuse. His father was a real asshole to Elon. I’m not excusing anything Elon is doing, but his father’s behavior very likely played a role in creating this monster.
And the same applies to Trump. But I don't believe in the sins of the father thing. In fact, I never would have survived my teenage years if I hadn't been extremely determined to find my own path. For me it was a matter of survival. Wisdom came later, and was aided considerably by a loving, kind-hearted woman.
You got lucky! Finding the “right person” is rarely easy and rare.
Indeed I did! Married 46 years now.
100%! Musk, Theil, Sachs. They all grew up in South Africa. Their grievance is losing Apartied. Their goal is Elons grandfathers. A North American Technocracy.
And family wealth. And genetics—his father married his stepdaughter and has two children with her.🤮
PROJECTION is the MO of Trump and his sycophants.
Chris, I agree. As soon as I read Musk use of NCP, I thought: “wow this describes you, Elon, to a tee. Actually the entire 1% fits into the description. NCPs:all of them!
AND he cheats at video games, which is just lame.
Born to cheat, like Agent Orange.
And Donnie cheats at golf. Birds of a feather
Therefore we are being ruled by sociopaths.
They need to be restrained, medicated and carted off in straight jackets. We need a Nurse Ratched.
It never ends well for Demagogues.
Yet millions may die for their sins.
may? no, Will.
That is what bothers me the most. There are plenty of voters that didn’t vote or voted for Ms. Harris, but we will all suffer the harm.
we have not learned from WWII.
And we never would lend them a boat.
Dehumanizing people is also a hallmark of fascism.
And war
Musk was not born and raised in America. He has thus no love of the country and people living. He is a homeless man himself. But he has bought Trump. To fight Musk, DEMs need a national leader. Senator Sanders is one but his age is handicap. We need a young leader. Any recommendation. How about Senator Scoti…..
.
Senator Murphy or Pete Buttigieg
How about Senator Elisa Slotkin?
Assuming there will be another legitimate presidential election in the U.S., it is imperative that Democrats win. Life-and-death imperative. With that thought in mind, Democrats must take no risks with the candidate they field.
We need to swallow the bitter pill that a majority of U.S. Republican and •Democratic• voters are not yet ready to hand the reins to a woman. They have told us that twice now. I think it's wrong, foolish and misogynistic, but my opinion doesn't outweigh millions of voters.
Perhaps, the farthest we can push the U.S. electorate at this time in our history is to field an openly gay man. Because he has a penis (as far as I know), which still matters to a lot of Americans. And he doesn't "act" gay, which also matters to a lot of Americans. It doesn't hurt that he's eminently qualified.
Do they have a military career?
Buttigieg does. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Buttigieg
To be honest, I was so sure Harris/Walz would win, I felt a little bad that Pete's path to the presidency might be waylaid. As it has turned out, the way is clear for him, and he has all the qualifications, talent and courage to run and win. He has never shied away from venturing into "enemy territory" and speaking truth to ignorance. In today's political environment, that is exactly what is needed.
OK, I can go along with Buttigieg. And I think Senator Slotkin as VP covers his gay handicap and strengthen military background which I think critical.
My father was not born in America, but he surely embraced it. I met a woman in Canada who grew up amid starvation in Stalin's Russia and then wound up in a Nazi death camp. She made it to Canada, and sort of made it her mission to let people know "You are living in paradise" in case they hadn't noticed.
Musk has other problems, including ruthlessness, dishonesty, and grandiousity. And he grew up with Aparthied, a particulary pernicious form of racism that resonates for Musk with the racism in our own county, so far as I can see.
I saw the link to Musk's relationship with Tesla on Daily Kos today. Assuming it's all accurate, it seems to fit what we know about his character.
https://www.theverge.com/23815634/tesla-elon-musk-origin-founder-twitter-land-of-the-giants
Thank you J L. Most of immigrants really embrace freedom and basic goodness and generosity of Americans. I read one time in TIME that America is the most chairty giving country of the world.
Hiro, Senator Scot robbed Medicare of millions and if you look at him carefully, you will see the resemblance to Elon.
Virginia, sorry. I meant Senator Elissa Slotkin.
Musk and Trump are both sociopaths and narcissists, a highly toxic combination of personality disorders.
Both Trump and Musk are completely devoid of empathy. Hollow shells bristling with ego, arrogance and entitlement. A toxic brew.
That describes people on the sociopathic spectrum
And more dehumanizing in evidence with the cut-off of US intelligence to Ukrainian troops. It is having a major impact. More Russian strikes coming in, including the Russian tactic of bombing a factory, then waiting, then bombing again when the first responders have arrived. Ukraine can't deflect these strikes as they could. They can't make intelligent strikes of their own, as they could.
There is a group of 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers inside Russia who are now about surrounded. The Russians have taken rapid advantage of our intel cut off.
This has really motivated me. I call my reps and tell them that this looks like sadism. This is not what I thought America represents. Please do something, I tell them.
We voters must let our representatives know that we are paying attention.
We have betrayed Ukraine. If trump wanted Ukraine to have a chance of the most favorable peace agreement, he would help Ukraine to be in the strongest position possible, he is putting Ukraine in the weakest position possible so he can extort Ukraine to pay back American "aid" at over 400% interest rate and agree to let Putin keep all the land he has stolen.
And still not provide any help to secure Ukraine against Putin breaking his word.
I would love to see us provide all the resources for as long as it takes to chase Putin out of all of Ukraines territory, including Crimea.
YES Scott! Musk fits right in with Trump calling people he doesn't like "vermin". These are NAZI-like techniques to dehumanize political opponents and minorities. Musk’s "NPCs" are, however, waking up and beginning to awsken and organize. When they do, Musk/Trump will find out how powerful we are!
Scott is another sociopath. He stole from Medicare. Look closely at him and you will see the same face as Musk.
Exactly.
Friday, Palm Beach Post: "DJT & Musk arrive on Air Force One for a 'Mar-a-Lago Weekend". There were several Air Force interceptions reported in the Aircraft Traffic Controlled Airspace above Mar-a-Lago over the Weekend. Apparently, such interceptions including the use of warning flares are not that uncommon.
Sunday 6:00 PM Eastern, DJT "Departs from Palm Beach International per Viviana Lopz at local ABC25 WPBF.
And again, WE are paying for his flights & security crews. Sure doesn't jibe with 'Cutting Waste'.
How long do the powers that supposedly ‘protect us’ allow this to continue? This ‘war’ on equality. Which basically has been going on over how many dead bodies (?) since the beginning of time.
You’d think by now what’s documented ad infinitum …“ self evident “, would be believed.
But…here we are again…S.O.S.
I am currently reading War by Bob Woodward, which is really opening my eyes to how great a President Joe Biden was. Kamala Harris comes off pretty well also. The difference is that they really care and listen to people. Not to mention that they brought qualifying experience coming in.
I too have “War” and after the WI Supreme Court election, may have time to read it. Biden, like Carter will only come into his own if we survive as a democracy. At this point, run by Putin and Co. (DT, Musk, Vance), we no longer are.
Pity the billionaires didn't like them...
In a very sick way, I believe they actually enjoy inflicting pain and suffering on others who they see as expendable. Their ultimate goal is power and wealth of a few who will control the world. That is what drives their destruction, chaos and cruelty. A civil Democratic society is something they despise. How despicable is that America?
Yes.... these people under and with Trump are bullies, free riders and cheats. Trump is an emotional grenade (note his behavior with Zelensky), suffers from a malformation in his gray cells, who is breaking all our norms and standards, spreading strife as his biggest joy, exercises selective deafness to the protests against his meat cleaver policies. His MAGA followers are willing to destroy their lives for a metaphor - Make America Great Again!!!??
Not being a gamer, I was not familiar with the term NPC. Thank you for employing it in this letter. That seems to me to be an apt framework to think about the destruction of our government and country wrought by Musk and his rats. There is no purpose to their actions other than pure destruction, much in the same way that a small child might destroy an anthill. Just because they can.
In the United States the heavy lifting, creation of highways that move our economy, creation of medical research that wiped out diseases like polio, creation of the internet was done by our government. When the Soviet Union fell, Russia was privatized. Now we are being privatized. WTF.
"Piratized" is more like it. How stable and productive were pirate kingdoms?
Yup. WTF, indeed.
Russia was privatized - vandalized. Bill Browder's "Red Notice" describes how Putin and his oligarch thugs became richer than Musk and essentially restored the monarchy.
Putin is the czar of Russia. He deserves the same fate as the last one.
$Trump and Musk are jealous of Putin - their role model.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Bill, well done!
James ,this is not a game, it's death serious. People are dying already in this country and hundreds died in few days in Ukraine due savage attacks by Putin after "we" suspended intelligence to the military there and green light the Russians to act without restrictions.
Ricardo, I agree this is no game. The people of our country and the whole world are feeling the effects of this mindless vandalism. But it's nothing more than an ego-driven game to these creatures.
Thanks for your reply James 👍
Because Musk and Trump are sociopaths, other people’s suffering isn’t real to them. They don’t think of others and think they are the only people who matter.
You just described this two characters. The matching is perfect. I think the vice Manchurian it's a perfect match too. Thanks Kathy.
The V would say anything for a dollar or a chance for power, so yes I agree.
As I understand it, government of the people, by the people, for the people, holds no such category as "NPC". In fact, that seems to be the point.
I'm curious about so many real scientists like Jonas Salk are treated like NPCs?
I'll take real scientists especially the ones that tested their break through on themselves (and didn't patent it for personal profit, so more could benefit from it).
See https://www.history.com/news/8-things-you-may-not-know-about-jonas-salk-and-the-polio-vaccine
FDR had created the foundation that led to the March of Dimes that provided public donations to Salk's research. We didn't get monetary profits, we got life saving benefits that we could see back in 1955 as the peak of the Iron Lungs required was so apparent.
We didn't hold polio patients hostage for profit, it wasn't a game.
Thank you for your useful addition to the commentary. I remember the iron lungs all too clearly and as a result was happy to be among the "Polio Pioneers" who were early recipients of the Salk vaccine.
A man I worked for early in my career had handled Salk's PR, and he told me of opening envelopes of coins and one and five dollar bills from grateful people who were happy to see a vaccine for a disease they dreaded. Salk rejected a patent on the vaccine and didn't profit himself from all the lives that were saved. Can you imagine that today?
Musk and his rats—perfect description!
Susan, trump and his rats is even better.
James, I would add that there are no extra lives in real life. Not in this world anyway.
The problem with trying to destroy an anthill is that the ants will all swarm up to defend their home.
Ezra Klein made a compelling argument in a recent episode of his podcast that the Republicans in congress have become NPCs by ceding all their power to Trump and Musk
Well, they have certainly been scandalously silent about Trump/Musk abuses and assaults on our democracy.
I will not say the Democrats have been loud enough in their dissent. Why, when Green was escorted out by the sergeant at arms, did they not all go with him?
excellent question. And when the other (gang)greene shouted at Biden or Obama she was not escorted out.
The Democrats have no marching orders from Jeffries or Schumer or the DNC. They should not have been in the room and they certainly should have marched out with Al Greene when he was escorted out. What could Trump have said in his address that we have not heard ? It was 90 minutes of bad theatre ! Thousands of people were in the streets protesting last week and our elected tepresentatives were stuck in their seats
Did Dems have velcro on their butts?
That’s a very good question James. 🤬💥
Silent or sycophants in the room. I suppose that's as close to an to an NPC as it gets. The problem is that the have serious jobs they're supposed to be doing.
How many of the Republicans in the Senate voted not to accept the 2020 election? All are traitors.
Ezra’s argument made me reflect on Gore’s attempt to make the government more efficient. I do believe AI can be used to replace the antiquated government manual processes and thus the bloat of the budget. It is difficult to apply for government help, or a license, or to file taxes, but it doesn’t have to be.
The Social Security system still uses COBOL! Modernization should have been happening for decades, but that costs money and the effect is largely unseen, unlike a new bridge where the elected official can get a ribbon-cutting photo op. Now, with the draconian cuts at multiple agencies, services to average Americans will get worse. MAGA folk will blame “lazy bureaucrats” rather than the DOGE boys for the decline, which will spark more calls for privatization in the name “efficiency.” The fundamental problem there is that profit is the central motivating force of private entities and the only way to turn a profit is by raising prices or becoming more “efficient” by cutting costs and/or services.
The Dems - with the exception of Bernie and very few others - aren't doing much better.
Silent or sycophants, it's all the same.
Thank you. I am trying to be positive but am quite disheartened. You keep me on an even keel with your essays. I am doing all I can to let my representatives know that we are not happy with them. I do feel that these oligarchs are worse than those in the past. Musk must go.
They want to make you believe it's Musk. Don't get distracted, it's the whole administration from the scumbag president and the vice Manchurian down to many of their voters and Proyect 2025. Didn't you see how fervent ovation trump had at every lie he spat out of his mouth during his two hours speech to the nation. Shame on all of them.
All of it theater. The pageantry of autocrats was effective too, but ostensibly we were too practical-minded to be fooled. At least not all of the time. I think electronic media, though it bears many virtues, has helped to erode our sense of what's real and what is a con.
And the six corrupt and deplorable justices on the SC.
I agree. I do feel these oligarchs are worse than those in the past. They are vicious, heartless & will be unrelenting. That includes all the R’s in Congress. And those congresspeople have gotten themselves into a real mess because there’ll be hell to pay if they even *try* to backtrack. I wonder how their family dynamics are - given their determination to destroy American life and our entire infrastructure.
To me, it feels like we are in the final conflict between domination and community… where down one road we all wind up being cogs in a machine run by machine-like men… Think of that as The Matrix film made real, because men like Elon Musk think like machines … they have no hearts. 
Down the other road is a world we MUST start talking about… because its vision can power humanity forward in this fight against domination. It’s not enough to fear being dominated. We must clearly see what we can have when domination is defeated. And that vision of what we can have is not going to come from the Democratic Party, which has proven itself to be not up to the crisis we face. That vision is available, however, from pioneers of the art and science of social system transformation… People like R Buckminster Fuller, W Edwards Deming, Russel L Ackoff, Riane Eisler.  I urge you all to look up these masterful pioneers of the future we can have… A future built on cooperation, love of learning, and conflict resolution without resorting to violence. Imagine living in a world where war has been declared an obsolete form of problem-solving. That world is possible! 
Here’s 2 1/2 minutes of Bucky Fuller outlining that vision way back around 1980. Yes, this vision of what’s possible, and the knowledge of how to get there has been around a long time. And it has never been more critical for that knowledge and wisdom to become public then today!
https://youtu.be/LQ3DXDONKmQ?si=58SwJeo0ZoG6gHIi

The comparison to the machine-like men in The Matrix is the appropriate one. Musk sees others only for his convenience. He “produces “ babies to spread his seed, women are the vessels and baby making machines. It’s a factory like production with no hearts or souls. Trump isn’t so different.
People don’t count humans with the full range of abilities, intelligence, and feelings and qualities. This view is dehumanizing and perpetuates the caste system. Heather’s comprehensive overview of our history shows how this system has repeated itself over again.
Now we have the opportunity to stop the pattern.
Thank you for making the point about musk producing so many children with different wives. Yes, he wants to spread his dehumanized seed.
I believe we have the opportunity to finally stop this historic pattern and put domination into the ashcan of history where it belongs. That is why I included the clip of Buckminster Fuller in my comment.
There is much more I can say about achieving the final victory that is out there waiting for us to have. I will do that soon through the next essay of my own Substack page… A wiser way forward.
Unfortunately, I’ve been ill. So my Substack page has moved a bit slowly. But there will be more coming there soon.
Get better.
Thank you 😊
Musk also is a disinterested parent who leaves parenting to the mothers,of his children. One of his children’s mothers is trying to get child support from Musk, and he is legally obligated to pay it.
And has to try to contact him on Twitter because no other method has had results.
Steve, I am sorry you are so sick. I will read your Substack in the morning. It was your comment (which said what I am thinking)?that led me to write. I hope you feel better soon. I’m off to bed
Thank you. Off to bed for me now too
hope you feel better soon.
Thank you
Hope you're better soon.
Thank you
Steve, they are not all actual wives.
Feel better soon❤️
Thank you
This isn't a coincidence. Musk has talked at length about believing in "simulation theory". He thinks he can cause all the suffering he wants because "it's just a simulation, bro, no one's really getting hurt!"
Is it his way of absolving himself of responsibility? Absolutely. Does he actually believe it? It doesn't matter, he acts like he does.
I'm sure he does believe it.
The universe cannot really be some very complex simulation. It is much too big for that. Perhaps Elon should read Carl Sagan for some perspective about how unique our situation really is.
The universe unfolding under physical laws, the small-scale quantum ones allowing for substantial freedom in outcomes, is not nearly the same thing as a simple simulation. It is perhaps a grand simulation, but that would greatly expand the meaning of the word simulation, so I think it is best to avoid the description.
And yes, dismissing human experience in life because if your pet hypothesis that the universe is merely a simulation is denying the evidence right in front of you. Elon is clearly no scientist.
Nor humanitarian. We all have an ego for a reason, but without balance from conscience and compassion, it becomes a predator, like a cancerous cell.
I don't know that he actually does and that's the stupidest part.
No one that matters to him. We see the message over and over. Power tends to corrupt. The (presumably monomaniacal) "love of money" produces evil. What is The Constitution, but a protocol for establishing liberty and justice by defining, limiting, dividing, and balancing the use of power? And why do that? A very long and creepy history of abuses of advantage is the self-evident answer.
If we finally get the hint.
How about we start looking at our individual and community lives from some more impartial place that does not judge and self-judge? For me anyway this assessment has been yielding enormous amounts of buried and forcibly stored information, and releasing new energies that I look to use in new ways that are basically following the ethical code of witches:
"... do what you will, and harm none."
For the coming times to be fruitful and multiply our blessings rather than our bitching and complaints, to keep creating the on the ground conditions for each human to thrive in multiple cooperations, to be in harmony with Nature herself (thanks mom), to continue exploring the 90%+ of the oceans we don't yet know, to honor each type of community for its own inner integrity, to continue creating within the framework of a republic in a democratic way - our working ethics need to begin immediately to guide us and most importantly the next generations, regardless of other beliefs. There I've said it :-) :-))
Good grief. I didn't want to see the Matrix, so I didn't. Just watched the trailer. Good grief! Everyone should be made to sit through it, like it or not.
Thank you for revisiting a film you originally did not want to see. Like the best film (in my opinion), it’s the story of the war between the light and the dark sides of human nature
I had a college superviser once who, after seeing The Matrix movie, opined to her students about it. She could not understand why anyone would choose to live in a world without a luxury apartment and fine dining if given a choice between that and a dirty underground collective of involuntary warriors. And she was, supposedly, an avid Aristotelian democratic socialist. I understood it as a tragic failure of imagination. A very dangerous and increasingly common cultural faultline.
The "light and dark" sides of human nature, and the fact that we are in fact dealing with human nature, seems to me to get far too little close attention in our thinking as a whole.
The dark side is taught. The light side is how we are when we are born into this world. It is important to make the distinction between behavior that is innate and behavior that is taught. Babies are not born hating others. They have to learn to hate.
"You've got to be carefully taught". Indeed.
The Matrix was recommenced to me and when I saw it I was a bit disappointed. And yet... real situations keep triggering recollection of the metaphors.
I saw it a zillion years ago. I guess it's time to watch it again. I've already re-read Handmaid's Tale.
I posted this here before long ago, but I think it remains relevant. Sociopathic event occur when people are framed as objects. Even Trump and Musk; although I find the urgency I see for opposing their depredations outweighs my sympathy for their humanity. That said, in a civilized society, even criminals retain some basic rights, though we have every right to arrest them. I think many who now support Trump are a product of well financed, weaponized misinformation.
"I work with dying Trump supporters. It's...confusing" By Scott Janssen
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/4/6/2233194/-I-work-with-dying-Trump-supporters-It-s-confusing
But Trump, far from losing his basic rights even though he is a recidivist criminal, has been afforded every opportunity to escape the consequences of his actions, just as if he were actually innocent. What ought to happen is that we identify him as a criminal and isolate him, at least notionally, so that he cannot gain more and more followers and continue dismantling our democracy. Then we assemble a tribunal--something far more consequential than a Congressional impeachment proceeding--to try him for his crimes.
A new Nuremberg trial?
Or a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as South Africa created. Even if Trump and his acolytes were simply stripped of their power and pernicious influence, without putting them in jail for life.
Nevoustrumpezpas, love “recidivist felon”!
Look at the Sec of Defense. He does not believe there should be rules of war. He does not believe in the Geneva Conventions. He believes that the USA should apply its own set of “rules of engagement” which, stripped bare, means we should be able to do whatever went want to whomever we want wherever and whenever we want in order to “win.” Of course, over the years through the CIA and other covert ops., we’ve murdered people and toppled governments, so it’s not like this concept of unrestrained aggression is anything new. It just appears we’ll be doing this less covertly now.
Thanks, JL, for reposting this. I missed it on your first posting of it.
It’s a great piece. It is meaningful in the way it makes inhumanity human.
{sigh}
If only our educational curriculum had more emphasis in understanding the self, including our cognitive biases, rather than memorizing state capitals…
I think understanding our own psychology (as best we can) offers our best hope for a reasonably sane, safe, and just society. We need it now more than ever because of our expanding powers to do, without sufficient wisdom and compassion to do what we do responsibly.
Thanks for reposting this; I read it the first time, and it is still a good thing to read.
I am of an age and background wherein I had the honour of once meeting Bucky Fuller in the flesh. He was lit from within by his empathy and compassion. He was also always surrounded, in public anyways, by uber wealthy hangers on and wannabes. This New Age celebrity status and its travelling circus was much to the detriment of his spiritual vision. We desperately need rid of all forms of celebrity culture asap.
Heard him give a talk when I was about 12 years old--he was a very interesting guy, whose ideas (bucky balls, etc) have been instrumental in developing all kinds of new ways of thinking about the physics of the universe,, but I wouldn't consider his life particularly a role model. I think that Kurt Vonnegut is more of my touchstone.
I’m happy to learn you got to hear Bucky talk when you were a youngster.
I am delighted to learn you once met Bucky Fuller. I met him in 1983 myself when he came to New York to deliver one of his final day long lectures (on the power of personal integrity to help us know what’s truly possible).
And yes, there were new age types who hung around him and did not ultimately help. Werner Erhard comes to mind. But one person who was deeply connected to Bucky (and did to his best to help by hosting an annual conference on how to make the world work for everyone) was the singer and environmentalist John Denver. John is my role model for a celebrity who uses his fame to make the world better for us all. We need more celebrities like John Denver today.
Is it any wonder that Musk thinks like a machine? Look at how this thinking still pervades most of Western science! It’s the reductionist materialism of René Descartes, Galileo Galilei et al; 400 years old, completely refuted by quantum physics, but still going strong. Just look at the medical researchers claiming “serotonin is happiness”, neurologists saying “you are your brain”, “the brain is like a computer”; the best may be Richard Dawkins claiming that you are just “selfish genes”! Philosophically seen that’s all total bullshit, and there is no scientific proof backing it up, either - these are beliefs! Parts of a religion believing in a mechanical universe where everything can be measured and calculated perfectly. Musk and his tech bros are simply the exponent, or ultimate, of this way of thinking. It is high time for Western science to dump this mode of thinking, and turn to the holistic/organic/intuitive thinking of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (yes, the German poet), or it may be too late. I quote David Bohm, the quantum physicist: “This fragmented thinking may well lead to our extinction.”
Fragmented thinking may indeed lead to our own extinction, but while I am not an expert in quantum mechanics, I know of nothing it reveals that is in conflict with the overall enterprise of scientific thinking. I think Galileo was amazing. Newton was another giant, but was a step along the way, even though Newtonian physics is still taught, albeit it is now with major revisions. What was a speculation on Newton's part was Newtonian determinacy, which predicted a mechanical certainty, and excluded the influence of chance. I think that view unraveled long ago. It had by the time I reached college in the mid 1960s.
"Serotonin is happiness" sound far more like a newspaper claim than a qualified opinion of a scientist, and "you are your brain" more like science fiction. I think it is well established that there is very little direct correspondence between electronic computers and our nervous systems. In essence I see the scientific method a logic and evidence based process aiming for a kind of integrity of thought.
It's not the only sort of integrity we can reach for, and I think science compliments our organismic experience of life, which is often better explored and expressed via arts and philosophy. Gravitationally driven fusion of hydrogen is also "rosy fingered dawn" . The sensation of sunshine on my shoulder is a human experience. The things we share by comparing human notes.
As for Descartes, I read some portion of his work in college, including "cogito ergo sum" which didn't quite do it for me. I think AND feel, therefore I am. Otherwise, what's the point?
That's EXACTLY the point, J L!. And that is precisely the point that science has tried to eliminate for over 400 years. Remember the "primary" and "secundary" qualities of Descartes & Galileo?
Yes, science complements our experience of life, but there are many who claim the other way around: science (or better said, the scientific view) IS our reality - hence the quote "I believe in science." By the way, the quote "you are your brain" is sadly not out of science fiction, but it is the title of a book by an important Dutch neurologist: Dick Swaab. You say " I think it is well established that there is very little direct correspondence between electronic computers and our nervous systems"; I totally agree, but the mainstream view is completely the other way around: viz. Musk and his tech bros. Many of my colleagues in chemistry adhered to this paradigm, too, and would claim that "happiness is just serotonin", our emotions being a "side product of our biochemistry" and dismiss psychology as "not a real science."
It seems that you have a much more differentiated view of science than scientists themselves. Reductionistic-materialist thinking still pervades the 'natural' sciences.
"Fragmented thinking may indeed lead to our own extinction, but while I am not an expert in quantum mechanics, I know of nothing it reveals that is in conflict with the overall enterprise of scientific thinking."
Not scientific thinking per sé, but the world view it propagates: it contradicts the reductionist, mechanical world view that was laid down by Descartes, Galileo and Newton: that view in which molecules and atoms are like little balls bumping into each other behaving in predictable (even calculatable!) ways - quantum physics has done away with that: elementary particles are not little balls, but more like "probability waves". But that is not something you can explain to children, so we're sticking with the "little balls".
P.S. Newton wasn't the "hardcore father of science" that everyone thinks he is: he believed strongly in God, and was more of an alchemist than a scientist...
I attended Some of Buckie's lectures—those marathon lectures were famous for their depth, weaving together engineering, philosophy, and a profound sense of human potential. Fuller’s vision of a world where resources are intelligently managed for the benefit of all was not just idealistic; it was mathematically and scientifically grounded.
He truly believed that technological advancements and efficient design could eliminate scarcity. And yet, as you said, greed remains the biggest obstacle. Instead of distributing wealth and resources to elevate humanity, we see hoarding, short-term profiteering, and systems designed to maintain inequality.
It’s frustrating because we *do* have the means to provide a decent standard of living for everyone—there’s more than enough food, energy, and technology. But systemic greed, entrenched interests, and outdated economic models keep us stuck. I can understand why you don’t think it will happen in your lifetime. Fuller was a century ahead, but greed is as old as civilization itself.
Heather notes that "...the founders excluded Indigenous Americans, Black colonists, and all women from their vision of government, the idea that the government should work for ordinary people rather than nobles and kings was revolutionary." In some American quarters, this is commonly known as "original intent" and it is held with great zealousness. A civil war, costing 750,000 lives, once tamped it down. We now face the greatest test since that war of whether the notions we thought we had matured to hold will endure.
There was plenty of doublethink in the execution of our founding philosophy, and yet the founding philosophy has proved pretty sound; and it spread. Lincoln et al was very helpful to reconciling social realities with the vision, and leaders and movements since have battled to bring them even closer.
That said, the same old serpent continues to press complete domination.
Well said, J. L. Lincoln's genius is also evident in the Gettysburg Address, in which he melds the ideas of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution into the concept of "that" nation.
And "or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure" establishes the principles that transcend nationalism, as did those founding documents. That liberty and justice are a product of our dedication to those principles, and that a nation of that kind is lost if we fail to contribute to and defend them, and divisive supremacy is the road to ruin; the very route that MAGA imposes.
No place for "NPCs" in Lincoln's vision.
Thanks for sharing the ridiculousness of original intent so simply. This is not a world we should strive to return to.
The exclusions to which Marilyn Press refers were the original intent of some of the founders of this nation, but not all. But the adoption of our (deeply flawed) Constitution was an exercise of politics as “the art of the possible.” A better Constitution was not possible, and without compromises by those inclined favorably to the ideals expressed by the Declaration of Independence, this nation would not have been created. Ben Franklin understood this and was in favor of adopting the Constitution we are stuck with as a matter of pragmatism.
Well said. We may be NPCs but the oligarchs need us to run their schemes. Walk away from their products. Turn off their social media. Disdain the values of the wealthy. The oligarchs are spending our money, our taxes, desperately seeking our envy, making serfs of workers. Feed the poor, not the wealthy. Walk on the Freedom Highway, walk away from their sources of wealth.
This was the message of the’60s generation, and it applies today.
"By 2012, Republicans were saying, as Representative Paul Ryan did in 2010, that “60 Percent of Americans are ‘takers,’ not ‘makers.’” In 2012, Ryan had been tapped as the Republican vice presidential candidate."
Yup, "supply side economics". Yet who supplies? Why affirming a legitimate role for capital, Lincoln said "Labor is prior to and independent of capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed."
Ain't it the truth?
In most cases, the consumer and the worker are one and the same person.
" There are just two classes in this world. One owns the tools it does not use, and the other uses tools it does not own. The capitalists have the tools, which they cannot use. Workingmen have not the tools, without which they cannot live." Eugene V. Debs
On who elected Elon Musk... It's very similar to the the American Revolution against an unelected tyrant. No taxation without representation. Why should Americans pay taxes to Musk and Trump when their legitimate demands aren't even heard and Republicans evade town halls.
NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION: Unelected South African billionaire Musk makes himself king
https://thedemlabs.org/2025/03/08/no-taxation-without-representation-unelected-south-african-billionaire-musk-makes-himself-king/
Elon Musk's Ransom Note To Keep The Government Open: How The Republican Continuing Resolution Hurts You (Infographic & Podcast) https://thedemlabs.org/2025/03/08/elon-musk-ransom-note-to-keep-the-government-open-how-the-republican-continuing-resolution-hurts-you-infographic-podcast/
People v Musk challenges Musk’s attempt to buy the Wisconsin Supreme Court: See what’s at stake
https://thedemlabs.org/2025/03/07/people-v-musk-challenges-musks-attempt-to-buy-the-wisconsin-supreme-court-brad-schimel/
I agree Deepak.
Since we are stuck with a bias and corrupt SCOTUS, my ongoing irritation is with our mainstream media. It seems like the last 10-years we are witnessing how our culture is uninformed and immoral because news media are not there to inform the public on the government or politics, it’s a sports game competition and without a moral media, any politician we elect will be invisible if they do good - or they will be sane-washed if their greed and prejudices hurt the weaker human.
HCR, tonight my favorite words were your line below:
‘Roosevelt ushered in the Progressive Era with government regulation of business to protect the ability of individuals to participate in American society as equals.’ Thank you again Heather ✅
Maybe we can take heart from history -- from the sorry state of American history especially in 1854.
The pro-enslaver classes, as Heather has reminded us, controlled the White House, both houses of Congress, and the Supreme Court.
Lincoln was just getting started.
Maybe some American decency is galvanizing now -- as with the great crowds at Bernie's rallies. But Putin has gotten his agent, that fat orange convicted criminal, in the White House. Howdy Doody Mike Johnson has his house as sycophancy chorus, Senate equally insipid. And Clarence has his corruption thoroughly guaranteed in that massively perjured court of his.
But if some of us keep writing in response to Heather, to Timothy Snyder, to many other figures for decency and -- most vitally -- to each other as fellow commenters, maybe we'll keep a low boil to compete with all the corruption, vulgarity, and illegality in high places?
Harlan Crow, woncha' buy me a brand new RV...
"My friends all drive Marchis, I must make amends..."
Several years ago I wrote this about the overlords. It is proving to be worse than I thought.
“Yes, we can march, for now. But, to the ones pulling the strings, destroying the planet and beggaring our children, this is a small annoyance, nothing more. We are insects to them.”
Sad to agree with you Annabel.
The (smallish) protests are good so far, but I am completely puzzled about why there aren't HUGE demonstrations for Ukraine. When JFK was assassinated, I instinctively went to Washington because I couldn't do anything else, and that night I discovered there were candles in all the windows in town. It was so consoling - why can't we do something simple like that? If the whole country did it, you could see it from space. Why aren't we all wearing Canada pins and flying Canadian and Ukrainian flags? The First Felon is doing his best not only to destroy our government but to destroy these two nations as well. We can't let the world think this is okay with us, or that we just want eggs to be cheaper.
I recently listened to a video podcast with Anand Giridharadas and Anat Shenker-Osorio where two similar points were brought up -- one I also have been thinking we need and the other I hadn't thought of but, yeah, it makes sense. https://the.ink/p/watch-free-america
The first one is about a symbol, something we can unite around. It could be a pin, a flag, a slogan, or even a silent gesture. I like the silent gesture because there's no lingering evidence of our connection, especially important as the imprisonment of resisters, protesters, opposers begins in earnest. In the video it was a finger pressed against the lips as if to shush that slowly gets turned and becomes a middle finger. We do need something that will resonate and catch fire.
The second point was that we seem to be waiting, checking the collective temperature, trying to see is it just me, am I overreacting, or are others seeing this too? They called it social proof, the idea that "[our] very important audience is other people around us as a kind of collective gauge on what is happening." And the fact that only one representative stood up, raised his cane, interrupted, and called out the lies of an authoritarian but others did not join him is part of why we are hesitating. In the past there were often leaders, representatives who were saying the things we felt but weren't sure we could say, and without them we are still looking around to see if we really should be doing something more because we're feeling like oh, maybe it's just me. And with the media not covering our protests much if at all, again it feels like okay, maybe it isn't really so bad. So every time we do catch a glimpse of collective action in an online video, even if the action itself doesn't stop something, it gives permission, says its not just you and here's the receipts. And that happens here too each night when we have these conversations. And it happened on International Women's Day at a rally that spanned two sides of a busy street in my town, me standing next to a stranger who was trying not to use the F word to explain the way she too rages at our GOP rep alone in her home until I turned to her and said, "You can say the big word, go ahead, I say it too" and she screamed it out like she was expelling a demon she'd been desperate to exorcise. And we both felt better after.
We're getting there. My only question is will we get there soon enough and strong enough or will we find ourselves having to defend our freedom and equality once again with more than just time and treasure.
Great points. Yes, Nazi victims didn’t believe things could get that bad. Just got an idea for Blue Sky. A quote from a guard at the concentration camps. The conversations he heard over and over. People just couldn’t believe what they had seen, even as they were lined up to die.
Thank again HCR ! Your timely news and historical insights digests bring heart and soul to the forefront in this struggle for humanity. It is no less than that.
People do weary of struggle, strife and war. That’s only natural. By the same token, we must bear in mind that there are no lasting victories in warfare. No conflict has lasting resolution in this manner. The cost of struggle is vigilance. And failing that, as we can see now, carries a steep price.
Bernie Sanders is a political and moral hero whose vigilance has never waned.
A belated Bernie bro here.better late than never
I’ve always liked Bernie. At the time, I think doubts about Bernie’s presidential run were pretty reasonable. Until one might have considered the importance of hope vs realpolitik. What support would he have found in Congress at the time? Should we vote our ideals, or do we end up voting against the greater threat to them? Saddled as we are with a two party cartel system, the voter stands to lose or win on the coin toss.
This is a masterful description of the see-sawing of America and government. We have approached this point where a few claim to be smarter and more capable than the majority. Time after time this pattern of the rich taking from the rest has been challenged and a government that met the needs of the 99% and protected the country from polluted environments, unfair business practices, provided a safety net for the elderly and infirm, and provided for the defense of America and allies. I resent the notion of being part of the 47% or 60% of takers. I have worked to pay for a home, cars for my wife and me, and all of my needs, not just wants. True, I am the recipient of what the rich and the current government consider handouts. I draw a military retirement, for which I served in the military, moved my family when ordered to a new base, gave up friends and community to form other communities, sold 2 very nice cars to transfer to England and learn to drive on the other side of the road. I spent my time caring for those who had need of psychological help. I worked extra hours, updated my education as required, and served with pride in my country. I also draw Social Security from a fund I paid into yearly. I still work at 79 y/o and I still pay into Social Security and Medicare. I haven’t asked for handouts. If I needed extra money, I borrowed, but I paid back with interest. Now the elite is trying to write me off as an NCP or a parasite. One of the questions on the old Wechsler Intelligence Scale was , “Why do we pay taxes?”. To support the government, of course. I don’t pay taxes to allow a multi billionaire to decide whose work was valuable and release employees randomly because we don’t need these government services for which we pay. Why have we allowed these true parasites to restructure the government for greater efficiency when they don’t even understand the government. It is true that Trump and Musk have no empathy and don’t care about the American people. They don’t know how to listen and gauge their decreasing popularity. They are afraid to face the American public because they don’t want to hear our anger.
I salute for your military service and for your civilian dedication to this country and it's citizens. You are a proud example of what we should be and do.
Thanks.
Perhaps Musk should be given the title NPC-In-Chief and consigned to a room with huge screens and a game controller hooked up to a virtual world that gives him the illusion he is manipulating the other characters which he can pretend to do to his heart's content. [And we should throw away the keys.]
My favorite fantasy right now is having tRump being trapped on a Hollywood set built to look like the White House similar to the movie, "Truman Show." Throw muskrat in there, too.
Thank you for talking about the struggles over time between these poles of belief. Yes, we the people must stand up by the MILLIONS and make our voices heard. This desperate fight for the soul of our country is in our hands.
I would like to know where are the Democratic Ex Presidents are today. Sleeping? Hiding? Sitting on their bank accounts? We need the loyal opposition leaders, including Clinton, Obama and Biden to step forward and oppose the man and men licking the boots of the murderous dictator Putin.
Come out, come out wherever you are!
Good question, Mark. I’ve been wondering the same thing. Democratic senators and reps also need to speak up and address this crisis. Sending email and text requests for money is NOT my idea of leadership unless you tell me what you’re planning to do. Waving paddles during Trump’s shameful speech also fails to meet the test of leadership during this crisis. Wake up Democratic senators, reps and leaders past and present. The rest of us are NOT ok with sucking up to Putin and abandoning our friends in Ukraine, Europe, and Canada!!! And we are NOT ok with abandoning neighbors, vets, friends and elders in need of Medicaid and other support! We now are joining protests, making calls, sending messages but There’s only so much we can do.
They, AND their wives spoke out BEFORE the election. They worked hard for Harris and spoke frankly about Project 2025. They were everywhere they were asked to go warning people. Harris, Walz, the Bidens. Barack kept saying, “Don’t boo; vote!” For whatever reason, people didn’t listen, didn’t believe, I don’t know. It’s terribly disheartening that it wasn’t enough. I don’t blame them for sleeping, or hiding, or just living their life.
Yes, Dena. They did speak out before the election. However, none of them and none of us predicted what actually occurred in the first 4-6 weeks. No one predicted that an unelected billionaire would be allowed to override Congressional powers in terminating funds for USAID, NIH scientific research, and so on. No one predicted that Trump would fire top military leaders, publicly accuse Zelensky of starting the Ukraine war, and simply announce an end to US military aid and intelligence to the Ukraine without further review or discussion. Historians, legal experts, and many others have recognized that we are in a constitutional crisis. I do not understand how any present or past Democratic leader can remain silent under these conditions. Fortunately, some leaders have expressed concern but I’m shocked and disappointed that so few have stepped forward.
Tim Walz SAID “you don’t write up a play book unless you plan to use it,” when talking about P25. Not trying to be argumentative but just making the point that I don’t blame them for their silence. PLUS, IMO they may feel they risk their safety by speaking out now - especially when their influence/power is limited. Speaking out is a whole different ballgame than it was before Jan. 20.
Absolutely Mark. I would include the president's spouses since they have a much higher moral impact.
They did step up and speak out this past election. They told Americans what would happen under a 2nd Trump presidency. Maybe they need to be reaching out and speaking with those who did not vote, those who went for a 3rd party, and the MAGA crowd that's in the FAFO camp.