In Texas yesterday, Republican primary voters chose Trump-backed state attorney general Ken Paxton over incumbent senator John Cornyn by more than 27 points to be the Republican candidate for senator.
Breaking News: Government Invested Drone Shit-Drops On Future Donald Trump Tomb (Spoof)
It’s been widely discussed that the American government will likely install electrified fencing around the hallowed grounds of the future Trump Mausoleum to prevent desecration by thankless citizens. A new business is being developed and tested to air drop loads of human excrement on the mausoleum. Initially small-sized packets of shit will be airlifted by helium balloons and guided by miniature GPS devices with battery operated propulsion. The packets will then be released with a miniature burst as they reach mausoleum coordinates.
A public stock offering will allow this concept to scale up and be made available and affordable to all citizens and non-citizens alike especially those unable to afford gasoline and food due to price increases due to the shenanigans of the current leadership in the White House.
I was in a zoom meeting with two people from Mexico yesterday and one of them was saying he thinks we will have a new president within six months and he hopes that it happens because this guy is destroying the US reputation. It was nice to hear it from someone not from the US, but it is sad. The handicapped US media does not report on it.
It is time to do what the anti-Nebraskans did--dump the previous party labels and begin anew. This should no longer be cast as a fight between Democrats and Republicans. We need to face the fact that Democratic leadership has failed us--there is no unified party platform, and the DNC is bankrupt both fiscally and in terms of ideas on how to motivate voters.
It is a fight between pro-democracy and authoritarian forces. That is the dividing line. Polling indicates that a hard core of 33% of the electorate is loyal to Trump. Close to 67% of the electorate are against specific Trump policies, with the numbers growing as he becomes more desperate and his policies become more extreme, and flagrantly and blatantly corrupt and self-dealing.
The midterms should be messaged as a battle over corruption and what it is costing the average American while enriching Trump and his cronies. That is what will turn the 67% into a unified juggernaut to defeat Trump and his cronies. It is what worked in Hungary.
Here is the Perplexity Pro AI response to my query, “What polling is available on the leadership of the Republican and Democratic parties?”
The most interesting point in the response is that 25% of the electorate are “double haters” who have unfavorable views of both parties. They are the ones who will determine the midterms. If it is a race between Democrats and Republicans, many will respond with “a pox on both your houses,” and not. vote. If there is going to be a pro-democracy tsunami (I refuse to call it a blue tsunami any longer), it has to messaged as, “I don’t care about the old labels. I will represent those who want to protect our democracy, fight the corruption, and support an economy that rewards hard-working Americans, and not the just richest people on earth.”
Hello Georgia... It seems that both major Parties are tired, worn-out, and out of touch... Is it time for a new Mainstream Party?... A People's Party?...
The opportunity for a big-tentanti-authoritarian, pro-democracy party is NOW. The MAGA Republicans will stick with Trump as long as he is breathing, so we have our best shot at gathering up the disaffected “double-haters”, independents, core dems, and “lean Republicans” who are turned off by Trump’s lawlessness. We will need every one of them to get to a veto-proof anti-authoritarian majority in both houses of Congress.
The seeds can be planted ahead of the midterms. Hungary took two full years to get behind Magyar in a much smaller country. There has to be grassroots organizations formed in every district across the country. That will require donations and it will depend on leaders who are willing to break with the current Democratic party institutions like the DNC. The broader coalition will not come together unless that failed leadership is disavowed.
That will get us ready for 2028 if the new party gets its act together by forming a shadow cabinet spanning the full spectrum of supporters and developing a platform that meets the needs of the people. That will require good faith intra-party negotiation on priorities and policies across the whole spectrum of opinion from Lincoln Project members to Bernie supporters. and Democratic Socialists. Think of it as intra-coalition bipartisanship…
I think it can be done if the focus is kept on what is best for the American worker in a time of maximum uncertainty about what the nature of work will be in the next 10 years.
The Shadow Cabinet is such a good idea that I can not understand why they haven't done it - When Trump spends X billion on war or a ballroom or a stupid fighting auditorium for Pete's Sake, they could say "Trump took $X of YOUR tax dollars for [name the vanity project], while we would have used that to [restore health care subsidies; improve infrastructure; bring reliable broadband to rural communities; conduct research into emerging diseases, etc .....]
you all can not rely on others(such as politicians) to do it for you...i think your idea is very good, laurie...people need to be reminded of what's happening to their finances...the bottom line...and, though they're hurting, Trump does one costly, foolish thing after another...i've read that the DNC is close to or is bankrupt...but not 'peoplewise'. people need to organize/think of ways of getting what's happening/happened across to potential voters. remind them of how it's not ONly hurting them, but also their children...and the type of situation/s they'll be inheriting...take the time/energy spent on LARGE demonstrations and stand at popular traffic intersections(out of the way of traffic. that will just anger many) with banners if you can't afford billboards...show them comparitive costs in their bills...i believe this 'crosses political lines' more than pointing out how corrupt someone is...how unethical...although doing both in a non-offensive way is even better...and, if possible and not dangerous, do this in neighborhoods KNOWN to have a republican majority...esp in the poorer parts of those neighborhoods...
we know how little Trump cares about 'the common person'...but showing how it's affected them...allllllll the billions spent just in this last, not even half over yet, year...and how that's impacted their food, gas, medical, energy bills? i believe, for what it's worth, that people react to that...
also, if one of the current, threatening viruses spreads...show how Trump's undermining/eradicating systems that were already in place...to detect and engage health threats, has led to the potential(or actualization) of them and their families chances of illness...connect that to the current costs of health care...
We would still need the Democratic Party to cooperate. But their inability to do ANYTHING is very telling. I wonder sometimes how many of them are on the Epstein list! And people like Buttegeig are not getting enough support from the Dems.
Where do you live Ligia? Obviously, not NJ, ME, CA, VA, MD, VT, IL, MN, OR, WA, AL and several other states. Just because there isn't a single strong charismatic voice (there are several dozen actually) doesn't mean that state and local Democratic Parties aren't cooperating.
The Democratic Party with Jon Ossoff, Maxwell Frost, Sheldon Whitehouse, the governors of CA, IL PA, VA, Indivisible, etc., is very much alive and will pounce as November gets closer. Fear of the mafia is for those who are not involved in working for a blue tsunami. It’s time to work to neuter Trump, not worry.
Moral collapse is on X and in DC with don, mafia cabinet and former GOP. Hoping we avoid civil war, but am assured that if necessary, it will happen. How many Dems can we elect in how many states between now and the third week in October?
The Occupy Movement should not be forgotten. They tried to all work together in a concentrated and horizontal way. Some of the thinkers they used and books are worth looking up. Off the top of my head I am thinking of the late David Graber . Please correct me if I am wrong.
Actually, Occupy -- in which I played a rather active (local) role -- failed abysmally and was therefore an exemplary triumph both for the omnipotent neoliberal (neoNazi) plutocracy and their ChristoNazi rabble. The failure occurred because -- despite their good intentions -- the vast majority of Occupy activists were too crippled by fanatical egotism to (ever) evolve the disciplined solidarity required for genuine reform. Possibly the most indicatively ruinous political failure in USian history -- the collapse of Occupy proved beyond any doubt the (irreversible) effectiveness of the plutocracy's long-term weaponization of neoliberalism to create a nation controlled (not) by Homo sapiens sapiens, but instead by the Moronic Majority of a new, sadistically anti-empathetic subspecies, Homo sapiens inhumanus, motivated entirely by fear, envy, hatred and Ted-Bundy-caliber self-obsession, deliberately made so by the purposeful neoliberal conditioning begun by Jimmy the Christian Theocrat (remember the Hyde Amendment scandal?), and brought to fruition by Ronnie the Nazi and his successors. As a consequence, we live in what truly is a New Age -- the Age of the Robot -- in which (lest we be replaced by AI), We the People are required to obey the edicts of our plutocratic and theocratic slavemasters without hesitation or question, exactly as if we ourselves were robots. The failed Occupy activists -- many of whom are anti-ChristoNazification activists repeating Occupy's failure -- are now the best of our lot, just as the ChjristoNazis and their ilk are the very worst. How was this done? See for example https://news.yale.edu/2025/03/06/violent-experiences-alter-genome-ways-persist-generations.
It takes money to win an election- and the real money and influence is no longer in the hands of the electorate. This is really a battle between billionaires- the malignant and the benign.
Hello Lady.... Mamdami won in NYC which has more Billionaires than anywhere else on the Planet by Organizing, and Working from the Bottom-Up... Zohran ran on a relatable platform...
The Democratic Party is getting and will continue to get the job done. The Republican Party wants the pessimism of people on the other side to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Don't panic and fall for the con.
Mamdani behaves like an actual human being. He's the rule in the Democratic Party, not the exception. Someone identified the exception in the Republican Party. I can't remember his name, but he was a state senator (I think).
Stop focusing on "why are the Dems not perfect" and start focusing on the many signs pointing in the "how to get a little bit more perfect" direction.
One of the reasons Democrats do well in the mid-terms is because they try to beat local candidates from Washington. The One Nation Pac has been sending out weekly mailers to everyone in ME for several months supporting Susan Collins. They gaslight Mainers by listing a few grants fire stations, medical clinics, police departments are now receiving many of which were part of bills passed under Biden. Their website says that they support Trump's agenda, whatever the fuck that means.
And after Graham Platner wins the primary in a couple of weeks, they will start sending out mailings attacking his character when he had PTSD after returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.
"I really don't care, do you?" Melania's jacket. What a classy First Lady. /s
It takes VOTES to win an election. It may seem as if it takes money to reach voters but the various expressions of people power we've seen in the last year show that it's possible to find ways to challenge the power of Big Money.
Sorry, Mi'lady, but the present crisis proves there is no such thing as a "benign" billionaire; they all think in unapologetic Nazi tandem, and they are all by definition absolutely, infinitely, incorrigibly Evil.
Apache, you respond to Georgia Fisanick that both parties are : tired, worn-out, and out of touch.” I say, they are just both bought and paid for by entities not aligned with American Democracy.
They are "tired, worn-out and out-of-touch" precisely because, Democrats and Republicans alike, both parties are the wholly owned properties of "entities not aligned with American Democracy." (The struggle to destroy democratic process requires that one be "out of touch," which eventually leaves one too "tired: and "worn-out" to maintain any pretense of democratic intent -- the [real] purpose that underlies ChristoNazification.)
Apache, they say, "When brainstorming, there are no bad ideas." Still, I would suggest that "mainstream," in current culture, carries a certain negative connotation – possibly its association with Corporate Media. Then unfortunately, a "People's Party" could be construed as associated with communism. Conservatives would love to get their hands on that!
Just spitballing here ... I wouldn't complain if "Indivisible" became a political party. It's a word found in the Pledge of Allegiance, which I like. Also, it implies the concept of uniting people. And let's face it; the U.S. won't survive if we can't find a significant majority who unite behind it.
Indivisible is already organized. It has already created a movement. With a little nudge, maybe they could register as a party and start fielding candidates.
Perhaps, but I think the wheels of change move painfully slowly. Can we eject ourselves out of the mainstream habits of party names, embedded philosophies and invent a new paradigm? Most people vote for a slogan, a smile, attractiveness. We often hear a story, not content and facts. (I'm listening to candidate ads here in Md. - nothing, empty rhetoric, scripted narrative devoid of substance.)
Maybe it should be a new party, one that can describe what the democratic principles of the past have given to the American people, and how they must step into the future of American Democracy! But I am afraid we may have to teach those 25% of voters what we mean by "democracy" first!! Let's talk about the simple issues: transparency of the government, accountability of our paid taxes, a foreign policy with respect to all humanity, a global policy calling for equal opportunity for every human being so we can go back to the principles of Global Trade, environmental issues, and mostly bring back RESPECT to an administration that acts like the Mafia.
Georgia, I have always said that in national elections, a large voting block revenge vote, or vote against rather than for a candidate. This is what happened in 2024. They voted against all the perceived inequalities of the administration and put aside the good policies that led us out of the Great Pandemic. Imagine that. Joe was too old so they kicked him out in favor of a too old second rate thieving non tax paying conman mafia-like huckster. They sought their revenge and were repaid with a candidate who was bent on destroying everything good in the world while appeasing his list for ill gotten financial gains. Square that hole.
They just didn’t want a woman. Especially a woman of color. We really showed who we are as a nation in 2016 and 2024. Racial animus and misogyny are the real brakes on progress.
I agree this is beyond Democrat and Republican labels. Like Bernie Sanders, some people are now "Independant", including me. What does that mean? It means we reject existing political platforms that do not wholly resemble ir represent us. Georgia, as you so clearly point out, the old labels are old. We need change and the only way to do that is to get out and vote. The "double haters" now and the "apathetics" of the last few elections who did not vote helped to create this mess. Let's all put aside the recriminations and get to work! Resist!!!
Georiga, I posted a speculation about the arising of a new party before I read your post. I HIGHLY suggest everyone here subscribe to Navigatorresearch.org.
It's free--and the polling data is quite fascinating. It frequently exemplifies exactly what you mention, that being people upset with both sides.
And yet the (deluded) belief persists that the ChristoNazi conquest of this (decisively) failed and subjugated nation can be ended by anything less than a World-War-II-caliber effort: an alliance of humanitarian nations; a functioning shadow-government dispersed for security amongst allied capitals abroad (London, Paris, Berlin, Seoul, Tokyo etc.,); an active partisan Resistance as in France, the Netherlands and the Soviet Union during WWII; and lastly, D-Day II: the invasion, defeat, Liberation and disassembly of the Hitler- copycat "Unified Reich"; and then -- as in the Soviet Union -- the no-forgiveness, zero-tolerance prosecution of all fascists, especially all Nazis, Christo and otherwise.
That -- and nothing less -- is what an accurate reading of history is telling us it will take to win this war, but until a sufficient number of us -- we the dwindling number of true humans -- awaken to those facts and organize accordingly, the Regime's gleefully inflicted toll of atrocities will continue unabated, skyrocketing until the ecogenocidal intensity and apocalyptic function of Aryan Christian male supremacy exceeds that of the anti-First-Nations and Original-Nazi holocausts combined.
Wake up, people; it is both astounding and literally terrorizing beyond description how many of us remain trapped in the fatal paralysis imposed by the USian cults of prideful ignorance and mandatory optimism. Thus the Moronic Majority remains willfully oblivious to the fact that what our conquerors are doing is restructuring all of global society into a death camp, thus to "cleanse" the planet of everyone save their ecogenocidally Aryan selves.
We have been aiming our campaign ads to what we assumed is an adult audience. It has not only gone right over their heads, it has annoyed and alienated the lazy minded voters.
Motivate Voters? That's an active topic in the LFAA Book Club -- I just created.
Andrew Weissmann published a new 'How-To' book titled, "LIAR's KINGDOM" & is now # 1 on the NYT's Best Seller's list: "How to Stop Trump’s Deceit and Save America".
Read Andrew’s book. I read it, it’s worth every second of your time. I find Andrew fascinating to read/listen to. I enjoy Andrew and Sarah Longwell together when he’s on her podcast, The Illegal News.
Also great when they listen to and dissect Sarah’s focus groups.
The core of “solid Democrats” is slipping slightly, and currently at just about equal to the MAGA Republican core at around 34% according to recent Pew Research polling.
If you add up the two “solid cores” what is left is 31% of voters, of which 25% are the “double haters.” A large portion of the 25% of the “double haters” in the electorate have to be convinced to vote Democratic in order to lock down a win big enough to begin to address accountability and stop more damage.
Can you explain to me why that “double hater” number is that large in the face of all the sh*t Trump has done in the last year and a half? I am asking sincerely. I want to sleep at night again.
Ok, that's polling. Polling is based on people's perception. With the legacy media no longer working, all that polling shows is that if legacy media reduce politics to a horse race, then people will become utterly cynical and imagine that all politicians are corrupt etc.
That is THE fertile ground for a fascist power grab.
It does't mean it's also TRUE though, so my question was: where's the evidence showing that it's true that "Democratic leadership failed us"... ? Because I truly don't see any.
JD, have you traveled to any of the blue states like MN, NY, ME, IL, MS, MD or even VA. A lot is happening in these states and many others that rarely get national attention.
Graham Platner has made national news because of his PTSD days when he returned from Afghanistan and Iraq. But did you know he tended bar in DC not far from the Capitol and had many conversations with Senators and Congressmen. I've heard him speak three times in person and he mentioned this only once.
Elizabeth Warren, Bernie and Ro Khanna have been here stumping for him. I would like to see a P2026 also, but we have to dethrone the Republicans in the House and the Senate first and that means fighting district by district and state by state.
They're the only pro-democracy party still standing (and winning a historical number of elections since 2025) while the rest of the country tries to install and you decide to go with vague appearances? You don't care about evidence and truth?
See, this is how we got here in the first place.
The rot is in civil society as a whole, both left and right...
And THIS attitude, expressed in one long-winded, tendentious paragraph after another — plus about $4 — will get you a decent cup of coffee somewhere in our country. They’ll even throw in a few packets of Splenda and a swizzle stick for free.
What else that gets you — or anybody else — this close to the most important, and potentially most dangerous midterms in our nation’s post-Civil War history, I have absolutely no idea.
What is it with moonbeam politics divorced from reality, at precisely the most dangerous moment possible, some people find so irresistibly appealing and sexy? I literally don’t get it.
Looks like AIPAC is the new ammo of choice from the circular firing squad. The castigation of Andy Kim from a group cited here yesterday (Sunbeam, I think) had me shaking my head.
Georgia, I hear the complaint from others, too, that the Democratic Party isn't doing anything. You add that there's no party platform. Do you mean something other than this:
It’s from 2024, and it did not convince voters then. It hasn’t changed a word, and 25% of the electorate isn’t convinced that either party can do a decent job running the country right now. That, to me, is a major problem.
Times have changed—Trump has saddled us with enormous debt while gutting the social safety net and destroying institutional infrastructure and agencies that were meant to guard against corruption. How are we going to start undoing the damage and pay for it? Don’t you think the legislative priorities have to be changed to deal with the damage?
Georgia, fair enough to point out the need to address the immediate, horrific situation. I was noting that the platform is revised every 4 years so to ask for a re-writing now introduces a new pattern (perhaps like re-districting to achieve partisan advantage rather than responding to new census data).
It is a major problem that the electorate doesn't see the huge difference in what each party at this point stands for – whether or not they are digesting the platforms: respecting the contributions of immigrants vs. putting them in concentration camps; rule of law vs. accommodating the whims of a narcissist; health care for all vs. you're on your own; focus on international diplomacy vs. blowing Oman to smithereens... etc.
Do you think the 25% are clueless about these differences because the Democrats have not done their job? Or could there be other factors? And, indeed, many other factors...?
I think it is leaders like Schumer who do not understand how to use new media, infighting by the old guard to maintain their positions, and crickets on a to-do list that can be accomplished after the midterms that does not over-promise. Without veto-proof majorities and Republican winners likely to be MAGA diehards, given what we just saw happen to Cassidy, Massey, and Cornyn in the primaries, the promises have to be centered on investigations that uncover corruption, with referrals to blue states for crimes that can be prosecuted there. I don’t see much bipartisanship in Congress. Trump will veto everything he can.. Dems have to prevent further damage by refusing to confirm nominations and through the power of the purse. That is going to be a thin track record for 2028 to place before the “double haters”.
Major reform won’t happen until there is a trifecta and SCOTUS can be expanded which will be after the 2028 at the earliest.
and polls during the 2024 election that asked for opinions on the two parties's policies that did not put party labels on them found that the Democrats' policies were much more popular.
Obviously you aren't 'missing it'... but the rest of us are. Why should I have to find out what the 'platform' is from a 2 or 3 year old .pdf in the middle of an election season? A platform that still says that the economy is the 'best ever'?
You don't think that might be part of the problem?
... and have you read this pap?
The first 13 pages are them exclaiming how wonderful everything is. Half of it is no longer relevant because of the damage that has been done the last two years.
We want 'Medicare for All' and the Democrats are still arguing about whether Medicare should be able to negociate with Pharmacutical companies.
Instead of taking on Campaign reform and Citizen's United... they think they can miracle up more donations from us small donors and that will somehow level the landscape.
Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans are reading the room.
The Dems certainly have the edge as far as pretending to align with my general beliefs. But their big plans to deal with the issues are way too little and way too late.
I think this "platform" proves Georgia's point rather than repudiates it.
"It is a fight between pro-democracy and authoritarian forces. That is the dividing line."
I wonder what the dividing line is for those who identify themselves as Christians. How could Christians in the 1850s be for enslaving people? How can those who say they follow the teachings of Jesus Christ today embrace trump and Paxton whose behaviors are the antithesis of His teachings?
Rebranding, renaming is a start. I refuse to believe that there aren’t people around capable of changing the national narrative. This country needs new leaders and a new party that works for the people - not the oligarchs or corporate interests. The corruption is staggering.
Every day I ask myself, “What are we doing?” Why is destroying democracy, pillaging our planet and promoting slavery so appealing? Why is hate so prevalent? Our president is a dotard with a coterie of men jerking off in public while people starve. The media covers these spectacles as if they were serious. They are not. Ever. So much could be accomplished if these malevolent individuals could be called out for who they are and removed from office. Such a waste of time, energy and resources. I weep for the human race.
AI has enormous potential, but the bros are saddling us ordinary folk with subsidizing it by overtaxing the grid and making us pay higher prices for electricity. It should be the responsibility of the AI companies to pay for their own power needs with the buildout of clean energy and storage that is isolated from the grid. It doesn’t help that Trump keeps deregulating the fossil fuel industry.
I have been thinking a lot about how to use AI ethically. I use it only for serious research, mostly to uncover authoritative sources of fact, not opinion. I do not use it for chat, artistic purposes, or shopping.
Using AI for "serious research" is an oxymoron. Over 60% of Americans oppose it. It entails a lot more than power grid issues. We are losing land, facing severe reduction in our ability to work and function as humans etc. AI is being called the next extermination event.
A friend who keeps track of these things said that the Texas election where Paxton won, had about 7% of the people voting, so half of their normal turnout. This was a special election so perhaps that is why the low turnout, but it is certainly sad that there is such a low turnout. We are all rooting for Talarico.
Yesterday, Rick Wilson of the Lincoln Project interviewed a Texas Democrat running for office, and in that interview he was showing people being interviewed who would normally vote for Trump or a Trump candidate, and they did not sound too happy with the choice they made.
I did not watch the whole interview, but the interviews were Latina/o Texans who had voted for Trump were really interesting. Perhaps they found all the ones that regretted their choices, but if this is a sampling, it does not bode well for the Republican party.
I asked a few people on Tuesday if they had voted. They didn’t even know there was an election going on that day! Texas has low turnout because we’re not getting the word out! I did drive by one polling place on Tuesday and they had a full parking lot with a line. We’ve got to get more people to the polls! We’ve got to be more consistent!
Denise, we can't rely upon the DNC. I got upset a few election cycles ago when there were a few people here commenting--they were upset that "winnable" state offices in their areas were lost because of a lack of funds for the candidate. The DNC did what the GOP is going to be forced to do, that being, sink all their money in one spot, Texas, now.
Those commenting said because they were frustrated their donations to the DNC weren't used in their area, so they were instead donating to the candidate themselves, or doing volunteer work like writing postcards and letters on their own dime. I started doing that as well. I can afford postage, and at least one organization will send kits/postage to some who apply. (VoteFwd.org)
I personally like postcardstovoters.org because you can write as few as FIVE postcards! Most of us can afford the time and money to do that, and those five add up.
This is what GOTV postcard writing is about. Check in online with postcard-writing organizations. Stamps are $.61 apiece. They make great presents for writers. Above all, find your nearest Indivisible chapter for help.
Denise what happened to the Texas of the late Barbara Jordan and Ann Richards ? I don’t understand. There seemed to be be a change after folks moved after Hurricane Katrina was that accurate?
GJ a colleague of my husband's told me that Texas typically has 14%, a friend just now told me 13%. 13 or 14, both are low. So low that I did not believe it, so I looked it up and he was right. He told me there are people in Texas who don't even know who their mayor is, but they know who their pastor is. I cannot imagine living like that, and perhaps it was exaggerated, but he is from Texas and a bright, worldly guy, so I suspect he has some understanding of it.
Yes GL Last night on All in with Chris Hayes, he showed a district in south Texas along the Mexican border with, I believe, around 3500 registered voters and ONLY 90 people voted!! I,m sure it will be different in the general, but still
“Moreover, the turnout in Texas was pathetic, making it dangerous and foolhardy to draw conclusions about the relative strength of Trump, Republicans, and Democrats among Texas voters. Only 8% of Texas registered voters participated in the run-off election.
In some counties, Paxton and Cornyn received votes in the single or double digits. For example, in Zapata County, Paxton garnered 22 votes, while Cornyn won 6 votes, making it appear that Paxton crushed Cornyn 79% to 21%.”
yes. The Lincoln Project did a 30-second rebuttal video in 2024 to the Republicans' smear of Harris about transgender issues that was short and effective. The Dems downed tools on that issue and it cost them big time (though it was a fraudulent issue.) Its videos generally are on YouTube and worth watching when one's morale is low.
''The Republic Has Been Rebranded as a Fight Night''
The United States government has apparently entered its cage-lighting phase, where the White House is no longer the symbolic home of democratic self-rule, but premium backdrop space for a televised masculinity pageant with federal landscaping.
Once, presidents stood before the People’s House to speak of liberty, sacrifice, constitutional duty, and the unfinished work of democracy. Now the message is simpler: Welcome to Constitutional Cage Match, sponsored by grievance, testosterone, and whichever contractor got paid to make democratic decay look cinematic.
This is not governance. This is branding with subpoenas. The republic has not fallen in one dramatic scene. It has been slowly converted into a pay-per-view event, where public office is performance art, cruelty is a campaign strategy, and every civic institution must prove it can survive contact with a folding chair.
The genius of the spectacle is its accidental honesty. No one has to pretend policy is the point anymore. The point is domination. The point is humiliation. The point is making democracy look like it skipped civics class and enrolled in a combat sports franchise.
There is something almost refreshing about the lack of subtlety. Previous authoritarians at least tried to drape themselves in marble, flags, and solemn music. This version seems content with floodlights, walkout songs, and the political philosophy of a parking-lot brawl.
At this rate, the State of the Union will need pyrotechnics, a walkout song, and a referee brave enough to explain the Constitution between rounds. The Supreme Court can sit cageside, pretending the whole thing is deeply rooted in tradition.
Suddenly seeing anew the irony that we are celebrating 250 years with a mafia boss and cabinet in charge. May November bring the blue tsunami we must have. Everybody get to work for that. Everyone has a part, even if it’s only a sign.
We need to change our business suits. No more shirts and ties, but something that describes US - maybe something blue, something intelligent and compassionate. This macho direction is killing us.
I am going to post some very interesting information about Hegseth (aka Hesbreath?) I will be quoting from an article about him from the New York Review of Books. I may have to serialize this in numerous posts because there's a lot to say: first he was valedictorian of his high school class, attended Princeton and finished a graduate degree at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. To wit: " He has openly attacked black officers and women officers; routinely abuses alcohol and in 2020 he paid off a woman who said he had sexually abused her. He speaks with a deliberate viciousness, a desecration of humanity and practices that nasty Christianity - "Break the teeth of the ungodly" he said at a Pentagon prayer service. He grew up a Baptist, attended Billy Graham's crusade rallies. His father has posted on X a clip of Sylvester Stallone running through Philadelphia in Rocky with a caption "Me after throwing a biology book into a pride parage." I guess the apple doesn't fall, etc. etc. Hegseth thinks the only way to win wars is through maximum lethality, so that soldiers can kill with impunity. To be continued... and it gets worse.
So true! Democrats need to cement their better ideas so everyone can understand and will know what to look for. What is our approach going to be to reign in unbridled Capitalism? We have to be FOR something, solid enough that it can't be perverted by the millions of MAGA voters.
But we have the Constitution and MSNOW has a recording of Maya Angelou reading “wise words,” poetic genius American style! Recommending it any day you wonder about who we are or hope to be. Also don’t forget to read Andrew Weissmann as soon as the second printing goes on sale!
Imagine those sniveling retorts against Talarico! There's no way they can run a campaign on childish, unmerited personal attacks. Talarico is a breath of fresh air and hope we desperately need!
As I lay me down to sleep. I pray the... Dear God. So Dad is an abusive bullying tyrant with a lot of bad quirky insane ticks for tearing down and destroying the family property and finances. Our friends can't come around anymore and Mom is crying and has been told to stay home and never talk to anyone again. My Godparents have been sued for being poor. Locked up and chained because their eyes aren't the right color. And the neighbors are dying one by one. I know I'm just a kid and should let the adults fix things. But seriously, do you think maybe Mom should leave? I'm going with Mom, btw. Amen.
Zounds. The research that went into tonight’s newsletter, the 1850s parallels, the degradation of our country, the unchecked corruption…
As Heather referenced, the Times reports that at least $67 million (not $7 million, as Heather first said) in National Park entrance fees from all over the country are now being used to fund Trump’s Lysol-Toilet Bowl-Blue Reflecting Pool project and the restoration of 8 historic fountains in Washington DC. Am I shocked? No, more like full of rage that an out-of-control monster adrift in 2-year-old anal fixations about feces, dirt, cleanliness, Obama, God knows what, gets away with shit like this with nobody stopping him.
No one in Washington wanted this. Given the choice between restoring water fountains and keeping our residents’ healthcare, guess which choice 95% of us here would make?
What does need to be said, however, is that Park entrance fees were always intended to be used for the upkeep, maintenance and preservation of nature, native cultural artifacts and the like — of that park. They were NEVER meant to become a transferable slush fund supporting the personal vanity projects of an asshole. And all our national parks, seashores, recreation areas, battlefields and monuments remain massively underfunded, burdened with years-long maintenance backlogs. Why? Because Republicans refuse to pay to maintain public goods and the salaries of those who keep them public, claiming we”re “burdened”by too-high taxes. Clearly, we’re not burdened enough…
Grand corruption breeds utter degradation in the society that tolerates it. Woe to us if we’re too stupid and cheap to figure out a way to both maintain our wonderful natural and cultural legacies, while stopping the grotesque malfeasance of power by a deranged, greedy bastard lost in obsessive-compulsive, Hillbilly-Louis XIV-style, Freudian building disorders.
Well said. I am a huge fan of National Parks and visit them every chance I get. This news of the "asshole" stealing money from the Park Service hit me like a ton of bricks. People come from all over the world to visit our National Parks and the return on investment is massive. The Parks generate way more than they spend and without proper management and maintenance, they will cease to be the gems that they are.
Most national parks have NGOs to support it. The federal government can’t touch the funds, which can be used for private trash management, paid tour guides, etc. our parks need us!
From my kitchen window, I can see Cadillac Mountain and The Bubbles in Acadia National Park. The Park brings in over 4 million visitors a year and over $1 billion to the local economy. Every year around 180 part-time workers (they work full-time but only for 6 months of the year) keep the part clean and in good working order. Last year Trump tried to cancel ALL temporary workers from every national park across the country. This would have had devastating consequences. Susan Collins and Angus King had to beg the administration to reverse this order. And they did.
So this year, they are canceling the list of upgrades approved by Congress so that the reflecting pool and fountains in and around DC are working? WTF?
And what will the Republicans in the Senate and House do about this? The same thing they always do -- NOTHING.
The other issue with national parks and the heritage of Teddy Roosevelt is that they are lands taken from the indigenous peoples. All of the parks every acre. Al tge treaties broken all of them. So we are experiencing in small part what the indigenous experience or any peoples have in the throes of colonialism or takeover experience. The British did this almost a thousand years ago with Wales , Scotland, and Ireland then moved across the globe with a well defined playbook. Folks should explore the LandBack movement as one option . There has to be new thinking and new cooperative actions. What is not mentioned is the ecological destruction and extinctions that Elizabeth Kolbert has written extensively on and about. Third Act, Sierra Club, EDF, Greenpeace, WWF, Climate Reality Project, church the groups all have sounded the great alarms. We still have time but yes we need to get our act together politics mean nothing on a flaming and failing planet. We have lost much . If the elders of us can remember the difference in number of birds, cray fish , pollywogs , we can inform and tell. And despair is not the answer it is the solution of the other side. The good thing is the names and hidden agendas and playbooks are all coming out of very hidden and complex well systems. I just wish the Democratic powers that be would resign and let the young and elder mentors take over completely. The avalanche of desperate emails and texts makes things so much worse than better. They have an audience abd audiences usually are for the performer they want you to do well. To ignore the needs and wants of the audience is also a crime. There has to be a way to upend things and create a better world for the next seven generations. The old ways don’t work any more if they ever really did.
GJ Loft, you can see Cadillac Mountain and The Bubbles from your kitchen window? I say: “Party at GJ Loft’s house!” ( I LOVE Acadia National Park and the whole of Mount Desert Island. What a gem. I’m so happy you get to live in such a lovely place!)
I must say I'm envious. Acadia NP is one of my favorite places! For 25 years, we visited regularly, but the last time was after the pandemic ended, in the fall, and it was absolutely mobbed. Also, our wonderful innkeeper finally decided to sell her place and closed at the end of the season. 😔
Though I'm glad Collins helps get some relative crumbs from Trump, I reflect on what he would try to do if he wasn't desperate enough to keep her in office by not going after her like he has other members of my old party that are occasionally allowed to vote against him when it doesn't really matter.
and to add insult to injury, last year he changed the policy of allow free entry to National Parks on Martin Luther King Day and Juneteenth, and gave free entry on his birthday instead. The egomania/personality cult is beyond all belief (unless one is from North Korea, where it would be normal.)
I always said that the MAGAts vote for Trump not _despite_ him being a pathologically narcissistic, misogynistic, totally corrupt, amoral, racist, nature-destroying asshole, but BECAUSE he is a pathologically narcissistic, misogynistic, totally corrupt, amoral, racist, nature-destroying asshole. Turns out it is even worse: he is making being a pathologically narcissistic, misogynistic, totally corrupt, amoral, racist, nature-destroying asshole a _requirement_. Anyone having a last tiny shred of conscience is purged.
"The 1776 Thug Fund," is to me an inspiring response to one of his worst mistakes and indication of how it is going over with the legislators and so many more voters. (It was overheard somewhere this morning while listening to two Democracy Now episodes May 25th and May 14.)
At least the proposed $1,776 "Anti-Weaponization" fund has lit a fire under a significant number of Republican Senators and House members, appalled by the indecency of it (or the realization that it could cost them the mid-terms from the revulsion against it from so many voters in all parties.
Trump's abuse of power continues unabated...he's absolutely shameless, despicable, and constantly accelerating his destruction of the Nation. The latest offense, by siphoning close to $70 million away from the 63 national parks included in the over 400 protected sites(national monuments, historic sites, and battlefields, etc.) that actually need that funding and what it is intended for. Not only has Trump directed the National Park Service to use at least $67 million worth of park entrance fees to help fund these vanity projects but Donold's face is featured on the 2026 America the Beautiful National Parks pass, as well. The commemorative design depicts side-by-side portraits of Trump and George Washington. So many visitors protested the design by placing stickers over Trump's image, the Department of the Interior updated its policies to state that a defaced, altered, or covered pass may be voided. This change has also prompted ongoing lawsuits and legislative efforts to restrict living political figures from appearing on passes.
I have to admit, I'm extremely thankful my National Park pass doesn't have a likeness of (gag) Trump on it. That is just another disgusting expression of his out-of-control narcissism. (I'd feel the same about having Biden or Clinton on it). A National Park pass should have scenery or perhaps monuments. Period.
it would not have crossed Biden's or Clinton's or Obama's, or Bush's or even Reagan's, mind for a nanosecond to put their pictures on a National Parks pass, or on public buildings, or on coins... Trump is a whole new level of obscentiy.
Actually do we need a pass? Are there other ways ? And again it is really not our land. I think giving the lands over to the original owners who cared for the lands for centuries with out much ecological destruction would be a better path to choose while we still can. Teddy Roosevelt was saved by nature after his trauma but he also came with an elite make mindset. So the park system became the part system with many groups having elite ties. I don’t mind the Histiry I mind we are not changing the path and moving it in a better more just direction.
While Trump rage tweets and rails on about feces, dirt, cleanliness, trash, and any other 'concerns' about the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, he probably has no care in the world about the nearly 300 million gallons of untreated wastewater that flowed into the Potomac River and downriver to Washington, D.C. earlier this year. On January 19, 2026, a major interceptor pipe burst near Lock 10 of the C&O Canal. The catastrophic collapse of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line in Montgomery County, MD, which dumped over 240 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River.
DC Water has established a bypass, but the environmental and public health disaster requires continuous testing, and officials strongly urge avoiding the water.
Roughly 240 to 300 million gallons of untreated wastewater entered the river, marking it as one of the worst sewage spills in U.S. history.
Despite the bypass, water samples historically showed E. coli levels hundreds of times higher than EPA safety limits near the site. Health departments in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., continue to advise the public, boaters, and pets to avoid contact with the river water. Scientists warn of long-term impacts on the watershed (feeding algae blooms and threatening aquatic life) due to the heavy influx of raw waste and chemicals.
Yes I read about that and the contaminated soil being put on the public golf courses that will not be public for long. Also RFK Jr swimming in Rock Creek Park-which is also considered to be highly compromised.
...... grotesque malfeasance of power by a deranged, greedy bastard lost in obsessive-compulsive, Hillbilly-Louis XIV-style, Freudian building disorders." Excellent, what a way with words.
On the side we have Little Marco trying to retake Cuba. Disgraceful! Castro had to turn to Russia for help from American Sugar control (anybody remember Battista?) to give “ordinary” Cubans relief from US colonial problems. While, like every other political situation, it wasn’t simple, Obama had a better approach than Florida Cuban exiles.
Wow, in Sumter. This is really off his rocker today as usual. He’s really digging in the dirt for any ridiculousness you can find, and I usually find quite a bit of nonsense
He infers about grand corruption… unfortunately, he didn’t mention Joe Biden, which he should have on multiple occasions, and on multiple topics. He is often zealously incorrect!! Vanity projects. People that come to Washington unfortunately, this summer will be too late but people that come to Washington will forever admire what Trump has redevelop there and visitors to the White House will be safe versus vulnerable as they are now and that includes Democrats. Oh my. lol
And the toilet bowl pool that you’re talking about will be the admiration of millions of visitors every year for the next 50 years. Ooooops. Don’t be jealous there “it’s”. lol
You should also do yourself a favor you’re only off by Century and 3/4. Try to Catch up to today in anything at all relevant. You have to dig back that far what you might find there is Julius Caesar having lunch with Jeffrey Epstein. lol. And epstein has the files under his arm. Omg.
And unfortunately for you, Trump does anything with greedy. As he will never get to show off the ballroom and certainly won’t get the other designations we discussed for the 250th anniversary. He’s doing it for the American people and all the future visitors which they were all incredibly appreciate. other than ignorant haters like you. It’s gonna be beautiful.
And you must be so proud as a true American, to be traveling to Washington DC on July 4 to celebrate our anniversary. Lmfao. I will be there with a large group of my friends. And will be there to witness one of the finest presidencies in the last 125 years. Which, by the way, now has the lowest murder rate since then.
I mother’s been dead since 1997. But she hears you. And even at my age been retired for 15 years, and I’ve only taken one pill for the last 30 that’s how healthy I am.
My mother was there, Russian immigrant, and her husband/my father died when I was six. And yet I’ve been able to become substantially accomplished beyond your wildest dreams. And I treated my mother like a goddess that she was.
The only people worried about me all the people on the left were scared shitless of how much sense I make and continue to make on this wacko we left blog where I’ve received over 3000 likes in the past year. And more each day recently
Donald Trump one of the top 4 or 5 presidents of all time. Of all time of all time.
You have something that you find factual and would like to dispute with me bring it on baby and be sure you have some back up because otherwise it won’t last a day It will be factually torn to pieces Just like Trump is doing with the support of every candidate so far this pre-season election where he has provided his support to 118 candidates for governor for senator and for Congress, and so far every single one has WON.. in fact replacing Some very weak candidates that seemed to defend the Democrats so now they are gone too…therefore, you may have your allegiance a bit backwards… two long-term senators, and one long-term congressman. Oooopsie
But feel free to keep posting your nonsense. I enjoy seeing people, so lost that they fantasize…just like you are doing
Making up stories to make yourself feel better, but unfortunately reality must intrude uh oh Shit, rick is right again
Nina, maybe you should get out of your cave and see the Trump swamp is winning all over the world including in America and there’s a reason why he’s winning. Because he has the right ideas at the right time. And he’s proven that he is a great leader He’s a great leader. He is actually showing patients in the Iran deal, but Ivan is pushing him too far in very quickly. I think the Iran Will be diminished beyond repair.
And you will have to stand in shield if what he is trying to do works, which is united Israel and the entire Arab world under the Abraham accords and creating peace between Saudi Arabia first and Israel. Which will rectify problems since 2000 years ago. And approve how amazing that is if he does it if Biden did it, he would be good run to a church and pray and thank God that he did. And Revere, Biden for the rest of your life. Oooooooops
Donald Trump is EASILY one of the top four or five presidents in history…. And if you were not a hater and a family dinner vigil, you would see that clear as day. Can you imagine if he actually creates peace in the Middle East. When he wins this war with you on the many proxies like hummus, Hezbollah and the Houthis , etc. will be gone and meaningless and there could actually be unity and I can’t even imagine what Saudi Arabia and Israel could do together… So stop your needless heat and pray for success in America that would be with most Americans should do.
I look forward to hearing from you tomorrow. Everybody needs a muse and comedy. Dealing with failures all day long can really be a pleasure and a nice break from dealing with all the people that have the wrong ideas about Trump and America.
Aren’t you glad we still have the right of free speech so you can blovitate such dribble? Thankfully we can choose to disagree - and to ignore your rants.
The majority of Americans don't appear to want any of Trump's vanity projects, Rick. As for visitors to Washington, tourism to the US is down 5.5% since Trump returned to office.
All of Trump's vanity projects are in trouble. He's not getting $1bn for his ballroom because of procedural failures by the congressional Republicans.
Talarico has already "owned" the Paxton slur about "Talafreako." The campaign is selling "I'm A Talafreako" T-shirts at their website. Sales are reported to be "brisk."
In the two hours after Paxton was declared the winner Tuesday night, Talarico's campaign raised $600,000 in small dollar donations, their best day yet in the campaign.
Talarico is the real deal, and they are clearly soiling their undergarments in fear of him. With good reason — he is everything they’re not, but cynically promised their voters to be.
At this point, that corrupt piece of shit - Paxton is looking like James Talarico’s best campaign advertisement. Especially since Talarico sounds like Frodo Baggins trying to protect the Shire while Paxton stomps around like an Orc arguing over who gets custody of the Ring. Surely even rusted-on Republican voters can see the difference.
State Senator Talarico is obviously a nice, likable person. He's the boyish Jack Armstrong, the old school comic book "All American Boy"---if Jack Armstrong were a nerdy, smiling teacher's/preacher's pet type.
Let's face it---there's something about him that is at least a bit off putting. While I have no doubt his heart is in the right place, and most of a potential Senator Paxton's votes would be reasonable, does anyone believe he would take the courageous stands necessary to reverse our Trumpian course in the fields of immigration, civil rights, transgender issues, environment and the role of religion in public life?!?
Of course, any sentient human being in Tejas should vote for him as he is now taking on the veritable human incarnation of grotesque corruption and vulgarity named Ken Paxton.
Yet, I wish Jasmine Crockett were the nominee. She is far sharper on the stump than Talarico, has no occasional deer-in-the-headlights moments, and would defenestrate Paxton in a way that Talarico never could. But alas, the odds for a black woman to claim a major political party's nomination statewide in Tejas are about as good as those of Angela Davis' next book being displayed on the garishly humongous LED board in Jerry Jones' monument to excess in Arlington.
Ken Paxton is the walking, sort of talking, piece of shit that we all knew the MAGA movement would eventually pump out. Heather properly outlined the barest of his deeply corrupt history, yet the primary "quality" he is known for is his clear, and readily gung ho sense of cruelty when it comes to women, transgender children, immigrants, etc., basically anyone other than the idiotic white men who spend their time drinking shitty beers, watching NASCAR and/or UFC with one eye, and the Murdochian Ministry of Mendacity with the other, while decrying what happened to "Our Country" on their way to Wal-Mart to buy more shitty stuff, or Hardee's to eat more shitty food.
The vulgar dystopia known as MAGA-world, is littered with those Trump lovers who cannot conjure up the Con Man charisma their leader has, or perhaps had.
To even cast a glance upon Ken Paxton is akin to taking a walk down a dark, dank alley, redolent of the smells of a universe most unattractive. His fake, Trumpian hair, his shifty, menacing mien and his obvious low level malevolence is off putting I would certainly hope to most.
Yet, in spite all of this, the vast GOP majority in Tejas might very well simply walk, lock step as usual, and cast their ballots for this low life.
I hope I am wrong, but I am not sure that James Talarico has either the street fighting, or the stretch-outside-of-your-comfort-zone skills to take down Paxton, even though his obvious inadequacy just begs for the first (D) Senator from Tejas since Lloyd Bentsen.
Exactly what part of being 37, a state legislator taking on the diseased Texas Repulsican Party, raising hundreds of thousands of small donations, daring to remind voters what true Christianity actually looks like, appearing on national TV talk, radio and cable news to speak in complete sentences, thoughts and strategies for getting there do you think *doesn't* show cojones the size of baseballs?
What is it with Democrats who spend their energies sneering at Democrats? I don’t get it. For what?
I don't think Mr Streeter's post is 'sneering' at Talorico, just expressing concerns about his fighting capacity compared to Jasmine Crockett's. I love Crockett's manner and talent and oratory, but party voters decided that Talarico was more electable, especially in rural areas. I too hope that Crockett will have a greater and more visible role in national politics in the future, and Talarico comes across as a bit too altar-boy to me, but I'm in a big Canadian city, not a small Texas town. I would sure vote for him before Paxon or Cornyn every day of the year, even a leap year.
Talarico is a smart, strong, principled fighter in the Jesus-kicking-the-moneylenders-out-of-the-temple mode. That will play very nicely in southern Baptist Texas. That’s exactly why they’re so afraid of him.
I neither sneered, nor spent any energy doing so. I simply provided my observation. And since when do Democrats have to sign a loyalty test, a provision therein including refraining from commenting, respecting the candidate de jure?!?
Methinks you need to take your unduly high horse down a notch or two
The candidate “de jure” defeated Jasmine Crockett in a primary where hundreds of thousands stated their clear preference, and is going to kick Paxton’s criminal ass in November, giving Texas its first Democratic Senator since Lloyd Bentsen. That’s how “weak” he is.
Jasmine Crockett is a national treasure. I see many possible roles for her in the next Democratic administration. She has the background and chops to be a powerful positive force for justice.
But perhaps we should not look in the rearview mirror. I think Talarico is the real deal. His Bible thumping is a turn off for me. But for Texas voters who are drowning in scandal, corruption and incompetence, a "God Fearing" young dude could be a classic remedy. And he has two other super powers. He doesn't take the bait and stays focused on his messages. And...he is a terrific speaker. He nails the ideas and nails his opponents without fabrication and gutter groveling. In particular, I can see older Texas women saying: "I wish my son were like this guy!"
JMO, I could be wrong. It happens all the time. But I think when the history of election 2026 is written, Talarico will be the poster boy.
There is no point in searching for the perfect candidate. No one passes the purity test. We just need one who can win, with the slight imperfections but with a solid core. Talarico fits the bill.
Trust me, Daniel. James Talarico was a successful middle school teacher. For anyone that has been in a hiring capacity in public education, the middle school level teacher is the toughest to recruit.
Having had the experience with young pre-teens and teens, Talarico will easily deflect any insult or slur that Pack-of-Lies leads with.
He’s the candidate that will bring home Texas Senate race. With Jasmine Crockett cheering wildly right next to him.
Daniel, my heart agrees with you about Jasmine Crockett's fire. I would LOVE to see her as AG in the next democratic cabinet.
When you look at what happened to both Hilary Clinton and Kamala Harris on the national stage, do you think a Black woman would have a snowball's chance in hell in Texas? Yes, Texas was the state of Ann Richards; it is not that any longer.
As a non-theist, I find all the imaginary sky pilot talk to be extraneous and sometimes offensive. I do not see that with Talarico; he is one of the few that I have seen that walks his talk. He is open about his beliefs, and does not seem to be using that as a cudgel as so many of them do.
Do you know I thought you were semi intelligent or even semi-aware to call Talarico the real deal? They should’ve left you on the moon when they traveled there recently. Perhaps you should’ve been on that nice shuttle to Mars. You are so demented and an absentee from the real world. Well, you said one thing correct he has everything they’re not. And I’m talking about Texans.
You be better off, living in California with all the other wackos. See what you can do about that.
Hey TC is here…. cool. One are the biggest American haters currently living. Which therefore is why he lives in the biggest eating state in the country which used to be the shining star on the hill and now it’s the arm pit of hell OF AMERICA. The most crimes, most homeless, the highest taxes, the highest gas prices. The uncontrollable fires in Malibu and the governor that is probably one of the most dislike humans in America.
It probably doesn’t matter how much Talarico raised in donations. What he stands for it’s miserable he’s losing his two-faced it’s upside down and frankly he doesn’t have a clue about what Texas needs. They’ll be a lot of money spent their 600,000 and he spent every day. And trust me, his opponent will be raising not only plenty of funds, but plenty of awareness of Talarico‘s bizarre nature and beliefs.
And is California‘s flight continues to states like Texas and Florida and the Carolinas. They’ll have plenty of homeless to pay for with a lot less tax money to pay for it.
And they’re already underwater, and they have a train to hell that will never be built based on how far it’s upside down already, and how the budget is more than quadrupled. Oooops.
I lived in California for 30 years and made a fortune working my butt off with my wife doing the same. We saw California falling years ago and every year it continues to get worse. Used to be the shining star… now it’s full of Hollywood idiots, over crowded streets, huge traffic, poor government representation… some of the highest taxes in the country to pay for this decay. Who would’ve ever thunk it? lol
Honey, you aren’t married. She said No. Remember we talked about this? You need to sort out reality from your delusional fantasies. Come home & Mommy will make it all better.
Republicans in Texas cynically believe they can just keep yanking people’s chains, and they’ll obey forever. A long legacy of stupidity and crassness tells them they can keep it up forever.
In the 1990s, when the late, great Governor Ann Richards presided, the ACLU filed a lawsuit against the Texas Legislature for putting a crèche in the State Capitol Rotunda, claiming it violated the separation of church and state. Governor Richards was asked if she wanted to file an amicus curiae brief in support. She paused for a bit when asked, then replied: “well, look at it this way — it’s probably the closest three wise men have ever gotten to the Texas legislature…why don’t we just let ‘em stay there a few days, see if any of it rubs off?”
The one thing I like about your post there… it’s …. it’s nice to see a liberal or Democrat so incredibly out of touch with reality. Good for you. Nice work.
Incredibly important work you do Professor. For a very concerned global audience. I grew up listening to Alistair Cook’s Letter from America on the BBC World service. And now read Letters from an American avidly every day. The next six months may be the most consequential of all our lives. And threaten to be the most dangerous.
Yes. I don't think it's widely understood in America how much the rest of the world is concerned (in both senses of the word) with what happens in the US.
I heard it from two people from Mexico in a call yesterday. They are deeply concerned about our president and hope that he is somehow out of office in the next 6 months.
Per HCR: Eric Schmitt of the New York Times reported today, “military experts say the strikes are illegal, extrajudicial killings.” I have no expertise in matters of law, but these boat strikes appear to me to be piracy. Yet, they have received af best spotty attention. No news source I follow has made a sustained effort to clarify this point. If it is piracy, why has The Hague failed to indict Trump, Hegseth, and the military officers involved in the strikes?
Even if these guys have boats loaded with crack they should be dealt with by the judicial system....and there has not been one shred of evidence that they are transporting drugs. I wish some responsible reporting would track down the true story of who these people are. I would also like to know the profile of the "warriors" we are sending to do the job. They have a lot to answer for. We absolutely cannot trust the trump administration on any of this.
Cronyn voted 95% with Trump and got thrown under the bus. John Cronyn represents industrialized corruption. Ken Paxton is at a whole different level of corruption, competing with Trump for one of the worst which is why he got picked. Trump is losing all his cards which is where things begin to get seriously bad. Violence and rigging the election might be the only cards he has left.
Cornyn also demonstrated his complete subservience and committment to the GOP war against democracy, announcing this morning that he was endorsing the campaign of the man he had called "the most corrupt candidate in Texas history" last Friday. He said it was crucial to "keep Texas red" and that Talarico is a "far left candidate." They. Are. All. Scum. Truman was right back in 1948 when he said "The only 'good Republicans' are pushing up daisies."
Nobody should waste a single tear over the fate of John Cornyn, too stupid to figure out the obvious — everything Trump touches dies, everyone loyal to him eventually finds their way beneath the wheels of a speeding bus.
Just an observation: in history, red used to mean the left ("Commies") and royal blue was for the right's "Blue-bloods". Republicans used to be anti-slavery, Democrats used to be pro-slavery. Both color and party have now reversed themselves. "The parting on the left is now the parting on the right...and I get on my knees and pray we don't get fooled again."
The reason we have "red" states being Republican and "blue" states being Democratic is because starting with the 1980 election, the corporate media used red and blue on the election maps, and flipped it back and forth from one election to the next. The 2000 election had Republicans "red" and Democrats "blue" and so it has been ever since.
Correct: the same psycholinguistic purpose -- that of neutralizing a symbol by deliberately induced confusion -- is why the ChristoNazis have (forever) robbed the militant left of its clenched-fist salute. As we see here -- https://i.etsystatic.com/16469175/r/il/8ca439/1414991866/il_1080xN.1414991866_pyvh.jpg -- originally the clenched fist was as characteristic of the militant left as the Hitler salute was characteristic of the Original Nazis.
I love how Heather connects the White House lawn wrestling with the other dominance sports.
Criminal Donald again and again threatening other countries (hello now, Oman), getting revenge on a four-times Texas U.S. Republican senator for only voting with him 95% of the time, and our all-time supreme most dominant, the former enslavers -- what a show of vulgarity over bullying over indifference to America's working classes who in fact elected this greatest-of-all-time pal to pedophiles and rapists.
I am hoping for a Monty Python and the Holy Grail type of fiasco on the lawn. It is an abomination and just like the Epstein circles in the files allegations of abuse concerns. The non media reporting I have seen is beyond disconcerting. And the new book about the family from Germany sent to Hawaii prior to WWII has private German spies makes me think what else is going on we have no idea of? And perhaps both good and bad as with WWII..
"rump backed Paxton because he didn’t think Cornyn was loyal enough to him." Yeah, and also he couldn't help himself. rump naturally gravitates to the very worst person/s in the vicinity because HE is the very worst.
Talarico is such a star! “THE PEOPLE vs. KEN PAXTON” - I'm in! Today I'll be amplifying everything Talarico said above.
How interesting that Trump et al suddenly recognize the importance of international maritime waters law in the Strait of Hormuz, but not where they choose to blow boats out of the water without proof of any wrongdoing. Can’t have it both ways!
I hate to always be a sullen crow, but I think our MAGA neighbors, like their pro-slavery antecedents, have more murder in their hearts and more cunning than our Friends give them credit for. The Big Poltroon has no intention of accepting the results of the midterms - and he is glad that decent folk STILL don't want to believe it. The Big Poltroon has noted that Paxton is attorney general of Texas - all those scandals just prove he's ready for bold action. Paxton WILL get himself "elected" no matter what voters say by claiming "fraud" and calling out the state police (with the complaisance of MAGA Governor Greg Abbot) - unless Talarico and his supporters are organized to stop him. And the rest of the country should be making plans to counter MAGA in their own states, too.
Thanks for the witness. And forgot to mention that as many decent folk as possible need to volunteer to work the desks and poll watch on the day and, as possible, before. Persuadé as many beefy and or very self-confident friends as possible to volunteer as well. Make the neo-Redemptionist MAGA hesitate.
35 former federal judges move to reopen Trump v. IRS in an effort to kill the $1.776B slush fund.
Thought for 4s
This is a breaking news story reported by Adam Klasfeld (a respected legal journalist) on X/Twitter on May 27, 2026.@KlasfeldReports
Background on Trump v. IRS
In early 2026, President Donald Trump, his family members, and the Trump Organization filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. It centered on claims related to the alleged improper leaking/disclosure of their tax return information.Wikipedia
In May 2026, the case was voluntarily dismissed with prejudice. As part of (or tied to) the resolution, the Department of Justice (under the Trump administration) announced the creation of a $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" (sometimes called a compensation or settlement fund). This fund, drawn from the Treasury's Judgment Fund, aims to compensate individuals who claim they were targeted or "weaponized" against by the government (e.g., during the prior Biden administration). It also included broad releases from certain IRS audits or claims against Trump and his family.Mediaite
The number $1.776 billion is reportedly a deliberate reference to 1776 (U.S. Declaration of Independence). Critics across the political spectrum have called it a "slush fund" for potentially rewarding Trump allies, January 6 defendants, or others without sufficient oversight, while bypassing normal congressional appropriations processes. Some Republicans have also criticized it.Kfor
The Motion by 35 Former Federal Judges
On May 27, 2026, 35 retired federal judges (a bipartisan group including prominent conservative Judge J. Michael Luttig) filed a 24-page motion asking the court to reopen the case under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure Rule 60.Mediaite
Key arguments in the motion:
The voluntary dismissal hid a collusive "settlement" that was not properly disclosed to the court.
The parties allegedly deceived the court (the dismissal notice mentioned no settlement, yet one was announced immediately after).
This enabled the extraction of $1.776 billion from the Judgment Fund and broad protections for Trump without genuine arms-length negotiation or a real "case or controversy."
They claim this constitutes a fraud on the court, undermining judicial integrity.
They ask the court to set aside the dismissal (under Rule 60(d) for fraud on the court, or alternatively Rule 60(b)) to investigate, or allow them to participate as amici curiae (friends of the court).
Notable signers include retired judges like J. Michael Luttig (4th Circuit, former conservative), Nancy Gertner, Shira Scheindlin, and others with varied backgrounds.Mediaite
The motion emphasizes that courts have inherent power to address corruption of the judicial process, even after a voluntary dismissal.
Context and Reactions
Critics (Democrats, some Republicans, legal observers) view the fund as unprecedented, potentially unconstitutional (separation of powers, appropriations clause), and self-serving.
There have been other lawsuits challenging the fund (e.g., by cities or Jan. 6 officers).
Supporters frame it as correcting past "weaponization" of government against conservatives.
The original presiding judge had previously raised questions about whether a true case or controversy existed, given Trump now controlling the defendant agencies.Instagram
This is a fast-moving story in a highly polarized environment. The court has time for responses, and outcomes are uncertain—reopening cases this way is rare but possible in extraordinary circumstances involving alleged fraud on the court.
For the full motion, you can check Court Listener or coverage from Mediaite, NYT, WaPo, etc. Let me know if you'd like more details on specific aspects!
The turnout in the Texas primary was only 7%. Only the most rabid Trumpists did show up. Some election, decided by 7%, some of whom voted for Cornyn against Trump’s wishes!
Maybe there should be a quorum required for elections.
Our best chance to end all this is a blue wave too big to rig. Thank you Professor for reminding us we’ve been here done that before.
How about….
2Big2Rig Yadig?
The first eight #s & letters, Mike, ought suffice for a bumper sticker that sticks.
Breaking News: Government Invested Drone Shit-Drops On Future Donald Trump Tomb (Spoof)
It’s been widely discussed that the American government will likely install electrified fencing around the hallowed grounds of the future Trump Mausoleum to prevent desecration by thankless citizens. A new business is being developed and tested to air drop loads of human excrement on the mausoleum. Initially small-sized packets of shit will be airlifted by helium balloons and guided by miniature GPS devices with battery operated propulsion. The packets will then be released with a miniature burst as they reach mausoleum coordinates.
A public stock offering will allow this concept to scale up and be made available and affordable to all citizens and non-citizens alike especially those unable to afford gasoline and food due to price increases due to the shenanigans of the current leadership in the White House.
(From my blog with no pay wall)
That mausoleum will not come soon enough.
https://carriekaufman.substack.com/p/the-world-is-reorganizing-itself?r=cb67r&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
I was in a zoom meeting with two people from Mexico yesterday and one of them was saying he thinks we will have a new president within six months and he hopes that it happens because this guy is destroying the US reputation. It was nice to hear it from someone not from the US, but it is sad. The handicapped US media does not report on it.
Hi Bill, I hope you will post that on WhiteHouse.Gov
(As a letter to Presidential Disgrace Trump)
Link?
Dissolute pollute
Magalonian nightmare
Wake up time Texas
👏💙
It is time to do what the anti-Nebraskans did--dump the previous party labels and begin anew. This should no longer be cast as a fight between Democrats and Republicans. We need to face the fact that Democratic leadership has failed us--there is no unified party platform, and the DNC is bankrupt both fiscally and in terms of ideas on how to motivate voters.
It is a fight between pro-democracy and authoritarian forces. That is the dividing line. Polling indicates that a hard core of 33% of the electorate is loyal to Trump. Close to 67% of the electorate are against specific Trump policies, with the numbers growing as he becomes more desperate and his policies become more extreme, and flagrantly and blatantly corrupt and self-dealing.
The midterms should be messaged as a battle over corruption and what it is costing the average American while enriching Trump and his cronies. That is what will turn the 67% into a unified juggernaut to defeat Trump and his cronies. It is what worked in Hungary.
Here is the Perplexity Pro AI response to my query, “What polling is available on the leadership of the Republican and Democratic parties?”
The most interesting point in the response is that 25% of the electorate are “double haters” who have unfavorable views of both parties. They are the ones who will determine the midterms. If it is a race between Democrats and Republicans, many will respond with “a pox on both your houses,” and not. vote. If there is going to be a pro-democracy tsunami (I refuse to call it a blue tsunami any longer), it has to messaged as, “I don’t care about the old labels. I will represent those who want to protect our democracy, fight the corruption, and support an economy that rewards hard-working Americans, and not the just richest people on earth.”
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/26a09eda-2284-4b34-a796-ed7ec9daa76f
Hello Georgia... It seems that both major Parties are tired, worn-out, and out of touch... Is it time for a new Mainstream Party?... A People's Party?...
The opportunity for a big-tentanti-authoritarian, pro-democracy party is NOW. The MAGA Republicans will stick with Trump as long as he is breathing, so we have our best shot at gathering up the disaffected “double-haters”, independents, core dems, and “lean Republicans” who are turned off by Trump’s lawlessness. We will need every one of them to get to a veto-proof anti-authoritarian majority in both houses of Congress.
The seeds can be planted ahead of the midterms. Hungary took two full years to get behind Magyar in a much smaller country. There has to be grassroots organizations formed in every district across the country. That will require donations and it will depend on leaders who are willing to break with the current Democratic party institutions like the DNC. The broader coalition will not come together unless that failed leadership is disavowed.
That will get us ready for 2028 if the new party gets its act together by forming a shadow cabinet spanning the full spectrum of supporters and developing a platform that meets the needs of the people. That will require good faith intra-party negotiation on priorities and policies across the whole spectrum of opinion from Lincoln Project members to Bernie supporters. and Democratic Socialists. Think of it as intra-coalition bipartisanship…
I think it can be done if the focus is kept on what is best for the American worker in a time of maximum uncertainty about what the nature of work will be in the next 10 years.
The Shadow Cabinet is such a good idea that I can not understand why they haven't done it - When Trump spends X billion on war or a ballroom or a stupid fighting auditorium for Pete's Sake, they could say "Trump took $X of YOUR tax dollars for [name the vanity project], while we would have used that to [restore health care subsidies; improve infrastructure; bring reliable broadband to rural communities; conduct research into emerging diseases, etc .....]
I think you said it, "For Pete's Sake". Pete Buttigieg has been traveling the country giving speeches and stumping for candidates.
you all can not rely on others(such as politicians) to do it for you...i think your idea is very good, laurie...people need to be reminded of what's happening to their finances...the bottom line...and, though they're hurting, Trump does one costly, foolish thing after another...i've read that the DNC is close to or is bankrupt...but not 'peoplewise'. people need to organize/think of ways of getting what's happening/happened across to potential voters. remind them of how it's not ONly hurting them, but also their children...and the type of situation/s they'll be inheriting...take the time/energy spent on LARGE demonstrations and stand at popular traffic intersections(out of the way of traffic. that will just anger many) with banners if you can't afford billboards...show them comparitive costs in their bills...i believe this 'crosses political lines' more than pointing out how corrupt someone is...how unethical...although doing both in a non-offensive way is even better...and, if possible and not dangerous, do this in neighborhoods KNOWN to have a republican majority...esp in the poorer parts of those neighborhoods...
we know how little Trump cares about 'the common person'...but showing how it's affected them...allllllll the billions spent just in this last, not even half over yet, year...and how that's impacted their food, gas, medical, energy bills? i believe, for what it's worth, that people react to that...
also, if one of the current, threatening viruses spreads...show how Trump's undermining/eradicating systems that were already in place...to detect and engage health threats, has led to the potential(or actualization) of them and their families chances of illness...connect that to the current costs of health care...
We would still need the Democratic Party to cooperate. But their inability to do ANYTHING is very telling. I wonder sometimes how many of them are on the Epstein list! And people like Buttegeig are not getting enough support from the Dems.
Where do you live Ligia? Obviously, not NJ, ME, CA, VA, MD, VT, IL, MN, OR, WA, AL and several other states. Just because there isn't a single strong charismatic voice (there are several dozen actually) doesn't mean that state and local Democratic Parties aren't cooperating.
The Democratic Party with Jon Ossoff, Maxwell Frost, Sheldon Whitehouse, the governors of CA, IL PA, VA, Indivisible, etc., is very much alive and will pounce as November gets closer. Fear of the mafia is for those who are not involved in working for a blue tsunami. It’s time to work to neuter Trump, not worry.
I certainly hope your scenario proves successful with so many beleaguered voters, political squalor and moral collapse.
Moral collapse is on X and in DC with don, mafia cabinet and former GOP. Hoping we avoid civil war, but am assured that if necessary, it will happen. How many Dems can we elect in how many states between now and the third week in October?
The Occupy Movement should not be forgotten. They tried to all work together in a concentrated and horizontal way. Some of the thinkers they used and books are worth looking up. Off the top of my head I am thinking of the late David Graber . Please correct me if I am wrong.
Actually, Occupy -- in which I played a rather active (local) role -- failed abysmally and was therefore an exemplary triumph both for the omnipotent neoliberal (neoNazi) plutocracy and their ChristoNazi rabble. The failure occurred because -- despite their good intentions -- the vast majority of Occupy activists were too crippled by fanatical egotism to (ever) evolve the disciplined solidarity required for genuine reform. Possibly the most indicatively ruinous political failure in USian history -- the collapse of Occupy proved beyond any doubt the (irreversible) effectiveness of the plutocracy's long-term weaponization of neoliberalism to create a nation controlled (not) by Homo sapiens sapiens, but instead by the Moronic Majority of a new, sadistically anti-empathetic subspecies, Homo sapiens inhumanus, motivated entirely by fear, envy, hatred and Ted-Bundy-caliber self-obsession, deliberately made so by the purposeful neoliberal conditioning begun by Jimmy the Christian Theocrat (remember the Hyde Amendment scandal?), and brought to fruition by Ronnie the Nazi and his successors. As a consequence, we live in what truly is a New Age -- the Age of the Robot -- in which (lest we be replaced by AI), We the People are required to obey the edicts of our plutocratic and theocratic slavemasters without hesitation or question, exactly as if we ourselves were robots. The failed Occupy activists -- many of whom are anti-ChristoNazification activists repeating Occupy's failure -- are now the best of our lot, just as the ChjristoNazis and their ilk are the very worst. How was this done? See for example https://news.yale.edu/2025/03/06/violent-experiences-alter-genome-ways-persist-generations.
Well done, Georgia!
It takes money to win an election- and the real money and influence is no longer in the hands of the electorate. This is really a battle between billionaires- the malignant and the benign.
Hello Lady.... Mamdami won in NYC which has more Billionaires than anywhere else on the Planet by Organizing, and Working from the Bottom-Up... Zohran ran on a relatable platform...
The Democratic Party is getting and will continue to get the job done. The Republican Party wants the pessimism of people on the other side to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Don't panic and fall for the con.
Mamdani behaves like an actual human being. He's the rule in the Democratic Party, not the exception. Someone identified the exception in the Republican Party. I can't remember his name, but he was a state senator (I think).
Stop focusing on "why are the Dems not perfect" and start focusing on the many signs pointing in the "how to get a little bit more perfect" direction.
I am so happy and proud to have Mamdani as my mayor
One of the reasons Democrats do well in the mid-terms is because they try to beat local candidates from Washington. The One Nation Pac has been sending out weekly mailers to everyone in ME for several months supporting Susan Collins. They gaslight Mainers by listing a few grants fire stations, medical clinics, police departments are now receiving many of which were part of bills passed under Biden. Their website says that they support Trump's agenda, whatever the fuck that means.
And after Graham Platner wins the primary in a couple of weeks, they will start sending out mailings attacking his character when he had PTSD after returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.
"I really don't care, do you?" Melania's jacket. What a classy First Lady. /s
The first family now will later be last when they sink like a stone.
It takes VOTES to win an election. It may seem as if it takes money to reach voters but the various expressions of people power we've seen in the last year show that it's possible to find ways to challenge the power of Big Money.
Sorry, Mi'lady, but the present crisis proves there is no such thing as a "benign" billionaire; they all think in unapologetic Nazi tandem, and they are all by definition absolutely, infinitely, incorrigibly Evil.
It is instructive to contemplate what is required to become a billionaire.
Apache, you respond to Georgia Fisanick that both parties are : tired, worn-out, and out of touch.” I say, they are just both bought and paid for by entities not aligned with American Democracy.
They are "tired, worn-out and out-of-touch" precisely because, Democrats and Republicans alike, both parties are the wholly owned properties of "entities not aligned with American Democracy." (The struggle to destroy democratic process requires that one be "out of touch," which eventually leaves one too "tired: and "worn-out" to maintain any pretense of democratic intent -- the [real] purpose that underlies ChristoNazification.)
Apache, they say, "When brainstorming, there are no bad ideas." Still, I would suggest that "mainstream," in current culture, carries a certain negative connotation – possibly its association with Corporate Media. Then unfortunately, a "People's Party" could be construed as associated with communism. Conservatives would love to get their hands on that!
Just spitballing here ... I wouldn't complain if "Indivisible" became a political party. It's a word found in the Pledge of Allegiance, which I like. Also, it implies the concept of uniting people. And let's face it; the U.S. won't survive if we can't find a significant majority who unite behind it.
Indivisible is already organized. It has already created a movement. With a little nudge, maybe they could register as a party and start fielding candidates.
Maybe the "All America Party"?
The AAP is a good one. Maybe Peoples' Independent Party the PIP.
Keep it simple. The People's Party.
There is no Republican Party anymore. MAGA party vs Progressive party is a more apt description of the current political climate.
Perhaps, but I think the wheels of change move painfully slowly. Can we eject ourselves out of the mainstream habits of party names, embedded philosophies and invent a new paradigm? Most people vote for a slogan, a smile, attractiveness. We often hear a story, not content and facts. (I'm listening to candidate ads here in Md. - nothing, empty rhetoric, scripted narrative devoid of substance.)
Maybe it should be a new party, one that can describe what the democratic principles of the past have given to the American people, and how they must step into the future of American Democracy! But I am afraid we may have to teach those 25% of voters what we mean by "democracy" first!! Let's talk about the simple issues: transparency of the government, accountability of our paid taxes, a foreign policy with respect to all humanity, a global policy calling for equal opportunity for every human being so we can go back to the principles of Global Trade, environmental issues, and mostly bring back RESPECT to an administration that acts like the Mafia.
AMEN!! AMEN!!
Georgia, I have always said that in national elections, a large voting block revenge vote, or vote against rather than for a candidate. This is what happened in 2024. They voted against all the perceived inequalities of the administration and put aside the good policies that led us out of the Great Pandemic. Imagine that. Joe was too old so they kicked him out in favor of a too old second rate thieving non tax paying conman mafia-like huckster. They sought their revenge and were repaid with a candidate who was bent on destroying everything good in the world while appeasing his list for ill gotten financial gains. Square that hole.
They just didn’t want a woman. Especially a woman of color. We really showed who we are as a nation in 2016 and 2024. Racial animus and misogyny are the real brakes on progress.
Can't fix stupid Bill.
I agree this is beyond Democrat and Republican labels. Like Bernie Sanders, some people are now "Independant", including me. What does that mean? It means we reject existing political platforms that do not wholly resemble ir represent us. Georgia, as you so clearly point out, the old labels are old. We need change and the only way to do that is to get out and vote. The "double haters" now and the "apathetics" of the last few elections who did not vote helped to create this mess. Let's all put aside the recriminations and get to work! Resist!!!
Georiga, I posted a speculation about the arising of a new party before I read your post. I HIGHLY suggest everyone here subscribe to Navigatorresearch.org.
It's free--and the polling data is quite fascinating. It frequently exemplifies exactly what you mention, that being people upset with both sides.
Trump won because:
- Working class economic pain is real and we didn't address it adequately
- Cultural displacement anxiety is real (even if often racist)
- Institutional rot is real (we're part of the problem)
- Our messaging was technocratic and alienating
- We took our base for granted
- We prioritized donors over voters
- Trump offered simple narratives and villains
- We offered complex policies without story
- Racism and misogyny remain potent forces
- Media ecosystem advantages Republicans
- Structural factors (Electoral College, Citizens United, gerrymandering) stack the deck
- Republican Party embraced authoritarianism and hate.
And yet the (deluded) belief persists that the ChristoNazi conquest of this (decisively) failed and subjugated nation can be ended by anything less than a World-War-II-caliber effort: an alliance of humanitarian nations; a functioning shadow-government dispersed for security amongst allied capitals abroad (London, Paris, Berlin, Seoul, Tokyo etc.,); an active partisan Resistance as in France, the Netherlands and the Soviet Union during WWII; and lastly, D-Day II: the invasion, defeat, Liberation and disassembly of the Hitler- copycat "Unified Reich"; and then -- as in the Soviet Union -- the no-forgiveness, zero-tolerance prosecution of all fascists, especially all Nazis, Christo and otherwise.
That -- and nothing less -- is what an accurate reading of history is telling us it will take to win this war, but until a sufficient number of us -- we the dwindling number of true humans -- awaken to those facts and organize accordingly, the Regime's gleefully inflicted toll of atrocities will continue unabated, skyrocketing until the ecogenocidal intensity and apocalyptic function of Aryan Christian male supremacy exceeds that of the anti-First-Nations and Original-Nazi holocausts combined.
Wake up, people; it is both astounding and literally terrorizing beyond description how many of us remain trapped in the fatal paralysis imposed by the USian cults of prideful ignorance and mandatory optimism. Thus the Moronic Majority remains willfully oblivious to the fact that what our conquerors are doing is restructuring all of global society into a death camp, thus to "cleanse" the planet of everyone save their ecogenocidally Aryan selves.
We have been aiming our campaign ads to what we assumed is an adult audience. It has not only gone right over their heads, it has annoyed and alienated the lazy minded voters.
Motivate Voters? That's an active topic in the LFAA Book Club -- I just created.
Andrew Weissmann published a new 'How-To' book titled, "LIAR's KINGDOM" & is now # 1 on the NYT's Best Seller's list: "How to Stop Trump’s Deceit and Save America".
Love How-To books.
Read Andrew’s book. I read it, it’s worth every second of your time. I find Andrew fascinating to read/listen to. I enjoy Andrew and Sarah Longwell together when he’s on her podcast, The Illegal News.
Also great when they listen to and dissect Sarah’s focus groups.
Danka Karen; I wil check out The Illegal News.The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell.
*********
Sarah Longwell at The Bulwark
https://www.thebulwark.com › the-illegal-news-with-sar...
Tried to get it on Libby but it’s a 20 week wait
YES!!!!!
Uh... what?
How exactly did "Democratic leadership fail us" more precisely... ?
Don't you see that it's precisely the constant Dem-bashing and cynicism ON THE LEFT that got us here in the first place... ?
The core of “solid Democrats” is slipping slightly, and currently at just about equal to the MAGA Republican core at around 34% according to recent Pew Research polling.
If you add up the two “solid cores” what is left is 31% of voters, of which 25% are the “double haters.” A large portion of the 25% of the “double haters” in the electorate have to be convinced to vote Democratic in order to lock down a win big enough to begin to address accountability and stop more damage.
Can you explain to me why that “double hater” number is that large in the face of all the sh*t Trump has done in the last year and a half? I am asking sincerely. I want to sleep at night again.
Ok, that's polling. Polling is based on people's perception. With the legacy media no longer working, all that polling shows is that if legacy media reduce politics to a horse race, then people will become utterly cynical and imagine that all politicians are corrupt etc.
That is THE fertile ground for a fascist power grab.
It does't mean it's also TRUE though, so my question was: where's the evidence showing that it's true that "Democratic leadership failed us"... ? Because I truly don't see any.
Dems are impotent it seems. Some stir with begging emails but where is the P2026
JD, have you traveled to any of the blue states like MN, NY, ME, IL, MS, MD or even VA. A lot is happening in these states and many others that rarely get national attention.
Graham Platner has made national news because of his PTSD days when he returned from Afghanistan and Iraq. But did you know he tended bar in DC not far from the Capitol and had many conversations with Senators and Congressmen. I've heard him speak three times in person and he mentioned this only once.
Elizabeth Warren, Bernie and Ro Khanna have been here stumping for him. I would like to see a P2026 also, but we have to dethrone the Republicans in the House and the Senate first and that means fighting district by district and state by state.
"It seems"?
They're the only pro-democracy party still standing (and winning a historical number of elections since 2025) while the rest of the country tries to install and you decide to go with vague appearances? You don't care about evidence and truth?
See, this is how we got here in the first place.
The rot is in civil society as a whole, both left and right...
And THIS attitude, expressed in one long-winded, tendentious paragraph after another — plus about $4 — will get you a decent cup of coffee somewhere in our country. They’ll even throw in a few packets of Splenda and a swizzle stick for free.
What else that gets you — or anybody else — this close to the most important, and potentially most dangerous midterms in our nation’s post-Civil War history, I have absolutely no idea.
What is it with moonbeam politics divorced from reality, at precisely the most dangerous moment possible, some people find so irresistibly appealing and sexy? I literally don’t get it.
Looks like AIPAC is the new ammo of choice from the circular firing squad. The castigation of Andy Kim from a group cited here yesterday (Sunbeam, I think) had me shaking my head.
It’s a Mindf*ck. Intentional and manufactured.
Georgia, I hear the complaint from others, too, that the Democratic Party isn't doing anything. You add that there's no party platform. Do you mean something other than this:
https://democrats.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2024-Democratic-Party-Platform.pdf. It looks like a platform to me. What am I missing?
It’s from 2024, and it did not convince voters then. It hasn’t changed a word, and 25% of the electorate isn’t convinced that either party can do a decent job running the country right now. That, to me, is a major problem.
Times have changed—Trump has saddled us with enormous debt while gutting the social safety net and destroying institutional infrastructure and agencies that were meant to guard against corruption. How are we going to start undoing the damage and pay for it? Don’t you think the legislative priorities have to be changed to deal with the damage?
Georgia, fair enough to point out the need to address the immediate, horrific situation. I was noting that the platform is revised every 4 years so to ask for a re-writing now introduces a new pattern (perhaps like re-districting to achieve partisan advantage rather than responding to new census data).
It is a major problem that the electorate doesn't see the huge difference in what each party at this point stands for – whether or not they are digesting the platforms: respecting the contributions of immigrants vs. putting them in concentration camps; rule of law vs. accommodating the whims of a narcissist; health care for all vs. you're on your own; focus on international diplomacy vs. blowing Oman to smithereens... etc.
Do you think the 25% are clueless about these differences because the Democrats have not done their job? Or could there be other factors? And, indeed, many other factors...?
I think it is leaders like Schumer who do not understand how to use new media, infighting by the old guard to maintain their positions, and crickets on a to-do list that can be accomplished after the midterms that does not over-promise. Without veto-proof majorities and Republican winners likely to be MAGA diehards, given what we just saw happen to Cassidy, Massey, and Cornyn in the primaries, the promises have to be centered on investigations that uncover corruption, with referrals to blue states for crimes that can be prosecuted there. I don’t see much bipartisanship in Congress. Trump will veto everything he can.. Dems have to prevent further damage by refusing to confirm nominations and through the power of the purse. That is going to be a thin track record for 2028 to place before the “double haters”.
Major reform won’t happen until there is a trifecta and SCOTUS can be expanded which will be after the 2028 at the earliest.
Thank you, Georgia. I relish the specificity of your observations. These exchanges are one of the deep values of the Comments.
and polls during the 2024 election that asked for opinions on the two parties's policies that did not put party labels on them found that the Democrats' policies were much more popular.
Obviously you aren't 'missing it'... but the rest of us are. Why should I have to find out what the 'platform' is from a 2 or 3 year old .pdf in the middle of an election season? A platform that still says that the economy is the 'best ever'?
You don't think that might be part of the problem?
... and have you read this pap?
The first 13 pages are them exclaiming how wonderful everything is. Half of it is no longer relevant because of the damage that has been done the last two years.
We want 'Medicare for All' and the Democrats are still arguing about whether Medicare should be able to negociate with Pharmacutical companies.
Instead of taking on Campaign reform and Citizen's United... they think they can miracle up more donations from us small donors and that will somehow level the landscape.
Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans are reading the room.
The Dems certainly have the edge as far as pretending to align with my general beliefs. But their big plans to deal with the issues are way too little and way too late.
I think this "platform" proves Georgia's point rather than repudiates it.
All good points, BLB. Thank you.
"It is a fight between pro-democracy and authoritarian forces. That is the dividing line."
I wonder what the dividing line is for those who identify themselves as Christians. How could Christians in the 1850s be for enslaving people? How can those who say they follow the teachings of Jesus Christ today embrace trump and Paxton whose behaviors are the antithesis of His teachings?
Rebranding, renaming is a start. I refuse to believe that there aren’t people around capable of changing the national narrative. This country needs new leaders and a new party that works for the people - not the oligarchs or corporate interests. The corruption is staggering.
Every day I ask myself, “What are we doing?” Why is destroying democracy, pillaging our planet and promoting slavery so appealing? Why is hate so prevalent? Our president is a dotard with a coterie of men jerking off in public while people starve. The media covers these spectacles as if they were serious. They are not. Ever. So much could be accomplished if these malevolent individuals could be called out for who they are and removed from office. Such a waste of time, energy and resources. I weep for the human race.
Georgia if you continue to use AI your worries of saving our Democracy are over.
https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2026-04-28/living-in-hell-data-center-neighbors-grapple-with-noise-air-pollution#:~:text=%27Living%20in%20Hell%27%3A%20Data%20Center%20Neighbors%20Grapple%20With%20Noise%2C%20Air%C2%A0Pollution
and
https://theintercept.com/2026/05/01/elon-musk-openai-lawsuit-trial/#:~:text=SUPPORT%20US,AI%20THAT%20KILLS
AI has enormous potential, but the bros are saddling us ordinary folk with subsidizing it by overtaxing the grid and making us pay higher prices for electricity. It should be the responsibility of the AI companies to pay for their own power needs with the buildout of clean energy and storage that is isolated from the grid. It doesn’t help that Trump keeps deregulating the fossil fuel industry.
I have been thinking a lot about how to use AI ethically. I use it only for serious research, mostly to uncover authoritative sources of fact, not opinion. I do not use it for chat, artistic purposes, or shopping.
Using AI for "serious research" is an oxymoron. Over 60% of Americans oppose it. It entails a lot more than power grid issues. We are losing land, facing severe reduction in our ability to work and function as humans etc. AI is being called the next extermination event.
With the price of gas, it shouldn't be a hard sell.
A friend who keeps track of these things said that the Texas election where Paxton won, had about 7% of the people voting, so half of their normal turnout. This was a special election so perhaps that is why the low turnout, but it is certainly sad that there is such a low turnout. We are all rooting for Talarico.
Yesterday, Rick Wilson of the Lincoln Project interviewed a Texas Democrat running for office, and in that interview he was showing people being interviewed who would normally vote for Trump or a Trump candidate, and they did not sound too happy with the choice they made.
https://therickwilson.substack.com/p/tejano-talarico-and-the-democratic?r=f0qfn&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
I did not watch the whole interview, but the interviews were Latina/o Texans who had voted for Trump were really interesting. Perhaps they found all the ones that regretted their choices, but if this is a sampling, it does not bode well for the Republican party.
I asked a few people on Tuesday if they had voted. They didn’t even know there was an election going on that day! Texas has low turnout because we’re not getting the word out! I did drive by one polling place on Tuesday and they had a full parking lot with a line. We’ve got to get more people to the polls! We’ve got to be more consistent!
Voter turnout and election apathy requires attention!
I would like to make signs to get to the point.
DON’T SURRENDER! VOTE FOR CHANGE!
THE LESSOR OF TWO EVILS IS STILL BETTER THAN NOT VOTING AT ALL!
CHOOSING NOT TO VOTE IS STILL A CHOICE YOU HAVE TO LIVE WITH!,
Denise, we can't rely upon the DNC. I got upset a few election cycles ago when there were a few people here commenting--they were upset that "winnable" state offices in their areas were lost because of a lack of funds for the candidate. The DNC did what the GOP is going to be forced to do, that being, sink all their money in one spot, Texas, now.
Those commenting said because they were frustrated their donations to the DNC weren't used in their area, so they were instead donating to the candidate themselves, or doing volunteer work like writing postcards and letters on their own dime. I started doing that as well. I can afford postage, and at least one organization will send kits/postage to some who apply. (VoteFwd.org)
I personally like postcardstovoters.org because you can write as few as FIVE postcards! Most of us can afford the time and money to do that, and those five add up.
This is what GOTV postcard writing is about. Check in online with postcard-writing organizations. Stamps are $.61 apiece. They make great presents for writers. Above all, find your nearest Indivisible chapter for help.
Denise what happened to the Texas of the late Barbara Jordan and Ann Richards ? I don’t understand. There seemed to be be a change after folks moved after Hurricane Katrina was that accurate?
Historically, Texas has among the lowest turnout in the country but 7%? Ouch.
If turnout is above 60% in TX this fall, there will be a blue wave. It all depends on getting the Latinos and Blacks to the polls.
GJ a colleague of my husband's told me that Texas typically has 14%, a friend just now told me 13%. 13 or 14, both are low. So low that I did not believe it, so I looked it up and he was right. He told me there are people in Texas who don't even know who their mayor is, but they know who their pastor is. I cannot imagine living like that, and perhaps it was exaggerated, but he is from Texas and a bright, worldly guy, so I suspect he has some understanding of it.
I think that's for special elections or is that for mid-terms. In the Presidential Elections isn't it usually in the 40-50% range or what?
Possibly. I am sure one can trace it.
Yes GL Last night on All in with Chris Hayes, he showed a district in south Texas along the Mexican border with, I believe, around 3500 registered voters and ONLY 90 people voted!! I,m sure it will be different in the general, but still
“Moreover, the turnout in Texas was pathetic, making it dangerous and foolhardy to draw conclusions about the relative strength of Trump, Republicans, and Democrats among Texas voters. Only 8% of Texas registered voters participated in the run-off election.
In some counties, Paxton and Cornyn received votes in the single or double digits. For example, in Zapata County, Paxton garnered 22 votes, while Cornyn won 6 votes, making it appear that Paxton crushed Cornyn 79% to 21%.”
https://roberthubbell.substack.com/p/some-perspective-on-the-texas-primary?r=fqsxl&utm_medium=ios
Rick Wilson, not White. I wish the Dems would let him develop and run the party’s messaging.
yes. The Lincoln Project did a 30-second rebuttal video in 2024 to the Republicans' smear of Harris about transgender issues that was short and effective. The Dems downed tools on that issue and it cost them big time (though it was a fraudulent issue.) Its videos generally are on YouTube and worth watching when one's morale is low.
Thanks for reminding me to change it. I have now done so.
''The Republic Has Been Rebranded as a Fight Night''
The United States government has apparently entered its cage-lighting phase, where the White House is no longer the symbolic home of democratic self-rule, but premium backdrop space for a televised masculinity pageant with federal landscaping.
Once, presidents stood before the People’s House to speak of liberty, sacrifice, constitutional duty, and the unfinished work of democracy. Now the message is simpler: Welcome to Constitutional Cage Match, sponsored by grievance, testosterone, and whichever contractor got paid to make democratic decay look cinematic.
This is not governance. This is branding with subpoenas. The republic has not fallen in one dramatic scene. It has been slowly converted into a pay-per-view event, where public office is performance art, cruelty is a campaign strategy, and every civic institution must prove it can survive contact with a folding chair.
The genius of the spectacle is its accidental honesty. No one has to pretend policy is the point anymore. The point is domination. The point is humiliation. The point is making democracy look like it skipped civics class and enrolled in a combat sports franchise.
There is something almost refreshing about the lack of subtlety. Previous authoritarians at least tried to drape themselves in marble, flags, and solemn music. This version seems content with floodlights, walkout songs, and the political philosophy of a parking-lot brawl.
At this rate, the State of the Union will need pyrotechnics, a walkout song, and a referee brave enough to explain the Constitution between rounds. The Supreme Court can sit cageside, pretending the whole thing is deeply rooted in tradition.
This is the TikTok quick bits regime.
Well done as usual, Michael Cornell. Any decent American is horrified by what is being built in DC. We can start with aesthetics and go on to poverty.
Suddenly seeing anew the irony that we are celebrating 250 years with a mafia boss and cabinet in charge. May November bring the blue tsunami we must have. Everybody get to work for that. Everyone has a part, even if it’s only a sign.
We need to change our business suits. No more shirts and ties, but something that describes US - maybe something blue, something intelligent and compassionate. This macho direction is killing us.
Amen.
🎶 Beware of sadness
It can hit you
It can hurt you
Make you sore and what is more
That is not what [we] are here for 🎶
Fight Back
Watch out now, take care
Beware of the thoughts that linger
Winding up inside your head
The hopelessness around you
In the dead of night
Beware of sadness"
George Harrison
I am going to post some very interesting information about Hegseth (aka Hesbreath?) I will be quoting from an article about him from the New York Review of Books. I may have to serialize this in numerous posts because there's a lot to say: first he was valedictorian of his high school class, attended Princeton and finished a graduate degree at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. To wit: " He has openly attacked black officers and women officers; routinely abuses alcohol and in 2020 he paid off a woman who said he had sexually abused her. He speaks with a deliberate viciousness, a desecration of humanity and practices that nasty Christianity - "Break the teeth of the ungodly" he said at a Pentagon prayer service. He grew up a Baptist, attended Billy Graham's crusade rallies. His father has posted on X a clip of Sylvester Stallone running through Philadelphia in Rocky with a caption "Me after throwing a biology book into a pride parage." I guess the apple doesn't fall, etc. etc. Hegseth thinks the only way to win wars is through maximum lethality, so that soldiers can kill with impunity. To be continued... and it gets worse.
Thank you for the father quote. Another proof that intelligence without empathy is very limited in value.
Vote this fall as if our very lives in a democracy depend on it. Clear out this blatantly corrupt administration.
So true! Democrats need to cement their better ideas so everyone can understand and will know what to look for. What is our approach going to be to reign in unbridled Capitalism? We have to be FOR something, solid enough that it can't be perverted by the millions of MAGA voters.
But we have the Constitution and MSNOW has a recording of Maya Angelou reading “wise words,” poetic genius American style! Recommending it any day you wonder about who we are or hope to be. Also don’t forget to read Andrew Weissmann as soon as the second printing goes on sale!
That is hilarious! I might have to hire them to write my epitaph - I'll look marvelous!
Imagine those sniveling retorts against Talarico! There's no way they can run a campaign on childish, unmerited personal attacks. Talarico is a breath of fresh air and hope we desperately need!
well, Trump ran just such a campaign in 2024 and it did OK for him (with a lot of help from Musk's technology, one suspects.)
As I lay me down to sleep. I pray the... Dear God. So Dad is an abusive bullying tyrant with a lot of bad quirky insane ticks for tearing down and destroying the family property and finances. Our friends can't come around anymore and Mom is crying and has been told to stay home and never talk to anyone again. My Godparents have been sued for being poor. Locked up and chained because their eyes aren't the right color. And the neighbors are dying one by one. I know I'm just a kid and should let the adults fix things. But seriously, do you think maybe Mom should leave? I'm going with Mom, btw. Amen.
Zounds. The research that went into tonight’s newsletter, the 1850s parallels, the degradation of our country, the unchecked corruption…
As Heather referenced, the Times reports that at least $67 million (not $7 million, as Heather first said) in National Park entrance fees from all over the country are now being used to fund Trump’s Lysol-Toilet Bowl-Blue Reflecting Pool project and the restoration of 8 historic fountains in Washington DC. Am I shocked? No, more like full of rage that an out-of-control monster adrift in 2-year-old anal fixations about feces, dirt, cleanliness, Obama, God knows what, gets away with shit like this with nobody stopping him.
No one in Washington wanted this. Given the choice between restoring water fountains and keeping our residents’ healthcare, guess which choice 95% of us here would make?
What does need to be said, however, is that Park entrance fees were always intended to be used for the upkeep, maintenance and preservation of nature, native cultural artifacts and the like — of that park. They were NEVER meant to become a transferable slush fund supporting the personal vanity projects of an asshole. And all our national parks, seashores, recreation areas, battlefields and monuments remain massively underfunded, burdened with years-long maintenance backlogs. Why? Because Republicans refuse to pay to maintain public goods and the salaries of those who keep them public, claiming we”re “burdened”by too-high taxes. Clearly, we’re not burdened enough…
Grand corruption breeds utter degradation in the society that tolerates it. Woe to us if we’re too stupid and cheap to figure out a way to both maintain our wonderful natural and cultural legacies, while stopping the grotesque malfeasance of power by a deranged, greedy bastard lost in obsessive-compulsive, Hillbilly-Louis XIV-style, Freudian building disorders.
Well said. I am a huge fan of National Parks and visit them every chance I get. This news of the "asshole" stealing money from the Park Service hit me like a ton of bricks. People come from all over the world to visit our National Parks and the return on investment is massive. The Parks generate way more than they spend and without proper management and maintenance, they will cease to be the gems that they are.
I donate to Nat parks, have for years. And he steals it. Nothing is safe, check your bank account
Most national parks have NGOs to support it. The federal government can’t touch the funds, which can be used for private trash management, paid tour guides, etc. our parks need us!
That didn't stop Trump from trying that last year.
From my kitchen window, I can see Cadillac Mountain and The Bubbles in Acadia National Park. The Park brings in over 4 million visitors a year and over $1 billion to the local economy. Every year around 180 part-time workers (they work full-time but only for 6 months of the year) keep the part clean and in good working order. Last year Trump tried to cancel ALL temporary workers from every national park across the country. This would have had devastating consequences. Susan Collins and Angus King had to beg the administration to reverse this order. And they did.
So this year, they are canceling the list of upgrades approved by Congress so that the reflecting pool and fountains in and around DC are working? WTF?
And what will the Republicans in the Senate and House do about this? The same thing they always do -- NOTHING.
The other issue with national parks and the heritage of Teddy Roosevelt is that they are lands taken from the indigenous peoples. All of the parks every acre. Al tge treaties broken all of them. So we are experiencing in small part what the indigenous experience or any peoples have in the throes of colonialism or takeover experience. The British did this almost a thousand years ago with Wales , Scotland, and Ireland then moved across the globe with a well defined playbook. Folks should explore the LandBack movement as one option . There has to be new thinking and new cooperative actions. What is not mentioned is the ecological destruction and extinctions that Elizabeth Kolbert has written extensively on and about. Third Act, Sierra Club, EDF, Greenpeace, WWF, Climate Reality Project, church the groups all have sounded the great alarms. We still have time but yes we need to get our act together politics mean nothing on a flaming and failing planet. We have lost much . If the elders of us can remember the difference in number of birds, cray fish , pollywogs , we can inform and tell. And despair is not the answer it is the solution of the other side. The good thing is the names and hidden agendas and playbooks are all coming out of very hidden and complex well systems. I just wish the Democratic powers that be would resign and let the young and elder mentors take over completely. The avalanche of desperate emails and texts makes things so much worse than better. They have an audience abd audiences usually are for the performer they want you to do well. To ignore the needs and wants of the audience is also a crime. There has to be a way to upend things and create a better world for the next seven generations. The old ways don’t work any more if they ever really did.
Can someone please explain to me why millions of dollars are needed to repair fountains in DC?
Grift.
GJ Loft, you can see Cadillac Mountain and The Bubbles from your kitchen window? I say: “Party at GJ Loft’s house!” ( I LOVE Acadia National Park and the whole of Mount Desert Island. What a gem. I’m so happy you get to live in such a lovely place!)
I must say I'm envious. Acadia NP is one of my favorite places! For 25 years, we visited regularly, but the last time was after the pandemic ended, in the fall, and it was absolutely mobbed. Also, our wonderful innkeeper finally decided to sell her place and closed at the end of the season. 😔
Though I'm glad Collins helps get some relative crumbs from Trump, I reflect on what he would try to do if he wasn't desperate enough to keep her in office by not going after her like he has other members of my old party that are occasionally allowed to vote against him when it doesn't really matter.
and to add insult to injury, last year he changed the policy of allow free entry to National Parks on Martin Luther King Day and Juneteenth, and gave free entry on his birthday instead. The egomania/personality cult is beyond all belief (unless one is from North Korea, where it would be normal.)
He wants to sell them off to his greedy buddies-making them less attractive is his way of starting that process.
I always said that the MAGAts vote for Trump not _despite_ him being a pathologically narcissistic, misogynistic, totally corrupt, amoral, racist, nature-destroying asshole, but BECAUSE he is a pathologically narcissistic, misogynistic, totally corrupt, amoral, racist, nature-destroying asshole. Turns out it is even worse: he is making being a pathologically narcissistic, misogynistic, totally corrupt, amoral, racist, nature-destroying asshole a _requirement_. Anyone having a last tiny shred of conscience is purged.
Much truth — however sad and frightening — in that assessment.
Yes, it is frightening, how mentally sick people can become. But you have to recognize this fact in the upcoming election...
"The 1776 Thug Fund," is to me an inspiring response to one of his worst mistakes and indication of how it is going over with the legislators and so many more voters. (It was overheard somewhere this morning while listening to two Democracy Now episodes May 25th and May 14.)
At least the proposed $1,776 "Anti-Weaponization" fund has lit a fire under a significant number of Republican Senators and House members, appalled by the indecency of it (or the realization that it could cost them the mid-terms from the revulsion against it from so many voters in all parties.
Trump's abuse of power continues unabated...he's absolutely shameless, despicable, and constantly accelerating his destruction of the Nation. The latest offense, by siphoning close to $70 million away from the 63 national parks included in the over 400 protected sites(national monuments, historic sites, and battlefields, etc.) that actually need that funding and what it is intended for. Not only has Trump directed the National Park Service to use at least $67 million worth of park entrance fees to help fund these vanity projects but Donold's face is featured on the 2026 America the Beautiful National Parks pass, as well. The commemorative design depicts side-by-side portraits of Trump and George Washington. So many visitors protested the design by placing stickers over Trump's image, the Department of the Interior updated its policies to state that a defaced, altered, or covered pass may be voided. This change has also prompted ongoing lawsuits and legislative efforts to restrict living political figures from appearing on passes.
https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/national-park-entrance-fees-are-funding-trumps-d-c-projects/
I have to admit, I'm extremely thankful my National Park pass doesn't have a likeness of (gag) Trump on it. That is just another disgusting expression of his out-of-control narcissism. (I'd feel the same about having Biden or Clinton on it). A National Park pass should have scenery or perhaps monuments. Period.
it would not have crossed Biden's or Clinton's or Obama's, or Bush's or even Reagan's, mind for a nanosecond to put their pictures on a National Parks pass, or on public buildings, or on coins... Trump is a whole new level of obscentiy.
Actually do we need a pass? Are there other ways ? And again it is really not our land. I think giving the lands over to the original owners who cared for the lands for centuries with out much ecological destruction would be a better path to choose while we still can. Teddy Roosevelt was saved by nature after his trauma but he also came with an elite make mindset. So the park system became the part system with many groups having elite ties. I don’t mind the Histiry I mind we are not changing the path and moving it in a better more just direction.
While Trump rage tweets and rails on about feces, dirt, cleanliness, trash, and any other 'concerns' about the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, he probably has no care in the world about the nearly 300 million gallons of untreated wastewater that flowed into the Potomac River and downriver to Washington, D.C. earlier this year. On January 19, 2026, a major interceptor pipe burst near Lock 10 of the C&O Canal. The catastrophic collapse of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line in Montgomery County, MD, which dumped over 240 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River.
DC Water has established a bypass, but the environmental and public health disaster requires continuous testing, and officials strongly urge avoiding the water.
Roughly 240 to 300 million gallons of untreated wastewater entered the river, marking it as one of the worst sewage spills in U.S. history.
Despite the bypass, water samples historically showed E. coli levels hundreds of times higher than EPA safety limits near the site. Health departments in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., continue to advise the public, boaters, and pets to avoid contact with the river water. Scientists warn of long-term impacts on the watershed (feeding algae blooms and threatening aquatic life) due to the heavy influx of raw waste and chemicals.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/05/jet-fuel-sewage-leak-potomac-river-contamination-drinking-water-endangered-river/
RFK, Jr. must have been delighted and probably took his grandkids swimming there.
Thanks for mentioning that — it was truly a calamitous event in the DC area when it happened.
Yes I read about that and the contaminated soil being put on the public golf courses that will not be public for long. Also RFK Jr swimming in Rock Creek Park-which is also considered to be highly compromised.
I learned to swim in a creek about 100 feet from the Potomac. Back in the day (1940) it was probably polluted, but still beautiful.
I've always thought he was replacing an ecologically sound swamp with cesspool (a faulty one at that).
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/5/27/800046129/congress/democrats-launch-end-corruption-caucus/
And to think that one of the powerful messages of his first presidential campaign was about draining the swamp...
And replacing the often ecologically useful swamp with a faulty cesspool
...... grotesque malfeasance of power by a deranged, greedy bastard lost in obsessive-compulsive, Hillbilly-Louis XIV-style, Freudian building disorders." Excellent, what a way with words.
On the side we have Little Marco trying to retake Cuba. Disgraceful! Castro had to turn to Russia for help from American Sugar control (anybody remember Battista?) to give “ordinary” Cubans relief from US colonial problems. While, like every other political situation, it wasn’t simple, Obama had a better approach than Florida Cuban exiles.
I do wonder if Marco sees himself more like Trump or the even more openly corrupt Fulgencio Batista, nearly everyone wanted replaced.
It would seem a bit interesting to compare Batista's power grab with Trump's and how a more just government could be established after ousting each.
I’d love to think we have a new version of Abraham Lincoln to save the day in the wings but that’s hard to imagine right now.
Wow, in Sumter. This is really off his rocker today as usual. He’s really digging in the dirt for any ridiculousness you can find, and I usually find quite a bit of nonsense
He infers about grand corruption… unfortunately, he didn’t mention Joe Biden, which he should have on multiple occasions, and on multiple topics. He is often zealously incorrect!! Vanity projects. People that come to Washington unfortunately, this summer will be too late but people that come to Washington will forever admire what Trump has redevelop there and visitors to the White House will be safe versus vulnerable as they are now and that includes Democrats. Oh my. lol
And the toilet bowl pool that you’re talking about will be the admiration of millions of visitors every year for the next 50 years. Ooooops. Don’t be jealous there “it’s”. lol
You should also do yourself a favor you’re only off by Century and 3/4. Try to Catch up to today in anything at all relevant. You have to dig back that far what you might find there is Julius Caesar having lunch with Jeffrey Epstein. lol. And epstein has the files under his arm. Omg.
And unfortunately for you, Trump does anything with greedy. As he will never get to show off the ballroom and certainly won’t get the other designations we discussed for the 250th anniversary. He’s doing it for the American people and all the future visitors which they were all incredibly appreciate. other than ignorant haters like you. It’s gonna be beautiful.
And you must be so proud as a true American, to be traveling to Washington DC on July 4 to celebrate our anniversary. Lmfao. I will be there with a large group of my friends. And will be there to witness one of the finest presidencies in the last 125 years. Which, by the way, now has the lowest murder rate since then.
Honey… come home & take your meds. We are all worried about you.
I’m not worried about him..he can kiss my arse
I mother’s been dead since 1997. But she hears you. And even at my age been retired for 15 years, and I’ve only taken one pill for the last 30 that’s how healthy I am.
My mother was there, Russian immigrant, and her husband/my father died when I was six. And yet I’ve been able to become substantially accomplished beyond your wildest dreams. And I treated my mother like a goddess that she was.
The only people worried about me all the people on the left were scared shitless of how much sense I make and continue to make on this wacko we left blog where I’ve received over 3000 likes in the past year. And more each day recently
Donald Trump one of the top 4 or 5 presidents of all time. Of all time of all time.
You have something that you find factual and would like to dispute with me bring it on baby and be sure you have some back up because otherwise it won’t last a day It will be factually torn to pieces Just like Trump is doing with the support of every candidate so far this pre-season election where he has provided his support to 118 candidates for governor for senator and for Congress, and so far every single one has WON.. in fact replacing Some very weak candidates that seemed to defend the Democrats so now they are gone too…therefore, you may have your allegiance a bit backwards… two long-term senators, and one long-term congressman. Oooopsie
But feel free to keep posting your nonsense. I enjoy seeing people, so lost that they fantasize…just like you are doing
Making up stories to make yourself feel better, but unfortunately reality must intrude uh oh Shit, rick is right again
Have a beautiful night
Do you also beleive DT won the 2020 election. Sounds like it. Ian
Man oh man, you have truly drunk the koolaid. I guess you just love that Trump swamp.
Nina, maybe you should get out of your cave and see the Trump swamp is winning all over the world including in America and there’s a reason why he’s winning. Because he has the right ideas at the right time. And he’s proven that he is a great leader He’s a great leader. He is actually showing patients in the Iran deal, but Ivan is pushing him too far in very quickly. I think the Iran Will be diminished beyond repair.
And you will have to stand in shield if what he is trying to do works, which is united Israel and the entire Arab world under the Abraham accords and creating peace between Saudi Arabia first and Israel. Which will rectify problems since 2000 years ago. And approve how amazing that is if he does it if Biden did it, he would be good run to a church and pray and thank God that he did. And Revere, Biden for the rest of your life. Oooooooops
Donald Trump is EASILY one of the top four or five presidents in history…. And if you were not a hater and a family dinner vigil, you would see that clear as day. Can you imagine if he actually creates peace in the Middle East. When he wins this war with you on the many proxies like hummus, Hezbollah and the Houthis , etc. will be gone and meaningless and there could actually be unity and I can’t even imagine what Saudi Arabia and Israel could do together… So stop your needless heat and pray for success in America that would be with most Americans should do.
Especially after the disaster of Joe Biden.
Baby, you are embarrassing your family (again).
OK, this has to be THE best handle amongst all those commenting on Heather's brilliant letters 🤣
My only suggestion to you is. …., don’t look in a mirror. If you are a reality seeker, it’ll scare the shit out of you.
I look forward to hearing from you tomorrow. Everybody needs a muse and comedy. Dealing with failures all day long can really be a pleasure and a nice break from dealing with all the people that have the wrong ideas about Trump and America.
I haven't come across a single verifiable fact in any of your posts. Come back when you can present one.
Patience
Aren’t you glad we still have the right of free speech so you can blovitate such dribble? Thankfully we can choose to disagree - and to ignore your rants.
The majority of Americans don't appear to want any of Trump's vanity projects, Rick. As for visitors to Washington, tourism to the US is down 5.5% since Trump returned to office.
All of Trump's vanity projects are in trouble. He's not getting $1bn for his ballroom because of procedural failures by the congressional Republicans.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/NNIM6m4Cb4Y
He's being sued by military veterans over the siting of his ridiculous triumphal arch.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/donald-trump-sued-vietnam-veterans-110224767.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMgG4QLJC-SCDPbYTlIMdMF3fK8yT_AW1IQpesLVfp9NqbbJMZzTmvAahtoO_bw24Z3cBQthdJWuGDbDCLN2eYA0w0CmDH0EXH7hT1wrwjnKGl00SyJka2rjBs3dCAPjH4ncOMHM13xYSlZqFejQ2eGm1MC41idmY31NJlRo8d67
And he's spending $60m to stage a UFC fight at the White House when many Americans cannot afford gasoline or food.
https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/policy/articles/ufc-arena-being-built-white-210000149.html
Your country has real problems and Trump is wasting his time and your fucking money on these absurd projects.
Talarico has already "owned" the Paxton slur about "Talafreako." The campaign is selling "I'm A Talafreako" T-shirts at their website. Sales are reported to be "brisk."
In the two hours after Paxton was declared the winner Tuesday night, Talarico's campaign raised $600,000 in small dollar donations, their best day yet in the campaign.
Talarico is the real deal, and they are clearly soiling their undergarments in fear of him. With good reason — he is everything they’re not, but cynically promised their voters to be.
At this point, that corrupt piece of shit - Paxton is looking like James Talarico’s best campaign advertisement. Especially since Talarico sounds like Frodo Baggins trying to protect the Shire while Paxton stomps around like an Orc arguing over who gets custody of the Ring. Surely even rusted-on Republican voters can see the difference.
Sadly, rumplicans will not understand the reference.
Bill? Isn't his name Ken?
Oops! Yes Ken duh.
I certainly hope so, but am not quite sure.
State Senator Talarico is obviously a nice, likable person. He's the boyish Jack Armstrong, the old school comic book "All American Boy"---if Jack Armstrong were a nerdy, smiling teacher's/preacher's pet type.
Let's face it---there's something about him that is at least a bit off putting. While I have no doubt his heart is in the right place, and most of a potential Senator Paxton's votes would be reasonable, does anyone believe he would take the courageous stands necessary to reverse our Trumpian course in the fields of immigration, civil rights, transgender issues, environment and the role of religion in public life?!?
Of course, any sentient human being in Tejas should vote for him as he is now taking on the veritable human incarnation of grotesque corruption and vulgarity named Ken Paxton.
Yet, I wish Jasmine Crockett were the nominee. She is far sharper on the stump than Talarico, has no occasional deer-in-the-headlights moments, and would defenestrate Paxton in a way that Talarico never could. But alas, the odds for a black woman to claim a major political party's nomination statewide in Tejas are about as good as those of Angela Davis' next book being displayed on the garishly humongous LED board in Jerry Jones' monument to excess in Arlington.
Ken Paxton is the walking, sort of talking, piece of shit that we all knew the MAGA movement would eventually pump out. Heather properly outlined the barest of his deeply corrupt history, yet the primary "quality" he is known for is his clear, and readily gung ho sense of cruelty when it comes to women, transgender children, immigrants, etc., basically anyone other than the idiotic white men who spend their time drinking shitty beers, watching NASCAR and/or UFC with one eye, and the Murdochian Ministry of Mendacity with the other, while decrying what happened to "Our Country" on their way to Wal-Mart to buy more shitty stuff, or Hardee's to eat more shitty food.
The vulgar dystopia known as MAGA-world, is littered with those Trump lovers who cannot conjure up the Con Man charisma their leader has, or perhaps had.
To even cast a glance upon Ken Paxton is akin to taking a walk down a dark, dank alley, redolent of the smells of a universe most unattractive. His fake, Trumpian hair, his shifty, menacing mien and his obvious low level malevolence is off putting I would certainly hope to most.
Yet, in spite all of this, the vast GOP majority in Tejas might very well simply walk, lock step as usual, and cast their ballots for this low life.
I hope I am wrong, but I am not sure that James Talarico has either the street fighting, or the stretch-outside-of-your-comfort-zone skills to take down Paxton, even though his obvious inadequacy just begs for the first (D) Senator from Tejas since Lloyd Bentsen.
Does “anybody believe”?
Exactly what part of being 37, a state legislator taking on the diseased Texas Repulsican Party, raising hundreds of thousands of small donations, daring to remind voters what true Christianity actually looks like, appearing on national TV talk, radio and cable news to speak in complete sentences, thoughts and strategies for getting there do you think *doesn't* show cojones the size of baseballs?
What is it with Democrats who spend their energies sneering at Democrats? I don’t get it. For what?
I don't think Mr Streeter's post is 'sneering' at Talorico, just expressing concerns about his fighting capacity compared to Jasmine Crockett's. I love Crockett's manner and talent and oratory, but party voters decided that Talarico was more electable, especially in rural areas. I too hope that Crockett will have a greater and more visible role in national politics in the future, and Talarico comes across as a bit too altar-boy to me, but I'm in a big Canadian city, not a small Texas town. I would sure vote for him before Paxon or Cornyn every day of the year, even a leap year.
Talarico is a smart, strong, principled fighter in the Jesus-kicking-the-moneylenders-out-of-the-temple mode. That will play very nicely in southern Baptist Texas. That’s exactly why they’re so afraid of him.
I neither sneered, nor spent any energy doing so. I simply provided my observation. And since when do Democrats have to sign a loyalty test, a provision therein including refraining from commenting, respecting the candidate de jure?!?
Methinks you need to take your unduly high horse down a notch or two
The candidate “de jure” defeated Jasmine Crockett in a primary where hundreds of thousands stated their clear preference, and is going to kick Paxton’s criminal ass in November, giving Texas its first Democratic Senator since Lloyd Bentsen. That’s how “weak” he is.
Jasmine Crockett is a national treasure. I see many possible roles for her in the next Democratic administration. She has the background and chops to be a powerful positive force for justice.
But perhaps we should not look in the rearview mirror. I think Talarico is the real deal. His Bible thumping is a turn off for me. But for Texas voters who are drowning in scandal, corruption and incompetence, a "God Fearing" young dude could be a classic remedy. And he has two other super powers. He doesn't take the bait and stays focused on his messages. And...he is a terrific speaker. He nails the ideas and nails his opponents without fabrication and gutter groveling. In particular, I can see older Texas women saying: "I wish my son were like this guy!"
JMO, I could be wrong. It happens all the time. But I think when the history of election 2026 is written, Talarico will be the poster boy.
One person’s “bible thumping” is another’s spiritual scaffolding for a tough campaign
There is no point in searching for the perfect candidate. No one passes the purity test. We just need one who can win, with the slight imperfections but with a solid core. Talarico fits the bill.
I may be wrong, but I see him as someone with a spine of steel wrapped in an All American Boy package
Trust me, Daniel. James Talarico was a successful middle school teacher. For anyone that has been in a hiring capacity in public education, the middle school level teacher is the toughest to recruit.
Having had the experience with young pre-teens and teens, Talarico will easily deflect any insult or slur that Pack-of-Lies leads with.
He’s the candidate that will bring home Texas Senate race. With Jasmine Crockett cheering wildly right next to him.
Salud!
🗽
Salud! 🗽
Daniel, my heart agrees with you about Jasmine Crockett's fire. I would LOVE to see her as AG in the next democratic cabinet.
When you look at what happened to both Hilary Clinton and Kamala Harris on the national stage, do you think a Black woman would have a snowball's chance in hell in Texas? Yes, Texas was the state of Ann Richards; it is not that any longer.
As a non-theist, I find all the imaginary sky pilot talk to be extraneous and sometimes offensive. I do not see that with Talarico; he is one of the few that I have seen that walks his talk. He is open about his beliefs, and does not seem to be using that as a cudgel as so many of them do.
What has me concerned about the TX Senate vote are the actions of the Governor and the TX Sec of State when (optimisms) JT wins the vote.
Do you know I thought you were semi intelligent or even semi-aware to call Talarico the real deal? They should’ve left you on the moon when they traveled there recently. Perhaps you should’ve been on that nice shuttle to Mars. You are so demented and an absentee from the real world. Well, you said one thing correct he has everything they’re not. And I’m talking about Texans.
You be better off, living in California with all the other wackos. See what you can do about that.
Baby bear… Remember to take the blue pills, and no more of the red ones!!
Hey TC is here…. cool. One are the biggest American haters currently living. Which therefore is why he lives in the biggest eating state in the country which used to be the shining star on the hill and now it’s the arm pit of hell OF AMERICA. The most crimes, most homeless, the highest taxes, the highest gas prices. The uncontrollable fires in Malibu and the governor that is probably one of the most dislike humans in America.
It probably doesn’t matter how much Talarico raised in donations. What he stands for it’s miserable he’s losing his two-faced it’s upside down and frankly he doesn’t have a clue about what Texas needs. They’ll be a lot of money spent their 600,000 and he spent every day. And trust me, his opponent will be raising not only plenty of funds, but plenty of awareness of Talarico‘s bizarre nature and beliefs.
And is California‘s flight continues to states like Texas and Florida and the Carolinas. They’ll have plenty of homeless to pay for with a lot less tax money to pay for it.
And they’re already underwater, and they have a train to hell that will never be built based on how far it’s upside down already, and how the budget is more than quadrupled. Oooops.
I lived in California for 30 years and made a fortune working my butt off with my wife doing the same. We saw California falling years ago and every year it continues to get worse. Used to be the shining star… now it’s full of Hollywood idiots, over crowded streets, huge traffic, poor government representation… some of the highest taxes in the country to pay for this decay. Who would’ve ever thunk it? lol
Honey, you aren’t married. She said No. Remember we talked about this? You need to sort out reality from your delusional fantasies. Come home & Mommy will make it all better.
Republicans in Texas cynically believe they can just keep yanking people’s chains, and they’ll obey forever. A long legacy of stupidity and crassness tells them they can keep it up forever.
In the 1990s, when the late, great Governor Ann Richards presided, the ACLU filed a lawsuit against the Texas Legislature for putting a crèche in the State Capitol Rotunda, claiming it violated the separation of church and state. Governor Richards was asked if she wanted to file an amicus curiae brief in support. She paused for a bit when asked, then replied: “well, look at it this way — it’s probably the closest three wise men have ever gotten to the Texas legislature…why don’t we just let ‘em stay there a few days, see if any of it rubs off?”
God I loved that woman!
So do I 😉
The one thing I like about your post there… it’s …. it’s nice to see a liberal or Democrat so incredibly out of touch with reality. Good for you. Nice work.
Go fuck yourself, loser. You’re welcome.
Incredibly important work you do Professor. For a very concerned global audience. I grew up listening to Alistair Cook’s Letter from America on the BBC World service. And now read Letters from an American avidly every day. The next six months may be the most consequential of all our lives. And threaten to be the most dangerous.
Yes. I don't think it's widely understood in America how much the rest of the world is concerned (in both senses of the word) with what happens in the US.
I heard it from two people from Mexico in a call yesterday. They are deeply concerned about our president and hope that he is somehow out of office in the next 6 months.
Per HCR: Eric Schmitt of the New York Times reported today, “military experts say the strikes are illegal, extrajudicial killings.” I have no expertise in matters of law, but these boat strikes appear to me to be piracy. Yet, they have received af best spotty attention. No news source I follow has made a sustained effort to clarify this point. If it is piracy, why has The Hague failed to indict Trump, Hegseth, and the military officers involved in the strikes?
Even if these guys have boats loaded with crack they should be dealt with by the judicial system....and there has not been one shred of evidence that they are transporting drugs. I wish some responsible reporting would track down the true story of who these people are. I would also like to know the profile of the "warriors" we are sending to do the job. They have a lot to answer for. We absolutely cannot trust the trump administration on any of this.
"Piracy"? This is murder on the high seas plain and simple. Everyone involved in this should be hauled up on charges.
Cronyn voted 95% with Trump and got thrown under the bus. John Cronyn represents industrialized corruption. Ken Paxton is at a whole different level of corruption, competing with Trump for one of the worst which is why he got picked. Trump is losing all his cards which is where things begin to get seriously bad. Violence and rigging the election might be the only cards he has left.
Cornyn also demonstrated his complete subservience and committment to the GOP war against democracy, announcing this morning that he was endorsing the campaign of the man he had called "the most corrupt candidate in Texas history" last Friday. He said it was crucial to "keep Texas red" and that Talarico is a "far left candidate." They. Are. All. Scum. Truman was right back in 1948 when he said "The only 'good Republicans' are pushing up daisies."
Nobody should waste a single tear over the fate of John Cornyn, too stupid to figure out the obvious — everything Trump touches dies, everyone loyal to him eventually finds their way beneath the wheels of a speeding bus.
John only looked good compared with Ted. Both turds
Never turn your back on a backstabber.
It won in 2024, Bought votes count double
Just an observation: in history, red used to mean the left ("Commies") and royal blue was for the right's "Blue-bloods". Republicans used to be anti-slavery, Democrats used to be pro-slavery. Both color and party have now reversed themselves. "The parting on the left is now the parting on the right...and I get on my knees and pray we don't get fooled again."
The reason we have "red" states being Republican and "blue" states being Democratic is because starting with the 1980 election, the corporate media used red and blue on the election maps, and flipped it back and forth from one election to the next. The 2000 election had Republicans "red" and Democrats "blue" and so it has been ever since.
Didn’t know that. Since 2000, the worm turned.
Thank you, I didn't know that.
what's confusin' you is just the nature of my game
Mmm yeah
Correct: the same psycholinguistic purpose -- that of neutralizing a symbol by deliberately induced confusion -- is why the ChristoNazis have (forever) robbed the militant left of its clenched-fist salute. As we see here -- https://i.etsystatic.com/16469175/r/il/8ca439/1414991866/il_1080xN.1414991866_pyvh.jpg -- originally the clenched fist was as characteristic of the militant left as the Hitler salute was characteristic of the Original Nazis.
I love how Heather connects the White House lawn wrestling with the other dominance sports.
Criminal Donald again and again threatening other countries (hello now, Oman), getting revenge on a four-times Texas U.S. Republican senator for only voting with him 95% of the time, and our all-time supreme most dominant, the former enslavers -- what a show of vulgarity over bullying over indifference to America's working classes who in fact elected this greatest-of-all-time pal to pedophiles and rapists.
Gladiators next
I vote for a jumping castle.
I am hoping for a Monty Python and the Holy Grail type of fiasco on the lawn. It is an abomination and just like the Epstein circles in the files allegations of abuse concerns. The non media reporting I have seen is beyond disconcerting. And the new book about the family from Germany sent to Hawaii prior to WWII has private German spies makes me think what else is going on we have no idea of? And perhaps both good and bad as with WWII..
"rump backed Paxton because he didn’t think Cornyn was loyal enough to him." Yeah, and also he couldn't help himself. rump naturally gravitates to the very worst person/s in the vicinity because HE is the very worst.
Talarico is such a star! “THE PEOPLE vs. KEN PAXTON” - I'm in! Today I'll be amplifying everything Talarico said above.
How interesting that Trump et al suddenly recognize the importance of international maritime waters law in the Strait of Hormuz, but not where they choose to blow boats out of the water without proof of any wrongdoing. Can’t have it both ways!
I hate to always be a sullen crow, but I think our MAGA neighbors, like their pro-slavery antecedents, have more murder in their hearts and more cunning than our Friends give them credit for. The Big Poltroon has no intention of accepting the results of the midterms - and he is glad that decent folk STILL don't want to believe it. The Big Poltroon has noted that Paxton is attorney general of Texas - all those scandals just prove he's ready for bold action. Paxton WILL get himself "elected" no matter what voters say by claiming "fraud" and calling out the state police (with the complaisance of MAGA Governor Greg Abbot) - unless Talarico and his supporters are organized to stop him. And the rest of the country should be making plans to counter MAGA in their own states, too.
You are so right. And Paxton’s heir apparent is worse
Thanks for the witness. And forgot to mention that as many decent folk as possible need to volunteer to work the desks and poll watch on the day and, as possible, before. Persuadé as many beefy and or very self-confident friends as possible to volunteer as well. Make the neo-Redemptionist MAGA hesitate.
Politicians, especially dictators, that demand total loyalty are themselves incapable of exhibiting any such loyalty to others.
Kinda sounds like a sociopath.
Absofuckinglutely!!
This is a response I got from Grok:
Tell me about this article: Adam Klasfeld
@klasfeldreports.com
BREAKING
35 former federal judges move to reopen Trump v. IRS in an effort to kill the $1.776B slush fund.
Thought for 4s
This is a breaking news story reported by Adam Klasfeld (a respected legal journalist) on X/Twitter on May 27, 2026.@KlasfeldReports
Background on Trump v. IRS
In early 2026, President Donald Trump, his family members, and the Trump Organization filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. It centered on claims related to the alleged improper leaking/disclosure of their tax return information.Wikipedia
In May 2026, the case was voluntarily dismissed with prejudice. As part of (or tied to) the resolution, the Department of Justice (under the Trump administration) announced the creation of a $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" (sometimes called a compensation or settlement fund). This fund, drawn from the Treasury's Judgment Fund, aims to compensate individuals who claim they were targeted or "weaponized" against by the government (e.g., during the prior Biden administration). It also included broad releases from certain IRS audits or claims against Trump and his family.Mediaite
The number $1.776 billion is reportedly a deliberate reference to 1776 (U.S. Declaration of Independence). Critics across the political spectrum have called it a "slush fund" for potentially rewarding Trump allies, January 6 defendants, or others without sufficient oversight, while bypassing normal congressional appropriations processes. Some Republicans have also criticized it.Kfor
The Motion by 35 Former Federal Judges
On May 27, 2026, 35 retired federal judges (a bipartisan group including prominent conservative Judge J. Michael Luttig) filed a 24-page motion asking the court to reopen the case under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure Rule 60.Mediaite
Key arguments in the motion:
The voluntary dismissal hid a collusive "settlement" that was not properly disclosed to the court.
The parties allegedly deceived the court (the dismissal notice mentioned no settlement, yet one was announced immediately after).
This enabled the extraction of $1.776 billion from the Judgment Fund and broad protections for Trump without genuine arms-length negotiation or a real "case or controversy."
They claim this constitutes a fraud on the court, undermining judicial integrity.
They ask the court to set aside the dismissal (under Rule 60(d) for fraud on the court, or alternatively Rule 60(b)) to investigate, or allow them to participate as amici curiae (friends of the court).
Notable signers include retired judges like J. Michael Luttig (4th Circuit, former conservative), Nancy Gertner, Shira Scheindlin, and others with varied backgrounds.Mediaite
The motion emphasizes that courts have inherent power to address corruption of the judicial process, even after a voluntary dismissal.
Context and Reactions
Critics (Democrats, some Republicans, legal observers) view the fund as unprecedented, potentially unconstitutional (separation of powers, appropriations clause), and self-serving.
There have been other lawsuits challenging the fund (e.g., by cities or Jan. 6 officers).
Supporters frame it as correcting past "weaponization" of government against conservatives.
The original presiding judge had previously raised questions about whether a true case or controversy existed, given Trump now controlling the defendant agencies.Instagram
This is a fast-moving story in a highly polarized environment. The court has time for responses, and outcomes are uncertain—reopening cases this way is rare but possible in extraordinary circumstances involving alleged fraud on the court.
For the full motion, you can check Court Listener or coverage from Mediaite, NYT, WaPo, etc. Let me know if you'd like more details on specific aspects!
Paxton has called Talarico “is a threat to our very way of life and our values." Talarico is a threat, that's true, to Paxton's getting elected.
Yes, Constance, he referred to "our very way of life and our values."
His, backer Donald's: adultery, rape, theft, lying, fraud, betrayals of decency, and smearing.
The Republican Party has much to be ashamed of. Now, they can add the primary election of a crook by a 27 pt margin to the list.
I say again; the GOP should make graft and corruption official party planks.
The turnout in the Texas primary was only 7%. Only the most rabid Trumpists did show up. Some election, decided by 7%, some of whom voted for Cornyn against Trump’s wishes!
Maybe there should be a quorum required for elections.
7% voter turnout. Good to know.
The GOP should still be ashamed.