Thanks as always for your words of wisdom today Heather (if I may!)
[An earlier version of this post began: "I see today that Stephen King was banned from X for referring to Musk as 'the first lady'." It has been pointed out to me that this is incorrect and I apologize for the mistaken information. It does not alter that Musk has excess power in the administration and I stand by the rest of the comment. Sincere apologies for the error. There, I just did something Trump has never done, never could do, and never will do. Now to resume with our regular programming . . . ] So, a modest proposal. Going forward Musk will be known as First Lady Elon Musk, or FLEM for short. Yes, that is supposed to be a reference to phlegm, because he, his bromance Trump, and his lackeys think he’s sane and smart, but he's not.
Sorry to go low. Anything to keep me sane right now.
I had to laugh out loud on this one. It proves that the Scrambled Egg is truly one with scrambled brains and Putin must be laughing his head off imagining any future conflict. This definitely proves dementia and stupidity rolled into one person. The new president elect is ready for the white jacket with extra long sleeves that tie up.
Except unlike the asylum where the inmates are locked up, here the inmates are running loose. As Dr. Frankenfurter once said, "Quake with fear, you tiny fools!"
Carol, not only is Putin laughing about Trump’s “leadership”, but the Russian-government -owned news is making fun of the future First Lady, showing her nude modeling pictures on television.
Heather wrote, "the real winners of the chaos he (Trump) is ushering into the government will be Russia, China, and the other autocratic states eager to dismantle American democracy." Yes indeed, Trump is trying to replace the Republican Party with his own party, the MRGA ("Make Russia Great Again") Party, with him as a military dictator. We will see if the Senate has enough real Republicans left to stop him.
The Senate republicans have zero courage and even less than zero morals. The USA I knew for 62 years is gone. I can only hope the suffering and death can happen quickly; I cannot bear the agony of this anymore.
I think Musk has always been the favorite son, literally a man after DT's greedy little heart.
Vance was picked because they wanted someone "normal-ish" to appeal to a wider audience and pacify backers. He's just a shiny bauble now to be put on a shelf until Trump is too unstable to govern.
Musk and Sachs both born South African. Peter Theil in Germany to German parents. Just pointing out three of the biggest donors have fascist parents and countries of origin. Crazy.
Yes. I am wondering if Vance and all the evangelicals who voted for Trump will now be thrown under the bus. Trump has never been a Christian, and I don't get the impression that Musk is either.
Dear Maureen - you're comment on Elon Musk being the favorite is dead on accurate. It galls me no end that Musk is running Trump's incoming administration. However, I would remind Mr. Musk there may come an American version of the Night of the Long Knives if Trump begins to view him as a threat to his administration. He may fall out of sixth story window "accidently" as many of Putins adversaries do.
Of all of these horrible choices, this one is the worst. A guy who made it all the way to Lt. and Trump wants to give him the keys to the single largest military organization and budget on the planet. yeah....that's thoughtful and deep thinking.
Mike, not a Lt (pronounced: lootenant), but a Major in the Minnesota Army Nat'l Guard. Not much difference to you and I. Pretty-much a ball of putty to work with it would certainly appear. And a penultimate-insult to every person serving in uniform. This isn't going to stand.
Mad. I certainly hope that it does not stand. I have not much hope about the Senate, but we will see. I see many who are having voter's remorse and I imagine that number will grow. I have read about some really convoluted thinking that led some to vote for death star. Often it was a calculation that they would be immune to what is going to happen.....delusional.
Among the many fires, I am focused on HCR's comment: that were " ... about to find out if the [Framers] were right" meaning whether that Senate could be a fire break against dictatorship.
Specifically, I am focused on the Portland [Maine] Press news that Senator SUSAN COLLINS is in line to head the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. Senator Collins will a political target from any 'secretly' elected new Senate Majority Leader.
I am well aware that Senator Collins has made a career staking out property rights to the "moderate" position. In 2025 that 'moderate' position seems impossible as a matter of political power realties.
I am also aware that Senator Collins has some 'Parkinsons' symptoms & has even offered 2 new laws to deal with that neurological condition. Of course, I want to hear from 4th Generation Mainer, Heather Cox Richardson.
Is there any chance Senator Collins could step down after a Senate Committee bruising political fight to the MAGA gang? Do you know of any capable, savy, history proficient candidate that could be appointed to fill a vacated Senator Collins seat ... say a brilliant Professor?
I have always admired the "run for something" movement.
She'd be great but I don't know if Mills would appoint her. I would love to see Collins change parties. The GOP is no place for her at all. That would immediately give Democrats back one of the seats we lost. If Collins could bring Murkowski along with her, and Casey actually wins in PA (still a possibility) the Senate would be a tie. With Vance as VP still not ideal but better than nothing.
So far the media and majority of R’s have been and will be complicit. And there is the ruling from SCOTUS regarding immunity that is blatantly against the constitution. I admit that I have no hope.
Now does anyone understand why I called for a temporary a military takeover by suspending the constitution in order to rid ourselves of this disaster waiting in the wings. I would take my chances with brass who ironically honor the constitution by suspending it until another leader is…. Hum. My logic is illogical but no more so than the monster about to assume office.
I don't favor the military taking over anything, but I do hope the top military brass (Chiefs is Staff and whoever else has command) put whatever pressure they can on Congress to resist Trump's appointments, etc.
You realize that any such attempt is a complete violation of our Constitution and would subject such military leaders to execution as treasonous? Please do NOT support or argue for extra constitutional processes to try to correct something that has not yet happened. I am NOT saying that it might not come to that but we are nowhere near that point yet. Under our current laws anyone suggesting such a thing and acting on it is by definition acting outside the law and is subject to being declared an insurrectionist JUST LIKE THE THOUSAND OR SO WHO WERE ARRESTED AND JAILED FOR JAN 6TH.
Kazz, Pete is just another member of the clown car that death star is assembling. He knows nothing about running the military and now death star wants to purge generals. Hope all the Arabs in Michigan like Huckabee as Israeli ambassador because he will only make what the Israelis are doing worse. And the Gnome as head of Homeland Security....it will get her out of South Dakota where she doesn't like to be and she can get her dental work done anywhere in the country. And death star did not win in a landslide.
Kazz, I agree, with the exception of your characterization of anything Fox being B-grade. Since Fox has perennially attempted to destroy our democracy and has lionized Trump and his criminals, as well as being a source of disinformation, a B-grade must denote "Bastards", correct?
In fact more soldiers died of flu in WW1 than any other form of death. And the war waged for years prior to the epidemic of 1918. The flu deaths were the reason that both sides sought the peace.
Doesn’t the Sec of Defense oversee Fort Dietrich where all bio weapon research is conducted? Hmmm. We could offer an intimate tour there for the new Sec Def?
Apparently there is a growing number of high ranking military officers who belong to a Christian nationalist group who are very powerful. I forgot its name but surely they would support Trumps actions, whether in deportation or suppression of demonstrations of all kinds. Not so certain that the military would hold to the constitution
The military obeying the Commander in Chief is in fact "holding to the Constitution" unless the orders are clearly illegal. Certainly deporting illegal immigrants is NOT illegal (in fact it could be argued that NOT deporting them is violating the Constitution. (Not that I agree with Trump's proposed deportation plans but I do contend that his plans are probably the most LEGAL thing he has proposed. )
That is NOT a Constitutional restriction, it is a policy that has been enforces coupled with some laws which could be changed or repealed. And the president can also declare martial law which would permit the use of armed forces on our soil. It's a radical move but it has been done before so there is precedent.
Remember that most of the children that will be deported with their parents are US citizens. They’re being deported without due process. We must fight for the 14th Amendement.
I expect (although we will have to see) that parents bring deported will have the option to take their children with them or have them remain here. Having US citizen children is NOT under any immigration law in and of itself a bar to deportation of the parent. It is a terrible thing of course but the legal assumption is that this is a choice the parent made. If they are then arrested and subject to deportation they have the right to leave the children but it doesn't extend to them in most cases any right to remain in the US themselves. Heartbreaking and awful but that is the law.
Which is why I advocate for elimination of alien status and unrestricted opening of the borders. No matter what you do, deportation leads to heartache and awful decisions that should never have to be made. We also benefit greatly as a country from most immigrants, legal or not.
In would restrict deportation to people who are wanted in their own countries for criminal acts (with allowance for people who might be political criminals not dangerous ones).
You think that’s bad, you should see how crazed my 7 cats get waiting to be fed right about now, 6-7 AM. It’s a political world as the cats begging pawing at each other as I intervene, “Stop it,” I yell while warming the homemade chicken under hot water. Ringo is the only cat that is permitted to wait and eat on the kitchen table. He is served first. Then Babe gets his plate second and immediately, Jezebel and Wild Man converge on Babe. “Get away get away” I yell. But Wild Man challenges me every feeding. For him, I continue screaming until the remaining plates are placed on the floor. Wild Man finally runs to his plate especially after sometimes giving him a nudge. Not to be outdone, Babe eats fast then runs to Wild Man’s plate to seek revenge.
Ringo is the only cat in the house that didn’t need to be shanghaied to come in. All homeless once upon a time, I just opened my front door one day and invited Ringo to come in. And he slowly placed an unsure paw in front of another as he made his way to my enclosed front porch as I held the door open. He was probably given up because of his strong bite and his sharp claws. But I have calmed him down over the years. I can’t do pictures here but if you subscribe to my blog, I’ll include a pic with my next entry. I frequently use my posts here as incubators for future blog stories so one is coming soon on topic. With a picture of the cats at feeding time with Ringo at his throne on the table. Thanks for asking. It will be done.
I used to say that I hate politics. Even office politics. But you're right Bill. We can't get away from it. Wise man. It's everywhere. We used to have a dog named Ringo. He was mostly black and had a large ring of white around his neck.
I have an 8 room house. There are two litter boxes next to each other in the kitchen and one upstairs. People have remarked that my house doesn’t smell of cats. I clean the liter boxes whenever I walk pass it’s second nature for me now. And I also make about 25 pounds of chicken thighs turned into food and freeze in bell jars. (Easy go to cat nutrition .org and check it out.) I’m committed so any woman friend that wants in needs to like cats because they now come first, lol.
Buckle up! The word here in DC is that the plan is to create as much chaos as possible so that when it comes time for the next prez election, the chaos will be so all-consuming that changes will be made to keep Trump in office. Remember how he said we’d never have to vote again? Apparently that’s on the Promises Made, Promises Kept platter.
Yes, that is what Trump said to his follows: Vote for me this time and you won't need to vote again. In other words, he does not plan to have a more presidential elections. He will appoint his own successor. That's what who we have now.
First, initial changes create chaos. Second, in the same ways he won the election - which also was a change: by creating chaos in the forms of disinformation, massive division and villainization (immigrants, the trans community, etc).
In the M.A.G.A. mind-set a two percentage point victory is a mandate. Why? Because they outlasted a rigged election. They confuse Russia vacant-bots, which exist, with alleged Democratic vacant-votes, which do not.
I would love President Trump simply to vanish; he will not. Perhaps that proves to be the preferable path in a perilous polity. Were President Trump to disappear, that would mean Vice President Vance would be President; he strikes me as more dangerous.
The Democratic Party may have lost this election, not a week ago, but eight years ago. There is not hard evidence, of course, but there is a popular impression that the Democratic Party tipped the nomination scale against Senator Sanders.
That lost the trust of working class Americans in the party of their twentieth century forebears. Sadly, in 2016, the wrong set of Elders intervened. Had President Biden run in 2016, he would likely be finishing his second term about now.
Ned I was never a Hillary fan...and not because she is a woman. We would have encounters with her and her people at events we were working in DC....and those are other stories. When she lost to Obama, I was working an event of mostly women that was supposed to be a victory party for her. The crew were some of the few men in the room...and we felt like we were at Custers Last Stand and we were Custer. Madeleine Albright had to come in and calm them down....because many were saying they would not support Obama...she pointed out the problem with that. I was also supporting Bernie at the time you describe...your backwards looking crystal ball just might be accurate.
I am conservative by temperament, so Mrs Clinton's politics did not bother me. Senator / Secretary Clinton was, perhaps, the most scrutinized candidate in history . . . until President Trump. One passed and one failed.
Secretary / Senator Clinton for me, however, was like calf's liver; hold my breath and swallow quickly small bit by small bit. When she spoke, I could hear the cogs turning away in her head; that was off-putting.
As a Republican, I did not follow the Democratic primaries much in 2018. Senator Obama, later President, and Representative Kucinich were my preferences since they impressed me as the most sincere.
What I do remember about 2008 was Senator Clinton's attack advert. against Senator Obama photo-shopping the latter as an Islamicist; ugh. I voted for Senator McCain, knowing that the country would be in good hands either way.
I met and interviewed Kucinich back when they were trying to establish a Dept of Peace. They were doing an event with Walter Cronkite and Marianne Williamson in DC. She had an absolutely electric vibration coming off of her. I need to find that tape if I still have it. They were all very impressive human beings in ways that I never saw in Hillary...and Trump is so far away from that....
Steve, Forget Musk. The Department of Government Efficiency is a joke. It is not a Department and never will be a Department. Despite the fawning praise, in reality, it's a slap in the face. I'm tempted to start a pool on how many days it will take Musk to jump ship.
Justin, there can only be one Alpha Monster in Trump World. Elon got played, campaign money for access to sniff Trump’s shirt collar. Trump no longer needs Elonia. Its a pattern
It seems like many are seeing Trump as the one being out with JDV taking over. Read Prof Timothy Snyders' version of a former 60s Sit com called Oligarchs' Island. https://snyder.substack.com/p/oligarchs-island
Won't the tariffs on goods needed to maintain Starlink and other Tesla auto manufacture tell Musk that they are a bad idea for business? He may not be an engineer but he's not foolish enough to pay more. I think he is trolling the Scrambled Egg.
Carol, as depressed as today's column has made me, your comment and others are giving me hope that a circular firing squad is forming within the MAGA world.
Carol, I'm not an economist. Please see my response above to Frank Loomer. Musk is obviously very complicated. I was only referring to his relationship to Robber Baron elect.
Susan, isn't he supposed to be under investigation for that? The thing that is WAY too easy to forget is that Biden is still in the White House, so stuff could happen.
Susan, The subject was freedom of speech, but you are right to point out what had to be a major crime. I heard that using his new toy Xtwitter, Musk accused Democrats of voter fraud in Pennsylvania on Election Day. I don't know what the Courts are going to do about that. Being blatant is certainly something that Musk and you know coup have in common. For the record I HATE that Billionaires and corporations and politicians and even Supreme Court Justicies get away with murder. I try to keep it positive but I know that these are very dark times. In a way it's been a self fulfilling prophecy.
Please be joking. I sincerely believe that the founders of Twitter were the extreme freedom of speech guys. Musk was the cannibal (Hannibal Lecter?) that ate them.
Fear not, I've done the same thing. I've decided Pootin is the Orange Nutjob's girlfriend. And I will continue to NEVER address him as president. This insanity and nightmare we will be living is threatening to send me into a tails pin.
It appears that the claim that King was kicked off is truly false, but others have claimed being banned for criticizing Musk (which may or may not be true). One thing for sure is that Musk is easily triggered, and seriously lacks emotional maturity. That's problematical when combined with power.
From Threads: No, Stephen King has NOT being banned from Twitter by Elon Musk. It takes seconds to verify but it's proven to be extremely good engagement bait so people have leaned into it (clocking up tens of thousands of likes along the way).1 day ago
But everyone in this thread is missing the essential disease of the algorithms of “social” media. Musk doesn’t need to ban King, just tweak the algorithm so King’s posts are seen less often than, say, some crazed, ignorant, right wing extremist intent on disseminating disinformation.
Have you seen this yet? I didn't get the First Lady reference when I watched it. Now I do. After all, who was it who showed up with T for the "Family Foto" after the steal? oops, I mean the election? (First 1:40 minutes of it) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEH5FNrl_0s
Flem? Flem? Really? Back in the previous century, a local writer, William Faulkner, wrote about Flem … Flem Mize. Faulkner traced his bloodline back to … well … a long time ago. Flem has walked amongst Americans a long long time. We’re in for a long and rough ride.
How long before the bromance between FLEM and the other guy goes down in flames? And why was Stephen King still on X in the first place? Perhaps the first lady comment was his forced exit strategy.
As a European, of course I worry about what effect trump's regime is going to have on the rest of the world.
But my overwhelming emotion is deep sorrow. I still can't believe, let alone understand, how Americans have allowed this to happen - how a country with such great capacity for love and goodness can have voluntarily chosen to go down such a dark and stupid path. This is America on Oxycontin. It has taken what it sees as an "easy" solution to pain - and is now entrapped in the coils of addiction to hatred.
Your words resonate deeply with us who share your sorrow and fear. It is heartbreaking to see the very institutions meant to safeguard freedom and equality threatened by the forces of hatred, fear, and self-interest.
America is indeed at a dangerous crossroads, and we see the weight of this moment not only for ourselves but for the entire world. Trump’s regime is not merely a domestic crisis; it is a global one. His agenda affects alliances, threatens international stability, and undermines the shared values that bind us as allies. And yet, there are still those here who believe in the American spirit—a spirit capable of reflection and redemption, of overcoming even its darkest chapters.
We know that many of our European friends, like you, watch with hope and worry, and we are grateful for that support. Your concern strengthens our resolve to resist this path and reclaim the ideals that, while tarnished, are not beyond recovery. We remain committed to that fight, knowing that the consequences of inaction extend far beyond our own borders.
Thank you for standing with us in this difficult time. Your empathy, as much as your sorrow, reminds us that we do not face this struggle alone.
Those of us north of the US northern border are also concerned...heck.... feeling stomach sick and depressed. My daughter-in-law has stopped reading the news for her mental health. I still plow through because I believe being informed is forewarned. The Canadian government has been preparing for an influx of people fleeing the U.S. - extra resources at border crossings - personnel, vehicles, busses. When I got to the "busses" part of the news I had to stop. Every day, every newscast, more reasons to expect journalists, government employees, members of the military to be added to the list in my head of those who will seek amnesty because they and their families are no longer safe in America. Sixty years ago it was young men who objected to the war in Vietnam. They were welcomed and sheltered. Most f them eventually returned. In the past couple of years Canada has welcomed families from Syria, Afghanistan,Ukraine and Gaza. Now it will be Americans seeking protection from their own government. I try to take it one day at a time. More than that is overwhelming.
Thank you for enlightening us to what is going on at the Canadian border. Thank you for providing sanctuary for those young men who were following their conscience to not invade a foreign country’s civil war and to kill its citizens. I look back at my fellow young men many of whom showed courage by sacrificing their citizenship and risking that will ever seeing their loved ones again. I did not have to make that choice thanks to a draft lottery which made a farce of “duty “ to country. I wonder how many now looking for sanctuary voted for “ leadership “ whose main appeal is to close our border and to expel “ the vermin “ within.
Might be time for a reread of "Collapse, How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed" by Jared Diamond. Humanity has been down this road repeatedly before. Unfortunately, not with a looming climate crisis and nuclear weapons. Seems a pivotal time in history.
Propaganda tapped in to our undercurrent of disdain for women, blacks and “others.” The tea party monsters brought them out from under their rocks, and pumped them up. They need to be deflated, permanently, if the promise of America has a chance. Now the hot air is ascending.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but throwing a bunch of soapboxes in the path of a tank operated by a madman is not going to slow it down or change its course. The only thing that will stop a tank is another tank, and we don't own one.
Exactly. And, let's see how the DOD "generals" like taking orders from some gotttdammmned Major. You have no idea how "majors" are despised by higher ranking officers and enlisted personnel when they get out of line. This boy better bring his lunch.
Like pressuring elected officials—even your R ones—who want to remain in office after tfg goes, scrutinizing everything they do, like allowing tfg to break the law; writing and calling a lot. There were times in tfg’s 1st admin he backed down.
I’m not saying it will be easy, but I ask myself what leverage do I, especially collectively with others have and how can I use it? Remember the line guy who stood in front of a tank in Tianamen Square? Either that or I roll over and say “whatever you wish, sir.” Not my style.
Fox News and other right wing propaganda succeeded in brainwashing half the population. Everyone I know who supports Trump watch Fox. They believe the Biden’s economy is terrible, immigrants are all criminals, their children or grandchildren will change their sex, climate change is a hoax, or at least overblown. My husband and I were just in Sequoia Nat’l Park and the wild fires from the past few years destroyed hundreds of thousands of acres of virgin forests. It’s heartbreaking to see. Who cares that the popular vote was close, the electoral college was not and Trump won both. Trump swept the Senate and soon the House. Who ever leads the Senate will follow Trump’s orders. There are no guardrails and our country will be fundamentally different, with a few uber wealthy winners and the rest of us, and NATO and other democratic countries around the world, will be the losers. As Musk wrote on X, we’re entering a “New World Order”.
No argument here, the inmates have taken over the asylum. You know them well. As do I in Texas. I’m too old to see the end of this, but I have grand girls that will suffer along with other young women. You are right, Fox as led other media down the Fox hole. He needs to die, but he has another son who is a chip off the evil block. Wonder how that court case in Nevada played out. Would love for evil to lose for a change…
He will leave office, probably before his term is out. His health is declining, and his mental health is declining faster. Even if he survives to and through another sham "election," he is not long for this world.
Suspend sentencing with the proviso that he perform four years of community service, like wearing the orange vest and picking up litter on our nation's highways.
Transition of power has not taken place formally. You can believe, those who are using Trump to gain power and position have considered the many ways their hard earned positions may be taken away. They have prepared.
We have been beyond "blind".
How we could have allowed a thug and his minions to take over our country is shameful.
There is no comparison to the person, to the greatness and goodness and wisdom of Kamala Harris to these thugs.
We have made ourselves "losers" in every way. We have allowed this to happen year by year. We the people have no one else to blame.
How will the law and order part of even the GOP not welcome such a sentence? Even one of a year at Rikers might give us time to recover some remaining dignity for our country. He is a felon. AND the years prior conviction for the documents issue for others is really a slam dunk. He took them, he lied about what he had, he refused to return them. They were classified.
I totally agree. Live in the Deep South and know many MAGA who are so misinformed that I am usually speechless. The campaign of disinformation from MAGA and Christian nationalist and foreign countries and turned many good people into fearful people I no longer understand. I actually think out only hope is for djt policies to be so abhorrent, hurt the economy so bad that these people wake up. When their daughters and granddaughters die from pregnancy complications, they can’t get birth control, lettuce is 12dollars a head…the list goes on. Already I know of fractured families where the grands voted for the stupid one and the lesbian granddaughters for Harris. The grands feel totally betrayed by the grandparents. Horrible family fractures.
One of mine is, now. I hung in there with him -- not wanting him to be without any "sane" family connections -- after everyone else withdrew. However, it is, sadly, time for me to withdraw now, too. (I've been patient for 49 years, always hoping against hope that he would change. Instead, the views that he espoused which were once "fringe" have now become the law of the land. So it's now time for me to take my leave...)
Cults require more energy than I have right now. I look askance at my neighbors. Trusting is hard when values that we all accepted have been turned upside down. Save yourself first. Heard that somewhere…
But in your para above that you well wonder "how a country with such great capacity for love and goodness can have voluntarily chosen to go down such a dark and stupid path."
The answer’s very simple, and has to do with how the very rich have grown wealth fantastically, dumping on working people to do that.
Elites in Washington, D.C., and in the legislatures, with their tens of thousands of lobbyists sucking to the corporations, have fixed the tax codes only to grow their wealth gap, and further to dump on the working poor.
Worse, and by equal design, U.S. schools long ago rid themselves of all novels, memoirs, or histories that bear on any of this. All instead keep relentlessly testing only such abstracted groupings and neutered diction that no one can use any humanities, no one can even begin to see any “others” as individuals, in any contexts.
Just the clown show we now have, albeit, as you also conclude, "So, so sad."
We all seem to know how we got here. But no one seems to know how to get out.... Long years of suffering and even perhaps gone the dream of America. Throughout history most strong Democracies lasted 200 years. Guess what?
I keep arguing, July, for essaying programs to see "others" as individuals.
Outside of groups, all the stereotyping systems that rule.
Most educators aren't interested. K-12 personnel have given the schools over to the billionaire standardized testers, and remain fine with their captivity to that.
In "higher" ed, all seem fine with everyone's mutual isolation in group identity silos, where no one has access to any humanities which could allow apt human and natural connections.
I feel the same. Also European here with strong ties to the US. I am still reeling from the whole thing, campaign and election. I never thought that I would witness such filth and utter stupidity gain so much popularity. The indecency of that atrocious 🤡 show was real. So sad and worrisome that a slight majority of US voters fell for it. I resonate strongly with your words 'entrapped in the coils of addiction to hatred'. Hatred fueled into uncontrollable flames by the algorithms of social media that thrives on engagement. Apparently enragement is the best way to keep a lot of people engaged. Sad indeed.
When early reporting showed both Florida’s reproductive freedom measure going down to defeat but getting 57% of the vote and Trump winning by close to that margin it meant that about 15% of Florida voters thought they could have both Trump and choice, which are mutually exclusive.
That is the mentality of the wealthy and powerful in America. They keep selling out the country as a whole to increase their hegemony on wealth and power, and allowing a fascist to run on lies, distortion and anti-Constitutional prerogatives was a price they were willing to pay, but even they are taking a risk.
Harris made strategic mistakes and certainly did the bidding of powerful special interests as she climbed the political ladder (I loathe how political district attorney offices are and that that they are considered a launching pad).
That said, you can’t seriously believe she is responsible for wealth inequality being at its pinnacle, media being controlled by corporations or individual billionaires, the stacking of the supreme court, the implementation of Citizen’s United, nor a roll call to long to list. All of which have distorted perception from reality.
The strategic mistake falls on Biden who could have given us a decent primary period if there was weakness in the possibility of Harris. Pride and all that of Biden and strict monetary adherence to total support for Israel also. I don't know how anyone can't see the parallels of land grabbing of both Putin and Netanyhu as equally abhorrent and vicious.
Blame Biden for delaying Trump’s 2nd term by 4 years because no other 2020 Democratic primary candidate was beating Trump. The blame targeting one individual betrays myopic thinking.
You are spot on that Netanyahu’s land grab has been hypocritically ignored by a Democratic Administration but when has it not by the US government? I don’t think that’s getting better under Trump and Huckabee, the latter who pangs for The Rapture. Sorry, I admire Chris Van Hollen but he’s not going to be the Democratic nominee in 2028.
Paul, here you have touched on a factor that I've been railing upon for years, which has sometimes gotten me falsely labelled, but I'll review:
The U.S. is not and never has been a "Christian nation," as evangelicals falsely claim. However, Christians have maintained an undue influence on domestic and foreign policy.
Of primary importance is U.S. policy regarding Israel, which has been dictated by evangelicals who believe the declarations in Hebrew scriptures (aka Old Testament) that nations who bestow favor on Israel will be favored by God. (Pay no attention to the fact that this promise was repeated by ancient Jewish writers who stood to benefit from this policy.) Consequently, the U.S. has carried Israel in its side pocket like a lucky rabbit's foot and looked the other way when Israel's leaders have stolen neighboring land and committed atrocities, all in the interest of maintaining God's favor.
I was fortunate to grow up in a small city with a prominent Jewish population. Our public schools were some of the best in the nation. There was strong support for civil rights and civil liberties. I credit that multiculturalism for the person I am today and maintain relationships with many of my old friends.
A lifelong friend, who is Jewish, joined me rather late in life for a trip to Selma to honor those who defended civil rights on Bloody Sunday. We rode bikes from Selma to Montgomery in commemoration.
The Jewish vote has been a linchpin of both progressive and Democratic politics. It was again in 2024. Their contributions to academia, business and entertainment have been tremendous.
Israel itself has increasingly become more militarized and openly anti-democratic. Politicians and interest groups have politicized our relationship with Israel to the point that any criticism is called anti-Semitism. An authoritarian leader has entrenched himself in power and has formed coalitions with far-right segments of the population to retain power. When small segments of a population realize they have undue influence they make demands instead of compromise.
The opposition to the rise of the far-right has historically been strong. Alas, legitimate security concerns are leading to a tacit acceptance of a movement to take land and neither create equal rights nor a two-state solution.
Relationships at home and abroad are being strained; hopefully, we can overcome the forces working to drive us apart.
I hope Europeans are watching and preparing to confront it's own rise in fascism. I hope this is a global lesson and that forces in your country are mobilizing to preempt movements that already exist.
Russia now has an avenue to continue its warpath into NATO countries.
We (those of us that are not insane and stupid) are on the same page as you. I can't think clearly right now or even hope to figure out what to DO now. I have so much respect for people like HCR and Joyce Vance, who have been able to organize their thoughts to help us navigate this absolute nightmare. I hope by next week my brain will start working again and I live in WA, where we just elected Democrats across the board to run our state. Today I don't think that's going to matter at all once this all gets going. I, too, am living in deep sorrow.
Trump ism is the OxyContin for those who choose fantasy & a "quick fix" over the discipline & the long term commitment for our imperfect democracy. Love your analogy & will use it. May the US kick the habit & go to rehab!
Well done, dear Lady. Our public schools began failing US after WWII; the Koch brothers went after our public universities; trickle down economics (Reagan) killed our middle class, so now we are a failing kleptocracy being finished off by a failing kleptocrat (Putin/ Trump assisted by another racist (Musk). At 90 I have watched it all. Today thinking of how to protect my Democratic state.
I'll tell you what happened – we did not have a political campaign, we had a disinformation campaign. For at least a decade or more right wing media has fed a diet of alarmist lies to enough people that they believe Trump is a viable president. It's shocking and very distressing.
Ma'am, trust me, one does not have to be a European to feel the grief you do. Now the spectacle is not only a nightmare, but also a "Who's Who" freak show. About the latter, I would chuckle, quietly and darkly, were another people facing this ordeal. It comes down to what my father said to his friend and business rival in Sydney in 1967; in effect, that he loved life in Australia because "Australia has everything America does without the burden of arrogance."
I've just been reading "The Red Haired Girl from the Bog," and the United States embraced the same economic principles that, in Britain, caused the great Irish Famine. Yes, there was the potato blight, but the question is, how did the Irish become dependent on potatoes in the first place? The answer is a form of capitalism, imposed on them by the British. We're living under that same benighted economic system, calling it both "good" and "necessary" (it most certainly is neither) and as it winds to its inevitable conclusion of wealthy minorities lording over the starving poor, we see a lot of unrest in the American public. Like an alcoholic who thinks a morning shot of vodka is a "pep-up" for the day, the US thinks a paycheck from those who grow rich by skimming from that paycheck is a viable economic system. It is not, and is moving quickly toward its apex of dysfunction. The closer it gets, the more strictly (and irrationally) it must be enforced.
(As a side-note, I think the current passion for massive wealth-building is an attempt by the rich to climb to the highest point on the sinking Titanic of the US economy, which accelerates the underlying problem. Biden never had the mandate to address this. Instead, he put inflatable rafts under the sinking end, which didn't address the problem at all.)
The second is US religion. The dominant religion in the US is Evangelicalism, which is organized in autonomous "cells" of between 10 and 500 people. The Evangelical Movement was an early 1900's rebranding of the Fundamentalist movement of the 1800's (which came from the Second Great Awakening in the early 1800's). As a form of Protestantism, it expects adherents to "read the Bible," but very few people have any idea how to read translations of ancient texts, especially involving nomadic pastoral tribes from 5000 years ago. What this means in practice is that the heads of these communities ("ministers") as well as itinerant "evangelists" can make up any damned thing they please and claim it is "The Word of God," making it binding upon the communities, with threat of community expulsion in the present, and the fires of Hell in the hereafter. All of the anti-women garbage flowing from the mouths of Republicans comes straight out of mindlessly (or malignantly) literal readings of the Bible, filtered through American misogyny.
Not all Americans agree with what happened, you know. Most of us who read and support Heather's Letters are shocked and sincerely voted for Kamala Harris.
I just hope enough "Republicans" in the Senate have the balls to reject Rick Scott and giving in to Trumps Recess demand. This list of cabinet people is a farce. We will find out soon enough.
The vote for Senate Majority Leader is a secret vote, unlike the vote for Speaker of the House. They should be able to vote for whoever they really want in the position and not the biggest Medicare fraudster of all time.
I would love to be doing a "fly on the wall" insider documentary right now with crews covering the different Republican Senate factions. It would be fascinating.
The fear the Con Don. They fear him because they are not loyal to the constitution they are loyal to the seat that they warm as they do nothing to protect the constitution and serve the republic. They serve the oligarchs and suck up to the Con Don as though he were their mother’s teat. But rather than getting nourishing milk, they are getting fed and happily eating up the MAGA Bulls**t. And they call democrats snowflakes…
Sadly, they have repeatedly demonstrated their spinelessness and their belief in Trump’s power. When they believe their own power derives from Trump’s lies, they back away from using the power they have to resist even his most demeaning demands. They have repeatedly been asked to affirm the big lie, and now to affirm its consequences - including gutting their own independent authority. I’m not sure there is a step too far for Collins and others whom I once thought reasonable Republicans.
I am very concerned that there are three people running, two of whom might possibly be sane, at least by current republican standards. It's a way for the horrifically corrupt and stupid Scott to split the opposition and run first of three with way less than a majority of the votes. (And if it's just senators who vote, there aren't all that many of them. Winning 21 of 53 could take it, if the other two get 16 each. VERY scary.)
Mike Wicklein -- HCR's lead-off sentence is the best "news", or hopeful sign, I've (we've) received in a very long time!!
"The backdrop for today’s news is that Republicans in the Senate will vote by _secret ballot_ tomorrow for a new Senate majority leader."
This could help the Senate enhance its confidence, and could be the beginning of it coming to fruition, if all of us write to our senators and congressmen! Thoughts?
Traditional Republicans have been for a strong military with a wary eye towards Russia. Purging generals based on loyalty, putting a tv host in a leadership position, and decrying “wokeness” seems counter to strengthening our military. General Milly became a hero to me by standing up to misuse of military personnel. What will be the guardrails?
Many past cabinet heads were chosen based on expertise and experience. Sure miss those days…
Phil, As for your question regarding guardrails, in my view, the only remaining guardrail on November 5th resided with the people, and we failed to deliver. Hence, I see no recourse but to turn to our governors and state attorneys general and press them to ensure that the things the Trump Administration wants to do federally do not conflict with an individual or citizen’s rights within their states.
Putin is sure getting his money's worth. It's too stupid to be satire. Hopefully most of our military is, in the end, most loyal to the Constitution, not the wannabee dictator.
IF they are not completely destroyed by the orange sadist. He's already got a plan to purge the generals who won't "obey" him. (Is he really going to Court Martial Four-Star General Mark Milley as he said he was going to do?)
I was quoting Churchill, and what I meant was "the beginning" was the increasing control of our society by the orange sadist & co. -- which began almost 10 years ago, when the O.S. rode down the "gold" escalator with his arm-candy. Those 10 years have brought us to where we are today. Thus, what I referred to as "the end of the beginning" -- i.e., things had to happen to make it possible for our nation to be in this current Hell. Now Stage II is set.
He sure as heck had better hurry up. Sad to say, I've lost my confidence in him. He had let down our country in a most terrible way, refusing to say that he would step aside a year ago, as he had promised when elected.
Jesus Christ… his “ team”.. reminds me of a really shitty Spider Man movie.. the cartoonish villain, and his cast of mal intended associates taking over Gotham City. I will always hate the people who voted for this
Still not so sure they voted for this. Never forget he said I don't need any more votes. I have all I need. Logic is stood on its head as he alienated voter blocks. The fix was in.
Happened after he was so flumfloxed by Biden dropping out. It took Rupert and crew a week at most to turn the sexist cannon on Dems. With the aid of Putin bots, the fix was truly in. You could tell by his confident “entertaining” at rallies. A free and fair election, this was not.
They got Orwellized. Most of them anyway. Top figures involved in this travesty know very well they are telling lies, but it cost billions to to ensnare so many of the rank an file in them; and the overall passivity of the "free" (but bought up and sold out) press. Woodward and Bernstein spoke out about it.
Mike, we knew this was coming. Now it's Stalin instead of Hitler driving the clown car. We can get through this. I'm more interested in who's going to be the new Senate Majority Leader right now.
Ignorance is not bliss. Certainly in this setting ignorance is running our country off the tracks of our Constitution. We have used the phrase _In God we Trust_ for so many generations. Where have we become derailed? Our educational institutions have
Carol, NO. Please do not blame our educators or educational institutions! You are buying into the bullshit of MAGAs. Fortunately, Our schools and universities have produced women like Prof Richardson! My family and so many others have included dedicated teachers and professors — one of the few positions we women were allowed to pursue in past years. I see no evidence that we played any role in the fostering the vulgar, hateful, sexist, racist and criminal behavior of Trump and his supporters. Women have faced enough discrimination and do not deserve blame for Trump!!
It was a very long successful plan , been done before, no barnstorming needed just a steady infiltration so subtle . The felonious cat stalk …walked right in, sat right down, and ‘Daddy’ let his mind roll on …the new world order is in play ..The Rooftop Singers (us) bleating in the wind
We are all wondering whose heads will roll first…in the ‘so sad’ story..
God doesn’t play the human games, he gives us the heart and strength to do our jobs.
It is up to us to clean up the horror of our times. Look at the history plagues, depressions, wars. These produced vaccines, economic ‘guardrails’ and the UN. None keep us completely safe, yet we are healthier, richer and safer than so much of the past. Our job now is to work to keep those achievements and slow climate change by working together.
I know, I know. But we can't go back. We must pay attention and join the Resistance. It's part of taking care of the people you love. I'm thinking of my grandchildren.
I’m inclined to continue working w Scott Dworkin & Simon Rosenberg and many others in this publishing space. Walking away, or standing on the sidelines gawking is Not Constructive. There’s much to do.
I won’t but can’t surrender my grand girls. Talked to one at lunch about moving , and she said I like Oregon. Not great but way better than current Texas.
Oh lord, I missed that. Guess his sexual crime disappears. At least he didn’t say he wants to kill all left-leaning women. Can’t wait to see if McCarthy is embraced or shunned. He should be tarred and feathered. Well, so should Matt. Guess MTG is destined for evil things.
It just happened. He married one of his victims. Not sure the status of his investigations, but his buddy and partner in crime got convicted. Gaetz probably bought his freedom. He has a family history of that. This incoming administration-They all belong in prison. How could they ever think people will take them seriously? Gaetz alienated almost everyone in Congress except the MAGATS. It will be interesting to see if he passes confirmation hearings. At least Scott was denied majority leader. My state of Florida sure provides some real garbage to congress-including Marco Rubio tapped for Secretary of State….? It would be laughable if it weren’t so toxic.
"And yet, the Framers of the Constitution believed that the Senate would be the key guardrail to stop the rise of an autocrat who would destroy democracy and install himself as a king. They expected that the determination of senators to guard their own power would protect the nation."
The Framers planned for Senators to be appointed by the individual states, but that was changed due to the politicians bribing legislators for the appointments. I'm not a historian, but I think it was the early twentieth century when Senators began to be elected by the voters at large. I have wondered if we would still have the gridlock if it had been left alone.
No system that involves people can be made so perfect that it cannot be used for ill in bad faith. It helps to make it as creep-proof as possible, but the ultimate essential safeguards are diligence, and a preponderant social preference for truth and decency.
Thank you Gloria. I think if appointed by individual States, it might not be much different -as such an appointment would be by the House, and "Red" states would simply send "R" Senators. This would seem to preclude any Independent Senators from taking office.
Which is ironic since he paved the way for Trump with the Senate acquittals and his remaking of SCOTUS (with Leonard Leo and Barre Seid). If anything, Trump should be erecting statues as tribute to McConnell.
There is real money involved here. I get it that many billionaires feel entitled to rule the world, but CEO have a company to run, and an annual report to face. I have been surprised by how quiet most of them have been as Trump announced his plans to induce chaos.
The anti-1776 King Donald III (the mad king) has arrived.
Everything we fought for against King George III he wishes to undo to make himself king. His coterie of clinging sycophants are desperate for their power they could never achieve by their own capabilities.
That's a good question. I guess it's whoever is leading the resistance. For me, I thought it was Kamala for awhile. I sort of fell in love with her for awhile. In this community, I would say it's Heather. It's really up to you though.
It was my reading of Project 2025 that prepared me for what is now happening. I was particularly concerned about the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community plans outlined there, as well as the Departments of Education and Health and Human services. In every chapter there were plans against "DEI" and "Wokeness" is mentioned as a bad thing, as well as anti immigrant statements throughout the document The Mandate for Leadership, which I read and discussed in a Democrats Abroad book club group. We did not finish it but read and discussed 20 of 30 chapters and the Forward.
I foresee a lot of infighting between the party politicians, and the Oligarchs. Clearly the oligarchs bought the election and they expect to rule. Many of the oligarchs that bought the election are not Americans, or are naturalized citizens like Musk, Thiel, Putin, the Saudi Prince, and countless others with dark money backing the Trump group.
Prof. Timothy Snyder made an analogy between the incoming government and the 60s sitcom Gilligan's Island called Oligarchs' Island.
Let us hope that we can get rid of a willing Congress in 2 years. That is something to strive for. In the meantime we need to have democratic sources of information, and I am recommending getting a VPN if you can to make sure that you have access to information around the world.
Terry, I will assume that until we don't have it. We may not, but let us not give everything up already. Instead we should be looking at what we can do to strengthen our voting institution. There are other organizations we should be strengthening as well. That is what was found to help backsliding democracies.
Thank you Linda. I ponder what it is about Americans that they are so easily manipulated. The overwhelming comments here are desultory, defeatist and surrendering before the inauguration. We have had a relatively safe and easy 248 years. We either want our Republic or not.
The Administration of trump hasn't even been sworn in yet and people are giving up. Are Americans spoiled? Are Americans lazy? Are Americans unable to do what Resistance movements have done throughout History?
The Presidency, the Senate, the House, SCOTUS, and a large portion of the 4th Estate. We are at 'End Game.' Democracy decided it rather have a king, and a rabid one at that. America has now taken the mask off and sayin Autocracy with their whole chest. I've been here 70 years and I'm not surprised, alarmed, but not surprised. The West/East Coasts is our 'Obi Wan.' The only hope is the few blue states willing to fight and hold the Federal Government at bay while we find our 'sea legs.'
I too doubt the 'powers that be' will leave any wiggle room for this power grab not to come to fruition. American oligarchs mean to rule, and now they will.
A better analogy is Lets Make a Deal. Trump as Monty Hall.
Heritage policy is secondary to Trump's need to grift.
I expect Trump to cash in -- do his best to steal the national treasury. IMHO he wants to maximize incarceration. I wrote about it the other day. Some say that Trump looks forward to benefit the private jail industry. Whether he gets a piece of the action is within the realm of possibilities. Before he would deport illegals he'll "concentrate" them. https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/11/private-prison-stocks-jump-on-trump-appointment-of-immigration-hardliner-tom-homan.html Reminds me of internal exile, gulags.....
Similarly, re homelessness Republican leaders in Congress would equate homelessness with vagrancy and would prosecute and incarcerate them to eliminate the problem.
Meanwhile, Batista had a concept, BANDES. El Presidente got a cut of everything, to systematically profit from the exploitation of Cuba's commercial interests, by negotiating lucrative relationships both with the American Mafia, who controlled the drug, gambling, and prostitution businesses in Havana, and with large U.S.-based multinational companies who were awarded lucrative contracts. Trump is contemplating Little Marco Rubio, Batistiano Uno, as Secretary of State. With Musk, I expect lots of deals.....
As I said yesterday, I expect a lot of privatization, and the displacement of the government to Trump loyalists and donors. Trillions in government trust funds. Hard assets like real estate. Rename the budlings after corporate sponsors. The Trump White House, literally.
The cost savings will go to the top 1% who Trump expects will become business partners, in the nature of Batista's BANDES.
Today, Senate Republicans face a choice: to protect the democratic principles this nation was founded upon, or to pave the way for authoritarianism. This is not just a vote for a new majority leader; it's a test of allegiance to democracy over loyalty to a single man and his extremist vision.
As Trump’s influence grows, so does his disregard for constitutional boundaries. His proposed executive order, creating a board to purge military officers based on personal loyalty rather than professional integrity, is chillingly reminiscent of Stalin's officer purges. Such a move would undermine the U.S. military's professionalism, transforming it from a respected, nonpartisan force into a tool of personal allegiance.
This is part of a broader scheme that includes the establishment of a new Department of Government Efficiency—nicknamed “DOGE”—to slash regulations and “restructure” federal agencies. Trump’s reliance on Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy for such a task shows a willingness to compromise critical governance structures for personal gain. The damage could be irreversible, not just to democratic institutions but to the very fabric of our society.
Meanwhile, the implications for climate policy are severe. Trump’s promise to “drill, baby, drill” ignores the progress made in renewable energy, even as fossil fuel giants like Exxon caution against backtracking on climate commitments. This disregard for sustainable progress jeopardizes our economy and our future. In fact, even major energy corporations acknowledge the need for stability in climate policy, understanding that dismantling green initiatives would hurt economic growth.
Senators, this is not merely about party lines or political alliances—it's about defending democracy from a blatant power grab with long-lasting consequences. The framers of our Constitution saw the Senate as a guardrail against autocratic ambitions. Now, with the future of the nation hanging in the balance, we urge you to act as such. Refuse to let Trump’s extremism define your leadership. Vote with integrity, not for MAGA loyalists, but for the Constitution, the people, and the preservation of democracy.
Today, the Senate stands at a crossroads. The choices Senators make will reveal whether they are stewards of the Constitution or merely enablers of autocratic ambitions. The stakes are unmistakable: will the Senate, once envisioned as a pillar of democracy, become a platform for unchecked power, or will it stand firm against the erosion of our nation's founding principles?
Autocracy does not arise in a vacuum. It creeps in, masked by promises of “efficiency” and loyalty. Yet history reminds us that true patriots defend their nation's values, not the ambitions of one man. As Senators cast their votes, we will witness whether there remains any resolve to uphold the Constitution or if that resolve has withered in the face of expediency.
Today’s vote will echo far beyond the Senate chamber. It will test not only the strength of our democracy but the fortitude of those elected to safeguard it. We watch, waiting to see if the principles that built this nation still stand, or if autocracy has found its foothold.
I see it like the crusades, Trump is holding a sword to their necks. This is when if you were a candidate, you'd pray to lose. Who would have thought we'd give away our country
"As Trump’s influence grows, so does his disregard for constitutional boundaries. His proposed executive order, creating a board to purge military officers based on personal loyalty rather than professional integrity, is chillingly reminiscent of Stalin's officer purges."
"...The Germans and Soviets would use each other — at great cost — to remedy their own perceived military weaknesses,” Johnson writes.
For German military leaders, the alliance with the Soviets allowed them to get around the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, which dismantled the Imperial German Army after WWI and forbade Germany from developing or purchasing modern tools of war. A partnership with the Soviet Union meant rearmament and, someday, a war of revenge, according to Johnson.
Devastated by war and internationally isolated, the Soviet Union, in turn, received technical expertise, financial capital and new military technologies..."
A friend, who had contacts with Intelligence types, gave me a copy of David Kahn's "The Code Breakers" back in 1997 which I seem to recall describing the Germans creating a couple years of coded messages between Germany and Soviet Generals related to the training programs. They were carefully crafted so that when they "accidentally" let the Stalin discover the code, the messages would convince him the generals were traitors, getting him to get rid of so many of his best generals.
The ebook version I would like is a but steep, so I'll be looking to see if I still have it packed up from the move from CA before I buy another copy. It was TMI for me, to have laying around for people to ask about.
It does seem as if Putin is getting his pet to get rid of our best generals, though.
Since the senate will pick their leader by secret ballot there is room for hope that they pick someone other than Rick Scott who is a polarizing figure.
The common thread through all of his actions in his life: the law does not matter, only what I want.
P25 is the plan and it is coming. Any fool that thinks was not involved with it needs to be reminded he claimed he knew nothing about the intentions of the violent factions of J6.
When you say, by law, I assume that you meant prior to November 6, 2024. Or, more accurately January 20, 2025. Too many Americans voted for a dictator. We will have him. And a cadre of sycophants, oligarchs, and weasels, to keep us all in line. If we are depending on John Cornyn for sane support, he only looks sane compared with Ted Cruz. The Heritage vipers have been busy, chump is following orders and pretending to be in charge. After Jan 20, he can head back to the golf course and let the competent evil do their duty As Putin would have it.
“For many people, the rule of law has become a laughing stock, a joke. But hear me out on this—abandoning the rule of law is not the path forward for us. Insisting on it, demanding that it still apply, is.” ~ Joyce Vance
I think Judge Merchant should go ahead with Trump’s sentencing and give him a lengthy sentence him in jail so he would remain in jail for at least 6 years.
This is our ONLY chance to stop him. He plans to use the military for immigration, we can use it too if there is trouble.
Trump delayed and delayed. He chose to be sentenced after the election. It’s time for justice.
“President Biden will host Trump tomorrow at the WH. He might as well be Neville Chamberlain inviting Hitler over for tea.”
Biden won't do it but should use his Presidential power to round them all up and lock them up. Has the media forgotten Biden is still President and we are all witnessing treason of our country. We are rolling over and playing dead.
I think Biden, unleashed by the Supreme Court, is our only hope. What if anything he can do Is questionable. He should ask a good prosecutor for advice.
Thanks as always for your words of wisdom today Heather (if I may!)
[An earlier version of this post began: "I see today that Stephen King was banned from X for referring to Musk as 'the first lady'." It has been pointed out to me that this is incorrect and I apologize for the mistaken information. It does not alter that Musk has excess power in the administration and I stand by the rest of the comment. Sincere apologies for the error. There, I just did something Trump has never done, never could do, and never will do. Now to resume with our regular programming . . . ] So, a modest proposal. Going forward Musk will be known as First Lady Elon Musk, or FLEM for short. Yes, that is supposed to be a reference to phlegm, because he, his bromance Trump, and his lackeys think he’s sane and smart, but he's not.
Sorry to go low. Anything to keep me sane right now.
This gets more bizarre by the second
Let's see how the mainstream media normalise this one: B-grade Fox News Channel show-host Pete Hegseth to be made head of the military.
I had to laugh out loud on this one. It proves that the Scrambled Egg is truly one with scrambled brains and Putin must be laughing his head off imagining any future conflict. This definitely proves dementia and stupidity rolled into one person. The new president elect is ready for the white jacket with extra long sleeves that tie up.
Talk about the inmates running the asylum.
Except unlike the asylum where the inmates are locked up, here the inmates are running loose. As Dr. Frankenfurter once said, "Quake with fear, you tiny fools!"
Carol, not only is Putin laughing about Trump’s “leadership”, but the Russian-government -owned news is making fun of the future First Lady, showing her nude modeling pictures on television.
https://greekreporter.com/2024/11/12/melania-trump-nude-pics-russian-state-tv/
Heather wrote, "the real winners of the chaos he (Trump) is ushering into the government will be Russia, China, and the other autocratic states eager to dismantle American democracy." Yes indeed, Trump is trying to replace the Republican Party with his own party, the MRGA ("Make Russia Great Again") Party, with him as a military dictator. We will see if the Senate has enough real Republicans left to stop him.
The Senate republicans have zero courage and even less than zero morals. The USA I knew for 62 years is gone. I can only hope the suffering and death can happen quickly; I cannot bear the agony of this anymore.
I saw that yesterday. Never fear Trump will just laugh along with them and do whatever they want.
Why do you think? I’ve been wondering about this to shame him or something else???? HELP!!!🤔
Carol, this is no laughing matter, we should be crying.
George, I agree, and I am.
your are not alone, by any stretch, Nancy
"Those with a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord."
Proverbs 11:20
(Moses Mike would have no time reading the Bible....to busy trading porn with his son)
I am. I guess the American experiment failed.
Men...march with your woman.....protect her from the Maggots before they come for her
https://act.womensmarch.com/survey/TrumpWin_JanPledge/?t=3&akid=21838%2E2931636%2Earh-8D
And I have to ask…. where is JD Vance in all this? I think Elon is now the favorite son.
I think Musk has always been the favorite son, literally a man after DT's greedy little heart.
Vance was picked because they wanted someone "normal-ish" to appeal to a wider audience and pacify backers. He's just a shiny bauble now to be put on a shelf until Trump is too unstable to govern.
Musk and Sachs both born South African. Peter Theil in Germany to German parents. Just pointing out three of the biggest donors have fascist parents and countries of origin. Crazy.
Yes. I am wondering if Vance and all the evangelicals who voted for Trump will now be thrown under the bus. Trump has never been a Christian, and I don't get the impression that Musk is either.
JD is USA Born, Elon Musk is not... The USA is Elon Musk's 3rd Country...
He’s to unstable now. But you’re right.
Dear Maureen - you're comment on Elon Musk being the favorite is dead on accurate. It galls me no end that Musk is running Trump's incoming administration. However, I would remind Mr. Musk there may come an American version of the Night of the Long Knives if Trump begins to view him as a threat to his administration. He may fall out of sixth story window "accidently" as many of Putins adversaries do.
Sounds vaguely Old Testament to me.
Prodigal son and all that.
Digression: “scrambled egg”? Assume that’s tfg? How did he get this new nickname?
He earned it.
As he plays naked Melania pix on their propaganda TVs.
Orange Jesus truly is Putins fucking bitch.........still have no sympathy for Melania..........never.
Of all of these horrible choices, this one is the worst. A guy who made it all the way to Lt. and Trump wants to give him the keys to the single largest military organization and budget on the planet. yeah....that's thoughtful and deep thinking.
Thoughtful
Deep
2 words NEVER associated with trump….EVER
At least if (when) he makes a mistake, he won't say, "I wash my hands of it."
MaryB, LOL
😏
Hahahahahaha!!!!
Mike, not a Lt (pronounced: lootenant), but a Major in the Minnesota Army Nat'l Guard. Not much difference to you and I. Pretty-much a ball of putty to work with it would certainly appear. And a penultimate-insult to every person serving in uniform. This isn't going to stand.
Mad. I certainly hope that it does not stand. I have not much hope about the Senate, but we will see. I see many who are having voter's remorse and I imagine that number will grow. I have read about some really convoluted thinking that led some to vote for death star. Often it was a calculation that they would be immune to what is going to happen.....delusional.
They misspelled ignorant
That is beyond believable, yet, "here we are"! Now you see why Trump wants "session" appointments.
Thank you Frank.
Among the many fires, I am focused on HCR's comment: that were " ... about to find out if the [Framers] were right" meaning whether that Senate could be a fire break against dictatorship.
Specifically, I am focused on the Portland [Maine] Press news that Senator SUSAN COLLINS is in line to head the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. Senator Collins will a political target from any 'secretly' elected new Senate Majority Leader.
I am well aware that Senator Collins has made a career staking out property rights to the "moderate" position. In 2025 that 'moderate' position seems impossible as a matter of political power realties.
I am also aware that Senator Collins has some 'Parkinsons' symptoms & has even offered 2 new laws to deal with that neurological condition. Of course, I want to hear from 4th Generation Mainer, Heather Cox Richardson.
Is there any chance Senator Collins could step down after a Senate Committee bruising political fight to the MAGA gang? Do you know of any capable, savy, history proficient candidate that could be appointed to fill a vacated Senator Collins seat ... say a brilliant Professor?
I have always admired the "run for something" movement.
“Recess?”
Exactly Susan.
More to my point above, any thoughts on a Senator Heather Cox Richardson?
She'd be great but I don't know if Mills would appoint her. I would love to see Collins change parties. The GOP is no place for her at all. That would immediately give Democrats back one of the seats we lost. If Collins could bring Murkowski along with her, and Casey actually wins in PA (still a possibility) the Senate would be a tie. With Vance as VP still not ideal but better than nothing.
So far the media and majority of R’s have been and will be complicit. And there is the ruling from SCOTUS regarding immunity that is blatantly against the constitution. I admit that I have no hope.
Of all of them, this seems to be the stupidest and most terrifying. I see many online talking about his white nationalist tattoos.
Now does anyone understand why I called for a temporary a military takeover by suspending the constitution in order to rid ourselves of this disaster waiting in the wings. I would take my chances with brass who ironically honor the constitution by suspending it until another leader is…. Hum. My logic is illogical but no more so than the monster about to assume office.
I don't favor the military taking over anything, but I do hope the top military brass (Chiefs is Staff and whoever else has command) put whatever pressure they can on Congress to resist Trump's appointments, etc.
The Senate is under control of the GOP. Unless some brave Senators from the GOP step up and object to GOP nominations, that will never happen.
Your proposal is well taken. It's like a reset button. I think we all had enough already even before it started..
You realize that any such attempt is a complete violation of our Constitution and would subject such military leaders to execution as treasonous? Please do NOT support or argue for extra constitutional processes to try to correct something that has not yet happened. I am NOT saying that it might not come to that but we are nowhere near that point yet. Under our current laws anyone suggesting such a thing and acting on it is by definition acting outside the law and is subject to being declared an insurrectionist JUST LIKE THE THOUSAND OR SO WHO WERE ARRESTED AND JAILED FOR JAN 6TH.
Having your coup take over before their coup. “The end justifies the means” has no negative connotation as long as you get what you want, huh?
Expediency abounds
Valkyrie. Consider Rommel’s attempted patriotism.
Serbs certainly had them ... typically on a bicep.
Soon, I'm sad to say. We won't get choices in our news channels
That's the normal in regimes trump admires!!!!
Kazz, Pete is just another member of the clown car that death star is assembling. He knows nothing about running the military and now death star wants to purge generals. Hope all the Arabs in Michigan like Huckabee as Israeli ambassador because he will only make what the Israelis are doing worse. And the Gnome as head of Homeland Security....it will get her out of South Dakota where she doesn't like to be and she can get her dental work done anywhere in the country. And death star did not win in a landslide.
But outside of South Dakota she won't have her killing pit. What in the world will she do with her unwanted pets?
I heard tell of some hungry illegal immigrants somewhere.
Clown Car Death Star seems appropriate.
Kazz, I agree, with the exception of your characterization of anything Fox being B-grade. Since Fox has perennially attempted to destroy our democracy and has lionized Trump and his criminals, as well as being a source of disinformation, a B-grade must denote "Bastards", correct?
“Germs aren’t real”- Pete Hegseth
In fact more soldiers died of flu in WW1 than any other form of death. And the war waged for years prior to the epidemic of 1918. The flu deaths were the reason that both sides sought the peace.
Doesn’t the Sec of Defense oversee Fort Dietrich where all bio weapon research is conducted? Hmmm. We could offer an intimate tour there for the new Sec Def?
Hegseth's not even prime time.
Apparently there is a growing number of high ranking military officers who belong to a Christian nationalist group who are very powerful. I forgot its name but surely they would support Trumps actions, whether in deportation or suppression of demonstrations of all kinds. Not so certain that the military would hold to the constitution
Maybe New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR?
The military obeying the Commander in Chief is in fact "holding to the Constitution" unless the orders are clearly illegal. Certainly deporting illegal immigrants is NOT illegal (in fact it could be argued that NOT deporting them is violating the Constitution. (Not that I agree with Trump's proposed deportation plans but I do contend that his plans are probably the most LEGAL thing he has proposed. )
I think the military is not supposed to be used on domestic soil for law enforcement purposes.
That is NOT a Constitutional restriction, it is a policy that has been enforces coupled with some laws which could be changed or repealed. And the president can also declare martial law which would permit the use of armed forces on our soil. It's a radical move but it has been done before so there is precedent.
Remember that most of the children that will be deported with their parents are US citizens. They’re being deported without due process. We must fight for the 14th Amendement.
I expect (although we will have to see) that parents bring deported will have the option to take their children with them or have them remain here. Having US citizen children is NOT under any immigration law in and of itself a bar to deportation of the parent. It is a terrible thing of course but the legal assumption is that this is a choice the parent made. If they are then arrested and subject to deportation they have the right to leave the children but it doesn't extend to them in most cases any right to remain in the US themselves. Heartbreaking and awful but that is the law.
Which is why I advocate for elimination of alien status and unrestricted opening of the borders. No matter what you do, deportation leads to heartache and awful decisions that should never have to be made. We also benefit greatly as a country from most immigrants, legal or not.
In would restrict deportation to people who are wanted in their own countries for criminal acts (with allowance for people who might be political criminals not dangerous ones).
Terrifying
Kneel and pray, pilgrims.
Kazz, it's already happened. I read something in the early hours that totally normalized Hegseth.
Unbelievable, the man has no military background.
And will only get "bizzarrer"!
I don't bet money on much...but I'd bet on that.
Yep, Love the new word.
Hey, Lady, say that 10 times rapidly.
I'd rather say that than "Fly thrifty fried flags!"
You think that’s bad, you should see how crazed my 7 cats get waiting to be fed right about now, 6-7 AM. It’s a political world as the cats begging pawing at each other as I intervene, “Stop it,” I yell while warming the homemade chicken under hot water. Ringo is the only cat that is permitted to wait and eat on the kitchen table. He is served first. Then Babe gets his plate second and immediately, Jezebel and Wild Man converge on Babe. “Get away get away” I yell. But Wild Man challenges me every feeding. For him, I continue screaming until the remaining plates are placed on the floor. Wild Man finally runs to his plate especially after sometimes giving him a nudge. Not to be outdone, Babe eats fast then runs to Wild Man’s plate to seek revenge.
Just like in politics.
Stay out of Ohio.
Dayton, right?
I want to see a picture of this. Ringo...I love it. I owned a Ludwig Ringo kit for 50 years.
Ringo is the only cat in the house that didn’t need to be shanghaied to come in. All homeless once upon a time, I just opened my front door one day and invited Ringo to come in. And he slowly placed an unsure paw in front of another as he made his way to my enclosed front porch as I held the door open. He was probably given up because of his strong bite and his sharp claws. But I have calmed him down over the years. I can’t do pictures here but if you subscribe to my blog, I’ll include a pic with my next entry. I frequently use my posts here as incubators for future blog stories so one is coming soon on topic. With a picture of the cats at feeding time with Ringo at his throne on the table. Thanks for asking. It will be done.
You and Joyce Vance with her chickens! Love it. Something to smile about in these dark and scary times.
I frequently get into trouble here because my comments don’t alwasys match the status quo. So it’s safer to discuss the feline world.
I used to say that I hate politics. Even office politics. But you're right Bill. We can't get away from it. Wise man. It's everywhere. We used to have a dog named Ringo. He was mostly black and had a large ring of white around his neck.
Also like politics: a never ending supply of 💩 to clean up. How do you deal with that?? We have one cat and that’s enough for me.
I have an 8 room house. There are two litter boxes next to each other in the kitchen and one upstairs. People have remarked that my house doesn’t smell of cats. I clean the liter boxes whenever I walk pass it’s second nature for me now. And I also make about 25 pounds of chicken thighs turned into food and freeze in bell jars. (Easy go to cat nutrition .org and check it out.) I’m committed so any woman friend that wants in needs to like cats because they now come first, lol.
Ha ha! You must mean Ball jars. Get it right this time.
I’m glad I don’t need to fix a three course meal everyday for them.
Comedian Jon Stewart was pretty funny on his take about “what went wrong” for the Democrats campaign…
https://youtu.be/TKBJoj4XyFc?si=_feIf-bILX2cabbp
Was good—but will he talk about the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025/Putin/Musk ?!
Susan: Surely he must have - or will?
This link will open: https://youtu.be/TKBJoj4XyFc?si=vGBhPEy8R3l6Sdv8
This link will open. https://youtu.be/TKBJoj4XyFc?si=vGBhPEy8R3l6Sdv8
Buckle up! The word here in DC is that the plan is to create as much chaos as possible so that when it comes time for the next prez election, the chaos will be so all-consuming that changes will be made to keep Trump in office. Remember how he said we’d never have to vote again? Apparently that’s on the Promises Made, Promises Kept platter.
Yes, that is what Trump said to his follows: Vote for me this time and you won't need to vote again. In other words, he does not plan to have a more presidential elections. He will appoint his own successor. That's what who we have now.
Stacey: but if it's that chaotic, how would he be able to enact any changes?
Martial Law…the enemy within
First, initial changes create chaos. Second, in the same ways he won the election - which also was a change: by creating chaos in the forms of disinformation, massive division and villainization (immigrants, the trans community, etc).
The March of the Nincompoops Continues Apace.
Sooooooo anxiety producing!!!!!
In the M.A.G.A. mind-set a two percentage point victory is a mandate. Why? Because they outlasted a rigged election. They confuse Russia vacant-bots, which exist, with alleged Democratic vacant-votes, which do not.
I would love President Trump simply to vanish; he will not. Perhaps that proves to be the preferable path in a perilous polity. Were President Trump to disappear, that would mean Vice President Vance would be President; he strikes me as more dangerous.
The Democratic Party may have lost this election, not a week ago, but eight years ago. There is not hard evidence, of course, but there is a popular impression that the Democratic Party tipped the nomination scale against Senator Sanders.
That lost the trust of working class Americans in the party of their twentieth century forebears. Sadly, in 2016, the wrong set of Elders intervened. Had President Biden run in 2016, he would likely be finishing his second term about now.
Ned I was never a Hillary fan...and not because she is a woman. We would have encounters with her and her people at events we were working in DC....and those are other stories. When she lost to Obama, I was working an event of mostly women that was supposed to be a victory party for her. The crew were some of the few men in the room...and we felt like we were at Custers Last Stand and we were Custer. Madeleine Albright had to come in and calm them down....because many were saying they would not support Obama...she pointed out the problem with that. I was also supporting Bernie at the time you describe...your backwards looking crystal ball just might be accurate.
I am conservative by temperament, so Mrs Clinton's politics did not bother me. Senator / Secretary Clinton was, perhaps, the most scrutinized candidate in history . . . until President Trump. One passed and one failed.
Secretary / Senator Clinton for me, however, was like calf's liver; hold my breath and swallow quickly small bit by small bit. When she spoke, I could hear the cogs turning away in her head; that was off-putting.
As a Republican, I did not follow the Democratic primaries much in 2018. Senator Obama, later President, and Representative Kucinich were my preferences since they impressed me as the most sincere.
What I do remember about 2008 was Senator Clinton's attack advert. against Senator Obama photo-shopping the latter as an Islamicist; ugh. I voted for Senator McCain, knowing that the country would be in good hands either way.
I met and interviewed Kucinich back when they were trying to establish a Dept of Peace. They were doing an event with Walter Cronkite and Marianne Williamson in DC. She had an absolutely electric vibration coming off of her. I need to find that tape if I still have it. They were all very impressive human beings in ways that I never saw in Hillary...and Trump is so far away from that....
WOWerful story there, Mike. What an interesting life you have led to date.
Mike, we should be ready for any and all occurrences. Pandora will have her way and there seems to be nothing we the people can do about that.
Pandora for real. Uncharted waters
More bizarre and terrifying
I also quite like “Elonia” for him. Not mine, heard it on Kara Swisher’s podcast, but I’m an early adopter of it. Be best, Elonia.
“ELONIA”!!!! So perfect
So THAT's where Jimmy Kimmel gets his jokes!
Steve, Forget Musk. The Department of Government Efficiency is a joke. It is not a Department and never will be a Department. Despite the fawning praise, in reality, it's a slap in the face. I'm tempted to start a pool on how many days it will take Musk to jump ship.
Justin, there can only be one Alpha Monster in Trump World. Elon got played, campaign money for access to sniff Trump’s shirt collar. Trump no longer needs Elonia. Its a pattern
“I don’t know the guy”
Dave,
You got that right. Comey had him down cold. Mobster mentality. Loyalty only goes one direction.
Don Corrleone is saying, “I coulda liked this guy, but he probably woulda tried to have me sleep with the fishes”
Trump is in competition with Putin for biggest bank accounts. Musk is a tool
It seems like many are seeing Trump as the one being out with JDV taking over. Read Prof Timothy Snyders' version of a former 60s Sit com called Oligarchs' Island. https://snyder.substack.com/p/oligarchs-island
Thank you, Linda. This was terrific.
Hope you're onto something, JS
I had a little help from Lawrence O'Donnell on Last Word (MSNBC) last night.
Won't the tariffs on goods needed to maintain Starlink and other Tesla auto manufacture tell Musk that they are a bad idea for business? He may not be an engineer but he's not foolish enough to pay more. I think he is trolling the Scrambled Egg.
Carol, as depressed as today's column has made me, your comment and others are giving me hope that a circular firing squad is forming within the MAGA world.
Carol, I'm not an economist. Please see my response above to Frank Loomer. Musk is obviously very complicated. I was only referring to his relationship to Robber Baron elect.
I wonder how many of those that will ask to stay home in the name of "efficiency " are MAGA voters.
No. Billionaires do not need or want a government.
Isn't Musk supposed the be the extreme freedom of speech guy?
Free speech for people as sexist, racist and juvenile as he is. It is like the forum for middle schoolers.
It’s utterly amazing how accurate your brief but spectacular writs are, Linda 🫶
Linda, I left before Musk showed up. It was very bad. Musk managed to make it horrible.
As in BLATANTLY buying the election?!
Susan, isn't he supposed to be under investigation for that? The thing that is WAY too easy to forget is that Biden is still in the White House, so stuff could happen.
Susan, The subject was freedom of speech, but you are right to point out what had to be a major crime. I heard that using his new toy Xtwitter, Musk accused Democrats of voter fraud in Pennsylvania on Election Day. I don't know what the Courts are going to do about that. Being blatant is certainly something that Musk and you know coup have in common. For the record I HATE that Billionaires and corporations and politicians and even Supreme Court Justicies get away with murder. I try to keep it positive but I know that these are very dark times. In a way it's been a self fulfilling prophecy.
J L,
Please be joking. I sincerely believe that the founders of Twitter were the extreme freedom of speech guys. Musk was the cannibal (Hannibal Lecter?) that ate them.
Musk talks about free speech, but in the MAGA tradition is very much one of dishing it out but not being able to take it.
He is absolutely being satirical. No one who reads Heather's column can possibly make a statement like that and be serious.
Thnx kd
Hannibal Lecter thanks America: https://youtu.be/oSw4mQNcEWQ?si=vBkzhlDL07gIVz9n
Thank you Hope. Very dark but somehow hilarious 😂
Free to speak MAGA. Free speech is speech Musk oks.
I first read it as "musk ox", vastly more pleasant to envision.
We prefer "musk rat," but "musk ox" is good too.
Oh, he IS… if it’s HIS speech!
Yes, you got it Connie! (I got lost in J L's satire)
like getting rid of Stephen King?
Free speech for the things that *he* wants to say, sure.
Except when Musk is the subject of said free speech.
“Flem” on!!!
Fear not, I've done the same thing. I've decided Pootin is the Orange Nutjob's girlfriend. And I will continue to NEVER address him as president. This insanity and nightmare we will be living is threatening to send me into a tails pin.
He is a traitor. And he is trying to turn the country into the "shithole" it never was, all so he can rule like a king.
Orange Sadist he is, and orange sadist he has been since 2016.
His entire life, we just saw it more once he was elected.
Yes, there's a lot of vertigo going around.
i think this is false - King is still on X (or was a few hours ago)
Hummm. I read elsewhere that Steven King was leaving Xitter, but in this climate there are just too many lies. It seemed credible.
It appears that the claim that King was kicked off is truly false, but others have claimed being banned for criticizing Musk (which may or may not be true). One thing for sure is that Musk is easily triggered, and seriously lacks emotional maturity. That's problematical when combined with power.
From Threads: No, Stephen King has NOT being banned from Twitter by Elon Musk. It takes seconds to verify but it's proven to be extremely good engagement bait so people have leaned into it (clocking up tens of thousands of likes along the way).1 day ago
But everyone in this thread is missing the essential disease of the algorithms of “social” media. Musk doesn’t need to ban King, just tweak the algorithm so King’s posts are seen less often than, say, some crazed, ignorant, right wing extremist intent on disseminating disinformation.
you mean i fell for misinformation?
From "Fiddle on the Roof": When you’re rich, they think you really know.”
FLEM. For sure! (phlegm)
Have you seen this yet? I didn't get the First Lady reference when I watched it. Now I do. After all, who was it who showed up with T for the "Family Foto" after the steal? oops, I mean the election? (First 1:40 minutes of it) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEH5FNrl_0s
Having two racists in charge is terrifying for everyone.
Flem? Flem? Really? Back in the previous century, a local writer, William Faulkner, wrote about Flem … Flem Mize. Faulkner traced his bloodline back to … well … a long time ago. Flem has walked amongst Americans a long long time. We’re in for a long and rough ride.
Yoo hoo!! Made me laugh Steve. I think that is a gift this morning.
No apology needed. Frankly, I think you're spot on.
How long before the bromance between FLEM and the other guy goes down in flames? And why was Stephen King still on X in the first place? Perhaps the first lady comment was his forced exit strategy.
I am so sorry, but this did not actually happen. I wish it had, but that statement apparently came from a satire account. https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2024/nov/08/threads-posts/dont-fall-for-it-claim-that-stephen-king-was-banne/
As a European, of course I worry about what effect trump's regime is going to have on the rest of the world.
But my overwhelming emotion is deep sorrow. I still can't believe, let alone understand, how Americans have allowed this to happen - how a country with such great capacity for love and goodness can have voluntarily chosen to go down such a dark and stupid path. This is America on Oxycontin. It has taken what it sees as an "easy" solution to pain - and is now entrapped in the coils of addiction to hatred.
So, so sad. . .
Your words resonate deeply with us who share your sorrow and fear. It is heartbreaking to see the very institutions meant to safeguard freedom and equality threatened by the forces of hatred, fear, and self-interest.
America is indeed at a dangerous crossroads, and we see the weight of this moment not only for ourselves but for the entire world. Trump’s regime is not merely a domestic crisis; it is a global one. His agenda affects alliances, threatens international stability, and undermines the shared values that bind us as allies. And yet, there are still those here who believe in the American spirit—a spirit capable of reflection and redemption, of overcoming even its darkest chapters.
We know that many of our European friends, like you, watch with hope and worry, and we are grateful for that support. Your concern strengthens our resolve to resist this path and reclaim the ideals that, while tarnished, are not beyond recovery. We remain committed to that fight, knowing that the consequences of inaction extend far beyond our own borders.
Thank you for standing with us in this difficult time. Your empathy, as much as your sorrow, reminds us that we do not face this struggle alone.
Those of us north of the US northern border are also concerned...heck.... feeling stomach sick and depressed. My daughter-in-law has stopped reading the news for her mental health. I still plow through because I believe being informed is forewarned. The Canadian government has been preparing for an influx of people fleeing the U.S. - extra resources at border crossings - personnel, vehicles, busses. When I got to the "busses" part of the news I had to stop. Every day, every newscast, more reasons to expect journalists, government employees, members of the military to be added to the list in my head of those who will seek amnesty because they and their families are no longer safe in America. Sixty years ago it was young men who objected to the war in Vietnam. They were welcomed and sheltered. Most f them eventually returned. In the past couple of years Canada has welcomed families from Syria, Afghanistan,Ukraine and Gaza. Now it will be Americans seeking protection from their own government. I try to take it one day at a time. More than that is overwhelming.
Thank you for enlightening us to what is going on at the Canadian border. Thank you for providing sanctuary for those young men who were following their conscience to not invade a foreign country’s civil war and to kill its citizens. I look back at my fellow young men many of whom showed courage by sacrificing their citizenship and risking that will ever seeing their loved ones again. I did not have to make that choice thanks to a draft lottery which made a farce of “duty “ to country. I wonder how many now looking for sanctuary voted for “ leadership “ whose main appeal is to close our border and to expel “ the vermin “ within.
My husband and I vacationed in Banff last summer. It is breathtakingly beautiful and Canada is a wonderful country. Please save room for us..
I am retired and tried to obtain permanent residence in Vancouver but no go. I hope that changes as things get tougher.
Might be time for a reread of "Collapse, How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed" by Jared Diamond. Humanity has been down this road repeatedly before. Unfortunately, not with a looming climate crisis and nuclear weapons. Seems a pivotal time in history.
We have crossed the road.
Agree. We are not at a crossroad. That is in the rear view about a mile or two away and we’re going 100mph.
Propaganda tapped in to our undercurrent of disdain for women, blacks and “others.” The tea party monsters brought them out from under their rocks, and pumped them up. They need to be deflated, permanently, if the promise of America has a chance. Now the hot air is ascending.
We had that choice and the MAGAs chose
It’s important to remember THIS WAS NOT A LANDSLIDE. There are almost as many of us who did NOT choose Trump and will put obstacles in front of him.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but throwing a bunch of soapboxes in the path of a tank operated by a madman is not going to slow it down or change its course. The only thing that will stop a tank is another tank, and we don't own one.
Sounds like you've given up.
Exactly. And, let's see how the DOD "generals" like taking orders from some gotttdammmned Major. You have no idea how "majors" are despised by higher ranking officers and enlisted personnel when they get out of line. This boy better bring his lunch.
We have no power now. NONE.
How, exactly?
Like what?
Like pressuring elected officials—even your R ones—who want to remain in office after tfg goes, scrutinizing everything they do, like allowing tfg to break the law; writing and calling a lot. There were times in tfg’s 1st admin he backed down.
I’m not saying it will be easy, but I ask myself what leverage do I, especially collectively with others have and how can I use it? Remember the line guy who stood in front of a tank in Tianamen Square? Either that or I roll over and say “whatever you wish, sir.” Not my style.
The MAGAts had plenty of help from bullies, nazis, and lgb’s (lying, greedy bastards)
Fox News and other right wing propaganda succeeded in brainwashing half the population. Everyone I know who supports Trump watch Fox. They believe the Biden’s economy is terrible, immigrants are all criminals, their children or grandchildren will change their sex, climate change is a hoax, or at least overblown. My husband and I were just in Sequoia Nat’l Park and the wild fires from the past few years destroyed hundreds of thousands of acres of virgin forests. It’s heartbreaking to see. Who cares that the popular vote was close, the electoral college was not and Trump won both. Trump swept the Senate and soon the House. Who ever leads the Senate will follow Trump’s orders. There are no guardrails and our country will be fundamentally different, with a few uber wealthy winners and the rest of us, and NATO and other democratic countries around the world, will be the losers. As Musk wrote on X, we’re entering a “New World Order”.
Please don’t cede the House until the last vote is counted. Please send what you can to sustain the counts in PA and CA!
No argument here, the inmates have taken over the asylum. You know them well. As do I in Texas. I’m too old to see the end of this, but I have grand girls that will suffer along with other young women. You are right, Fox as led other media down the Fox hole. He needs to die, but he has another son who is a chip off the evil block. Wonder how that court case in Nevada played out. Would love for evil to lose for a change…
Trump didn't win — disinformation did. People didn’t vote for what they are about to get.
We can stop Trump. We need to pressure Judge Merchan to sentence him now. It needs to be a 5 year sentence without parole.
We can use the military (just as Trump plans to do) if there is a problem. It’s are only chance to stop our Hitler.
Merchan, Hon. Juan
Court Attorney: James Bergamo, Esq.
Courtroom: Part 59
Location: 100 Centre Street, Room 1602
Telephone: 646-386-4059
Fax: 212-295-4932
https://www.rawstory.com/raw-investigates/trump-disinfo/
Merchan is in an impossible position.
If he sentences trump to jail - trump won't go, and there will be civil unrest.
If he DOESN'T send trump to jail - 50% of the population will be screaming "Why not?!!" - and there will be civil unrest.
Merchan could be this country's Gavrilo Princip.
Lady
Sentence Trump, then suspend sentencing until he’s out of office
You truly think that he will EVER leave office again? Ha!
He will leave office, probably before his term is out. His health is declining, and his mental health is declining faster. Even if he survives to and through another sham "election," he is not long for this world.
Pitchfork motivation.
Suspend sentencing with the proviso that he perform four years of community service, like wearing the orange vest and picking up litter on our nation's highways.
Lady Emsworth -- I'm afraid that "jail" for Trump because of his status-position-whatever, would be confinement to Mar A Lago.
Marlo,
Transition of power has not taken place formally. You can believe, those who are using Trump to gain power and position have considered the many ways their hard earned positions may be taken away. They have prepared.
We have been beyond "blind".
How we could have allowed a thug and his minions to take over our country is shameful.
There is no comparison to the person, to the greatness and goodness and wisdom of Kamala Harris to these thugs.
We have made ourselves "losers" in every way. We have allowed this to happen year by year. We the people have no one else to blame.
We are the lobsters in tepid, then boiling water. And have been since 1980: I watched it happen, Bill Moyers tried to warn us.
How will the law and order part of even the GOP not welcome such a sentence? Even one of a year at Rikers might give us time to recover some remaining dignity for our country. He is a felon. AND the years prior conviction for the documents issue for others is really a slam dunk. He took them, he lied about what he had, he refused to return them. They were classified.
There is no longer a law and order part of “GOP”
Dead, dead, dead, it was a zombie to begin with.
Dream
I totally agree. Live in the Deep South and know many MAGA who are so misinformed that I am usually speechless. The campaign of disinformation from MAGA and Christian nationalist and foreign countries and turned many good people into fearful people I no longer understand. I actually think out only hope is for djt policies to be so abhorrent, hurt the economy so bad that these people wake up. When their daughters and granddaughters die from pregnancy complications, they can’t get birth control, lettuce is 12dollars a head…the list goes on. Already I know of fractured families where the grands voted for the stupid one and the lesbian granddaughters for Harris. The grands feel totally betrayed by the grandparents. Horrible family fractures.
Likely to worsen. My bros are lost to me.
One of mine is, now. I hung in there with him -- not wanting him to be without any "sane" family connections -- after everyone else withdrew. However, it is, sadly, time for me to withdraw now, too. (I've been patient for 49 years, always hoping against hope that he would change. Instead, the views that he espoused which were once "fringe" have now become the law of the land. So it's now time for me to take my leave...)
Cults require more energy than I have right now. I look askance at my neighbors. Trusting is hard when values that we all accepted have been turned upside down. Save yourself first. Heard that somewhere…
Good luck with the military. Things are DEFINITELY not looking good there.
Dreams gone by
Thank you Marlo. You and Heather are the slither of sun that may break through our Cape Cod sky today. I would not want to be judge Merchan.
But it’s a clarion call to continue to strengthen our democratic system vs a dangerous dumb would be tyrant.
Yes, Lady Emsworth, "so sad," as you say.
But in your para above that you well wonder "how a country with such great capacity for love and goodness can have voluntarily chosen to go down such a dark and stupid path."
The answer’s very simple, and has to do with how the very rich have grown wealth fantastically, dumping on working people to do that.
Elites in Washington, D.C., and in the legislatures, with their tens of thousands of lobbyists sucking to the corporations, have fixed the tax codes only to grow their wealth gap, and further to dump on the working poor.
Worse, and by equal design, U.S. schools long ago rid themselves of all novels, memoirs, or histories that bear on any of this. All instead keep relentlessly testing only such abstracted groupings and neutered diction that no one can use any humanities, no one can even begin to see any “others” as individuals, in any contexts.
Just the clown show we now have, albeit, as you also conclude, "So, so sad."
We all seem to know how we got here. But no one seems to know how to get out.... Long years of suffering and even perhaps gone the dream of America. Throughout history most strong Democracies lasted 200 years. Guess what?
I keep arguing, July, for essaying programs to see "others" as individuals.
Outside of groups, all the stereotyping systems that rule.
Most educators aren't interested. K-12 personnel have given the schools over to the billionaire standardized testers, and remain fine with their captivity to that.
In "higher" ed, all seem fine with everyone's mutual isolation in group identity silos, where no one has access to any humanities which could allow apt human and natural connections.
Phil, I wrote much the same. We are again “on the same page.” It’s a sad understanding. Covid was the perfect finisher to OxyContin.
https://youtu.be/Nyvxt1svxso?si=DyraDbt0J6bcjhVq
I feel the same. Also European here with strong ties to the US. I am still reeling from the whole thing, campaign and election. I never thought that I would witness such filth and utter stupidity gain so much popularity. The indecency of that atrocious 🤡 show was real. So sad and worrisome that a slight majority of US voters fell for it. I resonate strongly with your words 'entrapped in the coils of addiction to hatred'. Hatred fueled into uncontrollable flames by the algorithms of social media that thrives on engagement. Apparently enragement is the best way to keep a lot of people engaged. Sad indeed.
L l, It's greed over country of course.
That is dark, LL
Dark times.
And entertainment, wrestling style. How low can we go. Sickening
When early reporting showed both Florida’s reproductive freedom measure going down to defeat but getting 57% of the vote and Trump winning by close to that margin it meant that about 15% of Florida voters thought they could have both Trump and choice, which are mutually exclusive.
That is the mentality of the wealthy and powerful in America. They keep selling out the country as a whole to increase their hegemony on wealth and power, and allowing a fascist to run on lies, distortion and anti-Constitutional prerogatives was a price they were willing to pay, but even they are taking a risk.
Democracy and Trump are mutually exclusive.
Yes, they pumped billions into this victory, but it's also possible the Harris campaign lost the election on its own...
Harris made strategic mistakes and certainly did the bidding of powerful special interests as she climbed the political ladder (I loathe how political district attorney offices are and that that they are considered a launching pad).
That said, you can’t seriously believe she is responsible for wealth inequality being at its pinnacle, media being controlled by corporations or individual billionaires, the stacking of the supreme court, the implementation of Citizen’s United, nor a roll call to long to list. All of which have distorted perception from reality.
The strategic mistake falls on Biden who could have given us a decent primary period if there was weakness in the possibility of Harris. Pride and all that of Biden and strict monetary adherence to total support for Israel also. I don't know how anyone can't see the parallels of land grabbing of both Putin and Netanyhu as equally abhorrent and vicious.
Blame Biden for delaying Trump’s 2nd term by 4 years because no other 2020 Democratic primary candidate was beating Trump. The blame targeting one individual betrays myopic thinking.
You are spot on that Netanyahu’s land grab has been hypocritically ignored by a Democratic Administration but when has it not by the US government? I don’t think that’s getting better under Trump and Huckabee, the latter who pangs for The Rapture. Sorry, I admire Chris Van Hollen but he’s not going to be the Democratic nominee in 2028.
Paul, here you have touched on a factor that I've been railing upon for years, which has sometimes gotten me falsely labelled, but I'll review:
The U.S. is not and never has been a "Christian nation," as evangelicals falsely claim. However, Christians have maintained an undue influence on domestic and foreign policy.
Of primary importance is U.S. policy regarding Israel, which has been dictated by evangelicals who believe the declarations in Hebrew scriptures (aka Old Testament) that nations who bestow favor on Israel will be favored by God. (Pay no attention to the fact that this promise was repeated by ancient Jewish writers who stood to benefit from this policy.) Consequently, the U.S. has carried Israel in its side pocket like a lucky rabbit's foot and looked the other way when Israel's leaders have stolen neighboring land and committed atrocities, all in the interest of maintaining God's favor.
I was fortunate to grow up in a small city with a prominent Jewish population. Our public schools were some of the best in the nation. There was strong support for civil rights and civil liberties. I credit that multiculturalism for the person I am today and maintain relationships with many of my old friends.
A lifelong friend, who is Jewish, joined me rather late in life for a trip to Selma to honor those who defended civil rights on Bloody Sunday. We rode bikes from Selma to Montgomery in commemoration.
The Jewish vote has been a linchpin of both progressive and Democratic politics. It was again in 2024. Their contributions to academia, business and entertainment have been tremendous.
Israel itself has increasingly become more militarized and openly anti-democratic. Politicians and interest groups have politicized our relationship with Israel to the point that any criticism is called anti-Semitism. An authoritarian leader has entrenched himself in power and has formed coalitions with far-right segments of the population to retain power. When small segments of a population realize they have undue influence they make demands instead of compromise.
The opposition to the rise of the far-right has historically been strong. Alas, legitimate security concerns are leading to a tacit acceptance of a movement to take land and neither create equal rights nor a two-state solution.
Relationships at home and abroad are being strained; hopefully, we can overcome the forces working to drive us apart.
I don't think that Biden stepping down earlier would have helped. Who would have stepped up as a better option?
I hope Europeans are watching and preparing to confront it's own rise in fascism. I hope this is a global lesson and that forces in your country are mobilizing to preempt movements that already exist.
Russia now has an avenue to continue its warpath into NATO countries.
We (those of us that are not insane and stupid) are on the same page as you. I can't think clearly right now or even hope to figure out what to DO now. I have so much respect for people like HCR and Joyce Vance, who have been able to organize their thoughts to help us navigate this absolute nightmare. I hope by next week my brain will start working again and I live in WA, where we just elected Democrats across the board to run our state. Today I don't think that's going to matter at all once this all gets going. I, too, am living in deep sorrow.
Everyone is susceptible to a con man. America has been conned...with the help of a great many other malintentioned countries.
Trump ism is the OxyContin for those who choose fantasy & a "quick fix" over the discipline & the long term commitment for our imperfect democracy. Love your analogy & will use it. May the US kick the habit & go to rehab!
I too sorrow over this, and I am an American. None of this is a.surprise, though.
Well done, dear Lady. Our public schools began failing US after WWII; the Koch brothers went after our public universities; trickle down economics (Reagan) killed our middle class, so now we are a failing kleptocracy being finished off by a failing kleptocrat (Putin/ Trump assisted by another racist (Musk). At 90 I have watched it all. Today thinking of how to protect my Democratic state.
I'll tell you what happened – we did not have a political campaign, we had a disinformation campaign. For at least a decade or more right wing media has fed a diet of alarmist lies to enough people that they believe Trump is a viable president. It's shocking and very distressing.
Ma'am, trust me, one does not have to be a European to feel the grief you do. Now the spectacle is not only a nightmare, but also a "Who's Who" freak show. About the latter, I would chuckle, quietly and darkly, were another people facing this ordeal. It comes down to what my father said to his friend and business rival in Sydney in 1967; in effect, that he loved life in Australia because "Australia has everything America does without the burden of arrogance."
I'l make two slightly uncommon observations.
I've just been reading "The Red Haired Girl from the Bog," and the United States embraced the same economic principles that, in Britain, caused the great Irish Famine. Yes, there was the potato blight, but the question is, how did the Irish become dependent on potatoes in the first place? The answer is a form of capitalism, imposed on them by the British. We're living under that same benighted economic system, calling it both "good" and "necessary" (it most certainly is neither) and as it winds to its inevitable conclusion of wealthy minorities lording over the starving poor, we see a lot of unrest in the American public. Like an alcoholic who thinks a morning shot of vodka is a "pep-up" for the day, the US thinks a paycheck from those who grow rich by skimming from that paycheck is a viable economic system. It is not, and is moving quickly toward its apex of dysfunction. The closer it gets, the more strictly (and irrationally) it must be enforced.
(As a side-note, I think the current passion for massive wealth-building is an attempt by the rich to climb to the highest point on the sinking Titanic of the US economy, which accelerates the underlying problem. Biden never had the mandate to address this. Instead, he put inflatable rafts under the sinking end, which didn't address the problem at all.)
The second is US religion. The dominant religion in the US is Evangelicalism, which is organized in autonomous "cells" of between 10 and 500 people. The Evangelical Movement was an early 1900's rebranding of the Fundamentalist movement of the 1800's (which came from the Second Great Awakening in the early 1800's). As a form of Protestantism, it expects adherents to "read the Bible," but very few people have any idea how to read translations of ancient texts, especially involving nomadic pastoral tribes from 5000 years ago. What this means in practice is that the heads of these communities ("ministers") as well as itinerant "evangelists" can make up any damned thing they please and claim it is "The Word of God," making it binding upon the communities, with threat of community expulsion in the present, and the fires of Hell in the hereafter. All of the anti-women garbage flowing from the mouths of Republicans comes straight out of mindlessly (or malignantly) literal readings of the Bible, filtered through American misogyny.
Not all Americans agree with what happened, you know. Most of us who read and support Heather's Letters are shocked and sincerely voted for Kamala Harris.
Indeed - It seems that nearly half of voters voted for Kamala. But that just makes it even MORE sad. The lunatics are running the asylum.
I just hope enough "Republicans" in the Senate have the balls to reject Rick Scott and giving in to Trumps Recess demand. This list of cabinet people is a farce. We will find out soon enough.
One encouraging thing, kinda.
The vote for Senate Majority Leader is a secret vote, unlike the vote for Speaker of the House. They should be able to vote for whoever they really want in the position and not the biggest Medicare fraudster of all time.
And...if they do not vote for Scott, it will be hopeful.
I would love to be doing a "fly on the wall" insider documentary right now with crews covering the different Republican Senate factions. It would be fascinating.
Kinda like Conclave, only without the good acting and art direction.
😏
I dream
They will bow.
The fear the Con Don. They fear him because they are not loyal to the constitution they are loyal to the seat that they warm as they do nothing to protect the constitution and serve the republic. They serve the oligarchs and suck up to the Con Don as though he were their mother’s teat. But rather than getting nourishing milk, they are getting fed and happily eating up the MAGA Bulls**t. And they call democrats snowflakes…
Rickey, I'd call it a backward bow...
Sadly, they have repeatedly demonstrated their spinelessness and their belief in Trump’s power. When they believe their own power derives from Trump’s lies, they back away from using the power they have to resist even his most demeaning demands. They have repeatedly been asked to affirm the big lie, and now to affirm its consequences - including gutting their own independent authority. I’m not sure there is a step too far for Collins and others whom I once thought reasonable Republicans.
I am very concerned that there are three people running, two of whom might possibly be sane, at least by current republican standards. It's a way for the horrifically corrupt and stupid Scott to split the opposition and run first of three with way less than a majority of the votes. (And if it's just senators who vote, there aren't all that many of them. Winning 21 of 53 could take it, if the other two get 16 each. VERY scary.)
This is like running for Pope. I hope the other 2 are smart enough to cut a deal and not split the vote. Mitch might actually save this....
Mike Wicklein -- HCR's lead-off sentence is the best "news", or hopeful sign, I've (we've) received in a very long time!!
"The backdrop for today’s news is that Republicans in the Senate will vote by _secret ballot_ tomorrow for a new Senate majority leader."
This could help the Senate enhance its confidence, and could be the beginning of it coming to fruition, if all of us write to our senators and congressmen! Thoughts?
Doubtful. These folks are not exactly known for their spine.
Traditional Republicans have been for a strong military with a wary eye towards Russia. Purging generals based on loyalty, putting a tv host in a leadership position, and decrying “wokeness” seems counter to strengthening our military. General Milly became a hero to me by standing up to misuse of military personnel. What will be the guardrails?
Many past cabinet heads were chosen based on expertise and experience. Sure miss those days…
Phil, As for your question regarding guardrails, in my view, the only remaining guardrail on November 5th resided with the people, and we failed to deliver. Hence, I see no recourse but to turn to our governors and state attorneys general and press them to ensure that the things the Trump Administration wants to do federally do not conflict with an individual or citizen’s rights within their states.
Putin is sure getting his money's worth. It's too stupid to be satire. Hopefully most of our military is, in the end, most loyal to the Constitution, not the wannabee dictator.
IF they are not completely destroyed by the orange sadist. He's already got a plan to purge the generals who won't "obey" him. (Is he really going to Court Martial Four-Star General Mark Milley as he said he was going to do?)
If the "heads get changed", the troops follow marching orders..
Absolutely.
This crowd is on Putin’s leash
"Purging generals based on loyalty". The beginning of the end. Or is it the end of the beginning? The latter, I think.
kd, I don't think it is an end of anything. It is but the start of something awful.
I was quoting Churchill, and what I meant was "the beginning" was the increasing control of our society by the orange sadist & co. -- which began almost 10 years ago, when the O.S. rode down the "gold" escalator with his arm-candy. Those 10 years have brought us to where we are today. Thus, what I referred to as "the end of the beginning" -- i.e., things had to happen to make it possible for our nation to be in this current Hell. Now Stage II is set.
Exactly so.
Hopefully Biden has a plan to use his presidential immunity.
He sure as heck had better hurry up. Sad to say, I've lost my confidence in him. He had let down our country in a most terrible way, refusing to say that he would step aside a year ago, as he had promised when elected.
Jesus Christ… his “ team”.. reminds me of a really shitty Spider Man movie.. the cartoonish villain, and his cast of mal intended associates taking over Gotham City. I will always hate the people who voted for this
Still not so sure they voted for this. Never forget he said I don't need any more votes. I have all I need. Logic is stood on its head as he alienated voter blocks. The fix was in.
Happened after he was so flumfloxed by Biden dropping out. It took Rupert and crew a week at most to turn the sexist cannon on Dems. With the aid of Putin bots, the fix was truly in. You could tell by his confident “entertaining” at rallies. A free and fair election, this was not.
They got Orwellized. Most of them anyway. Top figures involved in this travesty know very well they are telling lies, but it cost billions to to ensnare so many of the rank an file in them; and the overall passivity of the "free" (but bought up and sold out) press. Woodward and Bernstein spoke out about it.
1984, belatedly moved to 2024...
J L, you hit the nail on the head.
Keep expecting to see Peter Lorre pop up as "Secretary of Spies. . ."
Also waiting for Kevin McCarthy to get his reward.
And Marge!
?
Mike, we knew this was coming. Now it's Stalin instead of Hitler driving the clown car. We can get through this. I'm more interested in who's going to be the new Senate Majority Leader right now.
Rick Scott
July, I found a photo of the contenders: 🙈🙉🙊
Perfect.. in keeping with our new cartoonish villain reality
Hell no!
Ignorance is not bliss. Certainly in this setting ignorance is running our country off the tracks of our Constitution. We have used the phrase _In God we Trust_ for so many generations. Where have we become derailed? Our educational institutions have
Let us down.
Carol, NO. Please do not blame our educators or educational institutions! You are buying into the bullshit of MAGAs. Fortunately, Our schools and universities have produced women like Prof Richardson! My family and so many others have included dedicated teachers and professors — one of the few positions we women were allowed to pursue in past years. I see no evidence that we played any role in the fostering the vulgar, hateful, sexist, racist and criminal behavior of Trump and his supporters. Women have faced enough discrimination and do not deserve blame for Trump!!
It was a very long successful plan , been done before, no barnstorming needed just a steady infiltration so subtle . The felonious cat stalk …walked right in, sat right down, and ‘Daddy’ let his mind roll on …the new world order is in play ..The Rooftop Singers (us) bleating in the wind
We are all wondering whose heads will roll first…in the ‘so sad’ story..
God let us and Ukraine and Gaza and all the starving children in thee world down
And please, i see no reason to blame God for Trump.
I am not blaming nor giving credit to God for anything. Just wondering when he or she might like to help
Touché!
God doesn’t play the human games, he gives us the heart and strength to do our jobs.
It is up to us to clean up the horror of our times. Look at the history plagues, depressions, wars. These produced vaccines, economic ‘guardrails’ and the UN. None keep us completely safe, yet we are healthier, richer and safer than so much of the past. Our job now is to work to keep those achievements and slow climate change by working together.
It's every bit as bad as we feared. At 83, I don't expect to live long enough to see it get better
Jim,
I know, I know. But we can't go back. We must pay attention and join the Resistance. It's part of taking care of the people you love. I'm thinking of my grandchildren.
This is my goal as well.
Mine as well. Not going down without a big ass fight from me. Keeps me sane having this mentality. Even if I’m the delusional one rn.
I’m inclined to continue working w Scott Dworkin & Simon Rosenberg and many others in this publishing space. Walking away, or standing on the sidelines gawking is Not Constructive. There’s much to do.
Nor i
I’m 65 and I’m wondering if I’ll ever vote or see democracy again.
At 66 I wonder the same thing.
I won’t but can’t surrender my grand girls. Talked to one at lunch about moving , and she said I like Oregon. Not great but way better than current Texas.
Vermont is looking pretty right now, too. The insanity is just beginning-I just saw Matt Gaetz is nominated for AG. Beyond sickening….
Oh lord, I missed that. Guess his sexual crime disappears. At least he didn’t say he wants to kill all left-leaning women. Can’t wait to see if McCarthy is embraced or shunned. He should be tarred and feathered. Well, so should Matt. Guess MTG is destined for evil things.
It just happened. He married one of his victims. Not sure the status of his investigations, but his buddy and partner in crime got convicted. Gaetz probably bought his freedom. He has a family history of that. This incoming administration-They all belong in prison. How could they ever think people will take them seriously? Gaetz alienated almost everyone in Congress except the MAGATS. It will be interesting to see if he passes confirmation hearings. At least Scott was denied majority leader. My state of Florida sure provides some real garbage to congress-including Marco Rubio tapped for Secretary of State….? It would be laughable if it weren’t so toxic.
Me too! Motivation to live 4 more years to see if we can right the ship?
If it’s even possible after all of this destruction-if there’s anything left to salvage….
Thank you Professor Richardson.
"And yet, the Framers of the Constitution believed that the Senate would be the key guardrail to stop the rise of an autocrat who would destroy democracy and install himself as a king. They expected that the determination of senators to guard their own power would protect the nation."
This was already "asked and answered". Twice.
https://www.npr.org/sections/trump-impeachment-trial-live-updates/2021/02/13/967098840/senate-acquits-trump-in-impeachment-trial-again
The Framers planned for Senators to be appointed by the individual states, but that was changed due to the politicians bribing legislators for the appointments. I'm not a historian, but I think it was the early twentieth century when Senators began to be elected by the voters at large. I have wondered if we would still have the gridlock if it had been left alone.
No system that involves people can be made so perfect that it cannot be used for ill in bad faith. It helps to make it as creep-proof as possible, but the ultimate essential safeguards are diligence, and a preponderant social preference for truth and decency.
Thank you Gloria. I think if appointed by individual States, it might not be much different -as such an appointment would be by the House, and "Red" states would simply send "R" Senators. This would seem to preclude any Independent Senators from taking office.
17th Amendment to the Constitution ratified in 1913
Mitch McConnell is out if I'm not mistaken.
Which is ironic since he paved the way for Trump with the Senate acquittals and his remaking of SCOTUS (with Leonard Leo and Barre Seid). If anything, Trump should be erecting statues as tribute to McConnell.
He had already said he was stepping aside. What with all of his spacey TIA spells & all.
So surprised to find myself rooting for the CEO of ExxonMobil. But here we are.
There is real money involved here. I get it that many billionaires feel entitled to rule the world, but CEO have a company to run, and an annual report to face. I have been surprised by how quiet most of them have been as Trump announced his plans to induce chaos.
you got jokes...first laugh of the day, thanks.
The anti-1776 King Donald III (the mad king) has arrived.
Everything we fought for against King George III he wishes to undo to make himself king. His coterie of clinging sycophants are desperate for their power they could never achieve by their own capabilities.
The know-nothings are here.
King George looks good by comparison.
As Mel Brooks said, "It's good to be the king".
EeeGad.
A veritable rogue’s gallery of sycophants, sociopaths and incompetents. As Luke Skywalker says: “I have a bad feeling about this.”
That was Han Solo, but yeah - I catch your drift.
Obi-Wan, you're our only hope
Who’s our Obi-Wan?
Susan,
That's a good question. I guess it's whoever is leading the resistance. For me, I thought it was Kamala for awhile. I sort of fell in love with her for awhile. In this community, I would say it's Heather. It's really up to you though.
Lots of bad feelings: https://youtu.be/_pcwcHF2FKY?feature=shared
And it _was_ Luke Skywalker who said this immortal phrase: https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/I_have_a_bad_feeling_about_this
It was my reading of Project 2025 that prepared me for what is now happening. I was particularly concerned about the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community plans outlined there, as well as the Departments of Education and Health and Human services. In every chapter there were plans against "DEI" and "Wokeness" is mentioned as a bad thing, as well as anti immigrant statements throughout the document The Mandate for Leadership, which I read and discussed in a Democrats Abroad book club group. We did not finish it but read and discussed 20 of 30 chapters and the Forward.
I foresee a lot of infighting between the party politicians, and the Oligarchs. Clearly the oligarchs bought the election and they expect to rule. Many of the oligarchs that bought the election are not Americans, or are naturalized citizens like Musk, Thiel, Putin, the Saudi Prince, and countless others with dark money backing the Trump group.
Prof. Timothy Snyder made an analogy between the incoming government and the 60s sitcom Gilligan's Island called Oligarchs' Island.
https://snyder.substack.com/p/oligarchs-island?r=f0qfn&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email&triedRedirect=true
Here is a version of the show in movie form if you are unfamiliar with it. It is very stupid.
https://youtu.be/DtPnUOO-5UU?si=JZYMbIgfhEJiJ2oe
Let us hope that we can get rid of a willing Congress in 2 years. That is something to strive for. In the meantime we need to have democratic sources of information, and I am recommending getting a VPN if you can to make sure that you have access to information around the world.
You are assuming we will have the vote in two years. I doubt it.
Terry, I will assume that until we don't have it. We may not, but let us not give everything up already. Instead we should be looking at what we can do to strengthen our voting institution. There are other organizations we should be strengthening as well. That is what was found to help backsliding democracies.
https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/misunderstanding-democratic-backsliding/
Profs. Ben-Ghiat and Snyder say don't already start giving up before they are in power. They are both experts on illiberal governments.
Thank you Linda. I ponder what it is about Americans that they are so easily manipulated. The overwhelming comments here are desultory, defeatist and surrendering before the inauguration. We have had a relatively safe and easy 248 years. We either want our Republic or not.
Don't obey in advance. First rule in dealing with oligarchs. Vote. Insist on voting. Insist the it counts and is protected. Don't give that up.
The Administration of trump hasn't even been sworn in yet and people are giving up. Are Americans spoiled? Are Americans lazy? Are Americans unable to do what Resistance movements have done throughout History?
I think a lot of us, myself included, are shocked and grieving. We (I) need time to recover. And then we will dust ourselves off and get back to work.
Me too KR. I keep waking up at night. I jerk awake and am afraid.
BUT. We have to be strong and help each other to not despair and give up.
The Presidency, the Senate, the House, SCOTUS, and a large portion of the 4th Estate. We are at 'End Game.' Democracy decided it rather have a king, and a rabid one at that. America has now taken the mask off and sayin Autocracy with their whole chest. I've been here 70 years and I'm not surprised, alarmed, but not surprised. The West/East Coasts is our 'Obi Wan.' The only hope is the few blue states willing to fight and hold the Federal Government at bay while we find our 'sea legs.'
I too doubt the 'powers that be' will leave any wiggle room for this power grab not to come to fruition. American oligarchs mean to rule, and now they will.
A better analogy is Lets Make a Deal. Trump as Monty Hall.
Heritage policy is secondary to Trump's need to grift.
I expect Trump to cash in -- do his best to steal the national treasury. IMHO he wants to maximize incarceration. I wrote about it the other day. Some say that Trump looks forward to benefit the private jail industry. Whether he gets a piece of the action is within the realm of possibilities. Before he would deport illegals he'll "concentrate" them. https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/11/private-prison-stocks-jump-on-trump-appointment-of-immigration-hardliner-tom-homan.html Reminds me of internal exile, gulags.....
Similarly, re homelessness Republican leaders in Congress would equate homelessness with vagrancy and would prosecute and incarcerate them to eliminate the problem.
Meanwhile, Batista had a concept, BANDES. El Presidente got a cut of everything, to systematically profit from the exploitation of Cuba's commercial interests, by negotiating lucrative relationships both with the American Mafia, who controlled the drug, gambling, and prostitution businesses in Havana, and with large U.S.-based multinational companies who were awarded lucrative contracts. Trump is contemplating Little Marco Rubio, Batistiano Uno, as Secretary of State. With Musk, I expect lots of deals.....
As I said yesterday, I expect a lot of privatization, and the displacement of the government to Trump loyalists and donors. Trillions in government trust funds. Hard assets like real estate. Rename the budlings after corporate sponsors. The Trump White House, literally.
The cost savings will go to the top 1% who Trump expects will become business partners, in the nature of Batista's BANDES.
As for me, I'm still playing the lottery.....
Snyder is telling a humorous story about the incoming administration to take away their power. You are giving it right back to them in anticipation.
Linda, that take on Gilligan's Island was well done.
Good advice
A Call to Senators to Uphold Democracy
Today, Senate Republicans face a choice: to protect the democratic principles this nation was founded upon, or to pave the way for authoritarianism. This is not just a vote for a new majority leader; it's a test of allegiance to democracy over loyalty to a single man and his extremist vision.
As Trump’s influence grows, so does his disregard for constitutional boundaries. His proposed executive order, creating a board to purge military officers based on personal loyalty rather than professional integrity, is chillingly reminiscent of Stalin's officer purges. Such a move would undermine the U.S. military's professionalism, transforming it from a respected, nonpartisan force into a tool of personal allegiance.
This is part of a broader scheme that includes the establishment of a new Department of Government Efficiency—nicknamed “DOGE”—to slash regulations and “restructure” federal agencies. Trump’s reliance on Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy for such a task shows a willingness to compromise critical governance structures for personal gain. The damage could be irreversible, not just to democratic institutions but to the very fabric of our society.
Meanwhile, the implications for climate policy are severe. Trump’s promise to “drill, baby, drill” ignores the progress made in renewable energy, even as fossil fuel giants like Exxon caution against backtracking on climate commitments. This disregard for sustainable progress jeopardizes our economy and our future. In fact, even major energy corporations acknowledge the need for stability in climate policy, understanding that dismantling green initiatives would hurt economic growth.
Senators, this is not merely about party lines or political alliances—it's about defending democracy from a blatant power grab with long-lasting consequences. The framers of our Constitution saw the Senate as a guardrail against autocratic ambitions. Now, with the future of the nation hanging in the balance, we urge you to act as such. Refuse to let Trump’s extremism define your leadership. Vote with integrity, not for MAGA loyalists, but for the Constitution, the people, and the preservation of democracy.
You know that - and care.
I know that - and care.
The Republican senators know that - and -????
Today, the Senate stands at a crossroads. The choices Senators make will reveal whether they are stewards of the Constitution or merely enablers of autocratic ambitions. The stakes are unmistakable: will the Senate, once envisioned as a pillar of democracy, become a platform for unchecked power, or will it stand firm against the erosion of our nation's founding principles?
Autocracy does not arise in a vacuum. It creeps in, masked by promises of “efficiency” and loyalty. Yet history reminds us that true patriots defend their nation's values, not the ambitions of one man. As Senators cast their votes, we will witness whether there remains any resolve to uphold the Constitution or if that resolve has withered in the face of expediency.
Today’s vote will echo far beyond the Senate chamber. It will test not only the strength of our democracy but the fortitude of those elected to safeguard it. We watch, waiting to see if the principles that built this nation still stand, or if autocracy has found its foothold.
I am not optimistic.
I see it like the crusades, Trump is holding a sword to their necks. This is when if you were a candidate, you'd pray to lose. Who would have thought we'd give away our country
"As Trump’s influence grows, so does his disregard for constitutional boundaries. His proposed executive order, creating a board to purge military officers based on personal loyalty rather than professional integrity, is chillingly reminiscent of Stalin's officer purges."
I seem to recall mention of how Germans getting around restrictions on their military size and equipment after WWI by secretly training Russians similar to what I found descibed at https://news.nd.edu/news/historian-offers-first-deep-dive-into-secret-german-soviet-alliance-that-laid-groundwork-for-wwii/
"...The Germans and Soviets would use each other — at great cost — to remedy their own perceived military weaknesses,” Johnson writes.
For German military leaders, the alliance with the Soviets allowed them to get around the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, which dismantled the Imperial German Army after WWI and forbade Germany from developing or purchasing modern tools of war. A partnership with the Soviet Union meant rearmament and, someday, a war of revenge, according to Johnson.
Devastated by war and internationally isolated, the Soviet Union, in turn, received technical expertise, financial capital and new military technologies..."
A friend, who had contacts with Intelligence types, gave me a copy of David Kahn's "The Code Breakers" back in 1997 which I seem to recall describing the Germans creating a couple years of coded messages between Germany and Soviet Generals related to the training programs. They were carefully crafted so that when they "accidentally" let the Stalin discover the code, the messages would convince him the generals were traitors, getting him to get rid of so many of his best generals.
The ebook version I would like is a but steep, so I'll be looking to see if I still have it packed up from the move from CA before I buy another copy. It was TMI for me, to have laying around for people to ask about.
It does seem as if Putin is getting his pet to get rid of our best generals, though.
Likely don’t. How many times have they stood up to him. You don’t need more than one hand to count,
I don't trust those Republican senators any further than I can throw them.
...don't give a rusty...err....nail.
It loses something missing the profanity.
Very well stated. However, those who have remained in the GQP are not honorable people from whom you may expect decency.
Since the senate will pick their leader by secret ballot there is room for hope that they pick someone other than Rick Scott who is a polarizing figure.
And a crook
Fingers crossed…
but splitting a vote of 53 senators three ways means that Scott could win with 21 votes...
The common thread through all of his actions in his life: the law does not matter, only what I want.
P25 is the plan and it is coming. Any fool that thinks was not involved with it needs to be reminded he claimed he knew nothing about the intentions of the violent factions of J6.
When you say, by law, I assume that you meant prior to November 6, 2024. Or, more accurately January 20, 2025. Too many Americans voted for a dictator. We will have him. And a cadre of sycophants, oligarchs, and weasels, to keep us all in line. If we are depending on John Cornyn for sane support, he only looks sane compared with Ted Cruz. The Heritage vipers have been busy, chump is following orders and pretending to be in charge. After Jan 20, he can head back to the golf course and let the competent evil do their duty As Putin would have it.
“For many people, the rule of law has become a laughing stock, a joke. But hear me out on this—abandoning the rule of law is not the path forward for us. Insisting on it, demanding that it still apply, is.” ~ Joyce Vance
I think Judge Merchant should go ahead with Trump’s sentencing and give him a lengthy sentence him in jail so he would remain in jail for at least 6 years.
This is our ONLY chance to stop him. He plans to use the military for immigration, we can use it too if there is trouble.
Trump delayed and delayed. He chose to be sentenced after the election. It’s time for justice.
“President Biden will host Trump tomorrow at the WH. He might as well be Neville Chamberlain inviting Hitler over for tea.”
~ Rita Parker
Biden won't do it but should use his Presidential power to round them all up and lock them up. Has the media forgotten Biden is still President and we are all witnessing treason of our country. We are rolling over and playing dead.
I think Biden, unleashed by the Supreme Court, is our only hope. What if anything he can do Is questionable. He should ask a good prosecutor for advice.
Chump will pardon himself, that option melted away
He can only pardon himself from Federal convictions not state convictions
I had forgotten that, a sliver of good news. But will anybody pursue it now..