I promised myself that I would not torture myself by watching the ins and outs of Trump‘s second term, as I did every single day of his first term. However, it is scholars such as HCR who put things into perspective for me, show me that I’m not alone, segue me into other critical thinkers that really have something to say and I thank @Dozier Bell for introducing me to Letters from an American. It has made all the difference.
I said oh no another 4 years of nothing but Trump. Yet we cannot turn away. It's coming at us. Lest we fall into despair, which is a killer, we need to find ourselves in solidarity and hope and know of the power gathering, pushing back and to join in whatever way. Sooner or later the pain of Trump hits more and this is his demise.. yin and yang. The more he causes outrage the more we wake up to the need to end this scourge, however we can, in whatever ways we can, because they keep going and destroying as we let them. So many are working on this. Agreed HCR is excellent; thankful for her.
Thank you! This seems to be consistent with the classic virtues, and with Judeo-Christian values; and is part of the historical basis underlying both international law, treaties, the Geneva Conventions (of which the U.S. (We) are legally bound to honor), and the uniform code of military justice, which governs the standards of conduct for all service members as well as all federal civilian workers and officials great and small. Pete Hegseth, the Secetary of Extrajudicial Killing, should go back to his old occupation of drinking heavily, threatening his most essential aides with lie-detector tests, and firing anyone who is gay, black, female, etc. (Secetary of Misogyny and Overt Racism). God help us all!
Trump’s support is waning because of three things, broadly speaking. The intense corruption of Trump, his family and those that surround him. 1. The cash grab, general corruption and self-glorification is hard to stomach event for the most dedicated. From massive golden ballrooms to hiding the Epstein files, it’s all about Donald. 2. The cruelty and persecution that ranges from the blameless immigrant community and of long-serving apolitical government workers to political opponents in his own party and elsewhere which is driven by racism and personal grievances. It was so bad that Marjorie Taylor Green resigned! 3. The sight of Trump, who once trumpeted his own strength, now a dribbling, snoozing, confused old duffer who cannot hold a coherent thought in his addled head.
The last one is the kicker because he kept those closest to him safe as long as it was safe for him to do so. Now, it’s become clear that he cannot keep anyone safe as he spirals into ever greater cognitive decline and that, as a result, lots of people are going to jail, it’s not the expedient move to support him.
Great point. I think that’s true, too. There has to be some interplay with the selfish money grab thing, too. “He only cares for himself and not for me”.
That's hardly new, although he has been worse this time around. David Kirkpatrick of the New Yorker estimates that up to August this year Trump had made a cool $3.4bn out of the presidency. I agree that the opulent ballroom and the ostentatious Great Gatsby party did him no favours with the poor and miserable wretches who have lent him their support.
I wonder how many MAGA supporters have seen images of Trump like this.
This is no time to rest. Tides go in and out. We must reaffirm the battle for democracy is an ongoing daily mission. Pressure must be applied no matter what the news tells us. Thanks to the very spirited effort of Dr. Richardson, we are still rising to this challenge. Truth to power. Never give up!
Exactly. In warfare (and this is war: for the rule of law, the Constitution, democracy, freedom, of “We the People” against a dictator, of good against evil) when a weakness occurs in your opponent, it is not time to take a self congratulatory rest but to arouse your forces to take advantage of the weakness. (The Art of War by Sun Tzu) We have the power of E Pluribus Unum.
The following articles define the legal status of personnel and set forth the action permitted against them under international law.
511 Enemy Warships and Military Aircraft
a. CAPTURED ENEMY PERSONNEL. The offices and crews of captured or destroyed enemy warships and military aircraft (including naval and military auxiliaries) should be made prisoners of war. Persons authorized by a belligerent to accompany his armed forces, though without actually being members thereof, also should be made prisoners of war. Religious, medical, and hospital personnel taken from enemy warships and military aircraft should not be considered prisoners of war, although they may be retained by the belligerent commander, under whose authority they are, to minister to the needs of the prisoners of war. b. ENEMY WOUNDED AND DEAD. As far as military interests permit, after each engagement all possible measures should be taken without delay to search for and collect the shipwrecked, wounded, and sick; to protect them against pillage and ill-treatment; to ensure their adequate care; and to search for the dead and prevent their being despoiled. c. QUARTER. It is forbidden to refuse quarter to any enemy who has surrendered in good faith. In particular, it is forbidden either to continue to attack enemy warships and military aircraft which have clearly indicated a readiness to surrender or to fire upon the survivors of such vessels and aircraft who no longer have the means to defend themselves.
This is the most basic and universal requirement of any commander or soldier in any combat situation. Why didn’t Pete Kegbreath understand this most essential and fundamental obligation of every military officer and soldier, marine or aviator?
Read MTG's full statement on why she is quitting MAGA. Unity based on demonization of "the other" can only work for so long. This movement, now 10 years old, has little fuel left in the tank. Last week's scary authoritarian stunts by ICE in the swing state of NC did not help the Republican candidate for Senate.
I pray this is this ugly administration's undoing. There is so much work to be done to reenforce and clean up our system to prevent this from occurring again.
As Heather has suggested, write or email your representatives in Congress and in your State government especially with personal stories about how you and your families lives have been affected. Participate in government functions, attend demonstrations as much as you can, etc.. Let them know how you the people feel about what Heather Cox Richardson is telling you is happening everyday. Don’t wait. Everyday that passes makes it more difficult to defeat the tyranny.
Go to https://www.nokings.org for information about the location of a nonviolent rally in your area. This is an opportunity to show that “We the People” want democracy and the rule of law. Our right to “peaceably assemble” is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the US Constitution.
Thank you for your steadfast reporting and what I believe qualifies as emotional support during the chaos! I believe things have begun to turn around as you have been saying while you give us facts that prove dissatisfaction is growing against him and we can eventually get our country back!!! Ever so grateful for your hard work!!!!
Dead Men Tell No Tales
He claims he didn’t do it,
but sources say he did—
what could amount to war crimes
and/or murders that are hid.
How good was the intelligence
that justified the strike?
And what justification
to kill those still alive?
Armed Services Committees in the
Senate and the House
now say they are determined that the
ugly truth come out.
Who gave and followed orders? Did they
go beyond the pale?
Who thought they’d get away with it…
for dead men tell no tales.
Dale K. Nichols
November 30, 2025
Never Trump Poetry Substack
😊 Nicely put!
Thanks, Sherry.
Perfect!
Absolutely, as was Thomas Crook, butler, PA. Can't interrogate a corpus. As you said, dead men tell no tales.
Excellent summary of the cracks in MAGA/Trump. As usual, HCR penetrates the fog.
I promised myself that I would not torture myself by watching the ins and outs of Trump‘s second term, as I did every single day of his first term. However, it is scholars such as HCR who put things into perspective for me, show me that I’m not alone, segue me into other critical thinkers that really have something to say and I thank @Dozier Bell for introducing me to Letters from an American. It has made all the difference.
I said oh no another 4 years of nothing but Trump. Yet we cannot turn away. It's coming at us. Lest we fall into despair, which is a killer, we need to find ourselves in solidarity and hope and know of the power gathering, pushing back and to join in whatever way. Sooner or later the pain of Trump hits more and this is his demise.. yin and yang. The more he causes outrage the more we wake up to the need to end this scourge, however we can, in whatever ways we can, because they keep going and destroying as we let them. So many are working on this. Agreed HCR is excellent; thankful for her.
What?! 30% of Americans "approve" of the attacks on Venezuela?! That means 30% of our country is either uninformed or totally "sick!"
sick and horrifying.
They're likely the same 30% who have no idea where Venezuela is.
I know, I just don't get it.
Soldier’s Rules are ─
Soldiers fight only enemy combatants.
Soldiers do not harm enemies who surrender. They disarm them and turn them over to their superior.
Soldiers do not kill or torture any personnel in their custody.
Soldiers collect and care for the wounded, whether friend or enemy.
Soldiers do not attack medical personnel, facilities, or equipment.
Soldiers destroy no more than the mission requires.
Soldiers treat civilians humanely.
Soldiers respect private property and possessions.
Soldiers should do their best to prevent violations of the law of war.
Soldiers report all violations of the law of war to their superior.
Thank you! This seems to be consistent with the classic virtues, and with Judeo-Christian values; and is part of the historical basis underlying both international law, treaties, the Geneva Conventions (of which the U.S. (We) are legally bound to honor), and the uniform code of military justice, which governs the standards of conduct for all service members as well as all federal civilian workers and officials great and small. Pete Hegseth, the Secetary of Extrajudicial Killing, should go back to his old occupation of drinking heavily, threatening his most essential aides with lie-detector tests, and firing anyone who is gay, black, female, etc. (Secetary of Misogyny and Overt Racism). God help us all!
It looks like the soldiers really needed that reminder.
I am so happy I took the time to listen to this podcast. EVERYONE should listen to or read this!
exactly….
Thank you, Heather! All good news!🤞
Trump’s support is waning because of three things, broadly speaking. The intense corruption of Trump, his family and those that surround him. 1. The cash grab, general corruption and self-glorification is hard to stomach event for the most dedicated. From massive golden ballrooms to hiding the Epstein files, it’s all about Donald. 2. The cruelty and persecution that ranges from the blameless immigrant community and of long-serving apolitical government workers to political opponents in his own party and elsewhere which is driven by racism and personal grievances. It was so bad that Marjorie Taylor Green resigned! 3. The sight of Trump, who once trumpeted his own strength, now a dribbling, snoozing, confused old duffer who cannot hold a coherent thought in his addled head.
The last one is the kicker because he kept those closest to him safe as long as it was safe for him to do so. Now, it’s become clear that he cannot keep anyone safe as he spirals into ever greater cognitive decline and that, as a result, lots of people are going to jail, it’s not the expedient move to support him.
He has no idea how to tackle the cost of living crisis - that''s why his approval rating is plummeting.
Great point. I think that’s true, too. There has to be some interplay with the selfish money grab thing, too. “He only cares for himself and not for me”.
That's hardly new, although he has been worse this time around. David Kirkpatrick of the New Yorker estimates that up to August this year Trump had made a cool $3.4bn out of the presidency. I agree that the opulent ballroom and the ostentatious Great Gatsby party did him no favours with the poor and miserable wretches who have lent him their support.
I wonder how many MAGA supporters have seen images of Trump like this.
https://x.com/drdave1999/status/1995173420624232635?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1995173420624232635%7Ctwgr%5Ee1f07db0b4b18226adda64ae9791b361d495e95d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rawstory.com%2Ftrump-2674356634%2F
Thank you, Heather, for continuing to provide comprehensive and clear information! The winds appear to be shifting to benefit morality and democracy!
This is no time to rest. Tides go in and out. We must reaffirm the battle for democracy is an ongoing daily mission. Pressure must be applied no matter what the news tells us. Thanks to the very spirited effort of Dr. Richardson, we are still rising to this challenge. Truth to power. Never give up!
Exactly. In warfare (and this is war: for the rule of law, the Constitution, democracy, freedom, of “We the People” against a dictator, of good against evil) when a weakness occurs in your opponent, it is not time to take a self congratulatory rest but to arouse your forces to take advantage of the weakness. (The Art of War by Sun Tzu) We have the power of E Pluribus Unum.
Do you think Kristi knows the difference between persecute and prosecute. I guess they are interchangeable for her.
510 Personnel
The following articles define the legal status of personnel and set forth the action permitted against them under international law.
511 Enemy Warships and Military Aircraft
a. CAPTURED ENEMY PERSONNEL. The offices and crews of captured or destroyed enemy warships and military aircraft (including naval and military auxiliaries) should be made prisoners of war. Persons authorized by a belligerent to accompany his armed forces, though without actually being members thereof, also should be made prisoners of war. Religious, medical, and hospital personnel taken from enemy warships and military aircraft should not be considered prisoners of war, although they may be retained by the belligerent commander, under whose authority they are, to minister to the needs of the prisoners of war. b. ENEMY WOUNDED AND DEAD. As far as military interests permit, after each engagement all possible measures should be taken without delay to search for and collect the shipwrecked, wounded, and sick; to protect them against pillage and ill-treatment; to ensure their adequate care; and to search for the dead and prevent their being despoiled. c. QUARTER. It is forbidden to refuse quarter to any enemy who has surrendered in good faith. In particular, it is forbidden either to continue to attack enemy warships and military aircraft which have clearly indicated a readiness to surrender or to fire upon the survivors of such vessels and aircraft who no longer have the means to defend themselves.
This is the most basic and universal requirement of any commander or soldier in any combat situation. Why didn’t Pete Kegbreath understand this most essential and fundamental obligation of every military officer and soldier, marine or aviator?
There are a lot of other factors in the crack-up of MAGA. https://jimbuie.substack.com/p/trump-made-gains-with-minorities
Read MTG's full statement on why she is quitting MAGA. Unity based on demonization of "the other" can only work for so long. This movement, now 10 years old, has little fuel left in the tank. Last week's scary authoritarian stunts by ICE in the swing state of NC did not help the Republican candidate for Senate.
I pray this is this ugly administration's undoing. There is so much work to be done to reenforce and clean up our system to prevent this from occurring again.
As Heather has suggested, write or email your representatives in Congress and in your State government especially with personal stories about how you and your families lives have been affected. Participate in government functions, attend demonstrations as much as you can, etc.. Let them know how you the people feel about what Heather Cox Richardson is telling you is happening everyday. Don’t wait. Everyday that passes makes it more difficult to defeat the tyranny.
Go to https://www.nokings.org for information about the location of a nonviolent rally in your area. This is an opportunity to show that “We the People” want democracy and the rule of law. Our right to “peaceably assemble” is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the US Constitution.
Unfortunately praying won’t do it. (“God helps those who help themselves” - Benjamin Franklin)
Yes, we cannot blame this hot mess on God!
Agreed.
Thank you for your steadfast reporting and what I believe qualifies as emotional support during the chaos! I believe things have begun to turn around as you have been saying while you give us facts that prove dissatisfaction is growing against him and we can eventually get our country back!!! Ever so grateful for your hard work!!!!
An alliance of former JAG officials issued a statement saying that this is a war crime / murder. Hegseth has to go-
I think they are going down, but when we retake our country, none of us can afford to stand down.