Today, Representative Ryan Zinke (R-MT), who was former president Trump’s Interior Secretary until he left under accusations of misconduct, introduced a bill to ban Palestinians from the United States and to revoke any visas issued to Palestinians since October 1 of this year. Although the U.S. has resettled only about 2,000 Palestinians in the last 20 years, ten other far-right members of the House signed onto Zinke’s bill, which draws no distinction between Hamas and Palestinian civilians.
Today's letter is stark and unembellished, because it contains such a long list of authoritarian actions. One can choose to take this all as an overwhelmingly dire threat and become exhausted. Or, we could be seeing a desperate attempt by far right nationalists to hold back the tide of resistance to Trumpism. I know this is a binary assessment. A true reading of these events would show many skirmishes, some favoring extremists, others favoring the survival of our partial democracy. At least Trump and some of his accomplices are on trial. At least some of us have awakened to the threats we face.
I believe that Professor Richardson has shown us through her writings that we collectively suffer from a deeper rot of oligarchic and moral corruption that extends back to the days of Black slavery and the genocide against first nations. Let's pick those areas where we can make a difference and fight the good fight without exhausting ourselves in what will be a prolonged upheaval.
Trump and his Republicans show a horrible vision of America’s future. People must hear these contrasts before they decide how to vote next year. Thanks HCR for continuing to present the facts and keeping us engaged.
Heather’s letter today screams dystopia. And moderate Republicans signed on when the made Johnson Speaker.
Trump proposes to give MAGA adherents a college degree and government jobs with a pension. He’s not abolishing the administrative state, he’s proposing to take it over by presidential dictate. It is a carrot to his followers and a stick to everyone else.
What is "equal protection under law" if the right to vote is impeded or denied by negligent error or political corruption. What is the damage to the rights of affected individuals? What is the damage to the integrity of the government?
The most important thing to watch for now is the emergence of a "third Party". We cannot allow anything to split the Democratic vote. I'd like to know how that effort is progressing. Hubble wrote about it this morning in his Blog. Someone yesterday suggested we read him also, and I did.
“Trump has made no secret of his future plans for the United States of America.
Meanwhile, Republicans appear determined to push their agenda over the wishes of voters.”
This is so obviously treason. I simply cannot understand why these Fascists are continuously allowed to get away with this.
Aren’t there any laws that can be implemented immediately, without years of quibbling in court cases?
Are the law enforcement officers so brainwashed by the Trumpet Cult that we can’t depend on them to haul these terrorists off to prison?
Is a civil war the only way to deal with these transgressions?
In the “Republic”, Plato's Socrates raises a number of objections to democracy. He claims that democracy is a danger due to excessive freedom. He also argues that, in a system in which everyone has a right to rule, all sorts of selfish people who care nothing for the people but are only motivated by their own personal desires are able to attain power. He concludes that democracy risks bringing dictators, tyrants, and demagogues to power. He also claims that democracies have leaders without proper skills or morals and that it is quite unlikely that the best equipped to rule will come to power.
"House extremists continue to back Trump even as he is openly calling for an authoritarian second term."
He is not calling for a second term.
He is calling for the overthrow of the Republic and his enthronement as Dictator. President-for-Life, like Papa Doc. If not Emperor. Like Bokassa.
And authoritarian is -- excuse me -- a stupid word to use in an electoral conflict. Only the educated and educable will understand it.
Whatever term we use, it has to be made clear that here we are dealing with a crime boss, and a raving mad one at that. A geriatric Caligula. By comparison, Al Capone seems "a stable genius".
As for his minions, his would-be courtiers... how do you collect together such a freak show?
They make a mockery of America, a mockery of mankind.
Worse than an infestation -- Satan's roaring with laughter at his own joke.
A question I have is who specifically gives Trump these ideas ? He has very dangerous advisors. He must never get into the presidency again. The 2024 election is pivotal for human life on earth. If Trump and these advisors get into positions of power and execute these ideas the repercussions will ultimately be devastating for so many aspects of human life. He is truly an existential threat to humankind. We see in Israel what a leader who only cares about his personal interests has managed to unleash. Trump is ignorant and incompetent but there are many very smart and competent crazies lining up for jobs in a second Trump presidency. And they have so much opportunity to cause so much damage. Irreparable damage.
I have said this before, it is not just 45, but the entire corrupt conservative/libertarian loud squeaky wheels of the GOP. ANY republican that wins is going down this illiberal authoritarian road. ALL OF THEM ARE THREATS TO THE CONSTITUTION. ALL OF THEM.
I subscribe to the NYTimes and also get its daily email report. As you may know, I'm trying hard to focus on the good that President Biden continues to accomplish and instead of all the bullshit news we get about trump. Here's what I sent to the NYT yesterday: "Yesterday Biden gave a major speech in MN about farm policy and I can't find anything about it in "The Morning." Instead, the article continues to report on Trump. I for one am exhausted with the endless attention devoted to that man when Biden's policies go uncovered. I recommend you reconsider your focus."
No response from the paper yet, but I'll keep at it.
Today's letter is stark and unembellished, because it contains such a long list of authoritarian actions. One can choose to take this all as an overwhelmingly dire threat and become exhausted. Or, we could be seeing a desperate attempt by far right nationalists to hold back the tide of resistance to Trumpism. I know this is a binary assessment. A true reading of these events would show many skirmishes, some favoring extremists, others favoring the survival of our partial democracy. At least Trump and some of his accomplices are on trial. At least some of us have awakened to the threats we face.
I believe that Professor Richardson has shown us through her writings that we collectively suffer from a deeper rot of oligarchic and moral corruption that extends back to the days of Black slavery and the genocide against first nations. Let's pick those areas where we can make a difference and fight the good fight without exhausting ourselves in what will be a prolonged upheaval.
Trump and his Republicans show a horrible vision of America’s future. People must hear these contrasts before they decide how to vote next year. Thanks HCR for continuing to present the facts and keeping us engaged.
Heather’s letter today screams dystopia. And moderate Republicans signed on when the made Johnson Speaker.
Trump proposes to give MAGA adherents a college degree and government jobs with a pension. He’s not abolishing the administrative state, he’s proposing to take it over by presidential dictate. It is a carrot to his followers and a stick to everyone else.
American democracy is in their crosshairs.
They know they can't win when the playing field is level so they cheat.
It seems Speaker Johnson needs Shah to be his Minister of Propaganda as the GOP aims to replace democracy with #RepubloFascism.
Shah will provide buckets full of lipstick to apply to the pig that Johnson is trotting out as his agenda…
What is "equal protection under law" if the right to vote is impeded or denied by negligent error or political corruption. What is the damage to the rights of affected individuals? What is the damage to the integrity of the government?
The most important thing to watch for now is the emergence of a "third Party". We cannot allow anything to split the Democratic vote. I'd like to know how that effort is progressing. Hubble wrote about it this morning in his Blog. Someone yesterday suggested we read him also, and I did.
“Trump has made no secret of his future plans for the United States of America.
Meanwhile, Republicans appear determined to push their agenda over the wishes of voters.”
This is so obviously treason. I simply cannot understand why these Fascists are continuously allowed to get away with this.
Aren’t there any laws that can be implemented immediately, without years of quibbling in court cases?
Are the law enforcement officers so brainwashed by the Trumpet Cult that we can’t depend on them to haul these terrorists off to prison?
Is a civil war the only way to deal with these transgressions?
In the “Republic”, Plato's Socrates raises a number of objections to democracy. He claims that democracy is a danger due to excessive freedom. He also argues that, in a system in which everyone has a right to rule, all sorts of selfish people who care nothing for the people but are only motivated by their own personal desires are able to attain power. He concludes that democracy risks bringing dictators, tyrants, and demagogues to power. He also claims that democracies have leaders without proper skills or morals and that it is quite unlikely that the best equipped to rule will come to power.
Plato's political philosophy - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato%27s_political_philosophy
It looks like he was spot on.....
"House extremists continue to back Trump even as he is openly calling for an authoritarian second term."
He is not calling for a second term.
He is calling for the overthrow of the Republic and his enthronement as Dictator. President-for-Life, like Papa Doc. If not Emperor. Like Bokassa.
And authoritarian is -- excuse me -- a stupid word to use in an electoral conflict. Only the educated and educable will understand it.
Whatever term we use, it has to be made clear that here we are dealing with a crime boss, and a raving mad one at that. A geriatric Caligula. By comparison, Al Capone seems "a stable genius".
As for his minions, his would-be courtiers... how do you collect together such a freak show?
They make a mockery of America, a mockery of mankind.
Worse than an infestation -- Satan's roaring with laughter at his own joke.
Fascism is alive and well in the United States of America. But we cannot spell that term. We failed fifth grade spelling.
A question I have is who specifically gives Trump these ideas ? He has very dangerous advisors. He must never get into the presidency again. The 2024 election is pivotal for human life on earth. If Trump and these advisors get into positions of power and execute these ideas the repercussions will ultimately be devastating for so many aspects of human life. He is truly an existential threat to humankind. We see in Israel what a leader who only cares about his personal interests has managed to unleash. Trump is ignorant and incompetent but there are many very smart and competent crazies lining up for jobs in a second Trump presidency. And they have so much opportunity to cause so much damage. Irreparable damage.
Reading about Trump's plans for a second term, I can only hear the phrase "back like a vengeance" but with unimaginable levels of horror!
Heinous.
And so the rotten MAGA Mike games begin.
I have said this before, it is not just 45, but the entire corrupt conservative/libertarian loud squeaky wheels of the GOP. ANY republican that wins is going down this illiberal authoritarian road. ALL OF THEM ARE THREATS TO THE CONSTITUTION. ALL OF THEM.
I subscribe to the NYTimes and also get its daily email report. As you may know, I'm trying hard to focus on the good that President Biden continues to accomplish and instead of all the bullshit news we get about trump. Here's what I sent to the NYT yesterday: "Yesterday Biden gave a major speech in MN about farm policy and I can't find anything about it in "The Morning." Instead, the article continues to report on Trump. I for one am exhausted with the endless attention devoted to that man when Biden's policies go uncovered. I recommend you reconsider your focus."
No response from the paper yet, but I'll keep at it.