A former president facing probable legal peril commenting on two geriatric fighters slugging it out on pay TV on the somber anniversary of perhaps the saddest day in our history, and last time the nation was united about anything.
(Shudder)
The metaphors scream at you.
A former president facing probable legal peril commenting on two geriatric fighters slugging it out on pay TV on the somber anniversary of perhaps the saddest day in our history, and last time the nation was united about anything.
On the positive side, it is more evidence that the former president is an increasingly irrelevant con man, back on tv in an effort to get out of his financial misadventures.
Joan, somehow I got on the Trump daily email list where either he or Jr spout lies and beg for money. Every. Single. Day. I was going to immediately block this creep, but decided not to. Instead I respond with a vulgarity or flat out call him a thief, everyday. The emails are a "reply to all". Not sure who gets them, but you would think someone on their end would have tossed me off the email list by now.
He is clearly desperate for money and doesn't care who he cons for it. But then, he has done that his entire life.
The former president will be running for re-election the rest of his life, because the money keeps pouring in. It's his most successful hustle of a life of hustles.
I agree with the premise that Trump is an increasingly irrelevant con man, but disagree that this qualifies as being тАЬon the positive sideтАЭ.
There is no positive side. Yet.
The sentiments of the 1/6 crowd and its hangers-on have moved well beyond Trumpism. The movement has lurched by him, is alive and well, and verges on nihilism.
The signs are everywhere. How could a state not rise in a blaze of fury against a state governor who is using his office to block/punish/subvert those who would insist on the best medical practices in the face of a pandemic that has roared back in full wrath? 13 people involved one way or another in education in one county have died of Covid in two weeks. A hurricane of much deadlier destructive power has hit Florida and the governor is not only blocking help, but in fact is stirring the very winds to greater intensity. Somehow, some way this malevolent madness, grounded in the self-interest of one man, must be stopped.
A couple of states to the left another governor has signed into law a bill which sets up a superstructure for hate by empowering vigilantes to monitor, excuse me, extinguish womenтАЩs reproductive rights. In response to a press query yesterday he took only a sentence or two to display his biological ignorance (or bad faith), and then fulminated about getting rapists off the street as if he had just conceived an idea that had not yet occurred to anybody in Texas. Or the States. Or the freaking world. Great idea. Wow, letтАЩs think that one over. Meantime the rape kits are piling up.
This spurt of madness is occurring because the good governor has no Democratic opponent in his next election. But there are two candidates, squeezing into the tiny sliver of space to the right of him. So tear down a wall to the next room over where the really criminal, fascist right would like to go and leap nimbly past your opponents so that you once again have pride of place.
This sort of race to the bottom of a hollowed out democracy is sadly not limited to Texas. There are crazed, ambitious thugs everywhere whose moral compass points only downward. And they are elbowing their way into primaries in red states everywhere. That can only end in sweetness and light.
In Idaho, they are taking the first steps toward rationing care. That, of course, would be only coincidental to the fact that the state has a scintillating 39.7% full vaccination rate. тАЬRationing careтАЭ, a benevolent sounding phrase, means that if things get really, really bad, if the Delta variation doesnтАЩt excuse itself and leave the room, then the doctors will have to decide who gets the health care to keep them alive, and who doesnтАЩt. Where are your death panels now Sarah Palin? You certainly stirred the pot before mercifully disappearing into the ether.
Meanwhile, on the other side, that intellectual heavyweight, Senator Joe Manchin, has called for a тАЬpauseтАЭ in the deliberations of the 3.5 trillion infrastructure bill. Does he not realize that infrastructure has been on pause for so many years that it has become a meme? I really donтАЩt have a picture in my mind of a horde of Senators rushing to the aisles, trampling each other in an effort to be first to vote on this bill. Have I missed something in the news?
No. The Democrats limp along their grand legislative path, taking care to re-shoot themselves in the foot periodically.
We need a pause? We got that when nine bright bulbs decided to vote against the big infrastructure bill if the little infrastructure bill wasnтАЩt passed first.
And meanwhile, the voting rights bills have been put into a closet some time ago and now everybodyтАЩs forgotten which closet exactly it was.
And the anti-democracy bills get passed across the land with monotonous regularity. Maybe, Senator Manchin, you could ask for a pause on those.
And there are, give or take, 114 days left in 2021. And thereтАЩs word that there might be elections in 2022. Under new rules.
That about covers the bad news, minus the Trumps fondling a microphone at a perfectly 21st century gladiatorial exhibitionтАж [checks notes]тАжoh wait, there is one more small thing.
Climate change.
Sorry for the dyspeptic rant. IтАЩm feeling particularly vexed today. We have some monumental screw-ups here in Canada at the moment.
'OтАЩRourke has not made a decision on whether to challenge Abbott, which is causing some heartburn for Democrats worried they will be stuck without a major candidate.'
'But for 2022, other legitimate candidates could emerge. Juli├бn Castro, the former San Antonio mayor and U.S. Housing secretary, hasnтАЩt ruled out a run for governor, one of his aides said last week.'
'A new University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll revealed that AbbottтАЩs approval rating his dipped to 41%, with 50% disapproving of his job performance. The survey found that 52% of Texans feel the state is headed in the wrong direction. The mood of the respondents is shaped by the resurgence of the coronavirus, according to Texas Politics Project director Jim Henson.'
тАЬThereтАЩs a general discontent and a dourness out there,тАЭ Henson said.'
'Strother said OтАЩRourke could help Democrats craft the narrative that Abbott is leading Texas in the wrong direction.' (Dallas News) see link below:
Good reply, Fern. Thank you. I surround Julian Castro and Beto OтАЩRourke with white light often in my light meditation along with quite a few others. Many are working for the force of good.
IMHO I canтАЩt help but think that if itтАЩs a struggle for Dems to craft an election narrative against Abbot then we are truly a knee capped organization.
Hasn't not having a strong, clear, persuasive message been one of the failures of Democratic Party? Imagine not having a powerful message given Abbott's lethal form of governing? The needs of most people in America - White, Black, Hispanic, Asian... are great and the spirit understandably low -- at yet! You have pinpointed a serious flaw of the Party. I think that we cannot know on the outside complications having to do with the electorate. Fox, Social Media, the Pandemic all contributing factors -- Beto is talented. If he is resisting, it may have to do with what a hard nut it is to crack. He might have an easier time beating Cruz.
No need for no Urban Dictionary. I'm an Urban Animal.
Although I do sometimes check out which phrases have caught on. Sometimes it takes DECADES for slang to make its way from The Bronx to mainstream America. It is often in use sooner in Amsterdam or Berlin before anyone gets it in whitebread country.
"In American democracy, when the majority party has enough votes to pass populist legislation, party leaders designate a scapegoat who will refuse to vote with the party thereby killing the legislation. The opposition is otherwise inexplicable and typically comes from someone who is safe or not up for re-election. This allows for maximum diffusion of responsibility.
WTF??? Senator Lieberman now opposes the same health care compromise he himself suggested. Just when everyone thought Democrats had enough votes to get this done. Guess they made Lieberman the rotating villain..."
see, EVERYBODY KNOWS (credit to our dear Leonard Cohen)
Oh, 'separatism'--reminds me of the white nationalist hate groups. Strange discontinuity, Charlie, with Daniel's opinion of people working in government.
Well said, Eric. Yes, the present onslaught from the Right (and beyond) is now an independent movement, lurching forward with power and its own momentum, independent of the former president*. Not good.
G.Zinn, Can you share why you think the extreme right is separate from Trump? I don't know his role, just wonder how cohesive the various groups are - how they come together. They aim to break up the current government and totally suppress minorities, what else? Is there a coherent plan for their means of governing? The Republican Party didn't even have a party platform at their convention. I know this movement is atomic. It may be able to bring the house down and then what? Does it need Trump as the Republican Party does -- their figurehead/promoter. Is Bannon a ringleader? Is knowing too little one of our biggest problems? I don't have confidence that the FBI knows enough or that any of our other agencies do.
ItтАЩs such a blatant message to his cult to fight it canтАЩt even be called a dog whistle. An insurrection is an insurrection. Inciting civil war should get you locked up.
I agree, but millions of them make this insanity a threat to all of us. I couldn't believe that any sane person could vote for this abomination in 2016, but with all that has resulted from his presidency, they're still here, and more determined than ever. It is a relief, though, that Greg Abbott, in justifying his draconian abortion ban, assured everyone that there is no danger of rape causing a pregnancy, as ALL rapists would be arrested and jailed, thus making rape impossible.
And those eleven ultra-right members of the House mentioned above by HCR, if they ran today, would be re-elected! They are not the problem. The people who vote for them are. And because we are a democracy where their votes count, they made possible the severe damage done to the nation during the four years of the former president's administration, including a politicized SCOTUS and an attempt to redefine truth. As Pogo once said, "We have met the enemy and they are us." Well, not all of us. But at least those who repeatedly elect scoundrels like the eleven HCR lists.
Correct you are (don't want to attribute "right" to anyone here). Hice and MTG are both from Georgia, and I doubt that any of their constituents are reconsidering their votes. Covid might be causing their numbers to dwindle, though.
Further to this comment, I keep receiving persistent Nextdoor Neighbor emails. I occasionally check the site if I'm looking for a local service provider. I was idly checking through recent posts, and there were many regarding Biden's Afghanistan withdrawal. One woman's comments were so deficient in content, logic, and using such poor grammar and spelling, I wondered whether she ever attended school. She referenced the Freedom Caucus, so that told me and others exactly where she was coming from, and why she was so forceful with her "facts." I immediately went to my account profile, and adjusted my settings so I'd be spared such scholarly screeds. Not everyone in suburban Atlanta is insane, but those who are don't deserve any more space in my wounded psyche.
Most likely, the GOP in Texas are copying the laws written by ALEC or Heritage fund! Most of them could not cobble a few words into a coherent sentence!
ALEC severely damaged public education over the past 20 years. New Mexico got a heavy dose when we had a Republican governor who appointed Hanna Skandera in charge of our public schools. She implemented the severely punitive testing consequences that were so тАЬsuccessfulтАЭ in Florida under Jeb Bush. After 8 years of draconian punishment for schools and teachers, everyone is suddenly surprised that we have a serious shortage of teachers.
ALEC is a nightmare. It feels like 've been hearing about them for 15 or 20 years, working hard to undermine any progressive movement in this country and lock in oligarchic, corporatist rule making everywhere they can. Sad to say, they're very good at what they do.
Agree. Where is the government on this? While I no longer believe that this government represents me (that would look very different) I wonder if this government has ANY IDEA of their defined role in democracy?
I donтАЩt know Daniel. I do feel that we the people collectively create our own government. I feel like weтАЩve created a system where authentic, intelligent, honest people struggle to get elected or donтАЩt have an interest in putting up with the crap that goes with the job. I never in my life looked at politics as an option for myself, nor did I ever once suggest or prepare my children for anything other than informed voting. It canтАЩt be fixed overnight and we the people have to be much more engaged in the process if we are to rescue our democracy.
Christy - I wish it were so. There are many insights offered by Professor Richardson in these letters that are important to keep in mind when making plans. The primary insight is that we, the people, DO NOT collectively create out own government. The structure of the Senate for example, the filibuster, Gerrymandering, restrictions on voting, the Electoral College, etc.
The SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. That's Job #1. We can't even claim rights to a representative government as long as THERE IS NO JUSTICE.
In my mind Daniel, we the people collectively are handing scoundrels power by voting them into office. If we truly have a majority that prefers laws, justice, fairness, the Golden Rule we need to speak up more about our ownership of government and being actively engaged in it. IтАЩm admitting my own guilt and working to fix myself because that is what I have control over.
Worse yet, his mini-me son will be with him joining in the fight, from the sidelines. Will not surprise me if he conducts a moment of silence for тАЬthis great country that knew how to fight back from 9-11 and again with me as your president.тАЭ
I would love Tubby Trump to get in the ring and take a direct punch, after dishing out such potty mouth remarks to women, soldiers, disabled people, Latinos, and many others in our diverse society. For me perhaps the most despicable was when Bone Spur sought to trash John McCain. That meshes with his characterizing folks in the military as тАШsuckersтАЩ and тАШlosersтАЩ. Yea verily, he is Chubby Chump in Chief.
Yes. And Cindy McCain and her group of Republicans continue to fight for decency and democracy as her husband did. It was cringeworthy to have the former utter McCainтАЩs name.
I intend to introduce the Chubby Chump as тАШpissantтАЩтАФan тАШAmerican vulgar languageтАЩ term meaning insignificant or despicable thing or person. AND THAT IS A FACT!
This is the reason I supported Mike Bloomberg's candidacy. Mike would have KICKED TRUMP"S ASS all over America. Mike's partners would have KICKED their opponents until they squealed. We missed a chance to see that. (P.S. I also accept that after all the ass-kicking, would would still be left with a billionaire president and the problems that incurs).
I previously wrote a long comment here on my involvement in 9/11 and subsequent reaction. To make it short, I got out but my coworkers, bosses, sales et all did not.
My immediate reaction was that my government and its supporters would want revenge.
Daniel, living with that day every day for the past 20 years cannot be easy. My heart goes out to you and all the survivors and their families, and to the families of those who did not survive. The pain and poignancy radiates out, and will for a very long time. Please take good care of yourself, and keep your heart open.
I survived, so am grateful. The toll has passed (3 heart attacks and several stress-related instances of gastric ulcers). Now I am stronger and more determined than ever and, as they say, whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. And the strong survive. So Life goes on in all its mystery and majesty.
And a $50 fee to those who have lost so much thanks to his politization of a virus. Hmmm I hope we can survive this onslaught of blatant disregard for humanity and Americans.
Not for nothing, but the 20th anniversary of 9/11 will inevitably highlight Rudy Ghouliani's role as "America's Mayor" during that time. Fast forward to today where his status has fallen to just above laughingstock grade, best known as one of trump's most ardent and vocal defenders. I'm guessing trump et al. are quite happy to keep distant from any celebration of Rudy. I'd almost feel bad for the guy, but my distaste for him goes back to his winning the mayoralty from David Dinkins.
He was America's Fascist Mayor; creating hatred between the races. I am intimately familiar with his role post-9/11. Complete Fascism (he had his goons occupy our office building, leaving disgusting misogynistic graffiti everywhere). Our vault was emptied. But worse than his performance as Mayor and post-9/11, was his part in the fatal fire in WTC 7. He had directed that the City's emergency supply of fuel be stored in its basement. It blew like a bomb! I was there. I managed the largest disaster recovery of any organization in US history.
But we must keep in mind that they do not even believe their own propaganda. I have written several comment to explain this dilemma. They cannot change their position, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT BELIEVE THEIR POSITION. It is impossible to change the mind of someone who knows they're lying. This is the Dilemma of Fascism.
Only by putting Fascists on trial is it possible to prevent its spread.
I remember WTC 7 going down, and was suspicious because of the timing, but that's all I remember. I've done no follow-up research, and see that "Mrs." Google offers a lot!
Rudy, Rudy, Rudy! A media whore! Never missed an opportunity to get on TV, despite a police or fire spokesperson could have provided better information!
Consider 1993 truck bomb exploded in one of the Twin Tower garages on an upper floor. Fortunately, the thrust of the blast went downward rather than upward, else the tower would have come down. Arrested terrorist vowed we will be back at his trial!
Fast forward the no so тАШgreatтАЩ counter terrorism expert, Rudy, is elected mayor and he decides to build the emergency management center in тАж..wait for itтАжone of the Twin Towers! Duh! What a genius!
Secondly, the tough in command Rudy, allowed Police and Fire to have different communication systems which were тАж..NOT compatible! Another gross failure on the part of Rudy! As the tragedy was unfolding the Police could not contact the Fire Commander who was sending more than 300 firefighters into the collapsing building to their doom!
As I was escaping AWAY from The Tragedy, I passed firefighters gathered behind Police barricades when they received the signal to go into the WTC. At that moment I was taken by their extraordinary bravery. Remember, I was running the other way.
Rudy deserves no pity. In addition to his many transgressions, his second wife, with whom he'd had an affair while married, discovered they were divorcing by reading about it in a magazine. Paragon of virtue he never was.
Rudy is continuing his quest entrap any young woman. The image of him with his hand down his pants trying to excite himself was pricelessly disgusting. Borat deserves a special recognition for the clip. Any suggestions for a name for such award?
Daniel , whaddya mean , he was tucking in his shirt, dontcha know. I am trying to come up with something appropriately inappropriate. May take awhileтАж.
It is a complete tragedy. The opposite of which is a man who enjoys the company of women, therefore needing no help arousing himself. And I am just a few years' younger.
A former president facing probable legal peril commenting on two geriatric fighters slugging it out on pay TV on the somber anniversary of perhaps the saddest day in our history, and last time the nation was united about anything.
(Shudder)
The metaphors scream at you.
On the positive side, it is more evidence that the former president is an increasingly irrelevant con man, back on tv in an effort to get out of his financial misadventures.
Joan, somehow I got on the Trump daily email list where either he or Jr spout lies and beg for money. Every. Single. Day. I was going to immediately block this creep, but decided not to. Instead I respond with a vulgarity or flat out call him a thief, everyday. The emails are a "reply to all". Not sure who gets them, but you would think someone on their end would have tossed me off the email list by now.
He is clearly desperate for money and doesn't care who he cons for it. But then, he has done that his entire life.
The former president will be running for re-election the rest of his life, because the money keeps pouring in. It's his most successful hustle of a life of hustles.
I completely agree Ralph.
We receive at least one phone call every single day, holidays and Sundays included, from the RNC!
Well, Joan, give them a giant EFF YOU from me the next time you respond.
This is so funny. Good for you.
I agree with the premise that Trump is an increasingly irrelevant con man, but disagree that this qualifies as being тАЬon the positive sideтАЭ.
There is no positive side. Yet.
The sentiments of the 1/6 crowd and its hangers-on have moved well beyond Trumpism. The movement has lurched by him, is alive and well, and verges on nihilism.
The signs are everywhere. How could a state not rise in a blaze of fury against a state governor who is using his office to block/punish/subvert those who would insist on the best medical practices in the face of a pandemic that has roared back in full wrath? 13 people involved one way or another in education in one county have died of Covid in two weeks. A hurricane of much deadlier destructive power has hit Florida and the governor is not only blocking help, but in fact is stirring the very winds to greater intensity. Somehow, some way this malevolent madness, grounded in the self-interest of one man, must be stopped.
A couple of states to the left another governor has signed into law a bill which sets up a superstructure for hate by empowering vigilantes to monitor, excuse me, extinguish womenтАЩs reproductive rights. In response to a press query yesterday he took only a sentence or two to display his biological ignorance (or bad faith), and then fulminated about getting rapists off the street as if he had just conceived an idea that had not yet occurred to anybody in Texas. Or the States. Or the freaking world. Great idea. Wow, letтАЩs think that one over. Meantime the rape kits are piling up.
This spurt of madness is occurring because the good governor has no Democratic opponent in his next election. But there are two candidates, squeezing into the tiny sliver of space to the right of him. So tear down a wall to the next room over where the really criminal, fascist right would like to go and leap nimbly past your opponents so that you once again have pride of place.
This sort of race to the bottom of a hollowed out democracy is sadly not limited to Texas. There are crazed, ambitious thugs everywhere whose moral compass points only downward. And they are elbowing their way into primaries in red states everywhere. That can only end in sweetness and light.
In Idaho, they are taking the first steps toward rationing care. That, of course, would be only coincidental to the fact that the state has a scintillating 39.7% full vaccination rate. тАЬRationing careтАЭ, a benevolent sounding phrase, means that if things get really, really bad, if the Delta variation doesnтАЩt excuse itself and leave the room, then the doctors will have to decide who gets the health care to keep them alive, and who doesnтАЩt. Where are your death panels now Sarah Palin? You certainly stirred the pot before mercifully disappearing into the ether.
Meanwhile, on the other side, that intellectual heavyweight, Senator Joe Manchin, has called for a тАЬpauseтАЭ in the deliberations of the 3.5 trillion infrastructure bill. Does he not realize that infrastructure has been on pause for so many years that it has become a meme? I really donтАЩt have a picture in my mind of a horde of Senators rushing to the aisles, trampling each other in an effort to be first to vote on this bill. Have I missed something in the news?
No. The Democrats limp along their grand legislative path, taking care to re-shoot themselves in the foot periodically.
We need a pause? We got that when nine bright bulbs decided to vote against the big infrastructure bill if the little infrastructure bill wasnтАЩt passed first.
And meanwhile, the voting rights bills have been put into a closet some time ago and now everybodyтАЩs forgotten which closet exactly it was.
And the anti-democracy bills get passed across the land with monotonous regularity. Maybe, Senator Manchin, you could ask for a pause on those.
And there are, give or take, 114 days left in 2021. And thereтАЩs word that there might be elections in 2022. Under new rules.
That about covers the bad news, minus the Trumps fondling a microphone at a perfectly 21st century gladiatorial exhibitionтАж [checks notes]тАжoh wait, there is one more small thing.
Climate change.
Sorry for the dyspeptic rant. IтАЩm feeling particularly vexed today. We have some monumental screw-ups here in Canada at the moment.
'OтАЩRourke is thinking seriously about running. And every Democrat in Texas is waiting for him to make up his mind.'
https://www.texastribune.org/2021/06/23/beto-o-rourke-texas-democrats-2022/
'OтАЩRourke has not made a decision on whether to challenge Abbott, which is causing some heartburn for Democrats worried they will be stuck without a major candidate.'
'But for 2022, other legitimate candidates could emerge. Juli├бn Castro, the former San Antonio mayor and U.S. Housing secretary, hasnтАЩt ruled out a run for governor, one of his aides said last week.'
'A new University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll revealed that AbbottтАЩs approval rating his dipped to 41%, with 50% disapproving of his job performance. The survey found that 52% of Texans feel the state is headed in the wrong direction. The mood of the respondents is shaped by the resurgence of the coronavirus, according to Texas Politics Project director Jim Henson.'
тАЬThereтАЩs a general discontent and a dourness out there,тАЭ Henson said.'
'Strother said OтАЩRourke could help Democrats craft the narrative that Abbott is leading Texas in the wrong direction.' (Dallas News) see link below:
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2021/09/03/after-summer-of-legislative-warfare-texas-republicans-democrats-prepare-for-2022-election-season/
Good reply, Fern. Thank you. I surround Julian Castro and Beto OтАЩRourke with white light often in my light meditation along with quite a few others. Many are working for the force of good.
I had a strong feeling you were a Good Witch ChristineтАжand I mean that in the most positive and complimentary way. This also heartens me.
Marvelous. Beto is a decent man. He would need the tightest security.
Thanks, Fern. As usual, you are a jewel. :)
And firmly in the running for understatement of the year:
тАЬThereтАЩs a general discontent and a dourness out thereтАжтАЭ.
But great relief that Abbott has solved that nagging problem of rape, people would own to, if pressed.
Thanks for this, Fern. I find it amazing that Abbott's approval rating is that high. Scary thought that 41% of Texas likes his behavior.
Know your enemy.
IMHO I canтАЩt help but think that if itтАЩs a struggle for Dems to craft an election narrative against Abbot then we are truly a knee capped organization.
Hasn't not having a strong, clear, persuasive message been one of the failures of Democratic Party? Imagine not having a powerful message given Abbott's lethal form of governing? The needs of most people in America - White, Black, Hispanic, Asian... are great and the spirit understandably low -- at yet! You have pinpointed a serious flaw of the Party. I think that we cannot know on the outside complications having to do with the electorate. Fox, Social Media, the Pandemic all contributing factors -- Beto is talented. If he is resisting, it may have to do with what a hard nut it is to crack. He might have an easier time beating Cruz.
Can somebody please Pause Joe the Munchkin!
No one, not anyone in government will do anything to risk their own position. This is a real problem. And we are f-ked.
NAFC (check urban dictionary)
No need for no Urban Dictionary. I'm an Urban Animal.
Although I do sometimes check out which phrases have caught on. Sometimes it takes DECADES for slang to make its way from The Bronx to mainstream America. It is often in use sooner in Amsterdam or Berlin before anyone gets it in whitebread country.
Checked out Urban Dictionary's Word of the Day
ROTATING VILLIAN
"In American democracy, when the majority party has enough votes to pass populist legislation, party leaders designate a scapegoat who will refuse to vote with the party thereby killing the legislation. The opposition is otherwise inexplicable and typically comes from someone who is safe or not up for re-election. This allows for maximum diffusion of responsibility.
WTF??? Senator Lieberman now opposes the same health care compromise he himself suggested. Just when everyone thought Democrats had enough votes to get this done. Guess they made Lieberman the rotating villain..."
see, EVERYBODY KNOWS (credit to our dear Leonard Cohen)
Oh, 'separatism'--reminds me of the white nationalist hate groups. Strange discontinuity, Charlie, with Daniel's opinion of people working in government.
Well said, Eric. Yes, the present onslaught from the Right (and beyond) is now an independent movement, lurching forward with power and its own momentum, independent of the former president*. Not good.
G.Zinn, Can you share why you think the extreme right is separate from Trump? I don't know his role, just wonder how cohesive the various groups are - how they come together. They aim to break up the current government and totally suppress minorities, what else? Is there a coherent plan for their means of governing? The Republican Party didn't even have a party platform at their convention. I know this movement is atomic. It may be able to bring the house down and then what? Does it need Trump as the Republican Party does -- their figurehead/promoter. Is Bannon a ringleader? Is knowing too little one of our biggest problems? I don't have confidence that the FBI knows enough or that any of our other agencies do.
ItтАЩs such a blatant message to his cult to fight it canтАЩt even be called a dog whistle. An insurrection is an insurrection. Inciting civil war should get you locked up.
Grifters gotta grift. Anyone dumb enough to fall for this con deserves what they get.
I agree, but millions of them make this insanity a threat to all of us. I couldn't believe that any sane person could vote for this abomination in 2016, but with all that has resulted from his presidency, they're still here, and more determined than ever. It is a relief, though, that Greg Abbott, in justifying his draconian abortion ban, assured everyone that there is no danger of rape causing a pregnancy, as ALL rapists would be arrested and jailed, thus making rape impossible.
And those eleven ultra-right members of the House mentioned above by HCR, if they ran today, would be re-elected! They are not the problem. The people who vote for them are. And because we are a democracy where their votes count, they made possible the severe damage done to the nation during the four years of the former president's administration, including a politicized SCOTUS and an attempt to redefine truth. As Pogo once said, "We have met the enemy and they are us." Well, not all of us. But at least those who repeatedly elect scoundrels like the eleven HCR lists.
Correct you are (don't want to attribute "right" to anyone here). Hice and MTG are both from Georgia, and I doubt that any of their constituents are reconsidering their votes. Covid might be causing their numbers to dwindle, though.
Further to this comment, I keep receiving persistent Nextdoor Neighbor emails. I occasionally check the site if I'm looking for a local service provider. I was idly checking through recent posts, and there were many regarding Biden's Afghanistan withdrawal. One woman's comments were so deficient in content, logic, and using such poor grammar and spelling, I wondered whether she ever attended school. She referenced the Freedom Caucus, so that told me and others exactly where she was coming from, and why she was so forceful with her "facts." I immediately went to my account profile, and adjusted my settings so I'd be spared such scholarly screeds. Not everyone in suburban Atlanta is insane, but those who are don't deserve any more space in my wounded psyche.
Yes. Those cultists are a symptom of the greater problem. So many have succumbed to their hypnotic herding calls. We need to break the trance.
Unfortunately Abbott is my state's ignorant governor and really keeps coming up with these harmful and ridiculous ideas and laws!
Let's hope that his flagging approval ratings signal the end of his career.
From your pen to God's ears, Nancy!
I can so wish!
Most likely, the GOP in Texas are copying the laws written by ALEC or Heritage fund! Most of them could not cobble a few words into a coherent sentence!
ALEC severely damaged public education over the past 20 years. New Mexico got a heavy dose when we had a Republican governor who appointed Hanna Skandera in charge of our public schools. She implemented the severely punitive testing consequences that were so тАЬsuccessfulтАЭ in Florida under Jeb Bush. After 8 years of draconian punishment for schools and teachers, everyone is suddenly surprised that we have a serious shortage of teachers.
ALEC is a nightmare. It feels like 've been hearing about them for 15 or 20 years, working hard to undermine any progressive movement in this country and lock in oligarchic, corporatist rule making everywhere they can. Sad to say, they're very good at what they do.
Nancy, your reply is as eloquent as it is insightful. Please post often!
Agree. Where is the government on this? While I no longer believe that this government represents me (that would look very different) I wonder if this government has ANY IDEA of their defined role in democracy?
I donтАЩt know Daniel. I do feel that we the people collectively create our own government. I feel like weтАЩve created a system where authentic, intelligent, honest people struggle to get elected or donтАЩt have an interest in putting up with the crap that goes with the job. I never in my life looked at politics as an option for myself, nor did I ever once suggest or prepare my children for anything other than informed voting. It canтАЩt be fixed overnight and we the people have to be much more engaged in the process if we are to rescue our democracy.
Christy - I wish it were so. There are many insights offered by Professor Richardson in these letters that are important to keep in mind when making plans. The primary insight is that we, the people, DO NOT collectively create out own government. The structure of the Senate for example, the filibuster, Gerrymandering, restrictions on voting, the Electoral College, etc.
The SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. That's Job #1. We can't even claim rights to a representative government as long as THERE IS NO JUSTICE.
In my mind Daniel, we the people collectively are handing scoundrels power by voting them into office. If we truly have a majority that prefers laws, justice, fairness, the Golden Rule we need to speak up more about our ownership of government and being actively engaged in it. IтАЩm admitting my own guilt and working to fix myself because that is what I have control over.
Shudder is right, Ralph.
Worse yet, his mini-me son will be with him joining in the fight, from the sidelines. Will not surprise me if he conducts a moment of silence for тАЬthis great country that knew how to fight back from 9-11 and again with me as your president.тАЭ
Ewwww.
I would love Tubby Trump to get in the ring and take a direct punch, after dishing out such potty mouth remarks to women, soldiers, disabled people, Latinos, and many others in our diverse society. For me perhaps the most despicable was when Bone Spur sought to trash John McCain. That meshes with his characterizing folks in the military as тАШsuckersтАЩ and тАШlosersтАЩ. Yea verily, he is Chubby Chump in Chief.
Yes. And Cindy McCain and her group of Republicans continue to fight for decency and democracy as her husband did. It was cringeworthy to have the former utter McCainтАЩs name.
Bawdy Wheelock, in the announcer's booth, will be doing the play-by-play. Oh, what a show!
I intend to introduce the Chubby Chump as тАШpissantтАЩтАФan тАШAmerican vulgar languageтАЩ term meaning insignificant or despicable thing or person. AND THAT IS A FACT!
Oh my gosh, Keith. I just used that word today on another stream. It just bubbled up from my insult list.
This is the reason I supported Mike Bloomberg's candidacy. Mike would have KICKED TRUMP"S ASS all over America. Mike's partners would have KICKED their opponents until they squealed. We missed a chance to see that. (P.S. I also accept that after all the ass-kicking, would would still be left with a billionaire president and the problems that incurs).
I feel you.
I previously wrote a long comment here on my involvement in 9/11 and subsequent reaction. To make it short, I got out but my coworkers, bosses, sales et all did not.
My immediate reaction was that my government and its supporters would want revenge.
They are still fighting.
Killing and dying.
God Bless America.
We need it.
Sept. 11th every year must be a tough day for you. Please, take good care of yourself on that day, and every day.
You are very kind, thank you. I have hardened myself towards the Haters. That leaves me available as kind and generous to the Decent.
Daniel, living with that day every day for the past 20 years cannot be easy. My heart goes out to you and all the survivors and their families, and to the families of those who did not survive. The pain and poignancy radiates out, and will for a very long time. Please take good care of yourself, and keep your heart open.
I survived, so am grateful. The toll has passed (3 heart attacks and several stress-related instances of gastric ulcers). Now I am stronger and more determined than ever and, as they say, whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. And the strong survive. So Life goes on in all its mystery and majesty.
Awwwww, this could be a really tender moment as Junior repeatedly shouts "That's RIGHT, dad!" and Trump occasionally asks him "Who are you, again?"
Don Jr. is proof that the Turd doesn't fall far from the Asshole.
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And a $50 fee to those who have lost so much thanks to his politization of a virus. Hmmm I hope we can survive this onslaught of blatant disregard for humanity and Americans.
Not for nothing, but the 20th anniversary of 9/11 will inevitably highlight Rudy Ghouliani's role as "America's Mayor" during that time. Fast forward to today where his status has fallen to just above laughingstock grade, best known as one of trump's most ardent and vocal defenders. I'm guessing trump et al. are quite happy to keep distant from any celebration of Rudy. I'd almost feel bad for the guy, but my distaste for him goes back to his winning the mayoralty from David Dinkins.
He was America's Fascist Mayor; creating hatred between the races. I am intimately familiar with his role post-9/11. Complete Fascism (he had his goons occupy our office building, leaving disgusting misogynistic graffiti everywhere). Our vault was emptied. But worse than his performance as Mayor and post-9/11, was his part in the fatal fire in WTC 7. He had directed that the City's emergency supply of fuel be stored in its basement. It blew like a bomb! I was there. I managed the largest disaster recovery of any organization in US history.
Good grief, you can't help but wonder what he paid to keep all of that quiet, or was everyone so traumatized by 9/11 that they missed all of it?
The "Wrap yourself in the flag" strategy worked. No room for the ugly truth.
Correct. If it fits with your ideology, no further proof necessary. Of course, "patriotism" and "religion" are indisputable.
But we must keep in mind that they do not even believe their own propaganda. I have written several comment to explain this dilemma. They cannot change their position, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT BELIEVE THEIR POSITION. It is impossible to change the mind of someone who knows they're lying. This is the Dilemma of Fascism.
Only by putting Fascists on trial is it possible to prevent its spread.
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I remember WTC 7 going down, and was suspicious because of the timing, but that's all I remember. I've done no follow-up research, and see that "Mrs." Google offers a lot!
I too remember well. It was the fragments from that building that hit us.
Rudy, Rudy, Rudy! A media whore! Never missed an opportunity to get on TV, despite a police or fire spokesperson could have provided better information!
Consider 1993 truck bomb exploded in one of the Twin Tower garages on an upper floor. Fortunately, the thrust of the blast went downward rather than upward, else the tower would have come down. Arrested terrorist vowed we will be back at his trial!
Fast forward the no so тАШgreatтАЩ counter terrorism expert, Rudy, is elected mayor and he decides to build the emergency management center in тАж..wait for itтАжone of the Twin Towers! Duh! What a genius!
Secondly, the tough in command Rudy, allowed Police and Fire to have different communication systems which were тАж..NOT compatible! Another gross failure on the part of Rudy! As the tragedy was unfolding the Police could not contact the Fire Commander who was sending more than 300 firefighters into the collapsing building to their doom!
Ah Rudy! A master BS artist, like dopey don!
As I was escaping AWAY from The Tragedy, I passed firefighters gathered behind Police barricades when they received the signal to go into the WTC. At that moment I was taken by their extraordinary bravery. Remember, I was running the other way.
My dislike of him has always been visceral, just to be clear. For 30 years and going.
And so it's no surprise that he and TFG were such a perfect match!
Rudy deserves no pity. In addition to his many transgressions, his second wife, with whom he'd had an affair while married, discovered they were divorcing by reading about it in a magazine. Paragon of virtue he never was.
Rudy is a wanker. Literally
Of course, you're right. I can see this happening. Do you suppose Rudy will join them?
Rudy is continuing his quest entrap any young woman. The image of him with his hand down his pants trying to excite himself was pricelessly disgusting. Borat deserves a special recognition for the clip. Any suggestions for a name for such award?
I love Borat, but develop brain freeze at the mere visual. I'll mull it over and try to get past the mental block.
Please do, I'm considering informing Sasha Baron, who is brilliant, insightful, creative, and courageous. He'll be humble, but pleased.
That's a great idea. Even if I'm able to overcome my brain freeze, Sasha's suggestions would be far better than anything I could muster.
Sasha Baron Cohen is Borat. Perhaps Maria Bakalova?
Daniel , whaddya mean , he was tucking in his shirt, dontcha know. I am trying to come up with something appropriately inappropriate. May take awhileтАж.
It is a complete tragedy. The opposite of which is a man who enjoys the company of women, therefore needing no help arousing himself. And I am just a few years' younger.
Perhaps Rudy will be the referee.....
Of course! Should have considered that.
IтАЩd gladly view the fight ЁЯеК - but my errant facial hair has a date with my tweezers and razor. ЁЯкТ Darn! ;-)
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