Will Trump face justice and the rule of law? Will Trump finally be held accountable?
I just don’t know. I do know this. It’s up to us.
Trump will only be held accountable if we can remove him and all his many minions and syncophants from power. We have a chance, but no certainty.
Either democracy will be upheld, in actuality restored, or our country will go the way of every other dictatorship, into darkness, cruelty and government violence as a way of life.
No one will save us except ourselves. Even though we all have differences, unless we all unite in common cause against fascism, hatred and violence, we won’t win.
I will stand against Trump for as long as I live. Will America?
If I happen to be talking to someone who turns out to be a Trumper... I may turn to him and calmly say...
I can't trust you. I mean, we can chat about weather, agree or disagree on beer styles or who is a better baseball pitcher. We could even change a tire together.
But if I were dying, I would not trust you to save my life. And if you did so anyway, this would simply tell me that somewhere hidden inside you is a better person and you have suppressed that man because you are in a cult right now but you do desperately want to let him be free and you are looking for a way to do that. If you do let me die, that proves my point. And so, because of this risky lifestyle you lead, I simply cannot trust you. Not with anything crucial, that is. Have a nice day.
Ouch, Jeff. That’s an accurate but very depressing way of assessing what an interaction, especially a serious interaction, with a member of the cult is like.
I guess we have all become really good at recognizing it then. Because none of us really ever wanted to nor ever thought we would ever meet anyone in one.
I do wonder... is there like one switch in the head? A certain chemical? A thing we do or eat or something... that triggers or makes that area of cultness in us? I mean... You can LOVE some girl in high school to the point of doing stupid things... or you can be CONVINCED of things... and maybe that is similar to being in a cult. Like those Amway schemes or whatever.
But how can a person like.. have a regular conversation with you about--I dunno--anything... sports, cars, wood, parking rules, kids, clothing, skiing, etc etc... and then suddenly when it gets to politics (of these days) this light goes on or off (I dunno which) and it just... changes. ??
Some scientist someday will have like a simple cure for it.
Jeff, if we do manage to keep any scientist in our country! Thanks to the orange man none of them want to come here and those that are here want to go somewhere else! Even our own young people interested in science and research will probably choose some other country to live and work rather than here. It is the dumbing down of America and one of the things we must correct when we get our country back.
THANK YOU for mentioning the "dumbing down" of this country. I feel this is actually happening, yet I get pooh, poohs from other people. They say young people are smarter than ever thanks to technology, but the question is whether they will have the empathy and social conscience that is a large part of intelligence and will ultimately help save our country.
Like! (My machine won't, so there!) I don't know what category "social intelligence" comes under, but we were already on quite a siege against it before Covid, and as a crone, I can testify young humans were fools for fads, probably forever. Like, bullies have always been cruel, forever. The only difference is the source of the input, strictures, and bullying. I don't think it is blowing smoke, that the bullies have captured the input for a long time, now. There was an old, famous book: "The Medium is the Message." McCluhan is in his grave going, Democrats, where you been?
Enjoy your coffee while you can! Remember, 99% of our coffee is imported. So, either coffee will be frighteningly expensive, or the shelves will be bare. We just don't have the climate here to grow coffee.
I don’t really know, Jeff. Maybe it’s because it is much easier to hate a group, an idea, a way of life, but when you’re confronted with a single person, looking you in the eye, denying their humanity becomes harder. Not impossible, of course, just harder. Even Hitler spared the life of his Jewish family doctor.
Well said. and it is hard to turn and say things like I mentioned to someone... but if you try it... see how they react. Are they spiteful? Then you were right. Are they like "oh... what can I do to make you feel better about me?" then they can be saved and you can both work on it.
I think it would be a great idea if all of us put on the glasses from the movie, THEY LIVE and saw these folks for who they are and asked them in person... and then see how they answer.
If you tell me off, sure, I will be upset. But I will actually ALSO ALWAYS ASK MYSELF... hmmm, what did I do to make they guy mad at me? Even if I think I am right, what caused this?
The ability to question onesself... that is what lacks in the mindset of a typical trumpa
PS some can act like they can do that. And some do some things sometimes... but it is REALLY hard for them to do it! I mean REALLY hard.
I remember and really like the concept of the glasses from THEY LIVE! But if we could see how many of “them” there actually are out there, we would likely be even more disturbed than we are right now.
This is so true, Michael! We are a gregarious species, and most of us are incapable of hating another person for a prolonged period of time unless there are special circumstances. Individual who hate a whole category of individuals--Jews, Muslims, Blacks, Asians, etc.-hate the stereotypes they have in their minds, not actual individuals. This is why the first step toward genocide is to put a label on a group of people. The label is a dehumanizing mechanism; it is abstraction, a figment of the imagination, a thing, and things are easy to hate.
I recently met a person with that "light switch". An intelligent fellow, very successful in running his small business.
I already knew about him having been warned on a previous day by a senior employee before the scientist in me tested the thing in him as it "exploded" after I pushed the button.
The verbal release had a near perfect construction that was difficult to argue against, as if constructed by some evil intelligence over a long period. The scientist in me observed this quietly until it had run its course and the human carrier of it returned to his normal behavior.
More recently I watched him one day as his daughter came into the store with her near new born baby and saw the most beautiful and sincere loving interaction with his family members.
How can the two different characters exist in the same mind? Is this what brainwashing is all about? What is it in our character that makes brainwashing work in many, but totally fail in some? Is it pure intellect or something else?
It is truly amazing how they are all able to say and be the same message too! I have seen guys you can joke with suddenly switch and they act (or actually for that moment are) like they do not even get your humor. And you’re like, Bob! It’s me! You have known me 30 years! (Like don’t I get a pass?)
These are people I had to just give up on.
Has to be chemical.
Thus, there has to be a cure.
I wish I were a scientist but as a wood and metal worker it is a lot like how, with wood at least, all the boards are different when you build something but once you coat it, they somehow amalgamate or homogenize right before your eyes
With metal it is like welding. Two pieces become one
And can be cut easily. And re welded with the seam hidden.
@Jeff. There is no physical cure. Geneticists know that up to 30% of people carry a gene for low trust. (look into “Red Genes/Blue Genes”). However Democrats caused the Tea Party and the current MAGA movement. They did this by becoming too affluent and turning away from key components of their traditional coalition, namely the exact people described as Trump voters: white, non-college, more rural, more religious, lower income working people.
Why scapegoat Democrats? Both parties supported the offshoring and automation of jobs, and neither party could have stopped it. Both parties encouraged foreign companies to invest in the US, but most of the jobs thus created were non-union jobs. Foreign competition forced American workers to compete with low pay foreign workers, unfair but largely inevitable. Bidenomics did create many new, well paid jobs, but he has not been given the credit he deserves. Trump's tariffs may encourage domestic manufacturing if they are sufficiently high (100% and higher), but they will make the products more expensive.
Even if they were to work, look at all the pain they will cause in the meantime. Not that I think they will. There are better ways to bring jobs to the US, starting with tax incentives.
@ Victor. Not scapegoating or blaming Democrats ! Except, if either party has a responsibility to make a difference, it’s the democrats! Let’s go dude!
Jeff...I think those people are missing something in their life, they are looking for something and they settled on trump. Or they just keep drinking the orange kool-aid.
There is something. Look hard at a trumper and see. See if they are hollow like less creative or less able to think outside the box. Like a bouncer vs a ballerina
Logic alone can never prove anything. Epistemology in partnership with Logic is required. Heather and Bob, please educate us on epistemology. Biggest foundation of critical thinking.
Recently one of my brothers, a Trump voter, agreed with me that Trump has broken promises he made in his campaign and can’t be trusted. Optimistic sign, eh?
Before the last elections, I had good, friendly neighbours - we were chatting daily almost helping each other with dog watching, and what not. Until they Put a sign "Team Trump" in front of their house. That turn me off and when I asked them not face to face in a chat - "why" the answer was cause a friend gave it to us. :) That is really not a serious explanation. It does point out that Trump has become a leader of blind cult. People who don't think what they are doing. Simply because someone close told them Trump is our leader, follow him, and they just do. Sad story.
Trump is the symptom. Stop treating him as the cause. Then new ideas will flower forth on how to deal with the situation. We'll be less depressed. We'll have goals that we can work toward.
The good news is that now, generally speaking, I know a clear line of assholes and non assholes.
If a non maga/dem does something I don’t like I can live with it and even discuss or debate or try to work with them on it.
If it’s a trumper I know right then it’s cuz they are one. And generally the only folks doong anything I do not like are trumpers. Non magas/dems are not doing things I do not like
So I know what all assholes are now
Easy!
I am sorry to see how your neighborhood suffers because of these things! Their fault.
I rarely talk to my brother because he’s a born again very right wing Christian who told me that he voted for Trump because “he doesn’t kill babies” (believe in abortion). He sees his character flaws but excuses them. All of their “Christian” friends are in the cult. It’s sad but his beliefs are WAY out there.
Thanks Jeffrey. His thinking is very concrete, rigid. My sisters and I are totally different people...all tuned in and liberal-thinking. It's painful to watch. His daughter and family are in the cult too, but I'm able to communicate with them.
My first reaction to your query was, of course we know the answer. Then I remembered the billboard I saw yesterday "I had fingerprints at 9 weeks!" (gestation.) And then there's the common one: "I had a hearbeat at ___ weeks!" So maybe it would be interesting to ask, what about from when the sperm burrows up to these other developments? I ain't gonna ask!
Well said. My sister is a Trumper, and that is exactly the relationship we have. We talk about everything but Trump and his enablers. We do not trust each other. Very sad since I'm 81 and she's 83 with our siblings and close relatives all gone.
The Trumpers believe only what their sites tell them. They have it so deeply installed in their beliefs that everyone else is wrong. Just maybe it will sort of work if and when it effects them in their pocketbooks. We can't change their beliefs as individuals.
Just sending support that you don't need to feel guilty or second-guess. My experience with my mother and her siblings confirmed to me that there is a congenital component. I speculate that, for one thing, there is a "creepiness detector" chromosome that is inactivated. Also bred in, IMO, is the blindness to hypocrisy and a supportive high tolerance for cognitive dissonance. M. Scott Peck, in his early 80's book; People of the Lie, identified a response of disgust in the presence of evil as a survival instinct. Along with a hair-raising presentiment of somebody just like you-know-who.
It depends on whether or not the majority of Americans and particularly members of Congress start actually publicly defending the constitution and stop making excuses for Trump or simply keeping quiet and continue to treat Trump’s fantasies as facts out of fear of retribution from him.
I should imagine it all began with three shots in the 60s. Rather, those were what sealed today's fate and set up what we have now.
Going back to maybe the 50s... you had McCarthy and all that... and the right has always wanted to do what is going on right now. This has a prettier face on it (after all, while they do not appeal to me, some of the women in his fold are relatively attractive and these appeal to many trump guys--you know the types. And he has people of color working for him too--who do not realize that the later, further down the road version of trump is to do away with them ultimately as well.
Anyway, once the right ousted two Kennedys (with brains) and MLK, this paved the way for Nixon and Regan... Rodger Stone and his types of folks propped these guys up. Bush One was one thing... kind of not even that bad imo... but Bush 2 was a nightmare. In my assessment and some inside intel, his admin is WHY 9/11 was not prevented. While I do now see him as a far better alternative to Trump in 100 ways, I still hold him and his admin accountable for the death of my own father and 3000 other people who died that day because of the fact they refused to see and listen to the intel from the previous admin. Because, like Trump, they throw out any WHAT IF or anything the left has to offer. Or, if they take it, they pretend it was their own thing.
Trump and his camp are like the mafia. And the stuff they are doing will not go away the day he leaves us. That's how he set it all up. He lives on our pain. Remember that. This is how abused people are. they live on your pain. And when it comes to sexual predators, they also happen to have this real gift... of being able to totally bamboozle and gaslight even the authorities.
Trump is a phenomenon. I have said it before. But watch out for the guys coming next... could be as bad! We have to stop this now but we have to do it soon.
I find none of the women under Trump’s sway attractive. They all look hard and plastic to me. Even alien. If they start off as normal looking when young and first in the fold, they soon transform, often through what I think is ideology-mandated plastic surgery. And the men are no better. There are the insect types like Miller, the shiny-eyed ones like Johnson with their disturbing secrets, and then all the soft, doughy ones, too consumed in accumulating power, money and flesh.
America’s fascination with fascism goes way back. Into the 1930s and even earlier. Rachel Maddow has done a lot of work detailing that vein in our history.
But I think you may be right, Jeff, in that the marriage of political corruption and fascism with mafioso boss structures may be something relatively new. To America. Clearly not to Russia. Or China.
Glad you said that, because I was wondering if I'm weird thinking none of "His" anointed women look attractive! VERY plastic and hard as you describe them. I prefer a more natural look, little to no makeup, decent hair and a warm smile. His choice strategy is, of course, to appeal to the uneducated and hormonal male. It's all part of a well thought out marketing strategy. I'm too old for that, and, well, and having developed critical thinking skills
To my eyes, the Trump “doxies” and the Trump “bros” all have an artificial, distorted look that goes beyond plastic surgery or lifestyle and reveals something empty inside.
Rich, I like what you said here. The orange man's choice of women is very Cruella De Vil looking! Their make-up is painted on and very hard looking! There is nothing natural about these women. On the other hand, you have his faithful cult followers - maga - who seem to not care what they look like as long as their wearing all of his paraphernalia that has his name plastered all over it!
Well, I mean... in the past it was just ugly mean men... now they have women there... and Trump guys like their look.
I mean, the one who I get sick looking at the most right now is karoline leavitt. She has these qualities one would like, but there's this whole look about her that screams so the exact kind of hateful spiteful pissy person who seems all right and Christian that makes me want to simply ring her neck til she is no more! I cant explain it... but they could not have picked a more perfect person for this role. It's almost genius. They read into EXACTLY what sets me off. I mean the blokes truly behind this are sinister smart people who use it wrongly but are really good at what they do.
This is the problem. They crawl back when they are not on top... but they are always there.
Uhm, in this current universe that we live in, I strongly suggest that you don’t publish anything that has even a hint that you might like to commit violence.
I have never slapped a woman (or anyone) in my life, and wouldn't. But I'm having a visceral reaction to Karoline Leavitt which has me rethinking that.
Michael, the link between fascism and mafioso "dons' goes back to the Sicilian "mafie", private armies of feudal-type lords who dominated much of Sicily during the 18th and 19th Centuries (ref. Wiki). We have them to thank historically for the Capone and Gotti style of governance that we are suffering in this country, dominated by greed, intimidation, and graft. Remember that "herr drumpf" took his cue from Fred, Sr. whose career in real estate was deeply corrupted by his association with the Genovese crime syndicate during the 1970's an'80's (read Greg Olear's 'Tinker, Tailor, Mobster, TRUMP"). Fred's and Donald's careers as swindlers was cast in cement by partnerships like this, intertwined with Joe McCarthy's mob lawyer Roy Cohn. Worthy of research Is the position of the ancestors of the Drumpf clan in central Germany during the !800's when a feudal structure of property ownership was firmly in place. Not the "land of the free and home of the brave".
My vote went to 'other' with the expectation that Nature will hold drumpf accountable for the abuse which he has heaped upon himself before other mortals see fit to call him to task.
Keith, I have never understood that conspiracy theory. It just doesn't make sense! Why in the world would we drive planes into our own buildings? Why would we cause such tragic and horrific pain to our own American citizens? What could we possibly gain by that? That is one conspiracy theory that is as nuts as Elvis working in a diner somewhere in the US flipping burgers!
It never made any sense to me either at the time. However if it or something like it happened today I would have a different opinion when you consider who is running our government today.
Oh my gosh! I never thought about that, Keith! You are so right. If something traumatic happened today, I would definitely consider who is running the government! After all, if he can get a bullet shot in his direction in order to garner sympathy and more people to swallow his BS, what other horrible things can he do?
Right there with you Michael. I don't know if Trump will ever be held accountable. He never has before. I keep imagining him ending up like Don Giovanni in Mozart's opera. Someone gives him one last chance to repent. He refused. The earth opens, and Don Giovanni is cast into hell.
I hope with all my heart that someday soon, he will finally overplay his had to such an extent that even Republican "leaders" who have so far done nothing to stop him will figure out where their red line is and decide that line has been crossed. They can either impeach and convict him or invoke the 25th amendment. I don't care which as long as he's out of power. Mind you, it won't be because that's the right thing to do. It will only happen if they decide he is a liability to their party and to their own hold on power.
Trump will never be held accountable for any of his crimes for three reasons: First, Republicans will always be a powerful enough politically and judicially to prevent that. Second The Democrats, if they ever again hold power will insist, for the sake of national peace, to not go after Trump or any of his family. Three, actuarial realities — Donald Trump will die and that will be that.
No, Michael. America will not stand with you, despite your eloquence. You should know better. Some Americans will stand with you against Trump, others will stand against you, and still others will not stand at all; they will keep a low profile. Our chance of standing up against Trump is by winning the elections next year, and they are likely to be about the economy. Attacking prices and policies is likely to be more effective than attacking Trump, who still enjoys the loyalty of millions. Get real!
The other team, (b/c this country seems to be all about teamism atm), has to provide a real option for R who look to the D to see if they can tolerate a switch. If they don't see ppl who look like them (physically and emotionally) they won't switch. IMHO D are doing a shit job of providing a home team. (Ppl just don't vote rather than swap sides.)
I think a bit different. Trump is a old psychiatric patient. He is past his power to be responsible, he is so mentally ill, that he cannot be accountable.
So, I'm not interested in the man, his cruelty, or his incompetence or the penalties he deserves.
The man is no longer the real problem—as you say, he is old and he is demented. The problem is MAGA—and if Trump & his criminal henchmen are not held accountable, as they were not after his bloody insurrection, MAGA will become even stronger. It will be a major effort and take years to undo the damage. We must all work to get out the vote for a Democratic opposition majority in Congress next year. All of us. That work is already going on. Join it.
Yes Mary, I did'nt mean to say that the secretaries and other helpers must go free and not be held accountable. However, RFK, what a nut. The man is crazy.
But indeed, it will take years to repair the damage; and the real problem, that is the education of the voters. Trump was chosen. The Republicans accepted the bunch of fruitcakes that he proposed.
I did react because the invectives and analysing the criminals won't help. The court and judges should do their work, the politicians should take their responsibility. I see the mess created and feel terribly ashamed.
Here's the two most important, relevant things that Democratic Party leaders are ignoring or don't know.
Democrats lost the 2024 U.S. Presidential election for two reasons that are going to repeat again in 2026 and 2028:
#1 - hundreds of thousands of swing state Democrat Arab-American, Muslim-American and progressive voters stayed home and did not vote in the 2024 election precisely because Kamala Harris and the DNC did not promise to cut off arms to Israel; Democratic Party leaders ignore this fact.
#2 - Republican voter suppression tactics: Republicans did steal the 2024 U.S. Presidential election via vote challenges and removing voters from the state voting rolls. Democrats seem to be clueless about Republican vote challenges and how Republicans wrongfully removed millions of voters of color from the state voting rolls.
Each and every Democrat should stop what they’re doing and watch this documentary and these videos that SHOWS how Republicans stole the 2024 U.S. Presidential election and will do it again:
But for Republican voter suppression Kamala Harris would have won by nearly four million votes:
How Republicans and Trump's TRU THE VOTE group executed unconstitutional voter challenges removing hundreds of thousands of ballots from the election: Martin Sheen narrates this incredible historic documentary produced by Pultizer prize-winning journalist Greg Palast that SHOWS HOW Republicans stole the 2024 election and are poised to DO IT AGAIN!
Yes, I think Ron is wrong that Dems are oblivious to #2. They know. (I will look at Ron's links: Greg Palast??) I have even more paranoid fears: worst-case scenario, Trump declares martial aw and just "postpones" the election. Sorry....
Do you know why #1 voters voted for the Muslim Ban guy who saw them dancing for joy on 9/11 (not) and who was obviously itching to advise Bibi to solve his problem by just killing them all? (Maybe you can also explain why Hispanics voted for the guy who obviously thinks they are all criminals and gangsters.)
Tom I am sad and disgusted as you are, and agree that invective won't help, nor will most analysis--though some analysis is crucial. But I'm not ashamed. I was working against Trump when he was only a twinkle in a science fiction writer's eye! No one who's at work organizing or helping to get the vote out, or supporting Public Citizen and the Center for Constitutional Rights and the unions and UN aid to Gaza and Sudan and Ukraine with their spare $$, or protesting deportations and government defunding and climate change and interference with our state and local governments and schools should be ashamed. No one working to clean up our spoiled environments and prevent the avalanche of destruction that will follow the loss of the EPA and the Clean Air Act, and no one--right again--involved in education should be ashamed. No one who voted for Trump because they believed what he said, and Republican resistance to education since Nixon left them unequipped to see through him, but who sees now, should be ashamed. Let's leave shame to the villains and join our local Indivisible chapters. Or go to https://www.mobilize.us/ and find out what's up to do today, or write to our Reps.
Yes Mary, more then agreeing; and welcome tot the sentiment you express.
My problem is that many voters did not know, cultivated their uninformedness. My problem is that Trump's oath on the Bible and the constitution is a charade. Who can talk serious about an oath that is not protected in veracity.
I live in Europe but our environment policies are frustrated a lot. The victims of the cuts in USAID will not complain, but die. And the flight from Amsterdan to Newark was a risk, because Musk fired the traffic controllers.
That is what is caused by toddlers with machine guns.
Yes. I often live in Europe too--where you still have relative sanity in charge. Working to defend the environment and mitigate climate change is always frustrating because of the other interests and commitments of legislators and government officials. But we in the US have only madmen to work with now, whose only goal is destruction, so the tasks will take huge imagination. I'm supporting young people running for offices at every level.
And yes, well put, the victims of cuts in USAID will not complain, and they will die--that's why one of our tasks is to complain *for* them, and support them directly with our own $$. (No one's writing about how EXPENSIVE this collapse of government is for citizens of conscience, including working class and poor people, who give disproportionately in our culture of private giving.)
Here's the two most important, relevant things that Democratic Party leaders are ignoring or don't know.
Democrats lost the 2024 U.S. Presidential election for two reasons that are going to repeat again in 2026 and 2028:
#1 - hundreds of thousands of Democrat Arab-American, Muslim-American and progressive voters stayed home and did not vote in the 2024 election precisely because Kamala Harris and the DNC did not promise to cut off arms to Israel; Democratic Party leaders ignore this fact.
#2 - Republican voter suppression tactics: Republicans did steal the 2024 U.S. Presidential election via vote challenges and removing voters from the state voting rolls. Democrats seem to be clueless about Republican vote challenges and how Republicans wrongfully removed millions of voters of color from the state voting rolls.
Each and every Democrat should stop what they’re doing and watch this documentary and these videos that SHOWS how Republicans stole the 2024 U.S. Presidential election and will do it again:
But for Republican voter suppression Kamala Harris would have won by nearly four million votes:
How Republicans and Trump's TRU THE VOTE group executed unconstitutional voter challenges removing hundreds of thousands of ballots from the election: Martin Sheen narrates this incredible historic documentary produced by Pultizer prize-winning journalist Greg Palast that SHOWS HOW Republicans stole the 2024 election and are poised to DO IT AGAIN!
Thanks for circulating these important links! I must say the dozens of Democratic groups who've been organizing to get out the vote and resist voter suppression for years now are well aware of these issues, especially the 2nd, as are many senators and House members and governors (including of course those who had to fight voter suppression, sometimes for months after an election, to win their races)! I've quit saying "Democrats" when I'm furious: I say "DNC." Because without people like Stacy Abrams, AOC, Rashida Tlaib, Jamie Raskin, Bernie Sanders, Chris Murphy, Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, Ro Khanna, Jim McGovern, Chuy Garcia, Pramila Jayapal, Keith Ellison, Ayanna Pressley, Maxwell Frost, and many stalwart governors, AGs and secretaries of state, people wouldn't know to look for such links, or for columns by Reich &c with their well-informed readers.
Like! Ron's post got duplicated, but I also thanked for the links. It was so discouraging that Stacy Abrams' massive effort to overcome the disenfranchisement couldn't overcome, but there is getting to be a lot on the bright side, Allison Riggs hanging in there in N. Carolina for democracy a winner just a few days ago. Other than Democracy Docket and the brave State AG's you reference, Greg Palast ought to be consultant-in-chief to all democrats everywhere on How Things Work.
MAGA is the MEANS, not the END. Global domination by AI supported oligarchs, of obedient sheeple, molded by religious hierarchies, is the END, the GOAL. :>(
Trump is unfortunately symptomatic of a darkness of consciousness and lazy malaise of "let someone do it for me" that is all too pervasive. Is there enough of a critical mass to offset this dark dynamism? Good question.
There are a few piteously deteriorated cases who have been wheelchaired into court to face old music. The movie producer guy and Bill Cosby, blind, off the top of my head. And then I start to think of Trump's victims. E. Jean Carroll is no Spring Chicken, and he dragged her through it all, and she's just one of so, so many. So maybe I just want to live in hope that Trump has his ugly nose rubbed in manure of his own making in the courts for the rest of his days. He can't be on the golf course if he's lying in a deposition or on the stand.
Reason for voting ´not a chance’ is the fact that 4 years apparently were not enough to hold Trump accountable for the ‘January 6th’ insurrection…..very sad, but true.
Trump has a reptilian instinct for survival with a nose for those he can corrupt and a big bag of dirty tricks to delay, deny, ignore, and skirt the law. He endlessly sh*t all over a legal system, one designed to operate with "good faith" lawmakers, honest judges, an efficient and functional DOJ and the application of a Constitution that is commonly held as sacred.
Trump tested the system and it failed. It was failing before (rife with bad faith players, corruption, greed) but those in Congress failed to make the necessary repairs to that rickety old structure in dire need of an overhaul. Now it's completely collapsed. If the USA manages to crawl out from trump's black pit of criminality, I would hope that they prioritize revamping their Constitution and holding the traitors to account.
Judith, please do not demean reptiles. They are just out there in the grass, the water or the trees just trying to get along. Sometimes we get cross wise with them but they did not have a plan. This man or his minions have lots of plans, many ridiculous like his original ban on people from Arab states entering this country early in his first term. Now we have white South Africans being flown here on our dime because they are endangered. And not true at all !
Here's the two most important, relevant things that Democratic Party leaders are ignoring or don't know.
Democrats lost the 2024 U.S. Presidential election for two reasons that are going to repeat again in 2026 and 2028:
#1 - hundreds of thousands of swing state Democrat Arab-American, Muslim-American and progressive voters stayed home and did not vote in the 2024 election precisely because Kamala Harris and the DNC did not promise to cut off arms to Israel; Democratic Party leaders ignore this fact.
#2 - Republican voter suppression tactics: Republicans did steal the 2024 U.S. Presidential election via vote challenges and removing voters from the state voting rolls. Democrats seem to be clueless about Republican vote challenges and how Republicans wrongfully removed millions of voters of color from the state voting rolls.
Each and every Democrat should stop what they’re doing and watch this documentary and these videos that SHOWS how Republicans stole the 2024 U.S. Presidential election and will do it again:
But for Republican voter suppression Kamala Harris would have won by nearly four million votes:
How Republicans and Trump's TRU THE VOTE group executed unconstitutional voter challenges removing hundreds of thousands of ballots from the election: Martin Sheen narrates this incredible historic documentary produced by Pultizer prize-winning journalist Greg Palast that SHOWS HOW Republicans stole the 2024 election and are poised to DO IT AGAIN!
Yes eventually because I believe the majority of Americans are good people. It may take quite awhile. I am 92 and hope to be around when the orange psychopath falls. Eusie Zane
Congratulations on being 85 and being cognizant of politics:
Here's the two most important, relevant things that Democratic Party leaders are ignoring or don't know.
Democrats lost the 2024 U.S. Presidential election for two reasons that are going to repeat again in 2026 and 2028:
#1 - hundreds of thousands of swing state Democrat Arab-American, Muslim-American and progressive voters stayed home and did not vote in the 2024 election precisely because Kamala Harris and the DNC did not promise to cut off arms to Israel; Democratic Party leaders ignore this fact.
#2 - Republican voter suppression tactics: Republicans did steal the 2024 U.S. Presidential election via vote challenges and removing voters from the state voting rolls. Democrats seem to be clueless about Republican vote challenges and how Republicans wrongfully removed millions of voters of color from the state voting rolls.
Each and every Democrat should stop what they’re doing and watch this documentary and these videos that SHOWS how Republicans stole the 2024 U.S. Presidential election and will do it again:
But for Republican voter suppression Kamala Harris would have won by nearly four million votes:
How Republicans and Trump's TRU THE VOTE group executed unconstitutional voter challenges removing hundreds of thousands of ballots from the election: Martin Sheen narrates this incredible historic documentary produced by Pultizer prize-winning journalist Greg Palast that SHOWS HOW Republicans stole the 2024 election and are poised to DO IT AGAIN!
Congratulations on being 92 and cognizant of politics:
Here's the two most important, relevant things that Democratic Party leaders are ignoring or don't know.
Democrats lost the 2024 U.S. Presidential election for two reasons that are going to repeat again in 2026 and 2028:
#1 - hundreds of thousands of swing state Democrat Arab-American, Muslim-American and progressive voters stayed home and did not vote in the 2024 election precisely because Kamala Harris and the DNC did not promise to cut off arms to Israel; Democratic Party leaders ignore this fact.
#2 - Republican voter suppression tactics: Republicans did steal the 2024 U.S. Presidential election via vote challenges and removing voters from the state voting rolls. Democrats seem to be clueless about Republican vote challenges and how Republicans wrongfully removed millions of voters of color from the state voting rolls.
Each and every Democrat should stop what they’re doing and watch this documentary and these videos that SHOWS how Republicans stole the 2024 U.S. Presidential election and will do it again:
But for Republican voter suppression Kamala Harris would have won by nearly four million votes:
How Republicans and Trump's TRU THE VOTE group executed unconstitutional voter challenges removing hundreds of thousands of ballots from the election: Martin Sheen narrates this incredible historic documentary produced by Pultizer prize-winning journalist Greg Palast that SHOWS HOW Republicans stole the 2024 election and are poised to DO IT AGAIN!
Fascinating coffee chat this morning! I found the explanation of how the mega wealthy are still financing the government, by buying and receiving interest on bonds, paid by all Americans, instead of paying higher marginal tax rates, so illuminating that I interrupted my listening to write this comment...
The bottom line is greed, in all its stages, in all its levels. Integrity erodes in the face of it. I don’t have any answers, I’m just tired, I hoped our leaders would fight sooner and with more imagination.
Don't give up, Patr! In truth, we have always had greedy, corrupt and evil people in our midst. Right now, they are brazen enough to shove it in our faces and pretend it is normal. Professor Reich is right, we are the sleeping giant and we are waking up. Keep fighting because we absolutely will win!
Oh my goodness! I so enjoyed the Coffee Klatch this morning! Professor Reich, I love it when you get a little sarcastic! It makes me laugh! Bamboozle Switcheroo and Colossal Cranked Up Corruption are now two of my favorite phrases! I chose yes, eventually for the question will the orange man ever be held to account. Why? Because when we take our country back, and trust me - we will!, in order for us to move forward and build a better Democracy, we absolutely have to bring the orange man, musk-rat, inept cabinet, and every single person that aided and abetted his crimes to justice! Americans need to actually see that the rule of law applies to every single person in our country no matter who they are! We need closure from this dark period in our country's history and we will get that by taking all of those people to court. Right now, republicans have an obligation to America. Their oath requires them to protect and preserve the Constitution. In order to follow that oath, they must impeach the orange man. Why? Because in Article 1, Section 9, Clause 8 of the United States Constitution prohibits federal office holders from accepting any gifts, payments or other benefits from foreign states. The emoluments clause is there to maintain the integrity of public office and protect against external influence. Now if republicans have forgotten how to read then it is our job to constantly barrage their offices with explanations about the emoluments clause. If they do not do their job and impeach the orange man, they get voted out. We can either fight like hell and take our country back or we can actually become the shithole country the orange man says we are. C'mon, America! It is up to us! Can we awaken this sleeping giant and send the orange man packing? You bet we can! Keep fighting! Stay strong and stay safe!
We will survive this moment! What absolutely powerful words coming from 'the Boss'! He has always and will always be a proud American. He sings about our great country and loves it as much as all of us on these substacks, groups and organizations. The message he delivered to Manchester resonates with me and should be played for every single American in every part of our country. His message should be played to those representatives in Congress so they know and understand what we are fighting about! When you feel like you cannot do another phone call, letter or petition, remember what Bruce Springsteen has said in his message to Manchester and then fight on! Keep fighting, America! We will get there and when we do it will be glorious! Stay strong and stay safe!
Here's the two most important, relevant things that Democratic Party leaders are ignoring or don't know.
Democrats lost the 2024 U.S. Presidential election for two reasons that are going to repeat again in 2026 and 2028:
#1 - hundreds of thousands of swing state Democrat Arab-American, Muslim-American and progressive voters stayed home and did not vote in the 2024 election precisely because Kamala Harris and the DNC did not promise to cut off arms to Israel; Democratic Party leaders ignore this fact.
#2 - Republican voter suppression tactics: Republicans did steal the 2024 U.S. Presidential election via vote challenges and removing voters from the state voting rolls. Democrats seem to be clueless about Republican vote challenges and how Republicans wrongfully removed millions of voters of color from the state voting rolls.
Each and every Democrat should stop what they’re doing and watch this documentary and these videos that SHOWS how Republicans stole the 2024 U.S. Presidential election and will do it again:
But for Republican voter suppression Kamala Harris would have won by nearly four million votes:
How Republicans and Trump's TRU THE VOTE group executed unconstitutional voter challenges removing hundreds of thousands of ballots from the election: Martin Sheen narrates this incredible historic documentary produced by Pultizer prize-winning journalist Greg Palast that SHOWS HOW Republicans stole the 2024 election and are poised to DO IT AGAIN!
Trump is having a bubble bath, laced with orange jello, in the Golden tub (matched set with toilet) flying back from Saudi Arabia.
As the plane approaches New York, the pilot cannot believe his eyes…KING KONG is swatting at fighter jets atop the Empire States Bldg. 😱
‘King Trump’ (as he likes to be called, and tips for each slurp) is informed that KING KONG is ‘doing his thing’…AGAIN…and the pilot is worried.
Trump leaps to the rescue, armed with a box of 🍔🍔🍔🍔🍔🍔, and begins flinging them out of the hatch he insisted be opened.
Unfortunately, because of the bubblebath, he is extremely SLIPPERY…so, what else is new you ask! 🙄
Just like that…Trump slides out of the plane, but, is caught by Kong, who thinks he is a breakfast burrito and swallows him whole!
Is that justice enough for you? 🤷🏼♀️
Well, how about Trump being ‘vomited’ by King Kong due to his toxic personality and putrification from marinating in his thousands of lies!! Even Kong found him ‘sickening’. 🤮
- 31 -
Of course this is just FICTION…but if you want Trump to PAY for his crimes committed over the last term, and amped up on crack this time… better write THIS on a piece of paper, stick it to the fridge door, and read it ALOUD every time you snack:
“LIARS LIE, KILLERS KILL, CHEATERS CHEAT AND ALWAYS WILL,
NOW IN PUNISHMENT & PAIN, JUST ADMIT THAT TRUMP’S “INSANE”!!
Here's the two most important, relevant things that Democratic Party leaders are ignoring or don't know.
Democrats lost the 2024 U.S. Presidential election for two reasons that are going to repeat again in 2026 and 2028:
#1 - hundreds of thousands of swing state Democrat Arab-American, Muslim-American and progressive voters stayed home and did not vote in the 2024 election precisely because Kamala Harris and the DNC did not promise to cut off arms to Israel; Democratic Party leaders ignore this fact.
#2 - Republican voter suppression tactics: Republicans did steal the 2024 U.S. Presidential election via vote challenges and removing voters from the state voting rolls. Democrats seem to be clueless about Republican vote challenges and how Republicans wrongfully removed millions of voters of color from the state voting rolls.
Each and every Democrat should stop what they’re doing and watch this documentary and these videos that SHOWS how Republicans stole the 2024 U.S. Presidential election and will do it again:
But for Republican voter suppression Kamala Harris would have won by nearly four million votes:
How Republicans and Trump's TRU THE VOTE group executed unconstitutional voter challenges removing hundreds of thousands of ballots from the election: Martin Sheen narrates this incredible historic documentary produced by Pultizer prize-winning journalist Greg Palast that SHOWS HOW Republicans stole the 2024 election and are poised to DO IT AGAIN!
For this poll, I HOPE he will eventually be held accountable. But looking at past behavior of the United States versus donald john trump slime - he has gotten away with whatever the hell he wants to do.. Yes we've won more court cases against him, including the April 10th Supreme Court 9 to 0 finding ordering him to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Big Damned Whoop dee doo! NO ONE has enforced one of them. Trump slime has publicly said he will NOT obey. That alone should put his sorry ass in jail for at least 30 days. But no, trump slime seems to have turned us into a Country of wimps. Too many of our elected officials are stuffing themselves at the same greedy troughs. Out of 535 persons elected to Congress I doubt that much more than 100 are dedicated to serving their REAL Constituency the rest are captives of their wealthy donors. In a post I made yesterday I wrote I could only come up with 14 names - and two of them were Republicans plus two more no longer in Congress - I'm sure there are more but no where near the numbers we need to force trump slime to obey either the Constitution or any written law, he is so smitten with the concept of authoritarianism in any of its forms.
Here's the two most important, relevant things that Democratic Party leaders are ignoring or don't know.
Democrats lost the 2024 U.S. Presidential election for two reasons that are going to repeat again in 2026 and 2028:
#1 - hundreds of thousands of swing state Democrat Arab-American, Muslim-American and progressive voters stayed home and did not vote in the 2024 election precisely because Kamala Harris and the DNC did not promise to cut off arms to Israel; Democratic Party leaders ignore this fact.
#2 - Republican voter suppression tactics: Republicans did steal the 2024 U.S. Presidential election via vote challenges and removing voters from the state voting rolls. Democrats seem to be clueless about Republican vote challenges and how Republicans wrongfully removed millions of voters of color from the state voting rolls.
Each and every Democrat should stop what they’re doing and watch this documentary and these videos that SHOWS how Republicans stole the 2024 U.S. Presidential election and will do it again:
But for Republican voter suppression Kamala Harris would have won by nearly four million votes:
How Republicans and Trump's TRU THE VOTE group executed unconstitutional voter challenges removing hundreds of thousands of ballots from the election: Martin Sheen narrates this incredible historic documentary produced by Pultizer prize-winning journalist Greg Palast that SHOWS HOW Republicans stole the 2024 election and are poised to DO IT AGAIN!
Right now, the chance of Trump being held accountable looks slim. Many things need to change: regaining Democratic control of the House and Senate, and being lucky enough not to lose any truly non partisan judges and to be able to appoint more. And one small bright spot is that even Trump-appointed judges (Amy Cony Barrett comes to mind) have mostly foillowed the law, not Trump. But even if he is brought to account, the length of time the law takes to get results may see him die first--and he will have gotten away with all of it.
However, this experience, given a return to something like rule of law, could--and I hope it does--initiate various legal reforms. That could be the best outcome, because I think that Trump's age will let him avoid real prosecution.
Here's the two most important, relevant things that Democratic Party leaders are ignoring or don't know.
Democrats lost the 2024 U.S. Presidential election for two reasons that are going to repeat again in 2026 and 2028:
#1 - hundreds of thousands of swing state Democrat Arab-American, Muslim-American and progressive voters stayed home and did not vote in the 2024 election precisely because Kamala Harris and the DNC did not promise to cut off arms to Israel; Democratic Party leaders ignore this fact.
#2 - Republican voter suppression tactics: Republicans did steal the 2024 U.S. Presidential election via vote challenges and removing voters from the state voting rolls. Democrats seem to be clueless about Republican vote challenges and how Republicans wrongfully removed millions of voters of color from the state voting rolls.
Each and every Democrat should stop what they’re doing and watch this documentary and these videos that SHOWS how Republicans stole the 2024 U.S. Presidential election and will do it again:
But for Republican voter suppression Kamala Harris would have won by nearly four million votes:
How Republicans and Trump's TRU THE VOTE group executed unconstitutional voter challenges removing hundreds of thousands of ballots from the election: Martin Sheen narrates this incredible historic documentary produced by Pultizer prize-winning journalist Greg Palast that SHOWS HOW Republicans stole the 2024 election and are poised to DO IT AGAIN!
My machine won't like, but I Like it! I happen to be a fan of the author Georgette Heyer, who recounts in great depth British high society mostly in the Eighteenth Century, but the standards of conduct include "noblesse oblige," by which code a TRUE person of class did not despise his lessers, but would be respectful and generous to those less fortunate. Fallen upon hardship: an inn far beneath his usual standards of comfort: he would graciously accommodate himself without complaint and with generosity. In a Heyer novel, Trump would figure as the vulgar, arrogant, abusive social climber reeking of "the shop" and always defensive of status earned from money vs the real "quality." Sound familiar? Only here in America money HAS gotten to be the definition of class, and we are ruled by a gaggle of philistines.
When he dies we must attach his estate. Trish James, upon his death, must immediately file liens against his property. Every effort must be made to collect the debt he owes all of us. And strip his clutch of rapacious baby grifters of everything that makes them “special.” Don Jrs hunting land in Maine. Eric’s wife’s cake pans. Barron’s real estate holdings. Because it is all from grift.
Wow! Like this concept! (my ancient Mac can't like) There's a story on the news here in San Francisco about a lady who killed a couple of people in a commercial avenue "West Portal," Big wrongful death suit already settled, but now victims have found out about multiple real estate titles transferred to relatives after the event, and there's a whole new lawsuit. I love your idea!
Will Trump face justice and the rule of law? Will Trump finally be held accountable?
I just don’t know. I do know this. It’s up to us.
Trump will only be held accountable if we can remove him and all his many minions and syncophants from power. We have a chance, but no certainty.
Either democracy will be upheld, in actuality restored, or our country will go the way of every other dictatorship, into darkness, cruelty and government violence as a way of life.
No one will save us except ourselves. Even though we all have differences, unless we all unite in common cause against fascism, hatred and violence, we won’t win.
I will stand against Trump for as long as I live. Will America?
I have a new stance I am trying out...
If I happen to be talking to someone who turns out to be a Trumper... I may turn to him and calmly say...
I can't trust you. I mean, we can chat about weather, agree or disagree on beer styles or who is a better baseball pitcher. We could even change a tire together.
But if I were dying, I would not trust you to save my life. And if you did so anyway, this would simply tell me that somewhere hidden inside you is a better person and you have suppressed that man because you are in a cult right now but you do desperately want to let him be free and you are looking for a way to do that. If you do let me die, that proves my point. And so, because of this risky lifestyle you lead, I simply cannot trust you. Not with anything crucial, that is. Have a nice day.
Ouch, Jeff. That’s an accurate but very depressing way of assessing what an interaction, especially a serious interaction, with a member of the cult is like.
I guess we have all become really good at recognizing it then. Because none of us really ever wanted to nor ever thought we would ever meet anyone in one.
I do wonder... is there like one switch in the head? A certain chemical? A thing we do or eat or something... that triggers or makes that area of cultness in us? I mean... You can LOVE some girl in high school to the point of doing stupid things... or you can be CONVINCED of things... and maybe that is similar to being in a cult. Like those Amway schemes or whatever.
But how can a person like.. have a regular conversation with you about--I dunno--anything... sports, cars, wood, parking rules, kids, clothing, skiing, etc etc... and then suddenly when it gets to politics (of these days) this light goes on or off (I dunno which) and it just... changes. ??
Some scientist someday will have like a simple cure for it.
Jeff, if we do manage to keep any scientist in our country! Thanks to the orange man none of them want to come here and those that are here want to go somewhere else! Even our own young people interested in science and research will probably choose some other country to live and work rather than here. It is the dumbing down of America and one of the things we must correct when we get our country back.
THANK YOU for mentioning the "dumbing down" of this country. I feel this is actually happening, yet I get pooh, poohs from other people. They say young people are smarter than ever thanks to technology, but the question is whether they will have the empathy and social conscience that is a large part of intelligence and will ultimately help save our country.
I do not believe young people read actual books that make them take time to think and ponder.
You raise a fundamental question, Claire. Many Nazis were well educated scientists.
Like! (My machine won't, so there!) I don't know what category "social intelligence" comes under, but we were already on quite a siege against it before Covid, and as a crone, I can testify young humans were fools for fads, probably forever. Like, bullies have always been cruel, forever. The only difference is the source of the input, strictures, and bullying. I don't think it is blowing smoke, that the bullies have captured the input for a long time, now. There was an old, famous book: "The Medium is the Message." McCluhan is in his grave going, Democrats, where you been?
Totally agree with you, Claire.
Hm. We've been dumbing down for several decades. So it came to this point in history! I write while gulping down my coffee.
Enjoy your coffee while you can! Remember, 99% of our coffee is imported. So, either coffee will be frighteningly expensive, or the shelves will be bare. We just don't have the climate here to grow coffee.
Isaac Asimov wrote a famous comment about Americans being anti-science and anti-intellectual, and he's been dead for quite some time.
I think what's different now is that with the internet the dumb is so much easier to spread.
Yes, Peggy, but do not forget that many Nazis were well educated scientists.
You can be educated and still emotionally immature, unfortunately, Victor. There are zillions of examples.
An unfortunately true assessment.
I would definitely read that dissertation!
I don’t really know, Jeff. Maybe it’s because it is much easier to hate a group, an idea, a way of life, but when you’re confronted with a single person, looking you in the eye, denying their humanity becomes harder. Not impossible, of course, just harder. Even Hitler spared the life of his Jewish family doctor.
Well said. and it is hard to turn and say things like I mentioned to someone... but if you try it... see how they react. Are they spiteful? Then you were right. Are they like "oh... what can I do to make you feel better about me?" then they can be saved and you can both work on it.
I think it would be a great idea if all of us put on the glasses from the movie, THEY LIVE and saw these folks for who they are and asked them in person... and then see how they answer.
If you tell me off, sure, I will be upset. But I will actually ALSO ALWAYS ASK MYSELF... hmmm, what did I do to make they guy mad at me? Even if I think I am right, what caused this?
The ability to question onesself... that is what lacks in the mindset of a typical trumpa
PS some can act like they can do that. And some do some things sometimes... but it is REALLY hard for them to do it! I mean REALLY hard.
I remember and really like the concept of the glasses from THEY LIVE! But if we could see how many of “them” there actually are out there, we would likely be even more disturbed than we are right now.
This is so true, Michael! We are a gregarious species, and most of us are incapable of hating another person for a prolonged period of time unless there are special circumstances. Individual who hate a whole category of individuals--Jews, Muslims, Blacks, Asians, etc.-hate the stereotypes they have in their minds, not actual individuals. This is why the first step toward genocide is to put a label on a group of people. The label is a dehumanizing mechanism; it is abstraction, a figment of the imagination, a thing, and things are easy to hate.
Really? Is this last sentence true? Where did you learn of it? I would like to know.
Here.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eduard_Bloch
Oh this is soooo comforting. 🤣
Not for me . . . it's just further evidence of my own 'vulgar' curiosity.
I recently met a person with that "light switch". An intelligent fellow, very successful in running his small business.
I already knew about him having been warned on a previous day by a senior employee before the scientist in me tested the thing in him as it "exploded" after I pushed the button.
The verbal release had a near perfect construction that was difficult to argue against, as if constructed by some evil intelligence over a long period. The scientist in me observed this quietly until it had run its course and the human carrier of it returned to his normal behavior.
More recently I watched him one day as his daughter came into the store with her near new born baby and saw the most beautiful and sincere loving interaction with his family members.
How can the two different characters exist in the same mind? Is this what brainwashing is all about? What is it in our character that makes brainwashing work in many, but totally fail in some? Is it pure intellect or something else?
It is truly amazing how they are all able to say and be the same message too! I have seen guys you can joke with suddenly switch and they act (or actually for that moment are) like they do not even get your humor. And you’re like, Bob! It’s me! You have known me 30 years! (Like don’t I get a pass?)
These are people I had to just give up on.
Has to be chemical.
Thus, there has to be a cure.
I wish I were a scientist but as a wood and metal worker it is a lot like how, with wood at least, all the boards are different when you build something but once you coat it, they somehow amalgamate or homogenize right before your eyes
With metal it is like welding. Two pieces become one
And can be cut easily. And re welded with the seam hidden.
I dunno
It’s like art.
Which is scary when art is nazi
I think part of it is need, Ed. If you are complete in yourself, you are far less susceptible to brainwashing.
@Jeff. There is no physical cure. Geneticists know that up to 30% of people carry a gene for low trust. (look into “Red Genes/Blue Genes”). However Democrats caused the Tea Party and the current MAGA movement. They did this by becoming too affluent and turning away from key components of their traditional coalition, namely the exact people described as Trump voters: white, non-college, more rural, more religious, lower income working people.
I already think there should be a whole new/revamped party other than Dem/rep.
I completely agree, Benjamin. Too affluent. "I've got mine so what do I need with you."
Why scapegoat Democrats? Both parties supported the offshoring and automation of jobs, and neither party could have stopped it. Both parties encouraged foreign companies to invest in the US, but most of the jobs thus created were non-union jobs. Foreign competition forced American workers to compete with low pay foreign workers, unfair but largely inevitable. Bidenomics did create many new, well paid jobs, but he has not been given the credit he deserves. Trump's tariffs may encourage domestic manufacturing if they are sufficiently high (100% and higher), but they will make the products more expensive.
Even if they were to work, look at all the pain they will cause in the meantime. Not that I think they will. There are better ways to bring jobs to the US, starting with tax incentives.
@ Victor. Not scapegoating or blaming Democrats ! Except, if either party has a responsibility to make a difference, it’s the democrats! Let’s go dude!
Jeff...I think those people are missing something in their life, they are looking for something and they settled on trump. Or they just keep drinking the orange kool-aid.
Yes!
There is something. Look hard at a trumper and see. See if they are hollow like less creative or less able to think outside the box. Like a bouncer vs a ballerina
MAGAs are immune to logic.
I think they have their own kind of logic, like the pretzel logic Thomas and Alito engage in. It's not the same kind of logic you and I would use.
Logic alone can never prove anything. Epistemology in partnership with Logic is required. Heather and Bob, please educate us on epistemology. Biggest foundation of critical thinking.
Debbie, here's a definition from a Google search that may help other readers:
Epistemology: The theory of knowledge. Epistemology is the philosophical study of the nature, origin, and limits of human knowledge.
Logic is simply the process. A chain of logic becomes untruth when a link is untrue. That includes the first link.
Notice how hard the maga push their "first links". An example is "Illegal immigrants are all criminals".
Debbie, you no doubt know that Descartes did not dare subject the Church to his system of critical thinking.
They are into spite
Here is trumpish logic
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJnUjAWuvDt/?igsh=eDg2ZDhpcWx4NWo3
Excellent! Succinct and to the point!
Recently one of my brothers, a Trump voter, agreed with me that Trump has broken promises he made in his campaign and can’t be trusted. Optimistic sign, eh?
Hopeful. I have never seen them switch out of it
Jeff, Trump is a divider!
Before the last elections, I had good, friendly neighbours - we were chatting daily almost helping each other with dog watching, and what not. Until they Put a sign "Team Trump" in front of their house. That turn me off and when I asked them not face to face in a chat - "why" the answer was cause a friend gave it to us. :) That is really not a serious explanation. It does point out that Trump has become a leader of blind cult. People who don't think what they are doing. Simply because someone close told them Trump is our leader, follow him, and they just do. Sad story.
I will not rely on these people to save my life.
Trump is the symptom. Stop treating him as the cause. Then new ideas will flower forth on how to deal with the situation. We'll be less depressed. We'll have goals that we can work toward.
He does thrive on the divide
This is the narcissist and abused person trait.
The good news is that now, generally speaking, I know a clear line of assholes and non assholes.
If a non maga/dem does something I don’t like I can live with it and even discuss or debate or try to work with them on it.
If it’s a trumper I know right then it’s cuz they are one. And generally the only folks doong anything I do not like are trumpers. Non magas/dems are not doing things I do not like
So I know what all assholes are now
Easy!
I am sorry to see how your neighborhood suffers because of these things! Their fault.
They may save your life out of pity--if you are white.
I rarely talk to my brother because he’s a born again very right wing Christian who told me that he voted for Trump because “he doesn’t kill babies” (believe in abortion). He sees his character flaws but excuses them. All of their “Christian” friends are in the cult. It’s sad but his beliefs are WAY out there.
I often wonder… especially in family members over say 50-60 years old… if one kid ate lead paint when little and that’s how this occurred
How else can one kid turn into this.
So sorry to hear!! My sympathies to you!
Thanks Jeffrey. His thinking is very concrete, rigid. My sisters and I are totally different people...all tuned in and liberal-thinking. It's painful to watch. His daughter and family are in the cult too, but I'm able to communicate with them.
Is a fertilized egg a baby? Have you asked him?
My first reaction to your query was, of course we know the answer. Then I remembered the billboard I saw yesterday "I had fingerprints at 9 weeks!" (gestation.) And then there's the common one: "I had a hearbeat at ___ weeks!" So maybe it would be interesting to ask, what about from when the sperm burrows up to these other developments? I ain't gonna ask!
According to him and his church, that's a big yes.
Well said. My sister is a Trumper, and that is exactly the relationship we have. We talk about everything but Trump and his enablers. We do not trust each other. Very sad since I'm 81 and she's 83 with our siblings and close relatives all gone.
She is tribal, and you, quite obviously, have outgrown tribalism.
The Trumpers believe only what their sites tell them. They have it so deeply installed in their beliefs that everyone else is wrong. Just maybe it will sort of work if and when it effects them in their pocketbooks. We can't change their beliefs as individuals.
100%
Jeff, Your accurate assessment makes me sad.
Just sending support that you don't need to feel guilty or second-guess. My experience with my mother and her siblings confirmed to me that there is a congenital component. I speculate that, for one thing, there is a "creepiness detector" chromosome that is inactivated. Also bred in, IMO, is the blindness to hypocrisy and a supportive high tolerance for cognitive dissonance. M. Scott Peck, in his early 80's book; People of the Lie, identified a response of disgust in the presence of evil as a survival instinct. Along with a hair-raising presentiment of somebody just like you-know-who.
Sadly true
It depends on whether or not the majority of Americans and particularly members of Congress start actually publicly defending the constitution and stop making excuses for Trump or simply keeping quiet and continue to treat Trump’s fantasies as facts out of fear of retribution from him.
We need to apply the, "See something, Say something" rule.
Some on the right say that 911 was an inside job. Trump and his fascists are definitely an inside job.
The planning for Trump or someone like Trump began generations ago.
I should imagine it all began with three shots in the 60s. Rather, those were what sealed today's fate and set up what we have now.
Going back to maybe the 50s... you had McCarthy and all that... and the right has always wanted to do what is going on right now. This has a prettier face on it (after all, while they do not appeal to me, some of the women in his fold are relatively attractive and these appeal to many trump guys--you know the types. And he has people of color working for him too--who do not realize that the later, further down the road version of trump is to do away with them ultimately as well.
Anyway, once the right ousted two Kennedys (with brains) and MLK, this paved the way for Nixon and Regan... Rodger Stone and his types of folks propped these guys up. Bush One was one thing... kind of not even that bad imo... but Bush 2 was a nightmare. In my assessment and some inside intel, his admin is WHY 9/11 was not prevented. While I do now see him as a far better alternative to Trump in 100 ways, I still hold him and his admin accountable for the death of my own father and 3000 other people who died that day because of the fact they refused to see and listen to the intel from the previous admin. Because, like Trump, they throw out any WHAT IF or anything the left has to offer. Or, if they take it, they pretend it was their own thing.
Trump and his camp are like the mafia. And the stuff they are doing will not go away the day he leaves us. That's how he set it all up. He lives on our pain. Remember that. This is how abused people are. they live on your pain. And when it comes to sexual predators, they also happen to have this real gift... of being able to totally bamboozle and gaslight even the authorities.
Trump is a phenomenon. I have said it before. But watch out for the guys coming next... could be as bad! We have to stop this now but we have to do it soon.
I find none of the women under Trump’s sway attractive. They all look hard and plastic to me. Even alien. If they start off as normal looking when young and first in the fold, they soon transform, often through what I think is ideology-mandated plastic surgery. And the men are no better. There are the insect types like Miller, the shiny-eyed ones like Johnson with their disturbing secrets, and then all the soft, doughy ones, too consumed in accumulating power, money and flesh.
America’s fascination with fascism goes way back. Into the 1930s and even earlier. Rachel Maddow has done a lot of work detailing that vein in our history.
But I think you may be right, Jeff, in that the marriage of political corruption and fascism with mafioso boss structures may be something relatively new. To America. Clearly not to Russia. Or China.
Glad you said that, because I was wondering if I'm weird thinking none of "His" anointed women look attractive! VERY plastic and hard as you describe them. I prefer a more natural look, little to no makeup, decent hair and a warm smile. His choice strategy is, of course, to appeal to the uneducated and hormonal male. It's all part of a well thought out marketing strategy. I'm too old for that, and, well, and having developed critical thinking skills
To my eyes, the Trump “doxies” and the Trump “bros” all have an artificial, distorted look that goes beyond plastic surgery or lifestyle and reveals something empty inside.
Rich, I like what you said here. The orange man's choice of women is very Cruella De Vil looking! Their make-up is painted on and very hard looking! There is nothing natural about these women. On the other hand, you have his faithful cult followers - maga - who seem to not care what they look like as long as their wearing all of his paraphernalia that has his name plastered all over it!
Could you please share your definition of Critical Thinking Skills? Thank you for your consideration!
Well, I mean... in the past it was just ugly mean men... now they have women there... and Trump guys like their look.
I mean, the one who I get sick looking at the most right now is karoline leavitt. She has these qualities one would like, but there's this whole look about her that screams so the exact kind of hateful spiteful pissy person who seems all right and Christian that makes me want to simply ring her neck til she is no more! I cant explain it... but they could not have picked a more perfect person for this role. It's almost genius. They read into EXACTLY what sets me off. I mean the blokes truly behind this are sinister smart people who use it wrongly but are really good at what they do.
This is the problem. They crawl back when they are not on top... but they are always there.
Uhm, in this current universe that we live in, I strongly suggest that you don’t publish anything that has even a hint that you might like to commit violence.
I have never slapped a woman (or anyone) in my life, and wouldn't. But I'm having a visceral reaction to Karoline Leavitt which has me rethinking that.
Michael, the link between fascism and mafioso "dons' goes back to the Sicilian "mafie", private armies of feudal-type lords who dominated much of Sicily during the 18th and 19th Centuries (ref. Wiki). We have them to thank historically for the Capone and Gotti style of governance that we are suffering in this country, dominated by greed, intimidation, and graft. Remember that "herr drumpf" took his cue from Fred, Sr. whose career in real estate was deeply corrupted by his association with the Genovese crime syndicate during the 1970's an'80's (read Greg Olear's 'Tinker, Tailor, Mobster, TRUMP"). Fred's and Donald's careers as swindlers was cast in cement by partnerships like this, intertwined with Joe McCarthy's mob lawyer Roy Cohn. Worthy of research Is the position of the ancestors of the Drumpf clan in central Germany during the !800's when a feudal structure of property ownership was firmly in place. Not the "land of the free and home of the brave".
My vote went to 'other' with the expectation that Nature will hold drumpf accountable for the abuse which he has heaped upon himself before other mortals see fit to call him to task.
Keith, I have never understood that conspiracy theory. It just doesn't make sense! Why in the world would we drive planes into our own buildings? Why would we cause such tragic and horrific pain to our own American citizens? What could we possibly gain by that? That is one conspiracy theory that is as nuts as Elvis working in a diner somewhere in the US flipping burgers!
It never made any sense to me either at the time. However if it or something like it happened today I would have a different opinion when you consider who is running our government today.
Oh my gosh! I never thought about that, Keith! You are so right. If something traumatic happened today, I would definitely consider who is running the government! After all, if he can get a bullet shot in his direction in order to garner sympathy and more people to swallow his BS, what other horrible things can he do?
Dr Fauci and Bill Gates, perhaps? RFKJr wrote a whole book about it.
Hahahahahahahaha! Good one!
Right there with you Michael. I don't know if Trump will ever be held accountable. He never has before. I keep imagining him ending up like Don Giovanni in Mozart's opera. Someone gives him one last chance to repent. He refused. The earth opens, and Don Giovanni is cast into hell.
I hope with all my heart that someday soon, he will finally overplay his had to such an extent that even Republican "leaders" who have so far done nothing to stop him will figure out where their red line is and decide that line has been crossed. They can either impeach and convict him or invoke the 25th amendment. I don't care which as long as he's out of power. Mind you, it won't be because that's the right thing to do. It will only happen if they decide he is a liability to their party and to their own hold on power.
The time to act is now. Find and join a nearby chapter of a group such as Indivisible https://indivisible.org/ and become a pro-democracy activist. Work toward bringing the 3.5% rule within our reach: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190513-it-only-takes-35-of-people-to-change-the-world . It may be our best/last hope of setting things right.
Trump will never be held accountable for any of his crimes for three reasons: First, Republicans will always be a powerful enough politically and judicially to prevent that. Second The Democrats, if they ever again hold power will insist, for the sake of national peace, to not go after Trump or any of his family. Three, actuarial realities — Donald Trump will die and that will be that.
Agree on all three; you “hit it on the head.”
Well written Michael Roseman.
Thank you, Norman!
It's up to us to save our Democratic Republic.
Wow! Great sobering comments!
I know I will, Michael!
Our only course is to insist "EVERYONE" VOTE BLUE all the way down. Never vote for any other.
No, Michael. America will not stand with you, despite your eloquence. You should know better. Some Americans will stand with you against Trump, others will stand against you, and still others will not stand at all; they will keep a low profile. Our chance of standing up against Trump is by winning the elections next year, and they are likely to be about the economy. Attacking prices and policies is likely to be more effective than attacking Trump, who still enjoys the loyalty of millions. Get real!
The other team, (b/c this country seems to be all about teamism atm), has to provide a real option for R who look to the D to see if they can tolerate a switch. If they don't see ppl who look like them (physically and emotionally) they won't switch. IMHO D are doing a shit job of providing a home team. (Ppl just don't vote rather than swap sides.)
I think a bit different. Trump is a old psychiatric patient. He is past his power to be responsible, he is so mentally ill, that he cannot be accountable.
So, I'm not interested in the man, his cruelty, or his incompetence or the penalties he deserves.
Only this matters: how to get rid of him?
The man is no longer the real problem—as you say, he is old and he is demented. The problem is MAGA—and if Trump & his criminal henchmen are not held accountable, as they were not after his bloody insurrection, MAGA will become even stronger. It will be a major effort and take years to undo the damage. We must all work to get out the vote for a Democratic opposition majority in Congress next year. All of us. That work is already going on. Join it.
Yes Mary, I did'nt mean to say that the secretaries and other helpers must go free and not be held accountable. However, RFK, what a nut. The man is crazy.
But indeed, it will take years to repair the damage; and the real problem, that is the education of the voters. Trump was chosen. The Republicans accepted the bunch of fruitcakes that he proposed.
I did react because the invectives and analysing the criminals won't help. The court and judges should do their work, the politicians should take their responsibility. I see the mess created and feel terribly ashamed.
Yes, EDUCATION (critical thinking) of the voters. Yes. Yes. Yes. A thousand times YES!
WHY DON'T YOU TALK ABOUT THIS?
Here's the two most important, relevant things that Democratic Party leaders are ignoring or don't know.
Democrats lost the 2024 U.S. Presidential election for two reasons that are going to repeat again in 2026 and 2028:
#1 - hundreds of thousands of swing state Democrat Arab-American, Muslim-American and progressive voters stayed home and did not vote in the 2024 election precisely because Kamala Harris and the DNC did not promise to cut off arms to Israel; Democratic Party leaders ignore this fact.
#2 - Republican voter suppression tactics: Republicans did steal the 2024 U.S. Presidential election via vote challenges and removing voters from the state voting rolls. Democrats seem to be clueless about Republican vote challenges and how Republicans wrongfully removed millions of voters of color from the state voting rolls.
Each and every Democrat should stop what they’re doing and watch this documentary and these videos that SHOWS how Republicans stole the 2024 U.S. Presidential election and will do it again:
But for Republican voter suppression Kamala Harris would have won by nearly four million votes:
https://youtu.be/0LN65qFUDDo (10m 53s)
Ballot spoilage:
https://youtu.be/bk__5iMO5C0 (2m 46s)
How Republicans and Trump's TRU THE VOTE group executed unconstitutional voter challenges removing hundreds of thousands of ballots from the election: Martin Sheen narrates this incredible historic documentary produced by Pultizer prize-winning journalist Greg Palast that SHOWS HOW Republicans stole the 2024 election and are poised to DO IT AGAIN!
https://youtu.be/P_XdtAQXnGE
It requires lots of faith to believe in fair elections next year, but we must not give up..
Yes, I think Ron is wrong that Dems are oblivious to #2. They know. (I will look at Ron's links: Greg Palast??) I have even more paranoid fears: worst-case scenario, Trump declares martial aw and just "postpones" the election. Sorry....
Do you know why #1 voters voted for the Muslim Ban guy who saw them dancing for joy on 9/11 (not) and who was obviously itching to advise Bibi to solve his problem by just killing them all? (Maybe you can also explain why Hispanics voted for the guy who obviously thinks they are all criminals and gangsters.)
Tom I am sad and disgusted as you are, and agree that invective won't help, nor will most analysis--though some analysis is crucial. But I'm not ashamed. I was working against Trump when he was only a twinkle in a science fiction writer's eye! No one who's at work organizing or helping to get the vote out, or supporting Public Citizen and the Center for Constitutional Rights and the unions and UN aid to Gaza and Sudan and Ukraine with their spare $$, or protesting deportations and government defunding and climate change and interference with our state and local governments and schools should be ashamed. No one working to clean up our spoiled environments and prevent the avalanche of destruction that will follow the loss of the EPA and the Clean Air Act, and no one--right again--involved in education should be ashamed. No one who voted for Trump because they believed what he said, and Republican resistance to education since Nixon left them unequipped to see through him, but who sees now, should be ashamed. Let's leave shame to the villains and join our local Indivisible chapters. Or go to https://www.mobilize.us/ and find out what's up to do today, or write to our Reps.
Yes Mary, more then agreeing; and welcome tot the sentiment you express.
My problem is that many voters did not know, cultivated their uninformedness. My problem is that Trump's oath on the Bible and the constitution is a charade. Who can talk serious about an oath that is not protected in veracity.
I live in Europe but our environment policies are frustrated a lot. The victims of the cuts in USAID will not complain, but die. And the flight from Amsterdan to Newark was a risk, because Musk fired the traffic controllers.
That is what is caused by toddlers with machine guns.
Yes. I often live in Europe too--where you still have relative sanity in charge. Working to defend the environment and mitigate climate change is always frustrating because of the other interests and commitments of legislators and government officials. But we in the US have only madmen to work with now, whose only goal is destruction, so the tasks will take huge imagination. I'm supporting young people running for offices at every level.
And yes, well put, the victims of cuts in USAID will not complain, and they will die--that's why one of our tasks is to complain *for* them, and support them directly with our own $$. (No one's writing about how EXPENSIVE this collapse of government is for citizens of conscience, including working class and poor people, who give disproportionately in our culture of private giving.)
Thank you for what you do, Mary.
Here's the two most important, relevant things that Democratic Party leaders are ignoring or don't know.
Democrats lost the 2024 U.S. Presidential election for two reasons that are going to repeat again in 2026 and 2028:
#1 - hundreds of thousands of Democrat Arab-American, Muslim-American and progressive voters stayed home and did not vote in the 2024 election precisely because Kamala Harris and the DNC did not promise to cut off arms to Israel; Democratic Party leaders ignore this fact.
#2 - Republican voter suppression tactics: Republicans did steal the 2024 U.S. Presidential election via vote challenges and removing voters from the state voting rolls. Democrats seem to be clueless about Republican vote challenges and how Republicans wrongfully removed millions of voters of color from the state voting rolls.
Each and every Democrat should stop what they’re doing and watch this documentary and these videos that SHOWS how Republicans stole the 2024 U.S. Presidential election and will do it again:
But for Republican voter suppression Kamala Harris would have won by nearly four million votes:
https://youtu.be/0LN65qFUDDo (10m 53s)
Ballot spoilage:
https://youtu.be/bk__5iMO5C0 (2m 46s)
How Republicans and Trump's TRU THE VOTE group executed unconstitutional voter challenges removing hundreds of thousands of ballots from the election: Martin Sheen narrates this incredible historic documentary produced by Pultizer prize-winning journalist Greg Palast that SHOWS HOW Republicans stole the 2024 election and are poised to DO IT AGAIN!
https://youtu.be/P_XdtAQXnGE
Thanks for circulating these important links! I must say the dozens of Democratic groups who've been organizing to get out the vote and resist voter suppression for years now are well aware of these issues, especially the 2nd, as are many senators and House members and governors (including of course those who had to fight voter suppression, sometimes for months after an election, to win their races)! I've quit saying "Democrats" when I'm furious: I say "DNC." Because without people like Stacy Abrams, AOC, Rashida Tlaib, Jamie Raskin, Bernie Sanders, Chris Murphy, Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, Ro Khanna, Jim McGovern, Chuy Garcia, Pramila Jayapal, Keith Ellison, Ayanna Pressley, Maxwell Frost, and many stalwart governors, AGs and secretaries of state, people wouldn't know to look for such links, or for columns by Reich &c with their well-informed readers.
Like! Ron's post got duplicated, but I also thanked for the links. It was so discouraging that Stacy Abrams' massive effort to overcome the disenfranchisement couldn't overcome, but there is getting to be a lot on the bright side, Allison Riggs hanging in there in N. Carolina for democracy a winner just a few days ago. Other than Democracy Docket and the brave State AG's you reference, Greg Palast ought to be consultant-in-chief to all democrats everywhere on How Things Work.
Thank you Mary. Your intellect and good common sense is an oasis of intelligence and good judgment.
Many Democrats are attacking my post, despite me trying to warn them.
What If the Shoe Was On the Other Foot?
Caitlin Johnstone poses the right question: Imagine If Gaza Was Jewish And The People Bombing It Were Muslims: (commentary and videos)
https://progressives.substack.com/p/what-if-the-shoe-was-on-the-other
I agree. Those that have promoted this need some accountability so that others will think twice before they try to reestablish it again in the future.
MAGA is the MEANS, not the END. Global domination by AI supported oligarchs, of obedient sheeple, molded by religious hierarchies, is the END, the GOAL. :>(
MAGA not the problem. Money in politi s is the problem.
Absolutely!
he is a figurehead for that Heritage Foundation
Trump is unfortunately symptomatic of a darkness of consciousness and lazy malaise of "let someone do it for me" that is all too pervasive. Is there enough of a critical mass to offset this dark dynamism? Good question.
Agreed, but why this lazy attitude and how to redress iT?
There are a few piteously deteriorated cases who have been wheelchaired into court to face old music. The movie producer guy and Bill Cosby, blind, off the top of my head. And then I start to think of Trump's victims. E. Jean Carroll is no Spring Chicken, and he dragged her through it all, and she's just one of so, so many. So maybe I just want to live in hope that Trump has his ugly nose rubbed in manure of his own making in the courts for the rest of his days. He can't be on the golf course if he's lying in a deposition or on the stand.
The Thought crossed my mind, but the man is so obiously sick...
Reason for voting ´not a chance’ is the fact that 4 years apparently were not enough to hold Trump accountable for the ‘January 6th’ insurrection…..very sad, but true.
Trump has a reptilian instinct for survival with a nose for those he can corrupt and a big bag of dirty tricks to delay, deny, ignore, and skirt the law. He endlessly sh*t all over a legal system, one designed to operate with "good faith" lawmakers, honest judges, an efficient and functional DOJ and the application of a Constitution that is commonly held as sacred.
Trump tested the system and it failed. It was failing before (rife with bad faith players, corruption, greed) but those in Congress failed to make the necessary repairs to that rickety old structure in dire need of an overhaul. Now it's completely collapsed. If the USA manages to crawl out from trump's black pit of criminality, I would hope that they prioritize revamping their Constitution and holding the traitors to account.
Judith, please do not demean reptiles. They are just out there in the grass, the water or the trees just trying to get along. Sometimes we get cross wise with them but they did not have a plan. This man or his minions have lots of plans, many ridiculous like his original ban on people from Arab states entering this country early in his first term. Now we have white South Africans being flown here on our dime because they are endangered. And not true at all !
Here's the two most important, relevant things that Democratic Party leaders are ignoring or don't know.
Democrats lost the 2024 U.S. Presidential election for two reasons that are going to repeat again in 2026 and 2028:
#1 - hundreds of thousands of swing state Democrat Arab-American, Muslim-American and progressive voters stayed home and did not vote in the 2024 election precisely because Kamala Harris and the DNC did not promise to cut off arms to Israel; Democratic Party leaders ignore this fact.
#2 - Republican voter suppression tactics: Republicans did steal the 2024 U.S. Presidential election via vote challenges and removing voters from the state voting rolls. Democrats seem to be clueless about Republican vote challenges and how Republicans wrongfully removed millions of voters of color from the state voting rolls.
Each and every Democrat should stop what they’re doing and watch this documentary and these videos that SHOWS how Republicans stole the 2024 U.S. Presidential election and will do it again:
But for Republican voter suppression Kamala Harris would have won by nearly four million votes:
https://youtu.be/0LN65qFUDDo (10m 53s)
Ballot spoilage:
https://youtu.be/bk__5iMO5C0 (2m 46s)
How Republicans and Trump's TRU THE VOTE group executed unconstitutional voter challenges removing hundreds of thousands of ballots from the election: Martin Sheen narrates this incredible historic documentary produced by Pultizer prize-winning journalist Greg Palast that SHOWS HOW Republicans stole the 2024 election and are poised to DO IT AGAIN!
https://youtu.be/P_XdtAQXnGE
Yes eventually because I believe the majority of Americans are good people. It may take quite awhile. I am 92 and hope to be around when the orange psychopath falls. Eusie Zane
Thank you. I'm 85 and hoping too.
I hope both of you are, too! Approaching 70 and hope to as well.
Congratulations on being 85 and being cognizant of politics:
Here's the two most important, relevant things that Democratic Party leaders are ignoring or don't know.
Democrats lost the 2024 U.S. Presidential election for two reasons that are going to repeat again in 2026 and 2028:
#1 - hundreds of thousands of swing state Democrat Arab-American, Muslim-American and progressive voters stayed home and did not vote in the 2024 election precisely because Kamala Harris and the DNC did not promise to cut off arms to Israel; Democratic Party leaders ignore this fact.
#2 - Republican voter suppression tactics: Republicans did steal the 2024 U.S. Presidential election via vote challenges and removing voters from the state voting rolls. Democrats seem to be clueless about Republican vote challenges and how Republicans wrongfully removed millions of voters of color from the state voting rolls.
Each and every Democrat should stop what they’re doing and watch this documentary and these videos that SHOWS how Republicans stole the 2024 U.S. Presidential election and will do it again:
But for Republican voter suppression Kamala Harris would have won by nearly four million votes:
https://youtu.be/0LN65qFUDDo (10m 53s)
Ballot spoilage:
https://youtu.be/bk__5iMO5C0 (2m 46s)
How Republicans and Trump's TRU THE VOTE group executed unconstitutional voter challenges removing hundreds of thousands of ballots from the election: Martin Sheen narrates this incredible historic documentary produced by Pultizer prize-winning journalist Greg Palast that SHOWS HOW Republicans stole the 2024 election and are poised to DO IT AGAIN!
https://youtu.be/P_XdtAQXnGE
You already said that
Yeah. Now you can see he's duplicating on purpose. Rude.
88 and praying.
Congratulations on being 92 and cognizant of politics:
Here's the two most important, relevant things that Democratic Party leaders are ignoring or don't know.
Democrats lost the 2024 U.S. Presidential election for two reasons that are going to repeat again in 2026 and 2028:
#1 - hundreds of thousands of swing state Democrat Arab-American, Muslim-American and progressive voters stayed home and did not vote in the 2024 election precisely because Kamala Harris and the DNC did not promise to cut off arms to Israel; Democratic Party leaders ignore this fact.
#2 - Republican voter suppression tactics: Republicans did steal the 2024 U.S. Presidential election via vote challenges and removing voters from the state voting rolls. Democrats seem to be clueless about Republican vote challenges and how Republicans wrongfully removed millions of voters of color from the state voting rolls.
Each and every Democrat should stop what they’re doing and watch this documentary and these videos that SHOWS how Republicans stole the 2024 U.S. Presidential election and will do it again:
But for Republican voter suppression Kamala Harris would have won by nearly four million votes:
https://youtu.be/0LN65qFUDDo (10m 53s)
Ballot spoilage:
https://youtu.be/bk__5iMO5C0 (2m 46s)
How Republicans and Trump's TRU THE VOTE group executed unconstitutional voter challenges removing hundreds of thousands of ballots from the election: Martin Sheen narrates this incredible historic documentary produced by Pultizer prize-winning journalist Greg Palast that SHOWS HOW Republicans stole the 2024 election and are poised to DO IT AGAIN!
https://youtu.be/P_XdtAQXnGE
Fascinating coffee chat this morning! I found the explanation of how the mega wealthy are still financing the government, by buying and receiving interest on bonds, paid by all Americans, instead of paying higher marginal tax rates, so illuminating that I interrupted my listening to write this comment...
The bottom line is greed, in all its stages, in all its levels. Integrity erodes in the face of it. I don’t have any answers, I’m just tired, I hoped our leaders would fight sooner and with more imagination.
Don't give up, Patr! In truth, we have always had greedy, corrupt and evil people in our midst. Right now, they are brazen enough to shove it in our faces and pretend it is normal. Professor Reich is right, we are the sleeping giant and we are waking up. Keep fighting because we absolutely will win!
Oh my goodness! I so enjoyed the Coffee Klatch this morning! Professor Reich, I love it when you get a little sarcastic! It makes me laugh! Bamboozle Switcheroo and Colossal Cranked Up Corruption are now two of my favorite phrases! I chose yes, eventually for the question will the orange man ever be held to account. Why? Because when we take our country back, and trust me - we will!, in order for us to move forward and build a better Democracy, we absolutely have to bring the orange man, musk-rat, inept cabinet, and every single person that aided and abetted his crimes to justice! Americans need to actually see that the rule of law applies to every single person in our country no matter who they are! We need closure from this dark period in our country's history and we will get that by taking all of those people to court. Right now, republicans have an obligation to America. Their oath requires them to protect and preserve the Constitution. In order to follow that oath, they must impeach the orange man. Why? Because in Article 1, Section 9, Clause 8 of the United States Constitution prohibits federal office holders from accepting any gifts, payments or other benefits from foreign states. The emoluments clause is there to maintain the integrity of public office and protect against external influence. Now if republicans have forgotten how to read then it is our job to constantly barrage their offices with explanations about the emoluments clause. If they do not do their job and impeach the orange man, they get voted out. We can either fight like hell and take our country back or we can actually become the shithole country the orange man says we are. C'mon, America! It is up to us! Can we awaken this sleeping giant and send the orange man packing? You bet we can! Keep fighting! Stay strong and stay safe!
A video from an American Artist visiting Europe - Bruce Springsteen´s consert in Manchester, U.K.
>https://youtu.be/n-kODkdNSgs?si=grfF212Qks2ooFOZ
Watch this on You tube!
//15 maj 2025
Bruce Springsteen opened his new tour tonight not with fanfare—but with a warning.
From a stage in Manchester, he sent a message home. Not of glory days—but of grief, resilience, and reckoning.
Three songs. Three statements. A country in crisis.
This is what it looks like when an artist holds a mirror to America.
Watch. Listen. Feel every word.//
We will survive this moment! What absolutely powerful words coming from 'the Boss'! He has always and will always be a proud American. He sings about our great country and loves it as much as all of us on these substacks, groups and organizations. The message he delivered to Manchester resonates with me and should be played for every single American in every part of our country. His message should be played to those representatives in Congress so they know and understand what we are fighting about! When you feel like you cannot do another phone call, letter or petition, remember what Bruce Springsteen has said in his message to Manchester and then fight on! Keep fighting, America! We will get there and when we do it will be glorious! Stay strong and stay safe!
Here's the two most important, relevant things that Democratic Party leaders are ignoring or don't know.
Democrats lost the 2024 U.S. Presidential election for two reasons that are going to repeat again in 2026 and 2028:
#1 - hundreds of thousands of swing state Democrat Arab-American, Muslim-American and progressive voters stayed home and did not vote in the 2024 election precisely because Kamala Harris and the DNC did not promise to cut off arms to Israel; Democratic Party leaders ignore this fact.
#2 - Republican voter suppression tactics: Republicans did steal the 2024 U.S. Presidential election via vote challenges and removing voters from the state voting rolls. Democrats seem to be clueless about Republican vote challenges and how Republicans wrongfully removed millions of voters of color from the state voting rolls.
Each and every Democrat should stop what they’re doing and watch this documentary and these videos that SHOWS how Republicans stole the 2024 U.S. Presidential election and will do it again:
But for Republican voter suppression Kamala Harris would have won by nearly four million votes:
https://youtu.be/0LN65qFUDDo (10m 53s)
Ballot spoilage:
https://youtu.be/bk__5iMO5C0 (2m 46s)
How Republicans and Trump's TRU THE VOTE group executed unconstitutional voter challenges removing hundreds of thousands of ballots from the election: Martin Sheen narrates this incredible historic documentary produced by Pultizer prize-winning journalist Greg Palast that SHOWS HOW Republicans stole the 2024 election and are poised to DO IT AGAIN!
https://youtu.be/P_XdtAQXnGE
Cheer up America! 😆
‘PICTURE’ (NPI) THIS’:
Trump is having a bubble bath, laced with orange jello, in the Golden tub (matched set with toilet) flying back from Saudi Arabia.
As the plane approaches New York, the pilot cannot believe his eyes…KING KONG is swatting at fighter jets atop the Empire States Bldg. 😱
‘King Trump’ (as he likes to be called, and tips for each slurp) is informed that KING KONG is ‘doing his thing’…AGAIN…and the pilot is worried.
Trump leaps to the rescue, armed with a box of 🍔🍔🍔🍔🍔🍔, and begins flinging them out of the hatch he insisted be opened.
Unfortunately, because of the bubblebath, he is extremely SLIPPERY…so, what else is new you ask! 🙄
Just like that…Trump slides out of the plane, but, is caught by Kong, who thinks he is a breakfast burrito and swallows him whole!
Is that justice enough for you? 🤷🏼♀️
Well, how about Trump being ‘vomited’ by King Kong due to his toxic personality and putrification from marinating in his thousands of lies!! Even Kong found him ‘sickening’. 🤮
- 31 -
Of course this is just FICTION…but if you want Trump to PAY for his crimes committed over the last term, and amped up on crack this time… better write THIS on a piece of paper, stick it to the fridge door, and read it ALOUD every time you snack:
“LIARS LIE, KILLERS KILL, CHEATERS CHEAT AND ALWAYS WILL,
NOW IN PUNISHMENT & PAIN, JUST ADMIT THAT TRUMP’S “INSANE”!!
That would make a great cartoon!
I do not know about Ameria, but since 20 January I often use Trump Industries formerly known as the USA as my description of America.
There is no way that he will be able to be impeached until the next election in 2028.
An article 25 procedure would only make Vance president.
The only thing you can hope for is that in 2029 Trump will board his Qatari plane, fly of into the sunset, and never be heard from again.
Here's the two most important, relevant things that Democratic Party leaders are ignoring or don't know.
Democrats lost the 2024 U.S. Presidential election for two reasons that are going to repeat again in 2026 and 2028:
#1 - hundreds of thousands of swing state Democrat Arab-American, Muslim-American and progressive voters stayed home and did not vote in the 2024 election precisely because Kamala Harris and the DNC did not promise to cut off arms to Israel; Democratic Party leaders ignore this fact.
#2 - Republican voter suppression tactics: Republicans did steal the 2024 U.S. Presidential election via vote challenges and removing voters from the state voting rolls. Democrats seem to be clueless about Republican vote challenges and how Republicans wrongfully removed millions of voters of color from the state voting rolls.
Each and every Democrat should stop what they’re doing and watch this documentary and these videos that SHOWS how Republicans stole the 2024 U.S. Presidential election and will do it again:
But for Republican voter suppression Kamala Harris would have won by nearly four million votes:
https://youtu.be/0LN65qFUDDo (10m 53s)
Ballot spoilage:
https://youtu.be/bk__5iMO5C0 (2m 46s)
How Republicans and Trump's TRU THE VOTE group executed unconstitutional voter challenges removing hundreds of thousands of ballots from the election: Martin Sheen narrates this incredible historic documentary produced by Pultizer prize-winning journalist Greg Palast that SHOWS HOW Republicans stole the 2024 election and are poised to DO IT AGAIN!
https://youtu.be/P_XdtAQXnGE
For this poll, I HOPE he will eventually be held accountable. But looking at past behavior of the United States versus donald john trump slime - he has gotten away with whatever the hell he wants to do.. Yes we've won more court cases against him, including the April 10th Supreme Court 9 to 0 finding ordering him to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Big Damned Whoop dee doo! NO ONE has enforced one of them. Trump slime has publicly said he will NOT obey. That alone should put his sorry ass in jail for at least 30 days. But no, trump slime seems to have turned us into a Country of wimps. Too many of our elected officials are stuffing themselves at the same greedy troughs. Out of 535 persons elected to Congress I doubt that much more than 100 are dedicated to serving their REAL Constituency the rest are captives of their wealthy donors. In a post I made yesterday I wrote I could only come up with 14 names - and two of them were Republicans plus two more no longer in Congress - I'm sure there are more but no where near the numbers we need to force trump slime to obey either the Constitution or any written law, he is so smitten with the concept of authoritarianism in any of its forms.
Rant this:
Here's the two most important, relevant things that Democratic Party leaders are ignoring or don't know.
Democrats lost the 2024 U.S. Presidential election for two reasons that are going to repeat again in 2026 and 2028:
#1 - hundreds of thousands of swing state Democrat Arab-American, Muslim-American and progressive voters stayed home and did not vote in the 2024 election precisely because Kamala Harris and the DNC did not promise to cut off arms to Israel; Democratic Party leaders ignore this fact.
#2 - Republican voter suppression tactics: Republicans did steal the 2024 U.S. Presidential election via vote challenges and removing voters from the state voting rolls. Democrats seem to be clueless about Republican vote challenges and how Republicans wrongfully removed millions of voters of color from the state voting rolls.
Each and every Democrat should stop what they’re doing and watch this documentary and these videos that SHOWS how Republicans stole the 2024 U.S. Presidential election and will do it again:
But for Republican voter suppression Kamala Harris would have won by nearly four million votes:
https://youtu.be/0LN65qFUDDo (10m 53s)
Ballot spoilage:
https://youtu.be/bk__5iMO5C0 (2m 46s)
How Republicans and Trump's TRU THE VOTE group executed unconstitutional voter challenges removing hundreds of thousands of ballots from the election: Martin Sheen narrates this incredible historic documentary produced by Pultizer prize-winning journalist Greg Palast that SHOWS HOW Republicans stole the 2024 election and are poised to DO IT AGAIN!
https://youtu.be/P_XdtAQXnGE
History will judge Trump harshly but he'll never see it. Nor will his sheep. I hope the US survives his corruption, greed and cynicism. F Tump.
Trump has proved that everyone has a price. Even on the Supreme Court.
Right now, the chance of Trump being held accountable looks slim. Many things need to change: regaining Democratic control of the House and Senate, and being lucky enough not to lose any truly non partisan judges and to be able to appoint more. And one small bright spot is that even Trump-appointed judges (Amy Cony Barrett comes to mind) have mostly foillowed the law, not Trump. But even if he is brought to account, the length of time the law takes to get results may see him die first--and he will have gotten away with all of it.
However, this experience, given a return to something like rule of law, could--and I hope it does--initiate various legal reforms. That could be the best outcome, because I think that Trump's age will let him avoid real prosecution.
Here's the two most important, relevant things that Democratic Party leaders are ignoring or don't know.
Democrats lost the 2024 U.S. Presidential election for two reasons that are going to repeat again in 2026 and 2028:
#1 - hundreds of thousands of swing state Democrat Arab-American, Muslim-American and progressive voters stayed home and did not vote in the 2024 election precisely because Kamala Harris and the DNC did not promise to cut off arms to Israel; Democratic Party leaders ignore this fact.
#2 - Republican voter suppression tactics: Republicans did steal the 2024 U.S. Presidential election via vote challenges and removing voters from the state voting rolls. Democrats seem to be clueless about Republican vote challenges and how Republicans wrongfully removed millions of voters of color from the state voting rolls.
Each and every Democrat should stop what they’re doing and watch this documentary and these videos that SHOWS how Republicans stole the 2024 U.S. Presidential election and will do it again:
But for Republican voter suppression Kamala Harris would have won by nearly four million votes:
https://youtu.be/0LN65qFUDDo (10m 53s)
Ballot spoilage:
https://youtu.be/bk__5iMO5C0 (2m 46s)
How Republicans and Trump's TRU THE VOTE group executed unconstitutional voter challenges removing hundreds of thousands of ballots from the election: Martin Sheen narrates this incredible historic documentary produced by Pultizer prize-winning journalist Greg Palast that SHOWS HOW Republicans stole the 2024 election and are poised to DO IT AGAIN!
https://youtu.be/P_XdtAQXnGE
He'll probably die first, or become so unhealthy he'd be sent to a municipal golf course for punishment.
My machine won't like, but I Like it! I happen to be a fan of the author Georgette Heyer, who recounts in great depth British high society mostly in the Eighteenth Century, but the standards of conduct include "noblesse oblige," by which code a TRUE person of class did not despise his lessers, but would be respectful and generous to those less fortunate. Fallen upon hardship: an inn far beneath his usual standards of comfort: he would graciously accommodate himself without complaint and with generosity. In a Heyer novel, Trump would figure as the vulgar, arrogant, abusive social climber reeking of "the shop" and always defensive of status earned from money vs the real "quality." Sound familiar? Only here in America money HAS gotten to be the definition of class, and we are ruled by a gaggle of philistines.
When he dies we must attach his estate. Trish James, upon his death, must immediately file liens against his property. Every effort must be made to collect the debt he owes all of us. And strip his clutch of rapacious baby grifters of everything that makes them “special.” Don Jrs hunting land in Maine. Eric’s wife’s cake pans. Barron’s real estate holdings. Because it is all from grift.
Let little Vanky work at McDonald’s
Wow! Like this concept! (my ancient Mac can't like) There's a story on the news here in San Francisco about a lady who killed a couple of people in a commercial avenue "West Portal," Big wrongful death suit already settled, but now victims have found out about multiple real estate titles transferred to relatives after the event, and there's a whole new lawsuit. I love your idea!
It’s sad that the majority of people think he will never be held accountable. This is where we are.