Remember, the ability for any governmental agency to adequately handle any challenge was taken away last year by design. Every #ClownCarCabinet member was not chosen for their ability, only their corruptibility and complete lack of a sense of duty.
Factor in the DOGE firings of all the institutional knowledge at the top of each agency, and there is neither the aptitude or inclination to get anything right.
So we have an entire government driven by whim. As a nation we've been reduced to a reflection of Trump's tragically flawed personality. The squandering of America's greatness escalates every day.
The purpose of DOGE is the same as the purpose of the war in Iran, the reflecting pool catastrophe, ICE raids, the grift, the apparent friendship with dictators, tariffs, the indictment of political rivals, and virtually every Trump administration policy.
Metaphorically speaking, authoritarianism is the matador, the pro-democracy movement is the bull, Trump administration policies are the cape, and authoritarianism wins if the matador convinces the bull to aim its horns at the cape.
Otherwise, we might follow Abraham Lincoln’s advice when he said, “Let us have faith that right makes might; and in that faith, let us dare to do our duty as we understand it.” Then we start thinking, “Are we at ‘right’ yet, and if not, then how do we get there?” Then, instead of reacting, we’re deliberately practicing “thinking” in a way that makes us just a little bit smarter every day, and the matador gets a little more nervous.
Meanwhile, the Republican Party is thinking, “Why think? We already know we’re right.” Which is why they get a little dumber every day. Which is why they are now so dumb even algae is smarter.
I see that dumpster is sending thugs to intimidate his victims. Meanwhile, not a single participant/perpetrator has been indicted or identified. The terrorist organization previously dba the republic;an party actively promotes and protects sex trafficking and pedophiles.
Once he's gone the goons should be identified and arrested. If they want bail it should start as a hefty sum, say a million dollars. This might flush out those responsible for funding them. This might seem a bit draconian, but they deserve it. All of them.
Good question. It’s not about the specific issue. It’s about how the pro-democracy movement responds. If we’re only reacting, then our horns are pointed at the cape.
I’m not saying to ignore what they’re doing. Instead, I’m saying to follow Lincoln’s advice when he said, “Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed. Consequently, he who molds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or pronounces decisions.”
Public sentiment is the public speaking with one voice. A great example is the people of Minneapolis speaking with one voice.
There’s an authoritarian 3-step. Step 1: divide. Step 2: conquer. Step 3: return to Step 1 and repeat.
And there’s an equalitarian 3-step. Step 1: unite. Step 2: stand. Step 3: return to Step 1 and repeat.
The response to the Epstein issue is the response to every issue. Don’t just follow a leader. Instead, be and/or follow a leader who is molding public sentiment.
The Epstein matter is dead as a doornail. The Justice Department (pardon me while I gag) has declared "that's all folks," and if/when the regime is removed the files will be destroyed or moved to Mar a Lago. They are gone, but won't be forgotten, clearly
Trump doesn't think he is infallible. The core problem--right or wrong--are his rules: that you never admit to error, you always lie about it, and thoughtlessly plunge ahead because "it just doesn't matter." That is what is going on inside his skull.
Every time someone thinks, “right makes might,” they’re always right. Every time someone thinks, “might makes right,” they’re always wrong.
The surest test of someone who is always “wrong” is someone who, instead of trying to get to the truth, is trying to get their way. The surest test of someone who is always “right” is someone who, instead of trying to get their way, is trying to get to the truth even when (especially when) the truth is inconvenient.
Yes, getting to the truth can be hard, and if someone doesn’t want to get there, they can make it impossible, but regardless, it’s simple.
When two people observe the same evidence and draw conflicting conclusions, they’ve interpreted their observations with logic that conflicts because it’s flawed. To get to the truth, identity and correct the flaws. When the same two people observing the same evidence are drawing harmonious conclusions, all the logic flaws have been identified and corrected.
Then there is the screw worm scandal. Doge fired most of the people monitoring insect vectors that could pose a threat to US livestock, The cost was about $15 million. Now because this pest is back billions are having to be spent in a completely unnecessary programme to eradicate it. Musk is an idiot outside of his own businesses. Maybe US farmers should send him the bill.
1/8th, The corruption goes deeper than the billionaires who've been put in charge of government agencies, and all of the #ClownCarCabinet members: Thanks to the Supreme Court's Loper Bright decision (overturned the 40-year-old "Chevron deference" doctrine) the teeth have been pulled out of the government agencies that are supposed to be the guard dogs protecting the American people. Those agencies are supposed to be protecting us from abuse by the very billionaires and their corporations who've gotten themselves put in charge. So now, the foxes are in charge of the henhouses, and the old watchdogs are toothless, thanks to the Supreme Court.
Ian, this whole Trumpian fiasco was a group effort with our Supreme Roberts 6, congressional Republicans, and as many minions as Trump could find. The American people are the victims. Now, it's time the "victims" rise up and demand far better than this insane troupe of fools. Trumplandia is undermining nearly every entity that helps to protect us and provide services. They are traitors and need to be seen as that by more people and more often cited for their treasonous actions against this nation, as dangerous as any foreign invader because they are right here.
Ruth, When they're not victimizing us, Trump and his co-conspirators are busy trying to plant and nurture ideas in the minds of Americans that any action, thought, or person who opposes their corrupt agenda is disloyal, and betraying America. It's like Alice in Wonderland, where up is down... Rex Lex instead of Lex Rex.
Sadly many of the congressional traitors will be reelected right back into congress where I am sure they will continue to do whatever harm they can to further the repugnant agenda.
Destruction of the democratic republican government is necessary to start the building of a dictatorship, and they're doing a great job, along with destroying goodwill and good reputation among the countries of the world. The GOP has been plotting this for some forty years, very publicly, and it appears that Democrats weren't paying enough attention and/or thought the government was incorruptible
It appears that Democrats who accept superPAC donations and enrich themselves in other corrupt ways have aided and abetted the GOP in their plots and schemes. Such Democrats have become part of the problem instead of being part of the solution. A true opposition Party fighting against the corruption of the current regime would be bent on pulling the rug out from under Citizens United, first and foremost.
And maybe it would be working on a plan to divert the Potomac through the halls of government to clean out all the self-dealing billionaires and their minions, just like Hercules diverted the Alpheus and Peneus rivers to wash all the horse sh*t out of the Augean stables.
They're doing a great job of destruction to the extent that they can keep the opposition focused exclusively on what they are doing because that way, the opposition is not focused on what the opposition is doing, and then the opposition needs to place the blame the opposition.
This SCOTUS is the most corrupt, unethical, racist, misogynistic group of men + Amy that has ever existed. All of their white supremacy attitudes are evident in their rulings. Each and every one of them are undermining the constitution and our democracy. They should be impeached.
The completely incompetent, deceitful trumpian regime continues to crumble week by week. We the people, the true patriots for realistic progress in today's real world will overcome the dream-like illusion of the double-speak crowd called MAGA...
The vicious predators always end up eating their own until they get eaten themselves. Let's take our first big bite of everyone in Trump's tribe, in every position, in every state, in Nov.
Todd, adding the utter incompetence of those chosen. Their task is/was to destroy our government to make Trump and Musk king, rulers of this nation and ultimately, the world, just like comic book villains. The rest of the oligarchs want to be the power behind the throne, even though they have no clue what that should look like! Truly treasonous!
Americans should have had an understanding of that five years ago. It was clear by the time the Second Impeachment failed and McConnell defiled the process of Supreme Court nominations under Obama and then Trump. And the Republicans backed Trump's play all the way. The Republicans opted for a tyranny of minority government long ago. A brisk skim of Project 2025 closes the deal--and made it crystal clear. One thing I think we no longer need to be patient with is this: "I didn't see it coming. I didn't believe he would do those things. I thought it was all performative." Why did anyone believe they knew in advance what Trump would do--or that they knew the boundary on how deep into racist nationalist beliefs the Republicans would fall?
A Glass, a great line:As a nation we've been reduced to a reflection of Trump's tragically flawed personality. The squandering of America's greatness escalates every day.
Reagan was also a habitual liar. My parents were both public employees their entire careers--in California. And my spouse worked 36 years as an attorney with NOAA-NMFS. Many of my closest friends work for public institutions. My experience is that they are mission centered, honest, and reliable, and always put the public interest first (by and large). Government is not a perfect answer to every problem, but it is a collective answer in a democratic society. I recommend that people should read Michael Lewis: WHO IS GOVERNMENT? The story of public service is distorted by ignorance, and largely untold. Despite the capacity problems and bureaucracy we may occasionally find--those words have often been the difference between life and death and recovery.
I, too, was a 30 year public servant and I agree with your comments. The federal government/civil SERVANTS were the ones that took care of business for “we the people.” Once it becomes privatized, or you can only get AI to take a call, it becomes FOR PROFIT. There is no longer a SERVICE mindset…just a dollar sign mindset.
Exactly: it IS a "Kakistocracy!" We Americans are being led by mental midgets who either flunked high school like Elon and Dear Leader, or "TECHNICALLY passed," like all of those creature's cult members.
The man is completely off his rocker! His Father’s Day lying social is another example of how far out of reality he is. He’s a very dangerous man who needs to be removed.
With his extremely malignant narcissism Trump attempts to gaslight and/or outright lie about everything. He appears to believe that he can change reality by declarations, such as his BS about the economy. Only his cult believe his garbage rather than the evidence of their bank accounts. His clown car cabinet are put into place to push his many deceptions. When faced with overwhelming truth he looks for scapegoats even if those have to be manufactured.
Yes, let's all push for the elimination of obscene wealth pouring into our elections, Tell the states to demand that their Secretaries of State take away corporations and private wealth's "Right" to buy our elections! Money is NOT speech, it is flat out bribery and used to be highly illegal! for a REASON.
Yes, but the sword of Damocles hangs over their heads, we must not reelect them. the only thing they fear more than tRUMP is losing their income derived from their complacence with the lawlessness.
Electing someone unsuitable for office isn't just about that person—it's a reflection on the voters who chose them. And with Trump specifically, his election reveals something devastating about a significant portion of America: they knowingly chose someone who should face criminal prosecution.
The fool, trump-the-terrible, is not competent to be a dog catcher in a town of 5,000 people. And should be banned from holding any responsible position in any government, and the same is true for most if not all of his allies in treason and crimes against this planet's population, in my humble opinion...
If I could have two wishes: 1) there was some global body that could find Trump, Netanyahu, and Putin guilty of treason and crimes against humanity. Then sentence them to death by placing them in "camps" run with the same methods used in the ICE "immigrant" warehouses in the US, located somewhere in the middle of the Ebola outbreak in the Congo. 2) That I live long enough to see democracy and our treasured monuments be restored.
I understand your justifiably angry, painful disappointments in this regard, however, for me - I'll just work on refraining from my tendency to react with wishes for harm to befall anyone (as part of my commitment to Buddhist principles - but I'll add that I do demand that they and others of that ilk spend many long years in prisons, for as the Dalai Lama said, "If someone hits you, you can turn the other cheek, BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO LET THEM HIT YOU AGAIN" - LOCK 'EM UP!
This is not the first in recent days that comemntators have noted that the problems with the reflecting pool serve well as metaphor for Trump's presidency and his approach - a hasty, ill-conceived and expensive project that fails to address the underlying problems. Yesterday, the Meidas Touch reported a dead duck had been found in the pool offering yet another apt metaphor for this stumbling administration.
But isn't it time to look more carefully at those underlying problems instead of focusing on Trump's inanities which never seem to end.
I live in the UK, and we like our neighbours in Europe, are experiencing a very unusual heatwave (with average temperatures for this time of year some 15C higher than normal). Most of our homes here do not have air-conditioning - nor do our hospitals, schools or care homes. We are very poorly prepared for what's coming. There is already an El Nino in progress and, according to scientists, a 65% chance that it will be a very extreme one. Yet your president is still claiming that global warming is a hoax, dismantling and de-funding key environmental agencies and expunging critical scientific data. In addition to this, he has spent over $2bn of public funds on blocking offshore windfarm projects that would have delivered cheap, clean energy to Americans.
There are two major consequences of this stupidity. The first and obvious one is that you will be inadequately protected from extreme weather events that will only get worse. The tragic loss of the lives of so many children in the Mystic Camp floods last year presages the awful risks ahead of not being prepared. The second consequence is that the US will fall behind in the now inevitable energy transition to renewables. This will be the first time since the Industrial Revolution that the US has not led a major technological energy transition. China now leads the world in renewable technologies like solar and wind while your addled president is still trying to revive the US coal industry with absurd promises of 'clean coal'.
An illustration of how a poorly-executed policy, or no policy at all, can affect outcomes concerns those highly unpopular datecenters. China is building out its grid in advance so that its datacenters will be up and running immediately. The US government, by contrast, is leaving things entirely to the private sector and it is establishing datacenters in areas stricken by drought or poorly served by grid connections and so lie dormant and facing huge local opposition. China has even built an offshore datacenter powered entirely by a windfarm and using seawater as a natural coolant. By contrast, your tech guru Elon Musk has piloted an IPO recently offering datacenters in space.
My other example, would be your health services and the growing risks of epidemic infections due to the spread of parasites and animal vectors as the climate warms. You have a measles epidemic that has been raging for months. It seems likely that avian flu is now endemic in US dairy herds and only one or two major mutations away from being capable of human-to human transmission. A screwworm epidemic in cattle has reached Texas and New Mexico for the first time. Your vaccination rates are falling due to misinformation and stupidity. You have no surgeon general, no CDC director and still no functioning vaccine panel with the need for advice on this year's flu vaccine only weeks away. If you carry on like this, Heaven only knows what else awaits you.
You are right, Russell. We aren't even paying attention to some of the most destructive things Trump has done. But our media give it all very little attention.
Thanks for your input, Diet Pep, and I suggest one website and these 7 Substack sites in addition to the profound Robert Reich for reading more than the diluted major media reports of what's happening: Mathew Cooke's: "Survivors Guide to Earth" dotcom; Christopher Armitage's Substack: "The Existentialist Republic"; and Scott Dworkin's "Dworkin Report"-Substack; plus, these 5 other Substacks: 1. Heather Cox Richardson 2. Paul Krugman 3. "The Bulwark" 4. "Xplisset Voice of America" and 5. Alexander Verbeek's "Planet"
Our regular media needs to be brought back to life, death to the rich bastard owners and their ilk! All that reading by our lower IQ population will not happen in the time left to us, sorry to admit!
Russell, your points are all well-taken... thank you. Most important, I think, is "focussing on trump's inanities." It's Neil Postman's "Amusing Ourselves to Death" in the extreme, and it really will kill us because of all the criticalissues that require immediate attention, some of which you make crystal clear in this post. The ignorant are amused and self-satisfied in their short-term thinking. The so-called intelligent among us are either making excuses for their self-satisfaction, or are so overwhelmed by the task ahead that it becomes easier to simply focus on trump.
This freak show needs to end now. The DNC, pathetic mincing toadies that they are, need to make it perfectly clear that retribution against all the oligarchs who supported this admin either actively, or tacitly, is going to be relentless and savage. In this case GW Bush's "You're either with us, or you're with the terrorists!" is exactly true. The admin is literally destroying the government that it took 250 years to build. Impeachment now. Stop the stupidity while there's still something left to salvage.
I appreciate your energetic attitude, chris lemon, to help restore basic sanity to government, but would suggest that you and others might consider Ro Khanna, who is not a "pathetic mincing toady," and who could become Speaker of the House and an excellent President...
I suggest seeing the Never Trumpers' view of Ro Khanna from May 29 in "The Bulwark" Substack by their excellent writer, Adrian Carrasquillo (I've restacked it, so - for a quick introduction to him - just click the little blue ball here - and then, after reading that - go to Khanna's impressive Wikipedia page) RESIST! DEFY! PERSIST!
It's an overly broad brush, but in aggregate seems appropriate. Then again, the DNC may have realized that the electorate has reached a level of total degradation where nothing matters to the the average voter except the price of gasoline. In which case their mostly non-response to the destruction of democracy may just reflect acknowledging reality.
Thanks, chris, but help me understand what "It's an overly broad brush..." refers to - Your demand that the freak show end now? - or: One or both of my replies? - or: The Adrian Carrasquillo article? - or: The Wikipedia page about Ro Khanna? - or to something completely different? frank talk, jr.
Trump's reflecting pool is mirroring his administration--it's falling apart before our eyes, his swamp will be his undoing. Green-green, it's green they say----in Trump's little pathetic world...
Marine epoxy should be allowed to cure for at least 24 to 72 hours before being exposed to water, though waiting a full 7 to 10 days is highly recommended for permanent submersion. Exposure to moisture before the epoxy has adequately cross-linked can disrupt the chemical reaction, leading to cloudiness, bubbling, soft spots, or complete adhesion failure. The fools only waited 24 hours before refilling the pool--ignorance is to blame not vandalism.
Add to that the notion that one can simply apply a coating to a 100 year old concrete surface that’s mostly been underwater. Naive optimism has never been a winning solution.
Another-- The government awarded a no-bid contract to Atlantic Industrial Coatings. Mr. Trump stated he selected the company because they had previously performed pool construction work at his golf clubs.
Yes, and the owner of the company is a neighbor and a supporter of Trump. Trump did not seek other bids for the contract, and he instructed the National Park Service to accept the bid.
He's green with envy of Putin and others of that ilk and certainly opposed to the green energy movement that will help thwart the threat of planetary destruction - if we follow through persistently - NOW! RESIST! DEFY! PERSIST!
I was asked a few weeks ago what, at 83, am I most grateful for ? I replied, " That I am astute enough to realize how little I know. " The 'I alone can fix it' man will never know his profound lack of astutenes...and how we have suffered as a people due to his brilliance...
No doubt the stock market will take a big dive again tomorrow. So many of us have saved all are working lives and live on our retirement money. So many younger workers are doing the same, wondering if they even will be able to retire. We have a corrupt, immoral, dissolute,sociopathic president who doesn't care whether he ruins the economy for the ordinary worker; who will do anything, including starting an illegal, disastrous war to keep the Epstein files from surfacing. Trump is a monster.
It looks like I was wrong about the stock market today but nonetheless the volatility has been most alarming in the month since Trump came into office with his ignorance of economics and his refusal to listen to those who have experience. I still worry about a crash.
Trump's special super power is that he is made of teflon. Nothing sticks to him. He many be charged and convicted but he is never held responsible or really suffered any consequences of his actions. He blames everyone else when things go wrong and after all this time there is still a third of the country that chooses to believe him. Those that do follow him do so unquestioningly even if it leaves us with a debt that will take generations to pay off.
And they follow him because he gives them permission to be as racist as they have always wanted to be. Racism is at the root of his success: always has been and always will be.
You hit the nail on the head with the MAGAs I know, Deb. Racism is at the root of Trump’s support, and insecurity is at the root of racism. Also misogyny - even with less accomplished right wing women accepting patriarchal BS (or going along to get along). So, as I see it, racism, misogyny, and homophobic scapegoating by these fragile egos is the trifecta at the core of “conservatism” where a belief that big, bad daddy Trump will take care of their unearned entitled selves.
Trump's further ineptness, supreme arrogance, and totally loathsome personality continues to perform on the World stage. Our country is left in total limbo as quivering Republicans allow this man to decimate their party rather than gather the guts to put him in his place and neuter him completely. Trump wants to tap into our beautiful National Parks to ravage them much like Musk and others are taking over destroying towns with their data/chip centers. To normal Americans this is a no brainer. It is destroying our country. It's obvious Trump was not seen engaging in any family activity on Father's Day. Past Presidents have family pictures. This flatulent, greedy, lonely, old man lives his life as it has always been, alone and devoid of love.
Trump is Fagin and his sons are Artful Dodgers. He has sent them out into the world to pick as many pockets as they can get their hands in. Although his son -in-law was his best student. That is the only thing he wants for father's day. All he wants from his daughters is for them to be golden states. Could Dickens see the future?
There is nothing random or stupid in the innumerable crises that Trump has created. He wants crisis. He thrives on crisis. To be surprised at the volume of chaos caused by Trump is to be surprised that a nuclear bomb creates a lot of radioactive debris. Trump knows that chaos allows him to steal both money and power…his peanut butter-and-jam combo that makes him feel good.
time for this cautionary tale of what happens when you elect a disaster to end.... it does provide an opportunity though. AA says you have to hit bottom to start to build your life back, think we're pretty much there. Let's get rid of this clown car abomination and get to work...
Remember, the ability for any governmental agency to adequately handle any challenge was taken away last year by design. Every #ClownCarCabinet member was not chosen for their ability, only their corruptibility and complete lack of a sense of duty.
Factor in the DOGE firings of all the institutional knowledge at the top of each agency, and there is neither the aptitude or inclination to get anything right.
So we have an entire government driven by whim. As a nation we've been reduced to a reflection of Trump's tragically flawed personality. The squandering of America's greatness escalates every day.
And wasn’t DOGE supposed to root out “fraud, waste, and abuse?” Can’t think of a better example than this reflecting pool fiasco.
The purpose of DOGE is the same as the purpose of the war in Iran, the reflecting pool catastrophe, ICE raids, the grift, the apparent friendship with dictators, tariffs, the indictment of political rivals, and virtually every Trump administration policy.
Metaphorically speaking, authoritarianism is the matador, the pro-democracy movement is the bull, Trump administration policies are the cape, and authoritarianism wins if the matador convinces the bull to aim its horns at the cape.
Otherwise, we might follow Abraham Lincoln’s advice when he said, “Let us have faith that right makes might; and in that faith, let us dare to do our duty as we understand it.” Then we start thinking, “Are we at ‘right’ yet, and if not, then how do we get there?” Then, instead of reacting, we’re deliberately practicing “thinking” in a way that makes us just a little bit smarter every day, and the matador gets a little more nervous.
Meanwhile, the Republican Party is thinking, “Why think? We already know we’re right.” Which is why they get a little dumber every day. Which is why they are now so dumb even algae is smarter.
what about epstein?????
I see that dumpster is sending thugs to intimidate his victims. Meanwhile, not a single participant/perpetrator has been indicted or identified. The terrorist organization previously dba the republic;an party actively promotes and protects sex trafficking and pedophiles.
Once he's gone the goons should be identified and arrested. If they want bail it should start as a hefty sum, say a million dollars. This might flush out those responsible for funding them. This might seem a bit draconian, but they deserve it. All of them.
but he needs to be "goned" before he can pardon the pedophiles, sex traffickers, extortionists, fraudsters, killers, and such.
Well there is room for that on the list, too.
Good question. It’s not about the specific issue. It’s about how the pro-democracy movement responds. If we’re only reacting, then our horns are pointed at the cape.
I’m not saying to ignore what they’re doing. Instead, I’m saying to follow Lincoln’s advice when he said, “Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed. Consequently, he who molds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or pronounces decisions.”
Public sentiment is the public speaking with one voice. A great example is the people of Minneapolis speaking with one voice.
There’s an authoritarian 3-step. Step 1: divide. Step 2: conquer. Step 3: return to Step 1 and repeat.
And there’s an equalitarian 3-step. Step 1: unite. Step 2: stand. Step 3: return to Step 1 and repeat.
The response to the Epstein issue is the response to every issue. Don’t just follow a leader. Instead, be and/or follow a leader who is molding public sentiment.
The Epstein matter is dead as a doornail. The Justice Department (pardon me while I gag) has declared "that's all folks," and if/when the regime is removed the files will be destroyed or moved to Mar a Lago. They are gone, but won't be forgotten, clearly
- Karen Cooper
Mar dumLardo……..
Careful, we're not supposed to talk about him! ;-)
Excellent metaphor! It stays in the mind.
My mother had us repeat and memorize Lincoln's quote to practice speaking and thinking clearly. I miss her.
I always felt the surest test of someone who is "wrong" is someone who thinks they are always "right."
all humans are falliable, the problem is the ones who don't believe it
Trump doesn't think he is infallible. The core problem--right or wrong--are his rules: that you never admit to error, you always lie about it, and thoughtlessly plunge ahead because "it just doesn't matter." That is what is going on inside his skull.
And, unfortunately, the less intelligent, the less likely to see one's own fallibility.
Proof: I can't spell fallible.
Every time someone thinks, “right makes might,” they’re always right. Every time someone thinks, “might makes right,” they’re always wrong.
The surest test of someone who is always “wrong” is someone who, instead of trying to get to the truth, is trying to get their way. The surest test of someone who is always “right” is someone who, instead of trying to get their way, is trying to get to the truth even when (especially when) the truth is inconvenient.
But maybe I'm overlooking something.
Truth can be inconvenient, but I'll add that it can be a challenge to get to the truth of many matters.
Yes, getting to the truth can be hard, and if someone doesn’t want to get there, they can make it impossible, but regardless, it’s simple.
When two people observe the same evidence and draw conflicting conclusions, they’ve interpreted their observations with logic that conflicts because it’s flawed. To get to the truth, identity and correct the flaws. When the same two people observing the same evidence are drawing harmonious conclusions, all the logic flaws have been identified and corrected.
MAGA is the bull, but Trump is a lousy matador and his use of the American flag as cape is shameless and unforgivable.
Especially wearing that Flag Pin, since he is spouting for Putin!!
Well put!
Rooting out "fraud,waste and abuse" was to make more room for grift, grift and grift.
This regime is the ultimate "Waste fraud and abuse".
Then there is the screw worm scandal. Doge fired most of the people monitoring insect vectors that could pose a threat to US livestock, The cost was about $15 million. Now because this pest is back billions are having to be spent in a completely unnecessary programme to eradicate it. Musk is an idiot outside of his own businesses. Maybe US farmers should send him the bill.
He Truly deserves to get SCREWED Live on tv! And then barbecued with no sauce!
1/8th, The corruption goes deeper than the billionaires who've been put in charge of government agencies, and all of the #ClownCarCabinet members: Thanks to the Supreme Court's Loper Bright decision (overturned the 40-year-old "Chevron deference" doctrine) the teeth have been pulled out of the government agencies that are supposed to be the guard dogs protecting the American people. Those agencies are supposed to be protecting us from abuse by the very billionaires and their corporations who've gotten themselves put in charge. So now, the foxes are in charge of the henhouses, and the old watchdogs are toothless, thanks to the Supreme Court.
Ian, this whole Trumpian fiasco was a group effort with our Supreme Roberts 6, congressional Republicans, and as many minions as Trump could find. The American people are the victims. Now, it's time the "victims" rise up and demand far better than this insane troupe of fools. Trumplandia is undermining nearly every entity that helps to protect us and provide services. They are traitors and need to be seen as that by more people and more often cited for their treasonous actions against this nation, as dangerous as any foreign invader because they are right here.
Ruth, When they're not victimizing us, Trump and his co-conspirators are busy trying to plant and nurture ideas in the minds of Americans that any action, thought, or person who opposes their corrupt agenda is disloyal, and betraying America. It's like Alice in Wonderland, where up is down... Rex Lex instead of Lex Rex.
Sadly many of the congressional traitors will be reelected right back into congress where I am sure they will continue to do whatever harm they can to further the repugnant agenda.
The enemy within!
Destruction of the democratic republican government is necessary to start the building of a dictatorship, and they're doing a great job, along with destroying goodwill and good reputation among the countries of the world. The GOP has been plotting this for some forty years, very publicly, and it appears that Democrats weren't paying enough attention and/or thought the government was incorruptible
- Karen Cooper
It appears that Democrats who accept superPAC donations and enrich themselves in other corrupt ways have aided and abetted the GOP in their plots and schemes. Such Democrats have become part of the problem instead of being part of the solution. A true opposition Party fighting against the corruption of the current regime would be bent on pulling the rug out from under Citizens United, first and foremost.
And maybe it would be working on a plan to divert the Potomac through the halls of government to clean out all the self-dealing billionaires and their minions, just like Hercules diverted the Alpheus and Peneus rivers to wash all the horse sh*t out of the Augean stables.
Agree, Ian!
- Karen
They're doing a great job of destruction to the extent that they can keep the opposition focused exclusively on what they are doing because that way, the opposition is not focused on what the opposition is doing, and then the opposition needs to place the blame the opposition.
This SCOTUS is the most corrupt, unethical, racist, misogynistic group of men + Amy that has ever existed. All of their white supremacy attitudes are evident in their rulings. Each and every one of them are undermining the constitution and our democracy. They should be impeached.
The completely incompetent, deceitful trumpian regime continues to crumble week by week. We the people, the true patriots for realistic progress in today's real world will overcome the dream-like illusion of the double-speak crowd called MAGA...
Frank Talk, oh, I do hope you are right about the crumbling of this current Trumpian insanity!
tRump is a manifestation of destruction and he knows how to destroy, the crumbling will go on as long as he is our "leader".
If our treasury continues to be raided by the current "leader and his minions, the crumbling will continue.
Like the Nazi's and the Soviets, I firmly believe they will crumble under their own bloated weight (with assistance from our persistent resistance).
They'll crumble under their own oppressive weight...
The vicious predators always end up eating their own until they get eaten themselves. Let's take our first big bite of everyone in Trump's tribe, in every position, in every state, in Nov.
Todd, adding the utter incompetence of those chosen. Their task is/was to destroy our government to make Trump and Musk king, rulers of this nation and ultimately, the world, just like comic book villains. The rest of the oligarchs want to be the power behind the throne, even though they have no clue what that should look like! Truly treasonous!
Who knew that we would have a political party that would stand by and enable the dismantling of the Unites States? I did not.
I am not overly surprised by the Supreme Court actions. Partisanship not Democracy is in their bones.
Americans should have had an understanding of that five years ago. It was clear by the time the Second Impeachment failed and McConnell defiled the process of Supreme Court nominations under Obama and then Trump. And the Republicans backed Trump's play all the way. The Republicans opted for a tyranny of minority government long ago. A brisk skim of Project 2025 closes the deal--and made it crystal clear. One thing I think we no longer need to be patient with is this: "I didn't see it coming. I didn't believe he would do those things. I thought it was all performative." Why did anyone believe they knew in advance what Trump would do--or that they knew the boundary on how deep into racist nationalist beliefs the Republicans would fall?
Completely captured they are.
A Glass, a great line:As a nation we've been reduced to a reflection of Trump's tragically flawed personality. The squandering of America's greatness escalates every day.
A government staffed with people whose only qualification is saying, "Yes, my Lord Drumpf" to any order given by "Dear Leader".
“The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help.” RonnieReagan
Yeah, that didn’t age so well.
I had many colleagues that were DOGEd, others that quit instead of work for an authoritarian regime. This is how a government dies.
Reagan was also a habitual liar. My parents were both public employees their entire careers--in California. And my spouse worked 36 years as an attorney with NOAA-NMFS. Many of my closest friends work for public institutions. My experience is that they are mission centered, honest, and reliable, and always put the public interest first (by and large). Government is not a perfect answer to every problem, but it is a collective answer in a democratic society. I recommend that people should read Michael Lewis: WHO IS GOVERNMENT? The story of public service is distorted by ignorance, and largely untold. Despite the capacity problems and bureaucracy we may occasionally find--those words have often been the difference between life and death and recovery.
I, too, was a 30 year public servant and I agree with your comments. The federal government/civil SERVANTS were the ones that took care of business for “we the people.” Once it becomes privatized, or you can only get AI to take a call, it becomes FOR PROFIT. There is no longer a SERVICE mindset…just a dollar sign mindset.
Yes! Great book too
Exactly: it IS a "Kakistocracy!" We Americans are being led by mental midgets who either flunked high school like Elon and Dear Leader, or "TECHNICALLY passed," like all of those creature's cult members.
All illegitimate and corrupt.
It's called the Trickle Away Theory.
More like peeing with intentional aim,than generosity.
The man is completely off his rocker! His Father’s Day lying social is another example of how far out of reality he is. He’s a very dangerous man who needs to be removed.
With his extremely malignant narcissism Trump attempts to gaslight and/or outright lie about everything. He appears to believe that he can change reality by declarations, such as his BS about the economy. Only his cult believe his garbage rather than the evidence of their bank accounts. His clown car cabinet are put into place to push his many deceptions. When faced with overwhelming truth he looks for scapegoats even if those have to be manufactured.
Yes, let's all push for the elimination of obscene wealth pouring into our elections, Tell the states to demand that their Secretaries of State take away corporations and private wealth's "Right" to buy our elections! Money is NOT speech, it is flat out bribery and used to be highly illegal! for a REASON.
He needs to be removed, but his loyal, opportunistic cabinet won't do it.
Yes, but the sword of Damocles hangs over their heads, we must not reelect them. the only thing they fear more than tRUMP is losing their income derived from their complacence with the lawlessness.
His Cabinet needs to be Charbroiled in real life, every single one of them!!
The climate destruction caused by them and those whom they serve may just do that to them.
Electing someone unsuitable for office isn't just about that person—it's a reflection on the voters who chose them. And with Trump specifically, his election reveals something devastating about a significant portion of America: they knowingly chose someone who should face criminal prosecution.
Ignorant SLOBS!
Never heard of Tim Walz before Kamela Harris picked him as a running mate, but the man's a winner, IMO. And he has a great midwestern BS detector.
Lol. True.
It's too bad he did so poorly in the debate.
Everything Trump touches turns to dog shit. The man is a failure and is the last person who should be president.
The fool, trump-the-terrible, is not competent to be a dog catcher in a town of 5,000 people. And should be banned from holding any responsible position in any government, and the same is true for most if not all of his allies in treason and crimes against this planet's population, in my humble opinion...
If I could have two wishes: 1) there was some global body that could find Trump, Netanyahu, and Putin guilty of treason and crimes against humanity. Then sentence them to death by placing them in "camps" run with the same methods used in the ICE "immigrant" warehouses in the US, located somewhere in the middle of the Ebola outbreak in the Congo. 2) That I live long enough to see democracy and our treasured monuments be restored.
I understand your justifiably angry, painful disappointments in this regard, however, for me - I'll just work on refraining from my tendency to react with wishes for harm to befall anyone (as part of my commitment to Buddhist principles - but I'll add that I do demand that they and others of that ilk spend many long years in prisons, for as the Dalai Lama said, "If someone hits you, you can turn the other cheek, BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO LET THEM HIT YOU AGAIN" - LOCK 'EM UP!
Will Americans ever learn their lessons. They can't be proud of being such suckers. P.T. Barnum warned everyone!
Yes, that is what bothers me the most - 78 million Americans voted for him to be president a second time. Our country is done for.
Someone needs to find his early school records, he could not pass 4th. Grade without cheating!!
This is not the first in recent days that comemntators have noted that the problems with the reflecting pool serve well as metaphor for Trump's presidency and his approach - a hasty, ill-conceived and expensive project that fails to address the underlying problems. Yesterday, the Meidas Touch reported a dead duck had been found in the pool offering yet another apt metaphor for this stumbling administration.
But isn't it time to look more carefully at those underlying problems instead of focusing on Trump's inanities which never seem to end.
I live in the UK, and we like our neighbours in Europe, are experiencing a very unusual heatwave (with average temperatures for this time of year some 15C higher than normal). Most of our homes here do not have air-conditioning - nor do our hospitals, schools or care homes. We are very poorly prepared for what's coming. There is already an El Nino in progress and, according to scientists, a 65% chance that it will be a very extreme one. Yet your president is still claiming that global warming is a hoax, dismantling and de-funding key environmental agencies and expunging critical scientific data. In addition to this, he has spent over $2bn of public funds on blocking offshore windfarm projects that would have delivered cheap, clean energy to Americans.
There are two major consequences of this stupidity. The first and obvious one is that you will be inadequately protected from extreme weather events that will only get worse. The tragic loss of the lives of so many children in the Mystic Camp floods last year presages the awful risks ahead of not being prepared. The second consequence is that the US will fall behind in the now inevitable energy transition to renewables. This will be the first time since the Industrial Revolution that the US has not led a major technological energy transition. China now leads the world in renewable technologies like solar and wind while your addled president is still trying to revive the US coal industry with absurd promises of 'clean coal'.
An illustration of how a poorly-executed policy, or no policy at all, can affect outcomes concerns those highly unpopular datecenters. China is building out its grid in advance so that its datacenters will be up and running immediately. The US government, by contrast, is leaving things entirely to the private sector and it is establishing datacenters in areas stricken by drought or poorly served by grid connections and so lie dormant and facing huge local opposition. China has even built an offshore datacenter powered entirely by a windfarm and using seawater as a natural coolant. By contrast, your tech guru Elon Musk has piloted an IPO recently offering datacenters in space.
My other example, would be your health services and the growing risks of epidemic infections due to the spread of parasites and animal vectors as the climate warms. You have a measles epidemic that has been raging for months. It seems likely that avian flu is now endemic in US dairy herds and only one or two major mutations away from being capable of human-to human transmission. A screwworm epidemic in cattle has reached Texas and New Mexico for the first time. Your vaccination rates are falling due to misinformation and stupidity. You have no surgeon general, no CDC director and still no functioning vaccine panel with the need for advice on this year's flu vaccine only weeks away. If you carry on like this, Heaven only knows what else awaits you.
You are right, Russell. We aren't even paying attention to some of the most destructive things Trump has done. But our media give it all very little attention.
Thanks for your input, Diet Pep, and I suggest one website and these 7 Substack sites in addition to the profound Robert Reich for reading more than the diluted major media reports of what's happening: Mathew Cooke's: "Survivors Guide to Earth" dotcom; Christopher Armitage's Substack: "The Existentialist Republic"; and Scott Dworkin's "Dworkin Report"-Substack; plus, these 5 other Substacks: 1. Heather Cox Richardson 2. Paul Krugman 3. "The Bulwark" 4. "Xplisset Voice of America" and 5. Alexander Verbeek's "Planet"
I would add William Spivey, History, Black History, a great history journalist.
Our regular media needs to be brought back to life, death to the rich bastard owners and their ilk! All that reading by our lower IQ population will not happen in the time left to us, sorry to admit!
Russell, your points are all well-taken... thank you. Most important, I think, is "focussing on trump's inanities." It's Neil Postman's "Amusing Ourselves to Death" in the extreme, and it really will kill us because of all the criticalissues that require immediate attention, some of which you make crystal clear in this post. The ignorant are amused and self-satisfied in their short-term thinking. The so-called intelligent among us are either making excuses for their self-satisfaction, or are so overwhelmed by the task ahead that it becomes easier to simply focus on trump.
It feels like a hurricane has destroyed everything that took so long to build.
Way to much focus on trump for sure.More needed on Congress people.
This freak show needs to end now. The DNC, pathetic mincing toadies that they are, need to make it perfectly clear that retribution against all the oligarchs who supported this admin either actively, or tacitly, is going to be relentless and savage. In this case GW Bush's "You're either with us, or you're with the terrorists!" is exactly true. The admin is literally destroying the government that it took 250 years to build. Impeachment now. Stop the stupidity while there's still something left to salvage.
I appreciate your energetic attitude, chris lemon, to help restore basic sanity to government, but would suggest that you and others might consider Ro Khanna, who is not a "pathetic mincing toady," and who could become Speaker of the House and an excellent President...
I suggest seeing the Never Trumpers' view of Ro Khanna from May 29 in "The Bulwark" Substack by their excellent writer, Adrian Carrasquillo (I've restacked it, so - for a quick introduction to him - just click the little blue ball here - and then, after reading that - go to Khanna's impressive Wikipedia page) RESIST! DEFY! PERSIST!
It's an overly broad brush, but in aggregate seems appropriate. Then again, the DNC may have realized that the electorate has reached a level of total degradation where nothing matters to the the average voter except the price of gasoline. In which case their mostly non-response to the destruction of democracy may just reflect acknowledging reality.
Thanks, chris, but help me understand what "It's an overly broad brush..." refers to - Your demand that the freak show end now? - or: One or both of my replies? - or: The Adrian Carrasquillo article? - or: The Wikipedia page about Ro Khanna? - or to something completely different? frank talk, jr.
Well said, Chris.
Yep, this isn't funny anymore.
Never was.
💯
Trump's reflecting pool is mirroring his administration--it's falling apart before our eyes, his swamp will be his undoing. Green-green, it's green they say----in Trump's little pathetic world...
Marine epoxy should be allowed to cure for at least 24 to 72 hours before being exposed to water, though waiting a full 7 to 10 days is highly recommended for permanent submersion. Exposure to moisture before the epoxy has adequately cross-linked can disrupt the chemical reaction, leading to cloudiness, bubbling, soft spots, or complete adhesion failure. The fools only waited 24 hours before refilling the pool--ignorance is to blame not vandalism.
Ignorance is a job requirement in the Trump administration.
You made me laugh out loud, James.
Add to that the notion that one can simply apply a coating to a 100 year old concrete surface that’s mostly been underwater. Naive optimism has never been a winning solution.
Another-- The government awarded a no-bid contract to Atlantic Industrial Coatings. Mr. Trump stated he selected the company because they had previously performed pool construction work at his golf clubs.
Yes, and the owner of the company is a neighbor and a supporter of Trump. Trump did not seek other bids for the contract, and he instructed the National Park Service to accept the bid.
He's green with envy of Putin and others of that ilk and certainly opposed to the green energy movement that will help thwart the threat of planetary destruction - if we follow through persistently - NOW! RESIST! DEFY! PERSIST!
It seems like the perfect embodiment of Trump’s way of doing things. They keep trying to quickly fix it. It will take getting down to the bones.
I was asked a few weeks ago what, at 83, am I most grateful for ? I replied, " That I am astute enough to realize how little I know. " The 'I alone can fix it' man will never know his profound lack of astutenes...and how we have suffered as a people due to his brilliance...
Len, you are humble, and wise. The great Socrates himself famously said, "All I know is that I know nothing."
What I know: The earth is round.
What I don't know: The rest of the universe.
What a perfect post about a cancerous regime devoured by the cooties it has imagined.
I'll just add Franklin Pierce Adams's deathless poem about prohibition:
Prohibition is an awful flop.
We like it.
It can't stop what it's meant to stop.
We like it.
It's left a trail of graft and slime
It don't prohibit worth a dime
It's filled our land with vice and crime,
Nevertheless, we're for it.
Thanks Mary Ann, for sharing Franklin Pierce Adams's poem. It has broad relevance, and certainly has aged well.
Great poem! Love it!
That's fun!
No doubt the stock market will take a big dive again tomorrow. So many of us have saved all are working lives and live on our retirement money. So many younger workers are doing the same, wondering if they even will be able to retire. We have a corrupt, immoral, dissolute,sociopathic president who doesn't care whether he ruins the economy for the ordinary worker; who will do anything, including starting an illegal, disastrous war to keep the Epstein files from surfacing. Trump is a monster.
It looks like I was wrong about the stock market today but nonetheless the volatility has been most alarming in the month since Trump came into office with his ignorance of economics and his refusal to listen to those who have experience. I still worry about a crash.
Trump's special super power is that he is made of teflon. Nothing sticks to him. He many be charged and convicted but he is never held responsible or really suffered any consequences of his actions. He blames everyone else when things go wrong and after all this time there is still a third of the country that chooses to believe him. Those that do follow him do so unquestioningly even if it leaves us with a debt that will take generations to pay off.
And they follow him because he gives them permission to be as racist as they have always wanted to be. Racism is at the root of his success: always has been and always will be.
You hit the nail on the head with the MAGAs I know, Deb. Racism is at the root of Trump’s support, and insecurity is at the root of racism. Also misogyny - even with less accomplished right wing women accepting patriarchal BS (or going along to get along). So, as I see it, racism, misogyny, and homophobic scapegoating by these fragile egos is the trifecta at the core of “conservatism” where a belief that big, bad daddy Trump will take care of their unearned entitled selves.
Trump's further ineptness, supreme arrogance, and totally loathsome personality continues to perform on the World stage. Our country is left in total limbo as quivering Republicans allow this man to decimate their party rather than gather the guts to put him in his place and neuter him completely. Trump wants to tap into our beautiful National Parks to ravage them much like Musk and others are taking over destroying towns with their data/chip centers. To normal Americans this is a no brainer. It is destroying our country. It's obvious Trump was not seen engaging in any family activity on Father's Day. Past Presidents have family pictures. This flatulent, greedy, lonely, old man lives his life as it has always been, alone and devoid of love.
Trump is Fagin and his sons are Artful Dodgers. He has sent them out into the world to pick as many pockets as they can get their hands in. Although his son -in-law was his best student. That is the only thing he wants for father's day. All he wants from his daughters is for them to be golden states. Could Dickens see the future?
Dear Professor Reich,
There is nothing random or stupid in the innumerable crises that Trump has created. He wants crisis. He thrives on crisis. To be surprised at the volume of chaos caused by Trump is to be surprised that a nuclear bomb creates a lot of radioactive debris. Trump knows that chaos allows him to steal both money and power…his peanut butter-and-jam combo that makes him feel good.
time for this cautionary tale of what happens when you elect a disaster to end.... it does provide an opportunity though. AA says you have to hit bottom to start to build your life back, think we're pretty much there. Let's get rid of this clown car abomination and get to work...
It always amazes me that so many Americans actually believe the ____ trump posts.
Driving vehicles on the empty pool probably was a poor choice. Those who did that may have caused damage.