I have one question for the people who are still believing what Trump is telling them such as:
“I’m being indicted for you,” which he said at a rally in Sioux Center, Iowa, on Friday Jan. 5th, repeating a central theme of his campaign. “In the end, they’re not after me, they’re after you and I just happen to be standing in their way.”
If the Democrats were really after you, don’t you think they would be the ones purchasing AR-15s?Instead Democrats are promoting ways that help all Americans, including you. A Democratic President that is working for All of Us. Not just his cult!
And how about Our (divided) United States Congress, both the House and the Senate, are in a Civil War that is becoming more and more Uncivil.
We have one party that is working for the average American. The other party is, in the eyes of most of us, being totally obstructive and incapable of governing. They continue to divide us!
Despite holding more than 700 votes in 2023, the House only managed to pass 27 bills that have made it into law. How Pathetic!
They have put all of their efforts into trying to find evidence to impeach President Biden. And like a pack of wolves they’re trying to demoralize the President by attacking his son!
Florida needs phone banking help for the Orlando District House special election. We only have one more week. We need all the help we can get. Helping Florida get it's democracy back - helps the whole country. Please see the re- vamped Florida Dems website for more details.
Yes. Also consider movements towards an all mail-in ballot. It has helped in Colorado. Not a panacea but better than long lines at polling stations with hardware that breaks down. And, yes, it is secure (I have been an election auditor).
I really like the Biden commercial I saw today about Trump trying to take away our votes. Someone in his camp finally woke up- if Trump says the election was fixed/phoney- then let’s use the same tactic against Trump- make it ALL about voting… if we can get really high numbers at the polls , Dems will win
We all want the message on demand but Biden's team seems to be mindful of the windows of focus of low information voters. Timing is important in this type of messaging.
True. They need to get busy. They really need to get the 30somethings registered (I’m working on that here in NJ). The women are SO angry about the interference in their healthcare- I hear it from my daughters and their friends. The pundits have missed the boat thinking this demographic is “unengaged”. They’re VERY invested- but so damn busy and exhausted with growing their families and careers- they’re dead on their feet. We need to make it ridiculously easy for them to cast their votes
Agreed, Dr. Gilbert; but in California, with universal mail in prepaid postage, too many people were too lazy to mark the ballot sign the envelope and drop it in the nearest mail or ballot box. Apparently, too many people nationwide have not been taught the duty and privilege of voting. One thing I can say for dictatorships, even though only one person is on the ballot they get turnouts as high as 97%. Of course when the penalty for not voting is death, it's 's not much of an alternative. Maybe some of the fascists haven't gotten that information.
As a dear Ukrainian friend, Bohdan (“Bohd”) Hawrylyshyn, warned me in our last meeting before his death, we need to avoid thinking that “mechanical democracies” are the real thing. Bohd was an amazing example of a true advocate for an engaged democracy. https://www.kyivpost.com/post/22720.
Colorado’s ballots are not postage paid but there are many convenient (and secure) drop off boxes.
Voting needs to be made more interesting, less confusing, and easier. That is why I am constantly advocating for ideas of democracy in the workplace so that people are seeing voting as a regular part of a healthy society, not just an every four years beauty pageant.
I love your idea of democracy in the workplace. When I was a board of directors elected member of two different unions (at different times, of course) we tried to hold elections of various matters frequently. Voting about such things as promotions, workloads would make for a better workplace. But I'll bet you won't get much cooperation from the current Corporate America - all they want is deregulation and autocratic control of the workplace.
Well said, Doug! But keep in mind that in 2024 the vote is not just about democracy--it is about human rights! The rights of every individual, young and old, male or female or other. The rights of women and the other are in great peril, and that is what we must tell our voters!
Vote democratic in ALL categories, Senate and House. (Some people stupidly vote for the incumbent thinking they have experience. Don’t judge me, but I did this when I was first began voting).
Demagoguery. Trump has advisors like Lou Holtz, Tommy Tuberville, who know how to motivate a team, and this tactic has to be familiar to anyone who ever played team sports or has engaged in multi-level marketing (advertising). "Go team, go." There is no "I" in team.
He has a team of paid cheerleaders. The trappings of patriotism. Flags set the stage.
Thinking of the reasoning behind Lloyd's secrecy that surrounded his elective medical procedure, I'm reminded of a movie I saw years ago staring Marsh Mason and James Caan. This work was entitled "Cinderella Liberty." Mr. Caan developed a condition that required the delicate treatment of a "Pilonidal Cyst." Because of the location of his disorder a mild degree of personal embarrassment was on the table. Who knows why Mr. Lloyd decided to keep his procedure a secret? If the operation to correct had gone as planned and no medical negative became apparent, we most likely would have never known of the issue. WE are making too much out of nothing. The movie received mixed reviews but held a very warming moral.
I also know what intensive care means from visiting my late partner. It is 24-hours intensive. I can’t imagine he was in any condition to talk to anybody, certainly not the press.
Every human has flaws, that's a given. How we handle those imperfections defines us as who we are as individuals. Trump's imperfection is he thinks he's perfect, and we all know that couldn't be further from the truth. His nakedness is offensive to all who can see him for what he really is, nothing.
Given the extremely important position, Secretary Austin holds, I disagree. He or his staff had no reason to disclose the purpose of his initial operation BUT, when he was placed in intensive care and no longer capable of performing his duty, it was essential that The Office of the President and the Pentagon needed be informed of his location, however temporary the disability.
I guess! So, I must be confused, LOL. I think the point that both I, and Professor Reich were trying to make is the position of Secretary of Defense is not one that can afford personal privacy, in all matters. The President, in consort with the Secretary of Defense are responsible 24/7 for the safety of all Americans. A position ex-president trump refused to take when we were invaded by the most dangerous enemy so far - the invisible to the naked eye (or even a light microscope) SARS Covid virus. Trump's refusal to guard our safety is largely responsible for 2 million American deaths, most, but not all of which could have been avoided. How much worse would it be if a nuclear warhead were headed our way and one of the two people capable of stopping it was unknowingly, unavailable.
As an aside, I had the privilege in University of viewing bacteria and a virus through an electron microscope - they really do exist!.
Donald, The ''Pilonidal Cyst'' i had, wasn't so much of a mild degree of embarrassment, but of pain and the fear of sitting down too quickly. I didn't have it treated because of the fear of the pain from a needle or surgical incision of a very tender area of my body. It eventually went away, but it still flares back up at times.
You got that right, for sure. Those things seem to run in our family, my nephews had them, my brother, and my father. Same thing with the migraine headaches that mimic stroke symptoms. I go almost blind when i have one of those horrific things.
John---I've suffered from those things my entire life. About 4 years ago I stated to take my prescription differently. Instead of taking a pill at the onset of a headache I began to take 25 Mgs on a daily basis. I haven't had one of those awful things since.
Not sure if it's funny that 'The Autumn Wind is a Pirate' is the first thing that comes to mind - but if the analysis is correct then that could be a good sign: 'Team Trumper' doesn't seem nearly as cool as the 1970's Oakland Raiders...
Oh man, i didn't know Lou Holtz was in on the TUMP advisor thing. I have watched football all of my life, and i didn't think Holtz would be a scum bag Fascist/GQP a-hole. However, i wasn't surprised that the lunatic Tommy Tuberville is a Fascist/GQP creep. I wonder sometimes if that Dan Campbell that coaches the Detroit Lions is a Fascist creep? If not, he sure acts looks and acts like a DJT fanatic. But then again, i had an ex- girlfriend several years ago that lives in eastern Tennessee, and i thought sure she would have been a DJT fanatic. but i was dead wrong about her, as i found out recently she is a dedicated Democratic voter.
Did anyone notice that one point in the new spending bill is that we don't hire IRS agents . This way the rich and their corporations can't be audited. A license to steal ! STOP[ CALLING THIS A DEMOCRACY . RIGHT NOW THIS IS AN OLIGARCHY .
You got it. The rich and super-rich run this country. The Repugs are bought and paid for by them. And some Democrats as well. That is very old news. Delaware, home state of Joe Biden, has more LLCs and off-shore on-shore shell companies than any other state. Hmm-mm . . .
Last year I took my grand daughter to her 1st Broadway play . Tickets were $65 each came to about $260 counting bus and McDonalds a bit under $300. My rich Republican relative goes to Broadway all the time . Corporate car ,best seats ,fine dining ,it's a business expense. His cost $0. He doesn't understand why I waited so long to take her . "Let them eat cake ."
they’re insurrectionists, most republicans and by not governing they’re carrying out their mission. Frankly, those who tried to overthrow our democracy and are serving need to be held accountable, this is ridiculous!!
Not only were 27 bills passed, most were "ceremonial" such as recognizing a person for some action. I read all of them, and it seemed to me not a single one was of any significance.
Evidently Lloyd's condition is more serious than previously stated. If Mr. Lloyd developed some level of a systemic infection, it would explain a lot. I hope for his speedy recovery and his re-occupying the position the President appointed him to. Good men are hard to keep down. Explaining the vast number of bed sores on Trump's back.
MERSA. A virus variant of staf, etc. is in hospitals. They checked me every week for COVID and also TB in rehab. Never once MERSA. I got it in hospital, rehab or doctor's office. Hard to get tested. For profit health care stinks. Cheap off shore workers working here in our health care are sloppy and clueless. When in pain they toss you around like a bag of potatoes...while you yell in pain.
The hospital sent me to rehab short of blood volume. I demand another bag of blood before they forced me out. You get no blood in rehab. They sell our plasma to the world even our donated blood for their profit. Big time no one is protecting us against those profiteers. Shocking and careless.
I think everyone needs to understand that if Trump becomes President, America could very easily have another Civil War. It would be nothing like the last, but make no mistake... The Left and liberals won't just stand still and take it.
I know that there are many many liberals who feel adamant about the 2nd Amendment and they also own firearms. I personally have been an gun owner and sportsman shooter all my life. I OWN AR-15's and AK's and many, many more firearms and I'll be damned if anyone thinks they are going come after me for my political affiliation.
I also have know many, many civil rights advocates from the 1960's and every damned one of them were firearm owners.
My point is, It's not just Republicans who own guns. Democrats own guns also. And if Trump were to try to stomp out and use his power to come after 1/2 of Americans because they voted for Biden.... All hell would break loose. Check out the below USA Today chart of gun ownership in America. A hell of a lot of Liberals and Democrats own firearms.
You might want to look a what happened in other nations such as Chile and Argentina, which just elected a Trump like president, when they had authoritarian governments. Violence and the fear of it will neuter most Americans from doing anything about Trump and the Republican party turning the nation into a right wing Christian nationalist authoritarian state.
Sure, there will be protests if Trump wins, but after he turns the military on to those protesters and a great number of those people are killed or wounded you will see people fall in line. That's how authoritarians work, by using violence and the threat of violence to control the population.
Remember the no-nametag, masked federal goons who attacked the BLM rallies, beating & macing peaceful demonstrators. Just a preview of when the Neo Nazi Repugnant Party gets total control of gov't.
I am of the firm belief that someone will kill Trump IF he were to be elected again. I think a ton of people would not stand for such an abomination. Take heart! There's a hearing that begins tomorrow morning at 9:30 at the Appeals Court in DC over one of the matters that will then resume again next week. I can't recall which, there are so many cases pending against Trump. The courts and prosecutors are on the job in at least 6 cases (plus immunity and ballot matters) in 6 states and jurisdictions. I am tiring of all the hysteria over Trump. He says a lot of shit. First of all, our military will never fall into line with Trump. They would stage a coup and overthrow him. Where's he going to find his own military to overthrow the regular military?? Our military has mega weapons with which to take care of Trump. And next time, they won't have to be called up---they will act on their own.
The thing is Trump would not be where he is without support. The problem here is Trump isn't the entire issue. He's an opportunist and if you look back at his politics he wasn't always a right winger. He is smart enough to know how to lead and he is charismatic enough to keep people entertained. The problem is the Republican Party which has been moving towards the extreme right for decades.
Have you read Trump 2025? Because it's no joke and it lays out how he and his administration will put people in positions at the top of the DOJ, the DOD, purging potentially thousands of civil servants and filling career posts with loyalists to him and his "America First” ideology. Trump's toadies are working on plans that would potentially remove layers at the Justice Department and the FBI. The plan is to restructure national security, intelligence, the State Department and the Pentagon. So to say Trump can't or won't be able to use the military is a very real threat. There are right wing extremist in the military. The Pentagon does not know how many but they know they have problem. So when you say the military won't fall in line with Trump it's hard to know how the military would respond. If Trump fill all the top posts with temporary appointments, a way to go around Congress, he would have control of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
As to someone shooting Trump, well that's not a solution and would make him a martyr and guess what, that would embolden the extreme MAGA right. Then there's one thing you left out. 23 states are run by the Republican Party. This is not only about Trump. The Republican party is an existential threat to democracy as much as Trump is.
Speaker Mike Johnson is an right wing Christian nationalist who openly says the U.S. should be a Christian nation. There are millions of Americans who agree. What is happening now in this country is not only about Trump, it's a lot bigger than that.
The best way to beat Trump and the Republicans is a huge voter turnout for Biden and the Congressional Democrats. I'm not seeing that developing and the other thing I'm not seeing is a campaign by Biden and the Democratic Party that speaks to the threat. Biden's campaign so far has been really awful. It's as if he and his campaign staff think this is 2020, it's not.
I honestly don't think you'd see anything close 100% of enlisted military obeying Trump. Not even 60% .
They will not fire upon the civilian population. America is not an Argentina or Chile. Not even close. Military enlisted also take an oath. Oath of Enlisted.
I personally think the Catholic church has become criminal and greedy once again. They can't stay out of government power for themselves. Tax exempt status removed for influencing the Supreme Court and abortion laws which are Dark Ages like. Vote against the people's wishes.
Who could possibly be anti-Christian? Jesus was a great guy who gave away free health care and food. Of course, it’s possible to object to Christian theology and the hierarchies of the various churches.
Christian nationalism definition: Christian nationalists primarily focus on internal politics, such as passing laws that reflect their view of Christianity and its role in political and social life. They actively promote religious and nationalistic discourses in various fields of social life, from politics and history, to culture and science.
Even the supporters and innocents will die cause dictators are crazy killers. History has seen it over and over. They always lose but don't think they will. It's a cruel fantasy.
Let’s do our best to not even go there. I’m familiar with the AR but know nothing about making ammo. My guess is if fentanyl can come in from overseas so can cartridges.
No need to make ammo. Just go into a Walmart and buy your ammo. Or order your ammo online. But make no mistake, just like Jan 6th failed... Trump 2 would and will fail in my opinion. There are many more good people than they are evil.
You hit the nail on the head Keith. "We have one party that is working for the average American. The other party is, in the eyes of most of us, being totally obstructive and incapable of governing. They continue to divide us!"
Michael Flynn's compound is most likely still up & running. Years ago they were training families on how to "Protect" themself.
A long ago documentary showed young kids taking target practice. Stocking their temporary homes for "the long fight". What used to sound like conspiracies was happening deep in the Real swamps of Florida...
I'm sure satellites are hovering far overhead, manned by Homeland or the FBI. Just like the yte supreme groups.
Nope. But all colors, sexes, religions, etc. can be evil not just white ones. Some nations are full of evil and hate to each other. We are the most multi-racial people of the world. Our "oneness" should be celebrated as Americans not dividing us.
When you make your bed remember you’re going to sleep in it. How can a Latino vote for Trump? Do they imagine that when the fascist rioters are violently throwing “illegals” in detainment centers there will be an exception for brown skins who have good papers? Fools. How can a black person vote for Trump? Do they imagine that when the hooded vigilantes start hanging people in front of their churches that good Black Republicans will carefully be spared? How can a Jew vote for Trump, a guy who declares Hamas’ equivalence to Israel? How can a businessman/woman vote for Trump? Don’t they understand that the rule of law is the foundation of capitalism? How can a police officer vote for Trump? How can a Union member vote for Trump? How can a Postal worker vote for Trump? How can a member of the military vote for Trump? Don’t they understand they would give up the very democracy that guarantees their freedoms?
Oh so correct. I’ve been saying similar things for the last two years. In that environment, you reach a point where you think you’re safe. That is until you disagree. Then wrath falls upon you and maybe your family too. I’ve tried like heck to write republican representatives and senators warning them that this the path that they are sewing and that someday it’s going to come to their own doors when they vocally disagree or even are suspected of disagreeing. The people of Nazi German at first thought that they were safe because they weren’t Jews.
John, and many did not know they were "Jews" until the Nazis said so, and that was the end of them: gas chamber. Under a dictatorship you may suddenly discover that you are "vermin." It's up to the dictator.
I think that we must remember that the Socialists on Niemöller's list were actually third in line, possibly because Niemöller, an early supporter of Adolf Hitler, agreed with coming for the first two groups: the physically/mentally handicapped and sexual deviants/homosexuals. Either everyone is free and safe or no one is.
And that is the most astounding question. My hope is that the majority of women are repelled by his behavior and his support for a Handmaids Tale America.
Or ONE Religion books instead of the missing true History of our country...
Florida was re-issuing math books that removed any social-emotional topics, like kindness or bullying. While they scream the school shootings are a mental health issue, while banning the solution.
@EsportsWomen.com. Some people who previously voted for Trump (because they didn't like Hillary or because Bernie was not on the ballot) basically were registering a protest vote. Many of these are expected not to make the same mistake. Our job is to help them make the right decision, and a few percent staying home, voting for a 3rd party, or voting for Biden could change this election.
Far too many people are not self reflective. Their only goal in life is to live day to day and do what they want to do. They don’t want to be bothered by the stuff of which you speak. Therefore, they will have no ability to see how all this impacts them, until it’s too late.
In the 1950s and early 60s there was a similar episode on the Radical Right (Joe McCarthy, Barry Goldwater. John Burke Society) and Historian Richard Hofstadter explained why people voted against their own (economic) needs - because these demagogues played to their "status" needs, ie, their emotional needs to identify with a strongman, their need to advertise the "Americanism" (see how MAGA folks dress up in flags), their need for scapegoats and people to blame (liberals, socialists, communists, globalists, jews, muslims, immigrants, Mexicans, establishment elites), emotional needs to vent their rage and frustration and racism and xenophobia. These "status" needs (to be important, to be dominant, to be the true patriotic Americans in a changing world), these were the emotional needs that right wing demagogues stirred up and promised to answer.
Here's my brief review if that seminal book "The Paranoid Style in American Politics"
@Abraham. thank you for the quick review. Consistent with everything I have learned, although I had not previously seen the book. I'll look at your review, and thanks for doing the work. One thing I will throw on though, or two I guess. I feel the role of the media has morphed that need "to be a true American" into a kind of resurgent Confederacy. I believe that "need" has always been there (Dukes of Hazard) but Trump enabled and the media exacerbated the sentiments that go with it. The other thing is resurgent capitalism with it's robust rejection of regulation and robust rejection of fair taxation. Again with media amplification, these sentiments have led folks to think that it's THEIR taxes and THEIR regulation that is at stake.
When I became a citizen and started to follow domestic political issues, I asked myself “How can the poor vote for a party that is threatening to eliminate or reduce their benefits like Medicare and Medicaid?”
Nearly 10 years later, I have not received an answer.
Benjamin R Stockton When I saw the ads having black people talk about voting for trump, I thought the black people were paid actors. Then black repair people came to my house to do repair work and bragged that they voted for trump. Supposedly trump saved them from having to pay so much in taxes. They voted for trump, a well-known racist. Now, when I hear a black person complain about racism, I no longer hear them and instead think that they are using racism to somehow get money.
I'm the same age as Joe Biden. I really hate when younger folks automatically assume that you must be getting Alzheimer's if you're our age. Seems like they just want us out of the way - like in corporate "assisted living" which is more like fascist style assisted DYING from what I've seen
I agree, Sheldon. As an oldster myself, I am not going to 'get out of their way'! I have lived a long and very happy life and will continue to do so! I use my voice just as I did back in the 60s and 70s. I will continue to point out that if they would like to live in freedom like they are use to, they must do everything possible to stop trump and his band of misfits!!
A very deranged band of misfits who will only get worse if the felonious mad man is reelected. It's very disturbing how many of the GOP voters and those in Congress find this insanity acceptable as they struggle to denounce anything he says or does. Looking forward to the day when Trump, the red hats and those trucks with the ridiculous flags are a part of history that hopefully won't repeat itself.
The fact is that as a culture we allow the old “downsize, and disappear “ mantra to paralyze an entire generation of mostly hard working and now retired people into feeling worthless ( accept to fund as you say Corporate “assisted dying”) .
My husband and I have lived in our home 31 years and would hope to stay until we decide to “fly the coop”! We understand the strong foundation of well maintained neighborhoods that have owners able to carry on the “idea of a village”. That means from young to older..., we are there for one another.
Not there for owners who do not live there but want to buy up property to “rent”.
We don’t want you out of the way. We need each and everyone of you. We need tRump out of the way and want to make sure that happens. Biden is doing a tremendous job, but the people who really need to understand this are only listening to the one who is the loudest and most forceful. Like it or not, that’s the truth. We must not let tRump back in the WH!
Too many older and comfortable Congress people don't do much. They like their lives now. We don't want them to be so comfortable. We are struggling to keep our democracy and future. NOW!
I can think of some old in Congress who have never acquired knowledge over the many years. Year after year they do little but fall asleep while in session. Face it when it is time to go do something else. You do not stay young forever. DNC leader is too old yet like you defends it. Dems need some energy and ideas.
I always get a laugh watching 80-year old Mick Jagger prancing around the stage like a teenager. In older societies boys go through an initiation to join the elders; they'd be mocked if they continued act like children into old age. In our culture they get knighted and wealthy, fame and fortune, for acting like children. And then there's Madonna still trying to be a teenager. No venerating the wisdom of age in our culture.
No one is trying to get rid of the old. They are certainly needed and should speak out. Let the energetic take those campaigns and messages on the road. Few leaders hold many public meetings back home.
I agree - they do. I watched how my mom was treated back in 1997. It took five months to diagnose her with lung cancer that had obviously been growing for a long time. I won't get into other memories of how she was treated but they treated her (and we're seeing that happen to us now) like they wanted her gone.
Now, a reminder about an analogy made sometime in the last 8 years. With covid, we would be affected like the peeling of an onion. First, the very poor would get sick and die. Then the nursing homes, then the seniors on SS/MC .... It goes on like this. It depends on your financial and demographics and the fascists have made it clear they want a white country and their leader wants to buy Denmark because of all the white people. Epoch Times wants their god (saw this @2015/16 and that was freaky).
The population of white people started to drop. By 2040, the white majority would become the white minority. Friends apparently saw this in the early 1970s. I saw it in the early 2000s and now it's being stated as a reason for the fear and insanity being wrought upon us. It's just one more thing coming down on us.
part of Biden's problem is that LOOKS old and fragile, because PERCEPTIONs is at the heart of politics, while Trump is out there every day pumping his fists and ranting and raving.
so will I, but I'm talking about the "perception of frailty" in the general public, including many Dems.
I'll take Biden over Trump in a heartbeat, but there are many many out there who SEE a frail old Biden and that gives then doubts. And even sends many off to 3rd candidates. That's my worry, the power of perception.
The blown up perception of Biden falling off his bike was another example. Because He CAN ride a Bike! (his shoe got caught in the pedal strap) Trump rides everywhere in a golf cart, even to different buildings of Mar a Lardo.
Or when Biden fell tripping over a "tiny sandbag". I reviewed the pics, it was a full sized sandbag.
The Rs have nothing to run on, so Biden's age is an easy target.
I totally agree,Sheldon. My Mom passed in December,she was about to be sent back to a rehab center from a hospice care center nice places both ,but after talking to the long term residents in the rehab and the staff at the hospice,I talked to my family and we all agreed to bring Ma back home.The residents of the rehab told me to a one that they wished to go home!The nurses in the hospice all said to take her home!Ma knew in her heart it was time to come home and die ,the only thing affecting her mind was the drugs and the pain ,being 90 years old was the least of the problem. l was with her to the end ,she had Last Rites while she was still able to receive them and participate and understand.She had been able to see all of her kids grandkids and great grandkids while still being lucid .It was 5 days at home before the end and she left us much more comfortable and content in her own home and bed .The younger ones were more comfortable with her being home and much more relaxed in dealing with her passing.None of them said a thing about her being anything like senile,Home ,surrounded by Love is where we all should be at the end . Making assumptions about the mental health of a person simply because of their age is not a credible argument!
Also very sorry for your loss. I arranged hospice care for my mother as well. She was in a nursing facility due to needs I could not provide, and I visited daily. Hospice notified me in time, and I spent a peaceful, loving time with her when she passed, at age 95. She had decided it was time and told me so a few days earlier.
No. I live near many seniors and am old. We should not have big jobs and power in government at over 65 years. Retire and let the young do it. Too many live in the past and can't rule with a future ahead. Certainly many other things we can do if we are able in society.
It was my understanding that Austin’s #2 was also away but had full communication capabilities while she was handling other business. I gathered from the article that she was aware that he was in the hospital. Maybe I am wrong.
Side note (again):
I read that while at yet another rally in Iowa trump told the crowd that they should just “get over it” in reference to the recent school shooting. A child died and others were wounded, including the principal who is in critical condition because he was trying to protect his students, in yet Another school shooting. How are his latest cruel remarks about an unnecessary death of a child not making headlines? How are people supposed to just get over death and injury? If he cares so little about this imagine how much more tv he will watch if he tries to send military into areas with PEACEFUL protesters?
He’s a malignant narcissist incapable of empathy. All these evangelicals so torn up about the possible death of an unborn but their maga leader has no concern for living children.
Anon, when I heard that he had made those comments to the people who had just lived through a nightmare, my blood boiled! How totally indecent, amoral and narcissistic of the little orange crumb!!! Death is final! Why can't he or his minions understand how devastated these people are? You never ever get over the grief of losing someone. My ex-husband told me the same thing after my beautiful mother passed away. His words and callous indifference were what I finally needed to rid myself of him and never look back. My heart hurts for those families in Iowa. I can only hope with all my might that they will turn their back on that piece of excrement in November.
We don’t have to imagine. We witnessed him use force to clear a peaceful protests so he court take a picture holding up a bible, and he sent armed people to the capital and watched as people were killed and injured and cared nothing for these people if he thought it would get him what he wanted, Kill Mike Pence was fine with him, His treatment of tenants was racist, dismissive and cruel, He frequently doesn’t pay contractors or lawyers. His countless rants tell us he does not respect people. His disregard for the damage covid could do to people because he wanted to somehow preserve his standing. Throwing paper towels to hurricane stricken Puerto Ricans; this is just a few of his many many proofs of what he thinks of other people, To him we are all fungible articles simply here to serve his desires, He has no concept of grief, is not capable of grief. He will cause massive pain not just to our country but to the world if not stopped.
Report I watched yesterday afternoon said his #2 had no idea why he was incapacitated or for how long. She reportedly said had she known it wasn’t for but a few hours she would have flown back to D.C.
I have only two comments to make. First, what has taken RR so long to realize how dangerous a second tRump Presidency would be? The US President has the same power as the King of England had in the Eighteenth Century. He administers the laws passed by the People's Representatives, in the US Congress and in the UK Parliament. After January 6, 2021, it became apparent how ill-suited someone like tRump is for the Presidency. He sets people at each other's throats and wants to ignore whatever laws he doesn't like. Second, nothing is normal in Biden's White House. Biden is trying to prevent WWIII and at the same time navigate a Senate where he has a small majority, and the House, where the Republicans have a small majority. Until recently Biden couldn't even get senior military appointments approved, because of Tuberville. The military only now is beginning to return to normality. Any weakness at all--until the military command structure is solidified--will simply be exploited by the enemies of the US. Tuberville has damaged the US--only time will heal those wounds. It will take time for the Pentagon to function normally.
Tuberville is a fool working for theRump. HE Is also a traitor that essentially wants to allow the military heads to be appointed by Trump when he becomes president according to Timberville. Tuberville should be named a traitor and treated as a traitor. Trump should never see the walls of the White House again.
In total agreement! However, can anyone expect that the chain of command will stabilize? Especially if Trump puts his yes men at the top? How will the base of the military react to orders outside of the constitutional role of the military? This is what we will be facing.
Being a native born Madisonian, who graduated from the University of Wisconsin during the Vietnam war days, and remembering the violence of the times. One thing was clear back then. If you had ideological differences with others about other things than the war, but you thought the war was a bad idea, you stuck to that one big picture belief. A month ago, I saw college age or post college age young folks being interviewed in Madison, saying they couldn’t vote for Biden because of this or that issue. I sat there stunned and screamed back at the TV, don’t you get the big picture here and how it will adversely affect you if Trump wins? As you said, this IS the current state of democrats. If we cannot unite seeing the big picture, then we doom ourselves by our own actions.
I’ve read some about project 25 and heard enough of Trump to be afraid…he is no longer being quiet about being a dictator and oh his latest rant is, “God sent him” this has to be for all the delusional or those over the top on religion. As for Austin, it seems he should have told - sometimes I think we tell too much. Seems one person is in stand-by ready to take over, but I know the Republicans couldn’t wait to jump on this and here again, the situation with Austin is in no way comparable to how Republicans have run amuck! Secretary of Defense, Austin has taken the blame, something Republicans never do. It’s over with no consequences - let’s move on.
The current top Military leaders have made it crystal clear that they intend to steer clear of political involvement. The military under Trump would be the opposite. Just like dictatorships around the world, the military becomes the weapon of the fascist President. Under Trump it will become impossible to discern the difference between the police who are controlled by local government and the military who report directly to Trump. So Democratic mayors would lose control over law enforcement. Trump has made it crystal clear that he would make the military the police in strongholds of democratic mayors and governors. What a chilling scenario!
Grrl Scientist, thank you for moving this discussion to what is the topic for today pointed to by Professor Reich. The topic for today is "The military chain of command — in democracies and dictatorships.” If we as a group would stick to the topic proposed for discussion by our Professor, we would make better progress at moving on to solutions.
Normally I would agree with you and have posted similar thoughts myself. Way too often posters get off topic. But there are threads of thought outside of said topic that are important for people to ponder too.
I don’t think this was as bad as it is portrayed. He was at Walter Reed for god’s sake. If you’ve ever been to Walter Reed, you can’t hide, someone knows you’re there. There is no evidence that he was incommunicado, as a matter of fact he did a press release. In some ways this is much simpler and more complimentary than we think in that he was sent to the ICU to take care of ?infection? from a minor procedure. I don’t feel unsafe from that. What does make me feel unsafe is that Florida legislator wants to allow 18 yos to buy rifles ( presently 21 legal). That means assault rifles. Has enough time passed since Stoneman Douglas??
Agree, Mitch. Mountain/molehill. We have no idea what kind of communication actually went on. Perhaps it was all very secret and back-channel, because, you know, Sec Def.
It was a UTI, which can cause significant pain and fever. Quite common following prostate procedures. He left the hospital on the 23rd after the procedure and on New Years day, after having calls with Blinken and Biden, went to the hospital that night. From reports, he notified the chair of the joint chief of staff that he was in hospital Tuesday morning. Probably felt the COS would follow up appropriately. UTIs can get serious if not treated promptly, but folks have lost their minds over this!
When I go to the hospital my phone goes with me and I have computer access. When I worked for the government I could access my work server, even in Timbuktu.
We must not only be aware of who Trump selects in the awful and unlikely event he gets elected. We must also be aware the possibility of a level of irregularities that could allow him to seize power. He is a threat, but now that he has placed himself outside the law IF he gets elected, we would be foolish to assume he will not try anything to win. Anything at all.
Agreed. I have no doubt, Trump will immediately flex his muscles and invoke Martial Law against any, and all protesters to show his strength and cruelty; inflicting avoidable deaths and destruction.
This is what the MAGA mob demands. My biggest worry is who’s leading who, in the ambiguous and nefarious relationship?
We’ve seen the angry mob “boo” Trump when he told them to get vaccinated at a campaign rally last year. Like the rest of his spineless sycophants (e.g, McConnell, McCarthy and Graham), he immediately collapsed faster than a cheap lounge chair, and reversed course.
So which is it? Is it the tail wagging the dog, and Trump is engaging in a political obscene game of political performance art? Or is he fully in control?
Austin’s disappearance is unthinkable. An attack on this country can come at any time. Quite a few issues need to be addressed. The top of the chain of command is ultimately responsible. Is there no daily contact between number one and number two? This seems so basic that it is shocking to need to ask. Once again a fundamental weakness of the US is on display for all to see. As the person in charge, Biden is ultimately responsible. It truly does make me question his acuity. We can’t have a president who is simply in place counting on all the systems of the institutions functioning correctly. We need a thinking, reasoning person who can act and respond in real time. Like a pilot who can manually fly a plane when autopilot fails.This incident really makes me wonder what is going on in the Pentagon. Could it be that Pentagon officials really didn’t know Austin was gone? I don’t believe it. Is there a group within the Pentagon who are not fully informing our president? If so, this is quite dangerous. I think we need a much greater degree of explanation. Either we have rank incompetence (both from our president and within our Pentagon) or we have a much deeper problem that needs to be addressed immediately. Austin needs to be relieved of his duties today. His actions are beyond irresponsible. I think the public deserves answers.
Daniel I totally agree with you. As a matter of fact it's possible that any news of his being hospitalized was withheld because it is information that our enemies just don't need to know.
Daniel, I agree with you. That was at a time when the general trend was not to constantly look for people’s potential failures and immediately punish or fire them. Generals have misjudgments also.
He answers to the President's staff who need to contact him in an emergency. Otherwise leave a temporary leader to do it. Simple. He is not irreplaceable.
Thanks for a reply on topic, however I disagree with your conclusion. A knee jerk reaction to fire an otherwise competent individual does not bring us forward. Finding all of the facts of what was occurring and taking proper steps to correct this type of problem in the future would be much more helpful. In Trump's T.V series “The Apprentice” his signature phrase line was “You’re fired!” We should not emulate this lousy businessman's failure.
Plus which, Marc, we don't know that there WAS any problem. We just know what MSM reported, and in matters of national security, I kinda doubt they're informed of everything.
On a US Navy aircraft carrier, they had to know the location of the commanding officer on the ship at all times. He was the only person authorized to make certain decisions, requiring immediate attention, concerning the operation of the two nuclear reactors. I suspect there are situations where the immediate attention of Mr. Austin is required. So this needs a careful and thorough investigation.
I completely agree with you. The fact that DoD isn't having daily meetings with the WH rn says a lot about Biden and Kamala. Trump is a psychopath, but most of these comments reflect people who are so busy focusing on their hatred for Trump that they can't acknowledge any serious threats to our safety coming from the left. I'm proud to be progressive and will vote blue, but this makes me think Biden is even less competent than I had feared. Weak leadership and fractured lines of communication make us look weak to our enemies. I've worked for the DoD as a contractor. The entire Joint Commission is full of the most lazy, narcissistic and inept people I've met in a while. The DoD is falling apart and if we want to fix it, we have to admit there's a serious problem. Insane amounts of fraud and corruption, nepotism, racism, misogyny, plummeting recruitment numbers, you name it.
I read a book, written by an aide, that said Reagan would sit like a living corpose behind the resolution, blood drain from his face, jowls hanging, but when a script was placed in front of him, blood rushed to his face, he sat bolt upright, and came alive and there we had the old B class actor that he always was.
He was the terrific fool and tool for the money powers.
I retired in 1982, and know for a fact, that their is racism, misogyny, fraud, and a form on nepotism. In which up ranks, sponsor a lower rank, especially among officer, boot lickers, and in fact that is the only way to get promoted, in Senior enlisted and officer ranks.
One of my Sgts, because he was a Type A alpha and a good bullshitter, went to work for higher headquarters, and in his job he met Ed Meese, Meese offered him a job with Motorola, because of his contacts.
A Colonel and especially a General with contacts and respect, is easily recruited as a lobbyist or executive with Defense contractors, same with non military cabinets, the regulator leaves office and is hired by the company he or she regulated.
Yep. And then the public assumes most people who served are that way, when they're not. Serving veterans was what made my purpose in life more clear and it's also where I met people like you who get it. Some of the highest IQ humans serve, and they typically get dishonorably discharged and purposely misdiagnosed with a personality disorder. I really enjoyed correcting those mistakes, because you know how much those assholes hated a woman proving them wrong. Thank you for your service 🇺🇸
I am disheartened. I get daily newsleters and just learned that extremisim in the military is not a problem, but it is a problem among vets. Could that be social media? In my 26 years neither I, nor my peers and subordinates paid much attention to the news, our jobs kept us busy, and off duty we headed to the base clubs, local bars or homes to be with our families.
However Vets have a lot of time for things like social media., watching Fox, Xitter or FB, by the way the X in Greek is pronounced Chi, and ch in English like chute, parachute, champaign is pronounced SH thus Xitter is pronounced .. .you guessed it.
Sounds like a bunch of staffers didn't do their job. A General would have an aide-de-camp to pass on that info and a deputy to cover for them. I'd assume it's similar for senior civil servants
@Frank. I imagine there is no mistake here - I imagine Secretary Austin judged that this might be a bad time for our adversaries to know that our Secretary of Defense was out of the office…
I hope (in a way) that you're right. Top brass at the Pentagon and the President himself should have been briefed within hours of his admission to the ICU. A decision may have been made to stop the message train there and keep it "need to know".
@Frank. I agree with you. But that is not what was done. Maybe the ship is more leaky than we would like to admit... Or just that Sec'ty Austin thinks it's leaky.
I don't believe for one minute that president Biden did not know about Lloyd's medical condition. But anybody's medical condition is a matter of privacy. So no need to blab to the media.
It is very clear Republicans-- who are part of Project 2025, who all support Trump, who do not disabuse anyone of Trump's false claims he won in 2020, who do not decry the attempt to unilaterally OVERTURN THE ELECTION on January 6, 2021)-- wholly support Mr. Trump.
Vote BLUE. Yes.
But this time, volunteer now to help get the BLUE vote out.
Because the 30% who didn't vote in 2020 will make the difference in 2024.
The GOP Fascists have already tested the waters for a Trump SS with Tuberville denying promotions in the military. They are separating wheat from the chaff.
Rest assured the first Trump order will be martial law in response to what will surely be a massive protest in DC at his coronation.
I have one question for the people who are still believing what Trump is telling them such as:
“I’m being indicted for you,” which he said at a rally in Sioux Center, Iowa, on Friday Jan. 5th, repeating a central theme of his campaign. “In the end, they’re not after me, they’re after you and I just happen to be standing in their way.”
If the Democrats were really after you, don’t you think they would be the ones purchasing AR-15s?Instead Democrats are promoting ways that help all Americans, including you. A Democratic President that is working for All of Us. Not just his cult!
And how about Our (divided) United States Congress, both the House and the Senate, are in a Civil War that is becoming more and more Uncivil.
We have one party that is working for the average American. The other party is, in the eyes of most of us, being totally obstructive and incapable of governing. They continue to divide us!
Despite holding more than 700 votes in 2023, the House only managed to pass 27 bills that have made it into law. How Pathetic!
They have put all of their efforts into trying to find evidence to impeach President Biden. And like a pack of wolves they’re trying to demoralize the President by attacking his son!
Help get out the BLUE vote for 2024:
THIRTY percent of the elect did not vote in the November 2020 presidential election. Virtually all were potential Democrats.
Florida needs phone banking help for the Orlando District House special election. We only have one more week. We need all the help we can get. Helping Florida get it's democracy back - helps the whole country. Please see the re- vamped Florida Dems website for more details.
https://www.floridadems.org
https://www.keenforfl.com
Yes. Also consider movements towards an all mail-in ballot. It has helped in Colorado. Not a panacea but better than long lines at polling stations with hardware that breaks down. And, yes, it is secure (I have been an election auditor).
I really like the Biden commercial I saw today about Trump trying to take away our votes. Someone in his camp finally woke up- if Trump says the election was fixed/phoney- then let’s use the same tactic against Trump- make it ALL about voting… if we can get really high numbers at the polls , Dems will win
We all want the message on demand but Biden's team seems to be mindful of the windows of focus of low information voters. Timing is important in this type of messaging.
True. They need to get busy. They really need to get the 30somethings registered (I’m working on that here in NJ). The women are SO angry about the interference in their healthcare- I hear it from my daughters and their friends. The pundits have missed the boat thinking this demographic is “unengaged”. They’re VERY invested- but so damn busy and exhausted with growing their families and careers- they’re dead on their feet. We need to make it ridiculously easy for them to cast their votes
Agreed, Dr. Gilbert; but in California, with universal mail in prepaid postage, too many people were too lazy to mark the ballot sign the envelope and drop it in the nearest mail or ballot box. Apparently, too many people nationwide have not been taught the duty and privilege of voting. One thing I can say for dictatorships, even though only one person is on the ballot they get turnouts as high as 97%. Of course when the penalty for not voting is death, it's 's not much of an alternative. Maybe some of the fascists haven't gotten that information.
As a dear Ukrainian friend, Bohdan (“Bohd”) Hawrylyshyn, warned me in our last meeting before his death, we need to avoid thinking that “mechanical democracies” are the real thing. Bohd was an amazing example of a true advocate for an engaged democracy. https://www.kyivpost.com/post/22720.
The all mail in Colorado has been shown to result in around a 9% increase in turnout and, importantly, a 15% increase in turnout for Millennials. Study at https://app.box.com/s/gvjcorpfqbh8j774u32rzwkvzpo7r6rx.
Colorado’s ballots are not postage paid but there are many convenient (and secure) drop off boxes.
Voting needs to be made more interesting, less confusing, and easier. That is why I am constantly advocating for ideas of democracy in the workplace so that people are seeing voting as a regular part of a healthy society, not just an every four years beauty pageant.
I love your idea of democracy in the workplace. When I was a board of directors elected member of two different unions (at different times, of course) we tried to hold elections of various matters frequently. Voting about such things as promotions, workloads would make for a better workplace. But I'll bet you won't get much cooperation from the current Corporate America - all they want is deregulation and autocratic control of the workplace.
Well said, Doug! But keep in mind that in 2024 the vote is not just about democracy--it is about human rights! The rights of every individual, young and old, male or female or other. The rights of women and the other are in great peril, and that is what we must tell our voters!
https://www.fieldteam6.org/
Thanks for the links, Janet.
Vote democratic in ALL categories, Senate and House. (Some people stupidly vote for the incumbent thinking they have experience. Don’t judge me, but I did this when I was first began voting).
https://www.fieldteam6.org/
Do we know the distribution by state or age group of the 30% of the electorate that did not vote in 2020? Were they registered to vote?
"I'm indicted for you."
Demagoguery. Trump has advisors like Lou Holtz, Tommy Tuberville, who know how to motivate a team, and this tactic has to be familiar to anyone who ever played team sports or has engaged in multi-level marketing (advertising). "Go team, go." There is no "I" in team.
He has a team of paid cheerleaders. The trappings of patriotism. Flags set the stage.
The attack on Biden and his family is familiar. Biden's totem son and brother. The QAnon accusations that Biden is a child molester. Amway salesmen used this technique to label Proctor and Gamble as the enemy to sell soap. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/20/business/worldbusiness/20iht-satan.4966053.html
Thinking of the reasoning behind Lloyd's secrecy that surrounded his elective medical procedure, I'm reminded of a movie I saw years ago staring Marsh Mason and James Caan. This work was entitled "Cinderella Liberty." Mr. Caan developed a condition that required the delicate treatment of a "Pilonidal Cyst." Because of the location of his disorder a mild degree of personal embarrassment was on the table. Who knows why Mr. Lloyd decided to keep his procedure a secret? If the operation to correct had gone as planned and no medical negative became apparent, we most likely would have never known of the issue. WE are making too much out of nothing. The movie received mixed reviews but held a very warming moral.
I also know what intensive care means from visiting my late partner. It is 24-hours intensive. I can’t imagine he was in any condition to talk to anybody, certainly not the press.
Francine--It's difficult to imagine if we haven't been there ourselves.
Every human has flaws, that's a given. How we handle those imperfections defines us as who we are as individuals. Trump's imperfection is he thinks he's perfect, and we all know that couldn't be further from the truth. His nakedness is offensive to all who can see him for what he really is, nothing.
Vianna--Cape Cod--How I love the sea.
Given the extremely important position, Secretary Austin holds, I disagree. He or his staff had no reason to disclose the purpose of his initial operation BUT, when he was placed in intensive care and no longer capable of performing his duty, it was essential that The Office of the President and the Pentagon needed be informed of his location, however temporary the disability.
Fay--I disagree with you disagreeing with me, because I agree with you. Does that make any sense?
I guess! So, I must be confused, LOL. I think the point that both I, and Professor Reich were trying to make is the position of Secretary of Defense is not one that can afford personal privacy, in all matters. The President, in consort with the Secretary of Defense are responsible 24/7 for the safety of all Americans. A position ex-president trump refused to take when we were invaded by the most dangerous enemy so far - the invisible to the naked eye (or even a light microscope) SARS Covid virus. Trump's refusal to guard our safety is largely responsible for 2 million American deaths, most, but not all of which could have been avoided. How much worse would it be if a nuclear warhead were headed our way and one of the two people capable of stopping it was unknowingly, unavailable.
As an aside, I had the privilege in University of viewing bacteria and a virus through an electron microscope - they really do exist!.
Fay--A virus is unique in so far as it isn't a living entity. If anything is alien to this planet it's a virus.
YES!!
Donald, The ''Pilonidal Cyst'' i had, wasn't so much of a mild degree of embarrassment, but of pain and the fear of sitting down too quickly. I didn't have it treated because of the fear of the pain from a needle or surgical incision of a very tender area of my body. It eventually went away, but it still flares back up at times.
john A real pain in the a--!
You got that right, for sure. Those things seem to run in our family, my nephews had them, my brother, and my father. Same thing with the migraine headaches that mimic stroke symptoms. I go almost blind when i have one of those horrific things.
John---I've suffered from those things my entire life. About 4 years ago I stated to take my prescription differently. Instead of taking a pill at the onset of a headache I began to take 25 Mgs on a daily basis. I haven't had one of those awful things since.
I see a Netflix special: The Case of the Missing War Department Chief.
Stan--David Copperfield I am not, but he needs to be present.
Not sure if it's funny that 'The Autumn Wind is a Pirate' is the first thing that comes to mind - but if the analysis is correct then that could be a good sign: 'Team Trumper' doesn't seem nearly as cool as the 1970's Oakland Raiders...
Oh man, i didn't know Lou Holtz was in on the TUMP advisor thing. I have watched football all of my life, and i didn't think Holtz would be a scum bag Fascist/GQP a-hole. However, i wasn't surprised that the lunatic Tommy Tuberville is a Fascist/GQP creep. I wonder sometimes if that Dan Campbell that coaches the Detroit Lions is a Fascist creep? If not, he sure acts looks and acts like a DJT fanatic. But then again, i had an ex- girlfriend several years ago that lives in eastern Tennessee, and i thought sure she would have been a DJT fanatic. but i was dead wrong about her, as i found out recently she is a dedicated Democratic voter.
Well....P&G still does totally unnecessary testing on animals, so they ARE the enemy. But your overall point is certainly valid, Daniel.
Did anyone notice that one point in the new spending bill is that we don't hire IRS agents . This way the rich and their corporations can't be audited. A license to steal ! STOP[ CALLING THIS A DEMOCRACY . RIGHT NOW THIS IS AN OLIGARCHY .
Where do I sign?
You got it. The rich and super-rich run this country. The Repugs are bought and paid for by them. And some Democrats as well. That is very old news. Delaware, home state of Joe Biden, has more LLCs and off-shore on-shore shell companies than any other state. Hmm-mm . . .
Last year I took my grand daughter to her 1st Broadway play . Tickets were $65 each came to about $260 counting bus and McDonalds a bit under $300. My rich Republican relative goes to Broadway all the time . Corporate car ,best seats ,fine dining ,it's a business expense. His cost $0. He doesn't understand why I waited so long to take her . "Let them eat cake ."
they’re insurrectionists, most republicans and by not governing they’re carrying out their mission. Frankly, those who tried to overthrow our democracy and are serving need to be held accountable, this is ridiculous!!
How do you shrink government? By standing in the doorway and blocking up the hall — not by fair play.
Not only were 27 bills passed, most were "ceremonial" such as recognizing a person for some action. I read all of them, and it seemed to me not a single one was of any significance.
Our taxes @ work! Which party is in the majority?
Evidently Lloyd's condition is more serious than previously stated. If Mr. Lloyd developed some level of a systemic infection, it would explain a lot. I hope for his speedy recovery and his re-occupying the position the President appointed him to. Good men are hard to keep down. Explaining the vast number of bed sores on Trump's back.
Go to the hospital and get sick with those bacteria that thrive chiefly in hospitals.
MERSA. A virus variant of staf, etc. is in hospitals. They checked me every week for COVID and also TB in rehab. Never once MERSA. I got it in hospital, rehab or doctor's office. Hard to get tested. For profit health care stinks. Cheap off shore workers working here in our health care are sloppy and clueless. When in pain they toss you around like a bag of potatoes...while you yell in pain.
The hospital sent me to rehab short of blood volume. I demand another bag of blood before they forced me out. You get no blood in rehab. They sell our plasma to the world even our donated blood for their profit. Big time no one is protecting us against those profiteers. Shocking and careless.
Stan--Did you know once a building has been used as a hospital it can never be used for anything else.
They do have machines which sterilize whole rooms.
Judith--I'll stick to my lawn mower.
I used to think that about gas stations — until Ben & Jerry started selling ice cream in an old gas station in Burlington.
Stan--Well than it's still a "Gas" station.
I think everyone needs to understand that if Trump becomes President, America could very easily have another Civil War. It would be nothing like the last, but make no mistake... The Left and liberals won't just stand still and take it.
I know that there are many many liberals who feel adamant about the 2nd Amendment and they also own firearms. I personally have been an gun owner and sportsman shooter all my life. I OWN AR-15's and AK's and many, many more firearms and I'll be damned if anyone thinks they are going come after me for my political affiliation.
I also have know many, many civil rights advocates from the 1960's and every damned one of them were firearm owners.
My point is, It's not just Republicans who own guns. Democrats own guns also. And if Trump were to try to stomp out and use his power to come after 1/2 of Americans because they voted for Biden.... All hell would break loose. Check out the below USA Today chart of gun ownership in America. A hell of a lot of Liberals and Democrats own firearms.
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/09/13/key-facts-about-americans-and-guns/sr_23-09-13_guns_1/
You might want to look a what happened in other nations such as Chile and Argentina, which just elected a Trump like president, when they had authoritarian governments. Violence and the fear of it will neuter most Americans from doing anything about Trump and the Republican party turning the nation into a right wing Christian nationalist authoritarian state.
Sure, there will be protests if Trump wins, but after he turns the military on to those protesters and a great number of those people are killed or wounded you will see people fall in line. That's how authoritarians work, by using violence and the threat of violence to control the population.
Remember the no-nametag, masked federal goons who attacked the BLM rallies, beating & macing peaceful demonstrators. Just a preview of when the Neo Nazi Repugnant Party gets total control of gov't.
I am of the firm belief that someone will kill Trump IF he were to be elected again. I think a ton of people would not stand for such an abomination. Take heart! There's a hearing that begins tomorrow morning at 9:30 at the Appeals Court in DC over one of the matters that will then resume again next week. I can't recall which, there are so many cases pending against Trump. The courts and prosecutors are on the job in at least 6 cases (plus immunity and ballot matters) in 6 states and jurisdictions. I am tiring of all the hysteria over Trump. He says a lot of shit. First of all, our military will never fall into line with Trump. They would stage a coup and overthrow him. Where's he going to find his own military to overthrow the regular military?? Our military has mega weapons with which to take care of Trump. And next time, they won't have to be called up---they will act on their own.
The thing is Trump would not be where he is without support. The problem here is Trump isn't the entire issue. He's an opportunist and if you look back at his politics he wasn't always a right winger. He is smart enough to know how to lead and he is charismatic enough to keep people entertained. The problem is the Republican Party which has been moving towards the extreme right for decades.
Have you read Trump 2025? Because it's no joke and it lays out how he and his administration will put people in positions at the top of the DOJ, the DOD, purging potentially thousands of civil servants and filling career posts with loyalists to him and his "America First” ideology. Trump's toadies are working on plans that would potentially remove layers at the Justice Department and the FBI. The plan is to restructure national security, intelligence, the State Department and the Pentagon. So to say Trump can't or won't be able to use the military is a very real threat. There are right wing extremist in the military. The Pentagon does not know how many but they know they have problem. So when you say the military won't fall in line with Trump it's hard to know how the military would respond. If Trump fill all the top posts with temporary appointments, a way to go around Congress, he would have control of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
As to someone shooting Trump, well that's not a solution and would make him a martyr and guess what, that would embolden the extreme MAGA right. Then there's one thing you left out. 23 states are run by the Republican Party. This is not only about Trump. The Republican party is an existential threat to democracy as much as Trump is.
Speaker Mike Johnson is an right wing Christian nationalist who openly says the U.S. should be a Christian nation. There are millions of Americans who agree. What is happening now in this country is not only about Trump, it's a lot bigger than that.
The best way to beat Trump and the Republicans is a huge voter turnout for Biden and the Congressional Democrats. I'm not seeing that developing and the other thing I'm not seeing is a campaign by Biden and the Democratic Party that speaks to the threat. Biden's campaign so far has been really awful. It's as if he and his campaign staff think this is 2020, it's not.
I honestly don't think you'd see anything close 100% of enlisted military obeying Trump. Not even 60% .
They will not fire upon the civilian population. America is not an Argentina or Chile. Not even close. Military enlisted also take an oath. Oath of Enlisted.
“I [state your full name], Do
solemnly swear (or affirm)
that I will support and defend
the Constitution of the United
States against all enemies,
foreign and domestic; that I
will bear true faith and
allegiance to the same; and
that I will obey the orders of
the President of the United
States and the orders of the
officers appointed over me,
according to regulations and
the Uniform Code of Military
Justice. So help me God "
Reading the comments over the past weeks I get an impression that most on this sub stack are anti-Christian.
What is Christian Nationalism? The constitution separates Church and State. There can be no faith doctrine that dictates policy.
Phil, Christian Nationalism is all about power, not morality or even faith.
Look up the shiny new speaker's history. He's been waiting on a moment like this. And he hides his "religious" fanatical ideas well.
Only in theory if Republicans gain complete power
I personally think the Catholic church has become criminal and greedy once again. They can't stay out of government power for themselves. Tax exempt status removed for influencing the Supreme Court and abortion laws which are Dark Ages like. Vote against the people's wishes.
Who could possibly be anti-Christian? Jesus was a great guy who gave away free health care and food. Of course, it’s possible to object to Christian theology and the hierarchies of the various churches.
Christian nationalism definition: Christian nationalists primarily focus on internal politics, such as passing laws that reflect their view of Christianity and its role in political and social life. They actively promote religious and nationalistic discourses in various fields of social life, from politics and history, to culture and science.
https://www.npr.org/2023/02/14/1156642544/more-than-half-of-republicans-support-christian-nationalism-according-to-a-new-s
Even the supporters and innocents will die cause dictators are crazy killers. History has seen it over and over. They always lose but don't think they will. It's a cruel fantasy.
Let’s do our best to not even go there. I’m familiar with the AR but know nothing about making ammo. My guess is if fentanyl can come in from overseas so can cartridges.
No need to make ammo. Just go into a Walmart and buy your ammo. Or order your ammo online. But make no mistake, just like Jan 6th failed... Trump 2 would and will fail in my opinion. There are many more good people than they are evil.
You hit the nail on the head Keith. "We have one party that is working for the average American. The other party is, in the eyes of most of us, being totally obstructive and incapable of governing. They continue to divide us!"
I heard this morning that Liz Cheney may look into reviving the GOP Conservatives running as a 3rd choice.
Good point.
HEY! I am ALSO a rapist like Herr F_hrer!!! He IS being indicted for ME!
NO ONE I know likes Bunkerboy even though a few were tricked into voting for him by not knowing anything about him. My poor sweet aunt cried!
But then again, I grew up in EDUCATED NEW YORK, not war-ravaged Floriduh. [sic] THEY need some soldiers, not wealthy, crime-slowed AMERICAN cities!
Miss WNY. Florida needs some sun kissed persons of reason.
Michael Flynn's compound is most likely still up & running. Years ago they were training families on how to "Protect" themself.
A long ago documentary showed young kids taking target practice. Stocking their temporary homes for "the long fight". What used to sound like conspiracies was happening deep in the Real swamps of Florida...
I'm sure satellites are hovering far overhead, manned by Homeland or the FBI. Just like the yte supreme groups.
DHL, is that snark? If so, please indicate. Otherwise we will have to assume that what you said in the first sentence is real.
Keith, that is a terrific comment.Thank you.
it means the ruling Republicans are into performance politics rather than governing "for the people" that they run.
Mike, I guess your county is all white. Am I right?
Nope. But all colors, sexes, religions, etc. can be evil not just white ones. Some nations are full of evil and hate to each other. We are the most multi-racial people of the world. Our "oneness" should be celebrated as Americans not dividing us.
Mike, you are right. It was stupid. I should have asked you what you meant.
Not when bad policy and laws destroy us..
Well, it's a matter of degree
In what way?
Communist Party-USA?
America has no strong Communist Party. Socialism is not Socialist or Communist.
When you make your bed remember you’re going to sleep in it. How can a Latino vote for Trump? Do they imagine that when the fascist rioters are violently throwing “illegals” in detainment centers there will be an exception for brown skins who have good papers? Fools. How can a black person vote for Trump? Do they imagine that when the hooded vigilantes start hanging people in front of their churches that good Black Republicans will carefully be spared? How can a Jew vote for Trump, a guy who declares Hamas’ equivalence to Israel? How can a businessman/woman vote for Trump? Don’t they understand that the rule of law is the foundation of capitalism? How can a police officer vote for Trump? How can a Union member vote for Trump? How can a Postal worker vote for Trump? How can a member of the military vote for Trump? Don’t they understand they would give up the very democracy that guarantees their freedoms?
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
— Martin Niemöller
Oh so correct. I’ve been saying similar things for the last two years. In that environment, you reach a point where you think you’re safe. That is until you disagree. Then wrath falls upon you and maybe your family too. I’ve tried like heck to write republican representatives and senators warning them that this the path that they are sewing and that someday it’s going to come to their own doors when they vocally disagree or even are suspected of disagreeing. The people of Nazi German at first thought that they were safe because they weren’t Jews.
John, and many did not know they were "Jews" until the Nazis said so, and that was the end of them: gas chamber. Under a dictatorship you may suddenly discover that you are "vermin." It's up to the dictator.
I think that we must remember that the Socialists on Niemöller's list were actually third in line, possibly because Niemöller, an early supporter of Adolf Hitler, agreed with coming for the first two groups: the physically/mentally handicapped and sexual deviants/homosexuals. Either everyone is free and safe or no one is.
Yes, Niemoeller wrote that he got radicalized by experiencing Nazism.
Add one: How can any woman vote for Trump? Do they understand his misogyny, unfaithfulness and lack of care for women’s rights?
And that is the most astounding question. My hope is that the majority of women are repelled by his behavior and his support for a Handmaids Tale America.
@ Dorothy. Zacktly! Or teachers! Do they want more school shootings?
Or ONE Religion books instead of the missing true History of our country...
Florida was re-issuing math books that removed any social-emotional topics, like kindness or bullying. While they scream the school shootings are a mental health issue, while banning the solution.
They can't find solutions since they are the problem. Been that way for over 40 years. They can't do government but destroy it.
@msbch2u. Zacktly!
Agree completely except grossly UNDERSTATED! Scream this loudly with the biggest bullhorns 📢 in the nation!
Trump using anti abortion to kill young women is "deplorable".
Please send this to every newspaper in the country. No need to edit or revise.
Please do the same - no pride of authorship - just stating how mind blowing the denial is among Trump supporters…
If you could reason with a Trump supporter there wouldn't be any Trump supporters.
It's insane. They're insane. There is no other reasonable explanation.
@EsportsWomen.com. Some people who previously voted for Trump (because they didn't like Hillary or because Bernie was not on the ballot) basically were registering a protest vote. Many of these are expected not to make the same mistake. Our job is to help them make the right decision, and a few percent staying home, voting for a 3rd party, or voting for Biden could change this election.
'Our job is to help them make the right decision..' - yeah, good luck with that.
Yes. Thanks. Will do.
Far too many people are not self reflective. Their only goal in life is to live day to day and do what they want to do. They don’t want to be bothered by the stuff of which you speak. Therefore, they will have no ability to see how all this impacts them, until it’s too late.
In the 1950s and early 60s there was a similar episode on the Radical Right (Joe McCarthy, Barry Goldwater. John Burke Society) and Historian Richard Hofstadter explained why people voted against their own (economic) needs - because these demagogues played to their "status" needs, ie, their emotional needs to identify with a strongman, their need to advertise the "Americanism" (see how MAGA folks dress up in flags), their need for scapegoats and people to blame (liberals, socialists, communists, globalists, jews, muslims, immigrants, Mexicans, establishment elites), emotional needs to vent their rage and frustration and racism and xenophobia. These "status" needs (to be important, to be dominant, to be the true patriotic Americans in a changing world), these were the emotional needs that right wing demagogues stirred up and promised to answer.
Here's my brief review if that seminal book "The Paranoid Style in American Politics"
https://neofascism.substack.com/p/the-paranoid-style-in-american-politics
@Abraham. thank you for the quick review. Consistent with everything I have learned, although I had not previously seen the book. I'll look at your review, and thanks for doing the work. One thing I will throw on though, or two I guess. I feel the role of the media has morphed that need "to be a true American" into a kind of resurgent Confederacy. I believe that "need" has always been there (Dukes of Hazard) but Trump enabled and the media exacerbated the sentiments that go with it. The other thing is resurgent capitalism with it's robust rejection of regulation and robust rejection of fair taxation. Again with media amplification, these sentiments have led folks to think that it's THEIR taxes and THEIR regulation that is at stake.
Very true!
The father backward you can look,the father forward you can see!
Winston Churchill .
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
Voltaire said “Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.”
Trump and his team know this well, and if they re-gain power, it will not end well.
Newt was their propagandist.
When I became a citizen and started to follow domestic political issues, I asked myself “How can the poor vote for a party that is threatening to eliminate or reduce their benefits like Medicare and Medicaid?”
Nearly 10 years later, I have not received an answer.
My friend doesn't believe they will do that. Believe who they say they are is my truth.
Very well said. Please share this comment wherever you can. People don’t understand a vote for tfg is a vote against themselves.
Benjamin R Stockton When I saw the ads having black people talk about voting for trump, I thought the black people were paid actors. Then black repair people came to my house to do repair work and bragged that they voted for trump. Supposedly trump saved them from having to pay so much in taxes. They voted for trump, a well-known racist. Now, when I hear a black person complain about racism, I no longer hear them and instead think that they are using racism to somehow get money.
I just met a black guy today for Trump. MANY believe FOX. GOP refuse to fund the border to stop the flow and win the election.
@Barbara. I am sure that you're on to something. White people and oligarchs do not have a monopoly on cynicism and greed!
I'm the same age as Joe Biden. I really hate when younger folks automatically assume that you must be getting Alzheimer's if you're our age. Seems like they just want us out of the way - like in corporate "assisted living" which is more like fascist style assisted DYING from what I've seen
I agree, Sheldon. As an oldster myself, I am not going to 'get out of their way'! I have lived a long and very happy life and will continue to do so! I use my voice just as I did back in the 60s and 70s. I will continue to point out that if they would like to live in freedom like they are use to, they must do everything possible to stop trump and his band of misfits!!
A very deranged band of misfits who will only get worse if the felonious mad man is reelected. It's very disturbing how many of the GOP voters and those in Congress find this insanity acceptable as they struggle to denounce anything he says or does. Looking forward to the day when Trump, the red hats and those trucks with the ridiculous flags are a part of history that hopefully won't repeat itself.
Thank you Peggy.
The fact is that as a culture we allow the old “downsize, and disappear “ mantra to paralyze an entire generation of mostly hard working and now retired people into feeling worthless ( accept to fund as you say Corporate “assisted dying”) .
My husband and I have lived in our home 31 years and would hope to stay until we decide to “fly the coop”! We understand the strong foundation of well maintained neighborhoods that have owners able to carry on the “idea of a village”. That means from young to older..., we are there for one another.
Not there for owners who do not live there but want to buy up property to “rent”.
Well said, Jean!
We don’t want you out of the way. We need each and everyone of you. We need tRump out of the way and want to make sure that happens. Biden is doing a tremendous job, but the people who really need to understand this are only listening to the one who is the loudest and most forceful. Like it or not, that’s the truth. We must not let tRump back in the WH!
The Dems need a better, far reaching campaign. They are too quiet
Too many older and comfortable Congress people don't do much. They like their lives now. We don't want them to be so comfortable. We are struggling to keep our democracy and future. NOW!
We live in materialistic society, we worship the youthful and old is to be avoided. Some societies venerate the old certainly not ours!
The “old” have:
1. Experience
2. Better Judgement (from experience & lifelong learning)
3. More acquired Knowledge over the years.
Trump is the exception to all of these. He doesn’t have the experience, the knowledge or the judgment. Being President did NOT give him experience.
I can think of some old in Congress who have never acquired knowledge over the many years. Year after year they do little but fall asleep while in session. Face it when it is time to go do something else. You do not stay young forever. DNC leader is too old yet like you defends it. Dems need some energy and ideas.
I always get a laugh watching 80-year old Mick Jagger prancing around the stage like a teenager. In older societies boys go through an initiation to join the elders; they'd be mocked if they continued act like children into old age. In our culture they get knighted and wealthy, fame and fortune, for acting like children. And then there's Madonna still trying to be a teenager. No venerating the wisdom of age in our culture.
No one is trying to get rid of the old. They are certainly needed and should speak out. Let the energetic take those campaigns and messages on the road. Few leaders hold many public meetings back home.
I agree - they do. I watched how my mom was treated back in 1997. It took five months to diagnose her with lung cancer that had obviously been growing for a long time. I won't get into other memories of how she was treated but they treated her (and we're seeing that happen to us now) like they wanted her gone.
Now, a reminder about an analogy made sometime in the last 8 years. With covid, we would be affected like the peeling of an onion. First, the very poor would get sick and die. Then the nursing homes, then the seniors on SS/MC .... It goes on like this. It depends on your financial and demographics and the fascists have made it clear they want a white country and their leader wants to buy Denmark because of all the white people. Epoch Times wants their god (saw this @2015/16 and that was freaky).
The population of white people started to drop. By 2040, the white majority would become the white minority. Friends apparently saw this in the early 1970s. I saw it in the early 2000s and now it's being stated as a reason for the fear and insanity being wrought upon us. It's just one more thing coming down on us.
My best friend is 92 and of sound mind and physically fit!
part of Biden's problem is that LOOKS old and fragile, because PERCEPTIONs is at the heart of politics, while Trump is out there every day pumping his fists and ranting and raving.
He may look old and feeble but he is getting the job done without claiming to be the victim! I’ll take Wisdom over ignorance 100x out of 100.
so will I, but I'm talking about the "perception of frailty" in the general public, including many Dems.
I'll take Biden over Trump in a heartbeat, but there are many many out there who SEE a frail old Biden and that gives then doubts. And even sends many off to 3rd candidates. That's my worry, the power of perception.
The blown up perception of Biden falling off his bike was another example. Because He CAN ride a Bike! (his shoe got caught in the pedal strap) Trump rides everywhere in a golf cart, even to different buildings of Mar a Lardo.
Or when Biden fell tripping over a "tiny sandbag". I reviewed the pics, it was a full sized sandbag.
The Rs have nothing to run on, so Biden's age is an easy target.
Never judge a book by its cover. Wisdom will prevail
wisdom will prevail in the long run, yes.
but in the short run, the mob rules. And Trumpism is mob rule.
I totally agree,Sheldon. My Mom passed in December,she was about to be sent back to a rehab center from a hospice care center nice places both ,but after talking to the long term residents in the rehab and the staff at the hospice,I talked to my family and we all agreed to bring Ma back home.The residents of the rehab told me to a one that they wished to go home!The nurses in the hospice all said to take her home!Ma knew in her heart it was time to come home and die ,the only thing affecting her mind was the drugs and the pain ,being 90 years old was the least of the problem. l was with her to the end ,she had Last Rites while she was still able to receive them and participate and understand.She had been able to see all of her kids grandkids and great grandkids while still being lucid .It was 5 days at home before the end and she left us much more comfortable and content in her own home and bed .The younger ones were more comfortable with her being home and much more relaxed in dealing with her passing.None of them said a thing about her being anything like senile,Home ,surrounded by Love is where we all should be at the end . Making assumptions about the mental health of a person simply because of their age is not a credible argument!
Sorry for the loss of your mother. You honored her with Grace and Love. What a gift you gave to your family.
WOW! Outstanding post, Robert! Couldn't agree more on all points. It's dying in some institution that's unnatural.
Also very sorry for your loss. I arranged hospice care for my mother as well. She was in a nursing facility due to needs I could not provide, and I visited daily. Hospice notified me in time, and I spent a peaceful, loving time with her when she passed, at age 95. She had decided it was time and told me so a few days earlier.
No. I live near many seniors and am old. We should not have big jobs and power in government at over 65 years. Retire and let the young do it. Too many live in the past and can't rule with a future ahead. Certainly many other things we can do if we are able in society.
Yep!
It was my understanding that Austin’s #2 was also away but had full communication capabilities while she was handling other business. I gathered from the article that she was aware that he was in the hospital. Maybe I am wrong.
Side note (again):
I read that while at yet another rally in Iowa trump told the crowd that they should just “get over it” in reference to the recent school shooting. A child died and others were wounded, including the principal who is in critical condition because he was trying to protect his students, in yet Another school shooting. How are his latest cruel remarks about an unnecessary death of a child not making headlines? How are people supposed to just get over death and injury? If he cares so little about this imagine how much more tv he will watch if he tries to send military into areas with PEACEFUL protesters?
He’s a malignant narcissist incapable of empathy. All these evangelicals so torn up about the possible death of an unborn but their maga leader has no concern for living children.
True words!
Mitch - completely agree!
Anon, when I heard that he had made those comments to the people who had just lived through a nightmare, my blood boiled! How totally indecent, amoral and narcissistic of the little orange crumb!!! Death is final! Why can't he or his minions understand how devastated these people are? You never ever get over the grief of losing someone. My ex-husband told me the same thing after my beautiful mother passed away. His words and callous indifference were what I finally needed to rid myself of him and never look back. My heart hurts for those families in Iowa. I can only hope with all my might that they will turn their back on that piece of excrement in November.
Peggy - I am so sorry that your ex husband even said that to you about your mother!
Thank you, Anon! He was a narcissist just like trump and he made my life hell. I am glad he is no longer in my life because now, I can enjoy again!
they don't even see the irony of a "pro lifer" telling them to get over it (yet another deadly school shooting)
Geri - yep, he is neither pro life nor religious in any way.
Such a hypocrite.
We don’t have to imagine. We witnessed him use force to clear a peaceful protests so he court take a picture holding up a bible, and he sent armed people to the capital and watched as people were killed and injured and cared nothing for these people if he thought it would get him what he wanted, Kill Mike Pence was fine with him, His treatment of tenants was racist, dismissive and cruel, He frequently doesn’t pay contractors or lawyers. His countless rants tell us he does not respect people. His disregard for the damage covid could do to people because he wanted to somehow preserve his standing. Throwing paper towels to hurricane stricken Puerto Ricans; this is just a few of his many many proofs of what he thinks of other people, To him we are all fungible articles simply here to serve his desires, He has no concept of grief, is not capable of grief. He will cause massive pain not just to our country but to the world if not stopped.
Report I watched yesterday afternoon said his #2 had no idea why he was incapacitated or for how long. She reportedly said had she known it wasn’t for but a few hours she would have flown back to D.C.
there seems to be a serious breakdown in protocol and communication. A leftover from the Trump administration?
I have only two comments to make. First, what has taken RR so long to realize how dangerous a second tRump Presidency would be? The US President has the same power as the King of England had in the Eighteenth Century. He administers the laws passed by the People's Representatives, in the US Congress and in the UK Parliament. After January 6, 2021, it became apparent how ill-suited someone like tRump is for the Presidency. He sets people at each other's throats and wants to ignore whatever laws he doesn't like. Second, nothing is normal in Biden's White House. Biden is trying to prevent WWIII and at the same time navigate a Senate where he has a small majority, and the House, where the Republicans have a small majority. Until recently Biden couldn't even get senior military appointments approved, because of Tuberville. The military only now is beginning to return to normality. Any weakness at all--until the military command structure is solidified--will simply be exploited by the enemies of the US. Tuberville has damaged the US--only time will heal those wounds. It will take time for the Pentagon to function normally.
You must be late to this party. RR has been on the case since 2016.
He's not late.
He knows what time it is.
Tuberville is a fool working for theRump. HE Is also a traitor that essentially wants to allow the military heads to be appointed by Trump when he becomes president according to Timberville. Tuberville should be named a traitor and treated as a traitor. Trump should never see the walls of the White House again.
In total agreement! However, can anyone expect that the chain of command will stabilize? Especially if Trump puts his yes men at the top? How will the base of the military react to orders outside of the constitutional role of the military? This is what we will be facing.
Excellent question!
You can bet your bottom dollar that the GOP will blow this totally out of proportion
And get your other dollar the Democratic Party still seemingly with no PR machine, still has ability to play the media as Republicans are doing.
There is a reason Trump's trickery works-- yet we see Democrats in this time of severe attack on democracy in America-- disunited.
Not so Republicans, who vote in one bloc, who one way or another do not oppose the rise of fascism from within--
Being a native born Madisonian, who graduated from the University of Wisconsin during the Vietnam war days, and remembering the violence of the times. One thing was clear back then. If you had ideological differences with others about other things than the war, but you thought the war was a bad idea, you stuck to that one big picture belief. A month ago, I saw college age or post college age young folks being interviewed in Madison, saying they couldn’t vote for Biden because of this or that issue. I sat there stunned and screamed back at the TV, don’t you get the big picture here and how it will adversely affect you if Trump wins? As you said, this IS the current state of democrats. If we cannot unite seeing the big picture, then we doom ourselves by our own actions.
I was also born in Madison , Wisconsin- my
brother was at UW when the police came after anti-war protesters ( he avoided being beaten).
More recently my cousin’s son was maced in
DC as Trump made his way to the church ( along with Gen. Milley - who later regretted tagging along ) .
Those same students that now say they could not vote for Biden could easily be in the cross hairs of the military under a Trump presidency
/ as he has pledged to unleash upon D majority cities . The Big Picture will appear in living color to the students in Madison - as it did in the 60’s
- but this is a re-run they won’t soon forget!
Maryk, please remember there are many, many Independent voters. These are the people who must be reached.
I’m not so sure they vote as a bloc. A number of Trump voters soured on Boebert in Colorado. She’s switched districts in an attempt to survive
Tell that to the Michigan GOP.
I’ve read some about project 25 and heard enough of Trump to be afraid…he is no longer being quiet about being a dictator and oh his latest rant is, “God sent him” this has to be for all the delusional or those over the top on religion. As for Austin, it seems he should have told - sometimes I think we tell too much. Seems one person is in stand-by ready to take over, but I know the Republicans couldn’t wait to jump on this and here again, the situation with Austin is in no way comparable to how Republicans have run amuck! Secretary of Defense, Austin has taken the blame, something Republicans never do. It’s over with no consequences - let’s move on.
Diana, agreed.
Professor Reich: I was astonished to learn that Lloyd Austin was admitted to ICU three days ago after complications from elective surgery.
complications? WHAAA?? those are some mighty serious medical complications!
The current top Military leaders have made it crystal clear that they intend to steer clear of political involvement. The military under Trump would be the opposite. Just like dictatorships around the world, the military becomes the weapon of the fascist President. Under Trump it will become impossible to discern the difference between the police who are controlled by local government and the military who report directly to Trump. So Democratic mayors would lose control over law enforcement. Trump has made it crystal clear that he would make the military the police in strongholds of democratic mayors and governors. What a chilling scenario!
Grrl Scientist, thank you for moving this discussion to what is the topic for today pointed to by Professor Reich. The topic for today is "The military chain of command — in democracies and dictatorships.” If we as a group would stick to the topic proposed for discussion by our Professor, we would make better progress at moving on to solutions.
Normally I would agree with you and have posted similar thoughts myself. Way too often posters get off topic. But there are threads of thought outside of said topic that are important for people to ponder too.
I don’t think this was as bad as it is portrayed. He was at Walter Reed for god’s sake. If you’ve ever been to Walter Reed, you can’t hide, someone knows you’re there. There is no evidence that he was incommunicado, as a matter of fact he did a press release. In some ways this is much simpler and more complimentary than we think in that he was sent to the ICU to take care of ?infection? from a minor procedure. I don’t feel unsafe from that. What does make me feel unsafe is that Florida legislator wants to allow 18 yos to buy rifles ( presently 21 legal). That means assault rifles. Has enough time passed since Stoneman Douglas??
Agree, Mitch. Mountain/molehill. We have no idea what kind of communication actually went on. Perhaps it was all very secret and back-channel, because, you know, Sec Def.
It was a UTI, which can cause significant pain and fever. Quite common following prostate procedures. He left the hospital on the 23rd after the procedure and on New Years day, after having calls with Blinken and Biden, went to the hospital that night. From reports, he notified the chair of the joint chief of staff that he was in hospital Tuesday morning. Probably felt the COS would follow up appropriately. UTIs can get serious if not treated promptly, but folks have lost their minds over this!
When I go to the hospital my phone goes with me and I have computer access. When I worked for the government I could access my work server, even in Timbuktu.
We must not only be aware of who Trump selects in the awful and unlikely event he gets elected. We must also be aware the possibility of a level of irregularities that could allow him to seize power. He is a threat, but now that he has placed himself outside the law IF he gets elected, we would be foolish to assume he will not try anything to win. Anything at all.
Agreed. I have no doubt, Trump will immediately flex his muscles and invoke Martial Law against any, and all protesters to show his strength and cruelty; inflicting avoidable deaths and destruction.
This is what the MAGA mob demands. My biggest worry is who’s leading who, in the ambiguous and nefarious relationship?
We’ve seen the angry mob “boo” Trump when he told them to get vaccinated at a campaign rally last year. Like the rest of his spineless sycophants (e.g, McConnell, McCarthy and Graham), he immediately collapsed faster than a cheap lounge chair, and reversed course.
So which is it? Is it the tail wagging the dog, and Trump is engaging in a political obscene game of political performance art? Or is he fully in control?
Bottom line: I’m not sure which is worse!
Murdoch and Bannon. Murdoch has a hard on for western democracy, First he destroyed Australia, then Britain and now America.
Agreed, the man is infectious and deadly parasite..:)
Yet he walks around talking about killing us, etc. This is a dangerous man for so many reasons. Lock him up not for a few years either.
What is the stress? It's not like Trump stored confidential nuclear weapons information away to use later or anything sinister like that.
Austin’s disappearance is unthinkable. An attack on this country can come at any time. Quite a few issues need to be addressed. The top of the chain of command is ultimately responsible. Is there no daily contact between number one and number two? This seems so basic that it is shocking to need to ask. Once again a fundamental weakness of the US is on display for all to see. As the person in charge, Biden is ultimately responsible. It truly does make me question his acuity. We can’t have a president who is simply in place counting on all the systems of the institutions functioning correctly. We need a thinking, reasoning person who can act and respond in real time. Like a pilot who can manually fly a plane when autopilot fails.This incident really makes me wonder what is going on in the Pentagon. Could it be that Pentagon officials really didn’t know Austin was gone? I don’t believe it. Is there a group within the Pentagon who are not fully informing our president? If so, this is quite dangerous. I think we need a much greater degree of explanation. Either we have rank incompetence (both from our president and within our Pentagon) or we have a much deeper problem that needs to be addressed immediately. Austin needs to be relieved of his duties today. His actions are beyond irresponsible. I think the public deserves answers.
IMHO much ado about nothing. When I was in the Army, we would not have missed Robert McNamara, or for that matter General Westmoreland.
Daniel I totally agree with you. As a matter of fact it's possible that any news of his being hospitalized was withheld because it is information that our enemies just don't need to know.
@S. howard. I think this is the main reason, and maybe Sec'ty Austin made that decision himself in the interests of national security.
Yep. All the panicking is way over the top, IMO, S howard.
Daniel, I agree with you. That was at a time when the general trend was not to constantly look for people’s potential failures and immediately punish or fire them. Generals have misjudgments also.
He doesn't "report" to anyone. Took authorized medical leave. Not like he was on a frolic. In the law there's a dichotomy, "frolic vs detour."
Daniel, it seems “frolics” are the prerogative of Supreme Court Justices, all expensives paid.
He answers to the President's staff who need to contact him in an emergency. Otherwise leave a temporary leader to do it. Simple. He is not irreplaceable.
You may be correct. They need to do a careful and thorough investigation and find out what happened and the effect, if any, on national security.
Thanks for a reply on topic, however I disagree with your conclusion. A knee jerk reaction to fire an otherwise competent individual does not bring us forward. Finding all of the facts of what was occurring and taking proper steps to correct this type of problem in the future would be much more helpful. In Trump's T.V series “The Apprentice” his signature phrase line was “You’re fired!” We should not emulate this lousy businessman's failure.
Plus which, Marc, we don't know that there WAS any problem. We just know what MSM reported, and in matters of national security, I kinda doubt they're informed of everything.
On a US Navy aircraft carrier, they had to know the location of the commanding officer on the ship at all times. He was the only person authorized to make certain decisions, requiring immediate attention, concerning the operation of the two nuclear reactors. I suspect there are situations where the immediate attention of Mr. Austin is required. So this needs a careful and thorough investigation.
He was working!! Remotely. Not a ship.
I thought the problem is that people that might need to get ahold of him didn't know he was in the hospital. A delay in getting to him could be bad?
Has an office full of staff.
No comparison, admit it.
No comparison. My bad!
https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/10364-catch-22
Required viewing, i.e. for context...
Great book, great movie! We seem to be living in a Matrix - Catch 22 world.
I completely agree with you. The fact that DoD isn't having daily meetings with the WH rn says a lot about Biden and Kamala. Trump is a psychopath, but most of these comments reflect people who are so busy focusing on their hatred for Trump that they can't acknowledge any serious threats to our safety coming from the left. I'm proud to be progressive and will vote blue, but this makes me think Biden is even less competent than I had feared. Weak leadership and fractured lines of communication make us look weak to our enemies. I've worked for the DoD as a contractor. The entire Joint Commission is full of the most lazy, narcissistic and inept people I've met in a while. The DoD is falling apart and if we want to fix it, we have to admit there's a serious problem. Insane amounts of fraud and corruption, nepotism, racism, misogyny, plummeting recruitment numbers, you name it.
I want everyone to remember Ronald Reagan, who told the world he was napping, and that was good enough; so good an airport got renamed for the napper.
I read a book, written by an aide, that said Reagan would sit like a living corpose behind the resolution, blood drain from his face, jowls hanging, but when a script was placed in front of him, blood rushed to his face, he sat bolt upright, and came alive and there we had the old B class actor that he always was.
He was the terrific fool and tool for the money powers.
Oh, man, that's got to look like a scene from Dracula.
I retired in 1982, and know for a fact, that their is racism, misogyny, fraud, and a form on nepotism. In which up ranks, sponsor a lower rank, especially among officer, boot lickers, and in fact that is the only way to get promoted, in Senior enlisted and officer ranks.
One of my Sgts, because he was a Type A alpha and a good bullshitter, went to work for higher headquarters, and in his job he met Ed Meese, Meese offered him a job with Motorola, because of his contacts.
A Colonel and especially a General with contacts and respect, is easily recruited as a lobbyist or executive with Defense contractors, same with non military cabinets, the regulator leaves office and is hired by the company he or she regulated.
Yep. And then the public assumes most people who served are that way, when they're not. Serving veterans was what made my purpose in life more clear and it's also where I met people like you who get it. Some of the highest IQ humans serve, and they typically get dishonorably discharged and purposely misdiagnosed with a personality disorder. I really enjoyed correcting those mistakes, because you know how much those assholes hated a woman proving them wrong. Thank you for your service 🇺🇸
I am disheartened. I get daily newsleters and just learned that extremisim in the military is not a problem, but it is a problem among vets. Could that be social media? In my 26 years neither I, nor my peers and subordinates paid much attention to the news, our jobs kept us busy, and off duty we headed to the base clubs, local bars or homes to be with our families.
However Vets have a lot of time for things like social media., watching Fox, Xitter or FB, by the way the X in Greek is pronounced Chi, and ch in English like chute, parachute, champaign is pronounced SH thus Xitter is pronounced .. .you guessed it.
Cat, another African American "scalped," is that it?
Sounds like a bunch of staffers didn't do their job. A General would have an aide-de-camp to pass on that info and a deputy to cover for them. I'd assume it's similar for senior civil servants
@Frank. I imagine there is no mistake here - I imagine Secretary Austin judged that this might be a bad time for our adversaries to know that our Secretary of Defense was out of the office…
I hope (in a way) that you're right. Top brass at the Pentagon and the President himself should have been briefed within hours of his admission to the ICU. A decision may have been made to stop the message train there and keep it "need to know".
@Frank. I agree with you. But that is not what was done. Maybe the ship is more leaky than we would like to admit... Or just that Sec'ty Austin thinks it's leaky.
Bingo, the only rational answer out of hundreds.
@Lee. If that is what he did this is "grown up" responsibility taking; executive balancing of risk and result.
I wondered this myself.
👍
I don't believe for one minute that president Biden did not know about Lloyd's medical condition. But anybody's medical condition is a matter of privacy. So no need to blab to the media.
Thamks for posting about Trump’s Project 2025.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_2025
When that is coupled with Trump's promise to use the power of the federal government to 'go after' his political opposition, perceived enemies, and others... https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/06/opinion/trump-2024-campaign-warning.html
It is very clear Republicans-- who are part of Project 2025, who all support Trump, who do not disabuse anyone of Trump's false claims he won in 2020, who do not decry the attempt to unilaterally OVERTURN THE ELECTION on January 6, 2021)-- wholly support Mr. Trump.
Vote BLUE. Yes.
But this time, volunteer now to help get the BLUE vote out.
Because the 30% who didn't vote in 2020 will make the difference in 2024.
https://www.fieldteam6.org/
The GOP Fascists have already tested the waters for a Trump SS with Tuberville denying promotions in the military. They are separating wheat from the chaff.
Rest assured the first Trump order will be martial law in response to what will surely be a massive protest in DC at his coronation.