The next four years will be very interesting … especially in the foreign affairs field. It’s amazing that the Trump dream of a southern border wall has not been mentioned.
Nor how Trump isolationism will manifest itself: Will he cede military dominance to Russia in Europe or Xi/Kim in Asia? He wants a straight white male army -perhaps a fraction of what it is today - for what? To protect white Christian Americans against brown Christian Americans?
This is the Timothy Snyder version of the White House office. He claims back control through humor. He uses an apt analogy to a 60s Sitcom called Oligarchs' Island.
One of the things that I get from the naming of people to positions of power is that the US DOD is not used to being led by buffoons. I don't know if even with a lot of Christian Nationalists in the military, whether the leadership will suffer this kind of incompetence. Same with the Intelligence Community. They are sworn to the Constitution and not to one person, if that Constitution is threatened does anyone think there will be resistance? That would be an interesting turn of events.
Trump has let the Oligarchs buy him the White House and now all other MAGAs no longer count. Will DT be replaced by JDV? Also, the image of Xi Jin Ping pulling Putin's strings and then Putin pulling Trumps reminds me of an album cover for My Fair Lady in which we see this same thing. Trade out Shaw for Jin Ping, trade out Prof. Higgins for Putin and trade out Eliza Doolittle for Trump.
And if leaks from Mar-a-Loco are to be given any credence, the next White House press secretary could be constantly shrill but woefully incompetent Alina Habba. Are ya ready?
One can only wonder, albeit realistically, if Professor Snyder's "On Freedom," published in September, will soon start appearing on the MAGAts' lengthening lists of Banned Books.
Yes, and don’t forget 2025 off-year elections like we have in Virginia that may be a bellwether for 2026. The more successful Trump and his billionaire cronies are at implementing tariffs and deportations the sooner we will experience skyrocketing consumer prices followed by a major crash of the economy. Perhaps that will be enough to wake up the clueless MAGA base and foment a popular revolt against the tyranny of the oligarchs.
This just in: Trump nominates Tulsi Gabbard as DNI! Another fine gift to Putin. When did Republican distrust of Russia morph into adoration? And will we soon see a photo of the Donald, shirt off, astride a pony? One waits … bated breath.
I wish that didn't insult donkeys/burros, whatever you want to call them. I actually thought that maybe he could be dragged around on his own, attached ass?
A true Cavalcade of Clowns! Who’s next? Jim Jordan, Department of Self-Justification? Lauren Boebert, Department of Education? Don Junior, Department of Labor?
Why are members of minority groups and some women appearing to vote against their interests? Actually, they do understand their interests. They are clinging to membership in the "middle class" out of fear of sinking into and being defined as members of the working class.
I read something today about people voting against their own best interests because it keeps them as insiders and "others" as outsiders. I believe it was in The Nation That Never Was by Kermit Roosevelt III. Some people are willing to screw themselves to keep "lesser" people down.
My rabidly Republican mother & stepfather did this every single election for decades. Their hatred of those ‘others’ mattered more to them than their own well being.
I'll bet that has been hard to live with. That's something I will thankfully never understand. To me it's sad that so many people never get outside their little bubble and meet "others". They probably would be confused by the fact that those others are very much like them in what they want from life (except for being better than others).
Why is this question being asked over and over again? Black women and men voted overwhelmingly for Democrats. The media obsesses about black men and Latinos and not at all about white women. We accept that a majority of white men vote for MAGA. These are the groups we should be focusing on. White women alone are 30% of the population. Black men and women are 12%. They voted significantly over 80% for Kamala and Democrats. There will always be people of all groups that vote against their interests. To me, Fox, Twitter, FB, Instagram, Tik Tok and lies upon blatant lies- like a firehose at close range are the biggest problem! Combine all of those disinformation channels and you get Trump. Politicians and parties always disagree, but never before have they in your face lied on masse (Trump, Senators, House members, commentators, Opinion journalists with the New York Times, Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal). Oh, and did I mention Sinclair who owns 1/2 of the local news stations in the country. I canvassed and I was stunned at the information people were getting from these sources. They framed Kamala as a "liar", and "unethical" and "immoral" and every conceivable racial and mysoginistic slur. I've seen in other forums the question of black and Latinos being the center of the conversation. Rarely, are white women and white men the topic. But, the news sure did spend a lot of time with focus groups entertaining white men and women.
You nailed it! The constant drumbeat of lie-based propaganda since the days of Rush L has polluted the minds of the voters, to the point that they are living an illusion. It takes a lot of propaganda to sell fascism.
Ted…that concept is one of the central tenants of Christianity. As theologian Carl Barth said: “Christianity is a religion of relationships. No one is alone as a Christian.” In fact the worst thing that can happen to a person is to cast into the realm of utter darkness. No one wants to be alone even the desert monks in Egypt in the 4th C. They felt they were never alone bc they had God/Jesus with them always.
I could say more but hope ppl recognize this in their lives.
I'm not one to form lists, nor to rank the best vs the worst, but my wife's sister lives in Texas and we meet her family in Colorado at condos we each have in High Country. I have found myself saying that Colorado has the best governor (Jared Polis) and Texas has the worst (Greg Abbott). I was glad to hear corroboration on part of that with the "Governors to Safeguard Democracy" coalition. Even better to hear that Polis has a natural ally.
This just in II: Trump nominates Matt Gaetz as AG!!!! A felon and sexual abuser is president, barely illegal sexual abuser as AG … what cabinet position for pedo-friendly Jim Jordan?
Merrick Garland is an abject failure. If the rule of law is lost the blame will likely be placed at his feet. Allowing insurrectionists and pedophiles to roam free may well have doomed the USA. Pardoned Jan 6 convicts may well be the new Gestapo.
Blue governors and AGs might be our only hope. Go Govs Pritzker and Polis! I hope they adopt the tactics of the RShit Govs who sent their Guard units to assist Abbott with Operation Lone Star and send their Guard units wherever needed to support Blue Govs standing up to tRump.
Since the election, I find myself slipping into denial. (…and not for a swim!) Then I read Ruth’s posts and I snap out of it and think: “…stay strong, keep in the present and most of all - never forget and become complacent”. Ruth is right. I summarize for myself a lot of what I heard her say over the past 3.5 yrs. “…history does not repeat itself but ignorance does.”
I'm really glad to know that some people who have real power are stepping up to help the nation. I am not sure what I can do to support such people (I'm sure my state of Texas will never be the beneficiary of their goodness, given the government we have). I know I can continue to vote for people who stand up for the rule of law, like our recently elected sheriff. Even if I lose my Social Security I'll be okay, unless trump manages to totally crash the economy. But I am concerned for all the people who depend on Social Security to survive. Life does not get less complex just because you are older. Some complexities of the younger years may go, but new ones come up. I'm hoping that we survive as a country, and that I don't have to learn to speak Russian… (that won't happen, since I can't even get Spanish).
I won’t be okay. trump tried to reduce veteran’s disability last time but all the veteran’s groups stopped it. This time he won’t care. I’ll lose my home. With my service caused disabilities I can only work part-time. That’s not enough to live.
Oh, Kashmii, that is awful. If you do lose your home, I would offer our guest room to you. I'm not that good with others in the house, but I would do whatever I could for you. And I'm sure my husband would agree.
If "What's past is prologue" is true, then the same can be said of "What's present is prologue," too. As Trump signals how he'll be operating (i.e., recess appointments for sycophants) as a fascist strongman, it's clear that this regime is all about raw power – something autocrats never share, or give up willingly.
Meanwhile, Trump has just selected Putin apologist Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence and Matt Gaetz – yes, Matt Gaetz! – as attorney general. Rule of law in America is hanging by a thread.
Given his Kremlin ties, it's surprising there hasn't be anything (yet) for Michael Flynn. Didn't get SecDef, but Stephen Miller will no doubt find him a job that's appropriately diabolical.
When a $787.7 mil fine doesn’t even slow down Fox and civil judgements don’t slow down Trump we are truly in a dark age. Maybe Democracy Docket needs to shift focus to suing all the liars over and over until they are bankrupt. The only perp so far that appears close to bankruptcy is Rudy. Lying has to cost them billions.
Garland blew the federal criminal prosecutions. Here’s hoping states like NY, Georgia and Arizona continue their prosecutions.
Thank you as always Ruth. I have never felt so heavy. The first time around, I waited for Trump to put an Elvis like sign somewhere on the WH Property. He did for an event, but this time I expect he will have a permanent sign, with flashing lights, advertising for sneakers and fake baseball cards, and a billboard with a link for job openings. Our most sacred space for our Democracy is already being displayed like a big box store...call it Amazon Prime 2.0. The desecration of this most sacred space, the spirits of those who've fought and died for our country, immigrants and slaves who built this country and whose ancestors continue the fight including the original people of this land - a Kristi Noem appointment is gut punch. I talk with friends who were deeply involved in getting Democrats elected. The hopelessness is overwhelming. I say that knowing I have to compartmentalize and march forward...we all do. We have to in consideration of 7 generations forward! In solidarity with my millions of Pro Democracy friends everywhere. LET'S MARCH!
The next four years will be very interesting … especially in the foreign affairs field. It’s amazing that the Trump dream of a southern border wall has not been mentioned.
Nor how Trump isolationism will manifest itself: Will he cede military dominance to Russia in Europe or Xi/Kim in Asia? He wants a straight white male army -perhaps a fraction of what it is today - for what? To protect white Christian Americans against brown Christian Americans?
This is the Timothy Snyder version of the White House office. He claims back control through humor. He uses an apt analogy to a 60s Sitcom called Oligarchs' Island.
https://snyder.substack.com/p/oligarchs-island
One of the things that I get from the naming of people to positions of power is that the US DOD is not used to being led by buffoons. I don't know if even with a lot of Christian Nationalists in the military, whether the leadership will suffer this kind of incompetence. Same with the Intelligence Community. They are sworn to the Constitution and not to one person, if that Constitution is threatened does anyone think there will be resistance? That would be an interesting turn of events.
Trump has let the Oligarchs buy him the White House and now all other MAGAs no longer count. Will DT be replaced by JDV? Also, the image of Xi Jin Ping pulling Putin's strings and then Putin pulling Trumps reminds me of an album cover for My Fair Lady in which we see this same thing. Trade out Shaw for Jin Ping, trade out Prof. Higgins for Putin and trade out Eliza Doolittle for Trump.
https://fontsinuse.com/uses/38855/rex-harrison-julie-andrews-et-al-my-fair-lady
A buffoon parade … led by King Clown. Fasten your seatbelts!
re "A buffoon parade":
And if leaks from Mar-a-Loco are to be given any credence, the next White House press secretary could be constantly shrill but woefully incompetent Alina Habba. Are ya ready?
A concubine as First Lady and another concubine as press secretary.
But where, in the tawdry mix, does this leave Laura Loomer?
Hopefully in a Looney bin bouncing off the walls.😂😂
One can only wonder, albeit realistically, if Professor Snyder's "On Freedom," published in September, will soon start appearing on the MAGAts' lengthening lists of Banned Books.
time to order!
got my copy
Have my Audible copy
And where does Iran, Putin’s newest pal, fit in?
While you're in LA... https://lovebeverlyhills.com/itineraries/view/celebrate-together-in-beverly-hills?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=cvb&utm_campaign=holiday+2024&utm_id=bhcvb
This is so fabulous 🤗🤗🤗
We need to fight! I for one am going to call the above governor’s even thought I do not live in their states!!!
Think in 2 year increments. PLEASE! To win in sports, athletes compartmentalize. One down. One quarter. One race. We. Will. Win. Again.
In 2026, take back Senate, shore up House. Stymie the WH. That's our goal and horizon now. Less than 24 MONTHS!
Eat the R elephant one bite at a time!
Yes, and don’t forget 2025 off-year elections like we have in Virginia that may be a bellwether for 2026. The more successful Trump and his billionaire cronies are at implementing tariffs and deportations the sooner we will experience skyrocketing consumer prices followed by a major crash of the economy. Perhaps that will be enough to wake up the clueless MAGA base and foment a popular revolt against the tyranny of the oligarchs.
This just in: Trump nominates Tulsi Gabbard as DNI! Another fine gift to Putin. When did Republican distrust of Russia morph into adoration? And will we soon see a photo of the Donald, shirt off, astride a pony? One waits … bated breath.
I already feel sorry for the pony. Maybe he should ride an ass, like all the good biblical people did?
It wouldn’t be fair to the poor ass.
Good point. I apologize to the ass.
He IS an ass!!
I wish that didn't insult donkeys/burros, whatever you want to call them. I actually thought that maybe he could be dragged around on his own, attached ass?
😂😂😂
She is a willing Russian asset. Surely the CIA knows this.
Trump's choice for CIA director is toady John Ratcliffe. He and Gabbard are peas in a pod.
Just look at all the sycophants jumping on the psychopathic band wagon!
A true Cavalcade of Clowns! Who’s next? Jim Jordan, Department of Self-Justification? Lauren Boebert, Department of Education? Don Junior, Department of Labor?
tRump's female picks are almost always about beauty. His male picks are all about fealty/ass kissing.
Betsy de Vos? Beauty? Fealty, rather.
That's why I said "almost always".
🤮🤮🤮
Terrible
New subscriber.👍💟💜🇺🇲
Why are members of minority groups and some women appearing to vote against their interests? Actually, they do understand their interests. They are clinging to membership in the "middle class" out of fear of sinking into and being defined as members of the working class.
I read something today about people voting against their own best interests because it keeps them as insiders and "others" as outsiders. I believe it was in The Nation That Never Was by Kermit Roosevelt III. Some people are willing to screw themselves to keep "lesser" people down.
My rabidly Republican mother & stepfather did this every single election for decades. Their hatred of those ‘others’ mattered more to them than their own well being.
I'll bet that has been hard to live with. That's something I will thankfully never understand. To me it's sad that so many people never get outside their little bubble and meet "others". They probably would be confused by the fact that those others are very much like them in what they want from life (except for being better than others).
So very, very sad, actually. I want very much to feel sorry for them, but they have reaped the whirlwind for us all.
Why is this question being asked over and over again? Black women and men voted overwhelmingly for Democrats. The media obsesses about black men and Latinos and not at all about white women. We accept that a majority of white men vote for MAGA. These are the groups we should be focusing on. White women alone are 30% of the population. Black men and women are 12%. They voted significantly over 80% for Kamala and Democrats. There will always be people of all groups that vote against their interests. To me, Fox, Twitter, FB, Instagram, Tik Tok and lies upon blatant lies- like a firehose at close range are the biggest problem! Combine all of those disinformation channels and you get Trump. Politicians and parties always disagree, but never before have they in your face lied on masse (Trump, Senators, House members, commentators, Opinion journalists with the New York Times, Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal). Oh, and did I mention Sinclair who owns 1/2 of the local news stations in the country. I canvassed and I was stunned at the information people were getting from these sources. They framed Kamala as a "liar", and "unethical" and "immoral" and every conceivable racial and mysoginistic slur. I've seen in other forums the question of black and Latinos being the center of the conversation. Rarely, are white women and white men the topic. But, the news sure did spend a lot of time with focus groups entertaining white men and women.
You nailed it! The constant drumbeat of lie-based propaganda since the days of Rush L has polluted the minds of the voters, to the point that they are living an illusion. It takes a lot of propaganda to sell fascism.
Brilliant. Social death is a greater fear than physical death. The feeling of being alone vs being a part of an "identity" group is a strong one.
Ted…that concept is one of the central tenants of Christianity. As theologian Carl Barth said: “Christianity is a religion of relationships. No one is alone as a Christian.” In fact the worst thing that can happen to a person is to cast into the realm of utter darkness. No one wants to be alone even the desert monks in Egypt in the 4th C. They felt they were never alone bc they had God/Jesus with them always.
I could say more but hope ppl recognize this in their lives.
Religious or not!
I'm not one to form lists, nor to rank the best vs the worst, but my wife's sister lives in Texas and we meet her family in Colorado at condos we each have in High Country. I have found myself saying that Colorado has the best governor (Jared Polis) and Texas has the worst (Greg Abbott). I was glad to hear corroboration on part of that with the "Governors to Safeguard Democracy" coalition. Even better to hear that Polis has a natural ally.
I'm not sure if Gregg Abbott is worse, or Ron DeSantis. Maybe they're tied. (I'm living in Texas).
Susan - I think Abbott and DeSantis are in a competition to see who can be most cruel.
I think you are correct, Jason. It's disgusting.
Add Indiana to that list. The AG, Rokita, who tried to charge the doctor who helped a raped 10 year old end a pregnancy was just re-elected.
The reactionary’s beauty contest …
"support those officials who are standing up for the rule of law and preparing to contest and obstruct malfeasance and lawlessness in the future"
See how Democratic governors Like Pritzkeer, Newsom, Hochul and others have geared up to protect their people with this interactive map.
https://thedemlabs.org/2024/11/13/democratic-governors-gear-up-to-protect-their-people-against-maga-fascism/
Check this free app for resources for immigrants to understand their rights and find help.
https://8gssb.glideapp.io/dl/d0a5f4
This just in II: Trump nominates Matt Gaetz as AG!!!! A felon and sexual abuser is president, barely illegal sexual abuser as AG … what cabinet position for pedo-friendly Jim Jordan?
Merrick Garland is an abject failure. If the rule of law is lost the blame will likely be placed at his feet. Allowing insurrectionists and pedophiles to roam free may well have doomed the USA. Pardoned Jan 6 convicts may well be the new Gestapo.
Blue governors and AGs might be our only hope. Go Govs Pritzker and Polis! I hope they adopt the tactics of the RShit Govs who sent their Guard units to assist Abbott with Operation Lone Star and send their Guard units wherever needed to support Blue Govs standing up to tRump.
I blame Garland, Biden & Taney/Roberts equally. History will as well.
Go ahead! Touch my groove the wrong way. There are a lot of hungry earthworms!☠️☠️
The more criminal you are, the higher the post you get!
Don Junior to head Department of Education?
It will be someone worse than Betsy DeVos.
Wouldn't be surprised if it's MTG or Lauren Boebert.
Or Trump himself—I don’t need no steekin’ Edumacation!
Since the election, I find myself slipping into denial. (…and not for a swim!) Then I read Ruth’s posts and I snap out of it and think: “…stay strong, keep in the present and most of all - never forget and become complacent”. Ruth is right. I summarize for myself a lot of what I heard her say over the past 3.5 yrs. “…history does not repeat itself but ignorance does.”
I'm really glad to know that some people who have real power are stepping up to help the nation. I am not sure what I can do to support such people (I'm sure my state of Texas will never be the beneficiary of their goodness, given the government we have). I know I can continue to vote for people who stand up for the rule of law, like our recently elected sheriff. Even if I lose my Social Security I'll be okay, unless trump manages to totally crash the economy. But I am concerned for all the people who depend on Social Security to survive. Life does not get less complex just because you are older. Some complexities of the younger years may go, but new ones come up. I'm hoping that we survive as a country, and that I don't have to learn to speak Russian… (that won't happen, since I can't even get Spanish).
I won’t be okay. trump tried to reduce veteran’s disability last time but all the veteran’s groups stopped it. This time he won’t care. I’ll lose my home. With my service caused disabilities I can only work part-time. That’s not enough to live.
Oh, Kashmii, that is awful. If you do lose your home, I would offer our guest room to you. I'm not that good with others in the house, but I would do whatever I could for you. And I'm sure my husband would agree.
Thank you kindly. That is quite generous of you.
You are welcome. And I meant what I said.
If "What's past is prologue" is true, then the same can be said of "What's present is prologue," too. As Trump signals how he'll be operating (i.e., recess appointments for sycophants) as a fascist strongman, it's clear that this regime is all about raw power – something autocrats never share, or give up willingly.
Meanwhile, Trump has just selected Putin apologist Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence and Matt Gaetz – yes, Matt Gaetz! – as attorney general. Rule of law in America is hanging by a thread.
Tulsi is a traitor. She'll hand over classified info to Tsar Vladimir. Plankhead as AG??!?🤮😢
Given his Kremlin ties, it's surprising there hasn't be anything (yet) for Michael Flynn. Didn't get SecDef, but Stephen Miller will no doubt find him a job that's appropriately diabolical.
When a $787.7 mil fine doesn’t even slow down Fox and civil judgements don’t slow down Trump we are truly in a dark age. Maybe Democracy Docket needs to shift focus to suing all the liars over and over until they are bankrupt. The only perp so far that appears close to bankruptcy is Rudy. Lying has to cost them billions.
Garland blew the federal criminal prosecutions. Here’s hoping states like NY, Georgia and Arizona continue their prosecutions.
Thank you as always Ruth. I have never felt so heavy. The first time around, I waited for Trump to put an Elvis like sign somewhere on the WH Property. He did for an event, but this time I expect he will have a permanent sign, with flashing lights, advertising for sneakers and fake baseball cards, and a billboard with a link for job openings. Our most sacred space for our Democracy is already being displayed like a big box store...call it Amazon Prime 2.0. The desecration of this most sacred space, the spirits of those who've fought and died for our country, immigrants and slaves who built this country and whose ancestors continue the fight including the original people of this land - a Kristi Noem appointment is gut punch. I talk with friends who were deeply involved in getting Democrats elected. The hopelessness is overwhelming. I say that knowing I have to compartmentalize and march forward...we all do. We have to in consideration of 7 generations forward! In solidarity with my millions of Pro Democracy friends everywhere. LET'S MARCH!