As Tom said the other night, "The Wind is Changing". I know you read it too, but I do get the feeling that something serious is shifting. Perhaps by the pressure we collectively exert, but if it will pick up to propell us home, we must keep the pressure on and not slack off!
As usual, I love your last line. Trump and his depravity are boring. Boring. Boring. They are the doings of a troubled soul and a bully, which is not, sadly, something unusual to our species. He offers no hope, no beauty, nothing new. And, no, I will not be watching. I will be doing anything I can to defeat this most disgraceful, pathetic, and sybaritic human being. Tank the MF's ratings.
History Will Be Made This morning in NYC at 10AM: The USCG will, in a time honored tradition since Alexander Hamilton created the USCG, Captain Jonathan Andrechik will accept the command of the Port of New York. At the same time, the outgoing Captain of the Port, Zeita Merchant will be "frocked" as the first Black female Admiral (rear admiral/lower half) in the USCG. Admiral Merchant not only is a brilliant spokesperson for the USCG, a Phd in her own right but in a speech recently, told high school students "Take the step. It is not about me. It is about you. Reach for your dreams." The ceremonies today will be live streamed from the broadway's Richard Rodgers theater. It is expected that the Commandant of the USCG, Admiral Linda Fagan will come from Washington DC to preside. Live streaming:
There is a prevailing assumption, popularly disseminated although, I would claim, overly feared and misappropriated. To wit, that after Trump we will be left with "Trump-ism", the burning embers of his hateful, destructive, and dangerous ways, remaining in a highly flammable pyre waiting to be reignited by his followers. This theory is in direct conflict with the notion of a cult of personality. Indeed, in all organizations, there is something identified as the "culture" or the breeding and development of any group of people by the originator who sets the tone for standards and behavior which follows through and down the corporate structure. The saying "the fish stinks from the head" is a descriptive of how invasive and pervasive is the figure head of any group of individuals.
As an ex-consultant to corporations, I can tell you that I received more information about what was really going on within the organization from the lady sewing the socks or the gentleman on the metal press that any high-level meeting with management. Put me on the floor and I will very quickly identify the challenges any company faces.
Watching a newscast on the first day of Trump's trial for election fraud (not payments to a porn star), a live camera was scanning the scene outside the court, the newscaster reported that hundreds of protesters were on hand, but that everything was peaceful. The problem is that it was a live newscast, and as the camera spanned the who of the front of the court house and cordoned street there might have been two dozen protestors in all. Aside from the shameful and deceptive reporting, the backdrop made it obvious the Trump's "mojo" was in decline.
What is important to realize is that the Trump phenomenon is not a real movement in the sense that it asserts policy shifts and changes that are translatable into active legislative action. His assertive position is more to rid us of existing rule based laws and supplant it with a singular "ruler" based, autocratic, non-democratic system. Trump is not identified with the system he proposes. He could claim anything and in total contradiction to any prior stand, and still remain the extolled leader. Policy be damned. The most recent example was his back flip on Ukraine once he saw how the numbers were not working in his favor.
This is not to say that his retinue will disappear. They will not. They have laid in wait all these many years desperately anticipating a "golem" to appear. The so-called leaders of the "Proud Boys" and other long established anti-establishment clubs, had been unearthed by Trump, happy to exist within their dug-ins and holes until someone appeared and validated their existence. They will not go away. They are a part of our historical, political establishment. But, rest assured, from what I can see, they are toothless without the substantiation of a martyred scapegoat.
Get rid of the stench at the top and the societies and colonies of forlorn followers will return their pre-existing camps, continue to light fires and rail against the establishment and decry the day VP Pence failed to not certify the election.
I worked for Congress for 39 years, and here’s how I see what Speaker Johnson did. I hope there’s a motion to vacate. Democrats will bail Johnson out, not only because of his (grudging) action on Ukraine, but also because they can work with him , as has been demonstrated on several appropriations bills, and they trust him to keep his word ( a low bar, but too high for McCarthy). Hopefully the bailout will put an end to the constant MAGA threats to the Speaker for the balance of this Congress. Instead, the price Johnson may pay (not sure if it’s a price or a blessing) is that he may not be nominated by the Republican caucus next year to be their Speaker or Minority Leader. The real question is whether, having lanced the boil on the motion to vacate, he will feel freed to work with Democrats on other bills, especially on appropriations, or if he will feel the need to self-contort to please the right wing. My guess is 2/3 the former, 1/3 the latter. We’ll see.
Mike Johnson takes a couple of days off from his cluelessness to grasp morality long enough to legislate—with the help of the Democrats, not his own party to provide the majority. But I’ve heard nothing about the strength of bipartisan action. Rather he took aim at the Senate by “fixing” what seemed to him to be glaring weaknesses in the Senate package so he could give himself a win and get right back to his brand of daily lies about the current administration. So much for a moment of working together. He’s right back to feeding the Putin base with Russian disinformation in his attempt to control even a Sunday news cycle.
These has become a meme: "The Wind is Changing." Joe Biden will be elected. We may have a Democratic House and Senate. And Donald Trump will be facing more trials. The ones he has postponed until after November will come due. Instead of the third or fourth most important story, they will be 8th or 10th. They will still be there. Donald Trump will still be in the dock. And he will be convicted is most, if not all of the trials. Because he is guilty of what he has been charged with.
1) the big deal is that he either got Trump to understand that he will defy him on Ukraine or did it despite Trump. To me that means he is no longer afraid of Trump.
Does he now realize that Biden will win and he and the other GOP congresspeople want to be in the winning side. This just when we were getting really angry and ready to vote them out.
2) how is it acceptable that one person, the Speaker of the House, has the power to stop bills from being introduced. Now that we’ve seen how this can be done to please a man who sits in court, I would think there would be enough outrage about this undemocratic aspect of our system to change this rule.
Come on. If we want citizens to care about democracy we need to be more democratic. This, the electoral college, Citizens United, gerrymandering, voter suppression laws…,all ought to be addressed so we are a real democracy.
This morning's Punchbowl News headline: "The winner of this Congress? Joe Biden." And it goes on to say this: GOP bobbleheads (my description) had great plans in this Congress--impeach Joe; cut taxes; pass stringent, inhumane border rules. And what do they have to show?Zilch, except firing one speaker and getting ready to do another (but not so fast here). Biden gets government funding, aid to Ukraine, and FISA. So there MTG, et al. Go back to bed. The fever has broken, for a time.
The polls may tell of opinions, but 'the popular vote' is just part of the vanishing American dream. Republicans are going all in for voter suppression: gerrymandering, cancelling votes on all grounds possible, and using the electors as the manipulation of democracy it is. Women in the south may have their votes cancelled because they have taken the family name of their husbands, and their old ID has their maiden name; and it just happens to be many afro american and supposedly Democrat voters. So much for the party saying it is standing up for family values. Democrats campaign funds should go to supplying people with correct IDs when needed.
Robert, As always, thanks for your insightful comments, on all points today. Especially the trial, which for me, is code to shutoff MSNBC & it’s many legal commentators. I do feel inspired to dig deeper and do more. I am happy to report that we have created a Democracy Society in Orange County, Florida to attract high dollar donors and support our work; phone banking texting, voter guides, etc. etc.. that is what I’m good at. For us, there is no cavalry to save us. We have to save ourselves! Hugs to all. Susan Windmiller
MAGA may be on the wane. But their misperception of Joe/Kamala/Democrats is such that many who may support Ukraine or reasonable pro choice legislation will still vote for Trump.
I do feel a shift. While traveling throughout Alabama I saw no Trump signs. In 2020 they were everywhere. I did not see a one. Marilyn Lands beat the socks out of her Republican opponent in Huntsville, Alabama. Things are definitely changing and I can see it.......
The past several weeks have for the first time demonstrated to many voters that Trump is vulnerable and more importantly beatable. The comparisons between the two candidates from a visual and substance perspective is stark and eye opening. Don’t think Republicans in swing states and in competitive races are not aware of the shift in voter attitude and preferences as the Trump machine keeps pushing out the same old attacks and lies that have gotten old. The revelations and sensational coverage of the trial will not convince the undecided and Independents to support Trump but it will provide another reason not to vote for him.
As Tom said the other night, "The Wind is Changing". I know you read it too, but I do get the feeling that something serious is shifting. Perhaps by the pressure we collectively exert, but if it will pick up to propell us home, we must keep the pressure on and not slack off!
As usual, I love your last line. Trump and his depravity are boring. Boring. Boring. They are the doings of a troubled soul and a bully, which is not, sadly, something unusual to our species. He offers no hope, no beauty, nothing new. And, no, I will not be watching. I will be doing anything I can to defeat this most disgraceful, pathetic, and sybaritic human being. Tank the MF's ratings.
History Will Be Made This morning in NYC at 10AM: The USCG will, in a time honored tradition since Alexander Hamilton created the USCG, Captain Jonathan Andrechik will accept the command of the Port of New York. At the same time, the outgoing Captain of the Port, Zeita Merchant will be "frocked" as the first Black female Admiral (rear admiral/lower half) in the USCG. Admiral Merchant not only is a brilliant spokesperson for the USCG, a Phd in her own right but in a speech recently, told high school students "Take the step. It is not about me. It is about you. Reach for your dreams." The ceremonies today will be live streamed from the broadway's Richard Rodgers theater. It is expected that the Commandant of the USCG, Admiral Linda Fagan will come from Washington DC to preside. Live streaming:
https://www.facebook.com/share/GrvGbVb5KsD9Jj6n/?mibextid=9l3rBW
There is a prevailing assumption, popularly disseminated although, I would claim, overly feared and misappropriated. To wit, that after Trump we will be left with "Trump-ism", the burning embers of his hateful, destructive, and dangerous ways, remaining in a highly flammable pyre waiting to be reignited by his followers. This theory is in direct conflict with the notion of a cult of personality. Indeed, in all organizations, there is something identified as the "culture" or the breeding and development of any group of people by the originator who sets the tone for standards and behavior which follows through and down the corporate structure. The saying "the fish stinks from the head" is a descriptive of how invasive and pervasive is the figure head of any group of individuals.
As an ex-consultant to corporations, I can tell you that I received more information about what was really going on within the organization from the lady sewing the socks or the gentleman on the metal press that any high-level meeting with management. Put me on the floor and I will very quickly identify the challenges any company faces.
Watching a newscast on the first day of Trump's trial for election fraud (not payments to a porn star), a live camera was scanning the scene outside the court, the newscaster reported that hundreds of protesters were on hand, but that everything was peaceful. The problem is that it was a live newscast, and as the camera spanned the who of the front of the court house and cordoned street there might have been two dozen protestors in all. Aside from the shameful and deceptive reporting, the backdrop made it obvious the Trump's "mojo" was in decline.
What is important to realize is that the Trump phenomenon is not a real movement in the sense that it asserts policy shifts and changes that are translatable into active legislative action. His assertive position is more to rid us of existing rule based laws and supplant it with a singular "ruler" based, autocratic, non-democratic system. Trump is not identified with the system he proposes. He could claim anything and in total contradiction to any prior stand, and still remain the extolled leader. Policy be damned. The most recent example was his back flip on Ukraine once he saw how the numbers were not working in his favor.
This is not to say that his retinue will disappear. They will not. They have laid in wait all these many years desperately anticipating a "golem" to appear. The so-called leaders of the "Proud Boys" and other long established anti-establishment clubs, had been unearthed by Trump, happy to exist within their dug-ins and holes until someone appeared and validated their existence. They will not go away. They are a part of our historical, political establishment. But, rest assured, from what I can see, they are toothless without the substantiation of a martyred scapegoat.
Get rid of the stench at the top and the societies and colonies of forlorn followers will return their pre-existing camps, continue to light fires and rail against the establishment and decry the day VP Pence failed to not certify the election.
I worked for Congress for 39 years, and here’s how I see what Speaker Johnson did. I hope there’s a motion to vacate. Democrats will bail Johnson out, not only because of his (grudging) action on Ukraine, but also because they can work with him , as has been demonstrated on several appropriations bills, and they trust him to keep his word ( a low bar, but too high for McCarthy). Hopefully the bailout will put an end to the constant MAGA threats to the Speaker for the balance of this Congress. Instead, the price Johnson may pay (not sure if it’s a price or a blessing) is that he may not be nominated by the Republican caucus next year to be their Speaker or Minority Leader. The real question is whether, having lanced the boil on the motion to vacate, he will feel freed to work with Democrats on other bills, especially on appropriations, or if he will feel the need to self-contort to please the right wing. My guess is 2/3 the former, 1/3 the latter. We’ll see.
Mike Johnson takes a couple of days off from his cluelessness to grasp morality long enough to legislate—with the help of the Democrats, not his own party to provide the majority. But I’ve heard nothing about the strength of bipartisan action. Rather he took aim at the Senate by “fixing” what seemed to him to be glaring weaknesses in the Senate package so he could give himself a win and get right back to his brand of daily lies about the current administration. So much for a moment of working together. He’s right back to feeding the Putin base with Russian disinformation in his attempt to control even a Sunday news cycle.
These has become a meme: "The Wind is Changing." Joe Biden will be elected. We may have a Democratic House and Senate. And Donald Trump will be facing more trials. The ones he has postponed until after November will come due. Instead of the third or fourth most important story, they will be 8th or 10th. They will still be there. Donald Trump will still be in the dock. And he will be convicted is most, if not all of the trials. Because he is guilty of what he has been charged with.
Two things about Mike Johnson.
1) the big deal is that he either got Trump to understand that he will defy him on Ukraine or did it despite Trump. To me that means he is no longer afraid of Trump.
Does he now realize that Biden will win and he and the other GOP congresspeople want to be in the winning side. This just when we were getting really angry and ready to vote them out.
2) how is it acceptable that one person, the Speaker of the House, has the power to stop bills from being introduced. Now that we’ve seen how this can be done to please a man who sits in court, I would think there would be enough outrage about this undemocratic aspect of our system to change this rule.
Come on. If we want citizens to care about democracy we need to be more democratic. This, the electoral college, Citizens United, gerrymandering, voter suppression laws…,all ought to be addressed so we are a real democracy.
This morning's Punchbowl News headline: "The winner of this Congress? Joe Biden." And it goes on to say this: GOP bobbleheads (my description) had great plans in this Congress--impeach Joe; cut taxes; pass stringent, inhumane border rules. And what do they have to show?Zilch, except firing one speaker and getting ready to do another (but not so fast here). Biden gets government funding, aid to Ukraine, and FISA. So there MTG, et al. Go back to bed. The fever has broken, for a time.
“Let the jurors do their work while you do yours.”
Absolutely! Love this!
The polls may tell of opinions, but 'the popular vote' is just part of the vanishing American dream. Republicans are going all in for voter suppression: gerrymandering, cancelling votes on all grounds possible, and using the electors as the manipulation of democracy it is. Women in the south may have their votes cancelled because they have taken the family name of their husbands, and their old ID has their maiden name; and it just happens to be many afro american and supposedly Democrat voters. So much for the party saying it is standing up for family values. Democrats campaign funds should go to supplying people with correct IDs when needed.
Robert, As always, thanks for your insightful comments, on all points today. Especially the trial, which for me, is code to shutoff MSNBC & it’s many legal commentators. I do feel inspired to dig deeper and do more. I am happy to report that we have created a Democracy Society in Orange County, Florida to attract high dollar donors and support our work; phone banking texting, voter guides, etc. etc.. that is what I’m good at. For us, there is no cavalry to save us. We have to save ourselves! Hugs to all. Susan Windmiller
MAGA may be on the wane. But their misperception of Joe/Kamala/Democrats is such that many who may support Ukraine or reasonable pro choice legislation will still vote for Trump.
I do feel a shift. While traveling throughout Alabama I saw no Trump signs. In 2020 they were everywhere. I did not see a one. Marilyn Lands beat the socks out of her Republican opponent in Huntsville, Alabama. Things are definitely changing and I can see it.......
The past several weeks have for the first time demonstrated to many voters that Trump is vulnerable and more importantly beatable. The comparisons between the two candidates from a visual and substance perspective is stark and eye opening. Don’t think Republicans in swing states and in competitive races are not aware of the shift in voter attitude and preferences as the Trump machine keeps pushing out the same old attacks and lies that have gotten old. The revelations and sensational coverage of the trial will not convince the undecided and Independents to support Trump but it will provide another reason not to vote for him.
Happy Pecker Day!