It's surreal that the panels did not recognize the threat the second Trump administration represents to ... well, to us all, to our freedoms and well-being and our lives and livelihoods.
I'm reading (studying) Carole Cadwalladr's substack post on how to survive. Yes, survive. Just survive.
As a reminder because I just left this in another forum. Trump left office with a 34% approval rating, he’s entering office as a lame duck and second terms are routinely horrible for presidents. Don’t know how any of that helps in his delusions of authoritarian rule.
If I was a politician I’d be a little concerned about being identified as a MAGA Republican from now until it’s part of my obituary.
The piece on the lack of concern about the potential destruction of democracy is threatening in the most banal way. Even Rep. Tonko's reaction disturbs. Can today's adults really be that naive? How is it that after 9 tedious years people still give Trump the benefit of the doubt and think that somehow, someday, he's going to change. Except for a few days here and there, his record of consistency is very nearly 100% contrary to those so credulous. And this credulity is exactly why I seriously suspect that enough votes were stolen. After all, as so many say, every accusation Trump makes against the Democrats or anyone else is a confession.
Our Elise is someone I will never miss. I hope against all hope that some Democrat with a feeling for those who are less than rich figure out that the Republican Party would never be interested in them were it not for Trump's word usage which comes from Bernie Sanders's true political stance, particularly as Trump's hold on the party is steely because he threatens to find people to primary them. Those political positions in the House and Senate are very well paid and can lead to greater prospects on K Street once out of office.
Congratulations on the Chapman house. I hope to get there one day.
There is some room for hope. I saw a piece on Substack listing 10 Republicans who look askance at Trump's agenda. With 44 or 45 Democratic Senators, most of whom won't vote for right wing policies - as Manchin and Sinema did - there is the possibility of hope. With Thune instead of Scott as the Senate Majority Leader who appears to be an institutionalist, we may be able to squeak through to 2026 and vote in a Blue Wave, unless, of course, Trump is true to his word that we may "never need to vote again." That's how serious this is.
He is an autocrat by nature, a dictator, and a malevolent one. He has already insisted that the GOP Senators recess so he can get his thoroughly incompetent but very loyal gang of sexual predators, people with ties to Russia (Wiles and Gabbard) and others. Oddly enough, McConnell did one good thing after all his illegitimate machinations by scheduling early elections for his Minority/Majority Leader John Thune who reportedly says he will continue the filibuster to keep minority power. Trump wanted his fellow grifter/fraudster Rick Scott. All of this needled Trump. The fact is that Trump has no scruples, he has no permanent sense of fair play, he will always be looking for how any situation can be turned to his material advantage. Yes. He will bypass Congress. His Project 2025, authored by scores of staff from his first administration, amputates whole passages of the Bill of Rights and other Amendments and, indeed, the entirety of some Amendments. When he gets comfortably inaugurated, watch for his outlawing gun possession among the citizenry to disarm them should they catch on to his perifidy and plot armed insurrection.
Ken as the tour guide is, as usual, remarkable---he is so full of enthusiasm for the wonderful displays he has had such a huge part in creating in the museum. Yes, it's fascinating to just go and see what has been accomplished but you're lucky IF Ken is there to guide you around.
“Before the election, 74 percent of Republicans said the economy was getting worse. But from Nov. 14 to 18, only 48 percent of 1,500 people surveyed believed the economy was getting worse.” “They” are so f******g stupid.!
I could be wrong, because I don't know much about being an Ambassador, but I feel that when she tries to throw her weight around, she will be put in her place by other Ambassadors. Now THAT would be hysterical!
It is disturbing that the panel was not too troubled with Trump returning to power with an eye for revenge and retribution. Just look how Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski capitulated and went to Mar-a-Lago to kiss Donald's ring and make nice because, as some close to them said, they are terrified of Trump going after them. As a retired Federal employee I am concerned how Trump is so hellbent on destroying the civil service and the resulting loss of expertise that will impact so many Americans.
I for one am glad to see the back of Stefanik. As you mentioned her tweet storms has quieted to drizzles, mostly praising Trump on his cabinet picks and her "daily reminder" about the hostages being held by Hamas. Not one word since her nomination as Ambassador has she mentioned the "crisis" at the northern border. Elise, as the UN Ambassador will be a voice for Trump's interests, not America's, and for Israel and gentler towards Russia, Saudi Arabia, Hungary and other Trump allies. One wonders if by the time the special election comes around next year, Trump has shown his true colors and even diehard Stefanik supporters will be alarmed and vote for the Democratic candidate.
It is telling that the panelists did not even address the night's topic, but acted as if this is "politics as usual". "This too, shall pass". Let's worry about sports coverage. They seem so comfortable with their status quo that instead of "girding their loins" to prepare for battle, they are purposely avoiding to look at the big, dangerous picture. Ugh! Even former Trump appointees are much more awake than that!
They addressed it with kind of a shrug and chalked it up to just another trend in our politics. I wonder if they are too close to the issue. Or maybe it was just a bad topic. I suspect, like many, the organizers from the writer's institute did not expect Trump to win.
This past weekend I talked with two people who believe that our fears are unfounded. One said that, "Yes, many people during the Holocaust, but more survived." The other, an avid Trump supporter replied, when I said I was deeply concerned about immigrants, that their removal would not happen. I can't help but think of the buildings at Mount McGregor. Hitler used existing buildings in the early years of his reign. Later he built the concentration camps in record time. In my humble opinion, Chuck Todd is not, nor has he ever been, a respectable or informed newscaster. The tendency to put extreme right wing leaders in power is happening in too many countries worldwide.
You are right. He is part of a very small club that is hoping to get rid of democracy and our freedoms. But that small club may prevail. Unfortunately, too many of us take those freedoms for granted.
I’ve mentioned Sinclair Lewis‘s book, It Can’t Happen Here, which I read when I was in high school a zillion years ago, more times than I can count. And yes, it can happen here! If it can happen in Weimar Germany among the most sophisticated people in the western world….. need I say more?
Even back in the late 1700’s Benjamin Franklin was aware that “it could happen here,” and said as much. Asked if we had a republic or not, he replied, in effect, “If we can keep it that way.”
Congressman Faso says it all. They just don't care. Certainly not about anything that any of you care about, or even about you. And the distain runs deep, possibly right down into your family relations.
I can't propose an answer, although I do visualize many unrealistic possibilities. In any event, I can shelter in place.
But before I bury my head, let me just suggest one thing to you all: Anthony Constantino is very dangerous. Be so afraid that you begin right now to stop him.
Ambassadorships need Senate confirmation. Her trash heap of lies claiming results (based on the work of others) and pandemic denial propaganda will hopefully be brought up to challenge her credibility.
“So I returned Friday night to the University at Albany campus for the sixth edition of the New York State Writers Institute's "Telling the Truth" event looking for a reason not to flee the country.
Yes, there is a part of me that is serious about that.”
I’d let that thought cross my mind before but… I love my house, the people around me and this particular part of the world. Also, I spent like 5 years trying to learn Spanish with very mixed success. And what would Doremus Jessup do?
I’m reading “How to Live” right now which is part bio of Michel de Montaigne and partly the philosophy he espoused. It was a more “interesting” time to live than ours. One of the events during his life was the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre. The history of this country is filled with such hardships that people endured that make putting up with Trump and his clowns look like a picnic.
The Gaetz nomination went down. Rightfully. There are maybe indications Hegseth and Gabbard will as well. Pretty sure the “deep state” will ensure relevant information is provided on them. Can’t imagine that pharma companies and medical interests aren’t contacting senators to lobby against RFK Jr. Trump is looking real lame duckish and weak 8 weeks before he’s sworn in. Also, he is increasingly enfeebled by age every day. Thank God. 🙏
I’m confident that MAGA Republican is not going to be a badge to wear proudly a few years down the road.
Yes, very concerning this acting as if this is just another day in politics...we just have to put up with it until the next round of elections. Even if that was true, a great deal of damage and cruelty can occur in 2 years. We are aware of their intentions as clearly defined in Project 2025 but we do not know how it will all come down.....certainly evil- it's just to what degree. Regardless, now is the time for citizens to begin to plan on how we will take action. There are many groups in the area in planning mode e.g. Indivisible, Move On, Saratoga Immigration Coalition. The promise of 'mass deportation" will probably (imho) be the first 'in your face' action of the new administration which will affect all communities .... both cruel and economically foolish. There are 2 important NY bills re: immigration that will be reintroduced in January that folks can actively lobby for - 1) NY For All ....https://www.nyic.org/our-work/campaigns/new-york-for-all/ and 2) Dignity Not Detention https://nydignitynotdetention.org/. A big lobbying effort will be key to getting them passed..
It's surreal that the panels did not recognize the threat the second Trump administration represents to ... well, to us all, to our freedoms and well-being and our lives and livelihoods.
I'm reading (studying) Carole Cadwalladr's substack post on how to survive. Yes, survive. Just survive.
https://broligarchy.substack.com/p/how-to-survive-the-broligarchy
Thanks for that link. Very nice suggestions.
I was once a Boy Scout. The Scout motto is "Be Prepared."
Good motto in these times.
As a reminder because I just left this in another forum. Trump left office with a 34% approval rating, he’s entering office as a lame duck and second terms are routinely horrible for presidents. Don’t know how any of that helps in his delusions of authoritarian rule.
If I was a politician I’d be a little concerned about being identified as a MAGA Republican from now until it’s part of my obituary.
If he decides to leave office. He has gotten away with everything else.
Thank you! An admirable and very brave journalist. I have subscribed.
The piece on the lack of concern about the potential destruction of democracy is threatening in the most banal way. Even Rep. Tonko's reaction disturbs. Can today's adults really be that naive? How is it that after 9 tedious years people still give Trump the benefit of the doubt and think that somehow, someday, he's going to change. Except for a few days here and there, his record of consistency is very nearly 100% contrary to those so credulous. And this credulity is exactly why I seriously suspect that enough votes were stolen. After all, as so many say, every accusation Trump makes against the Democrats or anyone else is a confession.
Our Elise is someone I will never miss. I hope against all hope that some Democrat with a feeling for those who are less than rich figure out that the Republican Party would never be interested in them were it not for Trump's word usage which comes from Bernie Sanders's true political stance, particularly as Trump's hold on the party is steely because he threatens to find people to primary them. Those political positions in the House and Senate are very well paid and can lead to greater prospects on K Street once out of office.
Congratulations on the Chapman house. I hope to get there one day.
People kept saying it’s against the law or Congress would never approve that… But if he just bypasses Congress????
We may see the perfect storm on the Hill, if enough elected representatives and Senators on the right still believe in the Constitution.
I would not count on that. Sorry to be so pessimistic.
There is some room for hope. I saw a piece on Substack listing 10 Republicans who look askance at Trump's agenda. With 44 or 45 Democratic Senators, most of whom won't vote for right wing policies - as Manchin and Sinema did - there is the possibility of hope. With Thune instead of Scott as the Senate Majority Leader who appears to be an institutionalist, we may be able to squeak through to 2026 and vote in a Blue Wave, unless, of course, Trump is true to his word that we may "never need to vote again." That's how serious this is.
He is an autocrat by nature, a dictator, and a malevolent one. He has already insisted that the GOP Senators recess so he can get his thoroughly incompetent but very loyal gang of sexual predators, people with ties to Russia (Wiles and Gabbard) and others. Oddly enough, McConnell did one good thing after all his illegitimate machinations by scheduling early elections for his Minority/Majority Leader John Thune who reportedly says he will continue the filibuster to keep minority power. Trump wanted his fellow grifter/fraudster Rick Scott. All of this needled Trump. The fact is that Trump has no scruples, he has no permanent sense of fair play, he will always be looking for how any situation can be turned to his material advantage. Yes. He will bypass Congress. His Project 2025, authored by scores of staff from his first administration, amputates whole passages of the Bill of Rights and other Amendments and, indeed, the entirety of some Amendments. When he gets comfortably inaugurated, watch for his outlawing gun possession among the citizenry to disarm them should they catch on to his perifidy and plot armed insurrection.
Ken as the tour guide is, as usual, remarkable---he is so full of enthusiasm for the wonderful displays he has had such a huge part in creating in the museum. Yes, it's fascinating to just go and see what has been accomplished but you're lucky IF Ken is there to guide you around.
Thanks Barbara for such kind words. We certainly could not have done it without your generation donation of Christmas stockings.
“Before the election, 74 percent of Republicans said the economy was getting worse. But from Nov. 14 to 18, only 48 percent of 1,500 people surveyed believed the economy was getting worse.” “They” are so f******g stupid.!
I could be wrong, because I don't know much about being an Ambassador, but I feel that when she tries to throw her weight around, she will be put in her place by other Ambassadors. Now THAT would be hysterical!
But the U.S. is the gorilla in the room.
It is disturbing that the panel was not too troubled with Trump returning to power with an eye for revenge and retribution. Just look how Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski capitulated and went to Mar-a-Lago to kiss Donald's ring and make nice because, as some close to them said, they are terrified of Trump going after them. As a retired Federal employee I am concerned how Trump is so hellbent on destroying the civil service and the resulting loss of expertise that will impact so many Americans.
I for one am glad to see the back of Stefanik. As you mentioned her tweet storms has quieted to drizzles, mostly praising Trump on his cabinet picks and her "daily reminder" about the hostages being held by Hamas. Not one word since her nomination as Ambassador has she mentioned the "crisis" at the northern border. Elise, as the UN Ambassador will be a voice for Trump's interests, not America's, and for Israel and gentler towards Russia, Saudi Arabia, Hungary and other Trump allies. One wonders if by the time the special election comes around next year, Trump has shown his true colors and even diehard Stefanik supporters will be alarmed and vote for the Democratic candidate.
Their corruption and malignancy are matched by their infantile tendencies . The latter may be the thing that saves us.
It is telling that the panelists did not even address the night's topic, but acted as if this is "politics as usual". "This too, shall pass". Let's worry about sports coverage. They seem so comfortable with their status quo that instead of "girding their loins" to prepare for battle, they are purposely avoiding to look at the big, dangerous picture. Ugh! Even former Trump appointees are much more awake than that!
They addressed it with kind of a shrug and chalked it up to just another trend in our politics. I wonder if they are too close to the issue. Or maybe it was just a bad topic. I suspect, like many, the organizers from the writer's institute did not expect Trump to win.
Maybe they are not used to fighting for something as lofty as Rights!
This past weekend I talked with two people who believe that our fears are unfounded. One said that, "Yes, many people during the Holocaust, but more survived." The other, an avid Trump supporter replied, when I said I was deeply concerned about immigrants, that their removal would not happen. I can't help but think of the buildings at Mount McGregor. Hitler used existing buildings in the early years of his reign. Later he built the concentration camps in record time. In my humble opinion, Chuck Todd is not, nor has he ever been, a respectable or informed newscaster. The tendency to put extreme right wing leaders in power is happening in too many countries worldwide.
Many survived????? Oh my!
I voted for him three times because of this. Y’all’s none stop harping. He not part of the big club. Yet, y’all are just fine with Joe Biden.
Well, you will get exactly what you voted for AND exactly what he said he would do! Congratulations.!
You are right. He is part of a very small club that is hoping to get rid of democracy and our freedoms. But that small club may prevail. Unfortunately, too many of us take those freedoms for granted.
Hello Te, if there had been no harping, would you have still voted for Donald Trump and why?
I’ve mentioned Sinclair Lewis‘s book, It Can’t Happen Here, which I read when I was in high school a zillion years ago, more times than I can count. And yes, it can happen here! If it can happen in Weimar Germany among the most sophisticated people in the western world….. need I say more?
That book haunts me.
Me too.
Even back in the late 1700’s Benjamin Franklin was aware that “it could happen here,” and said as much. Asked if we had a republic or not, he replied, in effect, “If we can keep it that way.”
Congressman Faso says it all. They just don't care. Certainly not about anything that any of you care about, or even about you. And the distain runs deep, possibly right down into your family relations.
I can't propose an answer, although I do visualize many unrealistic possibilities. In any event, I can shelter in place.
But before I bury my head, let me just suggest one thing to you all: Anthony Constantino is very dangerous. Be so afraid that you begin right now to stop him.
Who is Anthony Constantino?
A businessman from Amsterdam who is full on Trump and aspires to replace Elise.
Ambassadorships need Senate confirmation. Her trash heap of lies claiming results (based on the work of others) and pandemic denial propaganda will hopefully be brought up to challenge her credibility.
Compared to many of the other nominations, she is normal. She won't have any problem.
Sad commentary on our times.
“So I returned Friday night to the University at Albany campus for the sixth edition of the New York State Writers Institute's "Telling the Truth" event looking for a reason not to flee the country.
Yes, there is a part of me that is serious about that.”
I’d let that thought cross my mind before but… I love my house, the people around me and this particular part of the world. Also, I spent like 5 years trying to learn Spanish with very mixed success. And what would Doremus Jessup do?
I’m reading “How to Live” right now which is part bio of Michel de Montaigne and partly the philosophy he espoused. It was a more “interesting” time to live than ours. One of the events during his life was the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre. The history of this country is filled with such hardships that people endured that make putting up with Trump and his clowns look like a picnic.
The Gaetz nomination went down. Rightfully. There are maybe indications Hegseth and Gabbard will as well. Pretty sure the “deep state” will ensure relevant information is provided on them. Can’t imagine that pharma companies and medical interests aren’t contacting senators to lobby against RFK Jr. Trump is looking real lame duckish and weak 8 weeks before he’s sworn in. Also, he is increasingly enfeebled by age every day. Thank God. 🙏
I’m confident that MAGA Republican is not going to be a badge to wear proudly a few years down the road.
I feel a little better, but my passport is at the ready and wonderful cousins in Europe are holding a space for me at the dinner table.
Oy veh! If Trump croaks we get Vance! Younger and smarter, but just as mendacious and venal.
Tragic!
Yes, very concerning this acting as if this is just another day in politics...we just have to put up with it until the next round of elections. Even if that was true, a great deal of damage and cruelty can occur in 2 years. We are aware of their intentions as clearly defined in Project 2025 but we do not know how it will all come down.....certainly evil- it's just to what degree. Regardless, now is the time for citizens to begin to plan on how we will take action. There are many groups in the area in planning mode e.g. Indivisible, Move On, Saratoga Immigration Coalition. The promise of 'mass deportation" will probably (imho) be the first 'in your face' action of the new administration which will affect all communities .... both cruel and economically foolish. There are 2 important NY bills re: immigration that will be reintroduced in January that folks can actively lobby for - 1) NY For All ....https://www.nyic.org/our-work/campaigns/new-york-for-all/ and 2) Dignity Not Detention https://nydignitynotdetention.org/. A big lobbying effort will be key to getting them passed..