We are witnessing the greatest financial heist in the history of the world. Now, I’m simply working from my 77 years of experience – with about 65 of them following politics to one degree or another – very intently in the previous 45 years – since the days of Reagan where, from my vantage point, America was morphed from a “we” society to a “me” society. We’re seeing that in “spades” with the Musk/Trump administration. There can be no doubt that the United States of America is the “richest country in the world.” The annual budget is something in excess of $6 TRILLION and, from my vantage point, the actual “elite” have had their “crosshairs” on all that MONEY for years – since Reagan began the “trickle down” (I call it “trickle up”) scam in 1981. This SCAM has become really tiresome to me, but the republicans replay it every time they manage to fool “we the people” into putting them in power.

Well, what’s transpiring as I’m typing out this rant is the makings of a brazen attack on America’s institutions making “trickle down” look like “fools gold.” The “elite” (and, now I’m talking about the BILLIONAIRE class that discovered how to manipulate Trump) such as (f)Elon Musk – our unelected co-president, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg (I really wanted to pull a Trump trick and call him “Suckerberg”), Peter Thiel, the DeVoss family, the Walton (Walmart) family, the Coors family, and others (those are the ones which came off the top of my head) have their sights set on pilfering the American taxpayers like they’ve never done before under Trump 2.0.

Of course, co-president Musk is the one out in front with his so-called “DOGE” boys (and, I MEAN boys – I refer to them as the Dogeshits) ripping the American bureaucracy apart at the seems – finally about to achieve the right wing fever dream of undermining the Social Security system allowing them to get their greedy (grubby) hands on the SS trust fund of something like $2.7 TRILLION. Of course, they’re after Medicaid and Medicare which they plan to make – if those programs continue – “private.” Even suggesting “private business” could manage these programs more “efficiently” than the federal government is laughable on its face. For example, the administrative cost of running the Social Security system is around 1%. What “DOGE” will accomplish is less service for more MONEY (ie profits). That is if they don’t manage to crash the entire system leaving the S.S. recipients to flounder kind of like the kids Trump 1.0 separated from their parents – then deported the parents back to their home countries – leaving the kids “high and dry.”

If you don’t know by now, Trump is NOT about efficiency. What he has a lifetime of expertise in is FRAUD. Do you really believe Musk is looking for “waste fraud and abuse?” Honestly, if you’re so gullible as to believe that I’ve got a bridge……… OK, you know the rest. The real FRAUD here is the Musk/Trump administration convincing all its members in the CULT that is what they are “rooting out” of our government. But, just common sense should tell you otherwise. (f)Elon Musk likes to hold up a chainsaw as a metaphor for what he’s doing to the government – and, in this instance, it’s one thing I can agree with. So, how is that supposed to be “rooting out waste fraud and abuse?” To me, it’s simply making (in some instances) random cuts to the government workforce with NO IDEA if there’s any “waste fraud OR abuse” – and, in some instances, I don’t believe the cuts are random at all.

For example, Musk was facing investigation from FIVE government agencies where the inspector generals were FIRED. The Department of Labor had 17 open investigations, regarding both Tesla and Space X, the Department of Defense was looking into Musk’s alleged use of illegal drugs (Ketamine?) and secret conversations with Putin – either of which would bring into question any security clearance. The Department of Agriculture was investigating the Musk led company Neuralink for experimenting with brain implants, and the Department of Environmental Protection was investigating Tesla on more than one occasion. You know, things like allegedly polluting rivers. Each department inspector general was fired almost as soon as Musk was flashing Sieg Hiels during his (and Trump’s) inauguration.

I don’t understand how anyone could mistake what Musk/Trump are doing as anything other than the “mother of all” corruption schemes in the history of this once great nation – and, really, the world. And, all those “conservative” MAGAs out there will find a way to not be surprised and to blame it on Joe Biden when this republican Congress attempts to get the debt ceiling limit removed completely as they’re pushing through their “one big” budget package – which will include something like $5 TRILLION in tax cuts that MOSTLY benefit the “rich.” (OK, the top 1% and large corporations) They’re also going to have to deal with the budget deficit – in addition to the tax cuts – that will be between a half TRILLION and a TRILLION higher because of the reduced tax receipts due to the rising number of unemployed Americans and the impending recession. (They’ve strategically fired about a third of IRS agents – blocking audits of tax cheats)

Are you going to go buy a new car when the price of the car is pushed up from $10,000 to $20,000 because of Trump’s “beautiful tariffs?” Are you going to buy new appliances for your kitchen with an increase of around 25% on each item? Do you really believe Trump’s tariffs will “bring manufacturing back to the U.S.?” For example, the “Chips Act” was passed in 2022 and it will be another year or two until those manufacturing facilities will open – if Trump doesn’t mess that up because he won’t be able to find a way to put his name on the buildings. There are thousands of Americans who are working on those projects today who don’t understand who’s responsible for their jobs. Many of them voted for this disaster we’re now calling the Musk/Trump administration. Will Americans tolerate four years of tariffs while Trump is waiting for the increase to manufacturing?

And, the level of ignorance displayed publicly by co-president Musk is startling to me – but, I guess if the CULT isn’t up to speed with what, I’m sure to Musk, are minor details, then, what the hell? For example, Musk wants judges he doesn’t like impeached suggesting this can be accomplished by “sixty votes.” Of course, even if he was correct, republicans would NEVER get 60 votes to impeach ANY of the judges ruling against the Musk/Trump administration. (Full disclosure/fun fact – it takes two thirds of those present in the Senate to impeach ANYONE in our federal government. I suppose if you could kidnap about 9 or 10 democrats you could do it with 60 votes)

Here’s the worst one for me. Musk, the Apartheid South African, who – as I mentioned above – was flashing Sieg Hiels at the inauguration ceremony (for you uneducated that would mean Nazi salutes – although, I tend to think MOST Trump supporters know what a Nazi salute is), accused Senator Mark Kelly from Arizona of being a “traitor.” He did this in a Fox “news” interview. Why? You might ask. Well, Kelly went to Ukraine and sent back messages of support for the Ukrainians in the fight against the ILLEGAL invasion of their sovereign land. Kelly, by the way, is a decorated veteran and former astronaut. Musk’s rationale, “You can’t support two countries at one time” (or words to that affect) If you do, that makes you a traitor. I would put a different “spin” on it. Coming from the mouth of someone accused of having secret phone conversations with Vladimir Putin – and, who also strategically prevented the Congress from putting into law restrictions on his business in China. Just sayin….. That’s what I would call a traitor – especially with the Nazi salutes! He’s even been reported as attempting to get American war secrets via China! I rest my case.

Of course, maybe the real reason Musk was/is mad at Senator Kelly is because Kelly published a “TikTok” regarding his decision to “get a new ride.” He was standing with his, what looked to me like a, Tesla “S” in the background while he explained he no longer wanted to drive a car “designed and built by an asshole.” Was he referring to Musk? Such harsh language! Well, actually, when I think of our unelected co-president my language – kept to myself when I can – is quite a bit harsher. For me, if you’re going to flash Sieg Hiels in public I’m going to refer to you as a NAZI.

And I have people in my peer group (when physically able I like to play a little golf) who are actually older than me – born during WW II – who are full blown members of the CULT. They are a bit offended when you point out to them their obsequious loyalty to two overt RACISTS actually, well, kind of makes them racists. Oh no, they’ll say. I know someone who is Black. And, I’m not kidding. That’s about how it goes. Or how about the word fascist. To me, when they are treating a couple overt fascists as idols – does that not make them fascists? I guess if you want to be nice you could call them “fascist sympathizers.” But, it only takes a minimal amount of historical reading about 1930’s Germany to let you know where that gets us. I’d say the same about being a misogynist, or a xenophobe, or homophobe – but, they’d likely willingly wear those “badges.” OMG!

While all this is going on, the pilfering of our taxpayers will continue as Musk/Trump hope “we the people” are distracted by their “flooding the zone” strategy. I brought this up BEFORE Trump took the oath of office (refusing to put his hand on the Bible – for some reason) – although, I wasn’t sure what the “thing” they were focused on which “we the people” wouldn’t notice until it was too late. And, last night as I was trying to sleep it became clear as a bell to me. Their goal is to privatize EVERYTHING – including Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. They even want to “privatize” what were the outreaches of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – now that they have it sufficiently crippled. That’s the plan – cripple it, then take it over.

The number of people around the world DYING because of what the Musk/Trump administration has done to that agency, (USAID) for example, means nothing to them. As I’ve pointed out here many times (in case you’ve been reading any of my rants) MOST of those people are in what Trump refers to as “shit hole countries.” So, why should it matter to them? What matters is if they can figure out a way to supply “stuff” to those countries and work in maybe about a 30% PROFIT. If they can figure that one out all those lives will then become important. (Makes me sick to feel the need to write those words)

Americans are getting more and more pissed as they realize what Musk and his Dogeshits are doing by messing around in Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Social Security is its own agency, but Medicaid and Medicare fall under the “umbrella” of HHS – therefore being influenced by RFK Jr. Does that make you feel better? Well, between Musk and RFK it shouldn’t take a whole bunch more to send a “torpedo” into each of these programs. Nearly HALF of all Americans rely on one or more of these programs. In my case, I rely on Medicare and Social Security and I won’t be surprised when Musk/Kennedy mess them up. I’ve been paying into Medicare since its inception and I paid into Social Security for almost 55 years. Like MILLIONS of Americans, I don’t like what I’m seeing from the Dogeshits.

Final Thought: For all you MAGAs out there who are perpetually angry at “liberals” while your republican representatives in Congress (and, periodically, the “White House”) NEVER accomplish ANYTHING which might be of benefit to you – yet, you make it easy for them to keep getting your votes while almost NEVER even listening to you – and, then STEALING Trillions from ALL of us taxpayers each time they gain the “White House” – what will it take to get you to stop and think about what they’re doing to you? (And, of course, also, people like me) And, trust me, I “get” that NO ONE listens to you – but, the truth is President Biden was attempting to make things better in rural areas.

I’m just going to tell it to you straight. For all the power you SHOULD have in Congress you’re not getting much in return. In fact, it was President Biden who was actually doing MORE for people in rural areas, for example – people who vote republican in overwhelming numbers – with things like the Chip factories, or pushing high speed internet into rural locations (things Trump has probably already stopped) to name a couple – both those things designed to make things better in “red states.” Do you even realize it was happening – or if it’s already happened do you realize whose idea it was? Part of why things are so divided in this country is because you’re so gullible. Not only is Trump treating you as if you’re dumb as a rock, but so is Vladimir Putin.

And, Trust me – Putin could care less about you (or Trump). Putin’s goal is to undermine Western democracies and, sadly, you MAGAs are “ripe for the picking.” Now, we have a so-called president ordering people to be accosted on the street, put into shackles, and sent into the most convenient gulags allowing Musk/Trump to strut as if they’re some kind of tough guys. Trump is a weak hyper narcissistic LIAR who is a convenience for the fascists who wrote Project 2025. And, his co-president is simply hyper GREEDY being able to see a convenient way to eliminate federal investigations into his business practices (along with regulations) and to make himself even richer.

You MAGAs believe the Musk/Trump administration is “draining the swamp” – when, in reality a horde of BILLIONAIRES have descended on Washington DC like sharks who sense there’s blood in the water. Just think logically. When people like Musk, Bezos, and Zuckerberg (Suckerberg?) and other BILLIONAIRES are willing to throw MONEY at Trump and the republicans in Congress by the tens of MILLIONS – who are the swamp creatures? (Of course, Musk is throwing the money around by the HUNDREDS of millions) Do you actually believe they’re spending that money out of the kindness of their hearts? Like to make things better for YOU? Of course not – even you can see that!

By the time these BILLIONAIRES get through with what they’re doing to our government agencies I’m sure they believe things will just keep moving along except they’ll be even RICHER. They don’t seem to understand what they’re doing very likely is going to crash the stock exchange as opposed to triggering the great rise in their fortunes. (Ironically, it seems to me, the four years of President Biden may have been – at least for a few years – if worst comes to worst – the epitome of their great wealth. Of course, when you have no limit in the amount of MONEY you want to hoard, I suppose the grass always looks greener…….. You can fill in the blanks! Stay tuned…….

I have to add: Ask yourself why Musk/Trump want to eliminate the Department of Education – especially if you’re in a red rural area? (Most of America by land mass) Why does Trump exclaim “I love uneducated voters?” If you can’t figure that out, well, there is your answer. They treat you (and LIE to you) as if you’re STUPID. One of my prayers is you will stop proving them correct! One last thing, when they crash the stock market, it will be all those BILLIONAIRES buying up the scraps. Capiralism at its best!

When it became public what MOST people who pay attention knew – Trump’s conglomeration of incompetents he had nominated for key government positions proved to the world they have no idea what the requirements of their jobs entail – as they were involved in a “group chat” on a commercial ap which it appears they were using in order to avoid the requirements their conversations MUST be saved for posterity blew up in their faces. For the past few days the fact they included a journalist in the discussion has dominated MUCH of the news. Here’s what I’ve only heard from a couple sources – using this ap was apparently ILLEGAL. This discussion related to what SHOULD have been “Top Secret” material. Legally required to be saved.

The Federal Records Act is another of the laws Trump and his group of Project 2025 Puppet Masters conveniently are willing to ignore. Those who were on this “group chat” had set their phones to varying dates for when the info would “disappear.” Clearly, that’s a violation of federal law. But, as I’m sure you’ve figured out, who’s going to be charging anyone in Trump’s administration with ANYTHING? Hell, it appears no one is going to even lose their job after proving to be maybe the most incompetent group of security people, well, EVER. And, as a Washingtonian I have to add – Joe Kent who lost the previous TWO elections for the House in my district (well, it’s not “my” district, it’s the district where I reside) has been nominated for a part in Trump’s administration but hasn’t been confirmed by the Senate – as a private citizen HE was part of the “group that can’t text straight,” Should a private citizen be part of a “chat” with Top Secret information? Seems odd to me. (update: Kent is part of the DNI “team” until confirmed)

Here’s what would have happened had I been in Trump’s shoes – of course, in that case NONE of these people would be part of the government, but I digress – EVERY one of the NINETEEN people (including Kent) who were part of that fiasco would have turned their phones in IMMEDIATELY, so there could be an investigation which (maybe) the American people could abide. Of course, it’s hard to “abide” a situation where a bunch of incompetent “boobs” were potentially putting the lives of American pilots in danger. And, to top it off, Mike Walz – the guy who invited the editor of the “Atlantic” into the group – apparently potentially outed a source the Israeli’s have on the ground in Yemen in the chat. “Oops” – let’s hope the Israeli’s get that person out of there before, well, you know………

But, in this “scandal a day” administration – which I pointed out would be the case BEFORE Trump took (er LIED about) the oath of office (refusing to put his hand on the Bible – for whatever that’s worth for all you MAGA “Christians”) – the Project 2025 “road to fascism” is becoming clearer and clearer. (There are even some in the so-called “liberal media” noticing the similarities to mob tactics) Trump’s goon squads are snatching people from off the streets and hurriedly shipping them to some prison in Louisiana. There was a Tufts student – a Fulbright scholar with a PHD – a young lady who was approached on the street outside her apartment building, roughed up a little, had her backpack removed and tossed to the ground as these thugs put her in handcuffs and they hauled her away. None of the thugs had visible identification and, just like that, according to “liddle” Marco Rubio America was “safer.” How do you spell BULLSHIT?!

These republicans’ willingness to participate in fascism is maybe the greatest disappointment to me. I’ve always been an “independent voter” – but, once GW Bush/Cheney LIED America into Iraq and began 20 disastrous years of “war” in Afghanistan I began voting AGAINST republicans. (Well, come to think of it, I might have started doing that with the emergence of Newt Gingrich in the House, back in the 1990’s) Trump is so bad I might decide to become a democrat – if they can get some younger leadership (in the Senate – not counting Bernie Sanders) – and begin putting up a FIGHT for this republic in order to block (f)Elon Musk and his co-president.

I’m a “child of the sixties” and I’m guessing (or should I say hoping) that today’s STUDENTS will react like we did back in the late sixties in regard to, at that time, the Viet Nam war. I remember, when I was in college, with a couple thousand other students walking into the middle of a freeway (I believe it was the I-5 freeway) and sitting down for a couple hours. There were many other opportunities to express our outrage to the war, to opposition of the Civil Rights movement, and to the violence which was happening to student protesters in various parts of America. Kind of what’s “brewing” today.

Right now, Universities are apparently choosing to capitulate to Trump and his Project 2025 “puppet masters” as the easy way out – in the Case of Columbia University – a very prestigious University – which Trump cut off from $400 MILLION in grants – the university agreed to the following Trump demands:

“The university has agreed to ban students from wearing masks at protests, hire 36 new campus security officers — who, unlike previous security officers, will have the ability to arrest students — and appoint a new senior vice provost to oversee the department of Middle East, South Asian and African Studies.

Columbia also committed to “’greater institutional neutrality’”’ and said it is ‘working with a faculty committee to establish an institution-wide policy implementing this stance.’”’ The university added that it will review its admissions procedures to ‘ensure unbiased admission processes,’ as the Trump administration requested.” In short – get rid of anything “smelling of ‘DEI.'”

Columbia’s interim president, Katrina Armstrong, (she has since RESIGNED) said Friday that the school responded to the Trump administration to “ensure uninterrupted academic activities.” (From NBC news) Here’s what would have happened back in the 60’s to a capitulation to a fascist president – academic studies WOULD have been “interrupted.” We would have DEMANDED the “provost” to the department of the Middle East, South Asian, and African studies would be retained and that the federal government wasn’t going to bribe the school into accepting THEIR interference in the Universities business. (what amounts to pseudo racist demands from Trump and Project 2025 [whose authors are calling the “shots”]).

And, it appears that there are students at Columbia who are doing just as I would have suggested. Many of the protests Trump and his right wing thugs are opposed to are protests against the genocide going on in GAZA by Bibi Netanyahu – as I predicted on October 8th (Netanyahu would “prosecute this war indefinitely” for his own political sake) – a corrupt politician who, when all is said and done, will have his place in the history books right there with Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump – and, it won’t be a good place. It would be surprising to me if the students WEREN’T opposing the total destruction of GAZA. Netanyahu is simply attempting to keep himself from facing his own corruption charges and when all is said and done his connection to HAMAS will become part of the public domain.

Just the other day a student group which organizes and leads protests at Columbia said this: “”Columbia’s refusal to divest from, and even doubling down on, the genocide of the Palestinian people these past 17 months has made its expected response to the Trump Administration’s ransom note incredibly clear,” the group wrote on Instagram. “Columbia has no intention of defending its students or faculty from the government’s crackdown on Palestinian activism, instead it actively joins hands with the fascist state to sell out its community.” There are also members of the faculty expressing their opposition to the government interference.

But, Trump isn’t going to stop – he’s threatening universities all across America – anywhere he sees any signs of “DEI” – in other words the Trump administration is opposed to “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” at academic institutions. This would be silly if it wasn’t so serious. America’s universities SHOULD be “invested” in DEI – foundationally. These are universities totally committed to various types of research – much of it medical – but, in Trump’s view it’s more important if the various universities all bow down to his “royal decrees.” To hell with the research. To which I say, “utter nonsense.” (Of course, the universities have MILLIONS at stake which apparently Trump can “cut off” with simply a whim. I’ve been pointing out for years Trump is a fascist – occasionally to uninformed objection – but, there can no longer be any doubt.

Trump is simply a “puppet” of the Project 2025 puppet masters and the “stooges” Trump put in his cabinet are there for a specific reason – so there would be no pushback on the actual objectives. I’d love to be a “fly on the wall” when Trump is getting his direction orders from those who wrote and published Project 2025 – but, if you’ve read it, you KNOW that is what is happening to this country. I doubt if Trump even knows who’s writing all the executive orders which are being used to, as I’ve said many times, cause progressives liberals to be “chasing their tails.” it’s hard for all the lawyers filing lawsuits to keep up with the deluge of outrageous s*@t Trump is “throwing at the wall” and the “liberal media” surely isn’t able to keep up.

Just the fiasco with the group who couldn’t “text straight” mentioned above. I watched the fallout (and read about it too) for a good three days before I saw one commentator mention what these incompetent “boobs” were doing in this signal ap was likely ILLEGAL – in violation of the Federal Records Act. And, of course, the only way “we the people” know about what they were doing is because they invited the editor of the “Atlantic” to be part of their group. (And there were NINETEEN in the group – of Trump’s TOP national security people – do you feel safe?) What else were they/are they doing with ap’s that can “disappear” the messages on command. Like they’re pretending they’re in the movies. Those in Trump’s administration consider the constitution and our system of laws nothing more than an annoyance – AND they’re already disregarding judges orders routinely.

In the case of the student kidnapped (she had violated NO laws) from Tuft’s University a judge ordered “ICE” not to remove her from the state (Massachusetts) without giving him 48 hours notice. Their response, “too bad so sad – she’s already in the air.” Just like with the Venezuelan’s who were sent to the gulag in El Salvador the judge ordered Trump’s administration to order the planes to be turned back, they refused, and then (actually) said, “oops” – after their victims had their head shaved and were put into a gulag which can hold up to 40,000 prisoners. Plus, the U.S. is PAYING El Salvador to keep these prisoner indefinitely. (If they could have been legally deported the SHOULD have gone back to Venezuela) Prior to Trump, in America “due process” was a pillar of our Justice System. Now the Justice Department and the FBI are headed up by the stoogiest of the stooges. This will require the attention of ALL Americans! And, it’s not likely to end well.

While attacking education is a key facet of fascist takeovers of nations another key to destroying democracies lies in the Justice system. The Justice Department, itself, has been successfully “polluted,” so the next step would be to put the fear of “god” in the lawyers who might choose to be defending the attacks on the said democracy. In the Project 2025 playbook the remedies are always executive orders intended to put FEAR into the recipients – in this case some of the top – and largest – legal firms in the nation. So far, the “score” is THREE to two – meaning two of the firms Trump has threatened with orders cutting them off from things like security clearances unless they decide to kiss his ass.

Here’s some examples: “On March 27, Trump ordered the federal government to stop working with Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (WilmerHale)—suspending the law firm’s security clearances, directing federal agencies to terminate contracts they have with the firm, and limiting WilmerHale employees’ access to government buildings.” WilmerHale’s response: “In a statement to the media, a spokesperson for WilmerHale called the order “unlawful” and said the firm will pursue “all appropriate remedies” to countermand it. Robert Mueller was part of that firm. Trump hates Mueller. The spokesperson added that  Mueller ‘retired from our firm in 2021.'”

To me, that was the proper response (fighting back in court). Here’s another firm which made the proper response: “On March 25, Trump issued an executive order against Chicago-headquartered firm Jenner & Block. Trump suspended security clearances for the firm’s employees and restricted the firm’s access to federal buildings and contracting work.” Andrew Weissmann was, at one time, part of this firm. Jenner & Block’s response: “A spokesperson for Jenner & Block responded to the order: “We remain focused on serving and safeguarding our clients’ interests with the dedication, integrity, and expertise that has defined our firm for more than one hundred years and will pursue all appropriate remedies.” The firm added in its statement that the executive order resembled one that “has already been declared unconstitutional” by a federal judge. On March 28, Jenner & Block filed a suit challenging Trump’s order, and a federal judge froze parts of the order targeting the firm later in the evening.

Apparently, we still do have an constitution. Here’s another example: “On March 6, Trump targeted Perkins Coie LLP, similarly suspending security clearances for the Seattle-headquartered law firm and ordering federal agencies to stop business with it. This firm is headquartered in the state where I live. Perkins Coie apparently believes in diversity and is willing to take the Trump administration to court for their criminal conduct. Their response:  “Perkins filed a suit on March 11 challenging the constitutionality of Trump’s order, claiming that “its plain purpose is to bully those who advocate points of view that the president perceives as adverse to the views of his administration, whether those views are presented on behalf of paying or pro bono clients.” A day later, a federal judge temporarily blocked part of Trump’s order.”

Then there’s: Paul, Weiss (formerly) one of the largest and most famous firms in America. “On March 14, Trump extended similar (to Perkins Coie) revocations of security clearances and government building access to Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP (Paul, Weiss), which is headquartered in New York. Their “crime?” Mark Pomeranz, one of their former lawyers, investigated Trump for Alvin Bragg back in 2021 but resigned from their office in 2022. Paul Weiss’ response: on March 21 after Paul, Weiss “acknowledged the wrongdoing” of former partner Pomerantz and vowed to some policy changes, including the dedication of $40 million worth of pro bono legal services to “support causes” of the Trump Administration like anti-Semitism efforts and “fairness in the justice system.” They CAVED! But, Trump did rescind the executive order. According to former associates of the firm they: “called the deal “a permanent stain on the face of a great firm that sought to gain a profit by forfeiting its soul.”  The Chairman of the firm argued CAVING to Trump was necessary for survival. Reports I’ve read are implying the opposite is happening.

There’s another large firm which has CAVED: Just the threat of an executive order caused ” Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom” to capitulate. Here’s a bit of the details: They reached a “deal with President Donald Trump on Friday to dedicate at least $100 million in free legal services and to review its hiring practices, averting a punishing executive order like the ones directed at nearly a half-dozen other major legal institutions in recent weeks.” Their justification for the capitulation (which, if enough firms bow to Trump’s demands, it’s basically all over for our republic – the Project 2025 assault on America would be successful. “As part of the deal, Skadden Arps agreed, among others things, to provide at least $100 million in pro bono legal services related to causes including veterans affairs and countering antisemitism. It also pledged a commitment to merit-based hiring and to use an independent counsel to make sure its employment practices are legal and don’t rely on diversity, equity and inclusion considerations.” (from the AP) Yep, the old “DEI” dilemma. Be a racist, or else!

Final Thought: This assault on the foundation of American Jurisprudence is ongoing and there are several other large firms in Trump’s/Project 2025’s “cross hairs.” All Americans should be paying attention to this as it plays out in the courts, and, ultimately, the same SCOTUS that “crowned” Trump as America’s “King” when they gave the presidency “absolute immunity” will be the final “backstop.” Are they, themselves, going to stand for the rule of law in America – we KNOW Sam Alito and Clarence Thomas WON’T – so it’s up to Chief Justice Roberts and Amy Coney Barrett to be the “firewall” between a democratic republic and a fascist state. Trump is acting post HASTE to achieve the destruction before “his people” understand what he’s doing to them.

Clearly, there are some firms who have, at least up to now, put the rule of law ahead of what a couple of the firms view as their best chance of survival. From what I’ve read in the history books, appeasement is the absolute opposite action required when fighting a BULLY. It didn’t work in the 1930’s with Hitler, it’s NOT working in Putin’s, ILLEGAL Russian assault with Ukraine, and it won’t work in Trump’s ILLEGAL assault on America’s democratic republic. These legal firms putting up the good fight SHOULD be widely applauded and the two that CAVED? Yowser! If there’s any JUSTICE left in this nation, Paul, Weiss and Skadden Arps should, as the saying goes, “get their just rewards.” If you’ve read this far, I’ll let you speculate what that should be. Stay tuned…….

Something Else I’ve been saying – FOR YEARS. “Rights are much easier to LOSE than to get BACK. We’ve seen this following the Dobs decision re: abortion and women’s health issues. We’re witnessing it daily as LEGAL residents of our nation are pulled off the streets and sent to gulags with no warrant – only “justified” by some obscure rule in the State Department saying their status is revoked – AND, you MUST remember, if they can do it to a Fullbright Scholar from Turkey THEY (meaning the government) can do it to YOU! These are arbitrary decisions made by Trump’s thugs (the Project 2025 puppet masters) that succeed when the rest of us look the other way. (I just remembered I was supposed to remind myself – Stephen Miller is one of the Project 2025 authors if the white nationalism wasn’t clear to you as yet.) The protest MUST grow if “we the people” are going to make it clear our republic is not for sale and we DON’T bow to pseudo “kings.”

This all reminds me of when Bush/Cheney were putting “enemy combatants” – defined uniquely by them – into Guantanimo – and, holding them without charges indefinitely – including American citizens. Don’t tell me it can’t happen here!

I’ve gone over in detail (you can find it in the archives) about my perception of the Trump administration’s focus on “merit” in choosing “the finest people” to be participants in their fascist assault on America’s democratic republic. For example, Pete Hegseth, our Secretary of Defense, maybe the most important position in Trump’s cabinet. His resume was filled with nuggets of, well, disbelief. The main “asset” for Hegseth appears to be the fact he was a weekend host on “Fox and Friends.” But, that was only one of his “assets.” He also had led two SMALL veterans groups – with budgets in the neighborhood of $10 MILLION – and had been FIRED for financial negligence reasons. As usual, there’s more. He also has a lengthy record of alleged public drunkenness – including showing up at work smelling of alcohol. On a couple occasions he allegedly had to be helped to his room due to the level of his inebriation. (I forgot – he’s also been credibly accused of sexual assault and adultery on multiple occasions – apparently a “must” in Trumps eyes when considering “merit”)

There’s Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, whose major attribute, it seems, is she’s an alleged Russian “useful idiot.” She has a history of repeating comments which end up being played on Russian TV with them claiming her to be “superwoman.” She’s made comments indicating she agrees with Vladimir Putin’s absurd justification for invading Ukraine – not to mention her publicly accusing Ukraine and the U.S. of sharing “biolabs” producing the “world’s nastiest pathogens.” Additionally, she claimed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was justified by accusing the U.S./NATO’s refusal to bend the knee to Putin’s demandsas the reason. Surely, she’s got the merit to be supervising our ENTIRE intelligence departments (there’s 17 or 18 of them).

Add to that our Secretary of State – “liddle” Marco Rubio, in the words of Trump. Here’s a guy who’s proven there isn’t ONE personal belief that he’s unwilling to abandon in the hopes of remaining in his office for (and on Trump’s “good side”) – apparently Trump’s full term. (question: Does Trump have a “good side?”) Not only these three highly meritorious people but the National Security Advisor, The VICE PRESIDENT – “we the people” decided they’ve got “merit,” (via the election) the “White House” chief of staff, senior political advisor (alleged white nationalist) Stephen Miller, and other members of Trump’s incredible administration including the CIA director. All chosen to these very important postitions based on their incredible “merit.”

Why do I bring these people up? Well, by now MOST Americans who pay the slightest attention to politics know Hegseth was part of a texting “chat” on the publicly available ap “Signal” which included the editor in chief of the “Atlantic” (A publication I have not, at least to this date, paid for a subscription) Jeffrey Goldberg, where the “war plans” of the U.S. BOMBING of the Houthi’s in Yemen were shared with the group. Once again, including the heads of our intelligence services AND the Vice President and about seven or eight others – not including Mr. Goldberg. Goldberg KNEW what was going to happen approximately TWO hours before it actually took place.

Of course, all these meritorious members of the Trump administration will either brush this off or LIE about what took place – but, it appears that Mr. Goldberg has the EVIDENCE (on his smartphone!) – something those who work for Trump feel nary a need for. Here’s some of what was shared with Mr. Goldberg – who was apparently part of the “text group” for close to two weeks. And, of course, all on UNSECURED cell phones. (Think Hillary Clinton’s “private server” and the 800 hours of Congressional testimony that generated.) (update: As I suspected, Pete Hegseth, when confronted with this “story” called it “fake news” and LIED through his teeth – in his denial)

Hegseth was “texting attack plans – when targets were going to be targeted, how they were going to be targeted, who was at the targets, when the next sequence of the attacks were happening… they were plans for the attack and they were texted before the attack.” (Via interview on CNN – which I almost NEVER watch) Mr. Goldberg stuck around (until he realized the severity of this breech) because he assumed he was being “spoofed” thinking there’s no way this kind of information could be shared in such a dangerous manner. To that, I say NO S*@T!

So all these “high ranking” members of Trump’s administration are FIRST creating this texting “chat group” where they’re discussing NATIONAL SECURITY stuff – where it isn’t too far fetched to believe the Russians, the Chinese, or maybe the Iranians could be listening – using their CELL PHONE’S spy stuff. SECONDLY they were discussing “war plans” of a planned assault on Yemen on unsecured devices – obviously, potentially putting the lives of the pilots flying the planes in jeopardy. And THIRDLY – what ELSE had they been discussing before one of the nitwits decided to include Mr. Goldberg in the chat group? Obviously, Goldberg is a man of honor because he immediately took himself out of the group once he realized that he WASN’T being “spoofed.” Knowing “me” I might have stuck around to see what else was “cooking” on their “private” channel. (I’m thinking of all those empty folders when Trump’s Mar a Lago was searched – national security secrets are no big deal to these people.)

If you’ve read any of my previous posts you know I’ve been throwing around the “fascist” card since well before Trump somehow (likely with about $300 MILLION from (f)Elon Musk) LIED his way back into the “White House.” Do you remember when he said “I don’t know anything about this “Project 2025.” Of course, I don’t believe ANYTHING Trump says (EVER) and I took the time to read as much of Project 2025 (as I could stand) to know what to expect in the unlikely (to me) scenario where he (allegedly) STEALS another election. I don’t know exactly how he did it (probably MUSK – plus, the Russians were active as usual with their targeted misinformation – welcomed on Xwitter – but I KNEW what to expect in case he did “win.”

And, it’s playing out before our eyes – day after painfully long day. The American public are beginning to realize – and, it doesn’t totally matter who they voted for – what they’re getting crammed down their throats. I’m happy to say, I’m not the only person using the term fascists when referring to Trump and his minions. If you had read Project 2025 you would have seen it’s a roadmap to fascism. And, the MANY people who wrote it – they call it the “manifesto” for the next “conservative” administration – which includes what “DOGE” is doing to the federal workforce. That was a main part of their plan. They want people loyal to Trump as opposed to being loyal to their oath of office – which is an oath to the constitution. Simple solution: FIRE as many government employees as possible – screw the legal obligations to the government workforce!

I mean sometimes they “say the quiet part out loud.” And, of course, you can “say” stuff through your actions – which is why many people say “watch what they do, not what they say.” (regarding the “say” part – they’re ALL liars) So, in the case of (f)Elon Musk, when he was at the celebration after the inauguration he threw a COUPLE “Sieg Heil’s” to the crowd with, to me, an astonishing look on his face as he did so. For the uninitiated, that means he threw a couple “Nazi salutes” to the crowd of people celebrating. And, was there any blowback from republicans – NONE that I’ve noticed. (Actually, I believe most of them approved of Musk’s “salute.”)

Keep in mind, maybe Musk should be deported. He grew up in Apartheid South Africa and he allegedly entered the U.S. illegally. By the reports I’ve read, he entered the country on a student visa – he graduated from Penn – but he NEVER attended graduate school (apparently Stanford) while he was still in the country on the “student visa.” Instead, he got venture capitalist money allowing him and his brother to create “Zip2” – whatever that was. Did he lie on his citizenship papers? It seems no one knows for sure, but I find it ironic his ANTI-immigrant views – some of which are so bizarre it boggles the mind. This guy believes some WEIRD stuff! And, he’s the co-president! Two months ago I was saying “what could possibly go wrong” – with tongue in cheek – but, now it’s becoming CLEAR to MILLIONS of Americans. No more “tongue in cheek.”

My point is, why should anyone be surprised at the incompetence which has permeated the Trump administration? It was all so predictable. With Musk randomly setting his DOGEshits upon one department after another and they firing people as if they’ve been authorized by some official act – doing it in quantities designed to overwhelm the justice department – we can assume the consequences to be born out by “we the people” are soon to be – potentially – catastrophic. When Bush/Cheney torpedoed the economy in 2008 it was an election year and the “cleanup” was able to start in 2009. The disaster Trump and Co. are inflicting on our economy won’t be able to be “fixed” for another 3 1/2 years – I’m guessing the bottom will fall out at about the sixth month “anniversary.”

Is Trump capable of creating another “Great Depression?” Well, I personally wouldn’t put it past him. As someone who depends on Social Security (I paid into it for close to 55 years) i will be MORE than unhappy once they’ve succeeded in crashing the system’s data base – while pretending to be looking for “waste, fraud, and abuse.” The “waste, fraud, and abuse” is coming from Trump, Musk, and “Big Balls” – if he’s the DOGEshit who’s been ransacking the data of MILLIONS of American citizens at the offices of Social Security. Going through ALL of MY information!

Recently a judge put a stop to the DOGEshit invasion of Social Security to which the temporary head of the department said he would “shut the department down” if they weren’t allowed back in. This is crazy – just as Project 2025 had planned. Therefore, a few “nitwits” in Trump’s administration potentially sharing “war plans” with whoever was listening shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. And, when Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security begin to collapse – people SHOULDN’T be too surprised – after all, there was plenty of warning about Project 2025 before the election. The “stooges” Trump put in his cabinet are there for one specific reason – so there would be no pushback on their actual objectives. Remember, watch what they’re doing, not what they say!

Final Thought: I encouraged people to check out Project 2025 for several months prior to the election – maybe as many as six months. I read through the introduction – which I believe was all anyone needed to read – plus about 100 pages (there’s 900 in all) and I decided I needed to read no more. To me, it was obviously a “roadmap to fascism.” These are people (the authors) who openly don’t believe in democracy – especially America’s “democracy” where they are clearly in the minority. Their largest strength, from my perspective, was that democrats are so easily manipulated and so terrible at messaging. As I’ve said for years, republicans believe “the end justifies the means.”

Well, after publishing a link to the Project 2025 about four or five times here, I decided to do so one more time about a month before the election – just in case someone might happen onto this site and actually do so. I had a copy on my desktop, but I always logged onto the Project 2025 site to get the link, but the last time I did that I had to give my email address to get the access. Stupid me, I wasn’t thinking and I did so, got the link and published it here. What I failed to think through was giving my email address (I gave the right one) to these right wing thugs – leading them to believe I was a supporter.

I’m sure you can figure out what happened after that. My inbox has been flooded by right wing emails, many from “Trump himself” (the last one offering “dinner at Mar a Lago”) – emails almost exactly like the democratic emails I simply delete. With Trump’s I send them to the “junk emails” – which are supposed to get “blocked” in the future. (They don’t) I actually opened one and answered all the questions (not how a Trump supporter would answer them – as you might imagine) – but, I couldn’t send the answers in without giving Trump money. I hope you understand how that ended. I’m reminded of my own stupidity every time one of these emails shows up – my son (an astute computer person) said – “Dad, why don’t you create a fake email address? Dah! Stay tuned……

As I often say here, I’m not a political genius, but I think back to when the SCOTUS decided to aid Trump’s 2024 campaign by first making it impossible for him to face the charges coming from his attempted coup of January 6th, 2021 by stalling the ruling until the LAST moment and second by giving the president (and, I’m sure their hope was it would be Trump) “absolute immunity” from prosecution. I wasn’t the only person pointing out the court just gave up their authority in the face of a rogue president. And, in Trump’s case, with the republicans holding a ONE vote majority in the House there’s NO WAY he will get impeached (AGAIN) for his ILLEGAL conduct.

Trump and co-president Musk have been urging IMPEACHMENT of justices who are, in large numbers, putting the skids on the Trump/Musk assault on our republic. They’ve ALSO decided to disregard the rulings of judges while actually claiming they’re not required to honor the judges decisions. It’s gotten so bad that even Chief Justice John Roberts has felt the need to make a public statement, in essence, chastising (his boy) Trump for being “mean” to the judges – as if that just started. I wrote that I was actually wondering what the SCOTUS will do when some of these ILLEGAL moves Trump/Musk are making make it to the Court.

So far, the Court has ruled on one of (many of) Trump/Musk’s overreaches and ruled against him – regarding the District Court judge ordering them to disperse the USAID contracts which had already been completed. As far as I know, they (Trump/Musk) still are not in compliance. What is the Court going to do when Trump/Musk just end the facade and simply flip the middle finger at the Court.

This SCOTUS has it coming, as far as I can tell – except this is all so SERIOUS. It’s been interesting (or should I say FRUSTRATING) watching the SCOTUS dealing with Trump over the pervious couple of years. On some occasions they have proven then can actually act with punctuality and give cases quick hearings and ultimately judgments. If you remember during the 2024 campaign there were cases popping up all across America challenging Trump’s right to actually be on the ballot. I mean the 14th Amendment to the Constitution is quite clear – I’m talking about section 3:

“No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.”

Like I said, it’s very clear. Now, in the case of Trump – he had taken an oath of office when he became president back in 2017 – that is undeniable. (Of course, I guess it depends on who you are as to whether or not he took that oath seriously) He also had allegedly engaged in INSURRECTION – but, undeniably, had given aid or comfort to the enemies therein. Let me be clear – the 1500 (or so) people who attacked the Capitol with the intent of overthrowing a free and fair election qualified as the “enemies thereof.” Trump constantly referred to them as hostages “who were treated so unfairly.” Plus, he repeatedly promised to PARDON them if re-elected. While I claim he instigated their assault on our seat of government – which would make him guilty of the first part of the amendment – he SURELY was GUILTY of the second part.

As I had expected, at the time when Colorado’s Court ruling preventing Trump from being on their ballot was challenged in the Appeals Courts, the SCOTUS took the case “forthwith” and rendered a decision within a few weeks. In Court time, that was extremely FAST. It was no surprise to me when the Court was able to cobble together a ruling which VIOLATED the stated beliefs of several of the Justices (ie “originalists,” etc.) to ensure Trump wouldn’t have to face the consequences of his CRIMINAL conduct at that point in the campaign process. In essence, they didn’t want to have to face a flood of cases from other states nor to make a definitive ruling that, yes, if you have previously taken an oath of office and you become a (or support) INSURRECTIONIST, you can no longer hold ANY office in the United States.

Well, that – plus the FACT both Sam Alito and Clarence Thomas had pro INSURRECTIONISTS flags flying at their homes – place Justice Thomas’ wife COULD have been considered part of the CONSPIRACY to overthrow the election – signaled that the Court was pro Trump. So, when he was indicted for his CRIMINAL conduct regarding the January 6th assault on the Capitol he came up with the “absolute immunity” argument as his defense. Jack Smith, the prosecutor, (likely “smelling a fish”) attempted to bypass the Court of Appeals to get Trump’s appeal in front of the SCOTUS as quickly as possible – as an emergency. Kind of like the Colorado case which just took a few weeks from start to finish.

Naturally, the Court said no – you have to go through the Court of Appeals first. In this case it was the D.C. Court of Appeals and Trump’s (ABSURD) claim of “absolute immunity” was argued there. The three judge panel of the Court of Appeals, after about five or six weeks, gave what was considered a “bullet proof” ruling MOST legal scholars considered SHOULD be the final say. No, Trump (or any other president) is NOT a King and MUST follow the laws they’ve taken an oath to protect and defend. Many suggested the SCOTUS should NOT even take the case – it wasn’t necessary.

But, true to form, this Court had other intentions. They stalled a couple weeks before announcing they would take the case. THEN they waited until the very LAST day when they were hearing arguments to hear the arguments from both sides in this case. Trump’s lawyer was the guy who claimed Trump could “order Seal Team 6 to assassinate his opponent and not face prosecution unless impeached and convicted in the Senate” (This guy is now our Solicitor General – yikes!) The Court THEN waited until the very LAST day they were giving opinions to announce to the world that American presidents, from that day forward, were immune from prosecution for “official actions.”

I understood Alito and Thomas pulling this charade, but I was hopeful the Chief Justice would recognize how this looked and what the consequences of their dragging this out and then ruling in Trump’s favor appeared. It made it impossible for the trial of the so-called “January 6th” charges to take place prior to the election PLUS it has enabled Trump/Musk to (likely correctly) assume NOTHING they do can be considered “illegal.” In other words, Trump’s claim “I can do whatever I want” has become America’s nightmare!

So, now there are signs Justice Roberts is beginning to see what the Court has unleashed and he’s publicly admonishing Trump for “going after judges.” When I heard him say that I couldn’t help but wonder if he hadn’t been paying attention for the previous, I don’t know, at least 10 years? The way I see it, the “Genie is out of the bottle” and it may not be possible to get it back in – thanks to the SCOTUS. I doubt the Court’s Justices had read Project 2025 – in fact, I don’t personally know a SINGLE person who read it before the election and I’ve stopped asking. But, the reality is what we’re “getting” IS Project 2025 – full stop!

Here’s the reality I believe “we the people” are facing. When those in the executive branch of our government – along with a willing Congress – begin ignoring the rulings of Judges in the District Courts we’re in big trouble. I’ve always said, like it or not, the Justice Department is the backbone of America. (It, of course, includes the FBI) When it has successfully become corrupted (it has) and begins defending the actions of a lawless executive (it is) we can as much as kiss our republic goodby. We are now dangerously close to being “Russia lite.” (And, Trust me, Trump is no match for Putin)

We’ve all watched Trump’s endless attacks on the media he doesn’t like as the “enemy of the people” (right out of the Nazi handbook, by the way) and his attacks on the judges he doesn’t like. But, the reality is any possible push back the democrats had on the Trump/Musk agenda went out the window when Senate democrats caved on the republican “CR” (Continuing Resolution – look it up) as opposed to allowing republicans to “shut down” the government – which they’re doing anyway MAYBE to a lessor degree. The issue is, and I’ve been saying this for years, those of us who’ve been lamenting this republican party (me, since the days of Nixon) have watched democrats for years appear to fail to have any understanding of what they’ve been up against. This move to turning American into a fascist nation has been underway for MANY years. (Some of the “never Trump” republicans – like in the Lincoln Project – were instrumental in getting them to this point – and, don’t get me wrong, I donate monthly to the Lincoln Project)

It’s been a slow move, but here we are. It’s happening right before our eyes – and, I’m guessing people STILL aren’t reading the Project 2025. Trust me, you don’t have to read ALL 902 pages to get the idea of what is happening or to understand WHY it’s all happening and who is really behind it all. Russel Vought, one of the main authors of Project 2025 is now the head of “OMB.” (The Office of Management and Budget) All the money appropriated by Congress goes through OMB – and, I believe, Vought was at the forefront, for example, of blocking the funds appropriated to USAID. He doesn’t believe he HAS TO spend the money Congress appropriates, unless he agrees with it – “so there.” We’ll see if Trump/Musk even appeal some of these decisions they’re ignoring regarding the other agency funds being blocked – and, by the way, with Vought’s blessing – and, we’ll see where the SCOTUS stands if any of them make it their way. And, if Trump/Musk ignore a SCOTUS directive, then they’ll be giving the middle finger directly to our constitution!

Final Thought: Surprise, surprise – Bernie Sanders is again showing up as the one true democrat in the Senate (OK, there might be a few of them) and he started holding Town Halls in “red” districts where the republican member of Congress was refusing to do so – with massive audiences. Sanders is the democrat the Project 2025 fear the most. When I saw his first couple of Town Halls I wrote here about what a brilliant strategy I thought it was. Give the people in these republican districts a chance to voice their anger and frustration at what is “happening” all across our country – with much more serious possibilities via Musk and “doge” (I call them the Dogeshits) that people are becoming aware of. (Like the cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security, for example)

As the non-creative retired teacher I am, I looked at what Sanders was doing and thought to myself, “What a genius?” So,, I suggested, other democrats SHOULD be doing the same thing. They should spread out all across the so-called “red states” holding town halls where republicans are refusing – although some are holding “tele town halls” with filtered audiences. Kind of like when Trump did his “working at McDonald’s stunt” with the people vetted before they were able to go through the “drive through.” Back to Sanders – I’m happy to report that democrats are doing exactly that – going to republican districts and holding the Town Halls where the republicans won’t. My hope is they’ll give the same PROGRESSIVE message Senator Sanders has been pushing for as long as I’ve been one of his supporters.

I liked what Joe Biden was attempting to do, but he was limited by what amounted to a 50/50 Senate which, when you consider what Kyrsten Sinema decided to do (Cozy up to Wall Street Billionaires and republicans) and that often times the success of Biden’s agenda depended on Joe Manchin – what Biden got accomplished was historic – although far from where Senator Sanders’ ideal. (Sanders supported Biden almost in every instance) Biden had to issues – first he got old (I know how that feels) and, secondly, he’s good at governing but BAD at messaging. When I listen to people trying to figure out how we got here – the democrats bailed on Biden – lost track that the issue in the 2024 election was defeating Trump and his fascist brethren ONCE and for all! And, of course democrats ended up nominating a “woman of color” as their candidate.

I have to say, I was enthused by Kamala Harris’ campaign – and, I wanted her to win BADLY. But, the reality is, there were even WOMEN who voted for Trump because they didn’t want a WOMAN as our president – despite the FACT VP Harris was eminently MORE qualified than Trump. (Maybe that’s why he hates “DEI” so much) The other reality was (f)Elon Musk was willing to donate nearly $300 MILLION in order to get Trump elected (paid for some hideous and disingenuous anti-Trans ads with some of his money) and allow the spread of right wing conspiracy garbage on his Xwitter platform. To me, the reason democrats lost is more “simple” than pundits (one of my favorites is John Stewart) seem to understand.

As the saying goes “It was the economy stupid” – was incorrect but, to me, it was “we the people” BELIEVING stupid arguments about the economy ALONG with the reality democrats operate (and have operated) via FEAR all the way back to Nixon. As much as I wanted Ms. Harris to win the election, as soon as I saw the democrats panic because, apparently, the bad debate performance made them aware Biden was really old. However, had their focus been on BEATING Trump on November 5th, 2024 I still believe Biden would have won – and, when he finally realized how old he is, he could have resigned making Ms. Harris the 47th president. OK, that didn’t happen, so now I’m pleased democrats are following Senator Sanders lead. Maybe that will drill some sense and courage into them – because, in reality, they’re all we got!

For some time I’ve been suggesting every time you see republicans referring to “woke …..” simply substitute the word “Black” for woke and you’ll get the meaning. Well, since the beginning of Trump 2.0 the focus has been removing the acronym “DEI” from, I guess, EVERYWHERE. Each time you hear someone in Trump’s administration mentioning “DEI” just vision they’re talking about “white nationalism.” Trump doesn’t want anyone talking about anything but “white is right.” As a 77 year old white person who’s lived through the Civil Rights movement of the 60’s and all the advances for people who are “different” since then – this is right up there for the MOST offensive part of Trump’s recent reign on our nation. (Lots of OFFENSIVE stuff to choose from)

I will never forget when I called my teaching partner (African American – we were Middle School teachers) the night Barack Obama won the presidency and I said “I never thought I’d live long enough to witness this” and he said, “just wait for the backlash.” The “backlash” has come in the form of a 34 times FELON who was given a “get out of jail free” card first by the SCOTUS and then by the voters – because the democrats had the audacity to elect an (old) president who did more for “DEI” than probably any other president and then to nominate a Black/Indian WOMAN as their candidate against the man who attempted a COUP only four years earlier – the same man who bungled the COVID pandemic allegedly causing a few hundred THOUSAND needless American deaths. But, this adjudicated sexual predator, fraudster, and FELON is expunging “DEI” – so republicans are all “good.”

These crazy people are even removing ANY history of Black or Hispanic members of our military who ended up in Arlington National Cemetery from the site’s web-page. Yep, you read that correctly. Now do you understand why CQ Brown was removed from being the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – his offense is being Black. I tend to believe he would have been removed simply because of his last name otherwise. And, why was the Admiral Lisa Franchetti removed as the chief of Naval operations and the first WOMAN to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff? Yep, because she’s a WOMAN! Remember, Trump is removing “DEI” because he’s all about “merit.”

Of course, if our leaders were really chosen based on “merit” would Trump be anywhere near the Oval Office? Kamala Harris has so much MORE “merit” than Trump I’m led to believe “merit” really isn’t the driving force for our leaders. And, why was (f)Elon Musk “chosen” to be “co-president?” Was it because of merit? Does he have a detailed understanding of our government? Plllleeease! And, I could go down the line. Well, for a bit, I think I will.

Pete Hegseth, what is the “merit” which decided he was the best fit to be Secretary of Defense – one of the most important parts of our government? Was it his time as a weekend host at Fox “news?” Or, was it his time leading two veterans groups – both times being fired for incompetence? (Groups with budgets around $10 MILLION – now overseeing a budget of $900 BILLION) Or was it Trump’s “sweet spot” – the fact he’s been credibly accused of sexual assault/abuse (even by his mother)? Maybe it was his alleged CHEATING on each of his wives – including the one he’s presently married to? Apparently, that’s merit. And, Hegseth is purging “DEI” from our military!

How about the leaders of our “Justice” department. Attorney General Pam Bondi has the great attribute of standing next to Trump as he claims HE’S the chief legal officer of the land – maybe her “merit” is courage? I watched as she walked to the podium with Trump as he was preparing to denigrate the idea of America as a nation of laws pointing out she had placed a portrait of him above one of the walkways. Maybe that’s what Trump calls “merit.” Trump’s other appointees to lead the department were two of his lawyers arguing the case where the jury UNANIMOUSLY convicted him of his 34 FELONIES. Is that merit? Fact: they’re all WHITE. (Did Stephen Miller participate in the decision to appoint them?)

Health and Human Services (HHS) – Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (This one grieves me the most because of my first campaign I was connected to back in 1968 of his father – honestly, it just seems impossible) Apparently, being the head of HHS also requires a history of alleged sexual assault and, in this case a history of drug abuse. He IS the head of America’s health system so that would explain why he’s a choice based on “merit.” He believes the best way to get immunity from measles is to get measles. Of course, that’s only if you’re not one of the CHILDREN who will DIE (needlessly – there actually is a safe and effective vaccine) from measles. The FACT there’s measles outbreaks popping up all over America – almost in every case with people who are unvaccinated won’t change his position. When the next pandemic strikes Kennedy’s “merit” will surely assure “we the people” we’re in “good hands.”

Ah yes, the FBI and Kash Patel – the children’s book author of “The Plot Against the King.” Naturally, the “king” is “King Trump.” What a great children’s book, introducing our children to the “deep state.” What better way to demonstrate your “merit?” He’s got other books where he exposes the “Government Gangsters” (“Deep state”) and makes sure he makes an enemies list of “King Trump” which he can then “go after” as the meritorious leader of (what used to be) the world’s premiere law enforcement agency. What could possibly go wrong? (Unless you’re, like me, a liberal)

I’ve written somewhat extensively on the “merit” of America’s community of OLIGARCHS. They must have merit – i mean they’re all “morbidly rich.” (In the words of the great Thom Hartmann) There’s no way any man with as much “merit” as Sieg Heil throwing Holocaust denying (f)Elon Musk could possibly screw up agencies like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, is there? Former Social Security administrator Martin O’Malley is giving Musk up to 60 days until he “breaks” the system people like me paid into our entire lives (over 50 years in my case). I personally don’t see the “merit” – but, what do I know? After all, to Musk, Social Security is nothing more than a “ponzi scheme.” (At Medicare and Medicaid we have Dr. Oz to save us. Him allegedly failing to pay his Medicare and Social Security taxes not withstanding)

But, Musk is not the only BILLIONAIRE giving Trump boatloads of money in order to get the privilege of kissing his butt – take for example Jeff Bezos – whose great “merit” is his unwillingness to be forced to pay ANY taxes. Instead, he’s planning reruns of “The Apprentice” on Amazon Prime – providing Trump with residuals which certainly can’t be considered emoluments, right? Here’s a more creative way to give Trump a bunch of money – pay $40 MILLION for a documentary on Melania of which she will receive $28 MILLION. Heck, include a section regarding her nude modeling and you’ll get an even larger portions of MAGA viewers – like, maybe all the “Oathkeepers.” Maybe there’ll be even more MONEY for the Trumps. That’s what we call “creative merit.”

People all across America are protesting (and boycotting) Tesla at Tesla dealerships. I have to wonder if they’re going to do the same with Bezos’ Amazon Prime, Amazon.com, and the WA Post. I for one canceled my subscription to the Post on the day he blocked the opinion section from endorsing Kamala Harris and he’s gotten worse since then. He doesn’t want any “mean stuff” about Trump to find its way to the pages of his newspaper. Sadly, it’s appearing to me the people with actual “merit” are the ones resigning from their positions at the Post based on journalistic integrity and from the government based on people actually honoring their “oath of office” – something Trump doesn’t consider meritorious. I believe the motto of the Post is “Democracy dies in darkness.” Well, it’s getting dark.

Final Thought: I’ve been talking (writing) about the Trump/Project 2025 strategy of “flooding the zone” so that their main sh*t gets unnoticed or forgotten. We’re seeing a classical example of this as our democracy is dying. The Trump administration doesn’t believe they are obligated to follow the laws of this land. (That SHOULD have been obvious prior to the election – the Justice Department was “picking” in Trump – he was INDICTED for alleged serious CRIMES) First a judge ORDERED the administration to IMMEDIATELY disperse the funds (a couple BILLION dollars) intended for contracts which had already been completed via USAID. Trump challenged the judge in the SCOTUS and lost – the district court judge then gave a new “deadline.”

I have seen no evidence the Trump administration has complied with that order. By the way, the SCOTUS decision was 5-4, meaning there were four Justices who don’t believe the president is required to abide by orders of the court! Yikes – these were four of the justices who gave Trump the “absolute immunity” from prosecution he’s now operating under. Now. we have further evidence Trump and his minions don’t respect our court system as Trump, late Friday evening of last week (3/14) invoked a 1798 law and hurriedly put about 300 alleged “gang members” on planes – some of them involved in immigration proceeding (seeking asylum) – and sending them to El Salvador.

The top District Judge for Washington DC issued a TRO (Temporary Restraining Order) to stop the deportation until those on the planes could get “due process” (the foundation of our Justice system) and he ordered the planes to turn around and return to the U.S. Of course, the Trump administration essentially said f*@k you to the judge – and, they haven’t been too subtle about it. Both Trump’s press secretary and his “border czar” have since said the judge had no authority when it comes to immigration. Tom Holman, the “czar” pretty much said “What are you going to do about it?” If it’s not clear to others “out there” it’s clear to me – Trump is succeeding in his fascist takeover of America. Once the “rule of law” is gone it’s “Katy bar the door.” Stay tuned…….

Just a few thoughts. Just about every “pundit” I’ve listened to over the previous couple of weeks as the stock market is “tanking” have lamented “we may be going into a recession.” Apparently, they don’t get what is happening. Recessions are like “gold mines” to BILLIONAIRES. While everyone else is selling their stocks Musk, Bezos, Zuckerberg and the rest of their “class” will be getting even RICHER. Add to that the nearly $5 TRILLION tax cut Trump and the republicans are planning to cram down the throats or working Americans and you can see what’s going on here. Shouldn’t surprise anyone. Here’s some more things which shouldn’t surprise anyone.

Several of Trump’s nominations to varying roles in his administration have “checkered” pasts when it comes to their relationships with women. Of course, I’m talking about people like Pete Hegseth or Robert Kennedy Jr. who have been accused of sexual assault. And, I believe there’s others. But, why would anyone believe that’s a “demerit” in the eyes of Trump? To me, it’s a “plus” to him because it takes a bit of the focus away from his own history of being a sexual predator.

Trump is busy pulling in MILLIONS from his various business/grifting schemes while he’s been in office for the second time. I haven’t heard ONE person refer to the emoluments clause in our constitution – but, for their to be any consequence for this “grifting” you would need an independent Justice Department – which is a lost cause at this point. In fact, having a Justice Department which is like Trump’s “legal eagles” is as disturbing to me as anything which is going down in these first few weeks of the administration of our 34 times FELON of a president.

An, at least to this point, unknown number of children and other people who have depended on the foreign aid of the USAID have already DIED. Do you think Trump and his co-president Musk give a sh*t? Obviously, many of these people are in Africa which Trump refers to as sh*t hole countries. Of course, he’s got a “sweet spot” for White South Africans who he’s invited to immigrate to America with a accelerated path to American citizenship. Does this strike anyone besides me as strange? Who do you think might have encouraged him to take this stand?

When you pay close attention to when Trump is speaking (without a teleprompter) it’s hard not to question whether or not he’s still in control of his faculties. There have been numerous articles written about the Trump/Musk “ambush” of Volodymyr Zelenskyy – not to mention one of my favorite all time Saturday Night Live skits – but, when I think about what he said there, then what he said when sitting next to the leader of Ireland, and what he says about tariffs I can’t help but wonder: “Is Trump playing with a ‘full deck?'” The guy seems a bit off to me. And, that’s notwithstanding I vehemently DISAGREE with virtually every decision he’s making. (I guess it really is all about revenge)

Are you one of the people who believe the Climate Crisis is a “hoax?” If so, you might be thrilled with all the anti-climate executive orders coming from the “White House.” It’s as if Trump realizes the kind of people who oppose him would be people who believe in FIGHTING the Climate Crisis and he’s going to do the opposite. Four years of this just might be enough to push “we the people” (and the world) over the “Global Warming” edge. Trust me, the Climate Crisis doesn’t/didn’t care who the American people choose for their leaders. And, there’s going to be four hurricane and wildfire seasons before “we the people” might be able to fix this (Trump’s administration) problem. I’m still at a loss thinking about all the young people – who SHOULD have been concerned about the Climate Crisis (and the courts) in the last election. The DAMAGE Trump can do over this four year timeframe (And, Vance would be worse) just might be impossible to overcome. (I can’t help but thinking, “Is Trump the Anti-Christ?”)

So, speaking of all the “grifting” coming from Trump 2.0 – the BILLIONAIRES are busy – and, they’re no longer even subtle about funneling MILLIONS to Trump. (f)Elon is putting $100 MILLION into two Trump “Super PACs.” Here’s the rules for “Super PACs:” A Super PAC may not be used, however, to make contributions to federal candidates, political party committees, or to PACs that contribute to candidates and party committees. A Super PAC’s activities must also not be coordinated with a candidate, a candidate’s authorized committee, a political party committee, or their respective agents. Do you think there’s any republican who’s going to have oversight over this grift? Anyone in TRUMP’s “Justice” Department?

Not to be outdone there’s Jeff Bezos who (like I believe will soon be Fetterman) has become a republican and, long ago, caused me to cancel my WA Post subscription. He’s not only bringing down the “hammer” on any of his WA Post columnists to stop any anti-Trump opinions he’s using Amazon to funnel a FEW million directly into Trump family pockets. He’s bringing back the “Apprentice” on Amazon Prime and, if that wasn’t enough (Trump would be hauling in “residuals”) he committed $40 MILLION to do a documentary on Melania Trump of which she will receive $28 MILLION. That SHOULD get Bezos’ companies some lavish contracts – like, for example, his rocket company. Bezos moved from Seattle to Miami because Washington, which doesn’t have an income tax, enacted a Capital gains tax – which was going to cause him to start paying up for all the privilege he’s pilfered from the state.

These BILLIONAIRES don’t want to pay ANY taxes. And, of course, Trump’s in that same “boat” with his eyes set on ANOTHER (well, mostly an extension of his previous) tax cut for those at the “top.” For people like Musk and Bezos we’re talking about large amounts of money in the tax cut which is proposed. And, for all those republicans who’ve been complaining about the deficit and the national debt – well, Trump is actually the “winner” of raising the country’s debt MORE than any other president in our history. All you MAGAs who were complaining about raising the debt ceiling when President Biden was in office, well, as the saying goes, “you haven’t seen nothing yet!”)

The “richest man in the world” is chopping off “arms and legs” of our government which benefits some of the poorest people in the world. None of what he’s chopping away at affects him – other than some of those pesky regulations aimed at keeping the air and water cleaner and his employees safer. It’s been reported Musk is slipping his “Starlink” satellite system into the FAA while pulling a contract which was already given to Verizon. I have no affection for Verizon – nor for flying – but this contract for a couple BILLION is apparently part of the “gifting” Musk gets for all his “grifting.”

This will eventually all come back at Trump/Musk and they’ll get their “just reward” – it’s just that the rest of us are kind of stuck watching this from the sidelines. Well, maybe that’s making a dramatic “turn.” There’s one Tesla dealership in the town where I live and the last couple times I’ve driven by there have been maybe a hundred people carrying varying degrees of “Fire Musk” signs. One sign read “Tuck Frump” – and one said “Deport Musk” with the “s” replaced with a swastika. I’ve been driving an EV for over 10 years – as has my wife (we don’t buy gas anymore) and I presently drive a Polestar – which I call a Tesla without the Musk.

EV’s are great cars. The Polestar is far and away the best car I’ve driven or been in – I do have a friend who has a Tesla (he wants to get rid of it) and I rode in it once – and, I prefer the Polestar (it’s about 75% Volvo). My wife has a Nissan Leaf which gets around 250 miles with a charge and is a fantastic car. If I live long enough (at my age – 77 – I’ve decided to lease whatever I’m driving – when my lease is up with Polestar I’m going to look to lease one of the really NICE Chevrolet EV’s (If Musk hasn’t ruined Social Security) – but NEVER will I get a Tesla! If you’ve never driven an EV I recommend trying a Polestar. No Musk involved!

The sh*t which is coming from Trump/Musk is exactly what I predicted (along with many others) – a flood of “stuff” almost impossible to keep up with. I could go on and on here, but, I’ll put in just a few highlights of what MOST people are missing: Trump gave a speech at the Justice Department calling himself the head law enforcement “officer” (So much for having an Attorney General) and listing his “targets.” (Meaning his “enemies list” – if you were around during Watergate this is history rhyming). He’s ordered a student to be sent to a detention center in Louisiana (from New York City) and he’s harassing universities around the country for their “DEI” policies. And, of course, he’s – for all intents and purposes – thrown Ukraine under the bus. Oh yes, he’s destroying the U.S.’s alliances around the globe – by siding with Putin. What Trump is “giving” America is full throated fascism! Yikes!!!

Final Thought: It shouldn’t surprise anyone that I WASN’T surprised when Senate Democrats CAVED to the republican “fake CR.” (Continuing Resolution) I’ve been lamenting the democrats doing this for, well, MANY years. I’ve pointed out those of us who consider ourselves “independents” have been left with ONLY the democrats as the possible “solution” to “Trumpism.” Of course, republican sycophancy has now evolved to supporting outright NAZI bullsh*t as our co-president (f)Elon Musk is spewing outright Nazi propaganda on his internet platform which has become a “home” (apparently, full disclosure, I’m not a social media aficionado) to right wing Nazi BS. And, Musk wonders why advertisers have abandoned Xwitter.

My guess is in the next few months we’ll see the evidence of Chuck Schumer’s decision to vote with the republicans – along with John Fetterman who has become hard for me to recognize. Of course, I’ve been pointing out how many democrats figure out which way the “wind is blowing” before making “difficult” decisions. Fetterman has the distinction of visiting Trump in Florida – as the lone democratic representative – and subsequently voted for almost all of Trumps crazy cabinet picks. Yuck, but, really, to me, it’s Schumer who will bear the brunt of this latest democratic “cave.” Clearly, it’s time for new leadership in the democratic caucus in the Senate.

I guess I can confidently refer to myself as a liberal as I (STILL) have a strong appreciation for Bernie Sanders in the Senate AND AOC (Alexandria Ocasio Cortez) in the House. Schumer got another 8 (I’m not counting Fetterman) democrats to vote with him to prevent the “government shutdown” and give the republicans “free range” to attack America’s premiere institutions. We’re already seeing the result as Trump/Musk continue SHUTTING down the government departments they don’t like. What were those democrats thinking? That things would be worse in a shutdown? I have to say, I’m bewildered! Stay tuned…..

OK, this is no secret. Anyone who would instigate an attempted coup on our government (or any elected government) would be described as a TRAITOR. On top of that, anyone who would change sides in the middle of a war and turn his or her backs on allies of nearly a century would also be called a TRAITOR. Well, what if someone did both those “deplorable” things? Is there a more derogatory term than TRAITOR? From my vantage point it doesn’t get worse than being a TRAITOR. And, of course, you know where I’m going with this – I’m talking about our so-called 34 times found GUILTY of FELONIES (election interference FELONIES no doubt) who the American people gave a “get out ot jail free” card by somehow deciding to vote him back into the “White House.” Remember, there were THREE more indictments with something like 55 alleged FELONIES which we’ll NEVER know how the trials would have ended and those alleged FELONIES included ESPIONAGE – OMG there’s almost FOUR more years of this.

You don’t hear one member of the GOP complaining about ANYTHING Trump is doing. As I’ve said here many times Congressional republicans are a bunch of COWARDS. I wrote all that a couple days ago – in an attempt to remember a thought. Of course, now a days in America a couple days is like an “eternity” in previous times. We now have a TRAITOR in the “White House” with what amounts to a second TRAITOR who is the “unelected bureaucrat” (f)Elon Musk and we’re only two months into this fiasco. And, today, Musk actually referred to Mark Kelly, the Senator from Arizona who spent 25 years as a Naval pilot, 15 years as an astronaut, and, now several years as a U.S. Senator and Musk has the stones to call Kelly a “traitor” because he went to Ukraine this past weekend and reported back on what a WAR CRIMINAL Trump/Musk had aligned themselves with in Vladimir Putin.

I’m sorry to keep saying this, but it begs repeating. The working strategy of Adolf Hitler and his head of propaganda Joseph Goebbels was the “Big Lie Theory” (You repeat a LIE over and over until people believe it’s true) and Projection – you accuse your opponent of what you are GUILTY. It’s like clockwork coming from the mouths of Trump and Musk. Musk accusing Senator Kelly of being a “traitor” would be laughable if all this wasn’t so serious. And, let’s take a quick look at Musk and his Dogeshits.

First, Musk is attempting to shield himself from the ultimate legal ramifications of what his Dogeshits are doing by claiming he has nothing to do with it – he’s not in charge. Of course, his co-president keeps giving up the TRUTH – the last time I remember was in his god-awful speech to both houses of Congress where he pointed out Musk was indeed the head of all those Dogeshits running amok in department after department in our nation’s Capital. And, the destruction they are causing – virtually “willy nilly” – COULD lead America into the next Great Depression.

Bush/Cheney attempted to do this in 2008 but it was an election year and the American people elected Obama/Biden to clean up the mess from the financial meltdown of 2007-2008. Of course, there will be no way for democrats to come to the rescue in the MESS Trump/Musk are creating because they won’t even be able to IMPEACH Trump for the THIRD time until after the mid-terms of 2026. And, keep in mind, those behind Project 2025 have no plans for allowing “free and fair” elections in 2026 or beyond. I’m sure you’ve seen they’re already planning for “Trump 2028” as if these past two months weren’t enough to cause Americans to begin souring on Trump and his Billionaire UNELECTED “buddy.” Their plan is to create elections Putin would be proud of – and, I’m not completely certain “we the people” won’t allow it to happen. (Although, the protests are gaining steam)

Along with the cowardly republicans in the House they have devised a “secret” plan (that everyone knows about) to dismantle Medicaid, SNAP (Food stamps) and social programs worth close to $900 BILLION – to make their $5 TRILLION tax cuts seem more palatable. Trump has even proposed to eliminate taxes on Social Security income (for people like me) in order to get us old people to love him. Well, here’s the main problem with that – the Social Security system could collapse in the next month or so – that will really piss me off – along with making my life much more difficult (I didn’t keep up my teaching certificate). Do Trump and Musk really believe I’ll be the only old person who is angry when the checks stop coming?

Keep in mind, I paid into Social Security for OVER 50 years before I retired. I began working the same year Medicare was started and I’ve been paying into it ever since. (Like other retirees I still pay $185 a month for Medicare part B insurance – along with another $100 for “Medigap” insurance through my state.) Musk and the republicans in Congress almost seem as if they’re attacking these programs causally – and, if they collapse, the American economy will collapse right with them. And, trust me, I don’t believe either Trump or Musk or the republicans in Congress will have any idea how to get us out of the mess – and, it’ll be almost four years until “we the people” can elect another democrat to solve the problem.

The American people have such an issue with amnesia. I mean, in the 2024 campaign Trump kept asking “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” I’m assuming MOST Americans must have assumed he wouldn’t ask that question unless they were better off four years ago. Of course, EVERY time he asked the question he was referring to the pandemic when, if you looked back exactly four years there were anywhere between 2000 and 4000 Americans DYING each day from the DEPLORABLE management of Covid-19 by Trump. The economy was in tatters – there were 3 MILLION less jobs in America when Trump left office than when he (LIED) while taking the oath to preserve and defend our constitution. (For the first time)

Trump attempted a coup d’etat on our nation’s government instigating the WORST attack on our nation’s Capitol in history, he took some of America’s top secrets with him upon leaving office – showing them off at times (who knows how many times) – with some of the files missing when the FBI executed a search warrant on Mar a Lago – and he attempted to get officials in Georgia to “find 11,780 votes” in order to overturn the Biden victory in Georgia – which Trump and his associates were indicted for by Fani Willis, the DA in Fulton County where Trump’s infamous call with Georgia’s Secretary of State took place. I still can’t believe the American people could decide someone who acts like a mob boss should be our so-called president – FELONIES and all.

But, they did, so now, here we are. And, it’s almost as if we just have to sit around and watch this nation deteriorate into an economic mess the rest of the free world now despises. I pointed out in a recent post that the Trump/Musk partnership which, along with JD Vance working to humiliate Volodymyr Zelenskyy while heaping praise on Putin is upending an 80 year alliance that has kept the world (somewhat) safe since WW II. (except when republicans hold the “White House”) Putin hates that alliance (NATO) because his “wet dream” is reconstituting the former Soviet Union. And, of course, taking Ukraine is the first step. With Trump, in essence, pulling the U.S. out of NATO the sh*t will hit the fan real quick. Here’s what I thought would be the result of this stupidity.

Europe will NOT abandon Ukraine. It’s in Europe where the last power hungry FASCIST dictator did his damage and they remember that quite well. Of course, the U.S. has pledged to defend Europe for all these years and, after the fall of the Soviet Union, we agreed to defend Ukraine if they gave up their nuclear weapons, which they did. (The Budapest Memorandum – actually, the UK and Russia were part of that agreement to defend Ukraine from outside attack as well) So, Trump is turning his back on that agreement and, in essence, NATO. I have to ask, are Americans even paying attention? I know people who’ve decided to choose apathy because, well – I can’t understand that. Plus, half our country seems to be cheering this on – which is why some people are now referring to them as the “MAGAts.”

If you’ve studied recent World History (the last 90 – 100 years) you know who Neville Chamberlain was and you know what happens when you appease ruthless murderous fascist dictators. (Apparently, Trump wants to be like that – remember, he’s of German ancestry and has demonstrated alarming parallels to Hitler) Once Ukraine has fallen, then it will be Moldova and likely after that Russia will invade Romania or Poland. Of course, at that point, NATO’s “Article Five” won’t include the U.S. and WW III will have begun. Will the U.S. actually align itself with Russia and China (I’m not even sure China would go along with a U.S./Russia “thing.”)

I pointed out above how Trump and his minions use the Nazi “strategies” in their public commentary so let’s just talk about “projection” because we’ve seen a couple classic examples of it from Trump and his co-president Musk of late. When Trump was giving Zelenskyy is public berating in the Oval Office he accused Zelenskyy of “threatening WW III” – which, of course, is exactly what Trump is doing by “switching sides” and previously telling Putin he can “do whatever the hell he wants.” And, of course, Musk calling Mark Kelly a “traitor” is the height of projection – for himself and by association Trump.

I know an 80 something ex dentist who is part of Trump’s CULT who I was trying to have a running dialogue about what Trump and Musk are doing. After about three of four references by him that were blatantly RACIST (regurgitating stuff he watches, apparently, on “Newsmax”) I texted him “that’s enough.” Well, he’s still attempting to get me to respond to him in a “non-political” manner, but I directly pointed out to him he was supporting a racist and speaking like a racist and, in essence, that was a “red line” for me. I’m tempted to text him back and simply say “you’re supporting an effing TRAITOR” – but, my guess is he believes Kelly actually is a “traitor.” (This guy spent many years in the Navy as a dentist) It’s hard for me to believe what is happening to our country – the intellectual level of our people. It doesn’t take a serious thinker to realize Trump/Musk is BAD!

Based on the comments I heard this morning from the head of Social Security under President Biden (I believe his name is Martin O’Malley) we only have a few weeks until the bottom could be falling out of our republic – economically. When the Social Security system collapses. Trump is ruining our foreign policy status in the world and working hard to, for whatever reason, destroy the economy. Remember, if/when there’s recession/depression the BILLIONAIRES will get even RICHER. (If you’ve somehow read this far and you’re MAGA watch the republicans propose a $4-$5 TRILLION increase in the debt ceiling in order to be able to get their tax cuts through the Senate via the process called reconciliation – where they don’t need democratic votes to get it passed.- leading to your health care and – if like me – your Social Security checks ending) Stay tuned……

Final Thought: After WW II when the United States was helping to rebuild much of Europe we didn’t want Germany to re-arm itself because, basically, during the War Germany was the strongest army in the world. Fortunately, for those of us who don’t like fascism, Hitler broke his alliance with Russia and attacked Russia – likely costing Germany the war and millions of German/Russian lives (although, I believe “we the people” would have fought to the end and found a way to prevail had that military blunder not occurred). Well, here’s what Trump is likely to be causing – Germany and the rest of our NATO allies will be re-arming themselves in anticipation of a war with Russia and (hopefully NOT) the U.S. I couldn’t bring myself to believe “we the people” would put a traitorous FELON into the “White House” and, now I’m really struggling with the idea Trump is going to align the U.S. with Putin – I honestly can’t believe that will go over well. But, as I said above, here we are.

To me, it’s gotten down to how much do “we the people” value our democratic republic? I KNOW people who don’t like “democracy” – these are Americans! They’ve sucked up the benefits their entire lives. We’re watching the Ukrainians putting up a VALIANT effort to protect their fledgling democracy and now, it appears, Trump is “pulling the rug out” from under their valiant FIGHT. And, of course, we are OBLIGATED to support them – we AGREED to do so back in the early 90’s. Just as Trump has done with our neighbors (Mexico and Canada) Trump is proving he feels no OBLIGATION to honor previous agreements. (With Mexico and Canada the agreement was negotiated and signed by, you guessed it, Trump) How much do “we the people” value OUR “democracy?”

This is all so DISGUSTING I wish I could just wake up from what is a bad dream. (I wanted to use the word DEPLORABLE which Hillary Clinton so presciently used when she was running against Trump describing him and his racist supporters) The DAMAGE Trump is doing to America – and, will be doing – may take GENERATIONS to rectify if it is even possible. Racism is our nation’s original sin and, obviously, it’s alive and well in our country today. It makes me very sad to write that, but, it’s the reality. It will never be totally “snuffed out” – but, we’re now going through another of America’s darkest days – (History repeating itself) and, I hope this isn’t permanent. Trump and Musk are not even subtle about their fascism – but, on top of exposing that reality, it appears they are hell bent on destroying what was the world’s BEST economy the day Trump took office. Yikes!!!!

My gut is still tied up in knots after what I witnessed today in the Oval Office and the TWO IDIOTS Americans somehow decided to vote into the highest office in the land. It was SHAMEFUL and I was totally embarrassed as an American while I watched it. It’s really difficult for me to accept that Trump – a 34 times FELON – is able to cause me to be on the side of Vladimir Putin. OMG – that I had to write those words is almost beyond my imagination. As I told my son this morning as he was attempting to understand how this could happen I’ve been watching politics since I was a young lad back in the early 60’s and I’ve seen nothing to compare this to.

My father fought the Nazi’s in WW II and, I never understood why he was NEVER able to talk to me about it. I’ve often thought that very well was the reason he struggled to be a good father to his four children. That said, he was an Eisenhower supporter and my Mother was a strong democrat – a supporter of Adlai Stevenson – and, I still remember the arguments. I remember John F Kennedy winning the election in 1960 (I was 13), I remember him being assassinated when I was in High School, as well as MLK Jr. and RFK in my early years in college. Robert Kennedy was the first politician to cause me to become an active political supporter.

This was all followed by Nixon and Watergate – which seems like a normal time compared to what’s happening now. Nixon respected the Constitution and the republicans of the time who were unwilling to allow his lawbreaking to go with no consequences. Then came Reagan and the Bush clan which led “we the people” to somehow choose a low level mob boss as our so-called president. I’m saying this to preface what I said to my son as he was attempting to understand Trump’s persona – and, this was BEFORE Trump and Vance set up Zelenskyy in the historical Oval Office – it had to be the low point of American history in that place.

So, to my son, I said it’s simple what Trump is doing. He’s attempting to extort Zelenskyy for the second time. However, this time we don’t have a democratic Congress to IMPEACH him – AND Vance. They BOTH need to go. Trump has been siding with the world’s dictators since before he LIED as he “took” the oath of office the first time. He EXTORTED Zelenskyy before and he’s doing it again. I guaranteed my son Trump was upending America’s standing in the so-called “free world” – which Trump seems to have no appreciation of. Mark Milley said it best, “Trump is fascist to the core.” It’s time for the American people to wake up.

Can Senators be IMPEACHED? Well, of course I know they can’t. But, I’m thinking of the Senate republicans and, especially, one of the MOST disgusting of all Americans – Lindsey Graham – who you can find endless video examples of him saying one thing one moment and then the exact opposite the next. Graham is “DEPLORABLE.” How can American leaders be so STUPID as Trump and Vance. Well, as far as republican Senators go, they seem to FEAR Trump – they don’t have the GUTS to do what they know they should after that DEPLORABLE “hit job” on Zelenskyy today. Is Trump going to have to be caught kissing Putin’s ass before it sinks in – or would that even matter to these COWARDS?

Of course, while this is all going on the focus has been taken away from (f)Elon Musk as he’s laying waste to the foundation of our nation government and economy. Keep in mind, RECESSIONS are good news for OLIGARCHS. Musk, Bezos, Zuckerberg, Thiel, and the rest of them will simply be buying MORE stuff as soon as they tank this economy. This isn’t brain science. Although it is disgusting! Trump’s administration was at the SCOTUS today arguing to keep the funds which were appropriated for USAID frozen, for all intents and purposes shutting USAID down. This is another thing Russia is celebrating because USAID was helping Ukraine keep their electrical grid up and running – while Russia is repeatedly bombing it. As I was warning for MONTHS before the 2024 election Project 2025 was/is a roadmap to fascism. It’s being rolled out by America’s DEPLORABLE leadership.

America has a history full of “black marks” but, NOTHING ever as bad as what Trump, Vance, and Musk are doing to our nation. Trump just upended 80 years of American foreign policy and Musk is attempting to cement America’s turn toward OLIGARCHY. And, Vance – to me, what a STUPID person with NO moral “compass” – doing nothing more than telegraph America’s support for movements like the AfD in Germany. We’re talking about a resurgence of Nazi’s in Germany of all places – and, Vance going to a conference in Munich and berating the Europeans for, in essence, opposing this neo-Nazi group of Germans. This is all so disgusting to me I can barely force myself to keep typing. However, the time for apathy is NOT now!

It’s obvious there are virtually NO republicans willing to stand against our dual presidents Trump and Musk. However, there are still democrats. I’ve been lamenting for over 20 years – close to 20 years here – that America’s democratic party – while having a HISTORY to be proud of – seems to be afraid to support their own fundamental beliefs – the beliefs which were born of the New Deal. Republicans have been attacking the New Deal since its inception and, slowly, the democrats have just kept “giving in.” The ONLY reason why democrats continue to struggle to maintain control of our government – when the opposing party is teetering on fascism – is because they continue to look WEAK – as they think we’re all still “playing by the rules.”

When is it going to sink in to them. In today’s American political landscape there are NO rules. It’s been obvious for years the one rule republicans believe in is “the end justifies the means.” That’s why they adopted the political strategy of Hitler and Goebbels – the “Big Lie Theory” and the constant use of PROJECTION. I don’t know how many times I’ve brought this up here – but I continue to be amazed the democrats along with the so-called “liberal media” aren’t making a big deal out of an American political party using the strategy of Adolf Hitler. Hell, Trump actually gave it all away when he started regurgitating Nazi “talking points.” (ie “They’re poisoning the blood,” calling his opponents “vermin” – right out of the Nazi handbook) Today, Trump blasted Volodymyr Zelenskyy with Putin talking points right to his face and virtually every leader around the world. Disgusting, DEPLORABLE, I can’t think of any other words to describe it.

And, here’s what will be the result of today’s fiasco in the Oval Office. (Other than the shame Americans SHOULD feel about our own government and the people who elected them back into office – for heaven’s sake – our president is a convicted FELON) Trump and Vance just made President Zelenskyy even MORE of a world wide HERO. The solidified his standing with the Ukrainian people and they will soon see they’ve sparked a re-arming of our allies in Europe as they plan for the next great war – which always seems to happen on their soil – and, as the result of fascist tyrants – like Putin.

And, do you think there are a lot of Mom’s and Dad’s in America who want their Sons and Daughters to be risking their lives for Vladimir Putin? I don’t believe that will EVER be the case. I wrote the other day what the democratic leaders in Congress SHOULD be doing is heading to the “Red” states and holding the Town Halls their republican counterparts DON’T want to hold in their own districts. Not only are these Americans going to be pissed about what happened today in the Oval Office, but these cuts to our government workforce and to the various policies aren’t going to sit well there just like they won’t sit well where I live.

For example, Millions of Americans have their health insurance via Medicaid. What is cutting close to $900 BILLION from that program going to do to the health of the Americans relying on that program? What’s going to happen when people’s parents or relatives in long term care facilities are suddenly without health insurance? And, from what I’ve read this will effect the so-called “Red” states the most – people who live in rural areas, I live in a rural area and it won’t affect me until they go after Medicare – which, likely, is next.

And, what about all the people losing their jobs – what could be termed “America’s best?” We’re talking, by and large, about young Americans because they’ve only been on the job for less than two years making them “probationary” – meaning it’s easier to simply randomly cut them – they haven’t been on the job long enough to have union benefits. These young people are not only in Washington DC as some politicians would have us believe. We’re talking about Forest Rangers, Park Rangers, USAID workers who are located all around the world – or, I suppose I should say WERE. There are people charged with keeping the air clean, the water drinkable, the food safe, our country safe, and I could go on.

Regarding keeping our country safe our new Attorney General has already ordered what amounts to the monitoring of Russian sanctions to be, in essence, discontinued. What’s up with that. And, the leaders of the FBI are now an official right wing clown car – and America’s ability to defend herself from another terrorist attack just became – well, LOWER. The new director of the CIA has already emailed the names of CIA operatives over a unclassified server for who knows who to see and is now getting ready to FIRE a bunch of CIA agents. And, we have a Russian “useful idiot” at the head of the Department of National Intelligence. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

Trump, Musk, and Vance have, this week, proved the “inmates are in charge of the asylum.” These guys are certifiably NUTS. QAnon conspiracy theorists (along with the director of the FBI) who are turning America into a rogue nation around the world. That was all written a few days ago – and, I didn’t publish it – but, I’m going to after adding one more bit of ranting. Today, the U.S. withdrew intelligence support for Ukraine and stopped (just like in IMPEACHMENT #1) military assistance which has already been appropriated – the combination of which has the Russians jumping for joy.

Final Thought: Are the Europeans going to be uniting behind Ukraine and are they able to provide enough support without the U.S. standing with them? That’s the number one question on my mind but, there’s another one which is even more scary. What if Trump actually fully aligns with Putin? I can’t get that question out of my mind. I already know Trump is a TRAITOR based on his attempted coup. To me, this just compounds that reality – turning on Ukraine. And, OBTW just over thirty years ago the U.S., U.K., other members of Europe and also Russia signed the “Budapest Memorandum” agreeing to support Ukraine’s sovereignty if they gave up their nuclear weapons.

Well, of course, the Ukrainians did just that. They also gave up their fleet of bombers which were in their possession due to the “Cold War” which had ended. (Except in the mind of Vladimir Putin) According to that Memorandum the U.S. and – in essence our NATO allies are obligated to continue supporting Ukraine. And, we SHOULDN’T be attempting to force Ukraine to give up land to Russia and minerals to the U.S. in order for this war to end. To me, just another example that Trump is a TRAITOR. Final question, what does Putin have on Trump?