Move over Benedict Arnold, there are a bunch of America’s present politicians trying to put themselves on the same page where you reside in the history of the United States of America. And, let me get this out there right away, I’m not talking about Barack Obama. I’ve, on many occasions, already nominated Donald Trump for the spot right next to you Mr. Arnold. After all, he did lead an attempted coup d’etat on January 6th, 2021 on the Capitol of the nation he took an oath to defend – from all enemies foreign and domestic. Additionally, several of his henchmen were CONVICTED of Seditious Conspiracy and he pardoned each and every one of them. He also pardoned hundreds of INSURRECTIONISTS who were convicted of beating cops.

But, it doesn’t stop there. There are HUNDREDS of members of America’s Congress (the House and the Senate) on the “republican side” who have consistently FAILED to “check” the actions of our CORRUPT president because of…… FEAR! They FEAR the chance they’d get a nasty “tweet” (or whatever they’re called these days) from Trump or that his sycophantic supporters will threaten them and their families if they “rock the boat,” or, apparently worse yet, they FEAR a “primary challenge.” Some of them are more devoted in their attempt to be aligned with Trump as traitors than to the oath they took when they promised to defend our constitutional republic.

And, there’s a wide range of these republicans who have chosen keeping their job over defending our constitution. The range goes from Speaker Mike Johnson – the perfect example of a sycophant – to Senator Lisa Murkowski who appears to be the perfect example of a “stooge” for Trump. I’m not sure which one is more disgusting. Johnson just sent the House on a 5 week vacation to avoid a vote about Epstein and Murkowski is bemoaning her own vote for Trump’s “Big Ugly Bill” because Trump duped her. As if she was not aware of his level of dishonesty. Give me a break! I wonder how many Americans understand republicans “snuck” a $5 TRILLION increase to the debt ceiling into Trump’s Big Ugly Bill? I actually hadn’t picked up on that until I started this rant.

There might not be enough room on “Benedict’s” page for all the republicans attempting to crowd their way onto it. I’m simply working from my memory challenged OLD mind (almost as old as Trump’s) as I lay out some examples. For starters Missouri’s Josh Hawley – who claimed he wouldn’t support the bill because of the draconian cuts to Medicaid – Health insurance for America’s poor – then voted for it with those cuts included. And now Hawley is working on a separate bill to repeal the cuts to Medicaid he said he wouldn’t vote for and then did. Kind of dizzying! Senator Grassley from Iowa is in his 90’s which makes him so old he doesn’t fully understand some of his hypocritical decisions supporting stuff he used to vehemently oppose. The “Freedom Caucus” in the House who rail against ballooning deficits ALL just voted for “ballooning” the deficit – and, every one of them voted to raise the debt ceiling by the aforementioned 5 TRILLION dollars. As usual, they only oppose raising the debt ceiling when a democrat is president.

I could go on and on, but the sad reality is somehow America has to survive another 3 1/2 years of Trump. And, to me, it’s looking bleak – despite all the Epstein stuff. I mean, America has some black marks in her history – starting with our founding document calling African Americans 3/5ths of a human being, slavery, Jim Crow, and, well “Trumpism.” Ugly stuff! OVER half a MILLION Americans died during the Civil War which resulted, among other things, in the 14th Amendment to the constitution which Trump is attempting to repeal via an executive order and our right wing Supreme Court just might allow him to get away with it – they are volunteering for a place on that page – maybe right between Trump and Arnold.

So, do you remember the internment of Japanese Americans during WW II? That was an awful black mark on this nation’s history. The Jim Crow era -another disgusting time in our history (which Trump appears to be trying to recreate) where African Americans were routinely lynched with no recourse from the law – a shameful period. The “black hole” torture facilities during George W Bush/Dick Cheney’s illegal and dishonest wars in Afghanistan and Iraq shortly after the turn of the 21st century were “deplorable.” (Trump is “refurbishing” Guantanamo in his image) African Americans used to risk their lives to vote, now it seems as if they risk their lives driving to the store with a tail light out. And, don’t get me started on women who’ve been the progressive leaders over the last 120 years (or more) – republicans want them back in the kitchen.

These are among the many parts of American history which those in power would love to forget ever happened – in fact, they’re “burning books” which might tell our young people the truth about our history. (Kind of similar to what I experienced in school back in the 50’s and 60’s.) Trump is attempting to outdo ALL of this. When it comes to destroying America Trump is succeeding where Hitler failed. It’s as if he’s, along with the Project 2025 puppet masters, tearing America apart from the inside out.

I’ll list as many examples as I can pull up off the top of my head which I believe indicate why that disgusting last sentence is correct. I’ll start with the subject of TORTURE. Not only are Trump’s goon squads rampaging around the nation pulling perfectly productive and honorable people out of workplaces where they’ve been for years with the plan to deport them (to who knows where) but, apparently because they’re being forced to hold them until they get “due process” they (the government) is cramming them into poorly constructed gulags and, as one person said, treating them like “dogs.” These are people who’ve worked hard and paid taxes (with no eligibility for receiving the benefits of those taxes) have no criminal records, and have established families here over a period of years, often times decades. At the end of the recent school year, locally, ICE snatched a dad who was just dropping his kids off at school leaving three boys and the man’s wife wondering how they will survive. More on this later.

As a former Middle School teacher in a high poverty school that had students from many different “home countries,” I’ve known many of the people who are likely living in FEAR right now and I grew to love and respect MANY of them. Their children came here when very young and now would be in their twenties – several volunteering for the military and, (before Trump) being accepted. Many of them had children born here – children Trump is now attempting, by executive order, to have their citizenship torn away from them. My reactions to this was originally embarrassment (that “we the people” would elect an aspiring fascist as our “president”) and then they quickly changed to anger and now shame. Shame on all of us – especially those who support this AND those who choose to look the other way.

How can we sit by and do nothing when the reports coming out of these gulags are almost MORE disgusting than anything I’ve EVER read about – although, the TORTURE implemented via Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld et al was extremely disgusting in it’s own right. (Read about Abu Ghraib) Reports coming from one of the gulags I read about recently had the immigrant detainees feet shackled with their hands bound behind their backs being forced to eat while on their knees leaning over to plates on the ground – hence the claim they’re being treated like “dogs.”

Other reports have large numbers of detainees crammed into insufficient spaces – like in one instance I read about there were 100 detainees for one toilet. And, when the toilet gets plugged up…… Also, male and female detainees in the same facility where the female detainees were forced to use the toilet in front of the male detainees with the females being denied items needed when menstruating. And, all of them being forced to sleep on concrete floors. Trump obviously could care less about his legacy because he’s a thru and thru fascist and he’s attempting to tear down as much of what was good in America since the “New Deak” as he possibly can. Another 3 1/2 years of this and he will be able to destroy most of what had been achieved since WW II.

I keep telling myself “this can’t be true.” But, the reality is Trump is a second generation German immigrant and my speculation has long been his father was present in the infamous 1939 “gathering” of about 20,000 American fascists at Madison Square Garden. That’s why I felt his own “gathering” at MSG during the 2024 campaign was a revisiting of that “deplorable” event. Don’t kid yourself, there are MORE American fascists in this country than us “progressives” would like to allow ourselves to believe. (Take the time to watch the PBS documentary “Nazi Town USA” if you need a bit more evidence.)

Not only is Trump pushing across the boundaries of our constitution (with the SCOTUS blessing) regarding immigration but he’s pushing an attack on the actual fabric of America designed to keep “we the people” safe from everything from predatory lenders to those who would pollute the local water supply, the air supply, and/or the food supply in order to make a buck. As someone who drives an EV and has invested in a Solar power plant on my property watching him actually attack those two important areas where America SHOULD be trying to be world leaders saddens me – to the point of being disgusted. And, MOST Americans don’t even know this is happening. His disdain for the “rule of law” might be the most egregious boundary he’s pushing. (Just like a sixth grade bully)

Traditionally, fascist takeovers require two important aspects of a society “bending the knee” to the “dear leader.” The fourth estate and education. Well, we’re seeing unambiguous and propaganda based attacks on journalism – keeping in mind about 90% of America’s media is owned by about 9 for-profit corporations. And, Trump (and republicans) recently pulled the plug on National Public Broadcasting. The local station I listen to (Oregon Public Broadcasting) is attempting to raise the $5 MILLION they will lose in planned funding over the next two years. That was money already appropriated which republicans “clawed back.” And, higher universities are bowing down to Trump in ways which are disheartening to me. No protesting what’s happening in GAZA because that would be “antisemitism.” Keeping in mind it’s the United States and Israel who are/will be responsible for THOUSANDS of Palestinian deaths due to starvation – and, we’re worried whether students are protesting Netanyahu’s genocidal war. Yikes!!!

Moving on: It’s never an emergency in this nation until it happens to “you.” Well the results of Trump’s actual attack on those who believe we SHOULD be doing everything we can to combat the Climate Crisis, for example, is leaving America in the “dust” to countries like China and those in Western Europe that are developing Climate friendly technology. Trump chooses to continue massive subsidies to the fossil fuel industry – including trying to resurrect the coal industry and he’s still complaining that windmills “kill the birds.” And, his supporters – that he’s referred to as “stupid” – keep buying it – in Trump’s own words, “hook, line, and sinker.”

I started pointing out before he took (lied about) the oath of office he was going to “flood the zone” with so much “crazy” those of us who believe in accountability would be “chasing our tails.” Of course, that’s exactly what is happening (with the help of the Project 2025 puppet masters) Now, he’s run into a bit of a problem (self created) with his “base” clamoring for the release of the so-called “Epstein files.” By all accounts it looks bad for Trump. Anyone who’s paid any attention to him (and his personal history) at all KNOWS – of course, he’s mentioned in the files (which two weeks ago “didn’t exist”) probably numerous times – especially if there are “flight logs.” It’s been reported Epstein introduced Trump to Melania and he got to know her “intimately” (for the first time) on a flight on Epstein’s plane. Go figure…. (What other things did he do on that plane?)

Well, Speaker Johnson has put the House on recess until September to avoid having a vote on a discharge petition demanding the Justice Department provide ALL of Epstein’s “files” forthwith – on vacation, can’t have the vote. It’s been reported AG Bondi has tasked hundreds of DOJ investigators with “flagging” all of the places in the files where Trump is mentioned, Why you might ask? When I think of that question the picture I get in my mind is a great big tube of “white out.” Maybe there’ll be a miracle and when the House finally gets the files Trump won’t be mentioned in them even once. Will that placate those supporters he’s called stupid?

However, what if there are eyewitnesses (girls) who were around when Trump and Epstein were together at his house, on his plane, at Mar a Lago, or maybe on an island somewhere – who knows. The YOUNG girls who were abused. Would YOU have the courage to come forward after hearing all the rumors about Epstein’s “suicide?” (with THREE minutes of jail house video somehow missing) These are disastrous times for this nation. Wouldn’t it be apropos if Trump’s undoing came from his relationship with Epstein and a bunch of teenage girls from over 20 years ago. Personally, I’ll take his demise anyway we can get it! Stay tuned……

Final Thought: I’ve said this before (in fact, I just did), but I’ll say it again. Do you really believe Pam Bondi will release the “Epstein files” which include all the lurid details of Trump’s 15 year history with him and Epstein as “best buds.” Ever since Trump walked down that escalator in 2015 I’ve heard/read about Trump’s relationship with Epstein and some of the alleged “misdeeds.” It should be obvious, even to MAGAts, that Trump was “intimately involved with Epstein’s antics.” That said, don’t be surprised if the record has been “cleansed” if/when the “files” (which just a couple weeks ago both Bondi and Trump said didn’t exist) are ever released.

Why weren’t they released during the Biden administration? I have no idea. Do you really think President Biden went through the files to see what names appear? Based on what I can remember, we know Bill Clinton’s name will appear, Alan Dershowitz’s name will appear, Trump’s SHOULD appear, Prince Andrew from the UK, and a bunch more. Of course, at this point in time I believe MOST people want to know as much as possible about Trump’s involvement. Personally, I could care less – I think it would be appropriate for ANYONE whose name is in the “files” (if they exist) to be “outed.” However, the girls who were the victims should be protected at all costs. That’s just how I think about this. Would I love to see Trump brought down by this? Absolutely! However, his sexual predator history should NOT be a surprise to anyone. After all, he admitted to it (as if bragging) in the Access Hollywood tape. And, republicans didn’t care then, I suspect they don’t care now! Stay tuned……

A little context before I give my thought. Say you were the president of the United States and people were clamoring for you to release to the public FBI documents of an investigation about a very naughty person you may have hung out with (for 15 years). That person had a plane and was flying a lot of rich people around and exposing them to some very young girls (OK “exposing” might not be the right word). In fact, according to some reports many of these YOUNG girls were having sex with men two to three or four times their age – or so the rumors say. In fact, that person was actually arrested, charged with sex trafficking, and died in jail (during this president’s time in office) and, supposedly, left “files” with the names of those who were on his plane and who, well, that’s the rub – the who and the what (were they doing) is supposedly in the “files” and people in this president’s base wants to see them – to make public of the “perverts” who were hanging out with this naughty guy. Supposedly the “files” are in the possession of the FBI.

(Just a couple weeks ago, this president and his Attorney General said there aren’t any files – that’s the rub. They wouldn’t LIE to their base would they?)

One of this president’s former close associates, who left the government a bit unceremoniously, suggested the president’s name is in the “files.” (Again, do they exist?) And, suppose most of the key members of this president’s cabinet PLUS his eldest son have been lobbying for ALL these files to be made public for years – causing the president’s “base” to be demanding the files ALL be released. Now, it appears the president and his AG are suggesting there actually are “files.” (I’m confused – DID they LIE to their base?)

Now, picture this president when it became public HE was likely to be in many of the “files” (if they exist) – with the first bit of evidence (not including all the videos and photos with him and the naughty dude over a period of many years) an alleged birthday letter written to the naughty guy, allegedly by the president, on the raunchy side. Add to this, the public being reminded of a video of this president where he suggested (to someone else) he can sexually assault women because “when you’re famous they’ll let you do it.”‘

Not only all this, but picture this president’s Vice President demanding this raunchy birthday letter, published by a surprising source, be made public – while the president is busy denying he ever wrote it (and, not at all wanting it to be made public). So far, the president hasn’t suggested the letter be made public (actually, he sued the publication that described what’s in the letter) – would this suggest a “rift” between the president and his VP? And, of course, since all this started the president’s son is no to be seen and not demanding these files be released – I mean if he wants them released you’d be right to think the Dad want’s them released too, right?

Well, not quite – although the Dad, in an attempt to placate his followers – who he, himself, referred to as “stupid” just last week – urged his Attorney General to “release the Grand Jury files.” A sneaky ploy – but, are his followers really stupid enough to fall for it – like the president suggested? Will this bit of skulduggery work? Do they know it’s unlikely a JUDGE will allow the Grand Jury files to be made public? And, even if those files were released to the public they are files focused on the crimes of the “naughty” guy who is now dead – they wouldn’t include the names of the perverts who were hanging with him (the naughty boy). The president wouldn’t be in them. Are his followers, as he said, too stupid to understand this?

Well, it appears he’s got a plan B. Just in “case.” Give this president credit, he is the master at manipulation. One of the main tools in his “tool shed” is DEFLECTION. How might he do this? OK, a little more context. This president likely understands a large portion of his “base” have racist tendencies. OK, I’ll say it – this presidents entire agenda is based on racism. There’s a “project” put together by a large group of rich people, many who’ve been accused of being “white nationalists” and, according to many they are the ones making the decisions in this president’s administration. So, this plan B is it coming from them?

Many people in this nation pay close attention to sports and sports teams. Over the past few years there have been some actions by sports teams which those who might be considered “racists” didn’t like. Maybe reversing a couple of those decisions could get the “base” to forget about the files being stored with the FBI on this “naughty guy” and get their focus where this president wants it – on a couple issues being referred to as “political correctness.”

The Football team in the nation’s capital is now referred to as the “Commanders” instead of what they were called in this president’s first term, which was “Redskins.” The term “Redskins” (and, all that went with it) was offensive to many Native Americans and, therefore, it was changed. Pushing to have the original name of the team restored just might create an issue which would get the minds of the “stupid” base (the president’s characterization) off the files of the “naughty guy.” Do you think it will work?

Just to make sure – if one gets your attention then two must be better – right? So, there was another team, this time a baseball team, originally called the “Indians.” Using the same logic as above – the name was offensive to Native Americans – so it was changed to the “Guardians.” By suggesting it be changed back – and using the power of the presidency to “encourage” this to happen, might the topic of discussion among the “base” be invigorated er changed? Apparently, it’s the democrats who want the president’s base talking about the “naughty guy.”

Personally, while he’s at it, I’d like to suggest the president consider my High School -whose teams were originally called the “Chieftains.” As you might have figured out, that name was also changed using the same logic – trying not to offend Native Americans. (Was that part of a liberal conspiracy led by Obama and Biden?) Now, considering my High School is located near the second largest river in the nation, the teams are called the “Rapids.” Surely he’s got the power to force the school to use the original name. Again, might this change the subject? If it doesn’t work would that suggest this president might be “toast?” I don’t think so, he’s been referred to as “teflon Don” – whatever that means.

Here’s my conclusion, and I’ll phrase it in a question. Does all of this suggest this president’s name could be mentioned prominently in the “naughty” guy’s files? Does this suggest the raunchy birthday letter (talking about “wonderful secrets” between the two of them) might actually have been written by the president? It seems to me this will all be very interesting for those who follow presidential politics. Maybe the question SHOULD be – is the president’s base as STUPID as he, himself, suggested? Stay tuned…

Final Thought: When I was teaching (6th graders) I did not allow the word “stupid” to be mentioned in my classroom. I really don’t like that term – although I have to admit I’ve used it a few times on this site and I’ve used it in reference to certain members of this president’s base. I believe every time I’ve done so I’ve apologized – it’s just that some of what is said by some of his supporters, well, leads me to that word. However, I have to add, some of the people (who I personally know) that have brought that word to mind when talking to them are nice hard working people. To me, they simply don’t think about anything except they’re a republican and therefore this president MUST be telling them the truth. It appears, based on public discussions (and, some polling), some of them are having “second thoughts” about their devotion to this president. It seems possible his connection with a child sex pervert is a bridge too far. Time will tell….

Last night I FORCED myself to do something I’ve rarely been able to do (for more than a few seconds) – to see how long I could stomach watching “Hannity” on Fox “news.” Keeping in mind – for context – this was the day Trump’s “birthday letter” about the “wonderful secrets” (or something like that) was on the tip of the tongue of virtually every newscaster – well, except Hannity and maybe other right wing hacks I NEVER can force myself to watch/listen to – and, sure enough, Hannity was focused on Mamdani, the “democratic socialist” running for Mayor in New City. and NOT Epstein Hannity was pointing out Mamdani is a “Communist” and he (Hannity) was breathing “fire” toward anyone easily scared by fear mongering. Here’s what he wasn’t talking about; Jeffrey Epstein.

Not only was he not talking about Epstein – maybe on orders from “you know who” – but his two experts who were going to talk about how Mamdani and the democrats were like the “Communists” who murdered “millions” – I guess he was referring to Stalin and Lennin – of course, not mentioning Hitler and the FASCISTS – were Hew Hewitt and Mark Meadows. Hewitt, a man who’s been willing to “carry water” for Trump under all circumstances – apparently tonight was the epitome – although my stomach couldn’t handle enough of “Hannity” to get to the commentary of his guests. The other guest was Mark Meadows who was (allegedly) part of the January 6th INSURRECTION.

They were talking about democrats and communists when I had had enough – actually, when my stomach began to rebel – but, as suggested above, not a word about Epstein and their “wonderful secrets.” Now, do I KNOW the letter is authentic? Of course not, I’m just an old washed up retired Middle School teacher who wants to live long enough to see Trump behind bars. (Does that expose my prejudices?) In fact, I tend to agree with JD Vance (he who envisions himself in the “White House”) who is DEMANDING the Wall Street Journal release the letter. Do you believe that’s what Trump wants? Because, so far, he’s not making that same demand.

It’s like they’re going to have to change the address of the White House from Pennsylvania Avenue to Peyton Place. I have to wonder what kind of distraction Trump is concocting tonight in a desperate attempt to get “we the people’s” attention away from Jeffrey Epstein. Now the “theories” of how he died are percolating like coffee someone forgot was on the burner. Three minutes of blank tape? Two video’s spliced together using Adobe Premiere? I listened to one person “in the know” tonight and he said his contacts are assuring him there’s lots more where this came from.

That gets me back to “Hannity.” What will it take for him to at least report what’s out there in the news. After all, this “birthday letter” was published by Rupert Murdoch in the Wall Street Journal – with Trump threatening to sue them if they followed through. Seems like the WSJ is, in essence, saying “bring it on.” They claim the letter is authentic and comes (well someone claimed this) from an album put together by Epstein’s girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. How long will Hannity be able to deflect this from his audience by switching the subject to Mamdani and the democrats? We’ll all find out. (Well, I won’t because that was enough Fox “news” for me tonight.

Update: It appears Trump has ordered the “Epstein files” to be released to the public (They’ve apparently had enough time to “redact” what they need “redacted” – if you know what I mean) Just a week ago both Trump and AG Bondi assured “we the people” there were no “Epstein files.” Trump has referred to his followers as “stupid” – are they “stupid” enough to not be able to figure out they’re being LIED to. I mean, either there are “Epstein files” or not. Will Trump be able to get away with this one. (He didn’t “shoot someone on 5th avenue”) I have to wonder if they’ll be able to “wipe away” all the photos easily available on the “internets?”

Final Thought: If you’ve been paying attention, CBS’s “parent” Paramount made, by most accounts, a ridiculous settlement of a “frivolous” lawsuit filed by Trump over the editing of a 60 minutes interview back in the 2024 election (which Trump apparently won) for a $16 MILLION “donation” to Trump’s presidential library – thereby opening the door to a merger between Paramount and Larry Ellison and his son. Suggesting, without the “settlement” the merger would not have been approved. So, tonight it was announced CBS was canceling the Late Show with Stephen Colbert – apparently due to commentary he made suggesting the settlement was a “shake down” – or words to that effect. Further evidence of Trump’s attack on the media and the corporate media’s CS nature – all about the “bottom line.” Is anyone still kidding themselves?

So, here’s my question. The announcement of the cancellation came on the same day the “birthday letter” from Trump to Epstein became public. Does anyone besides me wonder whether any of the stuffed shirts at CBS/Paramount even notice how this makes them look. They say, don’t negotiate with terrorists and, in a sense, this could be a good reason why. One thing I can guarantee you. Stephen Colber will land on his feet. (Maybe back at Comedy Central with John Stewart? As the old musical song said, “Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” Stay tuned…..

There’s an old saying: “Don’t throw rocks from a glass house.” Well, Trump has been doing this for years – and getting away with it – because, in his own words, his sycophantic supporters are “stupid.” Apparently, now his supporters are even more “stupid” because they are insisting the “Epstein files” should be made public – just like his son Don Jr., his AG Bondi, his FBI director Patel, and a bunch of others have demanded for years. Did any of them stop to think what might be in those files?

You don’t have to look very hard on the “internets” to find a bunch of photos of Trump with Epstein. Their are videos of Trump at parties with Epstein. There are stories coming from eye witnesses of Trump and Epstein being in places together along with the young ladies they tended to hang out with. Trump has always denied his (actual) relationship with Epstein and now it’s a “hoax.” Of course it is.

My intention is for this to be the shortest post ever here. Non of this has ever been a mystery to me (other than Epstein’s “suicide”) Trump has even suggested anything regarding him in Epstein’s “files” would be false (a “hoax”) – of course, this was said after AG Bondi said there are no “files.” Off the top of my (old) head; Trump was accused of sexual assault by around 25 women (after his admission on the “Access Hollywood” tape) and he said “ALL 25 or them were lying.” Those who claimed the Russians helped him win in 2016 were “liars.” All those who claimed his extortion of Zelenskyy in 2019 as part of a quid pro quo were “liars.” Those who claim January 6th was an insurrection are all “liars.” And so forth and so on.

The number of times he’s used the terms “hoax” or “witch hunt” in regard to anyone investigating his perpetual corruption is too numerous to count. It’s his common refrain to his base he now refers to as “stupid.” Apparently, when they were falling for his MOUNTAIN of LIES they were “smart.” I do have to (once again) add he has often referred to how much he loves his “uneducated voters.” Well, the reports are that over 70% of them don’t believe what he’s saying about the “Epstein files.”

I’ll end this by saying I have no idea if there are “Epstein files.” What I can predict, though, is that if there are Trump is part of them. I mean, how can you believe someone who’s been accused of sexual assaults by 25 women and has been convicted of sexual assault in a civil lawsuit (which, of course, he called a “hoax”) AND who hung around with Epstein for something like a reported 15 years would not be part of any “Epstein files?” If you believe that I have a bridge………. (you know the rest)

Final Thought: The fervor of Trump’s base demanding these “files” be released could cause them (if they exist) to actually be released. Here’s my prediction if that does happen. There’s going to be some “white outs” in the “files” and I’ll let you figure out what information might be missing if those “files” are made public. There’s going to be some things “redacted” because of innocent young ladies involved – my guess is anything about Trump will be as well. If the files exist I it’s likely MAGAts are busy cleansing them of anything Trump as I’m writing this. (Makes me wonder how many copies might exist if these “files” actually exist) Stay tuned….

I’ve been writing for close to 20 years here about the URGENT need to put the republican party into the history books. Combined with Trump’s unbelievable (for people like me) CORRUPTION the soon to be passed “Big Disgusting Bill” is going to further PROVE how STUPID “we the people” can be. We voted an adjudicated sexual predator, a 34 times FELON (convictions for what amounted to “election interference” in the 2016 election), and a person who attempted a coup d’etat after LOSING (by a lot) the 2020 election and who was INDICTED on another 50+ FELONY charges. As the saying goes, “elections have consequences” and the 2024 election will prove that to the umpteenth degree. “We the people” voted for FASCISM! Yikes!!!

You say FASCISM is hyperbole? Well, the evidence is OVERWHELMING if you are just willing to look at it. It’s actually hard to keep up with all the evidence. Today, for example, another media outlet (Paramount) chickened out from an absolutely RIDICULOUS lawsuit about a segment on CBS’s “60 Minutes.” Paramount, just like ABC before them, has capitulated to Trump and has agreed to “settle” for $16 MILLION. That’s just one more “notch” for Trump as he continues his assault on our democratic republic. Appears to be a “shakedown” in order for Paramount to complete a “merger.” (By David Ellison and his father Larry, another OLIGARCH snatching part of America’s “mainstream media.”) Watch the financial news for evidence.

Yesterday I heard of Trump coming up with another obscene grift by selling “fragrance” at about $250 per pop. That’s on top of Trump’s fake coins, his “free” plane, and the rest of what he’s doing to openly profit by Putin levels during his second chance to become actually “really rich.” Reports I’ve heard say Trump has gained about $1 BILLION per month since the beginning of Trump 2.0. So much for the constitution’s emoluments clause. And, of course, MOST people have no idea what is happening to “we the people.” Our constitution is being shredded!

I wrote the above over a week ago. I believe I’m as guilty as anyone who’s paying attention to what is happening in America by “chasing my tail” while trying to follow the offenses of Trump2.0/Project 2025. Of course, when that’s what you’re doing, just like a little kitten, you’re never actually going to catch it. I’ve been “reporting” that Project 2025 is a “roadmap to FASCISM” since I first read the document back several months before the devastating outcome of America’s 2024 presidential election. Not one person I encouraged to read it actually did. If you had read it (I posted links here at least three times directly to the “manifesto”) nothing happening today would be a surprise to you.

However, in case you’re one of the many people I’ve run into who exhibit the look of “yah sure” when I’ve pointed out FASCISM is where “we the people” are headed – and, it may be past the point in time where we can do anything about it – I’ll once again try to explain. (Here’s the definition) Let me give examples which come off the top of my head. Hopefully, you have an understanding of the German Third Reich back in the days of Adolf Hitler. As I’ve said, the parallels are, well, unnerving.

Here’s one which has popped up recently when it’s been reported certain people who might not meet the expectations of dear leader (Trump). Zohran Mamdani, a Muslim who is “Indian American” and is a “democratic socialist” (Like, for example, Bernie Sanders and AOC) is a prime example. It appears Trump fears Mamdani because he’s (Trump) attempting to stick his nose into New York’s mayoral general election. How might he do this? Mamdani became a “naturalized” American citizen over five years ago. Trump has openly mused about the possibility of “denaturalization” and “deportation” regarding Mamdani. Trump affiliated people have suggested the same thing for (f)Elon Musk – apparently because he’s not being nice to Trump anymore. (He is responsible for Trump getting elected ….. but, whatever)

If that doesn’t ring a bell for you go back and give your 1930’s German study a review. Have you heard of the Holocaust? Did you understand the German Jews were “denaturalized?” Is it possible that’s where Trump and his sidekick goon Stephen Miller got the idea? In Germany that let to the slaughter of over 6 MILLION Jews. Of course, in America we’re talking about Black and Brown people from places Trump refers to as “shithole countries.” The question we now face is how many undocumented Americans’ lives (and denaturalized ones) will Trump/Miller be able to destroy? Trump’s stated goal is in excess of 10 MILLION!

Not only that, but in the realm of “white nationalism” (ie racism) just look at what is happening to people all across America who are being “snatched” off the street by supposed agents who are seeking alleged undocumented Americans without warrants – sending them to gulags in – well, who knows where. El Salvador? Libya? Certainly not to their “home” country – for those who have migrated here looking for a better life. Apparently, people from other agencies are being pulled in due to the lack of enough ICE agents to meet Miller’s “quotas.”

Along those lines here’s another fun fact that has to do with the Trump/Project 2025 strategy of getting us all to be “chasing our tails.” Hid in Trump’s “big ugly bill,” at least from the standpoint of most of the public reporting, is a key component of the FASCIST takeover of America. The Border Patrol and ICE got an infusion of $150 BILLION making it (the immigration thuggery) the pre-eminent POLICE agency in America. (Of course, included in that $150 BILLION was funds to complete Trump’s wall “that Mexico will pay for”) Think about that. More of these goons in full Military garb with no identification and faces covered, (supposedly for their own protection) as I said above, spread across America to be snatching people they suspect to be undocumented and sending them to unnamed gulags. Instead of Trump 2.0 should we call this Hitler’s Germany 2.0? Has America become a police state?

Here’s another question: What happens when they snatch people who are American citizens? Do you really believe they won’t do that. Do you believe when they snatch a citizen they will take them to a local jail, file charges, and defend their actions in court? If you believe that……. What are the rest of us to do if someone we know gets snatched up and sent to, for example, Libya? Do you believe we’ll even know where they are? Do you believe the Trump goons will give “status reports?” For all I know they could start snatching people like me who are openly writing stuff Trump obviously wouldn’t like. (OK, I know not enough people happen on this site for Trump to even know – although, well, – I’ve got too many thoughts for this “idea”)

My next thoughts might be a bit off of the “subject” but, well, here goes. I keep watching/listening to members of the democratic party as they continue to assure “we the people” Trump is getting farther and farther “under water” and predicting a “blue wave” in the election of 2026. I keep thinking what they SHOULD be talking about is whether there will actually be a “free and fair” election in 2026. I wrote shortly after Trump called up 4000 (unneeded) National Guard troops into Los Angeles and then added 700 MARINES – who are STILL all there despite the FACT there’s virtually NOTHING for them to do – that I believe it’s simply a “trial run” for a massive move in 2026 for an “emergency” which will cause the election to be canceled.

OR, now this is my first time ranting about this – between now and then in regard to “voter suppression” – we haven’t seen “nothin yet.” If you were following the actions of states who were required to get “permission” from the Justice Department when the SCOTUS “obliterated” Section five of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. They ruled (in 2013) that it was unconstitutional to use the coverage formula in Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act to determine which jurisdictions are subject to the preclearance requirement of Section 5 – meaning places like Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, etc. no longer needed to get “preclearance” for their voter suppression tactics. Of course, almost immediately over 20 states introduced legislation aimed at blocking (democratic leaning) people from voting. This reminds me more of Russia than Germany – but, that’s just me.

Of course, we can thank John Roberts and Sam Alito for suggesting America no longer had an issue with racial discrimination (apparently because of President Obama’s election) and, as the saying goes, they “released the hounds.” Actually, their abominable decisions started with the Citizen’s United decision by the Roberts’ Court and has continued to this day. The SCOTUS seems to have abdicated its role in the “checks and balances” theory of our founders – instead buying into what’s good for corporate interests as being good for you and me. Naturally, well I should probably find another term, this partnership between corporations and government – as I’ve been pointing out here for YEARS – is foundational to a FASCIST regime. Think about it!

President Biden warned America about an impending OLIGARCHY (He apparently had read Project 2025) but, at that point in his presidency, no one seemed to be listening. I for one was in agreement that President Biden was too old to be president, but SO IS Trump! And, President Biden has forgot MORE than Trump will EVER know about how to manage the American government. We now have a group of “puppet masters” behind the scenes writing the “script” for Trump on the days when they can keep him from embarrassing himself (and us) in front of the “media.” (And, by “media” I’m talking about the “White House” press corp that OCCASIONALLY asks a pertinent question to which they ALWAYS get a nonsensical answer – usually a TOTAL deflection. The issue in the 2024 election SHOULDN’T have been Biden’s age, but Trump’s CORRUPTION and the plans of Project 2025!

You say FASCISM is hyperbole? Ladies and gentlemen – it’s here. And, we’ve got, apparently, another 3 1/2 years of this which will create enough DAMAGE to this nation that if it is reversible it will take at LEAST a generation or more for our republic to recover. BEFORE the election I pointed out the DANGER of re-electing Trump simply from the standpoint of the Supreme Court. I feel confident enough to GUARANTEE that BOTH Alito and Thomas will retire BEFORE Trump’s term is up and our ONLY hope is to somehow vote OUT enough republican Senators to give control back to the democrats – (if there IS an election) thereby giving them the opportunity (no guarantees here, of course) to BLOCK any new Trump appointees to the Court. Trust me, his next SCOTUS appointee will be far worse than the previous three. Yikes!!! (I rest my case – although there’s lots more evidence America is becoming a Fascist nation)

Final Thought: Zohran Mamdani is young (I believe he’s 33) and he’s very progressive. Just what the OLIGARCHS in America don’t like. I’m guessing he actually wants to tax them more. And, trust me, there are progressives (like me) who believe America is rich enough for the people at the “bottom” to be able to put a roof over their heads, put food on their tables, and get health care when they need it – FULL STOP! So, for all those democrats who were pining about Joe Biden being too old – while missing the point of what was the alternative – please don’t join the bandwagon of corporate democrats who are joining Trump in finding ways to prevent Mamdani from becoming New York’s next mayor. To me, we need MORE people like him (religion, nationality unimportant) – young and in touch with the needs of younger Americans – many who were TRICKED into voting for Trump because of “groceries.” Hopefully “we the people” won’t require another “great depression” in order to see the value in a bottom up approach to our government. Growing the Middle class instead of shrinking it. Focused on optimism instead of FEAR. At some point Trump’s shtick will come back to “bite him in the ass” and – the question remains; “What will be the DAMAGE assessment and how can it be fixed?” Stay tuned…….

I’m losing the energy necessary to continue writing when the focus of my thoughts seems to be overwhelmed by the FACT my country is submitting to FASCISM. Today, is the day when the SCOTUS gives their final decisions of the previous term and, with this court, the expectations of disastrous decisions is once again met. From my vantage point, this court has been busy relinquishing their own part in the constitution’s separation of powers designed to “check” the overreach of the other branches of our government. It’s as if six members of the SCOTUS feels a need to be part of the Trump administration.

Not only did this court give Trump his “absolute immunity” a year ago which he has decided himself to be ABSOLUTELY the singular RULER of this nation. He’s attempting to “govern” via executive orders (EO) which are composed by his Project 2025 puppet masters and, like his “birthright citizenship” EO, where Trump is attempting to rewrite our constitution with the stroke of a pen, this SCOTUS is allowing Trump to create even MORE chaos in America. This is deplorable. This is not ending well!

Let me do a little thinking off the top of my head. First, I keep telling myself America is a “nation of laws and not men” – meaning we are obligated to live by our constitution and the laws which have emerged from it over the previous 250 years. This constitution is predicated on a system of “checks and balances” preventing one branch from dominating the others. So, for us optimists we want to rest on that last sentence. However, reality says otherwise.

For example, the Justice Department has been totally absconded by Trump by filling the key positions with not only sycophants, but SUPER sycophants. Attorney General Pam Bondi is working under the direct supervision of Trump – in VIOLATION of virtually every “norm” I can remember since the days of Watergate. This is so much worse than Watergate I can’t find the words. His deputy AG was his personal attorney as he fought something like 90 alleged FELONY charges prior to the American voters somehow deciding to give Trump a “get out of jail free” card – along with his other top Justice Department official. That one, Emil Bove, Trump nominated for the Federal Bench – he doesn’t believe Trump’s DOJ is obligated to honor the decisions of the courts. Go figure! The Justice Department has truly been weaponized.

I can’t help but think back to the previous Attorney General, Merrick Garland – who was very timid in investigating Trump’s OBVIOUS criminal conduct following the January 6th, 2021 attempted coup at our nation’s Capitol. The democratic establishment continues to find ways to blame President Biden for Trump’s 2024 “victory,” – which I’ve pointed out my disagreement with their thesis many times on this site – but, I don’t hear many of them mentioning the 18 months of Garland’s refusal to act on what was CLEARLY the lawbreaking of a former president as the key to what we’re dealing with now. (Obviously, it’s much deeper than that)

It was James Comey’s interference with the election just days before the 2016 election and Garland’s timid behavior after the 2020 election, from my view, which are key to “we the people” putting a thug who acts like a mob boss into the Oval Office. In the first case Trump was able to stack the SCOTUS with right wing ideologues, and in the second case they allowed him to establish what, to me, is not only a strange view of our constitution but a court willing to accede to his control of their CHECK on the power of the administration. Like I said above, it’s almost as if they consider themselves to be part of Trump’s administration. For me, this all has resulted in nearly 10 years of political depression. (which is apparent in the archives, I’m sure)

The courts have now been neutered as to fulfilling their role in the scheme of “checks and balances” masterfully put into our constitution by the “founding fathers” 250 years ago. I mean you have to give credit to the republicans for figuring out how to, over the course of the last 50+ years, get around the original intentions of that document. This all started, from my recollection, back in the days of the so-called “Powell memo” penned by future Supreme Court Justice (thanks to Nixon) Lewis Powell laying out the plan (for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce) to empower corporations allowing them to achieve the goal of essentially a “merger” of sorts with our government. THAT is the foundation of FASCISM.

Along comes Trump, a pathological LIAR, to be the PERFECT carnival barker candidate to push the agenda of the white nationalists behind the Project 2025 movement. That is to say those behind this MAGA movement have been around since well before Trump. Trump and his “invisible partners” learned their lesson in Trump 1.0 to make sure EVERY appointment to his administration would be based on unfettered loyalty – to HIM and not tho their oaths to the constitution. We’re more than six months in and now the SCOTUS has assured all of us there won’t be much of America left, as we’ve known it, after Trump 2.0.

Trump is convenient to those who authored Project 2025 and the White Nationalists like, for example, Don Black and David Duke and their KKK followers, because Trump is a marvelously proficient pathological LIAR. He’s willing to say ANYTHING he thinks his present audience wants to hear. For example, last week he told a group of people interested in Medicaid that his “Big Beautiful Bill” has no Medicaid cuts. (He knows there’s about $1 TRILLION in cuts to Medicaid in the Senate version of the bill) He’s told those worried about deficits and the national debt the bill will actually stimulate the economy with NO debt or deficits. And, on and on. Here’s the greatest danger to all this LYING. My experience with pathological LIARS is that they actually begin to believe their LIES as the words roll of their tongues. It’s like a train rolling downhill toward the train yard with NO brakes. My summary: NOT good!

We’re already seeing lots of infighting amongst republicans as they charge ahead attempting to pass this 900 + page bill before anyone can actually read it. The Senate leaders are loading it up with “pork” aimed at gaining votes from Senators who are demanding “something” they can take back to their voters. The problem is that the “pork” which makes Josh Hawley happy is likely to make another Senator unhappy. While it appears republicans are having a bit of difficulty getting the 50 votes they need to pass the bill I have NO doubt they’ll find the votes, likely before I get this rant posted. (I did notice (f)Elon Musk has said he’ll finance a primary challenger to anyone who votes FOR the bill.

Apparently, (f)Elon doesn’t appreciate the republicans not only repealing the Biden era clean energy legislation including the EV Credits – full disclosure, I’ve personally benefited from EV tax credits more than once – not only are they repealing the EV tax credits but they’re putting a tax on SOLAR and WIND generation. Plus, they’re attempting to resurrect COAL! I’m not kidding! It’s as if the republicans not only don’t accept there’s a climate crisis – but, they want to further piss off those of us who are able to see the obvious. (This year’s Hurricanes and Wildfires are predicted to be even worse than last year’s) And, in the name of helping your neighbor – they are dissolving FEMA. Yikes!!! (Is that what they call “owning the libs?”)

Here’s a fun fact. MOST Hurricanes are going to affect Florida, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, etc. etc. Not your everyday “blue state.” MOST of those who are likely to be affected by HUGE Medicaid cuts live in rural areas – LARGELY “Trump Country.” MOST of the rural hospitals likely to shut down due to the Medicaid cuts are serving predominantly Trump’s base voters. What’s the old saying about “cutting off your nose to spite yourself?”

Here’s the reality though. Not all of the Medicaid cuts will hit Trump voters. I know people (I’ll soon be 78) in nursing homes and, as a former teacher, I still know young people in low income families – in both cases the predominant form of medical insurance is Medicaid. When I was still teaching (Middle School) something like 90% of our students relied on SNAP (food stamp and school lunches) benefits in order to eat. Here’s where I remind all those Christian supporters of Trump’s that in the words of Jesus Christ “What you do for the least of these you do for Me.” And, “what you do TO the least of these you do TO Me.”

Lately Trump has been making some awkward attempts to reference “God” and make people believe he’s sincere – actually trying to mimic Joe Biden’s “God Bless you and God Bless our troops.” First, you don’t need to be a believer to know Trump isn’t one and Second, if you’ve paid much attention to Trump you understand his “Sunday goes to meetin..” means a “meetin..” on a golf course. Full disclosure – there was a time in my life (many years ago) when I played golf on Sundays. It’s just that I wasn’t pretending to be a Christian when doing so. I also understand it’s possible Trump could, at this late date, “give his life to Jesus” – but, I feel safe in saying “it hasn’t happened yet.”

Final Thought: I’m not trying to get all licentiousness because every time I go to church I’m reminded of the FACT I’m a flawed person – but, at least I realize this. Here’s the thing about Trump (and, MANY republicans) regarding “religion.” We’re now seeing legislation aimed at FORCING every school in some states to have a display of the “Ten Commandments.” I tried to think of one of the Commandments Trump HASN’T violated (full disclosure – I’ve violated more than one) and I couldn’t think of one (probably because I can’t remember all of them off the top of my head – actually, I don’t remember a lot of stuff – and I’m a year younger than Trump – just sayin…) My point is, do you want republicans – especially Trump – teaching “religion to your child. (What if you’re Jewish, Mormon, or Muslim?) From my vantage point this is just one example of how republicans (and, of course, Trump) are attempting to eviscerate our constitution.

I even read today how the Trump administration is planning to “denaturalize” the guy who won the democratic primary for Mayor in New York – a “naturalized” Muslim. That means the guy is a CITIZEN. Is the Trump administration going to start “denaturalizing” people they don’t like and sending them to El Salvador? Well, what about (f)Elon Musk who is once again objecting to Trump’s so-called beautiful bill? Do you think Trump will take that one on – even though some have suggested Musk LIED on the paperwork when he applied for his citizenship. Once again, check out the parallels between Trump and Project 2025 and the Third Reich in 1930’s Germany. It will take a minimal amount of research online. OK, I’ll help you a bit – click HERE. That’s all! Stay tuned….

There’s an old saying which was used when I was a young person (I’m one year younger than Trump) and I’ve become convinced lately the saying was originated in regard to HIS actions when he was likely a teenager. The saying goes: You’re so full of s@#t your eyes are brown. Now, today, after California Senator Alex Padilla was manhandled by Trump’s goon squad in a California Federal building while Kristi Noem was LYING about the Trump “mission” in Los Angeles (Suggesting Federal troops were there to “liberate” Los Angeles from their “socialist” Mayor and Governor) I had the misfortune to listen to the House Speaker Johnson as he joined this exclusive “club” – I’ll call it the “your eyes are brown club.” Johnson INCREDIBLY suggested the Senate should “censor” Senator Padilla for having the temerity to want to ask Noem a question about her “liberate” Los Angeles comments.

OMG – the protest planned for June 14th can’t come soon enough for me. I am physically handicapped and am unable to be on my feet for more than a few minutes at a time – but, I told my granddaughter I feel obligated to be at this protest. I’ll take my cane and hope to be able to find an occasional place to sit – I know there will be a “march” and I have no idea how far it will be, but I’m going to get as far as I can. I know by Saturday late afternoon after it’s all over I’m not going to be feeling too good physically, EXCEPT I will feel GREAT mentally from participating.

I graduated from High School about the time of the Gulf of Tonkin resolution in the sixties (I graduated in 1965) and grew up, essentially, during the Viet Nam war. I joined the Marines in 1967 after I decided to stop playing basketball at the college I was attending – taking the oath to be part of the Marine PLC program. The physical was basically “how do you feel today?” (in January, I just didn’t want to be drafted) but when I reported for boot camp that summer I was issued a medical discharge due to a knee injury I had received during a high school football game. At the time I didn’t understand my left knee was already bone on bone (NOT “bone spurs”). I soon realized the war was based on a LIE (surprise surprise – if you are unaware of the history of the Viet Nam war) and I became involved in some of the anti-war protests which picked up steam all the way up to when the war was ended during Nixon’s second (Watergate) term.

Since those days I’ve seen MANY things that out government has done which I’ve disagreed with but not to the point where I’ve felt the OBLIGATION to participate in a protest. (Back in the day, not only did we protest the war, but also the Civil Rights issue and Voting Rights issues – both legislation passed while I was in High School, but still facing the reality MANY Americans opposed ANY legislation aimed at making this country a “more perfect union” – people like Trump, for example – who didn’t believe he should have to rent to African Americans) Thanks to Trump, things continue to turn in the direction we are headed; outright FASCISM. Read about the History of Germany back in the early 1930’s during the rise of Adolph Hitler. The parallels are alarming! And, all it has taken to allow this to spread to this point in our nation is a willfully complicit GOP Congress – led by the incredibly COWARDLY Speaker Johnson. It’s very depressing, listening to him, from my standpoint,

I wrote all that about a week ago and, well, here we are. Since then I DID “march” in the “No Kings” protest and Trump DID have a bunch of tanks and troops marching as if they didn’t give a s@#t. I checked in on Trump’s “birthday celebration” and the grandstands they had created looked almost empty. Plus there WAS a “No Kings” protest in Washington DC – despite Trump’s threats against “such a thing.” I live in a small town across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon. There were TWO protests in “little” Vancouver, Washington and the one I participated in had, by my estimation, at least a couple thousand people marching. I had to walk 8 blocks just to get to where the protest started and then another 14 blocks to SLOWLY walk the route of the protest and then back to where my granddaughter parked her car. It’s been a long time since I walked that far. The other location had MORE people – likely (at least) 5000 between to two of them – in a SMALL town.

I believe the TOTAL nationwide in the NO KINGS protests – which happened in over 2100 locations – had a total number of protesters approaching 10 MILLION. Significantly MORE than the numbers I’ve heard on MSNBC – which is likely much more than what people who watch the “mainstream media” or the “right wing propagandists” would be hearing. Mark that down, because eventually the real numbers will be made public. (There were over 100,000 each in several larger cities alone. (Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York for example) If there was simply an average that is the equivalent to Vancouver WA.s and you multiply that by 2159 you get OVER 10 MILLION. Just sayin…..

I was so sore the next day I could barely get out of bed in the morning and I missed the father’s day sermon at the church I attend. But, as I predicted above, I felt great and look forward to the NEXT time I can be a part of masses of people declaring their support for our democratic republic in the face of the wannabe dictator Trump and the Project 2025 puppet masters pulling the strings in the background. As I’ve been doing for at least a year now, I urge anyone who hasn’t attempted to read Project 2025 to do so. That will help you to understand what is coming next.

The republican Congress is close to passing Trump’s big UGLY bill and the Senate, by some accounts, is making it even WORSE than the House version. The republicans finally feel they have the opportunity to take a big hunk out of the “New Deal” (what’s left of it) and LBJ’s “Great Society.” These republicans are pushing “we the people” into a second “guilded age” and, unfortunately, those of us who don’t want to go there have only the democrats to depend on. From my perspective there are way too many democrats who are attempting to move closer to the so-called MAGA movement.

In fact, my own representative, who, to her credit, defeated the “deplorable” Joe Kent in two elections (he’ll probably show up again if we still have elections going forward). However, she continues to be one of a small number of democrats willing to cross the line and vote with the “deplorable” republican House – on issues she apparently believes no one “back home” will care about. However, on that she’s wrong – I’ve written to her several times expressing my frustration with her willingness to, for example, support Trump legislation regarding immigrants. She even voted to “censure” her democratic colleague for standing up during Trump’s lie-athon causing people to understand about the pending Medicaid and SNAP cuts. Somehow democrats need to understand the way to reconnect with their traditional “base” isn’t to suck up to MAGA and support what amounts to a racist agenda. If they don’t figure this out soon, “we the people” could be saying goodbye to our republic as it has been constituted over the previous 250 years. In my district we will likely be saying goodbye to Rep. Perez in 2028.

Trump’s “mickey mouse” attempt to be like Russia or North Korea has to make him more of a laughing stock around the “free world” than I, at least, had thought possible. It grieves me to understand people in Western Europe understand what is actually happening in America better than MANY of “we the people.” Sadly, the reports I’ve read recently indicate somewhere around 50% of adult Americans have an education equivalency of the 6th grade. This is the result of what Bush/Cheney called their “no child left behind” legislation back in the early 2000’s. I was teaching at that time and it was obvious to me this legislation was aimed at undermining America’s Public Education system. Trump et al are “putting the cherry on top” of that “plan” as he continues following the “orders” of the Project 2025 fascists.

Today as I was driving around I tuned into MSNBC. To the credit of Nicole Wallace the discussion was centered on the necessity of “we the people” speaking out regarding the United States being on the tipping point of falling into becoming a fascist state. Of course, in their discussion they used the term “authoritarian” because, apparently even on MSNBC it’s against the “rules” to tell it like it is. I recommend to anyone who hasn’t done so to look up the definition of “fascism” – I’ve posted it here numerous times – and compare it to what you’re seeing here in America and what took place in Germany 60+ years ago. Admittedly, you’ll have to do a few minutes of research!

I don’t seem to have the “fire” to write every day so I’ll try to keep this going after another couple days of “vacation.” There’s just so much “sh*t” coming down the pike from Trump/Vance (formerly Musk/Trump/Vance) It’s just hard to keep up – with is exactly the point by these Nazi’s. So just let me scratch my old head to see what some of the sh*t I’m talking about actually is:

1.) Trump has another “two week” deadline for Iran – while he decides to bomb the sh*t out of them. (Should I say “TACO Trump?” – take a guess how this will end)

2.) Don’t kid yourself – ICE is arresting U.S. Citizens. God help you if you look like a Latino!

3.) Make no mistake, Trump’s plan is to send these troops into cities all across America? I have to wonder why some of the Troops don’t simply say “enough already?” But, that’s just me – I have to keep reminding myself around 49% of Americans voted for this.

4.0 “TACO Trump” will likely have the opportunity to back away from some tariff “threats” in the coming couple of weeks.

5.0 Trump has succeeded in getting American’s attention away from the Genocide being inflicted on GAZA by Bibi Netanyahu.

6.0) Not only is the attention off of the Palestinians DYING in GAZA but also the attention is off of the WAR CRIMES being carried out in Ukraine by Vladimir Putin.

7.0) Speaking of Putin, TACO Trump is publicly being humiliated by Putin in regard to Putin’s ILLEGAL and CRIMINAL invasion of Ukraine. TACO Trump is likely too STUPID to understand Putin is playing him for the world’s greatest FOOL.

8.) Trump’s poll numbers are tanking, but do you wonder why he doesn’t give a sh*t? I’ve made my prediction: Trump is planning to block any mid-term election from actually happening. He has no plan to allow the democrats to take over the House and IMPEACH him for the third time.

9.) I’m finally hearing members of the democratic party and some of the “never trumpers” recommending the ILLEGAL activity of members of TACO Trump’s administration be “memorialized” for after this nightmare is over. It appears TACO is pushing the envelope of his duty to see that our “laws are faithfully executed” due to the SCOTUS’ “deplorable” “absolute immunity” decision – in TACO’s mind, giving up their authority over his administration.

10.) Today the incompetent VP JD Vance, while speaking (lying) in Los Angeles referred to California’s Senior Senator, Alex Padillo, as “Jose” Padilla (the convicted terrorist). I’ll let you figure that one out (another example of Vance’s racism?) but, remember, it was Vance LYING about Haitian immigrants in Ohio who were “eating the dogs and cats” of the White people. I’m not kidding! Vance is “deplorable.” IMPEACHMENT 3.0 must include BOTH Trump and Vance!

11.) Trump has appointed the MOST incompetent cabinet in History. The most obvious, to me, are the ones in the Justice Department which has rendered it incoherent and incompetent and simply a tool of TACO’s revenge.

12.) And, this is likely the worst case, to me, is the dismantling of USAID. Every day more and more people in poor countries are DYING as a result of this “deplorable” action.

13.) This one comes a close second to the previous sentence. TACO Trump, in his quest to “be like Putin,” is cleaning up financially from his Trump 2.0. And, he’s doing it in the open which, apparently to him, makes it easier to get away with it. I hope those “memorializing” the ILLEGAL grifting going on in Trump 2.0 because this can’t possibly be part of the SCOTUS “absolute immunity” decision, can it?

Finally) Trump continues to push his “big UGLY (ok, “beautiful”) bill that is another great example of the republican scam of taking money from the poor and giving it to the rich. The people who benefit from the money DON’T NEED IT. I heard an economist tonight explaining how they will likely invest much of the money into “Treasuries” in order to pay for the additional national debt caused by the tax cuts in the bill. So, Congressional republicans will give money to rich people who will then “invest” it in America’s debt so that America will then be paying them interest on the “free” money republicans gift them. Yikes!! And, republicans will have to raise the “debt ceiling” by $5 TRILLION to make it all work. Conservatism at its finest!

Speaking of Ukraine – did you think TACO is actually afraid of Volodymyr Zelenskyy? TACO bailed on the G-7 Summit in order to avoid a “face to face” with Zelenskyy. I’ve come to the conclusion Ukraine should give their “rare earths” to the EU countries who continue supporting their fight against Putin’s fascist regime. Of course, these countries understand the ultimate risk of Putin actually taking Ukraine – what would come next. They’ve seen appeasement to fascists “up front and personal” (Neville Chamberlain) and they have no plans to allow the same thing to happen again. Try as he might TACO will be unable to hide what is happening in Ukraine and GAZA. Netanyahu is another who has mastered “playing” TACO in order to put off the inevitable of facing the consequences of his own criminal conduct – unless the Israeli courts are as STUPID as our own SCOTUS! Trump’s appeasement to Putin is TRAITOROUS in my view! Go figure!!!

Final Thought: Have you stopped to think about TACO Trump’s administration suggesting they called up 4000 National Guardsmen (Over the objection of California’s governor) and 700 Marines (Most who are doing NOTHING and sleeping on the floors of local armories) because a few protesters set “Waymos” on fire and battled with police. They actually said attacking police is a “red line” for them (TACO’s administration). Well, do I have to give the definition of hypocrisy to you? I’ll end this by saying, our history books will have black pages forever while explaining the PARDONS of something like 1500 January 6th, 2021 TRAITORS after being instigated by the TRAITOR in chief, TACO Trump. These TRAITORS spent the better part of 3 hours assaulting the Capitol and Metro Police officers – leading to 5 DEATHS.

There was NO National Guard called out by TACO – actually, the target of his wrath, VP Pense, was actually the one who ultimately called in the Guard. Not only did TACO Trump pardon these cop beaters – one who was the FIRST to carry the Confederate Flag in the Capitol’s rotunda – but in front of a group of American’s Army soldiers Trump announced the renaming of the Army bases which were originally named after Confederate TRAITORS but then renamed to actual America heroes back to the name of the original TRAITORS names. Sick!!! Personally, I find it more than offensive to have an American fort named after Robert E Lee. To TACO General Lee (a TRAITOR) is a hero! Stay tuned!!!

We see examples of extreme hypocrisy virtually EVERY day during Trump 2.0. I’ve pointed out here that I don’t believe America can withstand 3 1/2 years of Trump’s absurd conduct – keeping in mind he’s the puppet of the Project 2025 puppet masters. Remember, Trump has an unenviable history of support for the Military. Back in the day, during the Viet Nam War, his daddy found a doctor who would certify mysterious “bone spurs” which allowed him to avoid service back then – him calling those who were drafted and sent to Nam as “stupid.” Then, in Trump 1.0 he referred to those who gave their lives during WW II as “suckers and losers.” Now, he’s decided to send 700 Marines into Los Angeles for an emergency Trump is attempting to create.

Remember, Trump PARDONED 1500 INSURECTIONISTS who stormed our Nation’s Capitol building on January 6, 2021 and assaulted over 140 Police Officers, many with career ending injuries (along with several deaths) calling them “patriots.” These were people who were attempting to overthrow our nation’s government as part of Trump’s attempted coup. The attacks on Police were brutal and, for the officers, it was about three hours of hand to hand COMBAT. At the time, Trump sat in his dining room and watched the INSURRECTION for something like 185 minutes without calling for the National Guard to help. Over 1000 of the INSURRECTIONISTS pled guilty to assaulting police with many incarcerated for their lawbreaking. There were even two groups found GUILTY of SEDITION – ALL of them PARDONED on Trump’s first day in office.

So, well, here we are. Suddenly, Trump is concerned with the actions of people in Los Angeles who are opposed to the ICE raids on businesses where their neighbors or family members are being swept up in Trump and Stephen Miller’s white nationalist actions aimed at finding people they can deport – whether legally or not. Fathers and Mothers are disappearing – even some younger people are being caught up in the actions of ICE agents who’ve been threatened for their jobs if they can’t meet the quotas set by Miller. Apparently, like the cowardly republican members of Congress these agents value their job more than the OATH to the Constitution they had to make in order to get that job in the first place. I used to believe taking an OATH meant something. Members of the military who take an OATH which includes refusing to follow an illegal order. We’re at that line! (I took that oath in 1967)

Actually, Trump is the sucker and loser. (And, I’m talking about MORE than the reality he LOST the popular vote in TWO elections) He feels like a “strong man” because he can ORDER the National Guard and/or the Marines into situations where they are contesting the constitutional protected actions of their fellow citizens – and OBTW the local and state police are totally capable of dealing with any troublemakers who instigate violence in the protests. Trump is simply digging himself DEEPER into the hole where his legacy will lie once he’s out of office FOREVER. Will he last another 3 1/2 years – well, like I’ve said, I believe his motive behind these actions is a kind of trial run for how he’s going to stop the Mid-Term elections which will likely cause republicans to lose their “grip” on Congress.

America will survive, the question is in what state? And, of course, the DAMAGE (which I’ve been talking about since Trump 1.0) will likely take a generation or more to alleviate. I’ve pointed out that in the case of the Supreme Court if America EVER elects another republican for, say, the next 40 years – then they (I should say “we the people”) deserve the consequences. If you are unable to see the imprint of the SCOTUS on what’s happening in America right now you haven’t been paying attention. Just off the top of my head, “Citizen’s United” (allowing the flow of MONEY from around the globe into our elections), the gutting of the Voting Rights Act (leading to voter suppression legislation in over half the states), several votes against civil rights advancements, and, of course, the “mother of all STUPID SCOTUS decisions” the “absolute Immunity” for the president.

Is the court totally in cahoots with Trump and the Project 2025 puppet masters? Well, it sure looks that way from my perspective. Just think back to the 2024 election. Trump was deemed an “insurrectionist” by the Colorado Courts thusly (potentially) taking his name off their presidential ballot. The court acted with haste and found a way to rule against their own professed beliefs – like as “originalists” or “textualists” for example – to decide against the state of Colorado – in record time. Then, of course, when it came time to rule on Trump’s appeal of his (stupid) “absolute immunity” claim – the court STALLED the ruling out to the very last day of their term – ensuring Trump would not stand trial before the 2024 election. It was as if they were part of his campaign – and, of course, they ruled he had “absolute immunity” while doing official government actions. Obviously, Trump no longer feels hindered by our constitution – thanks to the SCOTUS!

So, now, everyday members of the Los Angeles community who are attempting to come to the aid of their neighbors and family members are being referred to by the republicans as “insurrectionists” – apparently as a way to make ordinary Americans forget the actual INSURRECTIONISTS who stormed our Capitol in 2021, beat up a bunch of police officers (with no call for National Guard backup) and were PARDONED on “day one” by Trump. (Trump made numerous “day one” guarantees – PARDONING the INSURRECTIONISTS was the ONLY one he actually followed through on – of course, if you have a logical brain you KNEW he couldn’t end the wars in Ukraine and GAZA or bring down the cost of eggs and other “groceries”)

I spend a lot of time lamenting the evil doings of Trump, but since his first day in office during Trump 1.0 I’ve come to realize that possibly the greatest thing I’ve been wrong about during the entire many years I’ve been sending my thoughts out to cyberspace (If you’ve found this I have no idea how) is I fervently believed republicans in Congress would tire of Trump’s pathological LYING and extreme narcissistic behavior to the point where they would lead the effort to remove him from office. I terribly miscalculated the level of COWARDICE which permeates the republican members of Congress. Don’t get me totally wrong here, there are several democratic members of Congress who I wonder if they have what it takes to meet the danger of the day – the greatest danger to our constitutional order since the Civil War.

Trump keeps “we the people” focused on the “shiny object” while behind the scenes “stuff” (which, admittedly, I can only speculate on – with no actual factual basis) is going on which, very likely, is far worse than what is happening in the streets of Los Angeles. Just this past week there was a “blowout” of the Musk/Trump administration leaving (f)Elon Musk out if the political neverworld. Trump is worried Musk is going to fund democrats in the future, but I can’t get those two Sieg Hiels he “threw” at Trump’s inauguration out of my mind. Will democrats take his money? Probably someone will, but that certainly won’t cause me to cast my vote in their direction (If we’re still voting). Kilmer Abrego Garcia was returned from the El Salvador Gulag and jailed somewhere in Tennessee on “Trumped up charges” designed to make Trump look better if they can get a guilty verdict to charges brought by a couple guys stuck in a Tennesee jail somewhere – likely with the promise of a PARDON if Mr. Garcia is convicted.

There’s the issue with the Tariffs and the reality it’s just a matter of time until they torpedo the entire economy. To what level? I, of course, have no idea, but it could be really bad and I have NO confidence the Congressional republicans will have a clue as to how to pull “we the people” out of Trump’s personal created economic downward spiral. If we’re all focused on the protests in Los Angeles our minds will be, at least temporarily, not thinking about Trump’s disastrous economy.

I’ve always said a new president gets kind of a pass for the first year in office because he/she inherits the economy of his/her predecessor. Well, Trump inherited an economy people called the envy of the world – the BEST economy in the entire world. It only took a matter of days for Trump to start the bludgeoning process and the only reason it’s not worse is because Senate democrats didn’t have the courage to put up a fight against a “continuing resolution” back in March. Chuck Schumer seems to have a problem with “drawing a line in the sand.” This was deflative for progressives all around the nation. It’s like too many democrats don’t understand the nature of the “fight” which is happening as I write this – and, it goes much deeper, as I’ve tried to point out, than just the Los Angeles protests. (These issues will be spreading across the nation – as part of Trump’s – and project 2025 puppet master’s – plans)

I’ve been writing about how “we the people” need to vote “today’s republicans” into the History books since back in the days of Bush/Cheney. I lamented how President Obama chose to IGNORE the FACT both Bush and Cheney admitted on national TV they authorized TORTURE (and both said they’d do so again) back in the Iraq and Afghanistan fiascoes. Obama (now infamously) said “We’re going to look forward instead of back,” which I pointed out at the time was an absurd way to see that the laws be faithfully executed. To prosecute criminal conduct you MUST look back to gather the evidence for whatever trial will eventually take place. I pointed out if this lawbreaking was allowed to stand it would simply get worse the next time. A statement which has been proven TRUE in Trump 1.0 and now more so in Trump 2.0. The lawbreaking just keeps getting worse and, now, with a SCOTUS that is in collaboration. Yikes!!

Final Thought: Speaking of Trump’s torpedoing of the economy I happen to follow (superficially) the doings of Wall Street pretty much on a daily basis. It’s amazing to me that America’s 2nd largest city can be getting INVADED by our OWN troops and Wall Street just keeps buzzing along – as if nothing’s happening. President Biden warned “we the people” about the potential of America becoming an OLIGARCHY and, well, here we are. For years I’ve pointed out that the foundation of any fascist nation is a “government/corporate partnership.” It should be clear to just about any clear thinking person – we’re here. There is a tiny fraction of our nation holding well over a MAJORITY of the nation’s wealth (and, of course, seeking even MORE) and these corporate leaders have lined up in support of Trump – assuming he will be their “best buddy.”

Well, (f)Elon Musk has discovered the fallacy in this “agreement.” As Trump continues to consolidate POWER he becomes less and less dependent on these corporate leaders. In fact, if you were paying attention to the Trump/Musk “breakup” when Musk threatened to decommission the space capsule which retrieves astronauts from the space station in response to Trump’s threat to cancel all Musk’s government contracts, none other than Steve Bannon responded by suggesting Trump should SEIZE Space X and Musk should be deported because he allegedly entered the country ILLEGALLY and LIED about it in his citizenship application. As Rick Wilson says, anyone Trump touches dies. (figuratively, of course)

I have to add: To any democrats who chose to abandon Biden because he was/is too old you didn’t surprise me a bit. I’ve seen this spineless behavior by democrats my entire voting life (since 1968). I guess I feel I have to keep repeating myself, President Biden was the most knowledgeable person in America at “governing” in my lifetime. The difference between him and Trump should be even MORE obvious NOW! When Trump spews his propaganda that he “inherited a mess” – well, if you believe that there’s no hope for you – Sorry to have to point that out. The issue in the 2024 election SHOULDN’T have been President Biden’s age, it SHOULD have been the FACT Trump is a 34 times FELON, he’s a pathological LIAR, he’s the MOST narcissistic person I’ve ever witnessed (maybe his sons are right in there), he attempted a coup on January 6th, 2021. he’s also a traitor to our military presence in the world (sucking up to Putin), and he has no idea how to run the government – which he proved during the pandemic. That SHOULD have been the issue in the campaign.

Democrats are so easily manipulated it’s disgusting. In other words, the blame for Trump 2.0 isn’t President Biden – he was doing a great job of managing the economy – the blame stands squarely on the shoulders of the democrats themselves – who I’ve pointed out for years are afraid to defend their own fundamental values! Just as they turned on Carter in 1980, just as they bailed on Gore in 2000 they did the same thing to Biden in 2024. Take a closer look at what transpired during the Reagan, GW Bush, and now two Trump administrations for the consequences of this spineless political party! (And, I’m talking about the democrats here) There, I got it out!

There ARE democrats with guts. The two who first come to mind are AOC and Bernie Sanders. Once again, democrats have allowed (are allowing) the republicans along with the “Main Stream Media” to label democrats like AOC and Sanders as too extreme – they are unabashed “liberals.” Might I point out republicans have been besmirching the word “liberal” since the days of Reagan. I might also remind you, virtually EVERY “right” you – or should I say “we the people” – take for granted are the result of democrats (liberals) pushing through “stuff” republicans hate. Things like voting rights, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment insurance, food safety, environmental regulations, public education, workplace safety, the 40 hour workweek, overtime pay, minimum wage (which in many places is way too low – it’s $16.75 where I live) national parks, the federal highway system, libraries, civil rights, and on and on. All this stuff is under attack because democrats are afraid to defend what has really made America “great.” Trump et al are trying to recreate the “Robber Baron era 2.0.” “We the people” need to wake up! Once Trump is out of office “we the people” will need to “Make America Great Again.” Stay tuned!!!

Are there any people other than the MAGA faithful who still believe a word that comes from Trump or his republican sycophants mouths is EVER true? As usual, there are so many things I could focus on that it renders my ADHD mind spinning like a top – exactly what the objective of the project 2025 puppet masters are intending. They’re about to inflict “we the people” with another “beautiful” tax cut which will funnel UP (not down – if you haven’t figured that out yet) approximately $5 TRILLION to (f)Elon Musk and the rest of the republican BILLIONAIRE class along with the corporate turncoats who would rather live in a fascist state as long as they are getting even RICHER.

The CORRUPTION in Washington DC has reached monumental levels – beyond even the imagination of those who’ve complained about ethics for decades – since the days of Ronald Reagan (at least). Trump, for example, appears to me to be focused on accruing as MUCH money as he can during his second assault on our constitution. Along with that, I believe the American economy is (and has been) one of his targets in his retribution campaign. I believe he’s hated the “elite” of Wall Street for most of his career because he was NEVER accepted in Manhattan – despite his showy attempts to get attention. I believe his tariff recession will be part of the pay back.

And, of course, he’s setting himself and his two sons up to be among the greatest benefactors of the impending recession. Remember, when the market tanks, those with lots of cash will swoop in and pick up the pieces – people like Musk and the other BILLIONAIRES who’ve been sucking up to Trump since the day he “won” re-election. The best examples I can give would focus on Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg. Both of these “progressives” were among the first to throw down a MILLION bucks for Trump’s inauguration celebration (where Musk showed his fascist bona fides with a couple Sieg Hiels). I believe both Bezos and Zuckerberg were/are looking for the repeal of regulations making their quest for even MORE billions much easier.

And, keep in mind, they don’t think in terms of “millions.” Giving Trump a cool MILLION is like a rounding error to each of these turncoats. Bezos has since stuck his (now) Trump loving nose into the business of his famous Newspaper the Washington Post – with many of the best reporters and opinion writers on to new horizons. Zuckerberg showed his true colors as he changed the moderation policy of Facebook to “be like Elon.” Meaning full of right wing Nazi like dribble – affecting the minds of untold numbers of unsuspecting Americans. And, the list goes on, the other day i heard a report on Peter Thiel – he of the “I helped JD Vance” segment of our right wing BILLIONAIRE population, where Thiel’s Palantir corporation has gained around $1 BILLION in government contracts since Trump took (lied about) the oath of office on January 20th, 2025 – to gather DATA on “we the people.” Surprise Surprise.

I’ve pointed this out several times here before – both Peter Thiel and (f)Elon Musk are immigrants – in Musk’s case a bit “sketchy” (Just ask Steve Bannon) – Thiel from Germany and Musk from Apartheid South Africa – and they’ve got their “fingers” in a lot of what’s going on in America which goes over the heads of “we the people” (present company included). To say I don’t trust either of these moneyed dudes is putting it mildly. I believe it was Thiel I read about who was purchasing isolated parts of New Zealand for his “escape” once the shit hits the fan. (As far as I can tell, that day is here)

Now, I began this rant before the Trump/Musk administration hit the “rocks” with Musk going off on Trump’s “big beautiful bill” as an abomination. (Of course, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder) I would caution all the “libs” out there to avoid getting excited about this dustup because Musk’s issue with the bill was there wasn’t ENOUGH “cutting” – suddenly, he seems worried about the national debt. Of course, had he been paying attention to recent American History, he shouldn’t have been a bit surprised. Aside from all the complaints about deficits coming from republicans when a democrat is in the “Oval Office” – they kick in a “new” tax cut for the “rich” as soon as they gain control once again. This goes all the way back to Nixon me working from my memory. Of course, it was Reagan who first inflicted “we the people” with the “trickle down” LIE. You’d think we would have figured this out by now – but, whatever!

So, here we are. Trump is about four or five months into his second regime and he’s got, this time, some really “nasty” dudes filling out his “executive orders” for him – I put that in quotes because I’ve been pointing out since his first day in Trump 2.0 that he only learns what’s on these “orders” when they are presented to him at the signing ceremony – where the spokesperson for, I’m saying this by inference, project 2025 actually explains to him what he’s about to sign. I’ve called them the “puppet masters” since before January 30th, 2025 – and, if you’ve been paying attention it should have been obvious. True to form I’m now noticing some of the “crack” members of the so-called “Mainstream Media” beginning to figure out Trump has no idea what he’s signing.

Well, all of this “governing” has left us in a precarious place, hasn’t it? The world is watching and LAUGHING at America – while, at the same time, wondering “what the hell is going on over there/” How could the American people be so STUPID as to put a 34 times FELON who actually attempted a coup d’etat four years earlier back in “charge?” I could list so many reasons why this SHOULDN’T have happened, but the reality is that people like Musk, Thiel, Bezos, Zuckerberg and many other OLIGARCHS understand how easy it is to manipulate the “thinking” of the American public – a public which, by many reports I’ve read, has over 50% with an educational equivalent of 6th grade or lower. (That actually explains it, doesn’t it)

And, the so-called Mainstream Media certainly don’t help the situation with the inability to actually report “news” based on facts – NOT on seeking ratings, or believing in “both sidesing” issues or, out and out attempting to push a pre-ordained narrative. In 2024, as soon as the democrats “turned” on Joe Biden (who, admittedly was too old – although, 19 MILLION primary voters supported him KNOWING he was too old) I KNEW Trump was likely to be the next president, once again. The republicans had succeeded in changing to topic from Trump and his “roadmap to fascism” with project 2025 (which we are now seeing being carried out – daily) to Joe Biden as too old. Of course, Trump is ALSO too old – but, apparently, that’s a different “story.”

Here’s the major difference between Trump and Biden. Trump has no idea what’s in the constitution (nor, does he care), he has no idea how to govern (nor, does he care), and he’s violating basic ethical tenets in order to make TONS of money (as far as the ethical tenets – he obviously doesn’t care). When Trump accuses others of “hating this country,” that’s the purest form of projection – he clearly hates this country. And, talk about projection? Just think for a quiet moment about Trump referring to the “Biden crime family.” Hunter Biden’s “crimes?” “Crimes” which would NEVER have been pursued had he not been Biden’s son – but NEVER connected to President Biden despite four years of attempts. But, the constant barrage of LIES influenced many of those Americans who actually believed Trump would end the wars in Ukraine and GAZA on “day one,” bring down the prices of groceries on “day one,” and “Make America Great Again” to vote for him (with about $300 MILLION in “help” from his now estranged Musk).

It should be obvious this all really bugs me – hence another rant in cyberspace. But, here’s what bugs me more than knowing many of the people I know who I consider good hard working Americans are, when it comes to politics, STUPID – and, in MOST instances they claim their “brilliance” comes from their dedication to Fox “news” – and, it’s – ONCE AGAIN – aimed at the “Main Stream Media.” Now, I don’t pretend to watch a lot of television “news” – but, when I do it’s almost always MSNBC. I do read a lot of “stuff” from various sources although I’ve pretty much eliminated the NY Times and the WA Post from those sources. Almost universally I’m seeing these outlets referring to what they’re seeing from Trump as “authoritarianism.” I’ve written about this before, and OBVIOUSLY, pretty much no one who counts in the “news” is paying attention.

However, I’m going to keep saying this until either I’m blue in the face or, hopefully better, some of these national news outlets start paying attention. The word they SHOULD be using is FASCISM! Authoritarianism is simply a euphemism for what apparently is a word which is so unpopular based on WW II and the attempted genocide by Hitler’s Nazi’s that we have to find words which don’t sound so “harsh.” Be that as it may, what Trump is attempting (and, on the verge of succeeding thanks in part to that “Main Stream Media”) is the turning of America into a fascist state. Don’t believe me? Read project 2025 and you’ll see what is happening in America right now is exactly what they had planned as their “manifesto for the next ‘conservative’ administration.”

I read well into project 2025 – as far as I needed to realize what the authors were advocating – and, that is defeating our democratic republic from “within” – something Hitler failed to do from the outside – back when my father was in the Army. I put links on this site so anyone who happened by could get it easily. In fact, the last time I put a link up, the people at Project 2025 required my email address – and, silly me, I gave it to them. Since then I’ve been battered by and endless barrage of right wing emails from Trump and many others – and, I can’t seem to get rid of them. So, if you’re interested in actually understanding what is happening to our nation it’s easy to find – it’s not so easy to read if you love America’s 250 year old democratic republic. Stay tuned!!!

Final Thought: next weekend (from when I’m writing this) will be the next big protest planned for June 14th – the day Trump is giving himself a birthday present – that would please Vladimir Putin or Kim Jong un – tearing up Pennsylvania Avenue in D.C. with a military parade aimed at cementing our place among fascist states around the globe. Trump is working to turn Benedict Arnold’s memory into one of a true patriot. Yikes!!!

I have to add: For anyone who is confused about what Trump is doing in Los Angeles – first with calling out the National Guard over the objections of California’s governor – who SHOULD be the one to do so if he sees fit – and, secondly NOW by including 700 Marines to help INSTIGATE a violent reaction from protesters – this is part of the project 2025 plan to make sure all the democrats out there who are planning on taking back control of Congress in the 2026 Mid-Terms Trump (and his puppet masters) have another plan. They are going to continue stirring up opposition to their lawless actions to the point where Trump will claim some kind of national emergency and there will NOT be Mid-Term elections in 2026. I’m sure that sounds bizarre to MOST who might read this, but that’s exactly what I believe the plan to be. That’s exactly why I keep encouraging our Main Stream Media to use the correct description when analyzing Trump 2.0. IT’S FASCISM!!! (Read Project 2025)

He said to SHARE this so I’ve done the best I could.  The Hartmann Report The Normalization of Evil: We Thought We Were Free How ordinary Americans became numb to authoritarianism—step by chilling step Thom HartmannJun I fear our mistakes far more than the strategy of our enemies. —Thucydides (470–400 b.c.), Pericles’ Funeral OrationIt It wasn’t all at once (although sometimes the last three months seem that way). Authoritarianism never is. It happens drip by drip, crisis by crisis, until people forget what normal even felt like. This is how fascism seduces a nation: not by storming the gates, but by wearing down our ability to be outraged. And Donald Trump, more than any political figure in modern American history, has weaponized this steady march into moral and civic numbness. Ten years ago, if you’d told Americans that a U.S. president would attempt to overturn an election, openly praise dictators, take naked bribes from both foreign potentates and drug dealers, call the press the “enemy of the people,” cage children, pardon traitors and war criminals, and promise to act as a dictator on his first day in office, they’d have laughed. They would’ve told you, “That can’t happen here.” But it did. And now the real danger is that we’re getting used to it .Let’s not forget: — When Trump refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power in 2020, the political class gasped. Now it’s barely discussed. — When he orchestrated an attempted coup on January 6th, 2021, it was the top story in the world. Today, most Republicans call it “a protest” or a “tour.” — Had any previous president invited an immigrant billionaire who promotes fascist memes to rip the guts out of the Social Security Administration and shut down USAID (handing our soft power to the Russians and Chinese) there would have been hell to pay. Now Musk’s extraordinary damage to our government is barely discussed. — When Trump began calling undocumented immigrants “animals” and labeling judges and prosecutors as “scum,” it horrified the media. Now it’s part of the daily churn. — When a federal judge’s son was murdered by a Trump campaign volunteer it shocked America; now judges are routinely threatened and Republicans won’t even give the judiciary control over the US Marshall’s Service to protect them. — When Trump praised Putin and Viktor Orbán and suggested suspending the Constitution, the headlines flared, but then faded fast. — When he arrested a Tufts University student for having written an op-ed in the student paper critical of Netanyahu and threw her into prison for months, the country was appalled. Now he’s rolling out loyalty tests for civil servants and investigating the social media posts of American citizens returning to the country and nobody’s even discussing it any more. — When ICE agents showed up in Portland in 2020 in unmarked vans without uniforms and their ID missing, kidnapping people off the streets without warrants, Americans and the media were shocked. Now seeing jackbooted thugs with masks covering their faces and refusing to identify themselves has become “normal.” This is the playbook. Fascism doesn’t arrive with jackboots; it arrives with media and voter fatigue. As the political theorist Hannah Arendt warned, the very banality and ordinariness of evil is its greatest weapon. Victor Klemperer, a Jew who converted to Lutheranism and then chronicled the rise of Nazism in Germany, saw how average people learned to live with, to adapt to, to bear the unbearable. In his 1942 diary he wrote:“Today over breakfast we talked about the extraordinary capacity of human beings to bear and become accustomed to things. The fantastic hideousness of our existence… and yet still hours of pleasure… and so we go on eking out a bare existence and go on hoping.” Sebastian Haffner, another German observer, noted in Defying Hitler that even he, a staunch anti-Nazi, found himself one day saluting, wearing a uniform, and marching (and even secretly enjoying the feeling of authority associated with it).“To resist seemed pointless;” he wrote, “finally, with astonishment, he observed himself raising his arm, fitted with a swastika armband, in the Nazi salute.” And Milton Mayer, in They Thought They Were Free, described how good, decent Germans came to accept fascism. He was a Chicago reporter who, following World War II, went to Germany to interview “average Germans” to try to learn how such a terrible thing could have happened and, hopefully, thus prevent it from ever happening here. “What happened here was the gradual habituation of the people,” Mayer wrote, “little by little, to being governed by surprise; to receiving decisions deliberated in secret; to believing that the situation was so complicated that the government had to act on information which the people could not understand, or so dangerous that, even if the people could understand it, it could not be released because of national security….” He wrote about living there and the ten Germans he befriended: I found his description of a college professor to be the most poignant. As Mayer’s professor friend noted, and Mayer recorded in his book: “This separation of government from people, this widening of the gap, took place so gradually and so insensibly, each step disguised (perhaps not even intentionally) as a temporary emergency measure or associated with true patriotic allegiance or with real social purposes. And all the crises and reforms (real reforms, too) so occupied the people that they did not see the slow motion underneath, of the whole process of government growing remoter and remoter. …“ “To live in this process is absolutely not to be able to notice it — please try to believe me — unless one has a much greater degree of political awareness, acuity, than most of us had ever had occasion to develop. Each step was so small, so inconsequential, so well explained or, on occasion, ‘regretted,’ that, unless one were detached from the whole process from the beginning, unless one understood what the whole thing was in principle, what all these ‘little measures’ that no ‘patriotic German’ could resent must some day lead to, one no more saw it developing from day to day than a farmer in his field sees the corn growing. One day it is over his head.” In this conversation, Mayer’s friend suggests that he wasn’t making an excuse for not resisting the rise of the fascists, but was simply pointing out what happens when you keep your head down and just “do your job” without engaging in politics. “You see,” Mayer’s friend continued, “one doesn’t see exactly where or how to move. Believe me, this is true. Each act, each occasion, is worse than the last, but only a little worse. You wait for the next and the next.“ You wait for the one great shocking occasion, thinking that others, when such a shock comes, will join with you in resisting somehow. You don’t want to act, or even to talk, alone; you don’t want to ‘go out of your way to make trouble.’ Why not? Well, you are not in the habit of doing it. And it is not just fear, fear of standing alone, that restrains you; it is also genuine uncertainty.“ Uncertainty is a very important factor, and, instead of decreasing as time goes on, it grows. … “But the one great shocking occasion, when tens or hundreds or thousands will join with you, never comes. That’s the difficulty. If the last and worst act of the whole regime had come immediately after the first and the smallest, thousands, yes, millions would have been sufficiently shocked — if, let us say, the gassing of the Jews in ’43 had come immediately after the ‘German Firm’ stickers on the windows of non-Jewish shops in ’33. “But of course this isn’t the way it happens. In between come all the hundreds of little steps, some of them imperceptible, each of them preparing you not to be shocked by the next. Step C is not so much worse than Step B, and, if you did not make a stand at Step B, why should you at Step C? And so on to Step D. “And one day, too late, your principles, if you were ever sensible of them, all rush in upon you. The burden of self-deception has grown too heavy, and some minor incident, in my case my little boy, hardly more than a baby, saying ‘Jew swine,’ collapses it all at once, and you see that everything, everything, has changed and changed completely under your nose. “The world you live in — your nation, your people — is not the world you were in at all. The forms are all there, all untouched, all reassuring, the houses, the shops, the jobs, the mealtimes, the visits, the concerts, the cinema, the holidays. “But the spirit, which you never noticed because you made the lifelong mistake of identifying it with the forms, is changed. Now you live in a world of hate and fear, and the people who hate and fear do not even know it themselves; when everyone is transformed, no one is transformed. Now you live in a system which rules without responsibility even to God. ”Sound familiar?Stephen Miller’s recent musing about suspending habeas corpus to lock up immigrants and even protestors without trial? That would’ve sparked emergency hearings a decade ago. Now it’s barely a blip. The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a blueprint to purge civil servants and replace them with regime loyalists in complete defiance of the Pendelton Civil Service Act (and the reasons it came into being), should be setting off alarm bells. Instead, it’s getting the same treatment Trump gave Covid and his multiple defiances of the law and the courts: denial, deflection, delay. It all comes back to normalization, as M. Gessen so brilliantly chronicles in The New York Times: “And so just when we most need to act — while there is indeed room for action and some momentum to the resistance — we tend to be lulled into complacency by the sense of relief on the one hand and boredom on the other. “Think of the trajectory of the so-called travel ban during Trump’s first term. Its first iteration drew thousands into the streets. The courts blocked it. The second iteration didn’t attract nearly as much attention, and most people didn’t notice when the third iteration of the travel ban, which had hardly changed, went into effect. Now Trump’s administration is drafting a new travel ban that targets more than five times as many countries.” When we stop being shocked, we stop reacting. And when we stop reacting, democracy dies. But there is a path forward. The antidote to normalization is resistance. Not just in voting booths, but in the streets, in courtrooms, in classrooms, in boardrooms, in pulpits, and at dinner tables. Thucydides, who had one of the clearest eyes in history about the dangers faced by democracies, said: “The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet nonetheless go out to meet it.” We must regain our vision and resensitize ourselves. We must reclaim our capacity to be appalled. That means when Trump calls Democrats “vermin,” we don’t say “that’s just Trump being Trump”; we say “That’s fascist rhetoric.” When he promises to use the military against American citizens and sends out immigration officers dressed up like soldiers at war, we don’t shrug; we organize. When Project 2025 tries to turn federal agencies into tools of vengeance, we don’t wait and see; we fight back now. When armed federal agents hide their identification and their faces the way terroristic police do in dictatorships as they kidnap people off our streets, we call them out. History won’t forgive us for sleepwalking into tyranny. And our children won’t either. This is the time to remember that democracy is not self-sustaining. It requires outrage. It demands vigilance. And sometimes, it needs us in the streets with our fists in the air and our boots on the pavement. If we still believe in this republic, in its ideals, and in the sacred value of a free and fair society, then our answer to Trump’s authoritarianism must be more than words. It must be peaceful action. Don’t get used to fascism. Get loud. Get active. Get in its way. The Hartmann Report is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my daily work to stop lies and fascism from consuming our form of government, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.