Well, I have to agree that these first 100 days have been the most monumental and consequential, as never before have we seen such a wrecking ball taken to our nation, our values, and our global reputation. The “Look at me, it’s my birthday!” spectacle planned for June 14th is repugnant— an insult to everyone who has served in uniform and yet another use of taxpayer dollars for personal aggrandizement. Sickening.
Will Trump allow disabled veterans and others wounded in our nation's wars to participate in the parade? Unlikely, as he made his disgust for the wounded known during his first administration. He only wants soldiers who correspond to his concocted ideal.
“‘We’re celebrating the most successful first 100 days of any administration in American history" Trump declared ...
He did not mention that the stock market has endured its worst start to a presidency since Gerald R. Ford!
Trump can’t go a day without sending his lackey press secretary to bash the previous administration. I’m guessing his reason for doing this is to distract us from the fact that he promised to lower prices on day 1 and then failed to deliver. But not only did he fail, he’s causing harm with higher prices.
Americans are 20% poorer due to Trump’s polices. He did that in <100 days! He is ruining the great economy that Joe Biden left us!
I noticed they stopped asking if we were better off than 4 years ago... 🤔
In 100 days Trump destroyed our leadership of the free world. Brought fascism to America. Caused several constitutional crisis. Broken dozens of laws. Made us less safe. A corrupt broken administration.
When does the House GOP become unafraid of Trump and do their jobs? Impeach him ASAP!
I'm wearing this "Don't blame me, I voted for her" tee shirt every day 👇
There has been some talk about having protest (or flag celebrations) everywhere BUT WaDC on June 14th. I think this is a good idea. Let him have his little parade. We're starting to see former trumpers at our protests- openly admitting their disgust and feelings of betrayal. Don't know about other groups, but our indivisible groups decided from the get-go that we welcome them without judgement. As for the June 14th event, the more of us who show up everywhere else, the better. It will show: fewer people are going to his rallies and more keep showing up at our protests.
I have seen Spain suffer under dictatorship. Their memory is not so short as to have forgotten. I am a relative of those who stepped forward to repel a dictator in Mexico so many years ago but not forgotten in history. I am aware of what dictators ( some with USA help) did to damage Latin American countries of Argentina and Chile. We have seen and sorrowed with normal, desperate citizens of countries in history.
We must speak our experiences now. Warn, rally, gather knowledge for future histories.
Ms. FDR echoes with: "Do one thing every day that scares you"
5.
Broadway's and Hollywood's years of success with the true story: THE SOUND OF MUSIC culminates in 5 Oscars. (Maria Von Trapp is forced to face her fears... fear of Captain and his family became LOVE of Captain and his family )
6.
Purdue Pharma marketing of Valium: "You DON'T HAVE TO FACE YOUR FEAR... JUST KEEP POPPING OUR PILLS... DON'T WORRY... THEY'RE NOT ADDICTIVE!!!"
Did America reject science in favor of the promise of a new technology? IMHO... 200%!
7.
Workers were too afraid to get a raise but CEOs gave themselves raises?
8.
Evangelizing is EXPOSURE THERAPY so the Evangelicals became America's best asserters and elected Reagan, Bush 43 and Trump?
9.
Exposure Therapy is also known as Desensitization, and Dr.Haidt has coined ANTI-FRAGILE and in his 2024 book about Smartphones in Middle Schools... CHILD'S PLAY
10.
Berkeley undergrads demonstrate EXPOSURE THERAPY VIA TIKTOK CHALLENGE:
Because the PR machine behind Trump plays a long game. They created two "real" people to embody average people's grievances. The Immigrant stood for all the jobs lost and factories closed and technology advancing while excluding workers. The aggrieved could see immigrants in their communities. The Trans Person stood for all the cultural changes that made many people feel uncomfortable--fewer people marrying and having children, gay and lesbian people living their best lives, gender fluidity, TikTok influencers, teenagers suffering from the Pandemic. All of that hate and fear worked.
They have now added "Scientists and any Educated Person," as the "Elites." The true elites are the multi-millionaires and billionaires of MAGA who laugh at those they delude.
But the Nazis have never gone away, and all along they've been augmented by neo-Ku Klux Klanners with their Confederate battle flags. They were out in force at the "United the Right" rally in Charlottesville, VA, in August 2017 -- emboldened in the first year of Trump's first term.
I realize there were always a group that believed that nonsense, but I NEVER thought I see it in broad daylight, in full swing and leading our government!
Every day I’m astounded by what has happened in the past 24 hours. it’s exhausting, debilitating, distressing. I lived in West Berlin during the Cold War and it feels like the US is turning into East Germany. Now is the time to speak out.
As a Catholic, I found the fuhrer cosplaying the Pope beyond disgusting. Never EVER in my lifetime have I seen such behavior from the person squatting in our White House.
When I think of MAGA America, I think I will be okay. I am after all a White American Male. Oh, wait. I live in blue Seattle, graduated from a liberal college (TESC), and subscribed to Steven Beschloss' substack. But at age 73, I'll die before they take away my Social Security, so I guess I still don't have anything to worry about.
Just in case you get a wild notion to change addresses, before you move make sure everyone one at the new address is very pale. Their new cover story for breaking down doors or deporting people is ‘human trafficking’. Then a revolving pit of excuses & accusations to the media.
I remember seeing the video of the mother (in silhouette) sobbing as she talked to the reporter.
As I listen to that horrible cabinet meeting I had the same reaction you did. I never saw so much boot licking and all my life. These people are not only unqualified they have no integrity whatsoever. I'm worried about May 20th coming now in martial law possibly being declared . Steve I'm looking to you to guide us forward
It was nauseating. And I thought Pence was bad. Shit, these people are empty, soulless, morally bankrupt, ethically devoid cretins. They have no self awareness and are the ultimate sellouts, which means traitors to our traditions and Constitutional framework. I hope they drown in the River Styx
I worked in government - a department - with a smaller version of this regime. They want unqualified, incompetent people. Their purpose is to be window dressing and to praise the regime leader. Those who have some qualifications like Bondi were monitored. They needed to work 2x as hard at supplication.
Eventually that regime leader’s embarrassing & illegal behavior became too large to disguise. The political inconvenience became larger than the benefit. Rather like Musk.
Right now they are doing something creative - The Dept of Interior handing federal land to the military. They had at least 4 yrs plan these things.
“At Southern Border, Defense Secretary Visits Newly Created National Defense Area”
How could they not perish on the spot from embarrassment? To be used that way will someday smack them in their tiny smidgens of self respect. I hope it hurts.
My dad and uncles served in WWII. My husband is a 26 year AF veteran who volunteers in advocacy roles for service members, veterans, and their families. I worked for the AF as a civilian for 9 years. I didn't ever envision the debacle we are living in now, and I sure as hell didn't think my family gave up so much to be remembered like this.
I learned as an undergraduate Russian history major to look at the annual May Day photos - those of the Secretary General surrounded by his lieutenants - for clues as to who was “in” and who was “out” of favor, and thus, leadership. One year, a guy (always a guy) would be next to Stalin/Khrushchev/Brezhnev. But in following photos, this favorite, depending on extenuating circumstances, may be moved back a row, then to the third, then the fourth, then finally, totally out of the picture. Sometimes, it didn’t even take four moves, they’d just be gone, disappeared.
I looked at this week’s cabinet meeting in a similar way: all the apparatchiks verbally positioning themselves to be the closest to Dear Leader in the most current rendering of subservience. That photo, if you will, has already been altered with the hasty exile of Mike Waltz to the United Nations, an organization trump holds in disdain.
DL is sending a clear message to his minions: prostate yourself at my feet or you are bound for the gulag of irrelevance.
Good point. Chinese and North Korean big events are scoured for the same type of info. As I remember there was a lot of reporting on how at the inauguration of the Orange Menace, billionaires not the Cabinet nominees got the best seats.
Frankly, any cabinet member is irrelevant since their mere existence is to flatter and placate DL and do his bidding regardless of its ridiculousness, futility, or danger. They all, of course, were in favor of eliminating the dreaded paper straws from the country. Such bravery!
It is worse. Their flattery of Trump then allows them to inflict cruelty on other people, which suggests to me that they were cruel people before Trump came along, he just gives them cover to enjoy it.
There is NOTHING dear leader can say, or do, or sign that will change Veterans Day into anything else. In his mind maybe, as a a headline at Fox News maybe, on the lips of brainless Hegseth maybe, but for the entire rest of the country, he can throw any tantrum he wants, but he can just pound sand.
The Gulf of Mexico is the Gulf of Mexico
Mt Denali is Mt Denali
And fascist shithead in the WH is a fascist shithead in the WH.
All I can think of is what all my grandparents, great uncles, great aunts, and all of those among them that fought for every one’s freedom world wide! I remember sitting as a little child hearing some of the stories! I will never forget what was sacrificed for me to live in freedom! I’m sickened and deeply saddened by what’s happening! But I stand firm and will not obey in advance!
Thank you for the timely prompt. Growing up in the 1960s, I noticed the crude, unsophisticated and utterly simple-minded diet of Soviet propaganda we read about and saw reported on TV.
Still a kid, I marveled that any adult anywhere could swallow — or even pretend to swallow — such obvious hogwash.
And “coming of age” in that wild decade, with the turbulent one that followed it, I could by no means harbor any illusions that we Americans were in any way perfect. We have our flaws.
But Americans at least were too practical, too honest, too realistic to believe such gushing nonsense, such crude absurdity, such plain crap. Yet here we are.
Not for long, we can only hope. Enough already. Make America sane again.
I think they moved from the “destabilizing shared reality” phase to the “führer is always right” phase of fascist propaganda too soon! Too many of us still live in the reality based world.
Well, I have to agree that these first 100 days have been the most monumental and consequential, as never before have we seen such a wrecking ball taken to our nation, our values, and our global reputation. The “Look at me, it’s my birthday!” spectacle planned for June 14th is repugnant— an insult to everyone who has served in uniform and yet another use of taxpayer dollars for personal aggrandizement. Sickening.
Will Trump allow disabled veterans and others wounded in our nation's wars to participate in the parade? Unlikely, as he made his disgust for the wounded known during his first administration. He only wants soldiers who correspond to his concocted ideal.
Will he? Hell no!
I strongly suspect that PHegseth [or his replacement by then] will make sure there are no Black or Women soldiers in the parade, as well!
“‘We’re celebrating the most successful first 100 days of any administration in American history" Trump declared ...
He did not mention that the stock market has endured its worst start to a presidency since Gerald R. Ford!
Trump can’t go a day without sending his lackey press secretary to bash the previous administration. I’m guessing his reason for doing this is to distract us from the fact that he promised to lower prices on day 1 and then failed to deliver. But not only did he fail, he’s causing harm with higher prices.
Americans are 20% poorer due to Trump’s polices. He did that in <100 days! He is ruining the great economy that Joe Biden left us!
I noticed they stopped asking if we were better off than 4 years ago... 🤔
In 100 days Trump destroyed our leadership of the free world. Brought fascism to America. Caused several constitutional crisis. Broken dozens of laws. Made us less safe. A corrupt broken administration.
When does the House GOP become unafraid of Trump and do their jobs? Impeach him ASAP!
I'm wearing this "Don't blame me, I voted for her" tee shirt every day 👇
https://libtees.dashery.com/products/74030236-dont-blame-me-i-voted-for-harris
I’m wearing my “is he dead yet”? t-shirt
We should be asking, "Are you better off than you were 4 months ago?"
I think I'm going to go to any protest I can get to on that day, hopefully it will be one in DC.
There has been some talk about having protest (or flag celebrations) everywhere BUT WaDC on June 14th. I think this is a good idea. Let him have his little parade. We're starting to see former trumpers at our protests- openly admitting their disgust and feelings of betrayal. Don't know about other groups, but our indivisible groups decided from the get-go that we welcome them without judgement. As for the June 14th event, the more of us who show up everywhere else, the better. It will show: fewer people are going to his rallies and more keep showing up at our protests.
I NEVER thought I’d see nazi’s again in my lifetime!!!!!
I have seen Spain suffer under dictatorship. Their memory is not so short as to have forgotten. I am a relative of those who stepped forward to repel a dictator in Mexico so many years ago but not forgotten in history. I am aware of what dictators ( some with USA help) did to damage Latin American countries of Argentina and Chile. We have seen and sorrowed with normal, desperate citizens of countries in history.
We must speak our experiences now. Warn, rally, gather knowledge for future histories.
And let us not forget Romania under Ceausescu.
UC Berkeley Chancellor Lyon heard my thesis after the February 3 Henry Brady talk:
https://news.berkeley.edu/2025/02/21/berkeley-talks-does-democracy-work/
...and solicited details ... he gave me his business card to email him.
The Epidemic of Mistrust has not abated since February 3 so I've decided to check to see if he is still interested.
I'm unsure what's "too much" or "too little."
Since I'm preferring an interactive incremental "focusing in on details," I'll risk "too little."
1.
FDR promises FREEDOM FROM FEAR
2.
UN.org echoes FDR
3.
Anxiety science finds EXPOSURE THERAPY MANDATORY
4.
Ms. FDR echoes with: "Do one thing every day that scares you"
5.
Broadway's and Hollywood's years of success with the true story: THE SOUND OF MUSIC culminates in 5 Oscars. (Maria Von Trapp is forced to face her fears... fear of Captain and his family became LOVE of Captain and his family )
6.
Purdue Pharma marketing of Valium: "You DON'T HAVE TO FACE YOUR FEAR... JUST KEEP POPPING OUR PILLS... DON'T WORRY... THEY'RE NOT ADDICTIVE!!!"
Did America reject science in favor of the promise of a new technology? IMHO... 200%!
7.
Workers were too afraid to get a raise but CEOs gave themselves raises?
8.
Evangelizing is EXPOSURE THERAPY so the Evangelicals became America's best asserters and elected Reagan, Bush 43 and Trump?
9.
Exposure Therapy is also known as Desensitization, and Dr.Haidt has coined ANTI-FRAGILE and in his 2024 book about Smartphones in Middle Schools... CHILD'S PLAY
10.
Berkeley undergrads demonstrate EXPOSURE THERAPY VIA TIKTOK CHALLENGE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc2OzeAfYKc
Why did America vote**** for the Mass Murderer** over the First Lady's FREE HEALTHCARE and FREEDOM FROM FEAR?*
Why did Americans put the Mass Murderers pill in their mouth and swallow it*** 2.3 billion times in ONE YEAR?
Why did America ignore Ms.FDR. and believe the Mass Murder's "our pills aren't addictive?"
*science...in Public Health messaging: Eleanor Roosevelt: "Do one thing every day that scares you."
**science denial by Purdue Pharma(used Valium sales to launch the opioid epidemic)
***Valium was the most prescribed medication for the years 1969-1982
****"voted for Purdue" refers to "bought into Purdue's BS"
The scientific consensus agrees. Two top scientists' statements are available on request.
Because the PR machine behind Trump plays a long game. They created two "real" people to embody average people's grievances. The Immigrant stood for all the jobs lost and factories closed and technology advancing while excluding workers. The aggrieved could see immigrants in their communities. The Trans Person stood for all the cultural changes that made many people feel uncomfortable--fewer people marrying and having children, gay and lesbian people living their best lives, gender fluidity, TikTok influencers, teenagers suffering from the Pandemic. All of that hate and fear worked.
They have now added "Scientists and any Educated Person," as the "Elites." The true elites are the multi-millionaires and billionaires of MAGA who laugh at those they delude.
But the Nazis have never gone away, and all along they've been augmented by neo-Ku Klux Klanners with their Confederate battle flags. They were out in force at the "United the Right" rally in Charlottesville, VA, in August 2017 -- emboldened in the first year of Trump's first term.
The Nazis are in Congress. Didn't you hear someone refer to Rep. Al Greene as 'boy?"
I realize there were always a group that believed that nonsense, but I NEVER thought I see it in broad daylight, in full swing and leading our government!
Disgusting at best! Not what I served to support and defend! Hope the troops refuse to participate.
“Hope the troops refuse”? What punishment will the regime bestow upon any who do?
Force them out of service? Destroy the country they love and support? How much more can they do to any and all of us? Time to fight!
Every day I’m astounded by what has happened in the past 24 hours. it’s exhausting, debilitating, distressing. I lived in West Berlin during the Cold War and it feels like the US is turning into East Germany. Now is the time to speak out.
As a Catholic, I found the fuhrer cosplaying the Pope beyond disgusting. Never EVER in my lifetime have I seen such behavior from the person squatting in our White House.
When I think of MAGA America, I think I will be okay. I am after all a White American Male. Oh, wait. I live in blue Seattle, graduated from a liberal college (TESC), and subscribed to Steven Beschloss' substack. But at age 73, I'll die before they take away my Social Security, so I guess I still don't have anything to worry about.
Oh wait. What about my son and his family?
Just in case you get a wild notion to change addresses, before you move make sure everyone one at the new address is very pale. Their new cover story for breaking down doors or deporting people is ‘human trafficking’. Then a revolving pit of excuses & accusations to the media.
I remember seeing the video of the mother (in silhouette) sobbing as she talked to the reporter.
https://kfor.com/news/local/this-family-is-all-of-us-federal-lawmaker-criticizes-oklahoma-ice-raid-homeland-security-responds/
As I listen to that horrible cabinet meeting I had the same reaction you did. I never saw so much boot licking and all my life. These people are not only unqualified they have no integrity whatsoever. I'm worried about May 20th coming now in martial law possibly being declared . Steve I'm looking to you to guide us forward
It was nauseating. And I thought Pence was bad. Shit, these people are empty, soulless, morally bankrupt, ethically devoid cretins. They have no self awareness and are the ultimate sellouts, which means traitors to our traditions and Constitutional framework. I hope they drown in the River Styx
I worked in government - a department - with a smaller version of this regime. They want unqualified, incompetent people. Their purpose is to be window dressing and to praise the regime leader. Those who have some qualifications like Bondi were monitored. They needed to work 2x as hard at supplication.
Eventually that regime leader’s embarrassing & illegal behavior became too large to disguise. The political inconvenience became larger than the benefit. Rather like Musk.
Right now they are doing something creative - The Dept of Interior handing federal land to the military. They had at least 4 yrs plan these things.
“At Southern Border, Defense Secretary Visits Newly Created National Defense Area”
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4166835/at-southern-border-defense-secretary-visits-newly-created-national-defense-area/
How could they not perish on the spot from embarrassment? To be used that way will someday smack them in their tiny smidgens of self respect. I hope it hurts.
My dad and uncles served in WWII. My husband is a 26 year AF veteran who volunteers in advocacy roles for service members, veterans, and their families. I worked for the AF as a civilian for 9 years. I didn't ever envision the debacle we are living in now, and I sure as hell didn't think my family gave up so much to be remembered like this.
I learned as an undergraduate Russian history major to look at the annual May Day photos - those of the Secretary General surrounded by his lieutenants - for clues as to who was “in” and who was “out” of favor, and thus, leadership. One year, a guy (always a guy) would be next to Stalin/Khrushchev/Brezhnev. But in following photos, this favorite, depending on extenuating circumstances, may be moved back a row, then to the third, then the fourth, then finally, totally out of the picture. Sometimes, it didn’t even take four moves, they’d just be gone, disappeared.
I looked at this week’s cabinet meeting in a similar way: all the apparatchiks verbally positioning themselves to be the closest to Dear Leader in the most current rendering of subservience. That photo, if you will, has already been altered with the hasty exile of Mike Waltz to the United Nations, an organization trump holds in disdain.
DL is sending a clear message to his minions: prostate yourself at my feet or you are bound for the gulag of irrelevance.
Good point. Chinese and North Korean big events are scoured for the same type of info. As I remember there was a lot of reporting on how at the inauguration of the Orange Menace, billionaires not the Cabinet nominees got the best seats.
"The Gulag of Irrelevance," otherwise known to the Trump Administration as Ambassador to the U.N.
Frankly, any cabinet member is irrelevant since their mere existence is to flatter and placate DL and do his bidding regardless of its ridiculousness, futility, or danger. They all, of course, were in favor of eliminating the dreaded paper straws from the country. Such bravery!
It is worse. Their flattery of Trump then allows them to inflict cruelty on other people, which suggests to me that they were cruel people before Trump came along, he just gives them cover to enjoy it.
Grandfather - Navy WW1
Father - B-17 pilot WW2
Uncle - Navy Korean War
Me - 16 years AF pilot
There is NOTHING dear leader can say, or do, or sign that will change Veterans Day into anything else. In his mind maybe, as a a headline at Fox News maybe, on the lips of brainless Hegseth maybe, but for the entire rest of the country, he can throw any tantrum he wants, but he can just pound sand.
The Gulf of Mexico is the Gulf of Mexico
Mt Denali is Mt Denali
And fascist shithead in the WH is a fascist shithead in the WH.
And Hegseth is talking about changing the name of the Dept. of Defense to the Dept. of War. More manly?
The Department of War was the old name. They want to take us back to the 19th century.
👏👏👏👏👏
All I can think of is what all my grandparents, great uncles, great aunts, and all of those among them that fought for every one’s freedom world wide! I remember sitting as a little child hearing some of the stories! I will never forget what was sacrificed for me to live in freedom! I’m sickened and deeply saddened by what’s happening! But I stand firm and will not obey in advance!
Only dictators have those ridiculously overcompensating military parades. Damn, talk about waste, fraud and abuse. And Small Dick Energy
Thank you for the timely prompt. Growing up in the 1960s, I noticed the crude, unsophisticated and utterly simple-minded diet of Soviet propaganda we read about and saw reported on TV.
Still a kid, I marveled that any adult anywhere could swallow — or even pretend to swallow — such obvious hogwash.
And “coming of age” in that wild decade, with the turbulent one that followed it, I could by no means harbor any illusions that we Americans were in any way perfect. We have our flaws.
But Americans at least were too practical, too honest, too realistic to believe such gushing nonsense, such crude absurdity, such plain crap. Yet here we are.
Not for long, we can only hope. Enough already. Make America sane again.
Your profound detailing of the president’s actions brings a chill down my spine.
I think they moved from the “destabilizing shared reality” phase to the “führer is always right” phase of fascist propaganda too soon! Too many of us still live in the reality based world.
The worst and most disgusting thing in the White House ever in history
✅💯(^o^)丿
THE. MOST. Besides that orange turd being in the WH, that is.