Projection must? This low and venal man is wasting away, throwing all his favorite hits to the American people including his base. Read the numbers: the only folks who think we’re doing great are 30% of the population because their king told them so. The rest of us should start gearing up now. There’s a Congress to control and a reckoning to be had.
"Against stupidity, the very gods themselves contend in vain," to quote Schiller. Until more people wake up to Trump's madness, I fear nothing will change. I was happy to see at least four Republican representatives breaking rank with sycophantic Mike Johnson. Calling our "representatives" is important, and so is joining the next Indivisible protest. Let's hope Trump doesn't go further off the rails in the next few weeks.
Thank you, Steven, as always, for your clear-eyed view and insightful description of the President’s rant. I watched it because I know that I cannot turn away from the truth about this madman who is cosplaying as President once again, and who evidently thought that the louder he yelled at the camera, the ‘truthier’ his nonsense would become. It was never clearer to me how disturbed this man is than listening to him last night as he tried to auction off his lies and pass them off as both ground-breaking economically and politically. All we heard and saw was huffing and puffing. The Big Bad Wolf has arrived at our house of bricks and is trying to blow it down. Will we allow this? I pray that we won’t. Fortunately, the Dust Devil storm was only 18 minutes long, but it was long enough to scare me once again into “the fierce urgency of now”. I hope that if there is a G-D, that he or she or it hears our prayers. This man is armed and dangerous.
This administration is a mix of The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, 2984 and Animal Farm, the stuff of which point out the apocalypse of The United States. Trump’s presence amounts to no more than reverse reality. It’s too bad the Democrats didn’t demand equal time to dissect Trump’s lies such as is offered following The State of the Union address. This doozy was one for the ages and will require more statements like Steven’s piece today.
Beautiful and encouraging piece Steven. Thank you as always. And thank you for including Frederick Douglass’ inspirational words. We certainly need reminders.
The struggle must remain at the forefront. As we enter a new realm of a prospective war in our hemisphere, opposition to this reign must not waver. I still believe the attack on our democracy by authoritarianism is the number one threat. I wouldn't bet the ranch on a failing economy as the Democrats main battle cry, as we head into 2026. The thieves in power are master propagandists. With a steady, and moderate, inflation rate of about 3% and gas prices (where I live as low as $2.60/gallon) at a four year low, the economy may actually turn around for the average consumer. The sky may not be falling economically. But the dictatorship remains.
The games of solitaire I played on my iPad were lots more fun than listening to the Bloviator-in-Chief. I refuse to watch, listen or regard him. November, 2026, can’t come fast enough.
I had to kind of "inoculate" myself before watching the speech: reading other people's takes, snippets from the speech, that sort of thing. Then I read a post by a man who had watched Trump give his speech and glowingly described a man who looked healthy and full of energy, speaking about an America with a future, and wondered how he could see something no one else could.
So yesterday I sought out the video and watched. I could see how someone who wanted desperately to keep his fantasy about Trump could see what he wanted to see. The makeup, the lighting, the setting, the earnestness. But it all could not hide the reality: Trump's pleading voice, the nonstop string of lies and fabrications, one after another, the odd jerkiness of his movements, the unnatural tenor of his voice. It was worse than I could imagine.
I wondered who wrote the speech. It was as if someone had cobbled together Trump's standard meaningless cliches (the biggest, the best, you've ever seen, etc) with an equally meaningless string of numbers that sound like statistics but aren't. Most of all- there were the tacit 3rd person admissions of malfeasance. Was whoever wrote the speech actually making fun of Trump? And there Trump was, performing it.
No wonder so many people sounded shocked. I was. And I thought I was used to this kind of fatuous fabulation.
thanks Steven for simplifying this rant. Point #10 . he was describing himself. He is acting like a man with the Epstein itch. His raving rant may get him the "Machine Gun lips award" Karolin Leavitt had better watch out. Susie Wiles , keep the buffoon on the trail ranting at his hyena pack he seems to be the democrats ace. Oh yes I just about forgot his "Merry Christmas" wish. said with so much vitriol and vengeance. The only leaders he has spoken to about the dead country has been Stephen Miller and Russell Vought.
Indeed:"showed us a man that’s digging a hole from which he has no idea how to escape." That's one of our saving graces... he digs deeper and deeper and finally he won't be seen or heard and maybe lots of his magas will wake up because of the silence... of course this doesn't stop those actually in charge...the oligarchs
If his back is to the wall, what scary thing(s) might he resort to? We have to work around him, not at him. I wish he would disappear….but then we’d have Vance.
Find it so ironic this display that we experienced.
George Washington stressed the people's need for unity, vigilance against factionalism, and adherence to the Constitution, emphasizing in his Farewell Address that national unity is the bedrock of their liberty, independence, and prosperity, requiring citizens to prioritize their American identity over regionalism and guard against "designing men" who sow division for power. He urged Americans to uphold the Constitution as the sacred law, even as they retain the right to amend it, and warned that political parties could become dangerous engines of discord.
Yes, found it ironic standing in front of a portrait of George Washington and him “yelling” at us all for him to feel so superior and the need to expound on all of his accomplishments that were all lies that benefit the American people. To vilify and constantly blame others, not just his predecessor but everyone in his mind that are not seeing, or feeling his absurdities from tariffs, to the daily dismantling our very social safety nets for so many Americans.
A man so out of touch since his birth. Who never struggled financially, ever. If needed his Daddy was the bank to go to after many bankruptcies and failed business endeavors. A man who benefitted from his wealthy family to not serve this nation when others had no other options. A man who benefits from being wealthy and has powerful friends who he himself traveled in circles that victimized young girls with no thoughts of any justice to be rendered for them breaking laws, as well as morality laws. Yes a man so out of touch that needs to stand in “Our House” that he destroys without the needed permission to yell at all Americans.
For him it’s always been about “I” never “We” because he’s always been out of touch since birth.
This has always been what it’s about and always will be.
A good reminder from the man’s portrait that hung on the mantle as we were getting “yelled at” - Key Themes from Washington's Farewell Address:
* Unity as the Main Pillar: "The Unity of government...is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home; your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very Liberty, which you so highly prize".
* Love of Country Over Region: He urged citizens to let the "name of American" exalt patriotic pride, warning against local attachments that could weaken the Union.
* Beware of Factionalism: Washington cautioned against the "spirit of party," seeing it as a threat to good governance and a path to despotism.
* Uphold the Constitution: He affirmed the people's right to alter the government but insisted they must respect the existing Constitution until legally changed, as it is "sacredly obligatory upon all".
* Mutual Support: He reminded people that their shared struggles during the Revolution forged their independence, implying a continuing need for mutual support.
In essence, Washington told the people they needed to be vigilant, united, and virtuous to preserve the republic they had built, emphasizing that “their collective strength and adherence to their foundational laws were paramount for their liberty and future success”.
Thanks for watching that speech on our behalf. I haven't heard about that self-own, but it was clearly written into the text ... by Susie Wiles? Every American should read this paragraph and ask themselves which side of the equation they think the Trumplican administration stands.
Here's that quote: “In the end,” [the president] stated, “government either serves the productive, patriotic, hardworking American citizen, or it serves those who break the laws, cheat the system, and seek power and profit at the expense of our nation.”
Thank you once again for the thorough coverage of the dreadful speech of a deranged creature, yes a sweaty creature.
I’m not fond of being the first reply but sleep is scarce and your work is valued.
In conclusion
My favorite of your statements, Steven is this one:
2026
“I now look at it as an opportunity to redouble our commitment to democracy, freedom and independence from despotic rule.
This is our chance to prove our desire to continue the democratic project ignited 250 years ago.”
//
Yes we must stay strong, keep up the pressure, in all forms all the time.
Blessings to everyone
💙🇺🇸💙
Vomitous.
“All cruelty springs from weakness.” - Seneca
And he is getting weaker.
Projection must? This low and venal man is wasting away, throwing all his favorite hits to the American people including his base. Read the numbers: the only folks who think we’re doing great are 30% of the population because their king told them so. The rest of us should start gearing up now. There’s a Congress to control and a reckoning to be had.
Thank you for manifesting your resilience and for citing Frederick Douglass to boost yourself and us up. Your voice is important to me/us.
"Against stupidity, the very gods themselves contend in vain," to quote Schiller. Until more people wake up to Trump's madness, I fear nothing will change. I was happy to see at least four Republican representatives breaking rank with sycophantic Mike Johnson. Calling our "representatives" is important, and so is joining the next Indivisible protest. Let's hope Trump doesn't go further off the rails in the next few weeks.
Thank you, Steven, as always, for your clear-eyed view and insightful description of the President’s rant. I watched it because I know that I cannot turn away from the truth about this madman who is cosplaying as President once again, and who evidently thought that the louder he yelled at the camera, the ‘truthier’ his nonsense would become. It was never clearer to me how disturbed this man is than listening to him last night as he tried to auction off his lies and pass them off as both ground-breaking economically and politically. All we heard and saw was huffing and puffing. The Big Bad Wolf has arrived at our house of bricks and is trying to blow it down. Will we allow this? I pray that we won’t. Fortunately, the Dust Devil storm was only 18 minutes long, but it was long enough to scare me once again into “the fierce urgency of now”. I hope that if there is a G-D, that he or she or it hears our prayers. This man is armed and dangerous.
This administration is a mix of The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, 2984 and Animal Farm, the stuff of which point out the apocalypse of The United States. Trump’s presence amounts to no more than reverse reality. It’s too bad the Democrats didn’t demand equal time to dissect Trump’s lies such as is offered following The State of the Union address. This doozy was one for the ages and will require more statements like Steven’s piece today.
Beautiful and encouraging piece Steven. Thank you as always. And thank you for including Frederick Douglass’ inspirational words. We certainly need reminders.
The struggle must remain at the forefront. As we enter a new realm of a prospective war in our hemisphere, opposition to this reign must not waver. I still believe the attack on our democracy by authoritarianism is the number one threat. I wouldn't bet the ranch on a failing economy as the Democrats main battle cry, as we head into 2026. The thieves in power are master propagandists. With a steady, and moderate, inflation rate of about 3% and gas prices (where I live as low as $2.60/gallon) at a four year low, the economy may actually turn around for the average consumer. The sky may not be falling economically. But the dictatorship remains.
The games of solitaire I played on my iPad were lots more fun than listening to the Bloviator-in-Chief. I refuse to watch, listen or regard him. November, 2026, can’t come fast enough.
I had to kind of "inoculate" myself before watching the speech: reading other people's takes, snippets from the speech, that sort of thing. Then I read a post by a man who had watched Trump give his speech and glowingly described a man who looked healthy and full of energy, speaking about an America with a future, and wondered how he could see something no one else could.
So yesterday I sought out the video and watched. I could see how someone who wanted desperately to keep his fantasy about Trump could see what he wanted to see. The makeup, the lighting, the setting, the earnestness. But it all could not hide the reality: Trump's pleading voice, the nonstop string of lies and fabrications, one after another, the odd jerkiness of his movements, the unnatural tenor of his voice. It was worse than I could imagine.
I wondered who wrote the speech. It was as if someone had cobbled together Trump's standard meaningless cliches (the biggest, the best, you've ever seen, etc) with an equally meaningless string of numbers that sound like statistics but aren't. Most of all- there were the tacit 3rd person admissions of malfeasance. Was whoever wrote the speech actually making fun of Trump? And there Trump was, performing it.
No wonder so many people sounded shocked. I was. And I thought I was used to this kind of fatuous fabulation.
thanks Steven for simplifying this rant. Point #10 . he was describing himself. He is acting like a man with the Epstein itch. His raving rant may get him the "Machine Gun lips award" Karolin Leavitt had better watch out. Susie Wiles , keep the buffoon on the trail ranting at his hyena pack he seems to be the democrats ace. Oh yes I just about forgot his "Merry Christmas" wish. said with so much vitriol and vengeance. The only leaders he has spoken to about the dead country has been Stephen Miller and Russell Vought.
Indeed:"showed us a man that’s digging a hole from which he has no idea how to escape." That's one of our saving graces... he digs deeper and deeper and finally he won't be seen or heard and maybe lots of his magas will wake up because of the silence... of course this doesn't stop those actually in charge...the oligarchs
If his back is to the wall, what scary thing(s) might he resort to? We have to work around him, not at him. I wish he would disappear….but then we’d have Vance.
Find it so ironic this display that we experienced.
George Washington stressed the people's need for unity, vigilance against factionalism, and adherence to the Constitution, emphasizing in his Farewell Address that national unity is the bedrock of their liberty, independence, and prosperity, requiring citizens to prioritize their American identity over regionalism and guard against "designing men" who sow division for power. He urged Americans to uphold the Constitution as the sacred law, even as they retain the right to amend it, and warned that political parties could become dangerous engines of discord.
Yes, found it ironic standing in front of a portrait of George Washington and him “yelling” at us all for him to feel so superior and the need to expound on all of his accomplishments that were all lies that benefit the American people. To vilify and constantly blame others, not just his predecessor but everyone in his mind that are not seeing, or feeling his absurdities from tariffs, to the daily dismantling our very social safety nets for so many Americans.
A man so out of touch since his birth. Who never struggled financially, ever. If needed his Daddy was the bank to go to after many bankruptcies and failed business endeavors. A man who benefitted from his wealthy family to not serve this nation when others had no other options. A man who benefits from being wealthy and has powerful friends who he himself traveled in circles that victimized young girls with no thoughts of any justice to be rendered for them breaking laws, as well as morality laws. Yes a man so out of touch that needs to stand in “Our House” that he destroys without the needed permission to yell at all Americans.
For him it’s always been about “I” never “We” because he’s always been out of touch since birth.
This has always been what it’s about and always will be.
A good reminder from the man’s portrait that hung on the mantle as we were getting “yelled at” - Key Themes from Washington's Farewell Address:
* Unity as the Main Pillar: "The Unity of government...is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home; your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very Liberty, which you so highly prize".
* Love of Country Over Region: He urged citizens to let the "name of American" exalt patriotic pride, warning against local attachments that could weaken the Union.
* Beware of Factionalism: Washington cautioned against the "spirit of party," seeing it as a threat to good governance and a path to despotism.
* Uphold the Constitution: He affirmed the people's right to alter the government but insisted they must respect the existing Constitution until legally changed, as it is "sacredly obligatory upon all".
* Mutual Support: He reminded people that their shared struggles during the Revolution forged their independence, implying a continuing need for mutual support.
In essence, Washington told the people they needed to be vigilant, united, and virtuous to preserve the republic they had built, emphasizing that “their collective strength and adherence to their foundational laws were paramount for their liberty and future success”.
George Washington Farewell Address ~
https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/the-first-president/the-farewell-address#:~:text=He%20points%20out%20that%20unity,obstruct%20the%20execution%20of%20laws.
Thanks for watching that speech on our behalf. I haven't heard about that self-own, but it was clearly written into the text ... by Susie Wiles? Every American should read this paragraph and ask themselves which side of the equation they think the Trumplican administration stands.
Here's that quote: “In the end,” [the president] stated, “government either serves the productive, patriotic, hardworking American citizen, or it serves those who break the laws, cheat the system, and seek power and profit at the expense of our nation.”