Beautiful essay, Steven. Thank you. But for me, despite all the mishegas of the war, of the clown show convention, of trump's beef with Canada, of the frightening slog of being able to afford our lives, I feel a great weight has been lifted. The cards are starting to fall our way. trump was so desperate, his minions so obviously unhinged and obsequious, it was liberating. Empty seats. Merch not selling. Fewer and fewer MAGA signs along the highways and in our neighborhoods. Frayed friendships reconnecting. I'm giddy with hope. There are so many righteous Democratic candidates running this year: young, earnest, not ideological just practical and pissed. Excellent fits with their districts/states. Money pouring in from the grass roots, supporting those who take no corporate PAC money, the way it ought to be, a game changer. An American transformation is in the air, not just for sweeping out the House and Senate and filling it up with new servants of the People, but also, God please, new leaders. Knocking doors and making calls gives us a chance to breathe again, to start our day with a sense that together, anything is possible. I can't stop smiling.
As we honor and memorialize the terrible day of September 11 may we be aware that we are still in the fog of terrorism thanks to the current regime. Its weapons are perhaps not planes flying into buildings, thankfully, but are just as perverse and destructive. What creates more widespread chaos than interfering in the midterm elections with every unlawful tool they possess? The loss of life, the pain of not knowing whether a loved one is living or dead…that is also the portion of so many deported and caged innocents in our so-called detention centers….our gulags. The lies told to gullible people captured by the cult of Trump…these become instruments of their own demise and thus, of our country’s political, economic, and physical destruction. Our freedoms are ALL at stake. Our health is at stake. Our country’s economy will not remain strong with policies of fear and isolationism.
In short, our foundational buildings are at risk, just as the twin towers were on that fateful day…that horrifying day…the day that we all realized that we were not safe anymore from despots and others wishing to do us harm. I pray that the sacrifices made by innocents on that day will not have been in vain. This November, we can and MUST vote for all the elevated ideals that make us better human beings, better Americans, and better citizens of this world. I pray that we will. In their memories, “Let’s Go.”
Rudy G and men like him have no place in our administration. It is a true shame what has happened to the US over the course of time with failed moral leadership. We must lift up the real leadership of ZM and elect more people who will lead our country like he does. Vote. Make a plan(s). Do not fear. Vote.
Can't we change the Constitution and allow Mamdani to run for President? How tragic that this intelligent, compassionate man is denied the honor, while the most horrific inhuman person has been granted two terms. While I will, of course, support any Democratic candidate who opposes Trump, I believe we're letting the best one get away. Does birth in the US translate to allegiance, compassion, competence? If so, Trump flunked all. You report the staggering numbers: "To date, more people have died from cancer and other illnesses related to the toxins than the nearly 3,000 who died in the horrific attacks that day." Other politicians see these numbers, pull out a tissue, and dab tears as they say, "Sad. Tragic." You warn us: "how shattered our nation will be if we fail to curtail the Trump regime’s continuing corruption and destruction." The word continuing, without end, is so very depressing. Pray Trump is stopped today. Not given a minute to continue his lies, destruction, and personal stain on our ideals. To Mamdani we say, "sorry", but to Trump, "please sir, more."
Thank you 💙🇺🇸💙 for the entire essay, addressing so thoroughly several critical topics. I loved the quote of Martin Luther King,
And
I so appreciate Mayor Mamdani and you sharing this:
“Mayor Zohran Mamdani released 170,000 pages of documents that exposed the toxic conditions that were poisoning first responders and others who spent time in and around Ground Zero in lower Manhattan. These pages include air quality reports, records of contamination and communication between city officials.”
We have an enormous responsibility every day to challenge this regime and then vote it out.
Having fallen into the trap of doom and gloom at times, I need a daily dose of optimism, such as the writings of Steven and others of a similar spirit. Although it doesn't always seem like it, there must be more of us against Trump and MAGA than for that diabolical cult. There has to be!
Again Steven, you write powerful on point essays. I'm tiring of the historians/"experts" who cling to the past and serve up history of how we got to this place. It's fine to remind us of HOW, WHY but few if any write or speak about what we should do about it. This is why I follow you, and very few current writers - most of them are just 'splainin' the past, when we know how, why, what - we don't need history lessons, we need clear writers, thinkers to help us move on, move ahead, help us DO - not just remember! AS this day will show, we'll wallow in the past, deliberate on who's to blame, whether we learned from it. None of that will help us get to the "urgency of now". And how we change the present, learn from the past, not return to it!
To your first point regarding health issues, especially for first responders, it is instructive to call up a video of Jon Stewart lecturing a Congressional committee on their insensitivity, ignorance and lack of respect - dithering over whether or not to appropriate funds to aid in the care for these heroes. Stewart also pointed out that attendance by less than half of the committee members at that hearing was another shameful display of their cold-hearted stupidity where there were urgent needs going unmet.
Color me not surprised by Giuliani lying about the air quality following 9/11. I am surprised by Bloomberg. I thought better of him. I wonder if because of the conspiracy to withhold information regarding the air quality, if the statute of limitations is valid and if injured people can file lawsuits.
Thank you Professor Beschloss. Today seemed so off with the 25th of 9/11. Have tried to grasp this feeling to even come close to describing it. A different sorrow than this day so many years ago but the memories seared in the brain. Often a fleeing moment of feeling isolated. We are alone in a sea of nations. The constant bullying has placed us in not just a precarious position but almost afloat like lost at sea drifting along with no destination on the horizon.
The constant barrage of endless attacking on our rights to voting, this obvious flop sweat of knowing he is loosing along with everyone if his loyalists. It’s a smell of desperation. Which makes it wary because separate people do really stupid things and at this point the delusional demented one doing something even more stupid is quite a dangerous feeling. Who knows…
May we honor those who are no longer among us on this 9/11 fateful day. Also to the responders that never gave up, never relinquished and showed the true meaning of the best of us.. May we remember them always… 🕊️
Yes, he knows he’s losing. He’s openly signaling he expects the GOP to lose in the midterms. Some analysts believe it is why he won’t spend much of his war chest on candidates. (They suggest he expects to need it for legal fees. (?) Maybe so.)
Interview with Laura Ingraham.
• "When you say my legacy, I'll be a block. I'll end up being blocker. I'll block all their bad stuff for two years. It won't be the same, but I'll be a blocker," Trump added.
• Trump suggested that he'd even be able to make some deals with Democrats, saying, "They're going to want some stuff."
Beautiful essay, Steven. Thank you. But for me, despite all the mishegas of the war, of the clown show convention, of trump's beef with Canada, of the frightening slog of being able to afford our lives, I feel a great weight has been lifted. The cards are starting to fall our way. trump was so desperate, his minions so obviously unhinged and obsequious, it was liberating. Empty seats. Merch not selling. Fewer and fewer MAGA signs along the highways and in our neighborhoods. Frayed friendships reconnecting. I'm giddy with hope. There are so many righteous Democratic candidates running this year: young, earnest, not ideological just practical and pissed. Excellent fits with their districts/states. Money pouring in from the grass roots, supporting those who take no corporate PAC money, the way it ought to be, a game changer. An American transformation is in the air, not just for sweeping out the House and Senate and filling it up with new servants of the People, but also, God please, new leaders. Knocking doors and making calls gives us a chance to breathe again, to start our day with a sense that together, anything is possible. I can't stop smiling.
I appreciate your optimism, Robyn.
Well said!
As we honor and memorialize the terrible day of September 11 may we be aware that we are still in the fog of terrorism thanks to the current regime. Its weapons are perhaps not planes flying into buildings, thankfully, but are just as perverse and destructive. What creates more widespread chaos than interfering in the midterm elections with every unlawful tool they possess? The loss of life, the pain of not knowing whether a loved one is living or dead…that is also the portion of so many deported and caged innocents in our so-called detention centers….our gulags. The lies told to gullible people captured by the cult of Trump…these become instruments of their own demise and thus, of our country’s political, economic, and physical destruction. Our freedoms are ALL at stake. Our health is at stake. Our country’s economy will not remain strong with policies of fear and isolationism.
In short, our foundational buildings are at risk, just as the twin towers were on that fateful day…that horrifying day…the day that we all realized that we were not safe anymore from despots and others wishing to do us harm. I pray that the sacrifices made by innocents on that day will not have been in vain. This November, we can and MUST vote for all the elevated ideals that make us better human beings, better Americans, and better citizens of this world. I pray that we will. In their memories, “Let’s Go.”
A wake-up call to America. Enough is enough. Thank you for spot-on commentary.
Rudy G and men like him have no place in our administration. It is a true shame what has happened to the US over the course of time with failed moral leadership. We must lift up the real leadership of ZM and elect more people who will lead our country like he does. Vote. Make a plan(s). Do not fear. Vote.
Can't we change the Constitution and allow Mamdani to run for President? How tragic that this intelligent, compassionate man is denied the honor, while the most horrific inhuman person has been granted two terms. While I will, of course, support any Democratic candidate who opposes Trump, I believe we're letting the best one get away. Does birth in the US translate to allegiance, compassion, competence? If so, Trump flunked all. You report the staggering numbers: "To date, more people have died from cancer and other illnesses related to the toxins than the nearly 3,000 who died in the horrific attacks that day." Other politicians see these numbers, pull out a tissue, and dab tears as they say, "Sad. Tragic." You warn us: "how shattered our nation will be if we fail to curtail the Trump regime’s continuing corruption and destruction." The word continuing, without end, is so very depressing. Pray Trump is stopped today. Not given a minute to continue his lies, destruction, and personal stain on our ideals. To Mamdani we say, "sorry", but to Trump, "please sir, more."
Thank you 💙🇺🇸💙 for the entire essay, addressing so thoroughly several critical topics. I loved the quote of Martin Luther King,
And
I so appreciate Mayor Mamdani and you sharing this:
“Mayor Zohran Mamdani released 170,000 pages of documents that exposed the toxic conditions that were poisoning first responders and others who spent time in and around Ground Zero in lower Manhattan. These pages include air quality reports, records of contamination and communication between city officials.”
We have an enormous responsibility every day to challenge this regime and then vote it out.
Thanks, Alexia.
Having fallen into the trap of doom and gloom at times, I need a daily dose of optimism, such as the writings of Steven and others of a similar spirit. Although it doesn't always seem like it, there must be more of us against Trump and MAGA than for that diabolical cult. There has to be!
There are more of us. They just need to act.
Thank you Mr. Beschloss for always bringing to us the 'real' news and your passion is so appreciated.
Thank you, Bruce.
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Again Steven, you write powerful on point essays. I'm tiring of the historians/"experts" who cling to the past and serve up history of how we got to this place. It's fine to remind us of HOW, WHY but few if any write or speak about what we should do about it. This is why I follow you, and very few current writers - most of them are just 'splainin' the past, when we know how, why, what - we don't need history lessons, we need clear writers, thinkers to help us move on, move ahead, help us DO - not just remember! AS this day will show, we'll wallow in the past, deliberate on who's to blame, whether we learned from it. None of that will help us get to the "urgency of now". And how we change the present, learn from the past, not return to it!
Thanks, Babs. I agree: The key is to connect the past to the present so that we can learn from it and act accordingly.
That's right, Steven....let's learn from the past so we don't keep repeating it hoping for a different outcome!
Well said! This really encourages me as I head to my next Visibility Brigade event
We must end this reign of domestic terror
Indeed.
To your first point regarding health issues, especially for first responders, it is instructive to call up a video of Jon Stewart lecturing a Congressional committee on their insensitivity, ignorance and lack of respect - dithering over whether or not to appropriate funds to aid in the care for these heroes. Stewart also pointed out that attendance by less than half of the committee members at that hearing was another shameful display of their cold-hearted stupidity where there were urgent needs going unmet.
Outstanding article Steven. If you take anything away from this article, we need more Mamdani’s in elected office.
Color me not surprised by Giuliani lying about the air quality following 9/11. I am surprised by Bloomberg. I thought better of him. I wonder if because of the conspiracy to withhold information regarding the air quality, if the statute of limitations is valid and if injured people can file lawsuits.
It saddens me too , Mike. I thought better of Bloomberg. But how dare Guiliani feign offense by denying Mamdani's right to be there!
Thank you Professor Beschloss. Today seemed so off with the 25th of 9/11. Have tried to grasp this feeling to even come close to describing it. A different sorrow than this day so many years ago but the memories seared in the brain. Often a fleeing moment of feeling isolated. We are alone in a sea of nations. The constant bullying has placed us in not just a precarious position but almost afloat like lost at sea drifting along with no destination on the horizon.
The constant barrage of endless attacking on our rights to voting, this obvious flop sweat of knowing he is loosing along with everyone if his loyalists. It’s a smell of desperation. Which makes it wary because separate people do really stupid things and at this point the delusional demented one doing something even more stupid is quite a dangerous feeling. Who knows…
May we honor those who are no longer among us on this 9/11 fateful day. Also to the responders that never gave up, never relinquished and showed the true meaning of the best of us.. May we remember them always… 🕊️
Yes, he knows he’s losing. He’s openly signaling he expects the GOP to lose in the midterms. Some analysts believe it is why he won’t spend much of his war chest on candidates. (They suggest he expects to need it for legal fees. (?) Maybe so.)
Interview with Laura Ingraham.
• "When you say my legacy, I'll be a block. I'll end up being blocker. I'll block all their bad stuff for two years. It won't be the same, but I'll be a blocker," Trump added.
• Trump suggested that he'd even be able to make some deals with Democrats, saying, "They're going to want some stuff."
https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/not-dire-trump-downplays-republican-175922400.html
THE PROMISE FOR PAYMENT IS TOTAL FRAUD. no fund for it. No cong authorization. Another blatant fraud. Hes a terrorist.