77 Comments
User's avatar
Al Bellenchia's avatar

“To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by scripture.” - Thomas Paine

Steven Beschloss's avatar

Wow. That’s a good one, Al.

Al Bellenchia's avatar

Old Tom sure could turn a phrase!

AVee. (Alexia)'s avatar

Yes Steven thank you

He is completely “gone”

We hold the key.

Demonstrate

Vote

Donate

Hope

David Warburton's avatar

And pray that that is enough to save us. It's iffy...

AVee. (Alexia)'s avatar

I apologize for my curt response.

I try to main a certain “dignity” with all the atrocities caused by this monster but … failed here

Sorry!!!.

I think we can hold onto some glimmers of Hope just now reported.

I’d like to share them.

1. Articles of impeachment against AttGen Pam Bondi by Rep Summer Lee, alleges defiance of congressional subpoenas related to unredacted Epstein files, abuse of prosecutorial authority, & materially misleading statements to Congress and the courts

2. Several sovereign countries have demonstrated reluctance or refusal to align w Trumps War Fury

3.District of Columbia held that actions taken to dismantle the U.S. Agency for Global Media, including Voice of America, were unlawful.

I’m usually older than anyone .. but if you would like the entire article I just finished- happy to send.

I chose these 3 to lift up my hopes things will be changed.

AVee. (Alexia)'s avatar

We must meet the challenge

💙🇺🇸💙

Jenny C McCune's avatar

Being tangential, loose associations, magical thinking, salad speech that makes no sense, confabulation. These are all symptoms from the DSM 5 used to describe mental illness. And why do I bring this up now? Review that clip.

Noreen Lassandrello's avatar

Didn’t he call it the “weave”? What is crazier is that people in this country have listened to him and continue to listen to him and see no problem. WTF

JBR's avatar

But this is not new. Its been known for years. The pysch literature has been extensive. The threat has been open notions and intense. Hope is good. It is not a strategy.

Chris Rewey's avatar

Unfortunately, party and personal interests are commanding the SS Minnow for a 3 year tour.

Clym Yeobright's avatar

Let’s discuss this again, Chris, in three years. Will we be laughing through our tears?

Richard Brody's avatar

Oh. By the way, reported by JoJofromJerz this morning, T…p referred to Gavin Newsom as President of the United States. Nobody corrected him. Not even Governor Newsom.

Steven Beschloss's avatar

Yup. The evidence will keep mounting.

JBR's avatar

And he also said we won't the war and will be out very soon and that Ukraine was threatening world peace and. . . .

Marliss Desens's avatar

I think that we need to repeat again and again that Trump is suffering from dementia and is unable to fulfill the office of the presidency. The corporate media is dancing around it--and that after cudgeling Biden on "mental fitness." Where are you, Jake Tapper? Writing your next book?

JBR's avatar

Trump has always been incoherent chaotic and menacing. Dementia would be an improvement.

JBR's avatar

Unfortunately the public is powerless and the press is controlled and intimidated

JBR's avatar

If the corporate media covers the truth they get shut down and its employees are intimidated at least some if not all. But CBS cnn and wapo are notable examples.

Jim Gray's avatar

Further proof that the felon occupying our White House is a despotic simpleton.

KELTIK_WARRIOR (VINCE T 🦁 )'s avatar

Ancient Chinese philosopher/Warrior Sun Tzu: "An evil man will burn his own nation to the ground to rule over the ashes." I would modify that to say, "an evil madman". That Republicans in Congress are falling in lockstep behind that madman makes horrific testimony about the current status of our nation. Yet, with knee-benders like Schumer and Jeffries we cannot fault only the Republicans. Cowardice now reigns where courage once prevailed.

Robin D's avatar

I was an obsessive "Game of Thrones" fan Keltik_Warrior, and it wasn't until I heard that quote by Sun Tzu years ago that I realized how it inspired author George R R Martin. He used to have both characters (mad women) Cersei Lannister and Daenerys Targaryen threaten many times that they would "burn their cities to the ground". And they did. And so will Donald Trump if he is not stopped. And it is absolutely terrifying.

KELTIK_WARRIOR (VINCE T 🦁 )'s avatar

Sun Tzu continues to be studied by military academics and others. Donald may well burn us to the ground, at least metaphorically. Although, given his twisted psychopathy he might actually enjoy watching "Rome" burn. Those whose duty it is to contain the petulant man-toddler have failed.

Robin D's avatar

Even "Tony Soprano" studied Sun Tzu (I watched a lot of HBO).

Who even knows if will be metaphorical anymore. I'm in NY and in the past two weeks I've had two bomb scares in my neighborhood from this. I lived through 9/11 and saw it with my own eyes on the way to work. No words can explain what it feels like to live through a terrorist attack and he has left us more unsafe than ever. I agree--he would love to see "Rome" burn. "Nobody burns Rome like me". He would gleefully take credit for it. What scares me the most are the people who surround him like Mike Johnson and Pete Hegseth who are Christian Nationalists and WANT to bring on Armegeddon/The Rapture/The Second Coming. I read this about Mike Johnson once. He thinks it's his duty to bring about these prophecies.

KELTIK_WARRIOR (VINCE T 🦁 )'s avatar

Trump is a sadist. He is cruel. At the moment he is untouchable. That alone is scary as hell. Trump is somewhere between Caligula and Nero, a perverted arsonist. As to Johnson and Hegseth, I say, "Satan, get thee behind me." They are the corrupted. the contaminated heretics. If Jesus were to return, they would nail Him up once again. They are the fool's fools.

Ann Sharon's avatar

He chose all of them based on “looking the part” and NOT containing him like happened a lot in his first term.

Has there ever been what we would call a ‘normal’ or mentally stable despot?

Diana Ruddick's avatar

Any other civilized nation would act to remove a leader so obviously dangerous, demented and inept. That the US is paralyzed by a Republican party so cowed by this master of magical thinking brings international shame. The longer he remains in power, the harder it will be to undo what he has wrought.

Liz's avatar

It is ABUNDANTLY clear by now that Trump just woke up one day and gave the order to go to war, and no one could stop him because he is the Commander in Chief. Think about it - do you really believe that our career military and intelligence leaders would fail to plan? Fail to have a plan for the war, to get Americans out, to protect the Strait, to get Allies on board, to protect innocent Iranians, to create a succession plan, to help the opposition or to get us out? No way. Not possible. He did it and he’ll do it again. 25th Amendment.

Songgirl Kim's avatar

I remember my days as a bedside nurse and a patient acted unstable and deranged, potentially compromising the safety of all the caregivers, staff, and other patients. We would immediately stage an intervention: contacting the doctor, family, and administrators. The fact that the entire world can see trump’s failing mental health tells us all that he needs help. He is absolutely compromising the safety of the world right now.

JBR's avatar

What about all the people in power who won't stand up to the terrorism and criminalty and who support him. Yes he threatens everyone and they want their jobs solely for self interest. And future elections will be controlled by fed govt likely. So what is the path to redemption?

Marliss Desens's avatar

The federal government will not control future elections. Yes, Trump and crew are trying, but it is our job to make sure that they do not succeed. That's why I support Democracy Docket. Other groups in the fight are ACLU, NAACP, LULAC, and many others. The path to redemption means not giving up.

Sharon C Storm's avatar

Also the League of Women Voters.

JBR's avatar

Why are you so sure. Federal legislation is being supported to make voting much harder and more complex. Plus the djt thread machine will threaten states and voters.

Marliss Desens's avatar

They want us to give up and feel helpless. I refuse to do so.

JBR's avatar

They know you won't voluntarily give up. So they'll create other obstacles. Its a war. They like killing people.

Ann Sharon's avatar

I think groups like VoteRiders will be crucial for getting voting documents. They’re the only one I can find. https://voteriders.org/

Ann Sharon's avatar

Yes they are all getting rich. No they will not control the elections. There are states that passed or are trying to pass legislation like the SAVE / Show your Papers bill though. Those are red states so I don’t see how it will benefit Congress. The states want to bow to the WH and erase blue dots like where I live. It will probably go to court over the contracting with the federal government portion or whatever.

Where these pass, once we know the accepted IDs, we can do grassroots organizing and connect people to resources to comply or volunteer for organizations like VoteRiders which also helps pay the costs:

https://voteriders.org/

David Warburton's avatar

Actually, King George III from whom America rebelled in 1776 was a similar tyrant and mentally disturbed as well. So it seems we have come full circle just in time for our 250th Birthday. Pretty amazing coincidence, I'd say!

Ann Sharon's avatar

Offhand I’ve never heard of a despot or tyrant that was viewed as normal or even rational.

Richard Brody's avatar

The 25th would be nice but consider that the Cabinet has to act decisively to make his happen. And will all of the toadies he’s appointed it’s not likely. Not a one of them has any spine whatsoever. Vance might be inclined to do it, but if he started it and it failed, T…p probably would fire him and appoint some dodo like Mike Johnson who’s kissed his ass the entirety of his second term in office. Lastly, getting Vance in his place might bring in an entirely new set of challenges.

Ann Sharon's avatar

Yes, I think the chances of a cabinet he chose not for their character or desire to do what is best for the country but to look the part, say yes, and are filling their pockets doesn’t want to upset the gravy train. Plus even if they did this the 25th Amendment says he can send notice to the House & Senate he is able to do his job. IOW, an appeal to overturn the Cabinet. A 2/3 majority is needed in both the House and Senate to remove him.

That is more difficult than impeachment which needs a simple majority to charge impeachment & a 2/3 in the Senate to convict. Plus, he retains his authority as president while waiting for the votes. (2 days are allowed for them to be called into session if congress is not in session. The vote must be in 21 days.)

So while the House & Senate were voting there would be time for him to fire the Cabinet and torture JD who he cannot fire. They could hope that is all he would do.

Kay Duren's avatar

Sadly, it is a big assumption that the Republicans can see beyond the mad man to the country. Thank you for saying it, though.

Judy Gailen's avatar

I keep listening to all the smart, generous people here, and I just can’t wrap my little brain around the fact that we are in this place. How did we get here ? How come all the stupid, selfish, and evil people end up with all the power ?

I just have to hope that none of those people sleep at night without terrible nightmares, if they sleep at all, and that one day, hopefully soon, someone will break down and say « enough » and lead the rebellion.

Then again, I have always been a cynical optimist. So I may be waiting in vain….🫤