you got me at the first sentence I am sharing everywhere... now I will go read it all... thank you...Finished reading... this is the most powerful, concise and crystal clear listing to what's happening to all of us that anyone can get... how do we keep the lights on? just who has our backs? true dems in Congress? Supremes? Military? This 78 yo hippie is damn tired but I'll do my best to my last breath...
As this 78 year old Eagle Scout woke up this morning and read Steven's piece, I asked myself, have we arrived at the end of American Democracy? Our Democracy was created by the people, and for the people. What we have this morning, is a president that has no intention of doing anything for the people. When he said recently, " I rule the world", that was his clear and real intention of everything he has done and will continue to do every day.
As Ginger points out, "Who will stop him"? Congress...the Supreme Court...the Military? I don't know, do you? I've always believed that there are things in life I can not change, but the one thing I can do, is choose how I let it affect me. And that is what I'm doing right now. Are you?
Ona another substack someone said they had talked with several active military in confidence and they were told the active military by the ones they spoke with their intent is to follow their oath to the constitution. I had wondered about that as it has been discussed multiple times. I am sure there are some MAGA types in the military but I am betting more are for the constitution than not.
I am right behind you as a 73 y/o hippie. Never in my life did I dream we would be here with a bunch of losers in congress that are "afraid of their own shadows". This is probably going to half to blow up before it can be returned to some sense of normalcy
I agree. I have no idea what is coming in terms of a re-set of Democracy in America. It's just a matter of time. Our safe guards have been diminished and have invited any number of dangerous and/or destructive events (including from within our borders). From health/disease, airline safety, or an attack by an adversary, we are vulnerable like never before. This chaos has been purposeful and planned, and was initiated on Jan, 20, 2025. I'm I the only one who believes this?
I am in total agreement with you and I also have wondered "am I the only one who believes this?". But there are several on substack who see this and one even believes after talking with a former intelligence person that The Orange Mussolini has his own secret/private cops and i believe they are the ones rounding up these people without using ID or having the orders from the courts, etc. Like when they grabbed the judge and hauled her away with out proper documents. Plus why else cover your face. Another article shows the FBI now wearing tactic gear. They have always been the guys in suits not camo and carry weapons not sidearms
Teri, I have to believe that we, and many more are on the same wave length. I can only hope that when his castle comes tumbling down, the corruption and the truth will be known to the world. Who "gives" someone a $400,000,000 airplane? This doesn't pass the smell test. Stand by, this isn't over yet!
It does not surprise me that Pam Bondi would sign off on Trump's receiving this $400 million dollar "gift," as she is a former lobbyist for Quatar. She also refused to prosecute Trump University after Trump made a donation to her campaign fund for Florida Attorney General.
Norm Eisen is referring to the plane as Emoluments One, which puts the constitutional issue front and center. If Trump does indeed get the plane, I suggest that everyone refer to it by that name.
I agree with everything you said Steven. He doesn’t surprise me in any way, and hasn’t for ten years or more. Congress on the other hand is really where the breakdown lies. A jury of men is deemed to be one reasonable mind, congress has destroyed that supposition.
Today I plead guilty to being the word police. 🤔😉 “The correct phrase is "make do," meaning to manage with what you have, even if it's not ideal. "Make due" is a misspelling and incorrect usage. "Make do" is the standard idiom used to express managing with limited resources.”
This is all a game to the felon, he said in his first term that he has the power through Article Two of the Constitution to do anything he wants. He’s getting away with anything and everything he can grab with his little sticky fingers. The meme coin scandal is peanuts compared to a $400 million jumbo jet.
Sharon, I agree with your sentiments, but you may not have seen the reports that the Trumps have already made in the hundreds of million off the meme coins! Just sayin'...
He says the jet is "free", but that's just another of his lies. How many millions will it cost us to refit it foe security, communications, defensive measures, transporting the Secret Service, his entourage and the press? Will we ever find out? I doubt it.
Qatar put out a statement that there was no decision on the ‘gift.’ They were reviewing it for “legalities.” Who knows if he got ahead of them or it didn’t go over well in the region.
Now he’s saying it would be going to the Defense Dept and when he leaves office to his library. That’s because the Libraries are overseen by the Archives where gifts are supposed to go. There is an old plane at the Reagan library. It isn’t flown.
Regardless, if this comes to pass, I hope it takes so long to retrofit it that he is out of office before it is completed.
What's truly frightening is not that there is one disgustingly aberrant specimen of humanity in the White House, it's the numbers of people in positions of power - from the Supreme Court, through Congress, to the richest among us - who put him there and support him.
However, the leaders of the opposition (and they are large in number as well) have still not woken up to the gravity of the danger: Trump and his acolytes are now openly talking about getting rid of habeas corpus, the very foundation of our system of laws. The obvious next step is that they will declare martial law, which will give them the pretext to "postpone" elections and arrest anyone they choose. The writing is on the wall. And yet...
Our leaders seem unwilling to grasp the nature of the existential danger that we face. If they had, they would have united together to spearhead the opposition that is needed to bring this regime to a grinding halt. We, The People, must demand that they do so. Enough is enough.
The “writing on the wall” you are referring to is being erased systematically by bombarding us with more chaotic messages every single day” and yet”… we are still fantasizing about some omniscient leader stepping forward to lead the charge.
Better for millions of us to turn the tide by showing up protesting the grotesque actions of this regime June 14. No lame excuses, please!
Perhaps we are missing the most important point. He now has a carrot on the stick for leaving at the end of his term. He gets rewarded for going on into the future. That's worth celebrating. He's already admitting to being old. Three more years in the white hot spotlight and he'll be more than ready to go.
Look everyone. It's probably too late to stop this most evil of human beings. We've stood-by and watched him destroy, with the help of his ignorant and evil cadre, our entire government. Too many Americans believe he is The Savior to change course. He is one of the most evil humans ever to have walked on this earth. A great number of Americans really believe he deserves all he is getting, or taking, or stealing. And think of this! The January 6 militia hasn't been called to duty yet. (Remember, "Stand by"?) He will reward his militia at some point by ordering them shoot us in our homes and front yards. He will call that slaughter, "Cleaning up the mess."
I love that Steven is laying it all out there for us to truly understand. This "so called" government is what it truly is...a full-blown Oligarchical Kakistocracy, led by the world's biggest swindler. My biggest fear is that the economy may level out just enough(DJT is the luckiest SOB alive) so most Americans, sick of us complainers, will throw this grifter a pass. And then? We complainers will be those "others" in a world of shit.
We’re approaching six months into our life sentences. With no reprieve in sight…for in America “pardons” are granted only to criminals!
That said…I guess we have to wait for the first Rock, be it literal or figurative, to be thrown. Unfortunately it appears there isn’t anyone with the commitment or “Cahones” to do so. Frustrating because the well intended but useless rhetoric is simply a waste of breath. All the while tRump continues to “flip the Bird” to his dissenters and the rule of Law…or what little remains of the Law.
I’ve never felt so helpless or been so very frustrated. My only immediate hope…it rains on his Parade!!!
I hear you loud and clear and am exhausted from frustration, depressed from agreeing with the daily rant here on Substack “ enough is enough,” but knowing it will be repeated again the next day. I’m afraid hoping HIS parade is rained on will only be effective if the parade is blocked … would that be enough, do you think?
“[N]o Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under [the United States], shall, **without the Consent of the Congress,** accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State,”
Gifts to the president or his family that are accepted wind up under the purview of the National Archives & Administration (as are Presidential Libraries).
Because as the last sentence says, “… considered accepted on behalf of and property of the United States ….is handled by the National Archives and Records Administration.”
Gifts From Foreign Governments
The President and all federal officials are restricted by the Constitution, at Article I, Section 9, clause 8, from receiving any "presents" from foreign governments, kings, or princes, without the consent of the Congress. The Congress has consented generally, in the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act, to the acceptance of gifts of "minimal value" from foreign governments offered as souvenirs or marks of courtesy, and the acceptance of other gifts when a refusal of the gift may cause "offense or embarrassment" or otherwise harm the foreign relations of the United States. A tangible gift of more than minimal value accepted for reasons of protocol or courtesy may not be kept as a personal gift, however, but is considered accepted on behalf of and property of the United States, and in the case of such a gift for the President or the President's family, is handled by the National Archives and Records Administration.
you got me at the first sentence I am sharing everywhere... now I will go read it all... thank you...Finished reading... this is the most powerful, concise and crystal clear listing to what's happening to all of us that anyone can get... how do we keep the lights on? just who has our backs? true dems in Congress? Supremes? Military? This 78 yo hippie is damn tired but I'll do my best to my last breath...
Thank you. This moment needs all of us.
As this 78 year old Eagle Scout woke up this morning and read Steven's piece, I asked myself, have we arrived at the end of American Democracy? Our Democracy was created by the people, and for the people. What we have this morning, is a president that has no intention of doing anything for the people. When he said recently, " I rule the world", that was his clear and real intention of everything he has done and will continue to do every day.
As Ginger points out, "Who will stop him"? Congress...the Supreme Court...the Military? I don't know, do you? I've always believed that there are things in life I can not change, but the one thing I can do, is choose how I let it affect me. And that is what I'm doing right now. Are you?
Ona another substack someone said they had talked with several active military in confidence and they were told the active military by the ones they spoke with their intent is to follow their oath to the constitution. I had wondered about that as it has been discussed multiple times. I am sure there are some MAGA types in the military but I am betting more are for the constitution than not.
I am right behind you as a 73 y/o hippie. Never in my life did I dream we would be here with a bunch of losers in congress that are "afraid of their own shadows". This is probably going to half to blow up before it can be returned to some sense of normalcy
I agree. I have no idea what is coming in terms of a re-set of Democracy in America. It's just a matter of time. Our safe guards have been diminished and have invited any number of dangerous and/or destructive events (including from within our borders). From health/disease, airline safety, or an attack by an adversary, we are vulnerable like never before. This chaos has been purposeful and planned, and was initiated on Jan, 20, 2025. I'm I the only one who believes this?
I am in total agreement with you and I also have wondered "am I the only one who believes this?". But there are several on substack who see this and one even believes after talking with a former intelligence person that The Orange Mussolini has his own secret/private cops and i believe they are the ones rounding up these people without using ID or having the orders from the courts, etc. Like when they grabbed the judge and hauled her away with out proper documents. Plus why else cover your face. Another article shows the FBI now wearing tactic gear. They have always been the guys in suits not camo and carry weapons not sidearms
Teri, I have to believe that we, and many more are on the same wave length. I can only hope that when his castle comes tumbling down, the corruption and the truth will be known to the world. Who "gives" someone a $400,000,000 airplane? This doesn't pass the smell test. Stand by, this isn't over yet!
I am getting very tired, too.
This is an article that clearly sees what’s in the swamp Trump promised to drain.
These powerful sewer rats are willing to treat immigrants and anyone who supports them as jail material.
Meanwhile , their behaviors are deplorable.
Everyone of them , Pam Bondi, Stephen Miller, Trump ad nauseam are racking up ways to be cruel and malicious to people in this country.
Somehow this is supposed to be acceptable .
It’s revolting.
We need to do everything in our power to insert checks and balances into this brazen heap of hypocrisy.
The next time someone obviously criminal runs for office .
Take them down.
It does not surprise me that Pam Bondi would sign off on Trump's receiving this $400 million dollar "gift," as she is a former lobbyist for Quatar. She also refused to prosecute Trump University after Trump made a donation to her campaign fund for Florida Attorney General.
Norm Eisen is referring to the plane as Emoluments One, which puts the constitutional issue front and center. If Trump does indeed get the plane, I suggest that everyone refer to it by that name.
LOVE NOrm's title for the plane. And living in Florida I was well aware of how useless to democracy she is. Just another Blonde a*s kisser.
I agree with everything you said Steven. He doesn’t surprise me in any way, and hasn’t for ten years or more. Congress on the other hand is really where the breakdown lies. A jury of men is deemed to be one reasonable mind, congress has destroyed that supposition.
Today I plead guilty to being the word police. 🤔😉 “The correct phrase is "make do," meaning to manage with what you have, even if it's not ideal. "Make due" is a misspelling and incorrect usage. "Make do" is the standard idiom used to express managing with limited resources.”
Right you are, Barry. Fixed. Thanks for flagging it.
I absolutely adore the grammar and spelling police. It reminds me of my Catholic grammar school days.
I so appreciate your clear writing and on-point thoughts on the unfolding trauma we are witnessing.
Thank you, Susan.
This is all a game to the felon, he said in his first term that he has the power through Article Two of the Constitution to do anything he wants. He’s getting away with anything and everything he can grab with his little sticky fingers. The meme coin scandal is peanuts compared to a $400 million jumbo jet.
Made himself a KING.
Sharon, I agree with your sentiments, but you may not have seen the reports that the Trumps have already made in the hundreds of million off the meme coins! Just sayin'...
I agree, and I have seen that information. The thing with the plane is so obvious to everyone, most of whom may not be aware of the meme coin grift.
The gift law in my conservative state does not allow teachers to buy parents a cup of coffee.
He says the jet is "free", but that's just another of his lies. How many millions will it cost us to refit it foe security, communications, defensive measures, transporting the Secret Service, his entourage and the press? Will we ever find out? I doubt it.
Qatar put out a statement that there was no decision on the ‘gift.’ They were reviewing it for “legalities.” Who knows if he got ahead of them or it didn’t go over well in the region.
Now he’s saying it would be going to the Defense Dept and when he leaves office to his library. That’s because the Libraries are overseen by the Archives where gifts are supposed to go. There is an old plane at the Reagan library. It isn’t flown.
Regardless, if this comes to pass, I hope it takes so long to retrofit it that he is out of office before it is completed.
Would take YEARS of work.
What's truly frightening is not that there is one disgustingly aberrant specimen of humanity in the White House, it's the numbers of people in positions of power - from the Supreme Court, through Congress, to the richest among us - who put him there and support him.
However, the leaders of the opposition (and they are large in number as well) have still not woken up to the gravity of the danger: Trump and his acolytes are now openly talking about getting rid of habeas corpus, the very foundation of our system of laws. The obvious next step is that they will declare martial law, which will give them the pretext to "postpone" elections and arrest anyone they choose. The writing is on the wall. And yet...
Our leaders seem unwilling to grasp the nature of the existential danger that we face. If they had, they would have united together to spearhead the opposition that is needed to bring this regime to a grinding halt. We, The People, must demand that they do so. Enough is enough.
The “writing on the wall” you are referring to is being erased systematically by bombarding us with more chaotic messages every single day” and yet”… we are still fantasizing about some omniscient leader stepping forward to lead the charge.
Better for millions of us to turn the tide by showing up protesting the grotesque actions of this regime June 14. No lame excuses, please!
See you out on the streets on June 14th. It’s a date!
He loves the idea of flying around in luxury ad that says “America is for Sale!.”
Perhaps we are missing the most important point. He now has a carrot on the stick for leaving at the end of his term. He gets rewarded for going on into the future. That's worth celebrating. He's already admitting to being old. Three more years in the white hot spotlight and he'll be more than ready to go.
Interesting observation.
Nothing, I repeat, nothing surrounding Trump’s word salads, admissions or sycophants in his regime are “ worth celebrating.”
Zero tolerance and 100% resistance is demanded instead…imho.
Look everyone. It's probably too late to stop this most evil of human beings. We've stood-by and watched him destroy, with the help of his ignorant and evil cadre, our entire government. Too many Americans believe he is The Savior to change course. He is one of the most evil humans ever to have walked on this earth. A great number of Americans really believe he deserves all he is getting, or taking, or stealing. And think of this! The January 6 militia hasn't been called to duty yet. (Remember, "Stand by"?) He will reward his militia at some point by ordering them shoot us in our homes and front yards. He will call that slaughter, "Cleaning up the mess."
I love that Steven is laying it all out there for us to truly understand. This "so called" government is what it truly is...a full-blown Oligarchical Kakistocracy, led by the world's biggest swindler. My biggest fear is that the economy may level out just enough(DJT is the luckiest SOB alive) so most Americans, sick of us complainers, will throw this grifter a pass. And then? We complainers will be those "others" in a world of shit.
We’re approaching six months into our life sentences. With no reprieve in sight…for in America “pardons” are granted only to criminals!
That said…I guess we have to wait for the first Rock, be it literal or figurative, to be thrown. Unfortunately it appears there isn’t anyone with the commitment or “Cahones” to do so. Frustrating because the well intended but useless rhetoric is simply a waste of breath. All the while tRump continues to “flip the Bird” to his dissenters and the rule of Law…or what little remains of the Law.
I’ve never felt so helpless or been so very frustrated. My only immediate hope…it rains on his Parade!!!
I hear you loud and clear and am exhausted from frustration, depressed from agreeing with the daily rant here on Substack “ enough is enough,” but knowing it will be repeated again the next day. I’m afraid hoping HIS parade is rained on will only be effective if the parade is blocked … would that be enough, do you think?
It would be a start…then the damned Plane.!!!!
Pam Bondi is once again out of her lane.
“[N]o Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under [the United States], shall, **without the Consent of the Congress,** accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State,”
Gifts to the president or his family that are accepted wind up under the purview of the National Archives & Administration (as are Presidential Libraries).
Because as the last sentence says, “… considered accepted on behalf of and property of the United States ….is handled by the National Archives and Records Administration.”
Gifts From Foreign Governments
The President and all federal officials are restricted by the Constitution, at Article I, Section 9, clause 8, from receiving any "presents" from foreign governments, kings, or princes, without the consent of the Congress. The Congress has consented generally, in the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act, to the acceptance of gifts of "minimal value" from foreign governments offered as souvenirs or marks of courtesy, and the acceptance of other gifts when a refusal of the gift may cause "offense or embarrassment" or otherwise harm the foreign relations of the United States. A tangible gift of more than minimal value accepted for reasons of protocol or courtesy may not be kept as a personal gift, however, but is considered accepted on behalf of and property of the United States, and in the case of such a gift for the President or the President's family, is handled by the National Archives and Records Administration.
https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/R42662.html
Where is the bottom of this kind of activity? Are we there yet? Will we soon begin to rise?
Yes, WHEN?