31 Comments
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Ellen Deschatres's avatar

Trump is a place holder for MAGA, which he created to give himself a permanent seat at democracy’s table. He has rearranged all the other place cards, as well. In fact, he has rearranged the entire table to suit himself. Loyalists have special places reserved for them, while Congress and capitulating lawyers act as waiters, serving up those who do not agree at Trump’s pleasure. We’ve had a horrifying first course. I can only imagine who or what the main course will be.

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Carl Selfe's avatar

All of us need to use the new playbook where GERRYMANDERING is approved by SCOTUS for all. We are behind. Simply matching the enemy will NOT catch us up. We must be much more aggressive. Then on to statehood for DC and Puerto Rico! For citizens, we must take to the streets in protests. Message with signs that are loud! How do you make a sign loud? By design! Here are 108 free signs for you that scream!

https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/protest-sign-sign-everywhere-a-sign?r=3m1bs

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

Could you be more specific about what you mean by "MAGA"? The term has morphed almost beyond all usefulness. It started off simple, as the acronym for Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again." Then it came to mean Trump's base. Then it came to include congressional Republican who toady to Trump, i.e., virtually all congressional Republicans. Now you're saying that Trump is just a "place holder for MAGA." "Place holders" are generally substitutes for the real thing. If Trump is a "place holder," it's for the Project 2025 crowd, the Federalist Society, the Heritage Foundation, ALEC, et al., who are clearly using Trump for their own varied (and possibly contradictory) ends.

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Ellen Deschatres's avatar

I think you know what I meant. All of those entities and ideologies are connoted at this moment in history by the acronym ‘MAGA’ to this community. In that sense, I find it quite useful. No doubt we are on the same page.

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Al Bellenchia's avatar

These days….“Sanity and happiness are an impossible combination.” - Mark Twain

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Dan Beach's avatar

So good to see a focus on Ukraine. While Canada and others bring support and, more importantly, commitment, the US wallows in Trump's insecurities, and vacillation. The US does not regard the security of Ukraine as one of the preeminent issues confronting the world. Trump sees it as transactional, demands personal fealty (think Nobel), makes impossible demands, treats Putin's attack as "reasonable," and seemingly seeks ways for a Trump entity to profit. We must not let this continue.

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Helen Stajninger's avatar

Amen Steven. Thank you for highlighting the truth and courage of Volodymyr Zelensky and the cowardice,laziness, and utter cravenness of our “president”, who is taking the side of Putin- again. I applaud the Prime Minister of Canada.

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Leslie Lichtenstein's avatar

Love “bloviating phony”

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Monet Lion's avatar

As do I. I’m borrowing it

. Thank you.

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Richard Brody's avatar

Trump is a disgrace to humanity, not just the United States. His abandonment of a forceful and meaningful backing of that country in favor of kissing Putin’s ass is beyond the pale. America! Wake up! This guy is driving our country into the ground.

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Tammy Barnes's avatar

Ukraine is holding the free world on its shoulders. Mostly alone. We are all indebted to Ukraine. Our failed democracy may be on the brink of never recovering but if Ukraine falls, it assuredly never will. I think that Zelenskyy is an amazing president for the honorable and brave people of Ukraine. I really believe Ukraine has already won this war. Putin and the First Felon's regime are pathetic next to the bravery and ingenuity achieved with few resources. We are no longer the home of the free and the brave. We, at this moment, are a dumb embarrassment.

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maryhh45's avatar

"...the fate of Ukraine matters for the fate of national sovereignty, European democracy, the global rule of law and, as stated above, peaceful co-existence. If Putin succeeds there, it only strengthens despotic types like Trump and intensifies the growing danger of autocracy around the world." So, unfortunate America has one of 'those'.

If only there was a way for Ukraine to become a NATO & European Union member even if in a current fight. And, I have one question - did not Putrid invade and take some of Crimea after the 2016 Olympics in Russia?? Seems I remember much discussion during the Olympics this was going to happen and it did.

Today's post is so descriptive of what Ukraine is about. TY for including your previous postings; will reread them all a bit later today.

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Steven Beschloss's avatar

Thank you, Mary.

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mary M keymer's avatar

Thank You Steven... Zelinsky is one of my heroes..My heart breaks that the moron is causing so much more heart ache for Ukraine than it already has. I believe they should have been allowed to join NATO long before this .. Obama and Joe didn't help the situation. They could have drawn a line in the sand and got the NATO alies to accept Ukraine. Even now Ukraine should be allowed in . Everyone is so afraid of Putin .. Then you read all these articles that tell you how weak Russia is. Maybe he would be crazy enough to use nuclear weapons. Maybe that's why Ukraine is not in NATO .. Yes I know they needed to show the world that they stopped all the corruption. Well they did when dumpty made his famous phone call to Zelinsky telling him to start an investigation in to Joe Biden .. My hero refused. lost in america.

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Ann Sharon's avatar

The blame does not fall solidly on US presidents. The push to get Ukraine into NATO began under George W. NATO requires unanimous agreement to admit new nations. Not all the European nations supported it & there were naysayers in the US (fear of antagonizing Russia). In 2010 Ukraine under very different leadership took it off the table until 2019 with a constitutional amendment after Crimea was annexed.

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Paula Dunn's avatar

❣️🇺🇸 🙏Steven Beschloss

🇺🇦🌻❣️Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

https://bsky.app/profile/kenaiseasky.bsky.social/post/3lx7st3vvf22w

🤦‍♀️💔DJT

https://bsky.app/profile/kenaiseasky.bsky.social/post/3lx7u24bjm22w

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Homi Hormasji's avatar

The sad fact of the matter is that nations get the leaders they deserve. Trump is the apotheosis of America's worship of wealth, celebrity, self-delusion, and expedience over morality.

The question is, will we be able to use our current predicament for self-analysis and redirection, or will we continue to plow blindly along over the edge of the cliff?

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Sharon C Storm's avatar

Imho, there has never been a more fitting description of the felon than ‘careless vulgarian’. It absolutely relates to all he says and does.

Thank you, Steven, for your staying on top of the war in Ukraine, it is a matter of protection of free Europe.

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Steven Beschloss's avatar

Thank you, Sharon.

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Ann Sharon's avatar

So much BS from the president about the Putin-Trump mutual admiration society. Respect from Putin? From the get-go when trump won the election here’s how that went. (This is probably the only “G” rated coverage of Russian state news “congratulating” trump.) https://thehill.com/opinion/international/4993990-putin-is-sending-a-not-so-friendly-message-to-trump/

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Cathy Brugnone's avatar

Some days the sadness is overwhelming but thank you, Steven for always bringing us the truth and the inspiration to keep fighting!

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Steven Beschloss's avatar

Thank you, Cathy. We all have to do what we can right now.

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Susan Travis's avatar

This "bloviating phoney" 's name is all over the Epstein Files📢📢📢

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Jim Gray's avatar

Just wondering if and when National Guardsmen and soldiers will exercise their right to refuse orders that go against our Constitution.

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