This weekend Donald Trump was back to praising Vladimir Putin, once again casting doubt on his allegiances and underscoring his hostility to American values. Let's remember this in November.
Buck up Steven. We’re almost there. Putin would not have agreed to the prisoner swap if he and his interference apparatus weren’t concerned Harris will win. Musk, Putin, Trump be damned. A new day is coming.
They have sold themselves to attach to this deranged being, who in turns sells out everything and everyone eventually to advance his own self-interest.
Very true. We don't teach history anymore. Real history. We protect our kids from things that might upset. That is setting them up for failure. Trump is more like Mussolini. He manipulated the media to gain power and then didn't know what to do with it. Hitler had to go bail him out putting his plans on hold... which turned out to be a good thing. Ever see "Tea with Mussolini?" Cher and Judi Dench start in it. It shows how fascism works.
There is to other way to call it other than to say that Trump is a traitor who hates this country. He is constantly praising and siding with murderous dictators, most notably Putin, our country's biggest enemy. His attempts to subvert the votes of millions of Americans so he could illegally cling to power was a serious crime against our country that he has yet to be held accountable for. He willfully and illegally retained classified and sensitive documents that put our national security at risk. And every day at his rallies he disparages our great country while cheering for it to fail so he can claim political points. I will never understand how any American can vote for this man.
I don't think Trump hates America. I think he just doesn't give a shit about it one way or the other. He's a psychopath, totally transactional in all his dealings.
Trump is amoral - not one way or another? He is seeking attention from his brash comments, and if asked why, Trump could never explain what he meant! Trump is a performer, and an entertainer! Only importance revolves around HIMSELF!
Trump is Putin's greatest espionage success story.
He's literally made Trump a Russian asset.
When one considers the missing file among the confidential and secret files found in a Mar A Lago bathroom one can reasonably conclude that information was shared. It's not too difficult to think of who benefitted the most.
Rachel Maddow ran a story where Trump was publicly repeating statements that could not be found anywhere other than from Putin. That strongly suggested that there was a back-channel communications link between the two.
Of all the gross and blatant criminal acts at the hands of Trump that we know about, we may actually only be scratching the surface.
I am glad you brought the meeting up. I keep mentioning this. People don't seem to remember. It gets glossed over. Incredibly smart Trump doesn't even understand grammar. Right after close of the press conference, Anderson Cooper questioned, "Did he just commit treason?"
And then Anderson, NYT, WaPo and the rest of the msm forgot about it! The tilt forward and downward of his head with a shamed look on his face while Putin strode in head high and smiling told us everything! Trump just disgraced America and there is no doubt of it since as he remains Putin’s lapdog to this day. Someday we will find out what happened!
I don't know if we will find out but Trump body language says deep shame, like a child. Or he looks like he had a colonoscope -without benefit of being put under.
Steven, have you ever wondered what happened with the stenographer who was supposed to take notes between Trump and Putin? I know Trump grabbed her papers but did he order her out of the room?
Putin has been grooming Donald for many years. He was Russia’s biggest asset until Vlad observed him lately. The incoherent rants from his rallies and Biden’s gift of handing Kamala to the nation, rankled Putin. Plus, Vlad wasn’t counting on Joe to have a few tricks up his sleeve before leaving office. He got his murderers back but we locked arms with our many allies. China sees that we have a strong coalition and we are intently watching their moves. We are going to win and it will be the R’s who will pay the price. I am not afraid.
We know he had the translator’s notes taken away from their meeting in Munich in 2017. Goodness only knows the horrible threats to any translator who would speak publicly.
I wonder if they are among the ‘papers’ that he kept in various places. I keep thinking of Bedminster, which has not been… excavated. Thank you for this post. Thanks for all of them and your intense commitment.
That private meeting between trump and Putin in Helsinki was the biggest mismatch in politics, maybe ever. A crooked, unqualified ignoramus against a cunning, conniving, manipulative ex-KGB apparatchik. Easier than taking candy from a baby, much to America's detriment. Who knows what advantages Putin was able to gain, by blackmail, by chicanery, or even fake flattery
We will win in November, but the danger to our democracy will continue for a long time, thereafter. Russia/Hungary, et al, are teaching their tricks to the rich and powerful in this country. We as a people are prone to division...sitting ducks, as it were. After 85 watchful years of life on this planet and in this country, it is my view that to assume otherwise, is foolishly self-centered in scope. Love is what Jesus preached, but it is upon us to make is so. I am proudly awake/woke...however it is said these days.
We've called him demented donny for years & his demented screeching seems to only be getting worse. Could it be his age?? And the VP pick - takes one to know one. Remember, save our Democratic America - Vote in Numbers Too Large to Ever Question.
Another uplifting point to consider. MSNBC's Rachel Maddow reported on the potential of Election Vote fraud or major scale result denial. She presented supporting data to reinforce her comments. Apparently there are a large number of tRump, loving Electors in place ready to throw the results into major turmoil. What is in place to thwart this?? This threat is very real...the MAGot repugnants have had four years to hone their tactics, implant sycophants and whatever else they think effective. We know what happened...is still happening today! All they had to do was deny the results and all hell broke loose.
I don't think we have any idea of the scope of their abilities. Especially in view of their recent setbacks...we can consider tRump et al like pack of trapped Rats desperate and willing to do anything.
I saw Maddow discuss this. The strategy is not a secret or without pushback. There are lawsuits winding through the courts all over the country. One thing their bragging did was alert organizations to be prepared. My state currently in in court because an advocacy group has objected to clearing voting rolls without notifying voters (as required by federal a law). PA has had about 20 election related lawsuits since 2020. We just aren’t hearing about them.
The threat to voting rights is one thing but the continuing attacks also keep undermining confidence in voting. In that way each case gives the RNC 2 bites at the apple.
The Heritage Foundation summary of “exercises” (like war games) says a lot about their approach which is mixed in with nonsense its version of ‘facts’ and assumptions. The pdf, dated July 11, 2024, is called: “Anticipating Election Disruptions to Ensure a Safe Transition of Presidential Power” Their “Key Lessons and Findings” begin on page 18. The final one, on page 23, indicates the courts won’t be inclined to rule in their favor.
“But as 2020 showed, the courts will be highly reticent to intervene …”For that reason, public pressure — organized by citizens and groups, committed to constitutional governance and lawful elections — will be essential to convince the courts to address the grievances of voters. The pressure will need to be significant, sustained and visible on the streets.”
Heritage Foundation is all in on taking over the country. The warnings of Madison, basically telling and warning of the rich taking control over the average citizen is a warning we should revisit and understand better in context of the dangers we are facing in our time.
Madison also supported separation of church and state. Jefferson wrote the VA legislature but it stalled while he was governor. Later under Madison a bill for taxes to pay religious teachers was introduced & created controversy. Madison revived Jefferson’s bill and passed it. He used it to guide his words to the First Congress as he proposed a religious freedom amendment.
The Heritage Foundation and others like them should study history & the Constitution - not their versions.
— … "the civil rights of none shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established, nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience be in any manner, or on any pretext infringed." —
Putin buckled under international and, particularly, American pressure to release the detained prisoners. Of course, there is no public information except for the vaguest of hints, but I'd bet that the CIA and FBI have plenty of evidence that Putin and Trump are in cahoots to get Trump elected again. And knowing the close relationship Egypt has with Russia, I think the money that Egypt allegedly gave Trump back in 2020 was actually from Putin.
We need to stop obsessing about the things we can't change. These facts are clear; Trump, Putin, and the forces behind them are focused on one thing...destroy American Democracy.
Two weeks ago Kamala Harris caused a political earthquake that dramatically changed the possibility of loosing the great American experiment. We all need to do the one thing we can change; focus our energy and combined strengths behind her to stop these deranged and demented mad men.
If Merrick Garland was as concerned about actually upholding justice and the rule of law as he is about dusting off the facade of the DoJ, he would have immediately reopened the various investigations into Trump's fealty to Putin that his predecessor, Barr, had shut down. Garland should have also launched investigations into Barr's culpability in those matters.
But we live in a nation where appearance is more important than substance. How else can one explain the fact that Putin's quisling has not been charged with treason and is being allowed to run for the Presidency again?
Helsinki was so blatant. Russia has less than half the population of the US and one twentieth of our GDP. Yet Donald behaved like a whipped puppy.
No doubt Vlad and Donald and Elon and XI and Kim and Maduro and Orban and Thiel and Murdoch and the world's other top autocrats chat on a daily basis. To mutually protect and advance their criminal networks. And coordinate their frauds on the people. Elon is committing election fraud on voters in swing states with his high tech and getting away with it. Vlad (RT.com) and Murdoch (WSJ and Fox) and NYT and OANN and other controlled media platforms push their propaganda against democracy and human rights. The war is on. See Anne Applebaum.
Right. Russia, with the exception of its nukes and its skilled cyber warfare, is a minor power and economically insignificant with little beyond natural resources. Yet Trump yearns to turn America into Russia.
Russia: A gas station with nukes. (And, yes, skilled cyber warfare, which could very well be single-handedly responsible for Trump having been elected in 2016, as we all know now).
Yes. Thanks Steven. The US and NATO countries combined have 40 times the economic power and likely 10 times the military power of Russia. Yet, Putin threatens the West with his nuclear tipped hypersonic missiles.
Putin has support (to some degree) of the world's thieving billionaire oligarchs, China, North Korea, Iran and the lesser dictatorships. He must know that if he uses any nuclear weapon, his $1 Billion palace is toast. The only way the US and NATO loses is if we surrender to these pipsqueaks. Which is exactly what Donald wants to do. Thank goodness he's a lousy choice for a frontman!
So true. And likely backed to an extent by China. Though, I feel even China isn't that interested in backing Putin. They have enough of their own issues and I think more forward looking than really wanting to back Putin. But make no mistake China is more like Russia past and present to Russia and would move on their local interests in a heartbeat.
Buck up Steven. We’re almost there. Putin would not have agreed to the prisoner swap if he and his interference apparatus weren’t concerned Harris will win. Musk, Putin, Trump be damned. A new day is coming.
The party of sick f@cks. Not weird…sick.
They have sold themselves to attach to this deranged being, who in turns sells out everything and everyone eventually to advance his own self-interest.
Did I forget to mention stupid?
It is a cult. They don't see it. Tyranny is happening right before our eyes and they don't see it.
According to Ruth Ben-Ghiat, it is the same scenario as it was when Mussolini and Hitler came to power.
Very true. We don't teach history anymore. Real history. We protect our kids from things that might upset. That is setting them up for failure. Trump is more like Mussolini. He manipulated the media to gain power and then didn't know what to do with it. Hitler had to go bail him out putting his plans on hold... which turned out to be a good thing. Ever see "Tea with Mussolini?" Cher and Judi Dench start in it. It shows how fascism works.
Oh they see it. Who do you think pays for the Heritage Foundation light bill?
There is to other way to call it other than to say that Trump is a traitor who hates this country. He is constantly praising and siding with murderous dictators, most notably Putin, our country's biggest enemy. His attempts to subvert the votes of millions of Americans so he could illegally cling to power was a serious crime against our country that he has yet to be held accountable for. He willfully and illegally retained classified and sensitive documents that put our national security at risk. And every day at his rallies he disparages our great country while cheering for it to fail so he can claim political points. I will never understand how any American can vote for this man.
I don't think Trump hates America. I think he just doesn't give a shit about it one way or the other. He's a psychopath, totally transactional in all his dealings.
Trump is amoral - not one way or another? He is seeking attention from his brash comments, and if asked why, Trump could never explain what he meant! Trump is a performer, and an entertainer! Only importance revolves around HIMSELF!
Well there that and his likely self-loathing covered by a thin sheen of narcissism. Lovely demi god Republicans.
What a beautiful article. Thank you for the hope you see in our future. We will not go back as an amazing lady has stated more than once
Thank you, Ginger. Right you are.
Trump is Putin's greatest espionage success story.
He's literally made Trump a Russian asset.
When one considers the missing file among the confidential and secret files found in a Mar A Lago bathroom one can reasonably conclude that information was shared. It's not too difficult to think of who benefitted the most.
Rachel Maddow ran a story where Trump was publicly repeating statements that could not be found anywhere other than from Putin. That strongly suggested that there was a back-channel communications link between the two.
Of all the gross and blatant criminal acts at the hands of Trump that we know about, we may actually only be scratching the surface.
I am glad you brought the meeting up. I keep mentioning this. People don't seem to remember. It gets glossed over. Incredibly smart Trump doesn't even understand grammar. Right after close of the press conference, Anderson Cooper questioned, "Did he just commit treason?"
Trump has done so many despicable, corrupt, illegal, and yes treasonous things that it's hard to keep track.
And then Anderson, NYT, WaPo and the rest of the msm forgot about it! The tilt forward and downward of his head with a shamed look on his face while Putin strode in head high and smiling told us everything! Trump just disgraced America and there is no doubt of it since as he remains Putin’s lapdog to this day. Someday we will find out what happened!
Closed door meetings with no one recording them? The only ones who were in the room will never tell.
I believe there was an American translator? Is that correct? Anybody?
I don't know if we will find out but Trump body language says deep shame, like a child. Or he looks like he had a colonoscope -without benefit of being put under.
I remember! I thought my head would explode with any and disgust.
Steven, have you ever wondered what happened with the stenographer who was supposed to take notes between Trump and Putin? I know Trump grabbed her papers but did he order her out of the room?
Putin has been grooming Donald for many years. He was Russia’s biggest asset until Vlad observed him lately. The incoherent rants from his rallies and Biden’s gift of handing Kamala to the nation, rankled Putin. Plus, Vlad wasn’t counting on Joe to have a few tricks up his sleeve before leaving office. He got his murderers back but we locked arms with our many allies. China sees that we have a strong coalition and we are intently watching their moves. We are going to win and it will be the R’s who will pay the price. I am not afraid.
We know he had the translator’s notes taken away from their meeting in Munich in 2017. Goodness only knows the horrible threats to any translator who would speak publicly.
I wonder if they are among the ‘papers’ that he kept in various places. I keep thinking of Bedminster, which has not been… excavated. Thank you for this post. Thanks for all of them and your intense commitment.
That private meeting between trump and Putin in Helsinki was the biggest mismatch in politics, maybe ever. A crooked, unqualified ignoramus against a cunning, conniving, manipulative ex-KGB apparatchik. Easier than taking candy from a baby, much to America's detriment. Who knows what advantages Putin was able to gain, by blackmail, by chicanery, or even fake flattery
We will win in November, but the danger to our democracy will continue for a long time, thereafter. Russia/Hungary, et al, are teaching their tricks to the rich and powerful in this country. We as a people are prone to division...sitting ducks, as it were. After 85 watchful years of life on this planet and in this country, it is my view that to assume otherwise, is foolishly self-centered in scope. Love is what Jesus preached, but it is upon us to make is so. I am proudly awake/woke...however it is said these days.
You are correct where I think the threats come from-within!
But if we heal our nation and quit giving the donor class everything they want, I think we can be and continue to be, the USA.
Another great morning read, TY.
We've called him demented donny for years & his demented screeching seems to only be getting worse. Could it be his age?? And the VP pick - takes one to know one. Remember, save our Democratic America - Vote in Numbers Too Large to Ever Question.
Another uplifting point to consider. MSNBC's Rachel Maddow reported on the potential of Election Vote fraud or major scale result denial. She presented supporting data to reinforce her comments. Apparently there are a large number of tRump, loving Electors in place ready to throw the results into major turmoil. What is in place to thwart this?? This threat is very real...the MAGot repugnants have had four years to hone their tactics, implant sycophants and whatever else they think effective. We know what happened...is still happening today! All they had to do was deny the results and all hell broke loose.
I don't think we have any idea of the scope of their abilities. Especially in view of their recent setbacks...we can consider tRump et al like pack of trapped Rats desperate and willing to do anything.
Yes, there are organised and well-funded plans to disrupt the election -- especially in the swing states -- through dumping names off of voter rolls and planning slates of fake electors. Marc Elias and his group of lawyers over at Democracy Docket have been working tirelessly to put teams of lawyers in place in all 50 states, ready to pounce with court challenges to the expectable shenanigans. Subscribe to Democracy Docket's newsletter to keep up on what they are seeing, hearing, and doing. Here is a good summary: https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/the-fight-to-certify-elections-has-already-begun/?utm_source=Democracy%20Docket%20Newsletters&utm_campaign=f6218d7716-20240801_dailydocket_CC&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-79f5309977-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&mc_cid=f6218d7716&mc_eid=c7d86e855d
Elias is fabulous! Please support him with a contribution today!
Thanks very much for this information!
I saw Maddow discuss this. The strategy is not a secret or without pushback. There are lawsuits winding through the courts all over the country. One thing their bragging did was alert organizations to be prepared. My state currently in in court because an advocacy group has objected to clearing voting rolls without notifying voters (as required by federal a law). PA has had about 20 election related lawsuits since 2020. We just aren’t hearing about them.
The threat to voting rights is one thing but the continuing attacks also keep undermining confidence in voting. In that way each case gives the RNC 2 bites at the apple.
The Heritage Foundation summary of “exercises” (like war games) says a lot about their approach which is mixed in with nonsense its version of ‘facts’ and assumptions. The pdf, dated July 11, 2024, is called: “Anticipating Election Disruptions to Ensure a Safe Transition of Presidential Power” Their “Key Lessons and Findings” begin on page 18. The final one, on page 23, indicates the courts won’t be inclined to rule in their favor.
“But as 2020 showed, the courts will be highly reticent to intervene …”For that reason, public pressure — organized by citizens and groups, committed to constitutional governance and lawful elections — will be essential to convince the courts to address the grievances of voters. The pressure will need to be significant, sustained and visible on the streets.”
https://oversight.heritage.org/TIP_Report_Final.pdf?_gl=1*gcv2lt*_gcl_au*MTA0Mjg3ODI4MS4xNzIwNzgxNzM1*_ga*MjA3MzQwMzUwMi4xNzIwNzgxNzM1*_ga_W14BT6YQ87*MTcyMDc4MTczNC4xLjEuMTcyMDc4MTg0Ny40My4wLjA
Heritage Foundation is all in on taking over the country. The warnings of Madison, basically telling and warning of the rich taking control over the average citizen is a warning we should revisit and understand better in context of the dangers we are facing in our time.
Very true.
Madison also supported separation of church and state. Jefferson wrote the VA legislature but it stalled while he was governor. Later under Madison a bill for taxes to pay religious teachers was introduced & created controversy. Madison revived Jefferson’s bill and passed it. He used it to guide his words to the First Congress as he proposed a religious freedom amendment.
The Heritage Foundation and others like them should study history & the Constitution - not their versions.
— … "the civil rights of none shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established, nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience be in any manner, or on any pretext infringed." —
Thank you Ann! That was more than edifying!
Putin buckled under international and, particularly, American pressure to release the detained prisoners. Of course, there is no public information except for the vaguest of hints, but I'd bet that the CIA and FBI have plenty of evidence that Putin and Trump are in cahoots to get Trump elected again. And knowing the close relationship Egypt has with Russia, I think the money that Egypt allegedly gave Trump back in 2020 was actually from Putin.
We need to stop obsessing about the things we can't change. These facts are clear; Trump, Putin, and the forces behind them are focused on one thing...destroy American Democracy.
Two weeks ago Kamala Harris caused a political earthquake that dramatically changed the possibility of loosing the great American experiment. We all need to do the one thing we can change; focus our energy and combined strengths behind her to stop these deranged and demented mad men.
If Merrick Garland was as concerned about actually upholding justice and the rule of law as he is about dusting off the facade of the DoJ, he would have immediately reopened the various investigations into Trump's fealty to Putin that his predecessor, Barr, had shut down. Garland should have also launched investigations into Barr's culpability in those matters.
But we live in a nation where appearance is more important than substance. How else can one explain the fact that Putin's quisling has not been charged with treason and is being allowed to run for the Presidency again?
Or the help of quite a few GOP reps on Jan 5th. Or how about those GOP that went to Moscow on the downtown ALSO was it in July, 2018?
We have a host of traitors in our midst. They all need to be outed. Because Walz is correct, who is asking for this "weird" stuff.
Helsinki was so blatant. Russia has less than half the population of the US and one twentieth of our GDP. Yet Donald behaved like a whipped puppy.
No doubt Vlad and Donald and Elon and XI and Kim and Maduro and Orban and Thiel and Murdoch and the world's other top autocrats chat on a daily basis. To mutually protect and advance their criminal networks. And coordinate their frauds on the people. Elon is committing election fraud on voters in swing states with his high tech and getting away with it. Vlad (RT.com) and Murdoch (WSJ and Fox) and NYT and OANN and other controlled media platforms push their propaganda against democracy and human rights. The war is on. See Anne Applebaum.
Right. Russia, with the exception of its nukes and its skilled cyber warfare, is a minor power and economically insignificant with little beyond natural resources. Yet Trump yearns to turn America into Russia.
Russia: A gas station with nukes. (And, yes, skilled cyber warfare, which could very well be single-handedly responsible for Trump having been elected in 2016, as we all know now).
Yes. Thanks Steven. The US and NATO countries combined have 40 times the economic power and likely 10 times the military power of Russia. Yet, Putin threatens the West with his nuclear tipped hypersonic missiles.
https://wmdcenter.ndu.edu/Publications/Publication-View/Article/2039639/russias-hypersonic-weapons/
Putin has support (to some degree) of the world's thieving billionaire oligarchs, China, North Korea, Iran and the lesser dictatorships. He must know that if he uses any nuclear weapon, his $1 Billion palace is toast. The only way the US and NATO loses is if we surrender to these pipsqueaks. Which is exactly what Donald wants to do. Thank goodness he's a lousy choice for a frontman!
So true. And likely backed to an extent by China. Though, I feel even China isn't that interested in backing Putin. They have enough of their own issues and I think more forward looking than really wanting to back Putin. But make no mistake China is more like Russia past and present to Russia and would move on their local interests in a heartbeat.
Amen
Thanks Steven, I got this image watching him, now I can't unsee Jabba in every picture.
Star Wars Weird
Watching his political rally lull
I kept getting flashes of Jabba
the Hutt, wet, lulling around in a tub
burbling, I give no second chances...
A slug-like alien burping, Vote for me,
and you’ll never have to vote again...
The arena cheered his entrance, though
the thrill of the race proved not entertaining
enough to keep Jabba awake. Here he was,
huge mouth agape snoring his ominous
words, No second chance, vote for me,
and you’ll never have to vote again...
Jabba’s laugh recalled his massive rancor…
Soon a victim of his own hubris and vengeful
ways. Choked by a woman until he let out
one last gasp, No second chance, vote for me,
and you’ll never have to vote again.