I assume that others who believe Trump should be incarcerated or locked in a psych ward, were heartened by the news that talent took the high road, packed up their instruments, tore up their contracts, and while muttering, “Wow, that was close..” raced past each other to get the hell out of the upcoming festivities.
Steven, you described our current leadership as “unbelievably mediocre and incompetent people controlling the White House and Congress.”
Sir, “mediocre and incompetent” is as gentle as claiming “Hitler was a good fellow, but steered by the wrong crowd.”
I appreciate that you are using this Substack to clap for the musical acts who picked up their instruments, and to the tune of “God Bless America” ran for the exits.
Not surprisingly, Trump has nary an ounce of sadness at the departure of the musical acts. The pitchman that he is, claims a new “Wild and Beautiful Celebration of America” will be held instead.
“Wild” I will allow. “Beautiful” has been erased from our vocabulary ever since this vile, vulgar, and venomous monster has reappeared in public.
“Liberty has never come from the government. Liberty has always come from the subjects of the government. The history of government is a history of resistance. The history of liberty is the history of the limitation of government, not the increase of it.” - Woodrow Wilson
Well said and so totally sad. What he has done and continues to do to the United States is criminal. He needs to be impeached and prosecuted for his crimes, destruction of the democracy, and historical sites in Washington.
You’re so right that July 4 will be a perverse day, with Trump’s social media posts foreshadowing its patriotic deformity. “Only great patriots” are code words for the nazification of this administration. I have, of late, been reading about Peter Thiel and those of like mind, who think that democracy is, at the very least, inconvenient and at most, a barrier to the encroachment of the aspiration of billionaire control of just about everything. We are our only hope against fascism. I believe what General Mark Milley said about Trump…that he is “fascist to the core and a dangerous person to this country.” It’s a dark day in America, and getting darker. Somebody please turn on a light. Congress, I’m looking at YOU. One thing is certain…it will NOT be a happy Fourth of July for many of us. We will be in mourning for the celebration it might have been.
Oh, Steven, what a wonderful idea to celebrate our 250th anniversary as a free nation on November 3rd. Regarding whatever happens this June under the aegis of Mr. Trump, I hope the mainstream media declines to treat it as newsworthy and fails to show up in any form.
Agreed! I will celebrate the 250th on Nov 3rd! I will even wear red, white, and blue--something I have avoided doing since trumpism reared its ugly head.
Wonderful. Another good idea - to wear red white and blue on the 3rd. Thank you, I'm in. We're voting in California tomorrow and I'm wearing my VOTE shirt which happens to be pink. I'll gather my red, white, and blue for November thanks to your idea.
Steven well said and it's how we all feel. Hopefully some republicans are feeling sick as well. In the meantime, we have 154 days until Nov. 3rd. and more craziness abounds, hang on.
I'm relieved to hear Morris Day and The Time pulled out of this sham. One wonders why they were booked in the first place, given their highly critical, satirical song about Trump on the 'Pandemonium' album way back in 1990!
If only the congressional Republicans had one iota of courage and saw this dire situation as you and I do, Steven! They could end this entire nightmare in a few weeks. Hopefully, brave Democrats will step forward in November, take control of Congress, and impeach and CONVICT this disgusting blot on American history.
We can make July 4th a huge celebration/resistance/democracy-focused event. Think No Kings. Let his suck ups faint in the heat, let the cameras show the world the demolished White House that so perfectly makes visible all this regime is destroying. Meanwhile millions of Americans will be in the streets, in community, showing the heart and strength and joy of who we are, where we have come from, and how we will frame the work ahead.
It is striking to contrast today's America and Great Britain with 1776, when the former would be led by a general who believed in republican government and the latter by a mad tyrannical king; while today America is led by a mad king and GB has the pro-democracy Charles whose politics is closer to George Washington than our own leader's.
There’s a train wreck coming: Trump headlining his Freedom250 Bizarro world interpretation of celebrating 250 years of American independence. There are many engineers on the train, all encouraging Trump’s madness. A cage match on the White House lawn? Pure bread and circuses. The antidote to bread and circuses is active civic engagement and critical thinking. Perhaps somewhere nearby there might be a small booth, unnoticed by most, where such an antidote is celebrated. Though completely foreign to Trump’s envisioned spectacle, such a booth might attract the next generation of Founders so sorely needed today.
Thanks Steven: So much to consider. I must be weak, but sometimes I feel sorry for Donald Trump. He actually feels his is special. He has the ability and skill to be the number one patient in a mental facility. This 250th celebration its not about American it about Trump and the MAGA cult. The highlight will be the speech of the century given by Donald , with a possible followup from Bibi Netanyahu and Putin. Maybe a cage match with Don Jr. and Eric Trump. I'm sure ICE will be in attendance masked up marauding through the stands looking for illegal, brown or black citizens. The audience will consist of his highly unqualified cabinet and the spineless members of the house and senate. The state media sources will be covering all the events... I'm not sure if JD Vance will attend, it seem Donald and JD are on the outs with each other. Trump did say JD doesn't have what it takes to lead the party.
What does the Holy Scriptures say about giving honor to a fool?
Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. Proverbs 26:8. Shame on the Church for placing an amoral unethical soul in power. Ambassadors of Christ walk in all the ways of which Jesus taught his followers while on earth. Raised as a grand-daughter of righteousness I was taught to be a good citizen and hard worker. Like the bee drone I work to please and serve my King as they work to serve their Queen Bee, even when no one is looking I serve with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind with all my strength. How simple is that. Just love. Do all in love. Forgive those who hurt and persecute you. LORD, I cannot. Behold is there anything to hard for me? No LORD. How does America come together? Love one another as Christ Jesus loves you.
I’m not religious at all but I know one thing that stands the test of time, “love conquers hate”. It doesn’t get any simpler or more righteous than that.
The only way to celebrate is to protest. There is no reason why this protest can't be pro-American- meaning pro free speech and anti a neo-Fascist tyrannical executive branch. All while displaying the red, white, and blue in a celebratory manner. We must present as true blue Americanism, in its progressive form.
And while I'm unaware of any planned musical events, wouldn't it be wonderful if say, Mamdani, had a huge Central Park celebration starring today's best and most relevant artists? Now that would be something!
I assume that others who believe Trump should be incarcerated or locked in a psych ward, were heartened by the news that talent took the high road, packed up their instruments, tore up their contracts, and while muttering, “Wow, that was close..” raced past each other to get the hell out of the upcoming festivities.
Steven, you described our current leadership as “unbelievably mediocre and incompetent people controlling the White House and Congress.”
Sir, “mediocre and incompetent” is as gentle as claiming “Hitler was a good fellow, but steered by the wrong crowd.”
I appreciate that you are using this Substack to clap for the musical acts who picked up their instruments, and to the tune of “God Bless America” ran for the exits.
Not surprisingly, Trump has nary an ounce of sadness at the departure of the musical acts. The pitchman that he is, claims a new “Wild and Beautiful Celebration of America” will be held instead.
“Wild” I will allow. “Beautiful” has been erased from our vocabulary ever since this vile, vulgar, and venomous monster has reappeared in public.
Yes, mediocre and incompetent is just the beginning.
“Liberty has never come from the government. Liberty has always come from the subjects of the government. The history of government is a history of resistance. The history of liberty is the history of the limitation of government, not the increase of it.” - Woodrow Wilson
Good old Racist Woodrow Wilson. Small government and to hell with those who need a hand up!
Misogynist too.
To this Republican I say Yes. Woodrow Wilson Burris.
Well said and so totally sad. What he has done and continues to do to the United States is criminal. He needs to be impeached and prosecuted for his crimes, destruction of the democracy, and historical sites in Washington.
You’re so right that July 4 will be a perverse day, with Trump’s social media posts foreshadowing its patriotic deformity. “Only great patriots” are code words for the nazification of this administration. I have, of late, been reading about Peter Thiel and those of like mind, who think that democracy is, at the very least, inconvenient and at most, a barrier to the encroachment of the aspiration of billionaire control of just about everything. We are our only hope against fascism. I believe what General Mark Milley said about Trump…that he is “fascist to the core and a dangerous person to this country.” It’s a dark day in America, and getting darker. Somebody please turn on a light. Congress, I’m looking at YOU. One thing is certain…it will NOT be a happy Fourth of July for many of us. We will be in mourning for the celebration it might have been.
Oh, Steven, what a wonderful idea to celebrate our 250th anniversary as a free nation on November 3rd. Regarding whatever happens this June under the aegis of Mr. Trump, I hope the mainstream media declines to treat it as newsworthy and fails to show up in any form.
Agreed! I will celebrate the 250th on Nov 3rd! I will even wear red, white, and blue--something I have avoided doing since trumpism reared its ugly head.
Wonderful. Another good idea - to wear red white and blue on the 3rd. Thank you, I'm in. We're voting in California tomorrow and I'm wearing my VOTE shirt which happens to be pink. I'll gather my red, white, and blue for November thanks to your idea.
Thank you--maybe RWB on the 3rd will catch on! Fingers crossed for California tomorrow!
"Frankly, it turns my stomach."
Steven well said and it's how we all feel. Hopefully some republicans are feeling sick as well. In the meantime, we have 154 days until Nov. 3rd. and more craziness abounds, hang on.
Grippingly concisely accurate
I'm relieved to hear Morris Day and The Time pulled out of this sham. One wonders why they were booked in the first place, given their highly critical, satirical song about Trump on the 'Pandemonium' album way back in 1990!
Yes, and the Commodores too! I surely didn’t understand them being invited.
If only the congressional Republicans had one iota of courage and saw this dire situation as you and I do, Steven! They could end this entire nightmare in a few weeks. Hopefully, brave Democrats will step forward in November, take control of Congress, and impeach and CONVICT this disgusting blot on American history.
Great essay. You speak for me. The destruction and dismantling of a once great country into tin pot kakistocracy.
We can make July 4th a huge celebration/resistance/democracy-focused event. Think No Kings. Let his suck ups faint in the heat, let the cameras show the world the demolished White House that so perfectly makes visible all this regime is destroying. Meanwhile millions of Americans will be in the streets, in community, showing the heart and strength and joy of who we are, where we have come from, and how we will frame the work ahead.
It is striking to contrast today's America and Great Britain with 1776, when the former would be led by a general who believed in republican government and the latter by a mad tyrannical king; while today America is led by a mad king and GB has the pro-democracy Charles whose politics is closer to George Washington than our own leader's.
There’s a train wreck coming: Trump headlining his Freedom250 Bizarro world interpretation of celebrating 250 years of American independence. There are many engineers on the train, all encouraging Trump’s madness. A cage match on the White House lawn? Pure bread and circuses. The antidote to bread and circuses is active civic engagement and critical thinking. Perhaps somewhere nearby there might be a small booth, unnoticed by most, where such an antidote is celebrated. Though completely foreign to Trump’s envisioned spectacle, such a booth might attract the next generation of Founders so sorely needed today.
Thanks Steven: So much to consider. I must be weak, but sometimes I feel sorry for Donald Trump. He actually feels his is special. He has the ability and skill to be the number one patient in a mental facility. This 250th celebration its not about American it about Trump and the MAGA cult. The highlight will be the speech of the century given by Donald , with a possible followup from Bibi Netanyahu and Putin. Maybe a cage match with Don Jr. and Eric Trump. I'm sure ICE will be in attendance masked up marauding through the stands looking for illegal, brown or black citizens. The audience will consist of his highly unqualified cabinet and the spineless members of the house and senate. The state media sources will be covering all the events... I'm not sure if JD Vance will attend, it seem Donald and JD are on the outs with each other. Trump did say JD doesn't have what it takes to lead the party.
What does the Holy Scriptures say about giving honor to a fool?
Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. Proverbs 26:8. Shame on the Church for placing an amoral unethical soul in power. Ambassadors of Christ walk in all the ways of which Jesus taught his followers while on earth. Raised as a grand-daughter of righteousness I was taught to be a good citizen and hard worker. Like the bee drone I work to please and serve my King as they work to serve their Queen Bee, even when no one is looking I serve with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind with all my strength. How simple is that. Just love. Do all in love. Forgive those who hurt and persecute you. LORD, I cannot. Behold is there anything to hard for me? No LORD. How does America come together? Love one another as Christ Jesus loves you.
I’m not religious at all but I know one thing that stands the test of time, “love conquers hate”. It doesn’t get any simpler or more righteous than that.
The only way to celebrate is to protest. There is no reason why this protest can't be pro-American- meaning pro free speech and anti a neo-Fascist tyrannical executive branch. All while displaying the red, white, and blue in a celebratory manner. We must present as true blue Americanism, in its progressive form.
And while I'm unaware of any planned musical events, wouldn't it be wonderful if say, Mamdani, had a huge Central Park celebration starring today's best and most relevant artists? Now that would be something!