I know you're trying to be positive, but you should call out the BBC for their long, shameless interview on their PBS TV show last night with Stewart Rhodes of the Oath Keepers from the Capitol building!! Maybe they considered it a "get" but it was irresponsible and just normalized this terrorist and elevated this voice. I found it shocking.
I'm glad to hear them use the word "lie." Continuously saying "misinformation" and "disinformation" distracts from the point.
A lie is a lie, and obfuscation is just that. I'm sure English has plenty of other synonyms for both. But misinformation and disinformation are not adequate to the task of calling out DANGEROUS LIES.
Exactly! Trump's whole point in releasing these criminals is to have an army of thugs at his command as he tries to enforce his fascist agenda.
But where is the outrage from the Democratic Party? Sure, there are stray voices decrying Trump's utter disregard for law and order. However, there is no unified body to counter the lies and shape the narrative as we move forward. Well, here is yet another example of how valuable it would be to have a "shadow cabinet" along the lines that Timothy Snyder has proposed. In this specific instance, the shadow attorney general could address the issue of these blanket pardons and spell out how dangerous Trump's action are.
The DNC is getting ready to change leadership. Election is in about a week I believe. Hopefully that will result in an active leadership & unified actions & messaging.
I want to support reporters in the major newspapers because I know that many are wanting, if allowed, to report the truth as they see it. I had subscriptions to the NYT and the WaPo. I canceled the NYT in June. After bezos refused to allow the WaPo editors to endorse Harris, I canceled that subscription as well. However, unbeknownst to me, I had a one-year automatically renewing subscription to the paper which won't end until June of this year. As a result, I continue to get the paper every day. I look at the headline stories, and sometimes find stories which are reported accurately. However, this editorial from Tuesday has set me on fire. I was stunned when I read it, and could only think: "Wait, what country am I living in??" This is the United States, I believe, and we used to look to our press for facts and analysis. But this is exactly what would be in the press of Khrushchev, of Hitler, of any fascist dictatorship. Darkness is descending so very, terrifyingly fast.
EDITORS PAGE, WASHINGTON POST, JANUARY 21, 2025
FIRST paragraph:
Biden issued preemptive pardons to retired Gen. Mark A. Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, his former chief medical adviser; and members of the House select committee that investigated Jan. 6 as well as the police officers who testified at their hearings. “I believe in the rule of law,” Biden wrote. “But these are exceptional circumstances.”
SECOND paragraph (caps mine):
THIS IS NOT THE WAY THE RULE OF LAW WORKS. IT IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE POSSIBLE TO DREAM UP “EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES” TO JUSTIFY GIVING ASSOCIATES GET-OUT-OF-JAIL-FREE CARDS. IT IS TRUE THAT TRUMP HAS PLEDGED VENGEANCE AND RETRIBUTION AGAINST HIS PERCEIVED ENEMIES WHICH HAVE INCLUDED MILLEY, FAUCI, THE HOUSE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, AND WHAT HE CALLS, WITHOUT EVIDENCE, BIDEN’S “CRIME FAMILY”. IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT PROSECUTORS CAN HARRASS PEOPLE WITHOUT BRINGING CHARGES, FORCING THEM TO INCUR SIGNIFICANT LEGAL COSTS. BUT THE CONSTITUTION GIVES EVERY DEFENDANT THE RIGHT TO A SPEEDY TRIAL BEFORE A JURY OF OF PEERS, THE OPPORTUNITY TO AVOID SELF-INCRIMINATION, AND THE RIGHT TO APPEAL. TRUMP HAS AVAILED HIMSELF OF THESE RIGHTS, AND SO CAN ANYONE HE PURSUES.
Hypocrisy and propaganda on full display. It is a trick of the trade as they seek credibility for propagandists to mix truthful statements with misleading & false statements. Business writing 101, open strong; bury any contradictions in the middle; close with the main point.
If you are not a defendant - but are harassed by the federal government - you don’t have the same rights as a defendant. Something buried in the middle. That something is one of the objectives of the Orange Menace for his retribution tour — which is not the way the rule of law is supposed to work.
The both sides game is designed to keep the maga mob at bay to avoid the twin demons of legal and personal security expenses for themselves & their families.
And let’s get one thing clear: While JFK’s going hatless during his inauguration set a new fashion standard (of men eschewing headgear), this new mania for red caps is contrary to style and a gentleman’s wardrobe.
Steven, the J6 pardons are the first step in creating Trump's personal militia and secret police. Domestic terrorism is one thing, but an infrastructure that can detain people or make them disappear by the thousands is, it seems to me, exactly Trump's goal. To them the future of due process is ... who needs it? Just sayin'.
This makes me think of at least one mistake made after the Civil War. Alexander Stephens, author of the Cornerstone speech, was released from the New England prison where he had been held briefly. Robert E. Lee was not arrested but was allowed to continue his racist ways. Jefferson Davis was in prison for two years. ALL of the generals should have been in prison for the rest of their days. Nope, thanks to Andrew Johnson, they were allowed to continue persecuting and punishing Black people through Reconstruction. All seditionists should be in prison for the rest of their natural days. Because they will return to violence against everyone perceived as an enemy of NM President.
In pardoning the January 6th rioters, Trump is sending a message to his most unhinged followers: "When you do violence for me, I'll have your back. If you kill someone, you'll have a get-out-of-jail-free card. You just have to do it so it's a federal crime."
What amazes me is that Republicans in Congress don't see that Trump is pointing a gun at their heads, not just at Democrats. We could be entering an era when progressives, and Republicans who are deemed insufficiently loyal by the Orange One, will be trading tips about the virtues of Glock vs. Sig for concealed carry and who has the most comfortable body armor.
Thank you . This discussion made me feel better. I’m glad you pointed out there is still a chance and it’s not time to give up. Keep up the good work .
We must agree that we face a mass psychosis befalling half the Nation. (See link in post.) We must agree that psychopathic neo-fascists are moving us toward the existential threat of totalitarianism. We must make clear strong messages to stop them. We need to rouse the DNC. https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/mentally-impaired-psychopathic-neo?r=3m1bs
I actually think that Ka$h is going to hire all the real baddies and make them Special Agents in Charge. Federal immunity will keep folks from suing them for wielding the truncheons--or guns.
Thanks for pointing out that WaPo still does have good reporting. Another story I really liked was about a law professor at Columbia, tenured, who is in danger of being fired because she mentioned that SOME Jewish students (particularly the Israeli former IDF ones) were harassing Palestinians. She is the one that Stefanik straight out LIED about in the hearing with the then president of Columbia. The story documents the lie.
I've kept my WaPo and NYT subscriptions because they DO print good stories, particularly about things outside flat-out American politics. The NYT had a blistering story some time ago about apartheid-like practices against Palestinians and other Arabs in Israel, profiling Israelis who were working to stop it. This account is reflected in the comments Professor Franke observed in her own trips to Israel (she is now banned entry BY Israel).
I suspect that #47 will recruit the proud?(they should be ashamed) boys(there isn't one under 18 years?) insurrectionists who tried to overthrow our government to be his new brown shirts or whatever color he wants. I presume you all have fiseo of Elon Musk giving the "Roman salute" all that was missing was hime shouting "sig heil"In letters to Constitutional lawyers I am writing. I am trying to find 50 who have the cajones to attend and write an improved Constitution that will allow THE PEOPLE who elected him that now are seeing what a horrible mistake that was, will be able to recall him. SCOTUS shredded the Constitution, EM, SB and MZ have formed a oligarchy of the super rich, and #47 is trying to get (he will) a wrecking crew cabinet. They have started rounding up illegal criminal aliens in schools for children and churches, strange locations to find criminals.
Once he gets his cabinet he will use the Federal Communication Commision to take over or shit down any broadcast media that opposes him, the internet outlets like Tic Tok, NewsMax, and YTrueSocial (now there's a misnomer). After controlling the sources of information will come taking over control of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the armed forces, the State National Guards, the secret private armies and "militias".
Sound like Mein Kamph to you? Sure does to me. I am taking action not just talk and trying before it is too late by Modernizing the Constitution with a recall provision for use to remove all federal officials who are corrupt or go against the wishes of THE PEOPLE not just the
outdated Electoral College, The Heritage Foundation, and Project 2025. It is probably too late to stop The First 180 Days.
I am just a single small voice shouting in the storm but if enough true lovers of democracy join me our shouts will become a mighty roar, a very powerful force and the way to save our liberties.
I know you're trying to be positive, but you should call out the BBC for their long, shameless interview on their PBS TV show last night with Stewart Rhodes of the Oath Keepers from the Capitol building!! Maybe they considered it a "get" but it was irresponsible and just normalized this terrorist and elevated this voice. I found it shocking.
Thanks for flagging it. I haven’t seen it.
BBC America is the Washington Post of foreign media.
BBC America is your one stop shop for everything positive about Trump.
I'm glad to hear them use the word "lie." Continuously saying "misinformation" and "disinformation" distracts from the point.
A lie is a lie, and obfuscation is just that. I'm sure English has plenty of other synonyms for both. But misinformation and disinformation are not adequate to the task of calling out DANGEROUS LIES.
Well, of course! The New Crusades needs an army, doesn’t it! Red caps, the new brown shirts—neither exactly stylish.
Exactly! Trump's whole point in releasing these criminals is to have an army of thugs at his command as he tries to enforce his fascist agenda.
But where is the outrage from the Democratic Party? Sure, there are stray voices decrying Trump's utter disregard for law and order. However, there is no unified body to counter the lies and shape the narrative as we move forward. Well, here is yet another example of how valuable it would be to have a "shadow cabinet" along the lines that Timothy Snyder has proposed. In this specific instance, the shadow attorney general could address the issue of these blanket pardons and spell out how dangerous Trump's action are.
The DNC is getting ready to change leadership. Election is in about a week I believe. Hopefully that will result in an active leadership & unified actions & messaging.
I'm hoping for Ben Wikler for Chair and Jane Kleeb for vice. The would both make the party more competitive in the future.
Hi Stephen,
I want to support reporters in the major newspapers because I know that many are wanting, if allowed, to report the truth as they see it. I had subscriptions to the NYT and the WaPo. I canceled the NYT in June. After bezos refused to allow the WaPo editors to endorse Harris, I canceled that subscription as well. However, unbeknownst to me, I had a one-year automatically renewing subscription to the paper which won't end until June of this year. As a result, I continue to get the paper every day. I look at the headline stories, and sometimes find stories which are reported accurately. However, this editorial from Tuesday has set me on fire. I was stunned when I read it, and could only think: "Wait, what country am I living in??" This is the United States, I believe, and we used to look to our press for facts and analysis. But this is exactly what would be in the press of Khrushchev, of Hitler, of any fascist dictatorship. Darkness is descending so very, terrifyingly fast.
EDITORS PAGE, WASHINGTON POST, JANUARY 21, 2025
FIRST paragraph:
Biden issued preemptive pardons to retired Gen. Mark A. Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, his former chief medical adviser; and members of the House select committee that investigated Jan. 6 as well as the police officers who testified at their hearings. “I believe in the rule of law,” Biden wrote. “But these are exceptional circumstances.”
SECOND paragraph (caps mine):
THIS IS NOT THE WAY THE RULE OF LAW WORKS. IT IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE POSSIBLE TO DREAM UP “EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES” TO JUSTIFY GIVING ASSOCIATES GET-OUT-OF-JAIL-FREE CARDS. IT IS TRUE THAT TRUMP HAS PLEDGED VENGEANCE AND RETRIBUTION AGAINST HIS PERCEIVED ENEMIES WHICH HAVE INCLUDED MILLEY, FAUCI, THE HOUSE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, AND WHAT HE CALLS, WITHOUT EVIDENCE, BIDEN’S “CRIME FAMILY”. IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT PROSECUTORS CAN HARRASS PEOPLE WITHOUT BRINGING CHARGES, FORCING THEM TO INCUR SIGNIFICANT LEGAL COSTS. BUT THE CONSTITUTION GIVES EVERY DEFENDANT THE RIGHT TO A SPEEDY TRIAL BEFORE A JURY OF OF PEERS, THE OPPORTUNITY TO AVOID SELF-INCRIMINATION, AND THE RIGHT TO APPEAL. TRUMP HAS AVAILED HIMSELF OF THESE RIGHTS, AND SO CAN ANYONE HE PURSUES.
I think this was an op-ed? Not from the WaPo editorial board. One of their editors strongly objected to publishing it. https://www.yahoo.com/news/washington-post-editor-slams-paper-044947694.html
Hypocrisy and propaganda on full display. It is a trick of the trade as they seek credibility for propagandists to mix truthful statements with misleading & false statements. Business writing 101, open strong; bury any contradictions in the middle; close with the main point.
If you are not a defendant - but are harassed by the federal government - you don’t have the same rights as a defendant. Something buried in the middle. That something is one of the objectives of the Orange Menace for his retribution tour — which is not the way the rule of law is supposed to work.
The both sides game is designed to keep the maga mob at bay to avoid the twin demons of legal and personal security expenses for themselves & their families.
And let’s get one thing clear: While JFK’s going hatless during his inauguration set a new fashion standard (of men eschewing headgear), this new mania for red caps is contrary to style and a gentleman’s wardrobe.
Steven, the J6 pardons are the first step in creating Trump's personal militia and secret police. Domestic terrorism is one thing, but an infrastructure that can detain people or make them disappear by the thousands is, it seems to me, exactly Trump's goal. To them the future of due process is ... who needs it? Just sayin'.
This makes me think of at least one mistake made after the Civil War. Alexander Stephens, author of the Cornerstone speech, was released from the New England prison where he had been held briefly. Robert E. Lee was not arrested but was allowed to continue his racist ways. Jefferson Davis was in prison for two years. ALL of the generals should have been in prison for the rest of their days. Nope, thanks to Andrew Johnson, they were allowed to continue persecuting and punishing Black people through Reconstruction. All seditionists should be in prison for the rest of their natural days. Because they will return to violence against everyone perceived as an enemy of NM President.
In pardoning the January 6th rioters, Trump is sending a message to his most unhinged followers: "When you do violence for me, I'll have your back. If you kill someone, you'll have a get-out-of-jail-free card. You just have to do it so it's a federal crime."
What amazes me is that Republicans in Congress don't see that Trump is pointing a gun at their heads, not just at Democrats. We could be entering an era when progressives, and Republicans who are deemed insufficiently loyal by the Orange One, will be trading tips about the virtues of Glock vs. Sig for concealed carry and who has the most comfortable body armor.
Wow! Over 1500? I didn't know it was that many. They're hardened criminals. This is dangerous. Thank you for the news.
Thank you . This discussion made me feel better. I’m glad you pointed out there is still a chance and it’s not time to give up. Keep up the good work .
We must agree that we face a mass psychosis befalling half the Nation. (See link in post.) We must agree that psychopathic neo-fascists are moving us toward the existential threat of totalitarianism. We must make clear strong messages to stop them. We need to rouse the DNC. https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/mentally-impaired-psychopathic-neo?r=3m1bs
Agree:
We are not going to give up!
We are in a marathon.
Duh!
I actually think that Ka$h is going to hire all the real baddies and make them Special Agents in Charge. Federal immunity will keep folks from suing them for wielding the truncheons--or guns.
Thanks for pointing out that WaPo still does have good reporting. Another story I really liked was about a law professor at Columbia, tenured, who is in danger of being fired because she mentioned that SOME Jewish students (particularly the Israeli former IDF ones) were harassing Palestinians. She is the one that Stefanik straight out LIED about in the hearing with the then president of Columbia. The story documents the lie.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2025/01/22/columbia-professor-criticized-israeli-students-it-put-her-job-risk/
I've kept my WaPo and NYT subscriptions because they DO print good stories, particularly about things outside flat-out American politics. The NYT had a blistering story some time ago about apartheid-like practices against Palestinians and other Arabs in Israel, profiling Israelis who were working to stop it. This account is reflected in the comments Professor Franke observed in her own trips to Israel (she is now banned entry BY Israel).
I suspect that #47 will recruit the proud?(they should be ashamed) boys(there isn't one under 18 years?) insurrectionists who tried to overthrow our government to be his new brown shirts or whatever color he wants. I presume you all have fiseo of Elon Musk giving the "Roman salute" all that was missing was hime shouting "sig heil"In letters to Constitutional lawyers I am writing. I am trying to find 50 who have the cajones to attend and write an improved Constitution that will allow THE PEOPLE who elected him that now are seeing what a horrible mistake that was, will be able to recall him. SCOTUS shredded the Constitution, EM, SB and MZ have formed a oligarchy of the super rich, and #47 is trying to get (he will) a wrecking crew cabinet. They have started rounding up illegal criminal aliens in schools for children and churches, strange locations to find criminals.
Once he gets his cabinet he will use the Federal Communication Commision to take over or shit down any broadcast media that opposes him, the internet outlets like Tic Tok, NewsMax, and YTrueSocial (now there's a misnomer). After controlling the sources of information will come taking over control of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the armed forces, the State National Guards, the secret private armies and "militias".
Sound like Mein Kamph to you? Sure does to me. I am taking action not just talk and trying before it is too late by Modernizing the Constitution with a recall provision for use to remove all federal officials who are corrupt or go against the wishes of THE PEOPLE not just the
outdated Electoral College, The Heritage Foundation, and Project 2025. It is probably too late to stop The First 180 Days.
I am just a single small voice shouting in the storm but if enough true lovers of democracy join me our shouts will become a mighty roar, a very powerful force and the way to save our liberties.