Yes! It's beyond terrible. We're given these human brains which are supposed to be able to think better than any other species on the planet and we are failing miserably. Our country should and could be the best place to live on the planet and all we are doing is selling it off and destroying what's left. My human brain really can't understand what is happening here. Sorry for being such a downer. I'm really usually optimistic but it's getting harder to be.
Trump’s dreadful miscalculation, in drawing the US into war in the Middle East, was intended to make him look like a strongman in response to his plummeting poll numbers and the debacle of his military parade.
The world will now pay a dreadful price for Trump’s insatiable need to feed his monstrous ego.
Yesterday’s Yougov polling shows he has a long way to go on this issue before he gets approval from Americans for war with Iran. 5% say YES. On the bombing itself, people are split.
7% think he had approval from Congress. On whether he needed it or not, again split.
I wonder what it will be after the comment about ‘regime change.’
We have two millennials in our family, and a conversation this morning with my oldest highlighted a critical point of view. He articulated how his entire conscious memory, from the Iraq War onward, has been defined by uninterrupted conflict and a pervasive sense of political dysfunction.
He spoke of a constant stream of hypocritical politicians, unethical leaders, and increasingly vicious political advertising. What's particularly striking to him, and a source of deep concern, is the perceived decade-long failure of the Democratic Party to effectively counter figures like Trump. He sees them as continually playing checkers while facing an opponent who's playing an unpredictable form of chess.(And I am a former elected and appointed state official and nonprofit director/lobbyist)/
This leads to a crucial question: Where are the Democratic leaders presenting a truly cogent, compelling, and effective response to the daily Trump actions, like the war? Where is the strategic vision and strong messaging that can cut through the noise and offer a clear path forward for a generation that has known little else but discord?"
The Democratic Party and the main stream media news editors don't tell the simple truth: The President of the United States and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces is morally and mentally defective.
Trump's brain operates in a sick, upside down world where the good guys (who go after him) are bad and the bad guys (who pay him) get pardoned for their crimes (he has a place in his heart for crooks--birds of a feather). He encourages and jokes about cruelty to children and innocent families. He thinks taking bribes from foreign governments and corporations is a virtue. He and his Gang are using the US Treasury (the "Strategic Crypto Reserve") to support their fake crypto con games--$1 Billion in real money taken, so far, per Forbes magazine. A gigantic abuse of Presidential power that no one is talking about!
And the Democratic Party? They lay low.
The solution is impeachment and conviction for bribery and high crimes against the United States of America. The solution is for the DNC and the Press to say STOP! ENOUGH!
Impeach. Convict. Remove. Prosecute for every crime.
My whole federal delegations is Republican. I write and call. But, I urge those with D electeds in Congress to follow your advice. We need to press DNC, D leaders, media and even allied groups to push louder and longer...or step aside. (writing as a former elected official and leader of some of those advocacy groups)
Unfortunately it goes back a lot further than that. If you look at our history since Columbus, it's very much the same. I'm so depressed I feel like slitting my throat sometimes.
This boomer more or less agrees, but I do believe the country took a wrong/hard right turn with the Reagan administration. I also believe that this was a direct reaction to the civil rights and women's rights advances of the 1960s and '70s.
Yes, Suzanna. I have written about how we can learn from successes and failures of civil rights movement--probably women's and LGBT, too. I try to offer my 5 decades of policy, political and legal work.
For readings:
I suggest Eric Fone such as "Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution, 1863-1877," details the violent and political backlash against Black liberation, including the rise of white supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan, the implementation of Black Codes, and the eventual dismantling of Reconstruction policies.
Ida B. Wells: Her investigative journalism, particularly "A Red Record" (1895), exposed the practice of lynching as a tool of white supremacy and a violent means to maintain racial hierarchy and limit Black advancement after Reconstruction. I share writings about her with media contacts.
James Baldwin: Many of his essays and speeches, such as "The Fire Next Time," capture the anger, frustration, and disillusionment experienced by Black Americans in the face of persistent racism and the limitations of civil rights legislation. His work, including "The Black Revolution and the White Backlash" (1964 speech), directly addresses the resistance to Black progress.
Taylor Branch: His multi-volume series, "America in the King Years," while focusing on the Civil Rights Movement itself, also extensively documents the resistance and pushback faced by activists and leaders, from the local level to the highest echelons of government (e.g., J. Edgar Hoover's FBI). historical evolution of racist ideas and policies, including those that emerged as a response to civil rights gains.
"Thanks, Paula. I've seen firsthand how the constant news cycle can lead to burnout; two of my family members and some friends have cut back on watching news because of the sheer depression it can induce.
My own way of combating that despair is through active engagement. I find significant hope and renewed energy in attending protests, working directly with grassroots organizations, and even the simple act of writing letters. Yes, grassroots efforts come with their own frustrations, as many of us know well, but the collective power and shared purpose are incredibly motivating.
That drive led some of us to create GrassrootsIowaNetwork. Our goal is to better link groups, provide options for individuals and organizations, and foster mutual learning. We're building a platform to better connect existing groups, offer diverse options for both organizations and individuals, and facilitate crucial peer-to-peer learning. I've shared more about our blueprint for this initiative here: You can read more about it here:
I think what you're doing is great, Ralph. I have been active but have pulled back. I just can't live this stuff all the time, especially since it feels like we're making no progress. I wrote 800 postcards last year. What was the point? Maybe I'll emerge from this funk but at the moment I can't face anything.
I understand feeling stuck after putting in so much effort. (years as a progressive in the Iowa legislature and lobbying for children and families, ciliv rights and environmental issues provided feeling of 'stuckness".
Writing 800 postcards is genuinely impressive work, and it's natural to question the impact when change feels slow or invisible.
Stepping back is valid self-preservation, not giving up. This kind of work is exhausting precisely because it's a marathon without clear markers of progress.
I do believe small actions do create ripples, even when we can't see the bigger wave. Sometimes connecting with others who share your concerns, even just to vent, can help reignite motivation.
Your efforts weren't wasted, even when progress feels invisible. Take the time you need.
I have gone to the library to take out books written on the civil rights, women's and LGBT movements to better understand how small actions created ripples
Yes, @Paula B., understood. Each day I want sanity in and from our govt. At the time and now, his statement of 2 weeks to decide and that he’d decide on, in essence, a whim, were lies. A very sophisticated operation requires precision planning not on Signal. Where might I have read Hegseth were left out of the process? And Gabbard and Trump are disagreeing with each other tho by all reports he’s not heard or read any briefings. Who made the decisions to move forward?
The millennial group is probably one of the most traumatized. They have witnessed their age group being kidnapped, raped, and killed by more guns in this country. They and the Gen X population are being exploited by high costs of obtaining housing and insurance. In CA, costs of renting a studio apartment have been in excess of $2500 and that is mostly in the Bay Area. Many are living with their parents, out of necessity. The parents aren’t happy and neither are their kids! I have two daughters who have chosen not to marry and not to have children. They do not live with my husband and I…yet!
My son is hoping to return to the Midwest from CA. He has mentioned the costs of living. Of our two sons, one remains unmarried. I have learned from them and their friends and some of my millennial and Gen z nephews and nieces about the appeal of Trump
“We the people are the first three words of the Preamble to the United States Constitution. They signify that the power of the U.S. government originates from its citizens and that the government is established by and for the people of our country.” (Wikipedia) Our government derives its legitimacy from the consent of the governed and not from one person – despite the actions, words, and beliefs of that one person.
Vice President Vance spoke on national TV on Sunday, June 22, 2025. His words were “we are not at war with Iran.” At the same time, a live Pentagon Briefing “declared war on Arab nation,” (Hindustan Times) and unleashed airstrikes and missiles at three nuclear development sites in Iran. On NBC News, “Trump claims success on U.S. strikes on Iran.” (Sunday, June 22, 2025) Pentagon officials say the U.S. ‘devastated’ Iran’s nuclear program using decoys and advanced weapons in the largest B-2 strike in history.
But Newsweek reports “Satellite Images Show ‘unusual’ movement around the entrance to Iran’s Fordow enrichment facility – a complex built deep into a mountain roughly 60 miles from the capital. “A total of 16 cargo trucks were spotted on the access road leading up to the Fordow tunnel entrance on Thursday, but Iranian state media reported that key nuclear sites had been evacuated ahead of U.S. attacks with enriched uranium moved “to a safe location.” (Ibid)
“Trump, who came in as a peacemaker president, has started a new war for the U.S.,” said Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, adding that “with this kind of success, Trump won’t win the Nobel Peace Prize.” (Reuters, 6/22/2025) Putin said that, “Israel had given Moscow assurances that Russian specialists helping to build two more reactors at the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran would not be hurt in air strikes. It is already obvious that a dangerous escalation has begun, fraught with further undermining of regional and global security.” (Ibid) Americans need to keep in mind, that Moscow has bought weapons from Iran for it’s war in Ukraine and signed a 20-year strategic partnership deal with Tehran. Another Russian businessman, Konstantin Maloffeyev said, “It’s time for us to help Tehran.” (Ibid)
Was Iran “pre-warned” of the pending U.S. attacks and did Iran remove “enriched uranium” and key personnel before the U.S. bombing? Did Trump notify Russia of the US military plans, who in turn warned Iran?
Of course, Trump and his mindless dim-witted bootlickers all said that the U.S. ‘massive precision strikes’ were a ‘spectacular military success and Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.” (Ibid) If you believe their lies, then “I have a bridge in New York to sell to you” which originated from George C. Parker, a con artist who famously sold the Brooklyn Bridge multiple times. (Wikipedia)
On top of this reckless war started by a mindless president and con artist, we have another Trump crime to add to his list of obvious malfeasances and transgressions. “The U.S. Constitution, specifically Article 1, Section 8, Clause 11, grants Congress the SOLE POWER to declare war. While the President serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, their power to initiate miliary action is limited by this constitutional provision.” (Wikipedia) The President of the United States CANNOT UNILATERALLY START A WAR. Bombing another sovereign nation is a declaration of war – plain and simple. No matter how Trump, Vance, Rubio, or Hegseth spins the story, they have declared war on another nation without Congressional approval.
In the United States, the grounds for impeachment, as defined in the Constitution, are treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. Donald Trump has broken the laws of the United States and defied the job he was elected to perform. “The Constitution does not permit the President to commit troops to combat without congressional authorization.” (The National Constitution Center) Senator Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said on TV: “No president should be allowed to unilaterally march this nation into something as consequential as war with erratic threats and no strategy.”
According to CNN, “Iran warns U.S. strikes will have an everlasting consequence.” The risk of escalation is high. Iran says it reserves all options to respond to the U.S. attacks. Does this mean another 9/11 attack? Can the United Nations and the International Criminal Court act?
We the people of the United States, via our elected officials in Congress, are the only decision-making source for international war. WE ARE NOT GOVERNED BY A KING, BUT BY THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
I'm sure Trump is gloating while the sycophants tell him what a fantastic job, the best job, the most stupendous job ever done, he's doing with foreign policy. Yup, the frog is definitely boiling now, even though Trump assured his campaign crowds he would never boil any frogs, no siree, he would never toss frogs into that caldron of water that happens to be boiling. God help us.
The four idiots standing at the entrance to the East Room to announce they started a war with Iran; the Orange 34x felon idiot, Just Dumb (JD) Hillbilly Vance who announced this morning that we are at war with Iran’s nuclear program, not Iran! JD is a fricking moron, little MAGAt Marco wants a drink of water, and last but not least Plastered Petey the drunk and rapist who proclaimed that we had obliterated the Iran nuclear sites that most likely were empty! THE FOUR DUNCES OF AMERICA! Guess what America, it takes a soda can of enriched uranium to make a crude atomic bomb!!!
Let’s not conflate propaganda with idiocy. Hegseth is doing what he was chosen to do - have a TV presence that supports DJT. Rubio wants to run for president eventually.
JD Vance is many things but he‘s not a moron. As of yesterday only 5% of Americans approve of war with Iran. Their view on other aspect is of this - such as whether he needed congressional approval or whether we are at war with Iran are split.
Oh, I think Just Dumb (JD) Vance is a moron and a LIAR! The Haitian workers in Springfield, Ohio would back that their own former Senator is a LIAR! I heard a factory owner in Springfield state his 15 Haitian workers were his best workers and he would hire another 15 Haitian workers if he could!!!
Think whatever you like. You’ve probably heard about the dangers of underestimating your adversaries. JD Vance said he needed a story to get news coverage. He got that and more.
In one of the cringiest corners of the internet he plucked out a story. Then exactly what he / the far right wanted happened - chaos, bomb threats, division in the community & groups like the Proud Boys started marching there which also frightened people.
He claimed the Haitians were here illegally because DJT had tried but failed to shut down the TPS program during his term. Now he is cancelling the status each group one at a time. As he does that they lose legal status.
Effective propaganda doesn’t need to make logical sense. Certainly doesn’t need to be true. It generates the desired result immediately & / or over time.
I have no sorrow for the Iranians. I am old enough to remember the taking of our embassy and the hostages held for 444 days.
What disturbs me is that he once again dismisses the information from our intelligence agencies. His appointed officials. So my questions are, how does he know better? Where is he getting his information? My guess is that he got it from Netanyahu. Was he just told or was he provided with information. You can’t trust it, but I guess it’s better than nothing.
Lastly, he has continued to make this political. The gang of eight, made up of ranking members of Congress from both parties. They are typically brought in so Congress is aware of impending action. He left the Democrats out of the meeting.
I completely agree. Here is my latest from last night with a pretty good look at U.S. Forces currently deployed or on the way to the war zone, as well as some insightful historical observations. https://dundas.substack.com/p/the-war-begins-and-disaster-looms
There are so many terrible outcomes possible and Trump will use them to increase his power at home as well.
Steve, this quote you used says it all “No one starts a war–or rather, no one in his sense ought to do so–without first being clear in his mind what he intends to achieve by the war and how he intends to conduct it.” No one in their right mind is what Clausewitz was saying and boy, does that ever identify Donny! The Three Stooges who stood behind him as he delivered his awful speech, where in between sentences (or threats) he was hissing, are as severely pathetic and as horrible as he is. Donny is definitely not demented and I don’t care what anybody says. He is vindictive, mean and cruel. Always has been. May he and Bibi see the inside of The Hague very soon!
"NOT at war w Iran" then why bomb them? Because Netanyahu, the man committing genocide in Gaza, wants it? This was done WITHOUT consulting Congress, without following the Constitution. But I forget FOTUS thinks he's immune to laws. Steven, this is where the People Power of yesterdsy's missive comes in - NO KINGS. no dictators, no autocrats. Though nominated, this, uh, person in no way should win any award for peace. We need more from No Kings group
A parting thought - why not take out some of Putrid's arsenal & show world and Ukraine, America still believes in Democracy. Better stop...
All of the GOP Congresspersons are scared to death of him, he must have some seriously compromising information on all of them. What they don’t understand is that if they banded together against him, they would be fine. He is just a weak little man, and everything he does proves it.
I don’t even know where to start with this “Charlie Foxtrot”. Perhaps the most horrible thing was Bibi’s public praise of this “CF”; it truly made me want to weep. With fury at the nerve. Several comments have been made about Gaza. Personally I know we cannot and should not forget October 7th; we shouldn’t tar both Hamas and Palestinians with the same brush; Hamas as a force should be destroyed (an almost impossible task at this moment in time), Israelis have the right to be secure from attack, so do Palestinians (but NOT Hamas). And Israel deserves better than Bibi, just as we deserve better than P. B-S. I don’t believe Bibi wants a real solution to this tangle, because then his true character is no longer “on the back burner”. I believe that he played the president brilliantly. I also believe that the Iranians have a loooong memory: I don’t worry about my generation (born around VJ Day) so much, but our children and grandchildren. Another 911 indeed. On Friday 6/6, Thomas Friedman was the sole guest with only Jeffrey Goldberg on Washington Week in Review. It’s worth watching if you haven’t seen it. He also wrote a recent piece for the NYT, which is worth searching out. Friedman has a web site which may help. I’m going to reread “From Beirut to Jerusalem”. It is on my shelf.
Frankly Steven…You know it’s wrong, a large percentage of the Electorate know it’s wrong. The rest either jus’t plain doesn’t know, don’t care…whatever! What can be done about it? NOTHING!!! Not an F%&* THING!!! Looking at the picture of tRump’s announcement all that comes to mind is a modern day “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse!” Or, the Poker term, “Four of a Kind that couldn’t beat a measly pair of deuces! Cripes Almighty!!!
Steve Thank You, Thank You, Thank You..... it is an excellent piece. My heart is broken. Trump and Bebe are despicable. They had to do this didn't they.. Bebe is commiting genocide in Gaza and now he has to start with Iran. Trump just had to pull out of the deal we had with Iran in his last term. They won't be happy until we are engaged in World War 3.. Where do they think this is all going to end? Are we to have our young men and women minus trans coming home with PTSD, missing limbs and getting cancer from burn pits. Or can we expect another 911 at some point?
On top of all of this we have men in the streets covering there faces refusing to identify themselves taking people away. No one knows where they are.. Our elected officials are being arrested .. Our beautiful flawed country is disappearing ..I guess they will be happy when we are Russia and no one wants to come here.
Done as a deflection from the First Felon's actions here at home and I believe to further his goal to be as rich as possible. 47 is in bed with the Saudis and Netanyahu. Go to war, oil prices soar and the King gets his payday. It's always about money.
JD Vance and Hegseth saying we’re not at war with Iran after bombing three sites would be like someone bombing 32 American football stadiums and saying they are at war with the NFL and not America.
Trump has revised TR’s famous quote to read: Carry a big enough stick and you don’t have to talk sense.
As James Baldwin once wrote: “ignorance, allied with power is the most ferocious enemy that justice can have.”
The lack of courage and integrity among those elected to serve the people is disgusting.
The amounts of money in their personal accounts is equally disgusting.
So is the amount of money it takes to get elected or re-elected, especially if one doesn't have mega-dollars in one's personal account.
Yes! It's beyond terrible. We're given these human brains which are supposed to be able to think better than any other species on the planet and we are failing miserably. Our country should and could be the best place to live on the planet and all we are doing is selling it off and destroying what's left. My human brain really can't understand what is happening here. Sorry for being such a downer. I'm really usually optimistic but it's getting harder to be.
Definitely need to get big corporate money out of our elections
Mitt Romney when he was running for president made the craziest statement ever
“ corporations are people too”
Trying to help pay the pay the way for big Pac funds to influence in buy elections .
To think of the amount of money like everyone has commented that is spent on elections is mind-boggling
Think of the good all that money could do
Great quote. And the level of incompetence of Trump and his cabinet is beyond belief.
So exactly right, Al
Excellent.
Trump’s dreadful miscalculation, in drawing the US into war in the Middle East, was intended to make him look like a strongman in response to his plummeting poll numbers and the debacle of his military parade.
The world will now pay a dreadful price for Trump’s insatiable need to feed his monstrous ego.
We cannot let this madness continue.
It will make it easier to complete his takeover of governance of our country.
Yesterday’s Yougov polling shows he has a long way to go on this issue before he gets approval from Americans for war with Iran. 5% say YES. On the bombing itself, people are split.
7% think he had approval from Congress. On whether he needed it or not, again split.
I wonder what it will be after the comment about ‘regime change.’
https://today.yougov.com/topics/politics/survey-results/daily/2025/06/23/57bea/3
Do you think the US should have bombed Iran? That’s another question posed by YouGov and the answers were 85% NO!
We have two millennials in our family, and a conversation this morning with my oldest highlighted a critical point of view. He articulated how his entire conscious memory, from the Iraq War onward, has been defined by uninterrupted conflict and a pervasive sense of political dysfunction.
He spoke of a constant stream of hypocritical politicians, unethical leaders, and increasingly vicious political advertising. What's particularly striking to him, and a source of deep concern, is the perceived decade-long failure of the Democratic Party to effectively counter figures like Trump. He sees them as continually playing checkers while facing an opponent who's playing an unpredictable form of chess.(And I am a former elected and appointed state official and nonprofit director/lobbyist)/
This leads to a crucial question: Where are the Democratic leaders presenting a truly cogent, compelling, and effective response to the daily Trump actions, like the war? Where is the strategic vision and strong messaging that can cut through the noise and offer a clear path forward for a generation that has known little else but discord?"
The Democratic Party and the main stream media news editors don't tell the simple truth: The President of the United States and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces is morally and mentally defective.
Trump's brain operates in a sick, upside down world where the good guys (who go after him) are bad and the bad guys (who pay him) get pardoned for their crimes (he has a place in his heart for crooks--birds of a feather). He encourages and jokes about cruelty to children and innocent families. He thinks taking bribes from foreign governments and corporations is a virtue. He and his Gang are using the US Treasury (the "Strategic Crypto Reserve") to support their fake crypto con games--$1 Billion in real money taken, so far, per Forbes magazine. A gigantic abuse of Presidential power that no one is talking about!
And the Democratic Party? They lay low.
The solution is impeachment and conviction for bribery and high crimes against the United States of America. The solution is for the DNC and the Press to say STOP! ENOUGH!
Impeach. Convict. Remove. Prosecute for every crime.
My whole federal delegations is Republican. I write and call. But, I urge those with D electeds in Congress to follow your advice. We need to press DNC, D leaders, media and even allied groups to push louder and longer...or step aside. (writing as a former elected official and leader of some of those advocacy groups)
Unfortunately it goes back a lot further than that. If you look at our history since Columbus, it's very much the same. I'm so depressed I feel like slitting my throat sometimes.
This boomer more or less agrees, but I do believe the country took a wrong/hard right turn with the Reagan administration. I also believe that this was a direct reaction to the civil rights and women's rights advances of the 1960s and '70s.
Yes, Suzanna. I have written about how we can learn from successes and failures of civil rights movement--probably women's and LGBT, too. I try to offer my 5 decades of policy, political and legal work.
For readings:
I suggest Eric Fone such as "Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution, 1863-1877," details the violent and political backlash against Black liberation, including the rise of white supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan, the implementation of Black Codes, and the eventual dismantling of Reconstruction policies.
Ida B. Wells: Her investigative journalism, particularly "A Red Record" (1895), exposed the practice of lynching as a tool of white supremacy and a violent means to maintain racial hierarchy and limit Black advancement after Reconstruction. I share writings about her with media contacts.
James Baldwin: Many of his essays and speeches, such as "The Fire Next Time," capture the anger, frustration, and disillusionment experienced by Black Americans in the face of persistent racism and the limitations of civil rights legislation. His work, including "The Black Revolution and the White Backlash" (1964 speech), directly addresses the resistance to Black progress.
Taylor Branch: His multi-volume series, "America in the King Years," while focusing on the Civil Rights Movement itself, also extensively documents the resistance and pushback faced by activists and leaders, from the local level to the highest echelons of government (e.g., J. Edgar Hoover's FBI). historical evolution of racist ideas and policies, including those that emerged as a response to civil rights gains.
I agree.
"Thanks, Paula. I've seen firsthand how the constant news cycle can lead to burnout; two of my family members and some friends have cut back on watching news because of the sheer depression it can induce.
My own way of combating that despair is through active engagement. I find significant hope and renewed energy in attending protests, working directly with grassroots organizations, and even the simple act of writing letters. Yes, grassroots efforts come with their own frustrations, as many of us know well, but the collective power and shared purpose are incredibly motivating.
That drive led some of us to create GrassrootsIowaNetwork. Our goal is to better link groups, provide options for individuals and organizations, and foster mutual learning. We're building a platform to better connect existing groups, offer diverse options for both organizations and individuals, and facilitate crucial peer-to-peer learning. I've shared more about our blueprint for this initiative here: You can read more about it here:
I think what you're doing is great, Ralph. I have been active but have pulled back. I just can't live this stuff all the time, especially since it feels like we're making no progress. I wrote 800 postcards last year. What was the point? Maybe I'll emerge from this funk but at the moment I can't face anything.
I understand feeling stuck after putting in so much effort. (years as a progressive in the Iowa legislature and lobbying for children and families, ciliv rights and environmental issues provided feeling of 'stuckness".
Writing 800 postcards is genuinely impressive work, and it's natural to question the impact when change feels slow or invisible.
Stepping back is valid self-preservation, not giving up. This kind of work is exhausting precisely because it's a marathon without clear markers of progress.
I do believe small actions do create ripples, even when we can't see the bigger wave. Sometimes connecting with others who share your concerns, even just to vent, can help reignite motivation.
Your efforts weren't wasted, even when progress feels invisible. Take the time you need.
I have gone to the library to take out books written on the civil rights, women's and LGBT movements to better understand how small actions created ripples
I'm sure you're right, Ralph, and when I feel better I'll resume my activities.
Yes, @Paula B., understood. Each day I want sanity in and from our govt. At the time and now, his statement of 2 weeks to decide and that he’d decide on, in essence, a whim, were lies. A very sophisticated operation requires precision planning not on Signal. Where might I have read Hegseth were left out of the process? And Gabbard and Trump are disagreeing with each other tho by all reports he’s not heard or read any briefings. Who made the decisions to move forward?
The millennial group is probably one of the most traumatized. They have witnessed their age group being kidnapped, raped, and killed by more guns in this country. They and the Gen X population are being exploited by high costs of obtaining housing and insurance. In CA, costs of renting a studio apartment have been in excess of $2500 and that is mostly in the Bay Area. Many are living with their parents, out of necessity. The parents aren’t happy and neither are their kids! I have two daughters who have chosen not to marry and not to have children. They do not live with my husband and I…yet!
My son is hoping to return to the Midwest from CA. He has mentioned the costs of living. Of our two sons, one remains unmarried. I have learned from them and their friends and some of my millennial and Gen z nephews and nieces about the appeal of Trump
Trump is doing nothing to make life more affordable. I can't imagine what they're thinking.
The appeal of Trump? Heaven forbid!
“We the people are the first three words of the Preamble to the United States Constitution. They signify that the power of the U.S. government originates from its citizens and that the government is established by and for the people of our country.” (Wikipedia) Our government derives its legitimacy from the consent of the governed and not from one person – despite the actions, words, and beliefs of that one person.
Vice President Vance spoke on national TV on Sunday, June 22, 2025. His words were “we are not at war with Iran.” At the same time, a live Pentagon Briefing “declared war on Arab nation,” (Hindustan Times) and unleashed airstrikes and missiles at three nuclear development sites in Iran. On NBC News, “Trump claims success on U.S. strikes on Iran.” (Sunday, June 22, 2025) Pentagon officials say the U.S. ‘devastated’ Iran’s nuclear program using decoys and advanced weapons in the largest B-2 strike in history.
But Newsweek reports “Satellite Images Show ‘unusual’ movement around the entrance to Iran’s Fordow enrichment facility – a complex built deep into a mountain roughly 60 miles from the capital. “A total of 16 cargo trucks were spotted on the access road leading up to the Fordow tunnel entrance on Thursday, but Iranian state media reported that key nuclear sites had been evacuated ahead of U.S. attacks with enriched uranium moved “to a safe location.” (Ibid)
“Trump, who came in as a peacemaker president, has started a new war for the U.S.,” said Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, adding that “with this kind of success, Trump won’t win the Nobel Peace Prize.” (Reuters, 6/22/2025) Putin said that, “Israel had given Moscow assurances that Russian specialists helping to build two more reactors at the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran would not be hurt in air strikes. It is already obvious that a dangerous escalation has begun, fraught with further undermining of regional and global security.” (Ibid) Americans need to keep in mind, that Moscow has bought weapons from Iran for it’s war in Ukraine and signed a 20-year strategic partnership deal with Tehran. Another Russian businessman, Konstantin Maloffeyev said, “It’s time for us to help Tehran.” (Ibid)
Was Iran “pre-warned” of the pending U.S. attacks and did Iran remove “enriched uranium” and key personnel before the U.S. bombing? Did Trump notify Russia of the US military plans, who in turn warned Iran?
Of course, Trump and his mindless dim-witted bootlickers all said that the U.S. ‘massive precision strikes’ were a ‘spectacular military success and Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.” (Ibid) If you believe their lies, then “I have a bridge in New York to sell to you” which originated from George C. Parker, a con artist who famously sold the Brooklyn Bridge multiple times. (Wikipedia)
On top of this reckless war started by a mindless president and con artist, we have another Trump crime to add to his list of obvious malfeasances and transgressions. “The U.S. Constitution, specifically Article 1, Section 8, Clause 11, grants Congress the SOLE POWER to declare war. While the President serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, their power to initiate miliary action is limited by this constitutional provision.” (Wikipedia) The President of the United States CANNOT UNILATERALLY START A WAR. Bombing another sovereign nation is a declaration of war – plain and simple. No matter how Trump, Vance, Rubio, or Hegseth spins the story, they have declared war on another nation without Congressional approval.
In the United States, the grounds for impeachment, as defined in the Constitution, are treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. Donald Trump has broken the laws of the United States and defied the job he was elected to perform. “The Constitution does not permit the President to commit troops to combat without congressional authorization.” (The National Constitution Center) Senator Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said on TV: “No president should be allowed to unilaterally march this nation into something as consequential as war with erratic threats and no strategy.”
According to CNN, “Iran warns U.S. strikes will have an everlasting consequence.” The risk of escalation is high. Iran says it reserves all options to respond to the U.S. attacks. Does this mean another 9/11 attack? Can the United Nations and the International Criminal Court act?
We the people of the United States, via our elected officials in Congress, are the only decision-making source for international war. WE ARE NOT GOVERNED BY A KING, BUT BY THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
I'm sure Trump is gloating while the sycophants tell him what a fantastic job, the best job, the most stupendous job ever done, he's doing with foreign policy. Yup, the frog is definitely boiling now, even though Trump assured his campaign crowds he would never boil any frogs, no siree, he would never toss frogs into that caldron of water that happens to be boiling. God help us.
The four idiots standing at the entrance to the East Room to announce they started a war with Iran; the Orange 34x felon idiot, Just Dumb (JD) Hillbilly Vance who announced this morning that we are at war with Iran’s nuclear program, not Iran! JD is a fricking moron, little MAGAt Marco wants a drink of water, and last but not least Plastered Petey the drunk and rapist who proclaimed that we had obliterated the Iran nuclear sites that most likely were empty! THE FOUR DUNCES OF AMERICA! Guess what America, it takes a soda can of enriched uranium to make a crude atomic bomb!!!
The most unqualified group of four ever in the history of our nation
Let’s not conflate propaganda with idiocy. Hegseth is doing what he was chosen to do - have a TV presence that supports DJT. Rubio wants to run for president eventually.
JD Vance is many things but he‘s not a moron. As of yesterday only 5% of Americans approve of war with Iran. Their view on other aspect is of this - such as whether he needed congressional approval or whether we are at war with Iran are split.
https://today.yougov.com/topics/politics/survey-results/daily/2025/06/23/57bea/3
Oh, I think Just Dumb (JD) Vance is a moron and a LIAR! The Haitian workers in Springfield, Ohio would back that their own former Senator is a LIAR! I heard a factory owner in Springfield state his 15 Haitian workers were his best workers and he would hire another 15 Haitian workers if he could!!!
Think whatever you like. You’ve probably heard about the dangers of underestimating your adversaries. JD Vance said he needed a story to get news coverage. He got that and more.
In one of the cringiest corners of the internet he plucked out a story. Then exactly what he / the far right wanted happened - chaos, bomb threats, division in the community & groups like the Proud Boys started marching there which also frightened people.
He claimed the Haitians were here illegally because DJT had tried but failed to shut down the TPS program during his term. Now he is cancelling the status each group one at a time. As he does that they lose legal status.
Effective propaganda doesn’t need to make logical sense. Certainly doesn’t need to be true. It generates the desired result immediately & / or over time.
I have no sorrow for the Iranians. I am old enough to remember the taking of our embassy and the hostages held for 444 days.
What disturbs me is that he once again dismisses the information from our intelligence agencies. His appointed officials. So my questions are, how does he know better? Where is he getting his information? My guess is that he got it from Netanyahu. Was he just told or was he provided with information. You can’t trust it, but I guess it’s better than nothing.
Lastly, he has continued to make this political. The gang of eight, made up of ranking members of Congress from both parties. They are typically brought in so Congress is aware of impending action. He left the Democrats out of the meeting.
Steven,
I completely agree. Here is my latest from last night with a pretty good look at U.S. Forces currently deployed or on the way to the war zone, as well as some insightful historical observations. https://dundas.substack.com/p/the-war-begins-and-disaster-looms
There are so many terrible outcomes possible and Trump will use them to increase his power at home as well.
All the best and watch your six.
Steve Dundas
Thx. Your opening quote from Barbara Tuchman could not be more apt: “No one is so sure of his premises as the man who knows too little.”
Thank you so much. It truly fits him and most of the players of his Regime.
Steve, this quote you used says it all “No one starts a war–or rather, no one in his sense ought to do so–without first being clear in his mind what he intends to achieve by the war and how he intends to conduct it.” No one in their right mind is what Clausewitz was saying and boy, does that ever identify Donny! The Three Stooges who stood behind him as he delivered his awful speech, where in between sentences (or threats) he was hissing, are as severely pathetic and as horrible as he is. Donny is definitely not demented and I don’t care what anybody says. He is vindictive, mean and cruel. Always has been. May he and Bibi see the inside of The Hague very soon!
"NOT at war w Iran" then why bomb them? Because Netanyahu, the man committing genocide in Gaza, wants it? This was done WITHOUT consulting Congress, without following the Constitution. But I forget FOTUS thinks he's immune to laws. Steven, this is where the People Power of yesterdsy's missive comes in - NO KINGS. no dictators, no autocrats. Though nominated, this, uh, person in no way should win any award for peace. We need more from No Kings group
A parting thought - why not take out some of Putrid's arsenal & show world and Ukraine, America still believes in Democracy. Better stop...
Well, at least we're not talking about his pathetic Birthday Parade anymore. /s
And wasn't that part of the point? (Rhetorical question.)
Maybe the whole point?
All of the GOP Congresspersons are scared to death of him, he must have some seriously compromising information on all of them. What they don’t understand is that if they banded together against him, they would be fine. He is just a weak little man, and everything he does proves it.
I don’t even know where to start with this “Charlie Foxtrot”. Perhaps the most horrible thing was Bibi’s public praise of this “CF”; it truly made me want to weep. With fury at the nerve. Several comments have been made about Gaza. Personally I know we cannot and should not forget October 7th; we shouldn’t tar both Hamas and Palestinians with the same brush; Hamas as a force should be destroyed (an almost impossible task at this moment in time), Israelis have the right to be secure from attack, so do Palestinians (but NOT Hamas). And Israel deserves better than Bibi, just as we deserve better than P. B-S. I don’t believe Bibi wants a real solution to this tangle, because then his true character is no longer “on the back burner”. I believe that he played the president brilliantly. I also believe that the Iranians have a loooong memory: I don’t worry about my generation (born around VJ Day) so much, but our children and grandchildren. Another 911 indeed. On Friday 6/6, Thomas Friedman was the sole guest with only Jeffrey Goldberg on Washington Week in Review. It’s worth watching if you haven’t seen it. He also wrote a recent piece for the NYT, which is worth searching out. Friedman has a web site which may help. I’m going to reread “From Beirut to Jerusalem”. It is on my shelf.
Frankly Steven…You know it’s wrong, a large percentage of the Electorate know it’s wrong. The rest either jus’t plain doesn’t know, don’t care…whatever! What can be done about it? NOTHING!!! Not an F%&* THING!!! Looking at the picture of tRump’s announcement all that comes to mind is a modern day “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse!” Or, the Poker term, “Four of a Kind that couldn’t beat a measly pair of deuces! Cripes Almighty!!!
Steve Thank You, Thank You, Thank You..... it is an excellent piece. My heart is broken. Trump and Bebe are despicable. They had to do this didn't they.. Bebe is commiting genocide in Gaza and now he has to start with Iran. Trump just had to pull out of the deal we had with Iran in his last term. They won't be happy until we are engaged in World War 3.. Where do they think this is all going to end? Are we to have our young men and women minus trans coming home with PTSD, missing limbs and getting cancer from burn pits. Or can we expect another 911 at some point?
On top of all of this we have men in the streets covering there faces refusing to identify themselves taking people away. No one knows where they are.. Our elected officials are being arrested .. Our beautiful flawed country is disappearing ..I guess they will be happy when we are Russia and no one wants to come here.
Done as a deflection from the First Felon's actions here at home and I believe to further his goal to be as rich as possible. 47 is in bed with the Saudis and Netanyahu. Go to war, oil prices soar and the King gets his payday. It's always about money.
JD Vance and Hegseth saying we’re not at war with Iran after bombing three sites would be like someone bombing 32 American football stadiums and saying they are at war with the NFL and not America.
Trump has revised TR’s famous quote to read: Carry a big enough stick and you don’t have to talk sense.