“Please try to remember that what they believe, as well as what they do and cause you to endure does not testify to your inferiority but to their inhumanity.” - James Baldwin
Everything Trump does hits me like a brick in the face. I picture Stephen Miller and one of Putin's cronies in a back room, drinking the blood of Democratic children and dreaming up new plans for crippling Democracy. The Roman empire melted from the inside.....it strikes me that Trump is doing Putin's bidding to reduce the United States to a third world country. While Putin reassembles the old Soviet Union, we fail and fall. That's the plan of Trump/Miller/Putin.
Trump is angry with America. He is the spoiled baby who cries without tears, grabs things that do not belong to him, and refused to share. If he succeeds at reducing America to rubble, he will be a name in history. Even if notorious, it is better than being forgotten.
Trump is the Captain Ahab of Mobey Dick, looking for the white whale who injured him, in a never-ending obsession for retribution. Those who have signed on to work for him have signed away their lives to his ruthlessness.
There are important and timeless themes in good literature that provide insight into the human heart. None, I think, fits this moment better than the obsession of the search for the white whale. Trump has lashed himself to his own bitterness and will be dragged down by it. I want a front row seat to his failed attempts to subvert our Constitution so that I can be reassured that the seas of our democracy will become calm again. Bitterness and hate beget the same. I won’t rest until we can wave goodbye to this destructive period in our nation’s history.
Steven, recently I heard a popular song from our Nation’s sometimes troubled past… Then it struck me! This could be the Anthem for a our certainly troubled “Present” and most likely…our now near certain very troubled Future. The song…”Eve of Destruction” written by R.F. Sloan, performed by Barry McGuire and released in 1965. Some of the words are truly from our never to be forgotten Vietnam Era, but the essence is Today and sadly Tomorrow!!!!! For a clearer understanding of my meaning…find and read the haunting lyrics. How ironic…as the armed Troops are now in the Streets! Are we approaching the Eve of Destruction???????????
I remember that song what a great song to bring up as it was describing various social and political issues of the time, such as the Vietnam War, the draft, racial tensions, and the threat of nuclear annihilation. Has anything changed?
I am in doubt that most Americans do not want soldiers in their cities. In Chicago, visitors want soldiers in the street so they will feel safe. Then they go back home to their cities with more crimes than Chicago. Suburbanites near Chicago want soldiers in the streets so at a distance, they feel safe. They do not visit, they just listen to Trump and believe Chicago is crime infested. Meanwhile, young families stroll with babies along the Lake Front and in neighborhoods; runners are out early morning and late afternoon to work toward the Marathon (run on Chicago streets without any soldiers); and every weekend we have festivals, Green markets, baseball games, visits to the local park. . .all without a soldier in sight. We are not afraid of our visitors or our neighbors. We love Chicago and that includes the people who live, work and play in here.
No, we do NOT want soldiers in any of our streets. Soldiers are trained to kill. We see how that worked with hurricane Katrina under gw bush. He sent just returned from Iraq and Afghanistan military from other states to N.O , no knowledge of New Orleans, it's culture or people. Only exception is during natural disasters, national guard help out under FEMA.
We are rapidly approaching a civil war. And the question remains will military officers refuse unlawful orders and how many will be relieved until some vile junior officer will try to enforce those unlawful orders. We will see factions of the US military openly engage each other in battle?
What was once unthinkable and unspeakable is now a likely outcome I fear. All the warning signs are flashing red, but most of the country is sleep walking into facsim.
What I see is that Trump & his minions are big into playing dress-up. Look at Noem, and now tRump and his "new image", actually a pathetic joke when recognizing his deteriorating condition. The problem is that they appear to be seriously considering following through with the roles they're portraying. How can it be that 40% of our people are still satisfied with this saber rattling?
I wonder who fed him the allusion to Apocalypse Now. I can't believe he actually watched it. Of course he does not understand the tone of the quote from the film. What he posted is both childish and terrifying. His intent to be at war with American cities is clear. Hegseth is ready to pull the trigger on anyone, without cause. We have every reason to be frightened. These are dark times that continue to get darker.
“But make no mistake: Trump’s rhetorical escalation portends his increasingly desperate hunger to exploit our military for the creation of the police state he dreams of leading.”
My questions:
1/ How many of our military will follow Trumps increasing anti-democratic, anti-humanistic, anti Constitutional attacks on our own people, in our own cities?
2/ How can WE encourage the military to
-instead of following Trumps treasonous takeover-
-do what’s right, adhere to their oath:
⬇️
I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States
against all enemies, foreign and domestic;
that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;
that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion;
and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”
//
National Guard
“Officers of the National Guard of the various states, however, take an additional oath:
I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State (Commonwealth, District, Territory) of ___ against all enemies, foreign and domestic;
that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the Office of [grade] in the Army/Air National Guard of the State (Commonwealth, District, Territory) of ___ on which I am about to enter, so help me God.”
National Guard officers are additionally committed to the authority of the governor of their state. They may be activated in the service of their state in time of local or state emergency in addition to federal activation.
Reserve officers may only be activated by the President of the United States.
I'm guessing you wrote this before the Extremes put their blessing on racial profiling. And on Firing the Dem member of the FTC . It is really heating up.
Now we all have to cart our birth certificates around if we get a deep tan or have hair even remotely curly. Not that it did that kid in Florida any good. Cops rejected his birth certificate as fake; judge said it was real but STILL wouldn't order ICE to release him.
I have undocumented friends. Even though we are a sanctuary city, I fear for them.
The picture of we the people marching in protest of the First Felon and his regime reminds me of what Rachel Maddow said "There are grandmas holding protest signs showing more bravery than our current Congress" (or something akin to this). I am personally hoping that there's a complete turnover in the Democratic party. That anyone over 65 needs to retire and help a younger generation into office. Provided we don't have an all out civil war, this country needs a do over putting people before profit. Bernie has been saying this for years and he can be on retainer as a political consultant.
Thank you Steven for a clear assessment of where we are, and most importantly, a vision of how we go forward. I believe in the end, it will the people's choice if our Democracy survives, the tide of resistance is rising.
"Even if notorious, it is better than being forgotten" is what drives most assassins. Except the notorious would-be assassin of Trump himself, the infamous whats-his-name...
“Please try to remember that what they believe, as well as what they do and cause you to endure does not testify to your inferiority but to their inhumanity.” - James Baldwin
James Baldwin is correct 💯.
Everything Trump does hits me like a brick in the face. I picture Stephen Miller and one of Putin's cronies in a back room, drinking the blood of Democratic children and dreaming up new plans for crippling Democracy. The Roman empire melted from the inside.....it strikes me that Trump is doing Putin's bidding to reduce the United States to a third world country. While Putin reassembles the old Soviet Union, we fail and fall. That's the plan of Trump/Miller/Putin.
With a lot of help from the Red Russian Republican Party. They are essential to his RULE.
Trump is angry with America. He is the spoiled baby who cries without tears, grabs things that do not belong to him, and refused to share. If he succeeds at reducing America to rubble, he will be a name in history. Even if notorious, it is better than being forgotten.
Trump is the Captain Ahab of Mobey Dick, looking for the white whale who injured him, in a never-ending obsession for retribution. Those who have signed on to work for him have signed away their lives to his ruthlessness.
There are important and timeless themes in good literature that provide insight into the human heart. None, I think, fits this moment better than the obsession of the search for the white whale. Trump has lashed himself to his own bitterness and will be dragged down by it. I want a front row seat to his failed attempts to subvert our Constitution so that I can be reassured that the seas of our democracy will become calm again. Bitterness and hate beget the same. I won’t rest until we can wave goodbye to this destructive period in our nation’s history.
As far as a “human heart”…it is quite obvious that he does not possess one.
Brilliant analogy, Ellen!
Aww…thank you, Rachel!
Minor correction: Yamiche Alcindor left PBS for NBC News in 2022.
Shameful that none of her colleagues in the press pool stood up for her.
Thanks for flagging, Erin. Fixed. True re: the failure of solidarity.
Steven, recently I heard a popular song from our Nation’s sometimes troubled past… Then it struck me! This could be the Anthem for a our certainly troubled “Present” and most likely…our now near certain very troubled Future. The song…”Eve of Destruction” written by R.F. Sloan, performed by Barry McGuire and released in 1965. Some of the words are truly from our never to be forgotten Vietnam Era, but the essence is Today and sadly Tomorrow!!!!! For a clearer understanding of my meaning…find and read the haunting lyrics. How ironic…as the armed Troops are now in the Streets! Are we approaching the Eve of Destruction???????????
I’m going to look up the lyrics right now. Haunting!
Sad and haunting, indeed. Also..Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “OHIO”..protest song from 1970.
Yes!
I remember that song what a great song to bring up as it was describing various social and political issues of the time, such as the Vietnam War, the draft, racial tensions, and the threat of nuclear annihilation. Has anything changed?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFZUDQ85bFU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT4VOykMrMc
With lyrics
I am in doubt that most Americans do not want soldiers in their cities. In Chicago, visitors want soldiers in the street so they will feel safe. Then they go back home to their cities with more crimes than Chicago. Suburbanites near Chicago want soldiers in the streets so at a distance, they feel safe. They do not visit, they just listen to Trump and believe Chicago is crime infested. Meanwhile, young families stroll with babies along the Lake Front and in neighborhoods; runners are out early morning and late afternoon to work toward the Marathon (run on Chicago streets without any soldiers); and every weekend we have festivals, Green markets, baseball games, visits to the local park. . .all without a soldier in sight. We are not afraid of our visitors or our neighbors. We love Chicago and that includes the people who live, work and play in here.
No, we do NOT want soldiers in any of our streets. Soldiers are trained to kill. We see how that worked with hurricane Katrina under gw bush. He sent just returned from Iraq and Afghanistan military from other states to N.O , no knowledge of New Orleans, it's culture or people. Only exception is during natural disasters, national guard help out under FEMA.
We are rapidly approaching a civil war. And the question remains will military officers refuse unlawful orders and how many will be relieved until some vile junior officer will try to enforce those unlawful orders. We will see factions of the US military openly engage each other in battle?
What was once unthinkable and unspeakable is now a likely outcome I fear. All the warning signs are flashing red, but most of the country is sleep walking into facsim.
I fear that no military officer will refuse unlawful orders.
What will wake them up? A DRAFT, again?
No. I fear it will be a Kent State type of incident to shake many out of complacency. It is too late for a history lesson.
“OHIO”
What I see is that Trump & his minions are big into playing dress-up. Look at Noem, and now tRump and his "new image", actually a pathetic joke when recognizing his deteriorating condition. The problem is that they appear to be seriously considering following through with the roles they're portraying. How can it be that 40% of our people are still satisfied with this saber rattling?
Yes, especially Trump who loves drama and false imagery and the hyperbolic Theatre of the Macabre. He is depraved and devoid of any soulfulness.
Now, though, he is a verifiable threat to each and every one of us.
Theatre of the Macabre. Reality Show From Hell.
I wonder who fed him the allusion to Apocalypse Now. I can't believe he actually watched it. Of course he does not understand the tone of the quote from the film. What he posted is both childish and terrifying. His intent to be at war with American cities is clear. Hegseth is ready to pull the trigger on anyone, without cause. We have every reason to be frightened. These are dark times that continue to get darker.
That meme and quote have all the earmarks of Stephen Miller, his fevered dream of violence and division fully realized.
Truth We Need
Excerpt from Steven’s Essay;
“But make no mistake: Trump’s rhetorical escalation portends his increasingly desperate hunger to exploit our military for the creation of the police state he dreams of leading.”
My questions:
1/ How many of our military will follow Trumps increasing anti-democratic, anti-humanistic, anti Constitutional attacks on our own people, in our own cities?
2/ How can WE encourage the military to
-instead of following Trumps treasonous takeover-
-do what’s right, adhere to their oath:
⬇️
I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States
against all enemies, foreign and domestic;
that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;
that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion;
and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”
//
National Guard
“Officers of the National Guard of the various states, however, take an additional oath:
I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State (Commonwealth, District, Territory) of ___ against all enemies, foreign and domestic;
that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the Office of [grade] in the Army/Air National Guard of the State (Commonwealth, District, Territory) of ___ on which I am about to enter, so help me God.”
National Guard officers are additionally committed to the authority of the governor of their state. They may be activated in the service of their state in time of local or state emergency in addition to federal activation.
Reserve officers may only be activated by the President of the United States.
AI and Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Uniformed_Services_Oath_of_Office
Thank you Steven
💙🇺🇸💙
Adendum
Contacting the Military
Each service branch has its own contact page, often found through its main website's FAQ section.
Army: www.army.mil/faq/
Navy: www.navy.mil/Resources/Frequently-
Asked-Questions/
Air Force: www.af.mil/Questions.aspx
Marine Corps: www.marines.mil/FAQ/
Space Force: www.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/FAQs/
Coast Guard: www.gocoastguard.com/faq
Additional: Twitter (X)
Contact our Military:
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Prayers 💙🇺🇸
Politicians also swore an OATH…which they totally IGNORED.
I'm guessing you wrote this before the Extremes put their blessing on racial profiling. And on Firing the Dem member of the FTC . It is really heating up.
Now we all have to cart our birth certificates around if we get a deep tan or have hair even remotely curly. Not that it did that kid in Florida any good. Cops rejected his birth certificate as fake; judge said it was real but STILL wouldn't order ICE to release him.
I have undocumented friends. Even though we are a sanctuary city, I fear for them.
I did. And it is getting worse. We need to stick up for our friends and stick together.
The picture of we the people marching in protest of the First Felon and his regime reminds me of what Rachel Maddow said "There are grandmas holding protest signs showing more bravery than our current Congress" (or something akin to this). I am personally hoping that there's a complete turnover in the Democratic party. That anyone over 65 needs to retire and help a younger generation into office. Provided we don't have an all out civil war, this country needs a do over putting people before profit. Bernie has been saying this for years and he can be on retainer as a political consultant.
Thank you Steven for a clear assessment of where we are, and most importantly, a vision of how we go forward. I believe in the end, it will the people's choice if our Democracy survives, the tide of resistance is rising.
This is exactly why trump was Putin’s choice in 2016. We are self-destructing in real time!
Who is enabled by the RED RUSSIAN REPUBLICAN PARTY.
Donald Trump: “I love the smell of deportations in the morning.”
Well, of course you do, your Malignancy. And that's because any smell in the morning is preferable to the stench emanating from you.
"Even if notorious, it is better than being forgotten" is what drives most assassins. Except the notorious would-be assassin of Trump himself, the infamous whats-his-name...