We are back to the 1950s, only it is patriotic Americans who will be pilloried, blacklisted, shamed, fired, and jailed. This time it will be in the name of creating the New America Reich. At least in the 1950s there was a real external enemy.
It seems to me that the solution is pretty obvious. Those who are investigated by the Trump justice department should follow Trump's playbook:
1) As soon as an investigation is announced, they should begin fundraising to cover their legal costs.
2) They should say (truthfully in this case) that if they can be investigated, so can anyone else.
3) They should promote themselves as heroes standing up to the "lawfare" of the Trump administration.
4) They should leverage the fame they get from the investigation to get large speaking fees, a big advance on book sales, and to obtain a large following for podcasts and social media posts.
Trump and Patel know already that there is no chance of convicting any of these people. Their goal is to intimidate them, and others, through the investigation process. Once Trump and Patel realize that the investigations are actually increasing the favorability ratings of the targets and making them wealthier, the baseless investigations will stop.
This is like a strange dream. Can it be real that these evil, lying people have been given power by the voters of America? If I believed in divine intervention, I would expect fire and flood to smite all Trump voters. Their embrace of ignorance and resentment is inexcusable. (And the term "deep state" should be met with mockery every time it is referenced, just as "woke" has become a term of mockery.)
My Jewish small-business owner (well, if $50M a year is "small") friend is considering moving to Ireland. Gives him access to the EU (and winter in Tahiti). If these assholes can make up stuff about people that were heavy partisans for THEM, they can certainly do it to anyone.
Bannon has patented the mad dog rhetoric. He knows just how to inflame his listeners, and insinuate that lies are truth. Deep State? By his definition that is whoever was elected in a free and fair election. Presenting lies as truth and identifying "enemies" whose elimination will bring peace and prosperity is the first page in the authoritarian dictator playbook. Bannon does a grave disservice to his country in promulgating these lies and false solutions.
Got to wonder if Bulwark can really face up to what's going on, and is willing to just become another part of the sanewashing establishment it postures as opposing.
Interviewing Bannon doesn't mean normalizing him. He may be crazy, and (to me and no doubt to Tim Miller) the opposite of patriotic, but he's not dumb. He's a power broker and has huge influence on the MAGA mob. Makes sense to know what he thinks.
Of course it's the first page in the authoritarian playbook. Bannon is an admirer of authoritarianism, most notably Mussolini, (do a Google search) but also Lenin as I recall. (Although historically Mussolini's and Lenin's regimes were actually classified as totalitarian).
Our political polity is so stupid. These people pretty much tell us right out in the open what they are about, and not only the press but everyone else, including even the Bulwark mileu, just tiptoes around it, as if they are afraid of getting sued.
Yes, they DO tell us what they plan to do, in plain sight. But there's a whole swath of voters (including RFK Jr supporters) who value conspiracy theories about hidden actors above what's in plain sight. They think that deciphering the 'clues' and seeing 'deeper' makes them more sophisticated in the ways of the world. Unfortunately, in the end, it just leads them cynicism and an ends-justify-the-means attitude.
For a person who is supposed to be an intelligent person Bannon is a blowhard of the highest order. The idea Patel as the director of the FBI is farcical and dangerous. Bannon is a disgusting person whose ideas are clearly those of true enemies of democracy.
It only matters if Senators actually care and this isn't just political Kabuki like the Supreme Court Justice hearings. Even Susan. Collins knew what would happen. The voters do t seem to care, so why would the politicians?
Tim, hope you post full interview, and video if you got it. Hopefully at least 47 senators and some of the republican senators will read Patel’s Gangster book and bring his intentions to the public during confirmation hearings (assuming FBI director requires confirmation). This man, like Bannon, is sick and perverting American democracy. This is where Trump’s greatest damage will happen, at the hands of his demented delegates of evil.
It strikes me that Trump is naming the very worst of the worst choices to his cabinet, quite deliberately, in an attempt to traumatize those who supported the Harris/Walz ticket. I wonder...have any of those nominated reflected on what that means? *It means Trump thinks they are nutter butter incompetents.* He must be deeply amused by that. And tragically, he's sure he can run the country without any help. God help the USA.
And Trump will manage, in that slimy way he has, of claiming he had nothing to do with this if it creates a backlash against him. He will let others do his dirty work and leave them to twist in the wind when the s**t hits the fan.
Eight pages of targets likely mean that most Americans will know and like at least one of the people listed there and will not hesitate to call their congressperson or senator to complain. And when the complaints become too loud and too many to ignore, Trump will get on truth social in the night, call Patel names and distance himself from a policy he yapped about non-stop during his campaign of grievances.
This just makes my heart so heavy and sad. That these criminals are taking over our government when they should be in jail. But I do think this will be a mistake on their part, an overreach that will expose their fecklessness to the American public. The smart thing to do would have been to get back in office and never mention January 6, 2021. But Trump and his minions just can't let it go. If Merrick Garland doesn't release Jack Smith's report, then he does need to be investigated for dereliction of duty.
Would be good if Bulwark team (Tim, Sarah, Bill, everyone) and their public friends (every podcast and contributing writer guest) with loudspeaker influence put the X-pressure on Garland (and Biden and Jack Smith) to release the report publicly.
Public release of Jack Smith's report will have way more impact than Biden's midnight pardons and put the right pressure on Trump Regime.
Looking forward to Bannon the crook being jailed again for ripping off naive Trumpers who sent him and his fellow grifters lots of money for Trump's mythic "wall."
I think that maybe 90% of Bannon's 24/7 scamming is like most of Trump's 24/7 lying -- not actually intended to accomplish anything, but merely, like a musician playing scales, skill maintenance practice for the real concert performances.
I kept hoping they'd eventually bleed them dry, but apparently there is an endless of fools willing to be parted from their money. Particularly now that it includes a protection racket.
All I know is that Donald Trump did nothing for 3 hours while his supporters literally stormed the Capitol. During the transition of power, based on a lie. If you have no problem with that, you're the problem.
I want Garland, Monaco & every decent patriot on Patel's list out of the country & claiming refugee status from some still-civilized nation like the UK or Ukraine by sunrise on Inauguration Day. They have no obligation to be persecuted, humiliated & bankrupted by Patel's kind. In re bankrupted, ex AG Eric Holder should be signing up an honor roll of eminent counsel who will represent every victim of this shitshow for free. Better yet, Biden should start pardoning everyone on maga's vengeance lists and more too.
We are back to the 1950s, only it is patriotic Americans who will be pilloried, blacklisted, shamed, fired, and jailed. This time it will be in the name of creating the New America Reich. At least in the 1950s there was a real external enemy.
Thank you, Tim, for all you go through for to keep us informed. You’re my hero!!
If this guy was any wackier, he might qualify for a Trump cabinet position.
It seems to me that the solution is pretty obvious. Those who are investigated by the Trump justice department should follow Trump's playbook:
1) As soon as an investigation is announced, they should begin fundraising to cover their legal costs.
2) They should say (truthfully in this case) that if they can be investigated, so can anyone else.
3) They should promote themselves as heroes standing up to the "lawfare" of the Trump administration.
4) They should leverage the fame they get from the investigation to get large speaking fees, a big advance on book sales, and to obtain a large following for podcasts and social media posts.
Trump and Patel know already that there is no chance of convicting any of these people. Their goal is to intimidate them, and others, through the investigation process. Once Trump and Patel realize that the investigations are actually increasing the favorability ratings of the targets and making them wealthier, the baseless investigations will stop.
This is like a strange dream. Can it be real that these evil, lying people have been given power by the voters of America? If I believed in divine intervention, I would expect fire and flood to smite all Trump voters. Their embrace of ignorance and resentment is inexcusable. (And the term "deep state" should be met with mockery every time it is referenced, just as "woke" has become a term of mockery.)
My Jewish small-business owner (well, if $50M a year is "small") friend is considering moving to Ireland. Gives him access to the EU (and winter in Tahiti). If these assholes can make up stuff about people that were heavy partisans for THEM, they can certainly do it to anyone.
Bannon has patented the mad dog rhetoric. He knows just how to inflame his listeners, and insinuate that lies are truth. Deep State? By his definition that is whoever was elected in a free and fair election. Presenting lies as truth and identifying "enemies" whose elimination will bring peace and prosperity is the first page in the authoritarian dictator playbook. Bannon does a grave disservice to his country in promulgating these lies and false solutions.
Found this little note about Bannon, which Snyder reposted/tweeted several times, but without avail it seems.
https://x.com/TimothyDSnyder/status/1259948040846217222?t=r6cDRtHCJAo1653vBUXbJQ&s=19
And now Bulwark is INTERVIEWING Bannon!!
Got to wonder if Bulwark can really face up to what's going on, and is willing to just become another part of the sanewashing establishment it postures as opposing.
Interviewing Bannon doesn't mean normalizing him. He may be crazy, and (to me and no doubt to Tim Miller) the opposite of patriotic, but he's not dumb. He's a power broker and has huge influence on the MAGA mob. Makes sense to know what he thinks.
Of course it's the first page in the authoritarian playbook. Bannon is an admirer of authoritarianism, most notably Mussolini, (do a Google search) but also Lenin as I recall. (Although historically Mussolini's and Lenin's regimes were actually classified as totalitarian).
Our political polity is so stupid. These people pretty much tell us right out in the open what they are about, and not only the press but everyone else, including even the Bulwark mileu, just tiptoes around it, as if they are afraid of getting sued.
Yes, they DO tell us what they plan to do, in plain sight. But there's a whole swath of voters (including RFK Jr supporters) who value conspiracy theories about hidden actors above what's in plain sight. They think that deciphering the 'clues' and seeing 'deeper' makes them more sophisticated in the ways of the world. Unfortunately, in the end, it just leads them cynicism and an ends-justify-the-means attitude.
So did Mein Kampf.
For a person who is supposed to be an intelligent person Bannon is a blowhard of the highest order. The idea Patel as the director of the FBI is farcical and dangerous. Bannon is a disgusting person whose ideas are clearly those of true enemies of democracy.
Since when does dangerous correspond with low intelligence?
It only matters if Senators actually care and this isn't just political Kabuki like the Supreme Court Justice hearings. Even Susan. Collins knew what would happen. The voters do t seem to care, so why would the politicians?
Tim, hope you post full interview, and video if you got it. Hopefully at least 47 senators and some of the republican senators will read Patel’s Gangster book and bring his intentions to the public during confirmation hearings (assuming FBI director requires confirmation). This man, like Bannon, is sick and perverting American democracy. This is where Trump’s greatest damage will happen, at the hands of his demented delegates of evil.
It strikes me that Trump is naming the very worst of the worst choices to his cabinet, quite deliberately, in an attempt to traumatize those who supported the Harris/Walz ticket. I wonder...have any of those nominated reflected on what that means? *It means Trump thinks they are nutter butter incompetents.* He must be deeply amused by that. And tragically, he's sure he can run the country without any help. God help the USA.
Actually Timothy Snyder had more nuanced view of this, along with many other aspects of the Trump regime, with tweets such as this https://x.com/TimothyDSnyder/status/1870183780608016684?t=pH-0eLSHO2sweg7EwMGXMw&s=19
And Trump will manage, in that slimy way he has, of claiming he had nothing to do with this if it creates a backlash against him. He will let others do his dirty work and leave them to twist in the wind when the s**t hits the fan.
Eight pages of targets likely mean that most Americans will know and like at least one of the people listed there and will not hesitate to call their congressperson or senator to complain. And when the complaints become too loud and too many to ignore, Trump will get on truth social in the night, call Patel names and distance himself from a policy he yapped about non-stop during his campaign of grievances.
This just makes my heart so heavy and sad. That these criminals are taking over our government when they should be in jail. But I do think this will be a mistake on their part, an overreach that will expose their fecklessness to the American public. The smart thing to do would have been to get back in office and never mention January 6, 2021. But Trump and his minions just can't let it go. If Merrick Garland doesn't release Jack Smith's report, then he does need to be investigated for dereliction of duty.
Would be good if Bulwark team (Tim, Sarah, Bill, everyone) and their public friends (every podcast and contributing writer guest) with loudspeaker influence put the X-pressure on Garland (and Biden and Jack Smith) to release the report publicly.
Public release of Jack Smith's report will have way more impact than Biden's midnight pardons and put the right pressure on Trump Regime.
Jam it in your ass Bannon you scabby fucker
Looking forward to Bannon the crook being jailed again for ripping off naive Trumpers who sent him and his fellow grifters lots of money for Trump's mythic "wall."
I think that maybe 90% of Bannon's 24/7 scamming is like most of Trump's 24/7 lying -- not actually intended to accomplish anything, but merely, like a musician playing scales, skill maintenance practice for the real concert performances.
I kept hoping they'd eventually bleed them dry, but apparently there is an endless of fools willing to be parted from their money. Particularly now that it includes a protection racket.
All I know is that Donald Trump did nothing for 3 hours while his supporters literally stormed the Capitol. During the transition of power, based on a lie. If you have no problem with that, you're the problem.
I want Garland, Monaco & every decent patriot on Patel's list out of the country & claiming refugee status from some still-civilized nation like the UK or Ukraine by sunrise on Inauguration Day. They have no obligation to be persecuted, humiliated & bankrupted by Patel's kind. In re bankrupted, ex AG Eric Holder should be signing up an honor roll of eminent counsel who will represent every victim of this shitshow for free. Better yet, Biden should start pardoning everyone on maga's vengeance lists and more too.
So Fetterman's a dupe?
Kind of. Don't you think?
I don't know what to think honestly.