Given the unqualified nature of all his picks, not to mention how downright awful they are, I am worried about flying once he takes office. Who will be running the FAA, TSA, air traffic control, air marshalls etc.? If their only qualification for the job is loyalty to him, I think I will be limited to driving. Any ideas?
It's always the "Oct 7th pogrom" with Will and nary a word about the innocent Gazans and Lebanese killed by Israeli, uuhhmm American, bombs... a bit disappointed The Bulwark, the straight shooters supposedly, continue to print his obviously biased and "only Israel matters" view points as thoughtful and ethically-consistent, and clearly it is not... All Lives Matter, hate to use the maga folks term, but it's true and should be presented as such on this delicate topic.
Sir, in my defense, I only get 400-500 words. If I don’t mention a specific topic, it doesn’t necessarily mean that I don’t acknowledge the civilian casualties.
I’ve seen civilian casualties—up close and personal. I’ve seen nearly all the horrors that war has had to offer. I’ve been to Israel and I’ve seen the battlefield, as recently as July.
I weep for those innocent Palestinians who are killed. I’ve killed innocent people before in war, and I know the horrors that causes. I speak with Gold Star parents regularly. In fact, I was visiting a Gold Star Mom last week. A buddy of mine’s mother.
In short, while I’m certainly more hawkish than some, I’m also someone who understands what war does and I’ve borne those scars.
Well my dear friends, here's something to chew on with your Thanksgiving turkey...I hope this helps, and have a happy one!!
from Thomas Paine (I copied this down, a long time ago, without citing the work...sorry about that but I'm sure if you are interested, you could find it):
"I shall conclude these remarks, with the following timely and well-intended hints. We ought to reflect, that there are three different ways by which an independancy may hereafter be effected; and that one of those three, will, one day or other, be the fate of America, viz. By the legal voice of the people in Congress; by a military power; or by a mob: It may not always happen that our soldiers are citizens, and the multitude a body of reasonable men; virtue, as I have already remarked, is not hereditary, neither is it perpetual. Should an independancy be brought about by the first of those means, we have every opportunity and every encouragement before us, to form the noblest, purest constitution on the face of the earth. We have it in our power to begin the world over again. A situation, similar to the present, hath not happened since the days of Noah until now. The birthday of a new world is at hand, and a race of men, perhaps as numerous as all Europe contains, are to receive their portion of freedom from the events of a few months. The reflection is awful, and in this point of view, how trifling, how ridiculous, do the little paltry cavilings of a few weak or interested men appear, when weighed against the business of a world"
Awesome stuff! We are rightly proud of our forefather's understanding of the world of men (and women!) and their commitment to live in a democratic society. Take heart, my friends. All is NOT lost! But we must stay actively committed to honesty, to freedom, to the rule of law and to our constitution. Ooorah.
Who doesn't love a good inflationary recession followed by a Great Depression brought on by protectionist policies? It is what the notoriously fickle American Electorate chose and if it comes to pass as the current hints from the incoming administration indicate- I am all in for explaining it in great detail with footnotes and video clips from the architects of the policies. Me and Cassie, listen to us now and avoid or listen to us later and deal with it. YMMV.
CAUTION: I am just a dumb old Indian from the Christian nationalist swamp of Oklahoma, I am not a politician, economist, lawyer or anyone with any expertise whatever in public policy. You have been warned.
Doc Hesdorffer, my prescription is the pick our fights, verbally or in writing, pointing out the reasons why each one, e.g., RFK (suddenly thinking of Rat Fuck....), Toadi Gabbard and Hypocritical Hegseth, is not qualified in any way, shape, or form for the given position, but then watching what happens. Those of us from states with "persuadable" Senators need to directly lean on them, in written form, of course, to see if they have finally decided to join Murkowski, Collings, possibly McConnell, and Cornyn to say, not only no, but hell no. If we have specific reasons why other picks are bad, they need to be put in writing and sent to our Senators, too. But don't spend too much time on ones that are just Bootlickers. That is not enough of a reason to turf them out.
Then follow JVL's position and let them f--- it up royally, telling the lemmings who begin to scream when eggs cost twice as much thanks to tariffs they ordered this sh-- sandwich, so they can eat it.
My question is - how are we, the average citizen, going to stand up to the fundamental societal changes that Trump plans to achieve together with his dystopian and dysfunctional cabinet and the rest of his garbage coterie? What exactly can we do? Who do we turn to, to lead us in this fray? I belong to a bunch of democratic organizations, but I don’t see what they can do? We will need groups of highly motivated, intelligent lawyers to sue the government constantly in preventing outrageous administrative orders from Trump from being enacted. Democrats in Congress will have to stand fully united to prevent the enactment in Law of the many abhorrent plans that are enshrined in Project 2025 from being enacted. And once they are passed into law, again we will need lawyers to argue constantly and forcefully up to the Supreme Court in order to prevent the easy enactment of those unfair and unjust laws. And of course, given the nature of the court system, including and primarily the Supreme Court, these cases will all fail and we will be left with draconian laws that will need to be altered whenever next a truly democratic government is elected. And when can we hope that to be? The midterms in 2026 are perhaps our only hope. Beyond that I fear we may no longer have fair elections as the system will have been so altered, the minds of American voters so confused and addled by the relentless brain washing of the alt right social media system that it may take decades until at last people wake up to their real miseries and finally revolt against what Trump has always wanted to instigate for his own good and for the good of his oligarchic and kakistory friends. To me the outlook is bleak. I want to fight to reject what is to come, but I feel both helpless and hopeless in this fight. I fear the fact that 50% of the American voters blindly followed a known criminal, a self admitted autocrat, a known nasty, cruel, evil and failed business man, who on top of all of this had failed America just 4 years ago in its most existential threat since WW2, and elected him back into the most powerful position in this country. That fact makes me wonder - how do we oppose what is to come when it seems the majority want exactly what we fear?
The Rubicon's been crossed, Charles. The die is cast, the game rigged. We’re beyond the point of no return, and the time for illusions has passed.
How do we resist Trump's dystopia? Bluntly, we don’t. Tyranny's gates are open, and someone will walk through. It’s not if, but when. We’re watching the unraveling unfold, and it’s ugly.
Maybe it’s time to reframe resistance. Instead of saving a sinking ship, abandon it in defiance. Build something new, untainted, elsewhere. Forget the false hopes in courts or elections that may never come to pass.
Instead, create oases—beacons of reason and democracy. Refuse to play by their rules. We don’t have to wait around to be crushed under the boot of inevitability. Set our own course. Build something better, outside of the corruption and chaos.
Some will fight on, and I’ll cheer them on. But maybe the best way to resist is to build a new way forward and show that there’s another option worth believing in.
The only guardrails left in this (con)federacy of dunces might well be their incompetence and mistakes. They might not be able to do everything they want because they don’t have the skills to do it in practical or legal way.
Thank you Mr Kristol, for pointing out that this new Trump Administration will be dominated by Stephen Miller, Russel Vought, and JD Vance. This group of people will provide focus and discipline that did not exist in the last Administration. They won't distracted by flattery or misdirection as the soon to be president is and they won't take their eyes off their goals in pursuit of photo ops and viral quotes.
As to Musk's mother...well now we see some of the roots of his psyche.
You’re absolutely correct about Vance, et al. in terms of discipline and focus. They also come with Thiel’s money and influence and god knows what else.
But, even if (and maybe because) they’ll run operational circles around Trump, at the end of the day, Trump will be the King (sorry, President) and can plausibly have them, um…disposed of.
If Trump senses he’s being sidelined or gets his narcissistic fee-fees in a twist, as long as he acts within his Presidential duties, the Supremes have his back on giving Seal Team 6 certain “sensitive” missions.
And I have absolutely no clue which is worse; a takeover by the minions, or Trump declaring “off with their heads”.
A piece of Thanksgiving Day holiday advice: For tomorrow, at least, try really, really hard to just forget about the fact that we're all going to be seeing, hearing and dealing with the words and actions of turkeys for a whole hell of a lot longer than any of us would really like, no matter how much we might enjoy leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner.
I'm not willing to go demogauge, but I am willing to start looking at more superficial traits in terms of the 2028 Primary (if it happens).
We need candidates that are young, energetic, charismatic, and at least reasonably good looking. Faces that make casuals go "yes, I want to be on his/her team."
Not talking about supermodels here (men or women). But, say, Governor Whitmer. Senator Heinrich. Like that (not saying them specifically).
Jasmine Crockett. She’s a force to be reckoned with!
Jasmine is wicked smart, clever, and playfully witty. She has no problem speaking out and I find her absolutely captivating to watch and listen to.
Dems would be wise to keep an eye on Jasmine as a contender for future (major?) roles in the party. She’s young (early 40s?) and a relative political “newbie” at the national level, but she’s a powerhouse with a lot of potential.
Charisma is an important part of a successful politician, there's no getting around it. Now if you can find a smart, ethically-minded, fluid talker and manager with some center-left political creds, I think you would go a long way to finding that rising Democratic star....
Not so much. The outgoing Mexican President was facing corruption allegations, and the new President of Mexico is considered to be his lackey. Still, you take your allies where you can get them.
Agreed. She’s right on the merits, but her and AMLO are horribly corrupt, with a left wing authoritarian / populist bent. I don’t trust them but a broken clock is right twice a day…
Given the unqualified nature of all his picks, not to mention how downright awful they are, I am worried about flying once he takes office. Who will be running the FAA, TSA, air traffic control, air marshalls etc.? If their only qualification for the job is loyalty to him, I think I will be limited to driving. Any ideas?
I always have to double check to confirm that Obama won Florida twice, albeit just barely the 2nd time. That wasn't that long ago.
It's always the "Oct 7th pogrom" with Will and nary a word about the innocent Gazans and Lebanese killed by Israeli, uuhhmm American, bombs... a bit disappointed The Bulwark, the straight shooters supposedly, continue to print his obviously biased and "only Israel matters" view points as thoughtful and ethically-consistent, and clearly it is not... All Lives Matter, hate to use the maga folks term, but it's true and should be presented as such on this delicate topic.
Sir, in my defense, I only get 400-500 words. If I don’t mention a specific topic, it doesn’t necessarily mean that I don’t acknowledge the civilian casualties.
I’ve seen civilian casualties—up close and personal. I’ve seen nearly all the horrors that war has had to offer. I’ve been to Israel and I’ve seen the battlefield, as recently as July.
I weep for those innocent Palestinians who are killed. I’ve killed innocent people before in war, and I know the horrors that causes. I speak with Gold Star parents regularly. In fact, I was visiting a Gold Star Mom last week. A buddy of mine’s mother.
In short, while I’m certainly more hawkish than some, I’m also someone who understands what war does and I’ve borne those scars.
Thanks for reading!
Will
Well my dear friends, here's something to chew on with your Thanksgiving turkey...I hope this helps, and have a happy one!!
from Thomas Paine (I copied this down, a long time ago, without citing the work...sorry about that but I'm sure if you are interested, you could find it):
"I shall conclude these remarks, with the following timely and well-intended hints. We ought to reflect, that there are three different ways by which an independancy may hereafter be effected; and that one of those three, will, one day or other, be the fate of America, viz. By the legal voice of the people in Congress; by a military power; or by a mob: It may not always happen that our soldiers are citizens, and the multitude a body of reasonable men; virtue, as I have already remarked, is not hereditary, neither is it perpetual. Should an independancy be brought about by the first of those means, we have every opportunity and every encouragement before us, to form the noblest, purest constitution on the face of the earth. We have it in our power to begin the world over again. A situation, similar to the present, hath not happened since the days of Noah until now. The birthday of a new world is at hand, and a race of men, perhaps as numerous as all Europe contains, are to receive their portion of freedom from the events of a few months. The reflection is awful, and in this point of view, how trifling, how ridiculous, do the little paltry cavilings of a few weak or interested men appear, when weighed against the business of a world"
Awesome stuff! We are rightly proud of our forefather's understanding of the world of men (and women!) and their commitment to live in a democratic society. Take heart, my friends. All is NOT lost! But we must stay actively committed to honesty, to freedom, to the rule of law and to our constitution. Ooorah.
You keep focusing on Drumpf. He’s just the vessel. You need to focus on the Council for National Policy. They are the ones calling the shots.
Who doesn't love a good inflationary recession followed by a Great Depression brought on by protectionist policies? It is what the notoriously fickle American Electorate chose and if it comes to pass as the current hints from the incoming administration indicate- I am all in for explaining it in great detail with footnotes and video clips from the architects of the policies. Me and Cassie, listen to us now and avoid or listen to us later and deal with it. YMMV.
CAUTION: I am just a dumb old Indian from the Christian nationalist swamp of Oklahoma, I am not a politician, economist, lawyer or anyone with any expertise whatever in public policy. You have been warned.
Doc Hesdorffer, my prescription is the pick our fights, verbally or in writing, pointing out the reasons why each one, e.g., RFK (suddenly thinking of Rat Fuck....), Toadi Gabbard and Hypocritical Hegseth, is not qualified in any way, shape, or form for the given position, but then watching what happens. Those of us from states with "persuadable" Senators need to directly lean on them, in written form, of course, to see if they have finally decided to join Murkowski, Collings, possibly McConnell, and Cornyn to say, not only no, but hell no. If we have specific reasons why other picks are bad, they need to be put in writing and sent to our Senators, too. But don't spend too much time on ones that are just Bootlickers. That is not enough of a reason to turf them out.
Then follow JVL's position and let them f--- it up royally, telling the lemmings who begin to scream when eggs cost twice as much thanks to tariffs they ordered this sh-- sandwich, so they can eat it.
“They ordered this sh— sandwich, so they can eat it”… love it! I’m so going to use this going forward!
"The Trump brigade will consist of good and obedient soldiers."
Wrong on two counts; they will not be good in any meaning of that word, and they are mercenaries, not soldiers.
My question is - how are we, the average citizen, going to stand up to the fundamental societal changes that Trump plans to achieve together with his dystopian and dysfunctional cabinet and the rest of his garbage coterie? What exactly can we do? Who do we turn to, to lead us in this fray? I belong to a bunch of democratic organizations, but I don’t see what they can do? We will need groups of highly motivated, intelligent lawyers to sue the government constantly in preventing outrageous administrative orders from Trump from being enacted. Democrats in Congress will have to stand fully united to prevent the enactment in Law of the many abhorrent plans that are enshrined in Project 2025 from being enacted. And once they are passed into law, again we will need lawyers to argue constantly and forcefully up to the Supreme Court in order to prevent the easy enactment of those unfair and unjust laws. And of course, given the nature of the court system, including and primarily the Supreme Court, these cases will all fail and we will be left with draconian laws that will need to be altered whenever next a truly democratic government is elected. And when can we hope that to be? The midterms in 2026 are perhaps our only hope. Beyond that I fear we may no longer have fair elections as the system will have been so altered, the minds of American voters so confused and addled by the relentless brain washing of the alt right social media system that it may take decades until at last people wake up to their real miseries and finally revolt against what Trump has always wanted to instigate for his own good and for the good of his oligarchic and kakistory friends. To me the outlook is bleak. I want to fight to reject what is to come, but I feel both helpless and hopeless in this fight. I fear the fact that 50% of the American voters blindly followed a known criminal, a self admitted autocrat, a known nasty, cruel, evil and failed business man, who on top of all of this had failed America just 4 years ago in its most existential threat since WW2, and elected him back into the most powerful position in this country. That fact makes me wonder - how do we oppose what is to come when it seems the majority want exactly what we fear?
The Rubicon's been crossed, Charles. The die is cast, the game rigged. We’re beyond the point of no return, and the time for illusions has passed.
How do we resist Trump's dystopia? Bluntly, we don’t. Tyranny's gates are open, and someone will walk through. It’s not if, but when. We’re watching the unraveling unfold, and it’s ugly.
Maybe it’s time to reframe resistance. Instead of saving a sinking ship, abandon it in defiance. Build something new, untainted, elsewhere. Forget the false hopes in courts or elections that may never come to pass.
Instead, create oases—beacons of reason and democracy. Refuse to play by their rules. We don’t have to wait around to be crushed under the boot of inevitability. Set our own course. Build something better, outside of the corruption and chaos.
Some will fight on, and I’ll cheer them on. But maybe the best way to resist is to build a new way forward and show that there’s another option worth believing in.
The only guardrails left in this (con)federacy of dunces might well be their incompetence and mistakes. They might not be able to do everything they want because they don’t have the skills to do it in practical or legal way.
There are no legal constraints for Trump and his lackeys. It's OK if you're a Republican (or rich, white man).
Regarding Bill’s reference to Tennyson; where were those troops going who were not to reason why? Into the valley of death. Seems appropriate.
Thank you Mr Kristol, for pointing out that this new Trump Administration will be dominated by Stephen Miller, Russel Vought, and JD Vance. This group of people will provide focus and discipline that did not exist in the last Administration. They won't distracted by flattery or misdirection as the soon to be president is and they won't take their eyes off their goals in pursuit of photo ops and viral quotes.
As to Musk's mother...well now we see some of the roots of his psyche.
You’re absolutely correct about Vance, et al. in terms of discipline and focus. They also come with Thiel’s money and influence and god knows what else.
But, even if (and maybe because) they’ll run operational circles around Trump, at the end of the day, Trump will be the King (sorry, President) and can plausibly have them, um…disposed of.
If Trump senses he’s being sidelined or gets his narcissistic fee-fees in a twist, as long as he acts within his Presidential duties, the Supremes have his back on giving Seal Team 6 certain “sensitive” missions.
And I have absolutely no clue which is worse; a takeover by the minions, or Trump declaring “off with their heads”.
Sigh.
A piece of Thanksgiving Day holiday advice: For tomorrow, at least, try really, really hard to just forget about the fact that we're all going to be seeing, hearing and dealing with the words and actions of turkeys for a whole hell of a lot longer than any of us would really like, no matter how much we might enjoy leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner.
Happy Thanksgiving to all at Morning Shots.
Shinola! Yum yum.
I'm not willing to go demogauge, but I am willing to start looking at more superficial traits in terms of the 2028 Primary (if it happens).
We need candidates that are young, energetic, charismatic, and at least reasonably good looking. Faces that make casuals go "yes, I want to be on his/her team."
Not talking about supermodels here (men or women). But, say, Governor Whitmer. Senator Heinrich. Like that (not saying them specifically).
Jasmine Crockett. She’s a force to be reckoned with!
Jasmine is wicked smart, clever, and playfully witty. She has no problem speaking out and I find her absolutely captivating to watch and listen to.
Dems would be wise to keep an eye on Jasmine as a contender for future (major?) roles in the party. She’s young (early 40s?) and a relative political “newbie” at the national level, but she’s a powerhouse with a lot of potential.
Charisma is an important part of a successful politician, there's no getting around it. Now if you can find a smart, ethically-minded, fluid talker and manager with some center-left political creds, I think you would go a long way to finding that rising Democratic star....
Apparently Mexico has elected a rational, highly intelligent leader. Sadly we cannot say the same.
Not so much. The outgoing Mexican President was facing corruption allegations, and the new President of Mexico is considered to be his lackey. Still, you take your allies where you can get them.
Agreed. She’s right on the merits, but her and AMLO are horribly corrupt, with a left wing authoritarian / populist bent. I don’t trust them but a broken clock is right twice a day…