Sorry the Dearborn non committed or Stein crew did not see this coming lol after trump telling Bibi "Finish the job!" Never a story highlighted in Post or NYT
Sadly the best democrats are in the House. Won't Matter though because even if house democrats like Raskin questioned Gaetz, most media would cut away( Fox) or edit ( CNN, NYT, Post). Abby Phillips jad that Oklahoma nutcase Ryan Walters of Trump bible scam on yesterday. She needs to follow Malone's orders. Not sure what Tapper is up to. Dana Bash has been a joke since she attended Milwaukee steakhouse GOP dinner with Josh Dawsey, Welker, etc. See how they have flipped over the past year
It occurred to me today while I was thinking about something else that the U.S. experienced a coup at the ballot box on November 5 and that the nation is now in the initial stages of a revolution.
Consider this passage from this piece:
"President Trump is going to do in his second term what he said he’d do on the campaign trail, and what he tried fitfully to do in his first term. He’s going to turn the federal government into an instrument of MAGA policy and grievance. He’s going to pursue retribution against enemies. He’s going to destroy what remains of the older norms that guide the operations of the government, and of the institutional checks that constrain the abuse of power."
What is this if not a description of a revolution in the making?
Highlighting Gaetz's immorality, criminality or even lack of ability to run a real Attorney General's office misses what is truly frightening about the Gaetz nomination. The last thing Trump wants is a real AG's office. He is determined not to have one. He wants an AG willing and able to purge the department and all its subordinate bureaus (e.g. the FBI) shape them into instruments of Trump's vengeance. Gaetz is perfectly capable, perhaps ideally suitable to conduct a purge and carry on a targeted vendetta.
There'll be no more attorney's like the ones who testified before the January 6th committee. They'll be lots of Jeffrey Clarks willing to take orders. Along with a pliant Secretary of Defense ready to purge the officer corp and get rid of General Officers who will give back talk when Trump wants the Army to go into blue cities or seize ballot boxes the future looks truly frightening.
I wish all we had to worry about was incompetence. A clown show would be a great relief.
If Trump were just testing the limits of Senate tolerance I doubt that he would be doing so with such high profile appointments. Obviously the Democrats and their media allies are setting their hair on fire over the announcements which has its own benefit both as distractions and the "owning the libs" thing. I think these are serious nominations and he fully expects the Senate to comply. He isn't testing HIS limits to see how far he can go. He is testing Senate Republicans for their loyalty and how hard they will fight on his behalf. If they are found wanting he will surely have a list Republicans who need to be removed from their seats.
John Thune, if found wanting, may only be Majority Leader for two years.
Democrats would do well to grill the nominees for good sound bites and TV but otherwise just give Trump what he wants. Send in the Clowns!
Tim's use of the word "Kakistocracy" is beyond fitting. I thought this in 2016, but man, has Trump outdone himself. Next he will announce the ghost of Jeffrey Epstein to lead Title IX enforcement at the Department of Education.
John Bolton's comment was very much on point, "The nominations reminded me of the apocryphal story of Emperor Caligula making his horse a consul. The whole point is how demeaned and degraded the Roman Senate was.”
It's important that Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth and Gaetz, go through the Senate review process, and be rejected! This is Trump's test to see just how much he can push the senate around, and allowing recess appointments is the first step to enabling authoritarianism. It's a slippery slope from there.
I have no hope, but will still do what I can. I have already written to my senators but they will not listen (even Todd Young--he's not terrible, but I doubt he has any real courage). They will all get in via recess appointments. We are already on the slippery slope--it's just faster now.
In view of this parade of unfit terribles, I wonder if Thune might start almost hoping for one long recess. Where Trump can go ahead with his single handed approach to the appointments. And Thune's senate will never have to share in the blame. So much for advise and consent. But what a relief not to have had to participate. I can see how he could get desperate enough to almost hope for that scenario.
He Told Us What He Will Do—Watch for Yourself. Trump had 2024 policy statements on his campaign site in 2023 with videos. Even though he removed them, they were available on YouTube/social media. The focus on Project 2025 was important—but a diversion. The videos (text and transcript) are available at https://www.donaldjtrump.com/agenda47/. It’s clear why Trump wants recess appointments and Matt Gaetz, and the rest (see Dismantle the Deep State and Firing Prosecutors). The YouTube reactions to Trump’s policies were flashing red warning lights for the election outcome. The policies have elements that people like (school vouchers, power to parents, get rid of “woke, safe borders). But, like Trump’s snake, they seem harmless until the venom kills you—and “truth, justice, and the American way.”
Russian state media is mocking Trump for how they've played him - and mocking all of America for falling into the trap again.
Many Trump voters had already been gulled by the Kremlin's long-game influence operation to discredit our democratic institutions and portray Eurasian autocracy as superior guardian of "Western civilization." Some of the people who rail against "deep state corruption" are partial to Russia and open to the idea of a caesar who rules without restraint of law, while blowing up the western alliances that have guarded liberal democracy against tyranny.
And it’s getting tiresome to make fun of them for “ not going on Joe Rogan.” They made it clear that they would but that they would not give up crucial campaigning time to meet his 3-hour demand (plus travel time to and from Austin). It’s like he knew she would not be able to accommodate those demands. DJT had been campaigning for over 3 years at that point, and was basically killing time. So tired of the different standards for one vs. the other.
Just heard. The STUPID Orange Snake wants RFK Jr as the Health secretary! I don't know who's crazier - the Snake or or any MAGA Senator who would ever vote for him!
Just make sure your kids have fluoride from some source and get them vaccinations. Ignore anything he says, and if you need services that are not provided, go get them on your vacation in another country.
Unfortunately, many people can't go to another country, can't find doctors in their areas, can't pay for medical services that aren't provided by insurance. I'm lucky I have insurance, but that still doesn't mean it won't cost a lot. Those grocery bills really ARE a lot. And I know damn well they'll go higher when the Orange Snake destroys our economy.
Rogan is not so affable when he's dealing with people who are smarter, better informed and better prepared than he is. His in his element shooting the shit with heterodox pseudointellectuals like Lex Fridman and conspiracy-mongering know-it-alls like Brett Weinstein.
I personally think the democratic party needs to start their own social media platform and make it so that young men want to get on it by forbidding anyone under 25 from going on it. Then spread the word that that is because there is real information and they cannot handle it.
As shocking as every appointment Trump has made so far, let's not forget his first appointment: J.D. Vance.....Trump is pretty old, and J.D. is just a whisper away from becoming President...think about that. Have a nice day!
Sorry the Dearborn non committed or Stein crew did not see this coming lol after trump telling Bibi "Finish the job!" Never a story highlighted in Post or NYT
Sadly the best democrats are in the House. Won't Matter though because even if house democrats like Raskin questioned Gaetz, most media would cut away( Fox) or edit ( CNN, NYT, Post). Abby Phillips jad that Oklahoma nutcase Ryan Walters of Trump bible scam on yesterday. She needs to follow Malone's orders. Not sure what Tapper is up to. Dana Bash has been a joke since she attended Milwaukee steakhouse GOP dinner with Josh Dawsey, Welker, etc. See how they have flipped over the past year
It occurred to me today while I was thinking about something else that the U.S. experienced a coup at the ballot box on November 5 and that the nation is now in the initial stages of a revolution.
Consider this passage from this piece:
"President Trump is going to do in his second term what he said he’d do on the campaign trail, and what he tried fitfully to do in his first term. He’s going to turn the federal government into an instrument of MAGA policy and grievance. He’s going to pursue retribution against enemies. He’s going to destroy what remains of the older norms that guide the operations of the government, and of the institutional checks that constrain the abuse of power."
What is this if not a description of a revolution in the making?
Highlighting Gaetz's immorality, criminality or even lack of ability to run a real Attorney General's office misses what is truly frightening about the Gaetz nomination. The last thing Trump wants is a real AG's office. He is determined not to have one. He wants an AG willing and able to purge the department and all its subordinate bureaus (e.g. the FBI) shape them into instruments of Trump's vengeance. Gaetz is perfectly capable, perhaps ideally suitable to conduct a purge and carry on a targeted vendetta.
There'll be no more attorney's like the ones who testified before the January 6th committee. They'll be lots of Jeffrey Clarks willing to take orders. Along with a pliant Secretary of Defense ready to purge the officer corp and get rid of General Officers who will give back talk when Trump wants the Army to go into blue cities or seize ballot boxes the future looks truly frightening.
I wish all we had to worry about was incompetence. A clown show would be a great relief.
If Trump were just testing the limits of Senate tolerance I doubt that he would be doing so with such high profile appointments. Obviously the Democrats and their media allies are setting their hair on fire over the announcements which has its own benefit both as distractions and the "owning the libs" thing. I think these are serious nominations and he fully expects the Senate to comply. He isn't testing HIS limits to see how far he can go. He is testing Senate Republicans for their loyalty and how hard they will fight on his behalf. If they are found wanting he will surely have a list Republicans who need to be removed from their seats.
John Thune, if found wanting, may only be Majority Leader for two years.
Democrats would do well to grill the nominees for good sound bites and TV but otherwise just give Trump what he wants. Send in the Clowns!
Tim's use of the word "Kakistocracy" is beyond fitting. I thought this in 2016, but man, has Trump outdone himself. Next he will announce the ghost of Jeffrey Epstein to lead Title IX enforcement at the Department of Education.
John Bolton's comment was very much on point, "The nominations reminded me of the apocryphal story of Emperor Caligula making his horse a consul. The whole point is how demeaned and degraded the Roman Senate was.”
You've warmed this undergrad Classics Major's heart with that comment.
This is what the Orange Snake's win will do to the stock market: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/11/14/2286258/-Trump-s-Election-Triggers-Big-Selloff-of-His-Truth-Social-Stock-By-Company-Executives?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=trending&pm_medium=web
It's important that Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth and Gaetz, go through the Senate review process, and be rejected! This is Trump's test to see just how much he can push the senate around, and allowing recess appointments is the first step to enabling authoritarianism. It's a slippery slope from there.
I have no hope, but will still do what I can. I have already written to my senators but they will not listen (even Todd Young--he's not terrible, but I doubt he has any real courage). They will all get in via recess appointments. We are already on the slippery slope--it's just faster now.
In view of this parade of unfit terribles, I wonder if Thune might start almost hoping for one long recess. Where Trump can go ahead with his single handed approach to the appointments. And Thune's senate will never have to share in the blame. So much for advise and consent. But what a relief not to have had to participate. I can see how he could get desperate enough to almost hope for that scenario.
And in explanation, he might say the "Democrats made us do it" because of their partisan obstruction to the "mandate" of the voters.
Yes, that could be another escape mechanism. Thune must be wondering why he agreed to oversee this whole mess.
He Told Us What He Will Do—Watch for Yourself. Trump had 2024 policy statements on his campaign site in 2023 with videos. Even though he removed them, they were available on YouTube/social media. The focus on Project 2025 was important—but a diversion. The videos (text and transcript) are available at https://www.donaldjtrump.com/agenda47/. It’s clear why Trump wants recess appointments and Matt Gaetz, and the rest (see Dismantle the Deep State and Firing Prosecutors). The YouTube reactions to Trump’s policies were flashing red warning lights for the election outcome. The policies have elements that people like (school vouchers, power to parents, get rid of “woke, safe borders). But, like Trump’s snake, they seem harmless until the venom kills you—and “truth, justice, and the American way.”
Russian state media is mocking Trump for how they've played him - and mocking all of America for falling into the trap again.
Many Trump voters had already been gulled by the Kremlin's long-game influence operation to discredit our democratic institutions and portray Eurasian autocracy as superior guardian of "Western civilization." Some of the people who rail against "deep state corruption" are partial to Russia and open to the idea of a caesar who rules without restraint of law, while blowing up the western alliances that have guarded liberal democracy against tyranny.
And it’s getting tiresome to make fun of them for “ not going on Joe Rogan.” They made it clear that they would but that they would not give up crucial campaigning time to meet his 3-hour demand (plus travel time to and from Austin). It’s like he knew she would not be able to accommodate those demands. DJT had been campaigning for over 3 years at that point, and was basically killing time. So tired of the different standards for one vs. the other.
Joe Rogan is a highly toxic bro and a credulous purveyor of conspiracy theories. His visage evokes dirty sweat socks and stale cigar butts.
Who listens to 3-hr podcasts?
The bros do. They have nothing else to do, probably.
Oh. My. Golly. Bobby gets HHS. This is going to be amazing.
Just heard. The STUPID Orange Snake wants RFK Jr as the Health secretary! I don't know who's crazier - the Snake or or any MAGA Senator who would ever vote for him!
Just make sure your kids have fluoride from some source and get them vaccinations. Ignore anything he says, and if you need services that are not provided, go get them on your vacation in another country.
Unfortunately, many people can't go to another country, can't find doctors in their areas, can't pay for medical services that aren't provided by insurance. I'm lucky I have insurance, but that still doesn't mean it won't cost a lot. Those grocery bills really ARE a lot. And I know damn well they'll go higher when the Orange Snake destroys our economy.
Bill, Andrew- you need to go on Joe Rogan. His audience needs to hear from reasonable, informed, honest individuals.
Rogan is not so affable when he's dealing with people who are smarter, better informed and better prepared than he is. His in his element shooting the shit with heterodox pseudointellectuals like Lex Fridman and conspiracy-mongering know-it-alls like Brett Weinstein.
According to Aaron Roper of Public Notice, Joe Rogan is part of the right-wing media scape that attracted young men to voting for Trump.
https://www.publicnotice.co/p/how-tiktok-x-helped-trump-beat-harris-2024
I personally think the democratic party needs to start their own social media platform and make it so that young men want to get on it by forbidding anyone under 25 from going on it. Then spread the word that that is because there is real information and they cannot handle it.
As shocking as every appointment Trump has made so far, let's not forget his first appointment: J.D. Vance.....Trump is pretty old, and J.D. is just a whisper away from becoming President...think about that. Have a nice day!