Steve, I listened to your interview with Ann earlier when it went live.
I could easily get behind Pete Buttigieg. He is fast on his feet, super smart, has engaged many times with the Republicans and the younger generation, not only relate to him, but specifically like him. If you haven't seen it, watch the video with him and Heather Cox Richardson.
By the way, you keep talking about the next election. What if Trump declares martial law and does not hold the election. It is a big "If" at this point.
Steve, you want us to think there is a chance to have a free and fair election at the midterms.
And I appreciate your optimism that it could be......
But quite frankly, unless the current government is broken before these elections, there is
no way in hell free and fair elections will be held in the USA again.
Trump knows this.
And he has his tech bros armed with all our data and most personal information stolen by DOGE to use as a way to manipulate any elections that don't go his way.
And he now has his ICE army to enforce anything that isn't in his and the Project 2025 agenda.
We need to face these hard cold facts.
The days of Democracy being won by elections is on the line NOW.
Your point about elections is critical, as all these proposed candidates etc. are a waste of time and energy and detract from any other plans for resistance to the incredibly powerful regime.
I agree with both of you that the Republicans’ nonchalance on “suicidal” votes for the BBB is worrisome as it suggests insider knowledge that we won’t be having free or fair elections in 2026+. It’s hard to believe that someone wouldn’t eventually spill the beans, but maybe Dump’s reference to “a little secret I’m in on with Mike Johnson” before November together with “You’ll never have to vote again” (and all of Musk’s X declarations since their falling out) reflect this fait accompli.
Steve, I don't disagree with the Democrats needing to address why they were not honest about Biden's health. However, why do Republicans commit the same obfuscation about Trump and his plans and they get a bye? Everyone needs to be honest. But why do Americans accept hypocrisy on the right, but skewer the left?
Wasn’t Ronald Reagan suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s? Wasn’t Nancy running the show from the White House? …sounds like the last days of the Biden administration?.
“In August 1994, Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, which he announced through a handwritten letter in November. There was speculation over how long he had demonstrated symptoms of mental degeneration, but lay observations that he suffered from Alzheimer's while still in office have been disputed by medical experts; his doctors said that he first began exhibiting overt symptoms of the illness in late 1992 or 1993. Over time, the disease destroyed Reagan's mental capacity.” from wikipedia
Steve, you commented during this interview that someone livestream posted “Kamala had the election stolen from her - that person [posting this] is as crazy as MAGA.” Question: have you been following any of the forensic election auditing done by Smart Elections and Election Truth Alliance? There is very credible evidence of what looks like multifaceted 2024 election interference, so much so that ETA filed a lawsuit for a manual recount in Rockland County, NY which is being upheld and is in discovery. Read up on these if you haven’t already. When Elon Musk posted this weekend(in regards to creating a 3rd party), “I rigged the vote before, I can do it again,” he IS speaking from experience, with those results reflected in these 7 swing state audits by SM/ETA plus other concerning specific races.
Trump didn’t write this Bill, he doesn’t have the intellect, it’s too complex. He didn’t have the PERSEVERANCE, or simply the ABILITY to write this Bill. However, it is what he wants. He has all the preparedness to give smart ass answers to anyone who questions the Bill. It’s Project 2025.
I enjoyed your interview with Ann Applebaum. Thank you.
I hate to suggest this, but it seems to me that the reason Trump's lies have been so successful is that too many people want to believe they are under threat. Re the example of the collapse of the German economy guving rise to Nazism, doesn't the direction Trump is moving in suggest that he wants to cause an economic collapse which would permit a Hitlerian onslaught on MAGA's opponents?
City of Key West voted last week to rescind 287(g)…meaning that the police have to aid IFE enforcement …the AG of FL Uthmeier who sells merchandise for profit about alligators harming our citizen immigrants sent a threatening letter to Key West. Another packed City Hall with pleas to wait and figure out the ruling..over 2 hours of citizens begging not to be BULLIED by De Santis and Uthmeier… and they caved
Gave in to using our police as weapons against our community . Never thought it would happen after June 30 when they voted with their gut and heart but of course the THREATS OF JOB LOSS ETC make them capitulate to the fascist oppression.
SHAME ON THE ELECTED OFFICIALS IN KEY WEST AND CONGRESS
Auchincloss is in the Kennedy family… look him up. Don’t just take suggestions from others. Take your time and check everyone you or others might think will be a policy changer, etc.,
Notice every talk from anyone is always started or finished with “it’s possible”… it might be so”… “could be”… Please do your Reseach as if your life depends on it… because IT DOES… YOUR LIFE and the LIFE of YOUR CHILDREN Depends on how each of Us Cares about OUR DEMOCRACY and our COUNTRY.
The GOP is behaving as if they don’t intend to lose power at the midterms. Indeed, very curious.
Here’s my take:
Or, they’re simply going for broke before the midterms.
They’ll have so wrecked everything, so reshaped everything, it’ll take until 2026 and the next presidential election to even begin repairing the damage.
Assuming Democrats are going to sweep the midterms and the next presidential race in 2028, the plan may be to so badly damage everything the Democrats won’t be able to fix it all to the satisfaction of the public by 2032, and the Republicans will blame them for it [as they do every time], and will win the 2032 presidential election and begin the dismantling all over again.
It’s as likely as, they don’t intend to turn power over, or are rigging the midterms. Though that too at this juncture is as possible.
Don’t Miss This Part of Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill
PUTIN has Rosgvardiya. TRUMP has ICE.
There’s an element to the budget reconciliation bill referencing to the funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is set to receive over the next four years: $45 billion for DETENTION CENTERS and $30 billion to hire more AGENTS. That will make ICE the most generously funded law enforcement agency in the country, with a budget that rivals several major militaries.
Cheeto Is Killing People But It’s None of Your Damned Business So Butt Out
With their savage draconian policies the Nazis have now killed at least 12 and probably more innocent people in ICE custody For the GOP/Nazi’s in Congress who just gave a huge bonus to ICE with the recent budget bill, it’s just another day at the office These women and men who are complicit in this terrorist organization should be reported to the International Criminal Court for murder, just like Putin has been
This complete and utter disregard for human life should be condemned from every sector of our “civil” society And now Congressional oversight by Democrats to legally visit the concentration camps, these efforts are thwarted and turned away Civic groups charged with oversight have either been terminated or cut back to Cheeto loyalists
So America has finally become Nazi Germany Send the Jews/Immigrants to concentration camps like Dachau or Auschwitz and let them die
WE the People Cannot Stand for This Barbaric Behavior in America Protest Protest Protest
When I post this quote, “A fish rots from the head, cut off the head, the body withers and dies” I don’t see it as a specific action directed at a specific thing. There are a multitude of way to interpret the meaning, it is after all a metaphor. It is that I always intend for it to be spread around far and wide. So that those who are in positions of power and leadership loyal to our Republic and The Constitution will see it and deploy their critical thinking to see with imagination the ways it must be interpreted. There must be action now to stop the continued forward motion that began in earnest Jan 6, 2021 and has never been confronted, opposed and stopped.
Our country exists because of those who conceived the Declaration of Independence, fought the Revolutionary War, governed us by our Constitution and defended both in The Civil War. Remaining the Constitutional Republic that we are is the only way forward. If all there is, is discussion instead of action over the next 16 months I fear, and I am not alone in this perspective, we risk loosing it all.
There is only one political party that believes in and is loyal to our Constitution, the other has fully abdicated their oath to it. When I consider relying on future elections, to solve this tumultuous moment, I will be constantly be reminded of the following remarks:
When speaking about the current Republican members of Congress:
“It dose feel like they’re doing something that they’re not going to ever want two give up”
~Ann Applebaum
When speaking to the current moment in the country:
“There has to be a clarion call from someone or someones to stop the dissension of this country before it’s too late”
I'm currently reading Peter Ackroyd's book, "Rebellion" about England under the Stuart kings. Ackroyd describes the conflict between James I and Parliament. While James was claiming his authority was of "the divine right of kings", Parliament was claiming that under English law, members of Parliament had "ancient privileges and liberties". They refused much of the king's claimed authority for this reason. This was 400 years ago. Yet in 2025, we hear nothing from the U.S.Congtess about its "ancient" rights. We would think that the foundation of a written Constitution built on the foundation both of English common law and the Declaration of Independence was even stronger than what the 17th century parliament stood upon. Yet there is no sense I have heard from any member of Congress that its authority and prerogatives stand on any tradition worthy of reverence or devotion. I find this incredibly disconcerting.
I am reluctant to apply a legal designation to people who are morally culpable. I think Americans need to rediscover their/our moral faculty and be willing to apply a moral vocabulary to the events we are living through. But I appreciate your point.
I understand, it's more what I was feeling in the moment. Like feeling gaslit when money asks from Senators are for ending citizens united with a Constitutional Amendment, without 2/3 of Congress or 3/4 of states. not to mention multiyear long process.
Sort of...but the disoncertedness feels less like being misled and told I'm crazy (gaslit) and more uncomprehending, like watching the crew of a ship blow it up while they remain on it or discovering that a family who lives in a home in hurricane alley which has a deep basement and good foundation chooses to remain in their living room during a major hurricane rather than take shelter in their basement. Short of a group suicidality or receiving a homicidsl threat against their loved ones that they believe, I just don't get it. And in a collective threat against their families, wouldn't at least one or two be brave enough to challenge their own fear?
Steve, I listened to your interview with Ann earlier when it went live.
I could easily get behind Pete Buttigieg. He is fast on his feet, super smart, has engaged many times with the Republicans and the younger generation, not only relate to him, but specifically like him. If you haven't seen it, watch the video with him and Heather Cox Richardson.
By the way, you keep talking about the next election. What if Trump declares martial law and does not hold the election. It is a big "If" at this point.
Steve, you want us to think there is a chance to have a free and fair election at the midterms.
And I appreciate your optimism that it could be......
But quite frankly, unless the current government is broken before these elections, there is
no way in hell free and fair elections will be held in the USA again.
Trump knows this.
And he has his tech bros armed with all our data and most personal information stolen by DOGE to use as a way to manipulate any elections that don't go his way.
And he now has his ICE army to enforce anything that isn't in his and the Project 2025 agenda.
We need to face these hard cold facts.
The days of Democracy being won by elections is on the line NOW.
Your point about elections is critical, as all these proposed candidates etc. are a waste of time and energy and detract from any other plans for resistance to the incredibly powerful regime.
Exactly.
We need to think about NOW.
Forget the past. Forget old grudges. Forget about Biden. Forget shoulda, woulda, coulda....
Passivity will not work.
What can we do NOW to change the course of this government?
fabulous interview with the incomparable Anne Applebaum! thank you!
I agree with both of you that the Republicans’ nonchalance on “suicidal” votes for the BBB is worrisome as it suggests insider knowledge that we won’t be having free or fair elections in 2026+. It’s hard to believe that someone wouldn’t eventually spill the beans, but maybe Dump’s reference to “a little secret I’m in on with Mike Johnson” before November together with “You’ll never have to vote again” (and all of Musk’s X declarations since their falling out) reflect this fait accompli.
Steve, I don't disagree with the Democrats needing to address why they were not honest about Biden's health. However, why do Republicans commit the same obfuscation about Trump and his plans and they get a bye? Everyone needs to be honest. But why do Americans accept hypocrisy on the right, but skewer the left?
Wasn’t Ronald Reagan suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s? Wasn’t Nancy running the show from the White House? …sounds like the last days of the Biden administration?.
“In August 1994, Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, which he announced through a handwritten letter in November. There was speculation over how long he had demonstrated symptoms of mental degeneration, but lay observations that he suffered from Alzheimer's while still in office have been disputed by medical experts; his doctors said that he first began exhibiting overt symptoms of the illness in late 1992 or 1993. Over time, the disease destroyed Reagan's mental capacity.” from wikipedia
Steve, you commented during this interview that someone livestream posted “Kamala had the election stolen from her - that person [posting this] is as crazy as MAGA.” Question: have you been following any of the forensic election auditing done by Smart Elections and Election Truth Alliance? There is very credible evidence of what looks like multifaceted 2024 election interference, so much so that ETA filed a lawsuit for a manual recount in Rockland County, NY which is being upheld and is in discovery. Read up on these if you haven’t already. When Elon Musk posted this weekend(in regards to creating a 3rd party), “I rigged the vote before, I can do it again,” he IS speaking from experience, with those results reflected in these 7 swing state audits by SM/ETA plus other concerning specific races.
Not sure if you’ve said this before, Steve, but…
Trump didn’t write this Bill, he doesn’t have the intellect, it’s too complex. He didn’t have the PERSEVERANCE, or simply the ABILITY to write this Bill. However, it is what he wants. He has all the preparedness to give smart ass answers to anyone who questions the Bill. It’s Project 2025.
I enjoyed your interview with Ann Applebaum. Thank you.
I hate to suggest this, but it seems to me that the reason Trump's lies have been so successful is that too many people want to believe they are under threat. Re the example of the collapse of the German economy guving rise to Nazism, doesn't the direction Trump is moving in suggest that he wants to cause an economic collapse which would permit a Hitlerian onslaught on MAGA's opponents?
City of Key West voted last week to rescind 287(g)…meaning that the police have to aid IFE enforcement …the AG of FL Uthmeier who sells merchandise for profit about alligators harming our citizen immigrants sent a threatening letter to Key West. Another packed City Hall with pleas to wait and figure out the ruling..over 2 hours of citizens begging not to be BULLIED by De Santis and Uthmeier… and they caved
Gave in to using our police as weapons against our community . Never thought it would happen after June 30 when they voted with their gut and heart but of course the THREATS OF JOB LOSS ETC make them capitulate to the fascist oppression.
SHAME ON THE ELECTED OFFICIALS IN KEY WEST AND CONGRESS
Auchincloss is in the Kennedy family… look him up. Don’t just take suggestions from others. Take your time and check everyone you or others might think will be a policy changer, etc.,
Notice every talk from anyone is always started or finished with “it’s possible”… it might be so”… “could be”… Please do your Reseach as if your life depends on it… because IT DOES… YOUR LIFE and the LIFE of YOUR CHILDREN Depends on how each of Us Cares about OUR DEMOCRACY and our COUNTRY.
Excellent conversation.
The GOP is behaving as if they don’t intend to lose power at the midterms. Indeed, very curious.
Here’s my take:
Or, they’re simply going for broke before the midterms.
They’ll have so wrecked everything, so reshaped everything, it’ll take until 2026 and the next presidential election to even begin repairing the damage.
Assuming Democrats are going to sweep the midterms and the next presidential race in 2028, the plan may be to so badly damage everything the Democrats won’t be able to fix it all to the satisfaction of the public by 2032, and the Republicans will blame them for it [as they do every time], and will win the 2032 presidential election and begin the dismantling all over again.
It’s as likely as, they don’t intend to turn power over, or are rigging the midterms. Though that too at this juncture is as possible.
Don’t Miss This Part of Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill
PUTIN has Rosgvardiya. TRUMP has ICE.
There’s an element to the budget reconciliation bill referencing to the funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is set to receive over the next four years: $45 billion for DETENTION CENTERS and $30 billion to hire more AGENTS. That will make ICE the most generously funded law enforcement agency in the country, with a budget that rivals several major militaries.
by Garry Kasparov
Cheeto Is Killing People But It’s None of Your Damned Business So Butt Out
With their savage draconian policies the Nazis have now killed at least 12 and probably more innocent people in ICE custody For the GOP/Nazi’s in Congress who just gave a huge bonus to ICE with the recent budget bill, it’s just another day at the office These women and men who are complicit in this terrorist organization should be reported to the International Criminal Court for murder, just like Putin has been
This complete and utter disregard for human life should be condemned from every sector of our “civil” society And now Congressional oversight by Democrats to legally visit the concentration camps, these efforts are thwarted and turned away Civic groups charged with oversight have either been terminated or cut back to Cheeto loyalists
So America has finally become Nazi Germany Send the Jews/Immigrants to concentration camps like Dachau or Auschwitz and let them die
WE the People Cannot Stand for This Barbaric Behavior in America Protest Protest Protest
When I post this quote, “A fish rots from the head, cut off the head, the body withers and dies” I don’t see it as a specific action directed at a specific thing. There are a multitude of way to interpret the meaning, it is after all a metaphor. It is that I always intend for it to be spread around far and wide. So that those who are in positions of power and leadership loyal to our Republic and The Constitution will see it and deploy their critical thinking to see with imagination the ways it must be interpreted. There must be action now to stop the continued forward motion that began in earnest Jan 6, 2021 and has never been confronted, opposed and stopped.
Our country exists because of those who conceived the Declaration of Independence, fought the Revolutionary War, governed us by our Constitution and defended both in The Civil War. Remaining the Constitutional Republic that we are is the only way forward. If all there is, is discussion instead of action over the next 16 months I fear, and I am not alone in this perspective, we risk loosing it all.
There is only one political party that believes in and is loyal to our Constitution, the other has fully abdicated their oath to it. When I consider relying on future elections, to solve this tumultuous moment, I will be constantly be reminded of the following remarks:
When speaking about the current Republican members of Congress:
“It dose feel like they’re doing something that they’re not going to ever want two give up”
~Ann Applebaum
When speaking to the current moment in the country:
“There has to be a clarion call from someone or someones to stop the dissension of this country before it’s too late”
~Judge J. Michael Luttig
I'm currently reading Peter Ackroyd's book, "Rebellion" about England under the Stuart kings. Ackroyd describes the conflict between James I and Parliament. While James was claiming his authority was of "the divine right of kings", Parliament was claiming that under English law, members of Parliament had "ancient privileges and liberties". They refused much of the king's claimed authority for this reason. This was 400 years ago. Yet in 2025, we hear nothing from the U.S.Congtess about its "ancient" rights. We would think that the foundation of a written Constitution built on the foundation both of English common law and the Declaration of Independence was even stronger than what the 17th century parliament stood upon. Yet there is no sense I have heard from any member of Congress that its authority and prerogatives stand on any tradition worthy of reverence or devotion. I find this incredibly disconcerting.
Mr. Hackett,
I believe the word you may be seeking is "coconspirator". I found this in an email reply to me this morning:
"I am grimly suspicious that elected officials should be ignored almost entirely."
I am reluctant to apply a legal designation to people who are morally culpable. I think Americans need to rediscover their/our moral faculty and be willing to apply a moral vocabulary to the events we are living through. But I appreciate your point.
I understand, it's more what I was feeling in the moment. Like feeling gaslit when money asks from Senators are for ending citizens united with a Constitutional Amendment, without 2/3 of Congress or 3/4 of states. not to mention multiyear long process.
Sort of...but the disoncertedness feels less like being misled and told I'm crazy (gaslit) and more uncomprehending, like watching the crew of a ship blow it up while they remain on it or discovering that a family who lives in a home in hurricane alley which has a deep basement and good foundation chooses to remain in their living room during a major hurricane rather than take shelter in their basement. Short of a group suicidality or receiving a homicidsl threat against their loved ones that they believe, I just don't get it. And in a collective threat against their families, wouldn't at least one or two be brave enough to challenge their own fear?
All out of design