Chinese warships are headed towards the Middle East. The militaries of Earth’s great powers are converging in the world’s most dangerous region during the most volatile hours of the 21st century. Here in America, there is anger, fear and political chaos.
I am NOT afraid, the polls ARE bullshit, and I'm doing everything I can think of to talk reality to all those I meet about the importance of voting in 2024 to get rid of the cancer in government.
I do worry though seeing mostly the young generation marching, including in college campuses, to demand a ceasefire in Palestine by letting the terrorists win. It will also embolden Putin who calls to end fighting whenever Ukraine is surging in the battlefield. Very young if they do vote might not see the dangers as we do. The Republicans from the South, like Putin in Europe, are also transporting migrants coming in from the borders to Chicago and New York to create divisions among democrats and dissatisfaction of the voters in general. In EU, Putin brings them to Polish borders after flying Syrian refugees to Belarus. Migrants fleeing the destruction in Syria also caused by Putin himself has divided the democrats in EU. Only thing is if by having Pete Buttigieg or Gavin Newsom whom the younger generation seems to identify more with will actually win the elections next year as the gravity of political challenges deepened.
The one thing to know watching what's happening on campuses: those people are 5% of the student population, if that. They're just loud. The far left has been like that forever, and that's why they've never been more than a collection of kooks. Unlike the far right...
I think the entitled boobs at Harvard Law School who got their job offers rescinded last week for signing on with Hamas - to their entitled dismay - would now agree with you.
The west shouldn’t react reflexively but the rhetoric of Palestinian grievances and rejection of Israel legitimacy must be countered very very carefully and relentlessly. It was the root of the ideology that influenced the cause of 911. Remember 911.
My son (mid 20's) tells me virtually everyone he was friends or friendly with in high school and college has bought the Hamas line. So painful when it comes from the left...
Thank you for this welcome reminder. I do not believe the polls -- the MSM reports results as if they are sacred messages -- and no one I talk with reflects these numbers. (I’m told I live in a blue bubble; I even doubt that.) Who among these writers are examining this?
One of the biggest failings of the political media (and they are legion) is that they report the results of polls as if they were news instead of reporting the actual news. Instead of hearing about what the President is actually DOING, we hear about how he is doing in the polls. This is lazy, misleading, and ultimately dangerous, as it results in a woefully uninformed electorate. Instead of "I'm voting for this person because I like their policies," it's "I'm voting for this person's opponent because the media keeps telling me that he or she is unpopular."
I’m glad you brought up the Jared Middle East peace deal . What a croc . Consequences are only for us mortals . It’s insane that DOJ has not investigated Mnuchin and the treasury too
The theft is staggering . The PPP money , all of it . It was like they all put a pair of pantyhose over their face and a looted America . And we said... ok
Good morning Steve, yest it can be felt, and some of us have been feeling it for some time. The only way to face this is with clear-eyed realism and resolve. Mentioning FDR and the four freedoms should be a touchstone for all of us.
Yes we are seeing horrors only imagined in the middle east. The murder yesterday of a Synagogue President, the tearing down of kidnapped signs indicate how far gone we are down the path of disintegration. However, we can stand firm during this time.
The House speaker fight has other issues we need to address. When R members and their families are being threatened, we need both to speak out and bring in the FBI to identify and DOJ to prosecute. This is where we stand strong and tall. We must stop it, and stop it now before violence, or the threat of violence becomes the norm. That is not who we want to be, and whom we should not allow to become We can do this.
Finally, and from of all places, Frank Herbert's Dune, and the Bene Gesserit and the litany against fear. While SF, it also has a note of what to remember
"I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
I read recently that the Chinese have deployed six war ships to the Middle East and is conducting joint military exercises with the Omani’s.
More reason, the US and Israel need to operate with care. In the fog of war, mistakes happen. The Chinese have been harassing our intelligence gathering planes in international waters in the South China Sea for years. This is the first time I’ve heard of the Chinese flexing their military might in the Persian Gulf. Not good news.
As for Gym boy Jordan, did anyone actually think this pathetic “man-child” could be king? “If don’t vote for me, I’m going to unleash the kraken; I mean Hannity on you. Good riddance!
The bad news: this is embarrassing and our adversaries are taking advantage. I’m sure the Chinese decision to move a battle group into the ME had everything to do with TeuDville holding up 300 military promotions as well well as the dysfunction in the House.
As for Trump, it’s a wait and see thing. Hopefully, America will come to its senses next November. That said, I won’t hold my breath; I’m currently looking for an exit strategy.
I think there is finally the point where he will be held accountable. Of course he will jump through hoops and ruin the occupation of as many lawyers as it takes in doing so (no sympathy here for those foolish attorneys). The orange maggot traitor will get what he deserves. All his attempts at an "exit strategy" will be futile if Americans vote out the Traitor Party in 2024.
Robert, for me, there is no exit. I will work, or fight if I must, to see that traitors to our Constitution and our Democracy are defeated and, if having taken an oath to protect and defend it, punished to the fullest extent allowable. I have taken that oath, and although it was many years ago, I still honor it.
Let's apply that exit strategy to the orange traitor and send him to prison.
I don't doubt your passion and commitment but what confounds me is your first paragraph could have been written by your average maggot. No offense intended.
For the first time, my wife and I seriously discussed what happens if Trump wins what are we gonna do? Do we leave the country? It was a strange conversation. Nothing I ever imagined we would discuss.
Agreed. The fact we’re even thinking of it, is scary enough, but I know he will be a vindictive dictator I’d re-elected and America will suffer greatly, along with the rest of us.
I've been thinking about it since Trump was elected. The people around me, whom I love so very much, are not yet ready to join me. And a couple of the are still borderline Trumpers. But I persist, steadily persist.
It is a great possibility that China can easily help Russia replenish its stockpile of Soviet arsenals via North Korea in the 1000 boxes sent via rail cars recently. Very worrisome as Putin is sending all the top soldiers he was keeping back until now and the rest of the recruits. Ukrainians will fight till they win. But Putin with China and India’s backing is not easily persuaded to give up, especially since he is fighting for his life and he always has disregard for the well being of his people or humanity in general. There is no end to his depravity.
I'm slightly further, by maybe a couple of hours. But I have established close friendships in Canada over many years. I'm fortunate enough to have many foreign friends. Push come to shove, I'd shove off to one of them.
I feel pain and suffering. I feel the absence of decency and morality. I am one among millions subjected to orchestrated political and religious wars perpetuated by cons and grifters.
I will not, and absolutely refuse, to give up hope.
It does all of us a disservice to ascribe polls as fact. They are questions designed to support a theory where the results are based upon an infinitesimal segment of voters being guided by questions to pick a bucket.
Every day we are further reduced from sentient beings to data points.
Polls are scams and Trump's "surge" is trolling to convince us we've already lost before the primaries even get underway.
Donald Trump was a joke candidate who went all the way because we didn't believe he could be elected. We trusted our fellow Americans to ignore polls and follow their gut. It was our failure of imagination that elected him.
Why am I always asked to choose what matters most when I believe it's all connected. Isn't every single issue important to survival of life on our planet?
Life happens along a spectrum of ideology, religion and politics. Why is it necessary to put us into buckets? Why is one opinion, candidate, issue, et. al. deemed more valid by virtue of a poll?
I do not trust polls. They are marketing in search of an opinion.
The questions are always flawed. They ask "Do you feel that the country is moving in the right direction?" What the h*** does that mean? Obviously, I would say no, meaning that there is a growing fascist movement in this country. But, if I answered that way, they would attribute my answer to my not supporting President Biden. I think Biden is doing everything he possibly can to right the ship, but that is not the question being asked.
Thank you, especially for this: “It does all of us a disservice to ascribe polls as fact. They are questions designed to support a theory where the results are based upon an infinitesimal segment of voters being guided by questions to pick a bucket.” Absolutely right.
And part 2 of my earlier comment, thank you also for this: “Why am I always asked to choose what matters most when I believe it's all connected. Isn't every single issue important to survival of life on our planet?
“Life happens along a spectrum of ideology, religion and politics. Why is it necessary to put us into buckets? Why is one opinion, candidate, issue, et. al. deemed more valid by virtue of a poll?
“I do not trust polls. They are marketing in search of an opinion.”
Yes, I feel it. It scares me and everyone like me. I'm an anonymous person to 99% of the world. I live in a suburb of a city in CT. I'm a person who struggles at times. I have family and friends. I'm like most Americans just going about living life. I am afraid of Donald trump. He is a man with no conscience. No empathy. No humor. The only thing that matters to him is him. A trump with no restrictions in charge of our great country would create hardships for millions of people. Living would be a very scary, humorless and sad existence. I have a two-year old great-granddaughter. It makes me want to cry. Steve, I read your words intently. You can put into a words what I cannot. I agree with you and what you see. I know I keep thanking you. It's sincere.
@BC you put it into words very well. The fear is palpable to me. The recent polls you mentioned Steve elevates that fear. I know the election is far off and I don’t believe President Biden has really begun his campaign for reelection. The fear is how can there be any question that the President is doing a great job and putting trump back in is a clear and present danger to America. Do they not remember what those four years were like? It’s inconceivable to me. A frequent phrase is God help us, I think it will require lots of his/her help.
‘Do they not remember what those four years were like?’
To them the memories were of great power, defiance and revenge. Finally! The cult grew strong. It felt so good to their previously weak selves they forgot what they stood for and just went with it. They don’t know what it is but they know they want to keep it.
I believe they think that's what they want. The MAGA voters would be in for quite an awakening if Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and anything to help Americans goes away. Who will they blame then?
Please keep asking your Twitter followers to subscribe to your YouTube channel. Your YouTube segments are a good alternative for those who may not read your commentaries.
When I first felt the gut-wrenching fear of democracy’s demise was in 2018 during a guided tour in a concentration camp in the Czech Republic. After the tour, our guide insisted everyone, especially those from the United States, watch a film of Hitler speaking to a massive crowd. In that moment, I understood how the masses may be manipulated, and I saw and heard mannerisms and phrases Trump had adapted. Our guide warned us what was coming to the United States. Yes, I feel the “widening gyre.”
Thank you Mr. Schmidt for a common sense essay...well written and well expressed as usual.
I cannot believe, despite your saying so, that its is really true that Trump leads Biden.
Where did the 7,000,000 votes Biden won in last election go? Did those 7 million votes disappear? Have those same people switched over in recent polls to voting for Trump?
The only answer I find plausible is that those votes are still there, but Trump has accrued more than 7 million now than he had before, and that is what would put him over. Am I wrong?
Anyway as for the bulk of your warning. I would say that this country never achieved freedom from the 4 wants FDR warned about. Perhaps it is because a fair system of socialism, in its best usage, ergo mixied with capitailsm, never was successful. Perhaps the zeal of the the wealthy to make the wealth gap ever greater and to make democracy ever smaller succeeded. Perhaps the powerful class made the rich undefeatable now and all-powerful. They were as patient as a Chineese emperor, and when the time came, they choose the perfect blunt instrument--Trump-- to become a dictator under their control. I think he has outwitted them and would kill any rich who oppose him now.
Our only hope is that he did not infiltrate the armed services with moles sufficient enough to perform a coup.
But first please, if you know, answer this: where did those 7 million votes go that made Biden president?
"....this country never achieved freedom from the 4 wants FDR warned about." Yes, Tracy, and there needs to be much more discussion about this. Maybe Steve will take this on? Also, where did those 7 millions votes go?! Thanks.
Hi Susan, the media wants a 'close race' for their ratings so they can make their billions of dollars. Do the polls play into the media racket for 'infotainment'?
So nice to talk with you; it seems it is impossible to speak sensibly to anyone online, not anywhere but in this venue, and we all have to thank Mr. Schmidt for that, right?
Is there anyone who can get to Mr. Schmidt and ask him to discuss his feelings on these questions re: the 4 freedoms and the 7 million votes?
Hi Tracy, up until a couple months ago, we had a much more supportive and interactive community here on 'The Warning'. Some people left, as far as I understand, because of Steve's rants about Biden's age as one main reason. I made friends here that I'm in touch with outside of this forum now. I live in Montana and lost my family to MAGA -this community has been so supportive when I needed that awhile ago, including Steve Schmidt. Steve does very often read our comments and values this community, so he may likely consider the excellent questions you've asked here. I do feel Steve is a high-integrity dedicated person. Best! Lisa
I have admired Steve since he was the anti-Trump person on MSNBC with Nicole Wallace, and his involvement with The Lincoln Project. However, I too became frustrated with his repeated comments about Biden's age, and the public not wanting the Trump-Biden matchup. I expressed my frustration and stayed with the community.
I don't agree with current discussion about polls. Polls haven't been correct in years! Almost no one answers calls from unknown phone numbers. (As someone who has made many phone banking calls, I know this is a fact). Who are these people being polled?
I would recommend another of my favorite Substacks, The Hopium Chronicles, by Simon Rosenberg. His October 21st presentation "With Democrats things get better" uses a perspective of actual results to present a much more positive situation for Biden and Democrats.
I believe we need to have all the positive information we can, if we're going to be out there talking to voters about why they need to vote for Joe Biden. Simon's Hopium provides these facts.
All of the subtacks I consume provide different information and opinions, and I value all of them. The combination gives me a broader understanding of our current world situation. I continue to admire, and respect, Steve Schmidt as an honest person, who is pro-democracy. He has a great knowledge of history and a deep well of political experience, which frame his thoughts and opinions he shares with us.
We must all be vigilant. It's as if half the country's vision is blurred by a phenomenon called "shimmer" in a Stephen King book where the viewer suffering from this spell sees an extremely beautiful or handsome person, when in reality it's an evil witch or monster. Can we break this spell? Our existence will depend on it.
Unfortunately, with Trump gathering about half of the country’s support, I am becoming convinced that Americans are among the dumbest voters in the world! They don’t know the issues and don’t care!
The don’t know what Biden has accomplished and what a Trump presidency would cost America
Unfortunately, watching the documentary by Nancy Pelosi’s daughter, it is clear that Trump supporters are basically poorly educated, unfortunates with checkered pasts and horrible background, at lest many of them. This country is in grave danger !
That's why WE must be informed about the accomplishments of the Biden administration, so we can relay this information to our family, friends and voters. Hopefully, we are all going to be volunteering in our communities: canvassing, phone & text banking, writing postcards & letters or working in a campaign office and, if possible, donating.
I agree, the uninformed voter is a frightening situation. When I canvass door-to-door, I am frustrated by what people don't know; and I'm taking to mostly Democrats and Independents! Unfortunately, this 2024 battle is a fight for democracy we cannot lose!!
Instead of attacking their delusions , why not start to focus on how to change them. The axioms that these minds can not be changed is a fraud. Maybe they can not be reasoned with but they can be changed. One could even argue that this group is already preselected to be open to the power of suggestion. Progressives shy away from such approaches. See my post in this section
If you listen to these people, it is clear that changing their mind is not likely. They are deluded, convinced that the real facts are false and victims of a list a cult. The way go win is to vote and defeat all their candidates. If we lose our democracy, it will be because of the apathy of the average American .
35% of a voter turnout won’t do it ! The Founding Fathers never imagined the apathy of the public, which didn’t occur in those days!
Perhaps limiting the events that draw crowds would weaken the cult effect. Trump tied up in trials, or in prison, would leave his delusional followers on their own with no rallies to reinforce their wrong headed beliefs.
Your response that fighting fire with fire is immoral/distasteful is similar to a knee jerk reaction typical with most progressives.
Example: During the Romney/Obama election I suggested a campaign strategy to a number of my progressive contemporaries. There were several regions in pivotal states that had large populations of “Born Again” Christians. Romney is Mormon which apparently has historical friction with “Born Agains”
I’m not well versed in religion, especially this area, and my “thought” experiment may have been completely ridiculous.
But the question I asked was if Obama ads, speeches, in these regions should contain repeated references to Romney’s Mormonism. Now the sample size of my survey was very small, a hundred or so, with little statistical significance (an area I do know to a degree) But the response I got back from progressives was 100% negative. What a silly idea. Who cares what his religion is? The question is how well will he govern!
It is the great hubris of American progressives to believe that their decision methodology of logic, debate, compromise and majority rules is the only way to make decisions. I admit it’s my favorite. But some people decide by fear. Or put a different way, they do not vote for a candidate they like, as much as they vote against a candidate that they fear. Not being any kind of expert in psychology, I propose that if you ask an expert which part of the brain , logic vs fight / flight, wins an all out war its “always” fight / flight.
Democratic pols are constantly focused on finding the “perfect” candidate when a good portion of their time should be spent on portraying the opponent as the “worst”. And it’s not about lying. It’s about bringing up fearful things, and doing so repeatedly. Your link to work by Le Bon was fascinating. But more recent work in the last 100 years will of course be more insightful. The UCLA studies of the early 50s on normal people led to abnormal acts is relevant here. Liz Cheney, (who died politically for our sins!), shepherded her committee to produce a slow, steady, drip drip of bad information that eventually moved the needle. Not a single democrat on that committee understood(initially) what she knew.
As for the ethics of molding information into “effective” messaging (sounds so much nicer than brain washing) I bring up something from my childhood. Raised in Lexington MA, we celebrated April 19, 1776, “Shot heard round the world”. As high schoolers we gave guided tours on how the Lexington Minutemen lined up on the green to confront King Georges hired militia (weren’t even Brits!). Bravely they lined up in rows that were the “civilized” form of combat in those days. What gets less emphasis in the text books was they got mowed down, routed in that battle. They were mostly farmers after all. The column of Hessians, hardly touched, moved on towards Concord. But the Concord Minutemen took to the woods, the ravines and the overlooks. They started picking off the Hessians one by one. By the time the column got to Concord and back, they were mostly gone.
So I stand with the Minutemen of Concord, the Jews of the Warsaw Ghetto, the Marines in the Battle of Belleau Wood.
What they did was not pretty. They did what they had to.
We are not currently in a shooting war where large numbers of American soldiers are in harms way.
I hope that we will not be.
But we are smack in the middle of a fierce, world wide, information war.
We had better get down to business and win this or we soon will be in a shooting war.
Your idea of ideal/best is probably quite similar to my own
Problem is that progressive political pundits (PPP / P cubed) looks at the world “the way is should be” rather than “the way it is”.
You essay is full of leaps, a “hit parade” of political fumbles.
Our second amendment bars Congress from acting w.r.t religion. There is no “freedom of religion” w.r.t political speak.
Even your unwarranted assumption about “besmirching” is revealing. Advertisers will tell you that praising Romney’s good work with the Mormon church ( 5 times a day ) moves the needle if the target audience hates Mormons. Candidate Mondale inadvertently gave a shout out to Dick Cheney’s daughter who’d fallen ill. Wished her well. There was a wave of attack ads, speeches, articles about Mondale’s unethical act drawing a candidates children into open political debate. Mondale and the Democratic Pols were confused and bemused by the outpouring of attacks. But the republicans were engaged in an Ohio State referendum on “Protection of Marriage” . It was need to bump conservative turnout and secure the Ohio electoral votes for Bush II. What they knew that we still don’t is that, even positive comments, which raise awareness that Cheney’s daughter had an openly gay family was bad politics for them.
I’ve seen 70 years as well and can point to many examples where hypnotizer Trump couldn’t get through at all. When he finally advised followers to the vaccinate he was almost booed of the stage.
He won’t talk about abortion. Poll numbers point one way but his backers are running the other way. He is powerless to stop them.
Liz Chaney’s work on the Jan 7 committee moved the needle on Trumps popularity a lot. She was in charge of the drama with which Jan 6 findings were presented. She understands the power of presenting hate anger and fear. We are clueless.
You are very big on “hypnotizing”. I’m not really that knowledgeable.
I have been on the edge of advertising campaigns however where all kinds of money was spent and results were demanded. Don’t remember a line item for hypnosis.
But you are correct, messaging that centered on bonhomie were there.
Your reference to Reagan’s “morning in America” has merit. But you must have been wearing the reddest of rose colored glasses because his campaign was full of hate anger and fear: fear of the government, fear of being taken hostage, fear that living GIs were being held hostage in North Vietnam, fear that unions were lard factories, fear that women who worked were destroying their families, fear that homosexuals were evil and aids was gods retribution, fear that marijuana was addictive and required decades of incarceration , fear of the welfare queen. I could go on. You may want to put aside Le Brons methodology and read up on people like Worthlin, Atwater, Rove, and their many disciples working today. These people were masters of their art and we have been losing easy elections ever since. After this many decades of “turning a blind eye” I have come to suspect that they find such mind bending techniques distasteful. But it is what is needed to be done. If we want political debate to be free of this strangle hold we must confront it / neutralize it, render it useless.
The next time you are in discussion with a magarat, see if they are one of those that hate/fear Russia. It is a large group within that circle. Then pummel away on all the connections between Trump and Putin. They will go quite, or explode, or any number of other signs that they’ve been hit hard by what you are saying. This is how you know. This is how mind moving works. It’s not pretty but it is what we have to do. There are those those progressives that can not handle it. Those that use a rhetoric appropriate to more civilized times. These people should step back, tune down their comments, and support those that are better able to do battle.
Remember there were contentious objectors in WWII. But they worked the hospitals, drove ambulances, supported the war effort in some other way. Through out my seventy plus years I’ve heard the argument that Hitler could have been equally defeated with some form of Ghana’s passive resistance. Some of the arguments have been compelling. I’ve just never bought any of them
I don’t think you are crazy, you are prescient just as you were when you predicted Jan 6 in your video above. It is why I pay close attention to your every word since the first time I heard you on Deadline Whitehouse. I feel it too. The only way out is through with strength, courage and resolve.
If I may, Steve, please. Don’t quote polls. Polls were one thing, and now they are another. They are made now to confuse, not to clarify, which conceivably (but not necessarily) was their original purpose.
Danger, yes. Fear, yes. Polls, fuck them and the owners of them. The algorithm’s are manipulated. They are BULLSHIT. DT was voted out. He has NOT gained in popularity. Will he cheat to win? Redundant question.
Now to danger: lock the criminal in chief up, and all of them. Jim Jordan, the insurrectionist, hideous disaster offered by a state in deep sleep and denial. The liars in congress, call them out, and ditch them. Put the responsibility back in the hands of Justice, and voters. If Justice does not speak up, and fast, Americans don’t know the truth. Why is Jim Joran not held accountable for his insurrection? Lies come fast and furious from the criminals- Get the truth , and only the truth coming out of the mouths of our elected officials. How? With leaders who speak the truth: be one of them. I’m talking to you Steve.
Standing on the sidelines, does not change things. Observation is not involvement. Run for office already.
Fear: I’m afraid of the rewards offered to those who speak, but don’t have influence. The rewards are vast. But they change very little.
Our world is in trouble. Opinion will not change that. Action will. We don’t have enough good guys in government, or are they just too meek?
DT has proven that nothing comes of lies, except more popularity. They’ve all learned.
Again, Justice. We let him do this.
How do we get Steve Schmidt to stand in front of a nation and speak his truth? Is that possible?
Another poem I learn to recite when I was young, knowing it was true then in the heat of the Cold War. Oddly this memory reassures me.
We’re going to turn into reclaiming ourselves. I believe that, despite those polls. (I’ve never been polled, nor anyone in my very large (and very Dem family. Hmmm)
Despite Chinas posturing gift to Putin it occurs to me supply lines would be stretched very far and very thin, don’t you?
I have never been polled either. I do not have a land line and wouldn’t answer it if I did. I refuse to listen to polls. Do I think there is a big challenge for Biden, I do. If our country chooses autocracy over democracy next election, that is a statement of just what this country has become. If democracy cannot win with its ONLY tool, voting, I don’t k ow what else can happen except autocracy.
Steve, three things:
1. I'm not afraid!
2. The polls are bullshit! Note: Is this a recurring theme or what?
3. We all need to vote in 2024!
Truer words never spoken.
I am NOT afraid, the polls ARE bullshit, and I'm doing everything I can think of to talk reality to all those I meet about the importance of voting in 2024 to get rid of the cancer in government.
I do worry though seeing mostly the young generation marching, including in college campuses, to demand a ceasefire in Palestine by letting the terrorists win. It will also embolden Putin who calls to end fighting whenever Ukraine is surging in the battlefield. Very young if they do vote might not see the dangers as we do. The Republicans from the South, like Putin in Europe, are also transporting migrants coming in from the borders to Chicago and New York to create divisions among democrats and dissatisfaction of the voters in general. In EU, Putin brings them to Polish borders after flying Syrian refugees to Belarus. Migrants fleeing the destruction in Syria also caused by Putin himself has divided the democrats in EU. Only thing is if by having Pete Buttigieg or Gavin Newsom whom the younger generation seems to identify more with will actually win the elections next year as the gravity of political challenges deepened.
The one thing to know watching what's happening on campuses: those people are 5% of the student population, if that. They're just loud. The far left has been like that forever, and that's why they've never been more than a collection of kooks. Unlike the far right...
It is a losing proposition for far left now to link up with Hamas propaganda supported by Iran.
I think the entitled boobs at Harvard Law School who got their job offers rescinded last week for signing on with Hamas - to their entitled dismay - would now agree with you.
https://youtu.be/TQUf1esl1zQ?si=U2V880S-rjxpPEzf
The west shouldn’t react reflexively but the rhetoric of Palestinian grievances and rejection of Israel legitimacy must be countered very very carefully and relentlessly. It was the root of the ideology that influenced the cause of 911. Remember 911.
My son (mid 20's) tells me virtually everyone he was friends or friendly with in high school and college has bought the Hamas line. So painful when it comes from the left...
The polls showed Hillary Clinton winning.
Just sayin'.
Thank you for this welcome reminder. I do not believe the polls -- the MSM reports results as if they are sacred messages -- and no one I talk with reflects these numbers. (I’m told I live in a blue bubble; I even doubt that.) Who among these writers are examining this?
One of the biggest failings of the political media (and they are legion) is that they report the results of polls as if they were news instead of reporting the actual news. Instead of hearing about what the President is actually DOING, we hear about how he is doing in the polls. This is lazy, misleading, and ultimately dangerous, as it results in a woefully uninformed electorate. Instead of "I'm voting for this person because I like their policies," it's "I'm voting for this person's opponent because the media keeps telling me that he or she is unpopular."
I’m glad you brought up the Jared Middle East peace deal . What a croc . Consequences are only for us mortals . It’s insane that DOJ has not investigated Mnuchin and the treasury too
Yeah, how about that, Middle East Peace, Sickening really, mnuchin, joke.
The theft is staggering . The PPP money , all of it . It was like they all put a pair of pantyhose over their face and a looted America . And we said... ok
Except, they didn't wear pantyhose, Brazen, they know they can get away with it.. Our govt. Is inept, trust me on that one. Sad to say, but true.
I’d like to add a codicil to the second freedom: freedom FROM religion. Too many want to impose their version of their religion on our nation.
YOU need your religion but I don’t, e.g., Christians need Jesus, but our nation of laws does not.
Right On! Thanks.
This is so very true! Religion has always created havoc in so many ways.
I so agree.
Good morning Steve, yest it can be felt, and some of us have been feeling it for some time. The only way to face this is with clear-eyed realism and resolve. Mentioning FDR and the four freedoms should be a touchstone for all of us.
Yes we are seeing horrors only imagined in the middle east. The murder yesterday of a Synagogue President, the tearing down of kidnapped signs indicate how far gone we are down the path of disintegration. However, we can stand firm during this time.
The House speaker fight has other issues we need to address. When R members and their families are being threatened, we need both to speak out and bring in the FBI to identify and DOJ to prosecute. This is where we stand strong and tall. We must stop it, and stop it now before violence, or the threat of violence becomes the norm. That is not who we want to be, and whom we should not allow to become We can do this.
Finally, and from of all places, Frank Herbert's Dune, and the Bene Gesserit and the litany against fear. While SF, it also has a note of what to remember
"I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
Resolve, hard, but necessary.
I read recently that the Chinese have deployed six war ships to the Middle East and is conducting joint military exercises with the Omani’s.
More reason, the US and Israel need to operate with care. In the fog of war, mistakes happen. The Chinese have been harassing our intelligence gathering planes in international waters in the South China Sea for years. This is the first time I’ve heard of the Chinese flexing their military might in the Persian Gulf. Not good news.
As for Gym boy Jordan, did anyone actually think this pathetic “man-child” could be king? “If don’t vote for me, I’m going to unleash the kraken; I mean Hannity on you. Good riddance!
The bad news: this is embarrassing and our adversaries are taking advantage. I’m sure the Chinese decision to move a battle group into the ME had everything to do with TeuDville holding up 300 military promotions as well well as the dysfunction in the House.
As for Trump, it’s a wait and see thing. Hopefully, America will come to its senses next November. That said, I won’t hold my breath; I’m currently looking for an exit strategy.
Happy Sunday all...:)
I think there is finally the point where he will be held accountable. Of course he will jump through hoops and ruin the occupation of as many lawyers as it takes in doing so (no sympathy here for those foolish attorneys). The orange maggot traitor will get what he deserves. All his attempts at an "exit strategy" will be futile if Americans vote out the Traitor Party in 2024.
Agreed. That said, the exit strategy was for me, should Trump win. Sorry for the confusion....:)
Robert, for me, there is no exit. I will work, or fight if I must, to see that traitors to our Constitution and our Democracy are defeated and, if having taken an oath to protect and defend it, punished to the fullest extent allowable. I have taken that oath, and although it was many years ago, I still honor it.
Let's apply that exit strategy to the orange traitor and send him to prison.
Totally agree....:)
Absolutely.
I don't doubt your passion and commitment but what confounds me is your first paragraph could have been written by your average maggot. No offense intended.
There’s the rub.
For the first time, my wife and I seriously discussed what happens if Trump wins what are we gonna do? Do we leave the country? It was a strange conversation. Nothing I ever imagined we would discuss.
Agreed. The fact we’re even thinking of it, is scary enough, but I know he will be a vindictive dictator I’d re-elected and America will suffer greatly, along with the rest of us.
I've been thinking about it since Trump was elected. The people around me, whom I love so very much, are not yet ready to join me. And a couple of the are still borderline Trumpers. But I persist, steadily persist.
It is a great possibility that China can easily help Russia replenish its stockpile of Soviet arsenals via North Korea in the 1000 boxes sent via rail cars recently. Very worrisome as Putin is sending all the top soldiers he was keeping back until now and the rest of the recruits. Ukrainians will fight till they win. But Putin with China and India’s backing is not easily persuaded to give up, especially since he is fighting for his life and he always has disregard for the well being of his people or humanity in general. There is no end to his depravity.
I am about 2.5 hours away from Canadian border
Perfect. I’m about an hour and half from Costa Rica by plane...:)
My 2.5 hours is by car. Pretty easy drive.
How do you say "build that wall" in French?
"Construis ce mur" - I know because I have been practicing French so I can emigrate as well...jk : )
I'm slightly further, by maybe a couple of hours. But I have established close friendships in Canada over many years. I'm fortunate enough to have many foreign friends. Push come to shove, I'd shove off to one of them.
Seems the writing is on the wall, now, teaching people to read. Chinese are the least of our worries, certainly one of them.
We need to be concerned with All the Internal threats. Correct on all as Usual Mr. Jaffee!
I feel pain and suffering. I feel the absence of decency and morality. I am one among millions subjected to orchestrated political and religious wars perpetuated by cons and grifters.
I will not, and absolutely refuse, to give up hope.
It does all of us a disservice to ascribe polls as fact. They are questions designed to support a theory where the results are based upon an infinitesimal segment of voters being guided by questions to pick a bucket.
Every day we are further reduced from sentient beings to data points.
Polls are scams and Trump's "surge" is trolling to convince us we've already lost before the primaries even get underway.
Donald Trump was a joke candidate who went all the way because we didn't believe he could be elected. We trusted our fellow Americans to ignore polls and follow their gut. It was our failure of imagination that elected him.
Why am I always asked to choose what matters most when I believe it's all connected. Isn't every single issue important to survival of life on our planet?
Life happens along a spectrum of ideology, religion and politics. Why is it necessary to put us into buckets? Why is one opinion, candidate, issue, et. al. deemed more valid by virtue of a poll?
I do not trust polls. They are marketing in search of an opinion.
The questions are always flawed. They ask "Do you feel that the country is moving in the right direction?" What the h*** does that mean? Obviously, I would say no, meaning that there is a growing fascist movement in this country. But, if I answered that way, they would attribute my answer to my not supporting President Biden. I think Biden is doing everything he possibly can to right the ship, but that is not the question being asked.
Great comment about polls here. I don't trust them either. Thanks.
This comment was among the top comments I’ve read, maybe since I joined Substack. I concur on all.
I’m speaking of Rose Anne Everson’s comment.
It WAS our failure of imagination that elected Trump along with a do-si-do and-a-promenade right by Russia Russia Russia.
Thank you, especially for this: “It does all of us a disservice to ascribe polls as fact. They are questions designed to support a theory where the results are based upon an infinitesimal segment of voters being guided by questions to pick a bucket.” Absolutely right.
And part 2 of my earlier comment, thank you also for this: “Why am I always asked to choose what matters most when I believe it's all connected. Isn't every single issue important to survival of life on our planet?
“Life happens along a spectrum of ideology, religion and politics. Why is it necessary to put us into buckets? Why is one opinion, candidate, issue, et. al. deemed more valid by virtue of a poll?
“I do not trust polls. They are marketing in search of an opinion.”
Yes, I feel it. It scares me and everyone like me. I'm an anonymous person to 99% of the world. I live in a suburb of a city in CT. I'm a person who struggles at times. I have family and friends. I'm like most Americans just going about living life. I am afraid of Donald trump. He is a man with no conscience. No empathy. No humor. The only thing that matters to him is him. A trump with no restrictions in charge of our great country would create hardships for millions of people. Living would be a very scary, humorless and sad existence. I have a two-year old great-granddaughter. It makes me want to cry. Steve, I read your words intently. You can put into a words what I cannot. I agree with you and what you see. I know I keep thanking you. It's sincere.
@BC you put it into words very well. The fear is palpable to me. The recent polls you mentioned Steve elevates that fear. I know the election is far off and I don’t believe President Biden has really begun his campaign for reelection. The fear is how can there be any question that the President is doing a great job and putting trump back in is a clear and present danger to America. Do they not remember what those four years were like? It’s inconceivable to me. A frequent phrase is God help us, I think it will require lots of his/her help.
‘Do they not remember what those four years were like?’
To them the memories were of great power, defiance and revenge. Finally! The cult grew strong. It felt so good to their previously weak selves they forgot what they stood for and just went with it. They don’t know what it is but they know they want to keep it.
I believe they think that's what they want. The MAGA voters would be in for quite an awakening if Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and anything to help Americans goes away. Who will they blame then?
They will blame whomever is not Trump.
Yes. Sad, silly people blinded by lies.
So blinded they couldn't see the truth if it were placed in front of their opaque eyes. I've never seen such self destructive denial.
They'll find a way to blame Biden. That it all started with him... *sigh*
Makes one want to strip Tom Cole of HIS retirement benefits.
Mr Schmidt,
Your writing is gathering strength. Please find time to do more TV spots. Americans hardly read.
Please keep asking your Twitter followers to subscribe to your YouTube channel. Your YouTube segments are a good alternative for those who may not read your commentaries.
When I first felt the gut-wrenching fear of democracy’s demise was in 2018 during a guided tour in a concentration camp in the Czech Republic. After the tour, our guide insisted everyone, especially those from the United States, watch a film of Hitler speaking to a massive crowd. In that moment, I understood how the masses may be manipulated, and I saw and heard mannerisms and phrases Trump had adapted. Our guide warned us what was coming to the United States. Yes, I feel the “widening gyre.”
Thank you Mr. Schmidt for a common sense essay...well written and well expressed as usual.
I cannot believe, despite your saying so, that its is really true that Trump leads Biden.
Where did the 7,000,000 votes Biden won in last election go? Did those 7 million votes disappear? Have those same people switched over in recent polls to voting for Trump?
The only answer I find plausible is that those votes are still there, but Trump has accrued more than 7 million now than he had before, and that is what would put him over. Am I wrong?
Anyway as for the bulk of your warning. I would say that this country never achieved freedom from the 4 wants FDR warned about. Perhaps it is because a fair system of socialism, in its best usage, ergo mixied with capitailsm, never was successful. Perhaps the zeal of the the wealthy to make the wealth gap ever greater and to make democracy ever smaller succeeded. Perhaps the powerful class made the rich undefeatable now and all-powerful. They were as patient as a Chineese emperor, and when the time came, they choose the perfect blunt instrument--Trump-- to become a dictator under their control. I think he has outwitted them and would kill any rich who oppose him now.
Our only hope is that he did not infiltrate the armed services with moles sufficient enough to perform a coup.
But first please, if you know, answer this: where did those 7 million votes go that made Biden president?
Your admirer,
Tracy
"....this country never achieved freedom from the 4 wants FDR warned about." Yes, Tracy, and there needs to be much more discussion about this. Maybe Steve will take this on? Also, where did those 7 millions votes go?! Thanks.
Yes, where? How could the 7 million votes not have grown by leaps and bounds now that Trump has been shown to be a complete fraud?
Hi Susan, the media wants a 'close race' for their ratings so they can make their billions of dollars. Do the polls play into the media racket for 'infotainment'?
A h a !
Hi Lisa,
So nice to talk with you; it seems it is impossible to speak sensibly to anyone online, not anywhere but in this venue, and we all have to thank Mr. Schmidt for that, right?
Is there anyone who can get to Mr. Schmidt and ask him to discuss his feelings on these questions re: the 4 freedoms and the 7 million votes?
Hi Tracy, up until a couple months ago, we had a much more supportive and interactive community here on 'The Warning'. Some people left, as far as I understand, because of Steve's rants about Biden's age as one main reason. I made friends here that I'm in touch with outside of this forum now. I live in Montana and lost my family to MAGA -this community has been so supportive when I needed that awhile ago, including Steve Schmidt. Steve does very often read our comments and values this community, so he may likely consider the excellent questions you've asked here. I do feel Steve is a high-integrity dedicated person. Best! Lisa
I have admired Steve since he was the anti-Trump person on MSNBC with Nicole Wallace, and his involvement with The Lincoln Project. However, I too became frustrated with his repeated comments about Biden's age, and the public not wanting the Trump-Biden matchup. I expressed my frustration and stayed with the community.
I don't agree with current discussion about polls. Polls haven't been correct in years! Almost no one answers calls from unknown phone numbers. (As someone who has made many phone banking calls, I know this is a fact). Who are these people being polled?
I would recommend another of my favorite Substacks, The Hopium Chronicles, by Simon Rosenberg. His October 21st presentation "With Democrats things get better" uses a perspective of actual results to present a much more positive situation for Biden and Democrats.
I believe we need to have all the positive information we can, if we're going to be out there talking to voters about why they need to vote for Joe Biden. Simon's Hopium provides these facts.
All of the subtacks I consume provide different information and opinions, and I value all of them. The combination gives me a broader understanding of our current world situation. I continue to admire, and respect, Steve Schmidt as an honest person, who is pro-democracy. He has a great knowledge of history and a deep well of political experience, which frame his thoughts and opinions he shares with us.
We must all be vigilant. It's as if half the country's vision is blurred by a phenomenon called "shimmer" in a Stephen King book where the viewer suffering from this spell sees an extremely beautiful or handsome person, when in reality it's an evil witch or monster. Can we break this spell? Our existence will depend on it.
Unfortunately, with Trump gathering about half of the country’s support, I am becoming convinced that Americans are among the dumbest voters in the world! They don’t know the issues and don’t care!
The don’t know what Biden has accomplished and what a Trump presidency would cost America
Unfortunately, watching the documentary by Nancy Pelosi’s daughter, it is clear that Trump supporters are basically poorly educated, unfortunates with checkered pasts and horrible background, at lest many of them. This country is in grave danger !
That's why WE must be informed about the accomplishments of the Biden administration, so we can relay this information to our family, friends and voters. Hopefully, we are all going to be volunteering in our communities: canvassing, phone & text banking, writing postcards & letters or working in a campaign office and, if possible, donating.
I agree, the uninformed voter is a frightening situation. When I canvass door-to-door, I am frustrated by what people don't know; and I'm taking to mostly Democrats and Independents! Unfortunately, this 2024 battle is a fight for democracy we cannot lose!!
And for many Christian fundamentalist evangelicals this is about The Rapture. Donald J Trump is their leader who is going to bring that about.
I believe the Christian’s at the top see it’s all sliding away.
I heard that percentage was in the low 40’s last article I read.
Thank you, JWO. That really gives me pause.
Instead of attacking their delusions , why not start to focus on how to change them. The axioms that these minds can not be changed is a fraud. Maybe they can not be reasoned with but they can be changed. One could even argue that this group is already preselected to be open to the power of suggestion. Progressives shy away from such approaches. See my post in this section
If you listen to these people, it is clear that changing their mind is not likely. They are deluded, convinced that the real facts are false and victims of a list a cult. The way go win is to vote and defeat all their candidates. If we lose our democracy, it will be because of the apathy of the average American .
35% of a voter turnout won’t do it ! The Founding Fathers never imagined the apathy of the public, which didn’t occur in those days!
Perhaps limiting the events that draw crowds would weaken the cult effect. Trump tied up in trials, or in prison, would leave his delusional followers on their own with no rallies to reinforce their wrong headed beliefs.
JWO
Your response that fighting fire with fire is immoral/distasteful is similar to a knee jerk reaction typical with most progressives.
Example: During the Romney/Obama election I suggested a campaign strategy to a number of my progressive contemporaries. There were several regions in pivotal states that had large populations of “Born Again” Christians. Romney is Mormon which apparently has historical friction with “Born Agains”
I’m not well versed in religion, especially this area, and my “thought” experiment may have been completely ridiculous.
But the question I asked was if Obama ads, speeches, in these regions should contain repeated references to Romney’s Mormonism. Now the sample size of my survey was very small, a hundred or so, with little statistical significance (an area I do know to a degree) But the response I got back from progressives was 100% negative. What a silly idea. Who cares what his religion is? The question is how well will he govern!
It is the great hubris of American progressives to believe that their decision methodology of logic, debate, compromise and majority rules is the only way to make decisions. I admit it’s my favorite. But some people decide by fear. Or put a different way, they do not vote for a candidate they like, as much as they vote against a candidate that they fear. Not being any kind of expert in psychology, I propose that if you ask an expert which part of the brain , logic vs fight / flight, wins an all out war its “always” fight / flight.
Democratic pols are constantly focused on finding the “perfect” candidate when a good portion of their time should be spent on portraying the opponent as the “worst”. And it’s not about lying. It’s about bringing up fearful things, and doing so repeatedly. Your link to work by Le Bon was fascinating. But more recent work in the last 100 years will of course be more insightful. The UCLA studies of the early 50s on normal people led to abnormal acts is relevant here. Liz Cheney, (who died politically for our sins!), shepherded her committee to produce a slow, steady, drip drip of bad information that eventually moved the needle. Not a single democrat on that committee understood(initially) what she knew.
As for the ethics of molding information into “effective” messaging (sounds so much nicer than brain washing) I bring up something from my childhood. Raised in Lexington MA, we celebrated April 19, 1776, “Shot heard round the world”. As high schoolers we gave guided tours on how the Lexington Minutemen lined up on the green to confront King Georges hired militia (weren’t even Brits!). Bravely they lined up in rows that were the “civilized” form of combat in those days. What gets less emphasis in the text books was they got mowed down, routed in that battle. They were mostly farmers after all. The column of Hessians, hardly touched, moved on towards Concord. But the Concord Minutemen took to the woods, the ravines and the overlooks. They started picking off the Hessians one by one. By the time the column got to Concord and back, they were mostly gone.
So I stand with the Minutemen of Concord, the Jews of the Warsaw Ghetto, the Marines in the Battle of Belleau Wood.
What they did was not pretty. They did what they had to.
We are not currently in a shooting war where large numbers of American soldiers are in harms way.
I hope that we will not be.
But we are smack in the middle of a fierce, world wide, information war.
We had better get down to business and win this or we soon will be in a shooting war.
Your idea of ideal/best is probably quite similar to my own
Problem is that progressive political pundits (PPP / P cubed) looks at the world “the way is should be” rather than “the way it is”.
You essay is full of leaps, a “hit parade” of political fumbles.
Our second amendment bars Congress from acting w.r.t religion. There is no “freedom of religion” w.r.t political speak.
Even your unwarranted assumption about “besmirching” is revealing. Advertisers will tell you that praising Romney’s good work with the Mormon church ( 5 times a day ) moves the needle if the target audience hates Mormons. Candidate Mondale inadvertently gave a shout out to Dick Cheney’s daughter who’d fallen ill. Wished her well. There was a wave of attack ads, speeches, articles about Mondale’s unethical act drawing a candidates children into open political debate. Mondale and the Democratic Pols were confused and bemused by the outpouring of attacks. But the republicans were engaged in an Ohio State referendum on “Protection of Marriage” . It was need to bump conservative turnout and secure the Ohio electoral votes for Bush II. What they knew that we still don’t is that, even positive comments, which raise awareness that Cheney’s daughter had an openly gay family was bad politics for them.
I’ve seen 70 years as well and can point to many examples where hypnotizer Trump couldn’t get through at all. When he finally advised followers to the vaccinate he was almost booed of the stage.
He won’t talk about abortion. Poll numbers point one way but his backers are running the other way. He is powerless to stop them.
Liz Chaney’s work on the Jan 7 committee moved the needle on Trumps popularity a lot. She was in charge of the drama with which Jan 6 findings were presented. She understands the power of presenting hate anger and fear. We are clueless.
You are very big on “hypnotizing”. I’m not really that knowledgeable.
I have been on the edge of advertising campaigns however where all kinds of money was spent and results were demanded. Don’t remember a line item for hypnosis.
But you are correct, messaging that centered on bonhomie were there.
Your reference to Reagan’s “morning in America” has merit. But you must have been wearing the reddest of rose colored glasses because his campaign was full of hate anger and fear: fear of the government, fear of being taken hostage, fear that living GIs were being held hostage in North Vietnam, fear that unions were lard factories, fear that women who worked were destroying their families, fear that homosexuals were evil and aids was gods retribution, fear that marijuana was addictive and required decades of incarceration , fear of the welfare queen. I could go on. You may want to put aside Le Brons methodology and read up on people like Worthlin, Atwater, Rove, and their many disciples working today. These people were masters of their art and we have been losing easy elections ever since. After this many decades of “turning a blind eye” I have come to suspect that they find such mind bending techniques distasteful. But it is what is needed to be done. If we want political debate to be free of this strangle hold we must confront it / neutralize it, render it useless.
The next time you are in discussion with a magarat, see if they are one of those that hate/fear Russia. It is a large group within that circle. Then pummel away on all the connections between Trump and Putin. They will go quite, or explode, or any number of other signs that they’ve been hit hard by what you are saying. This is how you know. This is how mind moving works. It’s not pretty but it is what we have to do. There are those those progressives that can not handle it. Those that use a rhetoric appropriate to more civilized times. These people should step back, tune down their comments, and support those that are better able to do battle.
Remember there were contentious objectors in WWII. But they worked the hospitals, drove ambulances, supported the war effort in some other way. Through out my seventy plus years I’ve heard the argument that Hitler could have been equally defeated with some form of Ghana’s passive resistance. Some of the arguments have been compelling. I’ve just never bought any of them
I don’t think you are crazy, you are prescient just as you were when you predicted Jan 6 in your video above. It is why I pay close attention to your every word since the first time I heard you on Deadline Whitehouse. I feel it too. The only way out is through with strength, courage and resolve.
"The only way out is through with strength, courage and resolve." Right On!! Thanks :-)
I am clueless about elections business. This is a great place for me to learn something everyday.
Right there with you May!
If I may, Steve, please. Don’t quote polls. Polls were one thing, and now they are another. They are made now to confuse, not to clarify, which conceivably (but not necessarily) was their original purpose.
Danger, yes. Fear, yes. Polls, fuck them and the owners of them. The algorithm’s are manipulated. They are BULLSHIT. DT was voted out. He has NOT gained in popularity. Will he cheat to win? Redundant question.
Now to danger: lock the criminal in chief up, and all of them. Jim Jordan, the insurrectionist, hideous disaster offered by a state in deep sleep and denial. The liars in congress, call them out, and ditch them. Put the responsibility back in the hands of Justice, and voters. If Justice does not speak up, and fast, Americans don’t know the truth. Why is Jim Joran not held accountable for his insurrection? Lies come fast and furious from the criminals- Get the truth , and only the truth coming out of the mouths of our elected officials. How? With leaders who speak the truth: be one of them. I’m talking to you Steve.
Standing on the sidelines, does not change things. Observation is not involvement. Run for office already.
Fear: I’m afraid of the rewards offered to those who speak, but don’t have influence. The rewards are vast. But they change very little.
Our world is in trouble. Opinion will not change that. Action will. We don’t have enough good guys in government, or are they just too meek?
DT has proven that nothing comes of lies, except more popularity. They’ve all learned.
Again, Justice. We let him do this.
How do we get Steve Schmidt to stand in front of a nation and speak his truth? Is that possible?
Marc, I 100% Agree. We need strong truth-speakers for leaders. Go Schmidt!
Another poem I learn to recite when I was young, knowing it was true then in the heat of the Cold War. Oddly this memory reassures me.
We’re going to turn into reclaiming ourselves. I believe that, despite those polls. (I’ve never been polled, nor anyone in my very large (and very Dem family. Hmmm)
Despite Chinas posturing gift to Putin it occurs to me supply lines would be stretched very far and very thin, don’t you?
I have never been polled either. I do not have a land line and wouldn’t answer it if I did. I refuse to listen to polls. Do I think there is a big challenge for Biden, I do. If our country chooses autocracy over democracy next election, that is a statement of just what this country has become. If democracy cannot win with its ONLY tool, voting, I don’t k ow what else can happen except autocracy.
Are the Chinese planning on attacking Israel and/or our carrier groups? What can their end-game be here???
If they attack our carrier group their entire navy will find itself on the bottom of the ocean.