Right again. My “yes and” to that is about the most vile projection the GOP casts on Democrats, drag queens & LGBTQIA individuals: pedophilia. Kansas passed a law to inspect the genitals of children who want to play sports. One after another, GOP operatives, aides & party members are being convicted of child pornography & sexual abuse of minors. Sone of these people work at schools or are church pastors. The extreme MAGA members of the House are obsessed with grooming , homosexuality, transvestism, transgenderism & public urination. Lest we forget that the MAGA King 🍊🤡 is credibly accused of the rape of an underage girl during a party organized by Jeffrey Epstein as well as the sexual assault of dozens of women. The party that embraces the fascism of Donald Trump should be held to account for embracing his sexual perversions as well.
Marlene, thank you for this. You reminded me of what we too often forget - and virtually no one talks about. Many of is perversions are in fact sexual. Focusing on this makes me look at him even differently - not sure why. We need to say this over and over and over.
"MAGA extremism does a disservice to centrist Democrats and Independents who are justifiably critical of trans activists' excesses. One such excess is activists' success in making it anathema on the left and among progressives in particular to raise any objections to orthodox trans views on any topic. When someone challenges those views even in a nuanced and balanced manner, trans activists and their allies bully dissidents in social media and seek to cancel them instead of discussing the issues on their merits"
I understand the Trump crime family is on everyone's mind. Their criminal history is known to all and in some ways has touched us all by dividing brother against brother. However, I believe we are missing the reporting of more important news. Thousands of children left their classrooms and walked out to protest gun violence. More children lose their lives to gun violence than any other cause of death. We need to support the children and raise our voices also in protest until Republicans finally do their job and give us gun legislation that will turn the tide of gun insanity. We need a National ban of assault weapons and high capacity magazines. We need universal background checks and mental health wellness exams for anyone who wishes a gun carry permit.
I realize Trump is on everyone's mind but our future is in our children and they have targets painted on their backs. The answer is not having more guns in the classroom. It is having conversations in classrooms about gun violence and its causes. We do not need book bans we need assault weapons bans.
Thank you, Patrick, for advocating for children and the banning of assault weapons, as well as for more comprehensive reporting on what is actually happening in our country: highly important and critical issues and events that will affect the future of the U.S.A.
What is Happening in TN is shameful. Republicans are expelling 3 Democrats for expressing the Constitutional right to protest. What is happening is anti-democratic. Whatever happened to the 1st amendment. This is the 21st century version of the Scopes Monkey Trial. This day will go down as the day TN Republicans ripped up the Constitution for petty power and to hold onto their assult weapons.
It is apparent that the 1st amendment only seems to apply to the Ruthless Republicans, not to anyone else: total hypocrisy and entirely anti-constitutional.
I couldn’t agree with you more Patrick, if we can’t protect our children and grandchildren we are doomed. No one needs to be walking around carrying an assault rifle whose single best function is to very efficiently kill people in large numbers as rapidly as possible. It’s the height of insanity that we are even having this conversation, of course no sane people want to arm to the teeth the most unhinged among them, which is precisely what we are doing. It’s lunacy to think that protecting an interpretation of the second amendment, as our founders envisioned it in an era of muzzle loading single shot rifles, is more important than the lives of our children. There are 20 million assault weapons in the population, it’s going to be expensive to buy them all back, but we need to do it and make them illegal to possess. I say this as a gun owner, hunter, and former competitive shooter who has no interest in ever owning an assault rifle.
I’d like to see Congress allocate money to be used to support any town or city in holding gun buy back programs. Kind of
like the superfund for the toxic waste sites clean up in the past. A superfund to support any locality to hold gun buy back events. Can we get them to vote on this at least?
Steve, how do we petition Congress to take this on? The ones that don’t want to ban guns shouldn’t object cause no one is asking them to ban anything. Just provide funds to support tons of buy back programs everywhere across the country.
Yes, I approached somebody in a local progressive Democrat group in Montana about a peaceful protest on military-style weapons. He basically said he thought it was too dangerous -MAGA and their big trucks and guns -so the intimidation of 'violence' is working on some, but not on me. I'll take a risk and put myself and my voice out there for Our children, our safety. I know many people will. We'll do our best because we must.
The lack of other news in main stream leaves others to pick up which can be done looking into Substack and others. The media landscape is changing as the big ones focus on one issue.
We may be stuck in reporting and opinion making about the gop and trump as they are a massive obstruction. A boulder in the stream. Without them going in this incarnation of their making they will continue to push us into authoritarianism. Once that stops or is stopped we can move forward with the democratic work. We are making headway as in evidence with the indictments. But I do do agree with you generally, of course.
Franklin D. Roosevelt: "Knowledge -that is, education in its true sense -is our best protection against unreasoning prejudice and panic-making fear, whether engendered by special interest, illiberal minorities, or panic-stricken leaders."
Education obliterates fear, misunderstanding, and prejudice. The more you learn about what makes us who we are, the easier it is to see each other through our common interests as opposed to our differences, ultimately making for a more cohesive society.
We have many challenges to overcome in our country, but without quality education, particularly in the areas of civics and critical thinking skills, we may be doomed. An educated republic is essential to protecting the core values of our Democracy. Thanks.
Your comment is the reason why Republicans have been trying to destroy the public education system in America. If you overlay the maps of educational attainment & voting, they are identical. The most educated areas vote Democratic, the least vote Republican.
Yes, we must do more to make what is going on known to the public. This may very much help with the youth-vote, as well as other sectors of the population. If/when people fully understand that they're intentionally being dumbed-down so they can be controlled more effectively, maybe they'll rise up, at least some. Otherwise, they may as well be cows in a field with tags in their ears. We're in a sad and scary predicament in this country. Thanks.
Reagan as governor of California cut state college funding for the first time and that trend continued. The reasons were not just to save money but ideological. It was during the Vietnam war where many peaceful protests happened on college campuses. The conservative right sees education and college as a place to indoctrinate people to become left-wing socialist liberals. The cost of education and student debt can be traced back to Reagan.
Yes, this is a strategic way to dumb-down the populace for the purposes of minority rule. Biden's attempts to make higher education (and community college free?), as well as to help students pay off their loans, must certainly be a way to counter-act what has happened with educational programs, as you mentioned, since Reagan. I understand that we almost have a single issue for 2024 (Democracy vs Autocracy), but beyond that, I see this educational issue as one of the top priorities, along with economics as Tim Ryan explains, in order to get this country on the right track going forward. Thanks.
Well said. I know I will continue to speak out loudly and often to counter those who are complicit in their efforts to support a traitor and criminal, and therefore the demise of our Democracy. I will work to improve it, not destroy it. Thanks, Steve. More need to hear your words and heed your warning.
Keeping it real. Steve’s essays are like a cold splash of water to my face in the morning, waking me up to today’s realities. Living in Florida we need all the help we can get to counteract the cultural chloroform dispensed daily by DeSantis.
It is getting worse. What is going on at the state houses, in these red states is horrifying. Iowa, TN, Kansas, TX, FL, my own state of Indiana. People are screaming as they vote for the same Fascist over and over, because Democrats are evil. I blame Trump as the portal that opened up the black hole that is consuming us, but my disdain falls squarely on the religious right. Actually I blame Constantine the Great. Haha. Right now I know of no other group that has the power, the money and the desire to destroy this country, remaking it into something that resembles nothing of the teachings of Jesus.
Steve, I share your sentiments completely re: all of the harms Trump has imparted upon our country. To think that he’s still preaching election corruption; he has never stopped undermining that most precious bedrock of democratic society. Also, the NYC criminal case was attended by more anti-Trump people than pro-Trumpers. I’m afraid to see what the turn-out will be like in Georgia. Overall though, I firmly believe that these upcoming court proceedings, one-by-one will chip away at Trump’s teflon and his followers will appear only as bigger idiots and fools with each court-case. I hope and pray that the tide is finally turning, but yes, the damage Trump caused and his stench will persist for many, many years. Such a terrible chapter in our nation’s history.
A powerful and accurate assessment of the sad and dangerous state of America's body politic today. Unfortunately, traitorous men like Gnewt Gingrich, Lewis Powell, Rupert Murdoch and the Kock Brothers sewed the discord that made the rise of a monster like trump possible. Men like these are the wannabe oligarchs
Spot on about MTGrossmeout! That is why I supported the 60 Minutes interview. For those that saw (instead of protested) it, there was a humorous look of terror in those dead eyes. Thank You!
Good morning and Steve, a good call to action. Between some good news in Wisconsin, some bad news in North Carolina, some awful news in Tennessee and some really bizarre news out of Kansas ( you’re checking what) we have work ahead to see the green shoots Steve envisioned.
Think of what you can do to help it will take all of us.
This is so spot on, Steve. Do the TV networks not get this? The print folks seem to. What struck me is that the coverage of Trump on Tuesday -- the motorcade to the airport, plane taking off, motorcade, shots of him coming and going -- was exactly what propelled him into office in 2016. He is STILL being covered as if he is the president. That, to me, is the single most destructive aspect of this. Because it seems to validate his continuing assertion that he is and should be President. It is irresponsible and contributes to the continued sickness in this country. Leslie Stahl, who was once OK as an interviewer (never great) is the last person who should have done an interview with Marjorie Traitor Green. That needed a Jonathan Swan. Or Amanpour. Or a woman with grit. When she replied about was she responsible for everything until she was 12 the answer should have been: of course. You are a member of the House. You are in politics. You are responsible for your entire life’s words and deeds when you run for office and they are all open for examination. And the question should have been asked again and again until she walked off or answered. Meanwhile: how on earth did that woman obtain a reported net worth of $12 million? No one seems to ever have looked into that.
The reality that tRumps legal armageddon starts in NY is Karma at its finest. He's vilified in NY, always has been for decades for the simple fact that NYers having been somewhat fooled by his performative artistry, then realized he is, a charlatan and as you wrote "overwhelming evidence of his malice, incompetence, disloyalty and utter disregard for the American people". Americans coast to coast are now having that same epiphany - this clown is not an empty suit, but a cheap suit full of sh-t
My only question is why did it take this long? He's been a shallow grifter and con from the beginning--50+ years. The phony "Apprentice" should have sealed the deal on Trump's narcissism and hollowness. He is a very dangerous specimen only because there are persons who cannot distinguish the difference between fact and fiction.
Long over due. Get congress to a democratic stronghold, the likes of which Joe Manchin is made irrelevant, and his lying about being a democrat won’t matter. Ms. Sinema becomes an unelected independent, then the strongest of our democratic defenders can govern. This would silence MTG and JJ. After the present fiasco, perhaps their supporters will turn on their heels- who knows.
Watching the fervor with which these power hungry liars protect their positions and their newly minted Trumperica is a sight to be hold.
Indeed it’s the American people who have to choose democracy.
It definitely is a suicide mission. Reinforcing the MAGA base only helps Democracies in 2024. The 60/40 split remains, and the spectacle of MTG on 60 Minutes and the arraignment on Tuesday is just firing up each side. The breakdown of CNN’s poll on support for indicting Trump was enlightening. 60% support the indictments, including about 19 of 20 Democrats, 3 of 5 independents, and 1 of every 5 Republicans. However, the last two years has proven the only thing you can get this coalition to agree on is that Trump should be in jail and not in the White House. That’s unfortunate. We should be focusing on reinforcing our democracy rather than this clown show.
Right again. My “yes and” to that is about the most vile projection the GOP casts on Democrats, drag queens & LGBTQIA individuals: pedophilia. Kansas passed a law to inspect the genitals of children who want to play sports. One after another, GOP operatives, aides & party members are being convicted of child pornography & sexual abuse of minors. Sone of these people work at schools or are church pastors. The extreme MAGA members of the House are obsessed with grooming , homosexuality, transvestism, transgenderism & public urination. Lest we forget that the MAGA King 🍊🤡 is credibly accused of the rape of an underage girl during a party organized by Jeffrey Epstein as well as the sexual assault of dozens of women. The party that embraces the fascism of Donald Trump should be held to account for embracing his sexual perversions as well.
Marlene, thank you for this. You reminded me of what we too often forget - and virtually no one talks about. Many of is perversions are in fact sexual. Focusing on this makes me look at him even differently - not sure why. We need to say this over and over and over.
He's going to become a "credibly accused rapist" when the E. Jean Carroll trial is over.
Well said!
You should Mind your own business. Let people decide what is right for them as you decided what was right for you.
"MAGA extremism does a disservice to centrist Democrats and Independents who are justifiably critical of trans activists' excesses. One such excess is activists' success in making it anathema on the left and among progressives in particular to raise any objections to orthodox trans views on any topic. When someone challenges those views even in a nuanced and balanced manner, trans activists and their allies bully dissidents in social media and seek to cancel them instead of discussing the issues on their merits"
I rest my case.
Drop dead you piece of shit.
As an aging hippie liberal Democrat, agreeing with former GOP operatives still surprises me. This one brings me to 96% this morning.
Me too. I question am I a liberal, hippie or Dem. anymore. Labels have changed for sure!
Now that I have had my 75th birthday, I just pick whatever I feel like that day.
Happy birthday, Liz!
Yes, Happy Birthday, Liz! I( love your comment here.) XO
Fantastic and so True! Freedom. (p.s. I'm working on an art piece about that -your timing is amazing, as always:)
I understand the Trump crime family is on everyone's mind. Their criminal history is known to all and in some ways has touched us all by dividing brother against brother. However, I believe we are missing the reporting of more important news. Thousands of children left their classrooms and walked out to protest gun violence. More children lose their lives to gun violence than any other cause of death. We need to support the children and raise our voices also in protest until Republicans finally do their job and give us gun legislation that will turn the tide of gun insanity. We need a National ban of assault weapons and high capacity magazines. We need universal background checks and mental health wellness exams for anyone who wishes a gun carry permit.
I realize Trump is on everyone's mind but our future is in our children and they have targets painted on their backs. The answer is not having more guns in the classroom. It is having conversations in classrooms about gun violence and its causes. We do not need book bans we need assault weapons bans.
Thank you, Patrick, for advocating for children and the banning of assault weapons, as well as for more comprehensive reporting on what is actually happening in our country: highly important and critical issues and events that will affect the future of the U.S.A.
What is Happening in TN is shameful. Republicans are expelling 3 Democrats for expressing the Constitutional right to protest. What is happening is anti-democratic. Whatever happened to the 1st amendment. This is the 21st century version of the Scopes Monkey Trial. This day will go down as the day TN Republicans ripped up the Constitution for petty power and to hold onto their assult weapons.
It is apparent that the 1st amendment only seems to apply to the Ruthless Republicans, not to anyone else: total hypocrisy and entirely anti-constitutional.
I couldn’t agree with you more Patrick, if we can’t protect our children and grandchildren we are doomed. No one needs to be walking around carrying an assault rifle whose single best function is to very efficiently kill people in large numbers as rapidly as possible. It’s the height of insanity that we are even having this conversation, of course no sane people want to arm to the teeth the most unhinged among them, which is precisely what we are doing. It’s lunacy to think that protecting an interpretation of the second amendment, as our founders envisioned it in an era of muzzle loading single shot rifles, is more important than the lives of our children. There are 20 million assault weapons in the population, it’s going to be expensive to buy them all back, but we need to do it and make them illegal to possess. I say this as a gun owner, hunter, and former competitive shooter who has no interest in ever owning an assault rifle.
I’d like to see Congress allocate money to be used to support any town or city in holding gun buy back programs. Kind of
like the superfund for the toxic waste sites clean up in the past. A superfund to support any locality to hold gun buy back events. Can we get them to vote on this at least?
Excellent Idea, Callie. Let's get going on this one way or another. Thanks.
Steve, how do we petition Congress to take this on? The ones that don’t want to ban guns shouldn’t object cause no one is asking them to ban anything. Just provide funds to support tons of buy back programs everywhere across the country.
There is a NDOP
Natl Day of Protest Apr 21 to demonstrate solidarity and call for reinstatement of thru assault weapons ban
Thank you!
In D.C., Mia?
No, I believe "where you are," - e.g. local, throughout communities
#NDOP
Thanks very much for this information. (Glad it's local. I wouldn't be able to get to D.C.!)
Great! National? Thanks.
I also wish there would be organized marches on Washington as there were against the Vietnam war. I would certainly be a part of that.
We need a lot more peaceful protest! So proud of the folks in Nashville. We need another summer of protests but peaceful for a whole lot of issues.
Yes, I approached somebody in a local progressive Democrat group in Montana about a peaceful protest on military-style weapons. He basically said he thought it was too dangerous -MAGA and their big trucks and guns -so the intimidation of 'violence' is working on some, but not on me. I'll take a risk and put myself and my voice out there for Our children, our safety. I know many people will. We'll do our best because we must.
p.s...and 'No' I will not be 'safer' with a gun, as a teacher or a protestor.
The lack of other news in main stream leaves others to pick up which can be done looking into Substack and others. The media landscape is changing as the big ones focus on one issue.
We may be stuck in reporting and opinion making about the gop and trump as they are a massive obstruction. A boulder in the stream. Without them going in this incarnation of their making they will continue to push us into authoritarianism. Once that stops or is stopped we can move forward with the democratic work. We are making headway as in evidence with the indictments. But I do do agree with you generally, of course.
Franklin D. Roosevelt: "Knowledge -that is, education in its true sense -is our best protection against unreasoning prejudice and panic-making fear, whether engendered by special interest, illiberal minorities, or panic-stricken leaders."
Education obliterates fear, misunderstanding, and prejudice. The more you learn about what makes us who we are, the easier it is to see each other through our common interests as opposed to our differences, ultimately making for a more cohesive society.
We have many challenges to overcome in our country, but without quality education, particularly in the areas of civics and critical thinking skills, we may be doomed. An educated republic is essential to protecting the core values of our Democracy. Thanks.
Your comment is the reason why Republicans have been trying to destroy the public education system in America. If you overlay the maps of educational attainment & voting, they are identical. The most educated areas vote Democratic, the least vote Republican.
Yes, we must do more to make what is going on known to the public. This may very much help with the youth-vote, as well as other sectors of the population. If/when people fully understand that they're intentionally being dumbed-down so they can be controlled more effectively, maybe they'll rise up, at least some. Otherwise, they may as well be cows in a field with tags in their ears. We're in a sad and scary predicament in this country. Thanks.
It is a concentrated effort by the Republican to dumb down the voting public. You can see the evidence in the Red states.
Reagan as governor of California cut state college funding for the first time and that trend continued. The reasons were not just to save money but ideological. It was during the Vietnam war where many peaceful protests happened on college campuses. The conservative right sees education and college as a place to indoctrinate people to become left-wing socialist liberals. The cost of education and student debt can be traced back to Reagan.
Yes, this is a strategic way to dumb-down the populace for the purposes of minority rule. Biden's attempts to make higher education (and community college free?), as well as to help students pay off their loans, must certainly be a way to counter-act what has happened with educational programs, as you mentioned, since Reagan. I understand that we almost have a single issue for 2024 (Democracy vs Autocracy), but beyond that, I see this educational issue as one of the top priorities, along with economics as Tim Ryan explains, in order to get this country on the right track going forward. Thanks.
We’ll said. Couldn’t agree more, Lisa.
Well...not “we’ll”!
Well said. I know I will continue to speak out loudly and often to counter those who are complicit in their efforts to support a traitor and criminal, and therefore the demise of our Democracy. I will work to improve it, not destroy it. Thanks, Steve. More need to hear your words and heed your warning.
Keeping it real. Steve’s essays are like a cold splash of water to my face in the morning, waking me up to today’s realities. Living in Florida we need all the help we can get to counteract the cultural chloroform dispensed daily by DeSantis.
"cultural chloroform" -really great wording and so frighteningly true -thanks, Pam.
It is getting worse. What is going on at the state houses, in these red states is horrifying. Iowa, TN, Kansas, TX, FL, my own state of Indiana. People are screaming as they vote for the same Fascist over and over, because Democrats are evil. I blame Trump as the portal that opened up the black hole that is consuming us, but my disdain falls squarely on the religious right. Actually I blame Constantine the Great. Haha. Right now I know of no other group that has the power, the money and the desire to destroy this country, remaking it into something that resembles nothing of the teachings of Jesus.
Forced Armageddon.
I agree. The media-for-profit is their Megaphone. We're in big trouble.
Steve, I share your sentiments completely re: all of the harms Trump has imparted upon our country. To think that he’s still preaching election corruption; he has never stopped undermining that most precious bedrock of democratic society. Also, the NYC criminal case was attended by more anti-Trump people than pro-Trumpers. I’m afraid to see what the turn-out will be like in Georgia. Overall though, I firmly believe that these upcoming court proceedings, one-by-one will chip away at Trump’s teflon and his followers will appear only as bigger idiots and fools with each court-case. I hope and pray that the tide is finally turning, but yes, the damage Trump caused and his stench will persist for many, many years. Such a terrible chapter in our nation’s history.
A powerful and accurate assessment of the sad and dangerous state of America's body politic today. Unfortunately, traitorous men like Gnewt Gingrich, Lewis Powell, Rupert Murdoch and the Kock Brothers sewed the discord that made the rise of a monster like trump possible. Men like these are the wannabe oligarchs
Spot on about MTGrossmeout! That is why I supported the 60 Minutes interview. For those that saw (instead of protested) it, there was a humorous look of terror in those dead eyes. Thank You!
Good morning and Steve, a good call to action. Between some good news in Wisconsin, some bad news in North Carolina, some awful news in Tennessee and some really bizarre news out of Kansas ( you’re checking what) we have work ahead to see the green shoots Steve envisioned.
Think of what you can do to help it will take all of us.
This is so spot on, Steve. Do the TV networks not get this? The print folks seem to. What struck me is that the coverage of Trump on Tuesday -- the motorcade to the airport, plane taking off, motorcade, shots of him coming and going -- was exactly what propelled him into office in 2016. He is STILL being covered as if he is the president. That, to me, is the single most destructive aspect of this. Because it seems to validate his continuing assertion that he is and should be President. It is irresponsible and contributes to the continued sickness in this country. Leslie Stahl, who was once OK as an interviewer (never great) is the last person who should have done an interview with Marjorie Traitor Green. That needed a Jonathan Swan. Or Amanpour. Or a woman with grit. When she replied about was she responsible for everything until she was 12 the answer should have been: of course. You are a member of the House. You are in politics. You are responsible for your entire life’s words and deeds when you run for office and they are all open for examination. And the question should have been asked again and again until she walked off or answered. Meanwhile: how on earth did that woman obtain a reported net worth of $12 million? No one seems to ever have looked into that.
The reality that tRumps legal armageddon starts in NY is Karma at its finest. He's vilified in NY, always has been for decades for the simple fact that NYers having been somewhat fooled by his performative artistry, then realized he is, a charlatan and as you wrote "overwhelming evidence of his malice, incompetence, disloyalty and utter disregard for the American people". Americans coast to coast are now having that same epiphany - this clown is not an empty suit, but a cheap suit full of sh-t
My only question is why did it take this long? He's been a shallow grifter and con from the beginning--50+ years. The phony "Apprentice" should have sealed the deal on Trump's narcissism and hollowness. He is a very dangerous specimen only because there are persons who cannot distinguish the difference between fact and fiction.
tRump understand how to incite a person's primitive brain (fight or flight; anger or fear) -which is a tactic a cult-leader uses.
Long over due. Get congress to a democratic stronghold, the likes of which Joe Manchin is made irrelevant, and his lying about being a democrat won’t matter. Ms. Sinema becomes an unelected independent, then the strongest of our democratic defenders can govern. This would silence MTG and JJ. After the present fiasco, perhaps their supporters will turn on their heels- who knows.
Watching the fervor with which these power hungry liars protect their positions and their newly minted Trumperica is a sight to be hold.
Indeed it’s the American people who have to choose democracy.
Great essay. Happy Passover, Steve. Chag sameach.
It definitely is a suicide mission. Reinforcing the MAGA base only helps Democracies in 2024. The 60/40 split remains, and the spectacle of MTG on 60 Minutes and the arraignment on Tuesday is just firing up each side. The breakdown of CNN’s poll on support for indicting Trump was enlightening. 60% support the indictments, including about 19 of 20 Democrats, 3 of 5 independents, and 1 of every 5 Republicans. However, the last two years has proven the only thing you can get this coalition to agree on is that Trump should be in jail and not in the White House. That’s unfortunate. We should be focusing on reinforcing our democracy rather than this clown show.
...only helps *Democrats...