I posted this on your last presentation but, I think it warrants a re-post on this one, as it is even more relevant:
Anthony j. Santo
Anthony’s Substack
34m
It is not only Trump who is enamored of Elon Musk. Apparently Sen. Rand Paul has fallen under this weird man’s spell:
Rand Paul has suggested that the House replace the pathetic sycophant Johnson as Speaker of the House with the even more dangerous and insane oligarch Elon Musk!!!!
In a post, he said, “The Speaker of the House need not be a member of Congress…Nothing would disrupt the swamp more than electing Elon Musk…think about it…nothing’s impossible. (not to mention the joy at seeing the collective establishment, aka ‘uniparty,’ lose their ever-lovin' minds)”
How the hell did this moron ever become an M.D. or senator? Doesn’t he realize that his post is elitist and so partisan as to be harmful to the country? Does he really believe the man who got a huge return on his 227 million dollar investment in Trump’s election will do what is best for ordinary Americans? What a disgusting human being this man is. Are there any decent people in the Trump/Maga movement?
By definition and hypocracy. There is no AGAIN. It is and they are here to destroy it. Just like Huxley laid bare in 1984. If they say red, you know it's green.
I know you don't need to be a member of Congress to be Speaker, but do you have to be eligible to be president? It's never happened that both the president and vice president died simultaneously, but just in case...
I imagine it would be okay, but he would be passed over for the next candidate if the POTUS and VP were both vacant at once. Henry Kissinger and Madeleine Albright were both Secretary of State, 4th in line, and it wasn’t considered an issue. I don’t want Musk in the job (except for laughs), but I don’t think presidential succession is an issue with it.
Oh my, Sam Rayburn was a favorite of my Republican parents! When I was 6 we were given a beautiful parrot that mother and dad named “Mr. Sam” because he was “speaker of our house”🤣. We loved that talkative bird and he was with us for 30 years.
If anyone is feeling down and would like a solid pick-me-up, I highly recommend David McCullough's "Truman". Harry S. Truman was just a splendid man and human being and someone who never forgot who he was and where he came from. He lived his life like his deceased elders were watching down from above. He was an accident of history, at one of our most fraught periods, and yet he rose to the occasion every time. His life is a story about the importance of morals, hard work, honor and humility.
Many years ago I was stunned at the elevation of anti-intellectualism. The glorification of ignorance, denunciation of expertise....but, of course, today, I understand it completely. Dumbing down the citizenry, gaslighting them into a mentally ill state, allows the criminal element, literally, take over the country and kleptocratic lunacy can prevail. Americans are going to pay dearly for this election. Trump has already met with the pharmaceutical barons, he is gunning for hollowing out the colleges with accreditation (after all, you can't have a thinking, intelligent electorate), he will gut Obamacare and give it to the insurance companies, bird flu has already infected an American, Trump can kill off many Americans with another pandemic (there's voter suppression for ya), anticipate a federal abortion ban finally nailing the blue states, oh, and did I mention death? There will be plenty of that with any social unrest, sicking the para military and the regular military on the American people, economic dislocation, watch out, god only knows the devastation that could be. Look for Christianity to toxically begin to infect our laws, schools, everywhere in your life.
Thank you so much for this post. As a lifelong Texan, it breaks my heart that many people don’t know about Sam Rayburn, LBJ, Ann Richards, Barbara Jordan etc. We Democrats have to get back in the saddle.
My son is named Sam. I'm going to retroactively name him after Sam Rayburn. Thanks for the history lesson. Hopefully what we once were, we can be again. We need to rid the government of the buffoonery and make sure Hakeem is on the nameplate in 2026. The only problem is that President Musk might dismantle it by then. Thanks for another insightful article.
Steve, I am so often ashamed to be a Texan these days. Abbott, Paxton, Cruz and most of the rest are caricatures of leaders or even politicians. It is embarrassing. I am well aware of the failings and schemings and even worse of Johnson and I am sure to some extent of Sam Rayburn too; HOWEVER, they were serious men doing serious and important work as you so eloquently pointed out today. The contrast with our “leadership” today is stark and so shameful and pathetic. Texas and Texans(and many others) have failed our country and continue to do so right now. To continue to elect buffoons like Cruz is inexplicable and sad. By the way, Eisenhower was born in Denison, Texas, although he of course did grow up in Abilene, Kansas as you said. Three native Texans were leading the country in the 1950’s. Those were the days my friend………Not perfect by any means, but looking out for the common good……Oh, to see that again…….
My heart goes out to you. I agree with all you said. At age 79, I moved out of Texas and it was one of the best decisions of my entire life. The best thing I did as a Blue Texan was to try to help others who were being severely hurt by the sadistic, dishonest, evil and I do mean evil so-called leaders. During my growing up years, I heard my dad rant & rave about LBJ and his early misdeeds (Ballot Box 13 in Duval County) but now I look at the incredible list of his accomplishments and have to think well at least he redeemed himself in some noteworthy ways. Sadly, we won't be seeing the same in Abbott, Paxton, and Cruz. I hope you can take a trip to a well-managed state like Michigan, Minnesota, or Washington. Good luck to you!
Thank you for this Steve. The present Speaker of the House and his ridiculous predecessor have demeaned that office. The mid term elections must correct this. Everyone must vote. Everyone has to work to bring our government back to its responsibility for justice, equality and most of all honor.
Just love the history mix in with your articles...all very enlightening and encouraging that THE GOOD GUYS will come back...that TFG is an aberration not only a human species but how the American people cannot see through him and his grift and stupidity and narcissistic drive to bleed American Democracy at all costs.
Yes, Sam Rayburn was the greatest Speaker of the House in US history. Perhaps Nancy Pelosi was second. Now compare them to goofy Kevin and MAGA Mike. I wonder what buildings or offices will be named after them. They are both lightweights on their own, and more insignificant when compared to the truly greats.
I remember Mr. Sam as one of my parents’ heroes. We lived in Texas for a while during the 50’s, and I heard so many stories about him - and what a person of integrity he was. There was a photo of him in my fifth grade classroom as an important Texan. I can’t remotely imagine Mike Johnson or Kevin McCarthy being held up as an example to children. They are so far from admirable! Thank you for recalling a time when we had giants.
I didn't even think of this. I was wondering what the logic could possibly be of not wanting a stop gap measure that would only last until March. But you just explained it.
I don't have cable anymore, and when I read all about this earlier in the New York Times, I didn't read anyone pointing out what you just did. Doesn't mean no one said it, but rather I didn't see it. Are news channels discussing this?
Yes. This one and many others on Substacks and Youtube. But none of the traditional MSM want to touch this crap with a ten foot pole. You won't get answers from the likes of the NYT or any other of their ilk.
Your message today triggered my biggest question these days. What has happened to our national character? Where are our Sam Rayburns? After WW2, we were a principled people of character but began gradually sliding downhill until 2015 when we started bombing downhill leaving behind integrity, kindness, compassion, wisdom, maturity, flexibility, discipline, respect, courtesy, empathy, humility, and courage to stand up for one's beliefs. (I'm a very old person so I've witnessed the decline.)
I posted this on your last presentation but, I think it warrants a re-post on this one, as it is even more relevant:
Anthony j. Santo
Anthony’s Substack
34m
It is not only Trump who is enamored of Elon Musk. Apparently Sen. Rand Paul has fallen under this weird man’s spell:
Rand Paul has suggested that the House replace the pathetic sycophant Johnson as Speaker of the House with the even more dangerous and insane oligarch Elon Musk!!!!
In a post, he said, “The Speaker of the House need not be a member of Congress…Nothing would disrupt the swamp more than electing Elon Musk…think about it…nothing’s impossible. (not to mention the joy at seeing the collective establishment, aka ‘uniparty,’ lose their ever-lovin' minds)”
How the hell did this moron ever become an M.D. or senator? Doesn’t he realize that his post is elitist and so partisan as to be harmful to the country? Does he really believe the man who got a huge return on his 227 million dollar investment in Trump’s election will do what is best for ordinary Americans? What a disgusting human being this man is. Are there any decent people in the Trump/Maga movement?
You have to ask the question? NO- there is not a single decent person in the Trump maga movement. Not a single one.
No, by definition. It is a movement built upon direct opposition to the concept of decency.
By definition and hypocracy. There is no AGAIN. It is and they are here to destroy it. Just like Huxley laid bare in 1984. If they say red, you know it's green.
Obviously, Aldous Huxley wrote "Brave New World". Eric Blair (aka George Orwell) wrote "1984".
No, it is quite evident that there are no decent human beings in the republican cesspool.
I know you don't need to be a member of Congress to be Speaker, but do you have to be eligible to be president? It's never happened that both the president and vice president died simultaneously, but just in case...
Good point. I hadn't thought of that.
I imagine it would be okay, but he would be passed over for the next candidate if the POTUS and VP were both vacant at once. Henry Kissinger and Madeleine Albright were both Secretary of State, 4th in line, and it wasn’t considered an issue. I don’t want Musk in the job (except for laughs), but I don’t think presidential succession is an issue with it.
"Are there any decent people in the Trump/Maga movement?"
Nope. They have all gone over to the dark side.
Ah, no. There aren't any decent people in the trump/maga movement. Decency is not one of the requirements.
If there are, they're hiding their lights under bushels
Oh my, Sam Rayburn was a favorite of my Republican parents! When I was 6 we were given a beautiful parrot that mother and dad named “Mr. Sam” because he was “speaker of our house”🤣. We loved that talkative bird and he was with us for 30 years.
That is a very funny story ☺️ That actually gave a chuckle!
If anyone is feeling down and would like a solid pick-me-up, I highly recommend David McCullough's "Truman". Harry S. Truman was just a splendid man and human being and someone who never forgot who he was and where he came from. He lived his life like his deceased elders were watching down from above. He was an accident of history, at one of our most fraught periods, and yet he rose to the occasion every time. His life is a story about the importance of morals, hard work, honor and humility.
He was a hero, until I discovered he began the overthrow of Arbenz.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_PBFortune
Ike was worse.
bc .... thinks every president since FDR were evil.
As a good End of Days Christian, Mike Johnson was doing stellar work for Satan. But then he realized that Satan wasn’t who he thought.
Many years ago I was stunned at the elevation of anti-intellectualism. The glorification of ignorance, denunciation of expertise....but, of course, today, I understand it completely. Dumbing down the citizenry, gaslighting them into a mentally ill state, allows the criminal element, literally, take over the country and kleptocratic lunacy can prevail. Americans are going to pay dearly for this election. Trump has already met with the pharmaceutical barons, he is gunning for hollowing out the colleges with accreditation (after all, you can't have a thinking, intelligent electorate), he will gut Obamacare and give it to the insurance companies, bird flu has already infected an American, Trump can kill off many Americans with another pandemic (there's voter suppression for ya), anticipate a federal abortion ban finally nailing the blue states, oh, and did I mention death? There will be plenty of that with any social unrest, sicking the para military and the regular military on the American people, economic dislocation, watch out, god only knows the devastation that could be. Look for Christianity to toxically begin to infect our laws, schools, everywhere in your life.
Great tribute to a great Speaker.
Thank you so much for this post. As a lifelong Texan, it breaks my heart that many people don’t know about Sam Rayburn, LBJ, Ann Richards, Barbara Jordan etc. We Democrats have to get back in the saddle.
You sure do.
My son is named Sam. I'm going to retroactively name him after Sam Rayburn. Thanks for the history lesson. Hopefully what we once were, we can be again. We need to rid the government of the buffoonery and make sure Hakeem is on the nameplate in 2026. The only problem is that President Musk might dismantle it by then. Thanks for another insightful article.
Steve, I am so often ashamed to be a Texan these days. Abbott, Paxton, Cruz and most of the rest are caricatures of leaders or even politicians. It is embarrassing. I am well aware of the failings and schemings and even worse of Johnson and I am sure to some extent of Sam Rayburn too; HOWEVER, they were serious men doing serious and important work as you so eloquently pointed out today. The contrast with our “leadership” today is stark and so shameful and pathetic. Texas and Texans(and many others) have failed our country and continue to do so right now. To continue to elect buffoons like Cruz is inexplicable and sad. By the way, Eisenhower was born in Denison, Texas, although he of course did grow up in Abilene, Kansas as you said. Three native Texans were leading the country in the 1950’s. Those were the days my friend………Not perfect by any means, but looking out for the common good……Oh, to see that again…….
My heart goes out to you. I agree with all you said. At age 79, I moved out of Texas and it was one of the best decisions of my entire life. The best thing I did as a Blue Texan was to try to help others who were being severely hurt by the sadistic, dishonest, evil and I do mean evil so-called leaders. During my growing up years, I heard my dad rant & rave about LBJ and his early misdeeds (Ballot Box 13 in Duval County) but now I look at the incredible list of his accomplishments and have to think well at least he redeemed himself in some noteworthy ways. Sadly, we won't be seeing the same in Abbott, Paxton, and Cruz. I hope you can take a trip to a well-managed state like Michigan, Minnesota, or Washington. Good luck to you!
Thank you for this Steve. The present Speaker of the House and his ridiculous predecessor have demeaned that office. The mid term elections must correct this. Everyone must vote. Everyone has to work to bring our government back to its responsibility for justice, equality and most of all honor.
Very excited to get to Rayburn's biog. Currently making my way through Pres Jackson, then Caro's masterpiece on LBJ, then Rayburn.
Thank you for this, especially today. Thank you. I needed this.
Just love the history mix in with your articles...all very enlightening and encouraging that THE GOOD GUYS will come back...that TFG is an aberration not only a human species but how the American people cannot see through him and his grift and stupidity and narcissistic drive to bleed American Democracy at all costs.
Yes, Sam Rayburn was the greatest Speaker of the House in US history. Perhaps Nancy Pelosi was second. Now compare them to goofy Kevin and MAGA Mike. I wonder what buildings or offices will be named after them. They are both lightweights on their own, and more insignificant when compared to the truly greats.
I remember Mr. Sam as one of my parents’ heroes. We lived in Texas for a while during the 50’s, and I heard so many stories about him - and what a person of integrity he was. There was a photo of him in my fifth grade classroom as an important Texan. I can’t remotely imagine Mike Johnson or Kevin McCarthy being held up as an example to children. They are so far from admirable! Thank you for recalling a time when we had giants.
Shutting down the government
Just makes it easier for them ..to not re open for these same people .
and just fill in the people they want....its like / don't bother to come back in / we are going to be Re organizing How and Who we staff..
thank you .
whats going on here is serious .
you have a choice America ..
get out into the streets ..and make your voices heard ...
or sit there and watch
I didn't even think of this. I was wondering what the logic could possibly be of not wanting a stop gap measure that would only last until March. But you just explained it.
I don't have cable anymore, and when I read all about this earlier in the New York Times, I didn't read anyone pointing out what you just did. Doesn't mean no one said it, but rather I didn't see it. Are news channels discussing this?
"Are news channels discussing this?"
Yes. This one and many others on Substacks and Youtube. But none of the traditional MSM want to touch this crap with a ten foot pole. You won't get answers from the likes of the NYT or any other of their ilk.
Your message today triggered my biggest question these days. What has happened to our national character? Where are our Sam Rayburns? After WW2, we were a principled people of character but began gradually sliding downhill until 2015 when we started bombing downhill leaving behind integrity, kindness, compassion, wisdom, maturity, flexibility, discipline, respect, courtesy, empathy, humility, and courage to stand up for one's beliefs. (I'm a very old person so I've witnessed the decline.)