The biggest problem is not Trump himself. It’s the Project 2025 Republican Party, America’s oligarchs, and all of the Americans who support them. He’s been very useful for them.
Great article but our issues run much deeper than Trump We are a nation built on the rubble of a Civil war that had no meaningful consequences on those that sought to destroy the nation We are still paying the price for our racism and misogyny Until we fundamentally acknowledge these issues any wealthy white man can hijack this country
And similarly, WW2 is still spiritually going on, with the fascists only cowed in 1945 and not yet defeated!
Their right wing ideas of disarming, disabling and destroying progressive humanism remain alive and well!
Here and elsewhere our resistance shall help bring about a true victory for righteous living. How long that will take and is established remains to unfold and be seen.
I agree Carol; I would add that what enabled the Christian nationalists to take control of our federal government was the failure of our system of checks and balances. It worked as long as our elected representatives jealously guarded the powers and perogatives of the branch to which they had been elected. Instead, MAGATS have put partisanship and extreme ideology over institutional loyalty. Most Americans have become aware of the Christian Nationalist/MAGA threat to our Republic and if (a big if) the elections are properly conducted this Fall it will mean the end of MAGA rule and the beginning of a long period of restoring American values, integrity, and international respect.
And those MAGATS will still be lurking, some in the shadows, some right out in front of us, waiting for the break they need to start all over again. We will always have differing opinions and ideals in this country and that is ok. Even normal right? But we cannot let this trash back into a position of power.
Add the word “just” between not and Trump. He is a problem but he is not the only problem. That is why I do not support removing him from office. It will not fix what is wrong with this country.
That would never occur to him. He would be convinced that it was the others who were used and controlled by him. He does not play chess. He can barely manage tiddlywinks.
Thank you. Steve for another expertly written description of our current reality. I trust your deep knowledge of history and hope that we will see an end to American fascism and dangerous leadership as has happened to other regimes. As a senior I hope I am alive to witness the end of insanity and a solid pathway towards governing that aligns with human rights and awareness of generous kindness as a sign of strength.
I might say he has more then diminished it . He has brought us to our knees. What he is doing with the World Cup attendees and its athletes is unforgivable and unforgettable. Because of his personality disorders he can be no other way. The people, not all the people but enough have elected a very sick man. And because he gets the help of the Republicans and Oligarchs to destroy, we are all paying a price we cannot afford . It will take decades to right this ship . For our allies to trust again it will take more then one election. Tired in america.
They are keeping a lot of them out . Not allowing them to enter the country even though they have tickets reservations everything. Some of the athletes are not allowed in . They report ICE is going to be checking some people when they arrive at the event.
Mary, I so appreciate your thoughts! May I add that every misstep on the Okigarchs’, DJT’s, Stephen Miller’s and all the other sycophants’ parts will help lead to their undoing.
Of course, this damage being done is what upsets and challenges us! We must rise above it and take our reactions towards a view that is spacious and neutral.
From that place we can assess how best to proceed!
Poetry, Steve, this one is. Tragic Poetry. Line by line. Trump might be tragic except he doesn't have a tragic flaw and is instead fully flawed. Has he ever had an empathic thought? America, on the other hand, is heroic -- with the attendant tragic flaw, that flaw being when either the Executive, Congress or the Courts refuse to hold up their leg of the three-legged stool that is our government. When, like now, all three refuse (or two and a half, since some of the Courts have held, just not the Supreme one), we must begin again. By the people and for the people. So let's do just that.
Steve is right that history renders its verdict without lawyers or spin. But he’s being generous by stopping at “judgment.” The tyrant’s delusion isn’t just that they’ll be remembered fondly, it’s that they’ll be remembered on their own terms. They never are.
For those who want a visceral reminder of how these stories actually end: look up what happened to Muammar Gaddafi in his final hours. Not the colonel in his tent issuing proclamations. Not the strongman the West once courted. The man cowering in a drainage ditch in Sirte, dragged out by the people he ruled for 42 years, begging for his life.
All of them, every one of these men who confused fear for love and a crowd for a constituency, believe they are the exception.
They believe the rules of history don’t apply to them. They are never the exception.
Time wins. It always wins. Steve said it.
History proves it. Some just need to Google what that looks like in practice.
I dream of this lonely tyrant transformed into a federal prison inmate. Left screaming where no one outside can hear him and his only human contact is that of the prison guards who ignore this inmate's madness. No longer will he be addressed by his name or former title, just as Inmate with a number. May he live long in this hell on earth. His death by cheeseburgers would cheat us of the justice we deserve to witness. Had Merrick Garland done his job, this horrible creature would be in his cage right now.
“And when at some future date the high court of history sits in judgment on each of us, recording whether in our brief span of service we fulfilled our responsibilities to the state, our success or failure, in whatever office we hold, will be measured by the answers to four questions: First, were we truly men of courage... Second, were we truly men of judgment... Third, were we truly men of integrity... Finally, were we truly men of dedication?”
—John F.Kennedy
Trump fails in every category. The high court of history will pronounce its sentence on Trump: guilty not only of high crimes and misdemeanors, and betraying the Constitution and his oath of office, but also of betraying those foundational American ideals that are among the finest principles ever formulated by the human race.
I just hope you keep it up after the miscreant in chief is dead and buried. We cannot let his syncophantic enablers off the hook. We let the confederates escape accountability, and look where that led- to where we are today. I will NEVER forgive or forget. I know it won’t happen, but I’d like to see them all hounded like the Nazi sympathizers they are.
Sheer poetry this morning. So sad, true and succinct. We are all trying our best to endure the deluge of detritus from this man. Your words help., Thank you as we forge ahead and fight back.
I joyfully celebrated the Bicentennial but Trump has made it hard to find any joy in 250. Could he join Adams and Jefferson on July 4th and make a decent exit from this earth?
The biggest problem is not Trump himself. It’s the Project 2025 Republican Party, America’s oligarchs, and all of the Americans who support them. He’s been very useful for them.
Great article but our issues run much deeper than Trump We are a nation built on the rubble of a Civil war that had no meaningful consequences on those that sought to destroy the nation We are still paying the price for our racism and misogyny Until we fundamentally acknowledge these issues any wealthy white man can hijack this country
Sadly, you are right! The Civil War never ended.
Absolutely!
And similarly, WW2 is still spiritually going on, with the fascists only cowed in 1945 and not yet defeated!
Their right wing ideas of disarming, disabling and destroying progressive humanism remain alive and well!
Here and elsewhere our resistance shall help bring about a true victory for righteous living. How long that will take and is established remains to unfold and be seen.
I agree Carol; I would add that what enabled the Christian nationalists to take control of our federal government was the failure of our system of checks and balances. It worked as long as our elected representatives jealously guarded the powers and perogatives of the branch to which they had been elected. Instead, MAGATS have put partisanship and extreme ideology over institutional loyalty. Most Americans have become aware of the Christian Nationalist/MAGA threat to our Republic and if (a big if) the elections are properly conducted this Fall it will mean the end of MAGA rule and the beginning of a long period of restoring American values, integrity, and international respect.
And those MAGATS will still be lurking, some in the shadows, some right out in front of us, waiting for the break they need to start all over again. We will always have differing opinions and ideals in this country and that is ok. Even normal right? But we cannot let this trash back into a position of power.
I fervently hope Anthony is right, and certainly, Marcia’s caveat is a given!
Add the word “just” between not and Trump. He is a problem but he is not the only problem. That is why I do not support removing him from office. It will not fix what is wrong with this country.
Wonder how he’d feel or think — if he really does either—if he ever realized that he has been a pawn used by far more clever chess players.
He got the $. His ego is the question, particularly if he doesn’t get his monuments.
Ain’t this the truth!
That would never occur to him. He would be convinced that it was the others who were used and controlled by him. He does not play chess. He can barely manage tiddlywinks.
He would never believe that, too much ego. But I agree that is what happened.
But those projects and groups have created Trump? Who would he be without them!
Exactly, TRump the useful idiot.
Brilliant piece, Steve, we are grateful for your dedication to saving our country and your patriotism.
And when he dies, his name will be removed from all he built, and people will be embarrassed to discuss him.
Thank you. Steve for another expertly written description of our current reality. I trust your deep knowledge of history and hope that we will see an end to American fascism and dangerous leadership as has happened to other regimes. As a senior I hope I am alive to witness the end of insanity and a solid pathway towards governing that aligns with human rights and awareness of generous kindness as a sign of strength.
I believe that after he dies 90% of his "followers" will deny they ever voted for him.
I might say he has more then diminished it . He has brought us to our knees. What he is doing with the World Cup attendees and its athletes is unforgivable and unforgettable. Because of his personality disorders he can be no other way. The people, not all the people but enough have elected a very sick man. And because he gets the help of the Republicans and Oligarchs to destroy, we are all paying a price we cannot afford . It will take decades to right this ship . For our allies to trust again it will take more then one election. Tired in america.
What has he done with the World Cup attendees and its athletes, Mary? So many horrendous acts, so little time to keep up with them. Thanks.
They are keeping a lot of them out . Not allowing them to enter the country even though they have tickets reservations everything. Some of the athletes are not allowed in . They report ICE is going to be checking some people when they arrive at the event.
Mary, I so appreciate your thoughts! May I add that every misstep on the Okigarchs’, DJT’s, Stephen Miller’s and all the other sycophants’ parts will help lead to their undoing.
Of course, this damage being done is what upsets and challenges us! We must rise above it and take our reactions towards a view that is spacious and neutral.
From that place we can assess how best to proceed!
Thank You Steven ...yes rise above . I study the TAO Bill Martin and Thich Nhat Hanh ..Without them I would be lost .
Love the Tão and Buddhism!
I do qigong everyday and it helps!
and what's the reason for keeping them out? Certain countries?
Just can’t wait till he dies. I’m so sick of hearing about him, looking at him. 🤮
Poetry, Steve, this one is. Tragic Poetry. Line by line. Trump might be tragic except he doesn't have a tragic flaw and is instead fully flawed. Has he ever had an empathic thought? America, on the other hand, is heroic -- with the attendant tragic flaw, that flaw being when either the Executive, Congress or the Courts refuse to hold up their leg of the three-legged stool that is our government. When, like now, all three refuse (or two and a half, since some of the Courts have held, just not the Supreme one), we must begin again. By the people and for the people. So let's do just that.
Agree that this is a brilliant post this morning….and a pitiful statement as well.
Steve is right that history renders its verdict without lawyers or spin. But he’s being generous by stopping at “judgment.” The tyrant’s delusion isn’t just that they’ll be remembered fondly, it’s that they’ll be remembered on their own terms. They never are.
For those who want a visceral reminder of how these stories actually end: look up what happened to Muammar Gaddafi in his final hours. Not the colonel in his tent issuing proclamations. Not the strongman the West once courted. The man cowering in a drainage ditch in Sirte, dragged out by the people he ruled for 42 years, begging for his life.
All of them, every one of these men who confused fear for love and a crowd for a constituency, believe they are the exception.
They believe the rules of history don’t apply to them. They are never the exception.
Time wins. It always wins. Steve said it.
History proves it. Some just need to Google what that looks like in practice.
The truth is harsh, but the truth and time win.
Johan
I dream of this lonely tyrant transformed into a federal prison inmate. Left screaming where no one outside can hear him and his only human contact is that of the prison guards who ignore this inmate's madness. No longer will he be addressed by his name or former title, just as Inmate with a number. May he live long in this hell on earth. His death by cheeseburgers would cheat us of the justice we deserve to witness. Had Merrick Garland done his job, this horrible creature would be in his cage right now.
If it does not happen here, for sure may that be on “the other side”!
X
“And when at some future date the high court of history sits in judgment on each of us, recording whether in our brief span of service we fulfilled our responsibilities to the state, our success or failure, in whatever office we hold, will be measured by the answers to four questions: First, were we truly men of courage... Second, were we truly men of judgment... Third, were we truly men of integrity... Finally, were we truly men of dedication?”
—John F.Kennedy
Trump fails in every category. The high court of history will pronounce its sentence on Trump: guilty not only of high crimes and misdemeanors, and betraying the Constitution and his oath of office, but also of betraying those foundational American ideals that are among the finest principles ever formulated by the human race.
I just hope you keep it up after the miscreant in chief is dead and buried. We cannot let his syncophantic enablers off the hook. We let the confederates escape accountability, and look where that led- to where we are today. I will NEVER forgive or forget. I know it won’t happen, but I’d like to see them all hounded like the Nazi sympathizers they are.
Sheer poetry this morning. So sad, true and succinct. We are all trying our best to endure the deluge of detritus from this man. Your words help., Thank you as we forge ahead and fight back.
I can feel the most dangerous time coming.
Diminish is s gentle word for what Trump has done to our nation and the world. He is loathed and will be remembered as loathsome,
Outstanding Steve!
I joyfully celebrated the Bicentennial but Trump has made it hard to find any joy in 250. Could he join Adams and Jefferson on July 4th and make a decent exit from this earth?
Yes, but DJT will not be going to the same place as our founding fathers and mothers went when they passed, for sure…it will be far hotter!