The Fraternal Order of Police endorsed Trump. In return, they are getting a twofer: Kash Patel for the FBI and pardons for the criminals who assaulted their brethren in uniform.
The chickens coming home to roost is a great saying.
No surprise there. The majority of cops have always been a shade south of just serving and protecting, especially when dealing with political protesting, which is to them, whatever the issues at hand, they view as unpatriotic. This endorsement gives them license to do a little demonstrating of their own. The good cops will quit the force. The real sticker is keeping a lid on the military.
According to exit polls, 65 percent of people who said they had served in the military voted for Trump. Which makes me rather untroubled about Hegseth because they were the ones who should have known. And I have an active duty relative in the Army. I tried, but we lost.
Thank You Steve ! I am not sure that Hunter and Hegseth are one in the same. Mika and Joe are brutally out of touch with there "family " audience . And the thing is, Trump is going to humiliate them anyway .. no matter what they do. It's cringeful . I am curious to hear what you think about Jim Clyburn advocating for Joe to pardon Trump.. He thinks that will put an end to the strife and anger in the country .. It's asinine . if Biden were do that, the party really can say goodbye to there base.. Most of us would become independents .. The thought of letting that despicable piece of shit off the hook for his federal crimes is too much to bear... I have been a loyal democrat all of my life but that would be a bridge too far.
I agree, when a pardon was being tossed around for Trump by Biden, my stomach turned. This cannot happen, bad enough Trump is going to pardon the insurrectionists of Jan. 6…….what has our Country become? Can we ever get past the next 4 years, not counting what is now going on!
Mary: This is the first time I heard that Jim Clyburn is advocating that Biden pardon Trump! I hope it's not true. Lesson #1 in Timothy Snyder's book On Tyranny says, "Do not obey in advance. Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given (anticipatory obedience). In times like these, individuals think ahead about what a more repressive government will want, and then offer themselves without being asked. A citizen who adapts in this way is teaching power what it can do." If Biden pardons Trump then every Trump supporter will know that in the future they can get away with anything in their quest to make this country a dictatorship. No way to "put an end to the strife and anger".
Exactly ! I have read Timothy Snyder's book too ! I keep extra copies for people who show an interest. Clyburn was on Jonathan Capehart's show on Sunday night. You can find out what he said if you google it. Thanks Gary .
Excellent post Steve. Thank you. I’m sending it to my millennial son, asking him to share it with his peers. Your clarity and conviction are truely inspiring.
Good piece, but until we fix the broken media landscape, we're just talking to ourselves. Fox News will sell Hegseth, Patel and Gabbard, and spin their malfeasance into 'patriotic acts' for the low information voters who put trump back in office.
Fox viewers will never know how much Fox lies to them in service to Murdoch, Musk and other oligarchs funding Fox and Trump, folks who care about nothing except their bottom line. They'd support Hitler if they thought he'd cut their taxes and regulations.
Steve comes from a patriotic American tradition. His journalistic, strategic and historic leadership guides us as the days turn, each day revealing more unprecedented stories routinely used for shock value. Steve adamantly suggests that the media has become compliant, complicit and worthless to my mind. Meet the Press yesterday was a joke, and I’m grateful for Steve and many others that are standing up and speaking out. I agree Mary, I’m ready to become an independent. Actually I would rather become an FDR progressive. I think after the destruction of America we might see something positive emerge from the ashes. All for one and one for all?
Having a foreign enemy berate you is one thing. To genuflect to a man who has promised to be a dictator on Day 1 in your own country is a very different and stupid thing!! Trump is a traitor, always has been. We know that. Why is the press failing us. Can you picture Walter Cronkite genuflectibg to Trump? NEVER.
I'm sick and tired of you larding your polemics with minor league Democratic sinners. What kind of demented mentality would drag the pathetic Hunter Biden on the stage to compare levels of malfeasance? And further muddying the waters by including large batches of Joe Scarborough. Do you honestly think that any arguments against Trump can be strengthened by flailing away at Joe and Mika? Are you in this business to beat down Democrats? I'm not a Democrat, don't care much for the Bidens, and actually dislike Scarborough. But your use of them as punching bags just stinks to high heaven. What private grudges animate your hostility? We've got killers on the loose. Lives are going tol be lost. And you waste time punching the likes of Hunter Biden, over and over? And Joe and Mika. They don't vote in the Senate. They didn't come out in support of Trump in time for the election like Joe Rogan. Do some good for the world: punch at Rogan and forget about the hapless Hunter Biden.
Folks, I'm outta here. As much as I have gained from Steve over the months leading up to the election, his personal enemies' list has grown too intrusive for me to continue as a subscriber.
I think you make a valid point. There is no comparison between Hunter Biden and Hegseth. Hunter Biden is not and never has been a threat to life as we know it; on the other hand, if Trump gets his way and Hegseth becomes Secretary of Defense, this drunken fool will literally be an existential threat.
I think Joe and Mika are a couple of scared, mediocre, overpayed TV personalities and I also feel our time would be better spent castigating the real threats to American values, Trump and his sycophants, people like Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and a host of others.
To continue beating up on the failed leaders of the Democratic party accomplishes nothing. The point about Biden and the role he played in Trump's wins has been more than adequately covered. However, he and other Democratic leaders NEVER reached the depths of evil plumbed by Trump and his crew of Magats; Stone, Flynn, Bannon, Lindell, Jones and too many more.
Let's look to the bright and competent caring people who populate the left wing of the Democratic party to lead us to a better world, should we be fortunate enough to survive a second Trump administration; people like Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, Eric Swalwell, A.O.C. and other members of the Congressional Congressional Caucus.
We are much in agreement. Except for this: "To continue beating up on the failed leaders of the Democratic party accomplishes nothing." No, what it accomplishes is further weakening of the Democratic Party. Such criticism aids and abets the evils that surround us. We know this because much effort and money is expended by the enemies of our country attempting to demean and discredit Democrats and their party. I am not a Democrat and can disparage them almost as much as anyone. Their criticisms are well earned. But in today's toxic environment, our institutions are under direct attack. To pretend that Democratic flaws, even those shrieked out loudly by the likes of the left wing Squad, are trifles compared to the threats posed by MAGA and the right wing. MAGA is a movement against humanity.
Joe and Mika are representative of the problem we face. Jodi Ernst capitulating re Hegseth is the latest example. Steve is right to call out the feckless, weak, hypocritical elements of the media and the Democratic Party. To fix this, we will need leadership from folks who have a spine.
Joe and Mika are not representative of the problem we face. They're a minor league nuisance at worst. To treat them as representative is to be suckered into pursuing a distraction. For the most part, they represent a moderate viewpoint consistent with most Americans. Making a big deal out of their ass-kissing folly down at Mar-a-lago deflects from the giant evil that is unfolding. To pretend that they are somehow giant evils and major influences is just plain stupid. Steve, for all his many qualities, can be distracted from the central problem by chimeras. That is a serious flaw and one his followers need to help him overcome.
I agree that Steve has done much good and is the most effective Trump critic I am aware of. I believe we should all continue to support his efforts in countering the Trump/Maga menace. I agree with you, "we will need leadership from folks who have a spine." I wish Steve would spend some time telling us who would be the best to lead the resistance to Trump, Democrat or not. We need a leader in politics and government to organize the anti-Trump/Maga movement so that awareness of our numbers and commitment creates strength and determination and overcomes the fear that paralyzes so many. We need a platform, common basic political, social, and economic goals and strategies to make our voices heard beyond our isolated forums.
The way I see it if Patel, Gabbard, Hegseth get confirmed by the Senate the door is open and our enemies will take advantage. But I still think this is a distraction from what the Administration will be up to Follow The Money.
I heard Professor Tim Snyder talk about his sense of how Trump will destroy America, the actual nature of his Tyranny. Steve, your post on these three clear threats to American Freedom and Democracy fits his vision precisely.
Snyder says he does not expect that on January 21, all of America will suddenly be crushed in a Tyranny defined by absolute totalitarianism. Trump will never achieve 100% control over each of us.
Instead, the Trump Tyranny will destroy our Republic by breaking it. When Patel becomes FBI Director and launches FBI assaults on whomever Trump dictates, the entire FBI will not go along with these illegal attacks on Americans. So it will split, as will the nation. And then what will it mean when powers like the FBI, or the military, or the intelligence community, are split into forceful opposition to each other? They will cease to function adequately, or in word, they will break.
It is the case that every nation that has ever existed eventually fails. Some are conquered, that will not be our fate, many collapse, that is the fate we are on the brink of.
All the more reason to pay attention to your Warnings Steve, thank you for making clear to us all what is at stake, how close we are to a very dire edge. The urgency of acting now to keep hoodlums out of directorships of our national agencies, particularly the ones that are armed and that guard our health.
Joni Ernst, a veteran, appears to be supporting Hegseth now. Take a look below at her policy positions. She gets elected and re-elected with these positions. This is pretty hardcore stuff. Any wonder why this country is in trouble might wish to consider the people electing her.
Ernst opposes legalizing abortion and supports fetal personhood and introduced legislation to defund Planned Parenthood. She opposes the Affordable Care Act and has called for reforms to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
The Fraternal Order of Police endorsed Trump. In return, they are getting a twofer: Kash Patel for the FBI and pardons for the criminals who assaulted their brethren in uniform.
The chickens coming home to roost is a great saying.
No surprise there. The majority of cops have always been a shade south of just serving and protecting, especially when dealing with political protesting, which is to them, whatever the issues at hand, they view as unpatriotic. This endorsement gives them license to do a little demonstrating of their own. The good cops will quit the force. The real sticker is keeping a lid on the military.
According to exit polls, 65 percent of people who said they had served in the military voted for Trump. Which makes me rather untroubled about Hegseth because they were the ones who should have known. And I have an active duty relative in the Army. I tried, but we lost.
Thank You Steve ! I am not sure that Hunter and Hegseth are one in the same. Mika and Joe are brutally out of touch with there "family " audience . And the thing is, Trump is going to humiliate them anyway .. no matter what they do. It's cringeful . I am curious to hear what you think about Jim Clyburn advocating for Joe to pardon Trump.. He thinks that will put an end to the strife and anger in the country .. It's asinine . if Biden were do that, the party really can say goodbye to there base.. Most of us would become independents .. The thought of letting that despicable piece of shit off the hook for his federal crimes is too much to bear... I have been a loyal democrat all of my life but that would be a bridge too far.
I agree, when a pardon was being tossed around for Trump by Biden, my stomach turned. This cannot happen, bad enough Trump is going to pardon the insurrectionists of Jan. 6…….what has our Country become? Can we ever get past the next 4 years, not counting what is now going on!
Gosh I didn't hear that Biden was considering a pardon too ! God please don't Joe !
Me neither!!! Seriously? Anyone pardoning this criminal of our democracy is, sadly to say, unfit themselves.
Mary: This is the first time I heard that Jim Clyburn is advocating that Biden pardon Trump! I hope it's not true. Lesson #1 in Timothy Snyder's book On Tyranny says, "Do not obey in advance. Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given (anticipatory obedience). In times like these, individuals think ahead about what a more repressive government will want, and then offer themselves without being asked. A citizen who adapts in this way is teaching power what it can do." If Biden pardons Trump then every Trump supporter will know that in the future they can get away with anything in their quest to make this country a dictatorship. No way to "put an end to the strife and anger".
Exactly ! I have read Timothy Snyder's book too ! I keep extra copies for people who show an interest. Clyburn was on Jonathan Capehart's show on Sunday night. You can find out what he said if you google it. Thanks Gary .
Excellent post Steve. Thank you. I’m sending it to my millennial son, asking him to share it with his peers. Your clarity and conviction are truely inspiring.
Vogue magazine, not Vanity Fair ran the, fluff piece about Assad
Pure Powerful Excellence, Steve. You are one of the resistance leaders the USA so much needs.
Destroying our country is the point of Trump's nominees. It's all part of the plan. And I'm scared.
Don’t be scared, you’re not alone… get MAD!! We got this.
Good piece, but until we fix the broken media landscape, we're just talking to ourselves. Fox News will sell Hegseth, Patel and Gabbard, and spin their malfeasance into 'patriotic acts' for the low information voters who put trump back in office.
Fox viewers will never know how much Fox lies to them in service to Murdoch, Musk and other oligarchs funding Fox and Trump, folks who care about nothing except their bottom line. They'd support Hitler if they thought he'd cut their taxes and regulations.
Steve comes from a patriotic American tradition. His journalistic, strategic and historic leadership guides us as the days turn, each day revealing more unprecedented stories routinely used for shock value. Steve adamantly suggests that the media has become compliant, complicit and worthless to my mind. Meet the Press yesterday was a joke, and I’m grateful for Steve and many others that are standing up and speaking out. I agree Mary, I’m ready to become an independent. Actually I would rather become an FDR progressive. I think after the destruction of America we might see something positive emerge from the ashes. All for one and one for all?
Joni Ernst supporting the rapist Hegseth… the useful idiot line keeps growing longer. Give me a break.
We can block nominations by taking action. Write your senators. https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/write-your-senator?r=3m1bs
My senators are both GOP, Tillis and Budd….
Ditto
Having a foreign enemy berate you is one thing. To genuflect to a man who has promised to be a dictator on Day 1 in your own country is a very different and stupid thing!! Trump is a traitor, always has been. We know that. Why is the press failing us. Can you picture Walter Cronkite genuflectibg to Trump? NEVER.
I'm sick and tired of you larding your polemics with minor league Democratic sinners. What kind of demented mentality would drag the pathetic Hunter Biden on the stage to compare levels of malfeasance? And further muddying the waters by including large batches of Joe Scarborough. Do you honestly think that any arguments against Trump can be strengthened by flailing away at Joe and Mika? Are you in this business to beat down Democrats? I'm not a Democrat, don't care much for the Bidens, and actually dislike Scarborough. But your use of them as punching bags just stinks to high heaven. What private grudges animate your hostility? We've got killers on the loose. Lives are going tol be lost. And you waste time punching the likes of Hunter Biden, over and over? And Joe and Mika. They don't vote in the Senate. They didn't come out in support of Trump in time for the election like Joe Rogan. Do some good for the world: punch at Rogan and forget about the hapless Hunter Biden.
Folks, I'm outta here. As much as I have gained from Steve over the months leading up to the election, his personal enemies' list has grown too intrusive for me to continue as a subscriber.
I think you make a valid point. There is no comparison between Hunter Biden and Hegseth. Hunter Biden is not and never has been a threat to life as we know it; on the other hand, if Trump gets his way and Hegseth becomes Secretary of Defense, this drunken fool will literally be an existential threat.
I think Joe and Mika are a couple of scared, mediocre, overpayed TV personalities and I also feel our time would be better spent castigating the real threats to American values, Trump and his sycophants, people like Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and a host of others.
To continue beating up on the failed leaders of the Democratic party accomplishes nothing. The point about Biden and the role he played in Trump's wins has been more than adequately covered. However, he and other Democratic leaders NEVER reached the depths of evil plumbed by Trump and his crew of Magats; Stone, Flynn, Bannon, Lindell, Jones and too many more.
Let's look to the bright and competent caring people who populate the left wing of the Democratic party to lead us to a better world, should we be fortunate enough to survive a second Trump administration; people like Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, Eric Swalwell, A.O.C. and other members of the Congressional Congressional Caucus.
We are much in agreement. Except for this: "To continue beating up on the failed leaders of the Democratic party accomplishes nothing." No, what it accomplishes is further weakening of the Democratic Party. Such criticism aids and abets the evils that surround us. We know this because much effort and money is expended by the enemies of our country attempting to demean and discredit Democrats and their party. I am not a Democrat and can disparage them almost as much as anyone. Their criticisms are well earned. But in today's toxic environment, our institutions are under direct attack. To pretend that Democratic flaws, even those shrieked out loudly by the likes of the left wing Squad, are trifles compared to the threats posed by MAGA and the right wing. MAGA is a movement against humanity.
Congressional PROGRESSIVE Caucus!
Joe and Mika are representative of the problem we face. Jodi Ernst capitulating re Hegseth is the latest example. Steve is right to call out the feckless, weak, hypocritical elements of the media and the Democratic Party. To fix this, we will need leadership from folks who have a spine.
Joe and Mika are not representative of the problem we face. They're a minor league nuisance at worst. To treat them as representative is to be suckered into pursuing a distraction. For the most part, they represent a moderate viewpoint consistent with most Americans. Making a big deal out of their ass-kissing folly down at Mar-a-lago deflects from the giant evil that is unfolding. To pretend that they are somehow giant evils and major influences is just plain stupid. Steve, for all his many qualities, can be distracted from the central problem by chimeras. That is a serious flaw and one his followers need to help him overcome.
I agree that Steve has done much good and is the most effective Trump critic I am aware of. I believe we should all continue to support his efforts in countering the Trump/Maga menace. I agree with you, "we will need leadership from folks who have a spine." I wish Steve would spend some time telling us who would be the best to lead the resistance to Trump, Democrat or not. We need a leader in politics and government to organize the anti-Trump/Maga movement so that awareness of our numbers and commitment creates strength and determination and overcomes the fear that paralyzes so many. We need a platform, common basic political, social, and economic goals and strategies to make our voices heard beyond our isolated forums.
The way I see it if Patel, Gabbard, Hegseth get confirmed by the Senate the door is open and our enemies will take advantage. But I still think this is a distraction from what the Administration will be up to Follow The Money.
Amy Klochubar wants pardon reform. I appreciate the sentiments, but a committee to look at a Constitutional prerogative will accomplish nothing.
I heard Professor Tim Snyder talk about his sense of how Trump will destroy America, the actual nature of his Tyranny. Steve, your post on these three clear threats to American Freedom and Democracy fits his vision precisely.
Snyder says he does not expect that on January 21, all of America will suddenly be crushed in a Tyranny defined by absolute totalitarianism. Trump will never achieve 100% control over each of us.
Instead, the Trump Tyranny will destroy our Republic by breaking it. When Patel becomes FBI Director and launches FBI assaults on whomever Trump dictates, the entire FBI will not go along with these illegal attacks on Americans. So it will split, as will the nation. And then what will it mean when powers like the FBI, or the military, or the intelligence community, are split into forceful opposition to each other? They will cease to function adequately, or in word, they will break.
It is the case that every nation that has ever existed eventually fails. Some are conquered, that will not be our fate, many collapse, that is the fate we are on the brink of.
All the more reason to pay attention to your Warnings Steve, thank you for making clear to us all what is at stake, how close we are to a very dire edge. The urgency of acting now to keep hoodlums out of directorships of our national agencies, particularly the ones that are armed and that guard our health.
Joni Ernst, a veteran, appears to be supporting Hegseth now. Take a look below at her policy positions. She gets elected and re-elected with these positions. This is pretty hardcore stuff. Any wonder why this country is in trouble might wish to consider the people electing her.
Ernst opposes legalizing abortion and supports fetal personhood and introduced legislation to defund Planned Parenthood. She opposes the Affordable Care Act and has called for reforms to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.