According to The Wall Street Journal, Donald Trump will declare from the inaugural podium a “revolution of common sense” that will harken an age of “national success.”
The first order for the Democratic Party is to start speaking the truth. Robert Menendez was not a great public servant. Those were Chuck Schumer’s words. When Dianne Feinstein was severely injured in a fall, we were told it was “nothing, just a little fall.” Those were Nancy Pelosi’s words. As to Joe Biden, there were too many false statements to count when it came to his health.
If you want my support and the support of others, stop lying to us and taking us for granted. When people were truthful to us, we worked hard and we elected Josh Stein and Rachel Hunt in North Carolina, while successfully keeping a Trump-loving QAnon Lunatic away from the public schools. Truth!
We must add Attorney General Jeff Jackson to that list. When running for Congress two/three years ago, he visited all 100 counties in NC. On a recent trip I met a Republican from Highlands, NC. He met AG Jackson when he visited his county and told me, “I will vote for that man in the next election.” Jeff Jackson is the epitome of the kind of Democratic candidate we need today.
I'm sorry, I am not going to sit and listen to a man lie to me. His first lie will to take the oath. It's an insult to my intelligence. I already know, Steve that whatever it is he has to say is a waste of my time. It's all flim-flam, and I'm not having it.
I had MSNBC on the radio during a short drive shortly after noon. I listened to about 10 minutes of Trump's speech. The number of superlatives, in a variety of forms, he used and the number of lies he told was astounding.
I wonder if overuse of superlatives gives mental health therapists any insight into Trump's psyche. My guess is it is evidence of deeply buried insecurity and low self-esteem. Any mental health therapists out there who have an opinion?
Anthony, the mental health analysis of the public health danger of Trump’s collection of psychological disorders and that of his cult has already been superbly performed by forensic and social psychiatrist and violence expert Dr. Bandy X. Lee, head of the World Mental Health Coalition, and her colleagues who rank among the most eminent and esteemed in their profession. She continues her work that can be followed on her Substack website, The Newsletter of Dr. Bandy X. Lee, at bandyxlee.substack.com
Yes, Anthony. Trump is a salesman. His goal is to get us to buy his grifts. He lies as a matter of course trying to sell you useless illusions.
If he’s great he’s only great at flim-flam and rubbing our noses in dogshit while claiming it’s French Lavender. It’s as American as Amway, the Confederacy and three-card monte in a park in NYC.
He’s the epitome of both the Wizard of Oz and of doing anything possible to deny his rapist evilness and his encyclopedic use of con games that change all his dealings and wheelings into the Black Death - destroyer of societies, killer of human beings and a veritable Professor Screw-eyes with his menagerie of wishful thinking, hatred and learning to sell zoo memberships to believers to see fleas, flies, cockroaches and deadly illnesses.
Thanks, Steve, for your analysis and MLK’s I’ve Been to the Mountaintop speech. I encourage all Democrats to do as you suggest: “The party now exists to identify failure, isolate it, stigmatize it, and wrap it around MAGA’s proverbial neck for the drowning season that must come — and will come.” Make every failure Trump’s. And cultivate young leaders as they emerge.
On the august occasion during which we should remember and heed the teachings and actions of America's greatest modern moral leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., while deep-sixing the Inauguration of an amoral psychotic American fascist as president, I offer the following reflection and admonition:
Wishing you, in this New Year and in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy, the openness of heart, richness of imagination and clarity of thought to know preference from prejudice, reason and civility from fear and bullying, neutrality from complicit silence, the compulsion of truth from enslavement to illusion, the love of others from self-love, and social justice from the status quo -- a nexus of ideals whose apprehension and practice ennobles our humanity and our dignity, thereby making possible our individual and collective success as morally worthy, nonviolent human beings.
Thank you so much for the link to The King Center. In honor of MLK Jr., I just finished reading "Letter from the Birmingham Jail" - which I had never read before. Amazing, and written not with with hatred or contempt but with love and optimism.
As a US history teacher for 25 years I had my students read it. But it is especially relevant today. Thanks, Steve, for bringing it back to our attention. MLK is not just a statue or a day off from work/school. He, too, risked all to point us in the right direction. History in the future, I pray, will note the toxic irony of installing a convicted felon/rapist/conman to a 2nd term as POTUS while others honor the righteous words of MLK.
Thank you for being an oasis in a cruel desert. I am listening to every word. You have prevented me from being in total despair. What you are doing takes courage. Keep doing it. You are needed.
Trump ascends the throne after swearing blasphemy on the book of God. His Ascent will be a spectacle not an event. It will be witnessed by the billionaires seeking more wealth and power at the expense of the American citizens. All Rights will be granted through Trump and taken away if it pleases him. God turned away this morning as his children played homage to the new king and queen of comic book fame. Hail, hail to the chief. May his reign be short and his golf game be embellished with birdies not earned.
To note, and not at all surprising, he did *not* place his left hand on the bible as he took the oath of office. I waited for the lightning bolt in vain.
Steve, the Democrats just don't get it. They continue to try and work even with traitors and felons, in the BS name of getting things done for the American people. What things would these grifters oligarchs have for "the people"? I am sickened by every Democrat who showed up for this nightmare! Look at Gallego, he is already folded into a pretzel! He comes from AZ, there is no CRISIS at the border and he sponsored the immigration bill. Shame on him. The only thing that will get us out from this disaster is starting a new party, an American Party. I am sick of both parties as they exist today. Time to finish them up and start from scratch.
Sounds good to me! Right now, as a registered Democrat I find much more at ease with Steve Schmidt, Saraj, Liz Cheney, and Adam Kintzinger, all Republicans. The only DEmocrats I feel comfortable and on the same wave length are Bernie, AOC, Ilhan Omar and the rest of the progressives, NON AIPAC babes! United sounds fine!
“….only when it’s dark enough can we see the stars”.(MLK) Last night in Chicago, King’s words “I have a dream” were in huge lighted letters on the side of a skyscraper. Today and for the next several years, I want live by King’s words and keep looking for the stars in our moment of darkness in America.
I agree, Steve. Enough with the blame. It's time to stand strong together. We've done it before and we can certainly do it again. We can honor the memories of Dr. King, Bobby Kennedy and myriad others who championed the cause of love, justice and honor. We can and we will.
But she needs the money! All that plastic surgery and designer clothing doesn't come cheap. Shouldn't we all chip in so that Melania can continue looking as good as her husband? Rich people have needs beyond those of us ordinary folk! Mike, have a heart!
I must remind everyone that maintaining and fueling a $500,000,000 yacht, maintaining the beautiful fabulousness of Mar a Lago, and wearing gold Swiss watches is very expensive. People with these "needs" are more important than poor people, old and young, struggling to survive on Social Security.
That's why we cap FICA taxes at $176,100 (instead of removing the cap entirely) and absolutely must extend Trump's tax cuts for the ultra wealthy!
Steve, I am worried about the Democrats. I am not sure they have it in them to change. That Schumer and Durbin are still in leadership positions just shows me they have learned nothing. We need to hold them accountable and not give an inch. I know all words about supporting your team, but here we are. Our team has failed us.
The first order for the Democratic Party is to start speaking the truth. Robert Menendez was not a great public servant. Those were Chuck Schumer’s words. When Dianne Feinstein was severely injured in a fall, we were told it was “nothing, just a little fall.” Those were Nancy Pelosi’s words. As to Joe Biden, there were too many false statements to count when it came to his health.
If you want my support and the support of others, stop lying to us and taking us for granted. When people were truthful to us, we worked hard and we elected Josh Stein and Rachel Hunt in North Carolina, while successfully keeping a Trump-loving QAnon Lunatic away from the public schools. Truth!
We must add Attorney General Jeff Jackson to that list. When running for Congress two/three years ago, he visited all 100 counties in NC. On a recent trip I met a Republican from Highlands, NC. He met AG Jackson when he visited his county and told me, “I will vote for that man in the next election.” Jeff Jackson is the epitome of the kind of Democratic candidate we need today.
Hear, hear John.
I have no intention of watching or listening to that rapist. I will honor MLK instead.
I'm sorry, I am not going to sit and listen to a man lie to me. His first lie will to take the oath. It's an insult to my intelligence. I already know, Steve that whatever it is he has to say is a waste of my time. It's all flim-flam, and I'm not having it.
I had MSNBC on the radio during a short drive shortly after noon. I listened to about 10 minutes of Trump's speech. The number of superlatives, in a variety of forms, he used and the number of lies he told was astounding.
I wonder if overuse of superlatives gives mental health therapists any insight into Trump's psyche. My guess is it is evidence of deeply buried insecurity and low self-esteem. Any mental health therapists out there who have an opinion?
Anthony, the mental health analysis of the public health danger of Trump’s collection of psychological disorders and that of his cult has already been superbly performed by forensic and social psychiatrist and violence expert Dr. Bandy X. Lee, head of the World Mental Health Coalition, and her colleagues who rank among the most eminent and esteemed in their profession. She continues her work that can be followed on her Substack website, The Newsletter of Dr. Bandy X. Lee, at bandyxlee.substack.com
Yes, Anthony. Trump is a salesman. His goal is to get us to buy his grifts. He lies as a matter of course trying to sell you useless illusions.
If he’s great he’s only great at flim-flam and rubbing our noses in dogshit while claiming it’s French Lavender. It’s as American as Amway, the Confederacy and three-card monte in a park in NYC.
He’s the epitome of both the Wizard of Oz and of doing anything possible to deny his rapist evilness and his encyclopedic use of con games that change all his dealings and wheelings into the Black Death - destroyer of societies, killer of human beings and a veritable Professor Screw-eyes with his menagerie of wishful thinking, hatred and learning to sell zoo memberships to believers to see fleas, flies, cockroaches and deadly illnesses.
Oh! Was there something to see today?
Thanks, Steve, for your analysis and MLK’s I’ve Been to the Mountaintop speech. I encourage all Democrats to do as you suggest: “The party now exists to identify failure, isolate it, stigmatize it, and wrap it around MAGA’s proverbial neck for the drowning season that must come — and will come.” Make every failure Trump’s. And cultivate young leaders as they emerge.
What can we do as citizens. I face this with courage not fear. How can we get the strong tough Democrats to line things up. What can I personally do?
Keep up with what you are doing. Your posts and videos have literally saved my sanity for a very long time.
To Steve, his readers and all Americans:
On the august occasion during which we should remember and heed the teachings and actions of America's greatest modern moral leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., while deep-sixing the Inauguration of an amoral psychotic American fascist as president, I offer the following reflection and admonition:
Wishing you, in this New Year and in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy, the openness of heart, richness of imagination and clarity of thought to know preference from prejudice, reason and civility from fear and bullying, neutrality from complicit silence, the compulsion of truth from enslavement to illusion, the love of others from self-love, and social justice from the status quo -- a nexus of ideals whose apprehension and practice ennobles our humanity and our dignity, thereby making possible our individual and collective success as morally worthy, nonviolent human beings.
Thank you so much for the link to The King Center. In honor of MLK Jr., I just finished reading "Letter from the Birmingham Jail" - which I had never read before. Amazing, and written not with with hatred or contempt but with love and optimism.
As a US history teacher for 25 years I had my students read it. But it is especially relevant today. Thanks, Steve, for bringing it back to our attention. MLK is not just a statue or a day off from work/school. He, too, risked all to point us in the right direction. History in the future, I pray, will note the toxic irony of installing a convicted felon/rapist/conman to a 2nd term as POTUS while others honor the righteous words of MLK.
Thank you for being an oasis in a cruel desert. I am listening to every word. You have prevented me from being in total despair. What you are doing takes courage. Keep doing it. You are needed.
Trump ascends the throne after swearing blasphemy on the book of God. His Ascent will be a spectacle not an event. It will be witnessed by the billionaires seeking more wealth and power at the expense of the American citizens. All Rights will be granted through Trump and taken away if it pleases him. God turned away this morning as his children played homage to the new king and queen of comic book fame. Hail, hail to the chief. May his reign be short and his golf game be embellished with birdies not earned.
To note, and not at all surprising, he did *not* place his left hand on the bible as he took the oath of office. I waited for the lightning bolt in vain.
Steve, the Democrats just don't get it. They continue to try and work even with traitors and felons, in the BS name of getting things done for the American people. What things would these grifters oligarchs have for "the people"? I am sickened by every Democrat who showed up for this nightmare! Look at Gallego, he is already folded into a pretzel! He comes from AZ, there is no CRISIS at the border and he sponsored the immigration bill. Shame on him. The only thing that will get us out from this disaster is starting a new party, an American Party. I am sick of both parties as they exist today. Time to finish them up and start from scratch.
How about, the United Party?
Sounds good to me! Right now, as a registered Democrat I find much more at ease with Steve Schmidt, Saraj, Liz Cheney, and Adam Kintzinger, all Republicans. The only DEmocrats I feel comfortable and on the same wave length are Bernie, AOC, Ilhan Omar and the rest of the progressives, NON AIPAC babes! United sounds fine!
“….only when it’s dark enough can we see the stars”.(MLK) Last night in Chicago, King’s words “I have a dream” were in huge lighted letters on the side of a skyscraper. Today and for the next several years, I want live by King’s words and keep looking for the stars in our moment of darkness in America.
I’m watching Charlie Chaplin’s “The Great Dictator “ at noon today!
I agree, Steve. Enough with the blame. It's time to stand strong together. We've done it before and we can certainly do it again. We can honor the memories of Dr. King, Bobby Kennedy and myriad others who championed the cause of love, justice and honor. We can and we will.
My friend wrote me this morning a quote that kindness is not an act, it is a reflection of the soul.
And that it is so appropriate for the day. (I thought of the comment regarding we are in the "era of niceness")
I sent her back a pin that has on it...
'Kindness without honesty is manipulation.
Honesty without kindness is cruelty."
It is such a peculiar day of many contrasts. ugh
Monday Mourning?
The blood sucking fiend Vampirella!
But she needs the money! All that plastic surgery and designer clothing doesn't come cheap. Shouldn't we all chip in so that Melania can continue looking as good as her husband? Rich people have needs beyond those of us ordinary folk! Mike, have a heart!
I must remind everyone that maintaining and fueling a $500,000,000 yacht, maintaining the beautiful fabulousness of Mar a Lago, and wearing gold Swiss watches is very expensive. People with these "needs" are more important than poor people, old and young, struggling to survive on Social Security.
That's why we cap FICA taxes at $176,100 (instead of removing the cap entirely) and absolutely must extend Trump's tax cuts for the ultra wealthy!
Re the $Melania meme: closed eyes. Vampire nails. Says it all.
My eyes read Smellania. I’d rather not, thank you very much.
EXACTLY what mine did! I don't really care (that they'll be sorry), do you?
Steve, I am worried about the Democrats. I am not sure they have it in them to change. That Schumer and Durbin are still in leadership positions just shows me they have learned nothing. We need to hold them accountable and not give an inch. I know all words about supporting your team, but here we are. Our team has failed us.
Schumer is totally unable to do what is currently needed. I have high hopes for Jeffries.