The day-after analysis of the State of the Union has been filled with commentary about the deplorable and trashy conduct of Marjorie Taylor Greene and her hive of MAGA nutters from George Santos to Lauren Boebert. Much of that analysis is built around the idea that the appalling spectacle and incineration of decorum, politeness, decency and dignity will benefit the Democratic Party in the perpetual death match between two scorpions trapped in a proverbial bottle. The coverage is built around a zero-sum prism that holds that when one political party wins, the other loses. The construct is simple, clear and exceedingly bad for America.
As disgusting as it was to watch the display from those tragically ignorant people, it was just as gratifying to watch Biden take them down. He was crafty, and patient and impeccable. His SOTU actually gave me hope. He is smart and so seasoned in the political arena. Biden absolutely showed me he has what it takes to deal with these loonies. He focused on America and never backed down.
Watching the conduct of the far right at the State of the Union address and other venues reminds me of watching a WWE event. They don’t love their country! They love themselves! Marjorie T. Greene and her fellow insurgents are an embarrassment for all of us! Shame on them for their behavior and anyone who listens to their garbage!
The voters in her district had a reasonable alternative candidate they soundly rejected. The problem isn't the MAGA representatives in government. It's the voters that select them. Those boorish representatives are exposing a percentage of this country that has always existed. The GOP chose to play footsie with these folks, and now they're the power base of the GOP.
One of the tactics the Nazis used as they gained political support and seats in the Reichstag was to engage in yelling, screaming, threats, and made it harder and harder for the legislature to actually accomplish anything. Then the Nazis could tell the people, "see, Democracy doesn't work! We need one man rule!" We don't pay enough attention to the ways MAGA intentionally emulates the Nazi rise to power.
Remember that wedding you attended where one the guests from ‘the family’ got totally trashed and really ruined the whole celebration? Yeah that’s what MAGA congress has done to the SOTU. And when you get the expensive pictures and videos back from the venue archivist, you will forever remember the subtle pain from that day. Elections are the guest lists to your country’s future and foreign influence, gerrymandering and conservative federal society jurists are determining who’s in your family.
I’m afraid that I agree with you, Steve. It is so frustrating when one sees his country heading toward a cliff and there appears to be nothing that can be done. And yet, it’s hard to believe that the big money boys could not stop this if they really wanted to. The fact that they don’t suggests rather strongly that they have an investment in that process, though God knows how even the crassest, most self-centered billionaires could think that the destruction of their country and its economy could really benefit them. Big money has invested in the ignorance of the American people, apparently believing that ignorance will benefit them. Which suggests that they too are mired in their own kind of ignorance. I am reminded of a quote by JFK: “There is an old saying that the course of civilization is a race between catastrophe and education. In a democracy such as ours, we must make sure that education wins the race.”
Ol CroMagaMarge was really in her element the other night. I caught Carvilles commentary about her on Chris Hayes show & couldn't possibly agree more. She's the epitome of WT.
The rule breaking is controlled and purposeful. Each week and month getting more outrageous. Given freedom in the gop to push hard at the rules for all the reasons Steve gives, to distort and destroy. At some point, soon I hope, laws are broken for their removal - looking at George Santos for starts. MTG had wanted a pardon, for what? Someone knows. Gaetz has ducked the law for now, I’m not sure for how long.
As awful as position as we are in, it would have been infinitely worse had we not worked to get a Democratic showing last election and gotten Biden in.
The Insurrection Party knew their ploy to use the State of the Union to make the president look weak had failed. Kevin McCarthy demonstrated his pathetic inability to control his party live, in real time. How he must have envied the Nancy Pelosi death stare! The next day, we had even the dimwitted Marjorie Taylor Green explaining that her furry coat was an arcane reference to the Chinese balloon. I don’t imagine it will be pleasant for the president to have his plans thwarted and filth thrown at his family by those yahoos, but he demonstrated that he was ready to take the fight to the enemy, and he did so while looking as if in his element.
For those who think ignoring the MAGATS will make them go away, that the strategy that gave us a massive infection throughout the body politic. From the 1980s on, so much of the responsible political leadership refused to acknowledge that a heavily armed, far right, theocratic minority posed a serious threat to American democracy.
They appeared under so many names --- Ruby Ridge, those opposing the mythical "New World Order", posse comitatus, militia movements, and on. They fed and flourished in the darkness, while our political and justice systems refused to confront anything less murderous than Timothy McVeigh. And while Putin took advantage of a fine opportunity to finance and train a fascist underground as well as GOP elected. Now we can't be certain our law enforcement agencies or military would defend the US against a fascist takeover.
Personally? I think people of goodwill need to contest-- seriously contest --- every elected office from school boards (under concerted right-wing attack)on up to the most gerrymandering House districts. And law enforcement (the folks who haven't been corrupted) needs to prosecute every law broken by owners of private arsenals on up to House members who helped stage the insurrection on January 6, 2021.
This threat to the republic isn't going away courtesy of wishful thinking. Those who want a republic need to start organizing to keep it.
Rupert Murdoch and Newt Gingrich. Damn their putrid souls to hell. The pending default is going to hurt more than people seem to realize. And it's in the hands of nitwits. Hopefully a half dozen noble republicans will stand up and say "Enough!" Hopefully....
The Republican party is determined to threaten the peace, prosperity and domestic tranquility of the American people in the months ahead. The world will grow more dangerous. and the country more divided, as a result. They are willing to remove democracy as the governing principles of the United States Republic. What we are witnessing is the prelude of another civil war. These are the descendants of the people who were slave owners, racist, white supremacist who never got over losing the 1st civil war 158 years ago The spectacle may be great for ratings, but it isn’t good for America. In fact, it is poisonous. It is one thing to debate and disagree, but it is another to disregard facts, sow division, and threaten the very fabric of our democracy. The Republican party is engaging in dangerous rhetoric and extreme partisanship that risks tearing apart the social fabric of our nation. They are putting their own political ambitions ahead of the country’s best interests, and it is likely to have dire consequences.
I am not yet in such a dark place as Steve. I do not see an inevitable dystopian universe that was once America. I see normal people - which still make up the majority of us - walking away from this stain on democracy. Yes the crazies can still do a lot of damage but I believe, for the most part, it will be to themselves.
Their undoing comes with using concrete examples (wanting to take away social security) and great messaging. Both of these things are becoming part of the Democrats wheelhouse. And it’s not too late.
I was SO happy with President Joe's speech that I just laughed watching the maggots act out. (I did wonder why Madge dressed up like a street walker for the SOTU, though.)
Steve when you have a moment I hope you will address yesterday’s hearings.
The SOTU was theater of absurd Seeing one side desiring a cage match is disgusting. The POTUS addressed this masterfully , but that it occurred goes to the heart of our dysfunctional R party.
Who is coaching or goading them to this behavior? Is it to have airtime on Fox or is there a financial aspect involved? If you think back to Watergate it was follow the money. I know in theory they file financial disclosures, but there is a “what’s in it for me” component that goes beyond appearing on the right wing media
As disgusting as it was to watch the display from those tragically ignorant people, it was just as gratifying to watch Biden take them down. He was crafty, and patient and impeccable. His SOTU actually gave me hope. He is smart and so seasoned in the political arena. Biden absolutely showed me he has what it takes to deal with these loonies. He focused on America and never backed down.
Watching the conduct of the far right at the State of the Union address and other venues reminds me of watching a WWE event. They don’t love their country! They love themselves! Marjorie T. Greene and her fellow insurgents are an embarrassment for all of us! Shame on them for their behavior and anyone who listens to their garbage!
The voters in her district had a reasonable alternative candidate they soundly rejected. The problem isn't the MAGA representatives in government. It's the voters that select them. Those boorish representatives are exposing a percentage of this country that has always existed. The GOP chose to play footsie with these folks, and now they're the power base of the GOP.
One of the tactics the Nazis used as they gained political support and seats in the Reichstag was to engage in yelling, screaming, threats, and made it harder and harder for the legislature to actually accomplish anything. Then the Nazis could tell the people, "see, Democracy doesn't work! We need one man rule!" We don't pay enough attention to the ways MAGA intentionally emulates the Nazi rise to power.
Remember that wedding you attended where one the guests from ‘the family’ got totally trashed and really ruined the whole celebration? Yeah that’s what MAGA congress has done to the SOTU. And when you get the expensive pictures and videos back from the venue archivist, you will forever remember the subtle pain from that day. Elections are the guest lists to your country’s future and foreign influence, gerrymandering and conservative federal society jurists are determining who’s in your family.
I’m afraid that I agree with you, Steve. It is so frustrating when one sees his country heading toward a cliff and there appears to be nothing that can be done. And yet, it’s hard to believe that the big money boys could not stop this if they really wanted to. The fact that they don’t suggests rather strongly that they have an investment in that process, though God knows how even the crassest, most self-centered billionaires could think that the destruction of their country and its economy could really benefit them. Big money has invested in the ignorance of the American people, apparently believing that ignorance will benefit them. Which suggests that they too are mired in their own kind of ignorance. I am reminded of a quote by JFK: “There is an old saying that the course of civilization is a race between catastrophe and education. In a democracy such as ours, we must make sure that education wins the race.”
Ol CroMagaMarge was really in her element the other night. I caught Carvilles commentary about her on Chris Hayes show & couldn't possibly agree more. She's the epitome of WT.
The rule breaking is controlled and purposeful. Each week and month getting more outrageous. Given freedom in the gop to push hard at the rules for all the reasons Steve gives, to distort and destroy. At some point, soon I hope, laws are broken for their removal - looking at George Santos for starts. MTG had wanted a pardon, for what? Someone knows. Gaetz has ducked the law for now, I’m not sure for how long.
As awful as position as we are in, it would have been infinitely worse had we not worked to get a Democratic showing last election and gotten Biden in.
The Insurrection Party knew their ploy to use the State of the Union to make the president look weak had failed. Kevin McCarthy demonstrated his pathetic inability to control his party live, in real time. How he must have envied the Nancy Pelosi death stare! The next day, we had even the dimwitted Marjorie Taylor Green explaining that her furry coat was an arcane reference to the Chinese balloon. I don’t imagine it will be pleasant for the president to have his plans thwarted and filth thrown at his family by those yahoos, but he demonstrated that he was ready to take the fight to the enemy, and he did so while looking as if in his element.
THIS is the weaponization of the government.
For those who think ignoring the MAGATS will make them go away, that the strategy that gave us a massive infection throughout the body politic. From the 1980s on, so much of the responsible political leadership refused to acknowledge that a heavily armed, far right, theocratic minority posed a serious threat to American democracy.
They appeared under so many names --- Ruby Ridge, those opposing the mythical "New World Order", posse comitatus, militia movements, and on. They fed and flourished in the darkness, while our political and justice systems refused to confront anything less murderous than Timothy McVeigh. And while Putin took advantage of a fine opportunity to finance and train a fascist underground as well as GOP elected. Now we can't be certain our law enforcement agencies or military would defend the US against a fascist takeover.
Personally? I think people of goodwill need to contest-- seriously contest --- every elected office from school boards (under concerted right-wing attack)on up to the most gerrymandering House districts. And law enforcement (the folks who haven't been corrupted) needs to prosecute every law broken by owners of private arsenals on up to House members who helped stage the insurrection on January 6, 2021.
This threat to the republic isn't going away courtesy of wishful thinking. Those who want a republic need to start organizing to keep it.
Rupert Murdoch and Newt Gingrich. Damn their putrid souls to hell. The pending default is going to hurt more than people seem to realize. And it's in the hands of nitwits. Hopefully a half dozen noble republicans will stand up and say "Enough!" Hopefully....
The Republican party is determined to threaten the peace, prosperity and domestic tranquility of the American people in the months ahead. The world will grow more dangerous. and the country more divided, as a result. They are willing to remove democracy as the governing principles of the United States Republic. What we are witnessing is the prelude of another civil war. These are the descendants of the people who were slave owners, racist, white supremacist who never got over losing the 1st civil war 158 years ago The spectacle may be great for ratings, but it isn’t good for America. In fact, it is poisonous. It is one thing to debate and disagree, but it is another to disregard facts, sow division, and threaten the very fabric of our democracy. The Republican party is engaging in dangerous rhetoric and extreme partisanship that risks tearing apart the social fabric of our nation. They are putting their own political ambitions ahead of the country’s best interests, and it is likely to have dire consequences.
I am not yet in such a dark place as Steve. I do not see an inevitable dystopian universe that was once America. I see normal people - which still make up the majority of us - walking away from this stain on democracy. Yes the crazies can still do a lot of damage but I believe, for the most part, it will be to themselves.
Their undoing comes with using concrete examples (wanting to take away social security) and great messaging. Both of these things are becoming part of the Democrats wheelhouse. And it’s not too late.
I was SO happy with President Joe's speech that I just laughed watching the maggots act out. (I did wonder why Madge dressed up like a street walker for the SOTU, though.)
Steve when you have a moment I hope you will address yesterday’s hearings.
The SOTU was theater of absurd Seeing one side desiring a cage match is disgusting. The POTUS addressed this masterfully , but that it occurred goes to the heart of our dysfunctional R party.
Who is coaching or goading them to this behavior? Is it to have airtime on Fox or is there a financial aspect involved? If you think back to Watergate it was follow the money. I know in theory they file financial disclosures, but there is a “what’s in it for me” component that goes beyond appearing on the right wing media