Outstanding article, Steve, the American People need to be reminded of what this 250th anniversary is about. TGIF to you and your readers, let's hope it Rains ☔ like hell this weekend in DC🤞 and will reStack 💯👍
I refuse to take any stunt they pull seriously. I’m getting through this nightmare by following Substack of people who’ve proven they’re real Americans who care about all of us. The rest are noisy idiots & I’m waiting for the shock they’ll get 11/3/26! I ordered your People’s House shirt & coffee mug to support your work more & enjoy flashing them in public for fools who voted for this nightmare. I know we’ll start cleaning up the mess 11/3 & until then I do what I can & listen to fiction stories on audiobooks to keep calm. Being retired has advantages like that.
Yes! Your article mirrors exactly what I felt when this WH monsterous UFC event started up. It reminded me of the gladiators brawling in the Roman Coliseum for blood lust, entertainment for the masses. Fighting to the death, loser being killed by a thumbs up or down, wild beasts loosed on people for the sheer love of flowing blood and guts. Nero, Caligula were just the most notably cruel and excessively in love with these spectacales. Cage fighting on the grounds of the White House is beyond disrespectful, hideous use of government taxes, property and personnel. That We the People have to tolerate this for one monent longer makes my blood boil. Is peaceful dissent possible in this moment, during the 250th anniversary of our country. I am beginning to doubt it because so many Americans are still on the sidelines and sleeping through the news, court cases, bigotry, cruelty, lies, propaganda, corruption, defacing of public sites, cronyism, misogyny and oblivious to the dangerous "America alone," Trump Manifest Destiny Doctrine for the Western Hemisphere that the wealthy, powerful of the world approve. Russia, China, Middle East and America will carve up spheres of influence according to their agreements.
Steve, I really hate thinking like and agreeing with someone else about what is going on and the possible horrors that await the world. I want to be wrong and all wet. However, I work from history, humanity's weaknesses, evidence pointing the way to the same conclusions. So sad.
I love this piece . You have nailed it . i feel sick at the thought of Sunday . I hope and pray the event is ruined in some way. We have to save our country . God please, please, take his name off the Kennedy Center today . Please ..lost in america
I remain confused about this situation we are in right now and how it continues. Literally continues. It appears to get stronger. I realize we will vote in November. Every day something more outrageous happens. I'm weary.
That's not so far off, Anthony. Trump, in his first term, wanted to dig a 2,000 mile moat across the southern border and have it filled with alligators and snakes. This is according to Miles Taylor who wrote a book on his experiences working in the first Trump presidency. His sick mentality is on par with Caligula and with Idi Amin who fed his victims to the crocodiles. I can't believe we are even having this outrageous discussion, but this is life in America 2026.
The "tell" is that The Claw is not adorned with American historical moments, but with advertising by those companies who are buying DonnieFelon's griftathon and his support for their own grifts.
This is a brilliant piece of writing! And it goes to the core of the dis-ease that we face - both collectively and individually. How to address it? Because we must if we are to survive as a Democracy. Distinguish with clarity. Understand the difference between art and entertainment. Be aware of the roots of boredom. Appreciate renewal as an ending and rebirth. Be kind and generous. Separate want from need. Discard crap.
The Nero analogy is powerful because it’s not just about cruelty... it’s about the normalization of it. When the spectacle becomes constant, people start tuning out or rationalizing what they once found unthinkable.
Nero didn’t burn Rome by accident. He just stopped caring who got hurt as long as the spectacle continued. We’re watching the same logic play out in real time.
What sort of 80 year old man insists on a birthday spectacle for himself? One who narcissistic, insecure, bordering on juvenile. One can only hope that the Trump show is nearing the end of its run, as do all shows once they become stale.
Thank God, someone with a national voice wrote this article. You hit the nail on the head. The anniversary of our country is being overshadowed by Trump's cage spectacle. The anger I have felt since the destruction of East Wing of the People's house is now being engulfed in flames with the cage fights on the Whitehouse lawn. Unhappy 250 anniversary to you, George Washington.
“The danger isn’t that Americans enjoy entertainment. It’s that Americans begin expecting politics to function as entertainment.”
This and several more paragraphs hit the bullseye. But “Americans” is not one group but a multitude of many. Something is binding us, gathering us virtually, placing us in the same room. Is it concrete or esoteric, actual or virtual? Are there specific points in time or a particular mix of events and circumstances? Each of us need to accept responsibility for changing the dynamics and direction our collective behavior is leading toward. Lots of little things, lots of different ways of thinking and doing, can help redirect us and, maybe, sweep away the silliness and anger that seems to be at the core of our politics today. Political activity is not entertainment but entertainment can be used to enhance political activity.
Here's what you wrote: "A republic demands something different from its citizens. It demands seriousness, memory and judgement. It demands an understanding that public office is a sacred trust rather than a vehicle for self-expression. "
That was exactly the approach that the Biden administration took. It was pilloried because the population and the media wanted entertainment after 4 years of Trump. Its steadiness, legislative accomplishments, and the actual progress the economy made were not recognized by the electorate because Biden was considered too old and failing. But his administration was largely effective and peopled by actual public servants.
We seem, as a nation, to have gotten what we deserved instead of what we said we wanted.
There a plenty of "should-haves" to go around for the Biden presidency. But there was no lack of seriousness or memory. As for judgement, that's where the hindsight kicks in and the consequences should have been forcefully and maniacally pursued. Here's hoping that lesson was learned in time.
Hear, hear… I couldn’t agree more with this response and also wrote similar thoughts commenting on previous Schmidt/Blundell posts! It’s good to see other like-minded folks feeling a similar way.
We can only learn and correct from past mistakes by admitting that they were made in the first place.
These include not electing Kamala, whatever her faults and despite any of Biden‘s errors (including with Gaza) - all pale in comparison to the travesty that we now are enduring by a government which allows the sickos, corporations and Oligarchs to run amuck amongst us!
See this week's The New Yorker cover: Rubio and Vance in a cage match with Trump in a ring-side seat, asleep.
Outstanding article, Steve, the American People need to be reminded of what this 250th anniversary is about. TGIF to you and your readers, let's hope it Rains ☔ like hell this weekend in DC🤞 and will reStack 💯👍
I refuse to take any stunt they pull seriously. I’m getting through this nightmare by following Substack of people who’ve proven they’re real Americans who care about all of us. The rest are noisy idiots & I’m waiting for the shock they’ll get 11/3/26! I ordered your People’s House shirt & coffee mug to support your work more & enjoy flashing them in public for fools who voted for this nightmare. I know we’ll start cleaning up the mess 11/3 & until then I do what I can & listen to fiction stories on audiobooks to keep calm. Being retired has advantages like that.
I am as "Left" as Left can be.
Yet I Gladly pay for Steve Schmidt's Substack, and send it to my friends.
Mr. Schmidt, if you were running for office, you would have my Vote.
Meanwhile, keep writing.
I LOVE your columns!
Yes! Your article mirrors exactly what I felt when this WH monsterous UFC event started up. It reminded me of the gladiators brawling in the Roman Coliseum for blood lust, entertainment for the masses. Fighting to the death, loser being killed by a thumbs up or down, wild beasts loosed on people for the sheer love of flowing blood and guts. Nero, Caligula were just the most notably cruel and excessively in love with these spectacales. Cage fighting on the grounds of the White House is beyond disrespectful, hideous use of government taxes, property and personnel. That We the People have to tolerate this for one monent longer makes my blood boil. Is peaceful dissent possible in this moment, during the 250th anniversary of our country. I am beginning to doubt it because so many Americans are still on the sidelines and sleeping through the news, court cases, bigotry, cruelty, lies, propaganda, corruption, defacing of public sites, cronyism, misogyny and oblivious to the dangerous "America alone," Trump Manifest Destiny Doctrine for the Western Hemisphere that the wealthy, powerful of the world approve. Russia, China, Middle East and America will carve up spheres of influence according to their agreements.
Steve, I really hate thinking like and agreeing with someone else about what is going on and the possible horrors that await the world. I want to be wrong and all wet. However, I work from history, humanity's weaknesses, evidence pointing the way to the same conclusions. So sad.
I love this piece . You have nailed it . i feel sick at the thought of Sunday . I hope and pray the event is ruined in some way. We have to save our country . God please, please, take his name off the Kennedy Center today . Please ..lost in america
I pray for thunderstorms. Big ones. Torrential rain. Lots of lightning. Enough to make all the "fans" stay indoors.
Yep that could be good. And mosquito bites the size of his fist all over him could be good too.
Yes, it could. Nice touch!!!
I remain confused about this situation we are in right now and how it continues. Literally continues. It appears to get stronger. I realize we will vote in November. Every day something more outrageous happens. I'm weary.
How long before MAGA "Christians" begin feeding those they label "traitors and terrorists" to alligators?
That's not so far off, Anthony. Trump, in his first term, wanted to dig a 2,000 mile moat across the southern border and have it filled with alligators and snakes. This is according to Miles Taylor who wrote a book on his experiences working in the first Trump presidency. His sick mentality is on par with Caligula and with Idi Amin who fed his victims to the crocodiles. I can't believe we are even having this outrageous discussion, but this is life in America 2026.
You just described the perfect rube. A Rube-publican.
The "tell" is that The Claw is not adorned with American historical moments, but with advertising by those companies who are buying DonnieFelon's griftathon and his support for their own grifts.
This is a brilliant piece of writing! And it goes to the core of the dis-ease that we face - both collectively and individually. How to address it? Because we must if we are to survive as a Democracy. Distinguish with clarity. Understand the difference between art and entertainment. Be aware of the roots of boredom. Appreciate renewal as an ending and rebirth. Be kind and generous. Separate want from need. Discard crap.
It is a brilliant piece of writing. The difference between art and presentation, perversion, preoccupation, personality.
The Nero analogy is powerful because it’s not just about cruelty... it’s about the normalization of it. When the spectacle becomes constant, people start tuning out or rationalizing what they once found unthinkable.
Nero didn’t burn Rome by accident. He just stopped caring who got hurt as long as the spectacle continued. We’re watching the same logic play out in real time.
What sort of 80 year old man insists on a birthday spectacle for himself? One who narcissistic, insecure, bordering on juvenile. One can only hope that the Trump show is nearing the end of its run, as do all shows once they become stale.
Thank God, someone with a national voice wrote this article. You hit the nail on the head. The anniversary of our country is being overshadowed by Trump's cage spectacle. The anger I have felt since the destruction of East Wing of the People's house is now being engulfed in flames with the cage fights on the Whitehouse lawn. Unhappy 250 anniversary to you, George Washington.
“The danger isn’t that Americans enjoy entertainment. It’s that Americans begin expecting politics to function as entertainment.”
This and several more paragraphs hit the bullseye. But “Americans” is not one group but a multitude of many. Something is binding us, gathering us virtually, placing us in the same room. Is it concrete or esoteric, actual or virtual? Are there specific points in time or a particular mix of events and circumstances? Each of us need to accept responsibility for changing the dynamics and direction our collective behavior is leading toward. Lots of little things, lots of different ways of thinking and doing, can help redirect us and, maybe, sweep away the silliness and anger that seems to be at the core of our politics today. Political activity is not entertainment but entertainment can be used to enhance political activity.
Here's what you wrote: "A republic demands something different from its citizens. It demands seriousness, memory and judgement. It demands an understanding that public office is a sacred trust rather than a vehicle for self-expression. "
That was exactly the approach that the Biden administration took. It was pilloried because the population and the media wanted entertainment after 4 years of Trump. Its steadiness, legislative accomplishments, and the actual progress the economy made were not recognized by the electorate because Biden was considered too old and failing. But his administration was largely effective and peopled by actual public servants.
We seem, as a nation, to have gotten what we deserved instead of what we said we wanted.
There a plenty of "should-haves" to go around for the Biden presidency. But there was no lack of seriousness or memory. As for judgement, that's where the hindsight kicks in and the consequences should have been forcefully and maniacally pursued. Here's hoping that lesson was learned in time.
Hear, hear… I couldn’t agree more with this response and also wrote similar thoughts commenting on previous Schmidt/Blundell posts! It’s good to see other like-minded folks feeling a similar way.
We can only learn and correct from past mistakes by admitting that they were made in the first place.
These include not electing Kamala, whatever her faults and despite any of Biden‘s errors (including with Gaza) - all pale in comparison to the travesty that we now are enduring by a government which allows the sickos, corporations and Oligarchs to run amuck amongst us!