There is a soft and foolish dogma that runs through much of the opposition to Donald Trump that holds that by avoiding his menace, ignoring his words, and turning off the madness, has the effect of slowing, stopping or turning it off.
Of course Biden should use the word fascist. When it walks like a duck……..
What’s even more disturbing than Trump’s words are of the overall sentiment at CPAC. They say the quiet parts out loud.
“Welcome to the end of democracy. We are here to overthrow it completely, We didn’t get all the way there on January 6, but we will endeavor to get rid of it and replace it with this, right here,” —Jack Posobiec
And they mean to replace it with an authoritarian theocracy. And while we think that Trump himself is the kleptocratic authoritarian, his movement is bigger than one man.
If Trump wins, The Federalist Society fascist theocrats will own the courts. Presidents come and go, but federal judges are like Herpes; they stay with you forever! And they will rule by judicial fiat for generations to come!
If there ever was a pond scum of a man, it is Leonard Leo of the Federalist Society. The only goal of this scumbag is to use his money to subjugate others that have differing views of what the justice system should be.
No doubt and 100% agree. Trump is dangerous, but he’d be nowhere without his demonic advisors like Stephen Miller and these fascist organizations like The Heritage Foundation and the Federalist Society.
John D. - so well put! WE the People must get better informed about these power players who are silently (?) attempting to crush our Democracy. There are characters galore sneaking about, and we must delete them! The Project 25 plan should be talked about and read by all! It is what lies ahead—IF? Chilling!
Maybe when SCOTUS guts Chevron this term, it will remind anyone on the left flank who is wavering there is no choice but to vote for Biden. (The rest of us know there is every reason to vote for Joe.)
I too cannot listen to his raging lies; using words he himself will make true if elected. I felt like throwing up 🤮 in the just the short time I listened . And here he was in D.C, the same area where the Jan. 6 insurrection massacre happened at his bid. I’ve talked with everyone I know about what will happen if Biden is not reelected. Only one person I know has changed to voting blue out of sheer pressure of the consequences that face all of us.
What I will do is vote for Biden in the Fall and encourage others to do the same. I live in the South these days, and other than telling citizens here we need more guns and less money for schools, the Republicans are Do-Nothings. So I will encourage down ballot Democratic voting. And hope for the best.
I too live in the South & with a very few exceptions, even the moderate R Northern transplants are still “Trump Humpers” (hat tip to Thom Hartmann)
The NYT interviewed people here in South Carolina (pre primary) & even the Haley voters said they would vote for Trump if he ends up being the nominee. This is after stating that they can’t stand him.
This is what I cannot fathom: casting a vote for him. I honestly do not recognize this country any longer, because he should not carry a single state. Maybe we deserve our fate. We may be outnumbered.
When I look at the smiling faces behind him at events, it is nauseating.
The fact that he may receive enough votes to win 270 Electoral College votes tells me there is a dark and ominous societal problem that we are not comprehending.
They are so damn afraid of him, that they will do anything, even vote for him, knowing what he and his "brownshirts" will do to our country! If only they had the guts to say something shortly after Trump came down his golden stairs, maybe we would be at a much better place. Where are the Bushes? Barbara Bush wouldn't have been silent! Where is Romney voice, he has nothing to lose. As with all bullies, the only power that they really have is the power that others give to them.
I am constantly amazed that we have learned nothing from history. Just amazed. Also amazed that people would follow this piece of shit, “pond scum” (John D).
Alarming to me that Biden, his team and the DNC remain so passive. How can they be so inept at messaging and so bad at “reading the room”? My God there is so much given to them on a platter to use, they don’t really need to be that creative. Just use their words, their policies and proposed polices and have at it.
Women. I am simmering with anger and disgust over the Republicans and these so called Christian views of women and the lack of viewing women as human beings, with rights to privacy and living a life of freedom. I am not the only one. Tap into that, reach out, teach women what the future means for them if they are not paying attention. Honestly, this seems so simple.
My Sunday confession— I realized that over the past couple of weeks I have been waking up and checking to see if Trump was still alive. I know it is ridiculous and it was more a subconscious thing. But I confess.
You could be right. The other issue are the Republicans being elected to Congress and state Legislatures. It is a disaster. I may be wrong but thought I read somewhere that our Speaker of the House ran unopposed. Twice I think. How does this get fixed?
For some reason, after I read Steve's substack today, I received the following post from Quora (photo onitted):
The photo above shows Benito Mussolini and his mistress Clara Petacci in a Milan morgue. After being hanged upside down from a gas station girder, some gentle soul arranged them in a familial, loving pose.
"Some gentle soul...familial, loving pose." Mussolini. Yes, by all means, Biden must call out Trump for the fascist he is.
Although I am not to the end yet, does anyone else think the crowd response was lackluster in comparison to other Trump events? Maybe that's a good sign.
I agree, his events aren’t drawing the same crowds as in the last two elections, but don’t sell him short.
His movement is stronger than ever. His right-wing media ecosystem is stronger than ever. His campaign team is more intelligent, productive and effective than ever.
And even when he has no money for his campaign, just remember that in 2016, he was outspent by Clinton 5:1. The media gives him billions in free advertising.
President Biden needs to bring the argument of loss of liberties home- to the kitchen table- so to speak. He needs to use his own moral compass to draw clear parallels between right and wrong, good and evil, etc. and how he sees himself as the one who is fulfilling his oath to our constitution, and protecting all of us with every last fiber of his body and soul.
We already saw Trump and we saw what he did, what he brags about and laughs about; the indictments say it all. Trump is financially backed by a cultish religious zealots. I don’t consider myself a religious person, but I do know that taking care of our own people and humankind is the first sign of a civilized society and also among the most fundamental teachings of most religions.
The turn toward fascism is a worldwide phenomenon. Democracy across the globe is failing. It involves fear, the economics of scarcity, environment, loss of habitat, wars, and the need to feed and care for so many people. All this is overwhelming and a threat to all people. But how do we counter the threat? First and foremost, people have to see it and understand it, simply stated.
Trump and his ultra conservative backers, have already begun taking away the liberties of more than half of the population of this nation; women and children- for starters! I feel this and so do many others. It has been a methodical, well planned process and the movement has infiltrated the highest levels of our justice department, education system and locally as well. His propaganda has done its job, and we are all feeling the effects.
Years ago, while working for the Prosecutors office, I heard Adam Walsh speak. He was the father whose 5 year old son was abducted and brutally killed. After weeks of searching, the police recovered only his head. The loss and ordeal was excruciatingly painful and life changing. Afterwards, he vowed to make it his mission to assist in policy changes that would help locate and notify the public so that no one would have to endure what he went through ever again. He ended his speech to all of us (county law enforcement attended) by saying something along the lines of “ for God sake- protect your women and children”. I have never forgotten his plea, tears and the utter silence in the room. Not all people are able to speak, hold an audience, and convey a message that is memorable. I don’t think Biden can do it, but there are those who can and need to step up and help deliver Biden’s message and intent. I believe he has it in his heart. Certainly the other guy doesn’t.
He needs to speak of and use the word, "Freedom" as opposed to Democracy. The younger generations that this can never disappear, that it is a mainstay. They believe that bringing in another kind of government will do nothing to how they have always lived.....
I think that fascist does not go far enough. This is not a duel under Marques of Queensberry rules. This is all out war on democracy. Neither Joe or the DNC get it.
Trump is not a fascist because he has no capacity mentally for any ideology. Trump can’t think beyond the moment. Trump is severely mentally ill. He is low IQ, no impulse control ( or bowel control). He is propped up by his sycophants and the useful idiots of cult members. People like lily livered Lindsey Graham, evil people like Stephen Miller, Bannon and Stone, and greedy people like the Fox Network ( there is no news on that channel) run Trump. Trump is about Trump and money. His whims are solely based on what’s in it for him.
In my opinion, the message should be that Trump is:
Mentally Ill
Low IQ
A business failure
A crook
A rapist
A fraud like his charity, university and business practices
His “revenge” is not for the people but his own
POINT OUT EVERY SINGLE LIE and WHAT THE FACTS ARE
Get the message out. Biden can’t do it himself. Unfortunately there is only one Pelosi. Biden is capable for now but the right wing propagandist has won this war and has propped up Trump. The democrats whine and clutch pearls instead of their job to lead. This is showcased by the slow dim witted Schumer, inept DNC chair, camera shy democrat congress and senators, and Joe Biden’s ego that should have stepped aside 2 years ago.
Trump, if elected, will be for his life and he will destroy this country like his former casinos , airlines, USFL, ….
Unfortunately, Eric is correct: the word “ fascist” is so abstract that it is almost meaningless to most Americans under the age of 65– and to many over that age. I am 70. My grandfather fought in the Pacific during WWII. Even in my day we werentvtaughtvwhat fascism and Stalinism were. Now it just means
Really Bad or “Hitleresque”. And then it’s dismissed as exaggeration.
So a more precise and varied modern vocabulary describing Trump and the current Repub Party is needed. Reagan used words like “ flipflopper” to infuriatingly good effect. “Treasonous” might be a useful term now. And the do-nothing Repubs in the House have given themselves a ready made moniker.
Donald Trump is not capable of having an ideology like fascism. He is a man of moments…we labeled him and him rhetoric. He just wants power, notoriety, and money at any and all costs. He is for sale. He is easily manipulated. He only knows to be cruel to get what he wants. He has only pretzel logic to guide him. A great debater is not necessarily. He needs to be told to his face that he is a liar, that he is of low IQ, that he is not as wealthy as he would have people believe, and that he is mentally ill. He is a coward. Put him in his place in a neutral environment and he would explode. Tell him his face is orange because he is full of crap. I know you can’t say that directly….maybe “Donald, every time you lie your stomach will grow an inch….
I am sure you are correct that we need to amplify Donald's words and expose him for what he truly is, a fraud, a lier, criminal and a wannabe autocrat. However, I will leave that to the professionals who can do a much better job of breaking down all the racial, antisemitic, anti-democratic, absurd and obscenity that spews out his diseased mouth. I can not listen to him anymore without getting angry. His voice immediately sends my blood pressure through the roof and gets my insides boiling.
Yes, I have something like an allergic reaction to tfg; just even briefly seeing him or hearing him feels like ingesting poison. I also feel broiling anger. It is possible that what we're feeling will be unleashed at the poles in 2024 and we'll dump MAGA by large numbers.
Yes. All of these self-declared anti-fascists, including ourselves, need to vigorously respond, point for point. John D., I agree it is truly painful to listen to this man and his followers but we must do it to save ourselves.
Difficult and boring to listen to. The sound of any applause during his speech is nauseating. How do counter this bs? We need a nimble sharp debater. We don’t have one. So we need an army of surrogates and they must appear daily in every part of the country. Not on msnbc but (as Steve is doing) on more conservative outlets. Elevate Liz Cheney and where is George Bush?! Obama’s, Tom Hanks, Taylor Swift and Oprah.
What can Joe do? I do not honestly know his capacities. Get him on tv from the oval often and speak to certain topics?
Help. I do not have a concrete vision of how Joe wins.
Of course Biden should use the word fascist. When it walks like a duck……..
What’s even more disturbing than Trump’s words are of the overall sentiment at CPAC. They say the quiet parts out loud.
“Welcome to the end of democracy. We are here to overthrow it completely, We didn’t get all the way there on January 6, but we will endeavor to get rid of it and replace it with this, right here,” —Jack Posobiec
And they mean to replace it with an authoritarian theocracy. And while we think that Trump himself is the kleptocratic authoritarian, his movement is bigger than one man.
If Trump wins, The Federalist Society fascist theocrats will own the courts. Presidents come and go, but federal judges are like Herpes; they stay with you forever! And they will rule by judicial fiat for generations to come!
Let that sink in!….:)
If there ever was a pond scum of a man, it is Leonard Leo of the Federalist Society. The only goal of this scumbag is to use his money to subjugate others that have differing views of what the justice system should be.
No doubt and 100% agree. Trump is dangerous, but he’d be nowhere without his demonic advisors like Stephen Miller and these fascist organizations like The Heritage Foundation and the Federalist Society.
John D. - so well put! WE the People must get better informed about these power players who are silently (?) attempting to crush our Democracy. There are characters galore sneaking about, and we must delete them! The Project 25 plan should be talked about and read by all! It is what lies ahead—IF? Chilling!
Maybe when SCOTUS guts Chevron this term, it will remind anyone on the left flank who is wavering there is no choice but to vote for Biden. (The rest of us know there is every reason to vote for Joe.)
Unfortunately for me, I cannot bring myself to listen to Chump speak. I have run out of adjectives for him.
I too cannot listen to his raging lies; using words he himself will make true if elected. I felt like throwing up 🤮 in the just the short time I listened . And here he was in D.C, the same area where the Jan. 6 insurrection massacre happened at his bid. I’ve talked with everyone I know about what will happen if Biden is not reelected. Only one person I know has changed to voting blue out of sheer pressure of the consequences that face all of us.
John, me too. Hopefully Steve will give us a summary; I can't stand to listen nor look at the orange hemorrhoid
Expletives are the only germane adjectives. There are lots more -- in multiple languages, to boot!
What I will do is vote for Biden in the Fall and encourage others to do the same. I live in the South these days, and other than telling citizens here we need more guns and less money for schools, the Republicans are Do-Nothings. So I will encourage down ballot Democratic voting. And hope for the best.
I too live in the South & with a very few exceptions, even the moderate R Northern transplants are still “Trump Humpers” (hat tip to Thom Hartmann)
The NYT interviewed people here in South Carolina (pre primary) & even the Haley voters said they would vote for Trump if he ends up being the nominee. This is after stating that they can’t stand him.
This is what I cannot fathom: casting a vote for him. I honestly do not recognize this country any longer, because he should not carry a single state. Maybe we deserve our fate. We may be outnumbered.
Yes, John, we get exactly what we deserve! NO EXCUSES!
When I look at the smiling faces behind him at events, it is nauseating.
The fact that he may receive enough votes to win 270 Electoral College votes tells me there is a dark and ominous societal problem that we are not comprehending.
Onstage during the first debate, Haley raised her hand. So even with all her half-hearted blustering as of late, she is still a trumper. Sununu, too.
They are so damn afraid of him, that they will do anything, even vote for him, knowing what he and his "brownshirts" will do to our country! If only they had the guts to say something shortly after Trump came down his golden stairs, maybe we would be at a much better place. Where are the Bushes? Barbara Bush wouldn't have been silent! Where is Romney voice, he has nothing to lose. As with all bullies, the only power that they really have is the power that others give to them.
Bottom line…..it’s just shows, it is nothing but bullshit performative art, aka, acting.
YES! FASCIST is the WORD, Steve.
I am constantly amazed that we have learned nothing from history. Just amazed. Also amazed that people would follow this piece of shit, “pond scum” (John D).
Alarming to me that Biden, his team and the DNC remain so passive. How can they be so inept at messaging and so bad at “reading the room”? My God there is so much given to them on a platter to use, they don’t really need to be that creative. Just use their words, their policies and proposed polices and have at it.
Women. I am simmering with anger and disgust over the Republicans and these so called Christian views of women and the lack of viewing women as human beings, with rights to privacy and living a life of freedom. I am not the only one. Tap into that, reach out, teach women what the future means for them if they are not paying attention. Honestly, this seems so simple.
My Sunday confession— I realized that over the past couple of weeks I have been waking up and checking to see if Trump was still alive. I know it is ridiculous and it was more a subconscious thing. But I confess.
I feel better reading that you do that, too. I have been doing it for 8 years.
Good to hear I am not the only one.
💯
It would be as exhilarating as the morning after his win in 2016 was depressing. I SO long for it. Please, Universe, this one little thing.
You could be right. The other issue are the Republicans being elected to Congress and state Legislatures. It is a disaster. I may be wrong but thought I read somewhere that our Speaker of the House ran unopposed. Twice I think. How does this get fixed?
I 100% Agree. Thanks.
Awful. I can’t get through it. He is sick! “Sir” is his favorite word.
Listening to Trump every day: therein lies the path to madness!
Democrat Shrink needed?
Yes, shrink the television.
Biden referred to MAGA as “semi -fascist” so calling them fascist is not only accurate, it is imperative.
For some reason, after I read Steve's substack today, I received the following post from Quora (photo onitted):
The photo above shows Benito Mussolini and his mistress Clara Petacci in a Milan morgue. After being hanged upside down from a gas station girder, some gentle soul arranged them in a familial, loving pose.
"Some gentle soul...familial, loving pose." Mussolini. Yes, by all means, Biden must call out Trump for the fascist he is.
Although I am not to the end yet, does anyone else think the crowd response was lackluster in comparison to other Trump events? Maybe that's a good sign.
I agree, his events aren’t drawing the same crowds as in the last two elections, but don’t sell him short.
His movement is stronger than ever. His right-wing media ecosystem is stronger than ever. His campaign team is more intelligent, productive and effective than ever.
And even when he has no money for his campaign, just remember that in 2016, he was outspent by Clinton 5:1. The media gives him billions in free advertising.
They do at that.
Yes. MSM gives the Criminal PRESIDENT free advertising, 24/7…
Indeed, it was. The Golden Fleece with The Orange Face Has Crested
President Biden needs to bring the argument of loss of liberties home- to the kitchen table- so to speak. He needs to use his own moral compass to draw clear parallels between right and wrong, good and evil, etc. and how he sees himself as the one who is fulfilling his oath to our constitution, and protecting all of us with every last fiber of his body and soul.
We already saw Trump and we saw what he did, what he brags about and laughs about; the indictments say it all. Trump is financially backed by a cultish religious zealots. I don’t consider myself a religious person, but I do know that taking care of our own people and humankind is the first sign of a civilized society and also among the most fundamental teachings of most religions.
The turn toward fascism is a worldwide phenomenon. Democracy across the globe is failing. It involves fear, the economics of scarcity, environment, loss of habitat, wars, and the need to feed and care for so many people. All this is overwhelming and a threat to all people. But how do we counter the threat? First and foremost, people have to see it and understand it, simply stated.
Trump and his ultra conservative backers, have already begun taking away the liberties of more than half of the population of this nation; women and children- for starters! I feel this and so do many others. It has been a methodical, well planned process and the movement has infiltrated the highest levels of our justice department, education system and locally as well. His propaganda has done its job, and we are all feeling the effects.
Years ago, while working for the Prosecutors office, I heard Adam Walsh speak. He was the father whose 5 year old son was abducted and brutally killed. After weeks of searching, the police recovered only his head. The loss and ordeal was excruciatingly painful and life changing. Afterwards, he vowed to make it his mission to assist in policy changes that would help locate and notify the public so that no one would have to endure what he went through ever again. He ended his speech to all of us (county law enforcement attended) by saying something along the lines of “ for God sake- protect your women and children”. I have never forgotten his plea, tears and the utter silence in the room. Not all people are able to speak, hold an audience, and convey a message that is memorable. I don’t think Biden can do it, but there are those who can and need to step up and help deliver Biden’s message and intent. I believe he has it in his heart. Certainly the other guy doesn’t.
He needs to speak of and use the word, "Freedom" as opposed to Democracy. The younger generations that this can never disappear, that it is a mainstay. They believe that bringing in another kind of government will do nothing to how they have always lived.....
I tried to listen but his speech mannerisms are sickening
Is their a transcript of the lowlights?
I think that fascist does not go far enough. This is not a duel under Marques of Queensberry rules. This is all out war on democracy. Neither Joe or the DNC get it.
Trump is not a fascist because he has no capacity mentally for any ideology. Trump can’t think beyond the moment. Trump is severely mentally ill. He is low IQ, no impulse control ( or bowel control). He is propped up by his sycophants and the useful idiots of cult members. People like lily livered Lindsey Graham, evil people like Stephen Miller, Bannon and Stone, and greedy people like the Fox Network ( there is no news on that channel) run Trump. Trump is about Trump and money. His whims are solely based on what’s in it for him.
In my opinion, the message should be that Trump is:
Mentally Ill
Low IQ
A business failure
A crook
A rapist
A fraud like his charity, university and business practices
His “revenge” is not for the people but his own
POINT OUT EVERY SINGLE LIE and WHAT THE FACTS ARE
Get the message out. Biden can’t do it himself. Unfortunately there is only one Pelosi. Biden is capable for now but the right wing propagandist has won this war and has propped up Trump. The democrats whine and clutch pearls instead of their job to lead. This is showcased by the slow dim witted Schumer, inept DNC chair, camera shy democrat congress and senators, and Joe Biden’s ego that should have stepped aside 2 years ago.
Trump, if elected, will be for his life and he will destroy this country like his former casinos , airlines, USFL, ….
We should add to your apt ascriptions, Eric:
A traitor
A sociopath
An enemy of freedom
Evil, evil, evil.
Satan's son!
Devil's imp
Unfortunately, Eric is correct: the word “ fascist” is so abstract that it is almost meaningless to most Americans under the age of 65– and to many over that age. I am 70. My grandfather fought in the Pacific during WWII. Even in my day we werentvtaughtvwhat fascism and Stalinism were. Now it just means
Really Bad or “Hitleresque”. And then it’s dismissed as exaggeration.
So a more precise and varied modern vocabulary describing Trump and the current Repub Party is needed. Reagan used words like “ flipflopper” to infuriatingly good effect. “Treasonous” might be a useful term now. And the do-nothing Repubs in the House have given themselves a ready made moniker.
Donald Trump is not capable of having an ideology like fascism. He is a man of moments…we labeled him and him rhetoric. He just wants power, notoriety, and money at any and all costs. He is for sale. He is easily manipulated. He only knows to be cruel to get what he wants. He has only pretzel logic to guide him. A great debater is not necessarily. He needs to be told to his face that he is a liar, that he is of low IQ, that he is not as wealthy as he would have people believe, and that he is mentally ill. He is a coward. Put him in his place in a neutral environment and he would explode. Tell him his face is orange because he is full of crap. I know you can’t say that directly….maybe “Donald, every time you lie your stomach will grow an inch….
The framing provided by abnormal human psychology is paramount and exigent.
Yes. Biden should use the word fascist/fascism, and briefly define what that means.
Then he should use the contrasting term liberal democracy and concisely define point by point what that means.
Call out daily Trump's behavior, define it briefly, dismiss it (mock it), then state and define the contrasting American principles and values.
Then finish the remarks with, "folks, the choice is clear, Democracy or Trump."
I am sure you are correct that we need to amplify Donald's words and expose him for what he truly is, a fraud, a lier, criminal and a wannabe autocrat. However, I will leave that to the professionals who can do a much better job of breaking down all the racial, antisemitic, anti-democratic, absurd and obscenity that spews out his diseased mouth. I can not listen to him anymore without getting angry. His voice immediately sends my blood pressure through the roof and gets my insides boiling.
Yes, I have something like an allergic reaction to tfg; just even briefly seeing him or hearing him feels like ingesting poison. I also feel broiling anger. It is possible that what we're feeling will be unleashed at the poles in 2024 and we'll dump MAGA by large numbers.
I hope you are right. I am not up for a repeat Trump presidency. I am not sure if I would survive another 4 years.
Yes. All of these self-declared anti-fascists, including ourselves, need to vigorously respond, point for point. John D., I agree it is truly painful to listen to this man and his followers but we must do it to save ourselves.
Difficult and boring to listen to. The sound of any applause during his speech is nauseating. How do counter this bs? We need a nimble sharp debater. We don’t have one. So we need an army of surrogates and they must appear daily in every part of the country. Not on msnbc but (as Steve is doing) on more conservative outlets. Elevate Liz Cheney and where is George Bush?! Obama’s, Tom Hanks, Taylor Swift and Oprah.
What can Joe do? I do not honestly know his capacities. Get him on tv from the oval often and speak to certain topics?
Help. I do not have a concrete vision of how Joe wins.