Anyone who is still thinking about voting MAGA needs to do some soul searching. When you look at these people, such as Laura Loomer, it is clear that society’s misfits have found a warm and inviting place with the MAGA candidate. We live in a very dangerous world and it would be national suicide to put these people in a place of power.
There is a long list of MAGA conspirators that will be scheduled to be sent to GITMO. some are famous. They did this to themselves...it didn't have to be like this. Believe me.
Throughout history, when individuals are forced to flee their homes due to persecution, violence, or unlivable conditions, and seek refuge in countries offering better opportunities, they are often met with hostility and defensiveness from the native population. People in these countries may feel threatened, fearing that these newcomers will somehow "take" what they themselves have, whether it’s jobs, resources, or opportunities.
To justify mass deportations or the closing of borders, societies often begin by dehumanizing these immigrants, painting them as dangerous or unworthy. Historically, this is done by branding them with harmful stereotypes—labeling them as thieves, criminals, drug users, or worse. In the case of Haitian immigrants today, some are going as far as accusing them of grotesque behaviors like eating cats and dogs, in an attempt to strip them of their humanity and dignity.
This is the first step in a process that could lead to even greater cruelty, such as imprisonment or deportation. And yet, what these immigrants seek is no different from what all people desire: freedom, safety, and the chance to build a better life—the very ideals that form the foundation of the American dream.
The discrimination and terrible treatment of new immigrants transcends race. Witness how the Irish were treated when they arrived in America. Bill O'Reilly and Hannity obviously don't remember or care since there are newer arrivals to bully
I’ve always disliked Michelle Obama’s famous quote about going high. It set the Democratic Party back 4 years. You don’t bring a knife to a gun fight.
Great post, Steve. Your first paragraph stopped me in my tracks. Since I firmly believe that supporting Trump is a moral choice, that is, not having a moral compass, I have eliminated all Trump supports from my life. To me, befriending a trumper would be akin to befriending a Nazi or white supremacist. Even though your friend is not, most likely, either of those heinous groups, he is silently supporting the movement.
I'm so sorry. It must be so very difficult and to avoid politics - policy touches everything! - is nearly impossible. How often must the weather be discussed?
John Legend is from Springfield, Ohio. He lived and grew up there. Last night he posted a video on Twitter, explaining why Haitians came to Springfield, legally. Because of the increase in manufacturing, Springfield needed workers. They were not finding enough so working with the government Haitians were brought in to work. Yes there had been ups and downs, but overall things were working out. Until now.
Steve, I get why we consider this country great. I do. But our history and treatment of others is not great. I watched “Lakota Nation vs United States” over the weekend. My state had the largest number of KKK members in the US in the 30’s and then slavery. It seems we continue to recycle hatred and have basically since our founding. How does this ever change or will it? We like to say this is not who we are, but I am beginning to wonder.
I agree with you and wonder about this as well. It does not seem that long ago, but I remember as a child a family member telling me he had to legally change his name because the naval yard in which he wished to be hired would not accept Polish people for employment.
In the late 1960's, when I was a kid growing up, my parents told us the story of our next door neighbors who changed their name to Smith. They were jewish.
So many Jews changed their names to "American" sounding names for that reason. My uncle, my dad's only brother (both now z"l), was forced to go to medical school in Europe because a) he didn't change his name and b) the quotas kept him out of US schools. The US has an ugly history with the truly Native American population and then with immigrants that were forced here in servitude and others who elected and still elect to go through hell to get here. (When I read this in The Atlantic, even what I'd known about it, became far more vivid. I cannot imagine the hardships, horrific ways, of getting to the US that people endure only to feel so hated. https://www.theatlantic.com/press-releases/archive/2024/08/sept-2024-cover-caitlin-dickerson-darien-gap/679370/)
Yes, I have listened to that story about “70Miles Through the Darian Gap” via audio two times. The physical difficulty, the horrific danger, the exploitation those people endure is heartbreaking.
I think most people who have the luxury/luck to have been born here cannot even imagine subjecting themselves to such difficulty.
PBSNewshour told the story of Springfield. In this https://www.pbs.org/video/ohio-city-with-haitian-migrant-influx-thrust-into-spotlight-1725923126/ is a small manufacturing company who is thrilled to have Haitian immigrant workers. THAT is the story about all immigrants that is missing - the work, the rebuilding of communities, the taxes they pay with no benefits if they are here and undocumented, the business they bring to a communities. Why is that not discussed more to explain it? And how few people in this country are descended from Native Americans?
We know the codes they use to distinguish which immigrants are wanted and which not.
I cannot stand Scott Jennings and his smarmy smirk. No bridge is too far for him in his defense of Trump. Another Republican who has sold his soul. ETTD. I appreciate everything you do Steve.
In past years, Scott Jennings was mostly the sane Republican voice at CNN during peak hours and he used to be more circumspect in his answers. Since the so-called end of Covid he has become the most egregious spokesperson for trump, even telling the audience that he is “employed by CNN to provide a counterpoint to mostly Democrat hosts”. He doesn’t offer counterpoints - he simply repeats the inanities offered up by trump. David Urban is not much more likable, but he is certainly more judicious when arguing in favor of trump.
Scott Jennings response or lack of response is why the Republican Party is where it is today. He is embarrassed to go down the rabbit hole with MAGA but too much of a snowflake to call them out. When Laura Loomer is too embarrassing for Marjorie Taylor Greene and is now the face of the MAGA party, that says it all.
For the second day in a row, elementary school children in Springfield, Ohio, were forced to be evacuated due to threats: a bomb threat on Thursday and an unspecified threat on Friday. The threats come after Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio U.S. Senator JD Vance, have repeatedly spread lies about Haitian immigrants in Springfield this week, including that they are stealing residents’ cats and dogs and eating them.
Thursday’s bomb threat specifically mentioned the false claims about Haitian immigrants eating people’s pets, USA Today reported.
THIS IS THE HORROR THE REPUBLICANS HAVE INTRODUCED INTO AMERICAN LIFE. Let this be a warning, THE warning.
Yet, they get away with it unchecked without challenge. The MEDIA has become a compliciit "dark knight" in American society. The MEDIA goes for ratings; not truth, fact or substance.
AND it's being, in the current language, "sane-washed" and made "not that bad." Screaming at the horror visited on so many by hate and those promoting it.
Not unlike "Pizzagate" and the nonsense about Hillary Clinton and a child sex ring and the almost horror at the restaurant. https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-38156985 How do people forget so quickly?
We don’t even need to ask that question anymore, the answer has been made obvious, over & over again for a full 10 yrs now; They do not care!! They don’t care who gets hurt, as long as it’s not them.
Everyone who cares about this country, who cares about their fellow human beings, must pay attention to what his own niece, Mary Trump, a clinical psychologist, just said on msnbc this week. She said that during that debate, VP Harris delivered a deep psychological injury to Donald’s malignant narcissistic personality from which he will not recover. She told Lawrence O’Donnell that from that night forward, Donald will only become more angry & more DANGEROUS. We should truly take her assessment very seriously.
MAGA seems to always allege something disparaging about Democrats but never seem to have any evidence to support their claims. They simply want the smear …yet they cry a river of tears when they are accused and proven to have committed the offense. They say witch hunt when directed at them and patriotic duty when they issue their unfounded allegations. Jim Jordan’s and Comer’s whole existence in Congress is to waste time and tax payer money on allegations with no proof.
All these fake investigations with no evidence are Comer’s game to feel important. Gym Jordan plays the role of attorney and is not one! He never took the bar! What a barff!
Eric, that is so true, & every taxpayer & voter “should” be outraged about that. Everyone also needs to keep in the forefront of their minds, that between today & the day in January when Democrats take over control of the House, Holy Mike Johnson is 2nd in line to the Presidency, a man who views himself as the New Moses of America!! That man is extremely dangerous, even more so because he goes about his subversion of democracy very quietly, with a submissive physical posture, & a soft slight smile on his face. It’s very disarming, as it is meant to be, while he secretly pushes the Heritage Foundation’s evil agenda forward.
Think of possible line to the “throne”, Trump, JD Vance and the Jesus Johnson…..Moscow Mitch…Stephen Miller…Larry Kudlow/Peter Navarro, General Flynn… then Bill Barr…
The hateful eight. Trumpty and Vance should be charged with inciting violence, slander, endangering a group of minorities, hate speech, bearing false witness, I don’t know, something. Maybe the Haitians or/and Springfield could sue them?
If we were to look at the Trump collective of persons afore mentioned in your piece, and add many more that are part of the sycophantic group as pieces in a game of checkers, it has never been more clear that they need to be permanently removed from the board.
The grifter is now totally off the wall with the racist pets eating comments. Apologists and enablers like Jennings do themselves and republicans no service when supporting the grifter's racism.
This election is the most important one in American history not just because of the stark contrast in world view, vision, values and political philosophies but signally because it transcends politics and directly implicates a radical contestation over the very nature of individual and collective human psychological health. In other words, it is a contretemps between those whose normal mental capacity and health permits them to apprehend and respect life-affirming, empirically valid objective reality and those whose mental health is so damaged and dysfunctional that they can no longer differentiate basic objective reality from their death-inducing, shared psychotic prism confected and spread by Trump and his minions.
For the first time in American history, it is imperative to view one's vote not merely as a political act but one cast for or against the objective reality without which human beings and their civilization cannot survive.
To reiterate, a vote for Trump is a vote for psychotic evil that attacks, usurps and destroys the individual and collective mental health that is the indispensable predicate for personal and societal freedom, democracy and, ultimately, happiness.
Anyone who is still thinking about voting MAGA needs to do some soul searching. When you look at these people, such as Laura Loomer, it is clear that society’s misfits have found a warm and inviting place with the MAGA candidate. We live in a very dangerous world and it would be national suicide to put these people in a place of power.
Here, here!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
There is a long list of MAGA conspirators that will be scheduled to be sent to GITMO. some are famous. They did this to themselves...it didn't have to be like this. Believe me.
Very well said, John!
Throughout history, when individuals are forced to flee their homes due to persecution, violence, or unlivable conditions, and seek refuge in countries offering better opportunities, they are often met with hostility and defensiveness from the native population. People in these countries may feel threatened, fearing that these newcomers will somehow "take" what they themselves have, whether it’s jobs, resources, or opportunities.
To justify mass deportations or the closing of borders, societies often begin by dehumanizing these immigrants, painting them as dangerous or unworthy. Historically, this is done by branding them with harmful stereotypes—labeling them as thieves, criminals, drug users, or worse. In the case of Haitian immigrants today, some are going as far as accusing them of grotesque behaviors like eating cats and dogs, in an attempt to strip them of their humanity and dignity.
This is the first step in a process that could lead to even greater cruelty, such as imprisonment or deportation. And yet, what these immigrants seek is no different from what all people desire: freedom, safety, and the chance to build a better life—the very ideals that form the foundation of the American dream.
The discrimination and terrible treatment of new immigrants transcends race. Witness how the Irish were treated when they arrived in America. Bill O'Reilly and Hannity obviously don't remember or care since there are newer arrivals to bully
I’ve always disliked Michelle Obama’s famous quote about going high. It set the Democratic Party back 4 years. You don’t bring a knife to a gun fight.
Great post, Steve. Your first paragraph stopped me in my tracks. Since I firmly believe that supporting Trump is a moral choice, that is, not having a moral compass, I have eliminated all Trump supports from my life. To me, befriending a trumper would be akin to befriending a Nazi or white supremacist. Even though your friend is not, most likely, either of those heinous groups, he is silently supporting the movement.
A knife to a gunfight? If only! More like a tray of cupcakes. But, finally, it looks like Kamala has had enough of that and has turned things around.
I agree, Pat Duke. For me not supporting Trump in any way is a moral imperative.
Voting for Harris/Walz is a ALSO a moral imperative.
Amen to all that!
My only remaining family is maga. It breaks my heart. We avoid talking politics in order to spend any time together.
I'm so sorry. It must be so very difficult and to avoid politics - policy touches everything! - is nearly impossible. How often must the weather be discussed?
Are you having Thanksgiving dinner? Election will be over but the battles may be on?
John Legend is from Springfield, Ohio. He lived and grew up there. Last night he posted a video on Twitter, explaining why Haitians came to Springfield, legally. Because of the increase in manufacturing, Springfield needed workers. They were not finding enough so working with the government Haitians were brought in to work. Yes there had been ups and downs, but overall things were working out. Until now.
Steve, I get why we consider this country great. I do. But our history and treatment of others is not great. I watched “Lakota Nation vs United States” over the weekend. My state had the largest number of KKK members in the US in the 30’s and then slavery. It seems we continue to recycle hatred and have basically since our founding. How does this ever change or will it? We like to say this is not who we are, but I am beginning to wonder.
I agree with you and wonder about this as well. It does not seem that long ago, but I remember as a child a family member telling me he had to legally change his name because the naval yard in which he wished to be hired would not accept Polish people for employment.
It is our history. Polish, Irish, German, Italian…
In the late 1960's, when I was a kid growing up, my parents told us the story of our next door neighbors who changed their name to Smith. They were jewish.
So many Jews changed their names to "American" sounding names for that reason. My uncle, my dad's only brother (both now z"l), was forced to go to medical school in Europe because a) he didn't change his name and b) the quotas kept him out of US schools. The US has an ugly history with the truly Native American population and then with immigrants that were forced here in servitude and others who elected and still elect to go through hell to get here. (When I read this in The Atlantic, even what I'd known about it, became far more vivid. I cannot imagine the hardships, horrific ways, of getting to the US that people endure only to feel so hated. https://www.theatlantic.com/press-releases/archive/2024/08/sept-2024-cover-caitlin-dickerson-darien-gap/679370/)
Yes, I have listened to that story about “70Miles Through the Darian Gap” via audio two times. The physical difficulty, the horrific danger, the exploitation those people endure is heartbreaking.
I think most people who have the luxury/luck to have been born here cannot even imagine subjecting themselves to such difficulty.
PBSNewshour told the story of Springfield. In this https://www.pbs.org/video/ohio-city-with-haitian-migrant-influx-thrust-into-spotlight-1725923126/ is a small manufacturing company who is thrilled to have Haitian immigrant workers. THAT is the story about all immigrants that is missing - the work, the rebuilding of communities, the taxes they pay with no benefits if they are here and undocumented, the business they bring to a communities. Why is that not discussed more to explain it? And how few people in this country are descended from Native Americans?
We know the codes they use to distinguish which immigrants are wanted and which not.
I cannot stand Scott Jennings and his smarmy smirk. No bridge is too far for him in his defense of Trump. Another Republican who has sold his soul. ETTD. I appreciate everything you do Steve.
In past years, Scott Jennings was mostly the sane Republican voice at CNN during peak hours and he used to be more circumspect in his answers. Since the so-called end of Covid he has become the most egregious spokesperson for trump, even telling the audience that he is “employed by CNN to provide a counterpoint to mostly Democrat hosts”. He doesn’t offer counterpoints - he simply repeats the inanities offered up by trump. David Urban is not much more likable, but he is certainly more judicious when arguing in favor of trump.
CNN now is the home for mostly insane MAGAs/Republicans/GOP!
CNN takes them all in! Prides themselves in their “balance” and counter balance!
The only anchor who is worthy of her title is Erin Burnette.
Scott Jennings response or lack of response is why the Republican Party is where it is today. He is embarrassed to go down the rabbit hole with MAGA but too much of a snowflake to call them out. When Laura Loomer is too embarrassing for Marjorie Taylor Greene and is now the face of the MAGA party, that says it all.
Honestly, I think MTG is just jealous that Loomer has become closer to tRump than she. The wacko MTG was replaced with a super-wacko.
From the Web:
For the second day in a row, elementary school children in Springfield, Ohio, were forced to be evacuated due to threats: a bomb threat on Thursday and an unspecified threat on Friday. The threats come after Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio U.S. Senator JD Vance, have repeatedly spread lies about Haitian immigrants in Springfield this week, including that they are stealing residents’ cats and dogs and eating them.
Thursday’s bomb threat specifically mentioned the false claims about Haitian immigrants eating people’s pets, USA Today reported.
THIS IS THE HORROR THE REPUBLICANS HAVE INTRODUCED INTO AMERICAN LIFE. Let this be a warning, THE warning.
Outrageous and despicable behavior.
Yet, they get away with it unchecked without challenge. The MEDIA has become a compliciit "dark knight" in American society. The MEDIA goes for ratings; not truth, fact or substance.
You forgot PROFIT and ratings with lots of money!
Those two definitely have NO moral equivalency.
AND it's being, in the current language, "sane-washed" and made "not that bad." Screaming at the horror visited on so many by hate and those promoting it.
I love the phrase, "sane-washing". Somewhat reminds me of Kellyanne Conway's "There are alternative facts."
"Well here's another nice mess you've gotten me into!" says Oliver Hardy. Not entirely sure/confident we will get out of this mess.
Meanwhile, poor Springfield is experiencing bomb threats to their schools, citing Trump's nonsense.
Not unlike "Pizzagate" and the nonsense about Hillary Clinton and a child sex ring and the almost horror at the restaurant. https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-38156985 How do people forget so quickly?
“they’re eating dogs”
Everything Trump says confirms the severity of his mental illness. Are his supporters unaware of the obvious, and or do they just not care?
We don’t even need to ask that question anymore, the answer has been made obvious, over & over again for a full 10 yrs now; They do not care!! They don’t care who gets hurt, as long as it’s not them.
Everyone who cares about this country, who cares about their fellow human beings, must pay attention to what his own niece, Mary Trump, a clinical psychologist, just said on msnbc this week. She said that during that debate, VP Harris delivered a deep psychological injury to Donald’s malignant narcissistic personality from which he will not recover. She told Lawrence O’Donnell that from that night forward, Donald will only become more angry & more DANGEROUS. We should truly take her assessment very seriously.
It is puzzling.
MAGA seems to always allege something disparaging about Democrats but never seem to have any evidence to support their claims. They simply want the smear …yet they cry a river of tears when they are accused and proven to have committed the offense. They say witch hunt when directed at them and patriotic duty when they issue their unfounded allegations. Jim Jordan’s and Comer’s whole existence in Congress is to waste time and tax payer money on allegations with no proof.
All these fake investigations with no evidence are Comer’s game to feel important. Gym Jordan plays the role of attorney and is not one! He never took the bar! What a barff!
Eric, that is so true, & every taxpayer & voter “should” be outraged about that. Everyone also needs to keep in the forefront of their minds, that between today & the day in January when Democrats take over control of the House, Holy Mike Johnson is 2nd in line to the Presidency, a man who views himself as the New Moses of America!! That man is extremely dangerous, even more so because he goes about his subversion of democracy very quietly, with a submissive physical posture, & a soft slight smile on his face. It’s very disarming, as it is meant to be, while he secretly pushes the Heritage Foundation’s evil agenda forward.
Think of possible line to the “throne”, Trump, JD Vance and the Jesus Johnson…..Moscow Mitch…Stephen Miller…Larry Kudlow/Peter Navarro, General Flynn… then Bill Barr…
I will go to my grave wondering how many of my close friends bought into this bullshit. It’s heartbreaking really.
The ones I have found have really puzzled me as to why ‘that mindset’? Many have blocked me but I do not care.
The hateful eight. Trumpty and Vance should be charged with inciting violence, slander, endangering a group of minorities, hate speech, bearing false witness, I don’t know, something. Maybe the Haitians or/and Springfield could sue them?
If we were to look at the Trump collective of persons afore mentioned in your piece, and add many more that are part of the sycophantic group as pieces in a game of checkers, it has never been more clear that they need to be permanently removed from the board.
The grifter is now totally off the wall with the racist pets eating comments. Apologists and enablers like Jennings do themselves and republicans no service when supporting the grifter's racism.
Fuck CNN for paying Jennings to spew MAGA bullshit on air
This election is the most important one in American history not just because of the stark contrast in world view, vision, values and political philosophies but signally because it transcends politics and directly implicates a radical contestation over the very nature of individual and collective human psychological health. In other words, it is a contretemps between those whose normal mental capacity and health permits them to apprehend and respect life-affirming, empirically valid objective reality and those whose mental health is so damaged and dysfunctional that they can no longer differentiate basic objective reality from their death-inducing, shared psychotic prism confected and spread by Trump and his minions.
For the first time in American history, it is imperative to view one's vote not merely as a political act but one cast for or against the objective reality without which human beings and their civilization cannot survive.
To reiterate, a vote for Trump is a vote for psychotic evil that attacks, usurps and destroys the individual and collective mental health that is the indispensable predicate for personal and societal freedom, democracy and, ultimately, happiness.