I watch the unfolding of the assault on our Federal system. While most look at the carnage, I see the impact on the Treasury. The Executive is making way for a tax cut for the wealthy and corporations. That is what I see. Money being laid up to be stolen.
The confirmation of Hegseth indicates the gamesmanship in the Senate is at a high level. The max number of no votes was 3 to get Hegseth confirmed. It is magic. Drama. Clearly there is a lack of empathy and caring that is so prevalent with Republican Senators. Focused on our service members, their lack of empathy and caring shows they suffer psychopathy. Their support of their neo-fascist leader makes them all neo-fascists.
Do you need any other proof that we face an army of psychopathic neo-fascists (PNFs)? I appreciate those that do not like the name and will not support it; however, the name is deadly accurate. Odd words like misogyny and xenophobia are fine, but psychopathic neo-fascist is not fine? Fine! But I beg to differ. Psychopathic neo-fascist is their specific medical malady and political ideology! So give me a break. Enough with inaccurate labels. Knowing exactly who and what they are is critical to knowing their tactics and how to fight them. “Know thy enemy” is a phrase that comes from the ancient Chinese general Sun Tzu's The Art of War. The full quote is, “Know thy enemy and know thyself; in a hundred battles, you will never be defeated.” I suggest we learn the term, psychopathic neo-fascist, because that is exactly who we fight. We must raise, rouse, and rile our army to fight ONE demon, not ONE HUNDRED.
Steve is a bulldog of truth, so may I kindly serve up this dose, offered by University of MA Economics Professor Richard Wolff. The video is barely up a week and is at 1.7 million views. Dear Schmidt readers, this is essential listening, as are Wolff's other videos.
We will get nowhere unless we deal in absolute truth going forward. And you will KNOW every word is true as we all have lived it, some (like me) for decades. But pain is difficult, so we all live in our own forms of denial, which must stop. Truth is the only way.
I have listened to many of his videos. He is a great narrator and as you indicated what he has to say is obviously true and thus overwhelmingly frightening.
I just finished listening to the video Mary Ann recommended (above). What a refreshing, upsetting but objective, view of the rise, and since the 1970's, decline of the American Empire. The capitalist class has run amuk, forgetting that a healthy and satisfied working class is essential to the property functioning of the free enterprise system. Real wages have been dropping since the 1970's as corporate profits and upper management salaries skyrocketed, hence the wealth inequality that put us in the unenviable place we are, a working class looking for scapegoats and quick fixes, falling prey to fascist snake oil cures offered by Trump.
He explains clearly many other reasons why we are declining as China rises and the futility of the sanctions imposed on Russia for invading Ukraine. Very much worth listening to.
Well none of this is new from Prof Wolff. He was saying essentially the same thing 30 years ago. Which not to poo-poo him, but y'know, he says he might be wrong, and Mondragon Corp is not running Europe yet. And I don't know when (or if) the (left wing populist) revolution will happen in America. I have warned my former bosses that they will get hung before I do, but they think I'm joking. And I might be wrong, because what I've experienced since the Reagan Revolution is a LOT of effort put into taking the legs out of left wing populism, under the theory that America had become immune from right-wing populism or could at least control it. Which has been proven to be a fatal assumption. Fatal to the Republican Party, and perhaps fatal to liberal democracy on this planet.
Last night 94% of the Republican Senators voted to place a drunkard on the president's cabinet as the Secretary of Defense. Please imagine going back in time to the Eisenhower period and asking Republican Senators in that time if they can imagine that happening in our time. Their reactions might vary. I would surmise that the spectrum of their reactions would probably range from "jumping for joy" to "taking steps to having you committed to an insane asylum." What do you say, dear reader?
Being a drunk was actually a smokescreen for his more vile characteristics. When you read what he has written in his books (like leftist politics, protests and culture should be *crushed* BY OUR OWN MILITARY), you question why this guy hasn't been on an FBI watch list as opposed to now being secretary of defense.
The FBI pre-capitulated by not doing basic background checks of the personal contacts in his life. His ex-wife was astonished, as she readily made herself available and anticipated being interviewed. She wasn't.
Instead of our own media reporting on this, I had to read his views in an ENGLISH NEWSPAPER.
So what would crushing leftist culture look like? A military raid on a Taylor Swift concert? (I'm only half joking.)
To end the week on a happy note, I offer an example of the internal dissension, rivalry, and backbiting that may tear the Maga powerhouse apart, as the fear and hatred they used to gain power turns against them:
“I have no desire whatsoever to watch or listen to Donald Trump. Donald Trump has, time and again, convinced me that he is the most dishonest elected official that I have ever — excuse me — that the public has ever had to interact with.
“And the paradox with Donald Trump is he seems to make dishonest statements just for the fun of it, as a challenge to see if anybody has the gumption or the wherewithal to take him to task for the dishonest statements he makes. He sees it as a game and he’s winning it.” – Former GOP Rep. Mo Brooks, speaking to NOTUS.
Trump withdrew his endorsement of Brooks’ Senate bid back in March 2022 after Brooks told a Trump rally crowd to put the 2020 election behind them. Boos then rained down upon him from the cultist audience. Trump later endorsed Katie Britt, who easily won the general election.
When the Time reporter asked Trump how he would lower grocery prices, his face looked like it was the first time he had ever heard the issue. "Oh, I can't bring down grocery prices. I don't think anyone can."
Will Fox viewers see that? Of course not. Just like they never saw the real footage of J6. With the violent J6 rioters vowing retribution on the prosecutors, judges and JURORS, some are seeing that footage now for the first time, or so they say.
I'm not comfortable with the amount of ferocious anger rising within me. I literally can't stand the hypocrisy anymore. Any fear I might have felt about all this has been eclipsed by seething rage.
I am trying to channel it productively. It's not easy.
Anthony, it seems the 1600 convicts were released to be used when needed to attack peaceful people in the streets. They are pawns in his game, as we all are. Question is, when will the proud boys and others finally see this and turn on trump?
Diane, they are pawns in the sense that they are foot-soldiers willing to do whatever Trump tells them. However, they do this because they share his belief in white supremacy and authoritarian government. They are willing to resort to violence to achieve the terrible society they envision. They are not likely to ever turn on Trump in significant numbers. The question is, will the military obey unconstitutional orders from Trump or will they honor their oath to support and defend the Constitution. I hope and believe it will be the latter.
I too want to trust that the military will obey the Constitution they swore in oath to follow. However, so many have sworn this sacred oath and have not remained loyal, and now hegseth. I do hope the military leaders keep their honor. Thank you.
Every time Tom Nichols writes story in The Atlantic he has to mention near the top how once upon a time he was a teacher at the Naval War College. Usually it’s in the first two paragraphs but today it was in the fifth. That would be like Paul Krugman mentioning his Nobel Prize in every post. Just let it be in your bio information in case anyone is curious. https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/01/america-is-counting-on-you-pete-hegseth/681469/
This morning I read that Trump is directing the Air Force Academy to remove teaching students about The Tuskegee Airmen. My husband and I were appalled and my husband suggested that we watch again the Kennedy Burns series on the U.S. and the Holocaust. Burns did not wish to develop just another documentary. It was released during Trump's first term. He wanted Mexicans to see how the template for Germany in WWII was developed by U.S., Americans, beginning with slavery. Given the situation today, I urge all readers to to watch it now. It begins in the early 1930's and illustrates how long it took for Hitler to get himself elected, develop propaganda to convince the German population that Jews were the reason for all their problems. As Steve did in a podcast last week, simply substitute certain words, like Trump for Hitler, like the U.S. for Germany. Or immigrants from Mexico, central and southern America, the Caribbean and Africa...'sh** hole' countries. The template exists and Trump is implementing it as fast as he can. We can only hope that he hasn't the brains to be as successful building a military and directing them as Hitler was. At the same time, it dint work out too well for Hitler.
I watched the video. He’s correct, but looking at this as an economist. As an expert in education I see another huge reason we’ve declined. We have fascists running our education system who’ve stopped creating citizens - what we need to maintain a democracy. Rather than out these fascists, teacher unions have found common ground. There’s no way we could maintain leadership with the atrocious schools we have. I wrote a book about what education did to democracy: A Graver Danger. If people read it they would understand a lot including: running for their school board is the wisest thing anyone could do.
I watch the unfolding of the assault on our Federal system. While most look at the carnage, I see the impact on the Treasury. The Executive is making way for a tax cut for the wealthy and corporations. That is what I see. Money being laid up to be stolen.
The confirmation of Hegseth indicates the gamesmanship in the Senate is at a high level. The max number of no votes was 3 to get Hegseth confirmed. It is magic. Drama. Clearly there is a lack of empathy and caring that is so prevalent with Republican Senators. Focused on our service members, their lack of empathy and caring shows they suffer psychopathy. Their support of their neo-fascist leader makes them all neo-fascists.
Do you need any other proof that we face an army of psychopathic neo-fascists (PNFs)? I appreciate those that do not like the name and will not support it; however, the name is deadly accurate. Odd words like misogyny and xenophobia are fine, but psychopathic neo-fascist is not fine? Fine! But I beg to differ. Psychopathic neo-fascist is their specific medical malady and political ideology! So give me a break. Enough with inaccurate labels. Knowing exactly who and what they are is critical to knowing their tactics and how to fight them. “Know thy enemy” is a phrase that comes from the ancient Chinese general Sun Tzu's The Art of War. The full quote is, “Know thy enemy and know thyself; in a hundred battles, you will never be defeated.” I suggest we learn the term, psychopathic neo-fascist, because that is exactly who we fight. We must raise, rouse, and rile our army to fight ONE demon, not ONE HUNDRED.
https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/fight-psychopathic-neo-fascists?r=3m1bs
I hadn't heard the Maga leaders and supporters labeled PNF's. However, it is a very accurate description and I see no reason not to use it.
Steve is a bulldog of truth, so may I kindly serve up this dose, offered by University of MA Economics Professor Richard Wolff. The video is barely up a week and is at 1.7 million views. Dear Schmidt readers, this is essential listening, as are Wolff's other videos.
We will get nowhere unless we deal in absolute truth going forward. And you will KNOW every word is true as we all have lived it, some (like me) for decades. But pain is difficult, so we all live in our own forms of denial, which must stop. Truth is the only way.
https://youtu.be/sFa4Lm_ZTyI?si=wWhe5_KGbEJ4Z3w6
I have listened to many of his videos. He is a great narrator and as you indicated what he has to say is obviously true and thus overwhelmingly frightening.
I just finished listening to the video Mary Ann recommended (above). What a refreshing, upsetting but objective, view of the rise, and since the 1970's, decline of the American Empire. The capitalist class has run amuk, forgetting that a healthy and satisfied working class is essential to the property functioning of the free enterprise system. Real wages have been dropping since the 1970's as corporate profits and upper management salaries skyrocketed, hence the wealth inequality that put us in the unenviable place we are, a working class looking for scapegoats and quick fixes, falling prey to fascist snake oil cures offered by Trump.
He explains clearly many other reasons why we are declining as China rises and the futility of the sanctions imposed on Russia for invading Ukraine. Very much worth listening to.
Thank you Mary Ann for sharing the economist and Professor Richard Wolff's message. Denial in our country is massive. Wow, still digesting his words.
Well none of this is new from Prof Wolff. He was saying essentially the same thing 30 years ago. Which not to poo-poo him, but y'know, he says he might be wrong, and Mondragon Corp is not running Europe yet. And I don't know when (or if) the (left wing populist) revolution will happen in America. I have warned my former bosses that they will get hung before I do, but they think I'm joking. And I might be wrong, because what I've experienced since the Reagan Revolution is a LOT of effort put into taking the legs out of left wing populism, under the theory that America had become immune from right-wing populism or could at least control it. Which has been proven to be a fatal assumption. Fatal to the Republican Party, and perhaps fatal to liberal democracy on this planet.
Last night 94% of the Republican Senators voted to place a drunkard on the president's cabinet as the Secretary of Defense. Please imagine going back in time to the Eisenhower period and asking Republican Senators in that time if they can imagine that happening in our time. Their reactions might vary. I would surmise that the spectrum of their reactions would probably range from "jumping for joy" to "taking steps to having you committed to an insane asylum." What do you say, dear reader?
Being a drunk was actually a smokescreen for his more vile characteristics. When you read what he has written in his books (like leftist politics, protests and culture should be *crushed* BY OUR OWN MILITARY), you question why this guy hasn't been on an FBI watch list as opposed to now being secretary of defense.
The FBI pre-capitulated by not doing basic background checks of the personal contacts in his life. His ex-wife was astonished, as she readily made herself available and anticipated being interviewed. She wasn't.
Instead of our own media reporting on this, I had to read his views in an ENGLISH NEWSPAPER.
So what would crushing leftist culture look like? A military raid on a Taylor Swift concert? (I'm only half joking.)
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/22/trump-defense-secretary-pete-hegseth-book?CMP=share_btn_url
To end the week on a happy note, I offer an example of the internal dissension, rivalry, and backbiting that may tear the Maga powerhouse apart, as the fear and hatred they used to gain power turns against them:
“I have no desire whatsoever to watch or listen to Donald Trump. Donald Trump has, time and again, convinced me that he is the most dishonest elected official that I have ever — excuse me — that the public has ever had to interact with.
“And the paradox with Donald Trump is he seems to make dishonest statements just for the fun of it, as a challenge to see if anybody has the gumption or the wherewithal to take him to task for the dishonest statements he makes. He sees it as a game and he’s winning it.” – Former GOP Rep. Mo Brooks, speaking to NOTUS.
Trump withdrew his endorsement of Brooks’ Senate bid back in March 2022 after Brooks told a Trump rally crowd to put the 2020 election behind them. Boos then rained down upon him from the cultist audience. Trump later endorsed Katie Britt, who easily won the general election.
https://www.joemygod.com/2025/01/ex-gop-rep-lying-is-a-game-for-dishonest-trump/
When the Time reporter asked Trump how he would lower grocery prices, his face looked like it was the first time he had ever heard the issue. "Oh, I can't bring down grocery prices. I don't think anyone can."
Will Fox viewers see that? Of course not. Just like they never saw the real footage of J6. With the violent J6 rioters vowing retribution on the prosecutors, judges and JURORS, some are seeing that footage now for the first time, or so they say.
I'm not comfortable with the amount of ferocious anger rising within me. I literally can't stand the hypocrisy anymore. Any fear I might have felt about all this has been eclipsed by seething rage.
I am trying to channel it productively. It's not easy.
You have a lot of company; I for one.
Anthony, it seems the 1600 convicts were released to be used when needed to attack peaceful people in the streets. They are pawns in his game, as we all are. Question is, when will the proud boys and others finally see this and turn on trump?
Diane, they are pawns in the sense that they are foot-soldiers willing to do whatever Trump tells them. However, they do this because they share his belief in white supremacy and authoritarian government. They are willing to resort to violence to achieve the terrible society they envision. They are not likely to ever turn on Trump in significant numbers. The question is, will the military obey unconstitutional orders from Trump or will they honor their oath to support and defend the Constitution. I hope and believe it will be the latter.
I too want to trust that the military will obey the Constitution they swore in oath to follow. However, so many have sworn this sacred oath and have not remained loyal, and now hegseth. I do hope the military leaders keep their honor. Thank you.
Every time Tom Nichols writes story in The Atlantic he has to mention near the top how once upon a time he was a teacher at the Naval War College. Usually it’s in the first two paragraphs but today it was in the fifth. That would be like Paul Krugman mentioning his Nobel Prize in every post. Just let it be in your bio information in case anyone is curious. https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/01/america-is-counting-on-you-pete-hegseth/681469/
You need a subscription to read it. But I believe you.
My iPad has a life of its own. It's not Mexicans, it's Americans! Sorry...also a few,other typos. I pressed the button too soon.
This morning I read that Trump is directing the Air Force Academy to remove teaching students about The Tuskegee Airmen. My husband and I were appalled and my husband suggested that we watch again the Kennedy Burns series on the U.S. and the Holocaust. Burns did not wish to develop just another documentary. It was released during Trump's first term. He wanted Mexicans to see how the template for Germany in WWII was developed by U.S., Americans, beginning with slavery. Given the situation today, I urge all readers to to watch it now. It begins in the early 1930's and illustrates how long it took for Hitler to get himself elected, develop propaganda to convince the German population that Jews were the reason for all their problems. As Steve did in a podcast last week, simply substitute certain words, like Trump for Hitler, like the U.S. for Germany. Or immigrants from Mexico, central and southern America, the Caribbean and Africa...'sh** hole' countries. The template exists and Trump is implementing it as fast as he can. We can only hope that he hasn't the brains to be as successful building a military and directing them as Hitler was. At the same time, it dint work out too well for Hitler.
I watched the video. He’s correct, but looking at this as an economist. As an expert in education I see another huge reason we’ve declined. We have fascists running our education system who’ve stopped creating citizens - what we need to maintain a democracy. Rather than out these fascists, teacher unions have found common ground. There’s no way we could maintain leadership with the atrocious schools we have. I wrote a book about what education did to democracy: A Graver Danger. If people read it they would understand a lot including: running for their school board is the wisest thing anyone could do.