Donald, like Adolph did, tries to loom larger than life. The image of immense power and personal charisma. When in fact, both were small men. Donald the spoiled, low IQ, failed real estate developer and no talent TV personality. Adolph the hateful bully and homeless laborer.
In fact: Donald would not qualify for a barber's license, a real estate agent's license or a stock brokers license,, due to his financial frauds and sexual misconduct. He would not qualify for a Fannie Mae home loan because he has a long history of weaseling out of paying his bills and taxes. (Imagine his credit score!) He's conned 50 million people into thinking he gives a shit about them. And has made millions by selling lies, bribes and snake oil. Trump World is nothing but a scam for money.
This is the obvious public truth, that the mass media Press fails to reveal. They are in on the con.
These are great examples of occupations that everyday Americans have qualified for, that Trump would automatically be disqualified from. There are many more trades in which his application would be deep sixed. I am appalled that there is no such vetting process for the job of most powerful person in the world. All you need to show on your application is that you're at least 35 and an American citizen. I guess all he is fit for is leader of the Free World (sarcasm intended), intent on making it the Enslaved World.
Steve your 10 questions could pass for the 10 Commandments of a real democracy and the real basis the founding fathers based this country on and not the religious perversion of the Christian Nationalist and the evangelicals of this country (not all) are spouting, for power, period.
Christ taught humility and love. He taught tolerance and kindness. He taught to be generous and giving to the less fortunate.
I don’t see any of this in the immoral minority that feel the rest of us should embrace their perversions.
Just came back from voting in my local library in a tony south Westchester NY suburban town. Line was long, but the voting team was quick and efficient.
I believe the MSM thought it was their competition’s place to call out trump’s behavior then no one bothered. In 2016 money was made creating a close race then the unexpected occurred and the U.S. ended up with a morally bankrupt president. It took awhile for the guardrails to fail but fail they did ending with January 6.
Realizing more money could be made by almost any position Trump held($ to fight impeachment, Jan. 6 charges, theft of Top Secret docs, etc.) and his overall grift of anything he touched(Chinese watches, coins, trading cards, hats, bibles-Oklahoma schools, here we come, etc.), he took his grift alongside a third run for president but an added incentive, avoiding prison, was added to the mix.
Along for the ride are the racists standing back and standing by, waiting for their call to arms. Who knew there were so many haters? And how quickly the church joined in?
I have long subscribed to a theory about the human race based on greed. It drives our worst behavior. Greed for power, money, land, etc., will be our ultimate destruction. Trump recognizes the greed in others and uses that recognition to his advantage. He also knows how stupid so many people are. Examine how many people actually buy his hare brained merchandise. One born every minute.
Hang on, people. It’s going to be a rough ride. And God help us if he achieves a victory, by hook or crook, in November.
Y'know, it takes a bit of larceny in your heart to be conned. Sometimes a lot of larceny. You gotta want to help steal the Nigerian prince's estate before wiring money to the trustee. These folks aren't duped because they're stupid, they're duped because there's enough fear and hate in their hearts to want it.
From my early years reading of The WWII Resistance, many of whom were those who’d have been otherwise persecuted and killed, I’ve wondered if I could. Now, not physically. Will I do what I can to protect this country to which my landsman came, escaping Pogroms? Yes. My vote is cast. I’ve done what I can and will through the close of votes being cast. Am I afraid? Yes. Am I hopeful and believe sense will prevail? Yes. Having an alt-plan in my head (“fight or flight”) is for my mental survival.
Thank you, Steve, for holding up the ideals and supporting us as I envision a bright, cold day seeing Kamala Harris take the oath of office giving us all strength in the future.
Absolutely brilliant rehearsal of how America stands poised on the precipice of recapitulating Germany’s devolution into Nazi totalitarianism within days. The question is not Benjamin Franklin’s admonition that the Founders birthed "a republic, if you can keep it" but rather that we have a republic if only we can muster the will to keep it.
The estimated 80 million people who are estimated to vote for Trump in this election have to be repudiated. There is no room for compromise with anyone you might know who is one of them. I called out a woman who voted for Trump in 2016, after the “Unite the Right Rally”which directly affected our community. I don’t recall seeing her since then but if I saw her again, I would walk the other way.
How did we get here, to this point in time? We’ve seen it coming with all the Fascists marching in Charlottesville, 1/6 and still going on, and non to really pay for the destruction of property, the Constitution, the Supreme Court and our way of life I’ve known for nearly 80 years.
It's been coming for a long time. Reagan's bargain with the rich of this country started the slide...Some say it goes back even farther than that. The John Birch Society comes to mind....
My husband and I will vote this week. I do not believe trump’s followers, mostly our neighbors, understand what he and Bannan and the others propose for America. They are totally duped by them. My hope is that we can stop it at the ballot box. But, we all know trump. He will not accept defeat. I am afraid for what will come after.
Given that Trump is constantly accusing Harris of paying people to come to her rallies, and given that if he wants to fill this place up, could someone please find out if he’s paying people to come to Madison Square Garden?
The stakes are well spelled out in this essay. Coincidentally (or is it?) PB S is airing the Rick Steve’s special on Fascism - visiting key sites like where the Beer Hall Putsch gang was headed. Along with archival footage & interviews with historians & journalists, he brings history alive for this moment. Worth the time.
It's easy to hate the "other", and you can define "other" by so many variables. But ultimately, it seems to come down to "not like me", and that generates fear.
Donald, like Adolph did, tries to loom larger than life. The image of immense power and personal charisma. When in fact, both were small men. Donald the spoiled, low IQ, failed real estate developer and no talent TV personality. Adolph the hateful bully and homeless laborer.
In fact: Donald would not qualify for a barber's license, a real estate agent's license or a stock brokers license,, due to his financial frauds and sexual misconduct. He would not qualify for a Fannie Mae home loan because he has a long history of weaseling out of paying his bills and taxes. (Imagine his credit score!) He's conned 50 million people into thinking he gives a shit about them. And has made millions by selling lies, bribes and snake oil. Trump World is nothing but a scam for money.
This is the obvious public truth, that the mass media Press fails to reveal. They are in on the con.
These are great examples of occupations that everyday Americans have qualified for, that Trump would automatically be disqualified from. There are many more trades in which his application would be deep sixed. I am appalled that there is no such vetting process for the job of most powerful person in the world. All you need to show on your application is that you're at least 35 and an American citizen. I guess all he is fit for is leader of the Free World (sarcasm intended), intent on making it the Enslaved World.
They sure are Burke.
Steve your 10 questions could pass for the 10 Commandments of a real democracy and the real basis the founding fathers based this country on and not the religious perversion of the Christian Nationalist and the evangelicals of this country (not all) are spouting, for power, period.
Christ taught humility and love. He taught tolerance and kindness. He taught to be generous and giving to the less fortunate.
I don’t see any of this in the immoral minority that feel the rest of us should embrace their perversions.
Well said.
Thank you. I appreciate it . It means a lot to me
Yesterday, first day of voting in Southern Tier of NY. Happy to have voted first thing in the morning for Harris/Walz! Big turn out.
Just came back from voting in my local library in a tony south Westchester NY suburban town. Line was long, but the voting team was quick and efficient.
Good to hear. They were efficient here also.
I'm feeling dread and anger. My tolerance for the imbecilic ramblings of MAGA folks, is gone.
I've donated, knocked doors, argued, and voted.
That half our country wants fascism, or doesn't recognize it, is disheartening and disturbing.
Yet, I intend to live my best life possible regardless of outcome.
Go Kamala!
All the warnings are well placed. Now, all that we can do is to vote. And if fascism rules America, we rebel.
I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet.
— Gandhi
Thank you for this Gandhi quote, John. Great timing. I'm copying it to my desktop now :-)
I believe the MSM thought it was their competition’s place to call out trump’s behavior then no one bothered. In 2016 money was made creating a close race then the unexpected occurred and the U.S. ended up with a morally bankrupt president. It took awhile for the guardrails to fail but fail they did ending with January 6.
Realizing more money could be made by almost any position Trump held($ to fight impeachment, Jan. 6 charges, theft of Top Secret docs, etc.) and his overall grift of anything he touched(Chinese watches, coins, trading cards, hats, bibles-Oklahoma schools, here we come, etc.), he took his grift alongside a third run for president but an added incentive, avoiding prison, was added to the mix.
Along for the ride are the racists standing back and standing by, waiting for their call to arms. Who knew there were so many haters? And how quickly the church joined in?
I have long subscribed to a theory about the human race based on greed. It drives our worst behavior. Greed for power, money, land, etc., will be our ultimate destruction. Trump recognizes the greed in others and uses that recognition to his advantage. He also knows how stupid so many people are. Examine how many people actually buy his hare brained merchandise. One born every minute.
Hang on, people. It’s going to be a rough ride. And God help us if he achieves a victory, by hook or crook, in November.
Y'know, it takes a bit of larceny in your heart to be conned. Sometimes a lot of larceny. You gotta want to help steal the Nigerian prince's estate before wiring money to the trustee. These folks aren't duped because they're stupid, they're duped because there's enough fear and hate in their hearts to want it.
and yes I voted by mail and the state has confirmed that my ballot was accepted and counted!
From my early years reading of The WWII Resistance, many of whom were those who’d have been otherwise persecuted and killed, I’ve wondered if I could. Now, not physically. Will I do what I can to protect this country to which my landsman came, escaping Pogroms? Yes. My vote is cast. I’ve done what I can and will through the close of votes being cast. Am I afraid? Yes. Am I hopeful and believe sense will prevail? Yes. Having an alt-plan in my head (“fight or flight”) is for my mental survival.
Thank you, Steve, for holding up the ideals and supporting us as I envision a bright, cold day seeing Kamala Harris take the oath of office giving us all strength in the future.
Absolutely brilliant rehearsal of how America stands poised on the precipice of recapitulating Germany’s devolution into Nazi totalitarianism within days. The question is not Benjamin Franklin’s admonition that the Founders birthed "a republic, if you can keep it" but rather that we have a republic if only we can muster the will to keep it.
The estimated 80 million people who are estimated to vote for Trump in this election have to be repudiated. There is no room for compromise with anyone you might know who is one of them. I called out a woman who voted for Trump in 2016, after the “Unite the Right Rally”which directly affected our community. I don’t recall seeing her since then but if I saw her again, I would walk the other way.
How did we get here, to this point in time? We’ve seen it coming with all the Fascists marching in Charlottesville, 1/6 and still going on, and non to really pay for the destruction of property, the Constitution, the Supreme Court and our way of life I’ve known for nearly 80 years.
It's been coming for a long time. Reagan's bargain with the rich of this country started the slide...Some say it goes back even farther than that. The John Birch Society comes to mind....
My husband and I will vote this week. I do not believe trump’s followers, mostly our neighbors, understand what he and Bannan and the others propose for America. They are totally duped by them. My hope is that we can stop it at the ballot box. But, we all know trump. He will not accept defeat. I am afraid for what will come after.
Given that Trump is constantly accusing Harris of paying people to come to her rallies, and given that if he wants to fill this place up, could someone please find out if he’s paying people to come to Madison Square Garden?
Fascist cult members don't need to be paid. They freely surrender their minds and souls to the Orange Mephistopheles.
I prefer to not be distracted by stooping to their level. It's a waste of time and would do absolutely nothing as far as moving the needle.
You’re both right
The stakes are well spelled out in this essay. Coincidentally (or is it?) PB S is airing the Rick Steve’s special on Fascism - visiting key sites like where the Beer Hall Putsch gang was headed. Along with archival footage & interviews with historians & journalists, he brings history alive for this moment. Worth the time.
Thank you Steve. Why do people have an appetite for racism? Puzzling.
This question of racism, it is the million dollar question.
It's easy to hate the "other", and you can define "other" by so many variables. But ultimately, it seems to come down to "not like me", and that generates fear.