I've been thinking along the same lines. couldn't help but write it out. long-winded, but for the patient:
winesburg, d.c.
Are we on the cusp of an actual presidency this time or just another cheap knockoff that looks like a U.S. administration but tells the time like a Canal Street Rolex? We know it's the latter.
It all seems so gross. Grotesque might be more exact. Comically or repulsively ugly or distorted.
Could there be a more comically or repulsively ugly or distorted president? Seriously, orange makeup? On a man. Every single day. And we take his shit seriously when he comes out to talk about Covid 19 or attend a state funeral?
In diapers. On Adderall. Eats only McDonalds or steak cooked to cardboard. Watches TV all day (unless he’s playing golf or tweeting or weaving for the press). Lusts after his own daughter. Corners (assaults) a writer in a department store dressing room that he later mistakes for one of his wives. Screws a porn star then pays to cover it up. Supposedly it’s all OK for us to look the other way because he is a businessman extraordinaire, a dealmaker who will lead us to the promised (Green)land (but who’s gone bankrupt over and over). But wait, he did play one on TV. Seriously, America? What the Actual Fuck? You would close the door and call the police if such a resume rang your bell.
Look at his cabinet choices, not ones of Dr. Caligari but of Winesburg, Ohio. (Sherwood Anderson. 1919. Worth your time). Every one a grotesque of the department they’ve been nominated for. A drunken reservist covered in Nazi tattoos, who’s been fired for mismanaging two small non-profits, is supposed to lead the biggest bureaucracy in the world? One built on honor, on integrity? But like the diaper dandy at the top, he can play one on TV because he can read the news with a square jaw.
How about an anti-vaccine namesake of U.S. nobility who picks up roadkill and drops it off in Central Park, has had part of his brain eaten by a worm, an admitted heroin addict? He did talk Samoans into dying of measles when prevention was at their fingertips, so he has some (mis)conception of public health.
How about a Putin confidant and Bashar al-Assad house guest in charge of the nation’s intelligence? Big, beautiful word intelligence.
Or an impatient dog murderer looking over the homeland?
But only Matt Gaetz is too over the top? How come? Sexual assault is top line on most of the resumes and he even has an advanced degree. Since rape’s not even a bridge too far, maybe it’s the Botox.
And Elon Musk? A drug-addled cuckoo who thinks he can take over the world, one government at a time, because he has all the money in the world. Actually, he may be right. Gonna need a new Bond.
We’ve no collective sense of opprobium but we certainly have the worldwide market on irony cornered.
It’s all just gross and they’re all grotesques. I was too old for this in 2016, and most of a decade later it’s in reruns. Or maybe it’s a remake and four more seasons have been ordered.
Everytime a senator or congressperson from a state that is in the red in taxes to support the nation they should be called out because it is frequently the policies pushed or killed by these politicians that keeps the majority of their state citizens down. Every single time.
I am having a very hard time with folks willfully avoiding the shit show by not watching news.....so ok but then why not support independent media, journalists, progressive candidates, humanitarian charity organizations who are on the front lines fighting to make a difference and protecting our democracy. This retreat to happyland while your neighbor's house is on fire is cowardly.
You can know what's going on by reading headlines. I got rid of my Daily Mail, CNN apps the day after the election and turned off MSNBC. I'm not longer listening to pundits or someone else's opinion. Daily Mail was primarily for celebrity news, but it's just Fox News in print in Britain. You know what's facts and what's an opinion. I'm out of the country until Feb. so I won't be watching and hopefully listening to anything about 1/20. But I am on a tour with Americans and I'm just waiting for some MAGA big mouth to run their mouth next Monday. I brought invisible duct tape for mine and will have to ignore them. Ever notice it's always a MAGA who makes some snarky comment first when no one else is talking about politics.
We support alternate media sources, subscribe as paid readers, and seek out unbiased and knowledgeable journalists. A broad brush is okay for painting walls, but not people.
First of all I would take that picture of the CA delegation and run adds about how they are cowards and turn tail and ran to the luxury of Marlago to be safe in the arms of the tyrant that is making it harder for CA to recover. That is if I had the know how and money.
Then I would when the country begins to fall from the idioacy of 45 I would run commercials about all of these people that donated pay to play money to the organization calling them out.
Maybe this will wake people up to the fact that corporations are not people and an Oligarchy is not the American way.
The American people may say NO, but it will be too late. This prick hasn’t even taken office yet, and still has done so much damage ALREADY. What will saying NO accomplish? Anyone with expertise or loyalty to the US will have been fired. The misfits for the cabinet will be confirmed by the toadies in Congress who lined up long ago to kiss Trump’s ass (see Lindsay Graham et al). Jesse Watters and so many more will be braying their approval for the grossest and most egregious acts on the daily.
How many people will RFK2 kill before it’s all over? What conflagration will a drunk Hegseth gin up? Pun intended. How many Americans will be targeted and persecuted by Bondi and Patel and Noem?
Saying NO was for BEFORE the election. In the ballot box. NOT voting for this rolling travesty that has been ongoing for ten long years. The populace was able to memory hole COVID and their dead friends and relatives. Memory hole the shit on the floor of the Capitol and the footage of police being beaten with American flagpoles and sprayed with bear spray. Memory hole classified documents being stolen and sold to our adversaries.
Nah. It’s too late to say NO. We’re about to get the government we deserve.
I say let him have all of his appointments. Because we live in a democracy and a majority of voters voted for this. It has always worked like that: a small margin is a small margin. Give him the appointments and we’ll see what happens.
If this country is worth saving — I am not convinced it is — we should start with a basic premise of one person, one vote. Get rid of the Electoral College, which was created because of slavery. Think about that: we live by national elections — today! — based upon slavery.
I did see in that picture Congressman Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey standing next to Trump. Back in my New Jersey days, I knew him. He was a Democratic State Senator who turned Republican and then went full bootlicking MAGA. He was a weasel then as he is now.
"If this country is worth saving — I am not convinced it is..." I feel the same way. Steve did too good a job on this commentary. As a New Yorker, I am tired of blue states saving red states only to be told when they are in need of help, it may not be there. Let Trump be president of the red states; let all of his nominees be confirmed; let all the horrors of their terrible choice fall on them.
The blue states should secede as a group, form a nation or as many smaller nations as seems suitable. Those who wish could apply for acceptance as Canadian provinces. Imagine an enlarged Canada surrounding Trump's Gilead along the entire West Coast and in the Northeast. My personal preference would be for NYS and the New England states, N.J. Del. and Maryland to become the 11th Canadian province.
Seriously, I have had it with these fucking idiots and super rich sbobbish gaping fucking assholes. Let them east our dirt as we leave them to fend for themselves and create new nations or join Canada to reflect true American values. FUCK THEM.
Thanks Deirdre; I believe that everyday more of the people who see things the way we do will come to realize that the hardcore Christians fascists and their controllers will never change and that to retain our identity and values we will have to leave.
It is time to break up the country. I cannot imagine a depraved individual like Kristi Noem getting elected Governor of New Jersey. Time to separate ourselves from the Neanderthals who falsely call themselves Americans.
It seems extreme but not as extreme as what Maga wants to do in this country. I am saying, in spirit and attitude, they have abandoned true American values and citizens. By seceding we would be acknowledging this. We would be protecting what is important, democracy, rule of law, the peaceful transfer of power, and respect for human political, economic, and religious rights, whether as Canadian provinces or sovereign nations. That is what is important, not what we call ourselves.
I agree it’s enticing to let them all fail and let the voters see what they chose. The challenge with giving him his appointees is that innocent people are going to die due to their negligence. Perhaps more than we can imagine.
I treated myself to an office chair I've had my eyes on for 20 years or so and, updating my 1970's vintage Hi-Fi, readying to vegetate comfortably for the next 4 years. Music is good medicine. Ohmmmmmmmm
Take action! Don’t believe for one minute that our efforts are wasted. They are not! Our Get-Out-The-Vote efforts helped quite a few Democrats get elected, from the state level on up to the U.S. Senate. We did that!
We must contact our senators now – even solid Democrats - and stress the urgency of resisting Trump’s clown car of nominees. Incredibly, some elected Democratic officials are starting to cave. (Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Senator Fetterman of PA, for example.) Our Senators won’t know how much our democracy means to their constituents - unless we tell them.
Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing is Tuesday (tomorrow!) morning, and Russell Vought’s is Wednesday afternoon.
Most of Trump’s nominees have no experience running a large agency; they couldn’t run the local Dairy Queen.
Hegseth would be dangerous as a Secretary of Defense. The other nominees are no better.
In contrast, Russell Vought knows his way around Washington - he previously directed the Office of Management and Budget. If Trump puts him in this role again, he will dismantle federal programs and implement Project 2025. His confirmation would supercharge MAGA authoritarianism. Vought is extremely dangerous.
Google your senators’ names to find their official page and how to contact them by msg or phone.
Another action – Urge your senators to protect voting rights. The U.S. does not experience widespread voter fraud, and states already have multiple effective systems to ensure voter eligibility. The SAVE Act would make it harder to register to vote. We must stop the SAVE act Here’s a handy pre-written letter:
Don’t succumb to what historian Timothy Snyder warns of – letting your worry lead to paralysis.
There's a very big part of my that feels "let the shitshow begin". Let Trump and his merry band of completely unfit and disgusting miscreants start the ruination of America. Go for it! It'll hurt all of us but I'm willing to accept the hurt if, maybe just maybe, once and for all the idiotic stupid morons that voted for him and the suppliant Republicans that let him slither back in, will be hurt too. I'm embarrassed to be an American right now and I wish I could send a text or email to the world at large saying I didn't vote for this vile piece of shit.
Right on about California, Steve! As a recent transplant from Texas, I couldn't agree more about
Cali being the "breadbasket" of the nation. I would greatly welcome Trump ceding us (and Oregon and Washington) to Canada! See how long it would take for the U.S. to miss us.
even if he's sober and I'm guessing he's not...this turd isn't even remotely qualified for any position in government, much less this one (Sec of Defense)...it's like taking a private and making him or her a base commander, I'm a Marine, VN vet. and this makes me want to puke....how much longer must we endure this total BS from the GOP sycophants ⁉...they know for a fact this lowlife is unfit, as are the rest of them, and they could care less.... add one more POS to a super high level government position just to make the orange freakazoid happy.....
anger-filled shotgunnings of desperation and hopelessness, and advocating
tearing everything up and throwing it up into the air, closing all the windows and doors, pulling down the shades. It is hopefully the first phase of acceptance of reality--something sure to follow the denials they have harbored regarding the real face of fascism. Reality finally eclipses all of their finger-crossings and exposes their emotional savoring denials. Next will be the recognition that Trump was foisted on them as the sole author of this coup. They will realize they have been had by Trump's bullying song and dance, probably when Vance moves him aside, as well planned by the real forces of the coup. When Trump is gone, they will realize the fascism is still there, helped by fhe fact that the oppressions will suddenly get much worse. Then will come the time for all to fish or cut bait. Contribute calmly and carefully to resistance, or kiss the ring.
Thank you so much for writing The Warning! I hope California finds a way to take its GNP that is larger than some first world economies and thrust up a birdie to the new regime that is shamefully disrespecting what was once an amazing united country.
I have only one word for this mess
GROSS!
I’m not watching the news or participating in any of this shit show.
Let me know the minute Trump is dead and I’ll start planning the party! 🎉
Count me in on a case of Champaign!
I've been thinking along the same lines. couldn't help but write it out. long-winded, but for the patient:
winesburg, d.c.
Are we on the cusp of an actual presidency this time or just another cheap knockoff that looks like a U.S. administration but tells the time like a Canal Street Rolex? We know it's the latter.
It all seems so gross. Grotesque might be more exact. Comically or repulsively ugly or distorted.
Could there be a more comically or repulsively ugly or distorted president? Seriously, orange makeup? On a man. Every single day. And we take his shit seriously when he comes out to talk about Covid 19 or attend a state funeral?
In diapers. On Adderall. Eats only McDonalds or steak cooked to cardboard. Watches TV all day (unless he’s playing golf or tweeting or weaving for the press). Lusts after his own daughter. Corners (assaults) a writer in a department store dressing room that he later mistakes for one of his wives. Screws a porn star then pays to cover it up. Supposedly it’s all OK for us to look the other way because he is a businessman extraordinaire, a dealmaker who will lead us to the promised (Green)land (but who’s gone bankrupt over and over). But wait, he did play one on TV. Seriously, America? What the Actual Fuck? You would close the door and call the police if such a resume rang your bell.
Look at his cabinet choices, not ones of Dr. Caligari but of Winesburg, Ohio. (Sherwood Anderson. 1919. Worth your time). Every one a grotesque of the department they’ve been nominated for. A drunken reservist covered in Nazi tattoos, who’s been fired for mismanaging two small non-profits, is supposed to lead the biggest bureaucracy in the world? One built on honor, on integrity? But like the diaper dandy at the top, he can play one on TV because he can read the news with a square jaw.
How about an anti-vaccine namesake of U.S. nobility who picks up roadkill and drops it off in Central Park, has had part of his brain eaten by a worm, an admitted heroin addict? He did talk Samoans into dying of measles when prevention was at their fingertips, so he has some (mis)conception of public health.
How about a Putin confidant and Bashar al-Assad house guest in charge of the nation’s intelligence? Big, beautiful word intelligence.
Or an impatient dog murderer looking over the homeland?
But only Matt Gaetz is too over the top? How come? Sexual assault is top line on most of the resumes and he even has an advanced degree. Since rape’s not even a bridge too far, maybe it’s the Botox.
And Elon Musk? A drug-addled cuckoo who thinks he can take over the world, one government at a time, because he has all the money in the world. Actually, he may be right. Gonna need a new Bond.
We’ve no collective sense of opprobium but we certainly have the worldwide market on irony cornered.
It’s all just gross and they’re all grotesques. I was too old for this in 2016, and most of a decade later it’s in reruns. Or maybe it’s a remake and four more seasons have been ordered.
Would it were only TV and I could shut it off.
🎯👏👏
Thank you
I like your writing.
Everytime a senator or congressperson from a state that is in the red in taxes to support the nation they should be called out because it is frequently the policies pushed or killed by these politicians that keeps the majority of their state citizens down. Every single time.
I am having a very hard time with folks willfully avoiding the shit show by not watching news.....so ok but then why not support independent media, journalists, progressive candidates, humanitarian charity organizations who are on the front lines fighting to make a difference and protecting our democracy. This retreat to happyland while your neighbor's house is on fire is cowardly.
You can know what's going on by reading headlines. I got rid of my Daily Mail, CNN apps the day after the election and turned off MSNBC. I'm not longer listening to pundits or someone else's opinion. Daily Mail was primarily for celebrity news, but it's just Fox News in print in Britain. You know what's facts and what's an opinion. I'm out of the country until Feb. so I won't be watching and hopefully listening to anything about 1/20. But I am on a tour with Americans and I'm just waiting for some MAGA big mouth to run their mouth next Monday. I brought invisible duct tape for mine and will have to ignore them. Ever notice it's always a MAGA who makes some snarky comment first when no one else is talking about politics.
We support alternate media sources, subscribe as paid readers, and seek out unbiased and knowledgeable journalists. A broad brush is okay for painting walls, but not people.
Yes, I watch only the BBC and subscribe to this and other journalist, historians.
First of all I would take that picture of the CA delegation and run adds about how they are cowards and turn tail and ran to the luxury of Marlago to be safe in the arms of the tyrant that is making it harder for CA to recover. That is if I had the know how and money.
Then I would when the country begins to fall from the idioacy of 45 I would run commercials about all of these people that donated pay to play money to the organization calling them out.
Maybe this will wake people up to the fact that corporations are not people and an Oligarchy is not the American way.
The American people may say NO, but it will be too late. This prick hasn’t even taken office yet, and still has done so much damage ALREADY. What will saying NO accomplish? Anyone with expertise or loyalty to the US will have been fired. The misfits for the cabinet will be confirmed by the toadies in Congress who lined up long ago to kiss Trump’s ass (see Lindsay Graham et al). Jesse Watters and so many more will be braying their approval for the grossest and most egregious acts on the daily.
How many people will RFK2 kill before it’s all over? What conflagration will a drunk Hegseth gin up? Pun intended. How many Americans will be targeted and persecuted by Bondi and Patel and Noem?
Saying NO was for BEFORE the election. In the ballot box. NOT voting for this rolling travesty that has been ongoing for ten long years. The populace was able to memory hole COVID and their dead friends and relatives. Memory hole the shit on the floor of the Capitol and the footage of police being beaten with American flagpoles and sprayed with bear spray. Memory hole classified documents being stolen and sold to our adversaries.
Nah. It’s too late to say NO. We’re about to get the government we deserve.
Well said.
🎯👏👏
Well said Julie. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I say let him have all of his appointments. Because we live in a democracy and a majority of voters voted for this. It has always worked like that: a small margin is a small margin. Give him the appointments and we’ll see what happens.
If this country is worth saving — I am not convinced it is — we should start with a basic premise of one person, one vote. Get rid of the Electoral College, which was created because of slavery. Think about that: we live by national elections — today! — based upon slavery.
I did see in that picture Congressman Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey standing next to Trump. Back in my New Jersey days, I knew him. He was a Democratic State Senator who turned Republican and then went full bootlicking MAGA. He was a weasel then as he is now.
There are several appointments who will jeopardize the security of our country so no way do you just give him what he wants and watch us be at risk.
The result of the election jeopardized the security of the country.
"If this country is worth saving — I am not convinced it is..." I feel the same way. Steve did too good a job on this commentary. As a New Yorker, I am tired of blue states saving red states only to be told when they are in need of help, it may not be there. Let Trump be president of the red states; let all of his nominees be confirmed; let all the horrors of their terrible choice fall on them.
The blue states should secede as a group, form a nation or as many smaller nations as seems suitable. Those who wish could apply for acceptance as Canadian provinces. Imagine an enlarged Canada surrounding Trump's Gilead along the entire West Coast and in the Northeast. My personal preference would be for NYS and the New England states, N.J. Del. and Maryland to become the 11th Canadian province.
Seriously, I have had it with these fucking idiots and super rich sbobbish gaping fucking assholes. Let them east our dirt as we leave them to fend for themselves and create new nations or join Canada to reflect true American values. FUCK THEM.
Anthony, great ideas! I seriously cannot comprehend our country being a “nation” again. When we have lobotomized and greedy Red State degenerates who
accept Nazi sympathizers, at the minimum , who wants to share a country with these people? They are racist, women hating mouth breathers. When Trump
dies, will these people crawl into their holes?
Thanks Deirdre; I believe that everyday more of the people who see things the way we do will come to realize that the hardcore Christians fascists and their controllers will never change and that to retain our identity and values we will have to leave.
It is time to break up the country. I cannot imagine a depraved individual like Kristi Noem getting elected Governor of New Jersey. Time to separate ourselves from the Neanderthals who falsely call themselves Americans.
It seems extreme but not as extreme as what Maga wants to do in this country. I am saying, in spirit and attitude, they have abandoned true American values and citizens. By seceding we would be acknowledging this. We would be protecting what is important, democracy, rule of law, the peaceful transfer of power, and respect for human political, economic, and religious rights, whether as Canadian provinces or sovereign nations. That is what is important, not what we call ourselves.
I agree it’s enticing to let them all fail and let the voters see what they chose. The challenge with giving him his appointees is that innocent people are going to die due to their negligence. Perhaps more than we can imagine.
I tried to tell as many as I could not to go down this path, but was ignored.
Read my comment below. I did the same. And now I’m really pissed. And resentful.
Yes.
Awful people, ALL of them, and the orangeman and ‘I don’t care, do you’ Malignant?
Can we focus on the officious Rep. Johnson who says any aid to California should have “conditions”.
How dare he. How dare anyone deny aid to the state that is the 5th largest economy in the world and is one of our 50 states that need us. Now.
I am livid. When we look at the federal aid that is,of course,given to Red States every year for
hurricane relief and tornado destruction……we do not say: “yes, we’ll help you with conditions”.
I am so angry that I am ready to be a one woman riot. I despise the entire GOP. They will
rot in hell,I do hope!
I treated myself to an office chair I've had my eyes on for 20 years or so and, updating my 1970's vintage Hi-Fi, readying to vegetate comfortably for the next 4 years. Music is good medicine. Ohmmmmmmmm
Take action! Don’t believe for one minute that our efforts are wasted. They are not! Our Get-Out-The-Vote efforts helped quite a few Democrats get elected, from the state level on up to the U.S. Senate. We did that!
We must contact our senators now – even solid Democrats - and stress the urgency of resisting Trump’s clown car of nominees. Incredibly, some elected Democratic officials are starting to cave. (Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Senator Fetterman of PA, for example.) Our Senators won’t know how much our democracy means to their constituents - unless we tell them.
Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing is Tuesday (tomorrow!) morning, and Russell Vought’s is Wednesday afternoon.
Most of Trump’s nominees have no experience running a large agency; they couldn’t run the local Dairy Queen.
Hegseth would be dangerous as a Secretary of Defense. The other nominees are no better.
In contrast, Russell Vought knows his way around Washington - he previously directed the Office of Management and Budget. If Trump puts him in this role again, he will dismantle federal programs and implement Project 2025. His confirmation would supercharge MAGA authoritarianism. Vought is extremely dangerous.
Google your senators’ names to find their official page and how to contact them by msg or phone.
Another action – Urge your senators to protect voting rights. The U.S. does not experience widespread voter fraud, and states already have multiple effective systems to ensure voter eligibility. The SAVE Act would make it harder to register to vote. We must stop the SAVE act Here’s a handy pre-written letter:
Don’t succumb to what historian Timothy Snyder warns of – letting your worry lead to paralysis.
There's a very big part of my that feels "let the shitshow begin". Let Trump and his merry band of completely unfit and disgusting miscreants start the ruination of America. Go for it! It'll hurt all of us but I'm willing to accept the hurt if, maybe just maybe, once and for all the idiotic stupid morons that voted for him and the suppliant Republicans that let him slither back in, will be hurt too. I'm embarrassed to be an American right now and I wish I could send a text or email to the world at large saying I didn't vote for this vile piece of shit.
Right on about California, Steve! As a recent transplant from Texas, I couldn't agree more about
Cali being the "breadbasket" of the nation. I would greatly welcome Trump ceding us (and Oregon and Washington) to Canada! See how long it would take for the U.S. to miss us.
even if he's sober and I'm guessing he's not...this turd isn't even remotely qualified for any position in government, much less this one (Sec of Defense)...it's like taking a private and making him or her a base commander, I'm a Marine, VN vet. and this makes me want to puke....how much longer must we endure this total BS from the GOP sycophants ⁉...they know for a fact this lowlife is unfit, as are the rest of them, and they could care less.... add one more POS to a super high level government position just to make the orange freakazoid happy.....
Much of the commentary here today is
anger-filled shotgunnings of desperation and hopelessness, and advocating
tearing everything up and throwing it up into the air, closing all the windows and doors, pulling down the shades. It is hopefully the first phase of acceptance of reality--something sure to follow the denials they have harbored regarding the real face of fascism. Reality finally eclipses all of their finger-crossings and exposes their emotional savoring denials. Next will be the recognition that Trump was foisted on them as the sole author of this coup. They will realize they have been had by Trump's bullying song and dance, probably when Vance moves him aside, as well planned by the real forces of the coup. When Trump is gone, they will realize the fascism is still there, helped by fhe fact that the oppressions will suddenly get much worse. Then will come the time for all to fish or cut bait. Contribute calmly and carefully to resistance, or kiss the ring.
Thank you so much for writing The Warning! I hope California finds a way to take its GNP that is larger than some first world economies and thrust up a birdie to the new regime that is shamefully disrespecting what was once an amazing united country.