I seem to recall Donald Trump re-posting a meme of President Biden hogtied and thrown in the back of a pickup truck, yet the billionaire/corporate media let that pass with barely a nod, while becoming livid that Democrats had gone too far when Trump was called a fascist.
Mike Lee, Elaine Stefanik, Nancy Mace, even J. D. Vance, started out as moderates but could not resist the lure of power that comes with mirroring Trump, and they have descended willingly into a moral abyss.
Well, at that time then, he was a former president. Among the superlatives - most corrupt, worst president, most untruthful, etc. - Trump is the most childish president in American history.
The prevailing MAGA story of "Joe Biden being a senile incompetent but also a vicious tyrant who persecuted his political enemies, actively encouraged political violence and miraculously rigged elections against a sitting President.." is, weirdly enough, what a psychiatrist would call a classic projection of Trump's inner self.
Senator Durbin, at the Republican hearing in the Senate to investigate President Biden's mental competence (even though Biden is no longer president) played a montage of Trump's mental incompetence, then left the hearing. (Information from Ron Filipkowski in his daily politics newsletter.)
Remember when during the 2016 campaign Trump retorted to Hillary Clinton, "No, you're the puppet"? Clinton had it right, and deep down (if there is a "deep down" where Trump is concerned) Trump knew it. And to this day Trump attributes his own motives to "radical leftists," etc. Because he's not capable of understanding what he himself is not capable of.
As a longtime editor and writer I'm (of course) fascinated by language, not least by the language used in politics. Like the related language of advertising, its purpose is to persuade, but with advertising one can sue a company that lies, distorts, or even misleads, especially if harm results. We can't sue a politician for lying because politicians are expected to lie, or at least to get away with whatever they can get away with.
It used to be that the news media curbed this somewhat, but these days their determination to both-sides political statements gives prominence to the lies and distortions and buries the corrections and clarifications, if any, several paragraphs down. Political speech has become ever more untethered to reality. It even creates its own reality: when a JD Vance says immigrants are stealing and eating dogs and cats, that becomes reality to people who believe it. Short version: I wish Mike Lee were unique, or even unusual, but he's not. Nowhere close.
We've been edging into 1984 territory for several decades now, and now we are most definitely there. How do we extricate ourselves and undo the damage? Orwell didn't tell us, and I don't know either.
trump is a walking DSM-5. He's a narcissist, psychopath and sadist all in one package. Why Mike Lee thought it would be a good idea to emulate the juvenile delinquent behavior of trump, I will never understand.
Somewhat fortunately, only trump can get away with unacceptable social behavior, but can we really stand three and a half more years of a man with a mental disorder leading the nation?
We remain abused by this lawless administration and their goonish Brownshirts. Led by a psychopathic neo-fascist, they are in chaos. This weekend we face the Big Beautiful Bill in Congress. Right now, we must let each of our representatives and senators know we stand strongly opposed to a vote for this bill (in any of its forms with the 2017 tax cut). Call them now. Let them know that you will not ever get over it if they vote for the bill. Why? Because Mitch McConnell said “They will get over it.” The audacity. https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/big-beautiful-bull?r=3m1bs
"Trump is a small, petty man and as a result, the GOP becomes smaller and pettier every day." This pretty much sums it all up. I began voting only for Democrats since GWB's second term. You really can't trust any of them to tell the truth (and I don't mean puffery, I mean out and out lies), and none show any values, morals or ethics. Research has demonstrated that ethics is a top down issue in organizations, and with Trump at the top, this is once again vindicated.
“Unfortunately, The tragedies that once united us now only result in more division.”
This is devastating for so many reasons. Grief support, cohesiveness, country over politics, acceptance, unity and more become more unattainable going forward.
YouTube has videos that accuse Walz of hiring the shooter and planning the deaths. Also of planning the hit on POS at that rally. The comments on those videos are full of MAGA bile and lies. I love YouTube for the real news, though that's not why I'm there. I'm there for the music, and culture, and history videos and the like. I wish they would filter out the garbage that also exists.
Don, Jr is no better than his father. He’s considering running for president in the 2028 campaign. There will be plenty of money. The idea of someone even dumber than the current president makes me ill.
I continue to be astounded on a daily basis just how morally debased and completely lacking in principles the Republicans have become. Trump was what they always wanted, he's allowed them all to become their true selves, repugnant sewer rats.
Jon Stewart told a great story about working with Mike Lee on getting health care for 9/11 first responders. I believe it's on You Tube. In fact, Jon Stewart's entire take on the Minnesota murders is brilliant
May Democrats and those who hate the genuinely hate-worthy MAGA movement never descend to the moral depths of Trump and his cheer squad.
Join in your prayer and I doubt we ever will.
Mike Lee is a moral shadow of his former self and one wonders what mechanisms were responsible. If only we could develop a vaccine for such maladies.
Even if we did, Bobby Jr. would never let us use it.
Very true indeed!
Well said! Very true.
I seem to recall Donald Trump re-posting a meme of President Biden hogtied and thrown in the back of a pickup truck, yet the billionaire/corporate media let that pass with barely a nod, while becoming livid that Democrats had gone too far when Trump was called a fascist.
Mike Lee, Elaine Stefanik, Nancy Mace, even J. D. Vance, started out as moderates but could not resist the lure of power that comes with mirroring Trump, and they have descended willingly into a moral abyss.
Superb explanation of the descent into sadism that has overtaken the Fourth Reich.
Thanks!
Captain Obvious again: that meme … from the elected president of the United States! Cuz dat’s what presidents do.
Actually, Trump posted it while he was a candidate in 2024, and people STILL voted for him.
Well, at that time then, he was a former president. Among the superlatives - most corrupt, worst president, most untruthful, etc. - Trump is the most childish president in American history.
The prevailing MAGA story of "Joe Biden being a senile incompetent but also a vicious tyrant who persecuted his political enemies, actively encouraged political violence and miraculously rigged elections against a sitting President.." is, weirdly enough, what a psychiatrist would call a classic projection of Trump's inner self.
Senator Durbin, at the Republican hearing in the Senate to investigate President Biden's mental competence (even though Biden is no longer president) played a montage of Trump's mental incompetence, then left the hearing. (Information from Ron Filipkowski in his daily politics newsletter.)
I saw the clip and I thought it was a magnificent clap back. Especially when every Dem in the committee and room walked out without a word.
Remember when during the 2016 campaign Trump retorted to Hillary Clinton, "No, you're the puppet"? Clinton had it right, and deep down (if there is a "deep down" where Trump is concerned) Trump knew it. And to this day Trump attributes his own motives to "radical leftists," etc. Because he's not capable of understanding what he himself is not capable of.
“Accuse the other side of that which you are guilty.” Goebbels, Hitler’s Propaganda Minister
Which leaves EVERYTHING incapable of.
As a longtime editor and writer I'm (of course) fascinated by language, not least by the language used in politics. Like the related language of advertising, its purpose is to persuade, but with advertising one can sue a company that lies, distorts, or even misleads, especially if harm results. We can't sue a politician for lying because politicians are expected to lie, or at least to get away with whatever they can get away with.
It used to be that the news media curbed this somewhat, but these days their determination to both-sides political statements gives prominence to the lies and distortions and buries the corrections and clarifications, if any, several paragraphs down. Political speech has become ever more untethered to reality. It even creates its own reality: when a JD Vance says immigrants are stealing and eating dogs and cats, that becomes reality to people who believe it. Short version: I wish Mike Lee were unique, or even unusual, but he's not. Nowhere close.
We've been edging into 1984 territory for several decades now, and now we are most definitely there. How do we extricate ourselves and undo the damage? Orwell didn't tell us, and I don't know either.
Not just the constant falsehoods … but the incoherent way in which they’re blurted.
trump is a walking DSM-5. He's a narcissist, psychopath and sadist all in one package. Why Mike Lee thought it would be a good idea to emulate the juvenile delinquent behavior of trump, I will never understand.
Somewhat fortunately, only trump can get away with unacceptable social behavior, but can we really stand three and a half more years of a man with a mental disorder leading the nation?
We remain abused by this lawless administration and their goonish Brownshirts. Led by a psychopathic neo-fascist, they are in chaos. This weekend we face the Big Beautiful Bill in Congress. Right now, we must let each of our representatives and senators know we stand strongly opposed to a vote for this bill (in any of its forms with the 2017 tax cut). Call them now. Let them know that you will not ever get over it if they vote for the bill. Why? Because Mitch McConnell said “They will get over it.” The audacity. https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/big-beautiful-bull?r=3m1bs
Whoof, look at those staffers' eyes. Crazed. Frantic. Panicked. What an awful way to start a career. (Great image choice to head your post!)
"Trump is a small, petty man and as a result, the GOP becomes smaller and pettier every day." This pretty much sums it all up. I began voting only for Democrats since GWB's second term. You really can't trust any of them to tell the truth (and I don't mean puffery, I mean out and out lies), and none show any values, morals or ethics. Research has demonstrated that ethics is a top down issue in organizations, and with Trump at the top, this is once again vindicated.
A POWERFUL article, thorough and beautifully written. I will be sharing it. Thank you so much.
“Unfortunately, The tragedies that once united us now only result in more division.”
This is devastating for so many reasons. Grief support, cohesiveness, country over politics, acceptance, unity and more become more unattainable going forward.
YouTube has videos that accuse Walz of hiring the shooter and planning the deaths. Also of planning the hit on POS at that rally. The comments on those videos are full of MAGA bile and lies. I love YouTube for the real news, though that's not why I'm there. I'm there for the music, and culture, and history videos and the like. I wish they would filter out the garbage that also exists.
Don, Jr is no better than his father. He’s considering running for president in the 2028 campaign. There will be plenty of money. The idea of someone even dumber than the current president makes me ill.
I continue to be astounded on a daily basis just how morally debased and completely lacking in principles the Republicans have become. Trump was what they always wanted, he's allowed them all to become their true selves, repugnant sewer rats.
Jon Stewart told a great story about working with Mike Lee on getting health care for 9/11 first responders. I believe it's on You Tube. In fact, Jon Stewart's entire take on the Minnesota murders is brilliant
https://youtube.com/shorts/HW6cCEu-jyU?si=izOrAWaKLhZEhjt5
Putin has to be loving all of this division. It is what he predicted that we aren't as united as we think
This is what Nikita Kruschev predicted.