Sadly, we keep waiting for the law of consequences to kick in - sometimes with fatal or catastrophic consequences - and the master of blame keeps getting away with it as long as he has an opposition political party to blame. I see this up front with family and friends - it is incredulous to see that they believe Every. Single. Word he says. I told someone last week “this is not my country anymore” and the MAGAite went crazy.
Musk can't draw crowds like Trump and he seems to have no gift for relating to regular people. I don't see him ever becoming a cult leader. However, he's every bit as dangerous as the power behind the throne. Check out 20th century history. Revolutions and coups often have a popular titular head who eventually gives way to, or is overthrown by, the real powers behind the throne. (Funny thing: I was thinking of Kerensky in Russia and Naguib in Egypt, but then Dick Cheney popped into my mind. Does anyone seriously doubt that he was a prime mover behind Bush II?)
Musk certainly doesn't have the 'charisma' (I want to puke) to lead a cult; however, he is pushing his way in as the leader. Followers will have no choice but to accept him. I have no doubt iDJiT will be pushed out. He's been their stooge all along.
I knew Trump was going to make flying unsafe, which is why I made sure my daughter and I flew back before even the potential unrest of Jan 6, and before the inauguration and takeover by Trump. I have a friend here in Germany who is unhappy about her impending trip back to the US to see an ailing parent. Worried about my husband flying here or anyone.
I am waiting for the actual date when we declare Trump has destroyed the US, as he is serving his Putin-master, and Musk-master but not the people and the constitution he is supposed to be serving.
Americans need to get together and decide to do what South Koreans did, which is take to the streets and protest until their Prime Minister was impeached and will be tried. Those same things need to happen to Trump.
Sure, but he's the biggest cancer in the government, and the glue that holds maga together. If Trump was kicked out, JD Vance wouldn't last a year. He lacks the money and the charisma.
My family is so deep into the cult I don't even need to read news articles or watch news reports to hear the latest feculent shit that oozed out of his face anus. My parents will be talking about it gleefully (or angrily, depending) within a couple hours at most.
These people are completely beyond help or redemption.
On January 30, 2025, after a military helicopter collided with a passenger jet above Reagan National Airport killing 67 people, including a team of U.S. figure skaters, Trump responded to questions about visiting the crash site by saying, "I have no plan to visit, because, you tell me, what's the site? The water? Do I want to go swimming?"
*************************
I am the Potomac River. For centuries I have cradled this capital in my waters, witnessed its triumphs and tragedies, felt the weight of history in my depths. Now I cradle something else: fragments of metal, personal belongings, and things too precious to name.
Sixty-seven souls. Among them, young athletes who once danced on ice, who turned frozen water into art, who wore their nation's colors with pride. Now my liquid waters hold them instead of their familiar ice. Parents, children, lovers, friends - all committed to my care in a moment of fire and metal. My waters hold their final moments with the reverence they deserve. Each ripple a prayer, each wave a remembrance.
The families come to my banks. They stand in silent vigil, their tears joining my waters, their grief becoming part of my flow. Some bring flowers. Some just stare into my depths. Some whisper names I now know by heart. A mother holds her daughter's ice skates, touching their blades to my surface in a final farewell. I hold their sorrow as gently as I hold their loved ones.
"Do I want to go swimming?"
The words float across my surface like oil, toxic and slick. The President of the United States, asked about paying respects to the dead, turns their resting place into a punchline. Mocks the sacred water where divers still search, where Coast Guard boats still patrol, where families still wait for answers.
I have seen presidents come to my shores in times of tragedy. Seen them bow their heads, lay wreaths, offer words of comfort. Seen them understand that these waters, now holding American lives - including young athletes who died wearing America's flag - deserve dignity and respect.
But this one turns grief into a joke. Makes my depths, now a cemetery, into a swimming pool reference.
I am the Potomac River. I hold these souls with reverence. I guard their final rest with dignity. I merge their stories with my eternal flow.
And I will remember the man who thought their resting place worthy only of mockery.
Long after he is gone, I will still be here. Still holding these precious souls. Still witnessing. Still remembering.
Still knowing the difference between those who honor the dead, and those who turn their graves into punchlines.
Thank you for engaging with The Potomac’s Grief. I wanted to let you know it's part of a larger project featuring similar perspectives, 50 of which are contained in my new book. If you're interested, you can find more pieces and information about the book at my new Substack. https://barryfinland.substack.com
Thank you for engaging with The Potomac’s Grief. I wanted to let you know it's part of a larger project featuring similar perspectives, 50 of which are contained in my new book. If you're interested, you can find more pieces and information about the book at my new Substack. https://barryfinland.substack.com
Are those who voted for him and those who didn’t vote for anyone for President listening and learning? I certainly hope so. Wake up before it’s too late!
Elon «Shadow President» Musk is a curse upon our land. Mr. Trump lusts after his support/money and that drives his foolish and poorly thought out decisions that can destroy our government. The love of money is the root of all evil.
Apparently he has already opened envelopes #1 and #2
A new CEO was hired to take over a struggling company. The CEO who was stepping down met with him privately and presented him with three numbered envelopes. “Open these if you run into serious trouble,” he said.
Well, three months later sales and profits were still way down and the new CEO was catching a lot of heat. He began to panic but then he remembered the envelopes. He went to his drawer and took out the first envelope. The message read, “Blame your predecessor.” The new CEO called a press conference and explained that the previous CEO had left him with a real mess and it was taking a bit longer to clean it up than expected, but everything was on the right track. Satisfied with his comments, the press – and Wall Street – responded positively.
Another quarter went by and the company continued to struggle. Having learned from his previous experience, the CEO quickly opened the second envelope. The message read, “Reorganize.” So he fired key people, consolidated divisions and cut costs everywhere he could. This he did and Wall Street, and the press, applauded his efforts.
Three months passed and the company was still short on sales and profits. The CEO would have to figure out how to get through another tough earnings call. The CEO went to his office, closed the door and opened the third envelope. The message said, “Prepare three envelopes.”
Thank you for the detailed timeline of FAA. I've been keeping an eye on headlines, and one would think the national media would have a few reporters to cover this (and one would be wrong).
Edit: a solid, well-sourced article is out today from POLITICO on FAA history, recent near-misses, and staffing. It took a while, but it's good to see this story getting some traction!
Maybe it's a dream in my mind, but I'm waiting for someone to file impeachment articles. Yes I know that they would go nowhere at this time, and bring worse upon the filers. Maybe in 2026. But this is a sick, sick human being, and all these words and hopes are only my own attempt to salve the wounds we all feel. I feel mostly for those without the agency to help themselves more. So I've made a commitment to do more for them, and for the helpless animals in my city's shelter, because it's something small I can do for humanity, and I'm committed to it. I can't fix the cruelty and vengeance wrought by the so-called "government," but I can stand in the way of its inflicted pain, even in small ways.
I cannot imagine the mindset of the air traffic controllers working that night, then to hear the “leader” of the country (I will not give him that other respectful title) disparage them on national television without any facts - and not understand who long it takes to conduct a thorough investigation. Full display of an ignorant incompetent bully, a failure in life that we now have to deal with and protect ourselves from.
"...a duty to care and protect." trump doesn't look or sound coherent. The duty of care therefore lies with his cabinet and vice president. they are now responsible for what happens.
First, trump increases the likelihood of a crisis by gutting and undermining agencies that are designed and dedicated to prevent/mitigate accidents and potential crises. Then, when a crisis occurs, he makes it exponentially worse by blaming, denigrating and slandering the public servants who are the best among us. And worse yet, by showing a cruel and callous indifference to the victims. He is a truly vile, heinous excuse for a human being.
Thank you for writing the truth. I'm hoping that sooner or later the voters will wake up to what they've done, and maybe in two years things will change. It seems like it will be a long two years though.
So well said. Four years of this? Here's hoping we all survive Trump's "appalling unfitness" and the corruption that surrounds him. The midterms can't come soon enough, but we may not have a country left by then that isn't a dictatorship.
Thank you,🙏 🙏🙏, Aaron and Noah for a brilliant reflection. The situation in US right now could not have been expressed any better, a spot on analysis. 😊Nothing surprising about Felon’s 47 reaction to this deadly aircraft collision and 67 deaths.
And by the way, on what legal and governmental basis can Musk fire the head of FAA, who just did hos job?
And how many people need to die on American soil, before the American wake up to the reality of who they have voted for?
His followers will believe whatever he says about the crash and when we do (if)
find out what actually happened they we not believe it. He is disgusting.
As a woman I look at other women and think how could you have voted for this?
His BS is not going to go away when he leaves office or drops dead. He has plenty
of minions willing to continue onwards.
Sadly, we keep waiting for the law of consequences to kick in - sometimes with fatal or catastrophic consequences - and the master of blame keeps getting away with it as long as he has an opposition political party to blame. I see this up front with family and friends - it is incredulous to see that they believe Every. Single. Word he says. I told someone last week “this is not my country anymore” and the MAGAite went crazy.
I feel your pain. I have family who believe this pathological liar. It says something about their level of intelligence. :(
You're right. He's just the stooge. The other despicables are working behind the scenes until they don't need him anymore.
Not entirely. They need Trump because he is the cult's leader. They won't know whether to wipe their watch or wind their butts.
Oh, so true. But I think Musk is becoming the cult leader. AND WHO THE HELL ELECTED HIM??? Welcome to 1930's Germany. :(
Musk can't draw crowds like Trump and he seems to have no gift for relating to regular people. I don't see him ever becoming a cult leader. However, he's every bit as dangerous as the power behind the throne. Check out 20th century history. Revolutions and coups often have a popular titular head who eventually gives way to, or is overthrown by, the real powers behind the throne. (Funny thing: I was thinking of Kerensky in Russia and Naguib in Egypt, but then Dick Cheney popped into my mind. Does anyone seriously doubt that he was a prime mover behind Bush II?)
Musk certainly doesn't have the 'charisma' (I want to puke) to lead a cult; however, he is pushing his way in as the leader. Followers will have no choice but to accept him. I have no doubt iDJiT will be pushed out. He's been their stooge all along.
I knew Trump was going to make flying unsafe, which is why I made sure my daughter and I flew back before even the potential unrest of Jan 6, and before the inauguration and takeover by Trump. I have a friend here in Germany who is unhappy about her impending trip back to the US to see an ailing parent. Worried about my husband flying here or anyone.
I am waiting for the actual date when we declare Trump has destroyed the US, as he is serving his Putin-master, and Musk-master but not the people and the constitution he is supposed to be serving.
Americans need to get together and decide to do what South Koreans did, which is take to the streets and protest until their Prime Minister was impeached and will be tried. Those same things need to happen to Trump.
Sure, but he's the biggest cancer in the government, and the glue that holds maga together. If Trump was kicked out, JD Vance wouldn't last a year. He lacks the money and the charisma.
Vance will be kicked out, too. Musk will be our new fuehrer.
My family is so deep into the cult I don't even need to read news articles or watch news reports to hear the latest feculent shit that oozed out of his face anus. My parents will be talking about it gleefully (or angrily, depending) within a couple hours at most.
These people are completely beyond help or redemption.
The Potomac's Grief
On January 30, 2025, after a military helicopter collided with a passenger jet above Reagan National Airport killing 67 people, including a team of U.S. figure skaters, Trump responded to questions about visiting the crash site by saying, "I have no plan to visit, because, you tell me, what's the site? The water? Do I want to go swimming?"
*************************
I am the Potomac River. For centuries I have cradled this capital in my waters, witnessed its triumphs and tragedies, felt the weight of history in my depths. Now I cradle something else: fragments of metal, personal belongings, and things too precious to name.
Sixty-seven souls. Among them, young athletes who once danced on ice, who turned frozen water into art, who wore their nation's colors with pride. Now my liquid waters hold them instead of their familiar ice. Parents, children, lovers, friends - all committed to my care in a moment of fire and metal. My waters hold their final moments with the reverence they deserve. Each ripple a prayer, each wave a remembrance.
The families come to my banks. They stand in silent vigil, their tears joining my waters, their grief becoming part of my flow. Some bring flowers. Some just stare into my depths. Some whisper names I now know by heart. A mother holds her daughter's ice skates, touching their blades to my surface in a final farewell. I hold their sorrow as gently as I hold their loved ones.
"Do I want to go swimming?"
The words float across my surface like oil, toxic and slick. The President of the United States, asked about paying respects to the dead, turns their resting place into a punchline. Mocks the sacred water where divers still search, where Coast Guard boats still patrol, where families still wait for answers.
I have seen presidents come to my shores in times of tragedy. Seen them bow their heads, lay wreaths, offer words of comfort. Seen them understand that these waters, now holding American lives - including young athletes who died wearing America's flag - deserve dignity and respect.
But this one turns grief into a joke. Makes my depths, now a cemetery, into a swimming pool reference.
I am the Potomac River. I hold these souls with reverence. I guard their final rest with dignity. I merge their stories with my eternal flow.
And I will remember the man who thought their resting place worthy only of mockery.
Long after he is gone, I will still be here. Still holding these precious souls. Still witnessing. Still remembering.
Still knowing the difference between those who honor the dead, and those who turn their graves into punchlines.
*****
Find more voices bearing witness to our democracy in crisis at https://barryfinland.substack.com and in my book “NO! a response to donald j. trump”. Available at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DVRLG6NP
Beautifully written, 🙏, made me tear up!
Thank you for engaging with The Potomac’s Grief. I wanted to let you know it's part of a larger project featuring similar perspectives, 50 of which are contained in my new book. If you're interested, you can find more pieces and information about the book at my new Substack. https://barryfinland.substack.com
Thank you for this beautiful homage to the river and for the respect for the souls who rest there.
Thank you for engaging with The Potomac’s Grief. I wanted to let you know it's part of a larger project featuring similar perspectives, 50 of which are contained in my new book. If you're interested, you can find more pieces and information about the book at my new Substack. https://barryfinland.substack.com
Are those who voted for him and those who didn’t vote for anyone for President listening and learning? I certainly hope so. Wake up before it’s too late!
Elon «Shadow President» Musk is a curse upon our land. Mr. Trump lusts after his support/money and that drives his foolish and poorly thought out decisions that can destroy our government. The love of money is the root of all evil.
Apparently he has already opened envelopes #1 and #2
A new CEO was hired to take over a struggling company. The CEO who was stepping down met with him privately and presented him with three numbered envelopes. “Open these if you run into serious trouble,” he said.
Well, three months later sales and profits were still way down and the new CEO was catching a lot of heat. He began to panic but then he remembered the envelopes. He went to his drawer and took out the first envelope. The message read, “Blame your predecessor.” The new CEO called a press conference and explained that the previous CEO had left him with a real mess and it was taking a bit longer to clean it up than expected, but everything was on the right track. Satisfied with his comments, the press – and Wall Street – responded positively.
Another quarter went by and the company continued to struggle. Having learned from his previous experience, the CEO quickly opened the second envelope. The message read, “Reorganize.” So he fired key people, consolidated divisions and cut costs everywhere he could. This he did and Wall Street, and the press, applauded his efforts.
Three months passed and the company was still short on sales and profits. The CEO would have to figure out how to get through another tough earnings call. The CEO went to his office, closed the door and opened the third envelope. The message said, “Prepare three envelopes.”
Thank you for the detailed timeline of FAA. I've been keeping an eye on headlines, and one would think the national media would have a few reporters to cover this (and one would be wrong).
Edit: a solid, well-sourced article is out today from POLITICO on FAA history, recent near-misses, and staffing. It took a while, but it's good to see this story getting some traction!
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/30/dc-plane-crash-safety-warnings-00201495
Maybe it's a dream in my mind, but I'm waiting for someone to file impeachment articles. Yes I know that they would go nowhere at this time, and bring worse upon the filers. Maybe in 2026. But this is a sick, sick human being, and all these words and hopes are only my own attempt to salve the wounds we all feel. I feel mostly for those without the agency to help themselves more. So I've made a commitment to do more for them, and for the helpless animals in my city's shelter, because it's something small I can do for humanity, and I'm committed to it. I can't fix the cruelty and vengeance wrought by the so-called "government," but I can stand in the way of its inflicted pain, even in small ways.
Theresa, bless you for helping the animals
I cannot imagine the mindset of the air traffic controllers working that night, then to hear the “leader” of the country (I will not give him that other respectful title) disparage them on national television without any facts - and not understand who long it takes to conduct a thorough investigation. Full display of an ignorant incompetent bully, a failure in life that we now have to deal with and protect ourselves from.
Duty to protect? Trump’s only duty, it seems, is to line his pockets and ignore the rest.
"...a duty to care and protect." trump doesn't look or sound coherent. The duty of care therefore lies with his cabinet and vice president. they are now responsible for what happens.
First, trump increases the likelihood of a crisis by gutting and undermining agencies that are designed and dedicated to prevent/mitigate accidents and potential crises. Then, when a crisis occurs, he makes it exponentially worse by blaming, denigrating and slandering the public servants who are the best among us. And worse yet, by showing a cruel and callous indifference to the victims. He is a truly vile, heinous excuse for a human being.
Thank you as always Aaron, for writing the truth clearly.
You're welcome, Helen. Thanks for the kind words.
Thank you for writing the truth. I'm hoping that sooner or later the voters will wake up to what they've done, and maybe in two years things will change. It seems like it will be a long two years though.
Master of the blame game, which gets amplified ad nauseam. It’s so predictable and 100% ineffective, like him.
So well said. Four years of this? Here's hoping we all survive Trump's "appalling unfitness" and the corruption that surrounds him. The midterms can't come soon enough, but we may not have a country left by then that isn't a dictatorship.
Thank you,🙏 🙏🙏, Aaron and Noah for a brilliant reflection. The situation in US right now could not have been expressed any better, a spot on analysis. 😊Nothing surprising about Felon’s 47 reaction to this deadly aircraft collision and 67 deaths.
And by the way, on what legal and governmental basis can Musk fire the head of FAA, who just did hos job?
And how many people need to die on American soil, before the American wake up to the reality of who they have voted for?
He told POS to fire him - Musk AKA Skum would be told to get lost - he has zero legal authority.
How did Musk and Trump cripple the FAA before the deadly plane crash? Follow this map.
https://thedemlabs.org/2025/01/30/musk-trump-cripple-faa-before-deadly-plane-crash-relationship-map/
Map of fatal plane crashes during President Trump, Biden and Obama: Check the facts - ignore the lies
https://thedemlabs.org/2025/01/30/map-of-fatal-plane-crashes-under-president-trump-biden-and-obama-check-the-facts-ignore-the-lies/
Mapping the deadly cost of cutting public safety: Trump guts aviation safety advisory committee and freezes FAA employee hiring https://thedemlabs.org/2025/01/30/mapping-the-deadly-cost-of-cutting-public-safety-trump-guts-aviation-safety-advisory-committee-and-freezes-faa-employee-hiring/