"In his narcissistic brain, he no doubt assumed that bullying would deliver total obedience." This is the way Trump was raised by his father. The result is total failture in every endeavour he undertakes starting with NY real estates. He cannot learn.
So, you prefer a felonious pedophile with advanced dementia, who never knew the first thing about rumming a company, let alone a country, and who doesn't understand anything about government to an intelligent, experienced, highly competent candidate, just because, why? She's a woman? She's not white?
He did manage to become president twice, to the eternal shame of the U.S. population.
"So, you prefer a felonious pedophile with advanced dementia'''
I'm not sure if he's a pedophile or not. As for "advanced dementia", if you kept quiet during Joe Biden's term, then you have zero credibility.
"...who never knew the first thing about rumming a company..."
Again, he's been elected President twice (and the second time with more of the popular vote than Kamala), so it doesn't matter what he did or didn't do in the past. The only "qualifications" for President are listed in the Constitution. And he will be gone on January 20, 2029 at the latest.
"He did manage to become president twice, to the eternal shame of the U.S. population."
More like to the consternation and disbelief of the Left. Again, the Dems should have picked better candidates. As for Trump's second election, the Dems should have removed Biden earlier and reversed their disastrous immigration policy among other things. The lawfare really turned a lot of independents against the Democratic Party. In essence, the Dems set themselves up for failure in 2024.
"Any candidate the Dems would have picked in 2024 was bette than DJT"
We at least know that Kamala wasn't the better choice as far as the electoral or the popular vote went. As for anyone else, we'll never know because the Dems pretty much "anointed" Kamala Harris without so much as a mini-convention to hash things out.
"He’s proving that every single day."
Well, he's definitely not perfect, and some days he can be such a petty little moron. He has badly mishandled deportations. His social media posts create more problems than he realizes. But at least he was a known quantity during the last election while Harris proved to be what, exactly? Certainly not serious enough to be considered the next Commander-in-Chief. She was tied to Biden's policies and she never managed to distance herself from any of them. She avoided interviews for weeks to tell the country what she stood for. She failed to attend the Al Smith Dinner or be interviewed by Joe Rogan - things that Trump did. She was known for "word salad" responses and her love of Venn diagrams, yellow school busses and the passage of time. Her campaign blew an unimaginable amount of money, some of it on celebrity endorsements that, in the end, didn't sway near enough voters.
But Trump at least has the spine to finally confront Iran and the danger it poses to not only the region but the world. He has rearranged the Western Hemisphere by significantly reducing the presence and influence of China, Russia and Iran in places such as Panama, Venezuela and Cuba. Biden never attempted that and a President Harris most likely would not have.
The Dems and the media have done nothing but harass and criticize Trump since 2015. I have never seen an American politician get so much negative press in my life. Despite all the obstacles, he managed to be elected twice, and he will never be on the ballot again. Maybe the Dems and their cheerleaders in the media should change their approach.
Must say, Hal, I have a certain amount of respect for your clear point of view…though I disagree with much of what you say, you do display a broader understanding of politics than many…interesting to listen to your reasoning though you are apparently a committed conservative…
But, she's not using nearly strong enough language, yet. This regime is treasonous. The entire republican party is complicit. Kegsbreath's pentagon has committed murder in the Carribean. Trump's war is terrorism. Taking Venezuela oil is theft. Sending Kirschner and Whitkoff as diplomatic representatives is graft. On again, off again tariffs is extortion.
Maybe not strong enough in this particular column to suit, but I listen to and read her several times a week, and have for over a year, and she can be plenty strong!
That's right, John, please don't read or respond to comments that are outside of your ideological bubble. You might be exposed to a different point of view.
"As a full-fledged narcissist, Trump expects complete subservience — no matter how badly he treats others. He, therefore, must have been shocked when NATO countries did not rush to aid his disastrous war of choice against Iran. More recently, the White House was likely flabbergasted when its effort to strong-arm Pope Leo (!) triggered another Vatican tongue-lashing, which was leaked."
No matter how loyal his slobbering sycophants are, he still treats them with contempt. Look at Bondi and Noem. Kicked to the curb after doing nothing but praising him to the skies and carrying out his dirty work.
You'd think some of these folks would have enough self-respect to recognize that he is only interested in humiliating everyone.
It's hard to see MAGA as anything other than a cult.
I believe they gave up all self respect, like every other Cabinet member, when they agreed to serve. Trump uses and abuses advisors who "could" make him successful. Most will leave with a gold-plated dagger in their backs or with their reputation in tatters.
Long ago, as Ronald Reagan was entering office, Doonesbury did a several-day skit about how Reagan appointees -- especially George W. Bush -- would have to put their "manhood in a blind trust."
MAGA is a cult where lies, "alternate truth" and propaganda poisoned people have departed reality and critical thinking. How else could they have come to this end?
"Look at Bondi and Noem. Kicked to the curb after doing nothing but praising him to the skies and carrying out his dirty work."
The final straw for Noem was her lying to Congress about Trump authorizing something he clearly didn't. Even the Republicans had to call her out on that.
Bondi totally screwed up with the Epstein files and gave a disastrous performance during Congressional testimony.
It took a 'perfect storm' to do this - an uneducated and easily propagandized plurality of the voters. One which actually glorifies willful ignorance, paranoia, and the latest conspiracy theories. It took electing a New York mob boss to the presidency - what else can you call The tRump Organization? It took the rise of the American Oligarchy with its own glorification of their own innate superiority and willingness to divert just about the entire produce of the nation's economy into their own coffers. And it took a large apathetic part of the American polity too disengaged to go vote.
The young lads who had their heads turned with Musk’s money & he & Baron’s social media savvy … a lot of them are now seeing the error of their ways.
Ditto for some other % of other parties … eg Latinos for Trump etc.
*What’s the price of eggs now? 🙄 One if the financial reasons given for not voting Dem. Used to be a good economic indicator & R’s hammered Dems with it — without admitting it was affected by avian flu — now it seems they’ve stopped counting … because the numbers don’t look good?
Once people realize they have been lied to, there is no way for them to get back to where they were. I’d bet that State Television (Faux Snooze);is headed for a ratings drop.
You have to admit that Trump has been a really good liar all of his life. He got re-elected only by lying about immediately driving down prices, avoiding all wars, and saying that he wouldn't weaponize the justice system, plus he demonized all immigrants, among many other things.
From reports after the election, I suspect that a significant number who voted for him were not unwavering followers, but instead were swayed by his empty promises, and that was enough to tip the election in his favor.
Somehow the legacy media will downplay, or soon forget, Trump's jaw-dropping insults to Pope Leo XIV. Trump should remember the sneering remark attributed to Stalin, "How many divisions has the Pope?" and also remember where Stalin's statues are now, after Pope John Paul II reminded our brothers and sisters in Poland, and elsewhere, not to be afraid.
Yes. The Church might not have any 'divisions,' but it definitely has people. And People Power. (Unfortunately this power has often been misdirected, as when US Catholic clergy and even some religious communities of nuns pressed their members to support the current president in both his candidacies because of his supposed objection to abortion. Does anyone really believe he gives a fig about 'unborn lives?' He really doesn't even care about born lives.)
Let's hope the Pope and US church leaders continue to speak forcefully against this war criminal and his minions.
PS: Vance and Rubio, as well as Roberts, Alito, Thomas, Kavanaugh and Comey are all Catholics.
A government which outlaws abortion while simultaneously cutting programs that feed, shelter, provide medical attention, and educate children is not really pro-life. A government which puts children in concentration camps is not really pro-life. A government which recklessly murders children during a military "excursion" is not pro-life.
Roberts, Alito, Thomas, Kavanaugh and Comey are all Catholics speaks volumes to their decisions based on their religion. I'd love to see their faces as their dear leader disses the Pope.
You're right, Ellen. Sotomayor was raised Catholic but evidently makes no pretense of being an orthodox follower these days, calleng herself a "cultural Catholic." Which many (of us) are.
While I appreciate Pope Leo's statements the Catholic Church has a great deal to answer for: sexual abuse of children; its continued opposition to artificial contraception and abortion.
I completely agree with you, bbbb. The Church has more to answer for than can be atoned by some comments by one Pope. But the comments of any prominent person who stands up to the president, are welcome.
From reading the Hungarian election returns I've learned a lesson-- one that probably applies to the U.S. as well.
The lesson is that Joe and Josephine Sixpack don't give a hoot about freedom or democracy. As long as they can afford the groceries, a car (maybe 2), a decent place to live, a vacation at the shore, the mountains or to grandma's house once a year, and maybe some semblance of health insurance, they don't care how authoritarian the government is-- at least while the government isn't directly hassling THEM.!
Orban didn't lose because he was a fascist. He lost because people were getting tired of the widespread corruption, to the point where it intruded in their routine business, and because his corruption and mismanagement resulted in economic stagnation.
That explains why Harris' and Biden's stressing Trump's Fascist tendencies didn't carry a strong message, and (I hope) why the widespread corruption, rising prices, economic stagnation and forever wars is a stronger campaign platform than the state of democracy, which doesn't motivate the average American.
then that doesn't speak well of us, and shame on all those Americans who don't care if their president is a fascist. I attribute alot of this to our school systems not teaching civics anymore. That has to come back. Too many Americans do not have a clue about how our government works or what our Constitution says.
I agree that civics should be taught, so we know better how our government is designed to work. But a bigger problem is that schools don't teach enough history. We hardly have a clue about how our own nation came to be and has changed, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse, and how weve interacted with other nations. To say nothing of our knowledge of other nations.
I agree that it does not speak well of us-- mainly because we don't deserve to be spoken well of.
Someone, I can't remember who, once said that in the end, for better or worse, the people get the government they deserve. Even Stalin would have collapsed if enough Soviet citizens simply said "we don't care how many of us you kill, we refuse to be governed by you". There'd have been a lot of bloodshed, but in the end Stalin would have fallen. But most people figure that as long as they have a roof over their head and three squares on the table, they'll tolerate an authoritarian government-- as long as they're able to live their lives.
Agree completely. The deaths of hundreds of thousands of Africans when USAID was withdrawn is hardly spoken of. But two young white people murdered before our eyes in Minneapolis certainly provoked a response. Yes, it was caught on video and they looked like a lot like many of us, but still....
Country comparisons often lose something in translation. Most European commenters would agree with the points you made above, but Orbán added more than you give him credit for. As a little fascist, it probably drove them up the wall when he met with Putin to say 'anything, anything at all, Your Grace, I'm just a little cog but I'm here to play my part by helping you.' The old ones never forgot Soviet tanks in Budapest in 1956, nor the real spirit of 1989, which over time Fidesz had done its best to smother.
As far as Harris and Biden goes, they did not stress his fascism. They answered a reporter's questions honestly (as they should have) when asked about it, if memory serves. And for what it's worth, I believe tens of millions are fed up with our mini-Putin and his party BOTH because of its fascism as well its economic and political failures.
Democracy is an operational concept. People who are working two or more jobs just to keep up (hopefully) with the rising costs of daily living, may not spend a lot of time thinking about what it means to live in a democracy. It's no excuse, but it is an understandable explanation.
Years ago I listened to a presentatation from a public relations expert on how negative opinions of politicians and their policies form. One part of that talk stays with me today. He said that when people see bad things and start to think, “OMG, that could happen to me or my family” is the moment when the tide turns. When ICE started bullying and even killing American citizens on public streets, Trump truly started to lose the argument. Combine that with the torrent of bad economic news that we all see every time we drive past a gas station or shop for groceries, and you’ve got the proverbial perfect storm. As loathsome as the Orban regime turned out to be, it never resorted to blatant murder.
Hungarian youth voted in drove. Your theory is partially true but I have personally seen Hungarian youth started realizing what they were missing by drifting away from EU and decided to throw the fascist, corrupt, old evil man out.
"Vice President JD Vance, who once arrogantly lectured the Vatican — incorrectly — on theology, first claimed not to recognize Pierre’s name, but then promised to look into it. (It should make his tour for his new book, flaunting his Catholic bona fides, interesting.)"
We haven't had a good excommunication in a while...
What matters the most is what Mr. Magyar actually does once in power. Orban’s cronies are still entrenched in the courts and the media of Hungary—not to mention that country’s Constitution. We should all watch closely on how much that damage the new Hungarian government can actually reverse. While the US and Hungary are quite difference places, there are enough parallels to be instructive for our would-be reformers.
Given how deeply Orban co-opted the government over 16 years, let’s see if he can pull it off. There is a big difference between an Election Day pronouncement and a real prosecution.
It may not be that easy. A legislative supermajority is a great head start but recapturing the government’s infrastructure and particularly a tainted court system isn’t as simple as trying to just fire people. Donald Tusk in Poland is in a somewhat similar position and hasn’t been able to shake off PiS yet after several years.
Voters also tend to be impatient. If the authoritarian holdovers just play for time they may be able to come back during the next election cycle. Winning an election gives you the chance to save your country but success is not guaranteed. I hope Mr. Magyar is being well advised on the best way to proceed.
Let us hope! Well, he spent a few years INSIDE that very system … let’s hope he got enough of it figured out! He’s had 2 years outside of it to plan also … but Yes, I get your point. I hope he’s able & smart enough to accomplish enough things to inspire & assist his citizenry … and that they won’t ‘let the perfect be the enemy of the good.’
The Trump officials have added another chapter to the book "How to Anger People". In this case, it's the Catholics, who hold the Pope in higher regard than the U.S. president, and rightly so.
Ignore the Bombast bloviator. When you see or hear his miserable excuse for "words" follow Melania's advice "I don't care. Do you?" Praise the Hungarians. Believe the Pope's Message of Peace and caring for the less fortunate than us. Find a candidate you like and support them through Nov. Bring your friends. Save the America we love.
Really, what did any of US expect? Don the Con doesn’t have the ability or capacity to see past his orange nose. No forethought. None. He’s been pre-programmed to lie, cheat and steal, his entire disgusting life. The sooner we get this creep and his team of miserable miscreants where they belong, we’ll be in a much better position to build back better. https://maydaystrong.org/
The Trump administration and the GOP will need to be punished more than the South was after the Civil War. Our standing in the world depends on it. Republicans needed to stand up and instead keep going home and hiding. Where is the news that this government is still in a partial shutdown? How does Johnson keep dodging and sending home the House? This November keeps on getting more interesting. If our Congress were to get a 75% majority of Dems we would see a definite Impeachment and CONVICTION of both the president and vice president. Unlikely, but this administration keeps on lowering the bar.
It's a long road ahead after those of us who care about our country get rid of Trump and his goons, but it's far from impossible. This is still America, it's still the greatest country in the world, despite all Trump's efforts to destroy it. I'm not blind. I see what's happened, even some things that don't get reported on much, like Trump's gutting of the National Forestry Service and his intention to sell off old-growth trees for timber. He wants to turn the entire country into the Dust Bowl. But therein lies my optimism. He's an ignoramus who thinks he can solve issues with gut feelings. He's an incurious oaf, arrogant, thinks only of himself, and thrives in turmoil and chaos. He and MAGA are a spent force. Still trouble, but waning by the day. Of course, he's going to try to steal the mid-terms, but Norm, Marc Elias, and state AGs around the country are preparing. There's no way the lower courts will let some of the trickery stand. And if it goes up to the Supreme Court, there will be huge pressure on the justices to do the right thing. We're going to win back both Houses and start holding people accountable. Then we need to get back to bold new ideas. The way FDR did things. That's how Dems will stay in power.
tRump is a bit simplistic at times. The only form of negotiation he practices or understands is "I win, you lose" to be achieved by the methods of a NYC street thug. Never forget that his grandfather ran a brothel for gold miners in the Yukon. The values were clearly inherited. Maybe that explains his love of gold. He will harvest everything he can grab and give nothing in return except to avoid losing something he needs.
did anybody expect the "negotiators" to achieve anything? their negotiating skills are acquired by reading frumps idiotic book... marathon negotiation to resolve conflicts that encompass huge issues while they scheme how to make a buck out of it for themselves??? i would laugh if i was not crying....
Kushner was not even an official US negotiator, and he’s being paid by the Saudis, who do not want the war to end. It’s not even just naïveté, it’s more corruption.
Yep. It's called distributive negotiation. It's a winner-takes-all process, as opposed to integrative negotiations, which seek win-win consensus. One works in talks between nations. The other just tends to create more antagonism.
A clear assessment of the state of the union. Unfortunately, entreaties to intellect are no match for the MAGA kool-aid that will fortunately lead to the ultimate demise of the willfully ignorant!
You do us all a huge favor by telling it like it is, Jen. It’s a long road ahead; buckle up.
"In his narcissistic brain, he no doubt assumed that bullying would deliver total obedience." This is the way Trump was raised by his father. The result is total failture in every endeavour he undertakes starting with NY real estates. He cannot learn.
Everyone ignore the Hal troll...
They're smart enough to make that decision themselves.
"The result is total failture in every endeavour he undertakes starting with NY real estates."
Well, he has managed to become President twice, so there's that. Perhaps the Democrats should have picked better candidates to run against him.
So, you prefer a felonious pedophile with advanced dementia, who never knew the first thing about rumming a company, let alone a country, and who doesn't understand anything about government to an intelligent, experienced, highly competent candidate, just because, why? She's a woman? She's not white?
He did manage to become president twice, to the eternal shame of the U.S. population.
"So, you prefer a felonious pedophile with advanced dementia'''
I'm not sure if he's a pedophile or not. As for "advanced dementia", if you kept quiet during Joe Biden's term, then you have zero credibility.
"...who never knew the first thing about rumming a company..."
Again, he's been elected President twice (and the second time with more of the popular vote than Kamala), so it doesn't matter what he did or didn't do in the past. The only "qualifications" for President are listed in the Constitution. And he will be gone on January 20, 2029 at the latest.
"He did manage to become president twice, to the eternal shame of the U.S. population."
More like to the consternation and disbelief of the Left. Again, the Dems should have picked better candidates. As for Trump's second election, the Dems should have removed Biden earlier and reversed their disastrous immigration policy among other things. The lawfare really turned a lot of independents against the Democratic Party. In essence, the Dems set themselves up for failure in 2024.
Any candidate the Dems would have picked in 2024 was bette than DJT. He’s proving that every single day.
"Any candidate the Dems would have picked in 2024 was bette than DJT"
We at least know that Kamala wasn't the better choice as far as the electoral or the popular vote went. As for anyone else, we'll never know because the Dems pretty much "anointed" Kamala Harris without so much as a mini-convention to hash things out.
"He’s proving that every single day."
Well, he's definitely not perfect, and some days he can be such a petty little moron. He has badly mishandled deportations. His social media posts create more problems than he realizes. But at least he was a known quantity during the last election while Harris proved to be what, exactly? Certainly not serious enough to be considered the next Commander-in-Chief. She was tied to Biden's policies and she never managed to distance herself from any of them. She avoided interviews for weeks to tell the country what she stood for. She failed to attend the Al Smith Dinner or be interviewed by Joe Rogan - things that Trump did. She was known for "word salad" responses and her love of Venn diagrams, yellow school busses and the passage of time. Her campaign blew an unimaginable amount of money, some of it on celebrity endorsements that, in the end, didn't sway near enough voters.
But Trump at least has the spine to finally confront Iran and the danger it poses to not only the region but the world. He has rearranged the Western Hemisphere by significantly reducing the presence and influence of China, Russia and Iran in places such as Panama, Venezuela and Cuba. Biden never attempted that and a President Harris most likely would not have.
The Dems and the media have done nothing but harass and criticize Trump since 2015. I have never seen an American politician get so much negative press in my life. Despite all the obstacles, he managed to be elected twice, and he will never be on the ballot again. Maybe the Dems and their cheerleaders in the media should change their approach.
Must say, Hal, I have a certain amount of respect for your clear point of view…though I disagree with much of what you say, you do display a broader understanding of politics than many…interesting to listen to your reasoning though you are apparently a committed conservative…
But, she's not using nearly strong enough language, yet. This regime is treasonous. The entire republican party is complicit. Kegsbreath's pentagon has committed murder in the Carribean. Trump's war is terrorism. Taking Venezuela oil is theft. Sending Kirschner and Whitkoff as diplomatic representatives is graft. On again, off again tariffs is extortion.
Ms. Rubin, stronger language, please.
Maybe not strong enough in this particular column to suit, but I listen to and read her several times a week, and have for over a year, and she can be plenty strong!
Trump is still astride his throne … and threatening newspeople too.
— How many millions is he suing the WSJ for now? $10 M.
The judge said No way! but Trump’s lawyer is threatening to try, try again! $$
"You do us all a huge favor by telling it like it is, Jen."
Jen tells you exactly that which confirms your worldview.
Either way . . .or both.
Please don't feed the troll. He has nothing better to do than post inane comments in defense of the traitorous criminal occupying the White House.
"Please don't feed the troll."
That's right, John, please don't read or respond to comments that are outside of your ideological bubble. You might be exposed to a different point of view.
Thank you for your clarity on how much we're losing, as Trump and regime destroy our alliances and our own people. Make America Grim Again.
"As a full-fledged narcissist, Trump expects complete subservience — no matter how badly he treats others. He, therefore, must have been shocked when NATO countries did not rush to aid his disastrous war of choice against Iran. More recently, the White House was likely flabbergasted when its effort to strong-arm Pope Leo (!) triggered another Vatican tongue-lashing, which was leaked."
No matter how loyal his slobbering sycophants are, he still treats them with contempt. Look at Bondi and Noem. Kicked to the curb after doing nothing but praising him to the skies and carrying out his dirty work.
You'd think some of these folks would have enough self-respect to recognize that he is only interested in humiliating everyone.
It's hard to see MAGA as anything other than a cult.
I believe they gave up all self respect, like every other Cabinet member, when they agreed to serve. Trump uses and abuses advisors who "could" make him successful. Most will leave with a gold-plated dagger in their backs or with their reputation in tatters.
Long ago, as Ronald Reagan was entering office, Doonesbury did a several-day skit about how Reagan appointees -- especially George W. Bush -- would have to put their "manhood in a blind trust."
What goes around...
MAGA is a cult where lies, "alternate truth" and propaganda poisoned people have departed reality and critical thinking. How else could they have come to this end?
Excellent points and YNWA! (Oops!)
"Look at Bondi and Noem. Kicked to the curb after doing nothing but praising him to the skies and carrying out his dirty work."
The final straw for Noem was her lying to Congress about Trump authorizing something he clearly didn't. Even the Republicans had to call her out on that.
Bondi totally screwed up with the Epstein files and gave a disastrous performance during Congressional testimony.
Dear Hal- yes I agree that Bondi and Noem were thrown under the bus by dementia don the putin puppet. good riddance!
I'm hopeful that Hegshit is next when the grifter in chief needs to blame him for this illegal, stupid, ill-prepared war.
It took a 'perfect storm' to do this - an uneducated and easily propagandized plurality of the voters. One which actually glorifies willful ignorance, paranoia, and the latest conspiracy theories. It took electing a New York mob boss to the presidency - what else can you call The tRump Organization? It took the rise of the American Oligarchy with its own glorification of their own innate superiority and willingness to divert just about the entire produce of the nation's economy into their own coffers. And it took a large apathetic part of the American polity too disengaged to go vote.
The young lads who had their heads turned with Musk’s money & he & Baron’s social media savvy … a lot of them are now seeing the error of their ways.
Ditto for some other % of other parties … eg Latinos for Trump etc.
*What’s the price of eggs now? 🙄 One if the financial reasons given for not voting Dem. Used to be a good economic indicator & R’s hammered Dems with it — without admitting it was affected by avian flu — now it seems they’ve stopped counting … because the numbers don’t look good?
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF12949
Once people realize they have been lied to, there is no way for them to get back to where they were. I’d bet that State Television (Faux Snooze);is headed for a ratings drop.
It took about 50 years of propaganda, lies, and manipulation to make a large number of people this ignorant.
You have to admit that Trump has been a really good liar all of his life. He got re-elected only by lying about immediately driving down prices, avoiding all wars, and saying that he wouldn't weaponize the justice system, plus he demonized all immigrants, among many other things.
Well, I would say he is an accomplished liar. He had the complicity of his followers who crave being lied to.
From reports after the election, I suspect that a significant number who voted for him were not unwavering followers, but instead were swayed by his empty promises, and that was enough to tip the election in his favor.
With perhaps a touch of bigotry and misogyny…
I call every action of Trump "MAWA" -- Making America Worse Again.
Exactly
Somehow the legacy media will downplay, or soon forget, Trump's jaw-dropping insults to Pope Leo XIV. Trump should remember the sneering remark attributed to Stalin, "How many divisions has the Pope?" and also remember where Stalin's statues are now, after Pope John Paul II reminded our brothers and sisters in Poland, and elsewhere, not to be afraid.
Yes. The Church might not have any 'divisions,' but it definitely has people. And People Power. (Unfortunately this power has often been misdirected, as when US Catholic clergy and even some religious communities of nuns pressed their members to support the current president in both his candidacies because of his supposed objection to abortion. Does anyone really believe he gives a fig about 'unborn lives?' He really doesn't even care about born lives.)
Let's hope the Pope and US church leaders continue to speak forcefully against this war criminal and his minions.
PS: Vance and Rubio, as well as Roberts, Alito, Thomas, Kavanaugh and Comey are all Catholics.
A government which outlaws abortion while simultaneously cutting programs that feed, shelter, provide medical attention, and educate children is not really pro-life. A government which puts children in concentration camps is not really pro-life. A government which recklessly murders children during a military "excursion" is not pro-life.
You've got that right. Five out of five stars of approval.
Roberts, Alito, Thomas, Kavanaugh and Comey are all Catholics speaks volumes to their decisions based on their religion. I'd love to see their faces as their dear leader disses the Pope.
I think you mean Coney Barrett, and Sotomayor is too. I hope the Pope has a few words for SCOTUS, like corporations are NOT people but immigrants are.
You're right, Ellen. Sotomayor was raised Catholic but evidently makes no pretense of being an orthodox follower these days, calleng herself a "cultural Catholic." Which many (of us) are.
Bit of dry humor passed on to me here.
The 4 times a Catholic goes to church?
1. Baptism 2. Marriage 3. Children’s Baptism 4. Funeral.
I actually think the SC crew might admire their president more than they respect the Pope.
‘Admire’? Perhaps a couple … more like they use him to their mutual advantage … enabling them to ‘live the good life’. 🙄
While I appreciate Pope Leo's statements the Catholic Church has a great deal to answer for: sexual abuse of children; its continued opposition to artificial contraception and abortion.
I completely agree with you, bbbb. The Church has more to answer for than can be atoned by some comments by one Pope. But the comments of any prominent person who stands up to the president, are welcome.
From reading the Hungarian election returns I've learned a lesson-- one that probably applies to the U.S. as well.
The lesson is that Joe and Josephine Sixpack don't give a hoot about freedom or democracy. As long as they can afford the groceries, a car (maybe 2), a decent place to live, a vacation at the shore, the mountains or to grandma's house once a year, and maybe some semblance of health insurance, they don't care how authoritarian the government is-- at least while the government isn't directly hassling THEM.!
Orban didn't lose because he was a fascist. He lost because people were getting tired of the widespread corruption, to the point where it intruded in their routine business, and because his corruption and mismanagement resulted in economic stagnation.
That explains why Harris' and Biden's stressing Trump's Fascist tendencies didn't carry a strong message, and (I hope) why the widespread corruption, rising prices, economic stagnation and forever wars is a stronger campaign platform than the state of democracy, which doesn't motivate the average American.
then that doesn't speak well of us, and shame on all those Americans who don't care if their president is a fascist. I attribute alot of this to our school systems not teaching civics anymore. That has to come back. Too many Americans do not have a clue about how our government works or what our Constitution says.
I agree that civics should be taught, so we know better how our government is designed to work. But a bigger problem is that schools don't teach enough history. We hardly have a clue about how our own nation came to be and has changed, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse, and how weve interacted with other nations. To say nothing of our knowledge of other nations.
Came here to write the same about history, and would add geography too.
Absolutely. Really, geography is the prelude to history.
I agree that it does not speak well of us-- mainly because we don't deserve to be spoken well of.
Someone, I can't remember who, once said that in the end, for better or worse, the people get the government they deserve. Even Stalin would have collapsed if enough Soviet citizens simply said "we don't care how many of us you kill, we refuse to be governed by you". There'd have been a lot of bloodshed, but in the end Stalin would have fallen. But most people figure that as long as they have a roof over their head and three squares on the table, they'll tolerate an authoritarian government-- as long as they're able to live their lives.
Agree completely. The deaths of hundreds of thousands of Africans when USAID was withdrawn is hardly spoken of. But two young white people murdered before our eyes in Minneapolis certainly provoked a response. Yes, it was caught on video and they looked like a lot like many of us, but still....
While on the topic of Stalin, he's alleged to have said:
A single death is a tragedy. A thousand deaths is a statistic. We may be seeing some of that here.
Reminds me of the attention paid to an Israeli life lost — we see their name, a description of their death, where, how etc.
10’s of 1000’s Iranians & Palestinians?
We’re lucky if we get a guesstimate!
* Israel allows (or kills) no reporters.
Country comparisons often lose something in translation. Most European commenters would agree with the points you made above, but Orbán added more than you give him credit for. As a little fascist, it probably drove them up the wall when he met with Putin to say 'anything, anything at all, Your Grace, I'm just a little cog but I'm here to play my part by helping you.' The old ones never forgot Soviet tanks in Budapest in 1956, nor the real spirit of 1989, which over time Fidesz had done its best to smother.
As far as Harris and Biden goes, they did not stress his fascism. They answered a reporter's questions honestly (as they should have) when asked about it, if memory serves. And for what it's worth, I believe tens of millions are fed up with our mini-Putin and his party BOTH because of its fascism as well its economic and political failures.
Rarely hear about “The price of EGGS these days!” these days …
The govt hasn’t provided stats on this since 3/25.
Democracy is an operational concept. People who are working two or more jobs just to keep up (hopefully) with the rising costs of daily living, may not spend a lot of time thinking about what it means to live in a democracy. It's no excuse, but it is an understandable explanation.
Years ago I listened to a presentatation from a public relations expert on how negative opinions of politicians and their policies form. One part of that talk stays with me today. He said that when people see bad things and start to think, “OMG, that could happen to me or my family” is the moment when the tide turns. When ICE started bullying and even killing American citizens on public streets, Trump truly started to lose the argument. Combine that with the torrent of bad economic news that we all see every time we drive past a gas station or shop for groceries, and you’ve got the proverbial perfect storm. As loathsome as the Orban regime turned out to be, it never resorted to blatant murder.
Hungarian youth voted in drove. Your theory is partially true but I have personally seen Hungarian youth started realizing what they were missing by drifting away from EU and decided to throw the fascist, corrupt, old evil man out.
He lived in his own private palace with a little herd of zebras inside.
edit: fixed typo.
"Vice President JD Vance, who once arrogantly lectured the Vatican — incorrectly — on theology, first claimed not to recognize Pierre’s name, but then promised to look into it. (It should make his tour for his new book, flaunting his Catholic bona fides, interesting.)"
We haven't had a good excommunication in a while...
Or a good exorcism. I think the orange demon befouling the White House would be a good start.
The defeat of Orban is a ticket back to what we have lost.
🙏
What matters the most is what Mr. Magyar actually does once in power. Orban’s cronies are still entrenched in the courts and the media of Hungary—not to mention that country’s Constitution. We should all watch closely on how much that damage the new Hungarian government can actually reverse. While the US and Hungary are quite difference places, there are enough parallels to be instructive for our would-be reformers.
Mgyar already said those cronies should leave before they get fired in next few days. Prosecutions are about to start large scale.
Given how deeply Orban co-opted the government over 16 years, let’s see if he can pull it off. There is a big difference between an Election Day pronouncement and a real prosecution.
If Mgyure has 2/3’s seats he can rule whatever way he wants almost.
Granted, there will be SOME time required to eliminate the crooked justices.
— Orban doesn’t leave office for another month but he’s a lame duck prez.
It may not be that easy. A legislative supermajority is a great head start but recapturing the government’s infrastructure and particularly a tainted court system isn’t as simple as trying to just fire people. Donald Tusk in Poland is in a somewhat similar position and hasn’t been able to shake off PiS yet after several years.
Voters also tend to be impatient. If the authoritarian holdovers just play for time they may be able to come back during the next election cycle. Winning an election gives you the chance to save your country but success is not guaranteed. I hope Mr. Magyar is being well advised on the best way to proceed.
Let us hope! Well, he spent a few years INSIDE that very system … let’s hope he got enough of it figured out! He’s had 2 years outside of it to plan also … but Yes, I get your point. I hope he’s able & smart enough to accomplish enough things to inspire & assist his citizenry … and that they won’t ‘let the perfect be the enemy of the good.’
From your keyboard to G*d’s screen, Howard
Sad to see American officials threatening Pope Leo. As they found out, the Pope answers to a Higher Authority.
The Trump officials have added another chapter to the book "How to Anger People". In this case, it's the Catholics, who hold the Pope in higher regard than the U.S. president, and rightly so.
Pope Leo deserves the respect of all of us.
Indeed he does, and that bampot Trump should receive a lot less.
Ignore the Bombast bloviator. When you see or hear his miserable excuse for "words" follow Melania's advice "I don't care. Do you?" Praise the Hungarians. Believe the Pope's Message of Peace and caring for the less fortunate than us. Find a candidate you like and support them through Nov. Bring your friends. Save the America we love.
Really, what did any of US expect? Don the Con doesn’t have the ability or capacity to see past his orange nose. No forethought. None. He’s been pre-programmed to lie, cheat and steal, his entire disgusting life. The sooner we get this creep and his team of miserable miscreants where they belong, we’ll be in a much better position to build back better. https://maydaystrong.org/
how is it possible that a demented mafia boss and his murderous side kick are still "leading" $330million people?????
because Republicans prefer to protect a pedophile in the White House. I imagine many of them are in the Epstein files.
because americans are what ? STUPID, racist, and looking for the rapture.
I know not all
Have you read this? Michael Corthell is a profound thinker.
— the Trump as Christ AI pic is other-worldly! 😵💫
https://essayx.substack.com/p/the-gospel-according-to-don?utm_source=publication-search
The Trump administration and the GOP will need to be punished more than the South was after the Civil War. Our standing in the world depends on it. Republicans needed to stand up and instead keep going home and hiding. Where is the news that this government is still in a partial shutdown? How does Johnson keep dodging and sending home the House? This November keeps on getting more interesting. If our Congress were to get a 75% majority of Dems we would see a definite Impeachment and CONVICTION of both the president and vice president. Unlikely, but this administration keeps on lowering the bar.
It's a long road ahead after those of us who care about our country get rid of Trump and his goons, but it's far from impossible. This is still America, it's still the greatest country in the world, despite all Trump's efforts to destroy it. I'm not blind. I see what's happened, even some things that don't get reported on much, like Trump's gutting of the National Forestry Service and his intention to sell off old-growth trees for timber. He wants to turn the entire country into the Dust Bowl. But therein lies my optimism. He's an ignoramus who thinks he can solve issues with gut feelings. He's an incurious oaf, arrogant, thinks only of himself, and thrives in turmoil and chaos. He and MAGA are a spent force. Still trouble, but waning by the day. Of course, he's going to try to steal the mid-terms, but Norm, Marc Elias, and state AGs around the country are preparing. There's no way the lower courts will let some of the trickery stand. And if it goes up to the Supreme Court, there will be huge pressure on the justices to do the right thing. We're going to win back both Houses and start holding people accountable. Then we need to get back to bold new ideas. The way FDR did things. That's how Dems will stay in power.
I hope the dolt cult heard rump's pledge to financially help Hungary, since he has no money for childcare, SNAP, etc
This Pope is a strong person. They are not all strong. He is.
tRump is a bit simplistic at times. The only form of negotiation he practices or understands is "I win, you lose" to be achieved by the methods of a NYC street thug. Never forget that his grandfather ran a brothel for gold miners in the Yukon. The values were clearly inherited. Maybe that explains his love of gold. He will harvest everything he can grab and give nothing in return except to avoid losing something he needs.
did anybody expect the "negotiators" to achieve anything? their negotiating skills are acquired by reading frumps idiotic book... marathon negotiation to resolve conflicts that encompass huge issues while they scheme how to make a buck out of it for themselves??? i would laugh if i was not crying....
Next time, maybe we should send grownups.
Or people who have an understanding of how the mid eastern cultures and mentality function. Tragically all of those experts have been fired.
Kushner was not even an official US negotiator, and he’s being paid by the Saudis, who do not want the war to end. It’s not even just naïveté, it’s more corruption.
Jared and the price of peace sounds like a good investigation in conflicts of interest.
Yep. It's called distributive negotiation. It's a winner-takes-all process, as opposed to integrative negotiations, which seek win-win consensus. One works in talks between nations. The other just tends to create more antagonism.
I think it is also called the conquest model.
Makes sense. Describes it well. Fits very well with Don the Con's efforts to bolster his self-image by causing pain to others.
Trump’s usual “zero sum” game — one’s gain MUST be ensure another’s loss.
No such thing as ‘win-win’ … his ego can’t consider such a thing!
May 1st National boycott.
July 1st NK4 peaceful protest 👑
Thank you Jennifer for the integrity of your ever-amazing tireless journalistic efforts.
A clear assessment of the state of the union. Unfortunately, entreaties to intellect are no match for the MAGA kool-aid that will fortunately lead to the ultimate demise of the willfully ignorant!