Thank you for a wonderful, information-filled post! I love the quote from your friend, Katie: "And a fight is already lost if it’s never fought." That sentence should be on everyone's lips as we fight the corruption and grift, lies, bullying, and demagoguery. Thanks to all of the Contrarians who are at the forefront, along with many others, to save our country!
It's all so baffling and terrifying that it makes me want to put my fingers in my ears and sing la-la-la. Thank you, Norm, for giving me some hope to wake up to. Please, take good care of yourself!!
PS - I must say I'm aghast at Hegseth's clueless quotation of Pulp Fiction. How many will notice?? Or care?
Listening to Hegseth is nauseating as well as worrisome. That such an numpty is in charge of one of the largest militaries in the world is terrifying. That he thinks that he acts as "an instrument of God" is an equal concern. A toady for the demented president presents no confidence either.
So who is going to chuck him out; the Rethuglican congress? As long as he keeps doing Trump's loyal bidding, he will remain in office no matter how badly he bungles the Iran war and the rest of our military "adventures".
The 120th Congress is going to be so so busy with hearings, investigations, proposals for impeachment… just as dizzying as all the EO's that came out since 1/1/25.
You're probably right. I have no social media, never had, so I can only imagine the noise! But I'd like to see some change actually come of all that clever blahblah. I fear that too many people are satisfied knowing that many others think just like they do (and that works both ways). So they can go about their day, feeling smug and understood by the choir. Sorry: it's no longer enough! :-(
But also read today that Tegna and Nexstar are claiming "Too late - we already merged a month ago!" to tell the judge who just ruled against it to go pound sand. I hope the judge and any higher courts will insist they roll it back since it is clearly an illegal merger.
Re Hungary, I'm wondering where the money came from for Hungary to subsidize CPAC. The whole deal stinks to me. Round and round the money goes. Where it came from nobody knows? Or where it actually ends up?
For where money comes from and where is goes, consider the Latin 'cui bono' (who benefits?). That's where to start looking. Money rarely changes hands without resulting in some beneficial action to at least one of the parties involved.
That "too late" remark smacks of the MO of this entire administration.
I remember years ago in NYC, overnight someone took a wrecking ball to a building (that housed the New Yorker) that was under review to become an historic landmark.
Then there is the east wing. I'm sure they consider it fait accompli, but I would love to see a proposal to have it restored. The French restored Notre Dame Cathedral; the east wing should be easy enough.
Paul Krugman's post today is a really solid analysis of how Orban lost an election he had rigged. It is also clear that he can repeat Putin's dodge to retain power after his term expired. Orban is likely to return to power via the office of the President of Hungary.
I love The Contrarian and every essay you post. All your writers. And of course all your legal battles to save our democracy. I know what a deal we’re getting for being a paying subscriber. You do terrific work and I thank you!
Thanks for the informative article on the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger. This isn't the first anti-democracy merger of the Trump era, but if enough pressure mounts from the public and state attorneys general, it could be the last, especially if, as we all hope, the Dems take control of the house and possibly the senate in November.
I HOPE that Democracy Defenders Action is working with congressional Dems on writing and passing anti-trust legislation aimed at splitting up the corporate media [and social media] consolidations we're seeing now. Thanks for all you do to defend our democracy, Norm Eisen. Also, Katie Phang is one helluva lawyer!! Her argumentation at that hearing was superb!
Leave it to California to screw up so badly in a year when Democrats are winning. Mess this up and we can kiss those CA electoral college votes goodbye under a Republican governor. This is why the country won't be lectured by CA. They gave us Reagan after all.
"Media consolidation has already weakened one of America’s most vital global industries — one that has long shaped culture and connected people around the world.”"
This is a significant observation of fact. Thanks to Mr. Eisen, the letter signators, and all who seen the danger of the latest media merger. Not only is creativity a victim, but also the honest and factual dissemination of news. Too much in the hands of too few isn't conducive to freedom of the press, which is fast becoming an anachronism today. We need to vigorously enforce anti-trust regulations as well as the 39% rule govering media concentration/consolidation.
I really appreciate the "Publishers Roundup" since it gives me a chance to get an overall sense of what I might have missed during the week, what I might have been too busy to give more than a passing glance.
You might actually use "Publishers Roundup" as the title of the post rather than use the subject of one of the stories (as you did here - Rejecting the Orbanization ...)
Jamelle Bouie NYT 3/25/26: "If you can set aside both the unconstitutionality and the immorality of President Trump’s unprovoked...it is hard not to be bewildered by the utter lack of real planning, or even basic strategic thinking, that has gone into it.”
GOP normalizes sociopathy & serial criminality of the Chosen One. Resist depraved, demented, gangster grifter authoritarianism! Vote Sane. #VoteBlue!
Turn your Saturday frustration at the chaos of this administration into action. Help call Virginia voters and make sure they Vote YES in the Special Election on April 21. There are phone banks every day. Today (4/18), you can call starting at 1:30pm ET | 10:30am PT https://www.mobilize.us/ruralgroundgame/event/940248/
Trump is systematically dismantling the USA in a rapid fire emulation of Orban's decade plus attempt to dismantle Hungary and the European Union. Both these men are UI's of Putin.
Ethical retirements only work if there are a small number and they get lots of new coverage. Otherwise, they are just part of the purge of all who would resist. Those who remain are those who are Ok with the new regime and it's methods.
Thank you for a wonderful, information-filled post! I love the quote from your friend, Katie: "And a fight is already lost if it’s never fought." That sentence should be on everyone's lips as we fight the corruption and grift, lies, bullying, and demagoguery. Thanks to all of the Contrarians who are at the forefront, along with many others, to save our country!
It's all so baffling and terrifying that it makes me want to put my fingers in my ears and sing la-la-la. Thank you, Norm, for giving me some hope to wake up to. Please, take good care of yourself!!
PS - I must say I'm aghast at Hegseth's clueless quotation of Pulp Fiction. How many will notice?? Or care?
Listening to Hegseth is nauseating as well as worrisome. That such an numpty is in charge of one of the largest militaries in the world is terrifying. That he thinks that he acts as "an instrument of God" is an equal concern. A toady for the demented president presents no confidence either.
And yet he still "functions" in that role..
So who is going to chuck him out; the Rethuglican congress? As long as he keeps doing Trump's loyal bidding, he will remain in office no matter how badly he bungles the Iran war and the rest of our military "adventures".
The 120th Congress is going to be so so busy with hearings, investigations, proposals for impeachment… just as dizzying as all the EO's that came out since 1/1/25.
From your mind to a hopeful upcoming reality.
"How many will notice? Or care?"
A whole lot of people, if my feed is any indication (which it might not be, but anyway...) I think it ended up on late night comedy, for one thing.
I've seen some great memes, including one with Travolta and Thurman dancing, with the caption "this is my favorite scene from the Bible."
I think anyone who has the slightest amount of political awareness already knows about it! What a total idiot he is. The memes are rampant 😆
You're probably right. I have no social media, never had, so I can only imagine the noise! But I'd like to see some change actually come of all that clever blahblah. I fear that too many people are satisfied knowing that many others think just like they do (and that works both ways). So they can go about their day, feeling smug and understood by the choir. Sorry: it's no longer enough! :-(
But also read today that Tegna and Nexstar are claiming "Too late - we already merged a month ago!" to tell the judge who just ruled against it to go pound sand. I hope the judge and any higher courts will insist they roll it back since it is clearly an illegal merger.
Re Hungary, I'm wondering where the money came from for Hungary to subsidize CPAC. The whole deal stinks to me. Round and round the money goes. Where it came from nobody knows? Or where it actually ends up?
For where money comes from and where is goes, consider the Latin 'cui bono' (who benefits?). That's where to start looking. Money rarely changes hands without resulting in some beneficial action to at least one of the parties involved.
That "too late" remark smacks of the MO of this entire administration.
I remember years ago in NYC, overnight someone took a wrecking ball to a building (that housed the New Yorker) that was under review to become an historic landmark.
Then there is the east wing. I'm sure they consider it fait accompli, but I would love to see a proposal to have it restored. The French restored Notre Dame Cathedral; the east wing should be easy enough.
Paul Krugman's post today is a really solid analysis of how Orban lost an election he had rigged. It is also clear that he can repeat Putin's dodge to retain power after his term expired. Orban is likely to return to power via the office of the President of Hungary.
I read that and take comfort that Maygar is very well aware of the problem and, one hopes, will figure out a solution before Orban gets a chance.
Me, too, but I am also concerned that he will become another Orban.
I love The Contrarian and every essay you post. All your writers. And of course all your legal battles to save our democracy. I know what a deal we’re getting for being a paying subscriber. You do terrific work and I thank you!
Thanks for the informative article on the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger. This isn't the first anti-democracy merger of the Trump era, but if enough pressure mounts from the public and state attorneys general, it could be the last, especially if, as we all hope, the Dems take control of the house and possibly the senate in November.
I HOPE that Democracy Defenders Action is working with congressional Dems on writing and passing anti-trust legislation aimed at splitting up the corporate media [and social media] consolidations we're seeing now. Thanks for all you do to defend our democracy, Norm Eisen. Also, Katie Phang is one helluva lawyer!! Her argumentation at that hearing was superb!
Leave it to California to screw up so badly in a year when Democrats are winning. Mess this up and we can kiss those CA electoral college votes goodbye under a Republican governor. This is why the country won't be lectured by CA. They gave us Reagan after all.
What do you mean "Leave it to California?" It is the result of one man's misbehavior.
Besides, it ain't gonna happen. We're smart enough to figure it out and we will. No effing Republican is going to take this state.
"Media consolidation has already weakened one of America’s most vital global industries — one that has long shaped culture and connected people around the world.”"
This is a significant observation of fact. Thanks to Mr. Eisen, the letter signators, and all who seen the danger of the latest media merger. Not only is creativity a victim, but also the honest and factual dissemination of news. Too much in the hands of too few isn't conducive to freedom of the press, which is fast becoming an anachronism today. We need to vigorously enforce anti-trust regulations as well as the 39% rule govering media concentration/consolidation.
It's been said that the Orange Menace's fight with the Pope is actually a proxy for a fight with God, a turf war in mob-speak.
As should be obvious by now, his stubby fingers are too short to box with God.
I really appreciate the "Publishers Roundup" since it gives me a chance to get an overall sense of what I might have missed during the week, what I might have been too busy to give more than a passing glance.
You might actually use "Publishers Roundup" as the title of the post rather than use the subject of one of the stories (as you did here - Rejecting the Orbanization ...)
Jamelle Bouie NYT 3/25/26: "If you can set aside both the unconstitutionality and the immorality of President Trump’s unprovoked...it is hard not to be bewildered by the utter lack of real planning, or even basic strategic thinking, that has gone into it.”
GOP normalizes sociopathy & serial criminality of the Chosen One. Resist depraved, demented, gangster grifter authoritarianism! Vote Sane. #VoteBlue!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEok_seAdi4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b14mceqC8xI
Turn your Saturday frustration at the chaos of this administration into action. Help call Virginia voters and make sure they Vote YES in the Special Election on April 21. There are phone banks every day. Today (4/18), you can call starting at 1:30pm ET | 10:30am PT https://www.mobilize.us/ruralgroundgame/event/940248/
Trump is systematically dismantling the USA in a rapid fire emulation of Orban's decade plus attempt to dismantle Hungary and the European Union. Both these men are UI's of Putin.
*Undemocratic Intelligence.
So proud of our work, Norm!
Isn't this exactly how California got Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger as governor?
Ethical retirements only work if there are a small number and they get lots of new coverage. Otherwise, they are just part of the purge of all who would resist. Those who remain are those who are Ok with the new regime and it's methods.