Governor Newsome found out the hard way that there is no common ground with dictators OR the true believers; no way to appease a death cult. Glad he is understanding the assignment now, and doing the homework. Keep it up, Governor! Stand (y)our ground!! Democracy WILL WIN!
And I thought that the governor's blunt speech spoke as clearly as anyone has against the "Fascism" that underlies the Trump regime and its policies. It was a strong moment. I hope they have a good day in Court.
On that note, Katie Couric did an insightful interview with Mayor Karen Bass on her Substack yesterday. Many questions answered, and Mayor Bass was impressive:
Yay, agree! I have long admired Karen Bass, ever since she served in the California State Assembly (she was elected Speaker in 2008, the first African-American woman in United States history to serve as speaker of a state legislative body); and then the US House of Representatives for 6 terms. I think she’s done a terrific job as mayor this past week under very stressful circumstances. Her calm demeanor and smart, measured leadership are a blessing. Keep up the great work, Mayor Bass! 💙
Yes, good point, Tony. Newsom didn't use fancy, focus-group pablum; he used plain language and clearly demonstrated the fascist playbook being used against L.A. I hope the court comes through with the restraining order California has requested.
Agreed, and what a pleasure it is to listen to Newsom, who unlike Trump and his entire administration, is literate, and can speak in full sentences that lead to paragraphs, use words that are larger than one or two syllables, make a strong argument for his point of view, hit all of the key points, and still have people understand. Without having to say that Trump et. al are stupid morons, it's so very obvious, that perhaps even some Republicans will speak out against this travesty. https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/06/10/governor-newsoms-address-to-california-democracy-at-a-crossroads/
Although I am a second generation Angeleno, I have been unable to attend the protests, because I'm immunocompromised, and have other medical issues. But, I watched the big protest downtown today, it is peaceful, and very large. It may have been planned by SEIU, the California union of which David Huerta is president. On Friday, he was tased and pushed to the ground, injured, then hospitalized, sent to the detention center, and released on a bond yesterday.
SEIU and its allies are calling for the release of detained immigrants, an end to federal forces deployed against protesters, oversight of ICE detention facilities, and protection and citizenship for immigrant essential workers
I was really glad to hear about David Huerta's release, even if it is on bond. I think he'll be able to beat those flimsy charges. I wouldn't be surprised if a judge kicks the case out of court.
I sure would hope so, although it's a federal charge. From what I read, he was standing in front of a bus with immigrants from one of businesses, the ICE agents had raided. He was just trying to stop it from moving, when an ICE agent tased him and pushed him hard enough that his head hit the cement. It would have made sense that he tried to protect himself. When I read about what is happening in Los Angeles, it is so less worse than what happened on January 6th, that it infuriates me about why Trump never was jailed!
That democracy will win in this struggle is by no means certain. To date the military has obeyed every mobilization order from Trump->Hespeth in the LA protest response. What these troops will do if the order is given to initiate peaceful protest suppression and replace the LA police force at the scene is as yet unknown. Perhaps that order will not be given, but it could be. The order to arrest Gov. Newson could be given, and the military ordered to back up the federal marshals making that arrest. Will the on site military comply? We have a ways to go to see if this greatest act of Trump authoritarianism will be defeated.
It’s the question we’re all asking of Republicans who have voted without reflection or doubt for people like Trump all their lives. I’d hope the National Guard would simply return to their homes. I’d hope the Marines would not stain their uniforms by betraying the Constitution. That, I think, is the message we have to send to the Marines and Army: Do not disgrace the uniform with service to tyranny.
Actually, the troops' best outcome would be for someone in the Officer level of the military command structure to say to their commanding officer, "No sir, that is an unlawful command, not in keeping with the mission, and I will not ask the men and women in my command to go against their oath to the Constitution in service of an overreaching order, sir (🤮)". It SHOULD BE the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, directly to the Orange Traitor. If Dan Caine has ANY character, he is doing this now.
Yes, I saw clips, though I didn't watch the whole thing (can't stomach it! 🤮). As for the California National Guard being federalized, it is up to the state director(?) of this Guard to say "no" to this unlawful deployment. That person's name is Sherman from what I have heard.
Yes. He made the mistake of acquiescence, thinking he could bargain with 🍊 . Watch a pack of dogs. The alpha dog throws his front leg over the back of other dogs. Just what tRump does when he greets those who comply, with a big arm on the back
Dominance. He was called, Newscum, then Newcomb and back to Newscum. You have to stand your ground.
Yes, here in Chicago, in conversations on the street or over dinner, phrases like “fed up with Schumer” and others are common. The undertow of the people’s judgment will carry away and drown the Democratic establishment if it does not stand up and fight for us.
The incident in LA could become the start of the campaign for presidency of Governor Newsome. Trump is giving the opportunity to compare him with the govenorbefore the voters without realizing it.
But of course Donald was real quick on Jan 6 to call up the National Guard and military to put down the actually violent attack on our Federal Government, wasn’t he?
Still waiting to see what's happening to the BIG CRAPPY bill, which is his number one priority.
What's happening with the senate parlimentarian? Senate Republicans are expected to closely follow the guidance of parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough as they embark on the “Byrd bath” in the coming weeks, with noncompliant provisions sometimes referred to as “Byrd droppings.”
What's happenng with stuff like Medicaid cuts, that undermine his support in red states?
What's happening with the grift? Even the sane washing NYT is all over his extortion schemes!
The NYT also appears to be limiting readers' ability to comment on articles online. And the article headlines are so bland --- 'scholars' think Trump may have overreached?? Hell no -- it's clear he HAS overreached and it's not just scholars who think so! Judging by their article headlines, it's business as usual in America.
The Washington Post is doing no better. Ed Bradlee Eugene Meyer and Katherine Graham would be horrified at what has happened to what used to be an example of good journalism.
IMHO Trump looks nutsy koo koo and needs to be evaluated for involutary civil commitment. A discussion of his mental state should be the predicate for every tactical policy decision he's been making.
But I can't tell the courts, let alone MSM what to do. I "fired" NYT and WAPO when they elevated polls (which are not facts, merely opinions) to the top of the page.
All we can do is take advantage of what we have. I'm grateful for any substantiation of Trump's mens rea.
The "old grey lady," has been lapsing into senile dementia for some time. That's why I no longer subscribe.
I look back at a very old article about the vulgarian, from the 70s, as perhaps a harbinger of what was to come. The "journalist" writing about this shiny new entrepreneur, rhapsodized about his white teeth and proclaimed, "he looks ever so much like Robert Redford."
EWWWW! Someone's got orange koolaid running through their eyes if they seriously think that slovenly, morbidly obese, unkempt POS looks like Robert Redford! YUK!
He never has, in all his life, even remotely resembled Robert Redford! He always looked like a complete PAB
He was unkempt even back 50 years ago. I always thought his hair looked dirty and stringy. It was never styled, just straggly down his neck. He always looked nasty. And, he always had a big butt, btw. Go look at his stupid volleyball videos. What a clumsy dork he was.
I noticed they've (The NYT) been very quick to shut off comments, often within hours of a story appearing. And not allowing comments on many others. And yeah - those headlines.
maybe the faster the BCB(big crappy bill) is passed and implemented the "people" who love trump, and think he loves them, will know they have been had and will collectively turn into the worst woman scorned ever...
Gavin Newsom, like our governor Janet Mills, is proving to be a clear thinking, clear spoken defender of states rights and the constitutions of the states and indeed of the country. I am deeply grateful for the people in positions of leadership who are stepping up with headline grabbing presence. We the people commend and will show up in noteworthy numbers! On no kings day.
I am proud of all 22 of America’s Democratic governors. I look forward to welcoming Abigail Spanberger into that esteemed group, when she wins the Virginia governorship in November.
Let's see what the Honorable Charles Breyer, presiding judge in the just filed Newsome v. Trump case has to say about that, whose brother was Associate Justice of the Supreme Court until his retirement a few years ago. Hearing set for Thursday where Trump's legal beagles will lie, gyrate, primp and preen, using Steven Miller's Nazi language in a court where nonsense like 'the law is whatever I claim it is' won't be given the time of day.
And I hope those beagles know that Florida's state bar has been urged to disbar Bondi. The first time the beagles say an obvious lie, or say they haven't read the papers their side has filed, etc. etc. Judge Breyer should say: You'll be held in contempt if you do that again. The second time they do it he should make good on his promise. He could also invite the plaintiffs to make a motion that the lawyers filed papers without making sure there were no lies, no made-up citations, no misquotes, because it's pretty likely that that's exactly what they did. As I understand it, motions like that can lead to the defense pleadings being thrown out and judgment entered for the plaintiff..
Donald Trump is a weak and terrified man. He is terrified because his actions are resulting in demonstrations against him INCREASING in number across the USA. Trump is weak because he has no more hands to play. By deploying the marines to LA he has shown the nation what is possible anywhere. And the populace will not stand for this. He responds on a way that will backfire on him tremendously - the first time a marine fires his/her weapon, he will be toast.
Remember that all his policies -- all of them -- are backfiring and failing faster than summer lightning. He's been humiliated by his best 'bro' in the most embarrassing public format possible, Putin is furious with him for not reigning Ukraine in, and the Senate looks like it will not pass (pray God I'm not lying) his Big Ugly Pile of Cruelty and Chaos. He's playing with fire and punching down faster than he can rage-tweet at night, but the Governor of California is punching UP and calling him out for being a deranged arsonist.
We just have to play our part, which is tough. We MUST stay peaceful, no matter the provocations (which will be many) and refrain from doing dumb shit which plays into Steven Miller's hands.
I think you are on to something. Of course there is more nastiness that can come from Trump--but these are the big cards--the legislation stuck in the Senate, and the Insurrection Act. All the same, we must continually watch out for the OMB and Vought--the Project 2025 folks are going to keep pushing at tearing the government to pieces.
Let’s keep his legislation stuck in the Senate. Gut his budget, and don’t back down. His own financial backers will suffer more than any of us, unless he gives up. My hope is that the oligarchs will simply tell him to resign, rather than face financial ruin and global collapse. But to be believable, we have to use “the doomsday solution” if pressed. We’ve bluffed too many times. Bluffing to achieve a compromise or a “bargain” simply won’t work again.
When your position is overrun, you know you must call in fire on your own position, or if you don’t, you end up in a prison cell the rest of your life. Trump sacrificed the world on an all-or-nothing cast of the die. He crossed the Rubicon - brought his legions into Italy contrary to law. Faced with being overrun, we must stand firm in our extremity, or be deprived of our life and liberty.
This is the only way I can imagine that the Senate can take back its power and restore the rule of law.
Sending Marines against American people in their own country is a violation of the Posse Comitatus Act and the Constitution. It is for the Congress to authorize such action if it is ever necessary. It is not up to the president.
It wouldn't be any surprise that violent "demonstrators" were imported to make a peaceful assembly look dangerous. As you point out, it has happened before.
I hope that some good journalists and/or legitimate Law Enforcement entities investigate the “Waymos” that were summoned only to be set afire. Likewise, I hope that someone will identify the flag-wavers (of Mexico’s or other countries’ flags), and the most “provocative” of the protesters to see if there are MAGATs among them. Trump so often claims that protesters against his Illegal Actions must be “paid” provocateurs that I’d wager he’s just “projecting” what dirty tricks he and his cabal routinely use!
My father, may he rest in peace, was a Marine Corps combatant during WWII, and went on to spend his weekends and summer vacations for 30 years commanding a battalion of National Guard artillerymen. I am sure that if an obvious tyrant like Trump had ordered his to train his weapons on a fractious but not dangerous crowd that could have easily been handles by regular policing he would have been the first to order them to refuse. Why? Because he was a patriot, and a fully human being, not a monster of self interest, racism and hatred like this POTUS.
I'm hoping that there are Califorinia Congressional Republicans -- there are 9 of them-- that know the rationale for this -- danger of invasion by a foreign nation; there is a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the government of the United States -- is BS and will step forward.
How about David G. Valadao?
How about other local officials that use the facilities there as witnesses?
The incendiary speech at Fort Bragg has still not been covered by the Washington Post --- you wouldn't even know it taken place, much less what the Chief Arsonist said there.
President Taco Face -- in stupid baseball hat --- gave his usual offensive campaign-style speech insulting a sitting Governor and calling people who disagreed with him "stupid" with the troops booing on command. He announced that 9 Army bases, renamed after the killing of George Floyd in 2020 by an overwhelming vote in Congress -- would now be given back their old confederate names (which glorified men who had committed treason against the United States). He waddled off the stage gyrating to the sound of "YMCA" -- a Village People song glorifying gay sex, which he's bizarrely turned into his own private anthem.
Those frantically engaged in rewriting history and popular culture can never be trusted. Ever.
Now is the time for the Supreme Court to stand up for all Americans and not bow to the will of this fascist regime and reaffirm the principles upon which our country war conceived...that no one is above the law and the Constitution must be obeyed by all, including this wanna be king and his sycophants.
I hear where you're coming from and I am afraid you may be right. The immunity decision was one of the worst decisions by this court. However, while Barrett and Kavanaugh are quite conservative I believe they honor and believe in the Constitution over politics. And what this administration has done doesn't require 'interpretation' to find that it has violated numerous sections of the Constitution. I think it's so clear I have hope that it would be a unanimous decision.
Alito and Thomas are the ones I'd seriously question, and even Roberts is up for grabs. The rest seem to be more in line to upholding the Constitution and defending democracy. Another of the worst decisions was Citizens United, from which we've been feeling the effects for quite a while now.
Totally agree, especially regarding Citizens United! But heretofore I've been called an eternal optimist, though I am finding it more and more difficult. If the Court fails us here even I have to say it's over for our country!
Not over entirely, just a longer more protracted fight with more people getting involved. Billionaire support is weakening, even some Republicans are beginning to find their spines again, and the majority of the people want a rest from this erratic leader.
Knowing that the elected convicted felon does not read and is a certified ignoramus (one who knows nothing but is convinced he knows every- and all things) he is playing that poem of Martin Niemöller in real time.
Here's the English translation of the original Niemöller poem
When the Nazis came for the communists,
I kept quiet; I wasn't a communist.
When they came for the trade unionists, I kept quiet;
I wasn't a trade unionist.
When they locked up the social democrats, I kept quiet;
I wasn't a social democrat.
When they locked up the Jews, I kept quiet;
I wasn't a Jew.
When they came for me, there was no one left to protest.
The ignoramus-in-chief, or better still the Voughts, Millers and dark money guys in the background, is already in the third stanza when you replace Nazis by Magas, communists by "illegal immigrants", trade unionists by "universities or places of education", social democrates by the "doge-ed government officials".
Bondi, Patel, Hegseth, Miller, Vought and all those "at least he has learned a lesson" GOP politicians are getting ready for the final act.
Midterms in 2026? Are you all sure that some imaginary "emergency" will not be proclaimed leading to cancelled elections?
Keeping quiet is no longer an option my dear US friends and I hope it is not already too late.
Yes--Trump's mass deportation policy is moving forward as promised. I am sure that California was the most likely starting point for the Trump regime to assert the end of POSSE COMITATUS and invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807--thus giving the dictator the power to use the military against the civilian citizen population of America. This is wrong on every level we can name but the Insurrection Act is vague enough for the would-be tyrant to use it. Even so, Trump is doing all of this as a part of the "flood the zone" strategy. The press is looking away from the battle ongoing over the "Big Beautiful Bill" in the Senate. This legislation will be devastating to the country. Also--this is the ideal distraction from the ugliness of the Musk-Trump break-up. California was the perfect pretext for Trump to expand this all across the country--and reporting shows that the move into California was planned in advance, and that a number of democratic (Blue) cities are targeted to follow soon. By the way, imagine the grotesque unfairness, the lack of due process, as ICE raided commercial sites to scoop up detainees. The racial profiling and the errors should frighten all Americans.
Chicago resident here. I am afraid that Chicago will be Dear Leader’s next target. Although protests here have been peaceful, they are growing larger by the day. It is only a matter of time before some bad faith actors become violent giving the trump regime the excuse they want to call in the troops against the wishes of our governor and mayor.
That's an interesting point. Maybe "flooding the zone", (or in this case, the nation) with protests might just be an answer. It also just as easily might trigger Trump to declare martial law. We know his any action will be excessive to the problem.
I read in the Substack Independent Thought, source NBC News, that they’re preparing troops for Seattle, Chicago, Philly, northern Virginia and NYC. Sorry I’m clueless about pasting a link
That's why people in major cities should, if they have the means, join protests in suburbs and rural areas nearby. Let the troops arrive in major cities and just find a few elderly people having picnics.
Are the media going to sane wash the latest brain eruptions of Donald Trump? I expect MAGA and the right to go along with his wishes, because as we saw under Stalin, True Believers flip on a dime - “truth” is the Dear Leader’s to declare. I have wondered for several years how resistant the military is to dictatorial amorality. We are finding out.
While I totally agree that Trump is abusing his authority, damaging our democracy, and causing untold damage to society. Still, I have to remind myself that I have yet to see any concerted effort on the part of Democrats in Washington to talk about the issues, propose legislation that could be meaningful (even if not acted on), or educate the populace on what might be a better solution to Trump. I may be the only one, but all I see and hear is how Trump is terrible and dangerous, not how we can actually work to solve the divisions in society. For example, if Democrats hate Trump's immigration policies, why is there so little talk about how we can fix the obviously broken system? How would Democrats in Congress amend or change policy that would at least be fair and honest, something that most Americans could get behind even if they don't all agree on the details? You know, something that would actually unite Americans rather than continue our political tribalism.
A good question but I'd urge you to do some research and you will find examples of bipartisan legislation on immigration reform that was squashed because a R presidential hopeful wanted to weaponize immigration as an election issue. I'm pretty sure that there is good reporting that T did just that.
So in answer to your question, what would Democrats do, check out past proposed legislation and check policy proposals of individual Ds. Lots of good policies out there, all blocked by Rs.
Stop. Republicans control congress. There’s a damn fascist coup by Trump and Republicans ongoing, and you’re whining about Democrats.
Mike Johnson will not let any good legislation reach the floor. Heck, they haven’t even voted on their own bill. Democrats were and are willing to vote for the bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill laboriously negotiated by Republican Senator Langford (R-OK) last year that Trump told the Republicans to kill, because it's the GOP's only winning issue.
And the corporate media won't cover serious issues even if a hundred Democrats did just as you wish. They're all about the circus.
The Sun Tzu is all about asymmetrical conflict. It is worth reviewing. Direct action against a superior force is a guaranteed failure. Overloading logistics by diffuse simultaneous means is one of the strategies. Distract and defend the ability to vote. Disable the "True the Vote" app attack on voter registration. Find a way to block "creative" use of the SSA book of the dead. Ideally that would involve creating and passing a law that restricts adding names to that list without proof of death plus several layers of quality and process checks that the President can't just defund or de-staff. Ideally Inspectors General should become employees of Congress, not the executive branch and removable only for clear cause.
Governor Newsome found out the hard way that there is no common ground with dictators OR the true believers; no way to appease a death cult. Glad he is understanding the assignment now, and doing the homework. Keep it up, Governor! Stand (y)our ground!! Democracy WILL WIN!
And I thought that the governor's blunt speech spoke as clearly as anyone has against the "Fascism" that underlies the Trump regime and its policies. It was a strong moment. I hope they have a good day in Court.
Me too, Tony. Gov. Newsom, AG Bonta and Mayor Bass have truly risen to the occasion. As a Californian, I am proud of our elected officials.
On that note, Katie Couric did an insightful interview with Mayor Karen Bass on her Substack yesterday. Many questions answered, and Mayor Bass was impressive:
My Interview with LA Mayor Karen Bass
https://open.substack.com/pub/katiecouric/p/my-conversation-with-la-mayor-karen?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
The Mayor has been exceptionally impressive, controlled and a leader. Good job Mayor Bass!
Yay, agree! I have long admired Karen Bass, ever since she served in the California State Assembly (she was elected Speaker in 2008, the first African-American woman in United States history to serve as speaker of a state legislative body); and then the US House of Representatives for 6 terms. I think she’s done a terrific job as mayor this past week under very stressful circumstances. Her calm demeanor and smart, measured leadership are a blessing. Keep up the great work, Mayor Bass! 💙
Yes, good point, Tony. Newsom didn't use fancy, focus-group pablum; he used plain language and clearly demonstrated the fascist playbook being used against L.A. I hope the court comes through with the restraining order California has requested.
Agreed, and what a pleasure it is to listen to Newsom, who unlike Trump and his entire administration, is literate, and can speak in full sentences that lead to paragraphs, use words that are larger than one or two syllables, make a strong argument for his point of view, hit all of the key points, and still have people understand. Without having to say that Trump et. al are stupid morons, it's so very obvious, that perhaps even some Republicans will speak out against this travesty. https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/06/10/governor-newsoms-address-to-california-democracy-at-a-crossroads/
Although I am a second generation Angeleno, I have been unable to attend the protests, because I'm immunocompromised, and have other medical issues. But, I watched the big protest downtown today, it is peaceful, and very large. It may have been planned by SEIU, the California union of which David Huerta is president. On Friday, he was tased and pushed to the ground, injured, then hospitalized, sent to the detention center, and released on a bond yesterday.
SEIU and its allies are calling for the release of detained immigrants, an end to federal forces deployed against protesters, oversight of ICE detention facilities, and protection and citizenship for immigrant essential workers
I was really glad to hear about David Huerta's release, even if it is on bond. I think he'll be able to beat those flimsy charges. I wouldn't be surprised if a judge kicks the case out of court.
I sure would hope so, although it's a federal charge. From what I read, he was standing in front of a bus with immigrants from one of businesses, the ICE agents had raided. He was just trying to stop it from moving, when an ICE agent tased him and pushed him hard enough that his head hit the cement. It would have made sense that he tried to protect himself. When I read about what is happening in Los Angeles, it is so less worse than what happened on January 6th, that it infuriates me about why Trump never was jailed!
Could not agree more, SB!
That democracy will win in this struggle is by no means certain. To date the military has obeyed every mobilization order from Trump->Hespeth in the LA protest response. What these troops will do if the order is given to initiate peaceful protest suppression and replace the LA police force at the scene is as yet unknown. Perhaps that order will not be given, but it could be. The order to arrest Gov. Newson could be given, and the military ordered to back up the federal marshals making that arrest. Will the on site military comply? We have a ways to go to see if this greatest act of Trump authoritarianism will be defeated.
It’s the question we’re all asking of Republicans who have voted without reflection or doubt for people like Trump all their lives. I’d hope the National Guard would simply return to their homes. I’d hope the Marines would not stain their uniforms by betraying the Constitution. That, I think, is the message we have to send to the Marines and Army: Do not disgrace the uniform with service to tyranny.
Actually, the troops' best outcome would be for someone in the Officer level of the military command structure to say to their commanding officer, "No sir, that is an unlawful command, not in keeping with the mission, and I will not ask the men and women in my command to go against their oath to the Constitution in service of an overreaching order, sir (🤮)". It SHOULD BE the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, directly to the Orange Traitor. If Dan Caine has ANY character, he is doing this now.
This is exactly right. And it's what DIDN'T happen during Trump's contemptible rant at Ft. Bragg (or whatever it's called this week).
Yes, I saw clips, though I didn't watch the whole thing (can't stomach it! 🤮). As for the California National Guard being federalized, it is up to the state director(?) of this Guard to say "no" to this unlawful deployment. That person's name is Sherman from what I have heard.
AMEN!
Yes. He made the mistake of acquiescence, thinking he could bargain with 🍊 . Watch a pack of dogs. The alpha dog throws his front leg over the back of other dogs. Just what tRump does when he greets those who comply, with a big arm on the back
Dominance. He was called, Newscum, then Newcomb and back to Newscum. You have to stand your ground.
Too bad Joe and Chuck never got that memo.
Yes, here in Chicago, in conversations on the street or over dinner, phrases like “fed up with Schumer” and others are common. The undertow of the people’s judgment will carry away and drown the Democratic establishment if it does not stand up and fight for us.
Newsom is good in an emergency, just not so good when it comes to regular governance.
Newsome has left an oily impression. We will judge him by his future, not his past.
Trump is doing his best to make Newsom look good!
The incident in LA could become the start of the campaign for presidency of Governor Newsome. Trump is giving the opportunity to compare him with the govenorbefore the voters without realizing it.
But of course Donald was real quick on Jan 6 to call up the National Guard and military to put down the actually violent attack on our Federal Government, wasn’t he?
This is an obvious pretext.
Still waiting to see what's happening to the BIG CRAPPY bill, which is his number one priority.
What's happening with the senate parlimentarian? Senate Republicans are expected to closely follow the guidance of parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough as they embark on the “Byrd bath” in the coming weeks, with noncompliant provisions sometimes referred to as “Byrd droppings.”
What's happenng with stuff like Medicaid cuts, that undermine his support in red states?
What's happening with the grift? Even the sane washing NYT is all over his extortion schemes!
The NYT also appears to be limiting readers' ability to comment on articles online. And the article headlines are so bland --- 'scholars' think Trump may have overreached?? Hell no -- it's clear he HAS overreached and it's not just scholars who think so! Judging by their article headlines, it's business as usual in America.
The Washington Post is doing no better. Ed Bradlee Eugene Meyer and Katherine Graham would be horrified at what has happened to what used to be an example of good journalism.
IMHO Trump looks nutsy koo koo and needs to be evaluated for involutary civil commitment. A discussion of his mental state should be the predicate for every tactical policy decision he's been making.
But I can't tell the courts, let alone MSM what to do. I "fired" NYT and WAPO when they elevated polls (which are not facts, merely opinions) to the top of the page.
All we can do is take advantage of what we have. I'm grateful for any substantiation of Trump's mens rea.
The "old grey lady," has been lapsing into senile dementia for some time. That's why I no longer subscribe.
I look back at a very old article about the vulgarian, from the 70s, as perhaps a harbinger of what was to come. The "journalist" writing about this shiny new entrepreneur, rhapsodized about his white teeth and proclaimed, "he looks ever so much like Robert Redford."
EWWWW! Someone's got orange koolaid running through their eyes if they seriously think that slovenly, morbidly obese, unkempt POS looks like Robert Redford! YUK!
He never has, in all his life, even remotely resembled Robert Redford! He always looked like a complete PAB
To be fair, this was 50 years ago, so he wasn't slovenly, obese, or unkempt. Still a POS, though.
He was unkempt even back 50 years ago. I always thought his hair looked dirty and stringy. It was never styled, just straggly down his neck. He always looked nasty. And, he always had a big butt, btw. Go look at his stupid volleyball videos. What a clumsy dork he was.
I noticed they've (The NYT) been very quick to shut off comments, often within hours of a story appearing. And not allowing comments on many others. And yeah - those headlines.
Yes! They've been doing that for a while now. They actually were very noticeably doing this last year even before tRump was "reelected".
Republicans are criminals complicit in this fascist playbook.
Make great adverse witnesses.
maybe the faster the BCB(big crappy bill) is passed and implemented the "people" who love trump, and think he loves them, will know they have been had and will collectively turn into the worst woman scorned ever...
Gavin Newsom, like our governor Janet Mills, is proving to be a clear thinking, clear spoken defender of states rights and the constitutions of the states and indeed of the country. I am deeply grateful for the people in positions of leadership who are stepping up with headline grabbing presence. We the people commend and will show up in noteworthy numbers! On no kings day.
I am proud of all 22 of America’s Democratic governors. I look forward to welcoming Abigail Spanberger into that esteemed group, when she wins the Virginia governorship in November.
Totally agree!
“The bar is what I think it is."
Let's see what the Honorable Charles Breyer, presiding judge in the just filed Newsome v. Trump case has to say about that, whose brother was Associate Justice of the Supreme Court until his retirement a few years ago. Hearing set for Thursday where Trump's legal beagles will lie, gyrate, primp and preen, using Steven Miller's Nazi language in a court where nonsense like 'the law is whatever I claim it is' won't be given the time of day.
And I hope those beagles know that Florida's state bar has been urged to disbar Bondi. The first time the beagles say an obvious lie, or say they haven't read the papers their side has filed, etc. etc. Judge Breyer should say: You'll be held in contempt if you do that again. The second time they do it he should make good on his promise. He could also invite the plaintiffs to make a motion that the lawyers filed papers without making sure there were no lies, no made-up citations, no misquotes, because it's pretty likely that that's exactly what they did. As I understand it, motions like that can lead to the defense pleadings being thrown out and judgment entered for the plaintiff..
"l'état c'est moi" for 2025
Donald Trump is a weak and terrified man. He is terrified because his actions are resulting in demonstrations against him INCREASING in number across the USA. Trump is weak because he has no more hands to play. By deploying the marines to LA he has shown the nation what is possible anywhere. And the populace will not stand for this. He responds on a way that will backfire on him tremendously - the first time a marine fires his/her weapon, he will be toast.
Remember that all his policies -- all of them -- are backfiring and failing faster than summer lightning. He's been humiliated by his best 'bro' in the most embarrassing public format possible, Putin is furious with him for not reigning Ukraine in, and the Senate looks like it will not pass (pray God I'm not lying) his Big Ugly Pile of Cruelty and Chaos. He's playing with fire and punching down faster than he can rage-tweet at night, but the Governor of California is punching UP and calling him out for being a deranged arsonist.
We just have to play our part, which is tough. We MUST stay peaceful, no matter the provocations (which will be many) and refrain from doing dumb shit which plays into Steven Miller's hands.
I think you are on to something. Of course there is more nastiness that can come from Trump--but these are the big cards--the legislation stuck in the Senate, and the Insurrection Act. All the same, we must continually watch out for the OMB and Vought--the Project 2025 folks are going to keep pushing at tearing the government to pieces.
Let’s keep his legislation stuck in the Senate. Gut his budget, and don’t back down. His own financial backers will suffer more than any of us, unless he gives up. My hope is that the oligarchs will simply tell him to resign, rather than face financial ruin and global collapse. But to be believable, we have to use “the doomsday solution” if pressed. We’ve bluffed too many times. Bluffing to achieve a compromise or a “bargain” simply won’t work again.
When your position is overrun, you know you must call in fire on your own position, or if you don’t, you end up in a prison cell the rest of your life. Trump sacrificed the world on an all-or-nothing cast of the die. He crossed the Rubicon - brought his legions into Italy contrary to law. Faced with being overrun, we must stand firm in our extremity, or be deprived of our life and liberty.
This is the only way I can imagine that the Senate can take back its power and restore the rule of law.
I think you have this right.
Sending Marines against American people in their own country is a violation of the Posse Comitatus Act and the Constitution. It is for the Congress to authorize such action if it is ever necessary. It is not up to the president.
I don't know this as a fact, but I bet the protesters have been infiltrated like the crowds were during the George Floyd protests. He who smelled it dealt it. https://www.congress.gov/116/meeting/house/110775/documents/HHRG-116-JU00-20200610-SD019.pdf
"Protestors" can be scanned via face recognition. Hopefully local police can spot some of them.
It wouldn't be any surprise that violent "demonstrators" were imported to make a peaceful assembly look dangerous. As you point out, it has happened before.
Hope that the media, victims and "real" protestors get them on video w/sound. Can get face/voice recognition.
I hope that some good journalists and/or legitimate Law Enforcement entities investigate the “Waymos” that were summoned only to be set afire. Likewise, I hope that someone will identify the flag-wavers (of Mexico’s or other countries’ flags), and the most “provocative” of the protesters to see if there are MAGATs among them. Trump so often claims that protesters against his Illegal Actions must be “paid” provocateurs that I’d wager he’s just “projecting” what dirty tricks he and his cabal routinely use!
trump did it...
From your mouth to god's ears.....
My father, may he rest in peace, was a Marine Corps combatant during WWII, and went on to spend his weekends and summer vacations for 30 years commanding a battalion of National Guard artillerymen. I am sure that if an obvious tyrant like Trump had ordered his to train his weapons on a fractious but not dangerous crowd that could have easily been handles by regular policing he would have been the first to order them to refuse. Why? Because he was a patriot, and a fully human being, not a monster of self interest, racism and hatred like this POTUS.
I'm hoping that there are Califorinia Congressional Republicans -- there are 9 of them-- that know the rationale for this -- danger of invasion by a foreign nation; there is a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the government of the United States -- is BS and will step forward.
How about David G. Valadao?
How about other local officials that use the facilities there as witnesses?
The incendiary speech at Fort Bragg has still not been covered by the Washington Post --- you wouldn't even know it taken place, much less what the Chief Arsonist said there.
President Taco Face -- in stupid baseball hat --- gave his usual offensive campaign-style speech insulting a sitting Governor and calling people who disagreed with him "stupid" with the troops booing on command. He announced that 9 Army bases, renamed after the killing of George Floyd in 2020 by an overwhelming vote in Congress -- would now be given back their old confederate names (which glorified men who had committed treason against the United States). He waddled off the stage gyrating to the sound of "YMCA" -- a Village People song glorifying gay sex, which he's bizarrely turned into his own private anthem.
Those frantically engaged in rewriting history and popular culture can never be trusted. Ever.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/06/silence-generals/683106/?gift=TJ3He76m36f5cx1e-7b_dmsAk-fKd2-Nz57o_icMt-o&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Now is the time for the Supreme Court to stand up for all Americans and not bow to the will of this fascist regime and reaffirm the principles upon which our country war conceived...that no one is above the law and the Constitution must be obeyed by all, including this wanna be king and his sycophants.
Considering the immunity decision and other equally defective ones lately, don't hold your breath for any corrective action.
I hear where you're coming from and I am afraid you may be right. The immunity decision was one of the worst decisions by this court. However, while Barrett and Kavanaugh are quite conservative I believe they honor and believe in the Constitution over politics. And what this administration has done doesn't require 'interpretation' to find that it has violated numerous sections of the Constitution. I think it's so clear I have hope that it would be a unanimous decision.
Alito and Thomas are the ones I'd seriously question, and even Roberts is up for grabs. The rest seem to be more in line to upholding the Constitution and defending democracy. Another of the worst decisions was Citizens United, from which we've been feeling the effects for quite a while now.
Totally agree, especially regarding Citizens United! But heretofore I've been called an eternal optimist, though I am finding it more and more difficult. If the Court fails us here even I have to say it's over for our country!
Not over entirely, just a longer more protracted fight with more people getting involved. Billionaire support is weakening, even some Republicans are beginning to find their spines again, and the majority of the people want a rest from this erratic leader.
Strange.....
Knowing that the elected convicted felon does not read and is a certified ignoramus (one who knows nothing but is convinced he knows every- and all things) he is playing that poem of Martin Niemöller in real time.
Here's the English translation of the original Niemöller poem
When the Nazis came for the communists,
I kept quiet; I wasn't a communist.
When they came for the trade unionists, I kept quiet;
I wasn't a trade unionist.
When they locked up the social democrats, I kept quiet;
I wasn't a social democrat.
When they locked up the Jews, I kept quiet;
I wasn't a Jew.
When they came for me, there was no one left to protest.
The ignoramus-in-chief, or better still the Voughts, Millers and dark money guys in the background, is already in the third stanza when you replace Nazis by Magas, communists by "illegal immigrants", trade unionists by "universities or places of education", social democrates by the "doge-ed government officials".
Bondi, Patel, Hegseth, Miller, Vought and all those "at least he has learned a lesson" GOP politicians are getting ready for the final act.
Midterms in 2026? Are you all sure that some imaginary "emergency" will not be proclaimed leading to cancelled elections?
Keeping quiet is no longer an option my dear US friends and I hope it is not already too late.
On a happy note. The BBC has officially cited WH Press Sec Leavett for continuously giving out misinformation (LIES).
Yes--Trump's mass deportation policy is moving forward as promised. I am sure that California was the most likely starting point for the Trump regime to assert the end of POSSE COMITATUS and invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807--thus giving the dictator the power to use the military against the civilian citizen population of America. This is wrong on every level we can name but the Insurrection Act is vague enough for the would-be tyrant to use it. Even so, Trump is doing all of this as a part of the "flood the zone" strategy. The press is looking away from the battle ongoing over the "Big Beautiful Bill" in the Senate. This legislation will be devastating to the country. Also--this is the ideal distraction from the ugliness of the Musk-Trump break-up. California was the perfect pretext for Trump to expand this all across the country--and reporting shows that the move into California was planned in advance, and that a number of democratic (Blue) cities are targeted to follow soon. By the way, imagine the grotesque unfairness, the lack of due process, as ICE raided commercial sites to scoop up detainees. The racial profiling and the errors should frighten all Americans.
Chicago resident here. I am afraid that Chicago will be Dear Leader’s next target. Although protests here have been peaceful, they are growing larger by the day. It is only a matter of time before some bad faith actors become violent giving the trump regime the excuse they want to call in the troops against the wishes of our governor and mayor.
At some point, with enough cities, Trump will not have enough troops for every city.
That's an interesting point. Maybe "flooding the zone", (or in this case, the nation) with protests might just be an answer. It also just as easily might trigger Trump to declare martial law. We know his any action will be excessive to the problem.
That is why it must not just be large cities that stand up and say no.
This town of about 5,500 in Illinois is having a protest rally at the county courthouse on the 14th.
I read in the Substack Independent Thought, source NBC News, that they’re preparing troops for Seattle, Chicago, Philly, northern Virginia and NYC. Sorry I’m clueless about pasting a link
That's why people in major cities should, if they have the means, join protests in suburbs and rural areas nearby. Let the troops arrive in major cities and just find a few elderly people having picnics.
Are the media going to sane wash the latest brain eruptions of Donald Trump? I expect MAGA and the right to go along with his wishes, because as we saw under Stalin, True Believers flip on a dime - “truth” is the Dear Leader’s to declare. I have wondered for several years how resistant the military is to dictatorial amorality. We are finding out.
Right now, it's all about senate Republicans.
While I totally agree that Trump is abusing his authority, damaging our democracy, and causing untold damage to society. Still, I have to remind myself that I have yet to see any concerted effort on the part of Democrats in Washington to talk about the issues, propose legislation that could be meaningful (even if not acted on), or educate the populace on what might be a better solution to Trump. I may be the only one, but all I see and hear is how Trump is terrible and dangerous, not how we can actually work to solve the divisions in society. For example, if Democrats hate Trump's immigration policies, why is there so little talk about how we can fix the obviously broken system? How would Democrats in Congress amend or change policy that would at least be fair and honest, something that most Americans could get behind even if they don't all agree on the details? You know, something that would actually unite Americans rather than continue our political tribalism.
A good question but I'd urge you to do some research and you will find examples of bipartisan legislation on immigration reform that was squashed because a R presidential hopeful wanted to weaponize immigration as an election issue. I'm pretty sure that there is good reporting that T did just that.
So in answer to your question, what would Democrats do, check out past proposed legislation and check policy proposals of individual Ds. Lots of good policies out there, all blocked by Rs.
Stop. Republicans control congress. There’s a damn fascist coup by Trump and Republicans ongoing, and you’re whining about Democrats.
Mike Johnson will not let any good legislation reach the floor. Heck, they haven’t even voted on their own bill. Democrats were and are willing to vote for the bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill laboriously negotiated by Republican Senator Langford (R-OK) last year that Trump told the Republicans to kill, because it's the GOP's only winning issue.
And the corporate media won't cover serious issues even if a hundred Democrats did just as you wish. They're all about the circus.
Jamie Raskin has made his positions clear, as has Chris van Hollen.
And Adam Schiff.
The Sun Tzu is all about asymmetrical conflict. It is worth reviewing. Direct action against a superior force is a guaranteed failure. Overloading logistics by diffuse simultaneous means is one of the strategies. Distract and defend the ability to vote. Disable the "True the Vote" app attack on voter registration. Find a way to block "creative" use of the SSA book of the dead. Ideally that would involve creating and passing a law that restricts adding names to that list without proof of death plus several layers of quality and process checks that the President can't just defund or de-staff. Ideally Inspectors General should become employees of Congress, not the executive branch and removable only for clear cause.