I read this and I think, there is no saving the Left. There is no coming out from where you are. You are not "the resistance." You have never been. You are the empire. You have always been. Your version of Trump does not exist. You have destroyed yourselves trying to destroy a fake version of Trump. I keep hoping sanity will find its way back to my former side but I read this and I think, nope. Your only solution, you realize, is gulags. Right? You get that? You have no other way forward except to lock away and erase the other half of America. How can you live like that.
Sasha is right. You're a triggered libtard who wrote a long stupid essay, without even a TL/DR version, and you're crying. Im glad he met President Trump. Maher was right
On the contrary, if the Democrats had listened to the observations of Bill Maher and Sasha Stone, they might have won the White House and both houses of Congress. Instead, the Dems insisted the border was secure, inflation was transitory, the Afghanistan withdrawal wasn’t a catastrophe but a success, Kamala Harris was brilliant, and Joe Biden was a hyperactive razor sharp machine. Americans could see clearly these were all lies, but Democrats thought (and still think) if they just keep calling Trump Hitler, and his voters Nazis, racists and fascists, they’ll convince them they weren’t lied to for the past four years. As Maher has often said, the Democrats were so delusional, “they lost a crazy contest to a crazy person.”
This is a non-sequitur argument. It would turn out that I share some of Maher's critiques of the identitarian left. But that has nothing to do with anything I said in this piece. It's an utterly orthogonal issue.
I’m with you Mike, these people just don’t get it. The fact that Trump can be nice and charismatic, hides his true nature. And like the MSM, people like Maher are normalizing his behavior, and it’s masking all of his destructive policies, and the fact that we will not have a rule of law within a few months; at latest. Not to mention, Trump’s dismantling of our administration state; top notch scientific community and our National Security Apparatus.
He’s destroying our future; from allies and trading partners, to the dollar as the reserve currency of the world. We already saw the treasury yields shoot you last week, while the market was tanking. That means investors no longer see Treasuries as risk free assets, and a safe haven asset anymore. And more and more foreign investments are fleeing at alarming rates. Which means the cost to service the debt could double. And it’s all leading to stagflation; something most people under forty in the country, would know little about.
Bottom line: these people don’t understand just how much we’re screwed, and people like Maher are not doing themselves, or this country any favors by normalizing Trump.
Mr. Jaffee Your post is totally out of touch & proves nothing with the exception that you suffer from TDS. Ms. Sash's post is spot on. It is you & those like you so consumed with hatred & spewing misinformation that don't get it. The fact that you supported the Biden/Harris/Obama/Sorros regime frankly speaks volumes to your non credibility.
Where do you see anything about hate in Robert's post or that he supported Biden, et al.? Please clarify for me because I do not see it and would appreciate your help.
No, your comment is out of touch. Everything I said is true. All the economic damage being caused. Innocent people being sent to life sentences in El Salvador without any due process. Destroying our NIH, and CDC, and turning the DOJ into an attack dog. These things are happening.
Yet, you claim I am out of touch and spewing hatred? What did I say that was hateful! I didn’t call Trump names, or say anything that wasn’t true about his destructive policies.
I did say that people like yourself can’t be reached. And you proved my point with your nonsensical response about being “hate filled,”’and acting like Trump is really a swell guy, just because he didn’t have Barr deported to El Salvador. Congratulations, Trump can be charming. However, his draconian solutions to problems, tell us who the real Trump is.
And yet, you have the audacity to say I have TDS, without refuting any of my points. You see it’s blind people like yourself, who cannot see the forest from the trees. You’re in a CULT!
Leftism has been rejected by the majority of Americans. Except for the coastal slivers, all those brilliant intellectual solutions are regarded as the product of nitwits. One by one the holdouts are converting, and the Democrat party is on the lip of extinction.
Just curious. What facts do you have in support of your statement that « most Americans have moved away from the Democratic Party »? I follow current events closely and haven’t seen that said anywhere.
And still, independents make up the majority of the country. Trump didn’t get a mandate, he won a little more than 33% of the voting population. 77 million versus 75.5 for Harris; Over 75 million didn’t vote.
Also, Trump didn’t win the majority of Americans. He won the election with a 48% of people who voted; hardly a mandate!
That opposing Trump automatically means you’re on the right side on everything. It’s evident in every sentence you type.
Why was Biden “normalizing” handing over the WH to “actual Hitler” just days after the election? Because he knows DT is NOT actual Hitler - of course he knows it. Biden was playing his role, saying whatever he was told to say on the campaign trail to win.
Biden knows politics is performative, ditto Pelosi, etc.. yet somehow you cannot grasp that reality.
You and Sam Harris are unable to admit that in the modern news era our emotions CAN be easily triggered by lying or exaggerated headlines - “Russia collusion! Fine people on both sides! 15 days will stop the spread! Mostly peaceful protests! The vaccine IS safe and effective! Questioning is doubting the science! Joe Biden has never been sharper!”
And secondly understanding that you yourself are susceptible to emotional manipulation.
We all are susceptible. That’s why skepticism right now is on the rise - not dehumanization - skepticism.
Journalism need not be activism.
You’re a leftist Archie Bunker - yet even Archie humanized his black neighbor George Jefferson, something you apparently cannot do.
It’s remarkable to me that you accuse me of emotional bias while offering not a structured argument, but a scattered list of grievances, memes, and hypotheticals.
Your underlying claim is this: that opposing Trump automatically makes someone wrong, biased, or incoherent. That’s not reasoning. That’s tribal projection posing as insight.
You presume I’ve elevated Biden as a moral exemplar. I haven’t. I’ve consistently critiqued institutional liberalism for its complicity, performance, and moral cowardice. You would know that if you engaged with my work in good faith.
The issue isn’t that I “can’t humanize Trump.”
The issue is what it means to evaluate power coherently.
You offer false equivalencies (“we’re all emotionally manipulated”) as if recognizing propaganda is the same as collapsing moral distinctions.
You say “skepticism is rising” — but you conflate skepticism with cynicism.
You claim journalism shouldn’t be activism, but you mistake truth-telling for tribal loyalty.
Let’s be clear:
You’re not arguing that Trump is imperfect.
You’re defending a posture in which truth itself is just a tactic — and anyone who holds a moral position must be a fool or a dupe.
So let me ask you plainly:
What does it mean to think for yourself?
What does coherence mean to you?
And do you believe that truth exists outside of performance—or is everything just narrative war?
Because if it’s the latter, you haven’t exposed my bias.
Mike nowhere did I say opposing Trump automatically makes someone wrong. You have a basic comprehension problem (because you’re in so deep). Thinking for myself means asking questions - but asking questions is what you call “platforming dangerous ideas.”
Dangerous ideas like what? Like maybe the earth isn’t the center of the universe? Like maybe washing our hands before surgery could lead to healthier outcomes? Like maybe enslaving people as an economic model cannot exist if we also wish to be moral citizens?
Questioning IS good.
I don’t care if it’s questioning Bush and WMDs, questioning Obama’s drone strikes, Gavin Newsom’s covid hypocrisy, or a vaccine that was neither safe nor all that effective.
I have no tribalism to either political color - so yes I agree truth exists outside the narrative. But how do you propose finding truth when you’re so triggered by dangerous ideas?
And you didn’t answer Biden yucking it up with actual Hitler! LOL
You thinking platforming people who believe perhaps the Holocaust didn't happen, or that maybe Hitler was not as morally culpable for it as we think, is a responsible thing for morally engaged commentators like Joe Rogan to do? Is that what you think? Can you explain why?
Bravo, well stated. The liberals are all so vain that they can’t even consider the possibility they have been wrong about Trump and his voters. They view us with contempt and disdain without an iota of self reflection.
The only "authoritarian act" you mention seems to be "undermining democratic institutions." You do not name one Trump lie or victim. Are you a CNN "journalist?"
Here's a fact: if Trump is not evil and far less fascist/fascist complaint than Biden or Obama, then the people who hate him are evil bigots. Trump is not a narcissist. The people who project narcissism, and try to kill, imprison and or cancel political opponents, are authoritarian narcissists - hysterically defending our broken status quo.
Prove he is. Narcissists almost never admit to mistakes. Trump uses self-deprecating humor all the time. Obama never admits to mistakes. Never. Also, he named his dog Barrack Obama (BO) .
Here’s one victim (just one of many)—Kilmer Abrego Garcia. And here’s a lie (just one of many)—Trump stated he would follow Supreme Court order but now is not. So now that you have this information, what do you think? And I know I should wait for your response before I say this, but I just can’t—do not use the argument that he can’t because he no longer has jurisdiction since countries negotiate release for “prisoners” all the time. And remember, he is buddies with this tyrant and dictator so I am certain he could convince him to return Garcia…or his body.
Apologies, Elena. I should have said "US citizen victim." With 12 million+ newly imported, and potentially voting, criminals illegal immigrants in the US it is possible a few mistakes will be made. President Trump has promised to abide by any decision SCOTUS passes down. To date, Trump has not broken that vow.
A Supreme Court ruling on April 10, 2025, ordered the administration to facilitate the return of a man mistakenly deported, and Trump stated he would comply, if the Court ordered such an action. However, critics have raised concerns about potential defiance, citing past rhetoric and actions, like ignoring verbal directives from lower courts. Without concrete actions contradicting a Supreme Court ruling, any claims of ignoring verdicts remain speculative.
"Buddies with this tyrant" like Obama was trading sketchy favors with Putin but asking for patience "until after the election?" You have no idea who Trump is truly friends with. According to Trump, he's friends with almost everyone...because it is easier to negotiate with friends.
So, until you have any proof of anything or can construct a persuasive argument, I would suggest you reject the current mainstream narrative until they try to prove any of their insults.
Thanks for your reply, Will. I want to address a few points you brought up.
First, you mentioned that I only pointed to "undermining democratic institutions" as an example of authoritarian acts. I offered one concrete example with Kilmer Abrego Garcia—an actual victim of a system that failed him. It’s a real issue that deserves attention. Whether or not Trump directly caused this, as you said, it’s a problem that can’t be overlooked, and if he's going to follow through on Supreme Court rulings, he needs to demonstrate that with actions, not just words. That’s the responsibility of leadership.
Now, let’s take a moment to reflect: If this happened to someone you love—your son, your father, your brother—how would you feel? Would you still be okay with dismissing this as just a "mistake?" Imagine if it were your loved one who was wrongfully deported, or whose life was negatively affected by a broken system. These aren't abstract ideas; they’re real lives, and we must hold our leaders accountable for the consequences of their actions.
I also want to address the idea that Trump is somehow less narcissistic than his critics. The thing about narcissism in leadership isn't just about self-aggrandizement; it's about how one treats others—especially those who are seen as "opponents." In Trump’s case, he repeatedly attacked individuals, undermined institutions, and disregarded democratic processes, which raises serious questions about the nature of his leadership.
You also referenced Obama’s relationships with Putin, but the issue isn’t about individual friendships; it’s about how those relationships affect policies and national interests. Yes, Obama had controversial foreign policies, but that doesn’t excuse similar patterns in Trump's behavior, especially given his rhetoric on authoritarian figures and his seeming admiration for them.
Regarding the Supreme Court ruling on April 10, 2025, ordering the administration to facilitate the return of Kilmer Abrego Garcia, there’s a growing concern that Trump may not follow through on the ruling. While he’s stated that he would comply with SCOTUS decisions, his past rhetoric and actions—including defying or ignoring directives from other courts—raise legitimate questions about whether he will actually comply. If Trump refuses or delays acting on this order, it would further undermine confidence in his commitment to the rule of law, which is essential for the functioning of our democracy. In fact, as of today, April 14, 2025, it appears that Trump may indeed be defying the Supreme Court's order. Both Trump and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele are deflecting responsibility for Garcia's return, despite the clear ruling from the Court. If this trend continues, it could set a dangerous precedent for the disregard of legal orders from the highest court in the land.
As for mainstream narratives, I completely agree that questioning the narrative is important, but let’s also question what’s being left out or misrepresented when it comes to Trump’s actions. It's not about blind support for any side—it’s about holding all leaders accountable for their promises, their failures, and their impact on the country.
Thanks for engaging in this discussion, Will. It’s important to have these conversations, even when we don’t agree.
"'undermining democratic institutions" as an example of authoritarian acts. I offered one concrete example with Kilmer Abrego Garcia—an actual victim of a system that failed him."'
Is that statement a fact or an opinion? Kilmer Abrego Garcia is a convicted felon, in his home country, and the president of that country refuses to release/return him(Her?) to the US. A district judge's hysterical order does not change that fact. If President Trump is unable to comply, on a foreign policy issue, what institution is he undermining?
You state that "(narcissism is)how one treats others—especially those who are seen as 'opponents.' In Trump’s case, he repeatedly attacked individuals, undermined institutions, and disregarded democratic processes, which raises serious questions about the nature of his leadership."
Is that a fact or an opinion? Has that been the nightly headline on CNN and MSNBC for the last ten years? As far as I know, Trump has verbally attacked nobody who did not personally smear Trump, with zero evidence of guilt, first. He refrained from responding to Pelosi's insults for over two years. The Swamp thugs started law fare against President Trump, top Trump advisors and lawyers, and millions of his supporters and Trump merely responds with "those are sick people."
There is now video and audio evidence that Nancy Pelosi never believed that 1/6 was an insurrection. Pelosi's stormtroopers and legal goons and judges incarcerated thousands of peaceful 1/6 protesters, often in solitary confinement, for years. Lives were destroyed. Capitol police, who were ordered to use tear gas and rubber bullets on peaceful protesters, committed suicide. Pelosi and the DNC blamed Trump, but their incessant attacks on Trump and his administration, which continue to this day, are much more of a threat to democracy than a few thousand protesters who trespassed, defended themselves, or merely posted skepticism on social media. People were arrested who were not even in Washington, DC.
Trump has tried to keep most of his promises, in my opinion. I can not remember one promise kept by Obama or Biden, both of whom just tripled down on the Shrub Bush policies they claimed to detest. Perhaps you can refresh my memory. The swamp is full of evil people who try to cancel anyone who challenges their power. Nobody ever got hurt for lying in DC. People get killed all the time for telling unapproved truths. Isn't there a chance that President Trump is just too honest for their liking? Everyone who actually meets and talks to Trump ends up liking him. The TDS media is not journalism. If you like I can provide dozens of centrist news points to provide different perspectives on the accusations against Trump.
The fact that you don’t know what Sasha means is only further evidence that the left lacks any self awareness whatsoever. I see that characteristic over and over.
I was so flabbergasted by Sasha’s response. I had to reread it three times to try to figure out if she was talking about Republicans or Democrats (I assume her perspective). When I read your response, Mike, I finally realized who she is talking about. Apparently she (and many on this thread) does not understand that you are talking about neither. You are talking about two plus two is four and there are twenty-four hours in a day—right and wrong based on morality, not right and left. This is absolutely horrifying, and I am in fear for our country…and the world.
She did say, Mike, that « free thinking » is done in « the fourth turning. » Maybe you didn’t get what she was saying because you forgot to turn the fourth time. 😉I did understand one thing perfectly: if it’s not just wishful thinking on her part, half of America will be locked away in gulags. Charming girl.
As a conservative, I started reading your work with a sincere desire to understand the progressive perspective. The gap between our worldviews feels vast, and rather than retreat into echo chambers, I’ve made it a point to seek out voices that can explain these positions.
On some matters, you present your views with clarity. But when it comes to conservative perspectives—especially anything involving the “T” word (I’ll avoid spelling the name, out of concern for triggering what often seems like a irrational emotional response)— you have elevated the notion of strawman to invisible-man. Reasoning gives way to labels, loaded adjectives, and sweeping conclusions. Let's just say you loose all eloquence as temper possesses you.
It feels less like engagement and more like caricature. As if the goal isn’t to explain or persuade, but to vent and reinforce assumptions already held by your audience. If that’s the case, I understand—but I’ll need to keep looking for someone on the left who can approach these issues from first principles, with a temperament that’s more curious than reactionary.
In a time when mutual understanding seems in short supply, I still believe it’s worth pursuing.
I am not a progressive, actually. If you read my work, you will see it's filled with critique of the progressive left and political excess there. So I don't actually know what you're talking about here.
I didn’t label you, per se. And It doesn’t matter how you label yourself. But do you see how labeling distracts to the point of ignoring everything else that is said.
To summarize Mike, Sasha is correct, there’s no saving the left.
Despite opportunity after opportunity you couldn’t offer ONE justification for banning or suppressing speech, instead getting lost in a weed patch of invented semantics and mis-comprehensions.
Exactly correct. I am 9th of 10 kids born into a poor family where half of us served in the US military. We were raised in an Irish Catholic working class neighborhood and Democratic Party stronghold. We have now moved away from the Democratic Party as they became the party of elites, censorship, war, anti-white racism, anti-Christian attacks on churches and pro-life groups, and for the mutilation of children via sex surgeries and chemicals.
Insofar as “talking points” means highly salient facts that resonate strongly with normal humans.
Of course, the fact that your “talking points” is a talking point is lost on you.
You’re trying to use a rhetorical trick to dismiss from evidence the herd of elephants in the room, but normal people who aren’t mainlining propaganda don’t care about your rhetorical tricks anymore.
In the context of President Trump's remarks on April 14, 2025, the term "home-growns" refers to American citizens—specifically those born in the U.S.—who have been convicted of serious violent crimes. During a conversation with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, Trump suggested that such individuals could be deported to El Salvador's maximum-security Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), a facility known for housing gang members and other dangerous criminals. He humorously remarked to Bukele, "Home-growns are next. You gotta build about five more places," indicating a plan to send more U.S. citizens to foreign prisons if they are deemed violent offenders.
New York Post
This proposal has raised significant legal and ethical concerns. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the idea is still under legal review and has not been implemented. However, the suggestion of deporting U.S. citizens to foreign prisons challenges traditional interpretations of citizenship and due process rights. The administration's legal team, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, is reportedly exploring potential legal avenues for such actions, though no formal policy has been announced.
New York Post
Critics argue that this approach could undermine constitutional protections and set a troubling precedent for the treatment of U.S. citizens within the criminal justice system. The discussion continues to evolve, and it remains to be seen whether any formal policy will emerge from these deliberations.
The phrase "First they came for..." is a powerful reminder of how authoritarian regimes often begin by targeting marginalized or specific groups, and how this can escalate if not resisted early enough.
The full quote is from the German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller, who wrote:
"First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."
This quote captures the terrifying truth about how the erosion of rights can be incremental and, if left unchecked, can eventually affect everyone. It reminds us that when groups are targeted or silenced, it’s often just the first step in a broader attack on rights, freedoms, and democracy.
As we see policies or rhetoric that begin with specific targets—like criminals or immigrants—it’s important to remain vigilant and speak out, because history teaches us that these steps often lead to broader crackdowns on civil liberties. The fight to protect freedoms and rights is ongoing, and it requires awareness, engagement, and a commitment to justice for all people.
Yes, I don’t like Trump’s call for censorship of protest against Israel, I am disappointed in him for not eliminating ALL foreign aid, I am immensely against RINO Neocons like McConnel, I don’t trust Vance too much, and I oppose continued funding to Ukraine.
All of you mature, strong-minded, elite, educated, important, progressive, woke people opposed him, so that he had to gather support from us dregs and deplorables. Y'all have screwed it up long enough and badly enough. Your priorities are not America's. Sorry.
🥱 Praise be His Holy Name, but whatever heretical sect of Christianity has led you to sincerely believe Trump and Libertarianism are permissible doctrines to espouse will not save you from squealing, like a pig, as you burn in hell forever.
The phrase "accusations are confessions" can often point to a broader concept where those in power use accusations to deflect attention from their own actions or to manipulate situations for their advantage. It can also reflect a situation where an accusation is made in such a way that it seems to imply guilt, whether or not there is any actual evidence to support the claim.
This idea is often associated with authoritarian regimes or situations where power structures manipulate public perception or the legal system. In such environments, accusations can be weaponized—used as tools to control or suppress dissent, justify actions, or shift blame. Sometimes, the accusation itself becomes the narrative that shapes people's understanding, even when the actual truth is obscured.
When someone in power makes accusations without substantiating evidence, it can serve as a smokescreen, distracting from the real issues. The person or group being accused may not have committed any wrong, but the accusation alone can tarnish their reputation or create a perception of guilt, regardless of innocence.
This concept also fits into the broader pattern of authoritarian tactics where those who challenge the status quo are labeled as threats, criminals, or traitors—often based on nothing more than political motivation. It’s a way to manipulate the situation so that the accused becomes the "confessor" without ever being given a fair chance to defend themselves.
In short, "accusations are confessions" can be seen as a reflection of the dangerous power of narrative and how accusations—whether true or false—can shape people's perceptions, enforce power structures, and silence opposition.
Two things can be true at the same time. Trump can be one who is as Bill described in private and as others have stated, gracious and generous in private. He can also be restoring our country to common sense in his own method publicly and I can only say it has been a glorious few months. Let him cook!
I voted for Trump in 2016 and never voted for a Democrat until 2022. I have a long, scraggly beard, two pick-up trucks (one is 25 years old), and I have long owned several firearms. I have no love for the excesses of the identitarian left or activist politics. That said, Trump *is* mostly what he's been described to be. It's on such graphic display every day and has been for a decade. (The theory of Trump by Never-Trump Republican types has to be one of the most vindicated in modern political history.) Though it may take time to see all of their prognostications to come to fruition, in time, they do with alarming consistency.
While I don't think we should cleans America's population of its "other half", whether via gulags or other means, no amount of progressive overreach will mean this emperor is now, or has ever been, wearing any clothes. You and "the other half of America" are free to insist he's clothed to various degrees, but I never have to accept your delusions. Yes, living like this sucks, but not because I'm blind. It sucks because it's "the other half of America", whether through ignorance, self-delusion, a hatred of the left or, or outright preference for all the authoritarian ugliness, that's blind to what is clear to the rest of the world. And it's very difficult to co-exist with such a population. It just plain sucks.
Oh, he's doing things for Americans, alright. It's just the things he's doing are making us poorer and less safe, at home and abroad. These are observable phenomena; one must intentionally turn a blind-eye not to notice.
Deporting people without due process makes everyone less safe because without due process, there’s nothing to stop them from deporting you. You’re a citizen? Prove it! But you can’t see a judge to do so. Oh, and even if we make a mistake, we won’t get you back. And once your rights can be so egregiously violated, you essentially have no rights at all.
Cutting foreign aid, less than 1% of federal spending, will make us less safe. We make friends by feeding poorer nations. Friends = good! We prevent the spread of disease before those diseases reach American shores. We keep adversaries like China out of those regions by being there first and doing good. Are farmers were being paid billions to supply grain that, once cancelled, will starve them of income as much as it will starve the impoverished around the world.
They are not cutting spending. Their budget is going to run up our debt even worse than he did in his first term. DOGE is just a show and a means to break the federal government for molding in Trump’s image. The damage they’re doing is far greater than any savings, which can’t even sufficiently dent the budget, deficits, or debt, because it’s a tiny fraction of federal spending.
Threatening allies with annexation, cozying up with dictators (e.g., Putin, Bukele, to a lesser extent Orban), levying economic warfare on the world, especially our allies (tariffs, in addition to taxing the domestic consumer, are an act of economic war), makes us less safe. Allies won’t want to work with us or share intelligence with us. The US, regardless of how people feel about their lives, is wealthier and more prosperous than any nation in history. This took place over the last 80 years. It’s a hard-won position that we shouldn’t have and once lost, cannot easily be regained.
There’s so much more to say, yet this has all been happening in front of your eyes. It’s been unfolding for a decade. If you don’t see any of what I’m saying or if you think that it’s all good stuff, there’s no point in further discussing with you. If you don’t see what I’m describing, then you’re either incapable or unwilling to see it. Otherwise, you see what I’m saying and you’re fine with it.
Hopefully neither you nor anyone you care about will find their lives turned upside-down by the politics of a delusional narcissist; an emperor with no clothes. If you do find yourself in that position, we’ll be ready to receive you on this side of reality. That is, if you’re willing to see it.
What does letting in 10s of millions of completely unvetted people walk across the border for years without due process do for safety?
What allies? What good is an ally who can offer no assistance? All of those “dictators” are democratically elected and wildly popular among their constituents. They are only dictators because they put their people’s interests ahead of the globalist project.
Thanks for your comment. It helps me understand one of the points of view of Republicans. I have to do the same thing with a lot of Democrats. (I vote independently now.)
Keep believing your nonsense. Lying about Trump? Why don’t you explain what the lies are? How is anyone who speaks ill about Trump a liar? What exactly are the lies that we’re supposedly telling?
Maher said something very profound on Friday; “I find tariffs boring.” And Therein lies the rub. You and Maher don’t understand how the economy, or tariffs work; just like Trump, which is why it’s being destroyed so quickly.
So let me spell it out. What you saw last week will not be an anomaly. The bond market doesn’t lie. It’s showing that investors, who used to flee to a safe haven asset (treasuries) when the equity market start to tank, have decided to take their money overseas. This could spell the end of the dollar as the reserve currency. Our treasury bonds are considered risk free assets, but this may no longer be the case. And if so, our interest rates that investors demand to buy treasuries will rise exponentially, which would in effect, cost us almost double, or more to just SERVICE the DEBT! Let that sink in! Bottom line, it spells economic DISASTER!
That said, I bet you honestly believe Trump’s simplistic approach to problems and economic issues actually makes sense. However, like HL Mencken once said, “complex problems, have simple, easy to understand, wrong answers!” And Trump is the epitome of this quote.
And what do you mean “left”? And I’m no lefty; I have equal disdain for both political parties, so please elaborate? I see Trump for what he is; a know-nothing failure!
So why don’t you actually make a point, instead of spewing nonsense, without actually saying anything at all!
Do you believe that tariffs actually aren’t a federal sales tax? That Trump’s convoluted tariff reduction plan actually makes sense, when all evidence points to the contrary? I suppose you believe the economy is on the right track, and threatening our allies is a good thing?
I suppose you also believe that the $6 trillion lost in the markets since the election, is Biden’s fault? Right?
You do realize The rule of law” is disappearing? Was Pardoning the J6th insurrectionists a good thing, or maybe you just believe that they were hostages and hero’s as well?
Oh, and I bet you actually believe the COVID vaccine really has a GPS chip tracking every American, right? Or the MMR vaccines caused autism? And RFK Jr. and the religious right’s war on science is good for America? Or the destruction of the NIH will improve health outcomes?
How’s the high inflation this year that was supposed to be gone on “Day One” ? Or the Ukraine War has been solved on Day One? Or How’s the price of eggs?
Trump is destroying this nation, piece by piece, and what you call our “LIES,” is really your delusions of grandeur, and nothing but pure projection!
Mark Twain was right: “it’s easier to fool a man, than convince a man that he’s ever been fooled!”
Spot on, Robert. Every statement you made was accurate and provided the facts. I would love for someone to provide an argument in response to what you said but, sadly, most will not respond with any substance to back up their claims or “facts.”
You have brilliantly expressed my very thoughts and trenchantly encapsulated my every sentiment in words and language that I (a writer and increasingly diminished fan of Maher) could never equal. Your turn-around time (what, one day?) for writing such master works of incisive commentary is also amazing. Keep it up!
It's beyond ridiculous to continue the 'Hitler' narrative. It is tiresome, it is trite, it requires no real investigation into the policies. It is 'chicken little' screaming over a President who is completely open to the press, who is cutting the scope and size of Big Government, who defends gun rights - despite having been shot! Hitler took away guns, Hitler took over the press, Hitler did not allow your specific kind of speech. If Trump were Hitler you would be arrested yesterday. Get off your insane high horse and attempt to objectively look at his policies, which you may disagree with but that does not make him or you Hitler. Please just stop already, it's enough.
Michele, I will invoke whatever historical comparison that I think suits my sense of a coherent understanding of the world. I assure you, I am unbothered by your protestation on this point.
I thought that much like all of the hand wringing about egg prices in February, it’s completely asinine to blame budget numbers from the first 3 months of his term on him.
But the whole idea of DOGE was to bring down spending immediately.
Don’t forget: DOGE has huge downsides. No regard for impacts of disruption, makes the US Govt look foolish and irresponsible when they have to reverse their decisions, tramples the Constitutional role of Congress, etc.
So if it’s not bringing down spending immediately, then that’s a total failure with huge unnecessary damage.
Speaking of which, do you blame him for not working with Congress to cut spending in a way that is consistent with the Constitution?
The premise of doge is that the president is the head of the executive branch and has jurisdiction over it. Liberal courts which went to no end to prosecute Trump with sham charges are doing what they can to stop him.
The expansion of the federal government was largely accomplished the dubious executive action and it stands to reason that that’s the only way it’s going to be reduced.
This is largely like the liberal strategy of actively facilitating the invasion of the country by 10s of millions of unknown immigrants and then clamoring about due process when anyone tries to undo it.
Don’t give me that ‘sham charges’ nonsense. You know as well as I do that he committed serious crimes. If you had any sense of civic responsibility you should be appalled by the corruption that means he will avoid accountability for his crimes.
But you don’t have any such sense of responsibility. Your last paragraph gives you away: you’ve swallowed the culture war bait and you’ll ignore any atrocities by Trump as long as he plays to your sense of fear and prejudice.
His crime was not filling out the memo line of a check correctly, for which he was charged with dozens of crimes (past the statute of limitations) by a prosecutor who literally campaigned on the promise to charge DJT with “something”. It was clearly, obviously, a sham, politically-motivated charge.
The irony of course is that that court case did more to “damage Democratic institutions” than anything Trump has done.
And how do you propose that the size of the federal government be reduced? Or do you just think it should continue to expand in perpetuity until everything becomes the government?
Everything inside the state, nothing outside the state - Barack Obama
Do you feel dehumanized by this post? That statement? By "the left"?
One of the characteristics that many Trumpists share is a sense of relative deprivation. Trump often tries to identify with an aggrieved group and blame it on someone else. That's what a demagogue does, and Trump has been playing that game forever.
I am reminded of when clueless Bush Jr. looked into Putin’s eyes and “saw his soul.” That’s how narcissism works - it’s all a soulless image. Keep moving… nothing to see here.
These were my thoughts exactly. This is the hallmark of narcissism. The ability to charm and abuse. The charm is the secret to the successful gaslighting.
Maher is an ass. Dinner with Hitler, because you know we are supposed to engage with the other side. He’s an arrogant, ignorant ass.
He used to have interesting people on his show. But he showed his true colors last night by berating his guest who criticized him for trying to make Trump look normal.
And this was just 5 minutes after Maher was making jokes about Trump ignoring SCOTUS on the El Salvador situation.
Jack, you’re too stupid to capitalize your own name, so your opinions aren’t really relevant. You should try to be seen and not heard when the grownups are speaking.
There is truly no redemption for you and your completely deranged view of Trump. Wow! At this rate you and others like you on the left are going to be a very small minority in this country. There is zero self awareness, zero desire to try to understand different people and viewpoints and zero ability to see reality. Normalize Trump? He is normal. You are not. Good luck.
Despite 62 years in medicine and having had great mentors like Elizabeth Ross, I am stumped by those like you, who cannot see the forest from the trees or even see the trees. Make a list, if you will. Educate me (yes, I am being sarcastic) about the good things Trump has done in his role as POTUS. I would ask can think of anything "bad" that you believe Trump has done. But no worries about the latter since I can fill in any gaps you might manifest.
In medicine, good medicine or real medicine has a core concept called the Therapeutic Index (TI). It is a simple ratio. Benefits to the patient divided by Adverse effects to the patient. This TI concept can be applied to every aspect of life. Benefit to Risk ratio. Explain to me the wonderfulness of Donald Trump. Tell me how he has left this country and/or the world a better place for my son to grow up in.
In medicine, I have openly said to patients asking me about novel therapies: If I knew that horseshit worked to successfully treat an illness, I would start shoveling immediately. Tell me the good deeds of Donald J. Trump. Make me a convert. It would make my life easier and happier.
I did my own reading, so I’m thinking you should do yours. It’s not anyone else’s job to “make you a convert.” The idea is silly and lazy on its face. You don’t even have to become a convert; how about just shooting for becoming a critical thinker?
1. Deporting those who have entered the US illegally is certainly an accomplishment and the Biden (Democratic Party) did a terrible job in this regard. But you do not start shipping people to a prison in El Salvador or many such persons without due process--- that is the foundational principle of democracy. What if you, or a family member of yours, was outspoken about Trump and you hear they are in El Salvador for being an "illegal." You do not throw out the baby with the bath water. If you do something, you do it right.
2. Reducing the staff in government agencies, ESPECIALLY if this is simply a bloated agency with minimal function as to getting the job done, is a commendable action. But again, go beyond the superficial. Is stopping USAID and providing surplus wheat to malnourished children a bad thing? Is mucking. up the VA which should be be the most pristine government agency how we show gratitude for those who in the military? Is making Social Security a Tower of Babel by indiscriminately cutting staff something you think is a positive? Is costing those who are retiring a devastating loss in their 401K due to an absurd decision to impose tariffs than find an alternate solution to inequality in trade but don't ruin the lives of citizens who have worked all their life and paid into Social Security.
Yours is the superficial conclusions based on a lack of in-depth thinking that has resulted in the daily chaos we see with Trump et al being president. Go beyond the superficial and read, and read some more. We may never attain the absolute truth but we can certainly get closer to it than the MAGA element.
Thank you for your reasoned response. I had begun a reasoned response in reply, but going back to the acknowledgment that you won’t be converted, why bother.
You summarized an otherwise engaging conversation on merits with the assumption that I need to read more, presumably so that I might be as enlightened as you. I gather that you are a doctor, so obviously, you are more important than me. I am one of those patients who waits first in the waiting room, then again in a patient room because your time is more important than mine. And it goes without saying that you are smarter.
There is no defense for someone as middle-class as I am. Except to say that you smart, elite, important people have had your chance, and you screwed it up royally. So step aside, and give common sense a chance.
Skenny, I am not pulling rank. I fought my way since childhood to get a higher education. My father had a gas station, but he squandered what he earned (a lot of it) on alcohol. My mother was initially that and then later a hostess in a restaurant. I have worked since I can remember- washing cars for $30/month, cutting lawns, painting houses, and working as a janitor during summers off from med school. I could only afford a university because of a merit scholarship and another scholarship at the U of Chicago School of Medicine. Even in med school, I worked nights doing lab tests, hauling laundry, and assisting with autopsies.
I have been true to my profession, and my average time with a new patient was 3 hours, not the 30 minutes I got. My patients, 99% of them, adored me, and many have stayed in touch with me. I do not have any serious future due to a battle with a usually fatal malignancy, and my concern, God damn it, is not to convert you or anyone else. It is for anyone to look more in-depth, to understand past experience as it applies to the questions we face, to acknowledge how important context is, and to focus on benefits to risk for everyone.
▶︎ What I learned from experience and early on is that when you do a job, you do it right and not half-assed.
▶︎ What I have learned is that the expression "The devil is in the details" should have been "You get closer to the truth when you examine all the facts." Remember Dragnet, the TV show: "The facts, ma'am, just the facts." --Jack Webb in Dragnet
For sure, I am better educated than you, but I would never consider another's life less important. If I did so, it would be a violation of the very precepts of medicine that I love so dearly.
My sole purpose in spending time, and perhaps wasting precious minutes of my life, is because of the following:
• I have seen the beauty of close relationships among people, and my belief is that all of us, and Nature, are interconnected. This is what I consider humanity, a word contraction of "human" and "unity."
• I have done what I did in life with the desired endpoint being leaving the world a better place than I found it- that's called LEGACY.
• Through experience in my own life and stemming from being a voracious reader all my life, my creative gene has opened doorways to new insights in medicine that preceded others by an average of ten to 20 years. I am not alone with this gift; many have it. This involves being VISIONARY.
My family and I grew up in Queens, NY, in the very neighborhood of Trump's father, Frederick and Donald. The latter's life has been one of a grifter, a swindler, a liar, and a fraud that is well-documented by Wayne Barrett, a journalist who wrote newspaper articles on the corruption of the Trumps and wrote a book you should read. The litany of damage Trump has done is well-documented. This is not the path to LUV (Legacy, Unity, Vision) but to the demolition of the U.S. and all its people except the billionaires.
Try doing a search on Google: "What Fraud Has Trump Committed During His Life?" Do the same with Obama and other Presidents. They are all guilty of fraud, but the duration, amount and depth of what Trump has done outweighs that of Biden, Clinton and Obama.
Then go and do the same for Harry Truman (Democrat), and Teddy Roosevelt (Republican). Realizing journalism was not as investigative then vs now, note how scant the fraud was long ago and how political figures have become so corrupt. But the issue now is about RELATIVITY, and Trump is far more corrupt and dangerous than any other president of the United States (POTUS) we have had.
"The facts, ma'am, just the facts." --Jack Webb in Dragnet
Thanks again for a reasoned reply Dr. Strum. Our backgrounds are not that dissimilar.
When I was 14, I ran a full-service gas station one summer, opening and closing, 7 days a week, for $1/hr. I've worked nights and weekends in operations/technology positions. I've paid into Social Security (the largest Ponzi scheme in history) for 50 years, and they will still have most of that money when I'm gone.
That's the tip of the iceberg. Obamacare has cost me an extra $50,000 to $100,000. Another government disaster. I could go on....
My preference with respect to government is to be left alone. Government hasn't seen it that way.
Trump has one distinct advantage over the rest of these halfwits we've placed in the Oval Office. He's not a politician. He acts, where others are paralyzed. I'm willing to give him a chance, because for me, he offers more liberty than obligations and imposition. Otherwise, I have no one in DC representing my interests, and my primary interest of being left alone. I just don't need much from government.
Government hasn't seen it that way.
Twenty-five years ago, I said it was too late to save the grand experiment. Thus far, I've been proven right. It will take 4 years of Trump plus 20 more years of radical change to prove me wrong. I fear that won't happen. Most politicians and many judges exist to subvert the Constitution, after taking an oath to protect it.
Our recent path is unsustainable. Borrowing against our children's future financial viability is immoral. Our leaders are willing to trade our future for their current benefit. We're being robbed. They don't care if they turn the US into a pile of rubble, as long as they are on top of the pile.
Finally, you said you are better educated. I would suggest that you may be more educated, formally. But I read 100 to 200 books per year, recently completing 10,000 pages of the complete works of Mark Twain. Yesterday, my wife said I read too much, not long after you said I need to read more.
One thing is certain; I'm too educated to be content with the way our country is being run. It's past time for a change.
Skenny. First, it is refreshing to see that our exchanges are becoming more civil as we learn more about each other. This is what is wrong with social media and email- the human element (Hu) is not there. You do not see my face, nor hear my voice nor sense my sincerity. I opened and closed my dad's gas station many a time while he was sitting in Dutton's Bar & Grill, tossing down shots of Rye or Scotch whiskey. I fixed flat tires with tire irons and climbed under cars in a pit to change oil and grease the some 20 fittings, often burning my fingers on the hot crankcase lug to drain oil. I performed full service: windshield, gas, oil, transmission, radiator, and battery level. Sometimes, the patron would tip me a dime. As a medical student, I would often give blood for $25 a pint so I could afford to buy a steak.
I am glad you are a reader. You may wish to consider Madelyn Albright's book, Fascism, a Warning. We are in the throes of Fascism with Trump, Musk, an immoral GOP in Congress, and a Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), with a few justices that are more into wealth accumulation than caring about freedoms lost. Consider reading Wayne Barrett's book(s) on Trump: Trump, the Deals and the Downfall; Trump. The Greatest Show on Earth; or his many columns in the Village Voice.
Skenny, you said: He's not a politician. He acts, where others are paralyzed.
Trump is the consummate actor, but not only does he act, he does so recklessly when others' welfare are at stake. Look what Trump has said about those dying in battle or POWs: losers. Look what Trump was not doing when 4 deceased American military arrived at Andrews Air Base: playing golf. Yes, Trump acts selling guitars, facecards, coins, but selling out the public costing billions lost in retirement plans. Yes, Trump acts to deport Venezuelan gang members, allegedly, along with non-gang members and students from foreign countries, possibly wearing a hijab but speaking out in favor of Palestinians. Trump acts to appoint a total jerk as Secretary of Health and Human Services, and a former wrestling commentator with a high school education who does not know the difference between artificial intelligence (AI) and A1- but Trump acts. Trump alientated our allies, shared top secret documents with God knows who and extols the virtue of Putin and Kim Jong-Un and other dictators.
Skenny, when one acts and leaves the world a better place, that is worth talking about. Trump cares only about his own success.
"Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value." —Einstein
But I do esteem success as defined by Emerson and Bessie Stanley and others:
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of little children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you lived.
This is to have succeeded."
I also like the quotes from some of my patients:
"Communication will be the essence of our success or the reason for our failure. —Herb Sostek
"The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary." — plaque hanging on wall in my basement in W. Hempstead 1955
Lastly, if you wish a short read but one of vision, then listen to or read What We Must Demand For Our Democracy to Survive. This was written prior to the 2020 election by my son and I. It is on Amazon as paperback, eBook or audio book. If you have Amazon Kindle Unlimited the eBook and Audiobook are free. See the recommendations we made. Examples of some topics discussed are:
• Immigration legislation that not only increases border patrol and detection ability, but that is HEAVILY into VETTING. Those coming to our country and seeking to live here should have been vetted with background checks. No taxpayer money to non-citizens unless there is repayment with community service or some sense of equity. My grandparents and yours were not handed a free lunch, a free house, etc. A Democracy should be a Meritocracy.
• Climate change involving community-size nuclear reactors using safer isotopes other than uranium. Look at thorium. Also, look at hydrogen fuels. If you use solar, then provide meaningful incentives. Use creativity that is science-based such as white not black rooftops to reflect thermal energy and reduce temperatures such as in Almeria, Spain. Use conduits to move water to a new Great Lakes system and turn desert into organic farming and grass-fed livestock. Stop importing fruits and vegetables that are sprayed with cancer-causing pesticides and herbicides.
• Educate our citizenry with major increases in numbers of teachers and salaries and/or benefits for teachers. Decrease the cost of education and produce more professionals in healthcare (nurses, doctors).
These are plans that can change lives. This is the stuff of visionary thinking, not the spoofs we see being acted out by DOGE a la Musk and Trump with the Republican Party consent.
We agree on numerous things. I expect we differ in that you may respect government. I loathe government and most politicians, while I respect the Constitution and the country founded upon it.
There are a few things that the federal government is in the best position to manage, for example: the interstate highway system, air traffic, defense, and international trade.
I get nervous when the federal government has responsibilities for health care, health insurance, and education. I get mad when they bail out corporations, and otherwise pick winners and losers. The middle class almost always loses.
In 1860, a NY Times reporter observed of DC: “Out-of-the-way, one horse town, whose population consists of office-holders, lobby buzzards, landlords, loafers, blacklegs, hackmen and Cyprian – all subsisting on public plunder…The paramount, overshadowing occupation of the residents, is office-holding and lobbying, and the prize of life is a grab at the contents of UNCLE SAM’s till. The public plunder interest swallows up all others, and makes the city a great festering, unbearable sore on the body politic. No healthy public opinion can reach down here to purify the moral atmosphere of Washington.”
It's no longer an out-of-the-way, one horse town, but not much else has changed from that assessment. I will read your book, and leave you this thought:
"With the Constitution, the people were given the power to control their government (not vice versa). Unfortunately, it did not provide them with the sense to do so."
Your background is impressive but there are many who have equally impressive careers and have different views. I respect yours.
Here’s what I voted for and Trump promised:
1. Closed borders/deport illegal aliens
2. Reduce government spending/eliminate waste & fraud/restructure govt to improve efficiency/ eliminate deficit
3. On-shore manufacturing
4. Make individual tax cuts permanent
5. Reduce business taxes
6. Increase energy capacity and production/stop the climate scam
7. Deregulation
8. Cancel woke culture (Transgender conversions for kids, males in female sports, DEI etc.)
9. End censorship of social media
10. Stop wars
11. Insist on allies to share defense burden
You may disagree with many of these but every one of them has a strong rationale.
So far in less than 100 days, he has tackled every single one of these with energy and forcefulness. I give him and his team an A+ for keeping promises, A+ for effort. Results to be seen. I am optimistic.
"You may disagree with many of these but every one of them has a strong rationale."
Me: Wrong Nikhil. I can agree with all of the above. But you have been conned by the wheeler-dealer, and, to use his own vocabulary, a pathologic liar like "never before."
You have not been to a communist country as far as I know (maybe your real name is Nikita and not Nikhil). You were not in the USSR (I think). You do not throw Ukraine under the bus and hand its people and Democracy to Vladimir Putin. You do not insult a country's honestly elected president the way Trump insulted Zelensky. You do not negotiate a deal of rare-earth minerals for aid to Ukraine. Yes, you do ask for Germany, Netherlands, the Scandinavian countries, etc to pay up a fair share into NATO. But you do not alienate allies and pay tribute to murderers like Putin, Kim-Jong-Un.
Agreed that Social Media has major/serioius downsides but you do not handcuff a foreign student on a visa for pro-Palestinian written or verbal statements. I think Trump is a Fascist, clear and simple. Do you imprison me, send me off to Louisiana or El Salvador without due process. The loss of due process is the first sign of Fascism. Do you take away free speech a la Marko Rubio? That is another side of a fascist regime. You you attack the Press as did Trump with the Associated Press, or attack the editor-in-chief for being effin stupidly invited to a non-secure top secret SIGNAL chat as did Mike Waltz by Trump's pick fo NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR.
I agree about the excessive emphasis on transgender issues, especially male transgendering to female and participating in women's sports. Ridiculous & should not be allowed. I couldn't care less if public restrooms were open to any sex as they have been in Europe for many decades. But I am sick of all the homosexulaity displayed in my face in the media, which I believe is part of the spectrum of how Hollywood has effed up morality and/or decency. Be a homosexual or heterosexual, but do not shove it in my face with TV ads or movies or other broadcasts.
Where you are wrong is on the energy issue. Climate change is not a scam. Disease and premature death from pollution of air, water, and earth is not and this is heavily detailed in many publications. There are ways to obtain energy using safer community-size thorium or other isotope reactors. Adjuncts like solar and wind (or tidal) energy are exactly that- adjuncts. The world context has changed and with it oceans have devolved, as has the ozone layer.
Your items #1 and 2 are legitimate, but not the way Trump is going about them, sending helter-skelter citizens and non-citizens to El Salvador or Louisiana without due process. That's fascist.
Reduce government spending by tearing apart and rendering inefficient every government agency is overkill. It would be like me seeing an obese patient and immediately deciding to put them on a starvation diet without first seeing where the problem(s) have arisen from. That example, Nikhil, deserves reproach: warning- warning: bullshit alert. But great example of putting the fox in the henhouse.
I do not know if we can find common ground between our views. I would welcome an open debate between you and me anytime. But I would speculate, that if I suggested we have a panel of fact-checkers to discern bullshit when spoken, you would not agree to this.
The devil is in the details. "The facts, ma'am, just the facts." Or, as Mike says, 2+2 =4 and there are 24 hrs in a day (unless you are on Mars).
Someday maybe we can debate and find common ground. Since you have already decided the outcome of Trump’s actions and I am willing to wait, it is a seemingly pointless exercise at this time.
But a fascist takeover is no time to "let's see what he does." If you see further evidence of such behavior, you may be living in Putin's Russia or Erdoğan's Turkey.
We will both see what has happened this time next month and the June thereafter.
▶︎ What has happened to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza?
▶︎ What is the state of the US and world economy?
▶︎ Are children still dying of measles?
▶︎ Is there any improvement in healthcare?
As is said, I will bend a knee or two if any of the above have been accomplished successfully.
OK, Steve. Here’s one thing that Trump has done that should get the attention of someone aged 62.
Fifteen years ago my financial advisor told me, as we were planning my retirement, that I should plan on a big cut in my Social Security benefits in the first half of the 2030s.
Now, I just asked Grok about that problem and here’s what he had to say:
“According to the 2024 Social Security Trustees Report, the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund is projected to be depleted in 2033. If no legislative changes are made, benefits would need to be reduced starting in 2034 to match incoming revenue, resulting in about a 21% cut to scheduled benefits.” His source is the bastion of progressive truth — none other than NPR. You probably trust them. (https://www.npr.org/2024/05/06/1249406440/social-security-medicare-congress-fix-boomers-benefits).”
I guess my financial advisor was prescient.
For the last 15 years no one in authority has attempted to do anything about this until Trump came along. He and his good bud and Grok’s boss, Elon, are trying to do
something about it.
If they succeed you won’t have get your benefits cut 21%.
Steve, in 2034 you’ll be 71 and drawing full SS benefits. Trump and Elon are doing you a solid. You should thank them for at least trying.
Have a nice retirement.
PS My bad. Just reread your post. “62 years in medicine” puts you in your 80’s. You’ve got nothing to worry about. 😀
Scott, please read my reply to Skenny since it also applies, in part, to your comment above.
• The devil is in the details. What Musk, acting illegally, and Trump have done is emasculate every agency with the excuse of improving efficiency.
- They have torn apart just about every agency to a degree to render them no longer able to accomplish their primary goals. Yes, for sure, there is too much gov't in gov't, but if you are an obese person harboring too much "fat" you do not chop off limbs to attain your ideal body weight. You do not create Towers of Babel in USAID, Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Medicaid, Medicare, National Security, IRS, Deptartment of Education, Dept. of Labor, The Office of Federal Contracts, FEMA, and others. For a comprehensive list, see Wikipedia at:
Wikipedia, to my understanding, is not controlled by so-called left-wing radicals.
What Trump has done with his obsession with tariffs has destroyed my 401K and those of millions of Americans. I am not counting on getting my Social Security Benefits in 2033, which I do get now, Scott, since my current age is 82.
What you and others have seen and been taken in by are Trump's proclamations about making real issues (e.g., sharing NATO expenses, more equitable trade agreements (major tariffs in S. Korea for American-made cars and vehicles), etc), but you are missing the horrendous damage he has done on his destructive path to "good" intentions. Like the old expression, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions," one needs to grasp the full picture, to see the rest of the story, and to realize the context to understand the destruction of Democracy by a rising Fascist president.
Nikhil, the truth is that you’re just a stupid old man, right? You’re shriveled and old, you’re probably going to die soon, so you think: “to hell with the world.” Such a disgusting sentiment, but what else should we expect from a kulak like you. I look forward to watching you scum lose everything.
You just proved my point buddy. This is now the typical lefty playbook. Cannot debate view points so goes straight for personal attacks! Now you’re going to say that Hitler survived and I am him! Hope the vitriol doesn’t dissolve you my friend! Have a good life.
“Kulak” was the term Stalin used to describe anyone — primarily in 1930s Ukraine — that he was about to round up and either have shot dead while standing in their wheat field, or deported to a gulag where they would starve to death within six months. Which direction are we going here?
No, he doesn't. I am frequently shocked at how many people are not familiar with antisocial personality disorder and sociopathic traits....coupled with, as you said, narcissism.
I caught part of his interview with Bannon last night. It was curious to me that he was invited on the first show after the dinner. Bannon stuck to his usual gruff, noxious, threatening persona. Maher reacted skeptically to his claims (and threats) but didn’t really push back. Yes, Bannon is tough to interview. But would it have been different if Maher had not just returned from kissing the ring? Trump is a con man, so his dinner performance should not be a surprise.
IMHO, and this is just an opinion, he's melted his brain with drugs. He gets no respect from me. I do find it funny though that he considers himself an authority on how the rest of us should think. That part is funny.
I'm not on social media (to protect what's left of my fragile mental health), but I hope someone who is will forward this to Bill Maher. I enjoyed and was beguiled by his account of his dinner with Trump. Until I listened to this Substack I, like Bill, did not understand the dynamic and significance of Trump's personal charm. Then I remembered Trump is a sociopath and it is as if a light clicked on.
Meanwhile in Deerfield, Illinois school administrators are forcing girls to undress in front of a boy (something the Trump administration is seeking to stop) and you don’t give a shit. Who are the monsters?
I read this and I think, there is no saving the Left. There is no coming out from where you are. You are not "the resistance." You have never been. You are the empire. You have always been. Your version of Trump does not exist. You have destroyed yourselves trying to destroy a fake version of Trump. I keep hoping sanity will find its way back to my former side but I read this and I think, nope. Your only solution, you realize, is gulags. Right? You get that? You have no other way forward except to lock away and erase the other half of America. How can you live like that.
I have no idea what the hell you are talking about. This is a dramatic example of the straw man fallacy, to say the least.
Sasha is right. You're a triggered libtard who wrote a long stupid essay, without even a TL/DR version, and you're crying. Im glad he met President Trump. Maher was right
We disagree on this point. Based on my limited interactions with her, my prior of her is now that she is a very confused and/or stupid person.
On the contrary, if the Democrats had listened to the observations of Bill Maher and Sasha Stone, they might have won the White House and both houses of Congress. Instead, the Dems insisted the border was secure, inflation was transitory, the Afghanistan withdrawal wasn’t a catastrophe but a success, Kamala Harris was brilliant, and Joe Biden was a hyperactive razor sharp machine. Americans could see clearly these were all lies, but Democrats thought (and still think) if they just keep calling Trump Hitler, and his voters Nazis, racists and fascists, they’ll convince them they weren’t lied to for the past four years. As Maher has often said, the Democrats were so delusional, “they lost a crazy contest to a crazy person.”
This is a non-sequitur argument. It would turn out that I share some of Maher's critiques of the identitarian left. But that has nothing to do with anything I said in this piece. It's an utterly orthogonal issue.
I’m with you Mike, these people just don’t get it. The fact that Trump can be nice and charismatic, hides his true nature. And like the MSM, people like Maher are normalizing his behavior, and it’s masking all of his destructive policies, and the fact that we will not have a rule of law within a few months; at latest. Not to mention, Trump’s dismantling of our administration state; top notch scientific community and our National Security Apparatus.
He’s destroying our future; from allies and trading partners, to the dollar as the reserve currency of the world. We already saw the treasury yields shoot you last week, while the market was tanking. That means investors no longer see Treasuries as risk free assets, and a safe haven asset anymore. And more and more foreign investments are fleeing at alarming rates. Which means the cost to service the debt could double. And it’s all leading to stagflation; something most people under forty in the country, would know little about.
Bottom line: these people don’t understand just how much we’re screwed, and people like Maher are not doing themselves, or this country any favors by normalizing Trump.
Mr. Jaffee Your post is totally out of touch & proves nothing with the exception that you suffer from TDS. Ms. Sash's post is spot on. It is you & those like you so consumed with hatred & spewing misinformation that don't get it. The fact that you supported the Biden/Harris/Obama/Sorros regime frankly speaks volumes to your non credibility.
Where do you see anything about hate in Robert's post or that he supported Biden, et al.? Please clarify for me because I do not see it and would appreciate your help.
No, your comment is out of touch. Everything I said is true. All the economic damage being caused. Innocent people being sent to life sentences in El Salvador without any due process. Destroying our NIH, and CDC, and turning the DOJ into an attack dog. These things are happening.
Yet, you claim I am out of touch and spewing hatred? What did I say that was hateful! I didn’t call Trump names, or say anything that wasn’t true about his destructive policies.
I did say that people like yourself can’t be reached. And you proved my point with your nonsensical response about being “hate filled,”’and acting like Trump is really a swell guy, just because he didn’t have Barr deported to El Salvador. Congratulations, Trump can be charming. However, his draconian solutions to problems, tell us who the real Trump is.
And yet, you have the audacity to say I have TDS, without refuting any of my points. You see it’s blind people like yourself, who cannot see the forest from the trees. You’re in a CULT!
We will just have to agree to disagree.
Robert, We could debate back & forth & it wouldn't do any good as you are incapable of the truth. We will agree to disagree.
Right, I’m incapable of truth. I laid out the truth, and you’ve yet to dispute anything I’ve said; except to tell me that I am hate filled, and mean.
Once again, thanks for proving my point! Have a wonderful week….:)
Go away little jack. You're obviously a little troll with no brain.
Sasha is correct.
Leftism has been rejected by the majority of Americans. Except for the coastal slivers, all those brilliant intellectual solutions are regarded as the product of nitwits. One by one the holdouts are converting, and the Democrat party is on the lip of extinction.
Just curious. What facts do you have in support of your statement that « most Americans have moved away from the Democratic Party »? I follow current events closely and haven’t seen that said anywhere.
The GOP has surpassed Democrats over the last several years in party affiliation. https://news.gallup.com/poll/655157/gop-holds-edge-party-affiliation-third-straight-year.aspx
And still, independents make up the majority of the country. Trump didn’t get a mandate, he won a little more than 33% of the voting population. 77 million versus 75.5 for Harris; Over 75 million didn’t vote.
Also, Trump didn’t win the majority of Americans. He won the election with a 48% of people who voted; hardly a mandate!
Yes that’s true, but that’s still not evidence that most Americans have left the Democratic Party which you claim is nearly dead.
You said it Mike — “you have no idea what she’s talking about” — because you’ve believed a lie for so long now you cannot admit it.
You don’t WANT to learn.
And no, I didn’t even vote GOP…
What "lie" do I believe?
That opposing Trump automatically means you’re on the right side on everything. It’s evident in every sentence you type.
Why was Biden “normalizing” handing over the WH to “actual Hitler” just days after the election? Because he knows DT is NOT actual Hitler - of course he knows it. Biden was playing his role, saying whatever he was told to say on the campaign trail to win.
Biden knows politics is performative, ditto Pelosi, etc.. yet somehow you cannot grasp that reality.
You and Sam Harris are unable to admit that in the modern news era our emotions CAN be easily triggered by lying or exaggerated headlines - “Russia collusion! Fine people on both sides! 15 days will stop the spread! Mostly peaceful protests! The vaccine IS safe and effective! Questioning is doubting the science! Joe Biden has never been sharper!”
And secondly understanding that you yourself are susceptible to emotional manipulation.
We all are susceptible. That’s why skepticism right now is on the rise - not dehumanization - skepticism.
Journalism need not be activism.
You’re a leftist Archie Bunker - yet even Archie humanized his black neighbor George Jefferson, something you apparently cannot do.
It’s remarkable to me that you accuse me of emotional bias while offering not a structured argument, but a scattered list of grievances, memes, and hypotheticals.
Your underlying claim is this: that opposing Trump automatically makes someone wrong, biased, or incoherent. That’s not reasoning. That’s tribal projection posing as insight.
You presume I’ve elevated Biden as a moral exemplar. I haven’t. I’ve consistently critiqued institutional liberalism for its complicity, performance, and moral cowardice. You would know that if you engaged with my work in good faith.
The issue isn’t that I “can’t humanize Trump.”
The issue is what it means to evaluate power coherently.
You offer false equivalencies (“we’re all emotionally manipulated”) as if recognizing propaganda is the same as collapsing moral distinctions.
You say “skepticism is rising” — but you conflate skepticism with cynicism.
You claim journalism shouldn’t be activism, but you mistake truth-telling for tribal loyalty.
Let’s be clear:
You’re not arguing that Trump is imperfect.
You’re defending a posture in which truth itself is just a tactic — and anyone who holds a moral position must be a fool or a dupe.
So let me ask you plainly:
What does it mean to think for yourself?
What does coherence mean to you?
And do you believe that truth exists outside of performance—or is everything just narrative war?
Because if it’s the latter, you haven’t exposed my bias.
You’ve confessed your own collapse.
Mike nowhere did I say opposing Trump automatically makes someone wrong. You have a basic comprehension problem (because you’re in so deep). Thinking for myself means asking questions - but asking questions is what you call “platforming dangerous ideas.”
Dangerous ideas like what? Like maybe the earth isn’t the center of the universe? Like maybe washing our hands before surgery could lead to healthier outcomes? Like maybe enslaving people as an economic model cannot exist if we also wish to be moral citizens?
Questioning IS good.
I don’t care if it’s questioning Bush and WMDs, questioning Obama’s drone strikes, Gavin Newsom’s covid hypocrisy, or a vaccine that was neither safe nor all that effective.
I have no tribalism to either political color - so yes I agree truth exists outside the narrative. But how do you propose finding truth when you’re so triggered by dangerous ideas?
And you didn’t answer Biden yucking it up with actual Hitler! LOL
You thinking platforming people who believe perhaps the Holocaust didn't happen, or that maybe Hitler was not as morally culpable for it as we think, is a responsible thing for morally engaged commentators like Joe Rogan to do? Is that what you think? Can you explain why?
“Responsible?” Who said anything about responsible - do you always change the goalposts or put words in other people’s mouths like this?
Were Galileo’s heliocentrist views “responsible?” if you’d asked the church at the time?
Seems like you need to go backwards before going forward and discover how many now mainstream views were once controversial and “not responsible.”
Also Joe Rogan is found under “entertainment” on Spotify, not legal or commentary or even advice.
What does it matter that it's categorized as "entertainment" on Spotify, exactly?
His podcast isn’t claiming to be anything other than entertainment.
Don’t bother, they don’t understand anything you’re saying….:)
Bravo, well stated. The liberals are all so vain that they can’t even consider the possibility they have been wrong about Trump and his voters. They view us with contempt and disdain without an iota of self reflection.
Apologies Mike I should’ve kept it simpler - the lie you believe is that Trump cannot be humanized.
Therefore Republican voters cannot be humanized.
The new media needs you enraged.
Mission accomplished 🙌
My good sir. You are arguing against a rather stupid straw man, because I have made no such claim.
It’s why you’re upset with Bill, that he “normalized” Trump right? Should I get out my thesaurus?
The only "authoritarian act" you mention seems to be "undermining democratic institutions." You do not name one Trump lie or victim. Are you a CNN "journalist?"
Here's a fact: if Trump is not evil and far less fascist/fascist complaint than Biden or Obama, then the people who hate him are evil bigots. Trump is not a narcissist. The people who project narcissism, and try to kill, imprison and or cancel political opponents, are authoritarian narcissists - hysterically defending our broken status quo.
This is really stupid gibberish.
Trump is unquestionably a narcissist.
Their are numerous compilations of his lies available from multiple sources
Not to mention his betrayal and failures on his campaign pledges
He’s not a narcissist? lol
Prove he is. Narcissists almost never admit to mistakes. Trump uses self-deprecating humor all the time. Obama never admits to mistakes. Never. Also, he named his dog Barrack Obama (BO) .
What are you even talking about?
Obama and his "wife" are unabashed narcissists. Trump is a stable genius, who loves everyone and works 24/7 to help people. Deal with it.
Troll. Go back to X.
So, only insults for someone you don't know. Hillary is proud of you, you darling fascist foot soldier!
Here’s one victim (just one of many)—Kilmer Abrego Garcia. And here’s a lie (just one of many)—Trump stated he would follow Supreme Court order but now is not. So now that you have this information, what do you think? And I know I should wait for your response before I say this, but I just can’t—do not use the argument that he can’t because he no longer has jurisdiction since countries negotiate release for “prisoners” all the time. And remember, he is buddies with this tyrant and dictator so I am certain he could convince him to return Garcia…or his body.
Apologies, Elena. I should have said "US citizen victim." With 12 million+ newly imported, and potentially voting, criminals illegal immigrants in the US it is possible a few mistakes will be made. President Trump has promised to abide by any decision SCOTUS passes down. To date, Trump has not broken that vow.
A Supreme Court ruling on April 10, 2025, ordered the administration to facilitate the return of a man mistakenly deported, and Trump stated he would comply, if the Court ordered such an action. However, critics have raised concerns about potential defiance, citing past rhetoric and actions, like ignoring verbal directives from lower courts. Without concrete actions contradicting a Supreme Court ruling, any claims of ignoring verdicts remain speculative.
"Buddies with this tyrant" like Obama was trading sketchy favors with Putin but asking for patience "until after the election?" You have no idea who Trump is truly friends with. According to Trump, he's friends with almost everyone...because it is easier to negotiate with friends.
So, until you have any proof of anything or can construct a persuasive argument, I would suggest you reject the current mainstream narrative until they try to prove any of their insults.
Good luck.
Much love,
Will
Thanks for your reply, Will. I want to address a few points you brought up.
First, you mentioned that I only pointed to "undermining democratic institutions" as an example of authoritarian acts. I offered one concrete example with Kilmer Abrego Garcia—an actual victim of a system that failed him. It’s a real issue that deserves attention. Whether or not Trump directly caused this, as you said, it’s a problem that can’t be overlooked, and if he's going to follow through on Supreme Court rulings, he needs to demonstrate that with actions, not just words. That’s the responsibility of leadership.
Now, let’s take a moment to reflect: If this happened to someone you love—your son, your father, your brother—how would you feel? Would you still be okay with dismissing this as just a "mistake?" Imagine if it were your loved one who was wrongfully deported, or whose life was negatively affected by a broken system. These aren't abstract ideas; they’re real lives, and we must hold our leaders accountable for the consequences of their actions.
I also want to address the idea that Trump is somehow less narcissistic than his critics. The thing about narcissism in leadership isn't just about self-aggrandizement; it's about how one treats others—especially those who are seen as "opponents." In Trump’s case, he repeatedly attacked individuals, undermined institutions, and disregarded democratic processes, which raises serious questions about the nature of his leadership.
You also referenced Obama’s relationships with Putin, but the issue isn’t about individual friendships; it’s about how those relationships affect policies and national interests. Yes, Obama had controversial foreign policies, but that doesn’t excuse similar patterns in Trump's behavior, especially given his rhetoric on authoritarian figures and his seeming admiration for them.
Regarding the Supreme Court ruling on April 10, 2025, ordering the administration to facilitate the return of Kilmer Abrego Garcia, there’s a growing concern that Trump may not follow through on the ruling. While he’s stated that he would comply with SCOTUS decisions, his past rhetoric and actions—including defying or ignoring directives from other courts—raise legitimate questions about whether he will actually comply. If Trump refuses or delays acting on this order, it would further undermine confidence in his commitment to the rule of law, which is essential for the functioning of our democracy. In fact, as of today, April 14, 2025, it appears that Trump may indeed be defying the Supreme Court's order. Both Trump and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele are deflecting responsibility for Garcia's return, despite the clear ruling from the Court. If this trend continues, it could set a dangerous precedent for the disregard of legal orders from the highest court in the land.
As for mainstream narratives, I completely agree that questioning the narrative is important, but let’s also question what’s being left out or misrepresented when it comes to Trump’s actions. It's not about blind support for any side—it’s about holding all leaders accountable for their promises, their failures, and their impact on the country.
Thanks for engaging in this discussion, Will. It’s important to have these conversations, even when we don’t agree.
Best,
Elena
Dear Elena,
"'undermining democratic institutions" as an example of authoritarian acts. I offered one concrete example with Kilmer Abrego Garcia—an actual victim of a system that failed him."'
Is that statement a fact or an opinion? Kilmer Abrego Garcia is a convicted felon, in his home country, and the president of that country refuses to release/return him(Her?) to the US. A district judge's hysterical order does not change that fact. If President Trump is unable to comply, on a foreign policy issue, what institution is he undermining?
You state that "(narcissism is)how one treats others—especially those who are seen as 'opponents.' In Trump’s case, he repeatedly attacked individuals, undermined institutions, and disregarded democratic processes, which raises serious questions about the nature of his leadership."
Is that a fact or an opinion? Has that been the nightly headline on CNN and MSNBC for the last ten years? As far as I know, Trump has verbally attacked nobody who did not personally smear Trump, with zero evidence of guilt, first. He refrained from responding to Pelosi's insults for over two years. The Swamp thugs started law fare against President Trump, top Trump advisors and lawyers, and millions of his supporters and Trump merely responds with "those are sick people."
There is now video and audio evidence that Nancy Pelosi never believed that 1/6 was an insurrection. Pelosi's stormtroopers and legal goons and judges incarcerated thousands of peaceful 1/6 protesters, often in solitary confinement, for years. Lives were destroyed. Capitol police, who were ordered to use tear gas and rubber bullets on peaceful protesters, committed suicide. Pelosi and the DNC blamed Trump, but their incessant attacks on Trump and his administration, which continue to this day, are much more of a threat to democracy than a few thousand protesters who trespassed, defended themselves, or merely posted skepticism on social media. People were arrested who were not even in Washington, DC.
Trump has tried to keep most of his promises, in my opinion. I can not remember one promise kept by Obama or Biden, both of whom just tripled down on the Shrub Bush policies they claimed to detest. Perhaps you can refresh my memory. The swamp is full of evil people who try to cancel anyone who challenges their power. Nobody ever got hurt for lying in DC. People get killed all the time for telling unapproved truths. Isn't there a chance that President Trump is just too honest for their liking? Everyone who actually meets and talks to Trump ends up liking him. The TDS media is not journalism. If you like I can provide dozens of centrist news points to provide different perspectives on the accusations against Trump.
Start with my Substack. It's delightful. :-)
Best,
Will
The fact that you don’t know what Sasha means is only further evidence that the left lacks any self awareness whatsoever. I see that characteristic over and over.
I was so flabbergasted by Sasha’s response. I had to reread it three times to try to figure out if she was talking about Republicans or Democrats (I assume her perspective). When I read your response, Mike, I finally realized who she is talking about. Apparently she (and many on this thread) does not understand that you are talking about neither. You are talking about two plus two is four and there are twenty-four hours in a day—right and wrong based on morality, not right and left. This is absolutely horrifying, and I am in fear for our country…and the world.
She did say, Mike, that « free thinking » is done in « the fourth turning. » Maybe you didn’t get what she was saying because you forgot to turn the fourth time. 😉I did understand one thing perfectly: if it’s not just wishful thinking on her part, half of America will be locked away in gulags. Charming girl.
As a conservative, I started reading your work with a sincere desire to understand the progressive perspective. The gap between our worldviews feels vast, and rather than retreat into echo chambers, I’ve made it a point to seek out voices that can explain these positions.
On some matters, you present your views with clarity. But when it comes to conservative perspectives—especially anything involving the “T” word (I’ll avoid spelling the name, out of concern for triggering what often seems like a irrational emotional response)— you have elevated the notion of strawman to invisible-man. Reasoning gives way to labels, loaded adjectives, and sweeping conclusions. Let's just say you loose all eloquence as temper possesses you.
It feels less like engagement and more like caricature. As if the goal isn’t to explain or persuade, but to vent and reinforce assumptions already held by your audience. If that’s the case, I understand—but I’ll need to keep looking for someone on the left who can approach these issues from first principles, with a temperament that’s more curious than reactionary.
In a time when mutual understanding seems in short supply, I still believe it’s worth pursuing.
I am not a progressive, actually. If you read my work, you will see it's filled with critique of the progressive left and political excess there. So I don't actually know what you're talking about here.
I didn’t label you, per se. And It doesn’t matter how you label yourself. But do you see how labeling distracts to the point of ignoring everything else that is said.
To summarize Mike, Sasha is correct, there’s no saving the left.
Despite opportunity after opportunity you couldn’t offer ONE justification for banning or suppressing speech, instead getting lost in a weed patch of invented semantics and mis-comprehensions.
Peace out ✌️
Exactly correct. I am 9th of 10 kids born into a poor family where half of us served in the US military. We were raised in an Irish Catholic working class neighborhood and Democratic Party stronghold. We have now moved away from the Democratic Party as they became the party of elites, censorship, war, anti-white racism, anti-Christian attacks on churches and pro-life groups, and for the mutilation of children via sex surgeries and chemicals.
Is there any element of right wing culture war propaganda that you don’t believe?
I was going to acknowledge Libertarian for the concise list of the basics & also “of course you’re likely well aware it’s so much worse than that”
Those aren’t talking points
just the facts ma’am
Narrator: They were, of course, talking points.
Insofar as “talking points” means highly salient facts that resonate strongly with normal humans.
Of course, the fact that your “talking points” is a talking point is lost on you.
You’re trying to use a rhetorical trick to dismiss from evidence the herd of elephants in the room, but normal people who aren’t mainlining propaganda don’t care about your rhetorical tricks anymore.
https://open.substack.com/pub/charliesykes/p/updated-were-way-past-the-tipping?r=1ol5tb&utm_medium=ios
OMG--Home growns are next!
Definition of homegrowns:
In the context of President Trump's remarks on April 14, 2025, the term "home-growns" refers to American citizens—specifically those born in the U.S.—who have been convicted of serious violent crimes. During a conversation with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, Trump suggested that such individuals could be deported to El Salvador's maximum-security Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), a facility known for housing gang members and other dangerous criminals. He humorously remarked to Bukele, "Home-growns are next. You gotta build about five more places," indicating a plan to send more U.S. citizens to foreign prisons if they are deemed violent offenders.
New York Post
This proposal has raised significant legal and ethical concerns. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the idea is still under legal review and has not been implemented. However, the suggestion of deporting U.S. citizens to foreign prisons challenges traditional interpretations of citizenship and due process rights. The administration's legal team, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, is reportedly exploring potential legal avenues for such actions, though no formal policy has been announced.
New York Post
Critics argue that this approach could undermine constitutional protections and set a troubling precedent for the treatment of U.S. citizens within the criminal justice system. The discussion continues to evolve, and it remains to be seen whether any formal policy will emerge from these deliberations.
https://bsky.app/profile/thinkyparts.bsky.social/post/3lmrzilz3mc22
I again refer to this poem:
The phrase "First they came for..." is a powerful reminder of how authoritarian regimes often begin by targeting marginalized or specific groups, and how this can escalate if not resisted early enough.
The full quote is from the German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller, who wrote:
"First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."
This quote captures the terrifying truth about how the erosion of rights can be incremental and, if left unchecked, can eventually affect everyone. It reminds us that when groups are targeted or silenced, it’s often just the first step in a broader attack on rights, freedoms, and democracy.
As we see policies or rhetoric that begin with specific targets—like criminals or immigrants—it’s important to remain vigilant and speak out, because history teaches us that these steps often lead to broader crackdowns on civil liberties. The fight to protect freedoms and rights is ongoing, and it requires awareness, engagement, and a commitment to justice for all people.
Yes, I don’t like Trump’s call for censorship of protest against Israel, I am disappointed in him for not eliminating ALL foreign aid, I am immensely against RINO Neocons like McConnel, I don’t trust Vance too much, and I oppose continued funding to Ukraine.
It’s helpful to see you so open about it.
Trump thrives on this kind of childish, weak-minded mentality. It’s important to show how many Americans are like this.
All of you mature, strong-minded, elite, educated, important, progressive, woke people opposed him, so that he had to gather support from us dregs and deplorables. Y'all have screwed it up long enough and badly enough. Your priorities are not America's. Sorry.
“Look what you made me do”.
Like I said - childish and weak.
Meh. Libertarianism is so obviously bullshit that if you’re stupid enough to believe in it, there’s probably no helping you.
Christ is King.
🥱 Praise be His Holy Name, but whatever heretical sect of Christianity has led you to sincerely believe Trump and Libertarianism are permissible doctrines to espouse will not save you from squealing, like a pig, as you burn in hell forever.
Spoken like a true casualty of psychological warfare
And with so much thoughtfulness and mercy
not
https://www.simplypsychology.org/psychological-projection-defense-mechanism.html
Or in other words, "Accusations are confessions."
The phrase "accusations are confessions" can often point to a broader concept where those in power use accusations to deflect attention from their own actions or to manipulate situations for their advantage. It can also reflect a situation where an accusation is made in such a way that it seems to imply guilt, whether or not there is any actual evidence to support the claim.
This idea is often associated with authoritarian regimes or situations where power structures manipulate public perception or the legal system. In such environments, accusations can be weaponized—used as tools to control or suppress dissent, justify actions, or shift blame. Sometimes, the accusation itself becomes the narrative that shapes people's understanding, even when the actual truth is obscured.
When someone in power makes accusations without substantiating evidence, it can serve as a smokescreen, distracting from the real issues. The person or group being accused may not have committed any wrong, but the accusation alone can tarnish their reputation or create a perception of guilt, regardless of innocence.
This concept also fits into the broader pattern of authoritarian tactics where those who challenge the status quo are labeled as threats, criminals, or traitors—often based on nothing more than political motivation. It’s a way to manipulate the situation so that the accused becomes the "confessor" without ever being given a fair chance to defend themselves.
In short, "accusations are confessions" can be seen as a reflection of the dangerous power of narrative and how accusations—whether true or false—can shape people's perceptions, enforce power structures, and silence opposition.
Two things can be true at the same time. Trump can be one who is as Bill described in private and as others have stated, gracious and generous in private. He can also be restoring our country to common sense in his own method publicly and I can only say it has been a glorious few months. Let him cook!
I voted for Trump in 2016 and never voted for a Democrat until 2022. I have a long, scraggly beard, two pick-up trucks (one is 25 years old), and I have long owned several firearms. I have no love for the excesses of the identitarian left or activist politics. That said, Trump *is* mostly what he's been described to be. It's on such graphic display every day and has been for a decade. (The theory of Trump by Never-Trump Republican types has to be one of the most vindicated in modern political history.) Though it may take time to see all of their prognostications to come to fruition, in time, they do with alarming consistency.
While I don't think we should cleans America's population of its "other half", whether via gulags or other means, no amount of progressive overreach will mean this emperor is now, or has ever been, wearing any clothes. You and "the other half of America" are free to insist he's clothed to various degrees, but I never have to accept your delusions. Yes, living like this sucks, but not because I'm blind. It sucks because it's "the other half of America", whether through ignorance, self-delusion, a hatred of the left or, or outright preference for all the authoritarian ugliness, that's blind to what is clear to the rest of the world. And it's very difficult to co-exist with such a population. It just plain sucks.
Your username is a long list of other countries’ flags. It stands to reason that you don’t like the guy who is doing things for Americans.
Oh, he's doing things for Americans, alright. It's just the things he's doing are making us poorer and less safe, at home and abroad. These are observable phenomena; one must intentionally turn a blind-eye not to notice.
Cutting government spending and deporting illegals is not making us poorer or less safe, so what is it you’re referring to?
Deporting people without due process makes everyone less safe because without due process, there’s nothing to stop them from deporting you. You’re a citizen? Prove it! But you can’t see a judge to do so. Oh, and even if we make a mistake, we won’t get you back. And once your rights can be so egregiously violated, you essentially have no rights at all.
Cutting foreign aid, less than 1% of federal spending, will make us less safe. We make friends by feeding poorer nations. Friends = good! We prevent the spread of disease before those diseases reach American shores. We keep adversaries like China out of those regions by being there first and doing good. Are farmers were being paid billions to supply grain that, once cancelled, will starve them of income as much as it will starve the impoverished around the world.
They are not cutting spending. Their budget is going to run up our debt even worse than he did in his first term. DOGE is just a show and a means to break the federal government for molding in Trump’s image. The damage they’re doing is far greater than any savings, which can’t even sufficiently dent the budget, deficits, or debt, because it’s a tiny fraction of federal spending.
Threatening allies with annexation, cozying up with dictators (e.g., Putin, Bukele, to a lesser extent Orban), levying economic warfare on the world, especially our allies (tariffs, in addition to taxing the domestic consumer, are an act of economic war), makes us less safe. Allies won’t want to work with us or share intelligence with us. The US, regardless of how people feel about their lives, is wealthier and more prosperous than any nation in history. This took place over the last 80 years. It’s a hard-won position that we shouldn’t have and once lost, cannot easily be regained.
There’s so much more to say, yet this has all been happening in front of your eyes. It’s been unfolding for a decade. If you don’t see any of what I’m saying or if you think that it’s all good stuff, there’s no point in further discussing with you. If you don’t see what I’m describing, then you’re either incapable or unwilling to see it. Otherwise, you see what I’m saying and you’re fine with it.
Hopefully neither you nor anyone you care about will find their lives turned upside-down by the politics of a delusional narcissist; an emperor with no clothes. If you do find yourself in that position, we’ll be ready to receive you on this side of reality. That is, if you’re willing to see it.
What does letting in 10s of millions of completely unvetted people walk across the border for years without due process do for safety?
What allies? What good is an ally who can offer no assistance? All of those “dictators” are democratically elected and wildly popular among their constituents. They are only dictators because they put their people’s interests ahead of the globalist project.
Thanks for confirming. Not enough time in the world, let alone to waste on conversations like this. Good luck to you and yours.
Good luck to all of the foreigners you prefer over your own countrymen.
Wow, Walternate—just wow. I think you more than answered his question—amazing response! It’s sad knowing it will fall on deaf ears.
“It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.”
~Mark Twain
Thanks for your comment. It helps me understand one of the points of view of Republicans. I have to do the same thing with a lot of Democrats. (I vote independently now.)
Keep believing your nonsense. Lying about Trump? Why don’t you explain what the lies are? How is anyone who speaks ill about Trump a liar? What exactly are the lies that we’re supposedly telling?
Maher said something very profound on Friday; “I find tariffs boring.” And Therein lies the rub. You and Maher don’t understand how the economy, or tariffs work; just like Trump, which is why it’s being destroyed so quickly.
So let me spell it out. What you saw last week will not be an anomaly. The bond market doesn’t lie. It’s showing that investors, who used to flee to a safe haven asset (treasuries) when the equity market start to tank, have decided to take their money overseas. This could spell the end of the dollar as the reserve currency. Our treasury bonds are considered risk free assets, but this may no longer be the case. And if so, our interest rates that investors demand to buy treasuries will rise exponentially, which would in effect, cost us almost double, or more to just SERVICE the DEBT! Let that sink in! Bottom line, it spells economic DISASTER!
That said, I bet you honestly believe Trump’s simplistic approach to problems and economic issues actually makes sense. However, like HL Mencken once said, “complex problems, have simple, easy to understand, wrong answers!” And Trump is the epitome of this quote.
And what do you mean “left”? And I’m no lefty; I have equal disdain for both political parties, so please elaborate? I see Trump for what he is; a know-nothing failure!
So why don’t you actually make a point, instead of spewing nonsense, without actually saying anything at all!
Do you believe that tariffs actually aren’t a federal sales tax? That Trump’s convoluted tariff reduction plan actually makes sense, when all evidence points to the contrary? I suppose you believe the economy is on the right track, and threatening our allies is a good thing?
I suppose you also believe that the $6 trillion lost in the markets since the election, is Biden’s fault? Right?
You do realize The rule of law” is disappearing? Was Pardoning the J6th insurrectionists a good thing, or maybe you just believe that they were hostages and hero’s as well?
Oh, and I bet you actually believe the COVID vaccine really has a GPS chip tracking every American, right? Or the MMR vaccines caused autism? And RFK Jr. and the religious right’s war on science is good for America? Or the destruction of the NIH will improve health outcomes?
How’s the high inflation this year that was supposed to be gone on “Day One” ? Or the Ukraine War has been solved on Day One? Or How’s the price of eggs?
Trump is destroying this nation, piece by piece, and what you call our “LIES,” is really your delusions of grandeur, and nothing but pure projection!
Mark Twain was right: “it’s easier to fool a man, than convince a man that he’s ever been fooled!”
Spot on, Robert. Every statement you made was accurate and provided the facts. I would love for someone to provide an argument in response to what you said but, sadly, most will not respond with any substance to back up their claims or “facts.”
Thank you. Unfortunately, they won’t see it until it’s too late. SAD!….:)
You have brilliantly expressed my very thoughts and trenchantly encapsulated my every sentiment in words and language that I (a writer and increasingly diminished fan of Maher) could never equal. Your turn-around time (what, one day?) for writing such master works of incisive commentary is also amazing. Keep it up!
It's beyond ridiculous to continue the 'Hitler' narrative. It is tiresome, it is trite, it requires no real investigation into the policies. It is 'chicken little' screaming over a President who is completely open to the press, who is cutting the scope and size of Big Government, who defends gun rights - despite having been shot! Hitler took away guns, Hitler took over the press, Hitler did not allow your specific kind of speech. If Trump were Hitler you would be arrested yesterday. Get off your insane high horse and attempt to objectively look at his policies, which you may disagree with but that does not make him or you Hitler. Please just stop already, it's enough.
Michele, I will invoke whatever historical comparison that I think suits my sense of a coherent understanding of the world. I assure you, I am unbothered by your protestation on this point.
When you see a political leader:
- try to subvert the result of an election to stay in power, including the use of a violent mob to disrupt the democratic process,
- later issue a pardon for the violent mob, even those that tried to kill his vice president and other elected officials,
- openly interfere with the Department of Justice by appointing corrupt officials to drop criminal charges against him,
- lay the groundwork for territorial expansion in neighbouring regions,
- demonise minorities with propaganda,
- deport people, including citizens, to prison camps with no due process,
- suppress free speech with government-back legal action against media organisations and law firms, and
- generally engage in the demagoguery playbook,
… then it’s straightforward to compare that leader to other demagogues.
Oh, horseshit!
Good contribution. You and 'Trapped in IL' would get along well.
-WRONG
-WRONG
-WRONG
-WRONG
-WRONG
-WRONG
-WRONG
-WRONG
You epitomise the MAGA mindset.
Thank you
Time for your invermectin shot before the MMA starts.
WRONG AGAIN
Why are you shouting?
Strawmaning as usual.
“Cutting the scope and size of Big Government”… not so much.
From the hippies at the Wall St Journal:
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-doge-government-spending-increases-5903992d
Maybe the bill for those El Salvadorian prison camps is too high?
Or maybe it’s the extra troops for the Greenland invasion?
I wonder if the Government should cancel those SpaceX contracts to save some money?
The WSJ are globalist neocons like all the rest.
You’ve got to be pretty far up your own ass to trot out the WSJ as some sort of dissident publication. 2004 called.
You’re still talking about “neocons” and then accusing others of living in 2004?
I’m sorry you didn’t get the joke about the Wall St journal. What did you think of the chart?
Neocons are alive and well they just wear blue ties now. And then there’s McConnell and co. still going strong.
What did you think of the chart?
I thought that much like all of the hand wringing about egg prices in February, it’s completely asinine to blame budget numbers from the first 3 months of his term on him.
But the whole idea of DOGE was to bring down spending immediately.
Don’t forget: DOGE has huge downsides. No regard for impacts of disruption, makes the US Govt look foolish and irresponsible when they have to reverse their decisions, tramples the Constitutional role of Congress, etc.
So if it’s not bringing down spending immediately, then that’s a total failure with huge unnecessary damage.
Speaking of which, do you blame him for not working with Congress to cut spending in a way that is consistent with the Constitution?
The premise of doge is that the president is the head of the executive branch and has jurisdiction over it. Liberal courts which went to no end to prosecute Trump with sham charges are doing what they can to stop him.
The expansion of the federal government was largely accomplished the dubious executive action and it stands to reason that that’s the only way it’s going to be reduced.
This is largely like the liberal strategy of actively facilitating the invasion of the country by 10s of millions of unknown immigrants and then clamoring about due process when anyone tries to undo it.
The premise of DOGE is to put on a cruel authoritarian show, rather than upholding Article 1 of the Constitution and the Impoundment Control Act: https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/a-primer-on-the-impoundment-control-act
Don’t give me that ‘sham charges’ nonsense. You know as well as I do that he committed serious crimes. If you had any sense of civic responsibility you should be appalled by the corruption that means he will avoid accountability for his crimes.
But you don’t have any such sense of responsibility. Your last paragraph gives you away: you’ve swallowed the culture war bait and you’ll ignore any atrocities by Trump as long as he plays to your sense of fear and prejudice.
His crime was not filling out the memo line of a check correctly, for which he was charged with dozens of crimes (past the statute of limitations) by a prosecutor who literally campaigned on the promise to charge DJT with “something”. It was clearly, obviously, a sham, politically-motivated charge.
The irony of course is that that court case did more to “damage Democratic institutions” than anything Trump has done.
And how do you propose that the size of the federal government be reduced? Or do you just think it should continue to expand in perpetuity until everything becomes the government?
Everything inside the state, nothing outside the state - Barack Obama
Mike, you know you’re touching a nerve and espousing the truth when you start getting the bots and the trolls jumping in. Kia kaha from New Zealand.
“he personalizes and humanizes Trump through anecdotes and shared laughter, leaving his audience emotionally soothed but morally unmoored. “
The left dehumanized half the country and lost the election. The author continues to advocate for it.
Bingo!
Do you feel dehumanized by this post? That statement? By "the left"?
One of the characteristics that many Trumpists share is a sense of relative deprivation. Trump often tries to identify with an aggrieved group and blame it on someone else. That's what a demagogue does, and Trump has been playing that game forever.
I am reminded of when clueless Bush Jr. looked into Putin’s eyes and “saw his soul.” That’s how narcissism works - it’s all a soulless image. Keep moving… nothing to see here.
These were my thoughts exactly. This is the hallmark of narcissism. The ability to charm and abuse. The charm is the secret to the successful gaslighting.
Beware to the dinner guest charmed by the reptilian tyrant.
Maher is an ass. Dinner with Hitler, because you know we are supposed to engage with the other side. He’s an arrogant, ignorant ass.
He used to have interesting people on his show. But he showed his true colors last night by berating his guest who criticized him for trying to make Trump look normal.
And this was just 5 minutes after Maher was making jokes about Trump ignoring SCOTUS on the El Salvador situation.
I am done with him and HBO should cancel him.
Want a tissue little girl? MAGA BABY, Unironically calling for cancel culture. Thats why your side fucking lost. And no HBO will never cancel him
Jack, you’re too stupid to capitalize your own name, so your opinions aren’t really relevant. You should try to be seen and not heard when the grownups are speaking.
There is truly no redemption for you and your completely deranged view of Trump. Wow! At this rate you and others like you on the left are going to be a very small minority in this country. There is zero self awareness, zero desire to try to understand different people and viewpoints and zero ability to see reality. Normalize Trump? He is normal. You are not. Good luck.
Despite 62 years in medicine and having had great mentors like Elizabeth Ross, I am stumped by those like you, who cannot see the forest from the trees or even see the trees. Make a list, if you will. Educate me (yes, I am being sarcastic) about the good things Trump has done in his role as POTUS. I would ask can think of anything "bad" that you believe Trump has done. But no worries about the latter since I can fill in any gaps you might manifest.
In medicine, good medicine or real medicine has a core concept called the Therapeutic Index (TI). It is a simple ratio. Benefits to the patient divided by Adverse effects to the patient. This TI concept can be applied to every aspect of life. Benefit to Risk ratio. Explain to me the wonderfulness of Donald Trump. Tell me how he has left this country and/or the world a better place for my son to grow up in.
In medicine, I have openly said to patients asking me about novel therapies: If I knew that horseshit worked to successfully treat an illness, I would start shoveling immediately. Tell me the good deeds of Donald J. Trump. Make me a convert. It would make my life easier and happier.
I did my own reading, so I’m thinking you should do yours. It’s not anyone else’s job to “make you a convert.” The idea is silly and lazy on its face. You don’t even have to become a convert; how about just shooting for becoming a critical thinker?
Here are two such deeds, for starters:
1- Deporting illegals.
2- Reducing staff in govt agencies.
Of course, you won't acknowledge those as good things, much less become a convert. But they were good things when Clinton and Obama supported them.
Skenny,
1. Deporting those who have entered the US illegally is certainly an accomplishment and the Biden (Democratic Party) did a terrible job in this regard. But you do not start shipping people to a prison in El Salvador or many such persons without due process--- that is the foundational principle of democracy. What if you, or a family member of yours, was outspoken about Trump and you hear they are in El Salvador for being an "illegal." You do not throw out the baby with the bath water. If you do something, you do it right.
2. Reducing the staff in government agencies, ESPECIALLY if this is simply a bloated agency with minimal function as to getting the job done, is a commendable action. But again, go beyond the superficial. Is stopping USAID and providing surplus wheat to malnourished children a bad thing? Is mucking. up the VA which should be be the most pristine government agency how we show gratitude for those who in the military? Is making Social Security a Tower of Babel by indiscriminately cutting staff something you think is a positive? Is costing those who are retiring a devastating loss in their 401K due to an absurd decision to impose tariffs than find an alternate solution to inequality in trade but don't ruin the lives of citizens who have worked all their life and paid into Social Security.
Yours is the superficial conclusions based on a lack of in-depth thinking that has resulted in the daily chaos we see with Trump et al being president. Go beyond the superficial and read, and read some more. We may never attain the absolute truth but we can certainly get closer to it than the MAGA element.
Thank you for your reasoned response. I had begun a reasoned response in reply, but going back to the acknowledgment that you won’t be converted, why bother.
You summarized an otherwise engaging conversation on merits with the assumption that I need to read more, presumably so that I might be as enlightened as you. I gather that you are a doctor, so obviously, you are more important than me. I am one of those patients who waits first in the waiting room, then again in a patient room because your time is more important than mine. And it goes without saying that you are smarter.
There is no defense for someone as middle-class as I am. Except to say that you smart, elite, important people have had your chance, and you screwed it up royally. So step aside, and give common sense a chance.
Skenny, I am not pulling rank. I fought my way since childhood to get a higher education. My father had a gas station, but he squandered what he earned (a lot of it) on alcohol. My mother was initially that and then later a hostess in a restaurant. I have worked since I can remember- washing cars for $30/month, cutting lawns, painting houses, and working as a janitor during summers off from med school. I could only afford a university because of a merit scholarship and another scholarship at the U of Chicago School of Medicine. Even in med school, I worked nights doing lab tests, hauling laundry, and assisting with autopsies.
I have been true to my profession, and my average time with a new patient was 3 hours, not the 30 minutes I got. My patients, 99% of them, adored me, and many have stayed in touch with me. I do not have any serious future due to a battle with a usually fatal malignancy, and my concern, God damn it, is not to convert you or anyone else. It is for anyone to look more in-depth, to understand past experience as it applies to the questions we face, to acknowledge how important context is, and to focus on benefits to risk for everyone.
▶︎ What I learned from experience and early on is that when you do a job, you do it right and not half-assed.
▶︎ What I have learned is that the expression "The devil is in the details" should have been "You get closer to the truth when you examine all the facts." Remember Dragnet, the TV show: "The facts, ma'am, just the facts." --Jack Webb in Dragnet
For sure, I am better educated than you, but I would never consider another's life less important. If I did so, it would be a violation of the very precepts of medicine that I love so dearly.
My sole purpose in spending time, and perhaps wasting precious minutes of my life, is because of the following:
• I have seen the beauty of close relationships among people, and my belief is that all of us, and Nature, are interconnected. This is what I consider humanity, a word contraction of "human" and "unity."
• I have done what I did in life with the desired endpoint being leaving the world a better place than I found it- that's called LEGACY.
• Through experience in my own life and stemming from being a voracious reader all my life, my creative gene has opened doorways to new insights in medicine that preceded others by an average of ten to 20 years. I am not alone with this gift; many have it. This involves being VISIONARY.
My family and I grew up in Queens, NY, in the very neighborhood of Trump's father, Frederick and Donald. The latter's life has been one of a grifter, a swindler, a liar, and a fraud that is well-documented by Wayne Barrett, a journalist who wrote newspaper articles on the corruption of the Trumps and wrote a book you should read. The litany of damage Trump has done is well-documented. This is not the path to LUV (Legacy, Unity, Vision) but to the demolition of the U.S. and all its people except the billionaires.
Try doing a search on Google: "What Fraud Has Trump Committed During His Life?" Do the same with Obama and other Presidents. They are all guilty of fraud, but the duration, amount and depth of what Trump has done outweighs that of Biden, Clinton and Obama.
Then go and do the same for Harry Truman (Democrat), and Teddy Roosevelt (Republican). Realizing journalism was not as investigative then vs now, note how scant the fraud was long ago and how political figures have become so corrupt. But the issue now is about RELATIVITY, and Trump is far more corrupt and dangerous than any other president of the United States (POTUS) we have had.
"The facts, ma'am, just the facts." --Jack Webb in Dragnet
Thanks again for a reasoned reply Dr. Strum. Our backgrounds are not that dissimilar.
When I was 14, I ran a full-service gas station one summer, opening and closing, 7 days a week, for $1/hr. I've worked nights and weekends in operations/technology positions. I've paid into Social Security (the largest Ponzi scheme in history) for 50 years, and they will still have most of that money when I'm gone.
That's the tip of the iceberg. Obamacare has cost me an extra $50,000 to $100,000. Another government disaster. I could go on....
My preference with respect to government is to be left alone. Government hasn't seen it that way.
Trump has one distinct advantage over the rest of these halfwits we've placed in the Oval Office. He's not a politician. He acts, where others are paralyzed. I'm willing to give him a chance, because for me, he offers more liberty than obligations and imposition. Otherwise, I have no one in DC representing my interests, and my primary interest of being left alone. I just don't need much from government.
Government hasn't seen it that way.
Twenty-five years ago, I said it was too late to save the grand experiment. Thus far, I've been proven right. It will take 4 years of Trump plus 20 more years of radical change to prove me wrong. I fear that won't happen. Most politicians and many judges exist to subvert the Constitution, after taking an oath to protect it.
Our recent path is unsustainable. Borrowing against our children's future financial viability is immoral. Our leaders are willing to trade our future for their current benefit. We're being robbed. They don't care if they turn the US into a pile of rubble, as long as they are on top of the pile.
Finally, you said you are better educated. I would suggest that you may be more educated, formally. But I read 100 to 200 books per year, recently completing 10,000 pages of the complete works of Mark Twain. Yesterday, my wife said I read too much, not long after you said I need to read more.
One thing is certain; I'm too educated to be content with the way our country is being run. It's past time for a change.
Skenny. First, it is refreshing to see that our exchanges are becoming more civil as we learn more about each other. This is what is wrong with social media and email- the human element (Hu) is not there. You do not see my face, nor hear my voice nor sense my sincerity. I opened and closed my dad's gas station many a time while he was sitting in Dutton's Bar & Grill, tossing down shots of Rye or Scotch whiskey. I fixed flat tires with tire irons and climbed under cars in a pit to change oil and grease the some 20 fittings, often burning my fingers on the hot crankcase lug to drain oil. I performed full service: windshield, gas, oil, transmission, radiator, and battery level. Sometimes, the patron would tip me a dime. As a medical student, I would often give blood for $25 a pint so I could afford to buy a steak.
I am glad you are a reader. You may wish to consider Madelyn Albright's book, Fascism, a Warning. We are in the throes of Fascism with Trump, Musk, an immoral GOP in Congress, and a Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), with a few justices that are more into wealth accumulation than caring about freedoms lost. Consider reading Wayne Barrett's book(s) on Trump: Trump, the Deals and the Downfall; Trump. The Greatest Show on Earth; or his many columns in the Village Voice.
Skenny, you said: He's not a politician. He acts, where others are paralyzed.
Trump is the consummate actor, but not only does he act, he does so recklessly when others' welfare are at stake. Look what Trump has said about those dying in battle or POWs: losers. Look what Trump was not doing when 4 deceased American military arrived at Andrews Air Base: playing golf. Yes, Trump acts selling guitars, facecards, coins, but selling out the public costing billions lost in retirement plans. Yes, Trump acts to deport Venezuelan gang members, allegedly, along with non-gang members and students from foreign countries, possibly wearing a hijab but speaking out in favor of Palestinians. Trump acts to appoint a total jerk as Secretary of Health and Human Services, and a former wrestling commentator with a high school education who does not know the difference between artificial intelligence (AI) and A1- but Trump acts. Trump alientated our allies, shared top secret documents with God knows who and extols the virtue of Putin and Kim Jong-Un and other dictators.
Skenny, when one acts and leaves the world a better place, that is worth talking about. Trump cares only about his own success.
"Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value." —Einstein
But I do esteem success as defined by Emerson and Bessie Stanley and others:
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of little children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you lived.
This is to have succeeded."
I also like the quotes from some of my patients:
"Communication will be the essence of our success or the reason for our failure. —Herb Sostek
"The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary." — plaque hanging on wall in my basement in W. Hempstead 1955
Lastly, if you wish a short read but one of vision, then listen to or read What We Must Demand For Our Democracy to Survive. This was written prior to the 2020 election by my son and I. It is on Amazon as paperback, eBook or audio book. If you have Amazon Kindle Unlimited the eBook and Audiobook are free. See the recommendations we made. Examples of some topics discussed are:
• Immigration legislation that not only increases border patrol and detection ability, but that is HEAVILY into VETTING. Those coming to our country and seeking to live here should have been vetted with background checks. No taxpayer money to non-citizens unless there is repayment with community service or some sense of equity. My grandparents and yours were not handed a free lunch, a free house, etc. A Democracy should be a Meritocracy.
• Climate change involving community-size nuclear reactors using safer isotopes other than uranium. Look at thorium. Also, look at hydrogen fuels. If you use solar, then provide meaningful incentives. Use creativity that is science-based such as white not black rooftops to reflect thermal energy and reduce temperatures such as in Almeria, Spain. Use conduits to move water to a new Great Lakes system and turn desert into organic farming and grass-fed livestock. Stop importing fruits and vegetables that are sprayed with cancer-causing pesticides and herbicides.
• Educate our citizenry with major increases in numbers of teachers and salaries and/or benefits for teachers. Decrease the cost of education and produce more professionals in healthcare (nurses, doctors).
These are plans that can change lives. This is the stuff of visionary thinking, not the spoofs we see being acted out by DOGE a la Musk and Trump with the Republican Party consent.
We agree on numerous things. I expect we differ in that you may respect government. I loathe government and most politicians, while I respect the Constitution and the country founded upon it.
There are a few things that the federal government is in the best position to manage, for example: the interstate highway system, air traffic, defense, and international trade.
I get nervous when the federal government has responsibilities for health care, health insurance, and education. I get mad when they bail out corporations, and otherwise pick winners and losers. The middle class almost always loses.
In 1860, a NY Times reporter observed of DC: “Out-of-the-way, one horse town, whose population consists of office-holders, lobby buzzards, landlords, loafers, blacklegs, hackmen and Cyprian – all subsisting on public plunder…The paramount, overshadowing occupation of the residents, is office-holding and lobbying, and the prize of life is a grab at the contents of UNCLE SAM’s till. The public plunder interest swallows up all others, and makes the city a great festering, unbearable sore on the body politic. No healthy public opinion can reach down here to purify the moral atmosphere of Washington.”
It's no longer an out-of-the-way, one horse town, but not much else has changed from that assessment. I will read your book, and leave you this thought:
"With the Constitution, the people were given the power to control their government (not vice versa). Unfortunately, it did not provide them with the sense to do so."
- Skenny, Substack, July 2024
Your background is impressive but there are many who have equally impressive careers and have different views. I respect yours.
Here’s what I voted for and Trump promised:
1. Closed borders/deport illegal aliens
2. Reduce government spending/eliminate waste & fraud/restructure govt to improve efficiency/ eliminate deficit
3. On-shore manufacturing
4. Make individual tax cuts permanent
5. Reduce business taxes
6. Increase energy capacity and production/stop the climate scam
7. Deregulation
8. Cancel woke culture (Transgender conversions for kids, males in female sports, DEI etc.)
9. End censorship of social media
10. Stop wars
11. Insist on allies to share defense burden
You may disagree with many of these but every one of them has a strong rationale.
So far in less than 100 days, he has tackled every single one of these with energy and forcefulness. I give him and his team an A+ for keeping promises, A+ for effort. Results to be seen. I am optimistic.
Nikhil, you said:
"You may disagree with many of these but every one of them has a strong rationale."
Me: Wrong Nikhil. I can agree with all of the above. But you have been conned by the wheeler-dealer, and, to use his own vocabulary, a pathologic liar like "never before."
You have not been to a communist country as far as I know (maybe your real name is Nikita and not Nikhil). You were not in the USSR (I think). You do not throw Ukraine under the bus and hand its people and Democracy to Vladimir Putin. You do not insult a country's honestly elected president the way Trump insulted Zelensky. You do not negotiate a deal of rare-earth minerals for aid to Ukraine. Yes, you do ask for Germany, Netherlands, the Scandinavian countries, etc to pay up a fair share into NATO. But you do not alienate allies and pay tribute to murderers like Putin, Kim-Jong-Un.
Agreed that Social Media has major/serioius downsides but you do not handcuff a foreign student on a visa for pro-Palestinian written or verbal statements. I think Trump is a Fascist, clear and simple. Do you imprison me, send me off to Louisiana or El Salvador without due process. The loss of due process is the first sign of Fascism. Do you take away free speech a la Marko Rubio? That is another side of a fascist regime. You you attack the Press as did Trump with the Associated Press, or attack the editor-in-chief for being effin stupidly invited to a non-secure top secret SIGNAL chat as did Mike Waltz by Trump's pick fo NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR.
I agree about the excessive emphasis on transgender issues, especially male transgendering to female and participating in women's sports. Ridiculous & should not be allowed. I couldn't care less if public restrooms were open to any sex as they have been in Europe for many decades. But I am sick of all the homosexulaity displayed in my face in the media, which I believe is part of the spectrum of how Hollywood has effed up morality and/or decency. Be a homosexual or heterosexual, but do not shove it in my face with TV ads or movies or other broadcasts.
Where you are wrong is on the energy issue. Climate change is not a scam. Disease and premature death from pollution of air, water, and earth is not and this is heavily detailed in many publications. There are ways to obtain energy using safer community-size thorium or other isotope reactors. Adjuncts like solar and wind (or tidal) energy are exactly that- adjuncts. The world context has changed and with it oceans have devolved, as has the ozone layer.
Your items #1 and 2 are legitimate, but not the way Trump is going about them, sending helter-skelter citizens and non-citizens to El Salvador or Louisiana without due process. That's fascist.
Reduce government spending by tearing apart and rendering inefficient every government agency is overkill. It would be like me seeing an obese patient and immediately deciding to put them on a starvation diet without first seeing where the problem(s) have arisen from. That example, Nikhil, deserves reproach: warning- warning: bullshit alert. But great example of putting the fox in the henhouse.
I do not know if we can find common ground between our views. I would welcome an open debate between you and me anytime. But I would speculate, that if I suggested we have a panel of fact-checkers to discern bullshit when spoken, you would not agree to this.
The devil is in the details. "The facts, ma'am, just the facts." Or, as Mike says, 2+2 =4 and there are 24 hrs in a day (unless you are on Mars).
Someday maybe we can debate and find common ground. Since you have already decided the outcome of Trump’s actions and I am willing to wait, it is a seemingly pointless exercise at this time.
Agreed.
But a fascist takeover is no time to "let's see what he does." If you see further evidence of such behavior, you may be living in Putin's Russia or Erdoğan's Turkey.
We will both see what has happened this time next month and the June thereafter.
▶︎ What has happened to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza?
▶︎ What is the state of the US and world economy?
▶︎ Are children still dying of measles?
▶︎ Is there any improvement in healthcare?
As is said, I will bend a knee or two if any of the above have been accomplished successfully.
I have to ask. Do you even know what fascist means? Your continuous use of the term makes me believe you are not serious.
OK, Steve. Here’s one thing that Trump has done that should get the attention of someone aged 62.
Fifteen years ago my financial advisor told me, as we were planning my retirement, that I should plan on a big cut in my Social Security benefits in the first half of the 2030s.
Now, I just asked Grok about that problem and here’s what he had to say:
“According to the 2024 Social Security Trustees Report, the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund is projected to be depleted in 2033. If no legislative changes are made, benefits would need to be reduced starting in 2034 to match incoming revenue, resulting in about a 21% cut to scheduled benefits.” His source is the bastion of progressive truth — none other than NPR. You probably trust them. (https://www.npr.org/2024/05/06/1249406440/social-security-medicare-congress-fix-boomers-benefits).”
I guess my financial advisor was prescient.
For the last 15 years no one in authority has attempted to do anything about this until Trump came along. He and his good bud and Grok’s boss, Elon, are trying to do
something about it.
If they succeed you won’t have get your benefits cut 21%.
Steve, in 2034 you’ll be 71 and drawing full SS benefits. Trump and Elon are doing you a solid. You should thank them for at least trying.
Have a nice retirement.
PS My bad. Just reread your post. “62 years in medicine” puts you in your 80’s. You’ve got nothing to worry about. 😀
Scott, please read my reply to Skenny since it also applies, in part, to your comment above.
• The devil is in the details. What Musk, acting illegally, and Trump have done is emasculate every agency with the excuse of improving efficiency.
- They have torn apart just about every agency to a degree to render them no longer able to accomplish their primary goals. Yes, for sure, there is too much gov't in gov't, but if you are an obese person harboring too much "fat" you do not chop off limbs to attain your ideal body weight. You do not create Towers of Babel in USAID, Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Medicaid, Medicare, National Security, IRS, Deptartment of Education, Dept. of Labor, The Office of Federal Contracts, FEMA, and others. For a comprehensive list, see Wikipedia at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_federal_agencies_targeted_by_DOGE
Wikipedia, to my understanding, is not controlled by so-called left-wing radicals.
What Trump has done with his obsession with tariffs has destroyed my 401K and those of millions of Americans. I am not counting on getting my Social Security Benefits in 2033, which I do get now, Scott, since my current age is 82.
What you and others have seen and been taken in by are Trump's proclamations about making real issues (e.g., sharing NATO expenses, more equitable trade agreements (major tariffs in S. Korea for American-made cars and vehicles), etc), but you are missing the horrendous damage he has done on his destructive path to "good" intentions. Like the old expression, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions," one needs to grasp the full picture, to see the rest of the story, and to realize the context to understand the destruction of Democracy by a rising Fascist president.
Very well stated, sir.
Nikhil, the truth is that you’re just a stupid old man, right? You’re shriveled and old, you’re probably going to die soon, so you think: “to hell with the world.” Such a disgusting sentiment, but what else should we expect from a kulak like you. I look forward to watching you scum lose everything.
You just proved my point buddy. This is now the typical lefty playbook. Cannot debate view points so goes straight for personal attacks! Now you’re going to say that Hitler survived and I am him! Hope the vitriol doesn’t dissolve you my friend! Have a good life.
Look everyone. We have a nasty one right here. Disrespectful jerk!
“Kulak” was the term Stalin used to describe anyone — primarily in 1930s Ukraine — that he was about to round up and either have shot dead while standing in their wheat field, or deported to a gulag where they would starve to death within six months. Which direction are we going here?
Yes, I’m aware, that’s what makes it a good slur. Thank you for the history lesson!
Talk about cognitive dissonance! You need to go outside and touch grass.
I Know! This author is nuts
Excuse me, sir. I will ban you from these comments if you do not desist with your rather unlettered and vulgar nonsense.
You have dug yourself into a hole so deep you can never come back to the surface of sanity … and you used words as the shovel.
What signal do you use to determine when you have flipped past the point of derision? Think about it.
He spent a thousand words on the shallowest argument. And I wasted 10 minutes of my time reading it. My loss is bigger than his.
Thank you for this. I was disgusted with Maher and his monologue. Doesn't he understand that narcissists can be charming when it suits them??
Nah, Lizzy No Wit, Maher was right on. Fuck the libtards
Go back to your cult of 47, you witless little troll
No, he doesn't. I am frequently shocked at how many people are not familiar with antisocial personality disorder and sociopathic traits....coupled with, as you said, narcissism.
I caught part of his interview with Bannon last night. It was curious to me that he was invited on the first show after the dinner. Bannon stuck to his usual gruff, noxious, threatening persona. Maher reacted skeptically to his claims (and threats) but didn’t really push back. Yes, Bannon is tough to interview. But would it have been different if Maher had not just returned from kissing the ring? Trump is a con man, so his dinner performance should not be a surprise.
IMHO, and this is just an opinion, he's melted his brain with drugs. He gets no respect from me. I do find it funny though that he considers himself an authority on how the rest of us should think. That part is funny.
I'm not on social media (to protect what's left of my fragile mental health), but I hope someone who is will forward this to Bill Maher. I enjoyed and was beguiled by his account of his dinner with Trump. Until I listened to this Substack I, like Bill, did not understand the dynamic and significance of Trump's personal charm. Then I remembered Trump is a sociopath and it is as if a light clicked on.
just wanted to say this is really well written effective communication
Meanwhile in Deerfield, Illinois school administrators are forcing girls to undress in front of a boy (something the Trump administration is seeking to stop) and you don’t give a shit. Who are the monsters?
Good point.