Depressing but good you have it written in black and white for all to see. I really do not understand why the Rep. congress and senate don’t part ways with this corruption. I cannot believe they value their jobs so much as to betray the people and constitution. Have they all been so morally bankrupt all this time?
I hope the victims come together and draft a message naming all of the names of the child rapists.
As one said on the mike yesterday, she can't afford the costs of defending against men with unlimited wealth, but there is power in numbers if all victims came forward and signed a statement.
There is no way that they could sue them all or even kill them all, one of the victims testified that she received a death threat, and was followed and harassed.
I've been asking Congress to hear from former case prosecutor AUSA Marie Villafaña, who prepared a sex-trafficking indictment against Epstein that was not filed. If he trafficked, to whom?
Also although Epstein lawyers Jay Lekowitz, Ken Starr and Roy Black passed away, their Epstein files should be subpoenaed, as he is dead and attorney client privilege died with him. Other lawyers working for Epstein at the time that Acosta gave Epstein the deal of the century were Alan Derskowitz, Marty Weinberg, Jack Goldberger, Darren Indyke and Jeffrey Schantz.
Acosta is supposed to testify, in secret, on the 17th. Acosta’s “non-prosecution agreement” immunized several of his alleged co-conspirators from federal prosecution, and Maxwell alleges she is one of them in her SCOTUS appeal. Maxwell was named in at least eight civil lawsuits alleging sex trafficking and abuse, filed by victims such as Virginia Giuffre, Sarah Ransome, Jennifer Araoz, Annie Farmer, and Jane Doe, as well as others.
Hopefully the Dems will interview Villafana and the others before they question Acosta.
Every person who used the spa at Mar a Lago during the time that Virginia Giuffre worked there is a potential witness. Same for her co-workers. What do the states' attorneys and AUSAs know about that?
You are a good source for leads to witnesses, Daniel. Please, let us find the attorney that will take the abusers to task. My guess is many in Congress are keeping their heads down and using Trump’s dodge as cover.
There will be be no trial. They, the victims, simply want to expose the perps.
What they have said is that if the discharge petition, sponsored by Massie and Ro Khanna doesn't go through and they don't get ALL of the Epstein Files, then using the speech and debate clause, which permits congress to speak without being sued, the names of all of the perps will be read aloud in Congress and on the record, probably by Ro Khanna.
If just a few concerned Republican senators showed a little backbone, then I believe that others, feeling some safety (from Trump and MAGA) in numbers, would join in, but until then, there is little hope from the party that lied and cheated for forty plus years to get where they are to change its spots.
"Speaker Mike Johnson said Thursday he doesn’t believe a bipartisan effort to force a House vote compelling the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents will succeed.
"Asked about the discharge petition led by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Johnson said he doubted they would convince enough Republicans to sign on."
The best meme I've seen was a tattoo of Epstein's face on top of the bruise of Trump's hand. The other bruised hand should have Putin's face on it.
The Chinese really know how to say FU to Trump and the rest of the world with a stomach-turning parade and a summit of despots. I hate that we have to rely on nukes to save our butts at this stage, but that's where we are.
It's beyond terrifying that the codes are in the hands of the Psychopath In Chief. Let's hope TRump understands the deterrent part of that. Toxic Masculine Model, Pete worships Dear Leader, so there is little hope there for common sense or decency coming from him. He probably made sure that the fly-over was extra loud.
Speaking of that, how sadistic do you have to be to keep bullying the women that you trafficked when they were girls? And he wants to go to "heaven"? I'm so proud of how brave, kind, and smart the survivors were at that presser. Bless them all, and keep supporting them. Lots of signs at the demonstrations about the Release the Epstein Files. See you in the streets.
I "liked" what you said yeasterday: They used the Super Models to lure the rich guys and pols to the parties. THEY were not on the menu, but the teen models were. These kids were told no parties---no bookings. I saw a highly paid model's interview on Shaun Attwood that told this exact story.
These damn super models are still around; so are Clinton, Ehoud Barack, Gates, Dershowitz, musicians, comedians, scientists, and politicians. Hell, Melania knows all about trafficking, especially victims from the eastern bloc countries. Lots of 14-17 yr olds alone in America.
Time for people to testify and face the music, or plead the 5th.
Thanks Daniel. Just wrote the Luther Campbell interview story again under "Sir Okie's" comment. He saw TRump host a party at HIS facility. He left the party, because he knew it was a trap.
He tries to backtrack from that interview. Imagine the fear---thousands of silent people. Yet, those women stood their ground yesterday! They are proving their strength. They are also proving your point about peeling off a few Republicans in Congress. There are some fantastic ones outside of Congress that are fighting with us.
Of that parade alis. As a former drill sergeant. I know what to look for and I paid very close attention.
First the soldiers were all of the same height, impossible unless especially chosen, then there was not one misstep, not one lagging head turning, not one arm swing that wasn't perfectly cooridnated
And the performance of the squads, peeling off from formation on command, running in formation to their vehicles, entering the vehicles at the same exact moment, closing doors and ramps in unison bespeaks an army that has been practicing under rigid discipline for months if not a year, until every thing is baked in to muscle memory.
You can have a parade army or a fighting army, but not both. If they have a fighting army, it was not on parade.
There is also youtube showing how they are taught to march in perfect lockstep with the exact same stride, it is muscle memory.
It seems the Nazis did a pretty good job of both. Meanwhile, our "military" parade looked like a cross between Hogan's Heros and Beetle Bailey. And the Chinese are definitely ahead in the tech race: ILikewise, I noticed today that most of the people behind the race to the Moon have pretty much given up on beatng the Chinese . After that, we're going to fall further and further behind. This is what happens when you gut science.
It looks like the Yuan is going to replace the dollar, the world is dedollarizing.
Our military was a fighting army, navy and air force, but Trump and Hegseth has turned into a police force. We already had a problem in defense. Our command structure was great, we had the worlds best NCO corps, who could take initiative and make on the spot decisions. Our top sergeants would be field grade officers, even generals in any other army. Seriously. As a team leader, I made all decisions, I was given an objective, a mission, how I carried out was up to me and my sergeants, and when I was a sergeant, my leader depended on me and my judgment.
That is not the way it works in Russia, China or even the former Soviet states, there you don't shit unless told where and when, sometimes how. There is no initiative, the troops are motivated by the FSB or Security squad behind them that will cut them down if they don't go forward
In WWI, officers carried pistols, not rifles, the purpose was to shoot defectors and those that wouldn't go over the top. We learned.
Now under Hegseth, you have a Christian nationalist armed force infected by the Dominionist virus in it's Generals and senior officers. The Air Force and Navy are the worse.
The Navy just committed an act of war, shooting at and sinking a Venezuelan Vessel, and I heard that it wasn't running drugs. I can assume that the Navy is under orders to start a war.
It is the most anti Woke, anti DEI of all of the services, pulling books out of academy libraries is the tell, firing black and female Generals and flag officers is the tell and where is the outrage.
Back to our military preparedness, our whole defense structure is centered around corporations like Raytheon, McDonnell Douglas, Boeing, and involves billion dollar contracts, prototypes, fine tolerances/ Our Patriot anti missile system uses antiquated million dollar missiles to shoot down thousand dollar drones, and ten thousand dollar missiles.
The Ukrainieans do the same job with off the shelf, modified hardware, you can find on line. They have build their own medium range cruise missiles, with AI guidance that doesn't depend on radio waves that can be jammed, like the Flamingo, and you don't hear a word of that in our media.
Our own armed forces have a one or two year proving ground protocol for adoption of new equipment, whose specs are so specific that the thing is overpriced.
If seriously interested in the latest news, developments and equipment coming out of the Ukrainian armed forces and their fight against Putin, spend the $50 and subscribe to medium.com
Biden and Trump wouldn't give them the ability to reach behind the front lines, so they took it on their own and developed their own drones, missiles and tactics.
They even launched a drone attack on an air base in Siberia., they are blowing up radar stations, missile launch sites, command and control sites, refineries,munioton and oil stores behind the front lines. Commando raids on radar and communication facilities in Crimea.
1 Million Russian casualties, they lose almost 2,000 a daythrown into the meat grinder by Putin. Putin is so desperate that he has to recruit Africans, Asians and Chechnyans, the Chinese are there too, not on the front line, but in the rear with equipment and tech support
And our military,under Hegseth, fumble fucks around purging DEI programs, material and personnel., while trying to start a war with a third world nation.
Trump will never have his China style parade, we can't afford a multi service parade army. And the reason that his birthday parade was a joke, because the commanders were not MAGAts, and even gave the command Route Step, March, it was an embarrassment and so will the next parade be an embarrassment because he hasn't remade the military into a clone of Russia's or China's. yet
And he can't unless he re institutes the draft, and cuts pay and allowances by one hell of a lot,then the military will most certainly rebel, drag their heels or sabotage.
That we are targeting Venezuela is without question. Of course, ever since our puppet was overthrown (we certainly do like our Hispanic American. That they have the highest proven oil reserves (though some say it's the US instead) in the world. Oh, wait.. Iran comes in third. Oh wait... Iraq comes in in fifth. Oh wait,.. ARAMCO stands for Arab-American Oil Ompany (and yes, I know we don't run the show anymore). Nothing to see here. Move along.
One wonders how we know for certain that the boat was run by the cartel and was smuggling drugs. It seems quite possible, but" quite possible" is a poor excuse for killing people. It could have been intercepted by surface ships but that doesn't look very exciting on the evening news, Not that anybody watches anymore..
We only know what the Trump regime tells us, so why do we chose to believe anything they say.
We are going to have to get the real news from BBC or Al Jazeera, anything but US sources, well maybe Democracy Now.
It was an act of war any way you look at it, and the US Navy has been thoroughly Trumpfied.
Venezuela is a problem of our governments creation. Chavez looked at the immense oil deposit and said, that belongs to Venezuela, not ExxonMobil, so Exxon Mobil does what every large corporation from United Fruit, and Coca Cola has done, it used is money muscle to have the President, task the CIA and DOD to remove that pesky man.
We have a long history of using our CIA and DoD in the service of corporations and cartels.
The Iraq war was, in part one such instance, there were other factors involved.
Daddy Bush used the DoD to invade and arrest a bag man, Manuel Noriega.
They were happy with him so long as he laundered the money from the cocaine trade, and most certainly played a role in Iran Contra and Operation Snowfall (the CIA's use of cocaine to fund the Ayatollah Khomeini in his war with Saddam, weapons supplied by Israel, paid for by drug users.
Chavez had to go, they tried coups even used US Mercenaries, and all foiled, so the president resorted to sanctions, the upshot is that these actions have forced Venezuela into the arms of Puin, just like the embargo and sanctions forced Fidel into the arms of Kruschev.
Thanks to the influence of international corporations, the US Government has been used to create enemies everywhere, and now Trump is working on overtime and at warp speed.
Iran is a problem only because MI6 and the CIA overthrew Mossadegh, Khomeini's revolution was fronted by France, because they were left out of the original deal. They gave Khomeini safe passage,sanctuary and used French diplomatic pouches to smuggle in the casette tapes that brought down the government.
The French equivalent of the CIA, the Direction générale de la sécurité extérieure (DGSE), or General Directorate for External Security, played a starring role in the Khomeini drama. If only Total S.A. (the French oil company) had been cut in on the action.,we might not have a mullahcracy in Iran.
Not a whole lot of people now alive know of Mosssadegh. And Iranian oil. And our placing a dictator/king/Shah back on the Peacock Throne after overthrowing a democracy. Honestly, this government, regardless of who's in the Oval Orifice, has always chosen dictators over democracy.
And then there's Batista.
I wonder what the world would be like today if we had exported our democracy instead of overthrowing it whenever it suited our Grand Plan.
Yes, Drill Sergeant! I knew there was something familiar about your attitude.
What it boils down to is when you have a billion men and women to pick from, and they can't say no, I guess you can have every type of troop and army you would want. Hope the show-ponies get some perks, because I remember how hard and boring that crap was along with a stress fractured foot. One thing good about it, it definitely makes you want to kill.
Only a drill sergeant for three years and that was 62-65, sure gave me a big advantage many years later when I went through officers training, but what works in basic training doesn't work outside of basic training.
My attitude was formed by a career in special ops.
I don't think the PLA parade troops will be doing any fighting, if anything they would be sent in as last minute reserves..meat into the meat grinder as in Russia.
Most notable is that the whole spectacle from uniforms to grand marshal entrance mimics The Soviet Army, as does Putin's Army.
I wonder if Putin is using his parade army as meat in Ukraine.
Trump is an "A #1" Race Hustler. That is where he gets his juice.
He divided the nation by race and got his party and John Roberts, and John's 5-member USSC Klan to obliterate the so-called "lesser" races' votes. An ongoing project what w/ gerrymandering in full public view..
The key to Trump's toppling is to prove that he LOVES minorities, if [and Only If] they are popular and rich.
Just expose his documented history. He's a star-effer, no matter their race. He went to bat for Mike Tyson when they convicted him of rape, for example. He was sexually linked to a Black newswoman. She was TV-famous. So . . .
Just prove it to the Loomers, Murdochs, Scarboroughs, Hannitys, and Carlsons, then Bob's your uncle. Rubbish-Trump'll be done and dusted. Forever.
He's a user of minorities, whether he Loves or Hates them.
The Central Park 5's only Real problems? They were broke and not celebrities.
There may be an explanation for that. Look-up the Luther Campbell interview. He's a rapper for those that don't know. Back in the 90's TRump invited him, Mike Tyson, and Eddie Murphy to a "party" at one of his Florida places---even sent 3 separate limos to pick them up.
TRump took them on a little tour and then left them to "enjoy". Luther said there was no music, but there was booze, drugs, and YOUNG girls. They were supposedly from one of the pageants. He found them to be in various rooms doing all kinds of things with all kinds of men. He described it as something out of the movie Eyes Wide Shut.
As soon as he figured out what the deal was, Luther grabbed his limo and got away. He was sure about the blackmail and extortion trap involved. Tyson knows stuff and so do thousands of other people. I sure hope those women release their own lists.
By the way, I've heard Luther try to gloss over what he said, you can bet he is scared.
Okie, the Loomers, Murdochs, Scarboroughs, Hannitys and Carlsons have their own agenda, and Trump is a tool by which to achieve their agenda, even if it is only being a multi millionaire.
Murdoch said that he isn't red or blue but only green. That is a lie, he and his family have more than enough green to sustain them and their heirs forever.
Murdoch has an ulterior motive beyond money, so does Carlson and Loomer, Scarborough and Hannity I would say it is social and fiscal survival and money.
Carlson is a Swanson heir, set for life, he has an ideological agenda. Ideology transcends politics. Religion is an ideology, racism is an ideologym classism is an ideology.
I wrote, among other things, that Trump apparently thinks he can pull off this it’s a Democrat hoax whopper single-handedly. His performances so far reek of dry flop sweat as he repeats two word tag-lines. I wonder if he’s using Kontane’s Flop Sweat stopper product to stay dry when creating his hoax hoo-ha.
The key is the Epstein tapes, fully exposed. The victims of Epstein and his structured cabal yesterday displayed far more courage than the whole of congress. Greene and the three others displayed more guts than the whole of their political mates. Congress now sits on the conscience fence, fear ridden to their bones. When Republicans see Schumer tell dems to just sit back in elitist, superior smuggery and wait for MAGA and Trump to self-implode by too-far, too-much aggressive excess--the old, tired, now terminal ploy used by the party that caused elections of Gore, etc to not be challenged, but to play the high ground--are hugely destructive and should be shit-canned. Congressional republicans sitting on the fence, watching, their wet fingers in the air. Then there is Pelosi telling all to ignore the tapes and concentrate on things more salient, like "financial matters". These comments give congress' Republicans pause when they might have jumped off to the good side. These high ranking sitting dems are far from helping this opportunity. They help congressional Republicans stay stuck.
1. Both Shumer and Pelosi support opening up the Epstein records. False analogies. Pick on Republicans.
2. We are a minority. We have an immediate window of opportunity, starting with Trumpepstein. We may never get another chance.
Psychologically, it's the toe in the water.
Can ask for common issues. Ukraine. Loss of jobs. Tarriffs. PAYGO (unforseen consquences of the Big Crappy Bill).
Meanwhile there are a number of bipartisan bills. I listed the ones from the problem solvers the other day.
Press conference yesterday. unreported by MSM.
"A bipartisan group of House members are unveiling a compromise bill Wednesday afternoon to ban stock trading by individual members of Congress and their families.
"The legislation, titled the Restore Trust in Congress Act, is expected to combine and reconcile several previously introduced bills to ban congressional stock trading by members of Congress, according to an advisory.
"Reps. Chip Roy (R-Texas), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) are among the members set to be present at the press conference."
No Daniel we are in deep shit because of our old so called leaders, we don't need more of their milquetoast cowardly bullshit, We need fearless fresh blood, willing to storm the castle.
What happens to inept, incompetent and corrupt Generals and officers, they are fired and replaced.
The restore trust in congress act is a non starter, it will never pass, nor get past the senate. It is performance art.
TThe Problem Solvers Caucus was an initiative of the political organization No Labels, which was its initial funder. Since its founding, a significant portion of its financial support has come from individuals and organizations in the financial industry, with some members also having affiliated Political Action Committees (PACs) No labels tried to interfere in the election on the side of Trump
You champion Fitzpatrick from Pennsylvania, because he co sponsors a pro union bill, he is also an anti choice misogynist. He has political reasons, not ideological, for championing that bill.
We need to replace the old guard with fighters that don't sell out to donors.
The old guard (Centrist) Democrats don't want to rock the boat and offend the ReTrumplicans, so all of the GOP do-badders, like Reagan (Iran Contra,) Dick and Dubya (9/11 and Iraq) and Trump are off the hook. Progressive Dems would have been fighting them all, but didn't have the cooperation of the (still) middle-of-the-roaders.
A lot of that has to do with the donor slop trough, both parties slop from the same trough, except the Republicans slop first and Democrats second.
Bernie Sanders proved that if you motivate the voter, the public, you don't need donor cash,. but the DNC is addicted to donor cash,many of them personally benefit from connections with the donors, When they leave congress who do you think hires them.Same with the Generals and colonels, I know of a Senior NCO that was recruited by Motorola, because hey thought he had influence within his command
Wrong translation Daniel, your ability to translate is hampered by your ego and ideology. Sure bring Republicans on board, as many as we can, but don't rely on Republican defectors to end it.
Most are scared shitless of Trump or are the ideological simps that helped put him in power.
MAGA is simply the Tea Party plus.
Work the Republicans, and work the people we can walk and chew bubble gum.
"Both Shumer and Pelosi support opening up the Epstein records. False analogies" Nice try. Pelosi acted exactly as I reported, trying to discredit the importance of the tapes by telling all to ignore them to concentrate on more impotant "financial" issues. Mountain high hypocrisy here, considering Pelosi's personal "financil" issues. After telling all to ignore the tapes, she shape'shifted into a crow flying in an opposite direction. Pure personal self saving reversal. Shumer suggested the tapes were not important, later correcting course, I am sure following Pelosi's lead. He laps her feet. My analogies were far from False. "Pick on Republicans". The first time I ever did not was in
recognizing Greene and crew for yesterday's actions. To be fair, I call them as I see them, case by case. But you are an absolutist for the existing Democratic Party, I support cleansing the party, starting with Pelosi and Shumer. I am not alone. Also. I addressed the tapes as singularly important, crucial, as they have already put a serious Crack in the damage wall. Your going on about all the others gains to be made actually distract from the tapes and their unique power of importance. At this point, concentrate on the tapes. Certainly Trump is.
"I am not an absolutist." Anybody who defends the sitting democratic party with little to no criticism the way you have can easily be recognized as an absolutist. I prefer adamently blind loyalist. Your statement that infers that I 'don't know what I don't know ' moves from the discussion I have made against your denial-ridden shifts to this pejorative put down. It is pure slur. Fuck that. I have noticed that your m.o. is to inundate with volume, to flood your posts with info, sites, sources that often leave the discussion at hand, obfuscated by your volume. I have often reasoned you just want to be excessivey recognized, but that is unfair, since your motivations are pure in the political sense. But your controlling issues are evident. And, again, in the case of the Epstein tapes, isolating the focus on them, moving the camera in closer, ignoring Trump's efforts to distract from them, forgetting all other political tangentials will be crucially important because this is a jewel of opportunity for gathering new needed voices.
Amazing! It makes me think of the saying about Walter Chronkite and the Vietnam War. This would go something like "when you loose MTG you've lost the nation."
I am so glad that I am 86 years of age, have health problems. I won't have to try and survive the tyranny that is descending upon us (descending? Descended)
Not only the autocratic regime in which we already mired, but the whole world has turn against us.
Trump has alienated our allies, is working to hand Putin Ukraine, is alarming the Muslim world
And even his friends Xi,Un and Putin have formed an alliance against him, or have they?
If China was an enemy, then why has he proposed 600,000 student visa's for Chinese? And that's for starters. These students come in and are intelligence operatives, and the Chinese government even set up a police station in NY to keep track of and arrest dissidents.
Current estimates are that global warming will do us in by 2050
A 2020 study published in the Yale Journal of Industrial Ecology warned that under a "business-as-usual" scenario, a societal collapse could be triggered around 2040.
End of the century: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects a global average temperature increase of 2.7°C by 2100 under current policies, leading to a "cataclysm of catastrophes". In a worst-case scenario with continued accelerating emissions, the IPCC warns that temperature could increase by 4.5°C to 5°C.
The Atlantic Overturning Meridonial Current (AMOC), which warms America and Europe, and feeds other currents like in the Pacific is expected to collapse within the next decade or two at current rate of emissions.
The light at the end of the tunnel is that this means it will be a short victory and reign for the racist,theocratic, plutocrats. and their underground bunkers and cities won't save them either
Maybe, if there are any survivors, we can start anew and do it better. I doubt it, man's nature is the problem.
There are many people like Charles Hapgood and GrahamHancock, who have looked at the anomalies and enigmas of the mysteries stone works, like polygonal blocks, and the underground cities of Malta and Anatolia, not to mention Puma Punka and Gobleki Tepe and thheorized that there were other civilizations before us that were wiped out. Many cultures, like the ancient Egyptian and Maya said so., and in our epoch Although not a global event, a significant human population bottleneck occurred in the northern hemisphere during the Younger Dryas cold period (approximately 12,800 to 11,600 years ago)
around 900,000 years ago, only about 1,280 breeding individuals survived an event, a situation that lasted for over 100,000 years
Adebated topic, the cataclysm most famously associated with shrinking the human population to as few as 25,000 individuals was the Toba supervolcano eruption around 74,000 years ago. The Toba catastrophe theory suggests this event caused a "volcanic winter," leading to a severe human genetic bottleneck.
Nothing is permanent, dictatorial regimes don't outlast the personality behind the regime.
The Kim's of North Korea solved that problem, by deifying Kim Il Sung, passed on to his heirs.
Trump isn't deified, and the powers that be will not condone coke head Jr. There will be a fierce battle, and project 2025 will survive. It has done it's job, and there is nothing to replace it.
America runs on an institution, the institution created by our Constitution has been disassembled,deconstruct and is being replaced by a new institution,
An institution created by the commercial, financial and technocratic powers and supported by an ignorant, fearful and easily manipulated large portion of the middle class
Some archeologists have even suggested that maybe the ancient Indian city of Mohenjo Daro was destroyed by atomic warfare - because of the still high radiation. So yeah, whatever happens politically and militarily may not matter for long, as long as we have global warming, atomic bombs and overpopulation staring us in the face.
I am aware Richard. Archaelogists have found ancient plumbing in Iran, Iraq and Asia, and they can't explain the technology used in Peru and Chili, not just for stone work but building aqueducts and Qanats and mind boggling the same technology was used in ancient Iran, the hardest part to explain is that the Qanats trace the route of subsurface rivers, how in the hell did were they able to trace a subsurface river.
There is an aqueduct that brings water from the Andes, for hundreds of miles, and the trick with an aqueduct it has to be build at a precise grade, IIRC, it is 1.3 degrees otherwise the water pools or overruns the boundary.
Puma Punka and Tiwanka in Bolivia are stone work and architecture that modern science and engineering can't explain., not for peoples whose technology depended upon stone tools, antlers and bones.
It is likely impossible for America to take the Moral high ground this time around, as we actively support genocide in the Middle East while pretending to support Ukrainian and Taiwanese independence. Our leaders today are more corrupt than usual. Whenever voters object, even Republicans, those in power merely condescend with gaslighting and outright lies. Although we see the courts declaring illegal most of Trump's reckless and impulsive edicts (evidence of senility), nothing changes, and our global tariff embargo continues to erode our economy.
A life of Trumpruption has taught our president that he can keep legal attacks in court almost infinitely with serial appeals. The only way this might stop is with political or actual death. Either so many vote to replace Congressional MAGA toadies with Democrats that MAGA vote-fixing will not succeed and impeachment will finally happen, or Trump has a stroke. Thus, it looks like it might be up to Colonel Sanders and Ronald McDonald to save the USA from fascism.
Tom I eschew the use of such emotionally laden words as genocide, they are used for propaganda value and thrown around like rice at a wedding. Inappropriate use, renders the term meaningless. What is happening in Gaza does not meet the definition of genocide,even by the loss UN definition, as Israel is not trying to eliminate in whole or in part Arabs and Muslims, And that is what those who live in Gaza are.
On the other hand the Arabs, the Muslims do want to obliterate not just Israel but the Jews, for that is in the HAMAS covenant and in their religious texts.
Until Trump, Netanyahu, Ben Gvir etc talked about cleansing Gaza of it's inhabitants it was simply a war, where HAMAS is using civilians and hostages as human shields, to makeIsrael look like monsters, when they are the monsters.Now it is monster versus monster, because Trump et al want to ethnically cleanse Gaza so they can build libbutz and Mediterranean resorts.
Killing off an entire people (genocide) is one thing, removing them (ethnic cleansing) is another.
Let's reserve Genocide for real genocide like the one that Putin is waging against Ukraine, the genocide in Sudan, the Genocide in Rwanda, and other genocides
Sorry for the ong-windedness below. This is from the United Nations. It seems to me that this is specifically what is happening in Gaza.
Definition
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
Article II
In the present Convention, genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:
Killing members of the group;
Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;
Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;
Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.
Elements of the crime
The Genocide Convention establishes in Article I that the crime of genocide may take place in the context of an armed conflict, international or non-international, but also in the context of a peaceful situation. The latter is less common but still possible. The same article establishes the obligation of the contracting parties to prevent and to punish the crime of genocide.
The popular understanding of what constitutes genocide tends to be broader than the content of the norm under international law. Article II of the Genocide Convention contains a narrow definition of the crime of genocide, which includes two main elements:
A mental element: the "intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such"; and
A physical element, which includes the following five acts, enumerated exhaustively:
Killing members of the group
Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group
Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part
Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group
Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group
Which ever side (if either) is responsible for genocide (for which we certainly qualified by atomic-bombing Japan,) Hamas could stop the killing right now (and could have, at any time) if it were willing.
By today's standards, and the moaning and whining, the U.S, Russia and Britain committed genocide against the Germans and Japanese. The Russians against the Poles.
Most probably yes. Did you see this fucking serial liar of farage adressing congress? Comparing HIS country (UK) with north korea!! Awful LIE! This fascist on the move is a mini trump that needs of nurturing to grow and grow. He screwed (with billionaires friends) UK out of EU. Brexit. A huge failure. They are like cancer cells. Wake up folks! Is is a fight, a war! If you do not kill em they will kill you. No pasaran
The faux orange flatulator in chief is about as far from FDR or Lincoln as you can get. It appears the world WILL return to its norm of authoritarianism and brutality, with small holdouts in Europe, Asia and Latin America slowly forced into the same mold. We were a brief bright spot in history, it seems, hardly unblemished, but better than most. Aspirationally unique. That is gone, and as so many of our occupants (I cannot call them "Americans" as they lack any understanding of what that is or means) seem to support what is happening, I do not see a reversal coming. It is selfish of me with a lovely grandson who will have a hellish adulthood, but I am grateful to have lived my actual life (I became severely disabled in 2002) in the last half of the 20th century. This century has been extremely ugly so far, and promises to get far worse. I only hope I will not be here much longer to watch the horror show. It is psychologically soul-draining. Especially as I am in no position to do anything about it but vote and write comments.
The culmination of this current 80-year cycle was described succinctly nearly 30 years ago by William Strauss and Neil Howe in "The Fourth Turning." The only surprise here is the swiftness with which it's happening. And plenty of otherwise good people in the States are defending this crap--I see it on FB every day. Those of us who know better need to make as much noise as possible EVERY DAY.
Trump is a symptom, not a cause. His weakness isn’t what might destroy America. It’s our weakness – the indulgence of delusion, the fetish for strongmen, the willingness to let lies roll by unchallenged because it’s exhausting to fight every day. Guess what? Democracy is exhausting. The price of freedom isn’t just eternal vigilance, it’s showing the hell up, even when it’s raining, even when the ballot lines are long, even when you think your one vote doesn’t matter.
A democracy isn’t a spectator sport. It’s not Netflix; you don’t get to tune in when it’s spicy and mute it when it’s messy. Every apathetic voter who shrugged, every cynic who said “both sides,” every centrist who thought compromise with fascism was wisdom, they greased the rails for Trump’s wrecking train.
"Nonetheless, we all need to do everything we can to restore decency and democracy to America — including exposing Trump’s crimes, so he can no longer be threatened or blackmailed by Putin, et al — and stand against this new Axis of Tyrants. There really is no other option."
I'll take a hard truth over a comfy fairytale every single day. That's how we begin to make things better.
Trump is a very immature and emotionally disturbed child, 6 years-old or so, who has been gifted a loaded gun by a well-meaning but inattentive uncle. Trump, child that he is, is physically more than capable of pulling the trigger, and totally ill-equipped, psychologically and intellectually, to make either a rational decision not to or to consider the consequences of his actions. So, yes, under his "watch" the destruction of the Union is a distinct possibility. Based on what occurs daily (hourly?) we are well into the process.
The result? A clusterf**k of the highest order. There are no clear lines of demarcation, all the good guys over here and the bad'uns over there. Texas, for instance, saw 42% vote for Harris. while in California 38% voted for Trump. Any division will be incredibly messy. Or, consider where California gets its water. In Southern California virtually all of it (contrary to Trump's proud boast regarding freeing this simmer's agricultural water into barren ground) comes from the Colorado. Most of its drainage runs through red states. Regarding Northern California, ALL of it originates in red counties, as does the vast majority of the state's vegetables, fruits and nuts. Trouble ahead? Nah.
The West Coast tri-state alliance can handle the a-holes in California, especially if they need food. I can envision a reverse Oregon Trail too. Washington has their share of them, but Idaho can have them.
Seriously Robert, the grim reaper is going to take care of this along with the change in demographics. Most of us won't live to see how they figure it out, but I hope we live to see the post-TRump part, where
The a-holes are the ones growing the food. Resistance on their part will be aided by the Reds, who not only will want the food, they will also want to dominate the West Coast. Should be fun. Good to be 80.
Oregon has its fair share of a-holes as well, as does Washington. Another thing the a-holes have is the Columbia River. What they don't have is the manufacturing base. What the Coast doesn't have is raw materials, waster and food. Hence, the clusterf**k. A peaceful realignment would benefit all.
And then there are the nukes. You know, ion order to save the West Coast we had to incinerate it. Some tropes never die.
The failure of the GOP to end corruption in the face of public opinion. Krasnov is happy to see the end of American influence towards democratic principles worldwide. In fact the end of parasitic siphoning of essential life force is becoming something everyone is becoming aware of. The lack of self love some have make energy vampire or siphoning that drains people unaware of such actions. Parasitic actions is becoming more open in the world. The masks are dropping. Life force draining will make those who are famous but act in such ways lose their status. Many will find themselves upended. And they should be. The good will prevail and the truly poor will become evident. This is what happens when a planet ascends. The karmic world ends.
Depressing but good you have it written in black and white for all to see. I really do not understand why the Rep. congress and senate don’t part ways with this corruption. I cannot believe they value their jobs so much as to betray the people and constitution. Have they all been so morally bankrupt all this time?
Many of them privately would but they are intimidated. It's up to us to pressure them.
Once sexually abused as children, they speak out telling us all we need to know. Call your Congress people. These abused speakers have the names. Trump is clearly a complicit abuser. There is more to expose with this administration. https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/vegas-joint-ops-child-sex-decoy-stings?r=3m1bs
I hope the victims come together and draft a message naming all of the names of the child rapists.
As one said on the mike yesterday, she can't afford the costs of defending against men with unlimited wealth, but there is power in numbers if all victims came forward and signed a statement.
There is no way that they could sue them all or even kill them all, one of the victims testified that she received a death threat, and was followed and harassed.
I've been asking Congress to hear from former case prosecutor AUSA Marie Villafaña, who prepared a sex-trafficking indictment against Epstein that was not filed. If he trafficked, to whom?
Also although Epstein lawyers Jay Lekowitz, Ken Starr and Roy Black passed away, their Epstein files should be subpoenaed, as he is dead and attorney client privilege died with him. Other lawyers working for Epstein at the time that Acosta gave Epstein the deal of the century were Alan Derskowitz, Marty Weinberg, Jack Goldberger, Darren Indyke and Jeffrey Schantz.
Acosta is supposed to testify, in secret, on the 17th. Acosta’s “non-prosecution agreement” immunized several of his alleged co-conspirators from federal prosecution, and Maxwell alleges she is one of them in her SCOTUS appeal. Maxwell was named in at least eight civil lawsuits alleging sex trafficking and abuse, filed by victims such as Virginia Giuffre, Sarah Ransome, Jennifer Araoz, Annie Farmer, and Jane Doe, as well as others.
Hopefully the Dems will interview Villafana and the others before they question Acosta.
Every person who used the spa at Mar a Lago during the time that Virginia Giuffre worked there is a potential witness. Same for her co-workers. What do the states' attorneys and AUSAs know about that?
You are a good source for leads to witnesses, Daniel. Please, let us find the attorney that will take the abusers to task. My guess is many in Congress are keeping their heads down and using Trump’s dodge as cover.
If they are planning to prosecute, it could hurt their case if they spoke up before the trial, but I hear ya.
There will be be no trial. They, the victims, simply want to expose the perps.
What they have said is that if the discharge petition, sponsored by Massie and Ro Khanna doesn't go through and they don't get ALL of the Epstein Files, then using the speech and debate clause, which permits congress to speak without being sued, the names of all of the perps will be read aloud in Congress and on the record, probably by Ro Khanna.
If just a few concerned Republican senators showed a little backbone, then I believe that others, feeling some safety (from Trump and MAGA) in numbers, would join in, but until then, there is little hope from the party that lied and cheated for forty plus years to get where they are to change its spots.
The action is in the House.
"Speaker Mike Johnson said Thursday he doesn’t believe a bipartisan effort to force a House vote compelling the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents will succeed.
"Asked about the discharge petition led by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Johnson said he doubted they would convince enough Republicans to sign on."
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/09/04/congress/johnson-predicts-doom-for-epstein-discharge-00543849
Only need 2.
Fear is a powerful motivator.
All true, but Congress can stop him. Maybe Trumpepstein is his Achilles' Heel.
The Chicks Came Back To Roost
The best meme I've seen was a tattoo of Epstein's face on top of the bruise of Trump's hand. The other bruised hand should have Putin's face on it.
The Chinese really know how to say FU to Trump and the rest of the world with a stomach-turning parade and a summit of despots. I hate that we have to rely on nukes to save our butts at this stage, but that's where we are.
It's beyond terrifying that the codes are in the hands of the Psychopath In Chief. Let's hope TRump understands the deterrent part of that. Toxic Masculine Model, Pete worships Dear Leader, so there is little hope there for common sense or decency coming from him. He probably made sure that the fly-over was extra loud.
Speaking of that, how sadistic do you have to be to keep bullying the women that you trafficked when they were girls? And he wants to go to "heaven"? I'm so proud of how brave, kind, and smart the survivors were at that presser. Bless them all, and keep supporting them. Lots of signs at the demonstrations about the Release the Epstein Files. See you in the streets.
I "liked" what you said yeasterday: They used the Super Models to lure the rich guys and pols to the parties. THEY were not on the menu, but the teen models were. These kids were told no parties---no bookings. I saw a highly paid model's interview on Shaun Attwood that told this exact story.
These damn super models are still around; so are Clinton, Ehoud Barack, Gates, Dershowitz, musicians, comedians, scientists, and politicians. Hell, Melania knows all about trafficking, especially victims from the eastern bloc countries. Lots of 14-17 yr olds alone in America.
Time for people to testify and face the music, or plead the 5th.
Thanks Daniel. Just wrote the Luther Campbell interview story again under "Sir Okie's" comment. He saw TRump host a party at HIS facility. He left the party, because he knew it was a trap.
He tries to backtrack from that interview. Imagine the fear---thousands of silent people. Yet, those women stood their ground yesterday! They are proving their strength. They are also proving your point about peeling off a few Republicans in Congress. There are some fantastic ones outside of Congress that are fighting with us.
Of that parade alis. As a former drill sergeant. I know what to look for and I paid very close attention.
First the soldiers were all of the same height, impossible unless especially chosen, then there was not one misstep, not one lagging head turning, not one arm swing that wasn't perfectly cooridnated
And the performance of the squads, peeling off from formation on command, running in formation to their vehicles, entering the vehicles at the same exact moment, closing doors and ramps in unison bespeaks an army that has been practicing under rigid discipline for months if not a year, until every thing is baked in to muscle memory.
You can have a parade army or a fighting army, but not both. If they have a fighting army, it was not on parade.
There is also youtube showing how they are taught to march in perfect lockstep with the exact same stride, it is muscle memory.
It seems the Nazis did a pretty good job of both. Meanwhile, our "military" parade looked like a cross between Hogan's Heros and Beetle Bailey. And the Chinese are definitely ahead in the tech race: ILikewise, I noticed today that most of the people behind the race to the Moon have pretty much given up on beatng the Chinese . After that, we're going to fall further and further behind. This is what happens when you gut science.
It looks like the Yuan is going to replace the dollar, the world is dedollarizing.
Our military was a fighting army, navy and air force, but Trump and Hegseth has turned into a police force. We already had a problem in defense. Our command structure was great, we had the worlds best NCO corps, who could take initiative and make on the spot decisions. Our top sergeants would be field grade officers, even generals in any other army. Seriously. As a team leader, I made all decisions, I was given an objective, a mission, how I carried out was up to me and my sergeants, and when I was a sergeant, my leader depended on me and my judgment.
That is not the way it works in Russia, China or even the former Soviet states, there you don't shit unless told where and when, sometimes how. There is no initiative, the troops are motivated by the FSB or Security squad behind them that will cut them down if they don't go forward
In WWI, officers carried pistols, not rifles, the purpose was to shoot defectors and those that wouldn't go over the top. We learned.
Now under Hegseth, you have a Christian nationalist armed force infected by the Dominionist virus in it's Generals and senior officers. The Air Force and Navy are the worse.
The Navy just committed an act of war, shooting at and sinking a Venezuelan Vessel, and I heard that it wasn't running drugs. I can assume that the Navy is under orders to start a war.
It is the most anti Woke, anti DEI of all of the services, pulling books out of academy libraries is the tell, firing black and female Generals and flag officers is the tell and where is the outrage.
Back to our military preparedness, our whole defense structure is centered around corporations like Raytheon, McDonnell Douglas, Boeing, and involves billion dollar contracts, prototypes, fine tolerances/ Our Patriot anti missile system uses antiquated million dollar missiles to shoot down thousand dollar drones, and ten thousand dollar missiles.
The Ukrainieans do the same job with off the shelf, modified hardware, you can find on line. They have build their own medium range cruise missiles, with AI guidance that doesn't depend on radio waves that can be jammed, like the Flamingo, and you don't hear a word of that in our media.
Our own armed forces have a one or two year proving ground protocol for adoption of new equipment, whose specs are so specific that the thing is overpriced.
If seriously interested in the latest news, developments and equipment coming out of the Ukrainian armed forces and their fight against Putin, spend the $50 and subscribe to medium.com
Biden and Trump wouldn't give them the ability to reach behind the front lines, so they took it on their own and developed their own drones, missiles and tactics.
They even launched a drone attack on an air base in Siberia., they are blowing up radar stations, missile launch sites, command and control sites, refineries,munioton and oil stores behind the front lines. Commando raids on radar and communication facilities in Crimea.
1 Million Russian casualties, they lose almost 2,000 a daythrown into the meat grinder by Putin. Putin is so desperate that he has to recruit Africans, Asians and Chechnyans, the Chinese are there too, not on the front line, but in the rear with equipment and tech support
And our military,under Hegseth, fumble fucks around purging DEI programs, material and personnel., while trying to start a war with a third world nation.
Trump will never have his China style parade, we can't afford a multi service parade army. And the reason that his birthday parade was a joke, because the commanders were not MAGAts, and even gave the command Route Step, March, it was an embarrassment and so will the next parade be an embarrassment because he hasn't remade the military into a clone of Russia's or China's. yet
And he can't unless he re institutes the draft, and cuts pay and allowances by one hell of a lot,then the military will most certainly rebel, drag their heels or sabotage.
That we are targeting Venezuela is without question. Of course, ever since our puppet was overthrown (we certainly do like our Hispanic American. That they have the highest proven oil reserves (though some say it's the US instead) in the world. Oh, wait.. Iran comes in third. Oh wait... Iraq comes in in fifth. Oh wait,.. ARAMCO stands for Arab-American Oil Ompany (and yes, I know we don't run the show anymore). Nothing to see here. Move along.
One wonders how we know for certain that the boat was run by the cartel and was smuggling drugs. It seems quite possible, but" quite possible" is a poor excuse for killing people. It could have been intercepted by surface ships but that doesn't look very exciting on the evening news, Not that anybody watches anymore..
We only know what the Trump regime tells us, so why do we chose to believe anything they say.
We are going to have to get the real news from BBC or Al Jazeera, anything but US sources, well maybe Democracy Now.
It was an act of war any way you look at it, and the US Navy has been thoroughly Trumpfied.
Venezuela is a problem of our governments creation. Chavez looked at the immense oil deposit and said, that belongs to Venezuela, not ExxonMobil, so Exxon Mobil does what every large corporation from United Fruit, and Coca Cola has done, it used is money muscle to have the President, task the CIA and DOD to remove that pesky man.
We have a long history of using our CIA and DoD in the service of corporations and cartels.
The Iraq war was, in part one such instance, there were other factors involved.
Daddy Bush used the DoD to invade and arrest a bag man, Manuel Noriega.
They were happy with him so long as he laundered the money from the cocaine trade, and most certainly played a role in Iran Contra and Operation Snowfall (the CIA's use of cocaine to fund the Ayatollah Khomeini in his war with Saddam, weapons supplied by Israel, paid for by drug users.
Chavez had to go, they tried coups even used US Mercenaries, and all foiled, so the president resorted to sanctions, the upshot is that these actions have forced Venezuela into the arms of Puin, just like the embargo and sanctions forced Fidel into the arms of Kruschev.
Thanks to the influence of international corporations, the US Government has been used to create enemies everywhere, and now Trump is working on overtime and at warp speed.
Iran is a problem only because MI6 and the CIA overthrew Mossadegh, Khomeini's revolution was fronted by France, because they were left out of the original deal. They gave Khomeini safe passage,sanctuary and used French diplomatic pouches to smuggle in the casette tapes that brought down the government.
The French equivalent of the CIA, the Direction générale de la sécurité extérieure (DGSE), or General Directorate for External Security, played a starring role in the Khomeini drama. If only Total S.A. (the French oil company) had been cut in on the action.,we might not have a mullahcracy in Iran.
Not a whole lot of people now alive know of Mosssadegh. And Iranian oil. And our placing a dictator/king/Shah back on the Peacock Throne after overthrowing a democracy. Honestly, this government, regardless of who's in the Oval Orifice, has always chosen dictators over democracy.
And then there's Batista.
I wonder what the world would be like today if we had exported our democracy instead of overthrowing it whenever it suited our Grand Plan.
Yes, Drill Sergeant! I knew there was something familiar about your attitude.
What it boils down to is when you have a billion men and women to pick from, and they can't say no, I guess you can have every type of troop and army you would want. Hope the show-ponies get some perks, because I remember how hard and boring that crap was along with a stress fractured foot. One thing good about it, it definitely makes you want to kill.
Only a drill sergeant for three years and that was 62-65, sure gave me a big advantage many years later when I went through officers training, but what works in basic training doesn't work outside of basic training.
My attitude was formed by a career in special ops.
I don't think the PLA parade troops will be doing any fighting, if anything they would be sent in as last minute reserves..meat into the meat grinder as in Russia.
Most notable is that the whole spectacle from uniforms to grand marshal entrance mimics The Soviet Army, as does Putin's Army.
I wonder if Putin is using his parade army as meat in Ukraine.
Slava Ukraini
Well earned attitude, Sir. Glad you're on our side
Where is our FDR??
Just like FDR, dead.
Trump is an "A #1" Race Hustler. That is where he gets his juice.
He divided the nation by race and got his party and John Roberts, and John's 5-member USSC Klan to obliterate the so-called "lesser" races' votes. An ongoing project what w/ gerrymandering in full public view..
The key to Trump's toppling is to prove that he LOVES minorities, if [and Only If] they are popular and rich.
Just expose his documented history. He's a star-effer, no matter their race. He went to bat for Mike Tyson when they convicted him of rape, for example. He was sexually linked to a Black newswoman. She was TV-famous. So . . .
Just prove it to the Loomers, Murdochs, Scarboroughs, Hannitys, and Carlsons, then Bob's your uncle. Rubbish-Trump'll be done and dusted. Forever.
He's a user of minorities, whether he Loves or Hates them.
The Central Park 5's only Real problems? They were broke and not celebrities.
There may be an explanation for that. Look-up the Luther Campbell interview. He's a rapper for those that don't know. Back in the 90's TRump invited him, Mike Tyson, and Eddie Murphy to a "party" at one of his Florida places---even sent 3 separate limos to pick them up.
TRump took them on a little tour and then left them to "enjoy". Luther said there was no music, but there was booze, drugs, and YOUNG girls. They were supposedly from one of the pageants. He found them to be in various rooms doing all kinds of things with all kinds of men. He described it as something out of the movie Eyes Wide Shut.
As soon as he figured out what the deal was, Luther grabbed his limo and got away. He was sure about the blackmail and extortion trap involved. Tyson knows stuff and so do thousands of other people. I sure hope those women release their own lists.
By the way, I've heard Luther try to gloss over what he said, you can bet he is scared.
Okie, the Loomers, Murdochs, Scarboroughs, Hannitys and Carlsons have their own agenda, and Trump is a tool by which to achieve their agenda, even if it is only being a multi millionaire.
Murdoch said that he isn't red or blue but only green. That is a lie, he and his family have more than enough green to sustain them and their heirs forever.
Murdoch has an ulterior motive beyond money, so does Carlson and Loomer, Scarborough and Hannity I would say it is social and fiscal survival and money.
Carlson is a Swanson heir, set for life, he has an ideological agenda. Ideology transcends politics. Religion is an ideology, racism is an ideologym classism is an ideology.
I wondered about this too when I wrote "Holy Smokes Hoax: Malice in Trumperland where up is down, black is white, facts are fake, and verifiable sex abuse is a hoax" this morning. ( link https://halbrown.substack.com/p/holy-smokes-hoax-malice-in-trumperland )
I wrote, among other things, that Trump apparently thinks he can pull off this it’s a Democrat hoax whopper single-handedly. His performances so far reek of dry flop sweat as he repeats two word tag-lines. I wonder if he’s using Kontane’s Flop Sweat stopper product to stay dry when creating his hoax hoo-ha.
Who'd have thunk Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mace, Bober etc would agree with you?
Women who have been sexually abused, are a sisterhood.
The key is the Epstein tapes, fully exposed. The victims of Epstein and his structured cabal yesterday displayed far more courage than the whole of congress. Greene and the three others displayed more guts than the whole of their political mates. Congress now sits on the conscience fence, fear ridden to their bones. When Republicans see Schumer tell dems to just sit back in elitist, superior smuggery and wait for MAGA and Trump to self-implode by too-far, too-much aggressive excess--the old, tired, now terminal ploy used by the party that caused elections of Gore, etc to not be challenged, but to play the high ground--are hugely destructive and should be shit-canned. Congressional republicans sitting on the fence, watching, their wet fingers in the air. Then there is Pelosi telling all to ignore the tapes and concentrate on things more salient, like "financial matters". These comments give congress' Republicans pause when they might have jumped off to the good side. These high ranking sitting dems are far from helping this opportunity. They help congressional Republicans stay stuck.
1. Both Shumer and Pelosi support opening up the Epstein records. False analogies. Pick on Republicans.
2. We are a minority. We have an immediate window of opportunity, starting with Trumpepstein. We may never get another chance.
Psychologically, it's the toe in the water.
Can ask for common issues. Ukraine. Loss of jobs. Tarriffs. PAYGO (unforseen consquences of the Big Crappy Bill).
Meanwhile there are a number of bipartisan bills. I listed the ones from the problem solvers the other day.
Press conference yesterday. unreported by MSM.
"A bipartisan group of House members are unveiling a compromise bill Wednesday afternoon to ban stock trading by individual members of Congress and their families.
"The legislation, titled the Restore Trust in Congress Act, is expected to combine and reconcile several previously introduced bills to ban congressional stock trading by members of Congress, according to an advisory.
"Reps. Chip Roy (R-Texas), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) are among the members set to be present at the press conference."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SINklbt5GHI
No Daniel we are in deep shit because of our old so called leaders, we don't need more of their milquetoast cowardly bullshit, We need fearless fresh blood, willing to storm the castle.
What happens to inept, incompetent and corrupt Generals and officers, they are fired and replaced.
The restore trust in congress act is a non starter, it will never pass, nor get past the senate. It is performance art.
TThe Problem Solvers Caucus was an initiative of the political organization No Labels, which was its initial funder. Since its founding, a significant portion of its financial support has come from individuals and organizations in the financial industry, with some members also having affiliated Political Action Committees (PACs) No labels tried to interfere in the election on the side of Trump
You champion Fitzpatrick from Pennsylvania, because he co sponsors a pro union bill, he is also an anti choice misogynist. He has political reasons, not ideological, for championing that bill.
We need to replace the old guard with fighters that don't sell out to donors.
The old guard (Centrist) Democrats don't want to rock the boat and offend the ReTrumplicans, so all of the GOP do-badders, like Reagan (Iran Contra,) Dick and Dubya (9/11 and Iraq) and Trump are off the hook. Progressive Dems would have been fighting them all, but didn't have the cooperation of the (still) middle-of-the-roaders.
A lot of that has to do with the donor slop trough, both parties slop from the same trough, except the Republicans slop first and Democrats second.
Bernie Sanders proved that if you motivate the voter, the public, you don't need donor cash,. but the DNC is addicted to donor cash,many of them personally benefit from connections with the donors, When they leave congress who do you think hires them.Same with the Generals and colonels, I know of a Senior NCO that was recruited by Motorola, because hey thought he had influence within his command
Translated, you OPPOSE asking Republicans to help us end it.
Wrong translation Daniel, your ability to translate is hampered by your ego and ideology. Sure bring Republicans on board, as many as we can, but don't rely on Republican defectors to end it.
Most are scared shitless of Trump or are the ideological simps that helped put him in power.
MAGA is simply the Tea Party plus.
Work the Republicans, and work the people we can walk and chew bubble gum.
"Both Shumer and Pelosi support opening up the Epstein records. False analogies" Nice try. Pelosi acted exactly as I reported, trying to discredit the importance of the tapes by telling all to ignore them to concentrate on more impotant "financial" issues. Mountain high hypocrisy here, considering Pelosi's personal "financil" issues. After telling all to ignore the tapes, she shape'shifted into a crow flying in an opposite direction. Pure personal self saving reversal. Shumer suggested the tapes were not important, later correcting course, I am sure following Pelosi's lead. He laps her feet. My analogies were far from False. "Pick on Republicans". The first time I ever did not was in
recognizing Greene and crew for yesterday's actions. To be fair, I call them as I see them, case by case. But you are an absolutist for the existing Democratic Party, I support cleansing the party, starting with Pelosi and Shumer. I am not alone. Also. I addressed the tapes as singularly important, crucial, as they have already put a serious Crack in the damage wall. Your going on about all the others gains to be made actually distract from the tapes and their unique power of importance. At this point, concentrate on the tapes. Certainly Trump is.
Tahagt was then, this is now. BTW shw was not speaker pr majority leader and changed her position.
I am not an absolutist. I was actually involved and you don't know what you don't know. Just guessin'.
"I am not an absolutist." Anybody who defends the sitting democratic party with little to no criticism the way you have can easily be recognized as an absolutist. I prefer adamently blind loyalist. Your statement that infers that I 'don't know what I don't know ' moves from the discussion I have made against your denial-ridden shifts to this pejorative put down. It is pure slur. Fuck that. I have noticed that your m.o. is to inundate with volume, to flood your posts with info, sites, sources that often leave the discussion at hand, obfuscated by your volume. I have often reasoned you just want to be excessivey recognized, but that is unfair, since your motivations are pure in the political sense. But your controlling issues are evident. And, again, in the case of the Epstein tapes, isolating the focus on them, moving the camera in closer, ignoring Trump's efforts to distract from them, forgetting all other political tangentials will be crucially important because this is a jewel of opportunity for gathering new needed voices.
Amazing! It makes me think of the saying about Walter Chronkite and the Vietnam War. This would go something like "when you loose MTG you've lost the nation."
I am so glad that I am 86 years of age, have health problems. I won't have to try and survive the tyranny that is descending upon us (descending? Descended)
Not only the autocratic regime in which we already mired, but the whole world has turn against us.
Trump has alienated our allies, is working to hand Putin Ukraine, is alarming the Muslim world
And even his friends Xi,Un and Putin have formed an alliance against him, or have they?
If China was an enemy, then why has he proposed 600,000 student visa's for Chinese? And that's for starters. These students come in and are intelligence operatives, and the Chinese government even set up a police station in NY to keep track of and arrest dissidents.
Current estimates are that global warming will do us in by 2050
A 2020 study published in the Yale Journal of Industrial Ecology warned that under a "business-as-usual" scenario, a societal collapse could be triggered around 2040.
End of the century: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects a global average temperature increase of 2.7°C by 2100 under current policies, leading to a "cataclysm of catastrophes". In a worst-case scenario with continued accelerating emissions, the IPCC warns that temperature could increase by 4.5°C to 5°C.
The Atlantic Overturning Meridonial Current (AMOC), which warms America and Europe, and feeds other currents like in the Pacific is expected to collapse within the next decade or two at current rate of emissions.
The light at the end of the tunnel is that this means it will be a short victory and reign for the racist,theocratic, plutocrats. and their underground bunkers and cities won't save them either
https://medium.com/the-panopticon-publication/the-ultra-rich-wont-survive-the-apocalypse-66572fe58106
Maybe, if there are any survivors, we can start anew and do it better. I doubt it, man's nature is the problem.
There are many people like Charles Hapgood and GrahamHancock, who have looked at the anomalies and enigmas of the mysteries stone works, like polygonal blocks, and the underground cities of Malta and Anatolia, not to mention Puma Punka and Gobleki Tepe and thheorized that there were other civilizations before us that were wiped out. Many cultures, like the ancient Egyptian and Maya said so., and in our epoch Although not a global event, a significant human population bottleneck occurred in the northern hemisphere during the Younger Dryas cold period (approximately 12,800 to 11,600 years ago)
around 900,000 years ago, only about 1,280 breeding individuals survived an event, a situation that lasted for over 100,000 years
Adebated topic, the cataclysm most famously associated with shrinking the human population to as few as 25,000 individuals was the Toba supervolcano eruption around 74,000 years ago. The Toba catastrophe theory suggests this event caused a "volcanic winter," leading to a severe human genetic bottleneck.
Nothing is permanent, dictatorial regimes don't outlast the personality behind the regime.
The Kim's of North Korea solved that problem, by deifying Kim Il Sung, passed on to his heirs.
Trump isn't deified, and the powers that be will not condone coke head Jr. There will be a fierce battle, and project 2025 will survive. It has done it's job, and there is nothing to replace it.
America runs on an institution, the institution created by our Constitution has been disassembled,deconstruct and is being replaced by a new institution,
An institution created by the commercial, financial and technocratic powers and supported by an ignorant, fearful and easily manipulated large portion of the middle class
Some archeologists have even suggested that maybe the ancient Indian city of Mohenjo Daro was destroyed by atomic warfare - because of the still high radiation. So yeah, whatever happens politically and militarily may not matter for long, as long as we have global warming, atomic bombs and overpopulation staring us in the face.
I am aware Richard. Archaelogists have found ancient plumbing in Iran, Iraq and Asia, and they can't explain the technology used in Peru and Chili, not just for stone work but building aqueducts and Qanats and mind boggling the same technology was used in ancient Iran, the hardest part to explain is that the Qanats trace the route of subsurface rivers, how in the hell did were they able to trace a subsurface river.
There is an aqueduct that brings water from the Andes, for hundreds of miles, and the trick with an aqueduct it has to be build at a precise grade, IIRC, it is 1.3 degrees otherwise the water pools or overruns the boundary.
Puma Punka and Tiwanka in Bolivia are stone work and architecture that modern science and engineering can't explain., not for peoples whose technology depended upon stone tools, antlers and bones.
The world has turned against us or we have turned against the world?
The reverse, Robert; Trump has turned us against the world, so the world has turned against Trump - and us.
Sounds like a loop to me, William. Round and round to Hell we go.
We’re actually reduced to hoping Trump will stop the global fascist takeover.
Is there more of a chance of that happening, than RFK junior making America healthy again?
It is likely impossible for America to take the Moral high ground this time around, as we actively support genocide in the Middle East while pretending to support Ukrainian and Taiwanese independence. Our leaders today are more corrupt than usual. Whenever voters object, even Republicans, those in power merely condescend with gaslighting and outright lies. Although we see the courts declaring illegal most of Trump's reckless and impulsive edicts (evidence of senility), nothing changes, and our global tariff embargo continues to erode our economy.
A life of Trumpruption has taught our president that he can keep legal attacks in court almost infinitely with serial appeals. The only way this might stop is with political or actual death. Either so many vote to replace Congressional MAGA toadies with Democrats that MAGA vote-fixing will not succeed and impeachment will finally happen, or Trump has a stroke. Thus, it looks like it might be up to Colonel Sanders and Ronald McDonald to save the USA from fascism.
Tom I eschew the use of such emotionally laden words as genocide, they are used for propaganda value and thrown around like rice at a wedding. Inappropriate use, renders the term meaningless. What is happening in Gaza does not meet the definition of genocide,even by the loss UN definition, as Israel is not trying to eliminate in whole or in part Arabs and Muslims, And that is what those who live in Gaza are.
On the other hand the Arabs, the Muslims do want to obliterate not just Israel but the Jews, for that is in the HAMAS covenant and in their religious texts.
Until Trump, Netanyahu, Ben Gvir etc talked about cleansing Gaza of it's inhabitants it was simply a war, where HAMAS is using civilians and hostages as human shields, to makeIsrael look like monsters, when they are the monsters.Now it is monster versus monster, because Trump et al want to ethnically cleanse Gaza so they can build libbutz and Mediterranean resorts.
Killing off an entire people (genocide) is one thing, removing them (ethnic cleansing) is another.
Let's reserve Genocide for real genocide like the one that Putin is waging against Ukraine, the genocide in Sudan, the Genocide in Rwanda, and other genocides
Sorry for the ong-windedness below. This is from the United Nations. It seems to me that this is specifically what is happening in Gaza.
Definition
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
Article II
In the present Convention, genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:
Killing members of the group;
Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;
Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;
Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.
Elements of the crime
The Genocide Convention establishes in Article I that the crime of genocide may take place in the context of an armed conflict, international or non-international, but also in the context of a peaceful situation. The latter is less common but still possible. The same article establishes the obligation of the contracting parties to prevent and to punish the crime of genocide.
The popular understanding of what constitutes genocide tends to be broader than the content of the norm under international law. Article II of the Genocide Convention contains a narrow definition of the crime of genocide, which includes two main elements:
A mental element: the "intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such"; and
A physical element, which includes the following five acts, enumerated exhaustively:
Killing members of the group
Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group
Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part
Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group
Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group
Which ever side (if either) is responsible for genocide (for which we certainly qualified by atomic-bombing Japan,) Hamas could stop the killing right now (and could have, at any time) if it were willing.
By today's standards, and the moaning and whining, the U.S, Russia and Britain committed genocide against the Germans and Japanese. The Russians against the Poles.
Most probably yes. Did you see this fucking serial liar of farage adressing congress? Comparing HIS country (UK) with north korea!! Awful LIE! This fascist on the move is a mini trump that needs of nurturing to grow and grow. He screwed (with billionaires friends) UK out of EU. Brexit. A huge failure. They are like cancer cells. Wake up folks! Is is a fight, a war! If you do not kill em they will kill you. No pasaran
The faux orange flatulator in chief is about as far from FDR or Lincoln as you can get. It appears the world WILL return to its norm of authoritarianism and brutality, with small holdouts in Europe, Asia and Latin America slowly forced into the same mold. We were a brief bright spot in history, it seems, hardly unblemished, but better than most. Aspirationally unique. That is gone, and as so many of our occupants (I cannot call them "Americans" as they lack any understanding of what that is or means) seem to support what is happening, I do not see a reversal coming. It is selfish of me with a lovely grandson who will have a hellish adulthood, but I am grateful to have lived my actual life (I became severely disabled in 2002) in the last half of the 20th century. This century has been extremely ugly so far, and promises to get far worse. I only hope I will not be here much longer to watch the horror show. It is psychologically soul-draining. Especially as I am in no position to do anything about it but vote and write comments.
The culmination of this current 80-year cycle was described succinctly nearly 30 years ago by William Strauss and Neil Howe in "The Fourth Turning." The only surprise here is the swiftness with which it's happening. And plenty of otherwise good people in the States are defending this crap--I see it on FB every day. Those of us who know better need to make as much noise as possible EVERY DAY.
Exactly. STAY LOUD!
Trump is a symptom, not a cause. His weakness isn’t what might destroy America. It’s our weakness – the indulgence of delusion, the fetish for strongmen, the willingness to let lies roll by unchallenged because it’s exhausting to fight every day. Guess what? Democracy is exhausting. The price of freedom isn’t just eternal vigilance, it’s showing the hell up, even when it’s raining, even when the ballot lines are long, even when you think your one vote doesn’t matter.
A democracy isn’t a spectator sport. It’s not Netflix; you don’t get to tune in when it’s spicy and mute it when it’s messy. Every apathetic voter who shrugged, every cynic who said “both sides,” every centrist who thought compromise with fascism was wisdom, they greased the rails for Trump’s wrecking train.
"Nonetheless, we all need to do everything we can to restore decency and democracy to America — including exposing Trump’s crimes, so he can no longer be threatened or blackmailed by Putin, et al — and stand against this new Axis of Tyrants. There really is no other option."
I'll take a hard truth over a comfy fairytale every single day. That's how we begin to make things better.
Trump is a very immature and emotionally disturbed child, 6 years-old or so, who has been gifted a loaded gun by a well-meaning but inattentive uncle. Trump, child that he is, is physically more than capable of pulling the trigger, and totally ill-equipped, psychologically and intellectually, to make either a rational decision not to or to consider the consequences of his actions. So, yes, under his "watch" the destruction of the Union is a distinct possibility. Based on what occurs daily (hourly?) we are well into the process.
The result? A clusterf**k of the highest order. There are no clear lines of demarcation, all the good guys over here and the bad'uns over there. Texas, for instance, saw 42% vote for Harris. while in California 38% voted for Trump. Any division will be incredibly messy. Or, consider where California gets its water. In Southern California virtually all of it (contrary to Trump's proud boast regarding freeing this simmer's agricultural water into barren ground) comes from the Colorado. Most of its drainage runs through red states. Regarding Northern California, ALL of it originates in red counties, as does the vast majority of the state's vegetables, fruits and nuts. Trouble ahead? Nah.
The West Coast tri-state alliance can handle the a-holes in California, especially if they need food. I can envision a reverse Oregon Trail too. Washington has their share of them, but Idaho can have them.
Seriously Robert, the grim reaper is going to take care of this along with the change in demographics. Most of us won't live to see how they figure it out, but I hope we live to see the post-TRump part, where
we are back with our neighbors and allies.
The a-holes are the ones growing the food. Resistance on their part will be aided by the Reds, who not only will want the food, they will also want to dominate the West Coast. Should be fun. Good to be 80.
Oregon has its fair share of a-holes as well, as does Washington. Another thing the a-holes have is the Columbia River. What they don't have is the manufacturing base. What the Coast doesn't have is raw materials, waster and food. Hence, the clusterf**k. A peaceful realignment would benefit all.
And then there are the nukes. You know, ion order to save the West Coast we had to incinerate it. Some tropes never die.
The failure of the GOP to end corruption in the face of public opinion. Krasnov is happy to see the end of American influence towards democratic principles worldwide. In fact the end of parasitic siphoning of essential life force is becoming something everyone is becoming aware of. The lack of self love some have make energy vampire or siphoning that drains people unaware of such actions. Parasitic actions is becoming more open in the world. The masks are dropping. Life force draining will make those who are famous but act in such ways lose their status. Many will find themselves upended. And they should be. The good will prevail and the truly poor will become evident. This is what happens when a planet ascends. The karmic world ends.