The reason we’re at a pivotal moment in America is because most people don’t know how to answer this question: “How do you know when you’re really no longer living in a democracy?”
On June 14, 2025, approximately 6 million Americans hit the streets to say In “America We Don’t do Kings or Dictators.” We need to double the size of the number of Americans that turned out that day. On October 18, 2025, there will be No Kings 2.
The talkings done. Our country needs action. PLEASE SIGN UP TODAY❣️🇺🇸 www.nokings.org
We need to do more than march with signs. Trump ignores them, the media ignores them, they have only served as pressure relief valves. Time for resistance, a national strike, sabotage,. withhold labor,.
BTW a government shut down, a blessing, because Musk and Trump have already dismantled the government, the Park Service is just about kaput, about all that is left are Trump humping loyalists, and Social Security recipients are not paid of the general fund, but the Social Security Trust fund, part of my income is military retirement, I can take a hit for the good of our country and democracy.
Yes, we do and we are. I belong to Indivisible. We are boycotting businesses, like Disney. I have kids. Have house meetings, gone to businesses to ask them to put signs in solidarity with the immigrants. My friends have cancelled Amazon. We are going door to door. Registering voters. Going to school board meetings, legislative meetings. Going to Detention Centers. Forming partnerships with local police so they have our back. It takes one person to start an action. I have started my actions. It is up to each of us to follow through on what we think should be the plan.
Ogara,thanks for all the work you are doing. Is the boycotting working? I have long advocated that but have found very little response. Great idea about how to get involved.
We are working on building a critical mass of opposition. I’m doing a lot of inviting, talking. We have one young person on our team in Pinellas County Florida. She just arranged for us to be on local college campus this week. If we don’t get that demographic out there, I can’t see how we can pull out of this.
Ogara,I agree with you.Getting the story to younger people is really important.It should have 3-4 bullet pts-not more than 5 words each.We tend to get caried away with long comments.Look@ the Trump slogan" Make America great Again" While he has not done that,the message has worked or forhim. If you can get a few friends together down there and do some brainstorming,come up with some 5 word phrases,let me know what they are.Thanks.
The dispossed are scattered, unbound, BB's on the floor. An absolute truism is that they will be so until they recognize their numbers must have a SINGLE leader. Throughout history, nothing begins to move, coalesce, until a single leader assumes the mantle and is recognized as so. Another perspective is that even first-graders can recognize that, in a two party political system, it is the other remaining party who has the job, the responsibility, to combat the enemy head on. People blindly loyal to the democratic party contribute to the democratic party's making sure no leader emerges. The obvious potential leader, as is, would be Schumer. See what I mean?
I certainly agree. The principles of the Democratic party is what we keep holding on to. The people on the ground are the Democrats. The main leader is selling out. Like endorsing Cuomo over Mandami. I sent the DNC emails saying that I will not give them a dime. I gave money to Mandami and to David Hogg. Even so. We must take action. There are leaders in the Democratic party, but not at the tip top.
WE ARE THE ONES WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR. We must act.
William,agree must shut down the Gov't.Do not let Shumer who prevented that from happening before. He always caves,has no guts,should be replaced.
A national Strike-yes.
A petition calling for the" Fascist" Brenden Carr's resignation. Call his office 703-307-1778 or email brenden.carr @ fcc.gov
Get 1 Million people who object to Trump,put in $100.00 each,sue Trump for $ 1 Billion for his violation of the" emoluments" clause. It is time to get serious about going on the offensive.
Actually Shumer is doing the opposite. Times change. You're repeating psy ops.
Google
As of September 19, 2025, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer states that Democrats are prepared to risk a government shutdown on October 1 if Republicans do not negotiate on key Democratic priorities, especially reversing recent healthcare cuts. This marks a shift from his position during a March 2025 funding deadline, when he helped avoid a shutdown. The current government funding is set to expire at midnight on September 30, 2025.
Schumer's current position
Willingness to risk a shutdown: Schumer asserts that the political landscape has changed since March and that Democrats are now unified in their stance. He argues the public will hold former President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans responsible for a shutdown.
Demand for negotiations: Schumer maintains that bipartisan talks are necessary to avert a shutdown, but claims Republican leaders have ignored Democrats' requests to negotiate in good faith.
Key priorities: The main issues Schumer says Democrats are fighting for include:
Healthcare: Rolling back Medicaid cuts enacted in the Republican tax bill passed in July 2025.
ACA subsidies: Extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year.
Spending rescissions: Blocking the Trump administration from unilaterally rescinding congressionally approved funding.
Congressional stalemate
Failed Senate votes: On September 19, 2025, the Senate rejected both a
Republican proposal and a Democratic alternative to fund the government temporarily.
Republican plan: A House-passed bill to extend funding through November 21 failed to gain enough votes in the Senate.
Democratic alternative: A Democratic proposal to extend funding through October 31 while addressing healthcare issues also failed to pass.
Recess: Congress is in recess for the following week, leaving little time to reach a deal before the September 30 deadline.
Thanks Daniel,do you really think Shumer means it. Glad he has come to the conclusion the political landscape has changed.Totally amazing he has finally awakened to what you and I have been seeing for the past 7 months.
EVERYONE who attended No Kings in June should resolve to bring at least 1 new/additional person to No Kings on 10/18.
At every protest I've observed the majority of cars passing giving thumbs up, waving or smiling. We need to get more of them out in the streets with us this time.
What if this is just a dog and pony show on the part of the corporations? These hosts make at least 15 million dollars, and they work four days a week with generous vacations throughout the year. I believe that is quite a savings added to the cost of producing these shows.
The mergers required bribes---Orange Caesar must get his tribute. The tech-bros couldn't wait to pay theirs. Even the grieving widow has promised to carry-on. I wouldn't want to give up Charlie's salary and speaking fees either ($300,000-$400,000).
It's all complicated except the money and the tax breaks. Fascists one and all by definition. Damn-skippy we have to speak out. See you in the streets.
This just feels cooked-up, or they see a good end to another fascist's means. Worst of all, they have years to continue to screw everyone over. Meanwhile, THEY still have THEIR freedom of speech.
All that the 1st Amendment says is that Congress shall make no law abridging the right of speech and assembly. It says nothing about anything else however
the U.S. courts have ruled that while the First Amendment protects free speech, this protection is not absolute and has specific exceptions, most notably for speech that incites imminent lawless action, is obscene, or constitutes fighting words. The courts have also extended free speech protection to expressive conduct like flag burning and to speech on the internet, while recognizing the government's ability to regulate certain types of speech, such as commercial speech, and to express its own views under the government-speech doctrine.
The latter is what Trump is trying to limit with Executive Orders.
Inevitably the worm turns. Leftists have been cancelling speech and speakers by persons with whom they disagree. For instance Bill Maher was cancelled at Berkeley because he talked of Muslim women (like in Saudia Arabia, Palestine, Iran)having to wear bee keeper suits (the stifling abaya, chador, nigab and burga)
That the administration invited him back in is irrelevant.
Just saying. But social pressure for politically correct speech, in great part has been a motivator of MAGA, they know feel free to say aloud, what they have been whispering or thinking. And now they have the weapons and we are the victims.
The rub is that the government didn't suspend Kimmel. ABC did.
If Kimmel's speech is parsed, he said nothing wrong. The best analogy is the Butler., Pa shooter. High IQ. Was a Trump suporter. Gun nut. It's reasonable to expect both had an ephiphany.
Huh, are you saying that the Butler PA shooter and Robinson had an epiphany and came out shooting?
If so then you are saying that all anti Trumpers are potential assassins.
I doubt that either had an epiphany, they had their own motives, inside baseball motives. The right is as factionalized as the left, only it tends towards violence.
The ones taking the hit, are the ushers, the stage hands, the camera crew, the writers, the cosmeticians, the janitors all of the support crew and in Jimmy's case, beloved and funny Quilermo, I will miss him more than Jimmy.
Also a bit of a family business. Wrote yesterday that he touched me about his son. Given people so many laughs--construction as a stage of grief. That was a good one!
Rep. Swalwell was just in committee wearing a "Jimmy Kimmel Live" hat. He told them to save their communications and get a lawyer, cause when we take the House they are going to need one.
This fiasco also points out how much wealth corporate America has. They are extremely worried that will lose it because of djt. And where did corporate America and their billionaire controllers get that wealth? From we the consumers of everything from grocery store items to healthcare. We need a new economic model that will ensure distribution of everything is fair and will not siphon off money to the billionaires.
We have the ability to bend our current economic model to be more equitable but there is resistance by the repubs. Vote them out and get the marginal tax rate back to 90%. End Citizens United and impeach the 6 on the Supreme Court. This will be a start to reducing the pressure that is being put on the middle class. Time to rise up and demand these things.
Unless a few Congressional Republicans, many who know Trump is nuts but live in fear, some for their lives, to come forward, we may never have another election.
There are 24 Republicians in the Problem Solvers Caucus and not one of them will sign the Epstein Discharge Petition, so much for Problem solvers.
My own take, lay down with dogs, get up with fleas. We are in such deep shit because we have been laying down with Republicans, rather than standing up for our principles
The problem solvers are like the Third Way, Corporate hacks, that slop at the trough.
Some problem solvers are Republicans who represent districts where Dems are a majority or in districts where independents have sung away from MAGA. Have to concentrate on them. 2 of them here once were Dem and were wooed by Trump.
I am a wittness whwn Dems defected to Reagan, 1982. I watched as Gingrich converted Dems in 1992. No reason we can't use the same techniques.
I have no idea what is in their mind Daniel, neither do you, I have no idea what their motives might be, neither do you. I don't make decisions or live my life based on assumptions about other people, other than that I trust other people to look after themselves first, then others second.
I do not believe a word that comes out of the mouth of a sales person.
I do know one thing, that by and large politics at the Federal level is a full time job, and Congress critters have investments, mortgages, car payments and bills to pay. They are not in the habit of jeopardizing their careers, especially Republicans going after and contrary to the demands of the one man who can render them unemployed Trump.
Problem solvers only move where the issue doesn't stir waves with Trump and supports the agenda of the donors..
Problem solvers won't touch the culture war, or any issue that offends or angers Trump.
Problem solvers are Demopubs and Republicrats.
This is not 1982 Daniel, there has been a seismic shift in the social order.
The Democrats who became Republics in 1982, were ideologically aligned with the Republican party as it had become, a racist, right wing party.
I watched as Dixiecrats in my fathers family became Republicans.
There is no analog to today's environment, again chasing will o the wisps.
The battle lines are drawn and set
People are either flying their flag at half mast for Kirk, or they aren't, There is no one, except maybe an illiterate or homeless without a cell phone, who is truly ambivalent.
And how is it relevant trying to convince "12 hostile jurrrors" Daniel?
Again, dispensing with my real reasoned argument by saying I am full of shit, is not a counter argument, nor referencing your experience with juries a counter argument.
I maintain that the Problem Solvers caucus is tantamount to ideological treason, 24 Republicans, none of whom will sign the Discharge Petition (BY THE WAY, and so much for problem solvers).
Americans feed the Mega corporations every day. The machine is voracious and hungry for more with an ever increasing appetite. So if our corrupt and manipulated political system is starting to become openly and aggressively entrenched in support of these corporate monolithic monsters we must fight back with the only real powers we have... "the power of the purse".
Cancel your Disney subscriptions, boycott Nextstar and its advertisers(call the local advertisers and tell them why you won't buy their services or products)and support a national boycott week where we ALL buy as little as we can. How about a "No Kings" boycott Mega Corporations week?
Here is who controls the media. Robert Iger (ABC),Brian L Roberts (MSNBC(NBC), CBS David Ellison, son of Larry Ellison (formerly National Amusements owned by Michael and Shari Redstone), CNN, the Newhouse Family, and holding shares in them all, and seats on the board, are Blackrock, Vanguard, State street Group. Blackrock is founded and owned by Larry Fink, probably the most powerful man in America you never heard of, as all the Private Equity companies, have ownership in everything from healthcare, insurance, petrochemical to defense.
For those curious google who owns (name of company) it will return a parent organization, then google who owns that organization, and continue until you get the names of real people and private equity fund, then google who owns (the private equity funds)
Then repeat with who is the CEO of CBS, then NBC, ABC, CNN, then google chairman of the board, You find that folks like Brian L Roberts are the CEO, Chairman, and largest individual stockholder.
And you'll find Trump has attacked Roberts personally and the Comcast Corp for years.
Consider stuff like Raging Moderates. Scott Galloway is an advisor to some of these guys, has been on corporate boards and says that many of these guys are actually liberal, but get outvoted at the board level. I don't accept everything, but he and Tarlov, who BTW is the only sane voice on Fox and stands up to the Fox management, are willing to take them on....https://podcasts.voxmedia.com/show/raging-moderates
Yesterday I documented the Fox shareholder derivitive suit....
It's true that a lot of corporations have acquesced to Trump, paid him tribute, often in cash or in kind, and it's sickening to behold. But there are other ways to fight besides whine and complain.
We need a full court press.
Litigation works to a certain extent. So does a convincing argument. Might sway people our way.
I am not familiar with Trump attacking Brian L Roberts personally, but what I know of how Trump works, when he attacks prominent people dependent on him or his regime, they quickly fold. Witness the firing of Jimmy Kimmel.
So Fox has one lone voice, that stands up to him, a token liberal, or a token independent. That proves the case.
Your intent on spreading all of this hopium, but the fact Dear Daniel, is that we are mired in deep sit, and not just deep shit, but inextractable deep shit, the same kind of deep shit, that Germany, Italy, Hungary, Russia and Turkey were or are mired in.
You are a lawyer, and were an administrative law judge, so naturally you believe in institutions and that the "law will save us" well Daniel, we are beyond the reach and help of the law. The old order has been dismantled, that you can't see it you are in denial not me.
There is nothing left of the system that you were raised in, worked in and love, there is a residual, some circuit judge here and there will rule for us, but it is over turned by the appeals court, and if not then Bondi takes it to the Supreme Court, which will then turn it back with the Emergency Docket, or if they accept it will rule in favor of Trump, They have done so 19 consecutive times.
Litigation worked, in a free, fair and open democratic society, it doesn't work in a totalitarian regime.
Now Trump has declared antifa to be a terrorist organization, that is not an organization is of no consequence, they will charge their enemies with aiding and abetting antifa anyway.
This is no longer a country under the rule of law, it is a regime under the rule of one man.
I don't defend the people and entities he's extorted, but unless you stand in the shoes of someone who is simarly threatened, can't really understand it.
Kimmel's the victim, as I posted several times, of not just Trump but two sets of station owners -- and ABC is asking for merger approval.
That Trump names Antifa is a symptom of his insanity.
"But when this happened to Jimmy Kimmel, everybody suddenly understood. That’s why this is an earthquake moment for the United States."
I experienced this yesterday with a few of my friends. They were already kind of "there" with the fact that Trump is hard on life, but the silencing of Jimmy Kimmel delivered the oh shit moment they apparently hadn't felt yet. Comparisons to Hitler followed, because he's an obvious reference and the most familiar. I did not disagree with the comparisons.
America runs on "TV", and as stupid a custom as that is, this moment hopefully brings the rest of everyone to a more sober and personal understanding of where we truly are in the goodbye freedoms continuum.
Tariffs, joblessness and inflation can be blamed on the other party.. Blatantly axing free speech for all eyes to see can not. I doubt that very many Americans can name more than a few of the rights our Constitution aguarantees them but most everybody knows the 1st — and 2nd — amendments: they are our national fetishes. When Margorie Taylor Greens and Tucker Carlson start attacking El Presidente because he is stripping freedom of speech from us all you realize just how important that freedom is, how inextricably woven into the fabric of this country it is. Who knows, maybe a coalition can be forged between the left and the right (do we still have a center?), Trump can be overthrown, and we can go back to hating each other like any decent two-party system requires.
IMHO the center is why we are where we are. The center avoids confrontation and conflict like oil avoids water, it is soft, weak, ameliorating, compromising and bipartisan just like Obama and Biden
You know I am an atheist,but still I quote Jesus, Be ye neither hot nor cold I will spew thee out of my mouth.
Those of us who are lawyers knew from SCOTUS decisions that abrogated judicial authority. As my 'ol pappy used to say, "Don't shit where you eat." SCOTUS did and does. By necessary implication.....
When FCC Chair Brendan Carr said Jimmy Kimmel should be suspended and said, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” ABC and its local affiliates were listening. Within a matter of hours, ABC suspended Kimmel’s show “indefinitely,” a stunning move that has raised serious First Amendment concerns. Threatened to pull ABC's licenses.
Immediately, the two largest ABC station groups, Nexstar and Sinclair, took Kimmel off the air.
Disney's current merger activity includes integrating its Disney+ and Hulu streaming services into a single app for 2026, a merger with Reliance Industries in India for their broadcast and streaming assets, and a partnership where Disney becomes the majority owner of a new company by merging its Hulu + Live TV business with Fubo in January 2025. Google.
Note the date. 2024. Trump sued after George Stephanopoulos, the star ABC News anchor, said on the air that Trump had been found “liable for rape” in a New York civil trial. In fact, Mr. Trump had been found liable for sexual abuse, although the judge in that case later noted that New York has a narrow legal definition of rape.
“A reasonable jury could interpret Stephanopoulos’s statements as defamatory,” USDC SD FL Judge Altonaga wrote, and then added an emphasis in italics. “Stephanopoulos stated ten times that a jury — or juries — had found plaintiff liable for rape.”
"On Friday, Judge Altonaga dealt Disney another setback. She rejected requests to delay the case and ordered near-immediate depositions for Mr. Trump and Mr. Stephanopoulos. Moreover, Disney was also told to turn over “all remaining documents” related to the case — including pertinent emails and text messages sent by and to Mr. Stephanopoulos — by Sunday.
"Disney responded by opening settlement talks. By Friday night, the two sides had reached a deal. The company agreed to donate $15 million to Mr. Trump’s future presidential foundation and museum. Mr. Stephanopoulos and ABC News published a statement saying they “regret” remarks made about Mr. Trump during the March broadcast. The news network also agreed to pay Mr. Trump an additional $1 million in legal fees."
__________
From Andrew Ross Sorkin, NYT.
"But Disney is also under pressure on its left flank. At least five Hollywood unions, who together represent more than 400,000 workers, publicly condemned the company. Damon Lindelof, a writer and producer who helped create “Lost,” said that he couldn’t work for Disney if Kimmel’s program wasn’t reinstated.
"Critics of Trump and Carr worry about an industry under siege. “We all see where this is going, correct?” David Letterman said at an event hosted by The Atlantic. “It’s managed media. And it’s no good.”
"It’s not clear yet how this plays out. Aziz Huq of the University of Chicago argued in Politico that the Supreme Court had ruled that the First Amendment prohibits the government from “jawboning” private media companies to silence speech.
"But it’s uncertain how much appetite Disney, which has already paid a $15 million settlement to the Trump administration, or other media companies have for fighting back. So, for the moment at least, it’s unclear when or whether Kimmel — who met with Dana Walden, Disney’s TV chief, yesterday, according to Puck — will come back on air."
Quoted: "Aziz Huq of the University of Chicago argued in Politico that the Supreme Court had ruled that the First Amendment prohibits the government from “jawboning” private media companies to silence speech."
Actually the 1st Amendment doesn't. all it prohibits is Congress enacting laws that abridge the right of speech and assembly.
However the Courts have ruled that the Amendment protects speech, but that which the court rules (like Roe) can be over ruled (like Dobbs)
Kimmel is fine, he is a millionaire and there are other venues like social media, podcasts, the internet, even a youtube channel. I feel for the staff, crew, workers who lost their jobs and maybe their homes. And for the aged public, like myself, who was entertained by his acerbic political wit. Jimmy Falon is no replacement, he is vanilla lame. I record but don't watch him,except at moments of crisis like now and he is even more lame.
Trump and his lickspittle followers have no detectable sense of humor, and they don't want us to have one either. It's as much about envy as it is censorship.
Anyone who believes in the 2nd Amendment to keep their guns had better believe in the 1st Amendment too. I enjoy TALKING to guys/girls with guns - not SHOOTING them.
The 1st Amendment - Freedom of Speech - Made America Great.
It's loss turns the USA into a little jungle tribe whose petty deadly quarrels NOBODY else is interested in.
I don't know that Trump is capable of realizing he is "butt naked": he's a narcissist. One of the primary traits of narcissism its the ability to accept they are wrong.
(PS: In the future please don't resor to such lurid imagery. Even the strong quiver at the thought of Trump butt naked)
Jesus. I never thought this would be necessary for anyone reading Mr. Hartmann, but you need it, so . . .
Hans Christian Andersen’s The Emperor’s New Clothes (1837) offers a compelling allegory for psychiatric phenomena such as shared delusional disorder (folie à plusieurs), cognitive dissonance, and the social reinforcement of denial. The emperor’s unquestioned belief in invisible garments—sustained by the fear of appearing incompetent—mirrors mechanisms seen in clinical and institutional settings where individuals or groups may suppress reality to maintain cohesion or status. The tale’s enduring relevance underscores the intersection of perception, power, and psychological defense.
See: Andersen, Hans Christian. Fairy Tales Told for Children. First Collection. Copenhagen: C.A. Reitzel, 1837.
The term cognitive dissonance is thrown around like candy these days, it seems to be the favorite new thing, and is used freely without understanding. that is part of pop culture.
Cognitive dissonance is a personal thing, felt by the person who is experiencing it, it is the basis of a lie detector. One cannot tell if another is experiencing cognitive dissonance. We accuse people of cognitive dissonance, because we project.
I have no idea if the person who believes that the emperor is wearing clothes when he is naked is experiencing cognitive dissonance, because I am not in their skin.
A man, say, who converts to Islam or Catholicism, for ulterior purposes, like to marry a woman, will experience cognitive dissonance, maybe. he will then experience physical discomfort as he presents himself as a true believer, and to prove it to himself and others, he becomes a fanatic.
It is a feature that the most fanatic and devoted of believers are converts (cognitive dissonance at work), the most fanatic of Jihadists (male and female) have been converts. like the ones called "The Beatles"
I have no way of knowing if another is experiencing cognitive dissonance, and neither does anyone else, without a lie detector test or having them confess on a psychiatrists couch. They could in fact believe in their own hypocrisy, so many do.
I had actually considered referring to The Emperor as well. There undoubtedly are those over 50 who don't know of him but, as you suggest, not around here. I grew up with Andersen's fairy takes published about 100 years ago. It was one of my favorite "good night" stories. My apologies if I offended you.
This is America, Thom. Time to assess what that really means now, after decades of assault by the morbidly rich, the neo-Confederates, and their cronies and minions. Talk will not work. Peaceful protest (which the fascists will ALWAYS call violent) will not work. Too much of our population is dumb or numb or both. The only language that has ever worked in this country in the final instance leaves the barrel of a gun. It saved us in the Civil War, WWI, WWII. It has degraded us in many other instances. But the gun is apparently sacred to Americans. Kirk defended the Second Amendment with the words "it is worth a few deaths." He reaped what he had sown.
The midterm elections will be rigged and even if overwhelmingly against the MAGAtocracy, the POTUS will assure they are overturned sufficiently to leave the fascists in power. If anyone here has a resolution of our present crisis that does not involve bullets, please share it with us. I do not view that as a solution, by the way. I utterly oppose it, and the tortured interpretation of the Second Amendment that has led to there being more guns than people in this country. I also believe that if that is all we have, then the country is dead--and should be. So please, how can we save it and ourselves? I am very serious about that, as we have an adored seven-year old grandson, and I want a decent, not dystopian future for him and his generation.
My thanks in advance for any ideas. We need hope. For me, that is now in very short, indeed vanishing, supply.
This is a great step forward. This is the first attempt to communicate, lofty concepts to the general public.
The left/liberals tend to over – intellectualize subjects, and fail to express them in ways that are accessible by the general public.
For example, for a discussion of fascism, the liberal media will present an academic, such as Timothy Snyder or Ruth Ben-Ghiat, who then describe their “20-point checklist of fascism” (exaggerating for effect).
I suggest you lead an effort to create a list of conditions that indicate the presence of an authoritarian regime. I suspect we will find that we have already passed that point. It will also be important to state that it is not necessary to fulfill every condition to fall into the abyss.
Just a Question: Wouldn't Nextar be ABC? That's where I got Kimmel. Colbert, in my area, is on CBS. I'm pondering ending my Disney+ membership (even though members of my family love the movies there) and, I think they were the threatened corporation (that has no guts).
Democrats may want to consider something more compelling than expressions of concern, say, loud and relentless counterattacks. Break the rules, since rules no longer exist. Call the fascists fascists, since that’s what they are. Call for strikes (SAG could really jam things up for Disney), boycotts. Tell everyone what’s at stake, what they’re losing, who’s to blame. Make good trouble, and lots of it.
Watch the hearings, Mr. Tom. It will cheer you up. Swalwell had on his "Jimmy Kimmel Live" hat, and told the Republicans they are going to need a lawyer when we take everything back.
I wish I could believe that, neither party has had any honorable guardrails since
shock & awe in Iraq. Democrats enabled this fascist takeover by the billionaire class and their Republican toadies. They are the ones who ran an old man with a big ego to run for president a 2nd time, and then screwed up their campaigns trying to do damage control when America watched dementia symptoms on TV.
In my view, Gaza support cost Harris the election. We talk about guardrails, but where were those guardrails when Biden rushed to rescue Netanyahu, who clearly let Hamas attack so he could execute his Arab "final solution." Nobody in the administration pushed back hard enough to disengage, and our current senile sociopathic president continues sending billions in support of genocide.
On June 14, 2025, approximately 6 million Americans hit the streets to say In “America We Don’t do Kings or Dictators.” We need to double the size of the number of Americans that turned out that day. On October 18, 2025, there will be No Kings 2.
The talkings done. Our country needs action. PLEASE SIGN UP TODAY❣️🇺🇸 www.nokings.org
We need to do more than march with signs. Trump ignores them, the media ignores them, they have only served as pressure relief valves. Time for resistance, a national strike, sabotage,. withhold labor,.
BTW a government shut down, a blessing, because Musk and Trump have already dismantled the government, the Park Service is just about kaput, about all that is left are Trump humping loyalists, and Social Security recipients are not paid of the general fund, but the Social Security Trust fund, part of my income is military retirement, I can take a hit for the good of our country and democracy.
Yes, we do and we are. I belong to Indivisible. We are boycotting businesses, like Disney. I have kids. Have house meetings, gone to businesses to ask them to put signs in solidarity with the immigrants. My friends have cancelled Amazon. We are going door to door. Registering voters. Going to school board meetings, legislative meetings. Going to Detention Centers. Forming partnerships with local police so they have our back. It takes one person to start an action. I have started my actions. It is up to each of us to follow through on what we think should be the plan.
Ogara,thanks for all the work you are doing. Is the boycotting working? I have long advocated that but have found very little response. Great idea about how to get involved.
We are working on building a critical mass of opposition. I’m doing a lot of inviting, talking. We have one young person on our team in Pinellas County Florida. She just arranged for us to be on local college campus this week. If we don’t get that demographic out there, I can’t see how we can pull out of this.
Ogara,I agree with you.Getting the story to younger people is really important.It should have 3-4 bullet pts-not more than 5 words each.We tend to get caried away with long comments.Look@ the Trump slogan" Make America great Again" While he has not done that,the message has worked or forhim. If you can get a few friends together down there and do some brainstorming,come up with some 5 word phrases,let me know what they are.Thanks.
I thought you had them.😂
How bout,
Let’s stick together❣️
It definitely worked on Tesla!😂
Thank you. Me too. Keeping up with Dems and Indivisible. Talking with those that listen.
The dispossed are scattered, unbound, BB's on the floor. An absolute truism is that they will be so until they recognize their numbers must have a SINGLE leader. Throughout history, nothing begins to move, coalesce, until a single leader assumes the mantle and is recognized as so. Another perspective is that even first-graders can recognize that, in a two party political system, it is the other remaining party who has the job, the responsibility, to combat the enemy head on. People blindly loyal to the democratic party contribute to the democratic party's making sure no leader emerges. The obvious potential leader, as is, would be Schumer. See what I mean?
I certainly agree. The principles of the Democratic party is what we keep holding on to. The people on the ground are the Democrats. The main leader is selling out. Like endorsing Cuomo over Mandami. I sent the DNC emails saying that I will not give them a dime. I gave money to Mandami and to David Hogg. Even so. We must take action. There are leaders in the Democratic party, but not at the tip top.
WE ARE THE ONES WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR. We must act.
William,agree must shut down the Gov't.Do not let Shumer who prevented that from happening before. He always caves,has no guts,should be replaced.
A national Strike-yes.
A petition calling for the" Fascist" Brenden Carr's resignation. Call his office 703-307-1778 or email brenden.carr @ fcc.gov
Get 1 Million people who object to Trump,put in $100.00 each,sue Trump for $ 1 Billion for his violation of the" emoluments" clause. It is time to get serious about going on the offensive.
Actually Shumer is doing the opposite. Times change. You're repeating psy ops.
Google
As of September 19, 2025, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer states that Democrats are prepared to risk a government shutdown on October 1 if Republicans do not negotiate on key Democratic priorities, especially reversing recent healthcare cuts. This marks a shift from his position during a March 2025 funding deadline, when he helped avoid a shutdown. The current government funding is set to expire at midnight on September 30, 2025.
Schumer's current position
Willingness to risk a shutdown: Schumer asserts that the political landscape has changed since March and that Democrats are now unified in their stance. He argues the public will hold former President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans responsible for a shutdown.
Demand for negotiations: Schumer maintains that bipartisan talks are necessary to avert a shutdown, but claims Republican leaders have ignored Democrats' requests to negotiate in good faith.
Key priorities: The main issues Schumer says Democrats are fighting for include:
Healthcare: Rolling back Medicaid cuts enacted in the Republican tax bill passed in July 2025.
ACA subsidies: Extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year.
Spending rescissions: Blocking the Trump administration from unilaterally rescinding congressionally approved funding.
Congressional stalemate
Failed Senate votes: On September 19, 2025, the Senate rejected both a
Republican proposal and a Democratic alternative to fund the government temporarily.
Republican plan: A House-passed bill to extend funding through November 21 failed to gain enough votes in the Senate.
Democratic alternative: A Democratic proposal to extend funding through October 31 while addressing healthcare issues also failed to pass.
Recess: Congress is in recess for the following week, leaving little time to reach a deal before the September 30 deadline.
Yes, but Schumer was standing firm the last time . . . until he crumbled. I think he should be primaryed, and Gillibrand too.
Thanks Daniel,do you really think Shumer means it. Glad he has come to the conclusion the political landscape has changed.Totally amazing he has finally awakened to what you and I have been seeing for the past 7 months.
In 2014 I lost a lot of money as did our staff when DOL depermined we were not necessary to the operation of the agency. Never reimbursed.
We were judges! Not really part of the agency -- just housed there.
If the government shuts down...I don't want to give Trump any suggestions.
Meanwhile government benefits may be jeopardized.
I just got back to this. Such a good idea! I have $100 bucks. How do we proceed?
EVERYONE who attended No Kings in June should resolve to bring at least 1 new/additional person to No Kings on 10/18.
At every protest I've observed the majority of cars passing giving thumbs up, waving or smiling. We need to get more of them out in the streets with us this time.
Consider this.....
What if this is just a dog and pony show on the part of the corporations? These hosts make at least 15 million dollars, and they work four days a week with generous vacations throughout the year. I believe that is quite a savings added to the cost of producing these shows.
The mergers required bribes---Orange Caesar must get his tribute. The tech-bros couldn't wait to pay theirs. Even the grieving widow has promised to carry-on. I wouldn't want to give up Charlie's salary and speaking fees either ($300,000-$400,000).
It's all complicated except the money and the tax breaks. Fascists one and all by definition. Damn-skippy we have to speak out. See you in the streets.
Trump has extorted anyone he can. He steals from his own base. From little old ladies on SSI to govenments.
As I stated elsewhere, this is the second time for ABC.
True psychopath.
This just feels cooked-up, or they see a good end to another fascist's means. Worst of all, they have years to continue to screw everyone over. Meanwhile, THEY still have THEIR freedom of speech.
Free speech for me, but not for thee alis.
All that the 1st Amendment says is that Congress shall make no law abridging the right of speech and assembly. It says nothing about anything else however
the U.S. courts have ruled that while the First Amendment protects free speech, this protection is not absolute and has specific exceptions, most notably for speech that incites imminent lawless action, is obscene, or constitutes fighting words. The courts have also extended free speech protection to expressive conduct like flag burning and to speech on the internet, while recognizing the government's ability to regulate certain types of speech, such as commercial speech, and to express its own views under the government-speech doctrine.
The latter is what Trump is trying to limit with Executive Orders.
Inevitably the worm turns. Leftists have been cancelling speech and speakers by persons with whom they disagree. For instance Bill Maher was cancelled at Berkeley because he talked of Muslim women (like in Saudia Arabia, Palestine, Iran)having to wear bee keeper suits (the stifling abaya, chador, nigab and burga)
That the administration invited him back in is irrelevant.
Just saying. But social pressure for politically correct speech, in great part has been a motivator of MAGA, they know feel free to say aloud, what they have been whispering or thinking. And now they have the weapons and we are the victims.
The rub is that the government didn't suspend Kimmel. ABC did.
If Kimmel's speech is parsed, he said nothing wrong. The best analogy is the Butler., Pa shooter. High IQ. Was a Trump suporter. Gun nut. It's reasonable to expect both had an ephiphany.
Reformed MAGA.
Huh, are you saying that the Butler PA shooter and Robinson had an epiphany and came out shooting?
If so then you are saying that all anti Trumpers are potential assassins.
I doubt that either had an epiphany, they had their own motives, inside baseball motives. The right is as factionalized as the left, only it tends towards violence.
"... they had their own motives, inside baseball motives." Farrar.
The key is that they both had been MAGA...when they changed...and became violent . Lots of other matters in common.
Actually all of us were, accoding to dogma, born in sin. That change was an epiphany.
The ones taking the hit, are the ushers, the stage hands, the camera crew, the writers, the cosmeticians, the janitors all of the support crew and in Jimmy's case, beloved and funny Quilermo, I will miss him more than Jimmy.
Also a bit of a family business. Wrote yesterday that he touched me about his son. Given people so many laughs--construction as a stage of grief. That was a good one!
Rep. Swalwell was just in committee wearing a "Jimmy Kimmel Live" hat. He told them to save their communications and get a lawyer, cause when we take the House they are going to need one.
This fiasco also points out how much wealth corporate America has. They are extremely worried that will lose it because of djt. And where did corporate America and their billionaire controllers get that wealth? From we the consumers of everything from grocery store items to healthcare. We need a new economic model that will ensure distribution of everything is fair and will not siphon off money to the billionaires.
We have the ability to bend our current economic model to be more equitable but there is resistance by the repubs. Vote them out and get the marginal tax rate back to 90%. End Citizens United and impeach the 6 on the Supreme Court. This will be a start to reducing the pressure that is being put on the middle class. Time to rise up and demand these things.
Unless a few Congressional Republicans, many who know Trump is nuts but live in fear, some for their lives, to come forward, we may never have another election.
Problem solvers need psychological reinforcement.
https://problemsolverscaucus.house.gov/
There are 24 Republicians in the Problem Solvers Caucus and not one of them will sign the Epstein Discharge Petition, so much for Problem solvers.
My own take, lay down with dogs, get up with fleas. We are in such deep shit because we have been laying down with Republicans, rather than standing up for our principles
The problem solvers are like the Third Way, Corporate hacks, that slop at the trough.
Need to sell them. That's what you don't understand. Many of them are personally threatened. Only one issue: Trump is nuts.
I go back to the revolt of the moderates. Eisenhower was president. https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/capsule-review/1956-07-01/revolt-moderates
All politicians know that independent and moderate voters may shift their support between parties or back independent candidates. Gallup polling consistently shows that the largest segment of independent voters identifies as moderate. https://morrisoninstitute.asu.edu/sites/g/files/litvpz841/files/gamechangers.pdf
Some problem solvers are Republicans who represent districts where Dems are a majority or in districts where independents have sung away from MAGA. Have to concentrate on them. 2 of them here once were Dem and were wooed by Trump.
I am a wittness whwn Dems defected to Reagan, 1982. I watched as Gingrich converted Dems in 1992. No reason we can't use the same techniques.
I have no idea what is in their mind Daniel, neither do you, I have no idea what their motives might be, neither do you. I don't make decisions or live my life based on assumptions about other people, other than that I trust other people to look after themselves first, then others second.
I do not believe a word that comes out of the mouth of a sales person.
I do know one thing, that by and large politics at the Federal level is a full time job, and Congress critters have investments, mortgages, car payments and bills to pay. They are not in the habit of jeopardizing their careers, especially Republicans going after and contrary to the demands of the one man who can render them unemployed Trump.
Problem solvers only move where the issue doesn't stir waves with Trump and supports the agenda of the donors..
Problem solvers won't touch the culture war, or any issue that offends or angers Trump.
Problem solvers are Demopubs and Republicrats.
This is not 1982 Daniel, there has been a seismic shift in the social order.
The Democrats who became Republics in 1982, were ideologically aligned with the Republican party as it had become, a racist, right wing party.
I watched as Dixiecrats in my fathers family became Republicans.
There is no analog to today's environment, again chasing will o the wisps.
The battle lines are drawn and set
People are either flying their flag at half mast for Kirk, or they aren't, There is no one, except maybe an illiterate or homeless without a cell phone, who is truly ambivalent.
You're full of shit. You've never had to convince 12 hostile jurrors.
And how is it relevant trying to convince "12 hostile jurrrors" Daniel?
Again, dispensing with my real reasoned argument by saying I am full of shit, is not a counter argument, nor referencing your experience with juries a counter argument.
I maintain that the Problem Solvers caucus is tantamount to ideological treason, 24 Republicans, none of whom will sign the Discharge Petition (BY THE WAY, and so much for problem solvers).
Again lay down with dogs come up with fleas.
Americans feed the Mega corporations every day. The machine is voracious and hungry for more with an ever increasing appetite. So if our corrupt and manipulated political system is starting to become openly and aggressively entrenched in support of these corporate monolithic monsters we must fight back with the only real powers we have... "the power of the purse".
Cancel your Disney subscriptions, boycott Nextstar and its advertisers(call the local advertisers and tell them why you won't buy their services or products)and support a national boycott week where we ALL buy as little as we can. How about a "No Kings" boycott Mega Corporations week?
We have the power because we feed the machine.
Here is who controls the media. Robert Iger (ABC),Brian L Roberts (MSNBC(NBC), CBS David Ellison, son of Larry Ellison (formerly National Amusements owned by Michael and Shari Redstone), CNN, the Newhouse Family, and holding shares in them all, and seats on the board, are Blackrock, Vanguard, State street Group. Blackrock is founded and owned by Larry Fink, probably the most powerful man in America you never heard of, as all the Private Equity companies, have ownership in everything from healthcare, insurance, petrochemical to defense.
For those curious google who owns (name of company) it will return a parent organization, then google who owns that organization, and continue until you get the names of real people and private equity fund, then google who owns (the private equity funds)
Then repeat with who is the CEO of CBS, then NBC, ABC, CNN, then google chairman of the board, You find that folks like Brian L Roberts are the CEO, Chairman, and largest individual stockholder.
And you'll find Trump has attacked Roberts personally and the Comcast Corp for years.
Consider stuff like Raging Moderates. Scott Galloway is an advisor to some of these guys, has been on corporate boards and says that many of these guys are actually liberal, but get outvoted at the board level. I don't accept everything, but he and Tarlov, who BTW is the only sane voice on Fox and stands up to the Fox management, are willing to take them on....https://podcasts.voxmedia.com/show/raging-moderates
Yesterday I documented the Fox shareholder derivitive suit....
It's true that a lot of corporations have acquesced to Trump, paid him tribute, often in cash or in kind, and it's sickening to behold. But there are other ways to fight besides whine and complain.
We need a full court press.
Litigation works to a certain extent. So does a convincing argument. Might sway people our way.
I am not familiar with Trump attacking Brian L Roberts personally, but what I know of how Trump works, when he attacks prominent people dependent on him or his regime, they quickly fold. Witness the firing of Jimmy Kimmel.
So Fox has one lone voice, that stands up to him, a token liberal, or a token independent. That proves the case.
Your intent on spreading all of this hopium, but the fact Dear Daniel, is that we are mired in deep sit, and not just deep shit, but inextractable deep shit, the same kind of deep shit, that Germany, Italy, Hungary, Russia and Turkey were or are mired in.
You are a lawyer, and were an administrative law judge, so naturally you believe in institutions and that the "law will save us" well Daniel, we are beyond the reach and help of the law. The old order has been dismantled, that you can't see it you are in denial not me.
There is nothing left of the system that you were raised in, worked in and love, there is a residual, some circuit judge here and there will rule for us, but it is over turned by the appeals court, and if not then Bondi takes it to the Supreme Court, which will then turn it back with the Emergency Docket, or if they accept it will rule in favor of Trump, They have done so 19 consecutive times.
Litigation worked, in a free, fair and open democratic society, it doesn't work in a totalitarian regime.
Now Trump has declared antifa to be a terrorist organization, that is not an organization is of no consequence, they will charge their enemies with aiding and abetting antifa anyway.
This is no longer a country under the rule of law, it is a regime under the rule of one man.
I don't defend the people and entities he's extorted, but unless you stand in the shoes of someone who is simarly threatened, can't really understand it.
Kimmel's the victim, as I posted several times, of not just Trump but two sets of station owners -- and ABC is asking for merger approval.
That Trump names Antifa is a symptom of his insanity.
"But when this happened to Jimmy Kimmel, everybody suddenly understood. That’s why this is an earthquake moment for the United States."
I experienced this yesterday with a few of my friends. They were already kind of "there" with the fact that Trump is hard on life, but the silencing of Jimmy Kimmel delivered the oh shit moment they apparently hadn't felt yet. Comparisons to Hitler followed, because he's an obvious reference and the most familiar. I did not disagree with the comparisons.
America runs on "TV", and as stupid a custom as that is, this moment hopefully brings the rest of everyone to a more sober and personal understanding of where we truly are in the goodbye freedoms continuum.
Us old folks run on TV, Gen Y and Z run on social media and streaming.
Tariffs, joblessness and inflation can be blamed on the other party.. Blatantly axing free speech for all eyes to see can not. I doubt that very many Americans can name more than a few of the rights our Constitution aguarantees them but most everybody knows the 1st — and 2nd — amendments: they are our national fetishes. When Margorie Taylor Greens and Tucker Carlson start attacking El Presidente because he is stripping freedom of speech from us all you realize just how important that freedom is, how inextricably woven into the fabric of this country it is. Who knows, maybe a coalition can be forged between the left and the right (do we still have a center?), Trump can be overthrown, and we can go back to hating each other like any decent two-party system requires.
IMHO the center is why we are where we are. The center avoids confrontation and conflict like oil avoids water, it is soft, weak, ameliorating, compromising and bipartisan just like Obama and Biden
You know I am an atheist,but still I quote Jesus, Be ye neither hot nor cold I will spew thee out of my mouth.
Revelation 3:16 Might be my new fav, thanks William.
Middle of the road is a good place to get run-over.
Those of us who are lawyers knew from SCOTUS decisions that abrogated judicial authority. As my 'ol pappy used to say, "Don't shit where you eat." SCOTUS did and does. By necessary implication.....
When FCC Chair Brendan Carr said Jimmy Kimmel should be suspended and said, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” ABC and its local affiliates were listening. Within a matter of hours, ABC suspended Kimmel’s show “indefinitely,” a stunning move that has raised serious First Amendment concerns. Threatened to pull ABC's licenses.
Immediately, the two largest ABC station groups, Nexstar and Sinclair, took Kimmel off the air.
Nexstar Media Group, Inc. entered into a "Definitive Agreement To Acquire TEGNA Inc. for $6.2 Billion in Accretive Transaction. August 19, 2025." https://www.nexstar.tv/nexstar-media-group-inc-enters-into-definitive-agreement-to-acquire-tegna-inc-for-6-2-billion-in-accretive-transaction/. They need Trump administration approval.
Sinclair is openly right wing. https://fair.org/home/how-sinclair-sneaks-right-wing-spin-into-millions-of-households/
Disney's current merger activity includes integrating its Disney+ and Hulu streaming services into a single app for 2026, a merger with Reliance Industries in India for their broadcast and streaming assets, and a partnership where Disney becomes the majority owner of a new company by merging its Hulu + Live TV business with Fubo in January 2025. Google.
Today Disney stock is down. Disney already acquiesced, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/18/business/media/disney-trump-abc-lawsuit.html
Note the date. 2024. Trump sued after George Stephanopoulos, the star ABC News anchor, said on the air that Trump had been found “liable for rape” in a New York civil trial. In fact, Mr. Trump had been found liable for sexual abuse, although the judge in that case later noted that New York has a narrow legal definition of rape.
“A reasonable jury could interpret Stephanopoulos’s statements as defamatory,” USDC SD FL Judge Altonaga wrote, and then added an emphasis in italics. “Stephanopoulos stated ten times that a jury — or juries — had found plaintiff liable for rape.”
"On Friday, Judge Altonaga dealt Disney another setback. She rejected requests to delay the case and ordered near-immediate depositions for Mr. Trump and Mr. Stephanopoulos. Moreover, Disney was also told to turn over “all remaining documents” related to the case — including pertinent emails and text messages sent by and to Mr. Stephanopoulos — by Sunday.
"Disney responded by opening settlement talks. By Friday night, the two sides had reached a deal. The company agreed to donate $15 million to Mr. Trump’s future presidential foundation and museum. Mr. Stephanopoulos and ABC News published a statement saying they “regret” remarks made about Mr. Trump during the March broadcast. The news network also agreed to pay Mr. Trump an additional $1 million in legal fees."
__________
From Andrew Ross Sorkin, NYT.
"But Disney is also under pressure on its left flank. At least five Hollywood unions, who together represent more than 400,000 workers, publicly condemned the company. Damon Lindelof, a writer and producer who helped create “Lost,” said that he couldn’t work for Disney if Kimmel’s program wasn’t reinstated.
"Critics of Trump and Carr worry about an industry under siege. “We all see where this is going, correct?” David Letterman said at an event hosted by The Atlantic. “It’s managed media. And it’s no good.”
"It’s not clear yet how this plays out. Aziz Huq of the University of Chicago argued in Politico that the Supreme Court had ruled that the First Amendment prohibits the government from “jawboning” private media companies to silence speech.
"But it’s uncertain how much appetite Disney, which has already paid a $15 million settlement to the Trump administration, or other media companies have for fighting back. So, for the moment at least, it’s unclear when or whether Kimmel — who met with Dana Walden, Disney’s TV chief, yesterday, according to Puck — will come back on air."
Quoted: "Aziz Huq of the University of Chicago argued in Politico that the Supreme Court had ruled that the First Amendment prohibits the government from “jawboning” private media companies to silence speech."
Actually the 1st Amendment doesn't. all it prohibits is Congress enacting laws that abridge the right of speech and assembly.
However the Courts have ruled that the Amendment protects speech, but that which the court rules (like Roe) can be over ruled (like Dobbs)
Kimmel is fine, he is a millionaire and there are other venues like social media, podcasts, the internet, even a youtube channel. I feel for the staff, crew, workers who lost their jobs and maybe their homes. And for the aged public, like myself, who was entertained by his acerbic political wit. Jimmy Falon is no replacement, he is vanilla lame. I record but don't watch him,except at moments of crisis like now and he is even more lame.
Actually, NY Times v Sullivan and its progeny.
Trump and his lickspittle followers have no detectable sense of humor, and they don't want us to have one either. It's as much about envy as it is censorship.
The English did well with the baby trump balloon. Next balloon needs to be a gigantic middle finger.
It's the 1st Amendment, stupid!
Anyone who believes in the 2nd Amendment to keep their guns had better believe in the 1st Amendment too. I enjoy TALKING to guys/girls with guns - not SHOOTING them.
The 1st Amendment - Freedom of Speech - Made America Great.
It's loss turns the USA into a little jungle tribe whose petty deadly quarrels NOBODY else is interested in.
Donald fancies himself king. He knows that he is "Butt Naked,' though.
So the kid pointing and shouting the obvious truth must be dispatched, forthwith.
SAD. . . . Even sadder? The Coward Brendan Carr.
I don't know that Trump is capable of realizing he is "butt naked": he's a narcissist. One of the primary traits of narcissism its the ability to accept they are wrong.
(PS: In the future please don't resor to such lurid imagery. Even the strong quiver at the thought of Trump butt naked)
Oops... "sbility" above should be "inability" My bad.
Jesus. I never thought this would be necessary for anyone reading Mr. Hartmann, but you need it, so . . .
Hans Christian Andersen’s The Emperor’s New Clothes (1837) offers a compelling allegory for psychiatric phenomena such as shared delusional disorder (folie à plusieurs), cognitive dissonance, and the social reinforcement of denial. The emperor’s unquestioned belief in invisible garments—sustained by the fear of appearing incompetent—mirrors mechanisms seen in clinical and institutional settings where individuals or groups may suppress reality to maintain cohesion or status. The tale’s enduring relevance underscores the intersection of perception, power, and psychological defense.
See: Andersen, Hans Christian. Fairy Tales Told for Children. First Collection. Copenhagen: C.A. Reitzel, 1837.
The term cognitive dissonance is thrown around like candy these days, it seems to be the favorite new thing, and is used freely without understanding. that is part of pop culture.
Cognitive dissonance is a personal thing, felt by the person who is experiencing it, it is the basis of a lie detector. One cannot tell if another is experiencing cognitive dissonance. We accuse people of cognitive dissonance, because we project.
I have no idea if the person who believes that the emperor is wearing clothes when he is naked is experiencing cognitive dissonance, because I am not in their skin.
A man, say, who converts to Islam or Catholicism, for ulterior purposes, like to marry a woman, will experience cognitive dissonance, maybe. he will then experience physical discomfort as he presents himself as a true believer, and to prove it to himself and others, he becomes a fanatic.
It is a feature that the most fanatic and devoted of believers are converts (cognitive dissonance at work), the most fanatic of Jihadists (male and female) have been converts. like the ones called "The Beatles"
I have no way of knowing if another is experiencing cognitive dissonance, and neither does anyone else, without a lie detector test or having them confess on a psychiatrists couch. They could in fact believe in their own hypocrisy, so many do.
I had actually considered referring to The Emperor as well. There undoubtedly are those over 50 who don't know of him but, as you suggest, not around here. I grew up with Andersen's fairy takes published about 100 years ago. It was one of my favorite "good night" stories. My apologies if I offended you.
Over 50?
No offense taken. Just helping out where I can.
Beware, I need lots of it.
Then parents are narcissists? :)
Depends on how lucky the kid is.
“You know you don’t live in a free country any more when comedians can no longer criticize the president.”
This is America, Thom. Time to assess what that really means now, after decades of assault by the morbidly rich, the neo-Confederates, and their cronies and minions. Talk will not work. Peaceful protest (which the fascists will ALWAYS call violent) will not work. Too much of our population is dumb or numb or both. The only language that has ever worked in this country in the final instance leaves the barrel of a gun. It saved us in the Civil War, WWI, WWII. It has degraded us in many other instances. But the gun is apparently sacred to Americans. Kirk defended the Second Amendment with the words "it is worth a few deaths." He reaped what he had sown.
The midterm elections will be rigged and even if overwhelmingly against the MAGAtocracy, the POTUS will assure they are overturned sufficiently to leave the fascists in power. If anyone here has a resolution of our present crisis that does not involve bullets, please share it with us. I do not view that as a solution, by the way. I utterly oppose it, and the tortured interpretation of the Second Amendment that has led to there being more guns than people in this country. I also believe that if that is all we have, then the country is dead--and should be. So please, how can we save it and ourselves? I am very serious about that, as we have an adored seven-year old grandson, and I want a decent, not dystopian future for him and his generation.
My thanks in advance for any ideas. We need hope. For me, that is now in very short, indeed vanishing, supply.
This is a great step forward. This is the first attempt to communicate, lofty concepts to the general public.
The left/liberals tend to over – intellectualize subjects, and fail to express them in ways that are accessible by the general public.
For example, for a discussion of fascism, the liberal media will present an academic, such as Timothy Snyder or Ruth Ben-Ghiat, who then describe their “20-point checklist of fascism” (exaggerating for effect).
I suggest you lead an effort to create a list of conditions that indicate the presence of an authoritarian regime. I suspect we will find that we have already passed that point. It will also be important to state that it is not necessary to fulfill every condition to fall into the abyss.
Just a Question: Wouldn't Nextar be ABC? That's where I got Kimmel. Colbert, in my area, is on CBS. I'm pondering ending my Disney+ membership (even though members of my family love the movies there) and, I think they were the threatened corporation (that has no guts).
I laid this out above. ABC doesn't own most of its outlets. Here in Miami, the local outlet fired them, has become independent.
Each outlet must get an FCC license.
CBS Parmount has been sold.
Democrats may want to consider something more compelling than expressions of concern, say, loud and relentless counterattacks. Break the rules, since rules no longer exist. Call the fascists fascists, since that’s what they are. Call for strikes (SAG could really jam things up for Disney), boycotts. Tell everyone what’s at stake, what they’re losing, who’s to blame. Make good trouble, and lots of it.
Watch the hearings, Mr. Tom. It will cheer you up. Swalwell had on his "Jimmy Kimmel Live" hat, and told the Republicans they are going to need a lawyer when we take everything back.
I wish I could believe that, neither party has had any honorable guardrails since
shock & awe in Iraq. Democrats enabled this fascist takeover by the billionaire class and their Republican toadies. They are the ones who ran an old man with a big ego to run for president a 2nd time, and then screwed up their campaigns trying to do damage control when America watched dementia symptoms on TV.
In my view, Gaza support cost Harris the election. We talk about guardrails, but where were those guardrails when Biden rushed to rescue Netanyahu, who clearly let Hamas attack so he could execute his Arab "final solution." Nobody in the administration pushed back hard enough to disengage, and our current senile sociopathic president continues sending billions in support of genocide.
Actually, we wuz robbed. We really won.
Did Trump admit Musk stole Pennsylvania?