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Everybody who’s not emotionally shutdown or inside the cult is anxious. You aren’t paranoid when the threat is a real and present danger to all that you love and respect. The best journalists that I read see it clearly. TPM spells it out.

Jan. 6 Never Ended And Is Still Ongoing To This Day

INSIDE: Elon Musk … Jason Stanley … Bruuuce

And, this is the culmination of a much longer historical progression of actions that subvert democracy.

October 24, 2024

Trump’s threat to use the military on “the enemy within,” along with the recent statements of General John Kelly and other members of Trump’s administration who say he is a fascist, have fed growing concern that Trump’s reelection could spark a deadly conflict between MAGA Republicans and those they perceive as their enemies.

I believed, when I was a Republican, that Democrats would ruin the country with their tax and spend mindset. Ronald Reagan, the great communicator, told us that government was the problem. Supply side economics would bring us lower taxes and a thriving economy. The reverse proved to be the case.

Here’s what history says about the myths that still dominate GOP economic orthodoxy.

October 11, 2024

A report from the Labor Department yesterday showed that inflation has dropped again, falling back to 2.4%, the same rate as it was just before the coronavirus pandemic.

Political beliefs, reinforced by groupthink, trump reason and critical analysis. Even when objective evidence contradicts those zombie beliefs, they continue to influence the political faithful.

Lincoln at Gettysburg:

“ . . . that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Robert Reich quotes Donald Trump, who spoke recently at Gettysburg, suggesting that his incoherence is evidence of dementia.

Not only is Trump confused about the significance of Gettysburg, but the political party he leads, which once celebrated the sentiments enshrined in Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, now advances the ideas of tyrants and dictators.

You can’t revere Lincoln or his words if you:

• Emulate and praise dictators.
• Suppress the vote of people who don’t support you
• Openly subvert free and fair elections
• Seek to game the electoral college system to thwart a loss at the polls.
• Deny freedom to those who don’t look like you, worship like you, or love like you
• Deny women the right to make decisions about their bodies, fertility, and childbearing
• Promise that Americans won’t have to vote anymore once you have “fixed it”
• Promote the idea that your preferred religion is superior to all others, and your faith must be the faith of the entire nation
• Foster self-serving lies that deceive and motivate your followers
• Legislate policies that are inequitable
• Politicize the court system
• Advocate change with false fears, hate, and outrageous deceptions
• Tolerate criminality and immorality to protect your leaders
• Participate in a cult of personality for political and personal gain
• Value loyalty to party above what’s best for the people as a whole

The Republican Party and its leader, Donald Trump, do not represent the values of Lincoln, most Americans, or even most people who identify as Republicans.

The election this fall offers an opportunity for redemption. If you have been going along to get along, this could be your last chance to reclaim dignity and integrity and make the Grand Old Party great again.

In “interesting” times, it’s important to keep a sense of humor. I got a chuckle out of John Young’s column below and think you may too.

He’s the man to render democracy brain-dead

“You’ve got to get out and vote. In four years, you don’t have to vote again. We’ll have it fixed so good you’re not going to have to vote.” When he said that last week to a bleach-eyed coven of idol worshippers assembled by Turning Point USA, Donald Trump played the room. To those outside…

Did he [DJT] really mean what we think he meant when he said you won’t have to vote again? His apologists say no, but Pete Pete Buttigieg put it well when he said, “I don’t want to have to worry about whether he meant what he said.” None of us should have to worry that our elected leaders might actually do what they flippantly say to please a crowd of their true believers.

We are confronted with a political party that has many of the classic characteristics of a cult and blends them with enforcing conformity by systematic reward and punishment that reminds us of an organized crime family. Its leader is showing signs and symptoms of senility, and many mental health professionals characterize his public behavior as typical of a sociopath.

@PsychoPAC24 on X

Anti-Psychopath PAC is dedicated to highlighting Donald Trump’s mental instability and defeating him in November.

Yet, for reasons of personal ambition and fear, the refuse to turn away from him.

Ask yourself: Can you think of a single selfless act of compassion or public service attributable to the Republican Nominee? Can you think of anyone less willing to accept the will of the people? It would be laughable if it were fiction.

Far too many of us are so disgusted with the political process that we have abandoned critical thinking and become complacent. Historian Heather Cox Richardson lays out the picture of what lies ahead. It is grim.

July 4, 2024

Monday, July 1, was a busy day. That morning the Supreme Court handed down a decision in Donald J. Trump v. United States that gives the president absolute immunity for committing crimes while engaging in official acts. On the same day, Trump White House strategist Steve Bannon began a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress at a low-security federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut. Before he began serving his sentence, he swore he would “be more powerful in prison than I am now.”

Heather Cox Richardson analyzes the significance of the upcoming election for Americans. (click)

Canadian wildfires caused the air in Newtown, PA to exceed the 400 AQI level that’s considered hazardous to all. Lesser levels pose a risk to subsets like the elderly (me), those with a history of asthma (also me), children, pregnant women, and those with compromised health.

Here is the map showing real-time measurements for Newtown and vicinity. You can focus the map on any area you choose. Click the picture below to view the real-time map.

Marguerite, my wife, wrote the article below explaining why the AQI (air quality index) is of concern to everyone.

Economist Robert Reich is conducting a series of classes you may be interested in; I think he plans 14.

Doug Muder is, to my mind, one of the best critical thinkers of our time. In this week’s Weekly Sift, Doug deconstructs Marjory Taylor Greene’s call for a national divorce that would return the US to a confederacy of independent states.

Virtually no thinking person is taking her idea seriously. But, informed by history, economics, and practical realities, Doug Muder carefully demonstrates why she is so very wrong. It’s a good exercise in Civics.

MTG’s dream deserves a serious response

If we don’t want a “national divorce”, we need to start discussing ideas rather than trolling each other. During my week off from writing the Sift, I preached a sermon about democ…

an Opera by Scott Joplin

Houston Grand Opera Orchestra

with an all-black cast of singers and dancers

Online Links

For those who would like to share this remarkable experience with off-campus friends and relatives, here are the YouTube links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6ynOUAFIG8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHG6PMUUHOA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Sr5AokEGGg

The libretto is also available both in document form and as a slide show keyed to the sound track:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ecgr5ViF-Xc

http://www.pegopera.org/operas/treemonisha/lib_a4.pdf

http://en.opera-scores.com/D/VocalScore/5310/191737.html

Doug Muder has been my favorite read for rational political analysis since 2016. He spoke to Pennswood Residents via Zoom on January 17th. Anyone concerned about credibility and truth in the media will find this video informative and thought-provoking.

Doug Muder on Citizen Journalism