Malevolent…. Perfect description of Trump .. and extending it to Putin here. They both are malevolent and evil.
Tony Schwartz (wrote “Art of the Deal” for Trump) warned the nation in 2016 that Trump was both a “narcissistic sociopath” and “deeply mentally disturbed”
We stand ready for the continued hard work ahead with hope that the tyrant is falling, the resisters are gaining strength and the majority in the house and senate will become the party of and for the people. I love readiing your entries they provide such clear descriptions keeping us up to date in these very complex and troubling times of our nations history.
"the last full measure of devotion -- 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."
Yet here we are again, fighting in a different war against a different enemy. Democracy is indeed messy but worthy of the sacrafices we must make.
Dear Simon, your leadership in this community has been unparalleled and I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done and helped accomplish this far.
In America, such a decentralized modern society and the most culturally diverse nation in the world, against seeming odds, its resistance to Trump and the oligarchy like what we’ve seen come to fruition that continues to reinstate my innate cautious optimism.
Trump nor any MAGA acolyte (or worse) will ever become the lasting dictator many fear. We are not an immune nation and we are seeing, living proof of that now. However, America is a unique, complex nation which I’ve long felt would always officially and ultimately prevent from becoming a long lasting dictatorship.
Ironically enough, our greatest test towards that theory (and likely the last one for quite some time in my view) is that of Trump, an immature, flailing, extraordinarily vain, narcissistic 80 year old who is, always has been, and always will be his own worst enemy (which ironically is our greatest solace), destined to bring his cronies down with him, causing his movement around him to rise and fall all on his own accord even in spite of the enabling by those who have kept him afloat for far too long.
Yet, there is ALWAYS a breaking point! It is coming soon, we can all feel it. In the strangest way, we’re lucky the worst of our modern nation is a Trump figure and not that of a Hitler figure. Our nation will be the one who both let a Trump figure in but also cast a Trump figure out, nearly ensuring another one or worse will never rise to such levels of power again, certainly within our lifetimes.
As for Kamala, the one who got so close, and the one the nation unfortunately let get away, I don’t know where she ultimately lands, but I do know that she will land big regardless as she is far too prominent a figure to fade out (hopefully, perhaps at least as the next AG).
With that, I yield the floor to a healthy, healing, democratic, and happy 2026 amidst needed and hopeful change ahead. Love and light to you and your family. All the best to this community. Thank you for all you do. Happy New Year and forward we march 🥂✌️💕.
Here are some words from a very wise U.S. Georgia senator:
"Evil always goes too far. Evil always gets a little bit too impressed with itself. It's filled up with hubris. Evil always goes too far, and because it goes too far, it contains within itself the seed of its own destruction."
This year his decline will accelerate. Mark my words. Republicans will start tripping over themselves to say they don’t support him and that they always supported the ACA.
Thanks for this Jon, (and to Simon for retracing Lincoln's famous speech.) A very comprehensive essay.
Before this morning, I hadnt read the Gettysberg address in its entirety for many years. This is a fine way to begin the new year...
I think of all the young voters who did not live through Kennedy or Carter, Reagan or Clinton or Bush. What must it be like for them to have such a snapshot of our government and how the norms have been broken...
On Dec. 11, Sen. Tammy Duckworth said the deployment of National Guard to US cities cost more than $340 million. Trump should reimburse us taxpayers for his illegal waste of our money.
If Democrats retake the House, I hope they’ll investigate the many ways this administration has misappropriated funds, cost us money, and utterly failed to address the growing debt.
I started reading Jack Smith’s testimony before the House Judiciary. It’s suggestive, both of how he’d planned to shape his prosecution of Trump, and of Republican efforts to set him up. Smith comes across as a person of great integrity and determination. I hope Maddow or O’Donnell will cover this in detail.
Happy New Year all! I see an opportunity! Write your Congressfolk and request that they circulate a discharge petition to overturn the *rump veto of the Bobert's clean water bill. Watch Republicans gibber and run! This will give us an excellent talking point for the 2026 midterms if nothing else
And in 2026, Democrats will show the nation, once again, what government "of the people, by the people and for the people" looks like. That it can always be better; but that in the right hands, it is an instrument for good--for lifting people up with opportunity rather than tearing them down with fear and hatred.
Onward.
Ustoppable.
Failure is not an option.
a joy to be part of this!
Malevolent…. Perfect description of Trump .. and extending it to Putin here. They both are malevolent and evil.
Tony Schwartz (wrote “Art of the Deal” for Trump) warned the nation in 2016 that Trump was both a “narcissistic sociopath” and “deeply mentally disturbed”
And he was Spot On!!!
We stand ready for the continued hard work ahead with hope that the tyrant is falling, the resisters are gaining strength and the majority in the house and senate will become the party of and for the people. I love readiing your entries they provide such clear descriptions keeping us up to date in these very complex and troubling times of our nations history.
Thank you Simon. Here's to you and another year ahead of fighting for our democracy together!
I have decided to continue offering my daily dose of hope and light to offset the bs that will probably continue.
https://www.dailyhaikuforyou.com
I invite all of you to join us. Ever onward.
Monica
"the last full measure of devotion -- 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."
Yet here we are again, fighting in a different war against a different enemy. Democracy is indeed messy but worthy of the sacrafices we must make.
Forward! !Arriba! Excelsior! Mamua!
Dear Simon, your leadership in this community has been unparalleled and I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done and helped accomplish this far.
In America, such a decentralized modern society and the most culturally diverse nation in the world, against seeming odds, its resistance to Trump and the oligarchy like what we’ve seen come to fruition that continues to reinstate my innate cautious optimism.
Trump nor any MAGA acolyte (or worse) will ever become the lasting dictator many fear. We are not an immune nation and we are seeing, living proof of that now. However, America is a unique, complex nation which I’ve long felt would always officially and ultimately prevent from becoming a long lasting dictatorship.
Ironically enough, our greatest test towards that theory (and likely the last one for quite some time in my view) is that of Trump, an immature, flailing, extraordinarily vain, narcissistic 80 year old who is, always has been, and always will be his own worst enemy (which ironically is our greatest solace), destined to bring his cronies down with him, causing his movement around him to rise and fall all on his own accord even in spite of the enabling by those who have kept him afloat for far too long.
Yet, there is ALWAYS a breaking point! It is coming soon, we can all feel it. In the strangest way, we’re lucky the worst of our modern nation is a Trump figure and not that of a Hitler figure. Our nation will be the one who both let a Trump figure in but also cast a Trump figure out, nearly ensuring another one or worse will never rise to such levels of power again, certainly within our lifetimes.
As for Kamala, the one who got so close, and the one the nation unfortunately let get away, I don’t know where she ultimately lands, but I do know that she will land big regardless as she is far too prominent a figure to fade out (hopefully, perhaps at least as the next AG).
With that, I yield the floor to a healthy, healing, democratic, and happy 2026 amidst needed and hopeful change ahead. Love and light to you and your family. All the best to this community. Thank you for all you do. Happy New Year and forward we march 🥂✌️💕.
Amen to all this, and thank you Blake for your ongoing valuable contributions here.
Thank you Simon 🙏
Here are some words from a very wise U.S. Georgia senator:
"Evil always goes too far. Evil always gets a little bit too impressed with itself. It's filled up with hubris. Evil always goes too far, and because it goes too far, it contains within itself the seed of its own destruction."
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LbVdYpcjCTc
Congratulations, Mayor Mamdani!
Move forward and eyes on the prize 2026!
This year his decline will accelerate. Mark my words. Republicans will start tripping over themselves to say they don’t support him and that they always supported the ACA.
From your lips to the Goddess's ears.
Here is a detailed analysis of the Gettysburg Address. I've kept it in my inbox for the last 11 years and read it from time to time. https://www.nationalaffairs.com/publications/detail/lincoln-at-gettysburg
Thanks for this Jon, (and to Simon for retracing Lincoln's famous speech.) A very comprehensive essay.
Before this morning, I hadnt read the Gettysberg address in its entirety for many years. This is a fine way to begin the new year...
I think of all the young voters who did not live through Kennedy or Carter, Reagan or Clinton or Bush. What must it be like for them to have such a snapshot of our government and how the norms have been broken...
2026 is here. Lets reclaim our country.
On Dec. 11, Sen. Tammy Duckworth said the deployment of National Guard to US cities cost more than $340 million. Trump should reimburse us taxpayers for his illegal waste of our money.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-troop-deployments-us-cities-have-cost-more-than-340-million-senator-says-2025-12-11/
If Democrats retake the House, I hope they’ll investigate the many ways this administration has misappropriated funds, cost us money, and utterly failed to address the growing debt.
I started reading Jack Smith’s testimony before the House Judiciary. It’s suggestive, both of how he’d planned to shape his prosecution of Trump, and of Republican efforts to set him up. Smith comes across as a person of great integrity and determination. I hope Maddow or O’Donnell will cover this in detail.
Simon, thank you so much. You'll never know how much you've done to keep many of us (me, for example) from abject despair.
I'm working on my postcards to NC voters today, starting, as the Brits say, as I mean to go on.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year all! I see an opportunity! Write your Congressfolk and request that they circulate a discharge petition to overturn the *rump veto of the Bobert's clean water bill. Watch Republicans gibber and run! This will give us an excellent talking point for the 2026 midterms if nothing else
And in 2026, Democrats will show the nation, once again, what government "of the people, by the people and for the people" looks like. That it can always be better; but that in the right hands, it is an instrument for good--for lifting people up with opportunity rather than tearing them down with fear and hatred.
Time to metaphorically kick Trump's butt!