A nation tired of chaos, cruelty, and con games is finally looking up — and questioning everything. Democrats have the momentum now because Americans are seeing the truth in real time.
I think Michael Cohen had a lot of wasted potential when he worked for Trump. Similar to being in a bad marriage and trying to gut it out for the long haul while deserving so much more than whet he got. Glad he’s on the right side of issues.
Well done! There is a slight error in the "choice" section. As stated: "Zelenskyy called it what it is: a choice between losing land or losing dignity." Losing land and losing dignity is one choice. The other choice is retaining land and dignity - and fighting on.
I don’t want to hear A SINGLE word from Republicans about dangerous rhetoric or Dems inciting violence. WHEN is the FBI going to see Trump? Any other American that'd make online threats against people would deserve a visit from some level of law enforcement.
Death threats are a crime. Such threats are NOT protected under the 1st Amendment's free speech provisions. Thanks to the NOT so Supreme Court, looks like Trump has immunity for the threats he's currently making. He should be in handcuffs!
To Republicans in Congress: it is time for you people to remember who you are and what this Country stands for. It is your responsibility to arrange the impeachment of Trump. All you know that Trump is finished. It's just a matter of time and that time is running out. This has gone on for long enough!
We are at the point of saying: We the People WILL NOT comply with tyranny. I wear a shirt with that reminder. This one 👇
Remember: When Government fears the people, you have freedom. When people fear the Government, you have tyranny. Time to remind Trump who's the actual boss in America!
It has to fall from the corrupt top down. Sure, there are agents across the country doing their jobs, but they are not going to join in some kind of united rebellion to overthrow their department heads appointed by DJT. That’s why we have to take back both branches of Congress in 2026; all of them need to be impeached, including POTUS.
Unfortunately, there’s plenty of MAGAs who will swear an oath to the President in exchange for a job with benefits they have no chance of earning in the private sector.
800 FBI employees being separated from bureau, sources say Sources tell CBS News that on Tuesday night, 800 FBI employees, including a few hundred agents, will be leaving the bureau. CBS News justice correspondent Scott MacFarlane has the details.
agree....and i love wearing t shirts that inform others of my moral and ethical beliefs wherever they see me...supermarket, post office, dentist etc etc. i have about 50 that i've had printed, and often get comments from people that they love the fact i'm wearing them because it makes them feel less alone, and other think i'm brave to wear them, and that confuses me, because standing up for ethics, morality, decency is a necessity and has nothing to do with being brave.... i post them on my substack, and i really have no ownership of the words - words of defiance, words of protest, words of struggle, are words for everyone..... keep up with the 'in-your-face' billboard t shirt wearing heather.... :)
A King, a Dictator, a Tyrant, whatever you will, still governs - by force and fear. It is governance of and by the few for the few, but it is governance. By malfeasance, corruption and malignant neglect for all who are not them, but it is governance. Were it not, the system would take a bullet to the heart, which it soon may anyway
Your semantics do not disqualify what Project 2025 aims for and is accomplishing: the elimination of governance as we know it.
The conceptual opposite of governance is generally considered to be anarchy (the absence of government or authority) or chaos/disorder.
A despot or dictator does not "govern" in the same sense as a democratic or constitutional leader; they rule by will and force, often without established laws or the consent of the governed.
Governance vs. Ruling
The key distinction lies in the method and source of authority:
Governance implies conducting affairs based on established laws, principles, or a constitution, usually with the consent or participation of the people (such as through elected representatives). It suggests acting for the benefit of the ruled and involves checks and balances.
Ruling, especially in the context of despotism or dictatorship, implies exercising absolute and often arbitrary power over an area and its people, typically without regard for established laws or the rights of the people. The ruler's power is often maintained through force and the suppression of opposition.
Despots and Dictators
Despots and dictators exercise absolute power, making decisions based on personal will rather than a legal framework that limits their authority. While their actions create a form of order, it is an order enforced by a single, unchecked power, which is the antithesis of the collaborative and law-bound nature of governance.
In political science, such systems are often described as:
Autocracy: Rule by a single person with complete authority.
Tyranny: Oppressive and arbitrary government by a single ruler.
Absolutism: Unrestricted power vested in a monarch or dictator.
Therefore, a despot or dictator does not "govern" in the modern, constitutional sense, but rather "rules" through a system of domination and command.
I find it refreshing to be dismissed summarily based on semantics (linguistic meaning). You may note as we have progressed, you evolved from “government” to “constitutional government” and then introduced a third alternative of “anarchy,” as you defined it. Pettifoggery is not my strong suit, so the thought of involuntary engagement is exciting.
I did anticipate or advocate for or against your structural shift, choosing to rely on the broader concept of governance, per se, without constraining filtration. As I state below, I believe some of your points have merit, though my more constant position relies both on etymology and consistency, such as that provided by the Oklahoma Historical Society: “Some governments are run by one powerful person or a small group of people in a country. These types of governments are called authoritarian because the people must serve the government. Because of this, authoritarian governments frequently do not respect the rights of individuals.” https://tinyurl.com/ddwfbz2d Does this make them a constitutional government? Certainly not. But a government? It would seem so.
As for Project 2025 (https://tinyurl.com/3hp7j6mt) it is little more than the functional equivalent of the constitutional barn wall George Orwell used in “Animal Farm” on which these words were inscribed: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” At a macro view level, that is the essence of Project 2025: The unitary President is the source of power, though inconsistently it acknowledges Congress. “Some animals are more equal than others.” And yet, it remains a government of sorts.
Let us not rely solely on my reading, but instead look at Project 2025, especially where the words support your goal of redefining government as not-government. “There is no such thing as “the government.” There are just people who work for the government and wield its power and who—at almost every opportunity—wield it to serve themselves first and everyone else a distant second.” [p. 14] “Above all, the President and those who serve under him or her must be committed to the Constitution and the rule of law. This is particularly true of a conservative Administration, which knows that the President is there to uphold the Constitution, not the other way around. Equally important, the President must enforce the Constitution and laws as written, rather than proclaiming new “law” unilaterally. Legislatures make the laws in a republic, not executives.” [p. 20]
Project 2025 is policy but it does not constitute or limit this Administration. Let’s look at this page of White House.gov: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/. Even though “Legislatures make the laws in a republic, not executives,” the Section entitled “Presidential Actions” suggests that policy and reality have parted. In this one section exist Executive Orders, Presidential Memoranda, Proclamations and more. So who is making laws under this “government,” Congress or the unitary Executive? Notably, all of these actions however denominated fall short of Constitutional law-making, such as with tariffs, detentions, violations of the Posse Comitatus Act, unauthorized extra-judicial killings, and in every other respect, yet are treated by those who enforce them as laws.
Project 2025’s words of non-governance are a map, a theory. In practice, we have an tyrant running an oligarchy that crosses over into a Kleptocracy, per Merriam-Webster, a “government by those who seek chiefly status and personal gain at the expense of the governed.” Note that first word, “government.” We don’t have to like it, but there it is. All consistent with your thesis that Project 2025 is: “antithesis of the collaborative and law-bound nature of governance.” But Project 2025 does not sign Bills at the Resolute Desk, a despot, the Chief Executive Officer of a government – a dysfunctional one at best, does.
My original post was 2 words: "Planned misgovernance." The Project 2025 guide shows how leadership can compel planned misgovernance. I realize now you have conflated governance (the act of governing) with government (alternative or overlapping structural forms of governance). Project 2025 seeks to eliminate elective/appointed administrative government not governance (governing) by substituting dictatorial rulership governance designated as the “unitary executive” It ignores the reality that autocracy is government.
Hi, Kevin - I’m sticking with Anarchy… the so called Unitary Principle relies on chaos and disorder, “breaking things”, destruction of our constitutional government and its governance using the set of constitutional rules and laws that government implements.
Well written. And mildly encouraging. But it's a wave lapping on shore. Not the tsunami we need to toss out this fascist regime, & try & sentence them for their many crimes. And then start rebuilding: smartly for this century w tons of firewalls to ensure this can never happen again! And strongly enshrining our collective Rights & Protections for all time.
It because Americans are answering as Americans not just party affiliations. It is can we afford to live as a people who can no longer follow a President who behaves so erratic and cruel to all the people he swore a oath to defend, not just those who agree with him. For the people and all the people.
For so many, the sales pitch sounded so glorious, but then forgot to “read the small print”; twice!
I hope a majority of our neighbors have begun to realize that our country takes all of us, and it takes work and dedication, not silly slogans and fake enemies.
That’s an excellent question. One I expect will be pondered over for years and years. But a short, somewhat trite answer; he’s very adept at stoking fears, especially at imaginary enemies.
Americans, maybe all humans ?want to believe someone is to blame when things aren’t as expected or (a serious fault of my generation) things aren’t the way they were ‘before’.
I wish I could say all Americans are open-hearted, generous, kind, and welcoming….but there’s plenty of evidence that that’s not the case.
I honestly have no confidence in the American people. Sorry, but 76 million people voted for a known sex offender, cheater, corrupt and overall horrible human. Many of those for the third time.
They were lied to the first election and then the second. And finally the third. I don’t have confidence in their morals or ability to think and reason. Their decision-making abilities are severely lacking.
And understand it will require patience with each other and those we elect to restore what has been broken. I hope we can show that patience and support of each other. There will be no instant gratification once these bad seeds are gone because the destruction has been quick and deep, destroying foundational supports of our Democracy. Destruction happens fast, rebuilding and recovery, sadly, doesn’t. They have burned so much down, we must build it back stronger and more sustainable so it can’t happen ever again. For the future.
Yes they were lied to, but they wanted/chose to believe the lies, which made the difference, especially with no Dem primary and Harris having just 107 days to try to complete against an overfunded ego and tainted by insufficient time and personal loyalty to separate from Biden. Maybe Abe needed a 4th corollary: if you bull$hit properly, you can fool just enough people
I was gutted that Trump held onto his base, which only increased marginally. Assuming there was no rigging (and I do not assume that), a lot of folks who voted for Biden failed to show up for Harris. Given all that was at stake, that is a gobsmacker.
However, I do think Trump supporters as a group are Americans that America has utterly failed. Shabby education, a sense that just being American makes you better than everyone else, and exempt from earning your place on the planet, and an indulgent consumer culture that celebrates celebrity and wealth, independent of merit.
So while they made some awful mistakes, and allowed fake grievance to drive their votes, we need to encourage them to do the best for their country.
I agree. It would be foolish to pigeonhole all who voted for him. Some (sadly) drank the Kool-Aid. Many, from many different demographic groups were, as you sagely observe, people who felt shut out, left behind or too-long unheard; others were unrepentant Jan 6 supporters who believe that retribution as a remedy is better than reconciliation or consensus. There is no benefit to blame or finger pointing. Democrats need a message (affordability is a good start), fresh faces (there are many), the departure of the old guard in time to make room for a generational (or multi-generational) shift in leadership; and inclusivity. Like him or don’t but in part Mamdani won by listening to every POV.
I understand what you’re saying. But last election Kamala had a message, one that was grounded in reality and fact and one that would’ve been a positive for all of us. It was also said by many what a second trump presidency would bring. With all of that, millions voted for the known criminal (and I do believe some cheating occurred.) I know many trump voters that are well educated, firmly in the middle class. I have to believe what is in their hearts has a lot to do with why they continue to smile and support trump. But I hope enough American finally can truly understand how awful this regime is and we can work together to end it and begin building a truly more promising future for us all.
The so called Legacy Media had a lot to do with it. Their “what-about-ism” and false equivalencies, and the full on coverage of every damn thing he uttered w little if any fact checking, or if there was, it was hidden away and a separate “click”. The 107 days to catch up and get her own message out with their Biden-named Albatross around her neck didn’t help either. None of this excuses not voting or switching your former Biden 2020 votes to DJT. She clearly “won” the one debate with him, but it wasn’t enough. She was also out-raising him until Elon dropped in w his millions and saved him with an avalanche of lies and scare tactics in the 3 swing states. It all added up to the worst possible scenario for her, despite her courage and inclusive humanity.
I grew up a non-surfer in the cradle of Olympic beach volleyball. Here’s a blue wave I’m super-stoked to get behind. “You know, it’s not very cherry, it’s an oldie but a goodie,” wrote Brian Wilson, just five miles east of me, and Jan Berry. In 1963, “Surf City” became the first song of its genre to hit number-one on the Hot 100, like nobody’s ever seen. “It ain’t got a back seat or a rear window. But it sure gets me where I wanna go!” In our rooms, Democratic Brian and me loved a new deal. FDR 2.0. Now with Muslim.
Infuriating! FIFA used as a gratis catering hall after giving the Oval Cathouse those solid-gold desk tchotchkes! After idiot Casey Wasserman of LA28 gave him a full set of Olympic medals, the old goat will attempt panty checks on all of the female-adjacent athletes. I’ve never before harbored a death wish for a participant. Fortunately he’ll have crumped well before Snoop Dogg drowns him while passing along the swimming lesson received from Michael Phelps, or dressage from Martha Stewart.
Wouldn't this be a good time for Republicans in Congress to get it together to impeach and convict this president and his entire admin? The country needs to get back on track NOW.
Michael Cohen has really surprised me. He is an excellent writer- able to express profound insights and motivate others to follow his lead. He has come a very long way from his days of working for Trump. He was a better man than he gave himself credit for and I am glad that he has now found his true voice and identity. He turned lemons into lemonade!
I wonder what group he’s going to tell his supporters to kill next time. Impeach, remove, convict him now.
I think Michael Cohen had a lot of wasted potential when he worked for Trump. Similar to being in a bad marriage and trying to gut it out for the long haul while deserving so much more than whet he got. Glad he’s on the right side of issues.
He is an incredible writer and has a superior way with words. Like an artist.
Absolutely! Great to read!
Well done! There is a slight error in the "choice" section. As stated: "Zelenskyy called it what it is: a choice between losing land or losing dignity." Losing land and losing dignity is one choice. The other choice is retaining land and dignity - and fighting on.
I don’t want to hear A SINGLE word from Republicans about dangerous rhetoric or Dems inciting violence. WHEN is the FBI going to see Trump? Any other American that'd make online threats against people would deserve a visit from some level of law enforcement.
Death threats are a crime. Such threats are NOT protected under the 1st Amendment's free speech provisions. Thanks to the NOT so Supreme Court, looks like Trump has immunity for the threats he's currently making. He should be in handcuffs!
To Republicans in Congress: it is time for you people to remember who you are and what this Country stands for. It is your responsibility to arrange the impeachment of Trump. All you know that Trump is finished. It's just a matter of time and that time is running out. This has gone on for long enough!
We are at the point of saying: We the People WILL NOT comply with tyranny. I wear a shirt with that reminder. This one 👇
https://libtees.dashery.com/products/78688428-we-the-people-will-not-comply-with-tyranny-t-shirt
Remember: When Government fears the people, you have freedom. When people fear the Government, you have tyranny. Time to remind Trump who's the actual boss in America!
The DOJ/FBI is owned by Trump now. Nothing will come from them.
At the leadership levels, not necessarily at the boots on the ground levels
It has to fall from the corrupt top down. Sure, there are agents across the country doing their jobs, but they are not going to join in some kind of united rebellion to overthrow their department heads appointed by DJT. That’s why we have to take back both branches of Congress in 2026; all of them need to be impeached, including POTUS.
To be clear, I was not suggesting insubordinate rebellion. But they can quit and what is a General or Admiral without troops or sailors? Vulnerable?
Unfortunately, there’s plenty of MAGAs who will swear an oath to the President in exchange for a job with benefits they have no chance of earning in the private sector.
Those heads want to keep their jobs, perks, benefits, and airplanes?
And, health insurance!
Could be, but maybe not - DOJ/FBI as two examples:
President Trump’s second term has brought a period of turmoil and controversy unlike any in the history of the Justice Department. To date, more than 200 career attorneys have been fired, and thousands more have resigned. NYT Nov-16-25 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/11/16/magazine/trump-justice-department-staff-attorneys.html
800 FBI employees being separated from bureau, sources say Sources tell CBS News that on Tuesday night, 800 FBI employees, including a few hundred agents, will be leaving the bureau. CBS News justice correspondent Scott MacFarlane has the details.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/800-fbi-employees-being-separated-from-bureau-sources-say/vi-AA1NCNMl
agree....and i love wearing t shirts that inform others of my moral and ethical beliefs wherever they see me...supermarket, post office, dentist etc etc. i have about 50 that i've had printed, and often get comments from people that they love the fact i'm wearing them because it makes them feel less alone, and other think i'm brave to wear them, and that confuses me, because standing up for ethics, morality, decency is a necessity and has nothing to do with being brave.... i post them on my substack, and i really have no ownership of the words - words of defiance, words of protest, words of struggle, are words for everyone..... keep up with the 'in-your-face' billboard t shirt wearing heather.... :)
https://ojaiohana.substack.com/p/video-dept-of-justice-films-presents?r=5chxge
Impeach Imprison Impale Imbed
there is no plan no policy no idea what it’s like to govern
that’s the anarchy of Project 2025
when you hate government you can’t govern
you can only steal
Planned misgovernance
Yes, Project 2025 is the playbook, and it’s more than bad governance, it’s eliminating governance, putting all in the hands of an Executive Branch.
A King, a Dictator, a Tyrant, whatever you will, still governs - by force and fear. It is governance of and by the few for the few, but it is governance. By malfeasance, corruption and malignant neglect for all who are not them, but it is governance. Were it not, the system would take a bullet to the heart, which it soon may anyway
Your semantics do not disqualify what Project 2025 aims for and is accomplishing: the elimination of governance as we know it.
The conceptual opposite of governance is generally considered to be anarchy (the absence of government or authority) or chaos/disorder.
A despot or dictator does not "govern" in the same sense as a democratic or constitutional leader; they rule by will and force, often without established laws or the consent of the governed.
Governance vs. Ruling
The key distinction lies in the method and source of authority:
Governance implies conducting affairs based on established laws, principles, or a constitution, usually with the consent or participation of the people (such as through elected representatives). It suggests acting for the benefit of the ruled and involves checks and balances.
Ruling, especially in the context of despotism or dictatorship, implies exercising absolute and often arbitrary power over an area and its people, typically without regard for established laws or the rights of the people. The ruler's power is often maintained through force and the suppression of opposition.
Despots and Dictators
Despots and dictators exercise absolute power, making decisions based on personal will rather than a legal framework that limits their authority. While their actions create a form of order, it is an order enforced by a single, unchecked power, which is the antithesis of the collaborative and law-bound nature of governance.
In political science, such systems are often described as:
Autocracy: Rule by a single person with complete authority.
Tyranny: Oppressive and arbitrary government by a single ruler.
Absolutism: Unrestricted power vested in a monarch or dictator.
Therefore, a despot or dictator does not "govern" in the modern, constitutional sense, but rather "rules" through a system of domination and command.
I find it refreshing to be dismissed summarily based on semantics (linguistic meaning). You may note as we have progressed, you evolved from “government” to “constitutional government” and then introduced a third alternative of “anarchy,” as you defined it. Pettifoggery is not my strong suit, so the thought of involuntary engagement is exciting.
I did anticipate or advocate for or against your structural shift, choosing to rely on the broader concept of governance, per se, without constraining filtration. As I state below, I believe some of your points have merit, though my more constant position relies both on etymology and consistency, such as that provided by the Oklahoma Historical Society: “Some governments are run by one powerful person or a small group of people in a country. These types of governments are called authoritarian because the people must serve the government. Because of this, authoritarian governments frequently do not respect the rights of individuals.” https://tinyurl.com/ddwfbz2d Does this make them a constitutional government? Certainly not. But a government? It would seem so.
As for Project 2025 (https://tinyurl.com/3hp7j6mt) it is little more than the functional equivalent of the constitutional barn wall George Orwell used in “Animal Farm” on which these words were inscribed: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” At a macro view level, that is the essence of Project 2025: The unitary President is the source of power, though inconsistently it acknowledges Congress. “Some animals are more equal than others.” And yet, it remains a government of sorts.
Let us not rely solely on my reading, but instead look at Project 2025, especially where the words support your goal of redefining government as not-government. “There is no such thing as “the government.” There are just people who work for the government and wield its power and who—at almost every opportunity—wield it to serve themselves first and everyone else a distant second.” [p. 14] “Above all, the President and those who serve under him or her must be committed to the Constitution and the rule of law. This is particularly true of a conservative Administration, which knows that the President is there to uphold the Constitution, not the other way around. Equally important, the President must enforce the Constitution and laws as written, rather than proclaiming new “law” unilaterally. Legislatures make the laws in a republic, not executives.” [p. 20]
Project 2025 is policy but it does not constitute or limit this Administration. Let’s look at this page of White House.gov: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/. Even though “Legislatures make the laws in a republic, not executives,” the Section entitled “Presidential Actions” suggests that policy and reality have parted. In this one section exist Executive Orders, Presidential Memoranda, Proclamations and more. So who is making laws under this “government,” Congress or the unitary Executive? Notably, all of these actions however denominated fall short of Constitutional law-making, such as with tariffs, detentions, violations of the Posse Comitatus Act, unauthorized extra-judicial killings, and in every other respect, yet are treated by those who enforce them as laws.
Project 2025’s words of non-governance are a map, a theory. In practice, we have an tyrant running an oligarchy that crosses over into a Kleptocracy, per Merriam-Webster, a “government by those who seek chiefly status and personal gain at the expense of the governed.” Note that first word, “government.” We don’t have to like it, but there it is. All consistent with your thesis that Project 2025 is: “antithesis of the collaborative and law-bound nature of governance.” But Project 2025 does not sign Bills at the Resolute Desk, a despot, the Chief Executive Officer of a government – a dysfunctional one at best, does.
My original post was 2 words: "Planned misgovernance." The Project 2025 guide shows how leadership can compel planned misgovernance. I realize now you have conflated governance (the act of governing) with government (alternative or overlapping structural forms of governance). Project 2025 seeks to eliminate elective/appointed administrative government not governance (governing) by substituting dictatorial rulership governance designated as the “unitary executive” It ignores the reality that autocracy is government.
Hi, Kevin - I’m sticking with Anarchy… the so called Unitary Principle relies on chaos and disorder, “breaking things”, destruction of our constitutional government and its governance using the set of constitutional rules and laws that government implements.
Been fun. Take care.
☮ out. KH
Tikkun Olam.
🙏
Very well reasoned and documented, Michael. Job well done, thank you!
As always. He's fantastic.
Anyone else read his comments in his accent as well?
Well written. And mildly encouraging. But it's a wave lapping on shore. Not the tsunami we need to toss out this fascist regime, & try & sentence them for their many crimes. And then start rebuilding: smartly for this century w tons of firewalls to ensure this can never happen again! And strongly enshrining our collective Rights & Protections for all time.
Exactly
This is why the MAGA Cult is trying to buy judges and control the next elections.
We have the momentum - #HoldFast
LIVESTREAMING NOW
https://open.substack.com/pub/ojaiohana/p/live-video-remove-the-regime?r=5chxge&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
It because Americans are answering as Americans not just party affiliations. It is can we afford to live as a people who can no longer follow a President who behaves so erratic and cruel to all the people he swore a oath to defend, not just those who agree with him. For the people and all the people.
For so many, the sales pitch sounded so glorious, but then forgot to “read the small print”; twice!
I hope a majority of our neighbors have begun to realize that our country takes all of us, and it takes work and dedication, not silly slogans and fake enemies.
🤞
Susan, just wondering how so many Americans could be fooled by Trump a second time.
That’s an excellent question. One I expect will be pondered over for years and years. But a short, somewhat trite answer; he’s very adept at stoking fears, especially at imaginary enemies.
Americans, maybe all humans ?want to believe someone is to blame when things aren’t as expected or (a serious fault of my generation) things aren’t the way they were ‘before’.
I wish I could say all Americans are open-hearted, generous, kind, and welcoming….but there’s plenty of evidence that that’s not the case.
I honestly have no confidence in the American people. Sorry, but 76 million people voted for a known sex offender, cheater, corrupt and overall horrible human. Many of those for the third time.
They were lied to, and hoped they saw a shortcut to a better life. But there is no shortcut. America needs to get to work, and work together.
They were lied to the first election and then the second. And finally the third. I don’t have confidence in their morals or ability to think and reason. Their decision-making abilities are severely lacking.
EBrian, I so believe what you said is true!
And understand it will require patience with each other and those we elect to restore what has been broken. I hope we can show that patience and support of each other. There will be no instant gratification once these bad seeds are gone because the destruction has been quick and deep, destroying foundational supports of our Democracy. Destruction happens fast, rebuilding and recovery, sadly, doesn’t. They have burned so much down, we must build it back stronger and more sustainable so it can’t happen ever again. For the future.
Yes they were lied to, but they wanted/chose to believe the lies, which made the difference, especially with no Dem primary and Harris having just 107 days to try to complete against an overfunded ego and tainted by insufficient time and personal loyalty to separate from Biden. Maybe Abe needed a 4th corollary: if you bull$hit properly, you can fool just enough people
I was gutted that Trump held onto his base, which only increased marginally. Assuming there was no rigging (and I do not assume that), a lot of folks who voted for Biden failed to show up for Harris. Given all that was at stake, that is a gobsmacker.
However, I do think Trump supporters as a group are Americans that America has utterly failed. Shabby education, a sense that just being American makes you better than everyone else, and exempt from earning your place on the planet, and an indulgent consumer culture that celebrates celebrity and wealth, independent of merit.
So while they made some awful mistakes, and allowed fake grievance to drive their votes, we need to encourage them to do the best for their country.
I agree. It would be foolish to pigeonhole all who voted for him. Some (sadly) drank the Kool-Aid. Many, from many different demographic groups were, as you sagely observe, people who felt shut out, left behind or too-long unheard; others were unrepentant Jan 6 supporters who believe that retribution as a remedy is better than reconciliation or consensus. There is no benefit to blame or finger pointing. Democrats need a message (affordability is a good start), fresh faces (there are many), the departure of the old guard in time to make room for a generational (or multi-generational) shift in leadership; and inclusivity. Like him or don’t but in part Mamdani won by listening to every POV.
I understand what you’re saying. But last election Kamala had a message, one that was grounded in reality and fact and one that would’ve been a positive for all of us. It was also said by many what a second trump presidency would bring. With all of that, millions voted for the known criminal (and I do believe some cheating occurred.) I know many trump voters that are well educated, firmly in the middle class. I have to believe what is in their hearts has a lot to do with why they continue to smile and support trump. But I hope enough American finally can truly understand how awful this regime is and we can work together to end it and begin building a truly more promising future for us all.
The so called Legacy Media had a lot to do with it. Their “what-about-ism” and false equivalencies, and the full on coverage of every damn thing he uttered w little if any fact checking, or if there was, it was hidden away and a separate “click”. The 107 days to catch up and get her own message out with their Biden-named Albatross around her neck didn’t help either. None of this excuses not voting or switching your former Biden 2020 votes to DJT. She clearly “won” the one debate with him, but it wasn’t enough. She was also out-raising him until Elon dropped in w his millions and saved him with an avalanche of lies and scare tactics in the 3 swing states. It all added up to the worst possible scenario for her, despite her courage and inclusive humanity.
Trump won because of American apathy by 1/3 of voters who sat home . Apathy is dangerous. I hope that 1/3 learned a lesson .
A 34 time convicted felon! All over the stupid price of eggs!
I grew up a non-surfer in the cradle of Olympic beach volleyball. Here’s a blue wave I’m super-stoked to get behind. “You know, it’s not very cherry, it’s an oldie but a goodie,” wrote Brian Wilson, just five miles east of me, and Jan Berry. In 1963, “Surf City” became the first song of its genre to hit number-one on the Hot 100, like nobody’s ever seen. “It ain’t got a back seat or a rear window. But it sure gets me where I wanna go!” In our rooms, Democratic Brian and me loved a new deal. FDR 2.0. Now with Muslim.
Saturday VIDEOS
FIFA Peace Prize ?
https://ojaiohana.substack.com/p/udate-videos-and-essay-trumpfifa?r=5chxge
Infuriating! FIFA used as a gratis catering hall after giving the Oval Cathouse those solid-gold desk tchotchkes! After idiot Casey Wasserman of LA28 gave him a full set of Olympic medals, the old goat will attempt panty checks on all of the female-adjacent athletes. I’ve never before harbored a death wish for a participant. Fortunately he’ll have crumped well before Snoop Dogg drowns him while passing along the swimming lesson received from Michael Phelps, or dressage from Martha Stewart.
Michael,
You are an incredibly good writer and thoughtful person. You’ve done a total about face and it’s really clear to see. Welcome back - with a big hug!
Wouldn't this be a good time for Republicans in Congress to get it together to impeach and convict this president and his entire admin? The country needs to get back on track NOW.
Explain to me why 80% of Republicans think he’s doing a great job. 80% of Republicans!
Because they remain willfully and purposely ignorant cult followers.
Faux and Newsmax
😳
I have to apologize, Michael--I thought this was by the Ben & his brothers! Did't mean to leave you out!
Michael Cohen has really surprised me. He is an excellent writer- able to express profound insights and motivate others to follow his lead. He has come a very long way from his days of working for Trump. He was a better man than he gave himself credit for and I am glad that he has now found his true voice and identity. He turned lemons into lemonade!
I initially read the title as 'The shit we've been waiting for' and thought it was a great title. The actual title works, too, I guess. lol.