I too find myself imploring the Repubs to DO SOMETHNG. But look closely and you'll see by a wide majority Republican voters- the people who gave them their elected office - STILL approve of Trump and his lawless actions. This is because these voters are living in a propaganda bubble. They've been brainwashed to believe what Trump says NOT what they can see with their eyes. For decades now they've absorbed the message that you CANNOT TRUST news from any legitimate news source that maintains high journalistic standards. Fox News, News Max, Breitbart etc are all part of this bottom feeding propaganda machine kept in place by wealthy families and corporate chieftans who only really want at the end of the day is to get rid of ALL personal income tax and business & environmental regulations.
Yes, still let them know that we are watching and will be working against them. They were elected to serve and not to hide. Will they find medical research? Medicaid? Head Start? Veterans hospitals? Or will they just follow the delusions of a cognitively impaired old man?
I write weekly to my idiots' delights, Li'l Joshy Hawley and Eric Sch[m]itt (the M is silent) but they persist in being utterly revoltingly horrible. It'll be interesting to see what they do (they are both Catholic, I think) with the new pope.
Oh no--not at all! But they are so holier than thou when it comes to other belief systems and people, especially those outside the USA, that it will be interesting to see how much shit they blow in his direction.
We've watched people who call themselves Christians and evangelicals, which should mean following Christ enthusiastically; and they are cruel and hateful. We shouldn't be surprised that the likes of JDV and other "Catholics" willfully bend their religion to overpower those they perceive as less than or those who hamper their rise to power and influence. This is the opposite of the Christ I've learned about and, in fact, the one that Pope Leo follows. And, yes, there was the Inquisition.
They would have to have backbones in order to stand up and that piece of anatomy is sorely lacking in most Republicans these days. Even Don Bacon, who has shown occasional sparks of independent thought remains mostly silent and on the sidelines.
I live in Wisconsin, and I am a retired public school teacher. Tony Evers is a remarkable person and a role model for each of us, a true leader. Never underestimate him.
The word "dignity" comes to mind. It isn't necessary to scream in order to be right, and waving your little hands back and forth pumping an invisible concertina while uttering mentally disconnected inanities sure ain't no sign of courage, truth, honor, brains or integrity.
Governor Evers seems to epitomize Teddy Roosevelt's famous saying: 'speak softly and carry a big stick.' Courage in the face of bullying is just such a stick.
Related to adults in the room and midwestern courage, I watched Rep. Lauren Underwood’s takedown of Kristi Noem at a DHS subcommittee meeting. It was posted as a “protest” in The Contrarian Covers the Democracy movement. One thought I had was, “This is unusual? It shouldn’t be.” Every elected Democrat should have a speech like this ready—short, medium and long version as time permits. Speeches should keep the Constitution and rule of law front and center as Underwood’s does. Underwood is a Representative from Illinois.
The second thought I had was in response to the dismissive comments about Rep Underwood’s speech on YouTube: “How can we call out the lack of information in responses?” Responses display attitude but not thought. And the attitude is typically defensive and mean/nasty. Can we revive the moniker of “the know-nothing party” or come up with a way to communicate that knowing nothing does not an opinion make, though it can reinforce a belligerent attitude. (Underwood is Black. All the more reason for all elected officials to push back directly so it doesn’t fall only on those who are targets of hostility because of their skin color.)
I suspect you're right. Although I'm reminded of what Liz Cheney told her then-Republican House cohorts:
"Tonight, I say this to my Republican colleagues who are defending the indefensible: There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone, but your dishonor will remain," she said.
IMO, trump is deranged and addled with mental illness that he won't get help for. It's not a pass by any means, but it's context. Most of these spineless do-nothing Republican enablers in Congress don't have that excuse.
Every time I make a post, respond to a Substack, protest at a rally I wonder if/when the strong arm of fascism will kick my door in & drag me away. I'm 77, I have cancer, I sometimes need a cane to get around. Will 20 burly "agents" who fail to show identity cards push past me & my 14 year old kitty to rid "their" country of my "menacing" behavior". "Stay tuned!" The Germans didn't think that would happen to them in the 20-30's either!
Far be it from me to suggest you whop them vigorously with your cane while shouting SHAME ON YOU. You never know, they might draw back in real fear. I like to think (silly me) that on some level, these people know what they're doing is wrong. More power to you, your kitty and your cane!
They know they are doing wrong because they wear masks KKK style, who also knew they were wrong . I wonder, who are these people? They don't identify themselves. Are they paid for such heinous actions? Where do they get such evil doers?
I hear you: 68, with cancer, a 10-year old standard poodle, and a career in higher education. A perfect candidate for the brown shirts in black masks to attack. But if you're white, you're pretty much safe unless you confront them in an airport.
Yet Holman has the audacity to threaten the mild mannered Governor of Wisconsin, about as white as they get. I, a white person, know that the venom, irrationality and uber response will be turned on us soon enough. Look at their response to the new pope …
Who actually isn’t exactly “white” since he’s descended from Creole and Jamaican ancestors. This has been reported in some news outlets but not others. And did you think a Francis 2.0 would pass muster with the morons who posted a pic of the Felon in Chief in papal mufti?
I’ve thought of that too. I believe in the Constitution and in fairness and equality for everyone, no matter their ethnicity, race or religion. It also should include persons of all genders. If they come for me, I hope those for whom I have stood will do the same for me.
Thank you for your insightful description of Governor Evers. As a resident of Wisconsin, there have been times when I’ve wanted him to be more histrionic, only to realize that his strength is in his intellect and his ability to consistently present himself exactly as he is. People often underestimate him, which is an advantage of his mild demeanor.
That Tom Holman relies on bluff and bluster tells you that he knows the weakness of his position, but he can never admit that. Bullies can never acknowledge their own weakness.
We will show them their weakness and stand to their bullying behavior and actions. This is how to deal with people like Homan, who is distorting legality to support himself.
Bullies know their strength lies in the likelihood that the confronted individual will be cowed and agree to their demands. They are not prepared to deal with resistance. People like Tom Homan are born oppressors who think might makes right. He is the poster child for the authoritarian regime of DJT. If we choose to be sheep, we will be slaughtered. If we stand up for rule of law and the Constitution they will be defeated in the end.
I am buoyed by the governor's public display of defiance and courage. And by the fact that in so many ways he appears to be the polar opposite of Trump's every bloated performative blowhard appointees. Maybe the fact that the governor survived the always challenging and sometimes horrendous decision making process in the public schools, a pretty good representation of what democracy looks like in diverse America, ie, 'did his job' is why he appears not 'macho' but mature. I wish more of our leaders at the state and federal level were like him. Instead we have Pete Hegseth, Stephen Miller, Robert F. Kennedy, Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi and Kash Patel. (Insert Barf emoji here.)
Hey, will you please ask Rutte and NATO to come save us? We could use some Swede and Finlander fighters over here backing up the good ol” USA Constitutional government when the shit hits the fans and the Secret Police start rounding up everyday citizens and shipping us to Libya!
Everyone who sits back, terrified of losing clients or being defunded or becoming a target, or inviting smears and reprisals from the Republican propaganda apparatus, or (in the case of our craven Republican legislators) being primaried, is a collaborator.
Even in these complicated times, it really is that simple.
Another hero stands up to the bullying.
Tell Congressional Republicans: Show courage. Stand up to bullies. Invoke the Constitution.
I too find myself imploring the Repubs to DO SOMETHNG. But look closely and you'll see by a wide majority Republican voters- the people who gave them their elected office - STILL approve of Trump and his lawless actions. This is because these voters are living in a propaganda bubble. They've been brainwashed to believe what Trump says NOT what they can see with their eyes. For decades now they've absorbed the message that you CANNOT TRUST news from any legitimate news source that maintains high journalistic standards. Fox News, News Max, Breitbart etc are all part of this bottom feeding propaganda machine kept in place by wealthy families and corporate chieftans who only really want at the end of the day is to get rid of ALL personal income tax and business & environmental regulations.
Trump's incompetence has reduced his market share..... A lot of his power comes from peer pressure and he throws his allies under the bus.
That won't happen. Their embrace of trump aligns them with everything he does and stands for. Very few if any speak out....
Never up, never in.
I am witness to a number of epiphanies -- as soon as juries find perps guilty, the perps find Jesus.
Yes, still let them know that we are watching and will be working against them. They were elected to serve and not to hide. Will they find medical research? Medicaid? Head Start? Veterans hospitals? Or will they just follow the delusions of a cognitively impaired old man?
How many GOP members of Congress actually believe in and support the Constitution?
It's up to us to document it.
Stick an I phone in their faces and ask them.
I write weekly to my idiots' delights, Li'l Joshy Hawley and Eric Sch[m]itt (the M is silent) but they persist in being utterly revoltingly horrible. It'll be interesting to see what they do (they are both Catholic, I think) with the new pope.
you think because they are Catholic they will start to behave ? 2 words...Spanish Inquisition
Oh no--not at all! But they are so holier than thou when it comes to other belief systems and people, especially those outside the USA, that it will be interesting to see how much shit they blow in his direction.
We've watched people who call themselves Christians and evangelicals, which should mean following Christ enthusiastically; and they are cruel and hateful. We shouldn't be surprised that the likes of JDV and other "Catholics" willfully bend their religion to overpower those they perceive as less than or those who hamper their rise to power and influence. This is the opposite of the Christ I've learned about and, in fact, the one that Pope Leo follows. And, yes, there was the Inquisition.
The two things that they do best is seal clap and dodge their constitutents
You mean "steal crap"?
that too. So it's three things.
They would have to have backbones in order to stand up and that piece of anatomy is sorely lacking in most Republicans these days. Even Don Bacon, who has shown occasional sparks of independent thought remains mostly silent and on the sidelines.
That's because he's not being interviewed by Jennifer, and other independents.
https://bacon.house.gov/news/
Thanks Daniel.
Having lived in Wisconsin and having met Evers numerous times, this all sounds so much just like him. Calm, measured...an adult in the room. Bravo!
I live in Wisconsin, and I am a retired public school teacher. Tony Evers is a remarkable person and a role model for each of us, a true leader. Never underestimate him.
It takes a measure of courage to speak truth to malign power. We need a whole lot more like him!
The word "dignity" comes to mind. It isn't necessary to scream in order to be right, and waving your little hands back and forth pumping an invisible concertina while uttering mentally disconnected inanities sure ain't no sign of courage, truth, honor, brains or integrity.
Governor Evers seems to epitomize Teddy Roosevelt's famous saying: 'speak softly and carry a big stick.' Courage in the face of bullying is just such a stick.
Related to adults in the room and midwestern courage, I watched Rep. Lauren Underwood’s takedown of Kristi Noem at a DHS subcommittee meeting. It was posted as a “protest” in The Contrarian Covers the Democracy movement. One thought I had was, “This is unusual? It shouldn’t be.” Every elected Democrat should have a speech like this ready—short, medium and long version as time permits. Speeches should keep the Constitution and rule of law front and center as Underwood’s does. Underwood is a Representative from Illinois.
The second thought I had was in response to the dismissive comments about Rep Underwood’s speech on YouTube: “How can we call out the lack of information in responses?” Responses display attitude but not thought. And the attitude is typically defensive and mean/nasty. Can we revive the moniker of “the know-nothing party” or come up with a way to communicate that knowing nothing does not an opinion make, though it can reinforce a belligerent attitude. (Underwood is Black. All the more reason for all elected officials to push back directly so it doesn’t fall only on those who are targets of hostility because of their skin color.)
Well done, Governor. Thank you for leading by example.
I've heard that "Courage is contageous." Maybe a few Republican senators' memory will be jogged that they too took an oath to uphold our Constitution.
When Trump doesn't have to, it gives the republicans permission to ignore the Constitution also.
I suspect you're right. Although I'm reminded of what Liz Cheney told her then-Republican House cohorts:
"Tonight, I say this to my Republican colleagues who are defending the indefensible: There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone, but your dishonor will remain," she said.
IMO, trump is deranged and addled with mental illness that he won't get help for. It's not a pass by any means, but it's context. Most of these spineless do-nothing Republican enablers in Congress don't have that excuse.
The problem is that all those in office around Trump snd working behind the scenes also think like he does if not more so.
Every time I make a post, respond to a Substack, protest at a rally I wonder if/when the strong arm of fascism will kick my door in & drag me away. I'm 77, I have cancer, I sometimes need a cane to get around. Will 20 burly "agents" who fail to show identity cards push past me & my 14 year old kitty to rid "their" country of my "menacing" behavior". "Stay tuned!" The Germans didn't think that would happen to them in the 20-30's either!
Far be it from me to suggest you whop them vigorously with your cane while shouting SHAME ON YOU. You never know, they might draw back in real fear. I like to think (silly me) that on some level, these people know what they're doing is wrong. More power to you, your kitty and your cane!
They know they are doing wrong because they wear masks KKK style, who also knew they were wrong . I wonder, who are these people? They don't identify themselves. Are they paid for such heinous actions? Where do they get such evil doers?
I hear you: 68, with cancer, a 10-year old standard poodle, and a career in higher education. A perfect candidate for the brown shirts in black masks to attack. But if you're white, you're pretty much safe unless you confront them in an airport.
Yet Holman has the audacity to threaten the mild mannered Governor of Wisconsin, about as white as they get. I, a white person, know that the venom, irrationality and uber response will be turned on us soon enough. Look at their response to the new pope …
Who actually isn’t exactly “white” since he’s descended from Creole and Jamaican ancestors. This has been reported in some news outlets but not others. And did you think a Francis 2.0 would pass muster with the morons who posted a pic of the Felon in Chief in papal mufti?
Yes more power to the lovely brave animal lovers
I’ve thought of that too. I believe in the Constitution and in fairness and equality for everyone, no matter their ethnicity, race or religion. It also should include persons of all genders. If they come for me, I hope those for whom I have stood will do the same for me.
He is an amazing Governor. We are fortunate that he is our leader. If we could only get rid of Ron John...
Yes! Ron Jon is an embarrassment. I have out of state friends and relatives regularly offer expressions of sympathy - which is actually kind of funny.
Could someone persuade him that it would be in his favor if he went to Mars for Elon and the vulgarian?
Who is Ron Jon??
Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin. He is a MAGA disgrace to the office and his state.
Shoulda figured that out! Thanks!!
Thank you for standing up for our country.
We are living in a dystopian novel, except this is non-fiction.
Thank you for your insightful description of Governor Evers. As a resident of Wisconsin, there have been times when I’ve wanted him to be more histrionic, only to realize that his strength is in his intellect and his ability to consistently present himself exactly as he is. People often underestimate him, which is an advantage of his mild demeanor.
That Tom Holman relies on bluff and bluster tells you that he knows the weakness of his position, but he can never admit that. Bullies can never acknowledge their own weakness.
We will show them their weakness and stand to their bullying behavior and actions. This is how to deal with people like Homan, who is distorting legality to support himself.
Bullies know their strength lies in the likelihood that the confronted individual will be cowed and agree to their demands. They are not prepared to deal with resistance. People like Tom Homan are born oppressors who think might makes right. He is the poster child for the authoritarian regime of DJT. If we choose to be sheep, we will be slaughtered. If we stand up for rule of law and the Constitution they will be defeated in the end.
I am buoyed by the governor's public display of defiance and courage. And by the fact that in so many ways he appears to be the polar opposite of Trump's every bloated performative blowhard appointees. Maybe the fact that the governor survived the always challenging and sometimes horrendous decision making process in the public schools, a pretty good representation of what democracy looks like in diverse America, ie, 'did his job' is why he appears not 'macho' but mature. I wish more of our leaders at the state and federal level were like him. Instead we have Pete Hegseth, Stephen Miller, Robert F. Kennedy, Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi and Kash Patel. (Insert Barf emoji here.)
Nicely done! I like tgat you point out that Evers was not defensive. We need more of that.
Recall that governor of Ilinois, JB Pritzker, has been a very strong voice in opposition to T and his henchmen and henchwomen.
Add to the upper Midwest list Hall of Fame Tim Walz of Minnesota! And Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
Heroes all around.
Hi, Belgian here.
Short question..... is it already OK to say that all things Trump II are FUBAR?
Or is it still too soon?
Not too soon at all. All things Trump II are indeed FUBAR.
Hey, will you please ask Rutte and NATO to come save us? We could use some Swede and Finlander fighters over here backing up the good ol” USA Constitutional government when the shit hits the fans and the Secret Police start rounding up everyday citizens and shipping us to Libya!
trump has a fatal belief in himself,trump is fatal for America,trump voters have a fatal belief in him. Hoping we can turn it around........
Everyone who stands up is a hero and a patriot.
Everyone who sits back, terrified of losing clients or being defunded or becoming a target, or inviting smears and reprisals from the Republican propaganda apparatus, or (in the case of our craven Republican legislators) being primaried, is a collaborator.
Even in these complicated times, it really is that simple.
I'm proud of him.
He's our guy !!!
...........25