My big takeaway from Rachel Maddow’s segment last night was that Trump and MAGA are now going after donors as a way to shut NPR/PBS down, not just ending Fed subsidies, which are only a small portion of their budget.
How about "blackmail"? As you say, settlement no longer applies. And BTW, Jen, your use of "regime" to replace "administration" seems so natural and right now!
Nobody has our backs anymore in this democracy, and particularly the stakeholders--the free press, the free market titans ... or most of Congress. Farewell, America.
Is the root of all of this Citizens United? It seems that money has bought and muzzled Congress and is concurrently targeting the media. Is legislation to limit money in politics necessary to got us out of this for the long term (yes I recognize how difficult/impossible this is)
Yes, but really at this point we have even larger problems in our hands: we have a President who is mowing down law after law with with executive fiat,
daring Congress to do anything about it (they won't) and not caring if it results in litigation--by the time the courts rule on anything the damage to our government will have been irrapairable. And that's assuming an eventual appeal to the Supreme Court will result against Trump's vast overreach, which with this bought and paid for Court isn't a given. And even if they rule against him, who will enforce it???
Oh agree. But isn’t the fear of money buying elections and being primaried that has enabled Trump. And if it is money, does the power reside w Trump or Musk. Again, agree w your points
Trump sued Meta for suspending him which, as a nongovernmental entity, it had every right to do. On Monday, Musk removed an X account for naming six DOGE employees working with him, alleging that by doing so, the user had "committed a crime." In this administration, free speech only works one way. We are neither amused nor surprised.
Why can't we just call them 'payoffs'? That is what they are.
You are quite correct. We need to stop with the polite euphemisms.
Agreed. A bribe is a bribe.
Bribes. They are bribes. They're probably blackmail, if you want to get REALLY technical.
Yep, bribes extorted through intimidation (which includes both implicit and explicit threats). Also known as strong-arming.
Or bribes. That, at least, could be an accurate description of 'payoff', which in turn should replace 'settlements.'
It's tribute money.
It says a lot about where we are when Rachel Maddox makes a plea for supporting pubic broadcasting from her desk at MSNBC.
My big takeaway from Rachel Maddow’s segment last night was that Trump and MAGA are now going after donors as a way to shut NPR/PBS down, not just ending Fed subsidies, which are only a small portion of their budget.
Trump wants NPR and PBS gone! The FCC is investigating their "news content". What is next looking for Big Bird's food source?
How about "blackmail"? As you say, settlement no longer applies. And BTW, Jen, your use of "regime" to replace "administration" seems so natural and right now!
Nobody has our backs anymore in this democracy, and particularly the stakeholders--the free press, the free market titans ... or most of Congress. Farewell, America.
Is the root of all of this Citizens United? It seems that money has bought and muzzled Congress and is concurrently targeting the media. Is legislation to limit money in politics necessary to got us out of this for the long term (yes I recognize how difficult/impossible this is)
Sen. John McKain knew that Citizens United was the final nail in democracy's coffin.
Yes, but really at this point we have even larger problems in our hands: we have a President who is mowing down law after law with with executive fiat,
daring Congress to do anything about it (they won't) and not caring if it results in litigation--by the time the courts rule on anything the damage to our government will have been irrapairable. And that's assuming an eventual appeal to the Supreme Court will result against Trump's vast overreach, which with this bought and paid for Court isn't a given. And even if they rule against him, who will enforce it???
Oh agree. But isn’t the fear of money buying elections and being primaried that has enabled Trump. And if it is money, does the power reside w Trump or Musk. Again, agree w your points
Trump sued Meta for suspending him which, as a nongovernmental entity, it had every right to do. On Monday, Musk removed an X account for naming six DOGE employees working with him, alleging that by doing so, the user had "committed a crime." In this administration, free speech only works one way. We are neither amused nor surprised.
By the end of the Musk/orange felon regime (if there is an end), they will both be trillionaires.
My new bumper sticker in Durango "STD" -- Stop the Donald (he is a virus)
hello...can not find a place for "contact us" -
I am a paid subscriber - but have NOT gotten ANY posts since yesterday AM..(5/3/25 am)
how do I remedy this?
thanks!
marguerite Dettwiler
murphy9182@gmail.com
was getting all of your posts.. until yesterday-
and did check "junk" mail- no posts there
thanks!