We are not going to put J.D. Vance or Maga kiss ass Johnson as president we should seriously bethinking about removing the entire republican party. They are actually traitors to there branch of government and also I think we need to remove all and I mean all corruption out of the government
Gregg, it has to start with Citizens United being overturned + his 2017 and 2025 Tax Cut legislation being repealed. The 2017 Tax Cuts caused - together - the rapid acceleration of uncapped money allowed by that S. Court decision AND the resulting AVARICE AND GREED of gallactical wealth! Stop it!Pam Bondi was awarded $500 Million, no competitive bidding and sole sourced to her - last year? When the contractor is Pam, address of the company is her home and she has no expertise in ... um ... "... enhancing of AI potential and future, stellar success of the Artificial ... some muckety muck scope of work to perform. She sat on upwards of 4000 wire transfers to and fro' just one Epstein bank account of $1.1 Billion. Think of the number of people. Add today's Jack Smith filing on Trump & Co.'s additional charges that Judge Chutkin published immediately-over 150 pages of detail the entire population gets to read now.
The only way we are going to get Trump out of office. , Millions of people Marching as one into D.C> staying there until everyone come as many as we can get . It is all we can do in a peaceful way to take down the dictator We arrest the corrupt, we take our country back. We can do it, when the people hold the power. It is not insurrection because we the people are the only ones holding up the Constitution. We are taking the country back. We must not work our buy anything from any of the Rich, We must show the rich without us you are nothing! If we can get millions which we can then we can end it all.
Not sure what you mean? Paul, wanted to hang Dr Fauci for Covid, now wants to play nice with the Venezuelan narco boat crew. Saying the US should have somehow stopped the boat and asked politely to hand over the drugs and weapons and be prosecuted in court. Hundreds of thousands of Americans died both by Covid and fentanyl. So he wants to punish an American hero and play nice to the drug world. No respect for Paul. No wonder his neighbor beat him up.
There needs to be a trial before we can declare someone guilty. There very well could have been human trafficking victims on the boat assuming it was a drug boat.
Thank you for reminding us why Trump got elected. Very brave to expect OTHERS to come under fire for what would have been a very hazardous apprehension. If women and children were on board, I am certain they would not have taken the shot. That limitation ensures terrorists always have the upper hand as they know hostages protects them like in Gaza.
In the first half of 2024 71 police were killed in the line of duty. That is only half the year and a fraction of those injured and maimed for life.
So let me get this right, in the name of justice you are willing to sacrifice lives of police/service members going up criminals with guns in their possession?
The above "WHAT IFS" put our officers at extreme risk. Very brave of you.
Russ, I wish we could remember that Americans have, traditionally, been more alike in thinking. It is, JUST IN MY OPINION, since Trump's entre that there are fast assessments or classifications of people into "OTHER" groups which people believe is some TOTAL definition of that person. That boat attack disturbed me, immensely, because she is correct. That "appears" to be a summary Execution of those people who were, within a few days, said to be retreating. If I am wrong, it is the gross refusal of numerous other rights to treatment with a presumption of -- NOT READY TO BE KILLED -- denied ANY Human Being prior to summary death. If we have trouble believing it is done these days, the ICE kidnappings prove it. BUT! before you think I am against Law Enforcement or do not support our Police, Military or other Law Enforcement and Federal protection we have-please don't. 20 years ago, I started "pro bono" assistance of Law Enforcement and Military with donations of my work expertise and of money to them ... I did it with no understanding, whatsoever, of the jobs they did and...am still amazed at the skills and expertise required to do their work...compared to my ten years of University education that seems (now erroneously) more valued than these trained, skilled individuals provide. I remember buying the rifle for an Officer who is now our City's SWAT Team Sniper. He handed it to me ... "Here, Rebecca, you want to hold it?" I jumped back, saying: "... uh, no, uum I'm fine, let everybody ELSE hold it, first!" I was afraid of guns. I'm not AGAINST gun ownersship -- by people who are capable and responsible owners and am against guns in the hands of a person like ME. If Reasonable Suspicion does not exist to stop and detain a person-it is ILLEGAL. If Probable Cause does not exist to arrest a person, it is ILLEGAL. If a person is imprisoned by anyone other than a JUDGE ANDJURY or by a JUDGE, he or she has be deprived of their Liberty, WITHOUT THE FUNDAMENTAL (Constitutional) RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS OF LAW and it is ILLEGAL.No Executive Order has the force and effect of Law strong enough to override these FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS...thoseadvising Trump KNEW IT and knew Americans likely do not know it. A President who, regularly, breaches EVERYTHING this nation was built on (based on an irrelevant document by Extremists (a Manifesto) like "Project 2025"), is a Dangerous Rouge President...IN MY OPINION...ask the gutted, dispensed with, enormous percentage of FBI Agents-career experts-with 20 years as a Special Agent, regardless of whose Administration they are under from what is, frequently, rated the #1 Law Enforcement entity in the World.
Hahaaa!! I deserve that. It's hilarious! Sorry. I actually get lost in my own comments! Like I'm in a conversation...with...my own self!! Delete me if it is painful. I don't mind.
Trump WAS put to trial and WAS found guilty. And they’ve proven time and time again that they don’t care about women and children, who are murdered in schools more than once a week in America. They can go ahead and call you or me a terrorist then drop a bomb on us if they are allowed to do these things without a trial. Dropping bombs on these boats is going to escalate to a war if they don’t stop.
Wake up, we are already at war with drug cartels. Hundreds of thousands die from overdoses each year. Wher do drug addicts get their money, for crime and stealing from the rest of us. Drugs touch all of us in one way or the other.
I live in a county that has the highest OD rate in the state. The reason it continues to get worse is the ho hum attitude. We need to play nice and treat each incident delicately so as not to hurt anyones feelings. Those running the drugs are just trying to feed their families. Most are really nice people once you get to know them.
It is all connected conspiracy by international state sponsored terrorism invading the entire USA. Getting tough is dirty business I admit, but those running the drugs do not care about the damage they do to us.
America has been too soft for too long and this is why the drugs are other crimes are winning.
I’m saying- are we at war with Venezuela? I don’t see any proof of drugs. I live in a rural county with no stoplights. Too many lives have been lost to drugs because there’s hardly anything to do here.
There needs to be evidence before things happen or even if there isn’t, detaining an innocent person is better than killing an innocent person. I don’t trust a word this administration says. And killing another country’s civilians is a great way to start a war with that country.
Russ, I didn't know the things you say about him and it makes me wonder how we heard such different information ... other than the obvious ways. I knew about his being arrested for tackling his neighbor. Of course, I have the same opinions you have about not being happy with his support of what you say. I just did not know and where will I ever find the time to be truly informed of everything? I just appreciate this last-outburst?-of Statesmenship he exhibited...though, of his overall performance I might disapprove.
Every now and then politicians let their conscience slip out. Paul and his dad Rand, are both contrarians. You never know what side of an issure they will fall on. Gives the impression that truth is not the object, but a way to one up the witness to make them look like a criminal. In Pauls cause it has become a personal grudge vendeta against Fauci.
I have watched several congressional hearings. These have become more of a tribunal to destroy witness credability. They have a bizare rule that allows them a no-holes barred smear campaign against witnesses. Not sure why anyone would testify under those circumstances.
Interesting, Russ. I knew that doctor's name 15 years ago because of personal difficulty with his information promoted. It nearly killed me. I did NOT open my mouth, because of how he was made a HERO without most knowing what he has done in the past ... BUT! Compared to the President during COVID, he sounded like Einstein, by comparison. THE WORST THING TO DO is to make a moral issue a political issue or make an issue of personal health a political issue. I think that, if our Government has a La Cosa Nostra Division, it is Health and Human Services.
Thank you for explaining why Trump got elected. The mentality that we need to wait for a crime to be committed before we do anything has delivered Trump. The goal of fighting crime is to PREVENT it and in the case of international narco cartels to take the fight to them. I presume you are a defense attorney looking for business?
It amazes me how many have this perfect world view that criminals deserve respect. Drugs are killing America, at what point is enough enough?
It’s called the RULE OF LAW. It’s what our CONSTITUTION is based on. You know, that document Trump violates on the daily? Yes you have to wait till a crime is committed to arrest someone, and yes, you have to wait till they are CONVICTED and sentenced to death to execute them. Sorry the Constitution is so inconvenient for you.
There is a major difference here. We are engaged in a war with countries that hate us and are using the internet, drugs and criminal gangs to do us in. Playing Mr Niceguy is not working. In war, you do not get to say stop in the name of the law. At what point do we get tough and treat our enemies like they treat us.
If the constitution is so almighty, why is it that the death penalty takes decades to carry it out. Our justice system is not one system for everyone. It can be bought. OJ had a dozen lawyers and walked free. Trump has dozens of lawyers on speed dial and knows how to tie up the courts forever to his advantage. Most folks do not have that money, so they get found guilty. Then lawyers make a fortune appealing the conviction forever.
Repubs are famous for using both the Constitution and the Bible to justify all the mayhem they wreck upon us.
Yes, there are ways to stop boats SUSPECTED of running drugs without oblueterating them with bombs. The Coast Guard does it all the time. And why can't one agree with one thing a person says and disagree with another? p.s. Paul did not want to " hang" Dr Fauci, he wanted to send him to jail for lying to Congress which, yes, is pretty stupid.
Basic rule of politics is to be a great liar. If we removed every politician that lied there would be no congress. The problem with firing them is that the foxes have to agree to it, fat chance of that.
I do not support Trump, but my eyes are open as to why he got there.
He declares war on drugs and finally has the courage to take on the cartels. What is the Dem response? They condemn the Venezuela boat action as over reach. Should have stopped the boat, arrested the people and treated them with legal respect. This is not common, ordinary crime. It is a foreign invasion and needs to be treated with immediate, decisive actions.
This is why USA has not made progress in stemming the flow of drugs. Law enforcement has their hands tied behind them. Illegal drugs are an international invasion of this country, beyond the capability of police and the Coast Guard. Drugs coming here are not just to enrich criminals. It is a destabilizing weapon being used by China, Iran, Russia and North Korea to do us in.
So Dems keep on minimizing crime and you will see God help us Eric run for president.
He is not going after the war on drugs are you delusional, he is a liar and those people are probably cutting into there drug action. Trump is not a good person he is a evil corrupt and a traitor to the free world. He is not taking on any cartel what a joke he is trying to be the cartel!
This is why we cannot make progress on fighting drugs. Too many people want to treat it like cop and robber on tv. Our jails are full, our court dockets are scheduled out years. As a result fatal compromises are made that create the revolving door. In the morning, bail and out the afternoon. While awaiting trial they are free to repeat and silence those who might squeal on them.
The US is at war with foreign gangs and countries like Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico and China. To win a war, you do not get a lawyer, nor Maranda rights, no bail. If you are lucky enough not to get shot... it should work like this.
You will be required to say where you got the drugs and from whom. You will then be required to testify against your supplier. If your memory is soggy, you are sent to jail until that memory comes back. If not enjoy. For dealers they get either life or death. Problem solved.
He did! Where has he been? I don't care if he tackled his neighbor over a lawnmower contretempt! That was an experienced Senator just blowing past the BS of these Elon M., Caroline L., Stephen M. BLUFFING TACTICS to fake trying to argue Political Wisdom like a Statesman or Academic and Life Experience Knowledge versus Social Media influence or FOX News Outrage Whipup Expertise--I think I just had a word capitalization seizure. .
Same! I try to call and thank him and Thomas Massie when they do things like this. Some sort of positive reinforcement. I don’t like most things they do, but they’ve been stepping up more than most republicans, especially Massie lately.
This has been creeping into my thoughts for months. When rumors of Trump's death reared, I was relieved and terrified. Relieved the world might be rid of an awful man and terrified of what might be stepping into his place.
CRey, I am STILL trying to de-creep myself from a Podcast Interview I saw last week of a Victim of the HIGHEST RANKING, RICHEST members in a Worldwide Cult of evil...people? Demons? Aliens? I doubt it would be shown again. The upper echelon of this Cult or Ring? ... Cartel? .... Ninth Level of Dante's Inferno? I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE, but however you define evil, it is afoot right now and Trump, Epstein are low level by comparison. She described, just barely, some scary stuff.
If we survive, I hereby request, permanent removal of Stephen Miller from ANY governmental job,, stare or federal and from ANY appearance on Media of any type + Don, Jr. BANNED from speaking for his father while tweaking.
Well reasoned arguments, but I think you missed a couple of elements.
Trump has the power that he does, because the Congress, SCOTUS and Main Stream Media fear him and / or follow him out of greed. But the major power is the fear.
Trump is feared in large part due to his 'cult' following which have been conditioned to follow him. These people are not driven by policy, or philosophy, they are not focused on the wishes of the donor class and while money does help win elections, much more than money is needed.
Congressional Republicans know they are likely to end their career if they oppose Trump, and so they cling to their seat, following Trump's orders because they know his cult is strong enough and motivated enough to decide who wins the primary.
SCOTUS is afraid to confront Trump, not because he is 'president' but because they are bullied. Afraid to lay it all on the line. They are afraid to do their job, render a PROPER decision that would disable his presidency and provoke a reaction that would show they have no power.
Vance may well be completely corrupted and having embraced the dark side seek to do terrible things, but consider:
Trump has actively weakened the US through tariffs, Abandoning NATO and generally antagonizing the world while creating the 'Purge' on our streets... while siding with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. I do not see Vance being similarly motivated to obey Putin's desires.
Without the Cult, Vance will not have the same level of control over Congress.
Summary: Vance, even if absolutely evil, has less power and less motivation to do all the damage Trump has done. So PLEASE do not use Vance as the reason to not get rid of Trump. Most VPs are chosen to draw in the more extreme wing of the party so the main candidate can cater to the moderates. Pretty sure that is not the case here.
I choose hope and try to plan for winning, because planning for losing is both too easy and often a 'self fulfilling prophecy'.
If we win the 2026 elections, how do we get rid of trump ASAP and what can we do NOW to prepare for that?
If we win and get rid of Trump, what do we do next? how can we prepare NOW for that.
Because if we are not ready for winning, we will lose massive opportunities to acheive our goals and likely lose credibility among the voters who do not currently have faith in the Democrats.
We may well win in elections just based on the anti-Trump vote, but if we prepare NOW with plans to truly help the people and break all the gerrymandering nationwide, reshape SCOTUS because it has failed to fulfill its proper function... and so much more so that we can stop the damage, reverse the damage and FIX the system that was broken before Trump came along where the nations wealth was already spiraling up into the hands of fewer people every year and people were just pawns to be manipulated for power rather than addressing their needs. Yes, Democrats tried, but even when building in protections, did not consider how those protections could get ignored, bypassed, corrupted. Just like SCOTUS with some open corruption there.
Thank you for being brave enough to say what you said. The truth is.... Everything is changed. He broke rules and rewrote our nations laws to accommodate them. Many functions of government are gone or displaced and the crew running it have been conditioned to this policy. The truth is....it will not be the same or go back to the way it was....Part of me secretly wishes his supporters (the ones that still support him) would truly experience the effects of what he has done....I like Gavin Newsom and I think he is younger and smarter and definitely better looking....he is still a politician. But he is strong enough to win. I think Jon Ossof is wonderful...but he is too young to serve as president...but maybe rules of that should change because THE LAST TWO PRESIDENTS WERE WAY TOO OLD. I personally liked Biden for what he did his entire life...when he spoke up for so many people and really really was for the people. Honestly I have come up with several solutions of how government should be for the best outcome in general after this....I try to be bipartisan but they sure the fuck have not been fair to bipartisanship. OUR SYSTEM IS BROKEN. it would have to be rewritten. I think we have to change the entire government system because it is broke. Obviously one person in power is a bad idea. Part of me thinks we should split. Historically authorized regimes are the most fucked up and awful. The solution to most the problems in the world if right now anyone over 73 disappeared....isn't that awful? But it's true.
I don't think age by itself should be a criteria, but sure, we need to shake things up. As you say, it is broken. We need to face our actual problems and solve them, even when 'that is not how we are used to doing things' or 'They will think we are being too radical.' But you do not fix a car which has been in a major collision by taking the dents out. There are ways to stop the cheating that the right has been doing for decades now, but we also need to build in enforcement mechanisms separate from the courts. The courts do not like directly confronting and regulating the other branches, which might be reasonable, but the courts are only good for making judgements after the crime, so we need a process that forces the administration to go through the courts to make changes..
We may need to change how votes are counted in Congress. Secret ballot? While we certainly want to hold our Senators and Representatives to account for their actions, we also do not want others to hold their leashes either. Whether it is somebody in power in their party, or somebody who has 'leverage' on them, a donor perhaps...
Maybe we need to change how primaries are done, to remove the power of a 'highly motivated' minority in the party running things.
Perhaps a specific process of capturing the Senators and Representatives, and their staffs, financials so they cannot be motivated by money, while paying them much more. I would much rather not force people to be motivated to get their money with 'side jobs' for certain 'donors', easier to pay them sufficiently so they can have a nice living without need for corruption. Their wages, even if tripled would be less than a rounding error on the budget. If we want to attract people to do a good job, pay them for it. Certainly we need to do a better job of controlling the power of money in our democracy.
SCOTUS can not be trusted on anything and will need to be restructured, both in who is on the bench and how they are removed from the bench. We need to remove politics from it entirely. Most judges are decent and competent, including most of those appointed by Trump (much to his frustration). I think we need to let the judges manage their own branch, but with voting by ALL the federal judges. SCOTUS justices are merely the final court of appeal and should have no other power or privilege than that. If they get out of control, there is always the option of a new amendment to fix anything, just like they passed an amendment to undo prohibition.
How we manage our budgets and economy need a serious makeover, but can begin with a simple reading of the 14th amendment, section 4. The Fed is so busy protecting the banks it often fails in managing the economy. Being focused on the 'financial' industry, they tend to believe money has intrinsic value. Rather than simply the grease that allows the economy to function, they think it is the fuel. The actual fuel are the people who buy and sell, make things and provide service... Notably not the CEOs, shareholders or board members, they may have their functions, but they do not create any actual value. People in the financial industry, treating money as the end product, harvest it, in ways that may be legal, but often only because they paid for those laws with financial support of various people in the 'governing industry'. This is just scratching the surface of what needs to be done to fix only a few of our many problems.
People are not merely ready for radical change, they are demanding it, they are desperate for it, because they KNOW it is broken, even though most have no idea what is broke or how it is broken, which is why they bought the biggest promises even though they were mostly lies and generally not giving them what they wanted.
FYI, I am only 3 years from your cutoff. Pretty sure I still have a little to contribute.
With my actuarial background, looking at Drumph's weight, poor diet, and lack of physical exercise, there are very few insurance companies would underwrite a life insurance policy for OrangeJezus... even just a 5 year term policy.
I sigh and relax a moment... I have no need for hate in order to 'allow' nature to pursue it's course. I have no need for anxiety when it is out of my control. I have no need for empathy for one who is filled with hate, as I have no desire to feel that even 'second-hand'.
Trump has caused the death of thousands and more likely hundreds of thousands of people through his choices. Trump has caused and greatly escalated hate and division in this country, causing pain and misery to countless people. Just those factors, ignoring many more, are enough to consider him a very dangerous person who needs to be removed from power ASAP. If a person of great danger to countless people were to die, I will not shed a tear, instead I will take comfort in the increased safety of those I care about.
Congress republicans and the far-right extremist Supreme Court Justices are getting exactly what they want from trump and it's Project 2025, they don't fear trump, they need trump to implement Project 2025 which 50% of has been thxs to trump and his regime.
Not all Republicans in congress are extremists, and not all 'conservatives' in SCOTUS are extremists. People, even inside a movement, are not all in lockstep.
Consider each of those people spent their lives seeking power, and now only one person has power. Sure, they have been corrupted with greed and fear, but that does not mean they are all happy with how things are.
No of course not all republicans in congress are extremist, but I'd say today, the majorty are, they certainly hold the power. Name me one Conservative Supreme Court Justice that hasn't shown extremism in their ruling or their desent. I would say today's republicans are in lock step with the goal of getting Project 2025 implemented at any cost. Sadly I would say 99.8 of the new republican party is very happy with how things are going.
Just wanted to add, while they seem secure in their choices, I suspect many are not comfortable being booed at in their own town halls or wherever they are recognized. I suspect many are finding people in their lives isolating from them so the only ones remaining tend to be some of their close family, fellow professionals who have not already left, and those hungry for power or 'true believers' in the MAGA revolution, full of hate and vengeance. That does not make one happy.
I agree as to their actions, but I have watched and believe that fear is a significant factor in many of their choices. Hoping that absent Trump and his primary-controlling Cult we may see better choices from some. That is no reason to go soft on them in the elections, just choose to have hope because without it Trump and his worst allies have won. It is only when you give up that you lose the 'game'.
Valerie, for Halloween, I think I will be a "Federal Agent" ... the new type of Federal Agents
.... Commando suit wearing, masks and sunglasses, NO BADGE and named, simply, "Tim." There is also the "Border Patrol" Halloween Costume--like the one in Management who, last week, sent "General Sherman," his real name, the four star Major General with 33 years' Army servValerie, for Halloween, I think I will be a "Federal Agent" ... the new type of Federal Agents
.... Commando suit wearing, masks and sunglasses, NO BADGE and named, simply, "Tim." There is also the "Border Patrol" Halloween Costume--like the one in Management who, last week, sent "General Sherman," his real name, the four star Major General with 33 years' Army service from Command in MacArthur Park to a "Loyalty Review" panel ... exactly as stated in "Project 2025." ice from Command in MacArthur Park to a "Loyalty Review" panel ... exactly as stated in "Project 2025."
Completely and totally agree.A Vance presidency would be a technocratic nightmare with Peter Thiel and Co. pulling the strings... sci-fi horror come to life.
JD is an empty shell filled with avarice and little else, a person like that would kill every last one of us just to make the point they think the world wants to hear, the limited messed up world of a psychotic.
There is some validity to that argument. But Vance cannot intimidate the GOP as well as Trump. And he will fail to keep the MAGA coalition together. it will fragment with Vance as figurehead.
I have been saying the same thing for months. Basically, that I hope Trump stays healthy. People that disagree with me, however, point out that Vance is unpopular. He doesn't have a cult following, and likely never will. So perhaps Congress would be more likely to act against Vance. What do you think?
Yes, indeed he would be, partly because he was trained & groomed & had queer eye for straight (???) guy makeover by Peter GAY NAZI FAKE AMERICAN CITIZEN Thiel. JD is also completely up the ass of Thiel. J.D. is the turd in Thiel's treasonous ass.
If JD takes the spot, Theil and Yaris will be running the country into the ground. I don't see right now how we get out with a collapse. Republicans for years have proven they can't do the job, any of the jobs, but they are good with racism and masogyny, the very thing that here in 2025 we should have been past decades ago.
Vance a pos for sure, but NO ONE has MAGA loyalty like orange mound. No One worse than what we currently have. Vance would be kicked aside in short order w/o Trump....even with unpopular billionaire class backing.
We are not going to put J.D. Vance or Maga kiss ass Johnson as president we should seriously bethinking about removing the entire republican party. They are actually traitors to there branch of government and also I think we need to remove all and I mean all corruption out of the government
There's the gerrymandering problem.
Great...but how? I'm sure many on the left would be open to suggestions.
Gregg, it has to start with Citizens United being overturned + his 2017 and 2025 Tax Cut legislation being repealed. The 2017 Tax Cuts caused - together - the rapid acceleration of uncapped money allowed by that S. Court decision AND the resulting AVARICE AND GREED of gallactical wealth! Stop it!Pam Bondi was awarded $500 Million, no competitive bidding and sole sourced to her - last year? When the contractor is Pam, address of the company is her home and she has no expertise in ... um ... "... enhancing of AI potential and future, stellar success of the Artificial ... some muckety muck scope of work to perform. She sat on upwards of 4000 wire transfers to and fro' just one Epstein bank account of $1.1 Billion. Think of the number of people. Add today's Jack Smith filing on Trump & Co.'s additional charges that Judge Chutkin published immediately-over 150 pages of detail the entire population gets to read now.
The only way we are going to get Trump out of office. , Millions of people Marching as one into D.C> staying there until everyone come as many as we can get . It is all we can do in a peaceful way to take down the dictator We arrest the corrupt, we take our country back. We can do it, when the people hold the power. It is not insurrection because we the people are the only ones holding up the Constitution. We are taking the country back. We must not work our buy anything from any of the Rich, We must show the rich without us you are nothing! If we can get millions which we can then we can end it all.
We have to shut down the US for a few weeks
For Spring Cleaning...
Rand Paul really showed some guts there.
Not sure what you mean? Paul, wanted to hang Dr Fauci for Covid, now wants to play nice with the Venezuelan narco boat crew. Saying the US should have somehow stopped the boat and asked politely to hand over the drugs and weapons and be prosecuted in court. Hundreds of thousands of Americans died both by Covid and fentanyl. So he wants to punish an American hero and play nice to the drug world. No respect for Paul. No wonder his neighbor beat him up.
There needs to be a trial before we can declare someone guilty. There very well could have been human trafficking victims on the boat assuming it was a drug boat.
Thank you for reminding us why Trump got elected. Very brave to expect OTHERS to come under fire for what would have been a very hazardous apprehension. If women and children were on board, I am certain they would not have taken the shot. That limitation ensures terrorists always have the upper hand as they know hostages protects them like in Gaza.
In the first half of 2024 71 police were killed in the line of duty. That is only half the year and a fraction of those injured and maimed for life.
So let me get this right, in the name of justice you are willing to sacrifice lives of police/service members going up criminals with guns in their possession?
The above "WHAT IFS" put our officers at extreme risk. Very brave of you.
Russ, I wish we could remember that Americans have, traditionally, been more alike in thinking. It is, JUST IN MY OPINION, since Trump's entre that there are fast assessments or classifications of people into "OTHER" groups which people believe is some TOTAL definition of that person. That boat attack disturbed me, immensely, because she is correct. That "appears" to be a summary Execution of those people who were, within a few days, said to be retreating. If I am wrong, it is the gross refusal of numerous other rights to treatment with a presumption of -- NOT READY TO BE KILLED -- denied ANY Human Being prior to summary death. If we have trouble believing it is done these days, the ICE kidnappings prove it. BUT! before you think I am against Law Enforcement or do not support our Police, Military or other Law Enforcement and Federal protection we have-please don't. 20 years ago, I started "pro bono" assistance of Law Enforcement and Military with donations of my work expertise and of money to them ... I did it with no understanding, whatsoever, of the jobs they did and...am still amazed at the skills and expertise required to do their work...compared to my ten years of University education that seems (now erroneously) more valued than these trained, skilled individuals provide. I remember buying the rifle for an Officer who is now our City's SWAT Team Sniper. He handed it to me ... "Here, Rebecca, you want to hold it?" I jumped back, saying: "... uh, no, uum I'm fine, let everybody ELSE hold it, first!" I was afraid of guns. I'm not AGAINST gun ownersship -- by people who are capable and responsible owners and am against guns in the hands of a person like ME. If Reasonable Suspicion does not exist to stop and detain a person-it is ILLEGAL. If Probable Cause does not exist to arrest a person, it is ILLEGAL. If a person is imprisoned by anyone other than a JUDGE ANDJURY or by a JUDGE, he or she has be deprived of their Liberty, WITHOUT THE FUNDAMENTAL (Constitutional) RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS OF LAW and it is ILLEGAL.No Executive Order has the force and effect of Law strong enough to override these FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS...thoseadvising Trump KNEW IT and knew Americans likely do not know it. A President who, regularly, breaches EVERYTHING this nation was built on (based on an irrelevant document by Extremists (a Manifesto) like "Project 2025"), is a Dangerous Rouge President...IN MY OPINION...ask the gutted, dispensed with, enormous percentage of FBI Agents-career experts-with 20 years as a Special Agent, regardless of whose Administration they are under from what is, frequently, rated the #1 Law Enforcement entity in the World.
Any chance you could make a Cliff Notes version of this?
Hahaaa!! I deserve that. It's hilarious! Sorry. I actually get lost in my own comments! Like I'm in a conversation...with...my own self!! Delete me if it is painful. I don't mind.
Trump WAS put to trial and WAS found guilty. And they’ve proven time and time again that they don’t care about women and children, who are murdered in schools more than once a week in America. They can go ahead and call you or me a terrorist then drop a bomb on us if they are allowed to do these things without a trial. Dropping bombs on these boats is going to escalate to a war if they don’t stop.
Wake up, we are already at war with drug cartels. Hundreds of thousands die from overdoses each year. Wher do drug addicts get their money, for crime and stealing from the rest of us. Drugs touch all of us in one way or the other.
I live in a county that has the highest OD rate in the state. The reason it continues to get worse is the ho hum attitude. We need to play nice and treat each incident delicately so as not to hurt anyones feelings. Those running the drugs are just trying to feed their families. Most are really nice people once you get to know them.
It is all connected conspiracy by international state sponsored terrorism invading the entire USA. Getting tough is dirty business I admit, but those running the drugs do not care about the damage they do to us.
America has been too soft for too long and this is why the drugs are other crimes are winning.
I’m saying- are we at war with Venezuela? I don’t see any proof of drugs. I live in a rural county with no stoplights. Too many lives have been lost to drugs because there’s hardly anything to do here.
There needs to be evidence before things happen or even if there isn’t, detaining an innocent person is better than killing an innocent person. I don’t trust a word this administration says. And killing another country’s civilians is a great way to start a war with that country.
Russ, I didn't know the things you say about him and it makes me wonder how we heard such different information ... other than the obvious ways. I knew about his being arrested for tackling his neighbor. Of course, I have the same opinions you have about not being happy with his support of what you say. I just did not know and where will I ever find the time to be truly informed of everything? I just appreciate this last-outburst?-of Statesmenship he exhibited...though, of his overall performance I might disapprove.
Every now and then politicians let their conscience slip out. Paul and his dad Rand, are both contrarians. You never know what side of an issure they will fall on. Gives the impression that truth is not the object, but a way to one up the witness to make them look like a criminal. In Pauls cause it has become a personal grudge vendeta against Fauci.
I have watched several congressional hearings. These have become more of a tribunal to destroy witness credability. They have a bizare rule that allows them a no-holes barred smear campaign against witnesses. Not sure why anyone would testify under those circumstances.
Interesting, Russ. I knew that doctor's name 15 years ago because of personal difficulty with his information promoted. It nearly killed me. I did NOT open my mouth, because of how he was made a HERO without most knowing what he has done in the past ... BUT! Compared to the President during COVID, he sounded like Einstein, by comparison. THE WORST THING TO DO is to make a moral issue a political issue or make an issue of personal health a political issue. I think that, if our Government has a La Cosa Nostra Division, it is Health and Human Services.
No not ask nicely, wait till it’s in US waters and then have the coast guard interdict, which is their job
Thank you for explaining why Trump got elected. The mentality that we need to wait for a crime to be committed before we do anything has delivered Trump. The goal of fighting crime is to PREVENT it and in the case of international narco cartels to take the fight to them. I presume you are a defense attorney looking for business?
It amazes me how many have this perfect world view that criminals deserve respect. Drugs are killing America, at what point is enough enough?
It’s called the RULE OF LAW. It’s what our CONSTITUTION is based on. You know, that document Trump violates on the daily? Yes you have to wait till a crime is committed to arrest someone, and yes, you have to wait till they are CONVICTED and sentenced to death to execute them. Sorry the Constitution is so inconvenient for you.
There is a major difference here. We are engaged in a war with countries that hate us and are using the internet, drugs and criminal gangs to do us in. Playing Mr Niceguy is not working. In war, you do not get to say stop in the name of the law. At what point do we get tough and treat our enemies like they treat us.
If the constitution is so almighty, why is it that the death penalty takes decades to carry it out. Our justice system is not one system for everyone. It can be bought. OJ had a dozen lawyers and walked free. Trump has dozens of lawyers on speed dial and knows how to tie up the courts forever to his advantage. Most folks do not have that money, so they get found guilty. Then lawyers make a fortune appealing the conviction forever.
Repubs are famous for using both the Constitution and the Bible to justify all the mayhem they wreck upon us.
Yes, there are ways to stop boats SUSPECTED of running drugs without oblueterating them with bombs. The Coast Guard does it all the time. And why can't one agree with one thing a person says and disagree with another? p.s. Paul did not want to " hang" Dr Fauci, he wanted to send him to jail for lying to Congress which, yes, is pretty stupid.
All Trumps Staff lied, they should all be fired! They all will be removed when we the people remove them.
Basic rule of politics is to be a great liar. If we removed every politician that lied there would be no congress. The problem with firing them is that the foxes have to agree to it, fat chance of that.
I do not support Trump, but my eyes are open as to why he got there.
He declares war on drugs and finally has the courage to take on the cartels. What is the Dem response? They condemn the Venezuela boat action as over reach. Should have stopped the boat, arrested the people and treated them with legal respect. This is not common, ordinary crime. It is a foreign invasion and needs to be treated with immediate, decisive actions.
This is why USA has not made progress in stemming the flow of drugs. Law enforcement has their hands tied behind them. Illegal drugs are an international invasion of this country, beyond the capability of police and the Coast Guard. Drugs coming here are not just to enrich criminals. It is a destabilizing weapon being used by China, Iran, Russia and North Korea to do us in.
So Dems keep on minimizing crime and you will see God help us Eric run for president.
Trump is a criminal he is a liar.
He is not going after the war on drugs are you delusional, he is a liar and those people are probably cutting into there drug action. Trump is not a good person he is a evil corrupt and a traitor to the free world. He is not taking on any cartel what a joke he is trying to be the cartel!
This is why we cannot make progress on fighting drugs. Too many people want to treat it like cop and robber on tv. Our jails are full, our court dockets are scheduled out years. As a result fatal compromises are made that create the revolving door. In the morning, bail and out the afternoon. While awaiting trial they are free to repeat and silence those who might squeal on them.
The US is at war with foreign gangs and countries like Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico and China. To win a war, you do not get a lawyer, nor Maranda rights, no bail. If you are lucky enough not to get shot... it should work like this.
You will be required to say where you got the drugs and from whom. You will then be required to testify against your supplier. If your memory is soggy, you are sent to jail until that memory comes back. If not enjoy. For dealers they get either life or death. Problem solved.
He did! Where has he been? I don't care if he tackled his neighbor over a lawnmower contretempt! That was an experienced Senator just blowing past the BS of these Elon M., Caroline L., Stephen M. BLUFFING TACTICS to fake trying to argue Political Wisdom like a Statesman or Academic and Life Experience Knowledge versus Social Media influence or FOX News Outrage Whipup Expertise--I think I just had a word capitalization seizure. .
Same! I try to call and thank him and Thomas Massie when they do things like this. Some sort of positive reinforcement. I don’t like most things they do, but they’ve been stepping up more than most republicans, especially Massie lately.
That has been my thought for months
This has been creeping into my thoughts for months. When rumors of Trump's death reared, I was relieved and terrified. Relieved the world might be rid of an awful man and terrified of what might be stepping into his place.
Exactly why The Persimmon Pedo put him in as VP....someone willing to continue the tyranny.
CRey, I am STILL trying to de-creep myself from a Podcast Interview I saw last week of a Victim of the HIGHEST RANKING, RICHEST members in a Worldwide Cult of evil...people? Demons? Aliens? I doubt it would be shown again. The upper echelon of this Cult or Ring? ... Cartel? .... Ninth Level of Dante's Inferno? I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE, but however you define evil, it is afoot right now and Trump, Epstein are low level by comparison. She described, just barely, some scary stuff.
If we survive, I hereby request, permanent removal of Stephen Miller from ANY governmental job,, stare or federal and from ANY appearance on Media of any type + Don, Jr. BANNED from speaking for his father while tweaking.
Well reasoned arguments, but I think you missed a couple of elements.
Trump has the power that he does, because the Congress, SCOTUS and Main Stream Media fear him and / or follow him out of greed. But the major power is the fear.
Trump is feared in large part due to his 'cult' following which have been conditioned to follow him. These people are not driven by policy, or philosophy, they are not focused on the wishes of the donor class and while money does help win elections, much more than money is needed.
Congressional Republicans know they are likely to end their career if they oppose Trump, and so they cling to their seat, following Trump's orders because they know his cult is strong enough and motivated enough to decide who wins the primary.
SCOTUS is afraid to confront Trump, not because he is 'president' but because they are bullied. Afraid to lay it all on the line. They are afraid to do their job, render a PROPER decision that would disable his presidency and provoke a reaction that would show they have no power.
Vance may well be completely corrupted and having embraced the dark side seek to do terrible things, but consider:
Trump has actively weakened the US through tariffs, Abandoning NATO and generally antagonizing the world while creating the 'Purge' on our streets... while siding with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. I do not see Vance being similarly motivated to obey Putin's desires.
Without the Cult, Vance will not have the same level of control over Congress.
Summary: Vance, even if absolutely evil, has less power and less motivation to do all the damage Trump has done. So PLEASE do not use Vance as the reason to not get rid of Trump. Most VPs are chosen to draw in the more extreme wing of the party so the main candidate can cater to the moderates. Pretty sure that is not the case here.
Short note of agreement.
Drumph has a blind cult following that I don't expect will back The Couch Effer.
Great points hope you're right.' 'Cuz we're gonna find out soon enough.
We live in 'interesting times'.
I choose hope and try to plan for winning, because planning for losing is both too easy and often a 'self fulfilling prophecy'.
If we win the 2026 elections, how do we get rid of trump ASAP and what can we do NOW to prepare for that?
If we win and get rid of Trump, what do we do next? how can we prepare NOW for that.
Because if we are not ready for winning, we will lose massive opportunities to acheive our goals and likely lose credibility among the voters who do not currently have faith in the Democrats.
We may well win in elections just based on the anti-Trump vote, but if we prepare NOW with plans to truly help the people and break all the gerrymandering nationwide, reshape SCOTUS because it has failed to fulfill its proper function... and so much more so that we can stop the damage, reverse the damage and FIX the system that was broken before Trump came along where the nations wealth was already spiraling up into the hands of fewer people every year and people were just pawns to be manipulated for power rather than addressing their needs. Yes, Democrats tried, but even when building in protections, did not consider how those protections could get ignored, bypassed, corrupted. Just like SCOTUS with some open corruption there.
Thank you for being brave enough to say what you said. The truth is.... Everything is changed. He broke rules and rewrote our nations laws to accommodate them. Many functions of government are gone or displaced and the crew running it have been conditioned to this policy. The truth is....it will not be the same or go back to the way it was....Part of me secretly wishes his supporters (the ones that still support him) would truly experience the effects of what he has done....I like Gavin Newsom and I think he is younger and smarter and definitely better looking....he is still a politician. But he is strong enough to win. I think Jon Ossof is wonderful...but he is too young to serve as president...but maybe rules of that should change because THE LAST TWO PRESIDENTS WERE WAY TOO OLD. I personally liked Biden for what he did his entire life...when he spoke up for so many people and really really was for the people. Honestly I have come up with several solutions of how government should be for the best outcome in general after this....I try to be bipartisan but they sure the fuck have not been fair to bipartisanship. OUR SYSTEM IS BROKEN. it would have to be rewritten. I think we have to change the entire government system because it is broke. Obviously one person in power is a bad idea. Part of me thinks we should split. Historically authorized regimes are the most fucked up and awful. The solution to most the problems in the world if right now anyone over 73 disappeared....isn't that awful? But it's true.
I don't think age by itself should be a criteria, but sure, we need to shake things up. As you say, it is broken. We need to face our actual problems and solve them, even when 'that is not how we are used to doing things' or 'They will think we are being too radical.' But you do not fix a car which has been in a major collision by taking the dents out. There are ways to stop the cheating that the right has been doing for decades now, but we also need to build in enforcement mechanisms separate from the courts. The courts do not like directly confronting and regulating the other branches, which might be reasonable, but the courts are only good for making judgements after the crime, so we need a process that forces the administration to go through the courts to make changes..
We may need to change how votes are counted in Congress. Secret ballot? While we certainly want to hold our Senators and Representatives to account for their actions, we also do not want others to hold their leashes either. Whether it is somebody in power in their party, or somebody who has 'leverage' on them, a donor perhaps...
Maybe we need to change how primaries are done, to remove the power of a 'highly motivated' minority in the party running things.
Perhaps a specific process of capturing the Senators and Representatives, and their staffs, financials so they cannot be motivated by money, while paying them much more. I would much rather not force people to be motivated to get their money with 'side jobs' for certain 'donors', easier to pay them sufficiently so they can have a nice living without need for corruption. Their wages, even if tripled would be less than a rounding error on the budget. If we want to attract people to do a good job, pay them for it. Certainly we need to do a better job of controlling the power of money in our democracy.
SCOTUS can not be trusted on anything and will need to be restructured, both in who is on the bench and how they are removed from the bench. We need to remove politics from it entirely. Most judges are decent and competent, including most of those appointed by Trump (much to his frustration). I think we need to let the judges manage their own branch, but with voting by ALL the federal judges. SCOTUS justices are merely the final court of appeal and should have no other power or privilege than that. If they get out of control, there is always the option of a new amendment to fix anything, just like they passed an amendment to undo prohibition.
How we manage our budgets and economy need a serious makeover, but can begin with a simple reading of the 14th amendment, section 4. The Fed is so busy protecting the banks it often fails in managing the economy. Being focused on the 'financial' industry, they tend to believe money has intrinsic value. Rather than simply the grease that allows the economy to function, they think it is the fuel. The actual fuel are the people who buy and sell, make things and provide service... Notably not the CEOs, shareholders or board members, they may have their functions, but they do not create any actual value. People in the financial industry, treating money as the end product, harvest it, in ways that may be legal, but often only because they paid for those laws with financial support of various people in the 'governing industry'. This is just scratching the surface of what needs to be done to fix only a few of our many problems.
People are not merely ready for radical change, they are demanding it, they are desperate for it, because they KNOW it is broken, even though most have no idea what is broke or how it is broken, which is why they bought the biggest promises even though they were mostly lies and generally not giving them what they wanted.
FYI, I am only 3 years from your cutoff. Pretty sure I still have a little to contribute.
With my actuarial background, looking at Drumph's weight, poor diet, and lack of physical exercise, there are very few insurance companies would underwrite a life insurance policy for OrangeJezus... even just a 5 year term policy.
I sigh and relax a moment... I have no need for hate in order to 'allow' nature to pursue it's course. I have no need for anxiety when it is out of my control. I have no need for empathy for one who is filled with hate, as I have no desire to feel that even 'second-hand'.
Trump has caused the death of thousands and more likely hundreds of thousands of people through his choices. Trump has caused and greatly escalated hate and division in this country, causing pain and misery to countless people. Just those factors, ignoring many more, are enough to consider him a very dangerous person who needs to be removed from power ASAP. If a person of great danger to countless people were to die, I will not shed a tear, instead I will take comfort in the increased safety of those I care about.
Congress republicans and the far-right extremist Supreme Court Justices are getting exactly what they want from trump and it's Project 2025, they don't fear trump, they need trump to implement Project 2025 which 50% of has been thxs to trump and his regime.
Not all Republicans in congress are extremists, and not all 'conservatives' in SCOTUS are extremists. People, even inside a movement, are not all in lockstep.
Consider each of those people spent their lives seeking power, and now only one person has power. Sure, they have been corrupted with greed and fear, but that does not mean they are all happy with how things are.
No of course not all republicans in congress are extremist, but I'd say today, the majorty are, they certainly hold the power. Name me one Conservative Supreme Court Justice that hasn't shown extremism in their ruling or their desent. I would say today's republicans are in lock step with the goal of getting Project 2025 implemented at any cost. Sadly I would say 99.8 of the new republican party is very happy with how things are going.
Just wanted to add, while they seem secure in their choices, I suspect many are not comfortable being booed at in their own town halls or wherever they are recognized. I suspect many are finding people in their lives isolating from them so the only ones remaining tend to be some of their close family, fellow professionals who have not already left, and those hungry for power or 'true believers' in the MAGA revolution, full of hate and vengeance. That does not make one happy.
I agree as to their actions, but I have watched and believe that fear is a significant factor in many of their choices. Hoping that absent Trump and his primary-controlling Cult we may see better choices from some. That is no reason to go soft on them in the elections, just choose to have hope because without it Trump and his worst allies have won. It is only when you give up that you lose the 'game'.
Valerie, for Halloween, I think I will be a "Federal Agent" ... the new type of Federal Agents
.... Commando suit wearing, masks and sunglasses, NO BADGE and named, simply, "Tim." There is also the "Border Patrol" Halloween Costume--like the one in Management who, last week, sent "General Sherman," his real name, the four star Major General with 33 years' Army servValerie, for Halloween, I think I will be a "Federal Agent" ... the new type of Federal Agents
.... Commando suit wearing, masks and sunglasses, NO BADGE and named, simply, "Tim." There is also the "Border Patrol" Halloween Costume--like the one in Management who, last week, sent "General Sherman," his real name, the four star Major General with 33 years' Army service from Command in MacArthur Park to a "Loyalty Review" panel ... exactly as stated in "Project 2025." ice from Command in MacArthur Park to a "Loyalty Review" panel ... exactly as stated in "Project 2025."
Completely and totally agree.A Vance presidency would be a technocratic nightmare with Peter Thiel and Co. pulling the strings... sci-fi horror come to life.
JD is an empty shell filled with avarice and little else, a person like that would kill every last one of us just to make the point they think the world wants to hear, the limited messed up world of a psychotic.
That's easy. Trump is old, sick, and insane. Vance is young, healthy, and insane.
Both are very 👿 EVIL!! Impeach the whole Cabinet!!!!
I wouldn’t be surprised if the boat had 3 armed guards and 8 innocent civilians or victims of human trafficking. Trump and Vance murdered them all.
I have a 1st class Honours Bachelors degree and a Masters degree so I know how to describe J.D.VANCE.
He's a disgusting person with NO redeeming features.
There is some validity to that argument. But Vance cannot intimidate the GOP as well as Trump. And he will fail to keep the MAGA coalition together. it will fragment with Vance as figurehead.
I have been saying the same thing for months. Basically, that I hope Trump stays healthy. People that disagree with me, however, point out that Vance is unpopular. He doesn't have a cult following, and likely never will. So perhaps Congress would be more likely to act against Vance. What do you think?
My concern is that the powerful 2025 puppeteers are more strongly aligned behind him. They will fight for him if he does their bidding.
Yes, indeed he would be, partly because he was trained & groomed & had queer eye for straight (???) guy makeover by Peter GAY NAZI FAKE AMERICAN CITIZEN Thiel. JD is also completely up the ass of Thiel. J.D. is the turd in Thiel's treasonous ass.
If JD takes the spot, Theil and Yaris will be running the country into the ground. I don't see right now how we get out with a collapse. Republicans for years have proven they can't do the job, any of the jobs, but they are good with racism and masogyny, the very thing that here in 2025 we should have been past decades ago.
Vance a pos for sure, but NO ONE has MAGA loyalty like orange mound. No One worse than what we currently have. Vance would be kicked aside in short order w/o Trump....even with unpopular billionaire class backing.