Beautifully written!! Thank you for your outstanding insight!!
It would be interesting to hear what would be said of this current guy who is a convicted felon, abuser of women (had to pay on that one), and a possible child rapist/pedophile.
Leaving aside our personal reactions to political actors best understood in the context of their time, this is a very thoughtful interpretation of their oratory and governance. Bravo, Rick!
Your clever writing offers so many opportunities to connect with saner times. A lifeline.
Rick, thank you for this. It is brilliant. If only we had a president with even a small percentage of this wisdom and integrity. Alas, we have a moron sitting there with one goal - self enrichment. Trumps favorability ratings continue to drop. May more people wake up - soon.
Having just seen the photo of a Russian tank moving on Ukraine with both the Russian flag and our Stars and Stripes, I nearly threw up. Literally. How low Trump has made us fall. Please, someone, lead us out of this mess. Bully pulpit, lone ranger, whatever the fuck, we need to come together and shut the country down! Other nations' people have done it to good effect, putting their governments on notice that we the people are stronger than disastrous policies, thugs in the streets, gaud in the Oval. This man is deteriorating before our eyes. Hopefully he won't last long; his luck and his health will run out. And there will be rejoicing in the streets, the world will heave a great sigh of relief and we can get down to the business of ousting all the Republicans, reforming and rebuilding our country. Here's the link to the photo, all thanks to Charlie Sykes: https://charliesykes.substack.com/p/the-free-world-minus-trump-gathers?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=759524&post_id=171274827&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=false&r=15favz&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
Katherine, Thanks ...Maxwell was transfered to FPC Bryan in the week prior to August 1, 2025. I found several of Blundell's podcasts around that time w /Zev Shalev. This may be the one you are thinking of:
A fascinating book, After The Apocalypse, by Andrew Bacevich, founder of The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, believes strongly—and I agree—that the U.S. should step back and not serve as the global policeman.
I agree also because back in the early Seventies I served as Legislative Analyst for the late Rep . Ron Dellums of the East Bay.
In Ron’s first term, he decided to amend the Military Authorization bill in the House by withdrawing the majority of our troops and closing bases all around the world. Not a full withdrawal but enough that we could attain significant savings of tax dollars at the same time creating a leaner, stronger force.
Of course it was roundly defeated.
But Ron made a statement. And, eventually he was the first Member of the CBC to Chair the House Armed Services Committee.
As for our current inglorious head of state, there’s a song reminding me of him:
Reagan would do a lot of the same shit. He had some great speech writers and delivered them well at some well timed moments - but other than that he was a red pilled or WTFE color pill - who was easily seduced by the evangelical zealots who used abortion as their perfect moral dilemma that gave them righteous indignation to stand on for an “at risk group” that had no voice and was no longer their problem once they were born and suddenly had a voice.
To be fair, Ronald Reagan is a whole lot of the reason why DJT was able to enter the political stage.
See my post. I too saw the photo of the tank with two flags. My thoughts are that Trump has brought our country to its lowest point, ever. He is ignorant, unwilling to read or learn, lives only for praise and gold, and is a far cry from the "leader of the free world." You don't get that title by putting thugs in the street or sucking up to a killer. He is a stain on our history.
it is horrific. I have no doubt that Trump has been in Putin's pocket since the 80's. It's been a plan. I am deathly worried about how much of this shit we can turn around, if any. Sorry, but it's getting tough not to go down the rabbit hole. Thanks for the response
I had been a paid subscriber but had recently left to take a break from Substack. This piece has brought me back as a paid subscriber. Have appreciated Rick’s voice since 2016 and have determined that, while there are scores of important voices out there, I find Rick’s vantage point and commentary indispensable.
Rick, thank you again for your great take on the former Presidents responses to Putin. And yes today potASS will dither around and claim
No Ceasefire is necessary for a peace settlement. And give up territory to the USSR but he may say he wants a peacekeeping force but without guarantees of peace US is doomed for failure
You chose to stay within the last 75 years, but I would add two presidents with a shared name and family not Bush, Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D Roosevelt.
Teddy said "Walk softly and carry a big stick". (supposedly) But we now have a weak draft dodger for a president who thinks "Walk loudly and fondle my tiny stick". Trump wants to build an unaffordable mighty military that he would only use against the weak, because the strong would be his allies and his masters.
FDR saw what was coming and, in the midst of a low point in American prosperity, fought to prepare us for the darkness that was encroaching from the darkness in Fascist Europe and the nation of Japan (in 1941). Trump choses to ignore what intelligence experts (you know, NOT Tulsi Gabbard) try to tell him about threats that include actions by his hero authoritarian cohorts. "No, I don't believe the military and intelligence data that says Russia has just launched a massive attack against America, because Vlad told me it was a lie." And we all go up in radioactive smoke.
Though I'd like to see some analysis of what President Wilson thought of the Bolshevik's revolution and we know that FDR considered Stalin a very strange and untrustworthy bedfellow.
The Oval Office is NOT "stately and restrained". It's gaudy, weird and ugly.
Gold is the new black. Real cheap gold paint bought at the local Ace Hardware. On discount
Then, consider the man who inhabits it. A diaper wearing, grifting slob whose sole purpose in life is to gather as much grift as he possibly can.
And your gal pal Susie Wiles enables all of it
The Oval is nothing more now than a place where deeply disturbed white men meet to plot to harm Americans they don't like, come up with via the worst imaginable, cruelest activities
It's America's Daily #Wannsee Conference Site
But Susie Wiles ... no. She holds the door open, hands everyone a bag of M&Ms as they enter; except for Stephen Miller. He brings his own vials of blood.
Hear, hear!
Beautifully written!! Thank you for your outstanding insight!!
It would be interesting to hear what would be said of this current guy who is a convicted felon, abuser of women (had to pay on that one), and a possible child rapist/pedophile.
Outstanding take on how real presidents think and behave. Wannabe despots need not apply.
Maybe your best Rick, thanks for saying the obvious well!
Leaving aside our personal reactions to political actors best understood in the context of their time, this is a very thoughtful interpretation of their oratory and governance. Bravo, Rick!
Your clever writing offers so many opportunities to connect with saner times. A lifeline.
Rick, thank you for this. It is brilliant. If only we had a president with even a small percentage of this wisdom and integrity. Alas, we have a moron sitting there with one goal - self enrichment. Trumps favorability ratings continue to drop. May more people wake up - soon.
Having just seen the photo of a Russian tank moving on Ukraine with both the Russian flag and our Stars and Stripes, I nearly threw up. Literally. How low Trump has made us fall. Please, someone, lead us out of this mess. Bully pulpit, lone ranger, whatever the fuck, we need to come together and shut the country down! Other nations' people have done it to good effect, putting their governments on notice that we the people are stronger than disastrous policies, thugs in the streets, gaud in the Oval. This man is deteriorating before our eyes. Hopefully he won't last long; his luck and his health will run out. And there will be rejoicing in the streets, the world will heave a great sigh of relief and we can get down to the business of ousting all the Republicans, reforming and rebuilding our country. Here's the link to the photo, all thanks to Charlie Sykes: https://charliesykes.substack.com/p/the-free-world-minus-trump-gathers?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=759524&post_id=171274827&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=false&r=15favz&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
Katherine, Thanks ...Maxwell was transfered to FPC Bryan in the week prior to August 1, 2025. I found several of Blundell's podcasts around that time w /Zev Shalev. This may be the one you are thinking of:
https://deanblundell.substack.com/p/fivestack-live-breaking-convicted
If not, here's a link to Blundell's substack program archives : https://deanblundell.substack.com/podcast/archive?sort=new
You may find the podcast you are talking about there.
Good luck!
Steve
Usually I’m spot on with your philosophy.
Here, I’m not.
A fascinating book, After The Apocalypse, by Andrew Bacevich, founder of The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, believes strongly—and I agree—that the U.S. should step back and not serve as the global policeman.
I agree also because back in the early Seventies I served as Legislative Analyst for the late Rep . Ron Dellums of the East Bay.
In Ron’s first term, he decided to amend the Military Authorization bill in the House by withdrawing the majority of our troops and closing bases all around the world. Not a full withdrawal but enough that we could attain significant savings of tax dollars at the same time creating a leaner, stronger force.
Of course it was roundly defeated.
But Ron made a statement. And, eventually he was the first Member of the CBC to Chair the House Armed Services Committee.
As for our current inglorious head of state, there’s a song reminding me of him:
“First you say you do
And then you don’t
And then you say you will
And then you won’t.
You’re undecided now,
So what’s you gonna do?
Then he says
Reagan would do a lot of the same shit. He had some great speech writers and delivered them well at some well timed moments - but other than that he was a red pilled or WTFE color pill - who was easily seduced by the evangelical zealots who used abortion as their perfect moral dilemma that gave them righteous indignation to stand on for an “at risk group” that had no voice and was no longer their problem once they were born and suddenly had a voice.
To be fair, Ronald Reagan is a whole lot of the reason why DJT was able to enter the political stage.
I'm wondering what your thoughts are on seeing Russian tanks with the American flag on them? Trump is a traitor
See my post. I too saw the photo of the tank with two flags. My thoughts are that Trump has brought our country to its lowest point, ever. He is ignorant, unwilling to read or learn, lives only for praise and gold, and is a far cry from the "leader of the free world." You don't get that title by putting thugs in the street or sucking up to a killer. He is a stain on our history.
it is horrific. I have no doubt that Trump has been in Putin's pocket since the 80's. It's been a plan. I am deathly worried about how much of this shit we can turn around, if any. Sorry, but it's getting tough not to go down the rabbit hole. Thanks for the response
*sigh*
I had been a paid subscriber but had recently left to take a break from Substack. This piece has brought me back as a paid subscriber. Have appreciated Rick’s voice since 2016 and have determined that, while there are scores of important voices out there, I find Rick’s vantage point and commentary indispensable.
Rick, thank you again for your great take on the former Presidents responses to Putin. And yes today potASS will dither around and claim
No Ceasefire is necessary for a peace settlement. And give up territory to the USSR but he may say he wants a peacekeeping force but without guarantees of peace US is doomed for failure
You chose to stay within the last 75 years, but I would add two presidents with a shared name and family not Bush, Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D Roosevelt.
Teddy said "Walk softly and carry a big stick". (supposedly) But we now have a weak draft dodger for a president who thinks "Walk loudly and fondle my tiny stick". Trump wants to build an unaffordable mighty military that he would only use against the weak, because the strong would be his allies and his masters.
FDR saw what was coming and, in the midst of a low point in American prosperity, fought to prepare us for the darkness that was encroaching from the darkness in Fascist Europe and the nation of Japan (in 1941). Trump choses to ignore what intelligence experts (you know, NOT Tulsi Gabbard) try to tell him about threats that include actions by his hero authoritarian cohorts. "No, I don't believe the military and intelligence data that says Russia has just launched a massive attack against America, because Vlad told me it was a lie." And we all go up in radioactive smoke.
I needed Presidents who were Cold War or adjacent to make the Russia point.
Ah. Yes.
Though I'd like to see some analysis of what President Wilson thought of the Bolshevik's revolution and we know that FDR considered Stalin a very strange and untrustworthy bedfellow.
The Oval Office is NOT "stately and restrained". It's gaudy, weird and ugly.
Gold is the new black. Real cheap gold paint bought at the local Ace Hardware. On discount
Then, consider the man who inhabits it. A diaper wearing, grifting slob whose sole purpose in life is to gather as much grift as he possibly can.
And your gal pal Susie Wiles enables all of it
The Oval is nothing more now than a place where deeply disturbed white men meet to plot to harm Americans they don't like, come up with via the worst imaginable, cruelest activities
It's America's Daily #Wannsee Conference Site
But Susie Wiles ... no. She holds the door open, hands everyone a bag of M&Ms as they enter; except for Stephen Miller. He brings his own vials of blood.
As it was in their time.