I was in tears reading this. As a veteran I was losing hope. I Can't get a reply from my cousin who is a veteran with ptsd from 82nd airborne. I wish he could read this. I am scared and afraid for our future. But , rick, you help me hang on. Please don't stop trying to help. As an independent I call jefferies office often. Gave up on Schumer. Stay well. We need you. You remind me of commanders I once had. Tough, no bullshit. Honest, with integrity.
Obama had the chance in late 2008-early 2009, and struck out looking. THIS IS REPUBLICAN GOVERNANCE!!!!!!! should have been shouted from the mountaintops, citing the near economic collapse and Iraq (and 9/11, actually: Condi had been warned) as the leading failures of Bush. Now, Dem candidates should shout out, say, the worst 10 atrocities of the current regime, naming names Miller, RFK jr, Kushner, Patel, etc and promising investigations. A Dem campaign like this could be written out on the back of an envelope. We’ve entered the Crimes Against Humanity phase of MAGA rule and the election should be framed as a reckoning.
I am struggeling to convince my younger family members to take this moment serriously. They think because “both sides are corrupt” so they don’t feel the need to support anyone much less vote. They’re happy to remain complacent and sit this one out and untill we can convince them to pay attention and get involved, we will lose the midterms.
“They believe... they can build a perpetual motion machine of human misery.” Awe. Isn’t that cute. The topic of conversation amongst the ladies at line dancing Friday night boiled down to renew your passport and buy a gun. I don’t know what “a Soviet-era Lada” is, but I did not scream at the dashboard of my 1974 flatbed Datsun truck when drove it home that night. It started. Eventually. But the lights didn’t work. Guess what? It’s dark after the sun goes down. I prayed a lot driving those two miles with not even one headlight.
The people who turn out to overturn a tyrant will be impatient for change. Without a clear plan and a commitment to do the hard work of creating a sustainable democracy, our country will remain vulnerable to the next insurrection surely lying in wait. These younger, smarter, more dangerous predators will re-ignite the flammable desperation of an impatient public to thwart any attempt to build the better future we seek for ourselves. Winning at the ballot box is one swift step, but after victory, sustaining solidarity will be crucial for the slow, painful work ahead.
Along with convincing promises from candidates to lead the way forward, we will have to make it clear that the people owe a promise of public service to the country that was given to them by struggle and sacrifice.
You are correct. It’s looking good for the midterms. People are rising up, MAGA is falling apart. Let’s win it. But let’s also prepare to keep it. By planning, organizing, and inspiring people to sign up for the long slog ahead.
I was never a fan of how the French revolution played out, but with the current regime in Washington, plus the 'aristocracy' of technology, I really do get it. Not that I think the end justifies the mean, but 'pour encourager les autres'. These folk are a festering sore, and unless the infection is fully purged it will rise again to the surface.
I watched as Orban came, time and again, to Mar-A-Lago, and it didn't take a MENSA brain to figure out what was going on. It wasn't a current and former leader recalling old times; but a tutelage of a hungry student of authoritarianism by an 'expert'. It doesn't take any thought to realize the story by Ivana Trump of him reading the Fuhrer's speeches at night to know it was essentially true.
When the rascals are finally driven out of power, I hope we also purge the hidden infrastructure of federal employees, including in the military, (then repeat on the state and local levels) that will have been left in place in order to facilitate a 'second coming' (and I don't mean Jesus!) Blacklist them all. Perhaps there's enough jobs picking fruits and vegetables for them to make a meager living. Let them experience the true downside of life.
Thanks, Rick. BTW, being a 'ray of sunshine' while the flood rages does little to help people prepare for what has to be done. Keep up the good works.
God bless America and God help us to improve our American democracy. Think of ourselves as Americans and not as R's or D's.
I was in tears reading this. As a veteran I was losing hope. I Can't get a reply from my cousin who is a veteran with ptsd from 82nd airborne. I wish he could read this. I am scared and afraid for our future. But , rick, you help me hang on. Please don't stop trying to help. As an independent I call jefferies office often. Gave up on Schumer. Stay well. We need you. You remind me of commanders I once had. Tough, no bullshit. Honest, with integrity.
"Vichy Republicans" (chef's kiss)
Yes! You are so right, Rick. The government needs to fear us, not the other way around.
Hear hear, sir!
Brilliant as usual. Thank you for offering a bit of hope and reality.
And I thought you said this was positive. Pretty dark turn there at the end. True, what you said, but I could have used one moment of positivity.
The most ironic aspect of the "strongman" moniker is the undeniable fact that all of these assholes have pencil necks and pipe cleaner arms.
None of them can lift 75 pounds nor could they run 5 miles in any time whatsoever.
None have a skull sufficiently resistant to a .45 ACP round. They are loudmouth punks, each and every Hitleresque one, and fuck 'em all.
Have a good 'un.
Obama had the chance in late 2008-early 2009, and struck out looking. THIS IS REPUBLICAN GOVERNANCE!!!!!!! should have been shouted from the mountaintops, citing the near economic collapse and Iraq (and 9/11, actually: Condi had been warned) as the leading failures of Bush. Now, Dem candidates should shout out, say, the worst 10 atrocities of the current regime, naming names Miller, RFK jr, Kushner, Patel, etc and promising investigations. A Dem campaign like this could be written out on the back of an envelope. We’ve entered the Crimes Against Humanity phase of MAGA rule and the election should be framed as a reckoning.
Amen!
I am struggeling to convince my younger family members to take this moment serriously. They think because “both sides are corrupt” so they don’t feel the need to support anyone much less vote. They’re happy to remain complacent and sit this one out and untill we can convince them to pay attention and get involved, we will lose the midterms.
Buried the lede: "Putin’s days are numbered."
I try never to miss your columns. Full of insight and observations. And a little wit thrown in doesn't hurt. Thanks Rick !
Terrific! Jam-packed with truth and useful perspectives. Everyone in this country should receive it in a mailer.
“They believe... they can build a perpetual motion machine of human misery.” Awe. Isn’t that cute. The topic of conversation amongst the ladies at line dancing Friday night boiled down to renew your passport and buy a gun. I don’t know what “a Soviet-era Lada” is, but I did not scream at the dashboard of my 1974 flatbed Datsun truck when drove it home that night. It started. Eventually. But the lights didn’t work. Guess what? It’s dark after the sun goes down. I prayed a lot driving those two miles with not even one headlight.
The people who turn out to overturn a tyrant will be impatient for change. Without a clear plan and a commitment to do the hard work of creating a sustainable democracy, our country will remain vulnerable to the next insurrection surely lying in wait. These younger, smarter, more dangerous predators will re-ignite the flammable desperation of an impatient public to thwart any attempt to build the better future we seek for ourselves. Winning at the ballot box is one swift step, but after victory, sustaining solidarity will be crucial for the slow, painful work ahead.
Along with convincing promises from candidates to lead the way forward, we will have to make it clear that the people owe a promise of public service to the country that was given to them by struggle and sacrifice.
You are correct. It’s looking good for the midterms. People are rising up, MAGA is falling apart. Let’s win it. But let’s also prepare to keep it. By planning, organizing, and inspiring people to sign up for the long slog ahead.
Two things are certain. Both Jefferies and Schumer are NOT up to the task of taking the fight all the way.
It's not 1983 anymore, the fighters with spine and courage are those who are needed now.
La liberté guidant le peuple de Delacroix
I was never a fan of how the French revolution played out, but with the current regime in Washington, plus the 'aristocracy' of technology, I really do get it. Not that I think the end justifies the mean, but 'pour encourager les autres'. These folk are a festering sore, and unless the infection is fully purged it will rise again to the surface.
I watched as Orban came, time and again, to Mar-A-Lago, and it didn't take a MENSA brain to figure out what was going on. It wasn't a current and former leader recalling old times; but a tutelage of a hungry student of authoritarianism by an 'expert'. It doesn't take any thought to realize the story by Ivana Trump of him reading the Fuhrer's speeches at night to know it was essentially true.
When the rascals are finally driven out of power, I hope we also purge the hidden infrastructure of federal employees, including in the military, (then repeat on the state and local levels) that will have been left in place in order to facilitate a 'second coming' (and I don't mean Jesus!) Blacklist them all. Perhaps there's enough jobs picking fruits and vegetables for them to make a meager living. Let them experience the true downside of life.
Thanks, Rick. BTW, being a 'ray of sunshine' while the flood rages does little to help people prepare for what has to be done. Keep up the good works.
Means, method.
Netanyahu has to go too. At home, we have to clean house this time!