Right. America is great. There is no make it great again, it is great. But to deny the mistakes of the past and not work on improving is a mistake. Making America better for all, not just the few who believe they are the true Americans.
Thanks for this, JVL. I'll see your Bad JVL, and raise you a disgusted MBC. The biggest threat to our democracy is not that people are stupid. I mean, they Are, some of them, but people can be educated. The biggest threat to our democracy is intellectual sloth, which is infinitely worse. These are people who choose the dopamine hit of informational pablum, rather than facts which have to be chewed and swallowed no matter how tough or bitter. I don't know how we move on from that. Perhaps we need you parents to tell us how you convinced your truculent toddlers to eat their greens. Many thanks for all you do.
I really hope you will stay close to Matt and make sure that this story doesn’t have a different ending in the future JVL. It is incomprehensible that we are even at this point in American history, but we have to keep fighting and trust that there are more good people in this country than bad. It’s hard every day seeing the news and watching things like the Jubilee event with Medhi that you and Tim discussed yesterday, but praying these are the crazy outliers and we can get back on the right track.
I wanted to repeat that title. I am a DAR with family roots that date to this country's beginning. I am married (for almost 28 years) to a man whose family immigrated him to this country when he was 9 months old. Both my husband and I are American, full stop. There is NO gradation in our citizenship status. This country is a specific people and a specific place - a home - YES; but it is also something more than that. Immigration is the lifeblood of this nation and at the root of American GREATNESS!
Thank you of sharing Matt's story, JVL. The Bulwark is a special place and I am grateful to be part of it.
JVL, I found myself holding my breath as I raced through your story about "Matt". I got to the end and then found tears running down my face. THANK YOU for allowing me to believe there are truly some decent people in places that can make a difference. They may be few, we don't know, but they exist. Now, I'll go read 404...*sigh*. I suspect no happy tears will be found there.
JVL - please write something on the AI Obama incarcerated video that Trump posted. Even in these dark times, it’s the most chilling thing I’ve seen yet. I had a vestige of hope but now it seems like we are really going to the darkest of places.
Living in a country where the media and citizens can criticize the government is worth fighting for. I lived in an African country for 13 years - 1985 to 1998. It supposedly had a multiparty system but the ruling party always won by 95% or more in elections. Corruption got worse and worse as the years went by. If overheard criticizing the government one could easily be "invited" to appear at the CID (internal intelligence) for interrogation within a few days.
We are a nation of flawed people and we always have been. This point in time is different. I cannot reach or even have a thoughtful conversation regarding politics with my extended family. We no longer have shared facts. They are living in an alternative reality where 2+2 does not equal 4 like it does for the rest of us. R
In spite of what is going on now in the U.S., I am still hopeful that the “better angels” of the American people will ultimately prevail. What Trump is doing is not popular, even around immigration.
JVL, I love your takes but we’re going to have to agree to disagree on this. This country has never been “good”: We’ve had 250 years of checkered history that we’ve never learnt from—and based on the political headwinds these days, I don’t think we ever will.
JVL usually reflects the darkness and gloom of my own questions and thoughts! I usually try to remember that my personal situation is better than I ever thought it would be. Very comfortably retired near family and everyone doing fine also. Life is still very good. This story shows us that we can still do small everyday things to help others and fight against the darkness. We can all be better.
Right. America is great. There is no make it great again, it is great. But to deny the mistakes of the past and not work on improving is a mistake. Making America better for all, not just the few who believe they are the true Americans.
When JVL isn't dark enough for is--- there's always Chris Hedges.
https://consortiumnews.com/2025/06/11/chris-hedges-the-rule-of-idiots/
Thanks for this, JVL. I'll see your Bad JVL, and raise you a disgusted MBC. The biggest threat to our democracy is not that people are stupid. I mean, they Are, some of them, but people can be educated. The biggest threat to our democracy is intellectual sloth, which is infinitely worse. These are people who choose the dopamine hit of informational pablum, rather than facts which have to be chewed and swallowed no matter how tough or bitter. I don't know how we move on from that. Perhaps we need you parents to tell us how you convinced your truculent toddlers to eat their greens. Many thanks for all you do.
I really hope you will stay close to Matt and make sure that this story doesn’t have a different ending in the future JVL. It is incomprehensible that we are even at this point in American history, but we have to keep fighting and trust that there are more good people in this country than bad. It’s hard every day seeing the news and watching things like the Jubilee event with Medhi that you and Tim discussed yesterday, but praying these are the crazy outliers and we can get back on the right track.
America Is a Good Place and Worth Fighting For!!!
I wanted to repeat that title. I am a DAR with family roots that date to this country's beginning. I am married (for almost 28 years) to a man whose family immigrated him to this country when he was 9 months old. Both my husband and I are American, full stop. There is NO gradation in our citizenship status. This country is a specific people and a specific place - a home - YES; but it is also something more than that. Immigration is the lifeblood of this nation and at the root of American GREATNESS!
Thank you of sharing Matt's story, JVL. The Bulwark is a special place and I am grateful to be part of it.
JVL - Thank you for being there for "Matt" and sharing his story with us!
JVL, I found myself holding my breath as I raced through your story about "Matt". I got to the end and then found tears running down my face. THANK YOU for allowing me to believe there are truly some decent people in places that can make a difference. They may be few, we don't know, but they exist. Now, I'll go read 404...*sigh*. I suspect no happy tears will be found there.
JVL - please write something on the AI Obama incarcerated video that Trump posted. Even in these dark times, it’s the most chilling thing I’ve seen yet. I had a vestige of hope but now it seems like we are really going to the darkest of places.
Living in a country where the media and citizens can criticize the government is worth fighting for. I lived in an African country for 13 years - 1985 to 1998. It supposedly had a multiparty system but the ruling party always won by 95% or more in elections. Corruption got worse and worse as the years went by. If overheard criticizing the government one could easily be "invited" to appear at the CID (internal intelligence) for interrogation within a few days.
We are a nation of flawed people and we always have been. This point in time is different. I cannot reach or even have a thoughtful conversation regarding politics with my extended family. We no longer have shared facts. They are living in an alternative reality where 2+2 does not equal 4 like it does for the rest of us. R
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/20/opinion/trump-epstein-list-suicide.html It's hard to believe that there will be consequences for the teflon don.
JVL,
In spite of what is going on now in the U.S., I am still hopeful that the “better angels” of the American people will ultimately prevail. What Trump is doing is not popular, even around immigration.
I agree entirely with Exregulator's comment.
Thank you so much for this Triad, JVL.
JVL, I love your takes but we’re going to have to agree to disagree on this. This country has never been “good”: We’ve had 250 years of checkered history that we’ve never learnt from—and based on the political headwinds these days, I don’t think we ever will.
Maybe Rupert thinks Trump is like fish past it's sell by date and trying get a better, younger puppet to replace him.
JVL usually reflects the darkness and gloom of my own questions and thoughts! I usually try to remember that my personal situation is better than I ever thought it would be. Very comfortably retired near family and everyone doing fine also. Life is still very good. This story shows us that we can still do small everyday things to help others and fight against the darkness. We can all be better.