Russia’s summer offensive in Ukraine is winding down with minimal gains. But Trump’s threats of sanctions are going unheeded and the conflict still has no end in sight.
Bill: "But it’s not an achievement for which Donald Trump feels any pride, or for the continuation of which he wishes to take any responsibility."
My wife and I toured USS Missouri back in April and stood where the Japanese formally surrendered. To stand where MacArthur, Nimitz, Halsey, and even John McCain's grandfather stood 80 years ago was certainly a moving, awe-inspiring experience. As were MacArthur's words on that day in Tokyo. It made me realize that for all Team Trump's bravado, they are weak, hollow people. So Bill's right about Trump lack of pride about America's role post-World War II. But let's not forget that the great and good American people don't take any pride in it, either. Sure, you'll see some jackhole driving a pickup truck with a "We The People" graphic on the rear window to show his "patriotism", but he's the same jackhole that wants Trump to turn the United States into something resembling what we defeated in World War II. We had everything and appreciated none of it.
As I wrote in my own comment below, the American people no longer uphold MacArthur’s inspiring words. They “really don’t care”. Melania’s controversial jacket is the new reality.
“So Bill's right about Trump lack of pride about America's role post-World War II. But let's not forget that the great and good American people don't take any pride in it, either.”
Well said and great comment. That said, and in all fairness to Trump, how could he possibly have pride in our history, when he doesn’t even understand our history and why men and women have fought and died for our freedoms and democracy.
And agreed, Americans don’t take pride in war, we take pride in defending our constitution and way of life; something Trump and the rest of the plutocratic parasites have no understanding or respect for.
And if they say they do, it’s usually nothing more than lip service: “thank you for your service!”
If you're an American with a basic level of self awareness and historical knowledge, it's hard to walk away from USS Missouri unchanged. Same with the USS Arizona Memorial. That generation of men and women who fought in the Pacific and in Europe put everything on the line and many paid the ultimate price. When I look at JD Vance and Stephen Miller, I don't see serious men. I see a pair of entitled, emotionally stunted boys who deal with whatever trauma they experienced as kids by wrecking a system that not only took decades to make, but allowed them to rise to power. Contrast those two with the youngest person onboard Arizona the morning of the Japanese attack. He was only 17 years old. So I'm at a point where I don't fear Trump or his sycophants because I think they're all weak. What does scare me is what his base will do in the name of Dear Leader.
My uncle died on the USS Arizona. I had the privilege of visiting the memorial at Pearl Harbor twice and wept profusely both times. It is an incredibly moving space. Seeing all those names on the wall, including his—my brother was named for him—and knowing the sunken ship was just below our feet, was overwhelming.
I agree that Trump and his psychophants (misspelling on purpose) are weak, small, and petty little men and women driven by hate and the desire to control and punish the rest of us. Yes, his base are waiting for the signal to harm and even kill us "non-believers." Miller is trying to set the stage by calling us traitors and enemies. Trump's red hats also have no problem turning on a GOP politico who goes against him, which is part of the reason (but only part) for their acquiescence and obsequiousness.
I went to the Arizona Memorial for the first time with my parents when I was 9, but returning as an adult this spring was a very different experience. I was trying to imagine what it was like onboard the ship that morning. When my wife was in the shrine room, she was momentarily overcome as well seeing all those names on the wall.
My uncle was shot down over Europe in 1943, so you and I both have ties to that generation.
Very much so. All of my uncles served in WWII; one flew the hump in Burma; one was with the Italian campaign; one was in the navy. My father served with the army and was part of the occupying forces in Japan at the war’s end.
We’ve read old press stories from the time that appeared in the local paper about my uncle and his last hours on the Arizona. If they are true, he was a real hero. We can’t ever forget my, your, and millions of American familys’ sacrifices. They rarely to never talked about their experiences. The most my uncle who was in the Pacific would say was how cold it was during the flights and that they never thought they would ever be warm again.
Those who came back are just about all gone. It’s so painful to see how many of our fellow citizens just don’t care.
It must be wonderful to know you are part of generations of heroes. My hope is that we too find the heroes within us. I lived in Singapore for a time and was also moved by the National Museum, which celebrates, among other things, the endurance of Singaporeans during Japanese Occupation and the resolve of Lee Kuan Yew to chart a path forward without seeking retribution for the real sins of the past. What a sad spectacle to compare him to the Whiner in Chief.
After the fire on the Enterprise in 1969, we were moored across the water from the Arizona. I saw it every day but could bring never myself to visit it. We worked deep down inside the ship, we discussed everything that could go disastrously wrong, conditions which sailors deep down inside the Arizona experienced.
Alan, I hope you get a chance to go one day. My wife and I got a package deal where a bus picked us up near our hotel around 7:30 to take us to Pearl. We signed up for a visit to the Memorial and a tour of the USS Missouri after that. A short film on the attack on Pearl is shown prior to going to the Memorial. The Navy operates boats that operate every 15 minutes to shuttle passengers from the land to the site. It's very solemn and oddly peaceful. You can take photos, but posting them on social media is frowned upon because Arizona's a war grave. As I noted somewhere, my wife was briefly overcome when she was in the shrine room looking at all the names of those who died that morning. Missouri's bow is facing Arizona to signify Missouri watches over Arizona so her dead can rest in peace. We were back at our hotel sometime after 3.
That tour highlighted an important part of our history, and I was grateful for our visit because it gave me perspective on current events and the craven, pathetic nature of one of our two major parties and what they're pissing away to curry favor with a convicted felon, insurrectionist, adjudicated sexual assaulter and (likely) pedophile.
So save your pennies (Hawaii is expensive) and go. Enjoy the weather, enjoy the scenery, enjoy the food, and go to Pearl. You'll thank me later.
Agreed and well said. The unqualified MAGat’s are weak, but the tech bro’s and religious zealots aren’t.
Additionally, the tools they have at their disposal and command: Palantir databases. AI algorithms. Control over social media and most of the MSM (either neutered or complicit). And the constant threats and barrage of lies and propaganda which have left many Americans dazed and confused on most of the critical issues we face as a nation.
Bottom line: Trump takes legitimate grievance’s and highjacks the issue by using it to gain more control over our lives and government. And more than half the electorate is either to ignorant or apathetic to care; unless of course, it affects them personally.
Additionally, ICE is becoming a lawless. private army armed with Israeli hacking devices that could be easily weaponized against American citizens, political opponents, and used to blackmail powerful business leaders.
For all we know, a lot of powerful people were caught up in the Epstein files and would do anything not to have their identities disclosed. These are scary times!…:)
"Agreed and well said. The unqualified MAGat’s are weak, but the tech bro’s and religious zealots aren’t."
Oh, I think they're all weak, Robert. The tech bros and the zealots have never had to fight for anything the way the WW II guys did. They are beneficiaries of a world and a system they inherited, and because they're selfish pricks, they're trying to burn it all down so they can have even more. So I think they're weak as hell, but that doesn't mean they're not dangerous.
True, I’m just talking about the tools they have at their disposal; some of which we may not even know exists. And let’s face it, there is no shortage of mercenaries willing to do their bidding for the right price.
"If you're an American with a basic level of self awareness and historical knowledge" I always assumed that this was almost everyone. Now, at 77, I realize that this is a phenomena driven by "ignorance." I don't mean ignorance in the pejorative sense, but the definition of just "not knowing." I believe that those who posses "a basic level of self awareness and historical knowledge" are in a minority now.
Sadly I have to agree - and I am older than you. I am afraid that so many do not see the threat we are under because they did not realize what we had and just how much has already been lost.
Maybe it's true when countries have it really good and are affluent, they're likely to turn on each other because they don't have anything to fight for.
Tim, great post. I just wonder if "we appreciated it too much ... to ever think it could be taken from us by an elected official of the United States" would be a more accurate ending.
Agree with everything but "we....appreciated none of it."
Don't include me with that "we". Don't include most 1st generation immigrant citizens in that "we." Don't include yourself in that "we." Don't include most Bulwark readers in that "we."
Conservatives have been right about something - that character is important and that power (& money) are corrupting influences. Each of us has to choose whether to serve "God" or "mammon". Our culture has unfortunately tempted too many of us with mammon. I thought Trump 45 would be a wake-up call and was shocked that he was re-elected.
I was raised around WWII veterans with a few WWI veterans sprinkled into the group. My father only shared the good stories from his war experiences, but I understood much of what he had been through growing up. I appreciated what we had as I became older, and actually wondered if I could be as brave as my parents’ generation.
I did appreciate what we had, but in retrospect I didn't appreciate it enough. It took listening to MacArthur's address to the American people after the Japanese surrender for it to really, really sink in. If you haven't already done so, check it out here:
I was there in April, too! It was a very impressive and sobering experience. Sad that here we are today with POTUS and people still supporting him, who has not one fathom of care
The Felonious Oath-Breaker and his Project 2025 Nazis have debased and defiled everything for which The Greatest Generation of every Allied nation stood, fought, died, and triumphed in the quest against Evil.
Interesting note: the Instrument of Surrender was signed just forward of where a kamikaze attack dented a part of the ship on the starboard side. That's a whole other story and speaks well of Missouri's skipper, so read about it when you get a chance.
They can hold, and they will hold on. Superior troop numbers aside, Putin turning an entire generation of Russian people into hamburger is going to eventually catch up to him. Slava Ukraini.
I'm of the opinion that *algorithmic* social media is poison, but I think in 2025 we forgot that the internet wasn't this way the whole time and could stop being this way tomorrow if we collectively willed it.
I think when society turned over control of what we see in newsfeeds and videos to a black-box slot-machine algorithm, we put a lot of trust in some folks in Silicon Valley, and they haved turned out to be some real bastards.
Platforms have made choices. Their algorithms prioritize content that they think will drive "engagement" and keep people on the platform, and one of the best forms of engagement is rage. It doesn't have to be this way, but it is, because it's easy for them and they make money. Zuckerberg and his ilk are totally fine with stoking white supremacy into genuine fascist violence if it increases their ad revenue.
Part of the reason we have a government that provides things like regulatory controls is because private industry does not have an attractive track record of cleaning up the externalities they create or exasperate in pursuit of profit. I think algorithmic rage in social media in 2025 is akin to acid rain in the 1970s.
We made a choice to clean up industrial air pollution. We can make a choice to clean up social media algorithmic pollution.
It's hard to believe that just two decades ago social media platforms were wringing their hands about making their first dime--"monetizing." Driving engagement using algorithms is industrialized trollery, and poisonous as you point out.
As has been said about the presidency experience, I’ll borrow and paraphrase: “The internet doesn’t change who we are; it reveals who we are”. It stripped away our veneer of civilization
I’m not sure I believe that. I think technology does change us in fundamental ways. Seems odd that beaming a nonstop feed of algorithmically generated content would not change someone.
Written language and the printing press helped create the modern nation state and our idea of science, among so many other things. Why wouldn’t the internet?
You make good points. I was stating an extreme position to make a point, and express my own frustration at what my fellows have become. Or always were?
I often think that reality TV has changed our national character towards narcissism, which basically endorses your point of view.
It is interesting to view it through history, like your example of the printing press. There were fears around automobiles, radio, the telephone, and TV. I’m guessing each one had an effect on our society, but not as extreme as was predicted at the time.
In the case of the internet, we probably underestimated the destructive parts. Thinking about the “Arab Spring”, enabled by social media, and how it seemed like an exciting engine for freedom. Man, the script flipped in that pretty quickly.
Indeed. Trump as president is the perfect disastrous culmination of the damage done by reality TV. ‘Fact is stranger than fiction’. We are now untethered from reality, thanks to reality TV. Our sad paradox. Add on to that, “fair and balanced” right wing news/entertainment media.
Yes; internet ‘anonymity’ plays a big role in releasing our hidden demons. No consequences, no shame, is an irresistible pull for some people to be their worst selves.
"What a precipitous and unforced abdication of global leadership and responsibility Trump has pulled off in the last seven months. What a sad and vivid representation of the world America made coming to an end—with dictators parading in Beijing, and the president of the United States whimpering in Washington."
Well worded, Bill. You only overlooked adding that the Felon was "whimpering in Washington" because he was not invited to the Dictator's Bash in Peking.
That's a good insight. Trump would have eagerly gone. His tweets seem to show he's more sad about being left out than the fact they're declaring his country as their common enemy.
We won’t be able to reclaim our former world leadership position. Our mask has been removed, and our institutions of success blown up or booby-trapped.
I wouldn’t brush it off. I’ve written more than once that Trump’s body language near Putin is definitely obsequious, but with a very large overlay of fear.
I'm amazed at the quality of the conspiracy theory. On the one hand, it's looney tunes. On the other hand, it is kinda' plausible. Straddling looney tunes and kinda' plausible takes skill!
8 decades of world leadership destroyed in less than 8 months destroyed by the worst of us! Trump didn’t do this by himself. He was enabled by an ignorant electorate and supported by a crass, greedy, power hungry, mean spirited, embarrassing group of politicos.
We can’t forgive them, because they DO know what they do!
I'm kind of in your boat on this subject. Even my friends, who have willingly supported Trump and MAGA, will probably get my forgiveness eventually, but it's going to be a while. I'll give them the time of day, but that's about it.
They put and are putting this country through shix that never ever should have even come close to happening.
You’re a better man than I, Jeff. I’ve gotten to the point where I can’t be a friend to an acknowledged “Trumper” anymore. Their hatred & bigotry is obvious, along with willful ignorance. They’re not to be forgiven. The mentally ill dufus at the top can’t help it, he has serious pathologies. Those who voted for him have no excuse, and are taking our country down. It makes me sick!
I totally get it and I think my post probably needs some additional clarification, in that, my "forgiveness" is more like I don't condemn them to an eternity in hell....that's God's thing...but I do remain sore and testy to them and our relationship about what the hell they did to our country...if they ever figure it out.
If, after it's been revealed about how bad Trump truly was, and they still refuse to admit it...then I will likely part ways with them.
This all being said...we've already distanced ourselves quite a bit based on their beliefs and our standing arguments about what's going on and what's best for our country.
I do also agree about the notion that Trump's sick and always has been....but they are not and are willingly buying into the BS. Willful disignorance is my term for it...they will pretzel their brain around anything to find Trump=good and Dems=bad.
Finally...I don't consider myself more forgiving than anyone else...it's just my Christian background of not trying to play God here on earth.
The Felon's version of Teddy Roosevelt: Speak Loudly, Carry No Stick.
He is so clearly Putin's Puppet, I would not be surprised if the much heralded trip in the Felon's Cushy Tank (aka, armored limousine) had no tapes running as Vlad (probably carrying a microphone disrupter for extra comfort) told Puppet what to do next, when to do it, how to do it and where to do it. TACOPO: Trump Always Carries Out Putin's Orders.
But can he win the NH GOP primary? So far similar boring GOP senators Thom Tillis and Joni Ernst have removed themselves and bland boring John Cornyn is down by double digits in polls.
To me, it would be in the Republican party’s best interest to not even consider a candidate who supported Trump’s campaign. It actually begs the question of if the Republican party’s will clean up their act and get away from the MAGA cult they’re in.
“”May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration. Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.””
And this in a nutshell tells us everything we need to know; America with Trump at the helm has lost all of the world’s respect!
Remember when Trump boasted that with him as president the world will once again unite and respect us? He got one part right; the world is uniting against us. Who would have thunk it; Trump is actually a “uniter,” not a divider; especially when it comes to turning allies into foes!
I've seen crowds yell a bunch of things at ICE agents: who are you, take off your mask, f*ck you, etc. All of these proclamations are the verbal equivalent of "strongly worded letters", but I've got a chant which would hit agents at their moral core, at their very soul, "Epstein! Epstein! Epstein!". Not "Epstein files" or "Release the Epstein files", but just the single word; "Epstein!". This specific name has become an icon of evil. QAnon is based on pure evil abusing children not only as objects of sexual gratification, but, also, draining the very blood from a child's bodies to prolong the life of evil. And Trump is their redeemer sent by the all mighty, but Trump is a redeemer with clay feet. He can't release the Epstein files. Be it for sexual depravity or financial crimes, Trump's relationship with Jeffery Epstein is Trump's kryptonite. He is exactly who you think he is. Where would Trump be today, if in 2016 he'd have said, "I could rape a little girl in the middle of Fifth Avenue and I wouldn't lose any voters." So what does this have to do with ICE?
The most powerful communication you can make is communication that causes a search for meaning. "Epstein! Epstein! Epstein!" causes that search. It has no relationship to immigrants or homeland security or making America great again. It causes confusion and because of its iconographic nature can't be brushed off. They would be forced to ask themselves why are they yelling "Epstein!" at us and when you go down that rabbit hole, you only find the perverse, the depraved, the moral rot. It is an attack against the very soul. It doesn't have to make sense; it makes emotion. I'm sure that somewhere the Bhagavad Gita says, "Now I've become shame, the servant of evil."
Everything, everywhere, all at once, "Epstein! Epstein! Epstein!".
The script has flipped; now our right wing embraces communists. As long as it comes with a generous side dish of authoritarianism and brutality, so they can set aside the main course.
I grew up in the first post war decades. Our geography books showed us the world just before WW2. And yes, it takes time to update text books. But we saw pictures of peasants in Japan, but also in Ireland. So donkey carts and women carrying bundles on their heads.
China was over populated and plagued with diseases of malnutrition.
Of course this was long ago. But the US did help rebuild Western Europe and Japan. And the rounds of tariff reductions created what became a global supply chain.
It is complicated and COVID was a reminder that the complex supply chain can break down. But the size of the middle class worldwide did expand.
But an ignoramus, supported but the formerly business oriented GOP, it wrecking it all.
Bill: "But it’s not an achievement for which Donald Trump feels any pride, or for the continuation of which he wishes to take any responsibility."
My wife and I toured USS Missouri back in April and stood where the Japanese formally surrendered. To stand where MacArthur, Nimitz, Halsey, and even John McCain's grandfather stood 80 years ago was certainly a moving, awe-inspiring experience. As were MacArthur's words on that day in Tokyo. It made me realize that for all Team Trump's bravado, they are weak, hollow people. So Bill's right about Trump lack of pride about America's role post-World War II. But let's not forget that the great and good American people don't take any pride in it, either. Sure, you'll see some jackhole driving a pickup truck with a "We The People" graphic on the rear window to show his "patriotism", but he's the same jackhole that wants Trump to turn the United States into something resembling what we defeated in World War II. We had everything and appreciated none of it.
As I wrote in my own comment below, the American people no longer uphold MacArthur’s inspiring words. They “really don’t care”. Melania’s controversial jacket is the new reality.
“So Bill's right about Trump lack of pride about America's role post-World War II. But let's not forget that the great and good American people don't take any pride in it, either.”
Well said and great comment. That said, and in all fairness to Trump, how could he possibly have pride in our history, when he doesn’t even understand our history and why men and women have fought and died for our freedoms and democracy.
And agreed, Americans don’t take pride in war, we take pride in defending our constitution and way of life; something Trump and the rest of the plutocratic parasites have no understanding or respect for.
And if they say they do, it’s usually nothing more than lip service: “thank you for your service!”
If you're an American with a basic level of self awareness and historical knowledge, it's hard to walk away from USS Missouri unchanged. Same with the USS Arizona Memorial. That generation of men and women who fought in the Pacific and in Europe put everything on the line and many paid the ultimate price. When I look at JD Vance and Stephen Miller, I don't see serious men. I see a pair of entitled, emotionally stunted boys who deal with whatever trauma they experienced as kids by wrecking a system that not only took decades to make, but allowed them to rise to power. Contrast those two with the youngest person onboard Arizona the morning of the Japanese attack. He was only 17 years old. So I'm at a point where I don't fear Trump or his sycophants because I think they're all weak. What does scare me is what his base will do in the name of Dear Leader.
My uncle died on the USS Arizona. I had the privilege of visiting the memorial at Pearl Harbor twice and wept profusely both times. It is an incredibly moving space. Seeing all those names on the wall, including his—my brother was named for him—and knowing the sunken ship was just below our feet, was overwhelming.
I agree that Trump and his psychophants (misspelling on purpose) are weak, small, and petty little men and women driven by hate and the desire to control and punish the rest of us. Yes, his base are waiting for the signal to harm and even kill us "non-believers." Miller is trying to set the stage by calling us traitors and enemies. Trump's red hats also have no problem turning on a GOP politico who goes against him, which is part of the reason (but only part) for their acquiescence and obsequiousness.
I went to the Arizona Memorial for the first time with my parents when I was 9, but returning as an adult this spring was a very different experience. I was trying to imagine what it was like onboard the ship that morning. When my wife was in the shrine room, she was momentarily overcome as well seeing all those names on the wall.
My uncle was shot down over Europe in 1943, so you and I both have ties to that generation.
Very much so. All of my uncles served in WWII; one flew the hump in Burma; one was with the Italian campaign; one was in the navy. My father served with the army and was part of the occupying forces in Japan at the war’s end.
We’ve read old press stories from the time that appeared in the local paper about my uncle and his last hours on the Arizona. If they are true, he was a real hero. We can’t ever forget my, your, and millions of American familys’ sacrifices. They rarely to never talked about their experiences. The most my uncle who was in the Pacific would say was how cold it was during the flights and that they never thought they would ever be warm again.
Those who came back are just about all gone. It’s so painful to see how many of our fellow citizens just don’t care.
It must be wonderful to know you are part of generations of heroes. My hope is that we too find the heroes within us. I lived in Singapore for a time and was also moved by the National Museum, which celebrates, among other things, the endurance of Singaporeans during Japanese Occupation and the resolve of Lee Kuan Yew to chart a path forward without seeking retribution for the real sins of the past. What a sad spectacle to compare him to the Whiner in Chief.
My father also flew the Hump. Extremely dangerous flying. He died in the spring of 2021.
After the fire on the Enterprise in 1969, we were moored across the water from the Arizona. I saw it every day but could bring never myself to visit it. We worked deep down inside the ship, we discussed everything that could go disastrously wrong, conditions which sailors deep down inside the Arizona experienced.
Alan, I hope you get a chance to go one day. My wife and I got a package deal where a bus picked us up near our hotel around 7:30 to take us to Pearl. We signed up for a visit to the Memorial and a tour of the USS Missouri after that. A short film on the attack on Pearl is shown prior to going to the Memorial. The Navy operates boats that operate every 15 minutes to shuttle passengers from the land to the site. It's very solemn and oddly peaceful. You can take photos, but posting them on social media is frowned upon because Arizona's a war grave. As I noted somewhere, my wife was briefly overcome when she was in the shrine room looking at all the names of those who died that morning. Missouri's bow is facing Arizona to signify Missouri watches over Arizona so her dead can rest in peace. We were back at our hotel sometime after 3.
That tour highlighted an important part of our history, and I was grateful for our visit because it gave me perspective on current events and the craven, pathetic nature of one of our two major parties and what they're pissing away to curry favor with a convicted felon, insurrectionist, adjudicated sexual assaulter and (likely) pedophile.
So save your pennies (Hawaii is expensive) and go. Enjoy the weather, enjoy the scenery, enjoy the food, and go to Pearl. You'll thank me later.
-- Tim
Psychophants: Awesome! I love it!!
Agreed and well said. The unqualified MAGat’s are weak, but the tech bro’s and religious zealots aren’t.
Additionally, the tools they have at their disposal and command: Palantir databases. AI algorithms. Control over social media and most of the MSM (either neutered or complicit). And the constant threats and barrage of lies and propaganda which have left many Americans dazed and confused on most of the critical issues we face as a nation.
Bottom line: Trump takes legitimate grievance’s and highjacks the issue by using it to gain more control over our lives and government. And more than half the electorate is either to ignorant or apathetic to care; unless of course, it affects them personally.
Additionally, ICE is becoming a lawless. private army armed with Israeli hacking devices that could be easily weaponized against American citizens, political opponents, and used to blackmail powerful business leaders.
For all we know, a lot of powerful people were caught up in the Epstein files and would do anything not to have their identities disclosed. These are scary times!…:)
"Agreed and well said. The unqualified MAGat’s are weak, but the tech bro’s and religious zealots aren’t."
Oh, I think they're all weak, Robert. The tech bros and the zealots have never had to fight for anything the way the WW II guys did. They are beneficiaries of a world and a system they inherited, and because they're selfish pricks, they're trying to burn it all down so they can have even more. So I think they're weak as hell, but that doesn't mean they're not dangerous.
True, I’m just talking about the tools they have at their disposal; some of which we may not even know exists. And let’s face it, there is no shortage of mercenaries willing to do their bidding for the right price.
I know, right? Monsters are in our midst, Robert. Yikes.
"If you're an American with a basic level of self awareness and historical knowledge" I always assumed that this was almost everyone. Now, at 77, I realize that this is a phenomena driven by "ignorance." I don't mean ignorance in the pejorative sense, but the definition of just "not knowing." I believe that those who posses "a basic level of self awareness and historical knowledge" are in a minority now.
Sadly I have to agree - and I am older than you. I am afraid that so many do not see the threat we are under because they did not realize what we had and just how much has already been lost.
Maybe it's true when countries have it really good and are affluent, they're likely to turn on each other because they don't have anything to fight for.
Tim, great post. I just wonder if "we appreciated it too much ... to ever think it could be taken from us by an elected official of the United States" would be a more accurate ending.
Agree with everything but "we....appreciated none of it."
Don't include me with that "we". Don't include most 1st generation immigrant citizens in that "we." Don't include yourself in that "we." Don't include most Bulwark readers in that "we."
Conservatives have been right about something - that character is important and that power (& money) are corrupting influences. Each of us has to choose whether to serve "God" or "mammon". Our culture has unfortunately tempted too many of us with mammon. I thought Trump 45 would be a wake-up call and was shocked that he was re-elected.
I was raised around WWII veterans with a few WWI veterans sprinkled into the group. My father only shared the good stories from his war experiences, but I understood much of what he had been through growing up. I appreciated what we had as I became older, and actually wondered if I could be as brave as my parents’ generation.
I did appreciate what we had, but in retrospect I didn't appreciate it enough. It took listening to MacArthur's address to the American people after the Japanese surrender for it to really, really sink in. If you haven't already done so, check it out here:
https://www.history.navy.mil/research/archives/digital-exhibits-highlights/vj-day/surrender/macarthur-radio.html
I was there in April, too! It was a very impressive and sobering experience. Sad that here we are today with POTUS and people still supporting him, who has not one fathom of care
We were in Waikiki for ten days. It was glorious. Hope you had great weather.
The Felonious Oath-Breaker and his Project 2025 Nazis have debased and defiled everything for which The Greatest Generation of every Allied nation stood, fought, died, and triumphed in the quest against Evil.
Treason is Treason. Nazis are Nazis.
Well said Tim. We have truly become victims of our own success. Spoiled and entitled and at times not worthy of the sacrifice that so many have given.
Wikipedia has a great photo of the ceremony.
https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Japanese_Instrument_of_Surrender
Interesting note: the Instrument of Surrender was signed just forward of where a kamikaze attack dented a part of the ship on the starboard side. That's a whole other story and speaks well of Missouri's skipper, so read about it when you get a chance.
RE: "In Ukraine, the War Slogs On"
They can hold, and they will hold on. Superior troop numbers aside, Putin turning an entire generation of Russian people into hamburger is going to eventually catch up to him. Slava Ukraini.
“I keep seeing these memes…”
Boy if that doesn’t accurately sum up both where we are AND how we got here. The internet was a mistake.
I'm of the opinion that *algorithmic* social media is poison, but I think in 2025 we forgot that the internet wasn't this way the whole time and could stop being this way tomorrow if we collectively willed it.
I think when society turned over control of what we see in newsfeeds and videos to a black-box slot-machine algorithm, we put a lot of trust in some folks in Silicon Valley, and they haved turned out to be some real bastards.
Platforms have made choices. Their algorithms prioritize content that they think will drive "engagement" and keep people on the platform, and one of the best forms of engagement is rage. It doesn't have to be this way, but it is, because it's easy for them and they make money. Zuckerberg and his ilk are totally fine with stoking white supremacy into genuine fascist violence if it increases their ad revenue.
Part of the reason we have a government that provides things like regulatory controls is because private industry does not have an attractive track record of cleaning up the externalities they create or exasperate in pursuit of profit. I think algorithmic rage in social media in 2025 is akin to acid rain in the 1970s.
We made a choice to clean up industrial air pollution. We can make a choice to clean up social media algorithmic pollution.
It's hard to believe that just two decades ago social media platforms were wringing their hands about making their first dime--"monetizing." Driving engagement using algorithms is industrialized trollery, and poisonous as you point out.
Unfortunately the current administration has torn down most, if not all, regulatory controls have been removed or ignored.
As has been said about the presidency experience, I’ll borrow and paraphrase: “The internet doesn’t change who we are; it reveals who we are”. It stripped away our veneer of civilization
I’m not sure I believe that. I think technology does change us in fundamental ways. Seems odd that beaming a nonstop feed of algorithmically generated content would not change someone.
Written language and the printing press helped create the modern nation state and our idea of science, among so many other things. Why wouldn’t the internet?
You make good points. I was stating an extreme position to make a point, and express my own frustration at what my fellows have become. Or always were?
I often think that reality TV has changed our national character towards narcissism, which basically endorses your point of view.
It is interesting to view it through history, like your example of the printing press. There were fears around automobiles, radio, the telephone, and TV. I’m guessing each one had an effect on our society, but not as extreme as was predicted at the time.
In the case of the internet, we probably underestimated the destructive parts. Thinking about the “Arab Spring”, enabled by social media, and how it seemed like an exciting engine for freedom. Man, the script flipped in that pretty quickly.
I think both perspectives are defensible.
Plus Trump got started in his public career via reality TV.
Indeed. Trump as president is the perfect disastrous culmination of the damage done by reality TV. ‘Fact is stranger than fiction’. We are now untethered from reality, thanks to reality TV. Our sad paradox. Add on to that, “fair and balanced” right wing news/entertainment media.
People into extremist ideas can easily find compatriots since the internet. But there have been good things too.
I still believe it shows us our worst selves, but our better selves lie dormant.
Yes; internet ‘anonymity’ plays a big role in releasing our hidden demons. No consequences, no shame, is an irresistible pull for some people to be their worst selves.
We should ban algorithmic, infinite scroll feeds. And break up Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta.
"What a precipitous and unforced abdication of global leadership and responsibility Trump has pulled off in the last seven months. What a sad and vivid representation of the world America made coming to an end—with dictators parading in Beijing, and the president of the United States whimpering in Washington."
Well worded, Bill. You only overlooked adding that the Felon was "whimpering in Washington" because he was not invited to the Dictator's Bash in Peking.
That's a good insight. Trump would have eagerly gone. His tweets seem to show he's more sad about being left out than the fact they're declaring his country as their common enemy.
Right on, Steve.
I think not getting an invite to the cool kids’ party will bug Trump big time! But will he sulk or throw a tantrum?
We won’t be able to reclaim our former world leadership position. Our mask has been removed, and our institutions of success blown up or booby-trapped.
Those are his people … at the Dictator Bash.
Right, but he was not invited, so he was whimpering.
Left out. So sad (not).
As much as I hate to advance dumb conspiracies, this is too fun to pass up.
I've heard that Q is advancing the narrative that the president's ill health is due to Putin poisoning him at their summit.
The irony is super amusing! Not likely true, but an amusing thought.
I wouldn’t brush it off. I’ve written more than once that Trump’s body language near Putin is definitely obsequious, but with a very large overlay of fear.
That's just it. It is plausible that Putin played extra rough with his puppet. What a notch on his belt for a KGB man!
It's turning out Trump is so dumb...he may only get credit for a 1/2 notch.
Trump is an unworthy foe; so disappointing. Too easy.
Ha! 😀
Mike, it would really be amusing if a Q-Anoner were to be asked why Putin would poison his most potent tool in taking down the West.
I can think of two reasons right off the bat.
A. Someone acted like he's going to talk
B. Just to show how powerful Putin is. What a flex, directly poisoning the President after he's done being useful.
Too bad I can't give each of them a "Like". But would Cletus Q. Anon think of either?
I'm amazed at the quality of the conspiracy theory. On the one hand, it's looney tunes. On the other hand, it is kinda' plausible. Straddling looney tunes and kinda' plausible takes skill!
And, three, what a message from Putin to stay in line....
That's good. Just enough poison to send a message! Most plausible of all!
I’ve noticed that since Trump’s re-emergence, there’s no evidence of his orange face makeup. Is that where the plutonium was hidden?
8 decades of world leadership destroyed in less than 8 months destroyed by the worst of us! Trump didn’t do this by himself. He was enabled by an ignorant electorate and supported by a crass, greedy, power hungry, mean spirited, embarrassing group of politicos.
We can’t forgive them, because they DO know what they do!
I'm kind of in your boat on this subject. Even my friends, who have willingly supported Trump and MAGA, will probably get my forgiveness eventually, but it's going to be a while. I'll give them the time of day, but that's about it.
They put and are putting this country through shix that never ever should have even come close to happening.
You’re a better man than I, Jeff. I’ve gotten to the point where I can’t be a friend to an acknowledged “Trumper” anymore. Their hatred & bigotry is obvious, along with willful ignorance. They’re not to be forgiven. The mentally ill dufus at the top can’t help it, he has serious pathologies. Those who voted for him have no excuse, and are taking our country down. It makes me sick!
I totally get it and I think my post probably needs some additional clarification, in that, my "forgiveness" is more like I don't condemn them to an eternity in hell....that's God's thing...but I do remain sore and testy to them and our relationship about what the hell they did to our country...if they ever figure it out.
If, after it's been revealed about how bad Trump truly was, and they still refuse to admit it...then I will likely part ways with them.
This all being said...we've already distanced ourselves quite a bit based on their beliefs and our standing arguments about what's going on and what's best for our country.
I do also agree about the notion that Trump's sick and always has been....but they are not and are willingly buying into the BS. Willful disignorance is my term for it...they will pretzel their brain around anything to find Trump=good and Dems=bad.
Finally...I don't consider myself more forgiving than anyone else...it's just my Christian background of not trying to play God here on earth.
Don’t forget the Project 2025 crowd.
The Felon's version of Teddy Roosevelt: Speak Loudly, Carry No Stick.
He is so clearly Putin's Puppet, I would not be surprised if the much heralded trip in the Felon's Cushy Tank (aka, armored limousine) had no tapes running as Vlad (probably carrying a microphone disrupter for extra comfort) told Puppet what to do next, when to do it, how to do it and where to do it. TACOPO: Trump Always Carries Out Putin's Orders.
That’s exactly what I believe.
Not true, Trump carries a big stick; it’s just made of “child-proof” plastic…:)
Correct me if I’m wrong, but John Sununu supported Trump during his campaign.
And was kind of a smug A-hole about it.
That’s his defining trait, “smug asshole”. His father was worse, IMO.
You're not wrong.
The Sununu family are opportunists.
If he gets back to the senate, he'll fit in.
Anyone born a Sununu or Huckabee gets free legacy status at Renfield University.
Sununu's always been a tool.
a smug A-hole tool
But can he win the NH GOP primary? So far similar boring GOP senators Thom Tillis and Joni Ernst have removed themselves and bland boring John Cornyn is down by double digits in polls.
And his rival Ken Paxton is among the most corrupt politicians in Texas, and that’s saying something. Oh, Texas, you break my heart.
To me, it would be in the Republican party’s best interest to not even consider a candidate who supported Trump’s campaign. It actually begs the question of if the Republican party’s will clean up their act and get away from the MAGA cult they’re in.
“”May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration. Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.””
And this in a nutshell tells us everything we need to know; America with Trump at the helm has lost all of the world’s respect!
Remember when Trump boasted that with him as president the world will once again unite and respect us? He got one part right; the world is uniting against us. Who would have thunk it; Trump is actually a “uniter,” not a divider; especially when it comes to turning allies into foes!
Only in Trump’s America! IMHO…:)
I've seen crowds yell a bunch of things at ICE agents: who are you, take off your mask, f*ck you, etc. All of these proclamations are the verbal equivalent of "strongly worded letters", but I've got a chant which would hit agents at their moral core, at their very soul, "Epstein! Epstein! Epstein!". Not "Epstein files" or "Release the Epstein files", but just the single word; "Epstein!". This specific name has become an icon of evil. QAnon is based on pure evil abusing children not only as objects of sexual gratification, but, also, draining the very blood from a child's bodies to prolong the life of evil. And Trump is their redeemer sent by the all mighty, but Trump is a redeemer with clay feet. He can't release the Epstein files. Be it for sexual depravity or financial crimes, Trump's relationship with Jeffery Epstein is Trump's kryptonite. He is exactly who you think he is. Where would Trump be today, if in 2016 he'd have said, "I could rape a little girl in the middle of Fifth Avenue and I wouldn't lose any voters." So what does this have to do with ICE?
The most powerful communication you can make is communication that causes a search for meaning. "Epstein! Epstein! Epstein!" causes that search. It has no relationship to immigrants or homeland security or making America great again. It causes confusion and because of its iconographic nature can't be brushed off. They would be forced to ask themselves why are they yelling "Epstein!" at us and when you go down that rabbit hole, you only find the perverse, the depraved, the moral rot. It is an attack against the very soul. It doesn't have to make sense; it makes emotion. I'm sure that somewhere the Bhagavad Gita says, "Now I've become shame, the servant of evil."
Everything, everywhere, all at once, "Epstein! Epstein! Epstein!".
I should have obvious to everybody years ago that Trump has been Putin's useful idiot.
I think it is obvious to most people who follow actual facts. Our problem is that MAGA is just fine with that.
Weird how the Trumpers who loudly decry the "Russia hoax" seem to be overwhelmingly partial to Russia.
The script has flipped; now our right wing embraces communists. As long as it comes with a generous side dish of authoritarianism and brutality, so they can set aside the main course.
They claim the Russia hoax was devised by Democrats, with Russia being 100% innocent.
I seem to remember that the President was partially elected because the previous administration was a laughingstock on the world stage.
I'm thrilled that the President sitting on the sidelines of world events and whining on his fake Twitter has made us Great Again!
Dear General MacArthur: Thank you for your inspiring words and your service, but America isn’t into “freedom, tolerance and justice” anymore.
I grew up in the first post war decades. Our geography books showed us the world just before WW2. And yes, it takes time to update text books. But we saw pictures of peasants in Japan, but also in Ireland. So donkey carts and women carrying bundles on their heads.
China was over populated and plagued with diseases of malnutrition.
Of course this was long ago. But the US did help rebuild Western Europe and Japan. And the rounds of tariff reductions created what became a global supply chain.
It is complicated and COVID was a reminder that the complex supply chain can break down. But the size of the middle class worldwide did expand.
But an ignoramus, supported but the formerly business oriented GOP, it wrecking it all.
Why haven't they (the GOP) stopped him.
I'm beginning to think there is a pee-pee tape and its not hookers who are doing the peeing.
I think it’s a video of Trump and Putin in a lip lock.
TACO doesn't work in international relations, either.
Give it up, Trumpy.
Try TACOPO, Trump Always Carries Out Putin's Orders.