Nobody understands sophisticated rationalizers better than you. That’s exactly what I would have called your father, and you, back in the good old days. Please write more about these people. There are too few analysts who understand them with your degree of intimacy.
I'm posting before even finishing: "Steve Witkoff, who recently met with President Putin and said of the murderer and war criminal, “I don’t regard Putin as a bad guy.” " Bill Maher doesn't regard him as a bad guy either.
If Roberts is too weak to enforce the lower courts' rulings, it doesn't bode well for him taking much of a stand on worse behavior from the moron. I don't know how to begin coordinating a lengthy protest on the steps of SCOTUS OR how to prepare for actual battle if it comes to that.
They make garments for major brands like Hanes and Fruit of the Loom, export coffee and sugar, and something to do with electrical machinery. I've been checking labels lately and have taken things back for refunds, always explaining why. A minor protest but it makes me feel less helpless in the face of such an injustice.
I am not pro-tariff at all and it is likely I won't be the first person to point this out but, if you were so deeply concerned about trade imbalances it seems to me that it would be stupid to start out by punishing the countries with whom we have the highest trade deficits (not that I think that trade deficits are a real issue; as others have said before, my trade deficit with Publix is unconscionable).
Instituting tariffs against the countries from whom we buy more than we sell is stupid. We have no leverage against them. If you are going to tariff anyone, you should tariff countries with whom we sell more than we buy or at least are roughly even.
If the issue is what concessions the Supreme Court can afford to make in order to maintain the appearance of being relatively unified (albeit on 7- 2 decision carrying at least 3 and possibly 4 unhappy concurrences) as opposed to ordering Trump use every means lawfully available to him to obtain Abrego Garcia’d immediate release, on as narrow as a 5 to 4 majority and leaving a “divided
Court” in its wake, a distinction has to be made between balancing essentially static legal issues, with the dynamic situation as it may unfold on the ground.
And with a wildly unpredictable president willing to run on whatever narrow opportunities the Court’s left open, it’s impossible to judge how far he’s willing to run with it. Especially if his primary take-away is that - overall - the Court is weak. Put another way, Chief Justice can’t balance a set of essentially known legal issues against the absolutely unpredictable costs to democracy itself, if Trump comes away believing he’s free reign as he sees fit, and to do so on whatever else is lurking in the shadows.
In other words, it’s time for the Chief Justice to act like a stern federal judge, and take command. Leaving no doubt as to his ongoing disposition, come what may.
Why weren't the democrats out en masse either at the White House or out on the steps of Congress with as much media as possible protesting this Bukele man/orange man conspiracy?
Okay. I need to say this to you, and those like you: Dems are not mindreaders. Until the cameras were trained on Trump and Bukele, most of us assumed Trump was following the SCOTUS decision. I would be more concerned about the giggling GOP on the couch when Donald said he wanted 5 more prisons for American citizens. I would be equally concerned about Trump lashing out at Kaitlyn Collins for asking him why he wasn't going along with the SCOTUS decision, as previously stated. Again, expecting Dems to be here, there and everywhere is just more pointlesss doomscrolling/posting. Go to a rally and protest the lawlessness with the rest of us. Support the Dem Congressmen planning a delegation to visit Garcia in El Salvador. Unity is the goal, not division.
I guess I'm a "those like you" b/c I agree w/ Feldman. First of all, on what do you base your opinion that "most of us assumed Trump was following the SCOTUS decision"? B/c I sure didn't, and I don't know anyone else who did either. T is lawless, he's always been lawless, and it's been said a thousand times that there would be no one to restrain his worst impulses in 2.0.
If Dems had ever even thought about doing something so illegal, there would be non-stop outrage on MAGA media by every person who could get a camera in front of them. Why do you think Dems have to be mind readers to know that what happened yesterday is way beyond unprecedented and dangerous, and leaders need to be screaming that from the rooftops? If it's not obvious, then we are definitely screwed. And that screaming needs to include the points you made about those on the couch, Kaitlyn, etc.
No we can't be everywhere; but what do you think is more important than unprecedented vocal outrage to match what happened? And how do you know Feldman isn't protesting, supporting the MD rep, etc.? I don't see anything in his remark that indicates divisiveness, just the frustration at lack of action on the part of our Dem "leaders" - which is very widespread these days.
YOU need to be part of the change. YOU. Until then, you are not a different drummer, just an annoying, whiny one. Until you see the light (and others like you), we face an uphill battle if you believe Congress is the only answer to our challenges. The Dems don't have the votes for now. In the meantime, get involved locally, and make sure local blue candidates win in all sorts of positions: comptroller, treasurer, Assembly, Senate...paint it blue, baby. Grassroots is the focus. Listening to, and supporting, is the focus. If you can't shake off your negativity, it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy, as with all things in life. Your choice.
Some serious projection there, yes? You making unfounded accusations and labeling someone else divisive, annoying, whiny, negative, etc. is definitely a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
Trump and tariffs....Buckle up..this won't end for a long time but for perhaps different reasons than some speculate..it's about the ratings, NOT the policy.
What happens when you cross a narcissist (with a desperate need for attention) with an arsonist (who actually sees themselves as a firefighter) with a guy who sees himself as a successful businessman but is actually a marketing savant/TV producer looking for a new theme for this season's show? (After the seasons of Covid, The Insurrection and My Return to Power had such high ratings...at least in his mind) Voila..this season's theme "Tariff Man"....with ready to go DAILY episodes of "fighting for you" with footage of the daily "battles" with over 60 countries around the world who are screwing America. My cynical (yet not implausible) point is that for someone like Trump there is NO incentive to not drag out these trade discussions as long as possible, including throughout the entirety of his term if he "believes" any country has done something to disrespect HIM/America (as those two are inseparable in his head). He needs the attention on himself being perceived as the "firefighter" (but don't expect any reminders/footage of WHO started the fire or those damaged by the fire)
If the federal government under Trump can whisk immigrants and Americans with views they don’t like to inhumane, cruel prison conditions, why can’t a future leftist government treat rich, rightwing Americans the same. Musk, Thiel and other rich authoritarians could be treated with the same gulag treatment they think is appropriate for Americans and others they hold in contempt. I favor the rule of law and due process, but the rich Trumpers are playing with fire.
Many of my Trumpy friends and family see dictatorial powers as a feature, not a bug. Some variation of "The country is being driven off a cliff...maybe we need a dictator to fix it..." is something I've heard repeatedly since Trump came on the scene.
Denis - in my Ohio small town in the days after May 4, 1970 I was surprised how many times I heard people say "they should have shot more of them." People I thought I knew something about. Turned out my illusions were a bit too rosy. If times have changed, I'm not sure people in general have
Kent State was such a shock. I remember people saying that if you don't like it, you can leave the country. Thousands did, others continued to protest, some gave up hope and did nothing more. It'll probably be the same today. Only this law breaker is destroying the economy. That might make it a whole different ball game. Hope so.
Linda - Love it or leave it was the slogan back in the day. Now I know people planning to leave because they love what America has been, not so much what's we're devolving into
I have friends who bugged out in his first term, now living in Mazatlan and Oaxaca. They said the Sinaloa/Jaliscos don't bother the tourists, they're up in the hills and only come down to move big shipments at night. Both places have American communities. Sigh. I'll stay here and keep fighting the good fight.
Definitely in the camp of "brainwashed by social media." They're in my family and neighborhood too: A dictator that "can fix it for ME!"
Judging by the way some of Felonius Dunk's insiders used the tariff flip-flops to make their own special trades, he's doing a good job for them.
I wonder if MTG will see any consequences for her obvious illegal trading. And who will have the guts in Congress, and who isn't compromised with their own illegal trading, to expose her crimes?
Dear Bill,
Nobody understands sophisticated rationalizers better than you. That’s exactly what I would have called your father, and you, back in the good old days. Please write more about these people. There are too few analysts who understand them with your degree of intimacy.
I'm posting before even finishing: "Steve Witkoff, who recently met with President Putin and said of the murderer and war criminal, “I don’t regard Putin as a bad guy.” " Bill Maher doesn't regard him as a bad guy either.
If Roberts is too weak to enforce the lower courts' rulings, it doesn't bode well for him taking much of a stand on worse behavior from the moron. I don't know how to begin coordinating a lengthy protest on the steps of SCOTUS OR how to prepare for actual battle if it comes to that.
A simple comment on an excellent column about which much could be said: Lincoln was a genius.
The US died with the election of the GOP at Reagan that culminated with this coup. All thanks to the American electorate.
Boycott anything to do with El Salvador!!!!!
They make garments for major brands like Hanes and Fruit of the Loom, export coffee and sugar, and something to do with electrical machinery. I've been checking labels lately and have taken things back for refunds, always explaining why. A minor protest but it makes me feel less helpless in the face of such an injustice.
I am not pro-tariff at all and it is likely I won't be the first person to point this out but, if you were so deeply concerned about trade imbalances it seems to me that it would be stupid to start out by punishing the countries with whom we have the highest trade deficits (not that I think that trade deficits are a real issue; as others have said before, my trade deficit with Publix is unconscionable).
Instituting tariffs against the countries from whom we buy more than we sell is stupid. We have no leverage against them. If you are going to tariff anyone, you should tariff countries with whom we sell more than we buy or at least are roughly even.
If the issue is what concessions the Supreme Court can afford to make in order to maintain the appearance of being relatively unified (albeit on 7- 2 decision carrying at least 3 and possibly 4 unhappy concurrences) as opposed to ordering Trump use every means lawfully available to him to obtain Abrego Garcia’d immediate release, on as narrow as a 5 to 4 majority and leaving a “divided
Court” in its wake, a distinction has to be made between balancing essentially static legal issues, with the dynamic situation as it may unfold on the ground.
And with a wildly unpredictable president willing to run on whatever narrow opportunities the Court’s left open, it’s impossible to judge how far he’s willing to run with it. Especially if his primary take-away is that - overall - the Court is weak. Put another way, Chief Justice can’t balance a set of essentially known legal issues against the absolutely unpredictable costs to democracy itself, if Trump comes away believing he’s free reign as he sees fit, and to do so on whatever else is lurking in the shadows.
In other words, it’s time for the Chief Justice to act like a stern federal judge, and take command. Leaving no doubt as to his ongoing disposition, come what may.
I now have an inkling for the motivation of Guy Fawkes and his fellow plotters.
Why weren't the democrats out en masse either at the White House or out on the steps of Congress with as much media as possible protesting this Bukele man/orange man conspiracy?
Okay. I need to say this to you, and those like you: Dems are not mindreaders. Until the cameras were trained on Trump and Bukele, most of us assumed Trump was following the SCOTUS decision. I would be more concerned about the giggling GOP on the couch when Donald said he wanted 5 more prisons for American citizens. I would be equally concerned about Trump lashing out at Kaitlyn Collins for asking him why he wasn't going along with the SCOTUS decision, as previously stated. Again, expecting Dems to be here, there and everywhere is just more pointlesss doomscrolling/posting. Go to a rally and protest the lawlessness with the rest of us. Support the Dem Congressmen planning a delegation to visit Garcia in El Salvador. Unity is the goal, not division.
I guess I'm a "those like you" b/c I agree w/ Feldman. First of all, on what do you base your opinion that "most of us assumed Trump was following the SCOTUS decision"? B/c I sure didn't, and I don't know anyone else who did either. T is lawless, he's always been lawless, and it's been said a thousand times that there would be no one to restrain his worst impulses in 2.0.
If Dems had ever even thought about doing something so illegal, there would be non-stop outrage on MAGA media by every person who could get a camera in front of them. Why do you think Dems have to be mind readers to know that what happened yesterday is way beyond unprecedented and dangerous, and leaders need to be screaming that from the rooftops? If it's not obvious, then we are definitely screwed. And that screaming needs to include the points you made about those on the couch, Kaitlyn, etc.
No we can't be everywhere; but what do you think is more important than unprecedented vocal outrage to match what happened? And how do you know Feldman isn't protesting, supporting the MD rep, etc.? I don't see anything in his remark that indicates divisiveness, just the frustration at lack of action on the part of our Dem "leaders" - which is very widespread these days.
YOU need to be part of the change. YOU. Until then, you are not a different drummer, just an annoying, whiny one. Until you see the light (and others like you), we face an uphill battle if you believe Congress is the only answer to our challenges. The Dems don't have the votes for now. In the meantime, get involved locally, and make sure local blue candidates win in all sorts of positions: comptroller, treasurer, Assembly, Senate...paint it blue, baby. Grassroots is the focus. Listening to, and supporting, is the focus. If you can't shake off your negativity, it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy, as with all things in life. Your choice.
Some serious projection there, yes? You making unfounded accusations and labeling someone else divisive, annoying, whiny, negative, etc. is definitely a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
Not taking the bait, hot shot. Take that energy and come up with some solutions.
Andrew Egger,
You are 1000% correct regarding Chief Justice Roberts.
Trump and tariffs....Buckle up..this won't end for a long time but for perhaps different reasons than some speculate..it's about the ratings, NOT the policy.
What happens when you cross a narcissist (with a desperate need for attention) with an arsonist (who actually sees themselves as a firefighter) with a guy who sees himself as a successful businessman but is actually a marketing savant/TV producer looking for a new theme for this season's show? (After the seasons of Covid, The Insurrection and My Return to Power had such high ratings...at least in his mind) Voila..this season's theme "Tariff Man"....with ready to go DAILY episodes of "fighting for you" with footage of the daily "battles" with over 60 countries around the world who are screwing America. My cynical (yet not implausible) point is that for someone like Trump there is NO incentive to not drag out these trade discussions as long as possible, including throughout the entirety of his term if he "believes" any country has done something to disrespect HIM/America (as those two are inseparable in his head). He needs the attention on himself being perceived as the "firefighter" (but don't expect any reminders/footage of WHO started the fire or those damaged by the fire)
Challenge:
Convince me that violent rebellion is not justified. Note the reasons the founders cited for their rebellion in your reply.
Indeed. He is a tyrant and Americans have every right to defy a tyrant.
If the federal government under Trump can whisk immigrants and Americans with views they don’t like to inhumane, cruel prison conditions, why can’t a future leftist government treat rich, rightwing Americans the same. Musk, Thiel and other rich authoritarians could be treated with the same gulag treatment they think is appropriate for Americans and others they hold in contempt. I favor the rule of law and due process, but the rich Trumpers are playing with fire.
Fred - do you suppose Musk, Thiel and other rich authoritarians actually plan to allow for that possibility?
The time to fight authoritarianism is now. Trump’s power will only grow if we accommodate him. Thanks Bill for your analysis.
Many of my Trumpy friends and family see dictatorial powers as a feature, not a bug. Some variation of "The country is being driven off a cliff...maybe we need a dictator to fix it..." is something I've heard repeatedly since Trump came on the scene.
Denis - in my Ohio small town in the days after May 4, 1970 I was surprised how many times I heard people say "they should have shot more of them." People I thought I knew something about. Turned out my illusions were a bit too rosy. If times have changed, I'm not sure people in general have
Kent State was such a shock. I remember people saying that if you don't like it, you can leave the country. Thousands did, others continued to protest, some gave up hope and did nothing more. It'll probably be the same today. Only this law breaker is destroying the economy. That might make it a whole different ball game. Hope so.
Linda - Love it or leave it was the slogan back in the day. Now I know people planning to leave because they love what America has been, not so much what's we're devolving into
I have friends who bugged out in his first term, now living in Mazatlan and Oaxaca. They said the Sinaloa/Jaliscos don't bother the tourists, they're up in the hills and only come down to move big shipments at night. Both places have American communities. Sigh. I'll stay here and keep fighting the good fight.
Definitely in the camp of "brainwashed by social media." They're in my family and neighborhood too: A dictator that "can fix it for ME!"
Judging by the way some of Felonius Dunk's insiders used the tariff flip-flops to make their own special trades, he's doing a good job for them.
I wonder if MTG will see any consequences for her obvious illegal trading. And who will have the guts in Congress, and who isn't compromised with their own illegal trading, to expose her crimes?