I think Timothy Snyder is right that we're underselling the possibility that the American system just collapses as the various government agencies lose their ability to function.
The House of Representatives budget bill that would also essentially strip the courts of the ability to find the administration in contempt if they violate court orders.
That wouldn't seem allowable under Senate reconciliation rules, but it's not a good sign.
For better or worse, the last few months have been mere skirmishing. It's what will happen after either tariffs, the budget bill, or both effect the lives of even the most uninformed voters in ways they cannot ignore that will generate true crisis. Trump's at like around 45 percent approval now (very close to the 44 percent Biden had in the 2024 exit polls). What happens when his popularity drops even further? Beats me, but I doubt it'll be good. He cannot afford to lose power. He WILL, since he already has once, use violence to retain it. Who will follow him and who will oppose? Again, beats me, but I don't think rambling like a loon in front of the junior officers of next November helped him much.
I haven't read Theories of International Politics and Zombies yet, but it seems that what you're saying here is that we should be wishing for a zombie apocalypse. I, for one, welcome our undead overlords.
Your friend wants more UPBEAT comments? What planet is that person living on? We do not laugh any more. If we find something amusing, we may chuckle. We are constantly outraged and have learned to live with that. Upbeat words? There are none for a country that has been completely destroyed. Its world leadership is not leadership. It is coertion and intimidation and ALL the world bows to one man, an infantile fascist. And those who could stop him? They speak not a word as they live in fear of he who confers their power.
You have to take time off from the carnage Dan. It’s all overwhelming. I am in one of those places.
I’m really sorry about all the antisemitism and how it’s used as a cudgel. The murders in DC of that beautiful couple with so much to live for were heartbreaking.
I blame the magat movement for legitimizing all this hate.
Yes, this was the week I definitely gave up on US democracy. It's become clear that Trump can crush what limited resistance there is, such as Harvard, and ignore the courts until they rule his way.
Let me just dispute the one crumb of comfort
"Trump has retained the support of those not paying attention". Its much worse than that. Trump has retained the full support of nearly everyone who voted for him, including nearly all Republicans and a massive majority of whites, particularly white men. These are the groups hat have historically held most of the power, so the fact that they are marginally less than a majority won't matter.
And he is only a few months in. He already has Gestapo, concentration camps etc and announced plans to use them against everyone who opposed him. Much worse to come.
"The House of Representatives passed a bill that, if signed into law, accomplishes little beyond distributing wealth upwards" And extending thousands of dollars in tax cuts to working folk. Don't leave that part out.
Last evening, at a local "little free library," I randomly found (and then read, cover to cover) a very short novel by John Steinbeck called "The Moon is Down." Your comment that we would survive a zombie apocalypse is a nice way to think about this novel, which was published in 1942 and is about a small town surviving the Nazi invasion. It's a quick read and I recommend it to you and to anyone reading this.
Are you serious about the "no proof campus indoctrination had anything to do with the DC murders"? I guess it's only "stochastic terrorism" when the far-left carries it out. This is the outcome of 20 years of indoctrination by the Free Palestine cult in academia, and 20 intense months of propaganda by your favorite progressive legacy media.
I think Timothy Snyder is right that we're underselling the possibility that the American system just collapses as the various government agencies lose their ability to function.
The House of Representatives budget bill that would also essentially strip the courts of the ability to find the administration in contempt if they violate court orders.
That wouldn't seem allowable under Senate reconciliation rules, but it's not a good sign.
Have a good weekend Dan! We will get through this.
This is what happens when you run a country "like a business."
by a serial bankrupt.
"One of these things is not like the other..." Sesame Street got that exactly right.
For better or worse, the last few months have been mere skirmishing. It's what will happen after either tariffs, the budget bill, or both effect the lives of even the most uninformed voters in ways they cannot ignore that will generate true crisis. Trump's at like around 45 percent approval now (very close to the 44 percent Biden had in the 2024 exit polls). What happens when his popularity drops even further? Beats me, but I doubt it'll be good. He cannot afford to lose power. He WILL, since he already has once, use violence to retain it. Who will follow him and who will oppose? Again, beats me, but I don't think rambling like a loon in front of the junior officers of next November helped him much.
I read “federal executive” as “feral executive” and was, for a brief moment, ridiculously pleased.
I haven't read Theories of International Politics and Zombies yet, but it seems that what you're saying here is that we should be wishing for a zombie apocalypse. I, for one, welcome our undead overlords.
Yeah with shotguns loaded!😎
Your friend wants more UPBEAT comments? What planet is that person living on? We do not laugh any more. If we find something amusing, we may chuckle. We are constantly outraged and have learned to live with that. Upbeat words? There are none for a country that has been completely destroyed. Its world leadership is not leadership. It is coertion and intimidation and ALL the world bows to one man, an infantile fascist. And those who could stop him? They speak not a word as they live in fear of he who confers their power.
Take courage Prof! We're backing you from here in Australia!
You have to take time off from the carnage Dan. It’s all overwhelming. I am in one of those places.
I’m really sorry about all the antisemitism and how it’s used as a cudgel. The murders in DC of that beautiful couple with so much to live for were heartbreaking.
I blame the magat movement for legitimizing all this hate.
Yes, this was the week I definitely gave up on US democracy. It's become clear that Trump can crush what limited resistance there is, such as Harvard, and ignore the courts until they rule his way.
Let me just dispute the one crumb of comfort
"Trump has retained the support of those not paying attention". Its much worse than that. Trump has retained the full support of nearly everyone who voted for him, including nearly all Republicans and a massive majority of whites, particularly white men. These are the groups hat have historically held most of the power, so the fact that they are marginally less than a majority won't matter.
And he is only a few months in. He already has Gestapo, concentration camps etc and announced plans to use them against everyone who opposed him. Much worse to come.
You don't have to apologize for telling it like it is: give it to us straight. We can take it!
Hope next week is either better, or horrific in a different way. All we can do is keep on keeping on. Your energy for the fight is appreciated.
"The House of Representatives passed a bill that, if signed into law, accomplishes little beyond distributing wealth upwards" And extending thousands of dollars in tax cuts to working folk. Don't leave that part out.
Hi Dan,
Last evening, at a local "little free library," I randomly found (and then read, cover to cover) a very short novel by John Steinbeck called "The Moon is Down." Your comment that we would survive a zombie apocalypse is a nice way to think about this novel, which was published in 1942 and is about a small town surviving the Nazi invasion. It's a quick read and I recommend it to you and to anyone reading this.
But, Donald Trump's approval rating increasing with Democrats: poll
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-approval-rating-democrats-2076382
Are you serious about the "no proof campus indoctrination had anything to do with the DC murders"? I guess it's only "stochastic terrorism" when the far-left carries it out. This is the outcome of 20 years of indoctrination by the Free Palestine cult in academia, and 20 intense months of propaganda by your favorite progressive legacy media.
https://open.substack.com/pub/danielgsaunders/p/stochastic-terrorism-for-me-and-not