527 Comments
User's avatar
Paul's avatar

Good move. Get some rest. I know I need a break.

SPT's avatar

Dear Paul, please take some rest and take good care of yourself! This is hard and chaotic time, and we need your clarity more than ever. All the best!

Mark McIntyre's avatar

Throughout the Middle East right now, depression and PTSD are epidemic. Imagine yourself under bombardment not knowing when the next strike will come. Paul, be thankful you're safe and take solace what you're doing is greatly appreciated.

Lance Khrome's avatar

The sucking is even getting suckier, seemingly without limit...oy-bloody-vey!

EcstaticRationalist's avatar

I realized this morning that Trump doesn't just want to be a dictator. He aspires to a House of Saud style of absolute hereditary despotism, where he and his family essentially own the country and mete out benefits to supporters.

You can go back to bed now.

Phyllis Colman's avatar

This Trump nightmare needs to be effectively stopped like the McCarthy era sickness.

Paul A's avatar

It needs to be cut out and exterminated like the subhuman cancer that it truly is.

Lorraine Alden's avatar

The word you want is: Extirpated. To be ripped out by the roots.

Paul A's avatar

You nailed it! That is the more precise term and describes the fact that we have to try and eliminate the basis for these monsters.

robert's avatar

McCarthy had his voters and he was elected to the Senate but he lost whatever support he had - but it was a very different world back then during the Red Scare

Kathleen Kilburn's avatar

Well yes, but that took a hell of a long long time, what with DJT's mentor......

FDD's avatar

I’m thinking he’s actually after power beyond this country… probably this hemisphere (which explains the BS about Canada, Venezuela, Cuba, etc)… it’s a shame he’s clueless about history and what eventually happens to emperors.

Barb O's avatar

The emperor has no clothes and none of his followers have the balls to tell him outright. They would rather wear oversized clown shoes.

Kathleen Kilburn's avatar

If he dies in office, the VP steps into his shit-caked shoes, right?

so the dance just goes on and on and on.......

Colly66's avatar

And paint on an orange clown face 🤡

Ryan Collay's avatar

I don’t think he has much more of his wet dreams of what leadership will bring him…but not happiness. It’s really the handlers who are, behind the scenes, planning the next regime…

Jim Prah's avatar

trump is not replacable - who would maga support as they love trump - not vance, no one likes him, jared too non-macho, certainly nor jr or eric

Sharon's avatar

Too true. An Economist article said that Israel will take the fall for Trump's Iran... what did he call it...excursion? MAGA can't blame Trump, he can do no wrong. The antisemitic wing of MAGA will balloon.

Netanyahu and his right-wing cronies are too smart by half. They probably think the world's Jews will be forced to come to Israel as the hatred of Jews, grows world-wide in response to their ethnic cleansing and colonialism.

Blaming Jews for Israel's actions is WRONG.

Ondaiwai's avatar

And yet Bibi and the Hardliners conflate any and all criticism of their policies with antisemitism...

John Gregory's avatar

as do far too many North American Jews, who don't make a connection between criticism or acts of protest here and Israel's devastation in Gaza and increased oppression in the West Bank.

Ryan Collay's avatar

Margaret’s clone, Ice Barbie!

David's avatar

Nah, his real target audience will always be billionaires, and most of them seem to be here or in the Gulf . He just liked the power to wreck other countries through tariffs, and the obsequiousness that they caused...its why he is so pissed the SCOTUS finally took his toys away

Michael's avatar

For all the billions the Gulf States have given Trump this is what they get. I don't think they will be sending any more.

Linda McCaughey's avatar

As well as beyond his lifetime; he believes that he is immortal.

Karen Q's avatar

Actually think he’s terrified he’s not immortal!

David's avatar

Yeah, I think he's obsessed with monuments because he knows he's toast. And hell hath no torture worse than a narcissist facing the notion that the world will go on without him. So he seems to be determined to leave a smoking ruin. The real puzzle to me has never been Trump. or his handpicked cabinet stooges; its that the GOP, almost to a man, has just lined up for the trip over the cliff, like lemmings...

michael heller's avatar

Yes. Finally someone said it out loud. He is Ubu Roi incarnate

David Stevens's avatar

Ubu Roi! French theatre from the 1890s that, according to the source I looked up, "is still shocking today" in 2026. Great call!

Tom S's avatar

Good point. The evidence certainly points that way.

marilyn r's avatar

And I came here for distraction after looking at the bbc post about a trump gold coin being approved

Scott Whitmire's avatar

The French had an effective way of dealing with such a problem.

Jerry L Babcock's avatar

I’ve had to increase my Lexapro dosage to keep my sanity!

George Patterson's avatar

I prefer Jack&Zac myself.

Jerry L Babcock's avatar

I would too, except that it interferes with my other meds😂

Robert Gustafson's avatar

Just for the night. Then we have to get back to work fighting to take our country back.

James Byham's avatar

You got the fat boy right.

Susan Ritchie's avatar

He wants to own and control LOTS of countries.

Max's avatar

They can go back to Scotland, if Scotland will take them.

Erik Bruun's avatar

Now is a good time to stop trying to make sense of demented criminality.

Teri C's avatar

One thing makes sense. Bone spurs is freaking out over the coming of NO KINGS next Saturday. He is deliberately dumping all kinds of stupid and crazy distractions to make us all want to hide under the covers, to give up our focus. Expect it and it loses a lot of its power. Get what rest and relaxation you can, save up your strength for the 28th.

I’m sure there’s a better choice for a musical coda, but I’ll be chanting bits of this song for the interim. Anybody?

https://youtu.be/Z_B_QRdX6kY?si=5Ua46W29LctyB0KY

MN agitator's avatar

Yes, we can’t give up our focus! We all (especially Paul) need to take a break from time to time, to get rest for both body and spirit. And then jump right back in to what we each are doing to resist! Here in Minnesota we’ve shown that getting out in large numbers and protesting (peaceably) does make a difference. Not only did we stop Metro Surge but we were instrumental in getting Noem booted out as head of DHS. On a smaller scale, in the suburban county I live in, we learned that ICE was wanting the sheriff to turn part of the county jail into a detention center. So we showed up and protested in such numbers that the sheriff backed down and even decided not to run for reelection. So I join hundreds every Saturday for just one hour at a protest rally. And in that one hour my spirit soars and I return home rejuvenated and with hope that we can stop this madness.

Frau Katze's avatar

You folks in Minnesota have done a great job!

Violet Hunter's avatar

Great song and accompanying video. I dig the sentiment🤝

Teri C's avatar

Great song, not sure if I have the bandwidth to learn those lyrics right now, but I’ll see your song and raise you one “Not Dead Yet” dollar

https://youtu.be/5b0Pt-k1hGo?si=VrgHvH7l7ttr6RYf

Adam Lang's avatar

Actually, he loves the protests. They make him feel important.

Milton Deemer's avatar

Unfortunately, you ain't seen nothin' yet.

Teri C's avatar

But, we see basically the same playbook over and over, he’s pretty transparent if you step back and look from an emotional distance.

You could predict that story of bone spurs meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan would be about him saying some trashy trollish thing, or another threat, or just some other bat-sh!tbomb/diversion.

I think the Netanyahu vid with six fingers is another red herring, that’s something that can be fixed, but it wasn’t, leaving everyone talking about whether or not he’s dead instead of the fact that there’s a still a war.

User's avatar
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Mar 20
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Milton Deemer's avatar

I understand your depression but if you stay in bed you make an easy target for those who would do even more unspeakable things besides, it's going to be a sunny day at least here in New Mexico.

PixElian | Economics & Music's avatar

I have close friends and family that are very engaged in what's happening right now, but they're also tapping out more and more because its really too much to bare. When I think about this all I remember is Bannon talking about 'muzzle velocity': overflow the public with endless crazyness and sh*t to make them paralyze and silent. Yep, that's fascism.

Winston Smith London Oceania's avatar

Bannon openly stated that he knows he's going to be locked up.

Bob D's avatar

Where is the GOP on all this.. Right now they are the only ones who can save us..UNFORTUNATELY..

Derelict's avatar

The entire Republican Party is all-in on

Wholesale corruption at all levels of government

Absolute disregard for law and the Constitution

Making widespread suffering and misery FOR AMERICANS

Being the tool billionaires use to break the country

ReadItAll's avatar

Don't forget covering up the raping of children for decades. It could explain their lockstep with a man who is destroying America.

Louanne Greiner's avatar

Widespread suffering for the world, not only for America.

Barb O's avatar

Republicans are weak. Strong people can say no. Weak people like they are, can't, even once, to an old man without full control of his faculties. They need to hear this message. Repeatedly.

Carol C's avatar

Oh, yes, Barb O. “Republicans are weak. Strong people can say no.” I am considering that for my protest sign.

The contrast between Trump’s utter disregard of “his” voters and their continued regard for him is extreme. “Old man without full control of his faculties” never had any talents except as a con man.

Michael Segal's avatar

That is entirely unfair. There is a constant flow of news stories of Republican leaders and lawmakers expressing qualms anonymously.

Winston Smith London Oceania's avatar

That's true, but it doesn't count if it's done anonymously. They're cowards. They should be standing up and speaking out, loud and clear.

At least a few are, but very few.

Leigh Hamilton's avatar

Like Marjorie Taylor Greene. She's loud but not smart enough to be clear. Thomas Massie, Liz Cheney and a handful of others have stood up.

And "Retired" or "Former" [Pick a Title] who speak out don't matter one bit. They knew. Best example: Former V.P. Mike Pence...

Kathleen W.'s avatar

Anonymous qualms are almost as effective as strongly worded letters.

chris lemon's avatar

And even more effective than "thoughts and prayers."

Winston Smith London Oceania's avatar

Always have been, always will be.

Scott Helmers's avatar

If in your search you discover someone--anyone-- in the GOP with honor and integrity, please post that name. Extinct species so far as anyone can find.

Steve Beckwith's avatar

Still in the GOP? That's the kicker, isn't it? I would direct you to the Bulwark for FORMER Republicans who still have integrity and honor but none consider themselves GOP any longer.

Dawn's avatar

He only found a voice when he decided not to run again. That's pretty weak tea, I'd say.

Derelict's avatar

There's oh-so-many like him, though. Ben Sasses, who always spoke up when it didn't matter. Jeff Flake who always spoke out, but then voted for whatever abomination he'd just spoken against. Susan Collins of the eternally furrowed brow.

Linda Hube's avatar

NC here. Look at his voting record. He contributed to what’s happening over the years. However, I do appreciate how he spoke up to Noem and Miller.

Carol Bradford's avatar

And I think Tillis just announced he would not vote for the SAVE Act. Yay Tillis I suppose.

ChooChooCharlie's avatar

Only because he is not running again. Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, Joe Walsh, Thomas Massie, and I am sure there are a few others, but only a few.

Jim Bryson's avatar

Tillis gets some kudos but he could do so much more; he could switch parties. It's not that hard.

john augustine's avatar

other than on epstein, he votes almost 100% with trump policies

Kate Fall's avatar

He wouldn't lift a finger to save his own hospitals. How's disaster recovery in Western NC going? He got FEMA to help and kept it secret, or as usual, he did nothing?

Rainer Dynszis's avatar

Why can't the American people save the American people?

There are midterms where the GOP can -- theoretically -- lose both House and Senate.

Meighan Corbett's avatar

That's it, that's the hope.

Philip Brown's avatar

But the American people would first have to want to be saved.

Freddie Baudat's avatar

It’s the government we have to save.

ISOequanimity's avatar

Until we stop lying, no one can save us.

The US is the only Western nation where strategic deception is legal (it’s also legal in Russia, China, and Iran).

This is 180 degrees from EU, where truthfulness is recognized as essential for public trust, along with accessibility. Even their most senior ministers post email addresses for the public. In the US, we’re denied that in order to “reduce spam and prevent security breaches.” If we’re not smart enough to figure it out, perhaps someone from Silicon Valley can ask our friends in Scandinavia for a tutorial?

I’ll post the lengthy AI description of Strategic Deception separately, since some may wish to hide it.

Here’s the bottom line : Strategic Deception is legal in the US in law enforcement, military, private industry, and politics. What’s left? Strategic deception is utterly incompatible with the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, which is the basis for our contracts. Strategic deception must be criminalized. Our neighbors don’t need it. Why do we?

ISOequanimity's avatar

In the United States, strategic deception is legal and widely practiced within specific, regulated contexts where it is considered necessary for state security, law enforcement, or legitimate competitive maneuvering. Generally, deception is lawful when it does not constitute criminal fraud, perjury, or illegal coercion.

Key settings where strategic deception is legal include:

1. Military and National Security

The U.S. military is encouraged to use deception as a legitimate tool to gain tactical and strategic advantages.

Ruses of War: Military doctrine explicitly allows for ruses—tricks designed to mislead adversaries—as long as they do not constitute "perfidy" (violating laws of war by using protected symbols like the Red Cross to kill or injure).

Operational Security (OPSEC): Deception is legally employed to protect sensitive mission details, including the use of decoys, dummy equipment, and misinformation campaigns (e.g., Operation Fortitude in WWII).

2. Law Enforcement and Investigations

Law enforcement is permitted to use deceptive tactics to catch criminals, provided they do not cross into "entrapment"—inducing an otherwise innocent person to commit a crime.

Undercover Operations: Police can legally use false identities, act as buyers/sellers in illegal transactions, and lie to suspects about the evidence they possess (e.g., claiming to have fingerprints when they do not).

Interrogations: Voluntary confessions obtained after police misrepresent facts to a suspect are generally admissible in court.

Testing and Investigations: Civil rights "testing" (e.g., sending actors to test for housing discrimination) is a recognized and legal form of investigative deception.

3. Corporate Negotiation and Business

While fraudulent misrepresentation is illegal, "puffery" and strategic non-disclosure are often legal in business dealings.

Bluffing/Negotiation: It is generally legal to bluff regarding reservation points, goals, or the value of alternatives (e.g., exaggerating how much you are willing to pay or accept).

Advertising "Puffery": Over-the-top, subjective advertising claims that a reasonable person would not take as a literal fact (e.g., "The best coffee in the world") are legal and not considered fraudulent.

"Big Boy" Letters: Parties can contractually agree in advance to waive liability for potential deception, effectively consenting to a high-risk, "as-is" transaction.

4. Politics and Public Discourse

Lies told by individuals, including about the government, are often protected by the First Amendment.

Political Deception: Political figures and organizations frequently engage in strategic deception without legal recourse, as long as it does not constitute direct criminal action or defamation per se.

Protected Lies: Supreme Court rulings indicate that, outside of specific contexts like fraud or perjury, lies about history, science, or politics are generally constitutionally protected.

Philip Brown's avatar

If you cannot trust yourself, who can you trust?

ChooChooCharlie's avatar

We are fucked if we have to rely on Republicans. They got us into this mess in the first place

Winston Smith London Oceania's avatar

Even in 1973, they only >reluctantly< criticized Tricky Dicky.

Pete Rothwell's avatar

Subjective opinion Bob ~ It'll take a meaningful threat of jail and asset seizure to budge them ~ they're in too deep. (Noticed DJT specifically naming cabinet members who were party to the decision ~ and, collaborating Arab nations)

ISOequanimity's avatar

That can happen that now. Six states have “misprision of treason” and “misprision of felony” laws on the books that render our elected officials mandated reporters. If these six states issue warrants, DC metro police will arrest all of the underlings and they can languish in city jails for up to 30 days pending extradition. This is the method used by law enforcement with organized crime. Arrest the low level players and watch the house of cards collapse. It’s also the method used by guidance counselors like me to dismantle bullying. What are the AGs of those states waiting for? Looking at you, IL, DE, CA, VT, VA, and RI.

Winston Smith London Oceania's avatar

Can we really count on the DC police now?

ISOequanimity's avatar

Only one way to find out.

Meighan Corbett's avatar

They are hoping for a blue tsunami to get them out of this mess.

mary thiel's avatar

Yes, why are there no protests against congress? It should be shouted to the rooftops how they allow everything the trump regime attempts to happen.

Kate Fall's avatar

They're betting on Polymarket, I think.

Erwin's avatar

The GOP nearly in its entirety, nearly all Republican politicians, are members of the Maga Regime & have kissed the ring. Since long ago. You obviously haven't been watching my friend. Yes, you're right; they're the only ones who could have helped US, but the didn't & they won't.

Bob D's avatar

Obviously I have been watching but I do agree they 'didn't and they won't'unfortuantley.

Mark Blakey's avatar

"Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor" and "I had a conversation with a previous president who fully supports the Iran war".

Both evidence that he's confused about his identity and reality. He's not well.

Ronald Marchant's avatar

Illness not an excuse. He's an ignorant criminal fool and must be held accountable for his actions. As for Hesketh and co they're just gold digging opportunists. Prime examples of today's GOP.

Turgut Tuten's avatar

The most joked about, ridiculed person on earth. Yet there is not one republican (senator?) who faces him and says "sir, you are an idiot"

Patrick O'Hearn's avatar

The past 80 years were not perfect, not by a long shot.

But it's impossible to see what the past 14 months hath wrought and not feel sad/angry about has happened.

https://nuancematters.substack.com/p/we-didnt-appreciate-how-well-we-had?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

That being said, we must stay hopeful! Promote the good and recognize the acts of kindness in our communities.

Terri's avatar

And get out for No Kings on March 28th.

ChooChooCharlie's avatar

How about actually showing up to vote instead? 20M sat out in 2024. Fucking disgrace

Terri's avatar

Both. One doesn’t exclude the other.

Helen Stajninger's avatar

Both and keep communicating with your Congressional representatives

ChooChooCharlie's avatar

Sorry, not very hopeful, but very fucking pissed off. Unfortunately Democrats are just afraid to drop the gloves because one independent voter may not like it.

Derelict's avatar

We're sending thousands more Marines over there . . . but there will be no boots on the ground. Mmmmmokay . . . so, why are we sending thousands of Marines?

The war will be over in a week . . . two weeks . . . three weeks at most . . .

Per Donald Trump, we won the war that we're winning but we need help from our NATO allies that we didn't inform of our plans, but we don't need help from our NATO allies because we've won the war that we're winning. Also, we're partners with Israel, who just happens to keep doing things without telling us.

I'm tired of the wing. How about you? Are you tired of all the winning?

chris lemon's avatar

Trump's going to have the Marines charge the beaches barefoot or in sandals, like Spartacus. No boots on the ground at all.

Derelict's avatar

Trump's Roman name is "Fartacus."

chris lemon's avatar

Biggus Dickus was trademarked by Monty Python, so that will do.

Gary Venter's avatar

It’s starting to look like Trump’s woke war. Get the world off oil by destroying capacity.

Stephen's avatar

I was wondering if that might be an unintended consequence of his stupidity.

David Demiray's avatar

And good morning to you too! Back under the covers I go!

Pat G's avatar

Me too, and the cat. who's no fool.

Louanne Greiner's avatar

I can’t blame you for wanting to go back to bed. Overwhelming feeling of being used by a bunch of bumbling fools. I fear there will be no peace while this government is in power.

Louanne Greiner's avatar

Not to mention: we’re pretty lucky to even have a bed… many do not have that anymore.

Katina's avatar

Lately when I get into bed at night, I think of all the innocent people in Lebanon, Gaza and Iran whose homes have been bombed and are sleeping in tents or worse. I feel both incredibly fortunate and guilty.

Skybo's avatar

One man’s craziness i get. The collective congressional R plus Fetterman lack of response??? This script is the smh unbelievable part.

doetze's avatar

Re quagmire: today Netanyahu is reported to talk about the "need for boots on the ground" in Iran. Probably not meaning Israeli boots.

Don B's avatar

Yes. Meanwhile Israel gets a free pass from US media for their continued war crimes in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.

User's avatar
Comment deleted
Mar 20
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Don B's avatar

Israel says it went into Lebanon to deal with Hezbollah, implying that Israel has to protect itself from Hezbollah aggression. What is not stated is that Hezbollah was established due to Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982-83.

apolia's avatar

To bad the Holy Land is not an island without neighbors.

Kristin Newton's avatar

I’m wondering how Carlos Ghosn is doing in Lebanon these days.

Gail Reed's avatar

And don’t forget starving the people of Cuba…I’m dealing with high-risk expectant moms, babies, old folks. In the dark since the oil blockade. They are the “new enemy”. In our name. An outrage.

George Patterson's avatar

It's ironic that Trump relaxes the sanctions on Russian oil to allow his buddy to finally erase Ukraine, and one of the first things Putin does is send two tankers to Cuba to prevent Trump from erasing the regime there.

Kathy Hughes's avatar

Trump is contributing to the problem, but so is Cuba’s government. Ordinary Cubans have had food rationing for a long time. The goods go to their nomenklatura (party bosses) and to tourists. That being said, we shouldn’t be trying to overthrow Díaz Canel. Let the Cubans do it.

apolia's avatar

But Rubio wants to be El Presidente?

Kathy Hughes's avatar

I wouldn’t doubt it.

Ken Davies's avatar

Future diplomats will have to have a degree in child psychology just in case America elects another Trump or just to understand the American electorate.