Thank you for writing about the "split screen" moment - with Trump golfing while 4 of our young men came home in caskets. For Haberman to write he doesn't give a sh-t? Well that's patently obvious.
Re Paula White et al: in high school I was 'tricked' into reading a lot of good books. It was an easy A, class called 'Reading', read books, write reports = A. Trick was, had to read two from teacher's list, and then could read one from mine (as approved by teacher). One of the books, I read, Elmer Gantry. Paula White et al come from a long and storied tradition.
I don't watch the Sunday political blab shows that always include a heavy rinse and spin cycle. I let the professionals watch for me and then tell me what was said. I am very interested to see what you and the folks at the Bulwark have to say about the predictable snark from the Democrats and the Republican defences of the indefensible.
Honestly, as a trauma therapist, LCSW-R: all of the people your are describing who are involved in this administration can literally be psychiatrically diagnosed . They are literally mentally ill people. But they are rich. So instead of being mandated to care, they are running our country and giving themselves permission to do all kinds of horrific things. Trashing the world economy and sending people to concentration camps in El Salvador. And then going for a round of golf.
Quisling wasn't about rationalizing, sir. He was another sociopath. He didn't have a concept of people outside of himself. On some level, perhaps, you can call it rationalizing, but only in the context of his sociopathy. One needs to be totally without empathy to do the things Quisling had done.
Thanks for your thoughts—I definitely agree Trump has a powerful psychological drive to win and seek praise. However, I think focusing too heavily on those personality traits can distract us from what I see as the main issue: his primary motivation is money. Understanding that Trump’s ultimate goal is personal financial enrichment provides more clarity about his behavior and helps us anticipate his actions strategically. I appreciate your perspective, but I believe emphasizing his financial motives is more productive when trying to make sense of what he's doing.
IMO, ultimately, money is the only thing that genuinely satisfies any of Trump's other drives—attention, admiration, or winning are only meaningful to him if they translate into financial gain.
Hi Charlie, Excellent discussion with David French. I'm hopeful that you or an Economist you may chat with can explain the Tarrif Scenario this Administration is currently flogging. Starting with the full debunking of the Tarrif %'s issued by Drumpf in the Rose Garden.
The debunking of his use of the term 'Retaliation Tariffs'...then the debunking of his use of the term "We've Been Ripped Off...Taken Advantage Of...by so Many Countries" etc...
Perhaps to follow up with a discussing of how America for the last 40years has practiced or spearheaded 'Globalisation'. How it's Corporate & Industrial Complex MOVED a huge percentage of PRODUCTION OFF SHORE to REAP HUGE PROFITS that came back to the US.
Obviously the same migration of production off shore was implemented by many Countries and Corporations. Discuss also Drumpf's fallacy that they alone [USofA] were instrumental in spurring on the Economies of both Japan and Germany. For instance in my youth I recall my parents buying a Japanese made portable radio...that was 60years ago...so Japan was already in the Global Economy. Of course that was followed by cameras and cars...just like Germany.
How is it that Drumpf can claim all this BLATANT BULLSHIT and GET AWAY WITH IT...why aren't the Economists, Politicians and Journalists of the day holding his FEET TO THE FIRE at every step...at every falsehood. Sure it's exhausting...but why not...I'd like to see this happen daily in the WH Press Gallery...and also witness the SOLIDARITY of the PRESS to ALL JUST WALK OUT when one member is being bullied or lied to by the propagandist Karoline Leavitt.
I understand the last part...it's a Freedom of Speech Issue that isn't being practiced by this Administration...but still we need to be engaged...we need to counter the lies and falsehoods...and I think we should start with the TRUTH ABOUT TARRIFS...like it's FRONT PAGE NEWS!! Please consider...we all need to learn.
I wanted to say something snarky, like, "you know you are in a cult when..." but this is no time for snark. We are in Jonestown right now, and Reverend Jim is telling everyone to drink the grape Flavor-aid. Call it.
I prefer Casablanca over the Maltese Falcon Auggie. 😉
All I could think of on Friday is Nero fiddles while Rome burns. As usual, he ran off to play golf down in Florida. Best of all, he obviously cheated to "win" the LIV tournament.
Krasnov cannot be seen with "losers" at that return. In a normal world, that would totally get those so called "patriots" upset. But they will come up with the most asinine rationalizations for Krasnov not welcoming those soldiers bodies back. Sarah Longwell had the best phrase about this in this week's The Focus Group podcast - "Trump is pissing on their legs and telling them it is raining and they buy it."
Remember guys. Krasnov supposedly has a degree in Economics from the U of PA. Apparently, he missed the classes on Smoot-Hawley and the Great Depression.
Krasnov has moved on to humiliating countries, not just those in his own party. He wants those other leaders to grovel to him because he is the Emperor of the World in his eyes. Wait until some of them start kicking him in the balls. 🤦♂️
He cannot back off because they are not going to give him a graceful off ramp. They will force him to eat crow which will just piss him off even more. But those countries have no other choice because they want him destroyed just as much as the resistance does.
The sad thing is that we have to pay the price for Krasnov's ego and arrogance.
Come on guys. There are no lines. He has never had any lines and therefore he has no comprehension of a line.
I hate to support Mitch McConnell, but he was correct in saying in the second impeachment that it was up to the courts to do their job because Trump was no longer in office. But he was also wrong in that he expected the courts to move expeditiously and not take forever to figure out what to do.
We had the same problem with the Mueller report. Mueller stupidly did not explicitly lay out that, for whatever reason, he could not recommend charges and that was the House of Representative's responsibility. Mueller assumed that readers of his report would "catch his drift" and do their job and bring articles of impeachment.
These law firms that are caving are so stupid in blaming their competitors. That argument is total bullsh*t! Why? Because, that will just put the target on their backs. Do they really want to become Krasnov's target? Oh Hell no!
The other thing about these firms caving comes down to keeping the partners' lifestyles in place. It's tough giving up your home in Georgetown and the "cottage" out on the Chesapeake. Or the house in the Hamptons and the "cottage" out on the Cape. Never mind the likely divorces that will occur as well.
SignalGate and Gmail will get investigated but nothing will likely happen just as we went through January 6. There might be some hands slapped, but no one will lose their jobs. SignalGate got tossed out of the media by the Third Term discussion even though the Third Term problem is a ways down the road. The Third Term discussion is what got tossed off the front page by the market crashes.
I still maintain that Laura Loomer is the next Mrs. Krasnov. There is just something about the two of them in pictures I've seen that just says there is more going on there.
Finally, Paula White. If she is a Christian, then I am the second coming of Jesus.
Since she's popped up again to destroy our national security and featured in today's podcast, I thought my entry in Charlie's Limerick Contest might deserve a reboot…[complete with off-color language warning]
Here is where I suspect ( and hope) this is going- fast. With the projection of the Dow to drop yet another 1600 points Monday, somewhere in one of his late night panics, he sees the support simply not being there to carry off the Tariffs and subsequently postpones them into a future place, just like he did with Tik Tok but it's way bigger.
Then he'll eject Musk, blaming him for all of it and probably suggesting it was Biden's fault as well. All by morning.
It's what he does the moment things turn against him. His very nature gives him no other option. He can't be wrong but he can blame someone else. That's our child president.
He then still has the problem of how to pass the giant tax cut and I have yet to see how that goes. So far, the masses in the streets everywhere you look in the world except Russia are going to make him run away. It's what he does. If he sticks to his fantasy we're in more deep shit but he is terrified of the potential of a stupid plan failing. He'll never acknowledge it's stupid but he can blame some other poor sucker. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy than Musk. Our maxim remains "Everything Trump touches, dies" At least about forty house seats if I guess right.
Lets see if I'm anywhere close to the future act. I sure as Hell hope so.
Time for a case study of one real business involved in international trade: https://open.substack.com/pub/terrymckenna/p/a-short-and-incomplete-case-study?r=1t8ls&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Though the business closed in 1996 the example is useful now.
Thank you for writing about the "split screen" moment - with Trump golfing while 4 of our young men came home in caskets. For Haberman to write he doesn't give a sh-t? Well that's patently obvious.
Re Paula White et al: in high school I was 'tricked' into reading a lot of good books. It was an easy A, class called 'Reading', read books, write reports = A. Trick was, had to read two from teacher's list, and then could read one from mine (as approved by teacher). One of the books, I read, Elmer Gantry. Paula White et al come from a long and storied tradition.
I don't watch the Sunday political blab shows that always include a heavy rinse and spin cycle. I let the professionals watch for me and then tell me what was said. I am very interested to see what you and the folks at the Bulwark have to say about the predictable snark from the Democrats and the Republican defences of the indefensible.
Honestly, as a trauma therapist, LCSW-R: all of the people your are describing who are involved in this administration can literally be psychiatrically diagnosed . They are literally mentally ill people. But they are rich. So instead of being mandated to care, they are running our country and giving themselves permission to do all kinds of horrific things. Trashing the world economy and sending people to concentration camps in El Salvador. And then going for a round of golf.
Quisling wasn't about rationalizing, sir. He was another sociopath. He didn't have a concept of people outside of himself. On some level, perhaps, you can call it rationalizing, but only in the context of his sociopathy. One needs to be totally without empathy to do the things Quisling had done.
Thanks for your thoughts—I definitely agree Trump has a powerful psychological drive to win and seek praise. However, I think focusing too heavily on those personality traits can distract us from what I see as the main issue: his primary motivation is money. Understanding that Trump’s ultimate goal is personal financial enrichment provides more clarity about his behavior and helps us anticipate his actions strategically. I appreciate your perspective, but I believe emphasizing his financial motives is more productive when trying to make sense of what he's doing.
IMO, ultimately, money is the only thing that genuinely satisfies any of Trump's other drives—attention, admiration, or winning are only meaningful to him if they translate into financial gain.
Hi Charlie, Excellent discussion with David French. I'm hopeful that you or an Economist you may chat with can explain the Tarrif Scenario this Administration is currently flogging. Starting with the full debunking of the Tarrif %'s issued by Drumpf in the Rose Garden.
The debunking of his use of the term 'Retaliation Tariffs'...then the debunking of his use of the term "We've Been Ripped Off...Taken Advantage Of...by so Many Countries" etc...
Perhaps to follow up with a discussing of how America for the last 40years has practiced or spearheaded 'Globalisation'. How it's Corporate & Industrial Complex MOVED a huge percentage of PRODUCTION OFF SHORE to REAP HUGE PROFITS that came back to the US.
Obviously the same migration of production off shore was implemented by many Countries and Corporations. Discuss also Drumpf's fallacy that they alone [USofA] were instrumental in spurring on the Economies of both Japan and Germany. For instance in my youth I recall my parents buying a Japanese made portable radio...that was 60years ago...so Japan was already in the Global Economy. Of course that was followed by cameras and cars...just like Germany.
How is it that Drumpf can claim all this BLATANT BULLSHIT and GET AWAY WITH IT...why aren't the Economists, Politicians and Journalists of the day holding his FEET TO THE FIRE at every step...at every falsehood. Sure it's exhausting...but why not...I'd like to see this happen daily in the WH Press Gallery...and also witness the SOLIDARITY of the PRESS to ALL JUST WALK OUT when one member is being bullied or lied to by the propagandist Karoline Leavitt.
I understand the last part...it's a Freedom of Speech Issue that isn't being practiced by this Administration...but still we need to be engaged...we need to counter the lies and falsehoods...and I think we should start with the TRUTH ABOUT TARRIFS...like it's FRONT PAGE NEWS!! Please consider...we all need to learn.
Always appreciate David French’s view. Enjoyed the podcast.
I wanted to say something snarky, like, "you know you are in a cult when..." but this is no time for snark. We are in Jonestown right now, and Reverend Jim is telling everyone to drink the grape Flavor-aid. Call it.
I’m getting really scared
I prefer Casablanca over the Maltese Falcon Auggie. 😉
All I could think of on Friday is Nero fiddles while Rome burns. As usual, he ran off to play golf down in Florida. Best of all, he obviously cheated to "win" the LIV tournament.
Krasnov cannot be seen with "losers" at that return. In a normal world, that would totally get those so called "patriots" upset. But they will come up with the most asinine rationalizations for Krasnov not welcoming those soldiers bodies back. Sarah Longwell had the best phrase about this in this week's The Focus Group podcast - "Trump is pissing on their legs and telling them it is raining and they buy it."
Remember guys. Krasnov supposedly has a degree in Economics from the U of PA. Apparently, he missed the classes on Smoot-Hawley and the Great Depression.
Krasnov has moved on to humiliating countries, not just those in his own party. He wants those other leaders to grovel to him because he is the Emperor of the World in his eyes. Wait until some of them start kicking him in the balls. 🤦♂️
He cannot back off because they are not going to give him a graceful off ramp. They will force him to eat crow which will just piss him off even more. But those countries have no other choice because they want him destroyed just as much as the resistance does.
The sad thing is that we have to pay the price for Krasnov's ego and arrogance.
Come on guys. There are no lines. He has never had any lines and therefore he has no comprehension of a line.
I hate to support Mitch McConnell, but he was correct in saying in the second impeachment that it was up to the courts to do their job because Trump was no longer in office. But he was also wrong in that he expected the courts to move expeditiously and not take forever to figure out what to do.
We had the same problem with the Mueller report. Mueller stupidly did not explicitly lay out that, for whatever reason, he could not recommend charges and that was the House of Representative's responsibility. Mueller assumed that readers of his report would "catch his drift" and do their job and bring articles of impeachment.
These law firms that are caving are so stupid in blaming their competitors. That argument is total bullsh*t! Why? Because, that will just put the target on their backs. Do they really want to become Krasnov's target? Oh Hell no!
The other thing about these firms caving comes down to keeping the partners' lifestyles in place. It's tough giving up your home in Georgetown and the "cottage" out on the Chesapeake. Or the house in the Hamptons and the "cottage" out on the Cape. Never mind the likely divorces that will occur as well.
SignalGate and Gmail will get investigated but nothing will likely happen just as we went through January 6. There might be some hands slapped, but no one will lose their jobs. SignalGate got tossed out of the media by the Third Term discussion even though the Third Term problem is a ways down the road. The Third Term discussion is what got tossed off the front page by the market crashes.
I still maintain that Laura Loomer is the next Mrs. Krasnov. There is just something about the two of them in pictures I've seen that just says there is more going on there.
Finally, Paula White. If she is a Christian, then I am the second coming of Jesus.
Since she's popped up again to destroy our national security and featured in today's podcast, I thought my entry in Charlie's Limerick Contest might deserve a reboot…[complete with off-color language warning]
It's been said of the lass Laura Loomer,
That she's schtupping the crazy orange boomer.
Says his schlong is so fine!
Her orgasms divine!
Which confirms that it's all just a rumor.
Like I said in my comment. There is just something about pictures of the two of them that says she's the next Mrs. Trump. 😉🤦♂️💩😂🤣
Here is where I suspect ( and hope) this is going- fast. With the projection of the Dow to drop yet another 1600 points Monday, somewhere in one of his late night panics, he sees the support simply not being there to carry off the Tariffs and subsequently postpones them into a future place, just like he did with Tik Tok but it's way bigger.
Then he'll eject Musk, blaming him for all of it and probably suggesting it was Biden's fault as well. All by morning.
It's what he does the moment things turn against him. His very nature gives him no other option. He can't be wrong but he can blame someone else. That's our child president.
He then still has the problem of how to pass the giant tax cut and I have yet to see how that goes. So far, the masses in the streets everywhere you look in the world except Russia are going to make him run away. It's what he does. If he sticks to his fantasy we're in more deep shit but he is terrified of the potential of a stupid plan failing. He'll never acknowledge it's stupid but he can blame some other poor sucker. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy than Musk. Our maxim remains "Everything Trump touches, dies" At least about forty house seats if I guess right.
Lets see if I'm anywhere close to the future act. I sure as Hell hope so.
Most enlightening podcast I’ve listened to in a quite a while. Kudos to you both.
Kudos for a riveting conversation albeit dark dismal damning 💩Charlie Sykes’ podcasts reassure I’m sane and recalibrates my world👍 Excellent podcast🎯