My apologies...I meant to say King Charles in my commentary [his father was Prince Philip]...just trying to keep my Royals straight.
Regardless it was a fine speech and was dignified as we have been accustomed to as Canadians. Our relationship with the Monarchy and the Commonwealth is still relevant as we fundamentally believe in Democracy and we enjoy sharing our values and educated discourse with like minded countries across the Planet. At some point America will come to its senses...but first your electorate needs to understand that your Democracy is being destroyed daily by the Drumpf Administration.
Having read the most current 'To The Contrary' post' describing the psychopathic condition...one must seriously look at the people granted the highest positions in your country and assess how many ate Psychopaths...I'd suggest the fish smells the worst from the head down...then look at those that also smell bad...I would suggest Miller, Vought, Hegseth, Patel, Bongino, Bondi and Musk fit this bill to the tee! As for Vance, Noem, Gabbard and Kennedy they might be the tail of the fish...but they still smell of some form of disfunctionality. As for the Republicans in Congress they're just the spineless portion of the fish...this being the flesh...just hanging on as they're brainless!
How did you like our Throne Speech by King Phillip...a few gems in there for sure...all I can say is 'Vive La Difference'
That's what I call "TO THE CONTRARY"...some lessons here for the American people...but not sure the US Administration will draw any clues from this...it's just such a different tone...such a different message as we forge forward in the new world...and would like America to join us perhaps in two years!?
Love the dog photos and did I observe a penguin on your bookshelf ? I am normally not that observant but I was holding my head closer to my iPad so I wouldn’t miss anything he said.
This was an outstanding podcast. Garry Kasparov is someone we should all listen to. His interpretation of currents events was knowledgeable and wise. I chuckled when his said he criticized the past six presidents, three democrats and three republicans. But how he feels that there isn’t too much difference between the far left and far right is something I now tend to agree. He also said we should not stop fighting the little things. My overly repeated criticism of the Democratic Senators voting to confirm Trump administration’s nominees comes to mind. I took great comfort that he feels will get through this.
Yesterday afternoon I listened to the podcast while tending the flowers I recently planted on the balcony. Lily, my neighbor, came out to smoke a cigarette. She and her husband emigrated from the USSR in 1972. I paused the podcast so we could chat. How serendipitous, I thought to myself! She told me she just got back from Arizona. She visits a few times a year as she owns property there. She shared with me that every place she went, all the nice restaurants, etc., there were mostly Mexicans working there. (Me thinking to myself, um, yeah, it's Arizona...). Then she goes on: "Why we give these people welfare? I came to this country with nothing and we worked hard for everything! We don't need these criminals here. We need to bring the jobs back here. Things will slow down, yes, but it will be good in the long term. I think it's good we try to bring the jobs back..."
It took everything for me to not lose my shit. But I did get pretty cross. I told her that I didn't agree with the things she was telling me. What makes America great, Lily? Free trade! Free markets and free minds! What Trump is doing is so unnecessary and is intentionally wrecking the economy. Do we need to bring jobs back? Yes! But tariffs are not the way to do it! And by the way, the jobs have been disappearing overseas for years, including the non-manufacturing jobs: look at all the call centers in the Philippines, or all enterprise technology is managed by companies in Asia, and I should know because I work for a non-USA company..." She says to me, What do I know? I see these things on Facebook. I don't even know what's the truth anymore!" I said, I know, it's a big problem. She put out her cigarette and we bid a cheerful farewell before she went back inside. I resumed the podcast and pondered the irony of what just happened.
Charlie: Great discussion with Gary Kasparov. Also thanks for the excerpt from Trump's address to the cadets. Podcast idea: invite someone from World Mental Health Coalition to discuss Trump's brain.
This interview is a knock-your-socks-off lesson for Americans who still can't understand the threat that Trump & Co. present to our nation.
I appreciate that Mr. Kasparov explained how former-KGB officer Putin knows how to increase the bandwidth allowing Russians to express opinions. I'd read that previously and it's seductively insidious. I.e., you are allowed to say almost anything against Putin...up to a point. When that point is reached, it's the gulag for you, buddy. It mimics "freedom of expression" without actually allowing it.
Speaking of...I would have appreciated a fuller mention of the role that right wing media has played in the rise of Trump. Fox is lethal and has become Trump State Media. We mock Telesur as being Venezuelan state media, but can't bring ourselves to look in the mirror.
Money and power are integral to this predator-based system. Add in performance (thanks, Hollywood, for training us to "appreciate" that integral part of modern-day politics) and you have the magic recipe for autocracy, inc. And a cult.
Regarding DJT's schizoaffective address to West Point graduates. I can see the thought bubbles hovering over the entire crowd..."And this guy has access to our nuclear arsenal?"
Thank you both. Gosh this is the best and most important discussion about where we are as Americans. I am very fearful. One thing is certain Trump 2.0 has revealed that our institutions were very fragile indeed. We depended on a moral executive to act in lawful ways consistent with the Constitution. But an executive unfettered by morals can act in ways antithetical to all we believe as Americans and there is no accountability. IF we get through this we will need congressional action to shore up institutions and set standards ( consistent with the Constitution) to constrain an executive like Trump - as he tramples all over what we thought of as an ideal model for democracy.
Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have always been talking about the corruption and greed of corporations and banks
They have always been talking about unethical corruption that hurts American people
Corporations in this country have a choice to be real leaders within their organizations creating a moral ethical work environment caring about the impact on people, the environment, honesty, and integrity
They have also been speaking up and fighting against corporations and billionaires using their money to influence and by favor in our government hijacking our American elections away from the people
My apologies...I meant to say King Charles in my commentary [his father was Prince Philip]...just trying to keep my Royals straight.
Regardless it was a fine speech and was dignified as we have been accustomed to as Canadians. Our relationship with the Monarchy and the Commonwealth is still relevant as we fundamentally believe in Democracy and we enjoy sharing our values and educated discourse with like minded countries across the Planet. At some point America will come to its senses...but first your electorate needs to understand that your Democracy is being destroyed daily by the Drumpf Administration.
Having read the most current 'To The Contrary' post' describing the psychopathic condition...one must seriously look at the people granted the highest positions in your country and assess how many ate Psychopaths...I'd suggest the fish smells the worst from the head down...then look at those that also smell bad...I would suggest Miller, Vought, Hegseth, Patel, Bongino, Bondi and Musk fit this bill to the tee! As for Vance, Noem, Gabbard and Kennedy they might be the tail of the fish...but they still smell of some form of disfunctionality. As for the Republicans in Congress they're just the spineless portion of the fish...this being the flesh...just hanging on as they're brainless!
Well Charlie,
How did you like our Throne Speech by King Phillip...a few gems in there for sure...all I can say is 'Vive La Difference'
That's what I call "TO THE CONTRARY"...some lessons here for the American people...but not sure the US Administration will draw any clues from this...it's just such a different tone...such a different message as we forge forward in the new world...and would like America to join us perhaps in two years!?
Your thoughts??
Best regards,
From a Canadian
☮️🇨🇦🇺🇦🇵🇸☮️
Love the dog photos and did I observe a penguin on your bookshelf ? I am normally not that observant but I was holding my head closer to my iPad so I wouldn’t miss anything he said.
This was an outstanding podcast. Garry Kasparov is someone we should all listen to. His interpretation of currents events was knowledgeable and wise. I chuckled when his said he criticized the past six presidents, three democrats and three republicans. But how he feels that there isn’t too much difference between the far left and far right is something I now tend to agree. He also said we should not stop fighting the little things. My overly repeated criticism of the Democratic Senators voting to confirm Trump administration’s nominees comes to mind. I took great comfort that he feels will get through this.
Yesterday afternoon I listened to the podcast while tending the flowers I recently planted on the balcony. Lily, my neighbor, came out to smoke a cigarette. She and her husband emigrated from the USSR in 1972. I paused the podcast so we could chat. How serendipitous, I thought to myself! She told me she just got back from Arizona. She visits a few times a year as she owns property there. She shared with me that every place she went, all the nice restaurants, etc., there were mostly Mexicans working there. (Me thinking to myself, um, yeah, it's Arizona...). Then she goes on: "Why we give these people welfare? I came to this country with nothing and we worked hard for everything! We don't need these criminals here. We need to bring the jobs back here. Things will slow down, yes, but it will be good in the long term. I think it's good we try to bring the jobs back..."
It took everything for me to not lose my shit. But I did get pretty cross. I told her that I didn't agree with the things she was telling me. What makes America great, Lily? Free trade! Free markets and free minds! What Trump is doing is so unnecessary and is intentionally wrecking the economy. Do we need to bring jobs back? Yes! But tariffs are not the way to do it! And by the way, the jobs have been disappearing overseas for years, including the non-manufacturing jobs: look at all the call centers in the Philippines, or all enterprise technology is managed by companies in Asia, and I should know because I work for a non-USA company..." She says to me, What do I know? I see these things on Facebook. I don't even know what's the truth anymore!" I said, I know, it's a big problem. She put out her cigarette and we bid a cheerful farewell before she went back inside. I resumed the podcast and pondered the irony of what just happened.
"Mostly Mexicans working there". Hmmm seems like those folks had jobs.
Charlie: Great discussion with Gary Kasparov. Also thanks for the excerpt from Trump's address to the cadets. Podcast idea: invite someone from World Mental Health Coalition to discuss Trump's brain.
Trump is nuts! We’re doomed!
Are they hearing Kasparov in Fox world?
This interview is a knock-your-socks-off lesson for Americans who still can't understand the threat that Trump & Co. present to our nation.
I appreciate that Mr. Kasparov explained how former-KGB officer Putin knows how to increase the bandwidth allowing Russians to express opinions. I'd read that previously and it's seductively insidious. I.e., you are allowed to say almost anything against Putin...up to a point. When that point is reached, it's the gulag for you, buddy. It mimics "freedom of expression" without actually allowing it.
Speaking of...I would have appreciated a fuller mention of the role that right wing media has played in the rise of Trump. Fox is lethal and has become Trump State Media. We mock Telesur as being Venezuelan state media, but can't bring ourselves to look in the mirror.
Money and power are integral to this predator-based system. Add in performance (thanks, Hollywood, for training us to "appreciate" that integral part of modern-day politics) and you have the magic recipe for autocracy, inc. And a cult.
Regarding DJT's schizoaffective address to West Point graduates. I can see the thought bubbles hovering over the entire crowd..."And this guy has access to our nuclear arsenal?"
Charlie, you and Kasparov whiffed an easy one when you failed to point out the impunity the immunity ruling by SCotUS gave to Trump.
Trump knows all about Trophy Wives: he’s had three of them: two of them immigrants no less: his favorite scapegoat.
Go figure. Projection is everything….🫤
Be sure to listen to Garry Kasporov. Let it sink in.
Thank you both. Gosh this is the best and most important discussion about where we are as Americans. I am very fearful. One thing is certain Trump 2.0 has revealed that our institutions were very fragile indeed. We depended on a moral executive to act in lawful ways consistent with the Constitution. But an executive unfettered by morals can act in ways antithetical to all we believe as Americans and there is no accountability. IF we get through this we will need congressional action to shore up institutions and set standards ( consistent with the Constitution) to constrain an executive like Trump - as he tramples all over what we thought of as an ideal model for democracy.
Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have always been talking about the corruption and greed of corporations and banks
They have always been talking about unethical corruption that hurts American people
Corporations in this country have a choice to be real leaders within their organizations creating a moral ethical work environment caring about the impact on people, the environment, honesty, and integrity
They have also been speaking up and fighting against corporations and billionaires using their money to influence and by favor in our government hijacking our American elections away from the people
Kamala Harris told Trump right to his face about Putin in the debate
Told him
“ he will eat you for lunch”
John McCain always used to say about Putin
“ when I look in his eye, I see KGB”