Regarding the intertwined uses of fear and incompetence:
For Trump, incompetence is a purposeful tactic.
Why else would he nominate Gaetz, Gabbard, RFK jr, Patel, Hegseth, et al?
Incompetence is destructive.
Indeed, incompetence is often more destructive than a skilled malignity that would operate with greater precision, because incompetence creates chaos, confusion, and uncertainty everywhere.
Instilling fear in the populace is the first necessity for authoritarian rule.
A skilled malignity incites fear primarily in its intended targets, whereas incompetent malignity makes everyone cower in fear, because no one can feel safe from its effects.
Incompetent malignity increases the power of the tyrant and his retinue of corrupt lackeys, from whom everyone must now seek protection or redress from its unpredictable whims.
The Oath-Breaking SoB and his commitment to Project 2025 have not made the U.S. an ally of Putin's Russia, except as Ribbentrop made Germany an ally of Stalin's Soviet Union.
The Maladiministration has pushed the U.S. from a constitutional republic to a full-blown Nazi state.
Forget narcissism. Forget chaos. Recognize Nazism for what it is.
We can all seemingly agree that the democrats have been weak, so I'm not sure why there's been so much negativity and eye rolling directed towards David Hogg. Robust primaries should be part of the democratic process.
Of course we all remember that Trump did use the IRS to go after James Comey and Pete Strzok to make their lives miserable for a few years. And that Putin is the originator of the "flood the zone with lies/shit" strategy. Trump, as Putin's protegee, along with Steve Bannon, adopted this strategy (not that Trump was ever honest).
Middle-schoolers all. We've been saying this for years. And, as Tom says, these are serious times. We need serious thinkers to solve serious problems like autocratic regimes' aggression, global warming, species extinction, income inequality, the next pandemic, human rights' abuse, plastic poisoning, social media & AI propaganda . . . and what's yet to come.
As an old tax lawyer, I remember when the IRS investigated charitable organizations. The law specifically states in part that “no substantial part of the activities” is carrying on propaganda or attempting to influence legislation (with some exceptions). There were reasons to believe that some persons with tea party ties or sympathies wanted to use tax-exempt charities to influence legislation. As Charlie mentioned, the president did not order such investigations and I do not know if any charities lost exempt status or was not granted exempt status. I do not speak for all lawyers of course, but for attorneys I knew no one was surprised or outraged at the IRS actions.
Tom and Charlie… Don’t forget PBS!! Annika, Unforgotten, Guilt, Sherlock, Professor T, and so many international shows, like Lydia. But when I need to laugh out loud, I watch Graham Norton reruns. And like Charlie, I walk two Australian shepherds in the foothills of Boise, Idaho every day. Life doesn’t get much better…
Ed Martin has also written to the publishers of several medical journals demanding details of their peer review process and whether they attempt to censor or suppress controversial viewpoints. WTAF? The letter to at least one journal got leaked (unauthorized by the journal). It’s a highly respected journal whose publisher is in the Midwest. So, first amendment and academic freedom issues aside, what makes an acting US Attorney in DC think he has authority to make demands of a journal publisher halfway across the country from his jurisdiction?
Regarding the intertwined uses of fear and incompetence:
For Trump, incompetence is a purposeful tactic.
Why else would he nominate Gaetz, Gabbard, RFK jr, Patel, Hegseth, et al?
Incompetence is destructive.
Indeed, incompetence is often more destructive than a skilled malignity that would operate with greater precision, because incompetence creates chaos, confusion, and uncertainty everywhere.
Instilling fear in the populace is the first necessity for authoritarian rule.
A skilled malignity incites fear primarily in its intended targets, whereas incompetent malignity makes everyone cower in fear, because no one can feel safe from its effects.
Incompetent malignity increases the power of the tyrant and his retinue of corrupt lackeys, from whom everyone must now seek protection or redress from its unpredictable whims.
The Oath-Breaking SoB and his commitment to Project 2025 have not made the U.S. an ally of Putin's Russia, except as Ribbentrop made Germany an ally of Stalin's Soviet Union.
The Maladiministration has pushed the U.S. from a constitutional republic to a full-blown Nazi state.
Forget narcissism. Forget chaos. Recognize Nazism for what it is.
We can all seemingly agree that the democrats have been weak, so I'm not sure why there's been so much negativity and eye rolling directed towards David Hogg. Robust primaries should be part of the democratic process.
Of course we all remember that Trump did use the IRS to go after James Comey and Pete Strzok to make their lives miserable for a few years. And that Putin is the originator of the "flood the zone with lies/shit" strategy. Trump, as Putin's protegee, along with Steve Bannon, adopted this strategy (not that Trump was ever honest).
Oh, yeah, and China. As Charlie says, if only we had been warned. If only this could have been foreseen.
Thanks for the dogs & tulips. I have tulips (miracles!) but no dogs. Cheers.
Middle-schoolers all. We've been saying this for years. And, as Tom says, these are serious times. We need serious thinkers to solve serious problems like autocratic regimes' aggression, global warming, species extinction, income inequality, the next pandemic, human rights' abuse, plastic poisoning, social media & AI propaganda . . . and what's yet to come.
As an old tax lawyer, I remember when the IRS investigated charitable organizations. The law specifically states in part that “no substantial part of the activities” is carrying on propaganda or attempting to influence legislation (with some exceptions). There were reasons to believe that some persons with tea party ties or sympathies wanted to use tax-exempt charities to influence legislation. As Charlie mentioned, the president did not order such investigations and I do not know if any charities lost exempt status or was not granted exempt status. I do not speak for all lawyers of course, but for attorneys I knew no one was surprised or outraged at the IRS actions.
Beautiful boys
Tom and Charlie… Don’t forget PBS!! Annika, Unforgotten, Guilt, Sherlock, Professor T, and so many international shows, like Lydia. But when I need to laugh out loud, I watch Graham Norton reruns. And like Charlie, I walk two Australian shepherds in the foothills of Boise, Idaho every day. Life doesn’t get much better…
Also Charlie, "The Thick of It" - you are correct. Hilarious!
wonderful dog pics, thank you
Tom Nichols, could I love you more? I am hooked on "Bosch" and will cry when done....plus you love cats! Damn, Mrs. Nichols, look out :):)
Ed Martin has also written to the publishers of several medical journals demanding details of their peer review process and whether they attempt to censor or suppress controversial viewpoints. WTAF? The letter to at least one journal got leaked (unauthorized by the journal). It’s a highly respected journal whose publisher is in the Midwest. So, first amendment and academic freedom issues aside, what makes an acting US Attorney in DC think he has authority to make demands of a journal publisher halfway across the country from his jurisdiction?
https://www.science.org/content/article/trump-administration-targets-academic-journals-attorney-letter-proposed-funding-cuts
I love you and Tom Nichols together!🥳🇺🇸
Sykes and Nichols…two class acts! Thank you for providing some sense of sanity during an insane time! ❤️
We’re in this mess because the GOP decided to weaponize the Tea Party
Thank you. Tom Nichols