While reading this I kept getting a mental picture of Grima Wormtongue and King Theoden (Tolkien's Return of the King).. I hadn't thought of the angle of Trump's court using his obvious dementia for their own purposes, so good for you Mary for pointing it out. I can just see Stephen Miller acting in a major way in taking advantage of Trump like this, which scares the hell out of me.
and there is so much going on that does not make the headlines. The oligarchs and Project 2025 (their stalking horse and action plan) carry on the destruction of US lands and government.
So environmental rules for the Gulf of Mexico (sic) are abolished. Who cares about the rare whales there?
So the conservation of lands and forests is abandoned because most of the personnal are gone - they can't move to Boise, those left over after DOGE... So mining and forestry interests move in, and the parks are not even clean enough any more to attract visitors. (And Trump's face is on the passes... to add insult to injury.)
and on and on ... who knew that we would *miss* the TSA?
Almost no headlines (except the TSA mess) but grave, sometimes irreversible damage while wars and protecting pedophiles make the headlines.
This can apparently be done whether or not the president is demented.
Yes, AND perhaps some of those propping him up like Weekend at Bernie's are the ones profiting mightily from those bets on those (how can these be legal?) betting sites. It's just a goldmine for them.
Cowardice and complicity with corruption and tyranny do not age well. It’s time to name names and keep a record of each collaborator with this abhorrent presidency. The enablers can’t see (or don’t care) that their descendants will bear the burden of their disgraceful legacies.
Wow, Mary, this was awesome reporting and analysis. It adds layers to the mystery of the support systems built to keep trompas as a figurehead. Thank you.
What's important to remember is that there's no going 'back'. What was before trump was normal for that time. What's happening with trump is very different, and there was a sharp turn to adjust to, but we did and now this is normal for the trump time. We don't know yet what the new normal, after trump, will be. Humans will shape that by their actions or lack of actions. But the current human trajectory is clear via social media and social behaviours. Humans are not doing well at keeping themselves healthy in mind and body, the environment/planet healthy, our compassion, kindness and foundational principles healthy, our institutions and bureaucracies healthy, our technology healthy. We seem to have everything we need to do it except will and discretion. As a whole, we're the authors of our own misfortune. The Bible kind of nailed it with the 7 deadly sins (had to look that up ... not really knowledgeable about the Bible). Greed certainly stands out to me. Look around the globe at the segmentation of cultures and norms. Let's say one segment determines they are going to give their very best effort to the issues of democracy and climate change. There are numerous factions that will desecrate their mightiest efforts out of simple greed. I'm so stymied by all of this. Is this some kind of experiment that the Universe is conducting? Are we simply self destructive and the end is beginning to close in on us? Is there a God and we're engaged in a battle between good and evil? We're past being able to simply look away and say 'I can't bear it so I'm going to stick my head in the ground like an ostrich'. This is mess is unfolding in various ways everywhere. We cannot and will not revert to the past ... we have to create a future. What is the path forward? I should have read more science fiction ... some of those writers predicted pretty accurately. Will the robots have any need to study us, their predecessors, or will humankind fade into obscurity?
Since the US/Iran war started, most of the British media have written or broadcast about Trump with no holds barred. He is truly hated over here. If you can get access to "The I newspaper" and "The Observer", to name but two, and numerous podcasts by reputable journalists, you will get a good flavour of the coverage.
Thank you, Mary, for articulating so well what many of us have failed to recognize. Bernie Sanders has warned us repeatedly that we're already living in an oligarchy, but most of those in power are happy with the benefits that accrue to them. Trump has always been a symptom of a much bigger problem, likely several problems. But as another commenter noted, greed appears to be at the root of all of them. "Let them eat cake!"
Exactly right! And this opens the door for alternative, independent news sources like yours and others available via substack. Readers, please support Mary's great work!
The problem of the press, beyond the oligarch control, is that they are still treating the president as if it's a noble position. A position that deserves respect and speaks with an authority that we must all agree, is full of knowledge and understanding that if not unquestionable at times, is at least viable and reasonable. THIS, is not that presidency or administration. THAT presidency is gone. And therefore the press can NOT be that kind of press any longer.
While reading this I kept getting a mental picture of Grima Wormtongue and King Theoden (Tolkien's Return of the King).. I hadn't thought of the angle of Trump's court using his obvious dementia for their own purposes, so good for you Mary for pointing it out. I can just see Stephen Miller acting in a major way in taking advantage of Trump like this, which scares the hell out of me.
He’s got immunity so he can implement Project 2025 dismantling the protections ,guardrails and programs of our government.
I’ve wondered for a while whether trump’s words and actions were conveniently providing cover for those behind the scenes. Thanks for voicing it!
and there is so much going on that does not make the headlines. The oligarchs and Project 2025 (their stalking horse and action plan) carry on the destruction of US lands and government.
So environmental rules for the Gulf of Mexico (sic) are abolished. Who cares about the rare whales there?
So the conservation of lands and forests is abandoned because most of the personnal are gone - they can't move to Boise, those left over after DOGE... So mining and forestry interests move in, and the parks are not even clean enough any more to attract visitors. (And Trump's face is on the passes... to add insult to injury.)
and on and on ... who knew that we would *miss* the TSA?
Almost no headlines (except the TSA mess) but grave, sometimes irreversible damage while wars and protecting pedophiles make the headlines.
This can apparently be done whether or not the president is demented.
Yes, AND perhaps some of those propping him up like Weekend at Bernie's are the ones profiting mightily from those bets on those (how can these be legal?) betting sites. It's just a goldmine for them.
Cowardice and complicity with corruption and tyranny do not age well. It’s time to name names and keep a record of each collaborator with this abhorrent presidency. The enablers can’t see (or don’t care) that their descendants will bear the burden of their disgraceful legacies.
Wow, Mary, this was awesome reporting and analysis. It adds layers to the mystery of the support systems built to keep trompas as a figurehead. Thank you.
What's important to remember is that there's no going 'back'. What was before trump was normal for that time. What's happening with trump is very different, and there was a sharp turn to adjust to, but we did and now this is normal for the trump time. We don't know yet what the new normal, after trump, will be. Humans will shape that by their actions or lack of actions. But the current human trajectory is clear via social media and social behaviours. Humans are not doing well at keeping themselves healthy in mind and body, the environment/planet healthy, our compassion, kindness and foundational principles healthy, our institutions and bureaucracies healthy, our technology healthy. We seem to have everything we need to do it except will and discretion. As a whole, we're the authors of our own misfortune. The Bible kind of nailed it with the 7 deadly sins (had to look that up ... not really knowledgeable about the Bible). Greed certainly stands out to me. Look around the globe at the segmentation of cultures and norms. Let's say one segment determines they are going to give their very best effort to the issues of democracy and climate change. There are numerous factions that will desecrate their mightiest efforts out of simple greed. I'm so stymied by all of this. Is this some kind of experiment that the Universe is conducting? Are we simply self destructive and the end is beginning to close in on us? Is there a God and we're engaged in a battle between good and evil? We're past being able to simply look away and say 'I can't bear it so I'm going to stick my head in the ground like an ostrich'. This is mess is unfolding in various ways everywhere. We cannot and will not revert to the past ... we have to create a future. What is the path forward? I should have read more science fiction ... some of those writers predicted pretty accurately. Will the robots have any need to study us, their predecessors, or will humankind fade into obscurity?
Billionaires are the real problem - politically, environmentally, morally, and financially. Full stop.
Since the US/Iran war started, most of the British media have written or broadcast about Trump with no holds barred. He is truly hated over here. If you can get access to "The I newspaper" and "The Observer", to name but two, and numerous podcasts by reputable journalists, you will get a good flavour of the coverage.
Thank you, Mary, for articulating so well what many of us have failed to recognize. Bernie Sanders has warned us repeatedly that we're already living in an oligarchy, but most of those in power are happy with the benefits that accrue to them. Trump has always been a symptom of a much bigger problem, likely several problems. But as another commenter noted, greed appears to be at the root of all of them. "Let them eat cake!"
Terrific insights
Spot on.
Exactly right! And this opens the door for alternative, independent news sources like yours and others available via substack. Readers, please support Mary's great work!
The problem of the press, beyond the oligarch control, is that they are still treating the president as if it's a noble position. A position that deserves respect and speaks with an authority that we must all agree, is full of knowledge and understanding that if not unquestionable at times, is at least viable and reasonable. THIS, is not that presidency or administration. THAT presidency is gone. And therefore the press can NOT be that kind of press any longer.
I think you are spot on with this. They are using him like a puppet and he doesn't even know it. And the consequences have to be paid by all of us.