"Our country is now taking so steady a course as to show by what road it will pass to destruction, to wit: by consolidation of power first, and then corruption, its necessary consequence." Thomas Jefferson www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Sure looks like Xi is getting exactly what he wants. And what is Trump getting? Nothing, apparently. What brilliant negotiating.

Ivan Ehlers, The New Yorker

An addendum to Trump's Anti-Weaponization Fund says the IRS is “FOREVER BARRED and PRECLUDED” from pursuing “examinations” of Trump, “related or affiliated individuals,” and related trusts and businesses. This is shockingly and unbelievably corrupt - even for Trump. No Kings!

When a federal agency tasked with protecting all Americans decides to mandate a specific religious worldview, it ceases to protect democracy and begins to threaten it.

“The truth shall make you free, but first it shall make you angry.” ― Robert Green Ingersoll

It's not complicated. It is still an ongoing war. - A blockade is a belligerent operation (i.e., an ongoing act of war) - a cease-fire ≠ a war termination - The Iranians get a vote "...they call it a war, I call it a military conflict,” Trump said. “But there’s a legal reason for that.” (3/28)

So…are the sellers of ‘8646’ shirts on Amazon, Etsy, and MAGA sites (and the buyers) being investigated? WTF!

Can't help but see the parallels between MAGA and the old South. I will give them credit for one innovation -- the Orwellian effort (see DoJ shenanigans and Jan 6 rewrite) to craft a new Lost-Cause myth before the movement is even on history's ash heap. bsky.app/profile/civi...

Rereading AMB John Limbert's monograph "Negotiating with the Islamic Republic of Iran" (USIP, 2009), and wondering if Trump's Three Stooges have any clue... #IranWar #NoKings #AlliesMatter #NotaGame www.usip.org/sites/defaul...

Last night -- would the US commit genocide or simply large-scale war crimes? Today, we are debating whether Iran's cease-fire framework is a complete or just partial US capitulation. Regardless, it has all been a human tragedy, strategic waste, and a long-term disaster. #IranWar #NoKings

The gross hypocrisy of the so-called Christian community this Easter. - Trump “Open the Fuckin’ Strait” or “You’ll Be Living in Hell” and yet they still see him as Christ-like. - Franklin ‘MAGA’ Graham’s 60 Minutes prayer. A clear, but unintentional, condemnation of Trump’s entire agenda.

This is the epitome of Trump's strategic and economic approach to world affairs. The cavalier ignorance is actually breathtaking. Geopolitical vandalism with generational implications. #ThinkNationalActLocal #VoteBlue #Impeach47

The fact that they said these things is NOT a defense SecDef - "...no quarter, no mercy for our enemies," POTUS - We will blow up "...all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalination plants!)...in retribution..." Follow your oaths!

“The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.” Einstein NO KINGS protest - Richmond, VA #NoKings #Resist #Vote #ThinkNationalActLocal

From a mainstream Russian tabloid, surprising criticism of the authorities: “Either they see us as kids too small & brainless to be trusted or to have anything explained to us [or] the system's now so unbalanced one part no longer knows what the other is doing.” #ReadingRussia

So DJT starts a war he cannot explain (which ‘surprisingly’ drives up oil prices) and then lifts oil sanctions on both Russia & Iran. Hmmmm…this only makes sense in Moscow.

"America’s slide into authoritarianism is reversible. But no one has ever defeated autocracy from the sidelines." —Steven Levitsky, Lucan Way, and Daniel Ziblatt.

The so-called SecWar just delivered a defensive, Orwellian, historically illiterate, strategically incoherent, and embarrassing defense of the operation in Iran. All in response to an unhinged midnight rant from his boss. Hitting new lows is the norm... #IranWar #NatSec

Boy howdy, Steve, have I got a bridge to sell you. Russia told Trump it has not shared intelligence with Iran during war..." we can take them at their word,” Witkoff said. Among other examples, Russia shared intelligence about US forces with Iraq in the 1991 and 2003 wars. #IranWar #RU #intel

"Tactical effects, no matter how impressive, will rarely overcome the negative impacts of a fundamentally flawed strategy." Updating this quote to reflect the current unfolding disaster in Iran would require replacing "flawed" with "incoherent". #IranWar #strategy apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA...

Hegseth’s statement this week that news coverage of soldier deaths is intended to make Trump "look bad" - is shameful but not a surprise (it may in fact be a perfect encapsulation of a political ethos). It is MAGA.

Trump is reanimating his 2020 election lies now to pre-position an excuse for the 2026 midterms. He is 'boiling the frog' - the 2028 election is already at risk. The 'big lie' is still a lie - every reporter should challenge him on this every single time. Don't look away!

I served with, depended on, and benefitted from US allies & partners across my entire military and national security career. They trusted, contributed, bled, and died w/ us. Trump's statements are ignorant, malicious, and cruel. This may prove to be the most costly week in US history.

We are at a dangerous tipping point - at home and abroad. Those arguing "it can't happen here" are not paying attention to either history or (IMHO) the arc and pace of current unprecedented events. As a 1947 Congressional Study warned - "democracy is not to be had for the wishing..."

Yet another shameful Oval Office moment - or just another Thursday in Trumpland…

Trump on the only thing that can limit his global power: ‘My own morality. My own mind. It's the only thing that can stop me.' We are sliding - day by day - into an abyss of our own making. Trump will soon be gone but the damage is, if it can be remediated at all, generational. NO KINGS!

Based on the facts, his duties as a U.S. Senator, and the 1st Amendment, Sen. Kelly did nothing wrong. He did, however, embarrass the SecDef and WH. This action threatens the free speech of all Americans - starting with those who receive a government pension or benefit. www.cnbc.com/2026/01/05/p...

Decapitation is comparatively easy. In 2003, a hasty, un-resourced Phase IV plan was coupled with really bad political assumptions - a decade plus of disaster followed. Trump's 'plan' for post-Maduro Venezuela is "the people that are standing right behind me” and the big oil. WTF are we doing?

“…we will never respect you. Quite the opposite—for all of your depredations and twice on Sunday for attempting to hijack someone else’s honor.” www.thebulwark.com/p/somebody-n...

Reporter: We have 3 videos, 2 breathalyzers, 4 bartenders, and a minivan full of nuns attesting to how the driver was drunk and reckless when he hit the school bus. Weiss; What did the driver say. Reporter: He and his lawyer won’t talk. We asked them 5 times. Weiss: I’m killing your story.

Illegally killing small-time suspects at sea while at the same time pardoning their - convicted - industrial scale drug smuggling bosses is morally bankrupt…but a perfect metaphor for Trumpism.

To all the MAGA “but what illegal orders…” out there: A warning is only really useful before the fact AND Trump has a long history of tweets & ‘truths’ about his love of actual illegal orders. We are only one Trump tantrum away… The Dem reminder is both prudent and a sign of the danger we are in.

Trump's panicked call to have his hopelessly corrupt DoJ investigate everyone (except himself of course) for connections to Epstein is a last ditch effort to keep additional records out of the public domain - thats it, it is that simple.

Over 7,000 Virginians joined me and President @barackobama.bsky.social in Norfolk yesterday to rally for the future of our Commonwealth. This Tuesday, let's send a clear message: Virginians are ready for leadership who will put them first.

Chris Murphy is one of the only Dems who gets that there is no budget “deal” to make. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/there-is-n...

The Trump administration and MAGA legislators are trying to scare you into not attending the 'No Kings' protest - do not be intimidated! Show up, be loud, and be peaceful (Your country will thank you later). We are not terrorists, we are not being paid, but we are pissed, and we are citizens.

On 18 October - find a local 'No Kings' protest and raise your voice. Do not sit on the sidelines numbed by the transparent lies, obscene theatrics, and grinding absurdity of the Trump administration.

Please read NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM/NSPM-7. The most Orwellian and anti-American document ever released by any WH. It is transparenty designed to intimidate and suppress political dissent not deal with actual political violence. www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...

Is there no point in this Bedlam masquerading as a government that elected Republicans will wake up? We are way past "have you no sense of decency" -- we are at the "have you no sense." We will ensure that "...your dishonor will remain." (Liz Cheney)

ROK Again showing us how Democracies behave. The Ministry of Defense will award commendations to soldiers who did not carry out illegal or unjust orders during the December 3 Emergency Martial Law designating them as "individuals who protected constitutional values." www.chosun.com/english/nati...

Telling: His movement is screaming "civil war" - dear leader is playing doll house. Q: My condolences on the loss of your friend Charlie Kirk. How are you holding up? TRUMP: I think very good...They just started construction of the new ballroom for the White House...it's gonna be a beauty...

We are in a 'boil-the-frog' constitutional and moral crisis in this country. Another presidential permission slip for the much, much greater abuse to come was put in place by Monday's Supreme Court decision to allow “racially profiling." It never ends at the 'other' - and it never ends well. Shame!

Trump's destruction of the informal customs that sustain a liberal democracy, not to mention his disregard for formal constitutional restraints, sets him apart from his predecessors. As long as our republic exists, Trump's name should live in infamy.

Lincoln Heritage Museum responds to Trump. More of this, please. 🗃️

I will never understand how my fellow veterans can continue to support this man - this is yet another low in a long line of truly shameful statements... www.nytimes.com/2025/08/20/w... And still -- his un-American policies are much, much worse.

Happy Canada Day to our friends and allies up north. Our relationship will survive the current occupant of the White House - as Barack Obama once said, "The world needs more Canada." 🇨🇦 unwritten-record.blogs.archives.gov/2024/05/29/t...

POTUS and SecDef statements on Iran strike BDA @ the NATO press conference are beyond parody. Their belligerent stupidity is a national humiliation. www.youtube.com/watch?v=73KM...

Happy 250th birthday to the US Army! It is a sad spectacle to see our Army, founded to defeat a king, being used by a wannabe tyrant as a political prop. We the people need to fix this..

Tacky imitation gold decor and military parades - authoritarian playbook…a commander-in-chief uniform cannot be far behind). “We have the greatest missiles in the world…the greatest submarines…the greatest army tanks…the greatest weapons in the world. And we’re going to celebrate it.”