I think this travesty has given us something to be incensed about. It may not be mindful, but it has certainly cleared MY fog! By the way, Mary, your writing gets better and better! Keep up the fight! Thank you.
Perhaps Canada will take pity on many of us who simply can't tolerate living under the dictates of the orange monster. Since they are now on his 'enemies' list, I'd hope they could build a real wall to keep out any magats. Canada is beautiful and he can take his '51st state' idea and shove it.
As a Canadian I can tell you that we would gladly welcome refugees from Trumps America. We know that you are the intelligent sensible and compassionate citizens that don’t deserve the horror that the Maga cult and the oligarchs unleashed and would be a great addition to our nation. We would also like to organize a swap. We will take you and America can have our Maple Maga. They’ve been a loud obnoxious angry pain in our ass since 2015!
He's not making any friends with his rhetoric and musings about taking over Canada, Mexico, Greenland, and the Panama Canal. That could earn us preemptive strike by one of those countries as a warning to stay away. It seems as though he's hell bent to get us into another war. He's poking sticks at a lot of bees nests. Even Bumble Bees sting when they sense danger.
Which omits what Mary Trump tells us about him: that he's this ungrown TODDLER who still whines and demands LOVE from his subjects, all while feeling and giving none back. He has no idea what love is, but he craves being worshipped, this empty shell of a human monster. EVERYTHING he does is in the furtherance of being the center of attention (like a child) and 'proving' that 'they love me', all while shoving them all under the Bus (as his latest stunt in cutting them out of his 'party' shows, telling them their tickets are 'commemorative'. I know what I'D tell him he could do with his 'commemorative tickets' if I were braindead enough to be one of his cult followers. His ears would burn forever.
Except that this toddler's toy chest has just been filled with unlimited power, nuclear weapons, control over the status of the planet's climate, the most powerful military in history, the spread of deadly diseases and the right to commit mass negligent homicide, the liberty to sentence many millions of people to death by deportation, to kidnap their children, release dangerous criminals and put them back on the streets, to hollow out the minds of our children and replace them with fake history and dangerous misinformation, and to undue 300 years of our own history, no matter how imperfect it may be, and replace it with a fascist tyranny that may rule over a global Dark Ages that could last for 1,000 years or more. I don't think anyone's psychological profile of this Mad King really matters very much anymore. The Mad King has been crowned, and whatever you, or I, or anyone else have to tell him, or say about him, doesn't really matter anymore, does it?
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this little child of yours has just been handed the world and, as children sometimes do, has set about destroying it as fast as he can.
Mexico and Panama will be the first to do a preemptive strike against us. Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Washington and Oregon all belonged to Mexico before it ever belonged to the U.S. Even Russia ruled Washington and Oregon. They gave it to the U.S. when they left our country and also sold Alaska to us.
Shove it up his arse! Canadians aren't going to tolerate his bull crap. They already have a plan in place. And for those who voted for the orange haired baboon, I hope they like the high cost of heating their homes when Canada cuts off their fuel supply due to MAGA A-hole tariffs. And Canada is going to put heavy tariffs on Florida Orange Juice and anything else that comes out of Florida.
California will make big bucks on their orange juice and other fruit products. Canada will buy from California and France. Yes America will burn with high inflation prices worse than under President Joe Biden. Capitalist greed is going to get real bad. So for those of you who voted for your felon idiot, I hope you love the burn. You will all be crying. Prices higher than ever before!
Dunno if this is what you're thinking, but Trump criticized California for not following Finland's example and swept their forest floors. Does CA even have forests?
Yes California has forests. San Bernardino mountains has Big Bear National Forest. There is also Kings Canyon and the Redwood National Forests. You also have Mount Lassen National Forests in northern California. As well as Mount Whitney where Lake Tahoe divides California from Nevada. California is covered with many forests. But stupid Trump claiming they need to clean up their forest floors is a lie.
California forests are very well maintained and kept very clean. They have running water toilets in most campgrounds. Public sinks to wash your camping dishes. Proper places to dispose of your trash when camping. And places to get good clean running water for cooking and to drink. I am a native-born Californian. I have lived in Colorado for the past 22 years.
Thanks for that information. You must have been as puzzled over my comment as I was when my British SIL asked me if we had any trees in Pennsylvania. I've only been to the populated San Diego, La Jolla areas.
It seems like that may not be possible this time as they promise to get rid of government workers and replace them with know Trump lovers. I hope you succeed.
I hope when the MAGAS search for assistance from the incoming government and then discover none is coming, they do not question why it happened...they will know.
They will react with indignation and blame the wrong person, of course. There will be conspiracy theories abound.
Interesting to see today during Carter's funeral that Biden and Harris and their spouses sat as far away from the Trumps as possible. It looked as though the Clintons, and I think the Bushes, ignored him as well, but Barack Obama did reach out and talk to him before they arrived. Michelle Obama is not there.
My evangelical* republican* mom uses an interesting lens to view U.S. fortunes. When good things happen during a republican presidency, she praises the republican president. When bad things happen during a republican presidency, she blames "the government." When good things happen during a Democratic presidency, she is silent. When bad things happen during a Democratic presidency, she blames the Democratic president.
Both parties are garbage. They only care about themselves and their mega donors who support them. The hell with the everyday American citizens. We don't count except when they need our votes to hold a public office. I hate all of them.
Trump gets sentenced today for his 34 count felony charges in New York. All the sentencing will do is declare him a felon before his inauguration on January 20th. Big deal. I hope he does appeal his conviction to the 11 Circuit in New York. And hopefully those judges will throw the book at him. Make him pay fines and sentence him to jail to be served after his Presidency in 4 years is over. That is what is needed.
I hope I'm wrong, but I think you will be weeded out and swept away as easily as the air-traffic controllers were. There is a whole legion of "qualified", indoctrinated graduates from that archipelago of ersatz private right-wing "colleges" ready to take your place. Easier to do, since the law, the Constitution, and the courts will no longer be there to protect you. Again, hope I am wrong, but that's what unlimited power in the hands of a fascist tyrant means. Keep your powder dry and your resume handy.
If you don't own any firearms then get armed. Our Constitution allows us to own firearms. In fact every household in the U.S. is supposed to have at least four firearms at all times. Our founding Fathers put this clause in the Constitution so we can protect ourselves from any tyrant who rises to power or tries to rise to power and overthrow our government. And that includes any other nation who thinks they are going to try to invade us.
I refuse to participate in, or promote violence, its just not in my DNA. But I have and do advise that those who are in harm’s way and immediate danger to be armed as need be. This is a sample of when I think such a response is fully justified - [it’s in a broadside image on my fb page, but since images aren’t permitted here (as yet) this is the text:]
SLAVE-STATES WOMEN OF AMERICA
REFUSE TO LIVE IN A HAND-MAID’S TALE
— You Don’t Need Elections
— You Don’t Need Politicians
—You Don’t Need Government
IT’S ALL IN YOUR HANDS — YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF
—> Refuse to have sex with any man at any time, no matter who.*
—> Permanently relocate to a free-state, start a new life in freedom.**
—> Do one of the above until, unless your State Constitution gives you complete sovereignty over your own bodies, forever.
TAKE ONE OF THOSE ACTIONS AND IT’S GUARANTEED YOUR STATE WILL SOON TURN INTO A FREE STATE.
—————————————————————————
* Keep one gun in your purse and one under your pillow just to enforce your ‘Just Say No!’ policy.
**Insist on support from the free-states and women’s groups & organizations just to help get you resettled. Welcome to freedom!
— And no, it does not say elections are not important. It only says enslaved women can free themselves. Don’t wait for the next election!
You need to consider that Dark Ages typically last 1,000 years or more. At this point I wouldn't wager that's not what we're in for, Trump being a mere crossing of a threshold onto that stark landscape. It may be, as Asimov wrote, "We can't prevent the Dark Ages from happening, but perhaps we can shorten its length by a little.
Not paranoid at all. What you see, what it implies, is quite real. We spend a lot of time talking about "tactics of resistance", and little time on how easily those tactics can be swept away by a Mad King with unlimited power. "In the shadows" is equally correct. If one coldly considers what Trump has done, he really has done nothing, is not smart enough to do anything. All he did was demonstrate that you could make the private agenda of the Destructionists that has been running for more than 100 years, public. That there are enough reactive, gullible people around to grab power, and that democracy cannot protect itself from democracy. Those shadow figures, some of whom are know, many I suspect are not, are the smart ones who engineer the divisions and play 'We the People' against one another. Trump and his henchmen just carry out their agenda, which is a private part of the Destructionist's private agenda. So no, I don't think you are paranoid.
You are not simply being paranoid. I think most people, who are not Trump supporters, are very much aware of the very clear and present danger he poses to this country. I have thought the same things. I am not a gun owner, but I know some whom are and who are pro-gun rights. For the first time, I am afraid of them.
Don't be afraid of them. If a revolution starts there will be plenty of weapons laying out in the streets as they start shooting each other along with plenty of ammunition to be taken. I believe firmly in the 2nd Amendment. But like many people I don't own any firearms. But I have friends who do. And I know they will give me one if I need it. And I do know how to shoot. I served 4 years in the Marine Corps. I learned to fire and M-16, M-14 and a Colt 45 Calibur pistol. I served 30 days on guard duty. And I am considering very strongly of buying myself a pistol.
An interesting fact that the "responsible gun owners" like to keep hidden is that there are 4 times the number of annual gun deaths (40,000 to 10,000) than from all the criminals, mentally ill, mass and school shooters combined. More so, since there are remedies for that which don't go near the 2nd Amendment. What isn't said is as important to the Destructionists as any of the irrational, fake, stupid things they do say.
So glad you cited World Central Kitcen in the list of aid organizations. Chef José Andres, the founder and chairman, just received the Medal of Honor from Biden. It is an incredible organization
It's really sad that billionaires think they need still more money, and will do anything to get it. As one who lived in Santa Monica and surrounding areas for 36 years, I'm surprised to see Santa Ana winds at this time of year, and so very strong. I'm also hoping they die down quickly and the firefighters can get things under control.
Susan, this wind is unprecedented. I have lived in LA all of my 74 years and have never seen this kind of wind in January. Heat yes, windstorms no. And it hasn't rained appreciably since May. Not good.
I've been contacting cousins the past two days. One had to evacuate. President Biden is sending help and aerial help will be there when the winds die down. 🙏
My prayers will be with you and your family for their safety. I am sorry to hear your family is being effected by this. I have family in Riverside and Moreno Valley. The rest are in northern California. My sister had to evacuate when northern California was burning just two years ago. She lived up by Redding and Round Mountain area. My nephew had to help put out that forest fire that was the worst in California history. And it looks like this one is number 2.
Paula I lived in the area from 1952 through the end of 1988. I remember the winds being strong at the beginning of November, and sometime in the spring. I also know that your rainy season is November thru April, and can tell you that we are living through a drought also, in the Chihuahuan desert. Not fun. I have a sister who lives in Tujunga, and was concerned about fires in that area, but haven't heard anything about them there. My other sister's late husband grew up in Pacific Palisades, and I'm glad that he doesn't have to see the destruction there.
Even more amazing, they want more money but don’t want to spend. All Trump’s legal fees were paid by others who thought they were donating to a campaign!
The fires are horrifying! I hope that because it is happening under Biden that they get the help they need cause with Trumps hatred of Newsom I fear he would deny aid. The bully in chief will make life very difficult for every American who is not a billionaire kissing his disgusting ass
Exactly my thought too, Amanda. President Biden has announced 180 days of HUGE financial and other Aid and support for those affected by the fires - extending far beyond his Presidency because he too knows full well that frump will try to screw over California (as if everyone who lives there is a Democrat). Frump really is a know-nothing ninny who has NO knowledge of history, geography, topography, nor the remotest idea about Climate Change and just how badly IT has to do with these fires (as well as so many other so-called 'natural' disasters hitting the Planet, namely the huge increase in hurricane frequency and severity). Perhaps we Democrats (and other normals) begin to demand that he and his rich cohorts fix everything which will go wrong over these next few years...making enough stink about it he won't have TIME to enact his viciousness and revenge 'tour', he'll be whining so much about being blamed for 'stuff that's not my fault!'
I agree with you Susan. This time of year, you usually don't get Santa Ana winds. That's most common in the summer months. Those winds usually flow through Riverside and Corona.
Thank you, Mary for your service to us and reminding us what is important. Now going to make a donation to one of those organizations you listed. I’m not a billionaire but I do what I can to help those really in need!
I dumped those social media apps about 6 months ago. Blue Sky and Substack are good alternatives. Following Marc Elias, David Corn, Molly Fast-Jong, Mark Cuban, Rachel Maddow and Mary Trump Ali Velshi among others.
My Real Estate business was built using FB starting in 2011. I don’t know of any other platform that can replace it. Bluesky and Substack doesn’t have the same features. I’m searching and trying to find new creative options and open because I cannot support Meta.
I do fear that people who are leaving FB will be back on because that is where the majority of their friends and family are and won’t leave in big enough numbers to feel like they are staying in touch like they have on FB.
I've dumped Amazon. Life isn't so hard without it as many online retailers use delivery firms that get the stuff to me just as fast. I live without Prime now too. I've no shortage of other places I can get my movies from. And then (living in Britain) there's BBC iPlayer which has more entertainment than I could possibly enjoy. That's when I'm not engaged here or on Bluesky, reading knowledgeable, informed people like Heather Cox Richardson, Joyce Vance, Brian Philips, and many more.
What would be the consequences if half America, or indeed the Western world, dumped Amazon in favour of local and independent retailers (many of whom also have a 'shop' set up on Amazon as well, as insurance to remain in the game this last decade or so)? Maybe bending the knee may turn out not to have been such a good move after all.
Well Bezos is no longer with Amazon. He retired a couple of years ago. They have a new CEO. Those punks never learn. Most businesses never tell you who they support for fear of losing their customers and their business.
I left all over the years starting with FB in 2016. I believed they were partly responsible for Hillary’s loss. I left Twitter when Musk took over and Insta and Threads after the election. I used to post my art on Instagram and have not found a new home to sell my photos yet.
I've been intermittently backing up the content of my FB and IG accounts (in case Meta nixes them). I deactivated Twitter months ago and consider the 18-year-old account permanently closed. The only thing that's keeping me on IG and FB: I like to enter online contests (and win some pretty awesome stuff every few months)—contests that may only be entered on those platforms.
Meta's A.I. has ruined Instagram for contest entries, I will add. Most IG giveaways require a person to follow, like, and sometimes share a post; one has to tag 1+ people, to encourage engagement with the post. Over the past year, and particularly last six months: A.I. has been aggressively removing innocuous, neutral comments; slapping people's accounts with 72-hour action-blocks (unable to comment on posts = can't enter giveaways); lots of temporary suspensions (a "time out" for 1-4 days); frequent account suspensions requiring appeals and identity authentication. Some people have lost their accounts, permanently, when IG A.I. isn't satisfied during the appeal process. Businesses, non-profit agencies, people, and content creators: have lost years of content, their contacts, and irreplaceable work.
All because Meta and IG A.I. can't distinguish between spam, bot behaviour, authentic engagement, nor see recognizes a users' typical online conduct. The slightest... fart can lead to InstaJail these days. Punishments issued for doing as instructed: engaging responsibly.
Responsible users: punished for NO REASON but mistakes made by IG A.I. Responsible users who report fraudulent accounts or egregious conduct: let down when IG ignore reports or determine that content hasn't gone against Community Standards. The obviously fake, imposter, spammy, and love-bombing Nigerian scam accounts: permitted to remain on the platform, yet tagging two (consenting) friends in a post, to enter a giveaway = punished or threatened by Meta.
It's allegedly crept over to Facebook, too.
If more brands and businesses would shift to BlueSky, I'd permanently shut down my Meta accounts. For now, the thrill of entering or winning contests has me in its grip.
It is frightening to watch this country devolve into a cesspool of Profit over humanity, Wrong over Right, and Free Opinion over facts. It is all too close to the change which occurred in Nazi Germany. Nobody believed that they would be a victim, just as Hispanics could not imagine that despite voting for Trump they would be equally at risk for deportation. Nationalism and extremism if very dangerous and a huge threat to Democracy.
With due respect, I think it's part of America's mythology that they have not always been a country that values Profits over Humanity; your entire economic system is set up and policed this way. Far more so than in Scandinavia or even here (Canada) where social democracy has at least a strong hopefully expanding foothold. I wish it were not the case but it's present in your literature, history, myths, all of it, and in the founding documents too. "Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Property" was the original phrase in Adam Smith, supreme capitalist; and has been since at least Andrew Jackson and the Trail of Tears if not long before. It was a Revolution of landed propertied classes largely led by shopkeepers and owners, workers following along, and more radical worker-related voting was disallowed early on. So I think it's a mixed bag and has always been such. Some great rhetorical ideals, yet none ever lived up to it seems. Particularly now the Civil War aspects come back and the racism and white supremacy has been empowered. It is frightening to live beside this monstrous capitalist nation. F.S. Fitzgerald had it right, roughly paraphrased: "The Rich are very different from you and I". (The Great Gatsby).
Our great Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau (present PM Justin Trudeau’s father) famously said the following about the USA:
"Living next to you is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast, if I can call it that, one is affected by every twitch and grunt”
NO! The orange one will NEVER take over Canada - despite his fever dreams of thinking Canada is his for the taking. Neither is Greenland for sale OR Panama. The people who live there have something to say about their 'rule' and I know for a fact that Canadians would NEVER submit to fascist rule under frump.
You and me both, Bonnie. I wish I could move there as well - at least for the next 4 years, but I'm so in love with my home and I'm at an age where I'm tied to where all my previous fur babies lived and died, so feel honour bound to live out my days here. Fairly 'good' news today about frump NOT being able to avoid being the first CRIMINAL FELON to be inaugurated (if it still happens...we can always hope Karma intervenes) due to scotus finally ruling against the f*ckwit (pardon my french-been practicing in case we decided to become Quebecois (sp?), even temporarily). ;)
Although I was born in the U.S. and have, at times, felt pride in my home country, I realized in my adulthood that the story of America is a myth. Reality hit me hard when I worked for a man who was a citizen of the Choctaw nation. At my urging, he told me the story of his people without malice or bitterness. I was, and am, ashamed.
The reality is that white European invaders (not "settlers") stole land from the rightful indigenous owners by birthright spanning millennia. A handful of these new, illegitimate "landed gentry" decided to create a government that would protect their stolen land.
The three-branch, checks-and-balances structure allowed those revered "founding fathers" to create a chimerical story that would mollify the masses, fooling them into thinking they lived in a democracy where "all men are created equal."
What was hidden from view is that while all three branches might exert a check and balance on each other, they were all designed to promote and protect the assets of the wealthy.
Over a couple hundred years, the common folk have made some progress, but the built-in bias of the U.S. Government would never let commoners get ahead. Gerrymandering and the Electoral College would guarantee it.
There is an old movie called "Ellis Island" you should watch it. One thing you will learn is that the only thing that ever mattered in this country was wealth and power. If you didn't have money, you were nobody. Money is all this nation has ever been about. That movie was a real eye opener for me.
I guess if you have mountains of money, you don’t have to worry about shame, self-respect or honor. What are the lessers going to do? Attack your yachts?
Melania—yes, vapid indeed! Another pretty face bought in the Soviet Union. I simply cannot imagine how this elderly man can live his entire life without love: He neither loves nor is loved. And he is visibly faltering, yet no one seems to care. The whole world is forced to watch.
And his new best friend. Who I read was an illegal alien along with his brother. They moved to Canada from S. Africa and then to the US without proper papers. Will he expel them. Not as long as they have money'
In answer to your question? Yes. That prenup must be a b*tch. Any money she earns during the marriage will be the only money she gets, regardless of how many times he's cheated and refused to pay up. Putin must be so proud of his protege.
Based on Mary's first book, "Too Much—Never Enough": he's never known nor given authentic love. Temporarily abandoned (at a very young age) by his ill mother; raised in a toxic, dysfunctional dynamic where everything was transactional, among a pecking order of equally unloved siblings... he can't give or accept what he's never known or experienced. Tragic, with terrible consequences.
Mary has acknowledged that the paternal gene pool is riddled with dementia: her (great?) grandfather, paternal grandfather Aunt Maryanne, and great uncle John—all allegedly had or showed early onset dementia. And "the brakes are coming off" the Donald, now. Years of amphetamine abuse (Dexedrine?) don't help.
No offense to you Mary for your writing is beyond spot on. However when I read this my first thought was where is the barf bag for what I just read made me want to heave. These people are below the scum of the earth. Maybe it’s better I just go meditate and concentrate on my breath to stay present. I’m so sorry you have to write this but thanks for raising my awareness. Ooops gotta go! 🤢
How about these oligarchs finance some relief efforts? Fortunately, some of the victims are wealthy enough to rebuild. The trauma, however, cannot be measured or fixed with dollars.
Normally I would be offended at so many rich despicables taking advantage of your uncle … but he too is despicable. Still, these billionaires are either buying protection or entry. And no one to stop them. Congress, the courts, the machers—all lay supine, willing or not, before their teetering lord.
Yes indeed! I’m an old fart: I remember watching JFK and his wonderful “Ask not” speech—once government was supposed to help Americans, not the super rich who need no help at all.
Mary, the winds are dying down somewhat. They're still going to be here for a few days but they're not supposed to be nearly as strong. Thank you for caring about us. Our evacuation kits are always packed. I hope we won't need them. Many people I am connected with have lost their homes. The school my siblings went to has burned. We have lost iconic businesses and buildings. It's devastating. Thank goodness Biden is still president.
Dude bro bootlickers. Government workers like me will undermine Trump and his MAGAts from inside the government, just like we did during his first term. Thank you Mary for leading the resistance against your fascist uncle! https://democracydefender2025.substack.com/p/public-servant-democracy-defender-introduction
may you be successful! thank you!
I think this travesty has given us something to be incensed about. It may not be mindful, but it has certainly cleared MY fog! By the way, Mary, your writing gets better and better! Keep up the fight! Thank you.
This is an inappropriate link for this forum.
Please let us know how to help..until we leave the country and then from abroad.
Perhaps Canada will take pity on many of us who simply can't tolerate living under the dictates of the orange monster. Since they are now on his 'enemies' list, I'd hope they could build a real wall to keep out any magats. Canada is beautiful and he can take his '51st state' idea and shove it.
As a Canadian I can tell you that we would gladly welcome refugees from Trumps America. We know that you are the intelligent sensible and compassionate citizens that don’t deserve the horror that the Maga cult and the oligarchs unleashed and would be a great addition to our nation. We would also like to organize a swap. We will take you and America can have our Maple Maga. They’ve been a loud obnoxious angry pain in our ass since 2015!
He's not making any friends with his rhetoric and musings about taking over Canada, Mexico, Greenland, and the Panama Canal. That could earn us preemptive strike by one of those countries as a warning to stay away. It seems as though he's hell bent to get us into another war. He's poking sticks at a lot of bees nests. Even Bumble Bees sting when they sense danger.
This says it all: "Nobody wants to be Donald’s friend, obviously—all of his relationships are transactional."
Unfortunately, he's okay with that.
Mad Kings and fascist tyrants don't need friends. They require obedience, that's all. And a military to wave in the faces of their not-friends.
Which omits what Mary Trump tells us about him: that he's this ungrown TODDLER who still whines and demands LOVE from his subjects, all while feeling and giving none back. He has no idea what love is, but he craves being worshipped, this empty shell of a human monster. EVERYTHING he does is in the furtherance of being the center of attention (like a child) and 'proving' that 'they love me', all while shoving them all under the Bus (as his latest stunt in cutting them out of his 'party' shows, telling them their tickets are 'commemorative'. I know what I'D tell him he could do with his 'commemorative tickets' if I were braindead enough to be one of his cult followers. His ears would burn forever.
Except that this toddler's toy chest has just been filled with unlimited power, nuclear weapons, control over the status of the planet's climate, the most powerful military in history, the spread of deadly diseases and the right to commit mass negligent homicide, the liberty to sentence many millions of people to death by deportation, to kidnap their children, release dangerous criminals and put them back on the streets, to hollow out the minds of our children and replace them with fake history and dangerous misinformation, and to undue 300 years of our own history, no matter how imperfect it may be, and replace it with a fascist tyranny that may rule over a global Dark Ages that could last for 1,000 years or more. I don't think anyone's psychological profile of this Mad King really matters very much anymore. The Mad King has been crowned, and whatever you, or I, or anyone else have to tell him, or say about him, doesn't really matter anymore, does it?
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this little child of yours has just been handed the world and, as children sometimes do, has set about destroying it as fast as he can.
Not sure why he wants to take over them places, when he can't even help the ones that needed the help from a hurricane during his first term.
Mexico and Panama will be the first to do a preemptive strike against us. Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Washington and Oregon all belonged to Mexico before it ever belonged to the U.S. Even Russia ruled Washington and Oregon. They gave it to the U.S. when they left our country and also sold Alaska to us.
The kanuks will shove a hockey puck rite up madmans ass.
Unfortunately, they see we the people just sitting on our indifferent asses.
Some of us, at least. Those some of us, even asked for this. There is no forethought as to the consequences.
Shove it up his arse! Canadians aren't going to tolerate his bull crap. They already have a plan in place. And for those who voted for the orange haired baboon, I hope they like the high cost of heating their homes when Canada cuts off their fuel supply due to MAGA A-hole tariffs. And Canada is going to put heavy tariffs on Florida Orange Juice and anything else that comes out of Florida.
California will make big bucks on their orange juice and other fruit products. Canada will buy from California and France. Yes America will burn with high inflation prices worse than under President Joe Biden. Capitalist greed is going to get real bad. So for those of you who voted for your felon idiot, I hope you love the burn. You will all be crying. Prices higher than ever before!
I didn't know Finland has become a problem; I thought it was Greenland. Does Greenland know they've been demoted?
Dunno if this is what you're thinking, but Trump criticized California for not following Finland's example and swept their forest floors. Does CA even have forests?
Yes California has forests. San Bernardino mountains has Big Bear National Forest. There is also Kings Canyon and the Redwood National Forests. You also have Mount Lassen National Forests in northern California. As well as Mount Whitney where Lake Tahoe divides California from Nevada. California is covered with many forests. But stupid Trump claiming they need to clean up their forest floors is a lie.
California forests are very well maintained and kept very clean. They have running water toilets in most campgrounds. Public sinks to wash your camping dishes. Proper places to dispose of your trash when camping. And places to get good clean running water for cooking and to drink. I am a native-born Californian. I have lived in Colorado for the past 22 years.
Thanks for that information. You must have been as puzzled over my comment as I was when my British SIL asked me if we had any trees in Pennsylvania. I've only been to the populated San Diego, La Jolla areas.
Seriously? California has many forests. But you can't (and shouldn't) prevent fires by sweeping forest floors, which is an impossible task and Finland doesn't do it either. https://www.quora.com/Is-it-true-that-Norway-has-Sweepers-in-the-forest-to-rake-up-debris-to-prevent-forest-fires
No, not seriously. I was repeating what Trump claimed when he said CA should sweep their forest floors to prevent forest fires.
Where are you from?
Greenland belongs to Denmark. Was discovered by the Viking Lief Erickson.
Denmark is not going to give up Greenland.
Mea Culpa, you're right!!
Where in Canada is good place to go. I sure am interested.
Soon there will be no reason to go abroad.
It seems like that may not be possible this time as they promise to get rid of government workers and replace them with know Trump lovers. I hope you succeed.
I hope when the MAGAS search for assistance from the incoming government and then discover none is coming, they do not question why it happened...they will know.
They will react with indignation and blame the wrong person, of course. There will be conspiracy theories abound.
Interesting to see today during Carter's funeral that Biden and Harris and their spouses sat as far away from the Trumps as possible. It looked as though the Clintons, and I think the Bushes, ignored him as well, but Barack Obama did reach out and talk to him before they arrived. Michelle Obama is not there.
My evangelical* republican* mom uses an interesting lens to view U.S. fortunes. When good things happen during a republican presidency, she praises the republican president. When bad things happen during a republican presidency, she blames "the government." When good things happen during a Democratic presidency, she is silent. When bad things happen during a Democratic presidency, she blames the Democratic president.
*I long ago renounced and rejected both.
And all of us spend a lot of time blaming somebody, and very little time actually stopping the reasons we have for the blaming we do.
Speak for yourself (as you blame "all of us").
Both parties are garbage. They only care about themselves and their mega donors who support them. The hell with the everyday American citizens. We don't count except when they need our votes to hold a public office. I hate all of them.
The Trumps cannot even hold a candle to them
Trump gets sentenced today for his 34 count felony charges in New York. All the sentencing will do is declare him a felon before his inauguration on January 20th. Big deal. I hope he does appeal his conviction to the 11 Circuit in New York. And hopefully those judges will throw the book at him. Make him pay fines and sentence him to jail to be served after his Presidency in 4 years is over. That is what is needed.
If Donald the Convicted Felon can put off his going to prison, why can't anyone else?!? (I know, I know, just want to be onery this morning!)😊
Encouraging words. Thank you...
You have millions supporting you!
Take him down!
I don't think there will be a federal government the way we know it. It will be changed to the MFG
I hope I'm wrong, but I think you will be weeded out and swept away as easily as the air-traffic controllers were. There is a whole legion of "qualified", indoctrinated graduates from that archipelago of ersatz private right-wing "colleges" ready to take your place. Easier to do, since the law, the Constitution, and the courts will no longer be there to protect you. Again, hope I am wrong, but that's what unlimited power in the hands of a fascist tyrant means. Keep your powder dry and your resume handy.
If you don't own any firearms then get armed. Our Constitution allows us to own firearms. In fact every household in the U.S. is supposed to have at least four firearms at all times. Our founding Fathers put this clause in the Constitution so we can protect ourselves from any tyrant who rises to power or tries to rise to power and overthrow our government. And that includes any other nation who thinks they are going to try to invade us.
I refuse to participate in, or promote violence, its just not in my DNA. But I have and do advise that those who are in harm’s way and immediate danger to be armed as need be. This is a sample of when I think such a response is fully justified - [it’s in a broadside image on my fb page, but since images aren’t permitted here (as yet) this is the text:]
SLAVE-STATES WOMEN OF AMERICA
REFUSE TO LIVE IN A HAND-MAID’S TALE
— You Don’t Need Elections
— You Don’t Need Politicians
—You Don’t Need Government
IT’S ALL IN YOUR HANDS — YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF
—> Refuse to have sex with any man at any time, no matter who.*
—> Permanently relocate to a free-state, start a new life in freedom.**
—> Do one of the above until, unless your State Constitution gives you complete sovereignty over your own bodies, forever.
TAKE ONE OF THOSE ACTIONS AND IT’S GUARANTEED YOUR STATE WILL SOON TURN INTO A FREE STATE.
—————————————————————————
* Keep one gun in your purse and one under your pillow just to enforce your ‘Just Say No!’ policy.
**Insist on support from the free-states and women’s groups & organizations just to help get you resettled. Welcome to freedom!
— And no, it does not say elections are not important. It only says enslaved women can free themselves. Don’t wait for the next election!
Thank you! GS-9s to the rescue!
Hopefully, "He" doesn't take as long to Depose as it took to Eradicate Hitler. "Wolverines!"
You need to consider that Dark Ages typically last 1,000 years or more. At this point I wouldn't wager that's not what we're in for, Trump being a mere crossing of a threshold onto that stark landscape. It may be, as Asimov wrote, "We can't prevent the Dark Ages from happening, but perhaps we can shorten its length by a little.
Not paranoid at all. What you see, what it implies, is quite real. We spend a lot of time talking about "tactics of resistance", and little time on how easily those tactics can be swept away by a Mad King with unlimited power. "In the shadows" is equally correct. If one coldly considers what Trump has done, he really has done nothing, is not smart enough to do anything. All he did was demonstrate that you could make the private agenda of the Destructionists that has been running for more than 100 years, public. That there are enough reactive, gullible people around to grab power, and that democracy cannot protect itself from democracy. Those shadow figures, some of whom are know, many I suspect are not, are the smart ones who engineer the divisions and play 'We the People' against one another. Trump and his henchmen just carry out their agenda, which is a private part of the Destructionist's private agenda. So no, I don't think you are paranoid.
You are not simply being paranoid. I think most people, who are not Trump supporters, are very much aware of the very clear and present danger he poses to this country. I have thought the same things. I am not a gun owner, but I know some whom are and who are pro-gun rights. For the first time, I am afraid of them.
Don't be afraid of them. If a revolution starts there will be plenty of weapons laying out in the streets as they start shooting each other along with plenty of ammunition to be taken. I believe firmly in the 2nd Amendment. But like many people I don't own any firearms. But I have friends who do. And I know they will give me one if I need it. And I do know how to shoot. I served 4 years in the Marine Corps. I learned to fire and M-16, M-14 and a Colt 45 Calibur pistol. I served 30 days on guard duty. And I am considering very strongly of buying myself a pistol.
An interesting fact that the "responsible gun owners" like to keep hidden is that there are 4 times the number of annual gun deaths (40,000 to 10,000) than from all the criminals, mentally ill, mass and school shooters combined. More so, since there are remedies for that which don't go near the 2nd Amendment. What isn't said is as important to the Destructionists as any of the irrational, fake, stupid things they do say.
Mary, I think of you often. You have my total admiration and support. I’m very glad you are here.
Marys not enough!!!!!
Unless we mobilize and have anti trumph nationwide protests, its check mate Trumph!
So glad you cited World Central Kitcen in the list of aid organizations. Chef José Andres, the founder and chairman, just received the Medal of Honor from Biden. It is an incredible organization
You've mistaken the military decoration "Medal of Honor" for the non-military "Medal Of Freedom" !
Why must you soil an organization that has done untold good lead by a true humanitarian. This is really low.
It's really sad that billionaires think they need still more money, and will do anything to get it. As one who lived in Santa Monica and surrounding areas for 36 years, I'm surprised to see Santa Ana winds at this time of year, and so very strong. I'm also hoping they die down quickly and the firefighters can get things under control.
Susan, this wind is unprecedented. I have lived in LA all of my 74 years and have never seen this kind of wind in January. Heat yes, windstorms no. And it hasn't rained appreciably since May. Not good.
I've been contacting cousins the past two days. One had to evacuate. President Biden is sending help and aerial help will be there when the winds die down. 🙏
I hope they stay safe!
My prayers will be with you and your family for their safety. I am sorry to hear your family is being effected by this. I have family in Riverside and Moreno Valley. The rest are in northern California. My sister had to evacuate when northern California was burning just two years ago. She lived up by Redding and Round Mountain area. My nephew had to help put out that forest fire that was the worst in California history. And it looks like this one is number 2.
Paula I lived in the area from 1952 through the end of 1988. I remember the winds being strong at the beginning of November, and sometime in the spring. I also know that your rainy season is November thru April, and can tell you that we are living through a drought also, in the Chihuahuan desert. Not fun. I have a sister who lives in Tujunga, and was concerned about fires in that area, but haven't heard anything about them there. My other sister's late husband grew up in Pacific Palisades, and I'm glad that he doesn't have to see the destruction there.
You didn't happen to go to school in West LA, did you? I think I knew a Susie Stone.
I recall strong winds one December there that were unusual.
Wow! That is bad. And you usually don't get allot of heat this time of year either. It's just cool temperatures and maybe a light cool breeze.
I remember some January heatwaves though. Even February has occasionally been hot.
Even more amazing, they want more money but don’t want to spend. All Trump’s legal fees were paid by others who thought they were donating to a campaign!
Yep, wildfires in January? I can't recall that happening at anytime before on the continental US.
The fires are horrifying! I hope that because it is happening under Biden that they get the help they need cause with Trumps hatred of Newsom I fear he would deny aid. The bully in chief will make life very difficult for every American who is not a billionaire kissing his disgusting ass
Exactly my thought too, Amanda. President Biden has announced 180 days of HUGE financial and other Aid and support for those affected by the fires - extending far beyond his Presidency because he too knows full well that frump will try to screw over California (as if everyone who lives there is a Democrat). Frump really is a know-nothing ninny who has NO knowledge of history, geography, topography, nor the remotest idea about Climate Change and just how badly IT has to do with these fires (as well as so many other so-called 'natural' disasters hitting the Planet, namely the huge increase in hurricane frequency and severity). Perhaps we Democrats (and other normals) begin to demand that he and his rich cohorts fix everything which will go wrong over these next few years...making enough stink about it he won't have TIME to enact his viciousness and revenge 'tour', he'll be whining so much about being blamed for 'stuff that's not my fault!'
.
I agree with you Susan. This time of year, you usually don't get Santa Ana winds. That's most common in the summer months. Those winds usually flow through Riverside and Corona.
Thank you, Mary for your service to us and reminding us what is important. Now going to make a donation to one of those organizations you listed. I’m not a billionaire but I do what I can to help those really in need!
There is a movement to dump FB, Threads, Instagram and Twitter if you have not yet at noon on the 20th. They are saying Amazon as well
I dumped those social media apps about 6 months ago. Blue Sky and Substack are good alternatives. Following Marc Elias, David Corn, Molly Fast-Jong, Mark Cuban, Rachel Maddow and Mary Trump Ali Velshi among others.
Yes that’s what I’m going to do as well. Been wanting to dump FB for a while now
I’m encouraging everyone I still speak to, to come over to Substack.
I had planned to deactivate Twitter on the 20th, I couldn't wait and did it in December.
I’ve been off twitter for quite a while now.
I’m not on any of those sites except for instagram
My Real Estate business was built using FB starting in 2011. I don’t know of any other platform that can replace it. Bluesky and Substack doesn’t have the same features. I’m searching and trying to find new creative options and open because I cannot support Meta.
I do fear that people who are leaving FB will be back on because that is where the majority of their friends and family are and won’t leave in big enough numbers to feel like they are staying in touch like they have on FB.
I've dumped Amazon. Life isn't so hard without it as many online retailers use delivery firms that get the stuff to me just as fast. I live without Prime now too. I've no shortage of other places I can get my movies from. And then (living in Britain) there's BBC iPlayer which has more entertainment than I could possibly enjoy. That's when I'm not engaged here or on Bluesky, reading knowledgeable, informed people like Heather Cox Richardson, Joyce Vance, Brian Philips, and many more.
What would be the consequences if half America, or indeed the Western world, dumped Amazon in favour of local and independent retailers (many of whom also have a 'shop' set up on Amazon as well, as insurance to remain in the game this last decade or so)? Maybe bending the knee may turn out not to have been such a good move after all.
Well Bezos is no longer with Amazon. He retired a couple of years ago. They have a new CEO. Those punks never learn. Most businesses never tell you who they support for fear of losing their customers and their business.
Did it today. Cannot support sycophants that bow to a despot.
I left all over the years starting with FB in 2016. I believed they were partly responsible for Hillary’s loss. I left Twitter when Musk took over and Insta and Threads after the election. I used to post my art on Instagram and have not found a new home to sell my photos yet.
I've been intermittently backing up the content of my FB and IG accounts (in case Meta nixes them). I deactivated Twitter months ago and consider the 18-year-old account permanently closed. The only thing that's keeping me on IG and FB: I like to enter online contests (and win some pretty awesome stuff every few months)—contests that may only be entered on those platforms.
Meta's A.I. has ruined Instagram for contest entries, I will add. Most IG giveaways require a person to follow, like, and sometimes share a post; one has to tag 1+ people, to encourage engagement with the post. Over the past year, and particularly last six months: A.I. has been aggressively removing innocuous, neutral comments; slapping people's accounts with 72-hour action-blocks (unable to comment on posts = can't enter giveaways); lots of temporary suspensions (a "time out" for 1-4 days); frequent account suspensions requiring appeals and identity authentication. Some people have lost their accounts, permanently, when IG A.I. isn't satisfied during the appeal process. Businesses, non-profit agencies, people, and content creators: have lost years of content, their contacts, and irreplaceable work.
All because Meta and IG A.I. can't distinguish between spam, bot behaviour, authentic engagement, nor see recognizes a users' typical online conduct. The slightest... fart can lead to InstaJail these days. Punishments issued for doing as instructed: engaging responsibly.
Responsible users: punished for NO REASON but mistakes made by IG A.I. Responsible users who report fraudulent accounts or egregious conduct: let down when IG ignore reports or determine that content hasn't gone against Community Standards. The obviously fake, imposter, spammy, and love-bombing Nigerian scam accounts: permitted to remain on the platform, yet tagging two (consenting) friends in a post, to enter a giveaway = punished or threatened by Meta.
It's allegedly crept over to Facebook, too.
If more brands and businesses would shift to BlueSky, I'd permanently shut down my Meta accounts. For now, the thrill of entering or winning contests has me in its grip.
Lately since Bluesky I’m not on any Meta site anyway except messenger
I could t wait I did it already
It is frightening to watch this country devolve into a cesspool of Profit over humanity, Wrong over Right, and Free Opinion over facts. It is all too close to the change which occurred in Nazi Germany. Nobody believed that they would be a victim, just as Hispanics could not imagine that despite voting for Trump they would be equally at risk for deportation. Nationalism and extremism if very dangerous and a huge threat to Democracy.
With due respect, I think it's part of America's mythology that they have not always been a country that values Profits over Humanity; your entire economic system is set up and policed this way. Far more so than in Scandinavia or even here (Canada) where social democracy has at least a strong hopefully expanding foothold. I wish it were not the case but it's present in your literature, history, myths, all of it, and in the founding documents too. "Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Property" was the original phrase in Adam Smith, supreme capitalist; and has been since at least Andrew Jackson and the Trail of Tears if not long before. It was a Revolution of landed propertied classes largely led by shopkeepers and owners, workers following along, and more radical worker-related voting was disallowed early on. So I think it's a mixed bag and has always been such. Some great rhetorical ideals, yet none ever lived up to it seems. Particularly now the Civil War aspects come back and the racism and white supremacy has been empowered. It is frightening to live beside this monstrous capitalist nation. F.S. Fitzgerald had it right, roughly paraphrased: "The Rich are very different from you and I". (The Great Gatsby).
Our great Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau (present PM Justin Trudeau’s father) famously said the following about the USA:
"Living next to you is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast, if I can call it that, one is affected by every twitch and grunt”
PET would never ever have taken Trump’s guff.
Another famous Pierre-ism: when told that Nixon had regarded him as "an asshole", PET responded,
"I've been called worse things by better people."
I wish I could move to Canada.
You soon might without knowing it.
NO! The orange one will NEVER take over Canada - despite his fever dreams of thinking Canada is his for the taking. Neither is Greenland for sale OR Panama. The people who live there have something to say about their 'rule' and I know for a fact that Canadians would NEVER submit to fascist rule under frump.
I know that too. Canadians are not stupid people. They would never put up with the crap that our politicians dish out to us every stinking day.
You and me both, Bonnie. I wish I could move there as well - at least for the next 4 years, but I'm so in love with my home and I'm at an age where I'm tied to where all my previous fur babies lived and died, so feel honour bound to live out my days here. Fairly 'good' news today about frump NOT being able to avoid being the first CRIMINAL FELON to be inaugurated (if it still happens...we can always hope Karma intervenes) due to scotus finally ruling against the f*ckwit (pardon my french-been practicing in case we decided to become Quebecois (sp?), even temporarily). ;)
Although I was born in the U.S. and have, at times, felt pride in my home country, I realized in my adulthood that the story of America is a myth. Reality hit me hard when I worked for a man who was a citizen of the Choctaw nation. At my urging, he told me the story of his people without malice or bitterness. I was, and am, ashamed.
The reality is that white European invaders (not "settlers") stole land from the rightful indigenous owners by birthright spanning millennia. A handful of these new, illegitimate "landed gentry" decided to create a government that would protect their stolen land.
The three-branch, checks-and-balances structure allowed those revered "founding fathers" to create a chimerical story that would mollify the masses, fooling them into thinking they lived in a democracy where "all men are created equal."
What was hidden from view is that while all three branches might exert a check and balance on each other, they were all designed to promote and protect the assets of the wealthy.
Over a couple hundred years, the common folk have made some progress, but the built-in bias of the U.S. Government would never let commoners get ahead. Gerrymandering and the Electoral College would guarantee it.
It absolutely is!!
There is an old movie called "Ellis Island" you should watch it. One thing you will learn is that the only thing that ever mattered in this country was wealth and power. If you didn't have money, you were nobody. Money is all this nation has ever been about. That movie was a real eye opener for me.
I guess if you have mountains of money, you don’t have to worry about shame, self-respect or honor. What are the lessers going to do? Attack your yachts?
Stranger things have happened.
I have a pitchfork, and a torch.
Don't be surprised if they do.
Yes, that’s me—knife clenched in my teeth, scaling the ropes … avast, matey!
Melania—yes, vapid indeed! Another pretty face bought in the Soviet Union. I simply cannot imagine how this elderly man can live his entire life without love: He neither loves nor is loved. And he is visibly faltering, yet no one seems to care. The whole world is forced to watch.
DOES HIS HATRED OF IMMIGRANTS TAKING AMERICAN JOBS EXTEND TO HER?
Trump knows that there are some jobs that Americans just won't do. That's why 2/3 of his wives have been immigrants.
I wish substack response emoji included a laughing face! 😁
Use your keyboard
😂🤣
Yes, some things are truly beyond the pale, or, in this case, beyond the orange.
🤣😂
And his new best friend. Who I read was an illegal alien along with his brother. They moved to Canada from S. Africa and then to the US without proper papers. Will he expel them. Not as long as they have money'
His father was on breakfast TV in the UK yesterday. Sounded as batshit as his son.
E.M.'s mother is allegedly Canadian-born, and he has Canadian citizenship through her, by birthright. (ugh!)
Maybe his new Homeland Security boy will expel them. That's his job!
Melania doesn't work. She just spends Felon34+1's money on her whims.
Of course not, property has no voice.
In answer to your question? Yes. That prenup must be a b*tch. Any money she earns during the marriage will be the only money she gets, regardless of how many times he's cheated and refused to pay up. Putin must be so proud of his protege.
Oh, I would think so. If he can get her an income where she'd have to pay him alimony? You betcha. 😄😁😂😆
Based on Mary's first book, "Too Much—Never Enough": he's never known nor given authentic love. Temporarily abandoned (at a very young age) by his ill mother; raised in a toxic, dysfunctional dynamic where everything was transactional, among a pecking order of equally unloved siblings... he can't give or accept what he's never known or experienced. Tragic, with terrible consequences.
Mary has acknowledged that the paternal gene pool is riddled with dementia: her (great?) grandfather, paternal grandfather Aunt Maryanne, and great uncle John—all allegedly had or showed early onset dementia. And "the brakes are coming off" the Donald, now. Years of amphetamine abuse (Dexedrine?) don't help.
Thank you!
WAPO also killed an editorial cartoon depicting Bezos and others offering bags of money to Trump. So much for journalistic freedom!
No offense to you Mary for your writing is beyond spot on. However when I read this my first thought was where is the barf bag for what I just read made me want to heave. These people are below the scum of the earth. Maybe it’s better I just go meditate and concentrate on my breath to stay present. I’m so sorry you have to write this but thanks for raising my awareness. Ooops gotta go! 🤢
How about these oligarchs finance some relief efforts? Fortunately, some of the victims are wealthy enough to rebuild. The trauma, however, cannot be measured or fixed with dollars.
HOW DOES THAT BENEFIT THEM?
Philanthropy is for sucker's. (The modern billionaire's creed.)
Once again, Mary, you're here, helping us to navigate through the Insanity. Thank You, and will reStack ASAP 🙏💯👍
Normally I would be offended at so many rich despicables taking advantage of your uncle … but he too is despicable. Still, these billionaires are either buying protection or entry. And no one to stop them. Congress, the courts, the machers—all lay supine, willing or not, before their teetering lord.
They are taking advantage of our government for their own gain.
Yes indeed! I’m an old fart: I remember watching JFK and his wonderful “Ask not” speech—once government was supposed to help Americans, not the super rich who need no help at all.
Spineless fancy pants! You can’t call them “men."
Mary, the winds are dying down somewhat. They're still going to be here for a few days but they're not supposed to be nearly as strong. Thank you for caring about us. Our evacuation kits are always packed. I hope we won't need them. Many people I am connected with have lost their homes. The school my siblings went to has burned. We have lost iconic businesses and buildings. It's devastating. Thank goodness Biden is still president.