Believe all women! Senators Hirono, Gillibrand, and Duckworth were so brave to take down predator Pete. Female government workers like me will also resist Trump's MAGA Christofascism: democracydefender2025.s…
''This is the problem though: If Donald Trump is the standard by which everybody else is judged, by definition nobody can be unqualified. The standards have been set so low that the bar currently resides at the molten core of the earth.''
Some folks would call that hell. I would tend to agree.
He needs his kind around him. And anyone who dares think they are better - Joni Ernst, defender of warrior women who have been sexually assaulted- will cower in fear and relinquish any dignity they ever had.
I think she really is afraid. She showed her reluctance in December and was worked over.
I have been put in some tough spots in my career and my response was to continue to do what's right even if I lost my job, but everyone is not built the same.
Broken manifests itself differently for each and every one of us. I'm disappointed in her, but I pity her as well.
I was always awed by the immensity of the next task placed before me. Yes even afraid. But it made me always go back to the basics of what I know how to do in my sleep. Apply the Scientific process, come up with alternatives for action, see who wants to play which alternative, form the team and go at it without holding back. Make sure you have the best team possible. Don't give a inch, unless it's part of the plan. In Battle, yes there are many forms of battle during implementation. In Battle refer to the best advice of Strategic Warlords of the past while adapting them to the current context. I have fought many such battles in my lifetime...all successful, because I go back to basics, and get very creative on the basis of the context. Being afraid helps.
That's the thing; he is too arrogant to be afraid. He is vulnerable to suggestion by those with a separate agenda without the critical thinking skills to be able to decide whether what he's being told is true or not. If he doesn't read his briefings, how is he informed enough to make important decisions? I doubt anyone would have voted for him if they knew about his lack of regard for the immense amount of responsibility his position implies. If he were a Democrat, they would skewer him worse than they did Clinton and Obama, and they weren't even incompetent.
Sandy, the challenge, Republicans for the past say 50 years are given a free pass to be jerks, ignorant, inept, and they are. Trump is a lazy incompetent criminal and has been given a free pass on all three, well because he is Republican, has a loud mouth and expresses the kind of racism and misogyny a lot of Americans have come to know and love. That's also given a really big free pass which is why so many Republicans are caught not doing their jobs in Washington, lie incessantly, try hard to pass bills that are at heart racist and misogynistic, even xenophobic, and of course, they are very often incompetent. That is quite a challenge for all of us!
And that is his biggest weakness, and our biggest Challenge. I grew up having to deal with bullies. I learned quickly, after being pounded into the ground a few times. When I learned that they are not afraid, I changed my approach.
No Dennis, I didn't. I never really had that feeling again after that phase of my childhood. I had/have found another way to deal with bullies. But I did feel some confusion and stress. Are so many of my country persons so hurt and aggrieved that they have checked out of, what I consider, reality?
I mentioned Joni Ernst being "worked over". Who knows how that manifested in her work environment? MAGA don't look at women as their equals. I can't imagine what was said to her. She's already been a victim of sexual assault.
I've been in hostile work environments where people have come into my office, pounded the desk and dropped eff bombs. I've been stalked and hunted down.
So again, I take your point, but some times other steps have to be taken to either get along or just survive.
Your saying half of the 77.3 million people that voted Trump which are men, "don't look at women as their equals?" What qualifies you to make such a preposterous assertion?
Yes, Sera. Your point is well taken, because I have not consciously been in those situations before. The context in which my methodology has worked for me has never been victimhood, except for the bullying I experienced so often as a child growing up. When you move around the world as a kid as much as I did, the next bully is just 6 to 12 months away. And, for sure, I hadn't even heard of my method then. I can't even remember right now how I dealt with it.
I know you are an ally because you are open to consider another perspective.
None of us want to be victims, but it happens. It's life.
The best part of us is that we empathize and can give grace to those who we don't agree with.
I'd have shucked the Republican affiliation long before it became MAGA, but Senator Ernst made a bed she now has to lie in. I suspect that bed will be on fire when Hegseth unleashes the military on civilians.
Considering the worst possible outcomes should always be part of decisions that affect an entire nation. But what would I know?
Sera Bella, I am sorry I can't pity Ernst. She was a military person who had to face the toughness of our military training etc. She should have the guts to face an inept, ignorant old man who blusters and bellows, but is really nothing. If she is so fearful, why did she not get the FBI involved or some other law enforcement to track down anyone who is threatening her? She could have reported Trump. It may not have fixed things, but at least some people would know what was being done to her and wonder if those same a-holes were doing it to any other senators. That is a crime and the perpetrators need to be in jail. I get it that Republicans are pushed to have absolutely no courage, but they don't have to capitulate, not even to Toddler-Trump.
I respect your view. Being in the military does not necessarily translate to being morally tough. People capitulate for a lot of reasons, in fact, I remember my military sisters reminding me the majority of people are weak. I'm not here to defend her. I just think her decision making shows she is broken.
AND I can relate to being in a male dominated environment with men who didn't respect verbal nor physical boundaries.
Again, I made different choices. As a person who defended personal rights, I can't condemn people from making different ones from myself.
We can't operate in what should be when we have a convicted at the top and every Republican supports him. Tell me what that says about who she is surrounded by? Let me be clear, I've been there - hunted down, stalked, it's scary. Neither of us knows what would happen to her if she took that kind of stand. Republicans who have stood up, got death threats. Adam Kinzinger comes to mind. It is always easy to look at others and say what they should do, but that's them and perhaps their life on the line. It is that personal.
I have found out who I am in moments of pressure. I worked in a field (aerospace) where people's lives were on the line and when it came to doing what was right, I chose to do what was right and I lost. I had no idea who I was until I was faced with that option.
We now live in an unapologetic patriarchy. The cost is always financial for women. That said, now, it is literally physically dangerous to exist in certain states. Compound that with male dominated work spaces. Things can be said. Threats can be made. With no accountability. Just like with our president.
SHE Abdicated Her Responsibility, Both To ALL Women And ALL Members Of The Military. The GOP Are COMPLICIT In Selling Out OUR COUNTRY And OUR DEMOCRACY.
Sera Bella, Trump "broke" Ernst, but she permitted it. She was literally the warrior and Trump the draft dodger, but she capitulated. That is nuts! Absolutely no courage among Republicans in office! Shameful, but Repubs have no shame, just a lot of lies and the expected racism and misogyny which they make sure are on full view at all times.
She is then, incredibly weak. I cannot imagine giving in. For what? 6 more years in WTF job? She could consult, do a dozen other things. Is “power” really THIS intoxicating?? I just don’t get it.
Funny that you mentioned hell; weather on his inauguration day is supposed to be one of the coldest in history, offering gusty winds with a high of 20 degrees, so literally, it will freeze over.
One thing to remember: the length of tenure of any of Trump’s appointees tends to be very short, so we can hope Trump 2.0 is marred by constant churn and turn-over, all of which keep Project 2025 from being implementing it’s anti-democratic measures in its full evilness. The Republicans are running through Trump’s nominees like they were forced to run through multiple Speaker of the House races. Even if nominated, Pete Hegseth is so spectacularly unqualified for his position, it won’t take him three weeks to be hitting the bottle, while the resultant drunkenness makes its way known publicly. Pete won’t last and it will be onto the next, completely unsuitable nominee. I hate it, but that’s the way the next 4++_ years are going to go…
These Democratic women senators showed courage for sure, but sadly they did not bring Pete Hegseth down, thanks to the critical mass of numb and malevolent GOP senators, gender notwithstanding.
I have always hated Biden for his role in that!!! I was FURIOUS when Obama chose him as VP, but as a New Yorker who has watched Trump fuck over everyone he can, I voted for Obama and Joe twice! But Joe not honoring his promise to be a one term President is what got us Trump 2! I will never look kindly on Joe again!!!!
Maybe so, but that exemplar of judicial integrity, dear Clarence, has some tough competition on this same current selection of justices for the “Worst if All Time” world record.
Let our reactions be calm and reasonable. Those who are manipulating are doing it to cause chaos and confusion. If the elephant and donkey "mated" to give birth to a porcupine with accusatory fingers, it is because incendiary agitators who want to capitalize on fear and anger want to profit from it. Hang on to your peace and your pocketbook.
Good advice, Bob. I've been feeling so hopeless and depressed, I have become virtually immobilized. THIS IS THE GOAL...once we are too demoralized to fight back, the bulldozers will come out and finish the job.
Be the salt of the earth. Admonish first, let accusation be the last resort. Just because they use vinegar doesn't mean we have to. We can make the pickle jar sweeter by using less acid.
What? Take down? If all goes as predicted, he is going to be confirmed. That's no take-down. All women? What about Jodi Ernst? She might be the deciding vote. Or in the House Marjorie Taylor Green? Lauren Boebert? Nancy Mace? And of course Elise Stefanik? These women are absolutely poisonous. I have hopped off my high horse about women in politics. That they are the saviours from men who are ruining our country. No, women can be just as bad.
Believe all women! Senators Hirono, Gillibrand, and Duckworth were so brave to take down predator Pete. Female government workers like me will also resist Trump's MAGA Christofascism: https://democracydefender2025.substack.com/p/the-resistance-is-strong-and-deep
- Pulled Quote -
''This is the problem though: If Donald Trump is the standard by which everybody else is judged, by definition nobody can be unqualified. The standards have been set so low that the bar currently resides at the molten core of the earth.''
Some folks would call that hell. I would tend to agree.
Lowest bar ever
Ban this spam.
No bar actually
Clancy's Bar.
Gregg, we don't know which bar is Bondi's but I know it ain
't high or even if she is.
Sad, but true.
chuckle
He needs his kind around him. And anyone who dares think they are better - Joni Ernst, defender of warrior women who have been sexually assaulted- will cower in fear and relinquish any dignity they ever had.
He broke her.
Swear to god - how does she (and others like her) sleep at night?
I think she really is afraid. She showed her reluctance in December and was worked over.
I have been put in some tough spots in my career and my response was to continue to do what's right even if I lost my job, but everyone is not built the same.
Broken manifests itself differently for each and every one of us. I'm disappointed in her, but I pity her as well.
I was always awed by the immensity of the next task placed before me. Yes even afraid. But it made me always go back to the basics of what I know how to do in my sleep. Apply the Scientific process, come up with alternatives for action, see who wants to play which alternative, form the team and go at it without holding back. Make sure you have the best team possible. Don't give a inch, unless it's part of the plan. In Battle, yes there are many forms of battle during implementation. In Battle refer to the best advice of Strategic Warlords of the past while adapting them to the current context. I have fought many such battles in my lifetime...all successful, because I go back to basics, and get very creative on the basis of the context. Being afraid helps.
That's the thing; he is too arrogant to be afraid. He is vulnerable to suggestion by those with a separate agenda without the critical thinking skills to be able to decide whether what he's being told is true or not. If he doesn't read his briefings, how is he informed enough to make important decisions? I doubt anyone would have voted for him if they knew about his lack of regard for the immense amount of responsibility his position implies. If he were a Democrat, they would skewer him worse than they did Clinton and Obama, and they weren't even incompetent.
EXACTLY!
Sandy, the challenge, Republicans for the past say 50 years are given a free pass to be jerks, ignorant, inept, and they are. Trump is a lazy incompetent criminal and has been given a free pass on all three, well because he is Republican, has a loud mouth and expresses the kind of racism and misogyny a lot of Americans have come to know and love. That's also given a really big free pass which is why so many Republicans are caught not doing their jobs in Washington, lie incessantly, try hard to pass bills that are at heart racist and misogynistic, even xenophobic, and of course, they are very often incompetent. That is quite a challenge for all of us!
And that is his biggest weakness, and our biggest Challenge. I grew up having to deal with bullies. I learned quickly, after being pounded into the ground a few times. When I learned that they are not afraid, I changed my approach.
That "pounding into the ground" your so familiar with? Did you have a reoccurrence of that feeling on Nov 5 2024? A flashback?
No Dennis, I didn't. I never really had that feeling again after that phase of my childhood. I had/have found another way to deal with bullies. But I did feel some confusion and stress. Are so many of my country persons so hurt and aggrieved that they have checked out of, what I consider, reality?
What did you feel or think?
I told the man with his boot on my neck I don't care if you kill me or something else kills me I am leaving you.
That "boot on your neck" feeling your so familiar with? Did you have a reoccurrence of that feeling on Nov 5 2024? A flashback?
I like your methodology.
I mentioned Joni Ernst being "worked over". Who knows how that manifested in her work environment? MAGA don't look at women as their equals. I can't imagine what was said to her. She's already been a victim of sexual assault.
I've been in hostile work environments where people have come into my office, pounded the desk and dropped eff bombs. I've been stalked and hunted down.
So again, I take your point, but some times other steps have to be taken to either get along or just survive.
Your saying half of the 77.3 million people that voted Trump which are men, "don't look at women as their equals?" What qualifies you to make such a preposterous assertion?
What qualifies you to ask her that! You apparently are one of the miscreants mysogonist
just like your organge POS
Thanks, Terri. I just couldn't be asked responding.
Cuz if you don't know that MAGA (male or female) doesn't see women as equals...
Yes, Sera. Your point is well taken, because I have not consciously been in those situations before. The context in which my methodology has worked for me has never been victimhood, except for the bullying I experienced so often as a child growing up. When you move around the world as a kid as much as I did, the next bully is just 6 to 12 months away. And, for sure, I hadn't even heard of my method then. I can't even remember right now how I dealt with it.
I know you are an ally because you are open to consider another perspective.
None of us want to be victims, but it happens. It's life.
The best part of us is that we empathize and can give grace to those who we don't agree with.
I'd have shucked the Republican affiliation long before it became MAGA, but Senator Ernst made a bed she now has to lie in. I suspect that bed will be on fire when Hegseth unleashes the military on civilians.
Considering the worst possible outcomes should always be part of decisions that affect an entire nation. But what would I know?
It seems...a lot
Sera Bella, I am sorry I can't pity Ernst. She was a military person who had to face the toughness of our military training etc. She should have the guts to face an inept, ignorant old man who blusters and bellows, but is really nothing. If she is so fearful, why did she not get the FBI involved or some other law enforcement to track down anyone who is threatening her? She could have reported Trump. It may not have fixed things, but at least some people would know what was being done to her and wonder if those same a-holes were doing it to any other senators. That is a crime and the perpetrators need to be in jail. I get it that Republicans are pushed to have absolutely no courage, but they don't have to capitulate, not even to Toddler-Trump.
I respect your view. Being in the military does not necessarily translate to being morally tough. People capitulate for a lot of reasons, in fact, I remember my military sisters reminding me the majority of people are weak. I'm not here to defend her. I just think her decision making shows she is broken.
AND I can relate to being in a male dominated environment with men who didn't respect verbal nor physical boundaries.
Again, I made different choices. As a person who defended personal rights, I can't condemn people from making different ones from myself.
The burden is higher - or should be- for our elected officials who swear an oath.
We can't operate in what should be when we have a convicted at the top and every Republican supports him. Tell me what that says about who she is surrounded by? Let me be clear, I've been there - hunted down, stalked, it's scary. Neither of us knows what would happen to her if she took that kind of stand. Republicans who have stood up, got death threats. Adam Kinzinger comes to mind. It is always easy to look at others and say what they should do, but that's them and perhaps their life on the line. It is that personal.
I have found out who I am in moments of pressure. I worked in a field (aerospace) where people's lives were on the line and when it came to doing what was right, I chose to do what was right and I lost. I had no idea who I was until I was faced with that option.
We now live in an unapologetic patriarchy. The cost is always financial for women. That said, now, it is literally physically dangerous to exist in certain states. Compound that with male dominated work spaces. Things can be said. Threats can be made. With no accountability. Just like with our president.
I don't pity her! She has brought this on herself. So whatever happens to her happens!
She's all about keeping her job. That's it.
Yes, same with Susan Collins. Totally worthless.
i don't think they let it bother them. or it'd be damn the torpedoes. full speed ahead and sink em.
SHE Abdicated Her Responsibility, Both To ALL Women And ALL Members Of The Military. The GOP Are COMPLICIT In Selling Out OUR COUNTRY And OUR DEMOCRACY.
Sera Bella, Trump "broke" Ernst, but she permitted it. She was literally the warrior and Trump the draft dodger, but she capitulated. That is nuts! Absolutely no courage among Republicans in office! Shameful, but Repubs have no shame, just a lot of lies and the expected racism and misogyny which they make sure are on full view at all times.
She is then, incredibly weak. I cannot imagine giving in. For what? 6 more years in WTF job? She could consult, do a dozen other things. Is “power” really THIS intoxicating?? I just don’t get it.
And demoralized all of us
Great analogy
Funny that you mentioned hell; weather on his inauguration day is supposed to be one of the coldest in history, offering gusty winds with a high of 20 degrees, so literally, it will freeze over.
Indeed, but the thaw is coming, is it not?
Indeed.
I’d have to agree also.
🙏🔥🙏
One thing to remember: the length of tenure of any of Trump’s appointees tends to be very short, so we can hope Trump 2.0 is marred by constant churn and turn-over, all of which keep Project 2025 from being implementing it’s anti-democratic measures in its full evilness. The Republicans are running through Trump’s nominees like they were forced to run through multiple Speaker of the House races. Even if nominated, Pete Hegseth is so spectacularly unqualified for his position, it won’t take him three weeks to be hitting the bottle, while the resultant drunkenness makes its way known publicly. Pete won’t last and it will be onto the next, completely unsuitable nominee. I hate it, but that’s the way the next 4++_ years are going to go…
Indeed.
These Democratic women senators showed courage for sure, but sadly they did not bring Pete Hegseth down, thanks to the critical mass of numb and malevolent GOP senators, gender notwithstanding.
It's the same dynamic that sunk Anita Hill and left us with that creep Clarence Thomas the most unqualified person to ever sit on the high court.
I have always hated Biden for his role in that!!! I was FURIOUS when Obama chose him as VP, but as a New Yorker who has watched Trump fuck over everyone he can, I voted for Obama and Joe twice! But Joe not honoring his promise to be a one term President is what got us Trump 2! I will never look kindly on Joe again!!!!
Maybe so, but that exemplar of judicial integrity, dear Clarence, has some tough competition on this same current selection of justices for the “Worst if All Time” world record.
They we're out numbered, why even be there, they have no say anyway. It's all a joke
But then again we must resist or all is lost.
Let our reactions be calm and reasonable. Those who are manipulating are doing it to cause chaos and confusion. If the elephant and donkey "mated" to give birth to a porcupine with accusatory fingers, it is because incendiary agitators who want to capitalize on fear and anger want to profit from it. Hang on to your peace and your pocketbook.
Good advice, Bob. I've been feeling so hopeless and depressed, I have become virtually immobilized. THIS IS THE GOAL...once we are too demoralized to fight back, the bulldozers will come out and finish the job.
Be the salt of the earth. Admonish first, let accusation be the last resort. Just because they use vinegar doesn't mean we have to. We can make the pickle jar sweeter by using less acid.
Bob Tenaglio, I’m enjoying your use of analogies. Feeling better. Thanks.
Paula - Breathing deeply, gaining strength from you, Bob, & others.
Take him down? Isn't he confirmed?
Pete has reached the required 51, stated by senate majority leader Thune. Can't wait to see this American hero in action!
What? Take down? If all goes as predicted, he is going to be confirmed. That's no take-down. All women? What about Jodi Ernst? She might be the deciding vote. Or in the House Marjorie Taylor Green? Lauren Boebert? Nancy Mace? And of course Elise Stefanik? These women are absolutely poisonous. I have hopped off my high horse about women in politics. That they are the saviours from men who are ruining our country. No, women can be just as bad.
Never fear, his illustrious leader will tell him exactly what to do and how to do it.
Tysm!
MP!