A woman holds a sign reading "That's exactly how it started back then" during a 1.4 million protest against the AfD party and right-wing extremism in front of the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. #NeverAgain
“The future of our democracy does not depend on the volume of its opponents, but on the strength of those who defend democracy,” German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a video statement. Those turning out to protest, he added, “defend our republic and our constitution against its enemies.”
Yes, that is a worrying sign for Germany, of ALL places. On the other hand, the UK seems to be getting ready to toss out the Tories after too many years of bad faith governance -- Brexit especially, comes to mind.
9/27/23 German authorities this month banned another neo-Nazi group, "Hammerskins Deutschland" with roots in the United States and raided the homes of 28 members after an investigation lasting more than a year in co-operation with U.S. officials.
It sounds like the AfD is skirting the Nazi law quite closely though, yet they seem like they think they're a legitimate political party. Sounds just like home!
I must say, it was nice to see all those people in the street for that purpose. Heartening. I'll be there next week...will be interesting to see how it is.
Separately, Germany's Constitutional Court said on Tuesday authorities could cut off state funding to the successor party to the far-right NPD even though it is not banned, in a ruling which fuels a debate about whether the AfD should be penalised.
I hope you’re feeling better Greg. DFG can’t even pronounce her name correctly! I wonder how she and many other MAGA politicians can sleep at night. I’m starting to have the same problems with sleep and just overall bad feelings about the election in November! But as you say We Shall Prevail!
Stefanik is an unabashed, nakedly aggressive careerist, looking out always for number one, herself. Right now she aspires to be Trump's VP on the assumption that she will be the real power in a second Trump Administration while he will be busy revenging and grifting. She also figures he's in such bad health she may ascend to the throne fairly soon. But she's wrong. Her act does not play well outside of MAGA circles and it doesn't play well outside the cozy confines of her white, rural, racist stuffed district. When she goes down with Trump in the Fall she will immediately turn her sights on the next NY Senate race, if not mounting a challenge to Kathy Hochul. Lee Zeldin and a few other NY Repubs may have something to say about that, but she will certainly not be going away. But on the bright side, like Zeldin, she'll be out of the House and easier to ignore.
She ran a well funded attack campaign against Tedra Cobb in 2019, a year when the Republicans poured millions into racist and sexist lie filled attacks (look at the ads John Katko ran against Dana Balter). It got both of them re-elected. I don't think she can win any state wide race in NY no matter what she thinks of herself. Either Hochul or Gillibrand will eat her for lunch, she has gone too far into the tank for Trump to be able to "tack to the center".
That said, if she's Trump's VP, he should hire a food taster and always sit with his back to the wall.
I hate it when you’re right, but you’re right. I lived in her district when she was first elected, in a district in which she had never lived or paid taxes. She didn’t move to the area till she married years later. She hasn’t held a town hall in years, doesn’t speak to the quickly diminishing local press. Upon close inspection, her fealty to Trump began when she realized it would win her district, and her strange loyalty to this über bully (she hates bullies) began with her spokesperson role on House Intel under Devin. She was given responsibility there in the GOP-led coverup of Russian collusion, and she shined. There has been no looking back, the ends justify the means, and yes, I believe she would kill me if it meant she consolidates power. She is rarely heals accountable because she is confident of her ability to talk herself out of a corner. Because media rarely senses her raw heartlessness. Thanks for calling her out. I’d continue watching her closely. She’s danger personified for us. For US. For U.S.
From what I understand, there is a burgeoning anti-Stefanik movement up in the north country. Not sure if they have the numbers to take her out, but let's hope so.
As you point out, she is good at presenting as a "normal" Republican. She's a shapeshifter. Dangerous.
Agreed. Many of the "Never Trump" republicans long looked to Stefanik as a normie that would be the future once trumpism passed into thje long goodnight (ha), and they reluctantly are late in their WTF reaction to her hard fork into insanity.
I am doubtful that she was ever that "moderate", but I believe she has always had these delusions of grandeur. Earlier this week she had a full throated pitch for the #2 position by saying out loud that she would do what Pence lacked the courage to do.
The only saving grace is that she presents as frumpy, and we know Trump likes the "out of central casting" glamour. Maybe her prostration will get over this hump. Who knows.
Rumor has it that the orange moron grabbed a steel railing outside in Iowa where the temperature was -5 degrees, and that leftover is frostbite. But it could just be tertiary syphilis too.
Is that true? Or did you just make it up? If true, it would be reminiscent of Pence touching the thing at NASA by he "do not touch" sign. Or Trump staring at the eclipse.
That's what I saw somewhere. I thought he ALWAYS wore gloves when he's going to get near the unwashed. Now I can't find anything online, but I saw frostbite somewhere. The conspiracies are still boiling. The Trump "team" said "paper cuts." Maybe it's Trump trying and failing to do stigmata?
Since we are living in an alternate reality, it would make sense to pick Stefanik. Smart and dangerous and the cult would approve. Then the voters would eye who the veeps are and it would be a mixed race woman and a lily white one who would be in charge soon enough. That’s put a whole new spin on it.
Love the analysis. I’m hoping that all the wannabe’s realize only one can make the VP spot so start eating each other and burning down the (GOP) house. Remember, they have no discipline and will start a, hopefully, fatal food fight
Has anyone noticed her eyes? Dead, black holes. Exactly where she would like all of us to be. I keep waiting for her humiliation to surface but I think she's a bottomless pit.
Before I read the part about the actuarial tables I started getting the horrible fear in my stomach that THIS is why she is sucking up to him. To be the first female President of the United States. Dear God help us now. I listened to your Podcast with Diana Spechler and your question about where we would move/flee if the worst happens. Was happy to hear Italy was one of her picks. And yes I am getting back on my Italian lessons. Today!
A woman holds a sign reading "That's exactly how it started back then" during a 1.4 million protest against the AfD party and right-wing extremism in front of the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. #NeverAgain
“The future of our democracy does not depend on the volume of its opponents, but on the strength of those who defend democracy,” German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a video statement. Those turning out to protest, he added, “defend our republic and our constitution against its enemies.”
Yes, that is a worrying sign for Germany, of ALL places. On the other hand, the UK seems to be getting ready to toss out the Tories after too many years of bad faith governance -- Brexit especially, comes to mind.
At least in Germany the Nazis are banned.
9/27/23 German authorities this month banned another neo-Nazi group, "Hammerskins Deutschland" with roots in the United States and raided the homes of 28 members after an investigation lasting more than a year in co-operation with U.S. officials.
It sounds like the AfD is skirting the Nazi law quite closely though, yet they seem like they think they're a legitimate political party. Sounds just like home!
Trump’s party aka GQP sadly, has far more power in our government.
Bye bye Tories!
David Cameron is an avid supporter of Ukraine.
I must say, it was nice to see all those people in the street for that purpose. Heartening. I'll be there next week...will be interesting to see how it is.
Separately, Germany's Constitutional Court said on Tuesday authorities could cut off state funding to the successor party to the far-right NPD even though it is not banned, in a ruling which fuels a debate about whether the AfD should be penalised.
Yes, 🎯 👌🏼 an emoji kind o' day ☕️... Thank You, Greg!
I'm all for emojis!
It takes a big man (or women) to admit being wrong. Thanks big guy. I hope you are wrong again. Billserle.com
I'm wrong all the time!
I hope you’re feeling better Greg. DFG can’t even pronounce her name correctly! I wonder how she and many other MAGA politicians can sleep at night. I’m starting to have the same problems with sleep and just overall bad feelings about the election in November! But as you say We Shall Prevail!
She sleeps like a baby, because she has no conscience.
I'm optimistic about the election, but it's important that people -- regular, uninformed people, not our community here -- understand what's at stake.
Stefanik is an unabashed, nakedly aggressive careerist, looking out always for number one, herself. Right now she aspires to be Trump's VP on the assumption that she will be the real power in a second Trump Administration while he will be busy revenging and grifting. She also figures he's in such bad health she may ascend to the throne fairly soon. But she's wrong. Her act does not play well outside of MAGA circles and it doesn't play well outside the cozy confines of her white, rural, racist stuffed district. When she goes down with Trump in the Fall she will immediately turn her sights on the next NY Senate race, if not mounting a challenge to Kathy Hochul. Lee Zeldin and a few other NY Repubs may have something to say about that, but she will certainly not be going away. But on the bright side, like Zeldin, she'll be out of the House and easier to ignore.
I 🙏🙏 that you are right!
I thought she'd fall in 2019. Like a cockroach, she's still around.
She can't win the governorship here. Never happening. She's big game hunting.
She ran a well funded attack campaign against Tedra Cobb in 2019, a year when the Republicans poured millions into racist and sexist lie filled attacks (look at the ads John Katko ran against Dana Balter). It got both of them re-elected. I don't think she can win any state wide race in NY no matter what she thinks of herself. Either Hochul or Gillibrand will eat her for lunch, she has gone too far into the tank for Trump to be able to "tack to the center".
That said, if she's Trump's VP, he should hire a food taster and always sit with his back to the wall.
BTW - I live in NY 22, right next door to both her and the equally odious Claudia Tenney.
I hate it when you’re right, but you’re right. I lived in her district when she was first elected, in a district in which she had never lived or paid taxes. She didn’t move to the area till she married years later. She hasn’t held a town hall in years, doesn’t speak to the quickly diminishing local press. Upon close inspection, her fealty to Trump began when she realized it would win her district, and her strange loyalty to this über bully (she hates bullies) began with her spokesperson role on House Intel under Devin. She was given responsibility there in the GOP-led coverup of Russian collusion, and she shined. There has been no looking back, the ends justify the means, and yes, I believe she would kill me if it meant she consolidates power. She is rarely heals accountable because she is confident of her ability to talk herself out of a corner. Because media rarely senses her raw heartlessness. Thanks for calling her out. I’d continue watching her closely. She’s danger personified for us. For US. For U.S.
From what I understand, there is a burgeoning anti-Stefanik movement up in the north country. Not sure if they have the numbers to take her out, but let's hope so.
As you point out, she is good at presenting as a "normal" Republican. She's a shapeshifter. Dangerous.
Agreed. Many of the "Never Trump" republicans long looked to Stefanik as a normie that would be the future once trumpism passed into thje long goodnight (ha), and they reluctantly are late in their WTF reaction to her hard fork into insanity.
I am doubtful that she was ever that "moderate", but I believe she has always had these delusions of grandeur. Earlier this week she had a full throated pitch for the #2 position by saying out loud that she would do what Pence lacked the courage to do.
The only saving grace is that she presents as frumpy, and we know Trump likes the "out of central casting" glamour. Maybe her prostration will get over this hump. Who knows.
You are right this time about an Elise Stefanik. She is one diabolical person. And seriously, what are those blisters on Trump’s right hand?
Rumor has it that the orange moron grabbed a steel railing outside in Iowa where the temperature was -5 degrees, and that leftover is frostbite. But it could just be tertiary syphilis too.
Is that true? Or did you just make it up? If true, it would be reminiscent of Pence touching the thing at NASA by he "do not touch" sign. Or Trump staring at the eclipse.
That's what I saw somewhere. I thought he ALWAYS wore gloves when he's going to get near the unwashed. Now I can't find anything online, but I saw frostbite somewhere. The conspiracies are still boiling. The Trump "team" said "paper cuts." Maybe it's Trump trying and failing to do stigmata?
I heard this too. However, if I were to touch metal in -5 degree weather, I would immediately let go. That's just me...
I'm not going to say what I think those blisters are from, but it ain't golf.
I have my suspicions too. I am a nurse…
You're being a little hard on Machiavelli.
Ha! That made me laugh out loud.
Since we are living in an alternate reality, it would make sense to pick Stefanik. Smart and dangerous and the cult would approve. Then the voters would eye who the veeps are and it would be a mixed race woman and a lily white one who would be in charge soon enough. That’s put a whole new spin on it.
Good point. I think the MAGA base would like for he VP to be a woman, so they can pretend that they aren't the party of forced birth and rape apology.
Yep, just saw a clip of the orange and standing behind him were Tim Scott, Vivek and Eric. See? They are so inclusive.
Truth - Trump is more 1999 Yeltsin than Hitler 2.0.
For these years, I've been seeing Trump as Mussolini, but Yeltsin is more accurate, which makes your take on "Stepanack" even more chilling.
He even looks like Yeltsin, right? Maybe like Boris and Benito combined.
Did he really call her that? I've been in covid haze. That's fantastic!
Ugh, a combo of Boris and Benito. I'm sick.
Here it is at about 2:30 in this video. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/rep-stefanik-says-trump-hasnt-131259901.html
But come on, he knows what he's doing, he's playing 5 dimensional chess with us.
Love the analysis. I’m hoping that all the wannabe’s realize only one can make the VP spot so start eating each other and burning down the (GOP) house. Remember, they have no discipline and will start a, hopefully, fatal food fight
That would be nice, yes: for the country, and also to watch.
I’ll bring the popcorn.
Great scribbling.
Mucho fun.
Thanks, Cal.
Has anyone noticed her eyes? Dead, black holes. Exactly where she would like all of us to be. I keep waiting for her humiliation to surface but I think she's a bottomless pit.
She has the eyes of someone who sold her soul for power. There's no one in there anymore, just pure evil.
So sad...
Agreed.
If you stare into them long enough you can see Our Dark Lord Satan having dinner.
That is exactly what I was thinking!
Yet.
Noem-Lewandosk
Lewandowski
(Auto correct)
I would have questions for an auto-correct that "corrects" anything to Lewandosk! 😂
Waiting for him to surface in 3, 2, 1.
Noem- Lewandowski
That crewcut Nazi even LOOKS the part! (Lewandowski, not Noem -- she's just a regular fräulein.)
Corey is the MAGA Pete Davidson.
Thought it read: Pete Williams, Dick Cheney's 'plant' at network news.
Before I read the part about the actuarial tables I started getting the horrible fear in my stomach that THIS is why she is sucking up to him. To be the first female President of the United States. Dear God help us now. I listened to your Podcast with Diana Spechler and your question about where we would move/flee if the worst happens. Was happy to hear Italy was one of her picks. And yes I am getting back on my Italian lessons. Today!
She is so obviously auditioning for the part, rather like Bill Barr auditioned to be AG. It's disgusting.
I don't think it will ever come to having to leave. But it's always good to be prepared...
But, but, but...she's so SHY when tourists file through the Capitol
https://twitter.com/PaulaMeanBean/status/1748883876150190520
[snicker]