Deep in the Pockets

Is violence inevitable?

 As the Trump administration continues to roughshod over our nation, some people in the media continue to use the phraseology of “Trump did this …” or “Trump did that … .” thereby creating the illusion that Trump is fully in charge. We are, therefore, misdirected by failing to recognize the coordinated attack, the result of decades of planning.

Why is this important?

Because the so-called “flood the zone” tactics are overwhelming our ability to respond. And, because the plutocrats, oligarchs and corrupt Republicans are so secure in their positions that they are now defying any sanction or court order trying to rein them in. Some have noted a quote attributed to Andrew Jackson, though it may be someone else, when he was a similar dictatorial president. In responding to a Supreme Court ruling that would have thwarted his genocide of the Cherokee people, he said, “John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it.”

The Trump administration is taking this approach, even in defiance of the GOP-owned Supreme Court. It’s already doing so in the mistaken deportation case. However, anticipate that this will be an outlier. SCOTUS will ultimately back this fascist regime.

It’s critical to understand this situation. Historically, the federal government’s Executive Branch has been tasked with enforcing a court ruling — often the U.S. Marshall’s service. Who runs the the Executive Branch? Yep. The oligarch-backed Trump administration that has already, as part of its tactics in place well before the 2024 election, appointed loyalists in key positions. In short, the administration can ignore court rulings without fear of enforcement.

In concert with this strategy, the Trump administration has employed other tactics. One is freezing or cutting off federal funds of the target entity. Another is lifting regulations and thus the guardrails protecting us from bad actors, such as removing rules of the Clean Air Act, for example. His minions and media friends have combined their efforts to attack the media by hassling those outlets that displease him. Further, as it rips government agencies out by their roots and purposely creating chaos to destroy them, the will of the oligarchy is fulfilled.

If things aren’t frightening enough, these right-wingers are anticipating, nay even spoiling, for violence. The administration and governor allies like Greg Abbott have lifted restrictions on gun ownership and freed members of hoc militias like the Proud Boys and other insurrectionists of the January 6 rehearsal. To thwart opposition in the 2026 mid-terms, there is continuing efforts to suppress voters.

This is bleak, made worse by the feckless leadership of the Democratic Party and its current failure to launch any meaningful opposition. All we see on social media is begging for more money from old guard Democratic organizations or individuals. The only legitimate fight now comes from the most progressive wing of the Democratic Party. Bernie Sanders joined with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in holding rallies across the country. These two are walking the talk. David Hogg, a survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre, is also taking action. He was elected vice chair of the Democratic National Committee a few months ago and he and his allies are working to unseat old guard Democrats, calling them old, ineffective and out-of-touch. Some of the old guard fear that shifting the party to the left is an existential threat but their embrace of some perceived middle ground clearly isn’t working.

So, where does this catalog of angst leave us? I know no one, especially those on the left saying it out loud, but how can this nation stop a fascist dictatorship without violence?

Trump and Abbott, in particular among fascist governors, are preaching violence. Remember how Abbott brandished firearms and suggested shooting journalists? Do you really think that was only performative? No, it was an open invitation. So, one question is how far can the anti-GOP rallies go before the faux-militias are unleashed?

Or, consider, with the top positions in the military, the Justice Department and elsewhere, how far is a bridge too far for the remaining staffers to show loyalty to their oaths to the Constitution and stage a military coup?

Even worse, what if these traitors in the nation want and are willing to foment a civil war?

Ask yourselves this: How much of a voter turnout and resultant victories will it take for the nation’s democracy to be restored and the traitors bought to justice?

Think about this between now and the upcoming mid-terms.

Jounalists are the last bulwark against fascism

It’s early Sunday morning and in the shadow of the White House Correspondents Association’s cowardice and after an initial scan of the news, some thoughts came to mind. As we know, words can be powerful, have meaning and consequences. All the reporting on Trump from any media not already captured by the right-wing power structure needs to change the way we/they’re writing about Trump. Instead of writing "Trump did xxxx," the phrasing should change to some form of this: “Trump, following the orders of his overlords did .…”

The same construction should be used with any administration official, including Elon Musk, as needed. Before you jump on me for being subjective and inaccurate, take into account these realities:

The “flooding the zone” executive orders were queued up well in advance of the 2024 election as part of Project 2525. Whether Trump lied that he knew about Project 2525 is irrelevant because the Heritage Foundation, the Federalist Society and ALEC had already done the heavy lifting.

The reason Trump won the 2016 election was not only the Democrats’ long-term fecklessness, but also because of the deals made to get Mike Pence on the ticket. This has been documented. Why wouldn’t a similar wash-rinse-repeat be far fetched?

It doesn’t matter if you believe Musk’s cybercrimed to steal the election. What we really need to know is how the Democratic Party leadership have failed the progressives of this country for 70 years.

While the WHCA fell over from a light verbal breeze from the White House, I know other journalists are working hard to protect the Fourth Estate — the one institution protected by the First Amendment. It’s no accident the Founders set up our Constitution this way. Looking at the political landscape now, the media and its brave practitioners are the last bulwark against a Fascist takeover of our country.unday morning and in the shadow of the White House Correspondents Association’s cowardice and after an initial scan of the news, some thoughts came to mind. As we know, words can be powerful, have meaning and consequences. All the reporting on Trump from any media not already captured by the right-wing power structure needs to change the way we/they’re writing about Trump. Instead of writing "Trump did xxxx," the phrasing should change to some form of this: “Trump, following the orders of his overlords did .…”

The same construction should be used with any administration official, including Elon Musk, as needed. Before you jump on me for being subjective and inaccurate, take into account these realities:

The “flooding the zone” executive orders were queued up well in advance of the 2024 election as part of Project 2525. Whether Trump lied that he knew about Project 2525 is irrelevant because the Heritage Foundation, the Federalist Society and ALEC had already done the heavy lifting.

The reason Trump won the 2016 election was not only the Democrats’ long-term fecklessness, but also because of the deals made to get Mike Pence on the ticket. This has been documented. Why wouldn’t a similar wash-rinse-repeat be far fetched?

It doesn’t matter if you believe Musk’s cybercrimed to steal the election. What we really need to know is how the Democratic Party leadership have failed the progressives of this country for 70 years.

While the WHCA fell over from a light verbal breeze from the White House, I know other journalists are working hard to protect the Fourth Estate — the one institution protected by the First Amendment. It’s no accident the Founders set up our Constitution this way. Looking at the political landscape now, the media and its brave practitioners are the last bulwark against a Fascist takeover of our country.