This is a detailed and concise breakdown of how the day happened. It is valuable information to have. I’ve created a file to keep each of these types of articles, both online and printed, so there is a historical record.
I did miss your voice though. You have been writing in your own voice and adding your thoughts to your reporting for some time. It’s not here and I miss it. If this is a conscious decision for self-preservation I fully understand that. We are all in for, at least, a horrible four years. Barring an attack by space aliens - which might be preferable to what awaits us. Well, those of us who value what America could be are in for it. The fascists are giddy and will grow even more so with every person they hurt (which, according to president musk, includes me). Those of us not evilangelicals, fascists or cruel bastards are in for it. So, I definitely understand self-preservation during these horrible, tumultuous years. No judgement here.
Thank you, Kasumii. I also strongly agree that we need analysis and insight. Birthright citizenship is protected in the Constitution, for example. That's why the ACLU is suing. People need to understand that many of Trump's executive orders are illegal, not just morally and ethically repugnant. And this will be a big problem going forward given that our new president is a convicted felon and adjudicated rapist with a clear disregard for the law. Please be sure to help your readers understand the difference between a bad idea and one that's against the law. It is essential to our protection of democracy.
Exactly this - “People need to understand that many of trump’s executive orders are illegal, not just morally and ethically repugnant”. All three factors need to be reported on.
Not shouted about incoherently as if standing on a street corner but reported on and discussed. Those of us not journalists can find ways to speak up, to act in ways that resist normalizing all of this.
Why? Because what you call something matters. Words matter. Actions matter.
So many are reporting on him, his words and actions as though he’s normal. As though it’s all just our new Prez doing his job. I fully realize he won the election but that does not make him or the Republican Party normal. They. Are. Fascists. They are instituting a fascist takeover of our entire government. (Need proof beyond what you’re seeing happen? Read Project 2025.) None of this is normal. Unless, and maybe I’m the only one not seeing this, everyone has decided fascism is the way to go?
He has zero problem with being a convicted felon and sexual predator. Why? Because no one in our justice system ever held him legally accountable. Same for being a traitor and seditionist. Why would he care? No one made him legally pay for his actions, not even trying to overthrow our government in a violent manner. In fact, he was amply rewarded for being all of those things - now he gets to overthrow our government and destabilize the world while sitting in the White House.
When people stop calling it what it is is when it will become our new normal. And by people I mean all of us, not only journalists. All of us.
Well done. As to you remaining unbiased I do have a couple of objections to your verbiage. 1) There were irregularities with the 2020 election. These have been documented. Whether they ultimately had a significant impact on the results will most likely never be known. 2) How do you know the released hostages and families of still captured hostages were “forced” to stand behind Trump and applaud? The words “false” and “forced” are indicative of judgement and prejudice. Your synopsis would have been more unbiased without their use.
I'm a huge fan, but you made an uncharacteristic error in describing Admiral Linda Fagin as Commandant of the Marine Corps. She was the Commandant of the Coast Guard--quite a difference! I would be happy to see the current Commandant, Gen. Eric Smith, unhorsed as well. He and his predecessor, Gen. Berger, have done more to damage the combat readiness and global expeditionary capability of the Marine Corps than any enemy could possibly do with their pursuit of an ill-conceived reorganizatio of the Corps into littoral regiments utterly dependent on Navy ships that the Navy is not planning to build.
It is a new era, why pay when you can get it free. You might want to start your own "coin" after all it really does not have any actual redeemable value or sell a guitar, sneakers, modified bible, watch (even if not made) or an AR15 with your portrait and name on it (yep they sre out there). The era of the "con" has started.
This is a detailed and concise breakdown of how the day happened. It is valuable information to have. I’ve created a file to keep each of these types of articles, both online and printed, so there is a historical record.
I did miss your voice though. You have been writing in your own voice and adding your thoughts to your reporting for some time. It’s not here and I miss it. If this is a conscious decision for self-preservation I fully understand that. We are all in for, at least, a horrible four years. Barring an attack by space aliens - which might be preferable to what awaits us. Well, those of us who value what America could be are in for it. The fascists are giddy and will grow even more so with every person they hurt (which, according to president musk, includes me). Those of us not evilangelicals, fascists or cruel bastards are in for it. So, I definitely understand self-preservation during these horrible, tumultuous years. No judgement here.
Stay safe Gabe. These articles are needed.
Thank you, Kasumii. I also strongly agree that we need analysis and insight. Birthright citizenship is protected in the Constitution, for example. That's why the ACLU is suing. People need to understand that many of Trump's executive orders are illegal, not just morally and ethically repugnant. And this will be a big problem going forward given that our new president is a convicted felon and adjudicated rapist with a clear disregard for the law. Please be sure to help your readers understand the difference between a bad idea and one that's against the law. It is essential to our protection of democracy.
Exactly this - “People need to understand that many of trump’s executive orders are illegal, not just morally and ethically repugnant”. All three factors need to be reported on.
Not shouted about incoherently as if standing on a street corner but reported on and discussed. Those of us not journalists can find ways to speak up, to act in ways that resist normalizing all of this.
Why? Because what you call something matters. Words matter. Actions matter.
So many are reporting on him, his words and actions as though he’s normal. As though it’s all just our new Prez doing his job. I fully realize he won the election but that does not make him or the Republican Party normal. They. Are. Fascists. They are instituting a fascist takeover of our entire government. (Need proof beyond what you’re seeing happen? Read Project 2025.) None of this is normal. Unless, and maybe I’m the only one not seeing this, everyone has decided fascism is the way to go?
He has zero problem with being a convicted felon and sexual predator. Why? Because no one in our justice system ever held him legally accountable. Same for being a traitor and seditionist. Why would he care? No one made him legally pay for his actions, not even trying to overthrow our government in a violent manner. In fact, he was amply rewarded for being all of those things - now he gets to overthrow our government and destabilize the world while sitting in the White House.
When people stop calling it what it is is when it will become our new normal. And by people I mean all of us, not only journalists. All of us.
Amen, Kasumii. Amen.
I miss your voice as well Gabe.
One note - Linda Fagan was the Commandant of the Coast Guard, not the Marine Corps.
I’m feeling more and more like Gabe is my light in the darkness. Here’s to getting us all through the next four years.
Well done. As to you remaining unbiased I do have a couple of objections to your verbiage. 1) There were irregularities with the 2020 election. These have been documented. Whether they ultimately had a significant impact on the results will most likely never be known. 2) How do you know the released hostages and families of still captured hostages were “forced” to stand behind Trump and applaud? The words “false” and “forced” are indicative of judgement and prejudice. Your synopsis would have been more unbiased without their use.
As always, the best analysis of the worst day. Thank you.
Outstanding detailed piece. The best I’ve seen yet on this Day of National Disgrace.
Gabe:
I'm a huge fan, but you made an uncharacteristic error in describing Admiral Linda Fagin as Commandant of the Marine Corps. She was the Commandant of the Coast Guard--quite a difference! I would be happy to see the current Commandant, Gen. Eric Smith, unhorsed as well. He and his predecessor, Gen. Berger, have done more to damage the combat readiness and global expeditionary capability of the Marine Corps than any enemy could possibly do with their pursuit of an ill-conceived reorganizatio of the Corps into littoral regiments utterly dependent on Navy ships that the Navy is not planning to build.
Austin
"The House will consider legislation ... to establish a task force on shark depredation."
[I wonder if a task force to study electrocution by boat batteries might be next? 😁
It is a new era, why pay when you can get it free. You might want to start your own "coin" after all it really does not have any actual redeemable value or sell a guitar, sneakers, modified bible, watch (even if not made) or an AR15 with your portrait and name on it (yep they sre out there). The era of the "con" has started.