I try to remember to post this every year in some form to remind us that the history that most of us were taught had a few holes in it. For most of us the horrible history of slavery and subsequent racism is packaged up into a something totally unlike reality.
Beyond that, our country seems to change a great deal from one year to the next. I hope to remind us of the founding principles on which this country was founded. It is certainly feeling as if those principles are eroding in the face of a person and a party bent on oligarchic rule.
Introduced by Amy Goodman of democracynow! Here is James Earle Jones presenting the Frederick Douglass “What To A Slave Is Your Fourth of July?” (6 minutes:)
Heather Cox Richardson assesses one of the worst laws ever enacted – (42 minutes)
This is really worth listening to in order to get the full picture of the cruelty of what they did.
Which of Iowa’s members of congress was the one that put this monstrosity over the finish line? Each and every one. Had any one of them voted the way their constituents wanted them to vote, this bill may not have passed.
Note that the Iowa congressional delegation voted with their constituents in mind. They voted with only one person in mind. That of course is the “Felon In The White House.” Well, folks. He gets as many votes as you do and he can’t even one in Iowa.
The furor this law has caused seems to be on a par with the furor that was pulsing in this country in 1776. That led to expelling rulers that had little concern for the ruled. I don’t know about you, but I sure wouldn’t use my vote to put someone back in power who screwed me over so badly.
Three things to consider on this bill. First is that anyone who voted for this bill is in no way religious or moral. If they were religious there would be concern for eternal damnation for voting for a bill which will cause such harm to fellow man. They are much more concerned the Felon In The White House’s condemnation and quake in his sight. He is therefore their god.
Also, such a vote violates nearly every moral or philosophical system man has created except maybe Ayn Rand’s.
Second, note that MAGAs have done all they can to hide the effects of this law such that many of the really bad effects of this law until after the mid-term election. Like so many cowards they have destroyed something and then try to cover it up. When the portions of this law that takes away Medicaid and school lunches goes into effect you can bet that MAGAs will try to blame it on Democrats.
Finally, the very wealthiest among us will make even more money on their grift of the government. As the debt explodes expect the interest rate on the bonds sold to finance that debt to go up probably quite a bit. Expect those bonds to be purchased not by you and I but by the wealthy who can stick those tax cuts into bonds.
And just as a final insult, who will be paying that higher interest on those bonds purchased by the wealthy who got a huge tax cut paid for by you and me? You and I will be paying that interest through our taxes. Thus the MAGAs have found yet another way for the wealthy to legally fleece us to move. Money from the poor to the wealthy.
Congratulations on ending any pretense of equality in this country on July 4th, 2025.
By the way, I heard in the above video that HCR said the new law is being referred to as “the MAGA Murder” law. Seems appropriate. It will kill people.
Really good, pragmatic info. here, doesn’t waste time with a long intro or excessive chatter. Gets to the point, great ideas. Only about 20 minutes. #TruthBombs
ICYMI – Speaking at an event at the start of San Francisco’s Climate Week, Gore said the Trump administration was “trying to create their own preferred version of reality.”
Very non-nutritious and not safe for America’s health. By the way, MAHA means ‘Make America Healthy Again’ in MAGA speak:
Putting him on the grill: Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03): (5 minutes)
Watch as he slowly twists and turns: Congresswoman Kim Schrier (D – WA-08) (5 minutes)
Bring him to a full roast: Congressman Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25) (5 minutes)
Enjoy with a side of Truth, Hope and Scientific Integrity.
Next year, let’s clean scoundrels like Kennedy out of the halls of government. Trump also. Vote Democratic! Hope we see some Iowans with a (D) behind their names scorching those who would twist our democracy into an autocracy soon.
I will try to keep it light this week even though it is nearly impossible not to get too serious with what all is going on. The FIWH is almost totally unchecked.
(3:30) A light display from Texas two years ago that uses drones and fireworks.
Still love the idea of drone shows over fireworks. I know drones could be expensive, but they are reusable, whereas fireworks are not. Drone displays could be enlarged and changed every year. Of course the biggest selling point is that they are quiet. They do not bother pets or vets.
Since we split the week with Canada (Canada Day is July 1), I will ask some questions about Canada this week and then our history next week. Let’s go!
A) The story of Kat Cammack, a US representative from Florida, came out last week. Cammack nearly died from an ectopic pregnancy. She blamed her near death on who?
B) MAGAs were furious last week as Dems and the press questioned the effectiveness of what administration action over the weekend?
C) RFK, jr. was grilled to a turn as a House investigating committee cited what in a report his department put out?
D) Who is Peggy Whitson and why is she in the news?
E) According to OxFam the world’s richest 1% increased their wealth by how much in the past decade?
F) Canadian trivia – In 1775 what American led a failed assault on Fort Quebec in an attempt to defeat the British early on?
G) An eye opener of a primary for the Democrats in the New York City primary. Zohran Momdani won. Mamdani describes himself in what political wing?
H) As part of the administration plan to intimidate the press, what administration biggie went after Fox reporter Jennifer Griffin during a news conference last week?
I) First quarter economic reports were revised last week. How did the US economy actually do in the first quarter?
J) Possibly a major contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, what governor of Illinois announced he would seek a third term as governor?
K) What small town in Manitoba, named for a British prime minister, is famous for its resident polar bears and northern lights?
L)In an ass backward DOGE move, due to staff cuts the IRS will not collect how much in owed taxes – mostly from wealthy taxpayers?
M) Now without laughing identify who said this last week. “President Trump is going to win the Nobel Peace Prize, no doubt!”? Without laughing!
N) “90 deals in 90 days” the FIWH declared a while back. Friday the FIWH declared the end to trade talks with what once former close ally?
O) What cabinet member was surprised at a hearing to hear that ICE agents were wearing masks during their round ups of immigrants and citizens?
P) Canadian born James Naismith invented what sport while working in the US?
Q) What mega-billionaire spends $56 million, rents the ancient city of Venice all for his wedding?
R) An immigrant detention center nicknamed “the alligator Alcatraz” is planned to be built in what eco-sensitive area?
S) What is the current name of the Canadian city once known as York?
T) Finally, in one of the saddest sights ever, Capital police were seen zip tying the hands of what group of protestors?
Elect a moron, expect other countries to capitalize. Iran moved its nuclear materials weeks ago because Einstein was telegraphing his attack on Twitter. – Rep. Eric Swalwell
Basically, we’re talking about undoing all the progress America has made in expanding health insurance. And as I said, many independent analysts believe it could be substantially worse.
Remember, this isn’t happening to save money: If Republicans cared about the deficit, they could forego those tax cuts. It isn’t happening by popular demand: the Big Beautiful Bill is extremely unpopular already, and will become even more unpopular once people see its effects.
It’s happening because our government has been taken over by fanatics who believe that, one way or another, they can escape the electoral consequences of making millions of Americans’ lives much, much worse.
Two hundred forty-nine years ago, the continental congress passed the resolution that kicked off the revolution against the mother country and its authoritarian royal government. Here we are two hundred and forty nine years later seeing our democracy weakened almost as never before and wondering if we will make it to two hundred fifty as a viable democracy.
The whole idea of our form of government was that the law was king, not any human that could rule on a whim as George III did. Now we have a human who is manipulating markets, cities, states and countries and attacking Americans in their homes based on his whim. We have basically a masked Gestapo in our streets meting out racist justice without warrants or authorizations. We have a gutless party in congress that refuses to stand against him. We have a subservient press that seeks his favor.
The genius of the American system — at least in theory — is that it puts checks on state power and that by splitting power centers into several parts each power center would act to keep the others in check. The press and the people are included among those that can check the usurpation of power. The executive cannot theoretically act like a king. The courts must protect the vulnerable. And the public must have visibility into the actions done in our name.
This week, though, the Supreme Court abdicated that role. And in doing so, the six Republicans on the bench handed a dangerous tool to a man most inclined to abuse it. Let’s not kid ourselves. The decision wasn’t just about deportation. It was about moral laundering, washing the blood off our hands by putting it on someone else’s tarmac. The Nazis did it. So did the Bush administration. Now Trump’s backers on the Court have opened the door once more.
The splitting of power has been bypassed. Last year the SCOTUS gave the executive a pass on criminality while president, this year they are making dents in tn our due process laws. Next year I am sure we can expect birthright citizenship to be greatly chipped away. SCOTUS now seems to act in concert with the executive.
MAGAs in congress absolutely quiver in fear of the felon in the White House. MAGAs in state government shape election suppression laws so their party almost can’t lose, thus negating the power of the electorate. 99% of the press quivers in fear of an attack by FIWH. The part of the press that doesn’t acquiesce will probably be sued out of existence as was done in Orban’s Hungary.
The assessment of the state of our democracy on July 4th of 2025 is that Uncle Sam is pretty sick.
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