One thing we have going for us that you didn’t mention is the sheer incompetence on the part of this regime. They undermine themselves on a regular basis by opening their mouths and saying the quiet part out loud. Just one example is Todd Blanche’s remarks on the Sunday shows yesterday, saying that thousands, perhaps millions, of other people have used the same 86 47 as James Comey, but they won’t be prosecuted for it. He as much as admitted that he’s using selective and vindictive prosecution against Comey.
My biggest hope is in people like you, Mark, who are still out here saying truthful things. Even if our mainstream media is shitty and compliant, there are so many other outlets who are still doing great important work. I think that a lot of their factuality is still spilling out into places like the NYT from where it might trickle into the brains of enough MAGA to make a difference. When outlets like Mother Jones and the New Republic and ProPublica and Courier are shut down, then I think it's really time to freak out.
I'm more pessimistic than you are. First off, I totally agree that the MSM is more than willing to extol Trump's "idiosyncrasies" or whatever weasel words they use to describe his lawlessness and corruption, and let the ship of state sink. They're down with him taking the country down, I have little doubt. I really am upset with so many of the left and center-left thinking the midterms are going to be this panacea, and afterwords everything will be super fine. This is what I call the "It's Mueller Time" frame of mind. We all thought that the Mueller investigation would spell the end of orange guy. And how did that work out? How did Jack Smith work out? Impeachments? Where are the signs that there's any solid evidence that his power is weakening, other than his declining poll numbers? He has the military behind him, Hegseth is, as you say, more than willing to do whatever illegal thing Trump tells him to do. The Republican Party is going down with the Trumptanic, in fact they're still playing rousing brass band salutes for him as the water rises to their necks. They have no intention of legally ceding power, any more than Trump does. This is what we're up against. He will do whatever it takes to stay in power.
I agree with all the reasons for pessimism. I just think giving up is not an option and that if enough people get off their asses, we can win this thing.
I agree, Mark. I did not mean to imply we should give up. There are clear signs his power is weakening. Just wanted to inject a cautionary note that he will not go down without a desperate nothing-to-lose fight. And with his power and sycophants in his cabinet, that fight is going to be bloody. A less complicit MSM would definitely be a necessary step in contesting his reign.
Alarmist, yes, but given the pragmatic and psychological imperatives to not cede power, and lot "lose," whatever the cost, we'd be great fools not to conclude that Trump will make a play - or multiple plays - and do whatever we can to game out and prepare for every one of them, from vote-count manipulation to military coup.
Trump must be delusional, thinking that the American people are all ok with higher fuel prices and that the republican party will not be voted out. He really must be crazy.
and I'm not counting out that the general strike folks don't wind up getting a bump in numbers due to an insane bump in prices with no end in sight. It isn't gonna happen on its own but I'm hearing more and more noise about it
Thank you for the article, Mark . We do need some positive news today.I believe all this information about voting rights from the Supreme Court is bad, I think it will take everyone here and elsewhere to get out vote and hope democracy still counts. I think we need to elect down ballot candidates who are democrats to stop this war on democracy. If you like Independent Media please subscribe to STOP THE PRESSES.,
Relying on the possible blessing of Trump’s incompetence is like a desperate search for the bank most likely to fail for depositing your life’s riches. A waste of time at best, folly at worst.
Thank you Mark for honestly listing both sides of a possible future.
I simply have to focus on defeating this dark empire.
We have to. We must.
💙🇺🇸💙
One thing we have going for us that you didn’t mention is the sheer incompetence on the part of this regime. They undermine themselves on a regular basis by opening their mouths and saying the quiet part out loud. Just one example is Todd Blanche’s remarks on the Sunday shows yesterday, saying that thousands, perhaps millions, of other people have used the same 86 47 as James Comey, but they won’t be prosecuted for it. He as much as admitted that he’s using selective and vindictive prosecution against Comey.
Regime incompetence is my Reason for Optimism No. 5. (You could look it up!)
My biggest hope is in people like you, Mark, who are still out here saying truthful things. Even if our mainstream media is shitty and compliant, there are so many other outlets who are still doing great important work. I think that a lot of their factuality is still spilling out into places like the NYT from where it might trickle into the brains of enough MAGA to make a difference. When outlets like Mother Jones and the New Republic and ProPublica and Courier are shut down, then I think it's really time to freak out.
Thanks, Heidi.
I'm more pessimistic than you are. First off, I totally agree that the MSM is more than willing to extol Trump's "idiosyncrasies" or whatever weasel words they use to describe his lawlessness and corruption, and let the ship of state sink. They're down with him taking the country down, I have little doubt. I really am upset with so many of the left and center-left thinking the midterms are going to be this panacea, and afterwords everything will be super fine. This is what I call the "It's Mueller Time" frame of mind. We all thought that the Mueller investigation would spell the end of orange guy. And how did that work out? How did Jack Smith work out? Impeachments? Where are the signs that there's any solid evidence that his power is weakening, other than his declining poll numbers? He has the military behind him, Hegseth is, as you say, more than willing to do whatever illegal thing Trump tells him to do. The Republican Party is going down with the Trumptanic, in fact they're still playing rousing brass band salutes for him as the water rises to their necks. They have no intention of legally ceding power, any more than Trump does. This is what we're up against. He will do whatever it takes to stay in power.
I agree with all the reasons for pessimism. I just think giving up is not an option and that if enough people get off their asses, we can win this thing.
I agree, Mark. I did not mean to imply we should give up. There are clear signs his power is weakening. Just wanted to inject a cautionary note that he will not go down without a desperate nothing-to-lose fight. And with his power and sycophants in his cabinet, that fight is going to be bloody. A less complicit MSM would definitely be a necessary step in contesting his reign.
Frankly, Mark, looking at this particular +5/-5 anyway, I'd place my Kalshi bet on losing our country.
Trump will not go quietly - a lock on that. He has multiple vectors to rig/nullify the midterms and, should he fail at that, to quickly sow the chaos he needs for a deadly-force crackdown and takeover. That's why they're so busy purging the military. (See Jonathan Winer in The Washington Spectator: https://washingtonspectator.org/emergency-planning-the-president-is-preparing-to-challenge-2026-midterms-the-country-can-still-act-to-protect-them/).
Alarmist, yes, but given the pragmatic and psychological imperatives to not cede power, and lot "lose," whatever the cost, we'd be great fools not to conclude that Trump will make a play - or multiple plays - and do whatever we can to game out and prepare for every one of them, from vote-count manipulation to military coup.
I agree 100%. Which is why mass protests are so important as dress rehearsals for a general strike.
Platforming liars is pretty standard operating procedure for CNN these days. It’s not news, it’s not journalism, and it’s not working.
Trump must be delusional, thinking that the American people are all ok with higher fuel prices and that the republican party will not be voted out. He really must be crazy.
and I'm not counting out that the general strike folks don't wind up getting a bump in numbers due to an insane bump in prices with no end in sight. It isn't gonna happen on its own but I'm hearing more and more noise about it
Thank you for the article, Mark . We do need some positive news today.I believe all this information about voting rights from the Supreme Court is bad, I think it will take everyone here and elsewhere to get out vote and hope democracy still counts. I think we need to elect down ballot candidates who are democrats to stop this war on democracy. If you like Independent Media please subscribe to STOP THE PRESSES.,
Thanks for the support, Linda.
Relying on the possible blessing of Trump’s incompetence is like a desperate search for the bank most likely to fail for depositing your life’s riches. A waste of time at best, folly at worst.
"Relying" on his incompetence is not what I'm doing. I'm fighting whether he does dictatorship efficiently or incompetently.
May lose it? Already lost. Get out while you can.