Shortly before 10:00 this morning in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Vice President of the United States of America nervously stepped up to the podium to address the graduating class of the United States Air Force Academy. With his freshly pressed navy blue suit, crisp white dress shirt, and deep red tie, he had clearly planned his outfit to project patriotism in the hopes of being taken seriously. After spending years trying to reinvent himself as the heir apparent of the Trump Regime, he knows how much appearances matter.
Beyond dressing the part, he knew he had other optics to be concerned about as well, so just before he began to read his prepared remarks, he paused to force the smug grin off his face to hide...
I thought he was probably smarter than the convict corrupt demented antechrist "in charge". But now I realise I am deadly wrong and the rotten apple did not fall far from the rotten tree. In fact all that fascist cabinet is at the image of that wannabe dictator. Get rid of them!
I believe Trump has few days left which will hopefully ease the censoring after his passing. JD Vance does not have the cultish attraction of his predecessor.
The term “Shapeshifting Grifter” is the best description for JD Vance.
Also, think of this. The $250 bill with Trump on it will never be seen by 95% of the population because the man on the $250 bill likes it that way.
I read in a comment in Substack yesterday that in China, “250” means something like a stupid person or an idiot. How appropriate, the Chinese will get a big laugh out of that piece of currency.
The post starting with JD Vance and concluding with journalists being sacked is chilling stuff. The same is happening here starting with Carole Cadwalladr at Guardian 2 years ago. It is the Nigel Farage playbook who is copying his big pal Trump. Reform UK has been pretty successful in getting seats in our Scottish Parliament last month. They are a strange bunch of “ not quite right in the head” and moneyed privately educated toffs. Their leader, Malcolm Offord, is a lord of the realm who admitted on national tv that he had 6 houses, 6 cars and 5 something else….and his constituents are struggling to put food on the table. I just can’t get my head round is how utterly stupid the people who voted for him and his 16 mates are.
After 35 years in the SNP, I have joined The Alliance to Liberate Scotland and we need to liberate and free ourselves from Farage and Offord. It is the same fight-we / Scotland is just a tiny bit smaller.🤣🏴
Trump went into Iran saying he was trying to help free the people along with removing their nuclear capabilities
In the meantime in America he is putting a stranglehold on all USA citizens that matches Irans behaviour admirably. Women have to have babies and no abortion - oh and keep quiet. Medical availability only for the rich. No press freedom and trillionaires who want ever more money keeping the little people in their place by terror tactics and minimum wage.
At this moment I think the Iranians are marginally safer as their government, as appalling and vicious as they are, are at least mentally capable of negotiating very cleverly to get what they want
Not sure the USA is yet quite as bad as the taliban but what ice are doing and have done is chilling.
I live in UK and am really worried that the worry of immigration is causing many to veer towards reform and Farrage, when he is a Trump admirer and just as venal and self interested.
We need stable politics,just as USA needs to get back to.
Charlotte, if I may - my own belief is your true template is the Taliban. The winding of religious extremism into the body politic, the derogation of women's rights, the prosecution of complaint as "terrorism". Outside the USA we've known and watched the censorship and indoctrination inherent in all your mainstream media, knowing it because to a degree we suffer it ourselves in the UK - the continual platforming of Farage and Reform across all media, the destruction of BBC independence. Heather is entirely correct about supporting such truly independent journalism as one can find, and not only that which agrees with your belief system.
It is worth remembering that Vance was the one close advisor who volubly opposed the Iran war when it was being intended, but who said nonetheless that he would support it publicly. So he knows he is playing games with the truth, and we should look for signs of his expressing that self-awareness. One wonders whether and if so how he has any self-respect, and whether there is any greater good being served than his own opportunism.
George, let me help you with those questions. Obviously, you were raised well and have live a life where the sky is blue and the grass is green and if someone tried to tell you different, you would laugh and think they were joking. Self-respect is instilled in children by parents, teachers, coaches and clergy. Corporal Judy Vance had none of these people who would do that for him. He was an abandoned, fat, bullied child. He sought out those who would be nice to him in high school, like the theater nerds who don't judge. In college, he found paths of least resistance and, as he would do in the future, found mentors whom he idolized and therefore, keep him around, like a favorite toy. Then, of course, the Peter Thiel era, where Thiel saw a hollow man and filled him with his own f-u politics and hatred and then groomed him and paid for his run as senator of Ohio. He lasted two years before Twump was convinced to tap him to be VP. He is a creation of men who would use him and has nothing of himself i.e. self-respect. He is an empty man in a suit. This is not to feel sorry for him, not any more than you would feel sorry for your abuser, your rapist, your sadistic captor.
If I digress, forgive me. Vance gets my hackles raised and I may be half-cocked but I am sincere in my belief that men like Vance have no heart, soul or much of a brain except for survival.
I think, then, that I have not either. It seemed as if you were positing that Vance might have a glimmer of self-awareness, true self-respect, and maybe even a conscience? I'm with Katy in thinking he is a husk of a man, one who long ago accepted his own amorality as a given.
I also have to wonder if Usha Vance is so ambitious in her own right that she doesn't mind temporarily hitching herself to such a dead weight, maybe in hopes he might miraculously inherit the top job.
Usha of course hitched herself to him before he went over to the dark side, back in the day when he was calling Trump an American Hitler. Why she stays ... may be your question, though culture has something to do with it (hers, not his.)
Heather, once again you have put my thoughts into powerfully crafted words. I hate that as we approach the 250th birthday of our country, I don’t know how to mark that milestone. I am old enough to remember the 200th birthday. I remember the pride and anticipation. I knew the USA was not perfect, but at least we were attempting to live up to the dream. Now I wonder in real fear whether or not my children and grandchild will have an opportunity to celebrate a 251, much less 275 birthday of We the People. And I hate that with every fiber of my being.
I am grateful for your dedication. May your new home be a refuge of love and peace.
Not only did that young journalist speak out yesterday about CBS but so did the granddaughter of William Paley..it’s former owner and CEO…she said her grandfather wouldn’t recognize it today and she is right.
The Ellisons and Weiss are destroying a once venerable and highly respected institution and they will suffer because of it. Sponsors will leave them and viewership will tank on their programs.
We have to make that happen …show them if they lie down with dogs they get fleas.
We still have the power of the purse strings…pull them tight against any outlet or corporation that supports this madman and pull them closed…choke them out of business.
On that Freedom 250 website that announced the musical artists lineup for The Great American State Fair “bringing the hits” as promoted. There were nine artists featured that were performing at the National Mall from June 25 to July 10th.
Well it only took a day that a number of musical acts have “officially backed out of” or “denied involvement” with the Trump-affiliated Freedom 250 "Great American State Fair" on the National Mall. Here’s the list of artists that aren’t attending
* Martina McBride: The country singer stated she withdrew after finding out the nonpartisan celebration she agreed to was actually a divisive, politically linked event.
* The Commodores: The funk-soul group canceled their appearance, stating they choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party.
* Young MC: The rapper backed out, stating on social media that the artists were never informed about the event's political ties before being booked.
* Morris Day (and The Time): The funk-rock frontman rejected the lineup announcement with a social media graphic simply saying, "It's A No For Me".
* Bret Michaels: The Poison frontman pulled out citing the event evolving into something much more divisive than what he initially agreed to.
* Milli Vanilli (Jodie Rocco): Singer Jodie Rocco stated the group was completely blindsided and shocked to see their name on the lineup, as they were never even asked to perform.
* C+C Music Factory: Lead rapper Freedom Williams initially slammed the booking stating his agent blindsided him without mentioning the Trump administration.
So as of now, Vanilla Ice and Flo Rida remain on the billing for this festival… That announcement of nine artists is now just down two. Nothing like having close to an 80% cancellation rate.. Thinking Kid Rock will be filling in for far too many days…
Find it interesting that the MAGA core of those 20% that voted for this shitshow are the ones who will be performing for those crowds at the National Mall.. Imagine seeing some freak flags just flying in that crowd… What a frightful sight to see…
Meanwhile all the Americans who truly believe in this country will be doing so many other things..
Now, I'm very old and uncool but without meaning to be disrespectful to those on the list it's not exactly A-list 🤣 I remember Mili Vanili being caught up in scandal as they didn't actually sing their own songs 🫣
My sister was one of those journalists after the last "I'm not a crook" crooks was in office--Nixon. Following in All the President’s Men Bernstein and Woodward's footsteps.
Written in peace, covered by the First Amendment. Read it sometime.
It's appalling that your VP told the crowd at the graduation ceremony for Air Force cadets not to boo him. Vance, you're a public servant and if a crowd boos you, this means they don't like what you're saying. That's democracy.
It's disgusting that one of CBS's journalists has been fired. CBS is the BBC's sister channel. I don't always like some of the BBC's output but because we have to pay a licence then we are free to criticise them.
Interesting that you mention CECOT, the notorious prison in El Salvador. Just this last week there was a programme on ITV about the prison. The prisoners were crammed together like sardines, barefoot and shirtless in metal cages. Because these men were murderers and members of the notorious gangs the people of El Salvador didn't seem to care. The programme certainly was an eye opener. My point is, that the programme wasn't censored at all.
Great article as always! It does give me concern about the direction we are headed. I know so many people who are Republican and think everything is great! It just baffles me but then I realize that where they get their news information is very small and pretty much just echos what he and his minions say. Scary times which is why I really appreciate you and others on substack who tell the truth and get the info out there. Thank you
Vance (the "boss") tells a class they will be giving force in 60 days! You see, this slob that is his own best audience, has announced that giving force will exist in 60 days. Word games with liars are not games. "The boss" has now announced a two month period of warfare. Was the Day One Liar listening?
I thought he was probably smarter than the convict corrupt demented antechrist "in charge". But now I realise I am deadly wrong and the rotten apple did not fall far from the rotten tree. In fact all that fascist cabinet is at the image of that wannabe dictator. Get rid of them!
Ken Paxton is case in point.
Vance is little more than a tv set. Just regurgitates whatever's piped into him.
Switch him off?, he's got nuthin'.
'Shapeshifting Grifter' is spot on Mike Hammer.
I'm not an historian, but it seems America has been in an awful lot of wars, both covert and front page.
Its like the family business.
I believe Trump has few days left which will hopefully ease the censoring after his passing. JD Vance does not have the cultish attraction of his predecessor.
The term “Shapeshifting Grifter” is the best description for JD Vance.
Also, think of this. The $250 bill with Trump on it will never be seen by 95% of the population because the man on the $250 bill likes it that way.
I read in a comment in Substack yesterday that in China, “250” means something like a stupid person or an idiot. How appropriate, the Chinese will get a big laugh out of that piece of currency.
I'll never knowingly handle one.
Even if I could, I would never choose to have currency in that denomination......
And the engraving of him looks like the Portrait of Dorian Gray. Very appropriate.
Alex here in Scotland,
The post starting with JD Vance and concluding with journalists being sacked is chilling stuff. The same is happening here starting with Carole Cadwalladr at Guardian 2 years ago. It is the Nigel Farage playbook who is copying his big pal Trump. Reform UK has been pretty successful in getting seats in our Scottish Parliament last month. They are a strange bunch of “ not quite right in the head” and moneyed privately educated toffs. Their leader, Malcolm Offord, is a lord of the realm who admitted on national tv that he had 6 houses, 6 cars and 5 something else….and his constituents are struggling to put food on the table. I just can’t get my head round is how utterly stupid the people who voted for him and his 16 mates are.
After 35 years in the SNP, I have joined The Alliance to Liberate Scotland and we need to liberate and free ourselves from Farage and Offord. It is the same fight-we / Scotland is just a tiny bit smaller.🤣🏴
Trump went into Iran saying he was trying to help free the people along with removing their nuclear capabilities
In the meantime in America he is putting a stranglehold on all USA citizens that matches Irans behaviour admirably. Women have to have babies and no abortion - oh and keep quiet. Medical availability only for the rich. No press freedom and trillionaires who want ever more money keeping the little people in their place by terror tactics and minimum wage.
At this moment I think the Iranians are marginally safer as their government, as appalling and vicious as they are, are at least mentally capable of negotiating very cleverly to get what they want
True. They wanted their country back, not flattened.
Not sure the USA is yet quite as bad as the taliban but what ice are doing and have done is chilling.
I live in UK and am really worried that the worry of immigration is causing many to veer towards reform and Farrage, when he is a Trump admirer and just as venal and self interested.
We need stable politics,just as USA needs to get back to.
Charlotte, if I may - my own belief is your true template is the Taliban. The winding of religious extremism into the body politic, the derogation of women's rights, the prosecution of complaint as "terrorism". Outside the USA we've known and watched the censorship and indoctrination inherent in all your mainstream media, knowing it because to a degree we suffer it ourselves in the UK - the continual platforming of Farage and Reform across all media, the destruction of BBC independence. Heather is entirely correct about supporting such truly independent journalism as one can find, and not only that which agrees with your belief system.
It is worth remembering that Vance was the one close advisor who volubly opposed the Iran war when it was being intended, but who said nonetheless that he would support it publicly. So he knows he is playing games with the truth, and we should look for signs of his expressing that self-awareness. One wonders whether and if so how he has any self-respect, and whether there is any greater good being served than his own opportunism.
George, let me help you with those questions. Obviously, you were raised well and have live a life where the sky is blue and the grass is green and if someone tried to tell you different, you would laugh and think they were joking. Self-respect is instilled in children by parents, teachers, coaches and clergy. Corporal Judy Vance had none of these people who would do that for him. He was an abandoned, fat, bullied child. He sought out those who would be nice to him in high school, like the theater nerds who don't judge. In college, he found paths of least resistance and, as he would do in the future, found mentors whom he idolized and therefore, keep him around, like a favorite toy. Then, of course, the Peter Thiel era, where Thiel saw a hollow man and filled him with his own f-u politics and hatred and then groomed him and paid for his run as senator of Ohio. He lasted two years before Twump was convinced to tap him to be VP. He is a creation of men who would use him and has nothing of himself i.e. self-respect. He is an empty man in a suit. This is not to feel sorry for him, not any more than you would feel sorry for your abuser, your rapist, your sadistic captor.
Just for the record, Katy has not understood what I wrote.
If I digress, forgive me. Vance gets my hackles raised and I may be half-cocked but I am sincere in my belief that men like Vance have no heart, soul or much of a brain except for survival.
I think, then, that I have not either. It seemed as if you were positing that Vance might have a glimmer of self-awareness, true self-respect, and maybe even a conscience? I'm with Katy in thinking he is a husk of a man, one who long ago accepted his own amorality as a given.
I also have to wonder if Usha Vance is so ambitious in her own right that she doesn't mind temporarily hitching herself to such a dead weight, maybe in hopes he might miraculously inherit the top job.
Usha of course hitched herself to him before he went over to the dark side, back in the day when he was calling Trump an American Hitler. Why she stays ... may be your question, though culture has something to do with it (hers, not his.)
You are right—neither of you has understood that I was suggesting that looking for (rather than finding) it would not be successful.
sounds consistent to me
Heather, once again you have put my thoughts into powerfully crafted words. I hate that as we approach the 250th birthday of our country, I don’t know how to mark that milestone. I am old enough to remember the 200th birthday. I remember the pride and anticipation. I knew the USA was not perfect, but at least we were attempting to live up to the dream. Now I wonder in real fear whether or not my children and grandchild will have an opportunity to celebrate a 251, much less 275 birthday of We the People. And I hate that with every fiber of my being.
I am grateful for your dedication. May your new home be a refuge of love and peace.
Not only did that young journalist speak out yesterday about CBS but so did the granddaughter of William Paley..it’s former owner and CEO…she said her grandfather wouldn’t recognize it today and she is right.
The Ellisons and Weiss are destroying a once venerable and highly respected institution and they will suffer because of it. Sponsors will leave them and viewership will tank on their programs.
We have to make that happen …show them if they lie down with dogs they get fleas.
We still have the power of the purse strings…pull them tight against any outlet or corporation that supports this madman and pull them closed…choke them out of business.
On that Freedom 250 website that announced the musical artists lineup for The Great American State Fair “bringing the hits” as promoted. There were nine artists featured that were performing at the National Mall from June 25 to July 10th.
Well it only took a day that a number of musical acts have “officially backed out of” or “denied involvement” with the Trump-affiliated Freedom 250 "Great American State Fair" on the National Mall. Here’s the list of artists that aren’t attending
* Martina McBride: The country singer stated she withdrew after finding out the nonpartisan celebration she agreed to was actually a divisive, politically linked event.
* The Commodores: The funk-soul group canceled their appearance, stating they choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party.
* Young MC: The rapper backed out, stating on social media that the artists were never informed about the event's political ties before being booked.
* Morris Day (and The Time): The funk-rock frontman rejected the lineup announcement with a social media graphic simply saying, "It's A No For Me".
* Bret Michaels: The Poison frontman pulled out citing the event evolving into something much more divisive than what he initially agreed to.
* Milli Vanilli (Jodie Rocco): Singer Jodie Rocco stated the group was completely blindsided and shocked to see their name on the lineup, as they were never even asked to perform.
* C+C Music Factory: Lead rapper Freedom Williams initially slammed the booking stating his agent blindsided him without mentioning the Trump administration.
So as of now, Vanilla Ice and Flo Rida remain on the billing for this festival… That announcement of nine artists is now just down two. Nothing like having close to an 80% cancellation rate.. Thinking Kid Rock will be filling in for far too many days…
Find it interesting that the MAGA core of those 20% that voted for this shitshow are the ones who will be performing for those crowds at the National Mall.. Imagine seeing some freak flags just flying in that crowd… What a frightful sight to see…
Meanwhile all the Americans who truly believe in this country will be doing so many other things..
It is a relief to see this list.
Now, I'm very old and uncool but without meaning to be disrespectful to those on the list it's not exactly A-list 🤣 I remember Mili Vanili being caught up in scandal as they didn't actually sing their own songs 🫣
My sister was one of those journalists after the last "I'm not a crook" crooks was in office--Nixon. Following in All the President’s Men Bernstein and Woodward's footsteps.
Written in peace, covered by the First Amendment. Read it sometime.
It's appalling that your VP told the crowd at the graduation ceremony for Air Force cadets not to boo him. Vance, you're a public servant and if a crowd boos you, this means they don't like what you're saying. That's democracy.
It's disgusting that one of CBS's journalists has been fired. CBS is the BBC's sister channel. I don't always like some of the BBC's output but because we have to pay a licence then we are free to criticise them.
Interesting that you mention CECOT, the notorious prison in El Salvador. Just this last week there was a programme on ITV about the prison. The prisoners were crammed together like sardines, barefoot and shirtless in metal cages. Because these men were murderers and members of the notorious gangs the people of El Salvador didn't seem to care. The programme certainly was an eye opener. My point is, that the programme wasn't censored at all.
86-the-whole-lot
You just know that if a big man said "boo!" to Corporal Judy Vance he would squeal like a pig. He is such an empty man.
At least JDV knows he deserves to be booed. A glimmer of self-awareness in this self-centered regime of vicious bullies?
Great article as always! It does give me concern about the direction we are headed. I know so many people who are Republican and think everything is great! It just baffles me but then I realize that where they get their news information is very small and pretty much just echos what he and his minions say. Scary times which is why I really appreciate you and others on substack who tell the truth and get the info out there. Thank you
Vance (the "boss") tells a class they will be giving force in 60 days! You see, this slob that is his own best audience, has announced that giving force will exist in 60 days. Word games with liars are not games. "The boss" has now announced a two month period of warfare. Was the Day One Liar listening?