Over the last 15 months I lost 75 pounds on Mounjaro, American drug manufacturer's Type 2 diabetes drug. I had no preference bc I know a lot about Novo Nordisk, the Danish makers of Ozempic, and the company has devoted its entire 100+ year history understanding and treating diabetes. From coats to underwear I have no choice but to rely on Amazon for many purchases in buying an entire new wardrobe. In looking for what I want I have discovered that Amazon identifies small businesses and where items are made. When possible that's what I've bought if it's the right fit. It's not much but for now it's a start. Expensive yes? Worthwhile? Who knows, but it is something I can do.
Rebecca Solnit, writing in the US edition of The Guardian, attributes the results of this election to three forces — toxic masculinity, the failure of traditional media to fully inform people and an internet dominated by the people on display in this column.
But the worst part of it is FOX News and its lesser competitors like OANN, Newsmax, etc. which pump out an unending stream of lies--or simply repeat Trump's lies, without any fact-checking. Until the Fairness Doctrine, or something better, is reinstituted, we're heading the way of Hungary or Turkey.
Robert Hubbell has identified the cause most succinctly: Sexism, racism, white supremacy. Not immigration. Not the economy. Not grievance of the disenfranchised. Sexism, racism, white supremacy. There is no need to go any further than that.
Lots of these takes have valuable observations, including today's PI. Like others, I'm unsurprised to see America's CEOs seductively batting their eyes, while they lean into the passenger window of the Trump regime's Crown Vic asking if they're looking for a good time. Their PR tested statements of "values" align with whatever boosts share prices at the time.
I tend to side with D. Earl Stephens and others who lay this entire catastrophe at the feet of Gutless Merrick Garland, and Biden's misplaced trust keeping him as AG. Garland's wiki page says that his rulings as a judge generally favored prosecutors, but his leisurely pursuit of the orchestrator of insurrection says otherwise. His earlier rulings possibly had no problem throwing the book at minorities and poor people, because he effectively gave Trump a protracted Ford pardon.
When I read that the Fraternal Order of Police endorsed trump I knew that many men would be incapable of voting for VP Harris/Gov Walz. It was an awful sense of foreboding.
The very law enforcement you would call if you were being sexually assaulted by trump, some of them, may accept sexual assault as legal; or domestic violence (which jd vance thinks women should live with).
I also read that emotionally mature males were being referred to as "gay". Well, at least straight men know that if they're thought of as gay; I hope they consider it a compliment.
After trump's first election, young gops reported women were refusing to date them. Looks like that's quite a probable social outcome again.
I'm particularly amazed that someone married Stephen Miller. Or that JD Vance is still married. I think we can imagine what the quality of these women's lives are like.
When I came across the “character requires courage” comment (it’s not original), I believe it was a comment about the failure of the GOP—Senators, governors and representatives—to stand up to the just re-elected president.
The use of "cravenly" to describe how these CEOs have flip-flopped hits the nail squarely on the head. I would say they should be ashamed, but I genuinely don't know at this point whether they have the capacity for shame.
No, a person must have a conscience in order to feel shame. I don't believe that any of these men have ever felt "shame". No wonder they are a perfect fit with the orange sadist, he, who famously said, "I've never apologized to anyone." Even to God? asked the surprised interviewer. "No. I'VE NEVER DONE ANYTHING WRONG."
It would appear for most of these people, and most referenced in Judd's column are men; that once one obtains immense wealth, power & influence, if there was truly EVER any moral compass guiding these Ceo's & business leaders, it flew out the window with their "better angels."
Give a man the keys to the executive "boys" washroom & it must suggest they've been given the keys to the "big boys club," where toxic masculinity appears to seep into the marrow of many & they allow themselves to steep & baste in it, amongnst their "back slapping bro's.". Short-sighted, many must forget that they are father's of daughters as well & what opportunities are they & this incoming president leaving for these offspring & their futures.
The funny thing is, I'm not hearing much respect to, too many woman executives heralding " the Donald's" second coming. It's probably because they realize the negative, long term ramifications to them & their daughters & granddaughters reproductive & human rights, the planet & all that entails. There are always, in these scenarios, unintended consequences; especially for those considered lower in the pecking order..
("It's probably because they realize the negative, long term ramifications to them & their daughters & granddaughters..." Not sure I understand. Are you saying that the women executives are kowtowing BECAUSE they know these ramifications?)
Wow. What a clear indictment of capitalism. Well, we saw the same thing under Hitler, many of his biggest supporters were large companies that profited from free prison labor, much of it Jewish people. And of course later some of them were punished, but as I recall, it wasn't across the board.
So far Ms. S. yours is the best comment here. You at least mention an economic system. Everyone else is engaging in psychological reductionism and tearing out of their hair. Individuals are rarely important in analysis of social issues. We are all trapped in this dangerous, antihuman economic system.
And then, there’s Trump Media. I predict you’ll see corporate advertisers begin to flock to Truth Social, and the financials will quickly turn positive. By the way, it seems (unlike in 2016) there was no pre-election news or commentary on Trump divesting from his businesses this time around!
Ugh. I need a shower now. Let me just mention the great importance of supporting real journalism right now, as investigators will need to get creative...
This wasn't a failure of the media to inform! This was an outright propaganda ploy with the distinct prize being a trump admin. A CONVICTED FELON, RAPIST, SEDITIONIST! Think of any other country in the world that would run out and buy t-shirts saying I Support the Felon! No? I can’t think of any either.
Imagine the look of this. States like Wisconsin-with enough idiot unknowns and goofball Stein to pull in just enough votes to matter.
I’m not fully convinced there wasn’t tampering…Bomb threats called in to majority Dem areas across the nation but not a peep from Dems. Trump being relaxed & saying “we have the votes”, knowing Russia interfered AGAIN. But no demands to hand count from Dems, no demonstrations, even if we gathered, the right wing press will not report it. The press is THEM.
THE Press BLITZED the US just like it Blitzed the UK for Brexit.
Elections disrupted with these russian " threats" just long enough in certain democratic districts, to possibly disrupt the chain of custody or take a technogical advantage. I'm not " techie" enough to know how, but you know there are a number out there, who do know how it's done.
"I’m not fully convinced there wasn’t tampering." I AM fully convinced that there WAS tampering -- starting with the thousands of pieces of lies sent out by Russia, c/o the American traitor, John Mark Dugan. I was fascinated to read that he is pissed off with pukin for not (doing something he wants done -- I forget what; maybe related to Ukraine?) Guess he forgot how tall some windows are in Russia.
“Tampering” and “fraud” are usually used to describe how ballot counts are compromised. Election interference is stuff like disinformation; bomb threats to polling centers & election boards; GOP PACs funding Jill Stein. Things that interfere with voters’ decisions or them being able to cast their vote.
The vomitous pandering of members of the corporate elite to power speaks volumes about their lack of character. One hundred years from now, assuming the country and the planet still exist, I wonder if we will have reverted to Emersonian ideals?
Judd & staff: In the coming dark times, you are a single source for shining light on the cockroaches & vermin that infest our corrupt political, corporate & billionaire elite populations. Your bravery & resolve will give us all courage to fight & a resource for reliable information with which to arm ourselves. Should you find a way for those of us laypersons who are looking for ways to contribute to a resistance please know I for one am willing to take on that role. We need leadership and organization I and many like me are willing & ready to follow. You may DM me if desired. 🤞
These greedy bastards care only about the size of their bank accounts to make up for their teeny weenies. Worse, they think Trump cares what they think, he doesn't unless they are handing him untraceable cash when they address him.
Do you think that the really think that drumpf cares what they think? I am virtually 100% certain that all are so crass that "thinking" doesn't come into the equation. POWER is all that matters.
From the 7Veritas4 account on Twitter: I, like many of you, have been contemplating our predicament since election night.
We are in a losing war for our democracy and I'm not sure we collectively know who our true adversary is.
It's not the voting blocks...white women, Latinos, Gen X. It's not MAGA. It's not even Trump.
It's an insidious power that has been hiding in the shadows for some time...and when the stakes were at their highest in this election, it fully revealed itself.
The American Oligarchy.
They control our Supreme Court, much of Congress, and the flow of information to the masses via legacy, mainstream and social media.
They decide the national conversation, how to keep us at each other's throats while they continue to amass wealth and power completely unchecked.
They put their thumbs on the scale of justice and poured billions into this election. They chose Trump because he was desperate and would capitulate to their demands. They chose a running mate to replace him in case he became too unhinged to control.
Consider how many disqualifying facts about Trump never saw the light of day...or didn't get the attention they deserved...or got drowned out by propaganda. They took a mentally spent buffoon and presented him as a hero to the masses.
Despite Biden successfully steering us out of a global recession and strengthening our economy, they maintained the national tone about the price of groceries being too high. Despite Trump's obvious mental decline, their media outlets remained reticent to press the issue.
We struggle to unite as a nation because they're too good at keeping us divided. We are drowning in disinformation because they control all of it.
They have successfully created imaginary villains for us to fight...each other.
It seems like we are a democracy careening towards fascism, when the reality is they're using the specter of fascism to keep us on edge while they turn America into a compliant oligarchy.
Whether you are a democrat, republican, independent or MAGA, we have a common foe.
Ms. Stahr, have you read the book AMERICA INCORPORATED by the brilliant Sheldon Wolin? You are already thinking as he did. You are running with good company.
For the conscientious consumer there is simply no place to go. This entire thing makes me nauseous.
Me, too!
Over the last 15 months I lost 75 pounds on Mounjaro, American drug manufacturer's Type 2 diabetes drug. I had no preference bc I know a lot about Novo Nordisk, the Danish makers of Ozempic, and the company has devoted its entire 100+ year history understanding and treating diabetes. From coats to underwear I have no choice but to rely on Amazon for many purchases in buying an entire new wardrobe. In looking for what I want I have discovered that Amazon identifies small businesses and where items are made. When possible that's what I've bought if it's the right fit. It's not much but for now it's a start. Expensive yes? Worthwhile? Who knows, but it is something I can do.
Wayyyy off topic!
Not at all. People don't want to give their money to these hypocritical ass-kissing enablers of fascism.
Rebecca Solnit, writing in the US edition of The Guardian, attributes the results of this election to three forces — toxic masculinity, the failure of traditional media to fully inform people and an internet dominated by the people on display in this column.
That pretty much sums it up.
But the worst part of it is FOX News and its lesser competitors like OANN, Newsmax, etc. which pump out an unending stream of lies--or simply repeat Trump's lies, without any fact-checking. Until the Fairness Doctrine, or something better, is reinstituted, we're heading the way of Hungary or Turkey.
Oh, we’re going to be way worse than either of those countries. trump will effectively make us a pariah in the world. Color us N. Korea.
Robert Hubbell has identified the cause most succinctly: Sexism, racism, white supremacy. Not immigration. Not the economy. Not grievance of the disenfranchised. Sexism, racism, white supremacy. There is no need to go any further than that.
Transphobia too. But I think lies and misinformation were biggest.
Lots of these takes have valuable observations, including today's PI. Like others, I'm unsurprised to see America's CEOs seductively batting their eyes, while they lean into the passenger window of the Trump regime's Crown Vic asking if they're looking for a good time. Their PR tested statements of "values" align with whatever boosts share prices at the time.
I tend to side with D. Earl Stephens and others who lay this entire catastrophe at the feet of Gutless Merrick Garland, and Biden's misplaced trust keeping him as AG. Garland's wiki page says that his rulings as a judge generally favored prosecutors, but his leisurely pursuit of the orchestrator of insurrection says otherwise. His earlier rulings possibly had no problem throwing the book at minorities and poor people, because he effectively gave Trump a protracted Ford pardon.
When I read that the Fraternal Order of Police endorsed trump I knew that many men would be incapable of voting for VP Harris/Gov Walz. It was an awful sense of foreboding.
The very law enforcement you would call if you were being sexually assaulted by trump, some of them, may accept sexual assault as legal; or domestic violence (which jd vance thinks women should live with).
I also read that emotionally mature males were being referred to as "gay". Well, at least straight men know that if they're thought of as gay; I hope they consider it a compliment.
After trump's first election, young gops reported women were refusing to date them. Looks like that's quite a probable social outcome again.
I'm particularly amazed that someone married Stephen Miller. Or that JD Vance is still married. I think we can imagine what the quality of these women's lives are like.
Character requires courage. Courage is shockingly scarce in the United States.
Is it possible for a person with character to have hundreds of billions of dollars? My character- radar says "NO".
When I came across the “character requires courage” comment (it’s not original), I believe it was a comment about the failure of the GOP—Senators, governors and representatives—to stand up to the just re-elected president.
I think that the multi-billionaires belong in that group, as well.
The use of "cravenly" to describe how these CEOs have flip-flopped hits the nail squarely on the head. I would say they should be ashamed, but I genuinely don't know at this point whether they have the capacity for shame.
No, a person must have a conscience in order to feel shame. I don't believe that any of these men have ever felt "shame". No wonder they are a perfect fit with the orange sadist, he, who famously said, "I've never apologized to anyone." Even to God? asked the surprised interviewer. "No. I'VE NEVER DONE ANYTHING WRONG."
It would appear for most of these people, and most referenced in Judd's column are men; that once one obtains immense wealth, power & influence, if there was truly EVER any moral compass guiding these Ceo's & business leaders, it flew out the window with their "better angels."
Give a man the keys to the executive "boys" washroom & it must suggest they've been given the keys to the "big boys club," where toxic masculinity appears to seep into the marrow of many & they allow themselves to steep & baste in it, amongnst their "back slapping bro's.". Short-sighted, many must forget that they are father's of daughters as well & what opportunities are they & this incoming president leaving for these offspring & their futures.
The funny thing is, I'm not hearing much respect to, too many woman executives heralding " the Donald's" second coming. It's probably because they realize the negative, long term ramifications to them & their daughters & granddaughters reproductive & human rights, the planet & all that entails. There are always, in these scenarios, unintended consequences; especially for those considered lower in the pecking order..
("It's probably because they realize the negative, long term ramifications to them & their daughters & granddaughters..." Not sure I understand. Are you saying that the women executives are kowtowing BECAUSE they know these ramifications?)
It might be fun watching how Trump will play all of the tech moguls against each other…that’s about the only fun we’ll experience.
True.
I feel like gakking a hairball.
As Patton said,
"God deliver us from our friends, we can handle the enemy."
Wow. What a clear indictment of capitalism. Well, we saw the same thing under Hitler, many of his biggest supporters were large companies that profited from free prison labor, much of it Jewish people. And of course later some of them were punished, but as I recall, it wasn't across the board.
Capitalism or legalized kleptocratic cartels?
Capitalism in Europe is better than in the U.S., wish I knew why.
I'm sure the muscular regulatory presence in the EU has absolutely nothing to do with it.
Ms. S. regulations and shared heritage.
So far Ms. S. yours is the best comment here. You at least mention an economic system. Everyone else is engaging in psychological reductionism and tearing out of their hair. Individuals are rarely important in analysis of social issues. We are all trapped in this dangerous, antihuman economic system.
And then, there’s Trump Media. I predict you’ll see corporate advertisers begin to flock to Truth Social, and the financials will quickly turn positive. By the way, it seems (unlike in 2016) there was no pre-election news or commentary on Trump divesting from his businesses this time around!
Ugh, you are so right. That hadn’t occurred to me yet.
Ugh. I need a shower now. Let me just mention the great importance of supporting real journalism right now, as investigators will need to get creative...
Yes! Organizations like Pro Publica are well worth our support.
Amen. I've said so elsewhere and I echo your sentiment here.
This wasn't a failure of the media to inform! This was an outright propaganda ploy with the distinct prize being a trump admin. A CONVICTED FELON, RAPIST, SEDITIONIST! Think of any other country in the world that would run out and buy t-shirts saying I Support the Felon! No? I can’t think of any either.
Imagine the look of this. States like Wisconsin-with enough idiot unknowns and goofball Stein to pull in just enough votes to matter.
I’m not fully convinced there wasn’t tampering…Bomb threats called in to majority Dem areas across the nation but not a peep from Dems. Trump being relaxed & saying “we have the votes”, knowing Russia interfered AGAIN. But no demands to hand count from Dems, no demonstrations, even if we gathered, the right wing press will not report it. The press is THEM.
THE Press BLITZED the US just like it Blitzed the UK for Brexit.
Elections disrupted with these russian " threats" just long enough in certain democratic districts, to possibly disrupt the chain of custody or take a technogical advantage. I'm not " techie" enough to know how, but you know there are a number out there, who do know how it's done.
"I’m not fully convinced there wasn’t tampering." I AM fully convinced that there WAS tampering -- starting with the thousands of pieces of lies sent out by Russia, c/o the American traitor, John Mark Dugan. I was fascinated to read that he is pissed off with pukin for not (doing something he wants done -- I forget what; maybe related to Ukraine?) Guess he forgot how tall some windows are in Russia.
Hope he knows how to fly.
“Tampering” and “fraud” are usually used to describe how ballot counts are compromised. Election interference is stuff like disinformation; bomb threats to polling centers & election boards; GOP PACs funding Jill Stein. Things that interfere with voters’ decisions or them being able to cast their vote.
Thanks for explaining the distinction, Ann.
The vomitous pandering of members of the corporate elite to power speaks volumes about their lack of character. One hundred years from now, assuming the country and the planet still exist, I wonder if we will have reverted to Emersonian ideals?
Judd & staff: In the coming dark times, you are a single source for shining light on the cockroaches & vermin that infest our corrupt political, corporate & billionaire elite populations. Your bravery & resolve will give us all courage to fight & a resource for reliable information with which to arm ourselves. Should you find a way for those of us laypersons who are looking for ways to contribute to a resistance please know I for one am willing to take on that role. We need leadership and organization I and many like me are willing & ready to follow. You may DM me if desired. 🤞
The white glove fascists. It's just business.
Indeed. Well said.
Thank you for researching and detailing the hypocrisy of these CEOs!
These greedy bastards care only about the size of their bank accounts to make up for their teeny weenies. Worse, they think Trump cares what they think, he doesn't unless they are handing him untraceable cash when they address him.
Do you think that the really think that drumpf cares what they think? I am virtually 100% certain that all are so crass that "thinking" doesn't come into the equation. POWER is all that matters.
The new Oligarchs know how to play their cards to get the spoils from the despot.
(for as long as it lasts. Just ask Jack Ma and Boa Fan.)
Everything that trump touches, dies. FAFO.
From the 7Veritas4 account on Twitter: I, like many of you, have been contemplating our predicament since election night.
We are in a losing war for our democracy and I'm not sure we collectively know who our true adversary is.
It's not the voting blocks...white women, Latinos, Gen X. It's not MAGA. It's not even Trump.
It's an insidious power that has been hiding in the shadows for some time...and when the stakes were at their highest in this election, it fully revealed itself.
The American Oligarchy.
They control our Supreme Court, much of Congress, and the flow of information to the masses via legacy, mainstream and social media.
They decide the national conversation, how to keep us at each other's throats while they continue to amass wealth and power completely unchecked.
They put their thumbs on the scale of justice and poured billions into this election. They chose Trump because he was desperate and would capitulate to their demands. They chose a running mate to replace him in case he became too unhinged to control.
Consider how many disqualifying facts about Trump never saw the light of day...or didn't get the attention they deserved...or got drowned out by propaganda. They took a mentally spent buffoon and presented him as a hero to the masses.
Despite Biden successfully steering us out of a global recession and strengthening our economy, they maintained the national tone about the price of groceries being too high. Despite Trump's obvious mental decline, their media outlets remained reticent to press the issue.
We struggle to unite as a nation because they're too good at keeping us divided. We are drowning in disinformation because they control all of it.
They have successfully created imaginary villains for us to fight...each other.
It seems like we are a democracy careening towards fascism, when the reality is they're using the specter of fascism to keep us on edge while they turn America into a compliant oligarchy.
Whether you are a democrat, republican, independent or MAGA, we have a common foe.
Some of us just don't know it yet.
Ms. Stahr, have you read the book AMERICA INCORPORATED by the brilliant Sheldon Wolin? You are already thinking as he did. You are running with good company.
Well said!
Nice to have a clear historical record on how our Tech ‘Leaders’ are all ‘bending the knee’ for trump.
Meanwhile, I’m dreading the next 4 years 😬