America really has been great–or at least, greater. Of course, a lot depends upon one’s definition of “greatness.” Donald Trump rather obviously confuses the term “great” with the term “much”–in his limited and twisted worldview, rich people are great because they have lots of money, celebrities are great because they command lots of attention, and countries are great if they control more territory.
So–in Trump’s mind, Elon Musk must be great because he has lots of money. Trump himself must be great because the media is paying attention to him (it’s irrelevant that much of that attention is highly critical–it’s attention!) If the United States “acquires” Greenland and Gaza, and takes back the Panama Canal, that will make America great again.
People with more (and considerably more active) brain-cells tend to define greatness differently.
Paul Krugman recently considered the “greatness” involved in constructing the Panama Canal, and the greatness–okay, intelligence– displayed by our decision to turn ownership over to Panama.
Yes, it was a spectacular feat of engineering. But even more important, it was a triumph of medical science and science-based policy. To build the canal, America first had to conquer yellow fever and malaria. This meant understanding how these diseases were spread, then implementing widespread preventive measures that ranged from isolating infected patients with mosquito netting to eliminating sources of standing water in which mosquitoes could breed.
The success of these measures was an extraordinary achievement. But then, for much of the 20th century America led the world both in medical research and in the application of that research to public policy. This one-two punch of knowledge and knowledge-based action led to an incredible decline in the rate of death from infectious disease.
Why did the U.S. decide to turn that “spectacular feat of engineering” over to another country? Because it was in our national interest to do so.
America gave up the canal, not out of a spirit of generosity or wokeness, but because U.S. occupation of the Canal Zone had become a strategic liability rather than an asset. By the 1970s changes in transportation patterns had greatly diminished the canal’s economic importance; its military value was almost nil. At the same time, U.S. occupation of the zone had become a flashpoint for anti-Americanism, and it was obvious that defending the canal against sabotage and potential guerilla warfare would be difficult if not impossible.
Of course, weighing the pros and cons of continuing to own the canal requires the application of intelligence to sufficient accurate information–a process clearly beyond the capacities of our egomaniac co-presidents.
As Krugman also notes, quite accurately, America’s real greatness–the attributes that have earned us the global respect and deference that Trump is busily dismantling–relied to a significant extent upon our leadership in science and medicine.
Now Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a crank who rejects vaccines in particular and medical science in general, is on track to become the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The National Institutes of Health have effectively been shut down. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stopped releasing crucial data. If you go to CDC’s website, there’s a banner across the top reading “CDC’s website is being modified to comply with President Trump’s Executive Orders,” which mainly means purging anything that hints at concern over social inequality.
This country didn’t become great by bullying other nations (although we have certainly done our share of bullying). It didn’t become a beacon for the rest of the world because of slavery or Jim Crow, but instead for our constant struggle to fulfill the Constitution’s promises of liberty and equality.
Donald Trump evidently thinks “greatness” requires picking on trans children, reversing the social acceptance and economic progress of women and minorities, and ethnically cleansing Gaza. He evidently thinks that scrubbing all mention of climate change from government websites will stop the globe from warming, that ignoring scientific facts of which he disapproves will make those facts disappear, and that being the center of attention means he’s important.
Trump spent four years in the Oval Office and still has no concept of how government operates or what the rule of law means, or what American government is for.
We the People will never be able to teach him anything–he’s clearly incapable of learning. But we can–and must–disabuse him of the notion that he’s entitled to exercise unfettered power.
Not only can Trump not learn, half the voting public can’t either. At this time I have low confidence things will improve in two or four years.
The “greatness” of U.S. media was reached when it kept the attention focused on George Floyd being murdered by his local police force. The reality of racism in this country finally presented factually and in real-time and that focus led to the conviction of officers involved in the public shame of America. That was American greatness in those courtrooms with the guilty verdicts.
We, as a nation are now in the position George Floyd was in as his life ebbed away in public; we are now viewed globally as a nation of hatred run by fools with more money than they deserve. Trump’s knee is on our necks; the media should have spent the intervening years between Trump’s first appointment to the Oval office, throughout his “Stop the steal” years by shouting LIAR, LIAR, LIAR about all of the Trump and MAGA disruption and distraction of the reality of their rise to the top and his 2024 campaign based on threats against the rights of all Americans to the reality of carrying out all of his threats with his return to the Oval Office.
Where is our “greatness” today?
“Trump spent four years in the Oval Office and still has no concept of how government operates or what the rule of law means, or what American government is for.”
He wasn’t listening before and he doesn’t have to listen now to what American government is for; it is no longer “…government of the people, by the people and for the people…” It is his personal home ground and makes the rules.
One thing about Orange Jesus that we need to keep in mind is that he doesn’t care about anyone or anything other than himself. Why should he bother to learn anything, when he knows that his followers will believe anything he says? It’s also clear that his Party will support him no matter how stupid and reckless he is.
If there is another election, and it’s not him or one of his minions, the next President will face a mess that makes the pandemic look like child’s play.
It is impossible to “teach” someone who doesn’t believe they need to learn anything but what they believe they already know. That defines Donald J. Trump.
JoAnn, the media DID scream LIAR, LIAR, LIAR. But half the country clapped their hands over their ears and continued worshipping the worst creature this country has ever produced.
This paragraph illustrates the tangible peril the people of this country – and parts of the world – are in: “Now Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a crank who rejects vaccines in particular and medical science in general, is on track to become the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The National Institutes of Health have effectively been shut down. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stopped releasing crucial data. If you go to CDC’s website, there’s a banner across the top reading “CDC’s website is being modified to comply with President Trump’s Executive Orders,” which mainly means purging anything that hints at concern over social inequality.”
This idiocy spells doom for millions. It’s already happening. Ignoring court orders and stops to the evil coming from the Resolute desk is the new norm. While the courts grind slowly, the wrecking ball of Trump continues to knock down the pillars of our democracy and actual civilization. Is it about the money people? Partly. But a psychopath is now in charge of policy initiatives. There is no upside here. Elections? We’d better hope enough is still left to vote for.
When will a real patriot or two actually step up to the plate?
The Panama Canal expansionist grab by MUSKRAT and donny boy is a vivid example of a ploy to control and drain profits (literally) to the detriment of sustainability, future canal operations and global shipping.
During the naturalization of the canal during the Carter Administration, I was invited by Panama to support a local initiative led by business leaders to raise funds for the naturalization of the US Armed Services YMCA to become a branch of the YMCA of Panama. The US Armed Forces were withdrawing upon completion of mission. This remarkable engagement sparked my interest in the Panama Canal Story and the importance of this engineering achievement to global trade and relations.
There is a cost to operations of The Canal passed onto shipping owners. The Panamanians have been totally transparent about these costs with all major shipping operations. It is not just the infrastructure of The Canal to be constantly maintained. Essential operations of The Canal depend on fresh water hydraulics sourced from highland lakes along both sides of the passage.
MUSKRAT and donny boy claim Panama has been unfair on Lexi of transfer fees.
Here is where MUSKRAT and donny boy totally ignores: climate change. They will drain the profits and literally drain the source of water hydraulics to maximize profit with no investment in sustainability. This is the canary in the mine that reveals the true nature of motive and self interest at the expense of a global disaster: their vision of America First.
Yes, climate change is expected to have a significant impact on the water hydraulics essential to the future of the Panama Canal. The canal relies heavily on freshwater from surrounding lakes to operate its locks, and climate change is causing shifts in rainfall patterns and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events like droughts.
For instance, recent droughts driven by the El Niño phenomenon have already led to water shortages, forcing the Panama Canal Authority to impose restrictions on the draft of ships and the number of vessels that can transit daily. These measures are necessary to conserve water and ensure the canal’s continued operation.
To address these challenges, the Panama Canal Authority is exploring innovative water management solutions, such as cloud seeding and smart irrigation systems, to mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure a sustainable water supply for the canal.
It’s clear that adapting to climate change will be crucial for the future of the Panama Canal and the global trade it supports.
But MUSKRAT and donny boy object. America First … the vulnerable be damned.
While Trumpolini is ruling the country with executive orders, where are our congress and senate? Are they on break? I’ve read a few stern letters written to Trump or his staff, but for the most part, both parties have acquiesced their power to the president—not even a word from the Supreme Court.
As I wrote and posted yesterday, Musk is 100% a product of the CIA. His mentor within the CIA went on to NASA and bailed out Musk and his companies with a mysterious $1.5 billion contract. It saved his companies from bankruptcy, and now he’s the wealthiest man in the world and is being used by the DoD to build an iron dome over the US from space. Neither political party stopped or cut his government funding. If you ask Musk, he’s an outsider/populist, but he’s lying.
Thiel has been on the identical path since the beginning. Musk’s mentor with the CIA ran the In-Q-Tel joint venture fund, which constructed Silicon Valley to allow the private sector to complete projects that were illegal for the government to undertake.
When Trumpolini was asked how he knew that DEI was responsible for the plane/helicopter crash when the FAA hadn’t even begun investigating the wreckage, he told the reporter, “Because I have common sense.” LOL
During his first term, he said he knew more than most of the generals from the Pentagon. That’s why several of them disobeyed his directives. He already is walking back his comment about letting the Palestinians back into their land after he ethnically cleanses them from Gaza while his staff has been telling reporters they’d only have to leave “temporarily.”
Oh, and Trumpolini will “Make Art Great Again” by taking over the Kennedy Center. He will replace David Rubenstein, a co-founder of the private equity firm Carlyle Group. Books have been written about the group’s shenanigans. I can’t wait to see what Trump considers “art.”
Last but not least is the opening of Pandora’s Box called USAID. The humanitarian aid nonprofit opened four media companies in Ukraine several years before Nuland’s coup in 2014. Now that the “aid” has been cut off, they are all begging for money and laying off staff. Zelenskyy is ready to wave the white flag because without his propaganda outlets, the American people will discover that the whole country is bankrupt and we’ve been funneling billions of dollars to keep their doors open. The fleecing of the American people, empire style!
The short-fingered embodies Talleyrand’s assessment of the Bourbon monarchs: they have learnt nothing and forgotten nothing. And we are just beginning to pay the price.
The essential factors that led to our greatness and made us the safest, most comfortable humans who have existed are: the oceans that seperate North America from the populations and civilizations of Europe and Asia; this continent’s natural seaports; the vastness and geographic diversity of North America; European brutality to the Indigenous people that they found living here; the Constitution; Manifest Destiny; the flow of cheap immigrant labor and brilliant minds here; the flow of global markets goods; the common European culture of our neighbors here who we share the geographic diversity of North America with; all of the other countries we managed into common bonds; the unity of colony/states that evolved here, and a handful of key people at just the right times in our history all contributed. We were great 10 generations before MTV (Musk, Trump, Vance).
No one knows what will follow them. I suspect that it will mark our third revolution as people who know history lead the changes that will allow us to escape from repeating the mistakes of the global past.
Help return “greatness”. Participate and learn – share and get others involved. Sessions upcoming from the Network for Responsible Public Policy:
American Political Institutions: Fragile or Resilient? – February 13
https://www.nfrpp.org/event/american-political-institutions-fragile-or-resilient/
Ending the Corruption of Money – February 27
https://www.nfrpp.org/event/ending-the-corruption-of-money/
Is Rule of Law Enough to Protect Democracy? – March 27
https://www.nfrpp.org/event/is-rule-of-law-enough-to-protect-democracy/
I like to converse with the local working class. here in NoDak, its a empty chasm of ignorance of any defense of civil rights, whos who in DC and the facts of protectiing our democracy. theres a constant game of whos app to download at some sales counter,with no regard what that app does other than grant ya few
cheap trinkets,point here, most everyone here is gripped into a sense it doesnt matter whos in charge and why. if civics were ever taught here in NoDak, it was glossed over and the local AM radio (right wing) did the rest as they merrily stroked their phone for u tube to make em laugh… nothing here matters except going to work and going home..even trumps promises are not even being discussed. because they know it was a con,and they win because the voted for him no matter why..
Shiela’s final word this morning prompted me to reflect on the distinction between >>entitlement<>empowerment<<.
Empowerment … Involves growing as a leader and building on what you have. Is based on trust and belief. Involves understanding the process and taking responsibility. Involves living in accordance with one's values. Involves being aware of the environment.
Entitlement … Involves believing that one should have or do what they want. Involves a sense of equality and fairness that's largely based on one's own desires. Involves wanting the result without taking the time to understand the process. Involves ego-driven behavior that seeks validation from outside of oneself. Involves making self-serving decisions.
Empowerment is a process that can be earned over time. It's a harder road to travel, but its benefits can spread far.
Entitlement can be unhealthy and hinder the achievement of lasting success.
In a democratic republic, the people vote to empower the elected to execute The Oath of office. As an American People, we reward the results of empowerment with our united support. The DNA of a democratic republic loathes anyone who claims spurious entitlement to lead first over empowerment to govern.
Thank you, Shiela.
Todd:
sorry,congress isnt in the mood, the demos laundry is sagging against their ankles after Harris/ billionair led march to the ditch. seems the rightwingers are in charge period. after 4 decades,the demos have joined ranks near the new,center. they are bowing in together for wall streets big party to reward the rich as corp America has finally taken over.. its obvious, the balloon will bust,and most of every dollar on the street in our pockets will now be controlled by wall streets elite. what was main street,will be incorporated into the new plastic industry of knowing every dime you have., cash seems so easily forggotton ,, now whos gonna win in the next bubble that breaks this government? crypto buddy,and walls streets greed will be its end of a free society,under marshall law… they did the research,covid gave them the knowlege how to handle it..think tanks,ahhhhh,, cant,live without em!
I just read this morning that the so called President has ordered the Justice Deprtment to stop prosecuting U.S. companies for bribing officials in foreign countries to obtain business.
So George Orwell was 100% prescient.
You need to be on Bluesky
Two weeks ago, Kash Patel, Trump’s nominee to direct the FBI, was given 25,946 shares in Trump Media, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. They are now worth about $840,000. What was this a payoff for?
Hey, let’s bribe America great again!
What a guy!
And, too many people are too busy getting entertained on their phones, etc.
I work at a prestigious medical, academic, research center—there is a bit of a panic because the NIH has just posted a cap they are willing to give research for indirect costs (having a place to work, having electricity, freezers needed, paper, etc…).
I work in the study of glioblastoma and one of the treatments being looked at is the use of vaccines targeting the various proteins transmitters. The goal is for the body to recognize these ‘bad’ proteins with the use of a targeted vaccine to kill the cancer cell. Its a concern–my focus is finding industry sponsors and not utilize NIH/NCI grants and that comes w/ risk–people for many reasons do not trust industry but NIH/NCI has at least the appearance of addressing disease for the greater good.
It seems to me that the most critical question now is whether the courts will be willing and able to uphold the rule of law. Our protests and actions should be focused on strengthening and supporting those judges working to do so. It would be a mistake to get distracted by the blizzard of BS being generated by Trump, et.al.
And when criticizing SCOTUS, remember that we have allies there. We should definitely support them.
Jack and Jim,
What’s interesting to me is the work being done by several groups on the money flowing from USAID and NED to all these NGOs. A combination of public funds and private sector donations is tossed in with the same Foundation names that always come up. Folks are scouring Form 990s to connect the dots. Since Trumpolini and Musk cut off the funding, most of the MAGATs are calling out Democrats for running these illegal schemes across the globe, but the Form 990s show there are specific NGOs for Republicans and Democrats. Politicians from both parties get a salary to promote the scheme.
Therefore, USAID is a uniparty scheme or one aspect of the deep state. It looks to be one of the funding schemes of the deep state, where taxpayer money is laundered through various nonprofits and NGOs. While a few Democrats are vocal about the aid being cut off, Trumpolini/Musk has accidentally tapped into a joint operation carried out by both parties. It’s a pretty elaborate scheme, so I am sure Congressional reps are concerned about how to deal with their funding being cut off. LOL
For all his bluster, and the fact that he’d like to do what he says, I think all the talk about Panama, Greenland, and Gaza are just a distraction while Puppet Master Elon takes over the government.
Some things that frighten me haven’t been mentioned. Trump and his ilk do believe that if you don’t measure it, it can’t exist, so data collection, both medical and environmental will cease, creating holes in our knowledge and challenging predictive abilities in the future.
Also, Musk and his minions might actually destroy data, scientific data and legal evidence against himself and the Trump team – then, of course, Trump might sell or trade the remaining contents of the Archives for cash, favors, or new Trump Towers.
I am for one Musk obsession though – a manned mission to Mars – one way – with a crew of Musk, Trump, Vance, etc. Load it up with Trump crypto so he can buy land from the Martians (of course Trump will end up keeping his crypto because he doesn’t believe in paying bills)
America never was great! America served its purpose to help enrich the Masters in Europe. United States reveled in the so-called American exceptionalism, but exceptional is too kind of a word. And you can link that up with Manifest Destiny, which was built on slavery. The Protestants hated the Catholics, they did not want them on this continent. So, that religious conflict continued. Interestingly, the first real organized religion in the United States besides those of native Americans, was the Muslim religion or as they used to call them abrahamists. They were part of the kidnapped humans they brought over here as slaves. Mostly the Moors who were much more advanced educationally than their European counterparts. They brought with them the knowledge of stone work, construction, cosmology and advanced mathematics along with their religion.
If America was exceptional, then it was exceptional on the backs of slaves and murdered native Americans, which was a genocide in greater proportion than anything in world war II.
Let’s face it, the feet of clay and iron seems strong, but those toes are very weak. And soon, the entire system is going to collapse, because it’s time. Humanity has advanced enough, to communicate with each other instantaneously. So when anarchy wants to rear its head, especially on a global scale, and without a doubt on a nationwide scale, it can absolutely happen. This would be the first time in human History that this has been possible. You think it would have been a good thing wouldn’t you? But anarchy is the beneficiary. The striving for wealth, control, and power, usurps human rights and civil rights.
There you have it?!?!
America was not exceptional, America taught the Nazis how to be Nazis! That’s a fact of history that’s trying to be rewritten. And the only Destiny that was Manifest, is what we see today!