A quick status report: I am improving each day, but my guess is that this site will continue to experience glitches, probably attributable to my medicated status. Yesterday, the emails failed to send at the scheduled time–fortunately, my techie son intervened and was able to fix the issue. Every day, it seems, there’s something. (The day after my brief hospital stay, an uninsured driver t-boned our daughter’s car; fortunately, she and our granddaugher were just bruised, but the car was totalled. The next day, my husband pulled out a kitchen drawer and it–and he– collapsed. Again, fortunately, he’s fine, but I’m getting a bit leery.)
I really appreciate all the kind words, and your willingness to hang in there with me! This too will pass–and if we’re lucky, MAGA will pass too…
___________
Today’s will be a “quickie,” because I’m focusing on something you all already know (and I still can’t sit at the computer for long periods of time.)
This week’s job report was weak–shockingly weak. That wasn’t a surprise to anyone who passed Econ 101 (or to pretty much anyone who can read); we are just beginning to see the effects of Trump’s idiotic tariffs. But of course, the Mad King responded to the unfavorable data as is his wont: with anger and denial. How dare reality deviate from his imagined brilliance? So he fired the person in charge of analyzing and publishing the data.
As the folks at Lincoln Square noted,
One basic character of the politicization necessary to create an authoritarian regime is that public employees are reluctant to share information that displeases their political bosses. When those bosses can fire them, the incentives to suppress uncongenial information, or provide false information, become overwhelming.
Over time, life in these countries become bifurcated. Statistics become propaganda. There is an official reality, which many proclaim but few believe, and actual reality. And at some point actual reality catches up with the fantasy.
Reality, of course, is a place Trump has yet to visit.
Ever since Trump assumed office, civil servants have been reluctant to contradict the various moronic eruptions emanating from the Oval Office and from the assortment of clowns comprising what passes for a cabinet. So Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s anti-science beliefs about vaccines are rapidly degrading public health, and the fossil fuel tools at the EPA are pretending that there’s no such thing as climate change. Etc.
People who are unwilling to “go along to get along” are fired.
Those who survive will keep telling us that the Emperor’s new clothes are magnificent, and what’s left of America’s credibility will continue to tank.
I may have posted yhis before. If so, here it is again; still pertinent in my humble opinion,
The Emperor’s New Clothes
Apologies to Hans Christian Andersen
There was an Emperor named Donnie who was so exceedingly fond of new clothes, his golden hair, and his equally golden toilet that he spent all his money on. He cared nothing about his subjects except to show off his new clothes. and his Executive Orders.
Every day many strangers, most of whom wore those attractive red hats in hand, came to town, and among them one day came two swindlers named Vladie (Putin) and Elon They let it be known they were weavers, and they said they could weave the most magnificent fabrics imaginable. Not only were their colors and patterns uncommonly fine, but clothes made of this cloth had a wonderful way of becoming invisible to anyone who was not a loyal follower or who was unusually stupid. Donnie paid Vladie by giving him dibs on Ukraine but Elon paid Donnie a large sum of money(read bribe) to start work at once.
They set up two looms and pretended to weave, though there was nothing on the looms. “I’d like to know how those weavers are getting on with the cloth,” Emperor Donnie thought, but he felt slightly uncomfortable when he remembered that those who were unfit for their position would not be able to see the fabric.
“I’ll send my lackey, J D, to the weavers,” the Donnie decided. “He’ll be the best one to tell me how the material looks, for he’s a sensible man and no one does his duty better. “So J D went to the room where the two swindlers sat working away at their empty looms. “Heaven help me,” he thought as his eyes flew wide open, “I can’t see anything at all”. But he did not say so.
All the town was talking of this splendid cloth, and the Donnie wanted to see it for himself while it was still in the looms. Attended by a band of chosen men, among whom were his two old trusted officials Mikey (House Speaker Johnson) and Stevie (Asst Chief of Staff Miller) he set out to see the two swindlers. He found them weaving with might and main, but without a thread in their looms.
“Magnificent,” said the two officials already duped. “What’s this?” thought Donnie. “I can’t see anything. This is terrible!
Am I a fool? Duh! His whole retinue; Mikey, Stevie and Margie (Taylor Green), all joined together in exclaiming, “Oh! It’s very pretty,” and they advised him to wear clothes made of this wonderful cloth, especially for the great procession he was soon to lead. “Magnificent! Excellent! Unsurpassed!” Donnie gave each of the swindlers a pretty red hat to wear with MAGA embroidered on the front.
Then The Donnie himself came with his noblest noblemen, and the swindlers, Vladie and Elon, each raised an arm as if they were holding something. They said, “These are the trousers, here’s the coat, and this is the mantle,” naming each garment. “All of them are as light as a spider web. One would almost think he had nothing on, but that’s what makes them so fine.”
“Exactly,” all the noblemen agreed, though they could see nothing, for there was nothing to see.
Then Donnie undressed, and the swindlers pretended to put his new clothes on him, one garment after another. “How well Your Majesty’s new clothes look. Aren’t they becoming!” He heard on all sides, “That pattern, so perfect! Those colors, so suitable! It is a magnificent outfit.”
Then the minister of public processions announced: “Your Majesty’s Swasticar is waiting outside on the White House lawn.”
So off went the Donnie in procession. Everyone in the streets and the windows said, “Oh, how fine are Donnie’s new clothes! Don’t they fit him to perfection? Nobody would confess that they couldn’t see anything, for that would prove him either unfit for his position or a fool. No costume the Emperor had worn before was ever such a complete success.
“But he hasn’t got anything on,” a little child, Jasmine (Crockett, United States Representative from California) said.
“Did you ever hear such innocent prattle?” said kind old uncle, Bernie (Sanders, US Senator from Vermont). And one person whispered to another what the child had said, “He hasn’t anything on. Little Jasmine says he hasn’t anything on.”
“But he hasn’t got anything on!” the whole town cried out at last.
Emperor Donnie shivered, for he suspected they were right. But he thought, “This procession has got to go on.” So he walked more proudly than ever. And the people laughed.
Two of the reports I usually read consistently are the PPI and CPI Indices. I cancelled those emails almost immediately because I could tell they were being modified to make things better than they look. I have a lower trust value in our government because of my due diligence over the years, but now, it’s non-existent. This has never been so obvious with the complete difference in views between Trump and Powell at the FED. What kind of debacle would our economy be in if the POTUS controlled the FED? Thank goodness Powell seems to have a backbone so far, but I don’t expect Trump to relent.
When it’s tough to trust our government or the press, what’s left? The dummies in MAGA will believe anything Trump says. Period. What makes it even more difficult is that Trump’s physical and mental decline appears to be accelerating like Biden’s, and the mental midgets he’s surrounded himself with aren’t smart enough to use their brains, so who is controlling the country?
I say it’s Miller and Vance based on the EOs we see Trump signing. You can probably add Vought, too, since he works for the Koch and the Evangelical wing.
p.s. Get well soon, Sheila. I’ve suffered from unexpected medical issues myself and it gets harder to rebound each time it happens. 🙁
Have any of Trump’s own coup members questioned what he is doing with all of the money he is saving taxpayers with the fired thousands and selling off government buildings and our public lands to oil companies. They will never personally ride in that renovated $400 MILLION jet GIFT or dance in that $200 gold ballroom; they might, however, become victim to his funded ICE troops when he begins ridding the nation of his enemies. His friends don’t seem to last through the full term he might, or might not, serve. The revolving doors of the 2016 first term haven’t jet begun to revolve; but it has only been six MONTHS, not the six years it seems to be that we have been locked in this HELL. He tends to shoot his own messengers.
Professor-several things:
1. Glad your daughter and granddaughter are ok, bruised, but ok
2. Your husband is one of the finest gentlemen and leader this city has ever had. We wish him well.
3. You know how old I am and I am horrible at technology. Your son is a great kid.
4. Anyone that knows you, knows that you are tough as nails. Just keep following the medical advice. Stay strong, Denny
Take care of yourself and your family Professor. I am glad that your daughter and grandchild are relatively unharmed, and I hope your husband recovers quickly from his collapse.
My bathroom scale produced a number that I didn’t like, so I fired it.
Easy does it, Sheila. I hope your daughter heals quickly too. Sometimes that old adage connecting raining and pouring visits us all.
Accountability- on multiple levels- impacts one- when there are MAJOR negative Repercussions when one is out of account.
I drove our car and got in an accident that was my fault.
Warning- that at age 72- I didn’t hear deeply enough.
Months after the 2nd accident- insurance renewal time- we couldn’t afford $500/month higher payments and Chose “rationally” not to drive our car in April, 2024.
If I was a true “insider”- like Republican big folks- one of various “fixes” would have appeared. DT gets attention which he Craves.
Big Folks- who MAGA flings off aren’t generally Seriously impacted but the little people NEED to be reached and many more of us need to SERIOUSLY RESIST and not expect “victory” with for example the 2026 elections (only).
Imagine a world in which an overgrown toddler sends everyone and everything that displeases him into the cornfield. Welcome to the Twilight Zone.
Continue to take good care of yourself.
The series of mishaps reminds me of a time, long ago, when I had to see 4 doctors in the period of a single week.
Hope everybody does well.
I’m not sure that you all are completely cognizant of just how poorly the rest of the world thinks of you at this time. You are not a country that can be trusted. The world is going to go on without you.
PS Are you allowed to drive without insurance? That’s crazy.
Hiding from reality in all its forms in pandemic among MAGA from the leaders to all of the millions of followers.
DJT not no only lies to his followers but to himself as well. He wants nothing to do with the real world because in it he is a failure. But on his golden throne he pretends to be a golden boy.
Pretending is his fav.
No authoritarian government ends well. Everyone suffers, and divisions last into future centuries.
Glad I’m old.
I’m glad your daughter and granddaughter are doing ok. How scary. Hopefully your husband is ok too. What a heck of a week! My back went out a few days prior to my 60th birthday. The pain was terrible. I never felt older than when I slowly hobbled across the parking lot and into my chiropractor’s office, checked in, and they said, “well happy birthday! What brings you in today?” My response was, “turning 60, evidently.”
Regarding the orange toddler’s recent tantrum and firing, I continue to be amazed at how easily he gets away with so much destruction, deception, and the dismantling of our democracy. How quickly and seamlessly he blames it all on someone else, and everyone simply falls into line with him. This truly boggles my mind. I start to think maybe I’ve got this all wrong. Wait, is it possible? Am I missing something here? I mean, after all, there are those who think he is deserving of a Nobel Peace Prize, for Pete’s sake! Then I come to my senses, remind myself this is exactly what they want sane and logical people to do. They want us to question what we know is fact and what is true, for they are the best spin doctors and gas lighters in the world. So I am forever grateful for this blog and others like it that are still sharing the truth and staying resolute in keeping us aware of what’s actually happening behind the orange curtain and yelling out daily, “hey, this dude isn’t wearing any clothes!” Thank you, Sheila. Heal and rest.
Take care Professor “bad ass.” Ha
The trouble comes in 3s apparently. I don’t comment but know you’re cared for out here. Rest up.
Take care get well soon.
DJT spinning and weaving an image that is baseless doesn’t change reality. He’s king in his house of cards that most Americans don’t want to live in. Time to keep speaking up, resisting and calling Maga and project 2025 out consistently.
Sheila, sorry for your pain and family mishaps of late and thanks for sharing and searching for the truth that leads to progress.
Sheila;
Has your techie son suggested a standing desk?
Take care. Sad to hear of the bad news.
I was shocked and surprised that May and June job numbers were so good, until they weren’t. The corrected numbers made a lot more sense to me.
(sarcasm) Who could have imagined the DOGE induced layoffs might effect the quality and the timeliness of the results!
I’ve also heard that inflation numbers are being effected by the same DOGE cuts. Maybe this is the grand plan, but there is a private company that compiles similar data and maybe the long term goal is to just outsource this government function. That might be the end result, but not an actual plan, because it will be harder to discredit or fire somebody if it’s numbers coming from a independent third party company.
Glad to hear everybody is ok. Back pain totally sucks so I hope your healing well and not in much pain.
Eager to meet you in Fort Wayne in September. Good to know octogenarians like us can still make a difference.
Rest and take care of yourself. As a fellow Type A person I know that is very hard to do, but necessary for a full recovery.