Republican Thought Police 0
In a longer article in which he details Republican efforts to squelch disssenting voices and curtain freedom of speech, Brit “Red” Schulte reminds us that
Afterthought:
I didn’t realize it until now, but I my father must have been antifa. After all, he fought Nazi Germany in WWII.
I wonder if Trump would jail him now, were he still with ut.
American Stasi 0
Farron demolishes J. D. Vance’s claim that ICE has “absolute immunity” to kill whomever they want.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Another “responsible gun owner.”
Another portable phallus exposed to a child.
Another child sacrificed to the NRA’s leaden idol.
Another day in NRA Paradise.
Republican Thought Police 0
If you don’t talk about it, then, natch, it never happened.
Stray Thought 0
We now have a government of the Trump, by the Trump, and for the Trump.
And, as First Daughter recently pointed out, we did it to ourselves.
A Tune for the Times 0
From the Youtube page:
The “Battle Hymn of the Republic” is an iconic American song, drawing on lots of roots and precursors, but pulled into its most famous shape by abolitionist Julia Ward Howe. During the American Civil War it became a signature marching song for the Union Army, linked to patriotism and faith, and has since become part of the canon of American national music. We do not attempt or treat it lightly, but our version reflects on how the first week of 2026 has already seen Trump’s troops advancing his domestic and foreign policy agendas. Every marching step is another step away from the principles and traditions embedded in the song: we have seen the transgression of international law in Venezuela, the murder of unarmed Americans in Minneapolis (and its defence by the administration), the US’s withdrawal from multiple international organisations, and explicit threats issued to other sovereign powers and polities, including Greenland.
Artificial? Yes. Intelligent? Not So Much? 0
Your BFF? At Psychology Today Blogs, Paul Thagard reminds us that AI bots can’t be our fiends because (my words, not his) they’re freaking machines playing a pre-programmed part for Pete’s sake.
Here’s his summary of his argument; follow the link for a detailed exploration of each point.
1. Caring is an emotional response.
2. Emotions are, in part, physiological reactions to situations.
3. AI models have none of these physiological reactions.
4. So AI models lack emotions.
5. So AI models are incapable of caring.
Speaking of Gaslighting . . . . 0
Trudy Rubin notes that
I commend her entire piece to your attention.
American Stasi 0
Mary Trump shines a light on the gaslighting.
Suffer the Children, Vaccine Nation Dept. 0
Once again, we are reminded that that’s not scripture. That’s a Republican family value. Dr. Leah Luckeroth points out that
Follow the link for her reasoning.
A Singular Achievement 0
Donald Trump can claim one accomplishment that no other president can claim.
He has given American citizens, legal residents, long-time allies, and international neighbors reason to mistrust the word of the United States of America.