It still bums me out that all the evil and corrupt shit he has done over the years doesn't matter to many people but the minute the idiot started a pointless war that caused gas prices to rise slightly now Republicans suddenly grow a brain and remember that Trump is a disaster of a human being and a terrible leader. It's so ridiculous on so many levels.
My ongoing fear is still that they would not have destroyed the nation so aggressively if they had any fear of suffering the consequences at the ballot box. Trump may actually be delusional enough to believe he is doing a good job, but his handlers and the wider Republican machine absolutely know better. But they are still acting as if the laws of political reality don't apply any longer and it has me convinced they have somehow already rigged the midterms to ensure they can't lose. If the Republicans don't lose in a landslide I think everyone will know its bullshit but then what? I don't think anyone is actually prepared for the reality of what a civil war scenario might actually look like if they actually dare the population to remove this regime the hard way.
There is not going to be a civil war; this is a country full of couch potatoes who LARP on the internet as revolutionaries. There is no sufficient grievance. Our last civil war was about PERPETUAL HUMAN BONDAGE.
It's really hard to destroy a nation. Ukraine and Russia are bombing each other to hell and gone and their economies and political systems lumber on. Society isn't as fragile as people think.
We are literally the most adaptable species on the planet. And under adversity, we get creative very quickly.
May they all end up at the wall. I'm past wanting justice and fighting the compulsion towards brutal vengeance. 50 years is a blink in history but I've suffered under these evil fucks my entire life from nightmares about atomic devastation under Reagan to the daily degradation of life under the neocons and fascists. Kill the oligarchs, tattoo the Nazis, bury the billionaires under their goddamn stolen dollars.
You can feel it too — momentum has shifted — proud Trump supporters have retreated to their safe spaces and will leave the rest of us to clean up the mess of this mass psychosis.
The focus, be it emanating from Mike Brock, MSNow, CNN or any reporting mechanism should not dwell on who or when something was predicted, but instead on the HERE and NOW.
The media continues to call Trump and his gang "Authoritarian." I doubt if most Americans translate this into harsh reality.
TRUMP IS A BLATANT FASCIST coupled with a truly deranged mind characterized by an ego that is so pathologic that Trump Syndrome can be used in psychiatric discussions as a prime example of pathologic narcissism, and as Trump stupidly refers to all that he does, "narcissism like never before." Perhaps Donald was totally consumed by Snow White & the Dwarfs and envisioned himself as the evil Queen. Who in history comes to mind as displaying more vanity and self-love than Donnie-boy?
How fitting that the Brothers Grimm should create such a parallel character.
Spieglein, Spieglein an der Wand..." "Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"
But the crux of the matter is not that we have a sick fuck as president of the United States (POTUS), but that the American people, in their apathy, ignorance or just plain stupidity, could fall for such an obvious con man and loser. And the media is also to blame for not doing their due diligence since other reports like Wayne Barrett had thoroughly documented the corruption of Trump and Son, along with Rudy Giuliani in both news articles in the Village Voice and in multiple books on the corruption of both birds of a feather.
I ask you, Mike, and bring to the attention of others, why is not the Free Press and the entire Democratic Party, calling out Trump & his regime, and the undying support of the Republican Congress as Fascist and/or abetting a Fascist Regime?
These are the Hallmarks of FASCISM. (Also suggest Madeleine Albright's "Fascism" as a good read. I share with you below, ChatGPT Plus' response to my query.
September 25, 2026 — 4:00 AM Pacific Time
Your Query: What are the major hallmarks of fascism as it would present in the 21st century, and is attacking a free press one of them?
Yes. Attacking an independent press is an important hallmark of fascist politics—but by itself does not establish that a person or government is fascist. Scholars distinguish fascism from authoritarianism more generally by a particular combination of features. ([Holocaust Encyclopedia][1])
1. **Ultranationalism combined with rejection of liberal democracy — the closest thing to a sine qua non.**
The nation, conceived as a unified and often exclusionary people, is placed above individual rights, political pluralism, and constitutional restraints. The leader or movement claims to represent the nation's “true” will. Without this ultranationalist, anti-pluralist core, I would be reluctant to use the term *fascism*. ([Holocaust Encyclopedia][1])
2. **Delegitimization of democratic institutions.**
Elections, legislatures, constitutional limits, and procedural restraints are treated as obstacles when they interfere with the movement's objectives.
3. **Concentration of power in a dominant leader or movement.**
Loyalty to the leader increasingly substitutes for loyalty to institutions, constitutional rules, or independent centers of authority. ([Holocaust Encyclopedia][1])
4. **Attack on an independent press and objective sources of information.**
Critical media are portrayed as dishonest, corrupt, disloyal, or enemies of the nation. In a contemporary system, this may involve intimidation, lawsuits, regulatory pressure, exclusion from access, or systematic attempts to destroy public confidence in independent journalism—not necessarily outright closure of newspapers. Historically, suppression of press freedom was integral to fascist consolidation of power. ([Holocaust Encyclopedia][2])
5. **Identification of internal enemies or outsiders.**
Minorities, immigrants, ideological opponents, intellectuals, or other groups may be portrayed as contaminating, betraying, or endangering the authentic national community. ([Holocaust Encyclopedia][1])
6. **Suppression or intimidation of political opposition.**
This can range from harassment and selective prosecution to detention, violence, or elimination of competing political organizations. Modern democratic erosion can proceed through formally legal mechanisms rather than an overt coup. ([Cambridge University Press][3])
7. **Erosion of an independent judiciary and rule of law.**
Courts, prosecutors, police, and administrative agencies become increasingly subordinated to political power or used selectively against opponents.
8. **Acceptance or glorification of political violence.**
Violence, or the threat of it, is portrayed as legitimate when undertaken to protect or regenerate the nation. Historically this distinguishes fascism from some other forms of authoritarian government particularly strongly. ([Holocaust Encyclopedia][1])
9. **A narrative of national decline followed by promised national rebirth.**
Fascist movements characteristically argue that a once-great nation has been humiliated or corrupted and must undergo a dramatic restoration or purification. ([Holocaust Encyclopedia][1])
10. **Subordination of individual rights to the purported needs of the nation.**
Due process, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, privacy, minority rights, and equality before the law become conditional when they conflict with the movement's conception of national security or national unity. ([Holocaust Encyclopedia][1])
The critical distinction is **the constellation rather than any single behavior**. A democratic politician can attack the press, criticize judges, advocate nationalism, or pursue harsh immigration policies without thereby meeting a serious historical definition of fascism. The term becomes substantially more applicable when **ultranationalism + rejection of pluralistic democracy + leader-centered power + suppression of independent institutions + designation of internal enemies + tolerance of coercion or political violence** occur together.
So, to your specific question: **Yes, systematic attack upon a free press is a classic warning sign and hallmark of fascist politics. It is not, standing alone, the sine qua non. The stronger sine qua non is ultranationalist rejection of pluralistic liberal democracy in favor of an authoritarian conception of a unified national will.** ([Holocaust Encyclopedia][1])
I also want to stress to others that describing ICE and its horrific attacks on thousands of those living in our country is absolutely identical to the genealogy of the Gestapo. We are living in a Fascist country ruled by a sick, deranged psychopath, who probably has roots in his pathology based on neurosyphilis. I would want to see a VDRL on Trump's blood and CSF (cerebrospinal fluid). I would place neurosyphilis high on my differential diagnosis of this most dangerous person ever to be elected TWICE in the history of this country.
The ICE detention centers are concentration camps and blocking spot evaluations of what is going on inside is a travesty to human rights.
The Democrats running for a Congressional seat should speak up and call "IT" what it is. Trump is a Fascist. Add to that, a rapist, a pathological liar, and likely a pedophile (to someday be determined if the Epstein files are ever fully examined).
If both houses of Congress are to be flipped, tell the American people what they have as the leader of the free world. Stop being politically "correct." I continue to see news commentators focused on trying to normalize, rationalize, but not diagnose Trump for what he is. Trump is no different from Mussolini, Franco, Hitler, Putin, Kim, and others — only, be how far on the spectrum he is now — and look at his escalation? Two more years of Trump will see us in one catastrophe after another. This lunatic must be removed from office.
And if we are going to spend our time in predictions a la Jeanne Dixon, as we approach Nov. 3rd, you ain't see nothin' yet. Trump will do anything to retain power and grab more. Martial Law, Use of the Jan. 6 Insurrectionists as his Brownshirts, Use of the Military and FBI, etc. Those who have gone along with Trump know they are in deep shit if Trump is out of office. It is only their all-consuming greed for graft, and power that keeps them in this sick game. But their time is being threatened, and they will resort to extreme, yes, EXTREME measures to retain control. Those who wish to see Democracy prevail should be prepared for the violence the Trump Cult almost certainly will use. When I lived in Northern California and went to the local gun club and took my concealed weapons test, I was "blown away" by the amount of munitions purchased by obvious Trump supporters and by the military caliber of the weapons they were firing. I am a Vietnam veteran and did not see that degree of high-caliber arms. I hope I am wrong.
Trump did the right thing even though it will cost him and his party enormously and it wasn’t popular. The maniacs in Iran needed to be severely degraded for the good of the whole world, US included. The right thing is rarely the popular thing. Let the dems have the midterms, as if they will do anything productive with it except posture and try to impeach him again. Congrats
Kaput: "Trump did the right thing"?? Trump is so obsessed with overturning everything that Obama did that he tore up an agreement that allowed us to inspect Iran's nuclear capabilities. That is NOT the right thing. Trump and Hegseth have murdered more people in their times in office than the top 100 on the FBI's most wanted list. Trump has alienated every friend in the world we have ever had and sucked the hind teat of Putin, tossing Ukraine and its men, women and children under the bus. Trump has abetted Netanyahu, a leader of a Democracy admist Middle Eastern countries that are run by oligarchs while violating human rights of the citizens, the same ruthless leaders that his son-in-law has made millions of dollars from and who have rewarded Trump with crypto revenues in the mega millions. Netanyahu has committed genocide and violated the heart and soul of Jews around the world. And to boot, The Republican Party has kissed the ass of Trump, come Hell or High Water. That's the right thing? Do you read anything now and then? Are you that blind to what has happened? If the GOP had a spine, and balls to match, they would have acted in concert to remove this psycopath from office before we end up in a nuclear war. Kaput. I think your neuronal pathway has gone the way of your name. I have met others like you , i.e., don't confuse me with the facts. That is your credo.
“That is not a coalition defying gravity. That is a granary burning: the heat keeps rising even as the silo empties.”
Elegant.
Applause for your prescience, tears for the journey. How we sort out what's next will be the next heavy lift. A lot of them, if we're lucky.
"If we're lucky..." This, too, is prescient, I'm afraid.
It still bums me out that all the evil and corrupt shit he has done over the years doesn't matter to many people but the minute the idiot started a pointless war that caused gas prices to rise slightly now Republicans suddenly grow a brain and remember that Trump is a disaster of a human being and a terrible leader. It's so ridiculous on so many levels.
I too, lament that people do not take responsibility for the shape of their world.
My ongoing fear is still that they would not have destroyed the nation so aggressively if they had any fear of suffering the consequences at the ballot box. Trump may actually be delusional enough to believe he is doing a good job, but his handlers and the wider Republican machine absolutely know better. But they are still acting as if the laws of political reality don't apply any longer and it has me convinced they have somehow already rigged the midterms to ensure they can't lose. If the Republicans don't lose in a landslide I think everyone will know its bullshit but then what? I don't think anyone is actually prepared for the reality of what a civil war scenario might actually look like if they actually dare the population to remove this regime the hard way.
They haven’t destroyed the nation…
There is not going to be a civil war; this is a country full of couch potatoes who LARP on the internet as revolutionaries. There is no sufficient grievance. Our last civil war was about PERPETUAL HUMAN BONDAGE.
It's really hard to destroy a nation. Ukraine and Russia are bombing each other to hell and gone and their economies and political systems lumber on. Society isn't as fragile as people think.
We are literally the most adaptable species on the planet. And under adversity, we get creative very quickly.
May they all end up at the wall. I'm past wanting justice and fighting the compulsion towards brutal vengeance. 50 years is a blink in history but I've suffered under these evil fucks my entire life from nightmares about atomic devastation under Reagan to the daily degradation of life under the neocons and fascists. Kill the oligarchs, tattoo the Nazis, bury the billionaires under their goddamn stolen dollars.
Excellent commentary. IMHO, you are one of the best observers of the situation that the world has found for itself.
Thanks.
You may wish to pause that victory lap to first see what happens on January 3rd?
Oh, they'll try. But the American people will not take that sitting down.
I have never been happily than I am having read this latest essay and realizing that I’m not alone in my understanding of what is happening to us.
Excellent. Wish I didn't have to agree with you. Wish life could be different. However, life is what it is. Precient and wise. Agree.
You can feel it too — momentum has shifted — proud Trump supporters have retreated to their safe spaces and will leave the rest of us to clean up the mess of this mass psychosis.
Such an excellent analysis.
The focus, be it emanating from Mike Brock, MSNow, CNN or any reporting mechanism should not dwell on who or when something was predicted, but instead on the HERE and NOW.
The media continues to call Trump and his gang "Authoritarian." I doubt if most Americans translate this into harsh reality.
TRUMP IS A BLATANT FASCIST coupled with a truly deranged mind characterized by an ego that is so pathologic that Trump Syndrome can be used in psychiatric discussions as a prime example of pathologic narcissism, and as Trump stupidly refers to all that he does, "narcissism like never before." Perhaps Donald was totally consumed by Snow White & the Dwarfs and envisioned himself as the evil Queen. Who in history comes to mind as displaying more vanity and self-love than Donnie-boy?
How fitting that the Brothers Grimm should create such a parallel character.
Spieglein, Spieglein an der Wand..." "Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"
But the crux of the matter is not that we have a sick fuck as president of the United States (POTUS), but that the American people, in their apathy, ignorance or just plain stupidity, could fall for such an obvious con man and loser. And the media is also to blame for not doing their due diligence since other reports like Wayne Barrett had thoroughly documented the corruption of Trump and Son, along with Rudy Giuliani in both news articles in the Village Voice and in multiple books on the corruption of both birds of a feather.
I ask you, Mike, and bring to the attention of others, why is not the Free Press and the entire Democratic Party, calling out Trump & his regime, and the undying support of the Republican Congress as Fascist and/or abetting a Fascist Regime?
These are the Hallmarks of FASCISM. (Also suggest Madeleine Albright's "Fascism" as a good read. I share with you below, ChatGPT Plus' response to my query.
September 25, 2026 — 4:00 AM Pacific Time
Your Query: What are the major hallmarks of fascism as it would present in the 21st century, and is attacking a free press one of them?
Yes. Attacking an independent press is an important hallmark of fascist politics—but by itself does not establish that a person or government is fascist. Scholars distinguish fascism from authoritarianism more generally by a particular combination of features. ([Holocaust Encyclopedia][1])
1. **Ultranationalism combined with rejection of liberal democracy — the closest thing to a sine qua non.**
The nation, conceived as a unified and often exclusionary people, is placed above individual rights, political pluralism, and constitutional restraints. The leader or movement claims to represent the nation's “true” will. Without this ultranationalist, anti-pluralist core, I would be reluctant to use the term *fascism*. ([Holocaust Encyclopedia][1])
2. **Delegitimization of democratic institutions.**
Elections, legislatures, constitutional limits, and procedural restraints are treated as obstacles when they interfere with the movement's objectives.
3. **Concentration of power in a dominant leader or movement.**
Loyalty to the leader increasingly substitutes for loyalty to institutions, constitutional rules, or independent centers of authority. ([Holocaust Encyclopedia][1])
4. **Attack on an independent press and objective sources of information.**
Critical media are portrayed as dishonest, corrupt, disloyal, or enemies of the nation. In a contemporary system, this may involve intimidation, lawsuits, regulatory pressure, exclusion from access, or systematic attempts to destroy public confidence in independent journalism—not necessarily outright closure of newspapers. Historically, suppression of press freedom was integral to fascist consolidation of power. ([Holocaust Encyclopedia][2])
5. **Identification of internal enemies or outsiders.**
Minorities, immigrants, ideological opponents, intellectuals, or other groups may be portrayed as contaminating, betraying, or endangering the authentic national community. ([Holocaust Encyclopedia][1])
6. **Suppression or intimidation of political opposition.**
This can range from harassment and selective prosecution to detention, violence, or elimination of competing political organizations. Modern democratic erosion can proceed through formally legal mechanisms rather than an overt coup. ([Cambridge University Press][3])
7. **Erosion of an independent judiciary and rule of law.**
Courts, prosecutors, police, and administrative agencies become increasingly subordinated to political power or used selectively against opponents.
8. **Acceptance or glorification of political violence.**
Violence, or the threat of it, is portrayed as legitimate when undertaken to protect or regenerate the nation. Historically this distinguishes fascism from some other forms of authoritarian government particularly strongly. ([Holocaust Encyclopedia][1])
9. **A narrative of national decline followed by promised national rebirth.**
Fascist movements characteristically argue that a once-great nation has been humiliated or corrupted and must undergo a dramatic restoration or purification. ([Holocaust Encyclopedia][1])
10. **Subordination of individual rights to the purported needs of the nation.**
Due process, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, privacy, minority rights, and equality before the law become conditional when they conflict with the movement's conception of national security or national unity. ([Holocaust Encyclopedia][1])
The critical distinction is **the constellation rather than any single behavior**. A democratic politician can attack the press, criticize judges, advocate nationalism, or pursue harsh immigration policies without thereby meeting a serious historical definition of fascism. The term becomes substantially more applicable when **ultranationalism + rejection of pluralistic democracy + leader-centered power + suppression of independent institutions + designation of internal enemies + tolerance of coercion or political violence** occur together.
So, to your specific question: **Yes, systematic attack upon a free press is a classic warning sign and hallmark of fascist politics. It is not, standing alone, the sine qua non. The stronger sine qua non is ultranationalist rejection of pluralistic liberal democracy in favor of an authoritarian conception of a unified national will.** ([Holocaust Encyclopedia][1])
________________________________________________________________________________
I also want to stress to others that describing ICE and its horrific attacks on thousands of those living in our country is absolutely identical to the genealogy of the Gestapo. We are living in a Fascist country ruled by a sick, deranged psychopath, who probably has roots in his pathology based on neurosyphilis. I would want to see a VDRL on Trump's blood and CSF (cerebrospinal fluid). I would place neurosyphilis high on my differential diagnosis of this most dangerous person ever to be elected TWICE in the history of this country.
The ICE detention centers are concentration camps and blocking spot evaluations of what is going on inside is a travesty to human rights.
The Democrats running for a Congressional seat should speak up and call "IT" what it is. Trump is a Fascist. Add to that, a rapist, a pathological liar, and likely a pedophile (to someday be determined if the Epstein files are ever fully examined).
If both houses of Congress are to be flipped, tell the American people what they have as the leader of the free world. Stop being politically "correct." I continue to see news commentators focused on trying to normalize, rationalize, but not diagnose Trump for what he is. Trump is no different from Mussolini, Franco, Hitler, Putin, Kim, and others — only, be how far on the spectrum he is now — and look at his escalation? Two more years of Trump will see us in one catastrophe after another. This lunatic must be removed from office.
And if we are going to spend our time in predictions a la Jeanne Dixon, as we approach Nov. 3rd, you ain't see nothin' yet. Trump will do anything to retain power and grab more. Martial Law, Use of the Jan. 6 Insurrectionists as his Brownshirts, Use of the Military and FBI, etc. Those who have gone along with Trump know they are in deep shit if Trump is out of office. It is only their all-consuming greed for graft, and power that keeps them in this sick game. But their time is being threatened, and they will resort to extreme, yes, EXTREME measures to retain control. Those who wish to see Democracy prevail should be prepared for the violence the Trump Cult almost certainly will use. When I lived in Northern California and went to the local gun club and took my concealed weapons test, I was "blown away" by the amount of munitions purchased by obvious Trump supporters and by the military caliber of the weapons they were firing. I am a Vietnam veteran and did not see that degree of high-caliber arms. I hope I am wrong.
References Cited:
[1]: https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/fascism-1?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Fascism | Holocaust Encyclopedia"
[2]: https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/nazi-terror-begins?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Nazi Terror Begins | Holocaust Encyclopedia"
[3]: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/european-political-science-review/article/visibility-of-autocratization-and-election-outcomes/BBF2856BA150412FFA7B0AC80338CC9C?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Visibility of autocratization and election outcomes | European Political Science Review | Cambridge Core"
The beginning of the end 😎
Trump did the right thing even though it will cost him and his party enormously and it wasn’t popular. The maniacs in Iran needed to be severely degraded for the good of the whole world, US included. The right thing is rarely the popular thing. Let the dems have the midterms, as if they will do anything productive with it except posture and try to impeach him again. Congrats
Kaput: "Trump did the right thing"?? Trump is so obsessed with overturning everything that Obama did that he tore up an agreement that allowed us to inspect Iran's nuclear capabilities. That is NOT the right thing. Trump and Hegseth have murdered more people in their times in office than the top 100 on the FBI's most wanted list. Trump has alienated every friend in the world we have ever had and sucked the hind teat of Putin, tossing Ukraine and its men, women and children under the bus. Trump has abetted Netanyahu, a leader of a Democracy admist Middle Eastern countries that are run by oligarchs while violating human rights of the citizens, the same ruthless leaders that his son-in-law has made millions of dollars from and who have rewarded Trump with crypto revenues in the mega millions. Netanyahu has committed genocide and violated the heart and soul of Jews around the world. And to boot, The Republican Party has kissed the ass of Trump, come Hell or High Water. That's the right thing? Do you read anything now and then? Are you that blind to what has happened? If the GOP had a spine, and balls to match, they would have acted in concert to remove this psycopath from office before we end up in a nuclear war. Kaput. I think your neuronal pathway has gone the way of your name. I have met others like you , i.e., don't confuse me with the facts. That is your credo.
Your name says all I need to know. Of course, you could have used сломано.
Huh