Alvin

The more criminal and incompetent he looks, the more he turns law enforcement, the military, and the courts into arms of authoritarian rule. Resistance believes that the rules of the recent past still apply; rules easily pushed aside in this robust and determined change of tradition and culture.

YouTube video by Vulcaneer900 I know you are but what am I

Calling somebody "a low IQ individual" is the now-Presidential equivalent of the grade school retort, "I know you are, but what am I?"

Remember when the USA used to be strong, confident, knew its friends from its enemies?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA5U...

Here's a puzzling question: Why are stocks at record highs despite looming tariffs? President Trump's tariffs could hit the economy badly and lead to higher inflation. But Wall Street investors are reacting by sending stocks to record highs.

The markets are like a baby that never stops being hungry. If there's something to suckle on, they're content and engaged in suckling. There's no high intelligence or philosophical pondering in it. But when they suck and suck and realize they're getting almost nothing...

www.npr.org/2025/07/27/n...

'Hell on Earth': Venezuelans deported to El Salvador mega-prison tell of brutal abuse Deported under a little-known wartime law, more than 130 Venezuelans were sent from the U.S. to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador. Now released, several tell NPR they endured beatings, sexual a...

This is not my USA. When you decide that a non-violent somebody doesn't belong in your house, you make it clear that they must leave. You don't beat them, drive them to the next county, chain them up in a basement.

The USA has never been weaker, creating more enemies.

www.npr.org/2025/07/27/n...

Good history is a truth, not the truth. All good history has power. We know this because telling the history of the USA from the perspectives of Native, African, Asian, female and gay Americans is so powerful that those histories inspire violent opposition from many powerful European Americans.

A flower needn't care what bees visit it. A stag that wants privilege better present.

Humans ought to care what they're saying to others in their image, whom they're attracting with what their appearance says to the world.

It's OK not to care. As long as "I don't care" isn't code for "I give up."

Oh bother. It's age-restricted and available only on YouTube. Without trying to, I can see images and video of people having sex on Bluesky, but a talking cartoon penis on Donald Trump is restricted. Eh, I get it. Any monkey can have sex. Takes a clever primate to do that video--keep it secure.

YouTube video by South Park Studios The PSA contains synthetic media | South Park

Curious to see what happens to my Bluesky account with this posting. South Park Studios posted the clip on YouTube with a disclaimer that it contains "synthetic media." OK to stop following me if this content offends you. I'd understand and not judge or complain.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afet...

I got dinged for following "more people than you can possibly read." Yeah, I do.

I'm not a celebrity whose aloofness is part of his image. I'm a happy nobody from nowhere. I follow back because it's polite.

Will I read and thoughtfully respond to everybody? Heck no. But that's not the point.

‘We’re terribly sorry’: South Park creators respond with humour to White House anger over naked Donald Trump Speaking at Comic-Con on Thursday, Trey Parker and Matt Stone revealed they spent days negotiating with producers to show the US president’s genitals

Is this an "Emperor's New Clothes" moment for Trump? Probably not. But in mocking and humiliating Trump, Parker and Stone cause mass horror and hilarity, doing more in 20 minutes than Congress, courts, corporations and journalists managed in seven months.

www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

Dress as you wish, change your pronouns, be vegan, knock naughty bits with whoever consents to the knocking . . . Those have nothing to do with what matters and what I insist on:
- Be productive, hold up your end.
- Don't hurt others thinking that'll make you more powerful.
- Know when to leave.

Gabbard says declassified report 'exposes' Obama administration Democrats say the White House is trying to distract from its decision not to publish files relating to Jeffrey Epstein.

When you habitually tell the truth, you can move and act with confidence.

When you habitually lie, desperation inevitably sets your course, movements, and words.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

One of life's little joys: Showing somebody who's never seen it the 2014 "Prince" episode of "New Girl."

Season 3, episode 14, currently on Hulu.

I respect that @talesofmoderation.bsky.social maintains a listing of those who (paraphrasing) follow farm, use hash tags, follow a lot, spam threads, etc. I'm added to that list. I think it's cherry-picking to add me. (Shrug)

Anybody can make a list. Respect the freedom. Caring and agreeing? Nah.

Trump announces trade deal with Japan, setting 'reciprocal' tariffs at 15% The 15% tax on imported Japanese goods is a meaningful drop from the 25% rate that Trump, in a recent letter to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, said would be levied starting Aug. 1.

Or, agree that Japan will expand toward a more equitable trade in USA goods and services and cancel the trade-chilling tariff on both sides.

But hey, I'm not a genius, stable or otherwise, so maybe I'm missing something.

www.npr.org/2025/07/22/n...

Trump’s Epstein Fiasco Takes Darker Turn as Dem Senator Drops New Bomb Ron Wyden has some ideas for Pam Bondi to pursue—if, that is, she’s genuinely interested in getting to the bottom of the Epstein scandal.

The public is unlikely to ever learn the criminal depth and breadth of Epstein's activities, financing, and favors network.

Donald Trump either prominently features in the investigation file or he's hoarding that information to extort those who do feature in it.

newrepublic.com/article/1982...

Stewart skewers CBS, Paramount over Colbert cancellation: 'Not the moment to give in' "The Daily Show" host warned TV networks against giving in to "corporate fear" over President Donald Trump's "fragile and vengeful" demeanor.

If MAGA doesn't tip the nation so far over edge that it fails as a state, there are good things that come from this collective nightmare. Inoculated against the contagion of authoritarian speech and actions, a more thoughtful, just, and involved society could emerge.

www.msnbc.com/top-stories/...

NightHawkInLight Thanks for stopping by! My name is Ben. I turn boring things into awesome things. I've been creating and filming projects and science experiments since 2006 and have had the amazing privilege of seein...

If you're a practical science nerd, like me, you might enjoy the YouTube channel NightHawkInLight. Host Ben uses everyday items and easily followed explanations to turn everyday stuff into cool stuff with practical applications.

#science
#diy
#NightHawkInLight

www.youtube.com/channel/UCFt...

Trump has a welcome message for new citizens. It's different from past presidents Trump released his video message to newly naturalized citizens. He welcomes them to the "national family," adding that they have a responsibility to "fiercely guard" and preserve American culture.

As the Western Roman Empire weakened, the centers of power grew increasingly hardline about what and who is and is not truly Roman. Instead of facing reality and integrating people and cultures, it calcified into a dying rump. A common trait among failing civilizations.

www.npr.org/2025/07/21/g...

YouTube video by buckhysen With a little luck (Album extended version) - Wings

Today's earworm. Wings, "With A Little Luck" (1978). When all else is failing, hope faithfully remains. One of Rock/Pop's most hopeful tracks. Wishing all of us a little luck going forward.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSTt...

YouTube video by AerosmithSongz Aerosmith - Livin' On The Edge (Lyrics)

I think this could be the anthem of USA 2025. A strangely apt earworm for today from my unconscious self. Been hearing it in my head and humming it all morning. Hint: It's sung to MAGA and Trump is Chicken Little.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuCG...

Minds that will try to eliminate a vaccine that saves millions, but has a slim chance of a negative side effect effect for a few...

The same minds that will destroy food aid slightly beyond its use-by date with the defense that there's a slim chance it could give some starving people a tummy ache.

A married couple contemplates a painting. One finds affirmation that light and dark exist within a continuum where meaning and purpose depend on the existence of both. The other fights tears, feeling the image surge their grief over the loss of a beloved one.

Both experiences are correct.

#art

This. The message in black and white. Can't vouch for the recommended accounts to check out, maybe follow. I didn't review it, but Dem Lady Always likes them. Follow your due diligence.

Which I now realize may be me not exercising belief in what a female says. See how easily it happens?

I read posts that show surprise at some new MAGA development that further destroys the USA's social fabric and traditional values.

Are people truly surprised at this point? Please try to get over the illusion that MAGA developments won't continue and grow ever more toxic, violent, and destructive.

Most have a hard time empathizing with masses, our brains don't easily do that. Empathy is mostly focused. Yet, open to the illusion-shattering realization that me/you/them--all one.

Some cannot empathize at all. Others are objects with values relative only to what can be taken from them.

Of all the anti-USA atrocities upon the USA by Trump and his enablers, one is the worst: They've turned the USA into a citizenry that hates its fellow citizens. We are a land that hates itself.

It's not any more about news or memes or even being right. It's about seeing if we continue to exist.

House nears vote on cuts to NPR, PBS and foreign aid programs The Senate voted to approve the $9 billion rescission package early Thursday.

This is not my USA. Anybody who claims this USA as a "land of the free and home of the brave" is lying or else unfit to raise children, handle money, and drive a motor vehicle. Either way, they're unfit to be members of the land's highest legislative body.

www.npr.org/2025/07/17/n...

In 2016, when Trump bragged about being famous enough to grab women by the crotch, it was not, as he defended, locker room talk. Neither is rape or writing a raunchy birthday letter to man who trafficked minors for sex. No moral people should excuse such sexual criminality by its chief executive.

YouTube video by The Lincoln Project Trump Not Like Us

I think one of the lessons here is to not piss off the Muppets.

#thelincolnproject
#PBS
#muppets

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHhY...