The fact that Trump, Vance and their minions continue to repeat lies they know can be harmful shows they don't care what happens to others as long as it works toward their goal to get power. Their total disregard for the damage they are doing to thousands of Americans means nothing to them, and obviously the majority of the GOP. Despite FEMA, Republican Governors and Senators, and governmental officials asking them to stop it seems to fuel their ego and they double down. This is not the type of people we want running our country.
Thanks for your courage Elliot. As a Canadian who follows American politics closely because it affects the world, I am confounded by the fact that such commentary as yours does not appear in mainstream media. Instead, we get articles discussing what Kamala Harris could’ve done better on 60 minutes or commentary that Americans don’t know what she stands for. Thanks again for your courage.
I'm Canadian too and agree with you. Since 2016 I have lost a lot of respect for American media and my contempt for Faux News multiplied. The onset of the digital online age hasn't been too kind to journalism - the 24 hour news cycle has brought impossible pressures to keep up without sacrificing journalistic standards.
I agree that this beautifully-written and heartfelt essay by Elliot should be in the main media! It speaks more to the health of the main media than to the truthfulness and eloquence of this piece!
Perfectly written, but my question is:: what can we, the outlying citizens of this country do in a very real way to counteract the lies and the liars who tell them? Beyond voting and sending the little bit of money that I can afford to send, what else can I, an elderly widow, do that will actually stem the tide of lies. I want to know; I need to know. I will not take this onslaught against my democratic government without fighting back.
Yes. These lies imbed injustice more deeply into our society, and those on the margins have to work even harder to find the oxygen (read: resources) they need. It's disgusting and makes me wonder about my fellow Americans. However, I need to find good ways to hold hands with neighbors and those with whom I disagree so that we CAN become more united. It requires way more than I think I even have! Elliot, your honesty and clarity often disturb me, down deep.
"Adding fuel to this perverse narrative is the very real truth that the impact of these lies falls inordinately on those who are already marginalized and dispossessed. They are the ones that must constantly confront systemic injustices and inequities around health and income disparities, education, housing, and prejudices that those with privilege and power use to bolster their perfidy."
A superb essay, with a fine quote from Abraham Lincoln at the end.
The hostile takeover of American democracy by the trump/vance ticket is the culmination of many years of concerted enabling by the Republican Party's supporters, notable among them the Heritage Foundation, responsible for the writing of Project 2025, the fascist blueprint waiting for that ticket to be elected. American voters are the last line of defence.
You'll have already noticed that the second words out of a lairs mouth are, "I'm just defending free speech! It's a constitutional right." Absolute free speech is not a useful principle. Fraud depends on the victim believing the perpetrator's lies. Donald Trump and JD Vance are committing election fraud with every lie they tell and they are already hurting Americans. When will the justice system stop this cringe worthy obeisance to a former president and put this crook in jail. Judge Merchan's delays of sentencing for Trump would not be tolerated had Trump been a kid who stole twenty bucks. Clearly he agrees with the Supreme idiots' take on equal before the law.
That got away too soon. Why do the leaders of the Republican Party continue to tolerate Trump's lies.
Why does the media continue to broadcast everything that he says? Can't they all get their heads together and turn him off? The man is a compulsive liar so why do any of us need to hear him babble about anything.
Thank you for such an articulate message. So sad that this is what we have come to as a Nation. I pray Trump gets “kicked to the curb” in this election and that will be the end of him and his legion of extreme idiots.
Great post, Elliot. Part of the problem is our insistence that the MAGA creeps have the right to spew lies under the First Amendment. That was not the intention of the framers, they wanted to prevent stopping people from criticism of the government - as practiced in Russia and other dictatorships. I doubt it ever occurred to them that a "political party" would deliberately spew lies to gain office.
Every. Single. Time. Every single time I think Republicans can’t sink any lower they prove me wrong. We already knew immigrants are nothing but pawns to Republicans, and we already knew that their own constituents are nothing but pawns to Republicans. Now we know that intentional lies which will hurt and kill people are no big deal to Republicans. Oh, wait, we already knew that, too … with their insidious lies about abortion. Women are suffering and dying because of Republicans.
We can’t yell “FIRE!!” in a crowded theater because it might start a rush for the doors in which people could be trampled and killed … when will Republicans be held accountable for the carnage caused by their pernicious lies?
Once again thank you Elliot for exposing the perfidy and inhumanity of Trump and his handlers in the wake of the double climate-change driven disasters in the form of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Woodward’s new book “War” exposes Trump’s true character in his treasonous dealings with Putin and his wanton contempt for anyone besides himself. He is bereft of morals or any compassion for the suffering of human beings and potentially even other sentient animals. I have great compassion for the people caught in these natural disasters and hope that those not blinded by Trump’s lies come together to support the victims of these storms.
It used to be illegal to yell “fire” in a public place when there was in fact no fire. It caused panic and people could be hurt. Now it’s called political rhetoric and labeled free speech. Ohhh how we have fallen. 🥺🥺
Well written! I appreciate your stating truth about the frailty of, "a house divrded." It is confidence and belief in such basic truths, that has held the fabric of our democracy in tact, in the face of many unraveling elements during many past attacks on democracy's honored superiority as a governing tool. Democracy, as a modern marvel in meeting the needs of large groups of diverse peoples, is an evolutionary fact. Just as nature's use of natural selection, mandates diversity for survival in nature, Democracy strengthens survival in a diverse world by maintaining cooperation in competition for common goods. Basing ones foundation of reality on falsehoods, and adding to it by gathering supporters to uphold the falsehoods, will inevitability crumble their shameless, sameness gathering, into a pile. People who knowing elevate themselves on the basis of maximum human suffering, will, in the end pay the ultimate price, anyway. The question remains. "Will these people crumble into a pile sooner, or later?" Yet..., they will inevitably crumble!
Positively brilliant, Elliot. Such eloquent phrasing -- weaponize mendacity, fog of malevolence -- you rock. Milton was not as bad as expected, Trump would be worse than expected. When Kamala wins, the really hard work of saving our democracy begins. My phrases. -- munitions for iniquity and stupor of depravity. -- you inspire me.
The fact that Trump, Vance and their minions continue to repeat lies they know can be harmful shows they don't care what happens to others as long as it works toward their goal to get power. Their total disregard for the damage they are doing to thousands of Americans means nothing to them, and obviously the majority of the GOP. Despite FEMA, Republican Governors and Senators, and governmental officials asking them to stop it seems to fuel their ego and they double down. This is not the type of people we want running our country.
Thanks for your courage Elliot. As a Canadian who follows American politics closely because it affects the world, I am confounded by the fact that such commentary as yours does not appear in mainstream media. Instead, we get articles discussing what Kamala Harris could’ve done better on 60 minutes or commentary that Americans don’t know what she stands for. Thanks again for your courage.
I'm Canadian too and agree with you. Since 2016 I have lost a lot of respect for American media and my contempt for Faux News multiplied. The onset of the digital online age hasn't been too kind to journalism - the 24 hour news cycle has brought impossible pressures to keep up without sacrificing journalistic standards.
The basics of journalistic integrity no longer exist. Journalists who exhibit them are praised for behavior that should be normative.
I agree that this beautifully-written and heartfelt essay by Elliot should be in the main media! It speaks more to the health of the main media than to the truthfulness and eloquence of this piece!
Perfectly written, but my question is:: what can we, the outlying citizens of this country do in a very real way to counteract the lies and the liars who tell them? Beyond voting and sending the little bit of money that I can afford to send, what else can I, an elderly widow, do that will actually stem the tide of lies. I want to know; I need to know. I will not take this onslaught against my democratic government without fighting back.
Speak the truth in love to everyone who will listen. Don't stop speaking.
Yes. These lies imbed injustice more deeply into our society, and those on the margins have to work even harder to find the oxygen (read: resources) they need. It's disgusting and makes me wonder about my fellow Americans. However, I need to find good ways to hold hands with neighbors and those with whom I disagree so that we CAN become more united. It requires way more than I think I even have! Elliot, your honesty and clarity often disturb me, down deep.
"Adding fuel to this perverse narrative is the very real truth that the impact of these lies falls inordinately on those who are already marginalized and dispossessed. They are the ones that must constantly confront systemic injustices and inequities around health and income disparities, education, housing, and prejudices that those with privilege and power use to bolster their perfidy."
I wish our world could be more like an AA meeting, where everyone is welcome, diversity is celebrated, and everyone helps each other to be their best.
A superb essay, with a fine quote from Abraham Lincoln at the end.
The hostile takeover of American democracy by the trump/vance ticket is the culmination of many years of concerted enabling by the Republican Party's supporters, notable among them the Heritage Foundation, responsible for the writing of Project 2025, the fascist blueprint waiting for that ticket to be elected. American voters are the last line of defence.
You'll have already noticed that the second words out of a lairs mouth are, "I'm just defending free speech! It's a constitutional right." Absolute free speech is not a useful principle. Fraud depends on the victim believing the perpetrator's lies. Donald Trump and JD Vance are committing election fraud with every lie they tell and they are already hurting Americans. When will the justice system stop this cringe worthy obeisance to a former president and put this crook in jail. Judge Merchan's delays of sentencing for Trump would not be tolerated had Trump been a kid who stole twenty bucks. Clearly he agrees with the Supreme idiots' take on equal before the law.
If it's unprotected speech to yell fire in a crowded theater, then why are lies that diminish the ability disaster responders allowed?
Exactly.
That got away too soon. Why do the leaders of the Republican Party continue to tolerate Trump's lies.
Why does the media continue to broadcast everything that he says? Can't they all get their heads together and turn him off? The man is a compulsive liar so why do any of us need to hear him babble about anything.
Instead of just repeating what he says, they should out him for lying!
How about if they do both? Anyone else would already be in jail but the Republican party thinks he should be our leader.
Thank you for such an articulate message. So sad that this is what we have come to as a Nation. I pray Trump gets “kicked to the curb” in this election and that will be the end of him and his legion of extreme idiots.
Great post, Elliot. Part of the problem is our insistence that the MAGA creeps have the right to spew lies under the First Amendment. That was not the intention of the framers, they wanted to prevent stopping people from criticism of the government - as practiced in Russia and other dictatorships. I doubt it ever occurred to them that a "political party" would deliberately spew lies to gain office.
Every. Single. Time. Every single time I think Republicans can’t sink any lower they prove me wrong. We already knew immigrants are nothing but pawns to Republicans, and we already knew that their own constituents are nothing but pawns to Republicans. Now we know that intentional lies which will hurt and kill people are no big deal to Republicans. Oh, wait, we already knew that, too … with their insidious lies about abortion. Women are suffering and dying because of Republicans.
We can’t yell “FIRE!!” in a crowded theater because it might start a rush for the doors in which people could be trampled and killed … when will Republicans be held accountable for the carnage caused by their pernicious lies?
I deeply appreciate and share your fury.
They are already filming the commercials where the mean gubmint folk keep us good mountain people from getting our ballots in….and Action!
Once again thank you Elliot for exposing the perfidy and inhumanity of Trump and his handlers in the wake of the double climate-change driven disasters in the form of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Woodward’s new book “War” exposes Trump’s true character in his treasonous dealings with Putin and his wanton contempt for anyone besides himself. He is bereft of morals or any compassion for the suffering of human beings and potentially even other sentient animals. I have great compassion for the people caught in these natural disasters and hope that those not blinded by Trump’s lies come together to support the victims of these storms.
It used to be illegal to yell “fire” in a public place when there was in fact no fire. It caused panic and people could be hurt. Now it’s called political rhetoric and labeled free speech. Ohhh how we have fallen. 🥺🥺
Well written! I appreciate your stating truth about the frailty of, "a house divrded." It is confidence and belief in such basic truths, that has held the fabric of our democracy in tact, in the face of many unraveling elements during many past attacks on democracy's honored superiority as a governing tool. Democracy, as a modern marvel in meeting the needs of large groups of diverse peoples, is an evolutionary fact. Just as nature's use of natural selection, mandates diversity for survival in nature, Democracy strengthens survival in a diverse world by maintaining cooperation in competition for common goods. Basing ones foundation of reality on falsehoods, and adding to it by gathering supporters to uphold the falsehoods, will inevitability crumble their shameless, sameness gathering, into a pile. People who knowing elevate themselves on the basis of maximum human suffering, will, in the end pay the ultimate price, anyway. The question remains. "Will these people crumble into a pile sooner, or later?" Yet..., they will inevitably crumble!
Positively brilliant, Elliot. Such eloquent phrasing -- weaponize mendacity, fog of malevolence -- you rock. Milton was not as bad as expected, Trump would be worse than expected. When Kamala wins, the really hard work of saving our democracy begins. My phrases. -- munitions for iniquity and stupor of depravity. -- you inspire me.