Perhaps I'll know Trump has gone too far when the MAGAnoids in my life stop laughing and/or cheering at every childish, sophomoric, or outright idiotic thing he says or does. And you only mentioned some of them. But they rarely mention things he has done well. Go figure!
>>But they rarely mention things he has done well.
That's because, for that crowd, it's never been about successes or even policies. It's about attitude and theater. They don't care what Trump actually does in office, including whether it's corrupt, illegal, socialistic, or whatever. When you refuse to hold someone to any standards, they'll never let you down.
That reminds me of a time not long ago when I pointed out several unpresidential behaviors of Trump to an ardent supporter. The reply was, "Yeah, he can be an a$$-hole, but we finally have one on our side and I love it!"
Thanks for the lively perspective. My two cents worth: (1) The WH renovation is in my rearview mirror. I don't care. It's neither a temple nor a place of worship. It's a damned building. (2) I favor attacking alleged drug boats. I have faith our military intelligence knows whether those boats are carrying drugs. Everyone in them should be annihilated. The message is simple: Stay away from our shores or die. I'm ok with that, too. (3) Please don't compare Trump with the "how would MAGA react if Joe Biden did this" argument. Biden was a slug, possibly the worst president in history. His actions, demeanor, and willingness to condone fraud, waste, and abuse were nothing more than pathetic. (4) Trump's no saint. He's not paying enough attention to the economy. But the daily barrage targeting Trump borders on the bizarre. (5) The new Democratic Socialist Communists are where all of our eyes ought to be focused. What Trump is doing pales compared to the knee Democrats are taking in endorsing socialism and their Americans-Last/Illegals-and-Criminals-First agenda.
>>The WH renovation is in my rearview mirror. I don't care. It's neither a temple nor a place of worship. It's a damned building.
I don't care much either. Would you agree that if Obama, Biden, or Harris had done this exact same thing, the MAGA-right would be absolutely furious?
>>I favor attacking alleged drug boats.
Even if they're just "alleged," and even if it's illegal?
>>I have faith our military intelligence knows whether those boats are carrying drugs.
Do you think we actually have intelligence officers on the ground, or on the ocean, who are determining this?
>>Everyone in them should be annihilated.
Again, even if it's legal (aka murder), and even if we don't know for sure if they're transporting drugs?
>>The message is simple: Stay away from our shores or die.
They've been nowhere near our shores. That's one of the big points Rand Paul has been making.
>>Please don't compare Trump with the "how would MAGA react if Joe Biden did this" argument. Biden was a slug, possibly the worst president in history. His actions, demeanor, and willingness to condone fraud, waste, and abuse were nothing more than pathetic.
So basically, Trump gets a pass because you don't like Biden? Because any objective analysis of Trump would make him guilty of all of the same things you just attributed to Biden.
>>Trump's no saint. He's not paying enough attention to the economy.
He's trying to centrally plan the economy though unilateral, bipolar trade policy and nationalizing private businesses. It's closer to economic socialism than anything Biden ever tried, including the student-loan stuff.
>>But the daily barrage targeting Trump borders on the bizarre.
Trump makes himself the story every day, often in ways that Republicans would be shouting bloody murder over if Biden, Obama, or Harris were doing the exact same thing.
>>The new Democratic Socialist Communists are where all of our eyes ought to be focused.
I feel like Mamdani has been getting plenty of attention, including on this website. He's also running for New York mayor, while the president of the United States is taking a sledgehammer to international free-trade and nationalizing private companies.
>>What Trump is doing pales compared to the knee Democrats are taking in endorsing socialism and their Americans-Last/Illegals-and-Criminals-First agenda.
>>Yes, I'd definitely agree the MAGA-Right (is there a left?) would be furious if Obama, Biden, or Harris had done the same thing regarding the WH.
>>Regarding attacks on the high seas, some question the legality of the strike under US and international law. The Guardian has said flatly that it's illegal, but it believes that anything involving conservatives is unlawful. So, in effect, the jury is still out, so to speak. (Trump always gets waylaid by those pesky juries).
>>I do believe the military has advanced technology and sophisticated decision-based intelligence to detect illegal drugs on the sea. And while they may not be "near" our shores, they were - allegedly - heading that way. (Sometimes, allegedly is okay.)
Rather than take up your time addressing the rest of your well-thought-out points, I'll conclude with a brief summary. I believe that many Americans (including me) were astonished and frustrated by Biden's and other Democrats' actions and inactions. Watching Donald Trump actually do and accomplish something has been refreshing. And I admit we tend to overlook (or ignore) his heavy-handed approach to all things. But that's the fun of it.
And, John, in the words of Republican Congressman Earl Landgrebe, (during the Watergate scandal): "...don't confuse me with the facts."
>>Some question the legality of the strike under US and international law.
Because, based on everything we know, it's illegal. It's not just the Guardian saying that. It's nearly a consensus among the legal scholars who are weighing in on this. That said, I don’t think Trump will get in any trouble over it, because of a legal DOJ loophole that some refer to as a “golden shield.” If I understand it correctly, this is when an official at the DOJ Office of Legal Counsel gives the executive branch a signed legal opinion that an operation a president wants to do is -- in their estimation -- legal (even if it’s not). That opinion, which in this case came from someone Trump appointed shortly before the attacks began (and it’s classified, so the public can’t read it), apparently gives the president immunity from criminal prosecution on such actions.
>>I believe that many Americans (including me) were astonished and frustrated by Biden's and other Democrats' actions and inactions.
I was too, as I am with Trump's and other Republicans' actions and inactions. One side's bad conduct doesn't warrant or rationalize the others side's.
>>Watching Donald Trump actually do and accomplish something has been refreshing. And I admit we tend to overlook (or ignore) his heavy-handed approach to all things. But that's the fun of it.
I don't find it fun. Trump has accomplishments he can and should be proud of. He also tried to overturn U.S. democracy, caused a deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, is using the DOJ to settle personal grudges, is openly accepting bribes, has been purging federal law-enforcement officers and litigators whose assignments he didn’t like, has been extorting or otherwise strong-arming insubordinate media organizations, is demanding hundreds of millions of dollars in “restitution” from the Justice Department, is refusing to enforce laws he doesn’t like, is abusing the pardon power on a massive scale, etc.
I appreciate your candid response. It's just extremely disappointing to see the party who used to stand up for the Constitution and rule of law, and stand against corruption, reverse themselves on all of that for Donald Trump... and not realize (or care) how much damage it's doing to the country.
">>Yes, I'd definitely agree the MAGA-Right (is there a left?) would be furious if Obama, Biden, or Harris had done the same thing regarding the WH."
I don't know about MAGA but if Obama, Biden, or Harris did the same thing and had donors pay for it I would give them Kudos. But if it was taxpayer money, I would be full bore MAGA all over them.
A Government Shutdown is the epitome of Congress not doing its job, and it’s obviously financially hurting innocent Americans. And worse, Congress is still getting paid. A shutdown should be made illegal. Deadlines need to be legislated or imposed, and if not met, you automatically implement the previous year’s budget. This is what you get when neither Party trusts the other. A polarized, dysfunctional, mess. I wish I trusted the words coming out of our politician’s mouths as much as I do your’s and Bernie’s!!!!!
Thank you for the Shout-Out, Sir John & Sir Bernie.
My two cents: from what I’ve been hearing and reading (including an editorial in the Washington Post that Ben Shapiro mentioned) apparently the Trump Ballroom is not using taxpayer dollars and also before this ballroom that port-a-potties and tents on The White House lawn were often used to entertain when the number of guests exceeded the current capacity. If that’s the case then I have no problem with it, and as WAPO has pointed out, future Democrat administrations will be thankful that the ballroom will available to them. (Unless they are spiteful enough to refuse to use it or worse yet, have it razed and rebuilt….Again)
Re: Trump’s Revenge Tour. The only one I believe that he’s truly justified against is Leticia James. Why? Well SHE kicked that hornet’s nest when she was running for office, and evidence found apparently shows that she did commit fraud. This is what happens when people living in glass houses throw stones. She’s reaping what she has sown—- funny how hypocrites so often can’t take what they dish out. That said, if Trump wants to sow some good will, he could push for a pardon from the governor after Leticia James is convicted. I think this would actually benefit Trump and the Republicans but I won’t hold my breath
Re: MAGA Hypocrisy. Speaking only for myself —-NO I would not have a problem if Biden sank drug cartels’ boats). FWIW I had no problems with Obama giving the orders to take out the Somali pirates without a fair trial, although Rush Limbaugh apparently did. Tsk Tsk…that’s what partisan hacks do.
As for Adam Schiff, it appears that he deliberately lied about having proof that Trump was a Russian asset….proof that he never produced, so I wouldn’t shed any tears over Schiff getting punished for playing politics any more than I did when Santos got punished (although that seems to have gone the way of the dodo bird).
Thanks for the lively give & take. I hope you get some lasting members in the club.
This is the most worried I've seen Bernie on the current state of affairs in the US.
So things must be fairly dire.
Having said that, who do you think is going to come off worse for wear when SNAP benefits stop getting paid from November 1st, due to the Government shutdown? (This is assuming the shutdown goes on beyond that date,)
Democrats because they refuse to budge on having millions of people's health care premiums increaseor cut altogether?
Or Trump and the GOP as even more people's lives become worse off because they can't get food assistance through the SNAP program?
Thinking about the White House renovation. In December 2018 we took the kids on a White House tour, which was largely in the East Wing. That was the year the Christmas decorations were dark red in color. Due to unforseen circumstances our time on site was cut short, but we hope to go again someday— most likely by train—so the kids are a little older and can remember what they see. With the recent renovation work, I’m sure it will look very different.
Perhaps I'll know Trump has gone too far when the MAGAnoids in my life stop laughing and/or cheering at every childish, sophomoric, or outright idiotic thing he says or does. And you only mentioned some of them. But they rarely mention things he has done well. Go figure!
>>But they rarely mention things he has done well.
That's because, for that crowd, it's never been about successes or even policies. It's about attitude and theater. They don't care what Trump actually does in office, including whether it's corrupt, illegal, socialistic, or whatever. When you refuse to hold someone to any standards, they'll never let you down.
That reminds me of a time not long ago when I pointed out several unpresidential behaviors of Trump to an ardent supporter. The reply was, "Yeah, he can be an a$$-hole, but we finally have one on our side and I love it!"
Bingo.
Thanks for the lively perspective. My two cents worth: (1) The WH renovation is in my rearview mirror. I don't care. It's neither a temple nor a place of worship. It's a damned building. (2) I favor attacking alleged drug boats. I have faith our military intelligence knows whether those boats are carrying drugs. Everyone in them should be annihilated. The message is simple: Stay away from our shores or die. I'm ok with that, too. (3) Please don't compare Trump with the "how would MAGA react if Joe Biden did this" argument. Biden was a slug, possibly the worst president in history. His actions, demeanor, and willingness to condone fraud, waste, and abuse were nothing more than pathetic. (4) Trump's no saint. He's not paying enough attention to the economy. But the daily barrage targeting Trump borders on the bizarre. (5) The new Democratic Socialist Communists are where all of our eyes ought to be focused. What Trump is doing pales compared to the knee Democrats are taking in endorsing socialism and their Americans-Last/Illegals-and-Criminals-First agenda.
>>Thanks for the lively perspective.
Thanks Tom.
>>The WH renovation is in my rearview mirror. I don't care. It's neither a temple nor a place of worship. It's a damned building.
I don't care much either. Would you agree that if Obama, Biden, or Harris had done this exact same thing, the MAGA-right would be absolutely furious?
>>I favor attacking alleged drug boats.
Even if they're just "alleged," and even if it's illegal?
>>I have faith our military intelligence knows whether those boats are carrying drugs.
Do you think we actually have intelligence officers on the ground, or on the ocean, who are determining this?
>>Everyone in them should be annihilated.
Again, even if it's legal (aka murder), and even if we don't know for sure if they're transporting drugs?
>>The message is simple: Stay away from our shores or die.
They've been nowhere near our shores. That's one of the big points Rand Paul has been making.
>>Please don't compare Trump with the "how would MAGA react if Joe Biden did this" argument. Biden was a slug, possibly the worst president in history. His actions, demeanor, and willingness to condone fraud, waste, and abuse were nothing more than pathetic.
So basically, Trump gets a pass because you don't like Biden? Because any objective analysis of Trump would make him guilty of all of the same things you just attributed to Biden.
>>Trump's no saint. He's not paying enough attention to the economy.
He's trying to centrally plan the economy though unilateral, bipolar trade policy and nationalizing private businesses. It's closer to economic socialism than anything Biden ever tried, including the student-loan stuff.
>>But the daily barrage targeting Trump borders on the bizarre.
Trump makes himself the story every day, often in ways that Republicans would be shouting bloody murder over if Biden, Obama, or Harris were doing the exact same thing.
>>The new Democratic Socialist Communists are where all of our eyes ought to be focused.
I feel like Mamdani has been getting plenty of attention, including on this website. He's also running for New York mayor, while the president of the United States is taking a sledgehammer to international free-trade and nationalizing private companies.
>>What Trump is doing pales compared to the knee Democrats are taking in endorsing socialism and their Americans-Last/Illegals-and-Criminals-First agenda.
Again, what Trump is actually doing is closer to textbook socialism than anything we've seen in a very long time: https://reason.com/2025/10/23/the-gops-capitalism-is-central-planning-with-maga-branding
And the corruption and abuses are right out there in the open.
Hi John--
>>Yes, I'd definitely agree the MAGA-Right (is there a left?) would be furious if Obama, Biden, or Harris had done the same thing regarding the WH.
>>Regarding attacks on the high seas, some question the legality of the strike under US and international law. The Guardian has said flatly that it's illegal, but it believes that anything involving conservatives is unlawful. So, in effect, the jury is still out, so to speak. (Trump always gets waylaid by those pesky juries).
>>I do believe the military has advanced technology and sophisticated decision-based intelligence to detect illegal drugs on the sea. And while they may not be "near" our shores, they were - allegedly - heading that way. (Sometimes, allegedly is okay.)
Rather than take up your time addressing the rest of your well-thought-out points, I'll conclude with a brief summary. I believe that many Americans (including me) were astonished and frustrated by Biden's and other Democrats' actions and inactions. Watching Donald Trump actually do and accomplish something has been refreshing. And I admit we tend to overlook (or ignore) his heavy-handed approach to all things. But that's the fun of it.
And, John, in the words of Republican Congressman Earl Landgrebe, (during the Watergate scandal): "...don't confuse me with the facts."
>>
>>Some question the legality of the strike under US and international law.
Because, based on everything we know, it's illegal. It's not just the Guardian saying that. It's nearly a consensus among the legal scholars who are weighing in on this. That said, I don’t think Trump will get in any trouble over it, because of a legal DOJ loophole that some refer to as a “golden shield.” If I understand it correctly, this is when an official at the DOJ Office of Legal Counsel gives the executive branch a signed legal opinion that an operation a president wants to do is -- in their estimation -- legal (even if it’s not). That opinion, which in this case came from someone Trump appointed shortly before the attacks began (and it’s classified, so the public can’t read it), apparently gives the president immunity from criminal prosecution on such actions.
>>I believe that many Americans (including me) were astonished and frustrated by Biden's and other Democrats' actions and inactions.
I was too, as I am with Trump's and other Republicans' actions and inactions. One side's bad conduct doesn't warrant or rationalize the others side's.
>>Watching Donald Trump actually do and accomplish something has been refreshing. And I admit we tend to overlook (or ignore) his heavy-handed approach to all things. But that's the fun of it.
I don't find it fun. Trump has accomplishments he can and should be proud of. He also tried to overturn U.S. democracy, caused a deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, is using the DOJ to settle personal grudges, is openly accepting bribes, has been purging federal law-enforcement officers and litigators whose assignments he didn’t like, has been extorting or otherwise strong-arming insubordinate media organizations, is demanding hundreds of millions of dollars in “restitution” from the Justice Department, is refusing to enforce laws he doesn’t like, is abusing the pardon power on a massive scale, etc.
I appreciate your candid response. It's just extremely disappointing to see the party who used to stand up for the Constitution and rule of law, and stand against corruption, reverse themselves on all of that for Donald Trump... and not realize (or care) how much damage it's doing to the country.
">>Yes, I'd definitely agree the MAGA-Right (is there a left?) would be furious if Obama, Biden, or Harris had done the same thing regarding the WH."
I don't know about MAGA but if Obama, Biden, or Harris did the same thing and had donors pay for it I would give them Kudos. But if it was taxpayer money, I would be full bore MAGA all over them.
John,
A Government Shutdown is the epitome of Congress not doing its job, and it’s obviously financially hurting innocent Americans. And worse, Congress is still getting paid. A shutdown should be made illegal. Deadlines need to be legislated or imposed, and if not met, you automatically implement the previous year’s budget. This is what you get when neither Party trusts the other. A polarized, dysfunctional, mess. I wish I trusted the words coming out of our politician’s mouths as much as I do your’s and Bernie’s!!!!!
Thank you for the Shout-Out, Sir John & Sir Bernie.
My two cents: from what I’ve been hearing and reading (including an editorial in the Washington Post that Ben Shapiro mentioned) apparently the Trump Ballroom is not using taxpayer dollars and also before this ballroom that port-a-potties and tents on The White House lawn were often used to entertain when the number of guests exceeded the current capacity. If that’s the case then I have no problem with it, and as WAPO has pointed out, future Democrat administrations will be thankful that the ballroom will available to them. (Unless they are spiteful enough to refuse to use it or worse yet, have it razed and rebuilt….Again)
Re: Trump’s Revenge Tour. The only one I believe that he’s truly justified against is Leticia James. Why? Well SHE kicked that hornet’s nest when she was running for office, and evidence found apparently shows that she did commit fraud. This is what happens when people living in glass houses throw stones. She’s reaping what she has sown—- funny how hypocrites so often can’t take what they dish out. That said, if Trump wants to sow some good will, he could push for a pardon from the governor after Leticia James is convicted. I think this would actually benefit Trump and the Republicans but I won’t hold my breath
Re: MAGA Hypocrisy. Speaking only for myself —-NO I would not have a problem if Biden sank drug cartels’ boats). FWIW I had no problems with Obama giving the orders to take out the Somali pirates without a fair trial, although Rush Limbaugh apparently did. Tsk Tsk…that’s what partisan hacks do.
As for Adam Schiff, it appears that he deliberately lied about having proof that Trump was a Russian asset….proof that he never produced, so I wouldn’t shed any tears over Schiff getting punished for playing politics any more than I did when Santos got punished (although that seems to have gone the way of the dodo bird).
Thanks for the lively give & take. I hope you get some lasting members in the club.
His Utmost Excellency, The Emperor, has spoken.
This is the most worried I've seen Bernie on the current state of affairs in the US.
So things must be fairly dire.
Having said that, who do you think is going to come off worse for wear when SNAP benefits stop getting paid from November 1st, due to the Government shutdown? (This is assuming the shutdown goes on beyond that date,)
Democrats because they refuse to budge on having millions of people's health care premiums increaseor cut altogether?
Or Trump and the GOP as even more people's lives become worse off because they can't get food assistance through the SNAP program?
Thinking about the White House renovation. In December 2018 we took the kids on a White House tour, which was largely in the East Wing. That was the year the Christmas decorations were dark red in color. Due to unforseen circumstances our time on site was cut short, but we hope to go again someday— most likely by train—so the kids are a little older and can remember what they see. With the recent renovation work, I’m sure it will look very different.