Outside the Beltway

There are real life consequences.

Although it is still on life support.

Grumpy old man grumps about democracy.

Millions turned out in support of basic ideals.

Thoughts and photos from downtown Montgomery, AL.

And why I think future presidents will use the powers that Trump has demonstrated exist.

A four-pronged test.

The reality is, I can’t say no.

Some musings on the wrong lessons from a major global event.

What democratic backsliding looks like.

Our current round of speech repression may prove worse than McCarthyism.

And let’s look at the catalog, shall we?

A meme that is as muddled and authoritarian as the President who posted it

Following the Dear Leader.

None of this is good for the quality of our democracy (not that it was great to begin with).

This is the United States today.

The thuggish stylings of Tom Homan.

Nor does Benny Johnson.

Authoritarian instructions from Trump.

In this case, Kevin Hassett, Director of the National Economic Council.

Andor: Part 3!

Andor, part 2.

A long exposé misses the mark.

Force to create compliance should not be supported or excused. And yet…

The crime: trying to ask DHS Secretary Noem a question at a press conference in a federal building.

Arresting Newark Mayor Baraka is clearly a signal.

Imagery and the White House Twitter account.

It’s good to be king.

A unanimous Supreme Court has ordered the administration to comply with a lower court order.

We are at least on the precipice.

Informed, somber voices in these perilous times.

Our leaders are afraid to lead.

The abuse of power is obvious.

This would include US citizens.

An example linked to USAID

An accurate description.

He is yet again underscoring what types of world leaders he likes.

The move paves the way for Kash Patel or another Trump appointee.

Thinking out loud, as one does.

Appointing unqualified loyalists is only the start.

It’s neither unprecedented nor powerful. It doesn’t exist.

Let’s take a moment to recognize our grief, and what it means.

Staffers are in mutiny after owners killed plans to endorse Kamala Harris for President.

Apparently, some of us have been a “bad little girl” who needs a “vigorous spanking” (and I quote).

Musk finds an alpha male-dominated “republic” to be “interesting.”