Week 014 - The ShitShow

Headlines, Memes, Videos & the News Carousel

This is the Week that is and will always BE the 2nd FIRST WEEK; the 1st FIRST WEEK introduced Qanon; the 2nd FIRST WEEK introduces MAGA

“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”

Abraham Lincoln

humor: 1 of 2

Week 001 recap

DEI & Racism & Hate

We expect it isn’t lost on anybody that DEI has become the “NEW” word for Ni**er, LGBTQ/Fa**ot, the Jews who “Hate” Israel, People with Accents, Brown but not quite Black People, Hollywood and/or New York City (other words for the wrong kind of Jew), Elitists – this is a broad spectrum slur, the ever-expanding & increasingly reviled “Fake News” , and most everyone who isn’t from “flyover country” – especially left-coasters.

Among our Trump supporters, this is seen as a “victory for free speech!”

As well as a “new”, weirdly understood concept of “merit based” hiring & employment opportunities.

Unless a military MAN is heterosexual – or a man successfully pretending to be heterosexual – please leave our military.

Emoluments & Corruption

Legacy norms from a foregone era when the government had “guardrails”.

How quaint.

We – the USA – have Custom President & First Lady Bitcoins for sale.

“Wow… just wow… They’re milking their base; I expected this! Now that it’s started, I expect to see this often…”

*****

“When the three wealthiest men in America sit behind Trump at his inauguration, everyone understands that the billionaire class now controls our government.”

Bernie Sanders

Project 2025

The most amazing thing about this entire Trumpian ascent is the brazen, “We’re going to tell you exactly what we intend to do and you’re not going to pay attention,” combined with a Trumpian set of lies, repeated for weeks & weeks & summed up thusly in a Jedi mind-trick manner:

“I don’t know anything about this, what did you call it, oh yeah, a project 2025 or something; it sounds crazy to me.”

Project 2025 Publishes Comprehensive Policy Guide, ‘Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise’ | The Heritage Foundation

PDF Manual: https://tinyurl.com/5fyzzxuh

“Hail! Victory!”

The Ascent of Musk – Presidential Bully Pulpit

As this is being written, the days in this first week offer glimpses into what will come.

What’s sorta crazy is that the realization of how quickly things could unravel with an unbridled Musk at the helm of the firing squad hadn’t begun to sink in with our group; even the few who have been expecting the worst will, it turns out, be surprised by the coming Blitzkrieg attack on “norms” associated with the rule of law, Civil Service guardrails, the Courts, and Unions.

It’s as if people never heard of Twitter becoming X.

The protection provided by Presidential pardons is a plus; unless Trump ends up using it as a cudgel to keep Musk in check.

Bye-Bye to Vivek Ramaswamy.

Executive Power

SCOTUS recently endowed Trump with the awesome authority to do “Whatever the hell he wants!” in his official capacity as POTUS.

In addition, Trump is bullying congress to give him the DOJ, the FBI and the DOD he desperately craves… and will very likely need to quell the very expected domestic uprisings as he invokes martial law by employing arcane + anachronistic + rarely invoked laws.

It’s expected Trump has a toolkit outfitted with all sorts of keys to unlock & misapply legal options, which may or may not work; eventually he’ll have a keychain with keys that work as intended.

Inauguration

Inaugural Address

We have plenty-o-billionaires in attendance.

Opinion: The events are all indoors because Trump is done with the folks who don’t know how to get inside.

The hand-o-trump will not rest upon the bible-o-god.

Inaugural Festivities

https://washington.org/DC-guide-to/presidential-inauguration-washington-dc

Snoop Dogg, Soulja Boy, Rick Ross, Carrie Underwood face heat for performing at Trump’s pre-inauguration ball.

Liberty University’s Praise Choir faced no heat.

Trump does not enjoy the Bishop Budde sermon:

Trump demands an apology from the Episcopal Bishop after she made a direct appeal to him during the inaugural prayer service to have mercy on the LGBTQ+ community and migrant workers.

Pardon Me

The list of pardons is interestingly unpopular amongst all but the MAGA faithful.

The best summation of the “pardon story” came from the voice of Trump:

“Fuck it! Release ’em all!”

Proud Boys & Oathkeepers are back on the streets.

Bye-Bye Biden

The last minute pardons earned derision from some; there’s an argument to be made why these comments were made:

“Good riddance!” + “Well, at least Trump is throwing out the Biden garbage!”

The “Hunter Pardon” is expected to give new life to the “laptop” debacle for the foreseeable future.

Executive Orders

Per various news investigations, we know many – most – of Trumps’ Executive Orders come straight out of the Project 2025 manual and from the people assigned to various governmental roles and agencies.

We’re wondering when Trump will shatter the 1,000 Executive Order ceiling.

Birthright Citizenship

A member points out that voiding the 14th Amendment – as the 3/5ths provision in Enumeration was voided without opposition – would, per the language of the 14th Amendment, reinstate slavery… potentially.

This came up: If a President Trump can repeal the 14th amendment; why not the 22nd?

Paris Climate Accords & WHO

The United states is no longer a member of these organizations.

NAZI Stuff

In defense of Elon, it’s claimed by many in the MAGA-VERSE that “Nazism doesn’t exist because everyone’s a Nazi!”

It’s easy to point at…

AOC, Obama, Hillary, and Kamala + other Dems being just as “Nazi” as Elon… per photo evidence of upraised palms.

Eliminate Bureaucrats + Obstacles

Per Project 2025: Fire 1,000’s & 1,000’s of Civil Service employees.

Threaten any politician threatening to block Cabinet appointees; especially Republicans.

Cabinet appointments, starting with Pam Bondi at DOJ, have taken on high-stakes importance following the embarrassing Gaetz debacle.

Trump won’t suffer another.

Kash Patel will be interesting.

Fire Inspectors Generals.

Eliminate Watchdog agencies.

Security Clearances

Bolton – “the warmonger” – is denied further Secret Service protection along with a slew of others – Pompeo, for instance – who lost favor with Trump.

A claim is made that this is the first of many to come.

Territorial Conquests

It’s not lost on us – or Trump – that history recognizes great rulers by the yardstick of territorial conquests.

Trump has, in the past, disparaged the notion Thomas Jefferson made a great deal with the Louisiana Purchase and it seems to be irritating to Trump to not be known as a great real estate dealmaker as a U.S. President.

We expect this will be an ongoing saga because, quite frankly, he appears to be serious about:

Making Canada a state,
Acquiring Greenland
Reacquiring the Panama Canal, and
Ignoring Puerto Rico.

Week 001

Week 003

Introduction to History

The Curse of History

Headlines, Memes, Videos & the News Carousel

Introduction to Trump 2.0

This is the 2nd 2nd Week; this popup isn't ready for viewing. Please be bored by seeing the same popup from week 1... 😉

“Liberty is precious. But so is life. It should not be so difficult for men and women of good will and good heart and sound mind to find the right balance between the two.”

Jon Meacham

Week 002 recap

DEI & Racism & Hate

“The lawful orders of the president of the United States will be executed inside this Defense Department swiftly and without excuse. We will be no better friend to our allies, and no stronger adversary to those who want to test us and try us so.”

“And today, there are more executive orders coming that we fully support on removing DEI inside the Pentagon, reinstating troops who were pushed out because of [Covid-19] mandates, and an Iron Dome for America. This is happening quickly.”

Pete Hegseth: Day One

Trump blames plane-helicopter tragedy on Biden and DEI.

Emoluments & Corruption

It was a lot of work signing Executive Orders; now, time to golf.

Also, Trump wants immunity from all civil lawsuits.

Entire J6 database is scrubbed from the web.

H.R.86-Bill: To abolish the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and for other purposes.

Project 2025

Per THE PLAN, Trump is un+defunding programs relying on promised federal support.

“Cutting federal employment can be helpful and can provide a simple story to average citizens, but cutting functions, levels, funds, and grants is much more important than setting simple employment size.” pg 78

“…repeal the Inflation Reduction Act’s drug price negotiation program in Medicare. This would allow drug companies to charge higher prices for drugs, which would make it more expensive for people to buy them. [465]

“…reduce the government share in the catastrophic tier of Medicare Part D and require manufacturers to bear a larger share. This would make it more expensive for seniors to buy drugs when they reach the catastrophic coverage limit. [465]

The Ascent of Musk – Presidential Bully Pulpit

The debate about what constitutes a Nazi Salute rages on.

Musk, seemingly unaware of the public response to his indelicate activities, demands that people be nice to him.

Trump claims musk has read-only access to the federal treasury.

“USAID is a criminal organization. Time for it to die.”

Musk reposted: NATO is a cold war relic + get us out of NATO.

Musk Says DOGE Halting Treasury Payments to US Contractors.

Musk is about to control Treasury payment system.

Trump/Executive Power

Trump promised shock and awe; Promise made – Promise kept.

Serious concerns are raised about the “when & where” martial law will be declared; however, not the “if”.

Trump escalate lawsuits against media companies.

Trump orders release of water in California for no apparent reason other than his ego.

Critics point out the trade agreement Trump blames on an incompetent president is the deal he made in 2018.

Economy & Tariffs

Eggs prices haven’t come down.

Blame Canada: South Park

Canada & Mexico announce retaliatory tariffs.

14th Amendment

ACLU launches a suit challenging an executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents who are not lawfully present.

House introduces bill – H.R. 722 to protect U.S. citizen fetuses.

Southern Border

Nothing significant is occurring… for now. Major concerns are expressed concerning the proposed + sweeping methods + authority + powers to be employed.

“Mexico does not produce weapons. We do not consume synthetic drugs. Unfortunately, what we do have is the people who are being killed by the crime that is responding to the demand in your country.”

Pres. Sheinbaum, Mexico

Cruelty for Compliance

“The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars…”

Mathew Vaeth, Dir. OMB

Executive Orders

Trump signs executive order authorizing the U.S. military to send troops to the southern border.

Trump signs executive order recognizing only two sexes, male and female; directs federal agencies to cease promotion of gender transition.

“Bureaucrats at the Department of Education inject racist, anti-American,
ahistorical propaganda into America’s classrooms…”

Project 2025 pg 8

Trump prepares executive order to abolish Department of Education.

Healthcare/HHS Confirmation Hearing

RFK Jr Confirmation hearings; he conflates type 1 & type 2 diabetes.

Pentagon & Military & Air Traffic

Hegseth revokes Gen Milley security detail; revenge moves are underway.

Trump fires FAA director; Trump freezes air traffic control hiring; Trump disbands Aviation Safety Committee.

Lawfare & Religiosity

Laken Riley Act appears to trigger competing pro & con sensibilities.

An Anglican Priesthood was revoked following a Nazi salute at a pro-life summit.

Politics

AOC embracing role as sharpest critics of President Trump; other Democrats workshop a softer approach to him.

Oligarchy is entering the political lexicon.

Soros is being blamed for being the Dems version of Musk; whatever that means.

Tulsi Gabbard gains support for confirmation vote.

Ukraine

Trump Urges Trading Ukraine’s Rare Earth Minerals for More U.S. Aid.

Headlines o' the week

Under Every Headline

Is a story we read which caught our attention.

In our opinion, every story we selected should catch your attention, as well.

Secessionist States

Senior US Treasury official to exit after rift with Musk allies

Donald Trump’s data purge has begun

Lindsey Graham:Trump 'Technically' Violated the Law

Making Sense of the Fluoridated Water Debate

AOC embraces role

Tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China begin Saturday

Loyalty tests and MAGA checks for job-seekers

Presidential Administration Academy

Poland urges Tesla boycott

Trump seeks presidential immunity from any civil lawsuit

Trump pledged to bring down food prices on Day One

Trump’s Early Actions Mirror Project 2025

Trump’s ‘shock and awe’

NTSB forces reporters to get plane crash updates on X

DOJ seeks list of FBI employees who worked J6 cases

Esper says Trump asked about shooting protesters

Trump’s Insurrection Act Threat

Trump freezes federal grant payments in surprise move

Jan. 6 rioter pardoned by Trump wanted on child solicitation charge

The Turner Legacy: The Storied Origins and Enduring Impact

Trump DOJ scrubs entire Jan. 6 Capitol riot database

H.R.722 - Life at Conception Act

Trump administration rescinds order attempting to freeze federal aid spending

Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents

Defense Secretary revokes Mark Milley's security detail

Salwan Momika: Burnt Quran In 2023, Shot Dead In Sweden

Elon Musk ripped for demanding more ‘positive, beautiful’ content on X

The Project Gutenberg eBook of Simple Sabotage Field Manual

American Airlines plane in midair collision with Army helicopter near Reagan airport

DC CRASH: President Trump blames DEI, poor hiring standards

Georgia Republican Accuses Free Lunch Programs Of Teaching Kids How To 'Sponge Off The Government

CDC orders mass revision of submitted research:Banned terms must be scrubbed

Young, Inexperienced Engineers Aiding Musk’s Government Takeover

Trump allies breach U.S. voting systems in search of 2020 fraud ‘evidence’

A Coup Is In Progress In America

Top 12 of the Week

Every week you’ll see the best of what the week we saw has to offer

Memes o' the week

Videos o' the week

Week 001

Week 003

“The Doctrine of Discovery emanates from a series of Papal Bulls (formal statements from the Pope) and extensions, originating in the 1400s. Discovery was used as legal and moral justification for colonial dispossession of sovereign Indigenous Nations, including First Nations in what is now Canada. During the European “Age of Discovery”, Christian explorers “claimed” lands for their monarchs who felt they could exploit the land, regardless of the original inhabitants.”

Assembly of First Nations, Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery, January 2018

Week 014 - The ShitShow

Week 001 recap

“Liberty is precious. But so is life. It should not be so difficult for men and women of good will and good heart and sound mind to find the right balance between the two.”

Week 002 recap

Headlines o' the week

Under Every Headline

Top 12 of the Week

Memes o' the week

Videos o' the week

Week 002

“Living in the TRUTHINESS of the Curse of Interesting Times!”