Donald Trump is making America stupid

by Sabrina Haake May 5, 2024

https://www.rawstory.com/raw-investigates/donald-trump-is-making-america-stupid/

“Recent polls suggest half the country may vote against their own self-interests in November.

The self sabotage is head-turning: Christians who defend Donald Trump’s debauchery, poor people who give their money to a billionaire with rotating Ponzi schemes, pensioners who don’t understand that tax cuts for the 1 percent threaten their own entitlements.

As the new Time Magazine interview made clear, Trump has done nothing for the common man and everything for his wealthy donors. Yet somehow, in the MAGAverse, that fact doesn’t seem to compute.

When Trump celebrated his 2016 election win, his declaration, “I love the poorly educated” made headlines. Nearly eight years on, it’s not that half the country supports violent coup attempts, it’s that half the country sincerely believes the 2020 election was stolen, despite all evidence to the contrary.

The United States seems to be slumbering toward Idiocracy, a funny-not-funny satire about Americans in the year 2500. Instead of possessing superior intellect, they have lost the ability to think.

Maximilien Robespierre, one of the most influential figures of the French Revolution, was known for his attacks on the monarchy and his advocacy of democratic reforms. He famously wrote, “The secret of freedom lies in educating people, whereas the secret of tyranny is in keeping them ignorant.”

Even though Trump’s closest advisers widely regard him as an idiot, he has a preternatural skill: manipulating ignorance.

Call it a conman’s intuition.”

Steve Thomas

Trump loyalists have now begun showing up at his rallies wearing diapers and t-shirts and baseball caps and carrying large six-foot banners emblazened with the phrase,

Real Men Wear Diapers Trump 2024

20 years from now, those people are going to look back on their lives and be so ashamed of themselves.

Steve Thomas

Noem dog shooting sparks Congressional Dog Lovers Caucus
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/02/noem-dog-caucus-congress-00155721

"Call them the Paw-cus.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers launched the Congressional Dog Lovers Caucus on Thursday — less than a week after South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s killing of her dog disgusted Democrats and Republicans alike.

“Dogs are the only thing on earth that loves you more than they love themselves. Their joy to live brings together Americans from all walks of life and can help nourish bipartisanship in Congress,” Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) said in a statement."

"Five days before the caucus launched, Moskowitz — a freshman Democrat notorious for his online trolling — posted an infomercial-style video mocking Noem with the caption: “For just $.10 a day you can help us save a puppy from Kristi Noem.”"

Steve Thomas

Former President Donald Trump emerged from the latest day of his criminal hush money trial in Manhattan to tell reporters that he probably wouldn't be testifying — because he wasn't allowed to. "I'm not allowed to testify because of the unconstitutional gag order, we're appealing the gag order and let's see what happens," he said.

The man's inventive. I'll give him that.

Steve Thomas

- Donald Trump -

"Friend, in 24 hours, the hearing on my GAG ORDER will begin. I COULD BE THROWN IN JAIL AT THAT VERY MOMENT! This is what the Hate-America Deep State has always dreamed of. STAND WITH TRUMP I won’t be able to campaign. I will be muzzled and silent. And Democrats will have free rein to destroy our country."

You'd better give me money now. At any moment I could be laying in a pile of rotting garbage, covered in my own feces.

It's looking very grim.

Give me money.

Steve Thomas

Donald Trump has now been found to be in criminal contempt.

Does that mean we can now add criminal to his resume?

Donald Trump

Curriculum Vitae

Former President of the United States

Golfer

Criminal

Steve Thomas

On TV this morning, they were talking about the Governor of South Dakota going on a murderous rampage.

First it was the dog, then the goat, then a couple of horses.

She wants to be our Vice-President.

Steve Thomas

April 29

On April 29, 1429, Joan of Arc entered the besieged city of Orleans to lead a French victory over the English.

In 1916, the Easter Rising in Dublin collapsed as Irish nationalists surrendered to British authorities.

In 1945, during World War II, American soldiers liberated the Dachau (DAH’-khow) concentration camp. Adolf Hitler married Eva Braun

In 1946, 28 former Japanese officials went on trial in Tokyo as war criminals;

In 1967, Aretha Franklin’s cover of Otis Redding’s “Respect” was released as a single by Atlantic Records.

In 1991, a cyclone began striking the South Asian country of Bangladesh; it ended up killing more than 138,000 people,

In 1992, a jury in Simi Valley, California, acquitted four Los Angeles police officers of almost all state charges in the videotaped beating of motorist Rodney King;

In 2020, scientists announced the first effective treatment against the coronavirus,

Steve Thomas

The National Enquirer was the go-to American tabloid for many years. Donald Trump helped change that

By DAVID BAUDER April 26, 2024

https://apnews.com/article/trump-national-enquirer-catch-kill-57f0c462af437fb07967a041b6f66022

NEW YORK (AP) — Catch and kill. Checkbook journalism. Secret deals. Friends helping friends.

“Even by National Enquirer standards, testimony by its former publisher David Pecker at Donald Trump’s hush money trial this week has revealed an astonishing level of corruption at America’s best-known tabloid and may one day be seen as the moment it effectively died.”

“The Enquirer averaged 238,000 newsstand sales each week during the last six months of election year 2016, according to the Alliance for Audited Media. During the last six months of 2023, its sales averaged just under 56,500.”

“It’s really a shadow of its former self,” Cartwright said. “David Pecker’s legacy will be that he totally destroyed that tabloid.”

Everything Donald Trump touches, dies.

Steve Thomas

Alabama Librarians Could Face Jail Under New Book Ban Bill

Published Apr. 27, 2024

https://www.thedailybeast.com/alabama-librarians-could-face-jail-under-new-book-ban-bill?ref=home

"Alabama librarians are speaking out about a bill that could put them in jail for up to a year if they don’t remove books considered obscene by some within seven days. AL.com reports that the state House has passed the legislation—which is backed by Moms for Liberty—and it’s headed to the Senate. “

“Under the proposed law, librarians would have a week to remove a book that any member of the public objects to—and if convicted of three violations, they could face three months to a year in prison and a fine.”

“The writing on the wall couldn’t be clearer regarding the chilling effect this law would have on statewide employment, public library and school funding, public education outcomes, quality of life, First Amendment rights, and countless other metrics,” Alyx Kim-Yohn, circulation manager at Huntsville-Madison Public Library, told the site. “As far as I’m concerned, the only good version of HB385 is a dead one.”

Public libraries used to be considered a public good.

Steve Thomas

In its infinite wisdom, the Republican National Committee has decided to hawk Kristi Noem's puppy killing terrorist manifesto.

"There are only 73 copies left, and unless you donate $35.00 within the next 60 minutes, I'll have to give your signed copy to someone else."

The book is "Trump Team Approved"

Steve Thomas

Trump's daughter-in-law, (Lara Trump) the newly-minted co-chair of the Republican National Committee, bizarrely claiming the GOP has election security lawsuits pending in "81 states."

- Alina Habba -

"If he's not in Manhattan, which is a completely blue state, where they only pulled blue state members of the jury on purpose, well, that's a different game."

The Trump people seem to be geographically challenged.

Steve Thomas

Trump keeps begging for a "rally behind MAGA" — but his supporters aren't showing up to court
It's not just that Fox News told them entering New York results in instant murder

By AMANDA MARCOTTE  April 24, 2024
https://www.salon.com/2024/04/24/keeps-begging-for-a-rally-behind-maga--but-his-supporters-arent-showing-up-to/

"Come to New York and rally to support me."

 
"Violent criminals that are murdering people, killing people" are free to "do whatever they want."

"And it's constantly reinforced by Fox News, which pushes out a series of misleading stories and images meant to scare their elderly suburbanite audiences into believing that going into the nation's largest city results in instant murder."
"Nonetheless, Trump keeps pleading with his followers to run through what they've been told is a "bloodbath" ."
"What's especially funny about all this is that Trump can't quite admit that his people just aren't showing up, and keeps on blaming the barricades and the cops."

Steve Thomas

Everyone should celebrate': FCC restores net neutrality rules

by Jessica Corbett, Common Dreams

April 25, 2024

https://www.rawstory.com/everyone-should-celebrate-fcc-restores-net-neutrality-rules/

This will prevent internet service providers from blocking, throttling, or engaging in paid prioritization of lawful online content. The internet will be like electricity. You either have it, or you don't, period.

Steve Thomas

16 hours ago, Steve Thomas said:

Trump to receive bonus worth $1.2bn for Trump Media stock performance

A price floor means ex-president gets bonus even though Trump Media & Technology Group’s stock value has plummeted

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/apr/24/trump-media-bonue

 

“He was able to receive the bonus if TMTG’s stock traded above $17.50 a share for 20 days out of any 30-day period within the first three years of the firm’s stock market debut...”

 

Steve (slaps his forhead) Thomas

It just never ends.

 

'How can we trust him?' New concerns about Trump Media as auditor found to use many names

by Tom Boggioni April 25, 2024

https://www.rawstory.com/trump-truth-social-stock-2667876789/

“According to a report from the Financial Times, the outside auditor hired by Trump Media & Technology Group to create a report used by investors for guidance has a history of using multiple names when signing off on documentation, which is raising some eyebrows.”

“The report notes that BF Borgers accounting firm principal, Ben F. Borgers, has filed forms using 10 different names...”

“The report notes that the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board has previously found Borgers' firm (BF Borgers) "failed to properly check clients’ revenues, accounts receivable, debt levels, fair value assumptions and numerous other key financial metrics."”

Steve Thomas

April 25

404 BC Athens surrenders to Sparta

1507 on a world map, the word America first appears

1915 Allied Soldiers invade Gallopoli

1945 American and Russian soldiers link up at the river Elbe

2024 The Supteme Court hears arguments on whether President's are immune from prosecution

Steve Thomas

Arizona Republican Party Chair, Kelli Ward and 10 other people charged with conspiracy to defraud and forgery. (Class A felonies).

https://mcusercontent.com/cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206/files/fa85cddf-ccc6-7dee-dd58-ff5e80d53b15/Indictment.03.pdf.

Trump identified as unindicted co-conspirator# 1

"The news broke the same day as it was revealed that the former president, Mark Meadows, and Rudy Giuliani are unindicted co-conspirators in the criminal case over the state of Michigan's fake elector plot that hoped to reverse presidential election results in 2020."
https://www.rawstory.com/arizona-charges-11-fake-electors-trump/

Steve Thomas

Trump to receive bonus worth $1.2bn for Trump Media stock performance

A price floor means ex-president gets bonus even though Trump Media & Technology Group’s stock value has plummeted

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/apr/24/trump-media-bonue

“He was able to receive the bonus if TMTG’s stock traded above $17.50 a share for 20 days out of any 30-day period within the first three years of the firm’s stock market debut...”

Steve (slaps his forhead) Thomas

It just never ends.

'Republicans must step in!' Trump begs for help with legal troubles in frantic 2 a.m. rant

by Travis Gettys April 24, 2024

Donald Trump begged Republicans to step in and help him wriggle out of his legal troubles in a middle-of-the-night rant Wednesday.

“New York Justice is in shambles, and only the Appellate Courts can save it."

“"A Republican doesn’t stand a chance," Trump raged in his overnight post. "This is not Justice."

"This New York Cabal, run by Crooked Joe Biden’s White House, is a hit job on a Political Opponent the likes of which the USA has never seen before," Trump added. "For the Good of our Country, it must be stopped. The Crooked Joe Biden Witch Hunts have to be ended. REPUBLICANS IN WASHINGTON MUST TAKE ACTION!"

Steve Thomas

https://mccrindle.com.au/article/topic/generation-alpha/generation-alpha-defined/

Understanding Generation Alpha

There is a growing generation that few people have heard of. Within the next few years they will outnumber the Baby Boomers, and many of them will live to see the 22nd Century.

We’re talking about Generation Alpha, the children of Generation Y, and often the younger siblings of Generation Z. Simply put, Generation Alpha are defined as those born from 2010-2024. More than 2.8 million are born globally every week. When they have all been born (2025) they will number almost 2 billion – the largest generation in the history of the world.

Who are Generation Alpha?

While they are the youngest generation, they have brand influence and purchasing power beyond their years. They shape the social media landscape, are the popular culture influencers, the emerging consumers and by the end of the 2020’s will be moving into adulthood, the workforce and household formation, ready or not.

The most materially endowed generation ever

Gen Alpha are the most materially endowed generation ever, the most technologically savvy generation ever and they will enjoy a longer life span than any previous generation.

They will stay in education longer, start their earning years later and stay at home with their parents later than even their predecessors, Gen Z and Gen Y. The role of parents therefore will span a longer age range – with many of these Gen Alphas likely to be still living at home into their late 20’s.

The great screen-age

This newest generation are part of an unintentional global experiment where screens are placed in front of them from the youngest age as pacifiers, entertainers and educational aids. This great screen age in which we are all living has bigger impacts on the generation exposed to such screen saturation during their formative years.

From shorter attention spans to the gamification of education, from increased digital literacy to impaired social formation, these times impact us all but transform those in their formative years. Generation Alpha began being born in 2010, the year the iPad was launched, Instagram was created, and App was the word of the year- and so from their earliest years, they have been screenagers.

How will Generation Alpha learn?

With the increase in screen and technology, there’s no doubt that Generation Alpha will feel this influence in their schooling.

For many, their childhood likely involved doing things that were new experiences, like taking piano lessons, playing sports with friends or reading books. These experiences helped shape them because they were engaging and gave opportunities to learn.

While this is likely to happen still, the way Gen Alpha learn involves technology and has become more advanced and accessible through devices such as smartphones and tablets. This is already a trend among their forerunners, Gen Z, with TikTok (42%) the third most engaged with platform by students to teach themselves new skills, coming in above parents (39%).

More people than ever, especially the emerging generations have access to information about anything with the rise of the internet.

Generation Alpha's economic footprint

By 2029, when the oldest Generation Alphas enter into adulthood and the youngest Generation Alphas reach the age of five, their economic footprint will reach more than US$5.46 trillion. This means that organizations today should be thinking about the future consumer in Generation Alpha.

 Why did we name them Generation Alpha?

Just over a decade ago, when I was researching my first book The ABC of XYZ: Understanding the Global Generations, it became apparent that a new generation was about to commence and there was no name for them.

This was just after the Atlantic hurricane season of 2005, when there were so many storms that the normal alphabetic names had been used up and so for the first time, the Greek alphabet was used.

Generational definitions are most useful when they span a set age range and so allow meaningful comparisons across generations. That is why the generations today each span 15 years with Generation Y (Millennials) born from 1980 to 1994; Generation Z from 1995 to 2009 and Generation Alpha from 2010 to 2024. And so it follows that Generation Beta will be born from 2025 to 2039.

Steve Thomas

Okay. Here's the brain teaser of the day:

In one hour or less, tell me the difference between Fox News and the  Natonal Enquirer.

You get three guesses, and the first three don't count.

Steve Thomas

"I was look8ng for a job, and 2as wondering if you guys were hiring."

https://www.rawstory.com/trump-criminal-record/

"Well, maybe. What's your background?"

"Well, I've been accused of committing 88 felonies."

"I've been accused of stealing internal company documents and not giving them back,"

"I've been accused of falsifying company records."

"I've been accused of racketeering."

"I've been convicted of business  fraud."

"I've been convicted of sexual assault."

"Do you guys hire sexual predators?"

"Well... "

Steve Thomas

Melania Trump Breaks Social Media Silence

to hawk a $245 Mother's Day necklace with her name on it.

Because

"There’s no more precious a gift than one with some other lady’s name engraved on it."

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/melania-trump-mothers-day-necklace_n_662604b2e4b0167f7bf5942e

Steve Thomas

I personally believe that Lee Harvey Oswald is a figment of your imagination and that John F. Kennedy's head exploded as a result of spontaneous human combustion.

Steve Thomas

7 hours ago, W. Niederhut said:

   A day most of us here in Colorado will never forget.

    I was seeing patients at a local inpatient substance abuse treatment facility when the television coverage commenced.

    One of my former patients was a close relative of the teacher who hid under her desk in the library during the massacre.


25 years after Columbine, survivors say they're still haunted by the attack

Since the 1999 massacre, 415 people have been killed in U.S. school shootings.

abcnews.go.com/US/25-years-after-columbine-survivors-haunted-school-shootings/story?id=109236523

 

 

W.,

I have been struck by how violent the last two days have been in our nation's history.

April 19, 1993 76 Branch Davidians die in Waco, TX

April 19, 1995 Timothy McVeigh blows up the federal building in Oklahoma City

April 19, 1775 The battles of Lexington and Concord

April 20, 1999 The shootings at Columbine

The 3rd week of April seems like a really rough and consequential time.

Steve Thomas