A New Democratic Party Needs to Emerge - and Quickly

                                 Let's face it.

The Democratic party is stagnant. After losing the 2024 election the party splintered into warring factions. The good news is we're starting to see another platform forming as the Democrats look to their younger members to regenerate the party.

A good example is Rep. Jerry Nadler who is stepping down for a "new generation" to represent his Manhattan district after more than 30 years in office. He made the announcement Sept.2nd saying, "it's time to pass the torch."

Thank you, Jerry. I hope we see other elderly Democrats give way to allow some new blood and creativity and boldness in Congress. If Democrats want to succeed in 2026, they need to take bold, unified action.

Americans are fed up with the inability of Congress to act, and they have embraced a president who circumvents Congress for all of his major initiatives. If Democrats want to succeed in 2026, they can't just limit their message to condemning Trump. It didn't work in 2024 and there's no reason to believe it will next year. There has to be more talk about the economy and how to improve it.

Addressing Americans real concerns like healthcare, housing, the cost of food, rising energy prices, and immigration should be at the center of the Democrats new message.

The question is who The Messenger will be for the party? So far, the DNC hasn't come up with any candidates. A few like Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, and Kathy Hochul, have national profiles and have been outspoken critics of Trump. But are any of them presidential material? We just don't know yet.

The sooner Democrats get unified the better because they're facing huge challenges in the midterms. Trump is already working on rigging the elections with Texas legislators, and infiltrating states with election deniers in state's electoral systems.  

Democrats need to unify against Republicans and not have infighting. Their messaging has been all over the place. I hate to say it, but the Party is devoid of leadership and strategy. The only left-leaning party that seems united against Trump is based in Canada.

The Democratic Party's brand has become toxic - a CNN poll found the party's favorability rating was just 29%, the lowest since the survey began. There's a dire need for democrats to make the message about economic populism.

There's also a need to find a leader to go forward in the future. Hopefully the Party will respond in the coming months as it rebuilds its credibility.

As it Stands, our constitutional republic is facing its biggest challenge since the Civil War.

Mainstream/Legacy Media is Losing legitimacy

It's official.

Americans face a crisis that strikes at the very heart of democracy - we can no longer count on the mainstream/legacy media for accuracy and bi-partisan reporting.

As a newspaper editor and publisher, I always strived to give unbiased news stories for my readers. I didn't print conspiracy theories to gain readership. I didn't bow to pressures by local political candidates to give them a free sounding board at the expensive of the newspaper's reputation. 

My Opinion Pages were clearly marked with mastheads. When a reader turned to one of them, they knew it wasn't news... it was people's opinions, or it was my opinion. There was never any doubt. I did not advocate for either political party and treated both parties with the same respect.

It's hard to fully express my disappointment with the mainstream/legacy media's lack of coverage this Labor Day. There were anti-Trump protests from coast-to-coast but if you went to ABC, NBC, or CBS, to see coverage of the nationwide protest against Billionaires you had to wait until all the events were over and then watch them on evening news for a scattershot coverage of the holiday protests. 

Throughout the day some local affiliates of these stations carried live events from Chicago to D.C. to small audiences. It's noteworthy to point out it was the independent press that gave daylong coverage. Internet platforms like the MeidusTouch, The Ring of Fire, and Occupy Democrats covered the stories that the mainstream/legacy was ignoring.

Why the big sellout? The answer is a sad reflection of where we are as a country. Six companies control 90% of the media (any medium that controls the distribution of information) in America. They are Disney, TimeWarner, Comcast, News Corps, Sony, and National Amusements. 

The conservative CEOs of these companies want to keep Trump happy because they're afraid of him. He basically sued them into submission. Look at what happened to popular comedian Stephen Colbert when Trump wanted him gone. He held up a major merger between Comcast and Paramount until he was assured Colbert would be canceled. That's one tiny example of what's happening behind closed doors as billionaire CEOs capitulate to Trump's agenda.

Do you suppose there's any correlation between those timid CEOs and lack of comprehensive coverage of the Labor Day protest? It's not hard to see where Trump would want zero coverage regarding him or his corrupt administration. You decide, based upon the evidence.

It wouldn't do to forget cable news outlets. The competition between CNN, MSNBC, Fox, Newsmax, and Forbes is fierce with each outlet trying to post clickbait that may or may not be dubious or accurate. I should mention BBC, Reuters, and the Associated Press have a better history of accuracy than the other cable platforms.

It was George Washington who said, "If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."

James Madison noted that a free press provides the "power which knowledge gives" to people to govern themselves.

As it Stands, freedom of the press is more than just a passion for me, it's one of the cornerstones of this society.

'Workers Over Billionaires' - Protest Information on Labor Day Nationwide

 

On Labor Day Americans will show their support for unions by turning out in nationwide protests against the corrupt Trump regime's war on workers.

People will also be protesting other issues like the loss of health care, growing inflation, and other miseries Trump has brought to the country in his seven short months of squatting in the Oval Office. 

Why it matters: The largest federation of labor unions in the U.S. is leading the movement, along with dozens of other groups.

• More than 1,000 events were scheduled as of Sunday.

State of play: The protests are being organized by the AFL-CIO and groups including Bargaining for the Common Good, the National Education Association, Indivisible, Working Families Party, MoveOn, American Federation of Teachers, Public Citizen and 50501.

• The May Day Strong coalition, which organized widespread anti-billionaire rallies on May 1, is also involved.

What they're saying: "This isn't just about policy — it's about building meaningful worker power to fight back and build a movement rooted in real life, led by real people," organizers said.

• "From warehouses to kitchens, from schools to streets — we are saying it loud, we are saying it proud: Workers over billionaires now!"

Zoom in: As part of this movement, thousands of restaurant workers are slated to protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City between 2 and 4pm ET on Monday.

• They will launch a "restaurant in the street" serving tacos to symbolize the popular acronym TACO, meaning "Trump Always Chickens Out."
• Here's a link to all the cities nationwide hosting protests. See if one is near you.
• As it Stands, it's a good day to show your support for American workers and letting Trump know how you feel about his administration. 

Military Veteran Defies Trump's Latest Illegal Executive Order

It was the last straw for retired combat veteran Jay Carey (above) when Trump signed an executive order to imprison anyone for a year who dared to burn the American flag.

That same day the North Carolina Army veteran who had served his country for 20 years, burned an American flag in front of the White House in defiance of the order. 

 He was detained by the Secret Service and Park Police and charged with two petty misdemeanor citations for damaging park property and setting a fire in an unsecured place, not for the act of burning the flag, which is protected under the First Amendment.

"I know I'm living in Trump's head right now and I love it. He is fuming and I did it right in front of his house," Carey told Fox 5.

A defiant Carey told the press he has gotten a highly experienced lawyer to uphold his first Amendment rights.

"What I'm waiting on is our illustrious D.C. prosecutor Jeanine Pirro to bring up charges, at the behest of our president, and say you need to spend a year in jail. I welcome that challenge," said Carey

Meantime Carey plans to protest the national guard's presence in D.C. with a group of fellow vets. I'm proud of Carey. As an Army combat veteran myself (Vietnam and Cambodia -1970) I've had it with Trump's efforts to destroy our democracy and take away our freedoms - one by, one.

It really pisses me off seeing a four-time draft dodger - who seems to have an unnatural affection for the flag and hugs it at every opportunity - is making it into an issue when he desecrates everything it stands for.

To be clear, Trump's executive order to put Americans in jail for burning the flag, is bullshit. The First Amendment forbids it. The Supreme Court has clearly ruled on more than one occasion that the act, however distasteful, is constitutionally permitted. 

This new directive is already creating divisions among Republicans who are increasingly concerned about a president demonstrating his desire for expansive power. They may not be talking about it in public for fear of retribution, but behind closed doors they know Trump is demented and a threat to our constitutional republic.

Political analysts point out that Executive orders cannot override a Supreme Court ruling. Trump should know that, but he doesn't care. His agenda of hate, retribution, and love for the wealthy, has been highlighted since he took office in January.

It's no secret Trump hates Americas veterans. Just look at the cuts from his big "dumb ass bill" that is causing chaos and eliminating much-need services throughout the VA's system. I recall his traitorous statement when he said that it was stupid to give your life for your country. The disrespect that the orange clown-in-charge has showed for veterans has been consistent all of his corrupt life.

Veterans must unite and protest every illegal move that our First Felon makes in his bid for becoming a dictator. All Americans need to unite in this fight for our freedoms. Losing our liberties is not an option.

As it Stands, it's not easy standing up for what you believe in, but it's necessary in times of crisis like this.

Bigly Expose: A Day in the Life of a MAGA Politician

Rooster crows...

Buck wakes up and says his morning prayer, "Deliver me from the Democrats and the Constitution, so help me Trump. MAGA. MAGA."

When he gets dressed, he makes sure his red tie hangs down to his toes after sprinkling Trump's latest fragrance - Victory 45-47 all over his body. He double checks his Trump Tennis shoes to make sure they're clean then stands in front of a full-length mirror and chants "USA! USA! USA!" while waving his MAGA cap.

The day starts with a gathering of MAGA morons from both the House and Senate where they pray that God will protect Trump and then they shill for a $15 donation so that Trump can go to heaven.

The first committee meeting Buck goes to is the Weaponization of Everything Against Liberals panel where the Republican majority plots out attacks against blue states and Democrats running for any office. After a hearty round of lies and misinformation Buck and his cohorts are turned loose to look for trouble somewhere else.

Then it's time for Bucks Podcast, " God's Warrior Against Woke." After exchanging conspiracy theories with extremists hiding in their parent's basement, Buck signs off playing "YMCA." 

A late lunch came next as Buck gathered some of his cronies and they all went to the Cracker Barrel to celebrate the restaurants return to its old logo because Trump and a host of MAGA nuts told the business to... or else.

Content with stuffing himself with eggs, grits, fried apples, Hashbrown Casserole, and Hamburger Steak, Buck had to hurry back to the Capitol for another committee meeting.

The Near Sight Committee was just being called to order when Buck waddled in, sweating like a pig because he had to fast walk down the corridors. The Republican majority then called for input on taking apart the Department of Education. When it came time for Buck's five minutes, he emphasized the need to get rid of federal standards for schools and to let the states teach children with anti-woke ideology. 

With no more meetings to attend Buck went back to his apartment and changed into a tuxedo. He had booked a private plane to take him to Palm Beach, Florida because his master had invited him for dinner at Mar-a-Lago. 

He was so excited at the thought of getting to sit at Trump's feet (it would be easy with no spine) and getting his table scrapes that he gnawed on his thumb to suppress his joy.

As it Stands, can you guess which MAGA senator or congressman Buck is? If you guessed all of them your right.

Trumplicans Secret Presence in Greenland Busted by Denmark

Busted.

Denmark's foreign minister doesn't like foreigners interfering with Greenland's affairs. 

That's why he summoned the top U.S. diplomat Mark Stroh to his office recently to read him the riot act.

Stroh was confronted about having at least three people with connections to Trump who were carrying out a covert mission to influence operations in Greenland.

For the record this is the second time an American diplomat had to be summoned by a NATO ally this week. France had called U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner to its foreign ministry after a letter he sent to French Emmanuel Macron alleging the country did not do enough to combat antisemitism.

What was Stroh's answer to the covert operation when he was called on the carpet to account for the intrusion? "The U.S. government does not control or direct the actions of private citizens." Talk about a cop out. Since when are CIA operatives' private citizens?

To be clear Denmark and Greenland have said the island is not for sale and condemned reports of the U.S. gathering intelligence there.

Because Trump has repeatedly said he seeks U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland, the citizens of Greenland and Denmark have made it abundantly clear they have no interest in being ruled by an American dictator.

Trump's is interested in taking control of the mineral-rich, strategically located Artic Island. He's even hinted at taking it with military action.

Danish and Greenlandic security forces reported that at least three American nationals with connections to Trump have been carrying out covert influence operations in the territory. Their aim was to infiltrate society and promote secession from Denmark, according to Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen.

It's no secret Trump will do anything in order to get what he wants. 

The Danish government and the Greenlanders have been watching and listening for the last seven months, and they know what he's capable of.

What's really galling is the cavalier reply that Trump's administration had to say about the situation. "Calm down," was the sarcastic advice they gave Denmark.

I think about the people of Greenland who have been used to having the U.S. as one of their closest allies and their shock over Trump's attempt to take their sovereignty away. Welcome to our world in the good old USA where we are fighting against a demented dictator. It's not pretty.

As it Stands, Trump is a scourge on the planet and a bane of the American people.

Trump asks Followers for Money to Get to on the Golden Elevator to Heaven

I have long since ceased to be surprised by Trump's public grifts but I have to admit his latest fundraiser is one of his foulest... asking people to send him money to get to heaven.

It's so wrong on so many levels it's hard to believe it's true that he's pleading for campaign cash that will magically assure he gets a golden elevator ride to heaven. But it is true... an American president asking his followers to make sure he gets eternal life by donating a mere $15.

MAGA supporters who get hit up daily by Trump's endless schemes received an urgent notice the other day that Trump was on a divine mission and they only had 24-hours to cough up their hard-earned money.

Trump's bogus plea instantly reminded me of Oral Roberts (some people confused him with Jimmy Swaggart) who climbed the 200-foot-tall "Prayer Tower" at a college campus in 1987 and said God ordered him to raise $8 million dollars or he would "call him home" if he didn't. As I recall he said he met God's challenge with a last-minute large donation. When asked by who he told the press, "It's none of your business."

As an aside, Trump said he wants to end the war in Ukraine so he can go to heaven. Just saying.

So, here's the setup:

God saved him from an assassin's bullet last year for one reason: to "Make America Great Again." The message casts his political victories and survival as miracles, from defeating Hillary Clinton in 2016 to returning to the White House despite what he called "rigged elections" and "sham cases."

The Passion Play:

"Last year I came millimeters from death when the bullet pierced through my skin. My triumphant return to the White House was never supposed to happened" he gleefully boasted. "But it did."

Personally, I don't think Trump will be going anywhere near heaven as he's a greedy billionaire and an enemy of the people. 

His corrupt and criminally deeds will cinch his spot near the Devil - on his knees with his head buried in Lucifer's ass.

But I digress.

The whole point of this post is to show there's no limit to Trump's gall. He's not afraid of God or Satan. That's because his only religion is worshipping himself. 

As it Stands, Trump thinks he can take his wealth with him wherever he goes when he dies. Don't bother telling him it doesn't work that way. I want it to be a surprise.

Now Trump is Going after Grants for Crime Victims

There's no low that Trump won't go.

Now he's holding up funds for crime victims, which just happens to include Epstein's numerous victims, in an attempt to extort states into bending the knee to advance Trump's illegal immigration attempts. 

Twenty states (all blue) and the District of Columba have sued the Justice Department for adding a new immigration enforcement rule to federal grants that assist victims of crime - arguing it's part of the Trump administration's crackdown against so-called "sanctuary states."

There's a 42-year-old division of the Justice Department that hands out more than a billion per year to all 50 states to compensate crime victims and fund programs like crisis counseling centers, emergency shelters, domestic abuse hotlines and victim advocacy services, that has been shuttered for political reasons 

No surprise it's another illegal attempt by the Trump-devoted Justice Department to further his corrupt agenda. The law has been in effect since the Reagan-era law that set up the federal government's crime victim grant programs. It doesn't say a damn thing about immigration enforcement.

Trump's minions have decided to defund all of those services in a naked attempt at bribery on a scale seldom scene in America's history. The shocking move highlights the fact that Trump has no empathy for anyone - despite his lies to the contrary.

The looming Epstein File revelations have Trump spinning around like a whirling dervish determined to change the national conversation about Epstein and to flood each day with more shocking moves. It works up to a point. But each attack to distract has had a short lifetime in the mass media. A majority of Americans - 93% - want the Epstein Files released in whole - not a drip, drip, of heavily redacted documents.

So, Trump is left with coming up with something more shocking than the day before. So far, that's been easy as he pursues his personal vendettas and makes stupid statements day and night on his Truth Social platform. Yesterday he suggested people may want a dictator. How's that for effect? He is so sure of completely talking over every aspect of our democracy he's saying out loud what people have been accusing him of for years - he wants to be a dictator for real.

The states asked a federal judge to block the new rules and declare them illegal. They said they need "urgent relief" since applications for most grants are due Wednesday (Aug.27). I sincerely hope relief comes in time tomorrow.

To be clear, the federal government is attempting to use crime victim funds as a bargaining chip to force states into doing Trump's bidding on immigration enforcement. It's that simple.

As it Stands, what worries me is how often precedent is being overthrown by the right-wing Supreme Court. Think Roe vs Wade and all the other cases the court has thrown out in the last few years.

Trump is Melting Before Our Very Eyes but He Gets Away With-it Using Lies

Trump's mental and physical health have been questioned for years but now that he's melting before our very eyes like the Wicked Witch of the West evidence shows his overall physical decline is increasing. His mental decline is documented daily whenever he talks to the press.

Let's review the tale of the hand. Once upon a time reporters wanted to know why Trump had makeup on his hand and his minister of propaganda Karoline Leavitt laughed it off and claimed it the bruising was from his "vigorous handshaking."

No one really believed that, so a month later Leavitt shared a White House memo from Trump's physician that stated, "This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen."

How convenient. It even backed Leavitt's incredulous claim about handshaking. But the press didn't buy it and have been taking recent close-up photos of his tiny, discolored paw. The poorly blended foundation job meant to hide something deeper, further fueled theories that won't go away.

Two recent photos on Thread of Trump's hand set off thousands of comments on social media. The caption simply read, "both of these photos of Trump's hand were taken today." One user wrote: "I'm not a nurse, but that looks like a blown vein poorly covered with liquid foundation." The consensus on the thread was Trump's injury was NOT about shaking hands.

But there's more. Trump's visibly swollen ankles are a "flashing neon sign of a body under pressure" according to a Daily Beast Op-Ed. Doctors have said his chronic venous insufficiency is a circulatory problem that makes swelling and bruising more common.

The polls are starting to reflect concern about Trump's health. Data for Progress found the share of Americans who believe Trump is too old to be president has jumped by 10 points since last year to 49%, with independents showing a 12-point rise. The fact of the matter is more Americans say they doubt Trump has the "mental and cognitive" ability to complete his term.

As it Stands, I'll hazard to say that if the Democrats take back the House and the Senate there's a good chance, they could invoke the 25th Amendment to get rid of his orange ass for once and all.

If You Think Things are Bad Now...Just Wait

The takeover is in full swing.

Trump has let his hellhounds loose as he consolidates his power more every day.

There may not be an Epstein list, but Trump has a mile long list of perceived enemies and he's going after them like a honey badger on meth lately.

You may have noticed Trump just went after John Bolton, his former national security advisor, claiming he was in possession of classified records after an early morning raid by the FBI. Hiding classified records. Wait. That sounds familiar to me. Oh yeah, once upon a time the FBI went after Trump's stolen classified documents (hidden in his Mar-a-Lago lairs bathroom).

But I digress. You may have noticed the pattern where Trump accuses people of crimes that he himself has committed and mostly gotten away with. Bolton's real crime was criticizing Trump in his book. 

I admit I gagged when I heard what FBI director Kash Patel told ABC news, "NO ONE is above the law ..." when asked to comment on the search. OMG! Democrats have been saying that for years but now it's looking like someone is above the law after all.

Yesterday Trump threatened "harsh measures" against the state of Colorado if they don't immediately free convicted election denier, Tina Peters, who was found guilty a year ago. What does that mean? Just guessing but if Trump follows form, he'll retaliate by withholding federal funding. Maybe a pardon. Why not? He pardoned over 1,500 criminals who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in a failed coup attempt, as a reward for their loyalty to him... not the Constitution. 

It is obvious Trump has empathy for criminals but not for colored people. His sudden interest in Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's partner who was convicted of sex trafficking, is sending out red flags. 

His base want's all of the Epstein Files released and he's under pressure to please them. And he doesn't want Maxwell to share what she really knows about him. Maxwell has the upper hand having been given immunity by Trump's lawyer and getting moved to the most minimum-security prison in the country. After an inmate complained about having a child molester in their ranks the woman who complained was transferred to a maximum-security prison the next day. That's called holding all the cards.

The recently stepped-up attack against his critics is being driven by a desire to divert the public away from the Epstein Files. He might not have rolled out his state takeover strategy so early if he wasn't under the intense spotlight right now.

MAGA battles are being won and lost in the courts every day. It's a high stakes game that will have detrimental effects on democracy. A demented felon is holding the fate of our country in his tiny hands. The scary thing is I doubt if we've even seen how far Trump will go yet.

As it Stands, I feel like I'm documenting the fall of a nation, and it's not a good feeling.

'Make Cracker Barrel Great Again...Say What?

I hope you're sitting as you read this post.

Because when I tell you what Trumplicans are raising hell about you're going to be stunned. Ready?

With all the chaotic events and legislations swirling around the entire country Republicans are losing their shit because the Cracker Barrel restaurant changed its logo! I'm not kidding you or pulling your leg.

As a matter of fact, Cracker Barrel's stock plummeted by almost $100 million this week after conservatives threatened to boycott the company, citing its unpopular rebranding, change of decor, LGBTQ and Pride initiatives, and DEI policies. 

This push to Make Cracker Barrel Great Again got Republican Rep. Byron Donalds hackles up as he accused the company change of being a "woke rebrand." 

MAGA mouthpieces were furious that the image of an old man and a barrel disappeared while keeping just the name of the chain, still with the familiar gold and brown color tones. The typeface has also been modernized. 

While Trumplicans are just fine with changing the names of military bases, ships and even the Gulf of Mexico, Cracker Barrel's ditching of the barrel man for the first time since 1977 has crossed a MAGA line.

MAGA luminaries like Donald Trump Jr. have made clever observations about the change. Junior's sums it up with "WTF is wrong with Cracker Barrel?" A deep thinker that one.

The MAGA rage also featured conservative X account Woke War Room. They claim Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Feiss Masino, who has been in the role for two years, has "scrapped a beloved American aesthetic and replaced it with sterile, soulless branding."

People can't afford housing, groceries, and are going bankrupt if they get cancer so naturally conservatives are mad about Cracker Barrel's logo. The outrage doesn't make sense. It's a reflection of how unserious Trump's minions are.

How dare the company change how it looks and its logo after 47 years. How dare they do a makeover to catch up with the times. The chain has also hired country singer Jordan Davis to appear in commercials as part of the rebranding. 

As it Stands, all I can say is, get over it you bunch of snowflakes!