The veterans are speaking out against tRump. Not left or right but as Americans who have given more to America than tRump ever could as he thinks Military are suckers and losers. Remember how he treated John McCain a hero and senator. Live free or die trying.
Exactly, John...this isn’t left vs. right...it’s people who actually took the oath...pushing back against a man who treats service...like a disposable prop...and sacrifice like weakness.
Veterans aren’t speaking out because of politics...they’re speaking out because they understand what happens...when a commander treats citizens as enemies...and dissent as treason.
Trump calls them “suckers and losers.”
Veterans call him...what he is: a threat to the very system...they bled to protect.
And when the people who know war...chain of command...and lawful orders start warning the country…that’s not noise...that’s a SIGNAL
.
Live free or die trying...isn’t a slogan.
For a lot of these vets...myself included...it’s muscle memory.
Honestly Jack, I just don’t see it. Youngkin has no charisma, and after what he did in Virginia, the opposition can write the commercials and set the narrative straight to the ballot box.
Maybe I’m wrong, and missing something, but honestly he’s such a nefarious opportunist, even MAFA could see right through him.
Furthermore, he would still have to win over the Joe Rogan set and constituents, and unless they are in the tech bro’s pockets, I just don’t see them rallying around him. IMHO…:)
I get where you're coming from, Robert...Youngkin isn’t charismatic...he isn’t beloved...and on a retail-politics level he doesn’t inspire anything close to Trump’s cult-style devotion.
But...here’s the key:
He’s not being positioned as a movement leader. He’s being positioned...as a vehicle.
Power brokers don’t need the base to love him...they need him to be viable enough to:
*calm donors
*reassure institutions
*lower legal exposure
*reset the brand
*provide a stable runway to whoever comes next
That’s the actual play.
The hardcore MAGA crowd...doesn’t have to think he’s a hero...they just have to be told he’s the “next best step” while the oxygen supply (media, influencers, donor amplification) ...is quietly redirected his way.
And...remember: charisma isn’t required in a transition candidate...obedience and stability are.
You’re thinking about Youngkin as an endpoint.I’m thinking about him as a bridge.
The real question isn’t whether he electrifies the base.
It’s whether the machine can make him inevitable enough...that the base goes along out of momentum...not passion.
We just had a similar discussion … holy cow! I can’t get over this!
This particular comment really summed it up for us: “But because he’s…useful.
Authoritarian movements…don’t crown leaders based on strength. They crown leaders based on utility.” Such truth!
UTILITY (in our humble opinion) is the focus … however, we’re not minimizing the other areas of focus. If we absolutely had to rank them … this would be on the top.
We know so many that are not willing to anticipate there probably is a plan (already in the works)after the season of DJT. Our like-minded friends are so spent. We get it. They’re wiped. Note we’re absolutely not minimizing this … it’s real. We also know the GOP’s strategy is to create so much chaos that’s it hard to redirect any energy to what may be around the corner. That way we’re not ready, or prepared for what may come.
Your articles keep us talking & focusing, even when it’s storming all around us. Sometimes it feels like we sleep with one eye open.
Terry & Bernice...exactly. Most people still think power shifts...because someone becomes “more inspiring” or “more popular.” That’s not how authoritarian systems operate.
They don’t choose leaders for charisma...they choose them for usefulness to the machine.
Trump was useful when chaos was required to break institutions. Too useful.
When chaos becomes a liability...they’ll seek someone useful...for stabilization...and rebranding.
And like you said...exhaustion is part of the strategy. If people are mentally burned out... they stop looking ahead...and that’s when the transition...can happen quietly.
Your instinct is dead-on:
The real battle isn’t just resisting the current storm...it’s noticing who’s being positioned to take the wheel...after the storm does its job.
That’s why staying alert matters now...more than ever.
You’re thinking ahead...while much of the nation...is just bracing. That makes you dangerous in all the right ways.
Stay sharp...and yeah...keep one eye open. The storm hasn’t passed...it’s shifting.
Going to save this one for future reference. You are right on the money (pardon the pun). That picture leaves a positive impression. Youngkin doesn't have that right-wing smear on his face that all the others do. The GOP has to have at least one person to compete with guys like Gavin
Newsom. And Mamdani. Yes, he's pretty good looking guy too.
What are your thoughts on the failsons? Eric just put out a book. Is this an effort to launch himself politically or just another grift? Will the money and influence stop once the boss is out of office/expires?
The veterans are speaking out against tRump. Not left or right but as Americans who have given more to America than tRump ever could as he thinks Military are suckers and losers. Remember how he treated John McCain a hero and senator. Live free or die trying.
Exactly, John...this isn’t left vs. right...it’s people who actually took the oath...pushing back against a man who treats service...like a disposable prop...and sacrifice like weakness.
Veterans aren’t speaking out because of politics...they’re speaking out because they understand what happens...when a commander treats citizens as enemies...and dissent as treason.
Trump calls them “suckers and losers.”
Veterans call him...what he is: a threat to the very system...they bled to protect.
And when the people who know war...chain of command...and lawful orders start warning the country…that’s not noise...that’s a SIGNAL
.
Live free or die trying...isn’t a slogan.
For a lot of these vets...myself included...it’s muscle memory.
-Jack
Honestly Jack, I just don’t see it. Youngkin has no charisma, and after what he did in Virginia, the opposition can write the commercials and set the narrative straight to the ballot box.
Maybe I’m wrong, and missing something, but honestly he’s such a nefarious opportunist, even MAFA could see right through him.
Furthermore, he would still have to win over the Joe Rogan set and constituents, and unless they are in the tech bro’s pockets, I just don’t see them rallying around him. IMHO…:)
I get where you're coming from, Robert...Youngkin isn’t charismatic...he isn’t beloved...and on a retail-politics level he doesn’t inspire anything close to Trump’s cult-style devotion.
But...here’s the key:
He’s not being positioned as a movement leader. He’s being positioned...as a vehicle.
Power brokers don’t need the base to love him...they need him to be viable enough to:
*calm donors
*reassure institutions
*lower legal exposure
*reset the brand
*provide a stable runway to whoever comes next
That’s the actual play.
The hardcore MAGA crowd...doesn’t have to think he’s a hero...they just have to be told he’s the “next best step” while the oxygen supply (media, influencers, donor amplification) ...is quietly redirected his way.
And...remember: charisma isn’t required in a transition candidate...obedience and stability are.
You’re thinking about Youngkin as an endpoint.I’m thinking about him as a bridge.
The real question isn’t whether he electrifies the base.
It’s whether the machine can make him inevitable enough...that the base goes along out of momentum...not passion.
That’s what I’m tracking.
-Jack
Fair enough and excellent points. Have a wonderful weekend….:)
Robert...my friend...YOU as well. I love how you push me to clarify. It's good for me...and it's good for everyone else as well.
We just had a similar discussion … holy cow! I can’t get over this!
This particular comment really summed it up for us: “But because he’s…useful.
Authoritarian movements…don’t crown leaders based on strength. They crown leaders based on utility.” Such truth!
UTILITY (in our humble opinion) is the focus … however, we’re not minimizing the other areas of focus. If we absolutely had to rank them … this would be on the top.
We know so many that are not willing to anticipate there probably is a plan (already in the works)after the season of DJT. Our like-minded friends are so spent. We get it. They’re wiped. Note we’re absolutely not minimizing this … it’s real. We also know the GOP’s strategy is to create so much chaos that’s it hard to redirect any energy to what may be around the corner. That way we’re not ready, or prepared for what may come.
Your articles keep us talking & focusing, even when it’s storming all around us. Sometimes it feels like we sleep with one eye open.
Take care,
Terry and Bernice
Terry & Bernice...exactly. Most people still think power shifts...because someone becomes “more inspiring” or “more popular.” That’s not how authoritarian systems operate.
They don’t choose leaders for charisma...they choose them for usefulness to the machine.
Trump was useful when chaos was required to break institutions. Too useful.
When chaos becomes a liability...they’ll seek someone useful...for stabilization...and rebranding.
And like you said...exhaustion is part of the strategy. If people are mentally burned out... they stop looking ahead...and that’s when the transition...can happen quietly.
Your instinct is dead-on:
The real battle isn’t just resisting the current storm...it’s noticing who’s being positioned to take the wheel...after the storm does its job.
That’s why staying alert matters now...more than ever.
You’re thinking ahead...while much of the nation...is just bracing. That makes you dangerous in all the right ways.
Stay sharp...and yeah...keep one eye open. The storm hasn’t passed...it’s shifting.
Hope all is well on your end.
-Jack
Thanks Jack for another mouth opening read today 😧 TGIF you and your readers and will reStack ASAP 🙏
Karen...you're welcome. Truly. I hope you enjoy your weekend..starting....NOW.
-Jack
Going to save this one for future reference. You are right on the money (pardon the pun). That picture leaves a positive impression. Youngkin doesn't have that right-wing smear on his face that all the others do. The GOP has to have at least one person to compete with guys like Gavin
Newsom. And Mamdani. Yes, he's pretty good looking guy too.
Thanks Jack! I put this copy on my BlueSky page!
What are your thoughts on the failsons? Eric just put out a book. Is this an effort to launch himself politically or just another grift? Will the money and influence stop once the boss is out of office/expires?