When leaders start treating opposing views as criminal threats and praising prosecutions for dissent, that’s not democracy — that’s the opening act of authoritarian playbooks. Democracies don’t survive by turning dissent into punishment. History shows how this pattern slowly erodes rights until it’s too late to see it coming.
When dissent becomes something to PUNISH... instead of debate...democracy is already in retreat. History shows this always starts “justified”...and NEVER ends that way!
Thank you for your guidance. Your clarity and vision are exactly what’s needed to confront issues directly and get to the real truth, without skimming over it. #holdfast
On several different MN videos the ICE officers can be seen taking photos of people. I am guessing facial recognition. Also, didn't Thiel speak at the 2016 RNC?
On the facial recognition…I’ve seen nothing yet to support that is the case…however…I haven’t seen anything that would cause me to rule it out as a possibility…either.
But…YES, Cheryl…Peter Thiel DID speak at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland…delivering a speech in support of Donald Trump and declaring himself “proud to be gay, proud to be a Republican, and most of all proud to be an American.”
Jack, any insight into how Thiel deals with what I see as potential cognitive dissonance? As a gay man, he must realize the Republican Party doesn’t look on him with much fondness? Do the ends justify the means here (as in I’m going to be above it all so who cares what happens to my gay brothers)? There’s so much going on these days that's deeply disturbing. At times I struggle to process it all.
Secondly, any suggestions on how to apply pressure down line as you mentioned at the end of the article (donors, contractors, etc) without getting eaten by the machine?
Great questions, Deb...and you’re not wrong to feel unsettled.
On Thiel...yes...it's cognitive dissonance.
He’s resolved it...by placing power...control....and insulation...above group solidarity.
It’s not that he doesn’t SEE the hostility...it’s that he believes wealth and proximity to power....put him “ABOVE” the consequences. History suggests that’s...a VERY dangerous bet.
On pressure...without getting crushed, think distributed...boring...lawful.
Support watchdog orgs...amplify credible reporting...pressure brands and institutions quietly (emails, letters, boards, advertisers)...and act in numbers...even if only in spirit...especially if you work alone.
The machine struggles with sunlight and coordination....AND...it also struggles with individuals....scattered...but all interrupting the systems.
You’re right, Deb...it’s a lot. A hell of a lot. Feeling disturbed, though... is a sign your moral compass STILL works. Keep it!
. Vance was handpicked by Thiel to be where he is today. No one with a working brain can possibly think that Trump sifted through all the potential vice-presidential candidates and picked Vance. Just as he did with Vance, Thiel bought Trump the Presidency, and Vance as his VP was the price Thiel told Trump he had to pay. And now we see that "try and stop me" and "whaddaya going to do about it" are the backbone of the entire Trump administration. Thanks to the US Supreme Court and its ruling on Citizens United, what we are seeing daily has become Business as Usual in the country. Deny, lie, lie louder, rinse and repeat. It's sickening.
Elizabeth, you’re putting words to what feels obvious to a lot of people who’ve been paying attention. The idea that Trump personally conducted some "careful"..."values-driven" VP search is BULLSHIT.
Power brokers don’t operate that way...money...access...and leverage do the sorting LONG before the public story gets told.
And you’re right about the posture...“try and stop me” and “what are you going to do about it” is NOT accidental.
That’s what governance looks like when guardrails are weakened...and accountability is optional.
Citizens United didn’t just flood politics with money...it normalized the idea that influence can be openly purchased...and later DENIED with a straight face.
So...what we’re left with...is exactly what you describe...denial...lies..louder lies...repetition...not as a bug...but as the operating system.
For many Americans...that realization is the MOST corrosive part. It’s not just politics anymore...it’s the sense that the rules no longer apply evenly...IF. AT. ALL.
Thank you, Jack. This is sickening. I knew about Theil and couchfuck but not Palantir. So gross. Is there no way out of this morass? How does ICE continue to get away with their murders if they have such good tracking OS?!!!!! ICE is extralegal. 🤬🤬🤬
Pamela, I hear you. That sick...trapped feeling...is coming from watching power operate with near-total impunity.
Thiel...Vance...Palantir... once you see how those pieces fit....it’s hard to unsee. This isn’t about competence or safety...it’s about CONTROL.
ICE isn’t “extralegal” on paper...BUT...functionally....they are now operating beyond meaningful accountability.
Federal shields...DOJ deference...delayed investigations...and jurisdictional fog mean consequences almost never arrive. Tech doesn’t stop that...it often enables it.
Tracking systems are for targeting and enforcement...NOT restraint.
Is there a way out? Historically, yes ...but it’s never clean or quick.
Accountability only returns...when institutions are forced to choose between legitimacy... and impunity. Right now...too G'damn many are choosing impunity. That’s the morass you’re feeling...and you’re right on target, Pamela... to NAME it.
So, Thiel backs Vance and Musk backs Trump, which is no coincidence, as Theil and Musk were tech business partners in the past, yet, now it looks like Theil and Musk are running an ‘end around’ with our lives in the political arena. Despicable. My skin is crawling. Thank you Jack. Steady as we go.
I knew about their and couch boy and I had read about Palantir and their. I also had read about the tracking of practically everyone in the country if need be. It is all very frightening. I would guess if we lived where some of this is happening and had the ability to ask for more info from the world of Bondi and company to clairfy where she gets her info and where it says show me where thelillers are getting immunity It might put a grain of sand in the cog. I have read that over 1000 protests are already being planned for this Sat and Sun and that all the groups are working together 50501, indivisible, etc. It looks like more are getting together and they even are telling people to contact the ACLU to get ways to remain peaceful. I would hope if enough people are getting involved regularly it will at least help them to fell involved. I saw a video of Veterans and I think it was at the capital raising the American flag upside down and explaining that it meant the nation is in distress. They were from all branches and they were verbally reminding active duty about illegal orders and That they had their six( did not know what that meant but I am guessing their backs) and the ended with telling the active duty to hold the line which I also assume means #HOLD FAST. Thanks for all this info Jack.
Thankyou for this, I have been hoping someone with the knowledge and skill would raise this major issue. The other issue is Thiels involvement with Heritage which is waiting the wings to take over with Vance as the powerless puppet head.
In one speech, Vance mentioned the Forefatherscbeing " benevolent dictators in areas" then added very quietly "and slavery". There are markers for this slowly starting now. Large loss of low paid jobs, housing, etc etc. and an engineered recession and hunger due to cessation of SNAP.
In an interview, Ross Douthat of The New York Times asked Peter Thiel: You would prefer that the human race endure. Right? Thiel: I don't know. I would -- I would -- there's so many questions implicit in this. (Laughing by Douthat and Thiel) Douthat: Should the human race survive? Thiel: Yeah.
When leaders start treating opposing views as criminal threats and praising prosecutions for dissent, that’s not democracy — that’s the opening act of authoritarian playbooks. Democracies don’t survive by turning dissent into punishment. History shows how this pattern slowly erodes rights until it’s too late to see it coming.
Jane, you’re seeing the pattern clearly.
When dissent becomes something to PUNISH... instead of debate...democracy is already in retreat. History shows this always starts “justified”...and NEVER ends that way!
-Jack
Thank you for your guidance. Your clarity and vision are exactly what’s needed to confront issues directly and get to the real truth, without skimming over it. #holdfast
On several different MN videos the ICE officers can be seen taking photos of people. I am guessing facial recognition. Also, didn't Thiel speak at the 2016 RNC?
On the facial recognition…I’ve seen nothing yet to support that is the case…however…I haven’t seen anything that would cause me to rule it out as a possibility…either.
But…YES, Cheryl…Peter Thiel DID speak at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland…delivering a speech in support of Donald Trump and declaring himself “proud to be gay, proud to be a Republican, and most of all proud to be an American.”

Jack, any insight into how Thiel deals with what I see as potential cognitive dissonance? As a gay man, he must realize the Republican Party doesn’t look on him with much fondness? Do the ends justify the means here (as in I’m going to be above it all so who cares what happens to my gay brothers)? There’s so much going on these days that's deeply disturbing. At times I struggle to process it all.
Secondly, any suggestions on how to apply pressure down line as you mentioned at the end of the article (donors, contractors, etc) without getting eaten by the machine?
Thanks for all you do and your insight!!
Great questions, Deb...and you’re not wrong to feel unsettled.
On Thiel...yes...it's cognitive dissonance.
He’s resolved it...by placing power...control....and insulation...above group solidarity.
It’s not that he doesn’t SEE the hostility...it’s that he believes wealth and proximity to power....put him “ABOVE” the consequences. History suggests that’s...a VERY dangerous bet.
On pressure...without getting crushed, think distributed...boring...lawful.
Support watchdog orgs...amplify credible reporting...pressure brands and institutions quietly (emails, letters, boards, advertisers)...and act in numbers...even if only in spirit...especially if you work alone.
The machine struggles with sunlight and coordination....AND...it also struggles with individuals....scattered...but all interrupting the systems.
You’re right, Deb...it’s a lot. A hell of a lot. Feeling disturbed, though... is a sign your moral compass STILL works. Keep it!
-Jack
. Vance was handpicked by Thiel to be where he is today. No one with a working brain can possibly think that Trump sifted through all the potential vice-presidential candidates and picked Vance. Just as he did with Vance, Thiel bought Trump the Presidency, and Vance as his VP was the price Thiel told Trump he had to pay. And now we see that "try and stop me" and "whaddaya going to do about it" are the backbone of the entire Trump administration. Thanks to the US Supreme Court and its ruling on Citizens United, what we are seeing daily has become Business as Usual in the country. Deny, lie, lie louder, rinse and repeat. It's sickening.
Elizabeth, you’re putting words to what feels obvious to a lot of people who’ve been paying attention. The idea that Trump personally conducted some "careful"..."values-driven" VP search is BULLSHIT.
Power brokers don’t operate that way...money...access...and leverage do the sorting LONG before the public story gets told.
And you’re right about the posture...“try and stop me” and “what are you going to do about it” is NOT accidental.
That’s what governance looks like when guardrails are weakened...and accountability is optional.
Citizens United didn’t just flood politics with money...it normalized the idea that influence can be openly purchased...and later DENIED with a straight face.
So...what we’re left with...is exactly what you describe...denial...lies..louder lies...repetition...not as a bug...but as the operating system.
For many Americans...that realization is the MOST corrosive part. It’s not just politics anymore...it’s the sense that the rules no longer apply evenly...IF. AT. ALL.
-Jack
Thank you, Jack. This is sickening. I knew about Theil and couchfuck but not Palantir. So gross. Is there no way out of this morass? How does ICE continue to get away with their murders if they have such good tracking OS?!!!!! ICE is extralegal. 🤬🤬🤬
Pamela, I hear you. That sick...trapped feeling...is coming from watching power operate with near-total impunity.
Thiel...Vance...Palantir... once you see how those pieces fit....it’s hard to unsee. This isn’t about competence or safety...it’s about CONTROL.
ICE isn’t “extralegal” on paper...BUT...functionally....they are now operating beyond meaningful accountability.
Federal shields...DOJ deference...delayed investigations...and jurisdictional fog mean consequences almost never arrive. Tech doesn’t stop that...it often enables it.
Tracking systems are for targeting and enforcement...NOT restraint.
Is there a way out? Historically, yes ...but it’s never clean or quick.
Accountability only returns...when institutions are forced to choose between legitimacy... and impunity. Right now...too G'damn many are choosing impunity. That’s the morass you’re feeling...and you’re right on target, Pamela... to NAME it.
-Jack
I want to see the Couch Fornicator in prison!!!
So, Thiel backs Vance and Musk backs Trump, which is no coincidence, as Theil and Musk were tech business partners in the past, yet, now it looks like Theil and Musk are running an ‘end around’ with our lives in the political arena. Despicable. My skin is crawling. Thank you Jack. Steady as we go.
I knew about their and couch boy and I had read about Palantir and their. I also had read about the tracking of practically everyone in the country if need be. It is all very frightening. I would guess if we lived where some of this is happening and had the ability to ask for more info from the world of Bondi and company to clairfy where she gets her info and where it says show me where thelillers are getting immunity It might put a grain of sand in the cog. I have read that over 1000 protests are already being planned for this Sat and Sun and that all the groups are working together 50501, indivisible, etc. It looks like more are getting together and they even are telling people to contact the ACLU to get ways to remain peaceful. I would hope if enough people are getting involved regularly it will at least help them to fell involved. I saw a video of Veterans and I think it was at the capital raising the American flag upside down and explaining that it meant the nation is in distress. They were from all branches and they were verbally reminding active duty about illegal orders and That they had their six( did not know what that meant but I am guessing their backs) and the ended with telling the active duty to hold the line which I also assume means #HOLD FAST. Thanks for all this info Jack.
How can we non-billionaires fight back?
Scary and sobering….good think I’m not a drinker! Thanks, Jack! You always give me something to think about and expand my mind. 🥰❤️
Jack, stay with us! Defiance till death! Please!
Thankyou for this, I have been hoping someone with the knowledge and skill would raise this major issue. The other issue is Thiels involvement with Heritage which is waiting the wings to take over with Vance as the powerless puppet head.
In one speech, Vance mentioned the Forefatherscbeing " benevolent dictators in areas" then added very quietly "and slavery". There are markers for this slowly starting now. Large loss of low paid jobs, housing, etc etc. and an engineered recession and hunger due to cessation of SNAP.
In an interview, Ross Douthat of The New York Times asked Peter Thiel: You would prefer that the human race endure. Right? Thiel: I don't know. I would -- I would -- there's so many questions implicit in this. (Laughing by Douthat and Thiel) Douthat: Should the human race survive? Thiel: Yeah.
Thiel needs to be deported. Then Musk.
All so creepy.