Author: A.T.

Still enjoying the largest peaceful protest in American history.

It’s fun when a friend you’ve known nearly half his life runs for Congress — especially when he has a chance to flip a red seat blue.

Chris Gallant’s latest.

Trump said his giant gilded royal ballroom would be near the White House but not touching it or interfering with it in any way.

SETH MEYERS TAKES A CLOSER LOOK

Trump’s Shocking White House Demolition.

GETTING 10 YEARS YOUNGER

Brain HQ on NPR: Intense mental exercise may be able to offset the effects of aging, research finds.

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Hasselmo says the first Alzheimer’s drugs reduce symptoms by increasing acetylcholine. Now, he says, it looks like hardcore brain training can offer a similar benefit. . . . cognitive training appeared to turn back the clock by about 10 years . . .

De Villers-Sidani says during the 10-week study, half of the participants spent 30 minutes a day doing mental exercises. These came from a science-backed cognitive training program called Brain HQ.

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I’ve done some selective excerpting above . . . but as long-time readers know, a lot of evidence suggests BrainHQ really works — on everything from mental acuity to depression to tinnitus.

With 4 million teachers versus “just” 30,000 ICE agents, it’s not practical.  But it sure makes a good poster.

Have a great weekend.

Join Indivisible.

Support “my” 26th annual DNC LGBT Leadership Council dinner even if you’re not L, G, B, or T and even if you can’t come.  An adequately funded opposition party is absolutely necessary for democracy to prevail.

REPUBLICANS ARE RIDICULING “NO KINGS”

A striking new poll shows Americans aren’t laughing.

TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION

Mike Johnson Won’t Block House From Releasing Epstein Files, He Says—But Also Won’t Swear In Lawmaker To Be Decisive Vote

Her 800,000 constituents are paying taxes; they just don’t have a representative.

MAGA VERSUS HIS LIBERAL TWIN

This won’t change MAGA minds, but it’s kind of fun (60 seconds).

TRUMP’S 5-STEP ECONOMIC PLAN

An under-5-minute clip by @culturalperspective on TikTok . . . posted by Jenn Budd (Against the Wall: My Journey From Border Patrol Agent to Immigrant Rights Activist) on her Substack.

THE LATEST FROM VOTE VETS

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There’s this guy Scott Perry representing Pennsylvania’s Fourth Congressional District. He’s an Army Veteran. We respect and honor that service.

But, respectfully: Go f**k yourself, Scott.

See, Scott Perry thinks Democrats hate the Military. He even thinks the only reason a Democrat would join the Military in the first place would be to check a box so they can run for office.

First off, and most obviously, 99.99% of Veterans who lean democrat never run for office. The idea that Democratic voters join the military to run for office is asinine. They love their country. Period.

But want to make it about elected officials? Okay, Scott… let’s play that game.

How about Dan Inouye? Legendary Democratic Senator from Hawaii, awarded the Medal of Honor, lost an arm fighting Nazis.

Or John Glenn, maybe you’ve heard of him? Marine aviator, Democratic Senator… First American to orbit the earth in space. Ringing any bells?

Oh, okay, maybe more recent. There’s this guy, Mark Kelly. 39 combat missions as a Navy aviator, 4 missions to space as an astronaut. Does Scott think Mark joined the Navy 40 years ago to run for Senate someday?

Or fellow Army Veteran, Tammy Duckworth. I guess Scott thinks she got shot down over Iraq and lost her legs because someday she might want to run for office.

There are literally millions of Veterans, patriotic Americans, who are registered Democrats. Scott Perry represents thousands of them in Congress. And while he talks about how Democrats hate America, our Military, our Constitution, remember this:

Scott Perry did everything he possibly could to steal the election in 2020 and hand it to Donald Trump. He wanted to throw out thousands of votes from Pennsylvania, including people he represented.

If that’s not hatred for our Democracy, and for the people who fought and died to protect it… Well, we don’t know what to tell you.

We’re proud to be American, and we’re proud of our service. Damn proud. There’s nothing Scott Perry can do to take that pride away. But there is something you can do to help us make sure people like Scott get kicked out of Congress for good.

Make a donation to VoteVets and help us beat guys like Scott Perry up and down the ballot in 2026. We need all the help we can get, and these donations add up fast when tons of people are chipping in.

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Join today’s Indivisible call — 3pm Eastern.

One of you wrote to say Trump has deservedly called the press “the enemy of the people” given the million times the press has called him a fascist.

I’m not sure it’s a million times (or ever); but even if it is, would calling him a fascist be out of line if he is a fascist?

I asked Co-pilot: “What are the characteristics of a fascist leader?”

It replied (view here if this formats weirdly in your email):

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Trait	Description
Authoritarianism	Demands absolute obedience; centralizes power in a single leader or party
Ultranationalism	Promotes intense national pride, often tied to ethnic or cultural superiority
Cult of Personality	Portrays the leader as infallible, heroic, and indispensable to national survival
Suppression of Opposition	Uses censorship, intimidation, and violence to silence critics and rivals
Militarism	Glorifies military strength and often seeks expansion or conflict to assert dominance
Anti-Democratic Rhetoric	Rejects pluralism, liberalism, and democratic institutions as weak or corrupt
Propaganda & Mass Mobilization	Relies on rallies, symbols, and media control to unify and manipulate public opinion
Scapegoating & Demonization	Blames societal problems on marginalized groups or political enemies
Economic Control	Supports a dirigiste economy—state-directed capitalism aimed at national self-sufficiency
Palingenesis	Promises national rebirth through purging decadence and restoring greatness

These traits are often reinforced by emotional appeals, fear-based messaging, and a rejection of intellectualism or nuance.

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It strikes me that this fits Trump more or less to a T.

When I sent it to my correspondent, he replied: “You see a fascist.  I and millions see a flamboyant, energetic, humorous, personable and headstrong leader.”

I’m not sure the two are mutually exclusive.

Steve S. “I sent your Who Really Hates America? to my partly-MAGA family yesterday with this note.”

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Policies from this administration are hurting farmers, small businesses, working families, military families, public schools, universities, cancer researchers, local law enforcement, and legal immigrants, not to mention our most important global allies.  We should have known, as it is all described in their manifesto, Project 2025, with a mission to destabilize the Federal government, the economy, businesses, industry and the American people by creating chaos in just about every aspect of daily life, all while fleecing anybody that seeks to negotiate with the president.  If they don’t bring gifts or buy into his family crypto schemes, they don’t get access.  All of this is made worse by the Republicans in congress that will not push back on any of his most outrageous policies or his exceptionally unqualified appointees that are quickly gutting our national defense, global economic leadership, etc.  Most disturbing is the lack of enforcement of the rule of law by the Supreme Court on the president and his vast, unconstitutional power grab that is anti-democratic and un-American.  Do any of these people remember their oath to protect and defend the Constitution?

Not normal.  Not acceptable! . . . which is why we marched!

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Bulldozers Are Literally Tearing Down Part Of The White House To Make Room For Trump’s Giant Ballroom.

I don’t think Trump would be appending a gilded imperial ballroom to the White House if he planned ever to move out.

Fascist leaders don’t believe in the peaceful transfer of power.

Join Indivisible.

Support “my” 26th annual DNC LGBT Leadership Council dinner even if you’re not L, G, B, or T and even if you can’t make it to New York November 14.

An adequately funded opposition party is absolutely necessary for democracy to prevail.

NOW is the time to fund the infrastructure the party builds and maintains for Democratic candidates nationwide.

NEXT YEAR is the time to contribute directly to the candidates you feel offer the best chance of our retaking the House and Senate.

Hint: He Is Putin’s Most Powerful Ally.

I’d rate this a must-read.

And this, a must-watch:

Though long dead, Christopher Hitchens (via A.I.) Explains Everything (9 minutes, though you needn’t watch all the way to the end if time is short).

And Chess — the thoroughly modernized 1988 musical, now in previews — a knock-your-socks-off must-see.

It reminds us of the time Russian tanks rolled into Budapest to crush the Hungarian freedom fighters.

Now it’s Ukraine’s freedom fighters they’re bent on crushing.

Trump is not big on freedom, either — be it freedom of the press, academic freedom, or democracy.  He prefers dealing with dictators and autocrats.

The only change Trump made to the 2016 Republican Party platform was its support for Ukraine.

He rolled out the red carpet for Putin in Alaska — literally — but this past Friday gave Zelenskyy the back of his hand, urging Zelenskyy to accept Putin’s terms or be ‘destroyed’ by Russia.

And guess where he and Putin are summoning Zelenskyy to meet them.

Budapest.

But don’t ask why, or the White House press secretary will evoke “your mom” and call you a moron.

Join Indivisible.

Support “my” 26th annual DNC LGBT Leadership Council dinner even if you’re not L, G, B, or T and even if you can’t come.  An adequately funded opposition party is not sufficient, but absolutely necessary, for democracy to prevail.

Have a great day!

If you have less than two minutes today, skip the rest of this column and watch this:

Thirteen presidents speak on a topic of great concern.

Could any contrast be starker?

Then . . .

If you have four minutes purely for fun:  SNL’s latest Weekend Update.

Among other targets, they have a little fun with George Santos.

Trump sprung him from prison after just 84 days of his 2,557-day sentence.

But is it any surprise?  Trump sees a lot of himself in Santos — an entertaining liar and conman.  In a social media post, Trump reportedly called Santos “somewhat of a ‘rogue'” who had the “Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!”  So 2,473 days off for good behavior.

(And who cares that he lied and cheated his way into office?  Congress’s role, as Trump reads the Constitution he took an oath to defend, is purely ceremonial: to approve and applaud whatever he wants.  Like Putin’s Politburo.)

On a more serious note, when I most recently complained about Trump’s blanket pardon of the January 6 rioters who bludgeoned cops and sought to hang the Vice President, Carl responded with this: Biden sparks outrage with last-minute commutation of man convicted of killing FBI agents.

The implication: well, isn’t that just as bad?  (Or else: two wrongs do make a right.)

I don’t click all the links Carl sends — he provides feedback several hundred times a year — but I sometimes do, and this was one of them.

The headline refers to Biden’s commutation (not pardon) of Leonard Peltier’s life sentence.  There is some reason to think he was wrongly convicted, but let’s assume not.

He had served FIFTY YEARS.  Ailing, he was not pardoned or set entirely free; he was remanded to home confinement for his remaining days.  (Kind of like moving Ghislaine Maxwell to “Club Fed” — but after 3 years instead of 50.)

Is Biden’s decision to grant this change of imprisonment at the end of his presidency in any way comparable to Trump’s pardoning more than 1,500 January 6 rioters and commuting the sentences of 14 others on his first day in office?

They were guilty.  Many plead that way.  Many were sentenced by Trump-appointed judges.

Whereas:

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. . . Amnesty International, which has long campaigned for Peltier’s release noted that former U.S. Attorney James Reynolds, who prosecuted the case, has said Peltier should be freed as well. The judge who oversaw his 1986 appeal, Gerald Heany, has also called for Peltier’s release.

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Thirty-three members of Congress wrote a letter also urging his release.

Did any of the January 6 prosecutors or judges appeal on behalf of those Trump set free?

Any members of Congress?  I’m pretty sure not.

So, as generally happens when I click a link Carl has sent — well-intentioned though it may be — it doesn’t seem to make the case Carl thinks it does.  (Yes, immigrants commit some awful, shocking crimes — but at a far lower rate than native-born Americans.  Etc.)

Finally, today, a word about No Kings #2.  You sent me dozens more great signs —

MAKE AMERICA ETHICAL AGAIN!  

THE LYING KING

MIKE JOHNSON BLOCKED ME ON GRINDR

THEY’RE EATING THE CHECKS / THEY’RE EATING THE BALANCES

IN A TIME OF UNIVERSAL DECEIPT, TRUTH-TELLING IS A REVOLUTIONARY ACT — George Orwell

MAKE ORWELL FICTION AGAIN!

— but what I want to mention is “the mainstream media’s” coverage of the protest.

Specifically (because I haven’t had time yet to watch the Sunday shows), NBC’s Weekend News with José Diaz-Balart.

He reported “hundreds of thousands” of us taking part across the country — but it was millions.  Some of his correspondents reported “thousands” of protestors in their city when it was clearly tens of thousands.

And he reported that the 2,500 protests were “largely peaceful” — when in fact all were.

How about showing clips of Trump predicting a low turnout, and others warning of riots, and then reporting, “Taken together, the millions who turned out from Florida to Alaska today may have been the largest nationwide protest in American history.  And contrary to some predictions, it was entirely peaceful.”

I started to wear yellow, but when I looked in the mirror I was torn between my deep, deep desire to save democracy and my deep, deep desire to look good.  I chose the latter; but tried to make up for it by bringing hundreds of blue paper clips and five Amazon-bought signs, a tribute to my laziness and lack of creativity.

I gave away four and highlighted this one (that’s my thumb):

Almost everyone else made their own, which I liked a lot more.

Among my dozen favorites:

And finally . . .

. . . drum roll, please . . .

. . . drum roll . . .

. . . drum roll . . .

. . . drum roll . . .

So true!

It took two hours to walk two miles.

I met a lot of great people and handed out a lot of paperclips.

None of my friends joined me, despite caring as much as I do — and I love that.  Because think about it:  If 7 million of us showed up for No Kings #2 yesterday when most of us didn’t quite make it — the largest protest in American history — there’s the potential for twice as many next time.  And three times as many the time after that. 

Movements take time to build. 

FINALLY . . . forgive my repeating this, but I think it’s really important:

“Antifa” is short for anti-fascist, as Coca Cola is shortened to “Coke.”

The only people who oppose anti-fascists — let alone call them “terrorists” — are pro-fascists.

If your parents or grandparents were on Hitler’s side in World War II, they were pro-fascist.

If they were on our side, they were anti-fascist.  Antifa, for short.

IT’S THIS SIMPLE

“Antifa” is short for anti-fascist, as Coca Cola is shortened to “Coke.”

The only people who oppose anti-fascists — let alone call them “terrorists” — are pro-fascists.

Or perhaps fascists themselves.

If your parents or grandparents were on Hitler’s side in World War II, they were pro-fascist.

If they were on our side, they were anti-fascist.  Antifa, for short.

It’s that simple.

IN PLAIN SIGHT

Think about it:

> The only thing in the 2016 Republican Party platform Trump had changed — the only thing — was its support for Ukraine.  The person who wanted that change was the murderous dictator, who would go on to invade Ukraine, with whom Trump enjoys a special relationship.*

> He was pleased to address CPAC this year in strongman Viktor Orban’s Hungary — the NATO country widely considered most friendly to Putin.

> He spent sat for more than three hours on January 6 watching the Capitol under attack, rebuffing pleas for help, before finally, grudgingly, asking his supporters to go home.  He had sworn an oath to defend the Constitution — the foundation of America — but just sat and watched.

I could add dozens more bullet points.  But c’mon: if you’re anti-fascist, if you love free speech and freedom of the press, if you respect the separation of powers as enumerated in the Constitution — if you prefer democracy over autocracy — doesn’t that mean you love America, not hate it?  

*Don’t be jealous, if you’re reading this, Kim — he has room in his heart for multiple murderous dictators.  Heck, he kept by his bedside a book of speeches by the most murderous of them all.  

Where are you protesting tomorrow?  There’s a rally or march near you!  Grab some friends and the kids and — joyfully, peacefully — join us!

BONUS

Borowitz: Mike Johnson Accuses No Kings Protesters of Blatantly Exercising First Amendment Rights.

(No need to read: the headline says it all.)

“America Needs a Mass Movement—Now,” writes Davud Brooks in The Atlantic.  “Without one, America may sink into autocracy for decades.”

Option One: DON’T READ IT.  (It’s long.)

If you don’t, you can’t feel bad about choosing not to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

Which is Option 2.

For example:  Join today’s weekly 3pm Indivisible call and gather your friends for the Saturday protest nearest you.

A turnout of millions won’t be enough to turn the tide.  Not remotely.  But it’s an indispensable part of the process, showing the world — and ourselves — that resistance to fascism still runs deep and will ultimately prevail.

(Did you take a minute Tuesday to see these signs?  They drive home the point.)

MAGA Versus Themselves.

This minute won’t persuade any MAGAs . . . indeed, mocking them just fans fury.  (Case most on point: Look what Obama’s exquisite White House Correspondent’s Dinner performance likely led to.)  So don’t share it with your MAGA friends, who are neither fools nor “deplorables.”  They’ve just been conned into something deeply unAmerican.

HYMC

I’m hoping it might triple again from here — who knows?  But I finally sold an eighth of my IRA-tax-sheltered shares yesterday at $8.62.  Maybe I should have sold more, but you know me and my happy gene.

OPRT

Will they really earn “$1.10-$1.30” this year, as they have said?

I don’t know, but at $5.50, it’s selling at 5X projected earnings.

And yesterday’s announcement . . .

Oportun Adds Additional Warehouse Capacity, Reduces Warehouse Financing Costs and Pays Down Additional Higher Cost Corporate Debt

. . . suggested they are on track.

If I didn’t already have so much, I’d buy more.

[I’m taking the day off, so letting Jon Stewart, Rex Woodbury, and Andrew Yang do all the work.  Well, and Geoffrey Hinton.]

Kris M: “John Stewart’s podcast — AI: What Could Go Wrong? with Geoffrey Hinton — is a must-listen for anyone interested in the potential of AI.  For the first 50 minutes or so, Professor Hinton explains how AI works and how we got to where we are now.  That may be too rudimentary for some; it was absolutely essential for me.  Then, he and John Stewart talk about possible future developments.   AI is likely to be a major factor, beginning as soon as the 2026 mid-terms.  If there’s a way we can make every Senator and Representative listen to this (and pass a quiz administered by Professor Hinton), we should do it.  Right now, the decisions coming out of D.C. regarding regulation are being made in ignorance driven by greed.”

Related:

Rex Woodbury: How to Productize AI Anxiety.

Andrew Yang seven years ago: The War on Normal People: The Truth About America’s Disappearing Jobs and Why Universal Basic Income Is Our Future.

Andrew Yang this week: On the depletion of Hollywood.

SATURDAY

Find your protest on this map . . . or register your own and invite friends!

Bob L.:  “I don’t do protests.”

Me, neither.

But this is different.  I’ve done three so far.  They’re fun!  And way better than sitting home, quietly acquiescing.

Here are some signs to inspire you.

Make your own (how about: FIGHT TRUTH DECAY! ?).  Or just buy one of these.

WHY PROTEST WHEN HE IS BRINGING PEACE?

His vision of a peaceful, prosperous Middle East is one we all share.  To the extent he pulls it off — much to be hoped for though still to be seen — he should be applauded.  It would be a huge boon to the world.

What he’s done and is doing to this country, on the other hand, has caused tremendous harm and will do much more.

Peaceful protest is a must.

ENERGY

Trump looks backward; China, forward.

Why China Built 162 Square Miles of Solar Panels on the World’s Highest Plateau

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China’s clean energy efforts contrast with the ambitions of the United States under the Trump administration, which is using its diplomatic and economic muscle to pressure other countries to buy more American gas, oil and coal. China is investing in cheaper solar and wind technology, along with batteries and electric vehicles, with the aim of becoming the world’s supplier of renewable energy and the products that rely on it.

[L]ast month President Xi Jinping made a stunning pledge. Speaking before the United Nations, he said for the first time that the country would reduce its greenhouse gas emissions across its economy and would expand renewable energy sixfold in coming years.

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Trump’s Wind Energy Assault Stings Red States reports the Wall Street Journal.

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Wind provides more than 10% of U.S. electricity, but in Iowa it was responsible for roughly 59% of net generation in 2023, federal data show.

Wind turbines, which help reduce local property taxes and make tens of millions in annual lease payments to farmers, help Iowa enjoy some of the lowest electricity prices in the nation.

Some Iowa Republicans are increasingly expressing frustration about Trump’s stance on wind.

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AND, YES: PUTIN IS WINNING

We need to talk about Russia, says Carole Cadwalladr.

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What’s key to remember in all of this is that Russia’s information warfare against the west is exactly that: it’s warfare. It’s a military strategy and it’s been overwhelming successful in the last decade.

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