Your pieces always make me think. I hope that was the goal.
And they do help me readjust my perspective in some cases. I’m really fed up with all of this and I think you’re a tad more optimistic about it than I am.
So it’s nice to read your memo because it does help. And as always, it’s extremely informative and entertaining.
I surely hope everyone reads this Substack from front to end. You'll read what can only break this regime: money! Now read my comment and join and share
OK Trump is a sick motherf*cker and we need to stop him from ruining our democracy and stop being Putins demented puppet.
Only we the people, are the last line of defense. To reclaim our democracy, we must face an uncomfortable truth: we must halt the engine that fuels this regime. We must, together, choose to disrupt the very systems it relies upon. This means a collective act of non-cooperation. It means temporarily stopping the flow of productivity that empowers those who seek to undermine us. It means, for a time, accepting financial pain. I understand the gravity of these words. I know the fear and uncertainty that such a prospect evokes. Families will struggle. Businesses will face hardship. But I ask you: what is the cost of losing our democracy? What is the price of living under a system where our rights are eroded, our voices are silenced, and our future is dictated by a few? That cost, my friends, is far greater and far more enduring than any temporary economic pain we might endure. Think of those who came before us – who risked everything, who shed blood and treasure, to establish and preserve this nation. They endured famine, war, and unimaginable sacrifice for the promise of a free society. Are we, in this generation, less capable of defending that legacy? This is not about surrender. This is about strategic withdrawal of our energy and resources from a system that has become weaponized against us. By stopping our collective productivity, we starve the regime of its power. We deny it the resources it needs to perpetuate its control. We create an undeniable crisis that forces a reckoning. This will be painful. There is no sugarcoating it. But we are a resilient people. We are ingenious. We will organize. We will support each other through community, through shared resources, and through the unbreakable bonds of our common purpose. We must prepare for this pain, knowing that it is the necessary path to a greater good. The choice before us is stark: a brief, intense period of shared hardship for the promise of a free future, or a slow, agonizing slide into authoritarianism with consequences that will echo for generations. Let us rise to this challenge. Let us stand together, united in our resolve. Let us choose freedom, no matter the cost. Our democracy, our future, depends on it.
I'm 72 with lung cancer, I prepare, buy a few things that I will need for myself and my dogs. Plenty of meds. If I want my country back I can suffer a month or two. The problem, most are so set in their way and won't be willing to do the job and figure let others do it.
America has lost already with people thinking and complaining about what it takes.
Excellent post. I've been saying a lot of these same things ever since Project 2025 came out and most people thought I was exaggerating. You've put it together with the receipts as usual. Sharing with my subscribers immediately.
I'm sorry. There's a lot to like in this column and I appreciate your good intentions in getting this stuff in front of a lot of eyeballs. BUT. I can't get behind the whole 'people don't need to be encouraged, just permitted to hate' meme. Why? Because it's too non-specific. Science has effectively shown that babies and toddlers tend to be empathic and show kindness when another baby or toddler is in distress--uniformly, across cultures. When I was a first grader someone nycg older called my friend Billy a 'nigger.' I remember being both puzzled and shocked by this statement because to me he was just BIlly. People must be taught, and steered, and encouraged to hate. Without evildoers at the help, most people will tend to live and let live.
I think you're missing something essential about how power and permission operate.
You're right that empathy shows up early—and that cruelty often needs encouragement. But encouragement isn’t always explicit. Sometimes, it’s just the removal of restraint. What behavioral science, from Milgram to Zimbardo, has shown again and again is this: people don’t need to be taught to hate—they just need to be given permission to act on it without consequence.
Some people operate on moral logic—principles, ethics, empathy. But a non-trivial number only operate on the logic of consequences: “Can I get away with it?” Strip away accountability, and that group grows. Fast.
Trump didn’t invent this. He simply removed the stigma. He created conditions where people felt they could act on things they previously only thought. Not because they were taught to hate—but because they were told no one would stop them.
That’s the danger. And that’s what this piece is about.
It seems that both of us might be right. Here's what Google AI had to say in response to my question about what psychology has to say about how hatred is formed:
Psychological research indicates that hate, while often described as an emotion, is more accurately a learned response or stable disposition that is significantly influenced by cognitive factors and rooted in moral appraisals. It's a complex phenomenon with multiple contributing factors:
1. Us vs. Them Mentality and Group Dynamics:
Humans naturally tend to form groups and develop an "in-group" vs. "out-group" mentality.
When a group feels threatened by perceived outsiders, they may instinctively turn towards their in-group for a sense of survival and security.
This can foster a belief in the superiority of one's own group and view others as a threat or enemy.
Hatred deepens this divide, making it easier to rationalize discrimination and violence against the out-group.
2. Fear and Projection:
Fear of differences can contribute to hatred.
People might project their own unwanted traits onto others, especially those who are different.
This projection allows individuals to view themselves as "good" by attributing "badness" to others.
3. Moral Concerns and Perceived Transgressions:
Hatred is strongly linked to moral violations or perceived moral transgressions.
It often arises when a target group is perceived as bad, immoral, or dangerous.
These moral disagreements can be seen as fundamental threats to one's values and identity.
4. Social Learning and Conditioning:
Hatred can be learned from a young age through family, media, and society.
Growing up in an environment where certain groups are demonized can deeply embed these prejudices.
This social conditioning contributes to the persistence of hate across generations.
5. Personal Experiences:
Betrayal, ongoing mistreatment, or a history of injustice can fuel resentment and contribute to the development of deep-seated hostility.
Personal pain can become generalized towards an entire group, perpetuating cycles of division.
6. Influence of the Internet and Misinformation:
The internet and social media have amplified the spread of hate by allowing the expression of extreme views with less accountability.
Hate can proliferate through online communities, echo chambers, and the spread of misinformation.
In summary, hatred is a complex psychological phenomenon shaped by a combination of factors, including:
Group dynamics and the "us vs. them" mentality
Fear and the psychological defense mechanism of projection
Perceived moral violations and negative moral appraisals
Social learning and conditioning
Personal experiences of injustice or threat
The amplification of hateful narratives online
Understanding these contributing factors is crucial for addressing and working towards reducing hate and its destructive consequences.
Exactly - I’ve long said that Trump has legitimized hate speech … again. The efforts of my generation (boomers) to encourage “politically correct” speech over the hateful rhetoric of the past really pissed off so many Americans. I remain astonished learning how many awful people are among us.
Chilling. Something everyone should read! Being alive during the first Holocaust, it is unbelievable that we should be witnessing something like this in our country. What happened to "Never again!"
This is a real problem and rapidly worsening. Meanwhile progressives are still working on a case for voting fraud and protests that reaffirm their dislike of Trump. Only a handful of people are following through with plans to leave the USA
I would love to go back to my home country "The Netherlands 🇳🇱 " but I'm a little to old and have dogs. I would never leave my dogs, so I fight for American democracy
When the liberation teams arrive at these sites they will record and create indictments for all involved. Yes is it awful and we must commit ourselves to prosecute this cruelty. No passes in the name of national unity. Just justice. Justice requires due process and we will administer justice not vengeance. Burn this into your souls and keep moving forward. Justice.
We stand at a precipice. The very foundation of our democracy, the principles that define us as a nation – freedom, justice, and the power of the people – are under siege. A regime has taken root that seeks to dismantle these ideals, to centralize power, and to silence the voices of ordinary Americans.
This is not a drill. This is not a partisan debate. This is a battle for the soul of our nation, and we, the American people, are the last line of defense.
To reclaim our democracy, we must face an uncomfortable truth: we must halt the engine that fuels this regime. We must, together, choose to disrupt the very systems it relies upon. This means a collective act of non-cooperation. It means temporarily stopping the flow of productivity that empowers those who seek to undermine us. It means, for a time, accepting financial pain.
I understand the gravity of these words. I know the fear and uncertainty that such a prospect evokes. Families will struggle. Businesses will face hardship. But I ask you: what is the cost of losing our democracy? What is the price of living under a system where our rights are eroded, our voices are silenced, and our future is dictated by a few? That cost, my friends, is far greater and far more enduring than any temporary economic pain we might endure.
Think of those who came before us – who risked everything, who shed blood and treasure, to establish and preserve this nation. They endured famine, war, and unimaginable sacrifice for the promise of a free society. Are we, in this generation, less capable of defending that legacy?
This is not about surrender. This is about strategic withdrawal of our energy and resources from a system that has become weaponized against us. By stopping our collective productivity, we starve the regime of its power. We deny it the resources it needs to perpetuate its control. We create an undeniable crisis that forces a reckoning.
This will be painful. There is no sugarcoating it. But we are a resilient people. We are ingenious. We will organize. We will support each other through community, through shared resources, and through the unbreakable bonds of our common purpose. We must prepare for this pain, knowing that it is the necessary path to a greater good.
The choice before us is stark: a brief, intense period of shared hardship for the promise of a free future, or a slow, agonizing slide into authoritarianism with consequences that will echo for generations.
Let us rise to this challenge. Let us stand together, united in our resolve. Let us choose freedom, no matter the cost. Our democracy, our future, depends on it.
This is one of most cogent and eloquent explanations of the moment we stand in.
Accurately analyzing the modernization of tyranny along with Judge Luttig’s 7/4/25 essay provide a sobering look at what needs to be understood by any resistance movement .
Your pieces always make me think. I hope that was the goal.
And they do help me readjust my perspective in some cases. I’m really fed up with all of this and I think you’re a tad more optimistic about it than I am.
So it’s nice to read your memo because it does help. And as always, it’s extremely informative and entertaining.
I surely hope everyone reads this Substack from front to end. You'll read what can only break this regime: money! Now read my comment and join and share
OK Trump is a sick motherf*cker and we need to stop him from ruining our democracy and stop being Putins demented puppet.
Sign up now for our NATIONWIDE STRIKE
https://generalstrikeus.com/
Sign up today and spread the word.
Only we the people, are the last line of defense. To reclaim our democracy, we must face an uncomfortable truth: we must halt the engine that fuels this regime. We must, together, choose to disrupt the very systems it relies upon. This means a collective act of non-cooperation. It means temporarily stopping the flow of productivity that empowers those who seek to undermine us. It means, for a time, accepting financial pain. I understand the gravity of these words. I know the fear and uncertainty that such a prospect evokes. Families will struggle. Businesses will face hardship. But I ask you: what is the cost of losing our democracy? What is the price of living under a system where our rights are eroded, our voices are silenced, and our future is dictated by a few? That cost, my friends, is far greater and far more enduring than any temporary economic pain we might endure. Think of those who came before us – who risked everything, who shed blood and treasure, to establish and preserve this nation. They endured famine, war, and unimaginable sacrifice for the promise of a free society. Are we, in this generation, less capable of defending that legacy? This is not about surrender. This is about strategic withdrawal of our energy and resources from a system that has become weaponized against us. By stopping our collective productivity, we starve the regime of its power. We deny it the resources it needs to perpetuate its control. We create an undeniable crisis that forces a reckoning. This will be painful. There is no sugarcoating it. But we are a resilient people. We are ingenious. We will organize. We will support each other through community, through shared resources, and through the unbreakable bonds of our common purpose. We must prepare for this pain, knowing that it is the necessary path to a greater good. The choice before us is stark: a brief, intense period of shared hardship for the promise of a free future, or a slow, agonizing slide into authoritarianism with consequences that will echo for generations. Let us rise to this challenge. Let us stand together, united in our resolve. Let us choose freedom, no matter the cost. Our democracy, our future, depends on it.
God bless America!
What of those who are retired, disabled, i.e., don't work? What is our place in this? Just not buy anything more than the essential during the strike?
I'm 72 with lung cancer, I prepare, buy a few things that I will need for myself and my dogs. Plenty of meds. If I want my country back I can suffer a month or two. The problem, most are so set in their way and won't be willing to do the job and figure let others do it.
America has lost already with people thinking and complaining about what it takes.
"So let’s stop asking what we’re allowed to compare it to.
And start asking what we’re willing to refuse to become."
Excellent post. I've been saying a lot of these same things ever since Project 2025 came out and most people thought I was exaggerating. You've put it together with the receipts as usual. Sharing with my subscribers immediately.
I'm sorry. There's a lot to like in this column and I appreciate your good intentions in getting this stuff in front of a lot of eyeballs. BUT. I can't get behind the whole 'people don't need to be encouraged, just permitted to hate' meme. Why? Because it's too non-specific. Science has effectively shown that babies and toddlers tend to be empathic and show kindness when another baby or toddler is in distress--uniformly, across cultures. When I was a first grader someone nycg older called my friend Billy a 'nigger.' I remember being both puzzled and shocked by this statement because to me he was just BIlly. People must be taught, and steered, and encouraged to hate. Without evildoers at the help, most people will tend to live and let live.
I think you're missing something essential about how power and permission operate.
You're right that empathy shows up early—and that cruelty often needs encouragement. But encouragement isn’t always explicit. Sometimes, it’s just the removal of restraint. What behavioral science, from Milgram to Zimbardo, has shown again and again is this: people don’t need to be taught to hate—they just need to be given permission to act on it without consequence.
Some people operate on moral logic—principles, ethics, empathy. But a non-trivial number only operate on the logic of consequences: “Can I get away with it?” Strip away accountability, and that group grows. Fast.
Trump didn’t invent this. He simply removed the stigma. He created conditions where people felt they could act on things they previously only thought. Not because they were taught to hate—but because they were told no one would stop them.
That’s the danger. And that’s what this piece is about.
It seems that both of us might be right. Here's what Google AI had to say in response to my question about what psychology has to say about how hatred is formed:
Psychological research indicates that hate, while often described as an emotion, is more accurately a learned response or stable disposition that is significantly influenced by cognitive factors and rooted in moral appraisals. It's a complex phenomenon with multiple contributing factors:
1. Us vs. Them Mentality and Group Dynamics:
Humans naturally tend to form groups and develop an "in-group" vs. "out-group" mentality.
When a group feels threatened by perceived outsiders, they may instinctively turn towards their in-group for a sense of survival and security.
This can foster a belief in the superiority of one's own group and view others as a threat or enemy.
Hatred deepens this divide, making it easier to rationalize discrimination and violence against the out-group.
2. Fear and Projection:
Fear of differences can contribute to hatred.
People might project their own unwanted traits onto others, especially those who are different.
This projection allows individuals to view themselves as "good" by attributing "badness" to others.
3. Moral Concerns and Perceived Transgressions:
Hatred is strongly linked to moral violations or perceived moral transgressions.
It often arises when a target group is perceived as bad, immoral, or dangerous.
These moral disagreements can be seen as fundamental threats to one's values and identity.
4. Social Learning and Conditioning:
Hatred can be learned from a young age through family, media, and society.
Growing up in an environment where certain groups are demonized can deeply embed these prejudices.
This social conditioning contributes to the persistence of hate across generations.
5. Personal Experiences:
Betrayal, ongoing mistreatment, or a history of injustice can fuel resentment and contribute to the development of deep-seated hostility.
Personal pain can become generalized towards an entire group, perpetuating cycles of division.
6. Influence of the Internet and Misinformation:
The internet and social media have amplified the spread of hate by allowing the expression of extreme views with less accountability.
Hate can proliferate through online communities, echo chambers, and the spread of misinformation.
In summary, hatred is a complex psychological phenomenon shaped by a combination of factors, including:
Group dynamics and the "us vs. them" mentality
Fear and the psychological defense mechanism of projection
Perceived moral violations and negative moral appraisals
Social learning and conditioning
Personal experiences of injustice or threat
The amplification of hateful narratives online
Understanding these contributing factors is crucial for addressing and working towards reducing hate and its destructive consequences.
Exactly - I’ve long said that Trump has legitimized hate speech … again. The efforts of my generation (boomers) to encourage “politically correct” speech over the hateful rhetoric of the past really pissed off so many Americans. I remain astonished learning how many awful people are among us.
Chilling. Something everyone should read! Being alive during the first Holocaust, it is unbelievable that we should be witnessing something like this in our country. What happened to "Never again!"
It became "Make America Great Again."
Die Fahne Hoc. :P
This is a real problem and rapidly worsening. Meanwhile progressives are still working on a case for voting fraud and protests that reaffirm their dislike of Trump. Only a handful of people are following through with plans to leave the USA
I would love to go back to my home country "The Netherlands 🇳🇱 " but I'm a little to old and have dogs. I would never leave my dogs, so I fight for American democracy
People need to tear that sign down! Then go for the gates. Don't y'all have heavy equipment in Florida?
Florida " The Magats state?"
How do we stop entities like Palantir?
Peter Thiel the owner of Palantir (the program who's algorithm keeps track of all of us since all government information has been copied)
Palantir is on the stock market and most wealth is invested in this stock
If any retail investors hold shares they could sell them but unfortunately he has lots of government contracts for AI. So maybe a window around?
OUTSTANDING WRITING
Despicable is too tame a word for this.
When the liberation teams arrive at these sites they will record and create indictments for all involved. Yes is it awful and we must commit ourselves to prosecute this cruelty. No passes in the name of national unity. Just justice. Justice requires due process and we will administer justice not vengeance. Burn this into your souls and keep moving forward. Justice.
Thank you
I think all the commentary is burying the lede.
Musk said it OUT LOUD via his tweet -
HE RIGGED THE ELECTION.
Why is nobody talking about that?
* The Price of Freedom: A Nation's Stand
My fellow Americans,
We stand at a precipice. The very foundation of our democracy, the principles that define us as a nation – freedom, justice, and the power of the people – are under siege. A regime has taken root that seeks to dismantle these ideals, to centralize power, and to silence the voices of ordinary Americans.
This is not a drill. This is not a partisan debate. This is a battle for the soul of our nation, and we, the American people, are the last line of defense.
To reclaim our democracy, we must face an uncomfortable truth: we must halt the engine that fuels this regime. We must, together, choose to disrupt the very systems it relies upon. This means a collective act of non-cooperation. It means temporarily stopping the flow of productivity that empowers those who seek to undermine us. It means, for a time, accepting financial pain.
I understand the gravity of these words. I know the fear and uncertainty that such a prospect evokes. Families will struggle. Businesses will face hardship. But I ask you: what is the cost of losing our democracy? What is the price of living under a system where our rights are eroded, our voices are silenced, and our future is dictated by a few? That cost, my friends, is far greater and far more enduring than any temporary economic pain we might endure.
Think of those who came before us – who risked everything, who shed blood and treasure, to establish and preserve this nation. They endured famine, war, and unimaginable sacrifice for the promise of a free society. Are we, in this generation, less capable of defending that legacy?
This is not about surrender. This is about strategic withdrawal of our energy and resources from a system that has become weaponized against us. By stopping our collective productivity, we starve the regime of its power. We deny it the resources it needs to perpetuate its control. We create an undeniable crisis that forces a reckoning.
This will be painful. There is no sugarcoating it. But we are a resilient people. We are ingenious. We will organize. We will support each other through community, through shared resources, and through the unbreakable bonds of our common purpose. We must prepare for this pain, knowing that it is the necessary path to a greater good.
The choice before us is stark: a brief, intense period of shared hardship for the promise of a free future, or a slow, agonizing slide into authoritarianism with consequences that will echo for generations.
Let us rise to this challenge. Let us stand together, united in our resolve. Let us choose freedom, no matter the cost. Our democracy, our future, depends on it.
God bless America!
This is one of most cogent and eloquent explanations of the moment we stand in.
Accurately analyzing the modernization of tyranny along with Judge Luttig’s 7/4/25 essay provide a sobering look at what needs to be understood by any resistance movement .
What to understand and do - thank you !!