It’s frightening to watch DJT as he continues doing his reality show routine with regard to the recent Signal chat controversy. One wonders whether reality has anything to do with DJT’s mindset, or if he simply reacts to each new situation with the same technique of denial and intimidation.

Beyond their abysmal performances before the Senate and then the House Intelligence committees, with top intelligence officials showing a remarkable loss of memory function, Trump’s top lieutenants were made to appear even more questionable, with the release of an article in “Wired,” stating that Trump’s National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, had made his Venmo list public, with 328 names on the list. Waltz, is also alleged to be the person who put the Signal group chat together, with top Administration officials discussing an attack on Yemen soil, with an editor for the Atlantic, included in the chat over unsecured phones.

Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Susan Rice, made a particularly interesting observation, noting that no military advisors were included in the group – other than the Secretary of Defense, who leads the military for the White House, as opposed to being a member of it. One would think active duty military would be included in a group meeting about an ongoing attack, although that might have thrown a wrench into the works because active military personnel would surely have demanded that the call should be conducted through secure channels? Meaning, everything would have been on the record.

With such a massive public boondoggle, why can’t DJT just admit that they screwed up? It appears he has a systemic problem limiting his ability to function, witness his second tour in office which is looking more and more like a “revenge tour.” We should all be very afraid. He’s already snatching people off the street and sending them to prison in another country with no due process – which happens to be a constitutional guarantee. If he’s doing that to unknown persons who are alleged to be gang members, how long will it be before his political opponents begin disappearing?

With the entire Republican caucus cowering in fear, who will stand up and stop it from happening? One imagines this must be how it felt to be in Germany in the 1930’s, as bit by bit, freedom was erased by fascism.

The fact that most Americans can’t define Fascism and have little or no idea what due process is, makes us particularly vulnerable. Putin, must be delighted.

You’ll know we’ve gone over the cliff and into the abyss, should DJT succeed in shutting down the free press or discrediting it to the point that the mainstream media, the traditional media, loses all credibility. It feels like we aren’t that far away.

A piece in the Washington Post, indicates that tax revenues could drop by as much as 10%, following the Trump/Musk campaign to free the government of fraud and waste. Another piece, this one in The Guardian, points to problems for the U.S. tourism industry facing “drop offs” as Trump’s new “immigration agenda deters travelers.”

At the same time, DJT, has alienated our allies, allied us with an international terrorist and is now threatening cuts to Homeland Security. According to Newsweek, “The Trump administration plans to dismiss hundreds of senior DHS officials this week to reshape the nation’s third-largest agency by removing individuals perceived as not aligning with its objectives…”

Even in the heartland, the can be no joy. NBC News reports that “Farmers face steep losses in the middle of Trump’s trade war and funding cuts.”

With each new day, the downhill slide seems to continue, as the Administration “floods the zone” with new activity, much of it, including but not limited to, warrantless searches and mass deportation without due process, quite possibly illegal, setting us up for months and months of litigation.

The temptation is to ignore all that’s happening. The fear though, is that if you do, everything might be gone when you once again start paying attention. In addition, you might be missing all the good news, like word that just rolled in that DJT won a golf tournament at his course in West Palm Beach. The President, considers the win to be a “great honor” the article says.

Of course he does. Another phony golden trophy for the mantle back at the White House.

Woke up this morning with Rome on my mind, an empire that lasted for more than 1,500 years, if you include Constantinople and the east. Even without that, the city state of Rome was around for 500 years. The United States is only approaching 250 years of age but without an eastern empire, and like Rome, we are under a direct threat.

I always believed we’d last much longer than this. If the Romans could survive Caligula and Nero, surely we can survive Donald J. Trump?

The new leadership at the DNC needs to get more speakers on board the bully pulpit train, like Wes Moore, Gavin Newsom, John Larson and dare I say it……Al Franken. Bring back Al.

Chuck Schumer is down for the count and should be kept out of the public eye.

There’s also Andrew Cuomo, probably the strongest speaker, the toughest public personality the Dems have. They need him now more than ever, despite past allegations of sexual misconduct. I have no idea if it’s true, but I can overlook his past if it means saving the Republic from Trump, Musk and their Russian allies.

JFK fooled around, I get it. He also saved the world from a nuclear crisis with his naval blockade of the Russians in the 60’s. Cuomo, an Italian son of Manhattan, may have just the stuff the country needs to beat back the Russians one more time, despite any past transgressions.

Trump treats every day like a campaign. The Dems have got to do the same. The DNC needs to step up and coordinate the effort as the country heads into the fourth quarter of the game. The Dems need to quit snapping at one another and put their best players back on the field.

After being under the radar for a few days, Trump arrived in Paris, without Melania. Greeted by French President Macron on a red carpet, Trump appeared as though he was trying to arm wrestle the French president. Clearly confused, Macron patted Trump’s hand as if to let him know that everything would be okay, that no wrestling would be necessary. Later, DJT was seen in the newly renovated Notre Dame Cathedral, sitting hunched over to one side as though he had an injured butt cheek.

Generally, Macron appeared extremely cordial toward the soon-to-be U.S. President, possibly reflecting back to his earlier congratulatory message to him on social media: “Ready to work together as we did for four years. With your convictions and mine.” (Thank you Jimmy Kimmel).

Here in the U.S., the news was full of speculation about who Joe Biden will pardon next. Specifically, preemptive pardons for possible targets of Trump’s retribution once he’s been sworn in.

The fact that this is even happening in the United States, should give pause to Trump supporters, “should” being the operative word. I no longer hold out much hope for the possibility of conversions although any late awareness of reality will be greatly appreciated.

I was stunned at the outcome of the popular vote. Still am. It just doesn’t seem possible. It feels like some kind of alternate reality kicked in, taking the country by the throat and threatening our American Democracy as Democrats failed to vote. For anybody. But here we now are, stuck with it.