Friday, October 16, 2026

Disconnect or Sh*t Show

They agreed because I said they agreed.

-- Mr. Trump, asserted at the White House referring to the Ukraine/Russia cease-fire he had announced

...well OK then.  But, how about:

A closer look at the US-Russia diesel deal

Washington Is Warning of Election Threats While Weakening Our Defenses

 
Axios

Billionaire Elon Musk has already funneled at least $366 million into the midterms to try to make sure voters elect Republicans

...and that may not be the worst of it:

Ukraine loses Starlink access as Musk says Zelenskiy went "too far"

...so who put Musk in charge of these things? (Not really a question; we know who did...).


“I can do whatever I want, if I want.” — Trump's arrogance never stops (if only this was the worst of it): 

Axios

Because it isn't:

They Shouted “USA!” As Men Beat A Woman

...unfathomable for an American President to publicly pile on in such a situation.

And the wanna-be waiting in the wings has been taking notes, using the same shtick:

JD Vance smeared James Talarico, then admitted he was “just guessing”

...where do these guys come from (I used to think Republicans were more noble than this)?


At least there's some resistance (late as it may be — too little, too late?):


Scott MacFarlane Reports

Public Execution Won’t Have the Effect Intended


As if all this wasn't enough, there's what happens when you intentionally undermine public confidence with misinformation:

This disease now declared an emergency — Maps show where it's spreading.


There's almost no sphere where the fissures aren't deepening in our systems:

 
Axios

 
FOX BUSINESS

...all combined, seems pretty clear this is way bigger than a 'disconnect'. 


Donald Trump has turned the Republican Party into something I no longer recognize. 

-- One of the Republicans supporting Democrat Chris Pappas in New Hampshire