Friday, October 16, 2026

Disconnect or Sh*t Show

They agreed because I said they agreed.

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

...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 (naively or not, 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