I’m sure the thought has crossed your mind that we may not have elections next year. Nothing would restrain Benedict Donald from declaring a national emergency that calls for a suspension of that right.
Look at how House Speaker Johnson is delaying resumption of work in the House for a preview.
I’ve been saying this for the last 3 months. Believe me, he will use every trick in the book to cancel or delay them if he believes the GOP will lose seats.
We are truly in a modern civil war and have been for awhile. Our dualism has elevated into tribalism, aided and abetted by social media algorithms. Over the past 20 years we have been told by both tribes, "This is the most important election of our lifetime", and "If this doesn't change our democracy is in danger." Where does this end? What will bring us back together? If past civilization timelines are any indication, we are moving to a spiritual revival. Revivals in my own life have come along when things looked the worst. In that place noone cares who your tribe is. In that place we are all one in our humanity begging for grace from the Creator.
Thanks, Kurt. What would trigger such a revival? Our system has held up well for 250 years until Trump started hacking away at the weak spots that nearly all leaders on both sides of the aisle previously respected. A mere 25 years ago, Al Gore stepped back rather than continue to put the nation through fractious turmoil. Trump REVELS in putting us through turmoil.
Every Republican who failed to speak out against Trump's actions is complicit, and that goes all the way from the top to the local levels of politics. They are the the political survivors in Trump's game of "Go Along or Take your Ethics and Get Out."
People need to just stop voting for Republicans until they reset their moral compass.
Of course, a great many people just aren't paying attention or like that Trump says he hates the same people that they do ... and so it goes.
Assuming there is a moral compass to reset in the GOP base, is it really your position that there isn't also a moral compass that needs to be reset in the Democrat base? Anyone that doesn't recognize both party bases as the problem, isn't serious about change.
I agree -- the last few years have dragged both parties away from the center, but I wouldn't rely on Fox and other right-wing media to accurately portray either party. (I know, you didn't mention Fox.)
Both the Fox News and MSNBC angle is grossly overplayed. Fox News gets a mere 2.8.M to 3 M primetime (opinion) viewers. Trump got 77 M votes. The amount of Trump voters influenced by Fox is trivial. Same for Dem voters influenced by MSNBC. The irresponsible rhetoric of the politicians themselves is much more influential than some fringe cable news networks.
All of this is shocking and very dangerous to the country’s future. Senator Grassley is a disgrace and his colleagues gutless as they let Trump and his cronies run roughshod over people, cities, et al. The 2026 elections may be the people’s last chance to correct this horrible situation. Let’s hope it takes place with no serious interference from the Trump group of very hateful people. Thanks for your courage in writing this very important column, Dave. All the best.
True, your article doesn't have the focus on media as in the past, but there is nothing more newsworthy than the Trump Regime running roughshod over America, our Constitution, and our system of justice. I'll offer this link: Why does the national media continue to both-sides and downplay the daily chaos and deterioration of our country's values? Which media outlet will be the first to grow a spine and sound the alarm without fear of being called "radical lunatics" or being sued by Dear Leader? They have the facts to back up the news reports, unlike the unfounded and childish claims like "they're eating the dogs" and "Antifa is a national terrorist organization".
The greatest trait of patriotism is to stand up against tyranny, which has been growing since the J6 insurrection. Do your jobs without fear, journalists, like Dave does here.
Mark, there are many journalists standing up and reporting the truth. The problem is I don’t think Trump’s crowd is paying any attention to those outlets. They have their own echo chambers where they get news skewed to their political beliefs. Fox News admitted as much in settling the lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems. Evidence clearly stated they feared losing viewers to OAN, which would hurt their stock price.
Judy just said, gosh Dave is doing great work in retirement! Agreed 👍🫂
I am looking for our press to start focusing on dmps students and the need for the bond issue. I realize that the topic "dmps superintendent" is "selling papers", but it's time to start focusing on some other important local educational issues. I believe our educational needs are due some air time! Thanks for all you do and the class with which you do it 👍🫂
(Note: this post is prompted by discussion regarding the wisdom of continuing the vote on the upcoming bond issue.)
Gene, the bond issue faces an uphill fight due to the timing so soon after the Roberts case. Voters may decide not to punish school kids for Roberts’ deceptions. But it’s a tough sell right now.
Yes, I agree. Love to read your thoughts on it. And I would like to see some press focused on the needs of our educational system and less on the ex-superintendent.
I don’t live in DSM so unable to vote on the bond issue. It infuriates me that Hinson, Grassley, Nunn are grandstanding on the superintendent mess. I don’t understand how they cannot see that dmps facilitues seriously lag the suburbs. And that a strong public school system in the largest city in the state is a top priority. Taking potshots from their cheap seats benefits no one and impacts so many.
Well said Dave! And I blame all spineless Republicans…starting with Grassley….as complicit!! Every one of those Republicans has to know Trump is a buffoon. He has his strings pulled by the vile Stephen Miller and the Project 2025 writers….you know they laugh about Trump behind his back…..but so far he’s a useful clown! I’m 81 years old…I’ve organized a No Kings Protest and I’m determined to outlive this ‘sac of whimpering cells masquerading as a human’s reign!!
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly was on Colbert a few weeks ago and said many of his Republican colleagues tell him in private how much they disagree with Trump, but are too fearful to say anything publicly.
I have heard that also… and Eric Swalwell has said something similar. But are they afraid of physical harm to themselves and their families or are they afraid of being primaried? They are elected to stand up for their constituents and not cower in the corner bobbing their heads every time a thought dribbles out of trumps lips!! Trump knows that fear is powerful because that’s how all bullies operate….but when people (meaning Republicans) overcome that fear and stand up and say NO his power will be gone!!
Before seeing Dave’s column, I had glanced at a. summary of another incoming email:
“Trump Rallies Angry Supporters Outside Nobel HQ in Oslo.”
My immediate reaction was “ So what else is new?”
Then I saw the source: Satirist Andy Borowitz.
Part of his satire: “…Trump summoned angry supporters to a rally outside the headquarters of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Urging his irate loyalists to ‘stop the steal,’ Trump declared, ‘If you want to win the Nobel Peace Prize, you’ve got to fight like hell.’”
Satire is dead these days. Our democracy isn’t too healthy either.
As a retired lawmaker and attorney, I concluded Bondi is only fueling institutional disrespect--which benefits the Trump administration, piles on increasing distrust of government and accelerates a loss of our character as a democracy. Most disappointing? Senate Democrats seem unprepared and let her off easy. They should have anticipated she'd mirror Kash Patel's confrontational playbook and crafted tougher, more strategic questions to expose her evasiveness. It's more than asking hard questions; it is following up, whether in the hearing or post-hearing media.
Trump/MAGA routinely tacks on different forum, with different messengers, from news conference to Fox News. Few D's have followed up on Biondi's performance, such as on Joe Rogan or questioning other witnesses, or following up on social media..
On the subject of historical context, Bondi’s performance reminded me of Hillary Clinton’s 11-hour hearing before the Benghazi committee when she was Secretary of State. She sat there stoically and answered bombastic questions without ever losing her cool, without hurling insults. Her demeanor befit the office. Bondi is a disgrace to the office, a disgrace to her predecessors, and a disgrace to the nation.
Although not your usual topic, Dave, this work provides an absolutely perfect summation of the destruction of our system of justice, and the cowardice and complicity of our own Sen. Grassley to its demise. He should be ashamed, we should all be ashamed. Grassley's current "leadership" of the Senate Judiciary Committee is in lockstep with his historic deliberate packing of the United States Supreme Court. The decisions by that Court, its composition path set by Grassley, represent crushing blows to our Constitution. Not sure how we survive all of this, if we are even able to.
A story in the Register this week said the Senate had confirmed the two US attorneys for Iowa and quoted Grassley as saying, “After months of unprecedented Democrat obstruction, Republicans successfully confirmed Iowa’s highly qualified U.S. Attorney nominees.” Isn’t that rich? Unprecedented Democratic obstruction? This from the guy who refused to even hold a hearing on Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court. He obstructed the process for nearly a year! Never to be forgotten. Never to be forgiven.
Recall the "reason" given was Obama's short remaining term in office, compare that to Trump's Amy Coney Barrett appointment. Also, Biden's nominee to the Northern District of Iowa never received Senate confirmation, and Biden, I believe, also nominated the same person to the Southern District of Iowa who was just confirmed.
Thanks Dave for your adroit commentaries, These are, indeed, sad and very dangerous times. Watch your back as you write. Tales of threats to journalists, judges, ordinary folks helping refugees abound. Truly appreciate your good work. Mike Reagen
This, here, needs to be pointed out constantly. Plus, the topic includes the media. A TV journalist was arrested and lied about in Chicago. Charges against journalists are around the corner.
Respectfully, this sentence is too easy for anyone to write and wholly unconvincing:
"Legal experts say the evidence is weak at best..."
Certainly in today's political environment, knowing exactly *who* those unnamed, unquoted legal experts are, matters.
The only question that matters is this: Did Comey and James brake the law. You've cited unnamed, unquoted so-called "legal experts" and you've given the reader no legal argument to consider.
I make an assumption when writing this column that most readers are well-read and well-informed, so I try not to repeat at length information easily available elsewhere. Often I do cite sources and probably should have this time.
Do you not think it at all odd that this case set for five years, that Trump’s hand-picked US attorney declined to prosecute, was forced out, career prosecutors thought the evidence too thin to prosecute and that a replacement attorney with no prosecution experience obtains an indictment within three days of taking the job, and just a day before the five-year statute of limitations runs out?
Your premise assumes that we can agree on what well-read and well-informed means. Too often, even those definitions depend on ideology. You may consider the NYT to be the gold standard while I may be highly skeptical of them. Both views are supported by "facts" that are "easily available elsewhere." The author of your cited article has been criticized by FAIR for making legal arguments that are "way off course." Others will criticize FAIR as an organization.
To directly answer your question, no, I do not think it's odd. As someone who generally dislikes both political bases, my trust in the integrity of government, especially in DC, is about 20%. The term "career prosecutor" doesn't impress me. The only institution that I have some faith in is SCOTUS.
Dave, thank you for another insightful article. I am amazed how the Republican Party, excuse me CULT has abandoned any sense of moral principles. Also, not living up to their oaths of office. They fear Trump will primary them. So, challenge that notion. Have the fortitude to stand on the principals for which our nation was founded. However, no they will not for their oaths means nothing to them. Grassley demonstrated at Bondi's hearing that he has no backbone. We live in a time now when if those who stayed home and did not vote because they did not like either Presidential Candidate has revealed the consequences of those actions.
I’m sure the thought has crossed your mind that we may not have elections next year. Nothing would restrain Benedict Donald from declaring a national emergency that calls for a suspension of that right.
Look at how House Speaker Johnson is delaying resumption of work in the House for a preview.
I’ve been saying this for the last 3 months. Believe me, he will use every trick in the book to cancel or delay them if he believes the GOP will lose seats.
Possible but seems like a bridge too far for most people. I wouldn’t put it past them to try.
I can't be the only one who wonders if the House will ever be called back into session.
We are truly in a modern civil war and have been for awhile. Our dualism has elevated into tribalism, aided and abetted by social media algorithms. Over the past 20 years we have been told by both tribes, "This is the most important election of our lifetime", and "If this doesn't change our democracy is in danger." Where does this end? What will bring us back together? If past civilization timelines are any indication, we are moving to a spiritual revival. Revivals in my own life have come along when things looked the worst. In that place noone cares who your tribe is. In that place we are all one in our humanity begging for grace from the Creator.
Thanks, Kurt. What would trigger such a revival? Our system has held up well for 250 years until Trump started hacking away at the weak spots that nearly all leaders on both sides of the aisle previously respected. A mere 25 years ago, Al Gore stepped back rather than continue to put the nation through fractious turmoil. Trump REVELS in putting us through turmoil.
A revival is trigged by an independent candidate that has the guts and the financial backing to marginalize, and therefore ignore, both party bases.
Every Republican who failed to speak out against Trump's actions is complicit, and that goes all the way from the top to the local levels of politics. They are the the political survivors in Trump's game of "Go Along or Take your Ethics and Get Out."
People need to just stop voting for Republicans until they reset their moral compass.
Of course, a great many people just aren't paying attention or like that Trump says he hates the same people that they do ... and so it goes.
Assuming there is a moral compass to reset in the GOP base, is it really your position that there isn't also a moral compass that needs to be reset in the Democrat base? Anyone that doesn't recognize both party bases as the problem, isn't serious about change.
I agree -- the last few years have dragged both parties away from the center, but I wouldn't rely on Fox and other right-wing media to accurately portray either party. (I know, you didn't mention Fox.)
Both the Fox News and MSNBC angle is grossly overplayed. Fox News gets a mere 2.8.M to 3 M primetime (opinion) viewers. Trump got 77 M votes. The amount of Trump voters influenced by Fox is trivial. Same for Dem voters influenced by MSNBC. The irresponsible rhetoric of the politicians themselves is much more influential than some fringe cable news networks.
All of this is shocking and very dangerous to the country’s future. Senator Grassley is a disgrace and his colleagues gutless as they let Trump and his cronies run roughshod over people, cities, et al. The 2026 elections may be the people’s last chance to correct this horrible situation. Let’s hope it takes place with no serious interference from the Trump group of very hateful people. Thanks for your courage in writing this very important column, Dave. All the best.
Denny Linderbaum
True, your article doesn't have the focus on media as in the past, but there is nothing more newsworthy than the Trump Regime running roughshod over America, our Constitution, and our system of justice. I'll offer this link: Why does the national media continue to both-sides and downplay the daily chaos and deterioration of our country's values? Which media outlet will be the first to grow a spine and sound the alarm without fear of being called "radical lunatics" or being sued by Dear Leader? They have the facts to back up the news reports, unlike the unfounded and childish claims like "they're eating the dogs" and "Antifa is a national terrorist organization".
The greatest trait of patriotism is to stand up against tyranny, which has been growing since the J6 insurrection. Do your jobs without fear, journalists, like Dave does here.
Mark, there are many journalists standing up and reporting the truth. The problem is I don’t think Trump’s crowd is paying any attention to those outlets. They have their own echo chambers where they get news skewed to their political beliefs. Fox News admitted as much in settling the lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems. Evidence clearly stated they feared losing viewers to OAN, which would hurt their stock price.
Judy just said, gosh Dave is doing great work in retirement! Agreed 👍🫂
I am looking for our press to start focusing on dmps students and the need for the bond issue. I realize that the topic "dmps superintendent" is "selling papers", but it's time to start focusing on some other important local educational issues. I believe our educational needs are due some air time! Thanks for all you do and the class with which you do it 👍🫂
(Note: this post is prompted by discussion regarding the wisdom of continuing the vote on the upcoming bond issue.)
Gene, the bond issue faces an uphill fight due to the timing so soon after the Roberts case. Voters may decide not to punish school kids for Roberts’ deceptions. But it’s a tough sell right now.
Yes, I agree. Love to read your thoughts on it. And I would like to see some press focused on the needs of our educational system and less on the ex-superintendent.
I don’t live in DSM so unable to vote on the bond issue. It infuriates me that Hinson, Grassley, Nunn are grandstanding on the superintendent mess. I don’t understand how they cannot see that dmps facilitues seriously lag the suburbs. And that a strong public school system in the largest city in the state is a top priority. Taking potshots from their cheap seats benefits no one and impacts so many.
Well said Dave! And I blame all spineless Republicans…starting with Grassley….as complicit!! Every one of those Republicans has to know Trump is a buffoon. He has his strings pulled by the vile Stephen Miller and the Project 2025 writers….you know they laugh about Trump behind his back…..but so far he’s a useful clown! I’m 81 years old…I’ve organized a No Kings Protest and I’m determined to outlive this ‘sac of whimpering cells masquerading as a human’s reign!!
Thanks Dave.
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly was on Colbert a few weeks ago and said many of his Republican colleagues tell him in private how much they disagree with Trump, but are too fearful to say anything publicly.
I have heard that also… and Eric Swalwell has said something similar. But are they afraid of physical harm to themselves and their families or are they afraid of being primaried? They are elected to stand up for their constituents and not cower in the corner bobbing their heads every time a thought dribbles out of trumps lips!! Trump knows that fear is powerful because that’s how all bullies operate….but when people (meaning Republicans) overcome that fear and stand up and say NO his power will be gone!!
Before seeing Dave’s column, I had glanced at a. summary of another incoming email:
“Trump Rallies Angry Supporters Outside Nobel HQ in Oslo.”
My immediate reaction was “ So what else is new?”
Then I saw the source: Satirist Andy Borowitz.
Part of his satire: “…Trump summoned angry supporters to a rally outside the headquarters of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Urging his irate loyalists to ‘stop the steal,’ Trump declared, ‘If you want to win the Nobel Peace Prize, you’ve got to fight like hell.’”
Satire is dead these days. Our democracy isn’t too healthy either.
Herb Strentz
Thank heavens for Borowitz. And Colbert. Lots of rich source material for them these days.
Don't forget JoJo from Jerz & TFN!!! 😁 Gotta find humor where we can these daze.
Thanks, Dave. Keep up your great work - it’s badly needed to let people know what’s going on in this country. Please take care, my friend.
I suggest adding some historical context that would have dramatized how uniquely combative and disrespectful Bondi's testimony was compared to previous AG hearings. While Bondi championed transparency, she hid behind platitudes and personal attacks. Another good Substack on this is Status Kuo. https://open.substack.com/pub/statuskuo/p/pam-bondi-is-a-piece-of-work?r=9e9e3&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
As a retired lawmaker and attorney, I concluded Bondi is only fueling institutional disrespect--which benefits the Trump administration, piles on increasing distrust of government and accelerates a loss of our character as a democracy. Most disappointing? Senate Democrats seem unprepared and let her off easy. They should have anticipated she'd mirror Kash Patel's confrontational playbook and crafted tougher, more strategic questions to expose her evasiveness. It's more than asking hard questions; it is following up, whether in the hearing or post-hearing media.
Trump/MAGA routinely tacks on different forum, with different messengers, from news conference to Fox News. Few D's have followed up on Biondi's performance, such as on Joe Rogan or questioning other witnesses, or following up on social media..
On the subject of historical context, Bondi’s performance reminded me of Hillary Clinton’s 11-hour hearing before the Benghazi committee when she was Secretary of State. She sat there stoically and answered bombastic questions without ever losing her cool, without hurling insults. Her demeanor befit the office. Bondi is a disgrace to the office, a disgrace to her predecessors, and a disgrace to the nation.
Although not your usual topic, Dave, this work provides an absolutely perfect summation of the destruction of our system of justice, and the cowardice and complicity of our own Sen. Grassley to its demise. He should be ashamed, we should all be ashamed. Grassley's current "leadership" of the Senate Judiciary Committee is in lockstep with his historic deliberate packing of the United States Supreme Court. The decisions by that Court, its composition path set by Grassley, represent crushing blows to our Constitution. Not sure how we survive all of this, if we are even able to.
A story in the Register this week said the Senate had confirmed the two US attorneys for Iowa and quoted Grassley as saying, “After months of unprecedented Democrat obstruction, Republicans successfully confirmed Iowa’s highly qualified U.S. Attorney nominees.” Isn’t that rich? Unprecedented Democratic obstruction? This from the guy who refused to even hold a hearing on Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court. He obstructed the process for nearly a year! Never to be forgotten. Never to be forgiven.
Recall the "reason" given was Obama's short remaining term in office, compare that to Trump's Amy Coney Barrett appointment. Also, Biden's nominee to the Northern District of Iowa never received Senate confirmation, and Biden, I believe, also nominated the same person to the Southern District of Iowa who was just confirmed.
Thanks Dave for your adroit commentaries, These are, indeed, sad and very dangerous times. Watch your back as you write. Tales of threats to journalists, judges, ordinary folks helping refugees abound. Truly appreciate your good work. Mike Reagen
When you say this is not hyperbole. That is exactly what it is.
This, here, needs to be pointed out constantly. Plus, the topic includes the media. A TV journalist was arrested and lied about in Chicago. Charges against journalists are around the corner.
Respectfully, this sentence is too easy for anyone to write and wholly unconvincing:
"Legal experts say the evidence is weak at best..."
Certainly in today's political environment, knowing exactly *who* those unnamed, unquoted legal experts are, matters.
The only question that matters is this: Did Comey and James brake the law. You've cited unnamed, unquoted so-called "legal experts" and you've given the reader no legal argument to consider.
I make an assumption when writing this column that most readers are well-read and well-informed, so I try not to repeat at length information easily available elsewhere. Often I do cite sources and probably should have this time.
I was referring to analysts who have made the following points. Lindsey Halligan may not be legally appointed as US Attorney in the Eastern Virginia district. Secondly, claims of vindictive prosecution. One source, available to all: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/us/politics/comey-legal-challenges-explained.html?unlocked_article_code=1.s08.7Bxe.MFnc7Gre5mxl&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
Do you not think it at all odd that this case set for five years, that Trump’s hand-picked US attorney declined to prosecute, was forced out, career prosecutors thought the evidence too thin to prosecute and that a replacement attorney with no prosecution experience obtains an indictment within three days of taking the job, and just a day before the five-year statute of limitations runs out?
Your premise assumes that we can agree on what well-read and well-informed means. Too often, even those definitions depend on ideology. You may consider the NYT to be the gold standard while I may be highly skeptical of them. Both views are supported by "facts" that are "easily available elsewhere." The author of your cited article has been criticized by FAIR for making legal arguments that are "way off course." Others will criticize FAIR as an organization.
To directly answer your question, no, I do not think it's odd. As someone who generally dislikes both political bases, my trust in the integrity of government, especially in DC, is about 20%. The term "career prosecutor" doesn't impress me. The only institution that I have some faith in is SCOTUS.
Dave, thank you for another insightful article. I am amazed how the Republican Party, excuse me CULT has abandoned any sense of moral principles. Also, not living up to their oaths of office. They fear Trump will primary them. So, challenge that notion. Have the fortitude to stand on the principals for which our nation was founded. However, no they will not for their oaths means nothing to them. Grassley demonstrated at Bondi's hearing that he has no backbone. We live in a time now when if those who stayed home and did not vote because they did not like either Presidential Candidate has revealed the consequences of those actions.
Thanks, Bob. It’s just so abnormal that we have to call it out and not get used to it.