I think it has something to do with Chuck’s ‘successor’, his Grandson Pat. He’s building a ‘dynasty’ of sorts, even as his President threatens to eliminate ethanol mandates. Ole Chuck can’t afford to anger the stable genius and risk losing the billions in subsidies our farmers will require because other Countries are no longer buying what we produce. And end the Grassley’s legacy.
We need to keep writing our senators and representatives. Even though it may not change their vote they must know that we disagree with them. We need to encourage our similar minded friends to write also. It’s part of the way we fight back. After a few emails we might feel we can show up at their offices and complain. We need to start a movement. We can’t let these fools think we support their actions.
Good point, Tom. I often hear Reynolds and others say “what I’m hearing from Iowans is…” to justify their actions. Of course, even if opponents write, it doesn’t mean they’ll listen. They hear what they want to hear.
Remember the end of “Alice’s Restaurant”. - What if 50 people a day walked in, sang a chorus of Alice’s Restaurant, and walked out? They’d think it’s a movement. If you want to end war and stuff you have to sing LOUD!
Dave, your comments hit home and need to be shared with every American……and now we have the firing of FBI agents involved with J6 and the document scandal, along with President Musk forcing out the Treasury staff who safeguard citizen monies & payments. It is honestly not getting any better and our country is spiraling before our eyes. Ernst, Grassley, Nunn, along with all other Republicans, are being played and conned, as are those who voted for these inept representatives. I continue to write to these deplorables and anticipate their boiler plate nonsensical responses where they typically school me on “procedure”which is really entertaining since all procedures are being wiped out by their sacred leader, Trump! Keep up this great work, Dave. We appreciate you.
Thanks, Cindy. Like all journalists, and all Americans, it’s difficult to wade through the tsunami of bad policies and know what to focus on. We’re witnessing the TRUE weaponization of the Justice Department. All Trump’s protestations the previous four years were merely a pretext to what he wanted to do if enough Americans were foolish enough to put him back in office. And, it kept his butt out of prison.
Your analysis of the situation is spot on. The relentless chaos, the blatant disregard for truth, and the sheer shamelessness of those in power can feel overwhelming. The “flood the zone” strategy is working exactly as intended—exhausting the public to the point of apathy. Trump’s reaction to the tragedy, turning it into a self-serving spectacle, was yet another chilling reminder of his lack of empathy. And the Senate confirmation process? A farce indeed. The willingness of Republican senators to look the other way, time and again, is infuriating. Grassley’s performative letters are a perfect metaphor for the GOP’s approach—empty gestures with no real action. As you said, elections have consequences. The question is: will enough people wake up and do something about it?
I always believed the pendulum would eventually swing back, but it’s hard to see that happening anytime soon. It’s sad, but we can only hope Trump’s incompetence will screw things up so badly that people wake up.
You must be eavesdropping on my thoughts, Dave. It is impossible to know where to begin the criticisms but I'll point a finger at the MAGA cult. We KNOW that Joni Ernst would not have voted for Hegseth in "normal" circumstances but she was bullied into a 'yes' vote. Her choice was either remain a U.S. senator or get primaried and become a school board member back home. The cult gives Trump oxygen and as we already know, that cult is essentially the low information class. They are not reading this column, not following factual news sites. Trump, the con man, is one of the best politicians ever as a campaigning outsider and quite possibly the worst leader when in office in our nation's history.
We are stuck, folks, he ain't leaving in four years. A corrupt Tennessee congressman (Andy Ogles) is pushing a bill to give Trump a third term. Coincidently, Ogles was being investigated by the feds for campaign finance improprieties and amazingly he just had the charges dropped by the Justice Department. (so happy the judiciary isn't weaponized).
What is Trump’s obsession with fixing blame? The LA fires, the airline crash, suing Selzer, demanding the unedited 60 Minutes Harris interview. You’ve won - move on.
Credited to many including Genghis Kahn - “It’s not enough to succeed, all others must fail.” The epitome of envy, jealousy and narcissism. Another Great editorial, Dave.
It’s childish. Ted, you know, having led organizations, that sometimes things go wrong. The true test of a leader is how they respond to mistakes. Accept an appropriate amount of responsibility, and take steps to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Effective leaders don’t point fingers at everybody else.
It is truly baffling how those educated, experienced people can be so blind to what they’re doing to our country. They should be leaving America better than they found it, but between Citizens United, gutting the Voting Rights Act, ending affirmative action, restricting gun laws, giving Trump near total immunity, the Supreme Court has damaged America more than any other institution.
I can’t force myself to watch any of it. The man is a pig … and I apologize to pigs everywhere. He is inhuman, and he would take that as a compliment. I am also appalled at the media coverage. These are tough calls, I know. But why sit there like pigs going to slaughter at the press conference like it’s business as usual? Providing this swine of a man a forum for his smut isn’t reporting; it’s amplification. It’s time for real journalists to boycott the White House. Put a camera there, record the propaganda, air only edited, verified “news,” and put into perspective the implications and ramifications of the actions taken. Take the Hitlerian propagandists off the air. This isn’t equal time; it’s indoctrination. But I am a realist. Trump = ratings = revenues = profits. And we see what is happening. Pay the man’s frivolous lawsuits; air his filth; hang on his every word; capitulate. Let his trained dog give Nazi salutes; allow him to profit off the scum he hawks; and swim in the waters he pollutes. It’s all so demoralizing.
Cliff, the capitulation by corporate media is most discouraging. ABC News, Meta, and soon, apparently, CBS News are merely encouraging more lawsuits. One speck of good news is a lot of respected journalists are moving to Substack, where I hope they’re free to write what they want. Jim Acosta just started a column here, among others.
Yes, it was another rough week. I've ordered extra-strength seat belts. We're still very early in, and so far, apart from the few court challenges, there are no brakes on the crash car that is America. I am completely disgusted by our Iowa representatives. I thought for a nanosecond that Ernst might vote against Hegseth, but, ah...no. I'm sure our dear leader is spending the weekend closely studying the plans of our WWII internment camps to make sure his Guantanamo expansion is built according to spec. In all things, this is the Project 2025 plan coming to fruition. And quickly, bigly.
Bravo, Dave! Grassley has been McConnell and Trump’s bootlick for years, so his spinelessness doesn’t surprise me. I did not take Joni Ernst for a complete lickspittle, though. She is a severe disappointment.
A sad state of reality. Thank you .
Spot on about Grassley!! Love it.
I don’t understand what he has to fear at this point. The man has been in elective office since 1957! Why won’t he show some spine?
with Ernst, the reported fear is that she would get a MAGA funded primary battle, but what is the concern for Grassley?
I think it has something to do with Chuck’s ‘successor’, his Grandson Pat. He’s building a ‘dynasty’ of sorts, even as his President threatens to eliminate ethanol mandates. Ole Chuck can’t afford to anger the stable genius and risk losing the billions in subsidies our farmers will require because other Countries are no longer buying what we produce. And end the Grassley’s legacy.
Thank you for a wonderful column, and for standing up to this man.
We need to keep writing our senators and representatives. Even though it may not change their vote they must know that we disagree with them. We need to encourage our similar minded friends to write also. It’s part of the way we fight back. After a few emails we might feel we can show up at their offices and complain. We need to start a movement. We can’t let these fools think we support their actions.
Good point, Tom. I often hear Reynolds and others say “what I’m hearing from Iowans is…” to justify their actions. Of course, even if opponents write, it doesn’t mean they’ll listen. They hear what they want to hear.
Remember the end of “Alice’s Restaurant”. - What if 50 people a day walked in, sang a chorus of Alice’s Restaurant, and walked out? They’d think it’s a movement. If you want to end war and stuff you have to sing LOUD!
This is so powerful and well written. You put into words what many of us are feeling in our souls. Thank you Dave.
Thanks, Jim. These are incredibly frustrating times. It can feel like we’re out of step with our own country. It helps to know others feel the same.
Dave, your comments hit home and need to be shared with every American……and now we have the firing of FBI agents involved with J6 and the document scandal, along with President Musk forcing out the Treasury staff who safeguard citizen monies & payments. It is honestly not getting any better and our country is spiraling before our eyes. Ernst, Grassley, Nunn, along with all other Republicans, are being played and conned, as are those who voted for these inept representatives. I continue to write to these deplorables and anticipate their boiler plate nonsensical responses where they typically school me on “procedure”which is really entertaining since all procedures are being wiped out by their sacred leader, Trump! Keep up this great work, Dave. We appreciate you.
Thanks, Cindy. Like all journalists, and all Americans, it’s difficult to wade through the tsunami of bad policies and know what to focus on. We’re witnessing the TRUE weaponization of the Justice Department. All Trump’s protestations the previous four years were merely a pretext to what he wanted to do if enough Americans were foolish enough to put him back in office. And, it kept his butt out of prison.
Your analysis of the situation is spot on. The relentless chaos, the blatant disregard for truth, and the sheer shamelessness of those in power can feel overwhelming. The “flood the zone” strategy is working exactly as intended—exhausting the public to the point of apathy. Trump’s reaction to the tragedy, turning it into a self-serving spectacle, was yet another chilling reminder of his lack of empathy. And the Senate confirmation process? A farce indeed. The willingness of Republican senators to look the other way, time and again, is infuriating. Grassley’s performative letters are a perfect metaphor for the GOP’s approach—empty gestures with no real action. As you said, elections have consequences. The question is: will enough people wake up and do something about it?
I always believed the pendulum would eventually swing back, but it’s hard to see that happening anytime soon. It’s sad, but we can only hope Trump’s incompetence will screw things up so badly that people wake up.
You must be eavesdropping on my thoughts, Dave. It is impossible to know where to begin the criticisms but I'll point a finger at the MAGA cult. We KNOW that Joni Ernst would not have voted for Hegseth in "normal" circumstances but she was bullied into a 'yes' vote. Her choice was either remain a U.S. senator or get primaried and become a school board member back home. The cult gives Trump oxygen and as we already know, that cult is essentially the low information class. They are not reading this column, not following factual news sites. Trump, the con man, is one of the best politicians ever as a campaigning outsider and quite possibly the worst leader when in office in our nation's history.
We are stuck, folks, he ain't leaving in four years. A corrupt Tennessee congressman (Andy Ogles) is pushing a bill to give Trump a third term. Coincidently, Ogles was being investigated by the feds for campaign finance improprieties and amazingly he just had the charges dropped by the Justice Department. (so happy the judiciary isn't weaponized).
A third term? Good god. I’m having enough trouble sleeping soundly.
Brilliant work, as usual, but very difficult to read and not sob endlessly in a dark place.
Dean, I recommend a good, strong gin and tonic.
Trump is too busy shooting people on fifth Avenue for anyone to notice the horrors he’s inflicting!
What is Trump’s obsession with fixing blame? The LA fires, the airline crash, suing Selzer, demanding the unedited 60 Minutes Harris interview. You’ve won - move on.
Credited to many including Genghis Kahn - “It’s not enough to succeed, all others must fail.” The epitome of envy, jealousy and narcissism. Another Great editorial, Dave.
It’s childish. Ted, you know, having led organizations, that sometimes things go wrong. The true test of a leader is how they respond to mistakes. Accept an appropriate amount of responsibility, and take steps to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Effective leaders don’t point fingers at everybody else.
The strict constructionists on the Supreme Court are going to either be revealed as opportunistic liars or become our ironic last line of defense.
It is truly baffling how those educated, experienced people can be so blind to what they’re doing to our country. They should be leaving America better than they found it, but between Citizens United, gutting the Voting Rights Act, ending affirmative action, restricting gun laws, giving Trump near total immunity, the Supreme Court has damaged America more than any other institution.
I can’t force myself to watch any of it. The man is a pig … and I apologize to pigs everywhere. He is inhuman, and he would take that as a compliment. I am also appalled at the media coverage. These are tough calls, I know. But why sit there like pigs going to slaughter at the press conference like it’s business as usual? Providing this swine of a man a forum for his smut isn’t reporting; it’s amplification. It’s time for real journalists to boycott the White House. Put a camera there, record the propaganda, air only edited, verified “news,” and put into perspective the implications and ramifications of the actions taken. Take the Hitlerian propagandists off the air. This isn’t equal time; it’s indoctrination. But I am a realist. Trump = ratings = revenues = profits. And we see what is happening. Pay the man’s frivolous lawsuits; air his filth; hang on his every word; capitulate. Let his trained dog give Nazi salutes; allow him to profit off the scum he hawks; and swim in the waters he pollutes. It’s all so demoralizing.
Cliff, the capitulation by corporate media is most discouraging. ABC News, Meta, and soon, apparently, CBS News are merely encouraging more lawsuits. One speck of good news is a lot of respected journalists are moving to Substack, where I hope they’re free to write what they want. Jim Acosta just started a column here, among others.
Thank you for articulating what is going so wrong right now. We need to keep up the pressure, even when it falls on deaf ears.
Yes, it was another rough week. I've ordered extra-strength seat belts. We're still very early in, and so far, apart from the few court challenges, there are no brakes on the crash car that is America. I am completely disgusted by our Iowa representatives. I thought for a nanosecond that Ernst might vote against Hegseth, but, ah...no. I'm sure our dear leader is spending the weekend closely studying the plans of our WWII internment camps to make sure his Guantanamo expansion is built according to spec. In all things, this is the Project 2025 plan coming to fruition. And quickly, bigly.
And it’s only week 2.
Bravo, Dave! Grassley has been McConnell and Trump’s bootlick for years, so his spinelessness doesn’t surprise me. I did not take Joni Ernst for a complete lickspittle, though. She is a severe disappointment.