This is what stuns me most: are lawyers not responsible - by virtue of passing the Bar Exam and getting licensed - for upholding the law, not perverting it? Are there no consequences when they practice in what seems to be blatantly illegal ways? In every other professional job that requires a license (I’m in healthcare) we have a clear code of ethics. Not adhering to it can result in losing our license. We are required to uphold best practice standards to the best of our ability. Not doing so can result in losing our license. We are required to do everything possible to prevent harm. Not doing do can result in losing our license. Can attorneys just play fast and loose with the law, choosing not only to ignore it, but violate it? This is clearly what every lawyer associated with this regime is doing. This is appalling.
There are a few cases where Trump's lawyers have gone before Bar Association boards and lost their bar license - Kenneth Chesebro, John Eastman, Rudy Giuliani, and Jenna Ellis. It took a long time for those cases to get to them. They are afforded a lot of due process and that takes time. For this tranche of lawyers, it's going to take time for a complaint to be filed and investigated. Stay tuned.
This Boomer understands your perspective as my household has nearly a century of healthcare experience between my deceased Soulmate & myself ➕huge history buffs traveling worldwide retracing steps of many. One of Nikita Khrushchev’s quips he shared with Mau of China when I was in grade school during the 50’s telling him that 🇺🇸folks are gullible & can be defeated without ever firing a shot. Decades later propaganda & masterful manipulation by the Elected Leaders who’ve long ago Abdicated their Oath to Framers’🇺🇸& Constitution for Power & Profits I will not 🛑 fighting for my great grandchildren who’re now in grade school, 4th, 6th & 7th grade. Daily sending emails or calling
☎️202 224 3121 while preparing for next Protests. 3.5% is Our target to be reached & maintained. As of May Citizens 348 Billion ✖️3.5%🟰12.25 Million. #KeepGoing Together We Can Keep Speaking/StandingUP🗽
What a surprise. Even more surprising: that a commenter should fail to look at the arithmetic, which tends to show that there was a (silly) misprint of a B for an M. Did your experience in the court, mentioned below have any arithmetic involved? One hopes not.
I worked in the courts and have seen lawyers disbarred. Thing is, because they are sworn officers of the court, there has to be a process to remove them, and that includes conclusive evidence showing negligence. It's like trying to impeach a president, both slow and arduous, and quite difficult. Most attorneys are pretty honest, in my opinion. Yes, lawyers have a code of ethics. There are also disciplinary committees that not only have the power to disbar bad lawyers, but also to censure, suspend and fine them for misconduct.
To be sure, R Giuliani was disbarred for massive breaches of legal ethics. For an example, though I don't think it was on the official list, he made a conspicuous breach of legal ethics on national TV when he went in front of the cameras before a judicial hearing to deliver some lies to the press, and then went into the courtroom and answered an "Are you saying that..." question with "Oh no, Your Honor" which he repeated when the judge asked him again. IPOF, IANAL, and I thought that was a clever if despicable thing, till I found out that this is a breach of the ethics in the state in which it was committed (his own New York in fact).
Putin's KGB experience left him with a strong impression that US attorney-client privilege is a near-perfect setting for Russian spy-craft. Putin likes his handlers to be US attorneys. Fascinating that the FBI raid on attorney Michael Cohen's office turned up only two clients, Donald Trump and Sean Hannity. Apparently Trump and Hannity are a Russian KGB-side cell of two. Infer Russia has been interested in regulations for the US legal profession for decades. Yes, USA has a Russia problem and your comment cuts to the heart of it.
It's remarkably naive to think asking a person if they spy for Russia can evoke a trustworthy answer; obviously I think attorney Michael Cohen serviced Trump and Hannity for Russia.
Whether it's sleeper agent Krasnov (a spin on the Russian for "red" which can also mean "gaudy") since the 1980s when he first visited Moscow, or huge real estate deals in Florida he facilitated for Russian tycoons, or massive DeutscheBank loans underwritten by Russian shadow oligarchs that saved his ass from multiple bankruptcies, or Paul Manafort's mysterious GOP-Kremlin-Yanukovych ties, or for services rendered to trash Hillary enough in 2016 to skew the electoral needle for him, or those still missing pee-pee tapes, or just because he so wants to be a big, bad, feared man the way his Kremlin idol is, or something we don't yet even know about, or a combination of any or all of the above --- one day we're going to find out the answer to Speaker Pelosi's famous October 2019 question delivered right to his face: "why is it with you all paths end with Putin?"
Russia is also a problem for the EU, where I am currently living, although I will be in the US this summer. The EU is going to be imposing new sanctions on Russia, although Hungary will have to be dealt with and the US is not going to impose new sanctions on Russia.
I can tell you Trump is not everyone's favorite person here in the EU. Although the AfD here in Germany has decided now that they are not going to be so focused on Russia, and more on the USA. Trump and the true Nazis that he belongs too, and hangs with in the US too.
Maybe America can get its act together, but I don't see U.S. Dems arousing from their massive collective impotence anytime soon. They need to get very angry at the betrayals of the MAGA fascists, the conniving with that by so many billionaires all schooled to their living dead commercialism only.
Europeans must know that the Putin agenda targets all on that continent west of Russia's current oligarchy-and-murder-land. Can European democracies arm Ukraine to make up for the criminal regime now in Washington not standing by allies anymore? Can schools in Europe put extra infusions of European humanities into them, and beefed-up essay writing programs to model respect for individuals, for "others" everywhere there?
Right now the EU is trying to pass new sanctions on Russia, without the US. They are hampered by the fact that Orban, like Trump is in bed with Putin. I am hoping that a work-around can be found.
Robert Hubbell points out today that you can be in the US and not active at all, and you can be abroad and very active in resistance, and that is is not place that matters so much as action. I know that Democrats Abroad as an organization is active and so we are organizing demonstrations around the world to support our fellow Americans, as well as calling, and writing to our elected representatives on all sorts of bills, protesting Tesla and other actions, as well as continually trying to get Americans Abroad to register to vote.
Europeans are in a big fight for democracy, and some countries are winning out just by having normal conservative governments, not right-wing conservative governments in power. It is great news about Romania, Center right holds in Portugal but far right makes gains, and we shall see with Poland in the beginning of June when they have their run-off election. However, as it stands the EU area is pretty much united behind Ukraine. Also, European countries are arming Ukraine and themselves, but the transition will not happen overnight. So, we shall see what happens. I know that Ukraine is open to meeting in the Vatican for peace talks. Let us see if Putin will snub the new Pope.
Mainstream media fail, Carol, because most there got the same bad educations.
Don't get me wrong. These are most clever boys and girls. But since the Powell memo's far right foundations gutted U.S. schools -- voided humanities near totally -- their replacement dynamic, testing, has in that proportion taken over.
Testing stresses categorical, abstracted, group thinking. Examples from novels, memoirs, histories, biographies, and essay collection go missing -- the human, the personal, the varied goes missing.
We have now in all high places clever, group-attuned, linear-causal thinking grads of and for the meritocracy. Totally out of touch with what happened to middle America, working class America. Around the world, similar types have learned by active campaigns to hate "others" not of their group. So many are now totally geared to locked-in, provincial zombie careerism. To seeing life as a place where one gets maximum points, as on those tests, regardless of how empty one becomes in the process.
Yes, as Timothy Snyder concludes here, "the attempt to make America authoritarian is part of a tawdry global trend." But this heavily involves the schools of the world also in thrall to testing's conceits, absent the humane resources on which democracies depend.
I'm not sure it is that simple, but the salient points are well noted. I always try to connect behavior with the neuroscience we are only discovering in detail.
Binary thinking and Us/Them categorization map readily to our brains tendencies, for instance. Which aligns with your observation of how a focus on tests has narrowed goals in education.
The way wealth translates into power cannot be ignored, however. And with that, how material success is confused with merit.
A poor person cannot be intelligent. We cannot feel good and be effective socially, politically, unless we have the accoutrement of success.
Values thus corrupted accept corruption of all kinds too readily.
I am by no means content with these explanations alone, but I do feel making formal education too strongly the cause partakes to some extent of the same linear causality you have identified as part of the problem. Let us all strive, as you put it so well, to be original, unpredictable, and rife with reference and depth of personal examples!
I think people are reading into the name "Krasnov" too literally. I offer a different take: there was a famous Russian named Krasnov, from The Don area of Russia (which dovetails with Trump's nicknames), who believed Russia should look to the East for alliances instead of the West.
Dear Professor Snyder, as much as I appreciate your critical contributions, I fear that sooner or later you will become a target of Trump's authoritarianism. All the more I appreciate your courage and steadfastness.
Well said. Yes, Putin has decisively won the culture and propaganda war against the USA and the diminished Ed Martin has played a key role. Yet, to do so, Putin has had to elevate the weakest of Americans, such as Trump, Martin, Gabbard and Patel. However, beginning with the clearly calculated attack on Zelenskyy in the Oval Office by Trump and Vance (another deeply moronic and failed character) the US has slid from super power to a mid level state with a weak currency, bad credit and a soon to be terrible economy. Add to that a drunk defense Secretary weeding out military leadership assets and compromising soldiers lives, and badly losing a war started by him against the Houthis (or maybe Who This?)
To the extent that Putin is puppeteering Trumps wielding of American power, that power is sliding, alone and easily exploited by countries like China and Canada who can manipulate US credit. US power, badly played, has only amplified Putin’s failed war in the Ukraine and uplifted Zelenskyy status worldwide wide. Rather than Russia being uplifted by American power, the USA has been downdrafted to the Russian economy and pariah world statehood.
The Canadian Prime Minister is a banker who’s moved government investing into US debt. You’ll notice very little Trump on Canada since the Oval Office meeting immediately after the Canadian election.
OK on the timing. But I don’t understand investing in the US under Trump. Ed Elson said on Tim’s pod that large institutional players are rotating out of US equities, by their largest margin ever and they’re going into Europe. See https://www.thebulwark.com/p/time-to-bet-against-america-w-ed at around 00:36:00.
Here’s one show of loyalty that Trump is not expecting. Organizers at rallies can start leading crowds in reciting this PEOPLE’S OATH (#PeoplesOath2025) similar to the one federal officers, Congress, and the military take. Make videos of yourself and friends saying the Oath, and post them everywhere:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the civic responsibilities expected of every American. (So help me God.)”
The spectacle of thousands making a commitment that GOP members of Congress and Trump's cabinet have repudiated with their silence will astonish and inspire the country. MAGA Republicans will have no answer.
I'll start to spread the idea of the group recitation of the oath of office--on other Substacks, and at the online Indivisible meetings I attend.
It's a vivid image-- more powerful than the usual chants. A truly common cause. Citizens becoming 'officers' protecting the Constitution. I really do love it.
To be a democrat, one must learn to love a constant state of political conversation with the idea that it will, somehow, arc toward equity and justice. Unfortunately, within democratic states there are always those who prefer fiat in the place of conversation. They simply don’t like the sheer messiness and its partner, a varying but constant state of inefficiency.
Democracy is far more a journey than it is a destination. But in Trump’s view, it is only the destination that counts, that of his accumulation of as much power as he can grasp, complete freedom from consequence, and as much acceptance and adoration as possible. It is the very definition of kingship, either secular or theological.
Trump has to grasp enough power to protect himself. His ''sickness" is that he wants more and more. This country is not going to be enough. It makes one think of that dictator we defeated during WW2.
Democracy is a means rather than a journey in this case. Democracy cannot or does not protect itself well. These are scary times. Many do not seem to either want democracy or know what it means or requires.
Yes, I had to reread that sentence a couple times, too, to make sure I didn't misread it. I think TS is putting out huge quantities of material right now, so I expect some minor errors. He definitely needs help, though.
Excellent and informative. You may have covered this elsewhere: when did Republicans stop subscribing to the idea that Russia was our #1 enemy? In the 50s they said “Better dead than red.” Reagan called Russia/the USSR “the evil empire.” Maybe I’m wrong but it seems like the softening on -now smooching with- Russia started when the GOP chose to cal itself Red and Democrats Blue. Thanks!
It's more to do with a shift over the past 30 years in the GOP, from "conservative values" that still aligned with Constitutional principles, to a kind of pure political cynicism based on power and profit. The current Republican MAGA leadership faction is simply fed up with democracy, its slow ways, its fair goals, its essential humanism.
I do belive, howevr, that the decline got underway under Reagan. After Nixon, when their guy screwed up royally, was caught, and they supported his impoeachment,the party seemed to stop being on the level.
Unfortunately you are preaching to a small choir. I have no doubt and you are making clear that Trump probably is a Russian asset.
However your audience is sadly a small fraction of the American universe. There is an instagram account that interviews people on the street of New York. They are stumped by questions like, how many states are there and how many dimes in a dollar. I’m sure he posts the dimmest of bulbs, but there are a lot of them. A similar account interviews Trump voters, many of whom are flat-earthers.
When the hurricanes, torrential rains, floods and tornadoes don’t stop and FEMA is a no show and your insurance companies have beat feet, maybe they will get a clue.
When I last looked, Tim Snyder had about 400,000 Substack subscribers. Number of followers not reported. Snyder is a thought leader and activist who also tirelessly communicates using other media, including television. I think his voice is increasing the size of the choir more than it is preaching to it. I am grateful for it.
I am not denigrating Professor Snyder. Not at all. He a brave and erudite warrior. However 400k though a significant number is only about .0013 of our population.
Which is:
The average American adult reads at approximately an eighth-grade level. However, it's important to note that a significant portion of the population, including nearly one in five adults, struggles to comprehend text at even a fourth-grade level, and a substantial number experience difficulty with more complex materials.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Average Reading Level:
Studies suggest the average reading level for adults in the U.S. is around the eighth-grade level.
Low Literacy:
Approximately 54% of American adults read below a sixth-grade level, and nearly 1 in 5 reads below a third-grade level.
Difficulty with Complex Text:
A significant percentage of adults (47%) experience difficulty with complex or lengthy texts, highlighting a gap between basic literacy skills and the ability to process more demanding reading materials.
Impact on Well-being:
Low literacy is linked to various challenges, including difficulties in accessing healthcare, navigating the financial system, and achieving economic mobility.
If it is any consolation, the French Revolution was started by the wealthy upper middle and intellectual classes.
MY TAKE. Professors influence and inform many. Their job is to teach. Then, what they taught is taught by others. Facts spread just as lies do. It’s our challenge to do the former as often as we can. Respectfully,
What two things that encouraged me, and I have mentioned them before, was a small cabal, if you will of educated wealthy men fomented the French Revolution and when people realize that Trump has left them to completely fend for themselves, while losing their homes, jobs and medical care, there, I hope will be a sea change.
I hope that by that time we still have the power to make that change. People need to understand now--that life is right around the corner. If that can even be called a life.
Thanks very much for these stats Sharon. They have helped convince me again on:
1- what sort of a population could fall for Trump as a candidate, much less a president, and
2- why such a population is not worth helping out of its misery.
And all this time I thought I should be doing them a favor by caring! To me, this is just George Bush II "keep your head down till it's blown over" years all over again. As always:
"It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere." Voltaire
I live in a blue collar town in the blue state of RI. My husband was an engineering professor and I am an artist. Moved here for the house. The talk radio host greeted the election of Trump like the second coming of Christ. They did vote for Harris by a tiny margin. However the political signs here were all for Trump and for the election against Clinton. I stumped for Bernie and to a person the people wanted either Bernie or Trump. Our town went for Bernie in the primaries even though Bill Clinton visited our senior center. .
I can pretty much grok an election from here. If they don’t put up someone who speaks their language or they feel is a phony they will lose. Harris was too highfalutin and a result of Biden’s intransigence.
It’s easy to cluck cluck in unison in University towns.
Yes I believe it and I frankly, at 68, am finally able to absolve myself from not being able to "wise up" the huge swaths of this population. I have probably done more independent "social studying" of many different populations through history and they all have a consistent profile. I think there was a window in the 1940- 50's where Americans were truly more educated as a whole, but especially with the advent of mass electronic media which everyone became quickly addicted to and used as their life-cue card we started sliding again. My dad used to moan about it in the 1970's. So now we have this. And if the Dems can't be smart enough to come up with even a decent actor to "speak the lingo" then there's no hope for them. But slaves deserve what they get if they insist on remaining slaves. I survived 35 years of hep C and I can't be bothered anymore with people that can't see what ain't good for them and rise above it.
Subtract the estimated number of MAGA in North America from the total population before considering saturation of Thinking About. The MAGA critters are not part of the audience. OTOH, remember that they are performing for their human audience.
Emily, the point that you made reflecting on HCR's thinking about modes of communication was paramount. In addition, I would not call the historical depth of Timothy Snyder's piece relating it the destruction of the Rule of Law as employed by Robert Martin, Jr., 'preaching to the choir'. As we report and share knowledge with one another, our audience may be small at the start, but that is simply the beginning. We start where we can and work toward spreading the truth.
Unfortunately our history is pretty clear on our perennial short-sightedness. It began with our original Constitution which was meant to design a nation based on principles of individual freedom and individual rights which at the same time allowed the existence of slavery. We have been paying for that lack of foresight ever since.
There have been others, although IMO none so blatantly lacking foresight. Some, like the Second Amendment would be proven problematic not by original intent, but only by advances in weapons technology.
Others, like the Electoral College would prove a problem only once our ossified binary political party system became fully operational in the 1830’s, a development the Founder knew to be dangerous, but which they then actually initiated.
We tend to live almost entirely in the present, which is an ancient weakness of democratic states. The result is periodic episodes of past lessons not learned and futures not sufficiently contemplated. In the end, we usually have to have our noses rubbed in our mistakes before we acknowledge their existence. Trumpism is a classic case. Anyone who knew anything about his past in New York City would never have been surprised by what he’s doing now. Indeed, for him, the presidency is little more than a real estate deal to benefit him.
Trump is showing us just these weaknesses you describe...with help. He assembled a cabal including people that formed around him like magnets. Barnacles.
I think this is one of his great skills. All con men are skilled at identifying the mark. He knows who will sacrifice their principles for getting close to power. That's their weakness and he sees it and exploits it.
Yes- excuse me for going on...I believe Trump has been testing this method out for many years and is how he rose. He knows people's weaknesses. As J. Quinn says above he learned over the years the flaws and openings in the system or has "advisors" who schooled him. He has vetted practiced liars working for him. He has a cabinet full of them.
When I think of you, your wife, and friend, moving to Toronto, I feel a cold icy dagger in my heart. My husband and I have a saying, "Is it time to put down our fork?" This is based on our friends’ German Jewish grandparents, who did just that, and left Nazi Germany.
In November 2016, my husband was retiring from his psychiatry practice in Boston, and we rented an apartment in Toronto. We stayed for several years, but with only a half time work permit (long story), many meetings with an immigration attorney, issues with taxes for both countries, and lack of medical insurance, we gave up living in a place we loved. In retrospect, maybe we should have worked harder to stay.
Trump copies a lot from the Russian experience. Pravda, "truth" - in Russian, was the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Today, Trump runs Truthsocial.
To readers: the complete request for a Disciplinary Investigation of Edward Robert Martin, Jr., by the Society for the Rule of Law, see the link below. The link is to the organization, including its mission its leaders and principles, etc.
From: Society for the Rule of Law
'Original Content'
'Request for Disciplinary Investigation of Edward Robert Martin, Jr.'
'April 14, 2025'
'Office of Disciplinary Counsel
District of Columbia Court of Appeals
515 5th Street N.W.
Building A, Suite 117
Washington, D.C. 20001'
'To the Disciplinary Counsel:'
'We are a group of attorneys dedicated to the protection of the rule of law in Washington, D.C. and beyond. Several of us previously served as Justice Department attorneys. We write today to urge you to investigate Edward R. Martin, Jr.’s violations of the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct and subject him to appropriate sanction. Mr. Martin is a member of the D.C. Bar (Member No. 481866) and has, since January of this year, served as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.'.
'Mr. Martin’s position is one of enormous responsibility, and one whose work ranges from prosecuting local crime in the District to leading important national security investigations and prosecutions. He has used his brief time in office to demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding of the role of a federal prosecutor, announcing investigations against his political opponents, aiding defendants he previously represented, and communicating improperly with those he did not. These actions are not worthy of the Department of Justice, undermine the Constitutional guarantee of equal protection of law, and violate Mr. Martin’s professional obligations.'
'1. Investigations Against Political Opponents'
'Mr. Martin has made multiple public statements that suggested he was criminally investigating perceived political enemies of himself and the President, or would soon do so:'
'In a series of letters to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Mr. Martin sought “clarification” on certain of the Senate leader’s statements that, according to Mr. Martin, “many found threatening.” Mr. Martin subsequently wrote that “Your cooperation is more important than ever to complete this inquiry before any action is taken. I remind you: no one is above the law.” [1]'
'After Politico reported that the law firm Covington & Burling had given legal advice to former Special Counsel Jack Smith, Mr. Martin tweeted “Save your receipts, Smith and Covington. We’ll be in touch soon. #NoOneIsAboveTheLaw.” [2]'
'In a tweet to Elon Musk promising to prosecute those who impeded the work of the “Department of Government Efficiency,” Mr. Martin promised to chase “to the end[s] of the Earth” those who have “broken the law or even acted simply unethically,” adding “Noone [sic] is above the law.” [3] Needless to say, Mr. Martin has no authority to prosecute those who commit no crime but who simply act, in his view, unethically.'
'In a letter to the dean of Georgetown Law School, Mr. Martin wrote that “It has come to my attention reliably that Georgetown Law School continues to teach and promote DEI [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion]. This is unacceptable. I have begun an inquiry into this . . . .” [4]
'In a letter to Democratic Representative Eugene Vindman, Mr. Martin asked for “clarification” about the congressman’s personal finances. [5] Similarly, in a letter to Democratic Representative Robert Garcia, Mr. Martin asked for “clarification” about statements the congressman made in opposition to Elon Musk. [6]'
'Mr. Martin’s investigations into perceived opponents of this administration do not appear to be coincidental.' (Society for THE RULE OF LAW) See link below.
While reading this essay, I kept thinking of the profound 'personal attachment' Trump's accolytes seem to have for him. It seems almost like jealousy. It's obsessive and cloying. It's protective to the point of absurdity.
As portrayed in this essay, Ed Young and his ilk have an emotional attachment to Trump comparable to that of a religious zealot who would 'fight to the death' anyone who would blaspheme a personal savior and the savior's orthodoxy.
It appears to me that people like Ed Young and many MAGAs find deep personal meaning in a worshipful relationship to a leader - one who they think has righteous power - even power over life and death. The depth of this 'belief' in a leader is an existential one. It is a matter of life and death, thereby their unwavering loyalty. It gives them meaning. And this is why we need to be en garde.
It's shocking, as is the conversion of "weaponization" from an allegation to a government department in a few short months. The through line from the hacking of the DNC's emails, to Guccifer 2 (Russian operative(s)), Pizzagate, to QAnon, to Frazzeldrip, to "the Steal," to Haitians eating pets is not hard to discern.
why does the MSM not cover any of this - why is MSM around anyway - this is unbelievable, thank god we have you Prof Snyder to keep us aware and abreast of all of this crap!!!
They won't be around for long. As Tim Miller put it yesterday, in his pod on CBS News' CEO resigning yesterday, linear TV - content is broadcast on specific channels at scheduled times - is dying. So is CBS News.
This is what stuns me most: are lawyers not responsible - by virtue of passing the Bar Exam and getting licensed - for upholding the law, not perverting it? Are there no consequences when they practice in what seems to be blatantly illegal ways? In every other professional job that requires a license (I’m in healthcare) we have a clear code of ethics. Not adhering to it can result in losing our license. We are required to uphold best practice standards to the best of our ability. Not doing so can result in losing our license. We are required to do everything possible to prevent harm. Not doing do can result in losing our license. Can attorneys just play fast and loose with the law, choosing not only to ignore it, but violate it? This is clearly what every lawyer associated with this regime is doing. This is appalling.
There are a few cases where Trump's lawyers have gone before Bar Association boards and lost their bar license - Kenneth Chesebro, John Eastman, Rudy Giuliani, and Jenna Ellis. It took a long time for those cases to get to them. They are afforded a lot of due process and that takes time. For this tranche of lawyers, it's going to take time for a complaint to be filed and investigated. Stay tuned.
Edited to add: "Request for Disciplinary Investigation of Edward Robert Martin, Jr." (https://societyfortheruleoflaw.org/ed-martin-complaint/).
This Boomer understands your perspective as my household has nearly a century of healthcare experience between my deceased Soulmate & myself ➕huge history buffs traveling worldwide retracing steps of many. One of Nikita Khrushchev’s quips he shared with Mau of China when I was in grade school during the 50’s telling him that 🇺🇸folks are gullible & can be defeated without ever firing a shot. Decades later propaganda & masterful manipulation by the Elected Leaders who’ve long ago Abdicated their Oath to Framers’🇺🇸& Constitution for Power & Profits I will not 🛑 fighting for my great grandchildren who’re now in grade school, 4th, 6th & 7th grade. Daily sending emails or calling
☎️202 224 3121 while preparing for next Protests. 3.5% is Our target to be reached & maintained. As of May Citizens 348 Billion ✖️3.5%🟰12.25 Million. #KeepGoing Together We Can Keep Speaking/StandingUP🗽
We do not have 348 billion citizens in the US.
What a surprise. Even more surprising: that a commenter should fail to look at the arithmetic, which tends to show that there was a (silly) misprint of a B for an M. Did your experience in the court, mentioned below have any arithmetic involved? One hopes not.
I wouldn't worry about it.
I worked in the courts and have seen lawyers disbarred. Thing is, because they are sworn officers of the court, there has to be a process to remove them, and that includes conclusive evidence showing negligence. It's like trying to impeach a president, both slow and arduous, and quite difficult. Most attorneys are pretty honest, in my opinion. Yes, lawyers have a code of ethics. There are also disciplinary committees that not only have the power to disbar bad lawyers, but also to censure, suspend and fine them for misconduct.
To be sure, R Giuliani was disbarred for massive breaches of legal ethics. For an example, though I don't think it was on the official list, he made a conspicuous breach of legal ethics on national TV when he went in front of the cameras before a judicial hearing to deliver some lies to the press, and then went into the courtroom and answered an "Are you saying that..." question with "Oh no, Your Honor" which he repeated when the judge asked him again. IPOF, IANAL, and I thought that was a clever if despicable thing, till I found out that this is a breach of the ethics in the state in which it was committed (his own New York in fact).
Putin's KGB experience left him with a strong impression that US attorney-client privilege is a near-perfect setting for Russian spy-craft. Putin likes his handlers to be US attorneys. Fascinating that the FBI raid on attorney Michael Cohen's office turned up only two clients, Donald Trump and Sean Hannity. Apparently Trump and Hannity are a Russian KGB-side cell of two. Infer Russia has been interested in regulations for the US legal profession for decades. Yes, USA has a Russia problem and your comment cuts to the heart of it.
You think Cohen was working with Russians? Hes on Substack, why don't you ask him? Good grief.
It's remarkably naive to think asking a person if they spy for Russia can evoke a trustworthy answer; obviously I think attorney Michael Cohen serviced Trump and Hannity for Russia.
It's also remarkably disingenuous to claim that Cohen "serviced" anyone "for Russia."
Adjacent topic: What do you make of Stormy Daniels? Is she part of the Russia story?
Whether it's sleeper agent Krasnov (a spin on the Russian for "red" which can also mean "gaudy") since the 1980s when he first visited Moscow, or huge real estate deals in Florida he facilitated for Russian tycoons, or massive DeutscheBank loans underwritten by Russian shadow oligarchs that saved his ass from multiple bankruptcies, or Paul Manafort's mysterious GOP-Kremlin-Yanukovych ties, or for services rendered to trash Hillary enough in 2016 to skew the electoral needle for him, or those still missing pee-pee tapes, or just because he so wants to be a big, bad, feared man the way his Kremlin idol is, or something we don't yet even know about, or a combination of any or all of the above --- one day we're going to find out the answer to Speaker Pelosi's famous October 2019 question delivered right to his face: "why is it with you all paths end with Putin?"
Russia is also a problem for the EU, where I am currently living, although I will be in the US this summer. The EU is going to be imposing new sanctions on Russia, although Hungary will have to be dealt with and the US is not going to impose new sanctions on Russia.
I can tell you Trump is not everyone's favorite person here in the EU. Although the AfD here in Germany has decided now that they are not going to be so focused on Russia, and more on the USA. Trump and the true Nazis that he belongs too, and hangs with in the US too.
So much now depends on Europe, Linda.
Maybe America can get its act together, but I don't see U.S. Dems arousing from their massive collective impotence anytime soon. They need to get very angry at the betrayals of the MAGA fascists, the conniving with that by so many billionaires all schooled to their living dead commercialism only.
Europeans must know that the Putin agenda targets all on that continent west of Russia's current oligarchy-and-murder-land. Can European democracies arm Ukraine to make up for the criminal regime now in Washington not standing by allies anymore? Can schools in Europe put extra infusions of European humanities into them, and beefed-up essay writing programs to model respect for individuals, for "others" everywhere there?
Right now the EU is trying to pass new sanctions on Russia, without the US. They are hampered by the fact that Orban, like Trump is in bed with Putin. I am hoping that a work-around can be found.
Robert Hubbell points out today that you can be in the US and not active at all, and you can be abroad and very active in resistance, and that is is not place that matters so much as action. I know that Democrats Abroad as an organization is active and so we are organizing demonstrations around the world to support our fellow Americans, as well as calling, and writing to our elected representatives on all sorts of bills, protesting Tesla and other actions, as well as continually trying to get Americans Abroad to register to vote.
Europeans are in a big fight for democracy, and some countries are winning out just by having normal conservative governments, not right-wing conservative governments in power. It is great news about Romania, Center right holds in Portugal but far right makes gains, and we shall see with Poland in the beginning of June when they have their run-off election. However, as it stands the EU area is pretty much united behind Ukraine. Also, European countries are arming Ukraine and themselves, but the transition will not happen overnight. So, we shall see what happens. I know that Ukraine is open to meeting in the Vatican for peace talks. Let us see if Putin will snub the new Pope.
Thank you. Why is the MSM so afraid of telling this story? Haven’t they seem enough?
Mainstream media fail, Carol, because most there got the same bad educations.
Don't get me wrong. These are most clever boys and girls. But since the Powell memo's far right foundations gutted U.S. schools -- voided humanities near totally -- their replacement dynamic, testing, has in that proportion taken over.
Testing stresses categorical, abstracted, group thinking. Examples from novels, memoirs, histories, biographies, and essay collection go missing -- the human, the personal, the varied goes missing.
We have now in all high places clever, group-attuned, linear-causal thinking grads of and for the meritocracy. Totally out of touch with what happened to middle America, working class America. Around the world, similar types have learned by active campaigns to hate "others" not of their group. So many are now totally geared to locked-in, provincial zombie careerism. To seeing life as a place where one gets maximum points, as on those tests, regardless of how empty one becomes in the process.
Yes, as Timothy Snyder concludes here, "the attempt to make America authoritarian is part of a tawdry global trend." But this heavily involves the schools of the world also in thrall to testing's conceits, absent the humane resources on which democracies depend.
I'm not sure it is that simple, but the salient points are well noted. I always try to connect behavior with the neuroscience we are only discovering in detail.
Binary thinking and Us/Them categorization map readily to our brains tendencies, for instance. Which aligns with your observation of how a focus on tests has narrowed goals in education.
The way wealth translates into power cannot be ignored, however. And with that, how material success is confused with merit.
A poor person cannot be intelligent. We cannot feel good and be effective socially, politically, unless we have the accoutrement of success.
Values thus corrupted accept corruption of all kinds too readily.
I am by no means content with these explanations alone, but I do feel making formal education too strongly the cause partakes to some extent of the same linear causality you have identified as part of the problem. Let us all strive, as you put it so well, to be original, unpredictable, and rife with reference and depth of personal examples!
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
I think people are reading into the name "Krasnov" too literally. I offer a different take: there was a famous Russian named Krasnov, from The Don area of Russia (which dovetails with Trump's nicknames), who believed Russia should look to the East for alliances instead of the West.
Thanks, that makes sense. I didn't know about that Krasnov and the "Don."
Craig Unger's book 'American Kompromat'
The Russians love historical references more than literal translations. They're always looking to the past to chart the future.
Dear Professor Snyder, as much as I appreciate your critical contributions, I fear that sooner or later you will become a target of Trump's authoritarianism. All the more I appreciate your courage and steadfastness.
Don’t forget that Prof Snyder is no longer living in the US.
This guy skipped out because he could and lectures the rest of us to step up.
He's physically in the U.S. very often yet, James -- exposing himself still.
https://www.meditationsinanemergency.com/staying-with-the-trouble-is-not-necessarily-about-geography/?ref=meditations-in-an-emergency-newsletter
Well said. Yes, Putin has decisively won the culture and propaganda war against the USA and the diminished Ed Martin has played a key role. Yet, to do so, Putin has had to elevate the weakest of Americans, such as Trump, Martin, Gabbard and Patel. However, beginning with the clearly calculated attack on Zelenskyy in the Oval Office by Trump and Vance (another deeply moronic and failed character) the US has slid from super power to a mid level state with a weak currency, bad credit and a soon to be terrible economy. Add to that a drunk defense Secretary weeding out military leadership assets and compromising soldiers lives, and badly losing a war started by him against the Houthis (or maybe Who This?)
To the extent that Putin is puppeteering Trumps wielding of American power, that power is sliding, alone and easily exploited by countries like China and Canada who can manipulate US credit. US power, badly played, has only amplified Putin’s failed war in the Ukraine and uplifted Zelenskyy status worldwide wide. Rather than Russia being uplifted by American power, the USA has been downdrafted to the Russian economy and pariah world statehood.
Canada? Can you say more?
The Canadian Prime Minister is a banker who’s moved government investing into US debt. You’ll notice very little Trump on Canada since the Oval Office meeting immediately after the Canadian election.
Trump engineered what led to the Moody's downgrade, which will raise interest on US debt. Why blame Canada for taking advantage?
I’m not blaming Canada. And I’m glad they’ve made a smart move.
So you're saying he moved his investing after the Trump meeting? Do you have a credible source on this?
He took advantage of the bond market after replacing Trudeau as PM, several weeks before that meeting
OK on the timing. But I don’t understand investing in the US under Trump. Ed Elson said on Tim’s pod that large institutional players are rotating out of US equities, by their largest margin ever and they’re going into Europe. See https://www.thebulwark.com/p/time-to-bet-against-america-w-ed at around 00:36:00.
Equities are different from buying and selling debt
Here’s one show of loyalty that Trump is not expecting. Organizers at rallies can start leading crowds in reciting this PEOPLE’S OATH (#PeoplesOath2025) similar to the one federal officers, Congress, and the military take. Make videos of yourself and friends saying the Oath, and post them everywhere:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the civic responsibilities expected of every American. (So help me God.)”
https://youtu.be/k4oRrbVF4f4?si=T4ekprrahQVX-V0I
The spectacle of thousands making a commitment that GOP members of Congress and Trump's cabinet have repudiated with their silence will astonish and inspire the country. MAGA Republicans will have no answer.
Fabulous suggestion. Let's try to make it happen en masse on June 14th.
Glad that this resonates!
Are you connected with a local chapter of any of the coordinating umbrella organizations (Indivisible, 50501, Women’s March, etc.)?
I'm connected with Indivisible.
I'll start to spread the idea of the group recitation of the oath of office--on other Substacks, and at the online Indivisible meetings I attend.
It's a vivid image-- more powerful than the usual chants. A truly common cause. Citizens becoming 'officers' protecting the Constitution. I really do love it.
To be a democrat, one must learn to love a constant state of political conversation with the idea that it will, somehow, arc toward equity and justice. Unfortunately, within democratic states there are always those who prefer fiat in the place of conversation. They simply don’t like the sheer messiness and its partner, a varying but constant state of inefficiency.
Democracy is far more a journey than it is a destination. But in Trump’s view, it is only the destination that counts, that of his accumulation of as much power as he can grasp, complete freedom from consequence, and as much acceptance and adoration as possible. It is the very definition of kingship, either secular or theological.
Excellent! Democracy as a journey. The founding fathers fully realized the fragility of what they built.
Trump has to grasp enough power to protect himself. His ''sickness" is that he wants more and more. This country is not going to be enough. It makes one think of that dictator we defeated during WW2.
Democracy is a means rather than a journey in this case. Democracy cannot or does not protect itself well. These are scary times. Many do not seem to either want democracy or know what it means or requires.
Someone has probably already mentioned this but there is a minor correction needed.
"Martin claimed that US intelligence was wrong about the coming full-scale US invasion of Ukraine," I think that should be "Russian" invasion, not US.
Yes, he needs a proof-reader.
YES! correct that error!
Yes, I had to reread that sentence a couple times, too, to make sure I didn't misread it. I think TS is putting out huge quantities of material right now, so I expect some minor errors. He definitely needs help, though.
Excellent and informative. You may have covered this elsewhere: when did Republicans stop subscribing to the idea that Russia was our #1 enemy? In the 50s they said “Better dead than red.” Reagan called Russia/the USSR “the evil empire.” Maybe I’m wrong but it seems like the softening on -now smooching with- Russia started when the GOP chose to cal itself Red and Democrats Blue. Thanks!
It's more to do with a shift over the past 30 years in the GOP, from "conservative values" that still aligned with Constitutional principles, to a kind of pure political cynicism based on power and profit. The current Republican MAGA leadership faction is simply fed up with democracy, its slow ways, its fair goals, its essential humanism.
I do belive, howevr, that the decline got underway under Reagan. After Nixon, when their guy screwed up royally, was caught, and they supported his impoeachment,the party seemed to stop being on the level.
Unfortunately you are preaching to a small choir. I have no doubt and you are making clear that Trump probably is a Russian asset.
However your audience is sadly a small fraction of the American universe. There is an instagram account that interviews people on the street of New York. They are stumped by questions like, how many states are there and how many dimes in a dollar. I’m sure he posts the dimmest of bulbs, but there are a lot of them. A similar account interviews Trump voters, many of whom are flat-earthers.
When the hurricanes, torrential rains, floods and tornadoes don’t stop and FEMA is a no show and your insurance companies have beat feet, maybe they will get a clue.
When I last looked, Tim Snyder had about 400,000 Substack subscribers. Number of followers not reported. Snyder is a thought leader and activist who also tirelessly communicates using other media, including television. I think his voice is increasing the size of the choir more than it is preaching to it. I am grateful for it.
I am not denigrating Professor Snyder. Not at all. He a brave and erudite warrior. However 400k though a significant number is only about .0013 of our population.
Which is:
The average American adult reads at approximately an eighth-grade level. However, it's important to note that a significant portion of the population, including nearly one in five adults, struggles to comprehend text at even a fourth-grade level, and a substantial number experience difficulty with more complex materials.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Average Reading Level:
Studies suggest the average reading level for adults in the U.S. is around the eighth-grade level.
Low Literacy:
Approximately 54% of American adults read below a sixth-grade level, and nearly 1 in 5 reads below a third-grade level.
Difficulty with Complex Text:
A significant percentage of adults (47%) experience difficulty with complex or lengthy texts, highlighting a gap between basic literacy skills and the ability to process more demanding reading materials.
Impact on Well-being:
Low literacy is linked to various challenges, including difficulties in accessing healthcare, navigating the financial system, and achieving economic mobility.
If it is any consolation, the French Revolution was started by the wealthy upper middle and intellectual classes.
MY TAKE. Professors influence and inform many. Their job is to teach. Then, what they taught is taught by others. Facts spread just as lies do. It’s our challenge to do the former as often as we can. Respectfully,
It’s a good one.
What two things that encouraged me, and I have mentioned them before, was a small cabal, if you will of educated wealthy men fomented the French Revolution and when people realize that Trump has left them to completely fend for themselves, while losing their homes, jobs and medical care, there, I hope will be a sea change.
I hope that by that time we still have the power to make that change. People need to understand now--that life is right around the corner. If that can even be called a life.
Thanks very much for these stats Sharon. They have helped convince me again on:
1- what sort of a population could fall for Trump as a candidate, much less a president, and
2- why such a population is not worth helping out of its misery.
And all this time I thought I should be doing them a favor by caring! To me, this is just George Bush II "keep your head down till it's blown over" years all over again. As always:
"It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere." Voltaire
I live in a blue collar town in the blue state of RI. My husband was an engineering professor and I am an artist. Moved here for the house. The talk radio host greeted the election of Trump like the second coming of Christ. They did vote for Harris by a tiny margin. However the political signs here were all for Trump and for the election against Clinton. I stumped for Bernie and to a person the people wanted either Bernie or Trump. Our town went for Bernie in the primaries even though Bill Clinton visited our senior center. .
I can pretty much grok an election from here. If they don’t put up someone who speaks their language or they feel is a phony they will lose. Harris was too highfalutin and a result of Biden’s intransigence.
It’s easy to cluck cluck in unison in University towns.
Yes I believe it and I frankly, at 68, am finally able to absolve myself from not being able to "wise up" the huge swaths of this population. I have probably done more independent "social studying" of many different populations through history and they all have a consistent profile. I think there was a window in the 1940- 50's where Americans were truly more educated as a whole, but especially with the advent of mass electronic media which everyone became quickly addicted to and used as their life-cue card we started sliding again. My dad used to moan about it in the 1970's. So now we have this. And if the Dems can't be smart enough to come up with even a decent actor to "speak the lingo" then there's no hope for them. But slaves deserve what they get if they insist on remaining slaves. I survived 35 years of hep C and I can't be bothered anymore with people that can't see what ain't good for them and rise above it.
Subtract the estimated number of MAGA in North America from the total population before considering saturation of Thinking About. The MAGA critters are not part of the audience. OTOH, remember that they are performing for their human audience.
Remember, as HCR says, “The choir sings.”
Emily, the point that you made reflecting on HCR's thinking about modes of communication was paramount. In addition, I would not call the historical depth of Timothy Snyder's piece relating it the destruction of the Rule of Law as employed by Robert Martin, Jr., 'preaching to the choir'. As we report and share knowledge with one another, our audience may be small at the start, but that is simply the beginning. We start where we can and work toward spreading the truth.
Such an important, most thoughtful article. Thank you!
What does it take to warn Americans of the danger? And that for the past 10 years.
Unfortunately our history is pretty clear on our perennial short-sightedness. It began with our original Constitution which was meant to design a nation based on principles of individual freedom and individual rights which at the same time allowed the existence of slavery. We have been paying for that lack of foresight ever since.
There have been others, although IMO none so blatantly lacking foresight. Some, like the Second Amendment would be proven problematic not by original intent, but only by advances in weapons technology.
Others, like the Electoral College would prove a problem only once our ossified binary political party system became fully operational in the 1830’s, a development the Founder knew to be dangerous, but which they then actually initiated.
We tend to live almost entirely in the present, which is an ancient weakness of democratic states. The result is periodic episodes of past lessons not learned and futures not sufficiently contemplated. In the end, we usually have to have our noses rubbed in our mistakes before we acknowledge their existence. Trumpism is a classic case. Anyone who knew anything about his past in New York City would never have been surprised by what he’s doing now. Indeed, for him, the presidency is little more than a real estate deal to benefit him.
A good comment- as usual.
Trump is showing us just these weaknesses you describe...with help. He assembled a cabal including people that formed around him like magnets. Barnacles.
I think this is one of his great skills. All con men are skilled at identifying the mark. He knows who will sacrifice their principles for getting close to power. That's their weakness and he sees it and exploits it.
Yes- excuse me for going on...I believe Trump has been testing this method out for many years and is how he rose. He knows people's weaknesses. As J. Quinn says above he learned over the years the flaws and openings in the system or has "advisors" who schooled him. He has vetted practiced liars working for him. He has a cabinet full of them.
James Quinn: Really appreciate your and, of course, Dr. Snyder's historical perspective. Well said and thank you both!
They have to be personally harmed by it.
When I think of you, your wife, and friend, moving to Toronto, I feel a cold icy dagger in my heart. My husband and I have a saying, "Is it time to put down our fork?" This is based on our friends’ German Jewish grandparents, who did just that, and left Nazi Germany.
In November 2016, my husband was retiring from his psychiatry practice in Boston, and we rented an apartment in Toronto. We stayed for several years, but with only a half time work permit (long story), many meetings with an immigration attorney, issues with taxes for both countries, and lack of medical insurance, we gave up living in a place we loved. In retrospect, maybe we should have worked harder to stay.
Trump copies a lot from the Russian experience. Pravda, "truth" - in Russian, was the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Today, Trump runs Truthsocial.
To readers: the complete request for a Disciplinary Investigation of Edward Robert Martin, Jr., by the Society for the Rule of Law, see the link below. The link is to the organization, including its mission its leaders and principles, etc.
From: Society for the Rule of Law
'Original Content'
'Request for Disciplinary Investigation of Edward Robert Martin, Jr.'
'April 14, 2025'
'Office of Disciplinary Counsel
District of Columbia Court of Appeals
515 5th Street N.W.
Building A, Suite 117
Washington, D.C. 20001'
'To the Disciplinary Counsel:'
'We are a group of attorneys dedicated to the protection of the rule of law in Washington, D.C. and beyond. Several of us previously served as Justice Department attorneys. We write today to urge you to investigate Edward R. Martin, Jr.’s violations of the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct and subject him to appropriate sanction. Mr. Martin is a member of the D.C. Bar (Member No. 481866) and has, since January of this year, served as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.'.
'Mr. Martin’s position is one of enormous responsibility, and one whose work ranges from prosecuting local crime in the District to leading important national security investigations and prosecutions. He has used his brief time in office to demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding of the role of a federal prosecutor, announcing investigations against his political opponents, aiding defendants he previously represented, and communicating improperly with those he did not. These actions are not worthy of the Department of Justice, undermine the Constitutional guarantee of equal protection of law, and violate Mr. Martin’s professional obligations.'
'1. Investigations Against Political Opponents'
'Mr. Martin has made multiple public statements that suggested he was criminally investigating perceived political enemies of himself and the President, or would soon do so:'
'In a series of letters to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Mr. Martin sought “clarification” on certain of the Senate leader’s statements that, according to Mr. Martin, “many found threatening.” Mr. Martin subsequently wrote that “Your cooperation is more important than ever to complete this inquiry before any action is taken. I remind you: no one is above the law.” [1]'
'After Politico reported that the law firm Covington & Burling had given legal advice to former Special Counsel Jack Smith, Mr. Martin tweeted “Save your receipts, Smith and Covington. We’ll be in touch soon. #NoOneIsAboveTheLaw.” [2]'
'In a tweet to Elon Musk promising to prosecute those who impeded the work of the “Department of Government Efficiency,” Mr. Martin promised to chase “to the end[s] of the Earth” those who have “broken the law or even acted simply unethically,” adding “Noone [sic] is above the law.” [3] Needless to say, Mr. Martin has no authority to prosecute those who commit no crime but who simply act, in his view, unethically.'
'In a letter to the dean of Georgetown Law School, Mr. Martin wrote that “It has come to my attention reliably that Georgetown Law School continues to teach and promote DEI [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion]. This is unacceptable. I have begun an inquiry into this . . . .” [4]
'In a letter to Democratic Representative Eugene Vindman, Mr. Martin asked for “clarification” about the congressman’s personal finances. [5] Similarly, in a letter to Democratic Representative Robert Garcia, Mr. Martin asked for “clarification” about statements the congressman made in opposition to Elon Musk. [6]'
'Mr. Martin’s investigations into perceived opponents of this administration do not appear to be coincidental.' (Society for THE RULE OF LAW) See link below.
https://societyfortheruleoflaw.org/ed-martin-complaint/
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
While reading this essay, I kept thinking of the profound 'personal attachment' Trump's accolytes seem to have for him. It seems almost like jealousy. It's obsessive and cloying. It's protective to the point of absurdity.
As portrayed in this essay, Ed Young and his ilk have an emotional attachment to Trump comparable to that of a religious zealot who would 'fight to the death' anyone who would blaspheme a personal savior and the savior's orthodoxy.
It appears to me that people like Ed Young and many MAGAs find deep personal meaning in a worshipful relationship to a leader - one who they think has righteous power - even power over life and death. The depth of this 'belief' in a leader is an existential one. It is a matter of life and death, thereby their unwavering loyalty. It gives them meaning. And this is why we need to be en garde.
It’s like a cult.
It's shocking, as is the conversion of "weaponization" from an allegation to a government department in a few short months. The through line from the hacking of the DNC's emails, to Guccifer 2 (Russian operative(s)), Pizzagate, to QAnon, to Frazzeldrip, to "the Steal," to Haitians eating pets is not hard to discern.
why does the MSM not cover any of this - why is MSM around anyway - this is unbelievable, thank god we have you Prof Snyder to keep us aware and abreast of all of this crap!!!
They won't be around for long. As Tim Miller put it yesterday, in his pod on CBS News' CEO resigning yesterday, linear TV - content is broadcast on specific channels at scheduled times - is dying. So is CBS News.