I get it that Donald Trump wants people who supported him in his cabinet. Every president does. Trump had more than 76 million people, the total number who voted for him, to choose from. Here’s my question: Don’t you think that in that huge pool of supporters, Trump could have found at least two people who have not been accused of sexual offenses to put in the enormously important positions of Secretary of Defense and Attorney General?
Didn't Caligula appoint a horse as a Senator? So nobody should be surprised when this equally sick monster wants to show the world he can do any crazy shit he wants and nobody can do anything about it. We can only hope that Trump comes to the same end reported by Claudius.
No, Caligula didn't appoint his favorite horse Incitatus as a senator, but he did imply the horse could do as good a job as some members of the Senate!
Incitatus (Latin pronunciation: [ɪŋkɪˈtaːtʊs]; meaning "swift" or "at full gallop") was the favourite horse of Roman Emperor Caligula (r. 37–41 AD). According to legend, Caligula planned to make the horse a consul, although ancient sources are clear that this did not occur. Supposedly, Incitatus had 18 servants for himself, he lived in a marble stable, walked in a harness decorated with rare and special stones/jewels, and dressed in purple (the colour of royalty) and ate from an ivory manger.
Legend
According to Suetonius, in the Lives of the Twelve Caesars (121 AD), Caligula planned to make Incitatus a consul,[1] and the horse would "invite" dignitaries to dine with him in a house outfitted with servants there to entertain such events. Suetonius also wrote that the horse had a stable of marble, with an ivory manger, purple blankets and a collar of precious stones.
Cassius Dio (165–235 AD) indicated that the horse was attended by servants and was fed oats mixed with gold flake,[2] and that Caligula made the horse a priest.[3]
Historical accuracy
The accuracy of the received history is generally questioned. Historians such as Anthony A. Barrett suggest that later Roman chroniclers such as Suetonius and Dio Cassius were influenced by the political situation of their own times, when it may have been useful to the current emperors to discredit the earlier Julio-Claudian emperors. Also, the lurid nature of the story added spice to their narratives and won them additional readers.
Scholars suggest that the treatment of Incitatus by Caligula was an elaborate prank intended to ridicule and provoke the Senate, rather than a sign of insanity, or was perhaps a form of satire with the implication that a horse could perform a senator's duties.[4]
Barrett noted, "Many stories were spread about Incitatus, originating most likely from Caligula's own humorous quips... [p]ossibly out of perverted sense of humor Caligula would pour libations to Incitatus' salus [health and well-being], and claimed that he intended to co-opt him as his priest."[5]
Ancient sources are clear that the horse was never made a consul.[6]
All true. However, in this case we do not need to wait for revisionist historians. to gild the turd. The first draft is already available in our daily papers, and it's not only damning, It's repulsive.
“Hope it’s wrong,” Whelan wrote on X Wednesday, “but I’m hearing through the grapevine about this bonkers plan: Trump would adjourn both Houses of Congress under Article II, section 3, and then recess-appoint his Cabinet.”
Two wonderful novels by Robert Graves: "I, Claudius", and "Claudius, the God". Graves, a poet and wounded WW1 British officer wrote them under financial pressure. His autobiography "Goodbye To All That" states that a pal couldn't repay a loan; Graves was newly married and had counted on that money...so he asked himself, "What can I do?"
The Masterpiece Theatre production of I, Claudius (which combines both of Graves' works) with Derek Jacobi in the lead role was one of the more amazing memories of my youth. John Hurt played Caligula, and a cast of notable British actors filled out the cast: Siân Phillips (Livia,) Brian Blessed (Augustus,) and Patrick Stewart (with hair!) as Sejanus, George Baker as Tiberius and John Rhys-Davis as Macro. I reread both of Graves' Claudian novels every so often.
Tell your friends that if they subscribe to Acorn, they can see it without further charge. Apple+, Amazon, etc., charge rental fees.
BTW The MacArthur Foundation of Genius Grant fame would send to any public library that asked, a complete VHS set for free. Did they replace them with DVD? Mine did not.
It's very simple - Hegseth wants women out of the military. Gaetz just wants to avoid prosecution, like Trump. Perverted white men will rule. I'm terrified.
Keep your composure and when you are approached by a Maga-pervert keep waking and say to yourself: "Not tonight dear, I have a headache." Some thing goes with the evening news: "Not tonight dear, I have a headache!"
I'm 74 years old and am not likely to be approached by a MAGA pervert! But I stay away from them as a matter of principle, including former friends lost to the right-wing sewer. They are dead to me.
I am staying the hell away from them too.Today we were at our local Sam’s Club and I found myself looking away from these shoppers as I knew damn well that they supported this monster if they had voted.I will never forget the peace and tranquility that I spent just a month ago visiting Ireland.Such a beautiful and clean place and kindness reigns supreme:
Your Sam's Club experience is countered by mine at Costco #1 in Seattle. It was during the HEIGHT of the Muslim Ban controversy. In a niche between two towering rows of Costco Shelves, by a loading door, three Muslims were on their knees, praying (how they knew which direction Mecca was from inside a Costco I can't imagine). Everyone just walked on by, smiling as they saw it, nodding to each other.
I am keeping away from public places as much as possible, even though I live in a blue town in a blue state with a blue governor and legislature and two Dem Senators. The assholes are everywhere. Wish I could flee the country, but I'm too old and poor to get out. Now I know how people in Germany felt as Hitler came to power - no longer an abstraction but cold, hard reality.
On the day of the election, a friend of mine posted a little reminiscence recalling how his parents got out of Czechoslovakia in the nick while most of the rest of their extended family did not. Of the latter, he asked the question: What did they know and when did they know it? Today, we have the benefit of these relatively recent events to inform our understanding of what we are watching unfold in America today. We cannot say, “We did not know.” The question we must now answer is, “What will we do?”
Take heart. Those people you're looking at who are crying about the price of groceries will pay even *higher* prices, because The Jerk doesn't understand tariffs. These same people may be doing without health care. And I don't care.
"A kakistocracy is a government run by the worst, least qualified, or most unscrupulous citizens. The word was coined as early as the seventeenth century. "
Gaetz and Hegseth are eactly the kind of compromised individuals who make great blackmail targets. I wonder what kind of kompromat the Russians have on them.
…individuals… engaged in WAS the kompromat. In the current RepubliKKKan environment, that’s a badge of achievement, not a negative behavior worthy of blackmail.
Trump has put Senate Republicans in a lose/lose situation. If they approve these assholes they will alienate the vast majority of their states. If they act responsibly and kick these assholes to the curb, they will face a primary challenge from a MAGA loon. Either way, they lose. Their pain is our sole consolation in these dark times.
Don't all their MAGA fanboys want to have the same sexual freedom as the leadership? These are role models, to a certain twisted mindset. Control of women's bodies implies access at the man's will as well as preventing necessary medical care. They want women submissive on demand and discarded afterwards.
I actually think both of them will withdraw before the hearings. Ditto the Russian tool. Even the Senate R's would not want all that dirt exposed by Democrats. D's may not be in the majority but they sure can make a stink.
If wishes were horses…beggars would ride! I’ll be the beggar. Saddle up! I don’t think even Donnie Darko and First lady Elon could get these clowns to get out of the clown car.
I think the job application reads like this--"Have you ever cheated on your spouse?', "Have you ever committed sexual assault" Answering "no" to either one disqualifies you for a position
In your family, this cliche has the opposite meaning … water seeks its own level. For the trmp crime family, that signals scum sucking bottom feeding sexually aberrant insensitive empathy free ugly ole horny toads. Definitely not Truscott folk.
And the other thing it leaves is an easy mark by our adversaries on any of the three, which has already occurred with Trump. I have wanted to believe for a long time that republicans would grow a spine, but I’m beginning to think total destruction will happen long before that does.
Leave out the sex stuff and concentrate on the important character and professional failures of DT's cabinet choices. Linda Fulcher says it. The fact that these choices are deliberate is what's dangerous and maddening.
Maddening is the goal. Don't tear your hair out, or "take the bait!" Once you're hooked on the fear, it's a long ride down! Just get out of the Amusement Park! The Joker is in town!
I predict they will be approved. Doubt there are 4 Republican senators that will stand up to MAGA. they seem to really want to sledgehammer the Federal Government.
Lindsay Graham’s response to criticism of the Gaetz nomination (and others) is “elections have consequences”. Um, no, Miss Lindsay. The American public has a right to expect a rigorous nominations process, with only qualified people in consideration. This is a circus and it’s still two months away from Jan. 20.
Well not necessarily so. Maybe G-d is around and he’s punishing us for all the terrible things we have done. I mean, if you look at our history, we’ve not been the nicest people you’d want to meet.
And then again, God could be "she." What a revelation if that is the case. Just think, eons of misogynistic thoughts and deeds; only to find out the by denigrating women, one is denigrating the Almighty. Just a thought.
Didn't Caligula appoint a horse as a Senator? So nobody should be surprised when this equally sick monster wants to show the world he can do any crazy shit he wants and nobody can do anything about it. We can only hope that Trump comes to the same end reported by Claudius.
Just an end please. Any end.
Good thought. Can we refer to himself as President Caligula now?
No, Caligula didn't appoint his favorite horse Incitatus as a senator, but he did imply the horse could do as good a job as some members of the Senate!
Incitatus (Latin pronunciation: [ɪŋkɪˈtaːtʊs]; meaning "swift" or "at full gallop") was the favourite horse of Roman Emperor Caligula (r. 37–41 AD). According to legend, Caligula planned to make the horse a consul, although ancient sources are clear that this did not occur. Supposedly, Incitatus had 18 servants for himself, he lived in a marble stable, walked in a harness decorated with rare and special stones/jewels, and dressed in purple (the colour of royalty) and ate from an ivory manger.
Legend
According to Suetonius, in the Lives of the Twelve Caesars (121 AD), Caligula planned to make Incitatus a consul,[1] and the horse would "invite" dignitaries to dine with him in a house outfitted with servants there to entertain such events. Suetonius also wrote that the horse had a stable of marble, with an ivory manger, purple blankets and a collar of precious stones.
Cassius Dio (165–235 AD) indicated that the horse was attended by servants and was fed oats mixed with gold flake,[2] and that Caligula made the horse a priest.[3]
Historical accuracy
The accuracy of the received history is generally questioned. Historians such as Anthony A. Barrett suggest that later Roman chroniclers such as Suetonius and Dio Cassius were influenced by the political situation of their own times, when it may have been useful to the current emperors to discredit the earlier Julio-Claudian emperors. Also, the lurid nature of the story added spice to their narratives and won them additional readers.
Scholars suggest that the treatment of Incitatus by Caligula was an elaborate prank intended to ridicule and provoke the Senate, rather than a sign of insanity, or was perhaps a form of satire with the implication that a horse could perform a senator's duties.[4]
Barrett noted, "Many stories were spread about Incitatus, originating most likely from Caligula's own humorous quips... [p]ossibly out of perverted sense of humor Caligula would pour libations to Incitatus' salus [health and well-being], and claimed that he intended to co-opt him as his priest."[5]
Ancient sources are clear that the horse was never made a consul.[6]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incitatus
All true. However, in this case we do not need to wait for revisionist historians. to gild the turd. The first draft is already available in our daily papers, and it's not only damning, It's repulsive.
So interesting. Makes me wonder what "jokes" Trump tells will be misconstrued, now and in the future.
Who knows to what degree historians can communicate the effect of his actual claims, like "they're eating the cats, they're eating the dogs"?
https://www.vox.com/politics/385884/trump-recess-appointments-cabinet-adjourn-senate-ed-whelan EXCERPT:
“Hope it’s wrong,” Whelan wrote on X Wednesday, “but I’m hearing through the grapevine about this bonkers plan: Trump would adjourn both Houses of Congress under Article II, section 3, and then recess-appoint his Cabinet.”
Two wonderful novels by Robert Graves: "I, Claudius", and "Claudius, the God". Graves, a poet and wounded WW1 British officer wrote them under financial pressure. His autobiography "Goodbye To All That" states that a pal couldn't repay a loan; Graves was newly married and had counted on that money...so he asked himself, "What can I do?"
So, knowing his Suetonius, he began to write...
The Masterpiece Theatre production of I, Claudius (which combines both of Graves' works) with Derek Jacobi in the lead role was one of the more amazing memories of my youth. John Hurt played Caligula, and a cast of notable British actors filled out the cast: Siân Phillips (Livia,) Brian Blessed (Augustus,) and Patrick Stewart (with hair!) as Sejanus, George Baker as Tiberius and John Rhys-Davis as Macro. I reread both of Graves' Claudian novels every so often.
Tell your friends that if they subscribe to Acorn, they can see it without further charge. Apple+, Amazon, etc., charge rental fees.
BTW The MacArthur Foundation of Genius Grant fame would send to any public library that asked, a complete VHS set for free. Did they replace them with DVD? Mine did not.
Actually it was Governor of a Province. Same effect.
Which province? I only see "Consul" and "Priest," while it seems Incitatus could handle a province, too, better than some!
Please, let him choke on KFC or a BigMac.
It's very simple - Hegseth wants women out of the military. Gaetz just wants to avoid prosecution, like Trump. Perverted white men will rule. I'm terrified.
Keep your composure and when you are approached by a Maga-pervert keep waking and say to yourself: "Not tonight dear, I have a headache." Some thing goes with the evening news: "Not tonight dear, I have a headache!"
I'm 74 years old and am not likely to be approached by a MAGA pervert! But I stay away from them as a matter of principle, including former friends lost to the right-wing sewer. They are dead to me.
It sure is a sewer.
I am staying the hell away from them too.Today we were at our local Sam’s Club and I found myself looking away from these shoppers as I knew damn well that they supported this monster if they had voted.I will never forget the peace and tranquility that I spent just a month ago visiting Ireland.Such a beautiful and clean place and kindness reigns supreme:
Your Sam's Club experience is countered by mine at Costco #1 in Seattle. It was during the HEIGHT of the Muslim Ban controversy. In a niche between two towering rows of Costco Shelves, by a loading door, three Muslims were on their knees, praying (how they knew which direction Mecca was from inside a Costco I can't imagine). Everyone just walked on by, smiling as they saw it, nodding to each other.
In King County, trump got 22.5 % of the vote.
I am keeping away from public places as much as possible, even though I live in a blue town in a blue state with a blue governor and legislature and two Dem Senators. The assholes are everywhere. Wish I could flee the country, but I'm too old and poor to get out. Now I know how people in Germany felt as Hitler came to power - no longer an abstraction but cold, hard reality.
On the day of the election, a friend of mine posted a little reminiscence recalling how his parents got out of Czechoslovakia in the nick while most of the rest of their extended family did not. Of the latter, he asked the question: What did they know and when did they know it? Today, we have the benefit of these relatively recent events to inform our understanding of what we are watching unfold in America today. We cannot say, “We did not know.” The question we must now answer is, “What will we do?”
Take heart. Those people you're looking at who are crying about the price of groceries will pay even *higher* prices, because The Jerk doesn't understand tariffs. These same people may be doing without health care. And I don't care.
I prefer your body my chainsaw!
I prefer your body, my trunk.
Good one!
Can these jokers find their way out of a paper bag? Doubt it...
Yes and it is always about the cruelty.
Sadism is in fashion.
My favorite word: KAKISTOCRACY
"A kakistocracy is a government run by the worst, least qualified, or most unscrupulous citizens. The word was coined as early as the seventeenth century. "
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakistocracy
I'm afraid to ask how that turned out. I'm afraid I already know.
Also known as "Idiocracy," the film.
Whenever I see that word, I think of 'caca', a Spanish-language term for feces.
Onomatopoeia.
Gaetz and Hegseth are eactly the kind of compromised individuals who make great blackmail targets. I wonder what kind of kompromat the Russians have on them.
I always thought that the conduct these
…individuals… engaged in WAS the kompromat. In the current RepubliKKKan environment, that’s a badge of achievement, not a negative behavior worthy of blackmail.
🎯
Trump has put Senate Republicans in a lose/lose situation. If they approve these assholes they will alienate the vast majority of their states. If they act responsibly and kick these assholes to the curb, they will face a primary challenge from a MAGA loon. Either way, they lose. Their pain is our sole consolation in these dark times.
These impotent sleeze balls deserve it!
Don't all their MAGA fanboys want to have the same sexual freedom as the leadership? These are role models, to a certain twisted mindset. Control of women's bodies implies access at the man's will as well as preventing necessary medical care. They want women submissive on demand and discarded afterwards.
Never in this life or any other.
Fight to the death on this one!
I actually think both of them will withdraw before the hearings. Ditto the Russian tool. Even the Senate R's would not want all that dirt exposed by Democrats. D's may not be in the majority but they sure can make a stink.
If wishes were horses…beggars would ride! I’ll be the beggar. Saddle up! I don’t think even Donnie Darko and First lady Elon could get these clowns to get out of the clown car.
That's the way things used to be. Now? I'm not so sure, but of course hope you're right.
Let's hope!
Being a fellow sex offender is probably a REQUIREMENT from trump.
It certainly is a desirable characteristic.
I think the job application reads like this--"Have you ever cheated on your spouse?', "Have you ever committed sexual assault" Answering "no" to either one disqualifies you for a position
In your family, this cliche has the opposite meaning … water seeks its own level. For the trmp crime family, that signals scum sucking bottom feeding sexually aberrant insensitive empathy free ugly ole horny toads. Definitely not Truscott folk.
And the other thing it leaves is an easy mark by our adversaries on any of the three, which has already occurred with Trump. I have wanted to believe for a long time that republicans would grow a spine, but I’m beginning to think total destruction will happen long before that does.
Leave out the sex stuff and concentrate on the important character and professional failures of DT's cabinet choices. Linda Fulcher says it. The fact that these choices are deliberate is what's dangerous and maddening.
Maddening is the goal. Don't tear your hair out, or "take the bait!" Once you're hooked on the fear, it's a long ride down! Just get out of the Amusement Park! The Joker is in town!
It is a little bit like appointing Clarence Thomas to Thurgood Marshalls seat. How bad can it smell?
It’s the orange traitor’s cadre of perverts and all around 💩💩‼️😡
I predict they will be approved. Doubt there are 4 Republican senators that will stand up to MAGA. they seem to really want to sledgehammer the Federal Government.
And then you have the cowards like Susan Collins.
OPPORTUNISM writ large!
Triggered by the lure of gold ducats.
Lindsay Graham’s response to criticism of the Gaetz nomination (and others) is “elections have consequences”. Um, no, Miss Lindsay. The American public has a right to expect a rigorous nominations process, with only qualified people in consideration. This is a circus and it’s still two months away from Jan. 20.
God help us.
Hegseth likely thinks it is all the fault of the female service members.
God help us. No one else will as they laugh their way into Hell.
God isn’t around. If he/she were, we would not have this mess.
Depends on who is writing the history.
Well not necessarily so. Maybe G-d is around and he’s punishing us for all the terrible things we have done. I mean, if you look at our history, we’ve not been the nicest people you’d want to meet.
And then again, God could be "she." What a revelation if that is the case. Just think, eons of misogynistic thoughts and deeds; only to find out the by denigrating women, one is denigrating the Almighty. Just a thought.