At The Top Of The Dung Heap

Posted on by under education, Election 2024, Free Press Issues, Political commentary, Racism & Bigotry, Social commentary, voting rights

Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis – two peas in a pod, right?  WRONG.  Both are despicable, dangerous, and neither should hold ANY public office, let alone the highest office in the nation, but they are dangerous in completely different ways and for entirely different reasons, though the end result could well be the same if either of them were to gain a foothold in next year’s election.

First, Donald Trump.  Contrary to his own assertions, Donald Trump is not particularly intelligent nor well educated, though he is conniving.  His Achilles Heel is his ego.  He doesn’t particularly care about democracy, about education, about the environment, about healthcare, about our relations with allied nations, or about the people of this country.  He cares only about himself, his image, his power and wealth. He will roll over and play dead if it gets him the attention he craves.  And he has no values, no morals to guide him, and thus he will play on any team, whichever team is offering him a chance to get attention, power and wealth.  He has played on so many teams:  Team Putin, Team Kim Jong-un, Team Mohammed bin Salman, Team NRA, Team Fossil Fuel.  Yet, he never played on Team America, despite all his flag hugging.

Ron DeSantis, on the other hand, does possess a fair degree of intelligence and education.  Like Trump, DeSantis is conniving, but unlike Trump, he doesn’t give a damn whether people think he’s handsome, witty, intelligent or wealthy … just so long as they vote for him.  He has assessed the landscape of the nation at present and is playing the song the disgruntled masses have requested.  His plan begins with the demonization of ‘other’.  Blacks and LGBTQ people are his initial target … an easy target, as it happens.  White people are being told that they are rapidly losing their majority status and that frightens them because religious leaders and others tell them it should frighten them.  And religious people of all stripes have found their target in the LGBTQ community, claiming that these humans are going against their beliefs, are unnatural, and will bring death and destruction by an angry god if they are not converted or otherwise eradicated.  Again, religious leaders know how to play their hand well in every form of bigotry imaginable. You need think no further than how women’s rights have been decimated since the terrible Dobbs decision last June.

The danger with Trump is that he is so easily used and so transparent that Putin and others have used him as a puppet for their own purposes.  Stroke his ego and he’ll give you the moon and the stars on a silver platter, even when they are not his to give.  Tell him what he wants to hear, and he might even sell you Alaska for a fair price. He has no goals other than his own … doesn’t have a vision for the nation, only for his self-image.

Ron DeSantis, on the other hand, has a specific goal and has mapped out a plan to achieve his goals.  First, manipulate people within the education system.  Don’t teach about the actual history of this nation which, along with some of the good contributions to humanity also includes a number of horrific events and eras such as slavery, genocide, theft, systemic racism, misogyny, and a variety of human rights abuses.  Corral the sheeple, inject them with ignorance and feed their anger.  Meanwhile, keep passing more and more laws to disenfranchise people of colour so that they will not have a voice.

If you look at what DeSantis has already managed to accomplish in the state of Florida – dictating what can or cannot be taught in schools, even what words can be spoken, banning books at an alarming rate, and claiming Florida is “where ‘woke’ goes to die” … he has just told us what he would do to this nation if he moved into the Oval Office.  In the words of the late Maya Angelou, “When people show you who they are, believe them.”

Both of these ‘men’ are dangerous, neither of them are what I would call “presidential material,” but then I’m from the old school, from a time when decency mattered, when government existed for the people, all the people, not only the wealthy and the greedy.

Nikki Haley has now thrown her hat in the ring, and a number of others are expected to do the same in the coming months.  None of them are likely to become front-runners in the race for the presidency in 2024.  I fully expect, barring the death or imprisonment of one of them, that Trump and DeSantis will remain at the top of the dung heap on the Republican side until one or the other is nominated in July 2024.  It’s gonna be a long 17 months, my friends.

69 thoughts on “At The Top Of The Dung Heap”

    • Sadly, with the wave of restrictive voting laws across the nation over the past two years, my best guess is that far more will be disenfranchised than at any time in the last 50 years. The courts could step in, but it’s unlikely to gain much, for if a case reaches the Supreme Court, we both know how that will go.

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      • All the more reason for We the People to STAND UP en masse and stop these laws from being passed. I have barely heard a whimper so far about these laws, and it makes me wonder where the American Spirit is hiding! Canada would be in an uproar if they tried that here!

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            • I know, and I agree, but I must admit to feeling … hopeless … at the moment. Feeling as if no matter what any of us do, no matter how much we protest, we have lost before we even left the starting gate. In fact, I’ve not been able to even write much the last few days, for where the news usually produces an urge for the fingertips to hit the keyboard, now it produces an urge to sit down and simply let the tears fall. Comes a time when maybe a person has outlived their usefulness, yes?

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              • Let me tellyou about a real horse race. Eleven horse stood in the starting gate as it opened. Ten horses jumped out asthey were supposed to and started running. The eleventh horse stood a moment then walked out. He started to run slowly, but even the jovkey did not urge nim to run he was so far back. The horses at the lead were cl8sely packed,vying for position. Suddenly the front horse missed a step, and three horse ran into him. That started a chain reaction, and a horse fell, with other horses trying to jump ovr him. S9me tripped abd fell. Other threw their jockeys. In the end ten horses were unable to complete the race legally, it is necessary that horse and rider cr9ss the finish line together. The only horse who did that was the one who walked out of the gate, and was far enough behind to run around the outs8de of the track and avoid the disaster with his jockey on his back.
                The race is never over no matter how bad it looks at the beginning.
                The above is a one in a million occurence, but it does happen.

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  2. Really good post and spot on. I too blame a lot of this on religion. And Fox News and others being allowed to spread the lies and no one in politics ever being held accountable..
    Pence is refusing the summons and yet, you or I would be held in contempt and be arrested. Trump starts a coup and nothing happens. When people elect a Santos, Greene or Bobbert, you know we are on the downward slide.

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    • Thank you, Mary! Yes, religion and the lies of Fox ‘News’ combined are out to destroy this nation!

      I did hear that Pence is refusing the summons, and also that Trump is trying to file a lawsuit (is that all that man knows how to do???) against the DoJ for summoning Pence saying he has “executive privilege”. I have news for them … their ‘executive privilege’ ended at noon on January 20th of 2021! We are on a downward slide, but I think there is still hope to change that. Maybe not, but we have to try!

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  3. This is so weird, Over here, most politicians try to be as much open to LGBTQ as possible because, on one hand, it is the time or at least because that creates voters. But going in the other direction makes them lose voters (at least as time passes)… I mean, only looking at it from the rational aspect (not even from the human aspect) I don’t understand that from a politician.

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    • I don’t understand it either, my friend. It seems that bigotry in all forms is on the rise here, but … I don’t get the reason for it. I blame much of it on religion. Many of the Christian churches in this country are very bigoted against the LGBTQ community and the politicians play on their fears and hatred.

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      • The bishop in our country denied to celebrate the anual opeing of the parliament because same sex marriages are supported by the government… so, he only lost a few more “sheep”… meanwhile, my son has left the church and probably, I will follow. Unfortuantely, it has not a big effect since over here state and church are not separated regarding taxes…

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        • That is a shame! And while I’m not a Christian, I know enough about the religion to know that in their belief, Jesus preached loving all people, not demeaning and stoning those who looked, believed, or acted different. It just reinforces my idea that religion is a big part of the problem in the world today. Sigh.

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  5. I wonder how many people remember the old school when it comes to politics? Those of us who remember well are aging, some faster than others in my case, but I can remember when politics was almost fun and clean. No television debates aimed at throwing stones at each other, no digging into the opponents background looking for dirt and getting their hands dirtier than anything they could find about the other. People used to be civil and close to polite in politics; And as much as it pains me to say this, being Catholic and able to vote for the first time in 1960, JFK started it all with his TV debates, throwing the door open for the dirt to be deposited very publicly in all areas of government. It seems as if even people running for dog catcher sling mud at each other without anyone ever saying what they will actually do for the country and the citizens if they are elected. I also have to admit that a lot of the Catholics I know and am related to are one issue voters. The Republicans pay lip service to banning abortion but that is swept away as soon as they are elected. I doubt there is anything the President can do to change the laws unless he manages to get a Supreme Court packed with like minded people. They just don’t think things through to the end when blood is running hot and cold. Huge sigh!

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      • I feel the same way. At times I want a time machine t9 take me back to 1960 but retain the memory of how things will happen. I would change my vote then even though I would miss the magic of Camelot and the Kennedy’s. “For once there was a time, a very magic time, a time called Camelot.”

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  6. Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:

    DITTO! … “Both of these ‘men’ are dangerous, neither of them are what I would call “presidential material,” but then I’m from the old school, from a time when decency mattered, when government existed for the people, all the people, not only the wealthy and the greedy.” — I know DeSatan — I live in Floriduh!!

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        • I dunno, my friend. I do understand about the family ties, but they could come visit you in Puerto Rico! I wish you didn’t have to live in Floriduh … I’ve always thought Mississippi was the worst state in this country, but now I think it’s Florida.

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          • Agree!! Just watched the ‘Till’ movie!! SMH — in Mississippi!
            Another thing to consider (we have) — we are older. Another nice across the ocean at this time would be way different and more difficult than when we moved to FloriDUH in 1999 — believe you me, we’ve come considered several options.
            Also, after MJ’s son’s death (6 months ago), his kids are more attached to MJ. In spite of all my wishes & desires, I think I’m stuck in FloriDUH!! 😕

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            • I have been meaning to watch that for some time, but haven’t gotten to it yet. I won’t ask if you enjoyed it, for I know the story well and know it wouldn’t have been enjoyable, but was it done well and was it worth the watch?

              Ah yes, I do remember MJ’s son’s death … and I can certainly understand why she feels that more than ever she must be close to his children. Sigh. There are no easy answers, are there, my friend? Hugs to you and MJ … know that I think of you daily love you both. ❤

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  7. Say about the really despicable Trump what you want. Yes, he’s one of the bigger aholes on the planet. At least he didn’t try to fuk with Russia and China at the same time, killing hundreds of thousands and ruining supposed allies’ economies in the process.

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    • Well, finally something we agree on, that Trump is one of the biggest arseholes on the planet! But … what’s this “killing hundreds of thousands” … hundreds of thousands of whoms???

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      • “hundreds of thousands of whoms???”
        Ukrainians. I guess the Ukro forces are almost depleted of personnel by now. They force 17 y/olds and grampas into the army now. Because Zelensky isn’t allowed to join peace negotiations – egged on by Biden and other leaders of the collective West. If you read the news you’d know how all negotiations have been sabotaged. You think it’s fun for the Russian forces to kill all those helpless, half-frozen, semi-soldiers? I’ve heard of Russian soldiers going against regulations and all wisdom of trench warfare. They shouted into trenches and bunkers: “Brothers, come out! Lay down your weapons and give up! We don’t wanna kill you, we wanna give you hot soup and treat you well as POWs!”

        And of course 10s of thousands of civilians in Donbass. Permashelling since 2014 … it adds up. 😦

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        • No, I don’t think that most of the Russian soldiers are enjoying this war one bit. After all, most Russians have family who are Ukrainians. However, there is one person behind the war against Ukraine, and that is Vladimir Putin. Zelenskyy did not start the war, nor did Biden, nor did King Charles. Put the blame where it belongs.

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          • They might not enjoy it – Russians are no animals, you know – but they went happily and knowingly. Because they’re fighting the good fight.

            No, most Russians don’t have family in Ukraine, logically the numbers just don’t add up. And when it’s a bit closer family they migrated from Ukraine over to Russia after Nuland’s Maidan putsch, when the terror just started.

            Right, Zelensky didn’t start the war. Well, factually he did but he’s nothing but a handpuppet, an actor, with not much say in his own country. He only does what US/UK/NATO are telling him to do. And in 2014, when the war started, he did it on Washington’s orders.

            If you care to read the documents (it’s all available, even for pretty restricted US citizens) you’ll see the whole affair was planned already in 2009 or maybe even earlier. And it’s aimed at Germany and the EU as well as at Russia. A Russian/German partnership was long overdue and would’ve changed the world.
            Well, it’s happening now anyway, just without Germany and the rest of the EU. And the US, despite looking like the short-term winner right now, can’t stop the earth from turning, they can’t stop the Asian century from happening. Most African and Central/South-American countries know it’s inevitable and are choosing sites now, as we bicker and quarrel. BRICS, Belt and Road Initiative, massive investments in 3rd world countries, it all comes to fruition now.

            And none of your contra-revolutions and colour revolutions won’t stop it!

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          • Hello again 😉 Please watch this video by the very analytical Brian Berletic (an ex-marine btw):

            The part where Russia, totally unprovoked, started the war starts at ~11 mins in.

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          • You’re a negative Nelly, Raw my fren. It is the truth, and it’s confirmed, quite contrary to the Zelensky regime the Russians still believe in and follow the Geneva protocol and treat their POWs accordingly. So when you are in a Russian POW encampment you’ll be supplied three daily meals, a bed and heat and medical treatment for if you’re wounded.
            As an Ukro soldier your decision is an easy one: Throw away your gun, hands up, go to holding cell, war is over for you. Or be threatened by some officer t never give up … and die 5 minutes later, by the hands of some Russian exterminators. It’s everybody’s individual choice.

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            • So why are there mass graves left behind after Russian troops retreated from many Ukrainian towns and cities? Where were the Geneva Accords when those people were slaughtered.
              It must be nice to live in such a fantasy world as you have srt up shop in, OF.

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  8. Jill, thanks for writing this. I have long feared a person like DeSantis, a smarter version of Trumpism than its namesake. This predates his winning the governorship as he was included on the same list of folks like Gohmert, Gosar, Brooks, etc. even before it was increased by names like Gaetz, Taylor-Greene, Boehbart, etc. What he has done as governor is not a total surprise.

    Of the three you mention, I would easily vote for Nikki Haley in the Republican primary, as she was more moderate and showed courage and compassion following the Charleston AME Zion shooting massacre, before she drank the Trump Kool-Aid. People forget, at the State of the Union rebuttal in the winter of 2016, she raked Trumpism over the coals. Of course, I recognize her grotesque flip-flopping to support a person like Trump is not an attractive trait, but compared to DeSantis and Trump, she stands well above them. Keith

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    • PS – what is interesting, it is hard to say which court case will be the one that puts the final nail in the coffin for Trump. One that might does not involve him directly and that is the Dominion Voting Systems $1.6 billion lawsuit against Fox News. Information made public note that Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, and Laura Ingraham all knew from the outset that Trump’s election fraud claims were bogus. And, yet they perpetuated and did not actively denounce this story. Some producers noted that much of the Trump claims should have never been aired as it was not from reliable sources.

      Trump should be charged in the very near future for election tampering in Georgia along with some other folks for perjury. Then there is that insurrection investigation thing.

      One thing has always been clear about Trump. Those who get too close to him will get burned damaging their reputations. Keith

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      • Yes, I was reading about the hypocrisy earlier today among the Fox “News” anchors and personnel, and even Rupert Murdoch knew that the claims of “election fraud” were ridiculous. I also saw earlier this evening that Trump called in to Fox on January 6th as the insurrection was taking place and wanted them to put him on the air, but they refused. I think he may well be charged in Georgia and New York, but most of all I hope that Merrick Garland brings charges for his role in January 6th AND his theft of classified documents, and does so before the end of this year, thus rendering him ineligible for the 2024 ballot.

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    • Like you, I often thought that we dodged a bullet because Trump had too much of an ego and too little intelligence to do as much damage as he otherwise might have during his four years in office. When I watch DeSantis and listen to him, he doesn’t strike me as particularly bright, either, but … he either has an astute team of advisors or just has his finger on the pulse of the people in his state. I like to think that what flies in Florida won’t necessarily be welcomed in the rest of the nation, but … I can’t be sure of that, for people surprise me these days.

      I once respected Nikki Haley for what she did after the Charleston shooting, but once she threw her lot in with Trump, most of that respect was lost. I hear that Pence, Pompeo, Cruz, Noem, and Youngkin are likely to throw their hats into the ring, as well. NONE of that bunch would, in my book, make a good president. Of them all, I guess I’d say Youngkin and Pence are the least despicable, but that’s not saying much. I just hope the Democrats will stop whining about Joe Biden’s age and unite behind him enforce.

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      • PSS – I saw where ex-Maryland Governor Larry Hogan might run as well. He would by far be the class act among this group. Yet, so was ex-Ohio Governor John Kasich in 2016 and he was beaten badly by the gaslighting of the winning candidate. Oh, how different things would be for our country and the GOP if a sane man like Kasich won. Keith

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        • I agree on both Hogan and Kasich. Hogan did say that if his candidacy would increase Trump’s chance of winning, that would be a good reason for him NOT to run, showing he does have the best interests of the country at heart. Sadly, the more hats in the ring, the better Trump’s chances are. The only way to guarantee he doesn’t win the nomination is if he is in prison … c’mon, Merrick Garland, tim’e’s a’wastin’!!!!

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            • Both make me want to jump off a tall building, but in the sense that Trump is far stupider than DeSantis, yes, he would be the lesser of the two evils. However, he’s open to manipulation by others who see his stupidity and also his arrogance, and who will play on those to guide him in certain directions. If he were to be elected again, I think that would be the last election in this country for a very long time. Sigh.

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  10. And so, it’s, a toss up, who will get nominated for the Republican for the presidential race, Trump or DeSantos, and, if either one of them becomes the next president, the U.S. is totally, SCREWED over for sure, I just hope, that the voters don’t buy into the bullshits of the Republican Party anymore, and yet, are the U.S. citizens, awake yet??? well, we’ll just have to wait and see, don’t we…

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    • The best possible outcome is for the Democrats to stop whining about Biden’s age and bickering among themselves, to unite and give 100% of their support to President Biden. There is no Republican who I would trust at this point not to turn this nation into an autocracy.

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