Authoritarian Parallels: Comparing Trump to Putin's Rule in Russia

Donald Trump’s political style and desires for governing America can be described as exhibiting authoritarian tendencies, though the U.S. retains a robust democratic system with strong institutions that counterbalance executive power. Trump's autocratic orientation follows the tyrant's playbook of disinformation and all that encompasses. First and foremost in combatting this kind of person and orientation is knowledge, facts, fact-checking, and educating the public.

Jon Stewart with Bill Adair of Politifact - “Beyond the Big Lie” | The Daily Show. PolitiFact.com was started in August 2007 by Times Washington Bureau Chief Bill Adair, in conjunction with the Congressional Quarterly. - Wikipedia

It's important to note that Donald Trump is, aside from being an exPOTUS, twice impeached and also a convicted felon of "all 34 charges in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush money payment to a porn actor who said the two had sex."

Vladimir Putin is a war criminal for his invasion of Ukraine. To be fair, he has committed war crimes in other countries over this far too long rule of Russia since 1999. 

See sections II and III below for more on Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin's international or national crimes.

Section I - Trump/Putin, a comparison

To draw parallels between Trump’s approach and Russia under Putin, there are a few key areas to consider:

1. Concentration of Power and Undermining Checks and Balances

• Putin: In Russia, Putin has significantly centralized power, weakening democratic institutions and neutralizing checks on his authority.
• Trump: Trump has shown a desire to centralize power, often expressing frustration with checks on his authority by the judiciary, Congress, and state governments. For instance, he frequently criticized judges who ruled against him and pushed for loyalty from government officials, including the Justice Department. His refusal to concede the 2020 election and attempts to overturn the results through legal challenges, pressure on state officials, and ultimately the January 6 Capitol riot demonstrate this desire to weaken checks on executive power.

2. Disregard for Democratic Norms

• Putin: Putin has been accused of manipulating elections, suppressing opposition, and curbing political freedoms.
• Trump: While the U.S. elections remain competitive, Trump frequently spread misinformation about electoral fraud, especially after the 2020 election. His claims of a "stolen election" culminated in efforts to delegitimize the democratic process. Critics argue that this behavior undermines trust in democratic institutions and erodes democratic norms.

3. Attacks on Media

• Putin: The Russian media is tightly controlled, and independent journalism is often met with intimidation, censorship, or violence. The Kremlin exerts control over the flow of information.
• Trump: While the media in the U.S. remains free, Trump frequently attacked the press, calling it the "enemy of the people" and discrediting news outlets critical of him. This rhetoric created a hostile environment for journalists and fostered distrust in the media, similar to how authoritarian leaders delegitimize independent scrutiny.

4. Nationalism and Populism

• Putin: Putin’s governance has been marked by strong nationalism, emphasizing Russia’s unique identity, traditional values, and its role as a great power, often positioning himself as the protector of these values.
• Trump: Trump’s “America First” rhetoric shares a parallel with Putin’s nationalism. Trump positioned himself as a populist leader fighting against elites, promising to restore American greatness and protect American jobs, borders, and values. His appeal to a populist base often involved stoking fears about immigrants and foreign threats, much like Putin uses similar rhetoric to consolidate power.

5. Desire for Loyalty and Weakening of Institutions

• Putin: Putin’s political system is heavily reliant on personal loyalty, with political figures, oligarchs, and state officials expected to align closely with the Kremlin’s interests or face repercussions.
• Trump: Trump often demanded personal loyalty from key figures in government, firing officials who disagreed with or criticized him, such as FBI Director James Comey. He was also critical of those within his own administration who did not publicly support his claims, particularly regarding the 2020 election.

6. Cult of Personality

• Putin: In Russia, Putin has cultivated a cult of personality, presenting himself as a strongman leader who is indispensable to Russia’s future.
• Trump: Trump similarly cultivated a personality-driven political movement, with much of his appeal stemming from his personal brand, charisma, and outsider status. His ability to maintain strong loyalty from a significant portion of the electorate reflects a similar phenomenon, where support for the leader sometimes eclipses traditional party or policy loyalties.

Key Differences:

Despite these parallels, the U.S. system of government has far stronger checks and balances compared to Russia. The U.S. Congress, judiciary, free press, and civil society institutions have, to date, successfully restrained Trump’s more authoritarian-leaning tendencies. Elections in the U.S. remain free and competitive, and Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election were ultimately unsuccessful due to these institutional safeguards.

In summary, while Trump has exhibited certain authoritarian tendencies, the U.S. remains a functioning democracy with stronger safeguards against the concentration of power, in contrast to Putin’s much more consolidated, authoritarian rule in Russia. 

The concern, as some see it, is that Trump’s political style may continue to erode democratic norms and institutions if left unchecked.

Section II - Donald Trump, crimes

Since Donald Trump’s election as President of the United States in 2016, there have been numerous allegations of unlawful actions, ethical violations, and efforts to undermine democratic institutions, though these have largely played out in domestic legal and political arenas rather than in the realm of international criminal law. Below are the key controversies and legal actions related to Trump’s conduct during his presidency and after:

1. Obstruction of Justice (Mueller Investigation)

• Context: The Mueller investigation (2017-2019) examined Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russia. Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report documented numerous instances where Trump may have attempted to obstruct the investigation.
• Key Allegations:
  • Trump allegedly directed aides to fire Mueller and sought to limit the scope of the investigation.
  • The report outlined at least 10 episodes of potential obstruction of justice but concluded that a sitting president could not be indicted based on Department of Justice policy.
• Outcome: Mueller’s report did not explicitly recommend charges but left the door open for Congress to pursue impeachment or other actions, stating, "while this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him."

2. Ukraine Scandal and Impeachment (2019)

• Context: In July 2019, Trump was accused of withholding military aid to Ukraine while pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Trump’s political rival, Joe Biden, and his son Hunter.
• Key Allegations:
  • Trump allegedly used the promise of $400 million in military aid to coerce Ukraine into announcing investigations into Biden, a potential 2020 opponent, in what many considered an abuse of presidential power.
  • This led to his first impeachment by the House of Representatives in December 2019 on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
• Outcome: Trump was acquitted by the Senate in February 2020, with the majority of Republican senators voting against conviction, arguing that the charges did not rise to the level of removal from office.

3. Incitement of the January 6 Capitol Insurrection (2021)

• Context: After losing the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden, Trump repeatedly made unfounded claims that the election had been "stolen" due to widespread voter fraud. On January 6, 2021, Trump gave a speech to his supporters in Washington, D.C., urging them to "fight like hell" and "stop the steal," shortly before they stormed the U.S. Capitol.
• Key Allegations:
  • Trump was accused of inciting an insurrection aimed at preventing Congress from certifying the Electoral College results.
  • His actions and rhetoric were seen as an attack on the peaceful transfer of power and a violation of democratic norms.
• Outcome: Trump was impeached for a second time by the House of Representatives, on charges of incitement of insurrection. However, he was acquitted by the Senate in February 2021, as a majority of Republican senators voted against conviction.
• Legal Fallout: While Trump was acquitted, investigations into the events of January 6, 2021, are ongoing, and some individuals close to Trump, including advisors and supporters, have faced legal consequences.

4. Election Interference and Legal Challenges Post-2020 Election

• Efforts to Overturn Election Results: Trump’s attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election through baseless claims of widespread voter fraud led to dozens of lawsuits, none of which successfully overturned any state’s results. Many of these lawsuits were dismissed by courts due to lack of evidence.
• Georgia Election Interference: Trump pressured Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in a phone call to "find 11,780 votes" to overturn Biden’s victory in the state. This led to investigations into potential election interference.
• Investigations: The Justice Department, state authorities, and the January 6 House Select Committee have investigated Trump’s post-election actions, including his role in promoting false claims about the election and his involvement in the January 6 insurrection.

5. Financial Crimes and Tax Evasion

• New York Investigations: Trump and his businesses have been under investigation in New York for years. These investigations include:
  • Manhattan District Attorney’s Investigation: Examines Trump’s business practices, focusing on potential bank, tax, and insurance fraud. In 2021, Trump’s company, the Trump Organization, and its chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg were charged with tax fraud.
  • New York Attorney General’s Investigation: This civil investigation looks at whether the Trump Organization inflated the value of assets to secure loans and understated them to avoid taxes.
• Tax Evasion Allegations: A 2020 New York Times investigation revealed that Trump had paid little to no federal income tax for several years, raising questions about his financial practices.

6. Classified Documents Investigation (Mar-a-Lago Raid, 2022)

• Context: After leaving office, Trump took classified documents, including top-secret materials, to his residence at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. Despite repeated requests from the National Archives and the FBI, he failed to return all of the materials.
• FBI Investigation: In August 2022, the FBI raided Mar-a-Lago, recovering hundreds of classified documents, leading to an ongoing investigation into whether Trump violated the Espionage Act, mishandled classified information, or obstructed justice by withholding documents.
• Legal Outcome: In 2023, Trump was indicted on federal charges related to the mishandling of classified documents, including willfully retaining national defense information and obstructing justice.

7. Hush Money Payments and Fraud Allegations

• Stormy Daniels Case: Trump was accused of directing his lawyer, Michael Cohen, to make hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election to silence claims of an affair. This led to investigations into whether these payments constituted campaign finance violations.
• Legal Fallout: Cohen was convicted and jailed for his role in the scheme, but Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

8. Civil and Sexual Assault Lawsuits

• E. Jean Carroll Case: In 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation against E. Jean Carroll, a journalist who accused Trump of assaulting her in the mid-1990s. The case was a civil lawsuit, and Trump was ordered to pay damages, though he continues to deny the allegations.

9. International Violations

While Trump’s controversies are primarily domestic, some of his actions have raised international legal concerns:

• Withdrawal from International Treaties: Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from several key international agreements, including the Iran Nuclear Deal and the Paris Climate Accord, sparking concern about the violation of international commitments.
• Targeting of Qassem Soleimani: In 2020, Trump ordered a drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Iraq. The strike was controversial and raised questions about its legality under international law, with critics calling it an unlawful assassination.

Conclusion:

Donald Trump’s tenure as President has been marked by numerous legal and ethical controversies, ranging from obstruction of justice and abuse of power to financial crimes and incitement of violence. While some investigations are still ongoing, Trump has faced two impeachments, criminal indictments, and multiple civil lawsuits, though he has largely evaded direct legal consequences while in office. The fallout from his presidency continues to play out in courts and public opinion.

Section III - Vladimir Putin, crimes

Since Vladimir Putin took power in 1999, there have been numerous allegations of international crimes and serious human rights abuses attributed to his government, both domestically and internationally. These are often categorized as crimes under international law and include:

1. War Crimes in Chechnya (1999-2009)

• Conflict: During the Second Chechen War, Russian forces under Putin’s command were accused of committing war crimes, including indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas in Chechnya, summary executions, torture, and disappearances.
• Key Allegations: The bombing of Grozny, the Chechen capital, led to mass civilian casualties and destruction, drawing international criticism. Human rights groups like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have documented widespread abuses by Russian forces in the region.

2. Assassinations and Poisonings of Political Opponents

• Pattern of Attacks: Under Putin’s rule, several political opponents, journalists, and former intelligence agents have been assassinated or poisoned, often with radioactive or chemical agents. High-profile cases include:
  • Alexander Litvinenko (2006): A former Russian FSB officer poisoned with polonium-210 in London.
  • Sergei Skripal (2018): A former Russian spy poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok in the UK, leading to international sanctions.
  • Alexei Navalny (2020): A Russian opposition leader poisoned with Novichok, a nerve agent banned by international treaties.
• Responsibility: While Russian authorities deny involvement, investigations in the UK, Germany, and other countries have implicated the Russian state, including its intelligence agencies, in these attacks, which violate international law prohibiting assassination and the use of chemical weapons.

3. Annexation of Crimea (2014)

• Crime: The annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 violated international law, including the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act, which guarantee territorial integrity and sovereignty. Russia’s seizure of Crimea was widely condemned by the international community, and many countries, including the U.S. and EU, imposed sanctions on Russia.
• Consequences: The annexation led to the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine, and it is considered a breach of the international norm against territorial conquest.

4. War Crimes in Syria (2015-Present)

• Russian Involvement: Russia’s military intervention in the Syrian Civil War to support Bashar al-Assad’s regime has led to allegations of war crimes. Russian airstrikes have targeted civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and markets, causing widespread civilian deaths.
• Key Incidents: Human rights organizations and UN bodies have documented the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian objects in Aleppo and other parts of Syria by Russian forces, which could constitute war crimes under international law.

5. War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity in Ukraine (2022-Present)

• Invasion of Ukraine: Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has been characterized as a violation of the UN Charter and other international laws prohibiting aggressive war.
• War Crimes: Russian forces have been accused of committing war crimes during the invasion, including:
  • Deliberate targeting of civilians: Bombing of residential areas, schools, hospitals, and shelters, such as the bombing of Mariupol’s maternity hospital and theater, resulting in civilian deaths.
  • Mass atrocities: The discovery of mass graves and evidence of executions and torture in towns like Bucha, where Russian forces allegedly committed systematic atrocities against civilians.
  • Forced deportation of civilians, including children, to Russia.
• International Response: Several investigations are underway, including by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued an arrest warrant for Putin for war crimes related to the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children.

6. Cyberattacks and Election Interference

• Election Meddling: Russian state actors have been accused of interfering in the elections of several countries, most notably the 2016 U.S. presidential election, where Russian hackers and social media campaigns sought to influence the outcome.
• Cyber Warfare: Russian-linked cyberattacks against critical infrastructure in other countries, including Ukraine, Estonia, and the U.S., have been seen as violations of international law, particularly under norms against interference in sovereign states.

7. Support for Separatists and Proxy Wars

• Ukraine (Donbas Conflict): Since 2014, Russia has supported separatists in Eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region, supplying them with weapons, funding, and military personnel. This support contributed to the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in 2014 by a Russian-supplied missile, killing all 298 people on board. International investigations have concluded that Russia bears responsibility for this crime.
• Other Conflicts: Russia has been involved in backing separatist movements and authoritarian regimes in countries like Georgia (Abkhazia and South Ossetia) and Moldova (Transnistria), in violation of international sovereignty norms.

8. Human Rights Abuses Against LGBTQ+ and Minority Groups

• Domestic Repression: Russia under Putin has seen widespread violations of human rights, including:
  • Crackdowns on political dissent.
  • Persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals, especially in regions like Chechnya, where gay men have reportedly been abducted, tortured, and murdered in anti-LGBTQ+ purges.
• Suppression of Ethnic Minorities: Russia has been accused of committing crimes against minority groups within its borders, particularly in the North Caucasus region, with reports of torture, extrajudicial killings, and disappearances.

9. State-Sponsored Extraterritorial Killings

• Pattern: Beyond high-profile poisonings, there is a broader pattern of extraterritorial killings of Putin’s critics or former Russian agents abroad. These acts violate international laws prohibiting political assassinations on foreign soil.

International Legal Responses:

While there have been sanctions, diplomatic condemnations, and ongoing investigations, Putin and other top Russian officials have largely evaded accountability through legal mechanisms like the International Criminal Court (ICC), as Russia does not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction. However, the ICC’s 2023 arrest warrant for Putin for war crimes related to the deportation of Ukrainian children marked a significant legal step.

Conclusion:

Vladimir Putin’s government has been linked to a wide array of serious international crimes, from war crimes in Chechnya, Syria, and Ukraine to assassinations, election interference, and human rights abuses. Although international legal consequences have been limited, ongoing investigations by the ICC and other bodies could bring further charges in the future.

Summary

Putin and Trump must both be barred from and/or removed from, any positions of public office or leadership, now or in the future. They must also be convicted of their crimes by a fair and partial and actual appropriate judge and jury of their peers in such a way that those things actually happen so they can be properly adjudicated for their actual and to be fair, quite obvious crimes.

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Information generated using ChatGPT, an AI language model by OpenAI.

(not)Walkabout Thoughts #97e - Creativity / Politics

Still on the strength training. 93 degrees here today. A couple of days not in the 90s or near that previously so a while not with it too warm to do extended walks. 

First, The founding fathers’ purposes were clear. They had no intention to found the country according to Christian doctrines.

For this first part on creativity, Massive Attacks' song, Safe From Harm

On a positive note, I'd like to start with this bit about creativity, and then dive into something political, mostly in a broader sense.

I earned my university degree in psychology concentrating in phenomenology. Near the end, I did a study of creativity. What I found was creatives, create. 

The more knowledge you have of art/creative history the more you have to draw upon.

If you have a skill in art, you can possibly do more.

If you do not, but through desire or brute force you create, then you create out of your experience and environment, and when you find you cannot go further (cannot sing as some great singer or can't sculpt or paint or write as some can), you can take a step into another form or level. When you lack the precision in a discipline, you can turn to "concept", or something else. I have long said when you hit an impasse, look directly behind you, or in an opposite direction. The answer often lies there.

What I came away with in my studies was that we do not have to be born an artist with inherent "genius". Anyone can do it. Anyone can "create". You simply act, produce.

Some can simply do it better, or different in such a way as to be praised or rewarded for it. While many never will be. While some true geniuses or great artists will never find "success" or profit in their works. For many, success or profit is by their own definitions, allowing them their own form of satisfaction or catharsis in their efforts.

It's been said for instance, that the greatest musicians are never reproduced and may be playing on a street you pass through. Or only at home.

So do not be so dismissive of all street "artists". 

Do not think because you have a collection of the "greatest musicians" or composers, you have the very best humanity has to offer.

You have that which has been recognized, capable of being contained and produced for public consumption.

We should have more respect for those we'd never believe to be artists. That can include the seemingly crazy person who creates, perhaps something you do not or can not (or yet) understand. 

Or it can even be, yourself.

Now...

For the rest of the blog, Portishead's album, Dummy.

Have you seen this meme?

While there are historical accounts of psychological warfare and propaganda techniques used by the KGB, the specific claim in the image seems to be more of a popular anecdote rather than a documented experiment. A notable related figure is Yuri Bezmenov, a former KGB agent who defected to the West and spoke about the KGB’s use of psychological tactics to influence public opinion and destabilize societies.

The concept of brainwashing and psychological manipulation has been explored in various contexts, including during the Cold War, where both the KGB and the CIA conducted experiments and operations aimed at influencing and controlling human behavior. However, the extreme claim of complete brainwashing through fear messages alone is not widely supported by concrete evidence.

Really?

There has been research on how continuous exposure to fear messages can alter behaviors. Here are some key findings:

Fear-Based Appeals: A comprehensive review by the American Psychological Association found that fear-based appeals are effective at changing attitudes, intentions, and behaviors. This review analyzed over 50 years of research and concluded that fear appeals are particularly effective when they include recommendations for avoiding the threat and are targeted at specific groups, such as women.

Health Communication: Research published in PLOS ONE examined how shifts in emotional valence during exposure to fear appeals can influence message processing and behavioral intentions. The study found that inducing positive valence shifts in health messages can improve their effectiveness, especially for relevant target groups.

COVID-19 Context: During the COVID-19 pandemic, fear-based messages significantly influenced public behavior. Studies indicated that continuous exposure to fear-inducing media could lead to heightened anxiety and biased conclusions, especially in the absence of reliable information.

General Impact of Fear Arousal: According to the Oxford Research Encyclopedia, fear arousal in messages can motivate attitude and behavior change. This effect is seen not only in health messaging but also in news accounts, social media posts, and interpersonal conversations.

These studies suggest that while fear-based messages can be effective in altering behaviors, their impact can vary based on the context, the audience, and the way the message is framed.

And?

There have been several societal experiments and studies on the impact of continuous exposure to fear messages on behavior. Here are a few notable examples:

Substance Misuse Prevention: Research on scare tactics and fear-based messages in substance misuse prevention has shown mixed results. While some studies indicate that fear-based messages can deter substance use, others suggest that these messages may not be effective and could even increase rates of misuse in some cases.

Political Campaigns: Fear-based messaging is also commonly used in political campaigns to influence voter behavior. Research has shown that fear appeals can be effective in mobilizing voters and shaping public opinion, particularly when they highlight potential threats and offer solutions.

While these examples illustrate how fear-based messaging can be a powerful tool for influencing behavior, its effectiveness can depend on various factors, including the message content, the target audience, and the context in which it is delivered. 

And Russian?

There are indeed examples of Soviet research and experimentation related to psychological manipulation and fear messaging:

Yuri Bezmenov’s Testimony: Yuri Bezmenov, a former KGB agent who defected to the West, described the KGB’s use of psychological warfare and ideological subversion. He explained that a significant portion of the KGB’s efforts was dedicated to demoralizing and destabilizing societies through continuous exposure to fear and misinformation1.

Psychological Warfare: The Soviet Union engaged in psychological warfare during the Cold War, using threats of nuclear destruction and other forms of intimidation to instill fear and influence the behavior of other nations. This strategy aimed to create doubts about the wisdom of aligning with the United States and accepting American military bases2.

The Science of Thought Control

Brainwashing and Propaganda: The concept of brainwashing gained prominence during the Cold War, with both the Soviet Union and the United States conducting experiments and operations to influence and control human behavior. The term “brainwashing” itself became widely known through reports of Communist tactics used on prisoners of war3.

These examples highlight the Soviet Union’s interest in and use of psychological tactics to manipulate and control behavior. 

We have seen over these past few decades the Republican Party ascribing to old Soviet/Russian techniques of social manipulation that is contrary to our democratic constitutional republic.

Which we are.

We've heard a lot from the right about how we're NOT a democracy, but a constitutional republic. Nonsense. That's selective ignorance at its worst.

There are various kinds of republics.

While all democratic constitutional republics are constitutional republics, not all constitutional republics are necessarily democratic. The adjective "democratic" specifies that the republic operates with a strong commitment to democratic principles.

Something Republicans, esp., repugnant MAGA seem to be allergic to in their anti-American desires toward minority rule. Their usage of old Soviet KGB tactics since the 90s I found back then and today disgusting, to use against our own, all for their wont of control, power, and wealth. 

In essence, the United States embodies the principles of a democratic constitutional republic by ensuring that its government is based on democratic participation, operates under a constitutional framework, and maintains a republican form of governance.
MAGA Republicans are essentially seditionists, pushing a crime against the State. 

Though sedition may have the same ultimate effect as treason, it is generally limited to the offense of organizing or encouraging opposition to government in a manner (such as in speech or writing) that falls short of the more dangerous offenses constituting treason.

Well, there it is.

Be well, be brilliant, be productive!

Cheers1 Sláinte!

Next time you hear, "America is a Republic, not a democracy."

I'm not writing full much of anything the past couple of months. Long Covid came back to bite me hard. April will be two years with it, for the second time (which led me to writing a book about it that's not doing too bad, Suffering "Long Covid"). It's not that I'm not writing anymore, just that it's been harder in not feeling well too often. 

I am also finishing up editing a film companion book for my WWI antiwar film wrapped in the music of Maurice Ravel: "Pvt. Ravel's Bolero" with over 80 international awards. You can see the film at that link above on that indie film site (or the YouTube trailer free). It's $5 to see the film and join, but the filmmaker you select gets half that fee and you can then see other indie films. 

If you stick around for monthly, it helps support indie films and the filmmaker you selected at sign up. For indie filmmakers it's a pretty cool setup. Otherwise we tend to get very little from streaming sites or their algorhythms tend to push only the bigger films. And there's a lot of great smaller films around people just don't get to see.

I hope to get back to more serious work soon. I've also been getting use to using AI. I've been testing out Chat AI for a while now, Bing AI Copilot and Bard, among others. It takes a little getting used to. Mostly I've used them as over glorified Google search functions. I've been posting discussions I've had with Copilot on here this past week because it gives people an idea about how to use them. They do have limitations. But that will fade quickly over time. And probably not that much time.

My best advice on using AI for now? Vet and verify what they say/respond with. Do check their URL references as they can be completely wrong at times. That being said, here's a new one. I just had a long drawn out argument with a conservative, Trump supporter online about democracy". It's a stupid argument that's been used for decades to argue against the status quo and delved into the nutcase right wingnut mindset that led to a Trump insurrection. Let's not do that again, or elect a career criminal, autocrat/wannabe dictator, narcissistic baby to office again.

So, I asked Bing AI Copilot: 

There is a certain part of Americans who have long used the concept that America is a Republic, not a democracy as a whistlecall to much that is supported by white supremacists, MAGA conservatives, and antigovernment types. How would you counter their argument to dispel their mindset and lame argument?

Copilot:

This is a complex and controversial topic that has been debated for a long time. There is no definitive answer, but here are some possible ways to counter their argument:

You can point out that the United States is both a republic and a democracy, and that these terms are not mutually exclusive.

A republic is a form of government where the people elect representatives to make laws and decisions on their behalf, while a democracy is a system where the people have a direct or indirect say in how they are governed. The United States has elements of both, such as the popular vote, the Electoral College, the Congress, and the Supreme Court. Therefore, saying that America is a republic and not a democracy is a false dichotomy12.

You can also challenge the assumption that a pure democracy is necessarily bad or leads to mob rule, tyranny, socialism, or communism. These are scare tactics that ignore the diversity and complexity of democratic practices and values around the world. Democracy is not a fixed or static concept, but a dynamic and evolving one that can accommodate different contexts and preferences. Democracy can also foster liberty, peace, and prosperity, as well as civic engagement, accountability, and human rights.

You can also appeal to the ideals and principles of the American founding and constitution, which were influenced by both republican and democratic thinkers and traditions. The founders did not reject democracy, but rather sought to balance it with checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, and the rule of law. They also recognized that democracy is not perfect, but rather a work in progress that requires constant vigilance, participation, and improvement. They also left room for amendments and reforms to adapt to changing circumstances and needs.

ME:

What about when they start pointing things out in the federalist papers to support their contentions that America is not a democracy?

Copilot



The Federalist Papers are a collection of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to promote the ratification of the Constitution of the United States1. They are not official documents of the government, but rather personal opinions and arguments of the authors. They also do not represent a unified or consistent view, as the authors sometimes disagreed with each other on various issues.

Some of the essays in the Federalist Papers do express skepticism or criticism of pure or direct democracy, such as Federalist No. 10 by Madison or Federalist No. 63 by Hamilton. However, they do not deny or reject the value or necessity of democratic principles and practices in the American system. Rather, they advocate for a mixed or balanced form of government that combines republican and democratic elements, such as representation, federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, and the rule of law.

Therefore, when they point out things in the Federalist Papers to support their contentions that America is not a democracy, you can counter their argument by showing that the Federalist Papers are not authoritative or conclusive sources of the American political identity or philosophy. You can also point out that the Federalist Papers acknowledge and appreciate the role and importance of democracy in the American experiment, and that they propose a complex and nuanced model of government that incorporates both republican and democratic features.

There are various groups that oppose or undermine democracy in America, often for extremist, violent, or hateful purposes. Some of these groups are:

Right-wing armed groups, such as white supremacist, anti-immigrant, anti-government, pro-gun, and survivalist militias, who envision a coming civil war or a collapse of the state. Some of these groups, such as the accelerationists and the Boogaloo Bois, seek to hasten or provoke such a scenario.

Hate groups, such as neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klan, anti-Muslim, anti-LGBTQ, and anti-Semitic organizations, who promote bigotry, intolerance, and violence against marginalized or minority communities. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, there were about 1,225 active hate and anti-government groups in the US in 2020.

Anti-democratic politicians and media figures, who spread misinformation, conspiracy theories, and lies about the legitimacy of the electoral process, the integrity of the institutions, and the rights of the people. These actors seek to undermine public trust, incite violence, and subvert the will of the majority. Examples include former president Donald Trump, who falsely claimed that the 2020 election was stolen from him, and some of his allies and supporters, who attempted to overturn the results or storm the Capitol.

These groups pose a serious threat to the health and stability of American democracy, and they require vigilance, resistance, and counteraction from the public and the authorities.

ME: Do they have their own flag? I know for a while the right wingnut crowd acquired the American flag and the word "Patriotism". If you flew a flag, people avoided you thinking you are a right wing crazy. I'm a veteran. I used to fly an American flag at home, but I stopped for a while because I didn't support those people or POTUS45, Donald Trump. Or when you used the word, "Patriotism", people assumed you were a right wing, gun nut. I think we're on the road to taking both those things back. 

Copilot:

Some of the groups that oppose democracy in America may have their own flags or symbols that they use to identify themselves or their causes. For example:

Right-wing armed groups may use flags that feature guns, skulls, snakes, or slogans such as “Don’t tread on me” or “Come and take it”. Some of them may also display the Confederate flag, which is seen by many as a symbol of racism and slavery1.

Hate groups may use flags or symbols that are associated with Nazi Germany, such as the swastika, the iron cross, or the SS runes. They may also use flags or symbols that represent white supremacy, such as the Celtic cross, the Odin’s rune, or the black sun2.

Anti-democratic politicians and media figures may use flags or symbols that are related to former president Donald Trump, such as the MAGA hat, the Trump 2020 flag, or the QAnon flag. They may also use flags or symbols that are related to conspiracy theories, such as the QAnon logo, the Pepe the Frog meme, or the Punisher skull34.

These flags or symbols are not endorsed or recognized by the official government or the majority of the American people. They are often used to provoke, intimidate, or incite violence against those who disagree with them. They are also widely condemned and rejected by many civil rights groups, religious organizations, and political parties.

ME: How would you summarize all this in a closing comment to someone to give them hope and support their fighting against ignorance and this kind of extremist right wing divisiveness?

Copilot:

America is a great nation that was founded on the principles of republicanism and democracy. These principles are not incompatible or contradictory, but rather complementary and mutually reinforcing. They allow the people to have a voice and a choice in how they are governed, while also protecting their rights and liberties from abuse and tyranny. Democracy is not a threat or a weakness, but a strength and a virtue. It is not a fixed or static concept, but a dynamic and evolving one that can adapt to changing circumstances and needs. Democracy is not perfect, but it is worth defending and improving.

However, there are some groups that oppose or undermine democracy in America, often for extremist, violent, or hateful purposes. They use false or misleading arguments, symbols, or flags to justify their actions or beliefs. They spread misinformation, conspiracy theories, and lies to erode public trust and confidence. They incite or commit violence to intimidate or silence those who disagree with them. They are not representative or respectful of the diversity and complexity of the American people and their values.

We should not let these groups divide us or deter us from our democratic ideals and aspirations. We should not let them take away our hope or our courage to fight for what is right and just. We should not let them define or dictate who we are or what we stand for. We are the people of the United States of America, they are a minority, and we are stronger together than apart. Even though they praise division and fear. We are the defenders and the guardians of our republic and our democracy, and we will not let them fall.

There you have it...

Cheers! Sláinte!

Trump Blind

How can Trump supporters not see Trump for who he is? It took some very gullible misinformed, disinformed, low information people to elect him and now, to still listen to him. to be fair, many of us are low information people. Today's life is all about lots of information at very shallow degrees of dissemination. We are today, the most educated, best informed, and yet most ignorant people in human history.

Whether it's a massive need to switch to vote by mail-in ballot, or to social distance while some protest it, America is a morass of confusion, aided by Pres. Donald Trump.

Let me share this incredibly well-stated article I heard of from one of my favorite actors for decades now, John Cusack, from Fintan O'Toole from The Irish Times:

THE WORLD HAS LOVED, HATED AND ENVIED THE US, NOW, FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE PITY IT. - Fintan O'Toole: Irish Times 25/04/2020

Filters. Trump is adept at getting people to use filters of his own sad design.

Conman. Mesmer. Donald Trump.A new American disease brought on by a longer-term conservative and Republican disease.

Do NOT get me wrong. We NEED a Republican party. We need a representative for the conservative voices in America. But we do NOT need THIS defective faux democratic lobbyist's dream for big money and power-grabbing at any and all costs to not just America but their own base. A base mostly of middle and lower economic classes, but seen to the party as the big and rich and powerful. The party is there to support business, big business because that's where they see the money and power are.

I'm really now seeing it as Trumpblindness. We have heard Trump cult followers label anyone shoving facts, reality, or truth about Trump in their faces as victims of TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome), which does not exist.

Which actually is Trump Delusional Syndrome in never seeing Trump do anything wrong and any facts about him showering light and truth about him as "Fake News". TDS does not exist on Trump opponent's side, but the other TDS most assuredly does. We've all seen it.

As for Trump Derangement Syndrome, it could really be referred to as Trump Dissemination Syndrome as people angered justly about how Trump acts, try very hard, and passionately to share the facts about Trump, which his supporters turn a blind set of eyes and ears and mind into the darkness. Yes, when people do that, and it's dire, it's frustrating and angry invoking, but in a deranged fashion but in a rational and justified fashion.

It's as if someone is attacking your neighborhood, lying about it, claiming those trying to stop it are actually doing it, and those who are trying to stop the attacks are being called deranged, and liars, as at they watch more and more damage and irrational behaviors. That SHOULD make you angry, that should invoke action! But how is it deranged? And how are those ignoring reality NOT deranged?

This is a religious near-cult style belief system. Why is this happening? What is going on?

Trump has been supported by some church organizations. Trump has paid them back for their support. Their foolish and yet productive support. Why has he turned so Christian when he is obviously not, even by his own supposed "Paster's" comments.

What is all that about? No one has known. I have however talked about this kind of thing before. I've talked about many of these things involved with American Evangelical Christianity and Mega Churches and the Republican party and the past few years, Donald Trump. But I never quite put them all together as well as one person has in her book.

I highly recommend anyone interested in this, in what's been going on, WATCH this video interview from C-SPAN 2 with Katherine Stewart. It's a real eye-opener.

Katherine Stewart

The Power Worshippers

Journalist Katherine Stewart argued that religious nationalists are waging political war on American democracy and institutions. This was a virtual author program.

This information may well stun and shock you. It's a real eye-opener, It's not conspiracy theories. It's not Fake News. It's not TDS. It's reality. I'll also bet many who watch this will also have a feeling of epiphany. "This makes so much sense! Finally!"

 Like I said, I've been sharing this information for years. I just never put it together like this until now. My first blog on this Christian connection goes all the way back to 2015! It actually goes back even further to I think 2011. I started this blog in 2010 and I know I was talking about it even before that.

There is a video with Trump and Acosta which is pretty much a Trump training film. You can see the good questions. You can see how Trump answered them in such a way so as to give his believers, and this is a near-religious belief, offering them just the basics of plausible deniability so they can go wait, what? OH, OK, we're good and yeah, Jim, what kind of question was that. Why are you the creep? ETC.

NOTE how Trump in this video never answers the question, he deflects, he blames, he bullies and turns things around. But doesn't face his own reality.

It's really a good study in this kind of delusion, forced delusion, desired delusion, evangelical power implementation. Confidence work (as in conman). I really wouldn't say Trump's a pro, but an Adept. Trump really isn't a genius, but is very functional as a one-trick pony of sorts.

It's an interesting confluence of disorders and abuse. Trump uses his natural propensity as a bully, along with his narcissism which sucks people into a kind of Trump reality bubble. If you've ever been around those people, ti's amazing and disturbing. At times, frightening.

You become delusional with the person. Until you walk away leaving their realm of influence and you wonder, what were you thinking? With Trump as president remotely manipulating... some people never get that chance to walk away.

Plus, it's simply the Republican culture. The conservative culture. That bubble where, when the needle approaches to prick that manufactured reality, to deflate it, those inside the bubble simply say their mantra of "Fake News" and move on feeling catharsis and having neutralized the reality invading their dream.

And we're dealing with the syndrome of victims of the authoritarian personality.

Others bang their head on the wall because in talking to Trump supporters it's like talking to someone who is drugged, insane, or completely unaware of reality. Or simply incapable of seeing anything Trump did wrong. You see, Trump never does anything wrong. For one thing, he tells you he never does anything wrong. How can he say that and it not be true? Right?

Here's a book by a retired professor of psychology that is very interesting. It may help YOU from going nuts too, albeit in a completely different way.

Why do Trump’s supporters stand by him, no matter what? Read, The Authoritarians, by Bob Altemeyer, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
Trump offers things people want, lies, or not. Trump lies are easier and massive, and as has been documented, very well used and abused. Desperate people cling to them. Something that, thanks to the GOP who for years now, has built up an environment that was ripe for a Donald Trump.

For a conman who took over their party and forced it to devolved ever further, ever faster into whatever Trump wanted, and needed. In Republican efforts to slow down, and kill progress, ni our not having the advancements and money we need, people have become desperate. In the "frog in a boiling pot" way then haven't really noticed, until so far underwater, they see no hope.

The lies from a Republican party, The "Grand Old Party' who people once trusted. A party that people used to be able to trust. But no longer.

We've been completely set up for this.

I don't think it's a conspiracy. I think it's a lot of greedy, self-interested people following a questionable faux conservative ideology, who came together and set the stage, one step at a time, never looking much forward, for a leader, unknowingly for a conman, a Donald Trump if you will, who would be attracted to this situation, so very obvious to the right person.

"OMG," Trump said, "there are all these 'marks', a country full of easily fleeced people, begging to be ripped off, and they would be so damn easy to fleece. AND they would THANK me for ripping them off!"

And so we have and are seeing it, daily, right before our eyes. So obviously none of his supporters can believe it, or anything like it is happening...TO THEM. While the rest of us watch in wonder and disbelief and it happens again, and again and again. Then they turn to us and say, "You are really so very stupid. Ignorant. Low Information people." Really? We are? I'm so glad to know that finally. Thank you, so very much.

Just as some bad guys are attracted to certain women, and those women to them who life has pushed them into being victims who then become victimized. It's not unique, it's not a surprise. Only to those involved. Yet, not always. And yet, they become victimized again.

Welcome to Trump America, today.

I'm serious here, there will be white papers and doctorate thesis about this situation for many decades to come. Hindsight consideration about this time in American history will be exemplified by a very serious disbelief that any of this could ever have happened. And yet it has. We''re living in it right now.

And it has happened before. It most likely will again.

We are human beings, you see.