24 Comments

As a German, I am… out of words. This is "Dolchstoßlegende" 101. I am disgusted, but even more, scared.

Expand full comment

yeah. And the next installment of this will get even more into "stabbed in the back" mythos.

Expand full comment

So which H is Trump? Hindenburg or Hitler himself?

Expand full comment

Prolly Hindenburg? Right? I would expect Vance to be Hitler…

Expand full comment

I'm glad you're back. ;) Take a break when you can. Radical self-care. The hardest part to accept once you 'see" what's happening (been happening for decades) is that it will never be "over." I hope you had time to regroup, catch your breath. Pacing ourselves will be everything. I'm very grateful for your insights.

Expand full comment

I've been thinking about NASDAP-era slang that best describes many of these new-fash bandwagoneers. Two terms in particular, "Märzveilchen" (March Violets) used to describe recent party members who joined AFTER the NASDAP gained power through the Enabling Act in 1933. The joke is that these new members sprung up like violets in spring. And "Rindersteak Nazi" (Beefsteak Nazi) to describe those of either leftist leanings or politically amoral socialists [EDIT: Apparatchiks would be a better term than socialists...which I was thinking of 'socialist' as used at that time...Democratic Socialists were the equivalent of center-right status quo folks.) who joined the NASDAP party to expedite access to jobs and privileges. The joke of the term, red on the inside/brown on the outside.

Ultimately, the internal battles between the "alte Kämpfer" (Old Fighters) and the newcomers caused many problems trying to run a government from 1933 to 1945. The Old were ideological purists with their rabble 'army' vs. the savvy, opportunistic New Guard interested in attaining personal wealth and power. Before any of them are able to implement policies, there will be lots of infighting, as the entire enterprise is, to use another vintage slang phrase, a handbag full of cobras.

History can be useful in predicting what plays this modern NASDAP will use.

Expand full comment

Pete Hegseth is a graduate of Princeton and Harvard’s Kennedy School. Steve Bannon went to Georgetown and Harvard University. The irony from the so-called anti elitist faction is palpable.

Expand full comment

Jeff,

I trust you and have learned a lot from you, but I don't know how often I'll be able to read this without wanting to throw myself off a cliff. I'm not burying my head in the sand...I'm terrified. The media is a huge huge problem and are even now sane-washing the certifiable and the deeply dangerous.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Jeff. We need your voice.

Expand full comment

Hegseth is a crypto bro who chose to put his money in one of the biggest and most obvious crypto frauds that collapsed in 2022.

https://substack.com/profile/96801203-michel-de-cryptadamus/note/c-77060678

Expand full comment

He's completely unfit for the job.

Contact your senators. He's not confirmed yet.

Expand full comment

I knew nothing about this guy but as soon as I saw him I thought "this has something to do with Eddie Gallagher." Of course.

Expand full comment

Now, more than ever, we need your laser brain. After the vapid ‘coverage’ of this appointment yesterday, your post clears away the obfuscation deflecting us from seeing the awful truth. White hot, and empowering. Pace yourself, you’ve been at it for a long time already.

Expand full comment

I’m tired of saying this term but he’s just so much toxic masculinity and obvious misogyny which I think is going to prove his weakness. This is no leader no maker of decisions. This is a weak man using what physical ability he has to be cruel and abusive. I should say seeing his mommy plead to the Senate on Fox news confirmed my opinion. But?

Expand full comment

trump looks at a pic of this guy and thinks, “Aryan proof”

Expand full comment

He looks like a white supremacy nut job.

Expand full comment

AN OPEN LETTER TO PETE HEGSETH

Re: Your Nomination for Secretary of Defense — A Blatant Spectacle of Opportunism, Recklessness, and the Sinister Nexus of White Nationalism and Sex Crimes

https://open.substack.com/pub/patricemersault/p/an-open-letter-to-pete-hegseth?r=4d7sow&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Expand full comment

Jeff. I just subscribed. Vermonters unite.

Expand full comment

“In a world armed to the teeth, I don’t like strong antagonistic stances.”

David James Duncan, “Sun House”

Last night I dreamt that our next Secretary of Defense wanted to arrive at all meetings with foreign counterparts on a Viking ship and be hailed as Hegseth the Raven Fucker. When asked about this, Dream Trump admitted that he doesn’t know what a raven is but said that Hegseth is part of the “third third” of his economic plan: “Tariffs, lower taxes for billionaires and exporting total bafflement.”

Expand full comment

Yanno, I can’t help but wonder if this sets the U.S. up for a military coup. If the Senate actually approves this man as Secretary of Defense, I can see it happening. Congress thinks they have their fingers on the pulse of America, but they don’t. I agree with the concept of “civilian” control over the military but if Orange Panda gets his pick approved it will cause great dissension in ranks. Sure there are lots of the U.S. military that support MAGA but there are lots that don’t. It could get really ugly.

Expand full comment