Dave S
dmstraker.bsky.social
Dave S
@dmstraker.bsky.social
Work: Engineer, educator, bus/psych consultant
Home: Learning, writing, DIY, gardening, cooking, photography, painting, guitar, dogs, hubby, dad
It seems the tide is turning against the seemingly unstoppable Trump regime.

Elections, Epstein, and now a seemingly small issue that has blown up rather then sink into yesterday's outrage.

Smelling blood, the Republicans are now approaching full rebellion.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘Unforgivable’: Trump’s ‘piggy’ insult is stoking more outrage than usual
The clip of the US president on Air Force One last Friday has taken off without much help from the media itself
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:52 AM
One of Trump's techniques is indifference. No news here; move along. Currently, it's about the Khashoggi murder. Next will be Epstein.
November 19, 2025 at 9:21 AM
MTG and co smash the Epstein blockade!

When opinionated rule-breakers are on your side, you can set the cats amongst opposition pigeons.

But you shouldn't be surprised when they go after some of your own birds. Nor when your suppressed minions join in the fun.
November 19, 2025 at 7:15 AM
When we are uncertain what to do, we look to our peers and superiors for examples.

This is why leaders should always model good behavior rather than think their position and power gives them permission to ignore morals and rules.
November 19, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Trump Drone Syndrome. He appoints people based on loyalty and looks, not experience and qualifications. They trip, tank or trash the organisation, possibly as wanted by Trump.
NEW: Lindsey Halligan apparently told the grand jury in the Comey case that they should indict on promised future evidence, and that Comey is guilty until proven innocent. Check out my chat with @klasfeldreports.com about this incredible ruling today: www.muellershewrote.com/p/halligan-i...
Halligan is in DEEP trouble in the Comey case
A recording from Allison Gill's live video
www.muellershewrote.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:36 PM
This is the best psychiatric analysis of Donald Trump I've seen.

Alarming!

youtu.be/9OtO-cypKmY?...
'Trump will not make it to the end of this term compos mentis' | Psychologist analyses Trump
YouTube video by Times Radio
youtu.be
November 18, 2025 at 12:51 PM
In the UK, Labour, with a massive majority last year, are committing suicide one revolt at a time. Today, it's on migration.

Meanwhile, the populist-Trumpist Reform has been rising in the polls while the traditional Conservatives remain in a post-power gloom.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Starmer facing fresh challenge as Labour MPs condemn asylum plans
Significant divisions exposed within party as angry backbenchers vow to force changes to hardline proposals
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Big bosses take lots of company money for themselves but pay workers little.

Government taxes us.

Government gives our money to workers to make up for their low pay.

Hmm. Is there a name for this?
November 18, 2025 at 5:57 AM
This is worthy.

youtu.be/ftDlwrg3obs?...
How Our Society Started Worshiping Idiots — Socrates
YouTube video by The Psyche
youtu.be
November 18, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Crypto-criminal confluence has long been known. It's a big Ponzi get-rich-quick scheme that one day will take the greedy to hell with it.
November 18, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Imagine a graph. Going left you have money. Right is ideals. Up is rich. Down is poor.

This gives four quadrants of Trump voters: power, prices, purism and punishment. The rich wanting power, those just trying to survive, purist elites and people wanting revenge on those they blame for their lot.
November 17, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Trump's truths and promises have a very limited lifespan.

At midnight, like Cinderella's dress, they turn to tatters.

Tomorrow is another fantastic groundhog day in TrumpLand.
November 17, 2025 at 7:02 PM
I'm expecting a huge bang as markets collapse. Never mind investments, I'm hoping my cash savings will survive if entire institutions collapse.

We survived 2008 because governments propped up banks. I'm not convinced they'll do it again. For many, Covid emptied the kitty and multiplied borrowing.
November 17, 2025 at 1:11 PM
If I declare myself modest, does that show I am not modest?
November 17, 2025 at 10:04 AM
When testing truth, ask: What's the FOG?

F: Facts. Proven, evidenced truth.

O: Opinion. Believed truth. Subject to significant bias.

G: Guess. Admittedly creative idea. May be based in experience.

Beware: Opinion and even guesses are often presented as facts. Expertise/experience may be limited.
November 17, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Trump OKs House vote on Epstein files.

He could block, redact or destroy them. But he can see it's not going to go away.

I think he'll throw other abusers to the wolves and tough it out himself.

His life is defined by getting away with stuff. Maybe this will be just another thrill ride for him.
November 17, 2025 at 6:31 AM
'In 1940, White wrote of the "smell" that "rises" from those who "adjust to fascism" over freedom.'

This is a terrifying insight. As with collaborators and traitors, some people find their true selves when they turn to the dark side and find they enjoy the cruelty.

www.lawdork.com/p/gregory-bo...
Gregory Bovino is exactly who E.B. White — author of 'Charlotte's Web' — warned us about
DHS named its North Carolina anti-immigrant effort "Operation Charlotte's Web." In 1940, White wrote of the "smell" that "rises" from those who "adjust to fascism" over freedom.
www.lawdork.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Trump urges the House to vote to release Epstein files.

He knows he can't stop it there. He may not be smart but he has a feral cunning. He's up to something. Options include:

1. Block elsewhere.

2. Destroy them.

3. Redact them.

4. Tough it out.
He knows they have the votes to filibuster in the Senate.

Or they have successfully destroyed everything showing he knew all about what Epstein was doing.
November 17, 2025 at 5:39 AM
A part of Trump's election promise was to expose the deep state and punish corrupt elites.

People are now realizing that he is building an even deeper militarized surveillance state, and likes nothing better than hob-nobbing with wealthy, pay-to-play elites.

I expect a big backlash.
November 16, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Here are two ways to learn:

Theory first: How does it all work? Now I understand as I act.

Practice first: Just do it like I'm told. Then discover why this works.

Both work. Neither is wrong, even though proponents of each tend to criticize the other.
November 16, 2025 at 7:10 AM
I'm puzzled.

Current investment in AI is gargantuan. Yet I'm using it for free.

Yes, it's handy, but to recoup costs, even for everyday operation, I expect to be billed lots of money in the near future.

Except I don't value it that much. And if AI takes my job, I won't be able to afford it.
November 15, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Politicians who promise to save people make them feel weak, vulnerable victims.

Politicians who promise to break the systems that make people feel weak, make the people feel strong and ready to become a law-breaking mob.

The latter is a core principle of fascism.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasces
Fasces - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
November 15, 2025 at 1:38 PM
In a time when we have more than ever, it seems we have less and less.

'Empty' describes how I feel when I see endless attacks on culturally critical institutions, when I see political incompetence, infighting and unkindness, when the world is on fire and those who should care, don't.
November 15, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Trump falls out with MTG. He posts loud nasties until she disappears.

That's how it's supposed to go.

But what if her rebellion is just the first step? What if she fights so hard she doesn't disappear? What if other supporters start doing the same?

Could this be the beginning of the end?
Trump has withdrawn his support for Marjorie Taylor Greene.
November 15, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Cheerful soul that I am, I'm reading a book on societal collapse (Goliath's Curse).

For every beginning, there is an end. While beginnings can be slow and hesitant, there are more options for endings, from sudden collapse to long, slow decline.

This may not be a new thought, so I'll stop before I
November 14, 2025 at 8:42 PM