The other day, I heard from “my” congressman again. That would be Doug LaMalfa, representing California’s first district. He seems to think he’s my congressman now because I spent a few months of 2020 in sparsely populated Tehama County weathering part of the pandemic. Since I was there during election season, I used my temporary address to register and vote. Ever since then, I’ve been getting an email newsletter from him once a month or so. And it’s an email list that’s practically impossible to unsubscribe from. This has not happened with any other politician at any other place I’ve lived, but evidently he got his hands on the voter rolls and is now using them to toot his own horn. Isn’t there some kind of law against this? If not, shouldn’t there be one?
Anyway, since his district is largely rural, it’s not surprising that LaMalfa is a Republican. But legend has it that there are a few decent Republicans still out there in the wild somewhere, and I wasn’t really familiar with him at the time, so every now and then I’d actually skim through his newsletter to see what he had to say. And for the most part, it wasn’t bad – on the basis of the newsletter, he at least seemed to have a genuine concern about real issues that actually affected his constituents, instead of just promoting mindless ideology like the vast majority of his party these days. But then, at the bottom of this most recent email there was this section:
This more than totally wiped out whatever respect his account may have accrued in my bank, because it utterly betrayed him as a loyal devotee of The Cult. (In fact, it turns out that he is an anti-sciencer, homophobe, Christian nationalist, election denier, and bona fide member of the sedition caucus.) Here, in one paragraph, was encapsulated the requisite line of attack against anyone daring to challenge the supremacy of Former Guy. It was the same set of boilerplate MAGAmerica soundbites that all the other members and defenders of The Cult were employing, as if the standard verbiage came from a manual issued directly from headquarters at Mar-A-Lago.
It goes without saying that they promptly began drawing all sorts of inappropriate and inaccurate parallels with Watergate and Hillary’s emails and Hunter’s laptop and Obama’s something. Strangely enough, however, not one of them has called for an accounting of Ginni Thomas’ seditious communications.
There are two aspects to the standard right-wing propaganda about the Mar-A-Lago incident. First, they defend Former Guy at all costs. And this requires not only taking some grotesquely contorted positions, but changing defenses whenever the wind shifts. As soon as I heard the news of the FBI’s action, my first question was how long it would be before Former Guy and his cultists claimed that the agency had planted evidence. And the answer was, it came almost immediately. Now imagine that federal agents come to your home looking for something and you are totally surprised and totally innocent and have absolutely nothing to hide. Are you going to start publicly proclaiming, before they’ve even announced the results of their search, that they planted evidence? Not bloody likely.
And then, after a day or two, he came up with a new defense: the documents he’d taken (although the FBI planted them) were actually declassified. Another lie – he must be confusing himself with Obama. He even claimed to have issued a “standing order” that automatically declassified any documents he removed. Another lie.
The other prong of the assault, of course, is attacking the FBI. And in that undertaking, there have been about half a dozen talking points that have been very, very predictable – and have been very, very mandatory for repetition by every single right-wing politician and media figure. To wit:
This is a raid!
For one thing, they are all required to refer to the search as a “raid” as often as possible. (Not to mention summoning such tried and trusty terms as “witch hunt”, “fishing expedition”, “dark times”, “Deep State”, “persecution”,”police state”, etc.) Now it’s true that the word raid is technically not absolutely incorrect, but it also is a word with some powerful connotations; it conjures up images of Vikings and Huns laying waste to villages, and of the police (or the Gestapo) breaking down the door, ordering occupants to the floor and/or slamming them against the wall while they trash the premises.
This was a lawful FBI search, carried out according to strict protocol, for evidence of serious and major wrongdoing. Consistently and repeatedly branding it a “raid” is clearly an effort to cast aspersions on its legal and moral authority. Just as anti-choice advocates constantly refer to a pregnant female as a “mother” even if she’s never had children (a usage that is not only manipulative but downright inaccurate) in an effort (highly successful) to slant media coverage, the MAGA cult is weaponizing the word raid to get it embedded in the media, and thus in the public’s mind, as firmly as possible.
Abuse of power
It’s also de rigueur to characterize the FBI’s investigation as an “abuse of power”. Mind you, these are the same people who’ve been vociferously insisting that they “back the blue” – at least as long as the blue murders helpless African-Americans in the streets or in their homes. But when law enforcement catches or even investigates one of their own, they suddenly cry foul in the foulest terms.
They’ve even tried to account for this double standard by drawing a distinction between uniformed police officers and an undercover federal investigative body like the FBI. Sorry, but it doesn’t work. Because they also excoriated, or at the very least downplayed the heroism of, the uniformed Capitol Police who stood up to their violent coup attempt. And they hailed the FBI as a defender of liberty when director James Comey disingenuously released an announcement, 11 days before the 2016 election, falsely suggesting that Hillary Clinton was about to come under renewed scrutiny for her dastardly email something or other.
But that was then and this is now, by god. And clearly the FBI is hopelessly corrupt now, because its current director was appointed by… oh, wait. Actually, this must all be the doing of Merrick Garland. Or George Soros. Or Jewish space lasers.
It’s a vendetta
Speaking of Merrick Garland, another prominent theory in the MAGAverse is that this “raid” is really all about Garland getting revenge because he was denied a seat on the Supreme Court. Aside from the fact that it was not Former Guy who blocked him from that post, Garland has never been the vindictive type. (If the positions were reversed, there’d be absolutely no problem at all in believing the revenge theory. ) Those of us who know the facts, and aren’t hyperpartisan hacks, have been very disgruntled with Garland’s dragging his feet for so long. Now that he finally seems to be taking one step, it almost seems like too little, too late. Nonetheless, the cultists will plow full speed ahead with the vengeance narrative; and like the good Congressman LaMalfa, lament how being vengeful makes you unfit for office. Even as they issue all kinds of dire warnings about how, once they regain the House, they’re going to take every conceivable action to get their revenge.
Threat to Liberty
Somehow or other, this law enforcement operation is supposed to be a dire threat to liberty. Not just Former Guy’s, but yours. If they succeed in taking him down, the argument goes, they are coming for you next. No, really. They’re actually saying things like this. After all, you have a great deal in common with the blue collar Joe Six-Pack former prez, doncha?
Threat to the Republic
Not only is holding Dear Leader accountable a threat to your freedumb, it’s also a threat to Amurrca itself. Somehow or other. Just trust us. And please forget that he himself egged a mob on to overthrow the republic and establish himself as dictator.
It’s unprecedented!
“Nothing like this has ever happened before!” they’re all required to scream from their soapboxes. And they’re required not to mention that there’s good reason it’s never happened before, and good reason it’s happening now. It doesn’t help them, or him, to protest that something is unprecedented, because absolutely everything about That Guy is unprecedented. And that’s not a compliment.
It’s a hoax!
This has become one of the favorite words of the cult, because it’s one of the favorite words of the cult leader. Any time he is accused of wrongdoing, he simply calls the story a “hoax”. Doesn’t matter if there is incontrovertible proof of his guilt. He, and they, want you to believe that, somehow or other, the FBI “raid” is a hoax as well. And he is just an innocent victim. The FBI, meanwhile, must be presumed guilty of some dire misdeed until proven innocent – and even afterward.
If media reports said initially that the FBI discovered 20 boxes of illegally removed material, and it turned out there were actually 40 boxes, this would be cited as proof that it was all a “hoax”.
We demand answers!
This one is perhaps the most insidious, because it’s the best disguised as a benign sentiment. We all want answers. That’s why the FBI conducted the search, duh. But the “answers” the MAGA cultists are seeking are not the answers the rest of us are seeking. For them, it’s standard procedure to “investigate” the investigators any time they get caught with their hand in the cookie jar – and to drag out their “investigation” much longer than the actual investigation, so it will have more staying power in the news cycles. This is what you can look forward to, one hundred percent guaranteed, if the GOPers retake Congress – not to mention an endless series of hearings about Hunter Biden’s laptop, and probably more hearings on Benghazi and Hillary’s emails. And most definitely a thorough raking over the coals of anyone involved with the Jan. 6 hearings – but definitely not any scrutiny of anyone involved in the Jan. 6 insurrection. Because that’s just a hoax, doncha know.
As I write this, it’s still too early to tell how all of this is going to pan out. But there are very strong signs, given Former Guy’s lengthy record of gross misconduct, Merrick Garland’s excruciatingly cautious approach, and the knowledge of potential political fallout from missteps in an investigation like this. Indeed former Watergate icon John Dean, who knows a thing or two about political malfeasance, has suggested the odds are extremely high that Former Guy is in deep doodoo.
In all likelihood, there are going to be some heavy-duty smoking guns among the material confiscated. But at this writing, it’s much too early to tell. This particular investigation is still in its very early stages. But even if, against all odds, it turns out that the search was utterly groundless, it was still done on legitimate suspicions – the FBI even had an inside tipster, for heaven’s sake. And even if we assume that story itself is a “hoax”, the thing is, we won’t know any of this until the investigation is concluded. That’s the way criminal investigations work. Law enforcement never shares the contents of a file with the public while an investigation is in progress; to do so would seriously hamper, and perhaps even kill, the investigation.
But that’s precisely what the MAGA mob is demanding; as always, they want to be the exception to the rule. Because they want the investigation killed. And that’s not all; they want the individuals conducting the investigation to be publicly identified so they can be harassed, intimidated – and perhaps even killed themselves.
This is not an exaggeration. The FBI has already received death threats because of the “raid”. And this was absolutely predictable: the MAGA mob routinely makes death threats (and all too often, carries them out) against anyone who does anything they don’t like. Right-wingers in politics and media – even those as clueless as my dear congressman Doug LaMalfa – are fully aware of this. And yet not only do they not try to quell it, they actively enable it. At least one Republican has even been campaigning on a platform of encouraging the murder of FBI agents. Seriously.
And he’ll probably win. After all, he calls it “freedom”.
The MAGA cult soundbites get at least one thing right: these are indeed “dark times”. And as they see it, all the illumination they need is coming from the holy palace of Mar-A-Lago. An estate being lit entirely by gas.
The Propaganda Professor 
Great article Professor! Garland certainly has been a disappointment. Former guy and his henchmen should already be in prison and out of the news.
Even GW Bush is concerned about Trumpers rejecting the constitution, and Ronald Reagan must be so busy turning over in his grave that he may never sleep peacefully again.
Even If real crimes were committed, and all the Ts were crossed and the Is were dotted, Trumpers still seem determined to call the legal search at Mara Lago (for important and objective information) a “vendetta?” Of course, the FBI does exist to guard us against people who kill cops, as well as against people who nearly crushed a brave policemen, who died later as a result of his stressful ordeal, and other cops who were accosted with powerful chemicals sprayed into the eyes, while MAGA minded people chanted, “Where’s Nancy,” and “Hang Mike Pence,” please tell me….on that day who really had a vendetta to fulfill? I know that hordes of MAGA minions will still see no reason to agree–believing they needed to uphold their views of the law in ways that were clearly against the law–thus prompting the Justice department and the FBI to do what they were supposed to do!!
Here are two links to two videos that, in a sane world, would be enough to change the minds of any sane Trump supporter, and reveal their leader’s ugly and manipulative Vendetta against Biden and the Democrats. But, voters are fickle and will most likely not remember any real facts when they vote. But just watch these videos!–both of which go on for more than twenty minutes. However, if you just listen to the first few 10 minutes or so, it will be undeniably clear who caused the Jan insurrection, and who caused Trump supporters to attack their own fellow Americans. Fist:
https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2021/02/13/mitch-mcconnell-trump-impeachment-vote-acquittal-full-speech-sot-vpx.cnn
Also This next one reveals the President’s own misuse of his own AG, by divulging Bill Barr’s thoughts about the (stop the steal) conspiracy–in which Barr reveals what he said to former President Trump–that Trump’s claims of fraud “were Bullshit!”
So, if Trump supporters view this video and the first one, containing Mitch McConnell’s comments, I have two question for them–Are you going to belive your own eyes and ears, or would you rather believe the unsupported claims being circulated by “Stop the Steal,” conspirators?
To anyone, (including myself), who has had previously held beliefs that they thought were rock solid, it is always a painful process to admit when one has actually been wrong. But please, really consider what is in these videos, and then have the grace to realize that you have been mislead.
Orwell’s Accomplice
Violence can only lead to more violence
9/29/2025
My father kept a number of hunting guns in our hall closet under lock and key. But just owning and approving of gun ownership is no logical reason to assume that Charlie Chist only cared about gun deaths unless other people got shot? Anyone is willing to use a gun for self defense or to protect their families? So assuming Charlie was devoid of those common virtues is a pretty opinionated statement, not a rational one.
Individuals who legally keeps semi-automatic weapons with 15 or 20 round magazines and use them to protect themselves and their families is are not wrong but the most important factor to consider is what kinds of buyers are able to qualify for gun ownership, especially those with violent pasts. And we must also be aware of the relative ease in some states, in which people allow those with criminal records to purchase weapons and ammunition. So people who truly don’t satisfy those fundamental requirements should be disqualified for gun ownership in both their home States as well as be registered in a National data system that reveals them on time.
Even if not politically well informed, my own father would not hesitate to arm his hunting rifles for the purpose of defending his family! And if anyone got killed in the process, he would not be crying over the death of a criminal who attacked his home. He would be crying tears of joy because his family was safe!
Although Trumpers often seem to be unaware of the many legitimate arguments about the need to regulate guns. Even if someone has a higher education is no reason to assume all gun owner are irresponsible.
On You Tube, a video of Kirk debating a young liberal woman who tried to assert the freedoms that women were Constitutionally granted more than 100 years ago, yet many liberal women succumbed to domestic and cultural attempts to manipulate them.
As most of us know, Gloria Steinem and the early feminists had no desire to (tell) any woman what she (must) do—instead Steinem (encouraged women to do what they want to do, rather than assume they must marry first while lacking specific skills that might qualify them for well paying jobs. And as much as any woman has the right to decide when to raise children they also have the right to choose a different path if they please/
So Charlie must have considered the idea of women making their own life choices, anti-social and/or immoral, even though the women’s movement (merely suggested) that women, had the right to choose other options for themselves. However succumbing to the right wing’s advise, many women feared the left-wing was trying to “scare” them into thinking that they might also have the right to choose another path.
Many conservatives think that when women consider their own life choices first, they are committing a grave sin and letting liberals corrupt them. However, during the woman’s movement, people like Gloria Steinem never insulted women who chose to be wives and mothers first.They willingly accepted imposed conformity because, after all, if they wanted to marry and have babies first—that too should be up to them. Steinem never (forced) women not to think for themselves, rather, the women’s movement merely suggested that if any women decided to pursue their own personal dreams first (such as receiving a valuable education) it was not morally wrong for her to do so.
But instead of letting independent people think for themselvesinstead many women were afraid to be mothers before reaching the age of 25! Trumpers recommend that all women. be taught that changing their minds and making their own personal decisions, were only ways to sin against God. But different people have always had different beliefs and managed to accept those whose own beliefs are different.
Currently infant deaths in many states are increasing because good Doctors are not being allowed to to prevent the mother and/or her child, from dying (without proper assistance and care)–Thus many mothers will keep dying and will therefor never contribute to an increasing America’s numbers of children—Which Kirk believes is something that God wants them to do?
As is often the case, if a lady uses the pill—something that does not kill any new life, but merely prevents the sperm and egg from beginning that 9 month process, many conservatives still consider “the pill” as a weapon used to kill unborn children?
And thanks to Republicans, currently it’s harder and to find clinics that will do legal abortions. Thus Charlie believes that the birth rate is falling in America partly due to Gloria Steinem (Supposedly) forcing women not to conform and to use contraceptives instead. So, now that most forms of birth control are being denied that will force women who have childrento be forced to get unsafe and unsanitary abortions from Quacks in back allies (or somewhere without the necessary tools and medical care available). Statistics have long demonstrated that reproductive austerity and legal bans only decrease the number of children, due to the fact that they often place mothers in jeopardy by preventing them access to effective help! Who can deny that we humans in general (just don’t see the forest for the trees), and often we get complacent with our own ways of viewing all social problems– until one day we see that our own talking points by themselves, were not going to save pregnant women from aborting unborn children. If that seems cruel Consider these quotes provided by Google with help from AI.
“In countries with high infant mortality rates, families often have more children to compensate for potential losses. But the overall birth rate may not increase if the social and economic conditions that cause high infant mortality are not addressed.” such as using forms of birth control.”
“Restrictions on reproductive healthcare have been linked to poorer economic outcomes for women, and higher rates of poverty. These financial challenges can create a disincentive for individuals to have larger families, and contribute to lower birth rates over time.”
“For example, a 2025 Johns Hopkins study found that bans in 14 states resulted in a 1.7% increase in fertility, which is equivalent to (22,180) excess births by the end of 2023)”
”However, this increase was not uniform and was most pronounced among individuals with fewer resources, thus highlighting the unequal impact of such policies. [And] how the long-term effects on birth rates may be influenced by these short-term effects, and could ultimately be outweighed by other factors like reduced reproductive opportunities, fear of pregnancy, and economic instability.”
All the women I’ve asked have told me that deciding to have a fetus aborted would be a difficult and emotionally taxing process to go through, but most of them have concluded that if (they and their families) decided to make such agonizing decisions instead of the government, that would all be for the better.
As a pacifist who could no longer allow himself to be a citizen of any violent country, Einstein preferred being a citizen of the world, and It made him very sad to think that the discovery he thought would provide limitless energy to the entire world, had been use to unlock man’s access to limitless energy that could be used as ultimate weapons of war. He once said that he didn’t know how WW3 would be fought, but he stated quite seriously, that WW4 “will be (fought with sticks and stones)!”
Some religious people love to quote Christs as saying “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” but when soldier came to arrest him before his crucifixion, Jesus told his disciples to put away their swords because he who lives by the sword dies by the sword, And he told us that (if a man strikes you on the cheek turn to him he other cheek), and if he takes your shirt give him your coat also) So we know that Christ did not come to urge that men use violence against others, rather he told us to value Peace and non violence above all else! I am not perfect that way and neither are Trump’s followers but perhaps we should all ask ourselves why we are so damn far from being compassionate?
Anonymous