The biggest worry I have with Orbanization is the status of the Supreme Court. If Trump gets a chance to install even one more justice, we could be in a lot of trouble. Once again, midterms are very important. We need to flip that damn Senate. Once and for all.
I think a bigger worry than Orbanization is the Trump administration's response to the next crisis. We saw how poorly he did with Covid, and that was with some well-qualified people in the buildings. We can't know how many crises were averted by the Biden administration because we simply don't hear about them under most circumstances. A well-run administration like Biden's nips a lot of things in the bud we don't hear about until somebody writes a book.
Under Trump, that won't happen. The people he's trying to nominate to cabinet positions are unqualified. Some of them are so nuts that their religious zaniness may even be leading them into hoping for a Malthusian event because it will usher in the rapture. That's how crazy some of them are.
I wish I could share your optimism. I am actually disappointed in how docile Americans turned out to be. Even Hungarians in Budapest protest Orban regularly.
Too many Americans are MAGAtized and don't read or watch truthful news. As we saw by the results of the election, far too many "low information voters" haven't even a clue, as of yet, that there are things that they SHOULD be protesting.
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“This Substack keeps growing.
Our digital views keep beating Fox, ABC, CNN, and other networks.
Keep threatening us, MAGA. It only makes us more motivated to grow even bigger.”
Thank you for this detailed breakdown. I learned a lot, especially about SLAPP lawsuits.
Something in the background that might be worth noting is the threat of physical harm that politicians, reporters, and other individuals who speak up against Trump have related in various stories. Cowards hiding behind social media anonymity, including out and out Russian trolls, have threatened the lives of people perceived to be Trump's adversaries, even their family members. E. Jean Carroll spoke up about an unknown male stranger catching up to her on the street and warning her that it would not be safe for her to continue. Text from interviews with Jeffrey Epstein in his cell indicate that he was "terrified" of Trump, saying that he was "capable of anything." This background of physical intimidation and fear underscores the courage it takes to act in the manner of Kintzinger, Cheney, and Justice Merchan in the face of threatened violence.
This exacting dismemberment of Trump's claim he's going to shut down the presses, both print and broadcast, is very much in the style of Jay Kuo. Admittedly, I'm a huge fan of Jay. He continually shows his legal expertise in breaking down statements, parcing them into understandable sentences, making their meaning clear. He always convinces me that Mr. Trump is a modern day charlatan who has conned people since he first learned to speak.
We must stand for something or we will fall for everything. We must never bury our heads in the sand when evil comes around. There are ways to overcome evil if we don’t turn a blind eye to the problems.
Keep in mind that the population of Hungary is about 8 million. Which is about the population of New Jersey. However, the GDP of New Jersey is three times (!) that of Hungary.
Not sure the tactics that work for a small country, would work in the US.
The cunning is NOT just from Trump. He is getting a lot of help. Damn, I keep reading posts that seem to originate from fantasy land that believe in fairytale endings.
I see ABC settlement in the same light that I see CEO's donating to Trump's inauguration fund - it's a bribe. Please, Mr. Trump - if we give you money, can you let us do business the way we want to (either leave us alone, or release us from "burdensome regulations"?). ABC just wanted it to be over; they would have been tied up in court for years. This is what Trump does. But, I agree with Charles; SCOTUS is tipping the balance. Above else, that is my greatest fear.
A hearty thank you to Jay Kuo for challenging the idea that Trump is a king to be feared even before he takes office for the second (ugh!) time. Not all businesses and individuals are prepared to kiss his ring or add to his coffers. While he poses a threat to our country, I think that many Americans are going to speak loudly against him, especially given his and his Maga crews (Kash Patel, anyone?) escalating threats that our system of government will not allow them to carry out. I think it is best to realize that he is a threat, but not to overestimate his power.
"Donald Trump is not yet in power for his second term, and already we are seeing all five of these indices flash warning signs." This is a heart-stopping statement.
We aren't that kind of people? I'm sorry but my experience with people from many different walks in life and electing Trump twice strongly suggests otherwise.
The biggest worry I have with Orbanization is the status of the Supreme Court. If Trump gets a chance to install even one more justice, we could be in a lot of trouble. Once again, midterms are very important. We need to flip that damn Senate. Once and for all.
I think a bigger worry than Orbanization is the Trump administration's response to the next crisis. We saw how poorly he did with Covid, and that was with some well-qualified people in the buildings. We can't know how many crises were averted by the Biden administration because we simply don't hear about them under most circumstances. A well-run administration like Biden's nips a lot of things in the bud we don't hear about until somebody writes a book.
Under Trump, that won't happen. The people he's trying to nominate to cabinet positions are unqualified. Some of them are so nuts that their religious zaniness may even be leading them into hoping for a Malthusian event because it will usher in the rapture. That's how crazy some of them are.
And here comes a strange form of Malaria from Congo, and avian flue jumping species.
I wish I could share your optimism. I am actually disappointed in how docile Americans turned out to be. Even Hungarians in Budapest protest Orban regularly.
Too many Americans are MAGAtized and don't read or watch truthful news. As we saw by the results of the election, far too many "low information voters" haven't even a clue, as of yet, that there are things that they SHOULD be protesting.
Support independent media like Medias Touch Network! MTN is an independent news org with ZERO outside financial investors. Substack is a major part of their growth so subscribe(available for free), like or share. 📣
“This Substack keeps growing.
Our digital views keep beating Fox, ABC, CNN, and other networks.
Keep threatening us, MAGA. It only makes us more motivated to grow even bigger.”
https://open.substack.com/pub/meidastouch/p/they-keep-asking-trump-to-look-into?r=fqsxl&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
"Keep threatening us, MAGA. It only makes us more motivated to grow even bigger.”
Hmmmm. We live in different universes. I do not see resistance to MAGA other than wishin' and hopin'.
Thank you for this detailed breakdown. I learned a lot, especially about SLAPP lawsuits.
Something in the background that might be worth noting is the threat of physical harm that politicians, reporters, and other individuals who speak up against Trump have related in various stories. Cowards hiding behind social media anonymity, including out and out Russian trolls, have threatened the lives of people perceived to be Trump's adversaries, even their family members. E. Jean Carroll spoke up about an unknown male stranger catching up to her on the street and warning her that it would not be safe for her to continue. Text from interviews with Jeffrey Epstein in his cell indicate that he was "terrified" of Trump, saying that he was "capable of anything." This background of physical intimidation and fear underscores the courage it takes to act in the manner of Kintzinger, Cheney, and Justice Merchan in the face of threatened violence.
This exacting dismemberment of Trump's claim he's going to shut down the presses, both print and broadcast, is very much in the style of Jay Kuo. Admittedly, I'm a huge fan of Jay. He continually shows his legal expertise in breaking down statements, parcing them into understandable sentences, making their meaning clear. He always convinces me that Mr. Trump is a modern day charlatan who has conned people since he first learned to speak.
We must stand for something or we will fall for everything. We must never bury our heads in the sand when evil comes around. There are ways to overcome evil if we don’t turn a blind eye to the problems.
Trump is so far from “charismatic”.
Depends on who you ask, sadly.
I don't get it....he has always given me the heebie jeebies! And that mouth! What sane person can even stand to look at him! Ugh!
Keep in mind that the population of Hungary is about 8 million. Which is about the population of New Jersey. However, the GDP of New Jersey is three times (!) that of Hungary.
Not sure the tactics that work for a small country, would work in the US.
Changing the U.S. into Hungary will take someone a lot more cunning than Trump, for sure.
The cunning is NOT just from Trump. He is getting a lot of help. Damn, I keep reading posts that seem to originate from fantasy land that believe in fairytale endings.
At this moment thank you for presenting the facts and helping me to keep my sanity.
I see ABC settlement in the same light that I see CEO's donating to Trump's inauguration fund - it's a bribe. Please, Mr. Trump - if we give you money, can you let us do business the way we want to (either leave us alone, or release us from "burdensome regulations"?). ABC just wanted it to be over; they would have been tied up in court for years. This is what Trump does. But, I agree with Charles; SCOTUS is tipping the balance. Above else, that is my greatest fear.
A hearty thank you to Jay Kuo for challenging the idea that Trump is a king to be feared even before he takes office for the second (ugh!) time. Not all businesses and individuals are prepared to kiss his ring or add to his coffers. While he poses a threat to our country, I think that many Americans are going to speak loudly against him, especially given his and his Maga crews (Kash Patel, anyone?) escalating threats that our system of government will not allow them to carry out. I think it is best to realize that he is a threat, but not to overestimate his power.
"Donald Trump is not yet in power for his second term, and already we are seeing all five of these indices flash warning signs." This is a heart-stopping statement.
T*cker Carlson, employee
Viktor Orbán, employer
Dick Carlson, employee
Viktor Orbán, employer
As always, thank you for this informative article.
We aren't that kind of people? I'm sorry but my experience with people from many different walks in life and electing Trump twice strongly suggests otherwise.
None of this will matter when the House cannot be sworn in for lack of a leader. CHAOS is what lies ahead.