It's important to remember at this point that these people are neither omniscient nor invincible; despite the impression they hope to give.
They can be led around in circles, their time and energy can be wasted just like everyone else's can. They can fail, and be seen to fail, disastrously; and let no one tell you that wanting them to fail is rooting for America to.
They are not "America", they are but a competing faction within it; one no ordinary American should have any love of, or trust in.
First stage was disbelief-- How could people vote again for Satan's spawn?
Second stage was grief--
for all of us.
Third stage was anger and absolute rage at those who voted for and supported trump. Disbelief again.
Fourth stage is acceptance of what is and connecting with those who are in this with me, us, them.
Fifth stage--preparing to fight trump every fucking day through WHATEVER MEANS POSSIBLE, barring nothing. This includes lots of timeouts from news and things that enrage me and destroy me. This includes shedding love on those who need it and supporting them, laughing, playing music and living how I want to as best I can. PROTECT OUR
Essentially, yeah. And with the media specatcle they’re creating on purpose to stun everyone (or “shock and awe” as they put it) it’s going to be sensationalized in ways that weren’t even possible in 1933. Imagine if Germans and the rest of the world were able to livestream the beginnings of Nazi Germany. That’s where we find ourselves today. This is a bad place to be.
What's fascinating to me is that we have several immigrant clients at any given moment who are, in fact, criminals, since we practice criminal law. Mostly it's DUIs, etc.
ICE doesn't care. ICE will not pick them up. ICE won't come get them when we actively WANT ICE to come get them -- that was part of the deal we had for a guy who got caught with kiddie porn. ICE gets him, he goes back, problem solved. Trump can blab about it all he wants, but the manpower isn't there, the will isn't there, and it's just a bureaucratic dead end.
I don’t know how things will play out, it is early, but doesn’t Gov Pritzger have anything to say about Chicago?
Governor Newsom fully intends to be elected president of US in 2028. I think that might motivate his “respect for the office”, however Gov Newsom hold a huge financial card, maybe he should try to play it??
The immediate future is already terrifying....I can't even grasp the horror that will befall us during 4 years of this "orange ghoul" .....ghoul, as you called him, was perfect.
Elon Musk’s gesture during President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, has elicited significant controversy and debate. While Musk has not publicly clarified his intent, a psychological analysis can offer potential insights into the motivations and implications of his actions.
Contextual Analysis
Musk’s gesture, interpreted by some as a Nazi salute, occurred during a speech at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., where he expressed gratitude to the audience for their support. He placed his right hand on his chest and then extended it outward—a movement historically associated with the “Roman salute,” later appropriated by fascist regimes, most notably Nazi Germany. 
Psychological Perspectives
1. Symbolic Communication: Public figures often use gestures to convey messages beyond verbal communication. Musk’s gesture could be interpreted as an attempt to align himself with certain ideological groups or to provoke a reaction, leveraging symbolism to communicate complex ideas succinctly.
2. Provocation and Attention-Seeking: Musk has a history of making controversial statements and actions that generate public discourse. This pattern may indicate a psychological inclination towards provocation as a means of maintaining relevance and control over public narratives.
3. Cognitive Dissonance: Engaging in actions that conflict with societal norms can create cognitive dissonance, both within the individual and the audience. Musk’s gesture may have been a deliberate act to challenge perceptions, forcing observers to reconcile the dissonance between his public persona and the implications of the gesture.
4. Identity and Belief Systems: Musk’s actions could reflect an exploration or expression of his personal belief systems. By adopting a gesture with loaded historical connotations, he might be signaling a shift in ideological stance or testing the boundaries of societal acceptance.
Implications and Consequences
The psychological impact of Musk’s gesture extends beyond personal motivations. Public figures wield significant influence, and their actions can legitimize certain behaviors or ideologies. Musk’s gesture has been celebrated by far-right groups, indicating a potential reinforcement of extremist ideologies. 
Conclusion
While definitive conclusions about Musk’s intentions remain speculative without his explicit commentary, a psychological analysis suggests a complex interplay of symbolic communication, provocation, and identity exploration. The broader societal reactions underscore the profound impact that actions of influential individuals can have on public discourse and ideological movements.
I am not feeling great about this upcoming week. I keep thinking of that news anchor who said "shock and awe", and I am trying to keep in mind that there will be a lot to be outraged about, and a lot of misinformation and hot takes accompanying every single thing this week. May we all keep our sanity.
It's important to remember at this point that these people are neither omniscient nor invincible; despite the impression they hope to give.
They can be led around in circles, their time and energy can be wasted just like everyone else's can. They can fail, and be seen to fail, disastrously; and let no one tell you that wanting them to fail is rooting for America to.
They are not "America", they are but a competing faction within it; one no ordinary American should have any love of, or trust in.
As always, incredibly well said, Shaggy. Your comments are consistently insightful and I just want you to know how much I appreciate that. 🤘🏻
This has gone thru several stages for me:
First stage was disbelief-- How could people vote again for Satan's spawn?
Second stage was grief--
for all of us.
Third stage was anger and absolute rage at those who voted for and supported trump. Disbelief again.
Fourth stage is acceptance of what is and connecting with those who are in this with me, us, them.
Fifth stage--preparing to fight trump every fucking day through WHATEVER MEANS POSSIBLE, barring nothing. This includes lots of timeouts from news and things that enrage me and destroy me. This includes shedding love on those who need it and supporting them, laughing, playing music and living how I want to as best I can. PROTECT OUR
IMMIGRANTS!!!!!!
What is this, Gestapo Kristallnaught all over again?
Essentially, yeah. And with the media specatcle they’re creating on purpose to stun everyone (or “shock and awe” as they put it) it’s going to be sensationalized in ways that weren’t even possible in 1933. Imagine if Germans and the rest of the world were able to livestream the beginnings of Nazi Germany. That’s where we find ourselves today. This is a bad place to be.
The old order passeth, and the really old order cometh right back. Thomas Frank.
What's fascinating to me is that we have several immigrant clients at any given moment who are, in fact, criminals, since we practice criminal law. Mostly it's DUIs, etc.
ICE doesn't care. ICE will not pick them up. ICE won't come get them when we actively WANT ICE to come get them -- that was part of the deal we had for a guy who got caught with kiddie porn. ICE gets him, he goes back, problem solved. Trump can blab about it all he wants, but the manpower isn't there, the will isn't there, and it's just a bureaucratic dead end.
Buckle up America!
It's gonna be a rough ride!!
These lyrics relate to what’s happening:
The new dawn of the iron moon
You should have let sleeping dogs lie 'cause now they’re hunting you
Wallow in what could have been, thumb twiddler
You handed them the keys to the kingdom, signed and delivered
Do you feel numb, after the damage is done?
Do you remember the days when we didn't have to look over our shoulders?
Now we flinch at the kickback, and head down the wrong track
We let them take over
Fear is the final sin
Before it even begins, this fucking rat race was over
Fit For An Autopsy- Iron Moon
I don’t know how things will play out, it is early, but doesn’t Gov Pritzger have anything to say about Chicago?
Governor Newsom fully intends to be elected president of US in 2028. I think that might motivate his “respect for the office”, however Gov Newsom hold a huge financial card, maybe he should try to play it??
-2 in Chicago right now. Won’t it be too cold for tRumps jack boot thugs?
The immediate future is already terrifying....I can't even grasp the horror that will befall us during 4 years of this "orange ghoul" .....ghoul, as you called him, was perfect.
Hitler redux
77 million plus voted for this... ain't 'Murica great?
Elon Musk’s gesture during President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, has elicited significant controversy and debate. While Musk has not publicly clarified his intent, a psychological analysis can offer potential insights into the motivations and implications of his actions.
Contextual Analysis
Musk’s gesture, interpreted by some as a Nazi salute, occurred during a speech at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., where he expressed gratitude to the audience for their support. He placed his right hand on his chest and then extended it outward—a movement historically associated with the “Roman salute,” later appropriated by fascist regimes, most notably Nazi Germany. 
Psychological Perspectives
1. Symbolic Communication: Public figures often use gestures to convey messages beyond verbal communication. Musk’s gesture could be interpreted as an attempt to align himself with certain ideological groups or to provoke a reaction, leveraging symbolism to communicate complex ideas succinctly.
2. Provocation and Attention-Seeking: Musk has a history of making controversial statements and actions that generate public discourse. This pattern may indicate a psychological inclination towards provocation as a means of maintaining relevance and control over public narratives.
3. Cognitive Dissonance: Engaging in actions that conflict with societal norms can create cognitive dissonance, both within the individual and the audience. Musk’s gesture may have been a deliberate act to challenge perceptions, forcing observers to reconcile the dissonance between his public persona and the implications of the gesture.
4. Identity and Belief Systems: Musk’s actions could reflect an exploration or expression of his personal belief systems. By adopting a gesture with loaded historical connotations, he might be signaling a shift in ideological stance or testing the boundaries of societal acceptance.
Implications and Consequences
The psychological impact of Musk’s gesture extends beyond personal motivations. Public figures wield significant influence, and their actions can legitimize certain behaviors or ideologies. Musk’s gesture has been celebrated by far-right groups, indicating a potential reinforcement of extremist ideologies. 
Conclusion
While definitive conclusions about Musk’s intentions remain speculative without his explicit commentary, a psychological analysis suggests a complex interplay of symbolic communication, provocation, and identity exploration. The broader societal reactions underscore the profound impact that actions of influential individuals can have on public discourse and ideological movements.
GQ
I am not feeling great about this upcoming week. I keep thinking of that news anchor who said "shock and awe", and I am trying to keep in mind that there will be a lot to be outraged about, and a lot of misinformation and hot takes accompanying every single thing this week. May we all keep our sanity.
They have about run out of "shock"; and evince no "awe" whatsoever.