There was no orange smoke last Thursday, instead we got the highly anticipated white smoke to announce the selection of a new Pope. It was in essence a huge “fuck you” to American fascism.
I must admit that it was also a very smart play for the Vatican to go with an American Pope to avoid tariffs, and meanwhile the rumour is that communion wine will now be Merlot.
More seriously, MAGA are now super mad because the new pope appears to actually care about the actual teachings of Jesus …
Trashed Vance?
Yes really, here are his tweets from last Feb …
MAGA were of course super thrilled, and I’m so here for it …
There is also no ducking the observation that the new pope is right to refer to Jesus was a migrant. If he were alive today, MAGA “Christians” would have him deported to El Salvador.
OK, so let’s move on now and dive into some of the crazy stuff from the past week.
Air Traffic Update
Is anybody actually shocked that Trump’s cabinet of former Fox hosts are on Fox every day blaming the Biden admin while their agencies fall apart from the chaos they’ve caused since day 1 …
They might indeed try and blame Biden, but those with an attention span longer than that of a goldfish do actually remember a few facts …
State Sponsored Propaganda
The government will now be broadcasting OAN’s propaganda to other countries …
- As if we didn’t look dumb enough on the world stage already. What until they get a load of flat earth conspiracy BS coming over the airwaves via the Orwellian Asshole Network.
Another Fox News Host
Well at least, apart from Pete, we don’t have to worry about someone drinking on the j—oh god. Oh no, he has picked Pirro …
Who?
This is who …
- Link to the NBC article here.
- Quote: In 2020, she repeatedly pushed conspiracy theories on her Fox News show about Trump’s election loss. In the course of litigation filed by Dominion Voting Systems, it was revealed that Pirro’s executive producers sent a blunt assessment of one of her monologues to higher-ups: “This is completely crazy.”
- Just to make something clear, she is not unique. Every single person in the Trump Administration from the TOP on down are all unqualified, incompetent, incapable, unfit, and dangerously stupid.
Health Update
RFK Jr is now a leading cause of measles. He’s trying his best to become a leading cause of most epidemics.
More of his FFS moments
- Each and every single year, all the allied nations involved pay tribute to ALL the fallen soldiers who gave their lives defending Europe, but this is Trump, so he ignores all that. When he says “gratitude”, he means money, doesn’t he?
- Bone Spurs couldn’t even handle a draft, and has labelled those who gave their lives “suckers and losers”, but sure, let’s hear more about his “thoughts” on military “brilliance.”
He views the loss of trade as a win (yes, he really is that stupid) …
- Just to help you wrap your head around how stupid this is – Imagine going to the grocery store, buying $200 worth of food, and then shouting that you ‘lost $200 in trade’ with the supermarket. That’s basically his understanding of economic theory. – Trade deficits aren’t theft. They’re receipts.
So after one more week of lunacy, there is where we now are …
Trade War Update
We all learned this past week from the economic genius that we don’t do much business with Canada …
- It is truly wild that he can get real-time fact checked and his zealots still think he’s correct.
- It all leads to the very obvious question – How does one negotiate with an imbecile?
Reminder that we are currently in a trade war with Canada and Mexico because the 47th President hates the trade deal that the 45th President negotiated, agreed, and signed.
Yes but why?
Apparently it is designed to force companies to invest in the US … but some companies such as his very own Trump Organization just don’t take the hint …
Incoming Tariff Impacts
I don’t need to tell you this but hey, it’s important, so let’s go over it – A lot of people are about to be impacted …
- Quote via CNBC: The farming sector has been warning of a “crisis” and ports data is showing more evidence of lack of ability to move product out to global markets. The Port of Portland, Oregon, tops the list with a 51% decrease in exports, while the Port of Tacoma, Washington, a large agricultural export port, has seen a 28% decrease.
Zero ships …
Here is a small business owner seeing the end of her business looming …
The thing is this … whom you actually voted for really did have consequences …
Rinse and repeat over and over …
Laptops and Phones up 30% …
Here is another doll update for you …
- This will of course be fine for MAGA because the ration is a maximum of 2
His own officials know what is coming and are preparing themselves for it …
- Rolling Stone article is here – SPOOKED BY TRADE WARS, TRUMP OFFICIALS HOARD SUPPLIES: ‘IT WOULD BE STUPID NOT TO!’ : Some Trump administration officials are stockpiling toilet paper and food before Trump’s tariffs cause prices to skyrocket
- Personally I’ll be stockpiling chocolate and also coffee.
Tourist Updates
Some statistics confirming a very predictable consequence …
You can also see what happens next – The world cup in the US will be disaster if it still happens, but the games that will be played in Canada and Mexico will be a massive success.
Apparently having fascist border guards throwing people into detention centres for no reason and searching through their phones for anything critical of the current regime—all supported by 40% of Americans – is bad for tourism. I guess nobody could see people taking a hard pass on that experience becoming a thing.
Kash Update
Things are really not going well for him …
The media is also reporting that he is now skipping his morning briefings, and is instead spending his time at sporting events. (Remember, his job is head of the FBI).
There really are consequences when you pick stupid, unqualified, and utterly incompetent people for important positions.
ICE Updates
This also happened …
- This needs to be all over the news. The networks should interrupt regular programming. People need to be told about each and every atrocity these thugs commit.
UK Trade deal was announced
Of course the first country he makes a deal with is a country we have a TRADE SURPLUS with.
Hilarious.
This is the “deal” …
Meanwhile, GM, Ford, and Stellantis blast Trump’s “trade agreement” with the UK, and rightfully so …
Alcatraz
- What Stephen Miller is describing isn’t justice, it’s authoritarianism. And this dude is barely 39 years old. Creating a place to “visually demonstrate” separation from society echoes the darkest chapters of history.
- If Miller is looking for a place to send people to visually demonstrate their total separation from society, then we already have that – it is called The White House.
Clay Jones points out which island is really his favourite …
The JD Vance Touch
He endorsed his brother on Tues …
… but it didn’t go all that well …
He basically appears to be the ultimate bad luck charm …
- He should be encouraged to wish his boss a long and happy life.
The Journey deeper into Tyranny continues
Christian Nationalists
The nuttier right-wing religious fanatics within the cult are as always doing their thing. Here is their offering from the past week for you to face-palm at as they spew hatred and bile for anybody and everything that is not them (just like GOP Jesus) …
- Joshua Haymes says that “no one has to be gay” and that it’s a “perversion almost always catalyzed by horrific abuse in childhood.” (side note: evidence for his claim – none, the only actual perversion in play here is his stance)
- Virginia state Del. Nick Freitas asserts that “the Bible [was] one of the most frequently quoted books when it comes to the discussions about the Constitution.” (Fact Check: Nope, this is a popular lie, it wasn’t.)
- Sean Feucht claims that multiple people have been “radically healed” simply by listening to his new album. (Yep, more fake claims, he just wants to sell his album)
- Joel Webbon does not think much of Vice President J.D. Vance’s choice of a wife: “It’s hard to be America First when you marry an immigrant.” (Her “crime” is that she is not white)
- Christian nationalist Trump cultist Lance Wallnau urges Christians to pray to “defeat the judicial activism” that is thwarting Trump and calls on God to change the hearts of Supreme Court justices who have ruled against the administration (Lance can’t tolerate judicial criticism of the actions of his Lord and Saviour, the orange messiah)
- Christian nationalist Andrew Wommack declares that there was “a demonic power” operating in America that has now been broken by Trump’s election: “There was a change in the atmosphere.” (Weird that when the antichrist they warned about shows up they decided to put him in the White House)
- Pastor Jack Hibbs warns that we are on the brink “of God judging this nation for the wicked sins that we have committed as a country.” (No Gods required, all it took to initiate national suffering was picking a Felon and grifter as president)
- Christian nationalist pastor Andrew Isker says that all those who are “obstructing” Trump’s agenda are “domestic enemies” and “need to go to jail“: “U.S. senators need to go to jail … This is war time.“
- Todd Coconato says that the left is “demonically inspired.”
- It’s a good thing Russel Brand was granted bail in his sexual assault case so he’ll be free to participate in Christian nationalist worship leader Sean Feucht’s upcoming mass baptism event.
Religious Grifters
- His “ministry” is basically one when he gets various people into explain why we are in the end times, then promotes and sells overpriced food survival buckets to his marks.
- The real solution is that he needs to buy fewer dolls
- Thought and … no absolutely nothing else for the grifter, just thoughts.
Weirdest of the Weird
While Trump relentlessly exacts retribution against his perceived enemies, former Rep. Michele Bachmann says that Democrats must never be allowed to regain power because “they’re going to bring retribution against us“: “This is a dictatorship mentality.“
- Translation: “We can never let them have power because they would then do to us what we are doing to them“
- Meanwhile she is just fine with all the stupidity, corruption, incompetence, and retribution that Trump is dishing out
- Reminder: Bachmann did crazy long before it went mainstream.
Political Cartoons from the past week
As always, there are many excellent cartoons. Here are a few samples. Each comes with a link to the cartoonist putting the cartoon out via BlueSky. If you are on Bluesky then you can use the link to follow them.
- we’re gonna need a bigger cross!
Finally
Yes it is an old joke updated … but hey I liked it, so here you go …
This past week Trump was celebrating the Victory in Europe (V-E) Day (May 8) with an image from Iwo Jima, which was a battle against Japan …
Bonus Item 1
Here is some excellent guidance …
Bonus Item 2
