Discussions of something like this are always a little disheartening because there's a disconnect between the content and the reassurance commenters in the thread are craving. War Games the movie is a docudrama with a story arc that uses fear dramatically. The war game exercise itself that Doug Jones participated in, OTOH, is a highly technical exercise among experts and specialists to stress test our system and learn from its vulnerabilities; its conclusions are sober and rational.
But in the context of a comment thread it becomes fear porn. Sigh.
For me, at least, it was reassuring: I've been worrying and wondering about this for a year now, and have seen nothing covering it. I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing, since preparations for something like that doesn't get made public by design. HOWEVER, we have fallen woefully short preparing for incursions in some cases, and don't get to hear about the successes.
The whole Springfield debacle makes me painfully certain that someone is behind the scenes, coordinating movements in ways that we are simply not ready for. I'm certain that's a trial run, and the tRumpistanis are going to pull out the stops to create chaos in numerous places at once, to draw resources and compromise intelligence-sharing (which is ALWAYS difficult for our guys!).
Fear porn? Maybe, but we absolutely have reason to fear, as demonstrated in Springfield.
1000% they should have done the war game and stress tested the system. I'm a little more ambiguous about turning it into an objet d'art with a docudrama. Free-floating fear isn't helpful; it can be an instrument of propaganda and become intimidation. Intimidating voters is precisely the name of the game here. We should stand against it.
The Springfield debacle shows how much more chaos is operative here than organization. This wasn't sophisticated; one of Trump's flying monkeys picked up a meme from an Ohio literal Nazi group based on a persistent urban legend that certain ethnic groups like to regularly eat pet animals. This has been run on Indonesians, Vietnamese and Chinese people in the past as well as Haitians. This was entirely crude and entirely meant to gin up a moral panic that might persist through the election. It was also politically suicidal; not a single case of it has been confirmed. Trump's polls have been sagging since the debate.
They're also getting Haitian Voodoo confused with North Cuban Santeria, another Afro-Caribbean syncretic religion based on Yoruba beliefs. Santeria does practice animal sacrifice but not of pets, usually of chickens and a Santeria ceremony in somebody's backyard can be obnoxious for the neighbors (not to mention the health department). But Cubans are a highly protected immigrant group thanks to the cold war. Haitians not so much. Haiti is one of the poorest and most ill-fortuned places on the planet.
When you go after a voting machine company in your election fraud conspiracy theory you might get a $787.5 million dollar judgment against you. Voting machine companies have recourse. Even bottom rung election workers like Shaye Moss and Ruby Freeman have recourse. Haitian migrants with an immigration status based on executive orders that can be challenged in court are some of our most vulnerable residents.
They are a target of opportunity by mean-spirited thugs who pretend to be politicians.
Thank you Doug! Apple TV. I preordered today. I pray people care enough to even Try to connect dots. Arrived at painful conclusion
Donald Trump is a reflection of his supporters. And they think they look and smell pretty good.
I do hold optimism there are a significant number, who when faced with such an exercise, will be decisive, see to his defeat. Man must go. Plain and simple. A referendum on the EVIL that continues to steep Every ( insert ) Day!
War Game sounds scary because it could become real, in this current toxic climate. You Rick and Doug are brave spokesmen against this evil rhetoric that would seize the reins of power for power’s sake, not service to country, not faithful to their oaths, but allegiance to a failed candidate and former President. Thanks for bringing this to my attention
Rick Wilson and Doug Jones, a fabulous pair to draw to. GREAT Americans in the old school, genuine patriotic and useful, good sense of the word. Keep up the good fight boyz. https://trueman-triola.stories.email/
"Fascism a Warning" by Madeline Albright warns fascism can come from the left, right or center and all of us need to be vigilant and see the warning signs - any use of force, threats or fraud to get what fascists want.
Great and timely book; she also says fascism “is not an ideology; it’s a process for taking and holding power. Fascists don’t provide solutions; rather, they exacerbate problems and deepen divisions” as a means to gain power. It is always, “in the end, about stirring people up and giving them someone to hate.” We sure see that happening now with Trump/Vance:
Rick, I am only part way through the video. It is the part in the back of our minds that is most worrisome..many in the military & police force are MAGAs. The Federation of Police ENDORSED a CONVICTED FELON-RAPIST-Seditionist-Inciter!!! They should be relieved from duty. In my opinion, it wouldn’t matter as much as people think. In Chicago the police don’t respond to many calls because the mayor has banned car chases as too risky for the public. So, like trump, they mope and whine. When masks were REQUIRED during Covid, the police union leader, a dick-head Maga supporter named Catanzara threw a fit! How dare they be asked! Even though they would be dealing with the public regularly! But all the police here got raises they did not deserve. The Firemen are endorsing Harris/Walz ticket. All of their firehouses are in Chicago are in old buildings that are in need of updating. It’s atrocious! I’d rather put tax dollars to those who don’t support criminals. The fact that the police force, who are supposed to protect the public, endorsed the biggest criminal ever is beyond atrocious. But nothing is done, nothing attempted to give these thugs consequences. This is why we must win the Presidency AND both the House & Senate with vote proof majorities!
I’d like all the media to stop talking about him and focus on how great she is. Show that she’s fighting for everyone in America. Show how she’s fighting for women. Show her story. Fuck his ongoing bullshit. Stop giving him free press
I hate having to think of the "War Game" scenario but I find myself doing it. What will happen if he gets in? I told my children I wanted them to be ready to leave the U.S. just in case. It's crazy.
I love the podcasts. Got annoyed listening to Mark Halperin saying kamala Harris may lose because of her lack of tough interviews. I don't know. It seems that though interviews only contain stupid questions. I think you can only give an overview of what you would do. Congress and senate had to approve of anything. I don't get why people say trump gives interviews. He gives shit show answers.
The media people are the ones whining about interviews, because otherwise they feel less relevant, which they are.
Look at where we are now. Not a single media "journalist" in sight here.
They are losing their audiences (and therefore money) by the millions, and creating the horse race by juxtaposing Harris v Dumpty and picking Kamala's answers to pieces reinforces the 'media' relevance, bringing in more eyes, ears, clicks and Time Spent Watching / ratings.
Trump won last Tuesday’s debate like he won the 2020 election. And he’s handling his debate loss the same way he handled his 2020 loss: by lying about it.
Trump's post debate spin alternates between “I won” and “the debate was rigged,” as if people won’t wonder why he’d say it was rigged if he’s also saying he won it. Is he saying it was rigged so he won it? Or does he not understand basic logic, that winning a rigged contest isn’t really winning at all and it’s not in his best interest to claim it is?
it's frightening that so many Americans miss this obvious con job.
“But is it fair to Donald Trump.” - Katy Tur
Discussions of something like this are always a little disheartening because there's a disconnect between the content and the reassurance commenters in the thread are craving. War Games the movie is a docudrama with a story arc that uses fear dramatically. The war game exercise itself that Doug Jones participated in, OTOH, is a highly technical exercise among experts and specialists to stress test our system and learn from its vulnerabilities; its conclusions are sober and rational.
But in the context of a comment thread it becomes fear porn. Sigh.
For me, at least, it was reassuring: I've been worrying and wondering about this for a year now, and have seen nothing covering it. I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing, since preparations for something like that doesn't get made public by design. HOWEVER, we have fallen woefully short preparing for incursions in some cases, and don't get to hear about the successes.
The whole Springfield debacle makes me painfully certain that someone is behind the scenes, coordinating movements in ways that we are simply not ready for. I'm certain that's a trial run, and the tRumpistanis are going to pull out the stops to create chaos in numerous places at once, to draw resources and compromise intelligence-sharing (which is ALWAYS difficult for our guys!).
Fear porn? Maybe, but we absolutely have reason to fear, as demonstrated in Springfield.
1000% they should have done the war game and stress tested the system. I'm a little more ambiguous about turning it into an objet d'art with a docudrama. Free-floating fear isn't helpful; it can be an instrument of propaganda and become intimidation. Intimidating voters is precisely the name of the game here. We should stand against it.
The Springfield debacle shows how much more chaos is operative here than organization. This wasn't sophisticated; one of Trump's flying monkeys picked up a meme from an Ohio literal Nazi group based on a persistent urban legend that certain ethnic groups like to regularly eat pet animals. This has been run on Indonesians, Vietnamese and Chinese people in the past as well as Haitians. This was entirely crude and entirely meant to gin up a moral panic that might persist through the election. It was also politically suicidal; not a single case of it has been confirmed. Trump's polls have been sagging since the debate.
They're also getting Haitian Voodoo confused with North Cuban Santeria, another Afro-Caribbean syncretic religion based on Yoruba beliefs. Santeria does practice animal sacrifice but not of pets, usually of chickens and a Santeria ceremony in somebody's backyard can be obnoxious for the neighbors (not to mention the health department). But Cubans are a highly protected immigrant group thanks to the cold war. Haitians not so much. Haiti is one of the poorest and most ill-fortuned places on the planet.
When you go after a voting machine company in your election fraud conspiracy theory you might get a $787.5 million dollar judgment against you. Voting machine companies have recourse. Even bottom rung election workers like Shaye Moss and Ruby Freeman have recourse. Haitian migrants with an immigration status based on executive orders that can be challenged in court are some of our most vulnerable residents.
They are a target of opportunity by mean-spirited thugs who pretend to be politicians.
Thank you Doug! Apple TV. I preordered today. I pray people care enough to even Try to connect dots. Arrived at painful conclusion
Donald Trump is a reflection of his supporters. And they think they look and smell pretty good.
I do hold optimism there are a significant number, who when faced with such an exercise, will be decisive, see to his defeat. Man must go. Plain and simple. A referendum on the EVIL that continues to steep Every ( insert ) Day!
Enough is enough!
Sorry Doug I don’t do X
Interesting time⏱️ I am not certain that this election doesn’t get bogged down in state courts and the Supreme Court
I am so sorry Doug Jones. I don’t believe that there will be a discourse by Republicans who will want to be cooperative in governance
War Game sounds scary because it could become real, in this current toxic climate. You Rick and Doug are brave spokesmen against this evil rhetoric that would seize the reins of power for power’s sake, not service to country, not faithful to their oaths, but allegiance to a failed candidate and former President. Thanks for bringing this to my attention
“US still unprepared for Russian election interference, Robert Mueller says” by The Guardian
Former special counsel issues warning in preface to book about 2016 investigation and Trump-Moscow links
Mueller’s book Interference next week
Is this the one written by Aaron Zebley, James Quarles and Andrew Goldstein?
Yes, their names are on the cover. Stay safe
Rick - thank you for the podcast about the movie “Wargame”, and thank Doug Jones and all who participated.
The American people have suffered through 9 years of trauma with this orange lunatic and his band of liars.
The guns are all over, readily available.
You and Doug briefly touched on one factor that has not been openly discussed enough.
We will not go back. There are millions and millions of us. There are more guns than human beings
Do we believe in the legal system.
No
Was Trump tried or was justice delayed and denied.
Trump and MAGA lie non stop.
Why would we give up our rights to an election in which the other side was backed by foreign (enemy) money and subterfuge into our election system.
Why would we give up our rights when the legal system was delayed and denied by money from billionaires.
There are more of us than there are of them and more guns than humans.
Run the test again in the face of a civil war brought on by Russia and Iran and China.
Now Biden has that Supreme Court decision on Immunity.
It might change that “pucker” factor Doug Jones talked about,
People are not going back and they have massive PTSD
We will
Rick Wilson and Doug Jones, a fabulous pair to draw to. GREAT Americans in the old school, genuine patriotic and useful, good sense of the word. Keep up the good fight boyz. https://trueman-triola.stories.email/
I like
"Fascism a Warning" by Madeline Albright warns fascism can come from the left, right or center and all of us need to be vigilant and see the warning signs - any use of force, threats or fraud to get what fascists want.
It's a classic list:
EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF FASCISM
Powerful and continuing nationalism
Disdain for human rights
Identification of enemies as a unifying cause
Rampant sexism
Controlled mass media
Obsession with national security
Religion and government intertwined
Corporate power protected
Labor power suppressed
Disdain for intellectuals and the arts
Obsession with crime and punishment
Rampant cronyism and corruption
Great and timely book; she also says fascism “is not an ideology; it’s a process for taking and holding power. Fascists don’t provide solutions; rather, they exacerbate problems and deepen divisions” as a means to gain power. It is always, “in the end, about stirring people up and giving them someone to hate.” We sure see that happening now with Trump/Vance:
Here's my short review of Albright's book
https://kamala4prez.substack.com/p/fascism-a-warning-by-madeleine-albright
Rick, I am only part way through the video. It is the part in the back of our minds that is most worrisome..many in the military & police force are MAGAs. The Federation of Police ENDORSED a CONVICTED FELON-RAPIST-Seditionist-Inciter!!! They should be relieved from duty. In my opinion, it wouldn’t matter as much as people think. In Chicago the police don’t respond to many calls because the mayor has banned car chases as too risky for the public. So, like trump, they mope and whine. When masks were REQUIRED during Covid, the police union leader, a dick-head Maga supporter named Catanzara threw a fit! How dare they be asked! Even though they would be dealing with the public regularly! But all the police here got raises they did not deserve. The Firemen are endorsing Harris/Walz ticket. All of their firehouses are in Chicago are in old buildings that are in need of updating. It’s atrocious! I’d rather put tax dollars to those who don’t support criminals. The fact that the police force, who are supposed to protect the public, endorsed the biggest criminal ever is beyond atrocious. But nothing is done, nothing attempted to give these thugs consequences. This is why we must win the Presidency AND both the House & Senate with vote proof majorities!
I’d like all the media to stop talking about him and focus on how great she is. Show that she’s fighting for everyone in America. Show how she’s fighting for women. Show her story. Fuck his ongoing bullshit. Stop giving him free press
his whole MO is say something outrageous and get the headline.
There's no "bad" news for this insatiable narcissist.
RIGHT RIGHT RIGHT.
The media ONCE AGAIN are attempting to take our joy and hope away.
They have gone right back to their fear mongering, they do not want us to be happy.
I hate having to think of the "War Game" scenario but I find myself doing it. What will happen if he gets in? I told my children I wanted them to be ready to leave the U.S. just in case. It's crazy.
I live in Mexico now, have been for three years. It's not perfect, nowhere where there are
humans is perfect but the vast majority of Mexicans are fabulous people. I love them.
Americans will be flooding to the Mexican border to get in if Trump gets elected.
probably and Mexico should build a wall and make trump fucking pay for it.
The irony!
I love the podcasts. Got annoyed listening to Mark Halperin saying kamala Harris may lose because of her lack of tough interviews. I don't know. It seems that though interviews only contain stupid questions. I think you can only give an overview of what you would do. Congress and senate had to approve of anything. I don't get why people say trump gives interviews. He gives shit show answers.
The media people are the ones whining about interviews, because otherwise they feel less relevant, which they are.
Look at where we are now. Not a single media "journalist" in sight here.
They are losing their audiences (and therefore money) by the millions, and creating the horse race by juxtaposing Harris v Dumpty and picking Kamala's answers to pieces reinforces the 'media' relevance, bringing in more eyes, ears, clicks and Time Spent Watching / ratings.
It's all about relevance and MONEY.
Trump won last Tuesday’s debate like he won the 2020 election. And he’s handling his debate loss the same way he handled his 2020 loss: by lying about it.
Trump's post debate spin alternates between “I won” and “the debate was rigged,” as if people won’t wonder why he’d say it was rigged if he’s also saying he won it. Is he saying it was rigged so he won it? Or does he not understand basic logic, that winning a rigged contest isn’t really winning at all and it’s not in his best interest to claim it is?
it's frightening that so many Americans miss this obvious con job.
Sabrina, I wish I understood why: "so many Americans miss this obvious con job."
The long and the short of it is that in MAGA-world you must stop making sense.