Day: May 19, 2025

Our Fascist Idiocracy: May 19, 2025

Jon Ponder
Aftermath of suicide bombing at Palm Springs fertility clinic

As heard on Blue Sky, “Apparently the IVF terrorist self-identified as an anti-procreation, pro-death vegan.” At first, authorities in Palm Springs were confused because the bombing occurred Saturday at a fertility clinic there, not an abortion clinic. The one person who was killed turned out to be the bomber himself. He was identified as Guy Edward Bartkus, 25, whom the FBI described as having “nihilistic ideations.”

Equalizer in Chief: His nibs says he’s invented a new word to describe his plan to reduce drug costs that actually raises the costs. “Basically, what we’re doing is equalizing,” Trump said. “There’s a new word that I came up with, which is probably the best word. We’re gonna equalize where we’re all gonna pay the same. We’re gonna pay what Europe’s gonna pay.” Europe pays more, so Americans will pay more.

Let them eat tariffs, Trump says, referring to Walmart, MAGA’s favorite retailer. He’s demanding that the company “eat the tariffs” instead of raising prices – which is a prime example of authoritarian economics.

Comey folds: Former FBI director James Comey was spotted leaving his home and ducking into a black SUV with the Secret Service before speeding off. CNN reported that Comey is cooperating with the Secret Service amid blowback over his “86 47” beachside post—which critics, including Trump himself, have alleged was a veiled assassination threat against the 47th president.

Making America the 90s Again: Deranged Trump Boosts Bonkers Clinton Kill List Conspiracy. “President Donald Trump boosted a wild conspiracy theory that accuses the Clinton family of murdering seven people.”

Democrats Are Learning: Only Winning Is Winning

Buck Banks

“Democrats are coming around to a new mantra: winning the argument is less important than winning elections. If the path to victory means embracing economic populism, they’ll do it. If they have to make room for new faces, then sayonara, old friends. If they need to tack to the center on some social issues, so be it. If winning requires doing more podcasts, or embracing Instagram influencers, or campaigning on permitting reform, they’ll give it a try. Because now that Democrats have seen what a second Trump presidency looks like, they’re relearning the lesson they should have known all along: only winning is winning.”

— Time magazine

Brink Has a Message from the Brink

Buck Banks

“I cannot stand by while a country is invaded, a democracy bombarded, and children killed with impunity. I believe that the only way to secure U.S. interests is to stand up for democracies and to stand against autocrats. Peace at any price is not peace at all ? it is appeasement. And history has taught us time and again that appeasement does not lead to safety, security or prosperity. It leads to more war and suffering.”

— Former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, writing in the Detroit Free Press.

Rand Paul’s Simple Tariff Explanation

Buck Banks

“Well, tariffs are taxes, and when you put a tax on a business, it’s always passed through as a cost. So, there will be higher prices. The only trade that means anything is the individual who buys something. That’s the only real trade. And that by very definition, if it’s voluntary, is mutually beneficial, or the trade doesn’t occur.”

— Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), quoted by Politico.