Misogyny

At End Of First Year Of Second Separate Term, Donald Trump “47” Ranks Lower Than “45”, And Below James Buchanan And Andrew Johnson In Presidential Rankings!

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America has had 45 Presidents, and Grover Cleveland and Donald Trump have had separate Presidential terms after being defeated, so therefore, Cleveland is both the 22nd and 24th President, and Trump is both the 45th and 47th President.

With nearly a year completed of Trump 47, it is clear to anyone who judges Presidential leadership that Donald Trump 47 is far worse than Trump 45, and clearly below both James Buchanan 15 and Andrew Johnson 17, the Presidents before and after Abraham Lincoln 16, with certainty.

Trump 45 has been both ranked above Buchanan and Johnson, and at times, below, but now there is no contest with Trump 47.

Trump 45 had some Cabinet and other advisers who were able, to some extent, control his urges, and prevent the worst policies imaginable, but Trump 47 has no such individuals who can tame his destructive and unstable desires and actions.

So Trump 47, added to Trump 45, is without any debate, the absolutely worse President in American history, no debate or doubts, if for no other reason than both Buchanan and Johnson served one term and all but six weeks of one term, respectively.

So many outrages and mind blowing statements and actions on a daily basis leave America in danger of autocracy being established in such a way that American democracy and the rule of law are in dire straits.

Any sane person who is not racist, misogynist, nativist, Islamophobic, or a sympathizer with Russia and other autocracies, can perceive anything decent or reasonable coming from Donald Trump 47.

His Cabinet Officers and other advisors are the most horrendous, corrupt, and obscene group ever created, and his administration is the most corrupt in every way imaginable, far more than Richard Nixon.

There are no perceivable redeeming qualities one can acknowledge, and the thought of another three years of this monstrosity, whether or not Donald Trump survives that long, is an absolute horror.

With Richard Nixon, the thought of Spiro Agnew as a possible successor was evaded, thankfully, and we had a decent alternative in Gerald Ford, but one cannot be optimistic about JD Vance, based on his actions and utterances as Vice President, that he would improve upon or abandon the policies of Donald Trump!

Right Wing Fanatics Who Endanger America With Their Rhetoric!

Ronald 15 Comments

Freedom of speech is essential as part of the Bill of Rights, but that does not mean that anything uttered by right wing fanatics should be be given slack as free to exploit for profit without accountability.

We have those who have no issue with dividing America for their own profit, and some of them are beyond the pale.

They would include Tucker Carlson, formerly of CNN and later before leaving, at Fox News Channel, now a loose cannon, and becoming more extreme and reckless by the day.

It also includes Megyn Kelly, who acts totally different than a decade ago, before she was on NBC and then dismissed, and now has gone off the deep end in her rhetoric.

It also includes Nick Fuentes, an avowed antisemite, racist, nativist, and misogynist, who has no issue with appealing to single white men who are finding it difficult to adjust to difficult economic times, even though he is himself of Hispanic ancestry!

Fuentes was a major critic of Charlie Kirk before his assassination, thinking he was not extreme enough in his utterances and beliefs!

These are just three of a much larger group of Republican Right extremists, who present a dire threat to political stability for the American future, and unfortunately, have the ear of Republican leadership, including Donald Trump, JD Vance, and the Trump Cabinet Officers, who often embrace them!

Hegseth, Trump Meeting With High Level Military A Totally Shocking Event, Beyond The Pale!

Ronald 6 Comments

Two days after the meeting at Quantico, Virginia of President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth with hundreds of top Generals and Admirals, an unprecedented event in person of so many defense and security people in one location, the nation is reeling from the event.

Trump came across as showing clearcut evidence of massive physical and mental decline, more like a ranting, raving, embarrassing maniac than anything else.

One would think this was as if he was the leader of the Russian Federation, or of China, North Korea, Iran, Hungary, Turkey, Egypt, El Salvador, or other like minded dictatorships than the leader of the American Republic.

Hegseth came across as a cocky, arrogant, egomaniac, who demonstrated total racism, misogyny, homophobia, and clearly a Fascist oriented, incompetent womanizer with a major alcohol problem, and with zero qualifications to lead the nation’s defenses.

The Generals and Admirals at this shocking event stayed silent, as is required, rather than what Trump was asking, that they applaud him, and with a threat that any opposition expressed would lead to the end of theif careers.

But in the aftermath, retired military people communicated with many of these hundreds of military leaders, and there was a clearcut judgment that the gathered audience was stunned and had grim looks on their faces.

Since the military is supposed to be loyal to the Constitution and their oath of service to that document, not to any individual who happens to be President, one wonders whether elements of military leadership at some point might be ready to take action against any threat to the Constitution and rule of law, in some form.

The thought that this government, more Fascist and authoritarian oriented by the day, might spend the next three plus years further consolidating power, and denying basic human rights, makes one wonder what can or should be done about the dire threat to American democracy.

Will there be fair elections in 2026 and 2028, or will this authoritarianism suspend the heritage of free, fair, and regularly scheduled elections?

The future of American democracy and the rule of law may lie in what these military leaders decide is their duty as the threats grow of the loss of freedom for 330 million Americans!

Shocking Assassination Of Charlie Kirk A Danger Sign For Future Of American Politics! :(

Ronald 40 Comments

The shocking assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, at a Utah University speaking event yesterday, is a danger sign for the future of American politics.

Kirk was a controversial and outspoken figure, who had millions of followers on social media who followed his extremist rhetoric, which had elements of racism, nativism, misogyny, Islamophobia, and attacks on gay, lesbian and transgender people.

And despite his recent pro Israel support on the Gaza War, Kirk also had uttered antisemitic assertions, and was promoting a white Christian MAGA nationalism mentality.

Kirk had the full support of Donald Trump and his children, JD Vance, and all of the most influential Trump Cabinet and advisers, and was seen as the most controversial and divisive young advocate of Trump policies, along with Stephen Miller.

Now, sadly and troubling, we are seeing, already, right wing attacks on the left wing, without any idea of who the assassin was, and that person’s motivations, as the manhunt continues as I write this entry.

And the fear is that Trump and his Cabinet will step up even more abusive and aggressive attacks on the vulnerable groups that have already been victimized in the past eight months.

Here we are on the 24th anniversary of September 11, and now a crisis on what the American future will be, and the fear of many more victims of violence and bloodshed that may be perpetrated by the extremists of both sides of the political spectrum.

This is a time that America should be uniting in mourning a death that should not have occurred, not a time for retribution and revenge!

Epstein Congressional Resolution Opposed By All But Four Republicans, And Termed A “Hoax” By Donald Trump, Absolutely Stunning!

Ronald 4 Comments

It is stunning and shocking the the House resolution proposed by Kentucky Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, to have a complete accounting of all government records on the Epstein Scandal, has been unable to gain the backing of more than three other Republicans—Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, and Nancy Mace of South Carolina–at this moment of time.

A majority of the House of Representatives is needed to force the issue, but it is two votes short, and no other Republicans seem ready to back the resolution, due to Donald Trump threatening his party members, calling taking such action as “hostile”, and saying the whole Epstein investigation is a Democratic “hoax”.

And this, despite survivors holding a press conference last week to reveal the horrors of what they went through, and wanting accountability and transparency!

Trump is opposed to any action, or revelations, clearly, because he clearly personally engaged in illicit sex with underage girls and young women, in league with Jeffrey Epstein.

The Republican Party in Congress is a total disgrace, and should be drummed out of office in the midterms in 2026 and in 2028, but sadly, many Americans, with their racism, misogyny, nativism, and ignorance of reality, are likely to continue backing Donald Trump and his party, as they destroy American democracy and the rule of law!

Hopefully, however, Marjorie Taylor Greene has threatened to reveal names, and if she does, she will have done one good thing, while otherwise, she has been a total nightmare in the House of Representatives with her various lunatic activities and behavior!

PBS Being Eliminated By Trump, Replaced By “Prager University”, Which Is Despicable Alternative!

Ronald 4 Comments

PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, existent since 1969, is disappearing as a publicly supported entity, due to Donald Trump’s cutting of nearly a billion dollars of public funding for that agency which has been so positive and constructive over 56 years.

PBS will survive due to public support, but many rural stations will be unable to sustain themselves sadly.

Right wing influence is attempting to have a so called “university” which is not such, “Prager University”, propagandize and distort education in schools in many states, with ten states adopting their curriculums to promote their agenda, far from what PBS did.

Its videos, designed solely to promote propaganda and make profits, distort the truth of slavery; deny the reality of climate change and global warming; advocate racism, nativism, misogyny, and homophobia, rather than promote tolerance and acceptance. It also distorts the reality of fascism and advocates creationism, rather than the truth of science.

Its creator, Dennis Prager, undermines the traditional Jewish open mindedness of his faith, in a selfish desire to gain excessive wealth in league with evangelical religious extremists, proving the profit motive more important than basic ethics, morality, compassion, decency, and empathy.

It is important to realize that “Prager University” is NOT a university and does not confer degrees, and is not accredited by any recognized educational body.

Among those involved in video presentation are Candace Owens, Tucker Carlson, Ben Shapiro, and Michelle Malkin, which says a lot in itself.

The website promotes against the minimum wage and gun control, and for unbridled, unregulated capitalism.

The states of Florida, Oklahoma, New Hampshire, Montana, Arizona, and Louisiana were the first states to allow “Prager University” to be an official vendor of so called educational material.

And now, Oklahoma has adopted an “ideology test” in league with “Prager University” to screen and withhold teaching certificates in the state from educators applying from “Blue” states to teach in the state, since they are considered “woke”, as if that is a sin.

It should be pointed out that it is hard to imagine any educator outside of Oklahoma lusting to move there, with the narrowminded nature of the Oklahoma Superintendant of Public Instruction, Ryan Walters, and the fact of the very low pay nationally of teachers in that state.

A Time To Celebrate: 17 Years Of “The Progressive Professor”, But Also A Time To Mourn The Demise Of The American Experiment! :(

Ronald 4 Comments

Today, August 11, marks precisely SEVENTEEN years of this author and blogger publishing commentary on this blog, “The Progressive Professor”, that was created in 2008, with the support and encouragement of my older son, David Feinman, who knew I had a passion to share my thoughts on American history, government and politics with others!

In those 17 years, there have been to date 8,550 articles published, and 28,532 comments made by my readers and followers. The comments added have been invaluable, and have, immensely, improved the whole concept of the blog, so I wish to thank all of those individuals who have committed themselves to contributing their thoughts and ideas, to the benefit of all those who read the blog daily.

In the present political climate, one cannot be certain that there will be a continuation of the blog long term, as these are dangerous times to be expressing thoughts, many of them critical, of events and personalities.

We may be witnessing the collapse of American democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law, and we may not survive the Presidency of Donald Trump, with the ability to restore what we had over nearly 250 years–an evolving nation with many faults which moved toward “a more perfect union”.

That has been destroyed by a quarter century of deceit and right wing extremism, motivated from the time of the Presidential Election of 2000, when Al Gore was denied the Presidency in favor of George W. Bush by a Supreme Court which showed it had no principles other than promoting aggrandizement of the nation by the wealthy.

Barack Obama came along and gave us hope of recovery, but faced great and fierce opposition, and the right wing extremist factions worked to, once again, undermine the American experiment by denying Hillary Clinton the Presidency in 2016 in favor of Donald Trump, who had ill intentions from the beginning.

Donald Trump worked at destroying the American Republic, and the nation was only, miraculously, saved in 2020 by the good fortune of Joe Biden coming along at the right time.

But the right wing forces attempted a coup d’etat, an Insurrection, NOT as some people claimed just a “riot”, but now being wiped out as if it never happened, as those who were involved in criminal acts have been “exonerated” by Trump pardons.

But the “disease” promoted by Trump and minions–the spreading of nativism, racism, misogyny, and homophobia by religious extremists—managed to convince gullible and poorly educated Americans to vote in 2024 to overcome and destroy the Republic that they did not fully appreciate, a shocking development.

Now, the rest of us are forced to suffer the ignorance, stupidity, and bias of ill informed and ill educated people, and are seeing our civil liberties destroyed.

Personally, having retired completely from teaching at the university level after 53 years, this author and blogger is, fortunately, continuing to give lectures to adults and senior citizens in South Florida, but it is difficult to predict what will happen in the short run and long run regarding this blog.

I just wish to hope for the best for myself, and all those who read my blog, as we move forward to chart whatever the future brings, which at this moment, does not look promising.

The future seems, sadly, likely to see the promotion of authoritarianism; the collapse of the economy with destructive tariffs; and the triumph of evil in international affairs, as witnessed by the Russia-Ukraine War and the Israel-Gaza War.

Thanks again, for your support and encouragement, to all those who read and contribute to this blog.

Chaos, Confusion, Anarchy–Donald Trump, Elon Musk War On Civil Service And Military!

Ronald 26 Comments

Donald Trump and Elon Musk are making clear that they are at war with America’s Civil Service workers, more than two million of them, as well as against the military leadership and troops that are committed to protecting America!

Their goal is the politicizing of the civil service, cutting government workers ruthlessly, without any concern or understanding of the significance of their roles in making America work!

Additonally, top military brass who are Black or female have been removed from leadership!

Their racism, misogyny, and homophobia is clear, as they promote a white male supremacy and reject our traditional alliances with democratic nations in Europe for, instead, a warming up to the war criminal Vladimir Putin, and alliances with other authoritarian leaders around the globe!

Their evil intentions, assisted by the refusal of the Republican Party to stand by traditional views and beliefs, promotes chaos, confusion and anarchy!

The American people at large are victims of the criminal activities of this oligarchy, plutocracy, and tiny sector of America that has no conscience, ethics, morals, compassion, or empathy!

Donald Trump: No Compassion, Empathy Or Humanity, Just Oriented Toward Revenge!

Ronald 47 Comments

Donald Trump is a wretched human being, a man who clearly is racist, sexist, nativist, misogynist, homophobic, and elements of antisemitism.

Trump is a very disturbed person, who flirts with authoritarian leaders, including Vladimir Putin, and the leaders of other nations with dictatorships.

Somehow, he has a hold on the Republican Party, which refuses to speak out over the years about his outrageous utterances, actions, and illegal and unethical activities.

Now, just two days into his second Presidency, Trump is displaying once again his lack of compassion, empathy, and humanity.

Trump has created a new potential threat with the pardon of all of the January 6, 2021 Insurrectionists.

He has also made clear mass deportation will include raids on churches and schools.

He has eliminated the Spanish language translation on government websites.

He is in process of firing many civil servants in the federal government.

He has demanded an apology from the Washington National Cathedral Bishop, who pleaded with him for the protection of gay, lesbian and transgender people, and undocumented immigrants who have not committed crimes.

He has moved to get rid of birthright citizenship, even though it is in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.

There are clear signs that he is bent on assuming absolute power, and has totally intimidated members of Congress, who with only a few exceptions, have not been willing to speak out against his actions and intentions.

Jimmy Carter, A True Christian!

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There is so much Christian hypocrisy by most politicians, who fail to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Racism, Nativism, Misogyny, Anti Semitism, and just plain hypocrisy is the norm for most Republicans and conservatives.

And then there was Jimmy Carter, who was a “true Christian” in his commitment to make life better for his fellow human beings.

Carter spent his life, particularly 44 years in retirement, promoting the protection and advancement of his fellow human beings, not just in America but worldwide.

So when he won the Nobel Peace Prize, long overdue in 2002, it was a true testimonal to a great man, who set an example that should be followed by all, whether Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist!