What matters isn’t the name but the erosion of U.S. hard power.
By
The Editorial Board
President Trump signed an order on Friday to restyle the Pentagon as the Department of War, and the press has been preoccupied with the nomenclature. What should really worry Americans is whether Mr. Trump’s military can win the next major war, no matter what the sign outside the door says.
Mr. Trump loves nothing better than a rebrand. The decision in 1949 to change the name to the Department of Defense was because “we decided to go woke,” he said during Friday’s signing in the Oval Office, before he introduced Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth as his Secretary of War. Mr. Trump then added that the War Department is “a much more appropriate name, especially in light of where the world is right now. We have the strongest military in the world. We have the greatest equipment in the world.”
[continues]
It should be “protest whack-a-mole”— big protest in Portland which completely disappears when the national guard shows up only to have the protest pop up in Detroit which also disappears when the guard shows up. Then the protest pops up in Atlanta….total whack-a-mole. Run ‘em ragged. Wear ‘em the fuck out. Rope-a-dope..
A Moveable Protest, as it were.
also at the war fair both foreign and domestic
Bill reacts to the top stories of the week, including China’s bad guy summit and RFK Jr.’s contentious congressional hearing.
and
Will militarizing our cities make them safer? Yes. But not safer for democracy.
and in more news
The fourth episode of “South Park” season 27 highlighted the Labubu craze while continuing to focus on Donald Trump. In the latest episode, which aired Sept. 3, Fox News questions the President’s relationship with Satan as they note that Melania Trump has been away in New York City, asking the 79-year-old directly if he and Satan are sleeping together. As the Fox hosts speculate what is going on between them and how their romance works, they also praise the pairing. At one point, a miniature Vice President JD Vance appears at the White House with Satan who reveals that he is struggling in the relationship but is holding on to a secret. Simultaneously, Butters and other South Park students are buying Labubus, which are only going up in price due to the tariffs. At the end of the episode, Satan reveals he’s pregnant with Trump’s baby, leading to overjoyed reactions from Fox News.
if not “f***ing satan” (turning the verb into an adjective) perhaps he’s what the daily news described 9 years ago as the “antichrist”
Now that there is a “Department of War” (in name only) what should we expect? First on the list that stupid holds in his cavernous cranium, invade Venezuela. Nothing says dictator needs to prove his power than by invading another smaller country. Reagan invaded Grenada, sfb can invade a country that has more letters and he cannot pronounce. Besides Venezuela insulted him, or he thinks it did.
Next up is invade Cuba. JFK did it and failed. He will show his own worm man, JFK jr, that he can invade and win.
Oh, never forget invading Greenland. Winter is the perfect time to go there. Wear a white sheet, comes natural to his cult, and nobody can see you.
And, finally for the next two weeks, go to Canada. Heard there is a new bridge so there is no need to make a pontoon bridge to get there. Besides, what kind of name is “Gordie Howe”. Sounds like a girls name and wasn’t Howe a general Washington fought? If George did it, mangomoron can too.
BB, you’re spot on about Cuba next. looks like they’re surrounded. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/us/politics/trump-maduro-military-venezuela.html
What to Know About a Rapid U.S. Military Buildup in the Caribbean
The United States has deployed eight warships, several surveillance planes and one attack submarine to the region as tensions with Venezuela grow.
SturMudgeon, yep here in DC the pop up protests have not fulfilled hopes it would just be a bunch of radicals the National Guard could use for target practice to excite MAGAts. The crowds are determined but peaceful, more like the people I see it farmers markets.
Calling this guy a Nazi is become a cliche. How Stephen Miller is running Trump’s effort to take over D.C.
Washington Post gift link — https://wapo.st/4mV0fuw
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller is the key architect of Trump’s federal takeover of the District. Sources say Miller and his team coordinate National Guard and federal officer deployments, track arrests, and lead weekly strategy meetings with staff from Mayor Bowser’s office. They also report arrest data to staff from the White House, DOJ, and DHS, including how many of those arrested are undocumented immigrants. Sources describe him driving the agenda and shaping the message on crime-fighting, which he describes as a spiritual war: “Subjecting your own citizens to this constant bloodbath and then rejoicing in it is evil,” Miller said on Fox News last week. “You should praise God every single day that President Trump is in the White House.”
craig, don’t be surprised if he turns out to be South Park’s satan/trump baby.
Sturg – That’s what they said. It’s harder for law enforcement/troops/tRUMP subcontractor goons if there are, for example, 10 protests in LA of 1,000 people each, than a 10,000 person protest. Smaller protests overwhelm the system. It’s also easier for folks to stay closer to home.
Footage broadcast on CSPAN just after Trump’s Oval Office event ended showed signage at the Pentagon being taken down after the president rebranded the Department of Defense to the Department of War.
Separately, lawmakers left Washington, D.C., for their home districts Thursday under the pressure of a Sept. 30 government shutdown deadline. They will return next week with a hefty legislative agenda, as divisions within the GOP and Democrats’ frustrations threaten to derail funding negotiations.
*The US is the munitions factory to the world. The Republicans are going to try to make more cuts via pocket rescissions, which are illegal. Collapsing the economy was part of the Thiel/Vance plan, even if it wasn’t exactly what Heritage had in mind…but it meets their evil objectives, too.
FDT
🚨 LIVE at Noon from the Free DC Rally, Malcolm X Park.
It’s why we chat. Trail Mix started to keep real voices connected, not just behind keyboards but face-to-face.
How the F do you not realize you are on thousands of cameras at all times in public these days
Woman ruined her life for a baseball, don’t tell me Americans aren’t stupid
Who would wanna go to a game with 60,000 other awful people anyway
fucking mouth-breathing sports fans lol
I fell out of the chat due to local “atmospheric” turbulence
Got in by surprise this time, next time I might be a bit more ready
Shout-out to Sean Holton. I’ll long remember his interaction with the Mudcat.
A three hour chat session, lol.
Thank you Craig. I obviously enjoyed it.
Jack
Free DC Rally & Afterchat | WE ARE ALL DC Four straight hours live from Washington DC.
• First half: on-the-ground at the Free DC Rally in Meridian Hill Park (aka Malcolm X Park).
• Second half: Open Mic With Legendary Trailmixers WhskyJack, Jamie and Stur***
Trump wrote, “I love the smell of deportations in the morning,” before posting a meme of himself in a black hat with skull and crossbones, with helicopters flying overhead and the caption, “Chicago about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR.” The picture says “Chipocolypse now.”
*These cruel idiots would just seem ridiculous if they had no power.
Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson responded to the meme, saying it’s “beneath him.”He wrote on X, “The President’s threats are beneath the honor of our nation, but the reality is that he wants to occupy our city and break our Constitution. We must defend our democracy from this authoritarianism by protecting each other and protecting Chicago from Donald Trump.”
The Chicago Police Department will be barred from helping federal authorities with civil immigration enforcement or any related patrols, traffic stops and checkpoints during the surge, according to an executive order signed by Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Responses to Trump’s meme blasted the president for his insensitivity. One journalist wrote, “This is frankly one of the worst things Donald Trump has ever posted, which is really saying something,” on X.
Another person joked, “It was the darkest of times, it was the dumbest of times.”
*That wasn’t a joke.
Can’t get a newsworthy verification about IDOT blocking roads with plows and salt trucks to keep out the Feds or bounty hunters or, well, the N&zis, but a screenshot of a FB post. I’m not on FB, so I can’t open it. Anyway, every tool in the kit to make sure the world knows tRUMP is invading and attacking folks in blue states.
— Immigration and Customs Enforcement began an immigration law enforcement surge in Massachusetts and Boston this week, while challenging their sanctuary laws in federal court.
The Trump administration this week began the surge, dubbed Operation Patriot 2.0, in Massachusetts and Boston, The New York Times reported.
*Patriot does not mean anything since tRUMPco wiped its yt, N&zi backside with it. Boston has a lot of salt trucks and plows, too.
“Get in good trouble, necessary trouble.” — Rep. John Lewis
Getting in good trouble isn’t history. It’s right now.
That’s not just history. It’s a call to action. We carried that spirit into the rally — and the fight isn’t over.
The Petty Pipsqueak POTUS strikes again. The miserable little tyrant trumpets.
The Pod Save guys were making the point that Trump has established an authoritarian regime faster than Putin did
Blue
The IDOT image was apparently from a 2025 parade. They use the trucks etc for crowd control, so while it might be used for ICE no confirmation that it has been ordered for any incoming from Trump
Gen. Milley: “We don’t take an oath to a king… or a dictator.”
Crowd chant: “Whose country? OUR country!”
US Open broadcasters have been asked not to show any negative crowd reactions to Donald Trump at Sunday’s men’s final.
*Everyone should boo continually. They can’t stop the tournament and kick everyone out.
Plus, everyone can video it and put all over the socials. He is HATED. The entire administration is HATED. Almost all Republicans are HATED. The boos are a given, even if the mute button is on.
Lord, I hope he isn’t alive to ruin the Super Bowl, especially if TS does the halftime show.
Pretty sure I heard boos in Brazil during the US anthem. Sad that KC lost, but happy Buttker missed a kick.
How about those Cornhuskers! Lots of shutouts today. Weird scores.
NEW THREAD by our Trail friend Jack
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Join the Trail Mix
Get an alert when Craig goes live, and the link when our Open Thread heats up.
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/
It should be “protest whack-a-mole”— big protest in Portland which completely disappears when the national guard shows up only to have the protest pop up in Detroit which also disappears when the guard shows up. Then the protest pops up in Atlanta….total whack-a-mole. Run ‘em ragged. Wear ‘em the fuck out. Rope-a-dope..
A Moveable Protest, as it were.
also at the war fair both foreign and domestic
Bill reacts to the top stories of the week, including China’s bad guy summit and RFK Jr.’s contentious congressional hearing.
and
Will militarizing our cities make them safer? Yes. But not safer for democracy.
and in more news
The fourth episode of “South Park” season 27 highlighted the Labubu craze while continuing to focus on Donald Trump. In the latest episode, which aired Sept. 3, Fox News questions the President’s relationship with Satan as they note that Melania Trump has been away in New York City, asking the 79-year-old directly if he and Satan are sleeping together. As the Fox hosts speculate what is going on between them and how their romance works, they also praise the pairing. At one point, a miniature Vice President JD Vance appears at the White House with Satan who reveals that he is struggling in the relationship but is holding on to a secret. Simultaneously, Butters and other South Park students are buying Labubus, which are only going up in price due to the tariffs. At the end of the episode, Satan reveals he’s pregnant with Trump’s baby, leading to overjoyed reactions from Fox News.
if not “f***ing satan” (turning the verb into an adjective) perhaps he’s what the daily news described 9 years ago as the “antichrist”
Now that there is a “Department of War” (in name only) what should we expect? First on the list that stupid holds in his cavernous cranium, invade Venezuela. Nothing says dictator needs to prove his power than by invading another smaller country. Reagan invaded Grenada, sfb can invade a country that has more letters and he cannot pronounce. Besides Venezuela insulted him, or he thinks it did.
Next up is invade Cuba. JFK did it and failed. He will show his own worm man, JFK jr, that he can invade and win.
Oh, never forget invading Greenland. Winter is the perfect time to go there. Wear a white sheet, comes natural to his cult, and nobody can see you.
And, finally for the next two weeks, go to Canada. Heard there is a new bridge so there is no need to make a pontoon bridge to get there. Besides, what kind of name is “Gordie Howe”. Sounds like a girls name and wasn’t Howe a general Washington fought? If George did it, mangomoron can too.
BB, you’re spot on about Cuba next. looks like they’re surrounded.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/us/politics/trump-maduro-military-venezuela.html
What to Know About a Rapid U.S. Military Buildup in the Caribbean
The United States has deployed eight warships, several surveillance planes and one attack submarine to the region as tensions with Venezuela grow.
SturMudgeon, yep here in DC the pop up protests have not fulfilled hopes it would just be a bunch of radicals the National Guard could use for target practice to excite MAGAts. The crowds are determined but peaceful, more like the people I see it farmers markets.
Calling this guy a Nazi is become a cliche.
How Stephen Miller is running Trump’s effort to take over D.C.
Washington Post gift link — https://wapo.st/4mV0fuw
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller is the key architect of Trump’s federal takeover of the District. Sources say Miller and his team coordinate National Guard and federal officer deployments, track arrests, and lead weekly strategy meetings with staff from Mayor Bowser’s office. They also report arrest data to staff from the White House, DOJ, and DHS, including how many of those arrested are undocumented immigrants. Sources describe him driving the agenda and shaping the message on crime-fighting, which he describes as a spiritual war: “Subjecting your own citizens to this constant bloodbath and then rejoicing in it is evil,” Miller said on Fox News last week. “You should praise God every single day that President Trump is in the White House.”
craig, don’t be surprised if he turns out to be South Park’s satan/trump baby.
Sturg – That’s what they said. It’s harder for law enforcement/troops/tRUMP subcontractor goons if there are, for example, 10 protests in LA of 1,000 people each, than a 10,000 person protest. Smaller protests overwhelm the system. It’s also easier for folks to stay closer to home.
today’s meme…
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5486849-live-updates-trump-jobs-report-white-house/
Footage broadcast on CSPAN just after Trump’s Oval Office event ended showed signage at the Pentagon being taken down after the president rebranded the Department of Defense to the Department of War.
Separately, lawmakers left Washington, D.C., for their home districts Thursday under the pressure of a Sept. 30 government shutdown deadline. They will return next week with a hefty legislative agenda, as divisions within the GOP and Democrats’ frustrations threaten to derail funding negotiations.
*The US is the munitions factory to the world. The Republicans are going to try to make more cuts via pocket rescissions, which are illegal. Collapsing the economy was part of the Thiel/Vance plan, even if it wasn’t exactly what Heritage had in mind…but it meets their evil objectives, too.
FDT
🚨 LIVE at Noon from the Free DC Rally, Malcolm X Park.
It’s why we chat. Trail Mix started to keep real voices connected, not just behind keyboards but face-to-face.
Live here in 30 minutes..
meme #2…
We’re having fun chatting now.
Join us
https://streamyard.com/tx2pfxverm
watching now
yeah i wasn’t warned enough about this “getting old” shit
the constant pain in particular
come on anonymous, click on in here
https://streamyard.com/tx2pfxverm
i decided to call my mom instead 😇
I’m reading about Phillies Karen
How the F do you not realize you are on thousands of cameras at all times in public these days
Woman ruined her life for a baseball, don’t tell me Americans aren’t stupid
Who would wanna go to a game with 60,000 other awful people anyway
fucking mouth-breathing sports fans lol
I fell out of the chat due to local “atmospheric” turbulence
Got in by surprise this time, next time I might be a bit more ready
Shout-out to Sean Holton. I’ll long remember his interaction with the Mudcat.
A three hour chat session, lol.
Thank you Craig. I obviously enjoyed it.
Jack
Free DC Rally & Afterchat | WE ARE ALL DC
Four straight hours live from Washington DC.
• First half: on-the-ground at the Free DC Rally in Meridian Hill Park (aka Malcolm X Park).
• Second half: Open Mic With Legendary Trailmixers WhskyJack, Jamie and Stur***
https://www.themirror.com/news/politics/breaking-trumps-chilling-warning-chicago-1375165
Trump wrote, “I love the smell of deportations in the morning,” before posting a meme of himself in a black hat with skull and crossbones, with helicopters flying overhead and the caption, “Chicago about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR.” The picture says “Chipocolypse now.”
*These cruel idiots would just seem ridiculous if they had no power.
Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson responded to the meme, saying it’s “beneath him.”He wrote on X, “The President’s threats are beneath the honor of our nation, but the reality is that he wants to occupy our city and break our Constitution. We must defend our democracy from this authoritarianism by protecting each other and protecting Chicago from Donald Trump.”
The Chicago Police Department will be barred from helping federal authorities with civil immigration enforcement or any related patrols, traffic stops and checkpoints during the surge, according to an executive order signed by Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Responses to Trump’s meme blasted the president for his insensitivity. One journalist wrote, “This is frankly one of the worst things Donald Trump has ever posted, which is really saying something,” on X.
Another person joked, “It was the darkest of times, it was the dumbest of times.”
*That wasn’t a joke.
Can’t get a newsworthy verification about IDOT blocking roads with plows and salt trucks to keep out the Feds or bounty hunters or, well, the N&zis, but a screenshot of a FB post. I’m not on FB, so I can’t open it. Anyway, every tool in the kit to make sure the world knows tRUMP is invading and attacking folks in blue states.
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/09/06/ice-boston-surge/6651757192184/
— Immigration and Customs Enforcement began an immigration law enforcement surge in Massachusetts and Boston this week, while challenging their sanctuary laws in federal court.
The Trump administration this week began the surge, dubbed Operation Patriot 2.0, in Massachusetts and Boston, The New York Times reported.
*Patriot does not mean anything since tRUMPco wiped its yt, N&zi backside with it. Boston has a lot of salt trucks and plows, too.
“Get in good trouble, necessary trouble.” — Rep. John Lewis
Getting in good trouble isn’t history. It’s right now.
That’s not just history. It’s a call to action. We carried that spirit into the rally — and the fight isn’t over.
The Petty Pipsqueak POTUS strikes again. The miserable little tyrant trumpets.
The Pod Save guys were making the point that Trump has established an authoritarian regime faster than Putin did
Blue
The IDOT image was apparently from a 2025 parade. They use the trucks etc for crowd control, so while it might be used for ICE no confirmation that it has been ordered for any incoming from Trump
Gen. Milley: “We don’t take an oath to a king… or a dictator.”
Crowd chant: “Whose country? OUR country!”
Free DC Rally →
A friend sent this aerial view..
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8SJ9rEa/
A threatening President is a threat to freedom.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/sep/06/broadcasters-told-not-to-air-any-booing-of-donald-trump-at-us-open-mens-final
US Open broadcasters have been asked not to show any negative crowd reactions to Donald Trump at Sunday’s men’s final.
*Everyone should boo continually. They can’t stop the tournament and kick everyone out.
Plus, everyone can video it and put all over the socials. He is HATED. The entire administration is HATED. Almost all Republicans are HATED. The boos are a given, even if the mute button is on.
Lord, I hope he isn’t alive to ruin the Super Bowl, especially if TS does the halftime show.
Pretty sure I heard boos in Brazil during the US anthem. Sad that KC lost, but happy Buttker missed a kick.
How about those Cornhuskers! Lots of shutouts today. Weird scores.
NEW THREAD by our Trail friend Jack