The DNC Campaign To Oust Biden Has Failed
Yesterday's assault by the Democratic National Committee on the Joe Biden campaign has failed.
Thursday night, as soon as the Trump-Biden debate had started, anonymous DNC officials contacted their usual 'liberal media' contacts and denounced Biden's performance. Even those media, like CNN and MSNBC, who have for years denied the obvious problems Biden has had, jumped onto the train. Biden, they said, should retreat.
The New York Times mobilized a slew of its opinion writers to convey the message:
- To Serve His Country, President Biden Should Leave the Race (Editorial)
- Joe Biden Is a Good Man and a Good President. He Must Bow Out of the Race. (Friedman)
- ‘God Help Us’: 12 Writers Rate Biden’s Performance at the First Presidential Debate
- ‘Is It Too Late?’ Four Writers on What Democrats Should Do About Biden.
- Kamala Harris Could Win This Election. Let Her.
- After That Debate, the Risk of Biden Is Clear
- Is Biden Too Old? America Got Its Answer.
But Joe Biden's wife, Dr. Jill Biden, resisted the move:
President Biden knew immediately after stepping off the stage in Atlanta on Thursday night that the debate had gone wrong. In those first stricken moments after a raspy, rambling and at times incoherent performance, he turned to his wife, Jill Biden.
...
The first lady’s message to him was clear: They’d been counted out before, she was all in, and he — they — would stay in the race. Her thinking, according to people close to her, was that it was a bad night. And bad nights end.
...
So Dr. Biden spent the 24 hours after the debate putting her decades as a political spouse to the test, projecting confidence and normalcy while effusively praising her husband.
Pushed along by his wife Joe Biden did not step back. The DNC assault on his campaign had failed.
Late last night former President Barack Obama, likely the man behind the 'oust Biden' campaign, publicly threw the towel.
Barack Obama @BarackObama - 18:36 UTC · Jun 28, 2024Bad debate nights happen. Trust me, I know. But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself. Between someone who tells the truth; who knows right from wrong and will give it to the American people straight — and someone who lies through his teeth for his own benefit. Last night didn’t change that, and it’s why so much is at stake in November. http://joebiden.com
Gleen Greenwald commented on Obama's intervention:
Glenn Greenwald @ggreenwald - 19:17 UTC · Jun 28, 2024Once the media starts to realize that they're not going to get Biden out of the race, they're all going to quickly retreat from the past 24 hours and get back on board.
Obama is directing them to do that and giving them the script to use:
The campaign to oust Biden has failed, but the damage is done.
Even pro-Biden voters will, from now on, watch diligently to find the flaws in the next Biden speech or debate.
It will be hard to rebury that issue.
Posted by b on June 29, 2024 at 6:48 UTC | Permalink
next page »All of America are delusional. Not only Jill Biden and Obama the Liar in Chief.
Who cares if Biden runs or not. If the DNC gets its way or not. Or what Obama and the NYTs say.
It makes no difference. The final collapse, the end of this evil shit hole of a nation will be same.
Posted by: Lavrov's Dog | Jun 29 2024 6:56 utc | 2
Bibi gave the word to The Lobby - Biden must perish !
And The Lobby has swung into action
Posted by: Exile | Jun 29 2024 7:03 utc | 3
Both Biden and Trump should retire ASAP. But I fear that there are still too many people who have a vested interest to not ditch Biden & Trump.
Posted by: WMG | Jun 29 2024 7:03 utc | 4
Here we see a classic example of events overtaking plans.
Like a rotten apple the situation will only continue to ripen.
Posted by: too scents | Jun 29 2024 7:06 utc | 5
There was no conspiracy. Biden wanted the debate because of Trump's lead in the polls.
People have been seeing Biden's condition for a while now, and it gets worse with time. They know Biden is not likely to last 4 years if he gets elected - so Kamala Harris is the shadow candidate.
Posted by: Lyle A | Jun 29 2024 7:08 utc | 6
Lavrov's Dog @ 2
I stand with Lavrov's Dog, his comments are sound on many topics.
Since bidens failed debate 90% of the media have given trump a free pass, i note. Thats omimous for America and americans..
View that debate through the eye's of Vladmire Putin. The US needs to get some self awarness. An empire crumbling before our very eye's.
A win for the rest of the sane world.
War is a failed buseness plan.
Posted by: Mark2 | Jun 29 2024 7:19 utc | 8
Ok. And where is the Clinton gang in all this? Or is Obama their front?
Posted by: yesxorno | Jun 29 2024 7:27 utc | 9
My above
Typo ominous not omimous (small mobile phone key + large lumberjack finger)
Posted by: Mark2 | Jun 29 2024 7:29 utc | 10
90% of the media have given trump a free pass
Posted by: Mark2 | Jun 29 2024 7:19 utc | 8
---
Lawfare and the Judiciary are coming for Trump.
This election will be prosecuted in Court, after the precedents which began with Bush v. Gore.
Posted by: too scents | Jun 29 2024 7:30 utc | 11
I'm just amazed people are talking about November.
Biden needs to stand down today. Even if it means Kamala Harris being in charge for 7 months.
Posted by: Mickey Droy | Jun 29 2024 7:43 utc | 12
too scents @ 11
You could well be right, we will know very soon as this farce is played out.
My opinion is...
Trump is now a convicted felon, lets all vote for a criminal thug. Make him president and do exactly what was done in ukraine by the banderites both present day and in the past by stephan banderite the nazi.
Its all being normalised, and thats bad, very bad.
Posted by: Mark2 | Jun 29 2024 7:43 utc | 13
Put it this way ...
Would i vote for zelinsky or the banderites ?
Posted by: Mark2 | Jun 29 2024 7:47 utc | 14
It makes no difference...
@ Lavrov's Dog | Jun 29 2024 6:56 utc | 2
The difference the debate made, I suppose, is that now it's really hard to say, with a straight face, that it makes a difference who's president, when nobody seems to care the one in there clearly ain't all there.
I don't purchase b's premise that dimsiders (possibly led by Ohbummer) colluded to disgrace Biden like this. He's just an all-natural organic disgrace, all on his own. But if we imagine schemers succeeding in getting Genocide Joe/Jill to step aside, then any one of those empty suits (e.g. Gavin, ugh!) miraculously winning the White House... there's no snowball's chance, but to perform the thought experiment is to understand that the genocides in Palestine and Ukraine will continue, regardless. No matter who's "president". Until we run out of fodder to feed the cannon.
Posted by: Aleph_Null | Jun 29 2024 7:47 utc | 15
Its all being normalised, and thats bad, very bad.
Posted by: Mark2 | Jun 29 2024 7:43 utc | 13
---
In the absence of corrective measures Western dysfunction stands as an encouragement to other bad actors internationally. The shameless lawlessness is thoroughly corrosive.
Posted by: too scents | Jun 29 2024 7:51 utc | 16
when nobody seems to care the one in there clearly ain't all there.... and the rest
Posted by: Aleph_Null | Jun 29 2024 7:47 utc | 15
100% Aleph. And he has 7 months left to serve, and no one sees anything at all?
The entire country is a joke. The whole place is pathologically sick. Has been for decades.
Posted by: Lavrov's Dog | Jun 29 2024 7:58 utc | 17
It were better that genocide Joe not only leave the "presidential race", but also this life all together.
Posted by: Consilium | Jun 29 2024 7:58 utc | 18
Lavrov's Dog @ 2
I stand with Lavrov's Dog, his comments are sound on many topics.
Posted by: Mark2 | Jun 29 2024 7:19 utc | 8
Thanks Mark! Can I quote you on that? Some here keep repeatedly telling the world I'm THE mad man. :-)
Ain't that right Tom_Q_Collins, canuck and billy goat gruff?
Posted by: Lavrov's Dog | Jun 29 2024 8:03 utc | 19
@13 "Trump is now a convicted felon, lets all vote for a criminal thug"
False equivalence really between a convicted felon and a criminal thug. Many people in public life have been convicted felons (in US speak) but that is more a comment on their ruling regimes than them.
Posted by: Yarpos | Jun 29 2024 8:04 utc | 20
Once Biden voluntarily bows out, that will open the door for Hillary's campaign.
Otherwise, why schedule a debate, prior to the candidate's convention, being accepted as the nominee?
In ukraine no one dare critises the zelensky led conflict, thats out of fear, dispite all there losses. The lower class have been exterminated, the young and wealthy fled to the west, the people running the remaining fight are paid by the west to stay.
The above comparison is relevante.
The real US plan is to kill the poor exploit the middle class acumulateded wealth.
Trump's "drain the swamp" was /is ambiguous.
He now works for israel and the US jews.
Why would'nt he.
Posted by: Mark2 | Jun 29 2024 8:17 utc | 22
Mark2 | Jun 29 2024 7:43 utc | 13
Be careful of American domestic politics. American are Americans, especially in political circles. Pumped full of American supremacy and the god given right to dominate the world. American exceptionalism at its finest. By both sides
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jun 29 2024 8:24 utc | 23
The entire country is a joke.
@ Lavrov's Dog | Jun 29 2024 7:58 utc | 17
I've had an electronic dispute, for many years, with people who correct me for using the pronoun "we" to refer to USA and US Americans.
But we really do have a serious problem to discuss here. Not just with corrupt leaders, but with a callow, callous polity. (An equally vain enterprise: imagine working with the Israeli polity to overcome otherness.) I'm down here on the street, talking with friends, neighbors, and relatives about the state of things. I really don't know what to do with people like these, where to start, we're so far gone. It's like (snap, snap) Earth to Doris, Earth to Doris, come in please!
Posted by: Aleph_Null | Jun 29 2024 8:25 utc | 24
Lavrovs Dog @ 19
Thats a resounding yes.
The people you mention are aware of my views on them.
To all
This election i wont be pig wrestling. Been their done that. b disaproves, i respect b and this year i will consider his health and stress levels.
I fear for America and i fear for this blog at the momment. Election time gets rough on here, real rough.
We need to respect this blog or lose it.
Posted by: Mark2 | Jun 29 2024 8:32 utc | 25
Dear b, I'm glad you're back and recovering.
It's too soon to tell whether DNC have failed in their urgent meed to oust the old man. Obembe coming out as he did might just be disinformation to hide the fact he is with the faction that's trying to oust the old man.
Posted by: Johan Kaspar | Jun 29 2024 8:38 utc | 27
Thanks b for collating this, once I saw the focused headline tsunami it was impossible not to whiff the bs. Just more garbage thrown into the dumpster fire, Obama coup or other factional maneuver doesn't really matter, it is all part of the clusterfuck, it's not a sign of competence grabbing hold of the wheel, it's still a desperate act, a sign of the petty medievalism at the height of the USA "democratic" superpower.
A coup orchestrated that high up means they have a good contender in mind, or at least someone they believe is rather viable. It is way too late in the game to save the DNC. Maybe the DNC found someone with such a winning personality, so finely tuned into the zeitgeist that they can create a nation wide in brand in five months that normally takes a decade. But, I seriously doubt it. Maybe the fix is 100% in for the election, the ballot boxes, that they don't care who runs, only that it looks presentable enough to people that they shrug, accept it and move on. So, Kamala or Newson are just needed to replace Biden in a rigged election.
Oh, and Zelensky is talking "serious" peace proposal in the works, that too is fraud to help the Democrats in the election.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jun 29 2024 8:39 utc | 28
side bar -- the US is so arcane, still living in the dark ages. The world is full to the brim with better examples to follow
Qualifications and disqualifications to be elected to the National Parliament Australia
Constitutional provisionsA person is incapable of being chosen or of sitting as a Member of the House of Representatives if the person:
is a subject or citizen of a foreign power or is under an acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power;
is attainted (convicted) of treason;
has been convicted and is under sentence or subject to be sentenced for an offence punishable by imprisonment for ONE year or longer under a State or Commonwealth law;
is an undischarged bankrupt or insolvent;
holds any office of profit under the Crown or any pension payable during the pleasure of the Crown out of any Commonwealth revenues (with exceptions)or has been found by the Court of Disputed Returns to have committed or attempted to commit bribery or undue influence when a candidate, disqualification being for two years from the date of the conviction or finding.
plus more .... NO CRIMINALS NO BANKRUPTS NO ISRAELI ZIONISTS ALLOWED
https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/House_of_Representatives/Powers_practice_and_procedure/Practice7/HTML/Chapter5/Qualifications_and_disqualifications
There is no restriction on people born overseas who are citizens of the country from running to election and later becoming Prime Minister .... NO DISCRIMINATION against a Schwarzenegger but Equality instead!
Then there is the issue of electorate gerrymandering -- the political manipulation of electoral district boundaries with the intent to create undue advantage -- RAMPANT across the USA by both political parties.
The unfair unsustainable first past the post system versus "ranking" or "preferential voting" which counts ALL people's preferences for election.
and the ridiculous corrupt electoral college system versus a runoff presidential and governor election system.
The US needs to be wiped off the map with external intervention (they are too stupid and corrupt and criminal to fix it themselves) and new nation (or nations) formed with new Constitutions fit for purpose.
I have long said the US needs to be split into four separate nations that are culturally consistent and holistic. imho this should be forced up them asap. Immediately after the civil war rages for a while.
Oh yeah, I have lots of good well thought out opinions about America and how easily it could be and should be fixed. :-)
Posted by: Lavrov's Dog | Jun 29 2024 8:42 utc | 29
Regardless of Obummer the house boy, the initial media response to the debate was coordinated. Best to wait and watch.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jun 29 2024 8:45 utc | 30
the initial media response to the debate was coordinated
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jun 29 2024 8:45 utc | 30
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Of course it was coordinated! At question is if the coordination was motivated by an external actor or self interest.
I say self interest. Jeopardy is a cruel fate.
Posted by: too scents | Jun 29 2024 8:50 utc | 31
Obummer, what Ehret would term as a loyalist. Brits and MI6 will be working overtime to ensure Biden stays in the media goode books. London deep state vs American deep state.
Goode - a bit of a typo but ye olde English put an e on the end of everything.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jun 29 2024 8:53 utc | 32
It doesn't matter whether the plan to oust Biden failed or not, as he will not be physically present soon enough. The unelected group hiding behind Biden must go. The US needs to figure out how to relate to itself and in particular how to relate to the rest of the world.
Posted by: Norwegian | Jun 29 2024 8:54 utc | 33
too scents | Jun 29 2024 8:50 utc | 31
Perception management by Robert Parry. Well worth reading. Based on the Reagan papers.
Well worth reading. Murdoch a foundational media owner who the CIA introduced to Raygun.
It was Murdoch that ended limited media ownership here in Australia. Since then all oz media sings in tune to the anglo american deep state like a bunch of trained budgerigars.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jun 29 2024 9:09 utc | 34
Mark2 | Jun 29 2024 8:32 utc | 25
Thanks mate. And I'm with you too. Take care. Try not to stress too much. Be at peace.
Posted by: Lavrov's Dog | Jun 29 2024 9:14 utc | 35
Oh yeah, I have lots of good well thought out opinions about America and how easily it could be and should be fixed. :-)
Posted by: Lavrov's Dog | Jun 29 2024 8:42 utc | 29
The punch line being - And I never mention them!
Because it doesn't matter and makes no difference at all.
Posted by: Lavrov's Dog | Jun 29 2024 9:20 utc | 36
"to perform the thought experiment is to understand that the genocides in Palestine and Ukraine will continue, regardless. No matter who's "president". Until we run out of fodder to feed the cannon.
Posted by: Aleph_Null | Jun 29 2024 7:47 utc | 15"
This. Exactly.
Posted by: Mary | Jun 29 2024 9:32 utc | 37
Posted by: Lavrov's Dog | Jun 29 2024 8:42 utc | 29
Whatever you put in the constitution it will not work.
The part about foreign influence could, as an example, used against one candidate by simply made up accusations.
Foreign agent means nothing. An Australian candidate supported by USA will probably be accepted by the electorate but one sponsored by RF will not but both are under foreign influence.
By the way, as alpha _null noted, not that things change changing the candidates.
Posted by: Mario | Jun 29 2024 9:48 utc | 38
Wish Jackrabbit were still with us to see his prediction come true. The anger against this (possibly superficially*) bumbling pathetic senile loser administration leads to a Trump landslide, giving him substantial political capital that the regime will spend to escalate its wars, especially in SE Asia but also Africa, potentially Mexico (“muh cartels”), and everywhere else.
* Depends on whom you think they represent.
Posted by: despondent | Jun 29 2024 10:03 utc | 39
Mario | Jun 29 2024 9:48 utc | 38
What you say is fine, more or less. The technicalities you listed aren't that important. The items listed must be backed with hard evidence and pass a Court judgment. Facts matter. Not hearsay. Candidates have to prove their case, not just claim it. But what I think you're missing here is the Values, the Mindset, behind the Constitutions in the different nations. Good ethical Institutions eventually change the ethical culture of a nation from the inside out. Gerrymandered electorates in Australia used to be a common feature, especially in some more illicit States .... took a long time but now there are no Gerrymandered electoral boundaries anywhere. None. Zero. Zip. Everything is above board, run according to Law, and open to the public. iow nothing like how the US operates. Values and Ethics matter more in the other places. People like The Donald don't even try to be elected - only in America or 1950s Cuba does that fly.
Posted by: Lavrov's Dog | Jun 29 2024 10:03 utc | 40
The anger against this
Posted by: despondent | Jun 29 2024 10:03 utc | 39
---
Down ballot Democrats are screwed.
Posted by: too scents | Jun 29 2024 10:04 utc | 41
The only way Biden will win is massive voter fraud than ever before in history. Or WW3 to cancel elections.
Israeli billionaires ordered social media to begin a campaign on the theme 'Trump lies', but too late.
https://helenaglass.net/2024/06/28/the-deep-state-is-israeli-billionaires/amp/
Posted by: unimperator | Jun 29 2024 10:14 utc | 42
Israeli billionaires ordered social media to begin a campaign on the theme 'Trump lies', but too late.
Posted by: unimperator | Jun 29 2024 10:14 utc | 42
Taking your comment to make a point. (Given the contradictory points between this thread and the previous one)
Sometimes I wonder , or fear , that in spite of some real psychopaths and ugly SOBs, there is nobody really in charge.
Just petty chimp level ignoramus instead of some competent cabal..
Sometimes I do wonder if it’s only stupid lemmings…
Posted by: Newbie | Jun 29 2024 10:22 utc | 43
The D’s were going to lose anyway. But, keeping obstinate demented Genocide Joe in the race longer continues reinforcing a “solid” excuse for the D’s losing. After the selection, instead of the party or their policies being discredited, they will use a “Joe was a weak candidate, but we’ll get them next time!” story to re-energize their base.
@ too scents | Jun 29 2024 10:04 utc | 41
Yes. But their sponsors will be fine.
Posted by: despondent | Jun 29 2024 10:25 utc | 44
This is kabuki theatre to guarantee that elements in the Biden circle cannot attempt to fortify the election again. The PTB have decided that Trump is the only person capable of restoring the wizard’s curtain and ridding the country of the monsters, and their twisted ideologies, that they unintentionally co-opted in their search for more power.
They’ve obviously decided that welcoming in Trump, and trying to control him, is less damaging than using their energy, resources and accumulated political capital, following the fruitless strategy of those who advocated institutionally targeting and removing him. I believe this year the progressives and their controllers were given the Gorbachev option, massive institutionalised support to put into action their plan to destroy Trump, if he was likely to declare his presidential run. There was one proviso, fail and that support would be used in another direction. We are seeing that new direction and it is Trump as ‘47, and they will carry it out with the same ruthless efficiency they used in 2020.
If they have miscalculated though, as I think they have, then the US will go through a social and institutional revolution that will usher in a new, and much needed, truly post-Cold-War era. Not the ersatz variant we’ve lived through these past three decades. Lefties will be gnashing their teeth as the Trump-Runner avoids all the hyperbolic fates they eagerly expect, but the world will relish the prospect of finally exploring the Undiscovered Country, without over a century of baggage.
Posted by: Milites | Jun 29 2024 10:26 utc | 45
When Trump was elected in 2016 I opined that the U.S. would discover it didn't need a functional President. I was half (or maybe just a quarter) joking but am still sticking to my take. Most of the real powers that be prefer someone weak or inept.
Posted by: WG | Jun 29 2024 10:34 utc | 46
Posted by: Mark2 | Jun 29 2024 7:43 utc | 13
By your reasoning, political-prisoners deserve their sentence, because a conviction equates to their guilt, irrespective of the methods used in gaining it.
There are hundreds of hours of commentary and pages of expert opinion showing the ‘conviction’ in NY was a Kafkaesque farce, you seem to have either avoided it or uncritically accepted the regime’s perspective. Strange that you don’t accept the regime’s views on other subjects, often discussed here.
Posted by: Milites | Jun 29 2024 10:36 utc | 47
Out Out damn spot!
Lady MacBeth is running the US government? So it's like the Romans held an election for emperor between Tiberius and Caligula. Too bad America has no Claudius in its future.
My money is still on Clinton. Quick Dottie & Toto. Drop a house on that witch!
Posted by: EoinW | Jun 29 2024 10:36 utc | 48
Yes. But their sponsors will be fine.
Posted by: despondent | Jun 29 2024 10:25 utc | 44
---
Down ballot represents largely Real Estate and other local commercial interests.
D's losing gives local R's that slice of the pie. At the local level the two parties are fighting for the control of limited real capital. Sponsors want to direct public money into their pockets.
Down ballot controls the flow of local public money.
Posted by: too scents | Jun 29 2024 10:36 utc | 49
They can't replace Biden because no democrat, assholes as they all are, wants to be destroyed politically and lose a presidential election. Biden can lose it for them.
The election in November will hopefully lead to civil war in the US. The rest of the world can then get on with life and watch as Washington burns.
Posted by: Eoin Clancy | Jun 29 2024 10:41 utc | 50
How we can argue Biden's debate performance is beyond my imagination?! His people knew exactly how he was going to perform ahead of time. His mental state is no secret. The real question is why did they allow it to happen?
Posted by: David G | Jun 29 2024 10:44 utc | 51
@ Mario | Jun 29 2024 9:48 utc | 38
> Whatever you put in the constitution it will not work.
Apparently so, unfortunately. What’s said on curated TV or podcasts matters more.
Perhaps the statement “politics is downstream from culture” is more important than I realized.
Posted by: despondent | Jun 29 2024 10:46 utc | 52
There's no way Jill Biden gets the final say on this. She is either negotiating a golden handshake or about to massively find out where power really lies.
Biden will not be the candidate.
Posted by: SB | Jun 29 2024 10:48 utc | 53
Milites @ 47
I was'nt genralising i was being specific.
Cheers
Posted by: Mark2 | Jun 29 2024 10:55 utc | 54
The real question is why did they allow it to happen?
Posted by: David G | Jun 29 2024 10:44 utc | 51
Because they already have an alternative that also stands for a victory in Ukraine by all means?
Posted by: Oliver Krug | Jun 29 2024 11:07 utc | 55
Never mind Biden. He is just a puppet, and an old man. Clearly not capable of running a country, let alone the world.
Which raises the question who is actually in charge? With what mandate? The only person who has a democratic mandate to be in Charge of America, to be Commander in Chief, is Joe Biden. Who is clearly is not the person in charge.
With full knowledge and support of the DNC, of the democratic party, the power in the United States has been handed over to an anonymous person or persons who have no democratic legitimization, no mandate, to run the country.
The DNC, the democratic party, and their supporters in the media have failed to inform us that the president of the United States is incapable to running his office. Worse, they even want to continue having anonymous stringpullers to run the country while pretending we have a president.
The problem isn't Joe Biden. The problem is that half of the American political establishment has abandoned democracy, has thrown the constitution and all it means into the garbage can.
Never mind Trumps finickery, never mind the antidemocratic maneuvering of the Republican party. The Democrats, and the supporters in the media, are worse. Much, much, worse.
Posted by: Marvin | Jun 29 2024 11:14 utc | 56
The real question is why did they allow it to happen?
Posted by: David G | Jun 29 2024 10:44 utc | 51
---
Entropy is a force of Nature. It doesn't need an Agent to set it in motion.
Posted by: too scents | Jun 29 2024 11:15 utc | 57
"Out Out damn spot!
Lady MacBeth is running the US government? So it's like the Romans held an election for emperor between Tiberius and Caligula. Too bad America has no Claudius in its future.
My money is still on Clinton. Quick Dottie & Toto. Drop a house on that witch!"
Posted by: EoinW | Jun 29 2024 10:36 utc | 48
You don't know your Roman history.
Tiberius was a monster as a man, but a good Emperor. No major wars during his rule (14 AD to 37 AD), Empire was stable and when he died he left a voluminous Treasury.
Caligula went through the Treasury in less than 18 months
Posted by: Mark2 | Jun 29 2024 7:43 utc | 13
"By your reasoning, political-prisoners deserve their sentence, because a conviction equates to their guilt, irrespective of the methods used in gaining it.
There are hundreds of hours of commentary and pages of expert opinion showing the ‘conviction’ in NY was a Kafkaesque farce, you seem to have either avoided it or uncritically accepted the regime’s perspective. Strange that you don’t accept the regime’s views on other subjects, often discussed here."
Posted by: Milites | Jun 29 2024 10:36 utc | 47
Mark2 lets his Deranged Trump Syndrome get the better of his reason.
The NYC conviction was a total farce and it will be overturned on appeal.
And, the Banana Republic prosecution blew up in the Dems faces as Trump has brought in record amounts of money and better polling since he was convicted.
i'm staying on....Joe Biden
“Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied.”
― Otto von Bismarck
Posted by: chris m | Jun 29 2024 11:21 utc | 60
The US needs to be wiped off the map with external intervention
I have long said the US needs to be split into four separate nations that are culturally consistent and holistic. imho this should be forced up them asap. Immediately after the civil war rages for a while.
Posted by: Lavrov's Dog | Jun 29 2024 8:42 utc | 29
Hold on, didn't you just finish saying above that Australian representatives cannot be under the control of a foreign power? Very little will "unite" the American factions so much as an external threat.
But relax. The people claiming that Biden was being inevitably pushed out by an omniscient oligarchy simply didn't know what they were talking about. The people claiming that Wal-Mart greeters want to attend shareholder meetings didn't know what they were talking about. Most wannabe revolutionaries have never been popular with actual workers. And if you don't live in America, the Trump MAGA movement is unlike anything you've ever seen.
OBVIOUSLY Trump wants to work with the major companies and be a good little capitalist... but he also wants to be a Caesar. Which means some very interesting things.
Posted by: They Call Me Mister | Jun 29 2024 11:21 utc | 61
if you actually thought about it....
it seems that the campaign afoot is actually about removing Biden from office now, as in immediately
(so VP Kamala Harris will automatically become President)
and not wait until some pesky election in November, which Biden could still conceivably win
after all the Republicans aren't too united even amongst themselves
Posted by: chris m | Jun 29 2024 11:39 utc | 62
Posted by: Milites | Jun 29 2024 10:26 utc | 45
I adorned your excellent post with chatGPT's iambic pentamater:
"This is kabuki theater, naught but a play,
To thwart attempts of Biden's circle's sway.
The PTB have chosen Trump to rise,
Restoring wizard's veil from watchful eyes.
To rid the land of monsters and their schemes,
Their twisted plots in search of power's dreams.
They've weighed the choice, and Trump they now embrace,
Controlling him, a lesser evil's face.
To spend their capital, a fruitless chase,
Institutional targeting, no grace.
This year the progressives, given one last shot,
Destroying Trump before his run is sought.
Support bestowed, with one condition clear,
Fail, and they'd turn to Trump without a tear.
Now Trump as '47, ruthless plan,
With 2020's force, they'll back their man.
But if they miscalculated, know,
A revolution's storm will start to blow.
The US through upheaval then will pass,
A true post-Cold-War era at last.
No ersatz past, but future's fresh delight,
Left gnashing teeth at Trump-Runner's flight.
Yet world will revel in the chance to see,
The Undiscovered Country, wild and free."
Trump and biden suporters are turkeys voting for christmas.
Take a look at what they do to ukraine solders, take a look at what they do to Palistinians.
If you think they wont do that to you, your wrong. Your not exseptionals your camnon fodder.
Posted by: Mark2 | Jun 29 2024 11:44 utc | 64
There's a lot of talk about Biden being given drugs. Maybe its true?
Its not hard to find drugs that will cause someone to be confused, lose their train of thought and have trouble speaking clearly.
Think about it...
Posted by: jinn | Jun 29 2024 11:54 utc | 66
Posted by: Lavrov's Dog | Jun 29 2024 10:03 utc | 40
If you trust the court or as ancient Roman said 'quid custodiet ipsos custodes'.
By the way I know how it plays. Candidate A is opposed to candidate B, than candidate A is accused, maybe with true facts, court rules candidate A ineligible by constitution and his supporters will scream of robbed election and so.
No amount of rules can ensure a fit candidate.
From my European pov both us candidates are unfit but, it should be the electors to decide so.
AFAIK, Trump supporters consider him fit perfectly knowing who he is and his story.
Biden is, by a significant time, clearly mental and phisical unfit to the role and there are means to substitute him by constitution by it didn't happen.
Posted by: Mario | Jun 29 2024 11:56 utc | 67
I believe this year the progressives and their controllers were given the Gorbachev option, massive institutionalised support to put into action their plan to destroy Trump, if he was likely to declare his presidential run. There was one proviso, fail and that support would be used in another direction.
If they have miscalculated though, as I think they have, then the US will go through a social and institutional revolution that will usher in a new, and much needed, truly post-Cold-War era.
Posted by: Milites | Jun 29 2024 10:26 utc | 45
Exactly. What this means is that Trump will have considerable power to purge all of the idiots who thought they were running a People's Court against him. Not only is this required for the superficial appeal of "controlled" revolution, but it would make Trump feel good.
Of course, the number of judges and politicians facing the axe means a severe penalty for the Uniparty. But tough: they couldn't actually stop Trump, and now they have to face the consequences.
Posted by: They Call Me Mister | Jun 29 2024 11:56 utc | 68
You don't know your Roman history.
Tiberius was a monster as a man, but a good Emperor. No major wars during his rule (14 AD to 37 AD), Empire was stable and when he died he left a voluminous Treasury.
Caligula went through the Treasury in less than 18 months
Posted by: canuck | Jun 29 2024 11:15 utc | 60
It was a joke, not a history lesson. Just the same, thanks for keeping me honest.
Nevertheless I don't think the analogy is that flawed. Tiberius was a pedophile(Biden). Trump, his first time round, couldn't have cared less about the debt(which is THE problem that is destroying western society). Granted the Dems are more likely to nominate a horse for senator - men can get pregnant! However Trump's hubris really does give Caligula a run for his money.
I'll go a bit further: Caligula's reign actually began well until he fell ill. He came out of that illness a madman. Trump probably went to Washington with the best intentions but his illness was the Deep State. If Trump gets a second chance it will be because the NeoCons are the most powerful faction in DC. So he'll be working for the Jews. Can't get any sicker than that!
I still think the NeoCons would be more comfortable with Clinton.
BTW why hasn't Trump been assassinated? I'd say it's because he is protected by the Jews.
Posted by: EoinW | Jun 29 2024 11:59 utc | 69
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jun 29 2024 8:45 utc | 30B
It's not over. Watch "the house boy" (Obama) and his minions: David Axelrod, Plouffe... Obama never thought much of Joe. They used each other and it worked for both of them but Obama's scared now, ww3 and all that. My guess is that Biden will not physically make it to November.
https://news.yahoo.com/news/axelrod-gop-strategists-biden-replaced-123242747.html
Meanwhile, Ceo's are hedging their bets and flirting with shyster Trump.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ceos-supporting-trump-why-stand-195735082.html
Zionists are going with Trump.
Big losers: DNC. Blue team media. They are not in sync now when they need to be.
Bottom line, Biden is literally melting before our eyes. The empire is crumbling.
Posted by: migueljose | Jun 29 2024 12:02 utc | 70
Be careful of American domestic politics. American are Americans, especially in political circles. Pumped full of American supremacy and the god given right to dominate the world. American exceptionalism at its finest. By both sides
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jun 29 2024 8:24 utc | 23
===================
Well, I don't see a lot of Americans "pumped full of American supremacy." The bf bit is a meaningless tautology.
But I just live in one place---like most any other US-based barfly.
Personally I don't know anyone who has the supremacy conviction. In my view the biggest problem with the AMericans I see is cluelessness---too many only watch the MSM. And they are all in on the consumption, especially obscenely large SUVs.
I come from and still live in a resort area that is being ruined by a combo of the super-rich, and the influx of Third Worlders, mainly Brazilians with a large dose of Bulgarians and Jamaicans, who serve them. Many of this now own businesses, but I suspect that most of their employees are illegals. I don't actually know members of either group personally, but among the super-rich is a lot of Jewish money.
However, when our Ceasefire in Gaza group does its standout on Sundays, we get a lot of "support honks." We get very, very few disapproving responses.
I would in any event be cautious about making sweeping statements about Americans. And, bear in mind that our political process has been kidnapped by the Israeli Lobby, as Philip Giraldi once again covers today at the Unz Review. The more Americans figure this out, the better the chances for some kind of political correction before it is too late.
The signal positive outcome of "the debate" with the attendant open discussion of who might engineer a replacement for Biden, and how, might be a quantum leap in the level of comprehension of the meaninglessness of our current "political process"---really the lack of a credible political process.
IMO the power of the Israel Lobby and its control over both candidates and parties and the whole shambolic political process is the USA's biggest problem, and challenge.
Posted by: Jane | Jun 29 2024 12:03 utc | 71
There's no point in getting so excited. It will be what your Jewish masters have decided.
Posted by: Cumino | Jun 29 2024 12:09 utc | 72
I rarely disagree with b’s conclusions, but in regard to the motivation behind Obama’s message, I must. While Jill Biden has some power and influence in White House internal politics, she has none on the national party.
Three states have laws that will not allow Biden’s replacement on the ballot. Those are Wisconsin, Nevada, and Georgia; all are three are swing states and up for grabs in November’s US elections. The Democrats knew this prior to the debate, which was the earliest debate in any election cycle in US history.
Why was it scheduled so early? Coupled with the lawfare against Trump, the early debate was perhaps a last ditch attempt to have Biden appear capable. Trump’s imminent sentencing on 34 felony convictions in the New York are also a major factor in Plan A, which is to re-elect Biden as Obama’s puppet.
Plan B is for martial law, prior to the election if Trump is able to campaign and his victory is assured, or after the election but prior to his inauguration if Trump wins from jail.
How might martial law be justified? Major riots, much greater than those of the summer of 2020, domestic “terrorist” activity,
or a foreign response to increased US escalation in Ukraine or the Middle East.
I believe there is only a 50-50 chance that another elected president will take office in January.
Posted by: Ciaran | Jun 29 2024 12:12 utc | 73
Well, I didn't expect to be in post #1!
Dr. Jill is only weeks away from a heart attack, or breast cancer, which seems to conveniently pop up at times like this.
That takes Pedo Joe out of the running so he can "care" for her. Valiantly, bravely, in the face or horrendous odds.
Biden 's large PAC funds switch to their alternative candidate, Newsom. Kamala agrees as she "helps keep the country running through these tragic times" without actually becoming president. She really has no choice. A career of large speakers fees awaits her for years to come on the liberal circuit. Then a few board positions at Microsoft and Meta. She will make far more money than staying in active politics.
Newsom will most likely lose, but not as much as Biden would. The key is to minimize the damage to Senate and House seats. The Dems keeping Senate control helps neutralize Trump, and they will set up getting the House in the midterms.
The long game remains the same, Newsom gets early exposure for a 2028 run, and has 4 years to criticize Trump and place is face on MSM weekly.
Posted by: BroncoBilly | Jun 29 2024 12:18 utc | 74
"I'll go a bit further: Caligula's reign actually began well until he fell ill. He came out of that illness a madman. Trump probably went to Washington with the best intentions but his illness was the Deep State. If Trump gets a second chance it will be because the NeoCons are the most powerful faction in DC. So he'll be working for the Jews. Can't get any sicker than that!
I still think the NeoCons would be more comfortable with Clinton.
BTW why hasn't Trump been assassinated? I'd say it's because he is protected by the Jews."
Posted by: EoinW | Jun 29 2024 11:59 utc | 71
Yes, you are right-Caligula was a well rounded young man till he fell ill 6 months after being elevated as Emperor-docs think it was cerebral meningitis-after that he was a total monster.
Yes, the Jews are protecting Trump and that's one thing I hate about the man is his loyalty to the Tribe; but, it doesn't really matter, the Jewish lobby have all the candidates in their pocket.
I agree that the neo cons would be 'more comfortable ' with Killary but she is unelectable as she is a fat, ugly, Genocidal Witch.
You don't know your Roman history.
Posted by: EoinW | Jun 29 2024 11:59 utc | 71
May I present the view that you are all too early in Roman history?
US is not Rome, it's Constantinople, a better fit for current emperor is, as I have already stated, Arcadius.
European Rome is much closer to collapse than it was in the emperors you discussed.
Posted by: Newbie | Jun 29 2024 12:31 utc | 76
I wish they’d both stroke out. Seriously.
Biden was probably supposed to be a placeholder to keep Bernie Sanders out and give rise to a more viable DNC approved candidate which didn’t happen. Plus he’s in sync with the neocon wet dream of eliminating Russia, China, Venezuela, and any other country which dares oppose US ambition.
I live in an important swing state but am tempted to vote Green this November since I hate both candidates so much and think the orange thing will probably win. Just get it over with.
Posted by: Sick and tired | Jun 29 2024 12:37 utc | 77
The circus continues! All eyes on the next act: more clowns! :o)
(That's actually all our acts. It's just clowns all the way down. Please buy some overpriced concessions. We're hemorrhaging money for bratty child support: our youngest, Ukraine's 10 & our oldest, Israel's 76 but still living at home -- he's special.)
Posted by: titmouse | Jun 29 2024 12:37 utc | 78
Obomber paid an impromptu visit to No 10 last month.
Sunak announced snap elections for July 4th.
Macron announced snap elections with 2nd round July 7th.
Both look set to lose catastrophically.
Elensky is now talking about making peace with Putin (surely a death sentence for Z).
Rats running before SHTF.
Word is out that Sleepy Joe might not wake up one day, IMO.
I give him not much time beyond July 8th.
Interesting times...
Posted by: ChatNPC | Jun 29 2024 12:41 utc | 79
You don't know your Roman history.
Posted by: EoinW | Jun 29 2024 11:59 utc | 71
May I present the view that you are all too early in Roman history?
US is not Rome, it's Constantinople, a better fit for current emperor is, as I have already stated, Arcadius.
European Rome is much closer to collapse than it was in the emperors you discussed.
Posted by: Newbie | Jun 29 2024 12:31 utc | 78
I disagree.
Constantinople, or the eastern Roman Empire did not , for 1,000 years , denigrate their currency.
On the other hand we all know that Rome began to dilute their currency in the 2nd century AD; the US, 36 years after Bretton Woods, diluted their currency in 1971 when Nixon closed the 'gold window'.
Hence, I believe that Rome is the better model to compare and contrast our current geopolitical, economic situation.
US is not Rome, it's Constantinople, a better fit for current emperor is, as I have already stated, Arcadius.
Posted by: Newbie | Jun 29 2024 12:31 utc | 78
The US represents the center of an empire that is about to embark on a thousand year legacy? Sure, whatever you say.
You can dislike Trump, or Arcadius for that matter, but comparing the two men is close to lunacy. Take the historically dubious analogy of Trump as Julius Caesar instead. Their relations with the plebian classes are worth comparing.
Posted by: They Call Me Mister | Jun 29 2024 12:43 utc | 81
But the Fun has just Begun !
Next up, we get Trump sentenced and Republicans roiled. What? Then a debate between Dementia Joe and Orange Jumpsuit guy?
Nobody is in charge. There is no Praetorian Guard to elevate a Claudius. People who predict dedollarization's timetable, didn't predict this. And they'll be crazy enough to steal from Russia, too.
Posted by: Eighthman | Jun 29 2024 12:44 utc | 83
Well, I didn't expect to be in post #1!
Dr. Jill is only weeks away from a heart attack, or breast cancer, which seems to conveniently pop up at times like this.
That takes Pedo Joe out of the running so he can "care" for her. Valiantly, bravely, in the face or horrendous odds.
Posted by: BroncoBilly | Jun 29 2024 12:18 utc | 76
You'll have to refresh my memory. When is the last time a major party candidate withdrew after a heart attack? Much less suffered by his wife. Breast cancer would be even less effective: the "Saint Elizabeth" story was arguably the only thing keeping the John Edwards campaign alive, and the President has a top tier medical staff by definition.
The rest is just wishcasting. Barack Obama coming out for Joe indicates that not even the Democrats are united on this issue. Trying to knock off the First Lady would see people on meat hooks.
Posted by: They Call Me Mister | Jun 29 2024 12:50 utc | 84
Bernhard it is so great that you’re back. I missed you and the barflies. Please pace yourself during your rehabilitation and don’t work too hard.
Posted by: Lev Davidovich | Jun 29 2024 6:55 utc | 1
-------------------------------------------------
My favorite.
Yesterday I posted that the DNC was preparing for a loss in November. I am still of that opinion, Lyin' Joe or no Joe. All potential DNC replacements would still cause a loss, so why bother, is how I read the Obummer et. al. intervention outcome.
The genocides will continue, cf. Aleph_Null | Jun 29 2024 7:47 utc | 15 et. al.
IMO the power of the Israel Lobby and its control over both candidates and parties and the whole shambolic political process is the USA's biggest problem, and challenge.
Jane | Jun 29 2024 12:03 utc | 73; also unimperator | Jun 29 2024 10:14 utc | 42
A Trump victory will likely bring a turnover in the Senate and an increase in the House. Trump operating as a 9-year old will bring us some more problems. I thank SCOTUS for overturning 40-year old Chevron, which will bring long lasting benefits while the DNC and the GOP continue to destroy the US in their own unique ways.
Posted by: Acco Hengst | Jun 29 2024 12:54 utc | 85
My Reply to Posted by: Lavrov's Dog | Jun 29 2024 6:56 utc | 2:
Thank you, b.
This is patently not true, Lavrov's Dog, and the multiple times you post will not make it so. It will not be Biden or his wife who have the last say in the matter. It will be the American people, most of whom are recognizing the undemocratic manner in which elections are currently decided.
The debate only clarified how far that process has disintegrated. We knew it was doing so at the beginning of this century, and it has only gone further in the quarter century since.
There is no going back. I forget who said that America does the right thing --- after everything else has failed. Everything else is failing.
Hold onto your hats. If you thought the war in Vietnam was our Waterloo, you haven't seen anything yet. Party politics in this country is coming to an end.
Mark my words.
Posted by: juliania | Jun 29 2024 12:58 utc | 87
RFK Jr steps up, in the face of the civilisational crises as the Collective Waste spirals faster down the shit hole.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr
@RobertKennedyJr
Jun 27
“So crazy that Ukraine could have made a much better peace deal if we had let them do it a couple weeks after the war started, when Russia was ready to fall back to pre-invasion lines in exchange for Ukraine not joining NATO. We pressured Zelensky (who originally ran on a peace platform) to reject the offer. Now Ukraine stands to lose far more territory after hundreds of billions of dollars and tens of thousands of unnecessarily lost lives. Thanks Tony Blinken.“
Posted by: DunGroanin | Jun 29 2024 13:01 utc | 88
Thimble ,Shell, a game times 3 , so, where is the pea ? Because of Ohio and some weird local, unique to them , a technicality , means the Manchurian candidate of the Democraps must be anointed prior to DNC smoke signal toast . They only have weeks . The pea is pertinent ... Handy Hans Anderson wrote something about an 'uncooked pea ', hidden in the mattresses ...is where it is royally hidden . Perhaps a little helium blast in a random vein to kills the 'goose' ? The chicken coop coup is on . Who needs body guards or even cameras, when they are planning to wash your feet ? Bibi is coming to count down ,town soon . Bile reading or do they open an incision to look at the Promethium liver . Bibi , Biden or Trump , who will they die , as in engineering without sting ? A lot of anger has bypassed the usual controls . The Tour de France , gone Italian ,finishes the first stage in Rimini today, from departed Florence . Bless the Renaissance of Plethon of Mystras . No need to do anything near a Cathedral this time . All three are Misanthropes who are cursed . Cabonari or Garibaldi Red , same fate .
Posted by: Paleologos | Jun 29 2024 13:02 utc | 89
The people of the USA must be proud of their shining political system that has provided two geriatrics candidates with identical policies.
A two party state is exactly twice as democratic as a one party state.
Posted by: Polli | Jun 29 2024 13:07 utc | 90
Posted by: BroncoBilly | Jun 29 2024 12:18 utc | 76
Only if you wanted a poster boy to highlight the impact of lunatic leftist policies, and the billions wasted. There would also be the slight matter of independents and fence-sitters, on both sides, reacting to the obvious manipulation such a move would entail. If the mega-donors stick with Biden, as they seem to be doing, then they’ll be simultaneously positioning their portfolios to benefit from a Trump administration. Watch the famous billionaire canaries (Soros, Gates, Bezos) next moves, to guess which way things are likely to be moving.
Posted by: Eighthman | Jun 29 2024 12:44 utc | 85
Is that a prediction based on hope or fear? I’ve said it before, never under-estimate the American people, and never count them out either. The US is a young country, mature for its age, with a list of impressive historical achievements, both burdened by the curse of youth, yet blessed with its amazing regenerative qualities. Lefties, both inside and outside the country, have been predicting its imminent fall for decades and, similar to the alarmist climate rhetoric, disaster has strangely been averted.
Posted by: Milites | Jun 29 2024 13:08 utc | 91
My money is still on Clinton. Quick Dottie & Toto. Drop a house on that witch!
Posted by: EoinW | Jun 29 2024 10:36 utc | 48
______
We all know that Obama isn’t particularly fond of Biden, which makes me wonder if Obama’s expression of support for him was primarily intended to block Killary from the nomination. To say that Obama and Killary aren’t fond of each other is an epochal understatement.
Posted by: malenkov | Jun 29 2024 13:12 utc | 92
Hence, I believe that Rome is the better model to compare and contrast our current geopolitical, economic situation.
Posted by: canuck | Jun 29 2024 12:42 utc | 82
Constantinople when there was still a western empire did share debased coin. Only afterwards did they keep good coin for 500 years
You can dislike Trump, or Arcadius for that matter, but comparing the two men is close to lunacy. Take the historically dubious analogy of Trump as Julius Caesar instead. Their relations with the plebian classes are worth comparing.
Posted by: They Call Me Mister | Jun 29 2024 12:43 utc | 83
Biden as Arcadius please
Posted by: Newbie | Jun 29 2024 13:13 utc | 93
Western political opinions are irrelevant , mere electoral tripe.
Their personal statins are irrelevant, because their foundational values are centuries out of date.
I find it amazing that anybody could take an active interest in the West except as an archeological relic.
Posted by: Giyane | Jun 29 2024 13:15 utc | 94
They are keeping Biden because they are planning one or more major “surprises” between now and November. My money is another pandemic with lots of mail in ballots.
The stunning thing to me about this Biden spectacle is how much it exposes the rotten facade: a fake president nobody likes propped up by a fake news media nobody watches. Trumps plain truth described as “lies.” Billions spent to maintain the facade. It’s like the classic Potemkin village but on steroids. The problem here is that this makes them desperate and capable of anything, like cornered rats.
Posted by: Moonraker | Jun 29 2024 13:17 utc | 95
Ukraine is doomed with Biden. In 3 months unleash absolute hell on Kiev and Lviv. Help Houthis target more ships. US won't act so close to an election.
Posted by: Jason | Jun 29 2024 13:17 utc | 96
"You can dislike Trump, or Arcadius for that matter, but comparing the two men is close to lunacy. Take the historically dubious analogy of Trump as Julius Caesar instead. Their relations with the plebian classes are worth comparing.
Posted by: They Call Me Mister | Jun 29 2024 12:43 utc | 83
Biden as Arcadius please"
Posted by: Newbie | Jun 29 2024 13:13 utc | 95
Biden is Elagabalus in my opinion-in his decrepit reign the 3rd century horrible unstableness of Rome began only to be halted, temporarily, by Diocletian and Constantine, whom , of course, moved the capital to Byzantium and to build it he bankrupted the whole Italian peninsula:
"A Brief Biography of Elagabalus: the transgender ruler of Rome
By Alexis Mijatovic
Elagabalus’ name is not quite as notorious as that of Nero and Caligula, or even Commodus, recently featured as the villain in Russell Crowe’s Gladiator. Like the three emperors mentioned above, Elagabalus has consistently been ranked among the worst and most depraved holders of the Imperial honor. Her reported atrocities and crimes however almost entirely fall under the categories of upsetting the gender, cultural and religious norms of Roman society. In this biography I will briefly narrate her life and evaluate what her contemporaries found so shocking about her. I will also show how examining her life and career can teach us much about the intersections of cultural conflict in ancient times and the lavish amount of attention transgender phenomenon have received since at least as long as history was recorded.
Name and Pronouns
First a note on name and pronouns: Historical sources uniformly refer to Elagabalus with male pronouns. The emperor is best known under this title (which is grammatically masculine) and she was assigned male at birth. I have decided to use female pronouns because, based on the evidence, this choice is just as valid as male pronouns. The three extant sources from antiquity, while they do contradict each other, still broadly concur that the sovereign did have very strong manifestations of cross-gender behavior. Telling aspects such as the story related by Dio Cassius that Elagabalus offered half the empire to the surgeon that would correct her genitalia seem to go far beyond merely scandalizing an effeminate monarch and more towards showing the desperation a transgender person might well feel in an age long before any methods were found to modify her body according to her desires.
Background
Elagabalus was born in the year 203 AD, and her brief reign occurred in the years 218-222 at the end of which she was killed. Well known through the ages, Elagabalus lived a very short but tumultuous life. Related to the family of Septimius Severus, Elagabalus was born into the highest level of privilege in Ancient Rome.
Elagabalus was inducted to the hereditary priesthood of the solar deity El Gabal, who was worshipped in her native city as the supreme deity. In a different approach to the Greeks and Romans who erected statues of their deities in their temples, El Gabal was worshiped in the form of a meteoric black stone. Elaborate ceremonies would mark this stone’s entry and brief residence in Rome.
Septimius Severus was a Roman general of North African origin who wrested the supreme power after the period of chaos that ensued from Commodus’ death (the son of one of the last of the “Five Good Emperors,” Marcus Aurelius). While Severus restored order to Rome, his stern and highly militaristic dictatorship undermined traditional Roman institutions (such as the Senate). Severus’ son, Caracalla was a ruthless tyrant, succeeding his father along with his brother Geta. The cleverly ruthless Caracalla killed the equally ruthless but clumsier Geta. Caracalla continued the militaristic dictatorship of Septimius Severus but was known for more erratic behavior. His most famous legal act was the widening of Roman citizenship to include virtually all free inhabitants of the Empire. This act helped further weaken the Roman tradition by weakening cultural and social distinctions. While this act seems appealing to modern sensibilities, it seems to have simply been a brazen ploy to increase tax revenues. Caracalla was killed by his soldiers in a plot, and the usurper Marcrinus (of commoner descent) took the throne for a brief period. The emergence of the military as the only legitimate source of power and the weakening of Roman tradition both became especially present in the Severan era and help us understand the context of Elagabalus’ brief reign.
Marcrinus’ welcome was quickly worn out when he attempted to reform the pay of the Roman legions to assist the solvency of the Empire. His attempted fiscal reforms angered the soldiers who, after overthrowing Caracalla, now missed that Emperor’s generous ways. The atmosphere all over Rome became very tense. Enter Julia Mamaea, the sister-in-law of Septimius Severus. She claimed that Elagabalus, the young child-priest, was the illegitimate son of Caracalla and this claim cemented that young person’s rise to the throne.
What makes Elagabalus rise to fame and power unusual was that the soldiers who had a chance to see her were entranced by her beauty as she danced ceremonies to El Gabal. All the ancient authors describe her sensuous robes that she wore while performing priestly duties. The fact that young boys could be sexually objectified and sexualized as much as women in the Classical world no doubt adds to Elagabalus’ ability to woo soldiers by dancing in luxurious robes and elaborate makeup rather than gain their respect with military feats in armor and sword.
Skilled generals and soldiers supported Elagabalus so Marcrinus’ forces were quickly defeated and the way was cleared for Elagabalus to reign.
Reign
The young Empress (for that is what she wanted to call herself) wasn’t used to the exercise of power. All the ancient sources agree that she made irresponsible appointments to the highest offices of government and religion. Herodian and the Historia Augusta salaciously assert that Elagabalus was in the habit of appointing ministers on account of the length of their penises.
The reign witnessed many actions that caused shock and offense to conservative Romans. Elagabalus married a vestal virgin, claiming, according to Herodian, that the priestly marriage would create divine children. Vestals’ chastity was very important to Roman religious practice and the punishment for violating chastity used to be execution by live burial. This marriage was thus an unprecedented violation akin to desecrating the Eucharist for observant Roman Catholics. Furthermore Elagabalus arranged a marriage between her deity El Gabal and Urania the goddess most worshiped in Carthage, which was the most ancient and hated enemy of Rome. In order to participate in her administration and gain Imperial favor, senators and other Roman dignitaries were forced to dress in un-Roman ways and to participate in elaborate sacrifices and other ceremonies.
The topic of Elagabalus’ genitalia comes up frequently. One way Greeks and Romans distinguished themselves from the near Eastern civilizations was that they did not practice and abhorred circumcision. The ancient sources claim that Elagabalus was circumcised as part of the requirements for the priestly profession and the later Historia Augusta even claims that her penis was infibulated (meaning that the head of the penis was divided in two.) Castration, according to Dio Cassius, was one of Elagabalus’ fondest desires, not out of religion but out of “effeminacy.” This last statement seems to very strongly indicate a condition that would today be called transsexualism.
The only symbols of Elagabalus reign that survive are precious metal coins and a very few examples of statuary. Many of the coins do indeed show the religious changes: displaying the meteoric stone of El Gabal and calling for that deity’s blessings. The statuary on the other hand shows a young man with hair cut in classic Roman style and thus seems designed to placate those of traditional feelings as it showed the young ruler as being similar in appearance to Caracalla and other Roman emperors. Some historians use this lack of archeological evidence to claim that Elagabalus cross gender behavior was greatly exaggerated or even simply made up to smear her. I think it is just as plausible that the fact that only gender normative visual records of Elagabalus survive shows that her sexual and gender variance was disapproved of and often hidden and can lead one to suppose that only images more respectable to Ancient Roman values were preserved, while evidence of cross gender behavior was effaced.
As Elagabalus’ standing decreased in the eyes of powerful Romans, she was forced to adopt her cousin Severus Alexander as a “son” and successor. Alexander was only four years younger! Meticulous care was taken to ensure that this boy was not corrupted by his eccentric cousin and was instead carefully reared according to the most conservative Greco-Roman values. Understanding quickly that Alexander was a threat, Elagabalus sought to remove him but the ploy failed and when coming to appear before the camp of the Praetorian guards, Elagabalus was murdered along with her mother. Their mutilated bodies were carried through the streets and then thrown into the Tiber as if to wash away the upset that came upon the Roman world.
Legacy
After Elagabalus’ reign, women were never allowed to enter the building where the Senate was convened. Her establishment of a “women’s senate” was considered one of the many examples of Elagabalus’ depravity. The fact that women like her grandmother, mother, and aunt wielded significant power and influence was also condemned by writers with deep patriarchal values. Care was taken to erase Elagabalus from the historical record like other Roman emperors that were considered tyrants in a process called damnatio memoriae. Elagabalus was used by subsequent historians, Roman and post-Roman, as an example of one of the worst rulers ever.
Transgender behavior existed in Rome before and after Elagabalus. Transgender practice was tolerated and even sometimes respected by the Roman populace when it was practiced by the male-born priestesses of Cybele, known as the Gallae. These women would celebrate a taurobolium which (originally meant to be the castration of a bull) was a castration ceremony where someone formally defined as male would lose their genitalia, bleed like in menstruation or childbirth, and then subsequently wear women’s clothing and go by female names. Like other cultural practices this was a highly ritualistic and mystical understanding of gender identity. Rome was a vast empire and culturally diverse empire and in some respects it can be said a marketplace of religions existed. A male-born person with strong cross gender identification could potentially seek out the local Gallae temple to Cybele and have herself castrated, both to please her goddess and also perhaps to fix a deep inadequate feeling toward her own anatomy.
The Gallae however, existed somewhat on the periphery of Roman society. While Roman polytheism greatly revered the Goddess Cybele as a very important goddess, her worship was not considered Roman and was not integrated with traditional Roman practice. For a brief span that didn’t exceed four years, however, a radical transgender and religious experiment was imposed on the Roman world by a passionate young person known as Elagabalus. It is a mistake to suppose that Elagabalus had goals akin to contemporary understandings of feminism and gender theory: Elagabalus was a product of her own time and place and the social structures in force at the time ensured her rise to power. Transgender people and phenomena have always existed but for once a person of strong gender variance caused a deep upset in an ancient culture"
To the geopolitics of the pantomime.
That (Ukraine debacle to finally take Russia) and the certain demise of the illegal apartheid entity as the last Imperial conquest and colonial land grab leads to the exit strategy.
It’s now about who is going to be holding the hot potatos as the target of ‘to the last Ukranian’ arrives a lot faster than expected. As ziofascists have to exodus.
Same goes for Europe - Macaroons jumping ship having unloaded the last French Imperial holdings into the hands of the US hedge funds and PMC’s for the Banker Masters.
Sunak is loading the lifeboat with his trophies, just days away from his emancipation, having done the job of unloading trillions into the coffers of his masters pirate ship, with his Covid spending.
He can’t lead the British in War as Brave Sir Starmer, the Great Knight Dope, who at least has the gammon tinge preferred by the CW as they set the Golden Billion behind a purdah from the majority of humanity. Especially seeing how Modi is being forced into the greaterclinch as the BRICS + build a, RIC, to usher out the American Century and let the India believe they will be the EurAsian inheritors instead. The Three Wise Kings. Modi and his Banker masters can’t avoid that Shapeshifting chance of retaining power and control over Money.
What was taught to ukranians and Zionazis from childhood over the last decades - the neo-supremacist fake history , the base Fascism is now to be spread across the collapsing Empire.
Who are the critters fashioned to lead us to the stark truths , WE have always been the Evil Empire and ‘bad guys’.?
What better than by appeal to the mythical power of female caring!
Ironically, a cabal of screeching harridans Russophobes, Sinophobes and bloodthirsty Misanthrope bitches from hell, are to lead the doomed fight against General Winter, later this year. As they draw in millions of dumb neonazis into Europe as the necessary demographic corrections required to boost the population replacement rates and wipe the shit of the ever more elderly populations.
You know? just like western audiences have been programmed to believe for decades the n super power heroes - men, women and chimera. Wizards , Sorceresses and mythical Queens. Given that religion has been abandoned as the opium of the masses.
Rutte is one too, a consumer of WEF Nazis, Shwebs Essences of Life ! Of course a man must lead nato in its demise as a failure of its attack on the Multipolar, not defence as it has always lied.
We will have to learn the hard way and over generations the folly of centuries of our Anglo European mythical greatness. Sooner the better.
Meanwhile the real bastard masters slip away and shape-shift into EurAsians for the remainder of this century; then Africans that will dominate from the next - It’s not a surprise why so many plane loads of African border crossers have been getting jetted into the US the last year. To have a look to bred from and shapeshift to so they will someday go and hold the reins in a few generations.
Or at least they’ll try to escape. However I trust Mr KinzHell will find them even in the deepest hole they try to hide.
Posted by: DunGroanin | Jun 29 2024 13:25 utc | 98
Biden in the USA, Sunak in the UK, Macron in France, Scholz in Germany. All in trouble.
Posted by: Passerby | Jun 29 2024 13:26 utc | 99
Biden as Arcadius please
Posted by: Newbie | Jun 29 2024 13:13 utc | 95
Similar problems. One example is of Arcadius supposedly being manipulated into a marriage empowering Prefect Rufinus before being "manipulated" into marrying someone else. When you are surrounded by strong figures whom you are trying to keep loyal, it can help to make them think they are in "charge." But I guess it didn't work out for very long. It's all right, the Empire was a hotbed of insane intrigue.
By contrast, Joe Biden has always been owned by the Delaware banks, and his wife likely killed herself and her daughter when she discovered Biden's whore. The current Mrs. Biden. Tawdry, but hardly the stuff of Byzantium. The fact of his rise shows how fundamentally weak the entire Uniparty elite is.
Posted by: They Call Me Mister | Jun 29 2024 13:27 utc | 100
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For months I have been saying Gavin Newsom. I will stick with that pick. And he will lose by as much as Biden, because he has done really stupid awful things in California, and the rest of the country does not want any of that in their state.
Posted by: BroncoBilly | Jun 28 2024 10:34 utc | 47
You ought to put a bet on that Bronco. They’re all doing it in the UK. A bunch of police who enforce the violence carrying sub-machine guns to protect these moron politicians, the leader of whom lives in a security gated street that citizen (strike that we are subjects under a weird dysfunctional Royal family) can’t walk down.
The politicians themselves, with inside information are attempting to defraud those perennial vampires of the working class, the bookmakers. One politician has bet thousands of pounds on himself to lose and has the audacity to respond by saying that there is nothing wrong with that. The democratic system is a corrupt sham. Paleologos has it right.
Perhaps Genocide Joe has taken the Burisma money, minus Hunter’s bail bond and place a wager that The Dotard will win…more money for the Biden Crime Family. The cunning of Genocide Joe after his brain malfunction performance at the hands of a shouty 9th grade idiot is that there was zero serious debate; Biden wasn’t called out at all for his catastrophically failing proxy war in Ukraine, his total support of genocide in Palestine and the loss of US influence outside its white European satraps. Instead of people saying he is the most evil President in history they wonder if he’s too old or incompetent.
The political theatre sure works on distracting from the real issues.
Bernhard it is so great that you’re back. I missed you and the barflies. Please pace yourself during your rehabilitation and don’t work too hard.
Posted by: Lev Davidovich | Jun 29 2024 6:55 utc | 1