MEMES THAT MADE ME LAUGH TODAY 1-30

 

MEMES THAT MADE ME LAUGH TODAY 1-30

Big Education Ape: LEFT, RIGHT, AND CENTER: U.S. KIDS ARE COMING -BRINGING POLITICAL FIRE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/left-right-and-center-us-kids-are.html 

Big Education Ape: SHOCK, AWE-FULLNESS AND PETTINESS: THE RETURN OF TRUMP https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/shock-awe-fullness-and-pettiness-return.html 

Big Education Ape: WHAT ROGER STONE LEARNED FROM RICHARD NIXON HE TAUGHT TO DONALD TRUMP: THE ART AND SCIENCE OF RATF---ING https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/what-roger-stone-learned-from-richard.html 

Big Education Ape: SHOCK, AWE-FULLNESS AND PETTINESS: THE RETURN OF TRUMP https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/shock-awe-fullness-and-pettiness-return.html 

Big Education Ape: LEONARD PELTIER: FREE AT LAST - THANK YOU PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/leonard-peltier-free-at-last-thank-you.html

FROM WATERGATE TO TRUMP 2.0 - by MIKE SIMPSON https://ru4people.substack.com/p/from-watergate-to-trump-20 

Big Education Ape: TRUMP 2.0 EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT SING, DANCE, STIR THE CULTURE WAR POT, AND SHAKESPEARE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/trump-20-executive-orders-that-sing.html 

Big Education Ape: FROM LOBSTER TAILS TO TALL TALES: MY SUMMER OF CIVIL RIGHTS, RACISTS AND COCA-COLA https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/from-lobster-tails-to-tall-tales-my.html

Big Education Ape: PENNY DOES DC https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/penny-does-dc.html 

Big Education Ape: IT'S ALMOST THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN: THE GREAT AMERICAN STANDARDIZED TESTING CIRCUS https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/its-almost-that-time-of-year-again.html 

LEFT, RIGHT, AND CENTER: U.S. KIDS ARE COMING -BRINGING POLITICAL FIRE

LEFT, RIGHT, AND CENTER

U.S. KIDS ARE COMING BRINGING POLITICAL FIRE

For decades now, the political stage has been something of a geriatric talent show. Don’t get me wrong—there’s wisdom in age, and I’m not here to disparage the fine folks who’ve spent decades perfecting the art of filibustering, shaking hands, and dodging tough questions with a level of finesse that deserves its own Olympic category. But let’s face it: for a long time, our political landscape has looked like the waiting room of a very exclusive retirement community.  

However, change is in the air—or perhaps it’s just the sound of Gen Z and Millennials rolling their eyes and muttering “OK, Boomer” as they storm the political arena. Yes, folks, the kids are coming, and they’re bringing energy, sass, and a TikTok-ready attitude to the table. Whether you lean left, right, or somewhere in the middle (or just want to flip the table over entirely), one thing is clear: the next generation is here to shake things up.  

Out with the Old (Sort Of)  

Let’s start with the obvious: the political old guard isn’t going to vanish overnight. They’re still here, clutching their gavels and podiums like they’re auditioning for a sequel to 'Cocoon'. And honestly, some of them have earned their place. It’s not easy running a country when half your colleagues are busy arguing over whether “Wi-Fi” is a conspiracy. But the reality is that time waits for no one—not even career politicians—and a new crop of leaders is sprouting up faster than you can say “student loan forgiveness.”  

The Democratic Dynamo  

On the Democratic side, we’ve already seen some rising stars who are redefining what it means to be a politician. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) burst onto the scene with the kind of charisma and social media savvy that makes traditional campaign ads look like cave paintings. She’s young, bold, and unafraid to call out the status quo—whether it’s Wall Street billionaires or her own party’s leadership.  

Then there’s Maxwell Frost, who made history as the first Gen Z member of Congress. At just 26 years old, he’s already proving that you don’t need decades of experience to make waves—just a good playlist and a knack for connecting with voters. And let’s not forget David Hogg, who turned tragedy into activism after surviving the Parkland school shooting. He’s not officially in office (yet), but his voice is loud enough to make even seasoned politicians sit up and take notice.  

These young leaders aren’t just bringing new ideas—they’re bringing new energy. They’re fluent in memes, they know how to clap back on Twitter, and they’re not afraid to challenge the norms that have kept politics feeling like a never-ending episode of Matlock.  

The Conservative Comeback  

But wait—before you start picturing a future where everyone’s wearing “Tax the Rich” hoodies and sipping oat milk lattes, let’s not forget that young conservatives are also stepping up to the plate. Sure, MAGA might be fading into the sunset (or at least into a very loud corner of Facebook), but that doesn’t mean conservatism is going anywhere. 

Young Republicans are emerging with a fresh take on traditional values—a mix of fiscal responsibility, personal freedom, and just enough skepticism about avocado toast to keep things interesting. They’re running for office in towns, counties, and states across the nation, proving that conservatism isn’t just for folks who remember when Elvis was controversial.  

These young conservatives may not get as much media attention as their progressive counterparts (probably because they’re less likely to livestream their breakfast), but they’re out there. And they’re determined to shape the future of their party in a way that appeals to younger voters without alienating their more seasoned base.  

A New Vitality  

What’s exciting about this generational shift—regardless of your political leanings—is the sheer vitality it brings to our political system. For too long, politics has felt like a game played by people who’ve already lived through three or four versions of Monopoly. But now? Now we’ve got people who grew up with 'Mario Kart' and Minecraft' stepping into leadership roles.  

These younger politicians understand the challenges facing their generation because they’re living them. Climate change? They’ve seen the memes about how Florida might become Atlantis 2.0. Student debt? They’ve got it (and probably still get emails about it every other day). Social justice? They’ve marched for it, tweeted about it, and maybe even made a TikTok dance about it. 

They’re not just talking about change—they 'are change. And whether you agree with their policies or not, you have to admit: it’s refreshing to see someone under 50 on C-SPAN without assuming they’re an intern.  

Names You’ll Know Soon  

Of course, AOC, Maxwell Frost, and David Hogg are just the tip of the iceberg. There are countless other young leaders whose names we haven’t heard yet—but we will. They’re out there knocking on doors, organizing rallies, and probably explaining what BeReal is to their campaign managers.  

These future stars aren’t just running for Congress—they’re running for city councils, school boards, and state legislatures. They’re building grassroots movements and learning how to navigate the messy world of politics without losing their idealism (or at least trying to).  

And let’s not forget: they’re doing all this in an age where every misstep can be immortalized on social media within seconds. Imagine running for office knowing that someone could dig up your old MySpace profile at any moment. It’s terrifying—and yet they’re doing it anyway.  

The Future Is Bright (and Probably Streaming)  

So what does all this mean for us? For starters, it means we can stop despairing about our political future every time we see a headline about an 80-year-old senator accidentally tweeting their password. The kids are coming, and they’re bringing fresh ideas, diverse perspectives, and a willingness to tackle problems head-on (or at least with a well-timed Instagram story).  

Sure, they’ll make mistakes—who doesn’t? But they’ll also bring a level of creativity and determination that our political system desperately needs. Whether you love them or loathe them, one thing is certain: they’re going to make politics interesting again.  

• So buckle up, America. The next generation is here, and they’re ready to lead—one viral campaign video at a time.

WHAT ROGER STONE LEARNED FROM RICHARD NIXON HE TAUGHT TO DONALD TRUMP: THE ART AND SCIENCE OF RATF---ING

WHAT ROGER STONE LEARNED FROM RICHARD NIXON HE TAUGHT TO DONALD TRUMP

THE ART AND SCIENCE OF RATF---ING

Ah, ratf***ing. The term itself is as crude as it is evocative, conjuring images of shadowy operatives, dirty tricks, and political skullduggery. Once the domain of frat-boy pranks and Nixonian sabotage, this peculiar brand of political mischief has evolved into a high-stakes game of manipulation and deceit, with some of its most notorious players now wielding it like a scalpel—or, depending on the situation, a sledgehammer.

From its humble beginnings in college dormitories to its starring role in the Watergate scandal, ratf***ing has undergone a transformation that would make even the most seasoned trickster blush. And in the Trump era, it has reached an apex of precision and audacity that can only be described as both horrifying and—let's admit it—darkly impressive.

So buckle up. We're diving into the art and science of ratf***ing, tracing its evolution from Nixon's Committee to Re-Elect the President (ironically abbreviated as CREEP) to its modern-day incarnation under the likes of Roger Stone and Donald Trump. Along the way, we'll explore how this political dark art has become less of a sneaky side hustle and more of a full-blown operating system for governance.

Ratf***ing 101: A Brief History of Mischief

The term "ratf***ing" first emerged in the hallowed halls of college fraternity houses, where it referred to pranks like ballot-stuffing in student elections. Think of it as the political equivalent of slipping a whoopee cushion under someone's chair—if that whoopee cushion could somehow destroy your opponent's career. By the time Richard Nixon's operatives got their hands on it, ratf***ing had graduated from frat-house hijinks to full-blown political sabotage.

Enter Don Segretti, a key figure in Nixon's 1972 re-election campaign and the unofficial dean of dirty tricks. Segretti and his band of merry pranksters—known as the "USC mafia" due to their shared alma mater—pioneered tactics that would make Machiavelli nod in approval. Among their greatest hits? The infamous "Muskie letters," forged documents designed to smear Democratic candidate Edmund Muskie as a bigot. The letters were so effective that they helped tank Muskie's campaign faster than you can say "plausible deniability."

But Segretti's antics were just the warm-up act. The Watergate scandal would soon blow the lid off Nixon's entire operation, revealing a sordid web of wiretapping, break-ins, and general chicanery. Ratf***ing had officially gone pro.

Roger Stone: The Picasso of Political Mischief

If Don Segretti was the Mozart of ratf***ing, Roger Stone is its Picasso—bold, brash, and utterly unapologetic. Stone has spent decades perfecting the art form, turning it into something that straddles the line between performance art and psychological warfare. With his flamboyant wardrobe, tattoo of Richard Nixon (yes, really), and penchant for chaos, Stone is less a political operative and more a living meme.

Stone's career is a greatest-hits album of dirty tricks. He allegedly planted a fake story about Pat Buchanan fathering an illegitimate child during the 1992 presidential campaign. He orchestrated the infamous "Brooks Brothers Riot" during the 2000 Florida recount, sending a gaggle of preppy protesters to disrupt the vote count. And let's not forget his role in the 2016 election, where his alleged connections to WikiLeaks made headlines—and not in a good way.

But Stone's true genius lies in his ability to adapt ratf***ing to the digital age. While Nixon's operatives relied on forged letters and break-ins, Stone has embraced the internet as his playground. From weaponizing social media to spreading conspiracy theories faster than you can hit "retweet," Stone has turned ratf***ing into a science—and business is booming.

Trump: The Firehose of Falsehoods

If Roger Stone is the artist, Donald Trump is the gallery that displays his work—and then takes credit for it. Under Trump's administration, ratf***ing has evolved from a series of isolated dirty tricks into a full-scale strategy. It's no longer just about sabotaging opponents; it's about creating an alternate reality where facts are optional, lies are plentiful, and confusion reigns supreme.

Take Trump's now-infamous "firehose of falsehoods" strategy. The concept is simple yet diabolical: bombard the public with so many lies, half-truths, and contradictions that they can't keep up. One minute he's claiming he never said something; the next minute he's blaming Democrats and "fake news" for misquoting him. By the time anyone fact-checks him, he's already moved on to his next outrage.

And then there's Fox News and its Murdochian echo chamber, which dutifully amplifies Trump's every claim until it becomes gospel for the MAGA faithful. It's ratf***ing on steroids—a perpetual motion machine of misinformation that leaves opponents scrambling to keep up while Trump's base remains blissfully insulated from reality.

The Science Behind the Madness

What makes modern ratf***ing so effective isn’t just its audacity—it’s its precision. Thanks to advances in technology and data analytics, today’s political operatives have tools at their disposal that Segretti could only dream of. Case in point: REDMAP (the Redistricting Majority Project), a Republican initiative that used sophisticated software like Maptitude to redraw congressional districts in ways that disproportionately favored GOP candidates.

As David Daley outlines in his book *Ratf**ked*, REDMAP wasn’t just about gerrymandering—it was about weaponizing data to rig elections before voters even showed up at the polls. By exploiting demographic trends and voter behavior patterns, Republicans were able to create districts so lopsided that Democratic votes were effectively nullified.

This isn't just dirty politics; it's democracy on life support. And while independent redistricting commissions and ranked-choice voting offer glimmers of hope, the Supreme Court’s reluctance to tackle gerrymandering head-on means that ratf***ers still have plenty of room to operate.

The Legacy of Ratf***ing

Despite its sordid history and dubious ethics, ratf***ing remains an enduring feature of American politics—and it’s not going away anytime soon. Whether it’s Nixon’s operatives forging documents or Trump tweeting at 3 a.m., the tactics may change, but the goal remains the same: win at all costs.

But here’s the thing about ratf***ing—it’s not just about politics. It’s about power. It’s about control. And perhaps most importantly, it’s about creating chaos so overwhelming that no one knows which way is up.

So the next time you see a scandal break or a wild conspiracy theory take hold, remember: this isn’t just politics as usual. This is ratf***ing in its purest form—a steaming Great Dane dump on the fresh-cut lawn of democracy.

And whether you find it horrifying or oddly impressive, one thing is certain: it’s here to stay.

Roger Stone and ‘Ratf—ing’: A Short History - POLITICO Magazine https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/01/25/roger-stone-and-rating-a-short-history-224218/

Ratfucking - RationalWiki https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Ratfucking

'Ratf**ked': Political pranks and modern-day tricksters | Street Roots https://www.streetroots.org/news/2017/12/29/ratfked-political-pranks-and-modern-day-tricksters

Watergate Created Roger Stone. Trump Completed Him. - POLITICO Magazine https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/01/29/roger-stone-donald-trump-watergate-224383/ 

SHOCK, AWE-FULLNESS AND PETTINESS: THE RETURN OF TRUMP

 

SHOCK, AWE-FULLNESS AND PETTINESS

THE RETURN OF TRUMP

It’s official: Donald J. Trump is back in the Oval Office, and he’s wasting no time reminding us all why the phrase “shock and awe” is forever burned into the American psyche. Only this time, it’s less about military strategy and more about an unprecedented barrage of executive orders that feel less like governance and more like a bad sequel to *Mean Girls*. If his first term was a reality TV show, his second term is shaping up to be a dystopian horror flick with a side of petty vengeance.  

Let’s dive into the greatest hits (or perhaps "greatest harms") of Trump’s latest executive orders—a collection so brazenly mean-spirited they make Ebenezer Scrooge look like a philanthropist.  

1. ICE Raids at Schools, Churches, and Hospitals: “No Sanctuary for You!”

In a move that feels ripped straight from the playbook of authoritarian regimes, Trump’s first executive order greenlit ICE raids at places previously considered off-limits: schools, churches, and hospitals. Yes, you read that correctly—hospitals. Because nothing says “Make America Great Again” like terrorizing undocumented parents while they’re waiting for their child’s chemotherapy appointment.  

The harm here is almost too vast to quantify. Immigrant families are living in constant fear, children are being traumatized, and communities are losing trust in institutions that are supposed to be safe havens. But hey, why stop at deporting people when you can also crush their spirits? That’s efficiency, Trump-style.  

2. Denying Gender Differences: “Biology Is Cancelled!”  

In what can only be described as a spiteful swipe at the LGBTQ+ community, Trump issued an order mandating that all federal agencies ignore the existence of gender identity. Forget science, forget compassion—this is about erasing entire groups of people from public policy.  

Transgender Americans are now at risk of losing access to healthcare, housing protections, and even basic dignity. It’s as if Trump looked at the progress of the last decade and said, “Nah, let’s rewind back to the 1950s. That was *bigly* better.”  

3. Extreme Environmental Rollbacks: “Let Them Breathe Smog!”  

Remember when Trump called climate change a hoax? Well, he’s doubled down by rolling back every environmental regulation he can get his hands on. Clean water protections? Gone. Limits on toxic emissions? Bye-bye. Regulations on drilling in national parks? Drill, baby, drill!  

This isn’t just harmful—it’s catastrophic. Communities near industrial sites will suffer increased health risks, wildlife habitats will be destroyed, and future generations will inherit a planet that looks like a Mad Max set piece. But hey, at least Big Oil executives are smiling!  

4. Pardoning January 6th Criminals: “Insurrection Is Fine If You’re My Fan Club!”  

In perhaps the most brazen display of authoritarianism yet, Trump pardoned everyone involved in the January 6th Capitol riot. Yes, everyone—from the guy who wore Viking horns to the ones who smashed windows and assaulted police officers.  

The message here is clear: loyalty to Trump trumps loyalty to democracy. This move not only undermines the rule of law but also emboldens extremists who now feel they have a free pass to commit violence in the name of their orange-hued idol.  

5. Canceling Schedule F: “Let’s Fire Everyone Who Disagrees With Me!”  

Trump reinstated his infamous “Schedule F” executive order, which essentially allows him to fire career civil servants at will. You know, the people who actually keep the government running while politicians play Twitter wars?  

This order is a direct attack on government neutrality and expertise. It turns federal agencies into partisan playgrounds where loyalty to Trump is the only qualification that matters. Imagine FEMA run by someone whose sole experience is organizing Mar-a-Lago brunches. Terrifying, isn’t it?  

6. Locality as a Condition of Employment: “Move or Lose Your Job!” 

In a bizarre twist of cruelty, Trump is now demanding that federal employees relocate to specific areas as a condition of their employment. The goal? To force out workers who can’t afford to uproot their families or simply don’t want to move to politically favorable states for Trump.  

This isn’t about efficiency; it’s about purging dissenters and consolidating power in regions where Trumpism reigns supreme. It’s petty, vindictive, and downright cruel—but what else did we expect?  

A Global Comparison: Trump’s Playbook of Authoritarianism  

If this all feels eerily familiar, that’s because it is. Trump’s second-term policies bear more than a passing resemblance to those enacted by other authoritarian leaders around the world. Hungary’s Viktor Orbán has weaponized immigration policies to stoke nationalist fervor. Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro rolled back environmental protections with reckless abandon. And the Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte normalized violence and fear as tools of governance.  

Trump isn’t just following their lead—he’s taking it to new extremes with his unique brand of performative cruelty. His executive orders aren’t just policies; they’re signals to his base that racism, bigotry, and authoritarianism are back in style—and they’re wearing MAGA hats.

The Petty Meanness of It All  

What sets Trump apart from other strongmen isn’t just his policies—it’s his tone. These executive orders aren’t just harmful; they’re dripping with malice and pettiness. It’s as if every stroke of his pen is fueled by a personal vendetta against anyone who dared oppose him.  

Immigrants? Punish them. LGBTQ+ people? Erase them. Environmentalists? Mock them while setting fire to their cause—literally and figuratively. This isn’t governance; it’s grievance politics on steroids.

Even His Supporters Are Shocked  

Perhaps the most surprising twist in this dark saga is that even some of Trump’s supporters are appalled by the sheer nastiness of it all. Sure, they wanted lower taxes and fewer regulations—but mass deportations at hospitals? Pardoning insurrectionists? Poisoning rivers for profit? That wasn’t part of the deal.

One former supporter put it best: “I voted for a businessman, not a Bond villain.”  

A Plea for Mercy  

At Trump’s inaugural National Prayer Meeting, Reverend Mariann Budde delivered a heartfelt plea for compassion—a plea that will likely fall on deaf ears but deserves to be heard nonetheless.

“Have mercy upon the people in our country,” she implored. “There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children… there are immigrants who labor tirelessly… there are parents whose children fear they’ll be taken away.”

Her words were poignant, powerful—and tragically futile in the face of an administration that seems determined to govern through fear rather than empathy.

The Road Ahead  

So where does this leave us? In uncharted territory, to say the least. Trump’s second term promises to be a masterclass in how not to run a country—unless your goal is division, chaos, and suffering on an epic scale.

But if there’s one thing history has taught us, it’s that authoritarianism thrives when good people stay silent. So let this article serve as both a warning and a call to action: Speak up, resist cruelty in all its forms, and remember that America is at its best when it strives toward justice—not pettiness.

Because if we don’t fight back now, we may wake up one day to find that “shock and awe” has become our new normal—and there’s nothing witty about that future.