"Will the Trump-Musk beast lead to full fascism"?

[@VladVexlerChat]

Science Fiction with Damien Walter www.youtube.com/@DamienWalter Vlad's main channel kzbin.infovideos Support Vlad's work on Patreon! www.patreon.com/vladvexler Support Vlad via PayPal www.paypal.com/paypalme/vladvexler?country.x=GB&locale.x=en_GB

[@PhilippBrandAkatosh]

this track fits perfect for this topic : kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYi7fZ9-rtR9rrM

[@fgadenz]

I dont recall if I started following Damien because Vlad, but I am in love with his high quality content for some time!

[@richardlee4730]

Like the '"silly glasses" and the sweater. Love from San Francisco.

[@markmcguire7261]

You're incredibly smart

[@markmcguire7261]

You have one of the best channels. Thanks for lowering my blood pressure. ❤

[@igorbednarski8048]

your glasses are not "silly", they are badass 😁. I wish you all the best - and thank you for staying up to date on the channel despite your health issues 🥲

[@ColleenC-n5v]

YO!!!⭐⭐⭐

[@Wizz15]

Agreed on the glasses, I wear glasses too but I’m sure I couldn’t pull off orange like Vlad does. They are unique yes, but definitely not silly. Regardless I wish you well, Vlad!

[@item6931]

your glasses remind me of late-stage Bono lol

[@sailawayteam]

They are a bit Dr Strangelovy...

[@shandogg1313]

they are silly, this guy is silly

[@darkstatehk]

You're talking about a paradox that is sometimes referred to as the "tyranny of the majority" or the "paradox of democracy". Philosopher Karl Popper also discussed this in terms of the "paradox of tolerance," where unlimited tolerance could lead to the rise of intolerant forces that destroy the tolerant society. It is a highly contradictory situation where democracy can, in effect, vote itself out of existence.

[@golagiswatchingyou2966]

the funny thing is that this is actually democracy saving itself from authoritarianism, the real question should be which elites rule, not whatever some schizo philosopher thinks.

[@Rockall57]

It's happening in all democratic countries...but the issue why plebs are pissed off...the voting system doesn't reflect the peoples will because they are not able to vote proportionally.. simple..

[@occamraiser]

you have indeed just witnessed exactly that. They elected an anti-democratic demagogue and will never have another fair election again. With industrial scale gerrymandering and corrupt judges the republicans will never lose power again. Bye Bye America.

[@howtoappearincompletely9739]

I don't think that's unique to democracy. Many forms of government have mechanisms for self-dissolution.

[@memirandawong]

@@howtoappearincompletely9739 Whether it's unique or not is irrelevant. The context here is democracy. For example, I could care less what happens say in Somalia, whatever their form of government.

[@adammockler]

Stay healthy!

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thanks so much Adam!

[@charisma-hornum-fries]

So true.

[@cecee1596]

Hey Adam I’m one of your best fans

[@melissabruhn1429]

Glad to see you here Adam!

[@heisner667]

@@adammockler Adam is doing great excite full work on his channel.

[@begr_wiedererkennungswert]

When my mother looked over the rims of her glasses, I knew the situation was about to get serious.

[@Julia-Richter]

❤

[@dansplain2393]

Then mine would say my full name. Then it got real

[@Julia-Richter]

@@dansplain2393 I knew my sister was in trouble when my mother called her Julia.

[@begr_wiedererkennungswert]

@@Julia-Richter ❤

[@begr_wiedererkennungswert]

@@dansplain2393 I don't have a long name, but gave my own kids a second first name only for this reason.

[@suzannstrohmaier2578]

Take care Vlad...health is way more important than politics...our political messes are not going anywhere. Prayers for better health days 🙏

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you so much dear you!

[@suzannstrohmaier2578]

@@VladVexlerChat 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

[@_amalfitano]

11:00 "self-engineered defeat against an eminently beatable opponent" 💯

[@marijo1951]

Yes, brilliant. I quickly scribbled it down!

[@item6931]

It was a very succinct way of putting the Democrat's problems. They put forward an ultimate "more of the same is coming" establishment candidate during rapidly changing times with a restive population. Yes, this is miles better than Trumpian chaos, but to win they needed a candidate that at least could argue convincingly that s/he really understood that the world had changed, had become harder for many and was ready to implement real (yet sane) changes. I find it difficult to believe that in a party with the depth of the Democrats that no such person exists. Their organization was just unwilling or unable to tell which way the wind was blowing and choose a candidate accordingly. Odd that the Democrats have become the conservatives and, as Vlad noted, the Republicans have moved from conservatism to populism - so quickly, I would add. Where liberalism has gone I am not quite sure lol

[@msimon6808]

Running a candidate who can't speak was a particularly bad move. It was Joe's revenge for the coup. He insisted it was the Black woman's turn. BTW worrying about oligarchs while running a coup on your own candidate is not a good look.

[@AutoMattOn]

i found it flippant. a ringside observation from someone who doesn't box. it's a counterfactual "what if" and ignores the multipolar, every move leads downward, nature of the crisis. the opponents use vast, incomprehensible wealth, power and influence and have been from the start. i love vlad, and i won't stop watching for the powerful insight, but the longer i watch the more i am aware of the negative space created by what he avoids talking about - never activist, never turning observation into a direction, only ever outlining - in precise detail admittedly - what he sees as going wrong. in a way the ivory tower observations are as poisonous as the liberal centrist assumptions he critiques. vlad is no different to intellectuals of the 1930's who made brilliant observations about the rise of fascism but were unable to prevent or meaningfully contribute to the defeqt of that "eminently beatable opponent"

[@michaellipkin9430]

@@AutoMattOn The Dems had more money. The statement rings true. I am not sure it is Vlad's job to give precise details, the Dems must fight it out. The worry? Too many over educated people in the Dems.

[@Nothanks710]

its hard for me to sit back and watch all this happen to the world and not be depressed about it

[@bitey-facepuppyguy2038]

One thing that is hard for me is fearing for the unimaginable horrors today's children could face in the future. This thought haunts me every time I pass some children playing in the park. The other thing for me is profound grief. Grief for the loss of what could have been a world so much better than what we face now. An old friend of mine who is elderly says she is grieving that when she dies she will leave a world that is in profound crises, knowing there is nothing she can do for the family and friends she will leave behind.

[@jeeveekaa5880]

Read Marcus Aurelius and the other Stoics. That’s what helped me to become more of a spectator and to deal with this all the last 8 years .

[@ItsCoreyLynxxYall]

@@jeeveekaa5880 Stoicism is a fascist philosophy that only aids white supremacy. It's best to steer clear of that if you're not evil.

[@TheFirstGroover]

It's ok to feel depressed, do not feel alone about it. I understand what your saying.

[@MSie-bt2oz]

Nothanks710 … even we people in Germany feel depressed about Trump's election! 😣 But it is also important to give courage: evil does not last forever, we are an example of that. You good Americans, you are NOT alone, the world is watching! Hugs to you (all of you) 🤗🫶

[@SusCalvin]

I liked how Trump called Musk a genius at a rally, and the next moment he starts going on about how electric cars and trucks can never work.

[@nobbynobbs8182]

Electric trucks are a pretty dumb concept to be honest. They only make sense for short distances. Musk is a genius con man who convinced gullible people that he's an actual genius

[@canadiangemstones7636]

Need a smile? Imagine for a second how unhappy Musk is about to be. His knees are going to be very sore, and then he’s out the door. Hilarious!

[@commentsarefree4311]

It's clear Elmo has sold his soul to the devil just because he looovvveeesss the power he thinks it will give him. Can't for Tesla to down to zero and Elmo with it.

[@User70188]

Well, in Trump's mind he is truly a genius then. Musk has created a big business out of making a product that can never work (in Trump's mind), and he has managed to trick a lot of people to buy this product - just like Trump himself. The difference is that Musks way of doing things actually have some planning and backing in reality, and that is worrying me.

[@CharlieBam]

Didnt he say the 2030 ev mandates wouldn't work? But he said evs are great it should just be up to the consumer. Governments around the world have largely extended or cancelled that 2030 deadline, it was a terrible idea. You should listen and read things more closely if you're trying to call people out for not being smart lol.

[@sherrillwhately7586]

In Arizona, working class Latino tradesmen voted for Trump because they didn’t want competition from newer migrants. Also, their bosses and co-workers are all MAGA. They’ve become part of that culture through constant contact and banter. I’ve seen this first hand. These guys want higher wages and view newer migrants as a threat to their standard of living.

[@KnightsWithoutATable]

They are the meme: the leopards won't eat my face.

[@SusCalvin]

I think the non-organized competition can come from Mexico as well as Alabama. Your boss is not on your side in most labour conflicts.

[@msimon6808]

If only they would be good serfs and be content to be poor. They should be grateful they have welfare.

[@msimon6808]

Dang Republicans fill them with ideas of bettering themselves. Before long they will be capitalists and unreachable.

[@Raelven]

That's the first sensible explanation I have heard.

[@_amalfitano]

This is the moment. Thanks for being here with us.

[@kentalanlee]

Well said.

[@Julia-Richter]

Hi, I noticed some antisemitic slurs against Vlad in the comment sections of Vlad's latest videos. Just to let you know.

[@_amalfitano]

@@Julia-Richter thank you I will take a look! I have been removing slightly more than usual but I'm bound to miss some.

[@Songshare]

I am an American white woman, age 61. I am still in shock and very sick from the election one week after. I don’t know what to do. It’s just hard to believe how awful Putin, Trump and the world’s Oligarchs really are.

[@xandercruz900]

If you actually believe that bullshite, then flee to Mexico. If you dont, then you obviously are just LARPing.

[@vrc2836]

I’m similar in demographics to you, dear. What I do is learn about ancient history and feel grateful for everything we do have. Studying history also puts our tiny time frame into perspective for me. I also turn inward and practice more spirituality and love towards everyone. People are not well-educated as we were, they’re frightened, they are suffering and feel invisible. That they chose an agent of chaos is just a symptom, as Vlad has said time and again, of a deeper disconnect within the general populace. We need to acknowledge their fears and suffering and not blame them for their ignorance, IMO. We, the older generation, need to give them comfort and compassion.

[@VladVexlerChat]

Please be gentle with yourself.

[@effingsix3825]

Amanpour has it right => kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHWVo2SNe5V6oJosi=heoWrSwRp8fs_b3t

[@vattenpoel1328]

I am an European white male (although I do not care much about the colour), age 61. I feel for you, I also felt sick after the election in the US. I think Vlad is right we need to get to a rich discussion. I always wondered why the dems and media were talking so much about the awful one. Let us talk about policy, the way forward and be positive. Let us not talk about him. The oligarchs are really awful everywhere, we need to take the society and the discussion back.

[@heisner667]

Excellent post. Vlad is providing clear guidance for strength and hope.

[@VladVexlerChat]

🌻

[@heisner667]

A post I made the day after election. I was pleased with how I met my maga coworkers yesterday. I congratulated each one personally. I let them know. I understood how important it was to them. That I was happy they were happy. I let them know I disagreed with the outcome. But happy for them. It started some very interesting conversations. Ty thanked me said I was a stand up guy. I was disappointed with George. He explained to me the bathrooms would now be safe from trans. I had to hold down my laugh. I mainly wanted to let them know I appreciated the conversation that we have. Dave parrots the line trump knows nothing of 2025. He said he will make a bingo card out of 2025 goals.

[@heisner667]

I am not sure what the message of success of democracy will be. I optimistic to become looking in that direction.

[@CarolynAcosta-mw2dl]

I'm just thinking out loud here, so my thoughts are not properly developed, but to me as a US voter at this moment, the disconnect I feel the most is that the values we were all taught as children (honesty, kindness, honor, integrity, not cheating, or stealing, working hard, telling the truth ,etc..) taught to children in families of both parties, don't seem to be the values that truly matter in this society. In Trump we have the very embodiment of the exact opposite, and all his enablers are likewise doing just fine, while many people playing by the first values I mentioned are having a hard time getting by. If these values are the deep foundation of democracy (which I'd love Vlad to make a video of and tell us if he thinks it's so) then I agree that our democracies at a very deep level are very endangered.

[@LiberalinOregon]

Mega children have the criminal/rapist as their roll model. MAGA values are the same as trump’s values now. Have you heard a child of MEGA’s talk, oMG they repeat the hatred of their orange god word for word.

[@DarceG-jh1ik]

I wonder whether the impunity of big business in the global financial crisis and the glorification of crooks such as depicted in the Wolf of Wall Street have made the character of a greedy, dishonest rich person more of an aspiration than the likes of more positive archetypes (one example being Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings, or the power of love in the Harry Potter stories I grew up with). Thoughts?

[@surfingonmars8979]

You are not wrong……. It is 1933 in America……..

[@AlfaGiuliaQV]

That is the one thing that puzzles me frequently (I´m also a voter, but from Finland), how a big chunk of the US electorate seems perfectly fine voting for a party that so openly endorses scumbaggery and everything that could possibly be morally wrong?? When my child asks me why the americans wants a president that lies all the time, i don´t know what to say. I can just say that the americans "are´nt like us".

[@hungrybraineater2]

I would like to add to this. The scenario above is certainly true in middle class/upper middle class suburban/rural areas that were insulated from current trends. Also this is generational as well if you were a boomer you most likely grew up with a stable social structure. We have had a larger and larger share of young people growing up dirt poor and they see its a dog eat dog world out there and in order to survive you do what you have to. Its easy to be moral on a full stomach and not having to make difficult decisions, or not getting beat on everyday. For example i saw a local news piece in Chicago and they asked a bunch of kindergartners how many of them knew someone who died due to shootings. A little more then half of those kids raised their hands , let that sink in for a moment think what those kids are learning from that. Its not these kids fault. There also are lots of upright people that come out of that environment but you have to be an exceptional individual to do so. I know i am being hard on boomers here but when the Vietnam war came about people really changed. Ive met people from the war world 2 generation, they might of been some racist stiffs but when it came down to it they were willing to stick to principle whatever those might be. Look at how Nixon handled Watergate.....he at least resigned.

[@chepulis]

Orange man bad. Orange glasses good.

[@larzkruber822]

Can we wait until he is in office before complaining?

[@wamingo]

@@larzkruber822 He's already making policies. He's already showed he's a felon.

[@larzkruber822]

@@wamingo NK joined the war without Biden doing anything If this wasn´t a wake up call that this can´t go on like this any longer than nothing can help you

[@Amorcea]

@@larzkruber822 Like he was 4 years ago, when he literally tried to stage a coup and comitted another crime every day?

[@jimtalbott9535]

@@larzkruber822Luckily for you, we’ve already experienced Orange Jesus in office.

[@louisquatorze9280]

Ironic that Musk can't be president so he is puppet master over Trump at this point. Having said that, I don't think Musk and Trump's personality can coexist for long.

[@thesenate1844]

To paraphrase CGP Grey, the keys required to get into power are not the same as the keys to stay in power.

[@Bluecedor]

From all reasonable outlooks, Musk not being native-born won't matter soon.

[@budawang77]

Two hugely narcissistic personalities cannot coexist for long.

[@emilianohermosilla3996]

I thought the same. These two are gonna blow up any moment they feel they don’t agree on the most minor issue

[@milchkopf3881]

"Having said that, ..." lol, beautiful use of this filler phrase

[@ankh_k]

Thank you for a very interesting topic. What comes to mind when I think about a Trump-Musk alliance is how, when Putin came to power, one of his first moves was to seize control of the independent mass media (mostly television) to spread his propaganda and control the narrative. Only after alternative media emerged, which Putin couldn’t control, did that narrative face some challenge. Similarly, Musk and perhaps some other tech billionaires who control modern mass media seem to be aligning themselves with Trump. While it’s not always accurate to draw parallels, such an alliance still gives me an ominous feeling.

[@e-spy]

or trump's constant attacks on media, also a clue.

[@HeortirtheWoodwarden]

Mainstream Media is all in coordination against Trump. It was alternative media that helped him get elected, and all Musk did to Twitter was massively deregulate it.

[@HeortirtheWoodwarden]

Mainstream Media is all in coordination against Trump. It was alternative media that helped him get elected, and all Musk did to Twitter was massively deregulate it.

[@dancingferret6654]

Traditional mass media is nearly 100% opposed to Trump. Musk turned Twitter into X, which now follows free-speech absolutist polices, which has caused it to be perceived to have a conservative bias, as the rest of social and traditional media has a left / institutionalist bias. There is no pro-Trump mass media in the US. It is all either anti-Trump or mostly neutral.

[@CharlieBam]

Did you get an ominous feeling when you looked over the Twitter files, or read Zucks comments/open letter on how the fbi told him to bury political stories that were true all along and would have impacted the election? We're already in a catastrophic position when it comes to controlled media. It's controlled by the amorphous western corporate oligarchy that makes Russias oligarchy look cute.

[@nathanielroy1996]

I’ve been really stressed out and I appreciate your videos. Love all those watching. Stay safe

[@gogudelagaze1585]

Thank you for putting into words my feelings. I grew up in the post-communist period in Romania, and the US and the West in general meant something. There was an aspirational vision. That vision has been lacking for a long time. In fact, most young people have grown up in a society that seems ever more alien.

[@LiberalinOregon]

Can you imagine living amongst these hateful trumpafied ppl? I can’t trust anyone. I’m sorry USA has failed itself, you and the world. I would never vote for such a low life criminal.

[@alice_atari]

As a member of a targeted minority group, I wonder what happens on the other side of identity politics. Because I watched Kamala Harris get asked directly about trans people and dodge the question and try to deflect blame back on Trump rather than stand up for trans people’s rights. Twice. It feels like I’m a disposable minority as soon as someone makes a political target out of me. I also feel identity politics is poisonous (it blocks solidarity and turns groups on each other) but I worry on the other side we’re going to go back to just outright putting LGBTQ people on the margins again or worse.

[@augustuslxiii]

Nah. Sidelining LGBTQ people is not good for business anymore. Corporations - certain ones, anyway - make a lot of money from LGBTQ causes, nowadays. In a weird way, corporatism is probably going to hold off religious fundamentalism outright damning everyone who isn't heterosexual, at least for the time being.

[@robby3467]

I feel you're misinterpreting her reaction. She needed to attract centrists and undecideds. We already know her position on trans issues very well.

[@julierivera12]

Dude she tried to appeal to EVERYONE, yall held her to an impossible standard. Look what Trump said about trans people today like be fr

[@alice_atari]

@@julierivera12 Y’all are making my point for me… There is no ideology or principles she could call on. No solidarity with my struggle. And y’all are defending it. So on the other side of identity politics is what? A return to the identity politics of the past (racial hierarchies, LGBTQ oppression)? Or is someone gonna take a stand for solidarity and equal rights, for the liberty supposedly enshrined in the constitution? Kamala sure didn’t. The first time she got asked, she could have said “all prisoners get healthcare, prison isn’t a torture house for bad people” and that would have already blocked the attempt to make trans people a target, but instead she said “it started under Trump”. I did vote for her. I would have voted for her a million times against Trump. I voted blue down the line because this is my life that’s on the line. But y’all can’t even see that, you’re concerned about the winning before what we’re even fighting for.

[@johnnymatias3027]

​@@alice_atari you fucking nailed it. Thank you. They proved your point too.

[@charisma-hornum-fries]

Please Vlad. I hope you get better. I so hope that for you. Warm energy and heartwarming thoughts from me.

[@VladVexlerChat]

Thank you thank you thank you

[@slawetny69]

I have coined such a simplification of the situation: centrist and progressive politicians give people what they need, and populists give what people want. A matter of taste.

[@svr5423]

what people want is usually what they need.

[@menninkainen8830]

Socialists (who nowadays like to call themselves as progressive) don't give people what they want. They sell people an utopia and give them a dystopia. You are correct on the centrist though.

[@adrianaloborec2205]

Both parties in USA were deeply in the pockets of corporations for the last 40 years or so. (Except Bernie Sanders and a few others.) Biden was working on giving people what they need, but such a change could not be fast enough, especially with right wing roadblocks. Will EU politicians learn the lesson? They haven't really been paying enough attention for many years now.

[@HeortirtheWoodwarden]

No one needs "progressivism".

[@jessehachey2732]

Vlad! Your glasses are NOT silly! At all. I get it, as a young 🇨🇦 veteran with several TBIs, I have severe light sensitivity. I have a pair of Oakleys on me 365/days a year, rain, sun, snow, cloudy, doesn’t matter ha. If it was socially acceptable I’d probably wear them indoors too 😂 well, I have at times, don’t care what anyone thinks. Sunlight feels like an assault, I literally recoil and can’t function or drive without sunglasses tbh, not wearing em’ leads to severe migraines. So not silly, if you need to wear em’ do what you got to do! ❤ We will watch all the same.

[@pyrrhicc2030]

hey I know after the election you feel a huge call to action BUT PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH FIRST!! we wanna have these conversations when youre feeling well. best wishes from down under

[@suestreet9934]

Trump / Musk isn't the worry because they're both narcissistic with no brakes. Trump / Thiel is my worry

[@mostlydead3261]

yup, Trump and Musk are manchildren.. which is scary in itself given the amount of power they have, but Thiel is genuinely terrifying..

[@kloakekloaker1020]

You dont have to be worried about Thiel hes a big Dork. These clowns will turn america into a circus, what they have in ambition they very much lack in actual competence. Vlad is correct, the real techno- and autocrats are very much still on the horizon.

[@jimgraham6722]

Spot on, that's where considerable danger lies. If you are a woman, personal autonomy goes out the window. You become just a 'breeding unit' with all the indignity and loss of freedom that entails.

[@BRUXXUS]

Thiel is genuinely brilliant and terrifying. He's legitimately smart and, I would bet, a psychopath (in the actual meaning). Cold. Calculating. No empathy. Willing to play the long game in the background.

[@jimgraham6722]

@BRUXXUS Friends have died under suspicious circumstances.

[@FransElkjærJensen]

Dear Vlad. You Sir, are a life saver! I smiled and giigled today (not often these days) at the end of your video and felt love and thankfullness towards you and the world. I feel more clarity and sense of truth about what we are facing after your videos. But first and foremost I feel hope and strength. We must do this togheter all of us, creating a new stronger version, and rich story, of democracy. I hope someone very close to you will whisper in your ear, so you truly take it in, that you are saving lifes and fighting like a tiger for the common good. For that, we all truly owe you respect and gratitude. Respectfully Frans (a grandfather, a father, a son, a husband, a friend and a citizen.)

[@MrOvipare]

❤

[@ryanurban1]

Thank you for being intelligent, articulate, observant, decent, humble and thoughtful. The world could use much more of that. Obviously.

[@toober1066]

As soon as Elon contradicts Trump in public, game on!

[@budawang77]

Scaramucci is giving it six months. He only lasted 11 days.

[@hamishfullerton7309]

🤞

[@dancingferret6654]

@carli399m The problem is neither Musk nor Trump are narcissists. Trump does play one on TV, but he isn't much of one in reality.

[@canadiangemstones7636]

@@dancingferret6654Only a true loony maga could claim tRump is not a raging toxic narcissist.

[@dancingferret6654]

@@canadiangemstones7636 Says the guy who can't even capitalize Trump's name right, let alone refrain from personal attacks.

[@ChrisEkstedt]

OMG Another clearly and magnificently well presented analysis of what happened with Biden and the Democrats. I was going to try to nap today but I am just too excited about what Vlad has done here. I'm going to share it on some Dem FB forums and can't wait for the reactions (in order to get them to look at it I have to include some quotes from it top of the post) Just wow. 🌻

[@ChrisEkstedt]

As usual I react before I see the very end. LOL!!!!! 💛😹😹😹

[@VandyMas]

Waking up to a video from Vlad brings a huge smile to my face.

[@michaelpelzek8882]

Dem fb forums is probably why you thought you guys would win.

[@ChrisEkstedt]

@@michaelpelzek8882 I spend very little time on them actually. I want to educate so I'm going to share this video widely. Am already getting some positive responses. There are also progressive forums I'm on and it of course gets positive responses

[@michaelpelzek8882]

@@ChrisEkstedt that's how you get into an echo chamber and think Kamala Harris had a chance😂

[@springgreenzone]

No more excusing Musk. On other news, I did not expect that ending.

[@lesbendo6363]

Vlad you are the Captain of this small boat of logic and love. Seas are rough but your words of wisdom keep us safe and hopeful! Much Love 💕🇨🇦

[@Yasen99]

Democracy cannot be a goal unto itself. Democracy is a MEANS to an end. Democracy, in the fashion with which we’ve become habituated to it since the 1960s and which was consolidated after the victory of the West in the Cold War, depended very much on two fundamental pillars of: (1) economic prosperity and relatively low socioeconomic inequality and (2) preponderance of the West (the US) as the dominant center of power. Both of these positions are disappearing. So the kind of democracy we’re now so accustomed to is likely to unravel as well. Simply because it’s unsustainable as a mechanism capable of dealing with the challenges of domestic polarization and external decline.

[@writingref]

it never had to be a goal unto itself in America until this magical thinking of throwing an orange wrecking ball at the system came along. I don't know if we would have ever noticed our own democratic decline until January 6th 2021. But the problem was, when we tried to proclaim the danger - the magical thinking defeated the causality of that moment. And our left here in America is still unable to process why.

[@itsallminor6133]

Nice post. Yes. We are in a transitory period. Perhaps a metamorphosis. one of America's strengths is it's ability to remake itself periodically

[@glib4233]

What's wrong with democracies prior to the 60s?

[@Yasen99]

@ You might be right. The kind of democracy I have in mind can perhaps be extended to the immediate post-1945 period. Prior to that, democracies were very unstable and quite polarized. I mean the kind of democracy which caused Daniel Bell to talk about the end of ideology in the West.

[@Yasen99]

@@itsallminor6133 America’s ability to remake itself is itself an important part of the American Myth (in a normal sense of the word). America has been a rising power and a dominant power. America doesn’t have much experience handling and dealing with a challenge of decline. By the way, the decay of America is the diagnosis shared by both the Left and the Right in American politics. The only political force which resists seeing this problem is the mainstream Center and the results of not seeing and not talking about this condition contributed mightily to the trouncing of the Democratic Party in the recent election.

[@christianebrown9213]

"Mango Mussolini" HA!!! 🤣That's a really accurate one! However, I'm not going to fall into "the sky has fallen" crowd. I'm learning to be cautiously optimistic in my life. I've run across so many things from the past (back even to 1970) in recent days...newspaper clippings, letters, articles, books, TV interviews, social media postings...The more things change, the more they stay the same, change is inevitable, both good and bad change happens. So, no. No reason to panic.

[@mcpa2991]

Its a bit like owning a campervan - while you are using it to take the family on holidays it is edifying and enriching. Then the first holiday season you miss, there is some regret but no concern - those holiday memories still keep it shining. One more season, then another, and it starts to look musty in the minds eye as well as in reality. After a while it starts to become "just a machine" that is sitting there on the lawn. Eventually the memories of what the campervan can deliver fade and people start talking about selling bits of it - using it for things it wasnt meant for. One day there is nothing left but a rusty chassis where the chickens live and people dont call it the campervan, they call it the chicken coop. And it is a good chicken coop but no one remembers what it was like to go camping anymore

[@kellyp4377]

Thank you so much for your update and for loving the community so much to do so. Thinking about you and your health and please take care of yourself.❤

[@eringo-bragh4243]

There are talks of purging the military of leadership, another step towards Fascism.

[@goaway7346]

It's what Stalin did. Before invading Poland in 1939.

[@DSAK55]

@@goaway7346 😆 he did it all thru the War, and after

[@rcmonks]

It the leadership that will be purged are Communists? Does that change anything? I think it does, obviously.

[@ninjacats1647]

That has always been the problem with Communists like Stalin, they identify as Communists and ideologically subscribe to the Communist intellectual worldview. But they wield the Communist ideology in the form of authoritarian despotism. Kim Jong Un, Castro, and Maduro are excellent modern day examples. And the Communists in China govern like authoritarian technocratic state capitalists. But intellectually they are all rooted in Communist ideology no matter how they choose to govern. Communism unfortunately has a deeply authoritarian tendency. While the Communist Manifesto contains many great points about addressing working class interests, it also contains off the wall authoritarian ideas like abolishing the family. Imagine the state rounding everyone up and separating everyone's children from their parents. Crazy stuff. The very fact that Marx toyed with ideas like this is discrediting. No wonder Communist leaders ended up governing as authoritarian despots. Many of the early ideas of the Communists in the 1800's foreshadow a deeply authoritarian tendency and it is no wonder that many Communist regimes ended up practicing a form of authoritarian despotism.

[@tb8865]

The military should be purged of its leadership if the leadership doesn't have the self-respect to resign after 20+ years of catastrophic failure.

[@thehylers1021]

The recent USA election results solidified in my mind, how I was brainwashed into thinking that government, my employer, or institutions were designed to assist in supporting a stable and safe life for me and my family. I realize now that I am on my own. I am happily making changes in my health, business, and relationships. God bless everyone 🙏💗

[@bc-guy852]

Absolutely brilliant. Thank you Vlad! I'm so glad to see you feeling well enough to mess with us at the close. I fold. Mad Respect from BC, Canada.

[@ralphdunn1373]

As a pilot once told me "Right attitude-flying. Wrong attitude-crashing."

[@mikebarushok5361]

Another wise pilot told me that attitude is where you are pointed, but reality is where you are headed.

[@jethrobradley7850]

Speed is also a key factor in people's distrust of politics. The (slow or seemingly slow) speed with which laws are passed and translate into substantive change out in the World.

[@Bluecedor]

Welp, all indications are they will see what the opposite of that looks like when laws are drawn up in 5 minutes and summarily passed within a week. The only reason legislative operations have been slow is down to obstructionism for the last 15 years, starting during Obama's first term. The GOP has consistently blocked nearly everything they could, and then blamed the Democrats for it. They consistently have brought the government to the brink of shutdown, too. The GOP is a case study in deliberate dismantling of a democratic country's functioning to achieve the parochial goals of oligarchic interests.

[@beerman204]

Democracy is the worst form of government except all the rest, including King T's version of autocracy.....

[@davidd.w.8681]

The glasses are great. They're a symbolism of a new era.

[@cassieo4337]

"The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades".

[@renstein8210]

When Vlad says that politics is leaving people feeling things, like powerlessness. Remove the feeling part. The federal government is removing power from people and giving it to itself.

[@jonusjonus9271]

spot on.

[@surfingonmars8979]

It’s 1933. Hitler has just been appointed Chancellor by Hindenburg. “What could possibly go wrong…?”

[@nickb863]

Such a crazy story worth looking back upon. In the weeks running up Hindenburg said he would never give power to that “Austrian corporal.” As the SA troops began a torchlight march through Berlin, Hindenburg looking upon the march commented “I didn’t know we captured so many Russian pows.” The aging president had cognitive decline.

[@oliverbird6914]

Are we gonna ig ore what Biden is supporting and trump will double down on. A fascistic rogue state

[@michaelcooley4553]

So....A Republic is best served when there's no voter I.D. required...Votes are canvased and delivered by mail...and any effort to address obvious fraud, is summarily demissed.

[@DSAK55]

January 6 was trump's _Beer Hall Putsch_ "History teaches us that we learns nothing from history" Frederick Hegel

[@mimisor66]

Germans were used to obey orders unquestionably. Americans are more individualistic. Unless the whole country gets mesmerized by Trump, I do not believe he can get the hold over the entire nation that Hitler had. I certainly hope he cannot! Amd he is older and lazier, so it depends on how much power will his MAGA entourage be given.

[@TodaysAnalysis]

Thank you! Stay healthy and lots of love! I hope one day I'll wake up from this nightmare!

[@taxicabnumber1729]

Telling a rich story of democracy is important, but I struggle to understand what it would look like. Lots of love back.

[@writingref]

I think he will explain further later - but I think it has to accomplish a few objectives: - Convince the hearts of the American citizen that America leading the world as a superpower benefits them. So far all they have seen for the last 60 years is that our efforts to contain authoritarianism and spread democracy has cost American lives and resources. - Convince the hearts of the American citizen that resources are plentiful and they are safe. Vlad mentions that people associate immigration and border strength with "having a country". But if you could convince them that resources aren't limited, then they can't be manipulated by the issue. -The rich American story probably needs to defeat the Christian Nationalist movement - I don't hear Vlad talk much about this, so it might be a question I hope someone asks or I might get a chance to ask at some point. The story needs to be one about how all religions are welcome, but at the same time makes these easily manipulated Christian right feel like they are respected, because the anti-constitutional right wants them to feel like their religion is under attack.

[@heisner667]

@@taxicabnumber1729 A great and challenging question.

[@jimgraham6722]

Visit a number of truly democratic countries and see what they have in common. Notably, the US doesn't make the cut. Here is the list. 1 Norway 10 2 Iceland 9.58 3 Sweden 9.39 4 New Zealand 9.26 5 Denmark 9.22 6 Ireland 9.15 7 Canada 9.15 8 Australia 9.09 9 Finland 9.03 10 Switzerland 9.03 11 Netherlands 8.89 12 Luxembourg 8.81 13 Germany 8.61 14 United Kingdom 8.53 15 Austria 8.42 16 Mauritius 8.22 17 Malta 8.15 18 Uruguay 8.12 19 Spain 8.08

[@timkline162]

I don't expect full facism or even near fascism... because they all said that about Trump the first time around and all he did was play golf for 4 years. I'm expecting more of the same. He'll go on TV and say some dumb things because he only cares about being seen, but that's about it.

[@susanparker6223]

Yes, I thought that, too. However, Trump may expire or be ousted by Vance using the 25th Amendment. Vance is terrifying and run by dark money and the Heritage Foundation.

[@GamingAF]

I almost always disagree with Vald's American political takes, but I force myself to watch because I trust Vlad to give honest discussion. Voted for Trump personally, and I'm happy he won.

[@piccalillipit9211]

*GOD VLAD - YOU LOOK ILL* please rest my friend - you are not our servant, your are not our crutch - we WILL get through without you for a few days Please just REST

[@VladVexlerChat]

Yes ill - I could have said all this in ten minutes if I were struggling less

[@piccalillipit9211]

@@VladVexlerChat PLease rest. I have long covid - I know how it makes you far worse to be active when you have reached the end of the energy

[@vrc2836]

I send my deepest love to all of us suffering from ME/CFS/Long Covid. I feel they are the same disease and just devastating. You’re my go-to guy, Vlad, when I’m looking for calmness and sanity. Thank you for everything you do ❤

[@piccalillipit9211]

@@vrc2836 Im sure its the same. Its utterly devastating. Its exhaustion on a molecular level - like someone turned off your mitochondria

[@chaykuh]

I think Vlad looks pretty badass, especially with the glasses...upside down of course. 😂

[@christianebrown9213]

The only major thing I worry about (well, not the only thing...) but one major thing is this: What if his term isn't only 4 years?

[@golagiswatchingyou2966]

god that be great, imagine that.

[@thesenate1844]

Trump is 78, and he is also showing cognitive decline. What I am worried about is whoever comes after him. Not necessarily JD Vance but a hyper disciplined populist who runs in the 2030s. Unfortunately the ground will be ripe for such a figure given how much climate change will have disrupted the world order by that point

[@Bluecedor]

@@golagiswatchingyou2966 Fascists think Fascism is totally cool, bro.

[@Bluecedor]

That's pretty much exactly what too few people have realized. They assume he will follow laws like all the ones he's broken his entire life.

[@tarius3436]

@@golagiswatchingyou2966 Funny of you to assume you are part of the new elite or the benefactors :), that realisation will come soon enough tho, but if your willing to sacrifice yourself for the cause you would make many dead people proud , or are you just the run of the mill internet warrior ?

[@duhbigcat1848]

we are f'ed

[@kentalanlee]

You are looking marvelous, Mr. Vexler. Thank you for your reason and commitment to rationality. It is always unwise to indulge in emotional over-reaction, and thus more profitable to deal with the actual facts as they present themselves. Oftentimes, a moment that threatens to overwhelm us, can be thwarted by creative and out-of-the-box thinking, just as the event is closest. Keeping our wits and humor about us, allows the mental nimbleness necessary to behave in this manner. Catastrophizing only makes things worse.

[@vrc2836]

Having a sense of humor, albeit a dark one, is helping me and mine so much right now!

[@defendandprotect-om5hv]

Vlad, great to see you up!

[@AndrewBlucher]

Dear Vlad, I completely disagree with the idea that the US is institutionally robust. It has weak separation of powers, a weak electoral system, and destabilizing "freedoms" without balancing personal responsibilities. Wishing you health and crazy glasses! Regards Andy

[@thesenate1844]

The US system has never been tested to this extent, and a constitution is only as strong as peoples will to protect it.

[@occamraiser]

America's constitution is an emotional crutch that delivers no value or security from fascism....because the court that interprets it has been co-opted by the fascists.

[@playcloudpluspc]

Well we might be about to find out even if it's in a limited way.

[@hungrybraineater2]

The US is institutionally very weak always has been. The bureaucratic state has only been with us since the new deal. Compared to China,Japan,Germany,Russia, France, Britain who have had a structured bureaucratic state for centuries, and in China's case more then two thousand years of administrative practice. Please keep this in mind vlad when thinking of the US. We dont have a centuries long tradition of administrating a large sprawling empire. Our founding fathers actually were against having a vast administrative centralized government its spelled out in our constitution in the10th amendment. They envisioned the Federal Government to act as the focal point of 13 states that more or less domestically acted as their own countries. The civil war and nearly more then a century of centralization radically shifted that dynamic.

[@MLG552]

A crisis of accountability! Watching the past 4 years of continual capitulation by the Biden administration made me furious. He did not meet the moment, not even close.

[@Loki1191]

I think you should keep the glasses on. I like the 70s vibe.

[@item6931]

Your take on Jordan Peterson was interesting. In ways I think it is not too different from my own. When I fist started taking notice of him, he struck me as someone who was giving emphatic advice to people as to how to live their best lives, but appeared to be very unhappy himself. This was manifestly so in the audiobook "12 Rules for Life" where he seemed to be on the verge of tears most of the time. I then considered him a case of a doctor that could not heal himself yet felt confident in passing his "wisdom" to a mass audience. So I stopped paying attention to him, including his politics.

[@brycedery9596]

Pretty accurate read on the man. Took me 4hrs of him talking to tease that out. Same ignore result from me too.

[@roxannekeomaka4754]

He admitted to be addicted to pain killers for years. So full of himself

[@raraavis7782]

When you listen to his lectures from way back (before or at the beginning of his 'rise to fame' and certainly before his awful health issues...he was a totally different man. Feeling isolated and attacked and then undergoing huge and ongoing (for years) physical and mental pain and suffering can really do a number on people. Looking back at it now, I''m not at all surprised, he changed in such an unfortunate way. It just seemed to have sapped all the genuine kindness and humor and willingness to openly communicate out of him. And unfortunately, he lives and acts in a bubble, where no one sits him down and tells him, that he's become as bad as his 'enemies', basically. I really used to enjoy his psychology lectures and kind of stuck around while he was so sick, naively hoping he would come back to his old self. But the person he is now is entirely unpalatable to me. Even irrespective of his opinions. I just don't like him anymore.

[@item6931]

@@raraavis7782 I guess he must've come to my attention after his unfortunate experiences.

[@SusCalvin]

It is the same reason I dislike a lot of self help gurus. They spout things a cheap municipality-appointed therapist or school councellor could say. My dad could say making my bed and getting up regularly are good routines. Same if I talked with a school councellor. A lot of gurus want to reach some sort of genius status because only they can dispense wisdom like "eating vegetables and moderate exercise is good".

[@zlozlozlo]

The real reason Vlad is wearing orange tinted glasses is, if everything is orange, the Orange man doesn't stand out.

[@pgr3290]

The jumper, the glasses, it's that 1970s vibe. Pretty crazy era for politics too, whether you were in the USA or the UK....

[@eziowayne]

Loving your discussions!

[@vickielewis3848]

Thanks for being here for us. The calm intelligent voice of reason and logic. Subscribed. 👋👱‍♀️🇺🇲

[@glock7061]

Wish more political commentators had such a nuanced takes as you

[@saolálainn]

I so appreciate these talks Vlad, thank you

[@silvercopo]

oh Vlad, you have no idea how many strangers around the world worry about you and pray for your recovery. Wishing you good health from Lisbon! Plus, only a badass could use those glasses, you're so cool man! =D

[@Lou.B]

Your observations are a balm. (and you're quite the comedian, too!) Thank You, Vlad!

[@toddbilleci8563]

The glasses are fire.

[@frakismaximus3052]

"What kind of fire are you?"

[@j.f.fisher5318]

It's always cool when my favorite YT channels talk to each other. :) Thanks Vlad.

[@kernowpolski]

Great glasses Vlad and great analysis - we must keep calm and learn from mistakes.

[@RosemarieStars]

Thank you for this. A friend of mine has been in a state of breakdown in fear over losing our democracy and I have tried to give her my sense that it isn't going to happen soon (probably after we are dead we are 68 & 75). I try to tell her that with humor and give her the horrors we have survived in our lifetimes, but my strange gallows humor is not transferring well. This video is so good at clarifying the problem and giving hope. Thank you so much for your work. ❤

[@ivanxyz1]

You are saying all the right things, but you are asking too much from the American people. Most of my fellow Americans would not understand even 10% of what you are talking about. That is the sad state of our population.

[@golagiswatchingyou2966]

good, the less they listen to this fraud, the better.

[@adrianaloborec2205]

That's the problem. Intellect doesn't influence people. Some developments feel almost biological at this point. It's practically inevitable that USA will drift more and more into oligarchy, until enough people are desperate enough to enact a violent revolution in the opposite extreme. EU politicians should smarten up before it's too late.

[@klaustrophobie888]

I don't realky think that that is true. It is a lack of exposure to intellectual thought that mskes people ignorant. One can get into it with time. Like with food ... problem is: fast food is more aggresdively advertised same case as with thought ...

[@svr5423]

untrue. People listen for hours to other philosophers like Stefan Molyneux who prefer a more fact and less feelings-based approach. They have no issue understanding Vlads short form content. But they might not agree with it.

[@Pyriold]

@@golagiswatchingyou2966 Ok, please explain why Vlad is a fraud. Try to argue your case. I am willing to bet that you won't do that... your type never does.

[@clockwork365]

We love you Vlad!!!!

[@CarterMuller]

Thanks Vlad.

[@emom358]

Thank you Damien and Vlad. I'm thrilled when the people I follow, follow the people I follow. This is a much needed discussion at this time, and needs to be brought up periodically.

[@AndrewCalhounSongs]

Vlad, This is a bracing talk. Thank you. I do think 'basic' would be a clearer term than 'banal' here.

[@andyreznick]

Agreed. I mentally switched to "basic" as well.

[@Saltatory_]

The story of democratic renewal that I prefer is the Libertarian story. It is being told. I hope it picks up stream.

[@paulyoung4422]

Keep your friend close, but your enemies closer, comes to mind.

[@LiberalinOregon]

Personally, I don’t want any MEGAs in my life. They can all go to hell where they can worship their devil god.

[@bganonimouse2754]

I'm immensely proud of you Vlad, I really am. As somebody who already has a deep understanding of politics, I have noticed the positive development in your knowledge and your approach over the months. Perhaps more important than that, your words are both wise and comforting. What a bright soul you are!

[@vilhelmgrasbonde]

You don’t miss the horse until the stable is empty. I’m afraid since we can’t even get together and weave a rich story of how to tackle climate change and the loss of the natural world, and with it, potentially the fate of modern civilization, how on earth are we going to get a coherent rich story of democracy? I guess we’re all trapped on the hedonistic ladder where looking down, nothing seems good enough, and looking up, all we see is emptiness.

[@svr5423]

we must first achieve dominance over the authoritarian left. Then we can tackle such issues as climate change. We need to limit immigration and get rid of incentives for getting children, we need to build nuclear power plants, infrastructure, housing and introduce carbon neutral fuels such as biofuels, synfuels and H2. Lower taxes so people can upgrade. A lot of stuff to do, but it's hard to get things done when the left is opposed to everything in a destructive way.

[@vrc2836]

Hi Vlad-first, please take care of yourself ❤ we need you around for a long time! As an older person with Long Covid, my heart goes out to the younger people such as yourself who were so cruelly affected by chronic illness. At least I had my youth to revel and be merry, and all of you were robbed of that. Second, when you are able to, I am so looking forward to your analysis and explanation of how we can tell the story of a rich democracy, as to be honest, I am at a loss there. Sending love to you and all from the USA

[@igorbednarski8048]

regarding the campaign - Trump "met the people" by appearing on Joe Rogan and other podcasts. He sounds barely coherent, but he sounds like an actual person you know and he uses channels younger voters use. Harris stayed within the realm of the traditional media (and the social media campaigns the Democrats launched were extremely boomer-minded) and failed to reach the younger audience, which is a bit ironic, given that Trump is the geriatric in this situation.

[@Maxfr8]

You're a fool. 😂

[@golagiswatchingyou2966]

Trump is way above all the other politicians, how he acts in private is even more coherent.

[@chaykuh]

Trump speaks to private sentiment, aligning it with public discourse as Vlad might say.

[@runrig97]

@@golagiswatchingyou2966 He has the greatest negotiating skills. He demonstrated his great negotiating skills with Putin using the microphone in Milwaukee.

[@satyr1349]

Love you mate - hope to hear far more from you in the future and the illness finally gets a little (at least) easier upon yourself.

[@MattSmith-pf5di]

The American people have spoken. Democracy.

[@augustuslxiii]

I mean, ~1/3 of voting-age people in this country didn't even send in a ballot. And Trump barely won the popular vote. People keep calling Trump's election a mandate, and I just don't see it. He definitely won, but people are acting like it was an ass-kicking, and it really wasn't. ~75 million vs. ~72 million, I believe. (Subject to change.)

[@budawang77]

The German people also spoke democratically in 1933.

[@julierivera12]

It wasn’t all of us, they are lied to!

[@joewhitcombe1365]

You’re back! Great discourse today. Ty

[@mrnikau1]

The American working class need jobs, healthcare, infrastructure, etc. So they vote for the guy selling monorails.

[@SoniaGervas]

Thank you, Vlad, for reassuring and accompanying us to see the light in despair. Love your mantisreligiosa old glasses look! 😁

[@ricomaggs2721]

In these times of confusion and willful ignorance, the word fascism is not really understood by many anymore. The greatest definition was probably made by the famous writer Umberto Eco. It is in 14 points. If you agree with the majority of these 14 points, you are a good candidate for fascism.

[@barrymoore4470]

Fascism can be summed up in three words: Might makes right.

[@DoloresJNurss]

Thank you for bringing the best perspective that I've heard yet. Your sacrifices for us are not in vain.

[@ColleenC-n5v]

ROCK those upside-down shades-near-far-vertigo-free-wherever you are😎🤩😎

[@n.b.1267]

Dear Vlad, so happy to see that you are - at least seemingly - better. Thanks for adding a perspective to counter the current crisis. At least it is worth a try or two.

[@paulyoung4422]

Thanks Vlad, keep an eye out for the next, Austrian Painter.

[@michaelfelixstrieve1734]

Dear Vlad thank you for your post and point of view. I agree with you that "Love for mankind will eventually "Win"!!! It's time to come out and talk about "Truth "!!! I send you a smile from my heart 👌 ❤️ Michael 😅

[@cardinal_thrill5]

The upside down aviators should make more appearances

[@leorkoubi4626]

Stay safe Mr Vexler. You have really enriched my diet.

[@hrabathor]

I am thinking more about idiocracy, rather than fascism, lol

[@andyreznick]

Would that it were that benign.

[@hrabathor]

@ idiocracy is becoming fascist without realizing it? Makes sense to me Also, fascism is in some manner coherent, while idiots just do stupid stuff, mostly which they believe would benefit them. But they are stupid, so it might have reversed effect…

[@deborahferguson1163]

Great video Vlad, some good information!! Do take care of yourself, It’s Ok to rest more and focus on yourself for a while…, as much as I appreciate what you have to say, I want you to be healthy!

[@thedukeofdukers]

There’s good reason to worry more about what’s happening now than what may or may not happen in the next decade. I think the most obvious point is that authoritarians don’t willingly give up power. There’s currently a period of minimal checks and balances on Trump’s powers and he is already talking about designating gangs as terrorist organizations, which is immensely concerning because of the violations of civil rights that are enabled with that designation. Anyone aiding someone designated as an illegal immigrant can be prosecuted for supporting terrorist activities. Once these powers are in place, they will be expanded to include political dissidents. We should panic.

[@kloakekloaker1020]

This sounds like a recipe for extreme backlash, i doubt itll happen (in america many people are armed to the teeth, bad idea) or that itll be his undoing if he actually does what he says. What you have to understand about the autocrats of this world is that they legitimize themselves to the public by connecting their repression to a sort of inner stability and order, most of them have administrations built out of the socioeconomic ashes of a former administration and this is their whole mythos so to speak. Trump... isnt orderly in any fashion. He will just turn america into a huge circus and people will get sick of FAST.

[@tk80mufa5]

So you worry more about the civil rights of criminal gangs and the cartels , rather than the victims of violence of said groups ? This is exactly why he won last week. Go watch 1994 film "Clear & Present Danger" & 2015 film "Sicario". Hollywood films of course , but have some research behind them. Your set of information is already outdated.

[@thedukeofdukers]

@ I worry about applying the label “terrorist” where it doesn’t belong. There’s no political motivation behind cutting the illicit drug supply with fentanyl. It’s an illogical foundation to begin forming policy around and that’s why I’m against it. It has nothing to do with sympathy for cartels.

[@psithurism241]

"You made her cry. Then I cried. Then Maggie laughed... She's such a little trooper" loool

[@jmcw9632]

You were in my dream, i tried to find you and took trains, and it was manic, people died trying to cross the tracks, i walked long dangerous roads, just to find you and make you cup of tea, i did find you and make you cup of tea it was a nice dream even though the journey in my dream was horrible, dunno what that means but i love your vids and thank-you

[@bachelorcat6668]

Thank you so much Vlad.What you are doing is so important.I feel like you have forged me a suit of armor.

[@aenorist2431]

Not if people grow balls and employ the necessary amount of pressure.

[@kentalanlee]

Oh dear... The visuals on this are making me giggle. Please make sure you wear gloves.

[@pantalaemon]

i legitimately don't know how i'd go to sleep tonight if it weren't for this video. thank you very much vlad, please be with us a long time (and so please take good care of yourself)

[@FlibTron]

Wow :.. so weak