The Spectator’s Post

What do we make of Elon Musk’s recent gesture at Trump’s 2025 rally? A misunderstood blunder? A calculated provocation? Or something far more dangerous? In my latest Medium article, I explore how ambiguity can blur intent, embolden extremism, and dodge accountability. If our actions can ripple so far, does intent even matter? Let me know your thoughts.

I was in Home Depot over the weekend. I came upon a large Christmas display island: A six foot mechanical Grinch, a six foot Santa Claus, a three foot Minion, and then, by surprise, a seven foot 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐕𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑! The inappropriateness of using the DV as a X-mas greeter did not escape me. WTF were Disney's aftermarket residual sales folks thinking? Sorry, but the 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐕𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐕𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐇𝐚𝐦 does not illicit X-mas spirit or energy in any way, shape, or form, in my opinion. So too, the "positive energy" claim by 𝐗-𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐞𝐛𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐬, 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐤'𝐬 claim at trump's latest Fascist rally. Do no miscalculate the 𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖-𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠, the 𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖-𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑦, the 𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖-𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑎𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔 by 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑚𝑝'𝑠 𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑘𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑡, 𝑏𝑢𝑓𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑛. This is NOT positive energy! 𝐀l𝐛e𝐫t E𝐢n𝐬t𝐞i𝐧 𝐨b𝐬e𝐫v𝐞d: 𝐄n𝐞r𝐠y i𝐬 𝐝r𝐚w𝐧 𝐭o l𝐢k𝐞 𝐞n𝐞r𝐠y. In this instance, 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧'𝐬 '𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲' 𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐣𝐭'𝐬 '𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞' 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, no different than how thoughtless fools were drawn to the 𝐍𝐚𝐳𝐢 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐠 𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬, where, too, columns of then brownshirts (now red MAGA hat wearing fools), all marched blindly in great columns of excrement toward blur blinded visions of greatness more fit for ecstasies than fulfillment. Kjell Kristian Dørum Jens Christian Jensen Bill Tipton Richard Faint Johnty Stables Todd Byars Paul Shoffner David P. Ramirez Bill Santa Cruz #factsmatter #truthmatters #democracymatters #valuesmatter #humormatters #charactermatters #historymatters #leadershipmatters #societyandculture #legacyjournalism #ethicsmatter #integritymatters https://lnkd.in/g3VNc2cw https://lnkd.in/gjPCnTqm

Your hour of the day is the same as Elon's hour of the day. How do you use your time each day? The difference between a successful person and a less successful person lies in efficiency. Focus on three things: what you have, what you can do today, and what you can control. Reference: School of Hard Knocks https://lnkd.in/g4eR6NYE

Agreed 💯. Let’s focus on the real problems in America. We have a border “CRISIS “ going on, and a world on the brink of destruction. We must prioritize our efforts in doing first things first. This H1 B Visa issue my friends is a topic for discussion in year two or three. I urge all my brothers and Sisters making up this America First movement to rest assure we feel your pain, and we understand the message in the challenge against the program, although you cannot “ broad brush “ the entire program as being something it isn’t. The H1B Visa , I know from the technology side of the program, is and was the saving grace in effectuating the successful digital process transformation over the past 34 years. My MAGA friends, let’s identify the root cause of the problem, which is, our educational institutions offering Computer Science degrees , where the curriculum is aged, obsolete and clearly the fundamental problem in this USA skills vacuum. It is because of this we are forced to rely on the H1B Visa program. Let’s attack the root cause, go after the schools and have the curriculum changed such that it is applicable to modern technology, and the applications that are prevalent throughout the modern world.

Currently I am reading: The Weaponization of Loneliness by Stella Morabito and Elon Musk by @Water Isaacson. Two completely different topics but both are completely gripping. What are YOU reading?

All religions do have a voice, to one degree or another, in the US that is. The US is the most accommodating government & the most generous country in the world (comparatively speaking)at fighting for, donating money, emergency personnel and equipment, recognizing and allowing for free speech more than any other country in the world, but that is very quickly disappearing as we started to see unprecedented widespread censorship around 2008. In fact, did you know that more Christians are persecuted, kidnapped, tortured, face discrimination and killed for their faith in these past 100 years than all of history combined -worldwide. Source: Billy Graham Association). I’ve traveled and lived around the world extensively. You just can’t imagine how bad other countries are & only capitulate tolerating any religion due to the fact that the US used to base our help, in every possible area, if the human right of religion is tolerated.You won’t find any accurate numbers or analysis on our legacy media but if you take the time to look at multiple non- political sources- there is good information out there. The closest -in polls -is Pew Polls, in my opinion. We all have to fight against censorship because freedom of speech is where it all begins. I do not listen or read to legacy media - just pointing it out upfront that my information comes from conservative ,moderate & liberal sources. You have to analyze all 3 rated venues to really find the truth often by cross referencing. I’m not an expert or an academician but I do have significant training in those areas. If we don’t win the vote that supports freedom of speech - all speech-in this election, it’s very highly probable our rights especially the freedoms in our country’s bill of rights. We are praying that America and her people have the courage to vote, pray and support the rights given by God but enunciated in the Holy Bible, the US Constitution and the US Bill of Rights. I’m not interested in arguing. Open to well cited & reputable (non legacy media) sources if presenting an opposing opinion. Always open to learning. Everyone has their right to believe what they wish to believe & I am not commenting as a way to engage in a debate. Just information that may cause other people the desire to open their eyes & do their own research. May God bless you and our precious nation with mercy & righteousness this important Election Day. Thank you for your indulgence.

Dear #internetvillagers Read about The Genius of Trump and Elon: Visionaries Shaping Our World In the landscape of contemporary leadership and innovation, two figures stand out for their audacity, influence, and distinct approaches: Donald Trump and Elon Musk. While their paths and domains of influence differ—one in the realm of politics and the other in technology and entrepreneurship—their genius lies in their ability to disrupt norms, captivate public attention, and drive significant change. Donald Trump: Master of Media and Political Disruption Donald Trump’s genius is evident in his unparalleled ability to dominate media narratives and redefine political engagement. Before his foray into politics, Trump was a successful real estate mogul and television personality, known for his branding prowess and larger-than-life persona. His transition to politics was marked by a campaign that defied conventional strategies, leveraging social media to bypass traditional gatekeepers and speak directly to the electorate. Trump’s presidency was characterized by bold, often controversial policies and a communication style that was unfiltered and direct. His ability to connect with a significant segment of the American population, tapping into their frustrations and aspirations, demonstrated a profound understanding of the electorate’s pulse. Despite polarizing opinions about his tenure, Trump’s impact on the political landscape is undeniable, shifting paradigms and challenging the status quo. #InternetVillage

Anyone with power and low EQ should be taken very seriously.

Elon Musk & the Roman Salute https://lnkd.in/gA4mU9Rz That's the link to see what this post is about. No one sensible, including Elon, is a Nazi, let's just put a stop to that. In fact, Elon just defanged Steve Bannon - I'm told by an Indian in Trump's team. Because Steve said Elon was more than acceptably racist. Really, yes! The real issue is that Liberal, war-making, internationalism, has so overwhelmed the chattering classes in the US, that finding symbols to oppose it, is difficult. But let me point you a different way ... to Martin Luther King and his Day, which is also Inauguration Day, the 20th of January. And that's Gandhi. MLK explicitly followed Gandhi. Trump too, does so. In short, the similarities between Trump and the exemplar of Gandhi, are outstanding. Just one example, Trump like Gandhi, supports the Blue Collar worker and fighting for peace. So for instance, stopping illegals, is also stopping deaths of poor (by US standards) immigrants trying to enter the US. And it is stopping US corporates from facilitating illegal immigration, because it's cheaper for them to hire unprotected workers. Trump then, at least ensures exploitation is limited, by accepting his mandate is to represent US citizens, not the world, and is limited to US borders. That's the great change Trump has brought, his self imposed limits suggest he doesn't think he and the US are God's gift to Mankind. He cares for the poor and poor Americans, instead of trying to care for them, by ironically killing, coloured people, across the world like his predecessors did. This is partly because, as he has said many times, America is the 3rd world. If you're not thinking you're exceptional, then you don't try to reform others. Yet, everyone else still thinks of America as exceptional! But how can it be, when American leaders are from India, and so many 3rd world countries? And so, the stock market rout, for instance, in India, is unsurprising. Global capital is flowing back to a newly ethical society, the US. Not because capital wants to, but because it has to since the new US President is a man of ethics and ethics is the best bet for growth.

America WILL prosper again