Doug Clapp

Ambassador Ray aptly describes what keeps him & literally millions of decent Americans awake at night under the threat of ever more fascist control & brutality by the Trump Administration & his GOP enablers in Congress. This election may be the people's last chance to have their vote & voice count.

Hold Fast: National Security is Not Just War steadystate1.substack.com/p/hold-fast-...

Bullies are loathe to acknowledge the contributions of others, especially those who have gone before, because they are insecure at their core. Ergo they must denigrate those we respect for their true sacrifices, in a vain attempt to proclaim the bully is "greater" than those "suckers & losers."

When the Polls Turn, So Do the Principles steadystate1.substack.com/p/when-the-p...

Ironic that our Ambassador to Greece succumbed to serious allegations of hubristic corruption this week. Adam's piece is well worth reading…and re-reading. Americans will do well to avoid what Trump acolyte, Little Marco, with his facile half-right classical allusions, is trying to sell us.

“If you’re going to mail your ballot, you better do it right away,” he said. “Don’t wait.” www.votebeat.org/national/202...

We take our oath as inviolable promise. We speak truth to power. We follow all LAWFUL orders. We do our duty until relieved. That is why veterans generally make excellent public office holders.

Extortion, pay-to-play for govt "favors," insider trading, get-outta-jail pardons for "donations," no-bid crony contracts, misappropriation of govt funds, lavish gifts & emoluments (bribes), financial/business conflicts of interest, intimidation/prosecution of corruption resisters...the list endless

Versailles on the Potomac open.substack.com/pub/marygedd...

The last month before the 2026 election on November 3. What's your strategy for making sure your vote gets recorded? - Anticipate intimidation and other shenanigans. - Make sure you are registered. - Vote early. - Verify that your vote was received by election officials.

Think life is tense here in America's ICE-land?? Some overseas October 2026 food for thought...

When government officials charged with enforcing the law and ethics instead operate to enable and promote favored officials' and citizens' violations of said laws and ethical rules, we have reached the point of "state capture," the nadir of our 250 year experiment in self rule.

When government officials charged with enforcing the law and ethics instead operate to enable and promote favored officials' and citizens' violations of said laws and ethical rules, we have reached the point of "state capture," the nadir of our 250 year experiment in self rule.

What keeps me up at night is the attempted wholesale elimination of demonstrated integrity & apolitical leadership among our military flag/general officer corps. When loyalty to one man supplants integrity & obligations of one's oath, we are at great peril from threats to democracy & nat'l security.

An insightful piece on the mess we're in. Lavish emoluments, extortion, pay-to-play pardons, crony contracts, etc are NOT American values. They are values of a crime syndicate. The mid-term elections can provide impetus to start America back from the precipice. But it's not going to be one & done...

The Steady State Files Hatch Act Complaint Against FBI Director Patel Over Wisconsin Appearance With Rep. Van Orden steadystate1.substack.com/p/the-steady...

Bill's essay should scare you. He speaks the plain truth of the ongoing fascist capture of our federal government. It should also steel your resolve to ACT: To be part of America rising to take our government back for We The People...vote, write, speak out, march, join civic action organizations.

Civic Witness Series - Questions from the Attic steadystate1.substack.com/p/civic-witn...

It Couldn’t Happen Here…Until it Did steadystate1.substack.com/p/it-couldnt...

How do you interfere with an election? James Petrila examines the administration’s efforts to suppress voting and the Supreme Court’s role in supporting them. From voter-fraud rhetoric to restrictions on mail ballots, the stakes are high. Read his piece: zurl.co/GsOfA

When Walking Away Wasn’t an Option steadystate1.substack.com/p/when-walki...

Steady State's Civic Witness Series: My essay today discusses the necessity of trust in our civic society. Democracy thrives on truth, transparency and free exchange of ideas. It withers and decays in the face of lies, hidden agendas, intimidation and censorship.

In the newest edition of our Hold Fast: Navigating the Ballot series, former FBI Executive & National Security Expert Lauren Anderson shares key indicators every voter should know before filling out their ballot. Read the full story on The Steady State Substack - link in bio!

Our Armed Forces were formerly respected for true meritocracy, based on a "best qualified" standard. Then Hegseth replaced it with a new apparent standard of "whiteness," testosterone & witless loyalty. That is not a recipe for military success; it is a development welcomed by our adversaries.

Abandoning decades of steadfast US support of ROK is sending shockwaves throughout the Pacific Rim. "Pressure" on Seoul seems too genteel to describe this blatant mafia-like protection racket. Such threats applied to longterm allies will not end well, likely emboldening adversaries like PRC & DPRK.

Hold Fast: Navigating the Ballot -What Voters Should Listen For steadystate1.substack.com/p/hold-fast-...

"Today we increasingly confront an Executive Branch that does not merely argue for expansive presidential authority. It rejects oversight altogether. It delays or withholds information required by statute. It treats congressional inquiries as optional."

High seas murders are unnecessary, tragic Trump/Hegseth "bully performances.” Meanwhile, our Coast Guard continues to conduct lawful, effective anti-drug surveillance, interdiction, & VBSS ops. This guarantees due process & an evidentiary chain of custody, usually w/out necessity of lethal force.

I can conly add Bill's words for emphasis: "Not just US policy, but the good of the whole planet has been set back by an uninformed, unread amateur power player whose principal weapon is a confused mind wrapped in greed and ghastly amounts of money."

Loyalty to our oaths to support and defend the Constitution is a two way street. The chain of command has a duty to follow all lawful orders. But the National Command Authority also has a duty to NOT issue illegal orders. All must be held accountable for any breaches in that sacred duty.

We’re often asked, “What can I do?” It’s the question democracy needs us to ask. JFK put it plainly: “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” So here is one answer: www.deseret.com/opinion/2026... #holdfast

When Hegseth brushes off reporting as "fake news," be assured that those words mean he knows he screwed up & has no credible answer. Our forces desperately need competent leadership & understanding of our people's operating conditions on the ground, not after the fact deflections & excuses.

substack.com/@steadystate...

This abuse of our military due to the Trump/Hegseth dreams of endless war is despicable, unsustainable & ultimately disastrous to our nat'l security. Our internat'l enemies clearly see America is weaker than in a century. All because of an OD of hubris & testosterone in the DOD Secretarial Suite.

The Steady State Civic Witness Series: Questions from the Attic steadystate1.substack.com/p/the-steady...

youtu.be/xIzEQ-YpeCk?... #holdfast

This is an existential moment for our republic and the rule of law. We cannot presume that "things will work out" if we remain but passive observers to history. It's time for us all to consider what we are prepared to do to save our democracy in the lead up to the election and beyond.

Gen Z: It’s not Apathy; It’s Exhaustion. steadystate1.substack.com/p/gen-z-its-...

substack.com/@steadystate...

In our bid to rid ourselves of Trump & his loyalist toadies the victory must come in steps...Gatherings in the streets build awareness, momentum, a sense of burgeoning strength, which can lead to an explosive turnout at the polls. That objective is...to empower a congress that will stand up to Trump

When Americans lose faith in the legitimacy of elections,the damage extends well beyond politics. It weakens the institutions that hold the nation together,erodes confidence in government,creates opportunities for foreign adversaries to exploit division & undermines...the peaceful transfer of power.

We Took an Oath. It Has No Expiration Date open.substack.com/pub/steadyst...

The SCOTUS 6 are on the cusp of destroying our treasured civil service meritocracy and replacing it with an arbitrary and capricious standard of "whatever/whomever the unitary Executive wants." Six people with lifetime appointments holding America hostage to the whims of a wannabe king.

Patel disgraces the formerly high standards of the Bureau. Extravagant loyalty "bonuses." Unjustified expensive BMW agency cars. Questionable Patel "official travel." Perhaps a new Congress in 2027 will have the backbone to follow the stench of Patel's ethical (& possibly criminal) abuse of office.

America is still [barely] a democracy. Let's make sure 2026 is not the last time your vote counts for anything.

Creating semi-autonomous "development zones" free of pesky sovereign nation oversight & control is appealing to venture capitalists, billionaire tech bros & criminal elements alike. Like the denizens in the Star Wars bar...unregulated banking & int'l ideologues & criminal orgs operating w/ impunity.

Many good, decent people, lawyers, scientists, government rank & file, media, professionals of all stripes, have been fighting a rear guard action to buy time to the next election. We exhausted, appalled & grieving masses are democracy's last hope to turn the tide. We must rise to the challenge.

Sage advice for us all & important lessons to share. Bridging the human to human communication space can be difficult, esp if your audience has been living in a propaganda bubble. Informing, convincing & motivating others requires setting best possible conditions for mutually receptive interchange.

Parties that deny each other's legitimacy and that are captured by the "legal bribery" of piles of dark money inevitably fail to perform their primary function in a democracy of representing the people. Law and policy have become dictated by deep pocketed interests rather than popular will.